what are you doing right now?

[toomuchreality]

Ugh. DD2 Has been saying I don't need to go stay at their house until tomorrow. So I wasn't planning to. I'd rather be home, with my stuff and in my bed, if I can.
A few minutes ago, she said pkgs are being delivered later today, so if I can stay over tonight and take her pkgs inside, that would be better.
Even when I feel good and am going on vacation, 5 days is generally my limit, for being away from home.
Right now, I don't feel good. I will be bored out of my mind and have to stay for10-11 days.
I am not thrilled by this.
And streaming TV, is not my favorite. Not even close.

She asked if I need anything, while I'm there. To which I said no. But sitting alone, in someone else's house, for 10 days and nights, is not my idea of a good time. Even if I can figure out how to use their new TVs.
BORING!
The house keeper is coming on Monday. And one of there employees will be stopping by, sometime, for supplies.

Time to get packed up, I guess. Then take everything out to my car. Followed by taking it all in, to DD2s, when I get there and back out, when it's time to come home.

I don't mind helping. But this is a really long time, to do basically nothing.

I hope DD1s dog sitter doesn't call with any emergencies, while I'm there, on top of everything else.

I can't wait to come home and I haven't left yet!

[chiver78]

Dec 1, 2023 16:27:42 GMT -5 soupandstew said:

Dec 1, 2023 16:23:18 GMT -5 chiver78 said:

well, the landscapers are gone. phase 1 is done. crushed stone and wood borders are all laid down. there's a beautiful 6x6' cedar plank flooring platform laid out in the outdoor shower area, and a full fall cleanup is complete. in the spring, they will come back and re-grade the discard dirt across areas needing to be filled in, spread topsoil and grass seed in those spots, and figure out the mulch border in the one area where there will be mulch. they will also build a privacy wall for the shower area so I can use it for myself next season. that's handy, b/c I'll be taking down the floor tile that's currently my main shower surround (I wish I was kidding here...) and that will be out of commission for awhile. 

I'd planned to get Chinese takeout tonight, but after writing out the check for the balance plus additional scope creep and the $100 tip for each of the two guys, I'm just gonna pull something out of the freezer tonight. woof. lol... 

I'm so glad phase 1 is done and it's definitely going to be awesome.  When possible we would love pics

I'll try, but I think I need to figure out a new way to do things. the Shutterfly share site I used to use has been discontinued by the site. 

[minnesotapaintlady]

Dec 1, 2023 16:46:05 GMT -5 chiver78 said:

Dec 1, 2023 16:27:42 GMT -5 soupandstew said:

I'm so glad phase 1 is done and it's definitely going to be awesome.  When possible we would love pics

I'll try, but I think I need to figure out a new way to do things. the Shutterfly share site I used to use has been discontinued by the site. 

I still use Shutterfly to post pictures here.  I just right click on the pic in the shutterfly account to get a link.

[TheOtherMe]

Dec 1, 2023 15:52:01 GMT -5 finnime said:

I think I may get one more Christmas gift for DH: a portable SSD. He's paranoid about losing his pictures since, over the years, he has actually lost some as PC's and laptops falter. I assured him 100 times that we're okay; that Google has complete copies of everything. But he can't accept that. I can relate. So an SSD it is (I think.)

Yes, SSD.  I back up to the cloud (Dropbox) and Carbonite.  I also back up to a portable SSD.  I can't take the chance that Ancestry suddenly closes shop.

[chiver78]

Dec 1, 2023 16:48:33 GMT -5 minnesotapaintlady said:

Dec 1, 2023 16:46:05 GMT -5 chiver78 said:

I'll try, but I think I need to figure out a new way to do things. the Shutterfly share site I used to use has been discontinued by the site. 

I still use Shutterfly to post pictures here.  I just right click on the pic in the shutterfly account to get a link.

are you using a share site, or just your basic Shutterfly account? I had a share site where the visible username was editable to my screen name here. just curious if I'd need to open another to do the same if I can't change what is visible from the basic account. 

[The Walk of the Penguin Mich]

All the info and our passports have been dropped off at FedEx for the visas.  I feel naked without access to my passport now.  My NEXUS card will get me across the border in the meantime.  

