Oh boy! We're having ________________ tonight! Remember the excitement?
By James72
@James72 (26790)
Australia
September 23, 2008 1:22pm CST
We seem to let go of so many of the joys in life when we get older. Do you remember being a kid and heading out the door in the morning and having your Mother get you unbelievably excited because she has told you that she is cooking a certain meal that night; or that a certain visitor was coming etc? I do!
My favourite as a kid was roast lamb! If I knew my Mother was preparing to make this for my dinner that night then EVERYBODY heard about it! lol. All day I would tell anyone that would listen that my Mum was cooking lamb that night.... I was beyond myself with excitement at the very thought! Same went for special visitors. If I knew my Grandma was coming for example then everyone would hear about this too and I would spend my day practically BUZZING with anticipation!
Now that I am older I don't get too worked up over things like this anymore. I wonder why? Have you managed to hold on to the excitement and joy for these types of things or have you lost it along the way as well?
6 people like this
20 responses
@newtondak (3946)
• United States
23 Sep 08
For me, it would be fried chicken! That also always meant mashed potatoes and gravy! I also liked family picnics because at least one of my aunts would make friend chicken and there would be baked beans and potato salad.
2 people like this
@James72 (26790)
• Australia
23 Sep 08
Sounds tasty! And I bet when you knew that this meal was coming every single minute until dinner or the picnic dragged on for an eternity! lol. Simple joys and wonderful memories..... We can't ask for more than that! Thanks for responding newtondak. 
1 person likes this
@1111appleblossoms (169)
• Canada
23 Sep 08
Oooohhhhh, I remember when my grandparents would come up for a visit. They would usually arrive sometime in the middle of the night and wake me up with a present! I had the hardest time falling asleep when I knew they were on their way! I also remember going to visit them, it was a 6 hour drive and we would late at night. My mom would put us to bed in our clothes and wake us up to leave when our dad had enough sleep. The trip down there was agonizing! "How much longer?" drove our parents crazy! If only we could go back in time, just goes to show how we need to enjoy the moment because nothing seems to last forever...
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@James72 (26790)
• Australia
23 Sep 08
This are great memories to share! I had one Grandmother that used to come from England to visit and one from interstate. I too was usually awoken by their arrivals some late hour of the night and I remember the big warm hugs and the excitement when either Nanna of course took out the presents she had brought with her! And the long drives! My parents used to threaten to leave my Sister and I on the side of the road if we didn't stop asking how much longer! 
Thanks for responding appleblossoms and welcome to mylot too! We will always have our memories!
I had one Grandmother that used to come from England to visit and one from interstate. I too was usually awoken by their arrivals some late hour of the night and I remember the big warm hugs and the excitement when either Nanna of course took out the presents she had brought with her! And the long drives! My parents used to threaten to leave my Sister and I on the side of the road if we didn't stop asking how much longer! Thanks for responding appleblossoms and welcome to mylot too! We will always have our memories!1 person likes this
@mtdewgurl74 (18151)
• United States
21 Aug 09
And here I at first had a dirty mind till I read on...
Well I know I used to get excited when we were told we would get to go to Dairy Queen for Ice cream cones after dinner. It was a special treat we enjoyed. And nothing was more special then seeing family we hadn't seen for awhile. I have never tasted Lamb yet. But I heard it is good with a mint sauce. We got excited about alot of different foods..especially if it wasn't a soup beans,fried potato,cornbread,kraut,cause those were foods we had alot of for while and anything other then that was always exciting to eat. The only soup beans fixed in my household right now is ones that come from a can when my husband wants them.lol
Well I know I used to get excited when we were told we would get to go to Dairy Queen for Ice cream cones after dinner. It was a special treat we enjoyed. And nothing was more special then seeing family we hadn't seen for awhile. I have never tasted Lamb yet. But I heard it is good with a mint sauce. We got excited about alot of different foods..especially if it wasn't a soup beans,fried potato,cornbread,kraut,cause those were foods we had alot of for while and anything other then that was always exciting to eat. The only soup beans fixed in my household right now is ones that come from a can when my husband wants them.lol1 person likes this
@mtdewgurl74 (18151)
• United States
22 Aug 09
I learned that the worst time for me to go to the store is when I am hungry. I spend way to much and get to much junk food..
