Thursday, May 26, 2011
House flooded after washing machine becomes casualty of indoor target shooting
Officials in Florida are investigating an incident in which a woman apparently fired an AR-15 rifle at a target inside her future ex-husband's master bedroom closet, missing the target and blasting holes in a washing machine. When deputies on Sunday entered the home they found "a lot of water on the floor covering most of the residence," according to recently released St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office records.
The 21-year-old woman said she and her husband are divorcing. She said her 33-year-old spouse called on Saturday, asking whether they could "get together." They had a "good evening," but started arguing about reconciling. She said she told her husband she didn't want to get back together because she has a new boyfriend. She said her husband "went crazy" and started shooting indoors.
She said he was firing close to her and thought he was trying to scare her. She said blood on her legs came from "the bullets hitting the washing machine and the metal shards hitting her." The woman, however, said she also was shooting with her husband. Asked to write a sworn statement, she said, "I'll try my best but I'm drunk." Investigators found .223 calibre and .45 calibre cartridge casings in the master bedroom and a wood and metal shooting target in the closet.
Bullet holes riddled the washing machine, and bullet exit holes were spotted in the wall across from the washing machine. A deputy learned they'd been in the bedroom shooting the target in the closet. "They had done this on multiple occasions," a report states, noting both had been drinking. Both parties were advised to stay away from each other.
The 21-year-old woman said she and her husband are divorcing. She said her 33-year-old spouse called on Saturday, asking whether they could "get together." They had a "good evening," but started arguing about reconciling. She said she told her husband she didn't want to get back together because she has a new boyfriend. She said her husband "went crazy" and started shooting indoors.
She said he was firing close to her and thought he was trying to scare her. She said blood on her legs came from "the bullets hitting the washing machine and the metal shards hitting her." The woman, however, said she also was shooting with her husband. Asked to write a sworn statement, she said, "I'll try my best but I'm drunk." Investigators found .223 calibre and .45 calibre cartridge casings in the master bedroom and a wood and metal shooting target in the closet.
Bullet holes riddled the washing machine, and bullet exit holes were spotted in the wall across from the washing machine. A deputy learned they'd been in the bedroom shooting the target in the closet. "They had done this on multiple occasions," a report states, noting both had been drinking. Both parties were advised to stay away from each other.
Lawyer objects to large breasted woman in court
A Chicago lawyer has complained in a pretrial motion that opposing counsel has a "large breasted woman sit next to him at counsel's table" whose sole purpose "is to draw the attention of the jury away from the relevant proceedings."
Attorney Thomas W. Gooch asked a judge to order the woman "to sit in the gallery with the rest of the spectators" and bar her from sitting at the counsel's table "until it is shown that this woman has any sort of legal background."
Click for full page. Page 2.
The case in Cook County Small Claims Court is a dispute over a used car purchased from Exotic Motors in November 2009.
Gooch's opposing counsel, Dmitry N. Feofanov, responded that the woman is his "paralegal assistant" and contended that Gooch cites no law or "good faith legal argument" why she can't sit at the counsel table.
Attorney Thomas W. Gooch asked a judge to order the woman "to sit in the gallery with the rest of the spectators" and bar her from sitting at the counsel's table "until it is shown that this woman has any sort of legal background."
Click for full page. Page 2.
The case in Cook County Small Claims Court is a dispute over a used car purchased from Exotic Motors in November 2009.
Gooch's opposing counsel, Dmitry N. Feofanov, responded that the woman is his "paralegal assistant" and contended that Gooch cites no law or "good faith legal argument" why she can't sit at the counsel table.
Family find mountain lion in garage
Michelle Taylor shudders when she realizes she may have been sharing her garage with a mountain lion for the past three days. “I think it was in there since Sunday night,” the Hesperia mother of five said, with neighbours reporting they had seen a mountain lion roaming the area since Friday.
California Fish and Game, Hesperia Animal Control and San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Hesperia station officials worked together to get the young cougar out of the Taylors’ garage and back into its habitat on Tuesday morning. Michelle Taylor called 911 after her husband, Jesse Taylor, rooted around the garage in search of what he thought was a raccoon or other small critter.
Instead, less than 3 feet from him, he spotted a large paw and the face of the mountain lion. Authorities responded to the home and learned the family had secured the frightened animal in the garage.
