annzeepark914

What??? We get to learn what the '98 O's meant to Tara???? Be still my heart cause I've always wondered ;>)

Tonight will be meatloaf (Bubbie's meatloaf by Dave Lieberman), Zucchini & Fennel Saute, and baked potatoes. Last night's dinner was a great clam sauce made with TJ's Arrabbiatta marinara, half a jar of Belletierre's marinara, some white wine (actually FRE Chardonnay) and seasonings along with clams.

Thanks for the review, Lonesome Rhodes. Think I'm going to give it a pass. Also, Sorkin has a reputation for injecting lots of fast talking in his dramas which I find so irritating (somebody once said that he comes from a family of fast talkers, the kind of folks where you can never get a word in). One thought about not using names of the real people who came to the games: could the producers have been sued? She mentions names in her book (which was a bit shocking).

Haven't seen it yet but plan to. I read the excerpt from her book in Vanity Fair a while back and was appalled by the obnoxious and cruel behavior of one well known actor who taunted her to dance on a table for them. Is this scene in the movie? Does one have to be a poker player to fully appreciate the movie?

It's going to be interesting to see how the powers that be maneuver team skaters around (taking turns doing SP; LP, SD, FD). In a way I like having the team event first because, selfishly, I get to watch twice the figure skating during the O's. But I am concerned about any "contenders" getting injured before the Big Event.

We thought it was good but the movie easily could've been a half hour shorter. Had a hard time understanding "Churchill" w/ all the mumbling and British accent. Wish they'd cast another actress to play the secretary's role instead of Lily James. I loved the initial V for Victory sign (until his secretary told him what was wrong with it). I guess you could say that one was for the Nazis!

Sorry about that, It wouldn't let me post anything under the quote (which has happened before...very weird!) Anyway...OMG, the thought of an All-Marie France podium. That will be truly depressing. But Tanith will like it because she loved H/D's FD today complete w/ all the smouldering angst. I've loved ice dance for the past 20 years or so but all the face grabbing/neck clutching crap turns me off. I don't wanna see a soap opera on ice.

Wow - the looks on the faces of the Shibs both after their FD and then when they learned they were not a three-peat champion team. I wonder what's going on. Their FD had to be changed since the GP finale. Why? I have to confess I was pulling for anyone but H/D to win today (I think their training up in Montreal has brought about a new "attitude", one I don't care for...but that's just IMO). So, although I loved getting to see so much figure skating this long weekend (hey, starting Wednesday night for goodness sakes!!), I'm not all that thrilled with the results (except I knew Nathan would win and rightfully so; hope he wins the Olympic gold next month). Looking forward to the O's (what time will we be getting them? in 2014, I was glued to NBCSN every morning and loving it).

Oh, yeah! It was getting really annoying after a while, hearing those quoted comments, especially coming from Adam Rippon. So y'all won't be satisfied with less than gold at Nationals? I realize they say that stuff to puff themselves up to face their competition (& bolster their nerves), but for goodness sakes, quit allowing the media to quote you with these inane comments. Here's hoping they go with the podium skaters. Other than 2014, I just don't recall any skater substitutes for the Olympic teams (unless an alternate had to fill in due to injury). Did this happen in the past and I just can't remember? And that holier than thou phrase, "body of work" is really getting on my last, very sensitive nerve! P.S. I did really admire Hubbell & Donohue until I saw the unpleasant expressions on their faces when they didn't beat the Shibs in the SD (which reminded me of another ice dancing team's behavior in the past). Go ShibSibs!!!

I hope they send the top three men to the O's. I sure don't want to endure another switcheroo (like in 2014) and have to hear about it, ad nauseum, for the next 8 years. If Adam couldn't pull off a pristeen LP here at Nationals, how will be do it with the world watching in Pyeongchang? At least Ross has a quad now (and let's hope he holds onto it!!)

I make the copycat California Pizza Kitchen chicken tortilla soup which is just like the original. Well, tonight I made Shrimp Curry and it will be the last time I do anything with shrimp. Why the heck can I no longer buy shrimp that doesn't taste like the smell of almost-past-it shrimp? It makes no difference where I buy it or the source (Wegman's, Harris Teeter, Whole Foods...fresh or frozen...Atlantic Ocean or a farm in Belize, etc). What are they doing to the shrimp after catching them??? I've bought shrimp for years and always had good luck but not in the past year or so. Something's going on.

That sure was a mystery to me when I think of all the beautiful musical pieces that have won Oscars over the years. You never hear the music from La La Land on any stations or anywhere else. It just drones on and on w/o a purpose (or a hook!!)

I'm sorry Ashley's skating hasn't been stellar this season but that new LP was, IMO, incredibly boring. The La La Land music isn't memorable (again, IMO)...I doubt anyone would walk out humming any of those tunes. But I'm happy for the ladies who made the podium and hope the three of them go to the O's. Fingers crossed that Mirai holds it together and nails her triple axle in South Korea!!!!!

