My mom was in town for a week, part of which she and I were down in the
SoCal desert for my grandmother's 91st birthday. It has been a non-stop
run of restaurants. Ughhh. My body is screaming "NO MORE!" Double duty
at the gym this week.

Bob and I took Mom out on Sunday night to Ruth's Chris Steakhouse -- the
first time for all of us. By the time you get through the sides and a
couple glasses of Rombauer Zinfandel, there isn't room for the slab of
prime meat they put in front of you. We barely ate any of we were
served, and I wasn't about to have that go to waste -- certainly not for
what those things cost -- so we brought home doggie bags.

Tonight, Bob sliced the meat on one of the steaks ultra-thin and barely
warmed it. He made a relish of sorts with a light smattering of mayo and
chopped green olives that had been stuffed with blue cheese. He lightly
dressed a heated tortilla with the concoction and then created a wrap
with the meat. I pulled out a carton of TJ's "Creamy Corn and Roasted
Pepper" soup which I promptly doctored with finely chopped and sauteed
onions, a little crushed red pepper and a splash of cream. I grated some
fresh Parmesan cheese for added garnish and flavor.

It was wonderful and so perfect in its simplicity.

--Lin