Le Cordon Bleu Culinary Institute/Technique Restaurant

Each year our water aerobics group here in the park goes out to a nice restaurant for a luncheon. This year we went to Le Cordon Bleu Culinary Institute in Scottsdale. It was quite a dining experience! I shared some of the photos with you yesterday in my "Things in a Row" post.


The school occupies the full second floor of a building, and the restaurant is a fairly good size.

Some of my friends going up the escalator to the restaurant.

There were glass windows next to the entrance and I saw some students/chefs who were busy working....possibly baking our desserts?

Besides the restaurant, there is a little deli where you could buy a quick sandwich and grab a drink. It looked  like there was both chicken and egg salad available.

The swimming "gals"!

Students led us to our tables, took our orders, and cooked our food. We had to evaluate our server at the end of our meal.

Some more of our servers:

This guy was so nervous that we thought he was going to spill our water on us! But he did well, and warmed up after awhile! He gave us a big smile here!

The cooks did a WONDERFUL job! Here they are in action!

The young students were following orders from this big honcho (the one with the BIG hat). He'd say what he wanted done, and I'd hear the students answer, "Yes, Chef!"

I walked up to the kitchen area and asked one of the cooks if I could take his picture. He said, "It's 'cause I'm good looking, right?" Oh, he was cute alright! And young! Unfortunately, my flash bounced off of the plexiglass and the photo didn't turn out. So then I held my camera up high and pointed it down towards him and at that time another cook joined him.

I sat back down and told my friends what happened and one said, "Why don't you stand on the side and take the photo?" So I went back to the area and asked if I could do just that. The girl in the above photo said "fine". The young man had his back to me. I yelled, "Hey cutie!" He immediately turned around and posed. Gotta love him!

Here is a shot of the area where you can sit by the counter.

Another area of the restaurant

Just hanging with my peeps.

l-r: Pat, Viv, me, Judy

l-r: Rachel and Thelma

l-r: Jean and Nadine

And now for the food. The meal cost $10, which included a starter, entree and dessert.

First we were served bread and three different kinds of butter - not sure of all the flavors, but ONE of them was a tomato basil.

There were six starters and a flatbread or pizza to choose from. Here are just SOME of them.

This is what I ate. It was DELICIOUS!! The basil leaves were quick fried in oil so they were crisp.

Caprese  Salad - served with fried mozzarella, heirloom tomatoes, roasted red peppers, basil, olive oil, balsamic vinegar reduction

Shrimp Risotto

There were NINE entrees to choose from, plus the daily special.

I had the salmon.

served with English pea puree, asparagus, Parisian potatoes with butter sauce

One friend had the lamb burger. Now let me tell you, I'm not real big on lamb, but this was so tasty and tender that I would definitely order it!

with feta cheese, tomato marmalade, spinach, sautéed red onions, served with hand-cut french fries

Another friend ordered the halibut. Outstanding!

served with corn and fava bean succotash, tomatoes, peas

But let's face it. We were really there for the DESSERTS!! Choice of five.

Here they are!

Cookies and Ice – Raspberry, pineapple and vanilla sorbet in a thin caramel wafer crisp, raspberry, chocolate and caramel syrup sauce, and two chocolate chip chocolate cookies

Salted Caramel Pot de Crème – with Chantilly cream and almond sable cookie

Classic Creamy Cheesecake – with strawberry-rhubarb compote and cocoa sauce

Chocolate Mousse – classic chocolate mousse with Viennese sponge cake, raspberries and raspberry sauce

Seasonal Fruit Crumble – with vanilla bean ice cream

Now isn't this a bargain for TEN BUCKS? Here's the good news! There are several of the schools with restaurants across the United States.  They are located in:

• Atlanta, GA
• Austin, TX
• Boston, MA
• Chicago, IL
• Dallas, TX
• Las Vegas, NV
• Los Angeles, CA
• Miami, FL
• Minneapolis, MN
• Orlando, FL
• Pittsburgh, PA
• Portland, OR
• San Francisco, CA
• Scottsdale, AZ

If you get a chance, check it out! But you should make reservations! They fill up fast!

