My Incredible Adventure- The “Head”

toiletSure does take some planning ahead!! This is why I said it involves balance, dexterity, and strength! And the ability to speed read!

Instructions:

1. Make sure lid is down to create a vacuum.

2. Put thumb over hole on top of hole where it says “plug me”.

3. With other hand, pump handle 10 full strokes.

4. Do your business

5. Put thumb over hole on top of hole where it says “plug me”.

6. With other hand, pump handle 20 full strokes.

7.Take thumb off the hole.

8. With other hand, pump handle 10 full strokes.

Make sure nothing goes into the toilet that didn’t pass through your body.

Yikes!

My Incredible Adventure-Hauling out the Anchor!

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Each time the handle is lowered, the anchor is lifted ONE chain link! This is the most labor-intensive chore I witnessed. I thought about helping out with this, but I’d be dangling on the upstroke!

Click the photo above to see the video!

Cooking with Fruit-Inspired Cooking Episode #2

Here are the recipes from Cooking With Fruit, episode #2.  Please tune in Tuesdays at 8:30, Fridays at 4:30 and Sunday mornings at 11:30 to catch the show.  Thanks!

This show will be aired on GMG Thursday at 1PM

Orange Shrimp & Asparagus

Orange & Garlic Shrimp with Olive Couscous and Roasted Asparagus

4 large navel oranges, 3 zested and juiced, 1 peeled and segmented before grilling

½ cup plus 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, divided

24 large shrimp

2 cloves chopped garlic

1 tablespoon salt plus more to taste

1 teaspoon teaspoon freshly ground pepper plus more to taste

½ -3/4 cup prepared olive tapenade, as desired

1 large bunches fresh asparagus, trimmed

1-box whole wheat couscous (to yield 5-6 servings)

1.  In a large zip top bag, combine orange juice, ½ cup olive oil, shrimp, garlic, one tablespoon salt and 1 teaspoon black pepper and shake bag to distribute marinade.

2.  When ready to serve, preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Toss asparagus with 2 tablespoons olive oil and salt and pepper to taste.  Roast in oven 12-15 minutes until softened but still bright in color.  Set aside.

3.  Prepare couscous according to package directions.  Fluff with a fork and toss with reserved orange zest and tapenade.  Set aside.

2.  Preheat sauté on medium high heat and place 1 tablespoon olive oil in pan.  Dry excess moisture from shrimp and 2-3 minutes per side until shrimp is cooked through.  Toss orange segments with remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.

Divide couscous divided evenly among 5 or 6 plates, arrange asparagus artfully on the plates and serve with shrimp and garnish with grilled orange segments.

Spinach Salad with Warm Tomato Dressing & Goat Cheese

*from Tom Rafferty, Chef at Perwinkles Restaurant and Owner of Periwinkles Catering

1 7oz pkg Baby Spinach
2 cups diced Tomatoes
2oz Dried Cranberries
2 oz Nuts of Choice-Almonds Sliced or Pinenuts
4 oz Balsamic Dressing
1 tlsp Olive Oil
1 tsp Garlic Chopped
4 oz Crumbled Goat Cheese

Heat Saute Pan, add Oil , nuts and garlic, brown slightly add cranberries and tomatoes
Saute for 1 minute
Add Dressing, remove from heat
Pour over spinach on a platter
add crumbled goat cheese on top and SERVE

Blondies

Tropical Coconut Blonds (this picture is the same recipe, using pecans)

½ cup dried pineapple or other tropical fruit, diced

1/4 cup coconut rum

2 ¼ cups all purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

½ teaspoon salt

2 sticks (one cup) salted butter, softened

1 ¾ cup dark brown sugar

2 large eggs

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1/2 cup macadamia nuts, chopped

1 tablespoon orange zest

½ cup toasted coconut

½ cup white chocolate chips

½  teaspoon shortening

In a small saucepan on the stove top, combine pineapple and rum.  Simmer over low heat until the most of the alcohol has evaporated, about 8-12 minutes, stirring occasionally.  Set aside to cool.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Spray a 9” x 13” baking dish with nonstick spray.  Set aside.

In a small bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder and salt and set aside.

In a large bowl, cream together butter and dark brown sugar until well blended and lighter in color.  Add eggs and vanilla extract and mix again.  Mix in the dry ingredients and beat until well blended.  Beat in pineapple, nuts and orange zest.  Spread mixture evenly into prepared pan and bake in preheated oven for 23-27minutes or until center is set and edges are lightly browned.

