jess mebane

We do the same thing. I look forward to the day when all babies are big enough to join us at the grownups' table, but until then it is a short respite, an atoll of quiet, a soothing oas--wait, the middle one just disassembled his crib again.... Picky eaters press their mother's hysteria button, because after all it is our first instinct to nurture, and what is wrong with you that your beloved offspring won't feed? NOTHING. Well, nothing a circus balloon-sized glass of red wine and good night's sleep wouldn't cure. God bless you and your house! I had a boy that wouldn't eat anything but dreadful Goldfish crackers and Cheerios, and I thought I would lose my mind. Then he went to Granny and Grandaddy's house for a week, and watched his cousins scarf everything, watched my parents nonchalantly scrape his untouched plate into the trash, and then watched his own little self go to bed without the irradiated orange fish pellets. Said boy came home with a refined taste for green beans, actual fresh fish and cream chipped beef--I blame Grandaddy for that last one, but it was wonderful and we've never looked back. Now, congratulations and good health to you by the way, and may I offer my mother's droning advice: This too shall pass!

Don't cry. Remember that hating Fertitta makes you one of millions of Houstonians who consider hating Fertitta a treasured indoor sport; also remember that Houston is big enough to accommodate Mr. Fartypants and several other decent waterfront joints, thankyouverymuch Fifi!

Clear! Italian cured meats: prosciu, pancet, dry coppa salami, and maybe a small bit of Hershey's Almond; perhaps just the HE end.

For us, the kids are becoming less suspicious of new foods, so every time I take them to a chain I worry about becoming part of the GMO-meets-SYSCO machine; that being said, sometimes you just cannot bear the idea of thrashing the kitchen one more time that day, and Outback makes a decent hockey puck of beef with a decent-er caesar salad. You don't wanna have one of these meals and cruise through the slow food diary thread over there in Italy, is what I'm sayin'.

I second the champagne idea. And as a recent ex-pat of the BBQ capital (Lockhart, TX), may I also suggest the champagne of beers, MHL.

I have not heard of the rosemary and cilantro thing, but I do watch with fascination to see which neighbors in the garden seem to cross pollinate and take on some of the other's characteristics; for example, I had basil and habanero rubbing shoulders all summer last year, and the basil began growing larger, flatter leaves. For your purposes, I think you should pick your favorites and go with it. Go Simon and Garfunkel with it. Martha Stewart had a show years ago where she used a strawberry pot to plant a kitchen herb selection, and I've always wanted to try that. Save yourself some time and effort and go with commercial potting mix, because most herbs are not picky, essentially being weeds with good intentions. Hey, and if you get them in the ground/pot tomorrow, it's a full moon--supposed to be good luck for the whole growing season!

I'm a little verklempt; talk amongst yourselves. The topic will be: Which is more beautiful, a new mother, a new baby, or a new mother and baby together? Blessings upon the Castaneda house. Selah!

After a decent interval, I thought I'd ask....so how did the recipe turn out?

Groovy Gruyere Doritos and Beer, right? But seriously folks, I'm with FTex on the unTexan vibe of the Whole Foods chain now. Central Market is a Byzantine mouse maze, but there is a general, "Y'all come back now and spend another $75 on cheese, y'hear?" thing going on.

Nothing very revelatory, indeed! Specious research which reveals southerners topping m&c with bread dust to "absorb excess oils from the butter" is akin to research showing mint were applied to juleps to absorb excess bourbon. It does explain, perhaps, whence from the term "Cracker" might've originated.

All herbs are compatible; there are only a few garden heavyweights that can't play nicely together, like corn and tomatoes. Did anyone else rush right out into the much-needed sunshine to buy up peppers and tomatoes? I've been on a hunt for Early Girl, and finally ran her to ground at Red Barn, if anyone else in Austin is lacking............

So, are there any new observations about this place upon its first birthday? Saw the article in the Post this weekend and it sounds as if it is already a scenester place, even as the menu has held up over time.

Tis the season to zest your limones Fa lalalala lalalaLoeb Grab a handful of yellow cajones Fa lalalala lalalaLoeb Clean we now our deco glassware Fa lalalalalalalala! Pick your favy Russian to pair Falalalala la la Limoncello The winter fades; don't get caught this summer without a decent batch of the cloudy stuff

word. word to the manteca.

word.

McCormick's Mayonesa; there's lime in them there eggs 'n oil.........

seriously, because some of us who only lurk on this most amazing thread are having withdrawals, Ore! Best wishes to you!

Sake all the way! And every day for lunch this week, oddly enough--trying to off-set the seven days of brie late last year......... Yes, Magali, you were right, dear girl!

Late-nite Jack in the Box: My husband and I will each get a sourdough burger and the two skeevy tacos for .99, and then out of consideration sleep in different rooms. I've grogged up after one of these meals to get the pepto and seen our dog stagger out from under the master bed and hurl herself at the back door, as if another second with our flatulence would prove fatal.

Fried chicken, gravy, mashers, mac'ncheese and collard greens.

Ok. Hot water and dish soap is all a good kitchen needs to get clean. Avoid antibacterial stuff, as you don't want your germs to grow smarter and faster than your antibodies. And if you're still feeling OCD, mix a 4:1 sol'n of water and vinegar in a spray bottle and spritz down the cutting boards.

Now Mabelline, make sure you plant enough rows to accommodate the pilfering teenagers! And thank you again for the wilhite folks--Sometimes a well-worn Burpee catalog won't get you past February, 'know?

Two from the Marcella Hazan lexicon, and secondhand magnalite.

On Christmas Eve I made the obligatory rib roast, then we went to Big Momma's hse and had a whack at two more rib roasts, then on to little Granny and Grandaddy's house on la prairie with yet another rib roast. Tonight, I believe we shall have salad. Joyeaux Noel, y'all!