Tuesday, July 26, 2011

The Road To Peru, Day 8 -- Final Day

Logo: International Circus Hall Of FameOn Sunday morning we headed south. We were in no hurry to cover the 800+ miles to Pensacola. If three nights on the road suited us better than two we would get home on Wednesday instead of Tuesday.

Shortly after we left Peru we stopped for breakfast at a Bob Evans Restaurant in Kokomo. This fueled our 305 mile Sunday drive, getting us to Bowling Green, Kentucky. Next to the hotel was a Bob Evans Restaurant where we had our dinner. Two Bob Evans' in one day! It is always a favorite when we are on the road. There is none near Pensacola.

Monday, Day 7, we drove to Birmingham, Alabama. It was an easy 275 miles. All along the way on this trip we listened to audio books. On the way north it was Patti LuPone's A Memoir read by Ms. LuPone herself with great flair and a good deal of attitude. Coming south we listened to Seth Rudetsky's Broadway Nights: A Romp of Life, Love, and Musical Theatre. And when we got tired of the talking books we had XM Radio -- all Broadway, all the time, channel 72. Tired and hot when we arrived in Birmingham, we ate at the Outback Steakhouse in the hotel's parking lot.

Bates House of TurkeyTuesday was Day 8 and we were only 260 miles from home. Lunch was at the Bates House of Turkey in Greenville, Alabama. Yes, all they offer is turkey, but many, many different ways. After picking up the cats we were home by 3:00 P.M.

The total mileage for the trip, including side trips and getting lost looking for local restaurants, was 1,690 miles.

Saturday, July 23, 2011

The Road To Peru, Day 5

Logo: International Circus Hall Of FameYesterday, Friday, we got to Peru around noon. It was just 90 miles from Greenwood so it was a short drive. We had lunch at the Circus City Grill and then checked into our hotel -- the Circus City Inn.

Peru, Indiana: Circus Capital of the WorldEvery July the City of Peru, The Circus Capital of the World, hosts the Circus City Festival in honor of its circus heritage. There is a circus at the Circus Hall of Fame, the youth circus in town, a huge parade with antique circus wagons and the Hall of Fame's induction dinner for new honorees.

Mid-afternoon we were picked up by Wayne Scheiner who took us over to the Circus Hall of Fame Museum and gave us a guided tour. What a treat to see all those old wagons and other historic memorabilia. There's a slideshow coming up at the end of this post that has photos of the museum and much more.

Back to the Circus City Inn for a rest and cleanup before going to the Peru Amateur Circus. What a fine show and what talent and practice. The "Children of All Ages" were not only in the audience but in the show itself! What a wonderful showing of civic pride.

Saturday started hot and got hotter. Because of Jack's honor this day we rode in the parade. First in a Mercedes convertable -- later in a golf cart when the battery in the former gave out. We made the journey and did not falter.

Back at the hotel after the parade it was time to cool down -- lunch at the Circus City Grill, a shower and a nap before getting ready for the evening's events.

Jack's PlaqueIn the evening we went to the Circus Hall of Fame dinner at the Siding Restaurant and Jack gave a speech after. It went over very well. And he got this beautiful plaque.

Here's a link to some photos of what went on in Peru and at the Circus Hall of Fame Friday and Saturday.

Thursday, July 21, 2011

The Road To Peru, Day 3

Logo: International Circus Hall Of FameToday was the third day of our drive north on I-65 from Pensacola, Florida to Peru, Indiana. Peru is the home of the International Circus Hall of Fame and Jack will be inducted into the Hall of Fame on Saturday evening.

Most of the way to Peru we travel along Interstate 65. And nearly the whole length of it, too.

First thing Tuesday morning we took the cats to the pet hotel where they will be for the next week. Then we headed north.

Tuesday we managed 345 miles and spent the night in Athens, Alabama. Dinner was at Logan's Roadhouse, right next to the motel.

Welcome to Tennessee highway signWednesday we crossed Tennessee and moved on to Elizabethtown, Kentucky gaining 235 miles and losing an hour by entering Eastern Daylight Time.

Back Home Country Store & Restaurant, Elizabethtown, KentuckyThat night we ate at a pleasant local place, Back Home Country Store & Restaurant. Good country food, if a bit salty. As we progressed northward we found the food got saltier along the way. Not everywhere for sure, but at most of the places where we ate.

Today, Thursday, we went 150 miles getting into increasing heat. Temperatures were in the high 90s with discomfort levels of 110 to 115. So once we got to the motel we chose to eat nearby. Lunch at the Fireside Brewhouse and dinner at Little Mexico III. Both were in the mall a little bit up the street from the motel. Good local food.

Thursday, July 14, 2011

Along the Wabash River

 Peru, Indiana and the Wabash River, 1910.
Peru, Indiana and the Wabash River, 1910.

