Dîner
-Gelée de tomate et feta
-Roesti de chou rave
-Boulettes de lentilles
-Sauce bolognese express
-Carotte, concombre, chou fleur, cornichon
-Wraps

Comme vous le savez tous, je craque pour les wraps! J’ai l’habitude de mettre plein de choses un peu bizarre dans mes wraps. Cette fois ci nous nous sommes laissé tenté par des boulettes de lentilles, une petite sauce tomate au soja, des petits roestis au chou rave et des légumes frais. Mais avant de commencer les festivités, on a attaqué avec des petites gelées à la tomate et au feta. J’adore ces soirées quand on peut goûter pleins de petites bouchées différentes…Un délice.

From: Gift Jenny Scott <lovinggift00@yahoo.com>
Subject: Friendship Invitation
To: allistairgoldheart@yahoo.com
Date: Tuesday, November 3, 2009, 8:13 AM

Good Afternoon,
How are you doing today,i hope all is well with you over there..i hope my mail finds you in a very good mood just as your mail also find me in a very good mood,My full name is Gift Jenny Scott,I know you believe that good things come to those who wait, but my wonder is ..Well i just saw your email as i was going through yahoo people search then i just taught that i should send me a mail so we could know more about each other more better… why does it take so long for those good things to arrive, and why does the wait have to come with all these obstacles of hard and testing times?,let me tell u a little about my self i am 30 years From United State  single , don’t have kids never married before and have no  kids but was ones in a relationship that never went well,Well i want you to understand that why i left the state was not my Fault if that my Dad was still alive i will still be in the state and life would have not be the way it is right now for me and my mum… i  work with an international orphanage home a charity organization that is Affiliated to UNICEF here we work in all around the world helping the homeless kids mostly Orphans  we help the less villager kids out of the street and  give them good life and upbringing and orphans, Right now i am in United Kingdom, London , cos my Mom is from the UK  and my Father is  from the  United State when i was three i lost My  Father  so me and my Mom just have to come back to United Kingdom cos life was not good for us there any more and that is why i am here today where we are helping the homeless kids and we are going all around the world to do this , but i live parnently here in the UK , i think i really have a great passion for kids and that is why i am working with them, i help as a Volunteer Teacher and Nurse cos i have a Degree in Nursing i am an RN Nurse,  I Teach and take care of  kids from the ages of 5/10 as a Volunteer Teach and Nurse in any Orphanage home that we visit.    I am a very Down to Earth Lady , caring kind and Romantic Lady, i love to travel have fun and meet new people , i love Sports and i love to be in a very good Shape,and i have a very good and high sex drive i love to try New Things and be happy.

I Never believed in online dating just not been treated well with the men I have met locally so thought I give it a go and see how things work out. Though I am not trying to play hard to get wouldn’t want to rush things up as they say once beaten twice shy. I guess we take our time, till we both have the feelings to move forward.
I am a romantic person and I do believe in love and I believe that there is a special person out there for everyone in this world. I sometimes feel that each one of us is born with a bit of their heart or a bit of there soul missing, and that each one of us searches long time for that piece of their heart or piece of their soul that is missing, and that we do not know peace, happiness or true contentment until we find that person that has a match for our heart and soul … I do believe that I will find her one day, and I know we will live together happily forever .I am serious good mannered and have good sense of humor, I知 Smart, Confident, Romantic, Responsible, Kind, Gentle, Supportive, Cheerful, romantic ,poetic I love going to the Cinema, Shopping, Beaches, Parks, Trekking in hills, Meeting with friends, gardening and most especially spend time together with my soul mate. All I’m missing is a good hearten and honest partner, who is willing to stay with me and share all my Joy, Sorrows and Happiness someone who is clever and fun to be with, passionate and open for new experiences.

I think what i want in my life right now is some one that has so much energy that can give me the best of Love making love and  try new thing and go on a very good adventure and that is while i am on that site i don’t care where the person is from i just want to meet some one that we can make our dream and Happiness. Phantasy’s come to reality so tell me about ur self and what u are looking lets see how we can meet and have some good time .   I will have to stop here now and i will be waiting for ur reply.Hope to read from you soon..
Take care

Gift Cares!!!!

