Gild your Look with Gold Shadow, Extensions, Pink Ombre

Thursday, December 17, 2009

The Future of Air Travel: Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner

The Future of Air Travel: Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner

Watch the New Boeing 787 "Dreamliner" Take Off on YouTube


Do you love jets as much as I do? Here is the future of jet travel, off the drawing board and into reality.

This is an awesome video! And a global effort, according to YouTube:
USA? Nope - A Global effort
Engines: Rolls Royce - England
Those sexy wings: Nagoya Japan
Landing Gear: Messier - England/France/Russia
Doors: Latecoere - France
Carbon Fiber: Toray Ind. - Japan
Avionics: Hurrah mostly US suppliers
Last but definitely not least ...
Program management and platform Integration - Boeing

Copy and paste the following link to watch extraordinary footage.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fucq5BoEfEI

Friday, December 11, 2009

Why I got involved in "Dancesport"

When first introduced to ballroom dancing, I was enduring a painful divorce and seeking physical "therapy" to heal my wounded self image. After an accelerated six week course and learning the rudimentary steps for 10 dances, I realized how much I had benefitted and the fun was about to end. The world of dance is very glamorous and the appeal was growing with each lesson, and I began to read more. I had never heard of "competitive ballroom dancing," and when seeing that term online in the London Times internet edition I mentioned it to my instructor with a laugh, and he intoned in a curiously sudden way, "it's called Dancesport. When you come back for your next lesson, everything will be different. You will have to unlearn some bad habits you have been making, and I will be very hard on you. And...you'll need some dancesport shoes, not the "character" shoes you have been wearing." I looked down at my borrowed flesh toned, granny heeled "Minnie Mouse" round toes with embarrassment.
(to be continued)

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Welcome France, South America, UK , England, Canada, Greece, Japan, Italy, China, Netherlands, land, Germany, Korea, Portugal, Russia and Spain!

Thanks to Babelfish, you can now read The Essential Heiress in many languages!

Ole! Strictly Ballroom Australian Cult Film Still My Favorite (click to watch)

When I was first introduced to ballroom dancing, I had never heard of "competitive ballroom dancing." I actually thought it was a joke when I saw a society column in a London newspaper. (I like to catch up on world news online.) I mentioned it to my instructor, and he said, in a tone of all seriousness, "it's called Dancesport."
(to be continued)

Monday, November 23, 2009

A like-minded friend is good to have

How many times have you wished for a place to just confide anonymously in a friend who is in the same boat you are? Not everyone understands your mindset. Some you confide it will respond negatively to your problems, judge you, or offer advice that is insincere. True friends are hard to find. Experiences that are joyful to you should be shared, but even then, you have to be careful if you don't want to offend.
If you can't afford therapy, and your friends are a little too close for comfort, perhaps you would enjoy joining this group. If you need encouragement with a goal, such as losing weight or eating more healthily or saving money, you can be a part of a group that is doing the same. You can log on at midnight and give a status of what you are doing, feeling, thinking and update it throughout the day. Maybe this concept is not news to you, but it was to me. I never found a group I wanted to join before now. Perhaps you will, too.//

Monday, November 16, 2009

I wonder if anyone is reading this blog? All I know is that it is a place of escape for me, a beautiful world where I can visit and be in a good space.
I'm not really an heiress, you know. Unless you count my relationship to God through His son's death on the cross for me.
I am undergoing a medical procedure tomorrow. I would appreciate your prayers.
God bless you. Goodnight.

