Foodie Friday: Grandmother’s Proper Macaroni and Cheese

For me there is only one proper way to make macaroni and cheese, the way my grandmother made it. This has nothing to do with a box mix, or powdered cheese.  It starts with real ingredients and finishes with a long bake in a moderate oven that results in something cheesy, crusty and firm. 

The box mix Mac and cheese started as a way to try to use up a massive surplus of dehydrated cheese. During World War II, the department of defense placed huge orders for dehydrated cheese. It was light weight and had a very long shelf life.  At the end of the war, Kraft had millions of pounds of it ready to ship, and the market ended.  The "food scientists" created box mac and cheese mix, a cheap and easy "food" to try to get rid of the powdered cheese.  It should have been discontinued when the war surplus was exhausted. Even better, the government should have bought up the dehydrated cheese and used it as livestock feed (pigs love it.)  

Ingredients: 

8 ounces dried macaroni 

12-16 ounces well aged cheddar cheese (better cheese makes better Mac and cheese)

4 ounces smoked cheese 

1.5 cups milk

2 ounces of butter

2 ounces of flour 

salt

1 teaspoon ground mustard 

Method: 

Pre-heat oven to 375(f)

Grate the cheeses. 

Boil the macaroni in lightly salted water per package directions.  Drain and set aside. 

Make a basic white sauce or bechamel. Start by melting equal weights of butter and flour over medium heat in a 2 quart sauce pan.  Allow the butter to melt and the flour to cook in. Add milk, some recommend preheating the milk.  Whisk over medium or medium high heat, until it starts to thicken.  Add about 3/4 of the cheese, whisking to melt the cheese into a smooth sauce. 

Fully mix the macaroni with the cheese sauce. 

Put into a lightly greased casserole dish, I used a glass loaf pan, and cooking spray. Top with remaining grated cheese (not bread crumbs.) 

Bake for 45 to 60 minutes, until bubbly and lightly browned on the top.  The sides and bottom should have a nice cheesy crust when done.  

Cool slightly and serve.  Refrigerate leftovers. When chilled you should be able to slice it with a knife. 

Most Mac and Cheese fails on two  levels.  Most of it is made with raw cheese mixed in with the cooked macaroni, giving it a spotty texture with lumps of cheese and spots of starchy macaroni stuck together with insufficient cheese. And most Mac and cheese is under baked, many are merely warmed through in an oven - not baked.  This should be baked as a casserole.  This develops the crust on the bottom, sides and top. That cheese crust adds massively to the flavor complexity.  

  

The Thursday Ramble: Gratitude for things that led me to where I am today

 

My father's desire to escape the winter cold in Michigan, introduced me to the joys of travel.  For this I am grateful. 

Growing up around little airplanes and little airports led to a love of flying, for this I am grateful. 

Having a grandmother who was born near London, and a great-grandmother who was born in Wales that I was able to spend a great deal of time with, inspired a curiosity in me for exploring the world, for this I am grateful. 

I encountered a handful of great teachers, Mr. Snoffer - who left teaching shortly after I graduated and died far too young, Lee Schlicker who taught me the fundamentals of communication. Carl VanHoff who challenged me to read, for all of them I am grateful.

At University there was the stoned young adjunct who exposed me to the fundamentals of writing well, the professor who helped me gain understanding of how my brain works and encouraged me and the adjunct at Rollins who took my writing a step beyond. The lawyer who suggested law school. For all of these I am grateful. 

In law school there were a dozen professors who challenged and inspired me, for all of them I am grateful.  

Education changed me, and changed my life.  I am grateful for the opportunities and the people who made a difference. 

At Rollins College, I peeked out of the closet. And I met my Sweet Bear. Rollins changed my life I am forever grateful.  

Back in 1980 I ran into a John at McDonald's one morning, we talked, I was having a rough time. He suggested I try a new job, he referred me to someone, who referred me to George and my first real job, my first home builder job.  A couple of years later I built my first home. I am grateful for the connections and the opportunities, that built the foundation for where I am today.  

I have been relatively healthy, at times neglecting or abusing my being. When I needed it, I have been lucky to have talented doctors, I am forever grateful for Dr. W, and Dr. Z. 

I have a good life, and I wouldn't be here, if not for the amazing people and opportunities I have experienced, I am grateful for all of them. 

I can only hope, that in some small way, I helped someone, even one person, the way I have been helped in my life. 

