Will be starting on DH's birthday cake momentarily (his fave -- poppy seed, hence the ones I purchased yesterday)....

Taking quick stock of the kitchen cupboards this morning, I can see we are very well-stocked for pretty much everything in the way of food at the moment. Once my co-op order comes in in the next day or two (with lots of bulk items, including flour, rice, oats, and chickpeas) I don't see that we'll have to do any major food shopping around here for a good long time. Aside from the bananas I still need to get my hands on for the banana butter, and possibly more sugar for canning purposes, I may try to see nowjust how looooong I can possibly manage simply cooking from my pantry -- a fun challenge. I'll make exceptions for any especially good deals out there I may come across of course, ones too good to pass up (like those ridiculous enormous $1.99 cans of ketchup I discovered at Big Lots -- been wondering actually if I should see if the others are still there, heh ....).....

Tonight however, we will actually be eating out (a rarity for us) to celebrate DH's birthday. There is a small vegetarian restaurant near us on campus, that offers a nice little vegetarian buffet on Monday nights. It's 'all you can eat' for $5.00 a person, including drinks. Total cost for the four us will be $20.00. We'll be meeting friends of ours there -- ought to be fun, and we are all REALLY looking forward to it....