Difficult, Difficult, Lemon Difficult

As many millenials are wont to do, I love the Great British Baking Show (or Great British Bake Off for the UK fans). Every season, every challenge, every pastry fills my heart with joy. Whether it’s the overt positives vibes or the adorable narratives, I was foolish enough to try one of the cutest and most frustrated featured bakes. Enjoy this journey into the Lemon Swiss Roll with me. I sure didn’t.

Step 1: Over Confidence

Being under the influence of an international sensation like the Great British Baking Show can cause many issues: destroyed kitchens, thousands of calories, broken spirits, and so much more. My folly began like most. I was tricked into the simplicity of this bake by the incredible editing powers of the BBC (or Netflix depending on the season). “It’s just a thin sponge cake…how difficult can it actually be?” The answer: very difficult.

Step 2: Research and Gather 

Finding a great recipe is time-consuming and often frustrating. How do you know which one will yield the results you’re after? Easy! Pick a random one that has an arbitrary 4.5 Star rating. Are they actual reviews? Who cares! What do the stars mean? Who knows! Do you care? NO! Once you’ve settled on the recipe, screenshot it for reference and start gathering ingredients! Look how excitedly I gathered them for this photo. I was so young, so eager, so naive.

Step 3: Instructions

You should always read through the directions at least once to ensure you have a general understanding of the steps to take. Sometimes, I’m a little over-eager and I forget to think about the larger picture. So I tend to follow a step and forget that I should have prepped for the following one. The next thing you know, I’m stuck mixing eggs for 2 minutes and forgot to zest the lemon I have to immediately add. Mary Berry would not be impressed with my chaotic approach to things.

Step 4: Failure

As you probably guessed, this first attempt would not be without heartache. While trying to follow the recipe, I was afraid I would over bake the roll. So my alternative was to pull it out WAY too soon. The result was a mushy, messy, raw dough disaster. Please enjoy the photo of this massive fail.

Step 5: Cry.

Step 6: Try Again.

Like many GBBS contestants, I stared at the oven, I failed miserably, I cried, and I needed to pick myself up again. The second attempt was better.

I trusted my instincts more and learned a few things along the way. I found it much easier to roll with parchment paper dusted in sugar instead of a towel. The whipped cream and lemon curd filling was very easy to do. Every inch of my kitchen was covered in powdered sugar.

Step 7: Results

All in all, I’m happy I did it. It was challenging and the result wouldn’t have gotten me a Paul Hollywood handshake. But, it was pretty delicious! I’ll continue to bake and next time I’ll work my way up to the more complicated bakes. I just hope they don’t involve powdered sugar.

You Are Who You Choose To Be: ‘Big Daddy’ Brings Big Heart

Dennis Dugan’s Big Daddy was another notch on Sandler’s endearing comedic bedpost. Big Daddy pairs lovable loser Sonny Koufax with the adorable and tiny Sprouse twins. Koufax’s transformation from playmate to parent can thaw even the most cynical of hearts. Those close to me know what I consider to be my deepest darkest secret. It’s time that I come clean. In my eyes, Adam Sandler can do no wrong. You can use my love of the Sandman to discredit my film knowledge, or you can consider me the Sandler-sseur. I pick the latter.

Best Quote #1 – “Having a kid is great… as long as his eyes are closed and he’s not moving or speaking.”

The Moment I Fell in Love with Big Daddy

There is plenty to love in this movie. Whether it’s the cameos, a young strapping Jon Stewart or Rob Schneider’s inability to read, I fell in love when Sandler suited up. Scuba suited up that is. To set the scene, Sonny goes into shock after Frankenstein’s teacher explains that his temporary son is the smelliest kid in class. This revelation helps Sonny realize that parenting is more than tripping roller bladers and eating 30 packets of ketchup. As he tries to steer Frankenstein back into being the mild-mannered Julian, Sonny realizes he may need a little help from the Scuba Squad. This scene proves to Sonny that being a responsible parent and fun can go hand in hand. He lectures Julian on the importance of bathing, studying, and being nice to the delivery man. After all, “ITS NOT HIS FAULT HE CAN’T READ.”