Officials worked for nearly two hours trying to coax the animal from the Taylor family’s garage, but ultimately had to tranquilize the mountain lion. The lion was a young male. The mountain lion was examined and then taken to the San Bernardino National Forest where it was released.
With news video.
California Fish and Game, Hesperia Animal Control and San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Hesperia station officials worked together to get the young cougar out of the Taylors’ garage and back into its habitat on Tuesday morning. Michelle Taylor called 911 after her husband, Jesse Taylor, rooted around the garage in search of what he thought was a raccoon or other small critter.
Instead, less than 3 feet from him, he spotted a large paw and the face of the mountain lion. Authorities responded to the home and learned the family had secured the frightened animal in the garage.
Officials worked for nearly two hours trying to coax the animal from the Taylor family’s garage, but ultimately had to tranquilize the mountain lion. The lion was a young male. The mountain lion was examined and then taken to the San Bernardino National Forest where it was released.
With news video.
Man caught smuggling 88lbs of sheep meat with gravy
US Customs and Border Protection agriculture specialists found 88 pounds of cooked sheep meat in luggage carried by an Ethiopian passenger at Dulles Airport.
Federal law restricts the importation of animal products from countries known to have certain exotic foreign animal diseases, such as Foot and Mouth, and African and Classical Swine fevers. The sheep meat was cooked in red gravy and stored in 15 bags inside the passenger's six pieces of luggage.
"Customs and Border Protection agriculture specialists typically encounter similar food products arriving from Africa, but the sheer volume makes this an extraordinarily unique seizure," Christopher Hess, CBP Port Director for the Port of Washington, said. "That's an awful lot of food product to stuff inside one's baggage."
The passenger was en route to Seattle when he was referred to an agriculture inspection. The passenger had declared possessing food products in his baggage. The passenger to continue his flight to Seattle. The sheep meat was incinerated.
Federal law restricts the importation of animal products from countries known to have certain exotic foreign animal diseases, such as Foot and Mouth, and African and Classical Swine fevers. The sheep meat was cooked in red gravy and stored in 15 bags inside the passenger's six pieces of luggage.
"Customs and Border Protection agriculture specialists typically encounter similar food products arriving from Africa, but the sheer volume makes this an extraordinarily unique seizure," Christopher Hess, CBP Port Director for the Port of Washington, said. "That's an awful lot of food product to stuff inside one's baggage."
The passenger was en route to Seattle when he was referred to an agriculture inspection. The passenger had declared possessing food products in his baggage. The passenger to continue his flight to Seattle. The sheep meat was incinerated.
Dairy princess is lactose intolerant
For two years, Laurel Gordon of Elma, Washington, has been donning a tiara as her county's dairy ambassador.
Now she has her eyes on the statewide title, despite one drawback. She's lactose intolerant. Gordon developed lactose intolerance two years ago.
Unless the 18-year-old takes special pills, her body is unable to digest milk. She mostly opts for soy milk. "I'm kind of a joke around my friends," she says.
But no one challenges Gordon's expertise on the benefits of milk: She grew up on a dairy farm that has been in the family for 150 years.
Now she has her eyes on the statewide title, despite one drawback. She's lactose intolerant. Gordon developed lactose intolerance two years ago.
Unless the 18-year-old takes special pills, her body is unable to digest milk. She mostly opts for soy milk. "I'm kind of a joke around my friends," she says.
But no one challenges Gordon's expertise on the benefits of milk: She grew up on a dairy farm that has been in the family for 150 years.
Little Doctor Who fan gets surprise birthday Tardis
An exact replica of Dr Who's Tardis has materialised in a Somerset back garden, to the delight of one of the Time Lord's biggest fans.
Zachary Smith arrived back at his home in Chard the day after his fifth birthday to find the Type 40 time machine waiting and ready to go.
Made by Zachary's father Lee and grandfather David Macklin, the Tardis is perfect in every detail, including the real Tardis's inability to land where and when it is supposed to.
For Mr Smith and his father-in-law, who took two weeks to make the replica, had hoped to have it ready as a surprise for Zachary's birthday. Zachary, who has his own Doctor Who costume admitted he thought the Tardis was real when he first saw it. "I think it's cool," he said.
Zachary Smith arrived back at his home in Chard the day after his fifth birthday to find the Type 40 time machine waiting and ready to go.
Made by Zachary's father Lee and grandfather David Macklin, the Tardis is perfect in every detail, including the real Tardis's inability to land where and when it is supposed to.
