Gator Pam

From input I’ve received in various places, I’m going to go with the lemon blueberry. I’ve made it before and have more confidence than with going with completely new flavors. I’ll do a practice one in the next two weeks; someone suggested I swirl blueberry into the batter. I have a decent homemade blueberry pie filling I can leave the uncooked blueberries out of which I think will swirl nicely, and then I can use it in addition to the lemon curd for decorating. The practice one will test how the swirl works out, how it tastes and then to practice my decoration ideas. Ah… You probably would not care for mine then. I’m completely the opposite. I much prefer the style and texture of the cheesecakes made in Brooklyn, the Bronx, and Manhattan in the mid 20th century; Cheesecake Factory’s are tasty, but they’re too light and fluffy for me. Mine are the denser, heavier Jewish delicatessen-style cheesecake. The competition is on February 8th, so I have time to hone it in.

woo-HOO!!! https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2025/01/17/statement-from-president-joe-biden-on-the-equal-rights-amendment/

So, if one were to be considering entering a local amateur baking contest with a cheesecake, what flavor cheesecake would best appeal to a variety of judges one knows nothing about? Stick to the basics and do a plain New York with a homemade fruit topping? Freshen it up a little with a Meyer Lemon Cheesecake served with homemade lemon curd? Go indulgent with a white and milk chocolate peanut butter cup cheesecake? Maybe add a touch of coconut with a Samoan cheesecake? A childhood classic of a Cookies and Cream cheesecake? (no photo at this time) A Pumpkin cheesecake? Chocolate cheesecake with fresh strawberries? Possibly a savory Smoked Salmon Cheesecake? Or maybe a flavor I haven’t considered that would earn the judges accolades? (all of these were made by me in the past)

Happy Epiphany/Three Kings Day/Little Christmas

So… The past three days have been busy with bureaucracy dealings. As this is my birthday month where I’m turning 65, I am transitioning from Washington State Classic Medicaid for Adults, known as Apple Health to Medicare with Washington State Senior Classic Medicaid as my Medigap coverage. Unfortunately, while I wanted to avoid Medicare Advantage Plans at all costs, I could not find a Part D plan which had my walking chemotherapy in their formulary at a premium and copay I could afford, even with Extra Help. I’m now enrolled in a Medicare Advantage Plan starting next month. After investigating, I went with the plan which also has provided my Medicaid Managed Care Plan for all these years since I moved to Washington. Unfortunately, I do have several specialists I may need to change, particularly my original breast surgeon who I see for annual follow ups and my dentist, but it appears as if all of my other doctors are in plan. Except for my allergy medication, which is a prescribed version of Zyrtec, all of my medications, including my chemo, is in this plan’s formulary. Hopefully the transition will go fairly smoothly. I’m used to being on a Managed Care Plan, and have actually been very happy with all of the doctors and specialists who have seen me. I’m going into this Advantage Plan hoping the experience will be similar. All that said to explain why I am a few days late with posting this gif. I have either been in the DSHS offices or on the phone with Medicare and Apple Health choosing plans and figuring out how this transitional month between Apple Health and the Advantage Plan will work, especially in getting my monthly multi-thousand dollar chemotherapy refill. Happy Birthday Month to me! https://tenor.com/bWkWc.gif

חנוכה שמח! Happy Hanukkah!

Rabbit Rabbit! Rabbit!!

As we reflect on this past year, I still wish one and all that the New Year will be… https://youtu.be/rk3KH46dy3w?si=mOCCKwZF03BJkRma

Happy Hanukkah! There is sound, but I light the candles first. https://youtu.be/yqkwfcs9Akk?si=_RmnI0pC4ghM0V2M

A lovely end to Advent and entrance to Christmas. I remember this. https://youtu.be/MUWMjUjit_U?si=FKeEGO0rpGGPDUJ1

My plans for the next couple of days. More for myself so I hopefully don’t forget anything. Today: Get up and have coffee to function Start the “oxtail” au jus, although I use beef shank bones rather than oxtail. For less than half the price per pound, the shank bones work great Beorn’s Hanukkah gift finally arrived and his holiday package is ready to be mailed. Stand in line at post office while au jus gently simmers and reduces Make copycat Arby’s horsey sauce Cool: au jus and refrigerate Make béchamel for incorporating into dinner Layer and then bake lasagna for dinner Enjoy lasagna for dinner Put together and refrigerate overnight french toast casserole for brunch Wednesday morning Make garlic and herb paste to season standing rib roast overnight, then apply to roast Put individual apple sauce cups in refrigerator to chill Tomorrow: Get up and have coffee to function Listen for others to awake, if not already. Pull french toast casserole out of refrigerator to take the chill off while preheating oven and opening stockings, if we’re doing them Bake casserole while opening gifts Serve french toast casserole and have second cuppa Since it gets dark so early, light Hanukkiah and gift Hanukkah presents Make note of time and start reverse sear process on roast at appropriate time Grate potatoes and onion for latkes Prep honey-maple glazed carrots Pull roast from oven to rest Clear Hanukkiah from table and set for dinner Start carrots and finish au jus about half an hour before final sear Preheat oven to 550 degrees F Make latke batter and heat oil for cooking Brush herbs off roast so they don’t burn and turn acrid during sear Make latkes and put roast back in oven for 10 to 15 minutes Remove roast, turn off oven, and put plated latkes in cooling oven to stay warm Put au jus, horsey sauce, apple sauce, and sour cream on table if not already done Slice roast, plate carrots and latkes, and serve Relax, possibly enjoying any received gifts Enjoy Brenda’s homemade pumpkin pie! Thursday: Relax, until last minute notice of errands needing to be done is received Enjoy any planned overs Package what’s left of the roast and freeze to be pulled for beef stroganoff on either NYE or NYD, depending on what we choose to do Light second night Hanukkiah candles Sunday: Attend giant menorah lighting by CHABAD of Kirkland at Totem Lake At some point later during the following week, possibly on NYE or NYD, try my hand at sufganiyot

Definitely time for Sir Patrick Stewart reading A Christmas Carol to take center stage. https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLLLiEya-Q4RR9U-s18jp6l4XgjPX16oAK&si=gp8tLwxYTyW3-4lR

For the holiday season. Symphony North - The Bell Ringer. I listen on YouTube. Recorded during lockdown, there are two versions: Full band playthrough: or the version I prefer… Full band play through with story narration between songs to tell the full concept: While not flashy like Trans-Siberian Orchestra’s live shows, the approach is the same. A Christmas-themed tale with rock music, including both original rock songs and classic Christmas carols done in a rock style. While a rock album, like T-SO it is very musical theater in approach. I definitely enjoy it at Christmas.

Ooo… This is good to know. It does appear to have never left Colorado, according to tracking. I’ll give it a try.