ich Kalliope

Thanksgiving Leftovers

     

There aren't many traditions, events, rituals or meals that can be described as typical American.  And quite honestly, most of those that can be classified as typical American, I have a bit of an aversion to. But when it comes to Thanksgiving, I like it when someone says "typical American!".

Thanksgiving, a uniquely American holiday, is by far the best of holidays.  I find myself looking more and more forward to this day every year, and the preparations leading up to it, a joyful time.  I truly believe it is because there is so much I have to be thankful for, and every year there is more. 

I get increasingly agitated by the typical American ritual of rushing Christmas, as soon as Halloween is over.  Should Santa really be in the mall before Thanksgiving?  Should radio stations play 24 hour holiday music starting November 1st?  I think you know my answer!  What's the big rush?

When I moved to Germany many years ago, I took the holiday with me.  At that time the hunt for the proper ingredients was an adventure.  I'll never forget finding cranberries at the Viktualienmarkt in Munich, and sweet potatoes.  Ordering turkey from a vendor there, who remembers us to this day eighteen years later when we visit.

This year, dinner was at our home, and with friends from all over the world, Germany, India and the U.S. we sat down for a wonderful meal.  Saying thanks for our many blessings.   

    

Leftovers are a big deal with this meal!  That's why people often insist on having the dinner at their home.  More leftovers.  We started a new tradition this year for the day after Thanksgiving.  It was a sandwich making competition with the leftovers.  Our friends are quite creative, and great cooks, so the results were marvelous.  One (my sweet husband) was disqualified for not making a sandwich, and opting for a repeat plate from Thursday.  Even with a good attempt by his old, dear friend to make a case for "invisible bread" it didn't work!  Here are a few of the creations from Team Thanksgiving 2009.  Yum!

    

One year, no, ten months

 

It was one year ago that I woke up on this first Wednesday of November feeling, no knowing, that it would get better.  The nightmare, embarrassment, fear about what kind of country I was living in, a citizen of, had become, ended. 

I was certain then, and I am certain now, that things will be alright.  Things are better. 

Health care will be a right not a privilege.  And issues of civil rights (read gay marriage) will not be up for a popular vote (read Maine 2009).  Wars will not be started over nothing, and hopefully wars that were started over nothing, will end.  I don't hope, I know.  I believe.

So to all those political pundits who want to make news out of the fact that the Republicans won a few elections yesterday, we have not forgotten what this party did to our country.  And if there is anyone out there who has forgotten.  Shame on you!

The expectations on our president to fix the broken economy, reform health care, stop two wars, repair international reputation, restore national respect... AND get "grief" (read crap) for not having it done in 10 months.

Give me a break!

Julia's Gateau a L'Orange

I became a Julia Child fan again this summer after watching the movie Julie and Julia.  It prompted me to go out and buy a copy of her book Mastering the Art of French Cooking the very next day.  With fall solidly here in the Pacific Northwest, it's time to bring the cooking back indoors.  It will be a few (sevenish) months before we are grilling Greek Taverna style again.  Having Julia's hefty, French cookbook sitting in the kitchen has prompted me to try a few of her recipes. 

This is going to be fun.  You see French cookbooks didn't have any shelf space in the home I grew up in.  Too many ingredients, too fussy, not enough lemon, little oregano, more butter than olive oil.  But you can teach an old dog new tricks, so here I go!! 

With New Year's Eve planned in Paris this year and Julia's book in my kitchen, I maybe become a French-food-o-phile (Greek rooted word) in very short order. 

First up Gateau a L'Orange [Orange Spongecake] [Πορτοκαλί κέικ]!

Here's the recipe from Mastering the Art of French Cooking, just in case the urge hits you too!

9" round cake pan

2/3 cup sugar

4 egg yolks

the grated rind of one orange

1/3 cup strained orange juice

pinch of salt

1 1/4 cups sifted cake flour

4 egg whites

pinch of salt

1 tbsp sugar

 Preheat oven to 350 F. 

