Journal Entries
In a quandry...
Posted Dec 25, 2004
It is 1:32 am (EST) Christmas morning, and I am trying to figure out how to giftwrap a hunk of cement....
Big bow, no wrapping?
Pro: Simple Con: No surprise
Whole-hog best paper, ribbons, bow, and gift-tag?
Pro: Nice, and a mystery Con: Just a bit difficult to manage the whole wrapping by myself
Gift bag?
Pro: Easy to open and still a surprise Con: No bag that size and nothing made of titanium... It's a frikkin' hunk of cement!
I think I'm going to go for the bow....
Discuss this Journal entry [5]
Latest reply: Dec 25, 2004
Norwegian Chocolate Cake
Posted Dec 11, 2004
This is one of my favorite sweets.
Norwegian Chocolate Cake
1/2 lb. arrowroot cookies (broken into quarters)
1/2 lb. butter
1/2 lb. sugar
1/4 lb. semi-sweet chocolate squares
3 tbsp. cocoa
3 eggs
Line a 7" square baking tin with lightly greased paper. Place half the broken biscuits evenly into the pan and place the pan into the refrigerator.
Break the butter and chocolate squares into same-sized pieces.
While the water in the bottom of the double-boiler is coming to a boil, mix together the eggs, sugar and cocoa in the top half, of the (cold) double-boiler and then place it onto the bottom.
Stirring constantly, until the sugar has melted and the mixture heated.
While continuing to stir, gradually add the chocolate pieces and butter alternately, allowing each piece to completely melt before adding the next. When all the butter and chocolate has been melted in (about an hour) and completely smooth, remove the pan from the heat.
Pour half the mixture into the chilled baking pan.
Add the remaining biscuits into the remaining half of the chocolate mixture and stir gently and briefly, just to coat the biscuits, and then spoon this mixture into the baking pan, distributing everything evenly in the pan.
Let cool, and covering the pan with pan with parchment or plastic wrap, leave in the fridge for several days.
After a few days, turn the cake out of the pan onto a plate, cover again, and refrigerate for two more days.
Cut into squares and serve.
Given to my grandmother by the wife of General Carl Gustav Fleischer, the leader of the Norwegian Army stationed in Dumfries, Scotland. Circa 1940. http://home.online.n
gestrom/history/nbrigfrm.htm
Discuss this Journal entry [2]
Latest reply: Dec 11, 2004
Hostages returned....
Posted Dec 3, 2004
I received an email from a friend who has worked for the United Nations, most recently as the co-ordinator of elections in Bosnia/Herz. and Kosovo.
She was, of course, also acquainted with Annetta Flanigan from Northern Ireland, Shqipe Hebibi from Kosovo, and Angelito Nayan from the Phillipines, who had all been kidnapped in Afghanistan, as well as Margaret Hassan who had been executed in Iraq... This is an account of a reunion of the women with their counterparts, here at home, after their release....
"How sweet it is! How very sweet to have hugged, and hugged, and hugged our 3 colleagues again! I'm speechless.
What a sweet, sweet reunion!
The tears were flowing by the buckets, from everyone. The laughter
and the embraces were as warm as the glorious morning sun!
They spoke with each and every single one of us, either in small groups that formed quite naturally around them or on an individual basis. Each in their own way, they explained the events and shared
anecdotes. Strangely, they all shared with us only the "good" parts of their experience. And amazingly, they even saw humor in certain details. An incredible trio, they are! What a strong bunch.
As Shqipe was standing next to me, explaining to me that this was her second kidnapping experience in her lifetime (the first one being in her homeland of Kosovo), she very nonchalantly picked the lint from my
sweater. I couldn't quite believe my ears. And I couldn't quite believe that she was grooming my sweater in the process, a la Shqipe style. And only Shqipe could do. Her whole demeanor simply amazes me.
"It's all over now Shqipe. You guys gave us the biggest scare of our
lives. My God, it's so good to see you again. It's so good to have you back!" We hugged and hugged and couldn't let go.
Annetta's small delicate hands were still trembling but her smiles
let us know that she was going to make it through this. With the strong support of her husband close by, who is also one of our colleagues, she will be fine.
As she explained some disturbing details about being forced to call
her mother back home, someone suggested that she should not share the
scary parts with her mother when she gets back home. Annetta just smirked and didn't say anything. Another close colleague then offered a brief explanation to Annetta's silent smile: "Annetta and her mother are tougher than we think." I guess Northern Ireland can do that to someone.
Angelito gave me the warmest hug ever. He said that he thought about
me every morning at around transport pick-up time. (Lito and I shared a UN vehicle every morning to get into work.) He told us that he thought about everyone on an individual basis and used to close his eyes and envision being back in the office surrounded by us all. I hugged him back just as tightly.
The lump in my throat is now gone. Sort of. But now it's a good lump. Lito will be flying home this afternoon. Shqipe and Annetta want to
stick around for a little while longer. A week or so maybe. They want to come back to the office. See anybody that wasn't able to attend today. Sit at their desks. Bug the usual people with their usual annoying demands. heh! heh! They're a crazy bunch. I'm sure that this is all part of their healing process. Anything they want, they can have. If they want to be surrounded with the usual mayhem in this office, then we shall arrange this for them.
If they want peace & quiet, then peace & quiet they shall have. Anything. Good God it's so good to have them back alive.
Mare"
Discuss this Journal entry [3]
Latest reply: Dec 3, 2004
New blog....
Posted Nov 27, 2004
I decided that I couldn't live without starting yet another blog.
This one is a photo blog. I'm not sure where it is headed, but I felt the need, so there it is: http://muddyfutprints.blogspot.com/
Discuss this Journal entry [1]
Latest reply: Nov 27, 2004
Walmart Wines
Posted Sep 30, 2004
Some Walmart customers soon will be able to sample a new discount item -- Walmart's own brand of wine. The world's largest retail chain is teaming up with E&J Gallo Winery of Modesto, Calif., to produce the spirits at an affordable price, in the $2-$5 range. While wine connoisseurs may not be inclined to throw a bottle of Walmart brand wine into their shopping carts, there is a market for cheap wine, said Kathy Micken, professor of marketing at Roger Williams University in Bristol, RI. She said: "The right name is important." So, here we go:
The top 12 suggested names for Walmart Wines:
12. Chateau Traileur Parc
11. White Trashfindel
10. Big Red Gulp
9. Grape Expectations
8. Domaine Walmart "Merde du Pays"
7. NASCARbernet
6. Chef Boyardeaux
5. Peanut Noir
4. Chateau des Moines
3. I Can't Believe It's Not Vinegar!
2. World Championship Riesling
And the number 1 name for Walmart Wine ...
1. Nasti Spumante
My addition to the list would be Chateau Marmot with this as the label: http://www.lodgingchannel.com/lodging/BedandBreakfastGermany.com/images/common/marmot.gif
Discuss this Journal entry [12]
Latest reply: Sep 30, 2004
Mudhooks: ,,, busier than a one-legged man in an ass-kicking contest...
Researcher U205935
Write an Entry
"The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy is a wholly remarkable book. It has been compiled and recompiled many times and under many different editorships. It contains contributions from countless numbers of travellers and researchers."