I am a real wine connoisseur. During the Jewish holidays I like to drink Manischewitz kosher wine. This wine, at least the types I like are sweet and fruity. That can create an impression what a big wine lover I am. I usually buy it on a Friday so when somebody ask me what vintage it is I respond it is last Wednesday's. The stuff is good enough for me as it is.
Now, seeing what a wine expert I am it probably will not surprise anybody when I tell that today we bought ourselves a wine cooler. Not a plastic bag but an electric wine cooler that immediately became part of our living room landscape.
I mean come on, isn't natural that we can require that our wines are cooled to the proper temperature before opening the bottle? Anyway, even if it is not natural we now have it, it is filled to capacity and it looks nice.
I actually got very tired going down to the cellar for wine every time we wished to open a bottle thus the purchase.
Something else.
Tonight is Oscar night. Tonight is the time when Hollywood congratulates itself on the fantastic pieces of work they created all year long. The winners will gloat and the losers while happily smiling wish all the winners should be hit by lightning. The winners will ask for money from here on while the losers will be glad if they can get a job.
For days this will be news. Who won and why and who lost and why. After a short time nobody will remember any way and nobody will care anyway. They all think that they are God's gift to the cinema but by next year they will be a faint memory at best.
Now I am going to watch the show.
Monday, February 29, 2016
Sunday, February 28, 2016
Travel
Eastern Europeans, mainly those coming from formerly communist countries are hooked on travel. Mainly because during the soviet rule traveling outside one's own country was unheard of. It was strictly reserved for the selected few. Maybe it was this way because the masters of our universe at that time didn't want us to see how people lived in other parts of the world. They were afraid we wouldn't be happy with what we had and might want more.
That was why I was not surprised when the Polish cardinal Wojtyla became Pope John Paul II and using his position almost immediately started to travel. Why not, it was paid by the company!
Anyway, my wife was lucky enough to travel all over Europe and saw many beautiful places. She saw bullfights in Spain, visited Barcelona, spent time on Costa Brava, was in Gibraltar and was in Italy including Rome and Venice. She also had the chance to travel along the Mediterranean as well as the Adriatic coasts and visited many inland countries as well.
I went to a few of the major cities in Europe but spent time mainly in Hungary. We talked about her showing me some of these beautiful places and I am very excited about the prospects of it.
Actually we have fairly long list of places we would love to visit and the range of it expands from Alaska all the way to Australia. So far this year we are sure of two places we will visit. Las Vegas and Hawaii.
But then the year is just beginning so we have time to plan.
The problem I have with my lovely wife is that she is very impressionable as far as travel is involved. I have two friends who have traveled very extensively and every time we are together they fill her head with travel ideas. I usually just sit there and contemplate how much these ideas will cost me.
I jokingly told her that in the future I forbid her to talk to these people because nothing good ever comes out of these discussions. Yea right! Like I would forbid her to do something.
That was why I was not surprised when the Polish cardinal Wojtyla became Pope John Paul II and using his position almost immediately started to travel. Why not, it was paid by the company!
Anyway, my wife was lucky enough to travel all over Europe and saw many beautiful places. She saw bullfights in Spain, visited Barcelona, spent time on Costa Brava, was in Gibraltar and was in Italy including Rome and Venice. She also had the chance to travel along the Mediterranean as well as the Adriatic coasts and visited many inland countries as well.
I went to a few of the major cities in Europe but spent time mainly in Hungary. We talked about her showing me some of these beautiful places and I am very excited about the prospects of it.
Actually we have fairly long list of places we would love to visit and the range of it expands from Alaska all the way to Australia. So far this year we are sure of two places we will visit. Las Vegas and Hawaii.
But then the year is just beginning so we have time to plan.
The problem I have with my lovely wife is that she is very impressionable as far as travel is involved. I have two friends who have traveled very extensively and every time we are together they fill her head with travel ideas. I usually just sit there and contemplate how much these ideas will cost me.
I jokingly told her that in the future I forbid her to talk to these people because nothing good ever comes out of these discussions. Yea right! Like I would forbid her to do something.
Saturday, February 27, 2016
Solet
Cholent in Yiddish or solet (sholet) in Hungarian is a traditional meal that I love tremendously. Actually it is a single dish but it is so rich in flavors that it is like a full course dinner.
Basically it's nothing but beans. But beans in a heavenly way. I don't know if the recipe is in one of Moses' books but it seems that every Jew I ever talked to know about it and like it.
Beans are cooked with beef or smoked goose legs (the non-Jewish way with pork). The secret is in the slow cooking. When I was a little boy back in Budapest my mother occasionally made this meal. She prepared it at home in a huge pot then asked me to take it down to the neighborhood bakery where the baker put it in his oven and let it cook overnight. By next day it was done and it was great.
Here my wife made it today but it didn't have to be cooked overnight. About three hours in the oven was enough and it turned out fantastic. No wonder, because beside the beans and all other stuff there was a large portion of love added to it.
I had two servings and after was barely able to wander over to the sofa to relax.
Can life get any better?
