Monthly Archives: December 2008

El Paso II

Posted on December 27, 2008 | 2 Comments

My hombre braved the big mall and crowds and traffic, just to make it to the Apple Store to buy new video software. En route home I asked him to stop at the store and pick up milk and honey. He called from the store.

That was the first time he left home today, nearing 5:00 p.m. Three things I asked him to do today: replace a pendant light bulb I really need to cook by (and I had one on hand) that I couldn’t reach; walk the dog; and go to the store for two things.

Upon returning he walked the dog and stepped in a dog mess because there have been no bags out here or irresponsible owners or holiday caretakers don’t give a darn about picking up after their pooches. That really irks me, that people don’t pick up. He’s just had me wash everything he was wearing (yes, Val the Vet) and just took a 30-minute shower while dinner is in the oven.

I really don’t want to write something nasty about all of the people who make our lofts work, but so many things were left undone before they took off for the holidays. Simple things like doggie bags and paper towels and toilet paper for residents and their guests during a long weekend, in the public areas.

This is our second Christmas here, out of five. During the latter portion of the week, we basically were meringue mushrooms sitting on a chocolate hazelnut buttercream yule log cake, so far. Now we have a weekend but are still getting over this cold we got from different places starting at Thanksgiving. Personally, I’m working on pneumonia and am sitting up, here, in the middle of the night so as not to fill my lungs with fluid. ‘Tis time for drastic measures, Whole Foods beckons for Wellness Formula.

Even though this is a semi-transient locale, some of us actually stay here for the holidays. I’m even learning how to make latkes. So we need the people we pay to prep this place when they close things down.

Anyway, my cowboy Knight in Shining Armor took a bullet tonight. He’s picked right up and started all over again and looks forward to dinner. Yes, this man in near middle age has never changed a diaper in his life. I’ve done at least a few hundred. Icky stuff is out there. Cowboys deal with the situation, make their peace and go on with life.

Hopefully my Jim will be able to, as all he did was essentially step in a dog patty (and he grew up on a dairy), grow from this experience and see what mothers and cooks and veterinarians and nurses and others go through every day, without whining.

Yes, he’ll get a good dinner this evening: ham with grainy mustard and honey; scalloped potatoes and a salad. And we care for all the people who make our lives easier, pleasant and interesting. Hope you enjoyed the sales today – I stayed away. Dee

ps He’s watching Alton Brown on dips, loves the science of it, not the cooking. OK, he’s redeemed, except he did wash his leather driving shoes in the shower and they may never recover. D

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Merry Christmas

Posted on December 25, 2008 | 1 Comment

I woke up the dog this morning at seven to go for a nice walk in the park with her buddy Jasper. She’s eaten her breakfast and is nestled under my down pillows with Jim, both sound asleep over two hours later. Jim deserves it, Zoe does as Zoe wants.

So, it’s grey and cloudy today, so far. My holiday decorations consist of one bay leaf wreath Mom gave me, that is up indoors year-round. One wreath on the front door with two ornaments (photo on site) and a crinkly-leafed poinsettia. No tree or other decorations or presents.

We’ll probably see one of the new movies this afternoon, and I have one of Jim’s favorite dinners planned that is easy to execute if I have an hour to make baked potatoes. A quiet day to say hello to family long-distance. I’ve been looking for a place to live. We checked out these incredibly snooty new places (still being built) the other day and I don’t know what they’ve been smoking over there. The two-bedroom is nice but in this economy they’re charging Reagan-era prices. No thanks.

I just re-located a site with a lot of this one guy’s renovations. We have been in touch once in the past and he had nothing that met our needs at the time. Uniquely, he rents a lot to college students and recent grads who stick with him from basic studios and one bedrooms on up. In the past he’s done a lot of the restorations of vintage properties himself and I can always tell his work because the floors are gorgeous wood, built-in bookcases, Viking ranges, unique materials and always vintage-looking tile in the bathrooms. Problem is, many of his places are under 1,000 s.f., have no available parking or storage and have only one bathroom.

Now I believe he’s branched his site out to others with quality properties and there are a few I’ll show to Jim when he’s awake and has eaten breakfast. I plan to make my chicken salad for lunch with tarragon and roasted pecans and celery, and there’s a bowl full of broccoli soup I can heat up for him. Ribeye and loaded baked potato for dinner, with perhaps braised carrots, and/or steamed green beans. I’ll decide later on.

