Dinner

The temps took a tumble and in comes the fall meals.

Slow roasted spiced rubbed pork loin

Sweet Potato

Smokey Collard Greens

Cauliflower

BLUE JAYS CLINCH

and Canada might actually care!

For the first time since 1992 - when they went on to beat my Braves in the World Series - there will be some post season baseball north of the border . Everyone remember the good folks in Atlanta marching in with the Canadian Maple Leaf upside down! 

More from the Globe and Mail.

STONEWALL

The iconic Greenwich Village bar - the place that the modern LGBT rights movement started has been granted landmark status a " historical landmark " in NYC. The city council voted tonight to give it the status. Meaning that it can never be torn down or have its exterior altered .

The more than somewhat divy bar has been in the news this week as the movie about the 1969 riots ( the much bemoaned , even boycotted , movie TANKED at the box-office

October

Right on time, jacket weather for sure.

Daily Double Wet Koda

Started raining Monday afternoon and really only quit this morning. There was a break yesterday afternoon and we got in a good long walk.

 Even the rain did not keep him out of the creek

The last of Summer's flowers ...

Can't do anything right ....

The Atlanta Braves WILL NOT lose 100 games this season

( and I had my fingers crossed - there is still hope for the Phillies  )

Old Times

Change in the SEC. I blame Oregon and those stupid stupid uniforms that they roll out week after week. NOW it turns out that college kids can be, or at least used to be, jerks.

From  Saturdaydownsouth.com :
 Bad sportsmanship is not PC, bro.

The University Athletic Association has mandated that Florida’s band stop playing tunes that incite negative chants toward opposing teams, according to Jay Watkins, the UF Associate Director of Athletic Bands.

Watkins says the university’s band received several negative emails concerning its mid-game cues that initiate Florida’s “You Can’t Do That” and “Move Back, You Suck” chants after penalties on opposing teams.

“The reason why it’s been stopped is because there have been too many complaints from fans to the athletic department that the student section was saying something else that the fans thought was vulgar and inappropriate,” Watkins said, according to WUFT. “This is a frustrating situation for all and a perfect example of how a few complaints or a few individuals doing the wrong thing negatively affect a great 10-year tradition.”

Florida’s students aren’t happy with the decision to end a long-standing tradition during games at The Swamp.

“I am personally disappointed that we are not being allowed to play a song that has been a band tradition for years,” said Andrew Popp, a member of the Gator band to WUFT. “I know the band loves playing it and the fans love hearing it.”

🏈

AND GAMEDAY got in all kinds of hot water and " changed their policy " over this sigh seen at the Ole Miss / Alabama game:

All this seems to me to be just good natured ribbing - but it is 2015 and all....

West Paces and Beyond

From the AJC : 

Four Georgia governors gathered for an event Monday night, sat quietly in the front row and stayed put (almost) the entire time. On this evening, their wives were in the spotlight.

For it was the unveiling of First Lady Sandra Deal’s new book, “Memories of the Mansion,” a history of the Georgia governor’s mansion told through the eyes of the families who lived there. And six of the First Ladies (and one First Son) were on hand to share their stories.

( the rest )

OOOPS ....

Some stormy weather wreaked a little havoc on our internets - so updates and posts in a bit....

Let's hope David sends the good folks at NASA a muffin basket or something....

Fall Into Fall

Jacket weather here right on cue, tomorrow could be our last warm day for a long time.

Daily Koda

 Drizzley rainy thick sort of day, humid and damp.

THE POLLS

The last week of fun time for Georgia - rubber hitting the road this coming Saturday, with a pissed off Alabama coming to Athens. Nothing major changed this week  - we are going with the coaches poll because UGA is higher in that one . Here is the AP if you want.

