Blue Angels pack plane full of toys for kids displaced by Sandy
I am writing this because the Blue Angels and their plane the Fat Albert that was packed full of toys for Toys for Tots to distribute to kids that were displaced by Sandy was a great thing that happened.
And because it brought joy to lots of children.
And because I played a small part in it. (Well, my Isuzu did - it transported banners and signs and Audrey to the event!)
And because my coworkers worked their collective rear ends off coordinating the Blue Angels events in Atlanta, Washington DC and Joint Base McGuire Dix Lakehurst in New Jersey. (You guys Rock!!)
But mainly, I am posting this for my brother Bryan and my friend Sue who are not Facebook regulars and missed this when I posted it on Facebook.
Now you can join us and play Where's Audrey? our version of Where's Waldo?
So click on the link above, watch the video carefully and you will see Audrey in several different places in the background of the film clip. She has sunglasses on and her hair is up.
Go forth - and Find Audrey!!!
(And donate to Toys for Tots! Little kids depend on it!!)
Saturday, December 8, 2012
Monday, December 3, 2012
We Just Can't Have Nice Things -The Poinsettia Chronicles
It took all day but I finally got my dining room table cleaned off!! (Don't judge me!)
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| ah, so pretty!! |
I admired it for a few minutes, then we took our dinner into the front room (sigh) to eat.
(Project Runway (on DVR) was not going to watch itself, after all!)
I came back a scant 42 minutes later and disaster had nearly struck!!
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| Just ignore the floor. Cleaning the dining room is a process.... |
SIGH....
Sunday, December 2, 2012
Short Ribs - Just Like the Chef at Universal Studios Makes!!!
When we went to Las Vegas to visit my brother over Thanksgiving, I may have mentioned that we went to LA and toured Universal Studios.
Bo and Sarah treated us to the VIP Tour, and part of the package (which included looking down at the little people who didn't get to get out and wander around the sets and who had to stand IN LINE to ride the rides) was a buffet lunch at a fancy restaurant with cloth napkins and a chef in a white jacket and toque and everything!!
In the buffet line there was a lot of seafood - it was California, after all - and then I spied the short ribs!! The chef smiled approvingly as I grabbed one - he told me that I had made an excellent choice! And he was correct - they were so good!
So yesterday while Mary and I were at the commissary, seeing if we could in fact spend ALL the money in my bank account, I remembered to pick up a package of short ribs.
Short ribs used to be a kind of a scary cooking proposition until one day when I was at work at my old job at Alvey's a little family run grocery store that had the best butcher and the freshest meats in the area. They showed us how to cook them so that they were tender and flavorful - yum!
So here is my recipe for Short Ribs! Enjoy!!
You will need:
One package of short ribs
One envelope of dry Lipton Onion Soup mix.
3 cups water
1 cup good wine - red or white
2 beef bouillon cubes
2 onions sliced in large slices
8 oz of mushrooms - optional
olive oil, salt and pepper
2 packages of brown gravy mix
one can of mushroom soup
Brown the short ribs on all sides in hot olive oil on high heat in a large skillet. Salt and pepper them.
Set a dutch oven on a burner and add the water, wine, bouillon cubes, and soup mix and bring to a simmer.
When the short ribs are browned place in the liquid in the dutch oven, and saute the mushrooms in the skillet that you browned the short ribs. Salt and pepper them, then add them to the dutch oven. Add the onions to the skillet and lightly brown them. A(dd a little more olive oil if the pan looks a little dry.) When the onions are browned, put about a cup of the liquid from the dutch oven into the skillet to deglaze it and add all to the dutch oven.
Put the lid on the dutch oven and set in a 325 degree oven for 3 or 4 hours til tender.
Take the short ribs out of the pan and set aside in a warm spot. Put the dutch oven back on the burner and set on medium high heat.
In a quart size mason jar, dump a cup of water, the contents of the gravy mix and the undiluted mushroom soup. Put a lid on the jar and shake until it is thoroughly mixed.\Pour the mason jar mixture into the dutch oven and stir quickly with a whisk until the gravy is thickened and bubbly.
Serve with boiled or mashed potatoes or rice or noodles.
YUMMMM!!!
