A Round of Donuts

Have a ball, its Nat'l Donut Day!*
*oops, a day late, its really the 1st Fri in June.

Hey, lets make it a world-wide celebration, by trying out as many different doughnut versions as we can. Here's a few to get you started:

China - Jin deui (煎堆) - a hollow fried pastry made of sticky rice-flour, w/ a sweet filling

Finland - a Meat doughnut (Lihapiirakka)

France - Beignet - heavenly pockets of yeast dough, sugared
(also a New Orleans treat - that's where I had'm - yum!)

Greece - Loukoumades - donut balls dipped in honey & spices

and here's Japan's Karinto ...



Its deep-fried, of mostly flour, yeast, & brown sugar.
...no matter what it actually looks like....

Norway - Smultring, ("lard ring") donut-like but smaller

Peru - Picarones - a sweet, ring-shaped pumpkin fritter

South Asia - Paratha - fried bread, stuffed with vegetables

West Africa - Akara - fried dough made w/ black eyed peas

Not enough? See more at this (link in new window):
List of international fried treats.

And last but not least...

Gee, dogs really do love donuts... ;)

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Bring Us Your In-Laws

`
I like amusement parks...

Especially the ones with quirky, unique rides.

I remember going to Disneyland as a teenager, and thinking 'Gee, wouldn't it be great to -live- here?!'. Then I grew up and realized that perhaps a few more vegetables and a few less decibels might make for a better life.

Yet I still yearn to see these two in person:


Cool Water Slide in St. Joseph, Missouri.

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and
Wildwood NJ's not-so-spooky boat ride:



Marvel at the bright day-glow colors.

Then lol at that final sign inside.

Thrills for the entire family...

so plan ahead for Halloween. ;-)

For our H'ween TThursday topic: 'Thrill'
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Make A Sparkler

Here are two simple 4-item recipes:

1. For this fireworks sparkler you need:

Potassium Nitrate - 6 parts
Granular Magnesium - 4 parts
Charcoal - 1 part
and a starch or sugar 'binder'

Mix, and coat a wire or stick.

This guy uses -marshmallows- for his binder.



Or, if that sounds too messy...

2. You can mix up a Bond Street Sparkler.

blackberry puree,
St.Germain elderflower liqueur
Fresh Mint
and a quality Champagne...

For a simply fun July, I might make both.

For TT's 'simple' day
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Hoppy Easter

Hope everybunny has a nice hare-y-day.

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edited to add a candy FYI:

Do you too have a family member that requests those orangy-bananaish circus peanut things?

I've had to buy them in the past, and I can never seem to find fresh ones.

But this month Brach's has an Easter version called 'Chicks & Rabbits' that will be fresh for the next few weeks. *At least as 'fresh' as these thingies ever get...


Happy Easter, all

Be My Pitbull Valentine

Just for you all.

Mambo Santa Mambo

A new tune for your holiday mix.



Hm. I've never tried tequila eggnog.
Do we have to add the worm?...

Merry Christmas, y'all !

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Whale Of A Song

Tired of those pre- Christmas tunes already?
You won't hear this in any mall...

Below is "The Pequod" from Tony Garone's "Ahab" show,
'a musical interpretation of Melville's Great American Novel'

'We sail in the morning on a whaling ship
On the wharf we'll be called to service by the rig
And the ship we'll be sailing to the open sea
Goes by name of the Pequod it must surely be!

Now a Christmas is coming but we'll be away
And a whale we'll be hunting so we cannot stay
May our harvest be plenty and our barrels full
And may God bless our journey too!'... etc.

Hate the holidays? ...
No cheery sentiments at all in Ahab's title song.
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Jamie's Day Out

_{artist: Jamie Wyeth {click to go there}}
"Pumpkin-Head"

Happy Hallowe'en!

p.s.
Expecting timely tiny terrors traipsing by for treats?
Bookmark this, its handy:
Find Your Local Time of Sunset

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p.p.s. Her blog party's over,
but here's a bit more H'ween.

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Panic! At The Party

Just thought I'd link to a few music videos to get us all in the mood for Halloween. So, without further ado...

''Its Almost Halloween''
(by 'Panic! At The Disco'...)

followed by their spooky hit song from

"Nightmare Before Christmas"

*now we finally know who wrote it :) lyrics below


'This Is Halloween' by P!ATD

Boys and girls of every age
Wouldn't you like to see something strange?
Come with us and you will see
This, our town of Halloween

This is Halloween, this is Halloween
Pumpkins scream in the dead of night
This is Halloween, everybody make a scene
Trick or treat till the neighbors gonna die of fright
It's our town, everybody scream
In this town of Halloween

I am the one hiding under your bed
Teeth ground sharp and eyes glowing red
I am the one hiding under your stairs
Fingers like snakes and spiders in my hair

This is Halloween, this is Halloween
Halloween! Halloween! Halloween! Halloween!

In this town we call home
Everyone hail to the pumpkin song
In this town, don't we love it now?
Everybody's waiting for the next surprise

Round that corner, man hiding in the trash can
Something's waiting now to pounce, and how you'll...

