So...whats for dinner?

Carole and Susan - I like selected things at TJs. I don't buy the frozen stuff, too pricey. I do like the choc. covered ginger. I was eating the graham crackers but I like Nabisco in the red box just the same. Figs are really hard to get here. I buy some cheese there but it does seem to go bad quicker. MinusTwo - I've had the jelly candies. They are yummy and I don't usually like things like that. Haven't tried the Peppermint Green Tea.

I didn't go since I had to wait for a UPS delivery that came after DH got home, of course. DH got my figs at Sprouts but they are softer than I've been getting. Will have to watch them and maybe freeze some somehow.

Carole - meals sound stupendous. Makes me hungry to read them. We had deli pot pies - not so exciting. I either bought the froz. dumplings somewhere else or my store has quit carrying them which is a good probability.  I need to get the carcasses out of the freezer so guess I will process and freeze broth/meat until I find the dumplings again.

Today we went out for a FISH Fry. I love the Germans Potato salad. My husband loves the potato pancakes with them. After that we took in the Summer Theater production of Young Frankenstein.  It was pretty good. Some awesome talents from around here. They did warn people it wasn't for little kids though. Um. Yeah. LOL

Lacey - I hear your concern. I will admit yes I'm a soap addict of sorts. I won't stay home to watch but my Y&R is on if I'm home. How do you explain to a young actress (maybe 5) that her character is going to be run over and die? I don't know Miss Saigon but can guess at violence in it. Maybe the child is in a professional acting class/group. I don't know, just throwing out questions. Never had to face that with my DD. Do you think child "grew up" in theatre and knows the difference between play/real. I remember child develop. some from nursing and that it's a much later age than most people think b4 real/imaginary is delineated.

Monica - Young Frankenstein on the stage. Bet it was hilarious. That was one of the 1st movies I actually went back to see again in theater. I think I went with group of friends and the DH b4 he was DH and I went. Not for little people in scary or the double entendre - wink wink. I love DVDs because I run the closed captioned to see the little parts I've missed.

ReRun of deli pot pie (last one) with some frozen Brussels sprouts. About 100 here now. Just took goaties cool water. No idea what I will do tomorrow. DH working so no pressure.

Nancy I'm coming right over. Probably take me16 hours or so if I leave now.

You've given me new insights into TJs shopping. I love their flowers but am never headed home right afterwards. I walked into the rec room of the assisted living center across the street from the Ft Worth TJs and exclaimed "where did all the flowers come from". They were the rejects/getting too old flowers - and not so bad looking - from TJs. Kinda gave me a soft spot for them. I forgot about the windmill cookies. I wish I could keep them around here but I have little willpower. That is something Texans just don't have (windmill cookies and for that matter willpower too) - well might down towards New Braunfels

I have not tried their pizza dough. That again is something except for Pillsbury canned stuff (not) you cannot find fresh. I've heard about asking pizza places but we're down to Mr. Jims and don't think they would be inclined to sell it unmade. I just use a thin crust Boboli.

Carole - thanks, yes my son is a neat kid, although at 44 not really a kid.  He was a 'geek' or a 'nerd' growing up and is still very responsible.  We have a wonderful time together for about 3 days, then we need some distance.  Both of us want to be too much in control. Mother definitely does not always know best anymore.  And he's right too!!!

Luv - funny about stores.  When we moved to Texas and got my first "check cashing card" at Randalls, (back in the days when women were only "MRS" and couldn't get a credit card in their own name even if we worked) they ask me why I hadn't listed my husband's name for a card too.  I told them if they ever saw him in the store it would mean I was dead, so send the cops.  I don't remember him ever going in a grocery store.  Seriously, he wouldn't even stop for milk - he didn't drink it so it wasn't important.  And anyway - it was "my job".

Maybe we mellow as we age??

Okay. With these items on a list, I will try Trader Joe's one more time. Thank goodness I can go during off-times. One TJ business rule seems to be "only locate stores without enough parking." Those volvos are fearsome in those parking lots!

