The Kitchen, super deluxe Version VI

New kitchen!

Last thread :

http://www.librarything.com/topic/88888

*starts a new pot o' coffee*

*puts some water on for tea*

*breaks out some cookies*

There. Now I think we're ready to go. 8^}

DrN! Nice work..

Puts out basket of fresh scones...and a plate of sandwiches.

Oh good... I'm very hungry and was just about to break for lunch anyway!

*takes sandwich*

Mmm! Thanks!

I've brought the clotted cream, and a shrimp plate with extra cocktail sauce!

*opens a nice bottle of Napa Valley Cabernet and put out a tray of cheese and crackers*

Tea, fresh scones, and clotted cream . . . oh, heaven!

Can I please have some of that Napa Cab to go with the Butterscotch pound cake I brought?

Interesting pairing. Be my guest!

#8: I will take a cuppa! Thanks a lot, Elizabeth.

>7 mamzel: and I'd like a glass, please. Thank you!

I just reviewed a wonderful mystery that was introduced to me by the horrible Karen/karenmarie, may she be afflicted with boils, called A Test of Wills. It's in my thread, post #178, and it's only fair that others get caught in the net of this fascinating series character Ian Rutledge...or does his shell-shock-symptom voice, Hamish MacLeod, count as a character too...hmmm

I have a copy of Fludd that I am giving away. I am hoping someone will enjoy it more than I did. The book has slight water damage to it, but not at the expense of the text. Anyone interested, PM me. First come, first served!

The book has been claimed.

JessicaLouise had this fun questionnaire posted on her thread, so I am borrowing it:

Do you snack while you read? If so, favourite reading snack? No.

What is your favourite drink while reading?
I drink either hot tea or flavored seltzer water. I have recently given up my beloved Diet Pepsi.

Do you tend to mark your books as you read, or does the idea of writing in books horrify you? If a book belongs to the library, decidedly no. If it is one of my own, it is a distinct possibility that I have written in it.

How do you keep your place while reading a book? Bookmark? Dog-ear? Laying the book flat open? I buy bookmarks by the hundreds, lose them, and then end up using the little hold slips I get from my local library.

Fiction, non-fiction or Both?
Both. I try and read at least 100 nonfiction books a year.

Are you a person who tends to read to the end of a chapter, or can you stop anywhere?
I try and make it to the natural breaks in the book. The exceptions to that would be my 'by-the-bed' books that I read as I am going to sleep. Sometimes I am too tired to make it to the chapter breaks.

Are you the type of person to throw a book across the room or on the floor if the author irritates you?
Two words: The Shack

If you come across an unfamiliar word, do you stop and look it up right away?
Yes, although I will go back and re-read to put the word in context.

What are you currently reading?
I am finishing up the group read of Norwegian Wood at the moment.

What is the last book you bought?
I bought one from Ellie's book shop, Book End, called Seven Summits.

Are you the type of person that reads one book at a time, or can you read more than one?
I read multiple books at a time all the time.

Do you have a favourite time/place to read?
I read in front of my computer the majority of the time, but my favorite place to read is the big, overstuffed chair in my living room.

Do you prefer series books or stand-alones?
I like series books a lot, so I would go with those. I like to see characters grow over the course of a series.

Is there a specific book or author you find yourself recommending over and over?
Yes.

How do you organise your books? (by genre, title, author's last name etc)
My books are totally unorganized at the moment - unless stacks count?

(posted to my thread too)

Well, I just love me a book-related questionnaire!

Do you snack while you read? If so, favourite reading snack? I read when I'm eating, so it's more the other way around.

What is your favourite drink while reading?
Coffee, tea (both hot and iced), diet soda, or water. But tea is the best.

Do you tend to mark your books as you read, or does the idea of writing in books horrify you? I'm one of those who is horrified by marking up books. Also dog-ears. I wouldn't crease spines if I could help it.

How do you keep your place while reading a book? Bookmark? Dog-ear? Laying the book flat open? I collect bookmarks and keep them in a big plastic cup. If one isn't within reach I'll use anything that is--a piece of mail, the TV remote, the computer mouse--till I can get one.

Fiction, non-fiction or Both?
Both, but with a decided preference for lots of fiction.

Are you a person who tends to read to the end of a chapter, or can you stop anywhere?
I usually try to get to the end of a chapter but there a plenty of times I don't.

Are you the type of person to throw a book across the room or on the floor if the author irritates you?
No, but I once threw a book away because I thought it was too foul for others to read (Red Dragon by Thomas Harris).

If you come across an unfamiliar word, do you stop and look it up right away?
Not usually--mostly I can figure out the sense from the context.

What are you currently reading?
Three books: a very overdue ER book, Mr. White's Confession; Malice Poetic; and The 13th Juror. It's unusual that they are all mysteries--generally I like to read different genres at the same time to keep things straight.

What is the last book you bought?
The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest--most books I get through BookMooch or the library, but I had to have this one immediately.

Are you the type of person that reads one book at a time, or can you read more than one?
Usually two or three going at a time.

Do you have a favourite time/place to read?
Anytime, and almost always before bed/in bed; my favorite places include my big rocker/recliner in my living room, my bathroom, and a restaurant where people can bring me things and I can just enjoy reading and eating.

Do you prefer series books or stand-alones?
I like both.

Is there a specific book or author you find yourself recommending over and over?
Yes--favorite authors, such as Jane Austen or C. J. Cherryh; most recently, the Stieg Larsson trilogy.

How do you organise your books? (by genre, title, author's last name etc)
LT made me separate TBR books from the rest, which are more or less by genre (mystery, sci fi/fantasy, general fiction). They will be by genre and then alpha by author someday, probably after I move. Whenever that is.

Quote for the day from The Siege by Helen Dunmore:

"Marina sighs, knitting up her face into lines. She's been trying to read, but her eyesight hasn't been so good these past few weeks. She ought to have reading-glasses, if they can be obtained. Her eyes tire quickly, and the lines of print fizz and dazzle. I am turning into an old woman, she thinks. The thought of not being able to read frightens her so much that she pushes it straight out of her mind."

The thought of not being able to read frightens me too!

(posted to the Kitchen as well)

>17 alcottacre: That's why I don't listen to audio books now. I'm saving them, just in case.

#18: I do listen to audiobooks on occasion (although not as many as I used to), but I understand the reasoning. I have been stockpiling them too.

OK, I'll try the questionnaire:

Do you snack while you read? If so, favourite reading snack?
Too often! But no particular favorite snack.

What is your favourite drink while reading?
I like a nice cup of tea or a Coke Zero.

Do you tend to mark your books as you read, or does the idea of writing in books horrify you?
If the book is mine, I may mark particular passages that touch me or that I may want to refer to again.

How do you keep your place while reading a book? Bookmark? Dog-ear? Laying the book flat open?
I have a pile of bookmarks in the drawer next to my favorite reading chair.

Fiction, non-fiction or Both?
Both. I try to have at least one of each in progress at a time.

Are you a person who tends to read to the end of a chapter, or can you stop anywhere?
I like to read to ends of chapters, or at least to clear breaks within chapters. But my life doesn't always allow that.

Are you the type of person to throw a book across the room or on the floor if the author irritates you?
Not really.

If you come across an unfamiliar word, do you stop and look it up right away?
Not usually. I tend to rely on context if I can, and note to double-check later.

What are you currently reading?
Moby Dick (group read), Anna Karanina (group read), When the Mississippi Ran Backwards (for yet another group read), Grace, Eventually by Anne Lamott, and I just started Too Easy (Depoy) by Philip Depoy

What is the last book you bought?
Hmmm.... I think it was Ghosts of New York by Susan Blackhall, which I found at Ollies Discount Outlet.

Are you the type of person that reads one book at a time, or can you read more than one?
More than one! At least a fiction and a non-fiction.

Do you have a favourite time/place to read?
I have a favorite comfy chair in the living room. The front porch swing is nice, too.

Do you prefer series books or stand-alones?
Both equally. Sometimes series drive me crazy, trying to keep up with them or get them read in order.

Is there a specific book or author you find yourself recommending over and over?
Not particularly. (Except for the Bible!)

How do you organise your books? (by genre, title, author's last name etc)
I have an area for fiction (alphabetical by author), an area for my son's books, an area for general non-fiction, then there are certain subjects in non-fiction where I have collections put together.

