Exercise is a dirty word... Every time I hear it, I wash my mouth out with chocolate. Chocolate doesn't make the world go around ... but it certainly makes the ride worthwhile! Put "eat chocolate" at the top of your list of things to do today. That way, at least you'll get one thing done.

Okay, John, it's taken me a while, but I tried one of the recipes in my new Spanish cookbook, and have finally typed it out. I will include Camorra's into, because it's just plain interesting. "In true Spanish Fashion, nothing in the kitchen is wasted - not even the heat from the bread kiln! In days gone by, after bread was baked, a cazuela (ceramic pot) of potatoes, sitting in a pool of seasoned stock, was pushed into the kiln to slowly cook from the residual heat trapped in the bricks. Most panders (bakers) now use electric ovens, but the name of this dish is still the same. â¦" I made this with vegetable broth. It seemed thin -I imagine the Chicken broth would be much better. I liked it though. I may try it with less expensive mushrooms the next time. I don't think it would make a difference. Here's the recipe. It comes from the cookbook, "Rustica, A Return to Spanish Home Cooking" by Frank Camorra and Richard Cornish. Soft Potatoes and Onions with Mushrooms Thickened with Eggs Ingredients 2/3 cup extra virgin olive oil 3 white onions cut into fine wedges 4 bay leaves 3 green bell peppers, seeded and ribs removed, cut into slices 1/2 inch thick 6 garlic cloves, thinly sliced fine sea salt 2 lbs. roasting potatoes, cut into slices 1/2 inch thick 2 cups chicken stock 3 1/2 oz. shitake mushrooms, cut into slices 1/4 inch thick 5 1/4 oz. oyster or other wild mushrooms, cut into slices 1/4 inch thick 4 eggs, lightly beaten 4 tablespoons finely chopped parsley Directions Heat 1/3 cup of the olive oil in a large heavy-bottomed saucepan over high heat. Add the onions, bay leaves, bell peppers, half of the sliced garlic and begin to soften. Reduce the heat to medium-low, then cover and cook for 25 minutes, or until the peppers are tender, stirring regularly. Remove from the heat and stir the potato slices through. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Spread the potato mixture in a large roasting pan, season well and pour the stock over. Cover tightly with foil and bake for 60 to 70 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender. Meanwhile, heat the remaining olive oil in a frying pan over high heat. Add the mushrooms, the remaining garlic and a pinch of sea salt. Toss to combine well, then reduce the heat to medium and cook for 10 minutes, or until slightly brown and soft. Remove from the heat, place in a bowl and let cool for a few minutes, then stir in the beaten eggs and parsley. When the potatoes are cooked, remove the roasting pan from the oven and remove the foil. Pour the mushroom and egg mixture over, then stir it through gently, without breaking up the potatoes. Bake, uncovered, for another 6 to 8 minutes, or until the egg is nearly set, but still a little runny. Remove from the oven and serve warm. Sally This post was edited by sally2 on Sun, Feb 9, 14 at 8:48

I hear wine is good for ya ;) Dry champagne and dark, simi sweet chocolate slivers really go together very well, did you know that? A gorgeous combo! Cute, am printing it out *LOL*

I looked at Launderette and liked what I read about it - I will try to go there. I also want to go to the Phoenicia Bakery & Deli on 45th and Burnet Rd, which is close to our BnB. They have muffuletta sandwiches on their menu! We will go to Pappadeaux's for lunch on Friday with our sister. I talked with my sister on Sunday, and it was not a very pleasant conversation - she seemed very testy and argumentative - I think this is because she is having trouble adjusted to her husband being gone. They were married for a long time - I think since 1983 or so, which would make it 40 years. She would never come to visit me without bringing him, once they were together. Near the end, she had to retire from her work in order to take care of him, and now she is no longer working and does not have him to take care of. One of her husband's granddaughters (from Huntington Beach, CA) will be staying at her house while we are in Austin. I don't think I've met her, but I'm sure I would get along with her, although I do not expect to be around her that much. I really want to limit the amount of time I will be around my sister - at least during the time that she will be with Jack's family, as I do not know them that well and am not close to them at all. I do hope that Kevin and I will be able to spend some time with Karen by ourselves, but I don't know how much of that will be possible. I think if there are too many people around at the same time, it could be tense, partly because Jack's family is dysfunctional - my sister's term, not mine. I know his family will still be grieving a lot - as will my sister, and this is a situation that I have very little experience with. I mostly want to stay out of the way so that I can avoid conflict.