Interim blog title and location

Hanky Pankies

Posted 30 November 2008, 10:20 PM

Hi Internets,

What a rainy and damp day here in good old New England. I have had some success on my Christmas shopping, pictures, and cooking.

As promised from yesterday's post, I am sharing my recipe for Hankie Pankies. And no, I am not referring to the fancy Hanky Panky undergarments.

Ingredients:

1 lb. hamburg (You can use very lean meat if you like. You will be adding sausage and cheese so the flavor and fats of the other ingredients will help if you elect to use lean meat.
1lb uncooked hot/spicy pork sausage (Jimmy Dean, Hormel) This is usually found in the refrigerator section of the store but on occasion you'll find it in the breakfast freezer section.
1 lb Velveeta cheese
dried basil
dried oregano
dried onion powder
salt
pepper
garlic (for good measure)
1 package of cocktail rye or sourdough bread

Here are all of the cooking accoutrements:

electric frying pan
metal spatula
wooden spoon (optional)
knife
cutting board
dish towels
paper towels

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees fahrenheit.

Brown the hamburg meat and sausage in the frying pan around 250-300 degrees. I highly recommend using the hot/spicy pork sausage as once you add in the Velveeta cheese the spice is mediated if you are sensitive to spice. The spicy sausage adds flavor and is not overpowering. I personally am fairly sensitive to spicy foods and I find this perfectly tolerable. If you like your food really spicy then add in some tobasco, red pepper flakes, or whatever you use to add some heat when cooking. Once the hamburger and pork are browned, you may need to drain the pan if there is too much fat or liquid remaining.

You will note in my picture that I have a two pound package of Velveeta cheese. I cut it in half and froze one pound of it. Before I add the cheese to the frying pan to melt, I cut it up into cubes to help the melting process. Once all of the cheese is melted into the meat mixture, spread the meat and cheese mixture onto the cocktail bread on a baking sheet. Cook for 10 minutes or until the bread is toasted on the bottom and the meat and cheese mixture is slightly browned.

You can easily make this mixture ahead of time, let it cool, then refrigerate it until you are ready to use it later that day or during the week. You can also freeze it if you would only like to use a portion of it.

I love to make this for a football game or a movie during the fall and winter.

Enjoy and I promise it tastes better thank it looks!

These snacks certainly are not healthy but they are tasty.

***You may also catch a glimpse of the lovely hand towels made by Lisagh from Grosgrain Garage.

Two more days...

Posted 29 November 2008, 11:32 PM

Hi Internets,

Two more days of this blogging everyday business and then I might be able to come up with something a little more riveting than what I have been generating for your reading pleasure.

I am working on my Christmas card list and picking out the cards. Christmas is only 25 days away so I have a lot of chores and errands to do in the meantime. The weekend of 12th will be eaten up due to Christmas parties and the next weekend I will be traveling again. So it looks like it is all or nothing next weekend.

Any tips on Christmas planning with an already over scheduled month in the works? Holiday season as usual...

Tomorrow I will be watching the Patriots and bringing hanky pankies as an appetizer. I'll share the recipe tomorrow as it is from my repertoire of "man food" recipes.

Enjoy the rest of the weekend!

Sea Salt Caramels

Posted 26 November 2008, 10:22 PM

Happy Thanksgiving Eve -

Hope you are enjoying Thanksgiving Eve and I hope you don't have to run to the store tomorrow. I ran to the store around 5pm and as some say, "It was amateur hour." People were running all over the place looking for ingredients, many of which they couldn't identify at the last minute. This brings me to the topic of why I was at the store tonight and the topic of this post: Sea Salt Caramels. I have a deep love for seal salt caramels and have been meaning to make them myself for quite some time. So, tonight was the night. They were much easier to make that I thought. Many had warned me that it was really tricky.

Here is the recipe that I used, courtesy of www.epicurious.com, if you are interested

I used sea salt that I had bought Williams-Sonoma and it worked fine. I also used salted butter. I recommend reading all of the comments as there were many useful tips. I used salted butter instead of unsalted and I also doubled the amount of sea salt to 2 tsp instead of 1 tsp, which was also suggested in a reader comment.

I will definitely make them again and recommend this to you if you are looking for something new or creative for the holiday season.

Happy Thanksgiving!

November 25

Posted 25 November 2008, 11:37 PM

Hi Internets,

I have finished my work for the week and am on vacation. It was a long two days, I must admit. I literally haven't left the house in two days. I am thrilled tomorrow to do some "early" shopping, errands around town, and finalizing some recipes for Thanksgiving.

