Today, we are picking up our free range turkey from the butcher. No butterball for us. These turkeys are wonderful. We always go to the same butcher and the turkeys have never failed me. I love making turkey, it is so easy. Wish other meals were as easy. Now the turkey is easy but I need to start on the cabbage, cranberry sauce today and also the the stuffing. I do not make a stuffing that goes into the bird it is done in a casserole dish, much easier clean up. I recommend this: (part of the my first cookbook again).
CRANBERRY NUT STUFFING
(Makes 6 servings)
Note: this is a rich, moist stuffing to be baked in a casserole, not roasted in the turkey cavity.
1/2 cup butter 125 ml
2 medium onions ,chopped 2
2 celery stalks, chopped 2
6 cups small bread cubes 1.5L
1.2 cup sliced hazelnuts 125 ml
(any chopped nuts
may be substituted)
1 1/2 tsp. poultry seasoning 7 ml
1 tsp. salt 5 ml
pepper, freshly ground
1 1/2 cups fresh or frozen 375 ml
cranberries
3 eggs, beaten 3
1 cup milk 250 ml
Sauté onion and celery in butter; stir in bread cubes, hazelnuts and seasoning. Add cranberries, tossing just to mixture. Mix lightly until all bread is moistened. Spoon into greased 6-cup (1.5L), low casserole dish, or loaf pan. Bake at 325o F (160oC) for 45 minutes.
Cranberries are still in season in December and make a popular accompaniment to the Christmas turkey. usually as a sauce or jelly. This unusual recipe puts them right in with the stuffing. The unique taste makes it an excellent dressing to be used with other types of meat as well.
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Red Cabbage
All of us have foods that we associate with celebrations. One of my favourites is red cabbage. I love it with turkey or chicken and have fond memories of having red cabbage at Christmas and Easter both times of celebration.
Today, when we were returned from picking up groceries for our New Year's Day dinner (we are having 7 people over, our neighbour asked if we are making red cabbage. Apparently, over the years the aroma of the vegetable cooking has wafted outdoors and the neighbours could smell what we were cooking. She has often wanted to ask for the recipe. That is easy; I just printed it and will make sure that she gets some of the cabbage to enjoy. I will start cooking tomorrow so that I am not cleaning and cooking like a fiend New Year's Day.
Years ago, I made a cookbook of some of our favourite recipes and it includes all the recipes for one of our Christmas dinners. I might include some other favourites over the next few days. In the meantime, hope that everyone is enjoying the holiday season.
Sweet-and-Sour Red Cabbage
This is a family staple that goes well with poultry and can be made a week ahead. Reheat in covered pan in oven or on stove top.
1 medium red cabbage about 8 cups, sliced
3 tbs. bacon fat or vegetable oil
1 large red onion, chopped
1 large apple, peeled and chopped
1/2 cup red wine
1/4 cup red-wine vinegar
2 tbs. brown sugar
3 cloves
1 tsp. dried thyme
salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
Remove core from cabbage, cut in quarters and thinly slice. Heat fat in heavy pot on medium heat. Add onion and sauté until softened. Add cabbage and sauté until cabbage is coated with fat.
Add apple, wine, vinegar, sugar, cloves and thyme. Bring to boil, cover, reduce heat and simmer for 45 minutes or until cabbage is tender. Season well with salt and pepper. Reheat when needed. Serves 8 to 10.
Today, when we were returned from picking up groceries for our New Year's Day dinner (we are having 7 people over, our neighbour asked if we are making red cabbage. Apparently, over the years the aroma of the vegetable cooking has wafted outdoors and the neighbours could smell what we were cooking. She has often wanted to ask for the recipe. That is easy; I just printed it and will make sure that she gets some of the cabbage to enjoy. I will start cooking tomorrow so that I am not cleaning and cooking like a fiend New Year's Day.
Years ago, I made a cookbook of some of our favourite recipes and it includes all the recipes for one of our Christmas dinners. I might include some other favourites over the next few days. In the meantime, hope that everyone is enjoying the holiday season.
Sweet-and-Sour Red Cabbage
This is a family staple that goes well with poultry and can be made a week ahead. Reheat in covered pan in oven or on stove top.
1 medium red cabbage about 8 cups, sliced
3 tbs. bacon fat or vegetable oil
1 large red onion, chopped
1 large apple, peeled and chopped
1/2 cup red wine
1/4 cup red-wine vinegar
2 tbs. brown sugar
3 cloves
1 tsp. dried thyme
salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
Remove core from cabbage, cut in quarters and thinly slice. Heat fat in heavy pot on medium heat. Add onion and sauté until softened. Add cabbage and sauté until cabbage is coated with fat.
Add apple, wine, vinegar, sugar, cloves and thyme. Bring to boil, cover, reduce heat and simmer for 45 minutes or until cabbage is tender. Season well with salt and pepper. Reheat when needed. Serves 8 to 10.
Monday, December 29, 2008
After Christmas
Now, that Christmas is over and New Year's celebration are a few days away, it is time to run some errands and visit places that we do not always have time for. One of our favourites is the Soup Nutsy http://www.spotlighttoronto.com/musings/?p=390 and the actual website with location etc: http://www.soupnutsy.ca/index.html( I think that the idea definitely came from Seinfeld's Soup Nazi skits. The staff are very nice and very helpful unlike Seinfeld's skits.) I always choose the Sengalese Chicken soup which is very tasty. Today, I might be adventurous and try something new on the menu. I checked the website but today's offerings are not listed this early in the morning. If I worked downtown, I could even order my soup and arrange to have it delivered to my office. Now that is service.After lunch, it is time to move to the 21st century and get Blackberries. Michael will need one for the consulting work that he is starting in two weeks and I would like one so that I will be able to communicate with him. We have credits on the cell phone accounts because I did not want new phones last time our contracts came up. Our cell phones were satisfactory, serving our needs just fine. Who needs a phone for pictures, I usually carry a camera with me.
Tonight is an important night. All the members of my family will sit down for dinner together;I have two brothers and of course Michael, my husband will be there. This does not happen very often. I had decided that it was time that we break our pattern and get together. After this, I will try for twice a year. Who knows, anything is possible.
