_______________________________________
Just got off the phone with Miss Helen.
And as we wished each other well for the New Year, she closed the conversation by saying "Rabbit, rabbit, rabbit!".
It was a traditional saying "Mama Magnolia" taught her as a child: "If you say rabbit, rabbit, rabbit the first thing when you wake up, on the first day of each new month -- then you'll have good luck the whole month! And if you say it upon the first day of January, you'll have good luck the whole year!"
This ancient superstition has its roots in England, and survives to this day in America, mostly in the New England states. And according to Wikipedia, there are variants of the way it can be said -- just "rabbit, rabbit", or "rabbits" (plural) said three time -- or just "white rabbits".
It has to do with rabbits being a sign of good luck. (And thus, the gruesome idea of a rabbit's foot on a key chain! omg!)
Whatever the case, it was so refreshing to hear these words again tonight from Miss Helen.
So instead of saying Happy New Year this evening, I'm just going to say --
Rabbit! Rabbit! Rabbit!
Happy 2012!
Andrew
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
After Christmas Blues! December Update:
________________________________________
I don't know about you, but I'm completely exhausted from all the events and parties of this nerve-wracking month, December!
And as usual, not unlike Scrooge, I've spent the entire month grumbling and complaining about the whole miserable event! But finally the momentous Christmas day itself passed in a flash -- and I'm left wondering (as most of us are) "what just happened?" omg!
As the Butler here on this big estate, I remember telling you last year (in a post entitled "Post Holiday Blues"), about how nitpicking and hateful our employers can be at this time of year.
And this year it's no different! Only four days after Christmas, and they're already starting to take out their postpartum blues on us -- the poor and lowly house staff! Ha!
But whereas last year I was concerned (maybe even frightened) about their frustrations -- this year I could care less! They'll get over it, just like we all do! And I'm hoping they'll just pack up and go to their place in Aspen, or their beach house in the Caymans. (They never like to watch the untidy business of taking down the tree and all the house decorations.)
I hope your holidays went well, and that you're planning some kind of happy event for New Years eve!
Thanks for stopping by tonight, and God bless us all for a happy and peaceful 2012!
Good night.
Andrew
I don't know about you, but I'm completely exhausted from all the events and parties of this nerve-wracking month, December!
And as usual, not unlike Scrooge, I've spent the entire month grumbling and complaining about the whole miserable event! But finally the momentous Christmas day itself passed in a flash -- and I'm left wondering (as most of us are) "what just happened?" omg!
As the Butler here on this big estate, I remember telling you last year (in a post entitled "Post Holiday Blues"), about how nitpicking and hateful our employers can be at this time of year.
And this year it's no different! Only four days after Christmas, and they're already starting to take out their postpartum blues on us -- the poor and lowly house staff! Ha!
But whereas last year I was concerned (maybe even frightened) about their frustrations -- this year I could care less! They'll get over it, just like we all do! And I'm hoping they'll just pack up and go to their place in Aspen, or their beach house in the Caymans. (They never like to watch the untidy business of taking down the tree and all the house decorations.)
I hope your holidays went well, and that you're planning some kind of happy event for New Years eve!
Thanks for stopping by tonight, and God bless us all for a happy and peaceful 2012!
Good night.
Andrew
Saturday, December 24, 2011
The Christ's Mass!
__________________________________________
It's Christmas Eve, and time to get ready to go out to midnight mass.
In the Catholic religion it's absolutely required that we go to church at least once a year. Ha!
Most good Catholics do their annual duty on Easter Sunday. (But it's always such a mob scene, and never anywhere to park!)
So I prefer the relative tranquility of the Christ's Mass, at the stroke of midnight on December 24 each year. There's far fewer souls willing to go out at that hour, especially in colder climates. (And you can usually get a parking place right up front.) You're in -- your out!
My rich employers are Protestants (Episcopalians*, of course), and are under no such requirement to attend church once a year -- so they don't! Ha! (Their Bishop shows up at cocktail parties from time to time, and they hand him an envelope stuffed with cash. And that's that!)
But tonight I'll go to midnight mass. And if the line isn't too long at the confessional, I'll go in and rattle off a list of mean and hateful things I've done all year (which could take some time!).
And thus purged, I'm good to go -- for a whole year! Ha!
To get into this repentant frame of mind, I'll be listening to Andrea Bocelli's "Ave Maria" on the drive over. And here's the YouTube link to this amazing video -- recorded in the Coliseum in Rome -- where Christians were once put to death! Hope you have a moment to listen.
To my Hindu, Christian, Muslim, Jewish and Buddhist readers worldwide, please allow me to say Happy Holidays to you -- in our individual moments of reverence and celebrations in all our wonderful religions!
Thank you for reading, and good night.
Andrew
* The Episcopal Church in America is an off-shoot of the Anglican religion, or the Church of England.
