bigbear

Released for insufficient evidence?

Why not use either the same wine or the same cheese that wifey is using, and go from there. Maybe get wild and pair blue cheese with a barley wine. I know... I know... people will tell you it's ale. Or maybe with icewine from Canada. You know... the colonial thing.

Was he there the next night?

Do frog's legs taste like chicken?..... Sorry..... I couldn't resist.

Long Island Press?

I told him that "pull my finger" stuff ain't funny. You made the right choice.

The Queen says that her father used to make his own liqueurs or mistelas by infusing some kind of "neutral" spirits with sugar, fruits/peels and stuff. Her favorite flavors were tangerine, coffee and mint. Does anyone do this currently?

I'm going to wait..... tommy? anyone?

Even the bacon?

Ya gotta hate dem pointless breasts.

Nice pics, William. Thanks.

OLÉ Hot'n Fruity sauces from Ecuador. I think my favorite is the one with maracuya (passion fruit). I also keep all the Tabasco flavors, of course.

I always get a kick out of reading about other people's experiences in Ecuador and comparing them to mine. I hope you don't mind if I ramble. Cuenca..... We drove (a whole other story) there from Quito about 2 years ago and loved it. Perfect climate, much like Quito. Like a NY spring, but year round. Pretty city. And the Cuencanos speak with such a charming, musical inflection. Friendly and polite. Stayed at the Hotel Orquidea on Borrero, about 2 blocks from the Plaza Abdon Calderon. The four of us had the apartment (including a kitchen and 3 baths) on the top floor, with access to the roof, for about $30 a night. A full breakfast in the little cafe downstairs was less than $2 each. Once, we took refuge in the Cathedral de la Immaculada (the New Cathedral, late 19th century) because the police were using teargas on some student protestors in the plaza. Then we scooted next door to the Restaurant Rumipamba for lunch and to watch the end of the excitement. Never felt threatened. Visited the museums and churches. Wonderful old architecture. I believe the Old Cathedral uses some building stones from Incan temples. In a place by the river, we drank caipirinhas and ate snacks while listening to a guitar serenade, while the sports fans were watching NCAA ball on the TVs in the bar. Naturally, we took a side visit to the town of Chordeleg, for the jewelry. Great prices. The cheese thing..... My wife uses mozzarella. The juice thing..... I buy Goya guanabana nectar in my local supermarkets. I also like the tree-tomato juice, but can't get it here. Supposedly, it's great for lowering cholesterol. Someone told me that they can't get it to grow in the US. So much for me giving up my Zocor. Zhumir..... IIRC, the 86 proof aguardiente is about $1.60 a bottle (.75 liter). Ain't life great. Someday, I'll have to report on the great caipirinha shootout I hosted in Quito. The majority preferred theirs made with Zhumir Limon (60 proof). Maybe it was my heavy-handed pouring. Nobody picked the Brazilian Cachaca 51. I prefer them made with rum (caipirisima?). The Ron San Miguel Plata (80 proof) was about $2.25 a bottle. Now, if I could just find a place that sells real Cuban cigars. I usually drink bottled water in Ecuador. I eat ceviche all the time and it hasn't given me Atahualpa's revenge. Of course, the amount of aji that I add would kill anything.

Then, when someone says that she cooks carrots and peas in the same pot, I should ask for an explanation?

Excellent.

Screw-off beer caps.

German potato salad.

Visionware also.

I think that Pyrex Visionware has been around for 20 years or so.

Cleavage..... I find myself spending an inordinate amount of time wondering what items within my reach would successfully disappear down there, given the proper trajectory, of course.

I like them. The Queen thinks that they taste too "earthy".

A search of Pop's Wines & Spirits turns up the Stock brand. They are located in and deliver in the NY area.

When The Queen (she doesn't like rare meat and spicy hurts her gums) isn't around at london-broil-time, I like it black and blue with a dipping sauce that my brother showed me. Mix Chinese mustard powder with water and let stand about a half hour or so. Then add some of that to light soy sauce.

Humitas (like a steamed cornbread) are good as a snack with a cup of coffee. When they're stuffed with something (a piece of fried pork, etc.), they're called tamales. I like mine with aji or a bottled hot sauce. Lent is the time for Fanesca. If you have the chance, try this heavy, satisfying soup. Traditionally, it is very labor intensive to make... down to the peeling of individual beans. Salt-cod, peanuts, onion, faves, corn, cheese and milk are just some of the stuff that goes into it.