salt and lemonade

Cranberry Pork Roast (Crock Pot Recipe)

2012-01-22T09:41:00.003-05:00

This one is for Jenny's crock pot recipe library. Although it has a number of ingredients, it's pretty simple to prepare. You can vary the seasonings as desired - it can even be made with just the pork and cranberry sauce, if you don't have any of the other ingredients available. Serve with mashed potatoes and a strongly flavored green vegetable, like kale or spinach.

Ingredients:

1 (2-3 lb) boneless pork roast
2 cups whole berry cranberry sauce

1 teaspoon ground ginger
1 tablespoon prepared spicy brown or whole grain mustard

1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper

1 clove garlic, pressed

1/3 cup pomegranate juice

Juice from 1/2 lemon

Recipe:

Trim any excess fat from the pork. A little is fine, but if it has a thick layer of fat on top, you'll want to remove it.

Place the pork in the crock pot and turn it to low.
Combine the remaining ingredients in a bowl, blending well.
Pour the sauce over the pork.
Cover the crock pot, and cook for 8-10 hours.

Newt's Taxes

2012-01-20T08:45:00.000-05:00

We'll see if the media gives Newt a free pass on his tax return...He released his individual return...however most of his income (2.5 million out of 3.0 million) comes from Gingrich Holdings...and he did NOT release that return. I don't feel it's necessary for a candidate to release their return...but if someone is being holier than thou about the topic, they should at least be held accountable for doing what they said they were going to do. We have no idea what his actual total income was just by looking at his return.

Turnip and Butternut Squash Puree

2011-11-08T14:37:00.004-05:00

Turnips (more accurately rutabagas) are an important feature of Thanksgiving in my family of origin. They were actually always there - but no one ate them- until one year my mother decided to skip them. Suddenly 5 teenagers and young adults who had never much cared about the turnips were outraged...as having them was a TRADITION. So, back on the menu they went, and there they've stayed. Not everyone cares for their slightly bitter flavor, however.

I recently found myself with a very large basket of butternut squash from Tom's garden, and a single turnip (rutabaga) from Katie's crop share. Together, they created something beautiful - the sweetness of the squash blends nicely with the flavor of the turnip, eliminating all traces of bitterness.

To serve 4, generously:

1 medium butternut squash (about 1.5 pounds), peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks
1 small yellow turnip (about 1 pound), peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks
1/2 cup chicken stock
2 tablespoons butter
Nutmeg, salt, and pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 400°F.
Place squash in roasting pan in a single layer.
Pour broth over squash.
Cover with foil and bake for 45 minutes, until tender.
While the squash is cooking, place the turnips in a medium saucepan. Cover with water, bring to a boil, reduce heat to a simmer, and cook until tender, about 40 minutes.
Drain the vegetables, and place them in a food processor with the butter.
Puree until smooth.
Add nutmeg, salt, and pepper to taste.

We served this with Bulgur stuffed peppers last night, but it just as easily pair with a Thanksgiving turkey, or a Christmas prime rib.

Bulgur Stuffed Red Peppers

2011-09-21T18:39:00.004-04:00

If you've been overdoing it on the heavy fare served by chain restaurants such as Olive Garden or Outback, the vegetarian entree I prepared tonight might help get your diet back on track. These stuffed peppers are low-fat, under 200 calories a serving, and filled with vitamins and fiber.

Ingredients:

*2 red bell peppers
*1/3 cup chicken broth
*1/3 cup bulgur wheat
*1 tablespoon olive oil
*1 small onion, finely chopped
*1 clove garlic, minced
*1 large carrot, finely chopped
*1/2 cup parsley, minced
*1 egg, beaten
*1/4 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
*Non-stick cooking spray
*8 tablespoons tomato sauce
*4 tablespoons shredded Parmesan

Recipe:

*Preheat oven to 375°F. C
*Cut red peppers in half through stem end. Remove seeds and cut out ribs.
*Bring chicken broth to boil in medium saucepan; add bulgur. Remove from heat. Cover and let stand until bulgur is tender, about 5 minutes.
*Heat 1 tablespoon oil in large skillet over medium-high heat.
*Add chopped onion, garlic, carrot, and parsley; sauté until tender, about 15 minutes.
*Spray skin side of pepper halves with non-stick spray and place skin side down in baking dish.
*Combine vegetables, bulgur, egg, and pepper.
*Divide bulgur mixture among pepper halves.
*Cover pan with foil and bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes.
Remove foil and top each half with 2 tablespoons of tomato sauce.
*Sprinkle with cheese.
*Broil for 5 minutes until cheese is melted.

Preheat oven to 425°F. Bake stuffed peppers until heated through, about 25 minutes (or 30 minutes if chilled); serve.

Heathcare Inequities

2011-09-18T19:07:00.004-04:00

Let's start by acknowledging that I'm a conservative Republican. I did not vote for Barack Obama, but I'm also not a fan of extremists like Rick Perry and Michelle Bachman. I generally favor fiscal restraint and limited government.

That said, I do support the healthcare for all initiative we have in Massachusetts. It just seems right to me to provide a means for all citizens to afford healthcare, to require large corporations to participate in the effort, and to ask citizens who choose to opt out to pay a small portion of the costs the state incurs in providing free care to those who choose to forgo insurance.

Recently, Applebees sold 66 stores in New England to Apple American Group LLC. Apple American has over 16,000 employees and operates 270 stores. As part of the sale, all employees in the affected stores were terminated by Applebees, and rehired by Apple American. Waitstaff in Massachusetts were offered health insurance, as required by law.

Yesterday, I was dining at an Applebees restaurant in Maine that was affected by the sale. My dining companion was a Massachusetts Applebees waitress, and she struck up a conversation with our server about the coming changes. She asked the server what she thought of the new uniform requirements. The server replied that the uniform change didn't bother her - what bothered her was LOSING HER HEALTH INSURANCE. That's right, as part of the sale, her new employer is not offering insurance. She was told about her rights to COBRA, which more than tripled her monthly cost. This woman is not young, but she is still several years away from being eligible for Medicare. She is an older employee in a tough job market. She can't afford the COBRA payments, so she is choosing to go without insurance. She said that she just hopes she won't get sick or need expensive prescription drugs.

Massachusetts waitstaff are protected by law; Maine waitstaff are not. That is not right.

Looking Forward to 2011!

2010-12-31T16:41:00.002-05:00

2010 was a year of highs and lows - a bit of a roller coaster. On January 8, I posted my New Year's resolutions online. The first (to make all of Katie's swim meets) was derailed on January 24 when I slipped on black ice and broke my back. Between a month in the hospital, and several months in a brace and hospital bed at home, I not only missed all of swim season, but most of Jenny's softball season as well. (Down)

The bright side of the injury was that I had 16 hours a day to devote to building up my portfolio as a Vertical Manager at Mahalo, generating over $10,000 a month in earnings. (Up) Unfortunately, as soon as I hit that level, the Vertical Manager program was eliminated. (Down) However, the experience gave me the confidence to start my own business with Colette Larson, a good friend I met at Mahalo in 2007. Our company now has two sites (Pharmacy Drug Guide) and (Best Free Stuff Guide) and is turning a profit. We couldn't have done it with our initial core of writers- who, although they are now being paid, took a risk and wrote for us on trust when we started. (Up)

That's just a sample of my 2010 - some really bad - some really good. I am determined to view the year as ending on a hopeful note, however, and am looking forward to the dawn of the new decade with faith and believe that good things lie ahead for me and those I love.

Is it Okay to Be Sexy at 76?

2010-10-20T21:18:00.006-04:00

I admit it - I watch Dancing With the Stars. For fun. I enjoy learning about the difference between the Foxtrot and the Quickstep- but I also enjoy watching people who are successful in one arena totally put themselves out there to succeed in another.

This season, it's been fun to watch 76 year old Florence Henderson compete with others one quarter her age. Last night, after having been told by the judges that it was her best dance ever, and despite having received judges scores that put her well above the two 19 year olds who were at the bottom, the "popular vote" voted her out. I've heard it alleged that the Tea Party was behind it it - urging their supporters to vote for Bristol Palin- and that this is a harbinger of what their power will do in the November elections.

