That’s all I’m hearing all day long from … EVERYONE!! Good … bring it on!! Any excuse not being able to get to work, staying snug-as-a-fucking-bug holed up at home, snow shoveling multiple times throughout the day sounds like a motherfucking plan to me!!

It must be a fucking disease, I can’t help myself … I love beautiful, high-quality cookware!! I went to Williams-Sonoma to browse … only (I swear, lol), but instead ended up walking out with these two gorgeous pans from Calphalon  … treating myself in the process. The smaller one (10 inch) will be used as my new omelette pan, and the 12 inch as my everyday sauté pan. Hey, I did show some restraint … steered clear of the Le Creuset and Staub cast iron pots … steered clear of a much, much heftier bill too, lol!!

We’re all sensitive people
With so much to give

And givin’ yourself to me can never be wrong

Come on, oh come on

I ain’t gonna worry, I ain’t gonna push
Won’t push you, baby
So come on, come on, come on, come on, come on, baby
Stop beatin’ ’round the bush, hey

Don’t you know
How sweet and wonderful life can be?
Whoo-ooh
I’m askin’ you, baby
To get it on with me
Ooh, ooh, ooh

Made these bad-boys yesterday!! This is my famous, ok … Molto Mario’s recipe, lol. Famous in my house at least!! The gang motherfucking eats them up (sorry, bad pun)!! It’s not easy either, very time consuming, a lot of preparation needed, comprising many steps  … but so, so incredibly worth it!! And the sauce isn’t your typical marinara version either … spaghetti sauce for all you motherfucking Mungia Cakes out there, lol. It’s much more complex, richer, and sweeter ’cause of the abundant amount of red onions!! So delicious … yummy!! This time I combined it with stozzapreti and served it family style …  the perfect accompaniment … don’t you agree?

Well I’m takin’ my time, I’m just movin’ along
You’ll forget about me after I’ve been gone
And I take what I find, I don’t want no more
It’s just outside of your front door

I\’ve gotta be on my way

Well I get so lonely when I am without you
But in my mind, deep in my mind,
I can’t forget about you
Good times, and faces that remind me
I’m tryin’ to forget your name and leave it all behind me
You’re comin’ back to find me

Well I’m takin’ my time, I’m just movin’ along

Takin’ my time, Ooh just movin’ along

Takin’ my time, just takin’ my time

Is it me or is Fresh Co., the store, the shoppers … ok, not so much them, I mean not all … but certainly a large portion, and the staff the fucking worst ever? Holy shit, place fucking disgusts me. Never have I encountered such an apathetic, ungrateful group of employees … the motherfucking lot of them!! I get depressed when I leave, because I see they’re all fucking depressed when I walk in. I hate going, in fact I only go 2-3 times a year. Not voluntarily either … my ass gets sent there. Realizing I’m out of my Honey Nut Cheerois, and since I’m the only Honey Nut in the house, it’s up to me to buy some, and I was told of this sale they were having. At checkout, scanning the price, I realize I bought the wrong sized box. The box I’m holding, it’s small, and not on sale? How fucking small is the sale box gonna be I’m wondering? This was the only size other that the jumbo sized ones that I saw in the cereal aisle I politely informed  the cashier. “Oh, the ones on sale are in aisle 4”, she retorts (What the fuck are they doing in aisle 4 ? And more importantly, I’m not losing my place in line ’cause you douche-bags don’t put the sale priced cereal with the regular priced cereal all together in the cereal row like a big happy family of cereal … so I make a mad dash for it). Quickly returning to my rightful place at the front of the line, my concerns are immediately validated. To say these boxes are as a big as a thimble, is an insult to the thimble. I’d say this is the very last time that I’m ever going there. Never again. But then I’d just be repeating myself!! Good news, the 2 boxes I bought will give me my Cheerios fix for a good 4, maybe 5 days, lol!!

As promised!! Wouldn’t want to disappoint any of you motherfuckers, saying I went back on my word, that I didn’t deliver … that I LIED!! I really really wanted to love the malanga, and while it didn’t detract from the taste of my already awesome stew … it just didn’t add anything either. Was kinda disappointed, just tasted very bland … honestly potatoes alone are fucking great, potatoes with turnips (in retrospect, this was the greatest motherfucking secret addition) add that extra depth of flavour and dimension that this stew cries out for. Perhaps, the malanga with its South American cultural roots really has no place in my European based dish?! Bottom line: although it wasn’t a hit it outta the ballpark game winning grand slam homerun, it wasn’t a bottom of the ninth bases loaded with two out, standing and staring, handcuffed and frozen, unable to pull the trigger, watching the ump punch you out ending the game either!! I was thrilled trying something new, and in that sense it was a success … I mean that was the point after all, right?

BTW,  the best part of crock-potting is having food for 3-4 days … you can’t beat that!!

