Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Unbought? Yep. Unbossed? Check.

Want to watch a great documentary? Check out Chisholm '72: Unbought and Unbossed! (Karen thinks I've lost my mind because she just caught me watching it for the 4th time, but it's just so good! This movie made me laugh, it made me cry...it nearly made me a Democrat!)



Shirley Chisholm may have been called "abrasive" and "unrealistic," but she was BRAVE and she was ARTICULATE and she was PASSIONATE. She makes the politicians of today look like Cowardly Lions, afraid of their own shadow, afraid of taking a stand, afraid of committing to something that they'll have to flip-flop on next week. (And they *will* flip-flop, if they think it will keep them in power. At least with Mrs. Chisholm, everyone knew exactly where she stood!)

Three of my favorite minutes on the DVD come between minutes 39 and 42; here is an excerpt from a speech she gave to a crowd of supporters who greeted her on the tarmac of the Pensacola airport: "Why is it, constantly, quadrennially, when politicians come out from every corner to get the most important thing you have--your vote--why is it that it has to always be white males, white males, white males?"..."So ladies and gentlemen, I conclude by saying if you can't support me or you can't endorse me, get out of my way. You do your thing and let me do mine. God bless you!"

And then to a crowd of children in her office: "One of the reasons why Mrs. Chisholm is able to make it in spite of all the obstacles that she has against her--so many things...I'm a woman, I'm a black, I'm "maverick-y," I won't behave myself, the bosses can't manipulate me, white politicians don't like me, black politicians don't like me...you know why Mrs. Chisholm is able to sustain all of this? She has something that none of them can take from her--brain power!"

When one of the students says that white people probably don't think that "a lady would be in office," she responded "Not only white people, but black people, too, son! There are a lot of black politicians that don't think a woman should run for President. See? Because a woman doesn't run for President in the United States of America. That's why I'm trying to break the barriers."

After Ms. Chisholm tells the kids that she wishes that she could spend more time with them because "you all are so much more fascinating than a lot of these politicians," the students begin to take turns shaking her hand and wishing her goodbye and good luck. She is gracious and attentive and says this as she shakes their hands and sees them out of her office: "Nice of you to drop by, and don't forget to study hard...I'm paving the way for you...You don't disappoint me; you get your education!"

After the last child leaves, she says to campaign staffer Robert Gottlieb: "Robert, that's why I'm doing this. It's the only reason. Honest to God, with everything going against me."

One more reason why I liked it? She reminded Karen and me of Nanny...which is weird because she and Nanny had next-to-nothing in common. But you'll see! She's spunky and built exactly like Nanny and I'm pretty sure that they had many of the same outfits. You'll love it, regardless of political affiliation. (If this McCain/Palin supporter loved it, anyone can love it.)


Monday, April 27, 2009

Solid potato salad, anyone?

Just when it seemed like YouTube was out of great videos, Karen sat me down at her computer and made me watch this:


And then Kirsten emails this:



I'm not sure what Solid Potato Salad is, but perhaps we should all put it on the menu!

Saturday, April 25, 2009

Before heading to Fort Worth...

...I should share this:



It's pretty cringe-worthy...and even though it's AMAZING, let's hope no pedestrians were harmed in the filming of this video!

Friday, April 17, 2009

Happy Birthday, Dad! Happy Honor Breakfast, Molly!

Posing for the camera, dodging Aunt Kristy's kisses, & singing "Happy Birthday" to Grandpa! (Dad was treated to "Happy Birthday" in TWO languages this morning; after we finished the last notes of our song, Kirsten piped up with "Hoch Soll Er Leben!")


A photo of Dad taken in grass-less Andrews, Texas...
along with dialogue from his favorite movie, Raising Arizona!



Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Sunday, April 12, 2009

Did you hear "Speaking of Faith" today?

I'm always calling my dad and asking if he heard this week's Speaking of Faith with Krista Tippett; here was my favorite part of today's broadcast...from the chapter "Lenten Spring" of Inheriting Paradise: Meditations on Gardening:

"Several summers ago my children found two turtles and put them in the vegetable garden. During a thaw the next February, as I was digging up the soggy soil where the peas go, I lifted a heavy mound with my shovel, and then another. The two turtles had burrowed down for winter sleep, and I had rudely awakened them too soon. So I carried them to a corner of the garden where I would not disturb them and dug them in again. When my wife said that she feared the turtles might be dead, I said I did not think so (though I wasn't as sure as I sounded). I insisted that in spring they would come up. And they did in Easter week.

Lilies and hyacinths signify the resurrection, and I can understand why. But I have a pair of turtles that plant themselves in my garden each fall like two gigantic seeds and rise on Easter with earthen crowns upon their humbled heads. With the women at the tomb, I marvel..."

Sunday, April 05, 2009

Saturday, April 04, 2009

Rosemary's Nuts

Got nuts? Got rosemary? Get ready for a DELICIOUS snack!

I used the basic recipe for the Union Square Cafe's bar nuts, but reduced the salt and added the zing of Tabasco and Worcestershire sauces.

Rosemary's Nuts

* 1/4 pound each peeled peanuts, cashews, brazil nuts, hazelnuts, walnuts, pecans, and whole unpeeled almonds OR 1 pound unsalted assorted nuts
* 1 tablespoon butter, melted
* 2 tablespoons coarsely chopped fresh rosemary
* 1 teaspoon cayenne
* 2 teaspoons dark brown sugar
* salt to taste (approx. 1/2 tsp--1 tsp. kosher salt should do it)
*generous dash of original recipeTabasco sauce
*generous dash of Worcestershire sauce



1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

2. Toss the nuts in a large bowl to combine and spread them out on a cookie sheet. Toast in the oven until they become light golden brown, about 8-10 minutes.

3. In the large bowl, combine the melted butter with the rosemary, cayenne, brown sugar, salt, Tabasco, and Worcestershire sauce.

4. Thoroughly toss the warm toasted nuts with the spiced butter and serve warm. Store leftovers in airtight containers; they're great for a couple of weeks.