A Trip to Annapolis Valley & Oh Yes, Presto Pasta Night

We've started our long weekend early (I think today is the only sunny day forecasted for the weekend) and it is quite sunny here in the Annapolis Valley. Lunch in Wolfville on the terrace of Rosie's was very tasty mussels (what you see is only half the bowlful) and a big plate of sweet potato fries served with pineapple curry mayo, peeking out behind it.

We're staying at The Evangeline Inn in Grand Pre and what you see from our doorway is fertile cornfields big enough to hide the wonderful Domaine de Grand Pre Winery and restaurant.

But enough about me....a giant thanks to Amy of Very Culinary for hosting this week's Presto Pasta Night Roundup. And kudos to all you phenomenal PPNers for sharing such a fantastic bunch of entries.

I'm hosting next week, so send me your latest, greatest, most favorite pastas - just email ruth (at) 4everykitchen (dot) com

Have a super weekend everyone!

One More Reason to Love Jamie Oliver

As if Jamie Oliver hasn't done enough to impress me...."dead easy recipes" (a Jamie expression I love), more energy than the Energizer Bunny, a brilliant foundation (Fifteen) to give disenfranchised youth a new start, school dinner programs to educate kids and their parents about eating healthier, a whack of fantastic cookbooks (I personally own three - Jamie's Italy, Jamie's Dinners and Cook with Jamie and have the rest on my wish list), his gorgeous line of kitchenware....
But we're talking about Jamie Oliver here, not some mere mortal...you HAVE to check out his latest endeavor...Jamie's Ministry of Food. Obviously the book, Jamie's Ministry of Food: Anyone Can Learn to Cook in 24 Hours is at the top of my wish list, but it's the web site and its premise that really impress me.

Not only are there fabulous and fantastically easy recipes. I clicked on this Salmon Tikka with Yoghurt Sauce and discovered his latest brilliant scheme to get us all (from great cooks to fearful novices) happily cooking up great dishes and sharing them with our own friends. Sort of a "play it forward" happening. With video podcasts that you can download for FREE from iTunes (so far there are 10!), the idea is to make the dish and then pass it on to people who you think would like it.

As Jamie, himself would say....BRILLIANT!!! So what are you waiting for...check it out. Oh...and I've finally written about my favorite Jamie Oliver books (Cook with Jamie and Jamie's Italy and Jamie's Dinners) at least my favorite SO FAR!

Eating Real, Eating Local

Earlier this week I mentioned a very cool event. It's the Eat Real Eat Local Project great charity event . Hellmann's will be increasing their donation made to Evergreen to one dollar each time someone tags their tips with the term #realfood and tweets #realfood on Twitter. This is part of a Summer-long initiative seeing twenty-five cents donated to Evergreen for every use of #realfood (up to a maximum of $25,000 before September 30th). Check it out and do your part. It only takes a second and a great many Evergreen projects will thank you.

And the salad...is truly fresh, truly local, truly delicious. The spicy mixed greens come from the certified organic Waldegrave Farm. The fennel root and cutest carrots are from Hutton Family Farm. The salmon from Mike's Fish Shop. The fresh herbs - mint, oregano, parsley and cilantro came from Elmridge Farm and the tomatoes are from Anna & Ben's stall at the Dartmouth Market. I did buy the cucumber at one of the grocery stores in town, but it does come from somewhere in Canada. Local markets represented: 3 - Halifax Farmers Market, Dartmouth Farmer's Market and Partners in Care at the QEII hospital grounds.

So what are you waiting for....support your local producers, check out this site (even if you're not Canadian), eat at restaurants that favor local farmers and let your grocers know you want more local foods on their shelves.

An Ice Cream Dilemma

Back in early June, it was hot - finally, but oh so short lived - and my Honey and I decided that we should have some ice cream in the house. So we went to our neighborhood grocery store and had the debate over which ice cream to choose.
The Breyers Double Churn - as if regular ice cream wasn't rich enough, caught our attention. My Honey always goes for chocolate, so it was no surprise that he wanted the Dark Chocolate Velvet. I'm a vanilla girl, and so....we took them both home. And they were delicious! Rich, creamy, flavorful...what more could a person want.

