20090730

Whatever happened to The Galloping Gourmet? The Good Old Television Chefs.

My Thursday Thirteen today has to do with cooking, celebrity chefs and becoming a foodie.

When I was younger the "joy of cooking" wasn't the hot trend it is now. You were either a Suzy Homemaker, a professional chef or a lousy cook - the word foodie hadn't been invented. We did have a few cooking shows located on public access television but if you told us there would one day be a whole network devoted to cooking and food I doubt we would have believed you!

I do remember occasionally watching Julia Child and The Galloping Gourmet - remember Graham Kerr? I used to love him - he was always swigging from his cooking sherry, lol. I also remember Yan Can Cook with Martin Yan (though he used a wok way too often for my young mid western sensibilities - I don't even think I'd eaten anything more Asian than an egg roll in those days.) Another favorite was The Frugal Gourmet, Jeff "I bid you peace" Smith. He was not as funny as Graham Kerr but he had his moments!

Today you can't turn on a morning show, talk show or turn the channel without encountering some celebrity chef or seeing a five minute food or drink segment! Heaven has landed on the boob tube for amateur foodies like me. I have fallen so in love with feeding my face I have two websites for food and drink - The Martini Diva and The Diva of Tiny Foods.

I watch more cooking shows than sitcoms. I'm a fan of Top Chef, Next Food Network Star, Hell's Kitchen and I'm currently watching Top Chef Masters. I adore the Food Network Channel - it's my default channel! I watch Chopped, saw the entire Chopping Block season and keep an eye out for any new reality cooking show. I'm addicted and I'm getting educated too!

Though I miss the great chefs of old - the pioneers of today's food fanaticism - I am quite fond of several of today's celebrity chefs too. I do miss Julia and wish Graham would do a remake of The Galloping Gourmet but I doubt it would be as much fun with him on the wagon no, lol.

Here's my list of my favorite 13 celebrity chefs in order:
  1. The Galloping Gourmet, Graham Kerr
  2. Julia Child
  3. The Frugal Gourmet, Jeff Smith
  4. Martin Yan, Yan Can Cook
  5. Guy Fieri, Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives & Guys' Big Bite
  6. Curtis Stone, Take Home Chef
  7. Alton Brown, Good Eats, Iron Chef America
  8. Michael Symon, Iron Chef America
  9. Mario Batali
  10. Ted Allen, Chopped (and not to forget Queer Eye!)
  11. Duff Goldman, Charm City Cakes
  12. Gordon Ramsey, Hell's Kitchen, Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares.
  13. Jamie Oliver, Jamie at Home, The Naked Chef
And, yes, I will be seeing the new movie "Julie & Julia" this week!







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20090727

IN THE MOD MILK MODE - Retro Sixties Ads Pave the Future?

Sorry, a little late today with my post - I couldn't turn on my laptop this morning! After freaking out for an hour I turned it upside down and burped it and - voila - on button working again! Whew!

Anyway, thanks to one of my Twitter friends I came across this fun commercial from the sixties featuring models/actresses in the mod mode - anyone else see the precursor to the "Got Milk" ads here?


Thanks, @FrankAdman for the cool link - you da man!

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20090724

When You Wish Upon A Star - Anything Your Heart Desires Will Come To You

Today's theme for Old School Friday is "My Theme Song". Many of you can probably guess what mine is if you've been reading this blog for a while since I've posted it and mentioned it time and again. But for those of you who don't have a clue:

WHEN YOU WISH UPON A STAR
Here's the classic - Jiminy Cricket from Pinocchio:

Here's the Glenn Miller version - Big Band music and my song, can't beat it:

Julie Andrews at the 1971 Grand Opening of Disney World in Florida:

Linda Ronstadt's version:

Even Billy Joel has recorded it - this is a great video with a cartoon Billy Joel singing to the Disney characters but embedding was disabled.


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20090722

13 Bits of Wit & Wisdom from Cocktail Napkins - Booze Brilliance?

My Thursday Thirteen this week is inspired by my newest online store:
COCKTAIL NAPKIN WIT & WISDOM
Happy Hour Hilarity Gear with a Twist of Funny and a Splash of Wise

This whole store started from one funny little napkin I wrote in a bar - my friend cracked up and told me I should write cocktail napkins for a living. I'm not too sure if that was a compliment or an insult, but I took him at his word and these designs below are 13 of the 20 cocktail napkin designs available so far. The designs are available on posters, t-shirts, aprons, cups & travel mugs, neck ties, cards and other fun gear - and the best part? You can personalize them! Perfect deal for bars, restaurants and professional bartenders and mixologists!

