Perhaps it’s my Irish poking out. I love Italian… but sometimes a girl just needs a baked potato.

If all we had was the final frontier… I would insist that there were potatoes.

Recently my Grandson and I were playing around with Snapchat filters. Suddenly he looked good enough to eat!

Wondering… who has Salem’s best baked potato?

I don’t require much… just butter and salt. It’s all about how tender it is. Oh… and I love to eat the skin… can’t be too tough. Must be just right!

Save a Goose… recommend a simple, great, baked potato!

Somewhere in Salem… #jonesingfortaters

Call Geppetto's Italian Restaurant
for… Italian. Dine in… Takeout and Delivery… All of Salem and Keizer! 503.378.1271

Good Eats & Your Local SOB

“We shall head North!” Announced Roger from the driver’s seat.
So North on Lancaster we went.

Shades of Brew came up on the left hand side. Within the walls and doors… we found Chade himself and one of the best servers on the planet. Her name is Julie. No wonder she’s so great! It’s always nice when you meet someone and you know you will never forget their name because it is the same as yours!

We ordered Shades of Brew Pizza and food from the trailers outside; The Shaka Brah & Daniel's Catering.. All were new to us and scrum·did·dly·ump·tious!
/ˌskrəmˌdidlēˈəm(p)SHəs/

The bonus round was a huge sampling of (Andrew) Campbell’s BBQ chili. It is definitely made for the carnivorous. It is meaty and delicious! Such comfort food. Also included was a generosity of wisdom and knowledge. Insider food trailer info and my greatest takeaway… “It’s gonna get hot in there… and that floor will be a “b****” to clean!”

We learn as we grow. More coming soon. Shades of Brew has trivia and comedy night. Check out their page for more info.
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Blessings to everyone! Thank you for your hospitality. May your seats be full and your lines be long. May the folks who come feel your hard work and be blessed by your provision. And… may the force of all… that is good and prosperous be with you.

Dressing & Going Vetch this Time

Geppetto’s makes most things in house. Its dressings included.

Our Ranch is delicious. Our Bleu Cheese is a favorite of some. I, personally, would like more chunks but for most it is perfect. Our Thousand Island is made in smaller batches. I’m not a super thousand Island fan… but the flavor is spot on. Makes me wish we sold Reuben sandwiches!

Our Creamy Garlic is in a class by itself. It sells by the quart and is coveted by many. The seventh floor, Neuro Trama Care nurses at Salem Hospital probably consumed more in 2021 than any other group. We treasure the moments providing nourishment for those who serve on the front lines. They can have all the Creamy Garlic they want!

All of that is fine and good… but the dressing I really want to tell you about today is our Honey Mustard. It is extra special because the honey we use is sourced locally. As much as I tire of grocery outages… I was happy to see honey on the list… because I knew that meant a trip to Flying Bee Ranch.

“We are all out of the Alfalfa you purchased last time.” Delsey said. “But let’s do some tasting and see what we can find that will be right for what you need.”

If you have ever had a question about bees and how they operate… Jeremy Mitchell and Delsey Maus at Flying Bee have the answers. Their wealth of bee knowledge runs deep.

Roger and I now know what a Pollen patty looks like. We also know that bees are smart and driven to do what they are here to do. They live and die for their work. It’s all or nothing for a bee. It blew my mind to hear they are smart enough to avoid stepping into a windstorm and will discard their own without apology if not well. They are pretty much and all or nothing kind of insect. “Three feet or three miles.” Don’t ask me… ask Jeremy or Delsey @ Flying Bee. They will answer far better than I.

We tasted several varieties and decided to go Vetch this time. My taste buds tell me… it will give our Honey Mustard the honey flavor it needs to bring out the best in our menu. I am reminded… the flavor of honey comes from the bees themselves and where they land to pick up pollen. Simply fascinating.

Speaking of Thousand Island… Roger and I set out for nourishment after church this morning. We landed at ACME Cafe. Inspired by the second paragraph of this post I went for the Reuben. It was delicious! And… there will be plenty for dinner later tonight. If not… lunch tomorrow. Tom Voegtle and Jesse are doing a great job. They are navigating the scene as fiercely as the rest of us. Not only staying alive but feeding folks well in the process.

Salem Area Chamber of Commerce, Salem Area Chamber of Commerce GREETERS, Salem Shops Chef… Alonzo Santana… Thank You!

Commitment Matters

Thirty years ago to this day my husband Roger and I were married. It was then we moved to Salem, OR. I had no family and no friends. I was unhappy and sad.

I remember about two months in… we could not see eye to eye on a particular issue… the subject of which I cannot remember. At that point I’d only known him eight months. We met on a blind date. I was pregnant and ready to pack my bags and head home to Seattle. Then we sat down together and as he held my hands he told me of the depth of his commitment.

“We’re going to have some hard times but we’ll make it through… forever together. I’m not going anywhere… and I don’t want you to go anywhere either.”

When things have seemed impossible we have rallied and strengthened each other with love and grace. We have walked together by faith.

If you’ve wondered what runs Geppetto's Italian Restaurant… it’s never ending faith… courage, love and grace. Oh… and a great team of folks who believe in what we do together. Thanks for holding down the fort tonight… so we can make googling eyes at each other without you having to watch.