BEST cookies in the world: American Airlines' Cranberry Oatmeal Cookies

http://boardingarea.com/onemileatatime/2011/04/29/review-american-airlines-first-class-from-tampa-to-chicago-to-new-york/

I just returned from a two week sojourn around the country to visit friends and family (Indianapolis, Chicago, Asheville/Hendersonville NC, Briston/Salem WV, Washington DC).   I live in Palm Desert (Palm Springs area of California) and I upgraded to first class for the outbound and return flights from Palm Springs (PSP-DFW, DFW-IND, IAD-DFW, DFW-PSP).  For most of the segments of my trip I flew my preferred domestic airline, American Airlines. *

American has a very nice first class service for a two and half hour flight.  The hot nuts are amazing.  The entrees are creative and very good.   They used to serve freshly baked chocolate chip cookies but now they offer a choice.  On two of my flights they offered a hot, freshly baked oatmeal, cranberry cookie that is truly the best cookie I've ever eaten.  It tastes a bit like a pop tart (which is a fond memory of my youth).  I was moaning and raving over the cookies and twice the flight attendants gave me an extra.

These cookies are heaven.  I am going to contact American Airline to see if I can get the recipe.  If I can I will post it here.  Until then, does anyone out there already have it?

Kudos to the American first class flight attendants that worked my flights.  With the exception of the last flight from DFW to PSP, every one of them were impeccable professionals who clearly took a great deal of personal pride in providing excellent customer and first class service.  I think they were all flight more senior flight attendants.  The last one was obviously new.  She could use some retraining on the first service protocols.

I'm an ex-Stewardess (30 years ago I flew for Western Airlines and then Delta, upon the purchase and merger of the two airlines by Delta).  I truly appreciate the demands and nuances of the job.  I was most appreciative of the excellent service, topped off with those phenomenal cookies (and the aroma as they were baking in the ovens).

*For one short leg, from Chicago Midway to Greenville SC I flew "Southworst" Airlines (as I call it).  It was wretched in every way.  I haven't flown Southwest in years and unfortunately it hasn't improved a bit.  You see the worst of human behavior on this airline.  I think they advocate the decline and fall of the United States (along with Wal-Mart).

LUCKY THEM! This was a bit of serendipity for anyone who has the pleasure of watching

We watched a film last night, LUCKY THEM, ON DEMAND, via Time Warner.  I believe it is also available out in theaters (It is an IFC Film, so may be in limited run).

I am huge fan of of it's star, Toni Collette.   She co-stars with the equally brilliant, Thomas Haden Church.   Collette's character ("Ellie Klug") is a rock journalist (ala Almost Famous) who assists Church's "Charlie," who is producing a documentary of an iconic, cultish but dead rock legend--I thought when listening to the music and singing of the subject of the documentary as a reference to the brilliant Jeff Buckley.   I'm not sure if that was the film's intent.  But it was evocative.

The movie also stars Oliver Platt and Ryan Eggold (a delicious looking man who plays an up and coming singer/musican, "Lucas Stone."  It also includes a brief yet powerful, poignant and uncredited appearance by Johnny Depp (perfectly cast) at the end of the movie.

The biggest surprise was that the film was executive produce by Joanne Woodward and the movie is dedicated to her deceased husband, Paul Newman.

This is a wonderful film.   Great actors.  Excellent direction by Megan Griffiths.

I have enjoyed a small handful of wide-released and independent films this year to date.    A couple were memorable.  But this kept me awake on my sofa.  It proves that Toni Collette and Thomas Haden Church are two of the best actors of the generation.  It was also a film that I enjoyed from start to finish, which I find is harder and harder to do each month anymore.

I highly recommend this film.   It was a well-crafted film with some great performances by some of the best actors around.

Another pillar of the world is GONE. R.I.P. Maya Angelou

Personally, she led me to the understanding and beauty of poetry (when I watched Clinton's Inauguration).   Before that, it was Edna St. Vincent Millay's Renascence.  I remember watching her speak and feeling that I was being altered, almost genetically.    Maya Angelou was like watching a lyrical dance or hearing a perfectly balanced symphony.   She was all of the senses compiled into one beautiful human and teacher.

I'd LIKE to STAY HERE in South Africa. IN a tree house.