1. Ohio State
2. Michigan State 
3. TCU
4. Baylor
5. Ole Miss
6. GEORGIA
7. Notre Dame
8. LSU
9. Florida State
10. UCLA
11. Clemson
12. Utah
13. ALABAMA
14. Oklahoma
15. TEXAS A&M
16. USC
17. Northwestern
18. Wisconsin
19. Oklahoma State
20. Stanford
21. West Virginia
22. MISSISSIPPI STATE
23. FLORIDA
24. California
25. Oregon

Dropping out of the top 25 : Georgia Tech and SEC schools MISSOURI and hapless AUBURN.

TCU is way way overrated only just getting by unranked Texas Tech this past weekend, #4 Baylor takes their shot at Texas Tech this weekend. TCU has Texas - now I know that the Longhorns were way way down on their luck the past few seasons, but not sure about this year. 

Ole Miss takes on #23 Florida this coming weekend, the Gators only JUST squeaking by Tennessee .

Could be some shake up this weekend for sure.

SUPER

We had great weather for the first half of the super moon eclipse last night - tucked up in the back yard with a perfect view. All the photos that I took with my phone came out as white blobs floating in black. But, our pal Brad took this one down in Bath, NY - and its one of the best I saw anywhere.

Right at the midway point, the apex of the event clouds rolled in, but happy that we got the darkening part.

tonight

IT SNUCK UP ON ME

A CHEF"S LIFE IS BACK !!!!!

Check  your local listings or go to PBS.org to watch on line.

I am getting a mini binge of FOUR episodes - and its not even my birthday

I feel like I know all these folks, this is one of , if not the best " cooking show " ever. A whole new genre - cooking show with back story. 

WEEK FOUR

DONE

48 - 6

This was a snoozer in some early fall Athens rain - I had to look up who this team was - and still was not sure. Sanford looked 3/4 empty at the start of the game. Can't really blame folks. I dont remember having this many gimme games in the past. 

I did nothing at all for tailgate - None kick off and all.

A win is a win and next weekend is for all the marbles.

National Treasure

STATE DINNER

A day late.

This was a harder post to put together than the previous State Dinners - all the coverage was coast to coast Holy Sea - with little time left over for a few Gazillianiars eating lobster with the President of China. Photos were sort of hard to come by, but I did the best I could. 

 ( Madame Peng Liyuan had Sugarbaker hair )

President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama hosted the President of the People’s Republic of China, Xi Jinping, and Madame Peng Liyuan for an Official State Visit followed by a State Dinner. This marks the tenth State Visit of the Obama 

Administration; previous visits include: India in November 2009, Mexico in May 2010, China in January 2011, Germany in June 2011, Korea in October 2011, the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland in March 2012, France in February 2014, Japan in April 2015, and the Holy See in September 2015.

This visit reciprocates President Obama’s State Visit to China in November 2014. President Xi’s visit presents an opportunity to expand U.S.-China cooperation on a range of global, regional, and bilateral issues of mutual interest, while also enabling President Obama and President Xi to constructively address areas of disagreement. 

FLOTUS

Beautiful.

I love them.

 First Lady , Michele Obama in a custom Vera Wang off the shoulder mermaid gown

During the last White House State Dinner for the President of China , Mrs. Obama caused somewhat of a 7th Ave crisis by wearing a British designer. Not going to go through that again, Michele chose Chinese American designer Vera Wang for this stunning dress.

American First Lady Michele Obama in Alexander McQueen

I am not sure this is my all time favorite State Dinner look for our most stylish First Lady, I think the Naeem Khan metallic strapless dress that she wore for her very first State Dinner, but the Vera Wang is #2.

MORE of the First Lady's 

State Dinner Looks

THE SCENE

From Whitehouse.gov :

The décor for the State Dinner honoring President Xi and Madame Peng combines the artistry of Chinese and Western aesthetics, demonstrating a deep respect for both Chinese and American architecture and landscapes.

The rose, a calligraphic representation of the flower that is precious to the East and West, serves as the emblem of this State Dinner. The two roses calligraphed on a 16-foot hand-printed silk scroll, signify a complete meeting of minds.

