KHW

Wow! Well I am finally starting to come down after the celebration that was Friday. I would like to thank all of you for a fantastic birthday celebration. If it’s this much fun, I may never stop turning forty.I hope that everyone had as much fun as I did and sorry for all of the stress that I put you through with the talent portion of the party. But see, I told you that you were all very very talented folk!

MML is allowing us to keep up parts of the art show throughout this week so that people who were unable to attend the soiree will be able to view it. Please feel free to contact the visual artists (or me and I’ll put you in touch) if you now realize that you saw a piece and really can’t live without it. You may find Richard, Todd, and Geoff at the local open mic nights so check your venue listings. I believe that Joanne and Sue are performing at smoke-filled coffeehouses/speakeasy’s. To all those whose talents were culinary, there is no evidence remaining!

Thanks, I think, to Sue for providing the karaoke (and for donating all day to party preparation) and to Matt Nussbaum for keeping us “abreast” of life in New Orleans and at Mardi Gras.

A huge thank you to all who helped with planning, set up, clean up, and just letting me know that you were there for me.

Please check out the photos courtesy of Fred Shequine and Gabriel Biderman.

PS. Thank you to all who unnecessarily, but very sweetly, brought bday tokens. I am unfortunately unable to put gift givers names with a Queen of Hearts bottle of wine and with a cool book of “miscellany” by Ben Schott. Please let me know so I may properly thank you!

Yes, it is that time of year again and this time you really should do it. As a member of the local library staff, I truly encourage everyone to go out and get a library card – it’s free, it’s painless, and it gives you so much. Libraries depend on members and circulation for funding and to keep the librarians from being too lonely. Please come in, browse, check out books, movies, magazines, and books on tape/cd, use our computers or bring in your laptop and use our wireless. We love to be able to answer queries or to just point you in the right direction.

And a plug for those of you in the Hudson Valley, Morton Memorial Library is one of the coziest and welcoming places to spend a few hours or even a few minutes if your just bopping in to pick up an item from one of our many libraries in the Mid Hudson System.

Morton Memorial Library is located at 82 Kelly Street in the heart of Rhinecliff and is open Wednesday evenings from 6pm – 9pm; Thursdays from 9am – 12pm and 2pm – 6pm; Fridays from 9am – 12pm and 2pm – 6pm; Saturday mornings from 9am – 12pm.
phone: 845.876.2903
web: http://morton.rhinecliff.lib.ny.us

Not original thoughts but “the personal is political” and acting on the local level does eventually begin to impact the global climate (sometimes phrases become cliches for a reason).
Just a quick synopsis of this week in meetings and a note to encourage everyone to get involved with their local goings on.

• Mon: We love dogs in this area and really don’t enjoy unsubstantiated signage. But honestly, we are’t big fans of deposits either so please be kind and pick up after your pooch.
• Tue: Still a fair amount of dissention regarding the Comprehensive Plan in town and how it will impact the area.
• Wed: A large turnout from both sides of the Hudson to say “not this particular development” and not without further studies.
• Thur: A plan takes a lot of hard work on all sides and doesn’t stop until the final period is in place. Thanks for everyone’s diligence and hard work.
• Sat: Democrats choose their slate of candidates for Town Board/Supervisors.

See I told you that you would want to get involved with your own local politics.

Thank you to all who attended for helping to make my dream of throwing a pseudo Breakfast at Tiffany’s party a reality. To those who weren’t able to attend, there will be more in the future and we’ll try to keep everything a bit more in keeping with Truman Capote’s vision.
Thanks to Sue, the setting was perfect for a summer cocktail party!
The hors d’ hoeuvres were amazing – and when were you last at a party where not 1, but 3 different styles of mini hotdogs were served? Yes, the infamous velveeta/pepper dip/fondue with Fritos was also available. Cocktails might have been a bit more exotic and modern than the 1950′s versions but oh my . . . You could choose between Margaritas, Cosmos, a Basil/Gin Lillet, or Sake Sangria if you were not playing it safe with beer or seltzer. To end things on a sweet note there were homemade chocolate covered strawberries.
But, of course, what makes a party are the guests and you all made it stellar. Many many thanks for food, beverages, and the use of a certain someone’s brand new Element.
Until the next soiree, cin cin!

Walking along the Promenade!

Here are a few pics from Nancy’s camera of our trip to Kaaterskill on 7.30.05. Nancy took some great shots including this sunflower.

Here’s a few pics of Redman (Sue Sie’s cat). Just testing some gallery options!

Marvelous! This recipe is adapted from the June 2003 issue of Gourmet magazine and I am utterly addicted to it. I’m a huge rhubarb fan but have convinced quite a few non-rhubarb devotees to make this beverage part of their summer collection.

• 4 lbs rhubarb stalks, trimmed & cut into 1/2 in. pieces
• 2 cups sugar
• 6 cups water
• 1 cup fresh lime juice
• 750 ml bottle of gin, chilled
• 2 (1 liter) bottles of seltzer water, chilled

Bring rhubarb, sugar, and water to a boil in a heavy pot, reduce heat and simmer until rhubarb falls apart, approx. 20 minutes. Remove from heat and cool about 15 minutes. Pour mixture into a large fine-mesh sieve set over a large bowl and drain 15 minutes (I keep stirring the mixture to make the process a bit faster if a bit more tedious) press gently on and discard the solids (which can be eaten as old fashioned stewed rhubarb). Skim any foam, cool to room temperature and then refrigerate. Stir in lime juice and gin. (I keep everything separate in the frig and make the collins to order if not having a party) Fill the glasses with ice and add rhubarb gin mixture, stop with about an inch of space to spare. Top with seltzer. Run a wedge of lime around the rim of glasses and then sqeeze into drink. This drink says “summertime” with its soft blush color and condensation from the ice beading the glass. Bring on the heat!

Welcome to my very own, brand spankin’ new website!
This is my first blogging post ever and I hope to make this a spot for many more!
Enjoy!