The Muffuletta

Our first encounter with a muffuletta sandwich was in New Orleans more than twenty five years ago. We were sitting on the second story porch encased in the regional black metal decor in the middle of the French Quarter for lunch. On the advice of a colleague we had already tried a Po Boy at Mama's, and were now on our own. Perhaps on the advice of the waiter we tried our first muffuletta - and it was a great choice. When we returned to Milwaukee, it became a weekly habit to make our version of it. That lasted for quite some time until we grew tired of it and moved on to some other flavor of the day. For whatever reason, last week I was reminded of this tasty meal. So we headed to Safeway in McLean and scooped up the  familiar ingredients - ham, salami, black olives, provolone cheese, Italian oil with herbs, and some really nice bread. We made the sandwich for dinner along with some jalapeño chips and a salad. We decided that two large "subs" were a bit too much and the next time we would make just one and cut it in half. There are a million ways to make these things, but it was a fun reminder of our travels, and that for whatever reason some things come and go based on boredom and reignited interest. I'm glad we remembered this one. It's easy and hits the spot. 

Container Store, PetSmart, and Safeway - then to the Capitol

Since yesterday was rather stormy we were not able to get all our errands done. And since the last several weeks have been too cold and snowy, we put it off longer than intended. Not that any of this was an emergency, but it gave us some thing to do to enjoy the very pleasant weather that finally arrived and explore some parts of town we haven't seen for a while. After breakfast at our usual place in McLean - where Calllista Gingrich was sitting in the booth behind us - we crossed the street to the Safeway to pick up some great Driscoll strawberries, artichokes that go well with wine, ham, and bread. Then we headed down Dolley Madison Boulevard to Vienna to get a container and a soap dispenser at the Container Store on Leesburg Pike. We haven't been this way since before the new metro was built. It has changed dramatically with an above ground system that is supposed to open soon. Then we headed back to PetSmart to get Moby Dick a fresh plant. I remember well the days of heading to PetSmart for huge bags of dog food for our Borzoi when we lived in Milwaukee. We sure miss her! When we got home we took a walk around the Capitol. Whenever we visit the outskirts of the city there are less potholes and things in general look a little more modern and better kept up. But you can't walk around the Capitol there or walk to work. We can't decide which one is more important.