Scribbles in the Margin: America The Book / Rockin' Out: James Blunt

Out of the piles of Christmas loot, there were a few surprise hits that I wanted to share.

Photo courtesy Amazon.com. For more information click here.

So, as his annual Christmas Book Tim received America (The Book) Teacher's Edition: A Citizen's Guide to Democracy Inaction. Written by Jon Stewart and his cronies at The Daily Show, as expected it's jam-packed with political satire and humor at the expense of...well, everything. Covering the history of Democracy from the Stone Age (Maybury's Rock vs. Madison's Head) to present day (As a retirement age Democracy, our friends never call or visit any more.) By now every one knows about the Paper cut-out naked Supreme Court Justices (It's just as skivy as it sounds.) but besides that the graphic layout is incredible. With graphs, charts, graphics and side bars on just about every page it helps the material flow from topic to topic and punchline to punchline in a clean and easy to follow format.

Not surprisingly the writing is hilariously funny, though I suspect that only people with a center/left-ist view would agree. Though, to be fair a lot of the humor is not specifically aimed at any one group...more at the utter failures that Democracy/American Society in general has suffered. (Which is my obfuscated way of saying anyone with a wry/ironic sense of humor should find this book a good funny read.) Also not surprising, is that if you are a bit of a history/political junkie there is a lot of very sly humor that the average reader might miss. I'm not implying anything except that maybe the more education you sought after 8th grade is proportional to your enjoyment of the text presented. And as a final note, if the professor is that they had help with the "corrections" actually did write the red notes...I wish I would've had HIM in college.

Photo courtesy Amazon.com. For more information click here.

Moving us on from the written to the sung word is James Blunt's debut CD, Back to Bedlam. According to the internet this is the most over played, over hyped, hated album in the United Kingdom. Now guessing that his popularity is somewhere in the neighborhood of Celine Dion's during the Titanic era...I can relate to the hate. There is no reason that any musician, song or CD should have that kind of rotation. EVER. But to be fair, if anything deserves to be overplayed, this CD certainly does. I put it on my list knowing only that I adore the songs You're Beautiful and Goodbye My Lover...but that was about it. I am so glad I got it. The disk as a whole is very reflective and introspective while the unusual voice of Mr. Blunt lingers as he sings about lost loves and his experiences as a UN Peacekeeper during the Bosnian Civil War. For a debut, the CD is well thought through and put together with no real "bad" songs. In fact I was surprised when I got to the end and couldn't think of any one song that I hated, since it's pretty typical of me to despise at least a song or two. For an impulse Christmas idea, I'm exceedingly pleased with how much I've been enjoying this.

The Home Cook: Bacon-Wrapped Pork Medallions

In the echelons of recipes I figure there are in the neighborhood of 4 tiers. There are Lazy Recipes (Mac n' cheese, canned soups, PB&J, etc), Everyday Recipes (Tatertot Casserole, Taverns, etc) Nice Family Recipes (Shrimp Supreme, Pasta with homemade sauce, etc) and Guest Recipes. Now the category of Guest Recipes can be tricky...often they are the recipes that involve intricate planning and preparation, special ingredients and the occasional fussy sauce. And usually that's ok, Guests are meant to be pampered and besides, what better time to showcase that standing rib roast or flambeed custard than when company has found it's way to your table. But every once in a while you need to gussy up a meal with very little planning, so having a few quick and dirty Guest Recipes in the arsenal is always welcome.

Bacon-Wrapped Pork Medallions with Garlic-Mustard Butter more than fit the bill. They sound so very chic and five star, yet are ooh so simple. Very much like a beef fillet mignon; the flavored butter is the secret here and gives the meat a nice savory edge. A few shakes of Tabasco sauce into the butter blend helps to add some spice to the end product and enhances the basic pork flavor nicely. In a bit of a deviation from the original recipes I did not shape the butter and chill it, I brushed it on the meat during the last few minutes of cooking; the short time under the broiler softened the minced garlic and gave it a more sweetened roasted quality which I really liked and will be noting for future runs. Paired with some wine, a rice blend or pilaf and some steamed veggies this is definitely a Guest tier recipe that can be done in under 30 minutes. Now we just need to find that desert recipe....

