31 December 2009

2010: THE YEAR WE MAKE CONTACT



Hello everyone.... I just wanted to take a moment to wish you all a safe New Year!! I have a feeling this one is going to be quite interesting!! Tighten your seat belts!!!

Mick

29 December 2009

winter continues...



My buddies Dale and T-Rob have sent me some pics of the winter they are experiencing, one in Maine, one in Oklahoma.

What started out as a possible big snow season here in the southwest has for now fizzled out; however, we do sometimes get our worst storms in January and February.

As far as I'm concerned, spring is only
80 days away. I can't wait!!




24 December 2009

NOLLAIGH SHONNA DIOBH



HAPPY CHRISTMAS TO YOU ALL!!


21 December 2009

Holiday Cheer!



Took a few days off to visit my aunt and grandfather in Arizona and drop off their Christmas [yes, I said CHRISTMAS!] presents.

Here's a couple of snapshots...




My aunt made her own tree ornaments. She is pretty damn good with crochet.



My sister joined me... we even took time to help my aunt with her jigsaw puzzle, just like the old days.



We took her out to the casino in Pinetop in eastern Arizona. Luckily the roads were clear.



The drive home took a little longer as there was a propane truck accident and it backed up traffic for miles. Luckily we were diverted and lost only an hour.



Over all a great weekend trip.

I'm out.

17 December 2009

BISCOCHITOS



Per my friend Dale's request, here is a recipe for the Official Cookie of New Mexico, the anise flavored shortbread cookie we call biscochitos (bis-co-chee-toes):

Biscochitos were first introduced to Mexico by Spanish settlers who brought the recipe from Spain.

Stored in a tightly sealed container, they can be frozen up to six months.

Ingredients:

1 ½ cups lard, chilled*
1 cup plus 3 tablespoons sugar, divided
2 eggs
2 teaspoons anise seeds
4 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
About 3 tablespoons brandy, apple juice, or milk*
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350°F. Beat lard and 1 cup sugar in a bowl until fluffy. Add eggs and anise seeds, and beat until very light and fluffy. Sift together flour, baking powder and salt. Add to creamed mixture along with the brandy. Mix thoroughly to make a stiff dough. Place dough on a long piece, about three feet of waxed paper at one end. Bring the long end over the top and press to about one inch or slightly less in thickness and refrigerate until chilled.)

Roll out dough between waxed paper to just under ½ inch thickness. Cut with flour dusted cutters into the traditional fleur de lis shape or into 3-inch rounds. Combine the 3 remaining tablespoons sugar and the cinnamon in a shallow bowl; dip unbaked cookies into the sugar-cinnamon mixture on one side. Place cookies on ungreased baking sheets. Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until tops of cookies are just firm. Cool cookies on wire racks.

*Notes: Butter or margarine can be substituted for the lard, however the cookies will not be as crisp and moist. Apple juice or milk can be substituted for the brandy, however they are not quite as good.

Makes 4 dozen cookies

I'm out.

13 December 2009

NAIL-BITER!!

My buddy T-Rob lives in Oklahoma and he forwarded this 'true crime' incident that happened in his small hamlet this past week.




It is the 911 call Donna Jackson made to authorities as Billy Dean Riley tried to break into her home. This is a VERY intense and riveting call.

It plays out like a Hitchcockian thriller to the very end [think REAR WINDOW]!!

So grab some popcorn and turn out the lights.....oh and LOCK YOUR DOORS!!!!


07 December 2009

Christmasy Goodness.



My brother is a baker by trade so you can bet that when Christmas rolls around I REAAAALLY look forward to his gift bags....mmmm




My sister also has her specialty....home made cookies. Here in NM we call them 'biscochitos (bis-co-chee-tose), basically short bread cookies with cinnamon and anis that are generally made around Christmas.



I am gonna have a reeeeal hard time leaving some for Santa....

I'm out.

06 December 2009

Holiday Favorites Revisited

I thought I would share a couple of my holiday favorites with ya...












03 December 2009

HO! HO! HO!

The original and still the best:



OK...this one is pretty damn cool too: