Food

Which made me think about what I had given up. My list starts with milk, pasta, and bread most of the time. (an occasional old-school cheeseburger still happens). When I thought about it, I've given up exercise. Seriously.

Billings has gotten a few more national franchises here in the last few years. Jersey Mikes, Five Guys Burgers and Fries, and Sonic to name a few. When I'm watching television, a commercial will come on for TGI Fridays, or Macy's, or some other national chain, somebody will always ask "Why don't we have one of those in Billings?"

So, now I see that's Wendy's is going to change their french fries. Let me first say, yes, it is sad that I have a favorite french fry. I prefer to eat them in the dining room because instead of getting your ketchup in packets, you can fill 3 of those cups with ketchup and the proper amount of pepper and salt. It's ideal for dipping.

I am not saying that every ingredient has to be started from scratch, but it must be a mixture of ingredients that are cooked on the stove using a recipe. NO CANNED CHILI. I am sure many of you will argue that you know of a brand that is great heated up from a can. This could be fine for your tastes, but for me, homemade is it.

Some of you may have a pantry full of exotic spices and know how to use them. If that's the case, please consider inviting me over for dinner sometime. For the rest of us, here's what I know you'll find on every Montanans spice rack.

Subsequently, we didn't get checked into our room until a little after eight that night. To our surprise, not only did it have two queen beds. But it also had a little stove, sink, and refrigerator.....which wasn't empty! We had a couple of choices of milk, some cheese, and even some mayonnaise. How thoughtful.

There is nothing better than my Mother's Homemade Raspberry Jam. When she brings it to Billings, it lasts no more than a week at our house. By that time we are addicted and immediately go into withdrawals that can last for weeks. As you can imagine, this is a problem. What is the solution? Find a distant 2nd to Mom's jam that will last for the 5 and a half months in between her visits.

What in the heck is going on with McDonald's. The big announcement this week about the toys that go into a Happy Meal. They are working with toy companies to develop new ideas like three-dimensional cardboard heroes you can build and plant-based

The first Dog House Parade in Billings is now becoming the hottest ticket in town. On October 30th, Montana Pavillion you will be amazed at 40 of the most unique and beautiful custom-made Dog Houses you have ever seen.

We got to talking about cooking this morning I'm sure that you've heard people say "You don't like deer/elk/goose/antelope/trout/grouse because you've never had it the way that I cook it". Today it was barbequing steaks. and there are many ways.

It's just that some stuff that has been on my shelves may have hit the expiration date. My plan is to not die from food poisoning. That is part of what led to the redoing of all of my food inventory. That and the stories I'm hearing about possible shortages of certain grocery items that might be coming down the pipe.

I set the new record at a restaurant in Helena for the most spaghetti eaten at the all you could eat place we found. In fact, after I ate the last plate the cook came out to see this guy that broke the record.