Renaissance Manfred

A mile wide and a mile deep

There’s a clever quip that says your (knowledge) is either a mile wide and an inch deep, or an inch wide and mile deep. Well, this is a blog about a person whose knowledge is both a mile wide and a mile deep. I know, who thought that could be possible?!?

Up until this point, my Dad didn’t ACTUALLY write these blog posts. I went back through old emails, conversations and fun events and pulled together a few interesting posts that sum up my dad — he loves to CREATE — whether that’s through cooking, woodworking, or spreading HAPPINESS.

Look back through the previous posts to get a sense for who my dad, Manfred, is. You’ll see photos of his crazy experiences while working abroad in Mexico, some images of his trip to Galapagos with my mom (his wife), Sheri, as well as links to interesting websites, product recommendations, and time tested recipes.

I HOPE he keeps posting in the future, but if not, I may do it for him. If nothing else, this blog will be a place that I can aggregate my dad’s much beloved advice on all things a mile wide and a mile deep.

Happy Birthday, Daddy

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This is one of the earliest pictures I have of myself. People always say that my grandson really looks like me. You be the judge…

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Warning: date() [function.date]: It is not safe to rely on the system's timezone settings. You are *required* to use the date.timezone setting or the date_default_timezone_set() function. In case you used any of those methods and you are still getting this warning, you most likely misspelled the timezone identifier. We selected 'America/New_York' for 'EST/-5.0/no DST' instead in /var/www/vhosts/renaissancemanfred.com/httpdocs/wp-includes/link-template.php on line 138

Warning: strtotime() [function.strtotime]: It is not safe to rely on the system's timezone settings. You are *required* to use the date.timezone setting or the date_default_timezone_set() function. In case you used any of those methods and you are still getting this warning, you most likely misspelled the timezone identifier. We selected 'America/New_York' for 'EST/-5.0/no DST' instead in /var/www/vhosts/renaissancemanfred.com/httpdocs/wp-includes/link-template.php on line 113

Warning: date() [function.date]: It is not safe to rely on the system's timezone settings. You are *required* to use the date.timezone setting or the date_default_timezone_set() function. In case you used any of those methods and you are still getting this warning, you most likely misspelled the timezone identifier. We selected 'America/New_York' for 'EST/-5.0/no DST' instead in /var/www/vhosts/renaissancemanfred.com/httpdocs/wp-includes/link-template.php on line 138

Warning: strtotime() [function.strtotime]: It is not safe to rely on the system's timezone settings. You are *required* to use the date.timezone setting or the date_default_timezone_set() function. In case you used any of those methods and you are still getting this warning, you most likely misspelled the timezone identifier. We selected 'America/New_York' for 'EST/-5.0/no DST' instead in /var/www/vhosts/renaissancemanfred.com/httpdocs/wp-includes/link-template.php on line 113

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Warning: strtotime() [function.strtotime]: It is not safe to rely on the system's timezone settings. You are *required* to use the date.timezone setting or the date_default_timezone_set() function. In case you used any of those methods and you are still getting this warning, you most likely misspelled the timezone identifier. We selected 'America/New_York' for 'EST/-5.0/no DST' instead in /var/www/vhosts/renaissancemanfred.com/httpdocs/wp-includes/link-template.php on line 113

Warning: date() [function.date]: It is not safe to rely on the system's timezone settings. You are *required* to use the date.timezone setting or the date_default_timezone_set() function. In case you used any of those methods and you are still getting this warning, you most likely misspelled the timezone identifier. We selected 'America/New_York' for 'EST/-5.0/no DST' instead in /var/www/vhosts/renaissancemanfred.com/httpdocs/wp-includes/link-template.php on line 138

Warning: strtotime() [function.strtotime]: It is not safe to rely on the system's timezone settings. You are *required* to use the date.timezone setting or the date_default_timezone_set() function. In case you used any of those methods and you are still getting this warning, you most likely misspelled the timezone identifier. We selected 'America/New_York' for 'EST/-5.0/no DST' instead in /var/www/vhosts/renaissancemanfred.com/httpdocs/wp-includes/link-template.php on line 113

Warning: date() [function.date]: It is not safe to rely on the system's timezone settings. You are *required* to use the date.timezone setting or the date_default_timezone_set() function. In case you used any of those methods and you are still getting this warning, you most likely misspelled the timezone identifier. We selected 'America/New_York' for 'EST/-5.0/no DST' instead in /var/www/vhosts/renaissancemanfred.com/httpdocs/wp-includes/link-template.php on line 138