When blonds are cool, combine white chocolate and shortening in a small microwave safe bowl.  Heat on high power for 1 to 1 ½ minutes until mixture is completely smooth when stirred.  Cut bars into desired size.  Fill a zip top bag with melted white chocolate mixture, snip a small corner of the bag and pipe white chocolate topping on to blonds.  Allow chocolate to harden and enjoy!

The Crew Of The Urania

These guys are having WAYYYYYY too much fun!

The Crew Of The Urania, originally uploaded by captjoe06.

The Urania is off to SailBoston.   The ship is part of the Dutch Navy. She has a main crew of a couple men and then a rotating crew that hops aboard in each port from the ranks of the Dutch Navy.  From what I understand it is a honor to be able to get the chance to serve.
Video with the crew coming at 8AM
for all Sail Gloucester news feeds- Sail Gloucester News Feed

Where Zat Answer-

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Whoa! Everyone got it right! Paul, humble as he is :),identified it first. Are you accepting the prize, Paul??

Here’s what people said-

capeannpainter:”Rockport Harbor either that or Lanes Cove. ;]”

Robert Blazewicz: “Location: Rockport, boat launch off of Mt Pleasent St, between T Wharf and Bearskin Neck looking toward Bearskin Neck and one of my grandparent’s Rockport residences, the squat one.” (Hey, this must be Jessica’s dad!)

capeannpainter: “I know where it is but I Ain’t saying.
It’s not Lane’s Cove. And it’s not in Gloucester.
Sharon will yell at me for winning another prize.”

Jade: “Is this in the little cove off of Bearskin Neck?”

Kelly Howard:”Hi! I know the location of “Where’s Zat” #30.
It is Rockport Harbor, along Bearskin Neck.”

Hedgie:”Dock Square Boat Ramp in Rockport looking toward Bearskin Neck.
Recognized Sharon watching the parade near Dock Square as we were marching by. Thanks for supporting Rockport!”

Dana:”That looks like a view from Rockport boat ramp at Dock Square looking toward Bearskin Neck”

Well that was fun! See you next week! —Sharon

Need to get into shape? FREE CLASS!

Nadine-stretch-copy

Hi Everyone,

I’m going to give this another try at a new location.  Metamorphosis was kind to let me try it and it is a great spot and Jen Amero offers terrific programs.  I simply need a larger space so Nadine’s has offered the location which is very spacious with mirrors for teaching, great!

This is a free class tomorrow night Tuesday July 7th, 6:30.  Please see attached flyer. Please bring hand weights of about 1-4 pounds whatever you prefer.  Spread the word to friends.

If it works out we will do a class every Tuesday night until the end of summer and it will be a punch card system for eight weeks.  Price and details given tomorrow at  the free class.

Hope to see you there.  You can wear sneakers and work out clothing.

NO DANCE EXPERIENCE NEEDED

Best Deej Viau

Where Zat? #30

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This week’s contest has a PRIZE! Kitt Cox has donated a great CD of his music! So the first person who identifies this location wins! Have fun and thanks for playing!

SailGloucester Update From Ally O’Connor

joey,

Two Ships To Add-

They are all finishing the race tonight in the dark and coming to gloucester.

i have another two ships to add:

Urania is due about 10 p.m. tonight and will be at the Cruiseport Gloucetser.
http://www.tallshipsraces.com/Mapping/vessel.aspx?VesName=URANIA

TECLA is coming in under dark and can be seen in the morning from Southeast Harbor!
http://www.tallshipsraces.com/Mapping/vessel.aspx?VesName=TECLA

Europa is expected between 8-11 a.m. tomorrow to Gloucester! She is underway!
http://www.tallshipsraces.com/Mapping/vessel.aspx?VesName=EUROPA

http://www.goodmorninggloucester.com

Jay Albert’s Spectacular Shots of the Picton Castle!

Picton Castle Jay

Jay’s photography is incredible. Check these photos from yesterday. They are amazing!

Pics From Paul Frontiero

Paul Frontieros City Hall Pic
Paul Frontiero’s City Hall Pic

 

Paul Frontiero City Hall Pic
Paul Frontiero City Hall Pic

HI JOEY,
Hope you and your family had a nice 4th!
Here are a couple of photos I think you might like. A nice sunset after all that rain and fog.
Taken July 4 2009 from the North Shore Art Association parking lot.
Use them if you’d like.
Take Care, Paul

Thanks for contributing Paul!

Our New Quarter! Horribles Parade!

DSC_1149 [Desktop Resolution]DSC_1153 [Desktop Resolution]What a great way to show  Gloucester’s pride in our new Massachusetts quarter!

Parade slide show at noon!