For Mr Smith and his father-in-law, who took two weeks to make the replica, had hoped to have it ready as a surprise for Zachary's birthday. Zachary, who has his own Doctor Who costume admitted he thought the Tardis was real when he first saw it. "I think it's cool," he said.
Man trying to escape goose breaks leg driving into tree
A man suffered a broken leg after driving his quad bike into a tree while being attacked by an angry goose. Jan Pieniazek was set upon by the bird as he collected grain from a garden next to his house.
He tried to escape on his quad bike but the goose landed on his head and he crashed into a tree.
The 64-year-old was left flat on his back in the field in Cowfold, near Horsham, and was only discovered when his neighbour Michelle Steward heard his cries for help and dialled 999. Sussex Air Ambulance found Mr Pieniazek with a badly broken leg.
He was anaesthetised while his leg was splinted and he was taken to Worthing Hospital. He is now on crutches and may need plastic surgery but is expected to be walking unaided within six months.
He tried to escape on his quad bike but the goose landed on his head and he crashed into a tree.
The 64-year-old was left flat on his back in the field in Cowfold, near Horsham, and was only discovered when his neighbour Michelle Steward heard his cries for help and dialled 999. Sussex Air Ambulance found Mr Pieniazek with a badly broken leg.
He was anaesthetised while his leg was splinted and he was taken to Worthing Hospital. He is now on crutches and may need plastic surgery but is expected to be walking unaided within six months.
Doctors forced to prescribe drinking water to hospital patients to ensure they get enough to drink
Doctors caring for elderly patients in hospital are being forced to prescribe water for them in order to ensure they have enough to drink. Inspectors from the Care Quality Commission (CQC), the NHS watchdog, found nurses sometimes left patients so thirsty that the only way for doctors to ensure they had enough liquid was to add "drinking water" to hospital medication charts.
The revelation comes in the first reports from the CQC into dignity and nutrition of elderly people treated by the NHS, which reveals a failure to attend to the most basic requirements of care. The Health Secretary, Andrew Lansley, who ordered the reports, said the failings were "unacceptable". Of the first 12 NHS trusts inspected, three failed to meet the essential standards required by law of respecting and involving people in their care and meeting their nutritional needs.
The worst offender was Alexandra hospital, Redditch, Worcester, where the CQC expressed "major concerns" about the failure to ensure elderly patients had enough to eat and drink. The Royal Free hospital in London and Ipswich hospital also failed to meet the standards required by law. At Alexandra hospital, inspectors saw meals being served to patients who were asleep.
Medical staff explained how they prescribed drinking water on medication charts "to ensure people get regular drinks". Inspectors saw examples of this being done and were told it "worked". Ward staff said they were aware of drinking water being prescribed and that this was done to "make sure people get enough fluids".
The revelation comes in the first reports from the CQC into dignity and nutrition of elderly people treated by the NHS, which reveals a failure to attend to the most basic requirements of care. The Health Secretary, Andrew Lansley, who ordered the reports, said the failings were "unacceptable". Of the first 12 NHS trusts inspected, three failed to meet the essential standards required by law of respecting and involving people in their care and meeting their nutritional needs.
The worst offender was Alexandra hospital, Redditch, Worcester, where the CQC expressed "major concerns" about the failure to ensure elderly patients had enough to eat and drink. The Royal Free hospital in London and Ipswich hospital also failed to meet the standards required by law. At Alexandra hospital, inspectors saw meals being served to patients who were asleep.
Medical staff explained how they prescribed drinking water on medication charts "to ensure people get regular drinks". Inspectors saw examples of this being done and were told it "worked". Ward staff said they were aware of drinking water being prescribed and that this was done to "make sure people get enough fluids".
Plumber kept mini zoo in caravan
A man who tried to sell endangered lemurs over the internet was found to be living in a caravan packed full of exotic wild animals. Shocked officers discovered crocodiles, monkeys and snakes during a raid on the static caravan on a farm on the outskirts of Perth.
Police and officers from the Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SSPCA) discovered a mini zoo of live animals in the caravan. Plumber Keith Colthart, 24, admitted trying to sell two protected animals by placing an advert for them on a website.
The ring-tailed lemurs were found in the caravan, along with three African dwarf crocodiles, monkeys, a spectacled cayman and nine snakes, including pythons and boa constrictors. Colthart, from Wishaw, now faces being fined up to £10,000 or being sent to prison for a maximum of three months at Perth Sheriff Court.