So you can imagine how excited I was when I was approached to sample Breyers latest and couldn't wait for the package (above) to arrive. Check out the cute bowls and spoons (for sharing). And then we went to Montreal & Toronto and came back in desperate need of South Beach Dieting. So the box, the bowls and the coupons have been sitting on our table, waiting...waiting...waiting.

Now, it's apparently not part of the real campaign, where you can win prizes,...
...but these bars are double churned, extra creamy and wonderful none the less and only 70 calories per bar with NO sugar for us SBDieters. That said, I think this weekend, we'll be doing a "Cheat Night" and guess what's for dessert!

Kohlrabi Radish Slaw & Salmon Fresh From the Market

Everyone knows that for more cost effective grocery shopping, we should all use a list...make up our weekly menus before we go, check for missing items and MAKE A LIST.

I, of course, rarely do that...especially when I go to the Saturday Farmers Market. After all, the whole idea is to be inspired by what just came off the farm. That said, I had recently seen a recipe for kohlrabi and radishes, neither of which I've eaten since I was much younger. Kohlrabi was enjoyed at the home of one of my best friends. Her German heritage often called me to their table (especially the schnitzels) and kohlrabi was used often, and, even though they were so exotic and cool looking to me, they weren't really my favorite, so I never did get any recipes.

Radishes, on the other hand, were my father's favorite part of a salad. We (the kids) didn't appreciate their peppery flavor and juicy crunch back then, so we'd pick out the ones on our plates and hand them over to him. And to be honest, they're still not on the top of my list today either. That said, occasionally, in his honor, I will munch on one or two.

So when I saw this Kohlrabi & Radish Slaw in ...(more about that in a minute), and since they were so gorgeous in all their purple and fuchsia glory at the market, I knew I had to find the perfect accompaniment...and the salmon fillets at Mike's Fish Shop were so plump and....well...salmony, it was a simple choice to make.

I hurried home to discover that ...well...with all the magazines I'd been looking through lately, I couldn't find the one it came from. Finally...after about an hour of rereading my stash of cooking magazines....I know - what a chore! There it was in Fine Cooking Magazine, June/July 2009 and may I thank my girls again for a fantastic birthday present that keeps on giving...a subscription!

But seriously...what's your market strategy?

And two things to remember ...eating local is the best way to go and support your local producers....you're the winner in the end!

Oh...and...the Eat Real Eat Local Project great charity event this Wednesday, July 29th. Hellmann's will be increasing the donation made to Evergreen to one dollar each time someone tags their tips with the term #realfood. This is part of a Summer-long initiative seeing twenty-five cents donated to Evergreen for every use of #realfood (up to a maximum of $25,000 before September 30th). Check it out and do your part.

Summer Must Be Here - Awesome Market Score

True...it's been a cool, damp, dreary, foggy, rainy ....(you get the message) summer, so far out here in Nova Scotia. But you'd never know it at the market. I guess all the fruit and veggies love the weather.

I had every intention of driving out to Wolfville for their farmers market, which is lovely any day, but I'm sure is over the top wonderful today. In celebration of Mud Creek Day and Wolfville's 114th birthday, 20 valley chefs will be cooking up a storm using valley fresh ingredients. What can I say...it's rainy and dreary, so we're staying in town.

Naturally I had to head over to the Halifax Farmers Market and I thought I'd take you on a partial tour.

Normally, I like to do a quick "go-round" to all the vendors to see who has what and then go back and do my real shopping. But I've learned over time, that sometimes, what I'm craving is gone by the time I'm done browsing.
So.... I quickly bought some gorgeous blueberries - wild and tame from Foster Farm. Their first crop of strawberries were already gone, and the last box of the raspberries was swooped up even before I could take this blurry photo.
Cherries and raspberries are out at a few vendors including these beauties from Noggin Corner Farms. Having some that I picked up yesterday at the Partners in Care market, these just had their picture taken.
And what is a trip to the market without picking up some fresh and fabulous things from the sea at Mike's Fish Shop. This time around...thick, gorgeous salmon fillets, perfect for grilling and Digby scallops - nothing better.
Around the corner and down the hall...is one of the most popular stands...they won Coast Magazine's Readers' Award for best stall at the Halifax Farmers' Market. Ted Hutton and the gang bring the most beautiful produce every week. I bought the most aromatic fennel root with tons of wispy, feathery leaves that I'll be using on the salmon. Aren't those purple spring onions (they're sort of hidden behind the radishes) too cute for words?
These gorgeous kohlrabi and the radishes above are for the slaw recipe I saw in a recent magazine that, naturally I can't find so I will spend the dreary afternoon watching a movie and flipping obsessively through every one until I find it...but I digress.
These beauties are fresh shitake mushrooms, although they remind me more of porcini, but what do I know...
Well, I do know that they will be awesome with these local cremini mushrooms in a frittata I'm planning for brunch.
Note to self: save some mushrooms for these strip loin steak medallions from VanOostrum Farms naturally raised, grass & grain fed beef.

