Recipe Testing

One of my biggest dreams is to someday open my own bakery and to get so good at one thing that Bobby Flay shows up and challenges me to a "Throw-down." At the rate he loses every season, I figure I've got it made in the New York shade!

I started entering my baked goods in our local County Fair more than ten years ago. I've gotten first place in many categories (2nd, 3rd & Honorable Mention too), including, cookies, cakes, cupcakes, candy confections (English toffee, peanut brittle), quick breads, and even one Best of Show for my chocolate cake (always a favorite of my Dad's). This means I beat out everyone in that category, including the entry awarded First Place.

Truth be told, I'm a sucker for the winning ribbons. They don't all have to be first place ribbons and I collect them like some collect Beenie Babies, the more the merrier - and I have lots to be merry about. I keep them in a special box and take them out for inspiration every once in a while and also to show them off.

This year I'm trying some new things: ginger cookies, Buckeyes, lemon bundt cake, banana nut bread, chocolate cupcakes (Best of Show 2008), and my first place winner from 2009: chocolate chip cookies (I'm tweaking the recipe this year). I'm also making a never been done item called Cake Pops. I was inspired by a baking blog called Bakerella and mine will be gingerbread cake balls enrobed in creamy white icing, eaten like a lollipop. Kinda like a round petite four on a stick. I wasn't sure if it qualified as cake or a dipped confection so went ahead and entered it as "Any Other, please specify" except I didn't specify.

Anywho, the Santa Cruz County Fair is September 14-19 and I have to have my entries in by Saturday, September 11th for judging on the 12th. We always go the first night so I won't know how many ribbons I've won until then.

So that's what I've been up to lately.

Oh Say Can You See!

Our neighborhood party starts at 3pm and I wanted to wish you all a Happy 4th of July! The weather here on the coast is cool and breezy so Mr. itsme has the fire pit all ready to light for the weenies (family) coming from Silicon Valley. There are John Phillips Sousa songs on satellite radio and we have fireworks and S'mores when it gets dark. All that's missing is a fly-over by the Blue Angels!

We're BBQing chicken, roasting corn; neighbors are bringing green salad, watermelon, garlic bread and roast asparagus. I made Cake pops (another post) for dessert. My sister in Las Vegas texted and said it's 98 degs and she's making homemade vanilla ice cream for their neighborhood party (my sister is the cake decorator) by the pool.

Life is good. This is what it's all about. So God bless America and all that jazz, Cha-cha-cha.

Is This Color Better?

UPDATE: I think I'll keep the blue for a while. Beige, brown, whatever is so boring!

Beige rather than the pink? I'll admit, it's easier on the old eyeballs. Gotta keep my 'followers' happy.

Spent a wonderful day at my house baking with three co-workers (it's rare that one is lucky enough to have co-workers you like enough to become friends). We had an excellent lunch in the backyard; watched some birds, listened to the fountain, and had a few laughs. This is what life is about.

Changes beginning July 2, 2010

TAAA-DAAAA, wadda ya think? Too pink?

Growing up I hated the color pink. Always associated it with June Cleaver-types and being "girlie," and I was NEVER a girlie-girl. If my Mom had let me, I would have slept in my cowboy hat & boots (yes, red ones, thank you for asking) when I was 6; however, she drew the line at wearing my toy cap gun and holster to bed. Seems the older I get, the more the color grows on me. I'm not talking Pepto Bismol pink, more a dusty rose. The color of the lower half of my diningroom, below the white chair rail. Yeah, so I'll try this out for a while. Change is good.

Guess I'm reacting to all the changes going on around me at work and home these days. At work -and I've always made it a policy not to talk about work- I've had to say goodbye to a few co-workers due to layoffs and/or reassignments. One person in my dept actually went "out the door" and a few others are still on campus, just in different locations. So, I've shed a few private tears in the ladies room in the last few days. Our Union has been fairly successful bargaining to mitigate more layoffs, but it's still hard when people who are like family, leave.

