I made this tonight for Mom's Voting Party that she's hosting tomorrow night at her home for 18 couples. The recipe follows.
I always make different designs on top of my 'creations', it really adds to the flair :)
November 03, 2008
RECIPE - Susan's Herb Butter Submitted by: Susan Swanson
Susan's Herb Butter
Submitted by: Susan Swanson
Ingredients:
1 C unsalted butter, softened
*Winter mix:
5 sprigs fresh marjoram
3-4 sprigs fresh thyme
1 cup fresh parsley
2-3 fresh sage leaves
1 clove garlic, peeled (optional)
10 chive leaves
2-3 mint leaves, any flavor
1 tsp sea salt
Zest of 1 lemon or lime
*Summer mix:
Add ½ cup fresh basil
Decrease parsley to ½ cup
Directions:
Wash and dry all herbs. A salad spinner works very well. Strip herbs from their stems and add to food processor along with the grated zest and garlic. Pulse the blade to chop the leaves, add the salt, then the butter. Flavor is best if allowed to rest for 30 minutes.
Butter is awesome on roasted pork loin, steak, and fresh veggies or used as a spread for toasted bread or crackers. The recipe is very flexible but the salt and zest are crucial. Scrambled eggs, Hollandaise, or a bowl of fresh pasta with butter and warm fresh tomatoes are all very tasty. The butter keeps well for a week in the refrigerator. My family's favorite use is spread on warm cheese bagels for breakfast. Hope you enjoy!
Submitted by: Susan Swanson
Ingredients:
1 C unsalted butter, softened
*Winter mix:
5 sprigs fresh marjoram
3-4 sprigs fresh thyme
1 cup fresh parsley
2-3 fresh sage leaves
1 clove garlic, peeled (optional)
10 chive leaves
2-3 mint leaves, any flavor
1 tsp sea salt
Zest of 1 lemon or lime
*Summer mix:
Add ½ cup fresh basil
Decrease parsley to ½ cup
Directions:
Wash and dry all herbs. A salad spinner works very well. Strip herbs from their stems and add to food processor along with the grated zest and garlic. Pulse the blade to chop the leaves, add the salt, then the butter. Flavor is best if allowed to rest for 30 minutes.
Butter is awesome on roasted pork loin, steak, and fresh veggies or used as a spread for toasted bread or crackers. The recipe is very flexible but the salt and zest are crucial. Scrambled eggs, Hollandaise, or a bowl of fresh pasta with butter and warm fresh tomatoes are all very tasty. The butter keeps well for a week in the refrigerator. My family's favorite use is spread on warm cheese bagels for breakfast. Hope you enjoy!
November Dates to Remember!
BORROWED
Fall is in full swing all across the country, and we hope you're getting out and seeing the sights, tasting the flavors, and celebrating the bounty of the harvest season! As you prepare your garden for winter and your home for the holidays, don't forget these important dates.
Nov. 2 - Daylight Savings Time Ends - It's time to "fall back"! Set your clocks back one hour to give yourself more morning daylight to garden by...or, if you're like me, another hour to sleep in!
Nov. 4 - Election Day - The 2008 election has been called "historic" for more than one reason, so get out there and make sure your voice is heard!
Nov. 9-15 - National Hunger and Homeless Awareness Week - This week's purpose is to bring greater awareness to the problems of hunger and homelessness. Get involved in your own community - volunteer at a soup kitchen, harvest veggies from your garden for a food bank, donate unwanted clothing to a shelter, or send money to a service organization.
Nov. 11 - Veterans Day - Remember the sacrifices made by America's military veterans.
Nov. 13-19 - Green Ribbon Awareness Week - This week has been set aside to encourage people to register as organ and tissue donors.
Nov. 15 - America Recycles Day - If you aren't already recycling at home or at the office, take the pledge and make an effort to do more!
Nov. 17 - Homemade Bread Day - Baking homemade bread can be a great way to bring the family together. Whip up some herb butter with fresh herbs from the garden to go along with your wholesome creation, then slather on and enjoy!
