Downeast doing stuff

Yarn Scarf....

2012-01-17T13:26:00.006-05:00

I found this scarf on a blog I stumbled across a while back. I knew I wanted to make it. I even pinned it onto my Pinterest collection.

The blog is called Katy Did and she has some neat ideas in her blog. (And the cutest little girl!)

Check it out. (although she seems to have stopped contributing to her blog after an unfortunate copyright incident......)

Anyway, here is the scarf. As you can see, it's all thick, soft yarn and it's stitched together!!

I used gold yarn and I happened to have some shiny gold thread left over from another project. I used that for sewing it together.

I left a bigger space between the stitching than Katie did.

It wasn't easy stitching across the yarn. I couldn't keep the yarn as wide apart as I wanted to. The sewing machine kept smooshing it together.

For the first few sections, I used masking tape to hold the yarn together, but it was a bull to pull off without shredding the fuzziness of the yarn. If I had had some of that less sticky blue tape, it probably would have worked better.

By leaving bigger spaces between the stitching, I am able to interlock the scarf halves to wear it without tying it.

I made it the same length as one of my regular scarves.

As a matter of fact, I am wearing it right now!

Thanks, Katie.

What I did on Friday the 13th.....

2012-01-15T14:44:00.010-05:00

I love defying superstitions right in their faces.

I will sit in seat 13, I will walk under a ladder, I will pick up a piece of lava/pumice from the parking lot of Mount St. Helens.

I heard on the radio this morning that there will be 3 Friday the 13th's this year and they are 13 weeks apart from each other. Yippee!!

But I didn't really care because that night I went to see.........

........at Merrill Auditorium in Portland, Maine at 8 PM.

And I went all by myself. (well, there were other people in the audience, but I didn't know them.)

The previous weekend I went online, found a decent SINGLE ticket and got it. Mr. Downeastdoingstuff was nice enough to think about me walking around, all alone, in the dark in the big city, so he actually drove me to the door and then later, picked me up!! Very, very nice.

That's the way he is.

All day long I could see the trucks parked in a parking lot near my school. Three big mother suckers.

My seat was in the Terrace section...not too bad!

Curtain call. (shhh, we were warned that taking photos was against the law. I don't think curtain call counts, do you?)

It was very enjoyable. BUT I didn't care for the guy that played Sam Carmichael.

Thinks he 'all that', ya think? There just was no chemistry between him (gag) and the leading lady. at. all.

Who would pose for a photo like that? I don't think it's at all sexy or anything.

Take a breath already.

Here's who played Sam Carmichael in the movie...Pierce Brosnan aka James Bond.

You decide....

But, other than that, it was great fun. I still think I like the Movie better. Being in actual Greece with the aqua water and all that, well, I like that better.

My program. (Black and white? Run out of ink in the color cartridge?)

I'm still singing....ahhh....

Home today...

2012-01-12T10:11:00.007-05:00

FIRST SNOW DAY of the year!! Got the call at 4:20 a.m. and it wasn't even snowing yet.

Went back to sleep, got up and had breakfast around 7:30, and have been ~~researching~~ wasting time on my laptop eversince. (it's 10:15 now.)

I get emails from all sorts of discount, half price deals thrown my way. Usually it's for restaurants or massage parlors...stuff like that.

This morning from Groupon I got this deal. I don't know if I could pass it up!

Not just one Justin Bieber singing toothbrush, but TWO! OMG

I don't know what to do.

Maybe Mr. Downeastdoingstuff (AKA Birdman) and I can simultaneously brush our teeth and have a duet going!

The possibilities are endless!

or...

NOT!

Lord help us. (note the '37 bought' info on the ad.)

This country is in more trouble than I thought.

Crocheting.....

2012-01-08T10:19:00.006-05:00

I love doing things with my hands. My hands need to be busy all the time.

There's a fantastic blog out there that I love. This inspiring woman also keeps her hands moving and does lots of hand sewing. If it didn't take so long, I'd hand sew everything.

Anyway, she had a post about knitting with thread. Since I don't know how to knit, crocheting was my attempt at this unlikely scenerio.

It was NOT easy. Check out the above photo. Just making the chain stitches in the first row was interesting. Thread is very slippery.

Then adding to the chain stitch felt like trying to make bows out of wet spaghetti covered with sauce.

Thread does not hold itself in place or keep it's shape very well.

I stuck to it and ended up with the above....and that's at far as I've gotten. What could I make out of that???

So then I tried two threads at a time. A little bit easier. In about 6 years, I will have a scarf.

So I went back to my Infinity Scarf with real yarn. I have to make 56 inches of this pattern, the directions inform me. Mine might be a bit shorter.

I thought it was going to be a mobius strip, but I don't think it is.

That's good. I like things to have more than one side to them.

Happy New Year...

2011-12-31T15:24:00.005-05:00

I'm wishing you all a New Year filled with joy, laughter and health.

with love, Elenka

MERRY CHRISTMAS....

2011-12-25T08:58:00.001-05:00

Merry Christmas to all my cyber friends.

It's been so great getting to 'know' you all.

Hope you have a wonderful day.

Merry Madness...

2011-12-18T08:24:00.010-05:00

Every year, mid December, Portland, Maine has a party of sorts.

They call it Merry Madness and it begins at one of the area hotels with wine (which you can purchase in a Merry Madness wine glass for 6 bucks) and free ~~hor doerves~~, ~~hor doreves~~ , snacks sponsored by area restaurants.

Then the shops down in the Old Port remain open late and also have munchies and beverages to refill your Merry Madness glass that you carry around.

After attending this event for many years, Birdman and I have learned the protocol necessary to have a good time. First and foremost, GET THERE EARLY!

This year we were the 10th and 11th in line to the Ballroom. Got our pick of food.

One year we were about the 610th and 611th people in line. 10th and 11th is much better.

This year it started at the Portland Regency Hotel.

This is the tree in their lobby.

As you can see, after the 10th and 11th people walked in, there were hundreds more.
All the shops were lit. All the shoppers were lit.

(Outside this beautifully lit window was this woman...lower right....looking down. You don't know this, but now you do, she was looking down at a little boy about 2 years old that was having a MAJOR temper tantrum in his stroller. Loud voices tend to echo in the streets of the Old Port and this young man made his presence known to most of the Merry Madnessers. He was BAD!)

I know that Santa was watching, so this lad will probably get a lump of coal in his stocking.

But not to worry.

He'll eventually learn that it's actually quite fun....strolling around downtown in the pitch dark, on a cold mid December night, a little wobbly on your feet, carrying your own sippy cup.

He'll learn.

New Painting......

2011-12-12T06:31:00.003-05:00

Deering Oaks Park. Portland, Maine

Tempera paint. 17" x 25".

Puppy portrait....

2011-12-06T19:19:00.003-05:00

My latest pooch portrait.

What a difference 10 days make......

2011-11-23T09:27:00.003-05:00

Healthy breakfast......

2011-11-05T08:35:00.005-04:00

Mr. Downeastdoingstuff aka Birdman loves to eat. By that I mean, he will eat anything while still maintaining a svelte physique. Not a fussy eater which is fortunate for me because I like to try new and exciting recipes.

All the time.

There isn't a week that goes by that I don't cook something new, sometimes several times a week.

He will eat it all.

Except for this.
My breakfast.

I don't get it. What's not to like?
Put 1/4 C of Quick Oatmeal in a old pink bowl that you buy at an antique/gift shop.
Add 1 Tbsp of Milled Flaxseed and a smidgen of Cinnamon.

Add a few Nuts (I use walnuts, my fav) and 2 or 3 snipped Prunes. (You snip 'em yourself.)

Add a little more than 1/4 C of Lowfat Cottage Cheese and the same amount of Greek Yogurt.

Stir it up to make a big smoosh. Serve with a slice of Whole Wheat Toast (low cal) and a big mug of steaming Green Tea with Lemon.

Every morning.

What's not to like??

Addendum: Mr. DEDS and I both hate lamb. But that's it.

Nooooooooooooooooooooooooo!

2011-10-30T10:14:00.006-04:00

This was Friday morning, October 28th, 2011.

This was today, Sunday morning, October 30, 2011.

WTF?

I'm hooked....

2011-10-22T18:32:00.003-04:00

I am soooo hooked. All I do is look at Pinterest......all the time.

I have joined and have saved stuff.

I takes a while to figure out, but just look at what people post and then click on the picture. You will then find out where it came from and get the info you want.

SOOOO much info. I just love it.

Check it out! So cool.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!

2011-10-15T10:04:00.003-04:00

If I put candles on my birthday cake equivalent to my age, this is approximately how it would look, I'm sure.

I just paid my house insurance online a few days ago and since sometimes there are snafus in policies going through via computers, I will forego lighting any candles for a while. We also depend on the good graces of a volunteer fire department in this community so being a Saturday, they might be otherwise occupied, leaf peeping and such. So no candles.