Friday, July 01, 2011

What's For Dinner Tonight? Part 10

Menu board: Le Tableau Bistro, East Village, NYC -- now closed
Menu board at Le Tableau French-Egyptian Bistro, NYC

Ever since Saturday, January 27, 2007, I have kept a log listing nearly all of our evening meals. The intention is to help answer the daily questions:

(1) "What do you want to eat tonight?"
(2) "What haven't we had lately?"



Eventually the list became too long to navigate easily. So I broke it up into six-month segments:
January through June, 2007
July through December, 2007
January through June, 2008
July through December, 2008
January through June, 2009
July through December, 2009
January through June, 2010
July through December, 2010
January through June, 2011




Friday, July 1, 2011 -- burgers with tomato, lettuce, avocado, secret sauce and fries (getting ready for the 4th of July celebrations)

Saturday, July 2 -- shrimp and crab cocktail, horseradish sauce, tomato salad, potato salad
Sunday, July 3 -- fried chicken, coleslaw
Monday, July 4 -- charcoal grilled rib eye steaks, twice baked potatoes
Tuesday, July 5 -- Thai take out from Siam Asian Diner
Wednesday, July 6 -- burgers with tomato, lettuce, avocado, secret sauce and fries
Thursday, July 7 -- chicken salad sandwiches, stuffed celery sticks
Friday, July 8 -- poached salmon, grilled ahi tuna, mango salsa, steamed rice

Saturday, July 9 -- pork chops, rice, gravy, Chipotle-cinnamon apple sauce
Sunday, July 10 -- roast turkey, stuffing, gravy, sweet potatoes, cranberry sauce
Monday, July 11 -- chicken breast, mashed potatoes, fresh pineapple
Tuesday, July 12 -- dinner at Bonefish Grill
Wednesday, July 13 -- burgers, bacon (Nueske's of course), lettuce, tomato, secret sauce, fries
Thursday, July 14 -- baby back ribs, mashed potatoes, corn
Friday, July 15 -- steak, asparagus, Bearnaise sauce

Saturday, July 16 -- Hot Brown sandwiches
Sunday, July 17 -- Chicken Parmesan, mashed potatoes, green peas
Monday, July 18 -- On our way to Peru, Indiana and Jack's induction into the Circus Hall of Fame -- road food for the next week.

Tuesday, July 26 -- sandwiches from Jersey Mike's
Wednesday, July 27 -- fried chicken, mashed potatoes, carrots
Thursday, July 28 -- bacon burgers, secret sauce, fries
Friday, July 29 -- Chicken Parmesan, rice

Saturday, July 30 -- Teriyaki pork chops, rice, gravy
Sunday, July 31 -- spaghetti with meat sauce

August 4-9 Ken off to Maine for Katie and Chris' wedding

Tuesday, August 9 -- fried chicken, black beans & rice
Wednesday, August 10 -- bacon burgers, salad
Thursday, August 11 -- charcoal grilled beef and veggie kababs, steamed rice
Friday, August 12 -- Chicken Parmesan, mashed potatoes, collard greens


Saturday, August 13 -- turkey, stuffing, mashed sweet potatoes, cranberry sauce
Sunday, August 14 -- sandwiches from Jersey Mike's
Monday, August 15 -- spaghetti with meat sauce, salad
Tuesday, August 16 -- lunch at the Hacienda Mexican Restaurant; sundaes from the DQ for supper
Wednesday, August 17 -- Kung Pao Chicken, steamed rice, green onions, peanuts, crispy noodles, green beans
Thursday, August 18 -- burgers, lettuce, tomato, secret sauce, fresh corn
Friday, August 19 -- fried chicken, coleslaw, corn and tomato salad, peach shortcake

Saturday, August 20 -- shrimp and grits
Sunday, August 21 -- Thai takeout from the Siam Asian Diner
Monday, August 22 -- chicken fried steak, country gravy, mashed potatoes, cream corn
Tuesday, August 23 -- Chicken Parmesan, creamed spinach, noodles Alfredo
Wednesday, August 24 -- home made lunch -- Billy's Shrimp Creole and Joan's Buttermilk Pie with blueberries; snacks for supper
Thursday, August 25 -- pork chops, chipotle/cinnamon applesauce, potatoes au gratin
Friday, August 26 -- batter fried shrimps, seafood cocktail sauce, Insalata Caprese

Saturday, August 27 -- Lunch in Biloxi, Mississippi at the Beau Rivage Casino's Terrace Cafe; a light supper at home
Sunday, August 28 -- crispy fried chicken fingers, fresh corn on the cob, batter-fried scallions
Monday, August 29 -- burgers and fries, skillet corn
Tuesday, August 30 -- fried chicken, gravy, mashed potatoes, coleslaw
Wednesday, August 31 -- takeout from Tu-Do Vietnamese Restaurant, peach short cakes
Thursday, September 1, 2011 -- spaghetti with meat sauce
Friday, September 2 -- lunch downtown at The Wine Bar on Palafox; snacks for supper