Great interview. I've always liked D/W. They never took potshots at other teams, just focused on their own efforts. Meryl looks wonderful. Is it a new hairstyle? New make-up? She just looks so much prettier today (maybe not having to work so hard every day at the rink!!)

I'm surprised that H/D actually thought they could beat the ShibSibs. First of all, they haven't been together that long. Secondly, it wasn't all that long ago that they took turns screwing up during different programs and then were practically crying while waiting for their scores. Thirdly, they were competing against two time champions and World silver medalists. I really like this team but I didn't like their attitude (when they knew they'd be seen on TV while waiting for the Shibutanis' score). Yes indeed. Having all this skating on the Olympics channel and also NBCSN is terrific. I was just thinking of how I used to hunt for European broadcasts because we were getting nothing on USA television except a few broadcasts of the top teams.

Well, I ended up watching the second half of pairs, in time to see Stellanto/Bartholomay (he's such a cutie pie!) and along with Johnny and Tara, was dismayed with their score. I love the Hallelujah SP of theirs and they were clean. Also was disappointed that Denny/Haven didn't have a clean skate (and Brandon looked so depressed). Knierem/Knierem are in first, unfortunately. Pairs and Ladies are really testing my love of this sport these past few years. Next up: Men's.

Aww...I need to keep up with these special national food days cause they're fun. Mangia!

I thought we were going to have French onion soup tonight but forgot that you have to make it the day before and store in fridge so that the next day you can skim off a lot of the butter (it's now sitting in the garage in a Dutch oven cause there's no room in the fridge tonight). So I popped a California Pizza Kitchen pizza in the oven which was not bad ,and then we had salad. Tomorrow night--onion soup or bust!!

Amen! I, too, could never understand the adoration of Plushy and Slutskaya ( yikes...remember the LP intro where she dealt out the "cards"?). That's an interesting comment re: Scott, Sandra and Tom.

Rotisserie chicken, customized Stove Top dressing (w/ minced parsley & celery and Mural of Flavor) and a tossed salad. Needed something easy tonight and was patting myself on the back. Then--a measuring cup that I poured homemade Ranch dressing into and covered with plastic wrap? Toppled in the fridge and was dripping down the shelves. What.A.Mess. Well, the refrigerator which has been overstuffed, just got cleaned out on the lower two shelves. I'll finish the job tomorrow...too tired tonight.

Chicken Curry 1.5 lbs chicken cut into strips ¼ cup flour 1.5 to 2 Tbsps curry powder 1 tsp kosher salt ¼ tsp ground black pepper 1/8-1/4 cup olive oil 1 Tbsp minced ginger 1 Tbsp minced garlic Dried red pepper flakes (opt) 2 cups chicken broth, divided ¼ cup peanut butter ½ tsp coriander Chopped sweet apple (opt) 1 can coconut milk Brown sugar White sugar Half & Half Chopped green onions Chopped cilantro and chopped mint Cooked basmati rice Lime wedges Combine flour, curry powder, salt & pepper in bag; shake to blend. Add chicken & shake to coat. Heat oil in large skillet on medium high heat. Add chicken; cook 5-10 minutes, tossing to cook evenly. Add ginger, garlic, dried pepper flakes (if using), and ½ cup broth to pan. Cook 3 minutes, scraping pan to pick up fond, stirring to combine. Add peanut butter, stirring quickly to incorporate with chicken, & add coriander. Add remaining 1.5 cups broth slowly & apple if using. Let simmer 10 minutes. Add coconut milk & sugars to taste. Add salt if needed. Add a little Half & Half & chopped green onions. Simmer. Serve over basmati rice with chopped cilantro, chopped fresh mint, and a squeeze of limes. My notes: I use Penzey’s sweet curry which has a little heat in it (I think) so I don’t add the dried red pepper flakes. Can’t remember where I found this recipe but I add a chopped sweet apple. I find I have to keep adding sweet to this recipe as I like a sweet curry. I also like to toss some chopped lightly salted peanuts onto the curry and rice.

Tonight will be chicken curry and rice. Nothing wrong with iceburg lettuce for a yummy treat - it's so crunchy and refreshing. I've read that it's making a comeback.

Ain't that the truth! I guess that's the price we pay for finding a skater (or skaters) whose style appeals to us (it's doubly good if they also have a fun personality.

Funny--I have fond memories of the aroma of those smoky NYC chestnuts and seeing the tree at Rockefeller Center (and the fabulous dept store window displays, and the jingling bells, and snow falling, etc). We never bought those chestnuts--maybe my parents didn't care for them?? Tonight's dinner will be salmon sauted in Asian seasonings, angel hair pasta in peanut sauce, and some kind of tossed salad.