CaliPoutine

If you're into cupcakes, there is a Sprinkles bakery in Bev Hills. Am I mistaken or do you keep Kosher? If so, you're really not that far from the fairfax area or LA or Pico/Olympic. There are some pretty decent Jewish bakeries over there.

I love Challenge Butter. Do you have a Sprouts by you? They have an organic butter( I think its called Harvest something or other). Its great, very yellow. Its on sale this week for 3.99lb.

You all are mentioning US companies. Helen is in Japan. Wouldnt( assuming the companies ship there) the shipping be prohibitivly expensive?

Having just moved back to Cali, I'm not that familar with gardening here( waiting for my Sunset subscription to start). Its been really, really hot here in Santa Clarita and I only have a balcony( no yard). Do things grow all year round? I still have herbs( sage, rosemary, thyme, oregano) in my kitchen bay window and they're doing great. Will they grow all year long? I'm on my second basil plant, the first one died after a couple of months.

Im Jealous!! I have to find someone here to cook with. Happy Thanksgiving!! Whats on the menu?

I dont know much about the BGE, how does it differ from a weber or other charcoal grill?

I have zero inspiration. I recently divorced and moved from Ontario, Canada back to sunny So Cal. My partner works until 9pm( often later with overtime) She usually eats at work and doesnt really want to eat anything other than cereal or a PB&J when she gets home. Additionally, I had a gorgeous, remodeled kitchen in Canada with tons of space. My kitchen here is in serious need of an overhall and its about the size of a postage stamp. Last night I had 8 frozen shrimp/lobster( buitoni) ravioli(ok, but the sauce was gross) and the night before I had a lean cuisine(sucked). I really miss cooking/baking but I dont know what to make anymore. Unlike my previous spouse( she ate anything and everything), my partner is super picky. I dont have the freezer space to store huge quantities of food. Also, its still hot as hell here and I can't fathom eating traditional cold weather foods. On the bright side, I do have access to farmer's markets, Whole Foods, Sprouts, Trader Joes, etc. I dont have to keep a huge stock of food like I did when I lived in Small town Ontario. Help!! PS: I still dont eat beef( I do eat chicken( white only) and fish. My partner eats beef, but needs to cut back.

Hi Andi, Great item. I'm now in your neck of the woods and YES, its HOT here. I will have to check out some thrift stores/yard sales in the area though. Any reccomendations?

Hi, Im pretty sure I have to bow out. I've moved back to California and was going to make the trip since I pre-paid for my hotel already. However, airfares are outrageous and so is a car rental( and I'd need a car to go back to Canada for 1 day). I dont know whats going on in Detroit that weekend, but I refuse to pay 55 bucks for a 1 day rental on an economy car. I'll let you know closer to the date if my plans change. I'll miss seeing you all.

I'll do some sort of composed salad.

Illana, I'm in Milwaukee until July 9th!! Bummer as Madison isnt too far away.

Not sure if I still have a plus 1. But, I'm in for Friday breakfast and foodie field trip, dinner at Grange, Sat meal, sunday brunch. I'll skip the szechuan, spicy and I dont agree : )

Nancy, I paid 40 a night for my 3 star( crowne Plaza, free parking/wifi) at the Detroit airport too. I used Priceline as well.

I'm interested in 2 and 4. I dont think I'll have my +1 either.

I just got a priceline offer of some bonus cash so I started bidding. I went up to 50( 40 with 10 bonus cash) for Ann Arbor and was denied. I said " screw it" and went to the airport zone. I paid 30( plus 10 bonus cash) for the Crowne Plaza( 3 star). I'm ok with the 30 min drive to Ann Arbor since I'm saving so much money on the hotel!! CaliPoutine -- Is there a link you can provide for the "airport zone"? Thanks!! Hey, if you go to Priceline, and use Detroit as the city, the airport zone is Romulus. I had to use the bonus cash on a 3*, but you could get 2 or 2.5 for cheaper. Check out betterbidding.com( look at the Michigan board for a list of hotels and winning bids). The owner of BB.com is an Egullet member as well!!

I just got a priceline offer of some bonus cash so I started bidding. I went up to 50( 40 with 10 bonus cash) for Ann Arbor and was denied. I said " screw it" and went to the airport zone. I paid 30( plus 10 bonus cash) for the Crowne Plaza( 3 star). I'm ok with the 30 min drive to Ann Arbor since I'm saving so much money on the hotel!!

I'm still coming, along with a +1

Hi, I'd be more than happy to let you use my UPS store mail box in Port Huron if you want to order from Amazon. I can pick up the stuff and bring it down on my way. There is no tax or shipping charges( if the order is over 25 bucks) in Michigan if you order from Amazon. Randi

So we're set on the dates right? I'm going to do my priceline deal in the next few weeks.

Yep, it was me. We sold them at the Cleveland gathering. We made a donation to the society and the church where we held the group meal. Thanks.

I love Chelsea( my friends that helped with dishes on year, live there). I know Chelsea very well. It would be great to have one of the dinners at The Common Grill too. I only mentioned the airport area because of the very cheap rates availble on Priceline.

I know the airport is 20-30 min away, but there are tons of rooms there( also thru priceline). I got the Crown Plaza for 30$ on Priceline for various nights this year. Not sure if its availble for August, but if you dont mind driving a bit, it might be worth it. I LOVE the Hampton Inn across from the Briarwood Mall( In Ann Arbor) too. Thats a great hotel.

Wow, fantastic. I'm always eager to take a trip to Ann Arbor!!

Tom, You're lucky you can even order grits where you live. They're non existent here. If I want them( like most things), I have to make them myself. The last batch I ordered from Nora Mill( in GA) were amazing.

Please, someone just take the bull by the horns and get this thing started!!!