what are you doing right now?

[The Walk of the Penguin Mich]

Dec 13, 2023 18:18:29 GMT -5 soupandstew said:

Dec 13, 2023 17:58:51 GMT -5 NoNamePerson said:

Doesn't sound weird at all to me. I love fresh beets. I seldom roast just one but then I pickle them so easier to do more than one. I haven't seen yellow beets in stores lately. I guess I need to see if they are seasonal maybe. Never gave it a thought till now. Off to google. Enjoy your meal!!

I've never seen yellow in stores except Whole Foods.  I got mine at a farmer's market last week and I'm excited to taste it.  We like both beets and their greens so this is going to be a fun meal for us.  

We get all the colors of beets here in just the regular grocery stores.  I haven't roasted beets in ages, mainly as they stain everything.

[NoNamePerson]

Dec 13, 2023 18:47:49 GMT -5 The Walk of the Penguin Mich said:

Dec 13, 2023 18:18:29 GMT -5 soupandstew said:

I've never seen yellow in stores except Whole Foods.  I got mine at a farmer's market last week and I'm excited to taste it.  We like both beets and their greens so this is going to be a fun meal for us.  

We get all the colors of beets here in just the regular grocery stores.  I haven't roasted beets in ages, mainly as they stain everything.

Only see red and yellow in stores here. Now you have me checking out other colors - I think I'm going to have to start growing my own or at least the other colors. To late now but will keep it in mind next fall. 

[soupandstew]

This forum is really enlightening - sometimes sadly so.  Not having a birth family to speak of, I always sort of longed for one, but now I see so many posts about conflict and misery in families.  I see adults using children as proxy pawns in their adult power struggles, tales of addiction and betrayal, discovery of past lies, the misery of being forced to care for elders, and so much more.

Oddly this is helpful to me as it seems that "family", be it blood or marital, is just another source of sorrow so I'm gradually moving past my longing and feeling grateful that I don't have those added challenges and traumas.  Yes, I'm often lonely and I fear for my future care, but I see many here with "family" who struggle with those feelings and problems too.  Overall, I feel that the cost of "family" - interference in marriages and child rearing, sibling struggles, loss of life quality to care for seniors, and more - is much more than I could have handled.  

[chiver78]

I'm about to head downstairs to wind down for the night. tomorrow's an early morning, with both HVAC techs (simple furnace PM) and Stanley Steemer arriving in the morning. HVAC tech is slated for 7am arrival, woof. whatever, it needed to be done, I forgot last year. and the couch?      thank the universe for those little odor absorbing jars of round gel things that Yankee Candle sells. b/c my sectional smells like wet dog. time for a deep clean! 

M was here this afternoon, she took a work call on her way home from the airport. she got here with enough time for a potty break before calling in, she never would have made it all the way to her house in time. the pups were happy to see her, it's been a few weeks. we also finally gave the pups the "pupcakes" for LD's birthday last week. they seemed happy. both are out cold now, between her visit and us taking an adventure into the sand dunes earlier in the day. 

I'm already not looking forward to logging in to work tomorrow. I've fielded a number of texts today with requests, and my response has been yes, I'll add it to the to-do list when I log in tomorrow morning. 

[soupandstew]

Dec 13, 2023 18:47:49 GMT -5 The Walk of the Penguin Mich said:

Dec 13, 2023 18:18:29 GMT -5 soupandstew said:

I've never seen yellow in stores except Whole Foods.  I got mine at a farmer's market last week and I'm excited to taste it.  We like both beets and their greens so this is going to be a fun meal for us.  

We get all the colors of beets here in just the regular grocery stores.  I haven't roasted beets in ages, mainly as they stain everything.

I hear you -  I have tile kitchen counters with cream grout.  Bleach is my best friend.  

[snapdragon]

Built my bakers rack in the garage and have 5 of the 6 shelves installed. missing 1 piece for the shelves to lock down. I bought pieces, I just need to find them. Also need to find a comparable wheel so for now I took all the wheels off. 
A few more boxes have been taken care of. 
Recycling is already put out. 
I managed to make the laundry room much more pleasant and organized. 
I will keep plucking away at things but for now I need a break. 


