Darlings I should warn you - eating with me can be an adventure, because for many years the buds that live on the pink slab in my mouth lacked a sense of…adventure. In my formative years I was wafer thin and many nights with concern for my well being my mother would be found in the kitchen after our dinner had been served, making up another dish - that I would eat.

A few years ago I listed some of the new things I’d introduced to my feeding habits (part 1) (part 2), today I’ll list the items I can’t eat. Codie has the list on the back of a napkin in original form as documented over dinner last week.

Cucumbers, tomatoes and peppers make my heart hurt and my stomach turn.

Strawberries and “fruit at the bottom” yogurts make me gag. A neat party trick, and one I reserve for special occasions.

I’ve O.D.’d on egg rolls and shrimp, the sight/smell of either of those items nauseates me.

The hair you can see in mushrooms ensures I will never eat one.

What can I say? I’m Irish. I like meat and potatoes, I like salami and cheese sandwiches on white bread. I like milk with my meals and bacon dragged through maple syrup. Mmmmmm.

I’m hungry.

Wheatgrass BEFORE food/smoothie = bad

Nothing worse than wheatgrass induced heartburn. I’m in hell. Sadly, I already knew this. Maybe it’s time for a tatoo.

Sunday is Scrabble night and the girls are debating dinner, best line from the thread.

—–Original Message—–

From: Stacey
Sent: Thursday, January 20, 2005 10:20 AM
To: Maigh; Dejie
Subject:RE: Scrabble is on

Green peppers make you stupid. It’s a proven fact. Except when in general tso’s chicken.

Posting this early in honor of the fact that by the post time [shown] I’ll actually be on the way to the dentist to have my fangs sharpened and shined.

The holiday spirit is sneaking up on me in the form of a massive sugar high. Taaaaaaaaaaaasty treats, and a recipe (via Amy) so simple even I can make them.

1 stick butter
1 c graham cracker crumbs
1 c chocolate chips
1 c butterscotch chips
1 c flaked coconut
1 c evaporated milk
1 c chopped pecans

- Preheat oven to 350.
- Melt margarine, mix with graham crackers and spread in 9 x 12 pan
- Add a layer of chocolate chips, butterscotch chips and coconut
- Cover with milk, then (optional) nuts
- Bake 30 minutes
- When cool, cut in squares

This, my first entry of 2004, begins with additions to the “new foods in Maigh’s repertoire”.

I failed to list the following in my last entry:

BBQ
Yes, it’s true. After a few unfortunate cartilage incidents shortly after moving to the ATL I swore off BBQ. I have since given it another whirl and found that the pulled pork sandwich at Smokey Bones is without mystery bits and is actually pretty tasty.

Cole Slaw
Tried this for the first time over Thanksgiving and was pleasantly surprised. A nice accompaniment to BBQ.

Blue Cheese
The introduction is a little blurry. What’s important is that I will no longer avoid it as though it’s something that might cost me my life if ingested.

Something Thai
I just barely slipped this one in before the clock turned. Coconut soup and something that I think was called Gang Huang? Not sure about that one, but it sho’ was tasty!

What to expect in 2004.
If I don’t come visit you in the next 12 months, it’s nothing personal. My life focus this year (including travel plans) is on me. Sorry. This will likely result in a number of very possibly deserved guilt trips, but just the same…life is short. Don’t waste your energy worrying about me, spend it on yourself. I plan to do the same.

Nothin’ but love…Happy New Year!

This will be my last entry of the year.

I’m going to take this time to reflect on the new foods I tried this year and actually liked. If you know me, you know that getting me to try anything new is nothing short a miracle. Getting me to try a new food is an ACTUAL miracle. Since this is the season of such events…I share with you the new foods in my repertoire (as it were):

Sushi
This is the most exciting of the additions, since Gaea tried to get me to eat it about 15 years ago and I swore I’d never try again.

Wings
Holy mackanoili do I love these things. Only from Locos, only medium with extra sauce and ranch. But still…

Grits
I actually had these for the first time on Wednesday. From what I understand grits are like tofu, and these were pretty cheesy. I love cheese.

Red Wine
Not technically a food but can be a meal substitute. Avoided since 1989, reintroduced in Vail.

Ok, that’s it. I’m going now. No, really. I mean it. Ok maybe I’ll be lurking. You just never know. Either way, safe and happy holidays. I’ll see ya next year.