Weekend in Sarasota

On Friday, January 15 we headed for Sarasota. We wanted to see our friends, famed chimpanzee trainers and presenters, Rudi and Sue Lenz, be inducted into the Sarasota Circus Ring of Fame.

As usual we stopped for lunch at Gary's Flaming Cafe in Chipley. But for the last time. It was closed and the place had been emptied out. Gone.

We continued to head east and had lunch a few miles down Interstate 10 at Po' Folks in Marianna. We drove as far as Gainesville and spent the night there at a favorite Holiday Inn Express and ate at the Cracker Barrel Old Country Store next door. It was a day of country-style road food. The day's drive was 335 miles (539 km.).

We had a short drive Saturday, just 170 miles (274 km.) to a Holiday Inn Express in Bradenton. We had plenty of time to clean up and drive down to the Hilton Longboat Key for a reception and dinner honoring Sue and Rudi Lenz and other Circus Ring of Fame 2010 inductees hosted by noted entertainment consultant and circus producer William B. Hall.

The room was full of the top circus stars around. Much of the conversation was about the stormy weather we were having and the predictions for Sunday afternoon. That's when the induction ceremony would take place -- outdoors on St. Armands Circle.

Later in the evening, at the height of a violent rain and lightning storm we drove through flooded streets to the Showfolks of Sarasota clubhouse to visit with circus friends.

As for the weather on Sunday, the storm had passed by earlier than predicted. The sky was blue and the sun was warm. Perfect weather for the ceremony. Before the induction we met with Michael Newton-Brown for lunch at the Columbia Restaurant at a table next to the sidewalk. Sue and Rudi walked by and we all had a chat.



Rudi Lenz and Michael Newton-Brown


Jack Ryan and Sue Lenz

Here's a link to some photos of Sue and Rudi at the ceremony.

For details and photos of the Circus Ring of Fame Ceremony on January 17, 2010 click here.

Here's information about this year's honorees.

To learn more about the Circus Ring of Fame and its history click here.

Photos from the Island Princess Cruise, December 2009

At the Panama Canal our Island Princess photographers take balcony photos of passengers at the Gatun Locks

• Cartagena, Colombia, The Fort, December 4, 2009


• Cartagena, Colombia, Old Town, December 4, 2009


• Cartagena, Colombia, Harbor Views, December 4, 2009


• Panama Photo Set 1, December 5, 2009


• Panama Photo Set 2, December 5, 2009


• At sea on the Island Princess, December 7, 2009


• Ocho Rios, Jamaica,, December 8, 2009


• Island Princess Bridge Visit, December 9, 2009

What's for dinner tonight? Part 7

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


We love to eat and don't really like to eat out often. We like home cooked food at home. But at home there's no printed menu to choose from.

To help us answer the second question, I have kept a log here of our evening meals since Saturday, January 27, 2007. That night we ate BBQ baby back ribs and Pensacola's very own comfort food, Nassau Grits.

Eventually the list became too long 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

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Friday, January 1, 2010 -- Kim presented her New Year's feast: smoked pork loin and butt, black eyed peas and turnip greens, Billy made corn pones: scrambled eggs with bacon for supper

Saturday, January 2 -- Chinese pepper beef, carrots, steamed rice
Sunday, January 3 -- James Beard's Quiche Lorraine
Monday, January 4 -- left over beef pot roast and gravy, baked potato, corn
Tuesday, January 5 -- steak, mushroom sauce, green beans with ham and almonds
Wednesday, January 6 -- burgers, stuffed jalapeňos
Thursday, January 7 -- club sandwiches, mushroom soup
Friday, January 8 -- chicken and shrimp gumbo, steamed rice, crusty Cajun bread

Saturday, January 9 -- black bean soup and quesadillas
Sunday, January 10 -- Chinese Pie
Monday, January 11 -- take out dinners from Gourmet To Go at Nancy's Haute Affairs
Tuesday, January 12 -- tortilla soup with chicken and Adobo spice mix, topped with avocado slices, cilantro and tortilla chips
Wednesday, January 13 -- bacon-wrapped filet steaks, asparagus, Sauce Béarnaise, baked potato
Thursday, January 14 -- tacos, pico de gallo, black beans and rice
Friday, January 15 -- on the road: lunch at Po' Folks in Marianna; dinner at Cracker Barrel Old Country Store in Gaineville