Basically it's nothing but beans. But beans in a heavenly way. I don't know if the recipe is in one of Moses' books but it seems that every Jew I ever talked to know about it and like it.
Beans are cooked with beef or smoked goose legs (the non-Jewish way with pork). The secret is in the slow cooking. When I was a little boy back in Budapest my mother occasionally made this meal. She prepared it at home in a huge pot then asked me to take it down to the neighborhood bakery where the baker put it in his oven and let it cook overnight. By next day it was done and it was great.
Here my wife made it today but it didn't have to be cooked overnight. About three hours in the oven was enough and it turned out fantastic. No wonder, because beside the beans and all other stuff there was a large portion of love added to it.
I had two servings and after was barely able to wander over to the sofa to relax.
Can life get any better?
Friday, February 26, 2016
Thursday
Today is Thursday and it was one of the more fruitful days we had in a long time. After I took young Abigail to school I went back to the house and promptly got in bed which was still warm and very inviting. We stayed in bed until about two in the afternoon watching CNN's political analysis of the current situation. I have to admit it was interesting and entertaining at the same time.
Their main topic was how to stop Trump. For a neutral media they pretty openly aligned themselves with the Stop the Trump movement. It is very interesting to me that nobody seem to care about what the people want. If Trump gets popular plurality they will still fight him tooth and nail and insist that it is they who know better what the American people want. Now, is this the democratic way?
The establishment is terrified at his popularity. The masses understand what he says and according Bob Schiffer of CBS News, even if they don't they like to hear him talking. The establishment is scared because they don't know what he plans to do if elected. They are afraid that he will destroy their world.
These career politicians lie and cheat and the moment somebody different rises to the scene they all gang up on that individual. That is what they are planning to do with Trump. They never thought he would go this far so they never took him seriously. Now that he is where he is it is time for a serious action. They will all gang up on him in order to protect their turf.
Their good and easy life can not come to an end just because an outsider dares to invade their turf.
Their main topic was how to stop Trump. For a neutral media they pretty openly aligned themselves with the Stop the Trump movement. It is very interesting to me that nobody seem to care about what the people want. If Trump gets popular plurality they will still fight him tooth and nail and insist that it is they who know better what the American people want. Now, is this the democratic way?
The establishment is terrified at his popularity. The masses understand what he says and according Bob Schiffer of CBS News, even if they don't they like to hear him talking. The establishment is scared because they don't know what he plans to do if elected. They are afraid that he will destroy their world.
These career politicians lie and cheat and the moment somebody different rises to the scene they all gang up on that individual. That is what they are planning to do with Trump. They never thought he would go this far so they never took him seriously. Now that he is where he is it is time for a serious action. They will all gang up on him in order to protect their turf.
Their good and easy life can not come to an end just because an outsider dares to invade their turf.
Thursday, February 25, 2016
Wednesday
Last night we were watching the Nevada Republican caucus on television. As expected Donald Trump won by a huge margin. Watching this I was wondering that how much loss a candidate has to suffer before he realizes that his chances have all evaporated.
The second and third place finishes, Rubio and Cruz respectively made their speeches like they won. They never admitted that they weren't even there to pick up the garbage. I don't know if that is pride or stupidity or just not admitting defeat.
Rubio made a speech somewhere saying that the American people proved it that they do not want Trump but him instead. I can not imagine where he got that information when in all national and even local polls Trump is way up front and Cruz and him are trailing behind.
This is the way politicians are. Never facing reality never facing the truth.
The thing about Trump is that he is not a politician he is a businessman. Politicians double talk and lie. So far he is innocent on these counts. Maybe if he is elected then four years down the road he might assimilate himself to the Washington atmosphere.
That would be a shame.
Something else.
Tonight we had cold cuts for dinner. Went to a nice quasi Hungarian meat store (actually Transylvanian Romanian) and bought good stuff.
Hungarian sousages, Hungarian style bacon (szalonna), spicy hot head cheese and the piece de resistance fresh pork crackles (toportyu).
Man, that stuff was good.
The second and third place finishes, Rubio and Cruz respectively made their speeches like they won. They never admitted that they weren't even there to pick up the garbage. I don't know if that is pride or stupidity or just not admitting defeat.
Rubio made a speech somewhere saying that the American people proved it that they do not want Trump but him instead. I can not imagine where he got that information when in all national and even local polls Trump is way up front and Cruz and him are trailing behind.
This is the way politicians are. Never facing reality never facing the truth.
The thing about Trump is that he is not a politician he is a businessman. Politicians double talk and lie. So far he is innocent on these counts. Maybe if he is elected then four years down the road he might assimilate himself to the Washington atmosphere.
That would be a shame.
Something else.
Tonight we had cold cuts for dinner. Went to a nice quasi Hungarian meat store (actually Transylvanian Romanian) and bought good stuff.
Hungarian sousages, Hungarian style bacon (szalonna), spicy hot head cheese and the piece de resistance fresh pork crackles (toportyu).
Man, that stuff was good.
Wednesday, February 24, 2016
Tuesday
Between my wife and I we have two cars. That is not unusual but since we moved in our new place and got married we only use one car. Mainly because we are always together, do things together and really are not apart.
