Dear Daughters: My IPod

 

Dear Daughters:

An important part of your genetic history

is archived,

not in scrapbooks or photo albums but

on my

IPod.

You have proven a million times over

that you are smart enough and cool enough

to not

place music into generational categories,

thereby ignoring it,

if it is not a product of your generation.

That makes me very proud.

So here is a starter list 

of award winners,

not of the experts,

but from me,

from my IPod.

***

Best Male Voice……..Michael McDonald

originally of the Doobie Brothers, and to date as a single artist.

I know his hair is white, which may not fit your esthetic, but aside from that,

his covers of Motown are some of my favorites.

And his voice.  Oh my.

Best Intro to a Soul Song…….. Shotgun, Jr. Walker and the All-Stars

I can’t tell you how many times I hit replay on this one.

Even in my 45 record days,

in my lavender bedroom,

in front of the mirror.

Best Male Lead Singer of a Band……..Steve Perry, Journey

His second award should be

Most Recognized Voice.

Don’t Stop Believin makes me want to drive fast.



Best Soul Group/Best Album…….. The Four Tops

The Four Tops Greatest Hits

This album was the soundtrack to

my freshman year at boarding school.

Best British Soul Voice Period…….. Steve Winwood

Do not play Roll With It while driving.

Texting has nothing over dancing while driving.

Best Creative Band……..Fleetwood Mac

Favorite Song……..You Make Lovin Fun

Best Marvin Gaye Dance Song……. Got to Give it Up

Best Marvin Gaye Friendship/ Family Song……..Ain’t No Mountain High Enough

Best Song to Get Your Dad to Dance………Taking Care of Business, Randy Bachman

It works every time.

Best Driving to Work Song…….. Start Me Up, The Rolling Stones


Best Soul Sounding Female Country Singer……..Bonnie Raitt

plus from Bonnie Raitt

Best Female Heartbreak Song……..I Can’t Make You Love Me

Best Easy Listening Song……..Nick of Time


Best All -Time Album for The Time It Was Created…….. Tapestry, Carole King

Best 70’s Band…….. Creedence Clearwater Revival

CCR was all about country and soul and protest.

When I hear them now, I think of James Lee Burke novels.

Favorites:  Born on the Bayou, Green River, Fortunate Son.

Proud Mary is just a little too stereotypical CCR for me.

Fortunate Son makes me think of Viet Nam and

the draft.

Ask Dad about his memories of the draft.

***

Tomorrow I am posting Summer hits 2013.

What are your favorites?

Corelle Dinnerware Again

I know many people think Corelle dinnerware’s dish has sailed,

and I know it doesn’t have Pottery Barn’s cool factor.

But…

I am in love.


I recently discovered my newest obsession

with the purchase of 6 dinner plates and the most amazing cereal, Blue Bell ice cream, side salad bowls known to man.

 

For those of you that had/have these ,

remember how thin and lightweight they are?

I am so tired of heavy dinnerware, aren’t you?


Remember how white they are?

They are the perfect white.


Remember how easy to clean they are?

And the cereal bowls…oh my…

Some pieces are on sale at Target right now friends.

Everything old really is new again, right?

***

Ranch Recipes #14: Fish Tacos

Last night I prepared my version of a delicious summer favorite- fish tacos.

You will not find a simpler version.


Ingredients:

*fresh corn tortillas

Tip:  When selecting a package of commercially prepared corn tortillas, gently flip flop the package in your hand-

if the tortillas move easily, they are fresh.

*tilapia filets

*1 1/2 Tbs. real butter

*1 1/2 Tbs. olive oil

*flour for dusting
*package of shredded cole slaw cabbage 

*your favorite cole slaw dressing

*your favorite pico de gallo

*guacamole


Directions:

In a bowl, add the cole slaw dressing to the shredded cabbage and chill it in the refrigerator.

Melt the butter in a large skillet on medium high heat.

When melted, add the olive oil.

Season the tilapia filets with your favorite seasoning.  I prefer TexJoy.

Dust each filet lightly with flour.

Cook the filets on medium high heat in the butter/olive oil mixture.

Tip:  Using a butter/olive oil mixture and lightly dusting the filets is a tip given to me by my dear friend and neighbor Karen .

When flaky remove the cooked filets from the skillet.

In another skillet, heat vegetable oil.

Using a fork or tongs, gently dip the corn tortillas-

one at a time-

into the heated oil to soften them.

Drain on a paper towel.

Assembly:

I like layering the prepared ingredients in this order.

fish

cole slaw

pico de gallo

and

a dollop of guacamole.


Enjoy!
Tip: All of my ingredients are ‘store bought’.

Living in South Texas we have access to freshly made pico de gallo and guacamole at our local

HEB.

The cole slaw adds the perfect sweetness.  

***

Linking to

It’s Overflowing’s Share Your Creativity.

Dear Daughters: It Is About the Work

(Preface:  If anyone is still out there, thank you. As is always the case with me- one thing leads to another- as do days and living-and it has been a while since I attended to White Spray Paint.)

(my backyard, Spring 2013)

Dear Daughters,

My latest reality show obsession is Life Below Zero on the National Geographic Channel.

I kid you not.


I promise it’s not about the severe cold (understatement) these people face daily .

And no, it’s not some strange antidote to the 100 degree plus weather we have been having in South Texas since early May.


It is instead about the

WORK.

The real life characters on the show work non stop- daily in fact- in order to survive.

(Do not roll your eyes…)


For some reason this level of work really appeals to me. 

It strums some ancient chord in my upbringing that found honor in working hard physically.


I even said to your father while watching the show,

“you know, we have that much work to do around here to keep up with things.”

In a million years of marriage, I don’t think I have ever seen THAT look of horror.


Now don’t get me wrong.

I love my time in my chair, in my Ross Dress for Less caftan,  with my laptop in my lap as much as the next person.


But in my mind of simple things and complicated thoughts,

there is something compelling about that level of hard work.


Oftentimes though , all of that relaxing just doesn’t get the job done.


Just something to ponder.

Love, Mom



PS.  I am making fish tacos tonight (thanks to my neighbor Karen’s guidance.  I will send you the recipe.)