I must not be "normal"....I've had some wicked chills all day so it was leftover lentil soup for me. Robert went out to pick up a takeout order from a nearby Mexican restaurant.

..Asking me for a recipe isn't usually something I can help with. But I'll try! And I know that I said orzo but I MEANT coucous! But it sure would work with orzo. Fix 1 cup coucous and 1/2 cup red quinoi according to the directions on their labels. Be sure to rinse the quinoa first, and I prefer the red....it tastes nuttier to me. I cook both of them in chicken broth. This salad can be made just with quinoi, but I didn't want to scare my guests. :-) Veggies....to equal about two cups or more : chopped green onions, red bell pepper, english cuke, chick peas (rinsed and drained), halved cherry tomatoes. Use your favorite vinaigrette . I made a lemon dressing with quarter cup fresh lemon juice, quarter cup olive oil, two cloves minced garlic, chopped fresh oregano, sugar, S & P to taste, and a splash of balsamic or other vineger. I didn't use all of the dressing. Add it to the couscous and quinoi while still warm, cover, and chill. When ready to serve, stir and taste to add more dressing if necessary. I added a bit of lemon zest on top for serving and fresh mint from the garden .

Gosh, everyone's dinner sounds so good! I swear that I'm going to get a slow cooker; I must be one of the few that don't. I'm looking forward to those cool autumn evenings. I sort of miss our little outdoor chiminea....it was enjoyable to sit around a fire and chat over drinks. Jasdip, my eyes are FABULOUS! My vision gets sharper and brighter every day. I asked Robert this evening if he noticed that the TV reception had improved and he just laughed at me. I simply cannot believe that I have this vision out of my own eyes. My doctor somehow managed to finess my new lenses so that I feel like I have almost infinite far vision but still can see well enough close up that I've only needed readers for very small print. I can put on my makeup, read most things without my new little readers. I will donate all of my eye glasses next week. Pretty amazing. I had him, his technician, and myself dabbing our eyes last week at a checkup visit after my second surgery. I made him stop what he was going, I took his hand in mine, leaned close to him and told him how much my new vision meant to me, someone who had really been so burdened by terrible vision since I was a little, tiny girl. I wanted him to know that my life was changed.

Mary, Mary, Mary. What are we going to do with you? Hope you don't have a setback. Remember, you sure don't want to have that surgery a third time! Angelaid, I sure envy you your vacation. Hope you have a wonderful time. Nosy question--if you're going to Hawaii, whose going to eat all that food? Rhizo, I sure do love shrimp and grits. I want to thank you for your concern regarding my liquid diet. Both Boost and the Special K protein shakes are loaded with vitamins and minerals. I drink on an average of three a day along with soup and G2-type drinks. The doctors aren't concerned--as long as I'm gaining a little weight. Sue, I know you'll have a great birthday dinner for Amber. I can't wait to hear what all you made. Have a great day!