A Christmas miracle happened for a friend today - 

She took someone out to lunch and grocery shopping Monday. They gave her a cash gift and insisted that she put it in her purse. Well somehow her purse was lost, and she has been trying to replace everything. She was with a neighbor and re-called the grocery store and someone turned to purse in, everything was still inside! She already had started on the bank info and ID, but saved herself a ton of hassle on replacing her cell. What they think happened is that when steering the grocery cart the purse was pushed off the bottom and got inside a bag. She was stressing out so badly. She is going to convert it into a crossbody/shoulder bag so that this won't happen in future.

[MarionTh230]

Just finished making a grocery list.  A mix of menu planning regular meals for the next week or so along with holiday meal planning and holiday baking.  We will go grocery shopping tomorrow, so I'll check the list again tomorrow morning.  I'm a little cross-eyed at the moment going back and forth between regular menu/holiday menu coupled with comparing weekly ads from 4 different grocery stores. 

This is one thing I don't enjoy.  DH had a very generous employee discount at the store he used to work at so I never had to coordinate menus with sales.  I'm a bit rusty.  I can do it, I'm just a little out of practice so it can be a bit much some days.

[soupandstew]

Dec 13, 2023 19:53:03 GMT -5 MarionTh230 said:

Just finished making a grocery list.  A mix of menu planning regular meals for the next week or so along with holiday meal planning and holiday baking.  We will go grocery shopping tomorrow, so I'll check the list again tomorrow morning.  I'm a little cross-eyed at the moment going back and forth between regular menu/holiday menu coupled with comparing weekly ads from 4 different grocery stores. 

This is one thing I don't enjoy.  DH had a very generous employee discount at the store he used to work at so I never had to coordinate menus with sales.  I'm a bit rusty.  I can do it, I'm just a little out of practice so it can be a bit much some days.

I've missed your posts MarionTh230 - good to "see" you tonight.  The regular/holiday menu thing is enough of a challenge and adding in the sales thing - ooof!   If you little one out of school next week?

[MarionTh230]

Dec 13, 2023 19:13:58 GMT -5 soupandstew said:

Dec 13, 2023 18:47:49 GMT -5 The Walk of the Penguin Mich said:

We get all the colors of beets here in just the regular grocery stores.  I haven't roasted beets in ages, mainly as they stain everything.

I hear you -  I have tile kitchen counters with cream grout.  Bleach is my best friend.  

DH wants me to grow him some beets.  Which is a problem because the squirrels ate all the leaves off the seedlings.  Which isn't my point.  My point is, if I do manage to grow him some beets, I'm over here silently cringing about the mess that will happen in my kitchen with these things.  Just the thought of that unholy mess all over my counters and sink and white ceramic tile floor gives me nightmares!  

Oh, there's also the issue that after 21.5 years together I never knew DH liked beets.  He has literally never eaten one since we started dating.  But, that's a whole different issue.

[soupandstew]

MarionTh230 post inspired me to prepare a shopping list for the coming holidays.

Aldi - smoked salmon, bagels, cream cheese
Local small grocery - one red onion (for bagels and lox), Salvadoran crema (we prefer it to creme fraiche with the caviar and blinis)
Farmers Market - Tamales and gumbo
Local large grocery - Dessert for Christmas Day
Whole Foods - Caviar, blinis, dessert for New Year's Day
Specialty market - Boneless stuffed Cajun chicken

On hand - capers, Spanish rice mix

Next week is an abbreviated week for cooking as we are going out Tuesday night to a wine dinner.  I'll also work on making freezer space by using stuff on hand.  

[Pink Cashmere]

Once again, it took almost an hour to get home from work even though I tried a different route. I am REALLY not feeling all this damn traffic and car accidents.

I finally got home and couldn’t get past the laundry room where the door to the garage is. I’ve been complaining about the pocket door between the laundry room and the kitchen “sticking”, and this evening it just refused to open. Fortunately I carry keys to the front door even though we never use it, so I had to go back outside and walk around to the front door. Tried to open the pocket door from the kitchen side. Nope. So I had to back around the house and through the garage to get Boy and put him on a leash so he could go pee, then I could put them outside. 

We keep him in the laundry room when we aren’t home. I let him outside again just before I left home this morning, but Mister should’ve been home a couple hours before me, and Boy has never gone that long without going outside. He was a good boy though and didn’t make a mess in the laundry room. 

Mister finally got the door open after he got home, but he broke something at the top of it. He’s trying to see if he can fix it now. If he can’t, idk what we’re going to do with Boy while we’re at work tomorrow. I guess put the crate back together. The crate is more than big enough for him, but less room than he has in the laundry room. 