Thursday's Things in a Row

I went to Le Cordon Bleu Culinary Institute in Scottsdale for lunch the other day. The young students cook and serve the food. I will tell you all about my visit in an upcoming post. While I was there, I saw many things in a row!

Just look at all the things in a row in this photo! Pots! Pans! Ovens! Containers! Carts! Oh my!

So many bowls, so little time!

We saw a beautiful display of cakes. I am thinking that these are sticky buns in a row, on top of a cake made out of sugar.

How about a chocolate purse with white dots? In a row, of course! Remember, this is a CAKE!

Now, these beautiful items are made from sugar. I am posting two photographs from different angles; the second shows the sun shining down on these spectacular pieces.

Aren't these exquisite?

And finally, some freshly made pastries. Yum!

So, is your mouth watering yet?

What do you have for me this week, my  little chickadees?

Signs - Polly wants a WHAT?

A friend of mine wore this shirt the other day at our park. Just had to take a picture of it! It was PERFECT for "Signs"!

For more signs, visit Lesley.

Everything's Coming Up Bacon

 

Who doesn't love the smell of bacon sizzling in a pan on a Sunday morning?

And the taste? Yum! Biting into a crisp piece of bacon? There's nothing like it!

BUT.....

I think the world's gone a LIT-TLE crazy with this whole bacon flavor idea.

How about:

Bacon flavored candy canes?  Uh, no thank you!

Or bacon-flavored jelly beans? Seriously?

Not to be confused with "baking soda", how about some "Bacon Soda"? Yuk! The thought of that just makes me gag!

I can't even imagine.....bacon frosting!

Bacon popcorn! Have some Bacon Soda with it! Yum!

Now this product might have some potential - in my humble opinion. Probably taste good with a hamburger, no?

The following items are not EDIBLE, but are just meant to either SMELL or RESEMBLE bacon.

Who WOULDN'T want a bacon band-aid on their boo-boo?

Wouldn't you like to KISS two lips that were covered in bacon lip balm? Lay one on me, babe! Mmwaah!

And while you're UPCLOSEANDPERSONAL, did you notice how my breath smelled nice and fresh and BACONY? That's because I used my new BACON dental floss! Yipee! (Why does the woman have cherry dental floss? Is there an underlying meaning to that? Huh!)

How about a hand sanitizer that smells like bacon? Who wouldn't want to smell like you're a piece of meat? I bet you'd drive your pets crazy!

And of course, if your HANDS smell like bacon, you MUST have your nails done like this:

Which would all go well if you were going out in THIS ensemble:

For you nerds out there (notice I didn't say GEEKS, as they are completely different kinds of people), here is a bacon wallet. Which I GUARANTEE, if you use, you will NOT get any dates.

Which means you will be a loser, at home, playing the Mr. Bacon game,

and probably pleasuring yourself in the shower with your bacon soap. Fact.

*Sorry. The naughty side of me slipped out! ;0

Miracle Elixir From the Mother

The other day I was sitting outside on the patio at my friend, Judy's  place. Then our friend, Marty, joined us. We were just chit-chatting like women do, when Judy said, "Marty, tell Pat about that "tonic" you take."

Marty makes up this special "tonic" and has been drinking it for well over a year. It is like a miracle elixir.

Marty said,

"Mix 1 cup of natural honey (from the area where you live if possible)
1 cup of apple cider vinegar "FROM THE MOTHER"

"From the mother? Not from the Father?" I said. "What the heck does that mean?"

Marty wasn't sure but you MUST use the apple cider vinegar "FROM THE MOTHER". You MAY find in in grocery stores, but MOST health food stores carry it.

Marty continued."Also add 8 cloves of garlic to the liquids."

"Wow. Not only will this ruin your sex life, but it will also protect you from vampires!" I said.

