SoCalGardenNut said: I went to New Zealand on my honeymoon, this is before New Zealand was cool, the mussels there were the best.

Not sure when it became cool. We lived there 2002-2003, first in Grafton, Auckland, then at Governor's Bay on Lyttelton Harbour near Christchurch. We've gone back several times, most recently in 2018. Mussel farms are excellent fishing spots. We'd anchor nearby to catch snapper, terakihi, and such.

SoCalGardenNut said:I only like Dungeness crabs fresh off the boat from Half Moon Bay but haven't had them since I came down here, I really miss them.

When I lived at La Honda, near San Gregorio just south of Half Moon Bay, I'd hang out in Pescadero at a local dive called Duarte's, with an out-of-tune upright piano and the best scallops, crab, clams, etc. on earth.



Here's the cioppino—

It became cool after the Lord of the Rings trilogy.
Cioppino looks very good. This is my favorite crab recipe from Michael Chiarello, a chef in Napa area.
https://www.cookingchanneltv.c...

That all sounds wonderful.

When getting popcorn at the movies, which at their ridiculous price is an indulgence, I fully indulge with the 'butter' they pump on. Yum!

Ah I haven't had movie popcorn in so long!

Neither have an, actually I haven't been to a movie place for a long time, maybe that's why.

SoCalGardenNut said: Neither have an, actually I haven't been to a movie place for a long time, maybe that's why.

That would do it! We go off peak times and also maybe due to our choices too we still see very few others in theater. Fine by me.

When there isn't anything worth watching, why go anyway? No wonder we're not going to the movies!

Yeah, I'm back to see The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly for the nth time, I love the music in that movie.

Seems like one theater movie a year that suits us.

sallyg said: That would do it! We go off peak times and also maybe due to our choices too we still see very few others in theater. Fine by me.

I do the same for the few movies I actually would enjoy in a theater. I order our tickets online so I can see how many others to expect. We've actually had the entire theater to ourselves a few times, which gets you spoiled to always want that. I now pass up times that might show 10 others already booking seats.

Of course since Covid, I haven't trusted breathing in recirculated air for several hours in any movie theater where there might be others, and I really miss it.

Although I haven't made it in a very long time, I make a dessert called "Chocolate Decadence". It is a chocolate lovers heavenly experience. I don't allow myself to indulge quite that much anymore.

SoCalGardenNut said: Yeah, I'm back to see The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly for the nth time, I love the music in that movie.

Agreed. One of the all-time greats.

I'm actually not a huge fan of movie theaters, sometimes they make me sick with how big the screen is, but I would like to see a good action movie every once in a while. Especially with those sound effects!

SoCalGardenNut said: It became cool after the Lord of the Rings trilogy.

I saw the first LOTR film at the Olympic Theatre in Auckland, in 2002. Fun with a live audience, who gasped and nattered as they recognised the NZ locations. The Jane Campion film 'Power of the Dog' was filmed in some of the same areas in Central Otago on South Island.

I have a new favorite, y'all! Ever tasted Nilla wafers with frozen berries on a hot day?? Oooh it's so good!!

My guilty pleasure is a bag of potato chips. When it warms up and I like to read with a gin & tonic, I have a bowl of chips (crisps to our UK mates). The dog likes 'em, too. He stares and drools as I feed him at intervals.

Potato chips…yum.

Have I ever mentioned my love of potato chips? Specifically kettle style. I used to have a 'tag line' to that effect. One day maybe I will eat as many as I want and see how that feels. I always say that's probably enough for now.

Lol...probably a good thing! You might could regret eating as many as you wanted🤔🤔

Could regret. Or..??? Best day ever!