Tuesday, June 30, 2009
more faves
I'm the first to admit, most of the informative reading I do these
days is online. It's fast and convenient. The internet, as well as the
economy, has had an effect on the magazine industry. There are,
however, a few magazine subscriptions I can't live without. I
subscribe through Amazon and the prices are very reasonable.
Vanity Fair (Johnny Depp happens to be on the cover of July's
edition. Don't you just love him? I think I look a lot like him without
my makeup. I should do some genealogical research to see if we're
long lost cousins. Maybe we have the same Cherokee great-great-
grandmother?), Opera News (my daughter's in the industry and I
like to keep up with all the current happenings), Gourmet (you
already know I love this one, for obvious reasons) and Elle Decor
(I'm often inspired with interior design ideas and just plain love to
look at a beautifully arranged room.)
How about you? Any magazines you can't live without?
Monday, June 29, 2009
two of my favorite things
I love fresh corn and tomatoes, so I didn't have to think twice about
this wonderful summer dish. It's another one of those quick and
easy recipes from Gourmet magazine's July issue. Simple and
delicious.
Corn-and-Tomato Scramble
2 Tbsp olive oil
1 Tbsp vinegar (I used rice vinegar)
1 pound tomatoes cut into bite size pieces
1 bunch scallions, finely chopped, keeping greens separate
2 Tbsp butter
4 cups corn kernels (from about 8 ears)
Whisk together oil, vinegar. Toss tomatoes to marinate.
Cook white parts of scallions in butter until golden, add corn
and 3/4 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp pepper and cook until tender, about
five minutes. Transfer to bowl and cool. Toss together, tomatoes,
corn and scallion greens. Serve room temperature.
Friday, June 26, 2009
Genetic Genealogy
After hitting a brick wall in the ancestral search for the lineage of
WT's great-great-great-grandfather, Andrew, we submitted a
sample of his DNA to Family Tree DNA. When the results were
obtained, they were given over to his surname project. Compared to
over one hundred other DNA samples, from the same surname, we
were able to rule out several possible lineages. It was also amazing
to see what his geographic ancestral origins were. Hopefully, as
more participate in the project, we will be able to make an exact
match and trace Grandpa Andrew's family tree back to Ireland or
Scotland.
Family Tree DNA is a commercial genetic genealogy company based
in Houston, Texas with its partner laboratory, Arizona Research
Labs, housed at the University of Arizona. They offers analysis of
YDNA, mtDNA, and autosomal DNA to individuals for genealogical
purposes based on DNA samples collected using a cheek swab
method with a kit. All samples once submitted are stored at Arizona
Research Labs for future testing and archiving of DNA samples
collected from family members. In February 2009, Family Tree
DNA announced that they, in partnership with the National
Geographic Genographic Project, have tested over 500,000 kits.
My sister and I recently submitted our own DNA samples to Family
Tree DNA, just to see if we have a match.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Summer
Wherefore I say: O love, as summer goes,
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Brief Encounter and Reprises
One of my very favorite films is Brief Encounter (1945), from Noel
Coward's play Still Life. Directed by the legendary filmmaker David
Lean, this film is about a chance meeting in a train station of a
married doctor (the dashing Trevor Howard) and a suburban
housewife (Celia Johnson), who begin a quietly passionate, yet
doomed love affair. These two brilliant stars are perfectly paired, as
Lean leads his viewers through the emotions of delight, tenderness
and ultimate pain, all to the haunting strains of Rachmaninoff's
second piano concerto. This film is achingly poignant, simple and
beautiful. I think it may just possibly be THE most romantic movie
ever made. It is now a luminous part of the wonderfully restored
Criterion Collection.
.
At the library, I had the good fortune to stumble onto another film in
which these two stars are paired together, nearly 35 years later.
Staying On (HBO,1980) is from the award winning novel The
Jewel in the Crown by Paul Scott. It's about the withered marital
relationship of a retired British Indian Army colonel and his wife,
who stay on in India after the British withdrew in 1947. It was
thrilling to see Howard and Johnson perform together again. An
exceptional and timeless performance, especially by Celia Johnson.
She was marvelous in this role, just two years before her death at
the age of 75.
And hey, did you know that Brief Encounter, the opera, just
premiered last month at Houston Grand Opera, starring Elizabeth
Futral and Nathan Gunn? The music is by Andre Previn and the
libretto by John Caird. I would have LOVED to have seen it!!
