Daily A~Musing #28: New Undies and Socks

Okay, so how many of you girls out there had days-of-the-week panties when you were knee-high to a praying mantis?  You know...pink ones that said Monday, yellow ones that said Tuesday, mint green ones that said Wednesday, and so on....


Raise your hands while I count...


one...two...twelve...thirty-seven...


you realize of course that this was our mothers' way of making sure we changed our nasty underpants, right?


Heh heh, Mom...I was Soooooooo ONto you !!!!


Those of us who were wee ones in the 1970's likely remember these classics:

Oh, you KNOW there was no stopping a girl in her Wonder Woman Underoos!  She leapt off lunch tables, lassoed liars on the playground and pretended to fly her invisible jet into the classroom (which usually led to her NOT being allowed out next recess for causing such a ruckus.) 

Confession:
My mom always bought my unmentionables for me until I was about 18.  I'm not really sure why I didn't buy them myself, but it was just a nurturing mom-sorta-thing, I guess.  Which is also probably why I still consider it such a treat to have fresh new undergarments and socks.  I remember once, when I was in grad school, working full time and taking care of a family of my own, I called my mom, sobbing and complaining about how stressed out I was, how much weight I was gaining and how I didn't even have time enough to buy myself some new underwear.  
She sent me some the next week.  Nothin' says loving like yer mom sending you fresh undies.  

(Strange, I know.  But, if you didn't know that about me already, you clearly have NOT been paying attention.)
The weirdest thing I guess is that when I buy my kid or my mate undies and socks, they probably don't even know that it's my way of showin' a lil love.  

SHHHHHHH!!!!!

Daily A~Musing #27: Coco Chanel

Although we all know this woman as the most distinguished woman in the history of fashion, 
Gabrielle Bonheur Chanel was born a peasant in Saumur, France with five siblings and few prospects.  Her innovative mind, her unmistakable elegance and her irrepressible spirit defined her as truly unique, even by modern standards of what a woman could, should and would be regardless of her origins.

Chanel's mother died of tubercolosis when she was 12.  Chanel's father dumped her at a monastic orphanage where she stayed until she was 18 (although she did visit relatives over holidays and school vacations).  

At 18, Chanel took off to Moulins to become a cabaret singer, which is where her moniker "Coco" developed.  Chanel used this as a stage name.  It came from a song she loved to sing about a little lost dog named Coco. 

 

Coco was a revolutionary.  As most of us know, "A revolution is not a dinner party."  (thanx Chairman Mao)  Coco was no angel and lived her life as SHE saw fit.  While working as a seamstress to pay the bills that singing was not, she met and became mistress to a wealthy French textile heir.  Rich guy gave her all the trappings of the good life, without any of the dignity or integrity.  So, when Coco realized she wanted much more than he was willing to give, she ditched him, took his apartment in Paris and started a little shop making and selling hats.  The shop failed, Coco was broke and nearly lost everything until she hooked up with an old friend of her former lover.  With the financial and emotional support of her new beau, she launched a full line of fashion, opened other shops, and became the fashion icon and exquisite woman we all know her as today.

If you want more info, check out some books and movies.  These are pretty good  ^  There are also a ton of excellent blogs that have lots more pics and info.  I just don't have enough room to enumerate them all here.  That's what Google is for.  

There's also a children's book called "Different Like Coco"

This book highlights how anyone can come from anywhere and become whatever they really want to be.  

"A woman must be two things:  classy and fabulous."

Coco had many affairs with rich, influential men, but never married any of them.  When asked why she didn't marry the Duke of Westminster when she had the chance, she replied:

"There are several Duchesses of Westminster.  There is only one Chanel."

Gabrielle created herself into what she wanted to be.  My friend Cynthia Smith said, "We recreate ourselves in order to justify our existence."  Gabrielle started out a little lost dog in the big, bad world and continually justified her existence by dominating an industry that changes with every season.  She was Coco Chanel.  Powerful, brilliant and~above all~stylish.

