Haines His Way

Hi lovelies and studlies..... It was a lovely cool, mild morning here in Phoenix.  Can you believe it??!!  We are glad... we are very glad.

It was so good to see the entire production of "The Brain" and I think I managed to hit it on a performance where there were very few tech glitches.  The sound was the best balance and clarity between all of the band parts, and then between band and vocals.... very wonderful.

And as usual, the various catchy "hooks" of the show are burned into my mind for the next number of weeks.  I don't think the H/Ks in NYC believed me when I told them that if I am listening to the CD in my car of the title track, when it comes to the final "stinger" at the end I have to physically do "Kimmel Hands" as I drive.  I have gotten some most interesting reactions.........but so far, not arrested.

Vixmom, you and Victoria could simply read THE CRUCIBLE together instead of watching it.

Bruce, Ginny, Vixmom & the Vixter, I hope your sore throats quickly improve.

Jeanne, and everyone who needs them….FEEL BETTER VIBES!

Judge Denies Sen. Larry Craig's Request to Withdraw Guilty Plea

Ah, poor baby!

Guess he'll just have to suck it up live with the pain.

der Brucer

My response to the news is Well, Duh!  Are you telling me a man who helps create the law didn't knowingly and voluntarily plead guilty. Oh Puhleese.  

Yes, I did find that odd. I also thought it incredibloy stupid of Claire to leave the car unlocked (didn't she leave the keys inside, too?). Who does that nowadays?

It's called "Plot device" (even as absurd as it is ).

Better do more work.

DR Jose - I saw online that Amy's Bread had a cookbook but they are sold out. You didn't get one by any chance did you? If so, does it have the recipe for Monkey Cake?

I need to bake something yummy for Tuesday when my book group meets here.  I don't want to serve anything with chocolate, raisins or any food stuff that could harm Sherlock if he gets hold of it.  I think Monkey Cake would be safe.

NO! NO! NO!!  If you are arrested you REMAIN SILENT AND TELL THEM YOU WANT A LAWYER!  I know many good ones in Phoenix, BTW.  

Always remember, Even a fish wouldn't get in trouble if he kept his mouth shut!!

   I'll remember that.  

This recipe is from Southern Living. It first ran in the magazine in February 1978 but has been repeated many times since because it's so popular. It was elected favorite recipe ever in 1990 and has won blue ribbons at several county fairs across the South. It was submitted by Mrs. L. H. Wiggins, Greensboro, NC. (I both love and detest Mrs. Wiggins because I have to make this cake about four times every holiday season by popular demand. I've made it so long now that I'm bored with it but everyone insists on it. So beware of the danger before you try it!)

Hummingbird Cake

3 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
2 cups sugar
1 tsp ground cinnamon
3 eggs, beaten
3/4 cup vegetable oil
1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1 (8-oz) can crushed pineapple, undrained
1 cup chopped pecans (you can also use walnuts - the taste is the same and they are usually cheaper)
1 3/4 cup mashed bananas (about three bananas)
1/2 cup chopped pecans
Cream Cheese Frosting

Combine first five ingredients in a large bowl; add eggs and oil, stirring until dry ingredients are moistened. Do not beat. Stir in vanilla, pineapple, 1 cup pecans and bananas.

Pour batter into three greased and floured nine-inch round cakepans. Bake at 350 degrees for 23 to 28 minutes or till a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes; remove from pans and let cool completely on wire racks.

Stir 1/2 cup pecans into cream cheese frosting, if desired, or reserve them to sprinkle over the top of the frosted cake. Spread frosting between layers and on top and sides of cake. (It's best to mix the pecans in because then no one will see the results if any crumbs get in the frosting. Also, I sometimes decorate the edge of the cake with pecan halves in a circle.)

Cream Cheese Frosting:
1/2 cup butter
1 (8-oz) package cream cheese, softened
1 (16-oz) package powdered sugar, sifted
1 tsp vanilla extract

Cream butter and cream cheese. Gradually add powdered sugar, beat until mixture is light and fluffy. Stir in vanilla. (I always double the frosting recipe because I can't tolerate a lightly frosted cake.)

The plumber has arrived, assessed the kitchen sink problems, fixed what he could, told me he was recommending a new sink - after 27 years here I could use one! - and departed.  I did some writing on several reports for the Toyland project, and my online banking is back.  Al in all, not a bad afternoon.

Tomorrow morning, a new iMac!

Just caught up and I still have nothing much that i can say.

... at the end I have to physically do "Kimmel Hands" as I drive.  I have gotten some most interesting reactions.........but so far, not arrested.

Try "Kimmel Hands" beneath the stall divider and you might!

der Brucer

...by McCarthy's many speeches suggesting (without a shred of evidence) that Soviet Communists were infiltrating every aspect of American society, including entertainment on screens large and small.  

Which, in fact, they were - but not near to the panic-evoking extent of McCarthy's allegations. Same thing is happening today! Rep Tom Tancredo and Neo-Fascist Screech Owl Michelle Malkin would have us believe that the borders are being over-run by hoards of illegal immigrants hell bent on raping, pillaging and wrecking wanton destruction on our besieged American Society; well, yes, the boarder is breeched, some "illegals" have committed crimes (but so have some Irish Catholic Priests). But -  Panic Plays in Peoria!

der Brucer

Very interesting DR TCB.

I guess what bothered me most about that car stuff in HEROES is how UNBOTHERED they were about it. I know they're hiding, trying to blend in, but I still would have thought it would have gotten more than a shrug and "I hope this won't keep you from buying me another car" comment. Really? Ya think?