Applesauce

Encouraged by my success with tasty croutons, I'm eager to learn how to make new foods, especially ones I never imagined cooking at home. My latest project is applesauce. Yes, real applesauce made from scratch.

I rode out to Aquebogue today. I heard Helen's Farm grows good apples. They have several varieties, all of which look delicious. I bought a bunch and brought 'em home.

On the way back, I stopped at Wildwood State Park and soaked up some sun at the water's edge.

Making applesauce is simple: you just cook apples and add sweetener. I prefer maple syrup to sugar and honey because of its taste and superior nutrition.

My project was a success. Next time you invite me over, I'll bring a batch.  :-)

At The Crossroads

As I sail into a third chapter of my life, I wonder what will become of me. Might I enjoy a parvenu's life of carefree bliss, or will I degenerate into Sebastian Melmoth, filled with sorrow and regret. Or are there other possibilities, like experiencing events anew through a different gender lens? (I'm voting for that last one.)

“When you're young, you think everything you do is disposable. You move from now to now, crumpling time up in your hands, tossing it away. You're your own speeding car. You think you can get rid of things, and people too -- leave them behind. You don't yet know about the habit they have, of coming back....You can never get away from where you've been.”

― Margaret Atwood, The Blind Assassin

Can you foresee your future?

Living Your Dream

Two years ago I reviewed a novel here ("Made For Love," by Alissa Nutting). After the book's publication, the author moved to Los Angeles to turn her story into a television show.

Nutting just announced the series is set with Ray Romano as lead actor. It'll be on HBO Max.

Wow! I look forward to seeing the show. The story is smart and engaging.

Half of Halloween

As I mentioned last week, to lure my partner into celebrating Halloween I just came up with a couple's costume -- we're going to be hockey star PK Subban and Olympic champion Lindsey Vonn. PK and Lindsey were engaged recently and are rising super-stars in the world of sport. What a great couple!

I'm not sure which part of the celebrity couple Robin wants to be so I'm creating costumes which either of us can wear. Here's the Lindsey costume; PK's will follow in a few days.

What do you think?

TWA Hotel

The new TWA Hotel is open at JFK airport. Going there is like traveling back in time.

The hotel has retro-styling from 1958. It includes an aviation museum with stewardess uniforms from the past, a fully-restored 1958 Lockheed Constellation airplane, a cocktail lounge suitable for Bill Murray's lounge-singer character, a rooftop pool, fitness center, gift-shop and two good restaurants. You can visit during the day or stay overnight.

I just made a reservation to spend my birthday there (Nov. 2-3). If you're in the neighborhood, come by and join me for a drink in the cocktail lounge!

Halloween Costumes

I love Halloween. For decades it was socially-acceptable cover for me to jump the gender wall and wear girl clothes. I never missed the opportunity to create a fun costume.

My grumpy partner Robin hates Halloween. To entice her into joining me, I learned she will participate if I make us couple-costumes. In past years we've been Ralph and Alice Kramden (from "The Honeymooners," with me dressed as Alice), Max and Caroline (from "2 Broke Girls") and -- my favorite-- Colonel Sanders and a chicken. Pictures of some costumes appear below.

For this year I just got a bright idea -- to be the new "power couple" in sports -- hockey-player PK Subban and Olympic champion skiier Lindsey Vonn. PK and Lindsey were recently engaged and are on their way to celebrity super-stardom. They are now being covered by People magazine and similar media.

I created our costumes this week and now need a party to attend. Maybe your place?  :-)

Do you celebrate Halloween? What costume will you wear this year?

Matching My Blog

I spotted this Calvin Klein top in a thrift-store. The front panel and shoulder-piping are leather and the color of the top matches my blog. The piece was brand-new with original sale tags attached. It retails for $69 (a price I'd never pay) but, in the thrift-store, it was only $13 (a price I would and did pay).

I'm pairing the top with a plain skirt and patterned tights. It's a look that's simple yet appealing. It is what I dream of wearing to work.

Thoughts?