Try not to run into ghosts or creepy crawlies tonight, and hopefully you have candy for the trick or treaters, lest you risk getting your house egged or TP’d.
Some say it started in the late 50’s. For me the British invasion was the music of the 60’s and the 70’s. Much of it was American blues, but with a different beat. Some of it was American rock but Jerry Lee Lewis, Chuck Berry, Little Richard and the Isley Brothers sounded nothing like this.
So play anything from any UK country. Also any time frame will do. 50’s to today.
Last Year we had 64 apples in the decorations. This year we’re up to 81. We actually in our travels ended up with over 100. But the 81 works well. So let’s see how they turned out.
Hospitalized newborns at an Illinois neonatal intensive care unit are celebrating their first-ever Halloweens in style.
Advocate Children’s Hospital, located in Chicago’s suburbs, posted pictures of their tiny patients dressed up in Halloween outfits on Wednesday. The infants were dolled up by their parents as part of a contest.
“Parents with babies in our neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) across Chicagoland are getting into the Halloween spirit!” the Facebook post read.
“It’s time to VOTE for your favorite in our annual Advocate Children’s Hospital NICU Halloween Costume Bash,” the hospital added, asking Facebook users to vote by liking their favorite pictures.
Advocate Children’s Hospital is holding a Halloween costume contest for their intensive care patients. (Advocate Children’s Hospital via Facebook)
“We think they are ALL winners!” the post concluded.
Pictures show the babies yawning and sleeping in adorable costumes, ranging from superheroes to Disney characters to insects and animals. Many of the miniature costumes appeared hand-knit due to the youngsters’ small statures.
Some of the sleeping infants were dressed as Wonder Woman and Batman, while others were dressed as caterpillars and scuba divers. Some of the captions described the children’s medical conditions and the meaning behind their costumes.
“Alaysia was born at just 23 weeks old. Since day one, she’s been fighting a tough fight in the NICU,” one of the captions read. “It’s fitting that Alaysia’s parents dressed her up as a little boxer/fighter as she truly is ‘Mommy and Daddy’s little fighter’.”
Advocate Children’s Hospital asks Facebook users to vote in the contest by liking their favorite pictures. (Advocate Children’s Hospital via Facebook)
The Illinois hospital, which has two locations in Oak Lawn and Park Ridge, will wrap up the costume contest at noon on October 28. The two babies with the most Facebook likes will win a prize.
He takes bags of shopping to people or his parents give him a lift in their van at weekends which has been customized with Isaac’s instantly recognizable rainbow logo.
Those in need are also able to go to Isaac’s foodbank shed, which is open 24 hours a day, and help themselves.
The youngster, who was born with a rare chromosome disorder, started the foodbank after learning that his new school didn’t accept food donations.
Isaac, from Redditch, Worcs., is now planning to expand the service and has a local charity sponsoring him to open a foodbank in the town.
Proud mum Claire, 42, said: “It started in the car on the way to school.
“We’d always donated to food banks and during the pandemic, he would take food parcels into school which would be given to people in need.
“When Isaac moved from mainstream school to a specialist school he was left confused as to what he was going to do with his food parcel.
“It was in the middle of the pandemic and his new school wasn’t offering food parcels.
“Being the resilient little lad he is he said ‘it’s alright, we’ll give them food at my house’.
“I was laughing but he had just broken his arm so I let him do it to cheer him up.
“I doubled what money we gave them normally for food parcels and he went off to Aldi.
“With a little bit of help, he put all the food he bought in a little greenhouse with some lights and started offering it from there.
“Someone spotted it and put it on one of those Facebook community sites and it went mad. People came and donated.
“The greenhouse lasted four weeks before I had to go and get a shed because we ran out of room.
“By Easter 2021 we were funded a bigger shed by the free masons. He ran his little shed and his big shed on the drive.
“We have the big shed on the driveway and operations will continue from the house. Luckily we have a big driveway.”
Isaac has attracted the help of big sponsors like Morrison’s and a local charity called Building Bridges to keep his foodbank operational.
YouTuber Mark McCann donated a fully taxed and insured van to help get the foodbank mobile.
