Or I could title this post: Of MULES AND MEN

Often we hear figures of speech used to portray a character trait but don't understand the full meaning behind the expressions. Lately, I've heard the trait of stubbornness being associated with the Republicans' resistance to buying into Obama's spending plans and agenda.

We usually think of stubbornness as a bad thing. The expressions stubborn as a mule or being mule-headed pop up when speaking of someone who will not budge on an issue. We even say sometimes that they balk at an idea--balk meaning a refusal to move forward.

But is balking or being stubborn always a bad thing? No. We want our children to stubbornly resist the temptation to do drugs or engage in premarital sex, don't we? I want my legislators to be just as resolute in protecting my freedoms and resisting wasteful spending too.

Here is how I found out first hand why being stubborn as a mule can be a good thing--even a lifesaver.

The humble mule suffers from an image problem. The hero in cowboy movies and lore always rides a horse, but the comical sidekick often rides a mule. Because of that, I used to think the mule was inferior to the horse. It wasn't until my family and I took a trail ride a few years ago up the John Muir trail in Yosemite and down into the Grand Canyon on another trip that we learned the truth about mules. (That's me with Justin, who carried me safely up and down the trail to Vernal and Nevada Falls in Yosemite.)

One wrangler informed us that the mule's smoother gait and narrower width make them much more comfortable to ride, earning them the nickname "The Cowboy's Cadillac."

True, mules are stubborn. But they are stubborn for a reason. They will not move into situations they see as being dangerous. No amount of coaxing or bribing will make them change their minds. A horse, on the other hand, can be coerced into going onto dangerous ground. They are more susceptible to the rider's opinion.

Mules are more aware of their surroundings. They can see their hind feet whereas a horse cannot; they also have smaller, more sure footed feet. This makes them much more able to turn around on those switchback turns that are sometimes no bigger than a card table. I wouldn't want to do that on a horse.

(That smooth narrow ridge about 2/3 down the right cliff in the photo is the trail at the Grand Canyon!)

Whenever we have told other park visitors that we had or were about to take a National Park mule ride on the trails, people invariably thought we were taking our lives into our own hands. They assumed it was a death defying act. But in truth, no tourist has ever suffered a fatality riding a mule down into the canyon or up a mountain trail in the parks. This is because mules have a strong sense of self preservation, making the stubborn mule a trusty steed in contrast to hikers who suffer fatalities, trusting in their own ability and get too close to the edge.

So next time you hear the Republicans (and some Democrats too) being described as stubborn when they won't arrive at consensus, think about the humble mule and its reputation for superiority and safety. When I am putting my life on the line, or my country's future is at stake, I don't want compromise!

Congressman Sensenbrenner recently was the only Wisconsin Representative to NOT vote for taxing AIG bonus money at 90%. He voted no because it was unconstitutional. That is what I call stubbornness with a purpose.

Don't forget to vote on Tuesday, April 7th!

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If you have ever grown a vegetable garden, you know that sometimes the carrots or potatoes grow in some unusual shapes. I have harvested anatomically correct boy carrots or potatoes that looked like aliens. But I have never encountered produce that resembled the female form. That is until now.

I bought some really good looking strawberries on Friday. As I was washing some off, I came across one unlike any I had ever seen. It was like Pamela Anderson on steroids!

Laughingly, I yelled, you have got to see this strawberry. My son came trotting into the kitchen to see and quipped, maybe genetic engineering isn't such a good idea?

If this is a natural phenomenon, as it is with the carrots, or if it is a result of genetic engineering, I have no idea. Some of the gene splicing projects I have read about are a little frightening. Correcting a defective gene and replacing it with a perfect gene is one thing, but adding human genes to pigs or taking out the gene in strawberries that makes them decay is quite another. I don't think we know enough yet about the complexities and ramifications of genetics to be making such drastic changes.

As for our femme fatal strawberry, not wanting to take any chances, I told my son, I better eat this one. If anyone is going to be enhanced, it's going to be me!  ;-)

Actually, the strawberry had many, um, appendages.

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It's that time of year again, The Midwest Gaming Classic comes to Olympia Resort in Oconomowoc this Saturday, March 21st, 10am to 8pm, and Sunday, March 22nd, 10am to 5pm. This year attendees have a chance to win a PLAYSTATION 3 or tickets to Six Flags Great America. Check out Midwest's website for details on the Gaming Classic weekend.

Pay one admission price and play all day: $15 on Saturday, $10 on Sunday, kids under 12 with a paying adult are FREE.

There are special events, tournaments, vendors,  seminars & speakers. Some of the seminars are geared to helping the hobbyist restore and learn about caring for their video and pinball machines.  

Area vendors, collectors and hobbyists bring their games to the show for play and for sale. Some of them are quite old and unusual--fun to just look at.

This year my son is bringing his Simpsons Bowling video game, which I heard will be part of the tournament. Maybe not as glamorous as when gaming champ Billy Mitchel set the world record on my son's Donkey Kong machine, but fun, none the less.