I stopped at the grocery store on the way home, intending on just picking up produce.  I picked up produce, along with sausage to make a batch of spaghetti sauce next week.  

Bean soup with leftover ham is on the stove for tonight.

[NastyWoman]

Dec 1, 2023 17:19:41 GMT -5 The Walk of the Penguin Mich said:

All the info and our passports have been dropped off at FedEx for the visas.  I feel naked without access to my passport now.  My NEXUS card will get me across the border in the meantime.  

I stopped at the grocery store on the way home, intending on just picking up produce.  I picked up produce, along with sausage to make a batch of spaghetti sauce next week.  

Bean soup with leftover ham is on the stove for tonight.

Are your visas going to be entered physically into your passport? I am just curious about the difference in the process though it may be entirely due to our different nationalities. Dsis2 and I just send copies of our passports and "headshot selfies" to DS1 and he took care of it for us. It was done within days and just cost a few dollar. It seems to be a much more involved process for you? There was also no requirement to show proof of insurance - which we both made sure to have in place - but nobody actually ever asked whether we did have any

[The Walk of the Penguin Mich]

Dec 1, 2023 17:27:38 GMT -5 NastyWoman said:

Dec 1, 2023 17:19:41 GMT -5 The Walk of the Penguin Mich said:

All the info and our passports have been dropped off at FedEx for the visas.  I feel naked without access to my passport now.  My NEXUS card will get me across the border in the meantime.  

I stopped at the grocery store on the way home, intending on just picking up produce.  I picked up produce, along with sausage to make a batch of spaghetti sauce next week.  

Bean soup with leftover ham is on the stove for tonight.

Are your visas going to be entered physically into your passport? I am just curious about the difference in the process though it may be entirely due to our different nationalities. Dsis2 and I just send copies of our passports and "headshot selfies" to DS1 and he took care of it for us. It was done within days and just cost a few dollar. It seems to be a much more involved process for you? There was also no requirement to show proof of insurance - which we both made sure to have in place - but nobody actually ever asked whether we did have any

I have gotten other visas much more easily.  Maybe it is the type?  We had to get visas for NZ, Aus, India, Saudi, Vietnam, Egypt and Sri Lanka (I think) last year.  

[NancysSummerSip]

Waiting for a baked potato to finish for DH -- I am having leftover pasta, and his shrimp will saute quickly.

[finnime]

We had kielbasa for supper. Now to get packed up for tomorrow.

I've received about half the order I placed w Michael's for frames. Haven't heard yet when the rest will be here. Getting impatient. This was a really big order.

[soupandstew]

I got prelim results of blood draw - total cholesterol slightly elevated but no sign of tissue damage.  I guess next step is to try a different statin that I can tolerate at full dose, and find a non-conflicting bp med.  

[chiver78]

I'm trying not to cave and turn on the space heater downstairs, but I think I'm losing that battle soon. 🥶 pups are both out cold, we've all had dinner, my leftovers are packed and in the fridge. if I turn on the space heater, I'll be comatose within the hour and then up all night once I wake back up.

[empress of self-improvement]

Rearranging my kitchen and debating food. I should be eating something out of the freezer. I just don't want to.

[saveinla]

Dec 1, 2023 14:58:50 GMT -5 Pink Cashmere said:

My sinuses are giving me hell again. I have some leftover chicken breasts I baked last night to top baked potatoes with. I’m going to use those to make some chicken noodle soup this evening. I got the bright idea to try a recipe this time, because we have some fresh celery, carrots and green beans I want to use up I usually use canned vegetables. I usually just wing it, and it turns out good. If I try a recipe and don’t like it, Imma be sad lol.

We will still have fresh celery and carrots we need to use somehow, instead of throwing them away. I told Mister we throw away wayyyy too much food. I cooked salmon the other day, and roasted some of the carrots. I’d never have thought to do that, until it was part of some Hello Fresh recipes when we were getting those delivered. I was surprised that I liked it, I’ve never been a carrot fan. With the salmon and carrots, I also roasted some broccoli, but it wasn’t much, because the older broccoli had gone bad. So I cooked some of the fresh green beans to make up for not having enough broccoli.

