Wednesday, August 31, 2011
True Blood Makes Family Come Together by Alex Cranz of Fempop.com
Last night, while full on riffing on The Matrix (is it 2000 how is this okay?) True Blood nailed home the theme of the episode, if hours of considering things has me thinking correctly. It was all about family.
The bad ass vampire kind of family.
The adorable faintly fairy kind.
The seriously messed up and surprisingly relatable kind.
And the kind that bid a fond farewell because their exits was months overdue.
It may have just been a coincidence, a relative calm before the storm, but it felt like everyone’s story was drifting away from romantic entanglements and into familial ones. This makes sense for Sookie. Though she came to her own conclusions about her love life last week (“I choose polyamory” is the new “I choose me”) the vamps in her life aren’t exactly in on the plan and have their own feelings. Bill has essentially been stagnant all season, he loves Sookie but he’s a bad ass vampire king now and he will never ever share. Eric got sparkle touched into his old self but now he’s tempered by the puppy dog Eric and in love with Sookie.
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Posted by " Dallas " at 9:28 PM 0 comments
Fantasy on TV: How 'Game of Thrones' Succeeds Where 'True Blood' Fails
Harris's Southern Vampire books may be fairly conventional paranormal romances, lacking some of the higher-level philosophical and mythological resonances Alan Ball's added to the franchise. But they're an impressive example of world-building and pacing. Harris started out with vampires and shape-shifters, giving readers a grounded sense of those concepts and mythologies before adding werewolf hierarchies in the third book, witches in the fourth, and faeries in the eighth. That pacing gave readers time to get a full sense of how different kinds of magic work before introducing new part of the world and explaining how different concepts interacted.
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Posted by " Dallas " at 9:26 PM 0 comments
Labels: Season 4
1-800-DENTIST® made a special "guest appearance" on True Blood
So far Mystic Tan hasn't put out a press release but you can see their booth on the left in this image
http://mystictan.com/
Is this commercialization and product placement OK with everyone ?? Just askin'?
1-800-DENTIST® made a special "guest appearance" on the August 21 and 28 episodes of HBO's Emmy®-nominated TV series, True Blood, as an exhibitor in a scene taking place at a "vampire convention." The appearance was a fun and innovative way to show millions of viewers that the Los Angeles-based dental marketer understands that everyone, including vampires, needs dental care. It represents yet another example of 1-800-DENTIST® thinking outside of the box, or in this case "coffin," to grow its consumer brand and generate new patient leads for member dentists.
Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/g/a/2011/08/31/prweb8734344.DTL#ixzz1WfCj3f26
Posted by " Dallas " at 9:24 PM 1 comments
Blood Work! "True Blood" Recap 4.10: Terry 9-1-1
The farty irene edition ! Ha!
Posted by " Dallas " at 3:59 PM 1 comments
Labels: Blood Work
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
SEason 4 finales ..and the denizens of Bon Temps brace for a new crisis with a familiar face
What do you think ??
Terry's friend shows up with Steve ??
http://fellowshipofthesun.org/
Posted by " Dallas " at 9:49 PM 1 comments
Labels: Newlin
Sippin’ Ice Tea with Sookie: The Sookie Stackhouse Companion by Charlaine Harris
This is a nice review ...BUY YOURS today!
It’s been ten years and eleven novels since a sweet, naïve, smalltown Louisiana telepath named SookieStackhouse served a bottle of blood to a vampire named Bill. Since then, the places and people of Bon Temps, Louisiana, have become household words for many of us — from Merlotte’s (in whose parking lot the bodies are usually dumped, crucified, or staked) to the creepy community of Hotshot to Viking vampire Eric Northman.
Now, with only two books left to go before Harris’ recently announced series end at book thirteen, we have the ultimate companion to All Things Sookie.
read on
Posted by " Dallas " at 9:11 PM 0 comments
Labels: Sookie Stackhouse books
Remembering Amnesia Eric: Top 5 Cutest Pre-Memory Moments
We're happy for him, we really are, but we're already missing that sweet, gentle vampire who crawled in bed and small-spooned Sookie after a having a bad dream.
Ah well, at least we'll always have the memories … well, unless we come across Marntonia, in which case these pictures will surely come in handy.
