THIS WILL MAKE YA HUNGRY

Did you happen to catch that show on the Food Network that showcased the "Best of" as nominated by Bon Apetit Magazine? As you know, I love food. Here is an overview of the top picks.

PIZZA:
Pizzeria Bianco in Phoenix, AZ
www.pizzeriabianco.com
• wood burning oven.
• lots of choices of toppings

TACOS:
Taco Taco Cafe in San Antonio, TX
tacotacosa.com
• home made tortillas
• Only open til 2pm


BURGERS:
Bobcat Bite in Santa Fe, NM
• Famous for green Chili Burger
• 50yr old griddle
• Top sirloin, boneless chuck

FRIED CHICKEN
Willie May's Scotch House in New Orleans, LA
No website but review
www.bestofneworleans.com
• ravaged by Katrina but up and running now


RIBS
17th Sreet Bar & Grill in Murphysborough, IL
www.17thstreetbarbecue.com
• Numerous awards for sauce & ribs


STEAK
Peter Luger's in Brooklyn, NY
www.peterluger.com/brooklyn.cfm
• Signature cut is the Porterhouse
which serves 2, 3 or 4.

FROG SALAD

PALM BAY, Fla. -- A Palm Bay woman claims her fast-food lunch included the head and front half of a frog and she snapped a cell phone photo to prove it.

Michelle Arndt, 32, told Local 6 News partner Florida Today that she ordered a salad with fried chicken strips and found the frog after eating about half of the salad.

Local 6 and Florida Today have not named the restaurant where the salad was purchased.
"I think it's totally disgusting," Arndt said. "Where is the other half of the frog?"

Arndt said a manager took the salad and her receipt and gave her a refund. Arndt used her cell phone to take a picture of the frog, which she described as being the size of two quarters and having small beady eyes.

A manager at the Palm Bay restaurant referred Florida Today to the company's corporate headquarters before hanging up.
Arndt said she did not put the frog in her salad and said security camera footage would show her as she ate the salad.
She has spoken with an attorney.


The restaurant was Burger King on Malabar Rd. & I-95 in Palm Bay. My Aunt Corrie works with Michelle. Burger King does not sell pre-packaged salads except for the side salad.

EEEWWWWW. Study what you eat before you eat it!!

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 23

Jerome, Charles and I made an early outing to the Grant Seafood Festival. Pretty popular round here. It was our 2nd attempt as the 1st one several years ago ended in us getting discouraged over the long line just to park and we went to red lobster instead.
We left home around 10:15am. It was sopposed to open at 11am but by the time we got there, it was pretty busy so I guess they actually open at 10. The line to park wasnt that long at all. I swear there are "Grant Seafood Tailgaters". They come in and set up tents then set up chairs, tables and what not and basically just hang out there all day listening to the music and eating.
It was a breezy but sunny hot day even though it was raining in Orlando. We parked and walked through. We bought 25 tickets for $20. I had some totally yummy lobster bisque in a styrofoam cup for 3 tickets. The only thing it was missing was more lobster.
Charles was next with a small basket of clam strips for 3 tickets and then Jerome with shrimp skewers. About 8 for 3 tickets. Next, I opted for the fish dinner for 6 tickets which included 2 strips of fish, slaw, beans and puppies. I gave Jerome my puppies and he went and got some fried shrimp (3 tickets).

It was hot but we strolled around anyway checking out booths. We looked at poor, hot caged tigers for a "cat show" then let Charles play on the playground. We found a shady spot for our chairs, got more tickets and indulged on some fries (3 tickets) and fried scallops which were really good but for 4 tickets, were a little skimpy. Lastly, Charles had some ice cream. The best deal at only 1 ticket.
They had lots of crafts but we werent interested and took off around 1pm. When we left we saw that LOOOONNNNGGG line of people in cars waiting to park. We waved and laughed.

All in all Im not so sure it's such a great deal. It's hot, theres not enough variety, too many people, no rides, and expensive (for what you really get). So we went home, got the truck and went off to the thrift store for the "not purple" chair that I have had my eye on for several weeks. It started at $75 but fell to $50 and now it's mine. Whatcha think? Great shape, no stains, comfortable and stylish!

WHAT A FREAKIN CAR!!

I can say is WOW. . .

THIS is the car I manuvered today! It is a BMW z4 Coupe 3.0si. no back seat.


What a great cause, Susan G. Komen. Very near and dear. BMW matches miles test driven $1.


Yes, that's my foot. . . I like my shoes off when I drive something fast. I can sense the car better (even though I never really went THAT fast.) - damn bony feet. . .