Scream! This is Halloween
Red 'n' black, slimy green
Aren't you scared?

Well, that's just fine
Say it once, say it twice
Take a chance and roll the dice
Ride with the moon in the dead of night

Everybody scream, everybody scream
In our town of Halloween!

I am the clown with the tear-away face
Here in a flash and gone without a trace
I am the "who" when you call, "Who's there?"
I am the wind blowing through your hair
I am the shadow on the moon at night
Filling your dreams to the brim with fright

This is Halloween, this is Halloween
Halloween! Halloween! Halloween! Halloween!
Halloween! Halloween!

Tender lumplings everywhere
Life's no fun without a good scare
That's our job, but we're not mean
In our town of Halloween

In this town
Don't we love it now?
Everyone's waiting for the next surprise

Skeleton Jack might catch you in the back
And scream like a banshee
Make you jump out of your skin
This is Halloween, everybody scream
Wont' ya please make way for a very special guy

Our man jack is King of the Pumpkin patch
Everyone hail to the Pumpkin King now

This is Halloween, this is Halloween
Halloween! Halloween! Halloween! Halloween!

In this town we call home
Everyone hail to the pumpkin song

La la-la la [Repeat]

Keep tappin' those pointy-toed shoes!

;-)

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For 'A Fanciful Twist's Blog Party
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Stirring Up Trouble

Before Halloween comes to brew,
Three things you might like to do:

First, easy decorations.

Printer on? Right-click the witch
and select Print-Target. 'Voila', out
comes her full-page image to colour.
(Go here for gobs more.)

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Second, use Colonial-era clues (below) to determine...
...Are You A Witch?:
Do dogs fed rye cake (made w/pee!) bite you?
Yes? Keep running - because you're a witch.

Check your weight against a stack of bibles.
Did they balance? No?... You're a witch.

Any moles, birthmarks, scars, or extra nips?
Oops. May be Devil tats - Could be a witch.
Talk to yourself much? 'Yes'?... Uh oh.
Sarah G, was damned b/c she was muttering...
Her accusers just knew she was casting spells.

Got pets? Summoning animals is also a Demon-skill,
so they'd better NOT come when called. Do they?..

(Hey, its always better to know, right?)

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Third,

There's a blog party at
'A Fanciful Twist',
to 'witch' we're all invited!

(click pic for details)

30 days til Hallows Eve!

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Cooling Off Hot Bods

I needed some ideas for tomorrow, so I found this list (via 'CheapHealthyGood'- click image) recommending these light drinks for summer.

Bellini
Mimosa
Light Beer (12 oz)
Scotch, vodka, gin, or bourbon
Red, white, or sparkling wine
Bloody Mary
Rum and Diet Coke
Tom Collins
Sloe Gin Fizz
Vodka Martini
Guinness (12 oz)

Hey, sounds good to me... so I'm off to T Joe's to get those frozen peaches that I'll use to make Bellinis tomorrow.




*don't worry, I'll also get beer for the guys.

Have a great 4th!

Having La Fête

Lets talk of Montreal today...
to celebrate the National Holiday of Quebec.

Jeepers Peepers

Some no-calorie treats for y'all ;-)

this girl's peeps panic...





'Love You' 'Give us a Kiss' 'Thank You' ...so cute!

Happy Easter !

Leprechaun Feet

They can walk up the front of a fridge?...



So those tiny colorful imps also have anti-gravity?

Paging Mr. Cameron: We has a plot for Avatar II.

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*just enuf time to leave you three quick 'St. Pat' links:

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(1) FAMILY FUN
In 2009 a mom put neon prints (pic above) thru her kitchen then surprised her kids w/ green food. Some comments she got, last one's a lol idea:

Ashlee- did this one year at a daycare I worked at. It really freaked out the kids and they cried for a good half hour!

Mercedes- we set our shoes out and They leave us small goodies. Usually green. :) Also our room would have been disorganized by the leprechauns.

Bren Yule- spaghetti noodles with green food coloring! Green alfredo sauce, and Green Choc chip cookies with green sprinkles!

Yarni Gras!- put a green food coloring tablet between the faucet spout and washer ...turned on the kitchen sink, the water came out green.

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(2) RECIPE
From the Food Librarian, no less:

Her recipe? (click pic) Jello blended w/ ice cream.
No idea how it tastes, but it certainly looks... green.

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(3) HISTORY:
How snakes left Ireland. (beware: not happily)


I said 'Ew', but laughed anyway. - Happy St. Paddys

Eye Heart Art

When St. Valentine meets Pop Art...

Hosting a helping of Jim Dine, an artist who likes to include hearts in his work. Behold:








Just a man's bathrobe? You decide.




And Jim Dine also does work in sculpture:




This guy finds JD's work particularly gripping...
;-)

Happy Valentine's Day

Lincoln's Big Day

Speaking of Mr.L, who wants a toaster waffle?



This video just made me laugh. (click 'replay' to see every 'nom') Lincoln is the only human in it, and he gets the snack* that wasn't invented until 100 years after he died.

