The one where I let the Gilmore Girls decide.

We spent the weekend looking at colleges. And by colleges, I mean high schools. It just felt like we were looking at colleges. That's how intense we were. It's the great debate in ThatGirlWorld:

Will TheTeen thrive (survive) at the local high school, or is she better suited to the private high school in the next town...

Scary, right? I feel like I'm stuck in an episode of Gilmore Girls, waiting to find out if Rory gets into Chilton. If I make the wrong decision, how will she ever get into Yale? And is Luke ever going to marry me, or what?

photo source

In this debate, the part of TheTeen will be played by Rory Gilmore, and ThatGirl will be played by Lorelei Gilmore. Or, Alexis Bledel and Lauren Graham. Whichever.

Mom, I don't want to go to private school! I want to go where my friends are going!

Rory, I don't want you to plan the next four years of your life based on four friends in your life.

Thanks, Mom.

Besides, I hated high school. It's your destiny to hate it, too.

What if I hate private school?

Well, there are smaller class sizes and the teachers are paid to notice that stuff. Now, let's go watch the football game at the private school and see what you think.

: driving :

Wow, mom, this school is pretty small.

How big do you need it to be? Planning to hide a flask in your locker, are you?

What's a flask?

Wow, you really haven't learned much in public school, have you?

: walking around :

It's really clean.

Yep, and I'm impressed that you noticed. Judging by the state of your bedroom.

Mom, I want one of these school visors. Give me $10.

Are you going to throw the entrance interview?

Mom! No!

OK, because that's what you said this morning.

Well, now I like it here.

Based on that hat?

No. I don't know. Can I have $10 or what?

:buys hat:

That's as far as we got. Stay tuned. If nothing else, she's protected from UV rays while making her decision.

So, that's smart.

She called my inappropriate crush a douchebag.

Cooking Lesson: Blackberry Cobbler a la the Pioneer Woman

If you're new here, you're going to want to read this post first. We'll wait...

OK, let's begin: Blackberry Cobbler, found on page 212 of Ree's new cookbook. You can also access the full recipe on her website.

Before we even start talking about this recipe, let me just say that THIS is the recipe you should start with if you're cooking impaired. I had everything onhand, it took (literally) 5 minutes to prepare, and it tasted great, warm or cold. Plus? I'd like to bottle the smell of the kitchen, please. I'll call the scent, "sugar-blackberry high."

Don't be like my man, Billy Clinton. I really want you to inhale.

Here's what you're going to need:

• 1 stick Butter
• 1-¼ cup Sugar
• 1 cup Self-Rising Flour
• 1 cup Milk
• 2 cups Blackberries (frozen Or Fresh)

You will NOT need eggs, even though I mistakenly pulled them out during our cobbler photoshoot.

See the flour, hiding in the back there? That would be "self rising" flour -- something I'd never heard of in all my years of burning things. Definitely becoming aware of the secret subculture that is cooking.


I was sooo glad I covered the book in ziplock bags, because a lot of sugar was shed. Plus, no desire for blackberry stains on the pages.

Melt butter in a microwavable dish. Pour 1 cup of sugar and flour into a mixing bowl, whisking in milk. Mix well. Then, pour in melted butter and whisk it all well together. Butter a baking dish.


Now rinse and pat dry the blackberries. Pour the batter into the buttered baking dish. Sprinkle blackberries over the top of the batter; distributing evenly. Sprinkle ¼ cup sugar over the top.


Bake in the oven at 350 degrees for 1 hour, or until golden and bubbly. If you desire, sprinkle an additional teaspoon of sugar over the cobbler 10 minutes before it’s done.

Here's the finished product -- served warm, with vanilla ice cream:

***
Thumbs-Up from the PeanutGallery... (3 stars)
***

He's not foaming at the mouth, that's ice cream.

Don't forget to try it!
Click here for the original recipe
and instructions from PW.

Disclaimer: ThatGirl Blogs is not affiliated with The Pioneer Woman blog or related publications. ThatGirl Blogs has received no compensation for this post, real or imagined. All recipes are the property of Ree Drummond, aka Pioneer Woman.

UnDeck Your Blog

Dear Bloggies,

It's me, ThatGirl, and I'm back to spread more Christmas cheer. Last time we visited, I gave you the Christmas Decoration protocol, so I hope you're not sipping eggnog under the mistletoe as you read this. It's November 8th for Mary's sake.

Today's topic is the ever-present Christmas Countdown.

Bloggies, I don't want to come to your blog or facebook page only to be met with a widget counting down the days to Christmas.