Happiness

 

Mr. Coffee

 

This recent addition to our kitchen is making me very, very happy. Forever, we'd had a 12-cup coffee pot dedicated solely to brewing tea for iced tea. After our 20+-year old Mr. Coffee bit the dust, we decided to try the Mr. Coffee Iced Tea Maker, even though I've never liked the flavor of hot tea poured over ice.

Mr. Coffee Iced Tea Maker

 

After months of dissatisfaction, we reached two conclusions: 1) Our long-time source for teabags has been corrupted. Their tea is no longer of an acceptable quality/flavor. 2) A dedicated 12-cup Mr. Coffee coffeemaker is far superior to the iced tea maker.

 

I found the teal beauty at Tuesday Morning, and I'm in love. But, this love affair is a 3-way.

Marielle+Mr. Coffee+Twinings

 

We've switched to Twinings English Breakfast Tea--tea leaves and teabags. Soulmates.

 

 

 

Composed Salad

My version...

Original version...

-source-

The small tool on the left is a pear corer, but works beautifully to clean the seeds from a halved cucumber. I salted the cucumbers to drain them, but wouldn't again. Just blot well with paper towels after cubing. Also, blot tomato pieces. Squeezed some lime juice over the cubed avocado.

Current Coffee

 

Ingeni

 

Nespresso Citiz

 

While we love our Nespresso, we also change things up a bit a couple of times a week and use our Ingeni pour-over. Our current favored coarse ground coffee is Peet's Major Dickason's Blend. My only complaint with our Nespresso beauty is that I like my coffee HOT!!! So, I always have to microwave my Nespresso for @15 seconds to achieve that goal. The pour-over coffee is just the right temp.

 

And, we also sometimes default to the Bodum French Press, having taken it to the beach and other vacation destinations many times.

Bodum

 

Dear CPK

(source)

I'm a long-time fan, an early adopter, a faithful diner, and a blatant promoter of all the goodness that is California Pizza Kitchen. I've eaten in your restaurants in Virginia, Illinois, Florida, South Carolina, California... Well, I think you get it.

 

I have a suggestion, not even the slightest criticism.

 

You need to provide pizza knives. These are so cool. We've used them in France and in Austria. We have some at home. They can be found online.

Yours sincerely.

p.s. And, your pastas are fantastic, too.

So... Today (3/20/2014) I emailed my letter to CPK. Let's see if they respond.

 

Herb and Vegetable Shears

 

Found these originally at the market in Cannes. The guy did a hopped-up Vegi-Matic style demo. It was impressive. Think I paid €5, but it might have been €10 because I hesitated, and bought just the one pair. Later, I found 4-blade shears in a kitchen store in Antibes for less €€ and bought them for JE and MK.

 

The best part of this particular purchase is the nifty blade cleaner. I find it indispensable. But, that's just me. I've now seen similar shears at Sur la table.

 

Pizza Knives

 

 

Used these all over Southern France and Paris, but had never seen them in U.S. We scoured the kitchenware shops in Paris, finally buying the final four available in a shop near E. Dehillerin.

 

They came with the cork enpointe. (O.K., I know that's not the right word for this usage, but I can't resist.)

 

Great for safety in the kitchen drawer scramble

 

 

Found these online:

 

 

-source-

 

-source-

 

Or, this crazy contraption that looks not only worthless, but dangerous, too.

-source-

 

Inspektor Gadget

I've been enjoying capturing a few favorite quotes and some original thoughts (if ever there was such a thing!) with the WHIMS app. Obviously, I'm still on the learning curve.

 

 

 

Woman Stops Gator Attack with a Small Beretta Pistol

 

This is a story of self-control and marksmanship by a brave, cool-headed woman with a small pistol against a fierce predator. What is the smallest caliber that you would trust to protect yourself?

A Beretta Jetfire testimonial.

Here is her story:

While out walking along the edge of a bayou just below Houma, Louisiana with my soon to be ex-husband discussing property settlement and other divorce issues, we were surprised by a huge 12-ft. alligator suddenly emerging from the murky water and charging us with its large jaws wide open.

She must have been protecting her nest because she was extremely aggressive. If I had not had my little Beretta Jetfire .25 caliber pistol with me, I would not be here today!

Just one shot to my estranged husband's knee cap was all it took. The gator got him easily and I was able to escape by just walking away at a brisk pace. It's one of the best pistols in my collection!

Plus ... the amount I saved in lawyer's fees was more than worth the purchase price of the gun.

 

Ear Infections

 

What I wouldn't have give for one of these when my children were infants and toddlers.

 

The Inevitable Diet

8 Weight Watcher Points

 

I have always been a yo-yo dieter. Lately, my post-menopausal nervous system has periodically had me on the anxiety diet. Not my favorite way to lose weigh, to say the least, but effective.

 

Two years ago LL and I added Weight Watchers to our ongoing speed walking dates. We both were quite successful. Then, last spring we again began going to WW meetings, but soon dropped out...

 

So, this is Day 3 of my 3-month WW online commitment. LL is working up to starting to attend meetings again. We each have to do this within our own timeline. I believe she'll go to a meeting soon, because another friend has begun joining us occasionally on our walks. BS has lost almost 20 lbs. on WW since January. Inspirational.

 

 

Isn't Jennifer Hudson the best spokesperson ever! She's gorgeous and so talented.

 

 

I'm always an inspired cook when I'm seriously dieting. The poached egg mélange pictured above is today's breakfast-brunch. 8 points is alot, but this is loaded with good stuff and tasty (filling) enough that I was able to skip the bread. I always need bread with eggs.

 

EGGS FLORENTINE

 

1 T. Olive oil

4 Mushrooms, thickly sliced

1 cup Sweet onions, thickly sliced

2 cups Spinach

Salt + Pepper

2 Eggs

 

1. Heat olive oil in sauté pan or wok, over high flame
2. Stir-fry onions until slightly opaque
3. Add mushroom and stir-fry with onions.
4. When mushroom and onions just begin to carmelize, stir in spinach until wilted.
5. Salt and pepper vegetables, to taste
6. Drain vegetable mixture in a colander while preparing eggs.
7. Return vegetables to the still warm sauté pan
8. Place eggs in silicone poachers, sprayed with Pam, then microwave for 60 - 70 seconds.
9. Remove vegetables to a serving plate
10. Arrange eggs over vegetable mixture. Enjoy!

 

Cookies

I'm an excellent cookie baker. Really. Folks say... My mother-in-law taught me by example. In and near her small town, she's famously a gifted baker . She is the best pie maker. In our family, CA is second best. Makes me proud!

 

I have 5 or 6 fantastic recipes. I use real butter and high quality nuts, chocolate, etc.

 

 

I own 4 sizes of cookie scoops. These are imperative for consistent-sized cookies. Size is important. To ensure the perfect degree of golden brown and crisp or chewy.

 

 

These are two sizes on purpose. Although, the big ones are preferred by all.