Paella

I feel horrible that I've missed so many 365 pics lately.  And the first one that I do after decades (at least in blogging years) is yet another food pic.  Be that as it may...

Tonight I made Paella for the family.  If you're not familiar with it, it's a dish with everything in one pot/pan with a Spanish origin.  There are also many, MANY variations of it.  Mine contains chicken, sausage, shrimp, rice, tomato, and green peas.  Of course you have to season it with cinnamon and a touch of saffron, along with a few "secret" ingredients. 

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Meatloaf

Ready for the oven...

I know that I've talked about meatloaf sandwiches before, but I didn't show the actual meatloaf.  At least not before it goes into the oven.  My family loves it and my grandmother would be proud.

(post 44/365)

Sexy Redhead

2010 Lamborghini Murcielago LP640

This is, without a doubt, the sexiest car at the 2010 Chicago Auto Show.  What defines it as a "real" sex machine?  Styling, power, and complete non-practicality. 

And it can be yours for $447,000.

(post 43/365)

Very Sweet Ride

2010 Dodge Viper ACR

Ok.  So I've missed a few days of 365 postings.  I will be posting some "bonus" pix over the next few weeks to make up for it. 

I spent the day today at the Chicago Auto Show.  What an amazingly cool thing to do!  This was one of my favorite speedsters at the show.  Very cool car.

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Temptation

This is my ultimate weakness

I'm really not a big fan of candy. I really never have been. While other kids would wig-out over the ice-cream truck or a candy bar, I was quite content with an apple or a pear. Unless it came to Reeses's. That is my Achilles’ heel when it comes to candy. All bets are off. 

Sweet chocolate peanut butter goodness.

(post 41/365)

Cookies

I used to make chocolate chip and peanut butter cookies with my grandmother...

It may seem odd, but most people know that I enjoy cooking.  It's always been a great hobby for me, and at one time I actually considered taking on formal training for it.  The odd thing is that I really havnen't done that much baking.  That's why tonight's foray into a fairly simple, straight forward item like chocolate chip cookies was a fairly new undertaking for me.  With "The Boy" beside me acting as my sous chef, we whipped these little gems out.

Maybe I'll try a pie next...

(post 40/365)

Sunday dinner

Cashew Chicken in Red Sauce

When I lived in California, there was a Chinese restaurant that served an incredible cashew chicken in a red sauce. I have never been able to find another establishment that made it just that way, so a few weeks ago I did an internet search and found this recipe.

I am happy to say that it was very close to what I remember. And the family loved it. Bon Appetite!

(post 39/365)

Beer and taxes

A small sampling of the stein collection at our accountant's office

Today was our tax day.  Not the day that we pay taxes, but the day that we make the trip into our accountant's office to have HIM prepare the returns.  One of the things that I like the most about him (aside from getting us a great return) is his collection of steins.  This is a VERY small sampling of the collection that runs around the length of the office on several shelves.

Any accountant that drinks beer is ok in my book.  Hopefully the IRS feels the same.

(post 38/365)

Greasy goodness

Fresh homemade onion rings

Ok, so I haven't posted a picture of actual FOOD in a few weeks.  Made these tonight just because it sounded so good.  We also made corndogs...if you were wondering...

I fully expect our arteries to clog completely overnight.

(post 37/365)

Battle Royale. Almost.

What should have been a battle was a route...

Tonight we hosted the first "Name That Tune" contest on our show, pitting Annie against the very musically capable Vinny Bond.  Many were expecting a blood bath, with many listeners choosing to be either Team Annie or Team Vinny.  Unfortunately, Vinny had an off day.  Final score:  155-55 with the win going to Annie.

For my part, Vinny still gets a huge "W" just for showing up and taking on "Competitive Annie."

(post 36/365)

Let it snow...

The snow blower will get quite a workout in the morning

This is the view out of our kitchen window.  What you can't see from this picture is the constant falling of NEW snow.  Even though the snow plow came through an hour ago, the street is already covered in a fresh layer of snow.  We've had about 6 inches so far and the National Weather Service is predicting another 7-10 inches overnight. 

(post 35/365)

It's Grill Time...

There is never a bad time to grill...SUPER BOWL SUNDAY!

Today, with snow on the ground and the temperature hovering around the 30 degree mark (a heat wave), we uncovered the main grill at the "ABL Compound" and threw some ribs over the fire.

This is one of the biggest things that I miss from my life in California:  the ability to grill year-round.  Nevertheless, we make it happen for special occasions in the winter. 