I am aggravated.

[soupandstew]

Dec 13, 2023 20:15:17 GMT -5 MarionTh230 said:

Dec 13, 2023 19:13:58 GMT -5 soupandstew said:

I hear you -  I have tile kitchen counters with cream grout.  Bleach is my best friend.  

DH wants me to grow him some beets.  Which is a problem because the squirrels ate all the leaves off the seedlings.  Which isn't my point.  My point is, if I do manage to grow him some beets, I'm over here silently cringing about the mess that will happen in my kitchen with these things.  Just the thought of that unholy mess all over my counters and sink and white ceramic tile floor gives me nightmares!  

Oh, there's also the issue that after 21.5 years together I never knew DH liked beets.  He has literally never eaten one since we started dating.  But, that's a whole different issue.

The mess isn't that bad overall.  When you harvest you pull the whole thing up-if you don't want to use the greens, just whack them off before you come in the house.  The beets themselves can go in a bag in the veggie drawer until cooking.  When ready to cook, scrub well, indulge top and bottom, throw on a piece of foil, drizzle with olive oil, wrap it up and roast for 60 minutes or until tender.  If you are keeping the greens, give them a very thorough rinse in the sink, and either spin dry in a salad spinner or towel dry; then store in the veggie drawer until you cook in a couple of days.  Wilt the greens down like you would spinach or chard - olive oil, S&P, garlic if desired.  Other than white grout and fingernails, the beet stain isn't that bad.  Not nearly as bad as my turmeric, curry, paprika stains from other culinary adventures.  

Roasted beets are really good either hot or room temp - awesome sliced on a salad with walnuts and crumbled feta or blue cheese.  

[MarionTh230]

Dec 13, 2023 19:59:26 GMT -5 soupandstew said:

Dec 13, 2023 19:53:03 GMT -5 MarionTh230 said:

Just finished making a grocery list.  A mix of menu planning regular meals for the next week or so along with holiday meal planning and holiday baking.  We will go grocery shopping tomorrow, so I'll check the list again tomorrow morning.  I'm a little cross-eyed at the moment going back and forth between regular menu/holiday menu coupled with comparing weekly ads from 4 different grocery stores. 

This is one thing I don't enjoy.  DH had a very generous employee discount at the store he used to work at so I never had to coordinate menus with sales.  I'm a bit rusty.  I can do it, I'm just a little out of practice so it can be a bit much some days.

I've missed your posts MarionTh230 - good to "see" you tonight.  The regular/holiday menu thing is enough of a challenge and adding in the sales thing - ooof!   If you little one out of school next week?

I've been trying to lurk a little bit, but work has been busy.  Along with normal holiday hustle and bustle.  Trying to get things done for holidays while Kiddo is at school since she still believes in Santa.  Taking some time now to try to read back a few pages.

Yes, Friday is her last day and then they are out for winter break.  They go back on the 4th of January I think  Something like that - I have it written down somewhere......  We are on track for so much family together time next week!  I will take off work after Friday and go back in January.  I have my phone and my computer if something comes up (which it probably will), but I should be mostly free for a couple of weeks.

Last year we went out and about and did lots of stuff for Christmas even though DH wasn't necessarily around all the time due to his work schedule.  Lots of shows, light displays, plays, craft festivals, stuff like that.  Mostly keeping busy so I didn't have to think about my parent not being around.  This year, we have lots of at home activities planned to keep Kiddo busy which is kind of nice since we will all be home together.  We will still pick and choose a few things to go out and do, but I'm being a pickier this year since DH isn't working.  Just keeping the budget in check while still finding ways to do fun holiday things.

DH's school system job search is progressing.  I don't want to jinx anything but there have been a few interviews and some additional phone calls to schedule interviews and things of that nature.  We completely expected things to move slowly since all school positions are through the state.  Government doesn't move fast.  He's gotten enough interest that we are not discouraged so he will keep on this path for a little while longer.  I told him we can wait until the end of January to re-evaulate things and decide if we need to widen his search options to non-school system jobs.  

