Let it Snow

I actually like snow. However, it feels kinda weird getting 12+ inches of snow in Delaware. I've always kinds felt like the snow line ended when you crossed the Delaware River. Like Washington. That famous photo of our first President leading our regiments to victory.
But alas, it has come down to one of those rare occasions when I'm wrong. And we're up to our wigwams in snow. Not to be thwarted by the fluffy white stuff, I ventured out to the Christiana mall this a.m. My cabin fever sets in early and apparently quite fast. So I ventured down I-95 and got my fill of anonymous companionship from the other brave souls, game for a few last minute pre-Christmas deals.
And for my last hurrah, I returned home and snuggled up on my sofa with my trusty laptop.
Let it snow...

Little Black Babies

A new email forward is going around asking the public to call Costco's corporate offices and demand that all stores across the country remove the "Cuddle With Me" line of baby dolls from the shelves. One of the dolls, the little black baby, is causing quite a stir. The doll is boxed with several little monkeys. The stitching on the hat on the doll's head reads "Lil Monkey." The little white doll has pandas and the cap reads "Pretty Panda."
Why are black people being relegated to monkey status again? I can only assume this doll was made in another country because no dollmaker in the U.S. could be so culturally insensitive. I hope Costco (and other big box stores) are finally seeing the folly of their ways in outsourcing everything to China. They may have saved a lot om manufacturing on the front end, but unsold merchandise doesn't bode well for store profits.
Finally, I'm truly disappointed that not a single Costco employee spoke out about this, or if they did, management ignored their complaints.
I just received this note today, but a Google search reveals this story broke in August. So far, news reports are saying that Costco has pulled all of the dolls and management has offered an apology. But many stores, is not all stores. Kudos to everyone who has called or emailed so far.

Glutton or Good Citizen?

On Sunday, I bought a foot long stick of pepperoni from BJ's. Today is Tuesday and that foot long stick of pepperoni has been reduced to about six inches. I'm struggling with the fact that every time I walk past the pepperoni on the table or open the fridge and see it sitting there on the shelf beckoning me to have a sliver or three, I answer.
Over the weekend I thought it was OK to have a little extra pepperoni with the my soup since I was having cheese and crackers and I don't eat much dairy cheese. (I love it, but I'm lactose intolerant and have to take it easy in that department.) When I walked in the door tonight after work, the pepperoni was on the table and I sliced myself a little piece (or two, I can't remember) before going upstairs to talk to the neighbors. Then as I was preparing dinner, I sliced some more.
So am I glutton or a good citizen for not letting food go to waste? I'll mull that over an other slice, I guess.

The Great Pumpkin Stimulus

A newscaster the other morning reported that this very rainy Spring we had has contributed to an awful growing season for our favorite fall veggie classics like gourds and squash, and most notably this time of year--pumpkins. Apparently, the rain has left us with incredibly lush tomatoes, but very mushy pumpkins.
The farmers in and around the Phillly area, according to the newscaster, are so afraid of running out of saleable pumpkins before Halloween, that the idea of importing pumpkins is being tossed around.
What? Importing pumpkins? Have these newscasters driven downstate Delaware via Route 1lately? Pumpkins! Lots of them!
So with the newscasters spreading fear and panic about the great pumpkin shortage of 2009, will we see a run on markets and farm stands for that uber-coveted pumpkin? Big storm a comin'? Stock up on pumpkins? (I'm going for soymilk and bread, personally.)
On the other side of this tight rope that we're walking --import or not--I must acknowledge that right now I'm childless, so maybe I don't understand the importance of a pumpkin in a child's first few years of Halloween and trick or treating. Hence the need to ensure an adequate supply of pumpkins.
But from my little view of the world, I think we'll get through this crisis. Otherwise, there's always a stimulus package for pumpkin growers.

Coopting a Classic

I'm bored. Actually I'm stuck trying to come up with tasty fall recipes for an upcoming cookbook compilation on www.Examiner.com. I've posted a few articles there lately. I'm stumped because growing up in Jersey, I don't remember fall weekends to see the changing of the leaves or to the local farms to pick apples for cider or apple sauce. Not knowing such fun as a child, I don't think I suffered...much. But know I'm older and like these little jaunts - something my cousins whom I'm quite close to don't get.
Not discouraged, I'm turning my thoughts toward maybe a dish that my friend Shirley makes. I remember when I first saw Shirley make her zucchini bread, I was appalled at her addition of carrots, raisins, nuts and sometimes, even chocolate chips. (I'm allergic to chocolate, so no choco nibs for me.)
Truth be told, Shirley's zucchini bread is different, but not unpalatable. So if Shirley can coopt a classic, then I'm sure I can too.

Snack Happy/Snack Healthy

There's a lot of news about snacking making headlines lately. One report says local governments should tax high-calorie, low-nutrient foods and drinks, i.e. snack foods, in order to combat childhood obesity. Another report says that Americans are snacking more than ever and the trend is set to increase as ‘grab-and-go’ foods become more diverse and easily available.
Take public schools. Kitchens are struggling with balancing profits and nutrition. For example, the lunch menu is supposed to limit the amount of french fries they serve per week. But fries, the greasy, tasty, calorie laden goodies that they are, are more popular than say, the organic carrot sticks.
This year, one school is introducing even more snack options like hot pretzels - another deliciously deadly sin. Talk about diversity. I guess the final question is will making the cost of bad-for-your health, but good-for-your-soul snacks more expensive send kids running to that bag of organic carrots? Or is the solution to reduce or eliminate selling snacks at lunch?

