If it's smuggery, so be it -

From the Sojourner's email feed this morning:

Arnie Stolte writes from Downers Grove, Illinois:

I have been wondering if the dislike of Bush policies blinds your writers so much that they have difficulty writing open, honest articles. I am now thinking that this is true and I am saddened by this. I cannot hold Sojourners in high esteem as I once did. Your honest voice is being stilled by your dislike and subsequent venom. Please return to helping to develop a more honest, open dialogue.

---------------

Karl Dillaway writes from Byron Bay, Australia:

We have your Mr. Bush coming down soon. I say how dare he come down here after what he has done in Iraq. What he is doing by coming down here is opening us up to terrorists. It's like someone robbing a bank and then wanting to stay at your house for the night. I say you can keep him. We have our own problems. Thank you for the good work you guys do.

Who do think I'm siding with?

Can I send old Arnie a copy of "Fair and Balanced, et al" ? You know, I'm not asking people to believe or disbelieve Fox News anymore. Just turn it off for 90 days. Just off. Go get your information from Google News - read some of the hundreds of articles posted all over the world. See how long you'd keep approving of anything Bush does.

Just turn it off. See how long the credibility lasts.

If it's smuggery, so be it -

From the Sojourner's email feed this morning:

Arnie Stolte writes from Downers Grove, Illinois:

I have been wondering if the dislike of Bush policies blinds your writers so much that they have difficulty writing open, honest articles. I am now thinking that this is true and I am saddened by this. I cannot hold Sojourners in high esteem as I once did. Your honest voice is being stilled by your dislike and subsequent venom. Please return to helping to develop a more honest, open dialogue.

---------------

Karl Dillaway writes from Byron Bay, Australia:

We have your Mr. Bush coming down soon. I say how dare he come down here after what he has done in Iraq. What he is doing by coming down here is opening us up to terrorists. It's like someone robbing a bank and then wanting to stay at your house for the night. I say you can keep him. We have our own problems. Thank you for the good work you guys do.

Who do think I'm siding with?

Can I send old Arnie a copy of "Fair and Balanced, et al" ? You know, I'm not asking people to believe or disbelieve Fox News anymore. Just turn it off for 90 days. Just off. Go get your information from Google News - read some of the hundreds of articles posted all over the world. See how long you'd keep approving of anything Bush does.

Just turn it off. See how long the credibility lasts.

If it's smuggery, so be it -

From the Sojourner's email feed this morning:

Arnie Stolte writes from Downers Grove, Illinois:

I have been wondering if the dislike of Bush policies blinds your writers so much that they have difficulty writing open, honest articles. I am now thinking that this is true and I am saddened by this. I cannot hold Sojourners in high esteem as I once did. Your honest voice is being stilled by your dislike and subsequent venom. Please return to helping to develop a more honest, open dialogue.

---------------

Karl Dillaway writes from Byron Bay, Australia:

We have your Mr. Bush coming down soon. I say how dare he come down here after what he has done in Iraq. What he is doing by coming down here is opening us up to terrorists. It's like someone robbing a bank and then wanting to stay at your house for the night. I say you can keep him. We have our own problems. Thank you for the good work you guys do.

Who do think I'm siding with?

Can I send old Arnie a copy of "Fair and Balanced, et al" ? You know, I'm not asking people to believe or disbelieve Fox News anymore. Just turn it off for 90 days. Just off. Go get your information from Google News - read some of the hundreds of articles posted all over the world. See how long you'd keep approving of anything Bush does.

Just turn it off. See how long the credibility lasts.

Mission Accomplished

My knees are dirty. They were muddy, but that was a couple of hours ago.

It took me three hours to do the deed - go to the nursery, buy tools and supplies (and having a florist shop attached doesn't hurt - bought a spray of the nicest yellow with red edges roses to go with) and head for Pasadena.

A favor to do him, I say.