Bacon-Wrapped Pork Medallions with Garlic-Mustard Butter

1 pork tenderloin (1-1/4) pounds
4 slices of bacon
Salt and Pepper
Wooden toothpicks

Cut tenderloin in to 4 medallions approximately 2- 2 1/2 inches wide. Butterfly each slice so that the final cut is approximately 1-1 1/4" tall. Lay open on cutting board. Wrap bacon slice around each butterflied medallion and secure with toothpicks. Season both sides with salt and pepper. Cook under broiler for 7-8 minutes per side or grill until internal temperature is 160 degrees, about 6-7 minutes per side.

Optionally, just before mignon is done brush top with Garlic-Mustard Butter and cook until butter is golden, about 1-2 minutes. Turn and repeat on bottom side. Remove from heat and let rest before serving.

Garlic-Mustard Butter

1/4 cup butter, softened
3 teaspoons of creamy Dijon Mustard
1 clove Garlic, minced

Tabasco Sauce, a few drops to taste

In a small bowl, stir together ingredients until well mixed. If desired wrap in waxed paper to shape like a stick of butter, chill while pork is cooking. When ready to serve, cut into fourths and top each pork mignon before serving.

This butter is also very good on vegetables or other side items.

One Lame Holiday Recap

I hope everyone got their fill of holiday cheer, goodies and presents. I know I did, but Christmas is over and the new year is just a few short days away. Soooo....

...in with the new. In anticipation of the new year and the fact that red is sooo 2006, we've gone...blue. (Anyone who knows me was probably wondering where the navy was!) Also note the spif-tacular banner, designed and placed by me. (I'm very pleased with myself. Can you tell?) Besides doing that bad-ass banner, what have I been up to? Well mostly...

...eating. A lot. (Pictured: Christmas Day dinner with Tim's family. Very delish.) As per the standard modus operandi, we spent Christmas Eve with my family at church, then eating our traditional soup supper all before opening gifts. Christmas Day was with Tim's family eating, playing with his Nintendo Wii and then napping all before we climbed in the car to go back home.

This was the big craft project for the month of December, it is a sign for my dad's garage and was his Christmas present. I worked on it off and on all month, and while I would have liked it to have turned out better, it certainly isn't horrid either. He seemed to like it, so all in all...good job.

And I know there are a few of you out there who can truly appreciate this along with me...one of my gifts this year from Tim was the Office Space Edition Red Swingline Stapler. Not only is it RED (Yay!) it's nice heavy metal and staples like a dream. I am way more thrilled about this than should be allowed, office supplies are awesome!!

Holiday Odds n' Ends

Before Tim, Lilly and I head off for the comforts of our hometown for the next few days...here are some images from the past few weeks. We hope that you all have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Chex Mix should never be trifled with, the power of the Chex is undeniable.

You can never have too many spiced icebox cookies...which is a good thing since this recipe makes like 6 dozen and I can never remember to half it.

Colorful and lemon flavored, these have been a surprise hit with Tim. But then, maybe they shouldn't have been since he adores everything citrus.

My personal favorite (as well as my dad's)...peanut butter and chocolate, how can that be bad?

Finally, a full shot of our tree.

Merry Christmas and God's Blessings in the New Year! May you have the happiest of celebrations this holiday season.

~Kelli

The Home Cook: Caramel Corn

There are wonderful things about being married ...besides the obvious sharing your lives and having someone to love types of things; being married is often like a huge life-classroom. You are constantly learning things about each other, likes and dislikes, preferences and idiosyncrasies...all the stuff that makes your significant other tick. From a hatred of all things broccoli to a love of all gadgetry being married to Tim has taught me more than any other experience or relationship I've ever had. (If ya'll don't count all those formative years with my parents and sister.)

This time of year is great for continuing that education, something about the holidays just seems tailor made for reminiscing about childhoods, family and friends. Invariably, talk always turns to foods...cookies from moms, treats from grandmas, snacks from friends and recipes that have been handed down and closely guarded for years. One of Tim's fondest memories of food involves a mystical recipe that his grandmother used for the caramel corn in her Karamel Korn Shoppe. He will wax poetic about this stuff, he loves it that much.

Now, I say it is mystic because for all the oohing and ahhing that his family does over this recipe...I've never had it. I've never even seen it. I don't know if they just don't like to make, or maybe it's one of those supremely fussy recipes that only gets made at the most special of times. Either way, as much as I'd like to back-up Tim's claim as "The greatest caramel corn on the planet Earth", I can't. So that leaves me with my little recipe.

