3-D Computer Viewing of the African Bush!

All I can say is WOW! 3-D computer viewing of an African Safari in real time and in 3-D. Look at Wildearth 3-D TV. Think about that for a moment: 3-D and in real time. No transmission delay. No video taped safaris. And all from the South African bush. The technology is awesome! My Dad and Robin's Dad would be amazed. I was lucky enough this morning to view the very first broadcast. Yes, you do need those terrible looking glasses. But they are free! We got ours from Blockbuster. It was an exciting event. I just can't explain it much more. You really have to look for yourselves. You say, "The cost for all of this expensive computer technology?" NADA! No Cost! FREE! All you need is a computer and a good high speed ISP. Join in on the fun and the new frontier! Cheers!

BSU vs VA Tech

OK, all you non-BSUers! Here's what I'll do, and I think this is a safe bet!! If BSU looses (yea, right!) send me a VA Tech shirt and I will wear it here and have a photo taken with it on - on BSU campus!! However, if BSU wins, I will send you a BSU shirt and you must wear it and have a photo taken in an appropriate place. There are supposed to be about 4000 BSU fans making the trip, maybe more. Look for the KTVB-TV truck and stop in and say Hello. Cheers!! (I wear an XL shirt.)

Hogmanay - New Years Eve in Scotland

Hogmanay - New Years Eve in Scotland
By Elaine Lemm, About.com Guide

What is Hogmanay?
Hogmanay is a Scottish celebration, it is the celebration of New Years Eve and can last for days. No-one celebrates the eve quite like the Scots. It is believed the Scots inherited the celebration of Hogmanay from the Vikings and their celebration of the shortest day but many believe that as Christmas was virtually banned and not celebrated in Scotland from the end of the 17th century until the 1950’s, New Years Eve was a good excuse for some revelry and the excuse to drink whisky and eat good food. Hogmanay involves parties and festivals across Scotland with the largest and most famous public party in Edinburgh.

Hogmanay Customs:
As midnight strikes the strains of Auld Lang Syne, Robert Burn's version of this traditional Scottish air, can be heard everywhere, followed by a toast to health, wealth and happiness for the coming year and the custom of First Footing.

First Footing:
First-Footing – the visiting of friends and family immediately after midnight sees the Scots rushing from house to house to welcome in the New Year. The First-Foot in the house traditionally is a dark, handsome male carrying a piece of coal, whisky, Scottish shortbread and black bun - a rich dark fruitcake encased in pastry. The visitor in return is given a small glass of whisky.

Customs in the Rest of the UK:
Many of the Scottish customs have infiltrated into the rest of Britain. Though First Footing is less common south of the Scottish border, the singing and toasting - sometimes followed by fireworks - can be heard throughout the British Isles.

The Foods of Hogmanay and New Years Eve:
Food at Hogmanay must include the traditional foods of Scotland.

Shortbread is always eaten at Hogmanay and sometimes served with cheese.

All the First Footing on a cold night means food must be warm and comforting a casserole or a hearty Venison Pie with a side dish of Rumbledethumps and of course Haggis will most certainly make an appearance.

And to Drink....?:
It has to be Whisky in Scotland. Scotch Whisky is world renowned and what better time to drink it than Hogmanay. Nobody knows exactly when the art of distilling was first practised in Scotland but it is believed it was the Ancient Celts who first practiced the art. Uisge Beatha - the water of life - as the Celts call it evolved into Scotch, a drink made only in Scotland, but enjoyed around the world.

The Words to Auld Lang Syne:

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And auld lang syne!
Chorus:
For auld lang syne, my jo,
For auld lang syne,
We'll tak a cup o' kindness yet
For auld lang syne.

The Translation
Should old acquaintances be forgotten
And never be remembered?
Should old acquaintances be forgotten
and days long ago.
Chorus:
For days long ago, my dear,
For days long ago
We'll drink a cup of kindness yet
For days long ago!

A hearty casserole is ideal for the main course - lamb stew topped with a crust of best Scottish black pudding is perfect food to warm diners up. To line the stomachs further, a dish of Rumbledethumps, made from wholesome potatoes, turnips (called 'swede' south of the Scottish border) and kale is delicious and comforting.