Saturday, September 3 -- green and black peppercorn crusted, bacon wrapped, filet steak with twice-baked potatoes
Sunday, September 4 -- Chicken Parmesan, rice and gravy
Monday, September 5 -- pork chops, mashed potato, applesauce
Tuesday, September 6 -- sandwiches from Jersey Mike's, chicken soup
Wednesday, September 7 -- fried chicken, mashed sweet potato, cranberry sauce
Thursday, September 8 -- burgers
Friday, September 9 -- Chinese Pie

Saturday, September 10 -- take out from Siam Asian Diner
Sunday, September 11 -- crab cakes, salad
Monday, September 12 -- French dipped roast beef sandwiches, coleslaw, potato sticks
Tuesday, September 13 -- lunch at Chow Tyme Chinese Buffet; snacks for supper
Wednesday, September 14 -- Chicken Parmesan, Noodles Alfredo, fresh corn
Thursday, September 15 -- Monte Cristo sandwiches, fruit salad
Friday, September 16 -- Bill D's roast beef birthday dinner

Saturday, September 17 -- charcoal Teriyaki- style BBQ beef and veggie kababs, steamed rice
Sunday, September 18 -- sandwiches from Jersey Mike's
Monday, September 19 -- burgers, corn on the cob
Tuesday, September 20 -- take out from Siam Asian Diner
Wednesday, September 21 -- meatloaf, mashed potatoes, gravy
Thursday, September 22 -- steak, sauce Bearnaise, twice-baked potatoes
Friday, September 23 -- James Beard's Quiche Lorraine, salad

Saturday, September 24 -- chicken hash ('21' Club recipe), rice, creamed spinach, key lime pie
Sunday, September 25 -- burgers and fries
Monday, September 26 -- Vichyssoise (adapted from Julia Child's recipe), fried chicken, potato salad
Tuesday, September 27 -- lunch at Shark Fin; snacks for supper
Wednesday, September 28 -- Cajun shrimp over cheese grits
Thursday, September 29 -- French Dipped Roast Beef Sandwiches, coleslaw
Friday, September 20 -- grilled "cowboy" steaks at the Coach-n-Four Steakhouse

Saturday, October 1, 2011 -- fried chicken, roasted garlic with olive oil and potatoes, corn
Sunday, October 2 -- spaghetti, meat sauce, salad, garlic bread
Monday, October 3 -- Thai take out from Siam Asian Diner
Tuesday, October 4 -- pork chops, cornbread stuffing, collard greens, applesauce
Wednesday, October 5 -- tempura shrimp, coleslaw, fresh pineapple
Thursday, October 6 -- lunch at La Hacienda Mexican Restaurant; snacks for supper
Friday, October 7 -- guacamole & chips, Chicken Parmesan, rice and gravy

Saturday, October 8 -- burgers & fries
Sunday, October 9 -- steak and little red potatoes
Monday, October 10 -- take out from Sonny's BBQ
Tuesday, October 11 -- tacos

--- Road trip to Sarasota, through Thursday ---

Thursday, October 20 -- soup and English muffins
Friday, October 21 -- Chicken Parmesan, rice, gravy, corn

Saturday, October 22 -- beef and veggie kababs, rice
Sunday, October 23 -- burgers & fries (scratch), tomato, lettuce, bacon, secret sauce
Monday, October 24 -- Thai take out from Siam Asian Diner
Tuesday, October 25 -- spaghetti with meat sauce, garlic bread
Wednesday, October 26 -- chicken, mashed [potatoes, green peas
Thursday, October 27 -- pork chops, applesauce, cheese puff
Friday, October 28 -- beef stew and hot biscuits

Saturday, October 29 -- Kung Pao Chicken, steamed rice, green onions, peanuts, crispy noodles, green beans
Sunday, October 30 -- burgers
Monday, October 31 -- English muffin pizzas, soup
Tuesday, November 1, 2011 -- turkey, cornbread stuffing with pecans, mashed sweet potatoes, gravy, cranberry sauce
Wednesday, November 2 -- lunch at Chow Tyme Chinese Buffet; soup for supper
Thursday, November 3 -- goulash, noodles, tomato salad
Friday, November 4 -- Chicken Parmesan, mashed potatoes