Ironically we combed our local grocery store yesterday, stocking up because they’re going to be closed for 36 whole hours! I think it’s the hurricane mentality. Ten pounds of potatoes; two boxes Raisin Bran with blackberries for topping; 48 rolls of toilet paper; four rolls paper towels; dozens of sodas; wine; chicken broth for the dog; and perhaps a partridge in a pear tree.

Enjoy the day! After gifts and breakfast our family started to get bored. Mom and I slaved in the kitchen getting ready the prime rib, Yorkshire pudding and vegetables. Mince tarts and cookies were already done. Sister and brother would announce they were going to a movie so we had to change dinner time while I was seething that I had to be the responsible one and help out at home. Dad was working while listening to classical music on the stereo. Yeah, that was probably the year before Mom and Dad split up. It’s been a mishmash since then. No more “tradition.”

So there are a few new movies out today and I think we’ll go. Otherwise I did purchase Mamma Mia last week and it remains unopened. If we want to laze around we could do that and see a movie tomorrow. So that’s what I’m thinking nearly 9:30 a.m. and having some quiet time at home. Cheers! Dee

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New Year’s Resolution #3

Posted on December 24, 2008 | 1 Comment

Embrace the unexpected.

Years ago I was invited into the living room of a woman who was going to change the 5th or 6th (it changes with Phoenix) largest city in the US. Leash-free areas. She was having a difficult pregnancy and opted out. A few of us opted in and worked on it for six years. We had limited success, but after working in government at the state and federal levels, lobbying government as an unpaid taxpayer taught me a heck of a lot, and I made friends for life. When my dog died over 40 friends and neighbors donated a tree to our park in her memory, and showed up for a celebration to pour a cup of water on her tree.

Two weeks after I was stuck in Europe (in the lap of luxury in Florence) during and after 9/11 I met my husband over lunch at TGIFridays. We talked for over three hours, walked out to the parking lot, exchanged phone numbers and shook hands. The next evening he called to ask if I wanted to see a movie, took my hand helping me out of the car, and we’ve been together over seven years, married nearly six. Embrace the unexpected. Thanks Luann!

I’m an enlightened and bright person but fate has its hand in things. Job selections, where to live, sometimes it sets one up for the right situation at the right time. At the aforementioned park, my old dog put a pup in its place. We finally met and knew this Collie her entire life, her folks and I became fast friends, the Army Ranger fixed up my finger when I nearly cut it off in a serrated knife incident, and they made sure my dog’s ashes came home to me after she died suddenly. Fate. Friends, husband.

We’re in Texas for a reason but I can’t pretend to know what it is, except to get closer to Jim’s family, which is lovely! It will be revealed to me in time. A leap of faith, perhaps, but sometimes your gut tells you something has to be done, so you do it. Ask my best friend, who is snoring about 12 feet away. Or the hipless wonder, our dog, who is probably on my pillow by now.

After years on my own I couldn’t imagine a more comforting sound than contented snoring. Have a wonderful Christmas Eve, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa. Dee

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More Latkes

Posted on December 24, 2008 | Leave a comment

I have to find a recipe for latkes for the weekend. Ed will include me in the menorah-lighting ceremony if I bring latkes. No cooking spray or ovens. Real latkes. I think I’ll use the non-stick wok, already have oil (yes, the lamp burned for eight days) and just need potatoes and perhaps scallions. Saving that white potato starch is key and the scallions are for added flavor.

Forget about searching recipes. I’ll do my own thing and it’ll work out just fine. Last night was our loft dinner which was quite good though I didn’t get what I ordered. One free beverage was offered but it was only a Grinch-colored martini with a candy cane garnish and we both opted out. We arrived late because it was Jim’s birthday and he spent much of the early evening on family phone calls, but we participated in several interesting conversations before heading home.

It’s Christmas Eve and we thank the powers that be for our health, each other and our families and friends. And the fact that I really taught Zoe to roll over so deserved credit in her first short doc. Oh, I have to send it to my cousin, the expert, in Canada.

Keep that frying oil handy, plus a candy thermometer for testing the temperature. I have both so there is no reason for an electric fryer. Dee

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Roll Over, Zoe!

