So glad you all enjoyed this thread! RHome, we have a space above the island facing the cooktop....I was thinking about doing some word art there (a phrase or saying), but photos could be fun! Kate, happy anniversary! I *love* the scene you've described and agree with Caroline that this is a great movie to see with your DH/DW. I went with a girlfriend becaue DH was out of town but I am definitely going again with him! BTW, I haven't read Julie and Julia either but I can strongly recommend My Life in France. Judy, ah yes, the butter. I couldn't believe how much we used too, for the entire meal. The chicken alone is sauteed in one stick of butter, and when you make the sauce from the drippings (which of course has rich and lovely egg yolks), Julia suggests you add two to three tablepsoons of additional butter to the sauce! LOVE the fact that Julia and Paul both lived to a ripe old age. I also love some of her thoughts on food: "Eat well and drink well," says Julia Child, "everything in moderation -- and never snack." And this on butter: "If you're afraid of butter, as many people are nowadays," she said in one of her more recent television shows, "Just put in cream!" she proclaimed, with a twinkle in her eye. Apprently she believd that the secret to a long and happy lfe, along with the moderation, was red meat and gin. My kind of gal! :-) Regardless of what and how you eat, it really does make you realise that the act of sharing good food is really one of life's great pleasures. As she said..."Dining with one's friends and beloved family is certainly one of life's primal and most innocent delights, one that is both soul-satisfying and eternal." Bon appetit to that! Eliz

I like molasses as part of the glaze or sauce, so this recipe looks good to me. Molasses Chicken Breasts with Swiss Chard (Real Simple) 4 6-ounce boneless, skinless chicken-breast halves 1/2 cup ketchup 2 tablespoons molasses 4 tablespoons olive oil 1 teaspoon dry jerk seasoning (found in the spice aisle) kosher salt and pepper 1 baguette, sliced in half lengthwise 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped 2 shallots, thinly sliced 1 large bunch Swiss chard (stems trimmed), roughly chopped Heat broiler. Pat the chicken dry with paper towels, pound to an even thickness, and place on a broiler pan. In a small bowl, combine the ketchup, molasses, 1 tablespoon of the oil, the jerk seasoning, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 3 tablespoons water. Brush the chicken with the glaze. Broil, brushing occasionally, for 4 to 6 minutes. Turn, brush, and broil for 4 to 6 minutes more, until cooked through. Brush the bread with 1 tablespoon of the oil and sprinkle with the garlic. Broil until crisp, 1 1/2 minutes. Slice the bread crosswise. Meanwhile, heat the remaining oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the shallots and cook, stirring, for 4 minutes. Add the chard, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper and cook until wilted and tender, about 5 minutes. Divide the chicken, chard, and bread among individual plates.

The first time I had a hot buttered rum was at a lady's home in Brown County, Indiana. Brown County is hilly and wooded (at least back then) and very beautiful on a snowy winter day. This lady's house was amazing. She had traveled the world, literally, and had decorated her home with the beautiful things she found on her trips. We went to visit and she made us this drink on a cold night in winter with snow outside and a big fire in the fireplace. While we sipped, she told of stories of her travels. It was a wonderful and memorable night. (This would also be good for a sore throat, I would think!) HOT BUTTERED RUM (Rachael Ray) 2/3 cup packed dark brown sugar 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature 1/4 cup honey 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves Pinch salt 3/4 cup spiced rum 2 cups boiling water 4 sticks cinnamon, for garnish Using an electric mixer, beat the brown sugar, butter, honey, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt in a medium bowl until blended and smooth. Transfer the mixture to a 4-cup (or larger) measuring cup. Add the rum and then 2 cups of boiling water. Stir until the butter mixture dissolves. Divide the buttered rum among 4 mugs. Garnish with the cinnamon sticks and serve.

Just bourbon on the rocks is my fave, if I'm in a liquor mood, but I had a really delicious Blackberry Smash at Sushi Roku in Santa Monica awhile back & the name says it all ; J Salty Dogs are my go-to - basically grapefruit juice & vodka on the rocks w/ a salted rim. I usually won't say no to Bloody Marys either. Most of the time, I'd rather just have a IPA.