From: Allistairgoldheart@yahoo.com

To: Lovinggift00@yahoo.com

Date: November 1, 2009

Subject: Re: Friendship invitation

Hello Foxy!

Allow me to introduce myself–my name is Allistair Goldheart. You may have heard of me through one of the books I’ve written: Mining for Love, Love Investments, or Mutual Bonding?  They are all books on how to love rich men! (You can buy the box set on amazon for $49.00)

You sure talk a pretty game, and seem to be a well-balanced and lively lady.  Not at all like my wife who recently left me–her main passion in life was buying shoes on Ebay. Did you know she had over 300 pairs of Ugg boots? Somehow I sense you are the type of woman who would own just one simple pair of pumps, and wear them until they fall off of her feet. Then, you would go to the local cobbler (probably a kind and/or mentally retarded old man) and ask him to carve you up a brand new pair of shoes and you would step into the world as a new woman. (I sound like I should be writing for commercials, don’t I?!)

I understand what you mean, about being mauled by orphans.  Back in 1985 some quote unquote “kids of mine” decided to track me down while I was in the middle of a very important lecture at Penn State University. They claimed that I was their father, but when I asked them to wait to speak with me  until after my lecture they picked up some antipasti from the buffet table and threw it right at my face! No child of mine would behave so rudely, I tell you. And nothing stings worse than a cornichon in the eye.

So, um, I don’t know how to broach this subject but since  I believe in radical honesty so I’m just going to come out and say it: I have a very large penis. I am not saying this to brag, but only to let you know because some women have found it to be a hindrance and/or painful while making love with me. However, let me reassure you that there are several positions we can try that, given my girth and length, will make you scream howdy jesus. I spent a considerable time in the orient, studying various tantric techniques, and trust me I know to “unfold the lotus.”  I know it sounds like I’m rushing things but I can’t help how undeniably turned on you’ve made me with your note. Your passion is alive, and it clutches my throat like a gentle assasin wearing velvet gloves.

Well, I look forward to hearing more from you, my dear Gift! (Is that your real name seriously??) Perhaps we can go trekking sometime soon, or if you want to get to know me via emails, I am open to exploring that too. As I said, I am recently divorced so no marraige for me right now! Still, you have me quite taken, my dear.

Sweet dreams!
Allistair

Dîner
-Soupe de champignon polonaise
-Laitue
-Choucroute
-Cornichon
-Hot dog au saucisse de soja

Ce soir, nous sommes, comme à notre habitude, très pressés. Je n’avais pas beaucoup de temps devant moi et nous avons donc fait un repas très rapide. J’ai préparé une soupe de champignon (en suivant les instructions de Agda) avec des champignons qu’ils ont fait pousser. Nous avons ajouté des petites salades et un petit hot dog végétarien (moutarde, mayonnaise et ketchup) pour imiter les habitudes des polonaise sur la route. Qu’est-ce qu’on s’amuse dernièrement!

Originalement publié en anglais ici.

Hier soir, j’ai fait cuire du riz (au rice-cooker, dans le nouveau rice cooker, le précédent ayant rendu l’âme) (avec quelques ptits pois surgelés dedans) et j’en ai fait un peu plus pour en garder pour aujourd’hui. Donc, aujourd’hui, salade de riz !

• Faire de la mayo. Faut que j’explique ? Bon allez, puisque c’est vous. Prendre un bol, y mettre un jaune d’œuf et de la moutarde, saler, poivrer, touiller. Sortir le batteur électrique, mettre les fouets, commencer à touiller, ajouter de l’huile (pas trop goûtue, pas d’huile d’olive, sauf si vous aimez, hein, moi j’aime pas) petit à petit en touillant. Mettre de l’huile jusqu’à avoir une belle consistance de belle mayo (oui, ça fait pas mal de mayo. Je vous laisse décider ce que vous ferez du reste, hein). Mettre la mayo au frigo. Ou utilisez de la mayo en pot ou en tube, spa moi que ça va gêner
• Mettre le riz dans un petit saladier/gros bol. Ajouter des tomates en morceaux, des cornichons en rondelles, du thon… eh m…
• Mélanger de la mayo à la salade.
• Aller acheter une boîte de thon à la Coop en face.
• Mettre le thon dans la salade, remettre au frigo, aller bloguer.
• Manger.