Oui, Oui

Everything related to French cooking is hot right now. I'm disappointed that I didn't keep up with my study of what I believe to be one of THE most romantic languages in the world. I think that would've surely given me a leg up in my pursuit of learning a different style of cooking.
So, back to the French. The American Julia Childs showed us how the French do it about 40 years ago or so. Very classy. But these days big name retailers have not only updated the style, but made it simple, and classy, thanks to some very handy appliances. I myself have recently discovered the joy of cooking (not the book) and would love to indulge in French food, made easy, of course, courtesy of some really great appliances. There's one hurdle - actually two. First is my husband. He wants the food, not the toys that make it happen. Hurdle #2? Number of ingredients.
I'm stuck with a desire to cook French foods, but with out the appropriate tools and a smaller ingredient list, desire is all I've got.
(sigh)

Itsy, Bitsy, Teeny, Weeny Yellow Polka Dot Bikini

When I first read the latest news from some of the airlines that they will be increasing fees for checking bags, I was outraged. We already pay for a bag that weighs more than 50 lbs., which is an easy fee for any women to rack up if she has more than one pair of shoes with her. We pay for peanuts and in some cases, we pay for sodas and pillows - as my friend says paying for sleep.
"Airlines are fighting for scraps here. These are penny ante policies that often catch consumers by surprise," said Joe Schwieterman, transportation expert at DePaul University in Chicago. "It's made traveling with two bags punitive for many flyers."
I agree with Schweiterman - this is just ridiculous. I believe airlines, like U.S. Air, are about to wake up to a sad reality- they've lost their customers. Other airlines are popping up and willing to pick up the slack - offering affordable fares and no bag fees. On the other hand, this could be just the reprieve some small media company employees need to get a break when traveling.
For example, my old employer used to make his staff carry back all of our press material - tomes of paper- with us on the plane. We had a booth bag of supplies and a second press bag in addition to a portable booth. The staff always moaned and groaned about having to be responsible for a second item to check. Now with the airline fees, that employer may decide to let Brown take over.
If not, I go bakc to my first thought, it's a bane for travelers - those traveling for work and play. at this rate the only thing we women will be able to fit in our bags is that cute little bikini that's totally inappropriate for a tradeshow. So what's next?

The Long & Short of It

The Obamas have started their family vacation in New England. Outside of the fact that our first family will never be far from our hearts, minds and laptop screens, the real news here is not that the president will receive daily briefings on world affairs, but the fact that Michelle Obama chose to go long in descending Air Force one this time around, lest she be criticized for wearing shorts on her family vacation.
The last time the Obamas vacationed this summer Mrs. O chose to go casual - very casual. But maybe after so much scrutiny over her choice in shorts over slacks or even a skirt, Michelle Obama today chose a dress.
I'm still not sure what all of the fuss was about? was it the fact that Michelle is not 20-something and chose to show a little leg or is it really that she committed a first lady fashion faux pas? If I were Michelle, I'd be focused on what clothes were right for my body type- as her shorts seemed to fit her well - and what will these photos tell my girls years from now.
I think it's this last option that will have the most profound effect on our American pysches. So for right now, I agree with our Pres. - everybody should chill out and enjoy the rest of their summer.

Paying for Pirates

There was a recent article about the recent find of the Federalist papers recently put up for auction. These historic and lifechanging documents reminded me of the strong passion and values our forefathers argued for--FREEDOM.
Oddly enough this single words brings me to another topic making news headlines: Somali pirates. Everyone not living under ground knows about the unending barrage of assaults on our American/American ally ships by the Somali pirates. Outside of the successful retrieval of the Maersk, many more lumbering tankers and unsuspecting crew have met the business end of AK-47s. Think about the odds: firehoses against assault rifles. To that I wonder where are the Blackhawks and teams of commandos hiding in empty oil drums.
But no. Insurance companies would rather risk the ship, and more importantly, the crew's lives and the lives of loved ones left behind--and pay the ransom for a kidnapping rather than put that money into trained assult crews.
So this brings me back to our forefathers. Insurance companies would rather risk the freedom of hard working individuals, than pay to adequately insure it. While sailing unpredictable waters, I would sleep better at night knowing that my husband/brother/friend's freedom is not left to the odds that he will/will not be captured, but instead his right to life is backed up by more than a squirt of water.

It's A...

My friend is pregnant - due in the next couple of weeks. My husband and her husband are childhood friends so we went to visit them a few weeks ago for their baby shower. At dinner the night before the shower, I asked my friend if she's had strange people walking up to her wanting to touch her belly. To that she replied. "Nope." I, being naturally curious, wondering if people have suddenly developed a sense of personal space, said, "Really?" in a tone laced with great surprise.
She, in turn jokingly remarked, "Nope, I think they think I'm just really fat." Now my friend is a plus-sized woman, clearly comfortable with who she is. But I was reminded of her remark when I opened up Yahoo! News today and saw the headline about the South African sprinter, Caster Semenya, whose gender appears to be undecided - or rather unconfirmed.
Unconfirmed for the media and possibly for South African sports officials. At first read this morning, I thought, "that's awful. How could people de-womanize her?' Then I saw the photo. Then I saw her/his name. So we've got a gender neutral name like Caster, and a face that screams wo/man and I'm left rubbing my chin.
The parents say that's their little girl. I say there is proof, like the ultrasound picture my friend sent around of her little girl. That way everyone knew whether or not to buy pink or blue. No ultrasound? I would offer the high heels test, but any self respecting Tran-y can pull that feat off. Or ask if she likes pink or blue? That question is loaded, because my husband has several pinks shirts...and I can confirm his gender. I'm running out of tests...except for the one that apparently could send this fast-as-lighting sprinter over the edge - drop 'em.