WANNA LAUGH?!?! - DR. SEUSS FOR ADULTS...

I do not like this Uncle Sam, I do not like his health care scam. I do not like these dirty crooks or how they lie and cook the books. I do not like when Congress steals, I do not like their secret deals. I do not like ex-speaker Nan, I do not like this 'YES WE CAN'. I do not like this spending spree, I'm smart, I know that nothing's free. I do not like their smug replies, when I complain about their lies. I do not like this kind of hope. I do not like it. Nope, nope, nope!

EATERY IS OPEN - BELLINI COCKTAILS

Ingredients & Instructions:

Quick version 1 parts Peach Schnapps
3 parts Champagne (or Sparkling wine)

Combine in champagne flutes, serve.

Original Version 2/3 cup white peach puree 
1 teaspoon raspberry puree
1 bottle chilled Italian sparkling wine such as Prosecco

Instructions

2/3 cup white peach puree

1 teaspoon raspberry puree
1 bottle chilled Italian sparkling wine such as Prosecco 

Place 1 1/2 tablespoons puree In the bottom of each flute and add 2 - 3 drops of the raspberry puree. Add sparkling wine and serve.

Raspberry puree: Puree fresh or frozen (thawed) berries.

Peach puree: Peel fresh peaches, cut up in pieces and blend.

Serving glass: Tall champagne flutes

WITH GREAT POWER.....

Whatever life holds in store for me, I will never forget these words: "With great power comes great responsibility."

Peter Parker was talking about his newly found super powers as Spiderman when he said these words, but when I hear them I think of the power we all now have through our postings on social media such as Facebook and Twitter.

I’ve read too many posts that twist facts or even state falsehoods as if they were facts. Unfortunately , many people believe whatever they see in print and are purposely misled by such tactics. It’s certainly common practice in political posts, as noted in a You Tube video called “.Alternate Reality”

The system has gone mad, everyday newspapers and TV carry more and more stories of brazen politicians and executives who have no fear and act as though they are above the law. Even when their own words [at times on tape] confirm their scheming, they continue to treat the public like we're stupid.

It seems the government also wants in on the social media propaganda bandwagon. According to radio celebrity Alex Jones, the Defense Department unveiled its Social Media in Strategic Communication (SMISC) program. It’s an attempt to get better at both detecting and conducting propaganda campaigns on social media.This is more than just checking the trending topics on Twitter. The Defense Department wants to deeply grok social media dynamics. So SMISC will be aimed at discovering and tracking the “formation, development and spread of ideas and concepts (memes)” on social media. http://www.prisonplanet.com/pentagon-wants-a-social-media-propaganda-machine.html

  DRL takes our responsibility seriously, using social media to educate, inform, inspire and enlighten as well as give our readers the opportunity to voice their own opinions, whether they agree with ours or not. We also use this forum to encourage positive action, as in The Generosity Game Meme http://delayedreactionlounge.blogspot.com/2011/06/generosity-game-meme.html ) or Meet Pongo and Join DRL’s Team to Help Him and The Center For Great Apes (http://delayedreactionlounge.blogspot.com/2011/06/meet-pongo-and-join-drls-team-to-help.html)

Barbara’s Soul Food attempts to lighten the soul and encourage our readers to “keep the promises you make to yourself”                                                                ( http://delayedreactionlounge.blogspot.com/2011/07/soul-food_24.html) 
and Patty’s Sticky Sweet (http://delayedreactionlounge.blogspot.com/2011/07/sticky-sweet_24.html)  just makes you feel good! Tony has shared his stories with us to help us understand issues that we might not have considered, such as For Me It’s My Little Girl (http://delayedreactionlounge.blogspot.com/2011/03/tony-walker-almost-everyone-has.html). Dawn gives us a wake up call as to what’s happening to our daughters’ childhoods with In Vogue 

I’m proud to be a writer for Delayed Reaction Lounge. It’s a place where every effort is made to present truthful, enlightening information as well as entertaining, funny, even spooky reading as well! I hope you enjoy reading as much as we all enjoy writing for you.