Saturday, January 16 -- in Sarasota, a reception and dinner honoring Sue and Rudi Lenz and other Circus Ring of Fame 2010 inductees, Hilton Longboat Key, hosted by William B. Hall
Sunday, January 17 -- brunch at the venerable Columbia Restaurant on St. Armands Circle; dinner, on the drive north after the induction ceremony, at Sonny's BBQ on the south side of Ocala
Monday, January 18 -- arrived home mid-afternoon, light supper of Stouffer's Creamed Chipped Beef on toast
Tuesday, January 19 -- spaghetti, meat sauce, salad, Cuban bread
Wednesday, January 20 -- bacon burgers, lettuce, tomato, secret sauce, corn
Thursday, January 21 -- gumbo and steamed rice
Friday, January 22 -- Kung Pao Chicken, steamed rice, green onions, green beans with ham, peanuts

Saturday, January 23 -- NY strip steaks, Rösti potatoes
Sunday, January 24 -- fried rice
Monday, January 25 -- take out dinners from Gourmet To Go at Nancy's Haute Affairs
Tuesday, January 26 -- Cheese burgers with Nueske's Peppered Bacon, sliced tomatoes, lettuce, secret sauce and matchstick fries
Wednesday, January 27 -- lunch at O'Brien's Bistro; snacks for supper
Thursday, January 28 -- Beefy Baked Beans with cornbread
Friday, January 29 -- Chicken Marsala, steamed rice, green beans

Saturday, January 30 -- BBQ pork ribs, collard greens, black eyed peas, cornbread
Sunday, January 31 -- Jazz Brunch at Commander's Palace, Destin; and in the evening, Birthday dinner for Maria at Bill and Maria's
Monday, February 1, 2010 -- Chinese Pie
Tuesday, February 2 -- cheese burgers and fries
Wednesday, February 3 -- take out dinners from Sonny's BBQ
Thursday, February 4 -- lobster bisque, crab cakes, black beans and steamed rice
Friday, February 5, -- chicken fried steak, country gravy, mashed potatoes, cream corn

Saturday, February 6 -- tacos, pico de gallo, guacamole, chips
Sunday, February 7 -- Southern fried chicken, steamed rice, gravy, Green Beans Almondine
Monday, February 8 -- bacon, lettuce and tomato burgers
Tuesday, February 9 -- lunch at Whistling Squirrel Restaurant; soup for supper
Wednesday, February 10 -- beef kababs, steamed rice, gravy, leftover green beans
Thursday, February 11 -- pork chops, mashed potatoes, carrots
Friday, February 12 -- bacon-wrapped filet steaks, fries, corn soufflé

Saturday, February 13 -- chicken pot pies, green peas
Sunday, February 14 -- take out from Sonny's BBQ
Monday, February 15 -- meatloaf, succotash, roasted Ruby Gold baby potatoes from Melissa's
Tuesday, February 16 -- beef pot roast, gravy, noodles
Wednesday, February 17 -- bacon, lettuce and tomato burgers, fries
Thursday, February 18 -- shrimp and chicken gumbo, steamed rice
Friday, February 19 -- Kung Pao Chicken, steamed rice, green onions, green beans with ham, peanuts

Saturday, February 20 -- bacon-wrapped filet steaks, asparagus, Sauce Béarnaise, mashed red potatoes
Sunday, February 21 -- appetizers from the freezer, fried rice with ham and veggies
Monday, February 22 -- grilled cheese sandwiches, navy bean soup (Here are two official recipes for the U.S. Senate Restaurant's famous soup.)
Tuesday, February 23 -- baked pork chops, mashed potatoes
Wednesday, February 24 -- from the prepared food counter at Publix: Chicken Francese, roasted red potatoes, baby carrots
Thursday, February 25 -- leftover gumbo with rice and cornbread
Friday, February 26 -- burgers and Tater Tots

Saturday, February 27 -- hot chicken sandwiches, cornbread stuffing, cranberry sauce
Sunday, February 28 -- Crab au gratin, hot buttered toast, green salad
Monday, March 1, 2010 -- Tacos, rice and beans
Tuesday, March 2, 2010 -- A Stouffers supper: Creamed Chipped Beef on toast and Corn Soufflé

Wednesday, March 17 -- burgers and fries
Thursday, March 18 -- beef pot roast (from Publix), mashed potatoes, gravy, green beans with ham
Friday, March 19 -- tacos, tortilla chips, pico de gallo and guacamole

