Potted Peppers

It's time to harvest the hot peppers. These are about two inches long and are very hot. They grow, and ripen, with the ends pointing up.

What's for dinner tonight? Part 8

Ever since Saturday, January 27, 2007, I have kept a log listing 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

---

Thursday, July 1, 2010 -- stuffed bell peppers, crusty french bread
Friday, July 2 -- lunch at Mesquite Charlie's Steakhouse; tuna sandwiches for supper

Saturday, July 3 -- deviled crabs, tempura shrimp, fresh corn
Sunday, July 4 -- charcoal grilled beef and veggie kababs, steamed rice
Monday, July 5 -- cheeseburgers, Rösti Potatoes
Tuesday, July 6 -- Quiche Lorraine and salad
Wednesday, July 7 -- meatloaf, mashed potatoes
Thursday, July 8 -- tempura shrimp, crab salad asparagus with Béarnaise
Friday, July 9 -- takeout BBQ from Sonny's

Saturday, July 10 -- tacos
Sunday, July 11 -- BBQ rib eye steak, baked potato
Monday, July 12 -- bacon cheeseburgers, tomatoes, fries
Tuesday, July 13 -- lunch at La Hacienda Mexican Restaurant; BBQ baby back ribs for supper
Wednesday, July 14 -- Chinese Pie (Pâté chinois), go to the Wikipedia article and my recipe
Thursday, July 15 -- chicken pot pies
Friday, July 16 -- NY strip steak, fresh corn on the cob

Saturday, July 17 -- crab cakes, salad, cornbread
Sunday, July 18 -- cheeseburgers, home made fries
Monday, July 19 -- lunch at Wayne's Family Diner; quesadillas for supper
Tuesday, July 20 -- chicken salad on lettuce with papaya, avocado and crusty French bread
Wednesday, July 21 -- baby back ribs, mashed potatoes, green peas
Thursday, July 22 -- Kung Pao Chicken, steamed rice, green onions, peanuts, crispy noodles, green beans
Friday, July 23 -- hot dogs, coleslaw, chili con carne

Saturday, July 24 -- charcoal grilled steak, herb butter, baked potato
Sunday, July 25 -- hamburgers, bacon, potato salad, tomatoes and lettuce
Monday, July 26 -- baked pork chops, stuffing, corn, spicy applesauce
Tuesday, July 27 -- Crabmeat Remick, tacos
Wednesday, July 28 -- lunch at O'Brien Bistro; quesadillas for supper
Thursday, July 29 -- fried chicken from Publix, hash brown potatoes, papaya
Friday, July 30 -- steaks and baked potatoes

Saturday, July 31 -- shrimps-on-a-stick, black beans and rice (Moros y Cristianos -- Moors and Christians) with salsa
Sunday, August 1, 2010 -- bacon burgers, potato salad, fresh corn
Monday, August 2 -- takeout BBQ from Sonny's
Tuesday, August 3 -- Beefy Baked Beans, hot French bread
Wednesday, August 4 -- Vichyssoise, chipped beef on toast
Thursday, August 5 -- hot beef sandwiches, mashed potato, gravy, corn
Friday, August 6 -- leftover steak, rice, broccoli

Saturday, August 7 -- chicken salad with veggies and greens
Sunday, August 8 -- baby back ribs, field peas, cornbread
Monday, August 9 -- road trip to Jackson and Vicksburg
Tuesday, August 10 -- in Vicksburg
Wednesday, August 11 -- in Vicksburg
Thursday, August 12 -- drive home
Friday, August 13 -- fried chicken breasts, rice, gravy, corn

Saturday, August 14 -- pork chops, home fries, hot apple sauce
Sunday, August 15 -- bacon burgers, Tater Tots
Monday, August 16 -- chicken salad and potato salad on salad greens
Tuesday, August 17 -- take out dinners from Nancy's Gourmet To Go
Wednesday, August 18 -- steaks with au gratin potatoes
Thursday, August 19 -- stuffed peppers
Friday, August 20 -- beef fajitas

Saturday, August 21 -- Po Boy sandwiches from Jerry's Cajun Cafe for lunch; snacks for supper
Sunday, August 22 -- Kung Pao Chicken, steamed rice, green onions, peanuts, crispy noodles, green beans
Monday, August 23 -- cheese burgers, Tater Tots
Tuesday, August 24 -- lunch at La Hacienda Mexican Restaurant; snacks for supper
Wednesday, August 25 -- pizzas and lobster bisque
Thursday, August 26 -- road trip to Biloxi, dinner at Anthony's, Ocean Springs, MS
Friday, August 27 -- BLT salad with fried chicken