Warning: strtotime() [function.strtotime]: It is not safe to rely on the system's timezone settings. You are *required* to use the date.timezone setting or the date_default_timezone_set() function. In case you used any of those methods and you are still getting this warning, you most likely misspelled the timezone identifier. We selected 'America/New_York' for 'EST/-5.0/no DST' instead in /var/www/vhosts/renaissancemanfred.com/httpdocs/wp-includes/link-template.php on line 113

Warning: date() [function.date]: It is not safe to rely on the system's timezone settings. You are *required* to use the date.timezone setting or the date_default_timezone_set() function. In case you used any of those methods and you are still getting this warning, you most likely misspelled the timezone identifier. We selected 'America/New_York' for 'EST/-5.0/no DST' instead in /var/www/vhosts/renaissancemanfred.com/httpdocs/wp-includes/link-template.php on line 138

Warning: strtotime() [function.strtotime]: It is not safe to rely on the system's timezone settings. You are *required* to use the date.timezone setting or the date_default_timezone_set() function. In case you used any of those methods and you are still getting this warning, you most likely misspelled the timezone identifier. We selected 'America/New_York' for 'EST/-5.0/no DST' instead in /var/www/vhosts/renaissancemanfred.com/httpdocs/wp-includes/link-template.php on line 113

Warning: date() [function.date]: It is not safe to rely on the system's timezone settings. You are *required* to use the date.timezone setting or the date_default_timezone_set() function. In case you used any of those methods and you are still getting this warning, you most likely misspelled the timezone identifier. We selected 'America/New_York' for 'EST/-5.0/no DST' instead in /var/www/vhosts/renaissancemanfred.com/httpdocs/wp-includes/link-template.php on line 138

Warning: strtotime() [function.strtotime]: It is not safe to rely on the system's timezone settings. You are *required* to use the date.timezone setting or the date_default_timezone_set() function. In case you used any of those methods and you are still getting this warning, you most likely misspelled the timezone identifier. We selected 'America/New_York' for 'EST/-5.0/no DST' instead in /var/www/vhosts/renaissancemanfred.com/httpdocs/wp-includes/link-template.php on line 113

Warning: date() [function.date]: It is not safe to rely on the system's timezone settings. You are *required* to use the date.timezone setting or the date_default_timezone_set() function. In case you used any of those methods and you are still getting this warning, you most likely misspelled the timezone identifier. We selected 'America/New_York' for 'EST/-5.0/no DST' instead in /var/www/vhosts/renaissancemanfred.com/httpdocs/wp-includes/link-template.php on line 138

Warning: strtotime() [function.strtotime]: It is not safe to rely on the system's timezone settings. You are *required* to use the date.timezone setting or the date_default_timezone_set() function. In case you used any of those methods and you are still getting this warning, you most likely misspelled the timezone identifier. We selected 'America/New_York' for 'EST/-5.0/no DST' instead in /var/www/vhosts/renaissancemanfred.com/httpdocs/wp-includes/link-template.php on line 113

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Warning: strtotime() [function.strtotime]: It is not safe to rely on the system's timezone settings. You are *required* to use the date.timezone setting or the date_default_timezone_set() function. In case you used any of those methods and you are still getting this warning, you most likely misspelled the timezone identifier. We selected 'America/New_York' for 'EST/-5.0/no DST' instead in /var/www/vhosts/renaissancemanfred.com/httpdocs/wp-includes/link-template.php on line 113

Warning: date() [function.date]: It is not safe to rely on the system's timezone settings. You are *required* to use the date.timezone setting or the date_default_timezone_set() function. In case you used any of those methods and you are still getting this warning, you most likely misspelled the timezone identifier. We selected 'America/New_York' for 'EST/-5.0/no DST' instead in /var/www/vhosts/renaissancemanfred.com/httpdocs/wp-includes/link-template.php on line 138

Warning: strtotime() [function.strtotime]: It is not safe to rely on the system's timezone settings. You are *required* to use the date.timezone setting or the date_default_timezone_set() function. In case you used any of those methods and you are still getting this warning, you most likely misspelled the timezone identifier. We selected 'America/New_York' for 'EST/-5.0/no DST' instead in /var/www/vhosts/renaissancemanfred.com/httpdocs/wp-includes/link-template.php on line 113

Warning: date() [function.date]: It is not safe to rely on the system's timezone settings. You are *required* to use the date.timezone setting or the date_default_timezone_set() function. In case you used any of those methods and you are still getting this warning, you most likely misspelled the timezone identifier. We selected 'America/New_York' for 'EST/-5.0/no DST' instead in /var/www/vhosts/renaissancemanfred.com/httpdocs/wp-includes/link-template.php on line 138

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My wife and I had the once in a lifetime opportunity to take a 10 day trip with Lindblad Expeditions to the Galapagos Islands. Lindblad Expeditions partners with National Geographic to offer tours of the most remote and untouched locations throughout the Earth.