He admitted a charge of trying to sell two ring-tailed lemurs through the Ad Trader website on 30 December last year from his then home at Gloagburn Farm, Tibbermore, by Perth. Sheriff Robert McCreadie said: "It is difficult to evaluate the seriousness of the issue unless I know a little bit more, like how highly endangered the lemurs are. I feel I would need to know a bit more about that before I could reach a view on sentence."
Police and officers from the Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SSPCA) discovered a mini zoo of live animals in the caravan. Plumber Keith Colthart, 24, admitted trying to sell two protected animals by placing an advert for them on a website.
The ring-tailed lemurs were found in the caravan, along with three African dwarf crocodiles, monkeys, a spectacled cayman and nine snakes, including pythons and boa constrictors. Colthart, from Wishaw, now faces being fined up to £10,000 or being sent to prison for a maximum of three months at Perth Sheriff Court.
He admitted a charge of trying to sell two ring-tailed lemurs through the Ad Trader website on 30 December last year from his then home at Gloagburn Farm, Tibbermore, by Perth. Sheriff Robert McCreadie said: "It is difficult to evaluate the seriousness of the issue unless I know a little bit more, like how highly endangered the lemurs are. I feel I would need to know a bit more about that before I could reach a view on sentence."
Rogue goldfish electrocuted by wildlife experts
More than 100 rogue goldfish were electrocuted by wildlife experts after they were dumped in a park pond. Environment Agency workers zapped the fish at Goldspots Pond in Herne Bay, Kent, because the city council feared they would eat other species.
Specialists put an electric shock into the water on Monday, bringing the fish to the surface of the pond. Twenty were taken away to be re-homed and the rest were given an extra fatal shock.
Agency spokesman Sam Elfer said: “It’s the most painless way to finish them off. We did it because Canterbury City Council want to use the pond as a wildlife reserve.
“Despite being in bowls in many people’s homes, goldfish are not native to the UK and are a threat to species such as frogs and newts. They’re a bit of a pain really, which is why we had to remove them.”
Specialists put an electric shock into the water on Monday, bringing the fish to the surface of the pond. Twenty were taken away to be re-homed and the rest were given an extra fatal shock.
Agency spokesman Sam Elfer said: “It’s the most painless way to finish them off. We did it because Canterbury City Council want to use the pond as a wildlife reserve.
“Despite being in bowls in many people’s homes, goldfish are not native to the UK and are a threat to species such as frogs and newts. They’re a bit of a pain really, which is why we had to remove them.”
Sarah Quigley on Arts on Sunday 29 May 2011 - Radio NZ National
2:30 Chapter &Verse:
Our featured writer this week is Sarah Quigley, who sets her novel, The Conductor, in Leningrad during the German siege of June 1941. Dimitri Shostakovich struggles to finish his Leningrad Symphony under horrendous conditions.
Three Christchurch Whitcoulls stores not to reopen, three others excluded from purchase
The buyers of Whitcoulls and Borders have confirmed they are not picking up three quake-damaged Christchurch stores.
The Whitcoulls on Colombo Street in the city, Cashel Mall and Eastgate Mall are the outlets that will not be purchased.
The troubled chain has been bought by New Zealanders Anne and David Norman who also own Pascoes, Farmers, Stevens and Prouds.
Two of the unwanted shops are right in the core of the quake-damaged Christchurch central city and all have been off-limits since February.
Three other New Zealand stores don't form part of the Pascoes deal. They are in Papamoa, Upper Hutt and at Albany's Mega Centre.
Those three branches aren't considered financially viable.
The Whitcoulls on Colombo Street in the city, Cashel Mall and Eastgate Mall are the outlets that will not be purchased.
The troubled chain has been bought by New Zealanders Anne and David Norman who also own Pascoes, Farmers, Stevens and Prouds.
Two of the unwanted shops are right in the core of the quake-damaged Christchurch central city and all have been off-limits since February.
Three other New Zealand stores don't form part of the Pascoes deal. They are in Papamoa, Upper Hutt and at Albany's Mega Centre.
Those three branches aren't considered financially viable.
An invitation from Unity Books Wellington
Join us to celebrate the renovations
and all the people involved (a fair few!)
6-7.30 at the shop Wednesday 1st June
curtain-raiser by Mayor Celia Wade-Brown.
