What the Shriners had to do with a Viking boat I'll never know.
The Big Green Hat is actually a disguised skip loader.
DeLoreans on parade; mechanic runs along behind them (kidding)
Now a camel and a Shriner, this I can see...
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Saturday, March 13, 2010
How True...
"I distrust those people who know so well what God wants them to do, because I notice it always coincides with their own desires." Susan B. Anthony, American feminist (1820 - 1906)
Friday, March 12, 2010
Be the Font of Wisdom at the Water Cooler
"LA's Graveside Companion; Where the V.I.P.s R.I.P." by Steve Goldstein Schiffer Publishing 192 pages $19.95
There is a sub-culture that enjoys visiting cemeteries and seeing the final resting places of famous persons. When Richie retired, we explored a couple of them as a diversion. If I'd read this book first, these expeditions would have been a helluva lot more interesting!
* Peter Lorre was on his way to divorce court when he upped and died of a heart attack in 1964. His widow (apparently still his legal wife) seems to have been the type to not waste anything, is buried next to him. She died in 1971.
* Hattie McDaniel was the first African-American to win an Oscar in 1939. She and her husband were segregated from the larger audience at a small table in a room set up just for them.
* Jayne Mansfield was NOT beheaded in the car accident that killed her. (Damn! There goes a good story.) Some photographer got a shot of her blonde wig stuck to the windshield.
* Anthony Quinn married a daughter of Cecil B DeMille. Their son Christopher Quinn wandered away from Grandpa DeMille's house to a nieghbors. W.C. Fields had a fountain with little toy boats in his yard. The three year old was intrigued by them, fell in and drowned. Fields was devastated and had the fountain immediately removed. Lily Tomlin is said to own the Fields house now.
* Jack Benny was born on Valentine's Day. Before he died, he made arrangements for his wife, Mary, to receive a single, long-stemmed red rose every day of the rest of her life.
* The man buried above Marilyn Monroe is buried face down on his direct order. He didn't want to have his back to her through all eternity. Not an urban myth, verified by his family -- and the undertaker who flipped him!
* Telly Savalas didn't get into acting until he was nearly 40 years old. He was also Jennifer Anston's godfather.
Web sites of interest:
findagrave.com
findadeath.com
seeing-stars.come
There is a sub-culture that enjoys visiting cemeteries and seeing the final resting places of famous persons. When Richie retired, we explored a couple of them as a diversion. If I'd read this book first, these expeditions would have been a helluva lot more interesting!
* Peter Lorre was on his way to divorce court when he upped and died of a heart attack in 1964. His widow (apparently still his legal wife) seems to have been the type to not waste anything, is buried next to him. She died in 1971.
* Hattie McDaniel was the first African-American to win an Oscar in 1939. She and her husband were segregated from the larger audience at a small table in a room set up just for them.
* Jayne Mansfield was NOT beheaded in the car accident that killed her. (Damn! There goes a good story.) Some photographer got a shot of her blonde wig stuck to the windshield.
* Anthony Quinn married a daughter of Cecil B DeMille. Their son Christopher Quinn wandered away from Grandpa DeMille's house to a nieghbors. W.C. Fields had a fountain with little toy boats in his yard. The three year old was intrigued by them, fell in and drowned. Fields was devastated and had the fountain immediately removed. Lily Tomlin is said to own the Fields house now.
* Jack Benny was born on Valentine's Day. Before he died, he made arrangements for his wife, Mary, to receive a single, long-stemmed red rose every day of the rest of her life.
* The man buried above Marilyn Monroe is buried face down on his direct order. He didn't want to have his back to her through all eternity. Not an urban myth, verified by his family -- and the undertaker who flipped him!
* Telly Savalas didn't get into acting until he was nearly 40 years old. He was also Jennifer Anston's godfather.
Web sites of interest:
findagrave.com
findadeath.com
seeing-stars.come
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Erin Go Bra-Less!
Made you look! To the Smut Police: there is no Erin in this blog, with or without her underwear.
I wanted to get your attention for St. Patrick's Day.
Corned beef and cabbage are always served (and only one of them is any good in my opinion.) How about trying something new? Bon Appetit suggests Irish Soda Bread and gives us the Ballinalacken Castle Country House & Restaurant recipe for Mrs. O'Callaghan's Soda Bread.