This is what it is supposed to help (according to the website www.rawfoodinfo.com):

Muscle or joint aches, Alzheimer's disease, arthritis, asthma, high blood pressure, hemorrhoids, infertility and impotence, toothaches, fewer colds and infectious diseases, obesity ( a powerful fat destroyer and weight reducer), ulcers, reduces high blood pressure and cholesterol, reduced risks of breast, blocks agents of cancer of the breast - colon - esophagus - skin - stomach and stimulates the immune system.

Okay so here it is again.

1 cup honey
1 cup apple cider vinegar from the mother (means unfiltered)
8 garlic cloves

 

Put all three ingredients in a blender and mix till smooth. (I "smashed" the garlic first on a cutting board, then threw them in the blender.)

It looks almost like milk when you first mix it together.

But then it settles down to a natural brown color. Store in refrigerator for 5 days. Then on the 6th day, SHAKE WELL. First thing in the morning, take 2 teaspoons of the concoction and then drink at least 1/4 cup of water. Then wait at least 30 minutes before eating. Bottoms up! Jim and I found it easier to quickly down it from a shot glass instead of taking it one teaspoon at a time. I admit, it's not that great tasting, but it's over in a second and the water helps.

When I was looking for the special apple cider vinegar, I called a local store. Here's how the conversation went:

Ring, ring.

me: "Hello, I'm looking for apple cider vinegar 'from the mother'. Do you have any?"

friendly young woman (FYW): "Yes, I'm sure we do."

Me: "......."

FYW: "Let me check to be sure!"

Me: " I would appreciate that!"

FYW: a couple minutes later "Well, we have apple cider vinegar 'by the mother'. Will that do?"

Me: "Close enough! I guess if it's near the mother it will work! Do you know what that means?"

FYW: "I have NO idea", laughing.

Me: "It means 'unfiltered'."

FYW: "Oh! And you're in luck! It's on sale today for $2.99!"

Me: "Yipee!"


We've been taking the tonic for four days now. I've yet to be doing cartwheels and handsprings, but I'll keep you informed on my progress!

Let me know if any of you try this concoction!

(Keep tonic refrigerated and be sure to shake it up every morning before taking it.)

Thursday's Things in a Row

This week is the second half of "Things in a Row" at a Toy Store!

Did YOU ever hear of "Capsule Man"? Me neither. Doesn't sound like someone you'd want hanging around the school yard, either! The directions state to drop these capsules in warm water and watch critters appear! Ta-da! There is a warning about a choking hazard. No freaking kidding! If you swallowed this and all of a sudden you had a, let's say, GIRAFFE in your throat, uh YEAH, I'd say that was choking. Even worse, let's say you swallow this and it gets to your STOMACH. Then what? Pouf? Now you have a sponge animal floating around on your gastric acids? Nice. Try passing an elephant out your back end. Maybe sometimes it's felt like it, but now you have the REAL DEAL!

Speaking of animals, these are some kind of carriers that hold "zooables" whatever the heck THOSE are. Look like little animal characters. Each year they come out with a new product so the parents and grandparents have to fork over more moola!

 

Now! This is more like it! A sensible card game! Who DOESN'T like a fast game of Uno?

I had to blow up this photo because for a minute there I thought ole Barbie was pregnant and showing her bare belly. Doesn't it look like that? That Ken! He's sure been busy! But, I was wrong! Just an optical illusion! This is Barbie in a Mermaid's Tale. Is her name "Merliah" or is that how you say "Mermaid" in Spanish?

So, kiddies, anything good this week for me?

Signs - You had Sex WHERE?

I can't take credit for these photos. I saw these drawings/signs on the internet and thought they were funny. Wouldn't they be cute in a couple's apartment? Sure would get the guests talking!  They are by Steve Lambert.

 

Oh, to be young again! Sigh!

For more signs, visit Lesley here. (This week I'll put the link in!)

Got a Million Bucks?

Hey! Let's say you've got a million bucks AND YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH IT!

I've got an idea!

Why not buy a Human Slinky!

A WHAT?