I don't buy it. Last week, Henderson danced a rhumba that was sensual and sexual. While it was no more explicit that other rhumbas I've seen on the show, judge Carrie Ann Inaba said that it "creeped her out". So I guess seeing 76 year old women as sexual beings is creepy? And on The View, co-host Sherri Shepard maintained that it was "icky" when Barry Williams (who had played Henderson's son Greg on The Brady Bunch) kissed Henderson during a dance rehearsal.

Henderson was voted off because the public was not comfortable with seeing a 76 year old woman as a sexual being - so they spared her 19 year old competitors. Age-ism is alive and well in America.

Celebrate National Lasagna Day on July 29

2010-07-28T21:03:00.002-04:00

Lasagna has always been closely tied to Christmas for me. Growing up in an Italian family with five children who were not enamored of fish, it became our family's traditional Christmas Eve dinner. I was surprised to learn that National Lasagna Day was celebrated at the end of July- on my English-German mother-in-law's birthday, no less.

While making lasagna would be a great way to celebrate, it's a bit too hot for turning on the oven these days. Luckily, there are several restaurants that are offering half price lasagna to celebrate. Buca di Beppo is even serving up free lasagna.

Simple Italian Menu for the Grill

2010-07-25T14:10:00.002-04:00

It's a hot, lazy summer day here in New England. What better time to use the grill instead of the stove? I'm looking forward to preparing a spicy meal of devil's chicken, grilled broccoli rabe (yes, you can grill broccoli rabe-- it takes about 3 minutes), and bruschetta with tomato salad.

This menu can also be done in the broiler, if the weather isn't conducive to grilling where you are. Here's a simple method to broil broccoli rabe.

How to Make Chocolate Lava Cakes

2010-07-11T00:09:00.002-04:00

Molten Chocolate Lava Cakes used to be a gourmet treat at fancy restaurants. Now that Domino's Pizza has put them on the menu they've become a more accessible indulgence. This recipe from Chef Dave Martin from Bravo's ''Top Chef'' shows how simple it is to make lava cakes at home. Do you have chocolate, eggs, flour, sugar, and butter in your kitchen right now? If so, you're less than 30 minutes away from chocolate heaven.

How to Make Pesto

2010-07-03T11:28:00.005-04:00

One of my favorite restaurants, Not Your Average Joe's has shared their recipe for pistachio pesto just in time for the summer herb harvest. I've tried it at the restaurant and it's great! This recipe combines basil and mint, but you can use all basil if you like. Pesto freezes well, and makes a great topping for grilled meats and vegetables.

1/2 cup roasted shelled pistachios
1 1/2 oz basil leaves
1/2 cup mint
2 Tablespoon
3/4 cup olive oil
1/2 cup romano grated
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper ground

Place all of the ingredients in a blender and blend smooth. Place in an airtight container and hold for up to a week. For a nice touch, sprinkle pistachios over the finished dish.

If you prefer a classic pesto, Chef Paolo Laboa explains how to make a traditional Pesto Genovese in this video. He explains how subtle differences in basil, pine nuts, and olive oil affect the taste of the pesto.

How to Make a Flag Cake

2010-07-02T00:33:00.002-04:00

Ina Garten demonstrates how to make a Flag Cake which is perfect for the Fourth of July on this Food Network video. Alrthough Garten teaches how to make a homemade sponge cake for the base, you can use a mix and top with Garten's frosting and berries for a quick version.

The Last Three Weeks

2010-02-15T10:55:00.004-05:00

Three weeks ago today I had one of those moments when your life changes in an instant. I'd driven my son to school (actually he'd driven me as we are living through that parental nightmare called "permit time"), stopped the car at the mailbox and grabbed the mail that I hadn't collected since Saturday, opened the car door with hands full, and stepped out.

The next second, I was on the ground, having slipped on black ice, in too much pain to move. To make it worse, it was raining. I shouted-- nobody heard. I set off the car alarm-- nobody came. After about 35 minutes I was able to slide my arm over to reach my cell phone which miraculously hadn't been broken in the fall. I called my husband, who'd been sitting warm, dry, and oblivious inside while I was on the ground. He came out, called the EMTs....and I've been in the hospital/rehab ever since.

Rumor is I'm getting sprung on Wednesday-- home with hospital bed and a whole cadre of support professionals to help organize my life-- visiting nurses, occupational therapists, home health aides, and physical therapists.....this is a whole universe I knew nothing about.

I have learned a lot these past three weeks.

#1. I am incredibly lucky. Yes, I burst my L1 vertebrae and have become best friends with drugs I'd never heard of...but a little bit either way and I wouldn't be complaining about how much it hurts to walk or sit...I wouldn't be doing either. Everything works-albeit a bit slower.

#2. I have friends. The cards, visits, and flowers have been almost non stop. Accupressure and ginger tea to help with nausea from all the drugs, silly magazines and life savers...all the little things that met needs I didn't know I had. I will have a full time job writing thank you notes.

#3.Healthcare workers are overworked-- and still manage to put others' needs above their own. I am almost always greeted by smiling motivating people-- who seem to have nothing in the world to do except meet my needs. I do not see their personal struggles reflected in their attitudes, even though I know they all have the same challenges we all face. Somehow these angels manage to leave all that at the door.

#4. I am blessed to have a job that I can do anywhere there is wi-fi-- and to have landed in a hospital/rehab facility that have reliable wi-fi.

#5. Creative problem solving and teamwork can solve any problem. I am going home because of a team that included me, my PT, my OT, and my Othotics guy, which resulted in customizing my brace in a way none have them had ever seen before to allow me to manage it independently.

#6.I have family who cares and sees to the little things...from my husband who shows up early and wakes me up with good coffee and fresh bagels, to a teenage son who washed my clothes and brought them to me in the hospital, to sisters and daughters who have been an unending source of support.

Life can change in an instant. And I believe I have finally, truly, learned the meaning of "don't sweat the small stuff". It's all small stuff- except the people you love, and those who love you.

Whopper Bar

2010-01-22T11:49:00.003-05:00

Do you want a beer with your Whopper? Burger King will start selling beer in Miami in February. Burger King launched their Whopper bar concept last March, with "Whopper bar Girls", "barristas", and a contemporary stainless steel and black and white interior design. The first Whopper bar, at Universal Studios, only featured soft drinks, but the international locations that followed served brewskis alongside the burgers. The South Beach Whopper Bar opening next month is the first in the U.S> to offer beer.

My New Year's Resolutions

2010-01-08T15:38:00.003-05:00

My friend Holly Kuovo, president of Fitting Fitness In was discussing goals the other day. Holly said that if you don't set a goal and write it down, you'll never achieve it. While I'm not sure I agree with that 100% (certainly some people must achieve goals without writing them down) it seemed like sensible advice. So, I'm not only going to write my goals down, I'm going to do it here, in public!

So, in no particular order of priority, here are my goals for 2010:

1. Make it to each any every one of Katie's remaining swim meets. (She's done for good after NEWMACs this year.)
2.Read a book a week.
3.Unload some of the "stuff" I've accumulated over the years, which has been greatly augmented by the "stuff" I inherited from my mother and grandmother. It's time to streamline, and let go.

Those may sound pretty simple- and not major life altering resolutions at all...Life altering may come later-- but for now, I think small and achievable is the way to go.

The Last Day of Summer

2009-09-20T17:15:00.002-04:00

Today was an absolutely perfect day. I'd say it was Indian summer, but we haven't had a frost yet, so technically it was just an average fall day...but technically it's not fall yet, either. I've probably experienced many days just like this in my life, but haven't stopped to appreciate them. This summer was so cold and wet, however, that I was really ready to appreciate the sun on my shoulders, the bright flowers in the garden, watching Riley lay in a pool of sunlight on the lawn, and all the little things that maybe I hadn't noticed before. I'd say that's true of life in general - you need to pass through a dark period to realize how special the ordinary things are.

Although the calendar begins in January, fall has always felt like the time of fresh starts for me. As the world slows down, and mother nature prepares to hibernate, I feel invigorated. So today was a perfect day to bid goodbye to summer, and bid hello to whatever the next few months have in store for me and those I love.

How Does Nicholas Cage Choose His Movies?

2009-09-01T21:58:00.003-04:00

Have you ever wondered how Nick Cage picks his next picture? Dan Howard explains it all in this candid conversation between Nick Cage and his agent.

