Perhaps we should calendar it in June, 2015, for personal use...
"No man ever wore a cravat as nice as his own child's arm around his neck."
Irish writer Patrick Taylor
Friday, August 29, 2014
Thursday, August 28, 2014
Grab a Fork, Siddown and Shut Up - Food Fight!
Food and Wine has decided to liven up the last of summer with a pitched battle about "most" and "fewest" in restaurants nationwide.
I think we could play, too - after all, surely we are as sophisticated as their average reader; we've traveled a lot and most importantly - we know what's what.
Theirs:
Fewest pompous foodies - Salt Lake city
Worst tippers - Salt Lake City
(ed. comment: snort - no surprise)
Best healthy food - Portland, OR
Fewest healthy choices - Memphis
Fewest daring diners - Savannah
Miami surprise - fewest family-friendly dining spots. Nu? Miami's not filled with doting grandparents and spoiled brats?
--------------------------
Salt City's bar scene amazed me - airplane-sized bottles of booze hung above the bartenders like wine glasses.
I can believe it about Savannah. During our only visit, we were touristy enough to make a reservation at Mrs. Wilkes Boarding House for lunch. We diners were lined up on the sidewalk outside the side door until we were invited to "Come on in; where's yoah $15?" Facing all of us was an enormous table, big bowls of food steaming (but by no means perfuming) the air. Platters of sliced meats and fried chicken, biscuits and honey. All of which was woefully overcooked. The final insult? Slices of white Wonder bread!
As for Memphis I would emphatically state that barbecue is good for your soul and if you don't have a happy soul, then nothin's going to make you feel better.
Hang onto your health - and do it with barbecue, by jingoes!
I think we could play, too - after all, surely we are as sophisticated as their average reader; we've traveled a lot and most importantly - we know what's what.
Theirs:
Fewest pompous foodies - Salt Lake city
Worst tippers - Salt Lake City
(ed. comment: snort - no surprise)
Best healthy food - Portland, OR
Fewest healthy choices - Memphis
Fewest daring diners - Savannah
Miami surprise - fewest family-friendly dining spots. Nu? Miami's not filled with doting grandparents and spoiled brats?
--------------------------
Salt City's bar scene amazed me - airplane-sized bottles of booze hung above the bartenders like wine glasses.
I can believe it about Savannah. During our only visit, we were touristy enough to make a reservation at Mrs. Wilkes Boarding House for lunch. We diners were lined up on the sidewalk outside the side door until we were invited to "Come on in; where's yoah $15?" Facing all of us was an enormous table, big bowls of food steaming (but by no means perfuming) the air. Platters of sliced meats and fried chicken, biscuits and honey. All of which was woefully overcooked. The final insult? Slices of white Wonder bread!
As for Memphis I would emphatically state that barbecue is good for your soul and if you don't have a happy soul, then nothin's going to make you feel better.
Hang onto your health - and do it with barbecue, by jingoes!
Wednesday, August 27, 2014
They Have Short Memories at the Hermosa Animal Hospital ...
Yesterday morning at 8 a.m., Richie dropped Fred off at the vet's as instructed and we were able to pick him up again at 2 p.m . To maintain Fred's privacy I will not detail what said surgery covered.
In addition to Fred (who seemed none the worse for wear) we were handed paperwork detailing post-surgery instructions and three oral syringes with 1cc pain medicine each.
And then with a flourish, the medical tech handed us a "Certificate Of Bravery, awarded to Fred Murphy in recognition of great courage shown during your stay in the hospital for surgery. " (signed by his vet and the chief tech.)
I mention this in light of the fact that last Friday, at his first visit to the vet, when we and the tech were finally able to pry him out of the carrier cage, he took off like he was demented! He traveled at warp speed on a circuit around the office and went airborne (seemingly through will alone) to sail over the examination bed, onto shelves holding stuff and back down to the floor again.
This "Certificate of Bravery" was issued yesterday - Tuesday. Only three days after most definitely not winning any awards from a vet anywhere. So I have to wonder...
