Sunday Open Thread

By Jeralyn, Section Blog Related
Posted on Sun Jan 25, 2009 at 12:59:38 PM EST
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It's frosty here but not snowy, yet. A good day to catch up on things for the coming week.

Whatever you are doing or thinking about today, here's a place to discuss it.

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Sunday Open Thread | 78 comments (78 topical)

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I'd like to make a really belated mention of (5.00 / 1) (#2)
by tigercourse on Sun Jan 25, 2009 at 01:15:16 PM EST

the passing of probably my favorite artist (not that I'm a great expert) Andrew Wyeth. I was up at the Olson house this summer (the setting for Christina's world) and felt a connection to his work that I've never felt with any other artist.

Andrew Wyeth was great ... (5.00 / 2) (#19)
by Robot Porter on Sun Jan 25, 2009 at 02:53:28 PM EST

and I am something of an expert.

Went to art school, and I'd have a minor in art history if my school had offered it. I took every art history class and seminar that was offered.

I think Wyeth will go down in history as one of the great representational American artists of the twentieth century. Probably sharing that label with Edward Hopper.

Parent

A Bit Commercial For Me (none / 0) (#31)
by squeaky on Sun Jan 25, 2009 at 04:46:36 PM EST

I would never compare Wyeth to Hopper personally. For me a better comparison is Norman Rockwell. Although I prefer Rockwell.

I tend to think of Wyeth as an illustrator, super skills for sure.

Parent

Are you talking about Andrew or N.C.? (none / 0) (#62)
by tigercourse on Sun Jan 25, 2009 at 08:23:21 PM EST

Parent

: Andrew (none / 0) (#78)
by squeaky on Mon Jan 26, 2009 at 11:52:01 AM EST

Parent

I do hope you've been to (4.50 / 2) (#64)
by Anne on Sun Jan 25, 2009 at 08:38:16 PM EST

the Brandywine River Museum, and gardens, in Chadds Ford, PA - aside from being a beautifully designed museum (I know the architect), it's a Wyeth-lover's dream.

If you can take a couple days, go to the museum, then go to Longwood Gardens - your soul will thank you!

Parent

: Thanks for the tip. (none / 0) (#70)
by tigercourse on Mon Jan 26, 2009 at 02:03:09 AM EST

Parent

Keep it subtle so (none / 0) (#38)
by SOS on Sun Jan 25, 2009 at 06:03:32 PM EST

Wyeth art history isn't rewritten with a checkbook and all his work goes into private vaults.

Parent

Gillibrand is giving a presser now (5.00 / 3) (#7)
by andgarden on Sun Jan 25, 2009 at 02:00:55 PM EST

and doing a pretty good job. She's talking about getting high speed rail into the stimulus.

Although I'm still skeptical ... (5.00 / 1) (#9)
by Robot Porter on Sun Jan 25, 2009 at 02:17:27 PM EST

about her on policy.

She sure seems to have all the signs of a political comer.

If Schumer keeps her on a short leash on the policy side, this could work out okay.

I think progressives may get more out this if we "educate" rather than pillory her.

Parent

We have to use the carrot and the stick (5.00 / 1) (#10)
by andgarden on Sun Jan 25, 2009 at 02:20:46 PM EST

She's already shown signs of remaking herself based on the threat of a primary challenge. Schumer, who will be sharing a ticket with her, will make sure that she votes and advocates like a New York Senator. The bit about high speed rail proves that she's thinking about downstate concerns.

Parent

I was going to use ... (none / 0) (#12)
by Robot Porter on Sun Jan 25, 2009 at 02:30:58 PM EST

the phrase "carrot and stick" but felt like avoiding cliches this afternoon.

;)

But all you say is true. Doesn't mean I might not vote against her in the primary. But it's nice to vote against someone who you can live with if they get the nod.

I'm growing tired of black hat/white hat politics.