 

My World of Wonders aka The Wednesday Ws Post Valentines Day edition

What is happening in that photo?  The gardeners left carrots in the ground in the kitchen garden (lower garden) at Mt Vernon.  The winter weather has frozen off all of the tops.  The squirrel was enjoying a nice mid-winter meal. Nice fat carrot fed squirrel, I know what my grandfather would be having for dinner. 

Where have I been this week? Home, the gym, the pool, Ikea at Woodbridge Virginia, Aldi, the library, a nice drive and Whole Foods. 

Who have I seen this week? I had a bunch of video calls and meetings with my fellow old lawyers. Not a real social week. 

Who have I talked to? My middle brother called to let me know he was sending the information to do his taxes. The lifeguards at the pool, TJ likes to talk, Marcell less so. 

What have I been reading? Vegetables Unleashed by Jose Andres, a brilliant cookbook. Even when he argues that cheese is really a vegetarian product. 

What blog have I added to my daily list? Sharon from Phoenix has a second channel with photos from her travels, she inspires me daily with places I need to see before I die. 

What YouTube channel made me smile this week? A couple of years ago Angus in St Andrews mentioned Finnegan Chamberlain, an American student at the University of St. Andrews. Finnegan is from Oregon, majors in computer science, runs, and loves to travel.  Oh to be young and rich and free. (How many of those can we claim to be?)

What made me think? A story on National Public Radio about racism in the United States. Anyone who thinks racism is a thing of the past, is dead wrong.  I was talking with someone recently about the terrors of driving while black.  I recognize that being born male and white gave me an advantage.  

What travel planning did I do this week? I booked train seats from London to Edinburgh and arranged travel health insurance. 

What needs to be added to my shopping list this week?  https://canadaisnotforsalehat.ca/ 

What made me smile? Mexico is threatening to sue Google over misnaming the Gulf of Mexico on maps shown in the USA. 

What new toy did I buy this week?  We somehow lost a probe thermometer in the kitchen, when I went to replace it, I also bought a laser thermometer. It uses a laser to measure the surface temperature. I have long wanted one, they are now down under $20. 

When am I headed into DC?  Today, I am having lunch with my replacement at the office.  I will brace myself to listen, it is not an easy time to be in DC. 

Travel Tuesday: Saturday Night in Phoenix

A little after 5:30 local time, on the Saturday evening that I was in Phoenix and direct message popped up on Facebook from Urspo's Someone. A free outdoor concert was set to start at 6:00 next to the theater across the corner from the hotel I was staying in.  He would be there as theater staff.  I pulled on some clothes, but not enough, and went across the street.  After sunset and it turned cold in a hurry, I only lasted about half an hour.  The music was fun, the performers were talented and energetic.  

 

Moody Monday: Take Three

Sometimes I write a post, go back and read it, and make major changes, if I read it again and it still makes me feel sick, I set it aside and write a new post.  This is one of those weeks.  I had six conference calls and meetings last week.  Way too much exposure to people who are paying attention to the chaos in the United States.  

I predict the demand for mental health care, antidepressants, and anti anxiety medications will skyrocket this year. Well and maybe sales of alcohol.  

So how can I redirect. 

I can control what I read. I am still looking at some news, the chaos leaders are hoping that we will become so horrified that we will look away. I need to see enough to know what outrage to express.  

I can control what I hear. There is music playing as I write this.  I can change the subject when conversation moves beyond what I need or want to hear.  

I can control what I do.  My daily walk, and near daily time in the pool make me feel good.  I can make sure I do those things. 

I can play in the kitchen.  I will bake bread at least once a week. I am reading a great cookbook. Time to get creative, I get lost in my time in the kitchen. 

I can control what I watch.  I have a collection  of DVDs that I can escape into for days.  It is Britcom night whenever I decide it should be. 

I can write. I filed a complaint with Google the other day, the map incorrectly identifies the Gulf of Mexico. My blog and very limited Social Media posts can point out the illogic and idiocy. Not by insulting the morons in charge, but with rational logic.  Think through it, unlike the people who have no idea what the collateral consequences of actions might be. 

Take care of yourself. 

Do things that are good for you. 

Don't forget to breath.   

The Sunday Five: The Final Frontier

1: Where were you when men landed on the moon? 

2: Have you seen a rocket launch? 

3: Have you met an astronaut? 

4: How do you feel about humans returning to the moon? 

5: Do you think we really understand what is out there? 

