Lime Icebox Cream Cheese Cookies

NOVEMBER, n.  The eleventh twelfth of a weariness.

The Devil's Dictionary

Ambrose Bierce

Recipe courtesy of Foodnetwork magazine

Glazed Hermit Cookies and Banana Nut Bread

Recipe courtesy of Foodnetwork magazine 2014

Undine

by Seamus Heaney

Poems

1965-1975

He slashed the briars, shovelled up grey silt

To give me right of way in my own drains

And I ran quick for him, cleaned out my rust.

He halted, saw me finally disrobed,

Running clear, with apparewnt unconcern.

Then he walked by me.  I rippled and I churned

Where ditches intresected near the river

Until he dug a spade deep in my flank

And took me to him.  I swallowed his trench

Gratefully, dispersing myself for love

Down in his roots, climbing his brassy grain--

But once he knew my welcome, I alone

Could give him subtle increase and reflection.

He explored me so completely, each limb

Lost its cold freedom.  Human, warmed to him.

Halloween Turkey

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cXIeCmbUew0

2012 movie - music video

Time for Miracles song

October 31 2015

Sugar Cookies

 Seamus Heaney 

Poems

1965-1975

Rite of Spring

So winter closed its fist 

And got it stuck in the pump

The plunger froze up a lump

In its throat, ice founding itself

Upon iron.  The handle

Paralysed at an angle.

Then the twisting of wheat straw

Into ropes, lapping them tight

Round stem and snout, then a light

That sent the pump up in flame.

It cooled, we lifted her latch,

Her entrance was wet, and she came.

Recipe courtesy of Wilton Industries

Pumpkin Cream Cheese Roll

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eCy3DPWEWQc

Sherlock Holmes Temple Scene

"Cheese"

Recipe courtesy of King Arthur Four 

County Fair Caramel Apple Bars

recipe courtesy of King Arthur Flour

WEREWOLF, n.  A wolf that was once, or is sometimes, a man. All werewolves are of evil disposition, having assumed a bestial form to gratify a bestial appetite, but some, transformed by sorcery, are as humane as is consistent with an acquired taste for human flesh. 

Some Bavarian peasants having caught a wolf one evening, tied it to a post by the tail and went to bed. The next morning nothing was there! Greatly perplexed, they consulted the local priest, who told them that their captive was undoubtedly a werewolf and had resumed its human form during the night. "The next time that you take a wolf," the good man said, "see that you chain it by the leg, and in the morning you will find a Lutheran."

The Devil's Dictionary by 

Ambrose Bierce

Happy Halloween!

Chicken Salad Veronique

GRAPE, n.  

Hail noble fruit!--by Homer soung,

Anacreon and Khayyam;

Thy praise is ever on the tongue

Of better men than I am.

The lyre my hand has never swept,

The song I cannot offer:

My humbler service pray accept--

I'll help to kill the scoffer.

The water-drinkers and the cranks

Who load their skins with liquor--

I'll gladly bare their belly-tanks

And tap them with my sticker.

Fill up, fill up, for wisdom cooks

When e'er we let wth wine rest.

Here's death to Prohibition's fools,

And every kind of vine-pest!

Jamrach Holobom.

The Devil's Dictionary

Ambrose Bierce

Recipe courtesy of Ina Garten

4 split ( 2 whole ) chicken breasts, bone-in, skin-on

Good olive oil

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

1/2 C good mayonnaise

1 1/2 Tbl sp chopped fresh tarragon leaves

1 C small-diced celery (2 stalks)

1 C green grapes, cut in 1/2

Apple Chutney

APOTHECARY, n.  The physician's accomplice, undertaker's nbenefactor and grave worm's provider.

When Jove sent blessings to all men that are,

And Mercury conveyed them in a jar,

That friend of tricksters introduced by stealth

Disease for the apothecary's health,

Whose gratitude impelled him to proclaim:

"My deadliest drug shall bear my patron's name!"

G. J.

The Devil's Dictionary by

Ambrose Bierce

Recipe courtesy of Ina Garten

6 Granny Smith apples, peeled cored and half-inch diced

1 C chopped yellow onion

2 Tbl sp minced fresh ginger

1 C freshly squeezed orange juice (2 oranges)

3/4 C good cider vinegar

1 C light brown sugar, lightly packed 

1 tsp whole dried mustard seeds

1/4 tsp hot red pepper flakes

1 1/2 tsp kosher salt

3/4 C rainsins

Eggplant Gratin

HABEAS CORPUS.  A writ by which a man may be taken out of jail when confined for the wrong crime.

