Thanks for the aggregation! That appetizer pic reminds me of a birthday celebration a year or so ago at Oceanaire. If you like southern crawfish, get the dirty lobster - amazing.

I was thinking of just skipping Top 10 Tuesday this week

When pigs fly

OK, it fleetingly crossed my mind for one second. EL

Thanks for the aggregation!

That sounds like the worst birthday present ever.

Is it just me, or does the raw bar centerpiece in the picture look a little like something Charm City Cakes would make?

Just sayin.

Duff, are you listening?

This is going to be useful in the future- I get asked these questions all the time!

VoodooPork, I though you flew occasionally? When ticket prices are low enough, and all.

On a seafood related note, I was walking down N Charles in Mt. Vernon today and I believe I saw an open sign in front of what is supposed to be Joss Cafe & Sushi Bar. They have certainly been renovating the place forever so maybe they're finally done. I was on the opposite side of the street so I didn't get a good enough look to be 100% sure they're open but does anyone else know?

Lissa, Amanda does threaten to send me to the moon Ralph Kramden style occasionally. After last night's Pinot Grigio-inspired Feinian rant against gentle Lord Marmalade of Orange, I think I might have the blog upper hand once again (momentarily).

VDP, dude have I taught you nothing? You can't actually say you have the upper hand? Now you have no hand.

That "Marmalade of Orange" reference was tight. Sinn Féin comrade.

I went with a group of friends to McCormick's & Schmick's last summer and chose the seafood appetizer. It was a BIG pan of ice LOADED with steamed shrimp, mussels, little bowls of crab, mudbugs, and other goodies I can't remember. The server didn't mention that it was for two and cost $44, but it was SOO good! I couldn't eat it all, but did get to take the leftovers home to enjoy the next day.

Anyone have an opinion on the best oranges to use for making marmalade? I've heard Seville but was wondering if you could also use Valencia.

They aren't interchangeable. I've made a lot of marmalade in my day, and if you can't get Seville, the second best is wild oranges from Florida. (That's what my cousin called them.) They are very bitter, and bitter is what makes a great marmalade. IMHO. EL

Sweet jesus, joseph and mary... all this talk of hand is going to send Marmalade of Orange into a tizzy

Amanda was right on. I think she should get drunk more often.

VDP there is nothing gentle about Orange. You should know better. Next time we're over for grilled oysters you're going to get it. If you think Piinot-Grigio inspires rants, wait till you see the Makers effect. I'm going to bring my book about the H-block. And read extensively from it. And no one is eating anything until I'm done reading and we all pray for Bobby Sands and the other many martyrs.

And that means no snacking off the grill, I 've seen you do that and it won't happen next time until you repent and renounce.

Additionally, I shall recommend additional sactions to Amanda C to implement at her discretion.

Slow our roll BG. My comment about LM was extremely sarcastic. Have we ever served you Bushmill's? You know I respect that boundary. No Prot whiskey. I've known OM since we were 21, I know the rule.

I have no idea what H-Block means, but I'm sure you will tell us and I hope you and OM can come over for Memorial Day. I'm thinking of roasting a lamb this year, you should like that if you're a good Irish girl. Wink wink. [I have no idea how to do it but OM says his friend Rocco will get us one. I'm scared.] Anyway we love your passion, but I just don't know some of the history Piglet and Amandalet love your version of history so please bring it if you can. They love you.

Psst BG, the lovely Amanda was tipsy, never drunk on a weekday. The kids love to hear your stories and so do I. Maybe we should do the cookout on Sunday and you guys could stay overnight in the evil suburbs. Bring some Maker's Mark for when the spawn retire. We need some get down too! Nice to see you here. Don't be a stranger, strangress?

BG,
Bobby Sands, I forgot about him and his hunger strike. Lets hope the Troubles end soon and for good. By the way, I'm part Scot and Irish, if that is possible.

I went to high school with a guy named Bobby Sands. He looked like Ozzy Osbourne before the drugs did him in.

At no time was I ever drunk sweet radical Owl-loving BG;[I'm so happy to have you as part of the fam] I was simply inspired with the help of some delicious pinot grigio. But of course there are some things we keep in the family like the Easter slip and slide.

but
Honestly I have no idea what H Block means. Please bring my unruly step-brother whole-pain-in-the-butt owl to our place for some genuine social activity. I know you can make that happen. At least we can talk. There is no substitute for you in some ways. Hey, let's just get together and have fun. You have my permission to kick VDP's pork butt. I'm tired of doing it;

All joy to everyone for Memorial Day eventually,

Sorry BG, I just posted a comment as if everyone knows us, I kind of assume that people will figure out our familial connections, even though you are not yet officially in out family. Whatever, I still like you even if OM is a jerk sometimes. ( Love you OM!)

Ho-kay, I'm totally confused by the familial relations here (is OMG marrying into the family or a stepbrother?), but I have never forgotten Bobby Sands. Didn't someone make a movie about the hunger strikes not so long ago?

Back to marmalade--a friend made some delicious grapefruit marmalade last year and was kind enough to share.

VoodooPork -- for more information on the H-Blocks (a/k/a Long Kesh, The Maze, or HM Prison Maze), see this Wikipedia entry.

oops. TMI. "fam" was not meant to be literal. Don't freak out on me