On the homefront, solar attic fans are being installed today. At the end of the month we're starting a guest bathroom remodel and putting in a new sliding glass door in the aforementioned half dusty rose pink diningroom. Wednesday, we ordered the new bathroom vanity, mirror and toilet (already have the new shower stall and picked out the new flooring). We've been through this before but I already can't wait til it's over!

Well, happy Friday!

Changes beginning July, 1, 2010

To name a few:

1) The Commonwealth of Virginia is set to increase the speed limit to 70 mph for certain sections of its highways on July 1st, 2010

2) The Governor of Florida created an Amnesty Program that runs from July 1, 2010 to September 30, 2010 so that eligible taxpayers may satisfy their state tax liabilities and avoid criminal prosecution and penalties

3) Lebron James signs with the Miami Heat!!!

4) “Ace of Cakes” (Food Network Season 9) opens with the 100th episode of the series

5) Bridge tolls, including the Golden Gate Bridge, go up all over the SF Bay Area (CA) today. Metro fares in LA also go up today

6) Poker laws change in Florida today

7) Changes in Russian customs legislation goes into effect today to reflect the new reality of the Customs Union of Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan

8) Montana begins regulating Massage Therapists today and if ever a group needed regulating it’s them

9) Free WiFi at all U.S. Starbucks stores starting today

10) IUP (Indiana University of Pennsylvania) shuts down it’s old Central Webserver (aka “blue & yellow” server) because it’s no longer needed. R.I.P.

11) Starting today, overdraft fees require consumer consent...there goes my free checking!!!

How would you guys know any of this stuff if it weren't for me???????

June 9, 1972

The day of my graduation from High School. We were the 100th class to graduate and the first time in 100 years it rained. No class before ours had ever had to graduate in the auditorium of a (rival) Junior High school. A few years later, our High School was closed and remaining students merged with the rival High School. Glad I was long gone by then. Imagine having to call your hated rival high school your own?

After all these years, I'm not bitter! I'm not, I'm not, I'm not!

Tipper & Al Call it Quits

I am in shock. 40 years of marriage and kaboom, just like that, it's over? This was a solid together couple if ever there was one, real role models, so-to-speak. I mean, if it can happen to THEM it can happen to ANYONE now.

"They" say there was no infidelity, but time and the National Enquirer will tell. Was it that pesky "empty-nest" syndrome? Suddenly, one day the kids are gone and one of them turns to the other and says "Who the HELL are you?" Or worse "Who the HELL am I?" Parenthood is a powerful identity (personally, I wouldn't know) and when your kids are grown and gone, you have to find a new reason to get up and face each other every morning. They weathered so much: Al's deployment to Viet Nam, raising a family of 4, almost losing one of those children in a car accident, a Vice Presidency, a Presidential campaign, and then a Nobel Peace Prize. Still, the experts claim that if couples don't evolve together over the years, opposites no longer attract and opposites become just . . . opposites. To me, this translates simply as "You're no longer a priority in my life."

It's not uncommon I guess. They did "beat the odds" by staying together as long as they did. But still, it's depressing. It's almost like there's no point in getting married at all anymore.

Thank goodness, Bill & Hill are still together!

Diaspora vs Facebook

While listening to a local radio station's "Tech Guy" show, the host, Leo LaPorte was discussing the current hub-bub about Facebook and was urging Facebook users to quit Facebook. He mentioned a new social network I think is worth following. The video of the three "nerds" explaining the whole thing is a little tedious -they are all barely 20 years old after all- but I'm betting this is going to be major competition for Facebook, of which I can PROUDLY say I have never joined and no intention of joining. OK, I'll admit here, I recently created an account so that I could officially quit (which I did last Thursday) but it takes two weeks for your account to be completely deleted. Seems the gods at Facebook want you to take two weeks to think it over. But I digress.