MORE FAMILY

My side of the family basically consists of this;
Grandma and Granpa Bowers (Lady Lake, FL)
CARROLL BOWERS
William (Bill) Hemmle (my dear brother)
CORRIE BOWERS
Chris Franckewitz, Gainesville. (married with 1 child)
BEN BOWERS (Sanford, FL),
Pat Bowers 19 (working w/ Dad and living it up)
Jeff Bowers 21 (married and in the Marines in Iraq)
Tom Bowers 22 (discharged from Marines. Studying to be EMT)

Also
• Jerome, Charles, Simon & Lars
• My Step-Dad David (has one brother w/ a family in CA)
• The entire McDougall family (Mac, Annette and Bobby in particular)
• Extended family on Grandmother's side in CA
• Real Dad in NC who is a "whole nutha story"
• Of course those who have passed to the next level and meant so much to me like Nanny & Gran (Grandpa Bowers' parents) , Grandma and Grandpa Hemmle (Ed's parents), Grandpa Breland & Granny (Annette's Parents). See you all on the other side!!!

On Saturday, Feb 2nd we hosted an impromptu meeting of the cuzzes. (A "Cuz" means cousin).

Chris (Aunt Corries' son) had mentioned to Corrie around the beginning of the week that he was off and able to come for a visit. I had the idea of a cookout and thought to invite my other cousins, Tom and Pat. Jeff is in Iraq. My brother is in NC.

Everyone came over and we all had a real nice time. We cooked out hamburgers and I made baked beans, coleslaw and deviled eggs. I thought you might enjoy seeing some of the pictures.

This is the newest member on my side of the family, Joshua. Ain't he a cutie?

These are his parents, Chris and Teresa.

The family

These are my Cousins! What a tall bunch! I must be the only "beach" person!

Chris, Pat & Tom


This is Pat's tattoo. I didn't get a picture of Chris' although it represents his friends who have died.

A FLORIDA HISTORY FESTIVAL IN CHRISTMAS, FL.

Last Wednesday I accompanied Charles and his class as a chaperone to a great little event in Christmas, Florida. The last field trip that was sopposed to be out of town was the time of the bus crash. I think some of the kids needed to be on a bus and pass the intersection of the accident in order to "overcome it" because one of the Mother's mentioned how her son had made the comment, "We made it" after passing it. Ironically Charles did much the same.

Anyway, I had heard of the town and even driven by a couple of times but really had no idea what was there. The bus ride was nice. Those charter buses are decked out. It feels just like the inside of an airplane but there is more ROOM! There is even a bathroom. I was sitting caddy corner from a guy who I swear was the spitting image of a young Billy Bob Thorton. Great style too.

Charles and I sat next to each other. He enjoyed looking out the window and talking to his fellow classmates while I chatted with a real nice Mom. In no time, we were there.

We were pretty much in the middle of nowhere, you know backwoods. There were stations set up and they led you on a little tour - a step back in time - to learn about the history of Florida and it's settlers. There were other groups of children taking the tour too. I swear I think I learned more in that trip than I did in school about Florida history. (Maybe it was just more interesting now)

The speakers dressed up in period clothing and acted the part - as if they were back in time. First were the Indians of course. The indian woman (she had a cool Indian name that we can't remember) proceeded to tell the group that the women were in charge then. They were the keepers of the house and pretty much told the men what to do. If an Indian chief had a son with a woman, the child would not be taking his place as chief, his brother's kid would because the wife owned the child.


Next were the Spaniards who tried to trick the Indians into thinking that their trades were fair. Like, they would offer the indians 1 or 2 beads for a whole animal hide. This guy was a trip and the previos Indian woman had told the children to call him a "stinky Spaniard". He was grumpy and bossy - like you figure a Spaniard would be. He taught some of the kids the way to defend your self using large "fake" spears.

Then of course the Pirates came in and stole from everyone. He loaded a gun with gunpowder and gave the kids (and parents) a good heart jumpstart. "It's a pirate's life for me" was his signature line.


Next were the Brits who layed claim to starting our government and money system. He also loaded a gun and shot blanks. Seems guns played a big part in our history for defense and survival. He then of course reminded the children the dangers of a gun.

Charles had a visit from a "rather sarcastic - but humorous" Seminole Indian. He referred to Charles' potato sticks as mulch. He also told the children that if their mouths were open, they weren't learning - in his Indian voice of course!

Here is his class. Same color tie dye shirts is a must for taking a group of kids out where there will be lots of other kids. The girl in the back row 3rd from the left is the assistant teacher, Ms. Scott. Charles seriously LOVED her. I say loved because she is no longer doing her intern with his class. The teacher Mrs. Niemi has a son with a heart condition and they had to do a last minute procedure so she asked Ms. Scott to join and supervise.

Afterwards, we enjoyed a nice lunch on the lawn. We had sandwiches and fruit. Then we each bought a hematite piece of jewelry. I got a bracelet and Charles got a necklace with an eagle on it. Hematite is that magnet that is sopposed to be healing. Some people like to charge alot for it. We got both for $11.
The ride home was nice and I was pooped but I still had to go deliver Magazines with Mac.

Needless to say, I slept like a baby that night!!