I am determined to pull off Alton Brown's homemade green bean casserole. I know how some people feel about green bean casserole but I must say that I really like it. I just have to dig up a large cast iron skillet and I can pull this one off...I think. I let you know how it goes.

Have you ever had Stonewall Pepper Jelly over cream cheese? I was thinking about bringing that for an hors d'oeuvre as well? I need to drum up a solid stuffed mushroom recipe as well.

Any tips or suggestions please send them my way at oyster@holsteintomato.com.

So long friends!

Sunday again

Posted 23 November 2008, 11:01 PM

Hi Internets,

Sunday is here again but we have a short week to look forward to. I have a couple long days before I can really indulge in the Thanksgiving weekend of relaxing and gorging, but I have to confess something. I actually don't love turkey all that much. I don't mind it but I don't know that I really elect to eat it other than around Thanksgiving. At Christmas, we eat a prime rib with homemade yorkshire pudding, which I love and looking forward to. I do really like all of the sides and I love stuffing/dressing and all of the veggies.

I saw a show on FoodTV where Alton Brown made green bean casserole from scratch that I would like to attempt. I'll have to dig up a cast iron skillet first.

What are your Thanksgiving favorites?

See you tomorrow!

487 miles

Posted 22 November 2008, 9:56 PM

Hi Internets,

I completely forgot to blog last night. I did a bunch of errands after work, made dinner, cleaned, and packed and got ready to leave for The Voyage. We left around 10:30am this morning and made it to the Cape around 6:00pm, which, frankly is quite good time. I'll be working on at least Monday and Tuesday and we'll see about Wednesday. I am crossing my fingers that I get everything done that I need to. It is nice to be here and beat the traffic. Plus, Miss Churchill gets in some extra walks at the beach. She is the best little (well, she is not exactly all that little anymore) traveler. You wouldn't even know she was in the backseat.

Boy it sure is cold here. And windy! I love it. Perfect weather for bundling up, relaxing on the couch, watching tv, interneting and reading!

NIght friends!

Christmas Meme

Posted 20 November 2008, 11:57 PM

Hello Internets!

I am off to Thanksgiving before Thanksgiving tonight so I will leave you with a Christmas Meme.

Wrapping paper or gift bags? Wrapping paper.
Real tree or Artificial? Real tree, of course. Smaller fake ones for fun.
When do you put up the tree? After Thanksgiving, of course. Usually the first week of December.
When do you take the tree down? After New Year's.
Do you like eggnog? Sure. I like the light varieties that they sell now.
Favorite gift received as a child? Many of my favorite stuffed animals: Felix (from Filene's (R.I.P.)), my big Gund dog Bowser; and also Nintendo!
Hardest person to buy for? My dad - he does not want anything.
Easiest person to buy for? No one really - you always want to pick out something those on your gift list really want or need.
Do you have a nativity scene? No, but my parents do.
Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail, of course.
Worst Christmas gift you ever received? Nothing sticks out but I have received a lot of clothes that I have hardly ever or never worn.
Favorite Christmas Movie? Do I have to pick just one? I love Christmas Vacation, Home Alone, Love Actually, White Christmas, A Christmas Story, Elf!, and the list goes on...
When do you start shopping for Christmas? I think about it from about September on and try to start picking things up slowly, but the brunt of it is usually accomplished in December.
Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? No.
Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Yorkshire pudding.
Lights on the tree? White, but I love colored ones when I was kid. Colored lights are fun though.
Favorite Christmas song? O Holy Night, Do You Hear What I Hear, All I Want for Christmas (Mariah)...I LOVE Christmas music!
Travel at Christmas or stay home? I travel to my parents and we go to my cousin's on Christmas Eve.
Can you name all of Santa's reindeer's? Certainly.
Angel on the tree top or a star? Neither. I have a big bow on both of my trees.
Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Christmas Eve but stockings on Christmas morning.
Favorite ornament, theme or color? I like a nice variety of colored balls, painted ornaments, memorable ornaments...hard to describe but it does come out nicely.
Favorite for Christmas dinner? Prime rib and yorkshire pudding. Ham on Christmas Eve.
What do you want for Christmas this year? Oh my gosh...lots of things but I really don't need much at all!

19 November 2008

Posted 19 November 2008, 11:11 PM

Hello Internets!

Well you may have read about me discussing "Thanksgiving before Thanksgiving" with friends. Well this momentous occasion is tomorrow and last week on Wednesday I made stuffing/dressing. On Thursday morning I found out that it was THIS week. Well, in many ways I was relieved. I attempted to follow my parents' recipe, which was no small feat. I could not find all of the ingredients, mainly salt pork and poultry gizzards (sounds gross but is really quite delicious once assembled properly). I was not particularly enthralled with last week's results nor the thought of serving it to some people that I didn't know.

