Ok, I started writing this blog several days ago about something else entirely, but I had to change gears.

This morning my hot water heater exploded all over the garage, so without any caffeine I went to the Lowe’s store to arrange to get a new one installed today. Mission accomplished. On the way home, I drove thru Del Taco (don’t judge me – I wanted a quesadilla and I didn’t want to dirty any dishes that I would have to wash by hand with water heated on the stove). I asked for a large diet soda to go with it – I needed caffeine, remember? When the attendant read the order back she called it a “Macho” diet soda. WTF?
1. I can hardly be called “macho” and
2. Since when is it ok to make up your own designators for sizes?

Oh, wait a minute….I know! It’s all the fault of Starf*cks, I mean Starbucks. I rarely go there since I don’t drink coffee, but occasionally I will go in with son Jack for a tea. I refuse to play their silly games! It is small, medium, large and extra large. That’s it. Why does SB have to have 3 words, all meaning LARGE, to describe their sizes of drinks? And don’t give me that crap about a “vente” meaning 20oz and a “trenta” being 30oz. I am not buying it! I totally grasp the idea of creating words to make food or drinks trademarked (Big Mac, Whopper, etc.) or specifically linked to your store, but sizes? Holy bat shit Batman – they have succeeded! I am talking about those retailers. Damn, I fell into their trap!

Ok, so while I am on a roll, here are my other food related pet peeves:
• Men who don’t take their hats off at the table, unless it is a yarmulke
• Full ashtrays at the bar (again, don’t judge me)
• Bar snacks that have been sitting out – I don’t want anyone else’s hands in the dish
• Wait staff with long hair that is not pulled back
• Anyone who goes into a fast food place and needs to read the menu – guess what, it STILL hasn’t changed since the last time you were in there
• People being rude to wait staff because they think it makes them look cool, rich or important. Here’s a quarter, buy this clue, it doesn’t – it makes you look like an ass!

And a non-food related one:
• People who use the handicapped stalls in restrooms when they can CLEARLY use the standard ones.

As I write, my kitchen looks like a bomb went off in it, or as my Mom used to say, “It looks like who did it and ran”. I cooked for a fundraiser last night and I was so exhausted that I just loaded what I could in the dishwasher and left everything to be done this morning….mistake. Now I wait for the plumber.

It’s my biggest baking season of the year and I know there are several of you anxiously waiting for your cookie tray. Don’t worry, I’ll get around to it, but at this rate it might be a Happy New Year gift.

This week’s Food Memories include take out Chinese brought by my loving hubby while I was mourning the passing of my dog, Bosco.

This week’s pic has nothing to do with this blog, but I found it among the files….and yes, I really DID make that.

Until next time, go out and make your OWN Food Memories.