Parent

If I voted in New York (none / 0) (#13)
by andgarden on Sun Jan 25, 2009 at 02:35:35 PM EST

and had to choose between McCarthy and Gilibrand, I'm not sure quite how I would vote. I think Gilibrand's "come to Jesus" moment on same sex marriage might be decisive, but I'd have to watch for a while (and of course, I'd expect McCarthy to change her mind about that, too).

Parent

NOt To Mention (5.00 / 1) (#15)
by squeaky on Sun Jan 25, 2009 at 02:37:51 PM EST

That Gillibrand is just out of the starting gate. She seems to be quickly representing her new constituency.

Parent

Civil rights is very high ... (5.00 / 2) (#16)
by Robot Porter on Sun Jan 25, 2009 at 02:42:35 PM EST

in my political calculus. And gay marriage is one of the most important (probably the most important) civil rights battles of our age.

So if Gillibrand sticks to her new position, and it appears to be more than just political window-dressing, I may just have to vote for her on that issue alone.

But I'd rather not think about voting for at least a few months.

;)

Parent

If Gillibrand is to be primaried, I hope (5.00 / 1) (#18)
by tigercourse on Sun Jan 25, 2009 at 02:44:36 PM EST

that it's done by a true blue liberal like Hinchey or Slaughter (though I don't want either of them to give up their seats on a race they won't win) then someone arguably more conservative/the same like McCarthy. Provide a clear difference.

Parent

Hinchey and Slaughter are too old (none / 0) (#21)
by andgarden on Sun Jan 25, 2009 at 02:56:34 PM EST

Part of the genius of picking Gillibrand is that's she's really quite young for a Senator, and she's fought in tough elections before.

I think the only person with the energy, resources, and name recognition to beat her is Anthony Weiner. But he'll never do it, because Schumer is backing Gilibrand. (Of course, Cuomo is another outside possibility, but I don't think he'd try either).

Parent

Right now Weiner has ... (5.00 / 1) (#23)
by Robot Porter on Sun Jan 25, 2009 at 03:08:13 PM EST

his eye on the mayoral race.

Parent

He was in the driver's seat (none / 0) (#24)
by andgarden on Sun Jan 25, 2009 at 03:10:03 PM EST

until Bloomberg did his term limits maneuver. If I were him, I might consider a different job.

Parent

: Being Mayor of New York ... (none / 0) (#25)
by Robot Porter on Sun Jan 25, 2009 at 03:11:39 PM EST

is a pretty thankless job. But Weiner has the type of political personality which might excel in that position.

Parent

Applause for Obama! (5.00 / 2) (#8)
by mmc9431 on Sun Jan 25, 2009 at 02:15:53 PM EST

Finally I hear a Democrat throw this back in the face of Republican's! I've had to listen to this from Republican's for 8 years.

"I won."

-- President Obama, quoted by the Wall Street Journal, in response to Sen. Jon Kyl (R-AZ) on why he's not including more Republican ideas in his economic stimulus plan.

Actually, (none / 0) (#30)
by jbindc on Sun Jan 25, 2009 at 04:37:03 PM EST

That statement reminded me too much of another:

"I'm the decider."

Didn't care for either.

Parent

I actually liked it (5.00 / 1) (#39)
by BernieO on Sun Jan 25, 2009 at 06:12:12 PM EST

when I read that it was said in the context of responding to Republican complaints that giving checks to people who did not pay taxes was wrong. Supposedly Obama said that this particular issue had been debated in the election, with McCain and Palin calling it socialist. Then he said "I won." It would have been better, IMO, if he had said "The people have spoken" or some such thing. Still, Democrats are notorious for being cowed by Republicans and the media - just look at how the they rolled over after they took back the majority in Congress. Republicans are bullies by comparison.

Parent

: But...but...but (none / 0) (#73)
by jbindc on Mon Jan 26, 2009 at 09:21:03 AM EST

I thought we were the ones we've been waiting for. Had enough of the presidency being all about the person - not the people - for the last eight years.
And he said it with the Dem leadership next to him, so apparently, they don't count.