I did get a wonderful tribute on Mr. Downeastdoingstuffs blog and I woke up to flowers, a card, some hazelnut coffee and a smooch. My new camera arrived just in the nick of time yesterday afternoon, so I am excited to try that out.

I'm not too thrilled that this day still comes religiously year after year, but I guess it's better than the alternative. So enjoy it I will.

Happy Birthday to me!

It's Bittersweet....

2011-10-10T10:59:00.005-04:00

Bittersweet. Ah, such is life.

But that's not the Bittersweet I am referring to.

I mean this:

I used to drive around all over creation looking for vines of this stuff to cut and use in fall decorating. It's really lovely in flower boxes.

BUT....

The Oriental species is an INVASIVE species and now has taken hold on my property. And I am not too happy about that.

You see, it can kill things, strangling trees and shrubs to death!

And, the entire plant is poisonous.

And it's almost impossible to get rid of.

So what to do when life gives you lemons?

Make lemonade.

Or a wreath.

So I cut off long vines of the stuff (which actually makes it grow more), stripped off the leaves and wound the vines into a wreath. Added a few beach rock touches and voila....

Speaking of the beach, I usually collect driftwood pieces and interesting shells when at the beach. Remember the fish I made?

I had some left over pieces of wood, so I constructed this wreath.

Probably would look nice if a added some Bittersweet berries to both of those wreaths.

They are not ripe yet. Have to wait.

Hate the stuff. Love the stuff. (well, 'like' it...)

It sure is Bittersweet.

Rest in Peace.....

2011-10-06T09:58:00.002-04:00

Rest in Peace

Steve Jobs

1955-2011

I know that you have changed MY life.

Thank you.

Last chance grilled pizza....

2011-09-23T16:43:00.011-04:00

The weather outside is not cooperating with my vision of what the weather outside should be. My vision is 78 degrees and perfect.

Things are changing. Some people love the fall, but in my mind, although beautiful, autumn is a harbinger of freezing my tushy off.

So in these dwindling days of warmth, I can still use my grill without donning a parka. At least today I can.

Here is a recipe for a grilled pizza....

Here is what I started with...

Sprinkle corn meal on a cookie sheet.

Take the dough, divide it into two pieces and press them into free form shapes on top of the cornmeal.

I remembered I had some baby spinach in the fridge, so I chopped it up to add to the mixture.
I had some left over canned mushrooms, too.

Heated up the grill, turned it to medium heat and laid the dough carefully onto the grill.

When it looked like this on the bottom, I took it off the grill and put it back onto a cookie sheet, grilled side up.

I didn't use pizza sauce. I used Barbeque sauce.

I put the filling on top of the sauce.

I sprinkled some spices on top.

I put a little mozzarella chesse on it AND some blue cheese sprinkles. Put it back on the grill and grill til it's done on the bottom and the cheese is melted. (be careful not to burn it!!)

Serve with a salad and a glass of red wine or a beer.

Yum!

I can't get this out of my mind....

2011-09-16T11:01:00.006-04:00

This is a police artist sketch of what I saw a week ago today.

I was driving down Larrabee road in Westbrook, when suddenly a yellow dog ran across the street in front of my car. The yellow dog had a large jar on it's head.

It went off into the wooded area next to a side road not stopping. There were two motorcycles behind me, each with a passenger. In a panic, I pointed to the side of the road and then saw the motorcyclists looking and pointing to the dog as well. I was sooooo hoping these big motorcycle brutes would pull over and try to help the dog, but they didn't. (wimps)

A million things went through my mind. Should I have stopped and tried to help? But I'm not familiar with dogs and the dog might not have taken too kindly to me poking around in it's affairs.

Getting attacked by a dog was not on my list of things to do that Friday afternoon.

But it was creeping me out so much I couldn't stand it. I was practically in tears! I knew I had to do something.

A couple of miles down the road, in Westbrook, I knew where the police station was, so I stopped there, mentally checking the condition of my car to make sure there was nothing illegal about it first.

I talked to the receptionist and in a rather mild panic, told her what I saw. She said, "Oh dear, the animal control person just went home! You just missed him!" (4:15 pm? Really?)

"You'll have to call the dispatcher", she says.

Conveniently there was a phone on the wall right there with a very clear sign over it that said 'DISPATCHER'.

I picked it up and someone said, "Dispatcher".

I told my story again, still in a mild panic, imagining this poor dog running out of air or something. I told him I couldn't possibly go home seeing what I saw and not reporting it. I was almost sick to my stomach.

He took my info and thanked me. He told me they've been looking for this dog all day. I guess others have reported it. He was sending someone out.

Whew.

Now, I don't know the end of this story.

I've googled 'dog with jar on head in Westbrook' over several days, but found nothing. I don't know if that's good or bad. I'm hoping they helped the poor thing.

But I don't know, and I can't get it out of my mind.

Like a bad dream.

I couldn't find it....

2011-09-11T18:06:00.003-04:00

My plan today was for a post about 9/11.

Soon after 9/11, we planted a small flag in our front yard, under our majestic maple tree.

There it stayed for a couple of weeks.

Then I took it down, took the stick off, and gently folded it up and put it into a zip lock bag with a note explaining where it was, when and why.

My plan was to put it out today, in the same spot, and photograph it for my blog.

I can't find it.

I know I have it, as over the years I have come across it in my travels. But today.....I couldn't find it.

So, no photo.

I watched the memorial this morning.

Oh yeah, I remember every minute of that day. I think we all have a 'photo' in our minds that we can pull up.

I don't need a photo.

God Bless America.

What happens when you get old....

2011-09-02T21:21:00.009-04:00

A couple of days ago I was attempting to clean the attic. Well, not really clean, but move things around and pretend to clean. Now and then I find something to throw out and something to give to Goodwill, but most of the time I just give all the junk a new spot.

As I was going through some old photographs, I found this one.

I couldn't remember who's house it was or why I took the photo, but there was something extremely familiar about it. I'm guessing it was taken in 1984. Mostly because it said 1984 on the back.

(Remember the old days when you had to take the film to the Drug Store to be developed?)

For the life of me I couldn't figure out why that photo rung a bell. It was haunting. I had to stop working, it was so disconcerting.

Then it dawned on me. Last summer, as we drove up to spend the day in Belfast, we stopped along Route 1 and took a picture of a weird house. Could this possibly be that house?

I checked my i photos and sure enough, there it was....

See what happens when you don't take care of yourself for 27 years?*&^%%$#@

Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes...

2011-08-27T15:21:00.003-04:00

Picture this.

A warm summer evening, under the stars, sipping Cosmopolitans, munching on chicken salad and french bread,relaxing and sitting back in our own chairs on the grass, watching one of our favorite bands with the best guy in the world.

What's not to like?

Every summer LL Beans does a summer concert series.

For FREE.

The concert was scheduled to start at 7:30. We got there about 5.
They were just finishing setting up the stage equipment.
Everyone brought their own chairs. (Many WERE LLBeans chairs, including ours, because that's just what you have when you live around here.)
You are allowed to claim your territory the day of the show, so technically you can arrive there at 12:01 a.m. and plop down your chairs.
Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes was the band we came to see. We've seen them many times, mostly at the Hampton Beach Casino in Hampton Beach, New Hampshire. We love them. Have his CDs.

We were also lucky enough watch him do his sound check between 5 and 5:30.

And then he performed for almost 2 hours. It was wonderful under the majestic pine trees, under the starry night.

Ahhhh......

Started school mural....

2011-08-26T10:58:00.006-04:00

Every fall I paint a huge mural to post outside of my classroom. I have a large bulletin board in the hall, covered in glass. It's 91 inches wide by 55 inches tall. Big.

I have been doing this for twenty years, including this year.

I base the theme on a current summer movie. The movie has to be appropriate for middle schoolers to see, so 'Hung, the movie' ** would not be a wise choice.

It usually takes me a week to design and paint. This years honoree is the movie The Smurfs.

Here's a sneak peak of the beginnings.....

More to come as I proceed..... (there's a reason why they are not all blue....I'm the boss of the brush.)

**'Hung the Movie' is not really a movie, but Hung is an actual TV program. It's about an ex school teacher who is divorced with two high school kids that have, um, issues. He shares them with his ex wife (Ann Heche) and they have issues as well. Things are not going well for him in every way until he discovers how the fact that he's, um, well 'hung', is an attribute that could make him a LOT of money, especially with an 'agent'. The warped side of me loved this show. I think it was HBO, but you can find it to watch online somewhere. Just google 'watch Hung' and see what you get. It was quirky, and I like quirky.

BYW, you never really see how well hung he is, so you have to use your imagination.

I have a very good imagination.

New painting.....

2011-08-24T13:05:00.005-04:00

I was commissioned to do a painting of someone's house. I just finished it last week.

It's a tempera painting measuring 16"X 20".

Interesting stones built into the chimney.

Summer Shandy

2011-08-19T16:33:00.004-04:00

Mr. Downeastdoingstuff (aka Birdman) and I like to try new things. New things... as long as they don't have potential for bodily harm or curling my hair.

