I’m willing to bet that President Obama’s Christmas address this week will shine with religious significance about as bright as his unusually short Thanksgiving Proclamation, which gave a token reference to God via a quote from George Washington.

Even in Obama’s superstar Christmas interviews with Oprah and Gloria Estefan, there were discussions about Santa, Christmas trees, ornaments, gingerbread houses and even their dog’s Christmas stocking. Obama even gave a Christmas shout-out to all Hispanics. But there was not one discussion of religion or a hint of the real reason for the season.

Gone are the days when presidents and most politicians publicly rejoice in the birth of Christ.

But things were not always this way. As with many of you, I still remember a day even in Washington when Christ was central to Christmas. It was an America that was far less politically correct – an America that wasn’t afraid to stand up for its belief in the babe who was born in Bethlehem.

Here’s a small sample of that America represented in personal and public presidential Christmas proclamations and events, as documented in presidential library archives, at WhiteHouseChristmasCards.com and by historian David Barton in his treatise “Christmas with the presidents.”

On Christmas Day, 1795, President George Washington celebrated Christmas with members of Congress at his Mount Vernon estate, complete with a fox hunt, feast including “Christmas pie,” music, dancing and visiting that at times continued for a solid week.

America’s second president, John Adams, was the first to hold a White House Christmas party.

Thomas Jefferson loved celebrating Christmas, from his youth considering the day as a time of “merriment” and “The day of greatest mirth and jollity.” He threw elaborate parties at the White House and his Monticello estate for family and friends, played his violin, sang his favorite Christmas song, “Adeste Fideles” (“Oh Come All Ye Faithful”), and even gave his slaves a few days off each year to enjoy the holiday due to his abolitionist leanings.

(And let’s not forget, when at the White House during the eight years of his presidency, Jefferson attended church where he did each week in the Capitol building – something that continued through the Civil War – in 1867 it was the largest church in Washington with 2,000 people attending weekly.)

During the 1835 Christmas season, President Andrew Jackson sent out invitations and cards (of sorts) to local children inviting them to an event in the East Room on Christmas Day, in memory of a boy who had never heard of Christmas, never knew his father and whose mother died at a young age. That boy was Jackson himself.

President John Tyler also enjoyed hosting Christmas parties for children.

After a chaotic political season in December 1848, in which intense debate ensued over issues relating to slavery and expanding U.S. territory, President James K. Polk described Christmas Day as “perhaps the most quiet day of my presidential term,” despite apparently not accompanying Mrs. Polk and the children to church on that particular day.

President James Buchanan, a devout Presbyterian, would have his southern Pennsylvania estate extravagantly decorated at Christmas for the community to enjoy (a tradition that is still done to this day).

President Abraham Lincoln read the Bible throughout his life and attended services at the New York Avenue Presbyterian Church on a regular basis, including at Christmas time. During the Civil War, he and his wife would visit hospitals on Christmas to help care for the wounded. During one political campaign, he declared “I have never denied the truth of the Scriptures; and I have never spoken with intentional disrespect of religion in general. … I do not think I could myself be brought to support a man for office whom I knew to be an open enemy of … religion.”

In 1870, President Ulysses S. Grant signed into law the bill that made Christmas Day a national holiday.

Being credited with establishing the tradition of posting a Christmas tree in the White House (the first occurrence being with President Franklin Pierce), President Benjamin Harrison was also a deeply devout Christian, who wrote to his son Russell in 1887, “I hope you will renew your Christian faith and duties. It is a great comfort to trust God – even if His providence is [at times] unfavorable. Prayer steadies one when he is walking in slippery places – even if things asked for are not given.”

In 1898, two years before his assassination, the New York Times wrote of the encouragement that President William McKinley and his ailing wife received from these words in their pastor’s Christmas Day sermon: “God’s Christmas gift of freedom has come to the suffering and wronged through the agency of a nation that was obedient to His call, and helpfulness sent forth form angelic lips – ‘Goodwill toward men.’”

Each year on Christmas Eves, President Theodore (“Teddy”) Roosevelt traveled to Christ Church in Oyster Bay, N.Y., and, following the pastor’s sermon, gave one of his famous “sermonettes” on the meaning of Christmas. The service would end with his favorite hymn, “Christmas by the Sea.”

In 1927, in every major newspaper across the land, a Christmas admonishment from President Calvin Coolidge was published in his own hand about “the real spirit of Christmas – if we think on these things, there will be born in us a Savior and over us all will shine a star-sending its gleam of hope to the world.”

President Herbert Hoover wrote to the Nation’s Christmas Trees Association on Dec. 25, 1931: “Your annual Christmas service … is a dramatic and inspiring event of national interest. It symbolizes and vivifies our greatest Christian festival with its eternal message of unselfishness, joy, and peace.”

President Franklin Delano Roosevelt declared in his Christmas address to the nation on Dec. 24, 1944 (the first Christmas after D-Day), “Here, at home, we will celebrate this Christmas Day in our traditional American way – because of its deep spiritual meaning to us; because the teachings of Christ are fundamental in our lives; and because we want our youngest generation to grow up knowing the significance of this tradition and the story of the coming of the immortal Prince of Peace and Good Will. [FDR then prayed for the troops.] We pray that with victory will come a new day of peace on earth in which all the Nations of the earth will join together for all time. That is the spirit of Christmas, the holy day. May that spirit live and grow throughout the world in all the years to come.”

President Harry Truman gave these words during his Christmas Eve national broadcast on Dec. 24, 1949, “Since returning home, I have been reading again in our family Bible some of the passages which foretold this night. … We miss the spirit of Christmas if we consider the Incarnation as an indistinct and doubtful, far-off event unrelated to our present problems. We miss the purport of Christ’s birth if we do not accept it as a living link which joins us together in spirit as children of the ever-living and true God. In love alone – the love of God and the love of man – will be found the solution of all the ills which afflict the world today.”

President Dwight Eisenhower publicly proclaimed on Dec. 23, 1960, “Through the ages men have felt the uplift of the spirit of Christmas. We commemorate the birth of the Christ Child by the giving of gifts, by joining in carols of celebration, by giving expression to our gratitude for the great things that His coming has brought about in the world.”

It’s well known that President John Kennedy was a Catholic. What’s not so well known is that, in 1957, then Sen. Kennedy disclosed at the National Conference of Christians and Jews Dinner what he believed would remedy the ills in society: “Upon what can we rely? Where can we compete? In what can we find hope for the future? The answer, I believe, lies ultimately in the very principles which we honor tonight – the principles of our Judaic-Christian heritage.”

President Lyndon B. Johnson publicly declared on Dec. 22, 1963, “We were taught by Him whose birth we commemorate that after death there is life. … In these last 200 years we have guided the building of our Nation and our society by those principles and precepts brought to earth nearly 2,000 years ago on that first Christmas.”

President Richard Nixon was a Quaker and hosted church services in the East Room of White House while he was president, initiated on his first Sunday in office by none other than Rev. Billy Graham.

