Afternoon Dance Breaks are a recurring feature that invites you to get up from the desk, crank up the tunes, and dance your fool head off for a few minutes before resuming the daily grind. 

Yes, I said moondance, not moonwalk.

What exactly is a moondance, you ask?

Well, I dunno precisely but it’s a marvelous night for one!

How so?

Because today, August 31, we celebrate the birth of the Belfast Cowboy, Van the Man … Happy Birthday to you, Van Morrison!

Put on your dancing shoes and get ready to swing a little with the Moondance Playlist after the jump.

Last week I was wishing real hard that the kitchen renovation project would hurry up and get started. Well, now I’m wishing even more fervently that it was done already. Everyone was pretty clear about how chaotic (and dirty and noisy and generally disruptive) it was going to be and they sure weren’t lying.

Demolition started on Monday and by the end of Day 3 an enormous dumpster had already been filled to the brim. Rough work is now underway for the electrical and heating systems. Of course there have been a few surprises (none of them especially good) which is to be expected in a house that’s more than 100 years old. But we’ve got a great design/build team from Kitchens and Baths Unlimited at the helm who assure us that all will be well. (I might need to hear that a few hundred more times, Kelly, but I really do want to believe!)

Check out the photos on the next page. 

I know that white rappers in general and Macklemore in particular have a lot of haters out there. Deservedly so or an unfair rap, so to speak? Frankly I don’t feel qualified to go there, so this is not about that.

This is about a goofy, sweet, super-fun video which brings some cred with cameos by rap icons Grandmaster Caz, Kool Moe Dee and Melle Mel who have never appeared together on the same song before, according to Rolling Stone. 

Macklemore and Ryan Lewis are scheduled to perform at the MTV Video Music Awards on Sunday. 

Afternoon Dance Breaks are a recurring feature that invites you to get up from the desk, crank up the tunes, and dance your fool head off for a few minutes before resuming the daily grind. 

Dancing Fun Fact:

During the Victorian era, the waltz was met with opposition because the close hold was considered improper.

At first, the waltz was performed with arm's length between male and female dancers. The shocking transition to the close embrace happened only after English Queen Victoria fell in love with the dance and forced this change.

Source: Mystery Ballroom

Why not polish up your dancing shoes, hit Play on the Waltz Playlist after the jump, and take a spin around the floor.

Cookbook Road Test is a recurring feature in which we try out a rarely used cookbook from my collection. I’ll share my opinions about the cookbook, selected recipe, meal overall, and oh yes – a little music too. Every road trip needs a soundtrack, right?!

The Cookbook: Received at a hospitality industry event promoting San Antonio as a meeting destination. (SA is A-OK BTW.) The party was held at Rick Bayless’s Chicago restaurant Topolobampo – a very fine upscale Mexican restaurant, which earned a Michelin star and numerous other awards. Of course this was a corporate cocktail party so hors d'ouevres and thimblefuls of various margaritas were passed. The cookbook was the parting gift, and one I was very pleased to receive (versus countless branded tote bags and beer coozies from other events.)

Rick is a first and foremost a lover and scholar of regional Mexican cuisine, passionate about the culture and eager to share what he has learned. He’s also a fine chef, successful businessman, television personality – and seems like a really nice guy to boot. He’s the author of 8 cookbooks, this one themed around parties and preparing food for a group.

Sample recipes:

• Grilled Pork Tacos al Pastor
  
• Roasted Vegetable Enchiladas with Creamy Tomatillo Sauce
  
• Wild Mushroom Queso Fundido 

Afternoon Dance Breaks are a recurring feature that invites you to get up from the desk, crank up the tunes, and dance your fool head off for a few minutes before resuming the daily grind. 

Go-go dancers are not strippers. This point has been stressed repeatedly throughout my review of the literary and non-fiction canon on the subject.

Meh, I’m just into the cool boots. 

Slip on your dancing shoes, visit the next page, and get down to the Go-Go Playlist.

Yes, the big day is almost here. Lots of work has happened behind the scenes in the 3+ months since we signed the contract and wrote the deposit check -- building the cabinetry; selecting materials, appliances and finishes; decision-making about window replacements and the like; etc.

Ilise and I have been ready and eager for the demolition/installation work to get underway for a while now, but have had to cool our heels waiting for “soon.” I’m sure it will be worth it to have the A-#1 best contractor and crew on our job, but sheesh, this is stressing me out. Demo is now scheduled to begin on Monday so we’ll pack up the last few boxes this weekend. This song captures my feelings on the subject:

Everyone says it’s going to be a hellish 8-12 weeks while the kitchen is a construction zone and I believe them. Would rather get started sooner so it can get done sooner. We have a big deal social engagement in December – Annual Holiday Open House for up to 100+ hungry guests! – which is now in jeopardy because the kitchen might still be a work in progress.

