ROCK THE CROCK...MISS SCARLET'S ROAST

 

EASY, EASY FOUR INGREDIENT ROAST IN THE CROCKPOT

This is so easy I'm almost embarrassed to share it. But I'm a giver so I
will and you will not be disappointed. This came to me from a good friend.
Not the kind of friend that gives you their treasured recipe and eliminates a bunch
of stuff so it will never be as good as theirs. I mean, who are those people?
 Lady,if your freaking recipe for chocolate chip cookie is your claim to fame....I
feel for you. Real friends give real friends real recipes.

So here you go friend.

Add a piece of roast. Your choice.

Add a stick of butter

 Just stick it on top of the roast. Then pour on a packet of au jus gravy.

Then a package of Ranch dressing mix.

 

 

Last thing ....either five whole pepperoncini peppers or the equivilant in

sliced ones.

 

 

Then it should look like this

 

Cook on low for 5-6 hours. Great with mashed potatoes. Lots of

wonderful gravy. You are welcome!!!!!

FOOD MOVIES SPICE UP SUMMER VIEWING MENU!!!

Foodies have four star quality viewing this summer with two fantastic movies.
I saw Chef with no expectations and loved it. Actor John Favreau was also the
director of this winning movie which had a fraction of the budget of 100 Foot
Journey.The cast was brilliant with  stars like  Dustin Hoffman, Scarlett Johansson,
John Leguizamo and Sofia Vergara, Oliver Platt and Ribert Downey Jr.

The restaurant culture was vivid and real . The plot revolves around a reviewer
who puts a culinary kiss-of-death to the once inventive Chef , who is now forced
to stick to the trite menu his boss, Dustin Hoffman, insists he dishes out.

So what does he do ? He gets a food truck and with his best sous chef and son
makes his way across the country. The food and the fun are fabulous and the
inventive use of social media is exciting to see.

Of course he ends back up with his ex wife Sofia Veregas. Hey , it's his movie!!!
I went home and made Cuban sandwiches.



Oprah Winfrey and Stephen Spielberg produced the most anticipated
food movie of the year. It was sweet, beautiful scenery and everyone did
what a good movie needs. The food and the market scenes were luscious.
and there were two generations falling in love mixed in this delectable
two hours between riveting shots of France that made you want to pack up
your bag and move there..

I have to tell you I am the biggest fan ever of Bollywood movies. I love them.
I can't get enough of them and then I can't wait for the end of the movie to see
the unbelievable dancing. it gets me every time. Monsoon wedding and Slum
Dog Millionaire brought it home.  This movie, however lacked the passion I
was looking for.

Dame Helen Mirran did a great job and the dreamy star Indian actor was a new
kind of leading man. The story was good but the movie was two hours and could
have seriously been cut by half an hour to make it perfect. But in spite of those
little flaws I loved it.

It's amazing when you go to a movie at four thirty on Sunday afternoon and it's packed.
Mostly with middle aged people. Let's face it, make a decent movie and they will
come. So wake up Hollywood and remember that I have nine kick ass script like The
Estrogen Files, Where Have All the Prom Queens Gone and Fever Dancing in
War Zones just waiting to be discovered.

SUMMER LAID BACK DINING





I grew up in mostly in England. We also lived in

 

 Italy and Holland but

England was where my Nana and Grandad lived. England was home. I

loved the rainy weather and the traditions like having afternoon tea. No

matter where I am I check to see if there a cup of Earl Gray and a scone with

clotted cream anywhere in sight.

 

Everyone thought I was bat-ass crazy when I wanted to build the above

conservatory. But I got my wish and it arrived like an erector set in big boxes

after taking with a jolly fellow named Barry who assured me that it was an easy

project, dispute the fact that his company had never sold one in America.

Several builders later it was up. Lots of plants hit an untimely death until I

agreed to have it tinted. What was I thinking ?

 

I love this place. I love to drink coffee there and work on my screenplays . I

love to listen to the rain and watch the snow fall. It is amazing. I also like to

dine there. So I set it up fancy and I'm giving you two easy going  dishes that are

conservatory worthy.They aren't your usual tea and crumpet fare, but they are

easy and modern.  Let me know which ones you like.

