tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9469788Tue, 20 May 2008 03:14:16 +0000http://www.lizardlodge.com/aspic/blog.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mrs. Wonderful)Blogger200125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9469788.post-4692488999407823384Tue, 20 May 2008 03:13:00 +00002008-05-19T20:14:16.985-07:00In case anyone still has this on their feed, I'm blogging over here now, AND I just put up the Big Exciting Birthday Announcement. *smoochies*http://www.lizardlodge.com/aspic/2008/05/birthday-announcement.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mrs. Wonderful)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9469788.post-965080195435337587Fri, 07 Dec 2007 22:54:00 +00002007-12-07T15:56:20.656-07:00Yes, I'm still blogging... but not here, darlings. I'm doing Holidailies, though. Check it out in that crowded room. I'm wearing a fez and trench coat... the password is fricasee!http://www.lizardlodge.com/aspic/2007/12/needs-more-lemon.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mrs. Wonderful)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9469788.post-8281640811078835693Tue, 09 Oct 2007 11:05:00 +00002007-10-09T10:05:37.919-07:00recipeWonder Boy threw down the gauntlet. Or I did. I forget. But there was gauntlet throwing and there were words. "You don't eat muffins!" "Yes, I do!" "What kind? I've never seen you eat one of the muffins I bake." "I eat CHOCOLATE muffins." "Oh." (pause) "So if I bake a totally yummy chocolate muffin that's HEALTHY, you will eat it?" "Yes." My point here was to bake a muffin with character http://www.lizardlodge.com/aspic/2007/10/muffin-challenge.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mrs. Wonderful)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9469788.post-808952373642805644Thu, 30 Aug 2007 20:48:00 +00002007-08-30T14:17:02.622-07:00Just a drive-by post... more to come as autumn approaches. From a Yahoo article on salads available now in restaurants: * Taco Bell's Fiesta Salad® — 840 calories and 45 grams of fat * Macaroni Grill's Chicken Caesar Salad® — 920 calories and 69 grams of fat * Panera's Bistro Steak Salad® — 630 calories and 58 grams of fat * Applebee's Grilled Steak Caesar Salad® — 1,190 http://www.lizardlodge.com/aspic/2007/08/stop-that-salad.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mrs. Wonderful)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9469788.post-2671178655022545183Thu, 28 Jun 2007 00:44:00 +00002007-07-17T17:31:13.048-07:00 New Fridge Originally uploaded by mrswonderful Ahhhh, summer! Look for a blissful fruit entry soon!Meanwhile, I got a new house in a new town and bought a new fridge. We're taking our time getting to know one another. I'm starting off with a nice summer cocktail.Vodka Limecubed ice (or crushed if you have one of those through the door things AND I DO!)1-2 jiggers Grey Goose vodka (of http://www.lizardlodge.com/aspic/2007/06/new-fridge.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mrs. Wonderful)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9469788.post-7662312935385069057Wed, 06 Jun 2007 13:58:00 +00002007-06-06T07:16:20.493-07:00D Magazine touts the finest chicken fried in the city (Dallas of course) as the CFS (waitress code) served at Ozona Cafe. Well, I happen to know where Ozona Cafe is, and it's in my neighborhood pretty much.* But I'm also torn: for the first official Texas feed, I really do think catfish should be on the menu. I had a lovely grilled catfish at Good Eats, pretty much just down the street from Ozonahttp://www.lizardlodge.com/aspic/2007/06/dallas-bound.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mrs. Wonderful)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9469788.post-5406760431387622433Mon, 04 Jun 2007 13:14:00 +00002007-06-04T06:50:41.231-07:00The Spooon is moving! Well, not the blog, but the actual household where all these fabulous foody things happen is getting packed into boxes and put in a truck today, and headed to BIG D, Dallas, Texas. It's been largely a one-woman show, with box taping help from the lovely assistant, Wonder Boy. My neighbors were happy to start lifting .... the stuff in my front yard when I left the house. http://www.lizardlodge.com/aspic/2007/06/moving-day.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mrs. Wonderful)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9469788.post-2463966154918131693Sun, 13 May 2007 14:30:00 +00002007-05-13T07:43:22.317-07:00While we don't have very specific Mother's Day plans, I do have some strong associations with this day to certain flavors. Hickory-smoked ham is probably the first and most predominant. My mother loved a good Smithfield ham, and special days like Easter, Mother's Day, Labor Day, Christmas Day, birthdays usually began with some kind of ham sending its fragrance into the bedrooms where http://www.lizardlodge.com/aspic/2007/05/mothers-day-flavors.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mrs. Wonderful)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9469788.post-8209576950169752801Thu, 19 Apr 2007 01:49:00 +00002007-04-18T20:29:34.190-07:00It's been difficult for me to hear about the English major, the writing student, who went on a murderous rampage in a place that I have always considered to be in my neighborhood, family ancestry speaking. I have cousins in all the -burgs in Virginia... I was an English major at the University of Texas, passing by the infamous "clock tower" daily, sometimes thinking "there's no place to hide herehttp://www.lizardlodge.com/aspic/2007/04/thoughts-on-then-and-now.