Quote for the day from Cranford by Elizabeth Gaskell:

"The rest of the pretty sitting-room - looking into the orchard, and all covered over with dancing tree-shadows - was filled with books. They lay on the ground, they covered the walls, they strewed the table. He was evidently half ashamed and half proud of his extravagance in this respect. They were all kinds - poetry and wild weird tales prevailing. He evidently chose books in accordance with his own tastes, not because such and such were classical, or established favourites."

I wish Gaskell had given the titles of the 'wild weird tales!'

(posted to my thread too)

Okay, this is weird--I just referenced Cranford in another thread, though it was the miniseries. Have you seen that, Stasia? If not, I highly recommend it after reading the book--the miniseries actually combines the story with others by Gaskell, but it works wonderfully well.

#22: Yes, I did see the miniseries. I watched it on PBS' website since I do not get that station.

Stasia
I love these quotes you post.

It is a rainy, overcast NE Pennsylvania Sunday. A good day to stay in the pjs and read. I baked blueberry muffins and now have a hot cup of tea. Simon the sheltie is at my side. I'm in heaven!

I'll give the questionnaire a try:

Do you snack while you read? If so, favourite reading snack?
Usually not but occassionally, cookies!

What is your favourite drink while reading?
Summer - water , Winter - hot chocolate

Do you tend to mark your books as you read, or does the idea of writing in books horrify you?
I usually have a pad of paper nearby so if I want to make notes I use that or stickies.

How do you keep your place while reading a book? Bookmark? Dog-ear? Laying the book flat open?
I have the most wonderful bookmarks that never fall out - ever since I got them, I've never lost my place.

Fiction, non-fiction or Both?
Before LT, I would have said Fiction, now I read anything except SCIFI.

Are you a person who tends to read to the end of a chapter, or can you stop anywhere?
I like to stop with chapter breaks but when the chapters are long, I'll stop in the middle.

Are you the type of person to throw a book across the room or on the floor if the author irritates you?
Definitely not, just drop it onto the donation pile and forget it.

If you come across an unfamiliar word, do you stop and look it up right away?
Not usually. If I can't figure it out from the context, then I'll click a few links and get an answer.

What are you currently reading?
Impending Crisis - Civil War prep 600+ pages
Her Fearful Symmetry - group read
God of the Hive - ER Book
Last Olympian - fun read

What is the last book you bought?
Lumby Bounty and Stealing Lumby I loved the first in the series so I picked up the next two and then was given the 5th - now I need to go get #4.

Are you the type of person that reads one book at a time, or can you read more than one?
More than one definitely! I normally have an audio book on my MP3 so when I am exercising I can still read, then I have heavy reading on my nighttable (it usually puts me to sleep so why not have it be useful?) and then I have a purse book - one that I carry with me so I can read it whenever I have a minute, and lastly, my main read for my morning quiet time.

Do you have a favourite time/place to read?
Mine is my recliner in the family room - it has massager and heat so I can just snuggle down into and enjoy my book after y hubbie goes off to work in the morning!

Do you prefer series books or stand-alones?
If I have to choose one - then I go with series but if I can have both then definitely BOTH!

Is there a specific book or author you find yourself recommending over and over?
Usually my favorite authors are who I recommend but if there is a series that I am particularly enjoying, I'll recommend that too.

How do you organise your books? (by genre, title, author's last name etc)
For reading, I organize it in a strange way.
The books that I need to read immediately are in a basket in the correct order right by my desk. Other books that I am planning on reading in the near future are in my reading cabinet next to my recliner, and those that are on the TBR pile are on that bookcase ready for whenever.

Lie To Me on HULU
my furkids
a fan over my head
calls from all of my kids today..
and more calls later..
BLISS

For a contrarian take on a modern classic, please go see my review of Yann Martel's Life of Pi.

ETA correct link

Boo hiss on me!! But thanks for telling me, Bonnie!

>27 richardderus: Just so you know Richard, that link doesn't work. But I persevered and got to the review and was well rewarded. Thumbs up and have to say I read it when it was all the rage and then hid out for days because I didn't know what all the rage was about because I was feeling an entirely different kind of rage about it. Dreadful!

Dinner tonight..
Genoa salami, real mozzarella cheese on a fresh baked roll...

Is it time to eat yet?

My sister brought me these treats from a favorite little Italian store...
mmm mmm mmm as my nephlet would say ...

#29 Now I'm rethinking my plan of cold ham and potato salad....

And in other news, I thought Art Linkletter died a long time ago. I used to love to watch his program after school when he had the kids on. And if this doesn't jerk a tear from your eye, you're hopeless.

I am not hopeless~

#30: That was great, Linda. Thanks for sharing the video. I thought Linkletter was gone a while back too.

I want to play the questionnaire game too ....

Do you snack while you read? If so, favourite reading snack?
Preferably yes, and the snack of choice would be salt & vinegar potato chips

What is your favourite drink while reading?
Water or green tea

Do you tend to mark your books as you read, or does the idea of writing in books horrify you?
I would sooner slit my own wrist then write in the books I read. I have also been known to bare my teeth and growl at people who even think of marking books they've borrowed from me

How do you keep your place while reading a book? Bookmark? Dog-ear? Laying the book flat open?
Cute bookmark magnets with cat or dog pictures, receipts, airline boarding passes, envelops, train ticket stubs, an old shoelace, and pretty leather bookmarks given to me as gifts.

Fiction, non-fiction or Both?
Both

Are you a person who tends to read to the end of a chapter, or can you stop anywhere?
I can pretty much stop anywhere and pick it up when I get back to the book.

Are you the type of person to throw a book across the room or on the floor if the author irritates you?
No, with my luck, I'll throw the book and it will hit and break something I treasure, or hit my water glass and spill water all over my computer.

If you come across an unfamiliar word, do you stop and look it up right away?
I like to look it up straightaway so that I get the full impact of the sentence.

What are you currently reading?
Amandine by Marlena De Blasi, an ER book

What is the last book you bought?
Airs Above the Ground by Mary Stewart

Are you the type of person that reads one book at a time, or can you read more than one?
Depending on what else is going on in my days, usually 2 but sometimes only 1.

Do you have a favourite time/place to read?
Any place I can lie on my stomach. Bed or couch are my 2 favorite spots.

Do you prefer series books or stand-alones?
I like both, but only if the series isn't too long because I sometimes get bored.

Is there a specific book or author you find yourself recommending over and over?
Louise Penny, Ann Cleeves, Jane Austen, Shadow of the Wind, To Kill a Mockingbird ... I can think of a few more actually, but this is a start

How do you organise your books? (by genre, title, author's last name etc)
I organize by genre first then alphabetically. i do the same for books owned but not yet read, but keep these on separate bookcases from the ones used for books already read.

I posted my questionnaire answers in my thread.

Richard, at the risk of being cursed with boils, the Charles Todd series is VERY GOOD. You must read them all (or most of them, at least.) I think only one or two are subpar. And Hamish becomes a deeply fascinating character.

All of them? How many are there in the series, Suz? Are they cozy mysteries or gritty ones? Will I love Hamish like I do Inspector Gamache of Three Pines or Brunetti of Venice?

Absolutely no way I was going to cook tonight given the temperature, so we went out and had a wonderful Italian meal followed by a visit to my favorite ice cream scoop shop for peanut butter and chocolate ice cream topped with pb sauce and whipped cream.

Not cozy, more along the lines of gritty. I would compare them to PD James or Elizabeth George in genre, but perhaps not as good. All set in the immediate aftermath of WW1. There are now 12 in the series, and the first seven or eight are all excellent, as is "his" first standalone, The Murder Stone. (Authors are a mother/son duo).

I'm envious, Caroline. I miss the conch fritters and lobster quesadillas of St Croix; I'm back to subsisting on peanut butter sandwiches here.

Hmmm.... now you've got me curious ... perhaps I should make a trip to Barnes & Noble this weekend ... I'm sure they've missed me too. ;-)

Lobster quesadillas? mmm sounds delish, Suz. I love pb sandwiches especially with sliced bananas in them.

What with the late basketball game and then getting up early to watch the French Open, I'm not going to get much sleep for a while.

Quote for the day from Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer:

"I put together a special field kit with some of the things I was going to need, like a Magnum flashlight, ChapStick, some Fig Newtons, plastic bags for important evidence and litter, my cell phone, the script for Hamlet. . . a topographical map of New York, iodine pills in case of a dirty bomb, my white gloves, obviously, a couple of boxes of Juicy Juice, a magnifying glass, my Larousse Pocket Dictionary, and a bunch of other useful stuff."