 

 

 

Sesame Noodles with Chicken

Courtesy of the Barefoot Contessa


I like this cold !!!!!!

Ingredients

• Kosher salt
• 1 pound spaghetti or Chinese egg noodles
• 2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil
• 1 garlic clove, peeled
• 1 (1-inch) piece peeled fresh ginger
• 1/2 cup smooth peanut butter
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons dark brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• 3/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
• 1/4 cup hot water
• 1 Kirby cucumber, halved and sliced
• 1 cup shredded cooked chicken
• 6 scallions (white and green parts), sliced
• 1/4 cup dry-roasted peanuts, chopped

Directions

Game Plan: Make the sauce while the noodles cook.
Bring a large pot of cold water to a boil over high heat. When the pasta water boils, salt it generously, add the spaghetti or noodles, and cook, stirring occasionally, until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold running water. Put the spaghetti in a large bowl and toss with the sesame oil.
To make the Peanut Sauce: In a blender drop in the garlic and ginger while the motor is running. When the chopping is complete, stop the machine and add the peanut butter, soy sauce, brown sugar, vinegar, and red pepper. Process until smooth, then--with the blender running--slowly pour in the water.
To serve, toss the spaghetti with the Peanut Sauce, then top with the cucumber, chicken, scallions, and peanuts.
Cook's Note: Toasted sesame oil delivers richness and intensity to our sesame sauce with just a drizzle. Maintain its punch by storing it in your refrigerator.

---

 

FRITTATA SANDWICHES by MARIO BATALLI

• ingredients
  • For the Frittata Sandwich:
  • 1/4 cup Milk
  • 6 Eggs (beaten)
  • 2 tablespoons Butter
  • 1 tablespoon Olive Oil plus more for the bread
  • 1/3 cup Spring Onion (sliced)
  • 3 tablespoons Parmesan Cheese plus a block to shave onto sandwiches (grated)
  • 1 bunch Asparagus (blanched and cut into coins)
  • 1 Baguette
  • Salt and Pepper
  •  
  • For the Asparagus Salad:
  • 1/2 cup shaved asparagus
  • 2 scallions (sliced)
  • juice of 1/2 a lemon
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 2 tablespoons Parmesan (grated)
  • 12 pancetta slices/wheels
   
  
  

  
  

    

  
  

  
  
   

  •  
      
    For the Frittata Sandwich: Preheat oven to 325F.
  • 2
    1/4 cup Milk
    6 Eggs (beaten)
    Beat together the milk and the eggs.
  • 3
    2 tablespoons Butter
    1 tablespoon Olive Oil
    1/3 cup Spring Onion (sliced)
    1 bunch Asparagus (blanched and cut into coins)
    3 tablespoons Parmesan Cheese (grated)
    Salt and Pepper
    In a large non-stick skillet, add the butter and olive oil, and sweat the spring onions and asparagus until soft. Turn down the heat to medium-low. Add the eggs and cook until set around the edges, about 4-5 minutes. This should be a thin frittata. Add the cheese, a pinch of a salt and pepper and stir in. Transfer to the oven and cook until just set, about 5 minutes.
  • 4
    1 Baguette
    Olive Oil
    Slice the baguette through the equator, and then into 6-inch-long sections. Brush the inside of the pieces with olive oil. 
  • 5
    Parmesan Cheese (grated) 
    On a grillpan preheated to medium-high, grill the brushed pieces of baguette until toasted and golden. Shave parmesan over the still warm baguette.
  • 6
    1/2 cup shaved asparagus
    2 scallions (sliced)
    juice of 1/2 a lemon
    2 tablespoons olive oil
    salt and pepper to taste
    2 tablespoons Parmesan (grated)
    12 pancetta slices/wheels
    For the Asparagus Salad: Add all ingredients in a mixing bowl and toss to combine. 
  • 7
      
    Flip the finished frittata out of the pan and onto a cutting board and cut into slices. Place on top of the shaved parmesan on the baguette and sandwich. Top with some of the asparagus salad, a couple sliced of pancetta and the top of the baguette.
  •  
  •  
  •  
  • HAPPY DINING!!!!!!   
   
