Monthly Archives: June 2015

Wednesday, June 17, 2015 – The Elf in the Kitchen

Posted on June 17, 2015 | 4 comments

Wednesday, June 17, 2015 – The Elf in the Kitchen

I cooked a vegan dinner last night. Which part of that sentence caught your attention – I cooked or vegan? Unless you lived in a hippie place like Austin, which I did, the term vegan in blasphemous in Texas. I mean, just ask Oprah W. I was born in a state whose economic foundations lie in beef, ranching and cattle. So what’s up with the vegan thing?

At the Sweet Potato Queen Zippity Do Dah parade I met a lovely SPQ who keeps a blog called The Elf in Kitchen. http://the-elf-in-the-kitchen.blogspot.com/ The recipes are all vegan. When I asked how she defined vegan, this was her response:

“There are as many definitions of vegan as stars in the sky. Typically, vegan refers to more than an eating regimen. It is a way of life that eschews the use of all animal products including, leather, honey, Jell-O or any product where animal derivatives may be used. This includes dairy and eggs.”

That takes an intense commitment. But I thought in an attempt to intake more vegetables into my diet, I would try a vegan recipe and bloggers like to promote each other. I asked The Elf for something a Texan might enjoy. She graciously sent the recipe for roasted cauliflower and lentil tacos with a creamy chipotle sauce.

Roasted cauliflower and lentil tacos – cookieandkate.com

Here are my pictures from the recipe:

The Seasoned Lentils

Cauliflower florets roasting in olive oil.

I used a chipotle salsa to make the sauce. With the mayo it probably took away from pure vegan, but only slightly, I hope.

Corn tortillas on a comal – a flat cast iron griddle type used for warming tortillas.

Bottom Line – As skeptical as I was, they were delicious. Easy to prepare; the total time of 50 minutes from prep to cook was right on the money. The only thing I would change is the addition of more chili powder and peppers – only because we do like our food hot and spicy in Texas.

So click on over to The Elf in the Kitchen http://the-elf-in-the-kitchen.blogspot.com/ and give the animals a day off. You can always have that hamburger tomorrow night.

Thank you Elf. I look forward to more healthy recipes.

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Tagged The Elf in the Kitchen, vegan, vegan recipes

Tuesday, June 16, 2015 – BILL! Run for the Hills! The Floods Are Flashing!

Posted on June 16, 2015 | 2 comments

Tuesday, June 16, 2015 – BILL! Run for the Hills! The Floods Are Flashing!

Bill is headed to Texas and he is not running for President of the United States. Let’s see, with Jeb Bush and soon to be announcing Donald Trump, how many candidates are running? Do the John Wax math.

I see where Chris Christi says he would “start World War III.” That’s certainly encouraging. As the great Tom Lehrer once sang in the 1960’s, “Watch World War III on pay TV.”

Here’s What I’m Thinking. What if all of the candidates who want to run the country do something like Dancing With the Stars, or World Wrestling Federation with mud and Jell-O?

People could email, text, or tweet their votes. If the DWTS model was used, each week we could vote a candidate out of the race. The last two candidates standing get to be POTUS and VPOTUS and face off in a Jazz Dance to All That Jazz from Chicago. (It’s a stretch, but it works describing D.C.) “ …it’s just a noisy hall, where’s there’s a nightly brawl…”

Better yet – a quick step from Best Little Whorehouse in Texas – “Oooh, I love to dance a little side step; now you see me; now you don’t …”

I am kinda rethinking the mud/Jell-O wrestling. I do not want to see any of those people in swim suit attire in high definition TV.

How about we put all of the candidates on an island and call it “Survival Reality Politics?” And put the island in Bill’s path. I would watch that on pay TV.

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Tagged All That Jazz, Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, Hurricane Bill, presidential elections, Tom Lehrer

Monday, June 15, 2015 – I See a Bad Moon Rising.

Posted on June 15, 2015 | 1 comment

Monday, June 15, 2015 – I See a Bad Moon Rising

“I see a Bad Moon Rising. I see trouble on the way. I hear hurricanes a blowing; I know the end is coming soon. I feel rivers over flowing…” sung by what Sixties group?

Yes, as Mary Chapin Carpenter sings “We got a Gulf storm blowin’ into town tonight. Livin on the delta’s quite a show. They got hurricane parties every time it blows.“

Looks like Bill, whatever it turns out to be, is going to bring much unneeded precipitation. Therefore I am going to do my civic duty and open my home as a shelter for those who want to move further inland. First priority goes those with whom I share DNA – aka Family. Second priority goes those who are like family – NT and BFF Troglodyte.

Pets are welcome. However, reptiles must remain in their cage at all times and out of site.

Therefore, if you feel the need to evacuate and move to higher ground, please bring at least one, if not all of the four basic hunker down food groups. These are

Sweet
Salty
Alcohol
Chocolate

Bringing you own toilet paper to the shelter will be nice touch. No need to let me know if you are seeking higher ground. I’ll leave the light on for you.

Bad Moon Rising sung by Creedence Clearwater Revival.