There is also a Computing Museum section, where you can see and PLAY old computer game systems. Everything from A to Z: Apple II, Atari, Commodore, Sega, Tandy, to Zodiac/2!

So if you are looking for something fun this weekend, go out and play at the Midwest Gaming Classic.

Links: 

Remember when Flip Wilson used to say, "The devil made me do it"?

Bet they were saying, "The teleprompter made me do it" at the White House on St. Patrick's Day!

Ireland's Prime Minister was at the White House Tuesday, March 17th. President Obama gave a speech, using the teleprompter. (Nothing unusual there, he barely answers the phone without a teleprompter. Yes, that was said tongue in cheek.)

Well, after Obama spoke, it was the Prime Minister's turn. He too used the teleprompter. But after a few sentences, he realized it was Obama's speech all over again. "That's your speech," he said to the President.

I don't know why Obama just did not wait for the machine to cue up the right speech for the Prime Minister. Bet Obama wishes he did too, because it went from bad to worse. President Obama's dependency on the teleprompter is becoming well known--even across the pond: (My emphasis). 

Obama is becoming known as the "tele­prompter president" for his excessive use of the prompting screens, which retract when speeches are finished.

 

Although used for more than half a century, the device was previously employed mainly for set-piece speeches. The current president, however, often uses them for making small introductory statements at the beginning of press conferences.

 

On this occasion, as a laughing Mr Obama returned to the podium, the script was belatedly switched over to the Taoiseach's text – leaving Mr Obama inadvertently thanking himself for inviting everyone, to further laughter. "First, I'd like to say thank you to President Obama!" the President said. 

 

Obviously, we need to add thank yous to the list of teleprompter services.

I would think if the speaker was more involved in the speech writing process, this type of thing would happen less? It is difficult to imagine reading your own name as being the recipient of your sincere thank you if you were familiar with the speech.

In other important White House news for March 17th, the fountains were dyed green for the first time in White House history for St. Patrick's Day! That proves the ever vigilant blog reader and commenter Santa's Elf was right! It's not Obama, it's O'bama! ;-)

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Today is St. Patrick's Day!

March 17th frequently is a beautiful day weather-wise, and today's weather won't disappoint. St. Patrick's is often an excuse to play hooky from school or work.

I did get my daffodil wreath hung up on the front door yesterday, but our Christmas star is still high up on the flagpole. (It's a pain to get down. Hey, at least we don't light it anymore.) Time to take the star down today!

When I walked through the neighborhood yesterday, I noticed I am not alone in being a little late in getting the Christmas decorations down.  I think I counted 6 Christmas wreaths still up on my short jaunt? The snow was so deep for so long it probably interfered with homeowners outdoor duties, but that is no longer a problem.

So in celebration of St. Patrick's Day and spring (we're almost there), how about taking down the Christmas wreaths?

Links: 

Brookfield7, Fairly Conservative, BetterBrookfield, Vicki McKenna, Jay Weber, The Right View Wisconsin, Randy Melchert, Mark Levin, The Heritage Foundation, CNS News

Most people's spirits are lifted when the sun shines and the temperatures head upward. Seems we are in for a few nice days--at last!

Sunday was a glorious day, weather wise. I saw many neighbors out walking or riding bikes on the street, the playground at Kinsey Park was a magnet for area children, and my dog certainly enjoyed his outing--he met several neighborhood dogs out on their walks too. (Meeting and greeting is always a highlight in my pooch's day.)

I am happy to report that even I saw a Robin! I thought I heard one earlier in the week, but seeing a Robin is traditionally regarded as a sure sign of spring.  Listen: "American Robin song Sound
American Robin song 2 Sound " (All-birds.com--songs and photo)

If you have noticed, over the past several weeks, the birds have been vocalizing more. The Cardinals have been singing their finding their mate song ever since January. By March, their singing is at its peak. The song goes like this: Honey, I'm here, where are you? Cardinals are considered monogamous.

We are sure to go back to the deep freeze, but spring officially arrives this coming weekend. So cheer up. The worst is over with--better days are coming. I'm celebrating by putting up my daffodil wreath ahead of schedule!

Links: 

Brookfield7, Fairly Conservative, BetterBrookfield, Vicki McKenna, Jay Weber, The Right View Wisconsin, Randy Melchert, Mark Levin, The Heritage Foundation, CNS News

In case you did not catch this one, from the land of Truth is stranger than fiction or You can't make this stuff up, another Obama Cabinet pick confirmation was stalled yesterday.

Why? Because of unpaid taxes! Tax snafus add up for Obama team:

The confirmation of another Cabinet member stalled Thursday because of unpaid taxes after USA TODAY disclosed that the husband of Labor secretary nominee Hilda Solis paid about $6,400 this week to settle numerous tax liens against his business dating to 1993.

...

Disclosure of the long-unpaid taxes prompted the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee on Thursday to abruptly cancel a scheduled vote on Solis' nomination. The committee wants the administration to review the matter and report back, said Anthony Coley, spokesman for Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., the committee's chairman.