Mum-of-four Claire added: “It’s gone from a little project to a vital community project.
“I can’t believe it’s been two years coming up. He had a van donated.
“Isaac loves YouTube and we had a YouTuber called Mark McCann the driveway who donated the van, it was fully taxed and insured.
“Morrison’s jumped on board and started supporting us with the cause, so has the community.
“Our local community donate as and when they can.”
The selfless youngster even asked family and friends not to give him birthday presents this year and instead make foodbank donations.
Claire added: “For his 11th birthday he just wanted foodbank donations and it was absolutely rammed.
“He just wanted to get as many donations in as possible to help as many people as he can.
“I see roughly five visitors a day. The shed is always open and they don’t need to knock and I know we get visitors who come late at night and avoid seeing people.
“We think the situation for people is going to get worse and worse as the winter comes up. As it gets colder people are going to have to choose between heating and eating.
“We’re stocking up on pet food, food, winter clothes and wellingtons to help people keep warm.
“Isaac’s always been very kind-hearted. Anything he comes across he always wants to stop and help. I’m very blessed.
“It’s massively helped with his confidence, with his disability it has massively helped.
“To help all these people and hear how much of a wonderful job it’s boosted his confidence.
“He can’t read or write but he can fundraise.”
Isaac has now been nominated for a local business award and hopes to open his second foodbank in the town next month.
Well it’s that time of year. So we have a nice Lemon theme. I hope you enjoy this. It’s been done for a month now, but we bought more treasures and of course my wife will change things around till she gets it right. We also have some garden pictures but those will go in the comment section. Enjoy.
“NCIS: LA” viewers were alarmed this week when the Season 14 premiere of the CBS procedural did not include Linda Hunt’s Hetty, the character whose last known location was Syria. In the episode, the team received word that a body had been a body found in Syria. By the end, they learn that it was a child’s body but they had Hetty’s IDs attached to them — likely because she wanted to stage her own death.
While it hasn’t been determined what exactly she’s up to, there are plans for her to return to the show this season, confirms executive producer R. Scott Gemmill, especially with Callen (Chris O’Donnell) and Anna’s (Bar Paly) nuptials.
“Hetty has been an integral force within the agency and an especially important part of Callen’s past,” Gemmill told Variety in a statement on Tuesday. “As Callen starts thinking about his upcoming wedding to Anna, he would want Hetty present. The plan is to go and rescue her at some point and find out what she’s gotten herself into in Syria, but we’re just trying to figure out when we can pull it off. The goal is to make it happen this season.”
Hunt last appeared in the Season 13 premiere, titled “Subject 17,” which aired in October 2021.
—————————————————————————————–My Take: I have severe trust issues with this showrunner, especially when it comes to Hetty. But I’ll admit, the mere fact that whatever Hetty is doing is getting the kind of attention it’s getting, is a hopeful sign that he knows that he’ll eventually have to make good on his ‘goal’ and not bait everyone for an entire Season again.
For over a decade, the world’s largest airborne telescope, NASA’s Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA), has sailed through the stratosphere 41,000 feet above Earth, using infrared light to capture incredible images and valuable information about the cosmos.
On Thursday, it embarked on its final flight: No. 921. Although the telescope — which was housed and flown in a modified Boeing 747 aircraft — has finished its mission, astronomers still have a trove of data to sift through, NASA said, and it’s possible SOFIA could produce even more scientific discoveries. Click here to see some of the captured cosmic imagery.
Today, back in 2009, on September 22, the 1st episode of NCIS: Los Angeles first aired on CBS, at 9pm following NCIS.
It immediately became a hit due to it’s incredible cast, great writing, and cinematic like explosions and take downs. And remarkably enough, is still running today! (even though everything that made it so great has so greatly plummeted, but that’s a complaint for another day.).
I can still remember getting excited for a new episode every Sunday (when it eventually moved there), it was really fun. Then, some uncontrollable things in life happened in the summer of 2018, and nothing has been the same since.
I may be more disgusted with it now then happy, but I still love the 1st 8 Seasons.