All in all this will be an interesting day. Hope that yours is too.
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Merry Christmas
Merry Christmas. Hope that everyone is enjoying this Christmas despite the snow. This is the first Christmas since 1971 that the whole country has experienced a white Christmas. Not sure that everyone is pleased about that statistic especially those travellers stuck in airports.
Time to run some errands and make sure that Christmas gifts have been distributed to neighbours.
Time to run some errands and make sure that Christmas gifts have been distributed to neighbours.
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Time of Joy and Sorrow
The past few days have been mixed bag. Friday afternoon during the storm, I went over to a neighbours to take pictures of her flowers. She wanted me to photograph them for the photo cards that I make and give as gifts. If you are one of my friends, you have a pretty good idea what you are going to get: the options- a scarf- the variety continues to multiply; photo cards so that you can also stay in touch with friends, or a cookbook- I am working on having one ready for Christmas 2009. I was proud that my friend who I play tennis with likes my cards so much that she is looking for subjects for me to photograph. She was also proud of her amaryllis. Problem with the photos will be the fact that I had to shoot th
rough the window, not usually a good thing. Here's hoping that the photos turn out.Last night, Michael and I went to a dance recital. One of my former students had asked if I would attend. It was a wonderful evening, from the littlest dancers who got confused and one of whom loved the audience so much that she had to be lifted off the stage when she would not stop waving at the audience from the corner of the stage to the mature and skilled dancers who offered dances from the many regions of China. I have already thanked the student and asked that we be invited to the next recital (we paid for the tickets and they were worth every penny.)
Yesterday, very bad news. A friend who was the first teacher I met when I started teaching over 30 years ago had very bad news. Her husband died shoveling snow on Friday evening. What a terrible blow at any time of year but this must be one of the worst. We are going to the visitation and funeral. I can not imagine how she must feel when the death was so unexpected.
Hopefully, the rest of the week brings good news and the snow stops. It stopped for a couple hours today and the sun was shining but the sky is grey again. Going out to shovel, no worries- tennis and exercise have helped me to be ready for this.
Thursday, December 18, 2008
George Carlin's Stuff
As I start to consider the shopping that needs to be done this weekend, I think about that famous essay by George Carlin about Stuff. We have so much and I know that companies and economist and the companies that build storage lockers do not want to hear this but do we need more stuff? Something that I ponder as I move things around the house and from place to place trying to figure out where all the stuff came from and what to do with it. I know that some of my friends have good answers.
George Carlin on Stuff
Actually this is just a place for my stuff, ya know? That's all, a little place for my stuff. That's all I want, that's all you need in life, is a little place for your stuff, ya know? I can see it on your table, everybody's got a little place for their stuff. This is my stuff, that's your stuff, that'll be his stuff over there. That's all you need in life, a little place for your stuff. That's all your house is: a place to keep your stuff. If you didn't have so much stuff, you wouldn't need a house. You could just walk around all the time.A house is just a pile of stuff with a cover on it. You can see that when you're taking off in an airplane. You look down, you see everybody's got a little pile of stuff. All the little piles of stuff. And when you leave your house, you gotta lock it up. Wouldn't want somebody to come by and take some of your stuff. They always take the good stuff. They never bother with that crap you're saving. All they want is the shiny stuff. That's what your house is, a place to keep your stuff while you go out and get...more stuff! Sometimes you gotta move, gotta get a bigger house. Why? No room for your stuff anymore. Did you ever notice when you go to somebody else's house, you never quite feel a hundred percent at home? You know why? No room for your stuff. Somebody else's stuff is all over the goddamn place! And if you stay overnight, unexpectedly, they give you a little bedroom to sleep in. Bedroom they haven't used in about eleven years. Someone died in it, eleven years ago. And they haven't moved any of his stuff! Right next to the bed there's usually a dresser or a bureau of some kind, and there's NO ROOM for your stuff on it. Somebody else's shit is on the dresser.Have you noticed that their stuff is shit and your shit is stuff? God! And you say, "Get that shit offa there and let me put my stuff down!"Sometimes you leave your house to go on vacation. And you gotta take some of your stuff with you. Gotta take about two big suitcases full of stuff, when you go on vacation. You gotta take a smaller version of your house. It's the second version of your stuff. And you're gonna fly all the way to Honolulu. Gonna go across the continent, across half an ocean to Honolulu. You get down to the hotel room in Honolulu and you open up your suitcase and you put away all your stuff. "Here's a place here, put a little bit of stuff there, put some stuff here, put some stuff--you put your stuff there, I'll put some stuff--here's another place for stuff, look at this, I'll put some stuff here..." And even though you're far away from home, you start to get used to it, you start to feel okay, because after all, you do have some of your stuff with you. That's when your friend calls up from Maui, and says, "Hey, why don'tchya come over to Maui for the weekend and spend a couple of nights over here."Oh, no! Now what do I pack? Right, you've gotta pack an even SMALLER version of your stuff. The third version of your house. Just enough stuff to take to Maui for a coupla days. You get over to Maui--I mean you're really getting extended now, when you think about it. You got stuff ALL the way back on the mainland, you got stuff on another island, you got stuff on this island. I mean, supply lines are getting longer and harder to maintain. You get over to your friend's house on Maui and he gives you a little place to sleep, a little bed right next to his windowsill or something. You put some of your stuff up there. You put your stuff up there. You got your Visine, you got your nail clippers, and you put everything up. It takes about an hour and a half, but after a while you finally feel okay, say, "All right, I got my nail clippers, I must be okay." That's when your friend says, "Aaaaay, I think tonight we'll go over the other side of the island, visit a pal of mine and maybe stay over."Aww, no. NOW what do you pack? Right--you gotta pack an even SMALLER version of your stuff. The fourth version of your house. Only the stuff you know you're gonna need. Money, keys, comb, wallet, lighter, hanky, pen, smokes, rubber and change. Well, only the stuff you HOPE you're gonna need. All material written and owned by George Carlin.
