The problem with the blockbuster movie business is that there are a lot of terrific films that don't have the marketing budget of say, Iron Man 7 so they go unnoticed. That's why it's a delight to run across an independent film as beautiful and haunting as Ain't Them Bodies Saints.
The name of this fabulous Italian dessert means "pick-me-up." Be forewarned: once you make this dessert for guests, you will forever be known for it. My sister-in-law Meredith loves this dessert so much that she had me make giant ones for her wedding reception.
It seems like ages ago when Charlotte and I used to regularly make a meal out of appetizers. If I had a dollar for every time we enjoyed mozzarella sticks and potato skins, I could rebalance my retirement fund.
I joined the Breathe Right Sleep In movement to try and catch up on my beauty sleep. Talk about a challenge!
How many times have you wanted to do this to a Micky D's sign? Somebody beat you to it!
Charlotte and I flew up to NYC to celebrate our son Cole's birthday. Yeah, I know what you're thinking. You're thinking, "Bob, how could you leave Dallas during its time of need? We saw on CNN how Ebola is turning Dallas into the LAST DAYS OF POMPEII and all that shit. Where's your civic pride?"
You know what I said internets?
I said, "My civic pride is in ROW 12 SEATS D and C on AA Flight #1140 to LaGuardia, that's where."
Then I told 'em to calm the Eff down. Dallas is going to be OK. I mean, we've got the former Ad Executive on the Taco Bell account as our mayor for Pete's sake. You think anything gets past THAT GUY?
Yo Quiero Taco Bell!
We got this.
We weren't going let a little pandemic fear and loathing mess up our trip. We were bearing a gift from someone who knows what FEAR and LOATHING are all about. I'm talking about Hunter S. Thompson's favorite artist: Ralph Steadman.
Didn't see that one coming did you!
Lemme 'splain.
You don't have to be a technophobe to be tripped up by high-tech traps. The tech world is filled with scams that can cost you money, steal your identity or put you and your loved ones at risk.
Bob and I often crave chicken enchiladas. One of our all-time favorites, this lasagna-like dish offers that creamy chicken, cheese and corn tortilla taste we adore without a lot of work.
I usually use grilled chicken breast that Bob has made ahead. (Don't you just love a man who cooks?!) But you can opt for boiled or deli white meat.
Once you've shredded (our choice) or chopped the chicken, you can forget slicing and dicing. The oh, so flavorful sauce includes cream of mushroom soup, cream of chicken soup, Rotel tomatoes with green chiles, more green chiles, four spices and Tabasco for an extra kick. Talk about easy! Making it is as simple as opening cans and adding spices.
Age left the Caped Crusader just a little bitter.
I absolutely adore making casseroles. Focusing on one, do-it-all dish seems so much simpler than cooking a meat and several sides separately. You can usually handle some, if not all, the prep ahead. Add bread, a tossed green salad or both and dinner's done.
Potato rolls were the only rolls I remember my grandma Lula Mae baking. Baking requires two qualities Grandma didn't have: patience and precision. No one would argue that she could cook the hell out of a side of pork, but make a cake or bake bread? Let's just say flour was not her medium. As I remember, it was quite a production even when she was thickening gravy. When she finally did find the flour tin (it was not allowed to take up counter space), she would open the top and scrutinize the contents, pushing the flour from left to right with her abnormally long index finger. It wasn't until much later in my life that I realized she was looking for weevils.
He shot straight with us, up until the very last.
I try to keep my fingers on the pulse of all that's going on in the world so I can keep you guys informed. But here lately it's been pretty damned exhausting. Why? Our reader millions of readers may ask.
We live near Dallas, so it's a full time job just keeping Ebola from swallowing us whole, or talking to a reporter from CNN.
You ever try and outrun Anderson Cooper?
That sumbitch is fast. And his hair is always perfect.
For the longest time, I thought all we had to fear were Iranian NUKES and our neighborhood CHUPACABRA (we call him Chuck, but he'll chew through cast iron when he hears any human sound). I'm coming clean with this admission: I WAS SO NOT RIGHT (I'm still having a hard time saying I was wrong). There's plenty to keep you awake at night, even if I was way off on my short list of dangerous things.
So...as a public service, I'll give you 5 reasons to feel happy right now.
1. You're Not Here
Chances are you didn't roll over this morning and see this sign out your window. CONGRATULATIONS! It's going to be a great day!
Netflix has had a string of hits with its original productions. I love Orange is the New Black and Charlotte and I can't wait to binge-watch the next season of House of Cards. But when Netflix announced its latest series would be animated, I balked.
Did you ever stop and think that what you eat has an impact on how you look? Me neither.
Looks can be deceiving. Take my closet. It may look full. But, as I keep telling Bob, there are only a few things I actually wear. The rest just take up space. They're out of date, don't fit right or just don't go with anything. Uggg! I obviously have separation issues or they would've found a new home long ago.
But, sooo unfair!
Bob and I discovered Asiago cheese while crusin' the Mediterranean earlier this year. Many nights on ship, we snacked on that to-die-for Italian classic, crunchy breadsticks, a Dirty Martini (Bob) and Prosecco (me) before dinner. What a way to live!
Once home, we stocked up on our new addiction. So naturally, we couldn't wait to try this Asiago-laced casserole from Donna-Marie Pye's Easy Everyday Slow Cooker Recipes (Robert Rose Inc., June 26, 2014, $24.95). This simple, crockpot delight features cooked chicken, artichoke hearts, green onions and red pepper in a cheesy Alfredo sauce with a crunchy-crouton topping.
The world is full of Bluetooth speakers that promise to deliver sound like you're sitting center stage at Carnegie Hall. Truth is there may be less than a handful that can actually deliver.
My mother used to drink buttermilk by the glass. While I wouldn't go that far, I do love this pie. It's rich and tangy and creamy and refreshing all at the same time! While it is a classic, desperation pie that you can make on a cold winter day, it is equally welcome on a hot summer evening, topped with fresh berries.
Prepare your own Mexican quick fix with this Chipotle-inspired bowl. Carbs are moderated by filling the bowl with beans, extra veggies and chicken. No need for rice, since the beans count as carbs.
Tips:
If you love tomatoes, increase the quantity to 1/2 cup, but note that the carbohydrates will also increase.
If preparing this recipe for one person, cut all of the ingredients in half. Or simply prepare the full recipe up to the end of step 2 and store leftover chicken and vegetable-bean mixture in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat in the microwave on High for 1 to 2 minutes, or until heated through, and continue with step 3.
Health Bite: The iron, calcium, magnesium, manganese, copper and zinc in black beans help to keep bones strong and healthy.
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