And I did pick up some wonderful spicy mixed greens and cilantro from the certified organic Waldegrave Farm. And check out this very awesome "Summer Free School" program.

And speaking of wonderful programs to support local producers and educate the rest of us about how awesome buying locally grown produce, meat, fish and chicken really is....

The Hellmann's sponsored Eat Real Eat Local Project is having a great charity event. On Wednesday, July 29th, they will be increasing the donation made to Evergreen to one dollar each time someone tags their tips with the term #realfood. This is part of a Summer-long initiative seeing twenty-five cents donated to Evergreen for every use of #realfood (up to a maximum of $25,000 before September 30th).
Obviously I was starving by the time I got home. The Savory Chicken & Mushroom Frittata was made with organic free range eggs I picked up at yesterday's market adventure and the local free range chicken I roasted on Thursday.

And I thought I'd leave you with a little bowl of thick yoghurt and fresh blueberries topped with a little drizzle of local honey.

The Latest Presto Pasta Night is Awesome

I say this every week, I know, but really...the Presto Pasta Night Roundup is ready and amazing!

Pam of Sidewalk Shoes did a terrific job of rounding up some fantastic dishes for this week's Presto Pasta Night. And thanks all for sending in those unbelievable dishes.

It never ceases to amaze and delight me...just when you think it's impossible to come up with something new and different...there's PPN to show us that there's ALWAYS something new somewhere!

Next week's wonderful host is Amy of the very tasty Very Culinary. You still have some time to think about what you want to make for her. Just email it to amy (at) veryculinary (dot) com and cc me at ruth (at) 4everykitchen (dot) com.

Guidelines to share your pasta dishes.

And if you'd like to host a Presto Pasta Night Roundup yourself, just send me an email. October and beyond are wide open. What are you waiting for...it's great fun and a fabulous way to get introduced to other awesome bloggers.

Thanks again, everyone for a truly wonderful roundup this week. Couldn't do it without you all!

A Suitcase Full of PC Goodies

First let me start by saying that I get many offers of products and books to review here. And that's wonderful. Who doesn't love to try new things (or get samples your favorite things, for that matter). Sometimes, I accept, sometimes I don't. My own "rule": I'll only write about it if I love it.

Now, while it's true, I love to "start from scratch" most of the time, it's nice occasionally to have somethings on hand for those - last minute visitors...or days when I'm too frazzled/rushed/sickly/tired...well you get the picture. It's always nice to have something on hand to help out. And I do love to incorporate some "ready made" sauces into the mix.

There are lots of stores out there that now have their own brand and the one I like to turn to is President's Choice of Loblaws and Atlantic Superstores. This year PC is celebrating its 25th year -WOW!

In fact I've been a fan of theirs since they began creating taste sensations from around the world. I even have two of their cookbooks The President's Choice Barbecue Cookbook 150 Great Tastes of Summer and Dave Nichol Cookbook which I bought back in the early and mid '90s.

So you see, it was very easy for me to say "YES!" to the sample of President's Choice 1000 Tastes of Canada. The PC Memories of Szechwan Spicy Peanut Satay Sauce (they even have a light version now) and Hong Kong Spicy Black Bean & Garlic Sauce have been a staple for years, and their newest olive oils from Spain, Greece and Italy - each with their subtle but unique tastes, well - I love them all. I could go on, but you get the idea.

Now being on South Beach Diet, means I had to share my package with my kids...the Barbecue Baby Back Ribs chips and peanut butter cookies (both kosher) made their way to camp and Indian Butter Chicken Cooking Sauce will be saved until they get back to camp and I'll make us their favorite - Butter Chicken to be served with PC Indian Naan Flatbreads (I can even find whole grain!). That said, a little Tzatziki Yoghurt Dressing was a perfect accompaniment to my chunky salad.