Futral and Gunn in Brief Encounter, photo by Felix Sanchez
Monday, June 22, 2009
Monday Mug Shots
Here's my favorite Nicholas Mosse Irish mug with a pup that looks a
lot like our dear departed Ralphy.
.
This one's another vintage fave, transferware, as well. Across the
top it says: See all, hear all, say nowt, a Yorkshireman's advice to
his son. And across the bottom: Eat all, drink all, pay nowt...and if
ever tha does out for nowt, allus do it for thisen. (whatever that's
supposed to mean)
.
Another transferware (I love this stuff) commemorative of Queen
Victoria's Silver Jubilee. She doesn't look too happy about it, though,
does she?
Sunday, June 21, 2009
the best dad
firsthand, I came to realize being a dad is much more than taking
part in bringing a child into the world and demanding their respect.
He has always, from the first diaper, been a vibrant and essential
part of our children's lives.
William Shakespeare
Friday, June 19, 2009
the last word
If that’s the case, then the Last Word is one of the finest cocktails
that's how the light gets in
The halo is best known from its appearances in Christian iconography
from the second century onward, but it was a sign of divinity even
earlier, featured in ancient Greek and Eastern art. It symbolizes the
sun and divine radiance emanating from the individual. On the other
hand, the shadow, in art, is a symbol of our material nature and
represents an obscuring of the light.
Not unlike the halo or shadow depicted in art, I believe people
generally either have a positive aura about them, or a negative. In
the field of parapsychology, some claim they can actually see subtle
luminous radiation, of various colors, surrounding a person. I'm not
so sure about this. I might have to attribute the violet haze around
your head to a case of tired eyes. But, whether it's visible or not, we
all do obviously generate either positive or negative energy.
Can't you feel when a person emitting negative energy walks into
the room, like a dark cloud, bringing with them a pall of gloom? The
contrast of a positive minded individual, like a burst of sunshine, is
unmistakable. I'm aware of the fact that I have the power within me
to set the mood of the day. This was especially evident when the kids
were still at home. Now, of course, there are days, when this isn't the
case. There's all kinds of external influences, "stuff", that effects
everyone's mood. But that old adage "if mama ain't happy, ain't
nobody happy" pretty much applies.
So, my bloggy friends, here's wishing you a bright weekend. Enjoy
some of Mr. Cohen's music and bask in some rays of sunshine,
whether it happens to be cloudy in your neck of the woods, or not.
artwork: Apollo, Roman floor mosaic
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Theme Thursday = Roof
Looks like your roof has suffered quite a bit of storm damage.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
A Dying Art?
Back in the '70s I was intrigued with graphology, the study of and analysis of handwriting, and still have several books on the subject. It is a controversial method of personality evaluation. Results of most recent surveys on the ability for graphology to assess personality and job performance have been negative. I still, however, find the uniqueness of individual handwriting fascinating. It's a very personal extension of one's self, and I think it reveals quite a lot.
Monday, June 15, 2009
TV Bug
I don't know about you, but I watched a ton of TV when I was a
Saturday, June 13, 2009
overheard at the grocery
One lady was telling another about a fabulous salad she makes with
roasted asparagus, peppers and almonds. It sounded so delicious, I
picked up the ingredients and found the recipe online. You're gonna
love it, too!
Roasted Asparagus and Yellow Pepper Salad
2 lbs fresh asparagus trimmed and cut into thirds
4 yellow, orange or red bell peppers seeded and cut into wide strips
1/4 cup olive oil
1 medium red onion, sliced thin
1/2 cup toasted almond slices
1 cup coarsely grated Parmesan cheese
dressing
1/2 cup olive oil
3 tbsp Dijon mustard
3 cloves garlic, minced
juice of one lime
2 tsp sugar
1 tsp hot sauce (I used Louisiana Roasted Garlic)
salad seasoning to taste (I used a pinch each of salt, onion powder,
fresh ground pepper, basil and oregano)
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Toss asparagus and peppers in oil
and arrange in a single layer on the baking sheet. Roast 8 to 10
minutes turning to prevent burning. Be careful to not over cook!
Cool completely.
Toss together the asparagus, peppers, onion, almonds, and cheese
in a large bowl.