So I am beginning to understand why the Democrats* don't mind raising taxes--they don't bother to pay them! They of course expect the rest of us to pay up. 

*Legislators, Politicians, etc. 

Links: 

Brookfield7, Fairly Conservative, Vicki Mckenna, Jay Weber, The Right View Wisconsin, Mark Levin, CNS News

Seems like President Obama's picture is on the front page of nearly every paper and magazine these days. In the pre-inaugural paper, one girl I know exclaimed, his picture is even in the food section!

But I dare say, none of the photos or caricatures look like this one. That Obama front page summed up the pressures of the presidency in a glance. Makes you wonder why anyone would even want to run for president.

The Swamp disclosed that hard times have also hit MAD magazine. They are feeling the economic pinch these days and announced they would be publishing quarterly instead of monthly, starting in April.

I haven't read a MAD magazine since my Junior High days, but this edition might prompt me to pick one up. (Do they still have Spy vs. Spy vs. Spy?) Believe it or not, the Brookfield Library has them!

Please, comment content should relate to the subject of the post. Although I try to respond to many, do not interpret my lack of a response as agreement.

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The temperature is dropping again. On cold days like today, I am happy when our little dog plants himself at my feet during the day or sits on my lap. He is nice and warm. Better yet is when he dives under the covers at night and snuggles in. One little 13 pound pooch can generate a fair amount of heat! That made me think of the phrase, 3 dog night.  

Back in the days before central heat, you can imagine having 3 hounds share your bed would be welcome additions. Other bed warming tricks from the good old days were bed warmers, a special lidded pan with a long handle. Hot coals from the hearth were placed in the pan, the lid closed, and then the pan was placed at the foot of the bed under the covers before bedtime to warm the bedding.

Once when we were camping in high altitudes, my dad warmed 2 rocks in the campfire, wrapped them in foil and a towel, and put them in my mom and sister's sleeping bags. (I was tough back then and didn't need a foot warmer.) That was an improvised bed warmer. The modern equivalent of the bed warmer would be a heating pad. Since we are keeping our upstairs at 50-55* degrees, heating pads are in great demand at our house!

The dog days of summer, by the way, does not refer to dogs laying out in the sun or panting from the heat, but rather the appearance of Sirius, the dog star, in the night sky. When that star is visible, it is usually the warmest time of the summer, hence the phrase, The Dog Days of Summer:  

The brightest of the stars in Canis Major (the big dog) is Sirius, which also happens to be the brightest star in the night sky. In fact, it is so bright that the ancient Romans thought that the earth received heat from it. Look for it in the southern sky (viewed from northern latitudes) during January.

In the summer, however, Sirius, the “dog star,” rises and sets with the sun. During late July Sirius is in conjunction with the sun, and the ancients believed that its heat added to the heat of the sun, creating a stretch of hot and sultry weather. They named this period of time, from 20 days before the conjunction to 20 days after, “dog days” after the dog star.

The southern hemisphere is just starting the dog days of summer. Sounds good, doesn't it? 

*This is my self imposed attempt at reducing our heating bills. So far, I have reduced my consumption but not the charges. The heating pad really makes a difference--especially if some considerate family member turns it on before bedtime!  

Please, comment content should relate to the subject of the post. Although I try to respond to many, do not interpret my lack of a response as agreement.

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One of the sure signs of spring are the gardening catalogs that arrive in my mailbox. I received the first yesterday, and what a beauty! It was from Klehm's Song Sparrow Farm and Nursery in Avalon, Wisconsin.

The catalog features some of the most beautiful peonies, daylilies, and hostas I have ever seen. They also have some unique shrubs and perennials. Unfortunately, the plants also feature a hefty price tag, but the photos do inspire.

My sister and I first discovered Klehm's outstanding peonies on a trip to Long Grove, IL in 1990. One of the shop keepers had a huge bouquet of flowers that were so unusual, we did not recognize them as peonies. We asked where they were from and she said, Klehm's.

I would love to take a field trip to visit their nursery, but alas, they are only a mail order company. I will just have to settle for the vicarious pleasure of perusing the catalog and dreaming of sunny days in the garden. (Spring is still 2 months away.)

Please, comment content should relate to the subject of the post. Although I try to respond to many, do not interpret my lack of a response as agreement.

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Here are a few of my favorite winter themed movies. Most are based on true stories; some are pure fluff.  I obtained many of them from the library*. They all make me glad I am snuggled up on the couch under an afghan instead of being out in the elements!

Drama

Iron Will Disney's well acted 1994 family adventure film based on the 1917 dog sled race from Winnipeg, Canada to St. Paul, Minnesota. It is a wonderful story of the steely grit and courage that makes a person a champion. Kevin Spacey plays a reporter and Mackenzie Astin plays the young dog sledder, Will Stoneman. The movie has some very serious, emotionally charged moments, so I would not recommend for young children.

