Happiness Factor as a F(x) of Weather: 5
Gather your rosebuds...er...autumn leaves while ye may: temperatures expected to take a BIG dip next week. In the meantime, as we count our blessings (Tis the season), let's give October and November 2017 special thanks. After a horrendously long,hot summer, they have been spectacular months! Rumor has it that with the amount of leaves still on the trees, we are in for a cold winter. Carpe diem... especially dem diems in the week ahead!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Let Us Give Thanks
Among the multitude of things many of us have to give thanks for - or may wish for - this Thanksgiving, in no particular order:
- To our families and friends who love us, support us, and bring greater joy and meaning to our lives
- To public figures, present or past, who are qualified to lead, maintain their integrity and represent us well
- Thank you NM PED for realizing that those scientists who wrote NGSS knew better
- For voters who recognize the difference between right and wrong, hold candidates accountable, and vote accordingly
- That we will eventually have a tax plan that recognizes the poor, the less fortunate and makes room for a middle class
- Thank you to Judges who stand up to and will not tolerate injustices, hypocracy and racism at any level
- To our farmers who provide us with healthy, pesticide-free, non-GMO, hormone-free foods that protect our environment and its inhabitants
- For public school teachers who demand better outcomes for children despite executive level incompetency, budgetary and political pressures
- To all artists who create and enrich our world
- To those who have done what they ought not to have done and have the courage to own their transgressions
- (and to their constituents and employees who can distinguish between bad judgment and predatory behavior)
- To the beauty of New Mexico and everyone committed to protecting our resources
and to our Mayor-elect, Tim Keller, for his vision of inclusion, diversity and innovation for Albuquerque
_________________________________________________________________
Just Desserts
Just a thought, in case you'd like to venture beyond the pecans and pumpkins vying for your attention...
Cornmeal Cake with Rosemary Syrup and Blackberries
INGREDIENTS
- For cake
- 1 stick (1/2 cup) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup yellow cornmeal
- 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 large eggs
- 1 large egg yolk
- 2/3 cup milk
- Sweet Rosemary Syrup* (see below)
- Accompaniments
- lightly sweetened whipped cream
- 2 half-pints blackberries
- To make the cake:
- Preheat oven to 350°F. and butter and flour an 8- by 2-inch round cake pan.
- In a large bowl with an electric mixer beat together butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add remaining cake ingredients and beat on low speed until combined. Beat batter on high speed until pale yellow, about 3 minutes.
- Pour batter into prepared pan and bake in middle of oven 40 minutes, or until a tester comes out with a few crumbs adhering.
- Make Rosemary Syrup while cake is baking.
- Cool cake in pan on a rack 10 minutes. Invert cake onto hand and return, right side up, to rack. While cake is still warm, gradually brush 1/3 cup syrup over it, allowing syrup to soak in before adding more. Chill remaining syrup in a small pitcher, covered. Syrup-soaked cake may be made 1 day ahead and kept wrapped in plastic wrap at room temperature.
- Serve cake, cut into wedges, with whipped cream, blackberries, and remaining rosemary syrup.
--------------------------------------------
** Sweet Rosemary Syrup
INGREDIENTS
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 3/4 cup water
- 1/3 cup fresh rosemary leaves, chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
- In a small saucepan simmer all syrup ingredients except vanilla 10 minutes. Remove pan from heat and stir in vanilla. Cool syrup 30 minutes and strain through a sieve into a 2-cup measure.
__________________________________________________
Black Friday in Balance
When enough isn't enough:
There is no end to organizations in this city dedicated to better outcomes for women, children, the poor, hungry and homeless. No doubt you have one you regularly support. If not, maybe this year, as you count your blessings on Thanksgiving, or battle the crowds on Black Friday, you'll consider sharing some of your generosity with those for whom "enough is enough" or "more is better" are inconceivable.
________________________________________________________________
Home for the Holidays
_________________________________________________________________
Good News for Drumstick
Earlier in the week, White House counsel informed the president that Presidential turkey pardons pre-dated the Obama administration.