Click any image to see the products available for that design:











You know me - one of my multiple personalities is The Martini Diva - I'm slightly obsessed by Happy Hour, lol!

Cheers and Happy Thursday Thirteen!


Click here to participate in the Thursday Thirteen Meme

20090720

To The Moon, Alice! 40th Anniversary of the Moon Landing

On May 25, 1961 President Kennedy gave America the dream of going to the moon.
"I believe that this nation should commit itself to achieving the goal, before this decade is out, of landing a man on the Moon and returning him safely to the Earth."
That dream culminated on July 20th, 1969 when Neil Armstrong walked out of the Apollo 11 module and stepped foot on the moon. The Eagle had landed.


From PopArtDiva.com

Today we celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the historic mission and commemorate those who made it possible:


The men and women of N.A.S.A. and those support agencies that make our space program possible.

The Apollo 11 Astronauts:Mission Commander Neil Alden Armstrong
Command Module Pilot Michael Collins
Lunar Module Pilot Edwin Eugene 'Buzz' Aldrin, Jr.

The backup crew:
Commander - James A. Lovell, Jr.
Command Module Pilot: William A. Anders (after his retirement Ken Mattingly moved up from the support this position)
Lunar Module Pilot: Fred W. Haise, Jr.

The Support Crew
Charles Moss Duke, Jr., Capsule Communicator (CAPCOM)
Ronald Evans, CAPCOM
Owen K. Garriott, CAPCOM
Don L. Lind, CAPCOM
Ken Mattingly, CAPCOM
Bruce McCandless II, CAPCOM
Harrison Schmitt, CAPCOM
Bill Pogue
Jack Swigert

Some interesting facts about the Apollo 11 Mission:

The lunar module was called Eagle - hence "the Eagle has landed" - the command module was named Columbia.

The trip to the moon took three and a half days.

The famous Apollo 11 quotes:


"Houston, Tranquility Base here. The Eagle has landed."

Interestingly enough, Armstong's use of the term "Tranquility Base" caused some confusion at CAPCOM - the descent had taken longer than usual and there was some concern. This next quote by Charles Duke at CAPCOM says it all:

"Roger, Twank...Tranquility, we copy you on the ground. You got a bunch of guys about to turn blue here. We're breathing again. Thanks a lot!"

And the one we all remember:
"That's one small step for [a] man, one giant leap for mankind"
Hear that famous quote here

Links for more about the moon landing and Apollo:

Photos published in 1969 by National Geographic
Apollo 11 - To The Moon
N.A.S.A. - Apollo 11

In closing I would like to say thank you to all those men and women who have made these great events possible. It is their courage and dedication that gave us the moon. Below is a poem I wrote after the Challenger tragedy in their honor:

They made one small step
that became one giant leap
They gave us the stars,
forever to keep
They gave up their lives
with honor and grace
in order to conquer that huge unknown Space
This sacrifice given for us to be free
To travel the galaxies as well as the seas.
So let us remember those heroes in time,
Who Challenged the hazards
of Space and of Time.
copyright 1986, 1996 by Terri Dennis

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20090717

DIVAS WHO SING IN PINK - Marilyn Monroe, who else?

Today's theme for Old School Fridays is Divas and I'm having a Think Pink for the Cure event, so what else was I going to post today? I've said it before but I'll say it again - I loved this pink dress Marilyn wore for the "Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend" number in "Gentlemen Prefer Blonds" and the song should be the theme song for divas around the world!

THE ONE, THE ONLY DIVA IN A DIVINE PINK DRESS - MARILYN!



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20090716

PINK, PINK, PINK, - MY NEW PINK CAT & PINK STUFF

Continuing with the Think Pink Theme and Event for a Cure for Breast Cancer, below is my Thursday Thirteen featuring a bunch of random Pink Things below.

