POP ~ By SugarWendy Staley, compass rose to Harbinger*33

ambiance ala kstraw2

* POP *

By ~ Sugar Wendy Staley

By hubba hubba, ding, ding, ding that man’s got everything, thought Rosalie as she watched Mac deposit a bag of groceries topped off with Wonder Bread and a jar of Skippy in Old Maid Myers’ pristine 1939 Ford coupe.  Mac had worked for Cromer’s Grocer since he was twelve and always saved enough from his earnings for the collection plate at the First Presbyterian Church and a dime for the Saturday matinee at the Capital Theatre on South Main.  Rosalie wasn’t easily swayed by a handsome face, having grown up with seven brothers; however there was something about that swagger and hard-boiled good looks that made her motor hum.  She decided right at that moment walking down Walnut Avenue to design a crafty plan to catch Mac’s eye. 

Rosalie worked part-time at Penn Diner owned by her Aunt Darcy on her mother’s side. She decided to consult her aunt on attracting a man since Aunt Darcy and Uncle Walt had been blissfully married for 25 years. Walt worked the late shift at the rivet plant, had been the county marble champion for the last 40 years, and thought his wife was the bee’s knees.  In cahoots with Rosalie’s plan to get Mac to think he had the hots for her, Darcy put her pageboy hairdo to work on strategizing a plan that would plant family and friends in Cromer’s, dropping sweet nothings about Rosalie and her finer qualities along with her availability, within earshot of the unsuspecting hunk.  Calmed by Darcy’s assurance that her Monday plan was foolproof and would have them dating by the weekend, Rosalie did her best to trust her Aunt Darcy and put her heebie jeebies to rest.

The next morning upon arriving at the diner, Darcy, who previously had only laid eyes on Mac on her weekly Thursday morning trip to Cromer’s, was staring at that handsome mug downing the Tuesday Tutti Frutti Pie Special at her own lunch counter. Charlotte, the morning shift waitress, was pouring him Maxwell House and smiling like a Cheshire Cat. 

“Now what in heaven’s name made him show up here?” mumbled Darcy as she walked on over to shoo Charlotte back to waitressing. “Hi-de-ho, Mac, what’s shakin’ over at Cromer’s?”  Darcy dropped a darling smile on him and waited for a reply.

“Well, I reckon Mr. Cromer’s not disappointed with business. How are things here?” Mac stared at Darcy with warm brown eyes that melted her mind right off the conversation.

“Rosalie will be here for work at 4!” popped Darcy, “H E double toothpicks!”

A big ole grin came across Mac’s face, and Darcy knew all that conniving and planning were for naught, for she had shot her mouth off and popped out the very thing she’d promised Rosalie wouldn’t happen.  At this point Darcy, being the strong, confident woman that she was, stopped worrying about her little outburst and began to craft a plan that would someday have Mac pop the question to Rosalie.

theatre lighting ala Max Wolfe

                           

SWEETER THAN A STACKED UP MILK DUDS DISPLAY AT THE BIJOU . . . more tempting than Red Hots . . . come hither sexier than Good & Plenty and Butter Fingers all rolled up in one  . . . that's our SUGAR, WENDY STALEY, a first class act to catch and hold tight. Catch more of Sugar's sweet musings over at SUGAR WENDY'S POSTEROUS . . . a soft sensation of carryin' ons to carry your mind and spirit into new swirls meant to take the cantanker outta the two-step.

 AT THE BIJOU is mighty proud indeed that Shoogs is such a vital sensation of moxie and delight and treatin' folks just right . . . 'cause they all keep comin' back for more!

Thanks SugarWendy,

You make the lovin' life fun!

Absolutely*Kate

and our fine staff of renown,

AT THE BIJOU

 

AT THE RACES ~ AT THE BIJOU ~ PREAKNESS POSTING

PREAKNESS POWERS PIMLICO

It's a fast track. Turf conditions are firm. 

~ Third Saturday in May ~ PREAKNESS DAY!

