Tiny Tragedy, originally uploaded by Theresa111.

Springtime 2008 brought a steady stream of tornado’s, high winds, lightening, hail, rain and house shaking thunder to the Mid-Atlantic region of the USA. One morning about two weeks ago, I went outside and found, to my dismay, this little unborn baby bird. Because the shell is a light blue I believe it is one of the robin red breast’s, which frequent our neighborhood.

I gently picked up this tiny fallen victim and brought the baby into my house. Placing the small body on a paper towel I quickly found my camera. It might seem a bit morbid to put death on display, but I am in fact celebrating the short lived development of one of perhaps hundreds of incubus that are storm victims. Silent they remain, unbeknownst to most of the world.

See how perfectly the bird is formed? There is purpose for all of us.  I wish that we would see this unique perfection in everything.

I buried the tiny bird on a bed of rose petals and said a prayer and finally placed a rose bud atop the small grave.

Brioche Nanterre Loaf, originally uploaded by Theresa111.

One of the most satisfying thing to prepare in the kitchen is brioche and then after the rising process, to bake it off. Tear this apart.  It is so delicious you don’t need to put anything on it. It also makes the most wonderful French toast. Simply slice the day old brioche and dip it into an egg batter, just prior to frying. Dust with 10X (powdered) sugar.  It’s heavenly.

French Toast

1 loaf brioche (a day old)
6 large eggs
2 to 3 cups half and half
Vanilla, Grand Marnier, Cinnamon (to taste)
maple sugar or 10X sugar

1) Put clarified butter into a heated skillet
2) Slice the loaf 1 1/2″ thichness
3) Quickly dip slices into egg mixture, coating both sides
4) Place into skillet and allow to cook until golden brown
5) Using an egg turner flip the slice over and repeat cooking
6) Sprinkle with maple sugar or sprinkle with 10X sugar
7) Serve immediately

Yields about 10 to 12 slices

Outer space….or?, originally uploaded by Stefan Söderström.

On our way in and on our way out, this earth is glorious in all her beauty. She is irresistible and forces us to choose her, time and time again. The wealth of colors alone is stimulus enough to entice us back to her skies, mountains, valleys and beaches. Once is not enough to absorb the daily changes and the seasons of the passing years. We must be born, live and die many times, to find ourselves drawn and pulled back to her surfaces. She is the most beautiful of the planets and acts as our vehicle of choice, on our long journey, through the star studded universe.

Have You Ever Milked A Cow?

I have a soft memory of being a youngster and reaching out to touch the cow’s udder. It was full with milk and so incredibly soft. Her fur was like a whisper of a powder puff. I did squeeze my fingers around the protruding nipple, in an unlikely and halfhearted attempt to get milk. The waiting can below did not reflect any sounds of liquid splashing into the white contents. So I stopped the motion because I was afraid I might hurt her. The cow’s big brown eyes seemed to smile at me. Whoever had been milking her said it was all right and then proceeded to relieve the cow from her fullness. 

Apple Tart Normande, originally uploaded by Theresa111.

Pate brisse with egg is a flaky crust.  The unbaked shell is filled with pastry cream Normande, which is a very rich. It is prepared mostly of heavy cream and egg yolks, sugar and a tad of calvados or brandy. Sliced apples are placed on top, then dotted with butter and sugar. It is baked and then brushed with hot apricot glaze. Let it sit thirty minutes before slicing. I understand … it will be hard to wait, but oh, so worth it.

Hot_fuzz, originally uploaded by Theresa111.

I have just watched a rather curious movie called ‘Hot Fuzz.” I had never heard of this movie title before and since there wasn’t anything else on HBO that I hadn’t seen previously, I decided to give it a go.

Not wanting to give anything away I became involved, quite by accident, while passing the time until Joe came home from work. As the movie progressed I found myself inexplicably drawn to the two main characters and their unlikely, budding relationship.  There was a ton of British humor for which I love so well, plus some wicked and outrageous ones too.

Once the other characters were introduced I became a vivid watcher. The scenes were more humorous and the plot actually thickened. All done so cleverly that by the time the phone rang and my husband said he was turning onto our street, I hushed him and almost threw him off the line.

Since it is on again for a repeat encore performance, I shall share this marvelous film as our date movie. I highly recommend this very good, mystery, with graphic scenes and some colorful language. The action was a nice surprise. Very well done and I give it an A+.

Money, originally uploaded by Leaca’s Philosophy.

This photograph is one that really caught my attention, whilst I was traveling through the Flickr world of photography. The artist, Leaca, has truly captured the quality of the coins inside the Mason jar. I do not know the reason they are called Mason jars. Perhaps I should research the name to figure it out.

When I was just a tiny girl, my Father would allow me to play with the change, which he removed from his work pants before dinner. I would climb upon my parents tall bed and taking my place in the middle of the mattress, would settle in and balance myself with both of my legs akimbo and spread to either side of my small frame. Expectantly, I would place my hands together, face up, the left one on top of my right.

