Dear Libby

Earlier this week, Facebook, in its infinite wisdom, under the "People You May Know" heading, suggested that Dennis Chamberlain and I may want to become friends since we have 15 friends in common. If it were only that easy. The first time I met Denni was in the summer of 1985 at South Quad. I recognized him from photos I had seen and his telltale white Pontiac Sunbird was parked outside. I went up to him and introduced myself as Judy's sister. He grunted something inaudible and walked away. I thought he was a jerk. It was the beginning of a beautiful  friendship.

And now for a few questions from the folks at home:
"Not That Into It" from New York, clearly not a devotee of the show, recently asked if these recipes were actually featured in any of the episodes. The answer is no, with the exception of pork chops and applesauce, which we haven't gotten to yet. The only thing Alice regularly offered the kids to eat was a plate of cookies.
"Faithful Follower" from Florida writes that her comments aren't showing up on the blog. My apologies. I have no idea as the blogger and not a blogee how it works. I think you have to join as a follower, log in, view the post, click on Comments at the end of the post, write your comment, choose your profile and click post comment. Hope that helps.
"Sucked-In" from Saginaw, expressed concern that I might run out of recipes too soon. The answer, I doubt it. This will go on for a while, but I am skipping anything else with tuna (and possibly anchovies).  Denni would have wanted it that way.

Episode Note: "Dear Libby" The second episode of the series already puts in question the relationship status of Mike and Carol. The kids read an advice column, Dear Libby, about someone with an identical living situation as their parents who signs the letter "Harried and Hopeless". Each child writes to Dear Libby (using pseudonyms such as "Real Frantic", "Down in the Mouth", and "Guilt Complex") asking where the letter came from. Receiving seven letters from the same address (Alice, aka "Innocent Bystander" wrote one, too), Libby visits the Brady home to assure the family that the original letter came from Ohio. What a relief.

Millicent's Meatball Sandwiches

Mmmmm, meatballs. Now, I have gotten lazy these last few years and have been buying Trader Joe's turkey meatballs instead of making my own. But not today. Ground turkey, garlic, white wine, tomato paste, oregano (I was out so I used herbs de provence), and bread crumbs and egg to bind it all together. Frying meat on a 90 degree day, nothing like it. They came out a little too crunchy - think I'll stick to TJs from now on.

Episode Note: "Never Too Young" Bobby plays the big man by defending a girl at school who is being teased.  Millicent (played by Melissa Sue Anderson) rewards him with his first kiss, and he immediately sees fireworks. Liking it, and wanting more, Bobby pursues her for another kiss at her house, and thus more fireworks. The only problem is, Millicent may have the mumps (the aforementioned over-used plot line). She calls Bobby to deliver the bad news, leaving him in a conundrum of how to tell Mike and Carol about the kissing and possible transmission of disease. Meanwhile, and I have no idea why, except that Paramount must have been cleaning out their wardrobe department, the Brady's are also preparing for a roaring twenties party. Bobby garners the courage to come clean with his parents, blaming the sky rockets in flight. Mr and Mrs Brady take the news in stride, as they too admit to liking a little afternoon delight. Go figure.

You Can't Win Them All

No, you can't. Apparently, an all-American apple crumble is no match for Uncle Jack's Marvelous Vegan Cookies. I now know how the  Silver Platters felt when they lost the tv talent show to Penelope's Prancing Poodles. Only here, in leftist, tree hugging, Birkenstock wearing, please can we pay more taxes while we recycle, Huntington Woods would vegan cookies win a baking contest! Did I mention that our whole 4th of July theme was "Back to the 70s"? On that alone I should have won! The only thing that tastes worse than this injustice is tuna.

Episode Note: "You Can't Win Them All"  [There are two story lines in this episdoe, and I will be covering the other with a recipe in the future] Mike and Carol are trying to plan a dinner party with some neighbors. First, they plan a barbeque, but get a cancellation so they change the date. Then, on the next date Mike invites extra people from the office and the menu changes to mexican. After Carol and Alice go food shopping for mexican, another conflict with the date occurs, even more people are coming, and the menu is changed to a smorgasbord. Yet another conflict comes up with Cindy, to be discussed in the future post, and they whole party idea is scrapped. Not only can't you win them all, but you can't even win for trying.