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Friday, June 12, 2015 – Why Send a Card When You Can Go to the Party? Happy Birthday President and Mrs. Bush

Posted on June 12, 2015 | Leave a comment

Friday, June 12, 2015 – Why Send a Card When You Can Go to the Party? Happy Birthday President and Mrs. Bush

George, me and Barbara

Dear Former President George H. W. Bush – AKA 41 – and your beautiful (and smart) bride, Barbara,

Thank you for the lovely birthday bash at your Library and Museum on Wednesday, June 10, 2015 celebrating both of your birthdays.

Bush Library 6.10.15 2015-06-10 024 (800x597)

Entrance

Back

I know I had a wonderful time and Mrs. Bush, the cake with the books about Millie was delicious.

The popcorn was also fresh and salted just right. Free sodas and water was a nice touch. Blue Bell Ice Cream was missed as much as the two of you were. If I recall, both of you attended last year’s celebration. I hope both of you can attend next year and there is Blue Bell. Anyway, have fun in Kennebunkport.

The atrium of the George Bush Museum.

Here are some flags for Sunday – June 14 – Flag Day. Fly it proudly and long may it wave.

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Tagged Barbara Bush, Bush 41, George H W Bush, George H W Bush Museum

Thursday, June 11, 2015 – I Know What That Throw Back Is, But the Other Picture?

Posted on June 11, 2015 | Leave a comment

Thursday, June 11, 2015 – I Know What That Throw Back Is, But the Other Picture?

Who thought up Throw Back Thursday? Better than Throw Up Saturday night, I suppose.

I saw this Studebaker in front of me at a stoplight in Bryan. I do not even remember Studebakers.

But do you know what this is? No relation to the car. Many of you know I collect old photography and media stuff. My neighbor gave me this, after we figured out what it was used for. Do you remember?

It is the safety bar that fit into your VCR so your kid would not insert his hand or worse insert his peanut butter sandwich into your VCR. What did VCR stand for?Video Cassette Recorder.

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Tagged Studebaker, Throw Back Thursday, VCR

Wednesday, JUNE 10, 2015 – I Have Unlocked the Key to Facebook

Posted on June 10, 2015 | 2 comments

Wednesday, JUNE 10, 2015 – I Have Unlocked the Key to Facebook

I have unlocked the key to Facebook. Vanity. People want to see themselves.

This fits right into my business plan. As you recall, my business plan is – If I know you now, have known you in the past or will know you in the future, I WILL write something about you, somehow, some way. Are you willing to take the chance and not read what I write? LOL

Add photographs to that and I got friends in low places – Thank you, Garth Brooks. If I post a picture on Facebook, Friends start commenting before I can finish the album. I like that. Thank you.

And ya’ll know that my daddy, dear Honeyboy, took pictures and shot video of every event he attended. I have super 8 video of the Easter egg hunt in the front yard of the Magnolia house when I was in the first grade. So if you were in the first grade with me at Magnolia Elementary, I got you crossing the style from the school yard to my yard with your Easter basket.

And I got pictures too! And I got unopened boxes of pictures still to go through.

While you are reading this and debating whether to Unfriend me while it is still safe, I am playing golf.

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Tuesday, July 9, 2015 – A Song Dedication – Sometimes It Takes…

Posted on June 9, 2015 | 3 comments

Tuesday, July 9, 2015 – A Song Dedication – Sometimes It Takes…

I apologize in advance, but I just had to get in my Here’s What I’m Thinking two-cents about Caitlyn before we are all puked out. I promise never to speak again of her after today.

Remember when she was a man and the only technology was one radio and one television? Remember late on Saturday night people would call in to the radio station and have the DJ dedicate a song to someone?

Well, the big balled Kardashian women and I would like dedicate the following song, by Elizabeth Cook to Caitlyn and wish her well. Caitlyn, this is a great two-step number and you can now both lead and follow.

“Honey, when it comes down to the plumbing, sometimes…

Elizabeth Cook – Sometimes It Takes Balls to be a Woman – available on ITunes.

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Tagged Caitlyn Jenner, Elizabeth Cook, Sometimes It Takes Balls

Monday, June 9, 2015 – “Oh What a Beautiful Morning!” – Oklahoma – The Stage and Film Productions – Not the State

Posted on June 8, 2015 | 10 comments

Monday, June 9, 2015 – “Oh What a Beautiful Morning!” – Oklahoma – The Stage and Film Productions – Not the State

This one’s for you, JLW – comments and corrections most desired! A fantasy, a dream and a bucket list item. See what you can do. It’s also for Kristen, Gayla and all the wonderful Okies and transplants.

People who can sing are amazing. People who can dance are equally amazing. But people who can do them simultaneously are mesmerizing. Nothing shows these two talents better than a great musical – especially on the stage.

I do not know who “They” are, but Oklahoma, not Carousel, is the best Rogers and Hammerstein musical. In fact Oklahoma is the best musical EVER!

