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Count-Down To Christmas Dinner – Fennel and Orange Salad

December 8, 2010 by pbenjay

Fenouil

Image via Wikipedia

Tasty Tidbits Tuesday

I‘m sure you heard the news around Thanksgiving that 94% of all Americans having Thanksgiving Dinner had turkey as the main course.  Not so with Christmas!  It seems that besides turkey (yes some people replicate their Thanksgiving Day dinner one month later), roast beef, crown roast of pork, baked ham (spiral, pineapple decorated etc) all vie for the center of the table.  Whatever you choose, I think you’ll like this simple flavorful salad.

It’s light, crisp, colorful, healthy and easy to make.  You can slice the oranges and fennel the day before (in between wrapping presents), refrigerate separately covered with plastic wrap.

1 TBS white-wine vinegar

2 TBS olive oil

Coarse salt and ground pepper

5 navel oranges

3-4 fennel bulbs (about 2 pounds total), ends trimmed, quartered lengthwise, cored and thinly sliced, crosswise, plus 1/4 cup roughly chopped fennel fronds (optional)

In a large bowl, whisk together vinegar and oil, season with salt and pepper.

Using a sharp knife, slice off both ends of each orange.  Following the curve of the fruit, cut away the peel and white pith. Halve orange from top to bottom; thinly slice crosswise.  Transfer oranges along with any juices that have accumulated on work surface. to bowl with dressing.  Add fennel and if desired, fronds. Toss to combine.

Recipe from Martha Stewart

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Bad Bulb Karma

December 7, 2010 by pbenjay

A light bulb

Image via Wikipedia

What did I do to offend the spirit of Thomas Edison? I love my lights; I treat them with respect.   I dust their little heads,  vacuum their shades if they have one.   Frayed cords? No way! Most of my lighting fixtures, whether they’re lamps or ceiling lights are vintage.  Some of our lamps come from the 40″s and 50″s and most of them have been lovingly re-wired.

So why, can you tell me why in the past 24 hours not one, not two, not three BUT four light bulbs have just popped and died right in my hands?  Last night I turned on the lamp that sits on my table/computer desk and after a couple of flickers, it went pooft!  I called Peter to come fix it because I didn’t think it was the bulb.  He didn’t think it was the bulb either BUT he tried testing the bulb on another lamp and nothing, nada, zippo.  Peter put in a new 40 watt bulb and I was able to continue playing Scrabble, er I mean working!  This morning I turned on the lamp and unbelievable!!!- the light bulb blew!  Rummaging around through more halogen bulbs than I could use in a lifetime, soon to discover there are no more 40 watt bulbs 😦

Time to set up the table for Mah Jongg, the Mavens are coming here.  After I spread out the olives, crackers, cheese and dips AND some potato knishes (it IS Chanukah after all),  I switched on the overhead light above the table and I know what you’re thinking but you’re wrong – the light came on.  But then it went out, and then it came on and then it went out.  Peter!!! He tapped the globe a couple of times and it went on and it went off.  Soooo he unscrewed the globe and took the bulb out, tried it in another lamp and it didn’t work at all.  Now this lighting fixture had a 150 watt bulb in it and naturally there were none of those in the house.  Best he could do was a 100 watt bulb and if you don’t think 50 watts makes a difference, well try playing Mah Jongg under it. Mmmm I thought, what to do? I turned on the kitchen light, the light under the cabinet and the turned on the tiny lamp that was on the window sill and THEN I picked my brightest yellow Mah Jongg set with all of the characters clearly visible.  I thought that was kind of resourceful:)

About midnight when all the tiles were put away, table wiped clean and chairs back where they belong, I joined Peter in the bedroom.  He turned on the light next to the bed and pooft the light bulb went out.  FOUR??!!! Glory be to G.E.!


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One Life Six Words What’s Yours?

December 6, 2010 by pbenjay

Ernest Hemingway in Kenya, 1953

Image via Wikipedia

Six Word Memoir

The weekly challenge continues…can you describe yourself, your life, your passions, your goals in SIX WORDS?  No more, no less.  I certainly appreciate my readers who rise to this challenge and I love posting their Memoirs. We are unofficially participating in the SIX WORD PROJECT which originated with Smith Magazine.  The hook is that Ernest Hemingway was asked to write a story in just six words; “For Sale: Baby Shoes Never Worn”.

 

Watched Macy’s parade; missing New York! –Weez

Stop pressing snooze! Just get up! –startingoveringermany

Lucky me – a post-Thanksgiving feast – Heide

Up at four wrapping Christmas presents – Susan Celtic Lady

Stress, temper, weight – out of control – Me

And from the book: Not Quite What I Was Planning SIX-WORD MEMOIRS by Writers FAMOUS & OBSCURE

The psychic said I’d be richer – Elizabeth Bernstein

Grumpy old soundman needs love too – Lenny Rosengard

Mom died. Dad screwed us over – Lesley Kysely

Painful Nerd Kid – Happy Nerd Adult – L.J. Williamson

Posted in Six Word Memoirs | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments »

Squirrely Saturday

December 4, 2010 by pbenjay

Do I need to say more?

