Well, it’s pouring down rain outside the Cafe, so come on in and stay till the downpour lets up…
I know it might be a little early, but can I pour you a glass of wine? I’m finishing off my bottle of merlot today (bought purely on the basis of the label design, of course!):

And we need a little appetizer to go with our wine, don’t you think? How about the special of the day:
1 whole garlic head
Cooking spray
3 plum tomatoes, each cut into 4 wedges
1/2 cup (2 ounces) crumbled goat cheese
12 (1/2-inch-thick) slices diagonally cut French bread baguette, toasted
Preheat oven to 425°.
Remove white papery skin from garlic head (do not peel or separate the cloves); wrap in foil. Line a baking sheet with foil; coat foil with cooking spray. Arrange tomato wedges in a single layer on foil. Bake garlic and tomatoes at 425° for 40 minutes, turning tomatoes after 20 minutes. Remove tomatoes from oven; bake garlic an additional 5 minutes. Remove garlic from oven; cool 10 minutes. Separate cloves; squeeze to extract garlic pulp. Discard skins. Mash garlic pulp and goat cheese with a fork until blended.
Spread 2 teaspoons goat cheese mixture over each bread slice. Top each with 1 tomato wedge.
And this is the song that keeps playing on my “mental iPod” this week:
We’re living in a time of inconvenience
Compassion fails me with this meanness in the air
Our city streets are filled with violence
So we close our doors to the city
And pretend that it’s not there
Here I go again
Back out on these mean streets
The evil seems to cling to the soles of my feet
Cuz’ I’m living in a time of inconvenience
At an inconvenient time
We’re living in the age of communication
Where the only voices heard have money in their hands
Where greed has become a sophistication
And if you ain’t got money
You ain’t got nothin’ in this land
An’ here I am one lonely woman
On these mean streets
Where the right to life man has become my enemy
Cuz’ I’m living in his time of inconvenience
At an inconvenient time
Bridge:
I’ve turned my cheek
As my history fades
While the clock ticks away
Any progress we’ve made
I never thought
I’d be ashamed to be human
Afraid to say
My time has seen it’s day
Cuz’ I’m living in a time of inconvenience
Living in a time of inconvenience
Living in a time of inconvenience
It’s an inconvenient time
This is the time of greed and power
Where everyone needs to have someone to shove around
Our children come to us for answers
Listening for freedom but they don’t know the sound
And there they are, our children
Dumped out in these mean streets
The evil sweeps them up
And brings them to their knees
Cuz’ they’re living in our time of inconvenience
They’re living in the age of communication
This is the time of greed and power
This is the time that I wish was not mine
Cuz’ it’s an inconvenient time
-N. Griffith
So, what’s new with you? Any big plans for the weekend?
Feel free to recommend or hotlist as you wish, and may the 4’s be with you!
Does anybody have any favorite wine or beer label art? Go ahead and post it here today! Just remember, maximum width = 400 px!
Need more be said?
like chocolate! How about some nice Huntsman’s cheese and pumpernickel bread to go with that?
An honest-to-goodness ploughman’s lunch, fruit, cheese, and thick bread, washed down with a pail of stout.
Enjoyed one in S. England once that included fresh mussels, which like the rest of the fare were all local. British cooking isn’t all boiled peas and beef.
Stupid wheat intolerance!! Now I can’t eat the bread or drink most of the more interesting beers & ales.
Need more be said?
Yes.
Don’t drink beer that has a picture of a bald monk on the label…
is the best!
Works well though for great malt vinegar. Love it on fish and chips.
You all should take a run over to Diane’s Cooking Diary just up, and browse the nummy food there.
just click here Cheap Cooking
It might be a great place to drop one of our own favorite recipes and we could start a collection for a future FBC cookbook. What say you?
Now getting so hungry I will be forced to fix something, darn it.
[THIS HAS BEEN A SHAMELESS DIARY PROMOTION from Shirl’s Shameless Production Company, Inc.]
It’s raining in the cafe you say, not on my side, where it is just overcast. Amazing how the weather can vary in the cafe. Say do you have any outdoor pics. of the rain you can share with us, I love rain and we won’t have any again till late fall or winter here.
Your appetizer above sound delicious, and I can’t wait to try it. I love all the ingredients, especially the roasted garlic which is deeeelicious just spread on some good crusty bread.
It’s a little hard to think about right now, since I haven’t eaten breakfast yet.
Have a great day everyone, no matter where in the world you are!!!!!
Shucks, I’m coming on over to your side of the cafe! Actually, it’s beginning to let up a little here now…maybe we’ll get lucky and just get “enough” rain instead of too much!
Diane, you never talk to me about all these great food things you make. . .I think you need to share more with me about your “gourmet-ness”. . .not that I will go to the trouble of making most or any of them. . .I guess we have had that conversation. Cooking for one seems sort of pointless, eh?
Good morning and isn’t it a lovely day?
I second the food thing. In fact, we’re all planning a BMT get-together at Shirl’s house with Diane providing her amazing food stuff over here.
