Pink Saturday -- Stretching the Definition of Pink!

Today is Pink Saturday. I've not participated for a few weeks -- I find I'm more pink in spring and summer than I am in the fall!

If you visit our hostess Beverly's blog (How Sweet the Sound), you'll find lots of other far more creative pinkies than I!

Since I really had to work at this one, I found two ATCs in my file that stretch the definition of pink, but there's probably enough to qualify!

I really need to shoot a pink something soon!

A reminder if you're not a regular visitor: If you are dealing with grief issues or know someone who is, I have posted the first of a four-part series of articles about grieving / grieving and children / grief at the holidays and grief resources on my other blog, Chopsticks and String. I'll post on The Marmelade Gypsy when the next article goes up. Each post will include a "recipe of the heart" as well.

This can be a hard time for any of us who have experienced significant losses. Hopefully these articles will help.

The Doctor Is In! (Root Doctor, that is!)

Today's Autumn Image takes us a wee bit closer to Thanksgiving!

And, I also want to remind you that on Chopsticks and String (my oft-neglected other child) those interested can find part one of a four-part series of writings I'm doing related to grieving and supporting others who may be.

The other night I had a great experience at work (I don't say that often!). We are recording a series of musical concerts for a new series called "BackStage Pass."

Last night's group was Root Doctor, a local blues band whose current recording is number eight on blues charts (along with some heavy hitters like B.B. King, Taj Mahal and others who had new releases at the same time!)

Root Doctor is special to us at WKAR for lots of reasons. For one, they're fabulous.

But the other more personal one is that lead singer Freddie Cunningham used to work for us as a camera op/studio supervisor/lighting specialist.

I remember how much fun it was to go into the studio when Freddie was hanging lights high near the ceiling. He'd be singing as he worked and it was glorious -- if angels sang the blues, it would be Freddie leading the pack!

The program is going to be terrific, with numbers from last night's concert plus backstage interviews.

And I have to say, a good time was had by all -- especially me!

It'll be awhile before this one hits our air, but if you love the blues, visit their website and check it out. And if they're playing in a spot near you (they go everywhere!) don't miss 'em!

Write on Wednesday: Warm-Ups

Why is it I always seem to do my “Write on Wednesday” on Thursday?!

In today’s inspiration post, our muse Becca talks about “warm up exercises,” equating those important musical drills with corresponding drills for writing. She offers several excellent exercises to get you on your way! (So go to Write on Wednesday and see what they are!)

Then she asks: How about you? Do you do writing exercises or warm-ups? Do you think they could be valuable? Have you found warm-up exercises helpful in some other area of your life, like art, music or athletics.

I don’t do writing exercises as often as I should. (For that matter, I don’t do a lot of exercises as often as I should!). Generally, I simply plow in and start to write.


But then, when I think of all these books at Loganberry Bookstore in Cleveland's Shaker Square (photographed by my cousin David), I have to acknowledge that all the words on those pages didn't get there because someone wrote on a whim. They honed their craft and they probably did that by practicing.

Becca mentions “Morning Pages” which I used to do regularly while following “The Artist’s Way” program. I don’t do it so often now, and my journal has more or less ended up being The Marmelade Gypsy, which I suppose is an exercise in itself.

But I have found warm-ups very useful in a number of ways. When I was singing, it was almost a requirement to warm up. Rick practices his classical guitar scales and bits and pieces for hours. (Have you noticed it’s fun to listen to people play and less fun to listen to them practice?)

While doing grief facilitation at Ele’s Place, we often would have our middle schoolers do writing exercises. And warm ups were essential. (Don’t tell a middle schooler he or she has to write about something! You trick them into it!)

For example, as we were trying to have them focus on memories related to their parent or sibling who died, we would have them free associate as many things as they could think of related to the person.

They would come up with lists that ranged from entries like “chocolate chip cookies” to “braided my hair” to “pretty” or “good cook.” We would give them 90 seconds and the lists could get pretty long.

Then we’d have them circle three that were especially meaningful at that moment in time.

And then, we’d ask them to pick one of them, and write a little bit about it. Prose, a poem, whatever they wanted. Then we’d talk about it, if they wanted to share. And they usually did.

As an exercise, it’s a good one because it helps us focus and narrow down the most critical points.
Here’s another exercise I sometimes do: Look at something right in front of you (for me, it’s my computer stand at work or the wall above it, and being the pack rat that I am, it’s always got lots of stuff on it!)

Write about something on your desk. It may be the framed photo of Rick and me when we went to visit Kevin his first year away at college.


Or I’ll use as inspiration the photo of my dear friend Patricia, with whom I used to work and turned me on to so many wonderful things in life. She died about eight years ago, I think. I miss her more than I can say.

