Monday, December 10, 2012

This 'n' That

Thought for the day:  If you have a drawer filled with odds and ends, and get rid of all but one thing... which is it?
Yep, it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas. There's even more red splashed around our house than usual, and even though it's so warm I wore shorts and a tee shirt to go shopping the other day, Dash still felt the need to curl up inside a flannel shirt she found lying on the bed. (Her head is peeking out the sleeve!) (And, um, yes, that IS a lava lamp in the background.)

Okay, this is gonna be an eclectic post today. A little bit of this, a little bit of that. Like what do YOU want for Christmas? I have a pretty good idea  what my hubby would like...


                                                      (I'll have to see what I can do...)


How's about this for an early Christmas present? How's about a break from wracking your brain to come up with an idea for a post this Friday? D.L. Hammons is hosting a blogfest where all you have to do is pick out your favorite post from 2012, and run it again. Um, one YOU wrote, that is. You know, maybe one that didn't get the love you think it deserved? Whatever floats your boat. If you'd like to participate, just hit that Deja Vu button in the side bar, and sign on up. Should be fun!


Kittie Howard's new book launched last Thursday, and I think this is one you might want to order right away. Really! Not only is it a really good book, but this month's sales proceeds are being funneled to the Wounded Warrior project. So, while you're giving yourself the gift of this book, your money will also be supporting a very worthy cause.

What's it about? I'm glad you asked. David, a decorated Marine who survived the horrors of Iwo Jima, doesn't expect to have to fight more battles when he returns to Louisiana after the war. But he does. You see, the local members of the KKK don't care about his war record.

Intrigued? You should be. Kittie does an excellent job of taking a part of history some of us would rather forget, those horrific days of lynchings and cross-burnings... and makes it come alive. And she breathes life into the sharecroppers and their families, too, both black and white, who were terrorized by the Klan, and demonstrates the enduring got-your-back brotherhood of the Marines. As a special added bonus, she also offers some background history and a Cajun glossary at the beginning of the book that I'm sure other history nerds will enjoy as much as I did.

And like I said, the $2.99 it'll cost you to get the e-book on Amazon or Smashwords can help make a difference for our returning soldiers. Ginormous kudos to Kittie for supporting Wounded Warriors again. (She did the same thing with her first book.)



Think I can get away with serving Smarticus THESE crabs....?

Nah, me neither.





You guys like custard? Me, I wouldn't mind finding myself in a swimming pool filled with the stuff and eating my way out. Okay, so maybe that's a slight exaggeration, but it's definitely one of my favorite old-fashioned comfort foods. Much to my surprise, I discovered recently that none of my friends ever make it. They LIKE it... they just don't know how to MAKE it. And it is sooooo easy! This recipe comes from a circa 1945 or so cookbook, and tell ya what... I'm gonna share it with you.

Preheat your oven to 350, because you'll have the custard ready to pop in there in no time at all. Mix 3/4 c of sweetened condensed milk (not evaporated... sweetened condensed) with 2 1/4 c HOT water. (not boiling, but HOT) While stirring continuously, gradually pour the milk mixture over 3 slightly beaten eggs. Add 1/4 tsp salt. (optional) That's IT. I sometimes add a splash of vanilla or rum flavoring or grated coconut, but none of those things are needed. It's super good just as is. Pour the mixture into a baking dish or individual custard cups, sprinkle with nutmeg, and set in a pan of hot water. Then bake for 40-45 minutes, or until a knife blade can be inserted and comes out clean. See? Easy! And oh, so good.

Okay, has this post been eclectic enough for ya? I believe I'm gonna go make some custard now... for some reason, I've suddenly developed a craving for it. And then? And then I believe I'm gonna go out and get some crabs. Who says we have to wait for Christmas? It's December. Close enough.
         
                                      Until next time, take care of yourselves. And each other.

54 comments:

  1. I'm about to make custard myself! I have a dozen fresh eggs from my daughter's chickens. My recipe is a little different though. For each large egg, allow 1 tablespoon sugar, (I use a little less) and 100ml milk. beat the eggs and sugar together while heating the milk to just below boiling point. Add the hot milk to the egg/sugar mixture while stirring, pour custard into custard cups (or pre-baked pastry flans), set the cups in a pan of haot water, sprinkle with nutmeg and bake until done. if using pastry flans, then of course you don't set these in hot water, just sprinkle with nutmeg and bake.
    I've made a note to buy that book next time I'm at Amazon.