Friday, November 13, 2009

How to handle hurts and look forward to life again


What are you looking forward to? Have you ever made a list? Each and every day wake up and remember who and where you are. Yes, you'll have priorities that you have no control over, of course. But, try to remember what you were dreaming. Where does your heart dwell, when it is happy? When you are busily taking care of your daily activities, to what thing does your mind continually wander when it wants to "play." Your subconscious is a child. Sometimes your thoughts will cause a pang of regret that pains the heart. Sometimes the mention of the name of someone who has hurt you can suddenly crush your heart and it feels like a literal stabbing that goes through all the way to your back. Maybe you'll not even remember what was said or what happened that made you feel that way. Maybe it was cumulative...that this person did so many little offenses that finally one was the last straw that broke the camel's back. It's unclear to you now, but you just remember how it felt. Maybe it was your fault, and that hurts even more. There is a time and a place for forgiveness and healing. A time to confront the problem, a time to confess and ask forgiveness and for a reconciliation. But right now, the child inside your heart begs the adult inside you to take the problem that is too overwhelming and put it inside a box and give it to Jesus to handle. Jesus is much taller than the child, so it is impossible for the child to look up and see the contents of the box, but the child can see that Jesus is holding the box without difficulty. You will tell Jesus you are sorry you can't fix it. Then He will wipe away your tears and give you a hug, and you will be free to run outside and play in the sunshine.//

Saturday, November 7, 2009

Sultry, Loving Dance Pose



My niece Rachel Nicholson and her husband Steven at the finale of their Wedding Waltz. They were both Fred Astaire ballroom dance instructors.

Friday, November 6, 2009

Bloomberg Radio Live


Don't live in fear. Listen to the news and also read one chapter in the Bible daily (I am reading in Corinthians). Don't skip around in the Word of God. Ask, and the Lord will then shine His wisdom on what you are hearing from the world and you will know things no one will know because He will reveal it to those who love Him."

"Don't be afraid to commit some of what you receive to help the poor and needy close to home. The Lord will repay you."

"If you don't have any money to give, give something good from your house to Goodwill. The Lord sees the heart and He loves a cheerful giver."

Click title above to go to Bloomberg Radio broadcast.

http://www.bloomberg.com/audioplayers/playr_go.html?&clipName=Bloomberg%20Live%20Radio&clip=radio_live

Monday, November 2, 2009

Why I Love Foreign Films, Music, Dance

A heated passion of mine is film, foreign films from France and India at the moment. I'm a Netflix subscriber and movie addict and have seen over 450 films in the past 6 years, all for the price of owning only one per month. (I pay about $18for unlimited viewing by mail or on my computer at www.netflix.com.
My French list includes Happenstance (watched 3 times), Priceless (watched twice), Two Days in Paris. My Indian cinematic faves include Monsoon Wedding and Outsourced. I loved French/Algerigan singer Faudel ("The little price of Rai") so much in the movie Happenstance that I purchased two CDs on Amazon.com. "Baida" and "Samra." I think that translating his love song lyrics from French to English on Babelfish will help teach me the French language. Faudel is also on the background music of Amira Mor's bellydancing instructional videos. Some of his music would be perfect for tango, salsa, or flamenco... (http://www.last.fm/music/Faudel)
I love foreign films, especially romantic comedies because they are usually not epics but feature the lives of individuals. Intimate and pensive, sometimes even revealing the innermost thoughts. Conversations seem more true to life, and there is less "plot" and more "story." The filmmaker is trying to teach us something profound, true, or unknowable. And the backdrops are beautiful and mind expanding, teaching about travel and culture in the most pleasant way. It is like actually being in Paris, or on the Cotes du Azur, or in India and viewing life, good or bad, through another's eyes. Laughing at life, and realizing that some things are the very same in every culture. Love, Family, Children, Work, Hopes, Faith, and Dreams.//

Friday, October 30, 2009

This Blog Has a New Name! The Essential Heiress (tm)


It suddenly came to me after creating my "you might be an heiress if...The Essential Heiress Quiz." We are ALL essentially heiresses, created by Almighty God, and if we believe in his Son, then Heiresses of all He has made.
The Essential Heiress is a title that has some humor in it as well. You don't have to have a trust fund or have gobs of money. And it means that it is essential to stay involved in life, not just your own life, but the lives of others.
If you are a subscriber or casual visitor, you may not have to do anything to stay connected to this blog. I do hope and pray you are enjoying reading about the topics I am covering. I only write about what I am passionate about. And if that strikes a spiritual cord within you as well, then we are BOTH "Essential Heiresses."//

Thursday, October 29, 2009

Street Tango! Videos from Buenos Aires

The Mansion Dandi Royal ~ Boutique Tango Hotel in Buenos Aires


This has to be be the ultimate. This is where I would prefer to stay ~ in this Art Nouveau palace. Described as a boutique tango hotel, it is an actual mansion. A residential academy where enthusiasts fly in from all over the world to absorb the culture of tango dancing! It is in San Telmo, in the heart of Buenos Aires near Caminito and La Boca, where tango was born. You'll love the photos, videos and the history.