 Recipe courtesy of Ina Garten

Good olive oil, for frying

3/4 pound eggplant, unpeeled, sliced 1/2-inch thick

1/4 C ricotta cheese

1 extra-large egg

1/4 C half-and-half

1/2 C plus 2 Tbl sp freshly grated Parmesan

Kosher salt

Freshly ground black pepper

1/2 C good bottle marinara sauce

Peanut-Swirl Brownies

DIARY, n.  A daily record of that part of one's life, which he can relate to himself without blushing.

Hearst kept a diary wherein were writ

All that he had of wisdom and of wit.

So the Recording Angel, when Hearst died,

Erased all entries of his own and cried:

"I'll judge you by your diary." Said Hearst:

"Thank you; 'twill show you I am Saint the First"--

Straightway producing, jubilant and proud,

That record from a pocket in his shroud.

The Angel slowly turned the pages o'er,

Each stupid line of which he knew before,

Glooming and gleaming as by turns he hit 

On shallow sentiment and stolen wit;

Then gravely closed the book and gave it back.

"My friend, you've wandered from your proper track:

You'd never be content this side the tomb--

For big ideas Heaven has little room,

And Hell's no latitude for making mirth,"

He said, and kicked the fellow back to earth.

"The Mad Philosopher."

The Devil's Dictionary by 

Ambrose Bierce

Recipe courtesy of Ina Garten

1 pound unsalted butter

1 pound plus 12 ounces semisweet chocolate chips, divided

6 ounces unsweetened chocolate

6 extra-large eggs

3 Tbl sp instant coffee granules

2 Tbl sp pure vanilla extract

2 1/4 C sugar

1 1/4 C all-purpose flour, divided

1 Tbl sp baking powder

1 tsp kosher salt

3/4 C smooth peanut butter

Bialys

PHYSICIAN, n  One upon whom we set our hopes when ill and our dogs when well.

The Devil's Dictionary

Ambrose Bierce

Recipe courtesy of King Arthur Flour

3 C Sir Lancelot High-Gluten Flour*

1 tsp instant yeast

1 1/2 tsp salt

1 C plus 2 Tbl sp luke-warm water

*substitute high-gluten flour with unbleached bread flour or all-purpose flour. Just cut the water back by about 2 Tbl sp if you use bread flour. 3 Tbl sp for all-purpose.

2 medioum large onions, peeled and finely diced

2 Tbl sp vegetable oil or olive oil

heaping 1/3 tsp salt

No-knead Cheese Burger Buns

Neighbor, n.  One whom we are commanded to love as ourselves, and who dies all he knows how to make us disobedient.

The Devil's Dictionary by 

Ambrose Bierce

Recipe courtesy of King Arthur Flour

2 3/4 C King Arthur Unbleached All-purpose Flour

1/3 C Vermont cheese powder or 1/2 C finely grated sharp cheddar or Pamesan cheese

3/4 tsp salt

1 tsp onion powder

1 Tbl sp sugar

2 1/2 tsp instant yeast

4 Tbl sp softened butter

1 lrg egg

2/3 to 3/4 C luke-warm water

Recipe courtesy of Ina Garten

Steak Sandwich

1 (12 ounce) 1-inch thick New York strip boneless beef top loin steak

Kosher

Freshly ground black pepper

Olive oil

2 yellow onions, slice in rings

1/2 tsp fresh thyme leaves

1 recipe Mustard Mayo

2 mini Focaccia buns, sliced 1/2  (i used the above no-kneach cheese burger bun recipe)

1/2 C baby arugula

3/4 C good mayonaise

1 Tbl sp Dijon mustard

1 Tbl sp whole-grain mustard

2 Tbl sp sour cream

1/8 tsp kosher salt

Homemade Granola Bars

MIRACLE, n.  An act or event out of the order of nature and unaccountable, as beating a normal hand of four kings and an ace with four aces and a king.