Check out their site for all the fantastic recipes, like Butter Chicken or 10 Minute Ginger Scallops with Black Bean Sauce or Szechwan Grilled Salmon....the list is endless.

Obviously if you live in Canada you can find PC products across the country. But before the rest of you, hang your head and start to feel sorry for yourself...let me tell you a quick story. A number of years ago, Sharron, my younger daughter went to teach English in Chile. One of our first phone conversations after she settled in in Valpariso went something like this...

"Shar: You'll never guess what I just bought?
Me: Probably not, so just tell me.
Shar: lots of PC brand sauces!!! It's almost like being back home!"

True story, so hunt around and hopefully you can find some too.

Last Minute Pasta Just in Time for Presto Pasta Nights

Wow...where did the week go?! It's Thursday and tomorrow Pam of Sidewalk Shoes is hosting this week's Presto Pasta Night and I haven't a thing to wear...oh wrong...I HAVE things to wear, I just haven't made any pasta this week.

It's a good thing I had some Dreamfields pasta on hand...they make the "good" carbs I can eat on The South Beach Diet Phase II. It's also a good thing I roasted a chicken this morning before it got hot in here. And since I always have onions, garlic and mushrooms...the rest was easy and came together in the time it took to boil water plus the ten minutes to cook the penne

Roasted Chicken & Mushroom Penne

I don't think there's anything better than pasta for that "throw together" meal. So what are you sending Pam? You still have some time left. Just email your entry to morefromscraps (at) comcast (dot) net and cc me ruth (at) 4everykitchen (dot) com

What to do with Zucchini?

Last week at the Dartmouth Farmers Market I couldn't resist these adorable fat, round zucchini. Ben and Anna called them Coca, but google search as I may, I couldn't find any reference.

My dilemma was how to use these cute treasures. I had seen a fantastic looking recipe for Zucchini Pancakes with Tzatziki from the Culinary Institute of America (CIA)

They really look like my zucchini latkes, but with a twist, naturally. And I can't wait to try them.

But then I bought a copy of this month's Food & Wine for a recipe that just called out for my chubby little zucchini. The pancakes will definitely have to wait.

Shrimp & Feta Stuffed Zucchini "Boats"

Seriously...not only are they cute, they are the amazing...the sweetness of the fire roasted tomatoes and red bell peppers, the saltiness of the feta, the heat of the chili pepper flakes...Heaven on a plate. Oh, and it's a good thing I had extra filling, since I just discovered that my Honey (after 19 years) doesn't like zucchini (at least not ones he can identify - wink, wink). I stuffed some yellow and orange bell pepper halves as well.

And check out this morning's omelet...

I just beat one egg with a touch of olive oil and some fresh chives and in my hot non-stick pan, I poured the mixture, tipped the pan until the egg formed a pancake and the middle was dry. (about 1 minute) and removed the pan from the heat. I zapped some zucchini boat filling in the microwave, placed it on half the pancake, crumbled a little feta on top and covered this with the other half of the pancake.

Best part of this tasty breakfast and dinner, of course...it's perfect for The South Beach Diet , Phase II.

BloggerAid Changing the Face of Famine Update

Back in January I joined a wonderful fundraising project. You can read all about it here, In a nutshell, it's a fundraising cookbook with recipes from food bloggers around the world. The proceeds will go to The United Nations World Food Program - School Meals. It's too late to contribute a recipe. The book is now in final editing mode...but there are a couple of other ways you can contribute...buy the book when it comes out (I'll definitely let you know when it launches.) and ....

You can join (if you're not already a member) BloggerAid - Changing the Face of Famine and check out our latest, greatest project....View & Review. We are really pumped at the response from cookbook publishers who have offered to provide some of the newest cookbooks for our members to ...you guessed it...view & review.

If you're interested...and who doesn't want a new cookbook to try out...there are just a few things to note....

1. You must be a member of BloggerAid…Changing the Face of Famine to participate. It's seriously easy to do and so rewarding too. If you are already a member and have friends who would like to participate, by all means, invite them to join us.

2. When you join the forum, (and I know you all want to), please let us know if you have preferences or restrictions. For example, if you’re vegan, we will arrange for you to receive only vegan books or products for review.

