Dining, Family, Groovin' Eats

St Patrick’s Day Dinner #BetterLateThanNever #Irishblessings

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We celebrated St. Paddy’s Day 24 hours after March 17th. I’m pretty sure St. Patrick would not have had any problem with this late celebration. We, just like everyone who adopts the Irish heritage on St. Patrick’s day,  cooked all the Irish trimming on March 18th.  Every year, on this day, my mom bakes her infamous Irish soda bread.  That’s not the only thing she does on St Pat’s, she retells the story of how she acquired the traditional Irish soda bread recipe.  A recipe given to her by Mayor Koch’s housekeeper, cook- something like that.   Her story never changes, which leads me to believe she’s not fibbing.

So the Irish soda bread, along with the 4 corn beefs briskets, and the 6  large cabbages were served.   Left overs were forthcoming.  However, this year there was something special added to our St. Paddy’s Day celebration.

A couple of couples!  Dear to the heart!  This is the Luck of The Irish!  As well as, an Irish blessings!

Now, even though, it was an Irish celebration, our little Emma’s swash buckling sword put great-grandpa to sleep.  Ha!  It was all that corn beef and cabbage that really did it.

Happy Belated St. Patrick’s Day!

Dining, Family, Travel

Dock’s Oyster House #SeafoodDelight #Dine

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Dock’s Oyster House was the perfect place to dine, and enjoy fine seafood, during our stay in Atlantic City.

Oysters!

At Dock’s Oyster House they carry 12 different kinds of oysters.   Oyster’s are an appetizing delight.    We ordered a dozen and shared like good friends.   However, I wish I could have eaten all 12 of them.

My main course was the Pan Roasted Bronzino, with fresh herbs, quinoa, haricot verts, and lemon beurre blanc.  Scallops, Salmon and Wasabi Tuna, were ordered.  Each of our orders were prepared  to our delight.

    

 

Four fish dinners that evening, which was quiet unusually.  This told me  we needed a change in our menu, and we picked the best seafood restaurant for the change.     Now, no meal is complete without a bottle of vino.  A bottle of wine paired for the meal.

Dock’s Oyster House has survived in AC for 120 years, with an array of fresh seafood which could have been caught right off the AC pier.  If your heading to AC, and would like to feast on fresh seafood, dock at  Dock’s Oyster House.   By the sea, by the sea, is where you can be guaranteed your seafood will be seafood fresh.

 

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Don McLean Botanical Gardens Album & US and European Tour Dates

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So excited for March 24 when Don McLean “Botanical Gardens” album to be released via BMG. Yes, we still believe in Rock N’ Roll and  that music can save your mortal soul. Thank you for teaching us to dance real slow.

Official Tracklisting
1. Botanical Gardens
2. The Lucky Guy
3. A Total Eclipse of the Sun
4. Waving Man
5. When July Comes
6. You’re All I Ever Had
7. Rock ‘n’ Roll Your Baby
8. I’ve Cried All The Tears That I Have
9. Ain’t She A Honey
10. The King Of Fools
11. Grief And Hope
12. You’ve Got Such Beautiful Eyes
13. Last Night When We Were Young

Don McLean U.S. & European Tour Dates:

Mar 23 City Winery – New York, N.Y.
Apr 13 Greenwich Odeum – East Greenwich, R.I.
Apr 14 The Birchmere – Alexandria, Va.
Apr 29 Southend Cliffs Pavilion – Westcliff-On-Sea, UK
Apr 30 York Barbican Centre – York, UK
May 01 Victoria Theatre – Halifax, UK
May 02 Sage Gateshead – Gateshead, UK
May 04 De La Warr Pavilion – Brexhill-On-Sea, UK
May 06 Wales Millennium Center – Cardiff, UK
May 07 The Bridgewater Hall – Manchester, UK
May 09 London Palladium – London, UK
May 10 Symphony Hall – Birmingham, UK
May 11 Colston Hall – Bristol, UK
May 13 Philharmonic Hall – Liverpool, UK
May 15 Glasgow Royal Concert Hall – Glasgow, UK
May 16 Usher Hall Edinburgh, UK
Click here for Don’s entire tour calendar

Family, recipe, Time of the Season

Corned Beef with Cabbage, Potatoes and Carrots #Recipe #TastyTuesday

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This was my third time making Corned Beef and usually I make a mess at the end when I go to cut it. My friend at work suggested that I take the corned beef out when it is done and let it rest while the vegetables are cooking. I did and it worked, I was able to cut perfect slices across the grain and I was thrilled. Here is the simple recipe I used, I just followed the instructions on the corned beef label on the back of package. Another friend at work suggested I use Guinness Beer (optional)  and I am glad I did.

Cover the  rinsed corned beef with cold water, add the spice packet included in meat package, add 1 bottle of Guinness Beer,  2 cloves of garlic and 1 whole onion peeled. (the garlic and onion were my idea – optional). Bring the covered pot to a boil and quickly reduce to a slow simmer and let simmer for 3 hours covered.  After 3 hours  remove corned beef  to a platter to rest, (Do Not Throw Out Water) discard onion and  add the potatoes, carrots and quartered cabbage to corned beef water.   Bring pot back to a boil and reduced to simmer for 30- 40 minutes until vegetables are cooked. Slice the beef across the grain and  serve meal  with store bought Irish Soda Bread (or make your own) For dessert we had some  cookies from the same bakery I bought the soda bread.  Hope you try this easy recipe and enjoy a hearty meal with your family and friends.  Wishing you a pot of gold and all the joy your heart can hold. Happy St. Patricks’ Day.

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You Have To Laugh To Keep From Crying ~ How To Parent Your Parents by Charlotte Canion

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Charlotte Canion, author of You Have to Laugh to Keep from Crying: How to Parent Your Parents, beautifully  offers advice to those who are struggling to manage responsibilities of their aging family members. The hardest part of growing up is knowing your parents are growing old.

In the end its all about making time, not having the time. My mom is a stroke survivor but before that at the age of 86, she was still cooking, cleaning, shopping for the family and she was still playing poker with her girl friends every Friday night. All that stopped and then changed after her stroke. She does not cook or clean any more. Happily she did start playing her Lotto numbers again, she goes to the corner deli with my sister once a week for her numbers and a few things like milk and eggs,  believe me we are so very happy that she is interested in gambling again. This makes us smile.

My daughter and niece both help us and spend as much time as they can with their Nanna.

Canion says, “The thought of our parents aging is a frightening one, but my book will teach you how to laugh through the journey. Discover the power of laughter and see how it will help you cope with the task of parenting our parents, a task that will be inevitable for most of us. Whether you are on the threshold of seeking a nursing facility for an aging loved one, have a parent living with you, or think these issues are far down the road, my book helps prepare for and face obstacles you may have never dreamt.

To care for the ones who once cared for us is one of the highest honors. Truth is, it does take a village. Love. Respect. Patience. Forgiveness. Memories are all you will have left once your parents are gone.

for more information click here