Let us know how you feel. What are your favorite features? Is there something you would like to read about that we haven’t covered yet? If there’s something you really like, let us know and we’ll keep it coming. If there’s something you think needs to be said, tell us and we’ll try to say it for you! The Lounge is for everyone and everyone is welcome! Thanks for stopping in!

ENJOY THE WEEKEND!

Weekends don't count unless you spend them doing something completely pointless.  

~Bill Watterson

Weekends are a bit like rainbows; they look good from a distance but disappear when you get up close to them.  

~John Shirley

There is little chance that meteorologists can solve the mysteries of weather until they gain an understanding of the mutual attraction of rain and weekends. 

~ Unknown

Middle age is when you are sitting at home on a Saturday night and the telephone rings and you hope it is not for you.

 ~ Unknown

Living up to ideals is like doing everyday work with your Sunday clothes on. 

~ Unknown

MUSIC HISTORY AUGUST 13

1879 - Composer John Ireland was born.

1924 - "The Prisoner's Song" by Vernon Dalhart became the first country music record to sell one million copies.

1930 - Guy Lombardo and his orchestra recorded "Go Home and Tell Your Mother".

1938 - Robert Johnson played a show at a roadhouse outside Greenwood, MS. It speculated that Johnson was poisoned by the bar owner. Johnson died several days later.

1952 - The original version of "Hound Dog" was recorded by Willie Mae (Big Mama) Thornton.

1965 - The Jefferson Airplane made its stage debut at the Matrix Club in San Francisco, CA.

1965 - The Beatles album "Help!" was released in the United States.

1966 - The Supremes' "You Can't Hurry Love" was released.

1967 - The Daughters of the American Revolution refused to allow Joan Baez to perform at Constitution Hall in Washington, DC. because of her opposition to the Vietnam War.

1971 - King Curtis, at the age of 37, was stabbed to death outside his New York home.

1980 - Todd Rundgren's home in Woodstock, New York was invaded by four masked men. Rundgren, his girlfriend and three houseguests were bound and gagged while the masked men strip the house of valuables.

1990 - Curtis Mayfield was paralyzed after a light rack fell on him before a concert in Brooklyn, NY.

1995 - Michael Stipe (R.E.M.) has surgery for a hernia.

1999 - The movie "Detroit Rock City" opened.

WANNA LAUGH?!?!

A male driver is pulled over by a cop and the following conversation takes place:
Man: What's the problem officer?
Cop: You were going at least 75 in a 55 zone.
Man: No sir, I was going 65.
Wife: Oh Harry. You were going 80.
(Man gives his wife a dirty look.)
Cop: I'm also going to give you a ticket for your broken tail light.
Man: Broken tail light? I didn't know about a broken tail light!
Wife: Oh Harry, you've known about that tail light for weeks.
(Man gives his wife a dirty look.)
Cop: I'm also going to give you a citation for not wearing your seat belt.
Man: Oh, I just took it off when you were walking up to the car.
Wife: Oh Harry, you never wear your seat belt.
Man: Shut your mouth, woman!
Cop: Ma'am, does your husband always talk to you this way?
Wife: No, only when he's drunk.

REMORAS....and other feeder fish, like you

Dawn Boyle

My daughter is obsessed with sharks. She watched "Shark Week" religiously. She wants to be an Oceanographer, and study marine life. I watched a lot of Shark Week along side of her to make sure there was nothing to graphic being viewed. One thing that I noticed was a bunch of little fish that hang out around the shark. Sometimes they are underneath and it made me wonder, what is up with those fish? How are they not eaten? Why do they hang out under the shark...are they stupid? Have they not witnessed a feeding frenzy and seen what happens to those schools? It made me want to find out what the story is with those fish?

They are called Remoras. They have a modified dorsal fin that acts kinda like a sucker that attaches them to whatever they are swimming with.

