Oh, Anne, us too. My parents came from Irish immigrants; plain cooking was about it. My mom did make homemade spaghetti, but we too rotated through the basics: pork chops, beef and mashed potatoes, spaghetti with meat sauce, fried chicken, etc. Sometimes we had breakfast for dinner and that was good, too.

My mom was a good plain cook and my dad was *not* interested in trying anything different. In fact, he was the fussy one --for example, wouldn't try Chinese food until long after I left home. I think that frustrated my mom, who did want to try different things. I have delved into far more foods than I ate growing up -- African, Thai, Indian, etc., but that's the way it was back then.

And, yes, there is something just perfect about a good grilled cheese and tomato soup, especially on a cool day. If we ever get a cool day I'll let you know -- it has been 100+ with no letup since mid-June.