George Carlin on Stuff
Actually this is just a place for my stuff, ya know? That's all, a little place for my stuff. That's all I want, that's all you need in life, is a little place for your stuff, ya know? I can see it on your table, everybody's got a little place for their stuff. This is my stuff, that's your stuff, that'll be his stuff over there. That's all you need in life, a little place for your stuff. That's all your house is: a place to keep your stuff. If you didn't have so much stuff, you wouldn't need a house. You could just walk around all the time.A house is just a pile of stuff with a cover on it. You can see that when you're taking off in an airplane. You look down, you see everybody's got a little pile of stuff. All the little piles of stuff. And when you leave your house, you gotta lock it up. Wouldn't want somebody to come by and take some of your stuff. They always take the good stuff. They never bother with that crap you're saving. All they want is the shiny stuff. That's what your house is, a place to keep your stuff while you go out and get...more stuff! Sometimes you gotta move, gotta get a bigger house. Why? No room for your stuff anymore. Did you ever notice when you go to somebody else's house, you never quite feel a hundred percent at home? You know why? No room for your stuff. Somebody else's stuff is all over the goddamn place! And if you stay overnight, unexpectedly, they give you a little bedroom to sleep in. Bedroom they haven't used in about eleven years. Someone died in it, eleven years ago. And they haven't moved any of his stuff! Right next to the bed there's usually a dresser or a bureau of some kind, and there's NO ROOM for your stuff on it. Somebody else's shit is on the dresser.Have you noticed that their stuff is shit and your shit is stuff? God! And you say, "Get that shit offa there and let me put my stuff down!"Sometimes you leave your house to go on vacation. And you gotta take some of your stuff with you. Gotta take about two big suitcases full of stuff, when you go on vacation. You gotta take a smaller version of your house. It's the second version of your stuff. And you're gonna fly all the way to Honolulu. Gonna go across the continent, across half an ocean to Honolulu. You get down to the hotel room in Honolulu and you open up your suitcase and you put away all your stuff. "Here's a place here, put a little bit of stuff there, put some stuff here, put some stuff--you put your stuff there, I'll put some stuff--here's another place for stuff, look at this, I'll put some stuff here..." And even though you're far away from home, you start to get used to it, you start to feel okay, because after all, you do have some of your stuff with you. That's when your friend calls up from Maui, and says, "Hey, why don'tchya come over to Maui for the weekend and spend a couple of nights over here."Oh, no! Now what do I pack? Right, you've gotta pack an even SMALLER version of your stuff. The third version of your house. Just enough stuff to take to Maui for a coupla days. You get over to Maui--I mean you're really getting extended now, when you think about it. You got stuff ALL the way back on the mainland, you got stuff on another island, you got stuff on this island. I mean, supply lines are getting longer and harder to maintain. You get over to your friend's house on Maui and he gives you a little place to sleep, a little bed right next to his windowsill or something. You put some of your stuff up there. You put your stuff up there. You got your Visine, you got your nail clippers, and you put everything up. It takes about an hour and a half, but after a while you finally feel okay, say, "All right, I got my nail clippers, I must be okay." That's when your friend says, "Aaaaay, I think tonight we'll go over the other side of the island, visit a pal of mine and maybe stay over."Aww, no. NOW what do you pack? Right--you gotta pack an even SMALLER version of your stuff. The fourth version of your house. Only the stuff you know you're gonna need. Money, keys, comb, wallet, lighter, hanky, pen, smokes, rubber and change. Well, only the stuff you HOPE you're gonna need. All material written and owned by George Carlin.
Chocolate Cookies
Here is the latest recipe. Treats are good because they can be made at any time and if they are not served right away no problem. Apparently, these cookies are Christmas dinner worthy! Will make more.
I remember my mother baking dozens of wonderful cookies at Christmas time. She would bake for at least 2 or 3 weekends. My job would be to use the manual grinder to grind hazelnuts, or dip almond cookies in icing sugar. Most of the steps were beyond my expertise at the time. Once baked, she would have to try to hide some of the cookies or they would be gone before company and the big day arrived. These cookies are not in the same league but I will keep trying.
Outrageous Chocolate Cookies
Prep: 20 minutes Total 45 minutes
Do not bake the cookies to a crisp, they are meant to be soft and chewy. Store them in an airtight container at room temperature for two to three days.
Ingredients
Makes 2 dozen
8 ounces semisweet chocolate roughly chopped
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
2/3 cup all-purpose flour s, spooned and leveled
½ teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
2 large eggs
¾ cup packed light-brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 package (12 ounces) semisweet chocolate chunks
Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Heat chopped chocolate and butter in a microwave- safe bowl in 20-second increments, stirring in between, until almost melted, do not overheat. In another bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
In a mixing bowl, beat eggs, brown sugar, and vanilla on high speed until light and fluffy. Reduce speed to low; beat in melted chocolate. Mix in flour mixture until just combined. Stir in chocolate chunks.
Drop heaping tablespoons of dough 2 to 3 inches apart on baking sheets. Bake, rotating sheets halfway through, until cookies are shiny and crackly yet soft in centers, 12 to 15 minutes. Cool on sheets 10 minutes; with a thin metal spatula, transfer to racks to cool completely.
First baked, December 17, 2008.
Martha Stewart recipe from her e-mails
I remember my mother baking dozens of wonderful cookies at Christmas time. She would bake for at least 2 or 3 weekends. My job would be to use the manual grinder to grind hazelnuts, or dip almond cookies in icing sugar. Most of the steps were beyond my expertise at the time. Once baked, she would have to try to hide some of the cookies or they would be gone before company and the big day arrived. These cookies are not in the same league but I will keep trying.
Outrageous Chocolate Cookies
Prep: 20 minutes Total 45 minutes
Do not bake the cookies to a crisp, they are meant to be soft and chewy. Store them in an airtight container at room temperature for two to three days.
