Housekeeping

Housekeeping

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Today’s post is a bit of a hodgepodge. June arrived while I wasn’t looking and I’ve several items to clean up before getting back to the kitchen.

1. The May Poll results are in. A recipe index and printable recipes are the big winners with 43% and 38% of the votes respectively. An e-cookbook failed to capture your fancy, while the “Other” option failed to capture your comments. No idea what those four people wanted when they ticked that box. If you voted “other” drop me an explanation in the comment box. I’ll try my best to accommodate your request. In the meantime, I’ll begin compiling a recipe index and setting up printable versions of the recipes. We all know this won’t happen unless I’m given a deadline, so I hereby impose June 30th as the date to launch these two features. Feel free to nag / encourage me as the date approaches. Taunting is not allowed until July 2nd.

2. I’ll be busy learning all sorts of magazine / editing / writing skills at the MagNet Conference in Toronto this week. If you’re attending too, don’t be shy. Introduce yourself. For those of you staying home, drop by the blog. I’ll be revisiting some of my most popular posts. Local friends might want to swing by the house and check in on Andrew to make sure he’s eating properly and staying on top of the lawn mowing.

3. Today’s my birthday. Before I even got out of bed I received a freshly brewed latte, an extra long shoulder massage from my ginger tabby, a rotisserie attachment for my barbecue gas grill and a bar of Green & Black’s organic dark chocolate with ginger. Okay, none of it was wrapped, but in Andrew’s defense, I was there for the purchase of the rotisserie and the cat would just shred the paper and eat the bow.

Now, I know you’re a friendly bunch and will likely be itching to post a comment wishing me well. But in lieu of birthday wishes, what I really want is a peek into your culinary tastes. In our family, the birthday boy or girl not only chooses the cake, but selects the entire dinner menu. So, tell me. Without thought to cost or prep-time, what homemade meal would you order for your birthday?

No Comments
  • cheryl
    Posted at 10:12h, 02 June

    Happppppy biiiiiiiirthday, Gemini! I didn’t realize your special day was so early in the month!

    I would order my husband’s quesadillas, preferably prepared outside in the rain, as he did back in 1992 when we camped around the U.S. together. When he told me back then to read in the tent while he cooked dinner in the rain, I knew he was a keeper.

    Wishing you a wonderful birthday! You’ve made my own days much better since I’ve found you and your blog.

  • Katerina
    Posted at 12:22h, 02 June

    Happy Birthday!

    We do that in our family too. Growing up I always ordered ratatouille and risotto. I probably still would.

  • Puglette
    Posted at 12:34h, 02 June

    happy birthday! that’s a tough decision since no one else in the family cooks. if i could choose anything it would be a crab louie from fisherman’s grotto in san francisco. that was always where we went for special occasions when i was a child. and brownies with cooked chocolate buttercream frosting. delish!!
    hugs,
    puglette
    :o)

  • danamccauley
    Posted at 12:42h, 02 June

    Happy B-Day!

    I’d have steamed lobster with fingerling potatoes and asparagus with bearnaise sauce, vintage veuve cliquot and a classic Black Forest Cake for dessert.

    Enjoy your day!

  • The Diva on a Diet
    Posted at 14:25h, 02 June

    Happy Birthday, dear Charmian! Sounds like your day is off to a wonderful start! 🙂

    Birthdays seem to make me a bit nostalgic, so I’d go retro for my birthday meal. We had the same tradition in my family and as a child, I always ordered my mom’s ziti and meatballs for dinner, and chocolate cake with chocolate frosting for dessert. Hence, that meal just scream “Birthday!” to me … what can I say, I’m a cheap date! 😉

    Have a wonderful time at the conference!

  • The Diva on a Diet
    Posted at 14:25h, 02 June

    Happy Birthday, dear Charmian! Sounds like your day is off to a wonderful start! 🙂

    Birthdays seem to make me a bit nostalgic, so I’d go retro for my birthday meal. We had the same tradition in my family and as a child, I always ordered my mom’s ziti and meatballs for dinner, and chocolate cake with chocolate frosting for dessert. Hence, that meal just scream “Birthday!” to me … what can I say, I’m a cheap date! 😉

    Have a wonderful time at the conference!

  • KJB
    Posted at 14:33h, 02 June

    Happy Birthday. Enjoy.

    My birthday meal would start with sparkling wine, maybe some kind of hors d’oeuvre or salad, followed by pasta in a cream sauce (we’re into the wine courses by now). Dessert would be angel pie (what my Mom always made) — meringue crust … whipped cream — lemon filing — topped with whipped cream. Followed by dancing.

