Look Who Came Over To See Me

Look Who Came Over To See Me Friday Night!

All The Book Club Members With Their Glasses of Wine.

Cheers Everyone!

Thank You John Brooks

Thank You John Brooks

Our wine club leader created this very informative book about wine.

This is a great book!

The Fourth Of July Hot Dog!

The Fourth Of July Hot Dog!

Isn't he cute!

This is Sammy in his sparkling red, white and blue color.

He stopped by with his owners Bev and Shorty

to deliver to us a Wegman's white cake decorated with an American flag.

Thank you Bev and Shorty!

Saturday Night Barbecue For The Birthday Kids

Saturday Night Barbecue For The Birthday Kids

My neighbor Scott's Birthday is June 2 and my birthday is June 5 so this past weekend we had a neighborhood gathering for five couples and a couple of drop-ins. The steaks were cooked to perfection after being marinated in garlic, lemon juice and a special low gluten Japanese soy sauce. Above is guest Rob in his Tommy Bahama shirt and hat. Very tropical and cool looking. Meanwhile, the hostess, Scott's wife Dickie, is refreshing the wine bar.

Here's Jack relaxing on the patio. See the yellow dolphin on his shirt. That is to keep away the bugs. I won't tell you where one lady put her two floral bug baits. LOL! I don't want this to become an x-rated blog. I got to take home one of the large floral bouquets that you see on the picnic table.
From the appetizers to the deserts all the food was a hit. Thanks Dickie and Scott for hosting!

Blogger TWO BY TWO BY TWO'S Family

Blogger TWO BY TWO BY TWO'S Christmas Card

Now isn't this a darling Christmas photo. On my blog roll list I have TWO BY TWO BY TWO which is written by my friend and neighbor Cindy Buckley who happens to be the mother of these three beautiful sets of fraternal twins. I so admire Cindy who writes her blog to record the adventures and antics of her twins. I think the oldest set is now in fifth grade and the youngest set is in either kindergarten or first grade and the middle set is in a grade in between the oldest and youngest set. All our adorable. I'm especially fond of the two redheaded boys.

By the way Cindy managed to finish her doctorate degree at George Mason University about two months before her youngest set of twins arrived. Way to go Cindy! You are an amazing woman, wife and mother. Kudos to you!

News Flash: Woke up this morning and learned that Ohio State won the Sugar Bowl football game against the Arkansaw Razorbacks! Go Bucks! Go Big Red!

Thank You, Dickie and Scott!

Thank You, Dickie and Scott!

This past Sunday our neighbors Dickie and Scott treated us to brunch at Bazens in Vienna,VA. A very good time was had by all four of us.

Jack and I each had something different. So did Dickie and Scott.

In this picture you can see my quiche and salad and Scott's filet eggs benedict. In the white napkin was the best rye and raisin toast! And did I mention that Jack had a Bloody Mary while I had a Kir Royal?

Flowers For The Birthday Kids

These Flowers Are For The Birthday Kids:

My Sister Mary Ellen Gariety Thobe of Tipp City, Ohio

and

My Neighbor Scott Weibel of Haymarket, VA.

Happy Birthday!

I Won't Tell Anyone How Old You Folks Are.

Just Enjoy Your Special Day in The Sun.

Skywatch Friday = New Year's Morning Sunrise

January 1, 2010

Haymarket, Virginia

It was a pretty sunrise in the east from my breakfast room doorway looking towards Dickie's house where we celebrated New Years Eve the night before with a small group of friends. It was the type of New Years Party that I like. Start early at 7:00 P.M. with drinks and appetizers and end early at 10:00 P.M. so guests can walk home, change into their jammies and watch on TV the ball drop in Times Square in New York City. Then kiss your sweetheart and hop into bed at 12:10 P.M. So this is what greeted me as I opened the door to let in all the good new vibrations for 2010. I noticed that each photo shows the clouds in a different location on the horizon and with different shades of grey in the cloud formations. See above and below the changes. All three photos were taken in lest than a minutes so that was some fast moving changes in the new year skies. (I wonder how symbolic that is for predicting changes in our world this year.)