Saturday, March 20 -- Kung Pao Chicken, steamed rice, green onions, green beans with ham, peanuts
Sunday, March 21 -- BLT sandwiches, chicken tortilla soup
Monday, March 22 -- NY Strip steak au poivre, Rösti potatoes
Tuesday, March 23 -- take out from Sonny's BBQ
Wednesday, March 24 -- take out from the neighborhood's new Asian-fusion restaurant, the Siam Asian Diner, crispy spring rolls and chicken with cashew nuts
Thursday, March 25 -- cottage pie, corn
Friday, March 26 -- Yet another Stouffers supper: Creamed Chipped Beef on toast and Spinach Soufflé

Saturday, March 27 -- bacon burgers, fries, pico de gallo, lettuce and tomato
Sunday, March 28 -- pork chops, rice, gravy, blackeyed peas, fried apples
Monday, March 29 -- chicken pot pies, salad
Tuesday, March 30 -- bacon and eggs with cheese grits, English muffins, jam
Wednesday, March 31 -- second time, take out from the neighborhood's new Asian-fusion restaurant, the Siam Asian Diner, tonight it was chicken satay and sesame beef & ginger
Thursday, April 1, 2010 -- BBQ baby back ribs, baked beans, corn
Friday, April 2 -- tacos and guacamole

Saturday, April 3 -- James Beard's Quiche Lorraine
Sunday, April 4 -- Easter dinner at Kim's with Joan and Billy, pork roast, corn casserole, asparagus with almonds, strawberries; burgers for supper
Monday, April 5 -- NY strip steaks, potatoes au gratin
Tuesday, April 6 -- take out dinners from Gourmet To Go at Nancy's Haute Affairs
Wednesday, April 7 -- lunch at La Hacienda Mexican Restaurant; leftovers for supper
Thursday, April 8 -- Salisbury Steak, rice, gravy, corn bread
Friday, April 9 -- Kung Pao Chicken, steamed rice, green onions, peanuts, green beans with ham

Saturday, April 10 -- bacon (Nueske's of course) burgers, fries, salad
Sunday, April 11 -- from the prepared food counter at Publix: Chicken Francese, roasted red potatoes, green peas
Monday, April 12 -- bacon & eggs, grits, biscuits
Tuesday, April 13 -- lunch at Jesse's in Magnolia Springs, Alabama; sandwiches for supper
Wednesday, April 14 -- deviled crabs, corn on the cob, salad
Thursday, April 15 -- charcoal grilled burgers, potato salad, lettuce and tomatoes
Friday, April 16 -- tacos with rice and beans

Saturday, April 17 -- once again the neighborhood's new Asian-fusion restaurant, the Siam Asian Diner, continues to please. This time we had the crisp fried spring rolls and the Penang-style chicken curry over steamed rice, quality fresh ingredients cooked to order.
Sunday, April 18 -- charcoal grilled beef and veggie kababs, steamed rice
Monday, April 19 -- bacon & eggs, hash browns (from the Waffle House recipe), English muffins
Tuesday, April 20 -- pork chops, cornbread, black eyed peas with ham
Wednesday, April 21 -- baby back ribs. mashed potatoes, green peas
Thursday, April 22 -- Mesquite-grilled Cowboy Steaks at Coach 'n' Four Steak House
Friday, April 23 -- bacon cheeseburgers, tater tots, lettuce and tomatoes, secret sauce

Saturday, April 24 -- Beefy Baked Beans with corn and chilies
Sunday, April 25 -- take out from Sonny's BBQ
Monday, April 26 -- supper from the freezer: Crab Cake Minis (Phillips of Baltimore), Tempura Shrimp (from Tiger Thai), Stouffer's Fettuccini Alfredo plus two dipping sauces -- mustard, basil, mayo and tomato & horseradish with Tabasco
Tuesday, April 27 -- BLTs and soup
Wednesday, April 28 -- pot roast, tiny red potatoes, carrots
Thursday, April 29 -- tacos, chips and guacamole
Friday, April 30 -- Kung Pao Chicken, steamed rice, green onions, peanuts, green beans with ham

Saturday, May 1, 2010 -- ribeye steak, asparagus, Sauce Béarnaise, mashed potatoes
Sunday, May 2 -- Birthday crawfish boil for Ross at Maria and Bill's; burgers for supper
Monday, May 3 -- corn soup and James Beard's Quiche Lorraine
Tuesday, May 4 -- pork chops, mashed sweet potatoes, chipotle applesauce
Miércoles, 5 de mayo -- tortilla soup, corn chips guacamole
Thursday, May 6 -- lunch at Wayne's Family Diner, excellent Southern-style country cooking: sandwiches for supper
Friday, May 7 -- BLT cheeseburgers, potato salad

