divorce help: Save your marriage now! Divorce-busters that work [2]
PROBLEM: MY SPOUSE IS SPENDING ALL OUR MONEY!
By some twist of fate (or cruel act of nature), the big spender and the penny-pincher generally find themselves joined at the hip, proving that opposites attract--even when it comes to spending habits.
Take newlyweds Michael and Bridget for example.
Every payday Michael buys fancy clothes and expensive gifts for himself and Bridget. However, Bridget is very conservative with her money, and she always waits for a good sale.
Under Bridget's watch, the couple's bills are paid on time, but Michael always manages to spend more than they agreed to. Fed up with Bridget's strict family budget, Michaels rebels by buying a brand new SUV behind Bridget's back. His big-ticket purchase nearly lands them in divorce court.
SOLUTION: Call in an intermediary, someone who can help you set realistic budgetary goals and make your financial decisions together, advises New York matrimonial lawyer Robert Stephan Cohen, author of Reconcilable Differences: 7 Keys to Remaining Together From a Top Matrimonial Lawyer.
Cohen notes that couples can "achieve financial harmony by customizing your budget and finances to fit both of your money-management styles."
PROBLEM: MY SPOUSE DOESN'T MEET MY EXPECTATIONS.
It's believed that a woman enters a marriage hoping to change her man, and a man enters the marriage hoping that his woman doesn't change; and such mis-matched expectations can kill any relationship, experts say.
In Chattanooga, Tenn., Dr. Rozario Slack, director of fathering and urban initiatives for First Things First, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to strengthening families, has counseled a couple whose marriage recovered from unrealistic expectations. He also is pastor of the Temple of Faith Deliverance Church of God in Christ.
"The young lady came from a single-parent home, and her mother taught her to be self-sufficient because men could not be trusted," Dr. Slack explains. "She fell in love with a young man who also came from a single-parent home, but he vowed that he would be a committed, dedicated, faithful husband because he witnessed what his mother had gone through. So in this marriage, the young lady doesn't trust her husband because she expects him to let her down, and the young man feels very disrespected, that all of his efforts to please her are in vain."
SOLUTION: Try to form realistic expectations about your spouse, and adjust your expectations accordingly.
"You must learn to avoid generalizing your mate," advises Dr. Slack. "A parent has tainted your viewpoint and you have to forgive that parent for loading you down with that unrealistic burden."
PROBLEM: MY SPOUSE NO LONGER HAS TIME FOR ME.
In Anytown, USA, it's typical to find busy couples like Robert and Keisha who pass each other by like strangers in the night. Keisha works a 9-to-5, picks up their son from the day care and then heads home to prepare dinner for the family. After dinner, Keisha cleans up the kitchen and puts their child to bed before she gets herself prepared for the next day's grind. Meanwhile, Robert also works a 9-to-5, but then he comes home and sits in his favorite chair, watches his favorite program and waits to be served dinner. When Robert is in the mood for love, Keisha isn't interested because she's burned out and frustrated that Robert isn't pulling his weight around the house.
Robert feels that Keisha puts him last on her "to do" list. At the end of the day, they both feel neglected.
SOLUTION: Steal time for romance. "Keep [romance] on your agenda no matter how heavy your workload," suggests Jel D. Lewis Jones, author of The African American Woman's Guide to Great Sex Happiness and Marital Bliss. "You can turn everyday events into little celebrations and opportunities to express love for your partner. A tiny bit of forethought can turn the ordinary into the special."
PROBLEM: MY SPOUSE IS NOT COMMITTED TO MAKING IT WORK.
Every day for the past four years, Joe comes home from work and kicks his shoes off at the front door, leaving dirty scuff marks on the living room wall. Every other day, Joe's wife Mary has confronted him about it. In the very beginning, Joe tried very hard to refrain from kicking off his shoes, but if he slipped up, Mary would suddenly appear, wagging her finger in his face, and calling him everything but a child of God. Eventually, Joe got so fed up with Mary's mouth that he dreaded coming home at all, while Mary got so fed up with cleaning scuff marks off the wall that she dreamed of leaving scuff marks on Joe's behind.
