April 16, 2021

A Very Brady Annette

My treasured  Brady Bunch photo, signed for me by the series’ creator,
Sherwood Schwartz, in 2007.

The

Here’s the story of a gal named Ann~ette…

Okay, that isn’t exactly how it goes, but if you are a fan of this 1970’s television classic
(Well, 1969 to 1974 to be exact.), The Brady Bunch, then it is my guess that this series’ iconic theme song has already begun to take over in your brain, at its mere mention! If, for some reason, you can not immediately summon up this happy little melody in the tune library of your mind, then just click here to listen to how this theme song sounded during each of its five years.

My shag carpet-covered DVD set of the Brady Bunch looks pleasantly plush, green and groovy!  :O)

This catchy theme song, was written by The Brady Bunch creator, Sherwood Schwartz, along with composer and actor, Frank De Vol.  It only takes one to listen to this minute-long opening, to understand the program’s plot set-up, and characters’ background story. Sherwood had used this same opening technique in his previous comedy series, 
Gilligan’s Island.

Sherwood Schwartz (1916-2011) generously autographed and sent me this picture, along with a few other photos, from The Brady Bunch and Gilligan’s Island in 2007.
Gotta love it!

I love The Brady Bunch!  It is happy, upbeat, and family-friendly, all wrapped up with a positive message! In fact, my kiddos insist that I can identify each episode within viewing the first 30-seconds of each program. :o) It was on the continual quest to teach my youngsters “the classics”, while growing up, that I made sure that The Brady Bunch was part of their education!  :o)

A view of the iconic Brady staircase, along with the instantly recognizable horse statue, and the (“Mom, always says don’t play ball in the house.”) vase, in the renovated Brady House.
Photo courtesy of Lisa

In addition to its cheerful tone, this program allows us a peek back into the home decor and clothing styles of the era. What a treat!  I have even spotted Marcia and Jan sporting groovy clothing exactly like, or similar to, items that I wore at the time. This makes sense, being that Jan/Eve Plumb and I are the same age. (Unlike Jan, though, I was the oldest of two girls, so there were no “Marcia, Marcia, Marcia” speeches given by Yours Truly. :o)) I also recognize some of the textbooks lugged home by the Bradys’ from school, as ones that I once used!

Marcia, Jan, and Cindy’s floral wallpapered bedroom in the now renovated
Brady House.
Photo courtesy of Lisa

A Very Brady Renovation

Now streaming on Hulu, while initially airing on HGTV, 
A Very Brady Renovation  originally aired from September-December 2019.  

The door mat at site of A Very Brady Renovation.
Photo courtesy of Lisa

It was after a bidding battle, that HGTV acquired the famed Brady House
(of which the exterior shots were filmed for the show) in August 2018 for 3.5 million dollars .
HGTV’s goal was to renovate the house’s inside to match the Bradys’ home (which was actually a set) in the television series.
The only problem is, that the inside of the newly purchased house, scarcely resembled the Brady House set, shown on TV.  With the aid of the six original Brady Bunch kids, and many HGTV experts, it took six months to complete the major renovation project.  The show A Very Brady Renovation showcases the extensive work that took place. 

The Brady House

The uncredited, but essential, star of The Brady Bunch, HAS to be the famous Brady Bunch House, said to be the second most photographed house in America, after the White House!  
Even as a youngster, I admired the beautiful staircase, and expansive living room.

The uncredited, but essential, star of The Brady Bunch show, HAS to be the famous
Brady Bunch House!
Photo courtesy of Lisa

Read some fun facts about The Brady Bunch House, here.

My friend, Lisa, had the uniquely awesome opportunity of touring the Brady House renovation. As we used to say as kids, “Lucky Duck!”.  Happily, Lisa generously shared the photos that she took of her experience with me!  And, I, in turn, share a few of them in this blog post, with you! Thank you, Lisa!
(Lisa was our tour guide in 2016 at Walt Disney Studios.  See six photos, below.)

Lisa and Eric happily pose on the beautiful Brady stairs.

See Lisa and Eric’s submission for the contest to spend a night in the renovated Brady House, here.  No, they did not win, but they were, later, able to enjoy a house tour!

The Brady living room and dining area.

Orange + green=the Brady kitchen!

Alice’s recipe written on the kitchen chalkboard!

 In March 2016, Lisa was our wonderful and fearless tour guide
at Walt Disney Studios in Burbank, California.
Read about our fun tour, here.

Thank you, Lisa, for sharing your Brady House photos!!!!!

 

What’s your favorite Brady Bunch episode?  
Share with me in the comments, below.

 

 Cooking with Gammy

Who wants a cookie?

When my four kiddos were little, I made many giant chocolate chip cookies. I began by making them from scratch, but, eventually, began using pre-made cookie dough for a quick bake and easy clean up.  For Easter, I made one for my grandchildren. It was a hit.
 I share the recipe with you.

A giant cookie is always a hit!

 

One 16.5 ounce package of Toll House cookie dough is needed for a Giant Cookie.

 

Giant Cookie

Ingredients

1 package (16.5 ounces) NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE® Refrigerated Chocolate Chip Cookie  Dough

Ready-to-use frosting

m &m’s, sprinkles, etc. (optional)

Directions

Preheat oven to 325° F.

Place parchment onto 10- to 14-inch pizza pan.

Place all of dough on prepared pan.
Allow to soften-up for 5 to 10 minutes.
Using fingers to pat dough gently to form 8-inch circle.

Bake for 17 to 20 minutes, or until light golden brown.
Cool on baking sheet.

Decorate cooled cookie with frosting, m &m’s and sprinkles if desired.

6-8 Servings

Bunny Rolls

My grandchildren enjoyed making these bunny rolls from Pillsbury Orange Rolls, using raisins for the eyes and nose.  Unroll two rolls, and cut pieces to make the ears for six bunnies. Bake as directed.  Frost and decorate with raisins.

Easter Mix
(Formally known as Easter Trash, as it used to be mixed in a brown grocery bag.)

Using Crispix, pretzels, Easter m&m’s, and white chocolate chips, use the instructions, here.

Oreo Frogs 

Using chocolate frosting as “glue”, stick together two pretzels for feet, underneath one Oreo, and “glue” two m&m’s eyes on top.

Hershey Chocolate Cookies

Like brownies, but in a cookie, my grandchildren love these!
Find the recipe, here.

Made Me Smile :o)
Sharing things that put a smile on my face, recently.

Artwork

Seeing my grandchildren’s art work on my refrigerator door brings a big smile to my face! :o)

Spring Time!

My daily walks treat me to the beauty of spring in greens, yellows, purples, and pinks. :o)

A Variety of Disney!

My Rocketeer statue (The Rocketeer is a Disney film.) glows with a new disc light!

I love the design on this new Walt Disney World oven mitt!

I have been enjoying the child-based devotions in this book, that also include fun
Walt Disney World facts.

Take a Look At These Related Blog Posts

My Birthday with Disney, April 2016, here.
Walt Disney World Studios and Lisa

Christmas Cheer, May 2020, here.
Lisa sings “It’s Gonna Be a Hot, Hot Christmas”

A Christmas Story Christmas, December 2016, here.
The recipe for Christmas Mix/Trash

A Visit to Hershey Park, Chocolate is a Vegetable, Right?, May 2018, here.
The recipe for Hershey Chocolate Cookies

Thank you for reading!

May your days be blessed, and your taste buds happy!

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