Pages

Tuesday, November 10, 2026

UChicago Economist discusses his new book Macro: Economic Models that Shape Our World reposted by Ruth Paget

University of Chicago Economist Greg Kaplan discusses his book Macro: Economic Models that Shape our World with UChicago News.

The article provides Kaplan’s summary of 3 competing models that affect how policy makers do things like lower interest rates.

Macro is intended for a general audience.

Kaplan’s interview from UChicago News follows:

https://news.uchicago.edu/story/what-were-getting-wrong-about-economy-uchicago-scholar-explains?mkt_tok=MjUwLUNRSC05MzYAAAGlZYpZHjNwfzpEDRgRWrTxTBxWDVnj8obmqMJBKBlXKKartLivcUahUsq6ZsgLTRPNaB3vLG0ZAGhf7OZEhWZu-Et8Dk-EADaKoHrwsFsqaNq6GnQ

Reposted by Ruth Paget

-author Eating Soup with Chopsticks, Marrying France, and Europe’s Lessons written during overseas duty in Germany + 5 other Kindle books

-developer of the Novgorod and Bento War Games + 8 Classical Western Civilization War Games

-developer of food and beverage knowledge games

-creator of online exhibits about San Miguel Arcangel Mission, French baguette making, and the Carmel Valley History Center

-creator of French armchair travel and culture games

-writer of 2100+ Central Coast California lifestyle blogs

-family genealogist

-developer of 9 music theory blogs

Italian Beef Short Rib Ragu with Potato Gnocchi Pasta and Parmesan Cheese Cream Sauce from Costco by Ruth Paget

Italian Beef Short Rib Ragù with Potato Gnocchi Pasta is $7.93 per pound at Costco in Sand City, California by Ruth Paget 

I prepared an Italian winter dish from Italy’s northwestern Piedmont region this weekend. (Cultural note: Turin, the headquarters of Fiat Motor Company, is located in Piedmont.) 

This hearty and robust flavored dish is beef short rib ragù with potato gnocchi (pronounced nyo-key) pasta and Parmesan cheese cream sauce. Just the title of this dish fills me up, but you want to eat the real thing, because it is so delicious. 

There are 4 main elements in this combined dish:

-braised beef short ribs cooked in a tomato ragù sauce that is seasoned with a mirepoix of sautéed onion, celery, and carrot 

-gnocchi potato pasta which are shaped like walnuts and made with flour, potatoes, and egg 

-Parmesan cheese cream sauce made with: 

 -heavy cream -shallots 

 -garlic 

 -thyme 

 -1 ½ cups grated Parmesan cheese 

(Some cooks add arugula to this sauce when in season according to the Piedmontese.com website I consulted to look up an exact recipe beyond the container ingredient list from Costco.) 

-grated Parmesan cheese to sprinkle on top of the final combination 

There is a method for putting this dish together that promotes a svelte end product: 

-line the bottom of a baking dish with the beef short rib ragù 

-place the homemade potato gnocchi on top of the ragù 

-spread the Parmesan cheese cream sauce over the gnocchi 

-sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese on top of Parmesan cream sauce 

-cover the baking dish wit aluminum foil and place it on a parchment lined baking tray in case of spills during cooking 

-bake for an hour 

-remove foil and let sit for five minutes before serving 

This dish tasted very good with a de Tierra Cabernet Franc red wing from Salinas, California. This varietal is also used in the Loire Valley outside Chino in wines like Chinon and Bourgeuil. 

This seasonal Costco deli item costs $7.93 per pound as of today (November 10, 2026) when ingredients are in stock and usually runs between $24 and $28 for a tray. 4 to 6 people can eat the beef short rib ragù with gnocchi and Parmesan cheese cream sauce.

I love Italian food from all regions and appreciate being able to buy this fancy Italian dish in the deli department at Costco in Sand City (near Monterey), California. Other shoppers might like the beef short rib ragu with potato gnocchi topped with Parmesan cream sauce for the same reason.

