You'll love this one...!! A book club & more discussion
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LOL, Janice! @Berit, I have seen that show. I was actually discussing it with my husband recently and he didn't believe it was possible to go 9 months not knowing you are pregnant.
@Sandra, nope, just the usual detritus in the back seat!
To add another layer to the situation... I'm actually really, really late right now! I've taken three pregnancy tests over the past couple of weeks and they all say negative. So the timing of this was ironic to say the least! (hence the semi-hysterical laughter)
My brother's girlfriend, the year after they graduated highschool, still living at home, going to community college, hid her entire pregnancy! My family, her family, no one knew she was pregnant until her water broke during the night, in the bedroom she shared with her sister! We were shocked to say the least.She knew, but she was able to hide it, which is almost as fascinating to me as not knowing. I find the not knowing part very, very hard to believe. Denial? Yes. Ignorance? No.
A girl I went to highschool with hid her pregnancy until she was about 7 months along. She was in denial but it was becoming obvious. I sat her down and pretty well forced her to tell me and then made her tell her mother. She was in shock when the doctor told her how far along she was. But the weird part about her was that she continued to lie about it to everyone except me, her family, and like 1 or 2 other people. She lied about it even when asked directly all the way up until the day she actually gave birth. It was a very strange situation.
KimeyDiann wrote: "I have to share a funny that happened to me this morning. I received two letters from my health insurance company showing where they have paid claims for doctor visits. One was for when I went to..."
too funny, thanks for the laugh
Heading tomorrow morning for a long road trip, hope we don't stick in a long traffic though .. Gonna miss checking over GR ..
On the good side, gonna have 16 free hours which means reading and only reading :D
My brother's kid is turning 1 next week. They apparently didn't know about him until my brother's fiance was 6 months along. She was apparently being treated for a whole heap of other medical things, but the doctor never tested her for pregnancy. They were really lucky, as the meds she was on for the things they thought it could have been could have harmed the bub.Mum said to her "didn't you feel it kicking?" and her response was "I didn't know what kicking felt like. I thought I had an upset stomach all the time." And really, I would have no idea either about kicking.
But I would have picked up something on how her body was changing shape. Lexx actually asked me a month earlier if I thought she was pregnant. I said I could totally see why he thought that, and I would think it too, but my brother tells us everything, so there was no way she was 6 months pregnant (as that's how far along she looked) and not tell us. Turns out, he was right.
@Sandra Thanks .. @Rusalka wooow that is something ! But I guess it is normal cuz it is her first time .. I know someone had the same thing with her first baby too
Safe travels, CFDeeDee! Hope you have a great trip :-)
One of my neighbors presented at hospital with severe stomach pains. She was in labour and had no clue that she was pregnant. She was over 40 and thought she was menopausal, very obese (so no baby bump apparent), and thought the baby kicking was gas.
I think I could tell I was pregnant about 10 minutes after I conceived each time! Morning sickness all day, swelling, shape...there was no mistaking or hiding it. I know everyone is different, but it's so hard to imagine someone else's experience.You're brother's fiance was lucky about the meds, Rusalka. That could have been disastrous.
Sandra wrote: "That's kind of frightening, Janice! Thanks God it wasn't a surgical room!"Well... I watched this series for a while called Jane the Virgin (based on a Mexican (?) telenovela) and it was about a girl who was a virgin and went for a yearly check-up but she was also confused with someone else and she was inseminated with some other guy's sperm and ended up pregnant. I know, highly unlikely story, but there's danger in OB/GYN offices too ;-)
Hello everyone, I'm here at home after stressful couple of days, my mom being in and out of the hospital since last week. Also, going nuts with school work and house stuff...I hope everyone is doing well!!!
Michelle T. wrote: "Hello everyone, I'm here at home after stressful couple of days, my mom being in and out of the hospital since last week. Also, going nuts with school work and house stuff...I hope everyone is doi..."
Is your mom ok now? Hope so, but good luck.
Peggy wrote: "Sandra wrote: "That's kind of frightening, Janice! Thanks God it wasn't a surgical room!"Well... I watched this series for a while called Jane the Virgin (based on a Mexican (?) telenovela) and i..."
I've always wondered what that show was about, but must admit, that thought never crossed my mind! Original.
