lesfen

Man, did I pick the wrong time of the month to be on a diet. I want anything from a place with a drive thru. My co-workers are eating KFC Twisters. I'm eating spinach. They have those crispy little potato wedges. I have SPINACH!! I want Taco Bell. Now.

I guess I would have to say #4 but only because it's been worded as a preference. I would prefer for my guests to be just that... it just doesn't work out that way. I usually bite off more than I can chew and need a little help. I like it when my mom comes up because she doesn't try to interfere with my cooking, but she is constantly clearing and cleaning. I LOVE that! Now when I go to her house she puts me to work. She can't chop to save her life so I spend most of the day bent over a cutting board. Either way, as long as the conversation is lively and everyone gets fed, I'm ok with it.

What was your family food culture when you were growing up? -Midwestern. Very simple meals. (I think my mom's spice rack consists of salt, pepper, cinnamon and garlic powder... but everything she made, and still makes, was delicious.) Three meals a day. My mom was stickler for the food groups. We weren't allowed to have sugary cereal and at dinner we had to have meat, starch, veg, cottage cheese, a piece of bread, and a glass of milk. Always milk. We were always very well fed, even when money was short. As we got older we knew that if we were having tuna patties or pancakes for supper, mom and dad were broke. We were 25 miles from what anyone would consider a town, so the only pizza we ever saw was made from Robin Hood dough mix and spaghetti sauce. Mexican meant tacos from a box and Italian meant spaghetti. Chinese food was something that you got when you went to stay with Grandma in the big city. Not that that's a bad thing... we had a beautiful garden every year and our neighbors had three pig roasts every summer. I loved it. Was meal time important? -Meals were important because we all loved to eat, but during the week the time always varied. Both of my parents worked, my dad coached, and my siblings had practice, so dinner might be at 6 or it might be at 9. The kids sat at the dining room table, mom picked while she cooked so she often didn't eat with us. Dad sat in the living room. Actually, he laid on the floor, propped up on his elbows with the plate in front of him. That's actually really funny... I haven't thought about that in years. He probably has too much belly to do that now. Was cooking important? -Absolutely. It was, and still is, my mother's only form of expression. Especially on Sundays when she spent the whole day preparing something. She loves Sunday's. What were the penalties for putting elbows on the table? -My mother would just tell us to get our elbows off the table. We always listened, so I don't know. Grandma B. was a different story. She didn't give you any warning... she'd just whack your elbow with the back of her knife. Old bat. Who cooked in the family? -Mostly mom. Dad had to make any meals that involved venison as my mom HATED it. Now my dad is the breakfast master. My daughter has "Papa eggs" and "Papa cakes" every time she stays the night. Were restaurant meals common, or for special occassions? -Restaurant meals were virtually non-existant for my family. I can probably count on one hand the times that we went out and those times weren't anything to write home about. The closest town was 25 miles away so it just never really happened. The elbow whackin' grandma took me out quite a few times tho'. She was a bit of a foodie herself and quite a tough customer. She wasn't afraid to send a meal back or refuse to pay for something that didn't meet her high standards. Did children have a "kiddy table" when guests were over? -Yeah. My mom would set up a big table in the basement for us. When did you get that first sip of wine? -I have no idea. No one in my family drank wine so I'm sure it was from a schoolmate. Was there a pre-meal prayer? -Only on holidays. I have a faithful family, but none of them are terribly religious. Was there a rotating menu (e.g., meatloaf every Thursday)? -Not at all. How much of your family culture is being replicated in your present-day family life? -My husband and I have a terrible schedule and my dining room table is covered with paperwork, so we don't get to sit around the table and eat together. I hope to remedy that at some point. Oh and my husband and I probably eat at a restaurant every other week. That's different!

I hit our local brunch buffet about twice a year. The ladies in my peer group celebrate all of their special occasions at the Sheraton Suites in Cuyahoga Falls. We've celebrated the births of our children and our impending marriages there. Brunch buffet, baby. It's actually pretty good. Very few "prepared" items. It's more a station place... omlette/egg station, carving station, pasta to order station, waffle station, etc. I really can't think of anything bad to say about it. It's always been very good to me. That said... this is Ohio. We have plenty of "country" buffets. Country Buffet, Golden Corral, Ryan's, etc. If you get me into one of those places you can bet that the only thing that I'm going to eat is ice cream. Come on... you can't expect me to pass on the SUNDAE BAR!!! Edited to say that yes, I will pay $8 for all-you-can-eat ice cream. Shut up.

Honestly, my only problem with the show was James King's character. Come on. That's just sad. That character is a cringe inducer. That said... I'll watch it again. It was about what I expected and I'm hoping that it will get into a groove as the season progresses.

Damn baseball season!! There's gonna be a war at the Jividen house tonight. Season/series premiers vs. the start of the Indians/White Sox series. I gotta get a Tivo, immediately.

