Reading

I borrowed a few books from my daughter's library     as I am almost done with my second round of Dorothy Sayers' 1938 novel  Busman's Honeymoon which is part of the Lord Peter Wimsey series of mysteries.
Very well written as she is considered one of the best mystery writers of all time.

Lord Peter Wimsey

and his trademark monocle.

It is good to be able to read French, however, since she splatters tons through the books including whole paragraphs from time to time. But none of it is necessary  really and you can enjoy the books just the same.
I enjoy old British mysteries. I am not fond of the newer things because of the language and the situations that I find too gross sometimes. And although I am a fan of Robert Parker and his Jesse Stone and Spenser for Hire series, I am not overly fond of the nasty words .
Older novelists wrote just as well without using profanity or blatant sex in books. 

So I borrowed  Up in the Old Hotel by Joseph Mitchell  a book of short biographies of people in a certain New York City neighborhood.
Violette by Charlotte Bronte to read it a second time, and Sanditon by Jane Austen and "Another Lady" who completed the 11 chapters of Sanditon that Jane never finished. It has wonderful reviews from readers and critics.

So my reading is set for the next little while.
What are you reading?




~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Domino Henge

 Yesterday was rainy. 

The girls and I build domino stone henges.

They were the famous anonymous kid's idea as she is something of an aficionado on it.  She has spent hours studying about Stone Henge.
She showed me how it looked all put together.

We played piano, we went for dinner, came home in a thunder storm and took photos.

All in all a lovely, wonderful day.

Here are two of the photos I took with my cell phone .

 

The famous anonymous kid

The photos are finished in Photoshop

The Merry Baby

Spring is Finally Here

“Every man's life is a fairy tale written by God's fingers”

...Hans Christian Anderson

 I am waiting for my Cinnamon Crumb Cake to finish baking at which time I will be in heaven with a great chubby slice and a cup of tea.
Did you see Kirstie Alley's   wonderful job tonight on Dancing with the Stars?
It was awesome. She had trouble catching her breath though and that was worrisome. But she is 60 and a lovely graceful dancer.

The photo of Hans Christian Anderson was taken by a friend. I thought of it when the first day of Spring arrived.
Poor Winter, I don't mean to put it down with my title. I do love it too.

Well Of All the Nerve...

Hello, Kitty

In my never ending quest for more and better Hello Kitty anomalies, I have found more to add to the list.
 I find it fascinating how Hello Kitty is so beloved, especially in the Orient.
 
Would you like  a lovely Hello Kitty toaster for your kitchen?
This would  make an old cliche wedding gift more timely and up to the minute not to mention child-like.
Look at the slice of bread. It even toasts the bread with the face of Hello Kitty right on it.
Who could resist starting the day off with a bit of Hello Kitty magic?
Frankly what little kid wouldn't like a slice of toast like this?

 





 Another must  for the bride is a stand out bouquet.
  For your Spring and Summer wedding this year , a Hello Kitty bouquet is an absolute must, but only if coupled with a lavish Hello Kitty designer wedding dress.

Fur trimmed no less and designed by Sanrio for the discriminating bride .
She will be purring all the way down the aisle.
Or clawing and scratching, we don't know.
Just be sure to provide litter box and scratching post and the rest will take care of itself.
If bridey-poo  can find  a veil attached to fluffy kitty ears I think that would complete the whole ensemble quite nicely.
Perhaps a pair of fluffy white slippers for her dainty paws?
Do you think there is Hello Kitty music for the wedding too? We can write some I am sure.

Even  the family Pup can attend the wedding in style in a complete Hello Kitty ensemble. Just look at the pink paw-shoes. No cold damp feet here.
The hat is a major fashion statement for the Doggy set.
Tres Chic!

Ride off for the honeymoon on this fully outfitted motorcycle.
Just hike up the skirt on your Hello Kitty gown and off you go for a week's stay at a Hello Kitty resort of your choice.

Or, if biking isn't your thing how about jetting away to the Resort inside this EVA Air Hello Kitty jetliner ?
It can take you right to Taiwan for the honeymoon.

Don't forget to pack this lovely Hello Kitty car length coat for those chilly days and nights in Hello Kitty Land.
You never know when you might need some fashionable extra warmth.

This keyboard might make a novel gift for the bride who has everything.


And then of course, while on honeymoon you have to pay attention to security. We live in perilous times don't we?

And so, here yet again is another version of the very powerful, yet absolutely adorable Hello Kitty taser.
You can stun the heck out of attackers while still looking cute and trendy!


Now for the resort itself..... Hold your breath as you are taken away to LaLa Land for the time of your life.