Nov. 27 - Thanksgiving Day - Give thanks for the bounty of our gardens!
Nov. 28 - Black Friday - The unofficial beginning of the Christmas shopping season. This year, why not save time and gas by staying home and ordering online?!
(Check out my online stores in my links! ~ Phyllis :)
Fall is in full swing all across the country, and we hope you're getting out and seeing the sights, tasting the flavors, and celebrating the bounty of the harvest season! As you prepare your garden for winter and your home for the holidays, don't forget these important dates.
Nov. 2 - Daylight Savings Time Ends - It's time to "fall back"! Set your clocks back one hour to give yourself more morning daylight to garden by...or, if you're like me, another hour to sleep in!
Nov. 4 - Election Day - The 2008 election has been called "historic" for more than one reason, so get out there and make sure your voice is heard!
Nov. 9-15 - National Hunger and Homeless Awareness Week - This week's purpose is to bring greater awareness to the problems of hunger and homelessness. Get involved in your own community - volunteer at a soup kitchen, harvest veggies from your garden for a food bank, donate unwanted clothing to a shelter, or send money to a service organization.
Nov. 11 - Veterans Day - Remember the sacrifices made by America's military veterans.
Nov. 13-19 - Green Ribbon Awareness Week - This week has been set aside to encourage people to register as organ and tissue donors.
Nov. 15 - America Recycles Day - If you aren't already recycling at home or at the office, take the pledge and make an effort to do more!
Nov. 17 - Homemade Bread Day - Baking homemade bread can be a great way to bring the family together. Whip up some herb butter with fresh herbs from the garden to go along with your wholesome creation, then slather on and enjoy!
Nov. 27 - Thanksgiving Day - Give thanks for the bounty of our gardens!
Nov. 28 - Black Friday - The unofficial beginning of the Christmas shopping season. This year, why not save time and gas by staying home and ordering online?!
(Check out my online stores in my links! ~ Phyllis :)
November 02, 2008
Joaquin Phoenix confirms he’s done with movies
Joaquin Phoenix confirms he’s done with movies
LOS ANGELES -The writing on Joaquin
Phoenix’s fists said it all.
The words “Good Bye” were penned on the
actor’s knuckles at a premiere Saturday
night for his latest film, “Two Lovers,” and
Phoenix confirmed a surprise announcement
he made last week: He’s giving up
movies.
“I think it’s just moving on. It’s rediscovering
something else,” said Phoenix, 34, said
in an interview with Associated Press Television
News before Saturday’s American
Film Institute festival, which also premiered
“Che,” starring Benicio Del Toro.
“Two Lovers” is his last film, he said. His
publicist had disclosed Friday that the actor
intended to focus on music.
Phoenix first mentioned his decision to
“Extra” early last week at a fundraiser in
San Francisco. He abruptly ended that interview
after the reporter wondered
whether he was joking about giving up acting
for music.
Phoenix learned to play guitar and did his
own singing to play country legend Johnny
Cash in “Walk the Line,” which earned him
an Academy Award nomination. His publicist
also said Phoenix has been directing
music videos in recent years.
“It’s like greener pastures, you know what I
mean?” Phoenix said Saturday. “And so,
I’m just going to try and like, I’ll just be doing
the other thing. ... Hopefully, I will
emotionally impact you with that, as well.”
“Two Lovers” stars Phoenix as a heartbroken
man torn between a needy, neurotic
neighbor (Gwyneth Paltrow) and the sensible
woman (Vinessa Shaw) his parents
want him to marry. The film, due in theaters
early next year, was directed by James
Gray, with whom Phoenix also worked on
“We Own the Night” and “The Yards.”
LOS ANGELES -The writing on Joaquin
Phoenix’s fists said it all.
The words “Good Bye” were penned on the
actor’s knuckles at a premiere Saturday
night for his latest film, “Two Lovers,” and
Phoenix confirmed a surprise announcement
he made last week: He’s giving up
movies.
“I think it’s just moving on. It’s rediscovering
something else,” said Phoenix, 34, said
in an interview with Associated Press Television
News before Saturday’s American
Film Institute festival, which also premiered
“Che,” starring Benicio Del Toro.