Dinner was grilled swordfish off the boat this morning,  a mango salsa, and a fresh ear of corn. You know, sometimes, a piece of fish is just perfect. This one was one of those. I feel so lucky to have so many wonderful food options right in my backyard.

*susan*

Susan - that was one reason I was fearful for DH going there. He drives a truck, not the behemoth some Texans drive but his level of frustration would probably not be worth the price of my figs - if you get my drift. Ours sits with another NH behind it. They were irate at the parking mess. I've seen people park across the street in the Specs (wine/liquor) lot. I don't think they mind so much and they might benefit from it actually. It's not a street I would want to cross on foot even mid morning weekdays.

Sprouts took 1/2 of an old Albertsons; BuyBabyBuy took the other 1/2. OK parking but look what it started with. I fear for the Fresh Market coming prob. I think in the fall. I cannot picture where there is enough places to park in it and it's in expanding development. It's on a road I don't drive down much esp. this time of year. It goes by the zoo - talk about traffic esp. 10 am when it opens. I might have to venture over there next time I'm in town.

Oh Nancy you would love it. It's huge but there are pass thru's to skip areas you know you won't shop. Wonderful deli/dinner counter. Bread - they had fig/nutella the last time I was there. I skipped it; sounded good but looked gooey. I bet on your way to ?Galveston you would find one. They will slice anything even the "baby" loaves I like. BUT I do have to watch my spending there. It is sooo easy to overdo. I used to buy lunch there occasionally in the deli. I can say that Brookshires has fresh parsley - may be soaked from the spray but they have it.

Nance, thanks for the more thorough review of TJ's offerings. I had totally forgotten about their flowers which I do appreciate. And the triple ginger cookies....be still my heart!! The TJs in my town does not offer alcohol, but I've had their (then) two buck chuck in the past and it was quite passable. These days I don't drink much, so not having alcohol in TJs is fine.

So I did call the theatre this morning and spoke to a woman in charge who "appreciated my call and concern for the boy" (who I learned was 4 yrs old!), but tried to assure me that his parents are supportive of his doing this (right, everybody wants a child star) and tried to explain to me that he would quickly forget the traumatic scenes in which he participated.  Obviously, she knows nothing about child development,  the human psyche, and the latest research on how the brain may not remember, but the body holds traumatic memories. Oy! I educated her on this since I was not convinced that she had a clue about what was right for this little "actor". Not sure what else I can do. I would like this theatre group to succeed, but certainly not at the expense of a child's well-being. I hope she will think seriously about making some changes on his behalf. 

This afternoon, we went to the local farmer's market which was pretty paltry, with more craft tables than produce  offerings. One woman was selling some great wheat sprout bread loaves tho and we bought two, a regular and a raisin loaf. Love raisin bread. 

Tonight we "dined" at a local spot we learned about from some neighbors at the beach, which featured pretty good lobster rolls and lots of fresh fried fish. We shared a mega lobster roll and a plate of fried oysters with cole slaw and french fries. That's a lotta calories and fried food for me!! What am I doing??!!

I awoke today with a sore throat and headache, so maybe my food choices have to do with a need for comfort food. Am hoping to chase the bug fast so I don't bring it to my friend on Martha's Vineyard on Tuesday.

Appropo of the DH and food store chat, my DH has gotten much better at going food shopping albeit with a small list! And he actually does seem to enjoy going together....now if that could progress to more competence in the kitchen!

I, too, was bewildered by NH!  DH has a 1-ton truck (doolie, which means double tires on each side of the back).  It takes a lot of room for parking and maneuvering.  I was trying to imagine what an NH on the rear of a truck was! 

Our Fresh Market happens to be situated in a shopping center that isn't terribly busy.  It has ample parking.  It's a small store but does a lot of business. 

Aw, Nancy!  Now I'm TJ deprived AGAIN!!! 

The fresh beets and cucumber salad last night was delish.  No dressing other than a sprinkling of white balsamic.  Green beans and new potatoes just as good.  Also enjoyed the Canadian walleye lightly dusted with flour and cooked in butter.  But will go back to my oldtime method of panfrying fish next time.  No flour and a mixture of a little EVOO and butter. 