My only real fear is that serpents could someone make there way up into the treehouses.   But for that, can you imagine what it would be like to sit in this rudimentary splendor watching the life the desert pass below you.  Maybe you could pet a giraffe on the head.  Or feed an elephant a banana.  Or rut amongst the rhinos.   Can snakes climb walls or trees or posts?   I would hope these have been snake proofed?

A trio of strikingly beautiful tree houses on the Lion Sands Game Reserve  in the heart of South Africa's safari land, offer brave guests the chance to sleep under the stars, with wild animals lurking below.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/article-2638829/Treehouse.html#ixzz32mE4zATK
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook

The 645sqft Kingston is the largest of the three and features a shower, and guests are offered champagne dinners and sunset massages. 

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/article-2638829/Treehouse.html#ixzz32mEOnqye
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook

The 645sqft Kingston is the largest of the three and features a shower, and guests are offered champagne dinners and sunset massages. 

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/article-2638829/Treehouse.html#ixzz32mEOnqye
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook

The 645sqft Kingston is the largest of the three and features a shower, and guests are offered champagne dinners and sunset massages. 

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/article-2638829/Treehouse.html#ixzz32mEOnqye
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook

The PENIS wall

Printed by 3-D printer

Someone 3D-Printed An Entire Wall Of Penises, And It's Actually Quite Impressive

The Huffington Post  | by  Katherine Brooks

If you haven't heard they're building entire houses, human body parts, an future buildings for Mars on these 3-D printer.  I've never seen one for real.   I think that a basic one costs little more than an ink jet printer.  But this technology, I believe may change mankind more dramatically than any other in our history up until now.  The ability to reproduce materials, on such a such a mass-scale is a quantum leap from the industrial age.

But I saw this article and it, well, captured my imagine like no other.  I am going to go find out how I can learn to created things that could be printed on a 3-D Computer.

A HOLY GRAIL moment for Hobbitists

J.R.R. Tolkien Reveals TRUE Meaning Of 'The Lord Of The Rings' In Unearthed Audio Recording

The headlines above and article from the HuntingtonPost (click here)

Enchanting, no?

Wish I could have been there for this presentation.   Are you a Tolkien fan?

Adorable Jamie Oliver's incredible TAGINE recipe--changed my life this week

I LOVE Jamie Oliver.  He is adorable.  For a few years I've watched several of his tv cooking shows which featured the Moroccan dish Tagine. 

My favorite food in the world has always been Cajun jambalaya.  I always wondered if this dish was the similar of to my much beloved jambalaya, with a different set of flavors.  

I finally made an "Oliver" tagine recipe yesterday and my instincts were correct.  The tagine is the equivalent of jambalaya with a whole different continent/experience of new, exotic flavors.

I used the recipe shown below.   This entree was easy to make, which in my experience with television cooking shows is rare.   You only need a bowl and pot:  a simple bowl to marinate the chicken in the refrigerator.  I didn't have a tagine or casserole pot as the recipe requests so I used a cast iron pot, which was a perfect substitution.  

The meal was quick to make.  But purchasing a few of the more exotic ingredients in a small town place like the Palm Springs area took more time.  The preserved lemons were the biggest challenge.  After several visits to grocery store and a call to William Sonoma I finally found them in stock at Bristol Farms .  My local Trader Joe's said they have been trying to stock it but they are sold out).  When I saw Jamie make this he used portioned, cut lemons.  The bottle that I bought I bought at Bristole was pureed/minced. 

I couldn't find fresh coriander.  I've always heard that Coriander is the same thing as the more common (in California) Cilantro?  The information on the internet was even more confusing.    I substituted ground dried coriander instead of the fresh coriander stalks.  If someone can educate me on this I would appreciate it.   Is fresh cilantro the same thing as fresh coriander leaves?

I'd never cooked or eaten (at least knowingly) fresh fennel.  It is wonderful.   Very mild.   When it was raw, it smelled and looked like fresh anise (or licorice which I detest).   When cooked, it was amazing and lovely.

I have to say that this tagine  is one of the best things I've cooked.  Usually I am not pleased with my cooking.   But this was a symphony of new flavors.   I used chicken thighs, instead of the whole chix (I don't like white meat) and the meat just fell off the bones. Served on top of couscous, OMG

 This and jambalaya are now my favorite dishes.  