Brooks the cat is a mess!  I work from home as much as I can, and this cat has created himself a bit of a schedule.  DH is usually the first person awake in the mornings so he has playtime with DH before he has his breakfast at 6am.  We get Kiddo physically out of bed by 6:30 so he has playtime with her anywhere between 6:45 and 7.  After Kiddo leaves (and gives him hugs before she walks out the door), he curls up in a ball and takes a nap in the living room until about 10.  Then he gets a drink of water and makes his rounds through the house before taking a nap in our bedroom until about 1.  He starts afternoon playtime anytime after that.  Then a series of light naps in various spots throughout the house until Kiddo gets home from school and they have playtime.  Rinse and repeat daily.

I have also managed to use Brooks as leverage against Kiddo.  I read to Kiddo at bedtime for about 15 minutes.  Brooks likes to sit in the doorway and listen to the story while Kiddo, DH, and I are on the bed reading.  I told Kiddo, look your cat likes to listen to stories.  She said, awwwww how cute.  Yeah, super cute.  So cute in fact, that if you want me to keep reading you this book every night, you need to spend at least 5 minutes a day reading to your cat.  While her reading is at or above grade level, we struggle getting her to read at home just for fun.  This did the trick.  Every day she reads to Brooks for 5 minutes and he just sits there and listens.  Win/win!

[MarionTh230]

Dec 13, 2023 20:30:59 GMT -5 soupandstew said:

Dec 13, 2023 20:15:17 GMT -5 MarionTh230 said:

DH wants me to grow him some beets.  Which is a problem because the squirrels ate all the leaves off the seedlings.  Which isn't my point.  My point is, if I do manage to grow him some beets, I'm over here silently cringing about the mess that will happen in my kitchen with these things.  Just the thought of that unholy mess all over my counters and sink and white ceramic tile floor gives me nightmares!  

Oh, there's also the issue that after 21.5 years together I never knew DH liked beets.  He has literally never eaten one since we started dating.  But, that's a whole different issue.

The mess isn't that bad overall.  When you harvest you pull the whole thing up-if you don't want to use the greens, just whack them off before you come in the house.  The beets themselves can go in a bag in the veggie drawer until cooking.  When ready to cook, scrub well, indulge top and bottom, throw on a piece of foil, drizzle with olive oil, wrap it up and roast for 60 minutes or until tender.  If you are keeping the greens, give them a very thorough rinse in the sink, and either spin dry in a salad spinner or towel dry; then store in the veggie drawer until you cook in a couple of days.  Wilt the greens down like you would spinach or chard - olive oil, S&P, garlic if desired.  Other than white grout and fingernails, the beet stain isn't that bad.  Not nearly as bad as my turmeric, curry, paprika stains from other culinary adventures.  

Roasted beets are really good either hot or room temp - awesome sliced on a salad with walnuts and crumbled feta or blue cheese.  

He said he eats them sliced with vinegar.  I asked for clarification because pickled beets were the first thing that came to my mind, but, no, he was adamant just sliced with vinegar.  All that peeling and slicing is just asking for a mess.....

I have never had beet greens, but it sounds like they are very similar to every other green.  Maybe not a mustard/collard/turnip that needs a good deal of cooking, but a more tender green?  Treat it like a tender green not a tough green?  That salad with blue cheese sounds right up my alley though.  

I've got some seeds started for beets.  Which, technically is a no-no since it's a root crop.  Sowing in place is the generally accepted practice.  Squirrels didn't seem to care though, so I'm sowing in peat pellets with the hope of planting the entire pellet and then thinning once I get enough seedlings to take.  I don't know.  It's my first foray with these things, but DH swears he loves to eat them (despite the fact that I've never seen him take a bit of one in 21.5 years.......).

[soupandstew]

Dec 13, 2023 20:31:58 GMT -5 MarionTh230 said:

Dec 13, 2023 19:59:26 GMT -5 soupandstew said:

I've missed your posts MarionTh230 - good to "see" you tonight.  The regular/holiday menu thing is enough of a challenge and adding in the sales thing - ooof!   If you little one out of school next week?

I've been trying to lurk a little bit, but work has been busy.  Along with normal holiday hustle and bustle.  Trying to get things done for holidays while Kiddo is at school since she still believes in Santa.  Taking some time now to try to read back a few pages.

Yes, Friday is her last day and then they are out for winter break.  They go back on the 4th of January I think  Something like that - I have it written down somewhere......  We are on track for so much family together time next week!  I will take off work after Friday and go back in January.  I have my phone and my computer if something comes up (which it probably will), but I should be mostly free for a couple of weeks.