Breathe in. Breathe out. Find my happy place. I need serenity … right now, dammit! 

Check out pictures (after the jump) to prove just WHY this kitchen reno is a must-do despite the stress.

Today is National Soft Ice Cream Day so I thought I’d share my thoughts and a few recipes with you on the matter of the cold, sweet dairy delight.

I acquired my beloved cherry red ice cream maker many years ago and have made at least one batch of ice cream or sorbet every summer since. Some summers it gets a lot of use, and sometimes the machine gets pressed into action even when it’s not summer. But it’s still a special occasion at our house when the insulated barrel/bowl goes into the freezer and heavy cream gets added to the grocery list. 

There are two main types of ice cream – American/Philadelphia style ice cream, which is eggless, and frozen custard which is egg-abundant. Also multiple subcategories (gelato) and offshoots (hello sorbet!) The custard version can be a little tricky – several more steps, and you’ve got to pay attention to avoid scrambling the eggs. Both can be delicious but I think the custard version usually tastes a teeny bit better, if you're willing to put in the extra work.

Blueberry + chocolate together make a winning flavor combination in my book, but this was not my best batch of ice cream. Oh we still ate it and enjoyed it, don’t get me wrong. But it was not THE revelatory batch of ice cream with flavor and texture and mouthfeel so sublime that all others will be compared to it. The good news is that once you find the base recipe and technique that pleases you and your tastebuds the most, it can easily be adapted with any flavor(s) that you like. 

Pictures, tunes and recipes will be shared after the jump. Just click the Read More link below. 

Afternoon Dance Breaks are a recurring feature that invites you to get up from the desk, crank up the tunes, and dance your fool head off for a few minutes before resuming the daily grind. 

According to Love To Know, today’s country dancing moves come to us from the habits and dress of the cowboys from yesteryear. 

Why don’t you round up a partner and hit the floor for the Do-si-Do Playlist, after the jump.

I love big, fresh, crisp, veggie-laden green salads in the summer. Also in the shoulder seasons, spring and fall. Winter salads require some creativity in this climate but yes, I love a good salad then too.

Salad is the ultimate mix-and-match, suit yourself type of meal. Choose the greens, veggies, protein, dressing and toppings that please you and your taste buds. Don’t worry about ‘will these things go together,’ the answer will almost always be ‘yes.’

For this particular salad we let inspiration strike at the Evanston Farmers Market, snagging a bag of just-picked field greens; yellow and red heirloom tomatoes; and small Yukon gold and red potatoes. The other ingredients I had on hand: chicken breasts; green beans; radishes; cucumber; and scallions.

This is maybe not a very adventurous salad -- no what-the-heck-is-that ingredients and a pretty traditional combination of items – but man oh man, it was delicious.

My secrets? High quality ingredients, of course. Brine the chicken. And use homemade vinaigrette. 

Afternoon Dance Breaks are a recurring feature that invites you to get up from the desk, crank up the tunes, and dance your fool head off for a few minutes before resuming the daily grind. 

Dancing Fun Fact:

The largest Cha-Cha Slide dance was achieved by 3,231 participants at a Girlguiding event at Blackpool Pleasure Beach (UK) in 2011.

Source: Guinness World Records

Why not give in to the jam with the Get Your Swerve On Playlist on the next page – you know you want to!

Afternoon Dance Breaks are a recurring feature that invites you to get up from the desk, crank up the tunes, and dance your fool head off for a few minutes before resuming the daily grind. 

Dancing Fun Fact:

Dancing is very beneficial to your health. It lowers the chances for heart and blood vessel diseases, improves posture and weight, reduces stress and tension, improve brain function because of constant presence of music, and can improve relationship between dance partners.

Source: Dance Facts

Why not give a listen to the Soar Playlist (on the next page) and get yourself aloft!

Spotted on A.V. Club -- merriment ensued. Too good not to share. 

Afternoon Dance Breaks are a recurring feature that invites you to get up from the desk, crank up the tunes, and dance your fool head off for a few minutes before resuming the daily grind. 

Did you know… today is National Root Beer Float Day! Happy carbonation to ya!

I was not surprised to find that there are several musical tributes to this delicious treat and you’ll find a couple of them, ready for rockin’, in the Sock Hop Playlist after the jump.

However I was surprised to find this little ditty. It’s not a dance tune, so please enjoy it as a weird little bonus. 

That’s all in the rear view mirror now; much fun, productivity, professional networking, and yard clean-up was had. I’m eager to embrace a regular routine again (until the kitchen demolition begins in a couple of weeks). 

So be on the lookout for upcoming Fish for Dinner features, a new Cookbook Road Test, and of course we need to cut loose with our Afternoon Dance Breaks – I do, anyway!

In the meantime here are a couple little treats to tide you over -- after the jump.