So it is best that I eat before I go. And Yes Ice cream is delightful in the afternoon or anytime you feel the urge for something sweet and cold.
So it is best that I eat before I go. And Yes Ice cream is delightful in the afternoon or anytime you feel the urge for something sweet and cold.@James72 (26790)
• Australia
22 Aug 09
Oh I know this only too well myself Becca and going gorcery shopping on an empty stomach is one of the worst thigs we could do! The crap I come home with if I haven't eaten first is ridiculous! The bill is always more too because you buy things you don't even need. My Wife and I ALWAYS eat and then shop ten minutes later. Far safer this way!
The bill is always more too because you buy things you don't even need. My Wife and I ALWAYS eat and then shop ten minutes later. Far safer this way!@James72 (26790)
• Australia
21 Aug 09
Mission accomplished then! Ooooooooh ice cream sopunds pretty damn good to me right now actually! Having it for lunch is as good a time to have it as any yes? Lamb is really tasty and especially if it's roasted. 
I hope you get to try it one day! I get excited about many foods even today and especially if I'm hungry like I am right now. My Wife and I are about to head out grocery shopping and will hit the food court first, so anything's possible! Have a great day Becca. 
Ooooooooh ice cream sopunds pretty damn good to me right now actually! Having it for lunch is as good a time to have it as any yes? Lamb is really tasty and especially if it's roasted. I hope you get to try it one day! I get excited about many foods even today and especially if I'm hungry like I am right now. My Wife and I are about to head out grocery shopping and will hit the food court first, so anything's possible! Have a great day Becca. 
@zigzagbuddha (4601)
• United States
25 Sep 08
Hahaha, that is too funny picturing you running around enthusiastically telling everyone you were having lamb for dinner, or that your grandma was coming!
I know the feeling of being excited about something we were having for dinner as a child but I do not remember any specific item... my mother was a very good cook. But I still get excited about stuff. Easily. Right now I am very excited about the lasagna I am going to make in a few days with hot peppers from my garden, I am going to have it with a bottle of Cabernet!! Yep, I am very excited about that!
1 person likes this
@James72 (26790)
• Australia
25 Sep 08
Excitement for a meal a few days from now? Now this is what I'm talking about! I love a good lasagna too and haven't actually had one in a long while and a bottle of Cabernet is a hit for me on any occasion. There was always a certain aura around my Grandmother's and a wonderful sense of comfort. Their look, their smell, the way they made us feel as kids..... And of course the presents! I miss that.
I miss that.@James72 (26790)
• Australia
25 Sep 08
This really does sound delightful! It may sound like a somewhat corny term to use but I am honestly being sincere and can think of no more adequate word for it. It actually sounds like something out of a Norman Rockwell poster! (Except for maybe the eating an onion like an apple part!). The interesting thing is that my Grandmother's second husband also played a fiddle! I have no idea what happend to it though. I tried so many times to play it when he wasn't looking (He was very protective of it) but I was not very good at all. When he played it was wonderful but I pretty much sounded like someone trying to strangle a cat!
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@zigzagbuddha (4601)
• United States
25 Sep 08
My grandmother on my mother's side I never had much interest in, although I helped her step out of this body, and I think that requires some kind of bond. My favorite grandmother never came to our house, I only went to her farm during the summers. My wonderful swing that hung from the cherry tree that was beside the gate in the middle of the lilac hedge. Sewing Barbie clothes in the attic. The apple orchard. The list is endless...most of my favorite childhood memories took place there. For breakfast my grandfather would eat a bowl of cornflakes, a couple of fried eggs, and a purple onion right out of his hand like an apple! I have the fiddle he used to play.
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@James72 (26790)
• Australia
26 Aug 09
Jumping is jumping Dawn! 
It must be great to hear certain music and instantly think of your Mother! My own Mother isn't musical, but she makes a great bread and butter pudding! It's been over 10 years since I've had one that she made, but I remember it well regardless. Thanks for sharing and make sure you NEVER lose that excitement, even if it IS on the inside only!