BEST QUOTE #2 – “I wipe my own ass!”

Most Rewatchable Moment

For the biggest hit in the nostalgia feels, you have to rewatch the disappointing saga of waking up “early” and missing McDonald’s breakfast. Sonny lectures Julian on the old days of not having McDonald’s breakfast and how lucky he is to live in a world where he will never go without. Sonny and Julian make it four seconds late…only to realize that they were 30 minutes and 4 seconds late. In some arbitrary move, the universe conspired against us, and Sonny, making McDonald’s breakfast unattainable. His meltdown in the restaurant is how we’ve all felt at some point…until their all-day breakfast menu, of course. Don’t worry Sonny, I’ve seen the future, and the future is breakfast.

BEST QUOTE #3 – “Dented cans are half-price. Microsoft went down 3 points. We gotta save some money.”

Best Moment in the Film

The trope I love most about 90s movies are the huge gut-wrenching declarations of love. This, although cheesy and predictable, ties the film together and gives the audience the payoff we deserve. Sonny is in court trying to win custody of Julian and he tries to prove to the judge and ultimately his father that he is ready to care for the young boy. Astutely, Sonny tells his father there is no need to be scared, he cannot possibly fail at being a father since the love he has for Julian won’t allow him to do so. This heartwarming moment of cheese allows all other men in the courtroom to call their fathers and declare their love. This is why I love the 90s. It doesn’t matter how ridiculous a premise, how many sexist Hooters jokes, or strange side characters, there is ALWAYS time for an emotional arc.

BEST QUOTE #4 – “Layla, if you don’t come over to Sonny’s apartment tonight, there’s a good chance that I’ll develop a stutter. P-p-p-please don’t do this to me!”

Why You Should Watch It Again

Big Daddy came after quite a few Sandler classics. And though it is not as side-splittingly funny as Waterboy or Happy Gilmore, it still carries universal themes that resonate today. Sonny Koufax is seen as a lazy slob with no direction. All of his friends are making money, successful and moving on towards major life milestones. Sonny is caught in the same routine, and although financially stable, he can’t seem to fall into the same rhythm of growing up like everyone else. Although I do not believe that you need a child to have a greater purpose…Big Daddy reminds us that you have greater potential than your current situation. Rewatch this movie for a fun mix of romantic comedy and raunchy 90s humor. Rewatch Big Daddy for a big laugh.

What do you think of Big Daddy? Let us hear your thoughts in the comments below! 

Check out “You Are Who You Choose To Be: The Films of 1999” Series running for the next three weeks at We Bought a Blog. Check back for a new film every day!

We Bought a Cabin in the Woods: The Nightmare Before Christmas 25th Anniversary!

WHAT’S THIS? We’re back with a Christmas present for everyone! Sandy Claws swung by with a new episode on The Nightmare Before Christmas! Our timing couldn’t be better, with the 25th Anniversary of the film wrapping up.

00:00 – 7:00 – Intro Discussion on The Nightmare Before Christmas

7:00 – 9:30 – Plot Synopsis

9:30 – 18:55 – Tim Burton and his role in the film

18:55 – 22:30 – Danny Elfman & Henry Sellick

22:30 – 41:30 – Stop Motion and the Making of the Film

41:30 – 52:45 – Release of the Film, The Oscars, and the future of Burton, Sellick, and Elfman

52:45 – End – Questions on Favorite Songs, Characters, Henry Sellick, and is it a Christmas or Halloween movie?

https://www.podbean.com/media/player/g7at8-a2b10d?from=yiiadmin&download=1&version=1&skin=1&btn-skin=107&auto=0&share=1&fonts=Helvetica&download=1&rtl=0

Want more Christmas? Check out Aaron’s Atypical Christmas movies list for the best non-Christmas Christmas movies!

