Friday Fixins Are No Shrimp

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I just love good shrimp scampi. I went to a new Red Lobster at the Providence exit and of course had high expectations. Since it just opened, I knew it would be good. Dont you just love those cheddar bisquits too! They were excellent! They only made me think everything else would be outstanding. Unfortunately, beyond the bisquits, I should have gone to Captain D's. Everything was just not that good. For what I spent, I could have gotten so much more AND enjoyed myself too with some change for a movie left over. The building was quite nice; unfortunately it wasnt being offered on the menu. Nonetheless, today's Friday Fixin is about something little with a great big taste! How could you go wrong in the comfort of your own home. Cant you imagine the air filled with that delectable aroma of garlic, lemon and shrimp! mmmmm mmmmmmm mmmm!

Shrimp Scampi

Ingredients:
2 pounds shrimp
8 tablespoons butter
4 large cloves garlic
4 tablespoons dry vermouth
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
4 tablespoons fresh parsley, or dried
2 teaspoons flour
Dash of lemon juice (1/2 of a lemon)
1 pound linguine (or your favorite pasta of choice)
Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:
1. Cook linguine according to package directions (al dente).
2. Rinse, peel, and de-vein the shrimp in cold water. Dry on paper towels.
3. Sauté garlic and parsley in butter and oil for 1 to 2 minutes.
4. DO NOT let the garlic turn brown.
5. Add the vermouth, then shrimp.
6. Raise heat to medium-high and cook for 3 to 5 minutes stirring frequently.
7. Do not overcook. Season with salt and pepper.
8. Add flour to slightly thicken the garlic butter.
9. Add the lemon juice during the last minute of cooking.
10. Remove from the heat. Serve immediately. Serves 4 to 6.

Since its been so long since you had a good Friday Fixins; lets go for TWO! As you know, I am not much on "healthy foods;" you might as well die happy; but this might be close. At least it is a very light "snack" with a big punch.

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CHINESE CABBAGE SALAD  

INGREDIENTS:
1 head Chinese cabbage (napa), finely chopped
Diced green onions
2 pkgs. Top Ramen noodle soup (break up noodles, discard flavor packet)
1/2 c. sesame seeds (1.78 oz. can is okay)
1/2 c. butter
1 sm. pkg. sliced or slivered almonds
1 sm pkg of pecan pieces

DRESSING:
1/2 c. salad oil
2 tsp. soy sauce
1 c. sugar
1/2 c. vinegar

1. Chop onions and cabbage and mix together in a large bowl. Chill for two hours.
2. Brown noodles, sesame seeds and almonds in butter until a nice tan color.
3. Drain on paper towel. Keep at room temperature.

DRESSING: Mix dressing ingredients until sugar is dissolved and oil blends in. Twenty minutes before serving, mix all together. Makes about 13 servings.

Mmmmmmm! MMMMM! Good. Have a great weekend and cook something delicious!!!

The Horror of Absence

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This blog is inspired by something I read in my cohorts GREAT blog on Walk The Line entitled The Interview, he states "...what I saw reminded me of me. There’s one point in their talk where Joaquin’s whole body shakes, just for a moment, and he heaves a huge resigned sigh with an air of ‘I have to get through this, just a little bit longer.’ I have been there a million times. Law school, grad school, nothing I’ve tried has been able to alter the fact that when a lot of people are looking at me, I simply lose the ability to speak. "



We hate being without our masks. We would love everyone to think that we are intelligent and charming people without a care in the world which also just happens to be "our" personal oyster. What terror comes over us when we have nothing to say? Why does man fear silence so much? Some argue it is because someone else can fill in our words. I can honestly remember a few times I wish I had been silent and someone else had filled in my responses. The things we do to protect our egos and illusions border on monsterous. What we do to others when they fall below our expectations also border on monsterous. So one might argue should any of us accuse another of anything.


Fears; everybody's got em whether they lie about it or not. I remember being terrified of getting up in front of people or entering a room and even afraid to leave my own house on certain days. I wasnt ready. I couldnt manufacture the illusion that had so often protected me; but from what, myself? others? both? On any given day, it may all be true or it may all be false. We are a civilization parading traditions as though they were truth. Thats the problem with PGA; (for the born-under-the-pew folks, that means pure grain alcohol). We drown ourselves in the KoolAde of political correctness pretending that three fourths of the cup isnt already filled with PGA. It just tastes so good, it couldnt be bad/harmful...besides I feel good.


I am so glad to see some "regular sized" women on tv/media and a few housewives who arent that desperate. Unfortunately, the cougars are coming to devour any survivors. If image is king and we sell our children for cents; who will pay the national debt? Where is all this going and what does it mean....probably nothing, possibly everything. But who will be brave enough to say? Do protests matter if noone is offended or inconvienced? If I saved a fortune on my car insurance; isnt it ok that I left a little roadkill along the way?

The horror of absence lurks everywhere. Its blade is razor sharp and serrated for maximum chaos. Will we in the US have to go without something we took for granted? Will our illusion of security be trampled on again and when? Is it safe to buy anything new? Do I have a job tomorrow? The what ifs are countless and the potential for absence is a chasm twenty times the distance from our souls. I dont know the answer; but I have the hope and faith to keep stepping another day. Its no wonder people buying the coffee for the person behind them in line at Starbucks seems so miraculous to the news media these days.....

