This nifty gift wrap idea is as versatile as polka dots are traditional. My photo is depicting a very classic red and white polka dot, however you can certainly use almost any polka dot paper that appeals to you and utilize the ribbon/ric rac tie.
On The Dot!
Posted in Amuse-bouche du jour, BY THE WAY | Tagged Christmas gifts, polka dot paper, red Christmas wrapping paper | Leave a Comment »
DASHING DEER
It seems as if every year, Christmas and holiday wrapping paper gets more and more sophisticated. One store in particular is a particular favorite of mine for wrapping paper, The Container Store. I love how they showcase the papers by grouping them in various color categories and they have tons to pick from.
I like this particular choice of wrapping paper because it is a slightly-off-Christmas color and deer are so ecumenical! Ha, ha, this from a Catholic wife of a Jewish husband.
Wrap the gift and tie it up with a piece of grosgrain ribbon with a couple of jingle bells on top and you can “jingle all the way” through the holiday!
Dashing Deer
Posted in Amuse-bouche du jour, BY THE WAY | Tagged Catholic, Christmas, Container Store, Gift, Gift Wrap, Gift wrapping, Paper, Shopping | Leave a Comment »
Why? Because last night The Empire State Building, the most widely-recognized New York City icon paid tribute to both the memory and the current horror of the dolphins who died and are still being slaughtered in The Cove. The lights will remain Blood Red thru the 11th. Please read the previous post – this is a repost from March 2010.
Posted in Amuse-bouche du jour, BY THE WAY | Leave a Comment »
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The Cove - A Must See
I’m sorry that the headline for this blog is so graphic BUT I had to get your attention! Usually I try to write blogs that are tongue in cheek, satirical and amusing, but not always and this is one those- NOT FUNNY! Two nights ago, I watched and wrote about Inglourious Basterds. What I didn’t reveal was that I also watched The Cove. This excellent film is essentially a documentary but done in a feature presentation style with a bit of a thriller aspect too. The Cove won the Audience Award at the 2009 Sundance FilmFestival. It has been shown on NPR networks. AND it has been nominated for an Academy Award in the Documentary Feature category. I think it will win! I couldn’t comment on the movie then and am not so sure I’ll really be able to articulate all that NEEDS to be said, shouted actually! So I’m shouting!!!!!!!
The Cove is one of the most disturbing, emotional, graphic, horrific, tearful, heartbreaking and heart wrenching, frustrating, and angering, shocking, brave, upsetting, dismaying, sorrowful, maddening and really really difficult movie to sit through. So why should you see it? BECAUSE….This is MURDER, it is happening NOW and once you know about it, you can’t just shrug your shoulders and say “oh well”. Knowledge is powerful, however it comes with a responsibility to respond. The truth must and will out. And once you know it, well each one of us has to decide how, when and what we can do. I can’t do this powerful movie justice, so please read what some other people have to say about The Cove:
23,000 Dolphins are slaughtered each year in a hidden cove in Taiji, Japan. The Japanese government covers it up. No one could get in. (PlanetSave)
The Cove exposes an atrocity of unimaginable brutality. The dolphin slaughter depicted here is committed yearly and without knowledge of the general Japanese public, even though they could be buying highly-toxic mercury-laden dolphin meat disguised as fish from their local supermarkets. (PlanetSave).
What’s most unusual about this documentary is the undercover tactics filmmakers were forced to use to make the film. As soon as the documentary begins, you become aware that there’s resistance to the filmmakers’ presence in Taiji, and that the crew are not only being monitored, but are actually under threat of arrest which, under Japanese law, can last for many months, even years, without a hearing or trial. (About.com)
Be prepared: the film is as brutal and heartbreaking as the most alarming news footage you’ve ever seen of human natural disasters and tragedies such as hurricanes, earthquakes and terrorist attacks. (About.com)
And lastly, these are not my words but I am thankful that I can print here because I feel the same way.
That’s it! I’m putting my foot down! I am so sick of people saying “The Cove, oh no I can’t see that film, it’s about dolphin killing.” You stupid person, you’re wrong and I’m not listening to you anyone. I’m saying this as simply as possible. You are a bad person if you do not see this film. Everyone, EVERYONE needs to see The Cove. Not because you all need to go out and save Flipper but because it will inspire you to do something (not necessarily with dolphins) good in your life and leave you feeling empowered. You can make a difference in whatever way you want just like the people in this film are doing.
So stop your bitching and get out and see this movie. (Screencrave).
Here’s the link to the YouTube clip:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7bE3KAuWaz8 – sorry I couldn’t figure out how to make it live, please copy and paste to your browser.
Posted in BY THE WAY | Leave a Comment »
Having overnight company during the holidays? Why not present your guests with a festive pail filled with all their needs for a comfortable visit. You might even tell them in advance that they needn’t buy all those airplane-securtiy-sized neccesities when they come to visit.
