Marlene

Maggie, I'm not sure anyone can beat this anyway

You forgot the "Tourist" stamp on the forehead. On a serious note, Marlene, despite our reputations for being rude and uncaring, we will give directions if asked. Plus, the hotel concierge can help with subway directions. I have never ever found NY'ers to be rude and uncaring! I'll be there.. with my tourist stamp

And you should be joining us Mr. tommy!

IN case there are any stalkers lurking, I've pm'd you tommy

Ok, I'm game for this. I've never taken the subway in New York before. I'm assuming there's one near my hotel? I"ll pm you my cell phone number. That way if I'm not there on time, I'm wandering around NY with a dazed look on my face, saying "which way do I go? Which way do I go". I can't emphasize enough about my serious lack of direction abilities

Oh great. Just what I need, more confusion

My husband is seriously ticked that I get to go and he has to work

Remember my warning about the usual speed of surface traffic in Midtown around midday vs. walking. If you take a cab, allow at least 30 minutes if you get it right away. In that case, you might get there early - but don't count on it. By the way, are you thinking it might be dangerous for you to take the subway, or that you might get red paint splashed on you by a PETA member? I wouldn't worry about being robbed in the subway. (a) concerned about getting lost. (b) red paint and silver fox do NOT go well together

Yeah, but I don't live there Yes I've seen your picture Suzanne. I'll find you guys!

I'm looking forward to meeting everyone. I got your directions. I'm a woman, alone in NY, wearing a fur coat. Perhaps I'll take a cab (This from the woman who could get lost in her own backyard )

No I don't clarify butter when I make Hollandaise. What am I putting in on? Two things. Eggs Benedict for a breakfast and broccoli for dinner.

oy. sorry!

For years, the only thing in my house was salted butter. used for everything. As I've progressed further into baking, unsalted butter has made it appearance in my fridge. So.....I'm going to make a Hollendaise sauce tomorrow, which I've always made with salted butter. Is this correct, or should I be using unsalted? I'm so confused

Good luck in Las Vegas, Neil. The Bellagio is a lovely hotel, although it is a bit large. From these pics, you are going to be wonderful where ever you end up!

I thought tomatoes were vegetables edited to add: never mind. Apparently I'm terribly misinformed

Canada Customs wasn't very happy with me when I came back from Chicago. I can just see bringing a flame red cast iron pot back this time. They'll never let me go.

How lovely Pan! I'll need directions on how to get there.

Very very nice!

Steak

Because we're in Oakville, we're a little closer to the lake so we get more wind, more lake effect snow etc. Today it's -14C here with wind chill it feels more like -22C Weather forecast And it doesn't appear that it's going to be any warmer soon. Maybe it'll be warmer in New York next week.

Its -25 C here!

I too would vote for drawers instead of cupboards for pots and pans.

If you want to go to the Mayan Riviera, there is no better upscale resort than the Royal Hideaway. Royal Hideaway Trust me. Service and food to die for. The food is way higher than your typical resort food and it's all ala carte menu. We've stayed here 4 times. It is a smaller resort with about 250 rooms. Secrets Capri is about half way between Cancun and Playa and is brand new. It was designed to give RH a run for it's money, and in fact stole a lot of their ideas. The only draw to this one is that there may still be some construction going on depending on when you go. The Capri opened it's doors in Sept. I haven't been to this one, but I've been to the Secret's in the Dominican, and it was pretty good. I'm not sure how big this resort is. Secrets Capri The RIU Palace would be a third runner in this category but is correspondingly cheaper. RIU Palace The RIU's food is decent, but not outstanding, and there is a lot less choice. We've stayed here once. It's a much larger resort with about 430 rooms Both the RH and the RIU are in the gated community of Playacar. Extremely safe, beautiful and Playa town is 5 minutes away. Jaymes (yoohoo, Jaymes) may be able to help you with advice on a seaside resort.

Creamed corn. Ick