Help

Carrie is Jed's cousin by blood, but I feel very lucky to have inherited her as mine. She taught me how to can tomatoes, which spurred the apple butter frenzy of '08. She let her son wear a superman "outfit" to school every day for 3 months. She worked hard for a year to find herself a new job, and is now the Executive Director (fancy, right?!) of Rebuilding Together Philadelphia. RTP has been in Philly for 20 years, working their mission to prevent homelessness by partnering with the community to rehabilitate the homes of elderly, disabled, and low-income homeowners so that they may continue to live in warmth, safety, and independence. Basically, Carrie's organization make life abb for a lot of people.

RTP was selected by HGTV to have a chance at winning $40,000 through its Change the World, Start at Home Campaign.

This grant would enable RTP to make significant repairs to a three-bedroom house that provides veterans with support and shelter during transitional periods. It is owned and operated by the Pennsylvania American Legion Housing for Homeless Veterans Corporation. Built more than 50 years ago, the row house is in the Frankford section of North Philadelphia. Most of the homes in the area are 70-90 years old. Like most houses of similar age, this house is extremely energy inefficient. RTP volunteers would have numerous opportunities to upgrade insulation, windows, fittings and appliances. Not only will this increase efficiency, but also will make the house warmer. RTP volunteers also would be able to replace the fencing in the front yard and do landscaping (which benefits the entire neighborhood) as well as upgrade the kitchen and do other interior repairs. Learn more about what the project would entail. The residents are all veterans who have served their county. This house is a home-like, non-institutional setting, which has a tremendous impact on having each veteran shape his own destiny.

ABB readers, you can help RTP make essential repairs to a home for veterans in transition-just by lifting your finger! In order to win, RTP needs to obtain the most online votes between today and March 2. Anyone can cast a vote EVERY DAY between now and March 2nd.

Before you do anything else, please click here and vote today (and every day!): http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/home/text/0,,HGTV_32656_82769,00.html

Please vote every day. Help make a HUGE difference to veterans in our community. Carrie and I both thank you.

rkm's great in 08

*a new job at drexel!!



*barak obama is president elect



*grandma turns 90



* phillies are #1 and i party like i'm 21



* dalembert report dominates quizzo



* visiting mich in hawaii



* summer weddings, how i love open bars:)











*nfbff's (new found best friends forever)

jessica mae's great in '08

* packing up and moving to the west coast.

* president-elect Barack Obama: YES WE DID!

* conquering my biggest baking fear and making a freaking baguette!

* finally learning to knit.

* the release of one of my all time fave albums.

* these gals.

ab's great in '08 list

I would be amiss if i didn't highlight the nuptials first and foremost. what a great day.

Other great in '08:
* OBAMA

* No sugeries

* dh moved around the corner

* jslaughter was 1308's summer intern

* Phillies* abb

one little, two little, three little linzertortes

This will be a quick post so I can get back to the festivities (i.e. eating and drinking) but I wanted to share something that has been a Christmas tradition on the German side of my family since way back before I was born: Linzertorte!

My Oma made at least one of these every year while I was growing up and to me it's just doesn't feel like Christmas until I am eating a slice. This year, in the spirit of trying to learn the recipes I grew up with, I decided that I needed to learn how to make them. Little did I know that volunteering to make it meant I would be recruited to make three of them! There was a definite learning curve but I have to say, I think they turned out very pretty and judging by the already half eaten one on the counter, totally delish! I think Oma would be proud.

the recipe varies with every family, but in our family, the crust is made of hazelnuts, with some whiskey (of course!) and filled with raspberry jam. yum!

So happy holidays from the ladies of ABB. I hope everyone is having a happy, healthy, food and love filled holiday! Now go eat another cookie!