President Gerald Ford publicly declared on Dec. 18, 1975, “In our 200 years, we Americans have always honored the spiritual testament of 2,000 years ago. We embrace the spirit of the Prince of Peace so that we might find peace in our own hearts and in our own land, and hopefully in the world as well.”

President Jimmy Carter spoke to the nation on Dec. 15, 1977, “Christmas has a special meaning for those of us who are Christians, those of us who believe in Christ, those of us who know that almost 2,000 years ago, the Son of Peace was born to give us a vision of perfection, a vision of humility, a vision of unselfishness, a vision of compassion, a vision of love.”

President Ronald Reagan repeatedly affirmed his and the nations’ Christian faith at Christmas time, like these words on Dec. 16, 1982, “In this holiday season, we celebrate the birthday of One who, for almost 2,000 years, has been a greater influence on humankind than all the rulers, all the scholars, all the armies and all the navies that ever marched or sailed, all put together. … [I]t’s also a holy day, the birthday of the Prince of Peace, a day when ‘God so loved the world’ that He sent us His only begotten Son to assure forgiveness of our sins.”

President George H. W. Bush stated to the nation on Dec. 18, 1989, “At Christmas, we, too, rejoice in the mystery of God’s love for us – love revealed through the gift of Christ’s birth. Born into a family of a young carpenter and his wife, in a stable shared by beasts of the field, our Savior came to live among ordinary men. Yet, in time, the miraculous nature of this simple event became clear. Christ’s birth changed the course of history, bringing the light of hope to a world dwelling in the darkness of sin and death. Today, nearly 2,000 years later, the shining promise of that first Christmas continues to give our lives a sense of peace and purpose. Our words and deeds, when guided by the example of Christ’s life, can help others share in the joy of man’s Redemption.”

President Bill Clinton addressed the nation on Dec. 21, 1999, with these words, “Saint Matthew’s Gospel tells us that on the first Christmas 2,000 years ago, a bright star shone vividly in the eastern sky, heralding the birth of Jesus and the beginning of His hallowed mission as teacher, healer, servant, and savior.”

And President George W. Bush spoke in his Christmas message on Dec. 21, 2007, “During the Christmas season, our thoughts turn to the source of joy and hope born in a humble manger on a holy night more than 2,000 years ago. Each year, Christians everywhere celebrate this single life that changed the world and continues to change hearts today. … Christmas is a time to rejoice and remember the birth of Jesus Christ.”

Will President Obama’s Christmas address rival those Christian confessions of past presidents? Or will his yuletide cheer be another politically correct concoction that has already adorned the first year of his presidency?

Based upon President Obama’s first year’s utter disregard for America’s Judeo-Christian heritage and promotion of a secular-progressive agenda and pro-Islamic platforms, the only white Christmas I would count on at the White House is a continued whitewashing of religious tradition in Washington. But does America really need another version of “Away with the Manger”?

First, even during his campaign for the presidency, Obama sarcastically belittled America’s Judeo-Christian heritage and degraded its adherents with trite remarks typical of any atheistic antagonist: “Whatever we were, we are no longer a Christian nation”; “The dangers of sectarianism are greater than ever”; “Religion doesn’t allow for compromise”: “The Sermon on the Mount [is] a passage that is so radical that our own defense department wouldn’t survive its application”; and “To base our policy making upon such commitments [as moral absolutes] would be a dangerous thing.” (See the YouTube video: “Barack Obama on the importance of a secular government.”)

Second, President Obama has already denied America’s rich Judeo-Christian heritage before the eyes and ears of other countries, as he publicly declared in Turkey on April 6, 2009, for the whole world to hear: “We do not consider ourselves a Christian nation.” (Who are the “we” to whom he refers? Would our former presidents agree with his “we”?)

Third, quite contrary to Obama’s negative tone and sentiments about Judeo-Christian belief, in countless speeches over the past year he has sympathized and supported pro-Islamic theology and practice. Just recently, he encouraged Americans “not to jump to conclusions” about the Fort Hood shooter being a Muslim extremist. And he refused to say anything when the Muslim extremist and president of Iran publicly accused the U.S. of actively planning and plotting to stop mankind’s real savior: i.e. Mahdi, the imam that Muslims believe will be the ultimate savior of mankind.

Fourth, President Obama has enabled an anti-Christian agenda unlike any former president by revising America’s religious history, minimizing the role of religion today, passing secular-progressive legislation and turning a blind eye to issues like atheists’ lawsuit to remove the national motto (“In God We Trust”) off of the walls of the new Capitol Visitors Center in Washington, D.C., or the ACLU’s disposal of Veteran memorial crosses in the Mojave Desert and at Mount Soledad. Every time President Obama has had an opportunity to stand for Christianity in any way, he has not only denied it but disdained it.

A grave manifestation is Obamacare’s incorporation to use federal funds to pay for abortion and thereby force people of conscience who are pro-life to pay for the terminations of life in the womb across the country. (What a tragic piece of legislation to pass in the shadow of the day when we celebrate the birth of the world’s savior, Jesus Christ.)

What President Obama, like many other liberal politicians, needs is a paradigm shift – a new way of seeing America, which is really an old way. It’s the way our founders viewed America, and it incorporates a good ol’ fashioned Christmas proclamation of Christ’s birth. That America is the one I outline in my new (January 2010) paperback expansion of my New York Times best-seller, “Black Belt Patriotism,” which is ironically the same Christmas gift I’m sending to the president!

And there is one gift that I propose the president give this nation. Since Obama prides himself on being the technological president, in lieu of his Christmas proclamation this year, I suggest that he just send out across the nation the online link to a YouTube video that I had posted under the title, “Ronald Reagan Christmas Address (12/23/81).”

http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=119611

Mob prince John “Junior” Gotti issued an extraordinary midtrial broadside at the “insulting” behavior of the judge overseeing his murder and racketeering trial as prosecutors rested their case Monday after five weeks of informant testimony on crimes going back a quarter-century

In a four-page, single-spaced letter to U.S. District Judge Kevin Castel that was a study in restrained belligerence, a frustrated Gotti castigated the judge for not declaring a mistrial over news reports of his alleged threat to kill informant John Alite, and for sarcastic interruptions of his defense team’s attempts at cross-examination.

“As the Court is aware . . . I’m certain to be facing solitary confinement until I die,” Gotti wrote in the letter dated Oct. 20. “To ask for a ‘time limit,’ as if my attorney’s questions are an inconvenience to the Court, is nothing short of insulting and prejudicial.”

“The result of the Court’s continual interference . . . has had a chilling effect on my case,” added Gotti, son of the late Gambino family boss John J. Gotti.

Castel revealed the letter after the jury left yesterday afternoon. Gotti’s lawyers said they had helped him prepare it – it included more than a dozen citations to legal precedents – but had urged him not to send it. Castel advised the son of the late Gambino family boss John J. Gotti to cool it.

