|
|
Post by lauriet on Dec 18, 2023 7:10:01 GMT -6
Hello everyone! #1 and I got back last night and #2 flies in late tonight. He flew separately both ways and I think #1 is picking him tonight, I left his stuff that I brought with me on the bed for him to deal with. What a fabulous trip! I'll try to share some photos after I transfer them to my laptop, but we saw many amazing things, walked many miles, ate many different things-some of which were far out of my comfort zone and had some fabulous wines from the region. It was truly the trip of the life time! Yesterday when I went through customs, the agent asked where I'd come from and why I went there. I told him "my kids still want to be seen with me in public so we went on a trip to Spain together to celebrate my 60th." I got the biggest smile and a "Happy Birthday and everyone should want to spend time with their mama, congrats!" What a nice ending to the journey! My DIL is looking great and feeling better-she'd had trouble with nausea and other stuff before we left, she's so cute pregnant. I got some doggo cuddles when I got to their house and then slept like a log. The Yeti will pick me up today, I may even get an Ann visit before I get on the road as she is at her Dad's and is working remotely. #2 will go on to Michigan to be with his GF and her family for the holidays, we'd hoped he'd be home, but it is what it is, need to share. Her dad is having health issues and that is where they need to be. Blessed be my friends!
|
|
|
|
Post by cjayh16 on Dec 18, 2023 7:33:50 GMT -6
Good Morning....
It's snowing! It looks very pretty out there. Soon it will turn to rain and then just be messy.
Lauriet...what a wonderful trip and time spent with your boys is awesome. I would love a trip with just me and my kids. I saw some of your FB pictures and it looked amazing. Great memories you will have. When is the baby due? What part of Michigan will #2 be in?
Well, my failed loaf of bread came through for me. I sliced it along the length and made flat bread pizza. It was mighty tasty. And I did start over and made a different bread (just white bread) and that recipe came together just fine, although I did have to make a slight change in it. So those notes were added to the recipe for next time.
I woke up around 4:30 and was ready to get up. I was so stuffed up I couldn't breathe laying down. I managed to stay in bed till 6:15 and that was it. I'll probably need a nap later. I have a few errands to run today and then I might start on wrapping some things. We'll see how I feel later.
I have coffee and cookies to share. Have a great day........
|
|
|
|
Post by Admin/Mamma on Dec 18, 2023 8:47:34 GMT -6
Up earlier today, thanks to my bladder. But I do want to get to the UPS before it gets too busy. I was going to wait but I want the money credited to my account before the bill is due.
Not much planned for the day. Just another day.
Laurie, I'm happy that you had a nice trip with your kids.
CJ, sorry you are still stuffed. I hope you feel much better by the time you celebrate Christmas with the family.
ttfn |
|
|
|
Post by lauriet on Dec 18, 2023 8:51:44 GMT -6
As they call it, the "micro-person" is due Feb. 10th, I think it'll be a bit earlier though. #2 is going to be in far southern MI-Coldwater area.
I made Grammy's buns a couple of years ago, I think my yeast was old so they didn't rise and were really dense. I cut them up and made seasoned croutons out of them. Good idea for the pizza crust.
|
|
|
|
Post by cjayh16 on Dec 18, 2023 9:51:07 GMT -6
Lauriet...Coldwater is on the south western side. I'm on the south eastern side. Yes the pizza turned out to be a happy accident. That baby date is coming up quick now. DD went to Spain in her sophmore year of high school with the spanish club. She saw a lot in those two weeks and spent one week with a family. She wasn't very good at spanish at that time but she communicated with them. In college she minored in spanish. But now never uses it and has forgotten so much.
Mamma...hope the UPS store isn't busy yet.
|
|
|
|
Post by italiancook on Dec 18, 2023 9:51:47 GMT -6
I had a coughing jag last night that lasted an hour. Wonder I didn't have a heart attack coughing so long & intense Not doing much today Finishing up swiffing the floors Still raining here. Weather man said if it was cold out we would have feet of snow.
CJ That pizza looks yummy
Laurie Glad you enjoyed your trip One you will never forget.
Mamma I like snowmen pictures.
|
|
|
|
Post by Admin/Mamma on Dec 18, 2023 9:57:29 GMT -6
I'm so glad that I got to the UPS when I did. It was in and out quickly, no waiting. Because the electric blanket didn't stay on the bed, it went back too. Actually it really didn't work well either. Low and medium were nothing and high was medium. That just wasn't right. I'm done, I'll just wear socks until I get too warm then take them off. I wish they made more things out of cotton. At least that breaths, the blanket didn't and it was uncomfortable to sweat at the top and be cold at the bottom. All my other blankets are all cotton.
