maggiethecat

When Nero, Fritz and I were walking up to Guajolote's house for the Paellapalooza this July, there were already three squads parked outside. Said Nero: "Shit, we're on time, and it looks as if the party really got started without us!" (Chicago's finest were investigating some other household.)

Prepare to be amazed.

So do real Northerners. I'll tote some bourbon from Chicago.

What, only 38 tons? That's kind of chintzy for our beloved Mr. g. Seriously, I can't wait to see the meeting of Dean and my other brother Dean. Especially as Suzanne notes that they resemble each other .

For a completely, totally, impeccably scientific look at this phenom, and of course, shameless self-promotion ( ) some of you may not have read this: Our Cravings, Ourselves

48,044.

The indomitable spirit of a woman who wants her son to have nice new furniture. I love it. We'll all be disappointed if you and Rachel can't make it, but as Dean said: This may be a very easy choice. Here's hoping your Mom is on the mend soon.

Jude: You kvell all you want, Proud Mama! Heck, I'm proud of my (limited) assocaiation with Mamster hereabouts, and I'm not his kith and kin. You have a right to preen a little. (I will buy one copy!) Flocko: Ah, the joys of redicovery. Wesza: An amazing collection and a truly touching glimpse into the life of your family. 48, 038.

(Ain't nobody has anything on Jaymes!)

Right now, leg of lamb sounds great. (But actually so do all the alternatives except maybe goose. Goose is demanding.)

46, 021. (Help Boris out, someone! ) OK. This is a really, really rough estimate. Taking the total number of books, dividing by the total number of posts, while backing out an (estimated) number of mine I make it: An average of 115 cookbooks, and you know, that sounds about right. Or: 8.71 miles.

Al: All the previous suggestions are excellent, and as Marie-Louise mentioned, if there's a nearby table...heck, use it! But be of good cheer! I made Thanksgiving Dinner for crying out loud, in my daughter's kitchen, which bears a striking resemblance to yours, except that you have a godly gas stove, while I was re-teaching myself to cook with her electric range. I found that I had to be much better organized, couldn't be sloppy with the cooking schedule, and needed to clean up as I went along. Perhaps for those reasons, it was actually the easiest, smoothest full-bore turkey, trimmings, pies Thanksgiving dinner I've ever made. I just needed to make a tiny right brain shift.

You may already be a Winner! I'm taking the Smackdown to the people. I see great writing here every day just by reading your posts, and you're going unrewarded for all that brilliance, wit, and hard-hitting Food Journalism. Also, I suspect that many of you are too busy, too bashful or too damn lazy to show off your writing chops here at the Smackdown, where they belong. I'll be keeping a list of the terrific material that you've been posting, and award prizes to the Top Three Literary Posts over the next couple of weeks. My fellow judges, JAZ and Dave the Cook, will also be on the alert, and I hereby announce that I expect lots of PMs from them. And from you! I can't be everywhere and still go through the motions of having a normal life, so if you spot something particularly tasty, please send it my way. Self-nomination is just fine. Deadline: Midnight, October 12th.

So Coy, Suzanne! (I understand) Make that 45,447.

We'll miss you, Rhea. And we'll look forward to your posts on your meals in Singapore. Well, after you unpack, that is!

45,445. And yes, books about food history, etc. definitely count. That's 8.6 miles, folks. I can just about drive to that new Chipotle.

45,220.

So...how did it turn out? Tasting notes?

Suvir: We here at eGullet would be plain selfish to begrudge you the time you need to devote to your exciting new projects. And, to echo Jinmyo, your upcoming posts will be even more precious.

Yeah. With a lightbulb in his mouth!

Yup. That about handles it; I can hardly wait. (Re Abnormal Psych Departments: If Mrs. Dr. V. has any Psychiatrist medical colleagues in attendance at the Pig Pickin', I wonder what he or she will make of the assembled eGulls.)

I do, a few times a month. Cheerios or McCann's Irish Oatmeal. That's quite a schedule!

Lady T: Thak you for your exhausting glimpse into the life of a singer-for-hire. And of course, your lapidary meal reviews. So who's nect? I nominate Bruce.

Ok. I am using this as my special, beautiful, go-to-sleep fantasy tonght. I am glad that you know how fortunate you are. What card games? Hearts? Euchre? Pinochle? Poker?

I'm in. Me too. I need initiation into strange exotic Southern dishes. And I'll probably need a grammar/pronunciation class as well. And..Yes! Miss Katie behind the bar!