Parent

The nerve of some gov employees :) (5.00 / 6) (#14)
by Militarytracy on Sun Jan 25, 2009 at 02:37:14 PM EST

My husband told me today that he heard tons of complaining on Wednesday that troops and gov civilians didn't get the day off in celebration of inaugurating our first black president. It really fried my husband big time, who has carried liberal water for all watercooler debates all political season. He now oversees the civilian GS instructors in his area and he said today that his response to the whining was, "you didn't get the day off when we inaugurated our first white president either, now get to work" :)

: Me likes your husband. :) (5.00 / 1) (#54)
by Angel on Sun Jan 25, 2009 at 07:14:00 PM EST

Parent

Just want to say thank you to all of you (5.00 / 1) (#20)
by mogal on Sun Jan 25, 2009 at 02:56:12 PM EST

clever caring people. I will be returning to seminary the first of Feb. and will be spending alot of time on the computer but not so much on this site. Blessings to all

Is it something we said? (none / 0) (#22)
by befuddledvoter on Sun Jan 25, 2009 at 03:05:15 PM EST

LOL Only kidding. Just curious. While I don't think of this as a religious sight by any stretch, we do have the greater good in mind.

Parent

: Yes, you do and that is why I enjoy the (none / 0) (#26)
by mogal on Sun Jan 25, 2009 at 03:11:59 PM EST

discussions so much. I am an older student doing graduate work, plus I pastor a church. It is just a matter of time.

Parent

I'm a duck! I'm not a politician! (5.00 / 1) (#28)
by Fabian on Sun Jan 25, 2009 at 03:44:36 PM EST

Heh.
The kids brought Duck For President home from the library.

When Duck runs for governor, his staff makes up signs "I am a Duck" & "I am not a Politician". Also "Duck For Change" when he runs for president.

I'm sure half the jokes will fly over their heads (preschool and first grade) but at least I'll get a kick out of reading it.

Best kids books are like that (5.00 / 2) (#47)
by gyrfalcon on Sun Jan 25, 2009 at 07:04:25 PM EST

Parents roar with laughter while reading to the kid, kid listens with utter seriousness.

I loved Winnie-the-Pooh when I was a kid, but the real revelation came when I was asked by a friend's young daughter to read one of the books to her many years later as an adult. I laughed so hard, I had trouble getting through it. She thought I was kinda weird.

Parent

: Winnie the Pooh (none / 0) (#68)
by sj on Sun Jan 25, 2009 at 10:54:22 PM EST

Now I have to get to the library...

Parent

Movies can be like that, too (none / 0) (#69)
by sj on Sun Jan 25, 2009 at 10:55:23 PM EST

I thoroughly enjoyed "Babe" although the kids thought I was laughing in some strange places.

Parent

Went to see "The Wrestler" (5.00 / 1) (#49)
by scribe on Sun Jan 25, 2009 at 07:07:18 PM EST

with Mickey Rourke and Mira Sorvino.

I highly recommend it. Rourke provides a really stunning performance and Sorvino brings out the desperation that lives in Jersey.

There's a lot of handheld camera, which can be a little discombobulating at first, but once you get into the movie (and that takes only a couple minutes), you won't even notice it. Aronofsky keeps the pace moving really well.

Also, watch for a great scene in ... oh, heck, I'll ruin it for you if I tell you.

Excellent movie all around.

Mira Sorvino? (none / 0) (#56)
by caseyOR on Sun Jan 25, 2009 at 07:23:18 PM EST

I thought Marissa Tomei was in The Wrestler. Are they both in it?

Parent

: You're right (none / 0) (#60)
by scribe on Sun Jan 25, 2009 at 07:29:11 PM EST

I don't know how I goofed like that, but I did.
I lost the actress in the role, I guess....

Parent

Does Obama deserve an exception (none / 0) (#1)
by Saul on Sun Jan 25, 2009 at 01:08:02 PM EST

There is controversy on Obama's pick on one of his staff to be head of a agency or department don't know which it is because he was a lobbyist. On meet the press they showed a video in Nov during his election campaign where Obama is on tape that under his administration there would be no lobbyist working in his adminstration. The video was pretty clear no lobbyist no exception. On his first business day Obama laid down the rules on lobbyist.