It's called Sister Mabel's Caramel Corn, though I don't know if it sister like a sibling or sister like a nun...though for some reason I've always pictured a little gray haired woman in a habit churning out pounds of the stuff for dirty-faced orphans and vagrants. Either way Mabel apparently had a way with the corn and this recipe is yet another one pilfered from my mom...an ancient news clipping glued to a card that has more butter spots on it than movie theater popcorn. It has been the standard bearer of delectable caramel corn in our house for years and as far as I'm concerned is probably just as good as the one in Tim's family.

This recipes is a traditional one that uses the oven. (As opposed to the microwave, as many recipes now use.) You can use a large cookie sheet, though I prefer a large teflon coated, high sided roasting pan to minimize escaping corns and to make for an easier clean up. The recipe calls for boiling a simple caramel glaze and I recommend having a candy thermometer to keep an eye on the temperature. It's important to keep the caramel at the hard crack stage for that nice crispy bite to turn out...keeping the mixture too cool will result in a chewy corn and too hot will make for a boil over of Mt. Vesuvius proportions. This recipe will net a yummy sweet yet slightly buttery taste, which to me is almost more toffee like than caramel...but I really like that. Some caramel corn recipes are too sweet for my taste and just don't have the added depth of that buttery-ness.

Sister Mabel's Caramel Corn

2 cups Brown Sugar
1/4 cup Corn Syrup
1/2 pound Butter
1/4 teaspoon Cream of Tartar
1 teaspoon Salt
1 teaspoon Soda
6 quarts popped Popcorn, old maids removed

Combine sugar, syrup, butter, cream of tartar and salt; bring to a boil stirring constantly. Boil to 260 degrees. Then boil for 5 minutes, holding to that temperature and only stirring occasionally. Add soda, remove from heat and pour evenly over popped corn and gently fold together. Bake at 250 degrees for 30 minutes stirring 2-3 times. Turn out on to waxed paper immediately and let cool, break apart and store in air tight container.

How did that work again?

So. This weekend we bought...

these. So that we could replace...

...all of this, and enjoy...

...all of these a lot more. But because...

...this didn't have any of...

...these, we also had to buy...

...this.

?!?!?!

Letters from Lilly: Update on the Home Front

Oh, hey guys!

It's been a busy few days around here...and not all in a good way. Last weekend Kelli went on her annual shopping trip with a bunch of her friends while Tim had ANOTHER LAN party. (Really how much fun can playing with a computer really be?!?!) Anyway I got to stay with Pepper again and it was sooo much fun. We played, I barked at the neighbor dogs, I got to hangout with Bill in his basement and then I helped him finish his 3 seasons room. It was soo much fun.

We came back to Rapid on Sunday and had pizza for supper before Tim and Kelli went to bed. Unfortunately the pizza made them both REALLY sick and by Monday night Kelli was a really funny color and Tim didn't look much better. So all day on Tuesday and Wednesday I took really good care of them. I made sure that they got plenty of sleep, puppy cuddles and that they each had a toy or two with them in bed at all times. Kelli is always the one plays with me so I let her have my ferret and ball and since Tim likes to rub my tummy I figured he could have my bunny. Any way, both my people decided they could go to work today...Tim made it through half his shift and Kelli's still at work. I haven't heard from her, but I hope she feels better than the boy. I think she does though, she wasn't as grumpy this morning as she has been the last few days.

Anyway, besides being a helper with the sick people I've been trying to be a good dog, because Kelli told me that Santa person would be coming soon. I don't really remember Christmas all that well from last year since I was just a puppy, but I'm pretty sure that I get treats or toys or something if I behave. I keep hearing my people talking about "Lilly's Weasel Ball", but that's weird because the only weasel I have is at Bruce and Cindy's...and it's not a ball. Maybe that Santa person is going to bring me a weasel of my very own...that would be SWEET! A weasel of my own that I don't have to share with anyone! That would be so cool. I think I like this Santa person.

Take care and don't eat the cheese pizza,

~Lilly

DVD's & Popcorn: Casino Royale

Last night Tim and I finally got to the theater to see Casino Royale. In the interest of full disclosure I'll admit that I love the James Bond franchise. Sean Connery, Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton, Pierce Brosnan...any time, any day I'll watch them. Spike TV has my love for the simple fact that they will have a Bond Marathon at the drop of a hat. Thanksgiving? Bond Marathon. Christmas? More Bond. World Series? Let's show some Bond! Channel Director's hamster had some babies? Perfect, get a weekend worth of Bond on the schedule! They feed me my tuxedoed, international man of intrigue regularly...shaken, not stirred.