As we all prepare to step into a new week and continue on the mindfulness journey we’re taking together, we at Nice News want to create space to ponder what it means to walk through life with gratitude — consistently giving thanks for the beauty and goodness around us. You may have heard that gratitude can have tangible and transformative effects; in fact, there isn’t room enough in this edition to list all the benefits. Studies suggest that gratitude can help you sleep, eat, and feel better, and that the simple act of writing down three things you’re thankful for each day can improve your health. But while it’s easy to acknowledge the advantages, we don’t always take the time to build the habit, especially when we’re experiencing negative emotions. To help you take that step, consider this your extra encouragement to begin regularly practicing gratitude. If you get stuck, here are 492 things to be grateful for, including the warm morning sunshine, the kindness of a stranger, and the breath in our lungs.
Many families have their own lore — oft-shared tales of ancestral kin who led incredible lives. For Julie Klam, those relatives were the four Morris sisters. All self-made millionaires, one sister is known to have advised President Franklin D. Roosevelt while another romanced J.P. Morgan. Or did they? This is the “fascinating and funny true story” about a family history that may be more fiction than fact.
What’s better than watching lion cubs, newborn seals, and toddling young elephants learn the way of the world? Listening to Helena Bonham Carter’s soothing voice narrate the action as you do. Wild Babies is a docuseries, so in addition to heartwarming moments, be prepared for an honest look at some of nature’s harsh realities. That said, the level of cuteness is truly off the charts.
In 1981, David Bowie and Queen combined creative forces to write and record what would become an anthem for the ages: “Under Pressure.” This year, the “biggest rock band on Earth,” Rockin’ 1000, performed an amazing cover of the hit song as part of a two-hour concert in Paris. All 1,000 musicians sang and played together, a moving display of harmony in every sense of the word.
As we mentioned in Wednesday’s edition of Nice News, an exciting lineup of celestial events is in store for stargazers throughout September, and this free digital planetarium can help you make the most of what you see. Enter your location or point your phone at the sky using the app to identify and learn about stars, comets, constellations, planets, and more, all in real time.
These gorgeous notebooks aren’t just easy on the eyes — they’re also eco-friendly, made with 100% post-consumer-waste recycled paper and printed with soy ink. Browse the vast selection of artistic and colorful designs to find your favorite (or favorites, more likely). We think it’s the perfect medium to begin a new gratitude journal.
If you’re a candle fanatic, you’ll love this fun find. Hand-poured and crafted in London, cent.ldn’s unique wax creations are designed for household decor. Choose from incredible representations of real objects, or if you’re feeling extra fanciful, go the bespoke route and bring your own design to life, including a custom scent. Order from the U.K. or check here for a retailer near you.
Have memories of begging for a taste of cookie dough before a batch went in the oven? Doughp, which was featured on Shark Tank, has created flavored cookie doughs that can be eaten raw or baked into warm, gooey treats. Even better, the company is “committed to reducing the stigmas around mental health & addiction,” and a portion of each sale supports a nonprofit recovery charity.
*Recommendations are independently selected by our team but may result in a commission to Nice News which helps keep our content free.
Video of the Week
A bustling street in downtown San Antonio, Texas, comes to life in this restored and colorized footage from the 1940s. With multiple camera angles, there’s so much history to soak in. From the cars and buses to the clothing and hairstyles, you’ll be transported back in time — and the added sound design makes for an even more immersive experience. Enjoy poring over the vintage signage and spotting different groups of friends and families going about their days. (Credit: NASS / YouTube)
I recently fractured several vertebrae in my spine and can only walk short distances. On a recent trip from Seattle home to Milwaukee, my wife and 8-year-old granddaughter were pushing my wheelchair and dragging our luggage. It was an unusually long distance to the gate, and they were struggling up a small incline. A woman asked if she could help, and with her help, we made it to the gate. She hurried off to her own gate before we could really thank her for this simple but meaningful act of kindness.
Les B.
Have you witnessed something inspiring? Click here to submit a story.
Challenge
Send a Thank You Note
In addition to taking stock of all you’re grateful for this week, put your appreciation into practice and send (or hand deliver) a thank you note. It could be for something simple, like your local barista making you the perfect pumpkin spice latte each morning, or something more impactful, like a good friend supporting you when you needed it most. For inspiration, check out author Gina Hamadey’s experience writing a daily thank you card in what she dubbed her “year of gratitude.”