I swear to you all now - by this time next year, I won't be driving that truck. FEH. Yucky-poo. Ick. I worked those pedals like a stairmaster - and that beast just won't go over 60 anymore.

They've converted the old school ground at Anokia into "Estate Homes." Think Hogwarts-size boarding school grounds. Think disgustingly huge houses right next to each other - no yards. Welcome to Southern California - pay the man. Bah.

I was thinking about driving up the hill to see the old house, but got sidetracked. Just as well - the family sold it almost ten years ago and if I didn't like what I saw, I'd be the only one who cared. Best leave my memory alone.

I came armed this year with pruning shears, and used them. The neighbor's succulent ground cover had covered a lot of ground this past year. Well, you can see Cliff's stone now, by gum. However, it's nearly bare of grass as well.

I planted three lily-of-the-valley and ten freesia bulbs. Watered thoroughly. Drank some straight out of the hose. Yanked much crabgrass. I must have been Asian in my past life to keep doing this tending of the grave every year. But damn, if it didn't look so much better when I was done -

And I left a stone and the five roses. Next year, I'll leave a register like they do at the top of the mountains.

The cemetery itself looked fine and lovely - which it always does, strangely enough. I felt as if someone was watching me work, wondering what I was so hyped up about - but not complaining. I remember thinking "Cliff, where are you?" - and much as in past years, I don't hear as much as feel it - but "You know where I am."

Whatever he's doing, he's doing contentedly - no complaints.

On the way back, I stopped in at the used book place where I'd had an Ebay order waiting for me since July - more about that later.

I don't think anyone has been to see him all year. It's sad, but I always told Cliff he was kidding when he told me how much his family got tired of him. I guess he was right - and I was wrong.

Even if it's only once a year. I won't forget. It was only three hours, after all.

Mission Accomplished

My knees are dirty. They were muddy, but that was a couple of hours ago.

It took me three hours to do the deed - go to the nursery, buy tools and supplies (and having a florist shop attached doesn't hurt - bought a spray of the nicest yellow with red edges roses to go with) and head for Pasadena.

A favor to do him, I say.

I swear to you all now - by this time next year, I won't be driving that truck. FEH. Yucky-poo. Ick. I worked those pedals like a stairmaster - and that beast just won't go over 60 anymore.

They've converted the old school ground at Anokia into "Estate Homes." Think Hogwarts-size boarding school grounds. Think disgustingly huge houses right next to each other - no yards. Welcome to Southern California - pay the man. Bah.

I was thinking about driving up the hill to see the old house, but got sidetracked. Just as well - the family sold it almost ten years ago and if I didn't like what I saw, I'd be the only one who cared. Best leave my memory alone.

I came armed this year with pruning shears, and used them. The neighbor's succulent ground cover had covered a lot of ground this past year. Well, you can see Cliff's stone now, by gum. However, it's nearly bare of grass as well.

I planted three lily-of-the-valley and ten freesia bulbs. Watered thoroughly. Drank some straight out of the hose. Yanked much crabgrass. I must have been Asian in my past life to keep doing this tending of the grave every year. But damn, if it didn't look so much better when I was done -

And I left a stone and the five roses. Next year, I'll leave a register like they do at the top of the mountains.

The cemetery itself looked fine and lovely - which it always does, strangely enough. I felt as if someone was watching me work, wondering what I was so hyped up about - but not complaining. I remember thinking "Cliff, where are you?" - and much as in past years, I don't hear as much as feel it - but "You know where I am."

Whatever he's doing, he's doing contentedly - no complaints.

On the way back, I stopped in at the used book place where I'd had an Ebay order waiting for me since July - more about that later.

I don't think anyone has been to see him all year. It's sad, but I always told Cliff he was kidding when he told me how much his family got tired of him. I guess he was right - and I was wrong.

Even if it's only once a year. I won't forget. It was only three hours, after all.

Mission Accomplished

My knees are dirty. They were muddy, but that was a couple of hours ago.