Saturday, May 8 -- baby back ribs, black beans and rice, cornbread
Sunday, May 9 -- take out from the Siam Asian Diner
Monday, May 10 -- tacos
Tuesday, May 11 -- chipped beef on buttermilk biscuits, corn
Wednesday, May 12 -- chicken salad on salad greens, Cajun croutons
Thursday, May 13 -- crab cakes, Ore-Ida Twice Baked Potatoes
Friday, May 14 -- tempura shrimp, BLT sandwiches

Saturday, May 15 -- lunch at the new Steve Barnhill's Southern Fresh Buffet; snacks for supper
Sunday, May 16 -- bacon burgers and fries
Monday, May 17 -- pork chops, rice, gravy, black-eyed peas
Tuesday, May 18 -- Beefy Baked Beans with cornbread
Wednesday, May 19 -- NY strip steaks, baked potato
Thursday, May 20 -- take out from Sonny's BBQ
Friday, May 21 -- dinner at O'Brien's Bistro, hosted by Jim Miller

Saturday, May 22 -- KFC, mashed potatoes, gravy, biscuits
Sunday, May 23 -- beef pot roast, roasted tiny red potatoes, gravy, carrots
Monday, May 24 -- cheeseburgers, fries, lettuce, tomato, secret sauce
Tuesday, May 25 -- tacos,rice and beans
Wednesday, May 26 -- Kung Pao Chicken, steamed rice, green onions, peanuts, green beans with ham
Thursday, May 27 -- tacos
Friday, May 28 -- hearty lunch at the new Five Sisters Blues Cafe, snacks for supper

Saturday, May 29 -- bacon burgers and fries
Sunday, May 30 -- crunchy fried chicken fingers, home made shaved potato chips
Monday, May 31 -- crab bisque, creamed chipped beef on toast
Tuesday, June 1, 2010 -- chicken fried steak, mashed potatoes, country gravy
Wednesday, June 2 -- burgers and fresh-from-the-farm sweet corn on the cob from Alabama
Thursday, June 3 -- chicken fried pork chops, rice, gravy, black eyed peas with ham
Friday, June 4 -- lunch at Golden Corral; snacks for supper

Saturday, June 5 -- tacos and guacamole
Sunday, June 6 -- ribs and leftovers
Monday, June 7 -- lunch at CJ's Kitchen and Grille; snacks for supper
Tuesday, June 8 -- burgers and fries
Wednesday, June 9 -- rib eye steak with mashed red potatoes
Thursday, June 10 -- stuffed green bell peppers, corn on the cob
Friday, June 11 -- Stouffer's Creamed Chipped Beef on toast, green peas

Saturday, June 12 -- chicken salad on greens with chunks of papaya, avocado and tomatoes, cornpones
Sunday, June 13 -- bacon cheeseburgers, fries, secret sauce
Monday, June 14 -- pork chops, gravy, cornbread stuffing, black beans with hot peppers
Tuesday, June 15 -- lobster bisque, Chicken Francese, potato salad
Wednesday, June 16 -- lunch at Flounders Chowder House, Pensacola Beach; snacks for supper
Thursday, June 17 -- BLT sandwiches, Navy bean soup
Friday, June 18 -- filet steak with Sauce Béarnaise, baked potato, broccoli

Saturday, June 19 -- tacos with fresh pico de gallo
Sunday, June 20 --BBQ at Kim's for birthdays (Jack and Ken) and father's day (Billy); snacks for supper
Monday, June 21 -- peel-n-eat shrimp, potato salad
Tuesday, June 22 -- beef pot roast, mashed potatoes, gravy, green beans with ham
Wednesday, June 23 -- shrimp cocktail, pizza, salad
Thursday, June 24 -- cheeseburgers, lettuce, tomatoes, fries
Friday, June 25 -- fried chicken, corn on the cob

Saturday, June 26 -- hot dogs, chili con carne
Sunday, June 27 -- pork chops, rice, gravy, Corn Maquechoux
Monday, June 28 -- company lunch of chicken salad and fresh fruit; burgers for supper
Tuesday, June 29 -- Kung Pao Chicken, steamed rice, green onions, peanuts, crispy noodles, green beans with ham
Wednesday, June 30 -- Stouffer's Creamed Chipped Beef on toast, and creamed spinach

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

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