Welcome to Pimlico, on Preakness Racing Day  ~ Baltimore, Maryland your Maryland

For a fashionable segment of racing fans from 1870 on, there was no other place to be or be seen on Preakness Day than the sprawling stately Victorian building known as the Old Clubhouse, THE HOUSE OF STYLE. Men and women dressed to the height of fashion were served by white-coated waiters, directed by a maitre d’ wearing a tuxedo. Gleaming wood floors led to numerous sitting rooms, a wrap-around porch and an ornate cupola. Elegance prevailed and the menu followed suit. Standing at the foot of the homestretch, the structure was destroyed in June 1966 – with it went a racing tradition, heirlooms, photographs and paintings, genteel customs and more than nine decades of memories. A token replica of the destroyed building’s cupola now sits in the infield, complete with the notorious painted horse and jockey weather vane. (from Preakness history files)

No matter if you are stylin' from the genteel crowd or a whooping-it-up rowdy in the rough ~ EVERYONE HAS A HORSE ON PREAKNESS DAY, third Saturday in May, second gem of racing's Triple Crown.
It's a Tradition, I tell you.
 

 Along with the loveliest of gracious ladies' hats, LUCK is still the fashion of the day . . . the question is WHICH of the 12 contending horses will wear the black-eyed susan blanket home?

PONDER, PONDER, Preakness style.

JOIN US ... 

  AT THE RACES

  comes to off off track action AT THE BIJOU!

POST*TIME: 6:18 pm EST ~ NBC TV

You have $100 to wager

( imaginarily speaking )

BET IT WELL

AT THE RACES ~ AT THE BIJOU

Any configuration in WIN, PLACE or SHOW

or you can trifecta your perfecta ... it's up to You

Whomsoever can win the biggest treasure from their wagering accumen or Bennie Da Bookie's hot tips ... on a right nice fast track . . . shall WIN the GRAND*PRIZE ... AT THE RACES  ~  AT THE BIJOU!

~ THE FIELD OF 12 ~ 

#1 - Aikenite

#2 - Schoolyard Dreams

#3 - Pleasant Prince

#4 - Northern Giant

#5 - Yawanna Twist

#6 - Jackson Bend

#7 - Looking At Lucky

#8 - Super Saver

#9 - Caracortado

#10 - Paddy O'Prado

#11 - First Dude

#12 - Dublin

~ LEAVE YOUR $100 (imaginary) BETS

IN THE COMMENTS OFF OFF OFF

TRACK WINDOW BELOW:

( Before PostTime - 6:18 pm EST ~ NBC TV )

psst:  NEED TIPS:   

More on THE CONTENDERS 

right here.  

Get your PREAKNESS RACING FORM  here.

GoodRacing and GoodLuck

BIJOU folks!

AT THE RACES ~ AT THE BIJOU is brought to you by

Absolutely*Kate, Horsey Harry and Sweet Sugar. 

PIMLICO PLEASIN' Recipes naturally follow ... *clink*!

HURRY! Place your $100 (imaginary) bet! 

"THE PRINTS AND THE POPPER", our murder mystery matinee 

returns post-Preakness ... to start your SUNDAY off  in scary style!

See you then . . . but first, something from our friends ~  

SUGAR SHACK AT THE TRACK ~ AT THE RACES AT THE BIJOU = Kentucky Derby Day Delights!

Good DerbyDay, KatieMae!

  

 I've found a few goodies for AT THE BIJOU's celebration of Run for the Roses. Here's my favoritest recipe for Sugar's Juleps and a Mint Julep Bourbon Cake I'm going to try that looks scrumptious!!! Love you, Gal! Let's drink hearty to friendships and fun before all our betting action goes for a run!

   ~Hugs all around and then some, Shoogs

~ SUGAR’s Mint Julep ~

"Pluck the mint gently from its bed, just as the dew of the evening is about to form upon it ... Prepare the simple syrup and measure out a half-tumbler of whiskey. Pour the whiskey into a well-frosted silver cup, throw the other ingredients away and drink the whiskey."

From Henry Watterson of The Louisville Courier-Journal

 

LUSCIOUS INGREDIENTS ~

5 fresh mint leaves, plus a few mint sprigs, for garnish

1 teaspoon SUGAR or a little more if you like

Shaved ice

2 1/2 ounces bourbon whiskey~ I like Jack Daniels.

SO GOSH DARN EASY DIRECTIONS ~

Place mint leaves, sugar and a splash of water into a silver julep cup or a 12-ounce Tom Collins glass. Muddle (Don’t you just love that word?)the mint, sugar, and water together with the tip of the handle of a wooden (must be wooden) spoon. Fill the silver or not glass with shaved ice, add the best part ~ Jack Daniels (and take a swig too), and stir until combined. Garnish with a few (or a lot) sprigs of fresh mint.