Pudding must be over-the-top as we Scots have such a sweet tooth, so a steamed pudding served with hot butterscotch sauce will end your Hogmanay dinner with panache.

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Lamb Stew with Stornoway Black Pudding crust

By Sue Lawrence

Description:
Stornoway is my favourite black pudding, with its rich yet non-greasy flavour and good crumbly texture.

Ingredients:
2 tbsp olive oil, plus extra for brushing
25g/1oz butter
800g/1lb 12oz lamb shoulder, chopped into bite-sized pieces
1 heaped tbsp flour, seasoned with salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 onion, chopped
2 leeks, finely sliced
2 garlic cloves, chopped
2 bushy sprigs fresh rosemary
150ml/5fl oz red wine
150ml/5fl oz lamb stock
200g/7oz Stornoway black pudding, skin removed, thinly sliced (chill well before slicing)

Method:
1. Preheat the oven to 160C/325F/Gas 3.
2. Heat one tablespoon of olive oil with the butter in an ovenproof casserole until hot.
3. Place the lamb into a large bowl, sprinkle over the seasoned flour and mix well. Tip half of the lamb pieces into the casserole and cook, stirring frequently, until browned all over. Remove with a slotted spoon to a plate and repeat with the remaining meat, then remove the second batch of meat to a plate.
4. Add another tablespoon of oil to the casserole and gently fry the onion, leeks and garlic until softened.
5. Return the meat to the casserole along with the rosemary, wine and stock. Bring to the boil, then cover with a lid and transfer to the oven. Cook for about an hour, stirring once halfway through the cooking time.
6. Remove the casserole from the oven and discard the rosemary sprigs. Increase the oven temperature to 190C/375F/Gas 5.
7. Place the black pudding slices on top of the stew, overlapping slightly. Brush the slices with a little olive oil, then return to the oven and cook, uncovered, for about 30 minutes, or until the stew is bubbling and the topping is crisp.
8. Serve at once with Rumbledethumps and a green vegetable.

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Seven-cup Pudding with Butterscotch Sauce

Serves 6
Preparation time less than 30 mins
Cooking time over 2 hours

By Sue Lawrence

Description:
Non-Scots might eat this with some custard or cream, but I would inundate it with custard, cream - and (don't forget that sweet tooth of ours!) a scoop of best-quality ice-cream.

Ingredients:
For the pudding (use a regular 300ml/10fl oz coffee mug for the measurements)
1 mug raisins
1 mug sultanas
1 mug self-raising flour
1 mug shredded suet
1 mug fresh breadcrumbs
1 mug light muscovado sugar
1 level tsp ground cinnamon
1 heaped tsp ground mixed spice
1 mug whole milk
1 medium free-range egg, beaten
butter, for greasing
For the butterscotch sauce
75g/2¾oz light muscovado sugar
50g/2oz butter
150ml/5fl oz double cream
few drops vanilla extract
crème fraîche, to serve

Method:
1. For the pudding, place the first six mugfuls of ingredients into a bowl with the spices and mix well.
2. Add the milk and beaten egg and mix well.
3. Grease a 1 litre/1¾ pint pudding basin with butter, then pour the pudding mixture into the basin.
4. Cover with baking paper or foil, then place into a steamer set over a pan of simmering water and cook for about 2½ hours, or until cooked through.
5. For the butterscotch sauce, place all the sauce ingredients (not the crème fraîche) into a pan and heat gently until the sugar dissolves. Bring to the boil and boil for three minutes, stirring frequently, until thickened and smooth.
6. To serve, turn the pudding out onto a serving plate and serve with the butterscotch sauce and crème fraîche.

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So there you have a different custom. My Mom would be proud! I'll tip a glass for you, Pop! Cheers! (There's a hot link for some information at the title.)

