Antoinette's Page

Vol. 1, No. 8, July 30th, 2010

Title: I Laugh with Stephen Colbert, Don’t You? *

MY LIFE & TIMES*

I work all day and I run a household. I have two daughters and a grandchild and I am very much part of their lives.  I also have interests and a wide circle of friends. In three words, “I am busy”. At the end of the day, I want to have supper and relax.  My goal is to veg out: I am happy when I finally reach the couch and open the television. I watch the news – I need to stay current. I also aspire to laugh out loud.  (Sometimes, I only reach a smile.) And that’s why, for me,  Stephen Colbert is a daily ‘VIP’.

THE AUTHOR:

Stephen Colbert is a satirist par excellence. He is a multi-tasker, he can say silly things and still keep a straight face…most of the time. Indeed, it is as if he can rub his tummy and pat his head at the same time. Adults should have silly time; and Stephen is the conductor of the silly orchestra.

TV:

Stephen Colbert is a graduate from the Comedy Network sister show, titled, “The Daily Show”. He was a senior correspondent – read ‘very funny man’ with many funny bits.

He successfully jumped to his own show, titled  “The Colbert Report”.   The title is pompous, but the humor is off-the-wall and very much, ‘tongue in cheek’. Picture the “Laugh-In” show with Stephen as the announcer and also playing the rest of cast, throwing out funny lines. However, do not make the mistake of dismissing him as a lightweight.  He is a proud American; and his country is proud of him. For all of his jokes, he took his road show to the war zones and entertained the troops. Bob Hope would approve. He fund-raised for the USA speed-skating team leading up to the recent Vancouver Olympics. In short, he is a serious man, intent on making the world better.

THE BOOK: I Am America (And So Can You!) by  Stephen Colbert

In 240 pages, you have an opportunity to laugh.  Pick a topic and Stephen will make fun of it.  His opinion showcases many important issues of the day and makes the reader think.  And this will definitely start a debate.  Hence, this book is a success.

THE POINT

Laughter is an important medicine for the sick. It contributes to a better view of the world and one’s place in it and thus helps one get better. The same can be said for all of us walking the walk day-in – day-out.  Stephen Colbert helps makes the day go better. This book is another source to get our smile fix for the day. Bravo Stephen!

Take it out for a spin and tell me if you agree.

And that’s my thought of the week on books, what’s yours? *

ALP

CREDITS

-Web Tech:  richmediasound.com

The above is a new media production of Valente under its “United Author*” program.

*TM/© 2010 Practitioners’ Press Inc. – All Rights Reserved.

THE AUTHOR: Stephenie Meyer

Vol. 1, No. 6, July 19th, 2010

Chef Pasquale Carpino set off my taste buds!*

MY LIFE AND TIMES*

I remember watching Chef Pasquale every Sunday at noon time when I was growing up.  My parents would always have his show on.  My dad would laugh and comment on what a great opera singer he was and my mom would either praise or criticize his recipes.  His  cooking show was part of our Sunday tradition.

THE AUTHOR

Pasquale Carpino (1936 – December 30, 2005). He was one-of-a-kind. Born in the southern Italy – Calabria in particular. He  emigrated to Toronto, Ontario, Canada in 1958. He was thus a wonderful mix of Italy and Canada. To this, please add a great love of food. And to that add a pinch of song as he was intensely passionate about music,  more precisely opera. Indeed, in 1964, he married Evelina, a soprano singer of Italian descent. He became a popular television chef in Toronto, Ontario and also an operatic singer. His show, “Pasquale’s Kitchen Express” is still available in re-runs.  Chef Pasquale was known as the ‘Singing’ Chef.  He would say:   “If I sing when I cook, the food is going to be happy.” Now isn’t that a delicious mix!

OTHER BOOKS/COLLECTION, TV SHOWS, ETC

“Pasquale’s Kitchen Express” TV show

Starting on Toronto public access television in the late 1970s, he became the host of popular cooking shows in the 1980’s and early 1990’s. His best known was: “Pasquale’s Kitchen Express”.

He was so engaging. He wore a blue smock, a white necktie and a red chef’s toque. He cooked and sang. Italian cuisine was his specialty. He believed in a full meal:  appetizer, entree, and dessert.  He was so warm and hospitable. At the close of each show,  Pasquale poured wine and served up his lovely meal to a fan.

