smokey

I'm excited to think this might be happening! I'm particularly a fan of learning more about biscuits and tortillas, so vote for a date that heather and zora can make it. I'm definitely out the first two weekends in February, but otherwise free. Thanks for offering to host, porcupine, and for the congrats! Life with two kids is good, even if it doesn't involve much baking.

I suck at Ultimate (can't throw, can't run, can't catch!) but love it--this might make me come out for a picnic (yeah, DR.com--it's not about the food, it's about the disk).

I've been off the boards for a while (child #2 really takes it out of you), but was sculling about. Did the great floury tortilla/biscuit extravaganza ever happen? Did I miss an opportunity to learn how to make a biscuit that doesn't resemble a hockey puck (thank you for the recipe, Heather!)? I would offer to host, but my kitchen wouldn't support even two teachers and two students!

Yes, when my bread dough did successfully breach the inner workings of my KAmixer, the friendly folks at Waters Appliance had the armies necessary to fight the armada back.

I recently heard about Tastebook from another online community I post on and was going to mention it here (but saw that it had been brought up previously). I can pass on that the person who ordered said that they were very pleased with it, although she ordered hers before they allowed uploading of photos. So, she couldn't comment on that. Also, the TAT was fairly short. All in all, she was pleased with the experience.

Well said, jiveturk21.

Last time I was in STL we went out to an ice cream place in Webster (on Big Bend, Serendipity?) that I really liked. I also tried a gelato place on Manchester in Warson Woods that I thought was only so-so. Not bad at all, just not wow. I always go to Ted Drewes. I don't have any first hand experience of any of the places that I ever hear mentioned there, so am reluctant to provide feedback.

That's fantastic, Bill! Congratulations!

Vote early, vote often!

Depending on availability, me and +1 would be interested.

Wow, I didn't know that! I don't carefully look at the course catalog (if I do it at all), and I took CourseI about 4 years ago. I'll keep my eyes open for Course II; I think I would find it interesting.

But does that mean there weren't severe rodents there?

I took a 6 week baking course with Theresa Souther that was fantastic--buttercreams, biscuits, laminated doughs, gougeres, puff pastry. It was great. I don't use many of the skills I learned, but it really gave me a lot of confidence in the kitchen and was a lot of fun. She was very well organized, the classes ran smoothly and generally on time. I would whole-heartedly recommend her as a teacher (although i don't think they offer that particular series anymore, IIRC).

Add me to the list of satisfied customers--it was great to meet other DR.com members, Jason led a fun and informative class and there are lots of chocolates being enjoyed chez Smokey. I wholeheartedly recommend the class to anybody who is interested in learning more about chocolate!

Congrats (and agree with previous posters--sleep whenever possible!)

Porcupine--If you're still interested, you might try My Organic Market on Nicholsen in Rockville. I think (??, not sure) they may have it. I KNOW I've seen goat milk, but I'm just not sure about sheep.

How funny, I just commented on this in the Omnivore's Dilemna thread. I haven't read OD, so can't do the compare/contrast. However, I found it far too preachy for me. And her kids are made of pure sugar if they complained as little as she sid they did. I don't know, it just rubbed me the wrong way--way too Waltons or something.

Has anybody here read the Barbara Kingsolver book, Animal, Vegetable, Miracle (or some such?)? I haven't read omnivore's dilemna, but the comments here make it sound very similar to the Kingsolver book. I couldn't get through it (really, because I needed to return it to the person who loaned it to me, but even if I hadn't I don't think I could have stomached much more of it). The whole thing drove me friggin' bonkers (and I think she would recommend that you go chew on the bushes in your yard, Heather, because they're locally grown).

First thanks for the great write up all. I wish I could have joined you. Although it all sounds good, the sleeper dish is really the kind of thing I go in for big time. And I second the call for any help with translations. If you don't know how to order it on the phone it can be damn near impossible to get decent take out from a place that you know is producing good food.

I kept thinking I was going to be able to say yes, and no it's apparent my answer is no.

I'm with you on this farmer's market, synaesthesia. I LOVE it. I think it rivals most DC area markets in terms of offerings, they've got some really great prepared food to buy (weird but good mushroom sandwiches that require a ridiculous wait but are so worth it) and I just think the overall 'vibe' is better than the better DC area markets.

I'm with pool boy and porcupine. I've got a freezer on the bottom model (and like poolboy, it's the 'french door' style fridge) and i love it. I've had side by sides twice and I really dislike them--poor energy efficiency and diffficult to store things in them (like sheet pans). Both times I had a chance to replace them, I did so as soon as I could.Sorry, can't comment on other questions (but I wish I could!).

Like mdt and porcupine, I've always had the impression that thickness/flavor strength were the key aspects to success. The flavor you add needs to be pretty concentrated, or the volume of flavoring will make the buttercream runny and/or break.

Man, hot and numbing tofu sounds good to me. I'm rarely available on Tuesdays, however. Enjoy!

I went to the Giffords in Rockville Town Center recently. I've never been a huge fan of Giffords. I think they have a few good flavors and a bunch I think are totally <shrug>. I had their banana ice cream and REALLY liked it. It had a really good banana flavor. I've actually already been back to get some more. Mmmm, banana...