Fabulous! But maybe it will be after I move to Belize, then you all can enjoy the “feel of the islands.” You sure are all welcome, but I am in the process of selling my place, so maybe this weekend would be a good time. Bring yer tents, plenty of space, I’ll get on over to rent-a-goat and see if we can mow down some of the tall pasture grass out there in the back acres.
We for sure will have a grand time of it! I’ll have to go searching for some pictures of the place before you decide if you really are up to the wilds of Idaho.
Meantime, think of the new place. . .
You really moving to Belize? I’ve heard of it but don’t know exactly where it is…Caribbean? Looks beautiful!
is on the Caribbean Sea, just South of Chetamul, Mexico.
It is 200 miles long from N to S and 75 miles wide from W to E. The country formerly known as British Honduras. The Brits left in 94 (I think)and it has become Belize. One of the best parts about the country is that it has a population of only 250,000. My kind of place.
Here’s a bigger picture to get oriented. Belize is the small red speck.
The Northern most district of Corozal is my intended destination.
But Shirl, won’t you be in hurricane alley..
Very Clever planning on my part, eh?
Retire Belize Info link
This is Belize City water front, the former Capitol of Belize, it is the only large city in the country with about 70,000 residents. It is 70 or so miles South of Corozal Town where I plan to locate. Corozal is a town of about 5,000. . .double the size of my current nearest town so I’ll look for an “outlying area” to settle in. Can’t be liking those big cities, you know.
Corozal Town (district or province also named Corozal), is just 7 miles South of Chetumal, Mexico which is a big city of 250,000. . .heh, population of the entire country of Belize.
Belize? Really? We’re thinking of living for a few years in Costa Rica.
Anyone involved with Intel? Mr.’s resume just seems to be floating over there. ACK!
Good news: we finally got the loan!
Hey! Janet, we will be Relatively near neighbors!!
How cool!
My son, Owen, spent a semester in high school in Costa Rica, and has been trying to find his way back ever since!
Not sure Belize is on anyone’s way to Costa Rica, but stop on in and give me a shout and I’ll show you around. Mayan ruins to explore, World’s largest Tropical Bird Sanctuary to visit, the second largest barrier reef to dive and discover, the Caribbean Sea, lobster on the grill, english speaking and SHIRL will be there. . .what more could you want?
Costa Rica doesn’t have an army. đ
I think a few years out of the country would be great for the kids. Nothing like living outside of your country to appreciate the USA…well… um.. that was pre-Bush Regime…
However, like Guam, Costa Rica runs of procrastination time… so unless we move their with a job waiting… ACK
Been reading up on the sex slavery in the Latin Americas. Seems to me that no place is without this. Hell, just down the street and at my kids bus stop a molestor was released to live nearby. Lake County is flooded with registered offenders. So who knows- maybe anywhere is safer than here(?)
Does Belize have monkeys?? đ
Belize has no Army either, but monkeys yes, no Bushco monkeys but spider monkeys and this beauty above.
The Black Howler Monkey, known as the “baboon” in Belize, is the largest monkey in Belize and one of the largest in the Americas. Throughout most of its range, the Howler Monkey is endangered from hunting and habitat destruction. Fortunately, Belize has a healthy population of these loudest of primates.
Black howler monkeys live in troops of between 4 and 8 members. Each troop has its own territory in which it feeds and lives. The size of the territory depends on the size of the troop, ranging from 3 to 25 acres. Baboons defend this territory from other troops through the use of their voices. The howling is one of the loudest animal sounds in the tropical forest of Belize.
Well…now that you mention it, my place is getting a little cramped….
You had me at bird sanctuary!
Dammit, did I just post a picture as a comment again?
Sheesh.
Feel free to remove Isabelle and her fat ass.
But that was so funny!
You deserve a 12 for that one! Every time I see it I start laughing all over again.
Cute kitty and certainly the sentiment is right on!
Location: On the East coast of Central American in the heart of the Caribbean Basin. It borders Mexico to the north and Guatemala to the west and south.
Size: 174 miles long and 68 miles wide. It’s about the size of Massachusetts in the USA or Belgium in Europe.
Climate: Subtropical. Average temperature is 79 degrees F (26 C) and average humidity is 85%. Annual rainfall is 50 inches in North and 170 inches in South. There are two seasons: wet and dry. Wet Season is from June thru November, the same as hurricane season. Dry season runs November thru May. The coolest months are November thru February. Saltwater temperatures vary between 75 and 84 degrees F.
Physical features:
To the East: The Barrier Reef which is the second longest in the world; over 450 cayes (islands) and three of the four atolls in the Western Hemisphere.
Northern half is a flat plain with expansive open areas, used for agriculture.
Central area contains large savannahs that give way to the subtropical forest.
Southern and western half contain the Maya Mountains with karst limestone formations, including the country’s highest point, Victoria Peak, at 3680 feet.
