what are you doing right now?

[minnesotapaintlady]

Dec 1, 2023 19:23:35 GMT -5 chiver78 said:

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

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.

Yeah, I just put a link for each individual picture when I want to do multiple.

[NastyWoman]

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 my way of dealing with that stinky but o so delicious garlic. Also, I will never become a vampire as long as there isn't a vampire that catches Covid and loses it sense of taste 

[Opti]

Did manage to get a RT ride to the doctors. Now I know two people new to that practice. There are two sides on that floor think A and B. They couldn't pull me up on the schedule where I went last and they said maybe you are across the hall. Yup.

Good news, Rapid test said no Covid and no flu. Will pick up scrips tommorrow after work, after lunch. Did not get my alternet pharmacy listed, but that's OK. 

[countrygirl2]

I ran errands all day. Had to wait at the bank, wait at both pharmicies. Everything was so busy, it was crazy out there even in our little town. I'm so tired. When I got home, folded some clothes and washed some more. Made hubs chili, probably burned his sinuses out it was so hot. I took a shower and was ready for bed at 6. Kept falling asleep in my recliner so gave up. I'm hitting the sack at 8, just can't keep my eyes open. Night all.

[Opti]

Oh and I think that pearl thing was called in for me. Hopefully my favorite pharmacist is working this weekend. He will give me more insight on what to do or consider taking. I told today's doctor that I thought if I ack down could manage my hydration better and get my weight down enough, I wouldn't need baby blood pressure pills at all. But being a realist, not taking a water pill was not a hill I was willing to die on especially when it was explained to most people's veins get less elastic and less forgiving as they get older.

[Opti]

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 want to come visit when its warm. I'd want to drive that small tractor and help feed the chickens at least once. 
What kind of chickens are these?

[soupandstew]

Supper was 30 minutes late despite my best efforts as I got a call from my president-elect.  Thankfully DH understands that my new title is consigliere, although he did remind me what happened to them in the Godfather series.  I am honored and grateful to contribute to my community in any way I can.  The men and women who will assume community leadership in January are people I reached out to and brought into our organization in 2016 after I defeated them in our annual election.   Over the years we have become true friends, respecting one another despite a chasm of political differences.  Recognizing our mutual commitment to a better neighborhood and one another's integrity transcends party affiliation.  

[minnesotapaintlady]

Dec 1, 2023 20:11:29 GMT -5 Opti said:

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

I want to come visit when its warm. I'd want to drive that small tractor and help feed the chickens at least once. 
What kind of chickens are these?

They're Buff Brahma chickens (except the black one in front, she's an Araucana, otherwise known as an Easter Egg Chicken).

[soupandstew]

Dec 1, 2023 20:20:52 GMT -5 minnesotapaintlady said:

Dec 1, 2023 20:11:29 GMT -5 Opti said:

I want to come visit when its warm. I'd want to drive that small tractor and help feed the chickens at least once. 
What kind of chickens are these?

They're Buff Brahma chickens (except the black one in front, she's an Araucana, otherwise known as an Easter Egg Chicken).

Dang, those gals are so pretty I'm going to have to block this image or I'll never be able to eat chicken again.  They look snuggly

[Pink Cashmere]

Chicken noodle soup is done. Mister made cornbread to go with it. He wasn’t thrilled about making it, but I wasn’t going to try to make it myself. Idk how, and I didn’t feel like trying to find and follow a recipe. 

[NomoreDramaQ1015]

Dec 1, 2023 20:22:41 GMT -5 soupandstew said:

Dec 1, 2023 20:20:52 GMT -5 minnesotapaintlady said:

They're Buff Brahma chickens (except the black one in front, she's an Araucana, otherwise known as an Easter Egg Chicken).

Dang, those gals are so pretty I'm going to have to block this image or I'll never be able to eat chicken again.  They look snuggly

I heard Gwen once tell SIL chickens they were cute and it's too bad they taste so delicious.

[giramomma]

I now have a massive wild hair up my ass. Or maybe several.

Sometimes being able to operate outside of the box is useful.

I anticipate that  my ideas will be shot down next week.

I don't mind making the pitch.

It's to someone who actually listens to me and remembers. Something that is really lacking in my life (from other adults).

[weltz]

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.

I never use jarred minced garlic. It tastes cooked and 'sour'.

[weltz]

Dec 1, 2023 18:56:34 GMT -5 Opti said:

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

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.

