03 April 2020 - Plague Journal Day 22

We all are still sheltering in place, but I'm here to keep you sane and entertained.
One could hardly ask for much more than that, now could one?

Isn't it amazing how coincidences almost always seem to happen at the same time?
Here's one for you:
As many folks all around these United States find themselves working from home, it's National Walk to Work Day! (I actually did that this morning, just to be part of the celebration.) In addition, it's also National Tweed Day (no, not to celebrate Boss Tweed, but rather to encourage the wearing of tweed).
Clearly the best way to celebrate would be to walk to work wearing a tweed jacket (or whatever tweed garment you prefer). One hopes there will be many pictures posted of this activity using the hashtag #PlagueJournal22.

But wait, there's more. Today is also a celebration of youth empowerment at its best: Student Government. Yes, it's also Student Government Day, and thus a special celebration in each home around these United States is appropriate, as we all seem to be home-schooling these days. One further note on this day is that its unofficial mascot is that most celebrated canine candidate, Rufus T. "Boom-Boom" Herzberger, who famously ran for student government at the University of Michigan in the late 1970s.

Keep Calm and Stay Away.
I'll be back tomorrow.

02 April 2020 - Plague Journal Day 21

We all are still sheltering in place, but I'm here to keep you sane and entertained.
One could hardly ask for much more than that, now could one?
 
Do you remember Day 19?
Really? It's only two days ago folks! (Today is Thursday. Just a public service for those of us who don't have underwear emblazoned with the day of the week ... or for those who have put on the wrong underwear.)
At any rate, on Day 19 we celebrated two special days, Crayon Day and Tater Day. The suggested family lock-down activity was making bespoke clothing for Mr. Potato Head.

That was such a success that we're proposing a similar celebration today. Well, similar in that we're combining two of today's major celebrations into one family-friendly project.

Today is National Peanut Butter and Jelly Day. (Who knew? I am not a fan, I much prefer Peanut Butter and Mayonnaise, but that's simply a matter of personal preference.)
To make things even better(?), it's also National Burrito Day!

I imagine your mind has gone straight to the place where mine has - PBJ Burritos for Dinner! (or Lunch or Supper or Brunch or Breakfast, for that matter)

We'd love to see your creations. Feel free to post them to Facebook or wherever you prefer using the hashtag #PlagueDay21. (If you made any Mr. Potato Head clothing, we'd love to see that as well, just use #PlagueDay19.)

Keep Calm and Stay Away.
I'll be back tomorrow.

01 April 2020 - Plague Journal Day 20

We all are still sheltering in place, but I'm here to keep you sane and entertained.
One could hardly ask for much more than that, now could one?

I received an email from Laurie Lewis yesterday with a list of her upcoming canceled appearances around the US and Europe.
That made me realise that I ought to share similar information with my dear readers.
To that end:

Here are dates and places where you won't see us this year on the 
Moving Vans North American Tour 2020

Date	Time	City	Venue
Fr 3 Apr	9:15 PM	London, England	Royal Albert Hall
Sa 4 Apr	11:00PM	Bristol, England	The New Room
Fr 17 Apr	7:00 PM	New York	Carnegie Hall
Sa 18 Apr	6:30 PM	New York	Metropolitan Opera
Fr 24 Apr	9:15 PM	Detroit	Orchestra Hall
Sa 25 Apr	11:00PM	Detroit	Detroit Opera House
Fr 1 May	8:00 PM	Nashville	Station Inn
Fr 8 May	8:00 PM	College Grove, TN	College Grove UMC (benefit)
Fr 15 May	6:30 PM	Orlando	EPCOT Center
Fr 22 May	7:00 PM	Kansas City	Arrowhead Stadium
Fr 29 May	11:00PM	Niagara Falls, ON	Falls Stage
Sa 30 May	11:00PM	Hamilton, ON	Tim Horton's Field

We're sorry to miss all of you in all these places this year, but better safe than happy (or something like that).

Until tomorrow.

PS - today is also Edible Book Day. Another reference is here.

31 March 2020 - Plague Journal Day 19

Well, folks, here we all are, sheltering in place.
At least that's true for those of us who aren't essential. Doesn't that make you feel special?

At any rate, I'll try to be here daily to provide some cheer, some perspective, and some snide comments (possibly even some sarcastic remarks - we shall see).

First up -
Today is very special. Not only is it National Crayon Day, it's also National Tater Day!
How, one wonders, might one combine the celebrations of this pair of commemorations?
How indeed?

Aha! Simplicity itself!
Using your trusty Crayolas, you can create some bespoke clothing for your Mister Potato Head!

Keep Calm and Stay Away.

Update from 24 June 2016

On 24 June 2016 I posted this:

BREXIT - 23 June 2016

A Nation Once Again!

 

 

After the latest UK elections, I think I can once again post:

 

A Nation Once Again!

Vegage du Jour - 22 July 2019

Ratatouille.
No, not the movie, the dish.

Sure, people make this nice blend of tomatoes, eggplant (or aubergine if you prefer), onions, squash, and all that all the time, so why bother posting about it here?

Ah - simply because it was all done on the grill!

Over varying amounts of direct heat I cooked a whole Japanese eggplant (from the garden), a zucchini (likewise), a yellow squash (ditto), two halves of an onion, and a passle of grape tomatoes (both of these last were store-bought, more's the pity). All had been coated with a bit of canola oil and a dusting of lemon zest before they hit the grill, and as with the tenderloin of a week or so prior, there was a tray with some hickory chips to add a subtle smokiness.

Once each had cooked and been removed from the grill (each at its own time, of course), the eggplant, zucchini, squash, and onion were sliced fairly thinly and uniformly, mixed with the tomatoes (which had collapsed into a near-sauce under the relentless heat) along with a bit of garlic salt and a dash of white balsamic vinegar.

The results were beyond adequate - this was a delicious dish, and one that will be repeated as the garden provides her bounty through these coming weeks and months.

Highly recommended.

Enjoy!

Carnage du Jour - 14 July 2019

Pork Tenderloin.
Yes, pork tenderloin again.

As you know, I think it the most versatile of meats, and I've found yet another preparation that was proclaimed to be "probably the best pork I've ever eaten" by Heidi. I think it was right up there with any I've made or had as well.

What did I do that was so different and so successful?
I marinaded the pork in a tub of apricot Greek yogurt with a very healthy dose (perhaps 1t) of ground ginger.
Then it was on the grill with indirect heat and a small tray of hickory chips to add some smoke to the whole process.

The meat was flavourful, juicy, tender, everything one could want from a piece of pork.

I think next time I do this, I'll make a batch of rice with some compatible seasoning (garam masala, perhaps?) and add some caramelized onions, some sultanas (that's golden grapes on this side of the pond), and some pistachios to it. That just seems like the best way to accompany it.

At any rate, this was a delicious new preparation, and it is highly recommended.

Enjoy!