Dec 26
Christmas Eve, Part 1: Last Minute Shit
Of course we still had shit to buy on Christmas Eve, but luckily we were both off work. (This is almost never the case for Henry.) We hit up Arsenal Cider in Lawrenceville first to grab a growler of vanilla honey cider for my dad. Good thing we got there exactly when they opened, because within five minutes, the small room was quickly filling up with their douchey hipster clientele. Seriously, I find this is the worst thing about the place. But the cider is good enough to keep me coming back.
Afterward, we hit up Salem’s Market in the Strip District to pick up some spinach pies for Henry’s mom and sister.
Chooch thought everything looked disgusting and wasn’t afraid to say it to the faces of the men behind the counter. Meanwhile, I got a lentil soup that was quite delightful.
Outside of Salem’s Market, posing next to a Gorbachev quote.
We came home to a box of presents from our awesome Michigan friends, Bill and Jessi. We stowed them all under the tree, except for the one that said “open fast!” beneath Henry’s name. We tore it open and found a half dozen Faygo cupcakes from Just Baked bakery in Livonia, Michigan. I have now learned what Henry can use in lieu of Viagra, should his future ever call for it. (For those who don’t know, Henry works for a beverage distributor here in Pittsburgh that deals with Faygo. He’s kind of like a God to all of my friends in other states who long for the taste of generic ‘hood-distributed soda but can no longer find it in their local shops. Henry will hook them up every time. Pretty much, it’s all he’s good for.)
This is what ravaged Faygo cupcakes look like.
They were damn good cupcakes. Even after being frozen preventatively by Bill and Jessi and then jostled and man-handled by so many in the shipping industry, they were still world’s better than those crappy abominations that Dozen here in Pittsburgh tries to pass off as cupcakes. These suckers were moist, the frosting was the perfect texture and consistency, and I could totally taste the Faygo. It was remarkable experience for my mouth. Next time we visit Bill and Jessi, I will definitely be stopping at Just Baked.
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I don’t know what sounds more awesome, the cupcakes or vanilla honey cider.
As a side note, I think “fervid mastication” is the best band name ever…or maybe the title of your book!
They were really good! I’m pretty picky with cupcakes but I liked them enough to want to go to the bakery for real!
Fervid Mastication – I can see it on the shelves, lol!
That was really cool of your friends to ship you cupcakes!
I’m also a Michiganian, and can attest that the cupcakes at Just Baked are delicious. And with that, I am hungry for a cupcake now. ;)
Give me your recommendations! I’m definitely going to hit that place up next time I’m back!
My favorite is the cherry chip flavor. It’s yellow batter with pieces of maraschino cherries in it, with buttercream. Simple, yet delicious.
Michigander … Michigander … MICHIGANDER!!!
:P
Sorry, I had to get that out of my system.
:)
I thought it too Josh ;)
I’m glad that despite the trip, they managed to make it in a delicious, yet busted form. I am anxious for you to come out again and to take you there. The other cupcakes they had looked amazing. I haven’t been back yet, but there are plans for the future!
Totally, we have to take them there for sure. Also, Marvelous Marvin’s Mechanical Museum (http://www.marvin3m.com/) is a must on the list next time they venture to the Mitt!
This part made me Tolhurst: “He’s kind of like a God to all of my friends in other states who long with the taste of generic ‘hood-distributed soda but can no longer find it in their local shops. Henry will hook them up every time. Pretty much, it’s all he’s good for.”
Guilty! And I still wear my 100 years Faygo shirt every single week to work!
That totally made Henry happy!