And for those of you who read my TT last week about the kitty who waltzed into my life - yes, I'm keeping her and her name is Stinky Pinky Tinky Kitty - stinky because she has huge gas events for such a little thing, Tinky because she answered to it, Pinky because I got her during Think Pink and Kitty because that's what I called her for the first 5 days! Yes, I will call her Tink for short. Here she is in a cute pink collar thing:

  1. All Things Pink. Fun.
  2. Retro Pink Refrigerator. I love pink appliances!
  3. The Amazing Pink Things - Comedy Troup - very 80s funky looking!. I don't know if their comedy is funny but they got the retro look down.
  4. Great Pink Things photo from a Breast Cancer survivor!. I think these woman owns every pink ribbon pin ever made - kudos to her!
  5. Retro 40s style Pink Bathing Suit!. Va va voom, lol.
  6. Retro Pink Bean Bag Chair. These were really comfortable but that was when I was in my 20s - in my 50s these are a bear to get out of!
  7. Elvis' Pink Cadillac
  8. Clint Eastwood's movie, Pink Cadillac
  9. The year and model of Pink Caddy that I have always wanted, except I'd add white fur seat covers - hey, I'm nothin' if not White Trash who wants to be Pink Trash!
  10. My Pink Cadillac Martini, to drink in my cool Pink Cadillac but only in the driveway - I don't drink and drive. I will drink and park though.
  11. Pink Flamingo Cocktail Napkins
  12. My Pink Flamingo Martini to go with them.
  13. My NEW THINK PINK GEAR store, tees and other stuff you can purchase to keep Pink and the Pink Ribbon for a Breast Cancer Cure out there in the public eye!
Recipes for Pink Martinis on free recipe cards - all Pink!
Recipes for Pink Appetizers and Foods on free recipe cards - all Pink too!
Breast Cancer.Org
Susan G. Komen for the Cure
National Cancer Institute
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20090715

MORE PINK THAN YOU THINK! - Pink Week for the Cure

When I Think Pink the first thing that comes to mind is cotton candy, it was a favorite confection of mine as a kid. Cotton candy was a sugary, pink cloud of stickiness and I loved it. I also think of Barbie - there's something very "pink" about Barbie to me, very girly and diva. Then I think of Elvis' Pink Cadillac - I love the idea of a pink Caddy - you've probably seen my Elvis Art that features a hot pink Cadillac and if not here it is:

From PopArtDiva.com

I'm more of a hot pink person than a pale pink person but I love combinations of all the various hues and shades - especially in shoes! Oh, and let's not forget I had a pair of pink eye glasses when I was about eight. No, my bike was blue - sorry!

In keeping with my THINK PINK event I have found some fun Pink Things for you:

A Squidoo Lens all about the color Pink
PINK'S FAMOUS HOT DOGS WEBSITE
Pink is the New Blog - gossip blog
The band Pink Martini
Yup, Twitter has a Pink!

PINK MARTINIS already posted:
The Pink Lady Martini
The Pink Cadillac Martini
Coming at The Martini Diva in the next 2 weeks:
High Maintenance Diva Martini
Pink Diva Martini
Pink Sling-a-Tini
Pink Squirrel Martini

PINK APPETIZERS already posted:
Pink Salmon Sliders
Honey Do Wraps

Coming at The Tiny Food Diva in the next 2 weeks:
Pink Grapefruit Skewers
Pink Ham Roll-Ups
Pink Mermaid Sea Food
Mini Strawberry Pizzas

IT'S TIME FOR A CURE!
BreastCancer.Org
Susan G. Komen for the Cure
National Cancer Institute
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CLICK HERE GET YOUR FUN THINK PINK GEAR
TEES, POSTERS, APRONS - EVEN SHOES!

Think pink and enjoy Pink Cadillac by Jerry Lee Lewis in this fun video cartoon:


20090713

IT'S PINK WEEK in PopArtDiva Land - Think Pink, Post for the Cure!


It's PINK WEEK in PopArtDiva Land.
Let's Find a Cure for Breast Cancer - Throw a Pink Party, Wear Pink, Think Pink!
Are you having a Pink Party? Why not? It's a great way to get your Diva on and support your favorite breast cancer charity!

Stop by The Martini Diva all week for Pink Martinis and visit The Diva of Tiny Foods for Pink Appetizers & Foods.

Today I'm featuring some great old Pink Panther videos - Peter Sellers in the original Pink Panther movies and some of those great Pink Panther cartoons!





Enjoy and THINK PINK!
Breast Cancer.Org
Susan G. Komen for the Cure
National Cancer Institute

THINK PINK TEES & GEAR - It's Time for the Cure!
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20090710

When I Get Married - Has Hell Frozen Over Yet?

This week's Old School Friday theme is "when I get married" - that will be the day the Devil is wearing mukluks and asking Santa for hand warmers - but I can get into the spirit!

Just for a chuckle imagine the wedding I wanted as a little girl. My groom and I were tying the knot in front of Sleeping Beauty castle at Disneyland, Tinkerbell was my maid of honor and - with my luck - the groom was probably Goofy. I'm sure my mother would have wanted me to marry someone steady like Mr. Greenjeans but my heart was given to Dr. Kildare, though I would have taken Ben Casey in a pinch.