Posted on December 23, 2008 | 3 Comments

Here is a video of Zoe rolling over.  My contribution to my loving wife’s blog.  Hope you like it.  Jim

This is Dee.  First off, I wasn’t given credit as producer, or even Catering Company.  Second I have it on good authority that the star was paid in lamb biscuits and not union scale.  But then I haven’t checked her SAG credentials.

The birthday boy took the afternoon off, so we could go and see a ridiculously expensive place to live and drive around in the rain.  Zoe dog is ready go into her crate with PBK (frozen extreme peanut butter Kong) and we’ve been talking with neighbors, sharing stories and recipes and our new trifle bowl.

Now we have to go to dinner downtown.  Enjoy the video.  Roll over!  Dee

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New Year’s Resolution #2

Posted on December 23, 2008 | 1 Comment

Regarding Trust: Never sign for something that’s not on the truck.

Here’s your sofa ma’am. Where do you want us to set it up? Oh, you mis-measured, it’ll still work. We’ll go down and get the ottoman you signed for next.

Every two weeks I called. Quality furnishings, yes. Reasonable prices. We’ll never use them again because of that ottoman. Eight months later after a fictitious ship sank off the coast of China and there wasn’t a single leather ottoman in the US, Canada or South America it arrived.

They stopped with an open pickup truck in the delivery bay. No sirree. Upstairs. They dragged the box on concrete floors and deposited it at my door. No way, Jose.

Inside, they placed the box next to the dining room table. Open it, I said. I want to make sure it’s what I’ve ordered and called over 20 times to finally receive. They did, and it was. After having them set it in the living room I made them take the box with them as well.

Whatever happened to service? But I learned my lesson. Never sign for something you cannot see. A sad state of affairs but the way it is in 2008. Live and learn, Dee

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Goodbye, Bucolic Views

Posted on December 23, 2008 | 1 Comment

All my family has been partial to settling in a spot that backs up to a natural “break” so that no neighbors could encroach. Immutable forest, mountain, creek, or the like. Jim’s family chose flood plain. This past week the farm was sold for what is called “The Bottom” where the cattle graze.

Nearly every time I visit I take a photo of the hay barn at sunrise, my favorite time to do so, after walking Zoe I get out the camera and find out how the morning light is playing on the old red wood. Jim’s father has worked this land for over thirty years, ran a dairy then a cattle ranch as he got further up in years.

This prime land is being encroached upon by the Dallas metroplex, a carniverous beast that eats anything in its path. The people of Dallas are in need of more water, and “The Bottom” will eventually be flooded (not to be a pretty lake but it will be waterfront acreage) in order to do so.

This has been talked about locally for years, but finally it’s down to brass tacks, sell to the government or be forced out. A few years ago Jim’s folks bought some acreage an hour or so’s drive east of the ranch, and Margie’s been poring over and altering house plans since before then! I don’t know why, as she didn’t make mistakes when she was a woman of perhaps 23 planning their current home. Higher ceilings, says Jim, but that’s only because he is 6′ 4″ so that’s to be expected.

On a farm, one needs a mud room and practical flooring. I know she’d like more sound windows this time around, and perhaps a second story for guests to visit. The new land will take us up a different path that doesn’t pass by Nanny’s. It may be a shorter trip for brother John and family. It may be a shorter drive to church.

I think I’ll ask the birthday boy to take me out on the four-wheeler next trip so I can take some photos of the old creek et al. Wouldn’t you know that Nanny’s backed up to a flood plain as well and even her town’s golf course may be under water at times.

We moved so many times that only one childhood place stands out as my home, and we only lived there for three years. Jim has been at the farm nearly his entire life. Instead of hanging out at the mall (what mall, you might ask), he built his own workshop I need to see that too, and the rest of the milk barn.

At an earlier home in town, he was quizzed by his teacher on his address, as part of a lesson to teach these young kids their phone number and address in case they became lost and the police needed to help them find their way home. Jim, the math whiz, didn’t know the number but knew the cross streets and how to find his own darned way home. Apparently he failed that particular exercise. His high school physics teacher nearly quit because he asked too many questions. “Why?” “Yes, I know your answer is right but I came to it from a different direction. Why is yours better?” That’s my guy. All mine.