Apparently, Facebook's CEO Mark Zuckerberg made a statement that most people have gotten comfortable with the lack of privacy on the Web and that basically, like it or not, this is the new social norm, so we should all pretty much get used to it. This has so outraged some Facebookers that May 31st has been officially declared "Quit Facebook" day. (I emailed my family members with this challenge and got, as expected, fairly hostile responses). Personally, I thik this is exciting, kinda like a Civil War on the Internet!

Anyway, besides the new Diaspora social network, there are other social networks out there, about 9 I can count, that care about your privacy. Just remember, you heard it here first.

What the Cluck - the Response

"Thank you for your email to Susan G. Komen for the Cure(r). We do appreciate you taking the time to tell us how you feel about our partnership with KFC. You should know that our partnership with KFC is designed at the core to educate millions of people we might not otherwise reach with breast health information - outreach that we consider critical to our mission to save lives and end breast cancer. We are reaching people with life-saving messages through KFC's 5,300 restaurants (about 900 of them in communities not yet served by a Komen Affiliate), with information in the store, on the buckets and in advertising directing consumers to KFC's bucketsforthecure.com website, with links to www.komen.org.

Second, this partnership is helping generate millions in funding - a goal of $8.5 million to be raised in six weeks - to further the nearly $1.5 billion in research and community programs that Komen has already spent over the past 30 years - programs that are literally saving people's lives through better treatments, early detection and advocacy at the federal and state levels. Because of partners like this, our $500 million in research funding has paid enormous dividends - 98 percent five-year survival rates for cancers that haven't spread from the breast and better and more effective treatments for late-stage breast cancer patients, Further, these partnerships have enabled us to invest $900 million in our communities, providing financial and medical support for women, particularly low-income women, who desperately need help gaining access to the medical care system.

Some ask what we are doing in terms of prevention. About 10 percent - or $50
million - of our research budget over the years has gone to prevention research. We'll invest another $20 million of our $55-$60 million research grant program to prevention, and continue funding programs that educate women about their risks.

We recognize that this partnership brings up a conversation about obesity and health related to cancer. Our partnership highlights the healthy options at KFC - grilled chicken and vegetables, for example. Ultimately, the decision to maintain a well-balanced diet lies in the hands of the consumer. KFC provides tools to make those choices, by providing a healthier choice menu at its restaurants and advice on its website on how consumers can limit fat and calorie consumption in its products.

We hope that you will take a moment to visit the bucketsforthecure.com website to learn more about the partnership and see the stories of hope, education and empowerment being shared there. We appreciate your concern and thank you for sharing it with us.

Very truly yours,

Margo K. Lucero
Director, Global Corporate Relations
5005 LBJ Freeway, Suite 250 | Dallas, TX 72544
1-877 GO KOMEN | www.komen.org"
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
All I can say is SHAME ON YOU Ms. LUCERO, what a buncha double-speak CRAP!!!

What the Cluck?

I KNEW we lived in a bizzaro world but this takes the cake. "Buckets for the Cure" they call it, brought to you by the greedy bastards who gave us the new Double Down sandwich, and a whopping 50 cents will be donated to the Susan G. Komen Foundation for every pink bucket of fried chicken sold. Fried chicken? To cure breast cancer?

Seems to me the Susan G. Komen people forgot that their primary value is women’s health and have now failed to understand that this value does not fit with KFC. The Colonel going pink? That’s absurd. Who's next the Marlboro Man?

Go here and stop the Pinkwashing!!!

Cancelled Wedding

Mr. itsme was to officiate next Saturday at the wedding of the son of an old high school friend of mine. We've known Jason since before he was born. He and Joanna were coming to our house this afternoon to go over last minute details about the ceremony when Jason called to say Joanna had "cold feet" and they were cancelling the wedding.

It takes a lot of courage to call off a wedding, especially one week before you're supposed to get married. I sure don't envy them telling both sets of parents and any other family members coming from out of town or far away. Then there's the gifts to return, vendors to call: reception hall, caterer, photographer, DJ, bakery, etc., gives me the willies just thinking about it.