5. Eric Eats Sookie's Fairy Godmother
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Posted by " Dallas " at 5:25 PM 0 comments
Labels: Eric Northman
True Blood 4x10: Bloodbath at the Tolerance Festival
Sookie breaks a spell, frees Eric and quiets the violence -- but Bill and Antonia have another battle looming
At the Festival of Tolerance, the sight of the vampire security forces massacred by necromancer Antonia's gang of witches and zombie vampires sends the human audience fleeing in panic. Antonia still has control of Eric's mind and she's commanded him to Kill Bill. A straight-up hockey brawl breaks out -- vampires attacking humans, witches killing vampires, Nan stabbing a zombie vamp, Eric attacking Bill. But Sookie weaves her way through the panic and jumps on Eric's back -- girl's got an odd approach to foreplay -- so Bill can pull back and shoot Eric with a silver bullet.If Antonia's necromancy is so tight, how come she can't control Bill and Nan right now? Are they wearing tin-foil wigs?
Eric pulls the silver bullet out like a champ and goes back to rumbling with Bill. Sookie pleads with Eric to fight off Antonia's spell, but he tries to stake Bill instead. Eric is our favorite for a reason. Sookie, sensing her ménage à trois will never happen unless she takes charge, fairy-bombs Eric before he can shank Bill through the heart. When the impact releases Eric from Antonia's spell, he regains his free will along with all of his memories, including sexy time with Sookie. Pay attention to that little flashback, because that's all the naked you get in this episode.
Sookie's fairyhands didn't just free Eric, they broke Antonia's spell and the bloodshed stops. When Antonia sees how many humans were harmed in the massacre, she is aghast. Lady, this was your party. Antonia escapes out of Marnie for a second, then is reabsorbed. Bill and Eric call a truce, and Marnie vanishes with her entourage.
read on
Posted by " Dallas " at 4:46 PM 0 comments
'True Blood' EP Alexander Woo Discusses Sunday's Dramatic Death (Video)
"Death is a part of the life of this show, so characters do die," the exec producer tells THR.
On Sunday’s episode of HBO’s True Blood, the series said goodbye to Tommy Mickens (Marshall Allman) in a very dramatic scene in which he made peace with his brother, Sam Merlotte (Sam Trammell). Since last season, viewers knew Tommy to be part conman, part seeker for where he belonged in life. In the end, he skinwalked as Sam to spare his brother from the beating that ultimately took his life.
“I think we needed to redeem Tommy at the end,” True Blood’s executive producer and writer, Alexander Woo, tells The Hollywood Reporter about the manner in which they ended Tommy’s story line.
“Despite all the terrible things he does, we always felt he had a good heart on the inside,” Woo adds. “He has done so many things that have hurt others and hurtful to himself, but ultimately we thought it was important to emphasize the basic humanity at the bottom of that character.”
read on
Posted by " Dallas " at 4:42 PM 0 comments
True Blood lets the leather-jacketed, supernatural war of Louisiana begin! by Meredith Woerner io9.com
This week on True Blood, we got our favorite vampire back, FINALLY. But have Sookie's underbits damaged his brain for good? Possibly, only time will tell! Until then, cue the vampire slo-mo, it's time for the Pro/Con list.
Let's be honest. This episode existed for one reason and one reason only — as a set up for next week's vampire versus witch showdown. Everything else (including one character's death, some werewolf stuff and an important V-juice intervention) was just getting in the way of the death match. Poor Tommy.
Pro: We're still at the Vampire Tolerance Fair. And much like the many sit-ins and marches that came before this fair, the all-important mylar Tolerance balloons are still intact.
read on
Posted by " Dallas " at 4:39 PM 1 comments
Labels: Episode_4.10 “Burning Down the House”, Meredith's i09 Reviews
'True Blood Vol. 3' soundtrack full stream featuring PJ Harvey, Gil Scott-Heron, Neko Case, and more: Hear it here! -- AN EW EXCLUSIVE STREAM
Actually, not quite yet; the official release won’t come until Sept. 6 (though you can preorder it here).
In the meantime, EW has an exclusive full stream of the album, including covers of classic songs interpreted by Neko Case and Nick Cave, Siouxsie and the Banshees, PJ Harvey and the Violent Femmes’ Gordon Gano, Damien Rice, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Nick Lowe, Jakob Dylan, Massive Attack, and the late, great Gil Scott-Heron.
