July 30, 2010
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Recent Writings and Drivel
Updated Wednesday, December 20, 2006
Here are the most recent articles from my site.
Recipe: CHOCOLATE OATMEAL NO-BAKE COOKIES
Wednesday, May 05, 2010 (11:06:22 PM)
- This is one of my favorite cookie recipes. And they're so easy!
2 cups sugar
1/2 cup cocoa
1 stick butter
1/2 cup milk
1 tsp. vanilla
3 cups quick-cooking oatmeal
1/2 cup peanut butter
Combine sugar, cocoa, butter and milk in a saucepan. On medium heat, bring to a boil for one full minute.
Remove from heat. Stir in peanut butter (optional), vanilla and oatmeal.
Drop by spoonful onto wax paper. Let cool for at least 30 minutes.
Recipe: Oh, Nuts!
Wednesday, May 05, 2010 (11:08:57 PM)
- This one I made up on the fly with what I had. "Brokloee" never tasted yummy.
2 cups Broccoli, chopped
1/4 cup diced ham
1/4 cup whole cashews
1/4 cup Monterey Jack Cheese
2 tblsp. Pesto
Saute first three ingredients over high heat until tender. About 3 minutes. The cashews should brown a bit and the broccoli should be tender. Add about 3-4 tbsp of water and continue to saute. Season with sea salt and fresh cracked pepper. Stir in the pesto.
Transfer to pasta a pasta bowl and sprinkle with cheese.
deved?
Monday, April 05, 2010 (12:22:41 PM)
- I know what you are saying: "Deeved?, Dev-ed?...what the?"
The short story: In the small town where I grew up, there were several David Smiths. There was even another David Smith that played keybords with me in the same band. So, to be "creative and different", I changed the spelling to "Deved". Well, it stuck like I never expected it to.
There have always been so many "David's" around. So, for many years, I have been referred to as simply "Mr. Smith". I like it and prefer it.
My Favorite Christmas Bread
Wednesday, December 16, 2009 (9:09:17 AM)
- Raisin Nut Bread
1 package raisins
1/2 cup boiling water
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 tablespoon shortening
1 cup sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup nuts
2 3/4 cups flour
1 beaten egg
Mix and cool raisins, boiling water, baking soda, shortening, sugar, salt, and nuts.
When cool add flour and egg. Mix until well combined. Pour into greased and floured pans or cans and bake 1 hour @ 350 or until a knife inserted in center comes out clean.
The best thing to do with this bread is to slice it, toast it, then slather it with Crock!
"Have fun! Love you!" - Mother
Vegan Split Pea Soup
Tuesday, October 06, 2009 (9:49:08 PM)
- It's not what you think. It's not really vegan it just happens to be dairy free and you don't need any kind of pork in it.
1 lb frozen or FRESH peas
2 cups vegtable broth
1/2 tsp. cummin
1/2 tsp. white pepper
1 tsp. sea salt (or koshering salt)
1 garlic clove, crushed and minced
Add all ingredients to a small saucepan. Bring to a boil then reduce heat until peas are very soft. Remove from heat and cool about 5 mins.
Pour the mixture into a blender and blend until smooth. To remove the skins, pour through a sieve back into the original saucepan. Re-heat and season with fresh cracked pepper. Serve with a garnish of mint or basil.
Alternates:
For non-vegan, at a splash of cream to the pan or a dolup of sour cream to each bowl.
A few drops of Tabasco gives it a kick!
Spring Cleaning
Thursday, June 18, 2009 (10:40:26 AM)
- If you find yourself done with winter and bored of spring, there's so much more you could be doing. Here are a few suggestions:
Staple your thumbs together (it's nearly impossible to hold the stapler so find a friend).
Put tape on the cat's paws.
Fill a large glass jar with water and drop different colors of food coloring into it.
Spray for ants.
Feel for damp dirt in your potted plants.
Test for dust with your finger.
See how far away you can get before the TV remote stops working.
Boil spagetti, one piece at a time.
While waiting for spagetti, steam your face over the pot.
Rub up a cat's fur and then put packing peanuts all over them.
