Amanda Palmer at The Wonder Ballroom

The night was hot. It was hot in that ballroom. Hot. Hot. Hot.

The night was also beautiful and wonderful. The opening acts were fun and charming. It had the feel of the cabaret. All that was missing were the little round tables, red velvet and cigarette girls.

I can't help but feel as if the performers last night were characters in a novel, visions of The Great Gatsby wafting here and there.

The opening acts were mini shows put on by members of the The Grand Theft Orchestra, who are amazingly talented, silly and fun. Amanda Palmer filled the role of emcee and spoke to the crowd as if we were all just friends hanging out in her space. Friends who were there to enjoy the show. She ate anamorphic fruit while her tiara sparkled from afar. She was energized.

Here is a vid of Olly Olly Oxen Free.



Another of Want it Back.



You can pay what you want for the album. It's worth your time and some cash.

Theatre Is Evil - Pay What You Want

Some of my favorite music videos of songs from the Theatre is Evil album are out on the internets and are amazing and NSFW.

Here is one. Remember NSFW!  If nudity bothers you then don't click the link. :)

A show for you and a show for me...

I get to admire the poster.

That's all I got to see of the Shins show in Portland last night. You see, my teenage daughter went to the show and I did not. I went to bed early.

Woe is me.

But I get to see Ananda Palmer tomorrow night. Tee hee hee!

Corpse Reviver #2

Ahhhh, that's the ticket.

I've been away for a long time. Here's to my sprinkling this blog with random posts from time to time. Cheers.

Iv'e read that the Corpse Reviver #2 was thought to be a hangover cure. I've never tested that theory. I do love the occasional cocktail at a local resto, La Capitale, served up by Rob. That's @robdrinkenstein if you do the twitter.

1 oz. gin
1 oz. Cointreau
1 oz. Lillet Blanc
1 oz. fresh lemon juice
1 dash absinthe
Ice cubes
Tools: shaker, strainer
Glass: cocktail
Garnish: orange peel

Shake all ingredients in a shaker, strain into a chilled glass and garnish.

Adapted from The Savoy Cocktail Book

Portland Timbers Home Opener 4/14/11

Amazing. Just amazing.

This video from Match Day 360 captures the night well.
Except for the rain.

A few shots from my iPhone.

Until the next match.

Snaps Around Town

Sunny Day




Rainy Day




Dusk




Dawn

Norsen's Cove on Vashon Island

A relaxing walk leads to an amazing treasure. Norsen's Cove is a private refuge that is down the road from family that live on the west side of Vashon Island.

We were lucky to get permission, with a quick wave and chat, to take a walk down the green path to the cove below.















































What a wonderful weekend walk.

Vashon Island Weekend

A few snaps from our adventures visiting family on Vashon Island.

Father and Son

Finding time for chess.




Concentration.

Super Dip for a Super Sunday

Dip is divine. So much variety. So much goodness.

My favorite dip as a child was the universal Velveeta and salsa. Spicy, cheesy, gooey and messy.

These days I'm more into dips that I make myself.

Green Goddess
Caramelized Onion

Recipes are from The America's Test Kitchen Healthy Family Cookbook.





Green Goddess Dip

1 cup 1 percent lowfat cottage cheese
1/4 cup boiling water
1 cup lowfat sour cream
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1/4 cup fresh parsley leaves
1 tablespoon fresh tarragon leaves
1 garlic clove, minced
Salt and pepper
1/4 cup minced fresh chives

Process the cottage cheese and boiling water together in a food processor until smooth, about 30 seconds. Add the sour cream, oil, lemon juice, parsley, tarragon, garlic, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/8 teaspoon pepper and continue to process until combined, about 30 seconds. Transfer to a bowl and stir in the chives. Cover and refrigerate until the flavors have blended, about 1 hour. Season with salt and pepper to taste before serving.





Caramelized Onion Dip

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 onion, minced
1/2 teaspoon light brown sugar
Salt and pepper
1 cup 1 percent lowfat cottage cheese
1/4 cup boiling eater
1 cup lowfat sour cream
1 tablespoon cider vinegar
1/8 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
2 scallions, sliced thin

Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in an 8- inch skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the onion, brown sugar, and 1/4 teaspoon salt and cook, stirring often, until softened, about 5 minutes.





Reduce the heat to medium-low and continue to cook, stirring frequently, until the onion is golden and caramelized, about 20 minutes. Set aside to cool slightly.





Meanwhile process the cottage cheese and boiling water together in a food processor until smooth, about 30 seconds. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon oil, sour cream, vinegar, Worcestershire, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/8 teaspoon pepper and continue to process until combined, about 30 seconds.

Transfer the processed cheese mixture to a bowl and stir in the caramelized onion and scallions. Cover and refrigerate until the flavors have blended, about 1 hour. Season with salt and pepper to taste before serving.

Okay, I fess up I don't use lowfat sourcream. Ick. And I processed mine in a blender. Easy peasy.

Enjoy.

Red and Green make Brown Smoothie

Making smoothies can give you a bit of education in mixing colors. Today I had yellow pineapple, red and blue berries, creamy bananas and dark green collard greens. When you mix the dark red/blue with the dark green you get a reddish brown color.

Normally I would steer clear of a drink this color, but I made it so I know what's in it. And in my world anything with pineapple is bound to be delicious.










Red and Green make Brown Smoothie

2 bananas
3/4 cup frozen pineapple
3/4 cup cherry berry blend fruit mix
4 collard greens
1 to 1 1/2 cups water

Blend well.

Pro tip: When you use frozen fruit you will need slightly more water to get to the same consistency you would have with fresh fruit.

Pro tip: Trader Joe's has great, affordable frozen fruit.

Enjoy.

Confession. I'm not following the green smoothie detox plan anymore. After two weeks I made a move to smoothie for breakfast and lunch with a hopefully healthy dinner. Just saying.