Quote of the Day
“This is a wonderful day. I have never seen this one before.”
For those who have been waiting on bated breath waiting for some kind of info relating to Callen finding his ‘mama’ (in it’s own ways) Hetty that’s new, well, there’s finally some, in the forms of yet more teasers from the showrunners:
For those who need help trying to read this, it explains that in the Season premiere, the intel that Callen gets worries him so much, he wants to go to Syria to find her. But is unfortunately stopped by the foolish old man who is unfortunately, still hogging Hetty’s beloved office.
The info also says that Callen will also miss her quite a lot while trying to plan his wedding to Anna.
My take on all this: Look, I hate this showrunner for what he’s done to this incredible show over the past few years, and the thought of having to trust him yet again with these kind of stupid teasers (that have 99% been wrong in the last few years when they’re related to Hetty!) makes me want to retch. But, since I have no photographic or video footage as of yet of whatever Hetty is doing out there, I don’t have a choice. All I and everyone else can do is wait and see. (and also hope that through some kind of crazy luck that either a brand new photo, or new video footage of Hetty gets leaked in the next month!).
And info on the rest of the team is also included in the photo. (but I don’t really care about them right now, a missing boss on a dangerous mission is more important and interesting then knowing what the agents are doing outside of work IMO!!)
Hello there! We hope you took some time to relax over the holiday weekend before getting back into the swing of things this week. Are you ready for your latest dose of positivity? Today we’re sharing some stories highlighting progress and hope — like the exciting news that the world’s clearest large lake could get even clearer and how these incredible drone-delivered defibrillators can save lives in mere minutes. Learn about the deaf-owned restaurants that are helping to create community (and serve up great food) around the world, and meet the inspirational NFL player-turned-neurosurgeon who took the term “brains and brawn” to a whole new level.
Exploring and Living / Shutterstock
Environment
Lake Tahoe Could Become Clearer Due to Changing Plankton Populations
Lake Tahoe, which Mark Twain called “the fairest picture the whole earth affords,” is famous for its stunning crystalline waters. And in the next few years, scientists say, the world’s clearest large lake could become even clearer due to changes in its ecosystem.
Since our viewers are and Ireland.International, I thought this would be a good one. Maybe they can comment on the locations in the UK, Italy, Canada, and Ireland.
Nothing beats the warmth and comfort of a fall evening spent by the fire. Thankfully, there are plenty of quaint and cozy inns around the world that embrace the autumn feeling and provide the perfect, intimate getaway.
Whether you’re looking to snuggle up with a book by the fireplace or gaze upon colorful fall foliage during breakfast, the following inns will meet all your seasonal needs
Fall in Vermont is perfect for biking, hiking, picnicking, and of course, leaf peeping. Nestled between the scenic Green Mountains of Vermont in the charming village of Warren is The Pitcher Inn. While staying at The Pitcher Inn, all of those classic fall activities are easily accessible due to the property’s proximity to the Roxbury State Forest. Choose a one or two-bedroom suite in the “barn” or a room in the main house. Jet out on a fly fishing adventure or stay in and curl up next to one of the inn’s 14 fireplaces. Guests can also indulge in seasonal fare onsite at the onsite pub or private dining rooms.
The Three Chimneys is a world-renowned restaurant and inn in picturesque northwest Scotland on the Isle of Skye. Its six charming guest rooms are in The House Over-By, each featuring stunning views of Loch Dunvegan and offering direct garden and seashore access. Dinner at The Three Chimneys is a must during your stay. The award-winning restaurant serves delicious Scottish-style meals with ancient Nordic influences. The Three Chimneys is known for its professional, yet warm and inviting staff — making it a comfortable and unforgettable stay.
On the rocky shores of the Pacific Coast of Vancouver Island is Wickaninnish Inn. This serene stay boasts cozy yet modern accommodations in the Beach Building and the Pointe Building. Enjoy panoramic water views throughout the property, which you can enjoy over dinner or cozied up in an armchair on the deck. Visit the Ancient Cedars Spa to be pampered or enjoy daily Hatha yoga in the Rainforest Haven room. This coastal getaway on a chilly fall morning is the perfect way to reset and get in touch with nature.