My Answers? 

1: Where were you when men landed on the moon? The house on the farm, my parents bought a color television that summer for the moon landing - that was mostly in shades of grey. 

2: Have you seen a rocket launch? Many of them, including the last Apollo program launches and many of the early shuttle launches.  

3: Have you met an astronaut? I am told I did, at the Grand Canyon when I was about 5 years old, I remember being very shy. 

4: How do you feel about humans returning to the moon? It is the stepping stone to exploring beyond our planet, we should have done it decades ago. 

5: Do you think we really understand what is out there? I think there is far more speculation, than true understanding.  

Please share your answers in the comments. 

The Saturday Morning post: 50 States in 52 weeks: Connecticut

The New England region was one of the last parts of the United States that I explored.  My first time in Connecticut was a trip to Boston by train, a wonderful slow ride across the state.  

Then in February of 2024, I went to a conference on Elder Abuse at Yale Law School in New Haven, Connecticut.  I took the train up the day before, spent the night, attended the program, and took the train home.  

A real highlight for me was the rare book library. Wow! 

Connecticut is north of New York, along the east coast of the United States.  While the urban area of New York city casts a deep shadow over the state, there are many, many small towns, farm areas, and natural areas.  A very pretty part of the country. 
 

Freestyle Friday: Happy Valentines Day!

 Happy Valentines Day

30-odd years together

Some of them odder than others

We still make one another laugh

We still understand one another

We still allow the other space and time

We are endlessly kind and understanding to one another

Love is Being there

Love is not expecting anything from one another, except Love

Love is a warm bear hug 

Love  is Love

Love Yourself

Love Others 

The Thursday Ramble: Why Did I Do That?

Debra at She Who Seeks, recently posted some lawyer jokes. It is okay she is one of the family, and we can make jokes about ourselves.  Her post and the comments on it, made me think back the moment that I decided that maybe law school and becoming a lawyer would be an option for me.  

I was in my late 20's, taking college classes and still trying to figure out what I wanted to be when I grew up.  In some ways, after two different careers I am still not sure of the answer to that question. 

There was a question on an exam about a contract entered into by a minor being void.  I answered that it was not void, and the professor marked that as a wrong answer.  I wrote a page long memo defending my answer. The law as stated in the textbook we were working with, said that a minor has the right to cancel the contract.  Being under age, is a valid defense against attempts to enforce a contract entered into by a minor. This defense belongs to the minor, not the other party to the contract. This means that the contract is voidable by the minor.  Not that the contract is void. The minor can bring a legal action to enforce a contract and the other party can not raise age as a defense. The fine line difference between void and voidable.   

The response from the professor was, "you would be a great lawyer!" He never admitted his answer was wrong, but my final grade was an "A" (the highest available.) 

And that started me thinking.  Maybe there was a place to use my talents. At the same time I was seeing people in my office who were getting legal advice from mortgage loan officers, and title company clerks, advice that was not always correct.  That bothered me. 
 

My World of Wonders aka The Wednesday Ws: February's to do list

What was I fussed about this week?  I had a dentist appointment on Thursday to have a tooth crowned.  Dr. Z is gentle and very skilled, I don't know why I get nervous about such things.  It was a lower rear molar that was damaged decades ago by an impacted wisdom tooth.  Repairs no longer did the job.  Doc described it as one of the most challenging locations. He used the magic of modern technology, and I was out of there and headed to lunch in a little over two hours with the permanent crown installed.  It is the first one I have done that didn't require a temporary and a return visit.  

What else was I fussed about?  My car was due for it's annual safety inspection, biannual emissions inspection, and renewal of the registration - also biannual. I always get fussed about this. The safety inspection is stuff that I would want to have fixed if they found anything wrong.  The emissions inspection is simple, if the car has a catalytic converter and no warning lights on the dash, $30 and you passed. I thought about it and I know why I fuss about this. My parents always obsessed about renewing the car registrations. I don't know why, but they did. Once the inspections were entered in the state computer system, I came home, went on the state website and renewed for two years in about 3 minutes.  The stickers are in the mail. Maybe thinking through why, I can set some of the anxiety aside.  

What am I learning? Often there is a reason for our irrational fears and dislikes. Understanding the root cause, can help us stop repeating the past. 

Where have I been this week?  A neighborhood Exxon station for the inspections, the Dentist, Trader Joe's, the Gym, the pool, the community center, and an Arts council meeting, bowling. 