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Winter Games In Boise

We may be in what's called The Banana Belt - it is usually a warm winter down here - but we have been known to have Winter Games here in town. We are very fortunate here in Boise. The City Fathers were futuristic enough to plan for many, many parks in town. Some big. Some small. Some flat. Some very steep and high. Camels Back Park is one of the steep and high ones. It's a great sledding hill for young and old. Check these photos out! Cheers!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

A Super Day In The Life Of ......

Today really was a super day for us. We had an audition for teaching a dance program at Arts West School in Eagle, Idaho, a private school dedicated to the arts. They evidently liked our abilities and dance/teaching skills, because there will be a contract issued next week. The contract will run from January 2010 through May 2010. But then there was dinner. Wanted to celebrate in some
small way. Thought about taking Robin out for Halibut Beurre Blanc, but Andrae's closed about a year ago, so I'm not sure anyone in Boise can make it now. Except ......... ME!! And if you look left, you can see the results. (Just should have let it thicken a little more)
But it really was good and the vegetable medley went well with it. The Chardonnay we had to go with it was "over the hill", a 1998 Ravenswood. It is now in the vinegar jar. (We have a wine vinegar going) Oh well, can't have everything. Cheers!

Autumn In Boise

You know, there probably is Moonlight In Vermont, but Boise, Les Bois, The City of Trees, has a spectacular Autumn. And yes, we are on the high desert at 2900 feet. But the fall colors this year have been breath taking. Look at this slide show and see for yourselves. Don't forget to go Full Screen when prompted. Turn your volume up and listen to Tom Jones singing "Autumn Leaves". All of these photos were taken on 21 October 2009 in Boise. Hope you enjoy these.

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Columbia, Maggie and the Wall-E Saga

Sorry about the delay in posting these photos, but I've been slightly busy. A couple of them are a little blurred, but it's difficult to photograph a flying peregrine with a 300mm lens and not have it blurred. Wall-E tried to move a parked car ... it didn't work. He is fine and was placed back on the One Capital Building and eventually flew again. One of the females on 29 June also got into some trouble, but will also be OK. Here are the photos. Do enjoy them! Many thanks to Bruce Haak, Idaho Fish and Game, for supplying two of these photos.

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Faster Horses, Slower Women and More Beer!

Well, after 21 days in the fermentor, it's time to bottle the Highland Heavy Ale. About 4 cases were produced and, in the bottling process, one must always sample the fruits of ones labors! Not too bad for being NA (Non Aged compared to NV - Non Vintage). Somewhere around Memorial Day BBQ it should be really good!

The bottling is so very High-Tech! A 5-Gallon container, about 4 feet of food grade plastic tube and a valve and you have it! Then, of course, one must have the appropriate sized bottle - other than a 1 Liter bottle - like 16 oz bottles and caps and a bottle capper. And, Oh Yes, the 1 liter bottles must also go to Jerri and Roger and Gail and Robert. The other 95 bottles I'm going to share with Mac, Guy and Mairi, Geno and Debra, Tammy and Mike - if they want any - and Robin and "Buddy" (Yea, that'll work!)

Now what I must work on is the Labeling Machine. Sometimes the labels don't go on straight. Need to sample the ale again! I think I will save some for Robert Burns' Birthday next January. OK, Mairi? It will be good by then with Haggis.

I do think that by Memorial Day it should be time to open the case and start the BBQ or the Smoker and have a party! You say you don't like Ale? We might find a good Zin or Cab or Syrah downstairs to go with the grilling. What, you say you don't like wine? McDonald's is about 4 blocks from here. Have a good time!

Until we open a bottle, Cheers!

Idaho Spring Snow!

Well .... That's Idaho! What's Idaho? Maybe snow on April 15th. Maybe 4" of snow on April 15th. Maybe if you wait for 5 minutes, the weather will change. Nooo! That won't happen. Wanna bet? This is Wednesday ..... by Saturday temperatures in the low to mid 70's for the next 7 days! Yes, that really is snow in the photo. It's taken just 8 miles west of Twin Falls.

No, this is not Twin Falls, although, there really is a Twin Falls. The falls pictured here are Shoshone Falls. They are higher than Niagara Falls, but they don't always flow. Idaho Power has opened the river to release the water and the spring melt. (As Bill Cosby said, "Yea. Right!")