In addition to Fred (who seemed none the worse for wear) we were handed paperwork detailing post-surgery instructions and three oral syringes with 1cc pain medicine each.
And then with a flourish, the medical tech handed us a "Certificate Of Bravery, awarded to Fred Murphy in recognition of great courage shown during your stay in the hospital for surgery. " (signed by his vet and the chief tech.)
I mention this in light of the fact that last Friday, at his first visit to the vet, when we and the tech were finally able to pry him out of the carrier cage, he took off like he was demented! He traveled at warp speed on a circuit around the office and went airborne (seemingly through will alone) to sail over the examination bed, onto shelves holding stuff and back down to the floor again.
This "Certificate of Bravery" was issued yesterday - Tuesday. Only three days after most definitely not winning any awards from a vet anywhere. So I have to wonder...
Monday, August 25, 2014
Garlic Knots!
They are the Italian version of a Midwest treat. If your mother baked when you were a kid and if she had leftover pie crust, she'd roll it out, put sugar and cinnamon on it and bake it for you. Same principle for a garlic knot using leftover pizza dough.
Bobby's South Bay Italian seats you and then greets you with a pair of knots and a side of their marinara sauce.
Bobby's serves lunch and dinner so we blew in for lunch the other day. We shared a Caesar salad ($7) and he ordered the baked rigatoni and I spaghetti and meatballs (both $9.) Portions were so generous that we had leftovers of all of the above - so we had them for dinner. The tab was $27.25, food only, plus $6 tip.
But who cares about accounting? The baked rigatoni was heaped with mozzarella and looked lush and inviting with al of that cheese. My spaghetti had two good-sized meatballs nestled in it and Bobby's Mama's tomato sauce had a very faint zing to it. Danny, our server, told us it came from the spices used in the meatballs (of beef, veal and pork.)
Five salads, three Panini or four heroes, six pizzas, three pastas and four desserts - not bad for a lunch menu, eh? The dinner menu has a great many more items and am looking forward to eating my way through it.
Wines by the glass or bottle. The bottled beers - El Segundo Blue House Citra Pale or El Segundo Hop Tanker Double IPA was certainly "different" when your expecting to see MGD or Budweiser. But wait! There are 13 craft beers, mainly ales with a couple of wheats.
Take a browse at bobbyssyouthbayitalian.net or pop in - 502 Pacific Coast Highway, Hermosa Beach 90254 310-798-7747
Bobby's South Bay Italian seats you and then greets you with a pair of knots and a side of their marinara sauce.
Bobby's serves lunch and dinner so we blew in for lunch the other day. We shared a Caesar salad ($7) and he ordered the baked rigatoni and I spaghetti and meatballs (both $9.) Portions were so generous that we had leftovers of all of the above - so we had them for dinner. The tab was $27.25, food only, plus $6 tip.
But who cares about accounting? The baked rigatoni was heaped with mozzarella and looked lush and inviting with al of that cheese. My spaghetti had two good-sized meatballs nestled in it and Bobby's Mama's tomato sauce had a very faint zing to it. Danny, our server, told us it came from the spices used in the meatballs (of beef, veal and pork.)
Five salads, three Panini or four heroes, six pizzas, three pastas and four desserts - not bad for a lunch menu, eh? The dinner menu has a great many more items and am looking forward to eating my way through it.
Wines by the glass or bottle. The bottled beers - El Segundo Blue House Citra Pale or El Segundo Hop Tanker Double IPA was certainly "different" when your expecting to see MGD or Budweiser. But wait! There are 13 craft beers, mainly ales with a couple of wheats.
Take a browse at bobbyssyouthbayitalian.net or pop in - 502 Pacific Coast Highway, Hermosa Beach 90254 310-798-7747
Sunday, August 24, 2014
Over the Top And Into Battle Fatigue
I'm talking about The Wedding As Decreed By the Misses Post. Opening the book by chance at "Parties" and being a sociable soul (roaring drunk) began reading.
And wandered away appalled, mentally flexing my biceps to determine strength. First off is the engagement announcement party which is also the first hit on Daddy's wallet. Guests, mainly family and old friends, are invited to a social gathering that can run the gamut from a backyard barbecue to a dinner dance at the Club.