If you ask them, Joe and Mary would readily admit they are equally yoked, have two great kids and are still wildly attracted to each other. Joe and Mary have a very blessed union by all accounts, but they are this close to throwing it all away because Mary doesn't feel that she can be committed to Joe any longer.
SOLUTION: If you want your marriage to work, you have to commit yourself to the marriage, not to your spouse, according to Detroit psychologist Dr. Paris M. Finner-Williams.
"You can't be committed just to the man or the woman you're with," Dr. Paris M. Finner-Williams says. "Those who understand what it means to be committed to the institution of marriage will be able to tolerate and endure anything. If you've invested substantial time and money into the marriage, you're more willing to hang in there; you're more likely to come to a resolution or to overlook certain [insignificant] things in order to keep your investment. When you are committed to the marriage, you understand that your marriage is the purifying vessel that perfects you as a person."
Although there is no surefire way to divorce-proof every union, experts say that honest communication--with an emphasis on friendship and partnership--can help you to revive your marriage and maintain your very own happiness ever after.
COPYRIGHT 2005 Johnson Publishing Co.
COPYRIGHT 2005 Gale Group
By some twist of fate (or cruel act of nature), the big spender and the penny-pincher generally find themselves joined at the hip, proving that opposites attract--even when it comes to spending habits.
Take newlyweds Michael and Bridget for example.
Every payday Michael buys fancy clothes and expensive gifts for himself and Bridget. However, Bridget is very conservative with her money, and she always waits for a good sale.
Under Bridget's watch, the couple's bills are paid on time, but Michael always manages to spend more than they agreed to. Fed up with Bridget's strict family budget, Michaels rebels by buying a brand new SUV behind Bridget's back. His big-ticket purchase nearly lands them in divorce court.
SOLUTION: Call in an intermediary, someone who can help you set realistic budgetary goals and make your financial decisions together, advises New York matrimonial lawyer Robert Stephan Cohen, author of Reconcilable Differences: 7 Keys to Remaining Together From a Top Matrimonial Lawyer.
Cohen notes that couples can "achieve financial harmony by customizing your budget and finances to fit both of your money-management styles."
PROBLEM: MY SPOUSE DOESN'T MEET MY EXPECTATIONS.
It's believed that a woman enters a marriage hoping to change her man, and a man enters the marriage hoping that his woman doesn't change; and such mis-matched expectations can kill any relationship, experts say.
In Chattanooga, Tenn., Dr. Rozario Slack, director of fathering and urban initiatives for First Things First, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to strengthening families, has counseled a couple whose marriage recovered from unrealistic expectations. He also is pastor of the Temple of Faith Deliverance Church of God in Christ.
"The young lady came from a single-parent home, and her mother taught her to be self-sufficient because men could not be trusted," Dr. Slack explains. "She fell in love with a young man who also came from a single-parent home, but he vowed that he would be a committed, dedicated, faithful husband because he witnessed what his mother had gone through. So in this marriage, the young lady doesn't trust her husband because she expects him to let her down, and the young man feels very disrespected, that all of his efforts to please her are in vain."
SOLUTION: Try to form realistic expectations about your spouse, and adjust your expectations accordingly.
"You must learn to avoid generalizing your mate," advises Dr. Slack. "A parent has tainted your viewpoint and you have to forgive that parent for loading you down with that unrealistic burden."
PROBLEM: MY SPOUSE NO LONGER HAS TIME FOR ME.
In Anytown, USA, it's typical to find busy couples like Robert and Keisha who pass each other by like strangers in the night. Keisha works a 9-to-5, picks up their son from the day care and then heads home to prepare dinner for the family. After dinner, Keisha cleans up the kitchen and puts their child to bed before she gets herself prepared for the next day's grind. Meanwhile, Robert also works a 9-to-5, but then he comes home and sits in his favorite chair, watches his favorite program and waits to be served dinner. When Robert is in the mood for love, Keisha isn't interested because she's burned out and frustrated that Robert isn't pulling his weight around the house.
