This morning is like any other. Coffee, the paper, and e-mail check. Uncharacteristically, a pop-up labeled, Win 7 Anti Spyware 2011, announces officiously that my computer is under attack from unknown sources. When I click it closed, another pops up … Continue reading
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Inside the shell
There is nothing like Taco Bell for a fast car food. Two crunchy tacos with a 1/2 dozen packets of mild taco sauce and good to go. When I think about it, I have liked Taco Bell for nearly 4 decades. That is one long affair with a taco.
What kinda sauce do you have?
When I started out with them, the bean burrito was long and skinny. I think the beans were rolled up in a deep-fried tortilla instead of steamed. The old ones were flaky like pie crust and much less likely to drip all over.
Another thing on the original menu was a Bell Burger. It was really a Maid-Rite, crumbled hamburger on a bun. I always did think that was strange even though the Bell was never what I’d call the real deal Mexican cuisine. Back then, they also served up frijoles and tostadas. (You can ask for a tostada now but you may have to tell them how to make it since it isn’t on the menu.)
The baby in the photo showed up on all sorts of blogs around Cinco de Mayo without a tag. Bravo, unknown photographer, thanks.
Catapulted
I Wonder
If Kate’s sister was not Pippa,
would she be just a little less hipper?
Say, if her name was Pat, Jo or Jane,
would the crazy press be a lot more sane?
Pics of Pippa flood the air,
wherever she goes, it’s like I’m there.
I — for one, will be glad to see,
the day she marries a handsome marquis.
Edamame (Ay duh Mah May)
This is So good.
Put them out while people are milling around for the first course.
They’ll be asking you for the recipe.
This combo serves four, multiply accordingly.
Edamane with Chile Salt
1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
1 tb coarse salt
1/2 tsp sugar
1 pound frozen edamame in shells
Pulse red pepper flakes in a spice grinder until finely ground. (Or use a mortar and pestle.) Mix with salt and sugar. Add edamame to boiling water and cook until bright green and heated through, about 4 minutes. Strain and transfer to a large bowl. Toss with seasoning and serve.
It is Moving…
Today, Sig’s mother moved into a retirement community. The place has meal service, a hair salon, transportation to doctors, stores and wherever and a 24/7 front desk in case somebody needs it.
Her apartment is small but clean, efficient and accessible. The doors are wide and the lighting is great. It looks great, a clean carpet, a sparkling kitchen and bath.
Of course, Marj is not so happy.
She thinks she has been dropped into a place where she will be forced into bingo games, eating way too much food and being nice to her neighbors. She hates the caring environment, can’t stand the apartment and hates being on the third floor. She feels as if she has way too much furniture but has no idea of how to get rid of it.
I want to say — Buck up Marj, deal with it.
“I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Thanks for all your help”
“You’re welcome.” And I leave with neither one of saying what is really on our minds.
Mixin it Up
Gallery
This gallery contains 2 photos.
Sig’s mother is down-sizing in preparation for living in a smaller place. Needless to say there are lots of ISSUES cropping up not the least of which is looking at everything and singing –will you go or will you stay? … Continue reading
Rant in Minor
This is simply annoying: Martha Stewart’s advice to copy a hotel technique to remember to flip mattresses 4 times a year to preserve their lives (the mattresses, not the employees).
So you make two tags, one says January and April (which is upside down) which you pin carefully to the top end of the mattress; the other says October and July (which like April is upside down) and yes, pin that to the foot end of the mattress.
Are you still with me? I know, there is NOTHING WORSE than Martha Stewart’s extraordinary anal instructions: January is printed upside, April down, October is printed upside, July is down. I feel I am a marsh-mellow head.
And then the cheery finish. Every January, April, October and July, just make sure that it’s That month that is on Top of the Foot of the bed. (As if this action alone ranks close to finding a Cure for Cancer.)
Despite my disdain, if my mother was still alive, I’d report this tip to her and she would say, “What a great idea, would you do that for me the next time you visit?” And I would hear myself saying, “Sure, no problem.”
Where’s the USSR?
Artist Wendy Gold is on to something. Vintage globes to be exact. She finds them and decoupages them to create other worlds. Here is “Where the Wild Things Are.” It is a standard size globe and costs $399. If you order one it will be one of a kind. See other examples here.
I guess this is the front -- or the back.
Another old globe trick is a diy that I saw on Design *Sponge, the blog that is a wonderful catch-all for high bar projects and results. The instructions are so thorough, it will make you believe in you all over again.
You could also use as a message board.
Of course, you can forgo the entire crafty treatment and simply collect globes to sit around the house. I really liked this idea from apartment therapy where a globe was hung on the wall in the corner. Made me want to think of other unexpected places for global art.
Eye-wakening
I first started wearing glasses in the 6th grade. I remember I walked home after picking them up from the eye place. It was a sunny, fall day. I zig-zagged along twisting and turning my head to catch all of the things I had been missing.
The trees were as crisp as paper cut-outs, shadows were parts dark black and hazy grey and leaves floated lazily into bright red, orange and yellow heaps. I flipped my glasses onto my forehead to marvel at the difference they made.
Well, truth be known — I probably didn’t marvel, after all, this was sixth grade. No doubt, I just thought over and over, How cool is this? I love these glasses.
Ever since then, it has thrilled me no end to buy a new pair of glasses. I think my new pair makes me look quite scholarly even though not many have noticed.
That’s okay, I am old enough now to marvel at the difference all by myself.
Berry-Berry
I rarely make dessert unless it’s ice cream or sorbet with fruit. If I bake a fabulous carrot cake with the great cream cheese frosting that makes me want a corner piece or a lemon meringue pie or the best chocolate cookies in the world recipe, I will eat way more than a reasonable amount.
But some days, I just want some kind of dessert. Not a super-sized dessert fit for a family of 6. And not one that will hang around a long time without losing its appeal.
I found it. It is a cobbler recipe that is so easy and
so good, you’ll want to thank me every time you make it. (I got it from Sig’s mother who hasn’t a clue where she found it.)
Easy and Good Cobbler
1/2 stick of butter
1/2 cup flour
1/2 cup of sugar
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 cup of milk
dash of salt
1 1/2 cups fruit (fresh or frozen, I use mixed berries)Melt the butter til it begins to brown. Pour into a 1 1/2 quart casserole dish. Combine all the dry ingredients in a bowl; add milk and mix. Pour batter over butter in dish. Put fruit on top of batter. (You can add sugar to sweeten, but personally I like it tart.) Bake at 375 for 30 minutes, til brown on top. Sprinkle sugar on top if you feel like it.
Scoop into parfait glasses and top with a good brand of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream. Recipe makes 4 servings; if you double it — you’ll need to cook it longer.
Now, really could life be any easier than this?