In a separate bowl, mix the 1/2 cup olive oil, mustard, garlic, lime
juice, sugar, hot sauce and salad seasoning. Pour over salad and
toss to coat.
Friday, June 12, 2009
Plates
The lovely Elizabeth Wix, About New York, proposed we do a blog
on plates for Friday. I, of course, was game, since I adore all kinds
of tableware. And I'm the first to admit, I have entirely too many
sets of plates. I am including just a few of my favorites for you today.
The plate pictured above, is hanging to the right of my kitchen sink.
It's a 1987 Annual Christmas Stamp art plate from the United States
Postal Service. I collect all kinds of Madonna and Child icons, so this
beautiful plate was a must.
This pattern is "Brookline" by Woods Burslem, England. I started out
with only four dinner plates of this vintage set when we were first
married. I had searched everywhere all these years for additional
pieces, but to no avail. Enter eBay. I bid, with no one bidding against
me, and won a complete set of eight table settings, plus serving pieces
for $39.00. The eBay steal of the century!
Over the years I have slowly collected a sizable set of random vintage
pink Staffordshire plates. I like to serve Christmas dinner on them.
This particular plate is "The Ride of Paul Revere".
Most times, I serve dinner on plain white Faltzgraff plates and
matching soup/salad dishes. I like the way food looks on simple
white. But that's no fun to show and tell. So here's another set I
like for everyday. The pattern is the well known "Blue Denmark" by
Johnson Brothers. I like to serve Saturday brunch on them.
My latest obsession are these beauties. Mason's "Bow Bells"
pattern in brown. I found two plates last year at the Scotts Antique
Show for $2 each. I've been keeping my eyes peeled for them and
have added one more since, for a total now of three. They're ironstone
and extra large. I'm nutty about them.
And last, but certainly not least, my tried and true "Blue Willow" also
by Johnson Brothers. I've had these since the late '70s. About 15
years ago, I thought I was tired of them and boxed them up. Last year,
I dragged them back out and fell in love with them all over again.
from Willow Manor. Be sure to click on the link to Elizabeth's blog
for a list of other "plate" participants. My real passion is for bowls!
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Theme Thursday = Swing
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
overheard at the manor
WT: Hey, Honey, grab your camera! (Poking head in back door.)
Willow: Why?!
WT: There's an unusual snake out here!
Willow: Okay, just a sec.
Willow: Wait, wait! Let me get a close up!
((slight little SCREAM))
WT: Hurry! Did you get it?
Willow: Yeah, I got some good ones. Let's see if we can find it
online...
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
quest for the perfect avatar
.
ad girl for now. She's a step up from the Quaker. And besides, she's
Monday, June 8, 2009
Raspberry Buttermilk Cake
I made this easy little cake for our weekend brunch on the patio. It's
from the June issue of my favorite Gourmet magazine. (I don't think
I've ever made one of their recipes I didn't love.) This one is super
moist and reminds me a bit of an old fashioned fruit cobbler. I used
raspberries, as called for in the recipe, but I'm sure most any fresh
fruit would work well.
Raspberry Buttermilk Cake
1 cup flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 stick unsalted butter, softened
2/3 cup plus 1 1/2 tbsp sugar, divided
1 large egg
1/2 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup well shaken buttermilk
1 cup, about 6 oz. fresh raspberries
Preheat oven to 400. Butter and flour a 9 inch round cake pan.
Whisk together flour, baking powder, soda and salt.
Beat butter and 2/3 cup sugar with mixer at med high, until pale
and fluffy. Add egg and vanilla and beat well.
At low speed, mix in flour mixture in 3 batches, alternating with
buttermilk, beginning and ending with four. Mix only until
combined.
Spoon batter into cake pan, smoothing top. Scatter raspberries
evenly over top and sprinkle with remaining 1 1/2 tbsp sugar.
Bake until golden and wooden toothpick comes out clean when
inserted in center, about 25 minutes.
Cool in pan 10 minutes, transfer to rack and cool an additional 10
minutes. Invert onto plate.
the deterrent
titled "The Deterrent". Since it fits in with my recent series of clown
posts, I had to share. Hop on over to her fun blogs, which are chock
full of wonderful vintage photos and ephemera. Her creative
thoughts accompanying each piece are delightfully entertaining.