Robert feels that Keisha puts him last on her "to do" list. At the end of the day, they both feel neglected.
SOLUTION: Steal time for romance. "Keep [romance] on your agenda no matter how heavy your workload," suggests Jel D. Lewis Jones, author of The African American Woman's Guide to Great Sex Happiness and Marital Bliss. "You can turn everyday events into little celebrations and opportunities to express love for your partner. A tiny bit of forethought can turn the ordinary into the special."
PROBLEM: MY SPOUSE IS NOT COMMITTED TO MAKING IT WORK.
Every day for the past four years, Joe comes home from work and kicks his shoes off at the front door, leaving dirty scuff marks on the living room wall. Every other day, Joe's wife Mary has confronted him about it. In the very beginning, Joe tried very hard to refrain from kicking off his shoes, but if he slipped up, Mary would suddenly appear, wagging her finger in his face, and calling him everything but a child of God. Eventually, Joe got so fed up with Mary's mouth that he dreaded coming home at all, while Mary got so fed up with cleaning scuff marks off the wall that she dreamed of leaving scuff marks on Joe's behind.
If you ask them, Joe and Mary would readily admit they are equally yoked, have two great kids and are still wildly attracted to each other. Joe and Mary have a very blessed union by all accounts, but they are this close to throwing it all away because Mary doesn't feel that she can be committed to Joe any longer.
SOLUTION: If you want your marriage to work, you have to commit yourself to the marriage, not to your spouse, according to Detroit psychologist Dr. Paris M. Finner-Williams.
"You can't be committed just to the man or the woman you're with," Dr. Paris M. Finner-Williams says. "Those who understand what it means to be committed to the institution of marriage will be able to tolerate and endure anything. If you've invested substantial time and money into the marriage, you're more willing to hang in there; you're more likely to come to a resolution or to overlook certain [insignificant] things in order to keep your investment. When you are committed to the marriage, you understand that your marriage is the purifying vessel that perfects you as a person."
Although there is no surefire way to divorce-proof every union, experts say that honest communication--with an emphasis on friendship and partnership--can help you to revive your marriage and maintain your very own happiness ever after.
COPYRIGHT 2005 Johnson Publishing Co.
COPYRIGHT 2005 Gale Group
divorce help: Save your marriage now! Divorce-busters that work
THINKING about calling it quits? Before you start divvying up your valuables, you should retrieve your wedding video and replay the very moment that you took your vows (turn the volume up if you have to). Now, did you promise that you would remain together until "Death Do Us Part?" Or did you say until "He [or She] Gets On My Nerves?"
The first mistake many married folks make, relationship experts say, is going into the marriage knowing that there's always a back-door exit. According to statistics, nearly 48 percent of all married couples do walk out that back door.
But how are those golden couples--the other 52 percent, some who have been married for 50 years or more--been able to avoid being torn apart by the common relationship problems that feed the current divorce frenzy? What is their secret to avoiding the big "D"?
On these pages, married relationship experts, matrimonial attorneys and psychologists guide you through the valley of everyday marital woes and provide some helpful tips on how you can avoid the possibility of divorce.
PROBLEM: MY SPOUSE DOESN'T FULFILL MY SEXUAL NEEDS.
Chances are good that your married sex life is somewhat (or significantly) different from your dating sex life. A common complaint that husbands make, according to Detroit psychologist and divorce attorney Paris M. Finner-Williams, co-author of Marital Secrets: Dating, Lies Communication and Sex, is that their spouses misled them about their libido and sexual desires.
"The couple may have engaged in some sexual practices that were important to the husband before the marriage, and the wife may have tolerated it because she wanted to please her man," Dr. Finner-Williams explains. "But now that she's married, the wife really doesn't want to continue that sexual practice with the husband and he becomes frustrated because he expected that practice to continue after the marriage."