My wedding gown would have been just like Barbies - only magenta! My wedding colors would have been hot pink and purple and the ushers would have been in turquoise tuxes. Think Birds of Paradise, Honeysuckle (cause you can suck the sweet out of them), and garlands of daisy chains for the wedding bouquets and floral arrangements. For the wedding buffet I would have chosen beans and weenies, pickle sandwiches and popcorn with a cherry Kool-aid fountain!

My music? Oh, probably the classics:



This is the song that would have played as I walked down the "aisle" of the stone walk to the castle:

and I would have had my first dance with my new husband to:

My honeymoon? Where else? DISNEYLAND!


You are hereby cordially invited to my childhood dream wedding. Bring a heavy coat because hell will probably have frozen over.


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20090709

I THINK I'M A CAT OWNER NOW - CRAP! Thursday 13 Dilemma

MOKIME & MOKI

"KITTY"

Growing up as a young child we had one dog, a daschund named Rinty, short for Rin Tin Tin. (Hey! I didn't name her, my brother Butthead did!) Later in my teenage years I got a kitty and named her Moki, a wonderful little black and white kitty who had a fondness for getting into places she didn't belong - like the mailbox!

In the intervening decades I've had a few other cats as pets, though I am primarily a dog person. I find cats somewhat less affectionate on the whole and much more independent. You can't train a cat quite like you can train a dog either though I must admit I never really tried!

Yesterday morning I found a teeny little gray and white kitten on my doorstep. It was very young, probably just weened or not quite, it was a little dehydrated and a bit skinny. Not a feral cat as I could easily pick it up and hold it, I believe it was either dumped out or escaped just recently.

It gets quite hot here in the afternoons, we have quite a bit of traffic and I couldn't let the kitten stay loose outside, but I was concerned to have it around my beloved Yorkipoo Pixel in case it could make her sick. Fortunately my cousin happened to be here at the time and she works for a vet so she checked her over and said she looked healthy enough and mite/flea free. She also (thank you, Rhonda!) informed me that cats and dogs do not transfer diseases.

So - dammit it all - I took it inside. Pixel uses a litter box so I was able to make it a little "poopy box" and I put out some of Pixel's food and water for it. Rhonda also told me cats can eat dog food but dogs shouldn't eat cat food so I had a temporary food fix. That cat immediately ate at least a half cup of food - it looked like it had swallowed a small ball!

I'm putting up a lost cat sign but I don't hold out any great hope that someone will claim "it". I say "it" because it's so young I'm not even sure if it's male or female! I also am not capable of taking it to the Humane Society because I'm sure it will be put down. I certainly can't throw it back out into the street, so I am now probably a cat owner. Crap, crap, crap, crap, crap.

I'm still not committed. Obviously. I haven't given It a name yet and I am putting up those signs, but there are reasons I contemplate keeping Kitty - there are also reasons I don't want to:

Thirteen Reasons to Keep or Not Keep Kitty
  1. PRO - God made kittens really, really cute to sucker you in. This cat is really adorable and beautifully marked. It's a lovely grey and white tabby with huge gray eyes. Crap.
  2. CON - Cats shed. I hate pet hair all over the place. Yorkipoos have hair, not fur and they don't shed!
  3. PRO - Pixel has "mommy" issues. Twice a year she goes through a whole fake baby phase, carrying around her hot dog toy and treating it like a baby. Pixel wants babies. Pixel immediately adopted this cat and has been hovering over it like an over-protective bear with a cub. Crap.
  4. PRO - This morning they have been playing together, it's cute as hell. This cat would be wonderful company and a great play companion for Pixel. Crap.
  5. CON - I don't need another animal to feed and take care of.
  6. CON - The cat farted all night long - really big stinky farts for such a little thing. Of course, that could be the result of eating dog food, not cat food. But, man, if it's just prone to fartiness imagine what they could be like as it grows!
  7. PRO - It cuddled with me all night and purred. It loves me. Crap.
  8. CON - It's another creature to worry about if I want to take a road trip or go somewhere.
  9. PRO - It's company for Pixel if I want to take a road trip or go somewhere.
  10. CON - I'll have to get It fixed.
  11. CON - If I keep it I'll have to come up with a name other than Kitty or It.
  12. CON - Do I have enough love to go around and will Pixel get jealous?
  13. PRO - The little bugger is really cute. Crap!
I had no plans to get another pet but I think the Universe had other plans. CRAP!!!!

