National Beautician's Day - Today is National Beautician's Day! Jambalaya - Yesterday was my birthday. Fourteen years ago, I chose June 25th as the wedding date for my marriage to Laura. In the News - They walk among us! Enjoy - Relax and enjoy these images and videos!
Celebrated each year on June 26, it is National Beautician’s Day. Today we honor and thank all of the amazing beauticians across the United States that work diligently at their jobs and make us look and feel more beautiful (and handsome).
Beauticians are more commonly referred to as cosmetologist. Cosmetology is described as the study and application of beauty treatment. The branches of cosmetology include hair styling, skin care, cosmetics, manicures, pedicures , and electrology.
Many close relationships have been developed between clients and their beauticians.
For all of you who work in any part of the cosmetology field, THANK YOU for all that you do, and have a wonderful day!
For our anniversary, I wished to provide a special meal for Laura. It seemed too impersonal to simply go somewhere nice for dinner—although we shall do that Friday evening.
I decided the best way to show Laura I was thinking of her on this special day would be by producing a special dinner for her. I decided it should be something exciting and difficult to make—something in which she would delight. Jambalaya was my choice! Laura once told me she had not enjoyed truly good jambalaya since dining at Chez Paul in New Orleans many years ago.
Knowing the jambalaya there to be known world-wide as the best jambalaya extant, I set to work with diligence and determination!
I shall not disclose all the ingredients—most particularly the spices and herbs—that I used, since I maintain my recipe in my head and keep it a closely guarded secret!
I cleaned and de-veined three dozen medium prawns.
I removed the breast meat from a rotisserie chicken and shredded it roughly.
I sliced two andouille sausages into quarter-inch sections.
I set all these aside.
I diced six Roma tomatoes. I roughly chopped 12 large cloves of garlic. I julienned two large Serrano peppers and two large Anaheim peppers. I chopped two bunches of green onions. I chopped a handful of fresh parsley.
I covered the bottom of a large pan with extra-virgin olive oil and set the burner to medium. When the oil was hot, I added the tomatoes, garlic, peppers, and green onions. I stirred and cocked the lid.
I simmered this for 10 minutes. I added 2 cups of Cal Rose rice, a cup of chicken stock, and a bottle of Hot and Spicy V-8 juice.
I added the parsley and my secret mix of Cajun spices. This simmered for 20 minutes. Laura arrived, shook her head, and said, "Great cook that you are, it's almost impossible to make good jambalaya, and I've had the best!"
I smiled.
After 20 minutes of simmering, Laura began testing the rice. She said, "WOW! I've got to say, the flavor is amazing!
I smiled.
After several testings, Laura declared the rice to be done. I asked her to add the prawns, chicken, and sausage and turn the burner to medium-low.
In 10 minutes, the jambalaya was ready to eat.
Laura declared with glee, "This is amazing! You are amazing! I've never had anything this good anywhere. It's even better than Chez Paul's jambalaya! How did you do it? How can you make the rice so perfect and all the ingredients perfect and all come together like that? And what in the world is in the seasoning/thickener mixture?
I was happy to see that I had pleased Laura!
Thursday, June 26, 2014
National Beautician's Day, Jambalaya, In the News, and Enjoy
Tuesday, June 25, 2013
Underground Railroad Discovered, Happy Anniversary to Laura, Happy Birthday to Me
Underground Railroad Discovered - Imagine the great surprise with which I viewed the DHS vehicles and personnel when I arrived at my office yesterday morning! Happy Anniversary to Laura - Today is the 13th anniversary of my marriage to Laura. Happy Anniversary to Laura! Happy Birthday to Me - Today is also my birthday! Happy Birthday to Me!
Details were unavailable until mid-morning yesterday, when this brief article appeared in a local newspaper:
Authorities explained to me that they would not share details with me until their investigation had been completed. I noticed a drone helicopter high in the sky over my office, and I quickly entered my office and relaxed with a frosty Diet Pepsi and watched the authorities climbing into a hidden passageway in the storage area of my office.
Yesterday afternoon, this newspaper article appeared:
Apparently, the evidence that elves built the railroad is incontrovertible.
Elves have long been suspected to live in this area—albeit this has never been proven empirically.