“Two Lovers” is his last film, he said. His
publicist had disclosed Friday that the actor
intended to focus on music.
Phoenix first mentioned his decision to
“Extra” early last week at a fundraiser in
San Francisco. He abruptly ended that interview
after the reporter wondered
whether he was joking about giving up acting
for music.
Phoenix learned to play guitar and did his
own singing to play country legend Johnny
Cash in “Walk the Line,” which earned him
an Academy Award nomination. His publicist
also said Phoenix has been directing
music videos in recent years.
“It’s like greener pastures, you know what I
mean?” Phoenix said Saturday. “And so,
I’m just going to try and like, I’ll just be doing
the other thing. ... Hopefully, I will
emotionally impact you with that, as well.”
“Two Lovers” stars Phoenix as a heartbroken
man torn between a needy, neurotic
neighbor (Gwyneth Paltrow) and the sensible
woman (Vinessa Shaw) his parents
want him to marry. The film, due in theaters
early next year, was directed by James
Gray, with whom Phoenix also worked on
“We Own the Night” and “The Yards.”
"Minnie & The Machine"
Zach was watching a DVD when Minnie crawled up behind the machine and fell asleep. It was too cute a photo-opp to pass-up :) We didn't move the DVD player at all.
October 31, 2008
My Halloween costume as ABBY in NCIS :)
This was tonight, and with my 11 yr old Zombie son, Zach :)
Phyllis
Phyllis
October 28, 2008
Sack Lunches (Borrowed!)
I put my carry-on in the luggage compartment and sat down in my assigned seat. It was going to be a long flight. 'I'm glad I have a good book to read. Perhaps I will get a short nap,' I thought.
Just before take-off, a line of soldiers came down the aisle and filled all the vacant seats, totally surrounding me. I decided to start a conversation. 'Where are you headed?', I asked the soldier seated nearest to me.
'Chicago - to Great Lakes Base. We'll be there for two weeks for special training, and then we're being deployed to Iraq'.
After flying for about an hour, an announcement was made that sack lunches were available for five dollars. It would be several hours before we reached Chicago, and I quickly decided a lunch would help pass the time. As I reached for my wallet, I overheard soldier ask his buddy if he planned to buy lunch. 'No, that seems like a lot of money for just a sack lunch. Probably wouldn't be worth five bucks. I'll wait till we get to Chicago'. His friend agreed.
I looked around at the other soldiers. None were buying lunch. I walked to the back of the plane and handed the flight attendant a fifty dollar bill.
'Take a lunch to all those soldiers.’ She grabbed my arms and squeezed tightly. Her eyes wet with tears, she thanked me. 'My son was a soldier in Iraq; it's almost like you are doing it for him.'
Picking up ten sacks, she headed up the aisle to where the soldiers were seated.
She stopped at my seat and asked, 'Which do you like best - beef or chicken?’
'Chicken,' I replied, wondering why she asked. She turned and went to the front of plane, returning a minute later with a dinner plate from first class. 'This is your thanks.'
After we finished eating, I went again to the back of the plane, heading for the rest room. A man stopped me.
'I saw what you did. I want to be part of it. Here, take this.’ He handed me twenty-five dollars.
Soon after I returned to my seat, I saw the Flight Captain coming down the aisle, looking at the aisle numbers as he walked. I hoped he was not looking for me, but noticed he was looking at the numbers only on my side of the plane. When he got to my row he stopped, smiled, held out his hand, and said, 'I want to shake your hand.’
Quickly unfastening my seat belt I stood and took the Captain's hand. With a booming voice he said, 'I was a soldier and I was a military pilot. Once, someone bought me a lunch. It was an act of kindness I never forgot.’ I was embarrassed when applause was heard from all of the passengers.
Later I walked to the front of the plane so I could stretch my legs. A man who was seated about six rows in front of me reached out his hand, wanting to shake mine. He left another twenty-five dollars in my palm.
