Lovin' The Pouf!

It's time to share Mambo's best kept secret... he adores (link) Mammoth Dog Beds. We discovered the brand with (link) Ike. Y'all might recall that he was a bit of a tearer and chewer. Well, he had a tough time destroying this product, though I do recall some mending, on occasion. For several years, we purchased two beds at a time, so that each Royal family member could have comfort in his space. You might spot Ike on his bed, if you link to his story.

Mambo has never attempted to destroy a bed, contented to curl up and snooze in the path of some sun rays that pass through the window. The worst that happens is flattening from his weight and fading from washing. (Have I mentioned that the donut and cushion covers remove for easy care?) Such was the state of his last bed... still too good to toss, so we'll use it for kennel stays.

His latest macho BRT Lazy Boy is sky-high with pouf. Believe it or not, a Size Large is recommended for this 130-pound love ball. The company goes yet a size larger, if you've got a Dane or Irish Wolf Hound!

Santa also brought Big Dog a mammoth-of-a-different-variety dog bone, the residue from which still adorns his beard. I see a close cut comin'...

Thanks, Santa. You did well. Here's to a comfy 'n' cozy 2013.

♡

It's F-f-f-f-freezing...

Interpret the "F-f-f-f-" as you wish. After all, this is a family blog. But it's bloody cold outside. 9 degrees. Finally. Yep, we knew the Winter Solstice would bring some dipping temps. Ahem... not to be disappointed???

Long story short, I was thinking of Gran, the other day. She'd laugh knowing my feet were cold, since I'm pretty much the Queen Of Bare Feet. Thing is, we're conserving oil and these f-f-f-whatever Eden Pure heaters just don't cut it in single digits. The tile is cold. The slate is cold. Even for me. Somewhere in the CMI archives, I'm sure there was mention of Gran's chastising me, as a kid:

"Honey, if you don't put something on your feet, you'll have arthritis when you're my age."

There's food for thought in that remark, since I'm now about the age at which she began the mantra. Her Mom is gone. She is gone. My Mom is gone. And where is the little girl in the pictures? Oh, c'est moi. I digress...

Gran was a young dressmaker in young New York City, back in her day... wedding gowns. She easily segued to sewing awesome party dresses for me. It upsets me that I've not one tangible sample of her exquisite work, accomplished at the professional, factory-style Singer. Even when relaxing, her hands would always be busy knitting or crocheting. Hmmm, so it's genetic. To substantiate her point about my cold feet, she'd make little booty-style slippers with pompoms, for me. Endless pairs. I'd wear through the bottoms; she'd repair once or twice; then it was on to another pair. She never bothered sewing soles onto them, as they took so little time to replace. Yarn was cheap, plentiful and rather dull, by comparison to today's varieties.

In a recent lightbulb moment, I determined the need for a pair of Gran's slippers. At first, I winged it from memory. That didn't work. So, I Googled Grandma's Knitted Pom-Pom Slippers. Try it, if you're interested, to see all kinds of directions and images. I was off and knitting, but with big, fluffy designer yarn, leftover from one blanket or another. They are sort of Gran's slippers...and the bonus? There is now a product, Super Grip by Performix, to spray on the bottoms to render them non-slippery, as well as protect from wear. You've got it... Googled.

Knitting a pair of these is analogous to making a loaf of bread, in that both projects afford almost-instant gratification. 

Gran's impressed and lovin' my first project of 2013. I feel her presence... always.

♥

Our Precious Rising Star - First Tune ♡

Aubs messaged an iPod Touch vid of herself to me, this evening. There are clearly advantages to the device-riddled world we live in! It's a happening, when a ten-year-old GrandLove thinks of you and wants to share... not to mention that she's making progress!! 
Rock on, Sugar... we're smiling on Stacey Drive.

Hellfire 'n' Damnation... The Cheesecake Cracked!

Yep, the cheesecake really cracked, this time! If you saw (link) the recipe here on CMI back in 2011, you'll remember the issue. Some things simply never change. Yeah, yeah, I revamped and revised a tad, but did not submit the dessert to a water bath. I simply do not like the way the crust comes, when baking in that manner. Then...

At Bri/Kell's Eve-Eve party, Joe and I spent a lengthy period of time discussing similar recipes and foolproof means of baking. Loved the conversation with Brian and Wanda M... they are a riot, those two. We deem them a "Cute Couple". I digress. My Cake #1 was already in the freezer, covered with a disguise of (link) strawberry sauce and ready to go to Christian/Dawn's for the Day. 

Wow, it was delicious... the perfect topper to C's beyond-perfect prime rib roast and trimmings. And then it happened... the mother crack of them all... I dropped the cake in removing it from the table. Smashed to oblivion, all over the pretty dining room carpet. Ouch, that hurt... me and the rug. What to do?