Monday, June 24, 2013
Rain!, My Birthday Brunch, and Be Entertained
Rain! - Imagine my surprise when I awakened to the sound of RAIN this morning! Do not the weatherpeople realize summer began last Friday? How can this be? Is it possible Gory Al was wrong? HA! My Birthday Brunch - Tomorrow is my birthday AND our anniversary. Laura chose to regale me with a succulent brunch at Casa Ramos yesterday. Be Entertained! - Enjoy!
It was SO GOOD, I believe I shall regale her with a meal there for our anniversary!
We had a scrumptious appetizer plate of coconut prawns.
I had an entrée of steak fajitas. It was incredible. A hot platter of grilled steak, peppers, and onions sizzled before me.
I produced fajitas with warm flour tortillas. Condiments were fresh salsa, sour cream, guacamole, and shredded cheese.
Laura enjoyed a particularly scrumptious quesadilla.
Monday, July 28, 2008
Hunger Pangs, Please Remain Seated, -and- Lawnmower Man
Hunger Pangs - world's priciest foods
Please Remain Seated! - woman arrested for trying to open airplane door at 30,000 feet
Lawnmower Man - man faces 6 years for armed attack on mower
On this day in history: July 28, 1957 - A C-124 transport plane carrying three nuclear weapons jettisons its precious cargo into the Atlantic, somewhere east of Delaware and New Jersey. The bombs are never recovered.
Born on this day in history: July 28, 1929 - Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis (1929 - 1994) Born Jacqueline Lee Bouvier in Southampton, New York, Jackie Onassis married John F. Kennedy in 1953. As first lady, she promoted the arts, history and high style. The couple had two children, Caroline (1957– ) and John (1960 — 99). After Kennedy’s death, she married Greek magnate Aristotle Onassis. In later years, Onassis lived quietly and worked in publishing.
Scripture of the Day: When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law. - Matthew 7:28-29
Video of the Day: Bunny Eating Banana - submitted by Cindy
R-E-S-P-E-C-T - Yikes!!! Click to enlarge.
Blue skies! Yesterday—for the first time in many weeks—the skies were blue and clear, the air was clean, and the birds were singing! This morning, the sky is bluer and clearer yet, and the birds are singing more loudly! Praise God!
Laura's birthday is Thursday, July 31. We celebrated it over the weekend, however. The celebration culminated with dinner last evening. I asked Laura what she wanted for her birthday dinner, and she said she wanted me to make "the giant prawns that taste like lobster—and lots of them!" I got two large packages of giant prawns. I washed them, snipped off the tails, and cut them in half. Laura coated them with olive oil to ensure the shells would not stick to the grilling grate. I made a mop with a stick of Land O' Lakes butter, a drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil, granulated garlic, ground ginger, Tony Chachere's More Spice, Italian seasoning, lime juice, and sea salt. I cooked the mop in the microwave in a Pyrex measuring cup until it the butter melted fully. I reserved a glass bowl for dipping. I placed a grilling grate on the barbecue. I arranged the prawn halves—shell-side down—on the grilling grate. I ignited both burners and turned them to medium. I brushed the prawn halves three times and cooked for 5 minutes. Laura took the garlic bread from the conventional oven and placed it in a serving bowl. I turned off the barbecue, plated the shrimp, and took them to the table. It was an absolutely delightful meal. There seemed to be an endless quantity of prawns, and several times we exclaimed that we could eat no more. However, when we left the table, the last prawn shell had been removed and cast aside and the prawn meat devoured hungrily.
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Stupid Criminals, Hic!, -and- Small Change
Stupid Criminals - shoplifter leaves 6-year-old daughter behind
Hic! - RI police arrest man with .491 blood alcohol level
Small Change - police arrest man accused of taking 42 cents from mall fountain
On this day in history: July 23, 1996 - Harry Morgan, Col. Potter on TV's M*A*S*H, is arraigned on charges of spousal abuse. LAPD officers responding to a 911 call at the couple's Brentwood, California home had discovered his wife Barbara bruised and bleeding from her face.
Born on this day in history: July 23, 1888 - Raymond Chandler (1888 - 1959)
Born in Chicago, Illinois, writer Raymond Chandler was educated in Europe, and served in the Canadian army in World War 1. Back in the U.S., he created distinctive crime fiction, including The Big Sleep (1939) and Farewell, My Lovely (1940). In later years, Chandler alternated living in California and London.