Sorry, thanks for the nut!

photo by Murray Head

Central Park, New York city,

Saving this for later

photo by Murray Head

 

Ocean Grove

"Can I please have some more"?

Photo by Lori

 

feeding the squirrel, peanuts

"Here you go little fella"

photo by Lori

 

 

 

Posted in BY THE WAY, Fab Fotos, Nick & Nora and Flora & Fauna | 5 Comments »

FAB FOTO FRIDAY – “I’m Ready For My Close-Up”

December 4, 2010 by pbenjay

Don’t you wish you had a powerful lens like the one used to take these photos?  All you need is a bright sunny almost-Winter day in Central Park, the lens and of course the eye for spotting these little feathered creatures and the patience to capture their beauty.  I often  refer to the beauty of our world by saying Mother Nature, however, I’m really thinking that only God could create this beauty.  Today we are going to get some close-up photos of these wondrous feathered beings, and maybe a squirrel thrown in for good measure.

Nuthatch, Central Park, New York City, Murray Head

A Nuthatch - Bird not house

photo by Murray Head

Central Park, New York city, murray head

What Kind of Bird Is This?

photo by Murray Head

Central Park, New york city, Murray Head

"Who was that masked man"?

photo by Murray Head

Central Park, Murray Head, New York City

" A Girl's Gotta Eat"

photo by Murray Head

Blue Jay, blue sky, Central park, New York city, Murray head

Mr. Blue on blue

photo by Murray Head

Posted in Fab Fotos, New York Speaks, Only in New York | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

Top Ten Things To Do in New York City during Christmastime

December 3, 2010 by pbenjay

THURSDAY’S TOP TEN

New York City is fun at any time of the year (but you already knew that) – However at Christmastime there is an energy that vibrates through the month of December.  Well actually  I think it starts at Thanksgiving.  The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade marks the beginning of the Holiday Season here in Manhattan; Heralding the season from Herald Square!  So now it has begun and the streets are really crowded with shoppers carrying the colorful store brand  bags.  Workers that usually eat at their desks are dashing out to shop during lunch hours, tourists are everywhere in Midtown and stopping in the middle of the sidewalk to take pictures. And why are they all here? Because New York City is a great place to be at this time of year.

You can:

  1. Visit Rockefeller Center and see the magnificent tree and watch the ice skaters too.
  2. Drop by Grand Central Terminal to see the Holiday Light Show that is beamed on the recently re-stored ceiling.  And you can shop there too – besides the stores there is also a Christmas marketplace.
  3. Attend a performance of The Nutcracker at Lincoln Center, it’s a holiday classic.
  4. But nothing is more classic than going to Radio City Music Hall and seeing the Rockettes! The Christmas Spectacular is a lovely wonderful tradition.  I ought to know because my grandmother used to take me when I was young, then I took Chiara during her childhood and this year Finley Ray went.  She is still a bit young for the Rockettes but the effects, the lights, and of course Santa Claus were not lost on her.
  5. Walk along Fifth Avenue and window shop or rather window-look at the dramatic and fantastic holiday window displays at Bloomingdales, Bergdorf Goodman, Saks and Barney’s.
  6. Stroll along Fifth Avenue in the evening and see the giant snowflake suspended above your head like a star.  And then walk past Cartier’s where the whole building is wrapped with a red ribbon and bow.
  7. Visit the Metropolitan Museum and behold the most beautiful Baroque Neapolitan Christmas tree.  The manger scene surrounds the base and is just magnificent.
  8. Take a break at Serendipity’s and drinks some Frozen Hot Chocolate.
  9. There are Christmas markets throughout the City, not as spectacular as those in Germany but they are here.  Check out Union Square, Columbus Circle and Bryant Park for a wide selection of craft items, art, outerwear and gifts of all sizes for all ages.
  10. In the lower level of the Citicorp Building, there is annual free model train display that you will marvel at several vintage sets run all through a staged country and city setting.  The Transit Museum also displays vintage trains in their shop in Grand Central Terminal.

BONUS IDEA – Buy some hot roasted chestnuts from a street vendor that’s New York!

*** There’s an UPDATED 2012 list available  at Top Ten Things To Do In New York City During Christmastime UPDATED!

Christmas tree, Rockefeller Center

Bright Lights-City Lights

Posted in BY THE WAY, New York Speaks, Only in New York | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment »

Conspiracy Theory Wednesday – The French Connection

December 2, 2010 by pbenjay

Meyer Lansky at 54 St. police station, New Yor...