It must be great to hear certain music and instantly think of your Mother! My own Mother isn't musical, but she makes a great bread and butter pudding! It's been over 10 years since I've had one that she made, but I remember it well regardless. Thanks for sharing and make sure you NEVER lose that excitement, even if it IS on the inside only!1 person likes this
@MrsRich723 (602)
• United States
23 Sep 08
I used to love it when my Mom said we were going out to eat that night! I would think about what I was going to order all day because it would have to be something that she doesn't normally cook. I usually got some kind of seafood (shrimp mostly). Mmmm, sounds good even now.
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@James72 (26790)
• Australia
23 Sep 08
This is great that you remember this because this is exactly what I am talking about! The very thoughts of what was coming that night would consume us non-stop all day! lol. The idea of seafood sounds pretty damn good to me right now too actually! Thanks for sharing your own memories MrsRich!
1 person likes this
@checapricorn (16061)
• United States
24 Sep 08
[i]Hi James,
I hear you..LOL! I remember also when I was a kid and every time Dad or Mom will arrived after going to the city or having some transactions in the city, My Sister and I can't wait what they brought for us,,LOL! It's funny and during birthdays also or special occasions, we know that Mom will be cooking also something special!
I have the same excitement this time, whenever hubby will invite me to eat out, I know that it is something very special and a place which is new to me..LOL![/i]
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@James72 (26790)
• Australia
24 Sep 08
lol. It's the same when my Father went on business trips. My Sister and I knew that no matter what we would always get a gift when he came back! So the million dollar question I guess is were we both as kids really looking forward to our parents coming back or was it actually the presents we knew were coming? I too used to get excited at special meals on special occasions and my wife is always excited when we eat out ourselves just like you are! It is great to be able to remember these things and still be this way whenever possible. Thanks for responding to the discussion checapricorn!
I too used to get excited at special meals on special occasions and my wife is always excited when we eat out ourselves just like you are! It is great to be able to remember these things and still be this way whenever possible. Thanks for responding to the discussion checapricorn! 
@Daffodil20 (1754)
• India
27 Aug 09
I get excited if mother cooks something special, even today. I used to be very excited and jumping with joy whenever anyone from the family was likely to pay a visit. But now I do not get over enthu by this. As a child, I found them ideal people. But now I can not say the same.
My younger sister had been pestering mom for Cheese Burst Pizza from Dominos. Yesterday mother finally gave in and said that in the evening she'll order for the same. And whole afternoon this little one was jumping and announcing every half hour that we are going to have CHEESE BURST PIZZA !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
@James72 (26790)
• Australia
27 Aug 09
Daffodil!!! Goodness me, it seems like EONS since I last saw you! I think it's great that you still get excited these days when your Mother cooks something special. We tend to lose these types of traits a we get older and it's a shame really. Joy exists in many things, we just have to acknowledge it! I can understand not getting overly excited by family visits though. As they say, we can choose our friends, but not our family! lol. When I was a child though, I was always excited when relatives visited too and especially if it was one of my Grandmothers! Being the child, I was the centre of attention, but that changes rather quickly when you're not cute and small anymore. I hope you absorbed some of that cheese burst enthusiasm too. It sounds like fun to me and I'd probably be excited too. I haven't had a pizza like that for ages! Thanks for the response Daffodil and it's great to see you again.
I think it's great that you still get excited these days when your Mother cooks something special. We tend to lose these types of traits a we get older and it's a shame really. Joy exists in many things, we just have to acknowledge it! I can understand not getting overly excited by family visits though. As they say, we can choose our friends, but not our family! lol. When I was a child though, I was always excited when relatives visited too and especially if it was one of my Grandmothers! Being the child, I was the centre of attention, but that changes rather quickly when you're not cute and small anymore. I hope you absorbed some of that cheese burst enthusiasm too. It sounds like fun to me and I'd probably be excited too. I haven't had a pizza like that for ages! Thanks for the response Daffodil and it's great to see you again.@Daffodil20 (1754)
• India
28 Aug 09
Thanks James!! It feels nice to be back here again. My routine is getting busier. I am in third year now and so projects, placement preparations, GDs etc. etc.
