I think I will start watching it without the sound. It is still gorgeous but it sure has become dumb. And i never like a plot twist that was driven by contracts. It has always been about Mary and Matthew, and without tension it does not work. I also think that Fellowes was very self-indulgent with the Barrows story line. We get it. Sexual orientation doesn't matter. It's 2013, we know this. It was totally unrealistic to write a storyline where the staff and family were so tolerant and understanding in the environment where homosexuality was illegal! I think he made an improbable story line for the era, to make a point in 2013. It did not ring true. Plus I think acting like it was tolerated then actually does a disservice! How vulnerable are people whose relationships court criminality? The biggest problem with the show is that requited love (MnM) is boring. "l love you more each passing day"? Is that Fellowes, or Hallmark?

I've read a few of Jodi Picoult. Some I have liked and others not so much, and in fact stopped reading one but I don't recall which one it was. Have any of you read 'Wild', by Cheryl Strayed? It is her true story, and a movie has been made starring Reese Witherspoon. It's on my list to read next I think. Shelaaus, I've read a lot of Jeffrey Archer, but not in a while. I do like his books in general. Have any of you read Dorothea Benton Frank? I was reading a lot of southern writers recently, and fell in love with her books. Lots of fun and great characters, mostly set in coastal South Carolina. Good beach/pool reads for the summer. And for slightly crazy fun I'll take Carl Hiaason or Jimmy Buffett (yes, the singer) any day. Oh, and someone mentioned Patricia Cornwell (Bone Bed). I'm a little behind with her series, but love those too.

Lascatx -- I play French horn. I was a long-time member of a quintet back in B'ham and was fortunate to arrive in Santa Fe just as a quintet here was losing its horn player. We're comprised of an attorney, a HS band director, a retired forest service biologist, a wetlands conservation/restoration consultant, and a technical type who works at Los Alamos labs and can't really tell us what she does for a living (!). I know your son will enjoy his quintet -- any small ensemble, really. I found that my playing really improved when I joined a quintet some 18 years ago. Having to carry your own part with no section mates to lean on is good experience.

Sorry, Suzieque, this is another chicken dish. It's our dinner tonight so I thought I'd post it. I included some of my own Notes after the recipe. Chicken With Artichokes 3 1/2 to 4 pounds chicken legs and/or thighs 1 can artichoke hearts, drained and halved 1 medium onion, cut into chunks about the same size as artichoke halves 1 pound white button mushrooms (halved) 2 tablespoons brown mustard (or Dijon) 1 clove garlic, chopped 1/4 cup olive oil 1/4 cup red or white wine vinegar 1/4 cup red or white wine 1/4 teaspoon dried basil 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme 1/4 teaspoon dried tarragon 1 bay leaf Salt and pepper (to taste) Preheat oven to 350. Place chicken, skin side up, in a baking pan. Distribute onion, artichokes and mushrooms over the top. Combine olive oil, mustard, red wine, red wine vinegar, garlic, dried herbs, bay leaf, salt and pepper and pour over the chicken. Bake for 1 1/2 hours basting every half hour. Notes: I leave the artichoke hearts and mushrooms whole and add a little less oil...maybe 3 T. Because of that I often use 2 cans of artichoke hearts. I also season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper. The pan you use should be large enough to hold the chicken pieces in a single layer to allow nice browning. Placing them tightly in the pan is fine. You might not need the entire 1 1/2 hours cooking time...just check. I've subbed Herbs de Provence for the basil/thyme/tarragon.