Bear wit h me!

I know these few blogs were started with women in mind- how to be a lady in public a cook in the kitchen and a whore in private!
BUT , as it turns out- at this over 40 stage in life- the best cooks I know are men!
So, I am trying to entice two of them to offer up their ideas, videos and recipes!
Hey, why can't men be "gentlemen in public, cooks in the kitchen and studs in the bedroom (even after 40)?
Hey, we all gotta change with the times!

Rosemary, perfumes soaps and moths

Banish moths with fresh rosemary!
Place fresh rosemary amongst your woolen clothes (refresh every month or so) and rest easy that your best will not become moth food!
Another moth recipes I love is a way to use all those little soaps you get end up with after Christmas- I love to place slices of those smelly little gems (that will never touch my face) amongst my closets and drawers! Fresh and also the moths hate them!

Ginger Tea

very simple- trim the skin off of fresh ginger, slice into paper thins pieces and throw in pot.
Bring pot to a boil and let simmer for about 10 minutes- again my measurements- all to taste- more ginger longer steep time stronger tea.
Pour liquid into mug add lemon and honey and voila!
Excellent for detox, colds, and also can aid with nausea and travel sickness

Clean windows

I discovered this by accident in my brothers' garage- he uses it to spotlessly clean his vehicles!
Available at Costco 'Invisble Glass' by stoner!
This stuff leaves no marks, removes the grimiest of dirt and is so fast!
Voila!

Fried Strawberries

This is delightful! Very simple---
measurements are to taste
take some fresh cleaned strawberries- halved
heat olive oil throw strawberries in and cook until soft (great way to use up some berries that have gotten a touch too soft to use as best presentation fresh berries!)
crack fresh pepper over and add a touch of Grande Marnier.
serve as is- or on vanilla ice cream!
I had this again recently at Ginis Restuarant in Edmonton after many years- I have made it at home many times to the gasps of shock and then delight!

A few cool housekeeping tips

1) you can use a simple common penicl eraser for heel marks on floors!
2) Spirit of camphor rubbed into wood will erase heat scars from pizza boxes etc......
3) A piece of bread rubbed onto fabric will remove makeup stains
4) A cotton ball soaked with oil of clover will freshen the air in a room where someone has smoked

Summer Solstice Dinner

For this year- I am serving fresh lobster- simply boiled and served cold on ice-fresh bread and a new take on coleslaw.......champagne and pomegranate juice, Mexican beer and Tiramisu with iced bailey coffees.
Adding some zest to old fashioned coleslaw and a new take on the Waldorf salad...
One large white cabbage cored and chopped- or a store bought bag of coleslaw mixture
4 Granny smith apples-= really work the best
1 1/2 cup walnuts- or more to taste- I add more and actually grind about 3/4 cup into almost fine powder- it changes the colour of the salad but really adds a special kick
3/4 cup mayonnaise
3/4 cup plain yogurt
1 tablespoon Dijon or dry mustard- I use dry- more kick
3 tablespoons sugar
1/4 cup olive oil
3/4 teaspoon salt- or to taste
1/4 cup red-wine vinegar

Combine all the dressing ingredients - save the apples and chopped walnuts for later...
toss into the cabbage (can be made a day in advance and the flavours have time to settle) just before serving add the chopped apples and walnuts! voila!
The boiling of the lobsters is equally simple bring a large pot of salted water to a heavy boil- drop the live lobsters into the water for about 5-10 minutes for an average size lobster- remove from water and let cool on ice- serve once cooled with warm butter and fresh lemon juice.....
Hint- do not wear your best clothes for this dinner and enjoy outside! It can be rather messy!