Hi everyone. I am very tired but I wanted to do this post before I crash out and go back to doing other things. Ron and I just got done working together to slice three hams. Small boneless ones. We wait until they go on sale and get a couple. Turns out we had one in the freezer waiting for this. So a good sale came up on small boneless hams and Ron pounced like a lioness after an elk. We once got lucky, a large shoulder ham was at a really low price and had a small bone. That is important. The bone has to be small, if you get one of those that works great. You can have a ham dinner then carve the largest chunks off the bone. Those you slice on the meat slicer and the bone part you boil for soup. (insert Bernie Sanders yelling “Suooop”)! here.
So rather than describe it I will simply but the pictures below. But before I do that you might wonder why I have a meat slicer. Well for about 15 years I made bread for us and our friends. I love the taste of fresh baked bread and I had three great machines to do it. I made a two pound loaf every three days. I tried several ways to cut the bread loaves into slices. The meat slicer has a variable speed and worked great for cutting the bread into even regular slices. I used my machines so much I burned out three Breadman upright loaf machines. I liked that kind because the paddle was in only the one end of the bread loaf and so you did not lose much bread slices. I have never found another like it. I bought two, one was 200 dollars with a squat fat pan that gives an unusable loaf. If anyone has or knows of a good machine Ron keeps asking me to go back to making bread again. Ok below are the pictures. Loves, best wishes, and hugs to all.
A difficult anniversary—and a moment to remember Ukraine by José Andrés
Supporting recovery efforts with the Longer Tables Fund Read on Substack
Today is a day that I’m thinking about the people of Ukraine. It’s been a special place to me over the last few years, where I’ve spent over 100 days on the ground, as the team from World Central Kitchen has worked to keep communities fed since the Russian invasion in 2022.
This week marks three years since the invasion…and the beginning of our work there, so I hope we can all take a moment to remember.
Over these three years, we’ve learned so much about resilience, about innovation, about community—the Ukrainian people have been an incredible example to the world for how to live bravely in the shadow of war, in constant fear of losing their homes, their farms, their lives.
Yuliya and me
I’m proud of the part that WCK has played in the country, with leaders like Yuliya Stefanyuk, our Ukrainian Response Director. Yuliya has been with WCK from the beginning, first working to coordinate meal production in Lviv, then expanding operations across the country. She’s played a critical role to establish our food distribution networks, secure partnerships, and to make sure that meals are reaching people in need, even in the hardest-hit areas.
And I’m also proud to share that through the Longer Tables Fund, I am continuing to support some amazing organizations and people in Ukraine, to keep recovery efforts moving forward.
You might not have heard me talking about the Longer Tables Fund yet, but it’s one of the things I’m most excited about these days. (No relation to our Longer Tables newsletter here, though it’s a good name, right?) I launched it in 2022—powered by the Bezos Courage and Civility Award that I was honored to receive in 2021—to support people and organizations who believe, like I do, that food has the potential to solve some of humanity’s biggest problems.
Its goal is to make change in three areas: local food systems, where we are aiming to transform the way humanity is producing, accessing, and consuming food; education, where we are hoping to inspire the next generation of food leaders; and (re)building communities, where we are using the power of food to help people build resilience after times of crisis.
In Ukraine, we’re supporting a few amazing organizations doing incredible work to help the nation and its people respond, recover, and rebuild. I want to tell you a little about them—and I hope you’re inspired too.
A dairy farm supported by SaveUA. Photo from saveua.in.ua.
SaveUA
I’m really excited to announce that the Longer Tables Fund is now supporting the work of SaveUA. Representing thousands of Ukrainian farmers, SaveUA is an organization made to help the country’s agricultural system build resilience to the shocks of war. Ukraine historically has been one of the most important breadbaskets in the region, growing grain for Europe and beyond. Ukraine’s energy grid is in crisis due to the ongoing war, leaving many communities without reliable access to power.
We’re helping SaveUA purchase generators for dairy farmers on the front lines. These generators are more than just a source of electricity…they’re a lifeline. They will power milking equipment and refrigeration systems, ensuring that farmers can continue their work, sustain their communities, and feed their people even in the face of unimaginable challenges. This isn’t just about keeping the lights on—it’s about standing with the people of Ukraine as they seek to protect their land, their livelihoods, and their food supply.
A photo from the Superhumans rehabilitation center
Superhumans
The next organization is doing some incredible work for the people of Ukraine who have been physically injured by the war. Over the last three years, thousands of Ukrainians have lost limbs due to mines and shelling, and with mines buried across a huge amount of the country, there will be many, many more people who will require prosthetics and medical support in the years to come.
Superhumansis a rehabilitation center that provides prosthetics, reconstructive surgery, rehabilitation, and psychological support—free of charge. The Longer Tables Fund has supported medical staff at Superhumans by helping invest in advanced surgical and 3D laboratory equipment, which will let the Superhumans team expand their services to include complex facial reconstruction procedures.
I love this project because prosthetics and reconstructive surgery lets people transform trauma into resilience, empowering a new generation of survivors—truly making them superhuman.
Children rescued by Save Ukraine
Save Ukraine
The third organization that the Longer Tables Fund is supporting is called Save Ukraine, an NGO focused on rescuing Ukrainian children that were deported to Russia at the beginning of the war and over the last three years. It’s important work that offers a lifeline to families affected by these deportations, which horribly tear into the heart of communities around the country.
Save Ukraine’s three-pronged approach—to rescue, to restore, and to rebuild—ensures that every child regains the safety, stability, and care needed to thrive.
We are supporting their Community Center and Bomb Shelter in Irpin, one of the cities that I visited in 2022 after it was liberated from Russian occupation. The center will provide comprehensive services for children with disabilities and their families and give them tools to rebuild their lives.
My friends—I think you will agree with me that this work is super important to the rebuilding of a strong Ukraine. I’m proud to support it in the small way we can, especially as we pass such a difficult moment of commemorating three years of war. Since the beginning, World Central Kitchen has been on the front lines, making sure communities are fed. Now, the Longer Tables Fund is the newest step in continuing to build longer tables – creating a community where no one is left behind, where survivors are empowered, and where resilience is born from the hardest of circumstances. With these new projects, I know that the people of Ukraine will continue to be supported today, tomorrow, and for years to come.
Take care of yourselves this week, and please keep Ukraine in your thoughts.
If DOGE wants to root out "waste, fraud and abuse" in the healthcare area re: Medicaid, how about they cut out the wasteful, price gouging mafia middlemen in between us and our doctors, the insurance companies, and make Americans' healthcare entirely self funding with one payer?
Guess who’s getting a new FAA contract to help privatize air safety?Elon Musk. He’s cutting the FAA and everything else in government — and carving it off for himself.THE WHOLE THING IS A MONEY GRAB
Medicaid covers:- 21% of Americans nationally- 83 million low-income Americans- 4 in 10 children- 1 in 4 adults with disabilities- Nearly 50% of kids with special needs- 41% of births nationwide- 5 in 8 nursing home residents- 32% of people in Mike Johnson's home state
BREAKING — 21 "DOGE" staffers RESIGN in protest1/3 of "DOGE" technical team quit — experts who came to the government from companies like Amazon and GoogleRemember, Elon Musk (and most of his minions) don't actually have ANY technical expertise!"DOGE" in disarray
Our immigration carceral system is designed to create a permanent underclass of subminimum wage workers who can't speak up about workplace abuse or unionize for fear of deportation. Corporations like DoorDash prefer immigrants to be under threat, and that's who Trump represents.
Ok now vote is back on. To be clear this is basically a purely symbolic vote on a framework that won’t pass the senate and should be an absolute lay up
This is "The Boardroom" from Donald Trump’s “reality” show “The Apprentice.” Look at the top and you can see where the wall ends because it wasn’t a real boardroom. It was a set built on a soundstage because Trump’s real offices were small and shoddy. The show created an *illusion* of Trump success.
Of these two, the one bigot above or the classy lady below. Hate is not good for anyone.
"Trump Signs Executive Order to ‘Promote the Resettlement of White Afrikaner Refugees’ in the U.S." Trump finally finds refugees he will accept: WHITE ones from South Africa. This is real. Musk trying to help his fellow white apartheid lovers http://www.mediaite.com/trump/trump-…
BREAKING 🚨🚨🚨Trump stripping the security clearances of numerous antagonists, including NY AG Letitia James, DA Alvin BraggAnthony Blinken’s security clearances will also be revoked, following the same presidential directive aimed at Biden.nypost.com/2025/02/08/u…
This man, who might be high on Ketamine at any given moment, talks privately with Putin. He is not elected, nor is he appointed by Congress. He’s ‘outside’ of government.
He has hired a crew of young rightwing nerds and they are now inside every fucking computer system in the government. They work for a Russian agent.
Don’t be surprised when, sometime soon, every system shuts down or worse, every dime of US money is flying into Russian accounts.
It is painful to see that it would be so easy to destroy a big country like America.
Horribly hateful people / person the above.
“This isn’t DEI. It’s white Christian Nationalism.” of course it is they’re just using DEI as a cover.
Just a note with the video. I won’t be around much this morning. Neither of us slept much we were both up needing food for crashing blood sugar in early morning hours. I never slept until after three, Ron said he was more towards four. But we got up at 6 am, got coffee, cleaned all the counters, put away the clean dishes Ron washed before he came to bed, and then we washed Odie’s feet from the cat litter he gets packed in them and his butt / belly because he is too lazy to lift himself up when he pees so he ends up laying / walking in the wet pee litter. Then I showered, Ron is showering so we can go shopping today. It is bitter cold, feels like 40 degrees. Great for you northern types, the frozen Arctic for us in southern Florida. Ron and I are both in not so great health and we find it is better if we do the shopping as a team, watching out for each other. See you all after if I can still function. Hugs
In this newly found film from the 1950s we learn how one can determine whether or not they are in a cult. Does any of this sound like you?
Not the usual, true, but still a resource! I’m not trying to “recruit”; I’m not vegan myself, and only part-time am I vegetarian. Still, the email header was “44 Recipes That Don’t Use A Single Egg!” We can all use such knowledge, IMO. 😉
Load up on fruits, veggies and plant-based protein with these crave-worthy picks.
Scroll For More Photos (on the page)
Vegan Mac ‘n’ Cheese
This low-fat, dairy-free version of an American classic certainly has the right look, with its creamy orange sauce, thanks to pureed cauliflower, vegan Cheddar and turmeric. Use umami-packed miso paste and nutritional yeast to evoke the savory, nutty quality of cheese.
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Photo: Teri Lyn Fisher
2 / 44
Vegan Caesar Salad with Crispy Capers
Our plant-based Caesar salad covers all the flavor bases of the original, and then some. A classic Caesar gets savory umami from anchovies, Parmesan and Worcestershire and richness from egg yolks. We created an easy protein-packed dressing in the food processor of silken tofu, nutritional yeast and vegan Worcestershire sauce along with the traditional lemon and garlic. This velvety, super-flavorful dressing joins sourdough croutons and a unique garnish of crunchy fried capers for a satisfying salad that’s deliciously vegan.
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Photo: Matt
5 / 44
Vegan Shepherd’s Pie
Whether you are sticking to meatless Mondays or eat plant-based every day, this vegan version of shepherd’s pie will satisfy any cravings for that warming winter classic. It looks just like the meat version and tastes just as good. We streamlined the process (including using frozen peas and carrots and baking the pie in the same skillet used to cook the vegetables) to make the dish as accessible and weeknight-friendly as possible. Note that although a food processor chops the mushrooms really fast, you can use a knife, if you prefer.
So click through on the title, at top, or hereto see it all. There is truly something for everyone.
I was working on comments in the Pink Palace when Ron came in very dejected. He went on how he felt he just couldn’t do this remodel we planned. What it came down to is his body was hurting today as it does most days but he is too stubborn to go to a pain doctor or even ask his own doctor for medication. So he felt defeated. I buffed up his ego and promised to help where I could. Which is how I got roped into making supper. Maybe it was a ploy but after he ate what I fired up his mood seemed to get much better. Sorry but now I am working on only 3 hours sleep and I have a dermatology appointment at 10 am. So no more comments replies. But if they again try to get me to undress for a full body check I think … well I may not be welcome back there again. I keep telling them no you are not doing that, and they don’t seem to want to take no for an answer. Hugs.
It was cold out in Ollie’s potty area this morning!
Later this evening and overnight, we should get between 2-4 in. of snow, which is fine, then the temps will be below 20 degrees for a few days. Poor little guy’s gonna have to chase his favorite ball inside for a while.
———–Other Thoughts————————————–
I enjoy spicing my oatmeal differently each morning. I think I especially like ginger with a dash of vanilla, but my top favorite is cocoa and cayenne pepper. It’s really awesome, and puts a fine shine on the day, for me. Ollie can’t clean my bowl for me, though, when I do that one.
Our kid’s birthday is this week. I have no good ideas; he himself has no good ideas; we’re all sort of at the place where if we need something, we just get it. I’m thinking of something to cook. And trying to decide between ice cream cake, or lava cake, both of which are his favorites.
I’ve been really relishing a TV show on Tuesdays, now at 8PM but used to be at 9PM on ABC, called “High Potential.” It’s really good, and I don’t want to spoil it for anyone who might try it; it’s a mystery show with a high IQ neurodivergent (show’s description) woman who becomes a detective while juggling family life and a missing husband. I really like it, and recommend it to anyone with an hour at 8PM on a Tuesday night! They stream it on Hulu, too.
I know no one thinks it’s much justice for We The People to see the FBI reports on the stolen documents found at Mar-A-Lago. It isn’t, really, except we’ll know if we want to, and will be yet better informed as we go about our civic duty of directing our government. And he’s still a convicted felon, as well.
I hope everyone’s got sun today, at some point. I usually prefer cloudy days with temps between 35-48 degrees, but since the election, for some reason, I’ve noticed I prefer a sunny day after a cloudy day, and maybe slightly higher temps, like between 42-60. Go figure.
That’s what I’ve got. I need to sweep the floor to make room for the new dog hair!
laughter brings endorphins. She blends humor and current events the same as she’s always done, excellently! (And just look at that salad- )
Hold On, Hold On by Samantha Bee
Marathon conditioning with humor, salads, and Neko CaseRead on Substack
Me. This morning.
Happy New Year, One 👏 Week 👏 Into 👏 The 👏 Trump 👏Administration 👏 And 👏 I 👏 Am 👏 Trying 👏 So 👏 Hard 👏 Not 👏 To 👏 Lose 👏 My 👏 Cool.
Here is the Serenity Prayer, as a quick refresh.
Wait, that’s the wrong one.
Anyway, you get the picture.
Oh believe me I could easily spend every moment of every day flaming the Trump administration for every single catastrophe they lob into the public sphere like tossing a grenade into a cellar full of Bubble Guppies.
Just not sure I’m ready for it, and it’s kind of twisting me up inside a bit.
Anyway, gonna go liquidate all my assets and I guess pour it into $Melania crypto tokens? Do I have this right? We just grift in full view now and that is just what we do? Instagram and Meta are blocking people’s access to healthcare information and it is NBD. This diva fired this woman DURING THE INAUGURAL BALL and a Fox News host runs the DOD now.
I guess…pace yourself? Don’t blow all your outrage in the first week out of…hundreds of weeks?
We must find humor where we can.
I, for example, was talking to my dad the other day about his arthritic hip, and I was like “what about just an aspirin every morning and some stretching and activity?” And he was like “Don’t be ridiculous, I think I’m going to go down a more natural path?”
Meaning?
“My friend has a naturopath and he got a prescription and he is going to give some of the pills to me.” (Which is not, to my understanding, naturopathy? In any case.)
“Well, what is in the pills? Are they unregulated supplements?”
“WHY ARE YOU SUCH A SKEPTIC.”
“I just don’t think it’s advisable to take other people’s medicati–”
*sound of father struggling with reading glasses and fiddling with another man’s bottle of pills*
“Here you go smart guy. It’s something called mi-…miso—…misoprostol??”