Butter and flour the cake pan and measure out the ingredients. Gradually beat the sugar into the egg yolks and continue beating until the mixture thickens and forms a ribbon. Add the grated orange peel, orange juice and salt. Beat for a moment or two until the mixture is light and foamy. Then beat in the flour.

Beat the egg whites and salt together in a separate bowl until soft peaks are formed. Sprinkle on the sugar and beat until stiff peaks are formed. Stir one fourth of the egg whites into the batter, delicately fold the rest. 

Immediately turn into prepared cake pan and run the batter up to the rim all around. Bake in middle position for 30-35 minutes Cake is done when it has puffed and browned and shows a faint line of shrinkage from the edge of the mold.

365 Days Living off the (Beauty) Supply

I'm a cosmetic/skincare product junkie.  I've always loved to try new products, the glitter of the packaging is way too irresistible for me.  And I believe what they're selling.  I've always bought the good stuff too.  And I think it's working.  A friend I hadn't seen in a couple of years, told me I looked like a young kid last evening.  I think the lighting helped, but still!!!

So in this time where a bit of focus and prioritization has more meaning than ever, I'm making a vow, right here, right now.  I am not going to buy any new products for one year, 52 weeks, 365 days.  I'm going to use all the wonderful creams, lotions, polishes, masks, serums that are currently in my possession or that I receive as free samples.  My sweet sister-in-law works at a fabulous Parfumerie in Germany, and if she's reading this, she'll know I could use her help!

A couple of disclaimers here... makeup (foundation) and mascara are the only purchases I'll make over the next year.  Unless the samples are good matches.  Fair?

OK, just writing this is making me nervous.  I LOVE my newly discovered Arcona products which I have a bit of a supply remaining, but not close to a years worth.  But all the photos here, are just a brief inventory of what I have available to me.  I think my dear mom might still be using samples I left back there decades ago!  This is a long time coming.  So wish me luck, and send me your helpful hints and your stories of addiction to beauty products.  They would be most welcome!!

Caution contains iPhone Spoilers

((((( I think I want my Blackberry back ))))) 

My run-of-the-mill, not so great to look at, small screen, ugly fonted, app deprived, gets no oohs and aahs when I pull it out of my bag, old Blackberry is looking better and better to me everyday.  I became the proud, excited owner of the iPhone 3Gs a couple of weeks ago. 

 ((((( I think it was peer pressure ))))) 

And since then, I've been unable to make a phone call, check voicemail, type an email, send an email, type anything or snap a picture that's in focus on the first try.   

((((( Wasn't this thing supposed to be easy-to-use? )))))

It's not just the on-screen keyboard, although that has been a lot more challenging than " you'll get used to it" friends shared prior to my purchase.  Guess what?  I'M NOT GETTING USED TO IT PEOPLE!!

((((( The apps are cool ))))) 

I've successfully downloaded some very cool apps, all FREE, cause I'm not putting another penny into this thing until I'm sure it's staying with me.  Am planning to use the Glowstick tonight at the Crosby, Stills and Nash concert.  I love Shazam, but wonder why when I sing a song into the dang thing it doesn't recognize it.  And I've been told I can carry a tune by some very good friends.  Although come to think of it... they have iPhones.

((((( I'm afraid to say I don't like it ))))) 

I'm not alone in only being in-like with my iPhone.  Although those of us in this camp only feel comfortable sharing our horror stories and disdain in private, behind closed doors, we are growing in numbers. 

((((( My dear friend and I comforted each other on it yesterday ))))) 

So in this summer of health care debate, where a congressman yelled "you lie" to the President of the United States during his speech to congress, why are we afraid to be out with our honest iPhone feelings? 

((((( iPhone lovers, you lie! )))))

In Lieu of Flowers

R.I.P. Senator Kennedy, a true liberal.  Who believed in the rights of all, and not of the privileges for some.  Who fought to improve conditions for the disadvantaged and the excluded.  May someone pick up his torch and carry it with as much strength and conviction as he did.

In lieu of flowers, please pass universal health care.