Enjoy an authentic New England fall getaway at The Lodge at Moosehead Lake, a AAA 4-Diamond property in Greenville, Maine. This lakefront bed and breakfast boasts five lodge rooms all with a fireplace, sitting area, four-post wooden bed, and lake or garden views. Four spacious carriage rooms are also available with scenic decks facing the lake. The staff at The Lodge will help you book exciting fall activities during your stay, from backcountry moose watching to seaplane rides.
Tucked away in the western Italian Alps, Les Trompeurs Chez Odette is a renovated family home that’s now a cozy six-bedroom inn. Each room has the same rustic feel, but is decorated individually — making the space feel snug and relaxed. Fireside breakfast is served in the wood-paneled dining room with traditional pastries and jams. Les Trompeurs is located in the small town of Cogne, a valley nestled between snow-capped peaks. This region is dotted with medieval castles and fortresses along with world-class ski resorts — providing guests with plenty of things to see and do.
You’ll feel right at home in this award-winning, 18th-century Irish country house in the heart of the midlands at the foot of the Slieve Bloom Mountains. The warmth of Roundwood Country House radiates throughout and showcases authentic Irish furnishings, crackling fireplaces, and the smell of fresh bread baked daily. Bookcase-lined walls, stonework, and ornate light fixtures create a comforting atmosphere, begging you to stay in and enjoy the house. This quintessentially Irish bed and breakfast boasts two types of accommodations — private rooms in the main house or a cottage in the garden.
We all grew up reading the comics page in the newspaper in the morning one way or another, and that means we definitely have some favorite comic strips. Some of us probably even have collected the strips over the years.
With me, My favorite comic growing up was Peanuts, and it still is. I own a lot of the cartoon specials, all the movies, and I also own every single comic strip!
Now, I have other strips I love, like Garfield, Zits, Pearls Before Swine, and Marmaduke.
Dreamer extraordinaire. Ardent food lover. Vivian is prone to wander and escaping from responsibilities. At heart, she is a curious backpacker with a thirst for adventure. Based in Vancouver, Canada, Vivian is perpetually browsing through seat sales and scheming her next getaway.
The regional cuisine of New England is as varied as the landscape, influenced by the rocky coasts, weathered mountains, and wild forests. States in the Northeast host miles of apple orchards, self-pick berry farms, and fleets of fishing boats. They’re home to innovators of sweets and ice creams, and rich and hearty pastries.
Whether you’ve never been to New England, plan on traveling to the region sometime in the future, or have been a life-time visitor, try these seven beloved, and Northeast-approved, food items to get to know New England from the inside out.
New England Clam Chowder
As a staple of New England life, clam chowder is as typical as trips to the beach, followed by cups or bowls of the soup. New England clam chowder is commonly made with clams, potatoes, celery, onion, and salt pork mixed with a thick, hearty broth. Native to the area since the early 1700s, clam chowder became popularized throughout Boston in the 1830s when it was served at the famous Union Oyster House. Comforting and addictive, this seafood stew is perfect on any day and for any occasion.
Lobster Rolls
In the early days of America lobsters were so common they piled on beaches, making the “cockroaches of the sea” a poor man’s meal (or even fertilizer). By the second world war things had drastically changed, and the shellfish were undeniably a delicacy. New England is now synonymous with lobster rolls. This coastal luxury is served on a grilled bun and is available at practically every seafood restaurant in the area. Lobster rolls arrive warm, dripping with butter, lemon juice, and salt and pepper. You can even top it with mayonnaise and chopped celery.
Baked Beans
In Boston (or Beantown), baked bean recipes are sweetened with molasses rather than the brown sugar sweetener used in traditional English baked beans. The difference is a rich, honeyed flavor that has existed in the area for centuries. It was originally prepared throughout New England and was a staple in the Pilgrim diet from the 1620s on. Baked beans are available as a side dish, sometimes served beside brown bread (another New England specialty) in restaurants around coastal Massachusetts and beyond.