Nonstick vegetable spray for the baking sheet
3 cups all-purpose flour
3 cups whole wheat flour
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1 teas. baking soda
1/2 stick of butter, cut in cubes
2 cups buttermilk
Set the oven at 425. Spray the backing sheet.
Whisk the flours, sugar and baking soda together then cut the butter into the dry.
Add the buttermilk and stir it in.
Turn the dough (lumpy) out on a floured surface and knead it 10 times. Shape it into a 7 in. round on the baking sheet and then take your knife and cut a big "X" across the top.
Bake for 40 minutes, peeking to see the color (deep brown is desirable.)
This is easier - thank you, epicurious.com
4 cups cake flour
1 T baking soda
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 cup raisins (optional - some people add caroway seeds)
1 cup cold milk
Sift the dry ingredients together, cut in the oil and then the raisins and milk. Knead it, shape it and bake it. I forgot to jot down the oven heat so put it in at 425 but keep an eye on it. It should be a smaller loaf than Mrs. O'Callaghan's because it has less flour.
I wanted to get your attention for St. Patrick's Day.
Corned beef and cabbage are always served (and only one of them is any good in my opinion.) How about trying something new? Bon Appetit suggests Irish Soda Bread and gives us the Ballinalacken Castle Country House & Restaurant recipe for Mrs. O'Callaghan's Soda Bread.
Nonstick vegetable spray for the baking sheet
3 cups all-purpose flour
3 cups whole wheat flour
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1 teas. baking soda
1/2 stick of butter, cut in cubes
2 cups buttermilk
Set the oven at 425. Spray the backing sheet.
Whisk the flours, sugar and baking soda together then cut the butter into the dry.
Add the buttermilk and stir it in.
Turn the dough (lumpy) out on a floured surface and knead it 10 times. Shape it into a 7 in. round on the baking sheet and then take your knife and cut a big "X" across the top.
Bake for 40 minutes, peeking to see the color (deep brown is desirable.)
This is easier - thank you, epicurious.com
4 cups cake flour
1 T baking soda
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 cup raisins (optional - some people add caroway seeds)
1 cup cold milk
Sift the dry ingredients together, cut in the oil and then the raisins and milk. Knead it, shape it and bake it. I forgot to jot down the oven heat so put it in at 425 but keep an eye on it. It should be a smaller loaf than Mrs. O'Callaghan's because it has less flour.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Potpourri
We Love Lumpia!
That would be our friend Tony and myself. Richie doesn't go into spasms of joy at finding it on a menu (generally Hawaiian restos.) Lumpia, sometimes spelled "loompia," is a Filipino specialty. It's like an egg roll - with meat or a taquito - with vegetables.
When I spotted them in the Albertson's freezer section, I grabbed a box. Visit familylumpia.com for more information.
Naturally, I couldn't wait to e Tony - Lumpia at Albertson's! In return, he e'd me the recipe for the traditional dipping sauce.
White vinegar, Kikkomen soy sauce, a minced clove of garlic, one bay leaf. Mix the vinegar and soy capful by capful until you have enough for your lumpia. Add the garlic and bay leaf and you're set to go.
Tony also said that frying them is best for a crispy shell; this brand can be baked which I prefer.
Cultural Differences or This Would Be a Good Time to Invade France - They're Distracted
French newspapers and now our own are reporting that President Sarkozi and his third wife, Carla Bruni-Sarkozi have taken up with others! She apparently left first and is said to be living with a musician in his Paris flat; he "sought consolation in the arms of" (I love that!) his Ecology Minister! The marriage is two years old. You may recall that they had a three month courtship before tying the note (loosely it would seem.)
All I can do is laugh. She has had a long string of, er, engagements - including dumping the father for the son (dipping into Cougar Country?) and he is known for hedging his bets -- he courted his second wife while still married to the first.
All well and good in licentious France; imagine the howls of outrage if this item concerned the Obamas. Americans aren't very good at adultry -- in public, that is.
Still in Shock
Yesterday afternoon, I took a friend for dessert at our local Denny's. Naturally, I scrutinized the menu just in case old Greedy Gut here was missing anything. My eyeballs nearly blew out of my head when I saw a new menu item -- five or six sausages lying spoke-like in a three egg omelet -- with a fried egg on top of the omelet! Paramedics optional, I guess.
