annzeepark914

Alas and alack...no Sprouts in Virginia. I'll just have to keep checking in on Whole Paycheck (geez--it's gotten even more expensive since amazon bought it--where are all the deals we were told to expect?) I really like their cilantro chicken sausage. Was just informed that there are 3 of these sausages in the back of the freezer (who knew?) So I'm defrosting them and will make Ina's Italian wedding soup on Sunday (which is a good day to make soup, right?) Happy weekend, everyone.

I preferred turnip greens but only the way they were cooked at the K & W Cafeteria in Raleigh. I'd squirt some fresh lemon on them and they were wonderful. Wouldn't dare try to make them myself, though (and yes, they were cooked to death but still delicious). Years ago I was at an association executives luncheon/mtg. At each table they had a rep from various hotels. One of the association folks said he never again wanted those green beans that weren't really cooked. He cut into one and it flew across the room. Loved that image and never forgot it (and it sure can happen!)

That's so funny, Giselle: cooked to death collards. Are you from the south? That's how they cook green beans and I love them that way (my family thinks I'm strange but I prefer my green beans southern style, with a bit of bacon or streak of lean for flavoring). I'm going to try this cast iron skillet chicken recipe but will use semi-deboned chicken breasts. Thanks for sharing.

That's a good idea...if I have any left over cause I can really get into them as soon as they come out of the oven (have to really watch my greedy hungry self at this point). I know those Ramen soups are not so healthy but I keep some packages in the pantry for those nights when I just don't feel like cooking. I could pop 2 or 3 of the left over chicken sausage meatballs in the Ramen chicken soup. I like to get the cilantro chicken sausages at Whole Foods and freeze some extras cause they don't always have them in the case. Thank God the weather changed over night here cause it's now really Soup Time!!!

It's those chicken sausage meatballs that won me over. Great recipe!!

I sure do miss having the laundry room on the second floor (had that in our previous house). Back to LIoLI...they sure are staying in NC a long time. I figured they'd do a few years there and then move to another state but it seems they're going back and forth between Raleigh & Durham. I don't like the shows in which one of the spouses grumpily tours the houses with David and makes snide remarks about it not being as great as the old mess of a house that Hilary's trying to fix up. It's not very often these people "list it" but when they do, I'm happy. Their homes are always, IMO, very unappealing. Someone upthread mentioned the woman who bought her grandma's old house. I couldn't stand her whininess and felt sorry for her husband. Hilary did do a decent job redoing the house so that poor hubby could finally feel "at home" there. Re: Hilary's crew finding surprises (leaking foundations, crumbling foundations, asbestos, ghosts, etc)...there were a few shows in which they had the house checked out ahead of time so they knew what they were getting in to. But now they're back to "Hilary...I need to show you something" which is so annoying.

We're grilling burgers & brats. Also having an old fashioned pasta salad using elbow macaroni (would that be considered comfort food?), baked beans, & a tossed salad--50's food :>)

A weasel walks into a bar. The bartender looks up and says, "Wow! In all my years of tending bar, I've never had a weasel stop by. What can I get you?" "Pop," goes the weasel.

ButterQueen: Thank you! I needed that right now.

I'm hooked on TJ's Arrabbiatta marinara. It doesn't have that "jarred marinara" taste at all. Reminds me of the marinaras Italian American neighbors would cook. Just don't add dried red pepper flakes to it until you've tasted it. It's got a teeny bit of warmth to it (but if I can handle it, I think almost anyone can!!) Good job, QUOF!!

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!