Jamie Oliver’s Chicken, Olive and Preserved Lemon Tagine

Serves: 4-6

Ingredients

1 whole chicken (approximately 1.5kg), preferably free range or organic, skin-on, jointed into 4 (get your butcher to do this for you)**
olive oil
1–2 large bulbs of fennel
2 onions, peeled and roughly chopped
a small bunch of fresh coriander**
4 cloves of garlic, peeled and sliced
2–3 small preserved lemons, deseeded and chopped**
80g black and green olives, stoned
a good pinch of saffron
500ml hot organic chicken stock

For the spice rub
1 heaped teaspoon coriander seeds, bashed up
1 level teaspoon ground cumin
1 heaped teaspoon ground ginger
2 tablespoons olive oil
sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

Recipe/photo source:  http://www.foodie.co.nz/jamie-olivers-chicken-olive-and-preserved-lemon-tagine/

**See paragraph above for my adaptations

Spring is THERE (and here I guess)

Photo from my friend, PC, who prefers to remain Anonymous.   He/She is a wonderful 
designer/artist/film maker/photographer as evidenced in the above.

My friend sent this photo of the glorious advent of the Spring season in the southeast.  

Here, in the Desert of southern California, we're just going through another shade of hell (Wed. it will be 100degrees).  I mean summer.   Unlike the rest of the country, we suffered a hot winter. That is not necessarily a good thing. For me it is sad this wretched unabated heat.  This photo of Spring makes me happy.

It reminds reminds of the great song:  "I Can See Clearly Now the Rain Is Gone."  One of the most amazing cover songs EVER, IMO.   It was done by Holly Cole (Holly Cole Trio).

You must listen.  I hope that I am listening to this song upon my death.

Dark Choloocate, Pistschio and Sugar Salt Cookies

Two or three weeks ago I posted a blog with almost amazing cookie recipes.  The amazing cookies shown were all alluring.  To see the original post, click here (March 28, 2014).

In my blog I suggested that I might may try to make them all, as an homage to Julie/Julia   Yesterday I tried this one:

Get the Dark Chocolate Chunk, Pistachio, and Sea Salt Cookies recipe from Two Peas and their Pod

Wee ended up with 24-300 cookes.   They were a perfection bland of dark chox, pistachio, and saltiness.    Our cookie batch did spread out as much as the photo above.    The 8 cookies seemed to crumble--so we added a couple butter.  That seemed help.  But maybe because we live in Palm  Springs the crecipe need moirstoir?

I found this receipt The Huntington-Post and used the hyper link which took me to Two Peas and their Pod

New TALLEST building in the WORLD begins construction in SAUDI ARABIA

Please click on photos to enlarge!

Photo Source:  Mace Group via The Independent.   Artist rendering of the completed building.

Previously, we featured (click here) a posting on a proposed skyscraper Kingdom Tower (in the illustration below at far left) that if built would be the tallest building, replacing the Burj Khalifa (second from the left in the illustration below).    This will dwarf the Burj by approximately 600 additional feet.

This illustration shows just how much taller this new building will be.  It also shows the tallest buildings in 2020, as currently proposed.  As you can see this thing dwarfs everything.  The taller, the better is m y motto!

Photo source:  http://blog.construmatica.com based upon information from Council of Tall Buildings.

The next architectural achievement is scheduled to begin construction next week in the new Saudi Arabian city Kingdom City in Jeddah.   Once completed, the skyscraper  will be 1km (3,280 feet) high and 200 floors.  That's approximately two thirds of a mile.  Truly Astonishing.   Why is it that mankind can create such astonishing profound achievements when we still act like cave men with our political warring and religious conflict?

The towering structure will feature 98-foot terrace on the 157th floor.

Photo source Adrian Smith+Gordon Gill Architecture / dapd, Huffington Post

I don't think it's possible to even truly understand the extraordinary height and accomplishment that this building will be.  The two photos below give just a hint of perspective.  Frank Lloyd Wright proposed in 1956 a mile high tower.  Kingdom Tower seems both inspired in design and certainly in ambition of a mile high.  The original specifications for Kingdom Tower were that it would be a mile high but it has been scaled back….but not by much!