Everyone Can't be George Washington Apple Crumble

I have never made an apple crumble. I didn't know what one should contain, look like, or taste like.  That said, I decided to make Alice's and enter it in our town's annual 4th of July bake-off. The recipe was pretty simple, apples, sugar, brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, butter. The problem was that Alice said to core and slice the apples, but omitted the important step of peeling them, which I took the liberty of doing. I am off now to drop the crumble at the judges table, then we have our parade, and the winners are announced afterwards at the big "speeches and awards" event hosted by our mayor. Be sure to tune in tomorrow for the results.

Episode Note: "Everyone Can't Be George Washington" A lesson Peter learns the hard way when he auditions for the role of George Washington in school play but instead, much to his chagrin,  is cast as Benedict Arnold. He tries everything he can think of, including  feigning laryngitis, to try to get out of the role. Mike lectures him on acting like a real Benedict Arnold by betraying his cast mates. Harsh. Peter sees the error in his ways, throws himself into the role, and carries the day like a real yankee doodle dandy. Happy 4th of July.

Davy Jones Fan Club Sandwich

A traditional club (single deck), turkey, bacon, lettuce, tomato , mayo on toasted bread. Oh, and butter - Alice thinks you should butter the toast before slathering with mayo. This seems to me a little like wearing a belt and suspenders, but whatever. Mark loves a club sandwich, but is careful not to have them too often because he feels it makes them "less special". This is just one reason why he never questions my crazy ideas - clearly he has his own quirks. Took the lingering tuna taste right out. Julia believes bacon makes everything better, and she's right. The only thing better than bacon, is more bacon.

Episode Note: "Getting Davy Jones" Marcia is Davy Jones' number one fan and president of his fan club. She promises her junior high principal (played by Marcia Wallace of Bob Newhart show fame) that he will perform at the school dance, without actually ever having met Davy Jones. Scrambling to get close enough to ask him, she and Greg pose as room service to try to sneak into his hotel room. Instead of Davy they meet his manager and Marcia makes her plea to him, who in turn passes on the word to Davy. He ultimately does the school dance, because what international teen superstar wouldn't?  He sings his hit song "Girl" (look what you've done to me). Sooo dreamy, just like bacon.

Tattletale Tuna Sandwich

Can I just say how much I hate, loathe and despise tuna? With a passion. Holding the unopened can in my hand made me cringe. A labor of love is what this is. Mayonaise, capers, lemon juice, some nice bread, blah, blah, blah. The only thing I can liken it to is cat food, and don't ask me how I know this. Yuck. I feel like Denni is having laugh at my expense today -  just the way he liked it.

Episode Note "The Tattle-Tale" Cindy is a truth teller. The Bradys call it a tattle tale. As a result, there are rifts throughout the entire family and she is ostracized by her siblings. Mike and Carol sit Cindy down and have long talk with her, telling her not squeal anymore, although she can't figure out why they don't want to know just what is going on under their own roof and frankly, neither can I. I mean, if you were Carol, wouldn't you want to know that  Bobby used your lipstick to color his skateboard? Anyway, the situation comes to a head when Alice wins a jingle contest and in her excitement hugs the mailman who is delivering her prize, a hi-fi stereo. At the same moment, Sam telephones and Cindy tells him Alice can't come to the phone because she's busy hugging the mailman, leading Sam to get his knockwurst in a twist.  The truth ultimately comes out, as it always does, and all is forgiven. The whole thing has left a bad taste in my mouth.

Raquel the Goat's Greek Sandwiches

Pita, thin roast beef, feta, greek yogurt, tomato. Yummy goodness. Although, being from Detroit, we know that it should be seasoned lamb meat unnaturally formed somehow onto a verical spit and then sliced thin, But whatever, Alice is obviously doing it the California way, and who am I to question it? This is the "noontime specials" section of the book, so sandwiches for the next few days.

Episode Note: "Getting Greg's Goat" Greg the prankster is at it again. He and his Westdale High football teammates steal the crosstown rival team's mascot, Raquel the goat, right before the big game. Greg hides Raquel in his room in the attic and comedy ensues. Not only does she eat everything in sight including the seat of some groovy bell bottoms, but a misunderstanding leads Mike to think that a GIRL named Raquel spent the night with Greg in his room. This is what we like to call in TV speak "a very special episode". Greg fesses up to the crime, the goat is returned unharmed, and he is forced to write an essay on why mascot stealing is a baaaaaad idea.