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It's baaaacccckkkkk...

Snow returns to Chicago...

After a couple of weeks with (relatively) little to no snow on the ground, the white stuff makes it's return to the Windy City.  Not enough to break out the snow blower yet, but more is predicted on the way.

Have to admit that it's pretty just after a first snowfall.  Then it just sucks.

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Anticipation

Good things (in this case "treats") come to those who wait...

Martini "patiently" waits for her morning treat.  It's a routine we have.  She goes outside, comes in to her crate to warm up/dry off, then she gets one of her favorite treats.  She gets testy when we break the routine.

And before you ask, yes.  We named our dog Martini.  Our cat is named Oreo.  All we need now is a fish named Reeces and we've covered MY 3 favorite treats!

(post 32/365)

Disappointed but not (quite) disillusioned...

For the first time in my life, I actively campaigned for a political candidate.  By this I mean that I volunteered to work at a local campaign office, as well as talked up the candidate.  I've spoken of him before.  I did this because he shares many of the same beliefs and core values that I do, not becuase he was the "popular" candidate or because he was endorsed by a television celebrity, movie star, or musician.  Yes, he did get some endorsements from other people that I admire to varying degrees, but I supported this campaign long before those endorsements materialized.

In a primary with a startlingly pathetic turnout and a crowded field of candidates, Adam Andrzejewski showed well in the polls but did not secure the party nomination.  Am I dissapointed?  Yes.  Very.  Actually, I think this is the biggest loss I have ever felt on a personal level for a political cause.  Am I disillusioned?  Only in the fact that as of this moment, out of a state of over 6 million registered voters, the ENTIRE total of votes received by ALL 7 candidates was 748,473 with 96% of the totals in.

So yes, I am disillusioned in the voting public as a whole, but not my candidate.

I know this turned into more of a standard blog posting than a P365, but it's just what flowed out.  I'll be back to regular pics on Wednesday.

(post 31/365)

Simple Goodness

Few things in life are as simple and good as an Oreo cookie.

I admit that I'm not much of a "sweets" eater.  I really never have been, with two notable exceptions:  Reeces and Oreos.  I mean, how can you go wrong?  Reeces has the best pairing of treats since the Sweedish Bikini team, and Oreos give you the option of enjoying them a billion different ways.  Do you eat it as one piece? Take it apart and eat the creamy filling first? Dunk them in milk (or coffee)?  Or maybe you have a combination that you like.

However you do it, Oreos are one of life's simple pleasures.

(post 30/365)

Volunteering for something you believe in

Today I spent several hours at the local campaign office of Adam Andrzejewski, an Illinois businessman running for the GOP gubernatorial ticket on this Tuesday's primary. This was a first on several levels.  For one, I had never actually "volunteered" at a political office prior to today, and secondly, our son (aka "The Boy") was right beside me...sorting information cards, putting lawn signs together, etc.  He has an interest in the political process and was very eager to see how things worked "behind the scenes."

While I've spoken with Adam on the phone for an interview and even saw him speak yesterday at a luncheon with Lech Walesa, I had never met him "face to face" until today, when he (unexpectedly) showed up at the Oak Lawn office.  One of the best parts of chatting with him?  Our son got the opportunity to meet Adam as well.  "The Boy" was quite thrilled.

(post 29/365)

Luncheon (bonus post)

Ok, so I know that I missed 2 days this month for my Project365 blog.  When that (occasionally) happens, I will attempt to make the posts up with "Bonus Posts."  Here is my first make up post...

This is the view from the back of the banquet room before the start of the luncheon.  You can see that some of the press had already set up their cameras...imagine that same view with about 6 sets of gear and you will have an idea of what it wound up looking like.

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Legendary

Lech Walesa, former President of Poland and champion of democracy

Today I had the extreme pleasure to attend an event and meet a legend in the fight for freedom and democracy:  Lech Walesa. While he spoke through an interpreter, his actions and the tone of his voice were captivating to the point that it crossed the language barrier. He was charming, captivating, and passionate in his remarks. And believe it or not, this man has a sense of humor I suspect is much larger than the glimpse we got today.

(post 27/365)

Party Bus?

Bus for the Polekatz Gentleman's Club sighted this afternoon

So I have to wonder two things:

1. Who do they have to send this bust bus to pick up?  Is it a shuttle service for the employees or are they ferrying old codgers from the local retirement home?
2. If the city of Chicago were to employ these buses, would I be more likely to use public transportation?

(post 26/365)