Shopping Around the World

Hello friends!!

For February’s Shopping Around the World, we want a drink and snack food that you love.  Recipes, pictures are awesome and prices to be posted on:

---

Doesn’t that picture look awesome just by itself?  Mom has tried to eat better at home.  Once she would have snacked on chips, pretzels or chocolate.  Not these days.  Don’t get me wrong though.  She still keeps a chocolate drawer in the refrigerator – sshh don’t tell anyone.  But these days, she tries to keep better snacks at and about.  Usually on the weekends, she puts together a snack tray that can be easily attainable at night for her and dad.  It includes wheat crackers, apple slices, cheeses of different kinds, sometimes she throws in green olives with pimentos and pickle spears.  That way when the munchie monster hits, she can grab things that might be a little bit better for her and dad then the so called ‘junk’ food of the past.  What does this cost?  Let’s break it down.

⋅ One box of Wheat Ritz crackers (on sale $2.50 for the box)

⋅ Three apples of any kind (on sale 3 for a $1.00)

⋅ Assortment of cheese cut however you want (Colby, Cheddar and Provolone packs at $1.99 each pack)

⋅ One jar of pickles ($2.49)

⋅ One jar of green olives ($3.49)

That totals $15.45 for all of these goodies; however, they last between 2-3 weeks for everything.  It depends on how much snacking you are doing – LOL.  Now mom will fix everything in a special container she has that has lots of individual holes that is perfect to put cut up apples, pickles, olives and your cheeses.  She keeps the crackers on the kitchen island to add to her snack whenever she needs it.  And mom says sometimes when the midnight munchie monster hits, its perfect to fix a cheese cracker and go back to bed.  Go figure huh?

But wait a minute.  This month is snack and drink month.  What does mom drink with her snack?  If it’s an after dinner/pre-bed snack, you may find mom eating a little variety platter with a glass of  Primo Amore Moscato.  Mom found this wine at our local Olive Garden and fell in love with it!  It has a little bit of bubbles in it with a sweet taste.  It goes great with her snack tray.  Mom found the she can buy this brand at our local market for around $16.00 a bottle.  Again, this bottle can last an entire week since she is the only that drinks alcohol here at the Hotel Thompson and she only has one glass at a time, when she has it.  Mom highly recommends this wine though so if you find it in your market, try it and tell us what you think.

 

Shopping Around the World

Oinks and snorts sweet friends.

This month my cousin Teddy is hosting Shopping Around the World for me.  (You might want to make a note now that cousin Teddy will also be hosting for me next month as well.)   Thank you so much cousin Teddy – we really appreciate the help here during these hectic times at the Hotel Thompson.

This month the assignment was favorite snacks.  Now mom has been enjoying a favorite snack that she kind of whipped up (literally) that she can’t get enough of at work.  She says that sometimes she needs the extra caffeine.  Rolls my piggy eyes.  I guess since she has given up sodas she has to make it up somehow huh?  I hope you enjoy her snack my friends.  It seems mom proof which means it might be a little easy – I hope.

First you need some ingredients:  Creamer.  Mom loves the Almond Joy creamer – but any kind will do.  This entire bottle was $2.50 and it lasts mom for almost three weeks.  That averages to about $0.12 a cup for creamer.  Two packs of Splenda.  A box of 100 cost $3.00 therefore that is $0.03 per packet.  12 ice cubes – free YAY.  1 cup of cold coffee.  Mom paid $6.00 for a container of coffee that makes something like 32 pots of coffee which calculates to $0.19 a pot.

Total cost for mom’s treat is less than $0.50 – what a steal for a cup of instant energy.

Now how does she make this wonder?  Put all ingredients into a blender.  Make sure blender is plugged in (mom has forgotten that important step in the past – snorts) and push blend button for smoothie.  There you go bend and then pour into a cup.  Add straw and enjoy your moment in the afternoon… or morning… or evening… or in the middle of the night.  Mom makes this snack all of the time now.