Little Elf

I've been holding off on my holiday crafty present post until after the holidays, but i can't wait any more days. JML - pretend to be surprised on Saturday. Most other people have already received and claimed to enjoy the gift I am most proud about:

Jared apple butter accompanied by one or more home-sewed tea bags filled with home-blended tea mixes.
The tea bags are the cutest things i've ever made. I went to the Italian Market a few weeks ago with dh and picked up ingredients for 2 different blends:

Spiced Black Tea and Green Tea Chamomile (for the preggers or nursing). I wanted to sew muslin tea bags, but i quickly became overwhelmed because should i pre-wash the muslin? will all of the detergent come out? is that gross? i thought it was gross, so i used coffee filters. I sewed the bags using a pastel mint green thread and i have to say, they are adorable.

Not sure if ABB will post tomorrow, but knowing Jessica Mae, she will want to show off her Oma's cookies. I'm off to meet my girl ds for a glass of sparkling. Safe, healthy and happy holidays to you!

tis the season for baking and other fun stuff

Saturday marked the celebration of Hanukkah....Myers style. There were multiple family members drinking from bottles, yelling, laughing, dancing, gifts of the QVC variety and what's Hanukkah without chocolate shaped like shekels? My momma made some latkes that were out of this world (turns out grease fire gives extra flavor), my Pops was the grill master, turning out his famous filet mignon and salmon. There were also side dishes of garlic, I mean spicy peanut noodles and marinated broccoli. I think people could smell our breath a block away, for reals. Anywho, I contributed this beauty. It was so good, it had people moaning. You should try making this one at home, it's super easy!!


This weekend I also accomplished making cookie gift bags for folks at work. I figured it was easy enough to do with out exhausting myself and who doesn't like cookies? I included chocolate chip, gingersnaps and cranberry pistachio icebox cookies. Something simple, something spicy and something seasonal (looking). I purchased the little clear baggies at AC Moore on Delaware Ave which is a shit hole and I don't recommend shopping there while tired from drinking four nights in a row. But I digress.


thanks gourmet magazine....



gingersnaps (that look kinda like poo patties but taste wonderful...fresh ginger)



the bagging process begins.....



Viola!



I just like this shot cause it shows the pretty flowers Mich got from our old roomie Evin for graduating college...Congratulations Mich!!!




Today my bff Lara and I dined at XIX for lunch today (I had a gift certificate...thanks Todd!) and it was fantastic! I love XIX like Kanye loves himself, ok that was a corny comparison but this place is great for a special occasion or just an everyday lunch if you are wealthy or maybe just a lady of leisure. You can get the "express" lunch which is a classy ass buffet, all for $19. You choose an entree off the menu then pig out on the salads, cheeses, cured meats and dessert (after the entree of course). I had the fish of the day, mahi mahi which was divine and Lara got the steak which was very tasty. The sauces were on point and the portions were perfect. The dessert selection is heavenly and inspirational. This experience certainly made my day abb. I hope you too can enjoy this gem in the heart of center city.

Merry X-mas! Happy Hanukkah!! I hope you all have a happy, fun and warm holiday.

rkm's fantasy wish list

but without the cigarette.....





i need the biggest one of these





yes please!





yeah boooooiiiii!!





can't we all just get along?!

jessica mae's fantasy wish list

from the beautiful blog 3191 A Year of Mornings.

my friend jamie has one and i have coveted it for years. time for one of my very own.



drool. saving up the pennies.

i am addicted to lattes, so eventually, this would pay for itself right?

from the wonderful matte stephens. love the colors, love the shapes, makes me happy.

i love the juxtaposition of the high tech with the rustic wood. ooo, i am so deep.

ab's Fantasy Wish List

To line the back of my closet. Or to frame.

Love these.

look at the organization! I pretend that this could be my life one day, but i know better.

Hand cut paper. amazing and beautiful

Who doesn't love the bubbly? all of the ABB girls do, that's for damn sure.
I don't think I could ever have enough blue cotton dresses with pockets. sigh.

this makes jessica mae happy

this makes rkm happy