Oh yes!! I do get very excited even now. I love good food. When I was quite young I remember telling my family often that I want to get a good job which pays me handsome salary so that I can have all kinds of fancy food everyday. :)
But for now, if nothing works out, then we try even settling for Maggi two-minute noodles. Funny. Me and my sister would settle for any little variation from the regular Dal-chawal. Today nice and nutritiuos Rajmah and rice was cooked for lunch, but we evaded that until dinner a little while ago. (Bad habit, I know :(
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@James72 (26790)
• Australia
28 Aug 09
You'll never hear me knocking Maggi noodles that's for sure! I enjoy them too and especially with some fresh vegetables and seafood mixed in to make noodle soup. I'm a huge food fan myself and I'm quite adventurous with what I eat too. When I lived in India, I had Tali for lunch everyday and loved it! (I hope I spelled "Tali" right) and given all the travelling I've done for work, I'm often having to eat many different types of food and I love doing that too! Keep studying hard then and before you know it you WILL have that great paying job and the finest food money can buy! You'll probably need a personal trainer too, just in case all that food makes you overweight, so it's a good thing you'll have lots of money!
I'm a huge food fan myself and I'm quite adventurous with what I eat too. When I lived in India, I had Tali for lunch everyday and loved it! (I hope I spelled "Tali" right) and given all the travelling I've done for work, I'm often having to eat many different types of food and I love doing that too! Keep studying hard then and before you know it you WILL have that great paying job and the finest food money can buy! You'll probably need a personal trainer too, just in case all that food makes you overweight, so it's a good thing you'll have lots of money! 
@kerriannc (4279)
• Jamaica
24 Sep 08
I used to enjoyed these things. I used to enjoyed it when my mother makes horminy corn porridge on saturday mornings and baking cornmeal or sweet potatoes pudding. Those were the good old days. I miss it alot. Yes my dear after sunday dinner you will see her in the kitchen getting ready to bake the pudding, and my father always make fun of it. But when it is finish he is the first to cut. Remembering these events bring tears to my eyes because it reinforced how much I miss her since her passing. Children days are so nice and sometimes I wish I was still a child even to see her sitting and doing her crocheting.
You know you never know what you have until it is taken away. I certainly miss her.
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@James72 (26790)
• Australia
24 Sep 08
It definitely sounds tasty! My wife loves the corn on the cob cooked over charcoal, I don't mind it either actually. It can be bought off the street here in Egypt. If I ever see this porridge somewhere I will definitely give it a try! I have always liked to try new things when it comes to food!
@James72 (26790)
• Australia
24 Sep 08
Horminy corn porridge is a new one for me kerriann but it sounds interesting! Ah, the good old days..... lol. I agree that we never fully appreciate something until it is gone but at least the memories you have will sustain positive memories forever! Thanks you for responding to the discussion.
@kerriannc (4279)
• Jamaica
24 Sep 08
Oh James Horminy Corn Porridge is an African Heritage. It is the corn from the cob which is put to dry. You can buy it in the markets. The difference with this is that you have to get up early in the morning to start cooking it. After it is cook then you put in the normal spices you used in making a porridge. I still enjoyed eating it because it is a favourite for me.
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@Kanutchie (343)
• Philippines
24 Sep 08
I just remember my Mom m Because she always leave money on the table before she left and go to work. she left money to me, my sis and to my two brother and she always put it on the table , then when we walked up going down stairs you can got it there. lol.... Then when i go to the table ows theirs a lot of Hotdogs and bread always, Tocino, Longaganiza. wow that time its very delicious for me as a kid . hehehe. there is a BIg Can og Milo and Big Can Of Birchtree/or Nido. ow wow delicious. But when it comes to Snack i always remember my Oder Sister , Because she is the one who is always preparing it and she very good in cooking.
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@James72 (26790)
• Australia
24 Sep 08
Big feast AND money? Sounds like something to be excited about to me! It is great that you remember joyous occasions like this as so many of us tend to get caught up in the stresses of life and forget the things that made us so happy. Thanks for the response Kanutchie!