Fluff
In the 1920s, two Massachusetts residents created a remarkable new marshmallow creme spread that’s now a common jar in most grocery stores: Fluff. While the taste is familiar for anyone who’s ever roasted marshmallows over a campfire and snuck a few of the pure white cylinders, the consistency is quite a different story. This is a spreadable confection that can be eaten on its own, but for a true New England experience a Fluffernutter sandwich (allergy permitting) consists of a layer of Fluff on one slice of bread and a thick spread of peanut butter on the other.
Whoopie Pie
Saying the words “whoopie pie” outside of New England draws some intriguing glances. This cake-like dessert is best described as a type of sweet sandwich, two mound-shaped pieces of cake on the outside and a hearty layer of cream between the two. Whoopie pies are available in a variety of flavors, the most traditional is a chocolate cake whoopie pie with a white cream filling. Seasonal flavors are offered during the year, such as pumpkin whoopie pies in the fall and peppermint cream whoopie pies during the holidays.
Unless you’re in or around Rhode Island, asking for a glass of coffee milk may get you a mug of regular coffee with a little extra milk. But as the official state beverage of Rhode Island, coffee milk is a common accompaniment to breakfasts and brunches. Bottles of sweetened coffee syrup are mixed with milk (not unlike making hot chocolate), and served beside heaping platters of eggs, bacon, and toast. Take it a step further and get a coffee cabinet, a vanilla ice cream, coffee syrup frappe.
Hoodsie Cups
Hoodsie cups were created by the Hood milk company in Massachusetts in 1947. These adored desserts are made with vanilla ice cream on one side and chocolate ice cream on the other, and are served in small wax paper cups with even smaller wooden spoons. For many New Englanders, childhood memories consist of Hoodsie cups alongside slices of cake at birthday parties, and even a few late-night snacks when no one else is around.
Fenway Franks
New Englanders cram into Fenway Park, pulling their Red Sox caps down against the sun to watch the game. Since the park’s 1912 opening, Fenway Franks have been a staple of this regional and cultural gathering space. Other stadium hot dogs are grilled or steamed, but not the Fenway Frank. First boiled, and then grilled, the meat of these nostalgic ballpark treats is spiced with garlic, onion, and mustard, and cooled specially to make them the juiciest possible. Visitors top them with their preferred garnishes and bite between cheering for their team, or buy a pack for their own home-game cookout.
You only need a handful of thoughtfully produced ingredients to eat well in summer, so splurge on the good stuff. Don’t forget to grab handfuls of fresh herbs, and if you spot zucchini flowers at the market, they look lovely scissored and scattered over Fried Zucchini and Basil Casarecce.
Illustration: Eva Naroditskaya
1. Anchovies
These stealth flavor bombs can be melted into sauces, mashed into dressings or simply laid on top of a slice of bread and butter. Spanish Don Bocarte brand anchovies are fleshy and pink ($35 for 198 grams, amazon.com). Italian Rizzoli come in a charming tin ($33 for three 3.17-ounce tins, Food52.com). Ortiz can be found at many supermarkets.
2. Extra-Virgin Olive Oil
I use a versatile, neutral oil to cook with and a more distinct one for finishing. Lately I’ve been cooking with Partanna, fresh and rich ($46 for 3 liters, YummyBazaar.com), and delicate, buttery Frantoia, both produced in Sicily. I recently discovered a Portuguese oil, Herdade Do Esporão Azeite Virgem Extra: smooth, balanced, excellent for dressings and finishing. When shopping, search the label for the words “hand picked” and “cold pressed.” If it has a date stamped on it, you’re on to a good thing.