Representations of nature fill the space, with cascading landscapes of crimson flowers on tables echoing the disappearing roses in the windows of the East Room. The eternal beauty of the rose represents the richness of each individual culture and the perennial friendship and everlasting respect between our two countries. 

Roses

The Clinton China was used.

The iconic charger for the Clinton China

 Diners were seated at tables overflowing with flowers and settings that each had seven utensils and four wine glasses.

The First Lady making her last pass through


GUEST ARRIVAL HERE- scroll to the bottom
Some great, some HORRIBLE -
( find the wife of the Linkedin guy)

THE FOOD

Again, unlike previous state dinners there were not that many pictures of what was to be served at the State Dinner .

The President and his guests started off with some little Chinese dumpling served by waiters before everyone sat.

MENU

Wild Mushroom Soup with Black Truffle

Shaoxing Wine

Butter Poached Maine Lobster with Spinach, Shiitake and Leek Rice Noodle Rolls

Penner-Ash Viognier “Oregon” 2014

Grilled Cannon of Colorado Lamb with Garlic Fried Milk and Baby Broccoli

Pride Mountain Merlot “Vintner Select” 2012

Poppyseed Bread and Butter Pudding with Meyer Lemon Curd Lychee Sorbet

Schramsberg Cremant Demi-Sec 2011 

Inspired by Autumn
The China State Dinner menu is inspired by the harvest of the late summer and fall. Chef Cris Comerford and Chef Susie Morrison, in collaboration with Chef Anita Lo, created original dishes that highlight American cuisine with nuances of Chinese flavors.

The courses begin with a consommé of locally grown mushrooms, hinted with black truffle and Shaoxing Wine. It is finished with slivers of squashes from the White House Kitchen Garden, crisped squash seeds, and drizzled pumpkinseed oil.

The Fish Course pairs a Butter Poached Maine Lobster with traditional rice noodle rolls embedded with morsels of spinach, shiitake mushroom, and leeks. It is then gingerly coated with the lobster reduction and dotted with tomalley butter.

The Main Course showcases a Grilled Cannon of Colorado Lamb garnished with garlic fried milk, a surprisingly crunchy variation of a savory panna cotta dipped in a light tempura, then fried into a crispy perfection. This is complemented with a crisped sauté of baby broccoli from a local farmer’s market. 

The Dessert Course is made up of layers of lightly buttered artisanal bread accented with a delicate egg custard, including a Meyer lemon curd and lychee sorbet. Meyer lemons are thought to have originated in China and were introduced in the U.S. in the early 1900s.

“A Stroll Through the Garden” is a dessert display that is a tribute to the beauty of gardens—composed of a handmade chocolate pavilion and bridge, pulled sugar roses and white lotus flowers that symbolize good fortune. A selection of miniature pastries—including pumpkin mooncakes, peanut sesame bars, mango kiwi cups, maple chocolates, and apple cider tarts—celebrates Chinese and American cuisine by fusing traditional Chinese ingredients sourced from New Hampshire, Maryland, California, and Virginia. 

These treats are what went to the tables after the desserts

A little sweet in a chocolate and sugar garden

Daily Koda

I've Got 49 Billion Problems .....

THE GUEST LIST

But lets just start at the head table :

President Obama

First Lady Michelle Obama

President Xi

Madame Peng

Tim Cook - CEO APPLE

Lisa Jackson - Tim's " date " and Vice President of environment, policy and social initiative Apple

Bob Iger   Chairman and CEO, The Walt Disney Company

Willow Bay ex GMA anchor and Mrs Bob Iger

David Rubenstein co-founder and co-chief executive of the Carlyle Group

Alice Rubenstein

Satya Nadella CEO MICROSOFT

Anupama Nadella

Lynne Benioff

Marc Benioff Chairman and CEO, Salesforce.com

Jeffrey Katzenberg CEO DREAMWORKS

Andy Spahn - major LA power player - consultant - Katzenberg's date ?