Rearrange the canned food alphabetically by the second ingredient.
Feel the fabric on your sofa.
Taste each of your spices. Create yummy combinations.
Remove the subscription cards from magazines and mail them - blank.
Make your bed - with newspaper.
Write messages on the window with the oil from your forehead.
While watering the front lawn, scowel at passersby.
Stack pennies to make your dinning room table look like Mono Lake.
Get the Christmas lights out and tangle them up.
Gather all the dust-bunnies and make Lord Dust Bunny.
Use all your books to make a giant dominoes maze.
Try doing it with the other hand.
Discuss foreign policy with the cats and write down their responses.
Burst into song and dance.
Play "the floor is hot lava".
Try, again, to find that old record player you think you still own.
Be kind, rewind.
Put the bedroom furniture in the living room and vice versa.
Kegel while you cook.
Add salt to your koolaid for homemade Gatorade.
Clean lint off of your suit - with honey.
Scoot your feet on carpet to generate static electricity.
Make a list of meanlingless things and get your friends to invest their own time in it.
Suggestions from other bored friends:
Put on a pair of socks without using your hands - Mr. Fitz
Slide a needle thru the upper layer of skin on a callouse on your hand. - Mr. Fitz
Build a tent in the living room with blankets and coushins. - Mr. Fitz
Word of the Day
Monday, March 23, 2009 (2:10:47 PM)
- The Word Of The Day on this site stems from my constant exposure to moments in life that cause me to stop and think. For some reason, for good or bad, I take that word out of that moment and that one word tells the whole story.
The words are truely a reflection of my life. They come from thin air, my work, my play, and sometimes from the darkest parts of my personal life. They emit humor, hate, love, passion, disgust, romance, and of course, my more cynical side (for those who know me, that's a really big side).
I'll soon put up a list of all the words since I started it. It's quite comprehensive. I try to update it just about every day. But sometimes, that "day" runs into weeks.
Word.
The Shuffle Game: New Year 2009
Sunday, January 04, 2009 (1:54:57 AM)
- Here are the instructions:
1. Put your music player on shuffle.
2. Press forward for each question.
3. Use the song title as the answer to the question.
Q: What does next year have in store for you?
Major Tom - by Peter Schilling; It's the German version. Please, no more Germans.
Q: What does your love life look like next year?
Try It (I'm In Love With A Married Man)- by Pet Shop Boys; I am totally in love with a married man. I swoon and sigh. Alas, I'm taken in a big way. What a wonderful song.
Q: What do you say when life gets hard?
Ya Rayah - by Rachid Taha; This song to me makes me just forget. I sort of move out of my body and become someone else. Somehow invincible though.
Q: Song that reminds you of good times?
Rapture - by Blondie; When I first heard this song I was dancing to disco with a flashlight on the turn-table making a "disco" light. Yea, good times.
Q: What do you think when you get up in the morning?
Wish We Were Older - by Metro Station; Great new band. I certainly wish I was younger when I first wake up. But somehow I think I wish I was older... inside.
Q: What song will you dance to at your wedding?
Rosanna - by Toto; Another track from my puberty. Something about this band gets me right in my heart. If I dance to this at my wedding I'd better have a mullet too. Never.
Q: Song that reminds you of your first kiss?
King Of Pain - by The Police; I don't remember my first kiss. I do remember feeling romantic with this song for some reason. It just has that tone I guess.
Q: Your favourite saying?
Burning Down The House - by Talking Heads; I'm usually arguing with a talking head explaining why I nearly burned down the house with my neglect.
Q: Favourite place?
One Of Our Submarines - by Thomas Dolby; My favorite place is underwater. Of course.
Q: Most Missed Memory?
All These Days Undone - by Anything Box; How do you miss a memory anyway? This song burned into my mind during one of my first big budget haunted houses. But we also listened to Skinny Puppy a lot too. This was a good band before their sound went to crap.
Q: What song describes your best friend?
When We Lie - by Anything Box; Some of the best times I've ever had was being involved in a playful lie. When nothing else matters, a good lie can be your best friend.
