Riverside Lanes, Soup, Flight 447.

Unfortunately we didn't win yesterday. At one point we were lying second, but in the last game none of us were really bowling up to our averages. In our first two games the total was well over our average which was good. Matt and I both had a 200 game which - lately - is unusual for us. Our top bowler had one good game but unfortunately she too didn't have a good day otherwise. Oh well, there is always next year. We all went out for lunch after and enjoyed ourselves - well the whole morning was fun. We enjoyed chatting to Eric who is the proprietor of the alley and was telling us he was off to England in July to attend his daughter's wedding which is taking place in Matt's home town area so that produced much conversation. We were both tired having risen so early and ended up doing absolutely nothing for the rest of the day. For supper I had made some leek and tomato soup which turned out to be pretty good - I basically just sautéed the leeks in some butter, added some finely chopped garlic, a large can of Italian tomatoes, a can of tomato purée and 2 cups of chicken stock. I threw in some fresh basil and some basil pesto for a little extra flavour. Yummy. I had enough left for two more servings which are now in the freezer. An interesting question on GMA this morning about whether families should split up to fly. Apparently a couple were flying to France with their children to attend a wedding. The husband went with the 3yr old and the wife followed with the son on Air France Flight 447. What a tragedy, but, as someone interviewed this morning, pointed out, you are statistically at much more risk driving a car so should you travel in different cars? Today we are going to get our ears lowered and also to do our weekly shopping. Seems to be a big list today. I had my Hershey's email yesterday and came across this rather unusual appetizer. Obviously you can substitute any brickle type toffee if you cannot get the Heath brand. Ranch Style Shrimp and Bacon Appetizers Ingredients: * RANCH STYLE BARBEQUE SAUCE(recipe follows) * 30 large peeled, deveined shrimp * 1/2 pound thick-cut bacon * 10 wooden skewers* Directions: 1. Prepare RANCH STYLE BARBEQUE SAUCE. 2. Wrap each shrimp with 1/2 bacon strip. Thread 3 wrapped shrimp onto each wooden skewer. 3. Grill or broil shrimp skewers until bacon is cooked and shrimp is no longer translucent, but has turned pink. Baste with barbeque sauce. Return to heat to warm sauce. Serve with additional barbeque sauce, if desired. 10 shrimp skewers. RANCH STYLE BARBEQUE SAUCE: 1/4 cup vegetable or olive oil 1/2 cup minced onion 2 garlic cloves, minced 2 tablespoons lemon juice 1 tablespoon ground black pepper 1 teaspoon dry mustard 1 teaspoon paprika 1/2 teaspoon hot pepper sauce 1/2 teaspoon salt 1-1/2 cups ketchup 1 cup HEATH BITS 'O BRICKLE Toffee Bits 1/4 cup cider vinegar 3 tablespoons sugar 1-1/2 tablespoons HERSHEY'S Cocoa 1. Heat oil in large saucepan over medium heat; add onion and garlic. Cook until tender. Stir in lemon juice, black pepper, mustard, paprika, hot pepper sauce and salt. Simmer for 5 minutes; reduce heat. 2. Stir in ketchup, toffee bits, vinegar, sugar and cocoa. Simmer 15 minutes. Refrigerate leftovers. About 3 cups sauce. *To prevent wooden skeweers from burning while grilling or broiling, soak in water about 10 minutes before using. Have a great day.