  
  

  
  

HOES OVER BROS !!!!

 

 

 

If you're not familiar with the term Hoes Over Bros...let me spell it out

for you. It means putting your friends first. Doesn't mean always putting

them first. We know all about priorities at our age. But our female friends

should never be put on the back burner. Believe me, you're going to need

them.

 

I just heard a story about a group of boomer women who were divorced

and widowed. They planned a great trip to Europe together and the one

by one they started dropping out. Why? Because they were afraid the men

in their lives would replace them in the ten days they were gone. If a middle

aged man would dump you for not being around while you were having a

wonderful time with your friends, well he doesn't deserve you. I would

take another look and run like hell because you will always be looking over

your shoulder..

 

 Have we not progressed from junior high when as soon as

a boy came in the picture, bye-bye girlfriends. But who were the first ones

you went running to when the the love of your life dumped you. But face it

ladies...this is the story of our lives. I know because I've been there.

 

It gets worse when the biological clock starts ticking and the primitive hunt

for a husband begins. Those chicks aren't letting go for anything.  Female

friendship is at an all time low. God Bless those friends who would still

listen to you after twenty break ups.

 

You would think in our later years that we would be a little smarter about

friendship. But apparently , we're not. Not that we don't want men in our

lives ...we do. Of course we do. Men can be your best friend. Lucky are

those ladies who have a spouse and best friend all rolled into one.

 

But celebrate the Hoes....they are the ones who remember that you like

peonies and love a Gin and tonic on a hot day. They will tell you that

your ass looks big in that outfit. (although in a nice way).

They are the ones who will be there for you in a special way when your

daughter gets married or you find out you have a lump in your breast.

 

Hoes Over Bros. Oh yes.

LOOKING FOR A HARD WORKING MAN.....CASTING OPPORTUNITY!!!!!!!

IF I HAD A HAMMER!!!

A tv company is looking for that  guy with handyman experience. You
know the type you're always looking for to fix things around your house and
you can't find. Then you end up having to to  Lowe's  and try and fix it yourself.
Well if you know a handy dandy dude tell him to apply for a new tv docu-reality series.

They're looking for a big personality with a sensitive side. You know the kind of guy
that can fix your air conditioner and has been known to cry watching Bambi. They
also want someone open-minded and competitive.


TO SUBMIT:QuixoticCasting8@gmail.com
Be sure to include:1.  Your name (first and last)
2.  Contact phone number
3.  City/Zip where you live
4.  A brief description of your handyman type experience
5.  Recent photos of you (jpg format please)

Good luck!!!!
 

A TART FROM A TART!!!!!

 

BLUEBERRY FRANGIPANE TARTS

 

 

These are stellar tarts. You will be so proud to know how to make

them and happy,happy,happy to eat them. This is my mom's

recipe and it is gooooood. You make four individual tarts, but

with a little math you can make one big one. But whatever you make

there will never be enough. They are so delicious.

 

Start with 4 4x75  centimeters loose bottom tart tins (remember

she's a Brit)

 

14 oz of chilled sweet shortcrust pastry

4 oz butter

4 oz sugar

2 eggs lightly beaten

4 oz ground almonds

few drops of almond essence

4 oz blueberries

2 tbs almonds

 

Line tart tins with parchment and prick pastry and let chill

for fifteen minutes

 

Preheat oven to 375

 

Bake tart tins for fifteen minutes and remove from oven.

 

To make filling:

 

 

beat together butter and sugar beat in eggs andn stir in the ground almonds

and essence. Divide filling between the cases sprinkle with the blueberries and

almonds

 

Transfer to oven and bake for 25 minutes until golden.

 

Cool for 20 minutes,

Get set to impress.!!!! Mum says best served with

a lovely cup of tea.