No rsvp or byo necessary. Kids welcome
UNITY BOOKS
the best of both words
the best of both words
Thorpe-Bowker Independent Bookshop of the Year 1999, 2002, 06, 08, 09
Capital Times Bookshop of the Year 2005, 06, 07, 08, 09, 10
Capital Times Bookshop of the Year 2005, 06, 07, 08, 09, 10
Two Auckland sisters who lived through the siege of Sarajevo are today relieved at the arrest of Ratko Mladi
Two Auckland sisters who lived through the siege of Sarajevo are today relieved at the arrest of Ratko Mladic, the man who turned theirs and hundreds of thousands of lives into a misery.
The Serb military leader, on the run for 16 years, faces charges of genocide in ordering torture, rape and the slaughter of 8000 Muslim men and boys in the Bosnian town of Srebrenica in 1995.
Atka Reid and Hana Schofield lived through the siege of Sarajevo and have just had an account of their experiences, Goodbye Sarajevo: A true story of courage, love and survival ( www.goodbyesarajevo.com ) published in London.
Hana, who was 12 at the time, is now an Auckland lawyer, while older sister Atka is a graphic designer.
They woke to the news that Mladic had been caught.
"There was a sense of relief, the first step in the process of justice and hopefully it will provide closure for a lot of families in Bosnia," Hana said.
Mladic being free rankled with them, and many others.
"What it does, all those atrocities carried out and the key figures not bought to trial, it delays everything.
"People cannot move forward as they like to. It is almost if what happened is not recognised by the world."
Hana and Atka hope for a speedy trial at The Hague.
"He was a villain who was responsible for carrying out hundreds and thousands of murders in Bosnia. He needs to be bought to trial."
Hana will watch it from a distance, feeling no need to go to the trial when it gets under way.
"There are thousands of other Bosnian families who have been through a lot worse. Those families do have to live through the loss.
"Hopefully they will be found guilty very soon."
It was important, she said, that international law was far reaching and had a long memory.
This would send a message to Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi that killing civilians was being noticed and that "he will not get away with it".
Goodbye Sarajevo was one of the star books at the recent Auckland Writers and Readers Festival.
The book tells how Hana was put on one of the last United Nations buses out of Sarajevo and had to live as a young teenage refugee in Serbia.
Atka remained in the city and the book tells of her battle for survival.
She found work as a translator in a radio station and met and fell in love with a New Zealand photojournalist, Andrew Reid.
They later married and have two sons.
Hana also lives in New Zealand with husband James.
Link to NZ Herald story:
Link to the Stuff.co.nz story...
Strawberry Fields Forever
Note: I've been nominated for Babble's 100 Top Food Blogs! I have 13 more votes to get into the top 50. If you like what I've done here, would you follow the side link to Babble and vote for me? I am on page #2 "Snippets of Thyme"
It wasn't long after we moved to Texas that I began to hear about "Froberg Strawberry Farm". As spring began to slip into summer, at the mere mention of strawberries or blackberries, this farm, southwest of Houston, Texas would spring into conversation.
Going to Froberg Farm was like stepping back in time and catching a glimpse of what true farmer's markets were like. Strawberries are just one of their highlights. This farm rotates fresh fruits and vegetables throughout the year.
The drive out into the country was soothing and quiet - just what I craved that day. What fresh produce would I find? What kinds of dishes would I make? What in the world is "Mayhaw Jelly"? Go here and you can learn about it. Snippet: It is a very southern plant that was collected in the springtime to make into jelly.
Only a few rickety signs guide you to this reputable farm. I love that. Simple. Unpretentious. As I crossed over a long lonely stretch of train tracks, my car crunched over the little gravel road winding its way up to the farm.
An old rickety screen door creaked open and I felt transported to some other time. The produce looked amazing. I wanted to capture some photos. Fruits and vegetables are so beautiful to photograph, but I couldn't wait to fill my baskets with some of what I was seeing. An apple tart? I should make that. No wait, look at that jar of fig preserves. Figs are a childhood favorite of mine.
Look at the fresh sugar snap peas and the just-cut asparagus. They looked like they had just been brought in and spilled into the many wooden bins inside Froberg that morning.
This sweet little tot was so cute holding her huge strawberry. She was dressed in a bright little outfit that had strawberries all over it.