After the jump you’ll find the stream, as well as some background from the show’s music supervisor Gary Calamar — he also currently oversees the music selections for House and Dexter, and famously placed Sia’s “Breathe Me” in the Six Feet Under finale — on how he chose the songs for TB Vol. 3:
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Posted by " Dallas " at 4:36 PM 0 comments
Labels: music, Season 3 music
First a Vampire, Now a Leading Man: Alexander Skarsgård Can’t Be Tamed
“Use your phone and shine a light over here,” says Alexander Skarsgård, whose indefinitely appropriated Southern twang echoes off the walls inside one of the many vast stages at Hollywood Center Studios in Los Angeles. It’s True Blood’s final day of production before the show’s annual hiatus (they’ll reconvene in November for season five), and the near-empty lot we’ve been wandering feels like a schoolhouse abandoned by its students for the summer. Most of the cast and crew have driven out to Malibu this afternoon to film the pyre-heavy final scene of the HBO series’ fourth season, but Skarsgård and his costar Stephen Moyer have been directed here to re-shoot a close-up. “Follow me,” he says as we edge closer to the darkest part of the hangar-size room. 1digg
“I wish I could find a fucking light switch,” he adds, before eventually flipping one. The chamber we’re in—done up like a dank basement with black columns and intimations of evil—suddenly becomes awash in the glow of overhead lights. “This is where I tortured Lafayette,” he says with a satisfied grin, referring to the show’s second season, in which his character Eric Northman, the sheriff of Area 5, chained Nelsan Ellis’ drug-abusing, cross-dressing fry cook to a post. He waves me through another door into what looks like a nightclub filled with barstools, dusty liquor bottles, and a poster of a vampiric George W. Bush. “Welcome,” he says with exaggerated gravitas, “to Fangtasia!”
read on
Posted by " Dallas " at 4:24 PM 0 comments
Labels: Alexander Skarsgard
True Blood Sucker Punch: Season 4, Ep. 10
In the very first scene, we say goodbye to Forgetful Eric. Just as he's about to kill Bill at the Tolerance Rally -- which was thrown into chaos when Martonia sent her vampire zombies on a murderous rampage -- Sookie blasts him with 1,000 volts of FaerieLight. She not only gets him away from Bill, but also returns his memories in a (literal) flash.
read on
Posted by " Dallas " at 4:19 PM 1 comments
Labels: Mark Blankenship, sucker punch
'True Blood' ep. 10 recap: Vampires, witches ready to brawl, human-vamp relations fruaght as ever
We seem to be on the brink of war.
This week's episode of "True Blood" opens back at the vampire tolerance rally, where things were just about to get really bloody.
While Antonia is chanting, urging still-bewitched Eric to kill King Bill, Sookie is trying to keep that very thing from happening. Just when it looks like all is lost -- mayhem has ensued and Eric's about to stake Bill -- Sookie blasts him with her fairy magic and saves her royal ex from the True Death. (In other staking-and-the-tolerance-rally news, Nan uses a pencil to bring about the final expiration of a possessed vampire, thereby winning back some of our affection.)
In the process, she also shocks Eric's memories back into him – all of them, including the exceptionally naked ones we've all been privy to over the past few weeks. Oops. This is conveyed through a series of knowing lovers' glances, making everyone realize that nothing between those two will ever be the same again. At any rate, Antonia's hold over Mr. Northman is broken, and her plan is more or less foiled.
Posted by " Dallas " at 9:05 AM 0 comments
Monday, August 29, 2011
The Fug Girls Rate the True Blood Characters’ Fashion Sense
Sookie
Her backstory: As if she didn’t have enough to do — being the possessor of magical blood, and the beloved of nearly every supernatural man-creature within thirty miles – Sookie also sometimes has to, gasp, wait tables.
Her look: Somebody obviously once told Sookie that hot weather equals hot pants. In fact, she bravely battles the Bon Temps humidity by almost always refusing anything with sleeves or pants. She also owns a covetable, endless collection of skimpy sundresses, the better to drape tantalizingly off her heaving bosom.
Her score: 5. A girl cannot live on tiny frocks and booty shorts alone. We suggest Sookie Netflix the middle seasons of Buffy to learn how to incorporate more vampire-friendly separates into her wardrobe.
read on
Posted by " Dallas " at 4:09 PM 0 comments
Labels: fashion
True Blood’s Marshall Allman on Last Night’s Episode, the Rules of Skinwalking, and the Tommy-Sookie Hookup That Could Have Been
SPOILER ALERT. If you haven’t seen last night’s episode, spoilers ahead. Since following big brother Sam Merlotte to Bon Temps, Tommy Mickens has stolen from him, lied to him, and shape-shifted into him. But while the first two offenses only got the scarred-up sibling shot and kicked to the curb, the latter — a shifter phenomenon known as skinwalking — got him killed on last night’s episode. We spoke with actor Marshall Allman about his True Blood finale, the Tommy-Sookie hookup that never was, and the rules of skinwalking (who knew too much of it could kill you?).