We especially like to try new drinks. (I don't want any comments about how alcohol can cause bodily harm....duh.)

Martinis have been our latest diversion. Especially the kind that are not really, officially classified as martinis, ie. chocolate martinis, appletinis, tinis with any appealing flavor.

The photo above is of a drink called a Shandy. Birdman has a blog, and a lady from Perth, Australia suggested this.

It's a mixture of two liquids served in a beer glass.

Can you guess what it might be??

check out her comment from my husbands blog....

PerthDailyPhoto said...

You get a big glass (chilled for maximum effect), depending on how strong you like it, usually half/half, half beer of your choice, and half lemonade, also there's the classic English version of lager and lime, just add a dash of lime juice to the beer and a slice of lemon,takes away the ughy taste of the beer, sooooo refreshing and easy to drink. I'm not sure though Birdman, somehow I'm not getting a picture of you thinking much of this idea haha! See if Elenka will try it and let me know what she thinks.

Me thinks....Not bad. It's a rather odd mixture. You can taste both ingredients separately.

Strange. Hasn't curled my hair......yet.

Today.....

2011-07-26T15:49:00.002-04:00

This morning I was watching the Today Show while having breakfast in bed and I learned something.

Did you know that some people WANT to have a bigger butt??

Really?

Kathie Lee said, "who knew?" She claims she's been spending all her life trying to make hers smaller.

Apparently there are unmentionables you can buy to enhance, pad, lift and separate your tush.

You can even surgically have some orbs implanted forever.

I laughed a little and then forgot all about it.

Until....

I went to Shaws supermarket, and then, checking out, right there in front of me, was a young lady about 19 years old and thin, with the biggest a$$ I've ever seen packed into a pair of short shorts.

I tried not to stare and wished I had the balls to take a photo, but she was with her mom who was giving the poor cashier guy a run for his money with, I kid you not, 4,000 coupons.

After he ran every g.d. coupon thru the scanner she asked him if the coupon for the water scanned? What? Now?? So he had to look through the $291 dollars worth cashier's slip and check.

So I had plenty of time not to stare at her butt.

I stuck out so much that I KNEW it had to be fake or enhanced....or something.

So once I got home I investigated....you know...for research purposes. Not that I would ever buy anything to increase my girth, although I could use some lifting.....

Anyway...

Here are some options for you.

A Butt Bra (no padding)

Adhesive falsies.....

And cheeks that are built into the panties, for your convenience.

Isn't life grand?

I wish this was the only thing I had to worry about.

Assinine. {sic}

Lord of the flies....

2011-07-25T10:53:00.006-04:00

We have a compost pile. Actually have several compost piles, but only one where kitchen scraps go. I keep a white porcelain pot on my counter and compost goodies go in there.

Yesterday it was pretty full, so I grabbed it to lug it up the hill when suddenly a bazillion fruit flies took flight.

I came back with an empty container, but the fruit flies, with rather perplexed looks on their faces because their lunch was suddenly gone, were still there.

What to do?

I did what any normal 29 plus old person would do.....Google it!

One site I found said to take a cup and fill it 1/4th of the way with water, squirt in a little dish soap and splash in some vinegar. Then cover this cocktail with cling wrap and poke a few little holes in it.

Apparently the fruit flies, smart as they are, will find the itty bitty holes and because they thirst for vinegar martinis, will dive right in.

And then the fruit flies, dumb as they are, cannot find their way out again. So the next thing they know is that they are in the drink, without life jackets.

Voila.
No more fruit flies. (Where do they come from anyway?)

Thank you, once again, Google.

Some like it hot....

2011-07-22T13:50:00.007-04:00

In the shade.....

What is wrong with me??

I complain when it's cold.....and now I'm complaining because it's too dang HOT!

Is there anything wrong with wanting everything just to be PERFECT all the time???? Huh????

I was thinking about putting on my bathing suit to keep cool. This I can do, 'cause I'm inside my own house and do not have to gross anyone out....other than Birdman.

I feel good about saving the world from embarrassment.

These folks however, apparently don't care about that....

source

sorry this one came out so big......

source

Good grief.

hmmmm, I look pretty darn good.......well......comparatively.

Enjoy the heat!

p.s. We have NO air conditioner.

UPDATE: This is the thermometer at around 4:30 pm. (I know it's in the sun.)
The crazy thing is that the thermometer doesn't go any higher, so who knows what it really was.

I've never seen that happen on that thermometer.

Happy Birthday my Birdman.....

2011-07-16T10:13:00.015-04:00

UPDATE: Want to wish someone else a very happy birthday, too. Happy Birthday Bruce!!! You're a very special guy, hope you have a great day out there in Or eh gone. (The correct way to say it if you're from Jersey, which, by the way, you are.) Love ya!

Yesterday was Birdman's birthday.

Why didn't I do a post yesterday, you ask??

I was looking for a photo, specifically in his baby book....which I couldn't find.

So I waited til we went out to dinner to get some photo material.

Coming home with a full tummy, late, I didn't post.

This morning....I walked into the living room and there on the window seat was his baby book...along with my baby book and our son's baby book. They were not on the shelf where they should be....where I looked yesterday....but there they were...in full sight.

sigh....

I'm getting old.

Anyway, my Birdman is the joy of my life. My best bud. I hope he had a great birthday....ahem....

yesterday.

So here was our dinner experience.

We went to On The Marsh in Kennebunkport, Maine.

We got there a little early, we went to the bar for a drink. We both had a Sangria.

Our table for dinner was at a window. It's called On The Marsh because they are on a marsh.

Our window view of their garden....

We each had a glass of wine and ordered their mussels. I forgot to take a photo of the mussels, so Birdman showed me some other ones.

Impressive.

Pan-Roasted Rope Cultured Mussels Oven-Roasted Tomatoes, Roasted Garlic, White Wine, Cream, Fresh Herbs $9

Hubby had steak...

Grilled Center-Cut Beef Tenderloin Prime Rib Hash, Red Carrots, Truffle Demi $34

I had lobster.....

Fresh Maine Lobster "Succotash"
Polenta Cake, Sweet Corn, English Peas, Carrots, Onion, Saffron-Fennel Pollen Cream
$37

Then for dessert I had a blueberry swirl icecream with blueberry cake.(not on the online menu...)

Birdman had...

Dutch Apple Bolen
Roasted Apple, Caramel, Cinnamon, Puff Pastry, House-Made Vanilla Bean Ice Cream
$8

Everything was wonderful and I hope Birdman had lots of fun.

I think he did.

He's always fun to do stuff with.

Love ya.

Here's Johnny!

2011-07-12T12:17:00.005-04:00

If you have ever seen the movie the Shining with Jack Nicholson, this is the outside of the hotel they were living in. In the movie it was called the Overlook. In real life, it's the Timberline Lodge.
We were here last week. It is half way up Mt. Hood in Oregon, at about 6,000 feet. In July, people are still skiing here, chairlift and all. Everyone else, such as Birdman and I, were in shorts and t shirts and sandals because it was summer! Very, very weird.

This is the view from the back side of the hotel looking toward the peak.

There were 8 of us in our party. (And a party it was!) Living together for a week with my sister-in-law and her husband. They were the most gracious hosts there could be. One of the days we ventured up to Mt. Hood. Everyone, but Birdman and I, went for a hike up the mountain in the snow. They had sneakers. I had sandals. My sandals were not meant for snow. So we sat on a lovely stone veranda in the sun and sipped Martinis instead, watching the skiiers lug their gear to the chair lifts.

Ahhhh, winter sports!

Happy Birthday my sweet boy.....

2011-07-09T10:38:00.005-04:00

25 years ago tonight....Oh, What a Night. (The Four Seasons)

The birth of my Beautiful Boy. (John Lennon)

In My Life, the best night. (The Beatles)

Although at times it feels like I've been Dancing in the Dark, (Bruce Springsteen)

and we've had a few Rainy Days and Mondays, (The Carpenters)

But for the most part, we've always tried to Take It Easy. (The Eagles)

I've Had the Time of My Life, that's for sure. (Dirty Dancing Soundtrack)

25 years ago.....It Seems So Far Away, (Carole King) yet only Yesterday. (Beatles)

A start of a Whole New World. (Aladdin Soundtrack)

Just remember one thing, my sweet, sweet child.....I Will Always Love You. (Whitney Houston)

Happy Birthday 'lil Bird.

"So be brave, son and know that I long
To race you to the top of the morning!
Come, sit on my shoulders and ride.
Run and hide, I'll come and find you,
Climb hills to remind you
I love you!
I love you, my boy at my side!"

(the Secret Garden)

How to make gigantic poppies.....

2011-06-30T23:40:00.004-04:00

These poppies were adapted from directions on Martha Stewart's website.

You can see the scale of these flowers in a previous post. Here.

Here is a finished one. It's about 24 inches across.
I don't have the exact measurements for too much, as I basically wing it when I make them.

