Oct 10, 2012

On Nora's Birthday, let's go to the kitchen

"What the hell is apple brown betty?"

"It's delicious, that's what the hell it is. Go sit down, give me a minute and I'll prove it. 

She fixed the dessert, served it in the living area. 

"It's not sex,' she said, "but it's a nice end to a meal."

He took the first spoonful. "Where has this been all my life?"

"I learned to make it for my father. It was a favorite of his."

'"A man of good taste."

Angels Fall


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A cross between bread pudding and apple crumble, the Apple Brown Betty is a humble dessert made from day-old bread and sweetened fresh fruit (sometimes with berries instead of apples). 

 

In honor of National Apple Betty Day, we're serving up a batch with fresh whipped cream tonight! For the best betty, we consulted SAVEUR contributor Marion Cunningham, author of The Fannie Farmer Cookbook (Knopf, 1990). She passed this along with the advice that you won't need the lemon juice if your apples are flavorful. 



FOOD NETWORK
(previous link is no longer available)




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HAPPY BIRTHDAY NORA!

Oct 5, 2012

What Your Dog Says About You

The dog tried to nose in but was elbowed back.
"You lie down, you big sloppy idiot. Not you," he added with a quick, charming grin as he brushed Malory's hair back from her face. "I'm sorry. He's harmless, just clumsy and stupid."
"What… what is it?"
"Moe's a dog, or that's the rumor. We think he's a cross between a cocker spaniel and a woolly mammoth. I'm really sorry. My fault. I wasn't paying enough attention, and he got away from me."
She slid her gaze to the right, where the dog, if it was a dog, was hunkered down, thumping a tail as thick
as her arm and looking as innocent as anything that homely could manage.

Key of Light



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If you are single and own a dog, your dog’s breed just may give you a boost in the dating department, according to a survey by the pet social network Klooff.

Klooff surveyed 1,000 people to find out the top 5 breeds that make single men and women more desirable to date. Read on to find out which breeds can help (and hurt) you on the dating scene.







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“Where’s the dog?”
“In the truck.”
She looked past him, cocked her head. She saw the pup through the window now. A Lab-retriever mix, she judged—and currently very busy.
“Your dog’s eating your truck.”
“What?” He spun around. “Fuck!”
As he made the dash, Fiona signaled her newly alerted dogs to stay and sauntered after him. The best way to get a gauge on the man, the dog and their current dynamic was to watch how he handled the situation.

The Search

Sep 25, 2012

the buck stops here


"Problem?" Cam leaned on the doorjamb, tongue in his cheek. It was an amusing sight after a hard day's work, he decided. His well-riled wife stalking around his all-but-bare-assed brother.
"Somebody's been in my garden and they stole my flowers."
"No kidding? Want me to call the cops?" 
"Oh, shut up." She whirled back to Ethan, who took a cautious and cowardly step in retreat. She looked fit to murder. "Well?"
"Well, I…" He'd intended to confess, throw himself on her mercy. But the woman glaring at him out of dark, furious eyes looked several quarts low on mercy. "Rabbits," he said slowly. "Probably."
"Rabbits?"
"Yeah." He shifted uncomfortably, wishing to Christ he'd at least gotten his pants on before she burst in.
"Rabbits can be a problem with gardens. They just hop up and help themselves."
"Rabbits," she said again.
"Could be deer," he added, just a little desperately. "They'd graze over and eat every damn thing down to stubs." Counting on pity, he shot a look at Cam. "Right?"
Cam weighed the situation, knew Anna was city girl enough to buy it. Oh, Ethan would owe him for this, he decided and smiled. "Oh, yeah, deer and rabbits, big problem." Which having two dogs running tame pretty much eliminated, he mused.



Rising Tides





 

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20 Ways to Keep Deer Out of Your Yard

 

 

 

Sure, they're pretty to look at, if you're quick—and quiet enough to catch a glimpse of deer galloping off into the distance. But set loose in your garden, they will ravage your tender tulips and plump pansies, leaving foliage raggedy and the fruits of your labor plumaged. Fortunately, with a little bit of insight into their habits, you can prevent your flowers, bulbs, and vegetables from becoming a free buffet.

 

THIS OLD HOUSE


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Sep 13, 2012

what makes a perfect pub?










The air was scented with that sweet smoke, 
with the yeasty aroma of beer, 
and when his sister-in-law swung through from the kitchen with a tray, 
the rich, full scent of his brother's Mulligan stew joined the mix.
 

Christmas at Ardmore (Irish Jewels)






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It’s a heady mixture of good ale, lager, wine, and food – 

not forgetting sympathetic conversation, hospitality and lighting 

 

GuinessIsGoodForYou

 

 

TELEGRAPH




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"No, not here, not for this. Here you want duachais."
"Okay. Since I want it, why don't you tell me what it is?"
"Oh, it's Gaelic for…" She waved her hand as she tried to find the right translation. 
"For'tradition.' No, not just that. It has to do with a place most particularly, 
and its roots and its lore. With, well, with what and why it is."
His eyes narrowed, focused. "Say it again."
"It's duachais."
"Yeah, that's it. That's just exactly it."