Cuisson : 0

Préparation : 10 minutes.

Aller chercher du thon à la Coop : 5 minutes si ya pas trop la queue.

Réfrigération : min(2h, « pff, fait faim »)

Yesterday’s one year anniversary of Crabapple has come and gone with zero fanfare aside from a single Tweet by yours truly. 

I spent the weekend at my parents’ house helping them with their garage sale, at which they attempted to unload my childhood for mere pennies, old dishes and glasses, musty clothing, and the contents of an estate sale.  That was by far the most interesting part of the whole thing.  The pieces included Waterford crystal, silver, and various antique statues from Denmark, Germany, and England.  Very cool stuff.  We had to stop my father from speaking with buyers as he was unloading expensive pieces for one or two dollars each.  Ouch!  Kristina and I did some serious research online – the results forced us to pull certain pieces to keep to ourselves, or to post on eBay, or to try to sell at a higher price.  Some sold, some didn’t.  We were exhausted by the time we returned home last night. 

The METS took two of three from Houston, so while exhausted I was also very happy. 

I left my car at my parents’ house.  The lack of funds available to pay for a $275/month parking spot coupled with the fact that Wednesday I am having shoulder surgery which will prevent me from being able to drive (or type properly) for about a month left me with little choice.  The alternative would be a crash course for Kristina in the art of standard shift – a task I was not prepared to take on. 

However, I will stay positive, and try to continue my job search and the pursuit of literary perfection while in a sling.  I have been working on some new pieces including a novel (working title: The Exciting Lives of Beautiful People), a contest for Esquire magazine, some random short stories, and a short children’s story called The Proylewhich I will be reading this Thursday night (if I feel ok) at the fifth installment of Parapluie Creative Series at Cornichon in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.

Today I will keep the excitement at bay – I will send some resumes, make some phone calls, tweak The Proyle, hit the gym, shower, have lunch, empty and fill the dish washer, empty and put away the contents of the laundry bag, play some Wii Tennis, look online for a new computer, clean the floors and rugs, and tonight take the 7 train to Citi Field to watch my METS take on the Colorado Rockies.  Till tomorrow, friends…

~Sam

Many Bastille Day celebrations are planned around bk this weekend. Our favorite here at ev2bk is the Bastille Day Street Fair going on this Sunday from noon to 10pm hosted by Bar Tabac. The celebration will shut down Smith Street to set up a sandy pétanque (a French game similar to bocce) court, Bar Tabac will blast louder-than-usual live music and serve brunch and French cocktails. This year’s featured band will be The Baby Blue Orchids. Another latin flamenco band will also perform.

If the crowds on Smith Street scare you away but you just need to get your pétanque game on, you can go to Cornichon on Grand St. in Williamsburg this Saturday and play in their tournament from 6PM to midnight. You have to RSVP for this one if you plan on participating with your team.

To get you in the mood, here’s a link to the national anthem of France, which will surely be played at some point or another this weekend/early next week:

La Marseillaise, French National Anthem:

-ev2bk

NOTE: The Big Red Apple is now TheBigRedApple.net

To view this post at its new location click HERE!

It is so lovely outside today that I almost don’t want to be indoors writing to you, however, I would be a terrible blogger if I failed to inform you of some of the wonderful events the Big Apple has to offer this weekend.

First, an addition to tonight’s lineup; a new exhibit is opening at Mixed Greens- X 10th Anniversary Exhibition:

With X, we present a large selection of the many amazing artists with whom we’ve been privileged to work. Their techniques and subject matter vary widely, but all of these artists captured our attention either by their extraordinary use of materials or through their deep examination and investigation of their subjects. There is no theme uniting the 84 participating artists—the only common denominator is Mixed Greens. Some might call it narcissistic. Others nostalgic. We consider it to be a celebration of some of the best artists working today.

I’ve heard tell that the Big Gay Ice Cream Truck will also be there!

