I'm having rice cake, left over from our Lunar New Year 2 weeks ago. Rice cake is our traditional New Year food. This is normally a very busy time of the year. We often have family and friends dropping by unexpectedly. Most homes would prepare ready-to-eat food and snacks to offer to our guests. Rice cake is one such food. Also, for centuries, refrigeration didn't exist. We learned to prepare food that would last without refrigeration as it is also the case in many other countries. Rice cake was prepared with this purpose. If prepared correctly, it could last up to 2 weeks or more without refrigeration. These days, I just divide it and freeze it. Eat it whenever I'm in the mood for. I may just pan fry it which is another way to reheat this type of food.

Shirley, sure hope the storm stays away! Sounds like you had a nice, hearty dinner to keep you warm. Sue, hope the snow continues to melt. That's the "good" thing about having snow this late in the season. It melts faster since the weather's a little warmer. (Well, that's the Weather Channel's explanation, anyway.) Jasdip, I don't blame him for being happy. I sure would be! Enjoy your cuppa. Pam, you are one lucky girl--guess I've said that before. Bet that soup was delicious! Raven, we had that same wind. It was really powerful, wasn't it. Glad we didn't have anyplace to go in our little Matrix--would've blown us to the next town :-) Are you going to LA for the holidays? We're going to Harry's sister's in Georgia. Looking forward to it. Yes, I'm happy Nita and Mike can come again. Stacey, Walnutcreek's Thai chicken sounds good. I'll have to do a search. If I can't find it, I'll be giving you a shout. We love Thai food.

The potlucks are a lot of fun. They also have "tailgates" after many of the hunts (which are November through March) and evening picnics through the summer. I've earned a reputation with the group as a good cook, such that several members ask what I've brought so they are sure to try it before filling up on other dishes.

YogaLady--LOL! Pizza it is!! Tami, what would we do without our crockpots? I can't wait until I can have a nice roast again. Jasdip, yowzer--that's some salad!! I don't think the sausage will hurt much. Enjoy!! Glenda, I love those sausage balls. Looks like you have people thinking of different foods to serve at church!! Shirley, yes 'tis September. The leaves will be turning before you know it. And we'll be cooking stews and soups. Sue, as usual, your dinner sounds delicious. Purple chicken coop, huh? I had brain overload yesterday. The phone rang about 5 or 6 times Thursday afternoon and every single call was for appointments on Tuesday. I had to change Harry's lab work to 9, which means I have to miss my morning radiation. The last call was from Harry's primary saying she HAD to see him Tuesday. (Well, sorry, it's my chemo day.) She wasn't happy and I ended up in tears. After chemo I have to pick up my prescription for the syringes to flush my picc line. Have to go to a special pharmacy for them. Then home to interview/be interviewed by cleaning service, then my afternoon radiation. Wednesday morning after rad. I have to take Harry to G-ville to the doctor. So I had a bit of a meltdown.