Thursday, May 31, 2012

Movies, Gruesome Mail, Fabergé, Plastic Money.

Marigold Hotel2This evening, I am definitely going to see The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel. I am really looking forward to seeing it as I have now heard a number of people say how good it is. Particularly friends from England, it is, they tell me, very English in humour. I just hope the friend who is going with me will appreciate English humour. We can be difficult to understand, we tend to say funny things with straight faces and many times, other nationalities don’t realise we are joking.

Very odd story hit the headlines yesterday, two body parts have been mailed toremoving foot Ottawa, one, a foot, was mailed to the Conservative Party headquarters and a hand was found at Canada Post Terminal. They are being sent for forensic examination, but what a peculiar thing to do, and how utterly gruesome. The foot was somewhat decomposed and so police are contacting funeral homes to see if any have lost body parts. Its peculiar because for a while unexplained feet were washing up on the west coast and as far as I am aware, that has never been solved either. Maybe there is a manic funeral director on the loose. Apparently the police now have a suspect Luka Rocco Magnotta, whom they think might have filmed the killing. A torso was discovered in Montreal prior to the mail delivery of the limbs.

Being extremely fond of all things Fabergé, I was delighted with the Google Doodle faberge12-hpyesterday celebrating Peter Carl Fabergé’s 166th birthday (hope he enjoyed it). We were lucky enough to see some of the eggs and several other items on displaySpring Flowers Egg at Middleton Place in Charleston, SC, a few years ago. They used to have one egg permanently on loan there, the Spring Flowersstrawberries faberge1b Egg, but this particular time, they had a lot more items loaned to them for display. They also sell copies which can be used as pendants, etc. – they are made by Fabergé but not of such precious metals and stones. I have two of them which I love. The picture here doesn’t really do justice to the egg. I have a poster which I was given in S.C. which is a much better picture of the item. This is a House of Fabergé photo. I just had to include the strawberries picture, I think it is so lovely, and so clever too. I wish I were financially in the market to buy such beautiful things. Of course many of the eggs were Easter gifts to or for the Russian royal family. I'm going to miss the Google Doodle tomorrow.

Some of you may remember, I sell Avon. Tonight someone paid me with one of $50the new plastic $50 bills, to me, it doesn’t look like money at all. I was warned not to put it in the wash as they disintegrate. That is unlikely to happen, but why would plastic disintegrate I wonder. I have since done a bit of Googling and this is a link to an article about polymer money. http://tinyurl.com/brmmr36.

This recipe came from South Beach Diet and I thought it was rather unusual. I must confess I have never heard of chili-garlic sauce, but it seems to be something available in groceries.

Spicy Shrimp and Bok Choy Stir-Fry


Description
Chili-garlic sauce is a common Asian ingredient that brings a tangy-hot flavor to Spicy Shrim & Bok Choyalmost any dish. It can be used both for cooking and as a condiment when you want a little extra heat. Look for brands with no added sugar in the Asian section of most large supermarkets.

Makes 4 servings


Ingredients
1 1/2 pounds large shrimp, peeled and deveined
4 scallions, white and green parts thinly sliced and kept separate
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 teaspoons vegetable oil
2 pounds bok choy, sliced crosswise
2 tablespoons lower-sodium soy sauce
2 teaspoons chili-garlic sauce

Instructions
In a large bowl, combine shrimp, scallion whites, and garlic. In a wok or a large nonstick skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add shrimp mixture and cook, stirring occasionally, until shrimp turn pink and are cooked through, 3 to 4 minutes. Transfer to a large clean bowl.

Return the pan to medium-high heat. Add bok choy, cover, and cook, stirring occasionally, until crisp-tender, 3 to 4 minutes. Drain any liquid from the skillet and add bok choy to bowl with shrimp.

Return the pan to medium-high heat. Add soy sauce and chili-garlic sauce; stir to combine and bring to a boil. Add shrimp mixture and toss until coated. Cook briefly, just to reheat. Stir in scallion greens and serve warm.

Have a great day
Jo

7 comments:

  1. Peter Carl Faberge was a genius and a master artist and artisan. I love looking at pics of those eggs. And the shrimp dish looks awesome.

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    1. I have always been fascinated by Fabergé - I came across another site http://www.mieks.com/faberge-en/Other-Eggs/Imperial-Spring-Flowers-Egg.htm - the owner knows heaps about Fabergé.

      Plan to try the shrimp very soon, asparagus soup tonight though as I am going out.

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  2. Mailing human parts is disgusting. One twisted individual.
    Plastic that disintegrates in the wash? Sounds like paper was safer.

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    1. Very twisted. He is now the subject of an international manhunt.

      I agree, paper money worked fine if left in the wash and don't see how plastic can possibly fall apart. Mind you how many people would be dumb enough to leave $50 in their pockets? Will have to see if there is anything on the net about it.

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  3. Maybe my sense of humor would work better in England than it does for me here.
    The plastic money sounds like a weird concept--wait I already have plastic money! It's called a credit card.

    Lee
    An A to Z Co-Host
    Tossing It Out

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    1. Have you seen the Marigold Hotel? If you could really appreciate it, then yes, I guess your sense of humour would be better in the UK.

      I added a link to an article about the polymer money and its longevity. As pointed out in the article, they had problems with the $2 coins when first introduced. I guess they need to iron out thes problems, although an iron would destroy the bills anyway.I don't really care so long as people pay me.

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  4. Hi Jo .. the shrimp bake looks delicious .. I use a sweet chilli-garlic sauce to tart food up occasionally. That plastic money looks and sounds horrid ...

    Cheers Hilary

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