Sexual frustration combined with a lack of communication on the husband's part can kick the door wide open for infidelity, adds counselor Robert Williams, MSW, who is also Dr. Finner-Williams' husband. Robert Williams says that many men are reluctant to share their sexual fantasies with their spouse out of fear or embarrassment.
"Instead of expressing their desires to their mate, some men would rather go to someone else, and have their sexual needs fulfilled with another person," he explains. "Men are very private with their intimate desires and sexual thoughts, and they must know that their mate will not be critical or judgmental in order for them to express themselves."
SOLUTION: Dr. Paris M. Finner-Williams and her spouse Robert Williams suggest that couples adhere to a pre-agreed-upon sexual satisfaction program and that they get intimate (if their health allows) at least once every 72 hours.
Ebony, Dec, 2005 by Zondra Hughes
The first mistake many married folks make, relationship experts say, is going into the marriage knowing that there's always a back-door exit. According to statistics, nearly 48 percent of all married couples do walk out that back door.
But how are those golden couples--the other 52 percent, some who have been married for 50 years or more--been able to avoid being torn apart by the common relationship problems that feed the current divorce frenzy? What is their secret to avoiding the big "D"?
On these pages, married relationship experts, matrimonial attorneys and psychologists guide you through the valley of everyday marital woes and provide some helpful tips on how you can avoid the possibility of divorce.
PROBLEM: MY SPOUSE DOESN'T FULFILL MY SEXUAL NEEDS.
Chances are good that your married sex life is somewhat (or significantly) different from your dating sex life. A common complaint that husbands make, according to Detroit psychologist and divorce attorney Paris M. Finner-Williams, co-author of Marital Secrets: Dating, Lies Communication and Sex, is that their spouses misled them about their libido and sexual desires.
"The couple may have engaged in some sexual practices that were important to the husband before the marriage, and the wife may have tolerated it because she wanted to please her man," Dr. Finner-Williams explains. "But now that she's married, the wife really doesn't want to continue that sexual practice with the husband and he becomes frustrated because he expected that practice to continue after the marriage."
Sexual frustration combined with a lack of communication on the husband's part can kick the door wide open for infidelity, adds counselor Robert Williams, MSW, who is also Dr. Finner-Williams' husband. Robert Williams says that many men are reluctant to share their sexual fantasies with their spouse out of fear or embarrassment.
"Instead of expressing their desires to their mate, some men would rather go to someone else, and have their sexual needs fulfilled with another person," he explains. "Men are very private with their intimate desires and sexual thoughts, and they must know that their mate will not be critical or judgmental in order for them to express themselves."
SOLUTION: Dr. Paris M. Finner-Williams and her spouse Robert Williams suggest that couples adhere to a pre-agreed-upon sexual satisfaction program and that they get intimate (if their health allows) at least once every 72 hours.
Ebony, Dec, 2005 by Zondra Hughes
divorce help : divorce guide help
when
You can institute divorce proceedings after you have been married for
one year.
grounds
You will have to show that your marriage has broken down irretrievably.
You can show this by proving that either your spouse has committed adultery, been cruel either mentally or physically, that you have been deserted for more than two years or you have lived apart for more than five years. You can agree with your spouse that your marriage is at an end and consent to a divorce provided you have lived apart for more than two years.
domicile
To qualify for a divorce in England and Wales you have to satisfy certain residence conditions. By far the most common situation is that both husband and wife are English citizens and have permanent homes here but to help you decide we set out below the grounds you need to satisfy the residence condition:
*You and your spouse have your permanent homes in England and Wales.
*You and your spouse are living in England and Wales at the time the divorce is started.
*You and your spouse had your last home in England and Wales and one of you are still living here.
*You or your spouse are living in England and Wales at the time the divorce is started.
*You have been living in England and Wales for at least a year on the day the divorce is started.
*You have your permanent home in England and Wales and have been living here for at least six months when the divorce is started.
court hearings
Provided you can agree with your spouse about financial matters, and arrangements for the children, you will not have to attend court. It will be all dealt with on the paperwork. If there is a problem or you cannot agree with your spouse on a particular issue you may have to attend court if the problem cannot be resolved any other way.
marriage certificate
You will need an original marriage certificate when you file your divorce papers with the court. If you do not have one we can get a copy for you.
