Hey there. How was your weekend? Most importantly, I hope it was safe for you. Tell me about your weekend.
My sister-in-law was in town, so we had a full weekend. With such great weather on Friday, the family (5 of us) took a 2-hour sightseeing cruise on the Ohio River. Figuring that many of you want to see pictures, I may turn it into a post later this week. We eventually ended up at my in-laws for dinner and cards.
My Saturday was supposed to conclude by attending the nation’s longest running nonleague college football rivalry – the 117th battle for the Victory Bell – my UC Bearcats and the dreaded Redhawks from Miami. There was a ticket snafu and I didn’t make it to the game – thus I wasn’t a happy camper, and actually still a bit ticked. At least the good guys won by a lopsided score.
Sunday we hosted the family, and I cooked one of our favorite dishes – Tuscan Bread Stew (Ribollita) from this great recipe by Rachel Ray. Try it!
Enough of the gibberish. Let’s start the week with a laughing fit! Yep, laughing hysteria! Are you prone to being able to stopping laughing? I am! Have a good week.
A Frank Angle 
I’m not a huge fan of Rachel Ray, but I have made that Tuscan stew and it is YUMMO.
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Jules,
To me, Rachel is just OK … but yes, this recipe is awesome. This was the first batch of the season, so I imagine a few more until the groundhog stays out for good. Thanks for confirming this treat!
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I’ll give her this–at least we don’t know what her sex face looks like a la Giada. Oy.
Kinda makes me throw up in my mouth a little.
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So did you just criticize or praise Giada?
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Criticize. If i was into chicks, it would be a different story, you know?
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LOL … but thanks for the clarification.
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You’re welcome.
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I’ll have to look up that recipe…Am always looking for new and simple!!!
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Lisa,
The prep is the time-consuming part … lots of chopping. In this case, I chopped everything before they arrived, so when it came time to each, it was very simple. Normally, I do some chopping before starting, and some during the process. Enjoy this tasty meal!
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Thanksgiving in Canada so had too much to eat – but had a wonderful family time. Thank you so much for the giggle!! I always learn something when I drop by….
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Clan,
Great …. a belated Happy Thanksgiving to you. Several years ago, we were in Vancouver (to board a cruise ship) and it was Thanksgiving. 🙂 Meanwhile, glad you enjoyed the giggle and thanks for visiting.
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I was thinking about packing the whole weekend, but today I really have to get down to it. 🙂 No time for giggles, I’m afraid.
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Paradise,
Ouch … I know you are under a time constraint, safe travels and thanks for visiting.
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I love Anderson Cooper! That was a great clip, both his unrestrained giggles and his wonderful apology.
I don’t do a great deal of cooking anymore unless there is family coming for dinner. Will have to look at the recipe, see if it is something the famdamily would enjoy.
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Val,
I remember seeing this shortly after it happened … and it still cracks me up!
BTW – Here, it’s just my wife and I, so when I make this dish, we freeze the leftovers, for 1-2 future meals. Thanks for commenting.
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I swear to God, LOVE that Anderson Cooper giggle!
Hugs,
Kathy
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Kathy,
The first time I heard his laugh, it was so unexpected! Yet, I love this clip. Thanks for commenting.
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For the most part it sounds like a great weekend. Sorry you missed the game though. That would tick me off as well. But what can you do. You can laugh at Anderson Cooper 🙂
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TBM,
We were stuck … so I took my buddy back to his car, I came home, and ate a small pizza. Fortunately, the game was on TV, so I watched and stewed about the situation. At least it was a it was it wasn’t close – but Miami scored too many (13). Glad you enjoyed the laugh … thanks for stopping by.
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I’ve been in that situation where you get the giggles inappropriately and it’s not good. There’s just no where to hide – especially when in front of the cameras xx
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Spiced,
Well said on all counts. But at least AC was able to laugh to himself. Thanks for commenting.
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Good morning Frank! This weekend saw the first of some real relief to the heat in San Antonio, and it’s very welcome! I caught The Mummies of The World exhibit at The Witte Museum with a friend, and made it out to First Friday…which is something I rarely manage to do.
Sorry about your mishap with the football tickets!
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Good Morning Alex!
Ah ha … answer visit to the Witte Museum. Hmmmmm … Didn’t you go to a Darwin exhibit there? Typing stop to to stare at Christine Romans ……. pause …… pause ….. Meanwhile, the Mummies exhibit sounds awesome! Did you enjoy it? Thanks for sharing.
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Yep, that is where I caught The Darwin exhibit. The Mummies were very cool, and the exhibit itself was very well done, not as extensive as the Darwin exhibit, but still very interesting. I hope you have a great week Frank!
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You too, as I know you are in the final stretch of a campaign.
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Yes, the next few weeks should be interesting. Insanely busy, but interesting!
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Once again, it was a very long weekend.
Looking forward to dust starting to settle soon. Or at least by mid-december.
Sigh.
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Guapo,
Well … you have much on your plate at the moment. Meanwhile, here’s some excitement to for you.
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HOLY CATS!!! And enough time to open the chute and have a nice glide in. Must be a high bridge.
Yes, that is definitely on my list to do….
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New River Gorge Bridge in West Virginia … and glad I was about to find something for your daring list! BTW – they close the bridge to traffic (I think once a year) for bungee jumping!
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Great Monday giggle, Frank – thanks! The Tuscan bread stew sounds good; I love stews. I’ve been making big pots of my hearty vegetarian stew for the past 3 weeks; a great way to have healthy eats during the work week. This would make a nice change 🙂
And the bridge jump – wow! Looks like incredible fun.