I liked the black outline of my doorlight in these photos and Dickie's house outlined in black. The sunrise was just beginning. Sunrise in Northern Virginia comes around 7:00 A.M. these early January mornings. The days are beginning to gain a minute of sunlight each day but it is coming at the end of each day. So right now the sun sets around 5:05 P.M. and then is totally dark by 5:25 P.M.

Well, that's it for this second Friday of 2010 Skywatch Friday post. Now please go visit lots of other wonderful Skywatch Friday bloggers around the world by clicking here:
http://skyley.blogspot.com/

And Happy New Year Everyone!

My Annual Christmas Cookie Exchange Party

My Annual Christmas Cookie Exchange Party

December 20, 2009

12:00 P.M. - 4:00 P.M.

This Year's Party Theme: Greek Food

My Hero, Jackie Lee, had the drive and sidewalks cleared of snow.

Even that little bit you see in the first photo.

Then the sun emerged and shown on the new fallen snow and made everything sparkle

against the white snow and blue skies.

The Wreath On The Front Door Was Even Sporting A Snowy Look

The Christmas Wreath On The Opposite Side Of The Door
Held My Oldest Little Raggedy Ann and Andy Dolls. The Two Smallest Dolls Were On
The Bassinet When We Brought Jennifer Home From The Hospital in 1976. The One In The Middle Jeanine Gave To Me One Year For Christmas
With Message: "Mom, You Need A Doll."

The Green Scarf Attached To The Wreath Neighbor Dickie Made For Me.
Thank You, Dickie.
My Collection Of Christmas Stockings Were On The Stairs
As Dickie Played Head House Butler And Ran Coats and Scarves Up The Stairs.
(I Created A Boot Depot In My Laundry Room For Drying All The Boots.)

Here Joan and Daughter Plus Bev and Haelie Are Sitting
And Sampling the Appetizers: Eggplant Caponata, Hummus on Belgian Endive And
Assorted Cheeses.

These Two Are Hanging Out By My Little German Christmas Tree.
Note the stocking feet--the dress code for the day plus ski wear.

Would You Like To Sample The Fruited Stilton Cheeses Along With The Irish Cheddar and
French Brie?

Greek Stuffed Grape Leave, Carrot and Celery Salad, Red Beet Salad
And Seven Layer Salad To Go With The Two Main Dishes:
Greek Moussaka and The Baked Mediterranean Frittata.

Finally The Big Moment Arrived:
The Cookie Exchange Romp Around My Dining Room Table.
Ready Your Cookie Bag Ladies And One, Two, Three, Takeoff!

Stop A Moment.
Say Cheese.
I'm Taking Your Picture While You Do The Cookie Romp.

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Below Are My Recipes For My Greek Moussaka, Eggplant Caponata Dip,
The Baked Mediterranean Frittata and Easy Marinated Orange Dessert.

***********
Moussaka
(Baked Meat and Eggplant in Bechamel Sauce)
Recipes Courtesy of Anne Theoharous's Cookbook: Cooking and Baking The Greek Way
and Recipe From St. Sophias Greek Orthodox Church Cookbook With
My Adaptations
*************

Yield: 12 servings
Time: First day: 3 hours
Second day: 50 minutes
Third day: 2 hours
**************

First day, Frying The 3 Medium Eggplants

1. Wash unpeeled Eggplants and slice into 1/4 inch thick slices.

2. Sprinkle slices with kosher salt and put in colanders to drain with a plate on top that is weighted down with something heavy. Set aside for 2 hours.

3. Rinse eggplant slices under cool water and dry with dish towels.

4. Heat good olive oil and butter in large skillet. I start with 3 T. olive oil and 3 T. butter for a skillet full of eggplant slices. Repeat these amount for each additional batch of eggplant slices to brown. Place fried eggplant slices in a 13 x 11 baking dish and cover and place in fridge overnight.

5. Place 6-8 slices of bread on cookie sheet to dry out over night.

****************

Second day, Preparing the Meat Mixture

(It can be all ground lamb or all ground beef or a combination of both.)

1. Chop up three sweet Vidalia style onions and 10 stalks of flat Italian parsley and one clove of garlic.

2. Heat a stick of butter in large skillet and saute the chopped veggies.

3. Saute 2 1/2 pounds of meat in separate skillet till brown. Drain off the fat by removing meat and adding it to veggie saute skillet.