Kentucky Derby

Mint Julep Bourbon Cake

With all of the elements of a Southern mint julep cocktail, this cake is perfect for Kentucky Derby Day. The rich pound cake has a white chocolate ganache frosting with a light mint flavor to complement the bourbon butter sauce infused in the cake. Don't wait for Kentucky Derby Day to make this cake.  

Even without the bourbon butter sauce and/or creme de menthe frosting, the cake will shine with a simple dusting of powdered sugar. For a sheet cake, shorten the cooking time to 35 to 40 minutes.   

Luscious Ingredients ~

• Cake:
• 3 cups cake flour
• 2 cups white sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1 cup butter
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 4 eggs
• .
• Bourbon Butter Sauce:
• 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
• 1/3 cup butter
• 3 tablespoons water
• 2 teaspoons Bourbon whiskey
• .
• Mint Frosting:
• 2 cups (12-oz. pkg.) white chocolate chips
• 1 can (14 oz.) sweetened condensed milk (not evaporated milk)
• 1 teaspoon white creme de menthe liqueur or 1/2 tsp mint extract (see Note)

Preparation:  Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Grease and flour a 10-inch bundt pan.

Scrumptious Cake:
Whisk together flour, sugar, salt, baking powder and baking soda in a large bowl. Make a well in the center.

In a separate smaller bowl, combine buttermilk, butter, vanilla extract, and eggs.

Add wet ingredients to flour mixture. Beat at low speed for 1 minute, then increase to medium speed for 3 more minutes. Pour into prepared pan and smooth evenly around bundt center.

Bake for 50 minutes or until toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Ten minutes before cake is done, prepare Bourbon Butter Sauce.
 
Bourbon Butter Sauce:
In a saucepan over medium heat, combine 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar, 1/3 cup butter, and 3 tablespoons water. Stir until melted and combined. Do not boil. Remove from heat, continuing to stir for 2 minutes. Then stir in Bourbon.
 
When cake is done and still warm from the oven, use a skewer to poke holes around the top of the cake. Pour Bourbon Butter Sauce evenly over the top of the cake. Let cake cool to room temperature in the pan before removing.
 
Mint Frosting:
Melt chocolate chips with sweetened condensed milk in heavy saucepan over low heat, stirring constantly until chips are melted. Remove from heat and stir in creme de menthe liqueur (or mint extract). Let cool for 10 minutes, then spread evenly over the cooled cake. Garnish with fresh mint leaves. Chill to set chocolate ganache. Take cake out of the refrigerator 30 minutes before cutting to serve.  

Yield: 12 to 18 servings, depending on slice cut
Note: You may substitute green creme de menthe for the white, however the color may not be appealing. Just add a drop or two of green food coloring.

Mmmmmm Mmmmmm

 NO ONE BRINGS GOOD EATS

AT THE RACES 

AT THE BIJOU

  LIKE SWEET SUGAR DOES. 

  

TAKE IT FROM ME ~ 

I'VE GOT HORSE SENSE. 

EBBTIDE ~ By Sugar-Wendy and Harry B. Sanderford of Harbinger*33

Ebbtide

A LOVIN' DUET BROUGHT TO YOU BY SUGAR AND HARRY

Love lies sleeping on a white sand beach.  The tide washed her up and has yet to reclaim her. Starfish and fiddler crabs loll in shallow pools or dodge plastic shovels unconcerned that love burns nearby. Fearing the riptide that could drag her to deeper waters, she longs for a safe harbor. Embraced by the dunes and warmed by the sunlight, the gull's haunting laugh taunts her but she does not stir.

Love is not lost, only dreaming and I am in her dream.

(c) 2010 ~ Authors Sugar-Wendy and Harry B. Sanderford

Sugar is the sweet combination of Tinkerbell and all things pink who occasionally channels  Mae West: Why don’t you come up and see me sometime? She is proprietor of the notorious Sugar Shack where she goes heavy on the spirits and easy on the eyes. 

Harry, we're all just wild about true blue Harry, is writer of heart and heart of writer, wit and soul and a cartoony kind of delighter.

And that's all I have to say about them two, 'cept . . . they're really special . . . to all fortunate to be in the glow of their giving, which is pretty immeasurable.