Still, I'm glad they both listened to their gut feeling that something was wrong and understood that calling it off was an option. I think it took real honesty and incredible maturity to be really true to what they knew deep down.

I wish them well and hope they find happiness in the future.

Spatchcocking your Chicken

Ah HA, I KNEW that would get your attention!

Now that you're here, let me tell you about a new roasting method I tried last night. The technique is called spatchcocking - basically splitting and flattening your bird - that produces perfectly roasted poultry (I used cornish hens) in less time than a whole one. I think the real secret is roasting at a high temperature. (Good thing I have a self-cleaning oven).

All you have to do is put your chicken breastside down on your cutting board and starting at the thigh end, cut along one side of the backbone with chicken shears, then turn the chicken around, and cut along the other side. Flip the chicken over and open it like a book. Press down firmly on the breastbone to flatten. Place on a roasting pan and season with coarse salt and freshly ground black pepper (and anything else you fancy). I drizzled some olive oil over mine and popped some peeled garlic gloves along side and roasted at 500 degs for about 30 minutes (an instant-read thermometer should read 165 degs when inserted in the thickest part of the thigh).

Here's a link to a how-to video if you're interested. It was truly delish!!!

Angst

My late Dad, a great artist in his own right -and who taught me to wield a paintbrush before I could hold a pencil- always told me that without angst, the artist could not create. Without angst and a reason to bemoan, we would all be well off, middle class, boring, fashion conscious, media guzzling, consumeristic, uncaring dullards with nothing to complain about at parties.

He was right.

Keep the Memories, Get Rid of the Stuff!

I am finding that I like getting rid of things. I like it even more when my things find new homes with people who will love them. And if the person is someone I love, that’s pretty much perfect.

I have a pretty easy time weeding out clothes, for instance. If I don't like it, don't wear it, whatever - out it goes. I have gotten rid of a few toxic friends but now I’m having trouble finding people I can trust. (Making friends gets so much harder as you get older don’t you think?) One thing I can’t get rid of is my books, especially my cookbooks. And pictures, I can’t get rid of those. Fortunately, we have put most of ours on CD’s and I upload everything to my Flickr and our Costco photo account.

I'm not talking about going minimalist here, I'm just talking about freeing myself so that I can focus on what REALLY matters and making (more) room in my life for the things I love doing the most. Besides, having more 'stuff' doesn't make me a happier person - and in a society driven by consumption, it can be hard to realize this truth.

George Washington is a Felon!

I am crushed! Our own George Washington, some say the literal Father of our Country, owes over $300,000 in overdue library fines. According to the UK Guardian old George checked out two volumes from the New York Society Library in 1789 and never returned them. What kind of example is that? Would it have delayed his crossing the Delaware that much?

I'm so Raven!

Recently got into a discussion about animal spirit guides, or totems (all in fun of course). Come to find out based on all my birth information: whose House the moon was in, what Sign was rising, day and time of birth, my shoe size, etc., according to the Tlingit Indigenous People of the Pacific Northwest Coast, I am a Raven.

It's kinda ironic since I hate to fly (in planes, not on my broom) and generally detest roadkill of any kind. Still, I do feel an eery kinship to the largest songbird in North America. Because of its jet-black color, it is associated with the night and the Earth and has been granted great power - TOWANDA! The Raven teaches the importance of being still and observing quietly until we can see both sides of the light. Must be why I'm such a good birder; I have keen eyesight and more patience than anyone else I know (I'm also a champion Bop-a-Mole player).

The Raven also brings new things, new places, new ideas, and rebirth. Raven helps the worthy, but loves to trick the unsuspecting (BOY, DO I) and is as full of mischief as she is wonderful. Master trickster - I LIKE IT! Raven symbolizes the home of our ancestors, our personal stories and imprinted memories. Raven is distinctly earthy, and feminine (but I do use deodorant). Ravens are prophets, spell-casters, and messengers. Raven offers knowledge of the world to the people for safe keeping. I am infamous for being able to keep a secret. Forever, if need be.