As for why they don't get eaten, they are in a symbiotic relationship with the sharks. In many cases, a dualistic one (meaning both parties benefit).

The Remora gets a free ride and free food (they eat scraps of food and small bacteria) while the shark gets a free cleanup job/anti-bacterial job.

After reading up on Remora's, it got me thinking....in life there are some Remora's in my life. I have a bunch of people, some friends...some family that get a free ride. They come along and hang out around me, "eating the scraps I don't get to". They feed off of my kindness, but make no mistake, I know who, I am keen on what they are doing..only know I have a name for them!

Do you have Remora's? Is it a mutual benefit? How much do you appreciate or tolerate the free clean up job? Are Remora's a necessity in life?

KATHERINE: AN UNUSUAL 15 YEAR OLD!

My best friend just bought a house as a “vacation” home here in Florida. Since she hates to fly and knew she’d need a lot of help moving in, she brought her 15 year old niece Katherine, with her for support. I’ve known Katherine since she was a baby, but haven’t seen her in a few years so I was totally unprepared for what I found when I saw her again.

Helping set up headboard and frame

What can you say about your typical 15 year old? They’re often argumentative, insecure, moody, boy crazy, somewhat self-centered, disrespectful and lazy. This was what I was expecting, but I was so wrong! This girl worked so hard from early morning to very late at night without complaint. She scrubbed, painted, moved furniture, ran errands, and all in a house without a TV or computer!

Another pleasant surprise was the constant smile on her face and upbeat disposition she exhibited. She loves to laugh and listen to her aunt’s funny stories about when she and her sister, Isabel, were young. She was excited about everything, taking pictures and texting friends about it.

Toting boxes,When is it break time?

The more time I spent with her, the more I realized how smart, funny and interesting she is. We had a great conversation about the books she’s read and ones that I thought she would enjoy. She told me all about her friends and the fun things they do. I have to say, I really enjoyed spending time with her.

Katherine has restored my faith in 15 year olds!  I look forward to seeing her grow into the confident, intelligent, optimistic woman that I know she will become!

Katherine and her Aunt Jeanne

SHAKEN THE SYSTEM

Tony Walker

In 1992 I joined the Communication Workers of America, AKA CWA. They are the union for Verizon workers here in NY and most of the Country.
I knew nothing about unions or corporate america at that time.
From then til now I have seen all sorts of corporate greed, deceit, lies, and despicable behavior by the managers I worked for. It forced me to get me involved in the union & fight for our rights. I am proud to say that I was a Chief Steward for Local 1104 for 10 years. I loved every minute of it.
In 2008 I was forced out of my job due to my disability and that's when I decided to start my new life doing what I was meant to do-comedy. However I am still an active member of 1004 and try to stay involved. I made some great friends while working there and I will always support them.
Because of my union: I had medical benefits that got me through cancer and got my family through all the testing we needed to do on my daughter when she was young as we discovered she's autistic. I still had a job even though the cancer kept me from doing my job for a few years.
I get a pension. I was paid a decent salary plus overtime. I was trained properly and was given all the safety equipment I'm supposed to have so I can return to my family every night. Working on poles like I did can be very dangerous if you don't know what you are doing.
Did you know that no one was paid overtime after 40 hours until unions made it happen? So even if you're not a union member, what happens with a union can effect you. It's all about workers rights!!!
Here's a question.... after being a union guy for almost 20 years I forget how the public perceives unions. Do you think they are corrupt? If so why? How much do you actually know about them?
Do you think unions are needed now more than ever as the middle class suffers more & more every day?
I'd like to wish all my Brothers and Sisters at CWAN all the best as they fight for what they deserve. This strike could be a long one. Be strong!
If you're in NY or on the eastern seaboard most likely you know someone who is fighting for their job right now. Please support them! They won't forget who supports them & who doesn't. Believe me!!

