Is anyone watching Gordon Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares? I saw a few episodes of this in England this past summer, and now he is doing an American version. I know he has a foul mouth and a violent temper. I've never watched Hell's Kitchen cause watching a grown man yell at and demean people and throw pots and pans isn't my idea of entertainment. But so far he has been absolutely spot on with his observations and criticisms of some of the American eating establishments he has visited and turned around. He seems very perceptive about the weak spots at each restaurant and knows exactly who to point the finger at!

Well, I'm not going to tell you-all how old I am, but I lived in Miami from 1934 to 1950, I voted for FDR and 'The buck stops here' Harry, I left there in 1950... Miami was a small town, during the War I worked on Flagler St in an orange-juice stand and then at the MIAD, where they had German POW's doing the grounds-work.... and the place was full of Russian sailors,.... and then I worked on the Beach and took the Jitneys across the causeway to work... no air-conditioning in any of the stores, just ceiling fans........ stuff sure has changed there, hasn't it?................sally

Love those snow angels! Momj's cat has the right idea. And David... those rolls.. yummm... Both of us have colds. As Christy was hacking across the pillow the other night I knew my turn was coming and sure enough yesterday it set in. So today as I mentioned on the spilt pea thread we made two pounds of split pea soup. I was going to make biscuits but wasn't feeling that great so we are having toast croutons with it. That's what my Mother always made so that's always nice to have good memories along with a bowl of goodness. I love cornbread with it but Christy doesn't so I if I feel better tomorrow I'll make some so I can have it for a couple days while I have the soup for breakfast and lunch. Smiles. Tomorrow, since she's not quite up to par, Christy is going to make one of her comfort foods, weenie stew. Hot dogs cooked in a tomato sauce with N.O. seasonings [grn. pepper, onion, celery and garlic] and served over mashed potatoes. Surprisingly good and super easy. It finally started snowing here. Everything has a good covering but that's about it so far. It has been quite cold. Ten in the mornings and up to about sixteen during the day. It stays colder here on our little hill than the surrounding area. Hopefully we won't get this much this time. Smiles. Just thought I'd throw this pet pic in. This was from our Dec. blizzard.

Same thing and recipes will vary. There's going to be purists on anything who say it ain't _____ if it ain't _____... but what's called a garage sale is no different than a tag sale and a sub or a grinder and the endless arguments over chili. But then, some people take coleslaw dressing and call it BBQ sauce, or call chicken stew "white chili" or call hamburger a "steak"! And for that matter, many people/places make it with hamburger. Things change and evolve. Shepherd's pie being made with turkey? Or better yet, with vegetable granules called meat? Years ago I tried chicken/country fried steak with beef gravy and really liked it. Many places have a far tastier beef gravy than they do the white/milk/cream/country, etc gravy and when my cousin tried to straighten me out on it, I pointed out it's CALLED chicken fried steak WITH white/milk/cream/country, etc gravy so get off'n yer high horse! He conceded and even tried it and most often after, ordered it with beef gravy.