CAL THOMAS COMMENTARY FEBRUARY 1, 2010
http://www.calthomas.com/
IF YOU ARE PAYING ATTENTION TO THE NEWS, YOU HAVE HEARD OF TIM TEBOW. HE’S THE STAR FLORIDA QUARTERBACK WHO WILL APPEAR IN A SUPERBOWL COMMERCIAL. WHAT’S WRONG WITH THAT? THE PRO-ABORTION LEFT IS UPSET OVER HIS PERSONAL STORY.
IN 1987, TEBOW’S MOTHER EXPERIENCED SEVERE COMPLICATIONS DURING HER PREGNANCY AND WAS ADVISED TO ABORT THE BABY. SHE REFUSED AND TIM WAS THE RESULT.
A COMMITTED CHRISTIAN WHO WEARS BIBLE VERSES ON TOP OF THE CHARCOAL SMUDGE UNDER HIS EYES, TEBOW IS DELIVERING THE CLOSING PRAYER AT THURSDAY’S NATIONAL PRAYER BREAKFAST.
FEMINIST AND PRO-ABORTION GROUPS ARE DEMANDING THAT CBS WITHDRAW THE 30 SECOND SUPER BOWL SPOT. SO FAR, THE NETWORK HAS REFUSED. IT IS BEING SPONSORED BY FOCUS ON THE FAMILY WHICH IS PAYING MORE THAN $2 MILLION FOR IT.
TEBOW’S MOTHER MADE A CHOICE -- TO GIVE BIRTH TO TIM. THE PRO-CHOICE CROWD DOESN’T LIKE IT. TIM’S MOTHER LET GOD BE GOD AND THE LEFT WANTS YOU TO PLAY GOD. I SAY GOOD FOR HER, GOOD FOR TIM AND FOCUS ON THE FAMILY AND GOOD FOR CBS. I’M CAL THOMAS IN WASHINGTON
Sunday, January 31, 2010
CAL THOMAS COMMENTARY JANUARY 29, 2010
CAL THOMAS COMMENTARY JANUARY 29, 2010
ON MONDAY, PRESIDENT OBAMA PRESENTS HIS BUDGET TO CONGRESS. IT REPORTEDLY INCLUDES NO MONEY FOR ROCKETS THAT WOULD TAKE AMERICA BACK TO THE MOON FOR FUTURE EXPLORATION, ONE OF PRESIDENT BUSH’S A MAJOR PROJECTS.
INSTEAD, NEWS REPORTS SAY NASA’S BUDGET IS BEING CUT IN FAVOR OF STUDYING CLIMATE CHANGE. THERE WILL BE NO MOON BASES.
THAT’S TOO BAD, ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU CONSIDER THAT OTHER COUNTRIES – ESPECIALLY THE CHINESE – HAVE ACTIVE SPACE PLANS AND WOULD LOVE TO ESTABLISH BASES ON THE MOON AHEAD OF THE UNITED STATES.
ONCE AGAIN THIS APPEARS TO BE THE TRIUMPH OF LEFT-WING IDEOLOGY OVER COMMON SENSE AND THE COMMON GOOD.
THERE WILL BE MONEY FOR PRIVATE COMPANIES TO DEVELOP CAPSULES AND ROCKETS THAT CAN BE USED AS SPACE TAXIS TO TAKE ASTRONAUTS ON FIXED-PRICE CONTRACTS TO AND FROM THE INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION. THAT’S A MAJOR CHANGE FROM THE WAY NASA HAS DONE BUSINESS FOR THE LAST FIFTY YEARS. DO WE WANT TO TRUST FUTURE SPACE EXPLORATION TO THIS BUNCH? I’M CAL THOMAS IN WASHINGTON.
ON MONDAY, PRESIDENT OBAMA PRESENTS HIS BUDGET TO CONGRESS. IT REPORTEDLY INCLUDES NO MONEY FOR ROCKETS THAT WOULD TAKE AMERICA BACK TO THE MOON FOR FUTURE EXPLORATION, ONE OF PRESIDENT BUSH’S A MAJOR PROJECTS.
INSTEAD, NEWS REPORTS SAY NASA’S BUDGET IS BEING CUT IN FAVOR OF STUDYING CLIMATE CHANGE. THERE WILL BE NO MOON BASES.
THAT’S TOO BAD, ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU CONSIDER THAT OTHER COUNTRIES – ESPECIALLY THE CHINESE – HAVE ACTIVE SPACE PLANS AND WOULD LOVE TO ESTABLISH BASES ON THE MOON AHEAD OF THE UNITED STATES.
ONCE AGAIN THIS APPEARS TO BE THE TRIUMPH OF LEFT-WING IDEOLOGY OVER COMMON SENSE AND THE COMMON GOOD.