It doesn't  matter. Lay a clove of unpeeled garlic on a cutting board. Put the blade of a large knife flat over it, and whack it with your fist, hard.  I prefer to do it with the ouside edge of my hand so I don't accidently slit my wrists. Knives can slip. The peel will slide right off.
I also rarely use a garlic press. I chop it fine with a chef's knife in no time flat.  The trick is to sprinkle salt on it so it doesn't fly around.

[cooper88]

It's been a brutal work week, due to people at the top not actually knowing WTF my division does but going ahead and making sweeping changes anyway. I'm going to chill this weekend and take my dog shopping for her Christmas presents. She gets to pick them out. She loves to shop!

[anciana]

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…..

Pink, I’ve given up on buying fresh garlic and just get it frozen. It’s already smashed and portioned and costs a few dollars at Walmart, Target or grocery store:

www.walmart.com/ip/Dorot-Gardens-Dorot-Crushed-Garlic-Ovals-2-8-Ounce-16-per-case/714959773?from=/search

[Pink Cashmere]

I am slightly amused that Mister keeps having fits about the costs of buying the stuff I normally buy. I still shop sales and just tell him to look at the cart and pay for it.

The current grocery cart is just over $100. But it is stuff we use regularly, and all of it is on sale. 

He wants smell good for the house, and started a cart at Bath and Bodyworks to buy some candles. I’ve never bought their candles, but I did use to regularly buy their wallflowers until my money got funny. I guess he finally noticed that the house doesn’t smell like it use to lol. He was appalled at how much that cost, even on sale. And that does not include buying wallflowers for everywhere I use to have them. 

I did buy some hand soap a few days ago from there, when it was basically half price. But I did that for me, because I do like having those hand soaps in my bathroom, the guest bathroom, and the kitchen. I didn’t ask him to pay for that because it’s solely my preference, and something I’d rather not do without. 

I am petty enough these days to still get a slight kick out of him fussing about the costs of the things I use to spend my own money on for our household. For necessities, and stuff that just make things more pleasant. 

I like for my house to smell good too, but as long as it’s not actually stinky…. whatever. Which is why I stopped buying the wallflowers when my money got funny. I still have essential oils I can use in my diffusers as needed, or when I just want to. 

He took all of that for granted, so I am waiting for him to acknowledge that I did contribute a nice amount of money to our household besides the bills I paid. I’m not holding my breath though, because he might never acknowledge it, even with all of his grumbling about how much it all costs now that I won’t pay for it anymore. 

[Pink Cashmere]

Dec 1, 2023 21:17:49 GMT -5 cooper88 said:

It's been a brutal work week, due to people at the top not actually knowing WTF my division does but going ahead and making sweeping changes anyway. I'm going to chill this weekend and take my dog shopping for her Christmas presents. She gets to pick them out. She loves to shop!

How does that work? I’d love to be able to take my dogs shopping and let them choose what they want. How does your dog let you know what she wants? I’m asking because my dogs have been all over the place when I’ve taken them into pet stores lol.

[Pink Cashmere]

I picked Boy’s new coat up this evening. It is more complicated than his last one. He didn’t care about us taking it back off after we put it in to make sure it fit. 

He seems neutral about it. We can put it on if we want to, but he’s fine with us taking it off.

He’s not the same dog he was last winter, so I won’t be surprised if he’s not like he was last year, when he didn’t like us taking his coat off. We’ll just put it on him when it’s cold outside and he’ll be outside for more than a few minutes.

Mister wants him to also have some pajamas, since I prefer it to be cool at bedtime, and Boy gets cold so easily. 

I will look for some doggie pajamas for him and Newbie.

[Opti]

Dec 1, 2023 21:13:58 GMT -5 weltz said:

Dec 1, 2023 18:56:34 GMT -5 Opti said:

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.

It doesn't  matter. Lay a clove of unpeeled garlic on a cutting board. Put the blade of a large knife flat over it, and whack it with your fist, hard.  I prefer to do it with the ouside edge of my hand so I don't accidently slit my wrists. Knives can slip. The peel will slide right off.
I also rarely use a garlic press. I chop it fine with a chef's knife in no time flat.  The trick is to sprinkle salt on it so it doesn't fly around.

So, do you just salt the cutting board, or the entire garlic clove itself?

[minnesotapaintlady]

Carrot went camping this weekend so I don't have anyone telling me to lay off the ice cream. 

I might just sleep on the couch too. 

[andi9899]

I'm finally in for the night in my hotel room in TX. We drove and I'm never doing that again. We were in the car almost 9 hours today and I'm beat! We went to dinner and came back after we checked in.

