THIS NEW YEAR’S EVE will be the third anniversary of the death of the great Jazz Clarinetist, Artie Shaw, who was also one of the finest composers during the Big Band Era, and who was reported to love Bagels with a passion. A handsome lady’s man, he was married eight times. His wives included  Ava Gardner, Lana Turner and Evelyn Keyes.   Artie was written up by L.A.Times Jazz Critic Don Heckman as having produced some of the most extraordinary music of the 20th Century. Shaw was born in New York, grew up in  Connecticut and was made very shy by anti-semitism. His many hits included “Begin the Beguine,” “Frenesi,” “Stardust,” and “Rosalie.” Numerous others.   He hired the great Billie Holiday as his singer, but she could not remain with him more than a year due to the Southern  crowds that created great hostility for her. ~ 

Physics and music are Jonathan J.’s favorite subject, but when it comes to eating, he just can’t get enough latkes!  When his college friends heard about this, they made him consent to his preparing a latke meal for them as well.    So Jonathan went shopping and returned with 10 lbs. of potatoes and 5 lbs of Yams.  The yams, however, did not quite make it, but the Freshman got out his grater, cooking oil and  iron skillets!  He grated and grated and grated!    And he fried latkes like there was no tomorrow!  Yup!  He fried and fried and fried!!!  His 50 or more  friends ate Latkes to their hearts’ content! 

When I looked at a can of sliced pineapple on my pantry shelf, I thought wow, we could dry off a slice and how nicely it would fit over the Cream Cheese on a Bagel, right?  And how about a Maraschino cherry in the center — now that’s as pretty as a picture!

“BY THE SEA, BY THE SEA, BY THE BEAUTIFUL SEA”

We’ll eat Bagels and Latkes, How Happy We’ll Be,We’ll be Beside the Sea, the Sea-side beside the sea, The Seaside, By the Beautiful Sea!~   (So loverly!  Should be sung to the  19th Century New Jersey tune, “By the Seaside.”)

Bagel Busting and Latke Lusting

“Belly Dancers and Bagels! But no Lox, cuz we Don’t Have Cream Cheese!”

“Thanks for visiting our Lisserina-Mariana Blog.  We’re here to make you feel happy, even if it takes two dozen bagels, a Challah and a hundred balls of Gefilte Fish!   So what can happen?  You’ll gain some weight, that’s all. And what’s another 20-40 lbs among friends?  Right?   Of COURSE, right!”

OR, “HOW TO BELLYDANCE, TANGO AND EAT LATKES AT THE SAME TIME! EVERYONE INVITED TO SEE THIS MAGIC SHOW! IF YOU DON’T BELIEVE THIS, THEN IT’S ‘NO SOUP’ FOR YOU! OUR SOUP KITCH IS ONLY FOR ACCOMPLISHED BELLY DANCERS! – Savvy?? We know, cuz we’ve been to Casablanca and Tangiers….and all you guys gotta remember to put away your cameras. (No “shooting pix” of belly-dancers! No pix of ANYONE there! Right? Of course, right!

Sign up for a course on, “HOW TO GROW PEANUTS AT THE SEA” (Caribbean, Black, Red, Med., whichever) AND THEN MAKE PEANUT BUTTER! — (providing we get assistance by Pres. Jimmy Carter ? or maybe Laura Scudder? Willy Wonka and Seinfeld)

So until then, thank you for visiting us!