 

Dear Bacon

Dear Panchetta,
I am an artist!  Do not think twice of me on my drinking.  It inspires my inner soul.  I would like to paint you – all of you since you are a plus size piggy.  Would you pose for me?  Signed Raphael Chickatello

Dear Raphael Chickatello,

WOW – I am honored… I think.  I really don’t think that I am old enough to pose in any of your paintings.  I think you should move on to maybe cows.  That’s it – cows.  I think cows should be your muse.  They are so much more to work with than just me… a little pig.  Carry on my friend and paint to your hearts content.

 

---

Dear Bacon,
Insert spy music.  The humans think they are so smart in putting out these ‘traps’.  They hurt!  But never fear, this is how we really get the cheese without setting them off.  Now you know our secrets!  Signed Top Mouse

Dear Top Mouse,

I love that move!  I wonder if there is enough wire to suspend me over something delicious.  It looks like a hoot!  You definitely have the moves my friend.  Keep it up my secret friend!

---

Dear Bacon,
I read about you watching television all of the time. I love to watch my shows too – especially the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. They fascinate me for some reason. Do you like them? Signed Raffie

Dear Raffie,
I just can’t understand why you would like the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. . I mean really, they’re turtles. It blows my mind to figure that one out. And yes, I do like to watch the show as well my friend.

 

---

Dear Bacon,

Just the facts little guy.  Nothing but the facts.  We’ve been watching too many repeats of the movies Men in Black.  Don’t ask me which is which.  We just like to dress like Kay and Jay.  You know, just for fun and giggles.  The neighborhood doesn’t know how to act when we roll into it – bark.  What do you think?  Do you like to dress up like any of your favorite guys?  Signed Kay/Jay

Dear Kay and Jay,

Oh dudes – I love the look!  That is so neat.  I’ve seen those movies and ya’ll kind of look just like the two.  I think it’s the ties and sunglasses.  I would love to roam around in my costume too.  I secretly want to be a piggy super hero.  I keep asking mom to make me a cape.  I know with a cape, this little piggy would have special powers and be able to fly.  Stay cool barky things!

---

❤ Remember friends – Dear Bacon can’t happen without YOU.  Please continue to email me your letters/pictures ❤

 

Dear Bacon

Dear Bacon – I’m a firm believer that you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover.  My mom/dad always said to make sure you can have fun but yet bring home the kibbles if you know what I mean.  So by day, I help my adopted father in his accounting firm.  Don’t let it fool you.  I have the brain of Einstein and can figure numbers in the blink of an eye and the wag of a tail.  Then at night, I trade my suit for a board and hit the streets of my hood.  See, I can do both and I think I have some great qualities for a woman in my life.  What do you think?  Signed Two For One

Dear Two For One – BONUS!  There you go my friend.  I think that is awesome that you make a living, can bring home the kibble and still know how to have a great time.  I think any woman would be honored to have you in their life for sure!

---

 Dear Bacon – Shaking my head.  I don’t get it.  People point and laugh at me.  Some even call me a rolling ball with fur.  How rude.  I’m just a little squirrel trying to get along in a big world.  Should my feelings be hurt?  Signed Pudge

Dear Pudge – First off – YES.  This kind of behavior happens in the real world of adults as well my little friend.  Some peeps just don’t have the knack of keeping their mouths shut if they don’t have something nice to say.  You so don’t need to put up with this behavior.  There is  no room for bullying in this world!  You are welcomed to move into the woods of the Hotel Thompson any time.  We like to treat everyone the same here.