It's Christmas Eve, and time to get ready to go out to midnight mass.
In the Catholic religion it's absolutely required that we go to church at least once a year. Ha!
Most good Catholics do their annual duty on Easter Sunday. (But it's always such a mob scene, and never anywhere to park!)
So I prefer the relative tranquility of the Christ's Mass, at the stroke of midnight on December 24 each year. There's far fewer souls willing to go out at that hour, especially in colder climates. (And you can usually get a parking place right up front.) You're in -- your out!
My rich employers are Protestants (Episcopalians*, of course), and are under no such requirement to attend church once a year -- so they don't! Ha! (Their Bishop shows up at cocktail parties from time to time, and they hand him an envelope stuffed with cash. And that's that!)
But tonight I'll go to midnight mass. And if the line isn't too long at the confessional, I'll go in and rattle off a list of mean and hateful things I've done all year (which could take some time!).
And thus purged, I'm good to go -- for a whole year! Ha!
To get into this repentant frame of mind, I'll be listening to Andrea Bocelli's "Ave Maria" on the drive over. And here's the YouTube link to this amazing video -- recorded in the Coliseum in Rome -- where Christians were once put to death! Hope you have a moment to listen.
To my Hindu, Christian, Muslim, Jewish and Buddhist readers worldwide, please allow me to say Happy Holidays to you -- in our individual moments of reverence and celebrations in all our wonderful religions!
Thank you for reading, and good night.
Andrew
* The Episcopal Church in America is an off-shoot of the Anglican religion, or the Church of England.
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Christmas Exhaustion!
________________________________________
Just wondering tonight if everyone is ok?
Are we all brain dead from Christmas music playing everywhere we go? Ha! Is the shopping all done -- all the packages sent out?
Do we have all the ingredients for the family dinner? (And are our visiting relatives already driving us mad?)
But most importantly -- and I guess the reason I'm writing this evening -- do any of us have any time at all for reflection?
Just wondering tonight.
And hoping everyone is ok.
For a moment of tranquility (as if any of us have a moment to spare), here's an amazing YouTube link to the incomparable Maria Callas, in Bach's version of "Ave Maria".
All best wishes tonight!
Andrew
Just wondering tonight if everyone is ok?
Are we all brain dead from Christmas music playing everywhere we go? Ha! Is the shopping all done -- all the packages sent out?
Do we have all the ingredients for the family dinner? (And are our visiting relatives already driving us mad?)
But most importantly -- and I guess the reason I'm writing this evening -- do any of us have any time at all for reflection?
Just wondering tonight.
And hoping everyone is ok.
For a moment of tranquility (as if any of us have a moment to spare), here's an amazing YouTube link to the incomparable Maria Callas, in Bach's version of "Ave Maria".
All best wishes tonight!
Andrew
Sunday, December 18, 2011
A Billionaire's Christmas Gala!
__________________________________________
Every year close to Christmas my employers invite a few hundred of their closest friends for a holiday celebration!
This year slightly over five-hundred invitations went out (which means a potential of slightly over a thousand guests)! omg!
Out of this, roughly eight-hundred elegant souls showed up this year -- dripping in diamonds and flaunting their furs! (Just wish you could have seen all the dramatic entrances! I'm so very lucky not to be allergic to French parfum! Ha!)
As the Butler here, you'd think this would be a lot of stress upon me and the household staff. (And it is, to an extent, as this kind of affair takes months of preparation!)
But the strange thing is, the bigger the party the less work we actually have to do! It's entirely in the hands of the Events Planner, Lydia! (And I can blame her for everything! lol!)
These parties are done up right! Fully catered (with chefs, waiters and bartenders running around everywhere), valet parkers out front, and of course men-in-black security crawling all over.
For events like this, my employers are fond of putting up huge tents outdoors, complete with chandeliers, heaters, lounges and stand-up cocktail tables. And of course a stage for the bands, and a dance floor laid over the cobblestone driveway.
There were food stations all over the place, indoors and out, and five separate bars set up -- one entirely designated as the "Martini Bar". (The Missus hung out there most of the evening!)
And while our stellar guests seemed to have a good time, a couple of disasters destroyed the evening for me! And I mean it!
One was when the chimney in the dining room stopped drawing, and smoke started to fill the room -- right before hors d'oeuvres were set out!
I flung open the French windows and immediately called Maurizio, our Groundskeeper! He carefully removed each burning log with pincers, and as I held the curtains aside, tossed them out the windows to Dario, who was waiting outside with a water hose! Risky! But less disruptive than using a fire extinguisher! omg!
Then the other horror was when the caterers plugged in a large coffee urn they always bring for all their staff.
Because the Mrs had so many trees lighted this year (not to mention the electricity needed for the tents and bands), we had to call in our electrician twice to put in more outlets!