This pattern I made because some of my friends wanted to make some. This is on a piece of 12" by 18" colored construction paper. Cut 4 petals that look something like the pattern.

Cut 3 smaller ones.

Sorry, I didn't measure these circles, but they are placed on 9" by 12" colored construction paper, so you can estimate the size by comparing it to the paper. They don't have to be exact.

(this will be the centers of the finished flower)

Here is a close up of how I make the cuts. As you cut more, the paper gets weaker, so the later slits are cut shorter and shorter not to weaken the center of the circle.

Cuts already made. Randomly take something round like a marker and curl the strips of paper on the marker. See a close up of the finished flower up above to see what I mean. (biggify the photo)

The folds that are made on each petal are made on the edge of a ruler randomly, radiating out from the imaginary center of an imaginary circle. (Clear as mud......) Some folds are done from one side of the paper and some are done from the other side, in no apparent order and no rhyme or reason.

All the petals are actually stapled together. First the outer four, in a circular fashion, and then the center three. Then I stapled them all to each other wherever I could.

I'm sure they are supposed to be glued together or something, but I didn't want to wait until the glue dried.

Poppy leaves are cut out to some shape that resembles poppy leaves.

I scored them down the center to create a vein of sorts.

After I took these photos, I forgot to take any more. But I think if you refer to the first photo of the finished poppy, you get the gist of how to glue the pieces together.

These are the worst directions I've ever given, I'm sorry to say.

We just went out to dinner, had two glasses of wine, came home (we are actually in Oregon, believe it or not), had some delicious chocolate chip cookies, am stuffed to the gills and suffering from possible jet lag and THATS when I decide to do a blog entry.

You get what you pay for, and I'm paying.

Going to bed to try and remedy the situation.

Good night!

Da da da da, da da da da....(sung to Twilight Zone music)

2011-06-10T21:27:00.002-04:00

So I’m standing by the strawberries in the grocery store. Two women are chatting nearby.

One says, “So, your birthday’s in April?”

#2 says, “ Yes, it is. Is yours in April, too?”

#1 says, “Yea!”

#2 says, “April what?”

#1 says, “Oh, it’s really in February.”

#2.......blink.......blink

#1 says, “most people I know with an April birthday have it in February.”

Me: blink....blink....scratch head....walk away as quickly as possible.

The Twilight Zone never ends.

Cracked me up....

2011-05-29T09:57:00.002-04:00

image credit

Paper Flowers I made...

2011-05-16T11:31:00.005-04:00

Here are some large paper flowers I made for a special occasion at my school. I was inspired by googling 'large paper flowers'. Some places had directions, like the poppies, some sites were just photos and then I figured it out myself. A lot of the flowers I just made up.

They really make a big impact. I will post directions as soon as I can for some of them.

Oh, by the way, they are just construction paper.

Can YOU cut the mustard?....

2011-05-10T12:50:00.003-04:00

Can’t cut the mustard?.....

I heard a student say this the other day. It made me wonder if they even knew what it meant. Kids often mimic phrases they hear elsewhere, but don’t really understand what they mean.

My father used to say, “You’re nuttier than a fruitcake.”

I knew what that meant.

Cut the mustard. I shouldn’t think that would actually be too hard to do.

Probably not the same as cutting the cheese, I would think.

So, super sleuth that I am, I dusted off my investigatory skills and pulled out my research big guns.

I googled it.

Come to find out, nobody knows for sure the origins of the phrase. Another fellow sleuth thought it referred actually to the mustard seed. Apparently the dang thing is hard to cut. So if you’re not up to completing a task satisfactorily , you can’t cut the mustard.

OK, good enough for me.....but then I found this tidibt.

UNCOMMON USES FOR MUSTARD

Now this is much more interesting

(Kudos to the first pioneers to try these things....)

Soothe Sore Throats: combine a bit of mustard with the juice of half a fresh lemon, one tbsp of salt, one tbsp of honey and 1/2 cup boiling water. Mix ingredients together and let cool for 10 minutes before gargling. Warning: this will not taste or smell good, but after a few rounds of gargling, your throat should be feeling a lot less sore.

(Translation: Gargle with a solution that smells like crap and tastes even worse and after vomiting for 20 minutes you won’t even notice your sore throat.)

Decongestant: instead of using a topical decongestant, rub some mustard on your chest and place a cloth that's damp with hot water over it.

(Translation: Warm, soggy mustard on your boobs will cause your lover to run for the hills, resulting in such hard breathing he’ll have enough oxygen in his system for days.)

Face Mask: spread a thin layer of mild mustard on your face for a few minutes and rinse for a nice, healthy glow.

(Well, OK. But now read this warning that came with this tip....)

WARNING: Take a second before slathering up your face like a sandwich, and see if the mustard makes your sensitive skin react. Spread a little bit on your inner wrist. If you break out in some funky rash there, then I advise against putting mustard on your face.

(However, as directed in the previous suggestion, your chest as a mustard site is ok.)

Relax Muscles: You can utilize mustard to relax your muscles. If your feet are exhausted from a long day of standing, make a mustard foot bath with 1 tbsp mustard in a pan of warm water. Stir water until mustard dissolves and dip your feet in for 15-20 minutes.

Translation: The aforementioned possible rash will probably develop on the soles of your feet making it virtually impossible to walk, thus resulting in very relaxed muscles throughout the rest of your body for the duration of the rash.

Live and learn.

Grey Poupon, anyone?

Why God made Moms....

2011-05-09T06:26:00.003-04:00

My cousin in California sent this to all the mom's in our family. She did not reveal the source, so if you are the author of this collection, thanks for sharing and good job. It's all true!

WHY GOD MADE MOMS

Answers given by 2nd grade school children to the following questions:

Why did God make mothers?

1. She's the only one who knows where the scotch tape is.

2. Mostly to clean the house.

3. To help us out of there when we were getting born.

How did God make mothers?

1. He used dirt, just like for the rest of us.

2. Magic plus super powers and a lot of stirring.

3. God made my mom just the same like he made me. He just used bigger parts.

What ingredients are mothers made of?

1. God makes mothers out of clouds and angel hair and everything nice in the world and one dab of mean.

2. They had to get their start from men's bones. Then they mostly use string, I think.

Why did God give you your mother and not some other mom?

1. We're related.

2. God knew she likes me a lot more than other people's mom like me.

What kind of a little girl was your mom?

1. My mom has always been my mom and none of that other stuff.

2. I don't know because I wasn't there, but my guess would be pretty bossy.

3. They say she used to be nice.

What did mom need to know about dad before she married him?

1. His last name.

2. She had to know his background. Like is he a crook? Does he get drunk on beer?

3. Does he make at least $800 a year? Did he say NO to drugs and YES to chores?

Why did your mom marry your dad?

1. My dad makes the best spaghetti in the world. And my mom eats a lot.

2. She got too old to do anything else with him.

3. My grandma says that mom didn't have her thinking cap on.

Who's the boss at your house?

1. Mom doesn't want to be boss, but she has to because dad's such a goof ball.

2. Mom. You can tell by room inspection. She sees the stuff under the bed.

3. I guess mom is, but only because she has a lot more to do than dad.

What' s the difference between moms and dads?

1. Moms know how to talk to teachers without scaring them.

2. Dads are taller and stronger, but moms have all the real power 'cause that's who you got to ask if you want to sleep over at your friends.

3. Moms have magic, they make you feel better without medicine.

What does your mom do in her spare time?

1. Mothers don't do spare time

2. To hear her tell it, she pays bills all day long.

What would it take to make your mom perfect?

1. On the inside she's already perfect. Outside, I think some kind of plastic surgery.

2. Diet. You know, her hair. I'd diet, maybe blue.

If you could change one thing about your mom, what would it be?

1. She has this weird thing about me keeping my room clean. I'd get rid of that.

2. I'd make my mom smarter.. Then she would know it was my sister who did it not me.

3. I would like for her to get rid of those invisible eyes on the back of her head.

Happy Mother's Day....

2011-05-08T09:24:00.003-04:00

Romantic weekend....Part 2.....

2011-05-05T19:29:00.007-04:00

So after settling in our room, we went for a walk around the shops in Rockland. Not everything was opened yet because it was before the 'season', but we did cruise around a few stores.

Upon returning to the Inn, this is how we found our room.

Lest you think those are sliced beets, be assured, they are rose petals!! And some chocolate on a silver tray. Nice touch.

So we cracked open some champagne we brought, served up some cheese and crackers and built a fire in the fireplace. Oh yeah, I already told you it was a push button fire. Nice anyway.

After enjoying that, we took off for a local restaurant on the water that had good reviews. We decided to just go to the lounge and order a couple of appetizers and some adult beverages. Very relaxing.

Next morning..... BREAKFAST ....

Home-made hot applesauce, a breakfast bread that I think was almond, coconut and poppyseed, coffee, tea or juice.
Quiche with basil and homefries.

