Good Morning

Hot Damn I love a good Hearing.
I enjoyed this morning and the testimony by Dr. Rice.
Denials, vague answers, arguing and poor choices in lipstick.
Give me more!!!!!!

Plus the world is falling apart as usual. Thursday is starting out right.

Let's distract ourselves with some bread and circuses.
Or at the very least some pretty pictures since I can't afford to flood the Colosseum to stage mock naval battles.

( things to look at while you waste time at work )

If you want fun...Might I suggest hitting yourself in the groin with a blunt object?

I truly enjoyed the hearing this morning. It was everything I wanted. Except it would have been complete if a fistfight had broken out but those are my pipe dreams.
Dr. Rice held up and resorted to vague answers and the oft repeated versions of the phrase, "I don't recollect what exactly was said."
The exchange between panel member Richard Ben-Veniste and Dr. Rice when she wouldn't answer his question directly.
Classic!
Another highlight was the discussion of the interpretation of a classified memo. Was it a discussion of a threat within the US? Was it merely a history explaining Al Qaeda.
Oh it was hilarious and pathetic all at once.
Bi-partisan blame. Blame on the the intelligence community and bureaucratic red tape.
It is down right amazing we get anything done.

( I bitch more about the commentary and Dr. Rice's poor poor choice in lipstick )

oy vey

I am winning some good sister points tonight. One of my sister's favorite authors is in town for a reading and alas Miss Kitty has a schedule that is rather packed at the moment (she has to go and have cocktails with Gandhi and Dominick Dunne tonight) so I am going to go to the reading and get the brand-spanking new Princess Diaries book autographed.

I expect a lovely present for this job Miss Kitty.

Moments with Victoria and Genevieve The Gibson girls.

I was the coolest sister. I met Meg Cabot (I have met her once before) and she was a very nice lady. Very personable with the girls.
I told her all about Miss Kitty and her likeness to the character in the Princess Diary books. (long name, part time princess*, very smart, keeps lots of diaries) and signed the brand new book for the lovely Miss Kitty.

Let's see...I think I can ride on being coolest older sister for awhile. I got her tickets to see Baryshnikov, I got her one of her favorite books, and I gave her a pretty purse awhile back.

I think she owes me.
I like ponies.
hint hint.

....

This weekend is Easter. Yay!
I am going to make stuffed pork with sinner stuffing.
It involves lots of bourbon.
I promise pictures.

yeah

Let me introduce people to my friend Nick. He is a determined individual who will go to great lengths to prove a point and get cookies from me.
I have known him since we were about five or so and I can tell you stories about his personality. But we won't go into that now. I will save that for a tell-all interview with Barbara Walters.

Anyways...He proved he could do many things while riding a bicycle with no hands.
here is an example.

Tonight I am phoning it again with dinner.
I have made stuffed porkchops with mushrooms, goatcheese and basil.
It is one of those nights.

Potakake....bless you.

Okay people have asked me about potakake. It is proof that there is more to Nordic cuisine then just lute-fisk.
Potakake is also a name for lefse.
a potato pancake if you can't figure out the hard hard language of Norwegian.

It is a very simple recipe.
You take 4-6 russet potatoes. It is very important you use a starchy variety of potatoes for this project.
You cut the potatoes into slices and boil them. Most people can figure out that part. You don't need to remove the skins. They add a touch of color. *smirks*
Then you mash them with a bit of butter. You don't need it to be perfectly smooth. A few lumps are good but they should be small.
Then you add a bit of flour. About 1/2 a cup. Maybe 3/4 if it is an extra moist day out. Just enough that you can create a ball. It shouldn't be too sticky.
Now you will need a clean surface and you will sprinkle quite a bit of flour. A LOT of flour.
You will take the potato mixture and take a small handful and roll it into a small ball. About the size of a ping pong ball. You will sprinkle a bit of flour on top and lay it on the floured surface.
You will then roll it out into a flat roundish shape.
Bust out your wax paper (What you have no wax paper? What would Martha think. Shame on you) and lay out the pancakes.
Then you take a pan and over low-medium heat you will cook those pancakes.
You want them to be a bit brown on each side. Don't butter the pan. Maybe toss a little flour into the pan.
After eachside is lightly browned you will lay it on a plate. Maybe putting waxed paper between a few.

Once you have cooked all of your potato mixture. You will take softened butter and spread it all over the pancake. You will then sprinkle some brown sugar. You then roll up the pancake and eat it. I suggest having some damn good coffee with it. Argue with your relatives and then take a nap.
You will then get up for a hot dish and Lawrence Welk.

I admit I never really measured the ingredients. I may have to make it again to be accurate. I just know on instinct how much to add.