I love that two of the useful items are a play and a dictionary!

(posted to my thread too)

I finished and reviewed Thunderstruck for the May TIOLI challenge in my thread, post #196.

I refuse to get involved with another series..
unless of course it is cozy and fun~

I posted this in my thread, but will post it here too.
I need suggestions for sites to look for cheap flights..
pgh to clt

ideas?

I purchased Thunderstruck after reading Devil in the White City and am very much looking forward to getting blown away by the depth of Larson's writing. I wanted Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid to slide too.

I await your soon to come glowing reviews.. those are two good books!

>40 mckait: You could try, if you haven't already:

www.cheaptickets.com
www.kayak.com
www.bookingwiz.com

When you find a good price for a flight, it's always worth going to the airline's own website to double check in case they offer an even cheaper price for the same flight.

Thank you !

My turn:-

Do you snack while you read? If so, favourite reading snack?
Not often. Probably cookies. I'm more apt to eat a meal while reading.

What is your favourite drink while reading?
Coffee, milk and in the summer, iced-tea w/lemon

Do you tend to mark your books as you read, or does the idea of writing in books horrify you?
Super horrifying thought! Would cut off own hand before writing in any book. Have notebooks specifically meant for the purpose of note-taking.

How do you keep your place while reading a book? Bookmark? Dog-ear? Laying the book flat open?
Have bunches of book marks. Like magnetic ones best - impossible to lose place when Willie knocks book on floor.

Fiction, non-fiction or Both?
Both

Are you a person who tends to read to the end of a chapter, or can you stop anywhere?
I will stop anywhere - it doesn't have to be at the end of a chapter- but it always has to be at the end of the first paragraph of the left hand page - always the left hand page.

Are you the type of person to throw a book across the room or on the floor if the author irritates you?
Never. Afraid would break something or hit cat in head.

If you come across an unfamiliar word, do you stop and look it up right away?
Usually. Sometimes I can't do that because cat has me pinned down.

What are you currently reading?
A Concise Chinese-English Dictionary for Lovers
The Price of Glory
Boswell's London Journal
Life of Pi - kinda stalled on that one, for very goofy reasons
and something else I don't have with me right now.

What is the last book you bought?
Murder at the Vicarage

Are you the type of person that reads one book at a time, or can you read more than one?
Multiple books at a time

Do you have a favourite time/place to read?
The LR couch is my usual spot, but I will read anywhere. Someday I will have a window seat in the library. (I will, I will.) As for favorite time - whenever I want which is a lot of the time.

Do you prefer series books or stand-alones?
Don't really care, as long as it they are good ones. A lot of Fantasy, in my experience, has been kind of Meh and if so I don't let myself get sucked in at the drop of a hat anymore.

Is there a specific book or author you find yourself recommending over and over?
I've mentioned Child 44 to almost all the readers I know this year.

How do you organise your books? (by genre, title, author's last name etc)
Ain't no organization here - just a big ol' card catalog so I can locate the dang things.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed that our MD will let us all out early tomorrow so that we can have a longer weekend holiday. If he does, a few of my colleagues and I are planning on heading to a place called The Clam Box and chilling with cold beers, steamers and fried clams! Can't think of a better way to start the weekend ... on a Friday afternoon! wheeee

Can I come, Caro? Pretty please...

Just thought I'd brag a little - we're going Saturday evening to see a live broadcast of A Prairie Home Companion at Wolftrap. Lake Wobegone, Guy Noir, Tom Rush, Gillian Welch/Dave Rawlings, and Inga Swearingen. Should be a great time!

All are welcome ... sunscreen and bottle opener will be provided. Please bring thirst and hunger. ;-)

Maybe we can convince Jim to take us along with him on his Saturday jaunt too?

Our garden won't be planted til this weekend but the peas have been planted since St. Patty's Day, the traditional day for planting peas around here. We've been enjoying asparagus this week and the rhubarb is ready to be made into some pies. God, we LOVE rhubarb pie, warm with vanilla ice cream. Mmmmm.

You're killing me, Bonnie ..... you plant peas too?!! Do you have a huge vegetable garden and generally eat only what you plant? I love watching the Barefoot Contessa on the Food Network and i am so envious of her beautiful and bountiful vegetable garden.

>50 brenzi:: I wish I'd done asparagus, and really must start some next year (I know it takes a couple years to produce). My peas are doing well ... another week or two and we'll be eating them! Planning lots of salad this week because my lettuce has gone NUTS. Most everything else is planted but then we're further south than you, Bonnie.

>51 cameling: Caroline, we do have a huge vegetable garden but I will admit that my hubby does most of the work while I do the majority of the picking and freezing. In addition to the regular veggies we have about 25 feet of raspberry bushes, blueberry bushes, corn, garlic, pumpkins and squash.

>52 lauralkeet: Laura, the asparagus produced the second year because we purchased two year old plants. I think, we appreciate the asparagus more than other vegetables because it just about the first fresh thing we get to enjoy and I know what you're saying about the lettuce. It doesn't like the unusually hot weather though.

I'm currently watching the PBS special regarding Lewis and Clark. It is superb!! Highly, highly recommended! Spectacular scenery, incredible historical accuracy and wonderful narration.

Quote for the day from We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson:

"I chose the library books with care. There were books in our house, of course; our father's study had books covering two walls, but I liked fairy tales and books of history, and Constance liked books about food. Although Uncle Julian never took up a book, he liked to see Constance reading in the evenings while he worked at his papers, and sometimes he turned his head to look at her and nod.

'What are you reading, my dear? A pretty sight, a lady with a book.' "

Uncle Julian never took up a book?! For shame!

(posted to my thread too)

That really does sound awfully condescending, doesn't it? I mean, one feels that she had better answer with an "appropriate" title, not Lady Chatterley's Lover or Tropic of Cancer.

#56: Her answer was The Art of Cooking, lol.

How womanly!

Just back from Ireland. Aside from the wonderful scenery (and the great Guinness), the thing that struck me the most was the sheer age of things. I'm reminded of the old saw:

An American is someone who thinks 200 years is old. A European is someone who thinks 200 miles is far.

Here's my wife standing in the doorway of a pub, The Brazen Head. What makes it interesting beyond its quaint appearance is simply that it claims the title of the oldest pub in Ireland...serving since 1198 !!

Of course, for really old, there's entrance to the passage grave at Newgrange...built 500 years before the Great Pyramids in Egypt...or the dolmen at Poulnabrone...still standing though it's considered to be about 2000 years older than Stonehenge (i.e., about 6000 years old).

Great pictures, Tad! Thank you for sharing them with us.

LOL, I meant to post these in my thread and have been sitting there clicking on Refresh wondering why they weren't showing up. ;-)

#61: Obviously, not enough sleeping was done while you were in Ireland!

>62 alcottacre:: Must have:



...yeah, ok...too much college flashback there...

#63: Perhaps it was too many pubs? Exactly how many did you visit, Tad?

>64 alcottacre:: Well, let's see:

We had lunch every day in a different pub. 10

We had a mid-afternoon "Pee and a Pint" all but the day we spent on the Ring of Kerry and the day out on Inishmore. 18

We had dinner in four restaurants, leaving 6 pubs. 24

We went out for music 5 of the nights...in a pub, of course. 29

We made a special trip to The Brazen Head pre-lunch our first day in Dublin. 30

We had a second "Pee and a Pint" when we were stuck in Anascaul because of a traffic accident. 31

That's all I can remember.

#65: I suspect we have found the cause of the problem!

Thanks for the lovely photos. It sounds like you had a wonderful time. I'm sure it was such a relief to be away and out of the country, given all the craziness in your work environment.

Welcome home!

TadAD...officially envious.

TadAD...officially envious.

apparently very much so.

LOL

The first time I took a trip abroad (it happened to be Russia) I was BLOWN away by how old everything is, as well. I realized how young the USA really is by comparison.

>72 BookAngel_a:: Yes, five or six generations will get most people back to the founding of the USA.

Of course, the USA isn't the same as North America. I'd love to get out west and see things like the Cliff Palace which are 800 or so years old. Still, the cultures here didn't build as much in stone, so the plethora of artifacts just didn't last.

Gorgeous pictures, Tad! Thanks for sharing!