"If you're born without wings, do everything you can to grow some."  ~Coco Chanel

Daily A~Musing #26: Sweaters

(Sorry for the delay, me dearies.  I was having technical difficulties with posting yesterday.)


So, sweaters.  Right about here I should have something quirky, funny or interesting to say.  Not sure that's gonna happen.  


The deal is this:  sweaters make me happy.  They're warm and snuggly (even the itchy ones), they can hide significant figure flaws, and they're the staple of every cold weather wardrobe.  As you know, I'm a Maine girl, born and bred, several generations.  AAAaannd...SUPERturbo Scottish, who come from a land where even the animals wear sweaters.  (Remind me sometime to tell you about why, at one point in history, the Brits valued sweaters above humans...it's a tragic tale)  Winter, snow and cold are in my blood (hey, that sounded kindasorta bad) and sweaters have always represented one of the loveliest comforts I can imagine.  When I need to go to a happy place, one of my fave daydreams entails me curling up with a good book, a fat sweater, a cozy lap blanket and my doggy in front of a snappy fire in my livingroom.
Yup...sweaters.  They're awesome.  

Daily A~Musing #25: The Perfect Martini

"Bring me an elementary martini, " she said.
The waiter raised his eyebrows.  "Madam?"
"Ice in a glass, " she said.  "Olive on ice.  Tanqueray gin over olive.  Then--are you getting this?"....
"Yes, madam."  
"Then," she said, "you take a bottle of vermouth--any brand--and hold it against the glass.  Then you put the vermouth back on the shelf and bring the glass to me.  'Kay?"
                                
~fromThe Talisman 
by Stephen King
(I'm from Maine.  Did you really think we'd get this far WITHOUT a Stephen King quote?  For shame!)

So, anyway, this is how many people consider the fit state of a martini.  When my mate and I first lived together, we shared stories about our parents.  (Nope, you're not getting any of mine. Sorry.)  One of my fave stories was about how his parents had a special dinner about once a week where they had steak and martinis together.  (Considering the fact they had seven kids altogether, I thought it was very sweet that they went through the trouble of having one special night for themselves.)  Our first xmas together, I gave him all the makings for what I understood, at the time, consisted of a genuine martini.
1 shaker
1 bottle of Tanqueray Gin
1 bottle Martini & Rossi Vermont
Ice

(Let's not forget, in this process, my abject adoration of James Bond...who is a strong proponent of the VODKA martini...but I digress....)  
My understanding is that REAL martinis consist of gin and just a HINT of Vermont (vermouth, I KNOW...but you KNOW me...I HAVE to mess with it!)

When I began my quest for the perfect martini, I tried a lot of really disgusting concoctions.  I won't bore you with the recipes, but suffice it to say for several months, I was pretty sure I'd never be a martini girl.  Until...

datdadaDAAAA!
So, here's the thing:  I used to drink gin and tonnicas with Tanqueray Gin (which I still recommend for gin and tonnicas).  However, for martinis, I was not happy with this formula.  Someone suggested I try the lovely Bombay Sapphire and suddenly

                                 BAMMM!!!!

I understood.  I knew that Vermont (Vermouth) was just a bit player in the major picture, but the gin made ALL the difference.  I indulged in beautiful sapphire martinis until that auspicious day when I discovered that there were even MORE interesting gins than Sapphire...
...(all genuflect..) 

HENDRICK'S


Just look at this beautiful, unique bottle and TELL me...

you're not intrigued???

Of COURSE you are!


So, once I tried Hendricks, I was hooked.  Til this day, my fave GENUINE GIN martinis are thusly concocted:
3 jiggers Hendricks
1 jigger Vermont
3 cubes ice
...shake and serve with THREE martini olives (not those pathetic grocery store olives that should be mashed into pig feed.


I was content with this recipe for some time 
UNTIL
I considered that, one of my heroes, James Bond (...I know...how UNFEMINIST! of me) drank VODKA martinis.