Settlements
Capital City: Belmopan since 1970
2 cities: Belize City and Belmopan City
7 towns: Corozal Town, Orange Walk Town, San Pedro Town, San Ignacio/Santa Elena Town, Benque Viejo Town, Dangriga Town and Punta Gorda Town.
All other settlements are villages.
Population: 274,000 density 31 persons per square mile.
Ethnic Groups: Creole, Garifuna, Mestizo, Spanish, Maya (Kekchi, Mopan & Yucatec), Mennonite, Lebanese, Chinese, East Indian
Language: English is the official language although Spanish, Creole, Garifuna and Maya are spoken throughout the country.
Major industries: sugar, citrus, bananas, tourism, and marine products.
Government: Belize is an independent country with a parliamentary democracy based on Westminster system of Government. Belize is a member of the British Commonwealth.
Currency: fixed at US$1 to BZ$2. All businesses accept US paper currency. Well-established businesses accept traveler’s checks and most credit cards (with a service charge).
Time: Same as US Central time
Water: Most locations have potable water and bottled drinking water is available throughout the country.
Health Care: Government hospitals and clinics are located in all towns and cities. Private hospitals and clinics are present in most towns and cities. Emergency evacuation services are also available.
All Cities and towns have Cable TV and High Speed Internet. . .something I can’t get in the outback of Idaho.
Sounds very much like the south-western region of Finland around Turku (Åbo) on or around 9th July. Apart from the time zone. On all other days Belize is totally unlike Finland.
Yeah, that sounds about right. . .on all other days not a lot like Finland. . .
Where you been big guy. . .haven’t seen you around for a couple of days, and you know how I get to missing you.
Right now, today, it is the same temperature in my place in Idaho as it is in Belize… (and I am sure you were dying to know that, weren’t you)
a) I was a bit embarrassed at my recent foul language episode – until I saw, the next day, a rerun of West Wing in which the Sheen the Prez goes mentally AWOL due to a confluence of medication for back pain. Ahaaaa!
b) Working on a book in the sun – G4 laptop luminance is pitiful when confronted by solar power. So I swopped one type of radiation for another.
c) Daughters visiting – desire for shopping – demand for exotic foods – category 5 hurricane tidiness-wise.
d) Last day of so-called holiday today + weekend airlock.
I’m still working on tea and toast. I have some good news on the homefront. Myself and two of my older roommates have decided to find another house to rent Sept 1. The young people here are just out of control and we’ve had it. It’s a big house here – 5 bedrooms. The landlord is one of those non-confrontational until things explode types, so he’s basically washed his hands of the situation. He can’t say I didn’t warn him that all 3 of us would move if he didn’t take control. I just didn’t know until a couple of nites ago that we’d all be moving out together. I’m really looking forward to a new start in more peaceful surroundings.
I hope all of you have a great weekend with family and friends, good food and happy times. We all sure need it.
That sounds fun-moving with roommates that you alreaady know you can live with!
And yes, I definitely am up for a good weekend after the week we’ve had. The oys are having friends overnight on SSaturday, we’re going to the pool (they’re opening a new 30-foot waterslide-hooray!), and probably watching movies afterward.
Hope you have a nice relaxing weekend too!
Yes, we’re an older, warped version of Three’s Company. đ
This is a huge relief for me because I had already decided to move but I’m so financially limited that my options were few – that and the fact that I have 2 cats, which many landlords don’t accept in apartments these days.
It’s been a stressful week, but I’ll happily start sorting through my stuff to get ready for another yard sale soon. Between that and my gardening, my weekend will be fulfilling.
I’m happy for you. Lousy living situations will make you psychologically and physically ill. Luck!
Too early for wine since it’s not even 9 a.m. here and I just got in to work — speaking of which I gotta do some — but wanted to say that I heard from my Oxford friends, and they are fine. One was in London yesterday but not near the bombings, and the other did not go to London so was not on her regular train which did get bombed. Happy Friday everybody!
Great news, and I’m glad everyone was okay!
Thanks, CabinGirl. I realized after I wrote my note above that writing “Happy Friday” after saying a train station got bombed seemed — what can I say, disjointed at the very least. Disjointed is how everything seems today.
I heartily wish for all of us a weekend of spiritual and/or psychic renewal, however we may find it.
Good morning/afternoon everyone.
A little stressed this morning. Sending the asklets to summercamp this afternoon – to Norway! A long flight all by themselves, but they’ve done it before. Heading for the airport in a couple of hours.
Thereafter, I’ll be very glad to join in for a glass of wine (or two).
See you when you get back from the airport!
and cute little asklets they are! đ
Wow ask — how old are the asklets? Will they have to change planes? Best wishes for summer to them and to their parents.
I’m contemplating having my 13-year-old fly across North America this fall. She’s never flown alone before and though I know it’s commonplace, it makes me nervous ’cause she’s too old to be looked after by flight attendents, at some airlines anyway.
Just back from the airport, I’ll have that glass of wine now, please.
lil – the girl (now 15) has already flown transatlantic several times without adult company, first time at 12. Last year, they let her do it without the paperwork around her neck (though normally required till 15). The boy (10) has only shorter inter-European trips unaccompanied.