Scripture of the Day: "Prepare chains, because the land is full of bloodshed and the city is full of violence." - Ezekiel 7:23
Video of the Day: Hulk vs Batman - submitted by Cindy
Laura recieved a birthday cake from her employer. She brought home the list of cakes available from The Upper Crust—a high-end bakery in Chico—and asked for my opinion. I suggested the coconut cake. She agreed and ordered it. She brought it home yesterday, and we enjoyed some of it. It is indescribably delicious!
Laura's birthday is on the 31st of this month. We shall celebrate it this weekend. One of her favorite culinary delights is grilled giant prawns. I believe I shall make this on Saturday. She is particularly fond of the manner in which I prepare them: I remove the tails (the heads have been removed by the butcher) and halve giant prawns—leaving them in their shells. I grill them—shell-side down—over a medium flame—using a fish grate. As they grill, I slather them with a mixture of extra-virgin olive oil, I Can't Believe It's Not Butter, lime juice, Tony Chachere's More Spice, and ground garlic. At the table, the meat pops easily from the shell and has the texture and flavor of lobster.
Next weekend, Laura shall depart for a vacation in Tucson, AZ, where she will visit her daughter, Rachel, son-in-law, David, and granddaughter, Parker. The cats and I shall be on our own. We may easily turn feral and run amok.
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Relax!, Monkey Business, -and- Slow Down!
Relax! - town wants to ban couches from porches
Monkey Business - Spanish parliament to extend rights to apes
Slow Down! - man arrested after speeding 22 times in 45 days
On this day in history: June 26, 1990 - Irish Republican Army bombs the Carlton Club, an exclusive conservative gentleman's cabal in London.
Born on this day in history: June 26, 1892 - Pearl S. Buck (1892 - 1973) Born in Hillsboro, WV, Pearl S. Buck was raised by American missionary parents in Chinkiang, China. She lived in China until age 40. Her second novel, "The Good Earth" (1931), won the Pulitzer and the Nobel Prize for Literature. In 1964, she established the Pearl S. Buck Foundation to help children.
Scripture of the Day: "I [Darius King of Persia] issue a decree that in every part of my kingdom people must fear and reverence the God of Daniel. For he is the living God and he endures forever; his kingdom will not be destroyed, his dominion will never end. He rescues and he saves; he performs signs and wonders in the heavens and on the earth. He has rescued Daniel from the power of the lions." - Daniel 6:26-27
Video of the Day: How to Make Cheese - submitted by Danica
Here is the birthday/anniversary (she called it a "birthiversary" card Laura made for me! Click to enlarge.
The fires continue. The air quality is horrid. The sky is darkened from the smoke of many fires near here. This morning, there were ashes from the nearby fires on Mr. Nitro. While the ashes were lightly scattered about him, this is the first time I have seen such evidence of the fires. I continue to pray for the welfare of those who have been affected by the fires and for those still in danger from the fires.
Monday, June 25, 2007
Snip!, Taps, -and- Armed!
Snip! - barber stabs second client with scissors
Taps - SF mayor bans bottled water for city offices
Armed! - shooting sports among fastest-growing recreation for women
On this day in history: June 25, 1910 - The Mann Act, sometimes known as the White Slave Traffic Act of 1910, makes it a federal crime to convey or assist in transporting women across state lines for prostitution, debauchery, or "any other immoral purpose."
Born on this day in history: June 25, 1903 - George Orwell (1903 - 1950) novelist, critic. He is best known for "Animal Farm," 1946 and "1984," 1949.
Today's Video: Pit Bull and Chicks
Today is my birthday! It is also Laura's and my anniversary!
Friday evening, my brother (visiting from Southern California) brought a gallon bucket of margaritas, a large container of wasabi peas, and a birthday card. He ordered a King Arthur Supreme pizza from Round Table Pizza. We had a delightful meal and excellent visit.
Saturday evening, we had New York strip steaks and asparagus for dinner. I blanched the asparagus for three minutes and placed in the refrigerator to chill. Laura dry rubbed the steaks with Red Monkey Steak Rub and grilled perfectly—nicely charred on the outside and rare in the center. It was a delicious repast.
Sunday, we enjoyed a lunch visit with my mother. We enjoyed a pasta salad I had prepared the previous day. The salad consisted of large pasta shells, medium shrimp, diced red bell pepper, diced cucumber, diced dill pickle, and pear tomatoes. The dressing was mayonnaise, ranch dressing, wasabi paste, lime juice, rice wine vinegar, crushed red pepper, ground black pepper, sea salt, and dill weed. It was a wonderful visit and a delicious salad.