Why then did he choose someone that is contrary to previous rhetoric?

: He also said he got no money from (5.00 / 2) (#5)
by BernieO on Sun Jan 25, 2009 at 01:50:27 PM EST

lobbyists which was very misleading. He had lobbyists raising money for him from fat-cat corporate people. These guys bundled big contributions, accounting for a large amount of the money he raised.
His assertion about not taking money from corporations was also designed to mislead. No one did that because it is illegal to take campaign money from a corporation, but not corporate executives who donated a bundle to Obama.
I blame the media for allowing Obama to get away with this kind of bamboozling. Had he been called on it then, he might not be trying to shade the truth on this issue now.
About the flap over not wanting Guantanamo prisoners in US prisons....Sibelius and others from Kansas are saying it would be too dangerous for their state. Apparently they are a bunch of weenies compared to us North Carolinians. Sheid Omar Abdel Rahman, friend of Bin Laden and World Trade Center bombing conspirator has been housed here for years. I have never heard anyone complain about it. (To be fair, they probably had no clue.)

Parent
: See BTD's post about this (none / 0) (#3)
by jbindc on Sun Jan 25, 2009 at 01:28:09 PM EST

here
discussed ad nauseum.

Parent

Look out for a bad economic week (none / 0) (#4)
by jbindc on Sun Jan 25, 2009 at 01:31:29 PM EST

Predictions of biggest plunge in GDP in 26 years

Since this is an open thread... (none / 0) (#6)
by noonan on Sun Jan 25, 2009 at 01:55:02 PM EST

I'm in charge of online sales for my daughter's Girl Scout troop. We're sending any online sales to my brother-in-law in Iraq. If people are interested in helping out, please let me know either here (if Jeralyn doesn't mind) or Facebook

Cornyn strikes again (none / 0) (#11)
by mmc9431 on Sun Jan 25, 2009 at 02:24:19 PM EST

Another point I read today was this from Cornyn:

leading GOP senators including John Cornyn (Tex.) demanded that Holder commit to not launching criminal probes of intelligence operatives, lawyers and high-level Bush advisers who took part in debates over warrantless wiretapping and detainee interrogations.

So they'll only back his appointment if he agrees to not do his job? (Maybe that's why they liked Gonzales). All along we've been told that everything that was done was perfectly legal. If that's true, why are they making these demands now.

Drawing your attention to... (none / 0) (#17)
by Roosevelt Fan on Sun Jan 25, 2009 at 02:43:57 PM EST

An article in Esquire on Joe Biden. (Joe Biden? Yup. Thought to myself, before he disappears behind the potted palms, might want to take a look at anything that's more than two AP paragraphs. If for nothing else, just to be reassured Cheney's gone.)

Likely you'll hate this or love it. It's "old school" writing ... long, not designed for the quick glance to get the gist. One of those articles you have coffee with and kinda wanna linger over. My style for a Sunday read. But then it would be. I'm a greyhead.

Here 'tis...

>> regular version (tight columns, w/ads):
http://www.esquire.com/features/joe-biden-biography-0209

>> print version (stretched waaaaay out but ad-less):
http://www.esquire.com/print-this/joe-biden-biography-0209

Anyone here have to apply for a replacement SS (none / 0) (#29)
by Angel on Sun Jan 25, 2009 at 04:34:15 PM EST

card recently? I'd like to know how long it took to get the replacement card. I've completed the form and have the necessary documents and will take it all to the SS office tomorrow, but their website is no help for my question. Thanks for any help you can give me!

I believe my step-sister (5.00 / 1) (#32)
by andgarden on Sun Jan 25, 2009 at 05:06:22 PM EST

was either given one on the spot, or got it by mail within a week or two. I think it's a pretty simple process.

Parent

Thanks. The process seems simple but one (none / 0) (#34)
by Angel on Sun Jan 25, 2009 at 05:41:29 PM EST

never knows when working with the gubmint!