It took me three hours to do the deed - go to the nursery, buy tools and supplies (and having a florist shop attached doesn't hurt - bought a spray of the nicest yellow with red edges roses to go with) and head for Pasadena.

A favor to do him, I say.

I swear to you all now - by this time next year, I won't be driving that truck. FEH. Yucky-poo. Ick. I worked those pedals like a stairmaster - and that beast just won't go over 60 anymore.

They've converted the old school ground at Anokia into "Estate Homes." Think Hogwarts-size boarding school grounds. Think disgustingly huge houses right next to each other - no yards. Welcome to Southern California - pay the man. Bah.

I was thinking about driving up the hill to see the old house, but got sidetracked. Just as well - the family sold it almost ten years ago and if I didn't like what I saw, I'd be the only one who cared. Best leave my memory alone.

I came armed this year with pruning shears, and used them. The neighbor's succulent ground cover had covered a lot of ground this past year. Well, you can see Cliff's stone now, by gum. However, it's nearly bare of grass as well.

I planted three lily-of-the-valley and ten freesia bulbs. Watered thoroughly. Drank some straight out of the hose. Yanked much crabgrass. I must have been Asian in my past life to keep doing this tending of the grave every year. But damn, if it didn't look so much better when I was done -

And I left a stone and the five roses. Next year, I'll leave a register like they do at the top of the mountains.

The cemetery itself looked fine and lovely - which it always does, strangely enough. I felt as if someone was watching me work, wondering what I was so hyped up about - but not complaining. I remember thinking "Cliff, where are you?" - and much as in past years, I don't hear as much as feel it - but "You know where I am."

Whatever he's doing, he's doing contentedly - no complaints.

On the way back, I stopped in at the used book place where I'd had an Ebay order waiting for me since July - more about that later.

I don't think anyone has been to see him all year. It's sad, but I always told Cliff he was kidding when he told me how much his family got tired of him. I guess he was right - and I was wrong.

Even if it's only once a year. I won't forget. It was only three hours, after all.

So, about that used book store -

1388 E. Washington Blvd., Pasadena CA. Judy Jarvits' Used Cookbooks. Think Change of Hobbit II in Berkeley? That size.

Nothing but cookbooks. Floor to ceiling. Nothing. But. Books. About. FOOOOOOOD!

Holy cats. I got two Christmas presents done. And the one I got nytshaed, I don't think I've ever seen another copy of. It will be very appropriate for her visit down here in October. *nods*

I tried to find a link on Amazon.com for this one - I HAD to get it for Mark and Kim. I had to. The only thing Amazon.com has is a link for an out-of-print search, but here you go - Who's Your Mama, Are You Catholic, and Can You Make A Roux? : a family album cookbook

I've come to the conclusion that there is North, there is South; and then there is West of the Great Divide and we're a whole 'nother country entirely. Y'all move here in equal amounts when you get tired of fighting with each other.

Which is good. You can cook.

However, you make some damn strange stuff, lemme tell ya. Page 37:

JAR BREAD

Makes 8 jars of bread

2/3 cup shortening
2-2/3 cups sugar
4 eggs
2/3 cup water
3-1/3 cups flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
2 tsps baking soda
1-1/2 tsps salt
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp ground cloves
2/3 cups chopped nuts
2 cups blueberries

Cream together shortening and sugar. Beat eggs and water into the mixture. Set aside.

In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and ground cloves.

Add dry ingredients to the creamed mixture and mix well. Add chopped nuts and blueberries. Mix gently.

Spray 8 wide-mouthed pint canning jars with cooking spray. Fill the jars half-full; place on cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes. Allow to cool slightly. Seal tightly with sterilized lids. INCREDIBLE.

Angie notes that you can substitute the blueberries with the same amount of figs, pumpkin, carrots, or zucchini. She also says that you can cut off the tops of cotton socks, dampen them slightly, and slip them over the jars before baking. This off-beat method helps to keep the bread moist.