  • Divawrites
    Posted at 14:49h, 02 June

    Happy Birthday! I’ll see you at MagNet.
    Birthday menu-lunch-my mom’s tuna casserole. Potato chips, cream of mushroom soup and tuna with a bit of milk. Absolutely no redeeming nutritional value…and my favorite mom comfort food.

    Dinner- a good steak, and a hot Brownie from Castle on King, which has (sniff sniff sob) now sadly closed. Since that is no longer an option, lemon meringue pie, boston creme pie or chocolate mousse cake, a nice glass or 3 of wine, a nice cup of coffee….and NO dishes to wash later.

  • jh
    Posted at 15:10h, 02 June

    For my birthday I always go for a seafood feast-crab legs, shrimp, scallops, and mussells with a big bottle of wine and strawberry shortcake for dessert. Yum. Happy Birthday!

    jen
    Boda weight loss Blog

  • Marta
    Posted at 16:10h, 02 June

    Happy Birthday!!!!
    I do hope you have a splendid day, full of laughter, kisses and yummy treats! What are you going to ask for your special meal?
    My meal would be so easy to accommodate: a giant bowl of salad and a giant bowl of soup. That’s it! Nothing makes me happier than those two things. The soup would probably have lots of seasonal veg and some beans. The salad would be spinach-based, with strawberries, goats cheese, almonds, tomato, avocado, artichoke, broccoli, roasted red peppers and a balsamic-dijon vinaigrette!!

  • Angelique from Bitchin' Lifestyle
    Posted at 16:52h, 02 June

    Hey!! Happy Bday Lady!!!

  • Anonymous
    Posted at 16:54h, 02 June

    Happy B.Day to you! So many choices, so few courses. Lobster bisque, salad with nuts and blue cheese, a salmon main with lots of lovely veggies. Hot brown garlic rolls on the side and for dessert a troly of selections so I could have a little bit several like sabra orange chocolate torte, Mum’s homemade peach shortcake, and some thing slathered in whipped cream, then liqueurs and chocolates. Of course there would no calories!!
    My B.D. is Sept 13, if you want to start planning now.
    Love from your ancient sister.

  • Cheryl Arkison
    Posted at 17:30h, 02 June

    Happy Birthday!

    My Hubby’s burgers, especially now (we’ve been without BBQ for over a month) and an angel food cake with fresh strawberries. I just had my birthday and got no cake… if I don’t bake it I won’t get it. I didn’t bake this year.

  • Cheryl Arkison
    Posted at 17:30h, 02 June

    Happy Birthday!

    My Hubby’s burgers, especially now (we’ve been without BBQ for over a month) and an angel food cake with fresh strawberries. I just had my birthday and got no cake… if I don’t bake it I won’t get it. I didn’t bake this year.

  • Lori
    Posted at 22:00h, 02 June

    Happy Birthday to you and Happy Anniversary to us! thanks for sharing yor birday with us! and your 16th birthday on our wedding day oh so many short years ago!

  • Christie's Corner
    Posted at 09:37h, 03 June

    Thanks to you all for your good wishes and sharing your birthday menus.

    I love that so many of them are based on memories and emotional ties, not just fancy food.

    Cheryl, great story. You're birthday is coming up so order Colin's quesadillas.

    Katrina, I love that you ordered this rather sophisticated menu as a kid.

    Puglette, chocolate cake is a birthday must for me. Have never had cooked chocolate buttercream icing. I must amend this immediately!

    Dana, I'll tell Martin and make sure this is served on your birthday. I hear he's a decent cook :-)[For those who don't know, Dana's husband is an award-winning chef.]

    Diva, your mom's ziti and meatballs sounds perfect. Sometimes cheap dates are the most fun.

    KJB, your angel pie sounds like the dessert my dad would order! Deeelish.

    DivaLisa, love that you would have pie, pie, pie! Your lunch order made me laugh. Yes, some comfort food has no redeeming qualities — and that's where the comfort lies.

    Jen, I love seafood. Especially crab legs.

    Marta, soup and salad is a wonderful choice. I would love your menu for lunch today.

    Sister of mine, message received.

    Cheryl, hope your BBQ gets fixed. Sorry you didn't get your cake.

    Lori, happy anniversary!! I remember that day well. And it was just a couple of years ago, right?

    So…my turn, eh? For some reason, I always want Greek for my birthday. Due to conflicting family schedules, we won't celebrate until later this month. Since the weather will be warmer, I'm going to fire up the grill and have chicken souvlaki, tzatziki, Greek salad, marinated olives and lemon potatoes. But dessert? Homemade ice cream and my mom will make a decadent chocolate torte soaked in liqueur and filled with whipped cream. I'm getting fat just thinking about it.