What's happening in my world…
Karen and I have thrown our support behind the Alabamians for Specialty Beer. The organization goes by Free The Hops. The group “is a grassroots, citizen-driven movement solely committed to lifting the 6% alcohol by volume and 1 pint container limits for beer brewed or sold in Alabama.”
There are many beers sold that are not allowed in the state of Alabama due to these restrictions.
Owner/Chef James A. Hendricks of Le Bistro Du Soleil presented this class. Jay, as he called, prepared a Potato-Onion Tart, a Beef Bourguignonne, and Chateaubriand with Shiitake Mushroom Rub. All three were variations of recipes from Williams-Sonoma recipe site.
All of the recipes were great. The Potato-Onion Tart recipe made too much filling so you can increase the pastry or reduce the filling. With more pastry, you can make a larger tart or two tart in the called for tart pan.
The Chateaubriand with Shiitake Mushroom Rub was made with filet to speed up the cooking time.
The Beef Bourguignonne made with T-bones to speed up the cooking time.
Some items are copyrighted by Williams-Sonoma.
 Karen and I took Karen’s niece, Lea Moore, and her two boys, Aaron and Evan, to the U.S. Space and Rocker Center. We tried all of the simulators and games. |
We checked out all of the missiles and rockets in the “Rocket Park” including this upright Saturn IB. 
The U.S. Space and Rocker Center is in the process refurbishing the actual Saturn V on display at the back of the park. When I was six years old when my father took my brother and I to see the Apollo 17 launch. I can remember it like it was yesterday. I saw Space Shuttle mission STS-98 launch and others, but it pale in comparison to a Saturn V.
Aaron, in the foreground, and Evan are busy learning how to operate the Apollo Capsule trainer.
You can see a map of the museum clicking here.
You can find more photos clicking here.
Well, it looks like my next book is Bubbles in Trouble
We'll see…
In this book, we find Dr. Nightingale looking into racehorses as a way to expand her shrinking vet pracitice due the declining dairy business in Hillsbrook in Dutchess County, New York.
Overall, I enjoyed the book. It is a good light read.
I am sitting on the back enjoying the free beer that Brian from the New Knoxville Brewing Company gave Karen and I while in Chattanooga, TN for the Southern Brewers Festival. (Sorry about quality of the web-cam picture)
The New Knoxville Brewing Company has been reborn many times from what the guys working the taps told us. Originally, the brewer was founded in 1886. According the company, beer is brewed in small 25 barrel batches using brick-clad brew kettles and open-top fermentation, which is uncommon in United States.
I have the Traditional Pale Ale and the India Pale Ale. The beers are very true to their styles. I would have to say that I enjoyed to taste of both, but the clarity was so so.
If you are looking for some free music, I would suggest that you hop on over to iTunes and this sample of free music from Scandinavia
.
The free songs are sponsered by Volvo.
Enjoy!
I tried out my first Williams-Sonoma Cooking Class. During the class, we had prepared for us Scrambled Eggs with Tomato, Cheddar, and Basil from Essentials of Healthful Cooking, Apple & Sausage Stir Fry, Monte Cristo Sandwiches from the Williams-Sonoma web site, Spiced Apple Coffee Cake, and a Orange Sherbet Orange.
The class was presented by Chef Maeola Hagerty of Sweet & Savory. Sweet and Savory is a catering company in Huntsville, AL.
The class was great, but the staff had not indicated the amount of food that would be provided so I had eaten before I arrived. Wow, I was stuffed.
The Orange Sherbet Orange was simply a orange half with fruit portion removed and orange Sherbet put in its place. Then, it is topped with chunks of fresh strawberry. It served in a parfait glass.
The Scrambled Eggs with Tomato, Cheddar, and Basil was super. I would have never thought of putting basil in eggs, but this dish provided yet again that I love basil. Drop me a comment for this recipe.
I will be attended a founders day cooking class Sunday, October 2nd.
I have signed up to surf at Typhoon Lagoon during our upcoming vacation. It should be a blast.
I have windsurfed and waterskiied so I think it should a breeze to surf. I don't know if I will do as good as this guy.
If you are looking for a great gift idea, I suggest you take a look at the iPod Nano
This iPod
iLounge was a great review here. Also, you need to checkout iLounge’s free iPod book.
The iPod Nano