It is part of my job: to be open-minded – to objectively analyze new ways of doing things. We talked a lot about the perfect bacon, lettuce and tomato sandwich last week. I offered my new & improved model featuring basil and mozzarella. Many of you said you like to keep the recipe simple and were adamant about the type of mayonnaise used. I think we can all appreciate and respect that. However, with an abundance of fresh tomatoes this time of year I think it’s good to alter recipes – to add and subtract a few ingredients to surprise and delight the palate.

Get ready for the Outrageous B.L.T. It caught my eye on a menu in Chapel Hill yesterday. I was there working on a music project with Brent Lambert. For lunch Brent suggested we walk a couple of blocks from his studio to “SandwHich” just behind the old Pyewacket Restaurant at 431 W. Franklin Street. With about 16 sandwiches and a wide array of interesting salads to choose from

Have you been noshing lately? I like the word. I love the restaurant.

I spent most of the weekend in Durham mixing my new "Blue Ridge Reunion" CD with Wes Lachot and John Plymale at Overdub Lane. Not only are they incredibly talented musicians and studio wizards they always have interesting ideas for lunch.

Wes picked the place for Saturday and John did the honors on Sunday. As a nationally acclaimed studio architect Wes is on the road a lot. He tries hard to eat healthy. His restaurant pick for Saturday - McDonald's across the street. "You've got to be kidding," I thought. Wes insisted the salads at McDonald's are great. With great skepticism I ordered the Caesar Salad with grilled chicken. It was terrific. The chicken was perfectly cooked and the salad was fresh and light.

John took us to Nosh on Sunday. Nosh is a cool new restaurant near Duke Hospital. Nosh has lots of great healthy salads but I opted for the Rascal's

It is time to sharpen our knives and relish the red. Tomato season has arrived in North Carolina. Is it safe to eat North Carolina tomatoes? You bet it is! That is the word from the FDA.

You've heard about the salmonella outbreak associated with certain tomatoes coming out of Florida and Mexico. Well, North Carolina grown tomatoes have been given a clean bill of health and today the state will celebrate the juicy Tar Heel crop. Tomato Day will be held at the State Farmer's Market in Raleigh from 11:00A.M.to 1:00P.M. Free recipes will be available. Also, NC Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler will be on hand to answer questions about the integrity of the NC crop.

Today's question: What are your rituals and recipes for tomato sandwiches? My heart beats faster just thinking about it. I think I now have the ultimate tomato sandwich. Let me share my recipe.

Toasted sour dough bread coated with Duke's Mayonnaise, ripe NC tomatoes sprinkled

What is your favorite North Carolina winery and why? Let’s float that question today as I tell you about my experience with Mountain Crab Cakes.

I finally made it to Shelton Winery near Mount Airy. What a beautiful setting! As I sat in the Harvest Grill Restaurant for lunch and looked out on the 383 acre estate I felt like I was back in Sonoma County, California with its rolling hills and lush vineyards. I was yearning for crab cakes but I had my doubts. I asked executive chef Paul S. Lange and he said I would not be disappointed. He said visitors from Maryland and Washington, DC consistently raved about their crab cakes.

He was right. Circled with a delectable cilantro sauce the crispy cakes exploded with flavor. They went down well with the Shelton Riesling. That was my wife's choice. I went with the cabernet. It was good.

We didn't do the wine tasting but took home a bottle of Shelton Pinot Noir. It was not one of my favorites

It started out like the Vacation from Hades. It ended quite heavenly.

With that headline I’d like for you to comment on your most dramatic vacation when something unexpected happened and forced you to alter your plans.

I read a book title the other day that intrigued me. It was Divine Chaos. Maybe that’s what I experienced last week.

Here’s the scenario. We’re driving to our mountain cabin near Roaring Gap. I’m on my cell phone with a nice home construction expert Donny McCall of Sparta talking about some repairs I’d like to make to our place. Donny agrees to stop by, take a look and give me an estimate. We arrive. The weather is perfect. We’re all ready for a wonderful and relaxing week.

I walk to the back side of the house and notice puddles of water on the patio. I rush inside and my worst fears are realized. Two inches of water fill the downstairs level. I run into the utility room