It could be the rose on my desk, the stuffed Abby Cadabby that sits by my lamp, or the pile of Tab cans wedged between the computer station and the filing cabinet.

Finally, today I just checked in on Mama K's blog and she had another funny post about a notebook she and her friend Sharon share. All ideas that might someday be a novel. I won't tell you more here -- you'll need to visit Mama K! But, when I read it, I thought it was a GREAT idea for triggering writing thoughts!

Write away! It could be fun!

Melancholy

This is one of my autumn images from MSU's gardens. I find this tall grass beautiful but sad and filled with longing.


Yesterday I had my doc appointment -- and yes, I'm still not all-the-way better. I have a terrific doc. I've never felt "on the clock" with him. He's thorough, caring, listens to me and hears between the lines.

So, when he walked in and I started to cry, he sort of "got it." I told him -- "Here I feel safe. I don't have to be the outside Jeanie who has to be happy, hold it together, negotiate the minefields of different personalities every day, and (self-imposed) feels she must be all things to all people. Here I can let go." (I should say, he isn't a therapist -- this is my family doctor, which is all the more to his credit!)

Part of my stress, I know, is work related (have I mentioned how much I hate digital television?), part is worry about the kids and their health, part is this challenging economy, part is still feeling not up to par myself and part is anticipating the holidays which I both adore and which also grab my heart (my dad died in December, shortly before Christmas and one of my aunt's at Thanksgiving).

(I know, I've posted this photo of Dad in his really ugly Christmas pants, cousin David and my uncle Marty a lot, but it's just a happy thought and both Dad and Marty have moved on.)

A good my distress is grief -- not just my immediate family, but the recent death of Rick's cousin, whom I wrote about before on the Gypsy. This was compounded by news the other day of the death of one of my college roommate's husbands, which was shocking and sudden.

Maybe it’s a function of age; maybe it’s just that more people seem to die as the year draws to a close. (Have you ever noted the obituaries in November/December?) Perhaps it is simply because from the time school begins until the end of the year, our lives take on a more rapid pace with periodic family opportunities to acknowledge, like Thanksgiving, Christmas or Hanukkah.

Grief is tough any time of year. But for me, and for those I’ve been closest to, it’s hardest in the fall and during the holiday season.

So, over on my other blog (the neglected child, "Chopsticks and String") I will offer the first of several periodic posts between now and the holidays about grieving – or preparing to grieve. And, I'll offer tips that can help you as you accompany someone you care about through their grieving journey.

I’ll include a “recipe of the heart” at the end of each and several topic-related tips. (The first recipe is for toasty roasty tomato soup!)

So, if this is a topic in which you have interest, visit Chopsticks and String. I'll let you know here on the Gypsy when a new topic and recipe are posted.

A Dusting of Snow

Our first snow arrived on Monday, November 10 -- which is too early for my money!


Not much of it, but enough to remind us that there is more to come.


Meanwhile, with his windows closed, The Marmelade Gypsy can only gaze at the birds frequenting Gypsy Rose's Birdbath Bar and Grill.

Someday his ship will come in.

Wines for Thanksgiving! Time to Turkey Trot!

Today's Autumn Image reminds us that Thanksgiving isn't far away! It was taken at a fundraiser last fall for the Eric RicStar Winter Music Camp. Visit Winter Ramblings for links related to the camp!

Today was our periodic wine tasting and our hosts Anne and Clayton welcomed us, while our personal somnalier Dick offered wines for Thanksgiving.

Before dinner, the tasting! Dick brought six wines, and every single one of them was fabulous.

He explained that for Thanksgiving, one wants a wine that isn't too aggressive. The typical TG dinner has so many different flavors -- turkey (a mild poultry), stuffing (stronger, more herb-packed flavors), perhaps sugary sweet potatoes or other veggies.

Here are the wines and a few of our comments:

We started out with a Gewurztraminer from Firestone (2006, Santa Ynez Valley, California). Retail price: ____ (I will post the prices when Dick sends them to me, so if you're curious, check back in a couple of days. I can say that MANY of these wines were under $10.)

This was cool, crisp, not too sweet. with a bit of peppery spice.

Five minutes after we started, Barb said "This is the best one!"

Rick called it "Delicious" and we liked the light grapefruit fragrance -- not overpowering (frankly, I couldn't tell till someone mentioned it). It was an excellent white and would certainly work with all the flavors of a typical Thanksgiving.

If you prefer a Sauvignon Blank, then Cono Sur's 2007 (Chile) is a good one.

It was very neutral, light and smooth. It wasn't as spicy as the first but delicious. I found it took a couple of sips to appreciate but boy, it didn't disappoint.

Cono Sur's 2007 Pino Noir (again, from Chile's Central Valley) was a beautiful burgundy color and had a bicycle on the label, so of course I think of this one for Rick!