I baked another. It cracked, too, regardless of the even-lower oven temps. More strawberry sauce. Ask me if I care...

Julia would be proud of my never apologizing for a crater or two. Hey, the delicious fruit seeps right into them. After we taste-tested to deem it creamy and delicious, I sliced into individual servings and froze. We're ready to go in a reasonable amount of thawing time. Next to fresh mozzarella, this has to be the best calorie splurge ev-ah!

Bon Appétit!

♥

Dining 'Round 'n' 'Round

Saying "Au Revoir" to 2012

Joe and I recently watched a PBS special about survival in Alaska, where warmer seasons are spent almost entirely in the pursuit of food to allow for survival of Mother Nature's winter wrath. We were intrigued by the fact that life itself revolves around the hunt and its ensuing meal. Oh, so it's not just us with the food obsession? (Tongue-in-cheek, here!)

We were reminded of long, hot and steamy Gulf-side days, spent in Florida. While the boys experienced sandy, surfy bliss, he and I would ponder the question, "What's for dinner?" This, of course, was after we'd jogged and walked for surf-side miles, thus allowing big-time splurges. Ah, those were the days when spaghetti portions didn't have to be counted by the strand! I digress. He'd hunt. I'd cook. A fair deal, I think. Clearly, we're food obsessed. I blame it on my Matzoh-Pizza roots; he blames it on my cooking skills. Thank you, Honey.

There is simply nothing like bonding around a table while enjoying delicious fare, every meal constituting valuable time spent together in the celebration of life and direct conversation, with no device or TV interruption... hardcore time. And so...

First Breakfast of the New Year

Master Of The House (too much "Les Mis!") scored cool crustaceans, and thus we said, "So long," to 2012. It was a tough year, albeit it sprinkled with good times, lots of lovin', and the miracle of birth in Baby Lyla. "Hello" to 2013 came by way of a Buffalo breakfast, compliments of our cousins. I switched up the Farmers & Artisans pancake mix a tad and made boat waffles, topped with homemade strawberry sauce, as per adventures with the kids for Mom's last birthday. 

Even the birds know... it's all about sustenance.

Thanks to my parents and Gran for endless hours spent 'round the table... delicious lovin' to be shared by all...

Soul Food.

♥

Soaringly Grand Wishes

We thought to say "Au Revoir" to 2012 by enjoying Mother Nature in flight. Appropriate, don't you think? So, after lunch at the good ole Miss Monti (some institutions and their staff are timeless), we headed on to the Rio for what ended up being a successful birdwatching experience. Granted, photo ops were not so great, what with cloudy skies, far more juvenile birds than mature ones and great distances between us and the raptors. Nonetheless, we captured just a tad of pleasure to share here, with friends of CMI.

This mature Baldie was the first to greet us, upon our arrival.

The mottled plumage of young eagles, aged 1 - 5, serves as camouflage and makes them hard to spot. When they mature to the majestic image most of us have in mind, they are then of breeding age. 

Traffic was light at the reservoir... how lucky for us. In a few weeks, there shall be Sunday morning traffic jams. Where else can one see such a soaringly grand show?

Wishing all a fun segue... in flight from the old to a new and gloriously healthy, happy New Year. Many thanks for continuing this blah-blah blogging experience with me. 
xoxo Nicki

"Les Mis" - The Movie

UniversalPhoto

Oscar shall have a revolution of his own to contend with, as Hugh Jackman and his powerhouse voice bring Jean Valjean to the big screen. Daniel Day-Lewis ("Lincoln") has brilliant competition, in his race for the gold. Actually, we thought the entire "Les Mis" cast well chosen. The children are beyond astounding. Russell Crowe voice trained for a pretty solid delivery in his role as the antagonist, Inspector Javert. Of course, I'm a huge RC fan and a tad biased, so you'll have to decide that call for yourselves.

"I Dreamed A Dream" shall forever remain my favorite song from the show; it was performed to heart-wrenching perfection by an amazing Anne Hathaway, in her role as Fantine. However, I thought the show-stopping performance for a single song to be from Eddie Radmayne as Marius and "Empty Chairs At Empty Tables". One could just feel the loss and despair.

If you've never seen the play, go see the movie first... highly recommended for its clarity in the telling (singing) of Victor Hugo's 150-year-old story. The scenery, sets, graphics, staging... all magnificent backdrops to intense emotions felt from the least significant character to the star(s). But then...

Go see it live. One can never consume enough "Les Mis"... it simply never gets old and the music is positively exquisite. We're blessed to have enjoyed multiple Broadway and London theater versions.

Joe rated the movie a 9, reserving his 10 for "Lincoln" and DDL. I'd agree with his call, but for a different reason... nothing can quite compare with the stage version and its accompaniment by a live orchestra.