5 Shows on Netflix to Fall Asleep to…When the Crippling Grip of Anxiety Induced Insomnia Has You By the Throat

Sleeping can sometimes be impossible. You toss, you turn, you turn on the tv. Personally, I cut to the chase and throw on some go to favorites to push back that ever present feeling of doom before going to work in the morning. These are my top 5 go to soundtracks to trick me into believing that things get better, falling asleep is good, and that it’ll be better in the morning!

Friends

Pros: Friends is no stress punctuated by a consistent laugh track. This white noise allows even the most awake person to drift off into dreamland. No issue on this show should trigger any deep thought or existential crisis. Instead, absurd situations and melodic “How You Doin’s” will help the days stress melt away.

Cons: Anytime you start to lull into dreamland, the Rembrandts’ catchy *CLAP*CLAP*CLAP* will wake anyone from twilight sleep to full awake for the sole purpose of clapping along.

Sleepy Themed Episode: Season 7, Episode 6 – “The one with the nap partners”

Parks and Recreation

Pros: Ok, so I am completely biased. Parks and Rec is my favorite show of all time. There isn’t a single line that is not ingrained into my brain causing a rapid fire of endorphins making me downright giddy. This show is incredible. Watching it instantly puts me in a good mood and in a safe headspace. I feel safe falling asleep to the sweet sounds of Ron Swanson dismantling the federal government from the inside. I feel serene listening to every single one of Leslie Knope’s hijinks. Sleeping to this show is only allowed when you can recite each line as a night time prayer.

Cons: You’ll want to stay awake to watch the entire dang thing.

Sleepy Themed Episode: Season 3, Episode 8: “Camping””

Cheers

Pros: One of the greatest tv shows of all time, Cheers sets the foundation for the future sitcom. The loveable characters and low stress situations make it an easy watch. You can jump in at just about any point and catch up quickly. Mostly spoken in dulcet tones, interrupted only by the studio audience, Cheers is a calming presence in my night watch rotation. With 275 episodes, it’s unlikely you’ll run out of material.

Cons: You may fall asleep to Shelley Long, and wake up to Kristie Alley. Beware. Also, darker themes in a sitcom may trigger panic attacks. Fun themes such as: what am I doing with my life? Am I in fact this shallow and vapid? Alcoholism! Dementia! And other fun nuggets of fear lay hidden within the laugh track of this classic sitcom.

Sleepy Themes Episode: Season 11, Episode 20 – “Look Before You Sleep”

Great British Baking Show (Great British Bake Off)

Pros: GBBS started a hopefully enduring trend of wholesome and helpful reality competitions where the stakes are high, but the politeness is higher. The contestants on this show are pleasant, the hosts are adorable, and the bakes are divine! The mellow tones of the soundtrack and pastel colors that make the tent provide a perfect escape to usher you to sleep.

Cons: Nothing. Absolutely nothing.

Sleepy Themed Episode: NONE. YOU CAN’T SLEEP AND BECOME STAR BAKER?!

IT Crowd

Pros: This show is British, it’s main set is a basement, and it is rarely loud. IT Crowd is a crowd pleaser when setting the mood for sleep. When you’ve watched each episode as many times as I have, the soothing British accents make for a perfect nighttime lullaby.

Cons: The show requires a bit more attention than the rest. Some of the jokes aren’t as funny if you aren’t paying attention. So, many times, it leads me to justify binging a whole series before bed…”by mistake.”

Sleepy Themed Episode: Series 1, Episode 6 – “Aunt Irma Visits”

Honorable Mentions:

The Office

Frasier

Master of None

Gilmore Girls

Big Mouth

Making It (Only on Hulu)

 Which episodes of these shows do you like to fall asleep to? Let us know what you think in the comments below!