CAL THOMAS COMMENTARY FEBRUARY 1, 2010

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

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.

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.

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! :)

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.

Jeff Dunham

Jeff Dunham - Achmed the Dead Terrorist
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1uwOL4rB-go&NR=1

Evolution of Dance

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dMH0bHeiRNg

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.

Locks of Love - Ponytail #3-12.5"

http://www.locksoflove.org/

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!

How Can I Be Productive on a Cold Day?

Dear Diary, When the weather is like this, I cook this, take the left-overs and make this. And being the good girl I was this year, Santa left me this!

Jokes

A husband had just finished reading a new book entitled, "You Can Be THE Man of Your House."

He stormed to his wife in the kitchen and announced, "From now on, you need to know that I am the man of this house and my word is Law. You will prepare me a gourmet meal tonight, and when I'm done eating my meal, you will serve me a scrumptious dessert. After dinner, you are going to go upstairs with me and we will have the kind of love-making that I want! Afterwards, you are going to draw me a bath so I can relax. You will wash my back and towel me dry and bring me my robe. Then, you will massage my feet and hands. Then tomorrow, guess who's going to dress me and comb my hair?"

The wife replied, "The funeral director would be my first guess."

Prayer

Not always, but often times we recite this prayer at the beginning of church.  I really loved it from
the first time I heard it for many reasons: I am admitting that I am a sinner and have sinned in
various ways (the part that always gets me is "in what I have failed to do").  I am asking for
intercessory prayer. True intercessory prayer seeks God's glory, not our own.
After wards, I say a prayer for my brothers & sisters in the congregation that God may
reveal to them their sins (as well for myself) so that we may receive forgiveness and
realize our faults, thereby making changes for the future.  It seems to cover all the bases.
I just really like this prayer and wanted to share it.

I confess to almighty God, and to you, my brothers
and sisters, that I have sinned through my own fault,
in my thoughts and in my words, in what I have done,
and in what I have failed to do; and I ask blessed Mary,
ever virgin, all the angels and saints, and you,
my brothers and sisters, to pray for me to the Lord our God.

James Patterson Books

Just finished "The Quickie" & "The 5th Horseman" by James Patterson. I enjoy how eloquently the author writes and his word-usage. I recommend The Quickie. It is a face-paced read with a delightful spin on the end. The storyline to The 5th Horseman was just ok. You saw the ending from a mile away, but the epilogue had an interesting twist. He revolves his stories around detectives & PIs like John Grisham utilizes lawyers in his novels. All in all I believe James Patterson to be a skilled writer and I recommend these books.

Pictures

Just some pictures I ran into. (Jer & Stacey's wedding.)

2nd Biggest Shopping Day of the Year

Ok, so call us crazy. Jackie, Bekkah & I went shopping to hit the after-Christmas specials. Bekkah actually bought some presents for next year. We didn't leave @ 4 AM like Jackie did for Black Friday, but we had a full day of fun & discounts, spending whatever moolah we had left over. We hit the shoe sales, Christmas sales, clothes, and books. Target already has their Valentines-Day items out! I bought a new satiny chocolate brown comforter for our bed, Oooo! The roads were very snowy, but all in all a fun day with the girls.

We Wish You a Merry Christmas

Christmas Eve was with the Brooks'. David had to work so I attended Mass with Kim, Jeff, Jackie, James, Grandma Brooks, and Mark. After we split and met at Ma & Dad Brooks'. We had ham, turkey, chips with spicy dip (& chunks of carpet - inside joke), and sugary treats. We then opened gifts. Jakie & Kim were our secret Santas and Bekkah & James had us. I got a blender, knee-high socks, wine, candles, and soaps, lotions, and perfume. I left around 10 with Grandma, just to get home by 11 due to the snowy roads. Grandma keep the conversation going as I avoided the ditch, praying all the way.
Today we had Candy, Gary, James, Bekkah, Jackie, and Mark over for a Christmas dinner. We had chicken, pork loin, potatoes, corn, cranberries, and don't forget the buns in the oven! It was a beautiful day. Dave and I exchanged presents later by ourselves. We each received a present we wanted, a present we didn't expect, and a tender-hearted card. All in all it was a good day. When that was done, we spent some quality time together, plowing snow! :)
Tonight I made phone calls to family that I couldn't be with today. Unfortunately there's direct line to heaven. As I quietly sang Happy Birthday to Jesus, I wished Dad a Merry 1st Christmas in Heaven. Can you imagine what kind of celebration they have for our Savior in Heaven? Do you think they go ice skating? Bowling? Have Dairy Queen ice cream cake? That's what I would do on my birthday in Heaven. Just trying to expand your mind...think about it. Any-whoo...Merry Christmas and may our Lord and Savior bless you this day and always.

'Twas the night before Christmas

Flem dressed up for the occasion. This is my favorite Christmas poem, actually it's the only one I know. My Mom can recite it by heart in its entirety. It's exactly 23:50 (I like military time). Merry Christmas in 10 minutes!

THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS
by Clement Clarke Moore
or Henry Livingston

'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there;
The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads;
And mamma in her 'kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled down for a long winter's nap,
When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.
The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below,
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer,
With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name;
"Now, Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!
On, Comet! on Cupid! on, Donder and Blitzen!
To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!"
As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky,
So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,
With the sleigh full of toys, and St. Nicholas too.
And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my head, and was turning around,
Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound.
He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot;
A bundle of toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a peddler just opening his pack.
His eyes -- how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow;
The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath;
He had a broad face and a little round belly,
That shook, when he laughed like a bowlful of jelly.
He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself;
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread;
He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled all the stockings; then turned with a jerk,
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose;
He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight,
"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night."