Stone Fox This made for TV movie was much like Iron Will in that it was based on a true story of a young boy, Willy. He must win a dog sled race for the $500 cash prize to save the family farm. It starts Buddy Epsen, Joey Cramer and Belinda Montgomery. I did get this from the children's section of the library in the past, but did not see it there now. Amazon still has it. Good story of courage, but has an emotionally charged ending. (Think Old Yeller)

Never Cry Wolf A very off-beat 1980s Disney movie based on the autobiography of Farley Mowat. In it, Arctic wolves are blamed for the caribou decline. Tyler, a totally untrained biologist, is air dropped into the Arctic to study the wolves. This is a more mature themed movie in that it shows Tyler "marking" his territory (urinating) and has it's Old Yeller moments too. (Hint: Old Yeller dies at the end of the movie.) Tyler's culinary experiments were gross and funny at the same time.

Actor Charles Martin Smith had his work cut out for him in this movie because much of the film is just him and his thoughts and his interaction with the wolves. He did an outstanding job. Brian Dennehy plays the pilot and is superb in that role, and I usually don't like Brian Dennehy.

Eight Below A Disney movie loosely based on a true incident. Unlike the other dog sled movies I mentioned, this one is really about the dogs; it's an Incredible Journey set in the Arctic. It too has its Old Yeller moments though. It is rated PG.

Comedy 

Cool Runnings This Disney movie is a perennial favorite at our house. Loosely based on the first Jamaican bobsled team trying to get to the 1988 Olympics, this movie is pure fun. It is still funny, even after repeated viewings, and suitable for most kids. It is rated PG. John Candy does a great job in his role of coach and trainer and the Jamaican bobsled crew are delightful.

Ice Age 1  I never tire of this 2002 animated movie about the migration during the Ice Age. My favorite character is Sid the sloth (John Leguizamo) with his lateral lisp. Ray Romano is the voice of Manfred, the woolly mammoth. Although it is very funny, the characters choose to act selflessly to help each other in the end. It reinforces good values without being preachy. It is rated PG.  Scrat is an added bonus. Ice Age 2 did not measure up to the first one, but Ice Age 3 looks promising.

Snow Dogs  Cute, fun, delightful! This is another one of those Disney movies that gets a fair amount of play at our house. Cuba Gooding Jr. plays a Florida dentist who finds out he was adopted. He goes to Alaska to settle his late mother's estate and finds he is now the owner of a dog sled team!  He ends up racing the dogs against the champ James Coburn. Great cast, funny story, and a little romance for Cuba to boot. Rated PG. Plot does uncover that there was an affair and pregnancy resulting in Cuba Gooding's character, hence the adoption, but it is disclosed pretty discreetly.

So head out to the library* or video store, pop some popcorn, and hunker down this weekend. 

*If temperatures are really low, you might want to check with the Brookfield library to see if they are open before venturing out. Surprisingly, they closed because of the cold on Thursday (possibly Friday too?) and Friday. Elm Grove was open on Thursday--don't know about today, but I would think so. 

Please, comment content should relate to the subject of the post. Although I try to respond to many, do not interpret my lack of a response as agreement.

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Some people are obsessed with the weather. They are glued to the Weather Channel and hang on every word of the local meteorologist. Instead of reporting real news, as every snow storm or cold snap approaches, network and local news stations hype endless stories featuring newscasters shivering outside, show you how to layer clothing, or instruct you to carry a snow shovel in your car.

I tend to avoid all that. Since I don't have cable TV, the Weather Channel is out. And I have long given up watching network news. I do check the internet, however.

The Weather Channel's website makes weather watching easy, and you can find out some interesting statistics on averages. You can also check weather in other areas of the country. That is where the fantasy comes in.

Since my husband and I are over 50, our thoughts sometimes turn wistfully to the retirement years. Our weather patterns seem to be back to the typical colder, snowier winters of Wisconsin, and that makes me wonder if I still want to endure them at age 70? 

So I have been checking a few locations on the Weather Channel website. Two of them are Thermopolis, Wyoming and Chattanooga, Tennessee. Thermopolis because of its proximity to Yellowstone National Park--that one is for us, and Chattanooga because they are the site of the new Volkswagen car plant--that one is for my son. I believe both of these states have no income tax. Once in a while I check Juneau, Alaska. They pay you to live in Alaska!  

Here is where the fun comes in (for me, anyway.) You would think Tennessee would be warmer than Wyoming, and Wisconsin warmer than Alaska, wouldn't you?

Nope! Today, while we had a high of -1 today and 8 degrees tomorrow, Thermopolis, Wyoming is the warmest with a high of 43 today and 45 tomorrow. Juneau, Alaska is next warmest at 38 today, 40 tomorrow, and surprisingly, Chattanooga, Tennessee is coldest with 26 today and 31 tomorrow.

As I have been checking these highs several times a week, the results are pretty consistent.  

