When I returned from delivering the mail today, a package was waiting at my case for me, and what a package! Lorraine (paradisa) sent a wonderful package to me! So nice, that I had to take pictures so I could share them with you all! When I opened up my box, I found another box wrapped in blue tissue with a white bow. Once I had that open, there were a lot of smaller packages, all wrapped up in blue tissue with white ribbons. One of my co-workers watched while I opened up everything, and she kept saying how good of a time SHE was having, just watching me open up everything! Well, here are a couple of pictures of the box, which Lorraine sent for me to keep seeds in... and here's a picture of everything with the box opened up... And now, let me tell you what was inside this wonderful box! First, Lorraine sent a lot of stuff, including the see box, which had a wolf theme. I love wolves, consider them my totem, and love what she sent! Now, here's what was inside this box! a CD by Jim Gaffigan, a comedian, so I can relax and have a few laughs. I've already listened to some of this CD, and it really is funny! a peacock feather (don't know why, but very cool!) a wonderful card package of 25 plant labels dehydrated tomatoes (I'll use these in my cooking) homemade strawberry jam 2 packs of seed envelopes a small wolf notebook wolf-themed calendar/checkbook cover wolf bookmark medium-sized wolf-themed notebook 11 different types of tomato seeds nasturtium mix double-click cosmos white brown-eyed susan vine chinese lanterns yellow clasping coneflower cosmos - bright lights cosmos - orange fluted cosmos - tall yellow cosmos - picotee calendula toothache plant geum trifloreum morning glories nemophilia - penny black rose seeds (I've been wanting to try to grow roses from seeds!) gomphrena hardy pink hibiscus (from Lorraine's hibiscus) blue sweet peas fan fare gallardia this box was incredible! THANK YOU LORRAINE!!! (and to think that she was worried I wouldn't like what she sent. how could I NOT like it???) now, all you other e.g.s, aren't you just jealous? hehehe ***heading off to bed now*** -Dan

I see you picked the Dijon - good choice! I had not seen it before and think its beautiful. (I did not like the Citron) Just for comments - l I think Cobalt blue is a classic sort of kitchen accessory color because over the years country kitchens, white cabs etc. come back into style and blue looks really wonderful with that. Also "yellow" sunny walls are popular in kitchens and blue looks good with that. I have the Flame and occasionally think I'd like to switch, but then change my mind. Its classic in its own right as one of the original colors of a pretty old name in French cookware - now too trendy for being copied by Rachael Ray, Mario Batali etc. but I like the sense of tradition it gives me and I believe orange is supposed to induce hunger? (not that I need any more of that:)

From my "Essentials of Finer Chinese Cuisine" cooking class: SIMPLE VEGETABLE FRIED RICE Master Recipe 2 tablespoons peanut oil 2 eggs, beaten 1 slice (cross) fresh ginger root 4 mushrooms, diced 2 cups cooked rice ½ cup bean sprouts, coarsely chopped ½ cup frozen peas, thawed ½ teaspoon salt ½ teaspoon white pepper 1 stalk green onion 1 tablespoon soy sauce Rub rice with wet hands so all grains are separated. Heat ½ tablespoon oil in wok over medium heat and add eggs. Cook and stir until soft curds form. Remove from heat and break eggs into small pieces. Heat remaining oil in wok over high heat and add ginger and mushroom; stir-fry for 15-30 seconds. Add rice and toss until heated through. Add sprouts, peas, salt, pepper, green onion, soy sauce, and cooked eggs. Toss just to heat. VARIATIONS: Chicken fried rice -- after cooking eggs, put in small dices of ½ chicken breast (boneless, skinless); remove from wok before adding ginger and mushroom and return with sprouts, etc. Eliminate sprouts. Shrimp fried rice -- put in 2-4, coarsely chopped shrimp (as you would the chicken) and add 1 tablespoon fish sauce or oyster sauce. Eliminate sprouts. Santa Maria style (with linguica, chicken, shrimp) -- cook Linguica (1/2 small link, diced), chicken (1/4 chicken breast), shrimp together (2, chopped). Season with 1 teaspoon SM-style seasoning (eliminate salt and pepper). Eliminate sprouts. Sub chicken stock for soy sauce. Add 1 teaspoon (more?!) Tabasco. Toss in 1 tablespoon finely chopped cilantro just before serving. VELVET CORN SOUP WITH CRAB MEAT 1 cup Crabmeat 1 slice Fresh ginger, minced 2 tsp Cornstarch 1 Tbs Sherry 3 cups Chicken broth 1 cup Sweet corn, cream style 2 Eggs, separated; yolks lightly beaten, ONE white stiffly beaten 1/4 tsp Salt 1/4 tsp White Pepper Marinate the crab meat in the ginger, sherry, and