Photo Source:  Looking up at the terrace.  This perspective gives a hint at how massively tall this building will be.

Photo source: Urukia via Huffington Post. Model of Kingdom Tower currently under construction.

Photo Source:  www.steinerag.com.   Frank Lloyd Wright Press Conference, October 16, 1956. 

The building is projected to cost US$1.23 billion.  It was designed by American architect Adrian Smith, who also designed the Khalifa tower.  The tower is being built by Saudi Arabian Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal, the wealthiest Arab in the Middle East and nephew of King Abdullah.   Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal is Chairman of the Board of Kingdom Holding Company who is spearheading the creation of the creation of this new city, Kingdom City.  The overall budget for Kingdom City is currently estimated at US$20 billion.

Kingdom City will be located just north of the the coastal city of Jeddah and essentially creating a new district in the metropolitan area.

Photo source:  The Independent.  Artist rendering of the completed building by Mace Group.

Photo source:  The Independent.  Artist rendering of the completed building by Mace Group

This is such a giant leap for mankind (sorry for the cliche).  Last century it was the US that drove such achievements.  This century it appears to be the Middle East/Asia that is truly pushing mankind forward as far as accomplishment.

A new posting of another of my favorite words: HYPERBOLE

Just finished watching The Wolf of Wall Street? Is it all hyperbole?  That word packs a wollop in the crazy world we live in today.  I find it most often associated in rhetoric from the Christian religious right, the Republican Party/Tea Party (whatever distinction), although it's really not exclusive to them.   Great word….in concept.  In sound.

hyperbole

hy·per·bo·le

  [hahy-pur-buh-lee]  Show IPA

noun Rhetoric .

1.

obvious and intentional exaggeration.

2.

an extravagant statement or figure of speech not intended to betaken literally, as “to wait an eternity.”

Compare litotes.

Origin: 
1520–30;  < Greek hyperbolḗ  excess, exaggeration, throwing beyond,equivalent to hyper- hyper- + bolḗ  throw

Synonyms 
2. overstatement.

Antonyms 
2. understatement.

A FUNNY new book of ESSAYS by a cute dude B.J. Novak

I watch Ellen DeGeneres faithfully every day.  It is truly the brightest moment of each day.

She had a guest on recently, B.J. Novak.  He is awfully handsome.  He was charming, intelligent and funny.

According to Wikipedia his bio is:
"Benjamin Joseph Manaly "B. J." Novak is an American actor, stand-up comedian, screenwriter, author, and director."

Most of you may know him from television show, The Office. He both acted in and wrote for the funny show.  Currently, he serves as producer on Mindy Kaling's (fellow The Office alumni) series titled The Mindy Project.

Novak's appearance on Ellen DeGeneres was to plug his recently released book, One More Thing: Stories and Other Stories.  The book jacket self-describes it as "an endlessly entertaining, surprisingly sensitive, and startlingly original debut that signals the arrival of a brilliant new voice in American fiction."

I just finished the book and enjoyed it immensely.  It is a bit reminiscent of Augusten Burroughs or David Sedaris…..even DeGeneres in print.   There are so many gems in this book.   But two of my favorites included:  "Sophia" (a short story about the world's first sex robot with the capacity to fall in love), "Walking on Egshells" (or:  When I Loved Tony Robbins), and "The Rematch" (the story about two races between a tortoise and a hare).

Some of the stories are funny.  Others are cleverly funny.  A few are poignantly funny.   Some provide great social commentary in the unique way only comedy can.   Read this book.  After all……..if he can be that cute, plus be as smart, funny and articulate as the book reveals, then he deserves success.

To order the book on amazon:  http://www.amazon.com/One-More-Thing-Stories-Other/dp/0385351836.    For more information about sexy Mr. Novak:  click here

I thoroughly enjoyed this book.  I hate to admit that it is the first book that I've read in months (because of school).  I struggled through the Steve Jobs biography.   As much as I was a curious, I think I won't be able to finish it.    As fascinating and admirable as he was he seems to have been a monster too.  I have this weird rule that I will not start a new book until I've finished the book I'm reading.  I've broken that sacred rule now.  The Jobs book may not be finished.   But I'm so glad that I moved on to Novak's erudite and funny book.

