Friday Funnies

We ain't afraid of no ghosts today, Friday the 13th — how about you?

Enjoy your weekend, Everyone.
(and be very careful out there too)

Sunday River Strollin'

After a week of gusty wind and rain, this past weekend brought a bit of sunshine. Sunday was overcast with breaks of sun when we walked along a paved riverwalk with a view of our mill apartment building, formerly the Nashua Manufacturing Company.

Our apartment is just above the word "company."

There was enough sun for this large group of terrapins to catch some rays.

A blue heron and Canada geese were also on the river. (The heron was across the river and alas the zoom wasn't long enough to get a clear image.)

Despite the recent cool weather, these colorful blooms were seen on our walk.

The mill complex is now called Clocktower Place. (Can you tell why?)

Happy Mother's Day

To All — mothers, grandmothers, great grandmothers, mothers to be, foster mothers . . . 

And, today we especially remember our own mothers, Clara and Betty . . .

Friday Funnies

You might not guess what's behind this lock. It surprised us when spotted at a Michael's craft store recently.

What was it guarding?
These pens and pencils — perhaps so they wouldn't "escape" and go coloring on their own? 

Enjoy your weekend, Everyone.

Tuna-Pea Wiggle

Or, more often, called Tuna Casserole. 

It's a classic take-along dish to pot-luck suppers, gatherings of family and friends, or family dinner. But, it's not one we prepare as many recipes use condensed soup, crushed potato chips, or canned fried onions — none of which are "staples" in our pantry. 

But, this one is different. It includes none of those ingredients. 

This (slightly modified) version was on the Martha Stewart website. Instead of canned condensed soup it uses chicken broth, milk and flour for the sauce. (In fairness, celebrity chef Rachel Ray also has one that avoids condensed soup or chips. I'll try that one next.)

This altered version of the MS recipe added mushrooms and chopped celery as both are "staples" here. If you forget to advance defrost the peas, just put them in a small colander and run hot water over them. I used whatever pasta product was already opened vs. elbow macaroni. 

Tuna Casserole (ala Martha & Beatrice)

• Coarse salt and ground pepper 
• 3/4 lb tubetti or elbow macaroni (or substitute another macaroni)
• 1 C panko (Japanese breadcrumbs) 
• 1/2 ounce Parmesan, grated (2 TBSP) 
• 2 TBSP plus 2 tsp extra-virgin olive oil 
• 1 yellow onion, diced small
• 3/4 C mushrooms (modified recipe add-in)
• 2 stalks celery, diced  (modified recipe add-in)
• 3 TBSP all-purpose flour 
• 2 1/2 C low-sodium chicken broth 
• 1 1/2 C whole milk 
• 2 cans solid light tuna packed in water, drained and flaked 
• 1 C frozen peas, thawed

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.

1. In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook pasta 2 minutes less than package instructions (it will be undercooked). Drain. In a small bowl, toss together panko, Parmesan, and 2 teaspoons oil. 
2. Heat 2 tablespoons oil over medium-high in pot. Add onion, season with salt and pepper, and cook until softened, 8 minutes. Add flour and whisk to coat onion with flour. Slowly whisk in broth, then milk. 
3. Cook, stirring constantly, until sauce comes to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, stirring frequently, until sauce is thickened, about 8 minutes. Stir in pasta, tuna, and peas and season to taste with salt and pepper. 
4. Transfer tuna mixture to 9-by-13-in.baking dish, top with panko mixture. Bake until sauce bubbles and crust is golden (17 to 20 minutes). Cool 10 minutes.

Grenville declared this one "a keeper" with a "fork up."

Play It Again

That might be what folks along Main Street here in Nashua, NH could be saying from spring until fall, even without piano player Sam*.

WHY?

Because as of this past weekend, there are 2 publicly playable pianos downtown.

The pianos were painted by local artists and placed in two downtown locations for anyone to play and enjoy at anytime. 

The Nashua Street Pianos project is supported by the City of Nashua, local businesses and individuals.

The pianos will stay outdoors from May to October with maintenance and tuning twice a month. Business sponsors will help cover the pianos during inclement weather. 

The Nashua Street Piano Project was inspired by British artist Luke Jerram’s internationally touring “Play Me, I’m Yours” street pianos project which has placed nearly 1,500 pianos in over 50 cities worldwide since its 2008 start.

Along with the pianos, there's also some temporary public art projects on downtown streets. 