If you have a foreign marriage certificate in a language other than English then you will need to provide an official translation along with the original document. We can arrange professional translation services.
Please contact us to arrange a quote.
http://www.justdivorce.co.uk/guide_divorce.htm
You can institute divorce proceedings after you have been married for
one year.
grounds
You will have to show that your marriage has broken down irretrievably.
You can show this by proving that either your spouse has committed adultery, been cruel either mentally or physically, that you have been deserted for more than two years or you have lived apart for more than five years. You can agree with your spouse that your marriage is at an end and consent to a divorce provided you have lived apart for more than two years.
domicile
To qualify for a divorce in England and Wales you have to satisfy certain residence conditions. By far the most common situation is that both husband and wife are English citizens and have permanent homes here but to help you decide we set out below the grounds you need to satisfy the residence condition:
*You and your spouse have your permanent homes in England and Wales.
*You and your spouse are living in England and Wales at the time the divorce is started.
*You and your spouse had your last home in England and Wales and one of you are still living here.
*You or your spouse are living in England and Wales at the time the divorce is started.
*You have been living in England and Wales for at least a year on the day the divorce is started.
*You have your permanent home in England and Wales and have been living here for at least six months when the divorce is started.
court hearings
Provided you can agree with your spouse about financial matters, and arrangements for the children, you will not have to attend court. It will be all dealt with on the paperwork. If there is a problem or you cannot agree with your spouse on a particular issue you may have to attend court if the problem cannot be resolved any other way.
marriage certificate
You will need an original marriage certificate when you file your divorce papers with the court. If you do not have one we can get a copy for you.
If you have a foreign marriage certificate in a language other than English then you will need to provide an official translation along with the original document. We can arrange professional translation services.
Please contact us to arrange a quote.
http://www.justdivorce.co.uk/guide_divorce.htm
Roulette
The most famous casino game. The object is to guess where the ball will come to rest.
Roulette is one of the oldest and most famous casino games. Every Roulette table has its own set of distinctive chips that can only be used at that particular table. These chips are purchased at the table at which they are to be played and each player is given chips of a unique colour and design so they can distinguish their bets from those of other players. You determine the value of your chips when you purchase them, with respect to the minimum limit.
Triplestar Roulette now available
on Roulette and 00 Roulette tables
click here for how to play
Click here for image
HOW TO PLAY
The dealer spins the wheel with 37 segments (numbered 0-36), in one direction and a small white ball in the other direction. The object of the game is to correctly guess which segment the ball will finally rest in. The corresponding number denotes the winning areas.
You can place bets on the Roulette table until the dealer announces, "No more bets."
When the ball comes to rest, the dealer calls out the winning number and places a marker on it. First, the table is cleared of the losing bets and then all the winning bets are paid.
During this time, please do not touch the layout or the winning chips. Wait until the dealer announces, "Place your bets", to place any new bets.
Look at the Roulette table in the diagram to see how many types of bets you can place. The chart of payout odds shows the odds paid if you win.
For instance, you can bet a Straight Up (A) , which means your bet is placed on any of the 37 single numbers. You can also place combination bets; these are bets divided over a combination of adjoining numbers.
If you place a Straight Up it could be on the number shown on the diagram, or any individual number on the table. If you place a Street (C) on the line adjoining 7, it would win if 7, 8 or 9 was the winning number. A Street could also be placed, as shown on the diagram, between 0, 2 and 3.
A Column (F) bet is placed in one of the three boxes at the bottom of the table and pays odds of 2 to 1 if the ball comes to rest in one of the numbers in that column.
A Dozen (G) bet is placed in one of the boxes marked 'Dozen' it would pay odds of 2 to1 as per the following:
1st Dozen - Any number between 1 and 12
2nd Dozen - Any number between 13 and 24
3rd Dozen - Any number between 25 and 36
When you place a bet on 1-18, 19-36, Odd, Even, Red, Black, Dozens or Columns and the ball comes to rest on zero (0) , your bet loses. The only time you will win when the ball comes to rest on zero (0) is when you have bet on zero (0) or any combination of zero (0) and the numbers 1, 2 and 3.