I’m an arts and literature gal. Often we come to the same or similar conclusion but take vastly different mental routes to get there. No, I won’t chart them for you. There are too many to think about.

Certainly Jim will miss his childhood home. We always enjoy visiting a place where doors are not always locked and if you’re outside everyone who drives by waves, even if it’s me, a total stranger. To send nephew Joseph out to get the mail – yippee! I cringe at all the circulars we receive and don’t even have a mail key on my main key chain.

One more story. Joseph at age four (he’s now a sage six) and his father had shot Bambi and brought the corpse back on the four-wheeler. I actually felt the deer, and Jim marveled that he couldn’t even see how it was shot. We’d taken young Joseph across the street by the hand, as he wasn’t yet allowed to cross by himself. He looked at us as if we were idiots and said, “With a gun.” Duh.

And that was that. He did enjoy making holiday cranberry centerpieces with his sisters over Thanksgiving. Just call me Martha. Dee

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Verdict: Not a Curmudgeon

Posted on December 22, 2008 | Leave a comment

Josh Groban, yesterday en route 3/4 mile home from the grocery store. Noel brought me to tears. It’s never taken until the 21st of December to reduce me to a puddle of tears. Once a year, usually right after Thanksgiving. Perhaps I’m becoming more hard-hearted. I certainly hope that’s not the case. Thanks for believing in me, Santa and all good things. Dee

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New Year’s Resolution #1

Posted on December 22, 2008 | 5 Comments

Let latkes be latkes.

A latke is a potato pancake, shredded potato with onion and seasonings, fried in oil. It is a Jewish tradition that the Food Police are trying to eradicate. I ate one at Katz’ Deli the other day. The NYTimes is all a-twitter about healthy living and using little or no oil to make these treats that I eat (one) perhaps twice a year. As my brother used to tell my Mom, “Wrong-O, Moose Breath.”

Yes, over the past week I consumed eight ounces of cranberry-orange shortbread cookies. I also made soups and grilled cheese sandwiches and roast chicken and steak for Jim.

Jim will tell you first-hand that I do not like to be lectured to, by anyone. Physics lessons while on long car trips I learn from and endure, but do not presume, unless you’re Eric Ripert, Margaret Fox or Mark Bittman to lecture me on food.

I know how to use a bunson burner to measure a calorie. I know what I need to do to manage my health and weight. And sometimes I just want a latke. I’m asking Anthony Bourdain to take up the latke lamp. The oil burned for eight days. An entire civilization eats latkes as tradition. Now pundits are trying to make them healthy, even eschewing the beloved potato.

What has this world come to? I’m presuming to know how a very pregnant woman feels when her back aches and all people want to do is give advice and feel her belly. Stop feeling mine! Mind your own beeswax!

I’m making rosti tomorrow, then falafel, and then perhaps goujonettes of sole. Deep-fried everything, even parsley. Damn the torpedoes, full steam ahead. Fry, baby, fry. Dee

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Posted in Editorial, Education

Holiday Treats

Posted on December 22, 2008 | 3 Comments

At the store today they were promoting probably mulled wine. The guy left for a moment so I got to try a small bite of the chocolate-covered lebkuchen, like we got stale from Uncle Ernest every year and had to write thank-you notes before opening.

I’m thinking of my own trifle. I actually have madeleine pans, imagine that. But I bought some ladyfingers and I’m thinking of ladyfingers brushed with Framboise, layered with a light (fattening) chocolate mousse and fresh raspberries. Perhaps for Christmas. I love chocolate and raspberries together, reminds me of a mousse cake I used to make and, heaven forbid, decorate at Cafe Beaujolais in Mendocino CA for owner Margaret Fox. Decorating desserts was the bane of my existence.

Margaret taught me a lot about honesty, quality, hard work and determination. She is a fixture in my pantheon of Women I Admire. Don’t laugh. Look who men admired and half of them are criminals who stole our childrens’ futures, bankers, insurance tycoons, and auto magnates. But the Bernie Madoffs of the world certainly made themselves money in the process. That is not my sole criteria for the Pantheon. It is not a criteria at all, if you’d like to know.

Honesty, integrity, a sense of purpose, love thy neighbor… I’ll get you the list once I crystallize it in my mind. Right now I have to turn on the heat, feed the dog and work on dinner. To all a good night, Dee

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