CHAIN CHAIN CHAIN...CHAIN OF FOOD....CASTING OPPORTUNITY

 

I guess cooking for five picky people doesn't consitute being an executive

chef. But sometimes I could bark as mighty as Gordon Ramsey when I got a critical

review for a dinner.  And I know you got this too....my kids wanted to know

first thing in the morning what we were going to have for breakfast...lunch..

.and dinner. What?  Not to mention the I'm-not-very-organized-so-I-have-to go-to

-the-grocery-store-every-day routine. Exhausting.

 

But hey, there a new food show in town and they are looking for executive

chefs and restaurant owners.  I'm asking you...yes YOU to apply. This is for the

Food Network and its a culinary challange show. It's called FOOD CHAIN.

 

So here's the scoop.

Send info listed to :
foodchain@rtvshows.com
Be sure to include:1.  Your name (first and last)
2.  Contact phone number
3.  Occupation
4.  Bio with career highlights and resume
5.  Photo of you (jpg format please)
6.  Photos of 4 of your signature dishes (jpg format please)

 

 

 

RECIPE FOR SUMMERTIME SLAW!!!!

 

 

When it's too hot out to even contemplate putting on the oven or the stove

cole slaw is my go to alternative. I am lazy. I don't want to chop my own

cabbage so I buy a bag of plain coleslaw at the veggie counter. But what goes

in it makes the magic.

 

I chop the following:

 

celery

carrots

zucchini

red peppers

green peppers

 

then I add a can of drained black beans

handful of goats cheese or feta cheese

 

Mix up olive oil and lime juice and pour it on

 

Add salt , pepper

 

Then throw in whatever protein you have.... shrimp

                                                                       chicken

                                                                       beef

 

 

It's delicious and I really could eat this almost every day. It tastes different every

single time I make it because it becomes whatever I have in the fridge.

Give it a try. You'll be please you did!!!

 

HERE COME DA JUDGE---CASTING CALL!!!

A NEW COURT TV SHOW IS LOOKING FOR YOU!!!!

We know you're judgey...aren't we all. A new reality show is
looking for real judges (not your mother-in-law) or BFF. You can be
retuired...but you have to have a BIG personality and have some
experience in civil / legal matters.

So gavel up if you were ever a judge, or know someone who is. please
pass this on to your lawyer friends and tell them to pass it on.

Here's the summons:



TO SUBMIT:casting@tfcasting.com
Be sure to include:1.  Your name (first and last)
2.  Contact phone number
3.  City/State where you live
4.  A brief bio describing your experience as a judge, your personality
     , and why you'd be great for this show
5.  Recent photo of you (jpg format please)

 

Spread the word!!! Approach the bench !!! That's about all

the legal jargon that comes to mind.

 

DOING THE GLOBE--SANT FELIU DE GUIXOIS

 

 

This year my parents , Joyce and Demetrio Morales, took our family for a trip

to a villa in Spain. What a deal.!!! So after hours of choosing locations

and booking flights for me and my kids...we were off to Sant Feliu on the

Costa Brava in southern Spain. About an hour from Barcelona. My sister

and I left from OKC with parents. We went to London  and stayed the night

then Spain.

 

We met Mallory from New York in Spain and the next day Morgan arrived

from OKC and Sami from Cleveland Getting there with elderly parents , luggage

and a wheelchairs wasn't exactly easy (but that's another blog).

 

 

This was our villa..... called Villa Sol and surrounded by beautiful farms

on a hill. You could hear donkey's braying and roosters crowing. It was amazing.

Full gourmet kitchen and room to sleep eleven. You could hang out on the roof

or swim in the pool and the beach was a ten minute jaunt. Heaven.

  

 

We  enjoyed everything. It was amazing to be with a brother who lives

continents away and enjoy the whole multi-generational thing. What an

opportunity!! Sometimes pictures just say it all. What a wonderful trip.

Thanks Mom and Dad!!! How lucky are we that you're still traveling .

 

 

 

.Mom likes her latte's and the view.

