Ladies and gentlemen, I cannot tell a lie.  These past few weeks have been hectic for me, and while trying to balance long days, intense work requirements and a bundle of social commitments (this girl just can’t say no!), my blog has been woefully neglected.  It doesn’t mean I’m not cooking … but it does mean that my time management skills have been pushed to the max.

I’m hoping between the Giants game this afternoon, and the Steelers SNF game tonight, I can finally do some baking, and (dare I say it?) some cooking!  Thoughts from readers on this ~ I feel like people fall into two categories: either you’re a baker, or a cook, but rarely do people do both with passion.  I love baking, but at the end of the day, I like making savory meals (and creating beautiful presentations) much more.  Do you think that people fall on either side of the line, or do you think people do both? More on this later!

Today, we finally ordered jerseys online (something we have been discussing with much enthusiasm since … well, I’d say mid-July, but as early as the end of last season).  Choosing a jersey, if you’ve never done it, is quite a commitment.  A lot of factors come into it.  What player do you like the most? What player represents your franchise best?  What player is committed to your franchise?

I own three Steelers jerseys.  My first was Hines Ward, #86, a Christmas present from my parents (that I strategically asked and lobbied for through my brother and his fraternity brothers).  I still wear this one the most. (I have it on right now). My second and third were also both presents: Troy Polamalu #43 ( & IMHO one of the best free safeties playing the game right now), and a customized throw-back jersey with my last name and favorite number (#12).  Twelve also happens to be Terry Bradshaw’s number ~ the Steelers QB from the ’70s who won four Super Bowls with Pittsburgh.

The man has had less luck with his jerseys (a few of his jerseys are players who are no longer Giants, and that’s a bummer, because they are really nice, stitched jerseys).  He’s been wanting a new jersey for awhile, but with budgets, and a thousand other things going on, it kept getting pushed back.  As of today, a blue New York Giants jersey has his name on it (not literally … figuratively, as in, it’s his), and should be coming our way via the United States Postal Service in (we hope) a timely fashion.

It went down to the wire, as he hemmed and hawed, and debated the pros of each of the players he was contemplating (a throwback Bavaro, a retired great Strahan, or one of the current players Bradshaw, Jacobs, or Nicks).  He’d made his mind up over the summer that if Kevin Boss remained a Giant, that was the jersey he was going for … but unfortunately, Kevin Boss left the Giants to go play for the Raiders.  (Boo.  And ps. Boo to the Giants for letting him go).

The man had different prerequisites than me, and his final choice of Brandon Jacobs (my fav Giant … hey, I watch them every week, so I’m bound to have a favorite!) reflects his thoughts on what makes a Giant player worth wearing.  While Nicks may go down in the history books as one of, if not the best, Giants wide receiver in franchise history, my man doesn’t wear receivers.  He doesn’t go for flash.  He goes for the guys who sweat it out yard by yard.  And after today’s beautiful touchdown by Jacobs, I think he’s quite pleased with his choice.

I may have mentioned this, but we really love football.

On another note, pumpkin bread and muffins are cooking in the oven right now ~ watch this space for the recipe.  The man and his pops leave at the end of the week for their hunting adventure, and I’m trying to bake them some snacks to take along for the ride!