Ingredients
Makes 2 dozen
8 ounces semisweet chocolate roughly chopped
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
2/3 cup all-purpose flour s, spooned and leveled
½ teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
2 large eggs
¾ cup packed light-brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 package (12 ounces) semisweet chocolate chunks
Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Heat chopped chocolate and butter in a microwave- safe bowl in 20-second increments, stirring in between, until almost melted, do not overheat. In another bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
In a mixing bowl, beat eggs, brown sugar, and vanilla on high speed until light and fluffy. Reduce speed to low; beat in melted chocolate. Mix in flour mixture until just combined. Stir in chocolate chunks.
Drop heaping tablespoons of dough 2 to 3 inches apart on baking sheets. Bake, rotating sheets halfway through, until cookies are shiny and crackly yet soft in centers, 12 to 15 minutes. Cool on sheets 10 minutes; with a thin metal spatula, transfer to racks to cool completely.
First baked, December 17, 2008.
Martha Stewart recipe from her e-mails
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Christmas Cards
This is certainly the busiest time of the year. I did some baking-today- still trying to work on the new recipes.Banana bread next. I have never made a banana anything because I can never wait for the bananas to get ripe enough for baking. The resident tester will have to check if chocolate cookie recipe is worthy of being posted and included in the cookbook that I have been preparing. I collect recipes that are guest worthy and for special meals. They must be tested first and the resident tester must have sampled the wares. 41 pages in the current cookbook.
It isn't the baking that has kept me away from the blog; I try not to bake too much or I will need to sign up for Jenny Craig and I am not sure that I am ready to sample someone else's cooking. The good part is that you would not have dishes from the mess of preparing food. Now, that is a plus worth some thought.
No, I am busy responding to cards that I did not expect. There are some people who I have not seen for years but it seems that I am still on their radar and I have received a card from them. Nice to be remembered and the cards do bring back memories of trips and work, both good memories. Thank goodness for computers, I can print off more copies of my Christmas letter which as some of you might remember, I composed at least a week ago.
Hoping to post the chocolate cookie recipe tomorrow and now it is time to print off some more newsletter.
It isn't the baking that has kept me away from the blog; I try not to bake too much or I will need to sign up for Jenny Craig and I am not sure that I am ready to sample someone else's cooking. The good part is that you would not have dishes from the mess of preparing food. Now, that is a plus worth some thought.
No, I am busy responding to cards that I did not expect. There are some people who I have not seen for years but it seems that I am still on their radar and I have received a card from them. Nice to be remembered and the cards do bring back memories of trips and work, both good memories. Thank goodness for computers, I can print off more copies of my Christmas letter which as some of you might remember, I composed at least a week ago.
Hoping to post the chocolate cookie recipe tomorrow and now it is time to print off some more newsletter.
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Chocolate Pudding
For those of you who love chocolate this recipe is excellent. I decided that I needed a fix and it was time make pudding. I have made the recipe in the past, the first time April, 1997 and each time I found that I had stir the pudding much longer than 5 minutes nearly 20 I discovered today when I timed the process. After whisking that I long, I will not feel guilty about having a treat tonight.
New-Style Old-fashioned Chocolate Pudding
4 servings
1/2 cup sugar
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
3 tablespoons (packed) cornstarch
1 teaspoon all purpose flour
Pinch of salt
2 cups cold low-fat (1%) milk
1 teaspoon unsalted butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/8 teaspoon almond extract
Mix first 5 ingredients in heavy medium saucepan. Add 1 cup milk and whisk to dissolve cornstarch. Whisk in remaining milk. Whisk mixture over medium heat until thickened and beginning to simmer, about 5 minutes. Simmer 1 minute, stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Stir in butter and vanilla and almond extracts.
Divide pudding among 4 custard cups. Chill until cold, about 2 hours. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover, keep chilled.)
Per serving: calories 200; total fat 3 g. saturated fat 2 g; cholesterol 8 mg
Bon Appetit , April 97
New-Style Old-fashioned Chocolate Pudding
4 servings
1/2 cup sugar
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
3 tablespoons (packed) cornstarch
1 teaspoon all purpose flour
Pinch of salt
2 cups cold low-fat (1%) milk
1 teaspoon unsalted butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/8 teaspoon almond extract
Mix first 5 ingredients in heavy medium saucepan. Add 1 cup milk and whisk to dissolve cornstarch. Whisk in remaining milk. Whisk mixture over medium heat until thickened and beginning to simmer, about 5 minutes. Simmer 1 minute, stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Stir in butter and vanilla and almond extracts.
Divide pudding among 4 custard cups. Chill until cold, about 2 hours. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover, keep chilled.)
Per serving: calories 200; total fat 3 g. saturated fat 2 g; cholesterol 8 mg
Bon Appetit , April 97
Kissing: Is it Dangerous?
There are days when the newspaper is just a gold mine of fascinating information. I know that politics are important and I am certainly aware of the economy and sinking stock market and interest rates. Should we help those car companies that were the masters of their own fate and so arrogant about what they were doing that they ignored the competition? But this was too interesting to not post:
A young woman in southern China has partly lost her hearing after her boyfriend ruptured her eardrum during an excessively passionate kiss, local media reported. the twenty something girl from Zhuhai, in southern Guangdong province, went to hospital completely deaf in her left ear, the China Daily said, citing a report in a local newspaper. "The kiss reduced pressure in the mouth, pulled the eardrum out and caused the breakdown of the ear," the newspaper quoted a doctor as saying. In about two months the woman's hearing likely will return. "While kissing is normally very safe, doctors advise people to proceed with caution," the paper said.
Now that will make some people think before they pucker up!
A young woman in southern China has partly lost her hearing after her boyfriend ruptured her eardrum during an excessively passionate kiss, local media reported. the twenty something girl from Zhuhai, in southern Guangdong province, went to hospital completely deaf in her left ear, the China Daily said, citing a report in a local newspaper. "The kiss reduced pressure in the mouth, pulled the eardrum out and caused the breakdown of the ear," the newspaper quoted a doctor as saying. In about two months the woman's hearing likely will return. "While kissing is normally very safe, doctors advise people to proceed with caution," the paper said.
Now that will make some people think before they pucker up!
The Greatest Carols?