cornstarch for 30 minutes. Heat the chicken stock. Add the corn and bring to boil. Add the crabmeat mixture and again bring to a boil. Turn heat down and gently stir in the egg yolks, then fold in the egg white. Serve immediately. Garnish with chopped cilantro and/or finely chopped green onion. "LIONS HEAD" (MEATBALLS) 1 pound lean ground pork 4 ounces shrimp, shelled, de-veined, chopped ¼ cup sliced water chestnuts, finely chopped 1 teaspoon fresh ginger root, minced 1 stalk green onion, finely chopped 1 tablespoon soy sauce 1 tablespoon dry sherry ½ teaspoon sugar 1 tablespoon cornstarch 1 whole egg, lightly beaten 2 tablespoons peanut oil SAUCE 1-½ cup chicken broth 2 tablespoons soy sauce 1 head Chinese (Napa) cabbage (1-1/2 pound) 3 tablespoons cold water 1 teaspoon sesame oil 1 tablespoon cornstarch 1. For meatballs, combine all ingredients except oil in large bowl and mix well. Divide mixture into about 12 portions and shape into balls. 2. Heat peanut oil in hot wok over medium-high heat. Brown meatballs, shaking or stirring occasionally so meatballs brown on all sides and keep their shape, 6 to 8 minutes. 3. Transfer meatballs to a larger stockpot or deep saucier pan. Add chicken broth and soy sauce. Bring to boil, reduce heat, cover and simmer 5-10 minutes. 4. While meatballs are cooking, core cabbage, remove hardest stems, and cut leafy tops in half. (Save hard leaf bases for another dish.) Place leafy tops over meatballs and simmer 5 minutes more. 5. Use slotted spoon to transfer cabbage and meatballs to serving platter, meatballs on top. Blend cornstarch, water, and sesame oil in small cup. Stirring constantly, slowly add cornstarch mixture to pan juices; cook on high heat until slightly thickened. Pour sauce over meatballs. Garnish with thin sliced green onion and/or whole stems of cilantro ("Chinese Parsley"). Ground turkey can be used in place of the pork. Use 2/3 pound turkey and 1 cup cooked white rice. Also add a touch more soy sauce. CHICKEN AND ASPARAGUS WITH BLACK BEAN SAUCE 1 Tbs dry sherry 4 tsp soy sauce, divided 5 tsp corn starch, divided 1 tsp sesame oil 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts halves, cut into bite-size pieces 1 Tbs black bean sauce (or just chopped "fermented black beans" and 1 clove garlic, minced) 1 tsp fresh ginger root, sliced ½ cup chicken broth 1 Tbs oyster sauce 3 Tbs peanut oil, divided 1 lb asparagus spears, trimmed and diagonally cut into 1-inch pieces ¼ small red bell pepper, cut into thin strips 1 medium yellow onion, cut into 8 wedges and separated 2 Tbs water 1. To make marinade, combine sherry, 2 teaspoons of the soy sauce, 2 teaspoons of the cornstarch, and the sesame oil in a large bowl. Add chicken and stir to coat well. Let stand 30 minutes. 2. Combine chicken broth, bean sauce, remaining 2 teaspoons soy sauce, the oyster sauce, and the remaining 3 teaspoons cornstarch in a small bowl; mix well and set aside. 3. Heat 2 tablespoons peanut oil in wok over high heat. Add chicken and stir fry for 2-3 minutes. Remove and set aside, covered. 4. Heat remaining 1 tablespoon oil in wok. Add asparagus, bell pepper and onion and stir fry 30 seconds. Add water, cover, and cook, stirring occasionally, until asparagus is crisp-tender; about 2 minutes. 5. Return chicken to wok along with chicken broth mixture (stir well before adding); cook and stir until sauce boils and thickens. CHINESE BANANAS FOSTER WITH COCONUT CARAMEL 2 small bananas, sliced crosswise 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted ("sweet") butter 1 tablespoon flour 4 tablespoons brown sugar ½ teaspoon cinnamon 2 small pieces candied ginger root, thinly sliced ½ teaspoon orange zest 3/4 cup coconut milk 1 pint Vanilla ice cream (or butter pecan) Melt butter in large sauté pan. Add flour, brown sugar, candied ginger root, and cinnamon. Add banana pieces and turn often until they JUST start turning soft. Add coconut milk and stir until smooth. Cook, stirring, over medium heat until mixture boils and thickens, then simmer 2 minutes longer. Serve over ice cream. From "Low Country, Up Scale" (for Chinese food with a twist): CATFISH AND BLACK BEAN SAUCE Ingredients: 1 Tbs dry sherry 4 Tbs soy sauce 5 tsp cornstarch, divided 1 tsp sesame oil 3 large catfish fillets, cut into 1" cubes (or about 2 lbs of "nuggets") 1 Tbs black bean sauce 1 tsp fresh ginger root, minced 1 clove garlic, thinly sliced ½ cup chicken broth 1 Tbs oyster sauce 5 Tbs peanut oil, divided 1 pound fresh asparagus, trimmed, cut into 1" 1 medium yellow onion, cut into wedges 2 Tbs water Directions: For marinade, combine sherry, 2 teaspoons of the soy sauce, 2 teaspoons of the cornstarch, and the sesame oil in a large bowl; mix well. Add catfish and turn to coat