So tonight after work, I was fortunate enough to come across all of the right ingredients and it turned out significantly better. I am pleased. It actually tastes a little like my parents' recipe. I have one learned thing: It is very hard to replicate family recipes, especially those that are carried in the head and not written down. So I advise, if you have any of those recipes whether it is for a Thanksgiving dish or something else, I suggest that you take a stab at it tonight.

That's it for me tonight after a 12 hour day in the salt mines and successful cooking, it is time for me to hit the hay. Don't fret, I will be sure to inform you of any reviews I receive...positive, negative or mediocre.

Night night

18 November 2008

Posted 18 November 2008, 10:28 PM

Hi Internets!

I made it through Tuesday and I must admit that it wasn't as bad I was expecting. Thursday afternoon looks to be quite tough as far as meetings go. Tomorrow will be preparation from start to finish. Tonight has consisted of one of my fave dinners of steak cooked medium rare with a garlic scallion butter bleu cheese sauce, salad, and broiled cauliflower...and vino. After I porked out, I had another glass of vino, caught the a new episode of House and have since been parked on the Food Network. First, I watched Alton Brown's Thanksgiving special and now Ace of Cakes is on. Ace of Cakes always proves to be interesting and I get sucked in. I don't actually think I could even eat one of their cakes, I mean works of art.

And, why I am on the topic of cakes...have you heard of Georgetown Cupcakes? It is A-MAZING. I honestly can't say enough good things. I'll be placing an order tomorrow to pick up on Friday night before the trek to the Cape on Saturday. They have been getting a lot of press recently...from newspapers articles to the national TV. If you live in the area, I highly recommend you make a trip there. I LOVE LOVE LOVE the red velvet cupcakes with the cream cheese frosting. Outstanding.

Tomorrow evening will include a trip to the grocery store for more stuffing/dressing ingredients since I confused last Thursday and this Thursday. THIS Thursday is really the "Thanksgiving before Thanksgiving." At least I had a Dry Run with the stuffing/dressing. Of course, I will let you know how it turns out the second time.

Tune in tomorrow for a new update!

T - 4 days

Posted 17 November 2008, 10:47 PM

Hello Internets,

Tonight's blog post comes to you live from the couch where I am recuperating after a long day at the office. This week is a very busy week and that means long days and lots of meetings. I have to tell you that a BIG trip to Trader Joe's yesterday yielded copious amounts wine (in preparation for Thanksgiving, mostly) and many meals for this week and looking forward to the busy holiday season. Tonight, we tried the frozen gnocchi with tomato sauce where you saute it on the stove for 7 minutes and add one tablespoon of water. It was delicious and easy and required no effort after a long day. I have to say that all of the frozen and "quick" meals that I have purchased from Trader Joe's are mostly worth it. Once in a while I find one that is ehh, blah, or ugh, but in general they are easy to make, fill you up, relatively nutritious, and delicious. So...get to a Trader Joe's near you!

I am leaving for the Cape next Saturday and will be working through Wednesday, remotely. But, we'll beat the traffic and I'll be able to concentrate without distractions for a few days. Oddly, this is a busy time and thankfully this works out well.

Miss Churchill is especially thrilled about her trip. She gets to visit her Grandma and maybe even go for a swim. Here is a picture of Miss Churchill and her Grandma, who is 7 1/2.

I scream, you scream, Miss Churchill screams for ice cream!

Posted 16 November 2008, 11:28 PM

Hello Internets,

Well here we are on another Sunday night that arrived much too quickly. This weekend proved to be quite productive with lots of errands and chores finished off before departing for the Cape next Saturday for Thanksgiving week. This week will be VERY busy at work with long days and there will be no time for chores after work.

Miss Churchill had a fantastic weekend with a trip to Barnes and Noble (which is becoming a weekend ritual) where she conquered her fear of escalators. The story of moving stairs and Miss Churchill is worth a post of its own. She went puddle splashing and running in the rain, which is always a hit with a lab puppy. Today, she played and ran and ran and ran at her favorite dog park, exchanged her guaranteed Lupine® leash for a new one as she chewed through her first one, got a new fleece Snugga Wubba Kong toy (in pink!!!), and her humans made her homemade ice cream. She loves her ice cream and her humans have been buying but finally picked up all the ingredients to make her this tasty treat. This recipe is a modified Frosty Paws recipe.