I can certainly understand your concern, but basically – it comes down to your daughter’s own feelings and attitude about going by herself. If she is reasonably used to travel and airports, she may feel empowered by the experience – otherwise, maybe a bit apprehensive.
I’m sure she’ll do perfectly fine, but being a worried parent will never end.
Ah, here’s the wine. Cheers!
Cheers to you, ask, and thanks for your perspective.
I’ve been checking for this for most of the past 3 hours…
Need to get domestic again today; enjoyed having the spouse home yesterday, especially in light of the news out of London, but we didn’t get much done, and I’m enjoying my peace and quiet.
Today’s plans: wash sheets and change bed, also figure out what needs to be saved out of various magazines and what can be tossed.
Dinner tonight: marinated pork loin (it was “buy one, get one free” so I’ve got one in the freezer and one in the fridge), rice pilaf, and steamed carrots. The spouse has his annual transit physical this afternoon, so dinner might be a little later than normal.
Have a great day, everyone…will check back this evening…
Sorry to keep you waiting! ;^)
It’s easier to get some things done around here before it gets warmish.
The spouse is up at 4-something; if I’m lucky I sleep through when he’s showering and dressing. If I’m not awake by 5:15 when he leaves, he’ll wake me up to let me know the newspaper (SJ Murky News) is next to me on the bed, so I can read it leisurely till about 6 or so, when I get up and do a little computering.
Now that I’ve really got the apartment in a semblance of order, I can actually go out and play occasionally — something I haven’t done in a while! đ
We’re staying home this weekend collecting woolens to make Florida Mom’s upcoming visit bearable here in what she regards as the Pacific Arctic Northwest.
July and August are ideal times to vacation in Puget Sound. Rain and fog are always possibilities, but the weather is sunniest at this time of year. Several times a year we drive up to Anacortes and take the state San Juan Islands ferry, wending through scores of larger and smaller islands and stopping several times en route to Friday Harbor. One ferry goes all the way to Victoria on Vancouver Island in the Land of the Free, which makes a wonderful overnight round trip. There are float plane trips to the islands out of Seattle.
Amid all the local wrangling over monorails and light rail mass transit that won’t actually move significant numbers of riders, I suggested that instead, for the same money, we could build a fleet of 1-200 or more tourist sailing ships for Puget Sound with bio-diesel backup engines, knitting together Seattle and towns & villages around the extensive Sound area. Think of the construction and maintenance industry, team-building training for ship crews, and an imagery that the world would market for us without us spending a dime. Ah, well, I’ve always been a man either 20 years ahead or 100 years behind my time.
Mrs. Gooserock sits with Toto doggie in the opened rear hatch of our wagon, looking east out of the ferry at a morning view in the middle of the islands. Enjoy as you sip your tea or coffee.
I only lived there for two years, but when we have a beautiful summer day here in Rochester (i.e. temp in the mid 70’s, low humidity, blue skies) I tell everyone, “This is a Seattle summer day!”
(Don’t worry, I also tell them about the 6 months of straight clouds and rain, so no worries of mass migrations…)
I spent a week in Seattle 2 summers ago, and had beautiful weather the whole time. Mid 70s and sunny. I loved it there.
I didn’t get a lot of good pictures unfortunately, but I am fond of this one of the sunset over Puget Sound.
was a trip for job training in Anacortes years ago. We visited a real estate agent who said there was a 3 year immigration cycle here, especially among Californians.
Especially in good weather!
Back in our traveling days, when we actually had money (and those days will be coming back very soon!), the spouse and I made a July Fourth weekend trip up to Puget Sound. (I don’t remember if we were there for a specific reason or not.)
I remember flying back down to the Bay Area, and actually watching all the fireworks below the plane. That was an outstanding experience…
I just want to let everyone know we(FBC team) have changed our position regarding recommending these FBC diaries, since we previously told everyone not to rec.
We are now saying rec. it or just put in your hot list, it is up to you, but you can sure rec. it if you want..I am…
I think we had a very good system going previously, where we rec’d it and then un rec’d, when a new one came up.
We should have followed if /it ain’t broke, don’t fix it/maybe!!!.
The New Old Pale Stale Ale with the foam on the bottom. Marketed every Christmas season in the 50’s-60’s or so; the rest of the year it was regular Iron City as I recall.
Olde Frothingslosh label page here.
Great label! I love the “People of Discrepancy” part…
The Calgary Stampede started today but I, like many Calgarians, will be staying away from the huge crowds and general insanity around the city. Been there, done that, wore the cowboy boots. Yelled “yeeha” more times than I can remember.
I will, however, be hitting some of the many free pancake breakfasts held throughout the city while the Stampede is on. Who can say no to free food??
Hi Catnip,
Speaking of Calgary, we’re going to be spending our vacation (starting July 20) hiking in Banff, Kootenay, and Yoho. We love hikes with lots of wildflowers. Do you or your friends have any to recommend? We’re dayhikers but because we don’t have to carry a lot of weight, elevation change is not an issue and we typically hike 12 – 15 miles a day.