3. Once you receive a copy of a new cookbook from the publisher. . Within a time frame (to be determined), turn in your review to the forum together with a copy of the picture of the dish you’ve prepared. Post both the review and the picture on your own blog with a link to BACFF.

4. You may choose to either keep the cookbook or donate it to BACFF for auction. You’re under no pressure – foodies love their cookbooks so we’re fine if you decide to keep it.

So what are you waiting for?! Go directly to BACFF, sign in or sign on and join in the View & Review Group. I'll be waiting for you.

Local Markets=Heaven on a Plate

Truly there is nothing more delicious than fresh produce, and I mean - right from the garden served with local Nova Scotian lamb. And having been to not one, but two markets this past Saturday...I really scored some tasty treats. Just check out last night's dinner - Marinated Grilled Lamb Chops with veggies, steamed and lightly sauteed.

The lamb (my favorite meat, especially when it's from Nova Scotia) chops, marinated and grilled (even if it is on my indoor grill) came from Wood 'n' Hart Farm in Tatamagouche. One of these days, I really must go and visit Bill Wood on his farm to have a more in-depth chat about all things lamb. Bill breeds his own lean sheep, and feeds them grain, hay and grass and is extremely popular with local chefs and Saturday Market goers. I know it's one of my favorite stalls at the Halifax Farmers Market.
I also couldn't resist these gorgeous yellow and purple beans at the Elmridge Farm stall or were they from my other favorite farmers over at the Hutten Family Farm stand. I knew, standing there exactly how I'd prepare them and started drooling (all before 9am!)

But how come the deep purple faded to such a dull colour? They sort of looked like my mother's mushy grey broccoli (sorry mom) from my childhood. Although they were crispy and tasty. If you have any ideas for keeping them purple, let me know.

And one of my new finds over at the Dartmouth Farmers' Market, where I met Anna and Ben Wall (mentioned yesterday) were these precious little tomatoes. I naturally couldn't resist popping one in my mouth when I got home - WOW!!! they are like candy! In fact, if I didn't know better, I'd swear they'd been injected with honey.

So I lightly steamed the beans with a sprig of fresh basil (also from Ben & Anna) while I was sauteing the tiny tomatoes, cut in half to allow their juices out, in a touch of olive oil and Olivina (instead of butter, which the rest of you should enjoy for me) (probably 2 minutes) and then added the steamed beans along with fresh mint, basil and garlic scapes, a little salt and pepper, toss and plate over the lamb chop. Fantastic!

Where do you shop for your favorite local food? If you're not eating local, you can't imagine what you're missing out on. And if you live in Canada, please check out EatRealEatLocal to find out how you can do more in your neck of the woods.

Saturday at the Market - Across the Bridge

View of Halifax from Alderley Landing, Dartmouth

One of the Tall Ships in town, barely visible through the fog. Let me explain my adventure....

When we are in town (Halifax, Nova Scotia, for newcomers here), I love to visit the Halifax Farmers' Market and it's been a while since I've been...what with holidays and visits to camp to see our angels. I've been itching to return. That said, there is another Saturday Farmer's Market just across the Halifax Harbour in Dartmouth. But first let me tell you about my mystical journey to get there.
I've often mentioned the Nova Scotian fog, how romantic and mystical it is (That's one of the churches in Mahone Bay along the Lighthouse Route). It always reminds me of one of my favorite novels...The Mists of Avalon, the mythical land in the time of King Arthur and his knights of the Round Table.

This time the fog was so thick, that, in order to get to the other side of the Halifax Harbour (a five minute journey) I had to travel over the invisible bridge. Invisible??? Yes, just like Indiana Jones in The Last Crusade , crossing the deep chasm to get to the chalice, I had to have faith and trust that the bridge actually was there. I couldn't see anything ahead of me, except for a faint pink glow of the tail lights of the car ahead. Even after the ghostly bridge, the windy road, to the Landing was eerie and everything looked so foreign.