To Note: The movie was playing every hour in multiple theaters at Palisades. In ours, you could hear a pin drop... till the end, that is, when people stood and cheered.

"To love another person is to see the face of God." Jean Valjean

Real Time Dinner Date

"And the seasons, they go 'round and 'round and 'round...

So often, song lyrics say exactly what I'm thinking. This, I know, is a universal tendency. How often I've compared notes with others about this lyric or that condensing what often might take a mini novella to impart! 

And so, I remember Phil's sharing with us the Tom Rush version of Joni Mitchell's "The Circle Game". Ahem, that would be back in the late sixties, I do believe. Done way, way too soon was Phil... but still that presence...

Mom's last year of life was brutal, so we knew that many "lasts" were happening, over the course of it. Needless to say, we are left with emotions that range from tears to giggles and back again. But in the end, good memories prevail.

When it came time to do "her" onions, an accompaniment to our traditional Eve prime rib, the thought was actually relevant to all the danged time it was taking me... never realized just how a good block of it could be consumed, 'cause she always provided them. 
THE RECIPE:

Peel and slice sweet onions and separate the rings

Soak in milk of your choice

Dredge in flour, paprika, pepper, garlic powder

Spread in single layers on cookie sheets and spray with EVOO/Pam

Bake in preheated 400-degree oven for about 25 minutes

Or... fry, if you must, as Mom did

Soon, the four nut balls hanging in the front of our home shall be packed away for another year. I created them in Dad's memory, after he left us in the fall of 1976. Sure, ribbons have been changed and nuts and pinecones have been replaced... but they are survivors...

This year's events such as (hurricane) Sandy and Sandy Hook really cast an air of sadness over the holidays, for those who understood the toll on the affected. But our children deserve the making of their very own gleeful memories; and so, we truck on to share the joy...

We absolutely must capture the golden rings from the carousel of time.

I am so deeply grateful to my family for all they've afforded me.

♥

Catching Up To Real Time

The Day - Lyla's First! ♡

The Eve ♡

Last Night... EveEve At B/K/A/G's... Tradition ♡

PEACE

G-d, it's hard to believe that it has been thirty-two years since John Lennon's tragic death... and still we try to... 

give peace a chance. 

ScreenCapturePBS

Be sure to watch (link) LENNONYC on PBS. It is in incredible look at the man... the good, the bad, the ugly and the absolute brilliance. Joe and I were glued to the big screen. Kudos to all who participated, but especially to Yoko Ono who shared.

The age-old PEACE theme has always been included in my Christmas message. But, why, oh why, can we not recognize it? No sooner did we watch when I came across the answer... yet again... but in a slightly different format:

"Peace, though beloved of our Lord, is a cardinal virtue only if your neighbors share your conscience." 

(CLOUD ATLAS by David Mitchell)

I reckon we just have to keep trying. Have a peaceful Christmas, Neighbors.

HEARTENING ♡

Photo by Dawn

Thanks, Dawn! Where's the "LOVE" button? Ah, there's nothing better than happy cookies and family tradition to bring immense joy, both in the making and the sharing...

Guard our share, 'cause we can't wait to sample them; and be sure leave a few for Santa! 

Beautiful, yummy Christmas blessings...
♥

SICKENING...

Reuters

The bells tolled and the NRA wasted no time in suggesting more guns, in their "good guy vs. bad guy" statement, something I will not disgrace my blog with. So, in their desire to return to the tactics of the very old Old West, who determines who the good guys are? I'm sure their suggestion would be, "Why, any of our card-carryin' members." Uh-huh. CMI is sickened and would only be completely happy were there...

Guns = Heartbreak

Tate's Fate

Reuters

"The X Factor" was pretty good this year, though no one could top last season's (link) Josh Krajcik, for me. A 13-year-old, a 37-year-old and a bunch of teenaged girls (grouped together by the judges) made for a somewhat interesting finale. Joe and I were happy to see the kindhearted "old man" of the group recognize his lifelong dream. He reminded me a lot of Garth, one country performer that I'd actually love to see live. Congrats, Tate Stevens. We'll continue to follow your success story.

To Note: The sets for this show have been Broadway perfect. Unbelievable!

Snowflakes For Sandy Hook

HUFF POST PHOTO

We have till January 12th to make and (link) mail pretty snowflakes to Sandy Hook. This small gesture will let students, parents and faculty know we're thinking of them, as the intent is to decorate the alternate building that the children will be returning to. I'm excited to jump on this bandwagon; I know my GrandLoves shall be, too. Don't know how? There are lots of tutorials to be Googled. They can be simple or elaborate... just do it! Mail to:

Connecticut PTSA
60 Connolly Parkway
Building 12, Suite 103
Hamden, CT 06514

"We have an obligation to try...." B. Obama