When in Rome...

You know the saying that goes "When in Rome..."
Well I have over the years tried to apply that philosophy to eating...

It began when I moved away from Texas only to find that good Tex Mex, Mexican, or BBQ foods aren't available everywhere... especially during the mid 70's. So every time I returned home to see family it required several trips to local eating establishments. Oh yeah - I almost forgot about biscuits & gravy and ooooo oooo chicken fried steak!

Later when my kids attended a summer camp on Star Island off the coast of NH/Maine - we usually made the drop off trip into a weekend event as we explored the Maine coast and which required the eating of lobster at every possible meal. I now have a friend there that knows where to get the best Lobster Stew.

Actually a trip to any coast requires consumption of what ever the local seafood industry provides don't ya think?! Nothing but coast line in Hawaii... lots of wonderful foods there... mmmmmm!

Anyway - so here I am visiting Tom in Maryland. And when in Maryland you just gotta eat Crab Cakes at every possible meal. We had a very nice elegant dinner the other night at the Bayard House in Chesapeake City. We've had a yummy lunch Saturday at Woody's Crab House - I'm trying to figure out how I can finagle another trip there.... mmmmm! Sunday's lunch was at a place in Chestertown on the water - a lovely lunch out on the deck.

I could actually start cooking them myself... they certainly sound simple enough.

Of course to all the rules there are surely exceptions... like Scrapple... ain't no way that's happening to my mouth! But since my husband is from Pennsylvania - he likes it... go figure!

I couldn't mention all this wonderful food without talking about a fabulous dinner made by my brother-in-law the other night. The Chicken Florentine he made was divine - so tender and yummy. This one I'll definitely try out myself.

OK - now I'm hungry thinking about all this great food... maybe if the dogs are feed, and I'm all dressed and ready to go my husband will take me out tonight when he gets home? Hmmmm? Maybe? Certainly worth a try don't ya think?

It worked and I've confirmed that the Crab Cakes at Woody's are indeed the best I've had so far. We managed to save 1/2 of our dinners for tomorrow night. Now I gotta go and unbutton my pants... they had a wonderful Pumpkin Bread Pudding for desert - I could only eat half of... the other half will be breakfast tomorrow morning.

Things that don't work...

You know how when you exercise they encourage you to increase the weights you are using over time to build up muscle strength and if you are a walker - I've even seen where they encourage you to use ankle weights or carry small weights with you. The idea is that if you make the muscles work harder - they get stronger - stronger muscles burn fat faster...

Nice idea... but it's just not working for me...

Actually - I figure if this worked the way it should (in my little mind)... there would be no overweight people around. A person who gained 5 pounds (like I have this summer) would in essence take that weight off just by virture of the fact that they have increased the weight they are carrying around - muscles would get stronger, more efficent and burn the fat off... right??

I've waited and hoped all summer as I've worked, cleaned, painted and sweated my way around this house that not only would my house be getting in shape - I would be too...

Sure seems like a pretty good theory... don't ya think?

But... it don't work.

I found someone while poking around the internet this morning who really has explored this concept in depth... she must have more time to ponder than I do... but here is her research on the subject.

HEADS will roll!!

Tonight as I stood looking out across the back yard... I heard "pop".

Huh? "Pop" again...

What the..? "Pop" yet again...

As I look around I see the dog standing next to me "popping" the heads off my new MUM plant... then I see all the heads she's been working on during the day!

The only thing missing was her going 'p'thewey' as she spit them out...

The ground is covered with little heads...

Poor plant!

So now all the mums are shoved way.... way.... way outta the way - Crazy dog!