VJO

The Vanguard Jazz Orchestra performed in Burlington last night. They are a twenty-piece group playing in the musical tradition of founders Thad Jones and Mel Lewis.

What I find so unique about them is that they’ve been performing Monday nights at the same club – the NY Village Vanguard - for more than 40 years, staying together despite the departure of key players. That’s staying power. In 2009 VJO won a grammy in the category of large jazz ensemble album: Monday Night Live at the Village Vanguard.

It’s a great time hearing live jazz performances, but it was a special treat for us to hear the full sound of a jazz orchestra in the style of big band jazz music.

To check out the Village Vanguard, click on my title VJO.
Swing on, VJO!

Soledad O'Brien

CNN anchor Soledad O’Brien spoke at UVM yesterday as part of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day calendar of events. Geo and I arrived early enough for first row seats.

She spoke about Martin Luther King, Jr. as being a servant leader, and because he served as “one of the people,” he had great influence. She noted that a true leader is not just one who can see problems - “anyone can see problems…” – but a person who sees the possibilities within the problems. Although her themes were familiar, she presented them with not-so-familiar quotes of MLK, the people who worked so closely with him, and even her own parents. Her parents, a bi-racial couple, were not discouraged by an oppressive social climate of their times because they knew and passed on to their children that “America is better than that.” They lived, as did MLK, demonstrating what was possible within situations in need of change.

Soledad went on to challenge the audience to look around to see what needs to change, then to personally respond positively and actively to make it happen.

At the reception afterwards, she continued to engage everyone in conversation around her, mostly about her recent experience in Haiti. Geo and I were impressed with her high level of energy that does not quite come across seeing her on TV. I will definitely be looking for her documentaries with new interest.

Pineapple Cake

I'll call it "Lazy Sunday Afternoon Pineapple Cake" because it took less than five minutes to put together.
I mixed a 20 oz. can of crushed pineapple, 3 eggs, and a generous splash of rum with 1 box of yellow cake mix. This took less than five minutes. I poured the batter into a greased cakepan and topped it off with a handful of pecan pieces. It went into a 350 degree oven for 30 minutes. What a great aroma! It came out perfectly. To serve, all it needs is a dollop of whipped cream. We'll enjoy this while we're watching the football playoffs today.

January Thaw

Today I wore a jacket without an overcoat. Geo wanted to ride down the interstate in our Subaru with the window open. If it is January in Vermont and the temperature is in the upper thirties with the sun shining - well, it feels almost balmy outside. A lot of that snow accumulation has already melted away.

Yesterday I stopped in at Gardener's Supply for their outlet clearance sale. I picked up a few things, including another string of solar lights for our tree in the front yard. On my way to the checkout counter, I noticed displays of seeds for 2010. Sunflowers! I picked up seeds of unusual varieties. Now that I have them, I will be planning for new flower gardens. January thaw is definitely giving me Spring fever.

They Arrived Today

Two of my Christmas presents from Geo arrived today. Each year at least one of his presents to me is culinary-related. This year I’ve received subscriptions to Cooking Light and Cook’s Illustrated.

I can’t help but think that these are actually gifts for him. He knows I’ll use these gifts and he reaps the benefits. On the bright side, he knows my interests and finds something that I will really enjoy and use. Guaranteed, he does his research and gives the best.

Last month’s Cook’s Illustrated featured an article about cinnamon. So I ended up throwing out what I had in the cabinet and ordered the highest rated, a Vietnamese extra fancy cinnamon from Penzeys Spices in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin. I love Penzeys, and I recommend their Ethnic Milwaukee collection of spices and herbs for pasta, meat and fish - basics for culinary creativity.

Okay, I’ll admit I bought Geo a gift of a Belgian waffle maker. And I’M the one who’s enjoying the waffles (with a dash of Penzeys cinnamon)!

This year promises to be another one of eating well.

More Snow!

Enough already!

50 in 52

Jenn suggests that, this year, instead of making new year's resolutions, make a list of 50 things you want to do in 2010, and DO them. Check off one per week. Included on her list:

go to a museum
do a craft project
hike a mountain
do a good deed for a stranger without them knowing it was you
walk 5 miles
travel to a location by yourself, pretend to be a tourist, take pictures, and scrapbook them
stay in bed for one day and read
bake something for a friend
mail a letter to someone you haven't heard from in a while
clean out your closet
have a shopping spree, take out $100 from the bank and spend it all on yourself at the mall

I would add:
plant sunflowers
update address book
attend a seminar

Okay, I'll take up the challenge. 50 projects in 52 weeks. We can do this. First project: Make a "50 in 52" list.

Snow Day

It’s deep out there. Addie, Geo, and I dug out the driveway. (I found a new use for my garden cart. I filled it with snow, then pushed it off to the side to dump it.)

This aft I watched a little football, including Brett and the Vikings creaming the Giants 44-7.

A pot of chili is simmering on the stove, and cornbread is in the oven.

The snow is still coming. Looks like lots of it will be around for a long while.

Jenn, don’t forget to pack those new red X-country skis for your next trip to VT.!

The Year of Listening

New Year’s Eve found Geo and me in Burlington for First Night 2010. What I like best about First Night (besides people coming together from near and far for one huge celebration) is being able to hear music of different genres – all at one event. We heard vocalists and instrumentalists, jazz, blue grass gospel, and even hip hop. It was nice seeing Ed and Peni at one of the venues. We briefly met up with Addie and her new friend Billy, and we dined at the Blue Cat. 2010 and my “year of listening” definitely opened on a high note.