That would be our friend Tony and myself. Richie doesn't go into spasms of joy at finding it on a menu (generally Hawaiian restos.) Lumpia, sometimes spelled "loompia," is a Filipino specialty. It's like an egg roll - with meat or a taquito - with vegetables.
When I spotted them in the Albertson's freezer section, I grabbed a box. Visit familylumpia.com for more information.
Naturally, I couldn't wait to e Tony - Lumpia at Albertson's! In return, he e'd me the recipe for the traditional dipping sauce.
White vinegar, Kikkomen soy sauce, a minced clove of garlic, one bay leaf. Mix the vinegar and soy capful by capful until you have enough for your lumpia. Add the garlic and bay leaf and you're set to go.
Tony also said that frying them is best for a crispy shell; this brand can be baked which I prefer.
Cultural Differences or This Would Be a Good Time to Invade France - They're Distracted
French newspapers and now our own are reporting that President Sarkozi and his third wife, Carla Bruni-Sarkozi have taken up with others! She apparently left first and is said to be living with a musician in his Paris flat; he "sought consolation in the arms of" (I love that!) his Ecology Minister! The marriage is two years old. You may recall that they had a three month courtship before tying the note (loosely it would seem.)
All I can do is laugh. She has had a long string of, er, engagements - including dumping the father for the son (dipping into Cougar Country?) and he is known for hedging his bets -- he courted his second wife while still married to the first.
All well and good in licentious France; imagine the howls of outrage if this item concerned the Obamas. Americans aren't very good at adultry -- in public, that is.
Still in Shock
Yesterday afternoon, I took a friend for dessert at our local Denny's. Naturally, I scrutinized the menu just in case old Greedy Gut here was missing anything. My eyeballs nearly blew out of my head when I saw a new menu item -- five or six sausages lying spoke-like in a three egg omelet -- with a fried egg on top of the omelet! Paramedics optional, I guess.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
An "If...Then" Question
"Best of International Cooking - Over 365 Recipes from 64 Countries" by Annette Wolter and Christian Teubert
I doubt that this book is still available commercially. I bought it for $1 at the Palos Verdes Library book sale. It was first published in Germany in 1982; the 2nd printing comes to us out of Tucson, AZ, so the book itself doesn't even know where it is.
I assumed it would be a compilation of various countries' perennial favorites and turned with interest to the section on the United States. Imagine my shock and horror -- the first recipe listed was for a shrimp cocktail! One of the desserts listed was: a Cranberry and Cream Cheese BOMBE! Now which is it? If we are what we eat, then what are we? Are we shrimp or terrorists? Conversely, the only recipe listed for Iraq was (drum roll) a date and NUT cake.
Based on what I know of Italian and French cooking, it is most favored recipes and the ones that most tourists would expect to be served. Thus, if you are planning a trip to any of the below... you've been alerted.
Ecuador - Tomato Soup with Bananas plus 2 T grated coconut
China - Hot and Sour Soup
Bulgaria - Roast Duck with Sauerkraut
Bolivia - Avocados Stuffed with Shrimp and Cooked Chicken
Belgium - Apple Fritters which makes me think of Denmark and Abelskivers.
The book presents all kinds of possibilities and you may be sure you'll be hearing more from it. We need to solve this "If, then" question.
Blog #470.
I doubt that this book is still available commercially. I bought it for $1 at the Palos Verdes Library book sale. It was first published in Germany in 1982; the 2nd printing comes to us out of Tucson, AZ, so the book itself doesn't even know where it is.
I assumed it would be a compilation of various countries' perennial favorites and turned with interest to the section on the United States. Imagine my shock and horror -- the first recipe listed was for a shrimp cocktail! One of the desserts listed was: a Cranberry and Cream Cheese BOMBE! Now which is it? If we are what we eat, then what are we? Are we shrimp or terrorists? Conversely, the only recipe listed for Iraq was (drum roll) a date and NUT cake.
Based on what I know of Italian and French cooking, it is most favored recipes and the ones that most tourists would expect to be served. Thus, if you are planning a trip to any of the below... you've been alerted.
