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Thursday, January 07, 2010

Recipe: Douglas' Christmas Chili

A Mess O' Chili - P-a-D 12/08/06Friends recently asked for the recipe to my Christmas Chili that I make each year for our annual Cookie Party Open House. I have never really written down the recipe, as I tend to wing it each year. I have made it enough that I sort of "know" what goes in it. That said, since I typed it up for our friends, I figured I might as well share it with you, as well. The recipe scales up nicely. I regularly make 20 quarts for our party, as seen in the photo.

Douglas' Christmas Chili

2 Tbls Olive Oil
1 Large onion
4-5 cloves garlic
1 lb ground turkey
1 - 12oz package Jimmy Dean Pork Sausage


Finely chop onions and garlic (I use a food processor) then saute until lightly browned in the olive oil
Add turkey and sausage and brown until no sign of pink

Add 1/2 cup red/white wine

Cook until wine is absorbed

(Here is where it goes a bit by look and feel. Add more sauce and beans if you want to make more chili and then adjust the spices accordingly)

Add 5-6 14oz cans of your favorite plain tomato sauce. I get Hunts from Costco, which we always keep around the house.

Add 4-5 cans of black beans


Spoon up the meat, sauce and beans mixture and look at the ratio between the 3. You want to get a good mixture of all three in each spoonful.

If needed, add more black beans

Add splash of vinegar (under a tsp, probably. I have used everything from apple cider to balsamic, It just adds a little "tang" to the final taste.

Spices:
(again, taste this as you add the spices until you get taste you like)

5-6 Tbls Chili powder (not mexican chili powder, but the traditional one with cumin, etc included)
2 Tbls Dried Basil
3 Tbls Oregano
PInch Red pepper flakes
Small pinch cayenne pepper
1 tsp Black pepper

Bring pot up to boil and then turn down to low simmer

Typically, it will cook down by about 1/3. The longer you simmer it, the better it tastes. It also tastes better the second day when you reheat it. (SMILE)

I serve this with extra sharp cheddar cheese. Some people like chopped onions on it.

I usually eat this by itself the first day, then have it over some sort of pasta the next and then chili dogs after that. It freezes well so make as much as you want and then store it away in meal-sized containers for a quick dinners.

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Tuesday, June 05, 2007

Podcasting for Writers at UCLA Extension

Today the UCLA Extension calendar for Summer 2007 was released to the public. Among the offerings is our new class, Podcasting for Writers -- a 10-week online course.

If you, or someone you know, would like to join us for this class, here is the complete information.

Rosanne and I are really looking forward to the class.



NEW COURSE
Podcasting for Writers (Online)
X 430.27 Film & Television 3 units $525

Podcasting has given writers direct access to a worldwide audience and freed them from absolute dependency on television networks, radio stations, and publishers to buy and market their work. To the audience, podcasting is "what you want, where you want it, when you want it," while to the podcast creator and producer, it is the ultimate creative freedom. This course covers the current state of this new medium; the basics of writing for it; and strategies for publicizing your podcast and expanding your readers, viewers, and listeners. Guest speakers available via audio and video podcast interviews, live interactive podcasts, and video conferences introduce you to the variety of ways you can use the medium. The course goal is to develop your own podcast based on individual professional or personal needs, interests, and goals. For technical requirements click here. Enrollment limited to 18 students. Additional technical requirements: Students need a recording device with microphone that is compatible with their computer; built-in microphones on laptops are acceptable. Students must have Apple iTunes software and access to audio recording software, such as Audacity or Apple GarageBand, to perform course exercises. High-speed Internet connection is required.

Course Open Reg# T3254U

No Textbook Required

Online Course
July 5 - September 6
$55 nonrefundable.

Rosanne Welch, writer/producer; WGA member whose credits include five seasons as staff writer, executive story editor, and producer on the CBS series Touched by an Angel. Ms. Welch also has written for Fox Broadcasting's Beverly Hills, 90210; Picket Fences for CBS and David E. Kelly Productions; and is the author of The Encyclopedia of Women in Aviation and Space.

Douglas E. Welch, writer and computer consultant, whose work has been published in Wired, MacWorld, and Los Angeles Times. Mr. Welch is a member of Friends in Tech, and produced his first show, Career Opportunities, in 2004. He has written and produced over 300 individual episodes and conducts podcasting seminars for schools and businesses.

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Thursday, May 03, 2007

Event: Write that Script! - Join Script Frenzy in June!

(As seen on blogging.la)

Write that Script!


Cybele:You live in LA ... one of these days you're going to get pulled over and someone's going to ask to see your screenplay. No more looking at the floor, ashamed.

Take June and write your script!