Please remember that where you place your chip or chips on the Roulette table is very important as this determines your bet. Use our diagram as your guide. It is your responsibility to ensure your bet is placed correctly. If you are not sure of the correct placement, our dealers are happy to assist.
Roulette chips must be changed for cash chips before leaving the table, as they only have value at the table at which they are purchased.
Payout Odds A One Number or 'Straight Up' 35 to 1
B Two Numbers or 'Split' 17 to 1
C Three Numbers or 'Street' 11 to 1
D Four Numbers or 'Corner' 8 to 1
E Six Numbers or 'Six Line' 5 to 1
F Column 2 to 1
G Dozen 2 to 1
H Low (1-18) Even Money
I High (19-36) Even Money
J Even Even Money
K Odd Even Money
L Red Even Money
M Black Even Money
© Copyright Tabcorp Holdings Limited
Roulette is one of the oldest and most famous casino games. Every Roulette table has its own set of distinctive chips that can only be used at that particular table. These chips are purchased at the table at which they are to be played and each player is given chips of a unique colour and design so they can distinguish their bets from those of other players. You determine the value of your chips when you purchase them, with respect to the minimum limit.
Triplestar Roulette now available
on Roulette and 00 Roulette tables
click here for how to play
Click here for image
HOW TO PLAY
The dealer spins the wheel with 37 segments (numbered 0-36), in one direction and a small white ball in the other direction. The object of the game is to correctly guess which segment the ball will finally rest in. The corresponding number denotes the winning areas.
You can place bets on the Roulette table until the dealer announces, "No more bets."
When the ball comes to rest, the dealer calls out the winning number and places a marker on it. First, the table is cleared of the losing bets and then all the winning bets are paid.
During this time, please do not touch the layout or the winning chips. Wait until the dealer announces, "Place your bets", to place any new bets.
Look at the Roulette table in the diagram to see how many types of bets you can place. The chart of payout odds shows the odds paid if you win.
For instance, you can bet a Straight Up (A) , which means your bet is placed on any of the 37 single numbers. You can also place combination bets; these are bets divided over a combination of adjoining numbers.
If you place a Straight Up it could be on the number shown on the diagram, or any individual number on the table. If you place a Street (C) on the line adjoining 7, it would win if 7, 8 or 9 was the winning number. A Street could also be placed, as shown on the diagram, between 0, 2 and 3.
A Column (F) bet is placed in one of the three boxes at the bottom of the table and pays odds of 2 to 1 if the ball comes to rest in one of the numbers in that column.
A Dozen (G) bet is placed in one of the boxes marked 'Dozen' it would pay odds of 2 to1 as per the following:
1st Dozen - Any number between 1 and 12
2nd Dozen - Any number between 13 and 24
3rd Dozen - Any number between 25 and 36
When you place a bet on 1-18, 19-36, Odd, Even, Red, Black, Dozens or Columns and the ball comes to rest on zero (0) , your bet loses. The only time you will win when the ball comes to rest on zero (0) is when you have bet on zero (0) or any combination of zero (0) and the numbers 1, 2 and 3.
Please remember that where you place your chip or chips on the Roulette table is very important as this determines your bet. Use our diagram as your guide. It is your responsibility to ensure your bet is placed correctly. If you are not sure of the correct placement, our dealers are happy to assist.
Roulette chips must be changed for cash chips before leaving the table, as they only have value at the table at which they are purchased.