Here is how I did it:

32 oz. plain yogurt (I used lowfat)
1 mashed banana (I used a frozen one that I was saving for banana bread. I just thawed it and mashed it with a fork. You can leave it out if you don't one.)
2 T peanut butter (I used a natural creamy one)
2 T honey (Any kind will do.)

I know that many dogs are lactose intolerant but yogurt contains much less lactose than milk and the live cultures are actually good for their digestive systems. It is also a fairly small serving and the serving sizes can be customized according to your dog.

I mixed all these ingredients in a bowl and used a hand mixer to ensure it was smooth
Pour the mixture into containers for freezing. I happened to save 3 oz. containers from previously purchased doggy ice cream and reused them. You can also pour this mixture into ice cube trays on any container that you like, even a Kong would work.
Freeze for a few hours.
Give your favorite dog this delightful treat! Here are a few pictures of Miss Churchill enjoying her special treat.

A food meme!

Posted 15 November 2008, 11:58 PM

Stolen from Ladybug's Picnic!

Favorite milk? Hood's skim milk in the light protecting container. I also like Horizons organic.
What are the top 3 dishes/recipes you are planning to cook this season? This season? Broiled porterhouse, popovers, homemade pasta dishes.
Topping of choice for popcorn? Butter and salt. And cheese.
Most disastrous recipe/meal failure? I just made stuffing for about 12-14 people for an early Thanksgiving with friends; however, I confused the Thursdays and now have 3 casseroles of stuffing in my fridge.
Favorite pickled item? I love almost all things pickled - pickles, sil, onions...(except maybe pig's feet and eggs...I am sure there a few others as well.)
How do you organize your recipes? They are not organized...on my computer, on notes on the fridge, in cookbooks, everywhere..
Compost, trash, or garbage disposal? Trash and garbage disposal - it's hard to compost in an apartment.
If you were stranded on an island and could only bring 3 foods...what would they be (don't worry about how you'll cook them)? Cheese, pasta, and tomatoes.
Fondest food memory from your childhood? My parents always made dinner and we ate at the table with the news on in the background. It wasn't until years later that I really appreciated this.
Favorite ice cream? I have been on a chocolate peanut butter kick from Haagen Daz.
Most loved kitchen appliance? My food processor and kitchen-aid mixer.
Spice/herb you would die without? Garlic. And sea salt.
Cookbook you have owned for the longest time? My parents gave me a Betty Crocker cookbook that I've had for Christmas several years ago and the Joy of Cooking a few years ago. This year I am hoping for Julia Child's first cookbook.
Favorite flavor of jam/jelly? Strawberry on toast and grape for PBJ.
Favorite recipe to serve to an omni (I would've used the word "uber" here, but hey, I didn't make this one up) friend? This is odd one that I am not sure I get. I suppose something creative...
Do you eat tofu? Yes, I do. And I especially like it in miso soup.
Favorite meal to cook (or time of day to cook)? Dinner as I get inspired from watching Ina and Giada. It's relaxing after work and can take your mind off of things for a while.
What is sitting on top of your refrigerator? An electric frying pan and a few boxes of cereal.
Name 3 items in your freezer without looking. Veggies, raviolis, and ice cream.
What's on your grocery list? In the words of another blogger Cindy at Figs, Lavender, and Cheese...I shop like a French housewife - meal to meal. Often my list includes, cheese, onions, cauliflower, green beans, tomatoes, garlic, pasta, red sauce, steak, fish, wine, milk, eggs...a lot of the usuals...depends on the recipe of the day
Favorite grocery store? Whole Foods is outstanding but drains my wallet...recently I have been frequenting the brand new Safeway.
Name a recipe you'd love to try, but haven't yet. Everything in my new cookbook from Ina Garten...
Food blog you read the most. I read a ton of them: BigRedKitchen, DC Foodies, Metrocurean, Attifood.
Favorite chocolate? Dark.
Most extravagant food item purchased lately? Different kinds of fancy sea salt
What vegetables do you enjoy most? Cauliflower, asparagus, onions, artichokes, and mushrooms.

Finally Friday

Posted 14 November 2008, 9:11 PM

Hello Internets,

Happy Friday!

I am waiting for Lipstick Jungle's new episode to air at 10pm. Sadly, NBC canceled Lipstick Jungle—much to my dismay. I rented season 1 this past summer on Netlfix and caught up. I have been faithfully following season 2. Now, NBC has to pull the rug out from me as soon as I invest myself in a new show for the first time in a few years. Lipstick Jungle is a fun show and entertaining. It's not revolutionary or thought provoking or going to change the world with novel ideas; but just good, relaxing entertainment. I will enjoy it while it lasts, this isn't the worst thing in life.

