People Get A Grip!

Once again, I am politically incorrect. I am so sorry, that I have an opinion in life. All's I want to do is enjoy life, sell cookbooks (EBay-Valerie2901), and have my own cooking show someday. I have opinions on many things in life and America has become so sensititve to each and everything. You make a comment about an individual and you're a racist-except you weren't making an opinion based on the race of the individual, or the nationality, just about the individual. Or you're a major gossip. People, if you don't want personal information passed around, you should stop bragging about your sex life and such. There is such a thing as saying "don't say anything, this is between us", but if you don't say anything, then all is fair game.

When I was young and beautiful, I made a career out of dating spies-CIA, DEA & FBI. I had a documented profile, that said I had a big mouth and to qualify anything that shouldn't be repeated. Again, if you didn't qualify confidential information, then it was great gossip to pass among my friends.

Moving on, releasing the anger. Every cook needs an apron. Why, to keep the spills and splotches from getting all over your clothes, while you're cooking. That's going to be my christmas present to friends and family this year. An apron, with their name embroidered on it-like Chef Nick (for my son). Everyone will be a Chef this year.

I'm back in Las Vegas, shipping and packing off all my cookbooks for EBay and visiting my thrift stores. Today, among many, I visited the New Vista Emporium on W. Charleston. Their best buys are the great leather couches (sets) that they receive as donations. Selling for an individual sofa from $200 to a 3 piece set for $800. I keep trying to catch one of them, but I haven't achieved it yet. I just see them as they are getting packed off to the new owner.

Do you ever think you receive signs from above? I do, but I'm trying to find out the latest signs and their meanings. When I reached my home late last night, I found a white feather (in my home) and a set sapphire. The white feather suppp0sedly means cowardice-me or someone else and the sapphire. The sapphire was already set in white gold. Now, I set gemstones, especially sapphires, but this wasn't one of mine that I set. I have housekeeping, so I assume that the sapphire was left in error by the housekeeper. The white feather is another story, still looking up what it might mean.

But I have had other signs, the most recent was on my laptop. A few months ago, I lost the letter V on my laptop, it just popped off. I let it go. Not the end of the world, just have to press down harder on the letter V. On Friday, 6 new letters popped off, all at once, within minutes of each other. I contacted Dell to see if my warranty was still intact and they arranged for repair. The warranty is set to expire in less than 2 weeks! The repair man said, if I had to repair this on my own, the hardware would have cost more than a new computer.

Two months ago, my battery died on my car. Found someone to help me jump the car. Next day, went to the auto repair place and he said the battery was fine. 2 hours later, someone hit my car in a parking lot at a superstore & then waited for me (miracle all on its own). While getting my car info available for insurance company, found out my tags were expiring in 5 days. Now, I would have been very upset, if the police had stopped me and told me my tags were expired and fined me additional money-which I couldn't afford at the time.

Many other signs. I have to keep reminding myself that I am a lucky woman. I have so much more than most. I have a good career, good health, family and 2 men who love me (son & someone else). What more do I need in life!

Still looking for a recipe which features almond paste-something unusual untried, something with chicken or beef involved. I have found a pie recipe I would like to try, but so many ingredients-this would be one expensive pie.

That's all for now. Cookbook Val

Marlboro Country Cookbook

No, I am not a smoker and I am not advocating smoking, but this is a good looking cookbook-Morning Fires, Evening Lights. As I said before, I sell cookbooks, new and used on EBay-look for me at Valerie2901. When I picked up this book, I was very impressed with the photography and recipes in it. I placed it for sale on EBay, but then decided to save it for myself. For my 26 year-old son for Christmas-it was basic enough for him-a fledgling cook ,but by the time I got back to my website, the bids were already in. I wasn't quick enough and now have lost out on what could have been a great Christmas present! Again, it is a basic cookbook, but the pictures are beautiful and if you can run across another one, I would grab it.

One recipe I did snag, bef0re mailing this off was for a Rum Fruit Jar:

In a clean, sterilized jar, place leftover fruit in season(sliced, diced, etc), 1-4 cups of sugar (I had alot of seasonal fruit leftover, so this allowed for less sugar) and fill the rest of the space with rum or brandy. Keep filling with rum or brandy as needed to keep the fruit covered. Place in a cool, dark spot for at least 6 weeks. Use on pound cake, french toast, pancakes or waffles.

What a great way to use fruit that was going to be uneaten anyway.

Today, I was talking with my TV Producer friend and he told me what a great cook I was. To which I replied, I am not a great cook, but I am a "enthusiastic cook". When I make mistakes, I just keeping trying. Some things work, some things fail. But my friend only remembers the things that work (thank goodness) and he tells me that I make him so hungry all the time, describing flavors and different ingredients that I work with. That's how I feel about Rachel Ray and Paula Deen-they are "enthusiastic cooks" and they bring that across when they are cooking. Especially Paula Deen, she makes me laugh when she tastes her own food and expresses them to the audience. I know just how she feels. So we did talk again about a cooking show for me and I said I was willing to have a stationary show, if I could be the Queen of Pies-only making pies. Once again, me trying to control things, my way only, but I do love making pies. Maybe next season.

In the meanwhile, I have bought some kiwi to make a pie with and can't find a recipe that interests me. Why, kiwi-again the price was right-6 kiwi fruits for $.99. And did you know, you can keep kiwi in the refrigerator in a plastic bag for up to 6 months! So my quest for a baked kiwi pie continues. Most of the recipes I have come across are either tarts, or just placing kiwi on top of a cream pie. Not too exciting.

Cookbook Val