And like most Bond fans I've got my favorites. Everyone can agree the first batch of Sean Connery movies are the cream of the crop, the essential James Bond. I deviate a bit and put Pierce Brosnan at number 2...but I may be skewed a bit since I love Pierce and also think he is sex on a stick. No. 3 is the earlier work of Roger Moore, followed and tied with both his and Connery's later stuff at number 4. Not that those films are bad, but James Bond is not for the older middle aged actor and in both of their later offerings you can tell that both men should be in the gym more and out on the town a bit less. Timothy Dalton rounds out number 5, mostly because he never really seemed to embrace all that was James Bond. And finally at number 6 is the absolute worst James Bond movie of all time, one never shown on TV and certainly not well loved by much of anyone...George Lazenby's "On Her Majesty's Secret Service".

Which brings us to our newest Bond. Daniel Craig in Casino Royale. When MGM announced their newest Bond, I'll admit I was unhappy. I think I said something on the line of..."But, he...but, he's blond?!?" and as filming news leaked out I just got unhappier from there. He couldn't drive a stick, he doesn't really like fire arms and lets face it, he's very pale..not the classic tanned look of our Bonds of yore. It just seemed like they were maiming my second favorite movie character of all time. But then...then the first teasers came out. This Bond was aggressive, he was different...he was decidedly English. My distaste lessened and my interest piqued.

So last night, after waiting and alternating between dread and excitement, we finally go to see Ian Flemming's very first novel on film. Oh my God, I could not have been more wrong. It was AMAZING. So, so very good. It may take another viewing and one or two more films, but this new Bond has a chance at making the number two slot. Seriously, it was THAT good. I'm not going to spoil you with an in depth plot analysis, suffice to say that this film follows Bond's elevation from spy to the coveted double-oh status of International Super Spy with a Licence to Kill. This means that the film is more about how Bond changes with in himself than the bad guy de jur. In fact the plot between Bond and his nemesis really takes a back seat to the plot of James Bond becoming...Bond. James Bond. 007. Which is perfectly fine. This means that our man is not the suave, expect everything and trust no one man of the world that he is in every film from Dr. No to Die Another Day. He makes mistakes, he is much, much more physical / hands on and he falls very much in love. All of which comes together to create a spectacular film that fleshes out the creation of the most famous of all MI-6 operatives.

It is movie that some how manages to explore new territory for a character that was starting to seem tired and a bit out of touch. And while the writing is strong and the plot well developed; it is Daniel Craig who will make it a block-buster as he takes to his new role like a second skin. From the opening black and white sequence to the final scene where Craig unveils the newly hardened and wizened Bond, its a film full of surprises and character development. If you can see it in the theater, go. Now. See it. If, like me, you're already involved in a long term relationship with 007, don't miss it.

Christmas Time Is Here (Updated)

Author's Note: Blogger is being uncooperative and posted my draft of this post instead of the final post I had written up / edited this morning. Because of that I'm temporarily missing one picture, but I'll get that remedied soon enough. Anyway now I'm off to fix all the damn broken links. *sigh* A blogger's work is never done.

Christmas is my favorite holiday. Hands down. I love the cold nip in the air and the snow (when it falls.) I love the twinkling Christmas lights, the carols on the radio, the shows on TV and the goodies at the office. I love the excitement that Christmas seems to bring out in young and old alike and the generous spirit that the season encourages from late November to early January. I love Christmas.

The first snow usually prompts me into festive planning and the weekend after Thanksgiving is my appointed weekend to decorate. And decorate I have, I didn't get my set weekend this year because of my Grandparent's 50th Anniversary Open House; so I've been slowly working through the task week nights since Thanksgiving. Now I've got everything up and I've even taken some pictures of our festive-ness to share with the e-masses. Most of the stuff will be familiar because I've only upgraded the shot with something of better quality, but there are a few new ones too.

Last year's big Christmas creations were the stockings for Tim, Lilly and myself. They're pretty simple just a holiday colored striped cotton with a satin quilted top and a plain linen liner. I embroidered our names on them (except for Lilly's) They're nice, simple and most importantly will hold a DVD or CD.

And lo' a star shone in the east...well not quite. This is MUCH better picture of our new tree topper. I still really like it and I'm still really happy we have a Target.

