Frank-ly Speaking...

Hot dog! I'm planning on a frank feast later this week. My inspiration? GH's hamburger & hot dog book [novel uses for America's favorite meats] and a pack of franks in the fridge. I am jonesing for some questionable, encased parts. You, too? Wa-hoo!

Tag Sale - You're It!

Wow. I have been to the Holy Grail of tag sales & back again. Anyone who gets a hint of happy from scoring a fun, fabulous find at the flea market must make plans to pilgrimage to Sparks, Kansas every May & September for their amazing swap meet. It is not to be missed. Plan your life around it.

I tagged along [har] with my friends Mandy, Sarah & her mama Cathy for the first time this weekend [they've road tripped down K7 many times for this mega-event and I was happy to have them as my trash/treasure tour guides]. And I bought this stack of stuff for under $20!


In addition to the 100s of vendors & their dusty bounty we spied a walking hot dog, clown and Mexican bandit in full costume. There were no explanations. And that's okay.

I was so happy, I forgot about my allergies, my toothache, and my jeep. It was bliss.

Blowing Smoke!

FYI - so you don't flake out, fam & friends. I have not started hitting the sticks. Those smokes are simply a retro prop too on target to ignore. I did not inhale. More than once.

Cocktails & Carbs a Go-Go!

The gals came over last night and we all got our hands on some finger food.
Good Housekeeping's After 10 PM book inspired these carb and mystery-meat laden eats:Cube Crunchies
Toasted Olive Rolls*
& Party Ham Rolls*
[the broiled tomatoes were a tasty add from Nicole: salt, pepper, parmesan topped on tomato halves & boiled for a few minutes in the oven range]
*if you want the recipes, post a note.

Olives prove to be a popular filler when it comes to 50s finger-foods. Perhaps they lend an exotic air, I'm sure it was a thrill for the lady of the house to find a little pitted piece of Italy canned and shelved at the local grocery. I know Amy, Nicole & I savored the salty slices infused in our deviled ham sandwiches and processed cheese pinwheels.

The daintiest appetizers were the "Cube Crunchies" - cubes of slightly under-ripe [my bad] avocado bathed in lime juice & French dressing before they shagged the potato chip crumbs and were speared by a frilly party pick. A poor man's nacho bite. A really, really poor man who dumpster dives.

After giving our taste buds a tour-de-carb we had to reach for a drink. Or two. Our cocktail of choice was "The Bennett". Presumably named after the crooner himself: a little boozy 1 1/2oz gin], schmoozy [the juice of 1/2 lime], bitter [3 shakes of bitters] and sweet [1 tsp powdered sugar].


After 10 PM - I pulled the piece-de-resistance from the icebox. And went after it with the back of a dinner knife. I'll admit, I feared its jelled release.

But soon enough, lo & behold THE MOLD!

The Orange-Ginger-Ale Ring wiggled its way onto our plates and into our recipe boxes. Granted, few molded salads are this refreshing, most are gag reflex-inducing, so I was glad to find something palatable to put on my friends' plates.

Orange-Ginger-Ale-Ring
2 env unflavored gelatine [I opted for oranged flavored. Cheater.]
1/2 c fresh, frozen or canned lemon juice
1/2 c granulated sugar
1/2 t salt
1 1/4 c orange juice
2 c ginger ale
2 c orange sections [I used a lg can of mandarin oranges, drained.]
2/3 c chopped pecans
Cottage cheese
Crisp greens [I opted out. It was too late in the eve for lettuce.

Soften gelatine in lemon juice in glass measuring cup; set cup in pan of boiling water, stirring occasionally, til gelatine dissolved [yes, I did it old school, too]. Combine with sugar, salt, orange juice and ginger ale, stirring well. Refrigerate, stirring often til consistency of unbeaten egg white [yuk on that visual]. Fold in orange sections and nuts, pour into 1 1/4 qt ring mold. Refrigerate until firm. Unmold; fill center with cottage cheese, garnish with crisp greens.

At the end of the evening, it became obvious to Amy, Nicole & I over Bennetts and jello rings that the pre-diva ladies had the recipe for a good life: friends, cocktails and carbs.

A girl + her cookbooks

Simply me. Passing the time in a selfish way while I wait to coat the avocado cubes in French dressing and potato chip crumbs. And chat with my lady friends.


You would do the same thing.

Ladies Kitsch & Dish!

Anybody got a light?!

I can't wait - tonight's the night I'm treating a couple of classy, kitschy friends to a sampling of appetizers, gin & lime-laden cocktails a [gasp] molded salad and some skinny cigarettes!

My shopping list was pretty flaky. It included some standard ingredients and a few retro tried-and-true items. My favorite combo of grocery items? Avocado, French dressing, potato chips and lime. Soon I'll be cubing, rolling, dredging and toothpicking them together!

I'll keep you posted on what can happen after Ten P.M.!

Kitschen by the Crapload!

I've been biting the thrifty bullet, but today I was packing heat. I took careful aim at the antique malls & markets in my eclectic [snazzy word for 'hood] corner of the city and hit the target.

Damn have I got some dinner planning to do.

My kitschen library has grown by 9 [& a snappy sewing case-turned-tote]! Feast your eyes on these varied volumes:

• Better Homes & Gardens: Barbecues And Picnics [the newest in barbecuing!]
• Better Homes & Gardens: Meat Cook Book
• Better Homes & Gardens: Casserole Cook Book
• Good Housekeeping's Hamburger & Hot Dog Book [novel uses for America's favorite meats]
• Good Housekeeping's Around The World Cook Book [specialty recipes with a foreign flavor]
• Good Housekeeping's Book of Breads & Sandwiches [dainty or hearty - for picnic and party]
• Good Housekeeping's Book of Ice Creams & Cool Drinks [ideal refreshments for any time of year]
• Culinary Arts Institute: Quick Dishes for the Woman in a Hurry
• Culinary Arts Institute: The French Cookbook

Holy hell!! Where do I start?!?! HELP ME! I mean, after my next molded masterpiece, where do I go?!?

I asked Marge. But she just wanted to pose for a pic. Let's humor her:


Now, if it's not too much trouble [why in the hell haven't you people been commenting in droves?!] would you suggest a starting point for my bounty of books? I can't wait to ravish a new recipe that you'll relish [bad food humor]. So screw shy, let me know where you want me to go [within reason]! In the meantime, I'll be marveling at these vivid visions and their witty wordplay. Yay!