The Pineapple

January 11, 1813, the first pineapples were planted in Hawaii. They may have originally come from Brazil, though other sources say that Columbus encountered them first in Guadeloupe, their true home. As if in tribute, it was also on this day in 1935 that Amelia Earhart took off from Honolulu to make the first solo flight from Hawaii to California.

Fragrant and impressive to look at, most pineapples now come from Hawaii. Fifty years ago the Royal Hawaiian Hotel had a fountain in the lobby that provided fresh pineapple juice.

Pineapples do not continue to ripen after picking. They will keep for some weeks but should not be refrigerated-temperatures below 45 degrees F are not beneficial. A distinctive aroma is one indication of a good pineapple as well as being heavy for its size. The fruit is sweeter at the bottom, so if is to be served plain, it should be cut lengthwise.-Life is Meals by James and Kay Salter.

A week later. That seems to be all I can do these days. But it's better than nothing. After the sinus infection, I developed a head cold, that is thankfully all gone now. Seems to be my year. But I am a lucky woman, sinus infections and colds aside-I am a very lucky person. So not to say, that I have ever won the lottery or I even win at Bingo very often, but I am a lucky woman.

I don't know if I mentioned before, but as I joke, I did a stand-up routine on me being "A middle-aged sex goddess". I do not want to do this as a career, but it seems there is a need in life for a middle-aged sex goddess-I've even been offered paying jobs. It just won't be me. Instead, I'm trying to talk my sister into doing this or my girlfriend in Dallas. Both very funny people, with attitudes that could work on stage. Not me, I want to be Paris Hilton. A woman who is famous, for doing nothing.

Selling lots of cookbooks lately-doing something right. Today, I'm going to promote Chocolate. I have 3 interesting Chocolate books that haven't sold:
Hershey's Cocoa Cookbook
White Chocolate by Janice Wald Henderson-the cover alone should make you want to buy it
BH&G Chocolate
All with luscious desserts and treats await you. Look under Valerie2901 on EBay or under general heading cookbooks.

Live a little, love a little, be happy.
Cookbook Val