TheSnackHound

You are probably beginning to think that after my nostalgia over Charlie’s Shake Shop (Click Here to Read) and my horror over a baby cone costume (See That HERE), it may lead you to believe I am somewhat ice cream obsessed. Maybe that is because I was somehow psychologically damaged in connection to ice cream.

When I was in fifth grade, our teacher told us that the main ingredient in McDonald’s softserve ice cream was also the main ingredient in plastic.  Nowadays, we know that fast food, but McDonald’s food in particular, is no good for us nutritionally. However, back then we were no less horrified to hear that implied.  In fact, the entire class was shocked and thought Mrs. Anderson was lying or being mean to us on the very first day of school, no less.  I mean, accusing us of eating plastic was something only our siblings would do and certainly would have never come out of the mouth of an authority figure like a teacher.  In fifth grade, also, you were almost in junior high so you thought your teachers were going to treat you a little bit more like grown ups.

Of course, later on, we recapitulated the shocking news and realized that it wasn’t so bad after all.  The key ingredient in producing both soft serve ice cream and plastic is………………water.

What a let down that was.  Even though there could have been a little bit of relief there, we no longer had one more gross or disgusting thing to hold over or scare our younger siblings with.  Certainly, even if it was no longer poisonous or disgusting, it is all mental.  As long as we could keep them going for a little while, we could get some satisfaction out of it until we felt just a little bad about pulling their leg.  Of course, the other alternative was when they found out for themselves and then we were no longer the older brother or sister who “knew everything” and were knocked off our pedestal until the next time.

I was visiting my mother and while I was there, I started filling the dishwasher. Little did I know it was another situation where no good deed would go unpunished.  She abruptly bounded through the living room and dining room, and swung the kitchen door open and practically shouted: “No!  No”

I must have given her a befuddled look, as she went about pulling knives out of the dishwasher with the same fervor as if she was trying to pull out kitties that had fallen into a storm drain.  ”No.  You can’t put THOSE knives together. These knives are nice knives and these knives aren’t so if they touch, you’ll get rust spots.”  Of course, she didn’t mean I individually would get rust spots on myself, but meant the “royal you” as in “one” would experience the tragedy o getting rust spots on one’s knives.

I know sometimes when you let a brillo pad sit in a stainless steel sink all wet and runny, you may somehow ruin your sink, but I wasn’t aware of that a flatware Capulet and Montague scneario existed.  In otherwords, I wasn’t aware that beyond the questionable aesthetic of two patterns being intermingled that there was something innately “wrong” about why knives from the other side of the drawer couldn’t mix.  Apparently, the silverware with the lines and fluer de lys were the “good” silverware that were given to my parents as a wedding gift.  The ones with the roses on them were the “not as good” silverware that apparently did not have a high silver or stainless steel content.  In fact no one was sure what metal they were, but I do remember bending a spoon trying to hoist up a clump of cereal once.

This got my thinking: “Why do we even call it silverware if there is no silver in it?”

Brides and grooms received real silverware throughout the ages up until now, but with our throwaway society we just are so stuck on entertaining inferior models because they are cheap.  In fact, we don’t even store them properly anymore.  How many empty wood and velvet cutlery boxes do you see at yard sales in comparison to how many plastic drawer caddys?

Thank goodness, real sterling silver cutlery can still be obtained.  There is some gorgeous pieces that Arthur of England produces.  The Grecian style is pictured here.   It is so simple and elegant and timeless.  What’s more, they won’t bend in your cereal.   Many people may think that they shouldn’t splurge because they aren’t getting married, or have been married for years.   To me, I go with the old philosophy of buy once and buy good, and you will never have to replace it or waste money on the five sets you buy because you didn’t buy right the first time.

The site has cleaning products for caring for your pieces, too.  I can imagine myself polishing each individual piece. Polishing the silver every so once in awhile is such a meditative process that gives one time to smell the roses, or more properly the delicate scent of silver polish, rather than the rude clunk and clang of dumping things into the dishwasher.   Maybe I wouldn’t use every spoon in the house all day long and would be satisfied with caring for and washing just one.

I recently reported that the new Fiesta color from the Homer Laughlin Company is Ivory.   HLC is also releasing a decaled edition for the holidays with a festive Christmas tree motif.  It appears to come in red, evergreen, and ivory.  The pieces available are the dinner and luncheon plate, bread and butter plate, bread tray, the one quart bowl, the 12 oz mug, the 24 oz gusto, and a holiday ornament, all available seperately.

These items are shipping now. If you are interested in the 2008 Christmas dishes, check out your favorite online or brick and mortar retailer now while supplies last.

There are some bits of pieces of information that I have as to the release of a brand new Fiesta color without the decals.  Chocolate is supposed to be releasing next month, but I will have further details as I uncover them.   Pherhaps those of you who have decorated in a chocolate and turquoise theme will be elated.

I was surprised to find out that there is actually something called the Stress Institute, comprised of a team of experts. It is not a fake, made up organization like some phony seals on various drug store products.

Dr. Kathleen Hall, expert on work-stress balance issues, appears on the website in a video message stating that “stress fascinates” her. If she were to come live with me for a short time, would she be to me what Jane Goodall was to the chimpanzee? I would be studied for my unique responses to stress? What would she think about my bag of Newman-O sandwich cookies that rapidly disappear as a barometer of my stress level?

One of her suggestions for me would probably be exercise for stress reduction instead of dipping into the cookie stash.  More so, instead of offering individual consultation, The Stress Institute strives to work with businesses to make changes in mindful living, as well as launching the Mindful Living Network to educate people about balance.

Take a look at the site.  It has some worthwhile information to consider.

Awhile back I bookmarked an entry on the Sushi or Death blog.

The image just keeps haunting me.  As we know, sickeningly sweet cute things have made their way out of Japan, and it has been that way for the good part of thirty years.  Often, it involves kitties or bunnies.   At any rate, there is something slightly disturbing about cute little sushi stuffed animal kitties.   Maybe the creator of these little things was dipping a piece of maki into soy and was contemplating life and free associated when the white rice was pondered.  What else is fluffy and white?  Caterpillers? No.  Kitties!

What do you think?   Is this all a little twisted or is it just for the person who has to have a cat on every item they own?

Ever since Aunt Jemima got her pearl earrings makeover, we thought it was inevitable other breakfast time friends would want to keep up with her and follow suit.We understand we are a little late for this to be fast breaking news, but the gent on the package of Brawny paper towels got a major makeover in the past two years.He had two minor makeovers since his debut in 1974 (in right of the photo – his shirt was changed to blue denim in 2000.  The original is below at left), but otherwise has maintained his recognizable mustache and his pine trees. In the meantime, fashion trends came and went. He somehow resisted feathering, “hair band rocker hair,” spiked hair, skater bangs, the return of the flat top, the caesar and any other men’s coiffure trends between now and then. He might not have been on the cutting edge, but you could depend on him to be a constant that never changed.

Now, he has been madeover. In fact, it is not a makeover but someone has been recasted. He is now cleanshaven, has dark gelled hair and has a more muscular physique.

This may or may not be a good business move. In fact, with all of the trends making folks nostalgia for times past, and for the 70s inspired fashion that many shops are carrying, Brawny should have considered returning to the original 1974 version as a “collector’s issue.” I bet sales would go through the roof with folks thinking they had the next Quisp on their hands. Or maybe not….