“I know a trial . . . can be a tense and trying experience,” the judge said. “I have your letter. But I would ask that you communicate through your lawyers from now on.”

Gotti, 45, of Oyster Bay, is facing racketeering charges for the fourth time in five years. The first three trials, presided over by U.S. District Judge Shira Scheindlin, ended with hung juries. Observers who watched the earlier trials say Castel has in fact been tougher on the defense – mocking some defense questions, and also ruling against Gotti on substantive matters.

In one key decision last week, for example, Castel allowed prosecutors to have an informant, formerly a co-defendant of Gotti, testify about jailhouse conversations on defense strategy that Scheindlin kept out based on attorney-client privilege.

Gotti also blasted Castel’s handling of the Oct. 8 incident in which, after he called Alite a “punk” and a “dog” during a recess, newspaper covers headlined Alite’s claim that Gotti had also mouthed a death threat. Castel found that no one else could vouch for it. Gotti apparently believes the jury was tainted.

Het huis van Theodore Roosevelt op Sagamore Hill

DIT ARTIKEL VERSCHEEN EERDER IN DE PZC-BIJLAGE SPECTRUM VAN ZATERDAG 10 OKTOBER 2009

Bij een bezoek aan één van de huizen van de voormalige presidenten van de VS komt geschiedenis echt tot leven. In en nabij New York City zijn het geboortehuis, de villa en het graf van Theodore Roosevelt (met Zeeuwse voorouders) perfecte dagtrips.

Claes Maertenszoon van Roosevelt. De Amerikaanse gids articuleert overdreven als hij de naam van de voorvader van Theodore Roosevelt (1858-1919), de 26e president van de Verenigde Staten, uitspreekt. Hij heeft er hoorbaar op gestudeerd. „Roosevelt betekent in het Nederlands ‘veld van rozen’”, zo vertelt hij het handjevol mensen dat zich verzameld heeft in het geboortehuis van ‘Teedie’, downtown Manhattan. „Je zegt dus ook Roosevelt, niet ‘Roussevelt’ zoals veel Amerikanen denken. Je mag overigens ook geen Teddy zeggen. De familie noemde hem altijd Teedie.”

Als gids in dienst van de National Park Service wéét hij natuurlijk dat de stamboom van de Roosevelts teruggaat naar

Beeld van Theodore Roosevelt in Oyster Bay (NY)

Oud-Vossemeer op Tholen, en zelfs dat sommigen vinden dat het bewijs voor de Zeeuwse afkomst van Franklin Delano, Eleanor en Theodore daarmee nog niet sluitend is. Maar hij is een van de weinige Amerikanen die op de hoogte zijn van de oorsprong van deze welgestelde familie.

De Roosevelts kwamen uit New York, weten ze hier. En ze hadden grote invloed op de ontwikkeling van de Verenigde Staten, wat zich dan naar goed Amerikaans gebruik vertaalt in een grote hoeveelheid te bezoeken historische plekken en gebouwen met een verwijzing naar de familie.

Wie een paar dagen in New York is en de geijkte toeristische attracties als het Vrijheidsbeeld, Times Square, Broadway of Empire State Building heeft gezien, danwel beu is, kan er eens voor kiezen de voetsporen van de Roosevelts te volgen. Interessante excursies zónder grote mensenmassa’s, waar ook de plaatselijke bevolking nog voor te porren is. Zo is het geboortehuis van Theodore, aan East 2oth Street in de buurt van Gramercy Park, met de metro goed te bereiken.

Eigenlijk is het niet het oorspronkelijke huis, want dat is járen geleden afgebroken. Maar de brownstone, volgens de

Het geboortehuis van Theodore Roosevelt aan East 20th St in Manhattan

 gids qua ontwerp een exacte kopie van een Amsterdams grachtenpand, staat wel op dezelfde plek, is in zijn oorspronkelijke staat herbouwd en bijna alle meubels zijn authentiek familiebezit.

De rondleiding door de vertrekken op de begane grond en eerste verdieping concentreert zich voornamelijk op de jeugd van Theodore. Hoe hij van een zwak, astmatisch stadsjongetje veranderde in een ruwe bolster met een grote voorkeur voor de natuur en het buitenleven. Waar de grote rijkdom van de familie Roosevelt vandaan kwam en hoe het stadse leven er in die tijd uitzag. De straten zonder wolkenkrabbers, Central Park nog ver verwijderd van de bewoonde wereld. „De Roosevelts introduceerden het idee dat je moet zorgen voor de minderbehoeftigen en de kansarmen. Dat was volkomen nieuw voor die tijd. Iedereen wist dat je je chequeboek moest meenemen als je voor een feestje was uitgenodigd bij de Roosevelts”, verklaart de gids in de salon van het herenhuis, waar alle officiële bezoeken werden afgenomen.

In 1880 kocht de nog jonge Roosevelt de heuvel bij Oyster Bay op Long Island (NY). Hij bouwde er een grote villa op de heuvel rond Cove Neck.

Het bosrijke landgoed aan de baai, dat hij omdoopte tot Sagamore Hill, is sinds 1963 opengesteld voor publiek, en ligt op nog geen uur rijden van New York City. Wie liever niet tussen de toeterende, gele taxi’s in een huurauto de stad uitrijdt, kan met de trein naar Oyster Bay komen, om vanaf het station een taxi te nemen. Hier, op Sagamore Hill, leren bezoekers meer over Roosevelts leven als president, maar ook hoe hij luitenant-kolonel werd bij de Rough Riders, een cavaleriekorps bestaande uit vrijwilligers die een heldenrol vervulden tijdens de Spaans-Amerikaanse oorlog (1898). Hoe hij het tot gouverneur van New York schopte en hoe hij zich na zijn presidentschap stortte op jachtexpedities in Afrika.

Aan de voet van de heuvel ligt Theodore Roosevelt begraven, samen met zijn tweede vrouw Edith Kermit. Een mooie stop voor de terugweg naar New York City, en een eerbetoon aan de 26e president van de VS.

Graf van Theodore Roosevelt op Youngs Memorial Cemetery

Merlot, Oyster Bay, New Zealand. Rich, fruity and dense. £8.99. Majestic Wines http://bit.ly/4bxJjy

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SeaChange Removals Rates

Local Moves

Multiple items/Moving home

$110 per hour truck and 2 men

$150 per hour truck and 3 men

Negotiable 30 minutes travel time for removals Sydney Metro Local Service Area listed at the bottom of page.

n.b. SeaChange Removals subcontracts work from larger removals companies.

We are charged out  at:

$132 per hour 2 men

$198 per hour 3 men

Direct SeaChange customers get the same service level as premium, full service clients sourced by more established removalist agents/companies.

