vessel clean, bone dry
scrubbed until nothing
of substance remains.
colors long faded, rust
brown in the deep bowl
long dormant orange-red
stripes run horizontal
on a sad blue-tinged,
chipped background.
perched on a shelf behind
a small glass pitcher
and an oval turkey platter
brought out for special
occasions calling for
authentic Mexican salsa
the hot stuff made with
jalapeños and cilantro
chased with cold Corona.
Apparently some say “Tomotoes”–taken in Corpus Christi, TX.
Of course it might be a new food, full of vitamins and minerals and the key to eternal youth. Perhaps I should’ve stopped for a sample.
Peace, people!
I scalded the roof of my mouth several days ago while dining on the exquisite Fit Fare Veggie Skillet at the Denny’s just down the road. Before you look down your nose at my choice of restaurant let me assure you that our Denny’s in Midway, Florida, is the best in the world. It is well-managed with an efficient and personable wait staff, and food that looks exactly like the pictures featured on the glossy menu, and tastes just like I need it to taste.
When my favorite server brought me my favorite meal I dug right in and was immediately rewarded by that ohmygoshtoohottoohot!!! panic. I couldn’t very well spit the food into my plate so I grabbed my ice cold soda and took a long drink, holding the liquid in my mouth until the food cooled.
I knew immediately that I’d pay for my eager gluttony for days, after all, this wasn’t my first burning mouth event. But I don’t think I’ve ever gotten actual blisters in my mouth before. Worst of all I couldn’t even drink my coffee this morning! Maybe I should just go back to bed. To heal.
Peace, people!
Postscript: Several days after scalding my mouth I’ve been rinsing with lots of Shiner Bock beer. Salt water would probably be better for the healing process, but it doesn’t mellow me out like beer does.
turkey on wheat bread
cornbread dressing stuffed bacon
cold pie for breakfast
some foods get better
on the second time around;
leftover heaven
Studly Doright isn’t a big fan of leftovers except when it comes to turkey and dressing and pecan pie. The man loves cornbread dressing and won’t cease eating until he’s scraped the pan clean. It’s embarrasingly endearing.
I can’t say that I’m any better. After having three generous pieces of pecan pie yesterday I might be the first person in history to have overdosed on the gooey dessert. My stomach spoke to me in angry tones all night long in a way that was anything but endearing, yet quite embarrassing.
It seems that leftovers, like everything except possibly hundred dollar bills, are best enjoyed in moderation.
Peace, people!
My mom was a kitchen perfectionist. She had precise ideas as to how most things had to be done, and I never quite was able to live up to those ideals. I never stirred correctly, never measured properly, never quite made anything to Mom’s specifications. I’ve always blamed her for my not learning to be a better cook, but truthfully I never enjoyed kitchen tasks.
Every year as Thanksgiving nears I wish I’d paid more attention to Mom’s directives. Even though I’ve now successfully prepared two dozen or more holiday dinners on my own I still have at least one hiccup in the preparation stage every single time. One year I almost forgot to buy a turkey. Another year I accidentally prepared sweet cornbread as the base for my cornbread dressing. That’s a definite no-no! No amount of sage or pepper could counterract the sweetness. There’s no telling what will happen this year. You see, I’m a bit of an imperfectionist.
On Thanksgiving morning I can always imagine my mom looking down from her perch in heaven shaking her head and saying, “Oh, sis, not like that!” But she’s also probably beaming in amazement that I manage to pull the whole thing off, and that so far no one’s been rushed to the emergency room after one of my meals.
Studly Doright and I wish each of you a Happy Thanksgiving. May your heart be filled with love and gratitude and your belly filled with good food.
Peace, people!
Thanksgiving Day at Doright Manor
Roast Turkey
Cornbread Dressing
Green Bean Casserole (Studly’s favorite)
Grape Salad (from Chicken Salad Chick-my favorite)
Cranberry Sauce
Deviled Eggs
Yeast Rolls
Pumpkin Pie
Wine
Until this week I hadn’t eaten a pimento cheese sandwich in over 40 years. But for some reason this week I felt this need, nay, this HUNGER for a pimento cheese sandwich.
In pursuit of the perfect pimento cheese, I stopped by my favorite sandwich shop, Chicken Salad Chick, on Monday and purchased a take home container of their pimento cheese.
Since then I’ve had a pimento cheese sandwich for dinner each night along with a beer and a sliced apple. Mmmmmm!
In honor of the lowly pimento cheese sandwich I give you this poem:
funny yellow substance
funny little spread
served between two slices
of soft white bread.
oh pimento what are you
veggie, fruit, or bean?
never mind, it matters not
your attributes I’ll sing.
Come to think of it, I’m not really certain what a pimento tastes like. I sure like the cheese part, though.
I found this recipe on Pinterest. Keep in mind I haven’t taste tested it, but if any of my readers try it out let me know what you think.
Peace, people!
Studly Doright took today (Friday) off so he could spend time with his mom before she has to head home on Monday. Studly excels at finding fun locations for lunch, and he outdid himself today.
Just outside of Perry, Florida, is Deal’s Famous Oyster House. People drive for many miles to experience the cafe’s oysters on the half shell along with just about any other kind of seafood one might desire.
Now, Studly doesn’t eat seafood, so we knew there must be some additional reason he chose Deal’s as our lunch destination. It didn’t take long for that reason to be exposed:
This, my friends, is a one-woman percussion instrument. We believe her name is Zodie and her instrument is called the pogo stick. One plays the pogo stick by dragging it along the floor and tapping it in time to a recorded melody, while simultaneously spinning an attached tambourine and drawing a bow across a string. Simply put, my mind was boggled!
Oh, and the seafood was incredible. Saint Helen and I had fried shrimp and hush puppies. The breading was light and didn’t overwhelm the shrimp. Perfection. Studly had chicken. Silly boy.
Peace, people!
I took my beautiful mother-in-law, Saint Helen, to lunch at The Edison in Tallahassee today.
I had an outstanding BLT. She had a strawberry salad. We both had a cocktail!
Well, to be fair, Saint Helen only had half of one. I drank every last drop of mine.
Rosewater Pink Lemonade shaken with Bombay Gin is a lovely way to celebrate October 29. Or any other day, for that matter.
Peace, people!
Studly Doright, my mother-in-law, Saint Helen, and I made an important discovery on our recent trip home from the Texas Hill Country. No, it wasn’t an actual chupacabra, or a new, hotter than hell type of chili pepper. This was something way cooler and far more easy to digest–the mega convenience store called Buc-ee’s.
I’m not even sure mega comes close to describing just how big these stores are.
Above is pictured a small part of a Buc-ee’s food court.
Coke, anyone?
Buc-ee is a pretty big deal. Even the Travelocity Gnome paid a visit.
Need a souvenir of your Buc-ee’s trip? You’re covered!
I didn’t find a photo of the bathrooms at Buc-ee’s, but trust me on this, it was amazing! I felt like I’d entered the Buckingham Palace of restrooms. It was huge and every stall had its own hand sanitizer dispenser.
Oh, and as we left we heard the friendly, “Y’all come back now!”
God bless Texas. And Buc-ee’s!
the most important
meal of the day,
or so i’ve heard,
is the one you’ll
eat upon waking.
who am i to disagree
with waffles and eggs,
pancakes with berries,
and mounds of crisp,
crunchy bacon?
but my favorite spot
has limited seating
and this morning an
incredible queue, i am
already weary of waiting.
Praying for Eyebrowz 