How was your weekend? Did you have good weather?
Ours was busy and with a wide variety of enjoyments. Besides some time on the ballroom floor, We spent Saturday preparing to host our dinner group featuring recipes from The Barefoot Contessa (Ina Garten). Through the years, we eat very well, and Saturday night was not an exception. Here’s our courses and recipes.
- Tomato Crostini with Whipped Feta, Rosemary Roasted Cashews
- Bibb Salad with Basil Green Goddess Dressing
- Roasted Shrimp Orzo with Sauteed Asparagus and Snap Peas
- Chocolate Chunk Blondies with a Chocolate-Grand Marnier Sauce
Sunday was such a beautiful day, we had to do something outside. We started at Goetta Fest along the river on the Kentucky side. (Goetta will be a future post of its own.) We walked to the Ohio side and returned by a different bridge. Then we board the amphibious vehicle for the fun and informative Duck Tour.
On our way home, first we stopped at the casino to enter the upcoming Million Dollar drawing then, it was off to Graeter’s to celebrate Chocolate Chip Day!!!
Get your planners ready because this week’s celebrations are noteworthy. Let’s start with this week being International Assistance Dog Week, National Farmers Market Week, Intimate Apparel Week, and National Bargain Hunting Week.
Daily celebrations includes these worthy joys: (Mon) Assistance Dogs, Oysters, and Underwear; (Tues) Root Beer Float Day and National Night Out; (Wed) Lighthouse Day, Particularly Preposterous Packaging Day, and Purple Heart Day; (Thurs) Dalek Day, Happiness Happens Day, and Sneak some Zucchini onto Your Neighbor’s Porch Night; (Fri) Kool-Aid Day, Indigenous People Day, and Art Day.
According to Philosopher Mouse, DogTV started this month. For your Monday Morning Entertainment, enjoy this clip that Marina brought to my attention. Have a good week!
A Frank Angle 
I love that video clip of the dog – it’s just like he’s hearing and can understand every word. We had lovely weather on the weekend too. I like the sound of your menu xx
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Spiced,
The menu was wonderful. The Shrimp and Orzo dish was light and tasty …. plus, we would make it again. It was the first time we ever oven-roasted shrimp. Dessert was my favorite dish of the evening.
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Love that video, Frank. And it was beautiful here too. I sat outside and read a book.
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Elyse,
I was actually thinking about you when deciding this video.
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Shades of Goliath!
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Oh the memories.
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We were in Minneapolis for a family wedding. Lots of sun and warmth. And mosquitoes.
By the way, got any of those Chocolate Chunk Blondies left?…
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Carrie,
Oh no … the Minnesota mosquitoes are huge … hopefully nobody got carried away at the wedding! The blondies were very good .. and the sauce made them even better! A couple are left, but no way I’m sharing. 😦
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I don’t blame you in the least. 🙂
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Thanks for being understanding.
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Good weather? It was absolutely gorgeous here in IA. Today was clear and 77˚. More coming this week.
We enjoyed 4 days with both daughters and 7 grandkids Wed-Sat in L. Geneva, WI. http://www.lakegenevawi.com/ It was fun and tiring. A highlight was the hour and a half boat tour along the shore to see and hear the descriptions of the mansions, ice cream sundaes were included. Property goes for $15,000/ft. Too steep for me.
You say this is intimate apparel week? I must tell my sweetheart.
Thanks, Frank. Have an interesting week.
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Jim,
The temps-below-normal area covers a large swath, so hey – let’s enjoy it while while we have it! Sounds like you had a good getaway with family … and I imagine you and Melanie were leading the way in spoiling the grandkids!
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I’ve made all of those BC recipes you listed! oh so damn good I wanna marry them all!
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Jules,
Wow … That’s impressive … you must be a culinary goddess!
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Poor dog!
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Debra,
Yep …. call the animal protection groups to report unnecessary cruelty.
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Frank, this Dog Talk video is hilarious! I love it! I would call it the highlight of my weekend, if it were not almost 1 am on Monday so … it might be the highlight of my week.
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Lame,
Oh no … it’s 1 AM and time at The Grind is just around the corner! Yep … gotta love this Dog Talk video.