That looks SO GOOD. Oh my god. I can't remember the last time something has kicked up such an intense craving in me.

I guess I gotta cop to this one... 'Taters

I have been tempted to get these sooooo many times but then I remember the "other" reason I dont have any containers anymore....when they hide in the fridge too long I refuse to open them...I just toss the container...I live for zipperbags and really try not to make/save leftovers tracey in great fear of fuzzy food ← I like them because they're small enough for the "dinner for two (and a toddler)" leftovers, all the lids fit all of the different sized containers, and they all live in the same place. They also don't have to fight for space in the office cooler. As far as fuzzy leftovers go... I haven't had to deal with it yet, but when the time comes (and it will), I don't think I'll feel bad about tossing one or two. You can order replacement containers.

Love It My mom got me one of these when I got married and I really do love it. It may go down as the greatest kitchen related gift that I have ever received.

Yes. Yes, they really are. Generally I use mine to give me a jump start on a meal. I put whole chickens (or chicken parts) in with some onion, celery, carrots and a little liquid... when I get home I can go 100 different directions from there. I really like mine for pork shoulder tho'. BTW... fantastic avatar dvs.

Well... how was it?! It looks delicious. That skin looks mighty tempting.

Ugh... I would have been all over that last night. When my husband got home I actually warned him. "This may be the worst meal that you will ever consume in this house." Shrimp fajitas. Oh, they were bad. The beans were worse. I'm so ashamed. The only part that turned out ok was the guacamole and that was really just because the acocados that I picked up were some of the best that I've ever gotten around here. So... I ate rice, guacamole, and salsa fajitas. They were pretty good.

I have to say that now that I have a George Foreman Grill, my weenie frustration is gone! Honestly, that's the only thing that I use that damn thing for... it's the world's most expensive hot dog maker and it sits very close to the worlds most expensive popcorn popper, aka the microwave.

Shut up. Diddy? Damn it. I really don't want to watch her new show... but somehow I don't think I'll be able to stop myself. Trainwreck television in the making.

Say what you will about the woman, and when she appeared out of the kitchen, I've had some unflattering things to say. When that woman was cooking, or dealing with serious chefs however, she was talented, dedicated and admirable. ← Agreed. "Here's what we'll be making today. Here's how you do it. Here it is, and it's a damn good thing." Done. Wonderful food, no yuk-yuk's, no cutsey names for ingredients, no catch phrases... ok, one catch phrase... and I'll still take 10 Martha's over any one of those other annoying gits. That said... I have no interest in seeing her new show. She doesn't really stike me as a "live format" kinda gal. I'm guessing that breezy banter isn't her cup of tea. I'd like to keep the "old Martha" fresh in my mind.

Very very sorry for your loss Jan... those late summer meals with your family can always be there as a special tribute to him. My uncle passed 3 years ago (he was only 44... mesothelioma) and we celebrate his memory every year on December 30th. He was a NYE baby but we always celebrated his birthday a day early, as he never wanted to interfere with anyone's NYE plans. The meals vary, but they always include a jar of the hot peppers that he canned himself from his garden. Our supply is dwindling and we wonder aloud what we'll do when they're all gone. (We also wonder if they're still ok for us to be eating, but we do it anyway.) We also enjoy a few gin and tonics. He was a beer man, but on his birthday my mom always got him a bottle of Tanqueray. We remember Uncle Tom all year long, but that day is still all his. Sometimes it helps to keep on celebrating their lives and the things that they loved.

Yeah, if I know the folks, it's not a big deal. The family that owns our local sushi joint are all exremely affectionate and I have no problem with that. Hugs all around upon arrival, a touch on the shoulder or arm while telling jokes and ordering, and handshakes and more hugs when we leave. Heck, one waitress in particular has even taken our munchkin away from the table to entertain her while we enjoyed our meals... the difference being that we've been going there for four years (hubby's been going for about six). They're like old friends to us. Mr./Miss Happy Shirt at the steak place down the street... not so much. I don't know you... don't touch me.

Throw in a nice bottle of wine (or two) and we're a riot.

There are very few things in this world better than coming home to the smell of a Crock-Pot creation after a horrible work day.

You are the best! Thanks for posting that. Now, we can put our money where our mouth is. Is anyone entering? I'm no food stylist but I'm sure I could do better than that cover. I wonder where they got the idea for that contest. Hmm... ← I think I'm in. Maybe Wednesday night.

Pork roast!!! Get a nice big shoulder and throw it in the old crock pot. Mmmm... pulled pork... kraut... fajitas... cold from the 'fridge at 3am... the possibilites are endless.

Oh... and please, do not sit with us or squat down. I went to meet a client at a fairly casual pub and the waitress just slid into the booth right next to me. I really didn't like it but it didn't make me nearly as uncomfortable as someone squatting next to my chair or laying a hand on me.

I remember that thread... My position hasn't changed. Don't touch me and, for your own safety, don't touch my husband.