I was perplexed.  Vodka doesn't sport the exquisite fragrance of gin.  In fact, Vodka emits little olfactory essence at all. 
However,

When one TASTES vodka...GOOD vodka...a veritable bouquet assaults the senses.  After several un-scientific dabblings with varied brands of this auspicious liquor, I narrowed down my search to three brands, about which, I had received the strongest recommendations:


Finlandia (from *gasp!* Finland)

Stoli (from Russia...the motherland of vodka)

Ketel One....Dutch Vodka....believe it or not...most recommended by current and former tarbenders.

I recruited my mate to administer a blind taste test.  The results were as follows:

-Finlandia - Floral scent and flavor, nice finish, but  a little perfumy

-Stoli - sort of sweet with a kickass finish, like you did something wrong and needed to be punished

Ketel One - perfect blend of sweet and dry, with a clean finish

MY PERFECT MARTINI RECIPE:

Try it...come back and tell me what you think:

Classic Gin Martini:

3 jiggers Hendricks

1/2 jigger Tribuno dry Vermont

3 cubes ice, and shake

3 Divina citrus stuffed olive

Saketini

3 jiggers Ketel One Vodka

1 jigger dry Sake 

3 ice cubes

3 Divina citrus stuffed (0r any citrus stuffed olives)

Cheers!!!  

Daily A~Musing #24:  
Telling What You'd Do if You Won the Lottery






Well?  You know you've done this AT LEAST a hundred times.  You've probably got a secret list hidden somewhere in your lingerie drawer or tool box just in case this marvelous event occurs so you'll some sort of concrete plan to follow in order not to just blow it all.  Not that this will work.  Chances are, not matter what you SAY you'd do, once you have cash-in-hand, you'll most likely forget about all that crap you said about paying off grammy's mortgage and donating to charity.   
Nevertheless, let's be crazy and make that list anyway.  You know, just in case.  *wink*

WHAT I WOULD DO IF I WON THE LOTTERY

BY MAEVON MACKECHNIE

(AHEM...)

#1)  Pay off ALL my debt (and, if there's any money left...hardy har harrrrr)

#2)  Put aside whatever my son and stepdaughter would need to complete college paid-in-full 

#3)  Create a scholarship for disadvantaged youth transitioning from teens to early adulthood to get education/vocational training

#4)  Donate a decent chunk to Best Friends animal shelter and to local humane society shelters

#5)  Go to the rest of the places on my list of 'where-I-haven't-gone-yet':  Ireland, Cozumel, Greece, Arizona, Alaska, Hawaii, Egypt, New Zealand

(Not very exciting, eh?  That's okay.  I'm a practical girl, what can I say?)

Daily A~Musing #23:


Guatamalan
Trouble/
Worry Dolls




This link has a cool presentation of the story of these little guys from a Mayan perspective:

http://www.sciencejoywagon.com/kwirt/mayan/index.htm

These dolls illustrate a very basic premise of transference magick.  (Transference magick is where someone puts something inside of them into something or someone outside of them.)

IT IS A SEVERE VIOLATION OF ETHICS TO PRACTICE THIS SORT OF MAGICK UPON ANOTHER PERSON...REMEMBER: 

DO NO HARM

This is why I like trouble dolls.  You can tell them your problems and they can carry your worries for you.  Remember, though, that once you've placed that energy into these objects, they keep it.  You know, science and all that...'energy cannot be created or destroyed, it can only change form.'  So, if you plan to use them more than once, you'll have to cleanse them of that negative energy.

So, if you're having trouble sleeping because you have too many worries, you can either go get these little guys (I know I've seen them at Mexicali Blues) or you can make your own little dolls.  Tell them what's wrong and put them under your pillow so they can do their magick for you. 

Sweet Dreams. 

Daily A~Musing #22:  Creme Brulee
Creme Brulee...sounds sexy doesn't it?  (Say eet weeth a Franch acSAHNT!)  Well, until you translate it into plain old English which is basically 'burnt cream.'  Doesn't sound as lovely that way, but it still tastes just as yummy.


My first mouthful of this delicacy occurred at Shutters in L.A. with my best friend and company.  It was one of those nights when everyone looks pretty, everyone is far wittier than usual and you do crazy, fun things.  For example:  buying a ridiculously expensive glass of port to share amongst the four of you and entertaining your server with pseudo Wine Spectator reviews like, "Nice legs...needs fishnets" or "She's a sassy little wench with a great body."  