@RhythmWalker1 (825)
• United States
24 Sep 08
Anticipation! Wow
James,
We should never allow ourselves to lose that feel of excitement.
If we do, we may become dormat to the very thrill of life.
I spent yesterday remembering that "House" came on last night and
since I enjoy that show so much, it gave me something to look forward to!
Do we allow ourselves to fall in a rut and not really care anymore?
This morning I am watching a squirell sitting on a tree limb nibbling
on an acorn. That probably sounds boring to you. Last year there were
very few acorns and most of the squirells vanished.
Unlike many, I find joys in life by just watching nature do it's thing.
The wind is blowing so, when I go outside I need a hard hat on to keep
from being attacked by the acorns popping me in the head as they fall...
I just rambled on with this to try and show you that we can make our own excitement in life. Don't let yourself become too bored with stuff.
Make It Happen!
1 person likes this
@James72 (26790)
• Australia
24 Sep 08
"Doormat to the thrill of life" is an interesting way to put it! I would actually enjoy watching a squirrel myself actually and would be even more thrilled if I managed to make it take an acorn from my hand! What you are saying is very true, we DO have to make it happen. The way we think, the things qwe notice, the joys we acknowledge..... They all come down to us and us alone how we choose to act and live. I can realte to the hard hat/acron fun too but in a different way! In Australia when I was a child we used to wear ice cream containers on our heads when walking to school or playing in parks during magpie season! The birds are very protective of their nests and used to swoop down and THWACK us on the head with their beaks! lol. If there was no container then we got hurt pretty bad actually. A mixture of fun, fear AND excitement all rolled into one! Thanks again for sharing RhythmWalker.
I would actually enjoy watching a squirrel myself actually and would be even more thrilled if I managed to make it take an acorn from my hand! What you are saying is very true, we DO have to make it happen. The way we think, the things qwe notice, the joys we acknowledge..... They all come down to us and us alone how we choose to act and live. I can realte to the hard hat/acron fun too but in a different way! In Australia when I was a child we used to wear ice cream containers on our heads when walking to school or playing in parks during magpie season! The birds are very protective of their nests and used to swoop down and THWACK us on the head with their beaks! lol. If there was no container then we got hurt pretty bad actually. A mixture of fun, fear AND excitement all rolled into one! Thanks again for sharing RhythmWalker. 
@thebohemianheart (8827)
• United States
23 Sep 08
I can't remember one special thing that my mom would cook that was extra special. My mom is a very good cook. I think I just always looked forward to sitting down to dinner because my family was all together.
Now, when we visit our mom, we usually cook something for her. Maybe something she cooked for us when we were growing up, with our own little twist on it. She likes that. I know that one of my brothers always wants Mom's chicken enchiladas.
As for special guests, I don't think we were ever told when we were having guests. We would just come home from school, or get up in the morning, and our grandparents or an uncle or aunt would be there. I do remember being really excited to see any of them there.
Ok, now I have to go make chicken enchiladas for dinner. Toodles*L*
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@James72 (26790)
• Australia
23 Sep 08
Ah, reminiscing with food and adding a generational twist. This sounds like a wonderful scenario to me! I honestly have very few recollections of the whole family eating together as it was usually just my Sister, my Mother and I. I occasionally received suprise visits too and this was always a joy as well because even though we didn't know a relative was coming we still knew there would be presents once we saw them! Thanks for responding Bo and enjoy those enchiladas!
Thanks for responding Bo and enjoy those enchiladas!1 person likes this
@thebohemianheart (8827)
• United States
23 Sep 08
Sleep tight, James.
Forget what I said about sleeping with one eye open.
No, really, don't think about it. I won't do anything while you are asleep.
Seriously, sleep well. I will wait until you are awake and can defend yourself.
1 person likes this
@glords (2614)
• United States
24 Sep 08
I was expecting something a little more sensual than lamb when I read your title.. However, I do remember getting excited over my mothers cooking. Not only do we grow up and start taking things for granted, but also our likes and dislikes change. The cheesey goodness of my moms homemade mac and cheese looses something on an adult pallet. Somewhere along the way I've traded in fish sticks for sushi, and there is no going back now.
