Dupree's nuggets - dipping sauce extra

Just a few thoughts as I wrap up the week - and yes, there will likely be a little moaning and whining because the past week has largely sucked.  I mean AUDIBLY sucked - you could hear it sucking.

LOUD.

I mean it.
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First off - on a happy note.  I have discovered a new Fall/Winter dish to make you droooool.  Courtesy of my older but prettier twin sister Edder over at I don't care for your tone, I have tasted the sensual and earthy delights of the Lazy Person's Cabbage Roll Recipe (I call it Cabbage Roll Stew for short, although I am truly a huge fan of both sloth and indolence, in that order).

Given my German/Lutheranesque upbringing in the pioneering wilds of Ohio (Lakewood), this dish brings back memories of my grandmother's cabbage rolls that were often served as Sunday dinner.  The aroma of this dish alone sent me into paroxysms of nostalgic ecstasy.  I even made it the night before we planned to eat it to let the flavors meld.

Helpful hint if you try this:  Remove the bay leaves before serving.  You'll be glad you did.  I just reheated some for lunch and slashed the hell out of my gums.

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Today's helpful hint for dog owners:   If your dog somehow manages to procure and devour a black ink pen on your living room oriental, do not attempt to scrub the ink out of your carpet.  Douse it liberally with rug cleaner and daub with paper towels, attempting to wick as much ink out of the carpet as you can instead of messing it around.

Then your rug will only be slightly ruined.

Sigh.

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Discovery of the week:

There is never so much work on your plate that more can't be added.  Crying is permissible, but only if your boss can't see you.

And after that, man the hell up and soldier on.

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 This year's vacation destination:

We had hoped to make a West Coast jaunt this Fall to the San Francisco Bay Area and to Seattle to see some wonderful friends.

Instead, our vacation funds will be allocated to paying off the repair work to my car up in Burlington this week.

So, as we drive back home this Sunday with our 9 year-old solid-gold car, we'll listen to the Grateful Dead, eat sourdough and throw fish at each other.

The drizzly Pacific Northwest weather will be simulated by us weeping quietly into our Starbucks.

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On the lighter side...

While last weekend was not quite 'peak' for Vermont's annual foliage extravaganza, we're assured that this weekend will be spectacular.

So - once again, camera in tow - we're hoping to catch some spectacular images to share when we return.

Best wishes to you all for a great weekend!