Last year we went out and about and did lots of stuff for Christmas even though DH wasn't necessarily around all the time due to his work schedule.  Lots of shows, light displays, plays, craft festivals, stuff like that.  Mostly keeping busy so I didn't have to think about my parent not being around.  This year, we have lots of at home activities planned to keep Kiddo busy which is kind of nice since we will all be home together.  We will still pick and choose a few things to go out and do, but I'm being a pickier this year since DH isn't working.  Just keeping the budget in check while still finding ways to do fun holiday things.

DH's school system job search is progressing.  I don't want to jinx anything but there have been a few interviews and some additional phone calls to schedule interviews and things of that nature.  We completely expected things to move slowly since all school positions are through the state.  Government doesn't move fast.  He's gotten enough interest that we are not discouraged so he will keep on this path for a little while longer.  I told him we can wait until the end of January to re-evaulate things and decide if we need to widen his search options to non-school system jobs.  

Brooks the cat is a mess!  I work from home as much as I can, and this cat has created himself a bit of a schedule.  DH is usually the first person awake in the mornings so he has playtime with DH before he has his breakfast at 6am.  We get Kiddo physically out of bed by 6:30 so he has playtime with her anywhere between 6:45 and 7.  After Kiddo leaves (and gives him hugs before she walks out the door), he curls up in a ball and takes a nap in the living room until about 10.  Then he gets a drink of water and makes his rounds through the house before taking a nap in our bedroom until about 1.  He starts afternoon playtime anytime after that.  Then a series of light naps in various spots throughout the house until Kiddo gets home from school and they have playtime.  Rinse and repeat daily.

I have also managed to use Brooks as leverage against Kiddo.  I read to Kiddo at bedtime for about 15 minutes.  Brooks likes to sit in the doorway and listen to the story while Kiddo, DH, and I are on the bed reading.  I told Kiddo, look your cat likes to listen to stories.  She said, awwwww how cute.  Yeah, super cute.  So cute in fact, that if you want me to keep reading you this book every night, you need to spend at least 5 minutes a day reading to your cat.  While her reading is at or above grade level, we struggle getting her to read at home just for fun.  This did the trick.  Every day she reads to Brooks for 5 minutes and he just sits there and listens.  Win/win!

I love that Kiddo still believes in Santa and really, really love that she's reading to Brooks, aka Best Cat Ever.  Your DH's job search sounds very promising.  And cats do indeed create their own very precise schedules and train us in adaptation.

[cooper88]

So I have jury duty until almost the end of January. They are supposed to update the website by 5:30. It's 6:30 now and it's not updated. Neither is the call in number. I'm going to assume someone went home and didn't update things. I'll be on the road for work before they open tomorrow morning, so I surely hope they don't need me.

[Opti]

More than I thought. Princeton farmer's market is the place to see the exotics ln CNJ with usually the prices to match. 

[Pink Cashmere]

MarionTh230 I really enjoy your posts and I’m glad you had a little time to play with us tonight. I especially love the stories about Brooks and Kiddo.

The pocket door seems to be moving again, even without the piece he broke trying to open it. While he was at it, he messed with the one between the kitchen and den, and it is gliding more smoothly than I ever remember it doing. I didn’t say it IRL, but I can’t resist saying it here….. if he’d tried to see what was going on with them when they first started sticking, it would’ve saved me all the frustration I experienced when I got home from work today. 

[soupandstew]

Dec 13, 2023 20:39:13 GMT -5 MarionTh230 said:

Dec 13, 2023 20:30:59 GMT -5 soupandstew said:

The mess isn't that bad overall.  When you harvest you pull the whole thing up-if you don't want to use the greens, just whack them off before you come in the house.  The beets themselves can go in a bag in the veggie drawer until cooking.  When ready to cook, scrub well, indulge top and bottom, throw on a piece of foil, drizzle with olive oil, wrap it up and roast for 60 minutes or until tender.  If you are keeping the greens, give them a very thorough rinse in the sink, and either spin dry in a salad spinner or towel dry; then store in the veggie drawer until you cook in a couple of days.  Wilt the greens down like you would spinach or chard - olive oil, S&P, garlic if desired.  Other than white grout and fingernails, the beet stain isn't that bad.  Not nearly as bad as my turmeric, curry, paprika stains from other culinary adventures.  