TIA for any suggestions.
My daughter does a lot of hiking out there. I’ll check with her and get back to you. I know some trails around Canmore (just south of Banff) are closed due to grizzly bear activity and others in Kananaskis country suffered some flood damage, but there are so many hiking trails that the closure of a few really doesn’t make much difference.
Sounds like you have an excellent vacation planned! Have you been to Banff before?
We’ve been hiked just about every part of the American Rockies but in Canada we’ve only gone to Waterton (which whetted our appetite considerably). Based on what we’ve read and the pictures we’ve seen, we think we’ll be having another massive hit of the “Oh wow” factor that we experienced constantly at Glacier and Waterton. Needless to say (I hate it when I use that phrase), we’re really looking forward to the trip.
Besides wildflowers, we are also enthralled by geology; so the one definite plan we have is the hike to the Burgess Shale.
Hi catnip,
I didn’t know you were from Calgary! I spent a day and a night up there a few years back en route to Banff. It’s one of the most beautiful (and clean!) cities I’ve ever been in. Someday I will go back.
Here is one of my favorite pictures that I’ve ever taken. This was my campsite on the 2nd day in while hiking in Banff.
I want to go camping with YOU! đ
Thanks DJ! đ
It’s really just about finding cool places to go (and having good weather of course). Here’s another you may enjoy, from my trip out to Yellowstone in 1999 (ah, college road trips).
The above one from Calgary reminded me of the place Mr. Damnit took us camping the weekend he proposed to me. Hurricane Ridge in the Olympics (WA). Right along the Dosewallops (sp) river. Breathtaking!
A little pup tent with our sleeping bags zipped together – good for sharing warmth and pre-marital sex)
I’m hoping to do some beach camping this summer since no moolah for much of anything else and we’re stuck here redoing the house.
Wow, what a great engagement story! I’ve been meaning to get out to hike Olympic National Park for a few years now, but haven’t been successful yet. Someday…someday đ
Beach camping is a ton of fun. I don’t think anything beats sitting in front of a beach campfire at night, watching the stars, and listening to waves roll in on the shore.
If you like beaches, you definitely want to head to Olympic. There are 60 miles of undeveloped beach in the park. And lots of good stuff to watch in the tidal pools. Excellent beach hiking as well (but hiking along the Bogachiel River was my favorite place — especially eating lunch sitting on a gravel bar in the middle of that beautiful river).
I’d put up some pictures but we’re way too indented. And Gooserock probably has better ones anyway.
Thanks Andi đ I’m a native of Washington. Whidbey Island mostly… Coupeville and Oak Harbor, born and most of family is down in Mossyrock – (Mt. St. Helens area)
I’m “down” here in Northern California.
If the thanks was for the beach advice, then I can’t take it since I meant it for ejmw — though you’re welcome to it as well. đ
OTOH, if it was for complimenting your home base, then once I get started on the great places to hike in Washington, I can probably keep you thanking me all day. It’s a true embarrassment of riches — Olympic, Rainier, Mt. St. Helens, the Cascades, and all the national forests.
Well allow me to throw my own ‘thanks’ in for the beach advice! đ (sorry, I was away for a while)
Man, I really need to get the heck out of the midwest. Not that it sucks, mind you, I just need a change of scenery…
Well, the Smokies aren’t that far away.
And the Indiana Dunes have some fine beaches.
And here in southern Indiana, we can offer up some very good hiking and camping in our hilly hardwood forests. You just have to survive the boring drive down I-69.
arrgghhh the memories!!!! Sharks versus the Flames. Don Cherry in the tank on Mother’s Day. I was there. I walked ever so slowly out of the loss…
BUT!!! the night before we met up with some Calgary Fans who had driven down (done radio shows) and had some drinks with the… “enemy”. They were good guys. Just two groups of people who LOVED hockey.
but… DAMN DAMN DAMN we lost!
đ
Sounds like the players and owners are thisclose to a new agreement…if you and the family are going to make a roadie down to the Tank for a game, let me know in advance and I’ll see if the spouse and I can join you, or at least maybe meet up for dinner before the game!
If Old Spaghetti Factory still has their San Pedro Square location, that might be a good place; family friendly and prices were relatively cheap last time I was there. There’s a great Togo’s Sandwiches down there, too, if you want something really casual.
Congrats on the loan, BTW! I finally got my portion of the final retirement check and death benefit from my Mom’s retirement, so now it’s waiting for the lawyer to tell my sister it’s okay to distribute most of the house sale proceeds (she’s holding onto about $50K for any bills that haven’t come through yet). Once that comes through, we can tell the creditors “the check is in the mail” and really mean it! đ We plan to get to at least a couple of Sharks games too; the last game I went to was on my birthday, and it was waaaaay back when they were still in the Bovine Bungalow (my name for the Cow Palace)!