@James72 (26790)
• Australia
24 Sep 08
Seems you are not the only one glord.lol. I' sorry to say that my intentions were quite clean here! Your reference to changing tastes is very true. Many of us seem to lean more towards softer flavours the older we get for some reason? Give me sushi over fish sticks anyday though! Thanks for responding to the discussion.
Your reference to changing tastes is very true. Many of us seem to lean more towards softer flavours the older we get for some reason? Give me sushi over fish sticks anyday though! Thanks for responding to the discussion.
@Trace86 (5030)
• United States
23 Sep 08
I used to get so excited when she would tell us she was making Beef Stroganoff or Chicken and Dumplings with Sour Cream gravy. I also loved when she was making Spice cake with cream cheese frosting.
I don't remember any special visitors coming over.
I do remember when I was about 12, our cat was going to have kittens. We had a kitten shower for her and both my grandmothers came over and brought gifts. My mom made spice cake for the people and opened a can of tuna for the mother-to-be. It was fun. My dad videotaped it too. I will have to ask him where that video is.
@James72 (26790)
• Australia
24 Sep 08
Oh! All three of these meals sound very tasty indeed! I have never even heard of a kitten shower! lol. This sounds like a lot of fun and I wonder if your cat really appreciated all the effort? Thanks for responding Trace and seek that videotape for a trip back in time!
Thanks for responding Trace and seek that videotape for a trip back in time!
@dizzblnd (3073)
• United States
24 Sep 08
My favorite "excitable" things was a dinner of Mac n cheese Meatloaf and green beans! It was my favorite meal of all time!
As we get older, we lose that innocence that gave us that excitement we got over the little things. We have been disappointed one too many times to risk getting burned again.
I still manage to get excited about little things though.. like my favorite TV shows coming back on, or finding a good sale. Just enough little stuff to make me appreciate the bigger things in life.
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@James72 (26790)
• Australia
24 Sep 08
Ah the simplicity and joy of a Mac and Cheese! I used to like this meal too and haven't had it for a loooong time now. We do seem to lose the excitment over things like this when we age but at least you have kept it for some of the other things in life! Good for you. Thanks for responding dizzblnd.
@mimico (3617)
• Philippines
24 Sep 08
Ooh my mom never cooked roast lamb. She tried once and it got burnt. :( She does make a mean meatloaf! It's sooo good I always have some even when I have plans to eat out already. But I always look forward to home cooked fried chicken. I loved it as a kid and I still love it until now. of course, my mom doesn't cook it anymore but our house helper does. And when it's being served at a party it also gets me fired up. :)
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@James72 (26790)
• Australia
24 Sep 08
Ha ha... burnt lamb! Well at least she tried! My Mum never actually made meatloaf from what I can recall but I have had it many a time elsewhere and have always enjoyed it. And who doesn't like fried chicken? (Excpet for maybe other chickens! ) It's great that you have still kept the excitment for this! Thanks for responding mimico.
) It's great that you have still kept the excitment for this! Thanks for responding mimico.
@wiseshopping1 (679)
• China
24 Sep 08
yes, we have the same feelings. everybody has his sweet remeory in his life. but we can't stop the time. when i was a child. brother and i can eat delicious food whcih cooked by my mother. the sight we eated and talked, the smell we felt ... but after i went to university, my brother went out for job, we never repeated the same as before. but those days remembered in my mind forever although time passed.1 person likes this
@sksongwriter (200)
• United States
24 Sep 08
I most definitely remember special dinners, and I especially remember going to my grandparents house on Sundays. My grandmother used to make some of the best dinners and the family would come from all over to meet every week and eat with them. One of my absolute favorites was her chicken and dumplings. She would always make an extra batch of dumplings just for me because she knew they were my favorite. The anticipation of going to their house was as ingrained in me and till this day I miss those Sunday dinners.
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@James72 (26790)
• Australia
24 Sep 08
Chicken and dumplings sounds very tasty. And an extra batch for you only? Giddy up! lol. It is a shame that this doesn't happen like before but you will always have the memories! Nothing can take that from you..... Thanks for responding sksongwriter and welcome to mylot too!
