Wed, 24 Jul 2013
Tibetan Doll
This fellow was given to me around 40 years ago. It was purchased from a craft/specialty store in Florida NY called The Craft Barn. The Craft Barn's owners went on vacation for several months during the year to many far-eastern countries, then they'd return and stock up their store with their glorious finds.
Click on a picture for large picture
posted at: 20:26 | path: /antiques | permanent link to this entry | 0 comments | "
Cooking Echo Picnic
We waited for this year's Fidonet Cooking Echo picnic in anticipation of good food, good company and good beer - we were only slightly disappointed by the picnic's end <grin> The food was great! This was to be an "offal picnic" where the main features would be those meats that are not considered choice, but would be probably considered a guilty-favorite by a number of people.
Sauteed Duck breasts in orange and sherry sauce, Escargo in garlic, parsley and butter sauce, Faux Escargot made with chicken-hearts, and even squid in a white parmesan sauce were prepared by one of the attendees. Given the 90+F heat, my own offerings were minimal (an almond-flour cake with dairy-free lemon icing, and my own recipe for shake-n-bake hearts and gizzards) - normally not the way I host a picnic.. but this year, it had to be this way, and normally it's the way the people in the cooking echo like it (the host just stands back and lets others do the cooking).
Except for that one who did some cooking, but who decided that they were too good to do dishes, keeping up with the pile of cooking utensils, pots and silverware was accomplished throughout the picnic.. in other words, those of us who didn't mind cleaning up a little kept the flow going, pretty much as soon as something was used. That was a relief.. since our dishwasher stood in its place, unconnected as of yet because of basement-full-issues (kid related) <smile>
While most of the folks attending the picnic rented rooms at nearby B&B's in Ithaca, we had two guests staying in our home throughout the picnic, something we never mind. We understand that not everyone is as fortunate as we are, and since we don't mind sharing what room we have, our home has always been open to those who need a place to sleep.
This year was no different than other years we've hosted the picnic with those two guests this month, one who slept on our couch, and one who slept on a large recliner. The problem as these two noted later in the cooking echo (geez) was that either our cats or dogs decided that they would visit the room with a special present.. one that was a bit stinky! The curse of the pet-owner, you know.. just when you want your animals to be on their best behavior, they do something to mortify you, like pee on a spot close to where a guest is sleeping... probably to have the guest note that this is the cats' and dogs' home, not 'theirs'<laugh>.
I was probably brought up a bit strictly. In our house, when you had a guest, that guest was always treated like family, given the best towels, and so on. The guests reciprocated with a Thank You card, and I remember how wonderful it would be to get that short missive in the mail. It brought back good memories of their stay, and the enjoyment of all present. Not so with these guests this week though.. :( These two went on in Fidonet's cooking echo about the worst part of their stay, seemed to me. Not even an acknowlegement of what it was like for us, forced upstairs to watch a bit of TV in 90+F heat.
I think the next time I host a picnic I will make sure these two are made aware of other sleeping arrangements in the area. Who needs it.
Yes, I'm a bit bothered with their childish and selfish nature. Not to mention the fact as they complained about our animals so much afterwards. So as I said, last time for anyone like them staying here, that's it.
Oh bah.. here are some good recipes from the picnic. And I was totally happy and thankful for all the help and friendship of our other guests at the picnic!
Lemon Olive Oil Non-Dairy, Non-Gluten Cake
Preheat the oven to 350F
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup olive oil (extra-virgin if desired), plus some for greasing pan Rind from 1 large lemon
- 1 cup non-gluten all purpose flour (like Honeyville Grains Almond flour, or Bob's Red Mill)
- 1/2 cup tapioca flour
- 5 large eggs, separated, reserving 1 white for another use
- 3/4 cup sugar
Equipment: a 9-inch (24-cm) springform pan; parchment paper, or brown paper<
Cut a large circle out of the parment paper, or brown paper to line the inside of the cake pan. The edges should reach the top of the pan, and fold over the the sides of the pan.
Beat the egg yolks at high speed until light in color, then add the sugar and continue beating. Add the lemon rind, and while still beating, add the olive oil. Fold in the flours quickly but gently. Beat the egg whites until fluffy, but not dry, and and fold in. Pour batter into prepared pan.
Bake at 350F for 25 minutes or until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean.
Lemon Icing
Beat ingredients until smooth, adding for lemon juice if necessary
posted at: 20:25 | path: /fidonet | permanent link to this entry | 1 comments | "