Check the whole conversation out at collegehumor.com

Travel Musings...the Homogenization of American Dining

2009-07-11T23:16:00.003-04:00

I've been doing a fair amount of travel around the country recently. I remember taking business trips years ago, and enjoying visiting new cities, and discovering local specialties in local restaurants. It seems no matter where I go these days, I'm greeted by the same chain restaurants we see at home. Lunch at Panera Bread. Dinner at Texas Roadhouse, Longhorn Steakhouse, or Olive Garden. I've dined at these same establishments in Nashua New Hampshire, Bangor Maine, Boulder Colorado, and Oklahoma City to name a few.

Last week in Boulder, I asked the gentleman at the desk in our hotel where the best place to get a steak was-- assuming there would be a local secret place he would point me to. He paused, and said: "The best place for steak around here is the Texas Roadhouse....or maybe the Outback." I asked him "Isn't there somewhere local--not a chain-- that you'd recommend?" He said "Nope. Those are the best places around."

I'm sure I missed out on some great local restaurants that I didn't know how to find. And I wonder if the little local "special places" are getting forced out by the giant chain restaurants, the way Walmart and Target are impacting local retailers.

Something to think about the next time I head out to Chilis.

New Blog Launched!

2009-07-11T09:17:00.004-04:00

I've been writing pages for Mahalo for just about 2 years now, and am fairly proud of the most of the thousands of pages I've produced. The How To pages have been a way to archive my knowledge on everything from How to Write a Living Will to How to Can Tomatoes. I'm starting a new blog that will showcase that work, starting today with the group of pages I did on pancakes. Now, you may view pancakes as a fairly ordinary topic...but if you've ever wanted to know how to make sure that yours were light fluffy, that your blueberries didn't bleed, or that your chocolate didn't burn, you'll want to check out Good to Know's first post on Perfect Pancake Recipes.

What's Your Favorite Cupcake Recipe?

2009-06-09T15:28:00.003-04:00

I'm managing a page devoted to cupcakes over at Mahalo, and am wondering if your favorite cupcake variety is included? Check the page out and let me know!

Cupcakes

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How to Decorate Cupcakes

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DI Global Finals 2009

2009-05-21T23:58:00.001-04:00

Jenny and Andrew leading the Massachusetts Delegation

The Changeling Killer - Gordon Stewart Northcott and Walter Collins

2009-05-16T23:45:00.008-04:00

Gordon Stewart Northcott was a serial killer who has been credited with the murder of Walter Collins, the boy whose disappearance prompted the movie ''Changeling'', which tells the story of his mother, Christine Collins, and her struggle to find out the truth about what happened to him. These videos, by James Jeffrey Paul, the author of a biography of Northcott, provide a chilling look into the life of a serial killer.

Wineville Chicken Murders

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Robo-Calls

2009-05-09T16:45:00.003-04:00

I had my fill of robo-calls last election. So imagine my horror this week when they started again. I live in a small town of about 8,000 people, with maybe 4,000 registered voters. One selectman seat is up for grabs. One candidate has made 3 robo-calls to me, the last an hour ago, urging me to the polls. (I already voted). The other has also reached out to me 3 times - but each call has been a personal call, made by someone I know, who was ready to engage me in a discussion of the issues and answer any questions.

Guess which candidate I voted for?

The Shadow of 1918

2009-04-26T22:31:00.003-04:00

I grew up under the shadow of the 1918 flu pandemic. My grandmother was orphaned at age 7 when her mother, Amelia Yurkewich, died on October 14, 1918 at the age of 33. Gram was shuttled off to live with relatives, and with money scarce, was considered to be lucky to have a roof over her head. Her mother's death was a defining moment in her life--and the shadow followed my mother, as well. It was rarely spoken of, as the deepest family tragedies are usually dealt with - always there, but never discussed. The shadow was passed on to me...and whenever I hear the word "influenza", I think of Amelia, and that horrendous flu pandemic that killed 50 million young adults.

So, when I hear the reports from Mexico, and hear that this flu is affecting primarily young adults, I feel the shadow of 1918.

Patriot's Day Reflections

2009-04-19T06:58:00.004-04:00

Patriot's Day, for the uninitiated, is the anniversary of the day the day the first shots were fired at Lexington and Concord. Although it's celebrated on the third day in April, the actual event occurred on April 19, 1775...234 years ago today.

I sit here in my kitchen, 16 miles west of Lexington Green, enjoying the freedoms that were purchased when the farmers and townspeople of Littleton, Acton, Bedford, Lexington, Concord, and all the other small towns in the area, marched to meet the British on the April morning. Their goal was simple, to be able to live their lives in peace, free from government making decisions for them. The consequences of their outrage have affected almost every citizen of the plant over the last two centuries. That's not what they were thinking of that morning, however...it wasn't about a grand dream, or building a world super power...it was about being left alone to live their lives in peace and, hopefully, prosperity.

Individuals coming together because they worried about their families and their future, standing their ground, and taking courageous actions - changed the world.

So for me, the "take away" from Patriot's Day this year is this: Courage.

2009 Worcester City Meet : Women's Discus

2009-03-29T17:12:00.005-04:00

Katie MacDowell crushes it at the Worcester City Meet.

The images say it all. Three years after last touching a discus, she's still got it!

The Absolute Best Corned Beef and Cabbage

2009-03-20T10:04:00.004-04:00

While corned beef and cabbage, also known as NEBD, or New England Boiled Dinner, is a St. Patrick's Day staple, I generally make it several times a year. While contemplating the hash I'm going to make from the leftovers tomorrow, I thought I'd share my fool proof method for corned beef and cabbage.

*What You Need:
*4-5 pounds of flat cut ( more expensive but much leaner and easier to carve than point cut) corned beef brisket
*6 onions
*2 large celery ribs, with leaves, sliced into 2 inch chunks
*16 cloves
*1 bay leaf
*6 peppercorns
*Several springs of parsley
*1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary, or a sprig of fresh
*2 large garlic cloves, peeled
*8 potatoes
*6 carrots
*1 medium head of cabbage

*Step 1: Cook the beef with seasonings
1.Remove the meet from the package and rinse.
2.Discard the seasoning packet the manufacturer included.
3.Place the meat in a large pot.
4.Take 2 of the onions, peel them, and cut into quarters. Stud each onion quarter with 4 cloves, and add to the pot. Do not worry if they fall apart.
5.Add the celery, bay leave, peppercorns, parsley, rosemary and garlic to the pot.
6.Cover all with water, bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 2 hours.
7.Remove the meat to a second large pot. Strain the liquid over the meat, and discard the vegetables and seasonings.
8.You can stop and refrigerate the meat over night at this point, or continue.

*Step 2: Add the vegetables
1. Peel the remaining 4 onions and the potatoes and add them to the pot.
2. Bring everything back to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer for 15 minutes.
3. Peel the carrots, cut into 2 inch chunks, and add them to the pot. Adjust the heat if needed to keep it simmering.
4. Cook for 30 minutes.
5. Core and quarter the cabbage, and add it to the pot.
6.Bring everything back to a boil, reduce the heat and cook for 10 minutes more, or until everything is tender.

*Step 3: Serve and enjoy
1.Slice the meat across the grain and place on a platter, surrounded by the vegetables.
2.Serve with brown mustard, Irish Soda bread, fresh butter, and plenty of Guinness.
3.Any leftovers should be stored in the broth, and reheated in the liquid.

Home Affordable Refinance and Modification -Not!

2009-03-16T22:33:00.006-04:00

I think that home ownership is a good thing. I think that helping people avoid foreclosure is a good thing. I realize that sometimes life throws you curveballs, and we all should be prepared to help people out.

However, after spending several days going through the provisions of the Home Affordable Refinance and Modification Plans, I am concerned about several provisions. I am not supportive of using my tax dollars to lower interest rates to 2%. I am not in favor of forgiving debt for mortgages that are underwater.

I would have thought a better situation would be to lower rates to market, and then to extend the length of the loan to lower the payments to reach the 31% threshold that the plan seems to consider bearable. While in some cases this might produce very long term mortgages, I think its a more equitable solution in the long run. It allows people who are having trouble stay in there homes and allows people who can't refinance at lower rates because they are underwater to refinance. It does not reward people who assumed excessive amounts of debt by letting them out of their obligations.