The Devil's Dictionary by 

Ambrose Bierce

Recipe courtesy of Ina Garten

2 C old-fashioned oatmeal

1 C sliced almonds

1 C shredded coconut, loosely packed

1/2 C toasted wheat germ

3 Tbl sp unsalted butter

2/3 C honey

1/4 C light brown sugar, lightly packed

1 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract

1/4 tsp kosher salt

1/2 C chopped dried apricots

1/2 C dried cranberries

French Apple Tart

LUNARIAN, n.  An inhabitant of the moon, as distinguished from Lunatic, one whom the moon inhabits.  The Lunarians have been described by Lucian, Locke and other observers, but without much agreement. For example, Bragellos avers their anatomical identity with Man, but Professor Newcomb says they are more like the hill tribes of Vermont.

The Devil's Dictionary by 

Ambrose Bierce

Recipe courtesy of Ina Garten

French Apple Tart

2 C all-purpose flour

1/2 tsp kosher salt

1 Tbl sp sugar ( i used super-fine sugar 1/4 C)

2 Tbl sp cold unsalted butter, diced (1 1/2 sticks)

1/2 C ice water or 6 Tbl sp

4 Granny Smith apples

1/2 cup sugar 

4 Tbl sp cold unsalted butter, small diced

1/2 C apricot jelly or warm sieved apricot jam

2 Tbl sp Calvados, rum, or water (i used orange juice)

Mini Brioche Buns

Recipe courtesy of Ina Carten

1/2 C warm water (110-120 degrees F)

1 package dried yeast

3 Tbl sp sugar

6 extra large eggs at room temperature

4 1/2 C unbleached flour

2 1/2 tsp kosher salt

12 Tbl sp (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature

1 egg mixed with 1 Tbl sp milk, for egg wash

Phrenology, n.  The science of picking the pocket through the scalp.  It consists in location and exploiting the organ that one is a dupe with.

The Devil's Dictionary

Ambrose Bierce

BBQ Braised Brisket Sandwiches

Recipe courtesy of Nancy Fuller

1 Tbl sp chile flakes

1 Tbl sp chili powder

1 Tbl sp garlic powder

1 Tbl sp onion powder

1 Tbl sp paprika

1 Tbl sp packed light brown sugar

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

One 3 pound brisket

2 Tbl sp olive oil

2 C Nancy's sweet and tagy BBQ Sauce

1 Tbl sp worcestershire sauce

One 12 ounce bottle lager beer or chicken broth

6 ciabatta sandwich rolls

mayonnaise, for serving

Photograph, n.  A picture painted by the sun without instruction in art.  It is a little better than the work of an Apache, but not quite so good as that of a Cheyenne.

The Devil's Dictionary

Ambrose Bierce

Tomato, Bacon and Gruyere Tart

Recipe courtesy of Ina Garten

Phonograph, n.  An irritating toy that resores life to dead noises.

The Devil's Dictionary

Ambrose Bierce

Rugelach

Recipe courtesy of Ina Garten

Philosophy, n.  A route of many roads leading from nowhere to nothing.

The Devil's Dictonary

Ambrose Bierce

Italian Wedding Soup

Recipe courtesy of Ina Garten

Loquacity, n.  A disorder which renders the sufferer unable to curb his tongue when you wish to talk.

The Devil's Dictionary

Ambrose Bierce

Mixed Berry Pavlova

Recipe courtesy of Ina Garten

Pavlova

4 extra-large egg whites, at room temperature

Pinch kosher salt

1 C sugar

2 tsp cornstarch

1 tsp white wine vinegar

1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract

Sweetened Whipped Cream 

1 C cold heavy cream

1 Tbl sp sugar

1 tsp pure vanilla extract

Triple Raspberry Sauce

1/2 pint fresh raspberries

1 C seedless raspberry jam

1/4 C water

1/2 C sugar

Serve Pavlova with triple raspberry sauce and fresh raspberries, fresh strawberries, and fresh blueberries.

Peroration, n.  The explosion of an oratorical rocket. It dazzles, but to an observer having the wrong kind of nose its most conspicuous peculiarity is the smell of the several kinds of pwder used in preparing it.

The Devil's Dictionary

Ambrose Bierce

Chive Biscuits

Recipe courtesy of Ina Garten

2 C all-purpose flour

1 Tbl sp baking powder

1 tsp kosher salt

1 tsp sugar

1/4 pound or 1 stick of butter, diced

3/4 C half and half

1/2 C chopped fresh chives or fresh parsley leaves

1 egg mixed with 1 Tbl sp water, for egg wash

In'ards, n.  The stomach, heart, soul and other bowels. Many eminent investigators do not class the soul as an in'ard, but that acute observer and renowned authority, Dr. Gunsaulus, is persuaded that the mysterious part organ known as the spleen is nothing less than our immortal part. To the contrary, Professor Garret P. Servis holds that man's soul is that prolongation of his spinal marrow which forms the pith to the fact that tailed animals have no souls. Concerning these two theories, it is best to suspend judgment by believing both. 