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20090706

Robert McNamara, Secretary of Defense for JFK, LBJ, Dies


ROBERT STRANGE McNAMARA
June 9, 1916 - July 6, 2009

No, that is not a political opinion, that is his actual middle name, his mother's maiden name.

Robert McNamara, Secretary of Defense from 1961 to 1968, died early this morning at age 93. McNamara served in this capacity under both John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson during the Viet Nam war era.

We baby boomers heard his name and saw him on the news throughout our youth during the conflict in Viet Nam. We were familiar with those round glasses and the almost twenties style hair cut. Many of us viewed him as the most vocal advocate of the escalation of the war.

To learn more about Robert McNamara watch his documentary, The Fog of War, in eleven clips at YouTube. Below is part one:



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20090704

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY! Freedom, The Flag & Fireworks

Think about this today as you eat your hot dogs, light your sparklers and celebrate our nation's birthday - The United States is the only country with a known birthday to celebrate!

Our country is 233 years old today.

FOURTH OF JULY QUOTES:

We stand for freedom. That is our conviction for ourselves; that is our only commitment to others ~ John F Kennedy

Those who deny freedom to others deserve it not for themselves ~ Abraham Lincoln

Freedom has its life in the hearts, the actions, the spirit of men and so it must be daily earned and refreshed - else like a flower cut from its life-giving roots, it will wither and die ~ Dwight D. Eisenhower

In the truest sense, freedom cannot be bestowed; it must be achieved
~ Franklin D. Roosevelt

There is nothing wrong with America that cannot be cured ~ Bill Clinton

FOURTH OF JULY TRIVIA and FLAG ETIQUETTE

MORE INFORMATION ON THE STARS & STRIPES

HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY!



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20090703

RETRO MUSIC - From Group to Solo

Today's Old School Friday theme is from Band to Solo and I went right to The Beatles. I thought that George Harrison really got to shine in his solo career - my all time favorite recording of his was Got My Mind Set On You:



I thought about Paul McCartney too - but I can't decide if he actually went "solo" because of Wings - what do you think?

I was thinking about artists who got even bigger as a solo act and I immediately thought of Diana Ross who's first song after leaving The Supremes was Ain't No Mountain High Enough:



And then I remember Cher who got HUGE after becoming just Cher. (BTW, Sonny and Cher performed together for the last time on The Mike Douglas Show in the spring of 1979 singing a medley of "United We Stand" and "Without You".) Her first solo recording was actually before Sonny and Cher! It was "Ringo, I Love You" and she recorded itunder the name of Bonnie Jo Mason in 1963, even before she and Sonny were Caesar and Cleo! Does anyone remember that one??? You're gonna laugh:



You may remember her first successful solo hit after the breakup with Sonny better:



Who else got bigger after leaving their groups? Well, yup, Michael Jackson! His first solo attempt was Ben - the theme song for the movie about a rat. This video is Michael performing Ben on The Sonny and Cher Show. Remember how he looked back then?



Remind me, who else got bigger after leaving their groups?



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20090702

Thursday Thirteen - 13 Positive Affirmations to Improve Life

From Inspirational Art,Gifts & Posters

With all the negative news, deaths and struggles going on today I thought I'd take a moment to do a little work on my attitude and maybe help everyone else who visits today to stay positive too.

We may not be able to control everything but we can control how we think, our attitudes and our approach to events in our lives!

So today's Thursday Thirteen is 13 Positive Affirmations, Gratitudes and Thoughts I am trying to keep foremost in my mind:
  1. There is more than enough money, love and happiness in the world to go around and I deserve my share.
  2. I am GRATEFUL for all that I have.
  3. I am GRATEFUL for everything that I receive.
  4. Money is attracted to me like a magnet.
  5. I am healthy and full of energy.
  6. I love my home and I'm grateful for it.
  7. I BELIEVE something wonderful will happen today.
  8. The UNIVERSE/GOD knows what I need and want and brings it to me.
  9. My true JOY lies in kisses from my puppy, reconnecting with old friends and family, sitting quietly in the cool of the evening and laughter.
  10. There are always POSSIBILITIES - and my eyes, heart and mind are open to them.
  11. I have enough of everything to share with those who don't.
  12. Each day is an adventure, each moment is a tiny vacation, every call, card and hello is a gift.
  13. ABUNDANCE is all around and all I have to do is recognize it.
I hope your thoughts bring you peace, prosperity and happiness today!


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