Roasted beets are really good either hot or room temp - awesome sliced on a salad with walnuts and crumbled feta or blue cheese.  

He said he eats them sliced with vinegar.  I asked for clarification because pickled beets were the first thing that came to my mind, but, no, he was adamant just sliced with vinegar.  All that peeling and slicing is just asking for a mess.....

I have never had beet greens, but it sounds like they are very similar to every other green.  Maybe not a mustard/collard/turnip that needs a good deal of cooking, but a more tender green?  Treat it like a tender green not a tough green?  That salad with blue cheese sounds right up my alley though.  

I've got some seeds started for beets.  Which, technically is a no-no since it's a root crop.  Sowing in place is the generally accepted practice.  Squirrels didn't seem to care though, so I'm sowing in peat pellets with the hope of planting the entire pellet and then thinning once I get enough seedlings to take.  I don't know.  It's my first foray with these things, but DH swears he loves to eat them (despite the fact that I've never seen him take a bit of one in 21.5 years.......).

Yes, treat as a tender green - I wilt in a skillet with olive oil and S&P for a couple of minutes (we like them with a little crisp) and sometimes a sprinkle of garlic powder.  

I've never had beets like your DH - sliced with vinegar, but I can envision that if the vinegar was a good Balsamic, a little sweet.  

As a gentle warning to all, what goes in red also comes out red so those consuming beets should not rush to the local urgent care facility if either liquid or solid output is red-tinged the next morning.  

As for the 21.5 year learning experience, we're 50 years in and I still get these little surprises about what DH allegedly adores or hates.  

[MarionTh230]

Dec 13, 2023 18:56:03 GMT -5 soupandstew said:

This forum is really enlightening - sometimes sadly so.  Not having a birth family to speak of, I always sort of longed for one, but now I see so many posts about conflict and misery in families.  I see adults using children as proxy pawns in their adult power struggles, tales of addiction and betrayal, discovery of past lies, the misery of being forced to care for elders, and so much more.

Oddly this is helpful to me as it seems that "family", be it blood or marital, is just another source of sorrow so I'm gradually moving past my longing and feeling grateful that I don't have those added challenges and traumas.  Yes, I'm often lonely and I fear for my future care, but I see many here with "family" who struggle with those feelings and problems too.  Overall, I feel that the cost of "family" - interference in marriages and child rearing, sibling struggles, loss of life quality to care for seniors, and more - is much more than I could have handled.  

It's because you get the family you get.  You don't get the family you deserve.

Many posters on here, along with many people I know in real life, deserve family that is better that what they have been given.  Unfortunately, life doesn't give you what you deserve.  It just.....gives.

We do the best we can with the hand we were dealt.  We find friends and community outside of our families that we make connection with.  That applies here on the internet as well.  By doing that, we end up being surrounded by the family we deserve even though it's not our blood family.

FWIW, I would totally lend a hand to help you.  Not to sound offensive, but you totally sound like "one cool old broad!".  Sometimes, I read the posts around here and I just think if I lived closer I'd just show up on people's doorstep and give people a hug/change a lightbulb/cut the grass/slap an SO/whatever needs to be done.  A lot of great people here that contribute to that family we all deserve!

[soupandstew]

Dec 13, 2023 20:42:02 GMT -5 Opti said:

More than I thought. Princeton farmer's market is the place to see the exotics with usually the prices to match. From a seed catalog?

I've seen the multi-colored ones at restaurants, but I've never seen the white one before.  That's pretty cool

[MarionTh230]

Dec 13, 2023 20:44:35 GMT -5 Pink Cashmere said:

MarionTh230 I really enjoy your posts and I’m glad you had a little time to play with us tonight. I especially love the stories about Brooks and Kiddo.

The pocket door seems to be moving again, even without the piece he broke trying to open it. While he was at it, he messed with the one between the kitchen and den, and it is gliding more smoothly than I ever remember it doing. I didn’t say it IRL, but I can’t resist saying it here….. if he’d tried to see what was going on with them when they first started sticking, it would’ve saved me all the frustration I experienced when I got home from work today. 

I have time tonight because DH took Kiddo to dance and I stayed home.  I haven't been feeling too good the past couple of days.  Nothing to worry about, just that normal 28 day feminine stuff, but I wasn't in the mood to sit around for 45 minutes in the parking lot while Kiddo was in dance.  

Which means I get to hang out with all you awesome folks instead!

