Tiny Tidy for Today-Going Crackers!

Don't throw away those stale crackers.  Just pop them in a 200 degree oven for 10 or 12 minutes. Voila-you now have fresh crispy crackers!

  

Tiny Tidbit for Today!

More about honey:


I have read that honey doesn't spoil. Do your research.  Here is a link that talks about that fact: Search io9

Reheat thick or crystallized honey in hot water not in a microwave. A microwave could burn it. It doesn't take long.  Practice being patient:)


If my honey is fresh, but still too thick to pour, I just run in under the hot water tap* for a few minutes.  It doesn't take long!

*tap...is that a Southern word for spigot or is spigot Southern for tap?

Tiny Tidbit for Today

1 Cup Crisco + 2 TBS Water 
equals
1 Cup Butter or Margarine

(Probably doesn't taste as delicious?
   ...just saying:)

Last Chance Lakeside Cafe Thumbs Up!

We normally eat at  "Last Chance" after we finish a round of golf before heading back to Little Rock.  


But last night we celebrated our sister's birthday.  No matter the occasion "Last Chance" is a great place to eat.  We have always liked everything we have ordered and at a price that fits our pocketbook.  

Our favorite is the Broasted Chicken Dinner.  You can get 1/2 chicken or just 2 pieces.  I found that the 2 pieces are enough for me.  However, we decided to try something different.  I got Chicken Fingers and Sweet Potato Fries and Chuck got the Coconut Shrimp.  Peg and Del stayed with the tried and true...Broasted Chicken, which they gave a 'thumbs up'.  Chuck was not impressed with his Shrimp..."tasteless" was his comment. I shared some of my Chicken Fingers with him and had enough left to bring home for a snack lunch.  I have had the Chicken Fried Steak and can definitely recommend it!  Oh, I am not sure what they serve as their house Pinot Grigio, but I like it. They are not stingy with their serving so be sure and have a designated driver if you have more than one!

 If you have the chance to be in Hot Springs Village, be sure and stop at the Last Chance on Balboa Lake. Whether you sit in a booth, at the tall tables, or the bar, you will not be disappointed.*


*I could not find a web site for them or a menu on Yelp or Urban Spoon.  Next time we go I'll get a menu and scan it in for you.

Oak Street Bistro Thumbs Up!

Our table on right
thru the passage on left

A night out of dining with our cousins and entertainment. I think it is called a "date night" these days.


We have been reading about the Oak Street Bistro in some of our free publications:  Soiree, and the Arkansas Times. We were ready to give it a try.


We had tickets to see Tommy Emmanel at UCA, Conway.  This was the perfect time to give "Oak Street" a try and visit with our cousins at the same time.

Bar area

The service was great.  We arrived before our cousins and sat at the bar until they arrived. We ordered a
Blue Moon beer for Chuck 
and a
Ecco Domini Pinot Grigio for me!

Menu cover

We loved it.  I had the Wild Chicken Breast and Chuck had the Mahi Fish Tacos, which were great.  The only down side: the scallops appetizer...it was cold and bland when we were thinking warm and tangy. Our cousins eat there enough so they have their favorites: Shrimp Fettuccine and Oak Streets Shrimp and Grits...although this time the Special of the Day : a red fish baked in foil was selected by one of the two! 
Go Figure?  I always stick with the "Tried and True" at any restaurant...that is "Tried by me and judged "True"!


Bottom line:  go for it!

I-Hop U-Hop We-Hop to I-HOP Thumbs Up!

Brunch at I-HOP...how can you beat it?  

Senior Sampler-YUM!

On Wednesday we ate cereal at home and went to yoga class at the Jim Daily Fitness Center . By 10am we were hungry so away we went to IHOP...brunch instead of lunch.  I had the Senior Sampler and Chuck had the Senior two x two x two.


Our I-HOP does everything right.,,besides the great food and service.  Right now they are re-roofing with the trendy metal roof material in "I-HOP" blue, of course.  At least once a year they close for two weeks to freshen everything...new paint, new graphics.  Other franchises or even Mom & Pop's need to take lessons...spend some of their capital on the business instead of paying their profits to themselves...short-sighted from my view point.


They also have a great two-fer deal...from 3pm to 8pm you can buy one entree and get another one free.  We are determined to keep this on our radar.  We don't think we can eat at home for the same price.  


Take our advice...Go To I-HOP!  (Of course, I am biased...I think ours had the best one in town!)

Corky's Thumbs Up!

Our new routine...we eat out on Saturday's.  We both work all day on Saturday. Neither one of us wants to cook.  However, I work two hours longer than Chuck so he gets to cook on Saturday...cook: meaning at home or eating out. Nine times out of ten he will select eating out on Saturday.

This time he chose Corky's-in his mind.  Then, I mentioned perhaps Corky's because I wanted to stop at Michael's which was on the way. It is amazing how often that happens. One of us thinks of something and the other one of us picks up on it, too!  It is a real phenomena to us...we call it spooky:)

Well, back to Corky's.  I am not sure why we haven't been in the last few years.  We always love what we order and the servings are more than ample.  In fact, we usually take some home.  

We usually order catfish and chicken tenders.  This night was no exception.  We brought home some of the chicken fingers.  We got two sides each and substitutes were allowed.  Last, but not least---the rolls are wonderful.  They are served first and you can fill up on them if you are not careful.  Honey and butter is on the table.  I could make them the whole meal! 


The service was excellent and our server was perfect (read: smiled and didn't hover-was always available when we needed her).