Belly Up to the Bar With Bendy and Her Friendies!!! Button Pics & New Thread Started!

[oybolshoi]

Something besides food to talk about ... shocking though that may be!

A friend of mine at work loaned me his copy of The Shack and I've just started reading it.

Now ... I'm going to bare my soul a bit and I hope no one is offended by my honesty ... I'm a heathen by the strictest definition of the word. I've never been baptized and I've never had any formal religious education. As I see it, that actually allowed me to grow up more open-minded and receptive to others beliefs and perspectives. I don't have issues with other people's beliefs ... I think that religion can be a tool for tremendous good but conversely I think it can be used to justify truly terrible things.

So ... this book has done nothing to change my mind (I'm a skeptic and I always will be) but I think that the ideas it puts forward are lovely and hopeful and moving. My brother comes to mind quite a bit while I read this book and there is a part of me that wishes with all my heart that the ideas put forth here are true, but the "logical" par of my brain (which I think is shrinking daily ... ) can't accept that kind of possibility.

Regardless ... I strongly suggest you give this book a read. It's not the best written novel you're ever going to pick up ... it's not going to win a Pulitzer or Nobel prize, but it's quite thought provoking and very moving. It will make you think about beliefs you've held closely for a long time and might provoke some interesting conversation depending on who you talk to.

In my department at work we have me (agnostic), two people who are Jewish, one Catholic, one converted Jewish-turned-fundamentalist Christian, one Muslim, and one recovering Catholic. It makes for interesting conversation when we all sit down for a bull session. And this book made it even more interesting.

Give it a read ... it will challenge you for sure.

 

[MA pigletfan]

Peaceful Meadows
Where did you go in Providence?



Would you believe I haven't started on them yet I've been enjoying the carmels and haven't had a bottle of wine open at home to eat them with. It's been one of those weeks

YES! i love peaceful meadows...YUM!!!! We have the "ice cream machine" sort of close to us..but seeing the snow pile up today, i probably won't be going there for a few months ....good for the diet..sad for the soul
We went to "Cassorinos" in Providence, right on Federal Hill..it was good..but not as good as it always is..we have been going there for almost 4 years and have never had a bad or even "so-so" experience..so ..i hope it was just one off night....

 

[D&R love Disney]

YES! i love peaceful meadows...YUM!!!! We have the "ice cream machine" sort of close to us..but seeing the snow pile up today, i probably won't be going there for a few months ....good for the diet..sad for the soul
We went to "Cassorinos" in Providence, right on Federal Hill..it was good..but not as good as it always is..we have been going there for almost 4 years and have never had a bad or even "so-so" experience..so ..i hope it was just one off night....

I've never been to Cassorinos, we don't get to Federal Hill very often which is a shame because there are so many good places to eat (that I've heard).


Brenda, I just broke down and opened the truffles I can only imagine eating them while drinking some nice champagne!

 

[oybolshoi]

Brenda, I just broke down and opened the truffles I can only imagine eating them while drinking some nice champagne!

I liked them with the Rosa and I liked them just as much, if not even more, by themselves. So creamy and delicious!

 

[whogirl'smom]

Slicing that bread does present a challenge. It's a dense bread with a crispy crust so, no matter how sharp your knife, it doesn't slice easily. I love the hedge trimming analogy... !

I owe you a HUGE apology for not sharing slicing instructions with the recipe. I didn't even think about that old problem when I posted it. So sorry!!!!! May I offer to sharpen your hedge trimmers for you to make up for my omission?

No problem! I have a wonderful bread knife, so I figured it was just because the bread is so crusty. We have no shame in just pulling off a piece if the knife doesn't slice. Your pictures showed great bread slicing talent, though!

 

[oybolshoi]

It's official ... we're headed to Memphis for two nights at the end of May for our anniversary.

That may sound a bit like a strange choice, but there is a superb restaurant at the Peabody called Chez Phillipe which we've been dying to try so we're going to spend Friday & Saturday night there at the end of May ... we'll get to hit up some blues places on Beale Street, visit the Memphis House of Blues (a new one for Jay!), have some afternoon tea, check out Mudd Island (another new one for Jay!), and follow it all up with Sunday brunch before leaving for home.

It's not exactly what we had envisioned for our 10th wedding anniversary but it will still be a nice weekend getaway and is only about a 4-hour drive from our homestead in outer Stinktown.

I'll post updates and reviews on the blog once we get closer.

 

[D&R love Disney]

Memphis sounds like fun, my girlfriend has stayed at the Peabody a few times and loves it!

Our anniversary is in March, I planned a cruise but canceled it so we are going to Stowe Vermont for 3 nights instead.

 

[shovan]

Looking forward to dinner tonight, I'm trying Bendy's asparagoose bundles!

I'm going check out that recipe right now. I've got asparagus in the fridge, but I'll bet the recipe doesn't fit this stupid diet! Thank goodness only 6 more days of this. The chocolate/alcohol cravings are making me want to physically harm my husband!

