Car Show

I went to the car show in Dedham at the Endicott Estate today. This is a Corvair, if you can believe it.

A Chrysler Town and Country ( no, I did NOT take note of the year, sorry ).

A Thunderbird. Again, due to the sheer overwhelming numbers of vehicles, I did not note the year. It was wonderful, and hot. We walked until our legs were sore, and then hopped the shuttle bus to the parking.

My co-worker Chuck and our former co-worker Mike attended with me, along with Mike's Uncle. We have gone the last three years and thoroughly enjoy it.

My Two New Best Friends

Part of my new commuting schedule ( think "Charlie and the MTA" by the Kingston Trio ). A bus to either Braintree or Quincy Center ( Red Line ); then transfer to the Green Line at Park Street.

Then, unfortunately, a half-hour walk to work. I have seen the bus, but haven't caught it yet. That's where my OTHER new best friend helps out.

My trusty IPod Mini ( first or second generation; I'm not sure ). Discontinued in 2005, this is an antique by digital standards. About 970 songs. Battery life is not what it should be.

Balcony Life

Balcony/patio condo life at its best. An urban landscape, along with chicken cooked in my cast iron grill pan, rice pilaf, and brussels sprouts. My favorite beverage accompanies. I need to spend more time out here, It's good for the soul ( not that I have one, ha ha ! ).

Memorial Day, Boston Common

We drove in today to see the flags. This was taken with my phone (sorry !). I think there are 22,000 of them, one for each person from Massachusetts who gave their life for our country. This picture was kind of lucky; there was a pretty decent crowd in front of the flags when we showed up.

Chinese Noodle Soup

My version of a Chinese noodle soup. Egg noodles, pork dumplings, peas, carrots. I went to the Chinese market on Sunday and here's the result. It needs more spice but that's easy to fix. I did NOT buy any chicken's feet, although they were very attractively packaged. And, yes, those are my brand-new chopsticks.

The Wrong Way To Use a Toaster Oven

One of our employees insists upon ignoring our notes in the lunchroom and heats his pizza without using either the tray ( on top of the toaster oven ! ) or tinfoil underneath. You can't see it in the picture but some of the cheese has already melted and dripped down on top of the element, making for some nice burnt-food smells. We'll get to enjoy that over and over for the next couple of days !

Arlington National Cemetery

I just got back from Washington DC. We went and saw as many sights as we could. Arlington is probably the most moving. The Army's 3rd Regiment provides the members of the honor guard, who patrol 24/7/365. They only stop if there is a real threat of lightning striking.

Navy Bean Soup

I thought about making soup today so I headed over to the store and started wandering up and down the aisles. I grabbed 2 pounds of Navy Beans (grown in the USA; who knew ?).

2 smoked pig's feet, pig tails, a shallot, garlic, a cubed ham steak, 2 pounds of Navy Beans, celery, carrot, simmering in chicken stock. So far I have been disappointed with my soups. They're okay, but they don't really knock your socks off. Let's hope for a winner.

Chicken Marengo

I am making Chicken Marengo, which my father used to make on my birthday. This is the meal Napoleon Bonaparte had after he won the battle of Marengo. We share the same birthday. These are sauteed pearl onions and mushrooms in butter and lemon juice.

This is a cut-up chicken, in a white wine and chicken broth. Afterward, the onions and mushrooms go in, along with black olives and brandy. The Joy of Cooking advises waiting a day (unlike Napoleon). I am heeding her advice.

ANOTHER roast chicken dinner

The good news . . . the chicken looks pretty good. The bad news . . . the potatoes have about 20 minutes to go ( Oops ! ). I will spend the time making pan gravy.