Saturday, August 28 -- take out from Siam Asian Diner
Sunday, August 29 -- crab bisque, crab cakes, mashed potatoes, green peas
Monday, August 30 -- pork chops in mustard mushroom sauce, rice, crowder peas
Tuesday, August 31 -- gazpacho, fried chicken, corn on the cob
Wednesday, September 1, 2010 -- lunch at O'Charlie's; snacks for supper
Thursday, September 2 -- charcoal grilled steak, baked potatoes, sautéed mushrooms
Friday, September 3 -- tacos

Saturday, September 4 -- leftover steak in gravy with rice and green beans
Sunday, September 5 -- hot dogs, chili, grits with fresh corn puree
Monday, September 6 -- Bill's Gumbo at lunch time for Bill's birthday, Rosie's birthday and Labor Day, plus stuffed grape leaves and birthday cake
Tuesday, September 7 -- take out from Siam Asian Diner
Wednesday, September 8 --beef and veggie kababs
Thursday, September 9 -- Kung Pao Chicken, steamed rice, green onions, peanuts, crispy noodles, green beans
Friday, September 10 -- pork chops, gravy, applesauce with Chipotle, cornbread stuffing

Saturday, September 11 -- chicken curry salad, mixed salad greens, papaya, avocado and tomato
Sunday, September 12 -- burgers and Tater Tots
Monday, September 13 -- ribs, black beans and rice
Tuesday, September 14 -- fried chicken, rice and gravy
Wednesday, September 15 -- meatloaf, mashed potatoes, gravy, carrots
Thursday, September 16 -- charcoal grilled rib eye steak, Béarnaise sauce, roasted red potatoes
Friday, September 17 -- Stouffer's Creamed Chipped Beef on toast, corn

Saturday, September 18 -- crab-stuffed mushroom caps, Chicken Saté, grilled veggies, spicy peanut sauce
Sunday, September 19 -- country food for lunch at Derailed Diner in Robertsdale, Alabama; snacks for supper
Monday, September 20 -- pot roast, gravy, Noodles Mary Westbrook, asparagus
Tuesday, September 21 -- Chinese green pepper beef, steamed rice, egg rolls, potstickers
Wednesday, September 22 -- burgers and potato salad
Thursday, September 23 -- Po' Boy sandwiches from Jerry's Cajun Cafe, with Cajun coleslaw and sweet potato fries
Friday, September 24 -- Salisbury steak with chopped salad

Saturday, September 25 -- fried chicken from Publix, salsa verde, corn on the cob
Sunday, September 26 -- NY strip steaks, salad
Monday, September 27 -- Kung Pao Chicken, steamed rice, green onions, peanuts, crispy noodles, green beans
Tuesday, September 28 -- bunless burgers with chopped salad
Wednesday, September 29 -- ahi tuna and Norwegian salmon, mango salsa, steamed rice
Thursday, September 30 -- hamburger and rice skillet, corn
Friday, October 1, 2010 -- salad with leftover fish

Saturday, October 2 -- NY strip steaks and baked potatoes
Sunday, October 3 -- cold beef salad
Monday, October 4 -- grilled chicken breast, rice, gravy, green beans
Tuesday, October 5 -- burgers and salad
Wednesday, October 6 -- chipped beef on toast, corn
Thursday, October 7 -- Chicken Francaise, rice, green beans
Friday, October 8 -- tacos with pinto beans

Saturday, October 9 -- beef and veggie kababs, steamed rice
Sunday, October 10 -- chicken salad
Monday, October 11 -- baby back ribs, steamed rice
Tuesday, October 12 through Thursday October 14 -- traveling: road food
Friday, October 15 -- Sandwiches

Saturday, October 16 -- steak and baked potato
Sunday, October 17 -- Kung Pao Chicken, steamed rice, green onions, peanuts, crispy noodles, green beans
Monday, October 18 -- burgers and soup
Tuesday, October 19 -- ground beef and rice with corn
Wednesday, October 20 -- shrimps on a stick, potato salad, mixed salad
Thursday, October 21 -- Chinese pie, green peas
Friday, October 22 -- crab cakes, salad