I'm again serving as web community hostess for a writing challenge (in November it's National Novel Writing Month).



The Challenge?

Script Frenzy



Write a screeplay (or a stageplay) in June.

It's a contest ... every winner gets a screenplay!

Sign up online. Join the web community. Take over your local coffee house. Hold you head up high at summer barbecues.

(Via Blogging.LA.)

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Tuesday, May 01, 2007

Learn how to subscribe to a podcast

Learn How To Subscribe LogoEven if you listen to my podcasts directly from the web site, or see the Subscribe links on this page, you still may be wondering what this "subscription" thing is all about.

Well, here is a video that shows you exactly how to subscribe to podcast using iTunes or the Juice podcatching client.

Watch How to Subscribe to a Podcast


After you watch the video, you can use the links below to subscribe to My Word and and receive each new episode automatically.


Subscribe with iTunes

Copy this link to Subscribe using other podcatching clients or RSS feed readers


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Monday, April 23, 2007

On Podcasting (and Blogging): Blogging and Podcast Tech Meetup

I was doing some thinking during my son's ball game tonight and my mind turned back to 2 recent experiences. Both times, I was sitting around with friends who are not really tech geeks like myself. That said, the conversation eventually turned to blogging and podcasting, which they each do in a small way.

These conversations ended up spinning out into mini-conferences on all the great new tools there are available, the conventions of blogging and podcasting (how most people do things) and how to figure out the tech side in order to get some great projects moving forward.

Tonight, via Twitter (you can find me at dewelch), I floated the idea of a Los Angeles-based meetup to talk blogging and podcasting tech. I get together with other groups to chat about content and such, but we NEVER have enough time to share ideas about how, technically, to accomplish some of our ideas.

While I certainly don't know everything, I think I know enough to help facilitate such a group. Nothing pleases me more than getting someone blogging or podcasting, even in a small way. While the site may be rough around the edges or the podcast a bit unrefined, I love the fact that I helped people to get their message out there. I have met enough people, with enough varied knowledge, that I think we need to get together and share that knowledge. There is a pent-up demand for this information. People are just dying to talk about it.

So, if you have any interest in getting together over drinks, food or whatever, for a short tech demo, followed by massive and useful Q&A on all things blogging and podcasting, drop me a line at myword@welchwrite.com. The main goal is to get the information you need to take the next step with your blog or podcast.

While this meeting will be hosted in LA, there is nothing really stopping us from sending out a ustream.tv stream or a Talkshoe conference call to anyone else who wants to join in. Why not use some of these new tools to spread the word? (SMILE)

Let me know what you think!

Here are some possible points for discussion:

  • Blogger
  • Wordpress
  • TypePad
  • MySpace
  • RSS feeds
  • FeedBurner
  • Web Hosting
  • Libsyn
  • Flickr
  • Recording and Editing Audio and Video
  • Advertising
  • Categories
  • Technorati
  • Amazon Affiliates
  • CDBaby
  • Directories
  • iTunes and its Quirks
  • ...and much, much, more!


Read more: Previous "On Podcasting" posts

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Friday, April 20, 2007

Event: Model airplane workshop - April 20 and on-going

Model plan flying pictureModel airplane workshop

Contributed by: Encino Community Center on 2/26/2007

What: For ages 9 to 12 years; cost of this workshop is $10.

This workshop is a hands-on introduction to aviation principles using various types of model aircrafts. An understanding of the four opposing forces of thrust, drag, lift and weight will be discussed and applied, as well as, how these forces and gravity affect the stability of aircrafts. The last session will meet at the Apollo XI Model Airport. Instructed by a FAA certified flight instructor.

Where: 4935 Balboa Blvd. Encino
When: 4-5 p.m.

Event Dates: This event takes place every Friday from 4/13/2007 through 5/18/2007.

(Via ValleyNews)

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Monday, April 16, 2007

Become your own video broadcaster!

Have you ever wanted to become a broadcaster, sending your show out to tens or hundreds of people?

uStream.tv might just be the answer to your dreams. Using only your webcam, web browser and Flash plugin, you can be broadcasting to your friends, family or the world.

Here is a test run I gave the service with some of my fellow Friends in Tech members. It was done using only the built-in web cam on my laptop.



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Saturday, March 31, 2007

Foodie Q&A with Chef Joanna from BarCampLA-3

Chef Joanna.com Logo


Chef Joanna gives a great presentation about Foodie Issues, including cooking pans, utensils, knives and more.

