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.

NEW CDs

If last year was the "year of gardening" for me, this new year may be the "year of listening."

Geo bought me Paul McCartney's Good Evening New York City and Reba's Keep on Loving You.

Jenn gave me a fully loaded MP3 player, and Sean's gifts were noise canceling earphones AND the newest Decemberists CD The Hazards of Love.

Sean and Jenn introduced me to the Decemberists, and now I'm a fan. The new album is quite complex, beginning with a haunting Prelude, and actually weaves a story through the lyrics to the very last song. Click on this blog's title for a link to the official website, then on "launch audio" in the website to hear some of the music.

Here's The Finished Product

 

Here are the Eggnog Cookies! These cookies were fun to make. The dough is very light. That's why it needs to be refrigerated (try the shelf in the garage if you live in Vermont) before scooping them onto the cookie sheet. As for flavor, they taste almost like butter cookies, but with a hint of spice. The frosting is very creamy. The dash of nutmeg really makes the cookie. I'm adding this recipe to my holiday collection. These cookies will be coming with me to the cookie exchange next year. How's that for planning ahead!

Eggnog Cookies

When I lived in Wisconsin, a popular holiday drink was a "Tom and Jerry" made with a dozen eggs, separated, with the yolks whipped with 1 pound of powdered sugar, then blended with the whipped whites. That was the batter. Put a dollop of that in a mug with a shot of brandy and rum, top with boiling water and add a sprinkle of nutmeg. I haven't made that since I no longer serve anything with raw eggs, but I still love eggnog! When I discovered this recipe on the YUM blog, I decided this is a must-do for me:

Frosted Eggnog Cookies

2 1/4 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1 1/4 cups sugar
3/4 cup SALTED butter, room temp
1/2 cup eggnog (I used reduced fat)
1 teaspoon vanilla (or rum)
2 egg yolks
1 tablespoon nutmeg (optional)

Preheat oven to 300F.
In a medium bowl combine flour, baking powder, cinnamon and nutmeg; mix well with a whisk and set aside. In a large bowl, cream sugar and butter. Add eggnog, vanilla and egg yolks and beat until smooth. Add the dry ingredients and stir just until combined. Chill dough for at least 15 minutes.
Drop by rounded teaspoons onto ungreased baking sheets. Sprinkle lightly with nutmeg or skip this step and sprinkle on the nutmeg after you ice the cookies. Bake for 23-25 minutes or until bottoms turn light brown.
Transfer to cool, flat surface immediately with spatula.
Eggnog Icing
3 C. confectioners sugar
1/4 C. softened butter or margarine
1/3 C. eggnog (use as much as you need)
In small mixer bowl, beat confectioners’ sugar and butter or margarine until well blended. Gradually beat in eggnog until icing is smooth. Makes about 1 1/2 cups. Garnish with a sprinkle of nutmeg after icing.