Any suggestions on a replacement to watch?

Night!

Wednesday/Monday

Posted 12 November 2008, 23:54 PM

Hi Internets,

Today felt like Monday all over again and really, it was Wednesday. I felt confused and was thrown off all day thinking it was a Monday, even though I didn't have the usual Monday meetings. Today was also not exactly what I would call smooth. It was a bumpy ride from the moment that I walked in the door til the moment I walked out. It can really throw you off going back to the office after having a day off in the middle of the week. I do love a day off but I must admit that I prefer a Monday or Friday to a day somewhere in the middle. Usually by about noon on Wednesday you are more than halfway through the week and on the downhill go to the weekend and I couldn't even realIy appreciate that. While I try not to wish my life away (always wishing for the weekend) but I sure do love the weekend. This will be another weekend devoted to rest, relaxation, reading, and maybe even a dinner out. Next weekend I will be on the road to the Bay state, as it is the only place to celebrate Thanksgiving for the week.

Tomorrow night, I have "Thanksgiving before Thanksgiving" and it will be a fun night with friends, homemade dishes, and of course, some vino. I am debuting a stuffing recipe...it is a little shaky. Hopefully someone besides me will want to try it out. Don't fret though, I will be sure to let you know how it turned out.

See you tomorrow!

Request for recipes!

Posted 10 November 2008, 10:18 PM

Hello Internets,

Tonight's post brings calls for all readers, chefs, cooks, kids, parents, puppies—you name it.

Later this week I will be celebrating a "Thanksgiving before Thanksgiving" with friends. I am charged with the making the stuffing or dressing, whatever you call it in your neck of the woods. I am considering two different recipes, just for the fun it. This is where all of my faithful readers come in. Now, I am not sure who you are but I have been checking stats and some of you, you know who you are, have been reading. So I am requesting recipes and suggestions from you! Think about it, this is one of those rare instances in life where your opinion is truly being solicited and welcomed.

I have an old family recipe that includes giblets, salt pork, celery, onions, garlic, stock, breadcrumbs and a few other items, some sauteing, some food processing, then into a little casserole to bake (or stuff into the bird, but since I am not tasked with the turkey, I am skipping that part). I know this may not sound too appealing but I guarantee you that it is just delicious. So, this is one that I am thinking about debuting for friends.

Suggestions and recipes can be sent to oyster@holsteintomato.com.

Tomorrow is Veterans' Day. Please take a moment tomorrow to remember and honor our military veterans.

Goodnight!

Sunday Fun-day

Posted 9 November 2008, 8:29 PM

Hello Internets,

Sunday night is here already. That weekend will disappear right before your eyes whether you realize it or not. And mine just about did. So here is my wrap up.

I had a fantastic weekend that consisted of a trip to the dog park and to Barnes and Noble on Saturday. I perused some of my favorite magazines (In Touch, New Yorker, Washingtonian, Monocle, In Style, etc.), and read a smidge of Barack's biography, "Dream of My Father: A Story of Race and Inheritance" for the sake of curiosity. I knew that it was written well before he was on the national stage and thought it might be quite insightful. Even though I only read about 30 pages, I will likely purchase a copy off of Amazon.com. Later on Saturday, I enjoyed a lovely and delicious dinner with wonderful friends at the Melting Pot to the button popping point. I collapsed in a food coma upon arriving home.

Sunday proved to be much cooler, yet still a beautiful crisp day in the District. After a trip to Brueggers for a smoked salmon sandwich, off to Georgetown we headed for a little shopping and a lot of walking. Miss Churchill accompanied us shopping at the Paper Source, Barnes and Noble (again, there might be a slight addiction), J. Crew, Blue Mercury, and in and out of a few other stores. Miss Churchill's agenda on this voyage included a long walk through leaf fallen neighborhoods and the breezy waterfront. The lovely shops and beautiful streets of Georgetown welcome friendly canines more than most neighborhoods and Miss Churchill loves all the pats and compliments she can get. Now, I am home avoiding the small project for work that I have been thinking about all weekend. Hello, my name is procrastination.

Here are a few pics of Miss Churchill enjoying her Sunday stroll through colorful fall leaves and the Georgetown canal (where she almost dove in after some unassuming mallards).

Confessions

Posted 8 November 2008, 7:43 PM

Good evening Internets,

Well now that we have known each other for a mere week, I think it is time for some confessions.