>74 tloeffler:: Actually, most were over on my thread. I might as well copy them here:

The cliffs on Loop Head



The waterfall inside of Ailwee Cave



The seals living on the rocks offshore at Glengariff



The waterfall at Powerscourt



The innumerable fishing villages...I'll have to check my notes but I think this was taken in Cobh

Wow, gorgeous.

When I first went to England I wanted to try a different pub every day . . . but I failed because a) I was there for six weeks, and b) I was supposed to be working!

I had a funny conversation with a couple of T-shirt vendors in Oxford. I remarked on how old something was, they kind of shrugged, and I said, well, to put it into perspective, when that was built, Columbus hadn't yet "discovered" America.

Quote for the day from Jennifer, Hecate, Macbeth, William McKinley, and Me, Elizabeth by E.L. Konigsburg:

"Jennifer always took out seven books. I could tell that the librarian liked Jennifer even though Jennifer never said 'hello' or 'good-bye' or 'please' or 'thank you.' Librarians love good readers, and Jennifer was that. In fact, Jennifer wasn't just a good reader, Jennifer was a serious reader."

I wish Konigsburg would have told me what Jennifer checked out that made her a serious reader. I want to be one, too!

(posted to my thread too)

Beautiful photos!

What fantastic pictures, Tad ... and given the pub count, have you had your liver checked since you've come home? ;-)

>79 cameling::

#79, 80 I don't have the photo scanned in to show you, but years ago on holiday in Ireland I took a snap outside a pub with the above sign, and underneath it a second sign which said:

It's an illusion!

There's an Irish pub we go to sometimes called R.F.O'Sullivans in Sommerville, MA because they've got great burgers and Guinness on tap. They've got some really great Guinness posters from way back when too. I have to remember to take photos of the posters the next time I'm there and post them here.

I finally made it to the nursery today! I'm so pleased. Came home with 3 types of tomatoes, eggplant, basil, sweet red pepper and cucumber. Oh and 2 rosemary plants to replace the one that died this winter. Tomorrow morning I'll put some in the ground and repot some of the others. I wonder if I can grow tomato plants and cucumber in big pots ... I hate having to dig them all up when their season is done .. much easier to pull them up out of the pot and chuck them onto the compost heap.

Tomatoes will def. grow in a big pot, Caro -- as long as you have a 'cage' of some kind to support them. Not sure about cucumbers; it's been eons since I grew them, but don't they like to sprawl across the ground, like zucchinis?

You need a 15 gallon pot for a tomato plant to thrive in it. It will work fine, but it needs to be at least that big.

great pictures and stories from your trip. Curious, how many books did you get while you were there?

Changing the subject for a minute, some of us have started a new group called READING THROUGH TIME where we will pick a time or theme and read a book that fits each month. You can join every month, or just the months when the time or theme interest you. Here is the link for more info.
http://www.librarything.com/groups/readingthroughtime#forums

June we are reading - the 19th century

Come join in!

Cukes will climb too..
so a cage might just work..

I like my method of acquiring cukes in the late summer/fall--I stand in my driveway and ask the farmer who lives across the street: "Do you have cukes yet?"

When he does, he brings me an armful. Cold cucumber soup frequently follows . . .

I hate living in this small, boring town, but the fresh produce is the best part of being here. I also receive corn on the cob about an hour after it has been picked. Happy dance!

Just had to mention a group of friends got together for a bike ride on the C&O canal trail along the Potomac River near Washington DC. We had a great time! It was a gorgeous day and the company was good. Then we came to our house and stirred up some dinner and ate on the front porch. It was a great day!

>80 TadAD:: Back when I was a kid and a Boy Scout, we used to hike along the C&O. Those were some great days.

Sets out a nice cold fruit salad in hopes that someone visits~

Tad - Love the photos of your trip.

#90: I will take come of the fruit salad, Kath. I love the stuff!

it is yummy too! strawberries, black raspberries, blueberries, kiwi, pineapple, and a watermelon.. mmmmm mmmm

I am serving dan and his friend pasta salad, sloppy joes and fruit salad when they break to eat..

#93: I will be right over :)

I've finished my second read of Chasing Goldman Sachs and posted my review. It's also on my thread...post #145. I'd've posted it to Amazon but I can't yet; Powell's has it up, though.

Read it. You *should* be scared as you do!

ready and waiting Stasia.. bring rd with you !

*urp* I'm still digesting the grilled sausages, roasted potatoes, and pound cake from last night.

>95 richardderus:: thumbed. best phrase: "mouth-breathing Fox News watchers" !!

Although rdears review was wonderful ( thumbed it ) .. that phrase may be what puts me over the edge into must have land..... lol

>98 lauralkeet:, 99 I was kinda proud of that one, I confess. Glad it brightened y'all's day!

>98 lauralkeet: -100: Well, I'm married to one of "those"...now he'll wonder why I'm giggling as I pass by him and his beloved TV. Btw, I'm seriously considering Suzann's Chasing Goldman Sachs book as a birthday present for him next month.

Watched "The Smartest Men in the Room" last night on CNN (I think it was), about the Enron disaster. Would very much like to read Chasing Goldman Sachs now.

Hey bookbuyers everywhere, Alibris is having a .99 book sale. Some are used, some are new and if you purchase, I think, $25 from the same company you'll get free shipping. www.Alibris.com

#96: I will pick him up on the way to your house!

#102 -- That was one of the best business/finance documentaries/films I have ever seen....

>103 Carmenere: Lynda DID NOT SAY THAT...I did not see it.

#106: Hah! Shows you that not just the blue words are bad, huh?

Thanks for the veggie growing advice ... I'll let you all know how many survive and how many die in the process. I hope it rains every night so I don't have to water them all. ;-)

I love summer fruits and vegetables though .. the weather just begs you to eat outside and fresh fresh produce, doesn't it? I could eat corn on the cob everyday but I don't like corn in salads or creamed corn.

Love the review, richard dear .... I've got Suz's book pegged as gifts to a few people already.

Lynda ... OMG..... there are sooo many books I want at Albiris .... it's amazing how quickly .99 adds up! *sigh* .... perhaps I should be happy that shipping is free?

Cute revamp of some Penguin bookcovers:
http://www.amyfleisher.com/client/penguin/

#109: I love the Pinocchio one!

He's cute but Dracula is classy!

#109 The Invisible Man is artfully done as well.

Clever! In a similar vein, Check out these specially designed bookcovers.

Hello to all

Stasia and I rec'd. an email from Terri's (Terri Loeffler) letting us know her knee replacement surgery went well today. She is in recovery and they are waiting to transport her to her room in the hospital!

YAY! Whew. Knee surgery is a modern marvel, a blessing, and a miracle. Go Terri! Go Terri!

Excellent news!

I have just reviewed China Court, an elderly novel by Rumer Godden, in my thread...post #214.

She's a snoozer biddy from the mid-century, but this book is extremely involving.

What the heck is a "snoozer Biddy?" Can I be one Richard?

>118 Whisper1: I sincerely doubt it, Linda, go read the review where I define them...Anya Seton, Taylor Caldwell, et alii, are some serious snoozer biddies. You're far too much fun to qualify.

A chance comment by LT member bonniebooks has inspired me to start a thread to discuss the question, "What book have you bought multiple copies of, intentionally, with the purpose of giving them to friends and loved ones, and what might it say about you?"

Come and play!

Quote for the day from To the Lighthouse by Virginia Woolf:

"Mats, camp beds, crazy ghosts of chairs and tables whose London life of service was done - they did well enough here; and a photograph or two, and books. Books, she thought, grew of themselves. She never had time to read them. Alas! even the books that had been given her and inscribed by the hand of the poet himself."

I know that my books grow of themselves!

(posted to my thread too)

I don't understand not having time to read. Other than breathing, and you can do that simultaneously, what is more important?

#122: Nothing, lol. Of course, my husband and daughters would probably object to that point of view.

Just wanted to mention that my new iPad came in two days early. The wife thought she'd surprise me for my birthday, but I figured it out. She's been enjoying watching me bounce around for the last week trying to wait for this thing. I haven't been the most patient of men...

Congratulations, Jim. My husband bought his 3G version on the day it was released and it's almost velcroed to his side. He goes nowhere (except when he's running or swimming) without it.

Go Celtics!

Happy Birthday Jim!!!!

Happy birthday, Jim! Let me know how the IPad is - I am curious.

Happy Birthday and happy iPad!

