Margaret Pilgrim

Interesting responses that reflect where we each live. (However I don't intentionally feed snakes!)

I use whipping (40% fat) cream and just serve very small servings, between 1/4 and 1/3 cup. That's plenty at the end of a meal. More is almost gag-inducing.

This method is similar to one I use. Fill a heavy (like le Creuset) pot with water and bring to a boil. Separately bring milk to a simmer; let cool until you can hold your finger in it for 10 seconds. Add yogurt/starter to the milk. Empty water from pot, place heat-proof jars in it and fill with warmed milk. Lid tightly and wrap in a blanket (or toweling, or a fleece jacket! or...) Leave overnight or until all is cool. I used this method to show grandkids that 1) you can make many things that you usually buy; and 2) you needn't have/buy expensive equipment for many processes.

Thanks for teaching me this new term which I had to Google. I now see where our (US) phrase "Canadian bacon" comes from.

Noise level at hip food dining rooms is untenable in SF. Fueled by flowing wine and a young well-heeled crowd.

Regardless of the threat, ALWAYS keep your car fully fueled. Trying to get home in SF from Berkeley after the Loma Prieta earthquake, husband was lucky to find one, ONE, gas station that had generator power and was pumping gas. With our increasing 'weather events', we should NEVER take normal for granted. You never know when you'll need to "get out of Dodge".

Read "Bright Lights, Big City". It's been going on for almost 50 years!

Reichl and Waters wrote the script for let it all hang out tell-alls. Wishing your niece all good luck on her book.

I can't conceive of "leftover oxtails". No, it just doesn't compute.

I go to a local butcher whom I trust and buy raw meatloaf by the pound. Not cheap today, about $14 a pound, but totally reliable and delicious. Husband has told me not to quit my day job after eating most of my from-scratch creations. Not bad but not as good as Bryan's. My method is no-fail!!

I use jarred tallow, similar to Local Butcher’s, for some pastries, like Cornish pasties and pot pie. Lovely flakiness.

My kind of Michelin experience!

We’ve experienced somewhat the same phenomenon with Artisano’s dinner rolls. Still “fresh” after a week, month, many months! I worry about bread that doesn’t mold!

Am reminded of our oldest granddaughter who has a serious sweet tooth and a very health conscious mother. I remember the child, then around 8, chanting when asked about snacks, 'Vegetables and fruit. Vegetables and fruit" while eyeing peers potato chips and Goldfish.

Reminds me of the Gary Larson cartoon where a dog is gloating to his (dog) friends that he is being taken to the vet to be tutored,