Of course, no self-respecting bride would forgo the bridal shower also known as the gathering of the non-essential things we wanted, but were too cheap to pay for them so we thought we'd see if you could be suckered into doing it for us. If the groom and his buddies are invited this event is then billed as a "Jack and Jill shower." And so begins the twee...
The bride hosts her bridal party at a luncheon or tea -- and I think the Misses Post got off the trail and wandered back into the '50s. "Tea" as an event is virtually unheard of in America. And by the way, Posts - monogramming everything but your underwear is passé. Meanwhile the groom is expected to take his posse out for a manly steak and martini dinner.
The above dinners are no substitute for the bachelor and bachelorette blowouts in Las Vegas scheduled a week before the wedding so that everyone can make a timely recovery. And there is no such word as "bachelorette." The word is "spinster" and denotes a woman who has never been married. Which may be stretching it a little these days...
It is expected that out-of-town guests will be hosted at a dinner while the rehearsal dinner occurs.
Whew! the wedding and reception have concluded. Done deal. Not so fast there! Now comes the "after party" just in case you didn't drink enough at the reception and are still standing. Carry on, mate! Tomorrow is the post-wedding brunch!
And wandered away appalled, mentally flexing my biceps to determine strength. First off is the engagement announcement party which is also the first hit on Daddy's wallet. Guests, mainly family and old friends, are invited to a social gathering that can run the gamut from a backyard barbecue to a dinner dance at the Club.
Of course, no self-respecting bride would forgo the bridal shower also known as the gathering of the non-essential things we wanted, but were too cheap to pay for them so we thought we'd see if you could be suckered into doing it for us. If the groom and his buddies are invited this event is then billed as a "Jack and Jill shower." And so begins the twee...
The bride hosts her bridal party at a luncheon or tea -- and I think the Misses Post got off the trail and wandered back into the '50s. "Tea" as an event is virtually unheard of in America. And by the way, Posts - monogramming everything but your underwear is passé. Meanwhile the groom is expected to take his posse out for a manly steak and martini dinner.
The above dinners are no substitute for the bachelor and bachelorette blowouts in Las Vegas scheduled a week before the wedding so that everyone can make a timely recovery. And there is no such word as "bachelorette." The word is "spinster" and denotes a woman who has never been married. Which may be stretching it a little these days...
It is expected that out-of-town guests will be hosted at a dinner while the rehearsal dinner occurs.
Whew! the wedding and reception have concluded. Done deal. Not so fast there! Now comes the "after party" just in case you didn't drink enough at the reception and are still standing. Carry on, mate! Tomorrow is the post-wedding brunch!
Saturday, August 23, 2014
Comb Your Hair - We're Going to a Wedding
India: Bring sunglasses - Indians are great believers in the use of VIVID colors. From the canopy to the guests saris and furbelows. Is she blushing or is it just the reflexion of her hot pink veil? The groom, not to be outdone, will be equally flashy and makes his entrance riding a white horse with family and friends dancing around him. The bride and groom exchange garlands (more colors) and when the groom puts his garland around her neck, that means that she has accepted him.
Ireland: The bride carries a little decorative version of a horseshoe for good luck. Back in the day the poor woman had to carry the real thing! There they were in a white dress, lacy veil ... lugging a Percheron shoe. Post-ceremony, glasses and forks are raised and the band plays Celtic music and step-dancers (hired professionals for a big wedding) clack away.
Italy: I've been wrangling for an invite to one of these for years! Post-ceremony, it's onward to the chosen restaurant where guests are often rewarded for their attendance with the presentation of a 14-course meal! Well worth sitting through a two-hour Mass with Communion. The male guests all kiss the bride (to make the groom jealous - never a good idea in Italy) and they slip a check or cash-stuffed envelope into a bag the bride holds.
Japan: The Japanese have always preferred a low profile and weddings are no exception. Very often they were limited to only family and very close friends. Today they are much less exclusive. The happy couple believe that the guests bring good luck and so they reward them with mementos of the day such as chopsticks with the pertinent information printed on them.