 

 

 

My Dad and Morgan

 

 

 

Side trip to beautiful Girona.

 

 

 

 

My nephew from the Ukraine, Christian.

 

 

 

 

 

Mal and Nana at a local restaurant. To be honest  (because we

are all cooks) no one thought the food was spectacular.

 

 

 

 

 

Sami at our hotel rooftop bar in Barcelona. Best

architecture viewing ever. Barcelona is now our favorite

European city.

 

 

Ah the view!!!

 

 

Sami, Morgan and Mallory in rooftop bar. Are you catching a theme here?
The gin and tonica *(as they call them) are awesome!!!

Adios!!!

REUNITE WITH YOUR 80"S ROCK BAND--CASTING OPPORTUNITY

 

 

Oh you may think you're over it. All that hair, all those girls, all that

eyeliner!!! But we know you're not. You still know that your 80's or 90's rock

band could have been a big hit. You had the moves of Axl Rose and the

attitude of Blondie. You could have been the MTV sensation.

 

Bring out your inner rock star in a new tv show that's looking for that rocker that

you know you are. A nationwide search is going on for people who were in bands
in the 80's or 90's.You could be chosen for a new tv docu-series from Bunim Murray
Productions, producers of Project Runway and Real World with the help of real music
stars..
.


TO SUBMIT:bandcasting@bunim-murray.com
Be sure to include:1.  Your name (first and last), and names of your band members
2.  Contact phone number(s)
3.  City/State where you and your band members live now
4.  Name of your band
5.  A brief description of your band, and what you're all doing today.  Feel free to include links to any social media pages or websites.
6.  Photos of yourself and the band (then, and now, if you have them!) (jpg format please)

GOOD LUCK AND BRING DOWN THE HOUSE!!!!!!


 

 

 

 

 

THE GARAGE SALE BLUES!!!

There comes a time in everyones life that the only way out is a garage sale.
And for downsizing baby boomers it's lurking on the horizons. Why oh Why
don't we just have our favorite charity come and collect the whole pile. We don't
because we secretly want to berate ourselves and cheer ourselves up at the same time.
So the ritual of the garage sale is our own personal exorcism for what we bought.
Come to think of it I'd really rather clean up Linda Blairs green slime and watch her
head whip round. But instead I'm having a garage sale.

At first I was sort of organized (for me) and I sent my daughter nice little texts that
said stash or sell ? When I didn't get answers I started getting a little pissed and started
making my own fashion decisions. Ted Gunn...stop me now.

I see a huge theme here. Apparently I wanted to be married to a Duke or a Marquise or
something  because I have enough silver to outfit the next season of Downton Abby.
I don't want any of it. But of course I don't want anyone to think I''m anti-Martha Stewart
so I started polishing it. Really.? I haven't done that in years.  I am like a mad woman on
a mission. Some of it is actually starting to look pretty good and I'm thinking.... well
I might need that someday. Sure. Perhaps the silver dinner bell. I'm going to look
forward to the day when I ring the tiny bell and someone brings me my food .

Another thing I discovered about myself. I am a holiday junkie. Show me a holiday
and I have a zillion  bunnies/Santa's/angels/witches to go with it. And talk about vases
and props. I honestly think I might have been destined for an event planning career.
Then there are the things I bought at other garage sales that I knew would become
important to me and they never did. I didn't set up that dark room like I wanted to and
I didn't send ten of my closest friends the beautiful flower arrangements in the vases I
bought for that purpose.

I truly hate garage sales, and I want to bitch slap the people who want to pay 75cents
for a mans pressed shirt straight from the cleaners. Seriously...it cost $1.25 to launder it.
I have pure hatred for the people who show up an hour early.

I probably shouldn't even be doing this. But here I am. I will bargain , and laugh and
chatter with the people that come. I will get a secret thrill when someone likes something
and feel sad when the purse I paid $200 for is sold for $5.00. I will choke up a little bit
when one of my children's books goes home with a little toddler. But it's all part of
the process. I loved every one of those things when I bought them...and now hopefully
someone else will like them to. Or I may be buying it back in their next garage sale.

