Sunday, June 19, 2022

TO BINGE OR NOT TO BINGE? TO WHINGE OR NOT TO WHINGE?

 

Annette Allison

Maggie Tabberer (centre)...Carla Zampatti (right)...circa 2006

The Cast of "The Offer"...Miles Teller in red shirt






Those are the questions.

Freely I confess I’m guilty of committing both “sins”…in the past, the present, and, no doubt, in the future. I’m sure I’m not alone in both activities.  As long as I don’t take either to the extreme, participating in both at times helps lighten the load.  (In the shape of things, I suppose some forms of bingeing don’t lighten the load).  You can have fun whingeing if it’s done with humour with a like-minded pal, both of whom do it in jest. 

A few weeks ago I whinged when I couldn’t switch off my car lights. Lights had been necessary because of the dense fog shrouding the area that particular morning…not only was the morning foggy, but, so too, apparently, was my brain. 

Fortunately for me, interrupting his search for the Holy Grail or grain, Sir Galahad came to my rescue (he knows who he is). The fearless knight saved the day. He fixed my dire situation before my car battery died.  My brain-fade moment made me feel foolish…not a rare feeling, of which I’m sure you’re aware.

Like most of us, I had a whinge about the continuous, torrential rain we received a while back.  Whingeing about rain was something I never thought I’d do, but have a whinge I did.  I wasn’t alone. Many joined in with the song.

Most of the time I keep any whingeing between me and me, and, of course, oft times with my two furry best mates.

There you are…enough of my whining for now.  If I continue, you’ll be whingeing about me.  You may have already begun…

Therefore, I’ll move onto bingeing…something I’ve been doing a lot lately.  The many rainy days and nights, followed by the early winter chill made bingeing the most sensible pastime to pass time.  

I re-visited “Mad Men”, a series I had previously enjoyed. Going around again I enjoyed it just as much, if not more.  I guess one of the reasons I like the series is because it’s set in an era with which I’m most familiar. Half of the 60s and all of the 70s, bar eight months, I worked within the fashion industry in the Brisbane office, showrooms and warehouse of a national Sydney-based hosiery, metal mesh handbags and accessories, women’s and men’s fashion wear company. Because of the type of business, we worked intimately with the advertising industry.

In fact, circa 1966, at Brisbane’s Ch. 9 television studios on Mt. Coot-tha we produced the first ever Australian pantyhose commercial featuring the then television personality, Annette Allison.  The beautiful Annette played a role in many of the fashion launches we hosted in our showrooms.

In the early 70s, the company contracted the now late, legendary Carla Zampatti to design a range of ladies’ wear.  Zampatti’s first ever visit to Brisbane was as guest of honour at our launch of the new lines showcasing her wonderful talent and designs. A grand night of glamour held in our showrooms it was.

Australian fashion, publishing, media/television personality, Maggie Tabberer, once Fashion Editor of the Australian Womens Weekly was also contracted to lend her name to a couple of our women’s lines. 

The 60s and 70s were years filled with excitement, charisma, fashions, and interesting people.

Along with the fascination of the men (and women) of Madison Avenue in “Mad Men”, I’ve also been bingeing on “The Godfather” movies, one, two and three. 

My renewed interest in re-visiting the Corleone family was awakened after bingeing on the miniseries, “The Offer”, streaming on Paramount+.  The series, which I thoroughly enjoyed,(and know I will watch again) is about the making of the original “The Godfather”.

I enjoyed, also, learning about the hard work and dedication of the producer, Albert S. Ruddy, who is brilliantly portrayed in the series by 35 year old Miles Teller.  Al Ruddy, now aged 92, is still at the helm, producing.  He is Executive Producer on “The Offer”.  An amazing man, it would appear Albert S. Ruddy binges on work, with little time to whinge.

I’m one who will re-read books I love, and re-watch films and series I love…offering no apologies for doing so.

Bingeing on food is not something I do…but I do eat lots of fresh fruit…and I love cheese. Having a Cherry Ripe once or twice a week is not bingeing, in my book….