Bo and Sarah treated us to the VIP Tour, and part of the package (which included looking down at the little people who didn't get to get out and wander around the sets and who had to stand IN LINE to ride the rides) was a buffet lunch at a fancy restaurant with cloth napkins and a chef in a white jacket and toque and everything!!
In the buffet line there was a lot of seafood - it was California, after all - and then I spied the short ribs!! The chef smiled approvingly as I grabbed one - he told me that I had made an excellent choice! And he was correct - they were so good!
So yesterday while Mary and I were at the commissary, seeing if we could in fact spend ALL the money in my bank account, I remembered to pick up a package of short ribs.
Short ribs used to be a kind of a scary cooking proposition until one day when I was at work at my old job at Alvey's a little family run grocery store that had the best butcher and the freshest meats in the area. They showed us how to cook them so that they were tender and flavorful - yum!
 |
| Beth at the fancy buffet. |
So here is my recipe for Short Ribs! Enjoy!!
You will need:
One package of short ribs
One envelope of dry Lipton Onion Soup mix.
3 cups water
1 cup good wine - red or white
2 beef bouillon cubes
2 onions sliced in large slices
8 oz of mushrooms - optional
olive oil, salt and pepper
2 packages of brown gravy mix
one can of mushroom soup
Brown the short ribs on all sides in hot olive oil on high heat in a large skillet. Salt and pepper them.
Set a dutch oven on a burner and add the water, wine, bouillon cubes, and soup mix and bring to a simmer.
When the short ribs are browned place in the liquid in the dutch oven, and saute the mushrooms in the skillet that you browned the short ribs. Salt and pepper them, then add them to the dutch oven. Add the onions to the skillet and lightly brown them. A(dd a little more olive oil if the pan looks a little dry.) When the onions are browned, put about a cup of the liquid from the dutch oven into the skillet to deglaze it and add all to the dutch oven.
Put the lid on the dutch oven and set in a 325 degree oven for 3 or 4 hours til tender.
Take the short ribs out of the pan and set aside in a warm spot. Put the dutch oven back on the burner and set on medium high heat.
In a quart size mason jar, dump a cup of water, the contents of the gravy mix and the undiluted mushroom soup. Put a lid on the jar and shake until it is thoroughly mixed.\Pour the mason jar mixture into the dutch oven and stir quickly with a whisk until the gravy is thickened and bubbly.
Serve with boiled or mashed potatoes or rice or noodles.
YUMMMM!!!
 |
| Short ribs, mashed potatoes and gravy and cauliflower and cheese.... |
Trip to Walmart
It was a busy day!!
Grey and Neve hadn't been over for two weeks and I wasn't planning on them coming by until Shayne asked "Do you want to go to Mimi's?" and they shouted "Yes!".
We needed to pick up a humidifier for Grey but the kids wanted to come straight to the house to see Scottie Jane so we tabled the trip til later.
Later included digging out a big box of blocks and a big tub of Aunt Mary and Aunt Audrey's Barbies.
Later included lots of cuddling with Scottie Jane.
Later included ordering pizza and making chocolate chip cookies and and licking the beaters and spatulas.
Later included Neve conditioning her hair by working a large handful of baby lotion into it. Don't ask me why.
Later also included catching up on Max and Ruby on the DVR and Lego TV On Demand while Mimi did some unexpected unscheduled work from home.
So when we finally couldn't put off going out and getting that humidifier, we were looking kind of worse for wear.
Going to the store went a little something like this:
"Larry! I need to run to Walmart and get that humidifier. Do you want to go?"
"No!" he yelled down from his office, where he was doing homework.
"Grey, do you want to go?"
"No!" he said as he looked up from playing with the Star Wars cloud car that we had found with the blocks.
"Neve, do you want to go?"
"YES!" She said as she uncrammed the New Kids on the Block Danny doll and his red headed girlfriend out of the Barbie van. (They had been on their way to a concert with another couple - guys in front, girls in back - all gloriously naked except for Danny who had on a teal bikini bottom that I understand belongs to Brenda from 90210 - but I am not judging.)
I looked down at the two of us and I hoped to God that we wouldn't see ANYONE that I knew.
Then as we walked up to the entrance of the Walmart Neve said, "Mimi, PopPop and Grey didn't come with us!"