Sunday, June 7, 2009
that old devil moon
describe strange or unfortunate happenings. There is still the
prevalent superstition that the full moon has an effect on humans,
causing erratic behaviors, and such disturbances as emergency room
calls and traffic accidents. Belief in the “lunar lunacy effect,” or
“Transylvania effect,” as it is sometimes called, persisted in Europe
through the Middle Ages, when humans were widely reputed to
transmogrify into werewolves or vampires during a full moon.
(Heh-heh, just call me "Villow". I've come to vipe your vindows.)
One theory is that the full moon’s supposed effects on behavior arise
from its influence on water. The moon's gravitational pull does effect
the tides. The human body is about 80 percent water, so perhaps the
moon works its mischievous magic by somehow disrupting the
alignment of water molecules in the nervous system. I don't know.
Extensive studies over the years have proven there to be no
correlation between the moon and mental disturbance. So, why
then, is the belief in the "lunar effect" still prevalent today? After
all, isn't this where we get the words lunar, loony and lunatic?
I'm sure folklore and Hollywood have a lot to do with it. Scary
things tend to happen in movies, with that big full moon inducing
madness and mayhem.
Personally, I happen to know someone whose behavior does become
rather erratic around the full moon. There are also many sensible
people, including police officers and emergency room staff, who see a
lot of full moon CCFCCP, and continue to believe that old devil moon
certainly can stir up his share of pesky trouble.
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Pagliacci
That Smokey Robinson song, Tears of a Clown, has been in my
head all week, since my post on clowns. Did you notice in the lyrics
he mentions Pagliacci? Pagliacci, meaning "clowns", is an opera
consisting of a prologue and two acts, written and composed by
Ruggero Leoncavallo. It portrays the tragedy of a jealous husband
in a commedia dell'arte troupe. The opera premiered in 1892 and it
is the only one of Leoncavallo's operas that is still widely staged
today.
Smokey Robinson isn't the only one who mentions Pagliacci in his
lyrics. Billie Holiday sang a song entitled The Masquerade is Over
which included the lyrics, "I guess I'll have to play Pagliacci and get
myself a clown's disguise / And learn to laugh like Pagliacci with
tears in my eyes." The 1954 song Mr. Sandman contains the line,
"Give him a lonely heart like Pagliacci, and lots of wavy hair like
Liberace."
And do you remember "The Opera", a hilarious episode of Seinfeld,
that featured a spoof of Pagliacci, wherein the major characters
attend a performance of the opera while "Crazy" Joe Davola
disguises himself as Pagliaccio the clown to seek a tragic revenge?
Too funny.
I'm including a clip below of the legendary Pavarotti singing the
famous aria from Pagliacci, "Vesti la giubba", which means "Put on
the cosume". The aria is at the conclusion of the first act, when
Canio discovers his wife's infidelity, but must nevertheless prepare
for his performance as Pagliaccio the clown, because "the show must
go on". The scene is so powerfully poignant as Pavarotti applies
the white makeup to his face at the end of the aria. "Vesti la giubba"
is often regarded as one of the most moving in operatic repertoire.
And one more little tidbit of info; the 1904 recording by Enrico
Caruso was the first million selling record in history.
Here's the English translation:
To act! While out of my mind,
I no longer know what I say,
or what I do!
And yet it's necessary... make an effort!
Bah! Are you not a man?
You are Pagliaccio!
Put on your costume,
powder your face.
The people pay to be here, and they want to laugh.
And if Harlequin shall steal your Columbine,
laugh, Pagliaccio, so the crowd will cheer!
Turn your distress and tears into jest,
your pain and sobbing into a funny face - Ah!
Laugh, Pagliaccio,
at your broken love!
Laugh at the grief that poisons your heart!
I'll have to make an exception. This is one clown I happen to adore.
Friday, June 5, 2009
Gemini
Thursday, June 4, 2009
by David McMahon over at Authorblog today. Thank you, again,
David! Wow, I'm doubly honored.
Theme Thursday = Clock
In rural Indiana, as young girl, I lived in my paternal grandparent's
backyard, in a little trailer with my mother. She worked full time,
while I happily spent most of my days in the bustling household of
my dear grandparents, aunt and three uncles. My youngest uncle,
who is six years older, and I had the most fun on warm summer
afternoons down the road at Mr. Tinkle's shed.
.