If you’ve never been to a Contra Dance event you should experience the madness Friday night at the LGBT Community Center; this event will have the added twist of being “gender neutral.” There are a lot of twists in contra already, that one makes this a true ‘only-in-New-York’ event.

Contra Dancers

If you’re looking for a nice way to enjoy the evening outdoors you can enjoy a childhood favorite on the shore of the Hudson River; The Wizard of Oz will be screening on Pier 46!

Inside, and a bit further north, The Raspberry Brothers will be tearing apart the 80s classic Pretty in Pink! This is a must see if you’re going to attend the Pretty in Pink Prom Saturday night (keep reading for details). I guarantee their antics will give you excellent cocktail conversation.

So, The Prom, well, Pretty in Pink Prom Night is happening Saturday night at The Bell House (where else?). It’s going to be an epic nostalgia trip complete with a “totally radical giant 80s prom backdrop,” in front of which you can have your prom pictures professionally shot, a “50 foot balloon drop” AND “bathrooms stocked with Aqua Net for heavy primping.” Not to mention one of the best 80s cover bands available- The Engagements! Get out there and have the prom you always dreamed of!

Also on Saturday it’s Bronx Gridlock vs. Brooklyn Bombshells at the Hunter College Sportsplex! If you haven’t made it out to a Gotham Girls Roller Derby bout this year, this is a great time to go!

ALSO on Saturday Rooftop Films is screening a movie at The Old American Can Factory- 45365 won Best Documentary at SXSW 2009:

45365 captures the plain pathos of a single place like few other films ever do. It is amusing and informative, exciting and realistic, tragic and eternal. But as I said, this synopsis is inadequate. To get at these emotions and ideas, you could live all your life in Sidney, Ohio, or you could see this film.

The Oberlin band Like Bells will perform before the screening; my little sister is currently an Oberlin student so all things Oberlin have a special place in my heart.

Of course I’m also a tremendous francophile so I may have to celebrate Bastille Day on Saturday. There are a number of celebrations in the city; my pick is the Petanque Tournament at Cornichon. Petanque is sort of like frenchified bocce ball; there will also be lots of wine and good cheer!

Libertie! Egalitie! Fraternitie!

On Sunday you can continue to embrace your inner francophile at Le Poisson Rouge, where they will be screening one of the most influential French films of the French New Wave- The 400 Blows. François Truffaut’s masterpiece gives you an intimate look into the Paris of the 1950s.

Also on Sunday you can swing under the stars with George Gee’s Big Band at Moondance on Pier 54!

Monday is the start of the Metropolitan Opera’s Summer Series; Paulo Szot, Lisette Oropesa, Alek Shrader, and Vlad Iftinca will be performing on Central Park’s Summerstage. If you can’t get any of the free tickets for this event check out the performances in the outer boroughs throughout the week.

Also on Monday, Wilco will be performing in Keyspan Park; Yo La Tengo will open. Check out this video:

Have a marvelous weekend and stay tuned for additions!

Trois petites salades à déguster par ces temps de chaleur ! A mettre  au frais et savourer avec plaisir !!

Salade de tomate :

Couper  en gros dés  des tomates olivettes à la chair  bien ferme, saupoudrer légèrement de sel, un peu d’ail haché, un  peu de persil ciselé (mon pot de basilic viens de rendre l’âme !), quelques miettes de thon, quelques olives et un filet d’huile d’olive fruitée !

Salade de poivron :

Faire griller les poivrons  sur un barbecue ou sous le grill du four, placer dans du papier essuie tout, puis dans un sac en plastique. Laisser refroidir, éplucher les poivrons, éviter de les relaver, ils perdront de leur goût. Découper en lanières, rajouter un peu d’ail haché, saler et arroser un filet d’huile d’olive fruitée.

Salade de chou :

Ciseler finement le cœur de la tête de choux, le  saupoudrer de sel, l’arroser de vinaigre et laisser dégorger dans une  passoire pendant  une petite heure. Rincer  abondamment en pressant. Égoutter  et essorer puis arroser d’une vinaigrette fortement moutardée et garnir de lamelles de cornichon.