The bolding in the last is mine. Keep the bread moist. Right. Sure. You go first, Indy.

There's more - but my dinner is waiting down at Mitsuwa for me. The rest of the book is wonderful - perfect for them - and wouldn't you know, the author has been working with Emeril Lagasse on just about all of his books as well?

I'll have to drop a line to Food Network about the jar bread and see what he says about the socks.

So, about that used book store -

1388 E. Washington Blvd., Pasadena CA. Judy Jarvits' Used Cookbooks. Think Change of Hobbit II in Berkeley? That size.

Nothing but cookbooks. Floor to ceiling. Nothing. But. Books. About. FOOOOOOOD!

Holy cats. I got two Christmas presents done. And the one I got nytshaed, I don't think I've ever seen another copy of. It will be very appropriate for her visit down here in October. *nods*

I tried to find a link on Amazon.com for this one - I HAD to get it for Mark and Kim. I had to. The only thing Amazon.com has is a link for an out-of-print search, but here you go - Who's Your Mama, Are You Catholic, and Can You Make A Roux? : a family album cookbook

I've come to the conclusion that there is North, there is South; and then there is West of the Great Divide and we're a whole 'nother country entirely. Y'all move here in equal amounts when you get tired of fighting with each other.

Which is good. You can cook.

However, you make some damn strange stuff, lemme tell ya. Page 37:

JAR BREAD

Makes 8 jars of bread

2/3 cup shortening
2-2/3 cups sugar
4 eggs
2/3 cup water
3-1/3 cups flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
2 tsps baking soda
1-1/2 tsps salt
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp ground cloves
2/3 cups chopped nuts
2 cups blueberries

Cream together shortening and sugar. Beat eggs and water into the mixture. Set aside.

In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and ground cloves.

Add dry ingredients to the creamed mixture and mix well. Add chopped nuts and blueberries. Mix gently.

Spray 8 wide-mouthed pint canning jars with cooking spray. Fill the jars half-full; place on cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes. Allow to cool slightly. Seal tightly with sterilized lids. INCREDIBLE.

Angie notes that you can substitute the blueberries with the same amount of figs, pumpkin, carrots, or zucchini. She also says that you can cut off the tops of cotton socks, dampen them slightly, and slip them over the jars before baking. This off-beat method helps to keep the bread moist.

The bolding in the last is mine. Keep the bread moist. Right. Sure. You go first, Indy.

There's more - but my dinner is waiting down at Mitsuwa for me. The rest of the book is wonderful - perfect for them - and wouldn't you know, the author has been working with Emeril Lagasse on just about all of his books as well?

I'll have to drop a line to Food Network about the jar bread and see what he says about the socks.

So, about that used book store -

1388 E. Washington Blvd., Pasadena CA. Judy Jarvits' Used Cookbooks. Think Change of Hobbit II in Berkeley? That size.

Nothing but cookbooks. Floor to ceiling. Nothing. But. Books. About. FOOOOOOOD!

Holy cats. I got two Christmas presents done. And the one I got nytshaed, I don't think I've ever seen another copy of. It will be very appropriate for her visit down here in October. *nods*

I tried to find a link on Amazon.com for this one - I HAD to get it for Mark and Kim. I had to. The only thing Amazon.com has is a link for an out-of-print search, but here you go - Who's Your Mama, Are You Catholic, and Can You Make A Roux? : a family album cookbook

I've come to the conclusion that there is North, there is South; and then there is West of the Great Divide and we're a whole 'nother country entirely. Y'all move here in equal amounts when you get tired of fighting with each other.

Which is good. You can cook.

However, you make some damn strange stuff, lemme tell ya. Page 37:

JAR BREAD

Makes 8 jars of bread

2/3 cup shortening
2-2/3 cups sugar
4 eggs
2/3 cup water
3-1/3 cups flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
2 tsps baking soda
1-1/2 tsps salt
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp ground cloves
2/3 cups chopped nuts
2 cups blueberries

Cream together shortening and sugar. Beat eggs and water into the mixture. Set aside.