[MarionTh230]

Dec 13, 2023 20:47:23 GMT -5 soupandstew said:

Dec 13, 2023 20:39:13 GMT -5 MarionTh230 said:

He said he eats them sliced with vinegar.  I asked for clarification because pickled beets were the first thing that came to my mind, but, no, he was adamant just sliced with vinegar.  All that peeling and slicing is just asking for a mess.....

I have never had beet greens, but it sounds like they are very similar to every other green.  Maybe not a mustard/collard/turnip that needs a good deal of cooking, but a more tender green?  Treat it like a tender green not a tough green?  That salad with blue cheese sounds right up my alley though.  

I've got some seeds started for beets.  Which, technically is a no-no since it's a root crop.  Sowing in place is the generally accepted practice.  Squirrels didn't seem to care though, so I'm sowing in peat pellets with the hope of planting the entire pellet and then thinning once I get enough seedlings to take.  I don't know.  It's my first foray with these things, but DH swears he loves to eat them (despite the fact that I've never seen him take a bit of one in 21.5 years.......).

Yes, treat as a tender green - I wilt in a skillet with olive oil and S&P for a couple of minutes (we like them with a little crisp) and sometimes a sprinkle of garlic powder.  

I've never had beets like your DH - sliced with vinegar, but I can envision that if the vinegar was a good Balsamic, a little sweet.  

As a gentle warning to all, what goes in red also comes out red so those consuming beets should not rush to the local urgent care facility if either liquid or solid output is red-tinged the next morning.  

As for the 21.5 year learning experience, we're 50 years in and I still get these little surprises about what DH allegedly adores or hates.  

Yes to the bolded.

That is also why I always keep some blue Powerade and clear Pedialyte around for times of sickness.  Red anything is no good when you are sick because there is no way to know if it's the liquid or a new symptom.  

That's my PSA for the day!

[soupandstew]

Dec 13, 2023 20:49:01 GMT -5 MarionTh230 said:

Dec 13, 2023 18:56:03 GMT -5 soupandstew said:

This forum is really enlightening - sometimes sadly so.  Not having a birth family to speak of, I always sort of longed for one, but now I see so many posts about conflict and misery in families.  I see adults using children as proxy pawns in their adult power struggles, tales of addiction and betrayal, discovery of past lies, the misery of being forced to care for elders, and so much more.

Oddly this is helpful to me as it seems that "family", be it blood or marital, is just another source of sorrow so I'm gradually moving past my longing and feeling grateful that I don't have those added challenges and traumas.  Yes, I'm often lonely and I fear for my future care, but I see many here with "family" who struggle with those feelings and problems too.  Overall, I feel that the cost of "family" - interference in marriages and child rearing, sibling struggles, loss of life quality to care for seniors, and more - is much more than I could have handled.  

It's because you get the family you get.  You don't get the family you deserve.

Many posters on here, along with many people I know in real life, deserve family that is better that what they have been given.  Unfortunately, life doesn't give you what you deserve.  It just.....gives.

We do the best we can with the hand we were dealt.  We find friends and community outside of our families that we make connection with.  That applies here on the internet as well.  By doing that, we end up being surrounded by the family we deserve even though it's not our blood family.

FWIW, I would totally lend a hand to help you.  Not to sound offensive, but you totally sound like "one cool old broad!".  Sometimes, I read the posts around here and I just think if I lived closer I'd just show up on people's doorstep and give people a hug/change a lightbulb/cut the grass/slap an SO/whatever needs to be done.  A lot of great people here that contribute to that family we all deserve!

Thank you for sharing very wise words, and extra thanks for your thoughts about me.  Like you, I wish I lived physically closer to many here because we would be solid friends, despite our differences.  Good people are good people regardless.  Today when I went to the liquor store and got wine gifts and a wine gift bag, the clerk said, "Honey, we have Christmas bags too."  And I answered, "I'm glad you have regular gift bags because my neighbors are Jewish and the best neighbors ever." She tilted her head for a minute and then replied, "That's really cool", which it is.  Last year they gave us a lovely table-top cross.  

[daisylu]

Flying home tomorrow. Had a nice chat with DH tonight and then sent him a very naughty pic, which was very appreciated. At this phase in our life time apart makes the heart grow fonder.

[Pink Cashmere]

OAN, it seems that my job will be changing our time again, basically to the evening shift. That will make me VERY unhappy. VERY, VERY UNHAPPY.