Ditto on the b-day wishes! I took a glimpse at the one my media trainer had, but while what it can do is alluring, the object itself (thankfully!) isn't that enticing. I'm quite happy with my old-fashioned iPod and Motorola Razr phone, and my Kindle, and don't feel the need to have them in one device. But it is a snazzy piece of work, especially for those always on the move.

Question -- how long can people read on backlit screens? (eg computer or iPad?) For me, unless it's work, it's not very long. And when it's work, I'm always looking away (vs reading, where I concentrate for an hour or two or more, straight).

I've finished and reviewed another good Charles Todd mystery, Wings of Fire, in my thread...post #223.

#130: I still need to get to the first one in the series!

Well, heavens, Stasia! Set aside 3min this afternoon and get it read!

How you do it all...*marvels*

#132: I can't!! Right now I am on ice station in Antarctica and all He** has broken loose!!!

LOL

OIC

Well, after that, then.

#134: We shall see, lol.

:) Happy Birthday Jim!

What a terrific birthday present! Lucky you and happy birthday Jim.

Several of us had discussed doing a spontaneous group read of Paddy Clarke Ha Ha Ha by Roddy Doyle, but were waiting until I got my copy from the local college library. I know a couple of people have already read it, so I am just checking to see if anyone is still interested in the group read. I must have my copy back to the library by 6/17 (there are no renewals), so it would have to be a quick group read :)

(posted to my thread too)

Happy birthday, Jim. If we don't see you posting for a few days, we'll know you're just in iPad heaven.

My husband and one of my colleagues constantly tries to get me to admit that I really want an iPad but am just too ornery to admit it. I've played with the iPad and I agree with Suzanne ... it's snazzy looking but I have a laptop, an iPod and a Blackberry. I don't like reading ebooks and so I can't see any need for me to have an iPad. Plus it's heavy (or at least heavier than I expected) and if I want to watch movies on it, I can only watch what's available on iTunes - and they have a lousy database. Since I always have my laptop with me, I'm not as yet moved to get an iPad.

They do have some pretty nifty apps though and more on the way, but as in an article in the Wall Street Journal today, some of these apps don't have security features.

In iPad heaven *and* posting! I'm laying in bed surfing LT and other sites, while the wife's snoozing away...

The iPad works quite well for us since we share a laptop and the demand has been growing - we needed a second something, and the iPad does 90% of what the laptop does with some nice aspects like weight reduction when I go on business trips. I think I've got it worked out so this thing can do most of my business type stuff and I don't have to carry a big briefcase.

Like everything else, it's not for everybody, but I'm enjoying the heck out of it! :)

Quote for the day from Peter Gammons' column on MLB.com:

"At a time when we are besieged by extremist, take-the-low-road differences of opinion and voices that feel the need to scream obscenities, Joyce, Galarraga and Leyland demonstrated the best of instincts. In the end, they reminded everyone young and old of the words of John Grisham, words often repeated by Mariano Rivera: 'There is nothing wrong with civility.' "

I know a lot of you are not baseball fans, but I really thought this quote reflects our group quite well. We allow each other to have and hold our own opinions, do not denigrate each other, and even in disagreements, talk to each other with civility. What a terrific bunch of people we have!

(posted to my thread too)

#140 - Let me also extend to you my birthday wishes, Jim. Glad to see that your birthday present is a big hit!

#141 - Excellent connection, Stasia. BTW: we watched the game in Cleveland and it just broke my heart to see the call. Galarraga took it well right from the start. These are truly men setting a positive example for young kids.............and adults.

#143: I agree with you about them setting a positive example for everyone. It is about time in sports that we seem some positives instead of the headline-grabbing bad guys.

Well, I guess Galarraga can always remember that he got the first 28 out perfect game. Small consolation - and the attitude of the commissioner's office in not reversing the call just kills me.

#143 And, I think it was GM, rec'd a Corvette for his efforts. Ugly as it may seem, the Commishes call was probably the right thing to do, until they get instant replay, otherwise all disagreeable calls will be goiing before him...........and he probably has many important issues on his plate......TIC

Excellent quote, Stasia, and Galarraga is a shining example of grace under extreme pressure. That had to hurt like fury.

Next year, I think the group-starter should post in the group description: "There is nothing wrong with civility." It can serve as a motto for us all.

#144: I would agree with you, Lynda, about the commissioner's call but for one thing - under Fay Vincent, the commissioner's office reversed some 50 no-hitters for various reasons, so all those pitchers lost that stat. This call had undisputable evidence to back it up, so why can it not be reversed?

#145: I like it as a group motto, Richard!

Have I missed something? Someone being uncivil??

We are a mostly civil crowd...No?

#144 yeah, wasn't that a bummer? I don't care much for retro-active rule changes. Except! When my boss told me my salary increase would be retro-active...that was ok. :0)

#147: Yes, we are mostly a civil crowd, Kath. I was not contesting that :)

#148: Retroactive salary increases are entirely different, Lynda :)

>147 mckait: No, no, Kath, it's not an admonitory motto! No one here has misbehaved that I am aware of. But as a group motto, I like the clarity of its statement of our group's existing ethos.

I don't exactly understand why the 75-Books Challenge group is so infested with kindness and infected with happiness, but it is, and I for one want to add to that in every way I can.

#150: I don't exactly understand why the 75-Books Challenge group is so infested with kindness and infected with happiness, but it is, and I for one want to add to that in every way I can.

It is all Linda's (Whisper's) fault. Personally, I would prefer to be my own curmudgeonly self.

I would prefer to be my own curmudgeonly self.

Sing it, Sister Ogre! I give a witness! Perhaps we should start a forum called, "Mean Ogreish Curmugeons Who Read Too Much"?

#152: I am in!

I'm more of the "Kindly But Weird Spinster Hermit Who Doesn't Read Nearly Enough (especially compared with Stasia)"! Can I still join?

>154 ejj1955: Sure, Elizabeth, a ackchual authoress could give the joint a tone, ya know?

#154: No comparisons in the group, please.

Since Richard is in charge of the new 'joint' and he said yes, I have no quibbles - although I would have voted yes in any case.

hey! I am a curmudgeon too, ya know!

All curmudgeons shall be welcomed with crossed arms and suspicious scowls, Kath. You won't be neglected!

*relief*

Woot! The Curmudgeons group is growing by leaps and bounds!!

I don't know how useful these bookshelves would be--since I don't have any free wall space, I'll not find out! Maybe using some coffeetable books?
http://www.realsimple.com/home-organizing/home-improvement/create-book-shelves-0...

I'm partially curmudgeonly ... and I INSIST on joining in ......please.... so there!

I'm feeling quite pleased with myself actually..... I put all my little tomato plants in the ground, put up some little fences for the cukes to eventually climb up on (with some cajoling I suspect from my part, staked my eggplant plant and put my peppers in pots. I also put some marigolds in tubs for the front of the house. Even though I was sweating buckets out there in the sun, it felt good and they all look happy now. I just need to find this one weird squirrel or chipmunk who seems to enjoy digging little holes in my pots! I'm not sure what he thinks he's going to find.

I'm an aspiring curmudgeon. Can I join? I'll need mentoring, though...

If Stasia and Caroline insist on there curmudgeoness, may I recommend that they be called Curmudgeonettes.
I am absolutely, positively not a curmudgeon - and I'm not here to bludgeon the curmudgeons only here to see how not to go to the dark side.

bludgeon the curmudgeons.....

catchy

I am willing to be an example for you DrN :)

>163 drneutron: Jim, I suspect it's a lost cause on your curmudgeon ambitions. You're just one of those happy, peppy people who make us natural-born curmudgeons want to sharpen our flensing knives and get out the salt shakers.

Thick french toast today.. and good strong coffee.....
what is everyone up to?

Craving french toast .... and only eating cherries and potato chips now because I'm watching the French Open and therefore have no time to make breakfast. That'll have to wait till after

Light breakfast but looking forward to tender, juicy ribs on the grill tonight.

Cheese grits and bacon for brekkers. Leftover grilled sweet snausages with mushroom/onion/bacon relish, dressed with balsamic vinegar, for lunch. Olive and lemon baked chicken for dinner.

mmmmmmmmm all around... just, mmmmmmmm

I'm sneaking in the Back Door here..not even a member of the Group. Is this strictly Food oriented (not a problem, I've been eating food since birth)..or do people get to Opine & Chat??? Just asking....some of my Best Buddies call this Group HOME....