This light, bright recipe, spaghetti with sun-kissed tomatoes, ricotta and crispy prosciutto, is so quick to make. Find the recipe below
3. Butter
Let me bang on about butter. Big fan! Pasta and butter are the ultimate companions. Pure comfort. While a pound of pasta is cooking, scoop out about ½ cup of the salty, starchy pasta water, pour it in a frying pan, melt in 5-6 tablespoons of butter, and crank in plenty of black pepper. When the pasta is al dente, pop it in the frying pan and toss everything together until creamy and coated. Be sure to blanket it with cheese. Or, start the meal off with a warm slices of rustic bread, each topped with lashings of butter, an anchovy and flaky salt. For cooking, try Delitia Butter of Parma, a delicate, unsalted type made from quality pasteurized creams collected in Parma and Reggio Emilia, where some of the best Italian cheeses are made ($11 for 8 ounces, igourmet.com). For serving, try French Le Meunier Fleur Sel Butter, wood-churned and hand-molded, or Isigny Sainte-Mère Beurre Demi-Sel Gros Grains with coarse salt, famous for its golden color, easy to spread.
4. Tomatoes
Canned Certified DOP San Marzano Tomatoes are a must. Mutti San Marzano Pomodori Pelati Tomatoes are rich in flavor and color ($6 for 14.1 ounces, eataly.com). I’ve also been using Californian Bianco DiNapoli plum tomatoes. And I always have a few bottles of Rao’s brand marinara sauce in the pantry, too, for nights when I just can’t be bothered.
In ‘Simple Pasta’ (Aug. 30, Ten Speed Press), Odette Williams offers a pasta for every occasion, including plenty of light and easy recipes ideal for summer meals.
5. Italian Cheese
You want DOP Aged Parmigiano-Reggiano with its waxy rind that can be used in a stock or broth down the road, once the cheese itself is gone ($29 for a pound, MurraysCheese.com). I’m smitten with Pecorino Toscano: a softer, sweeter, Pecorino that sings shaved on a simple salad. A knot of burrata is always a showstopper with sliced heirloom tomatoes and basil leaves.
6. Flaky Sea Salt
You can’t do better than Maldon Sea Salt Flakes, which deliver a bright, briny crunch ($7 for 8.5 ounces, amazon.com). But don’t miss the brand’s Smoked Sea Salt Flakes, either. I use them a lot in the summer to add vavoom to tomatoes, corn, cucumbers, stone fruits and burrata.
This chopped salad pasta is a highly portable picnic and potluck hit. Find the recipe below.
7. Vino
You can’t have pasta without wine. Cardedu Nùo Vermentino di Sardegna is a light, highly drinkable, white from Sardinia ($20 for 750 ml, WhiteHorseWine.com). Dry-farmed, organic, from a family-run outfit, it’s worth hunting down. Over a long, boozy lunch at one of my favorite New York restaurants, Café Altro Paradiso, I discovered the 2018 Ronchi Barbaresco, a Nebbiolo from Piedmont. Served slightly chilled, this medium-plus-bodied beauty has backbone but won’t take you down in the daytime. I’m planning on buying a case as I’m told it’s going to age well.
8. No-Cook Desserts
Why turn on the oven? Chill cherries and serve them with Antica Torroneria Piemontese Hazelnut Nougat, so nutty and chewy ($9 for 5.3 ounces, eataly.com). Or, buy a good gelato, drizzle a little olive oil on top, sprinkle on flaky sea salt and serve with Le Nuttine, those charming straw-shaped Italian wafers filled with hazelnut-cocoa cream.
—Adapted from ‘Simple Pasta’ by Odette Williams (Ten Speed Press)
Here, author Odette Williams tried to recreate the sizzling garlic shrimp from Trieste, the Italian restaurant of her childhood in Australia.
Look for shrimp with the heads on, since they add so much flavor to the sauce and give it a gorgeous coral-pink hue. Wavy ribbons of mafaldine ,or the curly nooks and crannies of trumpet-shaped campanelle allow the shrimp to nestle into every bite.
Honestly, use whatever pasta tickles your fancy. Showered with the garlic butter and chile bread crumbs, it’s gorgeous. The heady aroma of butter, garlic and shrimp cooking is one of life’s greatest pleasures, so enjoy!
