Jake

Hmmmm, I get pictures. I want some of that wonderful looking bread, now too!

Big haul on Saturday: peas leeks mushrooms artichokes thyme basil radishes summer squash fennel Vidalia onions chives

I agree. $$ Can really make a difference here. And cheese. Cheese that has been properly stored/handled. Worth the money IMO.

Lisa, I am really looking forward to your blog as I have enjoyed MANY of your posts I've come across! Besides any dog-lover/owner has to have a sense of humour. (We have 3) Looking forward to a week at the shore....

Idea for?????

Monday dinner Mixed greens with vinaigrette Spaghetti carbonara Watermelon Later on: Assorted cheese (cabrales, 7 year old cheddar, Abbaye St. Mere) Merlot of some sort my SO opened after a very long day.

My secret recipe! Would be happy to share, but I don't measure the amounts of any of the spices. I just do it by taste now. PM me if you'd like it and I'll put a list together of what I do, and some sort of ratio of amounts.

Foie gras & sauterne Alaskan king crab & champagne Real southern fried chicken toro fresh chewy naan Frites selection of cheese Fresh shrimp Prime Rib, Yorkshire pudding & gravy I could go on, but it would be a very large meal. I'm now starving and unable to work!

Sunday dinner in front of hockey game Grilled dry spice rub ribs Grilled yams marinated with oil, soy, mirin & chives Gilled corn with chipotle lime butter Cole slaw Watermelon With everything on the grill, clean up was a breeze between periods.

Great pictures, mark. I think I know what I'll be making for dinner tonight.

Oh, I am so looking forward to the blog! Could we have some pictures of where you live, where you hang out etc. as well please -- vive la France! Merci en avance, Jake

Thanks for the great blog! Travel safely, heal soon, and make sure they upgrade you to 1st class! I'm sure I speak for many others when I say we'd love to hear more from you once you're home, especially amusing firehall cooking capers.

Oh, thanks. They taste better than they look. Then they must taste exceptional as they look great.

Recently my SO and I were having some of his family over for dinner. I had planned on chicken on the rotisserie on he grill and various veg. Well, I got home from shopping that afternoon and HRH had decided he wanted grilled corn too. Of course he neglected to mention that before the shopping. As parking can be difficult near the closest fruit/veg stand, he kindly offered to take the groceries in the house and then drive me over so I could just jump and run. Great. We're already running late! Off we went. Did I mention we have 3 large dogs? Return home 10 minutes later. Said chicken is spread eagled on the dining room floor. Youngest dog (2 year old) takes one look at me and hides under the bed. Well, I inspected the chicken and only one wing and a bite out of one leg was missing. We washed it off, got it ready and put it on the bbq. I did, of course, make sure we carved in the kitchen that night!!! I did however, suggest to HRH that the next time he takes the groceries in he puts them in the fridge!

While I am more apt to pick up some sushi, or make do with bread & cheese, I do cook risotto quite often when I'm on my own. Maybe it's that portion control is easy, and there's not a lot of labour involved. I rarely cook a full meal as I find by the time I'm done, I don't really feel like eating it.

Spicy pancetta and grilled corn chowder Crusty wheat breat Fresh fruit

Saturday Cucumber slices topped with wasabi creme fraiche, shrimp and caviar Proscuitto & melon Foie gras pate seared black sesame crusted tuna over greens, mango salsa & sticky rice Dark chocolate & orange mousse cake Assorted cheeses Sunday Spicy dry-rub ribs Grilled corn with chipotle butter Cole slaw Fresh fruit

It looks fabulous, Jinmyo. Your pictures always make me hungry!

Looking forward to your blog -- especially the gumbo. Something I love, have eaten down south, but never made.

If you're very close to them, as balmagowry says, pick one to talk to. Suggest, that while you're delighted to see their kids (even if you aren't), say you'd really like to have an "adults" only evening now and then. When you extend invitations to them, you could then say, hey can we make this an adult's night? Just hope you don't have friends like a couple we used to know. The response: Only if you're going to pay for a babysitter. Besides, where we go, our kids go. Please try not to serve dinner too late, the young ones get hungry earlier. That was the end of that. Never invited them to dinner again. BTW, I really like children, I just don't appreciate being forced to have them, or cater to them. This same couple once showed up to a Superbowl party that was specifically stated as adults only with a 2 year old and then proceeded to complain that the home was not child-friendly and that some people were smoking. Had it been my house, I would've suggested they leave.

An apple. Decidedly too healthy for my mood today.

And you'll want something quick and easy as you'll be busy with the new little one.

Jameson's Irish??

I've been wanting to try that.... is it yummy, worth the price? It's in our regular supermarkets. Oh yeah, it's yummy! Too sweet after awhile, and it is a large can. It was only about $7 I think. Worth a try if you like caramel corn & cashews.

Cashew Poppycock!!!! (Haven't seen this in years, my SO found it at the gourmet grocer...)