BUT.....BUT...the piece de resistance was this.....CHECK IT OUT !!!! They had a pantry that was open 24/7. In that pantry were 3 or 4 PIES, that were available all the time!!! Coffee and tea.In the fridge were sodas, water, BEER and ICE CREAM !!!!!! The deal was HELP YOURSELF!!!!! YIKES!!!

So we came back after the appetizers, fixed ourselves up with pie, ice cream and tea (for me) and went back up to our room. Perfect, perfect time.

I want that pantry in my house.

A Romantic Weekend.......part 1......

2011-05-03T08:10:00.011-04:00

Our 36th Wedding Anniversary was on April 19th.

But I was in Florida on April 19th...by myself. (well, with my mom, dad, sister, brother-in-law, niece, aunt, aunt and uncle.....) (Hey, it's a dirty job.....this going to Florida stuff....but someone has to do it.) ( I had to suffer through sunshine and 85 degrees.)

So needless to say, we did not celebrate it on that exact day. Actually, we did text each other several times, some of it quite mushy if you really must know, but that was the extent of our jubilee.

So we celebrated, while actually together, just the two of us, this past weekend.

We decided to venture up to Rockland, Maine for the weekend. We stayed at the Berry Manor Inn, pictured above. Rockland is a coastal town over an hour north of Portland. Coastal, like, on the Atlantic Ocean which, by the way, is perpetually freezing even in the best of times.

This is the foyer you see upon entering. We were greeted by a lovely young lady, Lori, who welcomed us, gave us a history of the mansion and took us on a tour.

This is the common room to the right. There is a computer and printer in this room for guests to use.

This is the common room to the left. It also has shelves of brochures of what to do in the area, you know, like real hotels have.

This was the entrance to the dining room where we would have the second 'B' of our Bed and Breakfast situation in the morning.

This was our bedroom, room #2 to be exact. Their website is very thorough and you can see all the rooms ahead of time and pick one out that goes well with your ensemble.

Notice the flat screen TV. Beneath that is a DVD player, (movies are provided in a couple of drawers in a second floor sitting room), and on the little table with the lamp on it there is an ipod/iphone player. You would not be lacking for any of the essentials we have become accustomed to in our daily lives.

A lovely gas fireplace....on a timer! Ah, the good ol' days, push button fires.

The way life should be.

(more later.....)

Happy Easter Everyone!

2011-04-24T08:21:00.003-04:00

photo credit

I hope everyone has a wonderful day!

Happy Anniversary my darling....

2011-04-19T20:34:00.006-04:00

Today is our 36th wedding anniversary!!!

This is the most current photo of us that I can find. (cough cough) (wink wink)

Yes, as you can see, I put on my wedding dress for the occasion, lugged myself to the beach, and since I am in Florida and Mr. Downeastdoingstuff is not, I found a barefoot hunk in a tux roaming around Ron Jon's at Cocoa Beach and had this photo taken.

You like it?

Seriously, it's hard to believe that 36 years have gone by, but it has. Best 36 years ever.

Thank you, Birdman, aka Mr.Downeastdoingstuff, for everything.

I love you!!!

kiss kiss

Well, Hello there?

2011-04-17T21:28:00.004-04:00

The gift shop in the Portland Jetport is in the gate area. It smells of a pleasant pine potpourri and is festooned with products from Maine. I’ve lived in Maine for over forty years, but still can be tempted to buy pine cone decorated candle holders or moose refrigerator magnets. It’s the same feeling that comes over me when I’m at a Disneyworld gift shop. That oven glove that looks like Mickey Mouse’s hand seems like a necessity and the Goofy clocks are to die for. Both of those items are totally out of place once they are in a home.

Because of the Philadelphia airport incident of August 2010, I am scrutinizing emergency items necessary to survive a night in a freezing cold airport, such as socks, sweatshirts and multiple candy bars and making sure I know the exact time the gift shop closes, when I notice someone unfamiliar that appears to be approaching me out of the corner of my eye. I veer to the right toward the paperback books and pretend to read the titles. I notice the same shadowy tall figure nearing me on my right and I turn left toward the Maine sweatshirts and t-shirts. Finally I turn on my heels and head toward the exit when a man about my age stops himself directly in front of me. I look up and see a huge smile on his face, and he was looking directly into my eyes.

Do I know this person? My mind is racing, mentally taking inventory of every man I’ve ever met. He looks vaguely familiar and he finally asks of me.....

“Do I know you?”

I say, “ I don’t know.”

He says, “You look very, very familiar.”

I said, “You look kinda familiar.” (I figured this was a wise thing to say just in case I actually did know this person. I didn’t want to seem like I forgot all about him or that he was so insignificant in my life that I didn’t remember him.)

“Are you a teacher?” , I ask. (Teachers are just about the only people I know. Tons of them)

“No”

“Where are you from?”, he inquires.

“Orginally?”, I ask.

“Yeah”

“New Jersey”, I say, thinking maybe I went to high school with him!! I’ve always wanted to run into someone from high school that I’ve haven’t seen in like, forever, and then realize we know each other.

New Jersey did not put a knowing look on his face.

“You’re a teacher?”, he aks.

“Yes.”

“Where?” (Now at this point I’m surveying him for terrorist accessories, or hidden box cutters.)

Suddenly, probably sensing my razor sharp eyes scanning him, he tells me he’s a surgeon in Camden, Maine.

“Hmmm”,I tell him, “I’ve been to Camden several times before.”

That didn’t impress him at all, so he very politely said, “ It was nice to meet you, but I’m guessing I don’t know you”.

He left the gift shop and entered the bar next door. He probably needed a stiff drink to help him recover from the disappointment of not being able to reminisce with me about our spontaneous romantic trip to the Isles of Greece when we were in our twenties.....or something like that.

Ah, those were the days.

Update: I just want to wish a sweet lady, Annie's Mom, a very happy, happy birthday! Love ya!

And we all just let it be???

2011-04-11T19:48:00.005-04:00

I was driving into school today and, once again, noticed the price of gas.

It’s bad enough, the price that is, but can someone explain to me why ANYTHING costs a ‘dollar’ amount, a ‘cent’ amount and then a fraction of a cent????

Hello. I’m paying $3.67 and 9/10 for a gallon of gas? Nine tenths of a cent???

So when I’m all finished filling the tank by myself, why does it never total 'whatever', 'whatever' and a fraction of a cent? How can it always end up on a whole cent? I’m no math wiz, but even I know something isn’t kosher.

I fear I am being taken for a ride.

Just a new painting......

2011-04-03T17:55:00.007-04:00

I finished this one a few weeks ago, but was reminded of the snowy image because..... WE HAD ANOTHER SNOW DAY ON FRIDAY!!!! $^*))*&^%$# It was not April Fools......

Happy Birthday MOM!!!!!!!

2011-03-28T00:01:00.001-04:00

Today is my Mom's 90th Birthday! (She's the one on the left.)

Yeah, that's me in the middle on my first birthday. That's about the look I have on my face whenever I count the candles on my birthday cake. Actually, these days, it's an even more perplexed look.

Where does the time go?

So, today, Mom, you are 90 years old. You have no idea how thrilled I am to be able to celebrate this milestone with you, even though it's over the miles. The love I feel for you I could never express. The thankfulness I feel, for everything you've ever done for me, is equally difficult to put into words.

All I can say is that I love you beyond words and thank you from the bottom of my heart......for everything.

So, have a great day, Mommy. This family loves you and wishes you much health and happiness.

AND, I will see you in 3 weeks!!!!!!!!

Všetko najlepšie k narodeninám, mamička!!!!

(Yeah, there I am again, thrilled to be out in the freezing Pennsylvania air.....That's still my puss when I'm cold.)

Happy, Happy Birthday to the best Mom in the world!

Not much doing......

2011-03-22T21:31:00.007-04:00

Not much happening around here, so in order to come up with a new post, I had to do some scrounging. I don't want my 3 fans to think I've succumbed to an untimely end.

1st scrounge:

Baby Downeastdoingstuff and I met on Fort Hill to see the Super Moon come up. I read that some predicted doom and gloom as a result of this celestial event, but all was well.

It was supposed to be 30 percent brighter and 14 percent larger. I think it was only 13 percent larger.

Yesterday morning I drove to work behind this truck for about 10 miles. I tried to avert my eyes from.....well.....you know, but I couldn't. Pervert.

Finally, this was the view THIS MORNING. Hey, it's spring!!! What the heck?
That's it. Pathetic, huh? I need more material......

Happy Valentine's Day.....

2011-03-13T08:19:00.008-04:00

Valentine's Day was one month ago, give or take a day.

Mr. Downeastdoingstuff and I celebrated last night!!

Now I know that in your warped minds a number of scenarios might be racing through your brains and before you start hyperventilating........we just went out to dinner.

(We've been married almost 36 years....celebrating Valentine's Day takes on many forms. ie. 'Don't buy me a card, and I won't buy you a card.', was something I vaguely think I uttered. [I'm not paying $6 for a card and neither is he! Being a math wiz I know that adds up to $12 bucks. Ridiculous.])