Ecuador - Tomato Soup with Bananas plus 2 T grated coconut
China - Hot and Sour Soup
Bulgaria - Roast Duck with Sauerkraut
Bolivia - Avocados Stuffed with Shrimp and Cooked Chicken
Belgium - Apple Fritters which makes me think of Denmark and Abelskivers.
The book presents all kinds of possibilities and you may be sure you'll be hearing more from it. We need to solve this "If, then" question.
Blog #470.
Monday, March 8, 2010
Vignettes on a Sunday
Thoughts of sauerbraten, red cabbage and potato pancakes had been floating rather often through my head, so yesterday Richie and I went to Alpine Village, Torrance, for their Sunday champagne brunch.
We were seated within easy striking distance of the long tables covered with food. The Champagne Lady filled our glasses and we were set. Once I had made a couple of passes at the various buffets, I was content to take a rest.
I noticed the older man, seated to my left; he must have been a regular as he and the omelet chef were having a grand old visit (in German;) the omelet station being about four feet from the man's table. He showed the familiarity of a regular as he rather fussily said as he waved off the Champagne Lady, "No -- I'll have a cup of coffee -- but not right now -- with my dessert."
He was beautifully dressed in khaki pants, a shirt and tie with a navy blazer with a crest on the breast pocket. He carried a cane but got up and down the two shallow steps to the food without trouble.
Time passed and he got up to leave. He picked up his cane, adjusted it to his grip and I heard him tell his server, "If I go home, there's no one there (nod at the tables) but here I have people." I thought of the contrast; a gray, rain-threatening sky, a dark house, the lights waiting patiently to be turned on ... and this restaurant, napery glowing whitely, the hum of peoples' voices and the clatter of serving pan lids...
***
The three of them came in, gliding along as stately as sailboats in full rig. They may have been a husband and wife and sister-in-law; they might have been a pair of widows and a kind gentleman. All three were resplendant in glossy black skins and well-schooled hair. The ladies wore sausage-skin tight cocktail suits with glitter around the collars. Despite their bulk, (and it was considerable) they were both wearing 5 in. stilettos!
The man looked sharp -- black shirt, pants, shoes, a black fedora perched jauntily on his head. His jacket dazzled the beholder's eye -- it was a black and white houndstooth check.
They quite probably did just come in from church; duty to God completed; duty to stomach about to begin. But I prefer to think of them as a retired pimp and his last two ladies, prosperous and comfortable in their skins.
We were seated within easy striking distance of the long tables covered with food. The Champagne Lady filled our glasses and we were set. Once I had made a couple of passes at the various buffets, I was content to take a rest.
I noticed the older man, seated to my left; he must have been a regular as he and the omelet chef were having a grand old visit (in German;) the omelet station being about four feet from the man's table. He showed the familiarity of a regular as he rather fussily said as he waved off the Champagne Lady, "No -- I'll have a cup of coffee -- but not right now -- with my dessert."
He was beautifully dressed in khaki pants, a shirt and tie with a navy blazer with a crest on the breast pocket. He carried a cane but got up and down the two shallow steps to the food without trouble.
Time passed and he got up to leave. He picked up his cane, adjusted it to his grip and I heard him tell his server, "If I go home, there's no one there (nod at the tables) but here I have people." I thought of the contrast; a gray, rain-threatening sky, a dark house, the lights waiting patiently to be turned on ... and this restaurant, napery glowing whitely, the hum of peoples' voices and the clatter of serving pan lids...
***
The three of them came in, gliding along as stately as sailboats in full rig. They may have been a husband and wife and sister-in-law; they might have been a pair of widows and a kind gentleman. All three were resplendant in glossy black skins and well-schooled hair. The ladies wore sausage-skin tight cocktail suits with glitter around the collars. Despite their bulk, (and it was considerable) they were both wearing 5 in. stilettos!
The man looked sharp -- black shirt, pants, shoes, a black fedora perched jauntily on his head. His jacket dazzled the beholder's eye -- it was a black and white houndstooth check.
They quite probably did just come in from church; duty to God completed; duty to stomach about to begin. But I prefer to think of them as a retired pimp and his last two ladies, prosperous and comfortable in their skins.
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