Tell me your garage sale stories!!!!

CASTING FRIDAY--LOOKING FOR PERFECT FAMILIES!!!!!

A major tv company is looking for perfect families. You know the kind of
family that everyone wishes they were (no not the Kardahians) The one with
the stellar kids and parents who save the world and still have time to coach
softball and work at the soup kitchen. The family that everyone wants to be in.

Just as an aside, while most of us aren't perfect,  I think every family is amazing.
Just raising good children in a tumultuous time is a huge miracle. And while my
family isn't perfect (thank God) they are funny and quirky and adorable .I love that
about them. I am grateful beyond words

But back to the real deal. If you're that kind of family...or if you know tht kind of
and don't despise them ...here's where to send the info.

veranoproductions@gmail.com

Be sure to include:1.  Your name (first and last)
2.  Contact phone number
3.  City/State where you live
4.  A brief description of your family, your family members, and why you'd be great for this show
5.  Recent family photo (jpg format please)

LIGHTEN UP LADIES--THE MEN JUST HAVE IT GOING ON!!!

It's not often that I'd say men are ahead of us, hands down.  I mean  we usually
rule when it comes to intuition and smarts. But seriously when it comes to a sense of
humour, we are sadly lagging behind.

Take this scenario. I was in the editing suite at Boiling Point Media chatting with the
boy geniuses and Hugh , the head guy. Hugh is savvy and a little older than the techno
savvy youngsters. Hugh  was wearing a rust corduroy jacket. In comes an handsome
young actor and he says to Hugh," Hey Hugh...did you steal that jacket from a pimp."
Hugh laughs and the actor slaps him on the back. Life continues .

 Now imagine that scene with women. "Hey...did you steal those shoes from a hooker."
The room would go dark. Vasts of electric current would shake the room. And the person
that said this would be banned for all eternity. I've seen wicked. I know how it goes.

That's the difference. Women don't joke enough. We don't laugh and tease each other.
We can't laugh at ourselves. And we should. There's plenty to laugh about . We are  vain-
know-it-all-bossy -pants who always have to have the last word.  Kind of boring , huh?

I am really trying to shake things up in this area. Make light of things. It feels good.
You should try it. And as for those hooker shoes...it take a ho to know a ho. Right????

CASTING FRIDAY--PLEASE BE JUDGEY!!!!

HERE COMES THE JUDGE.!!! No not the legal eagle type. They type that
passes judgement and decides who has talent and who doesn't.  Awesome
Furniture designers are wanted as judges for a new television competition show.
Do you have a pal that can quality?

They're aren't mentioning nay names yet but the furniture designer judges will
be rubbing elbows with one of the biggest celebrities in the world. The mind boggles.

If you want in on this...or have a friend or colleague that fits the bill send the
information to : asmithcocasting@ gmail.com

.Be sure to include:1.  Your name (first and last)
2.  Contact phone number
3.  City/State where you live
4.  Professional bio or resume
5.  Recent photo of you (jpg format please)
6.  Photos of your design work (jpg format please)


Good luck!!!

POWER UP YOUR SNACKING!!!!!!

I remember taking the time to make my kids healthy snacks. I would do weirdo
things like smear peanut butter on celery stalks and top with raisins.(ants on a log)
or along the same line Apple slices smeared with peanut butter. Then of course
for my then  tiny daughter Mallory there was afternoon tea  with real British tea
with milk and sugar and a biscuit (cookie-usually gingersnaps). Just a few weeks
ago we had afternoon tea in the West Village in New York  surrounded by Asian
girls in Jane Austin costumes. We had  tiny cucumber and cream cheese sandwiches
Coronation chicken   and pots of Earl Grey and macaroons. Love it.

So why  when I love all that visual  delicious stuff don't I  take the time to make it
for myself? Seriously aren't we worthy of a great high powered snack in the afternoon.
I think so.  Thank you Buzzfeed for supplying these awesome eye candy numbers.