Oddly enough, as much as I hate cooking, I am actually kind of enjoying cooking with fresh vegetables. I don’t mind the chopping as much as I use to. I think having a large, nice cutting board and good knives has helped a LOT with that task not being so bad anymore. I refuse to use fresh garlic though, because I still hate mincing it. It’s so small, and it makes my hands sticky. Me no likey. 

I went looking for a smaller cutting board like the one I have, but the company that made mine, doesn’t make mahogany cutting boards anymore. I think it’s mahogany, I was sure when I was looking for another one like it lol. Mine is great for when I have to chop several things, but because it’s so big, I’d like the option of using a smaller one when I don’t have much to chop.

You dont have to mince them if you like garlic - you can slice them after whacking them with your knife.

[jerseygirl]

Or buy a garlic press

[Pink Cashmere]

Dec 1, 2023 15:38:08 GMT -5 soupandstew said:

Dec 1, 2023 14:58:50 GMT -5 Pink Cashmere said:

My sinuses are giving me hell again. I have some leftover chicken breasts I baked last night to top baked potatoes with. I’m going to use those to make some chicken noodle soup this evening. I got the bright idea to try a recipe this time, because we have some fresh celery, carrots and green beans I want to use up I usually use canned vegetables. I usually just wing it, and it turns out good. If I try a recipe and don’t like it, Imma be sad lol.

We will still have fresh celery and carrots we need to use somehow, instead of throwing them away. I told Mister we throw away wayyyy too much food. I cooked salmon the other day, and roasted some of the carrots. I’d never have thought to do that, until it was part of some Hello Fresh recipes when we were getting those delivered. I was surprised that I liked it, I’ve never been a carrot fan. With the salmon and carrots, I also roasted some broccoli, but it wasn’t much, because the older broccoli had gone bad. So I cooked some of the fresh green beans to make up for not having enough broccoli.

Oddly enough, as much as I hate cooking, I am actually kind of enjoying cooking with fresh vegetables. I don’t mind the chopping as much as I use to. I think having a large, nice cutting board and good knives has helped a LOT with that task not being so bad anymore. I refuse to use fresh garlic though, because I still hate mincing it. It’s so small, and it makes my hands sticky. Me no likey. 

I went looking for a smaller cutting board like the one I have, but the company that made mine, doesn’t make mahogany cutting boards anymore. I think it’s mahogany, I was sure when I was looking for another one like it lol. Mine is great for when I have to chop several things, but because it’s so big, I’d like the option of using a smaller one when I don’t have much to chop.

That is a game-changer for sure - I skimp on some things but not on the tools that make my cooking easier.  

The funny thing is that several years ago, maybe 10 years, posters on these boards tried to convince me that it was worth spending the money to buy good kitchen stuff. I specifically remember thinking Archie was nuts talking about good knives, when he said how much they can cost. When he said having a good balanced knife in your hand feels kind of sexy, I really thought he was crazy lol. But I did still listen to his advice and slowly upgraded my knives, starting with a chef knife on clearance at Target. Then I replaced that one with another that was a little more expensive. Then replaced that one with another that cost a little more. And now I have “good” knives, or at least decent ones, and I have to admit Archie was right.

I also listened and upgraded my pots and pans back then, because I had been buying cheap boxed sets. I bought some nice Calphalon when I caught sales, and I’ll never go back to the stuff I use to buy. I chose Calphalon because a lot of posters that cooked a lot, seemed to like their products back then. I love my stainless steel Calphalon cookware. The nonstick, not so much, but I’ve come to realize I don’t really like nonstick cookware, period. 

All of that to say that there have been many, many random things that I’ve learned around here over the years, that have actually made a difference in several areas of my life. 

[Pink Cashmere]

Dec 1, 2023 18:37:24 GMT -5 jerseygirl said:

Or buy a garlic press

Don’t laugh, but I’ve never heard of a garlic press. Off to Google I go…..

[Opti]

Dec 1, 2023 18:18:54 GMT -5 soupandstew said:

I got prelim results of blood draw - total cholesterol slightly elevated but no sign of tissue damage.  I guess next step is to try a different statin that I can tolerate at full dose, and find a non-conflicting bp med.  

Hope you find a statin that works for you.