(He called it "Easy Drinking.") It was a soft flavor, nice with white meat, fish or pork, ripe cheese and even could go with game. I write "VERY nice" on my notes!

Dona Paula's Los Cardos Malbec 2006 was from the Mendoza Province in Argentina (fairly close to Chile).

"Mighty Fine" I wrote. Rick wrote "Complex" on his sheet. It was spicy and a delicious red. It would work well with roasts or aged cheese and was "gorgeous" with its deep ruby color.

The Borsao, 2006, from Borja, Spain won the pretty label contest.

When it came to aroma, Barb gave it a "W for Wonderful." I wrote "Exceptional" on my sheet, and Rick called it "Wonderful." It comes from the region of Aragon (as in Catherine of...) and would be great with beef, sausage, cheese, Latin dishes. Dick brought a map and Pat found Aragon for us!)

And frankly, I think it would work with the turkey, not being a purist in the white-bird, white-meat category. I wrote done "My favorite today" although I can't remember if I wrote that before I had number 6.

The Castano Monsatrell, 2005, from Spain was the very darkest of all.

It was opaque and extremely complex. Light didn't come through it. Barb called it "Robust" It was very rich. It was definitely Rick's favorite and boy, can I see why.

I would buy any of these for a wine exchange, to take with me as a hostess gift or to drink with joy. They were all terrific and all terrific buys.

Someone said, "The best kind of wine is the one I'm drinking. Love the one you're with." I'm not sure which of us came up with that (it wasn't me), but it sure rang true!

We had to get a photo of the women! From left to right, Pat, Anne, Barb, Me and Cheryl!

After the tasting, we headed up to the dining room for a fabulous dinner.

Barb brought Michigan salad...filled with yummy dried cherries, bleu cheese, pecans and more....

Anne made baked chicken in a slightly sweet sauce....

and pea-and-peanut salad...

...and my pumpkin trifle, based on a Paula Deen recipe. I won't post the recipe here (and I modify it a LOT!), but if you want it, post a comment saying so, and if you are "no reply" either leave your e-mail address or e-mail me separately! (I modify the recipe, but I'll send you both -- or it may still be on FoodNetwork.com.

Oh -- and wine!

Our host Clayton offered a toast and we all agreed...

We were thankful for our good friends, good wine and grand time!

And this one left with a smile on her face!

Damn Pumpkin Rolls!

Today's Autumn Image -- more from that wonderful red tree!

Many moons ago, my friend Jane and I would do home art/craft shows, where we would also offer baked goods. One of the most popular recipes was the pumpkin roll, which we would bake together.
Eventually, Jane gave up on the pumpkin rolls, first concentrating on batter breads and then putting all her energy into her fabulous beaded jewelry. I carried the torch for a number of years, till we ceased to do that show.

For the show, I would make 60 or so, and usually under stress. They became known as the "Damn Pumpkin Rolls."

But friends loved them, so since while I don't do them in mass, I continue to bake them each fall on a special order basis.

I thought I'd share the recipe and process with you!

Damn Pumpkin Rolls

(This quantity makes four rolls; it is easily halved.)

Preheat oven to 350 and line two jelly-roll pans with waxed paper.

In a large mixing bowl, beat 6 eggs till frothy.

Add 2 cups of sugar and continue beating.

Then add 1 - 1/3 c. pumpkin puree and 2 t. lemon juice.

Now add (sifted together)
2 c. flour
2 t. baking powder
4 t. cinnamon
2 t. nutmeg

Divide between the two jelly roll pans and if you like (I do) sprinkle with chopped walnuts or pecans.

Bake for 13-15 minutes. (When baking two at once, generally the top rack is done a smidge earlier and this is good, because of the next step.)

On a counter, lay out a tea towel or smooth-weave towel (not terrycloth).

Remove pan from oven and turn out onto towel.

Gently peel back waxed paper. (This can be the tricky part and it's why it really helps to make sure the mixture is pretty evenly spread when you put it in. Otherwise, if parts are thin and get a little overcooked, it's hard to pull the paper off.)

Roll the bread in the towel and let it cool.


While it cools, make the frosting:

2 packages cream cheese (light is OK) at room temperature
1 stick butter at room temp
2 c. powdered sugar
2 t. vanilla

Beat till smooth. Divide in half. Unroll pumpkin bread and frost.
Gently roll it up again.

Sprinkle with powdered sugar.

Cut in half and wrap in clear plastic (and if you like, foil.)

Freeze.

To serve, remove from freezer and slice (it is a soft freeze, so this is easy). Put your plate of slices in the fridge while eating and when you have it for dessert, it will have come down to serving temp.

And it's so pretty!