Strawberries. I was definitely stuck on strawberries. I wanted to make something with strawberries.
I scooped up pails of strawberries dreaming of many different recipes I could make, when one of the farm workers asked if I had seen the blackberry fields outside.
Blackberries? Fields of blackberries? I had to take a peek. People aren't really allowed in the blackberry patches but she said it was o.k. They would be picking some that afternoon for sale the next day.
I walked way out to the blackberry fields and could tell this was going to be a treat. The fields were nothing short of delightful...magical even. It was morning and no one was outside. I felt like I was transported back to France where I would beseech my husband to stop randomly along a country road so I could roam up and down the grape vineyards. He just shakes his head but smiles obligingly, knowing my quirky ways.
Blackberries are beautiful growing on their dainty vines, plump and juicy. The deep dusky purple contrasts so playfully with the pop of bright pink blackberries yet to ripen. The winding green leaves fluttered and swayed in the breeze and little flowers that were tucked here and there seemed to finish off this captivating scene.
I went to a very southern school in the deep countryside of Louisiana. Our religion teacher, Sr. Smith, would look at us at the beginning of class, close her book and say "Go out girls! Go run, go be free, that is my religious teaching for today!". We would scramble outside lickety-split, eager for every precious minute of being outdoors.
Often, we went straight to the blackberry brambles if it was springtime. Our skirts became the bowls and they filled up with this delicious fruit. We would run to the cafeteria, holding those skirts, to get little bowls,
After wandering slowly and admiring the vast blackberry patch, my quiet reverie was abruptly interrupted. This huge bright red train came barreling down the tracks right in front of the farm! The ground shook and the blackberry vines swayed more as the clickety-clack got louder and louder. The scene was jarring but it just seemed to fit somehow into this country landscape. I thought of all of the little boys and girls who would think this a terrific sight while munching on their juicy strawberries and blackberries.
The train disappeared with a huff and a whistle and the air and ground settled right back to its peaceful aura.
I noticed this huge, rambling tree stretching its ancient limbs almost to the ground. An old battered tire with the worn out letters of "Froberg" were painted on its side. How long has that tire been laying there?
Strawberries. They were still on my mind. It was getting warm and my car was scented with all of my fruity baskets. I saw some adorable little tartlets on the popular food blog Cannelle et Vanille the other day. There was a photo of her sweet little girl delighting in her own little tartlet. Each time we have travelled to Europe, my kids point first to the petite individual tartlets in the patisserie windows. I'll give it a try - strawberry tartlets.
The filling Aran (of Cannelle et Vanille) used is called frangipane. It is made with ground almond flour. We were truly delighted with this light and sweet flavor and texture. I baked some strawberries on top of the tartlets but then added more slices after they cooled because they were more vibrant and fresh-looking.
What a wonderful morning I spent wandering those enchanting blackberry fields. The breeze was cool, the mood was relaxed...the entire farm seemed to be snuggled in the countryside truly lost in the past. Lost? No, not lost. It seems perennial...waiting to be found by others; to give others the pleasure it gave me that spring morning.
Strawberry and Almond Tart
Makes 6 3-inch tartlets
Pie crust of your choice
½ cup (110 g) unsalted butter, room temperature
½ cup (110 g) natural cane sugar
1 egg
½ tsp almond extract
1 cup (110 g) almond flour
1 Tbs (10 g) tapioca starch
¼ tsp salt
2 cups sliced strawberries
Pre-heat oven to 400F.
In a stand mixer, cream the butter and sugar with the paddle attachment until light. Add the egg and almond extract and mix until combined. Add the dry ingredients and mix.
Roll out the pie dough to 1/4-inch thickness. Cut 6 4-inch disks and fill tart molds with them. Cut off excess dough.
Fill the tart molds with frangipane and arrange the sliced strawberries on top. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes until crust golden. (Snippets notes: I added more fresh strawberry slices on top after they came out of the oven just because it looked so pretty!)
Spray What?
If you asked me what Henry does for a living, I’d be hard-pressed to give you an answer. He has re-invented himself more times than I can count and he’s done a good job of it. In my opinion, the world would be a better place if more people had his resilience, brains and compassion. Of course, I’m slightly biased.
I watched the “Oprah” finale (oh no … Oprah, what will we do without you?) and listened one final time to her mantra about how we should all find our inner passion and incorporate it into our lives. I have managed to do that, more or less, as I am all about feeding people. But what about Henry?