There have been few times in the history of Sam as a reading individual when I have had to say enough, close a book before finishing it, and put it on the shelf.  I did it with Jonathan Lethem’s You Don’t Love Me Yet, Nick Hornby’s How To Be Good*, & now with Michael Chabon’s The Yiddish Policemen’s Union. 

I truly enjoyed the first of Chabon’s books that I picked up, The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay.  There’s a reason it won a Pulitzer Prize.  It was well thought out, a beautiful and heartbreaking story, and entertaining.  I since read two more of his novels, The Mysteries of Pittsburgh and Wonder Boys.  His books seem to have this underlying gay theme to them…not that there’s anything wrong with that.  It’s surprising somewhat considering Chabon is straight, but that’s neither here nor there.  In the previous three reads, however there was a point to the gay characters – they served a higher purpose in the plot of the story, or in the development of a main character. 

In The Yiddish Policemen’s Uniona detective in the city of Sitka, Alaska – a fictitious home for the Jews of the collapsed state of Israel discovers the murdered body of a man who turns out to be the son of the Rebbe.  He may have been the messiah; he may also have been gay – a point of the plot which seems to be in there for consistency’s sake.  It goes on and on as the detective, Meyer Landsman jumps from place to place introducing more characters and more twists, etc.  I got through most of the book, a little each night as the lack of action and the constant veering away from the main plot into little sub-plots left me confused, bored, and with the fleeting desire to give up.  However that little voice in the back of my head kept repeating it will get better, and I kept reading hoping for some salvation.  About 3/4 of the way through though I gave up.  I couldn’t do it anymore.  I just wasn’t enjoying it.  Perhaps the next time I find myself on a long flight or stranded on a desert island I will pick it up again in attempt to knock it out in two or three sittings.

I firmly believe inspiration for writing comes from within as well as from outside factors including the surrounding environment, the news, relationships, and what I’m currently reading – just to name a few.  I’ve been in a writing slump, I feel for the past couple of months.  Sure, I’ve updated Crabapple and Eating Brooklyn, but I have not even glanced at my novel in progress, nor have I even attempted a new short story.

I recently purchased a new book, Lost on Planet China by my favorite travel-inspired author J. Maarten Troost.  I started it yesterday, and knocked out four chapters in the thirty minutes between the conclusion of last night’s Mets game and the moment I nodded off.  I’m hoping this will help me out of my funk and back into the crazy world that is the inside of my own head. 

And while we’re on the subject of fiction, if you happen to find yourself in the Williamsburg section of Brooklyn tonight, swing by Cornichon on Grand & Roebling for another installment of Parapluie: Creative Series.  This month features a mix of comedy, music, and readings.  You’ll find my ass firmly planted on a bar stool sipping Lillet cocktails and noshing on little pickles…cornichons…it’s French.

~Sam

*After attempting that piece of shit I realized how bad of a writer Nick Hornby really is.  High Fidelity, About a Boy, & Fever Pitch were great ideas that made great movies, but if you read the books you’ll see that in a case of the opposite of usual being true, the movies are way better.

Update 6/19/09:  Some may argue that I have compromised any journalistic integrity for doing what I just did, but it is what it is.  Parapluie: Creative Series was formed to be a friendly, non-judgemental artisitc outlet for writers, musicians, and comedians.  A place free from the typical scrutiny of the NYC scene.  In this review I made a negative comment about one of the comedians.  While entitled to my opinion, that isn’t what Parapluie is about.  I changed my review because I wish to uphold the integrity and mission of Parapluie, which is more important to the struggling artists of this city than my “journalistic integrity” is to me.  

——————————————————————-

Last night marked the third installment of the Parapluie Creative Series at Cornichon Wine Bar in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. 

Parapluie was created by my good friend, Kristina Zacharias. 

So far, over three months and three series she has featured local authors and poets, musicians, and now comedians.  I performed (reading fiction and then essays) at the first two, but decided to take a break last night (considering I didn’t have any new material).

Before the comedy began we were treated to traditional and original jazz by duo Alec Schaefer (trumpet) and Paul Bashour (guitar), then by a singer/songwriter named Maggie – didn’t catch a last name.

