Beatlemania - The Beatles, 50 Years Later

The Beatles arrived in the United States 50 years ago today, on February 7, 1964.  They were greeted with fever-pitch excitement by fans, concerts throughout the United States, and several appearances on The Ed Sullivan Show.  I was a toddler when they first appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show.  I understand that I stood up and put my hands on my ears because I was scared of all the screaming in the audience.  That changed quickly, and I became one of their youngest (and most fervent) fans.  How about you - do you remember the Beatles from the 1960's?  I would love to hear your Beatles thoughts and memories in the comments, below.

Friday Faves: The Food Edition

Happy Friday, y'all!  Hope you've had a great week.

My faves this week are all food related, probably because it is winter and I'm in the mood to cook.

My first fave is Silk Pure Coconut Coconutmilk.  I bought the original (unflavored), and it is so delicious!  It is dairy free, gluten free, and has 50% more calcium than dairy milk.  I love this on cereal, and can't wait to try it in smoothies as well.

I also love Boca Original Vegan Burgers.   I've been vegetarian for years, and have lately been trying to make the vegan choice when possible.  I just started buying the Boca Vegan Burgers instead of the traditional Flame Grilled (vegetarian).  At first bite I wasn't sure about the burgers;  they taste simpler, but I have gotten used to the taste and actually crave them now.

I have a restaurant to recommend, too.  The Local No. 7 is located on Main Street in Tucker, Georgia (a small town outside Atlanta).  The restaurant is a cozy pub, and they have a terrific menu!  They have several vegetarian and vegan options.  I had a veggie wrap (spinach tortilla, hummus, veggies, vinaigrette) and homemade fries.  They also have a bar, with team trivia a couple of nights a week.  Fun!  I will definitely go back.

How about you -- do you have any great vegetarian or vegan food products to recommend?   I would love to hear from you in the comments section, below.
 

Music Monday: Marshall Crenshaw "Someday, Someway" (Merv Griffin Show 1982)

For whatever reason (I don't know), this song has been in my head for about a week.   "Someday, Someway" is the first Marshall Crenshaw song I ever heard.  His music was part of the soundtrack of my college and grad school years.  Hearing it again takes me back to that other time.  "Someday, Someway" was released in 1982.  Marshall Crenshaw is from Detroit, and at different points in his career he played two famous musicians.  He portrayed John Lennon in the touring company of Beatlemania, and later played Buddy Holly in the movie La Bamba.  I think his voice has a real Buddy Holly quality.  I love his first five albums especially, and still enjoy hearing them:

• Marshall Crenshaw (1982)
• Field Day (1983)
• Downtown (1985)
• Mary Jean & 9 Others (1987)
• Good Evening (1989)
  

And All That Jazz - Downton Abbey, Season 4, Episode 5 (US)

Things we learned on this jazzy episode of Downton Abbey:

Uncle Harold, Cora's brother in America, is in financial distress.  His name is mentioned at least three times, which means he is certain to appear soon on the show.

Mrs. Hughes proclaims, "You know me, Mr. Barrow, a woman of mystery, if ever there was one," when Thomas asks her about the secret Rose has entrusted her with. This is one of my favorite lines of the night, in an episode with one great line after another.

The Dowager Countess continues to clash with Isobel about the young gardener Pegg, and the mystery of the missing knife.  Isobel says, "How you hate to be wrong!"  The Dowager Countess replies:  "I wouldn't know.  I'm not familiar with the sensation."

Mrs. Pattmore has a crush on silent film actor Rudolph Valentino.  "Oh, that Rudolph Valentino.  He makes me shiver all over."  To this Carson retorts:  "What a disturbing thought."

James gets fresh with Ivy after going to see the Valentino movie, The Shiek.   Clearly, Valentino + Downton = Trouble.

Edith worries that she hasn't heard from Michael Gregson, and then she gets the news by letter that she is in the first trimester of pregnancy. 

Anna and Bates work on their relationship with dinner out at the Netherby Hotel.  There is a surprisingly warm scene between them and Cora, who is also dining at the Netherby.

There is a lovely scene of Mary, Isobel Crawley, and Tom Branson in the nursery, reminiscing about their lost loves.  Mary states:  "I'm not unhappy.  I'm just not quite ready to be happy." 

When Mary meets Charles Blake, who accompanies Evelyn Napier to Downton, sparks fly ... and they are not friendly sparks either.

Cousin Rose brings Jack Ross and his band from the Lotus club to Downton Abbey for Lord Grantham's birthday.  Surprisingly, Lord Grantham is pleased with this jazz age surprise.  Mary discovers that Rose has crossed the dating color line (in 1920's England).

Last, but not least, Alfred gets into cooking school at the Ritz in London.  This means we are now saddled with Molesley as a regular character, and we discover he has a first name:  Joseph.

What did you think of tonight's show?   I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments section, below.

Friday Faves - TuneIn Radio

Do you love radio?  I always have.  I remember listening to the radio constantly as a young girl, while riding my bike, rollerskating, and lying in bed at night.

I have found a really fun, free app for iPad, tablet, phone, or computer called TuneIn Radio.  It lets you choose your favorite radio by location, by music style, by talk topics, and more.  You can save your favorites and then listen to them anytime.  I have this app installed on my iPad and Blackberry, and I really, really enjoy it.  It is so relaxing to listen to at the end of a long day.  I love browsing oldies by decades (especially my favorites, 60's and 70's).  I also have installed my favorite local jazz station, WCLK.  For some reason I am not able to pick up this station in my house (although I get it fine in my car - go figure!), so it is a treat to be able to listen on phone or tablet.

A head's up about this app -- it uses data minutes like crazy, so be sure you are logged in via a wireless connection.

I hope you enjoy TuneIn as much as I do.  You can find it on iTunes, Google Play, Blackberry World, or computer.  Have fun!

Do you enjoy radio?  What types of radio programs do you like best?  You can talk radio in the comments below.