BANANA-RAMA




MIDNIGHT AT THE OASIS-

Hummus and veggies in a Mason jar...brilliant!!!




TRUE BLUE MUNCHIES!!!!


SCANDINAVIAN AWESOME!!!!




BOOM CHICK PEAS !!!!!
by Oven Love

Ingredients

• 2 cans chickpeas (garbanzo beans) or about 4 cups cooked chickpeas from dried beans
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• seasonings of your choice (see below for suggestions)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. 
2. Prepare the beans for roasting by draining and rinsing them, then letting them dry on a towel until most of the excess moisture is absorbed. Spread on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. Roast the chickpeas in the oven for 45-60 minutes or until the beans are crunchy throughout (just test one- if they are still mostly soft on the inside and there’s no crunch, keep baking).
3. Immediately (while beans are still hot), toss with olive oil and seasonings. Serve hot or at room temperature. They are best the first day, but can be kept in an airtight container for up to 4 days.

Seasoning Suggestions (add more or less if you like, these are just guidelines)

1. Sesame Soy- 1 teaspoon sesame oil, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon sea salt, 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
2. Honey Cinnamon- 1 teaspoon cinnamon, a pinch nutmeg, 1/4 teaspoon sea salt, 2 tablespoons honey (you can throw these back in the oven for 10-15 minutes to carmelize if you like)
3. Garlic Parmesan- 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese, 1 teaspoon garlic powder or 2 cloves fresh minced garlic, 1/4 teaspoon fresh cracked pepper, 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
4. Smoky Spice Blend- 1/2 teaspoon ancho chile powder, 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon cumin, 1/4 teaspoon fresh cracked pepper, 1/2 teaspoon sea salt, pinch cayenne (optional)

CASTING FRIDAY... RE-DO YOUR KIDS DORM ROOM!!!!

As a  Mom's  you are often called on to re-arrange the living environment of your
children. After all they want to grow and explore  and sometimes that means a
fort bed and sometimes a rock studio. You've been there. And it's no easy task
or cheap project. Little mermaid underwater environments don't come cheap.
The holes in the walls tell quite a story.

From Ninja turtles to Ralph Lauren and Hawaiian surfer girl to actual grungy
lofts in China Town I've done some decorating doozies. I'm sure you have too.

So it's exciting for me to tell you that your college age kids can actually win money
and be on a tv show to boot. That means someone else is paying for the art and the
bedspreads. Hot damn.

SPACE MAKEOVER is a new show form the folks that brought up The Real
World and Project runway. It's a real world alright when you see the mess your
kids can actually live in without blinking an eye.
This show cares how you kids manipulate their space and have a great college
experience.
We're here to help you put together an amazing space to make your college living
experience the best it can be!

Only snag is you have to have a kid in the Los Angeles area.
Tell you story to  dormcasting@bunim-murray.com
Be sure to include:1.  Your name (first and last)
2.  Contact phone number
3.  Name of college you will be attending
4.  Will you be living on-campus (or let us know city/zip where you will be living - must be greater Los Angeles area)
5.  Do you have any issues you need to solve (not enough space, roommate has too many clothes, ugly furniture, etc.)
6.  Recent photo of you (jpg format please)

UPGRADING YOUR BUM INTO BUSINESS CLASS !!!!

Traveling used to be a giant  and exciting adventure for me. My parents lived in England, where my Dad was stationed, and at least twice a year I would cross the pond to go to school and to come home for Christmas. These were the days of no cell phones, and I can't even imagine what my parents must have gone though wondering where there daughter was. You see, I went space available on Air Force planes surrounded by handsome pilots and crews and frankly coeds got some pretty special treatment. You would head to the east coast on a commercial flight then you'd be at an air base. "Would you like to go to Beirut or Aviano?" Tough choices.

I spent a birthday in the Azores, surrounding by pilots singing me Happy Birthday .One year I traded a carton of cigarettes for a cab ride near Barcelona. .After all, it was Sunday and I didn't have any foreign currency. Another year a was stuck with a group of college age kids in Germany for a week before we could get out. A week full of gin and tonics at the Officers Club in Ramstein and a summer romance with a former classmate on his way to TU. Life was good.. Mostly. Then  there was the trip  I will never forget when I rode with the bodies of fifty soldiers that were killed in Vietnam. I cried all the way.