 

---

Dear Bacon – There is *always* that one sibling in the family that is just stupid – there’s no other way of putting it.  We were sitting in the kitchen, acting like we had no worries in the world, not begging but yet letting the staff know we were there and waiting patiently for a snack of some type.  That’s when brother has to sit up and look stupid.  Okay, he doesn’t have to look stupid cause he is stupid.  But really.  He has to stick his tongue out and act all, “Give me…give me…give me”.  Really, rolls doggy eyes, his class is so out the window.  Do you have a wierdo in your family?  Signed Lewis, Brutus and Stupid

Dear Lewis, Brutus and Stupid – Oh do I!  OMP – I like to call him Hemi.  He’s the cat from you know where here at the Hotel Thompson.  He’s daddy’s little baby and does no wrong.  Yeah right.  He does no wrong because daddy never sees him doing anything bad.  I know exactly the feeling.  I say keep your hide high and use the mute button as much as you can with your brother to block him out.  That’s what I do here – I act like Hemi doesn’t exist… yet he still finds time to remind me by slapping my butt.

 

---

Dear Bacon – Sometimes one has to take steps into their own paws.  My human just couldn’t find the time to make me some biscuits.  But that’s okay.  I find the recipe and took matters into my own paws.  I think they turned out pretty well myself.  If you want, I’ll send you the recipe.  I’m sure they are piggy friendly as well.  Smooches – Mrs. Polly

Dear Mrs Polly – I think that is brilliant.  Why wait for the humans when we don’t have too.  I think that would be great to do.  But hey, why don’t you just come over and use my kitchen to show me how to make them.  The humans are gone in the afternoons – hogs and snout kisses.

 

 

---

Dear Bacon – During a tough week, when Friday night gets here you just want to crash and burn.  It was one of those tough weeks for me.  Too many brushes with the mailman, the UPS driver that got away and too many days of chasing that cute little cat next door.  Friday night, I crashed.  Of course, that was after my bender of my go to food selection to make me feel better.  Coke and a Big Mac.  Can you say yum-yum?  So my friend, do you ever crash and burn?  Signed The Pupster

Dear The Pupster – YES!  I have crashed and burned many times.  In fact, once my week was so bad that I brought the entire bucket of animal crackers in my bedroom and munched into oblivion.  The tummy ache later that night was so worth it.  I do feel you my friend.  Hope your day is better.

---

❤ Remember friends – Dear Bacon can’t happen without YOU.  Please continue to email me your pictures and letters.  ❤

 

Dear Bacon

Dear Bacon – Do you need a kiss?  Cause I’m here for YOU my sexy little piggy.  When my human asked me what I wanted to be this year for Halloween, I knew.  A kiss just for YOU.  You help all of these people in the world and I want to help you.  What do you say?  You wanna dress up with me?  Signed Chocolate Kisses

Dear Chocolate Kisses – What can I say?  That’s a proposition that I just can’t turn down.  And why would I, right?  So I tell you what I’m going to do.  I’m going to get mommy to dress me up as a giant peanut butter cup … cause you know chocolate and peanut butter go together, right?  I’ll keep you posted on my outfit okay.  Until then, Happy Halloween.

♥

---

Dear Bacon – Why do humans want to dress us anipals up this time of the year?  Can you answer that for me please.  I mean I get it that they want to dress up, go door to door and have parties.  But, why us anipals?  Why do we have to get pulled in to their hysteria?  Let us stay at home alone and do our thing.  Cause what the humans don’t understand it that we will party our own way, am I right?  Signed Ted in Disguise

Dear Ted in Disguise – AMEN!  You said it perfectly.  Yes I agree that the humans don’t understand that we will celebrate this Halloween holiday in our own right.  Let them go out and do their thing – we will do our thing.  Take for instance me.  This little oinker has worked all month long on my 31 Days of Spook.  By Halloween, I’m going to be exhausted and barely moving.  When the humans go out for the night, I’m hitting the big bed, turning on the big television, setting the Select Comfort to around 65 and that’s where you will find me snoozing and snoring.  Is it Halloween yet?  Have fun on your night my friend.  And let me tell you something – I think you are dressed up enough with those glasses.  I love them!

