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They’ve started already – the ads for Christmas come earlier and earlier each year. I’m old enough to remember when we actually got through Thanksgiving before we started seeing and/or hearing Christmas stuff. I may not always agree with Lewis Black’s political views, but when I heard this bit about Christmas years and years ago, I was laughing so hard that I was in tears.
STRONG warning for language – even stronger warning to go pee before you watch this:
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Many of you who know our family know that Paul, Rebecca, and I have to eat gluten-free. Rebecca was diagnosed with Celiac Disease in April, 2008, and after we converted our kitchen to accommodate her condition we discovered that we felt a whole lot better as well.
Now, in most cases GF cooking isn’t that much different from regular cooking; I’ve found different GF ingredients and products that our family really likes (and some we’d rather not talk about) and it’s been pretty easy to adapt most things.
However, gluten-free baking is another story altogether.
Wheat gluten has a wonderful property of stretchiness that non-wheat products simply can’t match. When it comes to baking bread/rolls/etc., it can be a real challenge to figure out how to do things right; most gluten-free bread dough is really more like cake batter, which makes it impossible to knead/mold into shapes.
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Showtime.
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The story goes that as Benjamin Franklin emerged from Independence Hall at the close of the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia on September 18, 1787, a woman asked him, “Well Doctor, what have we got, a republic or a monarchy?”.
Mr. Franklin replied, “A republic, madam – if you can keep it.”
Ladies and Gentlemen, in looking over the events of the past few months, I would submit to you that Mr. Franklin’s Republic is still intact.
Yeah – we’ve been waiting.
We just want to take this opportunity to remind our friends on the other side of the aisle to enjoy the next 48 hours – Tuesday will be here before you know it….
Love,
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Just ask my family – I’m one of the original “Fanilows“, and I’m not ashamed to admit it. I’ve been hooked ever since I heard “Mandy” on the radio in 1974 (what can I say? Other girls my age went gaga for Donny Osmond – Barry’s always been “my” guy).
“When October Goes” is one of my absolute favorite Barry Manilow songs. I first heard this song on his amazing “2:00 A.M. Paradise Cafe” album*** – I managed to wear out the cassette tape from rewinding it to hear this song over and over and over…..
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Have a great day –
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***”When October Goes” is available in CD and MP3 formats – there are lots of good songs on the album (including duets with Sarah Vaughan and the “Velvet Fog”, Mel Torme).
I love Halloween – it’s the only night of the year when you are allowed to wear a costume without being in a play:
I’ll be rocking this “Maleficent” costume tonight…
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Something pretty for an October day:
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This beautiful arrangement of Towles van Zandt’s original is from Lyle Lovett’s “Step Inside This House” album (available in CD or MP3 format).
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Yes, Virginia, there IS a “Mother-In-Law Day” – who knew?
It seems that since 1934, the fourth Sunday in October has been designated as the day when we honor the women who have been the target of a lot of good-natured ribbing through the years.
Paul and I are both lucky – we have great mothers-in-law, and we love them very, very much.
The Fat Lady Has Sung
Koch's Tour 