Bogieblog

Cherry Shortcake

Everyone loves strawberry shortcake - everyone should anyway, and if you don't, you are just plain weird!

However, have you ever had cherry shortcake? I'll bet not, but you should - it is excellent! A couple of weeks ago, the store had a big sale on bing cherries. We bought a bunch and I figured I needed to do something with at least half of them to ensure they didn't have time to spoil. While we were at the store, I also saw makings for strawberry shortcake and had an epiphany. So, without further ado, here is the recipe I made up on the spot (no, I didn't look up anything online).

• Cherries, washed, pitted and diced
• Honey - mild
• Water
• Splenda - about 2 tsp.
• Almond extract - 1/8 tsp (the only thing I actually measured by the way)
• the super secret ingredient (see below the fold)
• Pectin (Or Xantham gum, which is what I used)
• Whipped Cream
• Pound Cake slices, biscuits or angle food cake

In a sauce pan, combine the cherries, water (1/4-1/2 cup, depending on how many cherries you have), and honey. Bring to boil and simmer about 10 minutes.

Take a taste (careful to let it cool a bit first) and determine if you want more sweetness. If so, ad Splenda. TIP: a little tartness is not bad if you are using whipped cream on top.

Once the desired sweetness has been achieved, add the almond extract and super secret ingredient. Simmer another 3-5 minutes, then stir in pectin or xantham gum. Simmer another 2-4 minutes and turn off the burner. Transfer to a glass container (jar) to cool and refrigerate until ready to use (this will keep for several days). TIP: I made extra and froze some of it.

Serve cold on top of pound cake (or angle food cake or biscuit), topped with whipped cream - no cherry on top needed.

Of Space Ports and the Space Tourism Industry

The Weekend Pundit features a Bill Whittle video about the economic realities of XCOR (the space flight company) moving from California to Texas. Although I have a few quibbles (I don't believe that the US is the most bankrupt country in the world, for example), there is a lot of truth there.

Gopher Tunnel Tragedy

For you guys out there in gopher country - BE CAREFUL OUT THERE!

Link via Scott

Greek Style Salad Recipe

For the last several weeks I have been getting Greek Cucumber-Tomato salad from the deli at the store. With tomatoes ripening, plenty of fresh herbs ready for plucking and a ripe zucchini, I decided I should make it fresh instead. I looked at several recipes online, substituted ingredients, and here is what I came up with. Just keep in mind, I rarely measure anything, so ingredients are on a "to taste" or to "visual appeal" basis.

• Tomatoes, diced
• Zucchini, diced - this was substituted for peeled cucumber and it came out nicely
• Spanish onion, sliced (some may prefer red onion - I only had Spanish and it blended in well)
• Black olives, halved
• Feta cheese, crumbled
• Fresh basil and oregano, chopped (I have both regular and lemon basil plants, so I used some of each)
• Greek vinaigrette(substitute red wine vinegar and olive oil if desired).
• Black pepper

Add all ingredients to a bowl except the last three items. Drizzle on vinaigrette a small amount at a time (1/8 cup or so) and toss. Add vinaigretteuntil desired consistancey. Add fresh herbs and pepper last, toss lightly, let sit for at least 30 minutes in the fridge for the flavors to blend.

This keeps well for several days in the fridge, so you can make a large batch and savor some each day.

 

First Full Day of Leisure

My first full day off from work actually worked out well. First, I went to get all my books and stuff from my former employer as I had my bike yesterday and couldn't fit it all on (especially the flat screen monitor I had bought for the laptop they gave me - yes, it was mine, they didn't reimburse me for it). I woke up around my regular time, but took my time and left about 30 minutes later than usual. Would have sworn I was moving an entire appartment's worth of stuff - had 4 boxes, a bag of workout gear and two shoe boxes (oh, and the cooler of food). Tells you how much time I spent there I guess.

The old desktop was 10 years old and groaning and grinding something terrible, and I was afraid that it wouldn't last much longer, so I ordered a new computer last week. I had recieved the new computer, a refurbished higher end HP Thursday, and prior to the lay off I didn't know when I was going to find time to migrate all the stuff from my old computer plus install all the new software (Office and Antivirus plus drivers for printer and wireless mouse/keyboard). So, I spent a lot of today getting it all set up. Just in time for Monday, when I will be filing for unemployment and hitting the interwebz in search of a job.

Also, now have time to take Tory to the vet for his annual physical (I made the appointmet today; he'll go in Tuesday), and I ordered oil as the tank is darn near dry. We figure prices are as low as they'll get, so might as well fill it up. All that and two loads of laudry done, on the line, and folded/hung after they got dry.

Probably won't have time to post this weekend, so wanted to update all as to a few of the doings around here.

Not Fine

Despite President's Obama assertion a couple of months ago that "the private sector is doing just fine," the company I work for has had to let 50% of its employees go in the last couple of months.

Yesterday afternoon, I became part of that "fineness".

No words of platitude needed; don't tell me how I'll find something better or that everything happens for a reason or any of that crap. Just letting you know what's going on.