In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and ground cloves.

Add dry ingredients to the creamed mixture and mix well. Add chopped nuts and blueberries. Mix gently.

Spray 8 wide-mouthed pint canning jars with cooking spray. Fill the jars half-full; place on cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes. Allow to cool slightly. Seal tightly with sterilized lids. INCREDIBLE.

Angie notes that you can substitute the blueberries with the same amount of figs, pumpkin, carrots, or zucchini. She also says that you can cut off the tops of cotton socks, dampen them slightly, and slip them over the jars before baking. This off-beat method helps to keep the bread moist.

The bolding in the last is mine. Keep the bread moist. Right. Sure. You go first, Indy.

There's more - but my dinner is waiting down at Mitsuwa for me. The rest of the book is wonderful - perfect for them - and wouldn't you know, the author has been working with Emeril Lagasse on just about all of his books as well?

I'll have to drop a line to Food Network about the jar bread and see what he says about the socks.

Didn't someone want cake?

Okay.

"Bakers Best Chocolate Recipes." Copyright, 1932.

RED DEVIL'S FOOD
(2 eggs)

1-1/2 cups sifted Cake Flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
4 tbls butter or other shortening
1 cup sugar
2 eggs, well beaten
1/2 cup thick sour milk
1/2 cup boiling water
1 square Baker's Unsweetened Chocolate, melted
1 tsp soda
1 tsp vanilla

Sift flour once, measure, add baking powder, and salt, and sift together three times. Cream butter, add sugar gradually, and cream together until light and fluffy. Add eggs. Beat mixture vigorously. Add flour and sour milk alternately, a small amount at a time. Pour the boiling water into the melted chocolate, mix quickly. Add soda to chocolate and stir until thick. Cool slightly before adding to cake batter. Mix thoroughly. Add vanilla. Bake in two greased 9-inch layer pans in moderate over (350F) 25 minutes. To make three 10-inch layers, double recipe. Cover with Marshmallow Frosting - which is:

SEVEN MINUTE FROSTING W/MARSHMALLOWS

1 egg white, unbeaten
1-1/2 cups sugar
1 tbls cold water
1-1/2 tsp light corn syrup
1 tsp vanilla

Put egg whites, sugar, water and corn syrup in upper part of double boiler. Beat with rotary egg beater until thoroughly mixed. Place over rapidly boiling water, beat constantly with rotary beater, and cook for 7 minutes or until frosting will stand in peaks. Remove from heat, add vanilla, and one cup of quartered marshmallows, and beat until thick enough to spread. Makes enough frosting to cover two 9-inch layers.

---

I think you could use buttermilk in place of the sour milk these days. 9_9

I have a bunch of really old "cookbooks" from various and sundry companies - even a diet book from Knox gelatine from the '50s and a little mushroom cookbook from the 70's. Some of them came with the new-fangled refrigerators during the mid '40s - the illustrations are too cute for their own good.

Almost ten. Time for sleeping. If not sleeping, GameBoy. Jim is watching Blue Gender - bugs. Screaming. More bugs.

Oh, and I saw a mouse scoot into the bushes outside today. Great. Guess the living is REALLY easy in the summertime....

Didn't someone want cake?

Okay.

"Bakers Best Chocolate Recipes." Copyright, 1932.