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

You Might Be An Heiress If...(take the fun quiz!)




THE ESSENTIAL HEIRESS QUIZ

You might be an Heiress if:

1. You know exactly what you would do with $100,000.

2. You know at least some words in 5 or more languages.

3. You drive a car with no "pimping."

4. You know the difference and between Chai Latte and Macchiato and how to make them.

5. You listen to PBS radio.

6. You have a brand new interest every single week.

7. You have researched a trip in great detail that you will take in ten years.

8. You still have some clothing or jewelry from your teens.

9. You saved your childhood books.

10. You always read more than one book at a time.

11. You prefer non-fiction and biography.

12. You dabble in art, or have shown your own work.

13. You collect fragrances by season.

14. You wear matching lingerie every day.

15. You keep an updated passport.

16. You know where the Dead Sea scrolls were found.

17. You never "crash" to bed, but retire with a book, warm milk and your journal.

18. You have at least 6 doctors on speed dial.

19. You have posed with 2 or more celebrities in your life.

20. You ARE a celebrity...to someone.

21. You have used at least 10 financial institutions in your life.

22. Your last "second childhood" was last week.

23. You enjoy watching foreign films with subtitles.

24. You know what will be in style before it happens from experience.

25. You have at least three close friends from other cultures.

26. You know exactly how much is in your savings account or wallet.

27. Your wallet matches your purse or eyeglass holder.

28. You unconsiously match things...nails, lipstick, jewelry, cups, cars.

29. You artistically unmatch things. china, suit pieces, furnishings.

30. You know a good attorney firm.

31. You know the exact nutritional value of everything you put in your mouth.

33. You make your own at home spa treatments.

34. You own a yoga or pilates DVD.

35. You can name 3 world leaders and have written to one.

36. You have tried to read an encyclopedia.

37. You own classical music CDs.

38. You change purses for evening.

39. You have attended religious services in at least 6 houses of worship.

40. You realize that some of your friends are people you pay.

41. You know the tenants of your own faith and creed.

44. You have written a will.

45. You own a book by Emily Post or Julia Child.

Advanced Questions:

46. You know the difference between the S & P 500 and the Fortune 500.

47. You can name 7 American companies which are at least 100 years old.

48. You know the difference between Stephen Allen and Robert Kiyosaki.

49. You know what the Euro is worth and whether it is more than the British pound.

50. You know the capital of Australia (hint- it's not Sydney).

51. You know the approximate price of a barrel of oil.

55. You know who the Prime Minister of Israel is and whether France has a king.

56. You can quote from the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights.

57. You know where cinnomin comes from.

58. You know the year the Vietnam War began and ended.

59. You voted in the last election.

60. You know what year Hong Kong reverts back to Mainland China.

61. You can explain the "Cuban Missile Crisis" and who presided over it.

62. You know the city where the Medici's of Italy are entombed.

63. You know in which country St. Moritz is located.

64. You know the name of the sculptor of "David" and who painted the ceiling of the
Sisteen Chapel.

65. You know the name of the doctor who invented the polio vaccine.

66. You know who the Hapsburgs were.

67. You could pinpoint Monaco on a world map.

68. You have seen "The Swan" with Grace Kelly.

69. You know the rudimentary basics of fencing, golf and archery.

70. You've checked to see if you have royal blood.

Other signs you might be an heiress

71. You are compulsively neat.

77. You don't leave the house sloppily dressed.

78. You smile when walking past strangers.

79. You always lock your car.

80. You always empty your coin purse at the Salvation Army bellringer urn. Or write a check.

81. You own a pair of white gloves.

82. You are kind to animals and perfect strangers.

83. You own a pair of large sunglasses.

84. You apply foundable with brushes and carry a compact.

85. You believe in Angels.

86. You have hand sanitizer and lotion in your handbag.

87. People who don't know you refer to you as a lady and not a woman.

88. You wear hats in the summer.

89. Your towels are all folded the same way.

90. You read everything you sign.

91. You've given a child a monetary gift for his or her birthday.

92. You've every walked out of an offensive movie.

93. You've gone back to pay for something a cashier overlooked.

94. You have taken private lessons.

95. You enjoy flying.

96. You save memorabilia.

97. You make close friends personal gifts.

98. You have a secret family recipe.

99. You still call your father Daddy.

100. You will look up information in this quiz!

Score:

0- 10 pts. (You found this quiz silly)
11- 30 pts. (You're confused by this quiz)
31- 50 pts. (You didn't have time to take this quiz)
51 - 70 pts. (You're still working on it.)
71- 80 pts. (You know someone who would like this quiz)
81 - 90 pts. (You already know you're an heiress)
91 - 100 pts. (You'd like extra credit, please)

Are you an Essential Heiress, too? Stay involved. Subscribe to http://essentialheiress.blogspot.com/

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

TANGO! Is what is inside you...


http://www.fredastairepanamacity.com/

Buenos Aires is where the dance Tango was born. Internationally, Buenos Aires is on the Atlantic Ocean and sparkles as the "Paris" of South America. It's home to some of the most beautiful shoes, and dancers, in the world! I confess I am hooked on this dance form. One day I hope Keith and I will visit Buenos Aires and go to the cafe which made tango famous around the world. The Argentine Tango is different from regular Tango. It is a dance between one man and one woman. It has it's own vocabulary, it's own language. Love, hate, indifference, romance, playfulness...the gamut of emotions may be expressed in it. Though some of the steps are simple, one could take a lifetime to master them, and enjoy every moment. There is no choreography that once mastered, which cannot be improvised and personalized on the dance floor. There are several styles on Tango...Salon tango is informal, and danced with one person, one dance, at a time, usually in a "salon" or small living room setting or dance floor. Milongas are parties where dances are danced in sets of three before changing partners. There is "street" tango, or orillero. And yes, it is danced on the streets of Buenos Aires in public performances. (What could be more romantic?) And finally, there is Fantasia, which is a highly stylized, large, dramatic and exaggerated dance done on stage to prepared choreography and orchestra. Fred Astaire offers basic tango classes for couples for $10 on Tuesdays at 5:45 in Panama City, Florida.
For your Tango music listening pleasure, I found this link: http://www.ballroomdancers.com/music/search_style.asp?Dance=Tango

TANGO! It's All About the Shoes

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

The Timid 2000's


When I wrote my book in 2002, I'd built up the excessive 80's, dreamed through the nostalgic 90's and now I am ending what I say was the Timid 2000's. This was the decade that started with the World Trade Center disaster on 9/11/2001. I'm ten years older now, and wiser. I worry that my book does not strike the same note that it did ten years ago. But, it is filled with wisdom and inspiration from my grandparents day, so it isn't exactly focused on my lifetime. Right now, I no longer want to "be rich." I want to "be secure." The present economy is weak and we are in the second year of a major recession. "The tide floats all boats," and not one person has not been affected by it. However, money does not buy happiness, and as a matter of fact, cannot even buy us security. So let us store your treasure in heaven by helping others. Strangely, that alone brings me happiness. Living within a budget brings me a sense of contentment. Facing lack drives me to my infinite source in God. Having anything at all makes me feel thankful, and well, rich- richly blessed, that is. I wonder what the 2010's will bring.
I've discovered some impressive links I'd like to share.
Simply Savings from Australia. www.simplesavings.com.au/ (Look what you can do with $21!)
ING Direct for savings and banking www.ingdirect.com (If you can't bank in Switzerland, how about Amsterdam? It's an International bank and fully a U. S. one, too, and tailored to we customers.)
And for buying and holding stocks and mutual funds, www.Sharebuilder.com.
Check out my Dad's blog as well. It's called, I Am Not Ashamed of Jesus. http://captben61.blogspot.com/ I'd like you to join me in putting some "treasure" in our heavenly bank account. And in so doing, enrich our life.//
Sometimes an example of what I am trying to say comes to my inbox. Please take few minutes to view this clip of a blind motivator has to say. It will bless your life and I believe possibly change it as well.
http://mymentorsnetwork.com/30DayBootCamp/MMN_Day11_Life_Mastery_30-Day_Boot_Camp20jj7o8hgfdhjyewktyf0y078y98__8_8JJ.html