But when the caterer plugged in the urn, all the outdoor lights (including the tent) went down! Dear God!
Maurizio (who by now was staying close at my side) immediately changed outlets for the urn and got all the breakers switched back on! And the band, and all the dancing guests, went back to business with a big roar of laughter!
Absolutely heart stopping!
But it's over!
It's all over! And there's only one more week to go! No more events or parties. Just Christmas dinner itself to deal with.
And our Chef will handle almost all of this -- or he better! (I'm so on the verge of kicking his nutty and unreliable butt out of here! But 'wisdom' tells me to wait until Christmas and New Year's are over!)
I do hope your holiday affairs are going along a little more smoothly!
We just have to keep telling ourselves it's all for fun, and all worthwhile -- no matter what the disasters! Ha!
Good night,
Andrew
Every year close to Christmas my employers invite a few hundred of their closest friends for a holiday celebration!
This year slightly over five-hundred invitations went out (which means a potential of slightly over a thousand guests)! omg!
Out of this, roughly eight-hundred elegant souls showed up this year -- dripping in diamonds and flaunting their furs! (Just wish you could have seen all the dramatic entrances! I'm so very lucky not to be allergic to French parfum! Ha!)
As the Butler here, you'd think this would be a lot of stress upon me and the household staff. (And it is, to an extent, as this kind of affair takes months of preparation!)
But the strange thing is, the bigger the party the less work we actually have to do! It's entirely in the hands of the Events Planner, Lydia! (And I can blame her for everything! lol!)
These parties are done up right! Fully catered (with chefs, waiters and bartenders running around everywhere), valet parkers out front, and of course men-in-black security crawling all over.
For events like this, my employers are fond of putting up huge tents outdoors, complete with chandeliers, heaters, lounges and stand-up cocktail tables. And of course a stage for the bands, and a dance floor laid over the cobblestone driveway.
There were food stations all over the place, indoors and out, and five separate bars set up -- one entirely designated as the "Martini Bar". (The Missus hung out there most of the evening!)
And while our stellar guests seemed to have a good time, a couple of disasters destroyed the evening for me! And I mean it!
One was when the chimney in the dining room stopped drawing, and smoke started to fill the room -- right before hors d'oeuvres were set out!
I flung open the French windows and immediately called Maurizio, our Groundskeeper! He carefully removed each burning log with pincers, and as I held the curtains aside, tossed them out the windows to Dario, who was waiting outside with a water hose! Risky! But less disruptive than using a fire extinguisher! omg!
Then the other horror was when the caterers plugged in a large coffee urn they always bring for all their staff.
Because the Mrs had so many trees lighted this year (not to mention the electricity needed for the tents and bands), we had to call in our electrician twice to put in more outlets!
But when the caterer plugged in the urn, all the outdoor lights (including the tent) went down! Dear God!
Maurizio (who by now was staying close at my side) immediately changed outlets for the urn and got all the breakers switched back on! And the band, and all the dancing guests, went back to business with a big roar of laughter!
Absolutely heart stopping!
But it's over!
It's all over! And there's only one more week to go! No more events or parties. Just Christmas dinner itself to deal with.
And our Chef will handle almost all of this -- or he better! (I'm so on the verge of kicking his nutty and unreliable butt out of here! But 'wisdom' tells me to wait until Christmas and New Year's are over!)
I do hope your holiday affairs are going along a little more smoothly!
We just have to keep telling ourselves it's all for fun, and all worthwhile -- no matter what the disasters! Ha!
Good night,
Andrew
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Food Safety: Don't Kill Your Holiday Guests!
_________________________________________
If, like me, you're the Butler or the Chef in a large house, the last thing on earth we want to do during the holidays is kill our employers by the improper handling of food! Ha!
(It's embarrassing, for one thing! omg! And it looks terrible on our resumes!)
And as much as we may detest our employers' guests, we don't want to (or shouldn't) kill them off either! (There are lawsuits to consider!)
Here's three important tips:
1) If you're party is fully catered -- meaning the caterer brings the food, and an on-site Chef with waiters and bartenders to handle everything -- then you're pretty much covered. The liability for food safety rests squarely upon their shoulders.
2) But if you're only having catered food delivered (which you transfer to silver platters and set out on the buffet yourself), then the liability for food safety is transferred to the house, the family and the staff! (Or at the very least, shared between us and the caterer.)
3) And if (God forbid) you're preparing all the food yourself, then of course liability for food safety is one-hundred-percent upon your shoulders!
We live in a litigious society. Family and close friends will probably not sue for a food-borne illnesses. (As long as you pay for their medical bills!) But at huge parties with hundreds of barely-known guests, you never know what you're up against.
Two important rules:
1) Whether you're making food at home or having it delivered, keep hot foods hot and cold foods cold until you set them out on the table!