WERE YOU A VALLEY GIRL??? LIKE TOTALLY!!

• Like - Used as an interjection: "That was, like, the worst thing ever!" or to indicate speech: "And she was like 'Get out of my way!'"
• As if – lit. "yeah, right" or "as if" except it does not use a subject; expresses disbelief.
• Bitchin' - adj. slang for excellent; first-rate. Though a derivative of "bitch", bitchin' is sometimes not considered profane.
• Whatever! - short for "whatever you say"; sarcastic interjection often emphasizing the final syllable.
• Fer shur – lit. "For sure", often used in agreement.
• Totally – "I agree" or "completely."
• Oh my God – can be used many ways; expresses shock.
• Tre - A synonym for "very" (derived from French "très")
• So - Very; used frequently and said with strong emphasis.
• Seriously - Frequent interjection of approval.
• Gnarly - expression of seriousness. can be a word for very intense or very pleasing
• Are you serious?- expression of surprise.
• Anyways... - Substitute for the grammatically correct "Anyway..."

As per Wikipedia
Valley Girl (or Val, Val Gal) is a stereotype leveled at a socio-economic and ethnic class of American women who can be described as colloquial English-speaking, materialistic, self-centered, hedonistic, and often sexually promiscuous. Valspeak is also a form of this trait, based on an exaggerated version of '80s California English.

The term originally referred to the ever increasing number of semi-affluent and affluent middle-class and upper-middle class girls living in the bedroom community neighborhoods of San Fernando Valley. Due to the Valley's proximity to the Hollywood media machine, the demographic group which the term stereotyped garnered large exposure to the rest of the world. Consequently, the use became more general, and the stereotype can be found all over the United States, and also in other countries in different forms. During the 1980s and 1990s, in common with the trend in community orientation, interest, and education, the term metamorphosed into a caricature and stereotype of such women: a "ditzy" or "airhead" personality, and unapologetically "spoiled" behavior that showed more interest in shopping, personal appearance and social status than in intellectual development or personal accomplishment.

WHO IS RICK PERRY??

Rick Perry is a name you might hear a lot in the coming months. It looks like he will be the front runner for the Republicans for the next presidential election. We hear that he will be announcing his candidacy this weekend.

Perry has been a Texas Governor for ten years. He has grown jobs in the hundreds of thousands. He has his state in line with money, with the budget.

Could this be our next president? Rick Perry sounds like a lead singer of a 80's hair band.....hmmmm.

WICKEDLY HELPLESS

Tony Walker

Dawn passed on a story to me the other day about a womna who committed suicide and killed her special needs son. The reasoning was because of the tight economic grip she felt as a single parent and the fact that her son recently lost 100 pounds at a summer camp and could not afford new clothing. The school her son was attending was not the best placement for him and she was fighting to get the proper education for her child.

I hate to admit it but I totally identify with this poor woman.

In the current state of our economy and the crap going on in this world I constantly worry about how my daughter is going to take care of herself after I am gone.

I'd like to think that my son will watch out for her but that's a big weight on his shoulders.

I'm not saying I think about killing my daughter. I am just pointing out that I totally understand her pressures and fears especially since I am going through a rough time financially right now.

What a shame.  The number of kids on the spectrum rises all the time.

Should our society or our government start treating this in an epidemic type fashion so we can figure out what the hell we're going to do with as these kids become adults???

Click here to read a link the referenced story:

http://washingtonexaminer.com/local/education/2011/08/kensington-tragedy-blamed-montco-school-system

WANNA LAUGH?!?!

The government announced it's changing its emblem to a condom because it accurately reflects the government's political stance. A condom allows for inflation, halts production, destroys the next generation, protects a bunch of d*cks, and gives you a sense of security while you're being screwed.

HE SAID....

Tony Walker

This week's He Said is actually agreeing with Boyle's She Said.

Why the hell do our kids have freakin homework during the summer???

Sorry.... I disagree that our kids need to read & keep up with the academics during the summer. 