Watchmen - Creating Dr. Manhattan

2009-03-07T22:04:00.005-05:00

I was invited to ''Watchmen'' tonight by my son--as he needed an adult escort. We both thought that the movie didn't live up to the hype. Although the movie left me flat, the special effects used to create Dr. Manhattan were pretty amazing.

Posted via web from susan's posterous

Cute Photo of the Morning: Red Panda in Memphis, Tennessee

2009-03-06T08:06:00.001-05:00

via flickr.com

"Gentle, friendly, and shy, the red panda looks like a cross between a small bear and a raccoon, although it isn't actually either. Red pandas belong to their own family called Ailuridae. They live in the cool high altitude regions of southeastern Asia and survive on a main course of bamboo leaves with an occasional flower, berry or acorn on the side..." (source:
http://www.mahalo.com/Red_Panda)

Posted via web from susan's posterous

Easiest Beef Pot Roast (aka Crock Pot, part two)

2009-02-25T18:08:00.004-05:00

Back in the day...(before kids)I would whip up complicated gourmet meals with expensive ingredients. Dinners consisted of multiple courses paired with matching wines. Working from home, as a corporate refugee, with college tuitions, a mortgage, and no bailout in sight, my culinary endeavors are simpler these days.

While not quite as simple as the chicken recipe I posted a few days ago, this is the simplest beef recipe I know. It is also a favorite of the two teens that still live at home--who are not known as adventurous eaters. When you make it the first time, don't be tempted to play with it by adding anything else--its amazingly good with just these three ingredients.

What's Needed
*2 1/2 - 3 lb. beef pot roast (chuck or bottom round both work well)
*1 can Campbell's Cream of Chicken Soup
*1 can Campbell's Cream of Mushroom Soup
*Crockpot

1. Place beef in crockpot
2. Open soups, and pour over beef
3. Cover the crockpot, and cook on low 8-10 hours, or on high 4-5 hours

Serve over noodles or mashed potatoes, with whatever vegetables you have around.

Back in my gourmet days, I would have sworn that I would never have made a recipe that required canned soup--let alone two cans. But given that Campbell's is one of the companies that's doing well in this wretched economy, I suspect I'm not alone.

Easy Crock-Pot Chicken, with Bonus!

2009-02-20T15:59:00.005-05:00

This is so simple, it probably doesn't even count as a recipe. Its the simplest meal I know, and guarantees moist flavorful chicken.

What's Needed
*Whole chicken
*Two lemons
*Seasonings of choice- I use garlic pepper and tarragon, but you can just use salt and pepper if you like--or let your imagination go wild.
*Crockpot
*Fork

1.Poke the lemons with a fork a few times.
2.Pull the giblets out of the chicken and discard.
3.Place the lemons inside the chicken.
4.Place the chicken in the crockpot.
5.Sprinkle the seasonings on the chicken.
6.Cover the crockpot, and cook on low 8-10 hours, or on high 4-5 hours.

That's it! Now for the bonus.

*When you take the chicken out, there will be juices left in the pot. You may spoon some over the chicken when serving, but there will probably be excess. Leave whatever you don't use in the pot. After you've carved the chicken for serving, put the carcass back in the crockpot. Add 2 carrots, 2 celery ribs, 2 onions, and 2 bay leaves. Don't worry about peeling the vegetables, just wash them and chop them coarsely. fill the pot with water to cover the carcass, and turn it back on to low. Allow it to simmer from 4-12 hours. Strain and discard the carcass and vegetables, and you have a flavorful stock ready to freeze or use for soup.

If you have any left-over chicken, you can use it to make a great chicken pot pie.

White House Uses Taxpayer Funds to Get Stimulus Passed

2009-02-15T09:00:00.005-05:00

Consider this: The United States is in a grip of a raging crisis. George W. Bush is at the helm, and is positive that he knows how to fix it. The Senate and Congress, both with Republican majorities, have crafted a bill that accomplishes his goals. The problem? He's one vote short. A strong advocate of the bill is out of town dealing will a personal tragedy. President Bush sends a government plane, at taxpayer expense, to bring the senator back to cast the crucial vote. The bill passes, and the government pays to return the senator back home.

Pretty outrageous, don't you think? The party in power uses taxpayer money to further their agenda, because, in their opinion, its important--and after all, they know what's best. When asked, they won't tell how much the plane cost. Arrogant. Outrageous. Abuse of Power. Those are the headlines you'd be reading.

Well, that exact situation happened this week, with a twist. The White House sent a plane to Ohio to bring Senator Sherrod Brown back to cast the deciding vote for a very partisan stimulus bill, in a rush to get it passed before anyone could read it.

It is not appropriate for the party in power to spend everyone's money to further their agenda.

Beverly Eckert, September 11 Widow

2009-02-13T14:26:00.006-05:00

I grew up in Rockville Centre, New York, a commuter town outside of New York City, that lost more than 20 people on September 11. Two of my classmates from Cornell died in the Twin Towers, as well. The day was a black hole for me, and for a long time after it, hearing the words 'September 11", brought back powerful feelings of loss and horror.

Over the past several years, with the phrase "September 11" being tossed around like a political football, the words have lost their impact. It all came rushing back to me this morning, though, when I awakened to hear that Beverly Eckert, widow of Sean Rooney, was killed in a plane crash on her way to announce a scholarship in his name at a high school in Canisius, New York.

Her death has brought out the conspiracy theorists in the blogosphere, as Ms. Eckert had refused the settlement offered to families of 9-11 victims, electing to sue. She stated:

"I've chosen to go to court rather than accept a payoff from the 9/11 victims compensation fund. Instead, I want to know what went so wrong with our intelligence and security systems that a band of religious fanatics was able to turn four U.S passenger jets into an enemy force, attack our cities and kill 3,000 civilians with terrifying ease. I want to know why two 110-story skyscrapers collapsed in less than two hours and why escape and rescue options were so limited.

I am suing because unlike other investigative avenues, including congressional hearings and the 9/11 commission, my lawsuit requires all testimony be given under oath and fully uses powers to compel evidence."

She was a brave woman, who picked herself up after a tragic loss, and used that loss to work for good in the world. She used her the past eight years to work for a cause she believed in. And now, on her way to honor her husband's 50th birthday by setting up a scholarship, she perishes, as he did, in a fiery plane crash. Is there a deeper meaning here? A conspiracy? A government plot?

In my opinion it was just a tragedy--a horrible senseless tragedy--for all the passengers on Continental Flight 3407, and the loved ones that are left behind.

Life is short.

Use each second wisely.

Twitter Success Story - More Financial Aid!

2009-02-07T09:59:00.007-05:00

Two days ago, Christopher Penn of Financial Aid Podcast posted this on Twitter:

"Any parents following me that are appealing for more financial aid midyear? DM or @ please! (need your help w/CNBC opp)"

I thought of my brother, who'd been laid off in December, and his daughter who is a freshman at an expensive private college. He'd gone through all of the school's procedures, filled out the "mid-year change in circumstances" forms, and had received a "Sorry, this year is all set" note back from the financial aid office. I wasn't sure if this was the type of situation that Chris was looking for, but sent him off a tweet in response anyway.

He responded, I sent him my brother's contact information, and that was that.
Or so I thought.

At 7:30 that evening, my brother called, telling me to make sure to watch CNBC's ''On the Money'' at 10 pm, as he was going to be calling in with a question about how to get your financial aid package adjusted if your circumstances change.

You can watch the exchange here:

Hugh asked his question, and Chris gave him some advice.

The morning after the broadcast, Hugh crafted a note to the school, using the tips Chris had given him. An hour after hitting "send", he received an email back, letting him know that his daughter's grant had been increased for the semester.

Twitter FTW.