So we decided to go out to dinner to a nice place. Only took a month to figure out where to go.

OK, so we're a bit slow, but we don't need to impress each other any more. Well, no, I take that back.....Mr. DEDS needs to continually impress me. (He reads this blog, so I don't want him to think he can slack off.)

So off we went to Walter's, an upscale, contemporary (for Portland, Maine) restaurant that has received excellent reviews. It was really balmy out, about 40 degrees, so it was a nice night to go out on the town.

I took some photos, but it was so dang dark in there they are not very good, but here they are...

View from our table toward the front door.

(Notice how it's still light outside!!! Yippee....good bye winter.)

I had the Salmon dish. At the top was smoked salmon and at the bottom were two hunks of roasted salmon, each in a different sauce. It was all artfully placed on top of a bed of sauteed spinach and pine nuts. As a finishing touch, it was all impaled with three pieces of wood. (?)

Mr. DEDS had the Mixed Grill. A Petite Filet Mignon, Shrimp and Scallops. Garlic mashed potatoes and some other stuff we couldn't identify.

And in honor of our Valentine's Day celebration, a huge painting of a heart was hung up, I'm sure, just for our enjoyment. What a place.

Note: Yesterday was the last day of Restaurant Week in Portland, Maine. For one week you could go to many, many participating restaurants and pay one price (it varies from $20, $30 or $40) and get a three course meal. If you do the math, which you all know that I am good at, you actually save quite a bit of money that way.

BTW...NOT buying two Valentine's Day cards bought us a glass of wine and another alcoholic concoction called Coco-mo. Good deal if you ask me.

Love you, Birdman.

Sixty years......

2011-03-06T16:57:00.013-05:00

Someone near and dear to us turned 60 years old on Saturday.

60.

All of us (yes, including me) in his generation look at each other, once it dawns on us how old we are and say,

"Say what?"

It can't be! How can it be. Our parents and grandparents are 60, aren't they?

Age is a strange thing. It happens to you when you aren't looking. And there ain't no stopping it.

But we celebrate it anyway. (how perverted is that?)

And celebrate we did!!

Friday night a family dinner party with great surprises.

Saturday a huge affair.

Sunday an intimate brunch.

A whirlwind of a weekend. Great fun all around.

So sixty must mean other things, too.......so let's see what Google comes up with...

From Answers.com....

Q:What do you call someone that is sixty years old?

A: Well, I guess they're old, but you don't want to call them that so probably call them sixty year old or something like that. (a genius at work)

King James Bible:
And if [it be] from sixty years old and above; if [it be] a male, then thy estimation shall be fifteen shekels, and for the female ten shekels.

(WHAT??) (The Bible should be like Wikipedia. I would change that verse immediately!)

(Notice they are called 'she'kels and not 'he'kels, btw.)

Now, this one, I agree with. I love Cary Grant. (An Affair to Remember)(Remember?)(sigh)

photo credit

A recent headline:

Sixty-Year-Old Japanese Woman Gives Birth (ouch) (ouch) ( double ouch)

OK, OK, actually he's 61, but sitting next to Jennifer Lopez on American Idol makes him look a lot more like.....well, I don't know what it makes him look like.

Some pretty good company here....(love how Liza Minelli is trying to keep Dolly Parton's boobs in.)

photo credit

huh? This is a 60 year old accupuncturist doing self-accupuncture. Wonder what's wrong with him? Probably has no health insurance, thus the do-it-yourself kit. (Maybe he's just trying to remember his pin number. This way, all he has to do is count the pins when at an ATM. The long one is a decoy, in case anyone is watching him.)

So Happy Birthday, our dear Marchin. It was great fun, wasn't it?

New painting.....

2011-02-23T08:17:00.005-05:00

Another painting in my 'road series'. Tempera paint. 16" x 20"

Happy Birthday to my sister (in-law)........

2011-02-20T17:05:00.008-05:00

Today is the birthday of a sweet lady. I don't know anyone else that is like her....she's the best.

So, IF I had her here for supper tonight, this is what I would serve. I tried these a couple of months ago and they were yummy.

(These are recipes from DOWNEAST Magazine. Downeast got these recipes from local restaurants.)

Ready? Here we go.....recipes and all.

First, we'll have Spicy Creole Haddock and Corn Cakes

Old Port Sea Grill, Portland Maine

Spicy Creole Haddock and Corn Cakes with Roasted Garlic and Tomato Remoulade

Ingredients:

1 ear of corn, shucked

5 tbsp olive oil

1/4 C large red onion, finely diced

1/4 C red peppers, finely dice

1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and finely diced

3/4 lb fresh haddock, cut into 1" cubes

2 bay leaves

1 Tbsp salt

1 Tbsp white black peppercorns (HUH?) (Oxymoron?)

1 Tbsp Old Bay seasoning

2 lemons, halfed

1 egg

1/2 C mayonnaise

1 tbsp Cajun seasoning

2 C Panko (japanese bread crumbs)

Preheat oven to 450 degrees. (I CANNOT figure out how to type the 'degree' symbol, evah!!!)

Cut the corn off the cob, toss in 1 tbsp olive oil and roast in a small pan in the preheated oven for 30 minutes until nicely browned. (YES, I DID THIS, ALTHO I THINK IT'S STUPID)

Let the corn cool. Set aside.

Saute onion, pepper, and jalapeno in a pan with 2 tbsp of the olive oil over medium heat until tender but not browned, about 10 minutes. Set aside and let cool. (I used less jalapeno, due to the fact that Mr. Downeastdoingstuff can't hack anything spicier than water.)

In a stock pot, combine the bay leaves, salt, peppercorns, Old Bay, and lemons and fill pot 3/4 full of water. Bring the mixture to a boil. Put the diced haddock pieces into a metal stainer and lower strainer into the boiling liquid. Cook for about 5 minutes. Set haddock aside to let cool.

Combine the corn, onions, peppers, jalapeno, and haddock with one egg, mayonnaise, and Cajun seasoning in a large bowl. Add 1/2 C of the panko crumbs to the mixture and combine. If mixture does not hold when pressed together, mix in more panko crumbs 2 tbsp at a time until mixture can hold. (ha....mixture never holds....well, barely....very stressful ordeal) To dredge the cakes, place the remaining panko crumbs in a large bowl. Tightly pack a 1/4 C measure with the haddock mixture and roll into a ball in your hands. press down to form a round cake about 3/4 inch tick Dredge in panko crumbs on all sides.

Heat 2 tbsp of olive oil in a heavy, large skillet over medium-high heatl Add haddock cakes and saute until golden brown, about 4 minutes per side, careful not to overcrowd the pan (you will have to do them in batches). Transfer to plates. (Put the pieces back together like a puzzle so no one will be the wiser that these cakes broke apart when turning over.) Drizzle remoulade sauce over and serve.

Remoulade sauce? Remoulade sauce? What's that?????

Glad you asked.....

Roasted Garlic and Tomato Remoulade

4 Roma tomatoes

8 garlic cloves

2 tbsp olive oil

3/4 C mayo

1/4 C capers

1 C parsley leaves

juice of 1/2 lemon

salt and pepper to taste

Preheat oven the 450 degrees. Halve the tomatoes and using a spoon or melon balller, remove seeds and discard. Peel and halve the garlic cloves, put on inside each tomato half, and drizzle with the olive oil. Roast for 30 minutes or until the tomatoes and garlic are slightly charred. Add the remaining ingredients to a food processor or blender along with the tomatoes and garlic mixture. Pulse until everything is incorporated. Finish with salt and pepper to taste.

Makes about 1 1/2 C. Can be made a day ahead and refrigerated.

Delish.

NEXT ....

Cabernet Pouched Pears Stuffed with Cranberry Blue Cheese

Mache Bistro, Bar Harbor

Pears...

2 Bosc Pears

1/2 C Cabernet Sauvignon

1/4 C balsamic vinegar

2 tbsp brown sugar

1/2 tsp salt

1 tbsp honey

3 C baby arugula

2 tbsp olive oil

Blue cheese filling.....

1/4 C chopped pecans plus 1 tbsp for garnish

1/4 C dried cranberries plus 1 tbsp for garnish

3 ounces cream cheese (room temperature)

1 tbsp mayo

1 tbsp olive oil

2 ounces blue cheese-plus 1 ounce for garnish

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Halve pears and place in a baking dish flesh side down together with wine, vinegar, brown sugar, salt and honey. Cover with foil, and bake for 1 hour. Allow pears to cool in liquid. Scoop out and discard pear cores and seeds to create a space for the filling. Reserve cooking liquid.

(this turns the pears into such a red color it's a bit alarming!)

While pears cook, in a mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, blend cream cheese, mayo, olive oil, 2 ounces blue cheese, 1/4 C pecans, and 1/4 C dried cranberries until well incorporated.

