At this time of year, in this part of the country, white-tailed deer are an increasingly common topic of conversation.  Flip a coin to pick which one is discussed more:  the havoc mating season creates on the highways or the excitement created among hunters building-up to hunting season.  The perfect storm scenario is for a deer to run in front of a car being driven by a hunter on the way to camp.

There are stories on all the newscasts reminding drivers to watch out for deer moving near highways.  Always an issue, deer that are in search of a mate are even more prone to run in front of your vehicle.  It happened to me.  20 years later, I vividly remember seeing the deer fly past the windshield on its way over the top of the roof.

Hunting season can be equally frenetic.  Endless conversations revolve around the chosen hunting rifle and kind of ammunition, the perfect location, tree stands, deer spotting, size of the rack (amazing how that always comes up in some way) and “that time 10 years ago when we nearly froze our ***** off.”

When I saw this little guy recently, it jelled the whole experience for me.

Sung to the tune of “Anticipation” by Carly Simon.  

“Procrastination.  Procrastination.

Is making me late.

Is keeping me waiting.”

Choices for today included:  washing walls in spare room in preparation for painting, installing new light fixture in hall, raking leaves, raking leaves, did I mention raking leaves, priming table to shabby chic it for the fleatique, gathering pinecones to dress a wreath destined for same location, workout at athletic club, scrubbing kitchen floor, ironing clothes from the morning’s wash, washing windows in the car and several in the house, ya-da-ya-da-ya-da, or writing a new post in my blog.    

Well, paraphrasing Scarlett, ”I can’t think about all that now.  If I do, I’ll go crazy.  I’ll think about all that tomorrow.  Tonight I shall write a new post, maybe two.”

Grammy is coming for a visit today–in preparation, cooking is on the agenda for this morning.  Can’t have Grammy going home hungry after all of the meals she has prepared for me over lo, these many years. 

This recipe is from one of my favorite cookbooks,  The Silver Palate Cookbook, first published in 1979.  Chicken Marbella is an easy, make ahead if you want, serve warm or cold, delicious, family or buffet meal.   Around here the weather is supposed to be rainy and downright chilly–perfect time to turn on the oven for the hour this takes to bake.

The recipe calls for 4-2 1/2 lb chickens quartered–10 lbs!   I usually use about 6 halved boneless, skinless chicken breasts and cut down on the amount of oregano and garlic used in the marinade .  Also, it’s a good idea to lessen the amount of brown sugar used while baking.  The rest I pretty much leave the same, because I like an abundance of taste for all the pieces of chicken.  However, I entered the recipe as printed in The Silver Palate so as not to confuse someone interested in feeding a crowd. 

In a large bowl, combine as much as 10 pounds of quartered chicken (or chicken breasts) with 1 head of garlic, peeled and finely pureed, 1/4-cup dried oregano, coarse salt tnd freshly ground pepper to taste, 1/2 cup red wine vinegar, 1/2 cup olive oil, 1 cup pitted prunes, 1/2 cup pitted Spanish green olives, 1/2 cup capers with a bit of juice, and 6 bay leaves.  Cover and let marinate, refrigerated, overnight.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Arrange chicken in a single layer in one or two large shallow baking pans and spoon marinade over it evenly.  Sprinkle chicken with up to 1 cup brown sugar and pour 1 cup dry white wine (I prefer a dry wine like Chablis so it doesn’t get overly sweet) around chicken. 

Bake 50 minutes to 1 hour, basting frequently with pan juices.   Chicken is done when thigh pieces, pricked with a fork at their thickest, yield clear yellow rather than pink juice.

With a slotted spoon, transfer chicken, prunes, olives and capers to a serving platter.  Moisten with a few spoonfuls of pan juices and sprinkle generously with parsley or cilantro.  Pass remaining pan juices in a sauceboat.

Serve warm, or allow to cool to room temperature.  Warm juices for best taste.   16 pieces, 10 or more servings if all 4 quartered chickens are used.

One of the myriads of ways people express their love of country.  Wonder how far he has come and how far he has to go.  Hope he is safe and at peace.

Just like the sign says, there will be no signs  of me for awhile.  Annual Conference, combined with time off for good behavior equals “No Signs”  or “sign-ons” for at least 10 days–maybe longer.  See ya when I see ya.