Parent

: Replaced mine last year (none / 0) (#35)
by caseyOR on Sun Jan 25, 2009 at 05:48:49 PM EST

The new card came in the mail within a couple of weeks. I was pretty surprised at how quick and easy it was.

Parent

urrmmm... replacement? (none / 0) (#36)
by sj on Sun Jan 25, 2009 at 05:50:28 PM EST

I haven't had one for many, many years. I've been using my passport for employers for as long as it's been necessary to provide proof.

Do I need one?

Parent

Depends on where you are and what you do (none / 0) (#41)
by caseyOR on Sun Jan 25, 2009 at 06:45:02 PM EST

I replaced mine because my state now requires proof that one is in the USA legally in order to obtain or renew a drivers' license. So, I need to show them a certified birth certificate and my SS card. And, of course, all the names must match or I must provide the official documents to show those name changes (another reason for women to keep their birth names when they marry).

Like most people, I had my SS number memorized. So, until this new requirement, I had no need for the actual card which was lost years and years ago.

Parent

: Geez (none / 0) (#48)
by gyrfalcon on Sun Jan 25, 2009 at 07:05:44 PM EST

I wonder where mine is...
Thanks for the heads-up. Better get one before it becomes an issue somewhere down the road.

Parent

We are trying to refinance our house and the (none / 0) (#52)
by Angel on Sun Jan 25, 2009 at 07:13:37 PM EST

lender wants copies of our SS cards. Go figure. Anyway, hubby lost his years ago and never got a replacement. No telling when he'll need it again but I guess it never hurts to have it just in case. We've always used driver's licenses and passports for ID.

Parent

Mandatory... (none / 0) (#74)
by kdog on Mon Jan 26, 2009 at 09:21:04 AM EST

to cash out a big gambling score at the track or the casino. I've kept mine in my wallet ever since hitting a big triple at Belomont and having to trek home and back to cash out.

Or sometimes even to place a big bet...I was playing roulette and a guy walks up and puts ten grand on black...the pit boss wouldn't allow it until the guy showed his social security card. Kinda took me aback, I'd never seen that before.

Big Brother is always watching...especially when cash is involved.

Parent

: Wow (none / 0) (#79)
by sj on Mon Jan 26, 2009 at 04:31:34 PM EST

Maybe I should get a replacement for when I win the Lotto.
It could happen...

Parent

BushCo "Gut" Trumps Evidence (none / 0) (#33)
by squeaky on Sun Jan 25, 2009 at 05:19:06 PM EST

Guantanamo case files in disarray. "Several former Bush administration officials agreed that the files are incomplete and that no single government entity was charged with pulling together all the facts and the range of options for each prisoner.
[snip]
In a court filing this month, Darrel Vandeveld, a former military prosecutor at Guantanamo who asked to be relieved of his duties, said evidence was "strewn throughout the prosecution offices in desk drawers, bookcases packed with vaguely-labeled plastic containers, or even simply piled on the tops of desks."
He said he once accidentally found "crucial physical evidence" that "had been tossed in a locker located at Guantanamo and promptly forgotten.

WaPo via war & piece

Trying to figure (none / 0) (#37)
by SOS on Sun Jan 25, 2009 at 06:00:52 PM EST

a way to "whack" our heating bill.

Until then non discretionary spending is out of the question.

: Is a woodstove (none / 0) (#51)
by gyrfalcon on Sun Jan 25, 2009 at 07:11:29 PM EST

an option where you live? I still need to use my oil burner for back-up overnight, but I've cut my heating oil use by about 75 percent this year, and when the price goes back up, as it inevitably will, that will be a significant chunk of change.
Plus the heat from a good woodstove is vastly nicer than baseboard or radiator or forced air.
There's an upfront investment in the price of a good stove and putting in an extra chimney (can't have a stove on the same flue as a regular boiler or furnace for a bunch of reasons), but it pays off really fast.
Also, just FYI, modern EPA-approved stoves are essentially smokeless, in case folks didn't realize that and were thinking of the old smoke-belching cast iron monsters of the past.
Mine smokes just a little when I start the fire in the morning, but otherwise you wouldn't know I was using my stove from outside the house.