Without carols, Christmas wouldn't be Christmas, BBC Music magazine notes, "But what are the truly great carols of all time? For this, we turned to the experts, those whose knowledge of the carol book is second to none. We asked over 50 choirmasters, and choral experts in the U.K and U. S. to each name their five favourite carols and Christmas motets." In a ranking of the top 50 carols, the top 10 are:
1. In the Bleak Midwinter (the Harold Darke setting, not the Gustav Holst music)
2. In Dulci Jubilo- I love this carol's melody.
3. A Spotless Rose- I taught music for 32 years and have sung and performed many carols-I have never heard of this one!
4. Bethlehem Down-Ditto for this one
5. Lully, Lulla- beautiful but so mournful
6. Tomorrow Shall be My Dancing day- a beautiful choral work- I love the Rutter arrangement
7. This is no Rose
8. O Come All ye Faithful
9. Of the Father's Heart Begotten
10. What Sweeter Music
At least of half of these carols are not in the carol books that I own. I am sure that the choral arrangement must be beautiful to be worthy of this list. Would be interesting to find out what the results would be even the general public was polled.
1. In the Bleak Midwinter (the Harold Darke setting, not the Gustav Holst music)
2. In Dulci Jubilo- I love this carol's melody.
3. A Spotless Rose- I taught music for 32 years and have sung and performed many carols-I have never heard of this one!
4. Bethlehem Down-Ditto for this one
5. Lully, Lulla- beautiful but so mournful
6. Tomorrow Shall be My Dancing day- a beautiful choral work- I love the Rutter arrangement
7. This is no Rose
8. O Come All ye Faithful
9. Of the Father's Heart Begotten
10. What Sweeter Music
At least of half of these carols are not in the carol books that I own. I am sure that the choral arrangement must be beautiful to be worthy of this list. Would be interesting to find out what the results would be even the general public was polled.
Italian wine is tap water?
Ontario's Liquor Control Board is recalling an Italian Wine, but not for the usual reasons.
Some of the 1,500 ml. bottles of 2007 D'Aquino Pinot Grigio delle Venezie are nothing but water.
George Soleas, the board's vice-president of quality assurance, said yesterday there is not risk to the public. ( No just surprise and embarrassment if you give a bottle of this Christmas item as a gift and the recipient opens it and discovers that he just been given tap water as a gift. I'm sure that he would not know what happened and unless he saw this article in the paper would have no reason to know why there is tap water in the bottle.)
"Basically, the chemical testing we have done, that was quite extensive, shows it is just tap water."
Apparently, the problem was the bottling plant where the bottles are flushed out with water.
"The only reason we decided to do the public recall is because we stand behind the quality of our products 100 per cent." Soleas said. (I am surprised that he feels that he needs to explain the need for a recall. There should be no discussion that customers who paid good money for water would receive a full refund. Now, the problem is how is the recall being managed? How does a customer discover that they have purchased expensive tap water?)
Wonder if the customer who first discovered the problem had trouble proving his case to the Liquor Control Board?
Some of the 1,500 ml. bottles of 2007 D'Aquino Pinot Grigio delle Venezie are nothing but water.
George Soleas, the board's vice-president of quality assurance, said yesterday there is not risk to the public. ( No just surprise and embarrassment if you give a bottle of this Christmas item as a gift and the recipient opens it and discovers that he just been given tap water as a gift. I'm sure that he would not know what happened and unless he saw this article in the paper would have no reason to know why there is tap water in the bottle.)
"Basically, the chemical testing we have done, that was quite extensive, shows it is just tap water."
Apparently, the problem was the bottling plant where the bottles are flushed out with water.
"The only reason we decided to do the public recall is because we stand behind the quality of our products 100 per cent." Soleas said. (I am surprised that he feels that he needs to explain the need for a recall. There should be no discussion that customers who paid good money for water would receive a full refund. Now, the problem is how is the recall being managed? How does a customer discover that they have purchased expensive tap water?)
Wonder if the customer who first discovered the problem had trouble proving his case to the Liquor Control Board?
Crosswords
Everyday as soon as I go outside, I take a couple sections of newspapers across the street to a neighbour's house. About two years ago, she asked if I would give her the crossword section from a daily newspaper that she no longer subscribes to. Since I did not have time to consider tackling the puzzle, it was all hers. I have an addiction to newspapers, I get three a day, I give her two sections. This past summer, I decided to find out what these puzzles are all about. I am good with words or so I thought. Each day, I give myself some time to attempt the daily crossword. Today marks a special day, I completely filled in a crossword. I must admit that I needed some help from the internet to find out what the longest river in Europe is and what is Libya's neighbour but most of the other words I figured out on my own. Will have to figure out what special treat I deserve. Thinking of making chocolate pudding today- I make my own, not from a mix.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Dictionary dumps nature words
The Oxford Junior Dictionary which is aimed at children around the age of seven dropped nature words like "beaver" and dandelion"
In the latest edition of its dictionary for schoolchildren, Oxford University Press cut nature terms such as heron, magpie, otter (one of my favourite mammals- the other is the manatee), acorn, clover, ivy, sycamore, willow and blackberry (the fruit but not the Phone).
The electronic Blackberry was one of the words that was inserted instead, along with Blog, MP3 player, voice mail and broadband.
Canadian wildlife artist and conservationist Robert Bateman, whose Get to Know Program has been inspiring children to go outdoors and "get to know" their wild neighbour for more than a decade, said the decision is telling kids that nature just isn't that important.
"This is another nail in the coffin of human beings being acquainted with nature," Bateman said.
"If you can't name things, how can you love them?"
Vineeta Gupta, who heads children's dictionaries at Oxford University Press, wrote that changes in the world are responsible for changes in the book.
"When you look back at older versions of dictionaries, there were lots of examples of flowers for instance," she said. "That was because many children lived in semi-rural environments and saw the seasons. Nowadays, the environment has changed. (Don't we see the seasons anymore? If we don't maybe, we need to step back and reflect on why we aren't seeing the seasons. I am certainly aware that it is winter out there!)
I am do love the benefits of technology but we need to remember to live in harmony with nature and should be encouraging children to do the same.
