GOOD FRIDAY....

...and Hot Cross Buns!

I'm not a religious person, but every Friday is a good Friday in my book! It's the end of another week and the weekend is coming, a nice long one too. But yes, today is indeed Good Friday and for me that means my first Hot Crossed Bun! I made two batches last night for the forthcoming family were getting. Hot cross buns are a spiced, often fruit filled sweet buns marked with a cross, traditional eaten on Good Friday to mark the end of Lent in Christian tradition, The cross symbolizes the crucifixion of Jesus, while the spices represent those used during his burial. They are a beloved Easter symbol of faith and renewal and to the forth coming spring. My grandmother and aunt made them every year, so I keep the tradition going, I guess. I think I read they originated from 12 century monks and it was believed that buns baked on Good Friday would never go moldy and possess healing and prospective powers. Who knows but go to a market or farm stand in PA and I bet you'll see tons of these buns. I use my aunt recipe, a pretty much run of the mill recipe found online, but we add in dried raisins, cherries and dates and almonds, along with nutmeg and a pinch of cinnamon. I had two today!

Of course, many also think of my other hot crossed buns, but they are served to my special friends! Just because it's Good Friday you didn't expect me to behave, did you? I'm always cheeky. 

TO THE MOON ALICE

 Well yesterday was exciting and I even got a smidge emotional watching the Artemis II take off. Artemis II is the lunar mission under the Artemis program that launched successful from the Kennedy Space Center last evening on a ten-day mission intended to carry NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch along with Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen on a free-return trajectory around the Moon and back to Earth.  This will be the first crewed mission beyond low Earth orbit since Apollo 17 way back in 1972! It was exciting to watch.

Maybe one of these missions NASA will come ask the Mistress to go into space. Just think, I'd be the first gay drag queen ho in space!!!! I better start thinking now what to wear.

EASTER CONFECTIONS

While I was in Philadelphia for the weekend already for the No Kings Day, Sunday was spent visiting a few favorite spots in the city while I was there. How could I pass up a chance at Easter then to not visit Shane's Confectionery? What can be said about this little jewel of the city, in the heart of Old Town? It is very charming and like a step back in time when candy was a luxury treat to get in a candy shop. The shop had all kinds of Easter confections from hundreds of Easter bunnies, jellybeans, clear toy candies, chocolate and sugar eggs and other sweet treats. I could hear my pants expand just looking at the cases of sweets. The store itself is charming and unchanged for years, with wrought iron cases and chandeliers that gas once lit, now electric. Still the shop looks like last century. And this isn't the Candy Shop your thinking!!! Shane's Confectionery is the oldest, continuously running confectionery in the US, established in 1862 I believe. The Shane family took over the business in 1911 till 2010 when the Berley Brothers who own the Franklin Fountain and Ice Cream shop took over. Candies and house specialties are still highly guarded and made right on site, with emphasis on locally sourced ingredients. I got a few things for the Easter basket. If you get to Philly put this place on your list!

Eye candy looking at candy!!!

Another stop was the art museum.... and got a wonderful snap of city hall looking up from Ben Franklin Parkway at dusk before departing the city.

OH NO SHE DON'T

 
Category is Drag Drama!

If you're a fan of Drag Race or in the Drag World chances are pretty certain you were shocked with the outcome of Friday's episode. While I admit to watching very little of the show this season, I had originally placed Jane as my number five. But the few show I did see she was incredibly creative, knew the assignments and killed in comedy, and literally the most consistently successful queen ever in the show gets chopped. I quickly replaced her for the top four over Juicy. I still think my top three will be the same, I doubt Juicy squeezes into a top 3, who surprised me by doing worst then I suspected. I think the crown will go to either Darlene, or Miki. But Jane! I caught the last show while out in a pub viewing party and the whole bar was shouting and in disbelief.... even Jane herself was speechless and disoriented I believe.  And I still quibble over Michelle with the make over Sisters Challenge. Jane and Baby Don't looked incredible and had I been at a drag show I would have known they were the same drag family. I don't agree with the same same down to every detail. I like the out of box thinking better, shows more creativity in my opinion. But I digress. After one hears the judges feedback week after week, I don't see why some are rewarded with staying when they aren't making the marks. Juicy has been pretty below the belt, while being devastatingly gorgeous. Which take me back to my points I often make...drag is more than just a good look. A look yes, but also talent, a schtick and a point of view. I NEVER ever thought I agree with Kandy Muse on anything but this time I do. She said this of the episode. " No shade, but if RuPaul ain't feeling you she is sending your ass home. It's her show and Jane will be just fine and come back to an All-Stars. Y'all need to remember, this "track record" thing is a thing fans have made up and ran with for years. Never has the show ran off the track record.  TBH, I'm glad they shook it up. The season was stale and boring. Drag has the expectation now to be too perfect and stale, especially on the American version of the show."

I do agree with her, the show has gotten way too polished and is not a very accurate showing of drag. Have you been to local clubs and lounges? Hometown queens are not all polished like this show represents, hell even well-known queens with longer careers then this show has aired are not even this editorial or polished. Really the only two queens on this season to march to their owner drummer were Jane and Darlene, who really embrace the drag I love. But this is too Jane who is my winner of the season. Shit, her and Darlene should take a show on the road together! An ode to Jane and her style!

Jane Don't

Don't ever change a thing.