Big episode last night.
I know, it’s so crazy. So weird.
Did you watch it?
No, I haven’t been able to watch it yet. I think I might get emotional. Maybe I’m avoiding it.
read on
Posted by " Dallas " at 4:04 PM 1 comments
Labels: Sam Merlotte
'True Blood' Recap: Sookie to the Rescue
Marnie and Antonia, Jessica and Jason and Sookie, Bill and Eric deal with the consequences of their magical unions
In "Burning Down the House," the third-to-last episode of the season, we finally get the sense that things are beginning to wrap up. In a bit of an anti-climatic turn, Sookie undoes Antonia's spell on Eric, but that doesn't mean the issues between the witches and the vampires – or the vampires and the vampires, for that matter – are resolved. The biggest moments of the episode come as Marnie and Antonia, Jessica and Jason and Sookie, Bill and Eric deal with the consequences of their magical unions. Sookie's powers also come to the forefront after she both inspired and intrigued herself and the supernaturals around her by putting them to use. With two episodes to go, we may finally find out what is controlling Bon Temps this season: is it some kind of higher power or the supernaturals themselves?
read on
Posted by " Dallas " at 4:00 PM 0 comments
Bill, Eric, Pam and Jessica are armed to the fangs !
Posted by " Dallas " at 1:24 PM 0 comments
Labels: episode_4.11 "Soul of fire"
True Blood: Pumping Up The Violence, Burning Down A Song by Jefwithonef
The song itself is fine. "Burning Down the House" may not be the best Talking Heads song ever. Here's the test: Is the song in question on Little Creatures? No? It's not the best Talking Heads song ever.
Still, it's a pretty damn good pop track that has stood the test of time. However, Alan Ball did not choose to use the original, and instead chose to end this week's episode of the same name as the song with a rendition by The Used.
The Used is a band whose Wikipedia entry Rocks Off literally can't read through without rolling our eyes to the point of dizziness. We're long since past the point where the fact that a band spent some time broke or homeless impresses us. Scott Stapp and Rob Thomas lived out of their cars too for a while too, which doesn't improve the taste of their vintage, although Thomas ain't bad for a $3 merlot.
read on
read on
Posted by " Dallas " at 1:06 PM 1 comments
Talk Blood S4 Ep Episode 10 "Burning down the house" the Podcast up!
In case you missed last night Talk Blood episode - here is the podcast !
This was the Hurricane Irene edition as 4 of my co-hosts are located in NY City and many had to evacuate due to Hurricane Irene. So our friend Alex Cranz (also a North Texan !) , editor of Fempop.com has graciously agreed to step in and help tonight. We will also met tonight's episode sponsor, the wonderful Shirley Sharp of WordConnex .com
Buy a raffle ticket to win great prizes and support the show!
** please support the show by considering sponsoring an upcoming episode and please buy a raffle ticket for amazing prizes !!
TBS4ep10chat
Posted by " Dallas " at 9:51 AM 1 comments
Labels: Blogtalk Radio, Episode_4.10 “Burning Down the House”, Talk Blood Radio
True Blood Season 4 Ep 10 " Burning down the house" subtitles ! What did they say last night ???
Posted by " Dallas " at 9:34 AM 0 comments
'True Blood'Ep 10 recap: It's A Latin Thing
Tough luck for those of you who were eagerly anticipating Eric's return to sexy leather-clad Viking form. Tonight's True Blood gave us a respite from the tiring Eric/Sookie puppy love talk, as we learned that Marnie's role in Antonia's war is bigger than we'd ever thought. Before we dig in, you might notice that I am not supernatural sexpert Mandi Bierly -- last we heard, she was kayaking her way to the Hoboken branch of Moon Goddess Emporium in the wake of Hurricane Irene. I hope you'll enjoy this emergency guest recap, even though I just so happen to be Team Alcide. Try to think of it as an Antonia/Marnie type of thing.