Hope things are going well in the North Bay; a little warm down here, but I was still able to wash bed sheets, change the bed, and vacuum the living room…now I can make the spouse feel nice and guilty for not doing anything when he was off work yesterday! lol
I will indeed let you know. Maybe we can meet up with Momagainstthedraft and have our own get together..
PSssst Momagainstthedraft is a long time family friend and dearly loved one đ We met in a hockey chat room and then she got me into Kos and Here đ
at the hockey game…I could go for that! đ
OMG that’s what the (official) hockeychat room use to call our get togethers… Girly nights out LOL
I don’t chat there anymore due to the great Bush divide.
I’ll let you know next time we just go down to see Momagainstthedraft.
We can have a “just because” get together đ
Fell in love with Lake Louise, just like everyone else!!
This is a microbrew named for Gnaw Bone, Indiana which is the town nearest to where I live.
And here’s some flowers for the tables.
goes to my head… Reason I love it.
Favorites?? I have never been one to be able to make “favorite lists”. I just can’t do it. Not for flicks, or food or much of anything … but I shall try..
Coppola (great place to visit)
V. Sattui (best winery stop – soon to be a Castle)
Nichelini
Bell
All red wine goes well with decadent chocolate desserts. You know those cakes that are just too rich to finish? Try em with a sip of red between. Cleanse the palate. đ
I keep telling my husband we could just live off of wine, fruit, cheeses and breads..for dinner. Who needs and oven?? đ But they insist I make such things of labor like manicotti and stuffed jalapenos…
Yesterday we had a power outage. So I left the area đ Just did some shopping for such extravagant items like.. underwear for the kids and anklets.
Hey… look at that ad for Cowboy Junkies! The mister loves them. Another political must buy. đ
I have to confess, I was totally impressed when I saw that one…I of course had to click it…
me too! I don’t usually click on any ads, or buy stuff, but this is a must-have.
Janet I hope you and others will go and see my cooking diary I just put up and add to it any recipes you care to.
Cooking Diary?? Cool! Who? What? Where? When?
Can I keep up?? LOL
i’d like to wish everyone a good day today and hope for the future. i’m about to run into the city early, perhaps i’ll be checking in later tonight. i do agree about recommending these diaries. after all, as members aren’t we free to recommend what we think is worthy?
IMHO, this isn’t just a “simple open thread”
Here’s a piece of paper I found in a book as a bookmark. I remember asking a waitress for a recipe but can’t remember the name.
It’s really good and we double this per person.
1oz Capt. Morgan
1/2 oz Peach Schnapps
4 oz Orange Juice
Splash of Rose’s Lime
Splish Splosh of Grenadine
Pour over ice.
oh the joy of forgotton pieces of paper from a long ago vacation to Knott’s Berry Farm.
the perfect breakfast drink! đ
Part of a nutritious breakfast…
remember those commercials for some sugarcoated cereal crap?? and then they’d show a small bowl of it and in the background they’s show muffin, juice, grapefruit half… “a part of a complete breakfast”
uh.. which part would that be – the sugar part?? đ
In the summer months we usually have smoothies for breakfast.
2 cups if ice
a cup of yogurt
honey – optional
one or two bananas
(ORRRRR one banana and one cup frozen strawberries)
enough orange juice to slush it all togeter.
Voila – breakfast đ
can sub with blackberries, raspberries, canteloupe.. it’s alllllllllll goooooooooooood.
I can’t remember what I’m blending in the morning anways. Makes for some great smoothies and then I can’t remember what the hell I put in them. Blueberry yogurt and key lime pie yogurt??? Who knows, but it’s better than froster froot loops đ
Well, it IS part of a nutritious breakfast, if you categorize food into the following groups: sugar, caffeine, alcohol, and grease. I think chocolate is an honorary member of the sugar and caffeine groups!
Caffeine and alcohol, of course đ
Pluse Chocolate is not a food… it’s divine right đ It is life and love… đ
ICE CREAM!!! That’s a complete food group all on it’s own and entirely medicinal, too.
Kahlua Coffee Milkshakes for two:
1 Cup of French Vanilla ice cream
(why French? because it makes for creamier desserts/shakes)
1 Cup of Ice
several shots of Kahlua (coffee liquor)
enough day old coffee to make it mix well
two tbsp of Ovaltine OR Quick or Carnation Instant Breakfast
Blenderize that suckah
Drizzle inside of glass/plastic cup with Hershey Syrup and pour in the shake.
yes please. =)
Abbot, I was sneaking a peek at a diary on Another Blog today and there you were being charming and funny. I thought, “That’s our Abbot!!”
So, really, whose Abbot are you?
ha I’m busted! Let’s see… while I’m not sure I really have to take sides, I honestly like it here much better, but I still comment occasionally in that other place if I find a place to lighten the mood.
If I were a “diarist” I’d post them here, but mostly, I am a reader/learner trying to take as much info in as possibly, and I still find much worthwhile reading in that other place.
So I’m “here” for what it’s worth!
It’s worth a lot!! đ (Obviously, I read there, too.)