Probably, I will never leave Wisconsin, but the weather website can be useful for planning a vacation too. Would this be a good time to go to Disney World? (If I won their free vacation contest.) How about Williamsburg in July? Start looking at what their weather is like. It could save you from making an expensive mistake.

Hope you have a little fun with fantasy weather forecasts of your own. I enjoy them.

By the way, even Fairbanks, Alaska had a high of 31 and Anchorage was 42 today. To feel warm, try looking at Hibbing, MN. Today's high was -7.

Please, comment content should relate to the subject of the post. Although I try to respond to many, do not interpret my lack of a response as agreement.

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It is no secret; I love coffee! And what goes better with coffee than a good cookie? Biscotti, of course!

Biscotti are twice baked cookies. The bis meaning twice and cotto meaning baked. They are a dry cookie, meant to be dunked.

For years people have been requesting* my cookie recipes that are part of my annual cookie marathon. Some people are very secretive about their recipes--either not sharing at all or more sinisterly, not including a key ingredient. That is not my style. My philosophy is spread the wealth when it come to recipes. So while we are still in the relaxed state of post Christmas/New Year holidays mode, here is the biscotti recipe:

Biscotti Nocciole Cioccolato 

1/2 Cup butter

3/4 Cup sugar

2 eggs

2 Cups unbleached white flour

1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

2 Tablespoons of Frangelico or Amaretto 

3/4 Cup hazelnuts (toasted* and chopped finely) I use twice this amount

4 oz. bittersweet chocolate (chopped) I use twice this amount

Directions

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Grease or spray with Pam 2 cookie sheets. I use very heavy aluminum pans. (Aluminum is the only way to bake in my opinion. Tin causes things to burn on the bottom and edges and be underbaked in the center and top.)

Prepare the nuts and chocolate. I have not had good luck with purchased, shelled hazelnuts--even from high end stores. They often were rancid. I instead purchase nuts in the shell, toast them in a 300 degree oven for about 1/2 hour, cool, shell, rub as many of the brown hulls off as possible, and then chop finely. That is a lot of work, but I love the hazelnut flavor. You could substitute toasted almonds instead. Place shelled nuts on a cookie sheet and bake for about 15 minutes at 300. Test often during the process to avoid burning.

I use Ghirardelli extra dark double chocolate chips. (I think they call them 60% cocoa now?) Chop the chips separately from the nuts on a cutting board.

Cream the butter and sugar. Add eggs and cream until light and fluffy.

Add the dry ingredients and mix.

Add in the chopped chocolate, nuts and flavoring. I use Frangelica, a hazelnut liqueur. (Really it is just hazelnut extract.) Mix.

Baking

Divide the dough into 4 parts--more or less--depending on what sized cookie you want. Scoop out 1/4th of dough and shape it into a log as you put it on one side of the cookie sheet. Pat smooth. Put another log onto same cookie sheet. Then do the same on the other cookie sheet with the remaining 1/2 dough. They will expand.

Bake for about 25 minutes at 300 degrees. (Always check about 3/4 of the way through. Not all ovens bake alike.) Take out of oven. The original directions told you to transfer to a bread board and cut, but I cut the cookies right on the cookie sheet after letting them cool for a few minutes. Using a meat cleaver helps as it is a shorter, more square shaped knife. Cut into 3/4 to 1 inch thick slices. As I cut them, I turn them on their sides and arrange on the same cookie sheet.

Bake for another 10 minutes. (While you are baking you could make some coffee!)

Yield 

One batch makes about 60 tiny cookies. The ones you see in coffee shops are about 3 to 4 times the size mine are. If you want those giant sized ones, probably you just make one log! Baking times would need to be adjusted too. A double batch makes 3 trays of 3 thin logs. These I baked 20 minutes, sliced, then baked 7 minutes longer

Store in an air-tight container.

This recipe came to me courtesy of my sister. She got it from a biscotti cookbook. Although our grandfather was from Sicily, we never had biscotti in the house. Stella Doro anise toast was about as close as we came. I think we can credit the rise of the Starbucks coffee shops and their like with the popularity of biscotti.

For those of you who enjoy the history, one website stated: 

Biscotti is said to have originated during Columbus's time and credited to an Italian baker who originally served them with Tuscan wines. They became so popular that every province developed their own flavored version. Because of their long storage ability they were an ideal food for sailors, soldiers, and fisherman.

Most European countries have adopted their own version of biscotti: English - rusks, French - biscotte and croquets de carcassonne, Germans - zwieback, Greeks - biskota and paxemadia, Jewish - mandelbrot, and Russians - sukhariki.

Maybe this should be my New Year's resolution for those things I keep meaning to do? Do it now! 1 cookie recipe posted...14 or so to go?

Enjoy.

A batch of home baked biscotti and a pound of coffee would make a nice hostess gift. 

*Kathryn requested a biscotti recipe recently, stating her recipe was very sticky and difficult to form. (You could try spraying your hands with Pam while forming the dough.) The same website I got the history from said that recipes that have no shortening are stickier. The recipes with butter are not as sticky and do not bake up as hard. They also don't keep as long. Mine have never lasted long enough to know how long they keep, but in general, cookies made with butter keep a very long time without losing flavor.
 

