Whimsical Wednesdays: Blue Bloods, numpty re-incarnation? and a recipe

   Read an interesting article on the Internetz earlier this week: it was about families in the hills and hollers of Kentucky that had a peculiar problem; at least a quarter of them were blue! No, really, I'm not joking. They carried a recessive gene for a blood disorder called methemoglobinemia which causes the body to create excessive amounts of a type of hemoglobin called, surprisingly enough, methemoglobin. Unlike normal hemoglobin methemoglobin doesn't carry oxygen, which results in blue lips and skin (particularly if the person gets chilled) and chocolate-colored blood. Located in a small isolated geographical area there was a higher than normal chance that carriers would marry other carriers of the recessive gene. For more about this story click Here and Here

   I happened across another interesting article today; it was a very serious article from LiveScience.com about the sociological effects of the massive expansion of prison populations in the USA; unfortunately I was a bit distracted by this bit of information: "Criminal justice contact has become normative among some sociodemographic groups, particularly among low-educated African-American men. Incarnation has become a repository for the most disadvantaged segments of the population." (Bold underlined word is courtesy of moi.) So, if they must return to prison does this constitute numpty [Scottish slang for silly, foolish, or stupid.] proof of re-incarnation? Go ahead, groan, I deserve it! Seriously however, this was a very thoughtful if not exactly well-written article. Click Here if you would like to read more.

Now for another recipe; I made these the other night to go with our Buttermilk-Pecan "Fried" Chicken, we call them Tatty Poofters. So without further ado, I give you......

                         Tatty Poofters
2 c. leftover mashed potatoes
2 large eggs, beaten
1/2 c. Each: shredded Parmesan and sharp cheddar cheese
1/4 c. Each: sour cream, dried minced chives, dried parsley flakes, and biscuit/pancake mix
1/2 tsp. Each: garlic powder and onion powder
salt and pepper to taste

   Preheat oven to 400F. then grease or spray regular-size 12 muffin tin; place baking cups inside and spray again. (These will stick somewhat, the baking cups help with clean up.)
   Whisk together 2 large eggs, sour cream, and all herbs and spices until eggs are thoroughly incorporated and mixture is slightly foamy; set aside.
   Mix together leftover mashed potatoes, baking mix, and 3/4 c. of shredded cheeses; set remaining cheese aside. Slowly pour egg mixture into potato mixture and stir together thoroughly. Spoon mixture into muffin tin and sprinkle remaining cheese on top.
   Bake for 25 minutes or until poofters are set and browned on top. Great as a side dish, snack, or quick re-heat and eat breakfast. Enjoy!

Good thing for the day: Lots of laughs and curling up on the couch to watch Torchwood. (a spinoff of Dr. Who)

Music for the day: (Click on name of the song.) LeAnn Rhimes Blue