But seriously, man, there's nothing better than blearily tumbling to the freezer, shaking out a pre-measured bag of ground beef, and firing up a super quick home cooked meal because you've got the stuff all lined up and don't really have to think about it. But still, home cooked!

This why I decided to try Sous Kitchen last month. Fun and relatively economical. Most importantly, no chopping. And makes me think about portion size, which is probably a good thing.

I am thinking I will get a Costco membership now that I have what seems like vast capacity for storage. I might get a freezer first. I aspire to be as planny and forward thinking as Liese, but I have not managed to be (at least not consistently) so far. But if I get mmyself the tools I can practice, right?

Nobody has white shoes advice?

CA white shoe advice . If it feels summery where white shoes. In other words - we may still get a week or two of hotter weather. If you are going to a more formal event ( as in business or high level social ladder people ) skip the white shoes. In Ct I never would have worn white shoes after labor day unless I was the bride.

What about white shoes with black ribbon accents? Same rules?

What about white shoes with black ribbon accents? Same rules?

Yes, but as another former New Englander I really shouldn't be trusted to be objective on the white shoe rule--the training, it goes deep.

I have a costco card, -t. We should go on a test run!

Thanks! I don't know why I need external validation for white shoe rules, but I do.

And that is a brilliant idea, Lee. Maybe that won't take as much scheduling as hitting the outlets?

This kind of stuff is where a microwave comes in. Ideally you remember to take the frozen chicken breast out of the freezer the day before to defrost in the the meat tray. But if you did not, defrost it in the microwave on 3 for three minutes at a time, then stick back in the microwave.

Microwave casserole/stew/one dish meal (general recipe).

1) Make a sauce. 2) cook starch in the sauce using about 1/3rd of your spices - potato perhaps or (bad cooking tip here) even pasta. Stir halfway through 3) when starch is almost done, add veggies, and another third of spices. Stir halfway through 4) When veggies are almost done, add chicken (or other protein) and remainder of spices. Cook on six until every thing is done. Stir halfway through.

Serve. You end up with only one pan to clean, probably a pan that is dishwasher safe. These are not gourmet tips. (I'll bet someone rolled their eyes when they read about cooking the pasta in the sauce in the microwave. And truly pasta deserves better.) But do you know what; it is better tasting than most frozen dinners, better tasting than most inexpensive eateries. And since you control salt, sugar, fat, carbs and calories it is much healthier than any of them - your definition of healthy. One advantage of microwave cooking is that you can really control fat while not burning pans. The cooking on 6 in sauce is the secret to having chicken or fish come out tender and not overcooked.

It is a perfect solution to cooking when you have not planned in advance and are too tired to make a normal from scratch meal.

18V combo pack

I want one of these. The 4.8V My-First-Makita just doesn't hold a charge any more.

FNL: I am hoping that the writers have a solution down the road. In the meantime, the episode had me in tears twice: 1st after Jason tells Tami his dream and thanks her and merrily wheels away and then when Tyra and Landry are crying at the end. Also, I can't believe I'm feeling sorry for Buddy for stuff he pretty much brought on himself. And - isn't it funny that whatshisname Morshower looked so huge on 24 but looks so small on FNL? Which is also funny because I was reading over at TWOP that somebody who had worked on FNL last year was remarking how everyone on FNL is tiny - so that the guy who played Voodoo Tatum looked huge - but then when he was on SPN - where everyone is ginormous - he looked kind of small.