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I was at Whole Foods today and the artichokes are 2 for 3.00.

Every time we have a party, I am asked to make spinach pom poms
It is spinach, eggs, butter, bread crumbs, parm, nutmeg roll into balls and
bake, serve with spicy mustard sauce. This is from the 80's!! but really easy & good. I can give the recipe if any one wants.

My mom made a few casseroles in the 70's with Campbell's soups.
We love them. I have made them in recent years and they never let me down. Now I'm not saying I would make them for a dinner party, but my
husband and son love them. (as well as the guys over for Monday night
football)!

Oh god! I just found Haagen-Dazs Fleur De Sel Caramel. Sooo goood!!

I grew up with a girl who dipped her fries always in mayo!! SOO greasy!!

I can relate to almost every pet peeve mentioned above. My boyfriend who is usually very patient, now hates to go shopping. I am handicapped and his help is very much appreciated. I have nerve and muscle loss in my hands and legs. He has actually become outwardly even more patient but he is stuffing his true frustrations. He wants to defend me against people who are shoving past me and blocking me. I have told him we will just have to use this as a way to learn tolerance. However, if someone is just standing there blocking the aisle I will give a firm "excuse me" and they will usually move then. [are they blind, or am I invisable?]
Many people do seem to be extremely rude in grocery or big box stores.
Why can't people use the rules of the road, maybe we should put up signs. Keep your cart to the right of the aisle you are shopping, believe me you will be able to step across to get the items on the other side. Keep your children on the same side of the aisle you are on. Would it hurt to teach your child shopping etiquette? I did and my children behaved nicely and even enjoyed shopping and helping me. When they were little, I think twice we had a child meltdown and I took them outside to the car until they calmed down.
It seems even store managers are so desperate to keep customers they allow any rudeness. I remember years ago if you parked and left your car in a loading zone, you would hear someone say on the loud speaker, would the owner of such and such car, please come move your car or it will be towed.
At times my boyfriend will drop me at the door and then go park, in a handicapped spot and then come into the store, but even if he waited in the car for me what is the problem? I have to have a cart to lean on to walk any distance and I still have to walk out to the car with my purchases.
Please don't abandon your cart at the end of the aisle while you go down the aisle hunting for the items you want! This causes everyone coming down the 2 connecting aisles to have to go around your cart.

I was at Fresh Market yesterday and they were (gasp) $4.99 each. I expected to have to unclip a red velvet rope around the artie display.

Thanks so much when I make it for the sorority girls I will use a 1/2 can H20 and a whole can wine lol. Can't wait to make to next week and I will let you know. Thank you so much. Now not to change the subject but in Pac. N.W. we do not have canolli's (sp), at least not like in N.Y that my N.Y. friends complain so much about, do you have a recipe for these that my friends from back east would rave about?

@pjracz10 -- I don't have a "recipe" per se, but here's how my grandmother taught me to make it:

Sunday "Gravy" with Meatballs

Olive oil
5 cloves of garlic, minced
1 lg. onion, chopped (this was my addition... Grandma didn't use onions)
2 small cans (6-ounce each) of Tomato Paste
2 28-ounce can of Crushed Tomatoes
about 1 - 2 T. Dried Oregano (don't go crazy measuring... just add to your own taste.
5 or 6 Fresh Basil Leaves (or about 1- 2 T. Dried Basil)
Salt & Pepper to taste
1 tomato can of cold water
1 tomato can of a good burgundy or chianti
1 or 2 cheese rinds

First, make your meatballs (any favorite recipe will do). I no longer eat meat, so I skip this, but meatballs, sausages, pork ribs -- any of your favorite meats will go well with this sauce. Brown the meatballs and any meat you are using (in batches) in a big pot. Remove to a big bowl, and put some good quality olive oil in the pan. Add the onion, and cook until softened. Add the garlic, and cook until you can smell it, being careful not to let it brown (it will be bitter if it browns.) Now, add the tomato paste, and stir until the onions, garlic and paste is slightly browned. Now, add the wine, and deglaze all the browned bits and goodness off the bottom of the pot. Add the water, the herbs, and the tomatoes, and bring up to a lively simmer. Drop in all your meat and/or meatballs, ang your cheese rind, cover, and let simmer on very low heat (stirring every so often to keep it from burning) for 2-4 hours.

To serve, remove all the meat and meatballs to a large platter. Serve over your favorite pasta or spaghetti, cooked al dente. This will serve a crowd -- 10 -12 easily, and is just as good when cooked in a half batch.

Let me know how you like it if you make it!

@Brownie Could I have your long simmering pasta gravy recipe please?