I Heart Julia

    

If you haven't seen Julie & Julia starring Meryl Streep as the French Chef Julia Child... go, go, go!  It is an absolutely uplifting movie, that left me in love with Julia.  I never knew much about her as an occasional viewer of her show in the 80's, but after seeing the movie, I'm wondering if one can become a groupie after someone has passed.

The movie made me laugh and cry, and I found similarities with Julia that I never new existed.  The obvious passion for Europe and eating.  A loving, wonderful marriage, stronger because of a struggle that needed few words in the movie.  Not to mention a love of butter.

Of course, played by the incredible Meryl Streep, who literally makes you forget you're not watching the real thing, I am running out tomorrow to buy her book Mastering the Art of French Cooking.  

With three nights planned in Paris over the New Years holiday this year, and heading into fall, the timing couldn't be better to get obsessed with Julia!

Bag of Guns

Another shooting rampage in the United States.  This time in a fitness center, where a gunman opened fire on a group of women in a dance class.  Here's the first paragraph of the article from the NY Times on Wednesday, August 5th -

"A man carrying guns and a gym bag walked into a busy fitness center just outside Pittsburgh on Tuesday evening and opened fire, killing at least three people and wounding nine others, some of them critically, the police and witnesses said."

Turns out he was carrying a bag of guns, four to be exact.  Four damn guns! 

As we watch news clip after news clip about the heartbreaking shooting, ANOTHER heartbreaking shooting, I am missing something in the storylines.  I continue to learn more than I want to know about the deviant behind the shootings, and a minute-by-minute reenactment of the event, and many questions about how it could have happened.  But I personally have not heard one discussion about how many guns he was able to attain, why these types of killings are so uniquely American, and why we as a country maintain gun laws that are dangerous.  DANGEROUS.  Where's the outrage?!?  He had a bag of guns?  A bag of guns.

We're starting to get things right in this country again, Amen.  Now it's time to infringe on "the right of the People to keep and bear arms...".  

This or That

    

DAIRY QUEEN or FROZEN YOGURT

During these challenging times, choice becomes even more important.  Scrutinizing purchases and landing on what one truly needs and yes, still wants, makes what we choose even sweeter, more important.  I for one, don't believe it's about frugality, I think it's about priorities.  Save here, spend there.  But what is clear is it has to have meaning for me. 

Here are some fun and easy choices I'm always interested in knowing about those around me.  How would you decide on these critical choices? 

      

ATLAS SHRUGGED or THE FOUNTAINHEAD

A short year ago, I might have posed this question in the "desert island" scenario.  You know, if you were on a desert island and could only have one book, one food, one this, one that... what would it be?  This question seems to be irrelevant as we are faced with these choices day-to-day. I believe one should face most decisions with this scrutiny, and think that the US consumer who thought their credit card was cash was not approaching their decisions with understanding what they really wanted and needed.  I don't want to cover all with this broad stroke, as there are many exceptions for many good reasons, but in general, decide. 

This or that?

      

CAKE or PIE

  

CHICAGO CUBS or CHICAGO WHITE SOX

   

HOT DOG and HAMBURGER.  Sometimes you just can't choose.

 

The Hunt is On...

Again.  Or I should say Still.  What's not really clear is the priority of the hunt.  If we're hunting for another car, we are, or another garage!  After many months of circling, looking, deciding, undeciding, a bad economy, a terrible economy, new, used... we got the 2007 Maserati Quattroporte and it's a beauty.  Exactly what we were looking for, the perfect balance of luxury, performance in an understated, but powerful design.  The first time ever, that I wish my daily commute was just a little longer. 

Done.

Not so fast.  Cars are not about the individual cars you own, if you own more than one, which we do, it's about the collection.  In our case a couple of weeks ago... a mini-fleet.  And as one hunt ends... another begins  It's what we do, it's who we are.  My husband and I are both car fanatics, so there is no one in this family putting the brakes on anyone.  Any car conversation is welcome in our home, any car purchase is worth considering.  Nice for us to have found each other huh?  I think so too.  We're on the hunt for a small car, a really small car,  and have landed on a Smart car.

