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

How fun. My Dad used go down from the Bay Area,when he worked for Kaiser, to the place with the the big smoke stack in Moss Landing. Not sure what it was called, as it has been so many years ago. We have eaten at your friends place. Living in Idaho now, we always head to Monterey for fresh seafood when we are down. We should stop at your friends place more often, because the places on or near cannery row or the warf are sure not as good as they used to be. Not much better eating than "sopping up" the broth of a good cioppino with some great crunchy sourdough! One of my DGD's is living in Seaside, married to an officer that is attached to the NPS. They just welcomed our newest great-grand baby on January 3 so we will be headed down there, when there is a break in the weather. Glad you posted this, but sorry I missed it. Those shows always repeat, so I will watch for it.

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.

I happened on this site and enjoyed reading the comments about the direction of the food network. I too used to be a real fan of the network, but do not watch it on a regular basis. I chalked it up to m y life getting busier and TiVO, but that knew those weren't the only reasons b/c when I catch Julia or Jaques or Lidia on TV, I find myself sitting there and watching. Can't say that about the shows on the FN. I do like Giada, Ina (think b/c onf the calming nature of their shows, Giada's style and the fact that I actually do learn something and have tried and like their recipes). I also like Nigella b/c of the naughtly, yet subltle "not obvious" sensual way she has with preparing food. These 3 are my fav's b/c I actually learn something and have tried their recipes. I even like ole' martha b/c of the same reason. I am a black woman who grew up in a fairyly "boustrius" family in the bronx during the 60's and 70's. I and my family used to LOVE watching Julia Child (I commonly referred to her as "the cooking lady") on the "ups" channel 13 in NY, on a black and white t.v., grainy picture and all. How is it that "the cooking lady" could command the attention of my family and I is beyond me, but I think it had to do with her voice, precesne and the fact that we actually LEARNED something. Juslia also had a dry sense of humor and thought nothing of bringing out a blow torch, goggles and all, in a couple of the earlier episodes. I thankfully have most of her videos and watch them as my life permits. I am glad FN is reconizing the need for diversity, but the Neely's, sorry to say, are not the answer. I confess tat I only watch the episodes that feature one or more Neely men. Gina's over the top, swinging of the fake hair, need for attention attitude/behavior and screechy/baby voice drives me nuts. I don't need a FN "personality" telling me how/what to do w/my man in the kitchen...I have that covered just fine, thank you. PLEASE FOOD NETWORK, if you are reading this, LET THE NEELY MEN HAVE THEIR OWN SHOW WITH OUT GINA NEELY!!! P.S. Thanks to the "Eric08" that forwarded the link to the Tony Bourdain commentary. It cracked my up. Tony is another of my favorite chefs. Unapologetically real.