;-}

While one dukes often eat in a kitchen, it's mostly a place to congregate and shoot the breeze about whatever topic comes up. Opining and chatting pretty much sums it up!

>173 jdthloue: Jude, join right in. I'm sure you'll feel at home in no time!

Jude, this Kitchen door is always open to one and all, and no topic is taboo... at least none have as yet been introduced here.

I did get my belated breakfast after all ..... at 2.30pm because the wait was long. But the food was worth the wait. The pancake was slightly crispy underneath and soft and moist on top, and the omelette was light and fluffy, stuffed with ham, bacon, sausage, jalapenos, goat cheese, and pecans.

Wooof... we are getting hammered with some strong winds out here in MA today .. some rain, but not as heavy as I thought it might be. Glad to be indoors now. I caught the last half of the original Lolita film. I think it's a lot better than the one with Michael Caine. Don't know the actors in the original black & white movie though.

Thanks to All

I have been cooking since age 15..Mom went AWOL.. and my Dad ...wanted Dinner...you get it... But, I cook for myself now..because I can..and my Food tastes better than frozen/canned/fast food...I am, reasonably, happy..and willing to share recipes..any old time...nothin' fancy!

>Caro
Thanks so much for your warm welcome...Your work schedule always gives me a YIP..how you live with....but that's your life? Right? Now I gotta give you Props...

10/4
J

#177: Happy to see you anywhere around the group, Jude!

>177 jdthloue: Funny you should bring up fast food, Jude, I was just craving a Wendy's triple-meat, triple-cheese burger with extra mayo and onions, and no uccchy lettuce sliming it up.

Quote for the day from To Tell the Truth Freely by Mia Bay:

"Rust (College) also exposed Ida to another great love, books. She read all the fiction in the college library, shaping her ideals on 'the best of Dickens's stories, Louisa May Alcott's, Mrs. A.D.T. Whitney's, and Charlotte Bronte's books, and Oliver Optic's books for boys.' "

I want to read my way through all the fiction at the college library too! Wow, what an accomplishment!

(posted to my thread too)

mmmmmmmmm McD's fries! always good.

Beautiful moring here.. perfect, cool and bright ....

Oh, who are we kidding? French fry a potato, it's gonna be good. I like 'em all!

#182: True!

I'm not a huge fast food guy. It just isn't the same as anything you can grill yourself...but every once in awhile you get those cravings! It's hamburger mind control! McDonald's does sound extremely good right now... ... ... :(

Richard 179: Ha, I'm the same way with burgers. Lettuce is fine, just keep it away from the burger! If you really want me to eat your lettuce I'll eat a salad on the side...BUT NO LETTUCE ON THE BURGER! The same for tomatoes. Blech. Doesn't anyone realize that american food = bread/meat/cheese and NOTHING else? :)

>184 Ape: bread/meat/cheese and NOTHING else? Bacon! (not really a meat, it's so evanescently crispy when properly prepared)

>179 richardderus:: OK, I'm vegetarian now so that triple-meat thing makes me urp, but I have a place in my heart for Wendy's, having worked there for two years in high school. I can still recite the order in which ingredients are placed on the sandwich (omitting any ingredients you don't want):
Top bun: Mayonnaise-Ketchup-Pickles-Onions-Tomato-Lettuce
Bottom (on burger): Cheese-Mustard

If I made one at home today, I'd assemble it in exactly that order.
Sad that this is taking up space in my brain.

#186: I am absolutely sure all of us have stuff in our brains that we wish were not there!

Richard: Oh, well, I suppose bacon could get it's own food group. :)

That post I posted was posted too hastily. I forgot 2 things:

1. No cheeseberger is the same without pickles.
2. It's not that I don't like fast food, it's fast food burgers. KFC's new chicken wraps are amazing, and Taco Bell's double/triple steak burritos (the ones with steak/cheese/rice/sauce, not the one with beans or tomatoes) are positively delicious. If only Taco Bell could get their minds made up. 1 week the triple steak burrito is on the menu and the next day it's gone. Very annoying.

True about fries..

My nephew gave me a gift yesterday of two bottles of locally made wine.. one is green apple and one is strawberry.. both limited editions made for St Pat's day.
( he kept forgetting to bring them when we would see each other)

They sound........ summery? I will let you know. But either one on ice should be okay? dunno. Not a wine drinker.

I wouldn't put ice IN them, meself, but very chilled, yes.

Did someone mention McD's fries?! Love them dipped in McD's chocolate shakes.........Mmmmmmmm

Bleh... Chocolate shakes.. do not like.

ketchup or nothing at all....

No on the ketchup, no on the chocolate shake, but I will take the fries!

French fry dipping sauce: 3T ketchup, 1T mayo, lots of Tabasco, stir and dip. *drool*

Chocolate sans peanut butter, blech.

Green apple...? Strawberry...? Wine?! Your nephew brought you Boone's Farm...? And Tui, with flavored wines, what's the harm in a cube or two? Not like it's a vintage Viognier or something.

Stephen, pickles are an absolute must on burgers. For me, dills not bread & butters, since I looove dill's tartness. If I can, I get the Claussen's kosher dill stackers before a BBQ to place, lovingly and thickly, across my nearly-raw burger, burnt crusty on the outside but warm and dark red on the inside.

*drools more*

#194: Your keyboard must be drenched by now!

>195 alcottacre: Sorry, what was that? I had to go get my back-up keyboard, the other one shorted out.

lol!

Richard: *Shudders* I can't eat meat if it's remotely pinkish. I don't think I have a very strong gag reflex but the slightest sign of undercooked meat and I have trouble eating it. Well-done with lots of seasoning for me. :)

>194 richardderus:: well, I'd taste the wine first before putting ice in it. If it's really full-bodied, it could handle being watered down but if not, you'd just make it taste limp. If you dip your wine glasses in water and then put them in the freezer until the glass frosts up, then pour very chilled wine into them, the drink will stay nicely cold.

>198 Ape: Once upon a time, I liked meat burnt too...it passes. As for seasoning, I am an inveterate meat-masher...I use Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, Old Bay seasoning, a splash of a crummy red wine, soy sauce, lemon pepper, whatever my hand lights on that isn't sweet, to flavor the burger meat. If I can get *really* high quality meat, I don't do so much. I am afraid I'm a cheap old bastard, so I won't routinely spend more than $3.99 a pound for burger meat, though. Limits the quality options until we get to party days.

>199 tiffin: Can't get those kinds of wines cold enough for me...I need 'em to be winesicles, it helps the icky-ptoo-ptoo sweetness seem less overwhelming. I'll take a frozen glass and two cubes, with a super-chilled bottle, please.

199.. its green apple wine.. lol.. I don't expect full bodied.. maybe something more like soda. Cubes it will be !

I am with 198 on cooked meat. Pink .. ick.
I am not a huge fan of meat.. prefer .. other things..

rd, I am with you on cheap wine making a good addition to food.. beer too. You really need to try it one day.. burgers, chops, fish.. all benefit from a splash or ten of it as a finishing steamer..

I hesitate to mention it, but have you tried Aldi's? I have gotten ground sirloin there for about that amount..

anyway..

I have to send my laptop to the hospital today. I am sad. Cory still has my netbook.. and I will hope to use dan's laptop..if I am gone.. miss me a little?

200: Ahh, see, I mostly just use seasoned salt, garlic salt, or onion powder. Guess I've never had a truly good burger!

Speaking of which, how many people outside of the united states(and canada?) have had a "real" burger? Bah, I always imagined people going to their euro-McDonalds, having a giant piece of (addicting) crap of a cheeseburger, and deciding Ameican food isn't any good. It's no fair!

Though I can't blame them. Philly Cheese Steaks, Pizza, Cheesebergers, Chili-Cheese Dogs...yep, as I said: bread, meat and cheese! That's all you need... *gets fatter just thinking about it*

KATHLEEN! GO GET ANOTHER NETBOOK! YOU DO NOT HAVE PERMISSION TO DISAPPEAR!!!! They're cheap, only $150-200 at overstock.com.

I steamed the leftover snausages in a good, locally brewed bock yesterday. I love using good beer and using up gift bottles of ~meh~ wine that sort of a way. Ground sirloin isn't a household favorite here, too little fat. Ground prime rib from the butcher, 75-25, cooked fast to sear but not desiccate, amended for saltiness and savor.

