LEdlund

I am the lucky reciepient of my Grandmothers Kamado. It was given to her in the 50's from a merchant marine neighbor of hers. He brought a container full of them for everyone on our beach. I use mine all year long whenever we want to "roast" over charcoal. Some of the better things we have done are duck and a standing rib roast for Christmas. BTW, did anyone see Alton Browns show on pork shoulder? He basically built a Kamado using terracotta planters and a hot plate.

Where do you go if you are part of a drunken posse and it's up to you to choose? The only time I ever go to Dick's is as part of a drunken posse. Then, nothing but a Dick's Deluxe and a chocolate shake will do. I agree, those fries are scary.

So, what do you think? What is the quintessential Seattle burger? Given the criterial they were using (when you are away from Seattle, what makes you remember/long for home) my vote goes to Dick's. My co-worker told me that when she and her husband moved here from NY, the first place they had to go was Dick's, because of Sir Mix-a-lot's song! He even saved the wrapper from his french fries!

Thanks for the tip! I'm a little slow, but I just figured out that I can listen to the radio through my computer at work

Now I want pan fried chicken for dinner! Great article. A couple of years ago, right before she passed away, my grandmother spent a day teaching me the fine art of pan frying chicken. Reading your article transported me to that time spent in her kitchen. She was a fantastic cook and I'm lucky to have been the recipient of many fine meals of hers. BTW, used buttermilk too.

Me too.

But if we develop our own thing, it will have to allow for those indulgences -- just not all the time all at once. There has to be a way to measure them, record them, and compensate for them. Otherwise it just won't work for this audience. I mean, we have plenty of people on this site who dine out 5-10 times a week. Most of us are wine drinkers. This is a much bigger challenge than telling a bunch of average citizens to eat frozen foods made by Heinz. For one person, like you Varm, the willpower diet may be all that is needed. But if we are going to create something for a group, it needs to be quantitative in nature -- there's just no other way FG - you are absolutely right. The need to quantify is huge for me. I think you would find the WW points an easy measure. What they use is a formula that starts with the calorie in a given food, gives a bonus for higher fiber and penalizes for higher fat. I know there are more scientific methods out there, but I am lazy and, as I mentioned before, weak WW lets you eat whatever you want. I may choose to eat differently to insure weight loss.

My reason for wanting to participate in this is that I am already committed to Weight Watchers and the point system and I was hoping to share that commitment with other eGulleters. I have been following the points plan for 15 months and have lost 68 pounds. I do not use any of the WW recipes. I do eat at fine dining restaurants regularly. I have done every diet out there and it is just easier for me to use the point system rather than dragging out my nutrion books and calculating calories/fat/fiber/protien/carbs etc. I love following how well Varmint is doing. But, I need more structure than that. I need to count my points. I am weak. Very, very weak..........

All I think of is Kramer from Seinfeld.

I know you have already picked out your appetizers, but I just have to add my new favorite to the list. It's so simple and tasty. I saute some red, yellow and orange peppers slowly in evoo until they melt. Take them off the heat and add salt, a little sugar and some good balsamic. I serve them with slice ciabatta. Yum. The leftovers are great tossed with pasta and some olives.

Are you dehydrated? You seem to be craving salt. Try drinking some more water and maybe have some almonds. They are good for you and will help satisfy your salt cravings.

I prefer boring. That too! And talk about your Olive Garden/Red Lobster experience.............

NSM, I agree 100%! I'm going to continue with the gross generalization's: my family has always joked about our heritage - we have more in common with the people of Lake Wobegon than we care to admit!

Seattle too

More on weather. I'm know Jim Dixon will disagree, but the weather is really comparable between the two cities. During the two years I lived in Salem, I worked in Portland and spoke to family and friends in Seattle nearly daily. There was never a big difference in the weather. When I talk to my friends that live in Portland now there is never a big difference in the weather. You will need to expect more gray days than you are probably used to. You've heard the phrase "scattered sun breaks"? That applies to us (Seattle and Portland). You mentioned Eugene......I believe their weather is better. My sister-in-law and her family live there and it sounds more.....warmer than here. Plus you have the liberal politics, culture (it's a college town) and some great markets. I haven't spent a lot of time there, but have enjoyed it when I have.

I have lived in the Seattle area most of my life (including three years in Bellingham). The only place I have lived outside of Washington is Salem, Oregon, where I spent two years in the late 80's. I have one word to say about Salem: Conservative. 'nuff said. I agree with what everyone else has said about the comparisons between the two cities and would just want to reiterate what NSM about housing costs. They are outrageous in Seattle right now - I'm just glad I bought my house so many years ago, I wouldn't be able to afford it now! Some good friends of mine moved from Seattle to Portland a few years ago and were amazed at the difference in the price of houses! I love the coast of Oregon, but I wouldn't give up our islands for anything.

Yes, welcome DrinkBoy! I can attest to the fun had at NSM's cocktail party. You would have been very impressed with the Aviation's that he mixed up!

My husband and I eat dinners at a restaurant about once a week. I cook simple things for dinner during the week and I take the leftovers for lunch the next day. I almost always supplement the leftovers with some greens from a salad bar near my office. My husband gets soup or salads from Briazz, etc. for his lunch. On the weekends, we usually eat one breakfast and one lunch out. Weekend dinners at home are much more fun and experimental. We stop every morning on the way to work for our coffee. Until writing this all down, I didn't realize how much we pay others to fix our food for us

Exactly. Pedlund and I were saying that we need to plan a last hurrah there.............

I went to a wedding there a couple of years ago. I kind of liked it. The decorations are really over the top: stuffed elephant in one room, that sort of thing, but all in all it was pretty and romantic. I ran into a friend who was working the event while I was there. When I see her again, I'll ask for some "inside scoop". A friend of mine looked into joining (becoming a member, whatever it is they require so that you can dine there), but unfortunately I don't remember now how much it cost. I remember thinking the price was reasonable.

I like these too. My other favorite is Ak Mak. I don't know if they are new or not, but I just discovered sesame rye crisp. Really, really tasty.

I was lucky enough to taste this wonderful concoction at the party Saturday night. It was absolutely fabulous! Everyone should try it................

My grandmother was a member and I have eaten many breakfasts there! Small world!

Welcome Back. Where on Whidbey Island will you be living? I have spent a great deal of my life on the south end of the Island. Useless Bay to be exact. I look forward to meeting you.

Has anyone made any of these brownies? Can you tell me a bit about them? I would love to have a great brownie recipe in my repertoire, but haven't been able to master one yet. I am looking for a moist, chewy brownie with a light crust on top. Just like mom used to make..........