Payout Odds A One Number or 'Straight Up' 35 to 1
B Two Numbers or 'Split' 17 to 1
C Three Numbers or 'Street' 11 to 1
D Four Numbers or 'Corner' 8 to 1
E Six Numbers or 'Six Line' 5 to 1
F Column 2 to 1
G Dozen 2 to 1
H Low (1-18) Even Money
I High (19-36) Even Money
J Even Even Money
K Odd Even Money
L Red Even Money
M Black Even Money
© Copyright Tabcorp Holdings Limited
Asian Food Week
No, seriously, it has been. Thursday night I went for Vietnamese with my friend T. before we went on our annual clothes-shopping spree for him. (He likes an impartial eye, and doesn’t want to bring his mom. I don’t blame him, he’s nearly 30.) He’d never had Vietnamese before, and was nursing a wicked head cold, so I figured soup would be just the thing. We hit Saigon in the Byward Market and got there just before the dinner rush, meaning we got a nice table and some peace and quiet, and quick service. They’ve done some redecorating since I was last there, and it looks cozier and, well, Asian, now, with wood stairs and beams and less industrial style lighting and mirrored walls. I like it.
We shared an order of spring rolls, because why not, and they’re quite good there – a touch greasy, but nice and crisp and very hot. Three good sized rolls were plenty for sharing. For our main, we both ended up ordering the Saigon-style sweet and sour soup, mine with shrimp, his with chicken. I call it the soup of pain because they forget to mention the “hot” part in the title, but it comes swimming with dots of hot sauce on top. Then they bring you MORE hot sauce. Just in case. Yeesh. But I suffer gladly because it’s just so goddamned good – a truly sweet-sour broth, clear and perfectly balanced, with three huge, crisp, sweet shrimp, chunks of pineapple and fresh tomato, slivers of crisp celery, and plenty of rice vermicelli. Utterly divine, and cleared both our heads quite nicely (I sniffled through my soup, and frantically reapplied lip balm until my lips finally went numb. Divine. Fortified us well through a trip to Old Navy and Sears, until we stopped for smoothies before heading home.
The following night, Chris offered to bring home sushi so I wouldn’t have to cook on a Friday night, which was awesome, except that I cooked anyway, because I wanted soup too. Nigella Lawson’s salmon in ginger-shiitake broth, to be specific. It’s utterly simple and clean and refreshing, with chunks of buttery salmon that you poach right in the broth (well, she says to steam them in a steamer above the broth, but really, I’m not that fussy. Immersion works great) along with bok choy and mushrooms and lemongrass and fish sauce. Great with sushi, by the way. Chris got California and shrimp tempura rolls; I got hamachi and maguro nigiri and a Cali roll. Later we went and got a movie and ate Terra root vegetable chips and I had a Pomegranate martini. It was a good night on the couch.
Then, tonight, you’d think I would be over the Asian food, but I spent all day cleaning the kitchen top to bottom and was utterly bloody sick of the place, so Chris suggested we hit Chinatown for cheap dinner. Since he missed out on the Vietnamese on Thursday, we went to Vietnam Palace and got spring rolls (yay, Asian junk food!) and some noodle dishes. I had vermicelli with grilled prawns on top, with the fresh raw veggies and herbs and the vinegary sauce that you mix in yourself. Chris had a rice noodle stir-fry with pork and shrimp and veggies. Both were awesome – mine was like a noodle salad, almost, while his had a chop suey vibe to it. A gin and tonic proved to be just the thing to drink with vermicelli and spring rolls. I’ve had my fix – this week, nothing but Italian food. Or something. We’ll see. I just baked my grandma a spinach and three-cheese lasagna that smells incredible.
Posted on April 9, 2006 at 9:22:15 PM by thisdessertlife (
We shared an order of spring rolls, because why not, and they’re quite good there – a touch greasy, but nice and crisp and very hot. Three good sized rolls were plenty for sharing. For our main, we both ended up ordering the Saigon-style sweet and sour soup, mine with shrimp, his with chicken. I call it the soup of pain because they forget to mention the “hot” part in the title, but it comes swimming with dots of hot sauce on top. Then they bring you MORE hot sauce. Just in case. Yeesh. But I suffer gladly because it’s just so goddamned good – a truly sweet-sour broth, clear and perfectly balanced, with three huge, crisp, sweet shrimp, chunks of pineapple and fresh tomato, slivers of crisp celery, and plenty of rice vermicelli. Utterly divine, and cleared both our heads quite nicely (I sniffled through my soup, and frantically reapplied lip balm until my lips finally went numb. Divine. Fortified us well through a trip to Old Navy and Sears, until we stopped for smoothies before heading home.