Saturday, October 23 -- restaurant meals at home from Gourmet to Go at Nancy's Haute Affairs
Sunday, October 24 -- burgers and salad
Monday, October 25 -- three salads: chicken, tossed and potato
Tuesday, October 26 -- Swedish meatballs, rice, green peas
Wednesday, October 27 -- grilled NY strip steak and baked potato
Thursday, October 28 -- Stouffer's Creamed Chipped Beef on toast, corn
Friday, October 29 -- hearty lunch at O'Charley's; soup for supper

Saturday, October 30 -- Beef Stroganoff, rice, broccoli
Sunday, October 31 -- grilled ahi tuna, poached salmon, green peppercorn Hollandaise, crab-stuffed mushroom caps, mashed potatoes
Monday, November 1, 2010 -- burgers, secret sauce and Stouffer's Corn Soufflé
Tuesday, November 2 -- fried chicken, salad, Peppadews stuffed with cream cheese
Wednesday, November 3 -- spaghetti with meat sauce and Cheese and Pepperoni Bagel Bites
Thursday, November 4 -- Chicken Parmesan from the Publix Deli, rice, gravy, French green beans
Friday, November 5 -- chef's salad with cold roast beef and ham

Saturday, November 6 -- take out from Sonny's Real Pit Bar-B-Q
Sunday, November 7 -- rib eye steak and baked potato
Monday, November 8 -- hearty lunch at The Fish House; snacks for supper
Tuesday, November 9 -- burgers
Wednesday, November 10 -- Kung Pao Chicken, steamed rice, green onions, peanuts, crispy noodles, green beans
Thursday, November 11 -- rice and ground beef casserole, candied carrots
Friday, November 12 -- chicken salad, tossed salad, fruit salad

Saturday, November 13 -- Stouffer's Creamed Chipped Beef on toast, corn
Sunday, November 14 -- grilled NY strip steak, roasted potatoes
Monday, November 15 -- BBQ baby back ribs, salad, black beans
Wednesday, November 17 -- Take out from Nancy's Haute Gourmet To Go
Thursday, November 18 -- Chicken a la King on noodles
Friday, November 19 -- pork chops, rice, spicy apple sauce and gravy

Saturday, November 20 --burgers and fries
Sunday, November 21 --Chinese Pie, green peas
Monday, November 22 -- lunch at the Fish House with David T.; chicken salad for supper
Tuesday, November 23 -- bacon cheeseburgers, lettuce, tomato, cole slaw
Wednesday, November 24 -- Chicken Parmesan, fried rice
Thursday, November 25 -- Thanksgiving Dinner at Bill and Maria's

Friday, November 26 to Thursday, December 9 -- On the road and on the Emerald Princess in the Southern Caribbean; Thursday night, soup and toast for supper

Friday, December 10 -- Publix fried chicken, mashed potatoes, creamed spinach
Saturday, December 11 -- burgers, lettuce, tomato, secret sauce
Sunday, December 12 -- Kung Pao Chicken, steamed rice, green onions, peanuts, crispy noodles, green beans
Monday, December 13 -- spaghetti with meat sauce, salad

Saturday, December 18 -- turkey fry at Kim's, snacks for supper
Sunday, December 19 -- bacon burgers
Monday, December 20 -- Cajun fried turkey, sweet potatoes, gravy, stuffing, cranberry sauce
Tuesday, December 21 -- chicken and shrimp gumbo, steamed rice, crusty bread
Friday, December 24 -- Christmas Eve lunch at Jackson's

Saturday, December 25 -- Kung Pao Chicken, steamed rice, green onions, peanuts, crispy noodles, green beans
Wednesday, December 29 -- Fish Fry at Bill and Maria's
Thursday, December 30 -- Happy Hour and heavy snacks with Kim here
Friday,December 31 -- burgers from Five Guys Burgers and Fries, we had our black-eyed peas at lunch

---

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

---

New Restaurant -- Five Sisters Blues Cafe

Last Friday we had lunch at Pensacola's newest restaurant, Five Sisters Blues Cafe.

Cecil Johnson sold CJ's Kitchen & Grille and opened Five Sisters Blues Cafe two weeks ago. It's on Belmont just off DeVilliers. The cafe specializes in Southern fare.

We arrived around 12:30 for lunch and the place was packed. It's noisy with the polished floor and glossy ceiling. Very loud. In the evening there is live music. The food was fine and the sides were wonderful with lots of choices. Service was friendly but the kitchen was slow. Probably this will improve over time. They haven't been open very long. My smoked turkey was excellent as was the chicken fried steak.