And if you think I'm doing my usual exaggerating, the photos at the top of the post show you just how foggy it was. Normally, the view of Halifax is sharp and so clear you can see the ships docked in port and hustle and bustle of the crowds on the boardwalk. And that tall ship you see is actually docked just off of the Dartmouth pier, perhaps 50 feet from where I was standing!
But back to the business at hand....Saturday Farmer's Markets. Alderney Landing is home to artistic events, shops selling local artisan art, jewellery and more, the ferry to Halifax, and (from my perspective, the most inviting) a Saturday Farmer's Market. I've spoken many times about how the Halifax market is so different to other markets I've been to - a very social scene with music and lots of chatting.
The Dartmouth Saturday Farmers' Market is more like farmers markets I've been to elsewhere...lots of lovely produce, mixed in with lots of local knitted items, jewellery and homemade jams, preserves, pies and breads. That's Anna Wall, who, along with her husband, Ben are Mennonite farmers from Noel, NS. Their Saturday begins at 3AM to get to the market in time to set up for the 7am opening. All those breads and pickles you see are made by Anna. You can't see all the pies in front of their booth or the beautiful fresh vegetables that they grow on their farm or the fresh eggs from their own free range chickens. But...
...in addition to eggs and basil and...well, I couldn't resist these cute Cocas (they are another summer squash, looking like tubby zucchini). and I'm going to use them to make some South Beach Diet friendly fritters...stay tuned.

The atmosphere at the Dartmouth market was more like Ontario markets I've visited in St Jacob and Kitchener, just on a much smaller scale. Lots of homemade breads, cakes, pies and preserves, lots of small booths but a feeling of a large community.
A stark contrast to the Halifax Farmers Market - this photo was taken at 9:30am and is why I usually go at 7am to avoid the crowds. So what's your preference...markets for shopping or markets for socializing or a bit of both worlds?

I love eating locally farmed, locally made, locally dished up- and you should be - everything tastes so much better! I encourage you to do the same. You can find out more here at the EatRealEatLocal website. Throughout the summer, I'll be working with the Eat Real Eat Local Campaign to highlight wonderful local Nova Scotian fare...markets, restaurants and festivals...stay tuned!

Sad Story of Eating out on South Beach Diet

This Dai Grilled Steak and salad was actually supposed to be last night's dinner. But The Tall Ships are in town and that's a spectacular site, so I met my Honey for a stroll on the Harbour Front and perhaps some grilled calamari and a glass of wine to nibble on while we people and boat watched.

We found lots of places to buy, fried onion rings, clams, calamari, chips...in fact, just about everything seemed to be fried or served on a bun. And the line-up for any restaurant with a terrace (even for fried food) was long. So we walked a little further afield...similar story and I really wasn't in the mood for salad.

In the end, we found a Greek restaurant - not our best meal, so I won't share the who or where of it (remember, I only say good things or nothing at all), I did get my grilled calamari served with a salad and my Honey had his with a lamb skewer.

What we did decide, was that perhaps we stick to eating at home for a while. I know I won't be disappointed. And tonight's dinner of steak and salad was because my Honey has been craving a steak for days. He usually likes his with Montreal Steak Spice, which I find too salty. Actually, the real Montreal Steak Spice served first at Schwartz' Deli was/is awesome, but the kind in the bottles I find are not nearly the same.

I decided to try the fantastic rub called Dai (after the Province in China that it comes from) that I used to make Dai Chicken. It's from the most fantastic book - Beyond the Great Wall. The Sichuan peppercorns add a unique flavor - sort of woodsy as well as peppery. I'm pleased to say, it worked beautifully on the steak. Good to know.

So what do you do when eating out on a diet? Or do you?

Put on your bib and dig in for Presto Pasta Night #122

It's time to put on your dressy bib and dig in to this week's awesome Presto Pasta Night #122 . Joanne of Eats Well With Others did brilliant job of putting it all together...a million thanks for a job well done!!

And Kudos to all of you who sent in this week's tasty pasta dishes. Now that I'm on South Beach Diet, Phase II, I can actually EAT some of them rather than just living vicariously through others. Once again ...my dilemma...which ones to choose first. And I must remember to use multigrain or wholewheat versions of pasta...plus small amounts of the noodles...sigh.

Next week, Pam of Sidewalk Shoes will be our honored guest host. Send your entries to morefromscraps (at) comcast (dot) net and cc me ruth (at) 4everykitchen (dot) com

Guidelines to share your pasta dishes.

And if you'd like to host a Presto Pasta Night Roundup yourself, just send me an email. October and beyond are wide open. What are you waiting for...it's great fun and a fabulous way to get introduced to other awesome bloggers.

Thanks again, everyone for a truly wonderful roundup this week. Couldn't do it without you all!