Sydney Local Purchase Delivery

Sydney local metro door to door up to 5 items one man $99

two man $150

Interstate Moves

Interstate minimum $330 for up to 3 cubic metres

Interstate whole of truck (46 cubic metres/4 bedroom house):

- Sydney to Brisbane (or Brisbane to Sydney) $3850

- Sydney to Melbourne (or Melb to Sydney) $3850

- Sydney to Adelaide (or Adelaide to Sydney) $4400

With enough notice and time to plan these interstate prices can be reduced by backloading.

A backload is where multiple jobs are carried on the same return journey.

The above prices are for whole of truck exclusive use. Backloads can reduce costs by up to 40%.

Nb: All prices include GST, prices are charged in 15 minute blocks, travel time is negotiated (no depot to depot charge)

Conditions on fixed price moves and deliveries:

Ground or first floor access, truck within 20 metres of front door, small items must be packed by owner into boxes. 150 kg per item limit. Packing service available at per hour rate.

About Seachange Removals

Seachange Removals Pty Ltd is wholly owned and operated by Andrew Fox.

The company was formed in April 2009.

Andrew has been moving furniture since 1993 when at 14 years old he was helping in his family’s furniture store in Sydney. Andrew and his father worked after school and on weekends delivering new furniture to customers.

After leaving high school Andrew worked for investment banks in trader support, technical and back office roles for approximately seven years.

During the other 7 years since finishing school Andrew has worked for many of the larger furniture removals and transport companies in Sydney, Brisbane and Darwin as an offsider, driver, team leader and operations manager.

Seachange Removals works with many of Andrew’s previous employers. Andrew’s ongoing relationship with these other established companies and operators gives his customers access to other trucks, discounted storage and backloads.

Do you need boxes?

If you need boxes to move we can help.

We buy boxes in wholesale quantities to keep the price low.

We provide new boxes for $4 new and used boxes for $3 (when available).

We can drop off boxes to you before your move for free.

We buy back boxes for $1.50 each (Sydney metro only)

If you are using another removalist service and just want to buy boxes from us we can deliver them for $20 (Sydney metro)

Fragiles/ Valuables/ Antiques/Heirlooms?

We will look after your items and treat them with the utmost care whether they have a high monetary or sentimental value.

We will keep your items safe by taking the time to ensure they are packed carefully and loaded securely.

We have bubble wrap, sensitive quilted freight blankets, boxes and crates. We will choose the most appropriate method to wrap, stack and load your items to avoid damage.

We are happy to safely move your paintings, artworks, pottery, heirlooms, fish tanks, glass, plasma tvs, pianos, AV/IT and electrical items and musical instruments.

What equipment do we have?

Sensitive freight blankets
Quilted furniture pads
Heavy duty trolleys and dolleys
Balcony Straps
Piano Straps
Battery Powered LED Lights
Power Tools for disassembly
Plastic covers for mattresses and lounges
Packing tape
Portable robes and boxes
Packing Boxes Available

What will we move?

Boxes, furniture, home, house, antique, artworks, cedar, oak, bookcase, drawers, table, chair, lounges, couch, dining, mahogany, blackwood, grandfather clock, hutch, desk, piano, draws, retro, sideboard, marble, glass, cabinet, stand, coffee table, mirror, dressing table, cupboard, bedroom, bed, cedar, lowboy, tallboy, bedside, bench, seat, dresser, china, tray, hallstand, washstand, lounge, seater, kitchen, pedestal, armchair, baltic, chest, setting, chaise, hardwood, tapestry, daylounge, daychair, commode, paintings, crystal, liquor cabinet, shop counter, pine, chic, headboard, armchair, sewing machines, credenza, display cabinet, fridge, freezer, washing machine, trunk, case, collectors items, cast iron, wardrobe, rocking chair, dresser, buffet, bookcase, leather, vinyl, veneer, particle board, office, reproduction, shop, single, double, queen, frame, shelf, teak, occasional table, corner suite, masonite, plywood, skate ramp,

What won’t we move?

Unfortunately we won’t be able to move any dangerous goods:

Gas bottles

Flammables

Liquids

Chemicals

Explosives

Infectious or decaying matter

Contraband

Weapons and ammunition of any kind

SeaChange Removals Sydney Metro Service Area

Abbotsbury – Abbotsford – Acacia Gardens – Agnes Banks – Airds – Akuna Bay – Alexandria – Alfords Point – Allambie – Allambie Heights – Allawah – Ambarvale – Annandale – Annangrove – Arcadia – Arncliffe – Arndell Park – Artarmon – Ashbury – Ashcroft – Ashfield – Asquith – Auburn – Auburn North – Auburn South – Auburn West – Audley – Austral – Avalon – Badgerys Creek – Balgowlah – Balgowlah Heights – Balmain – Balmain East – Balmoral – Balmoral Beach – Bangor – Banksia – Banksmeadow – Bankstown – Bankstown Airport – Barangaroo – Barden Ridge – Bardwell Park – Bardwell Valley – Barra Brui – Bass Hill – Baulkham Hills – Bayview – Beacon Hill – Beaconsfield – Beaumont Hills – Beauty Point – Beecroft – Belfield – Bella Vista – Bellevue Hill – Belmore – Belrose – Ben Buckler – Berala – Berkshire Park – Berowra – Berowra Creek – Berowra Heights – Berowra Waters – Berrilee – Beverly Park – Beverly Hills – Bexley – Bexley North – Bickley Vale – Bidwill – Bilgola – Bilgola Plateau – Birchgrove – Birkenhead Point – Birrong – Blackett – Blacktown – Blair Athol – Blairmount – Blakehurst – Bligh Park – Bobbin Head – Bondi – Bondi Beach – Bondi Junction – Bonnet Bay – Bonnyrigg – Bonnyrigg Heights – Bossley Park – Botany – Bow Bowing – Box Hill – Bradbury – Breakfast Point – Brighton-le-Sands – Bringelly – Broadway – Bronte – Brooklyn – Brookvale – Bundeena – Bungan Head – Burraneer – Burwood – Burwood Heights – Busby – Cabarita – Cabramatta – Cabramatta West – Cambridge Gardens – Cambridge Park – Camden – Camden South – Camellia – Cammeray – Campbelltown – Camperdown – Campsie – Canada Bay – Canley Heights – Canley Vale – Canoelands – Canterbury – Careel Bay – Caringbah – Carlingford – Carlton – Carramar – Carss Park – Cartwright – Castle Cove – Castle Hill – Castlecrag – Castlereagh – Casula – Catherine Field – Cattai – Cawdor – Cecil Hills – Cecil Park – Centennial Park – Chatswood – Chatswood West – Cheltenham – Cherrybrook – Chester Hill – Chifley – Chippendale – Chipping Norton – Chiswick – Chullora – Church Point – Circular Quay – Claremont Meadows – Clarendon – Clareville – Clareville Beach – Claymore – Clemton Park – Clifton Gardens – Clontarf – Clovelly – Clyde – Coasters Retreat – Cobbitty – Cockatoo Island – Colebee – Collaroy – Collaroy Plateau – Colyton – Como – Concord – Concord West – Condell Park – Connells Point – Constitution Hill – Coogee – Cottage Point – Cowan – Cranebrook – Cremorne – Cremorne Point – Crestwood – Cromer – Cronulla – Crows Nest – Croydon – Croydon Park – Curl Curl – Currans Hill – Daceyville – Dangar Island – Darling Harbour – Darling Point – Darlinghurst – Darlington – Davidson – Dawes Point – Dean Park – Dee Why – Denham Court – Denistone – Denistone East – Denistone West – Dharruk – Dobroyd Point – Dolans Bay – Dolls Point – Doonside – Double Bay – Dover Heights – Drummoyne – Duffys Forest – Dulwich Hill – Dundas – Dundas Valley – Dunheved – Dural – Eagle Vale – Earlwood – East Botany – East Gordon – East Hills – East Killara – East Lindfield – East Ryde – East Sydney – Eastern Creek – Eastgardens – Eastlakes – Eastwood – Edensor Park – Edgecliff – Edmondson Park – Elanora – Elderslie – Elizabeth Bay – Ellis Lane – Emerton – Emu Heights – Emu Plains – Enfield – Engadine – Englorie Park – Enmore – Epping – Ermington – Erskine Park – Erskineville – Eschol Park – Eveleigh – Fairfield – Fairfield East – Fairfield Heights – Fairfield West – Fairlight – Fiddletown – Five Dock – Flemington – Forest Glen – Forest Lodge – Forestville – Fox Valley – Freemans Reach – Frenchs Forest – Freshwater – Galston – Garden Island – Georges Hall – Georges Heights – Gilead – Girraween – Gladesville – Glebe – Glebe Point – Glen Alpine – Glendenning – Glenfield – Glenhaven – Glenmore Park – Glenorie – Glenwood – Glossodia – Goat Island – Gordon – Gore Hill – Granville – Grasmere – Grays Point – Green Valley – Greenacre – Greendale – Greenfield Park – Greenwich – Greystanes – Guildford – Guildford West – Gymea – Gymea Bay – Haberfield – Hammondville – Harrington Park – Harris Park – Hassall Grove – Haymarket – Heathcote – Hebersham – Heckenberg – Henley – Hillsdale – Hillside – Hinchinbrook – Hobartville – Holroyd – Holsworthy – Homebush – Homebush Bay – Homebush West – Horningsea Park – Hornsby – Hornsby Heights – Horsley Park – Hoxton Park – Hunters Hill – Huntingwood – Huntleys Cove – Huntleys Point – Hurlstone Park – Hurstville – Hurstville Grove – Illawong – Ingleburn – Ingleside – Jamisontown – Jannali – Kangaroo Point – Kareela – Kearns – Kellyville – Kellyville Ridge – Kemps Creek – Kensington – Kenthurst – Kentlyn – Killara – Killarney Heights – Kings Cross – Kings Langley – Kings Park – Kingsford – Kingsgrove – Kingswood – Kirkham – Kirrawee – Kirribilli – Kogarah – Kogarah Bay – Ku-ring-gai Chase – Kurnell – Kyeemagh – Kyle Bay – La Perouse – Lakemba – Lalor Park – Lane Cove – Lane Cove North – Lane Cove West – Lansdowne – Lansvale – Lavender Bay – Laughtondale – Leichhardt – Leets Vale – Lemongrove – Leonay – Leppington – Lethbridge Park – Leumeah – Lewisham – Liberty Grove – Lidcombe – Lidcombe North – Lilli Pilli – Lilyfield – Lindfield – Linley Point – Little Bay – Liverpool – Llandilo – Loftus – Londonderry – Long Point – Longueville – Lower Portland – Lucas Heights – Luddenham – Lugarno – Lurnea – Macquarie Fields – Macquarie Links – Macquarie Park – Maianbar – Malabar – Manly – Manly Vale – Maraylya – Marayong – Maroota – Maroubra – Maroubra Junction – Marrickville – Marrickville South – Marsden Park – Marsfield – Mascot – Matraville – Mays Hill – McGraths Hill – McMahons Point – Meadowbank – Melrose Park – Menai – Menangle Park – Merrylands – Merrylands West – Middle Cove – Middle Dural – Middleton Grange – Miller – Millers Point – Milperra – Milson Island – Milsons Passage – Milsons Point – Minchinbury – Minto – Minto Heights – Miranda – Mona Vale – Monterey – Moore Park – Moorebank – Morning Bay – Mortdale – Mortlake – Mosman – Mount Annan – Mount Colah – Mount Druitt – Mount Kuring-Gai – Mount Lewis – Mount Pleasant – Mount Pritchard – Mount Vernon – Mulgoa – Mulgrave – Narellan – Narellan Vale – Naremburn – Narrabeen – Narraweena – Narwee – Nelson – Neutral Bay – Newbury – Newington – Newport – Newtown – Normanhurst – North Balgowlah – North Bondi – North Curl Curl – North Epping – North Manly – North Narrabeen – North Parramatta – North Richmond – North Rocks – North Ryde – North Seaforth – North St Ives – North St Marys – North Strathfield – North Sydney – North Turramurra – North Willoughby – North Wahroonga – Northbridge – Northmead – Northwood – Oakhurst – Oakville – Oatlands – Oatley – Old Guildford – Old Toongabbie – Oran Park – Orchard Hills – Osborne Park – Oxford Falls – Oxley Park – Oyster Bay – Paddington – Padstow – Padstow Heights – Pagewood – Palm Beach – Panania – Parklea – Parramatta – Peakhurst – Peakhurst Heights – Pemulwuy – Pendle Hill – Pennant Hills – Penrith – Penshurst – Petersham – Phillip Bay – Picnic Point – Pitt Town – Pitt Town Bottoms – Pleasure Point – Plumpton – Point Piper – Port Botany – Port Hacking – Potts Hill – Potts Point – Prairiewood – Prestons – Prospect – Punchbowl – Putney – Pymble – Pyrmont – Quakers Hill – Queens Park – Queenscliff – Raby – Railway Square – Ramsgate – Ramsgate Beach – Randwick – Redfern – Regents Park – Regentville – Revesby – Revesby Heights – Rhodes – Richmond – Riverstone – Riverview – Riverwood – Rockdale – The Rocks – Rodd Point – Rookwood – Rooty Hill – Rose Bay – Rosebery – Rosehill – Roselands – Rosemeadow – Roseville – Roseville Chase – Rossmore – Round Corner – Rouse Hill – Rozelle – Ruse – Rushcutters Bay – Russell Lea – Rydalmere – Ryde – Sackville – Sackville North – Sadleir – Sandringham – Sandy Point – Sans Souci – Scheyville – Schofields – Scotland Island – Seaforth – Sefton – Seven Hills – Shalvey – Shanes Park – Silverwater – Singletons Mill – Smeaton Grange – Smithfield – South Coogee – South Granville – South Hurstville – South Maroota – South Penrith – South Turramurra – South Wentworthville – South Windsor – Spit Junction – Spit, The – Spring Farm – St Andrews – St Clair – St Helens Park – St Ives – St Ives Chase – St Johns Park – St Leonards – St Marys – St Peters – Stanhope Gardens – Stanmore – Strathfield – Strathfield South – Strawberry Hills – Summer Hill – Surry Hills – Sutherland – Sydenham – Sydney – Sylvania – Sylvania Waters – Tamarama – Tarban – Taren Point – Telopea – Tempe – Tennyson Point – Terrey Hills – The Ponds – Thompsons Corner – Thornleigh – Toongabbie – Town Hall – Tregear – Turramurra – Turrella – Ultimo – Undercliffe – Varroville – Vaucluse – Villawood – Vineyard – Voyager Point – Wahroonga – Waitara – Wakeley – Wallacia – Wareemba – Warrawee – Warriewood – Warwick Farm – Waterfall – Waterloo – Watsons Bay – Wattle Grove – Waverley – Waverton – Wedderburn – Wentworthville – Werrington – Werrington County – Werrington Downs – West Hoxton – West Killara – West Lindfield – West Pennant Hills – West Pymble – West Ryde – Westleigh – Westmead – Wetherill Park – Whalan – Whale Beach – Wheeler Heights – Wiley Park – Willmot – Willoughby – Willoughby East – Windsor – Windsor Downs – Wingala – Winston Hills – Wisemans Ferry – Wolli Creek – Wollstonecraft – Woodbine – Woodcroft – Woodpark – Woollahra – Woolloomooloo – Woolooware – Woolwich – Woronora – Woronora Heights – Yagoona – Yarramundi – Yarrawarrah – Yennora – Yowie Bay – Zetland