I had to go to Twin today, to have the car serviced - we have 1 year free of service. About 30 miles west (towards Boise) I ran into snow - heavy snow! When I got to Twin, there were 4" on the ground. So the Shoshone Falls are always a good side trip, especially with snow on them. That's a loooong way down through that hole in the cliff! I don't think I should get much closer to the edge - No rope!

Anthropological data states that before Idaho Power got control of the river and closed it down to a trickle during the summer, the salmon came all the way up to the falls. Not being able to get above the falls, the salmon were easy prey for the Native Americans and later for the Oregon Trail immigrants. Interesting since, as I said, we don't normally see the salmon any more this far up the river. It was a good trip to see the falls, very different with the subdued light on them than when the sun is full on them. I told Robin that from the freeway, about 10 miles north, you can see the "mist plume" rising. You can not see the falls, just the mist. I've never seen the mist like that.

Robin Returns to Boise

I was not the only one waiting for Robin to return. Buddy found - after many trips to the dumpster - that there was a bed that he could easily get on, under all that "stuff". He even took his pillow with him and one toy.

From Left to Right - Robin, Carlynne and Marnie.
The "Girls" were all hungry, so we heated up some of the Lamb Paella that I made and some good Basque Bread. Robin liked the kitchen after I finished the painting.

So there you have it. Robin and Carlynne made the 1800 mile trip without incident. I was happy and Buddy is happy. He heard Robin's voice before he saw her and he enter his Bedlamistic mode. It's good to have her back.

Kitchen Remodel

OK. Monday, 23 February, is the start of this major project! Below are some drawings of the project.


Overhead view of the kitchen.

Elevation view of the major appliances: Stove, Microwave, Exhaust Hood (West Wall) and Refrigerator (South Wall)
.
The Sink (North Wall) and the placement of the Dishwasher. Note the cabinets and drawer space.

These last two views are overhead views and placement views.

What you don't see is the Sky Light, LED lighting under the cabinets, the Ceiling Lights , the new flooring and the Pot Rack.

It is said that it will be completed in one week. I hope so, but one must always be ready for the unexpected in a house that was built 104 years ago - it's one of the "perks" of owning an old house. We are trying very hard to keep the design and appearance in the ambiance of the early 1900's. Joe Levitch, our contractor, is working very hard to keep this in mind and to keep us in line. He is succeeding! Wish us luck! I had promised some Fasnachts for Shrove Tuesday, but I really don't think that will happen this year.

Boise's Celebration of Mr Lincoln's Birthday

On 12 February, Boise celebrated Abraham Lincoln's birthday. Such a good celebration. A life-size statue of Mr Lincoln - the only one like this in the West - was unveiled. But, the City of Boise was competing with the arrival of Vice-President Joe Biden who was honoring the Special Olympics.




The statue stayed covered until just the right time.



The late afternoon shadows and light make a wonderful contrast in the image.





At every party, there is food! I tried to get a piece of cake, but the line was long. So I ate BBQ Meat Balls and Chicken Strips along with a Vegetable Plate. They also had Pasta and Chips and Natchos.


The capitol is being renovated until 2010. The inside is being completely re-done and brought up to code. The House and Senate areas are all going under-ground (no pun intended).

And yes, it was cold today and it lightly snowed, even though it does not look snowy in some of these photos. But the crowd was energetic and up-beat. But why this statue? It was originally given to the State of Idaho on February 12, 1915 and it was at the Veterans Home. It was decided that all citizens of Idaho should have the opportunity to view it, so it has been moved to be part of the Capitol Renovation Project.

New Vehicle

OK, so our trip on 29 January to Twin Falls, was supposed to be to see Rudy's - A Cooks Paradise (see the post on the Boise Foodie Guild Blog), but, like some of our sojourns, they can get involved. This one was no different!

We went to see Robin's cousin, Randy Perrine, who works at Bob Green's GMC dealership on Blue Lakes Blvd, Twin Falls (Your're welcome for the plug, Randy!). Robin wanted to sit in a Cadillac Escalade. She did. $40K worth!