Yes, that is correct. MISOPROSTOL.
One man gave another man some Misoprostol, which can be used for ulcers I think, but is also used to procure a medication abortion.
My dad was like “do NOT write about this” and I said “unfortunately that is not possible.”
The elders are giving each other abortion pills for their hip pain. Everything is upside down. GIVE THEM TO ME, we need to stockpile those.
Speaking of open access to abortion pills for all – and not just my Dad, I must plug my most recent Choice Words with Amanda Skinner, who is the President and CEO of Planned Parenthood Southern New England. We have a fascinating conversation about the many misconceptions surrounding Planned Parenthood’s mission and the breadth of healthcare services they actually provide for a variety of patients. Please check it out wherever get your podcasts.
We must nourish our bodies. For example I made Andy Baraghani’s citrus and caramelized date salad from his amazing book, and I swear to God I think about it ten times a day. I gave myself so many high fives for this dish even though I didn’t invent it, and merely followed his highly entertaining instructions. Uncrate the sun!
And we must nourish our minds, or at least distract them a bit.
For example–I am hosting a book event for Neko Case tonight in New York City and friends, I am here to tell you that if you read ONE book in the next ten years, please make it this one. I feel blessed that she asked me to participate in this event, and tbh I pray that I can get through it without crying that she is also writing the music for the Broadway adaptation of Thelma and Louise. Nope. Already misting over like a g-d baby.
I also highly recommend the distraction of rewatching Downton Abbey, which I am embarrassed to tell you I thought was DownTOWN Abbey for three FULL ASS seasons, since I didn’t watch it and never listened to anybody talk about it ever.
Anyway now I’m watching it, and it’s great of course–and gives me that uncomfortable squirmy feeling I used to get as a child from all the awkward misapprehensions of Three’s Company.
Somehow in a time of turmoil, watching people brutally misunderstand each other and demonstrate extreme emotional constipation is just the ticket to relax and unwind my brain! Agonizing!
And something I would like to remind everybody, as we venture forth into semi-uncharted waters: cleanse yourself of social media as much as you are able.
I have put myself on a strict diet of zero brain rot social media time. Sure, I miss all the videos of cats launching themselves into Christmas trees, but this is a price I am willing to pay.
Only for business, only when I have something to say, only when necessary. Watching all of those tech bro Dobby’s on the dais boot licking Trump was brain Ozempic for me; I lost my appetite to carry their water and give them my eyeballs and personal data.
Happy to keep the lights on for the socials and post occasionally on a few platforms, but a better use of all those precious brain cells is to put them toward Neko Case’s new book and rest up for the marathon we are already running.
As some viewers know as my health has been failing over the last couple of years and Ron is starting to show his age also, so we have been spending a lot more time together doing things. Also I have been not able to spend as much time on the blog as I used to and love doing. So this morning as a treat to Ron I made a good sized breakfast for us. Normally breakfast in our home is a catch as catch can. I normally have leftovers from the supper meal as normally I am unable to eat at night, and Ron cooks grand supper. Ron normally has a breakfast he cooks / makes for himself.
I asked him if he would like an egg scramble with bacon and sausage, with a side of toast. He said he would love it. So I took a bunch of thick sliced bacon out of the meat drawer of the refrigerator and also some small link sausage from both that place and the freezer below. Then I prepared two trays that have grill racks over them and on one I placed 8 or 9 long strips of bacon, and on the other I put 10 small sausage links. I had preheated our very large Black and Decker counter oven. It is similar to a toaster oven only much larger. I put the bacon in first at 450.
While the bacon cooked I got the eggs cracked and put into bowls. 3 eggs in each bowl. I use a heavy knife on the sharp edge to crack the eggshell then they easily open the shell with no eggshells into the bowls. I find it works best if the eggs and shells are very cold. Into the bowls of eggs I add a heavy splash of water. Enough to make the eggs cook up fluffy but not leave water in the cooked eggs. Then I set them aside to put the sausage in the oven with the bacon. The thing about cooking sausage in the oven instead of on the stove in a pan is the sausage come out fully cooked but still juicy and soft.