By Ruth Paget 

-author Eating Soup with Chopsticks, Marrying France, and Europe’s Lessons written during overseas duty in Germany + 5 other Kindle books

-developer of the Novgorod and Bento War Games + 8 Classical Western Civilization War Games

-developer of food and beverage knowledge games

-creator of online games about San Miguel Arcangel Mission, French baguette making, and the Carmel Valley History Center

-creator of French armchair travel and culture games

-writer of 2100+ Central Coast California lifestyle blogs

-family genealogist

-developer of 9 music theory games

Sunday, November 8, 2026

Monterey Bounty Meal at Woody's Bar and Grill at the Monterey Airport in Monterey, California by Ruth Paget

Monterey Bounty Meal at Woody’s Bar and Grill at the Monterey Airport in Monterey, California by Ruth Paget 

You know your regional California airport has good food when locals go there for terroir meals with AOC and AVA wines.  

Woody’s Bar and Grill at the Monterey (California) Airport is a restaurant like this. Woody’s makes bar classics with as many locally grown, organic ingredients as possible. They serve knock out burgers, fish, seafood, salads, and appetizers on a regular basis while maintaining a full bar along with breakfast and lunch service. 

On my family’s recent Friday night dinner, my daughter Florence Paget ordered the prime rib special, and my husband Laurent ordered the catch of the day (sea bass). 

I started my Bounty of Monterey Meal with honey chili chicken wings as an appetizer. The honey used in these wings with a little kick comes from Carmel Valley. 

The wings come eight to an order, so everyone was able to taste a true Monterey County appetizer made with organic chicken, peppers grown in the county, and chopped scallions that no doubt come from Monterey County too. 

I followed this delicious appetizer up with fish and chips made with Monterey Bay North Cod. The batter on the three large pieces of cod was light yet crunchy. The fish was tender and fully cooked. I dunked morsels of cod in the cocktail sauce and tartar sauce and felt very satisfied with my yummy meal. 

Meaty French fries and coleslaw made with a cream and apple cider vinegar dressing rounded out the meal. I ate just about everything. 

For dessert, we shared a brownie with vanilla ice cream and chocolate sauce. Everyone got several bites That was an enjoyable meal. 

Several planes landed and took off as we ate dinner in our booth by the window. I always reserve to make sure I get a locals booth upstairs. 

I like Woody’s for making it possible for Florence to eat prime rib when all I really want is fish and chips. Our family has eaten many meals at Woody’s as travelers and as locals out for dinner. We have never had a bad meal at Woody’s thanks to the wealth of good local food products served by the restaurant. 

 By Ruth Paget


-author Eating Soup with Chopsticks, Marrying France, and Europe's Lessons written during overseas duty in Germany + 5 other Kindle books

-developer of the Novgorod and Bento War Games + 8 Classical Western Civilization War Games

-developer of food and beverage knowledge games

-creator of online exhibits about San Miguel Arcangel Mission, French baguette making, and the Carmel Valley History Center

-creator of French armchair travel and culture games

-writer of 2100+ Central Coast California lifestyle blogs

-family genealogist

-developer of 9 music theory games

Saturday, November 7, 2026

Costco French Lunch from Costco at Sand City, California by Ruth Paget

Costco French Lunch from Costco at Sand City (Monterey) by Ruth Paget 

My family ate a terrific French lunch today with products we bought at Costco in Sand City (near Monterey), California. 

Our fall lunch included the following (prices quoted as of November 7, 2026): 

-French onion soup (6 soups per container) - $11.99 

-Quiche Lorraine (12 portions) - $23.48

-Frozen Toblerone Cake - $18.99 

The deli department at Costco sells that I consider a bistro meal out that I can eat at home. I love having enough quiche Lorraine for a second meal. 

These Costco products help keep French culture alive for our family. 

Bon Appétit! 

By Ruth Paget 

-author Eating Soup with Chopsticks, Marrying France, and Europe’s Lessons written during overseas duty in Germany + 5 other Kindle books

-developer of the Novgorod and Bento War Games + 8 Classical Western Civilization War Games

-developer of food and beverage knowledge games

-creator of online exhibits about San Miguel Arcangel Mission, French baguette making, and the Carmel Valley History Center

-creator of French armchair travel and culture games

-writer of 2100+ Central Coast California lifestyle blogs

-family genealogist

-developer of 9 music theory games

Holiday Lemon Cypress Trees on Sale at Costco in Sand City, California reposted by Ruth Paget

3-foot Holiday Lemon Cypress Trees are on sale at Costco in Sand City, California.