You can't see him really well but that master piece is a clothes pin reindeer. All the rage in the 80's; my dad and I made a bunch for my mom to give out as gifts one year. Dad did the staining and painting, mom was in charge of the googly eyes; while I oversaw production, ate orange slices and plopped cotton tails on while dad held the pre-glued deer. Of course I was also 5, so I'm sure I mostly watched the Dukes of Hazard or Rocky and Bullwinkle and asked lots of questions.

Why do you have to hold it like that? Why do you use that funny brush? How come he don't have no ears?

Tim has a really old sliver ornament that chirps like a bird. Naturally I felt like we needed a bird on our tree. (If you look closely you can see both!) You can also probably tell that our tree is loaded with candy canes, which Tim helpfully eats through out the holidays.

(Blogger is being a wanker...full tree shot forthcoming)

That wreath I'm always going on about...

...has two 16" glass stars, one on each side. It looks very cool. In person. The camera fails to capture how awesome it really looks. (Also this picture is sideways and taken from the bottom right side, I DO NOT have them hung like pentagrams. Though I get an A+ for irony.)

Finally a picture of that garland that doesn't look like it was taken in a cave.

And a picture of my newest acquisitions. (That does look like it was taken in a cave.) Three glass Christmas trees that are so incredibly pretty and sparkly. They were part of a purchase from a local interior decor place that utilized a very large gift card from last Christmas. And while you can't see it the garland has this really pretty gingham ribbon and bows tied on. I did the same thing to the garland in the window. Yes, I have A LOT of garland...it's a sickness.

My Nativity scene, a gift from Tim...either last Christmas or the Christmas before. It is so pretty and perfect. I love it.

The Home Bartender: Godiva Peppermint Patty & Bailey's Chocolate Martini

In honor of the passing of the 21st Amendment to the United States Constitution, which repealed the 18th Amendment allowing Prohibition...today is being declared by some as 'Repeal Day'. I for one intend to go home and mix myself up one of the following:

Godiva Peppermint Patty

1 8oz cup hot chocolate

1 shot Godiva Liquor

1 shot Peppermint schnapps

Bailey's Chocolate Martini

2oz Bailey's Irish Cream

1/4 oz Peppermint Schnapps

1/4 oz Chocolate Liquor

Shake together in shaker with ice, pour into a martini glass and garnish with a chocolate swizzle stick.

The Home Cook: 2006 Holiday Baking

So it's that time of year. You know the time of year when you get to make copious amounts of rich, sweet and oh so bad for you goodies. Now I'm still a few (read two) weeks away from my appointed goodie making weekend but I'm probably going to be picking up ingredients and supplies this week since "Good fortune favors the prepared."

Growing up the traditional holiday fare was chex-mix, caramel corn, fudge, almond bark pretzels, cherry bing bars and one "new" thing. I still really enjoy these treats, but as I've grown into my own cooking style I find I enjoy baked goods over candies and less achingly sweet things over the richness of fudge. I like more complex flavors...the salty sweetness of peanut butter paired with semi-sweet chocolate or the lemony zip of a crisp, buttery spritz cookie. This year I'm working on paring down my list and so far I'm looking at the following contenders:

Peppermint Bark, this is a something new for 2006, though unlike the photo the recipe I'm considering has both white and dark chocolate. Either way with peppermint candies and flavoring I'm hopping this will be a favorite of Tim's.

Almond Bark Pretzels, simple and easy. I've made these every year since my freshman year in college...but I've gone gourmet and drizzle white and dark chocolate over them for a very nice look.

Pumpkin Bread, this is a new contender and would be taking the place of banana bread since I don't currently have any bananas in the freezer.

Chex-mix, our chex mix is an infusion of family traditions...my mom gave us the garlic bagel chip and the omission of the dreaded wheat chexs...Tim's mom contributed nuts and cheerios. Yes, cheerios...I still think it's pretty weird.

A few years ago I was still in my dad's family's Christmas drawing and in a fit of desperate "oh what do I tell them that I want?" I asked for a cookie press...and got it. I have only ever used it at Christmas time, but the little teeny cookies are so cute decked out in red, green and clear sprinkles.

Also in contention are ice-box cookies and peanut butter balls (though their real name escapes me at the moment.) I'm thinking that not everything here will get made, but we shall see I tend to go over-board. This could very well be another holiday season with treats tucked away in the dryer.

Note: All photos courtesy Google Image search.