well. Let stand 30 minutes. Combine bean sauce, ginger, and garlic; chop together. Combine chicken broth, remaining two teaspoons soy sauce, oyster sauce, and the remaining 3 teaspoons corn starch in a small bowl; mix well and set aside. Heat two tablespoons of the peanut oil in a wok or large skillet over high heat. Add half the catfish and toss gently until catfish turns opaque (about three minutes). Remove the cooked catfish from wok, add another two tablespoons of oil and heat the other half of the catfish. Remove cooked catfish and set all catfish aside. Heat remaining one tablespoon of oil in wok. Add asparagus and onion and stir-fry for 30 seconds to one minute. Add water, cover and cook, stirring occasionally, until asparagus is crisp-tender (about 2 minutes). Return catfish to wok. Stir chicken broth mixture and add to wok. Cook and stir until sauce boils and thickens. BANANA EGG ROLLS 8 4-inch egg-roll wrappers 2 medium ripe bananas 8 tsp apricot-pineapple jam/preserves About 1 cup oil for frying (3 parts vegetable oil and 1 part peanut oil is best) Slice bananas crosswise and then lengthwise to get four long quarters. Spread each wrapper with jam/preserves. Place banana quarter in center of each and roll up like an egg roll. Heat 2 inches of oil in saute pan on medium. Deep fry 3-4 at a time until golden. Cut each egg roll at a slant at the midsection and serve with vanilla ice cream and a good drizzle of Island Chocolate Ganache: Island Chocolate Ganache: Ingredients: 9 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped 1 cup heavy cream 1 Tbs dark rum Directions: Place the chocolate into a medium bowl. Heat the cream in a small sauce pan over medium heat. Bring just to a boil, watching very carefully because if it boils for a few seconds, it will boil out of the pot. When the cream has come to a boil, pour over the chopped chocolate, and whisk until smooth. Stir in the rum. Allow the ganache to cool slightly before pouring. Joe

I know this thread is old but I really need to discuss this at the moment (forgive me of the following is long). I moved cross-country a year and a half ago leaving behind my two dogs. 1 is a senior dog who loves with my mother and I and the adjustment would be too much. The second is a 110 pound lab/Shepard that is really my brother's and it wouldn't have for in my new apartment anyway. I have always had a pet. Even in college I had a mouse. I have genetic depression and while I am perfectly normal thanks to my medication, I have found that having something to take care of helps me function above-average as well as keeps me emotionally positive. After settling down in my new home I decided it was a good time to adopt a new dog. I'm 25, financially independent, and able and wiling to care for a dog (I am also certified to groom dogs, know numerous training techniques and own two training books, I volunteer at two local shelters and am this able to recieve discounted training and vaccinations for any pets; I have clipped my own dog's nails for years; know the best toys for a stimulated mind; and have even been asked to show my dogs before at local competitions (I declined); I live a mile from work and I work with only two other people who are fine with me bringing in a pet). And yet, I have been unable to adopt a dog the last year and a half and yesterday was the 6th time I was "burned" by the shelter system. Time number 1: not so much a shelter system as a coworker's dog had a litter of puppies. One was promised to me, pictures were sent, promises and dates for exchanges were made. And then her sister took all the puppies to Portland and sold them for $300 each, including the one that was promised to me because one woman up there wanted a boy and a girl dog. I cried, this was a disapointment. But it was the easiest compared to the following year... Time number 2: a dog I regularly walked at the shelter and I hit it off. I stated formally that I would like to begin the paperwork. The woman who normally runs adoptions was out on vacation so a note was made and I was given the paperwork. Meanwhile, one of the admin workers at the shelter decided that her friend would like the dog. She contacted her friend that day (after my note was made) and discarded my note and set up an adoption on her own citing it as an "emergency exception". Time number 3: I found a dog on petfinder at a shelter in Northern California about four hours away. They have a policy (and this is the humane society) that potential adopters need to fill out an i Irish wave of paperwork, deliver it in person with app family members present. The family must undergo a personally evaluation and spend four separate hours with the dog under the supervision of a pet