4. Add one can of well drained chopped tomatoes plus 3 tablespoons of tomato paste.

5. Add seasonings: 1 cup dry red wine

1/2 tablespoon kosher salt

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1/4 teaspoon powdered ginger

6. Allow meat to simmer uncovered until all liquid is absorbed (about 30 minutes).

7. Make bread crumbs with the 6-8 slices of bread that have dried out over night. Use food processor to turn bread into bread crumbs.

8. Remove meat mixture from heat and allow to cool down a bit. Then stir in 1 cup of bread crumbs.

9. Then add 1 cup of grated Kefalotyri or Parmesan cheese to meat mixture.

10. Then add 4 slightly beaten egg whites which will thicken meat mixture when baking. Save egg yolks for tomorrow Bechamel Sauce.

11. Lastly place meat mixture over the eggplant slices in baking dish. Cover dish and refrigerate.

Relax, tomorrow it will be easy to make topping and bake dish.

*******************

Third day: Making Bechamel Sauce and Baking Dish

1. Scald 3 cups milk in saucepan and remove from heat.

2. Melt 6 tablespoons butter over low heat and then slowly stir in 6 tablespoons flour. Blend.

Keep stirring to about 2 - 3 minutes to allow roux to bubble gently. Then remove from heat

and add the 3 cups of scalded milk.

3. Return saucepan to stove to cook over medium heat to thicken the sauce. Then add 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon.

4. Cool sauce a bit. Beat egg yolks and add a little sauce to beaten yolks. Then slowly add yolk mixture to the sauce.

5. Lastly add 1/2 cup grated Kefalottyri or Parmesan cheese to Bechamel Sauce.

6. Pour Bechamel Sauce over meat/eggplant mixture in baking dish.

7. Can refrigerate moussaka now or bake it

now in a 350 degree oven for about 1 hour or until top is golden brown and crusty.

8. Remove Moussaka from oven and allow to sit undisturbed for 15 minutes before cutting into squares. This wait is very important. It allows the mixture to coalesce.

********************

********************

Homemade Eggplant Caponata Dip For Pita Bread

1. Place 1 eggplant with skin cut in half in roasting pan with 1 red onion, 1 red pepper, 1/2 a head of mild elephant garlic. Drizzle 1/4 cup olive oil over veggies and roast for about 30 minutes at 350 degrees or until veggies are done.

2. Meantime chop into a bowl 10 sprigs of Italian parsley, 1/2 cup of stuffed olives, 1/2 cup of fresh chives and 1/2 cup of chopped basil leaves..

3. When roasted veggies are done, let cool a bit and then chop up the roasted veggies and add to other chopped veggies in bowl.

4. Add 1 can of drained diced tomatoes.

5. Add 1/2 can of tomato paste.

6. Stir thoroughly this mixture and then add 1 slight pinch of sugar to balance flavors.

7. Lastly add 1 cup of dry red wine and stir to blend.

8. Place dip in covered glass container and chill in fridge. Serve with assorted breads and chips.

This even makes a great spread for bagels.

****************

****************

Baked Mediterranean Frittata

1. Saute 2 sweet vidalia onions in about 3 tablespoons of good olive oil. Remove from stove.

2. Add 1 can of drained diced tomatoes to onions.

3. Add 2 tablespoons of chopped fresh Italian parsley and 1/2 cup of chopped fresh basil leaves to onion mixture.

4. Tear up some Italian bread to make 4 cups of bread pieces. Add to mixture.

5. Season to taste with salt, pepper---about 1 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper.

6. Lastly take 6 eggs and beat them with a fork. Add 1/2 cup of half and half to egg mixture and add all of this to the veggies in mixing bowl.

7. Butter a 13" x 11" baking dish and pour frittata mixture into pan. refrigerate over night for flavors to meld. Next day bake at 350 degrees for about 45 minutes or until done.

8. Frittata can be served hot, at room temperature or cold. To serve, cut into wedges.

********************

********************

Marinated Orange Slices ala Marcella Hazan ala Joann Shipley

(This Simple But Delicious Dessert Is Great Now That Folks Are Selling Oranges By

The Box For The Holidays.)