2) After about one-and-a-half to two hours of putting food out on the dining table or cocktail buffet, it enters the danger zone when bacteria can multiply quickly! (And your liability for food poisoning multiplies as well, ha!)
In addition to the above, there's the basic rules in handling food:
- We need to wash our hands frequently!
- Keep kitchen counters clean and sterilized with a disinfectant.
- Wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly!
- Use a thermometer to make sure foods are thoroughly cooked!
- Use separate cutting boards for vegetables and meats! Hugely important! And sterilize them after use!
- Use a separate platter when removing cooked food from the grill or stove, not the one the raw meats were on!
- Store left-overs promptly, and reheat to a temperature that will kill bacteria! (The experts on the Internet say at least 165 degrees.)
Well -- I hope this all wasn't totally boring!
But we're all extremely busy right now, with the holiday events crowding in. And we're tempted to cut corners. But food safety is not one of those corners!
Again, negligent homicide looks really, really bad on any one's resume! Ha!
Good night,
Andrew
If, like me, you're the Butler or the Chef in a large house, the last thing on earth we want to do during the holidays is kill our employers by the improper handling of food! Ha!
(It's embarrassing, for one thing! omg! And it looks terrible on our resumes!)
And as much as we may detest our employers' guests, we don't want to (or shouldn't) kill them off either! (There are lawsuits to consider!)
Here's three important tips:
1) If you're party is fully catered -- meaning the caterer brings the food, and an on-site Chef with waiters and bartenders to handle everything -- then you're pretty much covered. The liability for food safety rests squarely upon their shoulders.
2) But if you're only having catered food delivered (which you transfer to silver platters and set out on the buffet yourself), then the liability for food safety is transferred to the house, the family and the staff! (Or at the very least, shared between us and the caterer.)
3) And if (God forbid) you're preparing all the food yourself, then of course liability for food safety is one-hundred-percent upon your shoulders!
We live in a litigious society. Family and close friends will probably not sue for a food-borne illnesses. (As long as you pay for their medical bills!) But at huge parties with hundreds of barely-known guests, you never know what you're up against.
Two important rules:
1) Whether you're making food at home or having it delivered, keep hot foods hot and cold foods cold until you set them out on the table!
2) After about one-and-a-half to two hours of putting food out on the dining table or cocktail buffet, it enters the danger zone when bacteria can multiply quickly! (And your liability for food poisoning multiplies as well, ha!)
In addition to the above, there's the basic rules in handling food:
- We need to wash our hands frequently!
- Keep kitchen counters clean and sterilized with a disinfectant.
- Wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly!
- Use a thermometer to make sure foods are thoroughly cooked!
- Use separate cutting boards for vegetables and meats! Hugely important! And sterilize them after use!
- Use a separate platter when removing cooked food from the grill or stove, not the one the raw meats were on!
- Store left-overs promptly, and reheat to a temperature that will kill bacteria! (The experts on the Internet say at least 165 degrees.)
Well -- I hope this all wasn't totally boring!
But we're all extremely busy right now, with the holiday events crowding in. And we're tempted to cut corners. But food safety is not one of those corners!
Again, negligent homicide looks really, really bad on any one's resume! Ha!
Good night,
Andrew
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Our Christmas Office Party! (Absolutely Miserable!)
___________________________________________
Let's face it! We spend all day Monday through Friday with our co-workers, and the last thing we want to do is give up an evening or weekend to spend even more time with them! Ha!
Nonetheless, around here the employees at the Foundation (and their spouses) are invited here to the Residence for an insanely-and-utterly-boring annual Christmas party.
We try to make it easy on them (a simple cocktail buffet from 5:30 to 7:00), so they can come straight from the office and then get on with the rest of their evening.
But we do it up right! The house is full of flowers and candles, catered foods are delivered (which Ester and I transfer to silver platters), and the Missus hired a bartender and an outside Chef for the evening, so Ester and I could be free to 'enjoy' the party! (Is she kidding? Ha!)
But why the Chef? Well, the Mister is fond of having fresh-grilled burgers at his cocktail buffets. Small, medallion-sized burgers (sometimes called "Sliders"), made from a mixture of bison, sirloin, diced onion and minced garlic. It's his signature recipe, and everyone in town knows to expect this when they come.
So fine.
The bartender arrived on time -- but the Chef called and said he'd been in a minor car wreck, and was waiting for a tow truck! Would be two hours late! (I tried to call our household chef, but as usual, he was off on a binge somewhere.)
I didn't care one bit! There was enough catered food in the first place. But the Missus wouldn't have it! She didn't want to disappoint her husband and said, "We'll have to do it ourselves!"
OMG!
We had an hour and fifteen minutes to prepare and grill fifty burgers! A seriously Sally Quinn moment!
We left Ester to set up the silver platters and light all the candles, and I wish you could have seen the Missus and me in the kitchen! (What a bizarre moment!)
