IN THREE WORDS

In this feature, I'll share a weekly guest with you all 

and you tell me in only three words, what comes to mind.

In Three Words...

Robert Mapplethorpe

LEGENDARY SCHIAPARELLI

As always, the brilliant man behind Schiaparelli does it again in another stunning collection this past Paris Fashion week. I would so be wearing any of these as the Mistress approves. Daniel Roseberry unveiled the collection in a show that was as visually assertive as it was conceptually charged. Again, against the picturesque and opulent backdrop of the Petit Palais, Roseberry delivered a cinematic study in contrasts, futurism intertwined with historical codes. Eroticism layed beneath craftsmanship, a collection that felt like both a homage and a defiant leap forward, showing promise for a famine of fashion. Always a standout here. Stripping the palette down to stark black, silver and gray, seems fitting for the time were in, Roseberry emphasized surface over color. Reflective embellishments took center stage. And the venue is so great from the fashion goer to view and see multiple models walking the curved walkway.  As fashion braces for a generational shuffle, Schiaparelli stand as both culmination and catalyst...and he does this legendary fashion house proud, still letting Elsa Schiaparelli's surreal fashion still shine through. The gowns and suits are to die for, and I would so wear the winter coat with the fur trim embellishments!!!!

I swear, the minute his shows start, I get chills.

STOP THE CAR....

 

Who else? 

The state of the country and politicians. I still am not feeling any better about the next general election. While flying back on my trip I read a piece from Bloomberg that got me aggravated. So..... Zohran Mamdani, whom I love, won NYC'S mayoral race handily. He even soared above the many Islamophobic smears thrown his way and beat current mayor Adams and Andrew Cuomo- both of whom are disgraced. YET...even though the good people of the city spoke, Gov Kathy Hochul and leading the way, Dems Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries have flat out refused to endorse Zohran--even though Mamdani won the majority and bigger numbers in Hakeem's own district!! So much for the Vote Blue no Matter Who. That was a slogan to trick Democrats into voting for candidates no matter how lousy.

Now we see that the dump is so desperate to kill Mamdani's chances that he's thinking of offering mayoral candidates Adams and Sliwa positions in his cabinet so that they drop out of the race to boost Cuomo's chances. How are we even still considering Cuomo? If Republicans and Democrats are so different, then why is the dump boosting Cuomo? Because there's not a ton of difference between center-right Democrats like Cuomo and right wingers like the fat toad. And note that the dump is a former democrat, while Admas is a former Republican. Not to mention that Cuomo will run as an Independant. Will the same centrist Dems who acted like Independent Bernie Saunders running as a Democrat, vote Independent was the ultimate sin, now show their hypocrisy by voting for Cuomo as an Independent? If the Dem party can't let go of the same old, and the same candidates over and over, I don't see much future for the party the next couple of years.

I also saw this in the Post.

I saw some coverage from the news when I was away when the Epstein victims were speaking in DC with Dem Rep Ro Khanna and Reps Massie and MTG. There appeared to be a couple dozen women demanding a full release of the files. The victims claim they know the names of those who molested them and that they'll release their own list. I say they should anyhow.  Khanna made a joke about never having a press conference with MTG and both laughed. But the most important thing Khanna said was that only two GOP House members were needed to pass a bill spearheaded by Massie which would demand that the DOJ release all the files. As Khanna said later, I understand, all Dems would vote for it, and only two GOP reps besides MTG and Massie would be needed to advance it. So, if you live a red state, contact your rep and senators and demand that they advance and get the files released. which is called the Epstein Files Transparency Act. Look at the number of those who support releasing the files in the clip. Just like the Nixon days! Almost all Americans on the left, right and center support releasing the files. We NEVER agree on anything to this extent. Part of democracy is expressing your wishes to those who allegedly rep you. And if they can't and don't do what you want, because they run cover for the rich and famous and powerful who donate to them, then democracy is already long gone.

Really? It took this long for her to realize this???? The Jewish lights must have impaired her vision. But you mean to say this harpie and I finally agree on something?!?!?!?!?!?!?!? Hell must be freezing over as I type this.....

The mind boogles.....