"Nope, they sure didn't" I replied.
"Oh Mimi, we're having a Girls Night!" Neve said with quite a bit of excitement.
I looked down at that three year old happy little cookie dough smeared face with the baby lotioned hair and all of a sudden, I didn't care who saw us at the Walmart.
Neve and I were having a Girls Night.
Grey and Neve hadn't been over for two weeks and I wasn't planning on them coming by until Shayne asked "Do you want to go to Mimi's?" and they shouted "Yes!".
We needed to pick up a humidifier for Grey but the kids wanted to come straight to the house to see Scottie Jane so we tabled the trip til later.
Later included digging out a big box of blocks and a big tub of Aunt Mary and Aunt Audrey's Barbies.
Later included lots of cuddling with Scottie Jane.
Later included Neve conditioning her hair by working a large handful of baby lotion into it. Don't ask me why.
Later also included catching up on Max and Ruby on the DVR and Lego TV On Demand while Mimi did some unexpected unscheduled work from home.
So when we finally couldn't put off going out and getting that humidifier, we were looking kind of worse for wear.
Going to the store went a little something like this:
"Larry! I need to run to Walmart and get that humidifier. Do you want to go?"
"No!" he yelled down from his office, where he was doing homework.
"Grey, do you want to go?"
"No!" he said as he looked up from playing with the Star Wars cloud car that we had found with the blocks.
"Neve, do you want to go?"
"YES!" She said as she uncrammed the New Kids on the Block Danny doll and his red headed girlfriend out of the Barbie van. (They had been on their way to a concert with another couple - guys in front, girls in back - all gloriously naked except for Danny who had on a teal bikini bottom that I understand belongs to Brenda from 90210 - but I am not judging.)
I looked down at the two of us and I hoped to God that we wouldn't see ANYONE that I knew.
Then as we walked up to the entrance of the Walmart Neve said, "Mimi, PopPop and Grey didn't come with us!"
"Nope, they sure didn't" I replied.
"Oh Mimi, we're having a Girls Night!" Neve said with quite a bit of excitement.
I looked down at that three year old happy little cookie dough smeared face with the baby lotioned hair and all of a sudden, I didn't care who saw us at the Walmart.
Neve and I were having a Girls Night.
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
Adventures with my Brother Spaghetti with Brown Butter
Larry and I did something we haven't done in awhile this Thanksgiving -
We Went Away.
On a plane.
To Las Vegas!!
We went to visit my baby brother Bryan and his wife Sarah and their kids Travis (14) and Beth (11) And their dogs Jack, Belle and Tattoo. And oh my goodness, we had such a great time!!
It started out with Bryan and Sarah buying our tickets as a graduation present for Larry AND then using their points to bump us up to first class on the long Charlotte to Las Vegas leg of the trip.
After being in first class, I don't know how I've ever flown before. or will ever fly again. Sigh. It was SOOOOO sweet.... they treat you like humans and serve you food and drink and smile at you. We sat down and they offered us ice water before the plane even left! Then the steward came around and asked us what we'd like to drink. Larry said Bourbon. All they had was Jack Daniels, and Larry said that's fine. The steward asked if he wanted it with ice or water and Larry said no, I'll take it neat. "Ooohh...you are hardcore!!" the steward said. "I'll have to keep my eye on youuuu!!!
On Weds Larry went along on a dog walk.
On Thanksgiving Day we had wonderful dinner with my dad and Sarah's parents Mary and Walt.
Then on Friday morning we got up at 3:30 in the AM and took off for Universal Studios in Los Angeles.
(My dad stayed behind to catch up on his sleep, watch the dogs and try to figure out Bryan's TV.)
Universal Studios was a blast!! We had VIP tickets - Just like first class!!!
After we left universal Studios, we went to the Old Spaghetti Factory and met with Susan, Sarah's twin for dinner. Yummo!!!
Here is one of the dishes that we had there and which I made for dinner tonight. Simple and tasty!!
I'll write more later about the Strip and Bingo and more cool stuff we did!!
So try out this spaghetti!! Easy and SOOOO good!!!