There she was, fully dressed in cocktail attire -- stilettos, a diamond Cartier watch on one wrist and a two-inch-wide solid-diamond bracelet on the other -- mixing meat and forming patties with her bare hands! And me, in full butler attire, flipping burgers on the indoor grill.
Both of us angry, and both of us mumbling 'unintelligible' words under our breath! Ha!
In the end, it all went off fine. The office staff, as always, were adept at pretending they weren't bored to death! And as I advised them in an email, they all cleared out by seven! ha! Soon after that the Mister and Missus went out to dinner.
Normally Ester and I would make an attempt to tidy up after an early cocktail affair like this. But due to the confusion and stress of the evening, I told her to just go on home.
And I myself retired to my rooms to write to you. Ha!
I hope your holiday affairs are going along a little more smoothly! Dear God!
(Aside from all this silliness -- I'm so very aware there are many, many unemployed people right now, to whom an 'office party' might seem like a dream come true. God forgive me for being so flippant, and God bless us all!)
Thanks for visiting tonight!
Andrew
Let's face it! We spend all day Monday through Friday with our co-workers, and the last thing we want to do is give up an evening or weekend to spend even more time with them! Ha!
Nonetheless, around here the employees at the Foundation (and their spouses) are invited here to the Residence for an insanely-and-utterly-boring annual Christmas party.
We try to make it easy on them (a simple cocktail buffet from 5:30 to 7:00), so they can come straight from the office and then get on with the rest of their evening.
But we do it up right! The house is full of flowers and candles, catered foods are delivered (which Ester and I transfer to silver platters), and the Missus hired a bartender and an outside Chef for the evening, so Ester and I could be free to 'enjoy' the party! (Is she kidding? Ha!)
But why the Chef? Well, the Mister is fond of having fresh-grilled burgers at his cocktail buffets. Small, medallion-sized burgers (sometimes called "Sliders"), made from a mixture of bison, sirloin, diced onion and minced garlic. It's his signature recipe, and everyone in town knows to expect this when they come.
So fine.
The bartender arrived on time -- but the Chef called and said he'd been in a minor car wreck, and was waiting for a tow truck! Would be two hours late! (I tried to call our household chef, but as usual, he was off on a binge somewhere.)
I didn't care one bit! There was enough catered food in the first place. But the Missus wouldn't have it! She didn't want to disappoint her husband and said, "We'll have to do it ourselves!"
OMG!
We had an hour and fifteen minutes to prepare and grill fifty burgers! A seriously Sally Quinn moment!
We left Ester to set up the silver platters and light all the candles, and I wish you could have seen the Missus and me in the kitchen! (What a bizarre moment!)
There she was, fully dressed in cocktail attire -- stilettos, a diamond Cartier watch on one wrist and a two-inch-wide solid-diamond bracelet on the other -- mixing meat and forming patties with her bare hands! And me, in full butler attire, flipping burgers on the indoor grill.
Both of us angry, and both of us mumbling 'unintelligible' words under our breath! Ha!
In the end, it all went off fine. The office staff, as always, were adept at pretending they weren't bored to death! And as I advised them in an email, they all cleared out by seven! ha! Soon after that the Mister and Missus went out to dinner.
Normally Ester and I would make an attempt to tidy up after an early cocktail affair like this. But due to the confusion and stress of the evening, I told her to just go on home.
And I myself retired to my rooms to write to you. Ha!
I hope your holiday affairs are going along a little more smoothly! Dear God!
(Aside from all this silliness -- I'm so very aware there are many, many unemployed people right now, to whom an 'office party' might seem like a dream come true. God forgive me for being so flippant, and God bless us all!)
Thanks for visiting tonight!
Andrew
Friday, December 9, 2011
Mediterranean Diet for the Rich !
___________________________________________
In a post last month entitled "What Do Rich People Eat?", and in another entitled "Breakfast for a Billionaire", I touched upon the dietary habits of people who can afford to dine upon anything they wish. Ha!
But tonight I'd like to go a little more in-depth.
You'll perhaps remember I've bragged about my employers being so fit and trim, and active -- even at their ages. And maybe I know the reason.
Having spent several years in Italy, I became accustomed to a certain style of nutrition the local people thrived upon. And in recent years (with all the craze about physical fitness) I've noticed this particular dietary intake has come to be called "The Mediterranean Diet".
It involves olive oil as the principal source of fat, fish and chicken for protein (with an emphasis on reduced intake of red meats), lots of fresh fruits and vegetables, some pasta, whole grains and nuts, a moderate amount of dairy (cheese and yogurt), and the beneficial effects of red wine. (Yay!)
But the truth is -- it's not a diet at all!
It's a lifestyle!
And according to research, it seems this lifestyle is apparently a beneficial, heart-healthy way of staying fit. Even the Mayo Clinic has something to say about it!