Yes a Hello Kitty resort in Taiwan where you can relax, pretend , eat gourmet foods and shop Hello Kitty 24/7.
A  glorious fun filled two night stay is only $1200.
Note the little umbrella covered bistro tables for outdoor dining in front of each cottage.

Relax in your own cottage filled with distinctive hello Kitty furniture.

And settle in at night with a lovely all pink, all Kitty bedroom.

Snooze peacefully in this pink palace!
Why there is even a television if your honeymoon is boring!
Now, that's service.
And yes, these are actual real life sized cottages for you to stay in while enjoying the resorts accommodations.

These little golf carts will get you around the resort in a comfortable jiffy.
They look cute. And look! They have an onboard basket to hold your purchases from the Hello Kitty mall.

Enjoy gourmet meals and desserts all with your favorite character there to delight your taste  buds and your senses.

When the stork makes his first delivery,  you can make sure that Junior makes his debut inside a 100% fully functional and outfitted Hello Kitty maternity ward.







Hello Kitty has come a long way since her first world debut.

Late Night Rain

AT THE SHORE:

Wind Speed: 25 knots

Wind Direction: SE

Condition: Over head

Sea State: Rough

Ocean Temp: 44 F

Wave Height: 11 ft

Rainy night in Jersey, not to be confused with Rainy Night in Georgia which is not only a song but 4 states south of me. Not that far a drive actually  and  very short by boat. Which has nothing to do with anything but, now you know.
From NJ south the terrain looks almost identical in all states, just they throw in some palm trees and Palmetto bugs and alligators farther south for variety sake. Oh, and more humidity and heat too. Otherwise if you see one of state from NJ to Florida you've seen 'em all.Ok,well maybe the ocean color gets a bit lighter as you hit Florida.Water is like a bathtub in Miami and the Gulf of Mexico, so bring along a bar of your fav soap.

It has been coming down steadily for a while so I am hoping my jury rigged rain deflectors (my gutters and soffits are in a terrible state). After going outside at mignight to check on things I came back inside soaked through complete with sloshing slippers.
No, I can't buy boots. If I do then it will never rain again and you will all have drought.
It is a law of nature. 

The hour is ridiculous because I was so sleepy around 6PM that I went to lay down for a minute and woke up at midnight. So, now here I am greeting 3AM with a smile and a post and after this a nice hot cup o' tea.

The weekend is coming. I have no plans except to eat and sleep and read.   That is about it.
Here is a photo from this past summer when I "did" have plans.
That is me in the foreground resting on bench holding  baby stroller handle, minding sleeping baby girl while everyone else is walking around doing things.
Ahh, the joys of a cool summer night.

Great Gatsby!

Remember The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald?
The novel was made into a movie with  Robert Redford.
I think a remake was also offered not long ago.
But the subject today is the house that was Fitzgerald's inspiration.
It;s latest owners say  it is beyond repair and so it will be sold and  portioned off for a sub division of million dollar homes.

Homes with a million dollar view of Long Island Sound and all the summery perks that go with that.

Long Island has long been home to some of the world's most highly placed and wealthiest people, including European royalty who love it.
Those who stay there in their multi million dollar beach houses say it rivals the Caribbean island for beauty.
They are correct. It really does.

This is the home in question with its 25,000 square feet and 20 rooms.
And you were worried about where to put your 30 weekend guests?
Pshaw.. no problem.
And its just average by Long Island Posh standards. They come with 5 times that many rooms.



Would you care to own a home on Long Island in the posh areas?
Taxes are more than many earn in a year.
Houses begin in the low millions and go up from there.

They include private golf courses, tennis courts, multiple pools, fountains and the lovely ocean views.
You might take long. leisurely walks on country roads on sultry summer afternoons.


But swimming?   Nah.. Long Island has a treacherous  undertow.
Not for me.
I prefer NJ with is gentle waters. Some of the best swimming around.
We have our big homes too. I will share them next time

Monday Monday..

 .

Rain, rain all day long. Soft, gentle rain with temperature climbing into the 50s °F and big breezes.
Last night there were even a few howls in the wind. Yum!
I love that.
I was wishing for a bit of thunder to go with it but I guess that will have to wait a while.
I thought I might do a meme today.So here are a few questions from a defunct meme blog strung together for the fun of it.

What do you cook when home alone?  Nothing much.  I just don't seem to be able to cook for myself alone.  But I love meatloaf , chicken pot pies, homey foods.

What is something you'd like a chance to eat or cook?  I think some homemade ravioli. It's been a long while since I made them. 
A couple of years ago I taught the famous anonymous kid to make homemade pasta.