Old Spaghetti Factory's Spaghetti with Brown Butter
CDKitchen http://www.cdkitchen.com
Serves/Makes: 4 | Difficulty Level: 3 | Ready In: < 30 minutes
Ingredients:
1 cup butter
1 cup Mizithra cheese
pasta of choice
Directions:
Browned Butter Procedure: Cut butter into tablespoon-sized pieces and place in a 2-quart sauce pan. Place the pan of butter on a burner on medium heat. Bring butter to a slow boil (about 5 minutes).
Once the butter begins to boil, stir constantly to prevent residue from sticking to the bottom of the pan. As the butter cooks, it will start to foam and rise. Continue stirring, otherwise the butter foam could overflow (about 5 minutes) and catch fire.
Once the butter stops foaming and rising, cook until amber in color (about 1 to 2 minutes). It will have a pleasant caramel aroma.
Turn off the heat and remove pan from burner. Let the sediment settle to the bottom of the pan for a few minutes.
Pour the brown butter through a strainer into a small bowl. Do not disturb the residue at the bottom of the pan.
The brown butter can be stored in the refrigerator and reheated in a microwave as needed.
Boil the pasta of choice until Al Dente. Drain pasta and divide into four servings. Spread 1/4 cup of Mizithra over each pasta serving. Top with 1/4 cup of hot brown butter.
Cook's Notes: There is a terrific dish served by The Old Spaghetti Factory chain, called Spaghetti with Browned Butter,. It is served topped with shredded Mizithra cheese (a Greek hard cheese). If mizithra is not available (I am able to easily locate it St. Louis at cheese shops and some supermarkets), a blend of ricotta salata and romano is suggested.
We Went Away.
On a plane.
To Las Vegas!!
We went to visit my baby brother Bryan and his wife Sarah and their kids Travis (14) and Beth (11) And their dogs Jack, Belle and Tattoo. And oh my goodness, we had such a great time!!
It started out with Bryan and Sarah buying our tickets as a graduation present for Larry AND then using their points to bump us up to first class on the long Charlotte to Las Vegas leg of the trip.
After being in first class, I don't know how I've ever flown before. or will ever fly again. Sigh. It was SOOOOO sweet.... they treat you like humans and serve you food and drink and smile at you. We sat down and they offered us ice water before the plane even left! Then the steward came around and asked us what we'd like to drink. Larry said Bourbon. All they had was Jack Daniels, and Larry said that's fine. The steward asked if he wanted it with ice or water and Larry said no, I'll take it neat. "Ooohh...you are hardcore!!" the steward said. "I'll have to keep my eye on youuuu!!!
On Weds Larry went along on a dog walk.
 |
| Bryan, Sarah and Travis |
 |
| I had to ask Sarah what it was like - living in an area where the sun shines and the sky is relentlessly blue!!! |
On Thanksgiving Day we had wonderful dinner with my dad and Sarah's parents Mary and Walt.
 |
| Family Portrait! |
 |
| Our dad. |
Then on Friday morning we got up at 3:30 in the AM and took off for Universal Studios in Los Angeles.
(My dad stayed behind to catch up on his sleep, watch the dogs and try to figure out Bryan's TV.)
 |
| 8am. Just before our VIP Tour started. |
 |
| The gas station from Back to the Future! |
 |
| the bates home from Psycho!! |
 |
| Tom Cruise's War of the Worlds |
 |
| The whole lot of us!!! |
After we left universal Studios, we went to the Old Spaghetti Factory and met with Susan, Sarah's twin for dinner. Yummo!!!
Here is one of the dishes that we had there and which I made for dinner tonight. Simple and tasty!!
I'll write more later about the Strip and Bingo and more cool stuff we did!!
So try out this spaghetti!! Easy and SOOOO good!!!
Old Spaghetti Factory's Spaghetti with Brown Butter
CDKitchen http://www.cdkitchen.com
Serves/Makes: 4 | Difficulty Level: 3 | Ready In: < 30 minutes
Ingredients:
1 cup butter
1 cup Mizithra cheese
pasta of choice
Directions:
Browned Butter Procedure: Cut butter into tablespoon-sized pieces and place in a 2-quart sauce pan. Place the pan of butter on a burner on medium heat. Bring butter to a slow boil (about 5 minutes).
