IowaDee

Thank you for this. I have felt the same way but could never express it as well as you have! I also get riled at the idea that in Mexico the nuns in convents invented classic dishes like moles. Do people not remember that the natives had centuries of experience with the ingredients? And no, it was not divine intervention that allowed the nuns to do that...it was taking advantage of what had gone on for centuries before they even got there.

No, your level of cooking is way above mine! I'm still wallowing around in the land of the occasional foil envelope for a sauce mix. The day I post a photo of a meal, you will know I have arrived as a rightful egullet member. Right now I'm still a groupie.

LOL, I'd bet money that I"m the only person here that gets this jingle stuck in their head. "Sam Parraconi pack his oranges in a bag" It goes on for several more verses but that is the jest of it. As a newly minted Girl Scout, I went with my troop to a radio show and that was one of the commercials. The other one wasn't food related but just as strange. "Bandini is the word for steer manure" I think it was one of the first companies to bag it up and sell it. Citified shit so to speak. I was a big fan of Rice a Roni for years. And now I want some!

This was my salad dressing as a kid. My folks were into that "nasty" to me at that age, bleu cheese stuff. Funny I actually served it to my not-yet husband and he was so impressed with my cooking skills. Took awhile to admit what it was. He still stuck around so either it was really tasty or it was true love (for me). We still use it for fries and with clam strips with a little relish added.

The nearest TJ's is 130 miles from here but our daughter works within a mile or two of one. We raised her right because she never comes home without a supply of cheese and other goodies. Just finished a bottle of their Korean BBQ sauce and added to our "need" list. And tamales are just assumed to be needed every time.

If that amazing piece of cheese happened to be between us, I"m afraid we might have our own version of The Battle of the Bulge. Winner take all (the cheese). I too love TJ's cheese.

I wondered about that as well. It strikes me as something connected with weaving. Looks like it might be a comb of some sort.

Oh my, I glanced at the item (chicken or duck I assume) on the top left. I thought it was a bat A fat one but none the less a bat. I think I just April Fooled myself!

I love Culture mag. The only possible way to improve it would be to add several scratch 'n sniff pages! It would be such an improvement on all those magazines with the nasty perfume strips in them.

Oh that list made my teeth ache. Never mind the container of caramelized condensed milk sitting on the counter with the spoon in it.

I have invited Marie Callender and hope she won't arrive empty handed.

In my twisted mind, a quiche is just another version of a savory pie. That counts doesn't it?

Looking back, I realize that Sunset cookbooks were often my introduction to many different cuisines , Mexican, Asian, French and more. I probably have at least 20 of those specialty paperbacks and I can never resist one at a sale or thrift shop. I can honestly say that I have almost never had a failure using their recipes. And when I do, it is usually my own fault. And don't get me started on all the Sunset books on houseplants, gardening and more. When the offices were still in Menlo Park, CA., we made a point of visiting them and wandering through the test gardens. The test kitchens were in use that day so we couldn't poke around in them....drat.

That is just peeprosterous and must be stopped.

Aldi ad that came yesterday advertised flat cut USDA Choice corned beef brisket for $2.89 per pound. I think the ad is only good for a week but the regular price is only $3.29 per pound. I plan to get a hunk or two while it is super cheap. Never had meat from Aldi's but I'll sure give it a try. Also curious to see what they may have in the way of lamb.

Sorry but I just had to give it my best shot!

The caliber of these answers is amazing. I'd like to help but I just draw a blank.

We once had a cow with a swelled bag. She must have gotten into the pickled vegetable garden plot. Never thought to ask if she were a student!

You are my favorite tour guide. Both the second and third photos would make fantastic prints! They both are just stunning. Seeing your posts was a great way to begin my morning. Now I guess I am ready to read what happened in politics overnight...Thank You

But in last picture there is an empty hook to the right. I worry that something has been lost! I suspect the Magnet Gods everywhere are bowing down to you right now. Hell, you may have replaced humankind's dependency on duct tape.

In the garden trying to pass itself off as just another spear of asparagus.

And don't even start counting asparagus spears

Ditto to your ditto.

Tee Hee, I got married there many moons ago. I was all of 18 and hubby was a "grown up" of 22. We had to borrow a car to drive there. And I was married in my high school graduation dress. So chic, or so I thought. For some reason,I had a streak of hitting jack pots on the slots. Never a big one but enough pay for the trip. The problem was that I was not old enough to gamble. The staff would pay me and tell me to please leave. Fine, we just moved on to the next casino. Thank God for the cheap buffets. Next time we were there, we had two kids in tow. Probably to poor to play even the penny slots. Really looking forward to your blog and to see all the changes. I might have undergone a few of those myself......

I don't think we have enough accolades on earth to honor this amazing man! He is the very definition of the word humanitarian. Personally I would like to see him be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. His kindness knows no boundaries. If food equals love, this man knows the recipe for it! Can you tell that I am in awe of him?