Unpopular opinion --
Grey, misty days with temps in the 40's is Perfection.
... the only 'bad' part, I want to eat everything in sight with no regard for the bathroom scales.
Accordingly --
Is it just me, or does anyone else love the aroma of sautéing onion and garlic? I've even begun adding fresh garlic cloves to my store brand olive oil to sprinkle on my salads.
While visiting with my Ladies' Study friends this morning, somehow the conversation skewed to their recent mediocre restaurant experiences. Tom and I don't make a habit of eating out every week, but I found myself saying, (imho) one's server can 'make or break' my experience. Thankfully, in addition to Long Horn, we found another fellow at Olive Garden's bar who takes really good care of us. (No, I left the 2-martini lunch far behind years ago.)
As usual, the place was hopping. I didn't think Mike even noticed we'd been seated when he went rushing by our booth. Then, all of a sudden, he appeared at my elbow with my tall glass of water (2 lemons) and Toms' Coca-cola. "Did I get that right?" Even tho' we'd not been there for more than a month, he asked, did we still want the salmon, the Shrimp Alfredo, extra sauce? I don't know how he does it, but it honestly makes me feel like a VIP.
Meanwhile, back at the ranch --
I finally took myself to task and stood up, plugged in the tree. These are last year's images, but it basically looks the same ... except I haven't been moved to "fluff" the branches all pretty-like. We're not expecting visitors, and while the girls are drawn to the lights, they haven't expressed an opinion one way or the other.
Tom likes the colored bulbs, I prefer white -- so we bought one that changes itself every few minutes.
We had an amazing server when we would go to Bahama Breeze for lunch, but she left for another restaurant. That's hard! The photo of Penelope is priceless, Myra. I don't have to see her face to know that her eyes are shining. Blessings!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much! 🤗
DeleteYou are right...Santa sees everything I hear. It is amazing how some waiters are so good...they can remember exactly what you eat and how you want it cooked. Then you have those who barely notice if you need more water to drink. Sam loves garlic...me, not so much! Penelope is exploring the tree... Enjoy a good week Myra
ReplyDeleteI hope y'all do the same! 💛
DeleteWe don't go to any restaurant often enough to be considered a regular.
ReplyDelete😊
DeleteSo love this post Myra. That picture of your precious Penelope is a wall hanger just the way it is.
ReplyDeleteGlad your echo was unremarkable ...
Yes definitely on the fragrance of roasting garlic and onion. Makes my mouth water thinking about it.
Have a really good week too.
Sue
I was thinking the same thing!
DeleteThe temperature where you are is about 4*C - as it is here. It's very cold all of a sudden. And wet - it's been raining for a while now. And you are right - it's time for hot meals. I like the suggestion of your quiche. We use ready-made pastry (because I'm lazy) and I roll it out and put spinach and Fetta cheese all crumbled on one side. Fold the pastry over to make a packet which I seal by pressing down the edges and in the oven. Great with Ouzo if you like it, or wine if you prefer.
ReplyDeleteAlso, you can have wine whilst it's cooking. I find it improves the flavour of the spinach.
I like your Christmas trees. This time I over did it and spent ages on a ladder putting lights outside.
God bless.
What a great idea! Be careful out there!
DeleteSweet photos :)
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteI hope you broke out in song anyway!
ReplyDeleteLovely photos, and the baby__perfect!
Always! ... whether anyone's listening or not.
DeleteI do love the smell or onions and garlic.
ReplyDeleteAnd Penelope is adorable.
So are your decorations all done? Your trees are very pretty.
Not yet ... I hit the Dollar Tree this morning for a red spoon for my teddy bear (pix coming soon).
DeleteThat server was amazing! And the picture of the baby precious. ❤️
ReplyDeleteIsn't he? Suppose they keep "cheat sheets" with our photos in the back room? 😁
DeleteI can attest to the FACT, Sandra Claus is watching and make a list and checking it more than twice. HO HO HO..
ReplyDeleteI just wish I could say I was Sandra Claus is coming to town and see your tree in Real Life and of course you and the pups..
this was the hardest year to decorate the nook since 1990 when we put all that glass in it. I should say I put all that glass there.
Penelope is adorable and so sweet looking at the tree.
I do not eat or like the smell of garlic/onions, if onions are in something I pick them out.
I do not like colored lights . please ask that waiter if he could send me a bottle of his memory cells. wow.. I am now forgetting to give Bob coffee with his breakfast until he growls, and have been known to forget filling his water glass with ICE that I hate making and water
Oh, what I'd give to see your face at my front door!
DeleteI do love the smell of sautéing garlic and onions! Very pretty photos. :)
ReplyDelete😊
DeleteThat is a sweet photo of Penelope. It would melt my heart as well. We've been eating out about once a week because of new local restaurants opening up in town. Ahhh so many restaurants and so little time.
ReplyDeleteI'd like to be more adventurous -- but hesitate to try something different and then be disappointed.
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ReplyDeleteThat picture is amazing! Children always think Christmas is magical! I tend to agree. Haven't been any place with exceptional service for a while. Most are mediocre. Enjoy this Christmas season! It's full of good food ! Love, ma
That's just what my friends were saying ... about mediocre service. Sad, isn't it?
DeleteOh yes, I agree about service!! We had a waitress like that at our favorite little eatery. But alas, they closed a year or so ago. We still miss it. Mr D loves all blue lights, we both different colors, so our tree is different colors!
ReplyDeleteThere you go! 👍
DeleteGo ahead and eat anything you want, I read that size 24 is the new size 12, no worries.
ReplyDeleteYou are right - service can make or break a meal!! Love that last photo - so sweet!!!
ReplyDeleteOH, that picture of Penelope is a heart melter for sure! What a sweetheart! Oh, you are so blessed to have her near! And yes, I do like the smell of saute'ing onions and peppers. It really smells like something good is cooking! That waiter is a keeper! We don't go out often enough anymore for anyone to remember us, but we used to go to a place that is no longer open every Friday evening, and the waitress/co-owner always knew what we wanted. We saw her in Walmart a while ago, and she remembered what we used to order, and it's been at least 6 years since we've been there! Now that's a memory. Of course, it was a small place, but STILL!! I hope you have a lovely weekend.
ReplyDeleteThat is so true on a day like that. Way to go on cooking. Yes, the server can make a difference and how wonderful that he remembered you. The tree looks pretty. That picture of Penelope is so precious.
ReplyDeleteThe little ones bring all the joy to the season, for sure!! Rushing through to catch up but loved this!
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