Korea: The ceremony usually takes place in the bride's home, but only after the prospective groom has presented a live goose to the mother-of-the-bride. Geese mate for life and he is showing Mom his intent. I think they could upgrade to a porcelain goose; the real thing is often tetchy. Several days later, the now-married couple visit his parents who give them wine. The newlyweds give the parents and guests dates and chestnuts, symbolizing the children they plan to have and the guests take them and throw them at the bride who attempts to catch them with her skirt. La! The hi-jinks!
Poland: The parents bless their son and daughter on the church steps and then they all traipse into the church for the wedding. Of real interest - the reception can last up to two days at which time the "second day" party takes off at the groom's home. This certainly appealed until I read that the music is polkas. On accordions. C'mon - let's go crash the Italian wedding.
Ireland: The bride carries a little decorative version of a horseshoe for good luck. Back in the day the poor woman had to carry the real thing! There they were in a white dress, lacy veil ... lugging a Percheron shoe. Post-ceremony, glasses and forks are raised and the band plays Celtic music and step-dancers (hired professionals for a big wedding) clack away.
Italy: I've been wrangling for an invite to one of these for years! Post-ceremony, it's onward to the chosen restaurant where guests are often rewarded for their attendance with the presentation of a 14-course meal! Well worth sitting through a two-hour Mass with Communion. The male guests all kiss the bride (to make the groom jealous - never a good idea in Italy) and they slip a check or cash-stuffed envelope into a bag the bride holds.
Japan: The Japanese have always preferred a low profile and weddings are no exception. Very often they were limited to only family and very close friends. Today they are much less exclusive. The happy couple believe that the guests bring good luck and so they reward them with mementos of the day such as chopsticks with the pertinent information printed on them.
Korea: The ceremony usually takes place in the bride's home, but only after the prospective groom has presented a live goose to the mother-of-the-bride. Geese mate for life and he is showing Mom his intent. I think they could upgrade to a porcelain goose; the real thing is often tetchy. Several days later, the now-married couple visit his parents who give them wine. The newlyweds give the parents and guests dates and chestnuts, symbolizing the children they plan to have and the guests take them and throw them at the bride who attempts to catch them with her skirt. La! The hi-jinks!
Poland: The parents bless their son and daughter on the church steps and then they all traipse into the church for the wedding. Of real interest - the reception can last up to two days at which time the "second day" party takes off at the groom's home. This certainly appealed until I read that the music is polkas. On accordions. C'mon - let's go crash the Italian wedding.
Thursday, August 21, 2014
In Which "Annabel" Becomes "Fred"
Annabel was carried into the Hermosa Animal Hospital as that and emerged newly-christened Fred. No surgical instruments were involved; only the vet's sharp eyes.
He's named Fred because he is black and white and his markings reminded me of a tuxedo which led to thoughts of Fred Astaire doing "Top Hat and Tails."
Fred is young - 10 months to a year old, we were told - and feisty. Upon release in the exam room, (meaning when he was finally pried out of the carrying cage) he took off like a rocket, around and around the exam room until the tech had to bag him with a big towel. It was quite comical I thought as I stayed safely out of the way.
Fred is now in the backyard, resting from his exertions at the vet's. Richie comforted him, not with apples, but a can of cat food. He may think this was bad, but wait until next week when he will be turned back into Annabel for all intents and purposes.
He's named Fred because he is black and white and his markings reminded me of a tuxedo which led to thoughts of Fred Astaire doing "Top Hat and Tails."
Fred is young - 10 months to a year old, we were told - and feisty. Upon release in the exam room, (meaning when he was finally pried out of the carrying cage) he took off like a rocket, around and around the exam room until the tech had to bag him with a big towel. It was quite comical I thought as I stayed safely out of the way.
Fred is now in the backyard, resting from his exertions at the vet's. Richie comforted him, not with apples, but a can of cat food. He may think this was bad, but wait until next week when he will be turned back into Annabel for all intents and purposes.
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