Mark Zuckerberg FACEBOOK 

Priscilla Chan , It's Dr Priscilla Chan, she is Mrs. Zuckerberg, and great with child

So yeah, leader of the free world, and leader of a few billion Chinese and some guys who's net worth is FOURTY NINE BILLION DOLLARS....Which is a pretty funny number - Larry Elison, who was not at the head table  is worth on his own , you guessed it 49,000,000,000.00 ( is this even how  you write that  )

THE FULL LIST HERE 

do look over it, some interesting names . We may cover some individual ones later on

This is Ne-Yo

Yeah, I didn't have a clue either. But a lovely voice, a happy entertainer - It was a short little concert, Im sure he did a wonderful job.

HOLY SEA !

The JUMBO Papal Mass in Madison Square Garden tonight, capping off a day in New York City the likes of which may have never been seen - as far as media coverage goes. Dwarfing anything I have ever seen at least - wall to wall to wall to wall to wall. Starting in Washington , ending this weekend in Philadelphia .

I have been a little weary , not getting totally sucked in to ALL this good news - it is still the Catholic Church that is Timothy Dolan sitting there. As much as everything fiber of the Popes being seems to resinate with me - helping the downtrodden, doing what is right , saving the planet , not just for the rich on and on . These are not my peoples friends.

And then this happened. The biggest event in New York City - all the Roman Catholic powers that be - and an out gay man. Proud and out - no shadows, is who is is. CBS's Mo Rocca reads the first reading , starting off the mass tonight. Speaking the Pope's native language.

Could he be the real thing ?  Guessing time will tell - but for now we celebrate small victories and love the fact that he is right there in front of NOM darling Cardinal Dolan.

An Afternoon Guest

 Our pal Jack was in town for a bit and came by for a nice visit.

Our d-i-v-o-r-c-e came through today....

( or is at least getting messy )

See the LONG list here.

Yeah sure, that Pope guy, he is great and all ....

BUT We have some k+b STATE DINNER COVERAGE TO GET TO!

much more to come .....

Dinner

 CELEBRATE THE EQUINOX!

 I posted the recipe on the fb the other day, I dont think I already put it here..

ROAST CHICKEN WITH CUMIN, HONEY and ORANGE 

From Mark Bittman of the New York Times

• ½ cup freshly squeezed orange juice
• ½ cup honey
• 1 tablespoon ground cumin
•  Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1 3-pound chicken, giblets and excess fat removed

PREPARATION

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Use a nonstick roasting pan, or line a roasting pan with a double layer of aluminum foil. Combine orange juice, honey, cumin, salt and pepper in bowl, and whisk until smooth. Place chicken in pan, and spoon all but 1/4 cup of liquid over all of it.
2. Place chicken in oven, legs first, and roast for 10 minutes. Spoon accumulated juices back over chicken, reverse pan back to front, and return to oven. Repeat four times, basting every 10 minutes and switching pan position each time. If chicken browns too quickly, lower heat a bit. If juices dry up, use reserved liquid and 1 or 2 tablespoons of water or orange juice.
3. After 50 minutes of roasting, insert an instant-read thermometer into a thigh; when it reads 155 to 165 degrees, remove chicken from oven, and baste one final time. Let rest 5 minutes before serving.

Sounds really good and seems really easy - DO DOUBLE FOIL YOUR PAN - the honey sticks something fierce . I bet my chicken was more than three pounds, just a normal roasting chicken from Wegmans.Do make sure you get a roaster not a fryer. 

When I do this again, and I will it was very good, Ill put a few , not many , whole cumin seeds inside the chicken cavity and a few orange wedges. The flipping thing, taking out, basting and switching the position was a great idea, really helps the the deep browning and seemed to keep the bird very moist

 Keeping with our fall theme

• Butternut squash with cinnamon and a little orange
• Brussells sprouts with bacon and red onion
• Basmati Rice