Friday, January 22, 2010

THE GOOD, VERY GOOD, BAD AND UGLY

Last night I had so much to tell you - but the internet was on the blink when I wanted to write - so I gave up for the evening - but the thoughts are still with me!  Have any of you shopped at Sweet Gourmet?  I love that store!  I went in the week after Christmas and it looked like it had been looted of everything or was in the last days of a "going out of business sale!"  Neither "look" was correct  - the truth is lots of other people love that store too and had given many gifts from there - and most likely served lots of good dishes made from items they bought there!  Pam Gabriel is the owner and she has a knack of knowing what is good and how to market those items!  I went in yesterday and it was a rainbow of color!  All decked out for Valentine's Day -- Red, Pink, Green, Yellow, and Chocolate candies galore.  Most all of the shelves are restocked with wonderful jellies, crackers, soup and dip mixes, salsas, olive oils - just name what makes food good and you can most likely find it!  No - I don't work there part-time either - just like Pensey's in Dallas - I just happen to like the products and the people!
We ate out last night (again) - this time at a pricey little seafood place.  The shrimp was really good and Travis said the oysters were too.  Michelle and I shared the shrimp - there were nine on an order - five for her and four for me!  The fried sweet potatoes were the best part!!  Service was good -- but I ask you, "why would a restaurant that is supposed to be "upscale" not serve a good bread either before or with the meal?"  Most classy restaurants offer wonderful breads as a special treat to their guests!  On our plates were something called a "corn flitter" - basically it was just a flat, tough little pancake!  We never found one piece of corn - maybe it had some "cornmeal" in it!!!  Oh well - guess that helps keep the fat off!  
I have been reading Mark Edge's blog, "Tell Me A Story" and he has some wonderful "stories" to tell - all with a good moral to each one.  My favorite so far is "A Noble Stop."  They are short, easy to read - so check them out!!
I worked at the mall yesterday afternoon - attempting to collect money for the American Red Cross.  We had a table set up right in the center of the Mall (the Mall actually asked us to come!) We didn't do too well because we were evidently  INVISABLE, even with a video showing the devestation and work in Haiti,.  People would either walk by and deliberately turn their heads or look straight ahead!  It finally got to be a joke.  So - we "people watched" and what a sight we saw!  I have to ask "Where are the parents these days?  Why do they let kids out of the house looking like some we saw last night?"  I have never seen such a disregard for one's own respect, decency, or forget being an example to others!  It is really sad.  Clothes don't have to be expensive, but they could be clean, cover the body, and leave something to the imagination!  I wish there was a way to reach  these young people and teach them to value their own worth and that they don't need the kind of attention they have been getting!! 
I promised Pork Chops and Apples!
Thin Pork Chops (However many you need for your meal)
2 Apples (I like Gala, but Granny Smith's work too)
Brown sugar, salt, and pepper
Water
Salt and pepper the chops and brown both sides in about 2 to 3 tablespoons of oil (I like olive oil)
Core the apples and slice over the pork chops. 
Put about 1/2 cup brown sugar on top of apples.
Slowly pour about 3/4 cup water over the sugar and apples.
Cover and lower heat to low and simmer about 20 to 25 minutes until pork chops are tender!  The pork takes on the sweet of the apples and it is just a delicous dish.  Serve with any starch (potatoes, pasta or rice)  you choose and either a salad or a green vegetable!  Try it - we love it!!!
Well - I will write more this evening - Lord's Will.  Have a great day!

No comments:

Post a Comment