John Hammond’s fourth book, a collection of memorable vignettes about the hamlet of Oyster Bay, is now available for purchase through Amazon.com.

Oyster Bay Remembered has become a favorite source of Oyster Bay history - chock full of short stories about:

 Theodore Roosevelt’s years in Oyster Bay

the Long Island Railroad

Oyster Bay pirates, like Captain Kidd

the history of street names

firefighting

old buildings

natural disasters

disease

schools

the original settlers

…and so much more. 

The book has gotten its share of local news coverage, and has been cited and called upon in other writing about Oyster Bay. 

Paige Dawson, Vice-President of Oyster Bay’s Chamber of Commerce, said in an article about Oyster Festival 2008,

“Twenty-five years of successfully holding a street fair is pretty exciting. I’ve been reading John Hammond’s book, Oyster Bay Remembered, and he wrote that Oyster Bay had street fairs forever – and they were held on Audrey Avenue.” (Karppi, Dagmar Forrs, Oyster Bay Enterprise-Pilot,  Oct. 10, 2008, [online.]) 

The Oyster Festival has become a welcome fixture in the hamlet (although some residents still complain about the extra traffic).  Upon its intitial release, signed copies of Oyster Bay Remembered were being sold from a table within the festival, with much success.  The author set up camp in a folding chair, with boxes of books, through all sorts of weather, sometimes accompanied by his children, to sell his books to the crowds walking through the Oyster Festival.

In discussing the activities, such as the Oyster Shucking Contest at the Oyster Festival,  Ms. Dawson said,

“There were oyster shucking contests in Oyster Bay in the 1800s. John Hammond said, ‘In Feb. 1891 there was an oyster shucking contest.’ So they are not new in Oyster Bay. I read that book, Oyster Bay Remembered, when I am having tea in the morning so I can read a few sections at a time.”  (Karppi, Dagmar Forrs, OBEP, Oct. 10, 2008 [online.]) 

As Ms. Dawson said, the book can be picked up and skimmed through, one story at a time.  It truly is a glimpse into the past, and reading these stories can transport you to a time so far removed from the present that the reader can’t help but find some fascination and enjoyment within the book’s pages.

Book info.:

Title: Oyster Bay Remembered

Author: John E. Hammond

Publisher: Maple Hill Press, (Huntington, NY: 2002)

ASIN (Amazon.com): B002LZKBHO

Copies supplied BY THE AUTHOR are now available NEW from Amazon.com for $25.00 plus shipping.  

*Signed copies are available on a case-by case basis, email Stacie Hammond at: hammondbooksinfo@gmail.com for details.

The above image is from the edge of Teddy Roosevelt’s estate in Sagamore Hill overlooking Oyster Bay. It was taken in September, 2006 after Jen and I had just returned from Korea. I just returned to this same spot yesterday. In keeping with the image, I have included a wonderful sparse track from a band called Lanterna. It is entitled Lonely, but that is not how I felt yesteday. I felt full of life and content.

Lanterna-Lonely-MP3

I am finishing up a weekend in Roslyn Harbor, Long Island, with my wife, father and brother in-law. It has been a surprisingly refreshing weekend full of muted adventure, understated warmth and a subtle satisfaction. In other words, it was a surprise that I enjoyed it this much.

Roslyn Harbor is adjacent to many areas of great wealth and famous residents, such as Theodore Roosevelt’s estate at Sagamore Hill and other manicured and impossibly beautiful waterside palatial residences in Oyster Boy. Yesterday, I stood on the sand approaching Oyster Bay down a trail from Sagamore Hill (literally with thousands of oyster shells crushed in the sand and surf) and watched the water lap onto shore. Perhaps not surprsingly, I am reminded of The Great Gatsby, which takes place in Great Neck, just right down the shore from Teddy Roosevelt’s place.

“Gatsby believed in the green light, the orgastic future that year by year recedes before us. It eluded us then, but that’s no matter—tomorrow we will run faster, stretch out our arms farther. . . . And then one fine morning—
So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past.”

The green light is probably still there, although I haven’t seen it. That orgastic future still recedes with each passing year (pardon me for this, but I just turned 34-while not old, is certainly moving further from frivolous youth). The real sharpness of the quote is the last sentence. So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly against the past. I have always thought that Fitzgerald was speaking of America here and the world at large. He channeled it through Jay Gatzby, this bootlegger recreated gentleman. This man who will never be accepted as what he wants to be. This is America trying to recreate the world in its image; this is me reinventing myself professionally and geographically every 5 years.

More importantly, this is a boat against the current; this is the human at war with himself. We are the boat. All natural tendency is with the current; we strive against it. Why? For what gain? It must surely be through some infernal concoction of ego, desire, ambition. It must be through some notion of past, future. Disregarding the present. The water ceaselessly lapping against the boat. The water; the reality. My ego, my choice.

As I always do, I liken this a bit towards Siddhartha’s contemplation of the water in the Thomas Mann novel. The water is there, always; it is not the same, always. Every single instance we the water, it is different. It is not the same water, but it is. We are not the same, but we are still us. This water slapping against the hull of the boat or flowing by both gently and violently is the present. This weekend taught me that is where I want to live more of the time than I do now.