Please, comment content should relate to the subject of the post. Although I try to respond to many, do not interpret my lack of a response as agreement.

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I don't watch network TV shows anymore, but I love to watch movies. They make mundane, household tasks like folding laundry, ironing, changing the bed, etc. more enjoyable. The TV and VCR in my kitchen get a real workout during my cookie marathons too.

Some movie favorites I watch every year or so. One of those is Houseboat, starring Cary Grant and Sophia Loren. It is utterly delightful. Not only is Sophia Loren a real dish, as they used to say, she is also a good actress.

If you haven't seen it, Cary Grant plays a recently widowed, disinterested father of 3 children. Sophia Loren plays Cinzia (pronounced chin'-see-a), the daughter of a famous Italian conductor. Her father is overprotective. Cinzia is on tour in America with her father and wants to experience a little freedom. They argue. She threatens to leave him, but her father reminds her she has no means of her own. How will she manage? Their conversation goes something like this:

Cinzia: Perhaps I will get a job.

Father: That's nonsense. I've given you the finest education in all of Europe. You don't know how to do anything!

Cinzia: Then I'll run for Congress!

She becomes the governess for Cary Grant's 3 children, even though she doesn't even know how to cook!

I have seen this movie many times, but never has that line hit me like it did this year. Maybe it's because we seem to pay more and more for education yet many graduates are still inept, and our Congress lacks common sense. Anyway, I got a big laugh out of that bit.

The movie is charming and even after 50 years, I think it holds up well. 

What are your repeat favorites? 

 
TONIGHT: "A Muppets Christmas: Letters to Santa" 7PM, on NBC looks good if you are a Muppet fan. (I am)
 

Please, comment content should relate to the subject of the post. Although I try to respond to many, do not interpret my lack of a response as agreement.

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For as long as I can remember, baking cookies has always been a part of celebrating Christmas. My mom would let my sister and I help, even though that meant the task would take longer and the kitchen be messier. It is a cherished memory. 

I kept up the tradition of Christmas cookie baking when I got married, but dialed it up a notch or 2. Mom would make maybe 6 kinds of cookies; I made 16 varieties this year.

People who know about my cookie mania ask, how long does that take you? I reply, about 4 days. I do it marathon style!

Maybe it was because I worked in a bakery in my college days that I learned the concept of  the assembly line. I adapted that style of production to my home kitchen. 

Instead of making one batch of dough, washing all the utensils, baking that batch, and then moving onto the next type of cookie, I do all like tasks together. I make all the dough that can be made ahead in one day. That is all I do that day. The next day I make the cookies that I can't make ahead and bake them as I go. Then I finish baking the ones from the premade dough. The last day, I bake the refrigerator cookies (slice and bake) and dip the ones in white choc. that need finishing.

Day 1, dough making:  I start with the lightest, blandest dough (butter cookie) and move to the more flavorful and darker doughs (spicy or choc. doughs). This way, I only make one mess at a time--I have a small kitchen. Use the best ingredients you can: real butter is a must!

As I make each batch of dough, I place it into a plastic bag (write the name of the cookie on the bag), then place it in the refrigerator. I scrape the mixing bowl and beater as best I can, but I don't wash it. Then I work on the next batch. This way, I just keep all the ingredients out -- the baking powder, soda, spices, vanilla, flour, sugars, nuts, etc. I also have all the measuring cups, spoons, extra bowls etc. out. Having multiple measuring cups and spoons helps too. Wash the utensils at end of day, but leave ingredients out.

Day 2, making and baking:  There are some cookies that you cannot make ahead like macaroons or biscotti. Start with those--make and bake each. Then get out your pre-made dough and start baking these.

For drop cookies or those you are to roll in a ball, I find a scoop very helpful. Not only do you get a perfect round shape, but you get a consistent size. I use the smaller one (just under 1 14" across). Small is good because then you can sample more cookies!

For roll out cookies, a pastry cloth and rolling pin sock keep the dough from sticking. Sometimes pin socks are hard to find. You can cut the leg off of a pair of tights or pantyhose as a substitute. Flour the cloth and sock before rolling out.

Having multiple cookie sheets is a BIG help. I use about 10, but even 4 would help. (Try looking for them at estate sales and thrift stores.) Aluminum is a must in my book--nothing bakes as well. I spray each with PAM several times during the baking day.

Day 3, baking and finishing:  This is the day I bake off the refrigerator cookies and dip into chocolate or decorate any that need that step.

Obviously you need some containers to put the cookies in. I use Rubbermaid rectangle containers. It is helpful to have them similar in size and shape--it makes stacking ans storage easier. 

