Winter drags on....

Well, did you survive the N^th storm of the season?  I think the all knowing weather channel dubbed it Titan, and indeed predictions were that it would live up to that name.   In reality, at least around the digs, it wasn't quite as bad.  I put that down in part to the fact that I repeated my ritual of preparing for Armageddon: move generator into place; test start it; stage extension cords; arrange battery powered devices (flashlights, lanterns, radios) strategically around the house; a selection of spare batteries concentrated all in one place; vehicles and spare gas cans filled; etc.  Of course MFO thinks this proves I am nuts, but in the three (?) major storms so far this year, we have maintained power and heat.  See, it’s only crazy if it doesn't work

The day started out as predicted, with snow blowing sideways

(flakes not visible in 24 knot winds)

So that accumulation was pretty much impossible at least on the back side.  This continued for hours and between drifts and snowfall I think we maybe got five or so inches.  Eventually the storm moved on, the sun kind of peeked through, leaving a rather pretty sight in both our “front”

And “back” yards lighting up the Solomons

And our feathered friends gathered to partake of the seed

5451

And the place where we have enjoyed numerous Gimlets and DMOTRWAT's didn't look quite so hospitable 

Eventually our tax dollars at work arrived in the form of County Plows to clear the streets, and once again despite complaints and pleas with county officials, they started at the inside of the circle, and progressive passes pushed the snow outward, eventually building a virtual dam across all the ends of our driveways

“There you go Mr. Homeowner, be sure to gun the car in your driveway and maybe you can jump it! have a nice day"

You would think that in these technologically advanced time they could use the truck’s on board hydraulics to change the blade angle such that you could start outside and move the snow toward our circle.  Or, much easier, go the other way, and achieve the same effect.  Wind row at the circle circumference is much better than across the end of our driveway.  (End of rant portion).

Fluff

You remember our discussion of Crab Fluff wherein the high and mighty Bottom Feeder was educated that indeed there is such a thing?  Well, an intrepid reader sent along a menu picture from a place called Ocean Pride in Towson

Fluff seems to be more prevalent up toward Baltimore.. guess I gotta go try it somehow..

Small Plates

Every day I get sent a couple of “newsletters” from various associations and agencies with stories about what’s new and (forgive me) “trending” in the food and beverage service industry.  A lot of them are geared toward the chains, because face it, that’s where the overwhelming majority of people spend their dining cash.  Sigh.  Anyway you find out stuff like:

-        IHOP is exploring a fast casual concept within their existing restaurants

-        Wendy’s will sell 415 of their restaurants in the first quarter to the franchisees, and require makeovers

-        Tim Horton's will further invade the US with 300 more of their legendary coffee and donut outlets (with 500 more in their own Canada)

-        McDonald's will begin test marketing “build your own burger” concepts with customers using tablets 

-        Texas Roadhouse will look into acquiring a secondary outlet for Pizza, called, get this: Bubba’s 33!  Apparently Chipolte is quietly expanding to pizza, as is BWW…If you want to get rich, I suggest you talk to your bank and go for the first Bubba's 33 franchise in St. Mary's County!!  Can't lose.

In the beverage department

-        Idaho has opened their 50^th winery

-        MillerCoors will begin marketing “Smith and Forge Hard Cider” mainly to manly men.

-        And more

Okay enough, I gotta go put away a bunch of batteries and stuff… and then think about getting

DFD