Now to go and remake the bed......again.
|
|
|
|
Post by greenback on Dec 18, 2023 11:16:05 GMT -6
Good Morning Ladies - - - It's sunny, 19, and windy! I would actually like it cold like this, with the sunshine, than like our weekend was with warmer temps and then so gray and dark and gloomy, and feeling so dampish! My Dad always said if it would get to zero and stay there, everyone, people and animals would stay healthier.
I was just so tired yesterday afternoon when I got home - I did rest for about an hour and most of it was napping.
Laurie, what a wonderful trip - so happy you could enjoy it with your guys. At least with #2 missing for Christmas, you got to spend some quality time with him now. So happy for you with this trip.
Mamma, good to get the returns done and be at the head of the line there. Now hopefully the socks will keep you warm. How about a fleece throw that you can throw over you when needed and off when you don't. Fleece is so warm and nice and cuddly too!
CJ the pizza looks amazing - I could help you make those disappear - I fixed a frozen pizza Sat. night between games and had the other half last night. No idea what tonight will be.
IC, the coughing is good for the heart. They always say if you are alone and feel the heart attack happening to cough deep and hard until help arrives. A good little thing for us to remember, especially those of us living alone.
It's coffee here tomorrow - - I am changing up the menu since it's Christmas. Actually, Christmas has nothing to do with my menu, but I thought it could be a special little party.. I am doing the oven French toast, the hot scalloped pineapple, and then having key lime pie for the dessert. The FT has a nice caramel on the bottom, so no syrup is needed. It's almost like having a nice big warm caramel roll. I use French bread with it and will make it today to sit overnight.
Guess that all that is happening on this home front.
|
|
|
|
Post by grammyoh on Dec 18, 2023 12:21:53 GMT -6
A busy morning for me. I had recipe for Gift of the Magi Bread that I thought might be good to try. DD said this is a good time before the others get home this afternoon. So to the kitchen I went to make it. The bread looks beautiful and should taste good too. I am anxious to do some QC on it.
Laurie sounds like you had a great trip to Spain. So glad you enjoyed it all! Did you do some Grandma shopping while there? I would bet your answer to that is a yes! You must be a tired but happy mom!
CJ good thinking to salvage the bread and turn it into pizza crust! Mine just got tossed out for the chickens to enjoy. Maybe Debbie can tell us what went wrong I made them twice and both got tossed out and I had made the rolls many times with good results.
Mamma glad the line was short and you didn't have long wait! Those snow birds are on vacation and sleep late.
IC sorry to hear that you have such a bad cough. Have you checked with the Dr?
I'm tired now and need to take some SSD time with my knitting or reading. Decisions, decisions all day long...
|
|
|
|
Post by Admin/Mamma on Dec 18, 2023 12:33:49 GMT -6
Two rugs went in the wash and are now on the line. I hope they dry before the temp drops or they won't dry completely. I was late getting them started in the wash, kind of forgot.
Lunch was a big bowl of Malt O Meal and some juice. I'm still thinking spaghetti for supper. But you know me, my mind changes like the weather. I finally got gifts off for Lincoln and Maria. Normally we don't exchange but I just felt like I needed to this year. I just hope that it will make it in time for their Christmas gift exchange with each other.
Mandy snuck out when I hung the rugs. That little nut just has to be on the porch no matter the weather. She will whine because the doors are closed. She likes to go in and out at will. She still has her sweater on so she won't get too cold. It's 67º outside, in the sun. Much cooler in the shade.
|
|
|
|
Post by italiancook on Dec 18, 2023 13:41:35 GMT -6
Grammy I see my cardiologist on Thursday. I'm bringing the meds. with me that I'm taking to see if he wants to change them. I'm on cough medicine & Mucinex.
Jane Thanks for the info. on the heart that coughing is good for it. I thought the opposite.
|
|
|
|
Post by grammydebbie on Dec 18, 2023 14:32:23 GMT -6
Good afternoon to all. It is the first cold day that we have had in quite a while, but warming up to the 50s and even 60 later this week. The wind is fierce, too, so no walk; instead I did the recumbent bike while I tried to get caught up on my Bible reading. I was several days behind.