Day 4, assembling cookie plates:  Make a list of those you want to share your cookies with: teachers, neighbors, friends, stores you frequent, your aldermen, pastors, someone who did you a favor, etc. Don't forget the elderly, widowers, bachelors, and families who are going through a serious illness. They are unlikely to bake for themselves and would appreciate a little taste of Christmas.

Deal them all out at the same time if you can. That way, you know you will have enough and can adjust the amount given to each accordingly. It is also less work to do it all at once, rather than getting out all the containers just to make a plate or two.

I use paper or plastic plates and Roundy's plastic bread bags (clear, rectangular bags) to package. I put a post a note with the name on each package then later attach my Christmas card. My goal is to deal nearly all my cookies out, leaving enough for Christmas Eve dinner and a few more for eating.

Today is day 4 for me in my cookie marathon. That just leaves delivery--the last hurdle. Now if I could just get someone else to do that job... but I am glad to do it. My cookie-a-thon is one of the ways I celebrate the birth of God's only begotten Son: Christmas.

The Journal Sentinel recently had its 2008 contest winner recipes in the paper Gold plated, Cookie contest rolls out treats to treasure. There were some good cookie making tips in there too. Check it out and start baking!



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On Wednesday, Surprise flurries warm Houston hearts Fluffy flakes bring delight to some, consternation to others--and tie a 64-year-old record:

Since 1895, records indicate, snow has fallen this early just once — on Dec. 10, 1944.

On Thursday, Rare snow falls in south Louisiana, Miss., Alabama: (My emphasis) 

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — A rare snowfall blanketed south Louisiana and parts of Mississippi on Thursday, closing schools, government offices and bridges, triggering crashes and leaving thousands without power.

Up to 8 inches of snow was reported in parts of Louisiana. Snow also covered a broad swath of Mississippi, including the Jackson area, and closed schools in more than a dozen districts.

...The wintry weather is rare in south Louisiana, though the state's northern parishes see it about once a year... The record snowfall for the city is about 5 inches, recorded Dec. 30, 1963.

...In Mississippi, up to 5 inches of snow fell on areas south of Jackson.

In Alabama, storms dumped more than 3 inches of rain across northern parts of the state ahead of a blast of cold air that brought snow to some areas later Thursday.

Unlike us seasoned snow veterans in Wisconsin, these poor folks don't know how to cope with the white stuff. That is difficult to imagine, isn't it? (To be fair, they don't have snow plows down south.)

Some people, who don't normally have snow, actually find it delightful. My missionary cousin and family are here in Wisconsin this year while on furlough from Papua New Guinea. They are very excited about the snow! I told them their excitement over the snow would help me think of it in better terms.

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If you love to cook or know someone who does, stop in at Penzeys herb and spice shop. They recently relocated from the Town of Brookfield to the east side of the Brookfield Fashion Center on Bluemound Road.

I have shopped at Penzeys for years; they are my source for Pasta Sprinkles, Ceylon Cinnamon, and vanilla beans, to name a few. When I cook or bake, I try to use the best quality I can afford. Their quality is fabulous--very fresh.

The Pasta Sprinkles make a nice addition to pasta salads, vinegar and oil salad dressing, or anytime you want an Italian flavor. I like the mix because it is not too heavy on the oregano. They also have other herb blends.

Penzeys is one of the few places that sells Cassia. What is that, you ask? Cassia is a Cinnamon-like spice, often used and sold interchangeably. Cassia has more of the aromatic oil, 6%, than Cinnamon does. Some cooks use Cassia for spicy dishes and reserve the sweeter taste of Cinnamon for baking. Cassia often costs less than Cinnamon, which is why some companies pass it off as Cinnamon. I think the aroma and flavor of both spices is much stronger than the grocery store variety.

Many items have a sample available so you can give them a sniff! In fact, the whole store smells wonderful. And how about this display? We had a kitchen much like that when I was a little girl!

The store displays often include information about the spice or herb. Recipes are also scattered throughout the store, if you need a little inspiration.

The quantities vary from an ounce or two to larger sizes. Some herbs and spices are available in cellophane packages (less expensive) as well as glass bottles. Penzeys also has several assortments of spices or herbs specifically boxed for gift giving too. 

So give Penzeys a try. Its worth the trip just for the aroma!

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If you use Sunnyslope Road, you may have noticed some construction going on in the woods south of Mary Knoll Park at Kinsey Park Drive.

This is the latest section of the Greenway Corridor Recreational Trail. According to Bill Kolstad, Brookfield's Director of Parks, Recreation and Forestry, the 8 foot wide paved trail segment measures about 3,350 feet in length. There is also 480 feet of 6' wide pavement.

(The narrower width seems to be used for the connection spurs to the neighborhoods.)

This segment of the trail system will cost about $175,000.

The money comes primarily from the cell tower lease fees the City of Brookfield charges the cell phone companies to put up towers in our city.

Brookfield gets between $200,000 - $300,000 each year in lease payments. The park department gears its new Greenway projects to stay within this dollar amount. Kolstad informed me that we also benefited from $135,00 in DNR matching grants over the past 5 years. (That would be free :) money.)