He was quoted as saying: “When people see my television program, they often ask me why I sing when I am cooking. To me singing a beautiful song and preparing a beautiful recipe are the same. They both give us a chance to find happiness in creativity and to share that joy with others. In music there is an infinity – an endless number of combinations of notes and harmonies which will produce original and lovely melodies. So it is with cooking. The chef is like a composer, creating new recipes and adapting old ones to express the individuality which is found in each of us.” Isn’t that charming!

Collection of Books

Chef Pasquale had four cook books to his credit: 1.  “La Cucina di Pasquale with Judith Drynan (1980), 2./3. “Pasquale’s Kitchen Express Cookbook”, Volumes one and two (1990) and 4. “Today’s Cooking with Chef Pasquale” ( 1999).

THE BOOK: Today’s Cooking with Chef Pasquale Carpino (1999)

I chose his last book. I believe that it reflected all of his wisdom and experience and indeed his flair for GREAT food and WONDERFUL music.  It includes his favorite recipes – I call them blueprints to good eating: (a) Fresh preserves; (b) Sauces and condiments; (c) Antipasto; (d)Soups and broth; (e) Rice and grains; (f) Pasta; (g) Fish and shellfish; (h) Poultry and game; (i) Meat dishes (beef, veal, lamb, pork);  (j) Egg dishes; (k) Vegetable side dishes and entrees; (l) Salads and dressings; (m) Desserts, etc. I love the pasta and the goodies especially.

This book had useful components: a glossary of cooking terms, ingredients and a comprehensive index.

Take it out for a spin and tell me if you agree.

And that’s my thought of the week, what’s yours? *

ALP

CREDITS

-Web Tech:  richmediasound.com

The above is a new media production of Valente under its “United Author*” program.

*TM/© 2010 Practitioners’ Press Inc. – All Rights Reserved.

My Life and Times*

The Cat in the Hat was very popular. When my daughters were just toddlers, books were an important item in their every day. They were used very, very often. Each copy was very worn. At bedtime, I would read a story to them. Sometimes, if the story was too long and I was too tired, I might skip certain parts, but my daughters were too smart.  They knew the story by heart. They knew that I had missed something. They insisted that I go back and read the whole story. I remember these precious moments fondly. Fast forward to today.  For my granddaughter’s birthday, you guessed it… I bought her The Cat in the Hat book…the bilingual version of course.  I am sure that I am not alone …many of you out there have your own stories…each one warm and fuzzy? I would love to hear one from you.

The Author: Theodor Seuss Geisel

Seeing the title, got me thinking who wrote such a wonderful book? Theodor Seuss Geisel, better known to the world as Dr. Seuss, was born in Springfield, Massachusetts in 1904.  His mother would often comfort her children by singing rhymes she remembered from her youth.  This influenced him immensely in creating the rhymes for which he became so well known.

Dr. Seuss attended Dartmouth College and Oxford University.  He wrote 44 children’s books.  While at Oxford University he met Helen Palmer, whom he later married.  After returning to the United States, Dr. Seuss began to pursue a career as a cartoonist.  His wife became a children’s author and book editor.  He was offered a contract by Viking Press to illustrate a collection of children’s sayings called Boners.  The illustrations in the book were a great success and with this he got his first big break into children’s literature.  The Cat in the Hat was Dr. Seuss’ defining  book in his career. The hat on the cat was really big and the pages were very colourful!

His honors included two Academy awards, two Emmy awards, a Peabody award and the Pulitzer Prize.

“A person’s a person, no matter how small!”  Dr. Seuss would say.  “Children want the same things we want.  To laugh, to be challenged, to be entertained, and delighted.”

“I Can Read It All by Myself Beginner Book Collection” by Dr. Seuss

This collection is so amazing because a child can read nearly the entire book by themselves.  In the process, Dr. Seuss helped kids to read.  Dr. Seuss adds a sense of humor to his books making them more interesting and the illustrations so much fun.  Other authors have written books for this collection, but they have stayed true to the ‘Dr. Seuss’ style of writing. I highly recommend the Dr. Seuss’ collection. Besides enjoyment, the benefit to your child is learning. And that’s important!

The Book

The cat had an adventure with his young friends. Readers followed the simple vocabulary and short words. Reading, learning and having fun all at the same time. It is timeless – still a good read even now. Now that’s multi-tasking for today’s children, don’t you think?

Take it out for a spin and tell me if you agree.

And that’s my thought of the week, what’s yours? *

ALP

CREDITS

-Web Tech:  richmediasound.com

The above is a new media production of Valente under its “United Author*” program.

*TM/© 2010 Practitioners’ Press Inc. – All Rights Reserved.