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You had a great weekend my friend… a really great weekend…
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Bulldog,
It was a very good one with some variety.
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Oh, poor puppy ….
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Kanerva,
He was so disappointed!
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Wasn’t he, what a cruel owner that’s all I’ll say on the matter. To think he give that last snack to the cat….
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Kanerva,
Nonetheless, a funny clip. But hey – a cat has to eat, too!
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I don’t know, cats are so self-sufficient 🙂 or should that be self-absorbed?!
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LOL … cats can be both of those – especially self-sufficient!
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I gave it to the cat! Hilareous!
We took my grandson to the Ringling Bros Circus! It was awesom, such fun. This was the highlight of the week. First circus for both dearly beloved and grandson.
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Val,
Glad the video was able to start your day with a chuckle. How did the guys like their first circus?
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How does bouncing on the edge of their seats sound? I don’t know if it was just because they were excited to be together, they have such a bond. Or if it was all the cool stuff. But bouncing they were.
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Good that they enjoyed themselves!
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‘Who’ was my weekend?? Really? That’s a rather personal question, don’t you think Frank? 😉
Went down to Corpus Christi for the weekend with a friend (‘Who was my weekend’, indeed.) Had awesome weather and a fantastic time.
Love the dog video!
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Good Morning Alex,
Thanks for noting the big oops! 🙂 Meanwhile, you’re back in Texas …. thus good bye Mississippi and hello Shiner Bock!
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Love the video, Frank and it sounds like you had a great weekend. Daughter won her second regatta, so one more to go before the big Canada Games on the 12th.
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Kajai,
Cheers for D2 and her team! Best of luck on the 12th!
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And thanks to YouTube I learned that this week is also Geek Week.
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Doggy,
Many thanks for that one as I didn’t know it! So .. Happy Geek Week to you.
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I adore that video – it is hilarious. Sounds like you had quite a packed weekend and what fun! Sounds like a big week ahead for all of us.
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SDS,
Interestingly, our weekend wasn’t hectic! Hopefully some of these celebrations will bring you joy!
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Amazing video…love it. Will share with GS and husband as I shared your squirrel obstacle course with my mother this weekend.
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Georgette,
This is a good video to share as it will bring a smile to many.
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i’m in tears laughing with that cute puppy dog! omg!!! i definitely have to share it sometime as well…i loved you weekend review. so full of life and activities. mine. nah, you would fall asleep. thanks for the great video. 😆
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Sunshine,
Glad the video served its purpose of jump-starting your week. By the way, the dessert is a wonderful match with port! … and for a light & refreshing dish, try the Shrimp and Orzo,
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🙂 okay!!
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Did you say Root Beer Float day? To think, I almost missed it.
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TBM,
Tuesday is Root Beer Float Day … and I imagine you can track that down somewhere in London! Enjoy!!!
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Frank, thank you for starting my day with a true laugh. But the wheels are turning; I’m wondering if I can get Angel Eyes to star in a doggy video. All I have so far is her barking at Mitt Romney during a presidential debate 🙂
Oh, and the the meal sounds utterly divine – yummmmm.
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Lynn,
You know Angel Eyes better than anyone, so prepare the script!
The meal was very good … and that’s all the dishes. Dessert was my fav … and the entree (our course) was a pleasant surprise (Nope, we seldom practice) … but we will cook it again for ourselves as it is a good refrigerator dish.
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Love your menu, Frank! We love to cook, too. I’m intrigued by the Basil Green Goddess dressing. Sounds delicious! We had a nice weekend. Went to see a play on Friday and then stayed close to home the rest of the weekend. We did make a great dinner on Saturday night – Linguine with a grilled littleneck clam sauce – delicious!
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Cathy,
As I noted, this group eats well … and good wine, too! Amazing how the meal actually flowed together, and that is without planning as each couple had a course. Thanks for sharing your dinner. Because my wife doesn’t like it, no clam sauce in this house.
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Your Friday Shorts give my brain a lift. Your Monday Weekends give my spirits a lift.
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Tim,
Thanks … so what happens between Monday and Friday?