A drink, a drink, I need a drink please. . .!!
So I’ve been slaving to meet a deadline and this afternoon I e’ed the person I have to send my stuff to, to tell her I’m sooo close and could I send her half of it today and the last half on Monday??
And I got back an automated response saying she’s out of the office until Tuesday!!!
Hallelujia! Also, I may kill her. But mostly, hallelujia and pass the whole keg, please.
I’m so happy for you, that’s wonderful!!
Thank you, Katiebird. And now all I have to do is, oh, right, finish it!
How’s your mom today? (I haven’t had time yet to read much upthread, so forgive me if you’ve already told us.)
I don’t envy you having this deadline — with my habit of sleeping through deadlines, I’d probably be in a coma if I were you. I’m so impressed with what you’ve accomplished already; I know you’ll get it done. And it will be great.
My post to you was my first of the day — I just got back from the hospital. I thought I was just stopping in on my way to work, but when I got there you could hardly tell the difference between the sheets and her. It turns out she is dangerously anemic. So they were going to do some tests and give her a transfusion.
And I decided to stick around for the day. And I’m glad I did. For one thing, I think having family there so consistently has a huge impact on the level of care she gets (although this hospital is known for good care). But, I would have been worthless at work and this way I got to see the steady improvement as it happened.
She was pretty weak most of the time. But after they gave her two units of blood she looked much better. When I left she was looking for a crossword puzzle. That’s gotta be good, doesn’t it?
I’ll be going back in the morning, but I think my sister is going to spend a lot of the day with her. We’ll see.
Thanks for asking, it’s been interesting remembering how the day started. It seems like a week ago.
I think it’s wonderful that you stayed with her. My experience, like yours, suggests that a patient gets better care if somebody’s there with them. We might like to think All Patients Are Created Equal, but I think it’s sometimes only human nature to try harder when somebody’s watching.
I hope she’s even better tomorrow.
Sadly this time it’s going to go on all summer and into the fall. At the end of the month they will take out this (artificial) knee and replace it with one saturated in antibiotics. They’ll leave that in for 6 weeks and take it out and put (supposedly) this one back. Which doesn’t make much sense.
Luckily they have a new type of antibiotic knees. Last month they said that she wouldn’t be able to put any pressure on the leg with the temp knee & would be completely bedridden during that period.
But, last week the doctor said it could support half her weight and she could do whatever she wants. which is a major relief.
Thanks for letting me dump my sorrows on you guys. I sure feel better for having done it.
This one is yours…
is that a Heineken kegerator? Awesome.
It’s the Heineken Home Beertender… <ooohhh, shiny>
Thank you, zander!!
zander, that is quite possibly, nay, quite probably, the coolest thing I have EVER SEEN.
And that is coming from a guy with a kegerator.
I just found the website… only available in Europe at the moment <sigh>….
Beertender Best invention since beer.
(The Swiss version is in English)
and over here – model B50.. it’s beeootiful. 200euros.
Well, hopefully by the time it makes it over here stateside, it will be available for a better beer đ
(not that I hate Heineken, but there are definitely better alternatives).
….that in my enforced absence, photographs or representations purporting to be of my sauna have been published here.
Let me make it quite clear that any such imagery is published here entirely without permission of the management, and may constitute grounds for prosecution under infringement of the ‘Finnish Sauna Depiction Act’ of 1997.
Under the Terms of the Act, and I quote, ‘Finnish saunas may not be depicted without occupants (my emphasis), excepting in architectural magazines which discuss or illuminate the structural or material qualities thereof. And further, that such depicted occupants shall not be attired in clothing of any kind including, but not limited to, towels, bathing costumes, moist t-shirts or other inappropriate apparel. The careful and artistic placement of sauna articles, such as birch switches, löyly ladles, and water buckets is allowed under the Act, as are the modest arrangement of limbs. All other concealments are specifically forbidden.
In a recent court case, ‘Ahonen v West Newland’ 2005, the use of motion-blurred, naturally filtered or defocused photography was found to be permissable under the Act, where such imagery was deemed to be force majeure. The case was called to the attention of the court in respect of photographs published in ‘Sauna News’ under the heading of ‘Steamy Sauna Sex’. The photographs, purporting to depict a mixed sauna, were largely indecipherable, due, according the photogapher. to the fact that the cold camera lens suffered condensation upon introduction into a heated, humid environment. Costs for the action, however, were awarded to the West Uudenmaa Sauna Society (Wuss), who brought the prosecution.
lol! If I remember correctly the sauna purporting to be yours (can a sauna purport?)featured a scantil-clad beauty and a bear. We had no idea you were so hairy! Assuming you weren’t the scantily-clad beauty, that is.
Will you prosecute?