The Devil's Dictionary

Ambrose Bierce

Part three of Corfe written by Robin Blaser

continued

III

Corfe

God keep the Hollow Land from all wrong !

God keep the Hollow Land going strong!

A song a boy made in a girl

Brother and sister in a car

Over the flint, upon the turf

Beside the crook-backed angry thorn

Under the gulls, above the dead

To where the light made the grass glass.

Until they came to the world's end

The sea below and under them

The gulls above and over them

And through the thunder and the wailing

Sun full of wings was over them

In a glass world made out of grass.

'God keep the Hollow Land from all wrong !

God keep the Hollow Land going strong !

Curl horns and fleeces, straighten trees,

Multiply lobsters, assemble bees.

Give it to us for ever, take our hints

Knot up its roads for us, sharpen its flints,

Pour the wind into it, the thick sea rain,

Blot out the landscape and destroy the train.

Turn back our folk from it, we hate the lot

Turn the American and turn the Scot ;

Take unpropitious the turf, the dust

If the sea doesn't get'em then the cattle must.

Make many slugs where the stranger goes

Better than barbed wire the briar rose ;

Swarm on the down-tops the flint mens' hosts

Taboo the barrows, encourage ghosts.

Arm the rabbits with tigers' teeth

Serpents shoot from the soil beneath

By pain in belly and foot and mouth

Keep them out of our sacred south.'

Robin Blaser

Vancouver,B.C.

August, 1978

from Imanginary Letters by

Mary Butts

Salted Caramel Brownies

continued

II

Corfe

And the hazel thicket

And the red blackberry thorn.

Never trust a hemlock

An inch above your mouth.

An ice-green hemlock

Is a lover

In the wood.

Now every way the wind blows

this sweetie goes

In the south

Where goes the leaf of the rose

And the evergreen tree.

Inside the house, above the wood

Look out of the tall windows squared

With wood-strips painted white.

The wild hill runs up the wild sky

The wild sky runs over itself

And goes nowhere.

A man crosses the rough grass

Up the wild hill ;

Strong graceless kharki legs in silhouette

Tire and tough, treading the hill down.

He will not wear it down

Let him try !

He is here only because this place is

A button on the bodies of the green hills.

written by Robin Blaser

Vancouver, B. C.

August, 1978

from the Imaginary Letters of

Mary Butts

Ina Garten's recipe.

1/2 lb unsalted butter

8 ounces plus 6 ounces Hershey's semisweet chocolate chips

3 ounces unsweetened chocolate

3 extra large eggs

1 1/2 tablespoons instant coffee granules, such as Nescafe

1 tablespoon pur vanilla extract

1 cup plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour, divided

1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

5 to 6 ounces good caramel sauce, such as Fran's

2 to 3 teaspoons flaked sea salt, such as Maldon

this really is the best brownies ever! all the others I've only made out of a box, and tried them all.

Home made whipped topping and ice cream. I had both!

Happy Birth Day

Birth Day Tiramisu

Corfe

I

Corfe, the hub of a wheel

Where the green down-spokes turning

Embrace an earth-cup of smoke and ghosts and stone.

The sea orchestrates

The still dance in the cup

Danced for ever, the same intricate sobriety

Equivocal, adored.

But when I remember you Corfe, I remember Delphi

Because your history also is a mystery of God.

'And God is no blind man and God is ou Father:

But like lovers

Your cup is full of the courts of other princes

Disputing you.

Very sweet is the Sacred Wood

In the gold clearing, in the mustard patch;

But at night comes a change

Like a gold ball thrown out

And a black ball thrown in

(Not sunset behind Tyneham Cap

On a night without a moon.)

But a shift of potencies

Like a black ball thrown in

And a gold ball thrown out

And the players are princes

Of the turf and the weed

And the wind-moulded trees

part one written by Robin Blaser

Vancouver, B.C. 

August, 1978

 Imaginary Letters by Mary Butts

Birth Day Tiramisu

recipe from Ina Garten

August 29 2015

Saturday