(43-80) Sometimes Size DOES Matter

When I posted "Master Chef Marathon;" I told you how the burger competition made my mouth water; and caused me to crave Red Robin.  Well, since today was date day; guess where Luis and I went for lunch?  Yup!  We did.  Red Robin it was.  It wasn't quite as magnificent as the "Master Chef" burger; but it did hit the spot.

Before and after lunch, we ran a myriad of errands; from getting Luis his flu shot; to depositing his last paycheck from the pharmacy.  And when I say his last paycheck, I don't mean his most recent (even though it was;) I mean his last as in; he quit. 
We paid our Kohl's bill.  A whole $14.17 (Gosh we love Kohl's.)  Then stopped at Old Navy, since they were having a sale that I couldn't pass up.  Because I have an Old Navy credit card; I had a $10 gift card to spend; and a coupon to get a FREE child's item, for each adult item that I purchased.  The adult items were either on clearance for 50% off, or ran between $5-$16 for the most part.  I bought one shirt from the clearance section, and paid $2.50, I got one $10 shirt for FREE, and then I purchased 3 other shirts, and was able to get Nicky FREE sweatpants, and FREE winter hats for the girls. (Yes, I know I live in Arizona, but we do venture up to colder, climates during the winter months.)  Including the $2.50 shirt; I spent about $25.00 on everything.  Talk about (say it with me,) "The Greater Good!"

We left Old Navy thrilled with our purchases and planning our return; as I have another coupon for the BOGO deal.  We then went to Sam's Club to purchase fruit and snacks for The Torpedos game on Saturday; since we're this week's snack parents.  (I had already stocked up on Capri Sun during a smokin. deal at Fry's last week.)  We chose to buy bananas for the team; and as we rounded the corner, we were mesmerized, by the most voluptuous, grapes that we had EVER seen.

The sheer, size of the grapes made them amazingly, appealing and we anxiously, opened the container so that we could taste the gigantesque, globes and make sure that they were as sweet as they were sizable. Affirmative!  The grapes were the best that we'd ever tasted; and I commented to Luis "See, sometimes size DOES matter."  And we laughed.

Perhaps I'm a glutton; but there is something that makes fruits so much more desirable to me, when they are largish.  It's harder for me to to resist an enormous Nectarine, than one of average size; and although I can't eat Strawberries; I ask you, what's more seductive than a stupendous, Strawberry, dipped in chocolate?  I mean anything dipped in chocolate is good; but if you had a couple of Strawberries on a platter, and they were of mixed sizes; I'd be shocked if the larger ones weren't the first to be selected.  Oh, if only it was the same for people...  But I digress.

Now, I was willing to chalk up my enthusiasm for the gargantuan, grapes as gluttony; but since Luis, Lyndzi and Kelsie all had the same reaction to the bodacious, beauties; I'm leaning towards believing that the more tremendous the fruit; the more tempting it is.  Proving, that in fact; size DOES matter. (At least when it comes to fruit.)

Till next time...
Queen of EVERYTHING

(43-29) Fruits

Tonight I was in need of a topic; so I drew from Mari's "Memories and Thoughts" jar; and the piece of paper that I chose read, "What is your favorite fruit and what is your least favorite fruit?"  Remember, I said I "CHOSE" this piece of paper.   I just thought I'd keep it nice and simple this evening.

So I'm going to go at this backwards; big surprise; right?
My LEAST favorite fruit would have to be Strawberries (and the gasps abound.)  Yes I know; they're gorgeous, they're succulent and you'd be hard pressed to find a fruit that looks more appetizing than a strawberry; but the reason that it's my least favorite, is because I'm allergic to them.  Strawberries make me break out in hives and therefore I avoid them at all costs.  OK, so maybe that's cheating a little bit.  I hate strawberries because I can't eat strawberries; so being the Queen of FAIRNESS; I'll tell you my REAL least favorite fruit; and that would be Papaya.

Papaya - YUCK!  Even the name almost makes me gag.  (SORRY Papaya lovers.)  If you're not familiar with Papaya, you're lucky!  No, just kidding.  Papaya is a tropical fruit and sadly it masquerades itself as a mango on the outside; but inside there is a noxious smelling fruit that is just down right offensive.  Simply look at that picture; it just looks WRONG; a lovely melon colored fruit with all those disgusting black seeds. Blah!  I don't think that I could take a bite of Papaya if you paid me; so I think it's safe to say that it is DEFINITELY my least favorite.

Saved the best for last I did.  You know me, I always like to end on a positive note.  And with that being said; my FAVORITE fruit (are you on the edge of your seat yet;) is PINEAPPLE!  I just felt like the Chairmen on "Iron Chef" revealing the secret ingredient...  OHH Pineapple!  What a yummy treat.  When they're ripe and you can actually smell the sweetness emanating from their prickly hide, there is NOTHING better.  I relish the thought of a juicy bite of Pineapple.  Now in many ways Pineapple can be both a blessing and a curse.  First of all, in the fruit department I can't think of another that requires as much work to actually get to the delicious piece of fruit.  Strawberry, nope you just rinse it off and eat it.  Pineapple = work (if you buy it whole.)   Secondly, Pineapple can sometimes give you a little canker sore on your mouth; but isn't that human nature; we often want something that we know may cause us pain; right ladies??  Who knew I was going to get all psychological about fruit?  But I digress...

When I was pondering the question of my favorite fruit, for a moment I considered saying mango, but then when I thought about it, I realized that one of the things I like best about Mango is that you can taste other fruits in it; especially PINEAPPLE!  A bite of pineapple and I'm on vacation.  And Pineapple Upside Down Cake, need I say more?   So there you have it; Pineapple is my favorite fruit and I'm sticking to it.

Till next time...

Queen of EVERYTHING