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    1. Woo HOO!It's good to know somebody else still makes custard. I've prepared it by heating milk in a double boiler, and adding my own sugar before, too, but when you use sweetened condensed milk, it simplifies the process even more, and produces a silkier consistency. You might give it a try sometime, and let me know what you think.

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  2. I don't know what I liked best - the cute kitty in flannel, the clever faux crabs on the plates, the pair of crab videos, or the cups of custard. Eclectic, indeed!
    (I love custard!).

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    1. HA! Glad you liked the mixed bag of stuff. (And if you love custard, give that recipe a go. Reeeealy good.)

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  3. Oh, cute crabs! But I think I'd rather have the real thing. And I'll see you at the Deja Vu blogfest.
    And I'll see you at the Deja Vu blogfest.

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    1. HA! I really love your comment. I really love your comment.

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  4. Hi Susan .. I do love crabs and I do love custard .. I'll keep them separate though .. used to have to make acres of custard for my mother's care home and I was not good at custard - usually the kitchen staff and I being chief cook at that stage (only cook) - fill in sub ... helping Mum out ... were in hysterics about me and the custard.

    We had a crabbery at the bottom of the hill - I could have put a fishing line out and hauled a few up ... but we had some good dinners from there!

    Cheers Hilary

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    1. Hmm, I could probably go for crabs first, and then custard for dessert. I can see where making large quantities of custard at one time could be a little problematic. Especially if you're cooking it with milk and sugar. But I'll bet everyone in the home loved every bite.

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  5. Gosh just noticed that basket of biscuits - they look delicious .. I'm flying out -? H

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  6. I did dejavu last year .. lots of fun. I tried to sign up but the photo thing failed so I don't know if I managed to register or not. Never mind...I'll play anyway.

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    1. The photo thing takes a while to show the picture. Instead, it just says something like "pending" for a while.

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  7. If anything calls for custard, I replace it with cream or fromage frais. As for the crabs; love em.

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    1. Ooh, I'm surprised. I had you pegged for a custard man all the way.

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  8. I am so making this custard for Christmas. My father will love it. Thanks for the recipe. And Yay for Kittie. That sounds like an awesome book.

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    1. Oh, I'm so glad you're gonna try that recipe for your father. It may very well remind him of custards he ate as a boy. Let me know...

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  9. Hmmm, well, I hope your hubs gets crabs for Christmas. Never really thought I'd wish that on anyone, but whatever floats your boat as you say. And LOVE the picture of the cat in the shirt sleeve. What a clown. :)

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    1. HA! I think he's gonna have to settle for getting crabs TODAY. And maybe for Christmas Eve... our kids enjoy eating them, too.

      Yes, Dash is a clown through and through.

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  10. Dash looks adorable all snuggled up in the blanket :) reminds me of my cat Ruby

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    1. She is adorable, and as soft as a bunny rabbit. She's our calico; her "sister" Dot, the gray tabby, was lounging on top of my printer at the time.

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  11. Thank you for the Deja Vu Blogfest shout out! And I LOVE Dianne (and yours) comment!! :)

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    1. My pleasure. I hope you get a great participation. Dianne's a hoot, isn't she?

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  12. I like crab cakes...does that count? And the custard sounds tempting. Never made it before, but you make it sound so easy.

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    1. Crab cakes absolutely count. LOVE 'em, especially if they're make with lump back fin meat. That custard recipe sounds easy because it IS. Try it... you'll like it!

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  13. Hi Susan,

    Speaking of deja vu, I have this strange feeling I read and commented on this before....
    Very good of you to make note of all those links and that blogfest seems like fun. Although, not sure I want crabs for Christmas...

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    1. Maybe you've read and commented on this same post in a parallel universe, eh? Oh, crabs are good ANY time of the year. Probably not what most people want for Christmas dinner, though.

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  14. Wow, girl! You rock! Thank you for this fantastic shout-out! I'm blown away. Hmm, crabs are just across the river in Maryland. Love those things! *drools* But custards aren't my thing. Hub's, tho. Hmm, crabs for me and custard for him. Yep, that works! Many thanks, K.

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    1. My pleasure. I really DID enjoy your book, and it blows ME away that your proceeds are going to such a good cause. Crabs & custard sound like a well-balanced meal to me.

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  15. thank you for the shout out for fellow bloggers! makes me happy to be a part of the blogging world where we can all support each other!!
    my kids love custard and crabs...
    have a great evening.

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    1. Ah, your kids like crabs and custard. I KNEW they were smarties. And you're right about the amazing blogging community. I had no idea it'd be so supportive.