The following night, Chris offered to bring home sushi so I wouldn’t have to cook on a Friday night, which was awesome, except that I cooked anyway, because I wanted soup too. Nigella Lawson’s salmon in ginger-shiitake broth, to be specific. It’s utterly simple and clean and refreshing, with chunks of buttery salmon that you poach right in the broth (well, she says to steam them in a steamer above the broth, but really, I’m not that fussy. Immersion works great) along with bok choy and mushrooms and lemongrass and fish sauce. Great with sushi, by the way. Chris got California and shrimp tempura rolls; I got hamachi and maguro nigiri and a Cali roll. Later we went and got a movie and ate Terra root vegetable chips and I had a Pomegranate martini. It was a good night on the couch.
Then, tonight, you’d think I would be over the Asian food, but I spent all day cleaning the kitchen top to bottom and was utterly bloody sick of the place, so Chris suggested we hit Chinatown for cheap dinner. Since he missed out on the Vietnamese on Thursday, we went to Vietnam Palace and got spring rolls (yay, Asian junk food!) and some noodle dishes. I had vermicelli with grilled prawns on top, with the fresh raw veggies and herbs and the vinegary sauce that you mix in yourself. Chris had a rice noodle stir-fry with pork and shrimp and veggies. Both were awesome – mine was like a noodle salad, almost, while his had a chop suey vibe to it. A gin and tonic proved to be just the thing to drink with vermicelli and spring rolls. I’ve had my fix – this week, nothing but Italian food. Or something. We’ll see. I just baked my grandma a spinach and three-cheese lasagna that smells incredible.
Posted on April 9, 2006 at 9:22:15 PM by thisdessertlife (
Alabamas's gulf coast
The combination of an abundance of birds, access to birding sites, and the amenities and convenience of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach make Alabama's Gulf Coast an ideal destination for birders. The fall bird migration takes place from mid-September through mid-November and offers some of the most exciting migratory bird watching in the country.
One of your stops on the Alabama Coast should be the Bird Banding Station at Fort Morgan State Park. This fall's bird banding will take place from October 6th through the 18th. The Hummingbird Study Group captures and bands hummingbirds and other Neotropical migrants at this historic location, which is the last departure point for thousands of migrating birds before they journey across the Gulf of Mexico. Banding sessions at the Fort Morgan Bird Banding Station are open to the general public. There is an admission fee to get into the fort, but the banding sessions are free.
Before you head down south, call the Alabama Gulf Coast Convention & Visitors Bureau for a copy of the Alabama Coastal Birding Trail brochure, a 51-page booklet, complete with maps and full-color photographs, that introduces visitors to the trail. The brochure gives directions to the area's most-frequented birding spots and lists the indigenous Alabama birds and migratory Neotropical songbirds that might be observed in the different habitats around the Gulf Coast.
by Stephanie Fekety
One of your stops on the Alabama Coast should be the Bird Banding Station at Fort Morgan State Park. This fall's bird banding will take place from October 6th through the 18th. The Hummingbird Study Group captures and bands hummingbirds and other Neotropical migrants at this historic location, which is the last departure point for thousands of migrating birds before they journey across the Gulf of Mexico. Banding sessions at the Fort Morgan Bird Banding Station are open to the general public. There is an admission fee to get into the fort, but the banding sessions are free.
Before you head down south, call the Alabama Gulf Coast Convention & Visitors Bureau for a copy of the Alabama Coastal Birding Trail brochure, a 51-page booklet, complete with maps and full-color photographs, that introduces visitors to the trail. The brochure gives directions to the area's most-frequented birding spots and lists the indigenous Alabama birds and migratory Neotropical songbirds that might be observed in the different habitats around the Gulf Coast.
by Stephanie Fekety