Our kids need time to be kids damnit!

There are exceptions of course... my daughter goes to a summer program where some light academics is involved. But she loves it because all of her classmates from the school year are there. Kids like my daughter don't have many play dates or friends for that matter. All they have are each other so the summer program is almost a social event for them.

But typically I think it's wrong to shove so much work down our kids throats.

The following is an excerpt from John Lennon's Working Class Hero. I think these words fit more today than ever before.

 

They hurt you at home and they hit you at school
They hate you if you're clever and they despise a fool
Till you're so crazy you can't follow their rules
A working class hero is something to be
A working class hero is something to be

When they've tortured and scared you for twenty odd years
Then they expect you to pick a career
When you can't really function you're so full of fear
A working class hero is something to be
A working class hero is something to be

IN VOGUE??

Photo-Vogue Paris

This morning this story about a ten year old model who graced the pages of Vogue Paris in what some would call inappropriate clothing, makeup, etc. is all over the place.

From what I understand, Tom Ford directed this layout a year ago, wherein he had young models playing "dress up". It is alleged that a major shake up at the fashion bible headquarters occurred due to this layout.

Last week Good Morning America did an expose on the year old scandal revisiting what they are calling the sexualisation of young girls in fashion causing the parents of the young model to shut down a fan page to minimize the buzz that they were shielding their child.                                                                  

Tell us what you think. Have a line been crossed? Are there any boundaries in the fashion world? Are the childs parents responsible in any way or Vogue Paris, itself for some sort of child pornography?

SPEAK OUT HERE!!

SHE SAID...

Dawn Boyle

With just a few weeks left of summer vacation I feel the grip tighten around me and the pressure mount of getting Summer Reading and reports done. They are not due the first day of school, but shortly after. I am very lucky, my girls are readers, but they have not completed their books yet for the project.

I really have grown to hate this yearly ritual of the arguing about getting it done. Last year the teacher didn't even take the beautifully typed and covered report handing in on day one of school. It stayed in her folder the entire year. I continuely asked why it wasn't turned it, and was told "the teacher didn't want it".

I think that reading is very important. Both of my girls spend at least an hour reading just about every day. Why is it that it has to be implemented with a deadline. Why can't we just worry about enjoying the summer. Why is it that we have homework during vacation?

Tell me what ya think?

AUNT MARY'S ZUCCHINI PIE - THE EATERY IS OPEN

 

 

 

INGREDIENTS

2 tablespoons  Butter

4 cups thinly sliced zucchini

1 cup chopped onions

2 tablespoons dried parsley flakes

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon pepper

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

1/4 teaspoon dried basil leaves

1/4 teaspoon dried oregano leaves

2 Eggs, well beaten

2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

1 can (8 oz) Pillsbury® refrigerated crescent dinner rolls

2 teaspoons yellow mustard

DIRECTIONS

1 Heat oven to 375°F. In 12-inch skillet, melt butter over medium-high heat. Add zucchini and onions; cook 6 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until tender. Stir in parsley flakes, salt, pepper, garlic powder, basil and oregano. 2 In large bowl, mix eggs and cheese. Add cooked vegetable mixture; stir gently to mix. 3 Separate dough into 8 triangles. Place in ungreased 10-inch glass pie plate, 12x8-inch (2-quart) glass baking dish or 11-inch quiche pan; press over bottom and up sides to form crust. Firmly press perforations to seal. Spread crust with mustard. Pour egg mixture evenly into crust-lined pie plate. 4 Bake 18 to 22 minutes or until knife inserted near center comes out clean. If necessary, cover edge of crust with strips of foil during last 10 minutes of baking to prevent excessive browning. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.

WANNA LAUGH?!?!

A wife wakes up in the middle of the night & realizes her husband is not in bed.
She gets up & checks around the house.
She hears sobbing from the cellar. She runs down & finds her husband curled up in a corner, sobbing.
Worried, she asks her husband, "Honey what's wrong?!"
"Remember 30 years ago when I got you pregnant? And your father said I had to marry you or go to jail?"
"Yes of course," she replies.
"Well today I would have been a free man!"