Monday, October 5, 2009

Alas, My Gourmet Magazine is Folding Away, like a World Map

I can't believe it...Gourmet Magazine, now 70 years old, will be no more. How I loved receiving it month after month, and trying the new recipes, honing my culinary skills, and travelling the world vicariously. I started subscribing as a young bride in 1986 and renewed for nine years, and then renewed again only this year, 23 years later. The older issues are the best. The travel pages were as good as the cooking ones. Through them I visited the waterfront Jumbo restaurant of Hong Kong (cover March 92), savored a Spring Apres Ski Weekend with onion and sage stuffed pork chops with kielbasa and sauerkraut, with lemon sweet potato souffle (March 88), Dined alfresco in the snow in big sunglasses at the French Alpine resort cafe at Courchevel, site of the Winter Olympics (cover January 92). I hosted a small Opera Luncheon, tuning in to the Lincoln Center, to hear Pavarotti, and great tenors sing The Pearlfishers duet, on the stereo radio broadcast, while my guests savored crisp Cloud Merengues with their arias, chilled cucumber soup with their crescendoes. My artfully mismatched settings graced a black wrought iron table, brought chicly indoors, with sparkling stemware and clay, and little moss stained angel as a centerpiece. My cooking is always complimented, not because I studied at Cordon Bleu(my dream) but because I memorized certain recipes over time from the pages of Gourmet. I have collected a whole set of gorgeous unmatched china dinner plates to use as platters to highlight certain dishes, as in the pages of Gourmet. In them the food is impossibly beautiful, and it doesn't care and never did give a fig souffle how many calories it has, only that it is made with what is good and real, like real butter, unsalted of course, and the freshest local ingredients, lovingly prepared, with patience and appreciation. I understand Gourmet has published a cookbook (it's last?). I'm sure that it, as well as back issues on Ebay, will be snapped up by a great demand. I for one will be holding on to my memories, and my Gourmet magazine collection, which now seems even more valuable and timeless. You could learn and about the Sphinx and Cairo, Frank Lloyd Wright and Taliesen, relive the Fashion, the passion, the jewelry, cruises and cars of the excessive 1980s and nostalgic 1990s. I made my pastors wife who just had a baby, a frozen Zabaglioni, like an icecream roll, tinted and scented with sherry. In a way, I'm glad that Gourmet will cease publishing, so that I can try to catch up, and try recipes that are now classic. In Gourmet, you made not mere meals, but once in a lifetime milesstones. If something should happen that civilization as we know it ends, at least we will have Gourmet to remind us of how glorious it once could be.//

Wednesday, September 30, 2009

NEVER LEAVE YOUR PARTNER

My husband and I are doing "The Love Dare" from the book that inspired the hit movie "Fireproof" (2008, Sherwood Pictures). Actually, the first time I did the book, we were dating, and he proposed to me on Day 8, because, well, he "just felt so loved!" If you haven't seen the movie, please rent it on Netflix at http://www.netflix.com/. We are also journaling to one another on http://www.40daylovedare.com/. Just the act of writing to each other on opposite ends of the house, and anticipation of receiving a significant love letter, has put passion and fun back into our lives.
I won't say that the assignments are easy, but they are simple. If you're single or divorced, like I was, the book will definitely prepare you for your next relationship. It may even save your marriage!
Watch the movie trailer on Imdb: http://www.imdb.com/video/screenplay/vi3049979929/
Marriage is serious business and I don't want mine to go up in flames. As you'll learn in the movie, NEVER LEAVE YOUR PARTNER.fireproof