The food was on the salty side for my taste. Next time I will ask them not to add any. It wasn't as salty as food I have been served at Pensacola's Fish House or Cactus Flower Cafe, but in this health conscious time there's no reason to serve any over-salted food.

There's an extensive menu of some of my favorite things to eat so we will be back to the Five Sisters. And we will still go to CJ's for breakfast, too.

Savannah

"Bird Girl", 1936, by Sylvia Shaw Judson, originally located in Savannah's Bonaventure Cemetery.

We are thinking about a car trip to Savannah, Georgia sometime during the summer and a possible side trip to Charleston, South Carolina. The first bit of research was to find out how far away these places are.

Pensacola to Jacksonville -- 358 miles
Jacksonville to Savannah -- 140 miles
Pensacola to Savannah -- 498 miles (801 kilometers)

Savannah to Charleston, via Interstate Highways 95 and 26 -- 142 miles
Savannah to Charleston, via Interstate 95 and slower but more direct Route 17 -- 107 miles

For more information about Savannah and its attractions click here. And here for Charleston information.

First Swim -- 2005 to 2010

Here's how the pool looks today.

Our first swim of the year is usually when the pool temperature goes above 80°F (27°C).
• May 13, 2005
• May 18, 2006
• May 13, 2007
• May 21, 2008
• May 13, 2009
• May ?, 2010

This spring cool nights and cloudy mornings are keeping us out of the pool. In fact the pool has lost four degrees in the last three days.

UPDATE -- Friday, May 14, 2010 -- after several sunny mornings and some mild nights we got in the pool today. The water was 81 degrees. Refreshing.

The Trinacria On The Garden Wall

Our backyard has a dozen or more sun faces and decorative plaques hanging on the fence. A while ago my cousin Lorrie sent us a ceramic plaque with a design called a Trinacria It is the symbol of Sicily where she lives. In ancient times Sicily was called the Kingdom of Trinacria.

Click on the image to see a larger version.

We loved the plaque but worried about its safety -- hanging by a string above the concrete slab of the patio. So last week I took it to the frame shop and they made a shadow box for the Trinacria. The box is lined with dark green linen and is about 14 inches square and 2 inches deep.

It is now hanging on the living room wall and I won't worry about it when I wake up on windy nights.

Here's a link to a slideshow of the sun faces and plaques that were in our backyard last summer.

Spring is here

I took this photo today. The azaleas are starting to bloom in the front yard. These plants have bunches of very small blossoms -- each flower is about an inch across.


Click on image to enlarge

London Links for Visitors

First, a few words about where we stayed in London this time.
For many years and many holiday trips to London, Nick Price and his son Warren, of Price Aparments, have helped us find self-catering apartments in wonderful parts of London. This time they suggested 202 Apartments, 202 Kensington Church Street at Notting Hill Gate, and put us touch with the manager there, Susie Fraser.

The studio apartment was comfortable and was nice and warm during some chilly weather. There was a well-equipped kitchen, a large bathroom, lots of closet space, two beds, a dining table, chairs, a great TV and a patio. The double glazed windows in the sleeping area kept out all the street noise. Heavy draperies kept out the morning light. Susie couldn't have been more helpful. And the location was fabulous.

Second, a page of London links
Click here to see a page of London links we put together before the trip -- theatre guides, restaurants, London information and much more. You might find some of these helpful when you visit London. In no way is this a complete list of things to see and do in London. It reflects only our interests and contains some of the links we wanted to have handy while we were there.

London Trip March 2010 -- Day 12, Fly home

The flights home were smooth and on time. We were exhausted. Too much to carry. In Dallas we had to rest and get wheeled around. At last we found all the luggage, and the hotel at the New Orleans' airport and the car. All was fine. We were home by mid-afternoon on Tuesday.

London Trip March 2010 -- Day 11

It's time to go home. We packed up this afternoon and headed for Heathrow to spend the night at an airport hotel. We have an early flight Monday morning and we would have to get up around 4:30 AM if we stayed in town. This way we have no wories in the morning about traffic congestion and late trains. And we get to sleep a couple hours longer.

We saw six shows while we were here and liked them all.

Some of the shows we saw in London
(Click on the image to enlarge it)

We also saw and enjoyed Once Upon A Time At The Adelphi at the Union Theatre, but you don't get a ticket stub. Their tickets are little laminated plastic cards that they recycle.

The hotel at Heathrow was comfortable and quiet and there was a McDonald's next door.