April 2003 Archives

Our friend Cyndy is arriving from Spokane tonight for a short visit - she and Carole are going on an 8 day Mexican Cruise this Saturday. In honor of her arrival, here's a great recipe she developed as a contest entry. I've made it many times, always to rave reviews.

• Brown onions and garlic in small amount of oil, and remove from pan.
• On high heat, stir-fry meat strips, then add garlic and onion mix (or powders). Reduce heat to low-medium.
• Stir in soy sauce, worchestshire sauce, and bouillon, then add sour cream.
• Stir in corn starch mix, bring to simmer, and simmer 5 minutes.

OPTION: Add 1/2 to 2/3 cup sliced mushrooms just before
simmering. The Worchestershire sauce can be omitted if
desired.

Serve over cooked rice or egg noodles. Serves 4-6.

Today, we're having our carpets cleaned. Now, that might not sound like a big deal, but really - when did you last have your carpets cleaned? If you can't tell me that you've had your carpets cleaned in the last two years, you can just zip it, right now.

I just finished Sharpe's Tiger, the first (chronologically) book in a series by author Bernard Cornwell. This book begins with the protagonist, Richard Sharpe, as a private in the British Army, as his battalion prepares for the seige of Seringapatam (in south central India) during the spring of 1799.

Here's one of my all-time favorite quotes: bq. There are three possible parts to a date, of which at least two must be offered: entertainment, food, and affection. It is customary to begin a series of dates with a great deal of entertainment, a moderate amount of food, and the merest suggestion of affection. As the amount of affection increases, the entertainment can be reduced proportionately. When the affection is the entertainment, we no longer call it dating. Under no circumstances can the food be omitted.   ??Miss Manners' Guide to Excruciatingly Correct Behavior??

This book does not feature Martini's most famous character, attorney Paul Madriani. Rather, it's a fable (in the good sense of the word) on the modern publishing industry, warts and all - in fact, Martini pushes his insider knowledge almost to the satirical limits.

Remember the movie Ocean's Eleven? You knew it wasn't going to win any Oscars, but even so it was an very enjoyable movie. Likable characters, an engaging plot, and enough twists to keep you on your toes. (Plus, Don Cheadle can act.)

The List is similar - Martini won't have to worry about a Pulitzer acceptance speech, but it's a solid, enjoyable story with characters you can appreciation and a plot that moves along nicely. Will it hit the Literature section at Borders in a few year? No. But as a good way to spend a couple of evenings, it did just fine.

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John Lescroart's The Oath features defense attorney Dismas Hardy and his pal, San Francisco Police Lt. Abe Glitsky, who find themselves on opposite sides in a medical malpractice/murder case. The rich medical details and the San Francisco politics serve as a rich background to the non-traditional buddy tale, as Hardy and Glitsky tangle before reuniting at the satisfying conclusion.

As mainstream fiction goes, Lescroart is one of the better attorney-authors going. His style would never be confused with Grisham's plot-centric focus, but is somewhat similar to Steve Martini - conscientious lawyers trying to work through the inevitable conflicts between their professional duties and personal responsibilities and desires.