STICKY SWEET

THOUGHTS FOR THE DAY

Patty B

You are what you eat. So if you eat chocolate, you're smooth, sweet and loved by all.

Take chocolate to the laundromat. You won't mind the wait, and odds are good you won't alone.

Want the complete, undivided attention of your kids? Open a candy bar in front of them.

SAY IT ISN'T SO!!!!!!

Barbara Ward-Finneran

I continue to think, no perhaps, dream is a better word, that after 18 seasons of this - somehow it will magically right  itself, but I am wrong!  Apparently in the south, August is not a summer month.  The thermostat screams otherwise - yet the calendars are marked.  School starts this week.  YIKES!!!  YUCK!!!

It's seemed wrong since the summer I moved here.  Arriving in mid-August with hopes of scouting out work as a substitute or fill a last minute teaching vacancy before school started.  Silly me.  Long before my furniture arrive school had started!  And, every year, it still is so WRONG, WRONG, WRONG, that school starts before Labor Day!  I know in just days it will seem normal.  I know that we get the majority of June off so it's all "even".  Yet, it makes me a little crazy every (dare I use the word) southern back to school season.  A post Labor Day start is my normal.  It's still what I long for to be normal.  I guess I'm a gal who loves tradition.  That whole unofficial beginning of summer and putting your "whites" away after Labor Day gets lost here when hot temperatures rear their ugly hear in March or even sooner some years.   Despite the fact that summer has unfolded here, we have enjoyed may a lazy and fun filled day, and the thought of routine is mildly desirable.  (Wish it didn't have to start in the dark every day!) I still long for back t school to begin in September! "Ain't" never gonna happen here! :PPPPP

I'm back at work.  The regular/real day job is back in full swing and my kids, and the rest of our county begin on Wednesday.  So ready or not - here comes the 2011-2012 school year!

All the back to school sales and the fact that teachers reported back days ago should have that fact based in reality in my little corner of the world.  Yet somehow it won't truly be real 'til Wednesday morning when I snap the traditional first day of school pictures of my boys alone and then together.  Is it really possible that I've been taking those pictures for 8 years?! Is it possible that I'll still get away with those precious photos this year with my eldest starting middle school? Is it possible after 18 years that I still dread back to school before Labor Day?

Yes. Hopefully. And, Yes!

SOUL FOOD

Barbara Ward-Finneran

If happiness and balance are some of the ultimate goals. 

You must remember at those times when they seem to be beyond reach - that you must keep moving. 

Forward and daring to surpass all you dream. 

A spinning top only falls when it stops... 

Your life doesn't happen by chance but rather by choice.

Keep the promises that you make to yourself!

Photo Courtesy of Barbara Ward-Finneran and Drawn 2 Design, LLC

©  All Rights Reserved

THIS CRUISE DIRECTOR WANTS TO QUIT

Dawn Boyle

A rainy summer Sunday (or what was supposed to be) when beach plans have been cancelled turn into the day of debates.

Why is it that I am the cruise director all week long for my children. Organizing play dates or making group plans of movies or the likes for my two girls are enough for me. I make our family weekend plans, get all supplies together, packing up enough clothes and bathing suits for the weekend, but when the weather is supposed to turn - it becomes the big debate of "what are we gonna do today?" The same question that makes my toes curl on a daily basis when I field it from the kids I received about 10 times yesterday from my "OLDEST KID".

I look around at the home that looks more like a disaster and think to myself, PICK A ROOM! Everyone can jump on that bandwagon and help me clean up around here. Of course that is not the answer. Sarah suggests a family day of bowling. Gracie's suggested nails for the girls and let Daddy do whatever he wants. Greg suggests going to his favorite place - the boat store. None of these ideas were doing it for me. I wonder what it would take for Greg to think of giving me a few hours of down time. Take the kids bowling, let Gracie get her nails done and then hit the boat store all on there own?