Sometimes the gun is mighter than the bush!

Its the Monday after Valentines Day. Its Presidents Day but not one of my work holidays; so here I am pressing through a demandless day not being busy but productive. The air is crisp outside and my double thickburger from Hardees at lunch already seems gone. It was a good holiday except there's some crud going around that contains coughing, chest congestion and runny noses. It was an excellent recipe for some good movie watching. The top spot goes to Appaloosa.

In the movie, Harris is Virgil Cole, Appaloosa’s marshal-for-hire, who along with his best friend and second hand, Everett Hitch (Mortensen), is trying to bring one man to justice. That would be Randall Bragg (Jeremy Irons), who has been charged with murder and is about to be hanged for the crime. Bragg, a striking man who has the gift of eloquence, is having none of it. He does, after all, have power, money and the sort of friends who can intervene on his behalf — for a price. ...by Christopher Smith

As the story unfolds, another ties a noose around it — Cole must deal with his affections for Allison French (Renee Zellweger), a widow of questionable intent who “chews her food good,” looks pretty when she pinches her cheeks and does up her hair, and who can be a knockout in the right dress. Although Cole knows Allison is a drifter willing to fall into any man’s arms if it means keeping a roof over her head, he nevertheless becomes smitten with her, which becomes a cornerstone for the story as its more satisfying second half takes root.


I wont ruin the movie; but lets say ATYPICAL of men, the woman doesn't ruin their relationship....[or maybe I should say, the men don't ruin their relationship for the woman]. This movie isnt Unforgiven; but it is unforgettable! It is rich in a soft sincerity among two friends that overlooks offenses and hormones. It is a delightful suprise that doesnt require wall-to-wall shootouts or any hollywood action stunts. The power of its clean honest story and the raw friendship will have you looking to the west. Its a movie worth watching that is as full of quality as it is innocense. more images

Beware the Dark: Our Black Hearts

This morning was extra stormy with gloomy clouds. an angry wind and a bit of chill in the air. NOW, the sun is out and no evidence that a storm came this way or passed through remains. You never know what you dont know. I was reading another blog this morning about fear and its power over us; I thought it was pretty good. I tend to enjoy knowing the monster I'm facing probably more than is healthy.

You've heard it said, "WE have nothing to fear but FEAR itself..." Well that sounds great as a quote; but really? I dont think that holds much credibility. In fact, I would go so far as to say its an out and out lie; some snipet of logic thrown out to be penned for all time as great. I beg to differ. Its easy to see there is plenty to fear and even be afraid of. NOW, its the paralization that comes from fear that is more the enemy. If we cannot advance or receede, then we shall surely die where we stand. He who runs away lives to fight another day. He who's dumb enough to stay was buried where he lay. In our American history we have reached a point beyond eloquent speeches and the political nod that typically means business as usual. We are getting close to the end of the rope for ourselves and the generations to follow. Is doom inevitable? NO; but it may be necessary. How do CEO's, financial managers, banks, etc get to do such a horrible job and still keep their jobs PLUS bailout money to do it again???? Clearly Im in the wrong profession. Its funny to hear that now they say banks have been hoarding the bailout money to buy out smaller banks instead of passing it along to the consumers......ya think???? Money is rarely the solution; the fault always lies in the heart.


Sometimes you dont have to see it to be endangered by it. The prey that doesnt see the predator is no less dead.

Tankerous Tuesday

Its Tuesday and yesterday was absolutely gorgeous!!!! It was a great weekend of fun with the Mrs. My nephew celebrated his 7th birthday at Bounce U. Its fun to just relax and be a kid again with other kids grown and/or tiny. The second most fun part was watching my brothers expression once he figured out our gift was a drum set. PRICELESS! Thats one of the things that makes a good uncle; the vision to see a good gift beyond the momentary headache.
This day is crawling like a fat man on his naked belly over floor of broken glass; its only gonna stay this pretty if I dont have to look up. Speaking of which, I saw the stupidest funny movie, Stepbrothers, later that night and almost had a sore throat from laughing. Reality is the greatest of comedies.

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I think I feel like some act of random kindness. Its been a while since I did something like that. I thought about it yesterday but talked myself out of it. Despite my slightly itchy throat, I feel like dishing out some nice. It deptends got my juices flowing with a great blog yesteday that really sparks some debate; not attacks. It is only more reinforced after watching the President last night. We LOVE being armchair quaterbacks! We all have a shovel of criticisms and advice that are perfect from a seated position. If only our brains thought as well as our butts; we wouldnt even be in a crisis; our families would be prefect and politician and lawyers wouldnt be in the same categories.

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They say there is a storm headed this way. The Terminators are coming. Save the cheerleader, save the world. That theme has been around since Nostradamus and long after I'm gone. Speaking of cheerleaders; what has happened to Heroes? Did all the characters get a lobodomy after last season? (except Sylar) The last time I saw this many stupid people confused at the same time, I was at a ........well, nevermind; thats another blog. Sylar, there's a character to truely enjoy; basic, savage, single-minded, focused, power-hungry. The weakness of a heroe is his/her humanity.

Jedi Master Yoda

Ok...so you like Star Wars? You love Yoda??
You want to enjoy some great Star Wars music
and sound bites but get something for you time too???
Well this blew me away; not only for the patience and
that it made me watch it all; but what creativity. T
his will knock your socks off.