Chimney Sweep

Chim chiminey

Chim chiminey

Chim chim cher-ee!

A sweep is as lucky 

As lucky can be

Today we were scheduled to have our chimneys swept.

A flashlight was shined up each fireplace.

Build-up was observed.

Noisy work commenced.

I was disappointed.

There was no English accent. No singing. No tap dancing.

Just one dude.

So "Step In Time" was out of the question.

Sigh.....the movies make every task look so glamorous.

Best German Chocolate Cake

Mixed in with my stack of cookbooks, computer printouts from the FoodNetwork website and handwritten recipe cards is a very old book (almost a pamphlet in size) of recipes from General Foods that promotes their brand of chocolate and coconut called Baker's.

It is quaint and old-fashioned.

I find the pictures of cut-up cakes particularly amusing.

The Bunny cake has appeared on our Easter table for years.

While the Dear Santa cake has remained on the page. The shape is disturbing. Too many sharp edges.

My favorite recipe in the book is the Coconut-Pecan Frosting on page 28.

Here it is:

1 cup evaporated milk
1 cup sugar
3 egg yolks, slightly beaten
1/2 cup of butter
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 1/3 cups Baker's Angel Flake Coconut
1 cup chopped pecans

Combine milk, sugar, egg yolks, butter and vanilla in a saucepan. Cook and stir over medium heat until thickened - about 12 minutes. Remove from heat. Add coconut and pecans. Beat until cool and thick enough to spread. Makes 2-1/2 cups.

Bake your favorite dark chocolate cake and spread this decadent frosting between the layers and on top.

Light the candles and sing Happy Birthday!

Happy Valentine's Day

For the holiday, vanilla and chocolate hearts.

Along with hugs and kisses.

I obviously have no imagination.

My girlfriend took the same cookie dough and ......

Came up with Antonio Banderas.

Not an exact match, as seen on a movie poster below, but a sweet interpretation of the famous actor.

A Valentine treat, for sure!

Weinermobile Sighting

I wish I were an Oscar Mayer Weiner

That is what I truly wish to be 

cause if i were a Oscar Mayer Weiner

everyone would be in love 

oh everyone would be in love

everyone would be in love with me

According to an article in the Journal Sentinel in Milwaukee Wisconsin, hundreds apply each year for one of the 12 coveted spots to drive the Wienermobile. Six of the sausage-shaped chariots are stationed around the country and hotdoggers are paired in two-person teams to make visits throughout their area. 

Remember getting a Weinermobile whistle when you were a kid?

Good times.

Words on Display

Inside the Geisel Library, on the UCSD campus, there are display cases lined up on the first floor just left of the reception desk.

These are the two pieces that caught my attention.

An explosion of words, thoughts, ideas erupting off the page.

A really good book can hardly contain itself.

A scroll, a window shade, of things to ponder.

Easier than counting sheep...

Coming Soon: "Happy Birthday, Dr. Seuss!" exhibit from February 8 - March 18, 2013.

North Torrey Pines Bridge

The Retrofit project started in 2010 and should be finished later this year.

It is an old bridge.

Historic bridge. Built in 1933.

It is being upgraded to withstand an earthquake of 7.0 magnitude.

Yet still retain its original look and charm.

For now there is a tall crane in view while driving down the 101 Highway south of Del Mar. 

Warning signs, hard hats, construction debris, diverted lanes are also part of the process. 

But the end is in sight.