New Developments In Case Of The Missing Sapphire

The Scene of the dastardly crime.
The sauna, site of the "fiasco"
Sherlock has listened carefully to the statements provided thus far. He deduces that

1) Willow was evasive in her statement, attempting to settle blame on an innocent cold cream jar. He says it may be slippery but it doesn't steal.

2) Betsy knows more than she is willing to admit - she's always cooking something up. He says she's going to have to come up with much more than a "pretty little smile."

3) Soulbrush claims she was with her neighbor's husband. Sherlock had his assistant McBebber interview all husbands within a 5 block radius. Although all admitted to having spent time dallying with Soulbrush, they all stated the obvious: Everyone knows it was a Monday, and they were all watching Monday Night Football at Lucy O'Layla's Sports Bar. Soulbrush has more 'splainin to do.

4-23) Lavinia went a step further in throwing the scent off by fingering her apron making nemesis, StevieWren and then changing the subject all together by discussing the purchase of loo-cycles from Soulbrush AND claiming that I would foot the bill. Nice try.

Sherlock is getting impatient and said he wants the truth or he is sending the Hounds of the Baskerville to sniff around. He left his business card and expects to hear from all of you.

M-m-m-m Southern Caviar!

Jill - if you are reading this, thank you - they're DELICIOUS!

My friend Jill stopped by today with a bag of boiled peanuts! Yum! This is a true southern treat.

She found them in the produce section of the supermarket! That's progress. Usually you have to make them yourself or better yet, stop at a roadside stand.

The good read side stands look like this and they usually sell honey, fruits and vegetables along with the peanuts. The peanuts are boiled in a large vat - usually outside on accounta the smell.

When you order them, the correct pronunciation is "bald", not boiled. The vendor scoops out a pound or two, drains them and puts them in a bag. You take them home immediately, take an ice cold beer or RC Cola out of the fridge (that'll be your "drank") then you settle on down at the picnic table and have yourself a delicious snack. If you have a Moon Pie handy, that'll be your dessert. M-m-m-m

Boiled peanuts have been around in the south since the civil war. They are also eaten in several other countries including Japan, China and AUSTRALIA. Blimey!

If you want to make some yourself, put 4 lbs of green peanuts in the shell and 1 cup of Kosher salt in a large pot and cover with water - about 2 inches over the top of the peanuts. Bring to a boil and then simmer for 5-7 hours. Test them after about 5 hours - take out a peanut, shell it, see if the peanuts are nice and soft. If they're not ready, keep simmering them for another hour or two. You can season them with crab boil or beer or hot sauce which you add along with the salt. Eat them while they're hot. Eat 'em outside because they're a bit messy. Don't forget your drank.

Left over peanuts - if there is such a thing - should be refrigerated and eaten within 5-7 days.

Mine - from Jill - are easy - they are already boiled and they can be heated in the microwave just before eating. Which I did. Yummy. Thank you Jill!