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Log Readers Get Free E-book

If any readers of the Destin Log's recent articles on my father, Capt. Ben Marler, would like to download a free copy of this book, please go to http://www.box.net/ImpressiveHome
You will need Adobe Reader, but you may freely download this program at www.adobe.com
Libaries are encouraged to download a free archival copy. Many of the 130 historial and family photos were taken by myself or my family and I will give written permission to use them if you will contact me at www.heiressarts.com
The County libary system has a printed copy. Several local elementary schools are using this book as a fifth grade level "A. R. Reading" book, and at last count, 140 children had checked it out for school credit at my "alma mater" (1966-1972) Destin Elementary School. I regret that I don't have any more printed copies to donate, but I will be producing the book on CDs and hope that eventually Amazon will have printed copies for purchase for $13.85 plus tax. God bless you for reading this book, and please share it with your own children. - Athena//

Monday, September 14, 2009

Growing Up Capt. Ben Marler's Daughter

An excerpt:
"Being Daddy's favorite subject when he was taking photography classes at F. S. U. His dark room, which always seemed more sort of red, to me, and watching a floating leaf of curled paper turn into my glossy stained likeness. Reading Archie comic books under the covers to my sister Beth and knowing that Daddy used to do that when he was little. The annual September hunting trips to Colorado. Daddy prepared for and let us "camp" all over the living room devoid of furniture. The living room slumber parties in his pop tent while anxiously waiting for the "Grizzly Bear" to shake up the tent so we all could scream! Shopping trips to Fort Walton Beach to buy new shoes at Kenney's or Fleet's shoe store, and having to buy more when they became tight. Eating hot apple pies and orange drinks at McDonald's in our car in the winter with our engine running because they was no such thing as indoor dining, while we waited for Beth's ballet lessons to be over across the street. The smells of fruited divinity and peals of bells in Sear's shopping for a shirt for Daddy which came not all new and wrinkled on a hanger, but new and all creased up in a wedge of cardboard, pins and plastic wrap." pp. 99-100.

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

To Buy This E-Book

Please click on August 21 on the Archive below to order this E-book. For Free Public Library access, please contact Heiress Arts Publishers at HeiressArts@gmail.com. (Book can be ordered as a download, or by mail on CD.)

See posts in the Archives for book excerpts and recent columns.

Friday, August 28, 2009

The Impressive Path

The g-granddaughter of two founding families of Destin, Florida (Marler, Maltezos) describes, often through the eyes of childhood in the 1960s, the secrets of success and the amazing path to greatness and God-given destiny. Charmingly and compellingly written, you will be inspired to straighten, and then you will just be inspired+ (Over 100 pages of current and historical photos.)-from the Publisher.

Thursday, August 27, 2009

A Really Fast Way to Straighten the Whole House, from Chapter Two

"A Really Fast Way to Straighten the Whole House. Make all the beds, one by one. Take all the dishes to the kitchen and load the dishwasher. Next, take all clothing to be laundered to the laundry area. Finally, discard all papers, and rearrange the rest. You're done. Enjoy. Go to lunch. Still need inspiration? Read on."

Saturday, August 22, 2009

The Madly Clean Rich Room

An excerpt from Chapter Two: The Madly Clean Rich Room. "You will find them in model homes which have never been lived in, but every home should have one. It may be the home's entrance and foyer which makes the first impression, or the living room and dining room. It may be the master bedroom. Today's home building trends may even dictate that it is the garage. It must be flawlessly clean, and the results will be worth it, because it will uplift you every time you see it. And like the epicenter principle, the quality of cleanliness will send the tone and tend to spread, like influence. We tend to reproduce what we are."