You can find more information on Chef Joanna at http://chefjoanna.com

Listen to Foodie Q&A with Chef Joanna

Podtrac Player
Pop It At popcurrent.com

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Sunday, February 25, 2007

Project: Business Card Holder from Paint Chips

There are some mighty creative people out there, who can seem to turn almost anything into something useful. In this case, not only is it functional, it pretty as well. I'm going to try my hand at a few of these the next time I hit the home improvement store.
Business Card Holder

Here's a pattern for how to turn a paint chip into a lovely little business card holder. Simple and cute. Finally a use for the paint chips I snag here and there at Home Depot when the colors are just too pretty to leave. Go to the Design Verb blog for step by step instructions!

(Via Paper Forest.)
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Sunday, February 11, 2007

What I'm Reading....



Readymade is from the folks over at Readymade magazine, a great monthly available via subscription or on the newstand.



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Thursday, February 08, 2007

Elsewhere Online: Leonardo Romanelli's Pasta e Ceci: An Illustrated Recipe

I am always on the lookout for new recipes, especially for Italian food, since Rosanne is Siciliano. (SMILE) I love Italian food, too though, and soups especially so this recipes for Pasta and Ceci (Chickpea) Soup fits the bill nicely.

Even more, this recipe is illustrated, so you can easily follow along and make it yourself.

Leonardo Romanelli's Pasta e Ceci: An Illustrated Recipe

There are many variations on pasta e ceci, pasta and chickpea soup, and Leonardo's is both easy and quick, once you have the cooked chickpeas. In other words, it's a...

(Via Italian Cuisine.)

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Tuesday, February 06, 2007

On Podcasting: A Presentation to the IABC in Los Angeles, California

Photo of Douglas E. Welch by eecueThis edition of On Podcasting is a recording of my presentation to the IABC LA (International Association of Business Communicators, Los Angeles), including a very in-depth question and answer session.

Listen to the Presentation



Previous "On Podcasting" articles:
On Podcasting: Freedom
On Podcasting: Money, money, money
On Podcasting: Belkin TuneStudio
On Podcasting: 2 years ago in podcast history...
On Podcasting: It's just a hobby, right?
On Podcasting: Podcasting and Education Panel from the Expo Audio
On Podcasting: My Podcast Process
On Podcasting: GoDaddy.com - Web hosts that don't host
On Podcasting: The Why, How and What of Podcasting - from BarCampLA 2006 Audio/Video
On Podcasting: Talking to the "old" media
Douglas interviewed on The Red Fence Project Video
Douglas on YourLA Video
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Saturday, February 03, 2007

LA Info: Off to the E-Waste Drop-off We Go!



Randall Street S.A.F.E Collection Center
11025 Randall St. Sun Valley, CA 91352
Map and Info in PDF Format

Other S.A.F.E Centers



I finally got my act together this morning, gathered up all my eWaste, packed them into my Element and headed off to the industrial heartland of the San Fernando Valley -- Sun Valley. It is here that the City of Los Angeles has a permanent drop-off site for eWaste and Hazardous Waste.

The picture above shows the entrance to the location. They were unwilling to let me take photos within the drop-off itself.

The Collection Center was well-organized and not very busy at 1030 AM on a Saturday. Their hours of operation are Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays, 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Rain cancels the drop-off.

My load contained 3 old PCs, my venerable Apple LaserWriter Pro 600 that finally died after 15+ years of service, a bag of batteries, a fax machine and a computer monitor I no longer needed. I hate to throw anything away, but these PCs wouldn't even run one of the small Linux distributions anymore, so there wasn't much I could do. I have recycled one old PC myself as a office server and it works very well.

The flyer from the web site declares a 6-piece limit for the drop-off, but the staff didn't seem concerned with my, probably, 8-9 item total, when you included the small individual pieces. The staff was friendly and efficient. You don't even have to unload. Due to the hazardous waste that might be dropped off, you are requested to remain in your car during the process.

If you have old electronics lying around, remember, California State Law now declares that they must be disposed of properly and not simply thrown in the trash. Visit on of the permanent drop-off centers, or check the eWaste calendar for a scheduled drop-off in your area.

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Thursday, February 01, 2007

Old Book: The Jack of All Trades - FREE from Google Book Search

I love old books like this one mentioned in Make Magazine's blog, The Jack of All Trades. It takes us back to a simpler time when kids were allowed, even encouraged, to make things on their own. Sure, there is some anachronistic material within, but there are also some very cool ideas.

Even better, this book is available, in PDF format, directly from Google Book Search. Go take a look and let me know your favorite project.

The Jack of All Trades: fair weather ideas on Google Book search

Shawn writes - "This is a great book that is no longer in print that shows how to build everything from a log cabin to a wooden bugle. Even if you can't build some of the things in this book it still can flood the imagination with great ideas." - Link.

(Via MAKE: Blog.)
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