The night featured three comedians, Ben Rameaka, Mukund Ramachandran, and Angela Campigotto who has a unique brand of hipster-inspired humor.  We left before Ben went on. 

Kristina and I spent most of the evening at the bar.  I had a couple Lillet cocktails, a salad, and a pressed sandwich with brie, French ham, and mustard on a pressed baguette.  Our friends Andy, Lizzie, Kerstin, Heidi, and Roland were on hand for the festivities.

See my Flickr pool for additional photos.

~Sam

Contenu du bento
-Cupcake au café
-Croquettes de polenta aux olives
-Pâté d’humus aux olives, tapenade
-Choucroute avec des cornichons
-Falafel, croquettes de chou-fleur
-Chaussons de petits pois à la menthe
-Concombre (seulement moi).

La seule façon que j’arrive à préparer des bentos tous les jours, c’est en préparant en avance quelques recettes le week-end.
Je n’ai pas de congélateur, et mes bentos seront assez ressemblants. Je vais juste ajouter quelques nouveaux éléments pour réhausser un peu mes déjeuners.
Chaucun de ces éléments auront une particularité commune: vite fait et suffisamment facile pour être fait les soirs où la seule chose qui me passe par la tête soit: quand est-ce que je peux aller au lit?

Aujourd’hui j’ai ajouté des petites croquettes de polenta et des minis chaussons aux petits pois et à la menthe. Les petits chaussons sont à tomber, même froids! Cela sied parfaitement aux bentos.

Originalement publié en anglais ici.

Please join us at Cornichon in Williamsburg on Wednesday, March 25th for the second Parapluie Creative Series, this time featuring three musical acts.  The night begins at 8:00 PM with Open Mic (your Crab may read a couple pieces of flash fiction), followed by the music at 9:00.  Details are listed below.
~Sam

Last week, at the Parapluie Creative Series reading at Cornichon, I had the pleasure of meeting a young, talented author Deji Olukotun.  He read a chapter of a novel he had written – which I thought was quite good – but from what he tells me will not be published at this time.  The good news is he has another novel just recently published entitled Everyone Comes From Belterra – When America Ruled the Amazon. 

The story takes place in 1930’s Brazil.  The world is in the middle of the Great Depression.  Ford Motor Company has set up shop in the Amazon.  He follows two main characters, Stephen Tanner – an American from Dearborn, MI, and Rogerio Teber – a Brazilian worker/manager who witnesses a murder. 

Deji was kind enough to give me a copy of the book.  I’m a slow reader, as many of you may have noticed, and have only made it to page 75 at this point.  But so far I am thoroughly enjoying the book. 

You can purchase the book through his blog at www.returnofthedeji.com.  I like the play on the Star Wars theme.

~Sam

Contenu du bento:
-Onigri fait à partir de riz blanc et de lentilles corail
-Riz sauvage
-Chou fleur cru
-Brocoli cru
-Carottes rapées
-Ogronek (concombre semi “pickled” )
-Gouda (toutefois, il n’a pas le véritable goût du Gouda…).
-Tranches de champignons et concombre sont cachés en-dessous.

Ce bento a été préparé vite fait avec les restes des jours précédents donc je n’ai pas de recettes à ajouter..

Je suis déçue. J’étais à Glasgow pour “Bonfire night” il y a deux jours. Et les Écossais ont préféré déplacer cet évènement au samedi soir car il y avait du foot…Grr!

It’s been a rainy week over here, and last night was one of the craziest lightning storms I’ve ever seen.  As I came home from knit group it was like driving under a strobe light.  The storm passed over our house and the thunder that accompanied some of those flashes I literally felt in the floor.  Thankfully my child didn’t wake up at all, although I thought for sure he would.  Maybe it was because he had such a rough day at school and was just wiped out.  Did I mention he started Kindergarten three weeks ago?  Yep, he did.  He was so excited on the first day, and he has just been loving it…well, you know, until yesterday when he jumped off the jungle gym and landed on his arm.  It was fine and just had a little bump on it, but it just set the tone for the day and he got embarassed and frustrated a few more times during the day.  I could tell when I picked him up that he felt rather deflated.  I’m sure today will be better, though, and here is a pic from happier times on his first day. 