Mr. Tinkle (yes, that was his real name) was a scrubby, Darby O'Gill
kind of guy, missing a few teeth and always sporting a worn wool cap.
He was the local fix-it man, tinkering on small appliances, but mostly
clocks. It would take a second or two for my eyes to adjust to the cool
dark shed from the bright summer sun. Inside was the curious,
intriguing scent of motor oil, mixed with old dank wood. Lots of junky
parts, covered with a layer of grease and grime, littered the dirt floor
of his shed. Tinkle, bent over the guts of a clock, always brightened
when we dropped in for a friendly chat. On one particular visit, he
gave me a small pink flamingo salt shaker.
.
To this day, I am drawn to vintage wind-up alarm clocks, and have
more than a few scattered around the manor. Those delightful, lazy
afternoons, in Tinkle's shed just might have something to do with it.
(Here's a picture of my grandparents' house and our trailer in the
back. That's one of my uncles pulling my trusty red Radio Flyer
wagon. Okay, I know. The cars are dating me. The top photo is my
great grandmother's kitchen clock. I'm told my grandmother would
use it to keep time, on school mornings in the early 1920s, in Flora,
Indiana.)
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
why I don't like clowns
I wouldn't say I have coulrophobia, the abnormal or exaggerated fear of clowns, but I have a strong dislike for them. Ronald McDonald, Bozo and Krusty have never been, let's say, entertaining. The same goes for mimes. I realize Marcel Marceau was a talented artist, but mimes, to me, are smack dab in the clown catagory, with Bozo. I'm sure it's the painted face thing, and here's why.
My clown aversion began many years ago when this particular "paint by number" picture (shown above) hung in my bedroom as a little girl. Remember this craze from the 1950s? I could never understand this mindless pastime, or jigsaw puzzles, for that matter. But everyone seemed to enjoy it, especially my mother.
Anyway, this creepy clown painting was even scarier at night. In the dark, it would silently morph into a sinister version of my mother; the same short, wispy haircut, eyebrows and even dark red lipstick she always wore. Okay, well, not the cigar. But, she did have white gloves and a red hat.
Those little beady clown eyes would follow me around. No matter where I would hide, under the covers or not, that clown would be staring at me. You know the old saying, "mothers have eyes in the back of their heads"? Well, this clown had those same psychic eyes, only worse.
I hated that picture, and it's safe to say, it's most likely the reason I don't care much for clowns today. But, I must not be the only one, because evil clown characters are some of the most frightening in fiction and film. Here's just a few examples:
The Joker, Batman
Pennywise, Stephen King's It
Konrad Beezo, Life Expectancy
Doink the Clown, WWF
Killer Klowns from Outer Space, 1988
Jack the Clown, Universal Studios Horror Nights
National Lampoon's French the Clown
The Clown, Star Trek
Gurdy the Clown, 100 Tears
Obnoxio the Clown, Marvel Comics
creepy clown doll, Poltergeist
clown costume, film Halloween
The Tears of a Clown
Smokey Robinson & The Miracles
Now if there's a smile on my face
it's only there trying to fool the public
but when it comes down to fooling you
now honey that's quite a diff'rent subject.
Don't let my glad expression
give you the wrong impression
really I'm sad
oh sadder than sad;
you're gone and I'm hurting so bad
like a clown I pretend to be glad.
Now there's some sad things known to man
but ain't too much sadder than the tears of a clown.
when there's no one around.
just like Pagliacci did
I try to keep my sadness hid;
Smiling in the public eye
but in my lonely room
I cry the tears of a clown
when there's no one around.
Oh yeah baby
now if there's a smile upon my face
don't let my glad expression
give you the wrong impression
don't let the smile I wear
make you think I don't care.
Now if I appear to be carefree
it's only to camouflage my sadness
in order to shield my pride I try
to cover this hurt with a show of gladness
but don't let my show convince you
that I've been happy since you decided to go.
Oh I need you so.
I'm hurt and I want you to know
but for others
I put on a show.
Now there's some...
Monday, June 1, 2009
the love family
And what did I see I had not seen before?
Only a question less or a question more;
Nothing to match the light of wild birds flying.
Tiresome heart, forever living and dying,
House without air, I leave you and lock your door.
Wild swans, come over the town, come over
The town again, trailing your legs and crying!
Edna St. Vincent Millay