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mrs. Wonderful)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9469788.post-8339924896664502004Thu, 05 Apr 2007 07:11:00 +00002007-04-05T00:14:24.946-07:00brotherJohn Bruce Cox died on March 25, after a valiant battle with cancer. He was a loving husband, father and brother who served his country in the U.S. Naval Reserves and U.S. Army (both active duty and reserves). In the Army during the Viet Nam War, he was stationed in the U.S. and in Germany. The proud son of a career Air Force officer, John became a helicopter mechanic after active duty and later http://www.lizardlodge.com/aspic/2007/04/john-bruce-cox-1945-2007.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mrs. Wonderful)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9469788.post-221938003533316059Tue, 03 Apr 2007 04:03:00 +00002007-04-02T21:20:21.467-07:00brother(Though we are enjoying this show, this post is not about Matthew Fox, Terry O'Quinn, Evangeline Lily or Josh Holloway. But a Lost cookbook might be fun to play with!) I am lost. My brother died on March 25, and I went to his wake in Dallas. I also went to see him a few days before to say goodbye, though he was pretty much ready to sail on at that point. He was in hospice - fighting pancreatic http://www.lizardlodge.com/aspic/2007/04/lost.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mrs. Wonderful)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9469788.post-8062894855664437716Sun, 18 Feb 2007 16:48:00 +00002007-02-18T10:30:46.331-07:00griefspooonsBoth parents are gone now, and I am left with boxes to unpack. But this is not the box clutter of a new house, of a new space with all the hassles of finding the toilet paper and can opener. This is the closing of a chapter, no, the whole book. As I was packing in Texas, to move things to Arizona, I was numb and deeply grieving the loss of the people, the lives, the scenes and memories in that http://www.lizardlodge.com/aspic/2007/02/grief-in-spoons-salt-shakers-and-spices.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mrs. Wonderful)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9469788.post-2314808784661767326Fri, 16 Feb 2007 02:08:00 +00002007-02-15T19:11:09.390-07:00bourdainFrom my brain to Tony's fingers... he talks smack about Food Network. And I comment! http://www.lizardlodge.com/aspic/2007/02/anthony-bourdain-my-hero.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mrs. Wonderful)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9469788.post-117024766861143035Wed, 31 Jan 2007 12:23:00 +00002007-01-31T07:29:24.513-07:00My father passed away on Jan. 30. Though he'd been struggling, winning, struggling, slipping, fighting since Dec. 6, it was inevitable that he would see his options for the not so great future in that body and make a decision. I respect that, I even admire his grace and strength. But I am sad. Oh so sad. I am now without parents, without that buffer generation. No longer is there a dad who http://www.lizardlodge.com/aspic/2007/01/bye-with-love.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mrs. Wonderful)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9469788.post-116770084429993194Tue, 02 Jan 2007 01:08:00 +00002007-01-01T21:14:35.603-07:00AKA Rapini or Rappini. I cannot believe I have never had this amazing vegetable! A friend told me it was his favorite thing ever, and one day when he was feeling low, I called around and Googled trying to find a local source for it. I learned a lot about it that day, and have been intrigued since, but just didn't make the reach. In Austin, at my favorite market EVAH, Central Market, it was http://www.lizardlodge.com/aspic/2007/01/broccoli-rabe.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mrs. Wonderful)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9469788.post-116768588472637128Mon, 01 Jan 2007 21:08:00 +00002007-01-01T14:14:47.066-07:00I am going to be posting over the next week about a few topics that are rolling around my head. I've missed the Holidailies window, though, and in fact, I've been lurking down way way below the line this year, but still, I'm here and grateful for those who have been reading. Topics to come: Threadgill's Christmas dinner The Zilker tree Hospital Food and Recovery Not Tipping at Waterloo: Ah, thehttp://www.lizardlodge.com/aspic/2007/01/more-to-come.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mrs. Wonderful)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9469788.post-116763769060783944Mon, 01 Jan 2007 07:47:00 +00002007-01-01T01:06:52.110-07:00Me and My Dad 3 Originally uploaded by mrswonderful.This is my Christmas gift. This photo opp. He is due to leave the rehab hospital in a week or so. I'll see him again in four to six weeks, if not for a flying visit sooner.Thanks for all the good thoughts, candles, wishes and prayers. Holidailies comes to an end. Sadly, for me, I didn't get to write nearly as much as I wanted to, but this monthhttp://www.lizardlodge.com/aspic/2007/01/me-and-my-dad-3.