I've got it: create a calm environment, play soothing music, light a fire, grab some chocolate and indulge! I can SO do that.

Health Insurance Reform Passes

I finally got my wish. I now have a president who has learned how to lead, finally admitting that no common ground with today's Republicans is possible, and once and for all revealed as the true obstructionists that they are. In spite of all the threats, outright lies, misinformation, and fear mongering (and all the unnecessary and redundant posturing by the "sanctity of life"), it IS a "first step."

True, it will not yet stop the outrageous behaviors of insurance companies. As long as health care is for-profit, insurance companies will continue doing what they please. It is essentially a slap in the face to women, for reasons that go far beyond reproductive rights. It will still leave millions uninsured, and it’s still unclear how millions more will afford the insurance coverage they're now going to be required to buy. But these things can AND WILL be worked out over time.

There are immediate benefits, to name a few:

1) My neighbor's eight year old autistic son will now qualify for his parents' health care plan (apparently being born with autism is a "pre-existing" condition)
2) It will lower seniors' prescription drug prices by beginning to close the "donut hole" (too bad my Mom didn't live long enough to see that one)
3) Requires plans to cover an enrollee's dependent children until age 26
4) Offer tax credits to small businesses to purchase coverage
5) Prohibit dropping people from coverage when they get sick in all individual plans (cancer came back a third time? Sorry, three strikes and you're out!)

Yes, there is much more work to be done and plenty of people, organizations, and corporations will figure out how to exploit it, but it's a start. The income disparity in America has never been greater and it is time the people who have helped tilt the system in their favor start paying for some of America’s problems.
The door is now open, and hopefully, in the coming years, it will morph into something with a public option - or better yet, single payer.

And John McCain vows to keep fighting.

RV Virgins No More

It's fitting that we return from our first RV trip on Valentine's Day. Yes, we took the plunge and bought a 21 foot Travel Trailer last month. This was our Maiden Voyage and boy, did we ever have a blast! I can say this NOW that I'm home, freshly showered & shampooed, wearing clean jammies and working on my 2nd healthy-sized glass of Rogue Vineyards (Columbia Valley, Washington) Chardonnay. Mr itsme has a Tuscan-style tri-tip (white wine & rosemary) on the BBQ and I'm steamming fresh carrots & broccoli. Can life get any better than this? Only in California right? Holy Cow, it's 71 degs at 5:40pm. Don't hate me because I'm not shoveling snow!

Happy Valentine's Day!!!

New Family Addition

Brandon James Edwin born tonight, 7:45pm. 7lbs, 15oz, 21 inches. I'm in awe! My late Brother Ed's 5th Grandchild and 2nd Grandson. He would have been so happy. Mom, Dad, and Sisters Allysa & Jordan are doing well.

Welcome to the world little Brandon!

State of the Union Address 2010

Dear President Obama,

Tonight, I want to hear you talk about 3 things: jobs, economic security and health care reform.

I want to hear about the steps you will take in saving American jobs from outsourcing. Each job we lose everyday is a job lost. You said during your campaign that you would stop the outsourcing of jobs to cheaper countries like India, but you aren’t talking about that anymore. How about some tax credits for small businesses that stay in the USA? How about helping students pay off college debt and really cracking down on Wall Street? How about a stimulus package for everyday Americans? I am tired of the empty rhetoric, your obsession for Republican love and approval, and this stupid “freeze” gimmick. I want to hear you challenge the left and right wing of the House and Senate to write and pass laws that will work for ALL Americans.

You need to forcefully and decisively charge the Democrats to pass a healthcare bill that includes a strong public option. Remind them of the mandated majority that swept them to victory in the first place because in 2012 they might not be so lucky.

And finally, Mr. President, I hope you realize you need to lead and to fight for the promises you made in your campaign. The American People elected a Democrat and you have to start listening to the American People.