So it turns out all of those fancy corporate sponsorships and bottles of AB negative Nan scored for the Festival of Tolerance were for naught. The whole 'human guards with spilling entrails' gag sent the crowd into a panic, with humans, vampires, and witches alike caught in the bloody crossfire. Sookie ran through the crowd to stop a Mantonia-controlled Eric from snapping Bill's neck while Nan kicked ass, took a few names, and staked a bewitched vampire with a pencil.
read on
Posted by " Dallas " at 9:24 AM 0 comments
Charlaine Harris announces release of new Sookie companion book, short story and new tour dates
The Sookie Stackhouse Companion is now available.
Also new short story in the anthology, Down These Strange Streets. You may pre order it for October here. This is edited by George R.R. Martin ( as in Game of Thrones)
Here is an updated appearance schedule:
- Sept 2-5 – DragonCon, Atlanta, GA (meet-up with other Charlatans)
- Sept 15-18 – Bouchercon, St. Louis, MO (meet-up with other Charlatans)
- Oct 1 – Writer's Colony At Dairy Hollow, Eureka Springs, AR
- Oct 26 – Mysterious Galaxy, Redondo Beach, CA – Speaking at 7PM, early-bird signing before and more signing afterward.
- Oct 27-30 – World Fantasy, San Diego, CA
Posted by " Dallas " at 9:15 AM 0 comments
Labels: Charlaine Harris, short stories
True Blood Music Episode 4.10 - Burning down the house
Episode 4.10 - Burning Down the House
“Superstition” by The Kills (Debbie tells Marcus she wants to have babies but Alcide doesn’t)
“Lawd Have Mercy” by El Camino (playing at Marcus’s shop when Alcide & Sam show up)
“Burning Down the House” by The Used (closing credits)
Posted by " Dallas " at 8:57 AM 0 comments
Babyvamp Jessica blog: Where Have All the Cowboys Gone?
Posted by " Dallas " at 8:50 AM 0 comments
Labels: Jessica Hamby
True Blood S4 Ep 11 " Soul on Fire" previewHBO ( video)
Posted by " Dallas " at 8:48 AM 0 comments
Labels: episode_4.11 "Soul of fire"
Inside the Episode “Burning Down the House” Ep 4.10 HBO ( video)
Posted by " Dallas " at 8:44 AM 0 comments
True Blood Ep 10 'Burning down the house 'recap HBO (video)
Posted by " Dallas " at 8:43 AM 0 comments
True Blood Promo video previews last 2 episodes
Posted by " Dallas " at 8:35 AM 0 comments
Labels: episode_4.11 "Soul of fire"
Vampires in GA! Author Kane Makes Aleron’s Presence Felt at the Decatur Book Festival
Atlanta-based author Kane will bring his acclaimed vampire novel, Aleron, to the 6th Annual Decatur Book Festival over Labor Day Weekend.
This new author has spun a tale of fangs so enthralling that it rates with the likes of Anne Rice and Stephen King. Good reading. Good storyline. Interesting characters. This story will Eclipse all others.
S
Kane will be one of the festival’s featured authors and will have a table at the festival site. The festival, sponsored by the Atlanta Journal Constitution, is one of the largest festivals for independent authors. There will be over 300 authors in attendance with 14 stages that will have music and poetry performances. Festival-goers can also look for the Aleron girls and various other promotions throughout the festival weekend.
read on
Posted by " Dallas " at 8:29 AM 0 comments
Labels: vampire books
Driving While Undead: new Zombie TV show on MTV Mondays
read on
http://www.mtv.com/shows/death_valley/series.jhtml
Posted by " Dallas " at 8:25 AM 0 comments
Labels: Television
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Talk Blood Radio: True Blood Season4 Ep 10 "Burning Down the House " LIVE TONIGHT 9:30 pm !
Live TONIGHT: Come and 'Talk Blood' right after the True Blood episodes airs. We will be discussing True Blood Season 4 Episode 4.10 "Burning Down the House"and it should be an amazing episode and you'll want to chat about it I'm sure !
This is the Hurricane Irene edition 4 of my co-hosts are located in NY City and many had to evacuate due to Hurricane Irene. So our friend Alex Cranz ( also a North Texan !) ,editor of Fempop.com has graciously agreed to step in and help tonight. We will also meet tonight's episode sponsor, the wonderful Shirley Sharp of WordConnex .com and I'll take your calls the last 20 minutes of the show and you can always join the amazing chat room.
