WTF?!? Friday - with sizzle!

WTF?!? is simmering & sizzling in this funky fry pan?
It's a mystery even to me...

Mad. As in crazy.

Has anyone bent their elbow to raise a glass of this?A friend of mine [thanks, Angi] gifted this kitschy bottle of merlot to me last month. Good marketing says kitschy gals are crazy? Mad, even? Okay. I can respect that. Hell, now that I think about it, I'll even drink to it. Pass me an atomic tumbler, somebody!

But mad housewives are one thing. Flesh-eating zombie-freak crazy-mad matriarchs are another. It makes you wonder just how many housewives there are out there, making "casseroles" after dark, doesn't it? Me, too. My friend Dally is a talented artist with an eye for gore galore. I loved the idea of a play on kitschen feast as a feast of flesh, and I dig his work [have you seen his pee-wee vampire? no, I'm not being coy, it's art people], so I asked him if he'd indulge my dark side and create a mad housewife piece for kicks. He dug the idea, too and took artistic license to bring me this wearable art:Pretty freaking cool. But, what would Donna Reed say? Who cares.

Now go get me that tumber of wine. I need something to chase down the mystery meat...

Atomic

Road-tripping home from Colorado brought us into Hays, Kansas. And down a few streets of really cool ranch homes. Atomic style. These snaps don't do them justice. But their charm is totally justifiable.

[Can you imagine the dinner parties that went on beyond these windows?]

[where's the pan-o-ramic feature when you need it?]

My friend Mandy & I dig thumbing through issues of Atomic Ranch. If you haven't had the pleasure, I'm urging you to pick one up and subscribe to your inner mid-centurian. Take a sneak peek online. Right HERE! Right NOW!

The scenery is here. Wish you were beautiful.

I'm kidding. You are. And thanks for waiting around [or maybe not] for me this summer. Where have I been? With the kids celebrating summer hard-core at the pool, the ball fields, in the backyard throwing water balloons. Oh, and hanging out here over the weekend...

[i (heart) belgium ales - and the airstream trailers that contain them - so i guess that's why i'm thrusting. humor me - this was post-tour & tasting]

Tom & I took a road trip to Ft. Collins this weekend. To celebrate 2 pretty neat-o things: his 40th [which arrives at the end of this month] and the wedding of a dear family friend. Without those kiddos I've been spending so much time with. We just rolled back into town. I wish we rolled into town pulling this swell trailer behind us...

[yep. i was stalking trailers in the parking lot. but not people, so it's cool.]

...but our sedan has no hitch. Damn. Shoulda brought the Jeep [and about $15k].

Hope you are all enjoying your summers! What have you been up to? I'll be back asap with pics of some cool atomic-ranch style homes we cruised by in Hays, KS on the way back. Thanks for forgiving me and not forgetting the feast!

WTF?!? Friday: For the Children

WTF?! is this nutrient-laden, body-building dish for children...
...that you wouldn't even feed to your dog?

Have a hella Friday!

Ring-a-Ling!

Betty Crocker's Merry Makings cook book is full of festive "Fun Foods for Happy Entertaining!" Like these cheater kolaches that offer a lot less labor and just as much love as the real deal to today's busy hostess. Well, almost.

Ring-a-Ling Ringers
a shortcake brunch dessert
2 cups Bisquick
2 tbsp sugar
1/2 cup milk
1/4 cup melted butter

Heat over to 425 degrees (hot). Mix all ingredients with fork. Beat 15 strokes. Knead gently 8 to 10 times on board lightly dusted with Bisquick. Roll dough 1/2" thick. cut out six 3" shortcakes. Dip fingers in Bisquick; press deep indentation (about 2" across) in center of each shortcake; fill with a heaping tablespoonful of Prune Filling (below) or apricot or raspberry jam. Bake about 10 min, or until lightly browned. Serve warm with whipped cream, commerical sour cream or sweet cream.

Don't beat yourself up about this lazy-ass pastry making process. Proceed to prune filling.

Prune filling: Simmer 1/2 lb. (a little over 1 cup) prunes in water to cover for 30 min., or until tender. Drain. CHop finely. Add 1/4 tsp. spice, 1/4 cup sugar, grated rind of 1 lemon and 1tbsp lemon juice. Cool.
Uh, yeah, I skipped the whole prune filling. I consider myself a pretty regular gal - on all levels - so I tossed some pitted bing cherries and fresh blueberries in a small saucepan with some sugar, water and a pinch of cornstarch. Much more palate pleasing, and my gut is happy, too.

Tipsy Tuesday: Bite the Bullet

[pic by Alphafish]

Silver Bullet
1 1/2 oz gin
splash of scotch

Pour over ice OR shake and strain - get yourself loaded however you like!