[Opti]

Dec 1, 2023 18:51:50 GMT -5 Pink Cashmere said:

Dec 1, 2023 18:37:24 GMT -5 jerseygirl said:

Or buy a garlic press

Don’t laugh, but I’ve never heard of a garlic press. Off to Google I go…..

Its a small miniature garlic iron. 


I have not succeeded at whacking of garlic cloves, but my set of knives is quite old. Chicago Cutlery from a my marriage thirty? years ago. I have not mastered the art of sharpening knives. I'd be more than happy to out source that. When possible I buy garlic from NW NJ because it is legit grown here. And has way more of the good stuff & healthful properties than "odorless" garlic.

[Opti]

Cooking memes interlude

[NomoreDramaQ1015]

DH bought this for my birthday. I saw her in a resale shop and talked myself out of it. He went back and got it

[Peace77]

Dec 1, 2023 14:58:50 GMT -5 Pink Cashmere said:

My sinuses are giving me hell again. I have some leftover chicken breasts I baked last night to top baked potatoes with. I’m going to use those to make some chicken noodle soup this evening. I got the bright idea to try a recipe this time, because we have some fresh celery, carrots and green beans I want to use up I usually use canned vegetables. I usually just wing it, and it turns out good. If I try a recipe and don’t like it, Imma be sad lol.

We will still have fresh celery and carrots we need to use somehow, instead of throwing them away. I told Mister we throw away wayyyy too much food. I cooked salmon the other day, and roasted some of the carrots. I’d never have thought to do that, until it was part of some Hello Fresh recipes when we were getting those delivered. I was surprised that I liked it, I’ve never been a carrot fan. With the salmon and carrots, I also roasted some broccoli, but it wasn’t much, because the older broccoli had gone bad. So I cooked some of the fresh green beans to make up for not having enough broccoli.

Oddly enough, as much as I hate cooking, I am actually kind of enjoying cooking with fresh vegetables. I don’t mind the chopping as much as I use to. I think having a large, nice cutting board and good knives has helped a LOT with that task not being so bad anymore. I refuse to use fresh garlic though, because I still hate mincing it. It’s so small, and it makes my hands sticky. Me no likey. 

I went looking for a smaller cutting board like the one I have, but the company that made mine, doesn’t make mahogany cutting boards anymore. I think it’s mahogany, I was sure when I was looking for another one like it lol. Mine is great for when I have to chop several things, but because it’s so big, I’d like the option of using a smaller one when I don’t have much to chop.

You can buy garlic already minced in small jars with oil.

[minnesotapaintlady]

Dec 1, 2023 16:54:14 GMT -5 chiver78 said:

Dec 1, 2023 16:48:33 GMT -5 minnesotapaintlady said:

I still use Shutterfly to post pictures here.  I just right click on the pic in the shutterfly account to get a link.

are you using a share site, or just your basic Shutterfly account? I had a share site where the visible username was editable to my screen name here. just curious if I'd need to open another to do the same if I can't change what is visible from the basic account. 

I'm just using my shutterfly account.  I don't think link shows my name?  Maybe it's accessible...try and let me know. 

[Pink Cashmere]

Dec 1, 2023 19:12:22 GMT -5 Peace77 said:

Dec 1, 2023 14:58:50 GMT -5 Pink Cashmere said:

My sinuses are giving me hell again. I have some leftover chicken breasts I baked last night to top baked potatoes with. I’m going to use those to make some chicken noodle soup this evening. I got the bright idea to try a recipe this time, because we have some fresh celery, carrots and green beans I want to use up I usually use canned vegetables. I usually just wing it, and it turns out good. If I try a recipe and don’t like it, Imma be sad lol.

We will still have fresh celery and carrots we need to use somehow, instead of throwing them away. I told Mister we throw away wayyyy too much food. I cooked salmon the other day, and roasted some of the carrots. I’d never have thought to do that, until it was part of some Hello Fresh recipes when we were getting those delivered. I was surprised that I liked it, I’ve never been a carrot fan. With the salmon and carrots, I also roasted some broccoli, but it wasn’t much, because the older broccoli had gone bad. So I cooked some of the fresh green beans to make up for not having enough broccoli.