On the way here we saw a bunch of casinos along I-35. I changed the hotel reservation. Instead of 2 nights in TX we'll stay one night. I booked another hotel in OK for tomorrow night. We're gonna drive halfway and go to the casino tomorrow night and leave from OK Sunday morning. Since we changed locations and consolidated to one room for tomorrow, that saved me $650. I can gamble with that money. Winning!

[Opti]

Dec 1, 2023 20:22:41 GMT -5 soupandstew said:

Dec 1, 2023 20:20:52 GMT -5 minnesotapaintlady said:

They're Buff Brahma chickens (except the black one in front, she's an Araucana, otherwise known as an Easter Egg Chicken).

Dang, those gals are so pretty I'm going to have to block this image or I'll never be able to eat chicken again.  They look snuggly

"Heirloom" chickens are super cool. Having read what MPL posted I realize she has told me this before, but I did not remember. In NJ there is a place called Well Sweep Herb Farm. I think its in Port Murray, NJ if they are still there. They have had in the past MPL's chicken types and others. Its very cool because depending on when you go, they would explain what chickens and roosters they had on the farm and why. How to dry and use lavender etc. I did try to make Rose Geranium sugar with mixed results, but I think if I tried more times, I'd get what worked for me.

[minnesotapaintlady]

My favorite thing about Brahma chickens is their feathered feet.

[weltz]

Dec 1, 2023 21:58:01 GMT -5 Opti said:

Dec 1, 2023 21:13:58 GMT -5 weltz said:

It doesn't  matter. Lay a clove of unpeeled garlic on a cutting board. Put the blade of a large knife flat over it, and whack it with your fist, hard.  I prefer to do it with the ouside edge of my hand so I don't accidently slit my wrists. Knives can slip. The peel will slide right off.
I also rarely use a garlic press. I chop it fine with a chef's knife in no time flat.  The trick is to sprinkle salt on it so it doesn't fly around.

So, do you just salt the cutting board, or the entire garlic clove itself?

I sprinke salt on the garlic itself. You're going to salt your food anyway. 
I find it faster than using a garlic press, and then digging the garlic out of the little holes.
It takes a bit of practice, but I've been doing it for years.

[weltz]

Dec 1, 2023 23:49:14 GMT -5 minnesotapaintlady said:

My favorite thing about Brahma chickens is their feathered feet.

Don't the feathers accumulate chicken poop? Do you have to clean their feet?

[minnesotapaintlady]

Dec 1, 2023 23:52:17 GMT -5 weltz said:

Dec 1, 2023 23:49:14 GMT -5 minnesotapaintlady said:

My favorite thing about Brahma chickens is their feathered feet.

Don't the feathers accumulate chicken poop? Do you have to clean their feet?

Not really.  I mean, I'm sure they get some on there, but chicken poop dries to a powdery dust pretty fast if they do and mine are also free-range, so they're not sitting around in a dirty coop much.  They like to go in the goat pen which is dirt, so if it's been rainy, they do get muddy foot feathers, but they seem to dry out and fluff up nice again.  They're big on dust baths, and dig big holes in my barn to roll around in. 

[andi9899]

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.

I just buy jarlic from Sam's Club. I use so much garlic when I cook that this makes sense.

www.samsclub.com/sams/shop/product.jsp?productId=prod20612256&mobiledetect=false&pid=092410_RFI|ANDROID|Featured_Products|Member's%20Mark%20Minced%20Garlic%20(48%20oz.)

[andi9899]

Dec 1, 2023 20:44:52 GMT -5 NomoreDramaQ1015 said:

Dec 1, 2023 20:22:41 GMT -5 soupandstew said:

Dang, those gals are so pretty I'm going to have to block this image or I'll never be able to eat chicken again.  They look snuggly

I heard Gwen once tell SIL chickens they were cute and it's too bad they taste so delicious.

We drove past cows on the way to TX and I apologized for eating one of them soon.

[finnime]

Good morning, garlic and chicken afficionado invisipeeps, preparing dinners the world over. Chicken goes well with garlic. I hope your Saturday provides rest and relaxation, and appreciation from those for whom you made suppers.

Today we have an arts and crafts show. This one's in a church and as I said, I don't expect much. Next Saturday will be nuts with two shows in 2 different towns, but it will be the last of the year. No more until next spring. We picked up a new, white canopy yesterday. It's very heavy. One lesson learned this year is the importance of effectively setting up a storefront at each festival, with all the extras including tables, chairs and lighting.

I've been loading up my website with new images. I'm going to have DD cull it. Some of the older stuff can go now, to make room.

The dawn yesterday was slow in coming but showed as it prepared a delicate tranquility, with brants parading beyond the jetty and brushstrokes of clouds.