Instead of the Cady, we looked at this one - a delightful 2008 Chevrolet Equinox. Large, roomy, you can see over the guard rails of a bridge, smooth ride and comfortable seats and the maintenance and mileage on the vehicle won't be much more than the 1996 Subaru we are trading in on it. The back is large enough for probably 12 cases of wine, well, maybe 8-10!
I drove it back to Boise and the electronics on the car are awesome: MPG info, average speed, how many miles are left on the tank of gas, good cruise control, great radio and CD player and a great security system. This will be a great vehicle when we travel to San Diego later this year and maybe Texas.
OH, well, such is retirement! Cheers!

Winter Weather!

So next summer when it is 100 to 110 degrees in the shade, remember this snow and this December. Normal snowfall in December - 7.5". Snowfall so far this December - 19.5" and counting.

Really a "pretty" snow, but it should be in the mountains, not here in the "Banana Belt".

I have shoveled about 8" today and it is still snowing lightly. Supposed to turn to rain after midnight. Oh,Yuk!

Remember When?

Remember when you were a "little person"? And you looked for icicles to break off and eat?
And usually they were located too high to reach? And you had to throw a snowball at them to break them off? But then they hit the ground and broke? Remember when you were a "little person"? Remember?

CNN Technology Report

I uploaded the photos on 2 December - in the previous post - to CNN and about 5:30am MST I received a phone call from them. They asked a few questions and then asked if it would be OK to use the photos! Of course I said "Yes". Here is a link to the CNN Tecnology page where you can see the photo. It is #4. (Sometimes you must try the link twice.) I have posted there before several years ago, but I have never had anything used.

The Moon, Venus and Jupiter

OK. So just to let you know that eating and finding good wine is not all we do, there are times when we do venture outside to the "real" world and look up! (If you Left Click on the photo, you can see a full screen image.)

Right outside of our house - see the tree limb and the reflection of the street light?

A somewhat better photo - higher magnification - of the same scene, but without the reflections. The Moon is obvious. Venus - I think is the bottom most "dot" and Jupiter is the upper "dot". Please correct me if I am wrong. An astronomer I am not. Enjoy.

12-0 ?

So the big question around here is, "Will BSU go to 12-0 again this year?" It should be a good game this Friday night. 4:00pm (Mountain Time) on ESPN2. Just think of watching the game, Stella Artois in one hand, turkey sandwich in the other and your feet up in your favorite lounge chair. That's where I'll be! See you there! Buddy is anxiously waiting with his BSU blanket and determination on his face. Look at those wolf eyes.

Pendleton (OR) Underground

Part of our trip to the wine country in Walla Walla, WA., was a stay in Pendleton, OR. What fun this was! Seeing the "Pendleton Underground" and Hamley's Restaurant. Here are the photos. Enjoy!

Cold Springs Winery, Hammett, ID

What a nice trip we had on Saturday, 18 Oct. Robin and I and Geno and Debra Chantrill, all drove down to Hammett and to the Cold Springs Winery, where Robin's cousin, Jamie Martin, is the winemaker. It was good to see Jamie again. Here are some photos. Top Left: Cold Springs Winery Label. Top Right: Some old vine grapes

On the (Left) Robin and Jamie, with Geno Chantrill in the background and on the (Right) New Vines. Have you ever had a "new wine" (Syrah) that is about 3 days off the vine? We did and that is going to be a great wine, Jamie!


On the Left, Jamie's label for his "Hot Rod White". But I really must say that his Hot Rod Red is much better - along the lines of his Basque Red. On the Right, Riesling grapes ready to be converted to wine! Robin, Jamie, Debra and Geno - hiding!











On the Left, Caroline punching down the Syrah and on the Right, Robin, Geno and Debra tasting the Riesling grapes.






Left, another one of the Cold Springs labels and, on the Right, bottles of Riesling lees - still full of sugar and some yeast - that Jamie gave me. I have a special project that I am going to use some on. I will post the project and results at a later time. This should really be fun and interesting. Any suggestions for the use of the lees? Keep Tuned In and I will post updates. Cheers!