When we landed in Chicago I gathered my belongings and started to deplane. Waiting just inside the airplane door was a man who stopped me, put something in my shirt pocket, turned, and walked away without saying a word. Another twenty-five dollars!
Upon entering the terminal, I saw the soldiers gathering for their trip to the base. I walked over to them and handed them seventy-five dollars.
'It will take you some time to reach the base. It will be about time for a sandwich. God Bless You.'
Ten young men left that flight feeling the love and respect of their fellow travelers. As I walked briskly to my car, I whispered a prayer for their safe return. These soldiers were giving their all for our country. I could only give them a couple of meals. It seemed so little...
A veteran is someone who, at one point in his life wrote a blank check made payable to 'The United States of America 'for an amount of 'up to and including my life.’' That is Honor, and there are way too many people in this country who no longer understand it.'
Do you understand and appreciate what they are doing? Share this with a friend so we will never forget! GOD BLESS AMERICA!
Just before take-off, a line of soldiers came down the aisle and filled all the vacant seats, totally surrounding me. I decided to start a conversation. 'Where are you headed?', I asked the soldier seated nearest to me.
'Chicago - to Great Lakes Base. We'll be there for two weeks for special training, and then we're being deployed to Iraq'.
After flying for about an hour, an announcement was made that sack lunches were available for five dollars. It would be several hours before we reached Chicago, and I quickly decided a lunch would help pass the time. As I reached for my wallet, I overheard soldier ask his buddy if he planned to buy lunch. 'No, that seems like a lot of money for just a sack lunch. Probably wouldn't be worth five bucks. I'll wait till we get to Chicago'. His friend agreed.
I looked around at the other soldiers. None were buying lunch. I walked to the back of the plane and handed the flight attendant a fifty dollar bill.
'Take a lunch to all those soldiers.’ She grabbed my arms and squeezed tightly. Her eyes wet with tears, she thanked me. 'My son was a soldier in Iraq; it's almost like you are doing it for him.'
Picking up ten sacks, she headed up the aisle to where the soldiers were seated.
She stopped at my seat and asked, 'Which do you like best - beef or chicken?’
'Chicken,' I replied, wondering why she asked. She turned and went to the front of plane, returning a minute later with a dinner plate from first class. 'This is your thanks.'
After we finished eating, I went again to the back of the plane, heading for the rest room. A man stopped me.
'I saw what you did. I want to be part of it. Here, take this.’ He handed me twenty-five dollars.
Soon after I returned to my seat, I saw the Flight Captain coming down the aisle, looking at the aisle numbers as he walked. I hoped he was not looking for me, but noticed he was looking at the numbers only on my side of the plane. When he got to my row he stopped, smiled, held out his hand, and said, 'I want to shake your hand.’
Quickly unfastening my seat belt I stood and took the Captain's hand. With a booming voice he said, 'I was a soldier and I was a military pilot. Once, someone bought me a lunch. It was an act of kindness I never forgot.’ I was embarrassed when applause was heard from all of the passengers.
Later I walked to the front of the plane so I could stretch my legs. A man who was seated about six rows in front of me reached out his hand, wanting to shake mine. He left another twenty-five dollars in my palm.
When we landed in Chicago I gathered my belongings and started to deplane. Waiting just inside the airplane door was a man who stopped me, put something in my shirt pocket, turned, and walked away without saying a word. Another twenty-five dollars!
Upon entering the terminal, I saw the soldiers gathering for their trip to the base. I walked over to them and handed them seventy-five dollars.
'It will take you some time to reach the base. It will be about time for a sandwich. God Bless You.'
Ten young men left that flight feeling the love and respect of their fellow travelers. As I walked briskly to my car, I whispered a prayer for their safe return. These soldiers were giving their all for our country. I could only give them a couple of meals. It seemed so little...
A veteran is someone who, at one point in his life wrote a blank check made payable to 'The United States of America 'for an amount of 'up to and including my life.’' That is Honor, and there are way too many people in this country who no longer understand it.'
Do you understand and appreciate what they are doing? Share this with a friend so we will never forget! GOD BLESS AMERICA!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)