As for myself, I seem to keep reasonably fit and trim following these guidelines, in spite of an occasional (ok, frequent) propensity for fast foods.
So in a conspiracy with Chef, we've made sure that at least some elements of this dietary way of life are included at every meal -- even though his specialty is French cuisine.
(And by the way, since rich people are in and out of Europe all the time, they're already familiar with the spectacular recipes of the Mediterranean lifestyle. So there's no problem whatsoever in serving them here, in this house.)
I remember telling you that on Chef's two days off, I have to make dinner! omg! And culinary fraud that I am, I told you the only things I know how to make are Italian. Right? So whether they want it or not, at least two days a week my employers are strictly on the Mediterranean diet!
I'm not a nutritionist or diet guru, so don't take my word for any of this! But if you have an interest, just google Mediterranean Diet and all kinds of great articles pop up, including opinions from the Mayo Clinic.
Thanks for stopping by tonight.
I hope this was fun, and reasonably informative. So many of us struggle with weight issues and we're all concerned, of course, about healthy ways of living.
Good night,
Andrew
________________________________________________________
UPDATE: February 25, 2013
Well, we heard on the news this very day that the Mediterranean diet has proven to be heart healthy in a broad scientific study, reducing heart attacks and strokes by thirty-percent! That's significant, right? Not to mention delicious!
In a post last month entitled "What Do Rich People Eat?", and in another entitled "Breakfast for a Billionaire", I touched upon the dietary habits of people who can afford to dine upon anything they wish. Ha!
But tonight I'd like to go a little more in-depth.
You'll perhaps remember I've bragged about my employers being so fit and trim, and active -- even at their ages. And maybe I know the reason.
Having spent several years in Italy, I became accustomed to a certain style of nutrition the local people thrived upon. And in recent years (with all the craze about physical fitness) I've noticed this particular dietary intake has come to be called "The Mediterranean Diet".
It involves olive oil as the principal source of fat, fish and chicken for protein (with an emphasis on reduced intake of red meats), lots of fresh fruits and vegetables, some pasta, whole grains and nuts, a moderate amount of dairy (cheese and yogurt), and the beneficial effects of red wine. (Yay!)
But the truth is -- it's not a diet at all!
It's a lifestyle!
And according to research, it seems this lifestyle is apparently a beneficial, heart-healthy way of staying fit. Even the Mayo Clinic has something to say about it!
As for myself, I seem to keep reasonably fit and trim following these guidelines, in spite of an occasional (ok, frequent) propensity for fast foods.
So in a conspiracy with Chef, we've made sure that at least some elements of this dietary way of life are included at every meal -- even though his specialty is French cuisine.
(And by the way, since rich people are in and out of Europe all the time, they're already familiar with the spectacular recipes of the Mediterranean lifestyle. So there's no problem whatsoever in serving them here, in this house.)
I remember telling you that on Chef's two days off, I have to make dinner! omg! And culinary fraud that I am, I told you the only things I know how to make are Italian. Right? So whether they want it or not, at least two days a week my employers are strictly on the Mediterranean diet!
I'm not a nutritionist or diet guru, so don't take my word for any of this! But if you have an interest, just google Mediterranean Diet and all kinds of great articles pop up, including opinions from the Mayo Clinic.
Thanks for stopping by tonight.
I hope this was fun, and reasonably informative. So many of us struggle with weight issues and we're all concerned, of course, about healthy ways of living.
Good night,
Andrew
________________________________________________________
UPDATE: February 25, 2013
Well, we heard on the news this very day that the Mediterranean diet has proven to be heart healthy in a broad scientific study, reducing heart attacks and strokes by thirty-percent! That's significant, right? Not to mention delicious!
Monday, December 5, 2011
Billionaire's Butler: "The Fabulously Unrepentant Gossip!"
_________________________________
I just got mentioned on another blog today as Andrew Williams, "The Fabulously Unrepentant Gossip"!
Ha!
Not sure if I'm mortified -- or if I should change the name of my blog!
It's by a writer named Mitchell Allen, from a site called Morpho Designs. (You may recognize his name from several hysterical comments.)
Mitch loves the English language and has a unique writing style! He can sling words around like crazy, and still come out with something perfectly readable and often as not, full of wisdom.
Way off topic tonight -- but if you're a lover of the English language, jump into Mitch's site. He'll "rearrange you 'til you're sane". Ha!
And just off hand, here's the YouTube link to Pink Floyd's "Brain Damage". (Which is not to suggest, of course, that Mitch is deranged in any way whatsoever. Ha!)
Thanks for stopping by tonight!
The Unrepentant Gossip,
aka, Andrew
OMG!
I just got mentioned on another blog today as Andrew Williams, "The Fabulously Unrepentant Gossip"!
Ha!