Father would look into my little face. Upon seeing the excitement shining from my blue eyes, he would pat me on the top of my brown curls, then stretch his large hand above my own. Just for a second, he waited, my indrawn breath was audible in the hushed air. Opening his fingers, a stream of beautiful coins streamed like a colorful cascade to rain down into mine.

Naturally, many of the coins would spill over and out onto the bedspread. However, the remaining ones were mine by challenge, to keep … if I dared play the game of my own making. Tossing the coins into the air, I would reverse my hands and catch the falling coins onto the backs of my hands. Now my fingers were splayed as far apart as I was able, but without letting any coins slip through the cracks. I would repeat this many times.

Toss and release was played until my Father decided to finish the game. Whichever coins were on my hands when he said, “Stop,” were mine to keep. Taking my treasures of coins and heaping them into a pile, I would examine them by turning them over and over and searching the monumental figures of dead people’s faces and old buildings. There was a wonderful buffalo and a few rare nickels had a large bust of the animal.

My favorite coin has always been the dime, silver and intricate in its design. I was always amazed that even though is was smaller, it had twice the value as the much larger nickel. It was easy to see the age of many coins, by their darker shades and dirt embedded within the numbers, lettering and etchings. Sometimes I would get an old toothbrush and clean the faces by scrubbing, as best as I was able to reveal a slightly shinier jewel.

I have always loved the clanking sounds that coins make against the inside of a piggy bank, tin can or glass jars chosen to hold loose change. The much gaudier and loud sounds of slot machines does it for me. It is one of the best aphrodisiacs to mine ears. The rich drumming of falling and clanging coins makes my heart sing and brings a smile to my lips. My eyes light up and immediately I am taken back to the times spent as a small girl sharing a special time with the most important man in my world … my Father. I love you Daddy!

One more thing. There has yet to be a coin bank that I have ever actually filled up. I always end up removing the coins as I love touching their surfaces and shaking them together.

Storm Destroyer, originally uploaded by Theresa111.

For the fourth time this week, I am huddled down in the basement area of our recording studio. Having to catnap the kitties from their snooze, they did not like being thrown together, with the door shut in their faces, while Mama Teesa ran around up, up to the third floor to find more sleeping beauties.

I ended up with most of them and they watched me furiously checking the AM radio stations for live feed, but only getting static or sports news. I watched the laptop screen of our Apple as the Doppler live radar feed kept repeating the line of storms heading for us. I had heard one news commentator say they had never seen the likes of the line of storms, tornado warnings, and high winds, as those which were coming our way.  60 miles an hour in a steady eastbound direction. Right through Washington, DC and into Maryland.

I still hear deep thunder and our house was shaken a few times by the deep rumblings of the fast moving storm clouds. I prayed we will be spared, but I understand there are more storms on the way. Great … more scary moments to get through.

On the Weather Channel they said the middle states have already had over 800 tornado’s this spring and this is more than the entire amount in 2007. We, in this almost unlikely area, are only used to seeing only a sporadic tornado, perhaps one every two to five years. Now, in this last decade however, it seems we are having a steady diet of severe weather.

I feel we must look for a safer state in which to reside. But, back to the photograph. We need to invest in one, Storm Destroyer. This guy would shoot the clouds and then we wouldn’t have crazy weather, just gentle rainfall. I’m dreaming, I understand, but a girl can wish and I am cramped sitting in my southeastern corner of my house. The kitties are speaking up now and again and hopefully, it is safe to journey back up to my comfy sofa. Toodles.

Crepes filled with raspberry jam

Given my propensity for the delicious and savory, I therefore must admit to having a bit of a sweet tooth. You do not need to eat more than two of these wondrous treasures. They are quite easy to prepare and only take about ten minutes to mix, cook and assemble.

A fantastic pairing would be tall glasses of Mimosa’s to drink, or even a dark burgundy wine. Add crispy bacon alongside fluffy, swiss cheese scrambled eggs. To balance the meal might I suggest a lightly tossed salad with balsamic vinegarette, sprinkled with toasted pecans? A bit later serve a piping hot cup of chocolate, which has been infused with cinnamon stick. Enjoy.

Danish Brioche Swiss II, originally uploaded by Theresa111.

Danish - Sweetened Brioche` rolled up and placed into a bottom layer of brioche`. Baked and then brushed with hot apricot, rum & 10X icing. Finished by sprinkling lightly toasted, sliced almonds on the top.

After it is a tiny bit cooled, you actually tear off your portion, instead of using a knife to cut. The rough appearance only lends to the beauty of this tasty morning delight.

Jaconde` Chocolate Mousse` Teardrop, originally uploaded by Theresa111.

Whenever I have the opportunity to gather friends or family round the diner table I always look forward to sharing good times, catching up and finding out what is going on in our lives. This time shared is a fundamentally important part to me and when the dessert is brought round, everyone is relaxed and open to discussing the topic of the day.