Lazy Bingeing Nachos Snack: Preheat oven 175C. In pan or skillet, lay down about 130g tortilla chips, followed by 250g of cooked, drain ground beef, 1/c bbq sauce, 2c cheddar, 1c mozzarella,1/2 diced tomato,  ½ diced red onion, 8 cooked, crumbled bacon rashes, and 1/2c chopped parsley. Repeat with same amount of ingredients, followed by a drizzle of BBQ sauce on top; bake 15mins. 

Mac & Cheese Balls: Boil 225g elbow macaroni; drain, then rinse under cold water; set aside.  Melt 15g butter in saucepan. Whisk in 15g plain flour; add 176ml milk in thin stream to make roux; season with salt, pepper, garlic powder and cayenne pepper; cook until bubbly; simmer 2mins. Remove from heat; mix in 110g shredded cheese of choice; fold in macaroni; stir in 115g cheese. Spread onto paper-lined baking sheet; cover; chill overnight. Scoop out about 3tbs of mix at a time; shape into balls. Whisk 2 eggs with 2tbs milk; dip balls into egg mix; then coat in panko crumbs.  Chill balls until ready to deep fry.

Binge-worthy Brownies: Preheat oven 180C. Butter and line an 8x8 baking tray with paper; set aside. In large bowl combine 1c butter, melted, 2tbs veg oil, 177g dark brown sugar and 227g white sugar. In separate bowl, whip 4 large eggs; add eggs to wet ingredients; mix in until JUST combined. Add 4tsp vanilla and 1tsp salt; whisk about 1min, until evenly combined.  Over same bowl sift in 1c plain flour and 1c unsweetened cocoa powder; gently fold dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until JUST combined.  Fold in ¾ roughly chopped dark chocolate. Pour batter into prepared pan; smooth top. Generously top with 3/4c roughly chopped dark chocolate chunks. Bake 45-50mins, until centre is JUST set to the touch.  Allow to cool to room temp before removing from tray and slicing into 16 brownies. 

 

 


22 comments:

  1. Oil in brownies? and a full cup of cocoa? Doesn't sound anything like my recipe apart from the binge-worthiness of them :)I remember making brownies for after school snacks and after the first taste testing was done, I'd have to bake another batch, because I'd tested the entire first batch. (*~*) I remember glo-mesh, bags and purses, I remember how I always wanted one and then finding out I didn't like the way it felt, all those little discs moving when touched annoyed me.

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    1. Hi River....brownies are like that! :) There are many various recipes with various ingredients. The fun is not only in the eating...but the discovery of other variations upon the theme! lol

      It's a shame you didn't like Glomesh products. They were very popular back in the day. I loved working for the company. Lots of fun was had...it was a very interesting time in my life. A time in my life I met many interesting people.

      Thanks for coming by...take good care. :) (I've just watched the latest episode of "The Blacklist", and look forward to the next episode dropping later tonight. I'll watch it tomorrow...Tuesday.

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  2. That's an ad we don't see anymore is a pantyhose one. Any food in moderation is good.

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    1. So true, Margaret. Does anyone wear pantyhose these days? I know it's years since I have done so.

      Thanks for coming by...take good care. :)

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  3. I try (with variable success) to neither whinge (much) or binge.

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    1. Oh! We all have a whinge once in a while, EC. I think it's inescapable not to with all the rot that goes on around the place. As long as one doesn't let it take over...it helps relieve some anxieties, some of the time, I guess.

      I like to binge, as I said in my post, on series, documentaries and movies I like, and enjoy. In this household I have only myself and my two mates to please...and they seem happy with my choices :)

      Take good care...thanks for coming by.

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  4. 'Winge' and 'binge' are two new words in my english vocabulary. I do winge, of course, like anybody else. But then I get some pain or discomfort and I stop doing that as I realize what's most important in life. As for binge, well I must admit, I'm not great in indulging myself, whether it's food or TV.
    You're right about the 60-s and the 70-s - memorable decades!

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    1. G'day, DUTA. I believe we must all, at times, pull ourselves up...stop complaining...realise there are many, many, many others worse off. My complaints are extremely minor compared to those of many others.

      Thanks for coming by, DUTA...take good care...stay safe. :)

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  5. I've been binging on blueberries; eagerly awaiting my first cataract surgery so I can see again

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    1. I wish you all the very best for your operation, Linda. A whole new world is waiting to be opened up to you. Take very good care.