Not sure if I'm mortified -- or if I should change the name of my blog!
It's by a writer named Mitchell Allen, from a site called Morpho Designs. (You may recognize his name from several hysterical comments.)
Mitch loves the English language and has a unique writing style! He can sling words around like crazy, and still come out with something perfectly readable and often as not, full of wisdom.
Way off topic tonight -- but if you're a lover of the English language, jump into Mitch's site. He'll "rearrange you 'til you're sane". Ha!
And just off hand, here's the YouTube link to Pink Floyd's "Brain Damage". (Which is not to suggest, of course, that Mitch is deranged in any way whatsoever. Ha!)
Thanks for stopping by tonight!
The Unrepentant Gossip,
aka, Andrew
OMG!
Sunday, December 4, 2011
Shopping for the Rich! Christmas Gifts Galore!
____________________________________
When we go Christmas shopping, most of us have some kind of gift list and budget in mind. Right? What we can afford, matched against what might please someone we love.
It's a tough call. And we usually wind up in the poor house, trying to give the very best we can! I know.
We've all heard tales about the rich giving extravagant luxury items as Christmas gifts -- Bentleys, Rolls Royces, furs -- and diamonds that weigh a ton!
But aside from these extravagances -- yesterday (quite by accident) I saw a rather normal-looking gift list on the Mrs' desk. And as she always does things, it was neatly categorized by:
1) Under $10,000
2) Under $5,000
Ha!
Under the ten-grand category was a list of family and a few close friends. And under the five thousand list, mostly distant relatives and business associates.
So when you've got this kind of money, where do you start?
There's, of course, the big three jewelers -- Tiffany's, Cartier's and Harry Winston. And don't forget watches from Patek Phillipe in Geneva!
But a lot of rich people, during this desperate time of need (ha!), turn to Asprey, based in London.
This exquisite store offers unique (sometimes one-of-a-kind ) artist-commissioned creations that could as easily wind up in a museum as under your Christmas tree. It's true! And I hope you have a few moments to look at their awesome website. Here's the link: Asprey of London.
But getting back to reality, while most of us think we'll never have to shop for a billionaire, just think about this:
Each and every dollar we spend at Christmas is filling the pockets of the WalMart-type billionaires who own the corporations where we shop. Ha!
So like it or not all of us are shopping for a billionaire this month -- one way or another! lol!
Hope your gift shopping is going along smoothly! Let me know.
And thanks for stopping by tonight!
Andrew
When we go Christmas shopping, most of us have some kind of gift list and budget in mind. Right? What we can afford, matched against what might please someone we love.
It's a tough call. And we usually wind up in the poor house, trying to give the very best we can! I know.
We've all heard tales about the rich giving extravagant luxury items as Christmas gifts -- Bentleys, Rolls Royces, furs -- and diamonds that weigh a ton!
But aside from these extravagances -- yesterday (quite by accident) I saw a rather normal-looking gift list on the Mrs' desk. And as she always does things, it was neatly categorized by:
1) Under $10,000
2) Under $5,000
Ha!
Under the ten-grand category was a list of family and a few close friends. And under the five thousand list, mostly distant relatives and business associates.
So when you've got this kind of money, where do you start?
There's, of course, the big three jewelers -- Tiffany's, Cartier's and Harry Winston. And don't forget watches from Patek Phillipe in Geneva!
But a lot of rich people, during this desperate time of need (ha!), turn to Asprey, based in London.
This exquisite store offers unique (sometimes one-of-a-kind ) artist-commissioned creations that could as easily wind up in a museum as under your Christmas tree. It's true! And I hope you have a few moments to look at their awesome website. Here's the link: Asprey of London.
But getting back to reality, while most of us think we'll never have to shop for a billionaire, just think about this:
Each and every dollar we spend at Christmas is filling the pockets of the WalMart-type billionaires who own the corporations where we shop. Ha!
So like it or not all of us are shopping for a billionaire this month -- one way or another! lol!
Hope your gift shopping is going along smoothly! Let me know.
And thanks for stopping by tonight!
Andrew
Thursday, December 1, 2011
December Holidays! Here We Go Again!
_______________________________________
As the Butler here in a formidable house (and facing a month of non-stop parties and celebrations), I just wanted to say hello to you tonight on this first day of December!
Most of us look upon this month as a truly fun and exciting time of year -- with Christmas, Kwanzaa and Hanukkah all afoot! And so do I!
There's decorations to put up, greeting cards to get out, parties, family gatherings, feasts -- and of course endless, endless gift shopping! All of which might seem to overwhelm us, at times!
Like everyone else, I have issues about how commercial the whole thing has become, bordering upon crassness and vulgarity. (Well, not bordering -- it IS crass and vulgar! Ha!)
But I'll not waste your time debating that, or boring you with my opinions. It's become an integral part of our economy which none of us can deny, right or wrong. (And it's much easier to just go along with the flow, and enjoy all the pretty lights. Ha!)
