Today is a very simple supper. Linguini with marinara sauce, garlic bread (you know, our Italian friends always thought it was very strange to each bread with pasta... but we always did growing up...), salad and baked broccoli & cheese. Recipes after the talk.
Hmm, Guy is still gone (till tomorrow), but Radek (housemate / occasional au pair) came home today from Poland. He didn't come alone, his parents and sister came with him and will be staying with us a week or so. They've never been to the U.S., in fact his mother and sister have never been on a plane (quite a first flight that was coming here!). They speak not a word of English, well.. hello and thankyou. So Supper conversation won't be particularly long... I'll tell Radek some.. leave the others to discuss with Guy tomorrow :)...
Like about the "N" word...
GayPersonsofColor posted this public service announcement about the "N" word which invites us to "join in the conversation. I am sure, some day, we will be having that conversation (and the one about the "F" word) with our daughter... so maybe we should be talking more about it now, so we can talk to her about it then.
In the 'right blogosphere' (and some congressional reps), there was quite a big hullabaloo about Ellison, the first muslim in congress, using the Koran to swear in (a purely personal, non-official, optional act...). When Ellison decided to use a Koran given to the Library of Congress by Jefferson, the right blogosphere started distorting Jefferson's thoughts about Islam, or at least that is what libertarian Jonathan Rowe of Positive Liberty writes (and I'll take his word for it, his writings about Jefferson ..and generally.. are great and he knows his subject).
Well, so far the Democratic-controlled House is living up to Pelosi's pledge for the first 100 hours. Last week they passed three rules which, though maybe a bit wonkish for me to be interested in, will have a big impact (hopefully, if they live by them) on the budget: PayAsYouGo, requiring a cut in programs or raising taxes if another program is legislated; ReportEarmarks, in the last few years earmarks, those special pet projects slipped into unrelated bills, have skyrocketed. The new rule requires these be made public and those putting them in need to certify there is no conflict of interest. Though frankly, though its a start...its not even close to near enough of a crackdown. Hopefully they'll do more.
Found a new blog I like a lot (as if I don't have enough to keep up with): Nonsequitur's Soap Box, as he describes himself: "A progressive, environmentalist, Christian gay man. My life currently revolves around hiking, reading, socially responsible consumerism, reclaiming Christianity from fundamentalism, and trying to ignore the thorns while appreciating the rose." Hmm, as they say... if I were younger and single... :D.
If you live in the bay area, Pact is having a seminar, "True Colors".. "True Colors is a workshop for transracial and interracial families that focuses on the issues inherent to parenting children across racial lines." It's this month, the 20th, 9am to 4pm in Oakland.
Ok, lets eat:
Marinara Sauce w/ stuff...
1/4 cup of olive oil
4 cloves of garlic sliced in half
1 35oz can of chopped tomatoes
1 small can of chopped black olives (optional)
3 chopped basil leaves
1/2 teaspoon of oregano
1/2 teaspoon of parsley
1/4 teaspoon of cinnamon (yep, you read that right)
salt & pepper to taste
1. Place garlic and olive oil in large sauce pan.
2. Turn heat to medium and cook until garlic is soft and lightly browned.
3. Add tomatoes with their juices.
4. Add basil, oregano, parsley, cinnamon salt and pepper.
5. Bring to a boil, then lower heat to a simmer and cook until thickened approximately 20 to 30 minutes.
Baked Broccoli w/ Cheese:
the recipe is here, but you need to use 4 cups of broccoli as the commenter says.
