annzeepark914

Curried shrimp on basmati rice.

We had grilled portobello mushrooms (but grilled inside due to the never-ending rain)...and steamed asparagus.

Nah...your question was ok . Bouillabaise--that's the word I was trying to think of but only came up with cioppino which is a San Francisco version of bouillabaise. I do that too...find a recipe but not like a key part of it and then hunt around for another way to make it. You are so right about those NYT's recipe reviews. They're so much fun to read!

Hmmm...if you don't like pastry, I wouldn't bother with this recipe but try to find something else that uses all those good ingredients you have. Have you ever made her seafood stew? I watched her make it (but have never tried making it myself). Maybe it's like cioppino (now THAT would be delicious...with some slices of a baguette grilled, and a glass of chardonnay...starting to drool here!)

That's the only reason I've been able to come up with--cheaper labor & discounts from those businesses & artisans they frequent (and visit on camera which is great advertising). And, of course, the owners who have piles of old lumber in their yards or barns that the crew is told they can use. I've been thinking of them lately, wondering if they're now scurrying to finish up the camps before it starts snowing (we've certainly seen that happen!)

I'm amazed at all they can do for the usual $30,000 that folks give them to renovate some very crummy looking summer homes--esp when they find all the rot and termites, carpenter ants, leaks, etc. But they always do a great job and Ashley is a whiz at creating unique artworks that mean a lot to the clients. I've gone to their Facebook page. These are the nicest people. Hurry up MCM and return!!!!!

The gardens of the Rodin museum were the highlight of my trip to Paris in 2015. I first went on my birthday (husband was off at the Louvre which is too big for me). It was a rainy day so hardly anyone was in the gardens and I had the place to myself. First I had lunch in a very pretty cafe in the garden. Then, popped open my umbrella and had a wonderful time touring. The tour at night on the Seine was a disappointment - too many people crammed in and hard to take in all the sights. But seeing the Eiffel Tower at 9 PM when the lights started twinkling? Wow! Loved it. If you don't like heights, do not go up, though. I made that mistake and had to shuffle very nervously to the down elevator (and we were not at the top either but this level just has a minimal railing going around). I recommend Cafe Therese not far from the Eiffel Tower (their roast chicken and whipped potatoes may sound prosaic but I haven't forgotten how Heavenly those whipped potatoes tasted!)

Smothered Chicken, a recipe I found on someone's facebook page. Don't think I'll make it again. And here I ordered several boxes from Amazon of Lipton's Recipe Secrets Savory Herb with Garlic (which the recipe called for and I could not find in any nearby supermarkets). The dish was ok and had few ingredients so it wasn't a lot of work ~sigh~ On a positive note...I think it won't be raining tomorrow so maybe the soil will dry out a bit.

The chicken and shrimp fajitas sound so good. I like fajitas w/o the flour tortillas. I've got beef stew cooking away in the Dutch oven. Will have green beans on the side and today I bought, for the first time, a Biltmore House vanilla bean cheesecake at Harris Teeter. I had a slice for "lunch" and it was incredibly delicious. Very vanilla-y and not heavy (some cheesecakes can feel like a lead balloon after you eat a slice). It comes already sliced which is great. This cheesecake would be good enough to serve company (with some macerated strawberries drizzled on top).

I just finished reading this article and am stunned. What a creep. Good riddance, Les Moonves.

While I was watching the "must have basketball court" episode, all I could think of was the current neighbors (when these homeowners build their stupid court in the backyard) or the future neighbors (who have no idea what irritation is coming to their peaceful neighborhood). There's no way I'd tolerate a basketball court next to my home. The constant dribbling would drive me crazy. I enjoy watching this show as I like to see what Hilary can do and I also like to see what the new houses are offering today. I don't care if any decisions have already been made. The only thing I dislike is the attitude of the spouse who wants to stay and the snippy comments made about the new houses. It gets very irritating. And I find myself always hoping they'll "list it!"

Their music and choreography were very good. Loved the hydroblading. I just really got caught up in this team's presence on the ice. And because they're siblings, we didn't have to see all that steamy passion that certain teams love to overemote. Thanks to SeanC for the link.

Take care, Mindthinkr and everyone else in the path of Florence.

I've given up on tomatoes. They've (big farmers and little farmers) bred the taste out of them, IMO (but campari and Roma are still pretty tasty). My 2 favorite sandwiches are rotisserie chicken slices on toasted sourdough, and bacon on any kind of toast (hold the tomato and lettuce, please).

Is anyone else bothered by Chuck Todd frequently clapping his hands? It's getting on my last nerve. Something tells me he's trying not to do it (maybe people complained?) and then he forgets. When he gets going w/ the clapping, I switch over to CNN. But I must say that during these interesting times, I'm sure glad to have MSNBC and CNN. MSNBC seems to have cut back on those prison shows on the weekend, thank goodness. Too much to cover today!

Ina's eggplant gratin (with the volume turned up thanks to extra seasoning) and a tossed salad.

I haven't been to Olive Garden in a long time but honestly, they make the best Eggplant Parmigiana (better than a lot of Italian restaurants IMO). The eggplant is crispy and good. The marinara is delicious. Hope it's still as good as it used to be. My husband likes that Tuscany soup (not sure if that's the name but it's a potato soup with sausage in it - it's very tasty). I think we need to go back and see if these items are still as good as I recall!

I've made crabcakes using canned lump crabmeat with a little panko, etc., in them. They're not too bad (but can be difficult keeping them together while I saute them). Sure, not as great as fresh crabmeat but that's so expensive around here.

I recently tried Luigi's Italian Ice, lemon flavor. It's really good. Bought it at Harris Teeter but I think it's sold at other supermarkets. I'd never had Italian ice before so it was a nice surprise. The texture is very smooth and the lemon flavor is tart enough so that it isn't OTT sweet.

Thanks, MONDRIANYONE; I had no idea Jiffy had a mix. I'll give it a try. Maybe I'll get real brave and make your recipe from scratch!

Leftovers from last night's supper of grilled portobello mushroom sandwiches and leftover Michigan Blueberry Pie (I'm no baker so I used Pillsbury Piecrust which isn't all that great so next time I make this it will be Michigan Blueberry Crisp!!)

That was really a shame cause they looked so much like (their real mom) Julia and "aunt" Suzanne/Delta Burke (which was amazing because they aren't related). You'd think the offspring of two wonderful actors, Hal Holbrooke & Dixie Carter, would have some great acting skills...but I guess not.

That potato gratin was out of this world! But it made a LOT so tomorrow night I'll heat up the massive leftovers & serve with a salad. It would be nice to eat potato gratin every day ;>)

I love P F Chang's chicken fried rice! It has that hint of sesame flavor that's so good. Tonight's dinner is a marinated pork tenderloin (Wishbone Dressing's House Italian + Turkish Seasoning), Gruyere potato gratin, baked Parmesan tomatoes, & maybe a salad--hopefully eaten on the deck...first time since late May that the weather has been decent.