Saturday, August 21, 2010

Gay Protest Signs (funny)

Thanks to Shannon's blog for the heads up...



Just Waiting On The World To Change!

Friday, August 20, 2010

Theme Dinners - Season 1, Week 1

As I mentioned here, the theme for our first Wednesday Night Dinners was Cold Food. We had 11 people, with everyone voting on their favorites. The winners this week were:
Chocolate Cheesecake (40 points) - Jason
Corn Dip (38 points) - Julie
Muffuletta (34 points) - Me
Chocolate Tart (25 points) - Carlos

I am glad that the ones who actually made food, as opposed to buying food, were rewarded. Our theme next time (Wednesday, September 1) is Vegetarian. It'll be interesting to see who makes what dishes. Stay tuned. Until then...Bon Appétit!

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Theme Dinners...Back Again

Carlos and I are starting up our Wednesday Night Dinners again.

I'll host it - every other Wednesday. (Every Wednesday seemed like too often; once a month seemed like not enough.)

This time, instead of Carlos and me cooking everything, we're setting a theme, inviting our friends and family, and seeing what happens. We don’t, however, want to over plan this. That is, if we end up with three desserts and no main course, so be it. During dinner, we will discuss the theme for the next dinner.


Our First Week Theme is Cold Food (because it's so damn hot outside) with 10 total people attending. It'll be tight in my 950 square foot house, but I feel that adds to the enjoyment.

We will also be awarding prizes for first, second, and third favorite contribution - based on everyone's vote. (Guests cannot vote for themselves.)

After tomorrow night, I'll update you on everyone's contribution, the best recipes, and the events of the evening.

We're back to...Bon Appétit!

Monday, August 16, 2010

License Plate


Driving around this weekend, I saw a nice middle aged lady with this license plate:
LUV2COK

I'm sure she was going for "Love to Cook", but that's not how I took it.

Guilty Pleasure

Carlos, his sister Melissa and I have the same guilty pleasure TV show. All I'm going to say is: I can't believe Spinner and Emma got married!

For those who have no idea what I'm talking about...

Sunday, August 15, 2010

Shopping Feedback

This summer, we stopped at a Chic-Fil-A on the way back from Florida. I was so impressed, I submitted positive comments to the store via their web site. I received back a personal email from their Regional Manager, thanking me and letting me know that the employee that I mentioned and his manager would receive my comments.

I thought I would continue my project: Instead of complaining about bad service (see this post), I would compliment good service whenever possible (but with also being honest about a less than good experience).

Today, I shopped at Pier 1 Imports and our local Rouses supermarket. I didn't make a copy of my Pier 1 comments, but they were basically "the cashier was very nice, but I really DO NOT appreciate being asked for my phone number and email address. I understand why you are asking for it, but it really feels intrusive. If I have the choice, I will shop at another store." I was asked for my phone number at Party City yesterday. That is really starting to become a pet peeve of mine.

I did copy my comments to Rouses:
I was at your Airline - Metairie location this morning, trying to find all the items to create Muffaletta sandwiches for a dinner I am attending this Wednesday. I spoke with Florence (I think that was her name) in your Deli. She was very, very helpful - guiding me through all the items I needed to purchase. She even pointed out that Rouses carried the Olive Salad (in a jar) that I was looking for, but that I had not even asked her about. Great employee!!

I also asked one of your employees in the Bread/Dessert department if my Muffaletta bread would still be fresh if I bought it today (Sunday). She told me that it would not, and then offered to bake a special batch for me that I could pick up Tuesday (for my Wednesday dinner). I did not, however, get her name. There were two employees in the department at the time. The one who helped me also wrote my name (-------) in her log.

I live much closer to Wal-Mart, but drive the extra distance to shop at your store. This is why. Keep up the great work, and please let the employees that I encountered today know that they are doing a great job.