The art was provided by ARTventures Nashua. 

This public art program facilitates temporary art projects, performances, and special events that create a fun environment for downtown shopping, dining, culture and entertainment.

ART ventures  is funded by the City of Nashua Downtown Improvement Committee. The art is created from everyday recycled items.

* "Play it again, Sam" has become one of the most misquoted lines in filmdom. Yet, the line is never spoken in the film, Casablanca. 

Ilsa (Ingrid Bergman) asks piano player, Sam (Dooley Wilson) to “Play it once, Sam, for old times’ sake.” When he hesitates she says, “Play it, Sam.”

Later, in an exchange between Sam and Rick (Humphrey Bogart) Rick says:You played it for her, you can play it for me” and “If she can stand it, I can. Play it.”

Friday Funnies

"John" on the run ?

(Spotted this porta-potty going down the road during a snowstorm this past winter.) 
Please DO feel free to include any puns in your comments. 

 Enjoy your weekend, Everyone.

Catching Some Sun

That's what has been happening here in Nashua, NH because the weather has finally been improving. It's not that this past winter was that severe, just long lasting with the final snowfall in early April. Now, things are much better.

Trees are budding and Spring flowers are blooming . . .

It's time to catch some sun . . .

And, take lots of walks in nearby Mine Falls Park . . .

Sidewalk art is colorful and cheerful, like the weather . . .

We hope that Spring has arrived for you too — and that you are enjoying it.

Good Reads

Murder is always unpleasant and, by its very nature, it's nearly always violent.

It's one thing to read about fictionalized murders, but entirely different to hear, read about and/or see the aftermath of any violent and senseless crimes.

While I've read a great many books in the past year, many have also included scenarios where characters have died; some in quite unpleasant and very nasty ways. The difference is that in these accounts, horrendous events can be skimmed over and, perhaps, forgotten. Sadly, that's not the case with so many very real events today.

I won't go into all the plot details or outcomes of the books in this post. If you enjoy suspense novels, you may want to check these out for yourself. Both books grabbed (and held) my attention from start to finish.

Murder House revolves around murders committed in a long-neglected estate on Ocean Drive in the Hamptons of New York state. It's a story of money, revenge and murder. Years ago, the original mansion burnt down under suspicious circumstances killing a couple inside. 

It was later rebuilt but rumored to be cursed when a series of murders begin anew. A Hollywood agent and local waitress/aspiring actress are found murdered in a very gruesome manner. Later, two young women are murdered in the house, again in a very unpleasant way. 

Former NYC detective Jenna Murphy, who is seeking to escape and rehabilitate her police career moves to the Hamptons where her uncle is the police chief. 

When her uncle is also murdered, Jenna attempts to find the psychopathic killer before another murder is committed, possibly her own.

Career of Evil is the third book in the series featuring private investigator Cormoran Strike and his assistant (former secretary) Robin Elliott. It was written by J.K. Rawlings of Harry Potter fame under the pseudonym of Robert Galbraith. 

The book begins in a grisly fashion with the delivery of a severed woman's leg in a package addressed to Robin. A note was included quoting the Blue Öyster Cult song Mistress of the Salmon Salt, which was a tattoo that Strike's mother had on her leg. Because of that "coincidence" Strike knows several men in his past who could be responsible. He knows that any one of them is capable of such brutality. As the plot progresses, Robin is dealing with personal problems including a temporary split from her fiancé, Matthew. She learned that he cheated on her after she was forced to leave university after she was raped and nearly killed. 

The killer strikes twice more during the investigation, killing one victim, and maiming another who manages to survive the attack. After numerous dead ends, plot twists and turns, Strike is able to track down the killer, labelled the Shacklewell Ripper, who then attacks and nearly kills Robin. Strikes fires her as a result and goes in search of the killer on his own. To learn whether he succeeds, you will need to read the book. Sorry, no spoiler alerts here.

The Cuckoo's Calling and The Silkworm preceded this novel in this series. While this current book is a stand-alone story, reading these earlier novels provides background details on Strike and Elliott, their relationship with each other and with others in their lives.

What type of books do you enjoy and do you have any recommended reads?

Friday Funnies

Keeping in touch —  

This skier managed to text while on the ski lift at Cannon Mountain.

We took a tram ride when we when we went to a maple sugar weekend in this area.

Enjoy your weekend, Everyone.