I have the crud, too, but, like IC Cook, I am taking Mucinex. I also take a daily Zyrtec; only take the Mucinex when I need it. Don't feel like I need to go to the doctor, just feel blah and my eyes look and feel dry, red and tired.
The big box of pears we bought from Eli through his FFA chapter were all coming ripe at the same time, so last night I made a walnut/pear/apple crisp and today a loaf of ginger pear bread got made and the rest got cooked into pear sauce-just cubed up the ripe, peeled pears, added a bit of brown sugar, ginger and some spices and cooked until they were of sauce consistency. A bite from the pan scrapings tasted mighty good! Then, a batch of my homemade granola got made and the kitchen cleaned up. I am taking a break now. Trying not to get completely sick and down at Christmas time.
CJ, I am wondering about your yeast. Do you activate your yeast first? I always do; that way I don't waste remaining ingredients if the yeast doesn't respond to the warm water/milk and/or sugar that I have it added to. I always keep my yeast (I buy it in bulk) in a container in the refrigerator. You can keep it in the freezer, too. That keeps it fresh for quite some time. Using the dense results for pizza crust was a fine idea! Waste not; want not! By the way, I don't use my mixer for the majority of my yeast doughs. I always do the kneading by hand, again always activating my yeast before adding it in. I always add a small amount of the sugar called for in any bread recipe to the yeast mixture when I am activating it, that gives the yeast something to feed on and it activates it quickly. For instance, my oatmeal roll recipe calls for both 2 Tablespoons of sugar and 1-1/3 cup of brown sugar, both which most would add to the recipe at the same time. I add the 2 Tablespoons of sugar to the 3/4 cup warm water called for and then stir in the tablespoon and teaspoon of yeast called for. I leave that to activate in a measuring cup while I add the brown sugar and salt to the oats and butter mixture. When the measuring cup of yeast mixture is bubbled up and foamy, I know it is good to go and I add it to the lukewarm mixture of oats, butter, brown sugar, and salt and then start stirring, then eventually kneading in, flour. Also, if you add salt at the same time as you try to activate your yeast, that will kill the yeast or, best case scenario, severely retard its activation. I always make sure I add salt to a recipe separate from the yeast. Hope that makes sense and helps!
Welcome back, Laurie. What a special gift your two sons gave you! Memories to treasure for a lifetime. I am getting excited for you about the "micro-person" soon to join your family!
Jane, my mom always said the same as your dad--the fluctuation from cold to warm and vice versa was much worse for your health than consistent cold. Also, like you told IC Cook, I remembered the instruction to cough if you feel you are having a heart attack. IC, when I had my terrible cold, which I now think was Covid, back in February of 2020, I coughed so hard I pulled muscles in my side and thought I had broken a rib--those were my chief concerns about the cough. Hope the cardiologist will have some insight for you.
Time to add the dried cranberries to the granola and get it packaged up. Wishing all a marvelous Monday.
|
|
|
|
Post by grammyoh on Dec 18, 2023 14:32:40 GMT -6
The Gift of the Magi Bread is very good! I'm sure we will have this one again. I had to do my own QC! If you want to see the recipe just google Gift of the Magi Bread. I used the TOH recipe. I'm sure the fruit and nuts could be juggled around , changing things you like and dislike.
|
|
|
|
Post by Admin/Mamma on Dec 18, 2023 16:06:41 GMT -6
I always knew I was losing my mind but today when I went to put something in the dryer I opened the freezer and then stood there like a dummy. LOL It's been a long year this month.
This afternoon I called a friend from church who has been gone with a bad cold. We ended up talking for an hour and a half. I know when I call her that it will be a lengthy chat. She is such fun to talk to, when she takes a breath. Just the dearest lady. I really should call her more often, I don't do much else during the day. hehehehe
Changed my mind, like I knew I would, about spaghetti. Actually I forgot to take the sauce out of the freezer. So I'll just see if I can find something else, like maybe a pizza for supper. It's been awhile.
Jane, that is good to know, about coughing through a heart attack. That is if you can catch your breath long enough. I'll have to remember that. Thanks!!!!!!!! Your menu sounds positively scrumptious.
CJ, your yummy looking pizza will put my frozen pizza to shame. Yours just looks so darn good.
Grammy that bread looks and sounds a lot like fruit cake.
A very cloudy afternoon with a slight breeze so the 75º feels pretty good. I've got the golf cart plugged in for the night. A good charge will have us wheeling good tomorrow. Once a month charge isn't too bad.
Oh, it's snack time. LOL Mandy is patiently waiting for her treat too.
|
|
