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Because it’s time to reflect.
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Kale.
After the window installations disaster, roof leaks, the loss of a toenail, my husband’s eye surgery debacle, numerous home remodeling nightmares, the erection of view busting greenhouses across the street, crazy property tax increases, catching Covid, a cancelled holiday trip, a non existent Christmas and a dead water heater? I cry uncle!
Kale.
My 2024 was wall to wall 🥬 .
Now you. What food represents your year?
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A little molasses flavored grain is always a welcome treat.
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Two bowls…
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First come, first serve.
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Unless you’re small enough to sneak underneath.
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😊
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Like news you can use, but worse.
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I’m afraid to ask which organ is electric.
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That doctor can bite me.
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Not dying at 45 is isn’t a valid reason to be happy about menopause. It’s not even close.
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Wow. Talk about unnecessary surgery.
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Admit it, you all have that one child you wish you could give back and try again.
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I don’t know what that is.
And I don’t want to know either…
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Animals are evolving into crabs? I missed this headline and will be keeping a closer eye on our cat from now on.
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Freaky?
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For a Kardashian, it’s just another Monday. .
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Heading south across the border into New Hampshire, we discovered a fabulous brewpub.
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Housed in an industrial complex, it had a funky urban vibe.
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The mural was awesome and took time to appreciate…
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So we grabbed a seat at the bar and checked the nicely varied tap list.
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Stone face doesn’t do flights per se, but you can order small pours to sample.
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Thoroughly enjoying their brews we chose a few full glasses and an order of their amazing garlic Parmesan wings.
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Tasty beer aside, I’d drive down just for these.
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There’s a large glass wall behind the bar that allows you to watch the brewery operation, but I was more taken with the fancy glass cleaner on the shelf.
The man cave could definitely use one of those.
😉
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On a bright and sunny afternoon, we headed west.
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To a small craft brewery called Ambition.
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To be honest I think it was misnamed. Not only was it small, but the barkeeper was more interested in talking with his friends than introducing new customers to his beer. We muddled along on our own, ordered and picked up our own flight…
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And were quite underwhelmed. The only brew that any flavor? Burned your throat too much to drink.
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With this many breweries in our state… we won’t be returning to the ambitionless Ambition.
Tasting complete, we headed across the street to a favorite restaurant.
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Housed in an old shoe factory with an original boiler door that fascinates my husband..
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Calzolaio Pasta Co. never disappoints.
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An apple cider mule with a garlic, chicken, broccoli Alfredo pizza on fresh basil dough for me.
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And a fabulous ravioli special for the husband.
Sautéed shallots & local Macintosh apples finished with baby spinach in a sherry & sage cream sauce over butternut squash & pumpkin filled ravioli.
All the flavors of fall right there!
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Just a quick question this week.
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You either love it or hate it. There’s rarely any middle ground.
I am not a fan. My husband is.
I make it for him every once in a while, but have never added it to special holiday meals.
This year we went to a friend’s home for the traditional feast… and while she didn’t cook it, another guest brought one.
So though I wasn’t responsible, technically I have to say yay.
How about you?
Yay or nay to the controversial beans…
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It is said man cannot live on bread alone.
I beg to differ.
We dropped in to one of our favorite restaurants the other day for a quick lunch.
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Royal River Grill House rarely disappoints.
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One cranberry margarita in…
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We enjoyed the views and the virtually empty space.
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It was a beautiful autumn day, everyone must have had outdoor plans.
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A new item had been added to the menu recently and we took full advantage.
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You can have your charcuterie boards filled with meat…
I’m all about the bread and butter.
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With a cup of creamy herbed clam chowder?
Damn near perfect.
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A blueberry mule by the ocean is a beautiful thing.
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Even if the restaurant’s decor leaves a bit to be desired.
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Lobster Cove got good reviews for its seafood so we gave it a whirl.
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View from upstairs?
Not too shabby.
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My clam chowder was excellent and aside from the weird onion ring topping on my husband’s beloved French onion soup, his was tasty as well.
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Fried sea scallops for me, a decadent seafood casserole in lobster bisque for my spouse and we were happy campers.
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Almost as happy as these seagulls…
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Who were fed by this kind stranger.
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No… don’t leave!
😉
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You may have to think for a moment but it (probably) won’t hurt.
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Here’s what makes me see red –
I’m cooking, carefully following a recipe and laying out all my ingredients… only to discover that the 12 ounce can/bag/box of whatever I need is now 10 ounces due to shrinkflation and I need to make another run to the grocery store to pick up another full can/bag/box of whatever it is I need to get that missing 2 ounces.
Grrr.
Pay more/get less drives me insane. Add the damn .40 cents to the price and give me a full portion of the product so I don’t have to buy 2 and end up wasting most of the second.
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😡
Okay, that’s my kitchen rager. How about you?
What makes you crazy in the kitchen.
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My husband usually cringes when I announce “New recipe for dinner tonight!” as many of them don’t live up to the hype. But I found a nice one the other day and thought I’d share.
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Creamy, cheesy goodness for the win.
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I always try to follow the ingredient list to the letter the first time out, but my spouse isn’t crazy about ricotta cheese so I blended half cottage/half ricotta and it was fabulous.
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Though when it came time to filling and rolling the noodles, I realized I had a problem.
I didn’t skimp… and would run out of filling long before the desired 8.
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So I had to make another half a bowl. This was the perfect amount … I recommend starting off that way if you want to give this one a whirl.
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Here are my tweaks –
I used a cooked rotisserie chicken, rosemary and garlic seasoned. I chopped, didn’t shred.
Recipe calls for 2 cups Alfredo sauce but to be honest I think it could use more. We like things saucy.
I’ll be making this one again and think I might add some fresh spinach next time I roll.
Please use fresh garlic.
Enjoy!
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River's world..... 