The price listed for them online is $37.99.

These trees are cute.  You can decorate them with lightweight items like cloth snowflakes.

I have posted a photo of lemon cypress trees from Home Depot at the link below:

https://www.homedepot.com/pep/Online-Orchards-1-Gal-Lemon-Cypress-Tree-with-Citrusy-Aroma-and-Golden-Evergreen-Foliage-2-Pack-EGCY001/322302939?g_store=&source=shoppingads&locale=en-US&fp=ggl&pla&mtc=SHOPPING-BF-CDP-GGL-D28O-028_008_LIVE_GOODS-NA-NA-NA-PMAX-NA-NA-NA-NA-NBR-NA-NA-NA-PMAXONECLICK__JCTRL_PMAXTEST&cm_mmc=SHOPPING-BF-CDP-GGL-D28O-028_008_LIVE_GOODS-NA-NA-NA-PMAX-NA-NA-NA-NA-NBR-NA-NA-NA-PMAXONECLICK__JCTRL_PMAXTEST-20415198398--&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=20278986396&gbraid=0AAAAADq61UeSWaKA8AFtI3Al5C_zOuCgN&gclid=CjwKCAiAtbvXBhB_EiwAjwv9JpwQ1Vq4VPnO4qd7GJn-F4m1jiHLtU3iVvPC2iHIGGHmTT1OPiLvwBoC4hMQAvD_BwE

Reposted by Ruth Paget

-author Eating Soup with Chopsticks, Marrying France, and Europe’s Lessons written during overseas duty in Germany + 5 other Kindle books

-developer of the Novgorod and Bento War Games + 8 Classical Western Civilization War Games

-developer of food and beverage knowledge games

-creator of online exhibits about San Miguel Arcangel Mission, French baguette making, and the Carmel Valley History Center

-creator of French armchair travel and culture games

-writer of 2100+ Central Coast California lifestyle blogs

-family genealogist

-developer of 9 music theory blogs

Eat Well, Cook Little with Mark Bittman today $1.99 on Kindle reposted by Ruth Paget

The Minimalist Cooks at Home by Mark Bittman is $1.99 today (November 7, 2026) on Amazon Kindle.

Fewer ingredients and easier to understand directions are featured in The Minimalist Cooks at Home (256 pages).

For more information, check out the book’s Amazon page below:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GSXN25M8?lv=shuf&_bbid=370576228&nodl=1&tag=core_cohort_a_email-20&dplnkId=a6127908-9416-4bf0-ad65-295336b52aff&channelId=1&plpRedirect=mhFallback

Bon Appetit!

By Ruth Psget

-author Eating Soup with Chopsticks, Marrying France, and Europe’s Lessons written during overseas duty in Germany + 5 other Kindle books

-developer of the Novgorod and Bento War Games + 8 Classical Western Civilization War Games

-developer of food and beverage knowledge games

-creator of online exhibits about San Miguel Arcangel Mission, French baguette making, and the Carmel Valley History Center

-creator of French travel and culture games

-writer of 2100 Central Coast California lifestyle blogs

-family genealogist

-developer of 9 music theory games

Monterey Bay Half Marathon is Sold Out reposted by Ruth Paget

The Monterey Bay Half Marathon this weekend is sold out - November 7 - 8, 1016.

I will watch for content coverage on TikTok.

This is great news for the local economy.

By Ruth Paget

-author Eating Soup with Chopsticks, Marrying France, and Europe’s Lessons written during overseas duty in Germany + 5 other Kindle books

-developer of the Novgorod and Bento War Games + 8 Classical Western Civilization War Games

-developer of food and beverage knowledge games

-creator of online exhibits about San Miguel Arcangel Missionn, French baguette making, and the Carmel Valley History Center

-creator of French travel and culture blogs

-writer of 2000+ Central Coast California lifestyle blogs

-family genealogist

-developer of 9 music theory games