source

Je suis sûr que vous attendiez cette information depuis longtemps, aussi j’ai tenu en ce dimanche à vous la communiquer avec la modestie qui me caractérise. Cette info concerne mon potager, il faut dire que celui-ci occupe un grande part de mes activités depuis que l’âge, mais aussi et surtout depuis que cette coutume moderne qui consiste à considérer qu’à partir de cinquante ans, l’individu n’a plus de forces, plus d’idées, plus d’envies, coûte trop cher et n’est plus malléable, sans compter l’incompétence dont il fait preuve tant sa formation de base est dépassée.

 Depuis donc depuis un an maintenant, je suis en retraite, ce mot qui a sonné dans ma tête pendant tant d’années et qui dorénavant ne sonne plus, mais résonne telles les cloches de l’angélus, c’est à dire régulièrement, inlassablement, me rappelant mon nouveau statut et me sommant de m’y maintenir au risque de déranger les ” vivants”.

 Mais, je m’égare parce qu’en fait, je veux vous parler de la bonne idée que j’ai eu de planter un pied de cornichons.

Je ne sais pas vous, mais pour moi les cornichons sont avant tout conviviaux. On sort souvent le bocal de cornichons quand on a des invités, c’est un petit luxe qui ne coûte pas cher et qui fait toujours plaisir, sinon la plupart du temps il reste sans gémir au fond du frigo toujours repoussé au fond parce qu’il gêne pour attraper des choses plu importantes.

 - Au fait, voulez-vous des cornichons ?

- Oui, oui, super !

 Le bocal de cornichons fait alors irruption sur la table et chacun soulève l’ingénieux appareil en plastique vert et fait apparaître ce condiment, les yeux brillants en disant:

 - Hum ! J’aime les cornichons ! 

 Et puis les cornichons évoquent toujours une bonne charcuterie, un bon casse-croûte, un bon petit vin, des amis.

On peut aimer les cornichons au point d’en manger un bocal entier pour atténuer les dégâts d’un chagrin d’amour par exemple mais en aucun cas on devient addicte. Si on l’oublie, il reste en attente modestement, timidement. On dirait qu’il a toujours peur de déranger. Il n’est pas comme le tabac, par exemple qui entraîne dans une dépendance nocive et dérangeante pour tout le monde ou l’alcool ou même le chocolat  qui fait en plus fait grossir ! Non ! Il n’a que des qualités !

Le cornichon est un bon compagnon. Il ne s’affirme pas assez, c’est la raison pour laquelle on se sert parfois de son nom pour désigner une personne un peu en retrait.(sic..)

 Concrètement,j’ai planté ce pied de cornichons le 6 avril. Il produit depuis le 20 juin à raison de cinq unités tous les deux jours. Nous sommes le 20 juillet c’est à dire 30 jours, ce qui donne 5 x 15 = 75 cornichons !

Le bonheur n’est pas loin ! On peut le trouver dans un cornichon et c’est ce que je ressens chaque fois que j’en mets un à mariner dans dans de l’eau salée pour ensuite le mettre dans un bocal de vinaigre que j’entrepose ensuite avec soin dans ma réserve !

Recette ici

we went to the zoo last week, and by “we” i mean me, boy, chanelle, boy and girl, wannabe, and buggernut. and i’m pretty sure that until i get some kind of prescription allergy medicine, i should never ever go again. ugh. i thought i was going to DIE when i got home…

but i did get a bunch of pics, and the kids seemed to have fun, when we werent running over them with the strollers and they werent falling down.

i took about two hundred (yes! can you believe that!! dang.) pictures, but here are just a handful for your perusement.

and yes, those tortoises are doing exactly what you think they’re doing. did you know they sound like cows when they do that? yeah, well neither did we until that day… Never know what you’ll learn at the zoo!

des gOûts et des cOuleurs !