>202 Ape: Old age has advantages, one of which is the learning curve on herbs and spices is shallower. Lots of stuff makes a good meat-flavorizer, don't be afraid to adventure a little in the spice aisle.

Oh GOD! Now I want a chili cheesedog with lots of onions!!

I hate you, Stephen.

chili cheese fries!!!!!

>204 mckait: *drools onto backup keyboard*

STOP! I don't have another extra keyboard! I'll be reduced to using The Divine Miss's netbook soon!!

I know rd.. I am literally sick to my stomach .. I can hardly bear to think about being computerless....but... I am spending so much on the house.. I will look at O though. Just for fun.

You people are killing me! I am going to have to stay out of the Kitchen for a while. I am trying to lose weight and I think I just gained 10 pounds reading this thread.

ACK!!! ...I'm supposed to be on a wheat-and-dairy-free diet for the next few weeks, and you're all making me DROOL with talk of cheese... *sniffsniff* ...I'll go sit in the corner with Stasia and ignorez-vous the Kitchen until such a time when it is SAFE to return...

Byeee forever then... cause there is always good talk in the kitchen..
Philly cheese anyone? on a gluten free roll?

>207 alcottacre:, 208 Stasia & Faith, it's hopeless to think LT won't tempt and taunt with desirables of all desriptions...and staying away is just not on the cards...might I suggest fiber pills to feel full, takne an hour before the computer goes on? It works for me *as he munches chili cheesedog made with leftover sausage and canned chili and the dog's Velveeta for pill-taking*

*stares through the glass at people eating cheese*

...*single tear*...

*walks away slowly*

*runs back to steal a piece of sausage*

*skips off with glee*

Only one piece of sausage, Faith? I want Richard's whole chili cheesedog!

Oh, and these are such *good* sausages! Our salumeria (Italian butcher) makes a special, sweet sausage designed to be grilled and it's sooo goood!

I could really learn to hate you, Richard. But I think I will wait until I am skinnier, which should take at least another year :)

I've reviewed Aloha, Candy Hearts, a Russell Quant mystery, in my thread...post #250.

Since June is Gay Pride Month, I'm suggesting to those who haven't read a book with a gay main character that they try these charming, unchallenging mysteries. There is no discernable sex in them, so they're not likely to challenge the sensibilities of those not so inclined, and the world they create has a lot of charm.

one cannot live happily with no cheese..please do not try, it will make you sad.

Juicy rare hamburger topped with Danish blue cheese and caramelized onions on a crusty roll. *sigh* Or, for that matter, a bacon double cheeseburger with pickles from Wendy's.

Carmelized onions on just about anything, mmmmmmmmmmm.

>216 mckait:: Oh, no worries about that, for me this is only temporary. I know I can't live happily without cheese... today I stared longingly at the cheddar as I opened the fridge... but it's only a matter of time, so I'll just hold on.

218 agree!

219.. Thank goodness

>176 cameling:

I'm not changing the subject, just reverting to a previous one--the earlier film of Lolita was directed by Stanley Kubrick and starred James Mason, Shelley Winters, and Sue Lyon.

One of my favorite websites (not like LT, but just for information) is www.imdb.com, the Internet Movie DataBase. Movies and TV shows are covered in wonderful detail.

Now, I have to go get something to eat . . .

Here's a delightful sign of the digital times - Lane Smith has a new picturebook coming out titled - It's a Book. Youtube clip here.

Lunch for me was mixed greens & chicken salad with light balsamic dressing.

Speaking of weight loss/gain, in a moment of idleness this weekend, I checked out the BMI calculator. Allegedly, I could weigh 98 pounds and still be "normal weight". On what planet???? And the upper end of that spectrum is the weight that I must consume no more than 750 calories daily to maintain (I know, I've done it -- and the second I go above 1,000, I start to gain it back again.) Now, 250 pounds would NOT be healthy, but I can't for one second believe that 98 pounds would be healthy for an adult, either.

OK, rant over. I'm definitely a fully-fledged curmudgeon. Must prepare for tomorrow's Q&A with a Newsweek reporter by pruning back my curmudgeonliness. Maybe Caro, fresh from her garden, can give me some guidance on this.

I've just finished and reviewed Date With a Sheesha, the seventh and latest Russell Quant mystery...what a wonderful, wonderful surprise and delight it was! The review is in my thread...post #11.

Anyone who's hesitating to delve into the series, take note: The rewards are getting greater!

Weighing in the burger debate, I had lunch today and had a wonderful burger with delicious fries. Oh and really crispy chicken wings (I could eat chicken wings everyday) too. Good half pound burger with red onion, tomato, coleslaw, 4 long strips of crisp bacon, blue cheese and jalapeno peppers ... oh so good! And the fries were spiced and crisp on the edges.

I think Burger King has better fries. I'm not a MacD person. I don't eat fastfood often, and generally only when I'm in an airport trying to make my next connection but needing some food. But every time I've eaten anything from MacD's I've felt rather ill after.

#221 : Elizabeth - i love imdb.com ... we talk about movies alot at lunch and that's our reference site during arguments.

#223 : Suz - if you were a 3ft tall adult, 98lbs would be a pretty healthy weight for you.

I'm decidedly uncurmudgeonly this afternoon .... mostly because I'm a bit sleepy from that large lunch. Perhaps you should have a large burger too to help you prep?

>225 cameling: Your lunches sound better than mine in both content and conversation! I love movies but I'm on a slight time lag as I haven't been going to the movie theater/cinema much in recent years, so I'm generally seeing stuff when it shows up on HBO. But I also love old movies and spend plenty of time on TCM, among others.

Posting on this thread for the first time, to say how much I enjoy the discussions of burgers, dogs and bacon. I am a vegetarian, so I don't actually want to eat these, but I do remember how lovely they taste and I do enjoy reading about them. But I do NOT enjoy remembering McD's - I am happy to say I have not been in one in more than 20 years, even for fries (which I do of course still eat). Homemade, or diner, is the way to go.
And just in case you think vegetarians never eat anything tasty, my lunch today is bruschetta - toasted baguette, goat's cheese, sun dried tomatoes - imagine it with your own beverage of choice.

toasted baguette, goat's cheese, sun dried tomatoes

Mmmmm, sounds like a few chunks of grilled chicken would make it perfect. :P

Janet - I had something similar at a restaurant last week except it also had arugula mixed in - absolutely yummy! I am mostly vegetarian as well (I do eat fish and seafood occasionally) and love when I find something fabulous and yummy on the menu without having to order seafood!

Just popping into the kitchen for breakfast. I have some fresh rhubarb muffins to offer along with some freshly-pressed Indian Monsooned Malabar coffee from Mayorga. Any takers? Leftover muffins go to work with me today... :)

Muffin! Muffin over here! Anything rhubarb gets my vote. Oh, and is there a nuke where I can heat up my milk for coffee?

never tasted rhubarb.....anything....ever..

Rhubarb is astringently sweet, and the stalks themselves, after a decent cooking, are very slightly snipsnappy. I love to make rhubarb chicken, a long slow poach of chicken thighs, rhubarb, and icky-sicky sweet Chardonnay, herbed up with marjoram.

hmmmmm maybe that is why I have never tried it.. lol
muffins sound better...
Sorry rdear :P

Muffin, chicken, rhubarb...I'll take them all! (Perhaps not in the same bite.)

>227 JanetinLondon:: yum from another vegetarian !

Janet : I love bruschetta, and when I make them at home, sometimes I'll spread some pesto on the toasted baguette slices first before putting the chopped tomatoes & basil mixture on top, drizzled with really good EVOO.

Kath : You've never tasted rhubarb anything? May I please introduce you to rhubarb strawberry pies ... they are the cat's meow and purr all in a lovely crusty package. It's one of those perfect summer desserts after a cook out, on the porch with a lovely book, or sitting looking out at the ocean.

Lunch today was a delicious full flavored Vietnamese beef pho. I love the Vietnamese noodles in beef broth, especially when it's loaded with thin slices of beef, Thai basil, beansprouts and a dash of lime. It was rather cool and windy today, so this was the perfect lunch. A colleague had a cold and voila - cold be gone (or at least set at bay) after a big bowl of pho.

*sigh* This is all your guys's fault! I am, at this very moment, eating a magnificently calorific Double Steak Burito from Taco Bell. I know I know, I'm the one that brought it up...but I'm pretty certain I can place the blame on you guys somehow...

