Appetizing Muse

My parents came to visit recently, and during their week-long stay we sampled a wide variety of foods. Their visits always seem to go so fast, and I hate to see them go. It takes me a few days to shake off the melancholy after they leave.

The first day included corned beef with cabbage, potatoes and carrots. Corned beef cooked in the crock-pot is a fail-safe meal that almost always comes out flawless. This time was no exception.

The second day we treated my parents to the Top of China Buffet, which I have waxed about in previous blog posts.

The third day was fairly simple: chili and hot dogs for lunch (using our Hot Dog Express Rotary Grill), and lasagna with salad and garlic bread for dinner.

The fourth day we made-do with leftover corned beef sandwiches on French bread with spicy brown mustard, and for dinner we bought a bag full of Jack-in-the-Box regular beef tacos. My father fell in love with Jack's tacos, and ate four of them in one sitting. This is highly unusual for him, as he typically only consumes one or two. Unfortunately, my parents do not have a Jack-in-the-Box close to their home in Utah.

(Above): Jack-in-the-Box Taco. Click on image to view larger size in a new window.

On the fifth day we had an outdoor barbeque with chicken, homemade potato salad and Bush's Baked Beans. Coconut-cream pie from Cyrus O'Leary's finished off that meal.

On Father's Day we went to Casa de Oro and enjoyed a leisurely Mexican meal that was wonderful, as usual. I have become hooked on chíle rellenos. Each time we frequent Casa de Oro, I always add the item to my combination plate (which also included a cheese enchilada, rice and refried beans). Mum ordered a "Chimumga" (her word for a Chimichanga).

On Monday night we dined on Beef Chuck Strip Steaks with Green Beans, Mushrooms & Onions, as well as twice-baked potatoes with sliced green onions and melted jalapeno cheddar cheese.

Vacations and family visits always seem to bring about feasting one way or another, but now we are back to our standard fare. My palate can use the rest, but I sorely miss the presence of my parents.

Mum and Dad are the center of my family, which also includes my husband Wilbert along with Foofer and Rainee. As I've said before, I wish my parents lived closer than they do. As it is, they live a long stretch of approximately 700 miles away.

With that, it's back to my doldrums and away from the food . . .