Once the meat was cook Ron chopped what we both wanted in our scrambles, and I combined the meat and eggs in a small sauce pot. Ron had me put chopped opinion and peppers in his. I use a hard spatula like the kind you would frost a cake with not the kind that flip burgers, to stir the eggs and meats together and make scramble eggs. I started the toast as the stuff on the stove cooked up. Just before the eggs finished cooking the toast popped up so I buttered them and called Ron to come get his food. Even though I was happy to make the food I again was unable to my egg scramble, I ate my one piece of toast with grape jam on it. I put the scramble in the fridge for another time. I ate it the next morning and it was great.
During the afternoon I took another nap. This is now being written on Friday. So for supper that Wednesday I had the idea of taking the red sauce I had made the day before to make supper in a different way. I told Ron my idea and he agreed it sounded great. So we took an 8 X 11 baking pan and spread a layer of red sauce on the bottom of the pan. The idea was to use the chicken patties we normally fry to make chicken Parmesan, just with a different cheese. I took six patties and place them in the pan sort of pushing them a third of their height into the sauce. Then set in the oven to bake. When nearly done we took provolone and layered in on the chicken and put them back in the oven. Serve with spaghetti and sauce. Great.
Thursday morning we got up to a rainy cold day … again. But we needed groceries and I had decided it was better now to go with Ron to help him. He is 70 and not walking well. Plus while he is still smart, he does have periods of confusion and gets slow to think or respond. He complains of becoming very forgetful. To be honest I am the same way. I will 62 very soon. But he likes me to drive when possible and he likes the comfort of me being there for him.
So we went and spent all morning filling a grocery cart at Walmart. Some people say that you don’t save any money there and some say you do. Ron has the patience to stand there and compare price and size, unit price, and get the best deal. I can not do this. But I walk with him, talk to him, keep him company, watch our cart when he needs to go get something or his back is too it. I have seen people take stuff from other peoples carts or drop stuff in them. Ron had one of my dragon canes stolen when he had his back to the cart comparing prices. Turned back and the cane was gone. We have a game to guess the cost after it is wrung up on the register. I guessed 260 but he felt it would be well over 325. It came to 257 and change.
We were to go to another store but by the time we got everything put away both of use were tired so decided to go this morning. Temps are better so far than yesterday which had feel like temps in the 30s. This morning we have feel like temps of 41 degrees. The high is to be in the 50s. We plan to hit three small stores and then going to the big flooring store in Fort Myers to pick out the new flooring for the Florida room that I will soon be moving into to. I am leaning toward a light floor. The walls are a soft cream, the molding / trim a light tan / brown. Just enough of a difference to show up but not startling. The north long wall of almost 30 feet is entirely windows except for three feet at the bottom of the windows, even the turn to the east facing wall which has another large window and French doors made of mostly insulated glass panes in a wooden heavy frame. The room is very bright and cheery. Because the door going outside is to the carport and on the same level we were thinking a brown. But once I saw the shocking difference between the light and dark … I think I want a light floor. I am thinking a white marble with gray whirls. Ron thinks it will always look dirty even when not. So maybe we will go with a tan or light gray? That is why I have not done much on the blog or computer since Tuesday. Hugs.
Hi Everyone. I woke at 12:22 last night. But I got up at 1 am and started making posts and doing things. So I just finished the asshat yesterday news posts. So now before I answer the comments … and I love comments everyone sends to me, I have to make a red sauce. Ron promised to make me a grand lasagna if I make the sauce. So with ear buds in, off I go to make the sauce. Hugs and loves to everyone. Remember that I really care for everyone. Add any questions or comments in the comments and I will reply there. Hugs.
If you criticize the dear leader of the maga cult then you are forever an enemy. Death to the nonbelievers. This is why the current republicans and maga is very much a cult. Hugs.
This is great. The tRump world crowed about this citizen of Greenland who praised tRump’s plan to take over Greenland. Yet the truth did come out … He was a tRump loving fanboy violent felon drug dealer prison escapee. Hugs.
Scottie's Playtime 