The project began in October and the majority of the work was completed by late November. The trail basically cuts through Mary Knoll Park but also has 2 connectors to the neighborhoods to the south.

From Kinsey Park Drive, the trail heads west, across the school district land, to the open field in the park. (Pictured in back of the bobcat. Play structure is to the north-right-from here.)

The trail heads to the south end of the field and continues west. There is a paved connection to the tennis courts to the north  (pictured here) on the west side of the field. Tennis courts are on horizon next to pine tree.

 

Before you get to the field, there is a connector to Silver Mist Court to the south of the trail.
 

A word of caution: I would be wary of sending children to the park alone. The play structure is not visible from the road. Plus, the park is quite isolated; it invites certain activity.

My neighbor and I used to see 2 cars park on our street (Kinsey Park Dr.) several times a week. The drivers (1 man, 1 woman) would get a pillow and blankets out of one car and then head over to the park over the noon hour. We dubbed them the lovers.

Another neighbor recently surprised a different couple who should have gone to a hotel if you catch my drift.

Because of the isolation, many adults in our neighborhood are even hesitant to use the park.

I am not a fan of the Greenway Corridor Recreation Trail system, primarily because of the expense for construction, maintenance, and snow removal. But it is something our city has decided to fund. Check it out.

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I don't go to shopping at malls* very often for several reasons: 1. I can never find the style or item I need, and if I can, it is too expensive. 2. Watching people buy frivolous, overpriced stuff makes me want to leave. 3. Often, they are too crowded. But every 4 weeks or so, I do make a pilgrimage to Mayfair's Alterra coffee stand for my 5# bag of whole bean Sumatra coffee.

Last Saturday, I needed to go to Mayfair for coffee. I wondered, would the fear of recession or layoffs put a damper on people's shopping habits?

The parking lot answered my question. The photo was taken in the farthest corner of the west parking lot. I finally found a spot in the far north end of the Macy lot. The east lot was also pretty full too.

Would people be just looking or buying? I noticed the cell phone kiosks had people lined up. The Godiva chocolate shop looked full. Many shoppers were carrying multiple bags.

I ventured into Williams Sonoma just to look and spotted a really pretty saute' pan. It was unusual in that the decorative handle was attached to the pan with a leaf motif and the knob was a sculptured vegetable. They were attractive enough to use for serving pieces. How much I asked? The sales lady told me $400 for the one pan! She then added that they were selling well. (Well, not to me.) Customers were lined up at checkout.

The real clincher was the Coach Bag store. About 12 ladies were shopping there, 5 of them lined up at the sales counter checking out. In case you did not know, Coach purses average about $400 each. ($400 must be the magic number!)

To answer my original question, What, me worry?** I am very concerned. We are headed toward economic disaster. But I don't think the reality of a recession (or worse) has sunk in yet for these shoppers. They are not thinking they need to cut back on spending any more than our government is.

Can't afford it? Just put it on the credit card. Can't pay the credit card bill? Just wait for the bailout!

*In the winter, I do go to Mayfair and Brookfield Square to walk. 

**I think What, me worry? was the question asked by Mad magazine's Alfred E. Newman. 

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Here is a fun project that you might want to try: Give oak leaves the Midas touch!

I have Martha Stewart to thank for this idea. She collected oak leaves and sprayed them with silver spray paint. She then made Christmas garlands and wreaths with her sliver leaves to deck her halls.

Martha's silvery leaves were pretty, but I much prefer the warmer tones of gold or copper metallic spray paint.

Whether you spray yours with silver, gold, or copper spray paint, the procedure is the same.

All you have to do is collect fallen white or red oak leaves.

Try to find ones that are relatively flat, clean, and not too beat up.

You can press them between the pages of a book for a few days if you want them really flat.

Get some large pieces of cardboard and metallic spray paint. Take these and your leaves outside.

Lay all the leaves on the cardboard and spray with a generous coat of paint.

Let dry.

Then turn the leaves over and spray again. Once they are dry, you can bring them in the house and let sit overnight. 

Depending on how many leaves you painted, you can tuck them into a fall wreath or arrangement, or make an entire wreath of them. I just added mine to a silk arrangement without glue. They stay pretty well.

When it is time to put the fall decorations away, I gather all my golden leaves and put them in a shoe box until next year.

If making a wreath, dab a little Tacky type glue on the stem to keep them in place.

If you are fortunate enough to find some acorns, you could give them a spray with gold, copper, or even just clear coat and add those to your arrangements.

The golden or copper leaves would also look pretty scattered on your Thanksgiving serving table or added to a centerpiece.

I have tried painting other leaves, but they don't work. (They ripple because they are too thin and become brittle.)

Because oak leaves are thick and leathery, they keep their shape and hold up pretty well. I've had mine a few years.

Every fall I say I am going to gather more and make a garland for my fireplace. (Haven't gotten to that project yet!)

Hope you give this a try. It is really easy and I think they are quite beautiful.

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