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Lynn,
This recipe is definitely one of our favorites. The only hassle is the chopping time. Fortunately for me, I get the leftovers for a lunch. … and it goes well with a glass of red wine. Enjoy …. and glad you watched the bridge jump! Thanks for commenting.
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Anderson’s giggle-fest is great especially since he’s such an otherwise serious journalist. That stew looks great, too, but alas, I can no longer eat tomatoes; doctor’s orders.
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Lame,
Great point about AC!
Now about those tomatoes – then don’t put them in. This stew is very flexible. Hmmmm … probably goes well with goat cheese on the side. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by.
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Good suggestion, Frank! It was cold out here last night and I really wanted stew, but Milton and I settled for burgers — not quite the same.
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But I love a good burger too. Cincinnati can do burgers … here is the menu at one of my favs in the area. …. http://www.gordospub.com/norwood/gourmet_burgers.html
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If Milton and I ever get to Cincinnati we now know where to go. Thanks Frank!
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🙂 … and take me with you. BTW – hope you read the owner – About Gordo – he was a sous chef for a major local chef.
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Sounds like a wonderful weekend! I’ve never heard Anderson giggle…hilarious! Also, I looked at the recipe…will definitely make this! Thanks Frank!
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Spirit,
It so good … and great on a fall and winter days! … and good with a glass of red wine!!!! Enjoy … and glad you liked AC’s giggle fit. Thanks for visiting.
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I could listen to Cooper giggle all day. It cheers me up!
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Studio,
The first time I hurt his giggle was a big surprise. Meanwhile, I still find this clip to be so funny. Glad you enjoyed it and thanks for visiting.
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More fun with home improvement for me; painted the kitchen in preparation to have new cabinets installed. How exciting…yeah right 😦
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Hansi,
Ugh … the pain of painting. Hopefully the project will be over soon! Then again, I just heard you saying “Not soon enough.” Thanks for sharing.
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Watching Anderson Cooper giggle just made my day. He actually giggles. it’s not a chuckle, or a guffaw, it really is a giggle. It’s hilarious.
Ribollita! I love that dish. I may have to put that on my To Cook list. Glad your weekend was good! Mine was good. I experimented with a new recipe, Bacon Cheddar Cornmeal Scallion Muffins. It turned out pretty darned good.
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Weebs,
Yep … AC has an actually giggle … and a funny one, too! Cheers for another endorsement for Ribollita. As you know, the variations are endless. Meanwhile, the muffins sound real good and very low cal. 😉 Your recipe source or was it a Weebs creation? Thanks for stopping by.
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Great timing on the recipe! I’m trying to collect a few good recipe’s to cook for company soon. Thanks!
when I was little I use to get the uncontrolable giggles from time to time. It really was frustating when your trying to stop giggling and can’t stop. On air I can’t even imagaine. I did catch his first giggle fest as well.
The weekend we went and retrieved more wood. We need to make sure we have enough wood before the snow really starts to fly. We did several chores this weekend whcih was nice, because I can scratch a few things off my todo list. :+)
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Starla,
We first tried the Ribolitta about 5 years ago, thus have been big fans ever since! Lots of cutting time, but the cooking part is very easy … just don’t get the giggles at the stove! 😉 Thanks for sharing your weekend, but I’m not sure I like the idea of the first snow in early October. Thanks for sharing.
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I’m looking forward to trying the recipe. I think I’ll show the giggle video to Navar he had a rough day that might cheer him up. :+)
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Great idea … a giggle intervention.
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It was a nice weekend but tired too 🙂 The weather changed today. Rainy and dark. Thank you dear Frank, I wish you too to have a nice week, love, nia
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Nia,
Thanks for verifying that the seasons are changing all over the world! Glad you had a good weekend, and thanks for visiting.
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Great Anderson Cooper video. Always loved bloopers, the more giggles the better. Here’s a few of my favorites.
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Fasab,
Agree … on-air giggles are always fun … so many thanks for sharing these gems!
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That was fun I just showed Navar the videos the giggle fest. We had a good laugh.:+) Thanks. Giggling is contagious.
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And glad he’s now smiling.
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Thanks Frank We had a good laugh. Hopfully today will be a better day. :+)
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It will … and good morning as you sip!
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That’s funny I just set my coffe cup down after a sip.
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🙂
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Good Morning!
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It’s always a good morning as long as I wake up … after all, consider the options.
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Boy that’s the truth when you look at it that way it’s difficult not to have a pretty great day. :+) Looks like more rain today. That’s good things are so dry it could probably rain for days and be OK.
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Yep … and replenish with water before the ground becomes frozen.
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Exactly the poor trees the leaveds are so dry and the lillacs almost died.
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I love Anderson Cooper and his giggle! I posted something the last time he lost control. Giggling is good for us! Your weekend sounds like it was very enjoyable with a wide variety of activities. Nothing better than that–except maybe that meal! It sounds so good to me. 🙂
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Debra,
On a occasions, something gets me going, and then I can’t stop! Try the outstanding recipe. Heck, we actually polished off the leftover the last night. Thanks for stopping by.
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My weekend? Part in the toilet, part in the gutter! 😉 (Would it be horrifically rude of me to tell you to read my blog for details?)
Seriously, got over being sick in order to challenge a malevolent gutter. We went the full 15 rounds, but I won – on points. And this was just the semi round. I still have the championship front porch gutter to contend with! 😯
Onward and upward…
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John,
Glad you won the battle with the gutter, but it sounds like quite the battle. I be over to read it either soon (tonight) or in the morning. Thanks for sharing!
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