Q: What song describes your ex?
Surrender - by Swing Out Sister; Lies, lies, lies. The bad kind. You'll get what you deserve.
Q: Where would you go on a first date?
Turning Japanese - by The Vapors; Sushi? It'd have to be unique.
Q: Drug of choice?
A Horse With No Name - by America; Road trips. The more difficult and unique the better. It feels good to be out in the rain.
Q: What song describes yourself?
Sally's Song - Danny Elfman on the Nightmare Before Christmas soundtrack; What a wonderful pure love song. This song brings me to tears when I hear it. Something about it ... perhaps I long to be noticed for who I am on the inside.
Q: What is the thing you like doing most?
Space Age Love Song - by A Flock Of Seagulls; Fall in love? Cook really but I dont' know how it relates.
Q: The song that best describes the president?
The Sun Always Shines On TV - by A-Ha; Wow, and that's the only place. Totally and completely ignorant of anything that goes on around him in the real world.
Q: Where will you be in 10 years?
Karma Chameleon - by Boy George; Well I certainly hope that I am a man of conviction. Something new but on purpose. Always coming and going.
Q: Your love life right now?
Modern Love Is Automatic - by A Flock Of Seaguls; Yea, it is.
Q: What is your state of mind like at the moment?
Conditioning - by Howard Jones; Conditioning, or habit? I still do it almost every day.
Q: How will you die?
Soul On Fire - by Anything Box; Experiencing the ultimate passion I hope.
Q: The song you’ll put as the subject?
Safety Dance; I just don't know what this is except I remember the video with the dancing midget. Odd.
I Love Yelp.com
Sunday, January 04, 2009 (1:04:24 AM)
- I don't really get excited about one website or another. I must say though, I am entrenched with Yelp.com.
As foodies, HLB and I spend a lot of time lurking in the food fair back woods of Sacramento. True that we find ourselves in a chain or two every once in awhile, but fundamentally we have class.
For food reviews and much more, check it out. I wrote a review for Tuli Bistro (LOVE that place!) and the owner actually replied. Fantastic.
www.yelp.com
X Marks The Box
Monday, December 29, 2008 (1:15:46 PM)
- Now we have one of these too:
Great media center!
Wii Fun!
Sunday, November 16, 2008 (5:15:43 PM)
- We've invited one of these into our home:
Wii may never see the light of day again.
Michael's Craft Store: Did my letter work?
Sunday, November 09, 2008 (9:36:01 AM)
- I sent this letter to Michael's craft store:
Dear Michaels,
What the...? What is "Imaginate"?
It's bad enough that American kids are getting a third-rate education in the US. Leave it to a company like Michaels to dumb them down even further by promoting a word that doesn't even exist and worse yet identifies with today's culture of fabricating lingo in an act of failed humor or superiority.
Shame on a company that even school teachers often resort to to supply their underfunded programs. They turn to you for help and this is what they see?
Michaels has fallen to a new low. Please change your tag-line and campaign. It's insulting to the english lexicon, contributes to to today's society of decay, and even more damaging to Michaels now questionable image.
Well, it worked! At least if you want to belive that I had anything to do with it. Their new tag line is "Let Creativity Happen". I just want to say 'Thank You' to Michael's. Bravo.
Please let Michael's know how you feel:
http://www.michaels.com/art/online/AskQuestionForm
Recipe: Mushroom Garlic Soup (repost)
Monday, February 11, 2008 (10:09:35 PM)
- With the cold weather making life difficult for us who cherish the warmer months, I thought it would be nice to have some great soup. Here is a recipe I invented a couple of years ago that hits the spot:
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 ½ cans milk
1 cup red wine (Merlot)
½ cup sour cream
8-10 large white mushrooms (quartered or sliced)
4 tablespoons minced garlic
¼ cup soy sauce
¼ cup butter (or about 4 tablespoons)
½ teaspoon white pepper
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 teaspoon nutmeg
In a sauté pan, melt 2 tablespoons of butter and add two tablespoons garlic. On HIGH heat, sauté the mushrooms in the butter tossing (stirring) often. Once the mushrooms start to brown a bit add in the soy sauce and reduce heat to simmer for about 3 minutes.