Image via Wikipedia

This is week 27 and who among you is with me on this?  Are you reading the Wednesday Conspiracy Theory blogs?  Do you think this theory is valid, does it ring true?  Remember what they say on RUBICON – “Every conspiracy is not a theory”

 

JEAN SOUETRE

After Kennedy’s death, French Intelligence asked the FBI to help locate Jean Souetre, a French Secret Army Organization (OAS) terrorist previously jailed for attempting to kill French President Charles De Gaulle.  According to a CiA document dated April 1,1964 (which surfaced in 1977), the French claimed Souetre was in Dallas on Nov. 22, 1963, and was expelled by U.S. authorities 18 hours later.  Concerned with security for De Gaulle’s upcoming Mexican visit, they wanted to know whether he had been sent to Mexico or Canada.

When Jack Ruby was jailed for killing Lee Oswald, his lawyer asked him if he knew anyone who could damage his defense.  Ruby mentioned Thomas Eli Davis III with whom he had run guns and jeeps to Cuba.  In 1963, Davis, while on probation for bank robbery, obtained a U. S. passport.  By Decem ber he was in a Tangier jail, charged with running guns to the OAS.  According to the FBI, Moroccan authorities intercepted  a letter from Davis that referred to Oswald and the assassination.  Davis was apparently released from jail through the efforts for mysterious CIA agent code-named QJWIN, a foreign nation with Mafia connections who was recruited for the AZ/RIFLE team, a CIA assassination unit run by ex-FBI agent and Cuban exile handler William Harvey.

Is Jean Souetre QJ/WIN? OAS terrorists were deeply involved in heroin trafficking.  In 1963, the main American distributor of Marseilles-produced heroin was the Lucky Luciano syndicate run by Meyer Lansky and Tampa mafia boss Santos Trafficante Jr., formerly of Havana, who was William Harvey’s partner in the CIA-Mafia plots to kill Fidel Castro.

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Finley Ray-Mini Manhattan Missy Gets a Mani

December 1, 2010 by pbenjay

How long does it take a two year old to acclimate to her new surroundings? Not very, it seems!! Miss Fin saw the nail salon and wanted to get her nails painted!! YES she did, how outrageous is that?  I love it, she is soooo cute. Definitely her mother’s daughter.

manicure in Manhattan, Finny, Finley Ray Clark, lovie-dovie polish
Her choice? “Lovie-Dovie” of course!

Posted in Finley Ray, New York Speaks, Only in New York | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments »

Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Onions w/Rosemary and Parmesan

November 30, 2010 by pbenjay

A sweet potato.

Image via Wikipedia

TASTY TIDBITS TUESDAY

Last week in the New York Times, there was an article heralding the merits of Sweet Potatoes and their rise in culinary popularity.  Lighter in sugars than yams and with a bit of protein, they are now appearing on menus all around town; sweet potato fries, baked sweet potatoes and mashed sweet potatoes.  This recipe is is a favorite of mine and I think more suited to a Christmas dinner than Thanksgiving!  This could be the beginning of the  Count-Down to Christmas Dinner.

2 3/4 lb sweet potatoes, peeled, cut into 1″ cubes

8 TBS of Canola oil

3 garlic cloves minced

1 1/2 tsp salt

1 1/2 tsp coarsely ground pepper

1 1/2 lb red onions (3 medium), halved lengthwise, cut crosswise into 1/4″ slices

1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

1 TBS chopped fresh parsley

Set one rack in center and one on lowest position – preheat oven 375 degrees.

Line 2 large baking sheets with foil.  Place sweet potatoes on one; drizzle with 6 TBS of oil.  Sprinkle with garlic, 1 1/2 tsp salt and 1 tsp pepper – toss to coat, then spread in a single layer.

Place onions on second baking sheet, drizzle with 2 remaining TBS oil, sprinkle with remaining 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp pepper, toss to coat.  Spread in single layer.

Place sheet with potatoes on center rack and sheet with onions on lower rack in oven. Roast until potatoes are tender and onions are tender and brown around the edges, stirring every 10 minutes, about 30 minutes total for potatoes and 35 for onions.

Can be prepared 4 hours ahead of time, let stand at room temperature, covered loosely with foil.  Rewarm in 375 degree oven for about 10 minutes.

Combine potatoes and onions in shallow bowl. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and rosemary and toss to coat. Season with salt and pepper.


Posted in Everyday Food, Marthaspeak, Tasty Tidbits Tuesday | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments »

Six Word Memoir Monday – Better Late Than Never

November 30, 2010 by pbenjay

I’d like to think that it was the holiday weekend that caused the dearth of responses BUT since the responses invariably come in on Mondays when I post the prior week’s…..well Thanksgiving was on Thursday so who knows what happened???

My hubby enjoyed his birthday weekend – startingoveringermany

Living with menopause,  forgot the question – Karen

Mom turned 90- what a celebration! – Heide

Watching Fin watch the Rockettes – PRICELESS!

Calling on you all to channel your Ernest Hemingway and spew forth Six little (or long) words and tell us who or what you love, where you are in yourself, your life.  Sum it up in Six Words, no more, no less.  Anonymity respected is so desired.

Radio City Music Hall, Christmas spectacular, New York city

Still Kicking After All These Years!


Posted in Six Word Memoirs | Tagged , , , , | 7 Comments »

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