Uneasy Rider, but Fun, nonetheless

(Continued) Red Snapper is a delicacy, truly, and and just as tender as I remembered. We managed to save a bit for tomorrow's Sunday lunch if only to prove my point that the dish is "better the next day."
We go to Daytona Beach this coming weekend. My husband, "Karate" Keith, aka "Wild Man" has a white Kawasaki bike, and, in case you didn't know, biking is synonymous with Daytona Beach. I never fancied myself a "biker" but we are members of the Christian Motorcyclists Association, a worldwide membership with headquarters in Hatfield, Arkansas at "Iron Mountain." So we are hardly the stereotype. I took to the sport like a little timid fish to murky water. When the "leathers" started looking fashionable to me, I took the bait. I have a elongated, safety-yellow helmet that makes me look like a rainforest insect, and it's windshield keeps my eyelashes on and protects my face from blowdrying out. Little does Keith know that I am closer to God than I ever am on the back of his ride. If prayers were bubbles, you would think we had just gone through a car wash and forgot to rinse. His bike features detailed airbrushed art--Samson between the pillars, a key and lock, a spread Eagle, a Holy Spirit Dove, and the declaration, "Heaven-bound." Honestly, if you don't have the attitude that you're ready to meet God, take my advice and don't ride. To relax, I imagine heavy metal inside my head and I close my eyes in turns and lane changes. Keith's favorite scripture calls out to passersby when kickstands are up. It declares Matt. 6:33- or "Seek ye first the Kingdom of God, and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you." I'm happy to be a member of the CMA and you can learn more at www.cmausa.org. There may be a Chapter in your area. Until then "keep it on two."//

Friday, August 21, 2009

Capt. Ben Marler's Baked Snapper

Have you seen Julie & Julia yet? If you have, you might be feeling like giving a little dinner party...
My Dad, Capt. Ben Marler, just gave me a beautiful red snapper that he caught, cleaned, wrapped in saran wrap, and froze for me. It is thawing in my refrigerator. You can buy hopefully buy Red Snapper at a fish market. I will prepare it Saturday to serve for Sunday dinner because it is better the next day as it must absorb all the flavors. There is really no substitute for the delicate sweet red snapper in this recipe. It's baked in a savory, tangy sauce made by sauteing onions, garlic and bell peppers in real bacon drippings (Bacon is in vogue in many recipes right now, too). Add an undrained can of tomatoes, breaking them up with a spoon, salt and pepper, 1 small bayleaf (optional) and cover, simmering on very low heat so as to not scorch the tomatoes or lose too much liquid. Add water if necessary. The aroma will be heavenly. In a rectangular glass baking dish, pour the sauce over the half side of snapper, skin side down. Place 3-4 lemon slices on the top. Bake in a preheated oven, covered, at 350 degrees until meat is white and flakes with a fork. It will have a silky texture. Then, resist devouring and cover and refrigerate overnight. Before serving, reheat, place 3-4 new lemon slices, discarding the old ones, over the snapper and garnish with parsley, if desired.
Here is an excerpt from my book found in the Destin Libary, describing my grandmother Cleo's weekly family dinner in the 1960's in Destin, Florida:
"We could hear her whistling in the kitchen, or talking on the base radio to my grandfather as he steered the boat back in to the dock, broadcasting on station call letters KCS 1395. The aroma of baked red snapper with tomatoes, onions, pepper, lemon and bacon was heady. She would be cooling down tea, and slicing lemons. There would be a relish tray with black olives, radishes, bell peppers. Brown and serve rolls, and whipped "cow butter" as my sister and I called it. She would have green salad with plain oil and vinegar for dressing. The white wrought iron and glass table in her large kitchen would be set with all the dishes within reach. A step ladder chair would be pulled up to the table with phone books on it for my little sister. We would have conversation, the news, the telephone ringing with boat reservations, and all, but we loved every animated, happy moment of it."
Enjoy!//