In the latest edition of its dictionary for schoolchildren, Oxford University Press cut nature terms such as heron, magpie, otter (one of my favourite mammals- the other is the manatee), acorn, clover, ivy, sycamore, willow and blackberry (the fruit but not the Phone).
The electronic Blackberry was one of the words that was inserted instead, along with Blog, MP3 player, voice mail and broadband.
Canadian wildlife artist and conservationist Robert Bateman, whose Get to Know Program has been inspiring children to go outdoors and "get to know" their wild neighbour for more than a decade, said the decision is telling kids that nature just isn't that important.
"This is another nail in the coffin of human beings being acquainted with nature," Bateman said.
"If you can't name things, how can you love them?"
Vineeta Gupta, who heads children's dictionaries at Oxford University Press, wrote that changes in the world are responsible for changes in the book.
"When you look back at older versions of dictionaries, there were lots of examples of flowers for instance," she said. "That was because many children lived in semi-rural environments and saw the seasons. Nowadays, the environment has changed. (Don't we see the seasons anymore? If we don't maybe, we need to step back and reflect on why we aren't seeing the seasons. I am certainly aware that it is winter out there!)
I am do love the benefits of technology but we need to remember to live in harmony with nature and should be encouraging children to do the same.
Monday, December 8, 2008
Winter Curry Soup
Winter is here and this is the time of year that calls for this recipe. As soon as I log off, it is time to make this, wonderful comfort food when it is cold outside and snowing.
Curried Winter Vegetable and Bean Soup
Warm up a frosty winter evening with this low-fat, nutrient-loaded broth. For the beans, a canned or frozen mixture is convenient but any cooked beans can be used (red, white, pinto, romano, black-eyed peas, chickpeas, etc. )
1 tbs. (15 ml) vegetable oil
1 large onion chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp. (5 ml) minced fresh ginger
1 tbs. (15 ml) curry powder
4 cups (1 L) chicken stock
1/2 cup (125 ml) drained canned tomatoes, crushed
1 each medium carrot and potato, diced
1/2 cup (125 ml) frozen or canned corn kernels
1 cup (250 ml) drained canned or frozen mixed beans
2 tbs. (30 ml) chopped fresh parsley
salt and pepper to taste
In a large heavy saucepan over medium heat, heat oil. Add onion and cook until softened but not browned. Add garlic, ginger and curry powder, cook, stirring for about 2 minutes. Add chicken stock, tomatoes and carrot. Bring to boil, reduce heat, cover and cook until carrot is slightly tender, about 3 minutes. Add potato, corn and beans. Return to boil, reduce heat, cover and simmer for about 15 minutes or until potato is tender. Stir in parsley. Add salt and pepper is needed. Makes 6 servings.
Homemakers December 99
Made December 5, 1999 - excellent, flavourful, hardy
Curried Winter Vegetable and Bean Soup
Warm up a frosty winter evening with this low-fat, nutrient-loaded broth. For the beans, a canned or frozen mixture is convenient but any cooked beans can be used (red, white, pinto, romano, black-eyed peas, chickpeas, etc. )
1 tbs. (15 ml) vegetable oil
1 large onion chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp. (5 ml) minced fresh ginger
1 tbs. (15 ml) curry powder
4 cups (1 L) chicken stock
1/2 cup (125 ml) drained canned tomatoes, crushed
1 each medium carrot and potato, diced
1/2 cup (125 ml) frozen or canned corn kernels
1 cup (250 ml) drained canned or frozen mixed beans
2 tbs. (30 ml) chopped fresh parsley
salt and pepper to taste
In a large heavy saucepan over medium heat, heat oil. Add onion and cook until softened but not browned. Add garlic, ginger and curry powder, cook, stirring for about 2 minutes. Add chicken stock, tomatoes and carrot. Bring to boil, reduce heat, cover and cook until carrot is slightly tender, about 3 minutes. Add potato, corn and beans. Return to boil, reduce heat, cover and simmer for about 15 minutes or until potato is tender. Stir in parsley. Add salt and pepper is needed. Makes 6 servings.
Homemakers December 99
Made December 5, 1999 - excellent, flavourful, hardy
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Orange Cornmeal Cake
Finally, I found the time to try another new recipe. This one is definitely a keeper. Simple and tasty, all the requirements for any recipe especially a cake. Enjoy:
Orange Cornmeal Cake
Prep: 10minutes Total 1 hour 10 minutes
For an even crunchier topping, you can use sanding sugar in place of granulated sugar in step 3. Look for it in the baking section of your grocery store.
Ingredients:
Serves 8
½ cup olive oil , plus more for pan
2 large eggs
1 cup sugar, plus, 1/3 cup for topping
½ cup dry white wine, (or orange juice)
1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
½ cup yellow cornmeal
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
Finely grated zest of 1 orange
Orange segments for serving (optional)
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Brush bottom and sides of an 8-inch round cake pan withoil; line bottom with a round of wax or parchment paper, and brush paper with oil.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together oil, eggs, 1 cup sugar, and wine until smooth. Add flour, cornmeal, baking powder, salt and orange zest; whisk gently to combine.
3. Pour batter into prepared pan; sprinkle top evenly with remaining 1/3 cup sugar (topping will be thick). Bake until cake begins to pull away from sides of pan and a tester inserter in center comes out clean, 35 to 40 minutes.
4. Cool in pan 20 minutes. Run a knife around edge of cake; invert gently onto a plate and remove parchment paper. Reinvert cake onto a rack to cool completely. Serve with orange segments, if desired.
Martha Stewart- Website December 3, 2008
First baked December 6, 2008-
Excellent flavour and texture.
Prep: 10minutes Total 1 hour 10 minutes
For an even crunchier topping, you can use sanding sugar in place of granulated sugar in step 3. Look for it in the baking section of your grocery store.
Ingredients:
Serves 8
½ cup olive oil , plus more for pan
2 large eggs
1 cup sugar, plus, 1/3 cup for topping
½ cup dry white wine, (or orange juice)
1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
½ cup yellow cornmeal
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
Finely grated zest of 1 orange
Orange segments for serving (optional)
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Brush bottom and sides of an 8-inch round cake pan withoil; line bottom with a round of wax or parchment paper, and brush paper with oil.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together oil, eggs, 1 cup sugar, and wine until smooth. Add flour, cornmeal, baking powder, salt and orange zest; whisk gently to combine.