Divide filling into four parts and fill each pear half. Toss arugula (Can't stand the taste of arugula, so I used s spring mix of greens) with olive oil and divide among four plates. Place stuffed pear on top of arugula and garnish with reserved pecans, cranberries, and blue cheese. Drizzle reserved cooking liquid over pear and greens.

And finally........

Roasted Pepper Shrimp Saute

Joshua's Restaurant, Wells

3 tablespoons olive oil

1 pound shrimp (21-25 count), peeled and de-veined (If deveining isn't the most disagreeable job there is, then I don't know what is, short of murdering and preparing your own meat/seafood from scratch...)

1 1/2 C chopped tomato, in 1 " dice

1 large roasted red pepper, thinly sliced

1/2 roasted jalapeno pepper, thinnly sliced (Less....remember Mr. Downeastdoingstuff's wimpy-ness)

2 tbsp chopped garlic

1 C dry white wine

4 tbsp unsalted butter

2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

salt to taste

Preheat 12" saute pan. Put oil in pan, and when it is almost smoking, add shrimp, tomato, peppers, and garlic. Let cook for about 1 minute, then toss thoroughly just once to create a caramelized flavor. After 1 more minute, when the shrimp should be about half cooked, add the wine and salt to taste. Reduce the wine by half, cooking off the alcohol, then add the butter and parsley to finish. Serve immediately. We garnish this with a few pieces of grilled baguette, perfect for soaking up the sauce.

That's it, my sweet sis. Hope you enjoy it.

Add D's Mud Pie and some alcoholic beverages and it will be a birthday to remember.

Love Ya!!!!!

Happy Valentine's Day.....

2011-02-14T06:34:00.002-05:00

Happy Valentines Day to the sweetest man on earth. I love you.

Birdman Bakes Bread

2011-02-07T20:24:00.017-05:00

The finished loaf of bread. A miracle.

I’m going to make some bread this weekend.” says Birdman, aka Mr. Downeastdoingstuff.

[pause]”........um, okay.” I said.

“What kind of bread are you making?” I inquire.

“ You know, regular bread.”

So, a million scenarios go through my head from enjoying a wonderful piece of warm bread and butter, to scrapping dough off of the ceiling.

“Hey,” I say, “why don’t you peruse that little bread book I have in the den for a recipe.”

[blink blink silence]

“OK then,” I say, “ when you buy the yeast, buy a strip of it that has a recipe on the back for ‘regular’ bread.” “Make sure it has a recipe, because some don’t.”

“K”

So off he goes, to Hannaford, to pick up some yeast and a couple other things on this warm(ish), sunny February morning.

It’s now near 3:00 PM.....do I smell bread in the air?

No.

So I say, “Aren’t you going to make bread?”

(grumble.....grumble....) I hear from his direction. I leave well enough alone.

About 20 minutes later he announces, “OK, I’m going to start the bread.”

Out comes the kitchenaid mixer and the yeast packet.

“How do I do this?” he asks.

“Read the recipe.” I instruct.

“Where is it?”

“On the back of the yeast packet.”

“What? Oh...... [pause].......[pause]......[sigh].....[cough].....there’s no recipe on here!?”

“Didn’t you look before you bought it?”

“Yeah, I did” he replies, “but I didn’t have my glasses on.”

So he figured that if he saw a bunch of blurry lines and colors on the yeast packet, he was good to go.

Wrong.

So I start looking up recipes for ‘regular’ bread. I went to the Fleishman’s site and found a perfectly good recipe for beginners. But now he announces he wants to make raisin bread. I tell him that’s fine, but it will be a little more complicated and slightly different.

“Why can’t I just throw raisins into the ‘regular’ dough?” he asks.

“Well” I say, “the dough might be a different dough, maybe a sweeter one.”

So we look up raisin bread on my laptop and grab the first one we get to because, frankly, I’ve got other things to do.

Anytime there’s a cooking expedition that involves Birdman, for some reason I get involved.

So I’m eyeballing the closest exit that I could slither into without being detected.

Fat chance.

“Where’s the flour?”

“Over there” I say pointing to the cabinet where the flour has been for 30 years. (Not the same bag....)

“What are all these things for?” (holding up the kitchenaid paddles and whips)

(they are used to paddle, whip and beat life’s small irritations, I’m thinking....)

deep breath.....

So he gets everything out, he gets everything explained (in my opinion) and he’s on his way....

....except for these questions:

1. How do I open the yeast?

2. Where’s the brown sugar?

3. How much is a tablespoon of butter?

4. Can I heat up the milk in this pan?

5. Can you scroll the computer? I have dough on my fingers.

6. And the Piece de Resistance.....”What’s a yolk?” (That one I could.not.believe. I KNOW he knows what a yolk is.....!!!!@#$%&*)

6 1/2. How do you get the yolk out?

I did manage to escape the room and I did hear some mild cursing now and then, but the result was we had one dang, wonderful loaf of raisin bread in the end.

As they say, all’s well that ends well.

And it ended well.

As I’ve said many times before, it’s a darn good thing I like him!

Thanks, Birdman.

Further photographic evidence of bread making in Maine....

Reading directions on the laptop.

Supplying sustenance for the job...a Patriots cup of iced tea with Powers Whiskey sloshed in for good measure.

OOOPS.....Add all DRY ingredients together. Add all WET ingredients together.

So why is the DRY yeast in the WET milk concoction???

Stirring the pot.....

Iced Tea/Whiskey break.....

Rolling out to a 12"X 8" rectangle and putting on the cinnamon sugar/raisin mixture.

Put into a loaf pan. (I took it out and put it back in so that it didn't look like an old man's butt.)

And, Voila!!!!! Delicious raisin bread.

And in the spirit of Super Bowl Sunday.....1 . 2 . 3 . HIKE!

'Til the next episode of Hell's kitchen.....

Squirrel proof bird feeder.......

2011-01-21T10:07:00.004-05:00

Look real close.....or biggify the photo.

Yep, the squirrel proof birdfeeder I got Birdman is doing a great job. Yes, indeed.

Dam it........

2011-01-17T09:39:00.003-05:00

I get emails from the Kim Komando Radio Show, a show about computers and web sites and stuff like that.
You can sign up for free 'Cool Sites' and you will get all kind of interesting and not so interesting web sites sent to you. You get one a day.
Today was a riot.
It's a translation site where if you type in a few sentences, it will translate what you type back and forth into other languages and then back into English.
As they say, a lot is lost in translation.

I typed in the chorus line from Don MacLean's 'American Pie' song.

Here's what I got....

Original text:

"So, bye-bye, Miss American Pie Drove my chevy to the levee But the levee was dry And them good old boys were drinkin' whiskey and rye Singin' this'll be the day that I die This'll be the day that I die "

...10 translations later we get:

"So, goodbye, and ordered the United States Chevrolet gave me a beautiful dam, but the dams are dry and good whiskey and rye singing students, to be drunk one day, it will be the day I die"

I think it has something to do with the day I retire from teaching. The students will be drunk, and I will have ordered my first Chevy, dam it. And since it will be the day I die, I will rethink my decision and never leave my singing students, even if the beautiful dam is dry. Dam it all.

Try it yourself......here.

New Painting.....

2011-01-10T18:06:00.007-05:00

Here is another painting in my 'Road' series. It is Congress Street in Portland, Maine. (Intersection of Bramhall Street and Congress Street, heading out of town)

It is 17" x 22" and is in tempera paint.

Furthering my education.....

2011-01-05T06:22:00.004-05:00

I like to think that I am always learning. A perpetual student.

One way I further my education is by studying blogs. Blogs that deal with art, food, making things, decorating, food, humor, travel and food.

Some blogs have a gazillion followers.....some don't. They're all good.

But every once in a while I come across something I don't get. It seems like those people that work in the so called 'think tanks' need something to do now and then so they think up new and cutting edge terminology that suddenly envelops the world.

Such as people saying...."Having said that......blah, blah, blah....."

As it is, it's all I can do to keep up with LOL, OMG, BFF and WTF.

Suddenly, in the more fashionable blogs, I see the terms, "after the jump". This is usually after someone's introductory paragraph for their blog entry.

Stuff like that drives me nuts, or even to drink.

WTF is 'after the jump'??? Someone.....anyone.... please tell me!

Well, I don't hear anyone answering my question, so I guess I have to do the research myself.

Here is what I found out.....

After the motorcycle jump looks like this......

After the ski jump might be.....

After the horse jump....

After the high jump....

After the jump off the boat....

After the bungee jump....
Soooo, having said that, I still don't get it.

Anyone?

HAPPY NEW YEAR !!!!!!!!!!!!!

2011-01-01T14:09:00.005-05:00

I am wishing everyone that takes the time to read my silly little blog, a very Happy and Healthy New Year on this 1/1/11!!

And to those that take the time to comment on my silly little blog, I wish great wealth, a diet that works in one day, cars that never break down and Johnny Depp coming to visit as well. Oh wait, that last one was just for me. Sorry....