One car is a Hyundai Santa Fe SUV and the other is a Mitsubishi Outlander. Both cars are fairly new models and both are parked in the building's garage. Since we are always together in the same car one car is just standing in the garage and collects dust. So, we were thinking about what if we go buy a new car and trade these two in. We can live very happily and comfortably with one car as most of the people do.
Sunday lacking anything more entertaining to do we went out to the Hyundai dealer and looked at the latest models. Since I know the sales lady there we felt her out (not up) about our idea just to know if it was doable. She said yes and being a true sales person right there and then wanted to sell us a car. My history is that every time I went to "just look" always wound up buying the stuff. This time however I was strong and resisted the urge. I'm proud of myself!
We were told that the 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe was out and it is a really good looking car. In addition to everything that my car has it has three more cameras (one forward and two sideways) and also it has a power lift gate that is really "very necessary" for a car to have.
Anyway we told the lady that we would mull over the idea and will return when we are ready but before the final decision is made we will also check out the Mitsubishi line.
Something else.
Today's dinner will be a real Hungarian dish that I happened to love. It is called paprikas krumpli. It has no English translation and I will not even attempt one. I you are not Hungarian I feel sorry for you!
One of the main delicacies of Hungarian dessert preparation is ground poppy. Not for opium but to have it with food. I happened to love the stuff. My Mother used to make egg noodles sprinkled with sugary poppy (makos teszta) and I always liked it. I kind of grew up on that. We had that for lunch today with wonton soup and for dinner a few nights ago without the wonton soup. If one wants a meatless dinner this stuff is great.
Writing about this good food made me hungry so good bye, I'm off to dinner.
One car is a Hyundai Santa Fe SUV and the other is a Mitsubishi Outlander. Both cars are fairly new models and both are parked in the building's garage. Since we are always together in the same car one car is just standing in the garage and collects dust. So, we were thinking about what if we go buy a new car and trade these two in. We can live very happily and comfortably with one car as most of the people do.
Sunday lacking anything more entertaining to do we went out to the Hyundai dealer and looked at the latest models. Since I know the sales lady there we felt her out (not up) about our idea just to know if it was doable. She said yes and being a true sales person right there and then wanted to sell us a car. My history is that every time I went to "just look" always wound up buying the stuff. This time however I was strong and resisted the urge. I'm proud of myself!
We were told that the 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe was out and it is a really good looking car. In addition to everything that my car has it has three more cameras (one forward and two sideways) and also it has a power lift gate that is really "very necessary" for a car to have.
Anyway we told the lady that we would mull over the idea and will return when we are ready but before the final decision is made we will also check out the Mitsubishi line.
Something else.
Today's dinner will be a real Hungarian dish that I happened to love. It is called paprikas krumpli. It has no English translation and I will not even attempt one. I you are not Hungarian I feel sorry for you!
One of the main delicacies of Hungarian dessert preparation is ground poppy. Not for opium but to have it with food. I happened to love the stuff. My Mother used to make egg noodles sprinkled with sugary poppy (makos teszta) and I always liked it. I kind of grew up on that. We had that for lunch today with wonton soup and for dinner a few nights ago without the wonton soup. If one wants a meatless dinner this stuff is great.
Writing about this good food made me hungry so good bye, I'm off to dinner.
Tuesday, February 23, 2016
Monday
Today is Monday and we did have a busy day. I had an early morning appointment with my ophthalmologist who wanted to review that status of my eyes. Three weeks ago my glaucoma tests were not so good and he gave me some drops. The drops were religiously administered and lo and behold my numbers today were in the normal range.
I was very relieved at the results. He also made some additional tests ($$) and I seemed to pass them with flying colors. We parted company with the instruction that he wants to see me in three months. That's fine with me.
Since the appointment was at 8am we really had an early start to the day. My wife decided that it would be a great opportunity to do some house cleaning. That is a weekly event in this house but it seem that we just had one. That's ok it is nice to be in a nice clean environment.
Since the winter vacation is over today was the first day back to school for Abigail. I think she was happy to go back because it seemed that she was pretty bored at home all week long. I don't know what kind of entertainment to invent for a thirteen year old girl in order to keep her amused. Maybe when summer arrives we can go to the beach or the zoo or to some similar places. But at this time of the year it is not that easy.
Today's young people are very demanding, believe me.
I was very relieved at the results. He also made some additional tests ($$) and I seemed to pass them with flying colors. We parted company with the instruction that he wants to see me in three months. That's fine with me.
Since the appointment was at 8am we really had an early start to the day. My wife decided that it would be a great opportunity to do some house cleaning. That is a weekly event in this house but it seem that we just had one. That's ok it is nice to be in a nice clean environment.
Since the winter vacation is over today was the first day back to school for Abigail. I think she was happy to go back because it seemed that she was pretty bored at home all week long. I don't know what kind of entertainment to invent for a thirteen year old girl in order to keep her amused. Maybe when summer arrives we can go to the beach or the zoo or to some similar places. But at this time of the year it is not that easy.
Today's young people are very demanding, believe me.
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