We walked around Caumsett State Park, an old horse farm, hundreds of acres stretched in grassy fields. Beautiful sun, good conversation and companionship. And then I spotted a perfect tree in a perfect field. If an alien arrived at my doorstep today and I needed to teach them what a tree was, this is where I would point. It pleased my soul on some level, this perfection. I felt it was perfect; or maybe I was perfectly able to appreciate it at that moment. Maybe I was in the present, with the current, aware.

We had dinner with the four of us and I talked random history with her encyclopedia of a father. I could see him light up and it pleased me. We ate outside next to the water. The day was beautiful.

So, I leave Roslyn Harbor today to take my brother in-law back to Kennedy Airport and then we drive back to Princeton. I will remember this as a good weekend. Very good. I will leave worrying less about my future, concentrating more on my present. I will love my wife and life. I will not be Jay Gatsby, looking for acceptance, vindication for what I have become. I will just become it.

In Exmouth opzoek gegaan naar wat werk en en verblijfplaats. Na een korte wandeling, poging gestaakt en ben verder gereden naar Yardi Homestead. Een kleine camping naast Cape Range park.
Om een campingplaats op Cape Range te krijgen dien je om 08:00 bij het kantoor van de parkwachter te staan. Realiteit is dat om 04:30 de eerste caravans, het caravanpark verlieten en ik stond om 05:40 in de rij. Nummer 8 was ik. Aangezien er maar een paar plaatsen beschikbaar zijn was ik erg benieuwd of ik er tussen kon komen.
Om 08:00 bleek dat er genoeg plaatsen beschikbaar waren! Ik kon 2 dagen verblijven op Oyster Bay. Aan het strand, geweldig uitzicht, een put om je behoefte in te doen en geen bomen (betekent: veel wind en geen schaduw). Het had wat maar toch ook weer niet
Rondom Oyster Bay waren er een aantal stranden waar je kon snorkellen en nog een paar prachtige stranden waar je (meestal in je eentje) op kon zonnebaden.
’s Middags om 5 uur was het biertijd. De complete camping (8 caravans en één tent) kwam erop af. Ik kon kennismaken met de oudere generatie van Australië. De gemiddelde leeftijd was 70 waardoor ik alle aandacht kreeg. Ben uitgenodigd voor een etentje bij Len en Pauline. Wat eigenlijk betekent: wijn drinken en ondertussen proberen wat te eten.
´s Nachts vergeten om mijn brood op te ruimen waardoor de lokale kangaroe de kans schoon zag om dat te verorberen. Vrij apart om wakker te worden, tent open te maken en een kangaroe in je voortent aan te treffen. Die vervolgens rustig verder gaat met het opeten van mijn brood. In een normale situatie niet erg maar de dichtstbijzijnde supermarkt was 90 km verderop…..
De volgende dag niet veel andere dingen gedaan als eerder vermeld maar het was de eerste keer dat ik een haai op het droge zag. Paul had een haai van 1,6 meter gevangen en maakte hem zelf schoon. Indrukwekkend aangezien een haai geen graten heeft maar een vrij groot ruggegraat. De kop was al begraven in de duinen en de rest van de haai lag op de strijkplank van Paul zijn vrouw
Aangekomen bij mijn tent bleek dat er nu 2 kangaroe´s aan het wachten waren op mijn brood. Gelukkig had ik dat nu niet buiten laten liggen.
Na twee geweldige dagen snorkelen en zwemmen (koud water! 18 graden ) afscheid genomen en teruggegaan naar Yardi Homestead caravanpark. Een douche en een wasje draaien was aangenaam.
De volgende dag zou ik namelijk gaan duiken met walvishaaien (die worden 18,3 meter!).
Dit gehele verhaal speelt zich af in een situatie waar er geen bereik is voor mobiele telefoons
De duikschool had me een SMSje gestuurd dat de tour was geannuleerd. Dus ik stond met mijn goede gedrag om 08:00 te wachten op een pier. Vervolgens bleek dat de accu van de auto er geen zin meer in had. Sta je dan; op een pier met een auto die bekijks heeft maar geen spanning :’(
Op het gemakje gewacht totdat een Aussie (een Holden! Het kan niet erger) mijn auto wilde starten. Daarna naar de garage waar ik voor 200 AUS een nieuwe accu kon ophalen (de oude was al een paar jaar oud maar vervangen vond ik niet nodig). Nadat de accu was geinstalleerd kon ik naar het kantoor van de geannulleerde tour. Daar aangekomen werd ik weer naar mijn auto gedirigeerd. Als ik een beetje opschoot kon ik gaan duiken op Navy Pier! Cool! Toch nog duiken!
Navy Pier ligt in het noorden van Exmouth en is afgeschermt door een paar hekken omdat er een zendmast in de buurt staat (lang verhaal doet er niet toe!). Na een controlepost kwamen we aan op de pier. Een gigantisch bouwwerk waar we onder mochten duiken. Bijkomend feit: er mag daar niet worden gevist
De 2 duiken konden worden begeleid door Jenny en vonden plaats rechtonder de pier. De eerste keer dat ik een ‘plezier’duik maakte sinds het behalen van mijn certificaat en onder een bouwwerk.
Mijn duikbuddy was Lucas, een Duitser. Hij reisde al meerdere jaren en wilde zijn duikmaster halen in Thailand. Het feit dat hij nieteens wist wat een ‘buddycheck’ inhield, betekend een rooskleurige toekomst voor deze getalenteerde duiker. Nadat we van 2 meter hoogte het water in sprongen, snel uit de voeten gemaakt en aangehaakt bij Jenny. Lucas was voornamelijk bezig met het vullen vullen/legen van zijn BCD (soort van bodywarmer waar al je apparatuur aan hangt).
Omdat er niet mocht worden gevist waren er gigantische scholen met vis aanwezig, een aantal haaien vonden dat ook wel interessant. Een aantal prachtige ‘white tipped reef shark’ en een ‘grey nurse shark’ recht voor mijn neus gehad. Een ‘lionfish’ gezien. (probeer later even de nederlandse termen op te zoeken) en mezelf voornamelijk verbaasd over het bouwwerk van de pier waar we om heen zwommen.
De tweede duik bevatte veel van hetzelfde en was dus wederom prachtig. ’s Avonds de tent ingekropen en sliep binnen 5 minuten. De volgende morgen opweg naar Coral Bay.
Aangekomen in Coral bleek dat er 30 AUS moest worden betaald voor een stukje gras zonder stroom. Even een kijkje genomen in Coral Bay (campings en hostels, meer zag ik niet) en het strand bekeken. Daarna met een noodgang vertrokken, opzoek naar een camping waar ze niet de hoofdprijs vroegen. In Canarvon moest ik nog steeds 22 AUS betalen maar had geen zin om verder te rijden. De dag erna kon ik namelijk op weg naar Denham!