Total Time: 45 minutes
makes: 4 servings
Graydon + Herriott, Food Styling by Rebecca Jurkevich, Prop Styling by Amy Wilson
Ingredients
For the garlic butter and chile bread crumbs:
1 cup bread crumbs
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 cloves garlic, grated
¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
Kosher salt and black pepper
For the pasta:
1½ pounds large whole raw shrimp, with shells, heads and tails on
6 tablespoons unsalted butter
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 2 large shallots, finely diced
¼-½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
8 cloves garlic, finely grated
⅔ cup dry white wine
Zest of 1 lemon, plus 2 teaspoons lemon juice
2 tablespoons finely chopped chives
1 cup finely chopped flat-leaf parsley
¾ teaspoon kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
1 pound dried campanelle, mafaldine, or angel hair pasta
Directions
Make the garlic butter and chile bread crumbs: In a skillet over medium heat, sauté bread crumbs with butter and grated garlic, stirring often, until golden brown, 2-3 minutes. Stir in crushed red pepper flakes, and season with salt and pepper.
Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil.
Cut off head of each shrimp and set aside. Peel shrimp and discard tails and shells. Use a sharp knife to make a shallow cut lengthwise along the back of each shrimp, and devein by removing the digestive tract with the tip of the knife. Cut each shrimp into three segments.
In a large skillet over medium-low heat, melt together butter and olive oil. Add shallots and red pepper flakes, and sauté for a couple of minutes. Add reserved shrimp heads and continue to sauté occasionally pressing down slightly on heads with a wooden spoon to release juices, 4 minutes more. Remove and discard heads and any rogue bits of shell.
Increase heat to medium-high, add shrimp and garlic, and sauté until shrimp are just pink, just a couple of minutes. Add wine, lemon zest, lemon juice, chive and ½ cup parsley. Season with salt and pepper. Sauté until wine has reduced by half, 4-5 minutes. Keep warm.
Add pasta to boiling water and cook until al dente, according to package instructions. Use a large spider or slotted spoon to transfer cooked pasta to shrimp sauce along with about ½ cup pasta water, and toss to coat. Serve pasta sprinkled with garlic butter and chile bread crumbs and garnished with remaining ½ cup parsley.
A caregiver surprised the adults she supports by asking them to be her bridesmaids.
Kayrin Callaghan, 30, instantly knew she wanted the adults she supports to be a special part day when her fiancé, Alex Slater-Brown, 25, a hospital care assistant, proposed
The mom-of-two has supported Jamie Kevern, 24, who has Down syndrome, for two years.
Kayrin also helps Daisy, 18, Francesca, 20, and Chloe, 26 – who also have Down syndrome – and stuck up a special bond with them all – enjoying days out to the local swimming pool and cinema together.
She asked the four of them to be her “flowermaids” by getting them to open boxes full of balloons.
All four were ecstatic and are already planning a bachelorette party for bride-to-be Kayrin.
Kayrin, a personal assistant, from Cambourne, Cornwall, UK, said: “They were so happy when I asked them to be my bridesmaids – there were lots of tears.
“They are so special to me. I wanted to give them the chance to walk down the aisle.
“We’re going to have a Disney-inspired Halloween wedding, so they’ll get to wear princess dresses.
“I want them to feel as special as they are to me.”
Kayrin bonded with the adults she cared for as soon as she met them.
“I’m like their big sister,” Kayrin said.
“They can come to me about their boyfriend or friendship troubles. They are ferocious dancers. We always get cheesy chips together after swimming.”
When Kayrin’s fiancé, Alex proposed to her in April 2022 she knew immediately who she wanted as her bridesmaids.
She said: “I had to plan a good way to ask them – so I decided to get some balloons which had the words ‘Will you be my flowermaids?’ on.
“They opened the boxes and Francesca, who is the best at reading, read what it said aloud to everyone.
“Their reaction was amazing, and we had lots of tears. Then they started twerking – which they love to do.”
Kayrin plans to get married in October 2023 and wants a “Nightmare Before Christmas” Disney inspired wedding.
“There isn’t going to be a color scheme as Jamie always loves to wear rainbow colors,” she said.
“They can all wear what they want and dress up in Disney princess dresses.
“We’ll have Mickey Mouse pumpkins on the tables.
“They are all planning the hen now – I think they’ll be lots of WKD involved as Jamie loves that drink.
“I just can’t wait to see their faces on my big day.”