The 4-year old grandson of my next door neighbors recently welcomed (well, he’s accepting the inevitable) a new sister.  He is doing fairly well, but has had a forlorn look or two cross his little face.  One such moment occurred when he noted that all the cards  streaming into the mailbox were for his sister and none were for him.  His Guardian Angel took notice and sent him the following letter:

Dear Aiden,

This is a short note from your Guardian Angel.

Just wanted to let you know that here in Heaven, we have processed an order to have an additional Guardian Angel delivered to your house.  We have had many requests lately and are slightly behind schedule, but we do have a special Angel-in-Training who will be ready very soon to watch out for your new sister, Alyson.  

In the meantime, it would be most appreciated if you would be good enough to give her the required daily “Angel Flutter Eye-Lash Kiss”–just like the one I give you every night as you are falling asleep.

Of course, if you would like to continue to give her an “Angel Flutter Eye-Lash Kiss” even after her personal Guardian Angel graduates and moves in, that would be OK, too.

I have been having a lot of fun with you this summer.  Going to the reunion last weekend was the best day!  There were so many things to do and lots of good food, too.  I was so-o-o tired that night I almost fell asleep before you did!  Fortunately, Penny (the puppy) licked my wings just in time, so I could give you your “Angel Flutter Eye-Lash Kiss” before we both drifted off for the night.  Every Guardian Angel should have a Guardian Puppy like her. 

Thanks for your help with this special  request.

Yours very truly,

Your Guardian Angel

Just like the TV channel says, characters are everywhere.  Even if one is working, sometimes it is necessary to take one for the team:

Commentary about the pros and cons of fast food is not the aim today.  Catching sight of this young guy from 1/2 block away, it was just too funny to ignore him.  The chain running the promotion shall remain nameless.

Following Dr. Seuss’s advice, one never knows what one will find when one explores.  This Vintage Service Manual is listed for sale on several websites for over $60.00!  Amazing.  Nice find for the Fleatique.     

Oh, the places you will go…after you fix your Oldsmobile!

PS:  If you are interested in this manual, leave a request in comments.  I have it tagged for $40 at the booth.  Add $9.95 for the Priority Mail Flat Rate Box that fits and its yours.   

Congratulations!
Today is your day.
You’re off to Great Places!
You’re off and away!

You have brains in your head.
You have feet in your shoes
You can steer yourself
any direction you choose.
You’re on your own.  And you know what you know.
And YOU are the guy who’ll decide where to go.

You’ll look up and down streets.  Look ‘em over with care.
About some you will say, “I don’t choose to go there.”
With your head full of brains and your shoes full of feet,
you’re too smart to go down any not-so-good street.

And you may not find any
you’ll want to go down.
In that case, of course,
you’ll head straight out of town.

It’s opener there
in the wide open air.

Out there things can happen
and frequently do
to people as brainy
and footsy as you.

And when things start to happen,
don’t worry.  Don’t stew.
Just go right along.
You’ll start happening too.

OH!
THE PLACES YOU’LL GO!

Dr. Seuss.

There were times when it felt as if M. C. Escher and I would never reach the pinnacle of our relationship.  Perseverence however,  ultimately triumphed over discouragement. 

Just a few days over six months later, it is done!  Now, what to do next–take it apart and submit someone else to six months of frustration, or, glue it together, finding a discreet corner to occasionally admire my fortitude? 

H-m-m-m.  Decisions, decisions. 

Miss Lucy had a baby, his name was Tiny Tim.  She put him in the bathtub, to see if he could swim.  He drank up all the water.  He ate up all the soap.  He tried to eat the bathtub, but it wouldn’t go down his throat. 

Miss Lucy called the doctor.  Miss Lucy call the nurse.  Miss Lucy called the lady with the alligator purse.  “Mumps” said the doctor.  “Measles” said the nurse.  “Hiccups” said the lady with the alligator purse.  Out went the doctor.  Out went the nurse.  Out went the lady with the alligator purse.   

 As is more common than naught, once again the weekend’s garage sales have launched a search to find out the back story of some of the more unusual items that cross my path.  For just a few years–roughly 1948 through 1951–alligator bags like these were very popular.  Ugly/fascinating is the only way to describe them. 

The previous weekend, a framed picture caught my eye.  After taking the print out of the frame, research on the signature discovered on the back of the print resulted in the revelation that the photographer lived and worked in this area in the 1880’s.  The holiday weekend stalled any additional progress, but the historical society will have someone in the office on Tuesday.  Hopefully they already know something about his life and work that will fill in the blanks. 

It’s all very interesting.  Just like they told Mikey:  “Try it, you’ll like it!”