This pic is day four … not only does it hold up well, it gets better each day (like chili), flavours marrying another more and more, everything coming together!! Incredible!!

next thing you know the sun comes up

what the hell happened to last night

makes you feel just like a king

but you ain’t got no crown

suggestion whets you appetite

you can pull your thrills through the big bills

we’re all fading we’re all blowing away

white lies white lies white lies white lies white lies

“A”, you are so incredible, kinda sorry I haven’t mentioned you sooner … long, long ago!! Forgive me. Dinner Friday night reinforces what I, what we … knew all along. I’d love to say you’re the greatest person in the world, and you are … in my world, lol!! You sitting beside me, I felt privileged … made me see this greatness quality even more … and it’s not that you were giving me attention that others at the table weren’t receiving as well, just felt extra special with your helpfulness, kindness, attentiveness, etc.. I could go on and on, gush about you … but I won’t. I want to briefly summarize my thoughts, saying what I said to Tiffany K. on the drive home talking about the whole night, the fun, the food, and the festivities …”everybody should have “A” sitting beside them”!! I love you!!

So proud, I’m gonna post your pic!!

Y’all really didn’t expect me to, did you? As if, lol!!

OK, here she is … on my right (your left) lol!!

With a twist!! The cold of winter partners perfectly with hot, robust, earthy stews. Served with crunchy bread, and different varieties of cheeses, when the thermometer plunges near the -20º mark, for a hearty dinner … nothing beats it!! I’ve been making stews for years now, using my trusty Rival™ crock-pot, mine is an old school model, the deep well, round shape type, unlike the newer versions which are oval, and more shallow. Plus they now come with digital readouts, programmable timers, etc.. Mine doesn’t have anything but a single knob with three choices: off, #1, and #2 … that’s fucking it. Basically my stews have remained similar throughout the years, the two main ingredients being stewing beef and potatoes. Oh, before I proceed, a note about stewing beef. It is essential, crucial in fact to season the meat with salt and pepper (optional: floured too) and sear in an oiled heavy bottom skillet (not overcrowding the pieces, so they don’t steam), to the point of blackening … deep dark brown at the very least. Then deglazing the pan with red wine, not wasting these precious bits of rich flavour. Not taking this important step, just dumping the beef straight from the package into the crock-pot to cook is blasphemous!! I also put carrots, Italian flavoured stewing tomatoes, a can of tomato soup, beef broth as needed, and another key ingredient … Del Monte seasoned french style green beans. This has been the recipe, very rustic, very simple, very good. Early in the morning before I leave, I dump all the ingredients into the pot, turn the sucker on, and when I come home 8-10 hours later, my dinner awaits. For the past couple of years, I’ve been adding turnips in addition to the potatoes, adding another dimension to the stew. A few days ago, while shopping for my ingredients, I came across this vegetable … a root vegetable like the potatoes and turnips, I’ve never seen before, hadn’t heard of it either … am pretty sure you haven’t either!! It is called Malanga … I picked it up, and was very intrigued, and I guess feeling somewhat adventurous, bought some … trying to expand and explore my culinary pursuits, not that I’ve done all that much exploring, lol!! Here’s a picture I took … verdict to follow!!

Slip n’ slide, push it in
Bitch sure got the rhythm
Holding back, yeah I got control
Hooked into her system

The wetter the better

The harder the better
Do it ’til we’re black and blue

Little bit of everything, even when it hurts
Sure feels good

Let’s do it ’til we’re black and blue

… oh since I set my eyes on you

I tell you the truth

Fire Woman you’re to blame

Fire Woman you’re to blame

Fire Woman you’re to blame

Fire Woman you’re to blame

Twisting like a cat on a hot tin shack

… Lord have mercy

Come on little sister

Come on and shake it

Had music on my brain today … something, someone musta triggered it!! Made me think of this band from Down Under!! Knew about these bad-asses when the were originally known as “Angel City” too … not as “The Angels” … Jesus Christ, what gives with name change anyways? ‘Sup with that shit? Hey, you motherfuckers rocked!!

Apparently double click to watch/listen (sneaky pricks) … fine with me motherfuckers!!

BTW, have this on vinyl … guess I’m dating myself, lol.

Bought me a box of french cigars
Bought me a black beret
Get my french from the girl next door
Teach me night and day
Got me thinking ’bout the south of France
Vis-a-vis vous
Pack a suitcase take a chance
Got nothing to lose

Gimme the sound of a rolling dice
Gimme a whiskey don’t think twice
Deal me the card that takes my blues away
Take me away to Marseilles

Fast train jet plane money to burn
Don’t ask the reason why
Drinkin’ champagne playin’ it cool
Don’t even have to try, baby

‘Extraordinarily so’ would be more accurate in fact!! Shit … throw in demented as well, for good measure, lol. And y’all know who you are, so stop being bashful motherfuckers!! If the shoe fits, right Cinderellas?

Before they bring your curtain down

Yes before they bring your curtain down

Thinkin\’ that I might have drove you too far

And I’m thinkin’ ’bout the love that you laid on my table

I love Carl Sagan … what a motherfucking incredible mind!! I love this quote of his … shit, I love all his quotes!! This one though I was reminded by my good friend SS who remarkably (intentionally, or not) used something eerily similar (was driving me crazy, I knew I read that intro before, the familiarity of it, the gist of her thinking was reverberating in my brain … took me a long, long time eventually putting the pieces together, finishing off this puzzle) in her Facebook Basic Information. I mean, lol … at least that’s what I read … both demonstrating the same philosophical reasoning!!