I know it's not going to happen, but I can dream! Boat Store it is....again. Long live the dream of being able to quit being the cruise director. I guess I can't really complain with only a handful of weeks left before they are back in school...but then again, this is random rants! Enjoy the time left! Poor Barbara is already back to school!

RAT DROPPINGS....another fake out

This is Serious! SERIOUSLY NOT 100% TRUE!!!! This incident happened recently in North Texas .  A woman went boating one Sunday taking with her some cans of coke which she put into the refrigerator of the boat.  On Monday she was taken to the hospital and placed in the Intensive Care Unit.  She died on Wednesday.  THIS PART IS TRUE...sorta The autopsy concluded she died of Leptospirosis. (LEPTOSPIROSIS IS A DEADLY DISEASE) This was traced to the can of coke she drank from, not using a glass. Tests showed that the can was infected by dried rat urine and hence the disease Leptospirosis. THIS PART IS TRUE... Rat urine contains toxic and deathly substances  It is highly recommended to thoroughly wash the upper part of all soda cans before drinking out of them. The cans are typically stocked in warehouses and transported straight to the shops without being cleaned A study at NYCU showed that the tops of  all soda cans are more contaminated than public toilets (i.e.). full of germs and bacteria. So wash them with water before putting them to the mouth to avoid any kind of fatal accident. (THIS PART WE CAN NOT CONFIRM BUT SOUNDS LIKE A GOOD IDEA!)

THE EATERY IS OPEN: MAN CAKES; CUPCAKES DESIGNED FOR MEN

Maple Bacon Cupcakes

Ingredients:

½ tbs butter, room temperature

½ tbs bacon drippings (left in fridge to become solid)

1 egg

5 tbs brown sugar

4 tbs maple syrup

1 ¼ cups self rising flour

1 tsp baking soda

½ tsp baking powder

Tiny pinch Kosher salt

¼  c milk

¼  cup minced bacon (cooked and drained)

1.  Cook some bacon in a fry pan (about 6 thick strips). Reserve the drippings and place in the fridge to solidify. Mince 1/4 a cup of the bacon. The chef should eat whatever is left to assure that the bacon is tasty.

 2) Beat the crud out of the butter and solidified bacon fat 'till light and creamy. Add the brown sugar and maple syrup and beat well until combined.

 3) Add the egg and beat until incorporated.

 4) Sift the flour, salt, baking soda and powder together.

 5) Add some of the flour and mix, then some of the milk, then continue to alternate the dry and wet ingredients, ending with the dry. Mix until just combined. Fold in the bacon. Taste and add more maple syrup, flour, or milk if needed for desired taste. Keep in mind the maple frosting is very sweet, and to add in very small increments for alterations as maple syrup in large amounts can break a cake batter.

 6) Scoop into cupcake papers and bake at 350 F for 18-22 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Be sure to rotate the pan after the first 15 minutes for even baking.

 Maple Syrup frosting.

4 tbs butter

2 tbs maple syrup

1cup powdered sugar

Turbinado sugar

Coarse grain sea salt

  Combine the syrup and butter until combined. Add the sugar, a bit at a time, and whip at high speeds    until combined. Pipe or spread onto cupcakes. Sprinkle on sea salt and Turbinado sugar for decoration and a lot of added flavor.

CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS AUGUST 7

Hatebreed singer Jamey Jasta (1978),
"Aeon Flux" star Charlize Theron (1975),
"Lost" actor Harold Perrineau (1963),
"X-Files" star David Duchovny (1960),
Iron Maiden singer Bruce Dickinson (1958),
Actor David Rasche (1944),
Singer B.J. Thomas (1942),
New York Yankee Don Larsen (1929),
Actress Ann Harding (1901; d. 1981),
French composer Guillaume Dufay (1400; d. 1474).