There always seems to be something in the air in September.
On our first night in Rome, we were tired. The journey had included two masked flights, two times through airport security, a tense Customs experience with lots of verifying COVID vaccination and testing. So, by the time we landed in Italy, arrived at our hotel (via disgruntled taxi driver), checked in and unpacked, we were completely exhausted. And hungry.
Ratatouille is one of my favorite fall dishes – it’s hearty and warm and uses the late summer vegetables that are hanging on into the cooler weather. A traditional French dish, it’s pretty straightforward to make. The key is taking the time to sauté the veggies so they are almost cooked. Also, don’t skip the step of salting the eggplant – it’s the secret to removing the bitter taste and making it the star of the dish! Enjoy these simply stewed veggies over rice or quinoa for a hearty meal or as a side dish for chicken or beef.
What a great idea! Way to go! You can do it! You’re getting better every day!
The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) recently announced an extension to the eviction moratorium purportedly to slow the spread of COVID-19. This moratorium cannot be justified on economic grounds and is likely to harm the housing market.
Historically located just off Campus Drive (formerly Mill St.) near the campus of UM-Flint and behind the United States Post Office building, the Cornwall Whip Socket Factory, also known as Flint Specialty Co., was the world’s biggest supplier of whip sockets from 1905-12. (A whip socket is a wooden or metal holder, usually mounted on a carriage or buggy dash, to hold the whip that drivers used on their horses.) The company excelled after being purchased in 1901 by English immigrant, John Cornwall whereby he promptly changed the name and output.
When my son was in his early twenties, he worked in the fulfillment area of Macy’s Department Store. When the large delivery trucks would arrive with shipments, countless boxes of goods were placed on conveyor belts. My son and his coworkers would unpack the boxes, mark the goods with the destination department name and send them down the line. He loved that job. “We didn’t know what was in the boxes until we opened them. It was like Christmas morning every day, Mom,” he said.
To me, the height of summer produce is pepper season. Beautiful red horned peppers are a nice variation from bell peppers and you’ll find them to also be much sweeter. One of the best ways to enjoy them is roasted with olive oil. With many colors and old varieties of Italian sweet peppers finding their way into local farms, it’s a great time to make roasted pepper soup. Roast some extra peppers, freeze them and enjoy this soup through the winter!
Just as I was being lulled into dreamland by lake water gently rocking my raft, I was jolted back to reality by my friend’s voice.
Anyone who knows me well knows there are a handful of fun things that are most important to me. In no particular order, they are: squirrels, Transformer toys, movies and LEGO®. Within the last few years, my LEGO collection has grown significantly. My fianceé and I love to have LEGO weekends when we go buy a few LEGO sets, relax and put them together. So, obviously, we are super excited about “LEGO Masters” Season 2! On this competition TV show on FOX, LEGO builders create amazing designs from scratch according to different weekly themes. I wish I had their ability; I have a hard enough time following the printed directions! On the show, two-person teams go head-to-head, with infinite possibilities and an unlimited supply of LEGO bricks. Throughout the competition, host Will Arnett and expert judges encourage the amateur builders, introduce incredible challenges and put the creations to the test. The teams who impress the judges the most progress to the next round. In the finale, the top teams face off for a cash prize, the ultimate LEGO trophy and the grand title of LEGO Master. This season has two teams from Michigan! How cool is that?
Oh,my goodness! Roundabouts are showing up all around Genesee County! And whether you love them or hate them, traffic circles are here to stay and more of them are coming. One was recently constructed at Linden and Grand Blanc Roads and another is currently being created at Embury and Grand Blanc Roads in Grand Blanc Township.