H-U-M-A-N  S-L-I-N-K-Y!!

AND, you are in luck BECAUSE it is listed for sale on ebay for a mere $1,000,000! Here's the description:

"The most unusual, astonishing, unique and creative act of its kind in the world featured in the world oddities book “Ripley’s Believe It Or Not!: Prepare to Be Shocked!”, winner award Best Variety Act 2008 at the Hollywood Best New Talent Awards. People ask… what is it? What are we watching? Everywhere are completely astonished and baffled at the act. Veniamin’s® his name and he comes from Romania and live in USA. He’s appeared on the Late Show with David Letterman, America’s Got Talent, When Will I Be Famous, The View, Viva Variety, Paul O’Grady Show and many other TV shows all over the World."

It has be listed for over 25 days, with no bids yet. Hmmm, I wonder why? I mean, the SHIPPING'S FREE for cripe's sake!

Watch this video of the Human Slinky in action. It's oddly fascinating. Like an accident you can't look away from.



Just tell me this? Was it necessary to have that woman perform? What the heck did she add to the act?

So, in case you DO buy the Human Slinky, please let me be the FIRST to know and I'll interview you for my blog! I'll take pictures and everything! I swear!

I Embarrassed My Husband AGAIN

I really don't TRY to.

Honestly.

I'm just being myself, after all.

So here's how it went down.

We were at a restaurant and I noticed this couple sitting across from us. The man was bald and when he turned to the side, I noticed he had a tattoo on the back of his head.

At first glance, I wasn't quite sure if I saw the tattoo correctly.

So I continued to stare throughout my meal (not conspicuously, I hope.)

I said to Jim, "I want to take a picture of that man's head."

"What man?"

"Over there. He's got a funny tattoo on the back of his head."

Jim let out a big sigh.

"Would this embarrass you?" I asked.

"Yes. Why do you have to take a picture? Why can't you just look at it and be done with it?"

Uh. Duh. Because I have a BLOG and I want to SHARE this moment with ALL OF YOU!!

So I didn't embarrass Jim, at least right away.

But I thought about the man with the tattoo. It was pretty funny. And I bet he got a lot of comments. So I kept an eye on him, and "coincidentally" *wink* *wink*, we went up to pay our bill at the register at the same time.

The man with the tattoo got in line first, Jim was second.

The man's wife stood aside, I was next to her.

I asked her, "Do you think your husband would mind if I took a picture of his tattoo? I think it is so funny!"

"Of course not! People take photos of it all the time! Don won't mind!"

So here it is:

And here is Don from the front.

Doesn't he look like a fun person? He must have a great personality! I told him that I loved his tattoo and he said, "Thanks! I like it! I figured people will either love it or hate it! I think it's funny!"

And THAT my friends is why it's great to carry a camera at all times!

It's the end of the world as we know it

Maybe the Mayans WERE right in predicting that the world will end in 2012.

The Hostess company is filing for bankruptcy.

If that name doesn't ring a bell, maybe these photos will help you. Hostess is the maker of:

     

The junk food that I grew up with. Sigh.

So WHAT that the ingredients on the side of the box are over an inch long and people can't even pronounce them?

So WHAT that Twinkies have a shelf life of THREE YEARS?

So WHAT that eating this stuff can cause obesity and can be hazardous to your health?

This SHIT is good! I grew UP on this stuff! And I'M okay.

Granted, I AM overweight, and I DO sorta GLOW in the dark, but, aside from that, I'm OKAY.

It's OKAY to eat this stuff! REALLY.

I was HORRIFIED to hear that Hostess was going to file bankruptcy. It brought TEARS to my eyes.

"Noooo!" I yelled!

True, I hadn't eaten a Twinkie since, well, wait I DID have a DEEP-FRIED Twinkie in Vegas a couple of years ago just for grins. And I DID eat one so that I could write all about it on my blog here.

My point it, (and I DO have one), I want EVERYONE to go out and buy Hostess products so we can save the company AND I can recapture my youth.

Thank you.