3. Pour batter into prepared pan; sprinkle top evenly with remaining 1/3 cup sugar (topping will be thick). Bake until cake begins to pull away from sides of pan and a tester inserter in center comes out clean, 35 to 40 minutes.
4. Cool in pan 20 minutes. Run a knife around edge of cake; invert gently onto a plate and remove parchment paper. Reinvert cake onto a rack to cool completely. Serve with orange segments, if desired.
Martha Stewart- Website December 3, 2008
First baked December 6, 2008-
Excellent flavour and texture.
Happiness is contagious!
Good news, being around happy people is contagious! And misery does not love company and does not spread as easily. It does matter who we spend time with and what kind of mood they are in. Another interesting fact about this is that happiness spread more easily through same-sex as opposed to opposite sexes.
Wonderful to know that we can have an affect on others; so let's try to to keep it positive.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20081205.wlhappy05/BNStory/lifeFamily/home?cid=al_gam_mostemail
Wonderful to know that we can have an affect on others; so let's try to to keep it positive.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20081205.wlhappy05/BNStory/lifeFamily/home?cid=al_gam_mostemail
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Neil Diamond
Yup, I was one of many people who was at the Air Canada Centre last night to see Neil Diamond. I had not even known that he was coming but when I was offered 2 free tickets by the Volunteer Department of Toronto General Hospital in recognition of the work that I do helping organize concerts at the hospital for the past three years, I jumped at the chance to get tickets. I was happy to have a chance to see the ACC, the concert was a bonus. I must admit that I did not know what songs he was known for.On Tuesday, I happened to mention that I was going to the concert to my tennis buddies and one of them had such a twinkle in her eye when I mentioned Neil Diamond that I had to replace my husband with her. Thank goodness, he understood that someone who still has his albums and can sing the songs needed to go to the concert.
I must say that Neil Diamond is a real showman. His show is well done and orchestrated; the members of his group, one of whom has been with him for 38 years, obviously enjoy what they are doing. The audience members were serious fans, when Caroline started, they were on their feet ready to sing and wave their arms in time to the music.
I hope to be as energitic and enthusiastic when I am his age. He loves what he is doing and cares about his audience.
You tube Orchestra
Classical Musicians will finally get their chance to shine and show that although they might not be able to "Dance with the Stars" or show that they can dance, survive in the wild or get along in a large house with many strangers, swap families or have someone redecorate parts of their house: that they can play their instrument.
Video conferencing simultaneously from New York, London and San Francisco, world leaders in classical music and internet technology outlined their plan for a You Tube Orchestra. http://www.youtube.com/blog?entry=qwTiF0HMrog The plan is spearheaded by Google product managers Ed Sanders and Time Lee.
"Our idea is a collaborative orchestra," said Sanders from New York. "Musicians will be auditioning online from all over the world through our new site(youtube.com/symphony). The winning players will then gather in New York next April to debut a piece for orchestra at Carnegie Hall. This is a new kind of opportunity for musicians.
The audition process is simple. Players learn an orchestral part, downloading the written music directly from the site. Then the musician records his or her performance, while following along with a video of the conductor (also online). The results are then uploaded directly to YouTube for the panel's consideration.
Renowned Chinese composer Tan Dun wrote YouTube Symphony #1-Eroica for this event. It's a modern take on Beethoven's third symphony.
"This project is a chance to reconnect with what classical really means," said the San Francisco Symphony conductor Michael Tilson Thomas. "It's still much more entrenched in everyday lives then we realize. I saw here in New York, some boy playing stick ball on the sidewalk, and when one fellow got a big hit, he ran off singing "Duh, da duh, da duh duh da da DAH (from Mozart's Eine Kleine Nachmusick).
I wonder if the creators of the Internet who were trying to share scientific ideas and research could ever have imagined this kind of exchange?
Should I practise and download a bassoon part?
Video conferencing simultaneously from New York, London and San Francisco, world leaders in classical music and internet technology outlined their plan for a You Tube Orchestra. http://www.youtube.com/blog?entry=qwTiF0HMrog The plan is spearheaded by Google product managers Ed Sanders and Time Lee.
"Our idea is a collaborative orchestra," said Sanders from New York. "Musicians will be auditioning online from all over the world through our new site(youtube.com/symphony). The winning players will then gather in New York next April to debut a piece for orchestra at Carnegie Hall. This is a new kind of opportunity for musicians.
The audition process is simple. Players learn an orchestral part, downloading the written music directly from the site. Then the musician records his or her performance, while following along with a video of the conductor (also online). The results are then uploaded directly to YouTube for the panel's consideration.
Renowned Chinese composer Tan Dun wrote YouTube Symphony #1-Eroica for this event. It's a modern take on Beethoven's third symphony.
"This project is a chance to reconnect with what classical really means," said the San Francisco Symphony conductor Michael Tilson Thomas. "It's still much more entrenched in everyday lives then we realize. I saw here in New York, some boy playing stick ball on the sidewalk, and when one fellow got a big hit, he ran off singing "Duh, da duh, da duh duh da da DAH (from Mozart's Eine Kleine Nachmusick).
I wonder if the creators of the Internet who were trying to share scientific ideas and research could ever have imagined this kind of exchange?
Should I practise and download a bassoon part?
Please don't touch the art
Many of the 52,000 visitors who visited the Art Gallery of Ontario during its free to the public opening weekend came to check out the building and as an after thought the art. Unfortunately, some of them did not read the "Please do not touch the art" signs because a piece by Yoko Ono needed to be "touched up". The piece-called Forget It. At one point during the weekend, the needle was bent over; it was later replaced. "We actually keep a bag of large embroidery needles," Susan Bloch-Nevitte, the AGO's executive director of public affairs, told the press. Bloch-Nevitte said the AGO is "aggressively" trying to lure new audiences,"and we know that not all of them have a lot of experience with art galleries, and may not be as clear on what the protocols are." She added the gallery may develop a short video that explains the impact of touching the art. "We're not worried about it. We're seeing it as a good challenge."