What else is on the to do list? I need to book a train from London to Edinburgh, and apply for ESTA to enter England in April.  Gather the rest of what I need to work out taxes.  

Who have I talked to this week? The Dentist and his assistant. My Sweet Bear, Anna, Susan, Rafael, Giuseppe the Saturday morning water aerobics instructor. 

What did I do this week for the first time in nearly 50 years? We went bowling (ten-pin bowling) Friday evening.  The condo has a private bowling alley. I have lived here 16 years, and it was the first time I have used that amenity.  Probably not the last time. 

What has happened to journalism in this country? Newspaper headline this week, "Inmate dies from hanging injuries",  a much more accurate headline would be inmate commits suicide.  It is very unlikely to be an accident, or recreational. 

What have I been up to in the kitchen? I made lasagna, french bread, omelets, . 

HoW am I holding up to the outrage? I am speaking up, carefully and mindfully.  I have faith in the system. Less than two years before Congress flips.  HWSNBN is starting to gore to Ox of many people.  Random shutting down of programs is starting to cause pain and outrage. It is only a matter of time until he steps on too many toes. 

When am I free this week? Thursday, I have six conference calls over 4 days this week.  I need to learn to say no. 

What made me smile this week? Bloggers standing up and speaking the truth. 

Warning, I am going to talk politics below this image, if you find that disturbing, leave a comment and move on. 

Is this a messy desk?

HoW can HWSNBN improve the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts?  He can go there, and see what actually takes place. He reportedly has never been there. The Presidential box is almost always empty, he could send friends and family to see the shows. Melanoma or whatever her name is, is honorary chairmen of the board, during her first go around she almost never zoomed into a meeting. The steel pipes installed as cheap columns on the outside, painted gold or bronze, could be upgraded to something more elegant, parts of the interior are cheap and dated.  If he walked through, he would have ideas for redecorating. He can fund replacing the escalator from the parking levels, that have been broken down for months. He can fund replacing the aged elevators in the concert hall that frequently break down. Leave the arts, to the artists, give the place some much needed love, attention, and funding.    

 

 

Travel Tuesday: Random shots from the south of France

Lunch in a harbor town along the Mediterranean 

A Private Beach 

Bloom where you are planted 

Who is watching who?

Fresh? It came ashore across the street. 

Yes, I would cook them.

Along the harbor front.

Coffee and a nice sit 

A random stop on the way back to the gite. 

 

Monday Moods: The Art of Living

One thing that really surprised me in Phoenix was the amount of art. Public art in the tram stations, along the streets, sidewalks and in the parks.  Murals, there are more murals in a square mile of downtown Phoenix than in all of Alexandria, Virginia. 

I visited two great art museums in Phoenix,  the Heard and the Phoenix Art Museum (art if their middle name - they sell a T-shirt with that on it.) I commented to someone from New York that Washington DC has one of the worlds greatest collections of museums that are free of charge. I was careful to word that because New York has some of the world's greatest museums, but they charge to enter. 

Art reflects the human experience.  Seeing it, feeling, it experiencing art brings meaning to our lives.  I have described myself as artistically handicapped, I struggle with create art that represents reality. 

Learning to paint, even paint badly, I learned more about color, how colors blend, how colors relate to one another, than I have from any other experience in my life.  If you have never painted, try it. 

In college I took a silver casting and construction class.  I needed an art credit, and knew the professor who was teaching and knew that he was kind with those of us who struggle.  One of the projects was a hollow construction.  You start with a sheet of flat metal, form it into a shape, solder the seams, add a top and bottom, solder and finish the seams.  My first attempt ended in disaster as I tried to rush the process and it flew off the polishing wheel and smashed into the floor. My second attempt was 1/2 inch by 1 inch, and took me about 30 hours of work to finish.  I was just looking at it, it is not perfect, but pretty good. And in creating I learned that I am capable of concentrating on the details, for long periods of time. I learned about patience, in an art class.  I should go back to metal work again, I enjoyed it. 

The photo on top, can you see me? The sculpture is huge, probably three stories tall. 

No guarantees of sanity, but try to create something this week.  

 

Sunday Five: Super Bowl Sunday

1: Will you be watching the Super Bowl today? 

2: Which is more exciting the game, or the advertising? 

3: Have you attended a professional football game? 

4: What teams are playing today? 

5: Where is the game being played? 