If you asked him what he REALLY wanted to do, he would likely admit that he would be a butcher. Yep. He loves carving, breaking down meat and I wish you could have been there when we took a sausage-making class recently at the Pine Street Market here in the ATL. He was like a little pig in you-know-what. His sausage turned out pretty well, too.
http://pinestreetmarket.com/
In his current reality, however, he deals with the dark side of our troubled economy. He is part of a consulting firm which takes on bankrupt companies and struggling real estate. He’s good at it, but sometimes it’s a total downer, so at the end of the day, a little levity is in order.
Enter the failing company that produces “sprays” of non-sugar hits. I am not kidding. Henry brought home a box of these assorted sprays. Stuff like Sinfully Delicious Chocolate Dessert Spray, Milk Chocolate Turtle Spray, Banana Split Melted Ice Cream Spray and Key Lime Pie Dessert Spray.
Strawberry Melted Ice Cream Spray? I don’t think so! I cast my vote for a spoonful or two of the real thing, even if it means I only get to eat it occasionally and in limited portions. There is no way a quick burst of chemically flavored aerosol could ever take the place of a cool, creamy and soul-satisfying mouthful of homemade strawberry ice cream!
Here’s my recipe for the real stuff. No spraying involved. There is a batch of it in my freezer right now, just waiting for our Memorial Day cookout. I’m also thinking those “Reverse" Chocolate Chunk Cookies will be a good accompaniment...
http://nevertrustaskinnycook1.blogspot.com/2011/04/april-showers.html
THE REAL DEAL STRAWBERRY ICE CREAM
2 cups heavy (whipping) cream
2 cups half-and-half or whole milk
1 cup granulated sugar, divided
Pinch of salt
7 egg yolks
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1 lb. fresh strawberries (about 18 large), stemmed and hulled
Combine cream and half-and-half in a large saucepan over medium heat. Stir in ¾ cup of the sugar and the salt. Heat until sugar is dissolved and mixture is just warm but not simmering.
Whisk egg yolks and vanilla extract together in a separate bowl. Whisk in 1 cup of the warm cream mixture to bring up the temperature. Pour this into the remaining cream in the pan and stir well. Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, until mixture thickens and temperature reaches 165-degrees on an instant-read thermometer. Remove from heat immediately and strain into a heatproof bowl. Let cool slightly, then place a piece of plastic wrap directly on the surface to prevent a skin from forming. Refrigerate until well-chilled, preferably overnight.
Divide berries in half. Place half in a mixing bowl along with the remaining ¼ cup of granulated sugar. Use a potato masher or fork to mash into a wet paste. Quarter the rest of the berries and slice thinly. Combine with the mashed berries. Stir this into the chilled custard.
Place into an ice cream maker and freeze according to manufacturer’s directions.
Yield: approximately 1 quart
* I like this recipe because it isn't too sweet, allowing the flavor of the strawberries to shine. You may need to adjust the amount of sugar, depending upon the sweetness of your berries.
* I subscribe to the theory that if you're going to indulge, it should be in the best thing possible. That's why I use half-and-half along with the cream in the custard mixture. If you absolutely must, you can substitute whole milk for the half-and-half, but your finished product won't be as good.
* Be careful not to overcook the cream/egg mixture. Eggs will cook at 180-degrees so it is wise to invest in an instant-read thermometer to avoid ending up with a mess of sweetened scrambled eggs. Also, don't skip the step of straining the cooked custard. Even if you take it off the heat at exactly 165-degrees, it is still likely to contain some pieces of cooked egg.
I rest my case.
* If you are in a big hurry and want to chill the custard mixture quickly, place the bowl into a larger bowl filled with ice cubes. Put the whole thing in the refrigerator without placing the plastic wrap over the top and stir with a spatula, scraping sides, every 15 minutes or so. It should be ready for the ice cream freezer in about 2 hours.
* After you have stemmed your strawberries, please take the time to hull them as well. That means running a small knife around the top to remove the flavorless white part just below. This gives more flavor and intensity to your strawberry ice cream.
* Lastly, I have to give myself a pat on the back. After I scooped some of the ice cream into a bowl for that final beauty shot, I PUT IT BACK IN THE CONTAINER WITHOUT EATING ANY OF IT! Way to go, Liz! Here's the proof:
See? I took a hit of the spray instead!
(Just kidding)
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