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Wow, you’ve been very busy, Frank!!! 🙂
Re: video, an experienced[!] dog owner is very familiar with those expressions and the attention on a dog’s face when you say food words! In our house food words [eat – meat – egg – cook – lunch – chicken etc – very long list I can assure you!] are banned, unless it’s feeding time! 🙂
Happy Monday and a brilliant new week!!
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Marina,
Oh yes … the animals do know certain keywords … thus banning usage is a good idea!!! Thanks again for the video (which has been a hit)
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We also had incredibly mild and beautiful weather, Frank. As one friend said, “we are going to pay for this weather” down the road! It can’t last. 🙂 We’ve had our granddaughters since Friday, and they aren’t going home until later today. It’s been an extremely busy weekend of another kind. I may need a nap later today. LOL! We are participating in National Night Out tomorrow. Hope you have a great week, Frank.
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Debra,
Oh my … you return from vacation, then a week of work, and then a weekend with the balls of energy. You’ve earned several glasses of wine to precede several naps!
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Chocolate Chunk Blondies (YUM) and you’ve inspired me to get out next Sat and go to the Farmers Market.
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Hood,
The Blondies were just that … YUMMY! All the dishes were good, but the Shrimp and Orzo dish was light and refreshing … thus good for summer … the type of dish you keep in the refrig.
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Nice food!
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One of the funniest videos I have seen in a long time.
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Pride,
Glad the video was about to deliver a chuckle .. and that is the purpose of my Monday Morning Entertainment series.
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OMG–that video made me laugh out loud! Hard!
Hope you’re doing well, Frank. Sounds like you had a good weekend, at least. Sorry to have been away. Been busy working on my memoir. Excuses, excuses! Right? I’ve missed you.
Hugs from Ecuador,
Kathy
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Hello Kathy … cheers to Equador! .. so I hope all is going well with you. Keep your head to the grindstone on the memoir project, so don’t worry about us … I’ll remain happy when you check in!!!
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Have heard about your …. barefoot countess before. Somebody else was talking themselves warm about her. You had a busy program during the weekend …. love the underwear day. Had friends in UK that was on Oyster Festival over the weekend to. The place to be during the Oyster Festival times is Galway, Ireland .. have that in mind .. for your travel.
That dog video is just priceless … I seen it before, but it was lovely to watch it again and it gives me the same joy every time.
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Viveka,
The Barefoot Contessa is one of our favorite cooking shows on Food Network. Ina has a very calming host, and loves to entertain. We’ve cooked her Beef Burgundy several times. YUM!!!! Glad you enjoyed the dog video … and thanks for the festival tip.
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Beef Burgundy or Beef Bourguignon is the dish that are mostly spelled wrong on restaurant’s menus.
In France they eat it with pasta, like tagliatelle. A fantastic dish.
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Great points! Here’s her recipe. http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/beef-bourguignon-recipe/index.html
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Thanks for link … great recipe – and it looks good on a thick slice of toasted country bread.
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Yes …. we’ve also served it with noodles as you mentioned.
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You had me at “Intimate Apparel Week”.
Now where’s my thong? And flannel shirt?
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Guapo,
I will try to get that thought out of my head … but I imagine it will be a hit with TMWGITU.
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Fantastic doggie chat video 🙂
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Fasab,
Cheers to the creator of that one!
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Had a fabulous celebratory weekend with perfect weather. Thanks so much for the hilarious dog clip. 😆
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Sylvia,
Indeed a grand celebration!
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We spent Sunday evening at Washington Park listening to music and watching Lumenocity. It was awesome. I hope to post a pic or video or two soon.
I want to take the duck ride. Was it worth it?
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Christine,
I only know of one other person who attended, but it seems to have been a hit.
I took the duck tour on a whim as the weather was nice. It wasn’t earth shattering, but OK. FYI: $17 …. 45 minutes
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Thanks.
It was a beautiful production, but the event planners didn’t seem to be totally prepared for the crowd.
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Well .. that happens with first-time events.
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Frank, you always know how to brighten up my day. I loved that video… so darn cute
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Kay,
This video is very well done … thus much to like about it!
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Dalek Day! How could I have missed it! My fellow daleks are going to be livid!
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Rose,
Nothing worse that a livid Dalek … well, except for a group of livid Daleks!
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