Something besides food to talk about ... shocking though that may be!

A friend of mine at work loaned me his copy of The Shack and I've just started reading it.

In my department at work we have me (agnostic), two people who are Jewish, one Catholic, one converted Jewish-turned-fundamentalist Christian, one Muslim, and one recovering Catholic. It makes for interesting conversation when we all sit down for a bull session. And this book made it even more interesting.

Give it a read ... it will challenge you for sure.

Thanks Brenda, I'll have to check that out. After I finish my probably not "Pope approved" Twilight series. I just love the vampire stuff.

I can imagine the coversations that go on in your office! Must be fun.

It's official ... we're headed to Memphis for two nights at the end of May for our anniversary.

That's sound like a good time! We've decided on one of our upcoming "Hurrications" we'll head to Memphis. With only a 4 hr drive, that should be nice & easy. Are you going to stay at the Peabody?

 

[oybolshoi]

Yes, we're going to stay at the Peabody. We liked the idea of being able to walk down to the restaurant from our room without having to worry about driving. That way if we want the wine pairings we don't need to be concerned about anything but our ability to play elevator tag at the end of the evening.

 

[whogirl'smom]

It's official ... we're headed to Memphis for two nights at the end of May for our anniversary.

That may sound a bit like a strange choice, but there is a superb restaurant at the Peabody called Chez Phillipe which we've been dying to try so we're going to spend Friday & Saturday night there at the end of May ... we'll get to hit up some blues places on Beale Street, visit the Memphis House of Blues (a new one for Jay!), have some afternoon tea, check out Mudd Island (another new one for Jay!), and follow it all up with Sunday brunch before leaving for home.

It's not exactly what we had envisioned for our 10th wedding anniversary but it will still be a nice weekend getaway and is only about a 4-hour drive from our homestead in outer Stinktown.

I'll post updates and reviews on the blog once we get closer.

How exciting! We spent our 10th anniversary in Memphis at the Peabody, too! (with a 4 y/0 whogirl, mind you ) What was best was that we got a complimentary upgrade to concierge, our first and only ever concierge experience. That can really spoil a little girl, who still compares all her hotel says to the Peabody. We didn't do any fine cuisine, but we ate some good cajun food on Beale St. You will love it!

Thank you, too, for the book recommendation. I hadn't heard of this book, so I went to the website where you can actually read the foreward and first chapter and it really got me hooked. I am a Christian, but you certainly didn't offend me by your beliefs. I believe sometimes God speaks to us in surprising ways, so I'm looking forward to reading this. Your office certainly sounds like quite a melting pot of beliefs, so I can imagine some of the lunchroom conversations!

 

[oybolshoi]

How exciting! We spent our 10th anniversary in Memphis at the Peabody, too! (with a 4 y/0 whogirl, mind you ) What was best was that we got a complimentary upgrade to concierge, our first and only ever concierge experience. That can really spoil a little girl, who still compares all her hotel says to the Peabody. We didn't do any fine cuisine, but we ate some good cajun food on Beale St. You will love it!

How cool is that ... a concierge upgrade?!

We're looking forward to some good times on Beale Street ... good music, good food, good weather (I hope).

Thank you, too, for the book recommendation. I hadn't heard of this book, so I went to the website where you can actually read the foreward and first chapter and it really got me hooked. I am a Christian, but you certainly didn't offend me by your beliefs. I believe sometimes God speaks to us in surprising ways, so I'm looking forward to reading this. Your office certainly sounds like quite a melting pot of beliefs, so I can imagine some of the lunchroom conversations!

Thanks Jamie. I didn't want to offend anyone and certainly wasn't trying to ... I try to be respectful of other people's beliefs whether they mesh with mine or not.

It's a really good book ... fascinating premise ... and very emotional (although I've been known to cry at Star Trek episodes and Folger's Coffee commercials, so take that with a grain of salt ... ).

As for my department ... we're lucky to have a very open-minded, tolerant group of people working together who all enjoy sharing thoughts and opinions about everything under the sun. You should have heard some of our conversations during the Presidential election.

 

[Tink rules]

It's official ... we're headed to Memphis for two nights at the end of May for our anniversary.

That may sound a bit like a strange choice, but there is a superb restaurant at the Peabody called Chez Phillipe which we've been dying to try so we're going to spend Friday & Saturday night there at the end of May ... we'll get to hit up some blues places on Beale Street, visit the Memphis House of Blues (a new one for Jay!), have some afternoon tea, check out Mudd Island (another new one for Jay!), and follow it all up with Sunday brunch before leaving for home.

It's not exactly what we had envisioned for our 10th wedding anniversary but it will still be a nice weekend getaway and is only about a 4-hour drive from our homestead in outer Stinktown.

I'll post updates and reviews on the blog once we get closer.

Hey isn't that where they have the ducks go through the lobby???