I think I like that new Leona Lewis song, "Better in Time." I have a feeling that this one is going to be stuck in my head for a while like that Campbell's soup commercial song was. I am not going to tell you which one, because I fear a relapse.

I thought #1 was by Mariah Carey. Obviously my ear for music is stupendous. Thankfully, for the sake of your taxes, I have a job in the most opposite of fields so I manage to keep my job.

I love Jelly Bellys and have no compunctions about picking out the flavors I like. Surprisingly, while buttered popcorn and Boston baked beans are two of my favorite things, the Jelly Belly versions revolt me.

I LOVE LOVE LOVE Mariah's version of "All I Want for Christmas." I don't kid myself on this one, I know I can't hit those notes like "Mimi" (a la Perez Hilton) but I sure do try. Just ask my friends.

I can sing #4 all year round. No reason for the season to exercise those vocal chords. In fact, I don't think I have ever needed reason to break into song.

I like spaghettio's, a lot. Even the ones with the hot dogs. Who doesn't love some processed and canned meat and pasta from time to time?
I like trashy celebrity gossip magazines. It is important to keep up with the times. The WaPo, NYTimes, and the Globe don't quite cover these topics in the detail that I thrive on.

I also like junk TV … Kimora Lee's show, Real Housewives of Orange County (really jazzed about the new upcoming season), Dr. 90210 … you know those sorts of TV shows that kill brain cells and drag your I.Q down to about room temperature. Besides, who doesn't need to re-baseline their own reality.
I could spend a beautiful Saturday lounging on the couch reading #7, watching #8, while singing #1 and #4, and eating #6 and #3.
#9 does not make feel in remotely guilty. Hey, it's a once in a while type of thing. We all have our vices and these are just a few of mine.
That is enough about shallow me for one night. (Yes, there is a lot more alarming things that will all be revealed in due time.) Time to hit the town for dinner out and support this economy of ours!

Bonne nuit mes amis!

Have a great Saturday night and I'll be back tomorrow scratching the bottom of the barrel for more ideas to leave you all captivated.

w E e K e N d !

Posted 7 November, 2008, 11:21 PM

Happy Weekend Internets,

Yesterday I wrote about how Thursday is my favorite day of the week. Along those same lines, there is nothing like a Friday night at home, with nothing but a good dinner, reading material, a little internet, and a movie. Glorious.

I have a porterhouse with a spread of butter bleu cheese and shallot with garlic with a side of green beans and a glass (or two) of Goats du Roam. I think I may have picked out that bottle solely based on that name. It's clever and hey, it's Friday so why not?! I have a lot of newspapers and magazines to catch up on tonight and that will overflow to Saturday and Sunday. I am catching up on my google reader, news, and watching Baby Mama. It was the only "decent" movie available in the $1 machine at the grocery store. And, on Fridays, I lower my media standards.

We had an abnormally warm yet beautiful day here in the lovely District of Columbia. I love the fall and I love love love cool and even cold weather. But I did enjoy the warm day realizing that it is likely the last one for a while, even if it did feel quite spring-y. I hail from central Massachusetts and winter was one thing that there was no escaping. I look forward to the fall and winter every year - more so than spring and summer. While I am not immune to being cold, you can always have a cup of tea or hot chocolate (even some vino), throw on an extra sweater or add a blanket, and eat a hearty meal. I like cozying up on the couch and reading. I do not enjoy oppressive humidity and heat.

Now, I do enjoy the summer, but I like summers on the Cape, with an ocean breeze and cooler nights--not summers in cities that were built on swamps with a sewage-like stench. If you want to know what makes me crabby, that would be at the top of the list. Luckily, I still get to spend time on the Cape but not like I used to. I think you always pine for yesteryear in one way or another.

So, now that we all are familiar with my meteorological preferences and can sleep easier tonight, maybe some of you might still check in tomorrow to still see if I have a blogging pulse.

I'll spare you for now -

Goodnight!

Thursdays and the Pack Rat Gene

Posted 6 November, 2008, 11:27 PM

Allo, Allo-

I mentioned that I would discuss my favorite day of the week yesterday. Thursday is just about my favorite day of the week, most weeks. And this week is no exception. I like Thursday because you know you only have one more day in the proverbial salt mines. (I doubt many of my readers, if I have any, mine salt. So I use that expression frequently and in jest. But if any of you are salt miners, I should would be interested to hear from you.) Then you have two days off that typically and hopefully leave you carefree and away from the office. Don't get me wrong, I do cherish the weekend but I like what I call the "Thursday perspective" best.