Tip: If you want a great hoursderve serve the mushrooms just as they are with toothpicks to guests (Thank you, Mr. Mahr!).
In a medium saucepan mix together the can of soup, 1 can of milk, and the sour cream. Stir until combined. Warm it up on LOW heat.
To the soup, add the remaining garlic, white pepper, black pepper, and nutmeg. Simmer on very low heat for 5 minutes until you can smell the pepper and nutmeg.
Stir into the soup the entire sauté pan mushroom mixture. Add more milk as needed if the soup is too thick. Add the wine. Stir until combined.
Serve immediately with warm buttered bread to dip with.
The above base soup can be made to last several days. For each following day, try these alternatives:
Try adding a few drops of Tobasco
1 cup of chopped grilled chicken makes this a whole meal
Thai Style: Add the juice of one lemon, a tablespoon of chillipowder, and a teaspoon of dried mint leaves
Spanish Style: Add 1 teaspoon cumin, the juice of one lime, and a tablespoon of dried cilantro leaves
Libbey's Famous Pumpkin Pie
Tuesday, November 20, 2007 (10:54:47 AM)
- This is the traditional holiday pumpkin pie. This classic recipe has been on LIBBY'S® Pumpkin labels since 1950. This pie is easy to prepare and even easier to enjoy. Just mix, pour, bake for a delicious homemade tradition.
3/4 cup Granulated Sugar
1/2 teaspoon Salt
1 teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon Ground Ginger
1/4 teaspoon Ground Cloves
2 large Eggs
1 can (15 ounces) Libbey's 100% Pure Pumpkin
1 can (12 fluid ounces) Carnation Evaporated Milk
1 unbaked 9-inch Deep Dish Pie Shell (4-cup volume)
Whipped Cream (optional)
MIX sugar, salt, cinnamon, ginger and cloves in small bowl. Beat eggs in large bowl. Stir in pumpkin and sugar-spice mixture. Gradually stir in evaporated milk.
POUR into pie shell.
BAKE in preheated, 425-degrees F. for 15 minutes. Reduce temperature to 350-degres F.; bake for 40 to 50 minutes or until knife inserted near center comes out clean. Cool on wire rack for 2 hours. Serve immediately or refrigerate. Top with real whipped cream before serving (Do not use "Cool Whip"!)
NOTES: 1-3/4 teaspoons pumpkin spice may be substituted for the cinnamon, ginger and cloves; however, the taste will be slightly different. Do not freeze, as this will cause the crust to separate from the filling.
FOR 2 SHALLOW PIES: substitute two 9-inch (2-cup volume) pie shells. Bake in preheated 425-degree F. oven for 15 minutes. Reduce temperature to 350-degrees F.; bake for 20 to 30 minutes or until pies test done.
FOR HIGH ALTITUDE BAKING (3,500 to 6,000 ft.). Deep-dish pie: extend second bake time to 55 to 60 minutes. Shallow pies: no change.
Estimated Times:
Preparation - 15 min | Cooking - 55 min | Cooling Time - 2 hrs cooling | Yields - 8
Letter to Michael's Craft Store
Thursday, October 18, 2007 (8:53:04 AM)
- So their new tag line is "imaginate". It's a gross abomination of today's stupid marketeers. I sent them this letter:
Dear Michaels,
What the...? What is "Imaginate"?
It's bad enough that American kids are getting a third-rate education in the US. Leave it to a company like Michaels to dumb them down even further by promoting a word that doesn't even exist and worse yet identifies with today's culture of fabricating lingo in an act of failed humor or superiority.
Shame on a company that even school teachers often resort to to supply their underfunded programs. They turn to you for help and this is what they see?
Michaels has fallen to a new low. Please change your tag-line and campaign. It's insulting to the english lexicon, contributes to to today's society of decay, and even more damaging to Michaels now questionable image.
Thank you
Please let Michael's know how you feel:
http://www.michaels.com/art/online/AskQuestionForm
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