Oddly enough, as much as I hate cooking, I am actually kind of enjoying cooking with fresh vegetables. I don’t mind the chopping as much as I use to. I think having a large, nice cutting board and good knives has helped a LOT with that task not being so bad anymore. I refuse to use fresh garlic though, because I still hate mincing it. It’s so small, and it makes my hands sticky. Me no likey. 

I went looking for a smaller cutting board like the one I have, but the company that made mine, doesn’t make mahogany cutting boards anymore. I think it’s mahogany, I was sure when I was looking for another one like it lol. Mine is great for when I have to chop several things, but because it’s so big, I’d like the option of using a smaller one when I don’t have much to chop.

You can buy garlic already minced in small jars with oil.

That is what I use since I hate mincing it myself.

[Peace77]

Dec 1, 2023 19:12:34 GMT -5 minnesotapaintlady said:

Dec 1, 2023 16:54:14 GMT -5 chiver78 said:

are you using a share site, or just your basic Shutterfly account? I had a share site where the visible username was editable to my screen name here. just curious if I'd need to open another to do the same if I can't change what is visible from the basic account. 

I'm just using my shutterfly account.  I don't think link shows my name?  Maybe it's accessible...try and let me know. 

Can’t see any name.

[The Walk of the Penguin Mich]

Dec 1, 2023 18:35:51 GMT -5 saveinla said:

Dec 1, 2023 14:58:50 GMT -5 Pink Cashmere said:

My sinuses are giving me hell again. I have some leftover chicken breasts I baked last night to top baked potatoes with. I’m going to use those to make some chicken noodle soup this evening. I got the bright idea to try a recipe this time, because we have some fresh celery, carrots and green beans I want to use up I usually use canned vegetables. I usually just wing it, and it turns out good. If I try a recipe and don’t like it, Imma be sad lol.

We will still have fresh celery and carrots we need to use somehow, instead of throwing them away. I told Mister we throw away wayyyy too much food. I cooked salmon the other day, and roasted some of the carrots. I’d never have thought to do that, until it was part of some Hello Fresh recipes when we were getting those delivered. I was surprised that I liked it, I’ve never been a carrot fan. With the salmon and carrots, I also roasted some broccoli, but it wasn’t much, because the older broccoli had gone bad. So I cooked some of the fresh green beans to make up for not having enough broccoli.

Oddly enough, as much as I hate cooking, I am actually kind of enjoying cooking with fresh vegetables. I don’t mind the chopping as much as I use to. I think having a large, nice cutting board and good knives has helped a LOT with that task not being so bad anymore. I refuse to use fresh garlic though, because I still hate mincing it. It’s so small, and it makes my hands sticky. Me no likey. 

I went looking for a smaller cutting board like the one I have, but the company that made mine, doesn’t make mahogany cutting boards anymore. I think it’s mahogany, I was sure when I was looking for another one like it lol. Mine is great for when I have to chop several things, but because it’s so big, I’d like the option of using a smaller one when I don’t have much to chop.

You dont have to mince them if you like garlic - you can slice them after whacking them with your knife.

You can also pulverize garlic with a microplane.  

[chiver78]

Dec 1, 2023 19:12:34 GMT -5 minnesotapaintlady said:

Dec 1, 2023 16:54:14 GMT -5 chiver78 said:

are you using a share site, or just your basic Shutterfly account? I had a share site where the visible username was editable to my screen name here. just curious if I'd need to open another to do the same if I can't change what is visible from the basic account. 

I'm just using my shutterfly account.  I don't think link shows my name?  Maybe it's accessible...try and let me know. 

I don't see anything personal, but that's only one pic. I used the share site when I wanted to share a few pics at a time. like, painting projects in the new place, or what I want to share about the stone works now.

[Peace77]

I decided to give up on searching thrift stores for inexpensive Corelle plates.  We went to IKEA and bought large and small white plates for 79 cents each.

[TheOtherMe]

DN3 got an all cash offer with no inspection on his house.  Now they have to do the official mortgage paperwork and he said I can come and rock the baby in the sunroom.  

Waiting until the first week of January to close.  

The house they are buying is because the parents of the present owners are ill and the owners have moved in with them.  So they are making house payments on this house and one they bought with no stairs to accommodate the parents.  

It's been on the market over 90 days because the realtor told him it was overpriced.  

[jerseygirl]

Don’t see a name
Big chickens!