THERE WILL BE MONEY FOR PRIVATE COMPANIES TO DEVELOP CAPSULES AND ROCKETS THAT CAN BE USED AS SPACE TAXIS TO TAKE ASTRONAUTS ON FIXED-PRICE CONTRACTS TO AND FROM THE INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION. THAT’S A MAJOR CHANGE FROM THE WAY NASA HAS DONE BUSINESS FOR THE LAST FIFTY YEARS. DO WE WANT TO TRUST FUTURE SPACE EXPLORATION TO THIS BUNCH? I’M CAL THOMAS IN WASHINGTON.
Monday, January 25, 2010
Coq au Vin Recipe
A favorite of Julie Child. And my leftovers at work received "ooos" & "ahhs" as the aroma wafted through the air. Highly recommend this delectable recipe. My next adventure: Beef Bourguignonne.
Coq au Vin Recipe
Ingredients
* 1/2 lb bacon slices
* 20 pearl onions, peeled, or 1 large yellow onion, sliced
* 3 lbs chicken thighs and legs, excess fat trimmed, skin ON
* 6 garlic cloves, peeled
* Salt and pepper to taste
* 2 cups chicken stock
* 2 cups red wine (pinot noir, burgundy, or zinfandel)
* 2 bay leaves
* Several fresh thyme sprigs
* Several fresh parsley sprigs
* 1/2 lb button mushrooms, trimmed and roughly chopped
* 2 Tbsp butter
* Chopped fresh parsley for garnish
Method
1 Blanch the bacon to remove some of its saltiness. Drop the bacon into a saucepan of cold water, covered by a couple of inches. Bring to a boil, simmer for 5 minutes, drain. Rinse in cold water, pat dry with paper towels. Cut the bacon into 1 inch by 1/4 inch pieces.
2 Brown bacon on medium high heat in a dutch oven big enough to hold the chicken, about 10 minutes. Remove the cooked bacon, set aside. Keep the bacon fat in the pan. Working in batches if necessary, add onions and chicken, skin side down. Brown the chicken well, on all sides, about 10 minutes. Halfway through the browning, add the garlic and sprinkle the chicken with salt and pepper. (Note: it is best to add salt while cooking, not just at the very end. It brings out the flavor of the chicken.)
3 Spoon off any excess fat. Add the chicken stock, wine, and herbs. Add back the bacon. Lower heat to a simmer. Cover and cook for 20 minutes, or until chicken is tender and cooked through. Remove chicken and onions to a separate platter. Remove the bay leaves, herb sprigs, garlic, and discard.
4 Add mushrooms to the remaining liquid and turn the heat to high. Boil quickly and reduce the liquid by three fourths until it becomes thick and saucy. Lower the heat, stir in the butter. Return the chicken and onions to the pan to reheat and coat with sauce. Adjust seasoning. Garnish with parsley and serve.
Serves 6. Serve with potatoes or over egg noodles. Peas make a good side for this dish.
Coq au Vin Recipe
Ingredients
* 1/2 lb bacon slices
* 20 pearl onions, peeled, or 1 large yellow onion, sliced
* 3 lbs chicken thighs and legs, excess fat trimmed, skin ON
* 6 garlic cloves, peeled
* Salt and pepper to taste
* 2 cups chicken stock
* 2 cups red wine (pinot noir, burgundy, or zinfandel)
* 2 bay leaves
* Several fresh thyme sprigs
* Several fresh parsley sprigs
* 1/2 lb button mushrooms, trimmed and roughly chopped
* 2 Tbsp butter
* Chopped fresh parsley for garnish
Method
1 Blanch the bacon to remove some of its saltiness. Drop the bacon into a saucepan of cold water, covered by a couple of inches. Bring to a boil, simmer for 5 minutes, drain. Rinse in cold water, pat dry with paper towels. Cut the bacon into 1 inch by 1/4 inch pieces.
2 Brown bacon on medium high heat in a dutch oven big enough to hold the chicken, about 10 minutes. Remove the cooked bacon, set aside. Keep the bacon fat in the pan. Working in batches if necessary, add onions and chicken, skin side down. Brown the chicken well, on all sides, about 10 minutes. Halfway through the browning, add the garlic and sprinkle the chicken with salt and pepper. (Note: it is best to add salt while cooking, not just at the very end. It brings out the flavor of the chicken.)
3 Spoon off any excess fat. Add the chicken stock, wine, and herbs. Add back the bacon. Lower heat to a simmer. Cover and cook for 20 minutes, or until chicken is tender and cooked through. Remove chicken and onions to a separate platter. Remove the bay leaves, herb sprigs, garlic, and discard.
4 Add mushrooms to the remaining liquid and turn the heat to high. Boil quickly and reduce the liquid by three fourths until it becomes thick and saucy. Lower the heat, stir in the butter. Return the chicken and onions to the pan to reheat and coat with sauce. Adjust seasoning. Garnish with parsley and serve.