psychologist. Then a second set of paperwork is filed and the dog is sent home on a temporary basis while the shelter checks in 1-3 times before the dog is officially allowed to be registered and adopted. Obviously, living four hours away this was a bit much. But I contacted the head of the shelter to set up an expedited version. I would undergo my evaluations over video chat, and meet with the dog once for 2 hours before driving it home. I sent in the first paperwork (a lengthy list that asked my marital status, income, smoking and drinking habits, references, two essays, a quiz on my beliefs on various pet-related things, etc). I was told that no one else was in competition for the dog. Until two days later when I was notified that someone local wanted the dog and my paperwork was void. Time number 4: I was fostering a dog I fell in love with and she adored me. However, due to a genetic condition, she needed surgery on her legs and was unable to be adopted until after the 1st of the year. I told all the official channels that I wanted to adopt her. I was told this was great and not an issue. Her surgery was on December 20th. On December 21st the vet that performed her surgery took her home and adopted her. Time number 5: a friend of a friend had a dog he was giving up to the shelter. It was a puppy/Christmas present for his kids that went un-taken care of, unloved after December 25th and left outside 24/7. It was a long-hair chihuaha/Pomeranian. My friend contacted him and while we were fine for him to just give me the dog, his wife wanted is to go through the local shelter system as a way of keeping an official record. Big mistake. Someone got wind that the chi-Pom was coming in and offered to make a $500 donation to the shelter in exchange for the dog. When I went in to pick up the dog an hour after it was dropped off, I was told he was adopted. (I only learned the true story from a friend who volunteers at admin as well as through the shelter e-mails). Time number 6: last week I met with a shelter dog at it's foster home. I fell in love but wanted to make sure he and my roommate got along. I arranged that I would be able to have an overnight stay with the dog (I was also fostering a cat that the shelter wanted to see how it handled other pets). I contacted the shelter Saturday, Sunday, and Tuesday to day that I Could pick the dog up on Friday (this just so happened to be the single busy work week I have). On Friday I contacted the foster parent of the dog who informed me that she decided to show the dog to a couple during the week. And that then it was between me and them and the shelter prefers people who don't work to adopt pets (yes, that is literally what they said) so I was not allowed to adopt the dog. (The dog also came from an a used situation like the dog I had at home and thusly I knew how to handle it but apparently that is a moot point when it comes to the fact that I work a 9-5 job). These were just the situations where I thought I had the dog before it was adopted from under me. There is also the shelter in Portland that had a requirement of a 4 hour driving radius. Southern Oregon is 5 hours away, this eliminating people in the shelter's own state. They was the shelter in north Cali that is 45 minutes away with a two hour driving radius who, upon finding out I live in Oregon told me they only adopt to residents of California. There is the shelter near Portland that has a minimum $900 adoption fees for male dogs and $1200 for females. There is the shelter that needs you to have a previous pet or a signed letter from a veterinarian (I believe this shelter is on the Oregon coast). There is the local shelter who turned me down for fostering because I work (again, I live 1 mile from work. I come home at lunch and I can bring the dog to work). And a few other shelter stories from friends that posted on my wall when they heard I was once again denied a dog: The friend who was 24 and had to get motorized permission from her parents to adopt a cat because they only adopt to people over 25. The professor who was denied because he was not married. The friend who brought in a start dog and was denied adopting said dog because she was the one who brought it in and was thus listed as the person who have the dog up. And finally, the family friend that was deemed too old to adopt. Do I think shelters are too strict? Yes. Do I think they drive potential adopters to go to a breeder instead? Absolutely. After being burned six times I realized my only option is to save my money and go to either an out-of-state breeder or an out-of-state pet store. Was this this my first, second or third choice? No. It's my seventh choice, but it is the only choice available to a woman that works.