      Blueberries are good things to binge upon. :)

      Thanks for coming by. :)

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  6. As you know, I loved THE OFFER. It was the best series binge I have seen in a long time. I have been pondering watching MAD MEN again because I loved it so much. You have encouraged me to go for it. I don't know why I loved it because it reminded me too much of my life as a secretary in the 60s and 70s.

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    1. Hey, Annie...down the line, and probably not to far in the future, I'm going to watch "The Offer" again. It was so good...so very interesting. I loved it. It's so very interesting.

      "Mad Men" is a terrific series. I'm glad I binged on it again. I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it. I'm sure you won't be disappointed if you go around again! :)

      Take good care...thanks for coming by. :)

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  7. Now you've got me wondering. Were those Annette Allison's legs in the "That's my mum with the crinkly pantyhose ad?" What an icon she has become. I've always thought my younger daughter is a Maggie Tabberer look alike and used to remind her to stand tall and proud like Maggie. She can thank Maggie for her good posture now.
    I'm pretty sure a Cherry Ripe occasionally could be beneficial to your mental health, and lack thereof could be disastrous.
    Just checked the weather forecast for Brisbane and it looks like I might be bringing more rain with me next week.

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    1. G'day, Pauline. I can't answer your question, Pauline. That wasn't the commercial we put together. I'll have to do some back-searching to see what I can find. Annette was a lovely person, too. She had/has no airs or graces about herself.

      We met up again around 1987 when I was managing the then resort on Hinchinbrook Island. I was in Melbourne on a business trip and was invited to have lunch with Derryn Hinch and Jacki Weaver (they'd been guests of mine at the resort...and we got on very well). Much to my surprise, to Annette's surprise, and to Derryn's, Annette and I greeted each other like old friends when I arrived. We had laugh at Derryn's surprise at our knowing each other. He and Annette at one stage, years previously, had been engaged for while!

      Maggie was so beautiful...and still is at the age she now is. What a lady she is! Such an interesting life she has led. And, what great role model for your daughter! Good choice, my dear! :)

      I doubt the rain will be as torrential as the previous bouts we experienced, Pauline. I sing out loudly the song...and demand it go away while you are here!!

      Take good care...thanks for coming by....and enjoy your visit to our presently cold shores!!! :)

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  8. Lee, binging is indeed fun as we just finished binging on all six seasons of Downton Abbey, not all at one sitting, but over a couple of weeks viewing a couple of episodes nightly and more on weekends. Then, we borrowed the first feature film from the library to watch again. We had already seen the latest film. And, we didn't even have days of torrential rainfall as an excuse to binge, but then is one ever needed?

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    1. Hi Beatrice...Yes, it is fun to binge...and I see nothing wrong in doing so. If we enjoy a book, movie, series etc., why not? I love getting to "know" the characters in series, and bingeing makes it all the more fun and interesting.

      Yep! I don't need any excuses! lol

      Take good care...thanks for coming by. :)

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  9. We enjoy watching The Godfather” movies, one, two and three, never tire of them
    We don't have Paramount so will not be able to watch 'The Offer'

    Thanks for the recipes :)

    All the best Jan.

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    1. G'day,Jan. One of the streaming services I use is Amazon Prime...$8.99 per month, and with that subscription, along with Amazon Prime itself, I get Paramount+, Stingray (all genres of music videos), Acorn, MGM. Starzplay...

      I enjoyed watching the Godfather trilogy again, after watching "The Offer". Having just watched the series it made the movies all that more interesting once again. What went into getting the first movie made makes for fascinating viewing.

      Thanks for coming by...take good care. :)

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    2. The panyhose commercial I will always remember is Joe Namath's:)
      Take special care.

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    3. We didn't get that one down this way, Sandra.

      We sent a couple of models, a photographer etc., over to Machu Picchu in Peru...and to Easter Island...promoting a new line around the time "Chariots of the Gods" documentary was all the rage. We had many wonderful promotions of new lines...interesting, fun times....and busy times.

      Take good care...thanks for coming by. :)

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  10. Love the term whingeing and could dive head first into those brownies.
    You and the crew have a wondrous weekend.

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    1. Thanks, Sandra. I hope you make the brownies! :)

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