Also, I’m pretty sure I won’t be losing weight this week. I’ve suddenly found myself in one of my moods where I can eat an infinite amount and never feel satisfied.

At least I have a fresh batch of lettuce - I’ll try myself on infinite amounts of salad when I get home.

Until then, though, I have the M&M’s my boss brought back from M&M World in Las Vegas.

And tea.

It’s all right, but just letting you know that if you wanted to go out to eat this week, I’m totally your girl.

So yesterday, someone mentioned that the Melting Pot, a chain restaurant specializing in fondue, was having a spring special and that there would be a $20 prixe fixe on March 20th.

I can neither confirm nor deny this special on the internet.

But - I did end up with a coupon for a free chocolate fondue should I purchase dinner for two or any four course feature… and I think I’ll need some help for that.

Where: 13th & Filbert

Of course both discounts wouldn’t apply, but either way I think it has been too long since I’ve had fondue.

Anyone interested in trying to schedule this?

ETA: I called the Philadelphia location, and they do not have a special for March 20th. They do have a Girls Night Out special on March 26th - $30 per person: cheese course, salad course, entree course (with tenderloin, chicken breast, something seafood, and ravioli), and a $5 wine and martini special. But that was it.

ETAA: The King of Prussia location also denies all knowledge of a spring special.

I am pondering putting in an order to Mighty Leaf for some more luxury tea. I can’t really afford it this month, but maybe next month.

And I’m noticing that they always have free shipping for orders over $75, so if anyone in the area wants to join in the order, that’d be awesome, too.

But here’s what I’m pondering while I’m not actually buying yet:

one from Column A: (Sexy Dessert-type Black teas that I’ll drink any ole time)
Celebration
Pear Caramel
Orchid Oolong (and don’t let the Oolong part fool you, this is a yummy dark tea)

and one from Column B: (Warm and Toasty Green teas full of flavour)
Hojicha (on sale right now, if I buy 100)
Kyoto Rice

My mother would go in on the order by buying their Darjeeling, but while it’s a very wonderful tea I’m not sure it’s wonderful enough for the price. Other places do very well at your standard black teas.

Oh, and remember when I was pimping the olive oil people? Alejandro & Martin? Well I liked their oil, but I got an email saying that they are probably going out of business. The only discount is off shipping if you spend over $250 (HA!), but I did go and pick up a couple 100mL bottles before they completely ran out.

this place in chinatown has all you can eat sushi… I think for $22, but I didn’t write that down.

According to the woman on the phone (who was busy and might be wrong), it is available Mon-Thurs 11:30am - 10:30pm and Fridays 11:30am - 11:30pm.

I work 1-9pm. So I could either go very early or very late - or on a day I am off.

Would anyone else be interested in:

• Thursday, November 22 (Yes, it’s Thanksgiving, but I’ve only got the one day off, so I don’t have anything more elaborate planned)
• Monday, December 24
• Tuesday, December 25th (if they are open)
• Thursday, December 27th

And, no, I have no idea how good the sushi is. I’ve never eaten there before, either.

I’ll be teaching a Roman cooking class at my place this Sunday. Ancient Roman.

The plan is to start noonish with stuffed dates and then prep a pork roast and get that in the oven.

While the big hunk o’meat is cooking, we’ll make sauces for it and I’ll let people look through my cookbooks and we’ll make anything that looks intriguing.

I’m thinking there should be lentils and chestnuts… or maybe just lentils (those chestnuts are a pain to skin).

And there’ll be nibbling all the way through.

I have a decent amount I need to get done this weekend, so I’m not up for any trips out of state, but - I’m thinking apple picking would make a nice afternoon this Saturday.

Where: Linvilla Orchard
What: fruit list

I have room in my car for three other people, if anyone else is interested. And unless you are a pie-giving freak, a boxful is more than plenty for 4 people.

Note: We will not be going near the pumpkin fair or the farmers market, and there will still probably be too many kids - but I think we can be in and out in two or three hours, not counting travel time, and still feel as though we have savored the outdoor autumn life. Or something like that.

So last time I went, I look the way where you just go on this road, turn onto another road, and then you are there. Only that took an hour and a half. I think that if I stay off of Baltimore Pike/Road, which I have decided is an evil road (scenic, but soul sucking, then I can probably get there in a third of the time. Really - mapquest says so. :) Don’t worry, I also have a real map.

Woot! We’ve got a special project that can only be done the coming weekend, and my student worker is quitting before then!

*dances*

I’m getting overtime!

So who wants to help me spend that money by going for yum cha at 10:30-ish on Sunday at Joy Tsin Lau?

The weather is perfect, and I want nothing more than to spend all my time in my backyard and in my apartment with all the windows open.

Therefore, you should come and see my backyard, too.

This weekend, I am hosting bridge on Sunday, but the apartment is clean enough that people could stop by on Saturday, too, without interrupting a mad rush to scrub the bathroom floor.

Next weekend, May Day, I think I am also free.

Come on - fresh air and green things with all the comforts of cooking and television.

I will be grilling:
eggplant
zucchini
corn
hamburgers
there could even be hot dogs

I also have:
tzatziki sauce
tomatoes
whole wheat pita bread
awesome pickles

There could be:
bread pudding with apples

(if you don’t come, I’ll be forced to keep the meat frozen and eat all the yummy vegetables by myself)