Well, ok, not really shrimp on the barbie.  It was shrimp in a frying pan.  Just reminising about my Australia days

We started thinking about dinner around 7pm. Before I began cooking, I poured myself a glass of Oyster Bay savignon blanc.  Oyster Bay is one of our favorites!

I decided to try out a vokda sauce from Harris Teeter tonight.  I normally don’t use creamy sauces because they tend to be heavier then red sauces, but this was on sale.  Plus I always like variety.

I thawed some frozen shrimp

And chopped up some squash and onions (about a cup each).  We have tons of squash and onions thanks to our weekly produce delivery from Bella Bean Organics.

Then I sauteed the veggies for a few minutes in 1 tbsp of EVOO and some chopped garlic.

I also decided to throw in a handful spinach because we need to use it before it goes bad (but forgot to take a pic)!

While the veggies were sauteeing, I made some whole wheat pasta.

Aside from a dash 0f salt & pepper, I added a few shakes of red pepper flakes.  Everything is better spicy

After a sprinkle of paremsan, here is the final product…

I also poured myself another glass of wine.  Yum.

Going to take it easy tonight and watch Wanted on On Demand - have you seen it before?

The errands took a bit of a back seat as Adam’s mates came round and we watched the football (which was a waste of time!). For lunch I had the last of the soup, 1/2 and avocado and some Mary’s crumbs.

Afer the football ended we headed off to pick up Bronte from his wash and gets some stuff for dinner, including a trip to Simon Johnson, yum!. Lunch held me over till around 6pm when I had some almonds and walnuts at Adam’s mum’s place. What did we buy? Here is the spread

Pasta that Adam wanted (I wanted Angel Hair)

Soba noodles

Olives (tequila, lime and chilli)

Other stuff including WA honey, cherry toms, fresh basil and parsely, a chilli, San Pel (it’s Dry July after all).

Once we were back home I set to work on a seafood marinara pasta while Adam went for a run. I had about 4 of the olives while I chopped.

Working on the sauce….

The end result! It was delish, though I should have held firm on the Angel Hair. I didn’t rate this shape of pasta at all, it was so hard to eat! And since I don’t eat white pasta much it was a bit of a shame. Oh well. On top is some Pecorino that we also picked up at Simon Johnson. It was super salty and strong so I only needed a little. Here’s how I did it

Ingredients

2 cans la gina diced tomatoes

1 onion

3 cloves garlic

1 chilli

1 t dried oregano, thyme, chilli flakes

2 bay leaves

1 Massel stock cube mixed with 1/2 cup of boiling water

2 t muscovado dark raw sugar

chopped fresh basil and italian parsley (handful of each)

pasta – we used Simon Johnson Paccheri

pecorino

bit of extra water

1 punnet of cherry tomatoes

10 scallops, 10 prawns, 75 grams of pink snapper, 75 grams of trevally (chop the fish into bite size pieces)

Sautee the onions, garlic and chilli in the stock till absorbed, add the cans of tomatoes and the herbs, reduce for 15 mins. Add the cherry tomatoes, sugar and extra water and reduce for about 30 to 45 minutes, until it is a good serving texture. Put the pasta on the boil. 5 minutes before the pasta is done add the fish to the tomato sauce and allow to cook, a few minutes later add the prawns and cook. Lastly add the scallops and stir till they are cooked (they don’t take long). This would have served 3 but Adam definately had 2 serves!  Ha ha. He also had a couple of glasses of an Oyster Bay Pinot Noir which he informed me was very nice. I sipped on San Pel.

Per serve (sauce only not inc pasta)

I had some frozen strawberries later on with a Be Sleepy tea and a little Lindt 85% while we watched the first Harry Potter movie. Have a lovely Saturday night, I for one am very happy to be staying in, I have a sore throat and can feel a cold coming on so I want to keep warm and fight it off.

The cool evenings of the Limarí Valley in central Chile provide an excellent setting for growing Pinot Noir. Tabalí takes advantage of this terroir to give us an elegant Pinot for the money. The nose is classic with strawberry, floral and light herbaceous tones. Tannin and acidity in check with the fruity, earthy and slightly jammy medium body, leading to the finish, which has a bit of cloves and is just a tad too alcoholic (mind that this quality of Pinot, coming from Burgundy would be $30-35). In its price range, Tabalí performs more than satisfactorily against popular Pinots from New Zealand, namely Mudhouse and Oyster Bay.

Product: Tabali

Variety: Pinot Noir

Vintage: 2007

Winery:

Origin: Limarí Valley, Chile

Alcohol: 13.5%

Price: 24.99 (Everything Wine)

OYSTER BAY, NY. May 14 (TOTI) –

Brad Pitt has changed the way mothers in Oyster Bay, Long Island, are approaching the mundane task of picking up their children after he, Angelina Jolie and their family laid temporary roots in the community.

Brad and Angie relocated to accommodate her filming schedule for the movie Salt, and with Angelina’s hectic schedule it comes as no surprise that Brad has been relegated to doing tasks like picking the kids up from school.

A source told People, “They are off the charts excited and everyone is dolled up. The moms are trying to look a little bit more polished. Instead of schlepping in sweat pants and messy hair, now they wear designer jeans and high heels, which they never wear. Usually it’s Tod’s or Gucci loafers. Everyone is putting a little more effort. Let’s face it – he’s a handsome guy.”<br …

See the full post at Brad Pitt Inspires Oyster Bay Moms To Jazz Up Their Look

John says this about his latest submission: 

I found these tea cups and saucers in Oyster Bay for a discontinued china pattern I have and one of the plates broke in transit. So I went through all of the stages of grief when I discovered the broken saucer – denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and finally acceptance by smashing it even more with a hammer. 

And look what you made John…two lovely mobile photos in the process.

According to an Ad on Wine Spectator by Oyster Bay, Wall Street Journal’s wine critics Dorothy J. Gaiter and John Brecher recently wrote a review of Oyster Bay Sauvignon Blanc. Here is what they wrote:

“The young New Zealand Sauvignon Blancs are more lemon-lime grapefruit than green pepper. This is a particularly vibrant example. It tastes like very ripe grapes, filled with sunshine. Dottie immediately thought of oyster on the half shell and added “Every seafood restaurant in the world should have this on their wine list.”

I thought this confirms our selection of this white for Jennifer and Bobby’s wedding. I still like this wine very much. You might like it too.

Success! The Omelette Molière was light and fluffy; I managed not to overcook it, so it remained pleasingly gooey inside; and the Gruyère embued it with a rich nuttiness. I’m not sure what my GP would say about the cholesterol count, with each omelette containing three eggs, Parmesan, Gruyère, cream and butter. What I do know is that all these dairy products combined to create a fantastic creaminess that I preferred to the tart tanginess of a cheddar omelette. A slice of sourdough bread and a glass of Oyster Bay sauvignon blanc complemented the meal perfectly. A second glass followed …