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  16. I don't think I've ever brought home crabs for Christmas. It'd sure surprise everybody. Thanks for the idea!

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    1. There's surprises, and then there's... surprises. Actually, it might be a little difficult getting them on Christmas Day. Most ladies of the night take off for the Holidays. (Sorry. Couldn't resist.)

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  17. I know this is quite shocking, but I don't think I've ever eaten custard. As for the recipe, rather than add a dash of rum flavoring, wouldn't it be better to buy a bottle of the real thing and drink it so you forget all about cooking anything? Just a thought.

    Love,
    Janie

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    1. You poor deprived child... (Never even had a custard doughnut???) Rum's okay, I guess, but I prefer bourbon.

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  18. Congrats to Kittie, and I really enjoyed the blogfest last year! Speaking of kitties, your photo is adorable. Julie

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    1. I'm a newbie to the blogfest, but there are a LOT of people signed up this year. Not sure I have a snowball's chance of visiting all those blogs over the weekend. Glad ya like the picture. I took several of them, but that one was my favorite.

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  19. There is something amiss that you aren't here, right now, eating a couple of buckets full of custard with me. YUM, YUM, YUM O! I could eat it all day long too - and your recipe is so easy peasy.

    We are switching up Christmas dinner. For some reason the family wants Mom's enchiladas and refried beans for dinner instead of a ham [guess which one is more labor intensive? lil' beasts] but I am not going without custard for dessert.

    As I said YUM, YUM, YUM-O! Merry Christmas sweetheart. Wish I was there with ya'. 12:34

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    1. Hi-ya, kiddo. Good to hear from you again. Hey, why don't you come HERE to eat that custard... it's already in the fridge waiting for us. And you're right; that recipe is so unbelievable easy. I love the idea of you eating custard on Christmas after you finish your enchiladas. (Kinda reminds me of something my kids would've requested. That's the price we pay for being good cooks!) Merry Christmas. I hope 2013 smiles on you and your family, sweetie. 12:34

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  20. Who could not like custard? i do not make it, but do the easy thing and order it out. My mom used to make it often, but I think it was from a box. I do remember one kind of puddin' custard called Junket. It was not good.

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    1. There used to be a boxed custard mix (Jello Americana custard, or something like that)that wasn't bad if you added an extra egg to it for flavor, but nothing beats the real thing. Wow, you can order it out? Holy moly, that would be dangerous. Very very dangerous.

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  21. I'm guessing the one thing left in the drawer is an odd end. Count me as someone who's never made custard. Sad, I know. But I love crabs :)

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    1. Hey, "odd end" works for me. Nah, it's not sad that you've never made custard. It's an old-fashioned dessert, and even some of my older friends have never made it. Different strokes. Besides, if it WERE "sad", you redeemed yourself by liking crabs.

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  22. Susan, just when we commented that it wasn't feeling like Christmas, it turned cold in these here parts. 40's during the day, and 20's overnight, and that's cold for Mississippi.

    And Kittie's book sounds intriguing. I will check it out. :)

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    1. Brrrr, 20's is plenty cold enough for anywhere. It was a little cooler here today, too, but it's still warmer than usual for this time of year. But now that I've finally gotten all the decorations up and have started wrapping presents, it feels like Christmas in the house, anyway. And that's what matters.

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  23. Dejavu might be fun!

    Custard, huh? Lately, I can't get enough of "everything" bagels. I could live on them.

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    1. I think the Deja Vu blogfest will be fun, but there's no way I'm gonna make it to all those participating blogs. But I'll give it a try, anyhow.

      Bagels are good, too. Especially if they have creamed cheese and lox on them... or cream cheese and grape jam. Crap. Thanks a lot. NOW, I want a bagel...

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  24. I love both custard and crab. But I don't think I would ever put them in the same thought.
    Oh I just did.

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  25. I plan on having some She Crab soup down in Charleston a couple days after Christmas. The wife and kids are heading to Richmond, Virginia to see her family the day after Christmas while I will be staying home to watch the dogs.

    I think I got the better end of the deal.

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    1. Yum, she-crab soup is really good, too, especially if you pour a little bit of sherry in it. You're probably right about getting the better end of that post-Christmas deal, but um, it might not be such a hot idea to say as much to your wife...

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  26. Oh I just love those "crab" sandwiches!

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  27. Thanks. The look on my husband's face when I showed the sandwiches to him was priceless. After he stopped laughing, he told me to take some pictures.

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