Heart of the Sea

Sep 5, 2012

happily combining households


“"And I haven'’t put anything inside it. I talk about it, but I don’'t take the step. Not a chair, not a table, beyond what I needed for Steve. I guess I have to fix that.”"
He’'d been waiting for that. Waiting for that step. "I’ve got a house full of stuff here. It'’s a good start for picking and choosing.”"
She walked to him, linked her arms around his neck. "“I pick you. I pick the guy who’'ll slice tomatoes with me at seven in the morning because I’'m a lunatic. The guy who not only promises to help me, but does. The one who makes me understand I’'m the first Hardy woman in three generations lucky enough to be in love with a man who sees me. Let’'s pick something, and take it across the road. We'’ll put it inside the house so it’'s not hers, it’'s not mine. So it’'s ours.”"
"“I vote for the bed.”"
She grinned. “"Sold."”


Tribute



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Joining forces may seem easy compared to merging all your stuff under one roof. 

These pointers can help you keep the peace

 

 

 

If you are planning to merge two households, you may need to address everything from duplicate items and treasured family heirlooms to furnishings of questionable taste (and plenty of clutter). Moving in together, while exciting, can also potentially be the cause of some heated arguments and hurt feelings if tastes and housekeeping styles clash. Be proactive and pave the way for a smooth transition with these helpful tips.  


HOUZZ


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It was ridiculous, of course, for two people who were preparing for a party to leave the work to break down a bed, to haul frame, headboard, footboard, mattress, box spring, bedding downstairs, out to the truck, drive it across the road with a dog in tow. Then reverse the procedure.
But Cilla found it not only symbolic, she found it therapeutic.
Still, Ford’s suggestion that they try it out in its new place was going too far.
Tonight, she told him. Definitely.
Their room now, she thought, giving the pillows an extra fluff. Their room, their bed, their house. Their life.
Yes, she’'d put pictures of Janet in the house, as she'’d said in the dream. But there would be other pictures. Pictures of her and Ford, of friends and family. She'’d ask her father if he had any of his parents, his grandparents she could copy. She’'d repair and refinish the old rocker she'd found in the attic, and she'’d buy cheerful, happy dishes, and put Ford’'s wonderful roomy couch in their living room.
She'’d remember what had been, and build toward what could be. Really, had'n’t that always been the purpose? And she’'d keep looking for that truth.


Tribute

Sep 1, 2012

french fries

"I'm making the fries right now, aren't I?"
"I thought Grace was going to make them."
Steely-eyed, Anna stared at him over her shoulder. "Are you suggesting that I can't make french fries?"
He was bored and restless enough to be pleased that he'd jabbed her ego. "Well, she makes really good
ones."

Inner Harbor


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Chipsqw



Slow-Fried French Fries

There are certain foods that are better when not made at home, like french fries. 
To achieve golden-brown perfection, you have to fry them twice...




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"This might be the end of things between us. Can this relationship be
saved? Quick. French fries or caviar?"
"Really, that's ridiculous. French fries, of course."
"Do you mean it?" As if hope had sprung giddily into his heart, he grabbed her hand in a tight grip.
"You're not just saying that to string me along so you can have your way with me?"
"Caviar is fine on occasion, but it's hardly an essential element of life."

Chesapeake Blue

Aug 27, 2012

bud and bloom

"So, the name of the shop. Bud and Bloom. Is that from Whistler?"
Surprise, and speculation, flickered over her face. "As a matter of fact, it is. You're the first to tag it."
"One of my brothers is big on stuff like that. I can't remember the quote exactly. Something about
perfect in its bud as in its bloom."

Chesapeake Blue




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The masterpiece should appear as the flower to the painter.. 
perfect in its bud as in its bloom.. 
with no reason to explain its presence.. 
no mission to fulfill.. 
a joy to the artist, a delusion to the philanthropist.. 
a puzzle to the botanist.. 
an accident of sentiment and alliteration to the literary man.


James McNeill Whistler





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 (the pictures - and roses - are mine)

Aug 23, 2012

a thousand years

"I came through time for you, Libby. Don't ever, ever think I made a mistake."
She shook her head. "I'm afraid you'll think so."
"'Time is… Time was… Time is past'," he murmured. "My time is in the past, Libby. With you."
Her eyes filmed over again. "I love you so much, Caleb. I'll make you happy."
"I'm counting on it."

Time Was



________________


Christina Perry




And all along I believed I would find you
Time has brought your heart to me
I have loved you for a thousand years
I love you for a thousand more




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 "I wanted you to have something from your time." 
He felt a little foolish, not ready to admit that he had
spent months scouring antique shops. "When I saw this, it was… well, like fate. Don't cry."
"I have to." She sniffled, then raised her drenched eyes to his. 
"It survived. All this time."
"The best things do."

Times Change