You report da bare facts. Proscuitto has nothing to do with it
Submitted as evidence in the aforementioned Ahonen v Wuss case, a photograph which shows entirely too little ass, and unnecessarily blurs the natural beauty and superiority of the Finnish form….
and can I just correct you? This photo is actually a still from the Aki Kaurismäki movie ‘Aalto cowboys go Modernist’
From the blurb – ‘Naked Existential Finns visit a variety of wooden structures without saying or doing very much’
LMAO – Sven, you are such a freak…
(in my family ‘freak’ is a term of endearment and affection)
I am proud to wear your badge of freak.
We boreal dwellers must stick together.
Depending on where & when you look, it’s doing everything from the sunny-primary-colors thing to the mist-and-all-greys-all-the-time, partly puffy cloudy, and tonight there’s wind.
As always, it’s 60F.
(Drat! Camera needs recharging.)
Here’s a splitscreen of two shots 90 degrees apart:
I couldn’t resist ordering them when I ordered this (which will come later):
They arrived at the perfect time!
Oh, katiebird, am I jealous… I’ve been moping around the house this evening, trying to find something to read. I’ve got plenty of books on hand that I haven’t gotten to yet, but not in the mood for any of them. The library’s closed, and I can’t go to my usual bookstore because — well, because of a socially awkward situation.
I hate not having a book going… It makes me itchy.
I know what you mean — that’s what I call a reading emergency. Luckily for me, I love re-reading my favorite books, so as long as I haven’t recently had a fit and boxed up the tipping piles, I almost always have something to read — but I’ve been stuck often enough. I’m trying to discipline myself to check books out from the library (I mean I work there, how hard is it?). But, what I really have to do is get them to purchase more British fiction!
I wish I lived close enough to you to lend you something, I would if I could!
I think it’s really cool that there are two versions of Harry Potter in England, both with different covers than ours (here’s the adult version):
Thanks for the loan-in-spirit! And, having finally finished reading the thread, warm thoughts to you and your mom.
I was actually planning to reread Jane Austen this month, but finished Northanger Abbey and can’t seem to get a good start on Sense and Sensibility. When I can’t get into Austen it’s a sure sign that something’s off.
My city is building a new main library, which is absolutely thrilling — the old one was small and dark and incredibly ugly, while the new one will be much bigger and boast glass walls for lots of natural light. The downside is, they’re building the new one on the same site, so until it opens in spring of next year the collection is housed in one and a half floors of an office building and almost everything more than twenty years old is unavailable. It’s been very hard on my budget!
Sense and Sensibility is my least favorite of her books. In fact, if it was any other author, I’d probably say flat out that I don’t like it. I don’t like any of the characters and I don’t like the story.
I’ve only re-read it 6 or 7 times, it’s just never clicked with me.
This made me laugh out loud: I’ve only re-read it 6 or 7 times, it’s just never clicked with me.
(smiling)
And just for times like these we have:
It’s probably a perfect night for reading Northanger Abbey
You know, I always forget about online options like those — and now that I have a laptop they’re a lot more user-friendly for me. I can’t take it into the tub, but at least I can read in bed!
But I see the Northanger Abbey was a bad suggestion. đ
If you don’t feel like reading anything, Blackmask can be fun cruising because a lot of their books have short descriptions or a few lines from the book that are nice teasers just to think about. For example:
I just got back from a shopping trip and wanted to say howdy and what’s up. Zander I see you are up and running tonight…How are you doing and who is still on line, check in here pleaseeeeeeee.
I was so frustrated while I was gone with my daughter having to take her teenager and 2 others with us on the way home and you haven’t lived until you have been in a car with chattering teenagers with cell phones.
I thought those days were done for me, but no, now the grandkids…..lol.
I was quite contrary and couldn’t wait to be unloaded and then hit the computer…
Oh boy!!
Diane, you are an addict đ
Of course, so am I. BooTribs Anonymous?
Computer addict, yes I am and proud of it. Oh I take my breaks and all but I always get pulled back to my dear old computer to see what is going on in the world.
While I was gone earlier it was just driviing me crazy that I didn’t know what was going on….
if I’m ever someone anyone turns to to find out what’s “happening!”
I think people are recovering after the tension of all the Court speculation and then the London bombing. Over Elsewhere they’re again bogging down talking about themselves.
==
BTW to this boomer and one time computer tech supporter, the image of a grandparent escaping their teenagers by logging onto the Internet is a bit of future shock!
How about this, I lend them my pc video games and teach them how to play…they are very strategic games that I play, like Empire Earth.
Before I started blogging most of my computer time was spent in thousands of hours of gaming. Literally I would sit there for up to 18 hours and play the darn games, always had to get to the next level, oh I’ll stop then, then once I got to the level I just had to see what it was like and boom, 18 hours are gone and I have to be peeled from the desk and led to bed.
Oh yeah, so what is going on at Kos now, and should we prepare for another Great Influx Booman?????
but I sometimes find myself checking out that other place with a sort of sick fascination that is usally reserved for things like redstate…there are fewer and fewer voices there to temper the angry ones…
I’ll put it on the opposite side of the logo on my soon-to-arrive BooTrib Anon t-shirt.
My name is CabinGirl, and I am a BT addict…I’m so obsessed, I check BT even before I check my email…