Parent

It's good for his Wisconsin, too (none / 0) (#40)
by Cream City on Sun Jan 25, 2009 at 06:33:12 PM EST

and my Wisconsin, as I'm not sure that Herb Kohl (our other Senator, the invisible one -- the richest of anyone in Congress) really will finish out his term. There was retirement talk even before he ran for this term. And Herb was getting his successor lined up, but that failed -- a nephew (yes, Dems do love them their dynasties, too!) whose first bid for public office, for our state legislature, was supposed to be a shoo-in. Didn't happen (and I'm pretty happy about it, myself -- not a bad guy, but his opponent was much better, and especially experienced in health care).

I have been watching the Illinois and New York debacles with interest, seeing how it could go here. Maybe Russ has been doing so, too. And we have a Dem gov, but then, so does New York, and it still was a debacle and divisive to its Dems.

Have been getting some mileage out (none / 0) (#42)
by Anne on Sun Jan 25, 2009 at 06:47:32 PM EST

of my slow-cooker these last couple of weeks; it seems like the right time of year to be making soups and stews and such. Or, as Rachael Ray would call them: "stoups."

Last weekend, I made a Chicken Chasseur, which was really delicious. Yesterday, I made Turkey Cutlets in a Mushroom Sauce, and today did a Turkey Meatloaf in a tomato sauce.

Since it's just my husband and me, we have plenty of leftovers, and will eat them this week, and thus get a lot of meals out of two dishes that sat in the crockpot and cooked themselves.

Really love s-t-r-e-t-c-h-i-n-g that food dollar, not using my oven and making comfort food.

Same here (none / 0) (#45)
by SOS on Sun Jan 25, 2009 at 06:55:15 PM EST

Trying to comes to terms with the guilt of being the most overfed nation on earth is the hard part.

Parent

You make meatloaf (none / 0) (#53)
by gyrfalcon on Sun Jan 25, 2009 at 07:13:54 PM EST

in the slow cooker???

I just did a turkey meatloaf (the usual way) myself last night. One of my favorite comfort foods (with mashed potatoes from my kitchen garden, of course!). I actually think it's better than ground beef or that mixture of beef, pork and veal.

Parent

It's the first time I ever did that - (5.00 / 1) (#58)
by Anne on Sun Jan 25, 2009 at 07:26:13 PM EST

I was skeptical, especially since the total cooking time was 6 hours...one hour on High and then 5 hours on low. Was sure it would be awful after all that time, but it was great.

You first take an onion and cut it into thick slices, which you put on the bottom of the pot. You mix 2 1/2 lbs of ground turkey with 2 eggs, 1/2 cup of seasoned breadcrumbs, 2 tbsp of balsamic vinegar, 1/2 cup of marinara spaghetti sauce, 1/2 cup of julienned sun-dried tomatoes, 1/2 cup of shredded Italian cheese mix (mozzarella, Romano and Parmesan) and a half a packet of Good Seasons Italian salad-dressing mix. Form into a round loaf - it's very moist! - and put it on top of the onions, making sure it doesn't touch the sides of the pot. Mix the rest of a jar of marinara sauce with the rest of the salad dressing mix and pour it over the loaf. An hour on High and then 5 hours on Low.

It smelled great and tasted even better. Moist but not loose, lots of flavor; will probably be even better tomorrow. I took the sauce and onions and served it in a bowl, so we could put it on the meat - or not.

I think I can serve the sauce/onion mixture on pasta as a separate meal - maybe crumble some of the meat loaf in it - and serve with a salad and some good bread.

Yum.

Parent

: Copied, pasted, and sent (none / 0) (#76)
by Cream City on Mon Jan 26, 2009 at 11:08:50 AM EST

to the other cooks in the family here, where we love meat loaf for a wintry Sunday dinner (and, yes, with mashed potatoes and a good salad on the side). Me, I'm more the pasta sort, so I'll try that tip at the end, too. But we all like turkey, too, as well as it being better for the ones who just do too much beef, to my mind.
Already, a couple of them have emailed back that this sounds yummy. Thanks!

