Ouzo

     I have mentioned that I work for a Greek family.  A while back I learned to count to ten.  I know a few bad words now.  I get to listen to the music if the shuffle of the Ipod is feeling ethnic.  But today I had a toast and a sip or two of ouzo!  I just did some quick research because I like to learn as I go through my new thing process and found this interesting bit of info...   

     "When absinthe fell into disfavor in the early 20th century, ouzo was one of the products whose popularity rose to fill the gap".

    Yep, you feel it when it glides down your throat and warms your toes.  It tastes like licorice and packs a punch and was a little treat at a lunch of thanks.  OPA!!!

Romanesco and "Roll Up"

     Same holiday...same house...same crowd and yet I had not one but two new things!  Romanesco is a gorgeous little veggie.  After some research I have discovered that some call it broccoli and some cauliflower.  Either way look it up in google images and check it out.  It looks like a cross between a  digital quilt and medieval weapon.  Sounds bizarre?  This description has nuthin' on this plant.  It is fun to eat and tasty (especially dipped in the bowl of heavenly goodness next to it).  It was part of a crudite platter and a whole table full of delectable appetizers.  Next, was a dinner complete with an amuse bouche, brined turkey, a gazillion sides and and an array of desserts.  They do it up big at the White House.  While sipping coffee and moaning from the pain in our stomachs from stuffing ourselves because everything was so delicious there was a suggestion to play a game.  My ears perked up.  Grab a group of friends.  Suggest this at the holiday party at work.  Have some cocktails and grab some paper...but play this...it is a riot!

Each person has a pen and piece of paper in front of them.  We used big 8.5x11 sheets to allow for room and creativity.  Each person writes their response and folds the paper down to cover the writing and then the papers pass to the next person (either direction will work and even more fun if you mix it up a little).   The formula is as follows:


                              Name of a person (real, character, famous, known...anybody)

                                                               Another person

                                                    A place they could have met up

                                  A line of dialogue from the first person...question or statement

                                                A response to a question or statement

                                               Epilogue statement to wrap up the story

Then everyone gives one last pass and takes turns in reading the stories aloud.   It can be rowdy or PG depending on your crowd but something tells me that rowdy would be even funnier.  Here are a few samples of the very stories we came up with.  The age of the crowd went from 10 to 86 and everyone enjoyed it!!!

While reading it you make it more of a story...

Mitt Romney
(and)
Captain Underpants
(met up at)
Walmart
Mitt said, "They are all out of large Depends"
to which Captain Underpants responded
"Well, sometimes that's how the cookie crumbles, isn't it?"
And they all packed up their leftovers and went home.

Brad Pitt
(bumped into)
Abraham Lincoln
Under the Verrazano Bridge near the hot dog vendor with the limp
Brad said, "I'm not sure but I think someone here has a hoochie issue!"
Abraham responded, "I feel great!"
The fire burned as they sang carols together.


Everyone from Chaz Bono to Superman showed up in all sorts of places including a strip joint named, "Bottom Dollar"...and they did all sorts of crazy things together and we had a blast.  I'm talking hold your stomach while tears run down your face sort of laughter. 

Thanks to the people that made our day one of much thanks, love, laughter and kindness...and a whole bunch of fun!!!

United States of Bacon

     The guide caught my eye with the word "bacon".  The entire hour was dedicated to the luscious meat from the first mentioned  BLT containing twenty-five slices to the crazy burger/bacon patty.  I think about becoming a vegetarian more and more these days but shows like this are not helping!!!

Girls and Noxzema

     When I was a young girl my sister introduced me to Noxzema.  I loved the container and the scent of its beautiful whiteness.  I loved how my skin felt and how barely a blemish found me through most of my teen years.  I'm not sure when I stopped using it but I do know that it seemed to be less trendy and I had to graduate to grown up skin care at some point in my adulthood.  Lately, my skin is worse than all of my teen years combined.  I also have a little girl about to enter the fun known as the tween years.  Together we purchased a brand new (slightly updated) blue container and came home and washed our faces.  It was a coming of age and a return to youth all at one sink splashing.  I forgot how much I loved the stuff and I just might stick with it for a while...if not just to hold her hand as she gets older but for her to hold mine as I do as well. 

Vicks on Pigs

     Little man started up with a cough.  Nearing the holiday this was bound to happen.  I started him immediately on grapefruit seed extract and some extra vities.  But I just recently read that if you put Vicks on their feet at night it helps to alleviate if not eliminate the cough.  A mama has to try...so out we went for some Vicks. 

    For you moms hoping for some full proof solution of wonder...it's Wednesday and after two nights...his cough has only worsened.  :(

The Queen of Versailles

     This film is a rags to riches to rags story.  It is very entertaining and very depressing all at the same time which left me a bit confused.  I found many parts of it terribly sad but yet didn't want to leave it before it was finished.  It was honest and vulnerable.  It was heartbreaking.  It was disgusting and joyous.  A contradiction of so many things in so many ways.
     The bottom line was that the people thought that having everything would bring them happiness.  The bigger the hole the bigger the need to fill it.  The last few years of my life have brought things to light that I never fully understood until now.  The more I learn and know the less I want and need.  I see what is valuable and essential.  The good part is that I don't need a storm of the century or a movie to remind me...I know from day to day. 

Instagram

     I know I'm a little late to the party.  I'll blame the weather, traffic, construction and anything else that will help.  As I see it with things like this...late is better than never.  So I logged into Instagram one day and noticed that I had ten followers.  I didn't even know my password so I found this interesting.  I realize between Facebook and Twitter and Big Brother they all find a way to connect everything.  Little bit awesome...little bit terrifying.  So I started to see the ins and outs of Instagram and checked out some photos from my friends.  It is pretty cool.  I found a few more followers and a few more people to watch but didn't dive in until today. 
     I was in my kitchen busting open the most amazing head of fennel and it hit me.  I placed the traditional bowl of olive oil with s&p near the crispy strips and fuzzy greens and took a photo.  I am now connecting all of the dots with the photos I have been seeing of food.  I also have noticed there is a theme of dogs and cats as well.  I am loving this new way to express what I see and feel without the use of words.  Late to the party but certainly not the first to leave...

(If you are at the party and I haven't bumped into you yet...please feel free to throw me a shout out!)