I'm currently losing weight as well. In fact, I have been for about a year and a half. I became fantastically fat after highschool, and one day I at myself and was like "Whoa, how'd I get like that?" Didn't even notice. Lost 50+ pounds last year...but only 10-15-ish this year. *grumble*TacoBell/ChocolateKlondikeBars/StrawberryMarshmallows/ReeseCups*grumble*

Congratulations on the weight loss, Stephen ..... and step away from the Klondike Bars for today. That will balance out the calories you're injesting through the Double Steak Burrito. :-)

#238 Well done on the weight loss. I'm trying too - also did better last year than this, especially as I was ill earlier this year and have resorted to too much comfort eating as I've been getting better. Living in the UK I don't recognise half the foods in your *grumble* but I guess they are all highly calorific!

The good thing about the Kitchen is that at least reading about food is calorie-free!

#232 Rhubarb is wonderful - and doesn't have to be too sweet, depends how much sugar you add. I am especially partial to rhubarb fool - cooked and pureed rhubarb mixed with whipped cream. I guess the version with low-fat yoghurt is ok too, but the texture is not as good without cream...

Well, the good news is I am down 41 pounds in the past 18 months or so. The bad news is I still have another 60 to go :(

Yeah, but that's still awesome!

Thanks, Jim.

>241 alcottacre: You go girl!

I find all these large numbers of pounds difficult, being used to stones and pounds, or indeed kilos - my home scales are stuck on giving readings in kilos only, while my slimming club weighs me in stones and pounds (and that in itself is enough to encourage both confusion and self delusion). Doing some quick mental arithmetic, I think I lost just under 28 pounds last year, but put about half that back on this year and am only just beginning to lose it again. My mental arithmetic however can't cope with working out how much I still have to go, but it is over 60...

I wish reading burned more calories!

I also use kilos and have been determined to reduce my weight this year after watching the scales creep up for the past two years. I'm almost at my goal weight only 3kgs (6-7lbs) to go, but already fit the clothes I wanted to wear (after many years stashed in the wardrobe) thanks to 5 months hard work at the gym and joining weightwatchers. I look & feel about ten years younger too.

My son is vegetarian, so I've just baked sundried tomato, basil and feta scones for our lunch - truly scrumptious.

#246 Welll done Kerry - and those scones sound delicious! Bed time here, not lunchtime, so I'm off to read myself to sleep.

#241 Now that's a well deserved thumbs up, Stasia!

Stasia, I should probably lose just as much as you need to, so maybe we should team up on it??!! Though I'll probably get stuck after 45, which is still an OK weight for me, at least. (Where I am now is NOT.) Congrats on your efforts to date, tho, and Stephen -- that is willpower at work...

Richard likes rhubarb and loathes cats... hmm... (reconsidering emotions toward Richard himself...)

Great job, Stas! Keep up the good work... I know you'll meet your goal.

Faith, congratulations to you too. I don't like meal plans and could never be as diligent about following a program such as Weight Watchers or Jenny Craig because I just love food too much, and I also need greater diversity in food. So I'm trying to harness more discipline to work out more regularly and eat a bit more sensibly - well, at least eating smaller portions and snacking on fruit ... with the occasional potato chip or 5. ;-)

Congratulations to all Blackhawks fans out there. I understand being disappointed that your team lost, but Flyer fans who boo the MVP award winner just because he's from the opposing team is just really bad form.

Richard,

Could you share some of your rhubarb recipes with me (along with permissin to print them in my CSA newsletter)? That would make me so happy.

Thanks for all the encouragement guys!

I mentioned this on my thread, but will post here as well: my daughter Beth is having oral surgery tomorrow, so it is unlikely that I will be on LT at all during the day tomorrow. I will not be on again probably until late tomorrow night. Just a heads up so no one panics (not that you would.)

I'm in awe of everyone here who has lost so much weight this year. Good job!

My goal this year is to get to my recommended BMI (basal metabolic index) for my height). So far I've lost 9 pounds recently by limiting my calorie intake and keeping a food log each day. I eat a wide variety of foods. I love to bake, and now I'm making ice cream as well. It's just that I can only eat a very little of what I make of all these sweet things. This is spring so I'm also eating lots of leaves. :)

I did take those rhubarb muffins to work. They were small, and I only had one.

Thanks for the heads up, Stasia.

Hope the surgery goes well and your daughter experiences an easy and speedy recovery.

Should any of you have some spare rhubarb around (or if any of you are willing to give it a try), I'll share my recipe for rhubarb bread pudding. It's yummy!!

#253: I keep a food log as well, Madeline. I use a computer program called Diet Power to do it and I have found it greatly helps. I eat what I like, I just watch the portions.

#254: Thanks, Madeline!

I eat what I like, I just watch the portions.

That's *exactly* what I do. It only works as long as I keep that food log. If I don't do that, I don't stick to a good calorie count, and those pounds creep up again.

#257: One of the things I really like about Diet Power is that I can put my recipes into it and the program will calculate all of the nutritional information including the calories, so I do not have to try and figure it out - some of my cookbooks do not give that information, so I find it tremendously helpful, especially considering that I cook just about every night.

> 258

Oooh! I like that you can calculate the calories from the recipes.

I've been doing this diet thing off and on for so long, I can pretty much estimate how many calories by size portions. I used to use the diabetic food exchange list years ago to calculate calories. I still keep those numbers in mind.

#260: Even after I lose the weight, I will still have to watch my portions, so I have a feeling that all the numbers will still be in my mind years later too!

>250 cameling:: Oh, Caroline, don't congratulate me! I'm not on a weight loss diet, but a few friends in the medical community suggested going dairy and wheat free for a few weeks to try and speed up healing on a knee injury. The tendons are inflamed and the healing seems to have plateaued, and they mentioned that the mucus (or something) produced by dairy/wheat products can often exacerbate inflammation. So I'm hoping that changing my diet for a few weeks will help... as a dance instructor, I can't afford to have it develop into a chronic knee injury!

That said, I think it's amazing whenever people are able to stick to a restrictive diet. This has been really eye-opening for me, as I never realized before what it's like to really pay close attention to things like ingredients and additives. Wheat is in everything!

And congrats to all who have lost weight this year as part of their goals! *round of applause* :)

I lost 35 lbs. out of a needed 50 last year through keeping a food log--that's the only thing that really works for me, too. But now about 10 lbs. have crept back on. I'm counting on a lot more exercise in retirement to help me start losing again! And the time to plan and prepare more healthful meals.

Wow! Congratulations, Roni.

Well, I knew this day would dawn. *sigh*

I lose weight by not eating as much. Typical loss is around 35-40lb in a two-month period, necessitated by my desire to eat my own cooking. It's never taken more than 3mos to lose the pounds necessary.

It's not my fault! I'm MALE! It's easier for us!

Madeline, I'll dredge up the rhubarb chicken recipe, since it's the most unusual. And there is now a seventh kitchen thread since this one's over 250.

I never like to talk about how I lost all my weight. Not that I did it wrong, but I always get glared at menacingly whenever I mention it. I, ummm, didn't do anything. Really, I cut out junk food. That's it. No soda, cookies, potato chips, snack cakes, or ice cream. That's it. I cut out the junk food and lost, in total, 60-65+ pounds. No excercise, no portion control. No change in diet. My sister hates me for it.

Part of it was because I was so overweight though. I'm hitting "the wall" now, and I'm am going to have to start actually working to get the last 20-30 pounds off.

And let me add my own congratulations to everyone who has made the choice to lose all that extra weight. It feels great, doesn't it?

Yes, it does.

But I still hate you and Richard :)

okay, congratulations and all of that but really, deit talk in the kitchen?

sigh...

I was reminded to look for cherries, because of Caro.. found some and have been eating them for days..

Bliss

love them.

Today, I am making sandwiches of shipped stea, portobello mushrooms and yellow peppers~ on wheat/onion rolls. That will be our supper..

eta

spelling errors, and I hate this computer.

New subject - I just added a new thread to the group where folks can let us know when they cross the 75-books line and we can congratulate them. It's the Bragging and Backslapping thread found on the group home page. I also made us a new introductions thread since the previous was well over 400 messages.

There's a new kitchen thread here.
>269 drneutron:: Jim, you may want to re-post.

Please check out Easy Bake Coven by J.D. Shaw. He has a killer wizard robe that he Dons for Halloween. He is a personal friend and an Elmira New York author. His first work is the equal of any of its caliber.