Once the butter begins to boil, stir constantly to prevent residue from sticking to the bottom of the pan. As the butter cooks, it will start to foam and rise. Continue stirring, otherwise the butter foam could overflow (about 5 minutes) and catch fire.
Once the butter stops foaming and rising, cook until amber in color (about 1 to 2 minutes). It will have a pleasant caramel aroma.
Turn off the heat and remove pan from burner. Let the sediment settle to the bottom of the pan for a few minutes.
Pour the brown butter through a strainer into a small bowl. Do not disturb the residue at the bottom of the pan.
The brown butter can be stored in the refrigerator and reheated in a microwave as needed.
Boil the pasta of choice until Al Dente. Drain pasta and divide into four servings. Spread 1/4 cup of Mizithra over each pasta serving. Top with 1/4 cup of hot brown butter.
Cook's Notes: There is a terrific dish served by The Old Spaghetti Factory chain, called Spaghetti with Browned Butter,. It is served topped with shredded Mizithra cheese (a Greek hard cheese). If mizithra is not available (I am able to easily locate it St. Louis at cheese shops and some supermarkets), a blend of ricotta salata and romano is suggested.
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
Pity Party Expanded
I woke up this morning sad and depressed from a bad dream.
And I had a pounding headache.
And it was pouring rain outside.
And it was Tuesday. The day I get up around 5 to take Larry to the metro. I did promise, after all.
Then I got to work and it was just one crisis after another.
So after I left work and crawled into my car I decided that a little pity party was in order.
And what's a pity party without retail therapy?? So I went to The Very Thing, a local consignment store.
And I felt MUCH better when I left!
Look at my cool stuff!!!!
And I had a pounding headache.
And it was pouring rain outside.
And it was Tuesday. The day I get up around 5 to take Larry to the metro. I did promise, after all.
Then I got to work and it was just one crisis after another.
So after I left work and crawled into my car I decided that a little pity party was in order.
And what's a pity party without retail therapy?? So I went to The Very Thing, a local consignment store.
And I felt MUCH better when I left!
Look at my cool stuff!!!!
 |
| A Rocking Horse Santa. So Sweet!! |
 |
| This is a beautiful double handled depression glass bowl. I've had my eye on it for awhile now... |
 |
| Debbie Mumm Snowman mugs!! I bought a set of these years ago when I worked at the quilt store and fell in love with Debbie Mumm fabrics. And we literally used them up!! I couldn't believe that they were there...Way high above my head. The saleslady had to use a reacher thingy to get one down to see what the price was. She said 4 mugs for $5.00. I said ooooh, and she said I'll just get the rest down for you.... |
 |
| My new holiday Sangria pitcher. When I first showed it to Audrey I slipped and said "Sangria MUG" She raised her eyebrow and I thought to myself..add a squiggly straw and I would be in business... |
 |
| What I didn't buy....but probably will....today.... |
Thursday, November 1, 2012
Electronic Family - Masters of the Obvious
My friend Sue and I had a quick phone conversation today.
Quick because I was on my way to work, and quick because even though Sue is officially retired (I am not at ALL jealous...) she was busy packing and getting ready to go visit young Charlie. Oh and Matt and Mandy and Charlie's furry brother Mitch.
Sue: So are you working from home today?
Me: Not anymore, but Audrey will be there.
Sue: Oh, good! Then I can run over and bring your plates back.
Me: It's ok, Sue. You can wait until you get back...I have a couple of other dishes that I can use until then....
Me Oh that reminds me, i need to bring back 3 more of your tablecloths!
Sue: That's ok. Take your time! I only have one table!!
That must be why we are such good friends...
We have back-ups!!!
Quick because I was on my way to work, and quick because even though Sue is officially retired (I am not at ALL jealous...) she was busy packing and getting ready to go visit young Charlie. Oh and Matt and Mandy and Charlie's furry brother Mitch.
Sue: So are you working from home today?
Me: Not anymore, but Audrey will be there.
Sue: Oh, good! Then I can run over and bring your plates back.
Me: It's ok, Sue. You can wait until you get back...I have a couple of other dishes that I can use until then....
Me Oh that reminds me, i need to bring back 3 more of your tablecloths!
Sue: That's ok. Take your time! I only have one table!!
That must be why we are such good friends...
We have back-ups!!!
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