What You Need When You Want It
Posted in Amuse-bouche du jour, BY THE WAY | Tagged Cage the Elephant, Christmas, Christmas Eve, Gibson Amphitheatre, ITunes, Tour Operators, Travel and Tourism, Travel Services | Leave a Comment »
Hopefully you got your Advent calendars early this year so you were ready to peel open door number one. Oh the anticipation that the traditional Advent Calendar engenders! This year I purchased at an Advent House for Finley. An amazing work, possibly home-made, however, extremely well-crafted. An adorable cottage replete with dormers and all together 25 little door opening up into a tiny space ready to hold some minute treasure. Unfortunately the space is so tiny, not much could fit in there other than pennies, dimes, stickers, gummy bears and a couple of colorful ponytail holders. Not too exciting but happily, Finley is staying in bed in the morning as instructed or else, she doesn’t get to open up a door.
So I decided to make an Advent Blog for my readers filled with all kinds of Christmas and holiday related ideas!
I know I’m starting late but I will catch up, promise!
December 1 – One Holiday decorating idea
Fill old Mason jars with small ornaments
Colorful Christmas Ornaments in Mason Jars
Posted in Amuse-bouche du jour, BY THE WAY, Peter Coddles | Tagged Advent, Advent Calendar, Christmas, Christmas Eve, Decorations, Decorations and Props, Holidays, Mason jars, Shopping | 2 Comments »
Posted in Amuse-bouche du jour, Smooth or Crunchy | Tagged jerks, men, Women | Leave a Comment »
When I arrived in OG today, the larder was pretty empty at first glance. BUT then, a closer look and some culinary creativity and voilà – Pasta Primavera!
I had a package of cooked chicken strips that I purchased at Costco in the freezer (so I defrosted them) and some carrots and celery left over from my last Mah Jongg night when they were part of a veggie and dip plate. A red onion had been hanging around the house for some time and of course I always have fresh garlic in the house. I bought 5 lbs of fresh asparagus at Costco today and I also keep a bag of frozen mixed vegetables in the freezer. Definitely the making of a tasty pasta and vegetable dish.
I sauteed the garlic, red onion and tossed in the celery, carrots and asparagus in olive oil. I ha some vegetable broth in the refrigerator but alas, it had a sour smell so I poured it down the sink. I found a can of Swanson chicken broth and added that to the veggies. After a bit of cooking, I added the chicken strips, and two handfuls of frozen mixed vegetables. Salt and pepper and some red pepper flakes and while that was cooking, I filled a pot with water to cook some pasta. Buccatini seemed like the perfect choice.
When the buccatini was done, I drained it and before I put it in the bowl, I put a little basting oil in the bottom of the bowl. Added some pasta, then some of the vegetables and kept alternating till all was in the bowl and topped it off with a good amount of shredded Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese.
It was delicious! Yes I do say so myself!
Cheap and easy eats
PS. This is not a photo of my dish because those who know know, that’s fettucine and not buccatini!
Posted in Everyday Food, We Called It Macaroni (Pasta recipes) | Tagged Costco, Olive oil, Pasta, Pasta primavera, Red Onion, Swanson, Vegetable | Leave a Comment »
TASTY TIDBIT TUESDAY
Count down to Christmas has begun…Cookie season is here. There are LOTS of holiday cookie recipes to be had through the link below. Think spicy little Gingerbread men, Praline-topped Blondies, Angeletti.
Have you ever been to a Holiday Cookie Swap? I went to a couple in my other life in suburbia and it’s really great way to entertain your girlfriends. I went to one held mid-morning and another one at night. Both times, it was great fun.
If you’re not in the mood to swap, some of these delicious cookies would make a terrific dessert tier for Christmas Eve. Enjoy!!
Posted in Amuse-bouche du jour, Tasty Tidbits Tuesday | Tagged Amuse-bouche, Blondies, Christmas, New York City | 1 Comment »
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If You Live in Paradise, Where Do You Go When You Die?
November 23, 2011 by pbenjay
George Clooney
That’s what I wondered after the first 15 minutes of The Descendents. Even though the opening scene has George Clooney disclaiming the myth of Hawaii as a perfect paradise, it’s hard to let go of our illusions or delusions for that matter.
There have been so many rave reviews about this movie already, I’m not sure what my two cents could possibly add. Many reviewers have been citing Clooney’s performance as his best yet. I had heard that before I saw the movie and attributed it to the usual hype. I thought George was great in Michael Clayton, Good Night and Good Luck and Syrianna. However, those movies were big Hollywood production and his characters were big. The Descendents, seemed more like a small movie, not quite and Indie but other than the panoramic shots of Hawaii, we watched an intimate movie. Actor Clooney showed us a wide range of emotions mostly played out on his face. He truly seemed to embody the character of Matt King.
Special note should be given to the young actress, Shailene Woodley. Most of her prior acting experience has been as a lead character on the TV series, The Secret Life of an American Teenager. She is confident, fresh and handles herself with great ease in the presence of a star, and is able to hold her own in every scene. I think an Oscar nomination might be in her very near future!
The story itself is poignant at times, a little slow at times and as directed by Alexander Payne, I felt I was watching one part About Schmidt and one part of the eternally long novel, Hawaii by Mitchner. It was beautifully acted, the portrayal of the human condition handled exquisitely by Clooney.
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Posted in From My Point of View - Personal commentary on Movies and Books | Tagged Alexander Payne, Descendants, George Clooney, Hawaii, Matt King, Michael Clayton, ShaileneWoodley | Leave a Comment »