I managed to get my hands on the commemorative copy of the November 5 Washington Post. I like to collect newspapers that document historic moments. I was, after all, a history major so this sort of comes naturally to me. I have an entire plastic storage container under my bed filled with newspapers from September 11 to recent presidential elections to the Red Sox winning the World Series and many more recent news headlines. I remember finding newspapers from when President Kennedy was elected, later assassinated, when Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin landed on the moon and many more important moments in the history of the United States in my parents' cellar. This sort of collecting might leave you thinking that I am a carrier for the pack rat gene. While this may very well be true, I do love finding these gems and rereading them from time to time. I think about where I was when the events occurred, what I thought, what my friends and family thought, what the nation thought, current perspectives and what have we learned. Most of all, I hope that I can one day share these newspapers with someone else.

Happy Thursday!

The day after

Posted 5 November, 2008, 10:06 PM

Hi Internets,

Well it is the day after and I think you know what I am talking about. As patriotic and as invested in the political process as I am (I was a history major after all) I can honestly say that I am glad the election is over. I am glad that the decision was clear last night. I am glad that the election is not dragging on. And, I am ready to look forward to the new President. I must say that I was very impressed with both speeches last evening and felt incredibly positive.

I have renewed interest in following the news. I grew up watching the news around the dinner (supper - if you are from New England) hour and having newspapers around the house, but recently I have lost interest in the repetitive nature of the the day to day news. The constant barrage of the campaign news and the who said and did not say what grew tiring. I am ready to hear what the exact details of changes will be, follow the execution of said changes, witness the development of the new cabinet, and I look forward to growth for our country as a whole and hoping that the government can work together and begin to fix some of our current problems. I realize that the news and media are a business and at times have their own agenda, so I may be slightly idealistic here. But perhaps, I am most looking forward to some new news. I love watching and reading the news but I just could not read one more article or watch one more segment rehashing or manipulating the same issue or story over and over again. Political parties and voting aside, I think we can all say that we are happy the election is over and hope that the campaigning for the next election waits a few years.

On an unrelated note, I must say that blogging every day is a challenging way to roll out one's brand new blog. As I said before, blog updates are coming, but in the meantime email me at oyster@holsteintomato.com.

Tomorrow is Thursday and for that I am thankful. For Thursday is my favorite day of the week and that is worthy of its own post, perhaps tomorrow.

Night!

Big Night

Posted 4 November, 2008, 10:07 PM

Hello Internets,

Well, tonight is a big night for America as we await the decision of our next President. I waited in line to vote today like many Americans. Honestly, it didn't bother me in the least. I actually anticipated having to wait in line as it is fairly normal for my neck of the woods/city. It is the first time I have voted in person and not on an absentee ballot. I found it to be an interesting and worthwhile experience.

In spite of all the party differences, I have found the commonality of the voting experience to be unifying among all democrats, republicans, libertarians, green party, or whatever your flavor is. Despite our political preferences, we all share in the voting experience and responsibility. While we may feel that our personal votes do not count individually at times, I personally feel that the act and effort of voting is one of the most important rights that we have.

I arrived at work a little tardy today (after voting) and the first thing my coworkers and I discussed was our various voting experiences … the wait, the organization, the people, the parking, the lines, and the polling. Everyone seemed excited to participate in this American political process, even while we all had some complaints and some laughs along the way. We all seemed to align on a couple of factors: the pride in making a vote, the fun and concern over filling out the actual ballot - paper or electronic, and the entertainment of the other people in line.

Here is Miss Churchill, who is anxiously chewing her frisbee with her prized "I voted" sticker as she awaits results for Decision 2008. Although she is just a puppy, she has been listening to the all the discussions and debates and has learned about the importance of voting. She can't wait until she gets to cast her own vote, even if it is for the dog catcher!

Miss Churchill eats
her frisbee

Goodnight Internets … tomorrow we will have a new President!

Woof woof! Nudge nudge! Vote vote!

Posted 3 November, 2008, 10:29 PM

Bow wow Internets,

Miss Churchill

Allow me to introduce myself, I am Miss Churchill. I am a 10 month old black lab puppy, and cute as a button. Or at least that is what my humans say. I am a patriotic American superstar encouraging everyone to vote tomorrow. It is not so important that you know all the issues inside and out but that you make effort to participate in the democratic process. You are lucky and fortunate folks with the privilege to vote for your leaders. I am not old enough to vote yet but I promise to register once I am. I woof woof to my humans and let them know what I think about the candidates and at least I know my puppy voice is heard!

I don't know what I'll look forward to after tomorrow, maybe my first birthday and Christmas! But in the meantime, I'll be watching the election from the comfort of my bed, chewing on a toy to soothe my puppy nerves.