What is your favorite cookbook? Good Housekeeping Cookbook 1969 edition. I have all my Mother's old cookbooks, including her Fanny Farmer one.


If you had to be trapped in a TV show for a month, which show would you choose?          From today's line up of programs it would be: The Big Bang Theory.  
Because of this: 
interested in taking silly tests online? This one is semi serious. You can take it HERE.

Bass Weejuns and Lost Spring

We are back to frigid weather.
It is in the 20°'s F  again.
So much for the early Spring! It seems winter is here for a bit longer anyway.
Will it ever be warmer?
No, it seems we are doomed to have winter for years and years.
I hate you Al Gore!
Where is your promised global warming, you tease.
        That will teach me to open my big mouth.
           No, I will learn to love winter once again. This is just a passing phase, I hope.



The dog in the last header is my friend Brandy who passed away a couple of years ago. She was a flat coated retriever and a darling sweet dog and much loved friend. She is incorporated into a few headers painted from her photographs.


Darylynn asked so:
These are BassWeejuns.
Comfortable in the extreme but with leather soles..so beware on wet cobble stone streets!
 Popular in their day with denim skirts and madras blouses. Still sold today.
Nice thing: they used to run big so you wore a size smaller than usual. I wore a size 6 and I liked them in the navy blue which they no longer seem to offer. The brown was a "spice" brown then too and very nice in a nubby kind of texture.
Do NOT try to walk on cobblestone in these as they have leather soles.
McKlutzy here found that out the usual hard way. 
These last a life time unless your Scottish terrier puppy chews them up on  you.
Yup, that's how my  last pair died along with a leather covered book.

"giggle"

I laughed a lot at this video and since laughter is good for the body and brings health to bones, here it is for you to enjoy while fighting osteoporosis and arthritis!

Complaints and Kugels

I had to yell at myself today because of the weather my own inability to be glad for what is.
All winter long I was thinking how slippery and cold it was.Moan, whine, complain, carry on, worry. Worry about slipping!
I began to skate when I was 3 with my Daddy. When I went to university, I took a class in figure skating for Phys. Ed class.
There I was in my skirt skating my little brains out. (yes my brains are very little).
After skating, I would put on my weejuns(I loved those things back in the day) and promptly fall on my butt. Never on the ice mind you. Just on the street, the carpets, in the shower, in a bus, on a plane..  anywhere but on the ice.
I am a really klutzy person.
Someone used to call me Calamity Jane because of it.
On plain ground I couldn't stand up straight.
It's the same today but, this year I worried about slipping on ice and was kind of over the top with it. Why?
Well,  I once fell on ice (happened just twice really)  while walking the little one to kindergarten and had a mighty painful tailbone for a long time. The painful memory stuck with me.
But when this clumsy one falls, its usually NOT on the ice.   Still, that was my particular thing to whine over this year.   Had to be something I guess so that was it.
The whining continued through winter:
'Way too much snow', I thought to myself. 'How glad I will be for spring to appear.'
So here comes spring and I am thinking, "Oh, this  stupid sneezing and these headaches , must be pollen brewing in the air. Yuk. And the damp chill in spring....".
Blah, blah,  on and on in my head until I grew tired of it and said outloud, "Oh shut up!".
  I was disgusted with the complaining going on inside my head.
Are we ever satisfied?
Now you are probably saying , "Who's this we?".

anyway this blinkie is good advice!

I also thought I would post a recipe for Pineapple   Kugel . It is a pudding made with  egg noodles.

Its a very homey and comforting dish.    Something different for a change too...

Pineapple Kugel

You need a 12 ounce package of egg noodles medium ones are just fine for this.
3 good size eggs
1/4 cup and 2 Tablespoons of white sugar
1/4 cup and 2 Tablespoons of brown sugar
1/2 cup of vegetable oil. I use olive oil .
1/2 cup of fresh shredded pineapple or canned will do.
1 tsp of vanilla
Sprinkle of cinnamon.

You oven should be 350°f(Moderate oven)
Drain the cooked noodles and let them cool down a bit.
Beat the eggs until just mixed a bit.
Now add your sugars , oil , vanilla and pineapple.
Then toss this with the noodles til every noodle is covered and mixed in.
Place this mixture into a 9 X 13 glass baking dish and sprinkle with a little cinnamon.
Cover it with foil and bake it for about an hour. Check it often to see how it is setting.
Then bake for about 5 minutes without the foil to brown the outside a bit.. not too much though, no longer than 5 minutes.
Serve for dessert by cutting into squares after cooling a bit.
It is good cold or warm.