Just 7 Quick Takes Friday

--- 1 ---

By this time next week, Susan and I will have scratched one thing off of our collective bucket list.

We will have met Cardinal Timothy Dolan!

Or at least have been in the same room with him.

Sometimes when I'm stuck in traffic or see snow on the ground (it doesn't have to be much, just a dusting) I rue the day I decided to relocate from sunny Florida to just outside Washington, DC 13 years ago.  But then I'm reminded why it's so cool to be living up here instead.

For those of you in the DC area, His Eminence will be giving a free lecture, sponsored by the John Carroll Society of the Archdiocese of Washington, at the Newseum downtown on Monday September 10 at 6:30.  The title of the lecture is "Let Religious Freedom Ring."  Doors open at 6:00.

If you cannot be there, I hopefully will be able to video the talk on my smartphone and post it on my blog next week.  Check back Tuesday!

--- 2 ---

I've posted Cardinal Dolan's benediction to the Democratic National Convention here.  Go check it out.

--- 3 ---

I'm treading on thin ice here, but am I the only conservative EWTN-loving Catholic in the country glad to see Fr. Benedict Groeschel being retired from Sunday Night Prime?  And what was the National Catholic Register thinking?  Anyone who has seen the show knows that Fr. Groeschel should have retired a long time ago.  There was a time, I'm sure, that he made an important contribution; I will say I have enjoyed his books.  But his physical and mental state have clearly not been up to the task of interviewing people on a weekly basis.  Too often, the show would consist of Fr. Groeschel introducing a guest on a specific topic, then spending most of the next hour with him talking (I know each week he told the same story about the Jewish man he knew who watched the program because it was the only thing good on TV).  He has worked long and hard for the Church; he now needs to take a good long rest.

--- 4 ---

Because Susan has several freelance writing jobs for clients right now, I've taken over the cooking. Cooking is something I love to do;  I've been in a kitchen since I was 9 years old.  I'm not bad for a completely self-taught chef, but sometimes my meals look like something out of Chopped on Food Network.  I have come up with a great recipe for left over rice (you can use this with the rice from Chinese food deliveries, or from your own kitchen).  I call it Fried Rice Cakes.

2 cups white rice
Seasoning (at least salt and pepper; I tried Chinese 5 Spice and overdid it a little)
3-5 Eggs (depending on how much rice)
Breadcrumbs

Combine the rice, seasoning, and eggs.  Add breadcrumbs to the mixture until you can form a rather firm patty.  Then coat the patty in more breadcrumbs and fry until golden brown.

I've made a sauce of sour cream, half-and-half, salt and chives.

--- 5 ---

Are there any other husband cooks out there?  If so, share your favorite recipies.

--- 6 ---

If you are ever in Washington DC, when you've finished with the Capital, Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, and the Smithsonian Museums, you need to go the the Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land.  Susan and I went on Saturday, and it was way mega cool.  I posted already about the fossilized serpent in the marble of the Blessed Mother's chapel.  That's just one of the great things there.

--- 7 ---

Everyone have a blessed Sunday and a good week.  And check back here for video of Cardinal Dolan!

For more Quick Takes, visit Conversion Diary!