(Marie...didn't the server give us a freebie for the entertainment?  I can't remember, but I think she was tickled and gave us another glass of port just she could hear how we described it.)


Aaaaaaaaaaaaany way, we were young, we were happy and we were preparing to take my squeaky buddha swimming in the Pacific Ocean.  Now, whenever I'm enjoying a special occasion at a slightly swanky eating establishment, I order my champagne of desserts.  Because it makes me happy.  


I found this recipe for Creme Brulee French Toast on Domestic Servitude.  I'm gonna try making it next week, methinx:

Ingredients:
* 3 tablespoons (no-trans fat) margarine or butter
* 5 tablespoons pancake syrup (low sugar/no-sugar or regular)
* 1/3 cup packed brown sugar
* 2 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons Grand Marnier (or other orange liqueur), divided (or any other liquor that you would like the flavor of)
* At least 8 (1 inch thick) slices of French or sourdough bread (you might need more to cover the bottom of the pan depending on the size of your bread)
* 3 large eggs
* 1/2 cup egg substitute (or 2 eggs)
* 1 1/2 cups (fat-free) half-and-half
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
* 1/4 teaspoon salt
* Garnish/Toppings: fresh strawberries or other berries and a dollop of light whipped cream or Light Cool Whip or maple syrup.

Preparation:
1. Coat a 9x13-inch baking dish with canola cooking spray. Melt margarine or butter in a small nonstick saucepan over medium heat. Mix in reduced-calorie pancake syrup, brown sugar, and 2 tablespoons Grand Marnier, stirring until sugar is dissolved. Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish.
2. Remove crusts from bread and arrange slices in the baking dish in a single layer on top of the brown sugar mixture (enough slices to cover the bottom of the pan...I cut the pieces to make it fit all through the pan).
3. In small bowl, whisk together eggs, egg substitute, fat-free half-and-half, vanilla extract, 2 teaspoons Grand Marnier, and salt. Pour mixture evenly over the bread. Cover well and chill at least 8 hours or overnight.
4. Preheat oven to 350°F. Remove the dish from the refrigerator and bring to room temperature.
5. Bake uncovered 35 to 40 minutes until puffed and lightly browned. Serve with fresh fruit and a dollop of light whipped cream if desired.

http://domesticservitude.blogspot.com/2009/08/creme-brulee-french-toast.html

Daily A~Musing #21:  

Archie McPhee

www.archiemcphee.com

After spending a couple of hours laughing me arse off whilst browsing this website, I determined that sharing this was totally apropos for Puddlewackers.  (How d'ya like that?  You've got nicknames now.) heeheehee

Archie McPhee is one of my favorite toy stores.  Allow me to elucidate:

Top 10 Things You Want from Archie McPhee

#1  1st Amendment Shopping bag

#2  Dr. Freud Therapy Ball (psycho-to-go therapy)

#3  Dashboard Monk (to soothe the road rager)

#4  

Elegant Wedding Cake

Toppers

#5  Cool Absinthe Flavored Stuph 

Like Soap, Mints, Lip Balm, Dental

Floss, Toothpicks and Gumballs

#6  Bad Cupcake Shopping Bag (he's the shady

pastry in the center)

 

#7  Angry Mob Playset

#8  Last Supper Lunchbox 

(oh, the irony!)

#9  Glow-in-the-Dark Zombie Finger Puppets

And, last but certainly not least,

we have 

#10:  St. Adrian,

Patron Saint of Butchers,

Arms Dealers & Prison Guards

If you have some spare cash (STOP LAUGHING until you AT LEAST finish reading this line...), go forth and buy thyself some marvelous toys.  You work hard, you deserve to play.

If you have no spare cash (more likely) and you just wanna have a good chuckle along with the occasional, "What the...?"

Go to the website and browse the hilarious merchandise.

Archie McPhee

"Slightly less disappointing

than other companies."

(go see...it's their real motto)