Parent

Willing to offer up your (none / 0) (#61)
by BackFromOhio on Sun Jan 25, 2009 at 07:33:09 PM EST

recipe?

Parent

: Talking to me? (none / 0) (#72)
by gyrfalcon on Mon Jan 26, 2009 at 08:54:58 AM EST

If so, here's the basic recipe for turkey meatloaf, which can be modified endlessly.
Chop finely about 1/3 cup onion and 1 1/2 stalks of celery (or to taste) and a small handful of mushrooms, if you've got them. Saute gently in butter until soft. (If you like, add a clove of crushed garlic.)
Lightly beat one egg in a measuring cup and fill with water to about 2/3 of a cup total. Add a mess (1/4 cup or more) of bread crumbs or other starchy object-- crushed cereal, even rice, whatever you've got-- and let it sit until the crumbs are soaked through and very soft.
Mix onion mixture and egg/bread crumb stuff well into 1 pkg of ground turkey, which is usually about 1 1/3 lbs these days. This works much better with regular ground turkey, not the lower fat kind made from turkey breast only. If you want to use the ground breast, you'll need more of the soaked bread crumbs and anything else that will add more moisture to the meat because it cooks up quite dry.
Add salt and pepper and whatever other seasonings you like.
I make mine in the same cast iron skillet I use to saute the onions, etc., but you can use a regular loaf pan.
Cook in 350 oven for about 45 minutes. Take it out and put a nice thick layer of chili sauce over the top, put the oven down to 325 and cook another 15 minutes.
The End
Try that first, then modify to suit your own taste. I don't like to overwhelm the mild, sweet flavor of the turkey, so I stick to the above. But you can add whatever you like-- peppers, garlic, more onions, various seasonings.
I do find some kind of mushroomy addition is necessary to darken the flavor just a bit and give it some depth. I make batches of duxelles (sauteed finely chopped mushrooms and onions in butter), then freeze it in an ice cube tray, so I can throw a cube into anything that seems to need it.

Parent

I made a tres wonderful beef stew yesterday. (none / 0) (#55)
by Angel on Sun Jan 25, 2009 at 07:17:12 PM EST

My husband said it was the best ever - and we've been married over 31 years! I put in beef tips which I had dredged in flour, onions and two roasted poblano peppers (all this I sauteed on the stove then dumped in the pot; then I added celery, carrots and a can of Cento tomatos, salt, pepper and parsley and one can of beef broth. Put on the lid and cooked on high for 4 hours then simmered on low for 2 more hours. It was delicious!

Parent

Ever try a romertopf aka clay pot (none / 0) (#66)
by Cream City on Sun Jan 25, 2009 at 09:33:16 PM EST

for stew and so much more? We did a pot roast in it yesterday, and it's so wonderful for making meat tender and moist. It's the original slow cooker. You soak the clay pot for 15 minutes, then just drain, pile in the ingredients, cover, and put in the oven for hours (five for our pot roast, veggies, etc.).

Voila. Romertopfs are harder to find in stores these days but still can be found online -- as can other clay pots with less exotic names that probably work as well. But I'm in a German city, so a romertopf was one of my traditional bridal gifts 'way back (although I'm not a bit Teuton:-).

Parent

YES! We have two of them, a smaller one (none / 0) (#67)
by Angel on Sun Jan 25, 2009 at 09:55:06 PM EST

that we've had for more than 20 years and a larger one that we've had for about 12 years. They are both Romertopfs.

I love putting our chickens and hens in them with a bunch of veggies and spices. No need to add any liquid because the water from the clay soak gives you all you need. I've done pot roast in them as well but don't make that many roasts as I'm not that much of a meat eater. I love chicken and seafood and veggies. When hubby gets hungry for red meat he usually just throws a steak on the grill along with a piece of chicken for me.