If it doesn’t stop raining soon…

rain

If it doesn’t stop raining soon…

Finish the sentence!!!

My friend, Karen, said-

….I’m going to start using Rustoleum instead of sunscreen!

Add your thoughts in the Comment section!

Psst- Pass It On

please pass it on
please pass it on

Hey if you appreciate the effort the GMG team has put in to bring you the very best coverage we can including this week’s outstanding Fiesta coverage could you pass along the sign up link to friends and family?

copy and paste this link into an email and help spread the word

Good Morning Gloucester email sign up

Thanks so much, from the GMG team-

Joey, Sharon, Mike and outstanding newcomer Laurie Lufkin!

logo- Beth Swan

PS I added a category tab at the top of the page for Fiesta posts.  You can find everything we have tagged with Fiesta by clicking there

Summer Porch Supper Recipes

Welcome to Inspired Cooking with Laurie Lufkin.  These are the recipes that go with this weeks episode shown on Cape Ann TV Tuesday at 8:30, Friday at 4:30 and Sunday morning at 11:30.  Thanks for watching!

Enjoy these rich crackers with a glass of chilled crisp Sauvignon Blanc.

Peppered Parmesan Pecan Crackers

4 oz parmesan cheese, finely grated

½ cup butter, softened

2 oz sharp cheddar cheese, finely grated

½ cup all purpose flour

½ cup yellow cornmeal

1 ½ teaspoon finely ground black pepper

1 teaspoon thyme (or other herb)

1 cup toasted pecans, finely chopped

In the food processor, combine cheeses, butter, flour, cornmeal, pepper and herbs.  Pulse until dough forms a ball.  Turn out onto floured surface and sprinkle with pecans and work in.  Divide dough in half, roll into a 12” log and wrap in wax paper or plastic wrap.  Refrigerate for 2 hours or until firm.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Cover two baking sheets with parchment paper.  Slice dough into 1/8” rounds and reshape if necessary.

Bake for 10 minutes, turning sheets at 5 minutes.  Remove from oven and transfer to a cooling rack.  Crackers keep well in an airtight container for up to a week

Enjoy!

Peppery Parmesan Pecan Crackers

Grilled Salmon Salad with Purple Pomegranate Vinaigrette

For the vinaigrette:

1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar

½ cup unsweetened pomegranate juice

1 teaspoon finely chopped shallot

½ teaspoon Dijon mustard

1-2 tablespoons honey, to taste

¼ cup extra virgin olive oil

½ cup canola or light olive oil

¼ tsp kosher salt

¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Whisk all together in large bowl.  Refrigerate until ready to serve

For the Salad:

As you might have guessed,  I used some of my favorite salad ingredients, grilled the salmon (which I seasoned simply with salt and pepper),  tossed the salad ingredients with the vinaigrette, topped it with the salmon and called it an entree.

I used Romaine lettuce, radicchio, sliced grape tomatoes, goat cheese, fresh corn kernels (from leftover corn from dinner the night before) and chopped cooked bacon and English cucumbers that I sliced into sticks.  Because the dressing is tangy and tart, I wanted some sweetness and creaminess in the body of the salad and the goat cheese, tomatoes and corn fit that bill.  The bacon added a little smoky saltiness and the sliced cucumbers sticks added a fresh contrast in both taste and shape.

For your protein, you could grill chicken, pork tenderloin and slice it or pretty much anything you like.   For a special indulgence, some grilled lobster tail or scallops would be amazing!

I hope you enjoy making up your own porch supper pairings.

Salmon Salad with Purple Pomegranate Vinaigrette

For the dessert:

Orange Spiked Caramelized Banana Parfait

¼ cups salted butter

1/3 cup brown sugar

4 cups bananas, thinly sliced

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 teaspoon grated ginger

5-6 slices pound cake

Vanilla ice cream

In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt together butter and brown sugar.  Stir until smooth and sugar is dissolved, about 5 minutes.  Add in bananas and toss to coat, stirring frequently.  Lower heat and add vanilla extract and grated ginger.  Cook until bananas are slightly translucent and beginning to brown, about 5 more minutes.  Remove pan from heat and set aside.

Cut pound cake into 1” slices and layer with bananas into serving dishes or glasses.  Top with vanilla ice cream.  Makes 4 servings but can easily be increased to serve more people.  Enjoy!

Caramelized Banana & Orange Parfaits

Fiesta Faces – Kids’ Games

The kids (and parents!) had a great time on Beach Court. Joey P organized the games and with the help of volunteers, the event was a huge success!

Capt Carlo’s with Mike and Earl -Last night

To see more from last night, go to this post from Save Cape Ann.