2009 Grammy Performance Preview

2009-02-06T06:51:00.008-05:00

Ethical Issues Surrounding Nadya Suleman's Choice

2009-01-31T13:24:00.006-05:00

(Updated: February 23, 2009

Nadya Suleman, whose legal name may be Nadya Doud, is the woman who gave birth to octuplets in California on January 26, 2009. There is a lot of information swirling about her. Here are the facts I've been able to winnow out from all the "spin" that's been surrounding the issue:
*She's 33 years old, a college graduate, studying for her Master's degree in counseling
*She was divorced in January 2008 from Marcos Guttierrez.
*She has blocked fallopian tubes, which caused infertility
*She had 6 children prior to this birth, one of whom suffers from autism, and two others have developmental delays.
*The oldest of children is 7.
*All of her children were conceived by in vitro fertilization.
*The same sperm donor was used for all children.
*In an interview with Ann Curry, Suleman stated that the biological father was aware of all the children, but is a bit "freaked out" by how many there are.
*A man named "David Solomon" is listed on the birth certificate of the first four, but her father says that that is a false name.
*Denis Beaudoin appeared on Good Morning America on February 23, 2009, stating that he provided sperm to Suleman, and asked to take a paternity test.
*She had 6 leftover embryos from previous IVF cycles.
*She had the frozen embryos implanted, hoping for one more girl.
*The same doctor, Michael Kamrava, provided all of her fertility treatments.
*The 6 embryos produced 8 fetuses, as 2 split for twins.
*She refused selective reduction.
*There are no more embryos left.
*She lives with her parents, who are divorced but share the same house, in Whittier California.
*Her parents' combined income is about $9,000 a month
*Her mother, Angela Suleman, filed for bankruptcy in March 2008.
*Her mother has not made a mortgage payment on the house they live in since May 2008. They are over $23,000 in arrears and at risk of foreclosure
*Her father, Ed Suleman, works as a contractor in Iraq, and is gone most of the time.
*She has received over $160,000 is state disability payments due to a bad back.
The pregnancy has aggravated her back injury.
*She receives WIC aid, food stamps, and disability payments for 3 of her children.
*She maintains that she had a dysfunctional family, and had the children so that she would be able to "connect". (Interesting point--she feels that she had a dysfunctional childhood, but is still living in the same family unit she was raised in--just with the additional of 14 babies? THAT creates a "functional" family)

There are so many issues here, I hardly know where to begin. Having a child is an amazing thing--and the fact that we have technologies today that help people have families is truly a blessing. Woman that who 50 years ago would go through life with a hole in their heart that they would like to fill with a child don't need to suffer, thanks to the miracles that modern medicine can provide. Its a wonderful thing.

However, with these amazing technologies come the duty to use them responsibly. Any doctor who would implant 8 embryos in a woman who is opposed to selective reduction, is guilty of gross medical malpractice in my opinion. Add in that she already had six children, one disabled, that she could not support on her own--and that she was probably going through psychological turmoil due to a recent divorce....and the level of malpractice is unspeakable.
There are 14 children under the age of 7...growing up in a fractured home, under financial stress, 9 of whom require medical treatment. I hope Ms. Suleman's yearning for children is satisfied. I hope the doctor can sleep at night. And I hope that the children are somehow resilient enough to come through all of this unscathed.

FOX News includes an interview with the father and the nanny for the other children:

Here's a clip from Ann Curry's interview with Nadya Suleman:

Sneak Peek ! 2009 Super Bowl Commercials

2009-01-29T22:12:00.010-05:00

As a New England Patriots fan, I have to admit, I'm looking forward to the commercials more than the Super Bowl this year. The $3,000,000 for 30 seconds price tag may have deterred some companies from placing ads, but it looks as if there will still be a fun group to watch:

Angels and Demons
Budweiser Clydesdale
Career Builder
Cars.com
Cheetos
Chuck
Denny's
Doritos "Free Doritos"
Doritos New Flavor Pitch
Doritos Power of the Crunch
Doritos
Doritos The Chase
Doritos Too Delicious
Fast and the Furious
Frosted Flakes
GI Joe
Go Daddy Danica Patrick
Go Daddy
H and R Block
Heineken Warrior
Heroes
Hyundai Genesis
Hyundai
Jay Leno
Kings
LMAO NBC
Land of the Lost
Medium
Miller One
Monsters vs. Aliens
NFL Network
Pedigree
Pepsi
Sobe Lizard Lake
Sobe
Star_Trek
Teleflora
Transformers

My personal favorite ad that you won't see on Sunday is Pepsi's "My Generations" ad. It didn't make the final cut. I share it here for your enjoyment:

Scalloped Potatoes with Ham

2009-01-22T20:36:00.002-05:00

This is an absolute favorite at our house. Its simple and comforting, and a great way to stretch that last bit of ham into a full meal.

What you need:

*5 lbs. of potatoes
*1 large onion
*1-2 cups leftover ham, cubed
*2 T chopped fresh parsley
*3 T butter (plus a little extra to grease the pan)
*3 T flour
*Salt and pepper
*1/4 tsp paprika
*2 cups skim milk

*Sharp knife (or food processor)
*4 c. glass measuring cup
*Stock pot large enough to hold potatoes and onion
with several inches left over
*Colander
*9 by 13 roasting pan
*Whisk

1. Preheat oven to 375 F
2. Prepare the Potatoes and onions
*Peel and slice potatoes and onion about 1/8" of an inch thin
*Place potatoes, onions, and parsley in pot, cover with water
*Place the pot on the stove, turn heat to high, bring to boil
*Cook for 5 minutes after it begins to boil.
*Drain
3. While the potatoes are cooking, make the white sauce
*Place butter and flour in the 4 c glass measuring cup
*Microwave on high for 1 minute
*Add milk, whisk until well blended
*Microwave on high 3 minutes
*Whisk
*Microwave on high 3 minutes
*Whisk, add salt and pepper to taste, as well as 1/4 tsp paprika
*Set aside
4. Assemble the casserole
*Grease the 9 by 13 pan
*Spread half of the potatoes and onions in the dish
*Pour half of the white sauce over the potatoes
*Layer the ham on next
*Spread the rest of the potatoes on top
*Finish with the rest of the white sauce
5. Bake for 45 minutes- 1 hour until browned and crispy at edges

The Bright Side of a Snow Storm

2009-01-18T21:16:00.006-05:00

A snow storm that spreads over two days can been an annoyance--or a luxury.

I'd like to focus on a few of the good things:

1. Hot Chocolate. Of course you can make it any time, but there's nothing like hot chocolate sipped while looking out the window at falling snow.

2.Exercise. Clearing a walkway is more fulfilling than using exercise equipment.

3.Time. We've had the Band of Brothers DVDs sitting unopened for a while, and last night my 16 year old decided that we should watch them. Its been great watching these with him--its given us an opportunity to talk about things that we usually don't get around to.

The snow will end in the morning; we'll clear it up and get back to our usual routines. Instead of viewing it as an annoyance, however, I choose to view it as a gift - a special interlude in our too busy lives.

Mice in Cars

2009-01-17T22:58:00.005-05:00

I've been battling mice in the house ever since the cold weather set in. With two dogs, we can't use poison, so we set out traps. We catch some, but there seem to be an infinite supply of the little creatures. I'd become resigned to these uninvited guests, figuring that putting up with mice is one of the consequences of living in a semi-rural area.

This morning, however, the battle escalated. Tom started the Suburban and its electrical system was obviously a mess -- the car started and then seemed to die. He managed to get it to the repair shop. Several hours later he was presented with a ziploc bag filled with shredded materials -- the remnants of a mouse nest. They'd chewed through the wiring.

We're now at war.

Colbert on Gupta as Surgeon General: ''Penis in Peril''

2009-01-08T20:38:00.002-05:00

Stephen Colbert had a funny segment on some of Obama's cabinet selections. After lampooning Bill Richardson and Leon Panetta, he has fun with Sanjay Gupta, in a segment that the Colbert Report called "Penis in Peril".

The Colbert ReportMon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c

Dr. Gupta's Penis Pyramid

Colbert at Christmas
Colbert Christmas DVD

Green Screen
Bill O'Reilly Interview

Letting Go at Christmas

2008-12-06T09:22:00.009-05:00

Christmas has always been a magical time of year for me. This is the time of year, when no matter how dark things are, I still believe in miracles. Its been a sacred family time as well, with many small traditions--some that date back to my childhood, some that I've instituted with our family. We have a seafood meal on Christmas Eve, (in a nod to our Italian ancestors), walk around the neighborhood and view the Christmas luminary, and then come back to exchange "family" gifts (in contrast to "Santa" gifts). Our gift to the kids is always matching Christmas pajamas--a tradition that starting when they were as babies, as a guarantees they'd all look great in the Christmas morning photos. After gifts are exchanged, we read "Twas the Night Before Christmas" aloud, and then go outside and toss reindeer food (a mixture of oats and red glitter) on the lawn. Then its time for bed.