Something besides food to talk about ... shocking though that may be!

A friend of mine at work loaned me his copy of The Shack and I've just started reading it.

Now ... I'm going to bare my soul a bit and I hope no one is offended by my honesty ... I'm a heathen by the strictest definition of the word. I've never been baptized and I've never had any formal religious education. As I see it, that actually allowed me to grow up more open-minded and receptive to others beliefs and perspectives. I don't have issues with other people's beliefs ... I think that religion can be a tool for tremendous good but conversely I think it can be used to justify truly terrible things.

So ... this book has done nothing to change my mind (I'm a skeptic and I always will be) but I think that the ideas it puts forward are lovely and hopeful and moving. My brother comes to mind quite a bit while I read this book and there is a part of me that wishes with all my heart that the ideas put forth here are true, but the "logical" par of my brain (which I think is shrinking daily ... ) can't accept that kind of possibility.

Regardless ... I strongly suggest you give this book a read. It's not the best written novel you're ever going to pick up ... it's not going to win a Pulitzer or Nobel prize, but it's quite thought provoking and very moving. It will make you think about beliefs you've held closely for a long time and might provoke some interesting conversation depending on who you talk to.

In my department at work we have me (agnostic), two people who are Jewish, one Catholic, one converted Jewish-turned-fundamentalist Christian, one Muslim, and one recovering Catholic. It makes for interesting conversation when we all sit down for a bull session. And this book made it even more interesting.

Give it a read ... it will challenge you for sure.

So I guess when I have my audience with the pope... I shouldn't mention you???

Thanks Brenda, I'll have to check that out. After I finish my probably not "Pope approved" Twilight series. I just love the vampire stuff.

They didn't like Harry Potter either so we're all toast...

Yes, we're going to stay at the Peabody. We liked the idea of being able to walk down to the restaurant from our room without having to worry about driving. That way if we want the wine pairings we don't need to be concerned about anything but our ability to play elevator tag at the end of the evening.

Just don't trip over a duck...

How exciting! We spent our 10th anniversary in Memphis at the Peabody, too! (with a 4 y/0 whogirl, mind you ) What was best was that we got a complimentary upgrade to concierge, our first and only ever concierge experience. That can really spoil a little girl, who still compares all her hotel says to the Peabody. We didn't do any fine cuisine, but we ate some good cajun food on Beale St. You will love it!

Thank you, too, for the book recommendation. I hadn't heard of this book, so I went to the website where you can actually read the foreward and first chapter and it really got me hooked. I am a Christian, but you certainly didn't offend me by your beliefs. I believe sometimes God speaks to us in surprising ways, so I'm looking forward to reading this. Your office certainly sounds like quite a melting pot of beliefs, so I can imagine some of the lunchroom conversations!

I've always heard 2 things...

God always answers your prayers... sometimes he says NO...

&

You want to make God Laugh... tell him your plans...

It's a really good book ... fascinating premise ... and very emotional (although I've been known to cry at Star Trek episodes and Folger's Coffee commercials, so take that with a grain of salt ... ).

I tear up when I pass Hallmark STORES...

 

[TigerKat]

Hey isn't that where they have the ducks go through the lobby???

Yes it is! I was so embarrassed, my DS was around 2 or 3 at the time. The ducks were swimming in the indoor pond/fountain and DS decided to slap one of the ducks. Yep, he got fussed at by not only Mom but the duck man himself.

 

[Tink rules]

Well, we know what luck Bendy has with ducks...

 

[TigerKat]

Well, we know what luck Bendy has with ducks...

 

[oybolshoi]

Well, we know what luck Bendy has with ducks...

If those little buggers get in our way we're going to eat them for dinner. Mmmmmm, crunchable birdses.

 

[shovan]

Yes, we're going to stay at the Peabody. We liked the idea of being able to walk down to the restaurant from our room without having to worry about driving. That way if we want the wine pairings we don't need to be concerned about anything but our ability to play elevator tag at the end of the evening.

What's this "if"? Oh nevermind I know, IF the wine pairings look better than the cocktail menu!

Yes it is! I was so embarrassed, my DS was around 2 or 3 at the time. The ducks were swimming in the indoor pond/fountain and DS decided to slap one of the ducks. Yep, he got fussed at by not only Mom but the duck man himself.

One of those lovely parenting moments you just never forget!

Well, we know what luck Bendy has with ducks...

 

[oybolshoi]

What's this "if"? Oh nevermind I know, IF the wine pairings look better than the cocktail menu!

Can't we do both? That's what happened at Commander's Palace ...

 

[whogirl'smom]

We rode up in the elevator with Peter Gallagher (Sex, Lies and Videotape and The OC) at the Peabody. He was in Memphis to record a CD....yeah, I don't think it became very popular....

 

[Tink rules]

If those little buggers get in our way we're going to eat them for dinner. Mmmmmm, crunchable birdses.