Here's the big idea I'm onto now, I realized that for us, it's not about how many cars, we would own a bunch.  That's simple.  But a few years back we decided to move into the city, and we have a limited amount of parking options.  Can you hear the brakes screeching now?  It's about parking.  Oh... and did I mention that my husband takes the streetcar to work?  So now the hunt is on again, for a half of a parking space, maybe even a third.

Stay tuned.

 

Pedal Power

Why can't I get a grown-up bike that looks like these kids bikes? 

Simple, fast, modern form.  Bold, technical, fun graphics.  Amazing color that just pulls you in!  Not just the saturated, alive pink and orange, but the bright, clean whiter than white. 

Might I ride my bike more???  It's a thought!

 

 

Ancient Color Strategies

Connection to color is a powerful thing.  It can change a mood, make or break a decision to purchase something, make us feel beautiful, or identify an entire culture.  Just like blue represents my beloved Greece, in a most special way where natural and man-made have chosen the same palette, the connection is obvious.

So when I say red... you say... China.  But I'm a new student to China, and not sure where it came from, more research to do.  But in the meantime, here's some glorious red.

 

   

  

Lamb+Spinach+Pinot Noir+Goat Cheese

+ + + + equals DELICIOUS.  The recipe can be found on the Food and Wine website, Chopped Lamb Steak with Garlicky Spinach

There are so many wonderful cooking blogs, most of my favorites, focus on Greek or Middle Eastern style dishes which of course can't be beat in my eyes.  I don't often post recipe's here, it's not a cooking blog the likes of Maria V's Organically Cooked or Souvlaki for the Soul, but I am a massive collector of recipe's. 

I file them into two piles, recipe's that I will make, and recipe's that I hope, my sweet husband will make for us!  For the record, his pile is bigger than mine.  Trust me, this one was in the kalliope pile, and was a breeze to make, and so delicious.  What catches my eye when looking at recipes are the ingredients, and this one had many of my absolute favorites: lamb, spinach, garlic, pinot noir, goat cheese, peasant bread.  Oh be still my heart and my stomach, I'm going to have to whip these babies up again soon!

798 Art District Beijing

Traveling is a great joy of mine, and lately my wings have been "clipped" a bit.  Not complaining, you know the economy and all... it's happening to all of us. 

Well, actually, I am complaining.  I miss it, and look forward to having my passport in hand, and taking off a little more often over the next few months. 

Visiting new places, is a source of inspiration for me.  It's the well I go back to when the creative juices are running on reserve. Camera in hand, capturing memories, and composing stories as they present themselves to me is a passion.  And if I've learned anything in this half-century on this planet and especially over the last few months, following your passion shouldn't be optional.

In May, I joined my husband in China for ten days.  Our last stop before leaving Beijing, and the long flight home was the Art District 798.  A former industrial factory complex built in the 1950's, designed by a team of East German architects in the Bauhaus style, this once abandoned zone is now home to hundreds of artists, galleries and cafe's.  We only had a couple of hours to spend, and just scratched the surface of the creative energy that was running through this most unexpected of places.  It will be our first stop when we return to Beijing. 

I'm not sure how long it will stay in this pure state, it maybe shifting already... think SoHo in NYC.  It was one of, if not the only place we visited in China where people were not trying to sell us things.  The art was fabulous, beautiful, edgy, controversial, variety and anything but traditional.  The pure fact that this place exists in China's capital is cause for optimism.  Love 798 and can't wait to return!

Sworn Witness

 


Do you know where I'm going with this???  I was sitting in a meeting with seven other people, facing the window and witnessed the sum of these parts drive by.  No kidding, swear to god.  Readers of this blog know how I feel about teal cars, PT Cruisers and wood panels on automobiles.  So there would be no surprise to know that my mouth fell open, the meeting stopped, and I checked with my colleagues to confirm if any of them had seen the same thing or was it a figment of my imagination.  It wasn't, the sum of these parts is driving around in the Pacific Northwest of the United States.  Be warned.