Listen Live, call-in with your opinions and join the amazing chat room! Click here and here to get involved tonight chat room opens at 9:15pm cst and the radio show begins at 9:30 pm cst . You can call -in by dialing 1 (646) 929-0825
Be sure to join us tonight because we're going to talk True Blood on Talk Blood Radio live on Blog Talk Radio. I love hearing you comments and suggestions you can ALWAYS email me: 'Dallas' at truebloodindallas@gmail
Buy a raffle ticket to win great prizes and support the show!
** please support the show by considering sponsoring an upcoming episode and please buy a raffle ticket for amazing prizes !!
Posted by " Dallas " at 12:16 PM 0 comments
Labels: Blogtalk Radio, Episode_4.10 “Burning Down the House”, Talk Blood Radio
True Blood Season 4 Crossword Puzzle - Episode 9 " Run"
Thanks to Kristie
Run
Posted by " Dallas " at 10:33 AM 0 comments
Labels: crossword puzzles, Episode_4.09 "Let's Get Out of Here"
What did you really read this summer? Salon Magazine asks some authors
Erin Morgenstern, author of "The Night Circus"suggests
The Gargoyle
The Last Werewolf
Zone One
Ready Player One
Faithful Place
read more here
Posted by " Dallas " at 10:30 AM 0 comments
Labels: books
'True Blood' star Skarsgard ready for Irene
Although many New Yorkers heeded Mayor Bloomberg's advice and left town today ahead of Hurricane Irene, True Blood's Alexander Skarsgard opted to keep a lunch date in the East Village to chat about his upcoming thriller, Straw Dogs (out Sept. 16).
As it turns out, this isn't the first time he's dealt with a natural disaster.
read on
Posted by " Dallas " at 10:13 AM 0 comments
Labels: Alexander Skarsgard
Deborah Ann Woll: The lady is a vamp
Michele Manelis talks to True Blood's Deborah Ann Woll about the evolving story and how she's happy to be naked on screen.
"Oh, God, everything happens to Jess in this season," the 26-year-old Woll, says, enthusiastically. "Her story is a coming-of-age transformation from girl to woman/human to vampire. She's struggling with who she is personally and starting to embrace the vampire side of herself."
In contrast to most of the vampires, Jessica is endowed with feelings of empathy and remorse.
read on
Posted by " Dallas " at 10:04 AM 0 comments
Labels: Jessica Hamby
Saturday, August 27, 2011
True Blood Recipe of the week: Sookie's Red Velvet Cake
Ingredients
• Vegetable oil for the pans
• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon fine salt
• 1 teaspoon cocoa powder
• 1 1/2 cups vegetable oil
• 1 cup buttermilk, at room temperature
• 2 large eggs, at room temperature
• 2 tablespoons red food coloring (1 ounce)
• 1 teaspoon white distilled vinegar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Cream Cheese Frosting, recipe follows
• Crushed pecans, for garnish
Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly oil and flour 3 (9 by 1 1/2-inch round) cake pans.
In a large bowl, sift together the flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, and cocoa powder. In another large bowl, whisk together the oil, buttermilk, eggs, food coloring, vinegar, and vanilla.
Using a standing mixer, mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until just combined and a smooth batter is formed. Divide the cake batter evenly among the prepared cake pans. Place the pans in the oven evenly spaced apart. Bake, rotating the pans halfway through the cooking, until the cake pulls away from the side of the pans, and a toothpick inserted in the center of the cakes comes out clean, about 30 minutes.
Remove the cakes from the oven and run a knife around the edges to loosen them from the sides of the pans. One at a time, invert the cakes onto a plate and then re-invert them onto a cooling rack, rounded-sides up. Let cool completely.
Frost the cake. Place 1 layer, rounded-side down, in the middle of a rotating cake stand. Using a palette knife or offset spatula spread some of the cream cheese frosting over the top of the cake. (Spread enough frosting to make a 1/4 to 1/2-inch layer.) Carefully set another layer on top, rounded-side down, and repeat. Top with the remaining layer and cover the entire cake with the remaining frosting. Sprinkle the top with the pecans.
Cream Cheese Frosting:
1 pound cream cheese, softened
4 cups sifted confectioners' sugar
2 sticks unsalted butter (1 cup), softened
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
In a standing mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, or with a hand-held electric mixer in a large bowl, mix the cream cheese, sugar, and butter on low speed until incorporated. Increase the speed to high, and mix until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. (Occasionally turn the mixer off, and scrape the down the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula.)
Reduce the speed of the mixer to low. Add the vanilla, raise the speed to high and mix briefly until fluffy (scrape down the bowl occasionally). Store in the refrigerator until somewhat stiff, before using. May be stored in the refrigerator for 3 days.