I'll be at the polls bright and early to watch the nice cool sunrise and the sweet beauty of the American voting force!

VOTE!

Vote early and often!
Miss Churchill

blog day 2

Posted 2 November, 2008, 11:01 PM

Hello Internets,

So here is a some information about little ole me. I am a New England transplant living in the nation's capital. I grew up in central Massachusetts and spent my summers on the Cape. I miss the Cape a lot but, fortunately I visit my parents often who live there year round now. I have intentions of moving back but circumstances have not made that possible yet. I have come to enjoy Washington but it's transient and isn't as rooted and traditional like New England. Washington has many museums, great restaurants, and interesting people.

I love cheese, wine, good food and cooking, FoodTV, coffee, tea, the ocean, reading, learning, relaxing, and my family and friends. I like magazines, makeup, blogs, news, the Internet, a good bargain, grocery shopping, sports (Red Sox, Patriots, etc.), long walks, and the fall and winter. I really could live without hot and humid weather (i.e. summers in Washington), poor grammar, know-it-alls, and laziness.

It's Sunday night and I am mentally gearing up for another long week in the salt mines. These days I am very thankful to have a job but I sure wouldn't mind winning the lottery and living a life of leisure. I have long decided that Thursday is my favorite day of the week. You know that you only have one more day at the office and then two days off to look forward to. Recently I have been either at weddings or out of town on the weekends so I had full intentions to catch up on the tedious items like laundry, chores, and errands this weekend. However I wasn't quite that productive. I was more interested in what I like to call lazing around with no agenda, in comfy clothes, watching FoodTV, Interneting, dog parking, and catching up on some much needed sleep. Sometimes you just need a lazy, relaxing weekend. And that, my friends is exactly what I did.

Au revoir

Inaugural post!

Posted 1 November, 2008, 11:59 PM

Hello Internets,

This is my inaugural blog post. I am committing myself to participate in NaBloPoMo so I will have to post everyday. I have had intentions to start a blog for months but haven't been able to settle on a name that I really liked so I have chosen a temporary one. Feedback is encouraged and welcome. I decided that I couldn't put this off any longer if I ever intended to get the blog ball rolling and actually do it. I enjoy reading blogs immensely and have long been a lurker of many blogs. In the coming days, comments, feeds, and a blogroll will be available. Until my blog has more functionality, please email me at oyster@holsteintomato.com.

Stay tuned as my blog name will likely change due to my slightly indecisive nature.

~ Au revoir Internets

Hanky Pankies

Posted 30 November 2008, 10:20 PM

Two more days...

Posted 29 November 2008, 11:32 PM

Black Friday

Posted 28 November 2008, 8:18 PM

Happy Thanksgiving!

Posted 27 November 2008, 11:24 PM

Sea Salt Caramels

Posted 26 November 2008, 10:22 PM

November 25

Posted 25 November 2008, 11:37 PM

November 24

Posted 24 November 2008, 10:45 PM

Sunday again

Posted 23 November 2008, 11:01 PM

487 miles

Posted 22 November 2008, 9:56 PM

Christmas Meme

Posted 20 November 2008, 11:57 PM

19 November 2008

Posted 19 November 2008, 11:11 PM

18 November 2008

Posted 18 November 2008, 10:28 PM

T - 4 days

Posted 17 November 2008, 10:47 PM

I scream, you scream, Miss Churchill screams for ice cream!

Posted 16 November 2008, 11:28 PM

A food meme!

Posted 15 November 2008, 11:58 PM

Finally Friday

Posted 14 November 2008, 9:11 PM

Port Thursday

Posted 13 November 2008, 9:59 PM

Wednesday/Monday

Posted 12 November 2008, 23:54 PM

Almost to hump day

Posted 11 November 2008, 23:02 PM

Request for recipes!

Posted 10 November 2008, 10:18 PM

Sunday Fun-day

Posted 9 November 2008, 8:29 PM

Posted 8 November 2008, 7:43 PM

w E e K e N d !

Posted 7 November, 2008, 11:21 PM

Thursdays and the Pack Rat Gene

Posted 6 November, 2008, 11:27 PM

The day after

Posted 5 November, 2008, 10:06 PM

Big Night

Posted 4 November, 2008, 10:07 PM

Woof woof! Nudge nudge! Vote vote!

Posted 3 November, 2008, 10:29 PM

blog day 2

Posted 2 November, 2008, 11:01 PM

Inaugural post!

Posted 1 November, 2008, 11:59 PM