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: We're ordering a larger one (none / 0) (#75)
by Cream City on Mon Jan 26, 2009 at 11:03:58 AM EST

to have more leftovers, we decided, despite how well the small one has served us for years. While looking up where to find one, I came across lots of clay pot recipes that sounded great, and especially for chicken. I bookmarked 'em, as I'm not the beefeater in the family, either.
The real carnivores here are the guys, too, and how they do like to revert to burning meat in the open -- even in winter in the Northland. But they have evolved to the point that they realize that it's just too cold here lately to crawl out of the cave.:-)

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Delish! (none / 0) (#63)
by Fabian on Sun Jan 25, 2009 at 08:34:26 PM EST

Got a advert in the mail for Rachel Ray's new product!

It's called "Delish" and it's......dog food.

It makes me want to go watch a viagra commercial. Or go look up that ox tail and lentil recipe.

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Really???? (none / 0) (#65)
by andgarden on Sun Jan 25, 2009 at 09:01:23 PM EST

Wow, she must need money.

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: It's not like (none / 0) (#71)
by Fabian on Mon Jan 26, 2009 at 04:40:39 AM EST

there aren't a ton of specialty pet foods on the market already.
Who knows? Maybe the world really wants a chef branded pet food!

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It was only a matter of time... (none / 0) (#43)
by NJDem on Sun Jan 25, 2009 at 06:53:02 PM EST

I knew Hillary shouldn't have done that Sopranos spoof :)

"The Clintons Don't Forget"

: I love this comment on that link! (5.00 / 2) (#57)
by Cream City on Sun Jan 25, 2009 at 07:23:36 PM EST

Hillary is actually a secret member of the Bene Gesserit sisterhood, and used "the voice" to manipulate Cornyn into doing her bidding.
A Dune lover! And Cornyn ain't no Baron Vladimir Harkonnen. Actually, I don't think there is one of the Baron's level in Congress to deal with the sisteren. Or in the media, where they could only hear "the cackle" until they actually met the Reverend Mother of the Honored Matres, and then they fell before the power of "the voice."
<cackle, cackle>

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Screen Actors Guild Awards (none / 0) (#44)
by SOS on Sun Jan 25, 2009 at 06:53:41 PM EST

How many Awards do Actors-Actresses need anyway?

Sheesh already

: So many people seem to think (none / 0) (#50)
by scribe on Sun Jan 25, 2009 at 07:09:30 PM EST

they're all artsy-f*rtsy and non-competitive, when in reality, they are some of the most competitive people around.
In so many words: there will never be enough awards shows to slake the Hollywood thirst for awards.
Besides - you get to wear great clothes to the ceremonies (even the Independent Spirit Awards, which are jeans and whatever...).

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Well . . . (none / 0) (#46)
by SOS on Sun Jan 25, 2009 at 06:58:49 PM EST

think I'll rot my brain and sap my will with some more with TV.

Former Yankee manager Joe Torre (none / 0) (#59)
by scribe on Sun Jan 25, 2009 at 07:27:48 PM EST

has written (with a writer from SI) a book called "The Yankee Years".
It ain't pretty, but it will certainly be revealing. Thngs like:
fellow Yankees call Alex Rodriguez "A-fraud";
A-Rod developed an obsession with teammate (and former friend) Derek Jeter, trying to emulate for himself Jeter's success, said obsession being described as a "Single White Female-level"*;
George Steinbrenner was informed (apparently by team doctors) about Torre's prostate cancer before Torre himself knew;
Torre felt Yankee GM Brian Cashman betrayed him in negotiations.

This will make for an interesting book-signing event at the Yogi Berra Museum in a couple weeks....

* I can understand A-Rod wanting to be like Jeter, seeing as how Jeter floats above mere mortals and always gets good press, while A-Rod ... doesn't.

: Maybe A-rod (none / 0) (#77)
by desertswine on Mon Jan 26, 2009 at 11:41:29 AM EST

could have been a little more,oh, discreet in his affairs.

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Sunday Open Thread | 78 comments (78 topical)

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