I have a feeling that conceptual artist, Yoko Ono might delight in the attention that her art is receiving and that members of the public are so interested in the piece. She is the artist who once produced a video of people's backsides! Also did a performance piece which asked people to cut a piece of her clothing while she sat posed. The process was filmed and is sometimes presented as part of her exhibits or retrospectives. Her art does provoke and make one reflect- in the case of the art under discussion- what is it that should be forgotten?
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Japanese Senior Citizens turn to crime
History is being made on the northern island of Hokkaido, Japan; in 2006 the total arrests of elderly people exceeded arrests of teenagers. The elderly accounted for 880 arrests mostly for shoplifting while teens were arrested 642 times. Crimes among the elderly have continued to surge; for every two teenagers arrested on this island, police arrested three people 65 and older.
The elderly in Japan are committing crimes-nearly all of them non-violent, mostly petty theft-because of loneliness, social isolation and poverty, according to a recent Justice Ministry study.
The trend echoes across Japan, where crimes committed by the elderly are increasing at a far faster pace than the elderly population.
While the 65-and-older population has doubled in the past two decades, crime among the elderly has increased fivefold, according to government statistics released this month. Japan's overall crime rate always low by world standards has fallen for the past five years.
Around the world criminologists have found the propensity to commit crime peaks in the late teens and early 20's and falls off steadily as people age. But Japan, with the world's oldest population and lowest proportion of children is heading into charted territory for criminal behaviour.
A desperate desire for human contact or for novelty in their lives leads many elderly people to shoplift, experts say.
"They want somebody to talk to,"said Hidehiko Yamamura of the National Shoplifting Prevention Organization, a non-profit group in Tokyo. "If they get caught, they talk to the police. They are very easy to catch."
To slow the growth of elder-crime, the Justice Ministry recommends financial and social programme to stabilize the lives of the elderly.
Wonder if Japanese elderly will join the ranks of bingo players and shuffle board enthusiasts?
The elderly in Japan are committing crimes-nearly all of them non-violent, mostly petty theft-because of loneliness, social isolation and poverty, according to a recent Justice Ministry study.
The trend echoes across Japan, where crimes committed by the elderly are increasing at a far faster pace than the elderly population.
While the 65-and-older population has doubled in the past two decades, crime among the elderly has increased fivefold, according to government statistics released this month. Japan's overall crime rate always low by world standards has fallen for the past five years.
Around the world criminologists have found the propensity to commit crime peaks in the late teens and early 20's and falls off steadily as people age. But Japan, with the world's oldest population and lowest proportion of children is heading into charted territory for criminal behaviour.
A desperate desire for human contact or for novelty in their lives leads many elderly people to shoplift, experts say.
"They want somebody to talk to,"said Hidehiko Yamamura of the National Shoplifting Prevention Organization, a non-profit group in Tokyo. "If they get caught, they talk to the police. They are very easy to catch."
To slow the growth of elder-crime, the Justice Ministry recommends financial and social programme to stabilize the lives of the elderly.
Wonder if Japanese elderly will join the ranks of bingo players and shuffle board enthusiasts?
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Christmas Newsletter
It is that time of year again. Time to review the past year and decide what exciting details should be included in the Christmas Newsletter. Yes, I write a newsletter. You would think that people get enough news reading this blog but as hard as it is to believe there are friends who do not read my musings. Those are the people who will read about trips taken, fun activities like regular tennis, music groups that I play with and even some achievements- hope that there have been some and what ever else strikes my fancy. As some readers may have noticed I have varied interests which keep me amused and busy.
I buy some nice Christmas stationary and print the letters on the note paper which makes them special. Because I use the word processor I am able to customize my letters beforeI include them with my cards.
Time to start the cards since I received three yesterday. Wow! I knew that December had arrived. Because I am not in a school this year, I am sure that I will not receive as many cards as I have in the past. There are still many friends who are not in Toronto who I want to touch base with. I even bought extra stamps on my way home from picking up my free tickets for the Neil Diamond show tomorrow night. More about that later. Letter writing is waiting.
I buy some nice Christmas stationary and print the letters on the note paper which makes them special. Because I use the word processor I am able to customize my letters beforeI include them with my cards.
Time to start the cards since I received three yesterday. Wow! I knew that December had arrived. Because I am not in a school this year, I am sure that I will not receive as many cards as I have in the past. There are still many friends who are not in Toronto who I want to touch base with. I even bought extra stamps on my way home from picking up my free tickets for the Neil Diamond show tomorrow night. More about that later. Letter writing is waiting.
Monday, December 1, 2008
Tapestry Line
Over the years, I have been privileged to work with and meet a number of people who have gone on to develop talents and careers, we could no have imagined when we first met. One of those talents people is Line Dufour of Tapestry Line. We first met another lifetime ago when we both worked for Chargex. Yup that was the name at the time, not VISA . This was before we both moved on to post secondary education and found creative endeavours that fed our souls and allowed us to explore many aspects of the arts.Line became a
n outstanding fibre artist. Today, I had the privilege of helping at her booth at the One of a Kind Show. I actually sold some things. Friday, when I return to help her again, I will do a much better job of preparing her sales invoices. I have not worked in retail for a long time. I am good on the sales part, just have to brush up on the invoicing. If you have a chance to visit the show, visit booth X5 and have a look at Line's wonderful fibre creations.
n outstanding fibre artist. Today, I had the privilege of helping at her booth at the One of a Kind Show. I actually sold some things. Friday, when I return to help her again, I will do a much better job of preparing her sales invoices. I have not worked in retail for a long time. I am good on the sales part, just have to brush up on the invoicing. If you have a chance to visit the show, visit booth X5 and have a look at Line's wonderful fibre creations. In case, you are not sure, that is Line on the left beside Jeanne Beker of Fashion television.
Visit her website www.tapestryline.com and then her blogs. You might even consider taking her weaving classes. She is an outstanding teacher as well as artist.
(If you visit One of a Kind Friday morning, I will be at the booth. Come and say hi. )
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