Little Miss Attitude

Just a minute ago after she woke up, Miss stomped into the kitchen and announced "I woke up bored!" I'm soooo looking forward to her teenage years...

Sunday's Mellow Favorites

Me, November 1976

Most people who know me are well aware of my deep appreciation for the mellow hits of the 70's. Here's my playlist for a chill Sunday afternoon (and no, I do not consider mellow hits a form of child-abuse).

You Make Lovin' Fun - Fleetwood Mac (The music of my childhood.)
Nobody Does It Better - Carly Simon
Wild World - Cat Stevens
Forever in Blue Jeans - Neil Diamond (Neil Rulz.)
Same Old Lang Syne - Dan Folgerberg
Tiny Dancer - Elton John (One of my all-time favorite songs.)
Crazy Love - Poco
Teach Your Children - Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young
Reminiscing - Little River Band
Superstar - The Carpenters
I Can't Tell You Why - The Eagles
I'm Not In Love - 10cc (Get drunk, put on your headphones, and crank the sound. You'll thank me.)
How Much I Feel - Ambrosia (I don't care what anyone says, Ambrosia kicks ass!)
Dancing in the Moonlight - King Harvest
Love Will Find A Way - Pablo Cruise
I Just Wanna Stop - Gino Vannelli (The song starts with the line, "When I think about those nights in Montreal..." That's awesome.)
Get Closer - Seals and Crofts
Just the Way You Are - Billy Joel
Baby I'm-A Want You - Bread
Killing Me Softly With His Song - Roberta Flack
The Logical Song - Supertramp
Maragaritaville - Jimmy Buffet
Keep On Loving You - REO Speedwagon (This is a "Power Ballad." What's not to love about that?)
Maggie May - Rod Stewart
How Deep Is Your Love - The Bee Gees

*I realize that a few of these songs are not from the 70's. Sue me.

Day at the Lake

Vivre sa vie

Armageddon on the Island of Sodor

It's not looking good for Thomas and his gang. The Island of Sodor is being assaulted by reptilian invaders. This is what I discovered last night when I went upstairs to get a book from the loft.



I have to say, Thomas and his Trusty Friends appear justifiably terrified.

Recession-Proof Recipes That'll Knock Your Socks Off!

Unless you've been in a coma, you're probably aware by now that our country is currently experiencing a recession. Maybe the term "recession" is an understatement at this point, but it's more optimistic than saying we're in the midst an economic shit storm, or as Bill Maher succinctly put it, "Our booze cruise just hit an iceberg." If, like the rest of us, you're trying to find a means of putting dinner on the table without straining your pocket book, I've come prepared with recipes that I'm delighted to share with you, Dear Reader, from the 1970's era Better Homes and Gardens cookbook that I remember so fondly from my childhood. (I couldn't find the date of publication in the copy that I borrowed from my mother. It's so old that it's missing that page by now). I will feature some of these recipes regularly in a new section of this blog called "Recession-Proof Recipes That'll Knock Your Socks Off!" Since the 1970's were also a time of recession in this country, many of these recipes are geared towards limited household budgets. You can look forward to tasty recipes such as Applesauce Beef Loaf and Frosted Cheese Mold. Today's menu features tender, delectable Ginger Sauced Tongue and a delightful Cucumber Cheese Ring. Happy Recession and Bon Appetite!

GINGER-SAUCED TONGUE:

1 2- to 4-pound smoked beef tongue
1 medium onion, sliced
1 teaspoon whole cloves
1 teaspoon whole peppercorns
4 bay leaves
Gingersnap sauce

Place meat in Dutch oven; cover with water. Add next 4 ingredients. Cover and simmer till tender, allowing 1 hour per pound. Remove meat; strain and reserve 1 cup liquid for sauce. Cut off bones and gristle from large end; slit skin on underside from large end to tip; peel off. Slice meat on a slant. Makes 4 servings per pound.

Serve with hot Gingersnap Sauce: Crush 5 gingersnaps; combine with 1/3 cup brown sugar, 1/3 cup raisins, 1/4 cup vinegar, and reserved liquid. Cook and stir till smooth.

CUCUMBER-CHEESE RING:

Refreshing as a cool summer breeze

1 3-ounce package lime-flavored gelatin
1 cup boiling water
1 3-ounce package cream cheese, softened
1 cup mayonnaise or salad dressing
1 teaspoon prepared horseradish
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons lemon juice
3/4 cup drained shredded or ground unpared cucumber
1/4 cup finely sliced green onion

Dissolve gelatin in boiling water. Add cream cheese, mayonnaise, or salad dressing, horseradish, salt, and lemon juice. Beat smooth with an electric or rotary beater. Chill till partially set. Stir in cucumber and sliced green onion. Chill in 3 1/2-cup mold till firm. Makes 5 or 6 servings.

* I feel it worth noting that when I described the recipe for Ginger Sauced Tongue to C, he became physically ill and angerily insisted that I never again discuss cow's tongue as a food item in his presence. This is the same person that eats Scrapple, but whatever.

WARNING: Delusional Mother Moment

This is some of Missy's recent artwork. Maybe it's just me, but I think the child has an eye for this sort of thing. I mean, look at her use of color in the first picture. What's more, Miss has very specific ideas concerning her masterpieces, and each and every one is a labor of love (please see November's post, "Ahhh, A Temperamental Artist in the Making). When coloring together, Miss will often reach over to my section of the picture and quickly scribble a little of this or that, claiming for instance "This needs more gold!" The child has vision - who am I to argue with that? I included the second drawing here just because I think it's cute.




A baby in a stroller.

Remembering When...

I had sheep hair.



*I had to do some serious cropping to this photograph in order to protect the innocent - I mean, who wants to be seen with someone that has sheep hair?

Happy Monday Morning