*Suppose that's why they're in the shape of giant pennies?

Happy Birthday, Mr. Lincoln

Oh Genevieve, St. Genevieve

Today is Saint Genevieve's Day,
and she's the Patron Saint of Paris...
...because my pop-up calendar told me so.

The only time I heard about her was in Camelot:


In 'The Simple Joys of Maidenhood',
with those pure & innocent lyrics:

St. Genevieve! St. Genevieve!
It's Guenevere, remember me?

St. Genevieve! St. Genevieve!
I'm over here beneath this tree
You know how faithful and devout I am
You must admit I've always been a lamb
But, Genevieve, St. Genevieve

I won't obey you any more
You've gone a bit too far
I won't be bid and bargain'd for
Like beads in a bazaar

St. Genevieve, I've run away
Eluded them and fled
And from now on I intend to pray
To someone else instead!

Oh, Genevieve, St. Genevieve
Where were you when my youth was sold?
Dear Genevieve, sweet Genevieve
Shan't I be young before I'm old?

Where are the simple joys of maidenhood?
Where are all those adoring, daring boys?
Where's the knight pining so for me
He leaps to death in woe for me?
Oh, where are a maiden's simple joys?

Shan't I have the normal life a maiden should?
Shall I never be rescued in the wood?
Shall two knights never tilt for me
And let their blood be spilt for me?
Oh, where are the simple joys of maidenhood?

Shall I not be on a pedestal
Worshipped and competed for?
Not be carried off, or better st'll
Cause a little war?

Where are the simple joys of maidenhood?
Are those sweet, gentle pleasures gone for good?

Shall a feud not begin for me?
Shall kith not kill their kin for me?
Oh, where are the trivial joys
Harmless, convivial joys
Where are the simple joys of maidenhood?

LOL - Where indeed?

Luckily St. G.'s also the Patron Saint Against Disaster.

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FYI: for you Harry Potter fans, you'll be thrilled to know that her dad was the original 'Severus'.

Celebrity Reveal

Knew I wouldn't be back til Sunday, so I collected these celebrity bon mots for 2010 in advance. (here & here) Enjoy!

Resolutions from the glitterati...

Big Lo, rapper: I hope to get married and settle down this year. Aside from that, my plan for this year is to take over the Hip-Hop scene in Nigeria

Blackky, reggae artist: I pray that the will of Jah be fulfilled

Etcetera, singer: to continue to be the person I am in 2010

Illbliss, rapper: My plan for 2010 is to make a lot of money

Terry Tha Rapman, rapper:
It was basically a year of sowing seeds for me,
so I expect 2010 to be a year of bountiful harvesting

Tobey Maguire: To spend more time with my family.

Hugh Grant: To go west.

Maggie Gyllenhaal: To be the best mother I can be.

Jeff Bridges: To be more alert.

James Franco: To walk more.

Ellen Burstyn: To lose some weight.

Emily Blunt: To not make any resolutions.

Perhaps Emily has the right idea...

Hope y'all have a great 2010!

Now where'd I leave my aspirin & that mimosa?

Bottoms Up

Party til Le Claw strikes _{(two thousand)} 10!

I couldn't resist the invitation....

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I needed to find a date. So I decided to ask Google for a
comedian - musician - celebrity.

I should have been more specific...

And having seen that bunch... he's perfect:

1. He's exotic (from the UK)
2. He's got a fun accent
3. He'll never run out of something to say.

Enabling me to just smile, nod, and hog the bubbly.

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Now I've got the dress, and I'm ready to go:

See you in the 10's!

My Anti Year

`

Yes, 2010 will be my Anti-Year.

Why?... It all started when I read that alcohol is aging and that
'mixed drinks provide little to no nutritional value'. (Shocking, right?... Apparently those little olives and lime wedges just don't cut it.) Anyway, I thereafter resolved to add more antioxidants to my daily fare in 2010, just to balance those weekends out.

Luckily, I already like most of the top ones:
Red Wine
Dark Chocolate
Green Tea
Carrots
Apples
Unsalted Nuts
Berries

But the USDA declared that the # 1 antioxidant food is:
Small Red Beans


'Small red beans' ?!?... Huh.

Plus the USDA also says:
'Antioxidants work better in combination'

To that end I declare that my recipes in 2010 will contain as many antioxidants as I can fit in. And for my first attempt, and to ring in the new year, I decided to find a recipe that includes -all- of them.

Here goes... I give you:

recipe link: Chocolate Carrot Cake

Basically, to your fave devil’s food cake add:

1 cup shredded carrots
1 cup chopped walnuts
some cream cheese frosting
plus berries on top, for garnish

Remember to sub a bit of applesauce & green tea into the mix - to take the place of any oil, or plain water.

Now serve with a glass of red wine and
'Voila', we're in the top antioxidant zone*!

*provided we choke down a bowl o' beans first.

Lets toot in a Happy New Year !

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(sung to the chorus of 'Auld Lang Syne'*)

For antioxidants, my dear,
for an-ti-oxi-dants...
We'll take a cup of green tea yet,
for An-ti-Oxi-Dants!

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