I do have serious issues, however, with the tasteless and non-stop assault of Christmas music! Good heavens! Give us a break!
It's everywhere! For a solid month! In department stores, the malls, our grocery store, on the radio and tv -- even in elevators! omg!
And it's not good music, mind you -- classical or otherwise! But the silly, insipid little dingies -- like "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus"! (Who cares? The tramp!)
Innocent people in Southern Cal, Las Vegas and Florida have to listen to "I'm dreaming of a White Christmas"! What? And in these climates, they must be wondering what the hell are "Jingle Bells, and a One-Horse Open Sleigh?"
I understand the reason in the department stores and malls -- coaxing us into the "Christmas spirit" (and agitated mood) to spend more money! Of course. But what about all the fast food places? Why are they doing this? What are we supposed to do? Have two hamburgers instead of one? Ha! I honestly don't get it!
To our Hindu, Muslim and Jewish friends, you're not any more insulted by this inundation of insipid music than are we, your Christian counterparts! But none of us can escape it! Ha! It's the wheels of commerce, and our greedy corporations! (What would The Buddha say?)
Trying to get back on topic (ha!), here's what's on our agenda around here for December:
- One more fundraiser, a childrens' music school. (less than 200 guests)
- Four minor cocktail parties, scattered throughout the month. (easy)
- The corporate Office Party, mid month. (easy)
- A gala one week before Christmas. (350 invitations = 700 guests? omg!)
- Christmas dinner for the family. (and there goes any opportunity to see my own family!)
I could lay down and die just thinking about it all! Ha!
But before you go tonight, I hope you have a moment to hear some seriously beautiful Christmas music! Here's the YouTube link to an awesome version of Handel's "Hallelujah!" (You can spot Andrea Bocelli in this, but he's just one of the chorus! Wow!)
Good luck to you, to all of us, during this (supposedly) sacred month! Lets just take a deep breath, and try to enjoy! Ha!
Thanks for visiting tonight!
Andrew
As the Butler here in a formidable house (and facing a month of non-stop parties and celebrations), I just wanted to say hello to you tonight on this first day of December!
Most of us look upon this month as a truly fun and exciting time of year -- with Christmas, Kwanzaa and Hanukkah all afoot! And so do I!
There's decorations to put up, greeting cards to get out, parties, family gatherings, feasts -- and of course endless, endless gift shopping! All of which might seem to overwhelm us, at times!
Like everyone else, I have issues about how commercial the whole thing has become, bordering upon crassness and vulgarity. (Well, not bordering -- it IS crass and vulgar! Ha!)
But I'll not waste your time debating that, or boring you with my opinions. It's become an integral part of our economy which none of us can deny, right or wrong. (And it's much easier to just go along with the flow, and enjoy all the pretty lights. Ha!)
I do have serious issues, however, with the tasteless and non-stop assault of Christmas music! Good heavens! Give us a break!
It's everywhere! For a solid month! In department stores, the malls, our grocery store, on the radio and tv -- even in elevators! omg!
And it's not good music, mind you -- classical or otherwise! But the silly, insipid little dingies -- like "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus"! (Who cares? The tramp!)
Innocent people in Southern Cal, Las Vegas and Florida have to listen to "I'm dreaming of a White Christmas"! What? And in these climates, they must be wondering what the hell are "Jingle Bells, and a One-Horse Open Sleigh?"
I understand the reason in the department stores and malls -- coaxing us into the "Christmas spirit" (and agitated mood) to spend more money! Of course. But what about all the fast food places? Why are they doing this? What are we supposed to do? Have two hamburgers instead of one? Ha! I honestly don't get it!
To our Hindu, Muslim and Jewish friends, you're not any more insulted by this inundation of insipid music than are we, your Christian counterparts! But none of us can escape it! Ha! It's the wheels of commerce, and our greedy corporations! (What would The Buddha say?)
Trying to get back on topic (ha!), here's what's on our agenda around here for December:
- One more fundraiser, a childrens' music school. (less than 200 guests)
- Four minor cocktail parties, scattered throughout the month. (easy)
- The corporate Office Party, mid month. (easy)
- A gala one week before Christmas. (350 invitations = 700 guests? omg!)
- Christmas dinner for the family. (and there goes any opportunity to see my own family!)
I could lay down and die just thinking about it all! Ha!
But before you go tonight, I hope you have a moment to hear some seriously beautiful Christmas music! Here's the YouTube link to an awesome version of Handel's "Hallelujah!" (You can spot Andrea Bocelli in this, but he's just one of the chorus! Wow!)
Good luck to you, to all of us, during this (supposedly) sacred month! Lets just take a deep breath, and try to enjoy! Ha!
Thanks for visiting tonight!
Andrew
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