Thanks you two a deux

for adding to the Valentine's Weekend

special spunk . . . AT THE BIJOU

 

~ Absolutely*Kate

and the lovin' staff of renown,

  * AT THE BIJOU *

ARE YOU REALLY READY FOR SOME SUPER FOOTBALL? AT THE BIJOU makes your day

 

IT'S THE SUPER*BOWL!

* AT THE BIJOU *

WITH ALL THE FORWARD ACTION

YOU CAN SWALLOW!

GRIDIRON GREATS READY
 FOR SOME FOOTBALL FUN?

THE BIJOU TEAM
IS ON THE PLAYING FIELD:

Absolutely*Kate

Hero Harry B. Sanderford

Sweet Sugar-Wendy

Veronica, Wally and

Ben ~ you've heard of Ben?

Then, with a nod from The NOT, 

Michael J. Solender 

Daniel Stine

Paul Phillips

Lee Hughes

((Kate couldn't resist one more New England pictorial))

SUPER BIJOU SUGAR BOWL SHACK ~ Now Open by Sweet Sugar ... for every delectable snack

Sugar is rooting for the Colts 'cause she loves the ponies. Three Fangers, her bookie, is advising her on the team roster, team playbook, and uniform choices so she can dress appropriately for the kick-off and  make the best decision at half-time...sometimes she switches teams.

Serving up sweet somethings in appropriate attire is what SugarMae is all about. So today Sugar is offering two sure-fire whistle wetters, one for each team and a whole bunch of salty treats to keep you tilting them back!

 Me? I'm Absolutely Steeler*Kate's best beau, Ben ... uh, not doin' too much around this SuperBowl, so I thought I'd give sweet sexy Sugar a little help out, around the back'bar for some pass'play action. Mmmm, mmm! Drink up Dames! Chow down Guys! The SUPER BIJOU SUGAR BOWL SHACK is mighty tasty! 

 New Orleans Saints Tequila Hurricane

Super Bowl XLIV sees the New Orleans Saints battle the Indianapolis Colts. Are you rooting for the Saints? Here’s a tequila cocktail that is based upon The Hurricane, the drink made famous by Pat O’Brien’s restaurant in the French Quarter.

I used PaQui Silvera to develop the recipe below, but if you want a bigger touchdown, try 100 proof Dulce Vida blanco.

1 oz silver tequila (blanco)

1/2 oz Jamaican dark rum

1/8 oz Bacardi 151 rum

1/2 oz grenadine syrup

 3 oz grapefruit juice

 3 oz pineapple juice

Combine all ingredients except Bacardi 151 rum into a cocktail shaker half-filled with ice. Shake vigorously and strain into a highball or hurricane glass filled with ice. Float the Bacardi 151 rum on top by pouring it over an upside down bar spoon. 
Garnish with a lucky cherry!

  Who Dat Nut Mix

3 tablespoons vegetable oil

1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

3/4 teaspoon chili powder

1/2 teaspoon garlic salt

1/2 teaspoon ground red pepper 

1 1/2 cups dry roasted peanuts

1 1/2 cups cashews or pecans

Combine first 5 ingredients in a large bowl, stirring well. Add peanuts and cashews, stirring well to coat. Spread mixture evenly in a 13" x 9" x 2" pan. Bake, uncovered, at 300° for 20 minutes, stirring after 10 minutes. Let cool completely. Store in an airtight container up to 2 weeks.

Mama Manning’s Maniac Munch

4 cups Wheat Chex cereal

2 cups Crispex cereal

3 cups bite-sized oyster crackers

1 cup pretzel twists

5 tablespoons butter

1 tablespoon chili powder

1/4 teaspoon ground cumin

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper

1-1/2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce

1-1/2 teaspoons lemon juice

Preheat oven to 250°F. Melt butter in a 10” x 15” pan. Stir in spices, Worcestershire sauce and lemon juice. Add cereals, crackers and pretzels. Toss to coat evenly. Bake for 45 minutes; gently mix every 15 minutes. Spread on paper towels to cool.  Store in airtight container.

 

Sugar says: C'mere

and let me whisper

a sweet nuttin' 

in your ear, 

Mr. Manning.