Saturday, November 5 -- French dipped roast beef sandwiches, red beans and rice
Sunday, November 6 -- beef and veggie kababs, rice
Monday, November 7 -- burgers, bacon, cheese, tomato, lettuce, secret sauce
Tuesday, November 8 -- lunch at The Fish House; snacks for supper
Wednesday, November 9 -- beefy beans, creamed spinach, garlic bread
Thursday, November 10 -- fried chicken, rice, gravy, black eyed peas
Friday, November 11 -- pork chops, mashed potatoes, country gravy, corn, applesauce

Saturday, November 12 -- Kung Pao Chicken, steamed rice, green onions, peanuts, crispy noodles, green beans
Sunday, November 13 -- Thai take out from Siam Asian Diner
Monday, November 14 -- Burgers
Tuesday, November 15 -- Chicken Parmesan, rice, gravy
Wednesday, November 16 -- Bacon-wrapped filet steaks with twice-baked potatoes
Thursday, November 17 -- lunch at Five Sisters Blues Cafe: supper was Tortilla Soup with corn chips, avocado and sour cream
Friday, November 18 -- beef pot roast with veggies

Saturday, November 19 -- Kim's birthday party at Bill and Maria's: fried turkey, German Chocolate cake
Sunday, November 20 -- roast beef hash
Monday, November 21 -- Kung Pao Chicken, steamed rice, green onions, peanuts, crispy noodles, green beans
Tuesday, November 22 -- chicken fried steak, country gravy, collard greens, mashed potatoes
Wednesday, November 23 -- lunch at La Hacienda Mexican Restaurant; soup for supper
Thursday, November 24 -- Thanksgiving Dinner: black and green peppercorn-crusted, bacon-wrapped filet steaks with cream and pan juice reduction, baked potatoes, green bean casserole and Cambria Pinot Noir from Santa Maria, California -- and pecan pie.
Friday, November 25 -- chicken and shrimp gumbo

Saturday, November 26 -- Birthday lunch for Billy at Bill & Maria's: Court Bullion, Pineapple Upside Down Cake; eggs and bacon for supper
Sunday, November 27 -- Chinese takeout from Publix
Monday, November 28 -- pork chops, chipotle applesauce, green peas
Tuesday, November 29 -- fried chicken, creamed potatoes with horseradish, carrots
Wednesday, November 30 -- chicken fried steak, country gravy, steamed rice, corn
Thursday, December 1, 2011 -- leftover chicken and shrimp gumbo
Friday, December 2 -- Chicken Parmesan, Noodles Alfredo, grilled asparagus

Saturday, December 3 -- lunch at Chow Tyme Chinese Buffet; soup and sandwich for supper
Sunday, December 4 -- N.Y. strip steaks and baked potatoes
Monday, December 5 -- fried chicken, mashed potatoes, black eyed peas
Tuesday, December 6 -- spaghetti with meat sauce, garlic bread
Wednesday, December 7 -- chicken pot pies
Thursday, December 8 -- sandwiches from Jersey Mike's and soup
Friday, December 9 -- Chicken Parmesan, rice, gravy, Cheesy Corn Bake (Jack Stack's Kansas City BBQ recipe)

Saturday, December 10 -- steak and baked potato
Sunday, December 11 -- Thai take out from Siam Asian Diner
Monday, December 12 -- French dipped sandwiches, cole slaw
Tuesday, December 13 -- pork chops, rice, black beans with ham, applesauce
Wednesday, December 14 --
Thursday, December 15 -- crab cakes and shrimp cocktails
Friday, December 16 --

Saturday, December 17 -- Kim's Cajun Turkey Fry
Sunday, December 18 -- hot turkey sandwiches, mashed potatoes
Monday, December 19 -- Publix fried chicken, coleslaw, stuffed Peppadews
Tuesday, December 20 -- Beef Stroganoff, noodles Mary Westbrook
Wednesday, December 21 -- Chicken Parmesan, roasted little red potatoes with garlic
Thursday, December 22 -- Chinese pepper beef, steamed rice, green beans, egg rolls
Friday, December 23 -- Christmas lunch at Jackson's (Jack's treat); snacks for supper

Saturday, December 24 -- Christmas Eve eggnog and snacks party
Sunday, December 25 -- Kim and Bill fried up shrimps and oysters for Po' Boy Sandwiches with lots of potluck sides from everybody else -- at Kim's
Monday, December 26 -- Stouffers Creamed Chipped Beef on toast
Tuesday, December 27 -- lunch at Chow Tyme Chinese buffet restaurant; snacks for supper
Wednesday, December 28 -- Chicken Piccata, mushroom cream gravy, steamed rice
Thursday, December 29 -- bacon-wrapped, black and green peppercorn-crusted filet steaks, twice baked potatoes
Friday, December 30 -- fried chicken, potatoes

Saturday, December 31 -- Grillades and grits, black eyed peas





Please leave me a comment and tell me what you are eating tonight.