Nevertheless.......

Last night Mr. DEDS, aka Birdman, and I spent most of the evening just with each other. Earlier in the afternoon, M&D stopped over to watch a game on TV (something with a funny shaped ball and guys knocking each other down every chance they get. Don't even get me going on the value of that!)

We had munchies which included some beet and sweet potato chips which were wonderful, (Who knew?), Low fat Ranch Dip, Sunflower chips with reduced fat cheese melted on top, sweetened peanuts, carrots and probably something else.

Then later, when it was just the two of us, we had:

-Asti sparkling wine

-Beet and walnut salad

-Bacon wrapped scallops

-Filet Mignon with blue cheese and red wine sauce

-peas and pearl onions

-baked potato

-coffee ice cream with warm cherries jubilee

I did change up some of the recipes to make things easier for me, but that's a secret.

(No, I did not have someone else do the cooking.)

I hope everyone had a fun filled New Year's Eve and will have a wonderful 2011!

(just think....In November, at 11 minutes after 11, it will be 11:11 on 11/11/11. Something to look forward to! ;-p)

Best F'ing Christmas evah!!!

2010-12-27T15:57:00.004-05:00

Fun, Family and Friends (thanks to M,J, M, D, C, J, B, P and P)

Flaming candles and Fancy gifts

Fine Food, Full tummies (aka Fat) :-( (thanks to me and D’s cookies)

Fascinating stories (thanks to P)

Fantastic musical toast (thanks to the other P)

Frosty,Foaming beer and Fine, Fruity wine.

Plenty of Foolishness to go around.

We’re so, so Fortunate to have such Fine Family and Friends!!!

Fondly, Elenka and Birdman (my Fav!)

Merry Christmas to all....

2010-12-24T13:14:00.001-05:00

....and to all a good night.

New Painting....

2010-12-19T10:14:00.003-05:00

Deering Oaks Bridge in the spring. Tempera Paint.

Deering Oaks is a park in Portland, Maine.

Hot Artichoke Spinach Dip

2010-12-10T16:28:00.005-05:00

My last recipe from Thanksgiving is presented here. Mr. Downeastdoingstuff claims he doesn't like artichokes, but he seemed to have no problem wolfing it down pre-turkey. The artichoke hearts are pulverized essentially, so no one is the wiser. I, myself, thought it was excellent. I liked the addition of the pepper jack cheese for that extra bite.

Here ya go.....

HOT SPINACH/ARTICHOKE DIP

Ingredients
1 (10-ounce) package frozen chopped spinach
2 (13 3/4-ounce) cans artichoke hearts
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup sour cream
1 cup freshly grated Parmesan
1 cup grated pepper jack cheese
Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a casserole dish with nonstick spray.

Heat the spinach in a microwave oven on high for 5 minutes and squeeze dry. I REPEAT: SQUEEZE THE EVER LOVIN' CRAP OUT OF IT OR ELSE YOU WILL BE SORRY! Devote a clean dish towel to the job and dry the sucker.
Drain the artichoke hearts and coarsely chop in a food processor.
Combine all the ingredients except the jack cheese in a large bowl. Stir well. Scrape into the prepared casserole dish and sprinkle the jack cheese on top. Bake for 30 minutes. Transfer to a chafing dish and keep warm over a low flame. (OR NOT)
Serve with bagel chips.

Enjoy.

Emergency dessert......

2010-12-07T18:45:00.006-05:00

There are times when basic instincts take over. Survival of the fittest.
I often find myself in a situation that takes drastic measures, or at least creative measures, or......well, I do what I can.
Such is the emergency dessert. In between holidays, it's slim picking around here in the dessert department. So here is the solution, in my mind anyway. It does the trick.

One container of chocolate syrup that has been in the fridge since summer.

One container of whipped cream. LIGHT whipped cream. I hear it contains no calories as opposed to it's heavier brother, HEAVY whipped cream.

Carefully pour the chocolate syrup into a teaspoon. I don't use a tablespoon because that would be pigging out, tempting though it is.

Squirt out a healthy dollop of the light whipped cream. Deposit into mouth.

Do it again.

Yum. Emergency solved.

Outside my window pane.....

2010-12-05T07:10:00.001-05:00

Could it be? Oh, it be.

Huh??

2010-12-03T17:13:00.002-05:00

I was just sitting here, fooling around on my laptop, with my jacket still on, because Mr. Downeastdoingstuff, aka Birdman, was making a fire in the woodstove, and it wasn't balmy enough in the kitchen to de-jacket.

I suddenly feel my phone vibrate in the pocket of my jacket and reach in to retreive it.

But my phone wasn't in my pocket.

It was out on the hutch cabinet 6 feet away.

And it wasn't ringing.

Or vibrating.

What do you make of that??

(keep it clean.....)

2nd pie recipe.....

2010-11-30T18:42:00.005-05:00

Now, this might look like a Pecan Pie to untrained eyes, but, oh no, it's not just a Pecan Pie....
it's a Pumpkin Pie that's underneath a Pecan Pie AND it's oh so yummy. What a good combination!!

Pecan/Pumpkin Pie....the ultimate in Alliteration.

Pumpkin Filling
 2 c cooked pumpkin purée  (I used one can.)
1/4 c firmly packed light brown sugar
 2 T sugar
 1 extra-large egg, beaten well 
1 T heavy cream 
1 T butter
 1 T vanilla extract
 1/4 t salt 
1/4 t cinnamon
 Pinch of allspice 
Pinch of nutmeg
Pecan Syrup
 1/2 c sugar
 3/4 c maple syrup (darker is better here) 
2 extra-large eggs
 1 1/2 T butter, melted
 2 t vanilla 
1 pinch salt
 1 pinch cinnamon 
3/4 c pecan pieces
Pumpkin Filling 
Combine all the ingredients thoroughly in a medium bowl; set aside.
Pecan Syrup  
Combine all the ingredients thoroughly in a medium bowl; set aside.

Assembly
 Preheat the oven to 325°F. Using my Butter Pie Crust (I didn’t use this crust, I used my old standby made with Crisco and flour.) recipe, prepare a 10″ pie plate with an uncooked crust (I use my 9 1/2″ Pyrex deep-dish plate).
Spoon the filling into the pan, spreading evenly to distribute. Gently pour the pecan syrup on top. Bake until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean, about 1 hour and 45 minutes. Cool and serve.

BUTTER PIE CRUST

Butter really does make the best pie crusts. The secret is keeping the dough cold and working it as little as possible.
Makes one 8” – 10” double crust pie.

2 1/2 c flour
1 t sugar
1/2 t salt
1 c (2 sticks) cold unsalted butter, grated
1/4 – 1/2 c ice water (fill a cup with water & add a few ice cubes; the colder the water the better)

Grate butter into food processor bowl. Add flour, sugar, and salt; blend in processor, using on/off turns, until coarse meal forms. 1/4 c water. Using on/off turns, blend just until moist clumps form, adding more water by 1/2 tablespoonfuls if dough is dry. Gather dough into ball; divide in half and flatten into 2 disks. Wrap in plastic; refrigerate at least 1 hour. If you can, chill the piecrust after rolling out and before baking.

Enjoy!

The Thanksgiving Apple Pie recipe I promised....

2010-11-28T10:12:00.006-05:00

This is the recipe I follow except I add dried cranberries to the apple mix, I use lots more apples and I add some chopped nuts to the topping. I also leave out the chopped butter to put on top of the apples. I could never figure out why all recipes ask for that. Seems like a waste of good butter and, ahem, calories. (But you know Paula Deen and her butter!)

This is an excellent apple pie recipe. ( I actually use a little less applesauce...I'm always afraid it will be too runny. Or I add a little more flour. I don't know, it might be perfect just the way it is.)

Crunch Top Apple Pie

Recipe courtesy Paula Deen

Prep Time:: 15 min
Inactive Prep Time:: --
Cook Time:: 55 min

Level:: Easy

Serves:: 6 to 8 servings

Ingredients

Dough and Filling:

Dough for a double crust 9-inch pie (homemade, frozen, or refrigerated)
3/4 cup sugar
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Dash salt
3 1/2 cups peeled, chopped cooking apples
1 (16-ounce) jar applesauce
1 tablespoon lemon juice
2 tablespoons butter, chopped into small pieces

Crunch Topping:

3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon sugar
Dash salt
1 tablespoon butter, at room temperature

Directions

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.

Line a 9-inch pie pan with half of dough. Combine sugar, flour, cinnamon, and salt in a bowl. Stir in apples, applesauce, and lemon juice. Spoon apple mixture into pie pan and dot with butter. Cut remaining crust into strips; arrange in a lattice design over top of pie. For crunch topping, combine flour, sugar, and salt in a bowl. Using a fork, cut in butter until mixture is crumbly. Sprinkle over top of crust. Bake for 10 minutes, then reduce heat to 350 degrees F and continue to bake for about 45 minutes, or until crust and topping are golden brown.