1. Four oranges. Use one orange to create fresh orange zest by zesting the skin. Set aside zest for garnish. Use this orange to create orange juice.

2. Take other three oranges and peel them. Then slice off both ends to pitch. Then slice each orange into four nice slices. Place slices in a quiche style dish.

3. Create a simple sugar syrup by heating 1/4 cup sugar with 1/4 cup water in saucepan. Heat to boil and boil one minute. Remove from heat to add 2 tablespoons of Grand Marnier into sugar syrup. Add fresh squeezed orange juice from first orange. Return pan to heat to boil off alcohol. About 1 minute.

4. Pour this sugar syrup over the orange slices and garnish with the orange zest.

5. Refrigerate over night covered to allow flavors to meld.

This is a very simple but great dessert to serve with rich food because it is so refreshing.

'Twas The Night Of Book Club

'Twas The Night Of Book Club

'Twas the night of book club

After all tummies were filled

And stretched to the very limit.

Dickie announced ornament exchange

Starts in just a minute.

That jolly fat snowman on the high shelf

Should have been a police elf.

To keep folks from hiding ornaments

And pulling silly pranks.

You can't have my treasure!

No no thanks!

The packages were ready.The guests were heady.

Oh my , dear Freddy.Now isn't this one cute.

Who would dare to steal my loot?Haelie had a beautiful ornament.

Before she knew it.

She did lose it.

Maura, was the judicial arbitrator.

For the ensuing fight.

She did a good job.

Even though it took all night.

This was written in jest I confess.

The End

'Twas The Night of Book Club

'Twas The Night of Book Club

'Twas the night of book club

And Dickie was now ready

For girls popping open the door

And hitting the hardwood floor.

Take your pick.

French wine or French water.

Take a little moment.

Smell the fresh flowers.

A touch of spring in the dead of December.

Hubby Scott is so clever.

All aboard the Polar Express
To watch Dickie fix us supper.
We know we will be blessed
With scrumptious food no less.

We have good intentions to watch our diet
But we need something more for stomachs to quiet.

We all run to the range in gallops.
To check out the fresh shrimp and scallops.

Dickie is now sauteing garlic and ginger.

I know this dish will be a winner!

Haelie keep talking

While Dickie keeps wokking!

Stirring stirring stirring

Those black beans are really whirling.

Carol takes note

As Dickie plays host.

We all are thrilled.

This will be quite a meal.

But as we await the exotic Caribbean seafood.

We spot something else equally good.

Holy smokes!

Two Wegmans chocolate desserts.

Those decadent little flirts!

Here's the choice:

Pistachio creme

Or the chocolate bombe!
Naturally I took a little scoop of each glomb.

Part 3 of 'Twas the Night of Book Club on Monday.

'Twas The Night Of Book Club

'Twas The Night Of Book Club

'Twas the night of book club

And all through Dickie's house

Sat little Christmas snowmen

Each happy as a holiday mouse.

The kitchen island was ready for cooking

And oh my gosh, it sure was fun looking.

The 2007 wine From The French Rhone
Was delightful as the guests groan.....
Oh this is so good!

A snowman kept count of the Christmas countdown
While the French sparkling wine was ready to go down.

The kitchen table had a little tree
And characters as lively as can be.
The fireplace mantle was decked in poinsettias and a quilt.
Oh what a festive and warm lilt.

Even the houseplants were hiding little creatures.
Can you spot the snow lady and bear with cute features?

The stairs were decked in ribbons and magnolia leaves.
With a quilt hanging down in a misty glow.
One Dickie made some years ago.
It reminded me of the Nutcracker
That great Christmas show.

Another snowman was guarding the stairs.
That led to a painting with warming flairs.

The wall clock kept time
As the doorbell started to chime.

A tree in the corner greeted the guests
As book club meeting began in jest.

Dickie, Dickie, how do you do it?

You make it seem easy.

Nothing to it.

But we all know it took lots of time.

And thought and effort.

To make our Christmas party truly shine.

Tomorrow: Part Two of Twas The Night Of Book Club