C’est d’abord Vanessa de Confiture Maison, puis Louise de Gato Azul qui me demandent de citer 10 associations de deux produits s’harmonisant à merveille. Une association qui doit être une évidence pour celle ou celui qui la nomme. Et ceci sans réfléchir trop longtemps. Car le but du jeu n’est pas d’en inventer pour se rendre intéressant. Au contraire, soyez  honnêtes et dites, voire avouez ce que vous aimez !

Gourmande, je pourrais citer une quantité incroyable d’associations de saveurs qui ravissent mon palais et activent mes endorphines. J’adore ça, activer mes endorphines, pas vous ? Mais la plupart du temps celà active aussi ma production de graisse. Comme quoi, on a rien sans rien!
Bon, revenons à nos moutons, je disais donc que je pourrais vous citer beaucoup d’associations, mais pour la plupart, elles sont très classiques, sûrement déjà maintes fois citées et finalement sans grand intérêt. Alors à quoi bon ? Mais …

…car il y a toujours un mais. Comme tout être humain, normalement constitué, il est des plaisirs sur cette terre qu’on n’ose pas toujours avouer.  Je parle de nourriture, n’est-ce pas, ne nous méprenons pas ! 
Nous avons tous un petit faible pour des cochonneries qu’on avale en vitesse devant la télé. De curieux mélanges dont on n’oserait surtout pas parler sur son blog… 

Alors, je me lance et j’ose avouer que j’aime … de temps en temps:

• un cornichon trempé dans un jogourt à la fraise  (souvenir d’enfance)
• une omelette farcie de gruyère râpé et arrosé de vinaigrette (un autre souvenir d’enfance)
• un bout de pomme ou de poire trempée dans la fondue au fromage (à chaque fois que j’en mange)
• une pointe de mayonnaise sur un chips (une mauvaise habitude qui vient du coq de la maison)
• du fromage avec du miel de forêt  (sur de la tresse, tellement suisse)
• de la saucisse à rôtir avec un mélange de ketchup-moutarde  (ben quoi ?)
• des quartiers de pommes salés et sautés avec du foie gras  (j’ai arrêté à cause des pauvres canards)
• du chocolat au lait trempé rapidement dans du café bien chaud  (un délice)
• le pain trempé dans le reste de sauce à salade  (faut pas ça laisser perdre)
• de la chantilly aromatisée avec de la confiture  (devant la télé toute seule)

Je passe la main, s’ils le veulent bien, mais surtout parce qu’ils le valent bien à:

• La Mia Cucina
• Tante Anna de La Folie des Confitures
• Christine de Cute Cakes
• Ptinutz de Noisettes et Cie

Et si vous trouvez que j’ai des goûts bizarres et bien je ne suis pas la seule (clic)

Happy Huggy-Huggy-Kissy-Smoochy-Lovey-Goopy-Snuggle-Mushy-Gushy Day.

*wretch*

anyway… i’m REALLY here to give you a cookie recipe…

Egg and Dairy Free Lemon Sugar Cookies
adapted from this recipe on allrecipes
makes about three dozen 2″ heart cut outs (YMMV)

Ingredients:
10 TB softened vegetarian margarine
1/2 c brown sugar
1/4 c white sugar (replace all the sugar with 3/4 raw sugar if desired)
1 1/2 TB flax meal
1/4 c warm water
1 tsp lemon zest
1/2 tsp lemon extract
2 c AP flour
3/4 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 c 10x sugar
3-4 teaspoons lemon juice

Directions:

1. Place flax meal in the warm water and let it sit for a few minutes, stirring occasionally.
2. Cream margarine and sugar together. Beat in the flax mixture, lemon zest, and lemon extract.
3. Combine flour, baking powder, and salt in a separate bowl, then stir into the wet ingredients. Cover and chill for at least an hour.
4. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Roll dough out on parchment paper (it helps to sandwich the dough between two sheets) and cut out desired shapes.
5. Place shapes 1″ apart on a cookie sheet lined with parchment and bake 6-8 minutes.
6. Cool completely. Then drizzle with icing made from 1 c 10x sugar and a few teaspoons of lemon juice.

enjoy! possibly with your Poopsie-Moopsie-Boo-Boo-Bear?? bleah.