Anything Goes

Over the weekend I had the pleasure of being with a group of "foodie" friends where we shared our favorite tapas. Basically "tapas" is the Spanish word for "hors d'oeuvres" but easier to spell. New to this Spanish version that seems to have a little more heat attached, I was impressed as to how the makeup of many could have to do with what's already available in the pantry and that ties into my approach to most concoctions that I come up with, even for meals. Example: today's lunch was a sandwich on wheat bread with some leftover pastrami, havarti cheese and leftover and therefore, old, red cabbage slaw. Plowing around in my fridge, eager to get rid of the little bits of stuff, often results in some very interesting meals. I'm curious about what others may have done with their exciting finds.

Why the French Invented Perfume

Our sous-chef invariably reeks
Of onions, chives and leeks--
Not that he ought to smell like a rose,
And  we've never seen him eating these;
But his odor can bring one's cat to its knees.
Mon Dieu!  The smell is in his clothes!

Mike Mc N

Happy Halloween!

Just to restate: OLLI will celebrate Halloween on Monday Oct. 31 with pumpkin painting, pumpkin judging, cider and (ta, da) cupcakes. I am anticipating that the cupcakes will carry out the Halloween theme - as scary as I can make them! Find them in the annex on Monday morning.

D.

AB OVO

Consider what precedes the chicken:

You, Colonel Sanders’, wing and leg; but

Well before the chicken, sir,

Let us discuss the simple egg.

                 ----------

Fried today, or with Sauce Mornay,

What’s breakfast without ’em light and airy?

Scrambled, stirred, or ovenly shirred,

The egg’s one joyous cackleberry.

In breads white and rye; in cake & pie

At home with apple, pear, and peach:

Eggs lend a tang to all meringue,

And Frenchify one’s loving quiche.

Here’s the mayonnaise and Hollandaise,

And the breath of each soufflé,

A hard-boiled Yegg just won’t renege,

Nor will poached eggs resist flambé.

O! If I could depict eggs Benedict

As my ultimate, heavenly wish:

I’ve often reveled in those be-devilled.

Here’s a toast: “To the egg, the do-it-all dish”.

                    -------------

Dear Sanders: One Colonel to another--

Take advice I collegially beg,

Smite the chicken, hip and thigh,

Embrace instead, the humble egg.

Mike Mc Namara

Colonel, Infantry, USA (Ret.)

Business Cards Available

Those folks who cater to the creative in all of us, Avery Products, have enabled me to create business size cards that include the vital information you may find useful if you want to access and then participate on this blog. I know some folks are checking it out, and I am hoping more of you will comment on what you are reading. But should you have an interest in writing something original, you need to email me at debbyhalv@aol.com so that I an invite you to author something. I wish it were easier but for now that's how it goes.  I'd like us to have an active restaurant review thing going so if you've dined recently, or simply eaten, somewhere that you want to promote, do ask me to authorize you; or slip it into a comment because you don't need any permission to comment.  If you use the name "anonymous", then identify yourself in the body of the comment.

You may also take advantage of the font choices at the top of the composing page to get fancy yourself . Look for my business cards in the social room or similar places at Reston and Loudoun.

Where did the crickets go?

Now it may be possible that there is suddenly a cricket convention somewhere other than at my house, but I think something else happened when, after several weeks of those wild and crazy bugs hopping around my house, making chirpy noises etc., that suddenly they are nowhere to be seen. My family had just reminded me that these bugs are nasty pets so I'd best get rid of them, but before I could, I noticed that they were already gone. Simultaneously, I had put a big bouquet of Carolyn Sanders' bay /laurel in my bathroom where the bugs had collected. She had said that other bugs hate bay; maybe crickets do too. Peace at last!

Meatless in Fairfax

Good to be alive in this nation

That doesn’t worship vegetation,

But loves its burgers, ribs, and chops

Ignoring verdant, fresh-field crops

Who then’s responsible for all of these

Tiny things like Bonsai trees?

Looking at my plate, well, darkly,

All I can see is nasty Broccoli!

Fed the stuff by a diligent Mom

I thought as adult I’d come upon

A promised land of meatfilled life;

But instead, I married a diligent wife.

Chorus:

For its steak, steak, steak,

Well-done or medium rare

Chew for goodness’ sake:

Meat’s on the bill of fare!

Mike Mc Namara