Since the age of six I have worn out numerous records, LP albums, 8-track tapes, cassette tapes, compact discs and IPod playlists of the soundtrack to Oklahoma. It is my Go to Happy Music.

The stage production premiered on Broadway in 1943. It was Agnes de Mille’s first time to choreograph a musical on Broadway. You can Google the rest of the Broadway history.

The film version was released in 1955. Auditions for the lead role of Curly McLain included James Dean and Paul Newman. The lead role of Laurey Williams was offered to Joann Woodward, who turned it down. Curly went to Gordon MacRae and Laurey went to Shirley Jones, who had played the role on Broadway.

Side note: I watched The Long-Hot Summer last night with Newman and Woodward – HOT!!! I thought the TV might melt. I know I was. Of course it was based on the greatest writer to come from the state of Mississippi and the entire South – William Cutbirth Faulkner. You were expecting John Grisham? Back on topic…

I have childhood memories of my mother and me waltzing around the living room singing “Oh What a Beautiful Morning.” Back in my room in the Magnolia House (where the Catholic Church now sits), I would sing all of the parts to the score. Gordon MacRae – that booming voice – Oh, be still my heart. Shirley Jones’voice! Mama Partridge, you take my breath away.

Today, I can still sing all of the parts – even the “Pore Jud Is Daid” scene with Rod Steiger. And I am not ashamed to admit that I own a sing-a-long version of the movie. The movie and my singing seem to get better with wine as the movie plays, but maybe that’s just me.

So my fantasy, dream and bucket list item is to be in a production of Oklahoma. It would probably help if I could sing and dance. Damn, I should have taken your mother’s dance classes. But to paraphrase Doo to Loretta in Coal Miner’s Daughter, “I ain’t too ignorant to learn.” And a part in the chorus would be fine.

Does playing Constance Dinwiddie in my high school Senior Play and being The Tin Man in my college sorority’s theme party count for anything? Duets between me and BFF Troglodyte at the Magnolia Methodist Church do not count. Our mothers made us sing those – usually because we were in trouble.

“OOOOOOKLAHOMA! Where the wind comes sweeping down the plains; and the waving wheat can sure smell sweet when wind comes right behind the rain…”

Trivia – the opening scenes and much of the outdoor scenes of the film were shot in Arizona. Why? The outdoor scenes could not be shot in Oklahoma because there were too many oil wells in the background.

Cast from 1955 Film Oklahoma

Gordon MacRae – Curly McLain
Shirley Jones – Laurey Williams
Charlotte Greenwood – Aunt Eller Murphy
Gene Nelson – Will Parker
Gloria Grahame – Ado Annie Carnes
Rod Steiger – Jud Fry
Jay C. Flippen – Ike Skidmore
James Whitmore – Andrew Carnes

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Tagged Gordon MacRae, Oklahoma 1955 film, Oklahoma stage production, Rogers and Hammerstein, Shirley Jones

Friday, June 5, 2015 – Some Odds and Ends to End the Week. – TCU15, Rick Perry and STAAR Tests

Posted on June 5, 2015 | Leave a comment

Friday, June 5, 2015 – Some Odds and Ends to End the Week. – TCU15, Rick Perry and STAAR Tests

I like college baseball. Mostly because it means college football is just around the corner. But the NCAA baseball playoffs are at the Super Regional level. The winners of the Super Regional games go the College World Series. And TCU15 is the funniest thing I have heard all week. Gig ‘Em Aggies!

TCU top athletic brass tried to prevent the Aggies from purchasing General Admission tickets to the A&M/TCU Super Regional baseball game this weekend by establishing a promo code – TCU15. The promo code was emailed to loyal Horned Frogs. But then the promo code, TCU15, was tweeted to the world and Texas Aggies purchased all of the general admission tickets using the promo code. Tickets sold out before Thursday’s public release.

Granted, as you Frogs are saying – “from many of those seats you cannot see the batter.” Probably so, but that batter is going to see a sea of maroon clad screaming Aggies from the batter’s box. I am so ROFL. Wait until they sing War Hymn at the 7th inning stretch.

I told you Captain Hairspray would not wear a hat tossing his into the ever-growing presidential ring. Well-known among Austin media and photo shoots. No hat. I am not sure about that glistening sweat. It did not work well for Mr. Nixon. You and the TCU athletic brass need to retake that communications/media course.

Oh Ship! I see where in Houston ISD, thousands of STAAR retest answer sheets were reported missing by a shipping company. Perhaps they were shipped with the anthrax. Would love to be a fly on the wall when HISD administrators have to inform parents their child may have to go summer school as a result.

Have a wonderful weekend and BTHO TCU!

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Tagged college baseball, NCAA Super Regionals, Rick Perry, STAAR tests, TCU15

Thursday, June 4, 2014 – Throw Back Thursday From Magnolia High School – Class of 1967

Posted on June 4, 2015 | Leave a comment

Thursday, June 4, 2014 – Throw Back Thursday From the Magnolia High School – Class of 1967

Here is our very own Throw Back Thursday – from the Magnolia High School graduating class of 1967. Did your graduating class have one of these programs?