Top in Grilling - Who Knew?

I just read online today that on May 14, 2006 St. Louis was named the "Top Grilling City". It was reported in the St. Louis Fine Restaurant Guide here. And last year St. Louis was in second place! Jackson, Mississippi was first in 2005.

Here are the top 10 Grilling Cities in 2006:

• St. Louis, Missouri
  
• Des Moines, Iowa
• Tampa/St. Petersburg, Fla.
• Grand Rapids, Mich.
• New Orleans/Mobile, Ala.
• Jacksonville, Fla.
• Jackson, Miss.
• Memphis, Tenn.
• Atlanta
• Charlotte, N.C
  

Kingsford Charcoal ranked 60 different cities across the United States based on the annual sales of charcoal, barbecue sauce, grills and picnic items. They said that in one year places like Grand Rapids, Michigan and Des Moines, Iowa (which were in the lower 20 grilling cities) are now in the top 10. This shows that Americans are grilling year round regardless of the weather.

No Insomnia Here

"Cats are rather delicate creatures and they are subject to a good many ailments, but I never heard of one who suffered from insomnia."

Joseph Wood Krutch

Kitties @ The Winery

These kitties live at Sugar Creek Winery.








They have a mother named Phantom.





I think that I may have a picture of her but she is quite skittish.


She has not passed on her skittish traits to her kids. Actually they were kind of friendly to all of the people that wanted to pet them.

Yesterday was Columbus Day

In honor of Columbus Day I cooked a meal with both
Old World Food and New World Food.

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The Old World Food was represented by lentils and onions
while the New World Food was tomatoes and potatoes.
(I added one can of diced Italian-style tomatoes to the following recipe.)

I found the recipe for Crockpot Lentil and Sausage Soup here:

1	cup uncooked lentils
1/2	lb kielbasa, cut into 1 inch pieces
1	cup onions, chopped
1	cup celery, chopped
1	cup carrots, finely chopped
1	cup potatoes, diced
2	tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
3 (16	ounce) cans beef broth
1/2	teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
1/8	teaspoon nutmeg

• Crockpot Soups
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• United States Soups
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Pork Sausage Soups
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Fall Soups
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Low Cholesterol Soups
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

1. Rinse lentils and drain.
2. Place all ingredients in crockpot.
3. Cook on low for 6 hours, stirring occasionally.

One Tree in Autumn

This beautiful tree is right down the street from my house.

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I had to stop to photograph it on the way home.





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RAMS GAME DAY 5: Rams @ Packers

UPDATED: W 23-20

at
Well, this week we get a noon game
at Lambeau Field against Brett Favre and the Packers.
Hope we get through this one with a "W".

Willow Is Just Hanging Around