Our Wednesday. Today’s Plans.

Went to MacDaddy’s for lunch. I talked about MacDaddy’s last year, it is a very large complex with two 10 pin bowling alleys, electronic gaming machines although by NC law you cannot win money. A sports bar and restaurant and a bunch of conference rooms. After lunch we bowled three games which was fun, always enjoy it, we were with a couple of friends and he is now on a league so getting better, Matt and I only do 10 pin once or twice a year. During lunch we were talking to Mac whom we have met before, he told us about a friend who runs a charter fishing boat, suggested we contact him. I will, but way out of our league I think. His mom also gave us a leaflet about Mac’s cottage which is quite incredible and designed for the use of paraplegics. Really a great place to stay, I think they rent it out.

Afterwards we went to Sweet Spot Candies for ice cream. That is an interesting store, full of lots of candies as well as ice cream up the kazoo. They have more than 46 flavours as shown on their web page, delightful, I was relatively conservative though. They had some really colourful bags and purses for sale but they turned out to be expensive, too rich for my blood. Pity. I hope they last. There used to be a wonderful ice cream place in this area but it closed down a couple of years ago. They sold custard ice cream which was to die for and also cakes. They had a chocolate layer cake, 7 layers I think, which was wonderful. Ah, memories.

Today a couple of other friends and ourselves are taking pizza to a sick friend’s house. We haven’t yet seen her this trip as she has been so unwell. However, she is now up to having visitors, so, going there for lunch. Should be fun. Sadly we are beginning to count down to the end of our trip. Our Canadian friends have already left, he too isn’t too well and he is teed off that it is no longer quite so warm. Seems to be OK to us, very warm yesterday. Must admit I cannot imagine cutting our vacation short. Enjoying ourselves too much and we haven’t been on the beach once so far.

I have always liked Minestrone and wished I had ordered it the other night when someone had some at The Olive Garden. This is a somewhat different version, looks good.

Michael Smith’s Minestrone Soup

This is no ordinary minestrone soup with bacon and spinach it's sure to be a delight. Yield: 4 – 6 servings

Ingredients

• 8 slices bacon, chopped
• 4 onions, peeled and diced
• 2 carrots, peeled and diced
• 2 stalks celery, diced
• 10 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
• 2 zucchini, quartered lengthwise and sliced
• 1 red pepper, seeded and diced
• 1 cup cauliflower florets
• 1x28 ounce can whole tomatoes, with juice
• 1 litre chicken broth
• 1 tablespoon dried oregano
• 2 Parmesan rinds
• Sprinkled sea salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• 2 large handfuls baby spinach
• 1x18 ounce can white kidney beans

Directions

1. Put the bacon into a 6-quart soup pot and brown it until it is crisp. Pour off half of the bacon fat and discard. Add onions, carrots, celery and garlic and sauté for a few minutes. Add zucchini, red pepper, cauliflower, tomatoes and juice, chicken broth, oregano and Parmesan rinds. Season with salt and pepper. Bring to a simmer, stirring occasionally. Simmer for 30 minutes, until vegetables are tender, but still hold their shape.
2. Stir in baby spinach and beans and stir until spinach has wilted and beans are heated through.

Have a great day