It Was Almost as if They Were ORGANIZED

Maybe because too many of my offline and online friends are dealing with losses in their families this holiday I feel the need to try to find some things that help to make me smile.

I hope this video gives you something to smile about too.  I loved this show, but it was one of those that was frozen in time, so doesn't translate well as reruns.  Hotair.com reminded me of this episode tonight.  It was just CLASSIC.

If you need a good smile, watch it all the way through the end, especially when Les Nesman delivers the line that made me think of the OWS crowd.  "It was almost as if they were.......ORGANIZED."

And then Carlson delivers the infamous line, "As God as my witness, I thought turkeys could fly."

Tin Foil and Chicken Broth

So, is it paranoia IF someone IS really stalking you? 

I filmed this after this guy made several low flying loops just above the treetops and my roof top.   It was a little freaky after the 10th lap around.  Finally he flew off into the great unknown.

A couple days later another sounded like it was about to land on my roof.  I ran to the window to watch him fly past.

Different plane, so "they" are attempting to be incognito.   Now I've noticed "they" are buzzing my house once or twice a week.

I've taken to wearing my tin foil hat around the house, someone suggested I needed to fold it in a pyramid for it to work properly.

When commenting about the increasing paranoia on facebook, my niece put me on to the REAL reason of the spy planes.  And it made perfect sense because it coincides with the increased hits on this blog.  Once again I am getting visitors from all over the world who are googling, "chicken broth". 

So my spy planes are actually trying to steal my homemade chicken and noodle recipe because I'm pretty sure they were flying over at the exact time I've been making the homemade chicken broth.  

Of course!  Perhaps it a big conspiracy by the evil Swanson's corporation because those people have no clue how to make a good chicken broth.

If you think I'm kidding, I give you further proof.  Last week, my family went down to Huntsville, Alabama, home of Redstone Arsenal Base to visit my aunt and my cousins.  There at the space museum was evidence of the spy plane.

Yeah, looks just like those spy planes that have been circling my house.  And I climbed up and could see the spies had scratched part of my broth recipe in the interior.  All I can tell you is that the main ingredient was "chickens".  At least they got that part right.

Wait, here come the blog hits again, all searching for "chicken", "broth", "thanksgiving". 

Gotta run.  Not sure where I put my pyramid tin foil hat.

Coffeypot apparently doesn't believe me.  So I've added some additional proof.

Called the Blackbird, which we all know is code word for chicken.

And they stole the design of the spy plane from Madonna's bra.

Well, I suppose there's a possibility I'm wrong.  Maybe it wasn't this plane.  Come to think of it, the spy planes trying to steal my recipe did look more like this fully functioning rocket, conveniently disguised harmlessly inside the museum.

And contrary to popular belief, Wernher Von Braun was NOT born in America.

Angel Flight

From Radney Foster's website:

I have so many things to be thankful for this year: My country, my home, family, friends, and fans like you.

Today of all days, I would ask that all of us remember those who are not able to make it home to their families for Thanksgiving. I'm thinking especially of the brave men and women who serve in our military, including those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country.

I wrote the song "Angel Flight," to tell the story of the aircrews who fly fallen soldiers home to their final resting place.

I hope you'll take a moment to watch the video, and pass it on to your friends.

Proceeds from "Angel Flight" benefit the Texas National Guard Family Support Foundation, which provides assistance to military families beset by tragedy. Please have a safe and joyous holiday, and hug your loved ones close.

Radney

Thanksgiving Tradition

It's food, of course.

Twenty-five years ago or so, I was eating at my sister's mother-in-law's and asked her for the recipe for the beef noodles she had.  She told me it was actually an Amish recipe.

My first try I had a pot full of chicken broth and didn't realize that the broth should actually be boiling before you drop the noodles.  They lanquished there in one big lump.  I caught on pretty quickly

Since that time my chicken and noodles have become a family tradition.  We have tried to keep all other family gatherings less hectic, but come Thanksgiving it's a must that I make the chicken and noodles.  As my nieces and nephews have grown into adults, the amount I need to make has grown disportionately. 

I've decided to share the recipe with the world.  OK, I know the world won't read my post, but I know my mom at least does.  You're there, right mom?  Mom?

Anyway.   Here goes.  The BIG secret?   Home made chicken broth. 

DON'T start with this stuff.

You have to use this.

Please don't tell me how unhealthy the chicken fat is, this is old fashioned cooking.  Like food made back in the day when women looked like my grandma. 

My Grandma

Back in the day when women were not made to look like this.

This is real food.  So, just don't eat it everyday.  This IS Thanksgiving afterall.

Since this takes hours, I normally make the chicken broth a few weeks ahead of time and freeze it along with all the chicken I have picked off the bones.  With the amount I need to make these days, I sometimes do this in bunches, at least 4 chickens or what I would call "equivalent" chickens.   You don't need four whole chickens, but at least several chicken breasts and lots of bony chicken parts that will provide you with alot of good brothy juice.  I dig out my way-too-expensive-but-I-don't-regret-a-penny Pampered Chef roaster and throw all the cut up chicken into it along with a few inches of water.  Then it bakes for three, four hours until the chicken falls off the bone.  Pick the meat and put in in one ziploc bag and strain the wonderful broth into one or two others.  The skin and bones go back into the pan with more water and extract the last drop of broth possible with another couple of hours. 

I prefer to make the noodles on Thanksgiving, but fighting for premium stove space isn't always practical, so I resort to making and cooking the noodles the night before.  That also carries some risk.  Mainly because at least half of our crew is usually onsite the night before, which means that it's nearly impossible to keep from losing at least a third of your work the night before as the vultures hover over the noodles, circling until they are officially done. 

The Recipe:

                     Serves 4                Serves a crowd

Egg Yolks            2                        14
Milk                    3T                      1 1/8 cup (wait to add all in case the consistency needs adjusting)
Salt                     1t                        2T 2t

Mix together

Crisco                  1t                       2T 2t   (cut into small bits in the mixture with a couple forks)

Flour                    2/3 c                  4 2/3c
Baking Powder    1/2 t                   1T 1/2t

Mix all together.  Should be somewhat moist.  Don't overwork.


I throw alot of flour onto waxed paper and flatten a handful of dough out.  Roll to about 1/4 inch thick, flouring liberally.  I cut the noodles into small thin strips and pile them onto the side while I roll out the remaining dough.

The chicken and broth should be boiling hot in a good heavy pot.  HA, wish someone had told me that the first time.  Drop the noodles in a few handfuls at a time while stirring to keep from sticking together.  Add more when the noodles appear separated and the broth looks nearly ready to boil.  Turn the heat to low or medium after all noodles are in and stir often to avoid sticking. 


LOTS of pepper.  And don't forget the salt.  A good 30 minutes or so later that's all there is to it.

This time tomorrow they should be ready.  Come on over.