I've been feeling very sorry for myself these days, as my fifteen-almost-sixteen-year old son will not be with us for Christmas this year--at all. He'll be gone from December 19 through January 4, celebrating the holiday in Edinburgh with his girlfriend. As that puts thousands of miles and the Atlantic Ocean between us, its safe to say he won't be a part of our holidays. I've been wallowing in my misery, and refusing to get engaged in the season.

Then yesterday, my friend Jenny shared a page she'd written for Mahalo with me, on Christmas in Iraq. Reading it, and thinking about all the parents whose children won't be with them for much less joyful reasons than Tom's, broke through to me. He is following is heart...and I owe him not only my permission to go, but my joy. So, I'll pack up a package of reindeer food, a copy of "Twas the Night Before Christmas", and the traditional Christmas Eve gift of pajamas--with an extra pair for Julia.

I hope customs doesn't confiscate the reindeer food.

Thanksgiving on...Saturday?

2008-11-28T22:13:00.003-05:00

When couples get married, one of the big issues they face is what to do about the holidays. Do we spend Thanksgiving with one family and Christmas with the other? Do we alternate years? Try to do two Thanksgivings in one day? Ask both families to come to us?

When Tom and I got married, my parents suggested that we celebrate Thanksgiving with his family on Thanksgiving Day--and my family would celebrate Thanksgiving on Saturday. For the first few years, that meant that my mother did Thanksgiving twice...but it meant Tom and I didn't need to choose. As the years went by, my father died, my younger brothers and sisters also got married...and my mother stopped doing Thanksgiving altogether on Thursday, shifting the "big celebration" to Saturday. With five siblings, their spouses, children and dogs, it was a pretty big Thanksgiving. Each new family unit in turn would go to their spouse's family on Thursday, and return home for "our" Thanksgiving on Saturday.

My mother's been gone since 2006, but we all still gather on Saturday for our feast-- a turkey that's generally close to 30 pounds, filled with the family recipe for Sausage and Chestnut stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, sweet potatoes (with marshmallows), green beans, onions, and turnips. (The turnips are probably the most essential item other than the turkey and stuffing--but that's a blog post of its own.)

So tonight I baked my pies, using my grandmother's rolling pin and two of her pie pans...and tomorrow morning we head down to New Jersey to celebrate with family: Susan, Tom, Katie, Jenny, Tom, George, Lori, Dan, Will, Hugh, Victoria, Mary, Tim, Jack, Matt, Kathy, Bert, Caroline, Al, and Eddie.

Happy Thanksgiving.

Kindertransport, Saving Children from the Holocaust

2008-11-23T09:11:00.008-05:00

During the 10 months prior to the outbreak of World War II, the Kindertransport program rescued almost 10,000 Jewish children from the Nazis. Their parents sent the children from Germany, Austria and Czechoslovakia to foster families in Great Britain. Most of these children never saw their parents again.

Anne Lehman Fox wrote of her experiences as one of the children of the Kindertransport in her book, ''My Heart in a Suitcase''. The following clips discuss the play that was based on her book and include interviews with Anne and her childhood best friend Dorit. Their story is a poignant one--two young girls, one Jewish, one Christian, living through those horrible times.

Before "'Twilight'' there was ''Dark Shadows''...

2008-11-22T00:48:00.001-05:00

The current vampire frenzy created by ''Twilight'' reminded me of ''Dark Shadows'', the TV Show that introduced vampires into a soap opera over forty years old. Here's a clip from the episode where Barnabas Collins arrives at Collinwood.

Johnny Depp and Tim Burton have been discussing a film version of Dark Shadows, with an estimated release date of 2011 or 2012, but Entertainment Weekly reported last month that the project appeared to be dead. Maybe the success of the Cullen vampires will bring the Collins family back to life?

Dark Shadows Store

California Proposition 8 is Not Protecting My Marriage

2008-11-16T21:58:00.000-05:00

Proposition 8 was a ballot initiative that sought to amend the California state constitution to eliminate the right of same sex couples to marry in the state. It passed on election night, 52%-48%.

Proponents of Prop 8 used phrases such as "defend" and "protect" in justifying their enthusiasm for the measure. That sounds great, right? Who wouldn't want to "defend marriage"? The family is the bedrock of society, and it certainly should be defended. Well I'm a heterosexual woman living in Massachusetts, and I haven't felt that my marriage has been under attack, or needed "defending" since same-sex marriage was legalized here in 2004.

Life is short. We are on this planet together for a very brief moment. What matters is that we love--not who we love, or how we love--but that we appreciate, support, value, and commit to be there for each other--while we are fortunate enough to be together.

There are plenty of things that people who want to "defend marriage" could be spending their time on. Marriage is certainly under attack from many things in society today. People concerned about protecting marriage could work to eliminate the source of financial stresses that rip people apart. They could work to stop the cycle of domestic violence, so children of abusers don't grow up to be abusers themselves. They could work on providing support to women caught between caring for children and aging parents. There's lots that can be done to "protect" marriage--but preventing two people who are ready to commit to each other in this wonderful, difficult, life-affirming journey of matrimony is not one of them.

Frank Woodruff Buckles, Last U.S. WWI Vet

2008-11-10T23:06:00.001-05:00

Updated February 23, 2009
November 11, 2008 marks the 90th anniversary of the signing of the Armistice that ended World War I. There are only a handful of veterans of that war still alive; the U.S. has only one -- 108 year old Frank Woodruff Buckles of West Virginia. In 2007, his local television station interviewed him:

''Changeling'', the story of Christine Collins

2008-11-08T22:14:00.012-05:00

''Changeling'' tells the story of Christine Collins, whose son Walter disappeared in March 1928. After 5 months, the police produced a boy who maintained that he was Walter. When Christine denied that he was her son, they convinced her to take him home and "try". She continued to protest that the boy was not her son, gathering physical evidence, and pushing the police for action. Terrified of bad publicity, the police declared her insane, and had her locked up in a psychiatric hospital.

The movie works well on several levels. Director Clint Eastwood has shot a beautiful period piece, giving us a glimpse of every day life of ordinary people living around 1930. The film deals with a the loss of a child, ripping at the heart of every parent's fears. There are "bad guys" galore to hate--including a gruesome serial killer, and the LAPD themselves. Its also a thinking person's movie--forcing you to confront feelings about Capital Punishment, and the treatment of women who spoke their mind and challenged authority.

A movie that can make you think...as well as cry.

Christine Collins

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Deval Patrick, John Kerry, and Politics as Usual in Massachusetts

2008-11-08T00:29:00.000-05:00

In 2004, the Massachusetts legislature, concerned that then-Governor Mitt Romney would appoint a Republican to fill John Kerry's senate seat if Kerry won the presidency, took action. They replaced the law that permitted a governor to appoint a replacement to serve out the term of a senator who left office before his term expired, with one that required a special election to fill the seat. As we all remember, John Kerry lost the election, so no replacement was needed. Fast forward to 2008, where the very same John Kerry is being talked about for a position with the Obama administration. Republican Mitt Romney has been succeeded by Democrat Deval Patrick--and the Lowell Sun reports that Governor Patrick would like to change the law back--so that he can personally appoint a replacement for Kerry, if needed

Sarah Palin Prank Call on her Daily Schedule

2008-11-07T00:35:00.000-05:00

ABC's Nightline reported on November 5 that the prank call that was made to Sarah Palin by two Canadian comedians posing as French President Nicholas Sarkozy last week had actually been placed on her daily schedule by her staffers--so she was actually expecting a call from the French president. How did those guys get this past her staffers, without anyone calling Sarkozy's office to verify it?

Election Day Musings

2008-11-03T22:52:00.000-05:00

This year will be the first year that we will have 4 voters in the family for the presidential election. Katie's 20, lives at college, and has voted in previous elections--usually by absentee ballot. This will be Jenny's first election. Katie made her selection early, and is still supporting the same candidate she backed in the primary. Jenny supports the "other side". There are three controversial ballot questions in Massachusetts as well, that we each have a different opinion on. (The youngest also has opinions--but has 3 more years to wait before he can cast his first ballot) Its been an interesting election season in our politically "divided" family.

On Saturday, Katie called, and wanted to know if I'd be home on Tuesday. She said that she was coming home to vote. When I asked why she hadn't voted by absentee ballot, she said that in this election she felt it was important to go to the polls and mark her choice in person. (If you read my earlier post on absentee ballots, you'll understand why this was a big deal to me). She also suggested that we all go out to dinner after we voted, before she went back to school.