The part that pisses me off the most is that my (reputable) sources tell me that they keep changing our hours because our shift is the shift that gets the most work done, even though the other shifts have more people. I won’t be specific here, I’ll just say that a lot of shenanigans go on on the evening and night shift, which is why not much work gets done. Those of us on the day shift are older, and have gotten to a place in life where most of us aren’t willing to risk our livelihoods for some of the crap that goes on on the other shifts. 

So instead of addressing the real problems, they prefer to just keep trying to use those of us that actually do our jobs, to make up for all the ones that don’t. 

That is very different from just adjusting to the timing of what needs to be done at what time, and adjusting schedules accordingly. It feels more like being punished for actually doing your job and giving them a day’s work for a day’s pay. That is not going to go over well, at all. It’s not just me that will have an issue with why they keep messing with us. 

[MarionTh230]

Dec 13, 2023 13:26:45 GMT -5 Opti said:

Dec 13, 2023 13:23:26 GMT -5 soupandstew said:

Yes, the easement parallels a major street, so the cops suspected it was used in a crime and discarded as the shooter fled.  I had never seen this type of ghost gun before and it was amazing.  

3D printing looks super cool even if it is expensive.

Our library has a 3D printer at at least one branch. Free to use with a current library card and they charge a nominal amount for filament if you don't have your own. Great way for people, especially younger people, to use it and see how it all works without having to spend a ton of money.

[MarionTh230]

Dec 13, 2023 21:06:21 GMT -5 Pink Cashmere said:

OAN, it seems that my job will be changing our time again, basically to the evening shift. That will make me VERY unhappy. VERY, VERY UNHAPPY.

The part that pisses me off the most is that my (reputable) sources tell me that they keep changing our hours because our shift is the shift that gets the most work done, even though the other shifts have more people. I won’t be specific here, I’ll just say that a lot of shenanigans go on on the evening and night shift, which is why not much work gets done. Those of us on the day shift are older, and have gotten to a place in life where most of us aren’t willing to risk our livelihoods for some of the crap that goes on on the other shifts. 

So instead of addressing the real problems, they prefer to just keep trying to use those of us that actually do our jobs, to make up for all the ones that don’t. 

That is very different from just adjusting to the timing of what needs to be done at what time, and adjusting schedules accordingly. It feels more like being punished for actually doing your job and giving them a day’s work for a day’s pay. That is not going to go over well, at all. It’s not just me that will have an issue with why they keep messing with us. 

That sucks.

Sorry I don't have anything more insightful. It just totally freaking sucks.

[cooper88]

Dec 13, 2023 21:06:21 GMT -5 Pink Cashmere said:

OAN, it seems that my job will be changing our time again, basically to the evening shift. That will make me VERY unhappy. VERY, VERY UNHAPPY.

The part that pisses me off the most is that my (reputable) sources tell me that they keep changing our hours because our shift is the shift that gets the most work done, even though the other shifts have more people. I won’t be specific here, I’ll just say that a lot of shenanigans go on on the evening and night shift, which is why not much work gets done. Those of us on the day shift are older, and have gotten to a place in life where most of us aren’t willing to risk our livelihoods for some of the crap that goes on on the other shifts. 

So instead of addressing the real problems, they prefer to just keep trying to use those of us that actually do our jobs, to make up for all the ones that don’t. 

That is very different from just adjusting to the timing of what needs to be done at what time, and adjusting schedules accordingly. It feels more like being punished for actually doing your job and giving them a day’s work for a day’s pay. That is not going to go over well, at all. It’s not just me that will have an issue with why they keep messing with us. 

That really sucks. They have over the years had my group do all kinds of crap that is totally not our job. Their answer: but you guys seem to know everything. Well, dumbass director, how do you think others are going to learn if we just do everything you don't know how to do? Sigh. Working for a living just sucks, mostly.

[Opti]

Dec 13, 2023 21:16:29 GMT -5 MarionTh230 said:

Dec 13, 2023 13:26:45 GMT -5 Opti said:

3D printing looks super cool even if it is expensive.

Our library has a 3D printer at at least one branch. Free to use with a current library card and they charge a nominal amount for filament if you don't have your own. Great way for people, especially younger people, to use it and see how it all works without having to spend a ton of money.

What? Wants to go visit Marion and go to the library for the 3D printer.