Instead of the brats for dinner tonight, will have barbecued chicken thighs.  I'll pre-cook them until almost done (either microwave or stovetop) and then have dh finish them on the grill with barbecue sauce.  Found chicken without the antibiotics yesterday.  Usually buy those at Fresh Mkt. at home but the regular supermarkets are selling them now.

Gloomy day today.  Plan to load up the laundry and go to the Laundromat in town. 

beet and cucumber?  Sounds great. I happen to have both in the fridge.... thanks Carole! 

I notice that our only TJ is about a half hour away and has a very small parking lot. And even with a handicap permit those spaces are always filled up. So i rarely go alone. Only if I can be dropped off. Whole foods is 45 min away. But there is a Sendiks just a couple minutes away. I go there. Kinda a smaller high end grocer. Hormone Free, organic. House made soups. Great veggies. Expensive but since I buy for myself not too bad. When my DH is home we usually go out to eat at least one night and one breakfast so don't cook much. LOL.  This weekend was our block party. I took Rice Crispie squares and chips and salsa. There's always enough food and it's bring your own meat. So bunch of different salads and many desserts. The lemon cake with lemon filling with whipped cream was my favorite.  The Rice Crispie squares were almost gone, eaten by the kids before we had even put on the hamburgers. LOL.  Absolutely no redeeming value but addictive so I only make them if I can take them out of the house. The healthy version is out of multi grain cereal, nuts, sunflower seeds, and choc chips and uses only 4 tbls butter for the 9 X 12 in pan. . But those are even worse. You can't stop eating them. LOL. Today it rained in the early am. Then sun. Then thunderstorm. Now sun again. LOL.  Fun. 

Much love to all. 

Because I have an abundance of tomatoes and peppers, tonight is stuffed peppers.  Stuffing is made up of summer vegetables, Brown rice and cheese. Side will be sauteed squash, zukes, peppers onions, garlic topped with fresh basil and a sprinkling of parm.

Hello all - back from the east coast of FL, definitely "styled" in the caddy - very comfy, but lots of bells and whistles that were hard to figure out while trying to drive!  I have very simple needs when it comes to vehicles - weirdly, seat heaters and some good AC - which I use together to help my poor degenerated disks and hot flashes simultaneously.  This car had both, so yay!  The drive of folks from Boynton to Miami was event free and DH (in a Buick Enclave with his older passengers) drove like a sane man for once so I could follow him and all arrive en masse.  The services went well and everyone seemed happy with the reception.  The reception was catered, supplied by the private school where our friend worked for more than 40 years, but I was unimpressed.  The older folks were very excited that there was food left they could take home!  I had issues with the flowers I ordered, so the florist and FTD, will be getting a phone call tomorrow.  Funny part - there was an arrangement on a tripod stand that was supposed to go to the chapel - was delivered to the cemetery instead (part of my pone call tomorrow - also had the wrong flowers) and the workers put it on the stand upside down, but we didn't really notice - too many others things to worry about at that moment.  We brought it to the chapel with us and my DD and BIL and I were looking at it just prior to the service and we realized it didn't look right - DD went up and took it off the tripod, turned it around and put it back on correctly!  We did some work this morning in the condo in prep to get it cleaned out, and we are finally home.  Will be sleeping well tonight - poor DH is exhausted and kind of dreading what awaits at work tomorrow after being gone for so long.  Thank you all for your positive thoughts and support - it means a lot.

eric - thanks for the condolences, expressing that is just perfect, no worries.

Special they delivered it to the cemetery because it got to the service to late and by taking it to the cemetery they can now say delivered on time. Glad it went well though. And when I worked 40 minutes away from home I used the seat heater for my back with the air on too. As long as it works for you! 

Eric, I think everyone wonders what to say. I know when my folks died I was just glad people acknowledged it someway. 

Deb My tomatoes are putting out a couple of cherry tomatoes every day. Just a few. But at least there are some. The parsley sage and basil are going great. However both lemon thyme and German thyme died. That's the extent of my herb garden LOL.  Just one big pot. 

Nance, I love stuffed pepper soup. Not just stuffed pepper though. Maybe too much rice. LOL

Much love to all.