---

Dear Bacon – Help!?  My humans they watch Star Wars way too much.  This is how they are dressing me up for Halloween.  Lord help me.  One of my humans will be Darth Vader and the other Luke Skywalker.  Then there’s me in the middle.  The nerve of them to make me go out in this attire!  Signed Princess Leia

Dear Princess Leia – I got a couple of things to say my dear.  First – hubba hubba.  I love that outfit on you – you are gorgeous.  I’m sure the real Princess Leia is full of envy with the way you wear that hair.  Second up – you have to admit that the costumes will be original and that’s awesome.  Just think you will stand out among your peers.  Everyone will want to be you.  And you know for doing this, you will probably get extra treats.  I say wear it with style and look on the bright side you gorgeous babe!

---

Dear Bacon – The humans left the house – check.  Got my bath in – check.  Got my robe on – check.  Got my snacks – check.  Got the remote – check.  There I was preparing to watch my show on television, America’s Top Bitches, then it happened. The humans came back home early.  What the cream cheese?!  What did they expect I was going to do while they were out – lay on the floor and take a nap?  Signed Comfy

Dear Comfy – I’m with you on that one my friend.  If my humans came home during my show, they would just have to pull up, sit down and shut up until the show was done.  I mean we are talking priorities here.

---

Due to Halloween, we are repeating some of our more hilarious letters.  Hope you enjoy my sweet friends ❤

 

Shopping Around the World

 This month we are posting anything we want to share that you cook, prepare, fix or throw together at your crib.  It can be anything.  So knowing this, we want to share something that we absolutely love here at the Hotel Thompson.  You here a lot of flack about one of the ingredients but to be a true southerner, you love it.  And since some of the ingredients are shall we say  pig related – this is Bacon’s mom taking over the posting today.

For those cool mornings or nights that you don’t feel like cooking much – we fix a big pot of southern cheese and sausage grits.  Yep, you heard it – grits.  Grits are a southern love.  They are made from ground hominy.  And in this picture, we went to our local Waffle House one night for dinner.

Grits are very cheap here.  You can buy a 2 pound bag at most markets for around $3.00 – and trust me, they go a long ways (probably less than $0.50 a meal).  Now here at the Hotel Thompson, we put about three cups of water in a pot and put it on the stove medium high.  Season with salt and add one cup of grits.  You are going to let the water boil and the grits cook for about 20-30 minutes.  Make sure that you stir occasionally – grits will stick and expand.

While the grits are cooking, go ahead and fry up some sausages in a pan.  I make sausage patties and cook them on a skillet beside my grits so I’m constantly watching.  I buy a pack of 12 sausages and cook them for the entire week.  One pack is $4.00 – we use about 6 patties with the grits.

When your grits are about done, add 1/2 stick of butter (around $0.30), more salt to taste and black pepper.  Now add grated cheddar cheese (we buy blocks and rate our own (around $0.50) to your grits and stir everything together to melt the cheese.  Your sausage should just about be done.  Cut the sausage up into bite size pieces and add to your grits, stir everything together and there you go – a southern delight for sure!

And the bottom price with everything – around $3.50

 

Shopping Around the World – Mark Your Calendar

– My Apologies for the Late Notice My Friends – 

         

I’m so sorry my friends for the late notice.  I’ve been so busy trying to keep mom current on so many things that I almost forgot about my shopping post.  I do know that this is short notice so I’m going to make it really easy for you.  This month post anything that you want to share that you cook, prepare, fix or throw together at your crib.  It can be anything.  Just remember pictures and prices.  Again I’m so sorry for the late notice.

 

Come join the fun of Shopping Around the World – mark your calendars – Wednesday, June 29th, 2016.

 

Shopping Around the World

Welcome my friends to another edition of Shopping Around the World recipes!

This month we are opening the floor for you.  You can post ANYTHING (desserts, appetizers, snacks, entrees) that you want to share.  Just remember pictures and prices.  So what will you post my friends?  We can’t wait to see.

Now with mom/dad, sometimes the best thing they crave is a good old fashioned hamburger with french fries.  Doesn’t that sound yummy?  And mom does them in an unique way.  So, let me present Mom’s Hamburgers and Fries.

Ingredients:

Buns – we get a package of 8 for $1.00 = that makes each bun only 0.13 each.