MARTINIQUE

Warbucks is always so full of surprises. It wasn't till our fifth day, that he said we'd be going over to Martinique, for a three-day jaunt. It was probably the most non beach thing we did the whole trip. Don't be surprised if you haven't heard of the small island of Martinique or it's nearby sister island of Guadeloupe. Both are French islands more than the others, and most tourist that we encountered seemed to be mostly from Canada and Europe. It's yet another hidden gem a lot of people don't think of going too. Anymore, I enjoy going to lesser-known places that aren't packed full like major cities. This gem has a rich history and a place where nature is the star of the show, with a few landmarks to be seen. The capital city of Fort du France was completely charming with is colonial architecture, ornate iron balconies and beaches. Martinique was much like Barbados in that you can drive all over the island, being that it is only 22 miles wide and 50 miles long. We spent three full days in Martinque, and it was enough time to explore and see a few things. It was a four-hour ride by boat from Barbados, and the island of Martinique is ideal for daily road trips out and about and enjoy the different regions of the island and take in the amazing culture. And the nature! A few points of interests we enjoyed....

Balata Cathedral

This place was located on Mount Pelee, in the heart of the island of flowers, stands this monument particularly emblematic of the history of Martinique, and a point of interest not to be missed. This cathedral is a replica of the Sacred Heart Basilica in Paris, just five time smaller and between the Fort-of-France and the Garden of Balata. The architects adapted it to its environment. The cathedral is a tropical reinterpretation of the Parisian monument and its Romanesque- Byzantine architecture: the reinforced concrete. Not religious here, but very cool to see it.

The highlight for me though was the Jardin de Balata.

These gardens were begun in 1982 by horticulturist Jean-Philippe Thoze and opened to the public. It is set on a former farmland with many picturesque views of the Pitons du Carbet, some seas views and Mount Pelee. The gardens contain about 3,000 varieties of tropical plants from around the world, including 300 types of palm trees, and many good collections of anthuriums, begonias, bromeliads, cycads and heliconia.

Who knew I had to go the whole way to Martinique to get pictures of hummingbirds being still????

Fort St Louis, dates back to 1640, a hulking fortress and gave the capital city of Martinque its name of Fort du France. Certain parts of the fort can be toured but most of it is still an active base for the French National Navy. 

This!!!!!!!!! Yikes!

And again....the legendary beach and sea views are unappareled!!!!

Yep. I have made my mind up. A beach bum it is!!!!!!

SOUPS ON!

 

One of the few things I enjoy about being back in this area is some of the PA Dutch earthly delights...and one from when I was young this time of year was my grandmother always making chicken corn soup in the late summer into early fall. She was famous for many of her culinary delights, and this was one of them. Corn this time of year is at it's best, and this year it's has been downright delicious. Oak Grove Farm where a go has been having good prices. Last time there I got 24 ears for $9! I froze some on the ears and made my first batch of soup with the rest. I am getting ready to go get more to make even more chicken corn soup for more friends and myself. I use some of the corn also for a baked corn casserole dish for thanksgiving. Some of you commented about wanting the recipe for the chicken corn soup so here it is. Now I tripled this for my huge stock pot up above. The recipe is for a regular batch, probably around 6-8 servings. 

Below would be more like a regular sized batch.

Grandma Nissley Chicken Corn Soup

4 Chicken Breast or 8-9 chicken strips, 3-4 bone chicken broth boxes, 7-8 ears of corn, 4 TSP of green onion, parsley and dill, 2-4 tsp of pepper, and a half-minced onion.

I boil the chicken to almost done. Once cooled, I cut the chicken up into small bite sized pieces. I also save two cups of the water the chicken was cooked it.

While the chicken is boiling.....meanwhile, there is also rivels in the soup which are easy to make. It takes 2 cups of flour and 2 eggs and mix together well. Once mix and bonded together dough like, I pinch off pieces into little balls and shape and pinched into little crescent shapes. Once done save them for the next step.

Once the corn is husked, I then take the corn off the cob to boil it. Makes it easier. Once boiled after about 15 minutes, I add the corn in the stock pot, with the 3-4 boxes of bone chicken broth, the chicken, the onion, the herbs and pepper, and the two cups of water from the boiled chicken, and the rivels, and let it cook on a medium for about an hour. Everything continues to cook in this hour. I then let it cool in the stockpot till I divide it up into containers, letting it cool further before storing and placing in the refrigerator. It freezes great too, to enjoy down the road.

Some people like a thicker soup, more corn and chicken, in which case just cut back on a box of the broth. I like a brothy soup myself and tend to keep it as close to my grandmother's recipe. I also don't add salt as I find it doesn't need it, but you can. It's not long after it's done that, I'm enjoying a crock. 

As the they say in Central Pennsylvania, that is some good eatin'.

MOOD BOARD

 

The Monday Blues room above??? Love the room above, but I'm not feeling any blues today as the weather is gloriously beautiful today. But what I wouldn't do for that scrumptious moody sofa!!! The weekend whizzed by again...and still sorting trip pictures out. Otherwise, it was a relaxing one. Some weekends one needs to just laze about......

Let us all get through Monday!