Serves 6. Serve with potatoes or over egg noodles. Peas make a good side for this dish.
Sunday, January 17, 2010
January Thaw
Wow, we've had mid-to-high 30's this past week. Yesterday: 38 degrees. I love it! Keep it up and I'll be planting my garden by May! :)
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Allergies
Dear Diary,
My DB & I to SMDC to finally get me tested for allergies. I knew from a previous blood test that I had allergic reactions to grass, birch, milk, & fish (all of course to varying degrees). This blood test was limited and so I got a referral & went to have a skin test for a clearer picture. I was having little "reactions" or "scares" more recently and I needed to know.
Results: Allergic reactions to: lobster, scallops, fish (salmon & tuna), walnuts & almonds. That explains why my almond cereal was giving me a reaction, and I thought it was the milk. Birch is related to apples, carrots, potatoes, and hazelnuts/filberts. (Less antigens if they're cooked.) I've also had reactions to some apples as well lately -- although different apples have different amounts of antigens. So, after not knowing for years and having a fear of eating anything at a potluck or at another's house, I finally know my limitations.
My DB & I to SMDC to finally get me tested for allergies. I knew from a previous blood test that I had allergic reactions to grass, birch, milk, & fish (all of course to varying degrees). This blood test was limited and so I got a referral & went to have a skin test for a clearer picture. I was having little "reactions" or "scares" more recently and I needed to know.
Results: Allergic reactions to: lobster, scallops, fish (salmon & tuna), walnuts & almonds. That explains why my almond cereal was giving me a reaction, and I thought it was the milk. Birch is related to apples, carrots, potatoes, and hazelnuts/filberts. (Less antigens if they're cooked.) I've also had reactions to some apples as well lately -- although different apples have different amounts of antigens. So, after not knowing for years and having a fear of eating anything at a potluck or at another's house, I finally know my limitations.
Sherlock Holmes
Dear Diary, I went out with the most handsome man the other night. We dined on Chinese cuisine & then he treated me to a movie, Sherlock Holmes (PG-13). It was more action/adventure than I would have expected from Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s original Sherlock Holmes. Robert Downey, Jr & Jude Law had an "odd couple" relationship that really clicked and was quite comical. I highly recommend this flick, either in the theater or watch it in the comfort of your own home.
We were talking about going to Avatar, but it is 2/5 hours long and I can't sit in a theater that long. I'm also looking forward to Robert Downey, Jr's Iron Man 2 coming out this summer.
All in all, date night with my DB was a sweet night.
Garlic Mashed Potatoes & Beef Bake
Short on time? Hungry husband? Try this half-hour recipe for a yummy, simple, comfort-food meal!
1# Ground beef or ground turkey
1 can Cream of Mushroom Soup
1 T. Worcestershire Sauce
1 (16) oz bag veggie combination (broc, caulif,carrots)
2 C. Water
2 T. Butter
2 C. Instant Potato Flakes or Buds
Brown ground beef of turkey (I also added 1 medium onion, chopped). Stir in 1/2 can of soup and add veggies. Put on low while you make potatoes. Mix in microwave safe bowl: potato flakes, butter, water (I also added 1/4 c of dried chives). Nuke in microwave for 3 min. Mix in rest of soup mix. Place meat mixture in 11 X 8" (2 Qt) shallow baking dish. Spread potato mixture on top like icing on a cake. Bake @ 400 for 20 minutes or until hot.
1# Ground beef or ground turkey
1 can Cream of Mushroom Soup
1 T. Worcestershire Sauce
1 (16) oz bag veggie combination (broc, caulif,carrots)
2 C. Water
2 T. Butter
2 C. Instant Potato Flakes or Buds
Brown ground beef of turkey (I also added 1 medium onion, chopped). Stir in 1/2 can of soup and add veggies. Put on low while you make potatoes. Mix in microwave safe bowl: potato flakes, butter, water (I also added 1/4 c of dried chives). Nuke in microwave for 3 min. Mix in rest of soup mix. Place meat mixture in 11 X 8" (2 Qt) shallow baking dish. Spread potato mixture on top like icing on a cake. Bake @ 400 for 20 minutes or until hot.
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Game Night with the Kids
After Mass last night, we had our Brooks' Kids Night where the aunts and uncles have dinner & play games with the kids. We had fun with the kids playing video games and afterwards played a rousing card game: "Apples to Apples". This is their Christmas present from us. This gives us adults time to be kids and spend quality time together. Thank you all for making it another special year! (Pictured above are my "snowflake" spritz cookies.)
Krazy Kamls
01/01/2010: Friday night as we caught up with our friends at the annual get-together (Temp: -15.6). The guys even dug a huge snow fort for the kids, but spent more time in it themselves. We stayed plenty warm with lots of layers & the bon fire. It was well worth the fun!
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