Hamburger Meat – Mom gets a package of ground sirloin that costs around $6.50 a package.  Now one package will make 4 burgers = that’s only $1.63 per burger.

1 Tomato (which is optional).  We got big beef steak tomatoes on sale for $0.99 a pound.  One tomato costs us $1.28 and you only need one slice of the tomato per burger so the rest goes into a salad for the next day 🙂  So somewhere in the neighborhood of $0.21 per slice.

An egg.  Yep, you heard it.  1 egg for each burger.  Eggs costs $2.00 for a dozen = $0.17 each.

A baking potato because they are huge = $0.59 for one.

Now – the total price per Mom’s hamburger is around $2.75 – take that Mickey D’s restaurant.  I’m not posting all of the condiment prices because that can vary.

How to Prepare:

Mom works on the potato first to get it started  She cuts the potato in very thin slices and places in a bowl.  She then salts them rather well and starts her fry daddy oil.  Once the oil is hot, she drops the french fries into the oil to cook.  Depending on how brown/crispy you want your fries, depends on the cooking time.  Just watch them so they don’t burn.

During the cooking of your fries, plop your hamburger meat out into a bowl.  Season your meat – salt, pepper, anything you normally use.  Sometimes mom puts some Worcestershire sauce in it as well.  With your fingers, gently mix it together – but don’t overwork.  Once mixed, kind of flatten against the bottom of the bowl and with your hand make a cross sign – that way you are separating the meat into hopefully four even hamburger patties.  Get your pan (preferably an iron skillet because hey we are in the south-LOL) hot and add just a little bit of oil to cover the bottom.  Also during this time, turn your stove on around 300-350 degrees.

As your pan is warming up, take one section of your hamburger meat.  This is the time if you want to add cheese inside of your burger you would do it here.  What do I mean?  Well sometimes mom will cut a piece of cheddar cheese and then wrap the hamburger meat around the cheddar cheese covering it.  Just be careful after you cook it and bite into the burger because it will be H.O.T.  However you do it though, patty your hamburger out and make a small dimple in the middle.  Put aside and do the rest of your burgers.

Once the pan is hot, put the burgers in the pan to cook.  We prefer around medium but some like it more cooked – your choice.  While that is cooking, take your buns and put them on a cookie tray.  Butter them lightly and stick them in the oven to toast – be careful not to burn your buns.

Once the buns are done, take them out and put what condiments you want on your burger.  Once the burgers are done in the pan, take them off the burner and let them sit for a few minutes.  After they have rested a bit, build your burger.

 

Shopping Around the World – REMINDER

Thanks to everyone for another great edition of Shopping Around the World last month.  It’s so awesome to see the various prices around the world – and the pictures with recipes!

Me and my pal Fozzie will be holding another Shopping Around the World scheduled for  Wednesday, May 25, 2016.  Do a posting on your blog linked back to mine.  That way we can keep track of all of the different prices and recipes.

This month we are opening the floor for you.  You can post ANYTHING (desserts, appetizers, snacks, entrees) that you want to share.  Just remember pictures and prices.  So what will you post my friends?  We can’t wait to see.

Please share this posting with your friends – the more the merrier.  Come join the fun of Shopping Around the World – mark your calendars – Wednesday, May 25th!

 

Shopping Around the World – MARK YOUR CALENDARS

Thanks to everyone for another great edition of Shopping Around the World last month.  It’s so awesome to see the various prices around the world – and the pictures with recipes!

Me and my pal Fozzie will be holding another Shopping Around the World scheduled for  Wednesday, May 25, 2016.  Do a posting on your blog linked back to mine.  That way we can keep track of all of the different prices and recipes.

This month we are opening the floor for you.  You can post ANYTHING (desserts, appetizers, snacks, entrees) that you want to share.  Just remember pictures and prices.  So what will you post my friends?  We can’t wait to see.

Please share this posting with your friends – the more the merrier.  Come join the fun of Shopping Around the World – mark your calendars – Wednesday, May 25th!