Of course, here I was this morning with a standby tickets and fond memories of a weekend spent with my NYU student daughter. it looked dismal at best. The a smiley voice send " we're going to upgrade you to business class ....music to my ears. Now that was a pleasant surprise. So in my three hour wait I visited with the gate  girls on Air Tran  and asked how they pick people for an upgrade.

In short..here's the drill

Don't be a bitch...that will get you a seat on the back of the plane

Don't carry tons of cheesy bags and totes and paper bags. Tacky. I travel with one black Longchamp back for purse and carry one. Of course it's a freaking mess inside...but it looks like I have it together

Dress like you belong there. No tacky sweat pants, jogging suits or pajamas. Seriously...it's a plane ride not a slumber party. I mean how comfortable do you really have to be? Dress like classic Jackie O ...simple even with slacks.

Leave the boobs tucked away.that will get you a seat in the back too.

So I wait and wait and suprise...upgraded again. I am on a roll. Of course this will never probably ever happen to me again. But I stand by my Mothers rules of dressing on planes and I have to

admit I did fly first class from London to Chicago on my last trip. There has to be some method to

the madness.

What gets you an upgrade? Please share

 

HOW TO LOOK GREAT IN PICTURES!!!!

Let's Face it...selfies are everywhere. Mostly enjoyed and taken by newbies under thirty
who look fantastic  no matter what the angle is. But really who the hell over fifty wants
to waste their time trying to send pictures of themselves that actually look good out to the
universe . That's exhausting and way too much trouble.

So I thought I'd do something good for all of us and do an unplugged sort of interview
with the genius that I  let take my pictures. He's awesome and talented and you have to admit, a
freakin genius with photo shop.

So here is Leigh Thompson......the young beauty queen flock to him. But there's a reason for
that. And he's really nice  and pleasant to us older chicks. Which is  another reason to use him for
your next big pic.
Thanks Leigh

 

 

 

 

 



HAPPY GALENTINES DAY-----A NEW TRADITION!!!

I like new traditions. And I like new traditions that are derived from television
shows like Seinfeld's Festivus for the Rest-of-us. So what's not to like about a
day to celebrate your gal pals?

Lets face it at our age many of us have discovered that Valentines Day has lost
a little bit of it's lustre. I mean who can compete with the first time you got a real
Valentine from a boy that didn't have a box of conversation hearts taped to it. The
first time you both wanted to celebrate it preferably in a naughty way with lots of
alcohol . After that it can only go downhill. Then the hubby starts
the big sneak out on the night before and there are flowers and a card still in a
CVS or Wahlgrens bag. Really? Or the floral delivery guy slips up to say  that this
was a last minute frantic delivery and some dumb guy slipped him a twenty spot to
do it..

Some of us no longer have a significant other. At our age men are dying like flies.
And then again there are some of us that are still crazy about it . Bless you.
Remember to give him (or her) with as the Spice Girls say.....Give then what they
want....what they really , really want. That is not to be confused with the ads for some
mens clinic that says what they really really want is probably not what they really want
.....read between the lines.

 The best way to say I love you is to go out of your way, suprise them pull out all the stops.
Go for it. I confess I still send a Valentine packages to my kids and their pets. Nothing
says Valentines Day like a chew toy.

If you don;t have a sweetie ...no need to feel left out. Celebrate  Galentines Day with your
buds your sisters, your mom's , the guy in the office who gets your coffee perfect.
Go out for dinner, leave them a treat, go to a movie. Enjoy. because love is always
worth celebrating no matter how many times you've been hurt of disappointed.

So even now..at my age....love is all around. Hey that's a line from Love Actually.

Yep...still in love with love. The picture frame says...wouldn't you agree baby you
and me got a groovy kind of love. That about says it all.
What's your take?