Last Friday night we had dinner at the Lark Creek in Walnut Creek, one of our local favorites for a nice American meal. We chose Friday night because the Nightly Special is Shellfish Gumbo. That's what we both ordered and we were delighted.

Here's the list of nightly classics, as listed on their web site menu, that are currently being featured. Actually, I like just about everything at Lark Creek..there is always fresh fish, meatloaf, Yankee pot roast, and a whole array of American dishes, prepared with the freshest of ingredients and chef Bradley Ogden's innovative inspiration.

Since the last time I dined at Lark Creek, they have added large and small servings of many entrées, a nice option for smaller appetites and/or budgets. Also both mini and full-sized desserts are on the menu.

NIGHTLY CLASSICS
(While available)
MONDAY ~ FISH & CHIPS
beer battered, with coleslaw, tartar sauce & malt vinegar 16.95

TUESDAY ~ CHICKEN FRIED STEAK
carrots, mashed potatoes & sweet onion gravy 19.75

WEDNESDAY ~ CALF’S LIVER STEAK
grilled, caramelized granny smith apples, onions & bacon 18.95

THURSDAY ~ SALISBURY STEAK
whipped potatoes, steamed broccoli & crumbled hobbs bacon 18.95

FRIDAY ~ SHELLFISH GUMBO
prawns, snug harbor mussels, littleneck clams & andouille sausage 29.95

SATURDAY ~ CERTIFIED ANGUS PRIME RIB
slow-roasted, twice-baked potato & creamed spinach 35.50
SUNDAY~ CAST-IRON SKILLET FRIED CHICKEN
garlic mashed potatoes & buttermilk biscuit 17.95

Another good deal is the Three Course dinner. The price pretty much gives you a free dessert. This is what's being currently featured, again copied from their web site:

ALL AMERICAN 3-COURSE DINNER / $29.95
Eggplant & Bell Pepper Soup ~ or ~ Caesar Salad

Pork Tenderloin ~ or ~ Salmon

Mini Butterscotch Pudding ~ or ~ Mini Peaches & Cream Cheesecake

FREECYCLE...HOW I LOVE IT!

I joined Freecycle earlier this year on the recommendation of my friend Joanne who has been acquiring wonderful items from people who wish to discard them.

Here's what Freecycle is: It's a Yahoo Group where people offer and ask for goods and services. The main "rule" is that everything is FREE!

As a participant, you must join a group in a particular location. I've joined the group in my community.There is no charge to join Freecycle. The easiest way to join Freecycle is to click on the link I've included in this post.

Once a member, you will receive emails with recent listings...you can decide how often you want to receive emails. If you see something listed that you can use or you have somethng that is being requested, you can contact the person making the listing listing to arrange the exchange.

As a member of Freecycle you can post your own wants and needs.

This weekend I posted a "Want" for bubble wrap. Within 24 hours, I had received two responses. The lovely photo at the top of this post is of my car trunk filled with bubble wrap from just one generous person who was delighted to be able to clean our her closet. She even threw in a bag of styrofoam "popcorn," another packing material that I never have enough of.

How I love Freecycle!!

HAVE A BURGER AT THE COUNTER

With the Labor Day Weekend coming up, many people are planning their last barbecues of summer.

If stoking up the fire is not your thing, but you are hungering for a tasty burger, give The Counter a try.

Jim and I stopped here the other night, after a movie.

We each "built" our burger, choosing toppings, cheese, sauces, and bread or no bread. Jim went for the burger on a bed of greens;



I had mine on an English Muffin...a great choice because the muffin is sturdy enough to hold together even with the messiest of burgers. We both opted for the 1/3 pound (the smallest they offer) Turkey burger and then garnished our burgers with entirely different selections. Other burger choices are beef, chicken, and veggie.

We munched on an order of half onion strings and half sweet potato fries.



Jim took the leftover onion strings home and enjoyed them the next day with his lunch...he said they still tasted yummy.

One of these days, I want to try one of The Counter's ice cream floats or shakes...so far, through many visits, I eat too much beforehand and just can't do it...guess I'll just have to stop in just for that Root Beer Float, and forget about a burger.

The Counter has about a dozen locations in California and at least one in Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, North Carolina, Utah, Virginia and out of the United States in Ireland and Australia. Check their web site for exact locations.