Small ship expedition cruises to the Galapagos Islands are your opportunity to discover one-of-a-kind wildlife in a spectacular setting with a top-tier Expedition Team.

On board, guests interact with world-renowned scientists, naturalists and researchers and uncover stunning natural environments alongside skilled specialists utilizing state-of-the-art exploration tools.

Click here for information about the tour we took »

Photos from the trip

I came across this recipe at Williams-Sonoma while trying to find something to make with canned chipotle chilies in adobo. The first time around I used the recommended amount of chilies, which gave the dish very noticeable heat. Adjust the amount of chilies you use based on personal preferences.

Ingredients:
2 Tbs. fresh lime juice
1 Tbs. fresh orange juice
1 tsp. diced chipotle chili in adobo, plus 1 Tbs. adobo sauce
2 tsp. salt
1 garlic clove, minced
1/2 tsp. honey
1/4 cup plus 2 Tbs. olive oil
6 ears of corn, husks and silks removed
1 can (15 oz.) black beans, rinsed and drained
2 Tbs. chopped fresh cilantro, plus cilantro leaves for garnish
2 cups cherry or grape tomatoes, quartered
1/2 cup diced jicama
1/4 cup diced red onion

Directions:
In a bowl, whisk together the lime juice, orange juice, chipotle chili and adobo sauce, 1 tsp. of the salt, the garlic, honey and the 1/4 cup olive oil until smooth. Set the vinaigrette aside.

Prepare a hot fire in a grill or preheat a grill pan over high heat.

Rub the ears of corn with the 2 Tbs. olive oil and the remaining 1 tsp. salt. Grill the corn, turning occasionally, until charred in spots, 10 to 15 minutes. Transfer to a platter.

When the corn is cool enough to handle, remove the kernels from the cobs and place the kernels in a large bowl. Add the black beans, chopped cilantro, tomatoes, jicama, onion and vinaigrette and stir until well combined. Garnish with the cilantro leaves. Serve the salad at room temperature. Serves 6 to 8.

Warning: strtotime() [function.strtotime]: It is not safe to rely on the system's timezone settings. You are *required* to use the date.timezone setting or the date_default_timezone_set() function. In case you used any of those methods and you are still getting this warning, you most likely misspelled the timezone identifier. We selected 'America/New_York' for 'EST/-5.0/no DST' instead in /var/www/vhosts/renaissancemanfred.com/httpdocs/wp-includes/link-template.php on line 113

Warning: date() [function.date]: It is not safe to rely on the system's timezone settings. You are *required* to use the date.timezone setting or the date_default_timezone_set() function. In case you used any of those methods and you are still getting this warning, you most likely misspelled the timezone identifier. We selected 'America/New_York' for 'EST/-5.0/no DST' instead in /var/www/vhosts/renaissancemanfred.com/httpdocs/wp-includes/link-template.php on line 138

Warning: strtotime() [function.strtotime]: It is not safe to rely on the system's timezone settings. You are *required* to use the date.timezone setting or the date_default_timezone_set() function. In case you used any of those methods and you are still getting this warning, you most likely misspelled the timezone identifier. We selected 'America/New_York' for 'EST/-5.0/no DST' instead in /var/www/vhosts/renaissancemanfred.com/httpdocs/wp-includes/link-template.php on line 113

Warning: date() [function.date]: It is not safe to rely on the system's timezone settings. You are *required* to use the date.timezone setting or the date_default_timezone_set() function. In case you used any of those methods and you are still getting this warning, you most likely misspelled the timezone identifier. We selected 'America/New_York' for 'EST/-5.0/no DST' instead in /var/www/vhosts/renaissancemanfred.com/httpdocs/wp-includes/link-template.php on line 138

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Warning: date() [function.date]: It is not safe to rely on the system's timezone settings. You are *required* to use the date.timezone setting or the date_default_timezone_set() function. In case you used any of those methods and you are still getting this warning, you most likely misspelled the timezone identifier. We selected 'America/New_York' for 'EST/-5.0/no DST' instead in /var/www/vhosts/renaissancemanfred.com/httpdocs/wp-includes/link-template.php on line 138

Finally! The speakers are finished. All the little errors that creep in when you design and construct suddenly seem irrelevant when you listen to the system. This single driver design does some things better than any other speaker system.

To hear Eva Cassidy “Live at Blues Alley” on this system is to hear her for the first time. It will be hard to part with the speakers.