Yield: enough to frost a 3 layer (9-inch) cake
Posted by " Dallas " at 5:57 PM 0 comments
Labels: recipes
Friday, August 26, 2011
Hurricane iRene - and how it will effect Talk Blood Radio Sunday night
Just so everyone knows, Andy, Brian and the cats are evacuating NYC and probably will not be able to join us Sunday night.
We will miss them but I just want everyone to be safe and I want all you guys to know that Blogtalk is located ( or part of it is) in the New York area so with power outages and heavy internet traffic that may disrupt the use of blogtalk and the radio show on Sunday night !
If its' not working I will post it one the blog , so just check before the episode airs.
I hope everything is OK for all of you guys who live on the East coast and in the NE. Please post in the comments where you live so we can keep you and your family in our thoughts. Even if it's not deadly, it will be scary and a huge hassle for everyone effected. I'm so sorry.
You guys be safe and take care and keep us posted.
Dallas
Hurricane Irene - How you can help RED CROSS / Salvation Army
Posted by " Dallas " at 9:47 PM 1 comments
Win the Sookie Stackhouse Companion! True Blood in Dallas Raffle !!
Somebody just donated a Sookie Stackhouse Companion book to the TONS of prizes I'll be mailing out in 2 weeks!!!
This is the last few weeks of the raffle - I will announce some winners on the big 2 hour finale after Ep 12 !I have lots and lots of great prizes! I have one week available for a sponsor!
Please buy a $20 raffle ticket (each ) and help us pay the costs of running the blog and producing the radio show this year. I have created a very sensible budget for this year and am raising the money through Talk Blood episode sponsorships and the raffle. It is the only way I can keep this all going, we ain't there yet so please help...
Your chances of receiving a prize are astoundingly good and we have wonderful items like: autographed Sookie books by Charlaine Harris, collector's t-shirts, soundtrack CDs, True Blood collectors grab bags, an original signed Andy Swist ( Yes, as in the True Blood paper dolls ) wonderful portrait of Eric & Sookie, True Blood collectors poster ( one of a kind !) more books, and various other gift certificates and other goodies from some of our sponsors!
But best of all you know you helped keep your favorite True Blood Blog or radio show going for another year!
Thanks, Dallas
Also if you have a prize you'd like to donate email me truebloodindallas@gmail.com
You can also sponsor an episode $50 , you can promote your business etc on the show and on the blog. Email me for more info.
I have a few episodes open I'd love to help you promote your business.
Posted by " Dallas " at 7:49 PM 0 comments
Labels: fundraising
Excerpts released from the Sookie Stackhouse Companion A Sookie Stackhouse Novel
Penguin Books has released a special sneak peek at The Sookie Stackhouse Companion book, written by Charlaine Harris! The book will go on sale on August 30th!
ORDER THIS NOW!!!
Read more here
Check out the excerpt (email messages between Eric and Bill) and a message from Charlaine Harris below!
Readers seemed to want more details of the Sookieverse, and the website (www.charlaineharris.com) has always bubbled and seethed with questions. How do you make Caroline Bellefleur’s chocolate cake? What about that pesky fairy genealogy? What book contains the famous shower scene? (I’m just kidding on that last one; everyone knows the shower scene.) How do the short stories fit into the chronology of the books?
We’ve assembled The Sookie Stackhouse Companion to answer all of these questions and hopefully a few more, to give readers a thorough look at the world of Bon Temps, and to provide extra snippets of interesting information about Sookie’s world and the people who live and die in it. Though this book is about the books, we also give a nod to our favorite television show, True Blood, by including an interview with one of my favorite people, Alan Ball.
Lots of people helped me assemble this companion, and I’m going to try to thank all of them in the acknowledgments. But let me just say here that without the help of my assistant and best buddy, Paula Woldan, I would have torn out my hair and cast myself upon the floor in despair at a few points. So thanks, Paula, and I think I had some of the most fun ever drawing the map with you.
I’m sure the second The Sookie Stackhouse Companion is on the shelves, I’ll think of something I should have included, but it’s time to let this project go. I hope you all find something in the book to entertain, enlighten, and engross you.
See you in Bon Temps.
– Charlaine Harris
Life in Bon Temps
The Secret Dialogues of Bill and Eric
To: Eric Northman,
Sheriff of Area Five, LA
Dear Eric,
With the permission of Sophie-Anne Leclerq, Queen of Louisiana, I will be returning to claim my ancestral home in Bon Temps.