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Thursday, August 20, 2009

The Impressive Art of Straightening the Home(tm): Appreciate Your Life

The Impressive Art of Straightening the Home(tm): Appreciate Your Life

Appreciate Your Life

Do you appreciate your life?
The buzzword now seems to be "Love Your Life," and while that is excellent advice because so often, we focus on the negative and do not, yet on the other hand it seems a bit superficial and self gratifying.
The only way to appreciate your life, it seems to me, is to know what is truly important--
During the horrors of 911 and it's aftermath on our country, I was writing a book for my daughters. To give them a sense of who they are, and who they will become. To teach them the best parts of our family history. To let them grow and change, teaching them to worship and obey God. To show them how to care about and serve others. I wanted to give them a gift of self-esteem and bring a blessing which will last to the thousandth generation. Watching the World Trade Center crumble and smolder on television, I felt a desperate will to live, to want life to go on. For my children's sake. Not as before, but better. To appreciate the God-given miracle of living each day.
I realized that we Mothers must do this.
So, I sat down and wrote this very Mission Statement for my book, to wit:
To help women and their daughters to come into their inheritance with grace and understanding. To encourage them to model themselves after the "Wife of Noble Character" in Proverbs 31. To prepare them, hopefully, to become inheritors of all they are meant to receive, achieve, become and overcome in this life. And-I'm adding this now- to just plain have fun.
As my gift to you today, I'd like you to preview my book. Go to http://www.box.net/ImpressiveHome
The book is available only in ebook form now, but soon will be available to order through Amazon.com
You'll want a copy once you see it.
Ironically, though written for adults, the book's largest following have been elementary school libraries, where is it is popular AR reading book on the 5th grade level. Some children, boys and girls alike, checked it out many times.
Please follow my blog each day. I need your encouragement and you need mine. Appreciate your life and enjoy every second. Julia Child did.

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Lovely, Just Lovely...

It almost goes without saying that we loved it. The matinee at the MGM Grand Cineplex theater at the new Pier Park in Panama City, Florida was filled with other women of un-certain age, dressed almost as it were, for the occasion. The movie was delightful. I have already devoured half of the novel "Julie & Julia" by Julie Powell and a chapter of "My Life in France," written by Julia herself at the end of her life. And She lived. What struck me most about Julia Child, was her unfailing cheer, and endearing charm. She found all of the French people she met friendly and warm, and they loved and accepted her, too. She took life by the horns and just lived it, that's all. Life was thrilling to her. Meryl Streep was brilliant in her biographical portrayal, and in an interview on YouTube compared playing Julia to paying tribute to her own mother, who mirrored some of Julia's qualities of zest and verve. When I was about 6 years old, watching Julia's cooking program, saw her literally drop a very heavy roasted turkey, or was it ham, on the floor, slipping right off the platter, right on the air. She went on to wish everyone a hearty Bon Appetit and see you next time without missing a beat or showing any hint of embarrassment, pretending it never happened. I ran to my mother to tell her- that lady just dropped her dinner and they showed it on tv! That was Julia. It was lovely to have my own mother beside me again, laughing and reminiscing of the black-and-white tv days, when life was just "peachy" and women wore pearls and high heels in the kitchen. It was very touching, in the movie, when author Julie Powell's husband gave her a set of imitation pearls to celebrate her 30th birthday, and with tender emotion in front of party guests, she promptly snapped off her plastic pop bead pearls while he fastened the new ones at the nape of her neck. Go see this movie. And if at all possible, please see it with your mother.//

Monday, August 17, 2009

Bon Jour!

I am starting my blog by saying how much I am looking forward to seeing the new movie, Julie and Julia tomorrow with my Mother. I remember Julia Child's cooking program from 1963 when I was only 4 years old and just beginning my lifelong ambitions to be as much like my heros as possible . I am certain I will be inspired to create impressive dishes. Julia Child actually attended Cordon Bleu cooking school in France, bringing their secrets to America. I can attest that everything in France tastes delicious, even the food on Air France!
Incidentally, the Cordon Bleu has a website and a boutique! http://www.cordonbleu.edu/


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