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mrs. Wonderful)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9469788.post-116731528565316048Thu, 28 Dec 2006 14:09:00 +00002006-12-28T07:20:31.953-07:00A report from Seattle and the Puget Sound says that the Sound's water is flavored. With vanilla and cinnamon. The report attributes it to "holiday baking." That's a whole lot of cookies. http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20061227/ap_on_sc/cinnamon_sound My theory is that the residents of the area are discarding the dregs of their Starbuck's, rather than drinking them. for the love of God, people! http://www.lizardlodge.com/aspic/2006/12/starbucks-effluent.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mrs. Wonderful)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9469788.post-116722835768458170Wed, 27 Dec 2006 13:53:00 +00002006-12-27T07:05:57.750-07:00In the morning, I feel the urge to spread the love. My dog is the first person I see. "I love you, wee doggie! Isn't life wonderful?" The dog replies, "pant pant pant, can I go outside to sniff the frost-covered ground full of smells and intrigue and life?" Like all good dogs, he talks in implied speech, all eyebrows and tail and attitude and italics. My son is still sleeping. I could rush http://www.lizardlodge.com/aspic/2006/12/i-love-you-you-know.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mrs. Wonderful)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9469788.post-116715162606053249Tue, 26 Dec 2006 16:31:00 +00002006-12-26T15:34:14.906-07:00I missed a few days of Holidailies, so this is an attempt to catch up a bit. A mixed grill. Jerky: The only reason for driving like a bat out of hell across West Texas is, well, besides out of the sheer boredom, is to get into Johnson City before 5:30pm, so you can go to the Whittington Jerky store. TA DIE FOR! This time, we cruised in at 5:24 in the rain. I dispatched the boy to walk the dog http://www.lizardlodge.com/aspic/2006/12/tastes-of-home_116715162606053249.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mrs. Wonderful)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9469788.post-116710693995288135Tue, 26 Dec 2006 04:19:00 +00002006-12-25T21:22:19.970-07:00I just dove right in to making this soup. No cookbooks, no recipes, just the basic idea of what soup should be, how it should taste and how to use the ingredients I had on hand, procured at my favorite market in the world, Central Market in Central Park, Austin, Texas. In the past, I've started with chicken broth, and I did have some canned but I just didn't use it this time. It was easier to http://www.lizardlodge.com/aspic/2006/12/potato-leek-soup.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mrs. Wonderful)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9469788.post-116705183175183799Mon, 25 Dec 2006 13:00:00 +00002006-12-25T06:03:51.770-07:00When my dad had his stroke in 1994, I drove all the way from Arizona again, to rush to his side. By the time I got to him, he was sitting up in bed. Still a bit confused by the events, I had the newspaper to read to him. He grabbed it from me and devoured it. The next day, I made him some "thick soup" as per doctor's orders (no solids, no thin liquids for post-stroke patients) i.e., chicken brothhttp://www.lizardlodge.com/aspic/2006/12/traditions.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mrs. Wonderful)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9469788.post-116700948437956328Mon, 25 Dec 2006 01:05:00 +00002006-12-24T18:33:19.916-07:00Sitting here at the dining room table with a glass of tempranillo, potato leek soup, crab cakes and good bread with good butter. Keith Urban on the box, child off doing something non-electronic as per instructions, having just flipped all the playing cards all over the table in his attempts to learn how to shuffle. We play a lot of rummy at Grandpa's. The table is covered with: Aforementioned http://www.lizardlodge.com/aspic/2006/12/thats-life-christmas-eve-2006.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mrs. Wonderful)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9469788.post-116692938800688562Sun, 24 Dec 2006 02:58:00 +00002006-12-23T20:03:08.030-07:00Argh. The drive from Arizona to Texas is no fun anymore. I quit. There's just way too much of West Texas, people. Too many road-killed deer, too many large trucks, and too many California plated cars that are going 90. this time there was lots of rain, snow flurries, probably ice after the night fell, and way way too many McDonald's and not enough cool little coffee joints or Chinese take-outs. http://www.lizardlodge.com/aspic/2006/12/on-road.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mrs. Wonderful)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9469788.post-116676725323987334Fri, 22 Dec 2006 05:52:00 +00002006-12-21T23:00:53.256-07:00A food post, for once. I love greens. I really do. This is something that is new. Since I was about 35, I have adored greens. Having been raised by a southerner who boiled greens until they were almost black, completely without any leafy texture and smothered in bacon, I was violently opposed to greens. It took me a long time to enjoy cabbage that wasn't in cole slaw. A friend turned me on to http://www.lizardlodge.com/aspic/2006/12/simple-greens.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mrs. Wonderful)