I am also having fun reading the newspaper that was used as packing material. Life in Minnesota is different from life in Philadelphia. To start, it seems most of the population there have last names that end in "sen" "son" or "gren", or start with "van" or have double vowels --"aa" or "uu". It seems to be a less hectic place and it's fun to read the birth announcements. Even in our local paper we don't have those sorts of sweet things. Only obituaries. Minnesota seems like a very nice place and, as Jessy can attest, I am picking up the accent, you betcha.

I also love that bowl - it's great. And the edible goodies are mouthwatering. That's supposed to be The Word on Italian Cooking. I have the book, but have been too daunted to know where to start. Marcia - please do post any recipes you try on the discussions thread. And for the rest of you who have this book, please let me know which recipes you recommend. With over 1200 (and no editorial comments), I don't know where to start. Enjoy it all. Lynn.

Oh my gosh! He is gonna be a real Michigan State Spartan!! Alicia is a nice big healthy girl, she is only just shy of 18 months and already she is 28 pounds and 35 inches tall! I am really glad that Makayla liked her little mug, I thought it was adorable! And, I am really glad that I got a 6-9 month size little set of clothes! It would have been nice had I been more timely with the gifts, but it has been pretty wild around here for time to do too much of anything. I hope your little sweet Buddikins stays warm and happy in his new clothes! He is an adorable baby!!

A lot more came home than just the Brunello! there's half the apple fritter, half the duck, and half the salmon in our fridge! Next time, I'm having one and a half courses. The food was SO rich. (wonderful, but almost too wonderful iykwim). Cathy, I did have trouble deciding. It's a short menu and I wanted everything!! Fortunately the recommendation of the duck from a complete stranger in the lounge before diner made up my mind for me on the entree! Tricia, I think you and DH would love the place! It is just off Exit 70 next door to the Florence Griswold Museum. I think it's my new favorite local restaurant (those honors used to belong to The Up River in Westerly before the floods and they closed it). Unfortunately Bee and Thistle doesn't suit my budget for a regular hang-out, but wow! saving my pennies to go back. The menu changes regularly but the chef is awesome. They do have a chef's selection on Wednesdays- three courses for $28 - that would be easier on the pocketbook - but we definitely splurged for my birthday.