So, tomorrow, on this uniquely American holiday, my family will cast our very different ballot choices, expressing our individual opinions--and then unite for dinner together.

Our divided family--united in what's really important. Just like America.

Zeituni Onyango Asylum Application

2008-11-02T02:12:00.000-05:00

Barack Obama's aunt, Zeituni Onyango is an illegal alien, living in South Boston. "The Times of London" reported that she is disabled, and impoverished. Obama has denied knowledge of her immigration issues, according to CNN:

''Bill Burton, a spokesman for the Obama campaign, issued the following statement..."Senator Obama has no knowledge of her status but obviously believes that any and all appropriate laws be followed."''

The Associated Press alleges that Onyango applied for political asylum in 2004, and that her request was denied. Obama, Onyango, and their family are members of the Luo tribe, as is Kenyan prime minister and former opposition leader, Raila Odinga. Odinga has claimed to be Obama's cousin. Given the political instability in Kenya, it is possible that Onyango used the tie to Odinga as a basis for her claim for asylum.

I find it difficult to believe that if someone was applying for political asylum and had a Harvard Law school graduate in the family, who was also a government official, that she wouldn't have asked him for advice, if not support, when she was preparing the application. The Chicago Tribune reports that she attended the senator's swearing in ceremony in January 2005, after her asylum petition had been declined.

Most discussion of this issue has been focusing on the fact that Onyango is living in a housing project in Southie, while Obama is wealthy. Well, that happens. What is more concerning to me is his statement, through a spokesman, that he has "no knowledge" of her status--that's about as believable to me as his statement earlier in the campaign that Bill Ayers was just "a guy who lived in his neighborhood"
zeituni_onyango

Cauliflower Gratin

2008-11-01T14:10:00.000-04:00

When I was little, my mother would sprinkle cheese on cauliflower as a treat. This recipe is a more sophisticated version of that childhood favorite. It's a great way to use up leftovers -- either as a light vegetarian entree for one, or a side-dish for two. You can easily double, triple, or quadruple the recipe to prepare an awesome make ahead Thanksgiving vegetable.

What you need:
*About 2 cups of cauliflower, cooked.
*3 Tablespoons of butter, divided
*1/3 cup of parmesan cheese -- freshly grated is best

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
Step 2: Spread 1 Tablespoon of butter liberally on an oven-safe baking dish.
Step 3: Arrange the cauliflower in the dish.
Step 4: Sprinkle the cheese on top of the cauliflower, making sure each floret is well coated.
Step 5: Chop the remaining 2 Tablespoons of butter in small pieces, and dot the cauliflower with the butter
Step 6: Place in oven and bake until brown and bubbly, about 15 - 20 minutes.
Step 7: Remove from oven and enjoy with a glass of Pinot Grigio

Vampire Cupcakes

2008-10-28T23:11:00.000-04:00

A few weeks ago, I described how to make Pumpkin Cupcakes. If you're looking for something a bit more macabre this week, you may want to check out Mahalo's page on Vampire Cupcakes.

Massachusetts Question 2: Decriminalizing Marijuana Possession

2008-10-27T00:10:00.000-04:00

Massachusetts voters will have the opportunity to vote on November 4 for a proposal that would decriminalize the possession of less than an ounce of marijuana, replacing the current criminal penalties with a $100 fine. Although not specifically addressing the Massachusetts proposal, I found this program, "It's Time for a Conversation" helpful in providing context and perspective on the issue.

Part 1:

Part 2:

Part 3:

2008 Voter Turnout

2008-10-26T00:39:00.000-04:00

By all accounts, voter turnout in 2008 is expected to set records. Most of the discussion in the media has been the effect that this higher turnout, and the influx of first time voters, is expected to have an impact on the presidential election.

There are other ramifications, however. In Massachusetts, we have several initiative proposals on the ballot. Question 1 proposes eliminating the state income tax, and Question 2, if passed, would reduce the current penalties for possession of small amounts of marijuana. Question 3 would ban greyhound racing in the commonwealth.

Question 2, in particular, will be affected by the number and demographics of the voting population. Young, liberal voters would be probably be more apt to vote for decriminalization than older conservative types.

The ballot questions generally get little press--and its not unusual for voters to show up on election day not having read or researched the issues that are behind the questions.

So the question I have is--are all these new voters conscientious enough to do their homework on the questions, as well as the candidates, before November 4?

Princess Nudelman

2008-10-21T23:43:00.000-04:00

Did you hear about the dead goldfish that was sent voter registration materials? Princess Nudelman, late of Illinois, received registration materials in the mail.

Back in the dark ages, when I registered, it needed to be done in person, at Town Hall-- and I needed to produce a sealed copy of my birth certificate to prove that I was a citizen.

My daughter turned 18 a few weeks ago. In September, she received a form in the mail, filled it out and mailed it in. A few days before her birthday she received a confirmation back in the mail that she was now a registered voter in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts -- no evidence required.

The Nudelman family chose not to attempt to register Princess to vote--after all, as the Daily News noted

"The only "agent of change" Princess ever supported was the person who freshened the water in her fishbowl."

...But you have to wonder how many "Princess Nudelmans" did wind up registering?

Drive-Through Voting

2008-10-19T22:09:00.000-04:00

When I first saw the title, "Fries With That? O.C. Offers Drive-Thru Voting" , I was sure it was a hoax--drive through voting? Sure enough, in the latest variation on early voting and absentee ballots, voters in Santa Ana, California will have the opportunity to exercise their civic responsibility without leaving their car on October 20.

Voters will also be able to register without leaving their car. October 20 is the last day to register in California. Election officials estimate that approximately 3,600 people will register on the last day, either traditionally or by car.

The drive-through facility will be open until midnight.

Obama Ayers Connection

2008-10-18T00:33:00.000-04:00

Much has been said in the presidential campaign recently about Barack Obama's association with Bill Ayers, a 60's radical who used violent tactics to oppose the Vietnam War. Obama minimized his relationship to Ayers when it was first brought up, but as this CNN report shows, the relationship with Ayers is a bit more complicated than Obama has admitted.

The clip starts with Sarah Palin discussing the issue at a campaign rally. Anderson Cooper's report starts 24 seconds in, if you'd like to fast forward.

The Next Bailout

2008-10-12T09:33:00.000-04:00

If I seem a bit obsessed with student loan debt, it could be because of the ages of my children -- financing college is a big topic in our house. Discussions about "name" schools vs. affordable schools occur frequently--almost daily these days with a high school senior in the house. Last week I blogged about my concerns about what the levels of student loan debt would do to the economy several years out-- but it appears that it may exacerbate the current crisis, as well.

The New York Times has an article this morning, discussing the job prospects of graduates from top business schools. They mention one student who expects to graduate with $200,000 in debt. Think about that--$200,000--generally repayable over a 10 year period, at a 6-7% interest rate...with payments starting shortly after graduation.

How many of these kids are there? And without jobs, how will they pay these loans? And will taxpayers whose children have made trade-offs so they don't need to assume the level of debt required by a big-name school be expected to bear the burden of loan forgiveness for these bad choices?

We live in scary times, I think.

Pumpkin Cupcakes

2008-10-08T12:29:00.000-04:00

While Jenny over at The Inner Bean has been working on her great Halloween Tombstone Project, I've been thinking about food. Halloween presents a great opportunity to "play" with food, and one of the easiest ways to do this is with cupcakes. Halloween cupcakes can range from simple desserts--topping a cupcake with candy corn, for example, to elaborately constructed monsters. Pumpkin cupcakes are a quick and easy variation-- you can put them together in about the same amount of time it takes to frost a plain cupcake.

What you need:

*Cupcakes of your choice, cooled and ready to be frosted
*Container of vanilla frosting
*Orange food coloring
*Orange decorating sugar
*Pretzel rods, broken into short pieces about 1" long

Step 1: Scrape the container of frosting into a mixing bowl.

Step 2: Add several drops of food coloring, and combine with an electric mixer until blended. Repeat if the color isn't dark enough, continuing until you're happy with the hue.

Step 3: Mound frosting on the cupcake, smoothing the top as much as possible.

Step 4: Roll each cupcake in decorating sugar.