“We live on a hunk of rock and metal that circles a humdrum star that is one of 400 billion other stars that make up the Milky Way Galaxy which is one of billions of other galaxies which make up a universe which may be one of a very large number, perhaps an infinite number, of other universes. That is a perspective on human life and our culture that is well worth pondering.”
— Carl Sagan

Kept saying this over and over repeatedly to my new best bud a few days ago, because everyone around us didn’t!! We saw so many people completely unconcerned about their appearances, their cleanliness … we couldn’t grasp their mindset. Bear in mind, some of these individuals were in for the long haul … a whole week!! This isn’t Survivor people … you have means at your disposal, use them!! Not only was I disgusted by some of you, I was embarrassed too!! Love his quote … kept saying it throughout the hockey game/night …”we’re the two best looking guys here” … haha, and he meant ’cause we were at least trying, pulling ourselves together the best we could under the circumstances … not because we were actually good looking, ’cause really … we ain’t, lol!!

… Christ, we were even using moisturizing face cream, lol!!

Nice rhyme danistrulytheman!! Shouldice Hospital, that is. I can’t say anything new praising this hospital, its staff, its facilities, that hasn’t already been said or written by others before. Too bad, the rest of our health care wasn’t like this place, it truly is a marvel to behold, a model to be admired. I’m still in disbelief that I was in my room at 10:58 a.m. after my operation, and at 1:00 p.m. the following day … a mere 26 hours later, I was in the lounge milling about, walking around as if I was being admitted for the operation. Actually, I was attempting to sandbag the day’s new arrivals into thinking I was one of them as well, concealing any pain or discomfort I was feeling, hoping anyone would strike up conversation about what “we” were about to undergo regarding the surgery … then I’d spring the trap, surprising them showing the big-ass-bandage protecting my incision, having them all amazed at my speedy recovery … but none bit (sorry, I can’t help myself … I love fucking with people, lol)!! Even today, I was able to shovel the drive-way (about 3 inches of snow) without any trouble. Don’t misunderstand, I’m not healed, not even close to 100%, I’m just able to resume normal activities sooner. I especially feel winded very, very, quickly when I exert myself even the slightest. I have such shortness of breath, whereas before I didn’t. Little things like getting in and out of the car, something so simple, brings on sharp pains due to the sudden twisting movement associated with it. I could go on and on about my experience, especially this time, but I won’t. I will say, that I had a motherfucking blast (due to my lucking out, being paired with the greatest fucking roommate … well, for me anyways, lol), and I’m so thankful and appreciative to all the staff!! You guys are the motherfucking best!!

Some differences: Shouldice uses a local anesthesia, others (I’m referring to Ontario hospitals and OHIP coverage) use general anesthesia. Local is safer. Shouldice employs an overlapping technique and uses stainless steel thread. Others use the inferior “mesh” technique. In fact, it’s not uncommon to have patients come to Shouldice, repairing mesh surgeries (apparently, the mesh can become twisted). Shouldice isn’t free … $175/night. Others are free.You get a hernia repair at Shouldice, you’ll never need to have it done again … EVER!!

BTW, why do Doctors counseling patients regarding the amount of time required to recover before resuming sexual activities, i.e. … FUCKING … have to refer to it as “horizontal recreational activities in bed”? And when they do, why is it that a room full of adult, grown men (me included) break out childishly giggling, like kindergarten kids hearing the word kiss for the first time?

Last time at the hospital, sitting calmly, awaiting my turn, my named to be called, for another of many pre-op exams, I grabbed a copy of The Globe and Mail laying around, and started playing this game (puzzle). Now, I love puzzles … and numbers, so much so that I that I bought a puzzle book for my surgery last go around … and I was looking for Kakuro puzzles exclusively, but was unable to find one, the store shelves were stocked almost entirely with Sudoku books. I really wasn’t interested, having played Suduko (like the rest of the planet) in the past for years now … kinda felt burnt out … so I bought a generic puzzle book, an assortment of puzzles. That day, waiting (wasting) … passing time, I found that I LOVED KenKen, even more than Kakuro, and luckily was able to find one at Indigo … for this go around. Ok, back to the waiting area … the Doctor finally called my name, just a few moments before spending almost an hour staring at the puzzle, pen patiently placed in holster, trigger finger cocked and ready as I was unable to figure out the remaining moves (this is what much of problem solving involves … staring & concentrating … your mind working away at a million miles per hour trying all the possible permutations), and it finally hit me, the answer … I sat there, unfazed, not fucking flinching, (at this point I ain’t fucking moving) franticly putting pen to paper filling in the final pieces, finishing that time-consuming, mind-draining bitch!! Hey Doc, I waited for you for so long … least you can do is wait for me for a little, lol!!

Again!! So I’ll forego the descriptive dialogue … pretty much what I wrote last year. Just thought I’d share a few food pics though … enjoy!!

… will say that I spend way too much time time handrolling the cold-cuts, lol!! Oh, and YES that lasagna is homemade (my recipe) too!!