Sincerely,
William Compton
————————–
To: William Compton
Dear Bill,
Long time no see. As you know, the vampires in my area pay their fealty by working at Fangtasia. Please contact Pam to set up your schedule.
Eric Northman
————————–
To: Eric Northman,
Sheriff of Area Five, LA
Dear Eric,
I understand that your vampires may offer a tithe as an alternative to working at Fangtasia. I have other obligations and fear I will not have the time to dedicate to your club.
Sincerely,
William Compton
————————–
To: William Compton
Dear Bill,
A tithe is acceptable, but I would much prefer your time at Fangtasia. As a former Confederate soldier you would be quite a draw. I understand that you have work to do for the queen, but surely you can spare me, your sheriff, some of your valuable time as well.
Eric Northman
————————–
To: Eric Northman,
Sheriff of Area Five, LA
Dear Eric,
Please find enclosed my certified check for six months’ tithe.
Sincerely,
William Compton
What's Cookin' in Bon Temps A Selection of Down-Home Southern Recipes Antoine's Fried Pickles
Time: 20 minutes
Ingredients:
- 1 cup self-rising flour
- 1 tsp. baking powder
- 1/4 tsp. paprika
- Dash of red pepper
- 1/3 cup milk
- 1/3 cup beer (any brand)
- Whole dill pickles
- Oil
Sift together all of the dry ingredients. Add the milk and the beer in equal amounts until the mixture is the desired consistency. Slice the dill pickles into round 1/4"- to 3/8"-thick chips. Dip the slices in the batter until batter is gone, and fry in deep oil. Turn once or twice to brown evenly.
Tip: Enjoy them with cold beer.
By Charlaine Harris
Posted by " Dallas " at 7:46 PM 0 comments
Labels: Sookie Stackhouse books
True Blood’s Carrie Preston on Ghosts, Her Favorite TV Redhead, and Being Married to Lost’s Ben Linus
Parenting is tough these days, especially if you’re the mother to a serial killer’s spawn. Nobody knows this better than True Blood’s Arlene Fowler — the loving, if histrionic, waitress who has an irrational fear of vampires and shifty infants alike. We spoke with actress Carrie Preston, who portrays this reservoir of comedic relief with likability, to discuss last week's episode (ghost-lady Mavis possessed Lafayette and kidnapped baby Mikey), her favorite TV redhead, and being married to Michael Emerson, a.k.a. Lost’s Ben Linus.
Has your story line this season changed your opinion of ghosts? Do you believe in them?
I do think there’s a spiritual element in the world, yes. Have I experienced a ghost firsthand, per se? No. I guess I’ve experienced feelings or some kind of a presence. But I certainly haven’t seen any kind of transparent entity running around. And they certainly don’t fly in my mouth the way they do to Lafayette.
Posted by " Dallas " at 6:38 PM 0 comments
Labels: Arlene Fowler, Carrie Preston
True Blood Season 4 finale: Music - The Heavy Cover Blood Sweat & Tears for True Blood Finale
I was meeting with True Blood writer-producer Raelle Tucker to discuss music for the 4th season finale airing September 11. This ain’t just another brilliant True Blood episode — this is the SEASON FINALE baby.
Now, as all True Blood fans know, each episode is named after a song in the episode. It makes things interesting for a music supervisor. Raelle had thought of calling the episode “And When I Die” and using the Blood Sweat and Tears version of the great Laura Nyro composition, but didn’t think the vibe was quite right.
I suggested that we record a new version, True Blood style. Raelle and show creator Alan Ball said “dude go for it”
Stream: The Heavy — “And When I Die”
listen here
The Blood Sweat & Tears version from 1970
The Heavy brings down the house on Letterman
Posted by " Dallas " at 5:44 PM 1 comments
Labels: episode_4.12 " And when I die", music
Would you like to buy a copy of the Sookie & Eric bed from from the Snow Sex Scene ?
The new online marketing strategy worked, sparking a relationship between Log Furniture Place and HBO. The network's producers asked Hunt to create the True Blood Extremely Gnarly Aspen Log Bed which was featured in "Spellbound" (Season 4) on Aug. 14.
More info here
http://www.logfurnitureplace.com/
Posted by " Dallas " at 5:40 PM 2 comments
Labels: episode_4.08 " Spellbound"