RED DEVIL'S FOOD
(2 eggs)

1-1/2 cups sifted Cake Flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
4 tbls butter or other shortening
1 cup sugar
2 eggs, well beaten
1/2 cup thick sour milk
1/2 cup boiling water
1 square Baker's Unsweetened Chocolate, melted
1 tsp soda
1 tsp vanilla

Sift flour once, measure, add baking powder, and salt, and sift together three times. Cream butter, add sugar gradually, and cream together until light and fluffy. Add eggs. Beat mixture vigorously. Add flour and sour milk alternately, a small amount at a time. Pour the boiling water into the melted chocolate, mix quickly. Add soda to chocolate and stir until thick. Cool slightly before adding to cake batter. Mix thoroughly. Add vanilla. Bake in two greased 9-inch layer pans in moderate over (350F) 25 minutes. To make three 10-inch layers, double recipe. Cover with Marshmallow Frosting - which is:

SEVEN MINUTE FROSTING W/MARSHMALLOWS

1 egg white, unbeaten
1-1/2 cups sugar
1 tbls cold water
1-1/2 tsp light corn syrup
1 tsp vanilla

Put egg whites, sugar, water and corn syrup in upper part of double boiler. Beat with rotary egg beater until thoroughly mixed. Place over rapidly boiling water, beat constantly with rotary beater, and cook for 7 minutes or until frosting will stand in peaks. Remove from heat, add vanilla, and one cup of quartered marshmallows, and beat until thick enough to spread. Makes enough frosting to cover two 9-inch layers.

---

I think you could use buttermilk in place of the sour milk these days. 9_9

I have a bunch of really old "cookbooks" from various and sundry companies - even a diet book from Knox gelatine from the '50s and a little mushroom cookbook from the 70's. Some of them came with the new-fangled refrigerators during the mid '40s - the illustrations are too cute for their own good.

Almost ten. Time for sleeping. If not sleeping, GameBoy. Jim is watching Blue Gender - bugs. Screaming. More bugs.

Oh, and I saw a mouse scoot into the bushes outside today. Great. Guess the living is REALLY easy in the summertime....

Didn't someone want cake?

Okay.

"Bakers Best Chocolate Recipes." Copyright, 1932.

RED DEVIL'S FOOD
(2 eggs)

1-1/2 cups sifted Cake Flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
4 tbls butter or other shortening
1 cup sugar
2 eggs, well beaten
1/2 cup thick sour milk
1/2 cup boiling water
1 square Baker's Unsweetened Chocolate, melted
1 tsp soda
1 tsp vanilla

Sift flour once, measure, add baking powder, and salt, and sift together three times. Cream butter, add sugar gradually, and cream together until light and fluffy. Add eggs. Beat mixture vigorously. Add flour and sour milk alternately, a small amount at a time. Pour the boiling water into the melted chocolate, mix quickly. Add soda to chocolate and stir until thick. Cool slightly before adding to cake batter. Mix thoroughly. Add vanilla. Bake in two greased 9-inch layer pans in moderate over (350F) 25 minutes. To make three 10-inch layers, double recipe. Cover with Marshmallow Frosting - which is:

SEVEN MINUTE FROSTING W/MARSHMALLOWS

1 egg white, unbeaten
1-1/2 cups sugar
1 tbls cold water
1-1/2 tsp light corn syrup
1 tsp vanilla

Put egg whites, sugar, water and corn syrup in upper part of double boiler. Beat with rotary egg beater until thoroughly mixed. Place over rapidly boiling water, beat constantly with rotary beater, and cook for 7 minutes or until frosting will stand in peaks. Remove from heat, add vanilla, and one cup of quartered marshmallows, and beat until thick enough to spread. Makes enough frosting to cover two 9-inch layers.

---

I think you could use buttermilk in place of the sour milk these days. 9_9

I have a bunch of really old "cookbooks" from various and sundry companies - even a diet book from Knox gelatine from the '50s and a little mushroom cookbook from the 70's. Some of them came with the new-fangled refrigerators during the mid '40s - the illustrations are too cute for their own good.

Almost ten. Time for sleeping. If not sleeping, GameBoy. Jim is watching Blue Gender - bugs. Screaming. More bugs.

Oh, and I saw a mouse scoot into the bushes outside today. Great. Guess the living is REALLY easy in the summertime....