My Answers: 

1: Will you be watching the Super Bowl today? In my own distracted sort of a way. 

2: Which is more exciting the game, or the advertising? The advertising, it is the super bowl of advertising. 

3: Have you attended a professional football game? Nope

4: What teams are playing today?  I do know, do you. 

5: Where is the game being played?  I do know, I have been there. 

Please share your answers in the comments. 

 

The Saturday Morning post: 50 States in 52 weeks: Colorado

My first visit to Colorado was as a teenager on a 4-H exchange program, I spent a week one summer on a 2,000 acre farm east of Colorado Springs. I spent a couple of hours farming in a massive four wheel drive tractor, in a 200 acre wheat field. Despite not having a driver's license, I drove a truck back the ranch house, my first time driving on a public road.  

I have been back to Colorado several times since for various conferences and meetings.  One trip we rented a car and drove into the mountains to have lunch at the Breckenridge Ski Resort. The car was tiny and under-powered, I think a long horn sheep passed me on the way up one of the mountain passes. One my latest trip to Colorado I flew in early and rented a car for a road trip to Wyoming and Idaho, checking the last two states off of my list of all 50.  

The eastern half of Colorado is flat hard plains. The western half of the state is the Rocky Mountains with 12,000 foot peaks.  I need to go back, I want to ride the Durango to Silverton railway near the southern border of the state.

Funky Friday: Driverless Cars

Everyone I mentioned the driverless taxi to, thought I was crazy to try it. I thought I would be crazy not to try it.  

The cars are operated by Waymo, you download an app on your phone.  I did that before I left home.  The app didn't let me set up an account, until I was in the service area, currently Phoenix, Los Angeles, and San Francisco.  You enter credit card information in your profile.  

When you are ready to travel, you open the app, and tell it where you want to go.  The search function quicky populated destinations.  You click on where you want to go.  And it tells you the nearest location where the car can get out of traffic to safely pick you up, when it will be there, how long it will take to get to your destination and how much the charge will be.  If the schedule does not fit your needs, the app will offer alternatives.  When you are happy, you click book ride.  You can follow the car on a map as it drives to you. When it arrives you click on the app to unlock the doors (the door handles pop-out for you to open the door.) You get in, buckle your seatbelt, the car won't start moving until you do. And press start ride on the display screen in the front or back of the car.  Up to four people can ride, three in the back, and one in the passenger seat in the front.  The car won't move if you sit in the driver's seat.  

The Museum I was returning from was about 2 miles from the hotel I was staying in.  I walked about half of that, it was about 80 degrees (f) and very dry.  I decided I had walked enough and I had promised myself I would try the autonomous taxi.  The app couldn't been easier to use, the car took about 8 minutes to arrive where I was.  I was a little confused on the pick up location, and walked a block in the wrong direction, then looked at the map and realized the pick up was across the street from where I had started out. I was in an unfamiliar location and it was my first time using the service.  When the car pulled up, I clicked the unlock doors button on my phone and climbed in the back seat.  The car will wait up to two minutes for you.  I buckled the seat belt and clicked start ride on the display screen between the seats.  The ride was gentle. The radars on the car tracked the cars around me, and pedestrians. While waiting at a traffic light the door of the truck next to me opened and a person got out and walked across traffic to the sidewalk.  I watched all of that on the radar screen. The car slowed or changed course for traffic and pedestrians around us. The screen updates with time remaining to destination. When the car stopped in front of the hotel, the doors unlocked. It was the best taxi ride of the trip. 

I realize that as I get older there will come a time when I will, or at least should, stop driving.  I sincerely hope that a service like this is available when that time comes. I mentored a law student a few years ago that do to physical limitations will never drive a traditional car.  When we talked about autonomous cars, she said she couldn't wait. A car like this would give her freedom she has never known.  The greatest need for transportation is in rural areas.  If the tech-bros currently in government want to impress us, quit interrupting the function of government and engineer autonomous cars in America's heartland. 

Thinking about autonomous cars from a purely engineering point of view, to be as safe as possible every car needs to be connected to a network that tracks movement.  I talked with a guy on an airline flight one evening who was on his way home from a job interview.  He was working on sensors for self driving cars, and they were entering the decision phase of if the choice is hitting the baby stroller or the wheelchair and there is no other option, what do you do. He was thinking about changing jobs so he didn't have to think about that programing choice. 

I enjoyed the ride, I will do this again, I hope this service comes to DC soon.