This cookie article (and photos) has had me DISTRACTED all day

Get the Soft And Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies recipe from Averie Cooks

I started my morning, as I do everyday, reading the dreary news on the web.  One of my primary news sources is The Huffington Post.  They had the most amazing article titled, "Every cookie recipe you'll ever need (and then some)".  Click here to see the article.  

I have been salivating all day. I am posting this because I'd like to try to make all of these recipes someday (there are 62 to be exact, although I have included only a few photos).  Maybe I'll do an homage to the groundbreaking, delightful blog, book and film (starring Meryl Streep/Amy Adams) Julie/Julia homage.   But since no reads this blog the only impact would be to my middle aged, already over-expanded waste line.  I guess I could take all of the cookies to senior centers?   Would anyone read this blog more, if I do?   

The wonderful eclectic recipes include some of my most favorite food stuff:  chocolate, chocolate, double chocolate, peanut butter, nuts, pistachios (times 100), butter, cream cheese,  caramel, butterscotch, cinnamon, sugar, honey, molasses, nutella,  sea salt, oatmeal, fruit (berries in every way), cookies that are made in a cast iron skillet.  This list could go on.  Click here to see the article. 

Get the Salted Soft & Chewy Peanut Butter Cookies recipe from The Moveable Feast

Get the Dark Chocolate Chunk, Pistachio, and Sea Salt Cookies recipe from Two Peas and their Pod

But the one that's really made my panties wet (it's such an erotic, enticing coupling--love to sample):  The Peanut-Butter-Cup-Stuffed Ginger Cookies Recipe by Pip & Ebby.

Well HELLO gorgeous: new building in SUZHOU, CHINA

A new gorgeous building, "Gate of the Orient", is under construction in Sozhou.   It's been criticized by some who say it looks like a pair of pants (As per the Daily Mail : "Architectural triumphs or just plain pants?:  China's latest superstructures resemble a giant pair of long johns… "(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gate_to_the_East) .

Others have praised it.

I fall into the later category.  I think it is elegant.  How about you?

The new skyscraper which will top out at 980 ft. (74 floors) is currently under construction in China.    Here's a photo of building under construction from 2012.   Architecture (and all photos) by RMJM an international.  RMJM's, an international architectural firm, work encompasses architecture, sustainable design, urban planning, and master planning http://www.rmjm.com/profile/ .

GORGEOUS London building(s)

Me Want!!!   Great blogsite too.

http://ishouldbelaughing.blogspot.com

Another FAVORITE word:

dodgy

 adjective \ˈdä-jē\

: false or dishonest

: causing a lack of trust or confidence

: in bad condition

Full Definition of DODGY

1

chiefly British :  evasive, tricky

2

chiefly British

a :  not sound, good, or reliable

b :  questionable, suspicious

3

chiefly British :  requiring skill or care in handling or coping with

— dodg·i·ness  noun

 See dodgy defined for English-language learners »

Examples of DODGY

1. The car's got a dodgy engine.
2. They got into a dodgy situation.

Gorgeous new TOWER design for Jakarta Indonesia

This is a stunning new design by architects US architectural firm Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM).   Created for the state-owned energy company, Pertamina, the large-scale project will feature a performing arts and exhibition pavilion, a mosque, and a central energy plant in addition to the office tower. Rising more than 1739 ft (530 metres) above Jakarta, the tower will be a new landmark on the capitol's skyline. 

The unique, elegant design features an integrated "wind funnel" that generates energy from prevailing air currents.The new tower will be the tallest building in Indonesia and one of the tallest buildings in the world once completed  (the new One World Trade Center is 1,776 feet but that includes a 406 ft antenna).



I've always wanted to go to Jakarta after seeing the fantastic movie, The Year of Living Dangerously, with Sigourney Weaver, Mel Gibson and Linda Hunt decades ago.  Guess I'll have to wait unit 2020 to finally visit so that I can see the finished Pertamina tower.






ttp://www.dezeen.com/2013/12/11/som-indonesia-skyscraper-harness-wind-power/

R.I.P. Nelson Mandela--one of the most beautiful, remarkable men who ever lived