La Beurrasse

La Beurrasse is a wonderful goat milk cheese spread (tartinade) made by La Fromagerie Ruban Bleu in Mercier, Quebec.  Whenever I have some of La Beurrasse in the fridge I can't resist wanting to spread it on to toast, bagels, crackers whatever I have around.  It has a very light creamy fluffy texture with a mild goat milk flavor that is irresistible and quite addictive.  La Beurrasse is made with 100% goat milk and contains only 15% fat.

http://www.rubanbleu.net/

Lemon Verbena

(Lippia citriodora)

Lemon Verbena is a lovely plant with a nice pure fruity lemon fragrance.

Verbena plants are drought-resistant shrub-like herbs that grow to 2 -3 m (6 - 9 ft.) high. They tolerate full to partial sun, and enjoy light well-drained soil.

In late summer, tiny lavender (or white) flowers appear amid the long, light-green slender leaves.  It is sensitive to cold; it can be grown as a perennial in zone 9 but can be grown anywhere as an annual. It makes a great container plant that can be moved indoor during the winter.

Lemon verbena leaves are used to add a lemony flavor to fish and poultry dishes, vegetable marinades, salad dressings, jams, puddings, and beverages. It also is used to make herbal teas, or added to standard tea instead of actual lemons.

Monty Python - The Cheese Shop

John Cleese and Michael Palin of Monty Python performing The Cheese Shop sketch taken from Monty Python's Flying Circus. 

I always have a laugh when I hear this skit.

Here is the list of the forty four cheeses mentioned in their routine: Red Leicester, Tilsit, Caerphilly, Bel Paese, Red Windsor, Stilton, Gruyère, Emmental, Norwegian Jarlsberg, Liptauer, Lancashire, White Stilton, Danish Blue, Double Gloucester, Cheshire, Dorset Blue Vinney, Brie, Roquefort, Pont l'Evêque, Port Salut, Savoyard, Saint-Paulin, Carré de l'Est, Boursin, Bresse-Bleu, Perle de Champagne, Camembert, Gouda, Edam, Caithness, Smoked Austrian, Sage Derby, Wensleydale, Greek Feta, Gorgonzola, Parmesan, Mozzarella, Pipo Crem', Fynbo, Czechoslovakian sheep's milk cheese, Venezuelan Beaver Cheese, Cheddar, Ilchester, Limburger.

 

Manchego

Manchego cheese from Spain's La Mancha region is made from the whole milk of the Manchega ewe.

This "delicious-slightly piquant and nutty" cheese has a long historic tradition being mentioned by Cervantes in the legendary "Don Quixote of La Mancha".

You are more likely to find a pasteurized industrial Manchego at your local cheese shop aged from 6 to 12 months. If you have the chance to get your hands on some artisanal handmade raw milk Manchego aged (12 months or more), try it... it’s a whole different experience!

The Manchega breed of sheep, descend from the Ovis Aries Ligeriens type of sheep. The Manchega sheep are usually white but black fleeced sheep with white spots on their heads can also be found. There's no difference in the quality of the milk the two varieties produce.

The Manchegas grazing on the peculiar native wildlife is what gives Manchego its classic flavor and means that it’s impossible to make it properly away from that area.

http://www.cheesefromspain.com

Sheep photo source: http://nutritionwonderland.com

Pouligny-Saint-Pierre

Pouligny-Saint-Pierre is named after a small town in the Berry area of central France.

 

The Pouligny-Saint-Pierre goat cheese is distinctive, being pyramidal in shape and golden brown in color with speckles of grey-blue mould, and is often known by the nicknames "Eiffel Tower" or "Pyramid". Its delicate and dry crust is covered by a superficial grey-bluish mould that develops with age. The central pâte is bright white with a smooth, crumbly texture that mixes an initial sour taste with salty and sweet overtones with a slight “caprine” odor.

Pouligny-Saint-Pierre received AOC status in 1972.
 

Homicide - Life On The Streets

 (TV Series 1993–1999)

Homicide: Life on The Street an American police TV series of the Baltimore Homicide Unit.

The show ran for seven seasons (122 episodes) on NBC from 1993 to 1999. The series was originally based on David Simon's book Homicide: A Year on the Killing Streets. Many of the characters and stories used throughout the show were based on events depicted in the book, which was also used for Simon's own series, The Wire on HBO.

This series has it all; crime, drama, mystery, humour and great character development of the detectives involved. Considered by critics to be one of television's most authentic police dramas, as well as an excellent dramatic series propelled by a talented ensemble cast; Yaphet Kotto, Andre Braugher, Richard Belzer & Melissa Leo to name a few.
 

Duane Eddy - Twango

This finger pickin' guitar ditty keeps you hoppin' and boppin'. Duane Eddy, the king of the twangy guitar at 73 years old still has it. I just can't get enough of it.

Twango can be found on Duane Eddy's album "Road Trip".

Canada Goldenrod Perennial

(Solidago canadensis)

Canada goldenrod is an herbaceous perennial plant of the family Asteraceae native to North America. It is often grown as a wildflower. This is a tall, slim plant 120 - 150 cm (4-5 feet ) topped off with fluffy, bright golden flower spikes that bloom in the fall. Goldenrods grow just about everywhere. They are most often seen in fields or along stream banks, but they can also be seen in woods. Beware before planting Goldenrod as they are sometimes considered a weed, because they grow quickly and can be very invasive. It's spectacular display of bright yellow flowers cannot be missed.

Sabot De Blanchette

This beautiful pyramid shape natural rind goat milk cheese is always a winner for me. In fact the shape of the cheese is like the goat’s hoof, hence its name Sabot De Blanchette.

The Sabot De Blanchette central paste is white with a smooth, creamy texture that just melts in your mouth. This chevre’s beautiful light natural wrinkly rind (sometimes spotted with tiny blue mold specks) has a slight tart taste, followed by a salty flavor which turns to a nutty sweetness. Mmmm... One of my favorite Québec goat milk cheeses.

Le Sabot is produced by Fromagerie La Suisse Normande located in St-Roch de l'Achigan in Quebec's Lanaudière region.

http://www.lasuissenormande.com/

Maeve MacKinnon - Woke Up This Morning

 

Maeve MacKinnon is an award winning Gaelic folk singer from Glasgow, she has become one of the leading Scottish traditional musicians of her generation. Maeve's stunning voice will capture your attention on her rendition of "Woke Up This Morning". Check out this excellent live version backed by The Gospel Truth Choir performed live at Celtic Connections 2010 “Scottish Songbook" concert at Glasgow Royal Concert Hall.

 

The original version by Alabama 3 was best known as the opening theme song for The Sopranos TV series.

http://www.maevemackinnon.com/