The dinner table is not filled as it once was. Most everyone these days is on the run, each having his or her agenda to take care of. We seem to have turned into a nation of “See you later,” and with a quick peck on the cheek or a wave, we are off.

I have decided to purchase a dark wood dining table, large enough for 8 - 12 guests. Last year, I saw the one I wanted at Pier 1 Imports, but I got side-tracked and didn’t go back to get it. Many times I like to think about a purchase for a long time before I actually shell out the funds.

Because it is a major purchase, perhaps not to Donald Trump … in fact, most certainly not to him, I want to be certain I will be content with the style and feel of the wood. It will be a place to be used almost daily and I have found, to my chagrin, that in the past, I have been guilty of impulse buying. This is a meaningful purchase and because I anticipate many good meals being shared, I want to make sure I will be happy with my choice.

Thankfully, I wrote down the name of the set and I will attempt to track down the artisan who created it. In my minds-eye, I imagine the delicious meals and good conversations to be shared.

207797main_jupiterio_newhorizons_big, originally uploaded by Theresa111.

This is so descriptive of me and my husband. He is big and strong and protective of me. I get to float around on my own, but under his close watch I feel safe and not so vulnerable. We are opposites. However, one without the other would always be missing that important ingredient.

I am glad that in this great big universe that we are all traveling through, we are always moving, the fact that there is such a partner to share this journey is helpful and comforting.

Today’s Daily Word is “Pray For Others.” I will do so and pray that you may have the same joy in a partner as I have in mine.

Original Painting Oil on Canvas (C) Theresa H. Hall, originally uploaded by Theresa111.

Anyone out there have a good recipe for making the glaze that I should put on my canvas? Please comment here or in my shout box on Blog Catalog. Thanks.

Do not copy this. Copyright 1994

29-Space Lab, originally uploaded by Theresa111.

Having come from a family which moved from state to state and house to apartment to townhouse and back, I thought it was a normal process. Clearly I have been made to see how the other half lives. We have been living in our present home for eighteen years. I have been trying to move for at least ten.

We decided we were not to leave the Washington, DC metropolitan area while our parents were still alive. Well they have gone to a better place and left us here. Amid torrential rains, flooding, close-call lightening strikes, nearby earthquakes, tornado’s, tropical storms and hurricanes. I have drawn the conclusion that it is time to find a better geographical spot.

The recent cyclones, volcano eruptions, earthquakes, pollution, damaged crop yields, loss of bees and tainted water (560 billion tons of raw sewage into our estuaries) has convinced me we had better find our new fortress quickly.

While uploading photographs today, I came across an interesting piece of real estate. I am certain that some of my family’s tax dollars went toward the construction and upkeep of this beauty.

It is with great excitement that I announce our impending move to this space lab. Once we are settled in, we will not have any weather to speak of and since we have solar panels there won’t be any electric bills. As you can see, there is plenty of room for storage and I suppose a party would be fun. We can offer our guests a breathtaking view.

It appears quite safe to me and I am glad I can relax now that I have made my choice. When Joe gets back from across the big pond, won’t he be surprised that I figured out where our new home will be.

As child and growing up in our great nation, I learned about the world through my teachers, history books and by viewing the globe, which depicted the terrain of our earth in all her glory and mystery. I was always fascinated by the perfection and beauty of it all. I learned by the example of The Golden Rule. Love Thy Neighbor. Peace was the word of the day.

One of the subjects that kept coming up throughout my formative years was of men fighting, battles and wars. The subject seemed far away and in the past. We would watch movies about WWI and WWII, ancient battles of the Romans, The Wild Wild West, The Korean War. I was told that they were battles fought and won, which made my American life freer and better … to make me safe. Civilized. Barbarians were a thing of the past. One of the finest things to do was travel around to the different cities and continents. The world was rich, mysterious and everything was bountiful and plentiful.

Wrong! Hate, Greed and Jealousy is the name of the game.

Today a rude awakening of the atrocities, brutality, greed, hate and power over less fortunate peoples is a daily notice in the Newspapers, TV News, The Internet and through Web Log Writers. Yes. Bloggers who feel the time has come to join together to speak in loud voices.

Evil doers need to be eliminated. Once and for all. What gives them the right to intimidate, starve, hit, beat, torture, detain, in-prison, maim or kill another? These bullies need to be removed from their self-imposed power and put down, like the curs they are. I never have compassion for those who take it upon themselves to do these dastardly deeds. I believe in justice and freedom for all innocent people.

Human rights are for every man, woman and child. Karma is a given and in cases such as these, what goes around … comes around seems apropos. But in the meantime we can give by the use of the penned word, our time to those less fortunate, our money for charity, our prayers for their plight.

But imagine for a moment, these terrible things happening to someone you care deeply for. Realize that in some small part, it is already happening to we, the free ones. It is unpleasant to dwell on this for even a few moments. But I hope you will do something to help. Stop being self-centered and do something to insure the Human Rights of us all. Time to put a stop to all the bad before it really infringes upon we the people.