SuperSouperDuper Bowl

Saints No Secret Dip

One 8 oz. package of cream cheese

One 12 oz. can of Hormel Chili without Beans

One cup of shredded sharp cheese

In a microwave safe bowl, spread cream cheese, pour chili over the cream cheese, sprinkle with sharp cheese. Microwave on high for 3-4 minutes until hot and bubbly. Serve with your favorite tortilla chips.

Indianapolis Colts

Lucky Apple Tequila

 
Super Bowl XLIV sees the Indianapolis Colts battle the New Orleans Saints. 
Rooting for the Colts? Here’s a “good luck” tequila cocktail that is inspired by the blue horseshoe logo that adorns the Colts helmets. (Apples are also a great treat for horses!)

I developed this drink using Antiguo tequila, which has a horseshoe on the label, for extra luck. (Antiguo is from Casa Herradura, and Herradura tequila also incorporates the horseshoe into its logo.)

             Lucky Apple

1 1/2 oz tequila reposado

1/4 oz blue curaçao

Sparkling apple juice

Club soda

                                                                                           

Peyton's*Popcorn*Passion

1 cup rice cereal squares

1 cup corn cereal squares

1 cup tiny pretzel twists

3 cups unsalted popcorn

1/3 cup butter, melted

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

1/2 teaspoon onion powder

1 tablespoon Parmesan cheese

Mix cereals, pretzels and popcorn in large bowl. Combine melted butter, garlic and onion powder. Pour over cereal mixture and toss to coat. Add Parmesan cheese. Bake in 350° F oven for 7 to 10 minutes. Cool before serving. Store in sealed container.

 ~ SUGAR? We can say a whole wide whirled world about Sugar-Wendy, but kindly come back AT THE BIJOU on her sweet lovin' Valentine's Birthday and SEEEEEE how we truly celebrate sensations of the SUGAR'BOWL SHACK!

~ Off to get ready for GameDay snacks ... The SugarBowl Shack's sensations are Super BIJOU Bowl high scores to enjoy life all the more . . . with moxie. Sugar's over there noddin', feelin' up Ben's biceps. She's in agreedom.

~ Absolutely*Kate, Hero Harry, Super Ben

plus that roused'up game*day staff of renown,

AT THE BIJOU, asking ~

"ARE YOU DELICIOUSLY READY

FOR SOME FOOTBALL?" 

THE CIRCLE OF FRIENDSHIP AWARD Goes Around . . . Comes Around . . . AT THE BIJOU

IT * BOUNCED * OUR * WAY!

Splendid thanks to a sensational author AT THE BIJOU, the enigmatic ERIN, the charismatic cool COLE for circling me out with her wild warm shout.

It seems fellow Harbinger*33 author, Paul Brazill rolled it out

Michael J. Solender's NOT'ed way . . . and the roll'outs spun

deservingly to elegantly eerie Erin over at LISTEN TO THE VOICES.

The rules of the rolls are that I must now bestow

this true blue award to another five who jive

in making writing and, to me, joie de vivre

all that more alive.

Thereby and Therefore

(er ... Therefive)

It gives me moxie and pleasure to hoop the hoopla

of The Big Blue Circle of Friendship to:

Harry B. Sanderford,

who makes Sundance a better kid 

@ words-are-our-friends posterous

Goddess Mother of Brilliant Authors,

the one, the only ~ Jeanette Cheezum

The sweetness of Sugar - Wendy

at the SugarShack ... naturally

The Queen of the Pirates, Johnny Depp's dame,

the Madame who puts the Z in Zing,

Gypzee Zelda @ Get Your Zzzzs

and

a tough temptress taunt of a MissUnderstood on the blog'along scene, our gal in sexy Sweden ~

Jelena Vencl Ohlrogg

THANK YOU ERIN

Yours is a Voice to be Listened To,

an INEVITABLE ENCOUNTER,

In Novel ways ~  her mystery novel, Unearthing Jev, has begat its sequel, Wicked Tempest, on accident. When she isn’t writing, Erin Cole is thinking about writing, and when she isn’t thinking about writing, she is either in a chocolate induced coma or is experimenting with sensory deprivation. Since she promised me a Pinot Grigio *clink* with the Circle of Friends award, I'm sending chocolate to the Pacific NW from the confluence of two rivers on the Connecticut shore . . . so she keeps writing.

~ Absolutely*Kate,

believing in believers

and the grand powers

of friends to no ends.