Step 5: Use a bamboo skewer to draw segments radiating out from a bit off center of the cupcake. (A toothpick will make too thin a line).

Step 6: Insert a piece of pretzel rod where the segments meet.

If you feel like branching out into more elaborate productions, decorated cupcakes are fairly simple to reverse engineer. Here are some great photos that might inspire you!

Absentee Ballots and Civics Education

2008-10-05T09:02:00.000-04:00

I don't always agree with commentator George Will, but he has a thought provoking piece in Newsweek about absentee ballots. He concludes that the increasing emphasis on voting early is eroding the national institution of Election Day.

"The great national coming-together that Election Day has been and should be is a rare communitarian moment in this nation of increasingly inwardly turned individualists who are plugged into their iPods or lost in reveries with their iPhones....The coming of the public into public places for the peaceful allocation of public power should be an exhilarating episode in our civic liturgy."

I agree with him. While absentee ballots are important to ensure that those who will not be geographically located near their assigned polling place on election day will not be disenfranchised, something is lost when voting is made too easy.

One point that Will doesn't make, however, is about the role election day plays in the education of children. I can still remember accompanying my mother to vote as a child. She took the opportunity on the walk to and from the polling place to talk to me about voting, about what it means to be an American, and the responsibilities we have as citizens. I did the same when my children were young. Of course, parents could talk to their children about these things at any time -- but election day is a structured opportunity for civics education.

By making the choice to treat voting as something that needs to be done hurriedly, without gravitas, we're missing an opportunity to impart our civic values to our children, and leaving that job to MTV.

Comfort Foods and the Financial Crisis of 2008

2008-09-30T22:40:00.000-04:00

Yesterday, when the markets were in a death spiral, I wrote about Chicken Pot Pie. Well, it appears that I was on to something. Charlie Gibson did a segment on the nightly news tonight about comfort food. It appears there is not only an economic reason that people turn to basic foods in a financial crisis, but a biological one as well. Scientists have found that fatty-carbohydrate-laden dishes reduce stress--that in times like these, the "bad" foods are actually good for us! He didn't cite authoritative sources on the air--but if Charlie says it, its good enough for me.

The other interesting point mentioned in the segment was that amidst the massive stock declines yesterday, one major company's stock actually went up--Campbell's.

Comfort Food for Crazy Times --Chicken Pot Pie

2008-09-29T19:38:00.001-04:00

When the Dow falls almost 800 points, its a good day to focus on comfort food--specifically Chicken Pot Pie. What do you need to prepare this delicacy?
*Leftover chicken carcass, with some meat on the bones
*Leftover gravy
*One onion
*One box frozen mixed vegetables
*Pie crust
*Seasonings--I use fresh garlic, cardamom pods, pepper and rosemary.

Step 1: Prepare your crust. This can be as simple as taking it out of the box, or making your own. Place the bottom crust in a pie plate and set the top crust aside. If your kitchen is warm, put them both in the refrigerator.

Step 2: Chop the onion, and start it sautéing in one tablespoon of butter on medium-low heat.

Step 3: Take the meat off the chicken carcass, and set aside. You're aiming for about 2 cups. If you have less, you can add a few more vegetables.

Step 4: Measure your leftover gravy. Do you have 2 cups? Awesome! If not, add water or broth until you do have 2 cups of liquid.

Step 5: Turn your attention back to the onions. They should be soft, and maybe a little brown by now. If you needed to add liquid to the gravy, add 2 Tablespoons of flour to the pan, and sauté for a minute or so, then add the liquid-gravy mixture and cook until it starts to thicken.

Step 6: Season. I add 2 cardamom pods, a pinch of rosemary, 1 clove of garlic, and pepper. Taste and adjust seasonings to your liking.

Step 7: Add frozen mixed vegetables to the sauce, and cook until thawed.

Step 8: Add chicken to the vegetables and sauce and mix well.

Step 9: Assemble. Place chicken-vegetable-sauce mix in bottom crust. Cover with top crust, and crimp edges. Brush top crust with milk or egg yolk, if desired. Cut vents in crust.

Step 10: Bake for about an hour at 375.

Enjoy! This is one dish that comforts your wallet as well as your soul.

Who Will Buy the Boomers' Houses?

2008-09-28T20:39:00.000-04:00

During the debate at the University of Mississippi last Thursday, John McCain said, "This isn't the beginning of the end of financial crisis, this is the end of the beginning." The comment itself didn't spark controversy, and the candidates moved on to other topics, but it resonated with me.

I see another perfect storm brewing in a few years. At some point, the baby boomers will begin attempting to sell their houses -- whether because of infirmity, the desire to simplify or the need for cash. Whatever the reason, a fair number of four bedroom colonials will hit the market.

At the same time, college tuitions are spiraling out of control, with more students graduating with large amounts of student debt. When they marry, they'll combine two student loan portfolios. For many of them, the level of debt they've assumed will preclude a house purchase.

So who will buy all the baby boomers' houses?

Butch Thompson, Piano Man

2008-09-27T20:41:00.000-04:00

Driving home after dinner tonight, we happened to hear Butch Thompson playing piano on "A Prairie Home Companion". Butch had been a regular on the show a while ago, but he's moved on and is only an occasional guest these days.

When I got home, I went searching (that's what I do, after all!) to see if any of Butch's performances were online. I found this recording of him playing "A Solas", the piece we'd heard on the radio:

I also was able to find a few pieces of him playing in various ensembles. Although his solo piano is awesome, he's also quite an asset to a band -- we were fortunate enough to have him at one of our Blue Tent Parties a few years ago.

In addition to his performing skills, he writes frequently about jazz. He's considered a Jelly Roll Morton expert, and was a consultant for the Broadway show "Jelly’s Last Jam".

Far Above Cayuga's Waters

2008-09-26T10:43:00.001-04:00

One of the advantages of parenthood is that your children's experiences help you cycle back and reconnect with parts of yourself that you thought were left behind. I had the opportunity to go back to Ithaca, NY twice over the past few months, thanks to my daughter's college search. This was a particularly poignant journey, as I had been away from my alma mater for longer than it took Odysseus to find his way back to his Ithaca. While there I was struck not only by the changes, but also by how much things had not changed. Cornell University is still one of the most beautiful places on earth.

Where is the Outrage?

2008-09-25T17:33:00.000-04:00

Hugh Hefner has extended an "offer" to Sarah Palin to pose in Playboy if she doesn't get elected. Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton was offered $750,000 to pose in the nude last February. It doesn't matter what your political point of view is --this type of suggestion is insulting not only to the individuals involved, but to society as whole.

Where is the outrage?

BlueTent Party Online

2008-09-24T23:45:00.000-04:00

I had an odd experience last week. I found myself on YouTube.

We have a party every year towards the end of August. (The kids always called it the "Blue Tent Party", because for years we put up a giant blue tarp in lieu of an actual tent. As of last year, we now have a real tent--but its still the "Blue Tent Party") Anyway, we hire a trad jazz band, everyone brings a culinary contribution, and we relax, kick back, and enjoy ourselves.

The guest list is as eclectic as the food. Friends from all phases of our lives--and friends bring friends. Well, this year, unbeknownest to us, one of the friends of a friend recorded the party and posted it on YouTube. I was pretty shocked at first, but it is a great way to expose people to a niche music genre. There are 14 videos, and while not professional grade, viewing them will give those of you who missed this year's soiree a taste of what you missed!

Zucchini

2008-09-23T22:42:00.000-04:00

We have a garden.

I suppose I should clarify that. My beloved spouse has a garden. He rototills, plants, weeds, and tends to a variety of vegetables. I'm tasked with preparing what he produces. For years, we(he) have planted zucchini, without success. They grow, we get a few, the vines get infected with something...and die. Every September we hear zucchini jokes--people leave them on doorsteps and run away--almost like the fruitcake that gets passed around at Christmas--and we never quite understood the problem.

Well, this year--while the rest of the country is suffering with droughts--or hurricanes--or other natural disasters--the weather pattern here in New England has produced zucchini. Baseball-bat-sized-enormous-zucchini. ALOT of them. And they're still growing.

Some of my favorite ways to prepare zucchini are in this page I wrote for Mahalo, How to Cook Summer Squash. Even if your kitchen counter hasn't been overrun with an abundance of 2-foot long green vegetables, you may find a few tips to help you enjoy the harvest!