I knew someone who had an experience like Janice's neighbor at 1811. One of the caregivers at my kids' daycare. She was 52, obese, and assumed she was menopausal. When she went to the hospital with stomach pains, turned out she was ready to deliver a baby, and she had never realized she was pregnant.
I think it must be easier to not know when you are overweight.
Those are scary thoughts Rus and Janice! And Peggy, that gives a whole new reason to freak out about OB/GYN appointments! Thankfully they don't think they do inseminations at the dr's office I go to. Although they did tell on the phone yesterday that the mix up was because there is indeed another patient there with my name and she just had a baby last month! @Michelle, I hope your mom is doing better. Hopefully things will calm down soon!
Wow, all these real-life stories about being pregnant and not knowing! I can't imagine how unprepared that must have felt.I have been AWOL since I am struggling with my PhD apart from my full-time job. Peggy, how did you do it?! I had hoped to submit by August end and it's already past mid-October and I am nowhere near finishing. :/
Good luck Pragya! You can do it! Delay is part of the process ;-)In contrast to most countries, doing a PhD *is* a proper job in The Netherlands. You have a contract for 40 hours a week, get a salary, everything is similar to any other job you could have. I know that in most countries it's something you have to do next to your job, or even pay tuition... I don't think I could do that. I admire you Pragya!
I wonder now though.. if you work fulltime you can write in the evenings or weekends, but how can you do actual research? And are you still supposed to do it in 4 years?
Michelle, I hope your mother is okay.
My husband and I were discussing Thanksgiving and Christmas- timing, menus, etc. And my son wants to have a traditional English Roast type Christmas dinner. So, the roast, Yorkshire Pudding. But what do you have for veg? I was planning on brussel sprouts and creamed spinach. Is that somewhere in the range of English-ness?
Also, what kind of trifle do I make? My son wants a trifle. I can't remember what my grandmother made...it's been a while. Also, how many servings per trifle bowl?
Bella,be sure to have some Christmas Crackers; they are sort of party-favor popper things with funny hats and dumb jokes.
Is it odd that I find the idea of an English-themed Thanksgiving dinner ironic? Sounds good, though.I've been busy this week, since the weekend, but my load at work is light enough that I've been able to put in some extra time on projects I've been behind on. We have a major project taking place at one of our locations, a complete remodel, so everyone's attention is focused there, leaving the office pretty quiet. After it's all over, though, that's when the busyness will hit my desk.
Sorry to hear about broken bones, and sick families, and postponed moves. Life is never a straight-forward, easy thing is it?
Joan wrote: "Bella,be sure to have some Christmas Crackers; they are sort of party-favor popper things with funny hats and dumb jokes."
Yeah, already ordering those. Do you know what brands come with mice or wizarding chess sets?
Lynda wrote: "Is it odd that I find the idea of an English-themed Thanksgiving dinner ironic? Sounds good, though.I've been busy this week, since the weekend, but my load at work is light enough that I've been..."
No, just for Christmas. My husband and son like the traditional Thanksgiving turkey thing. Except I make my pumpkin pie crust with gingersnap crumbs. Much tastier.
Oh, and are chipolatas really a Christmas thing or just a Harry Potter thing?
Bella, my mother used to make a trifle of layers of pound cake (made from scratch), cherry syrup, custard, strawberries and topped with whipped cream. She was a really good baker but the truffle was for special occasions with lots of people to eat it she made it in a giant snifter and it served at least 15.
Bella wrote: "My husband and I were discussing Thanksgiving and Christmas- timing, menus, etc. And my son wants to have a traditional English Roast type Christmas dinner. So, the roast, Yorkshire Pudding. But ..."
We have roast veggies with a roast. So roast potatoes is a must. But then you can mix up what else you like to roast in there. Pumpkin, sweet potato, carrots, garlic, etc.
I've never had creamed spinach, but not a Brit. Greens are a thing, but I would use peas, beans, broccoli even but the other two are more English. Brussel sprouts are great if you can cook them without making them gross. I've only worked that out in the last year.
Now. Most importantly. Do you have a good Yorkies recipe? If not, I can pull out Dad's 1950s Yorkshire Farmhouse Cookbook and copy it out for you.
Bella wrote: "Oh, and are chipolatas really a Christmas thing or just a Harry Potter thing?"The Brits can correct me, but never ever heard of them as a Christmas thing. Not English in any way shape or form is my opinion.
Traditionally for dessert you should have Christmas cake and Christmas Pudding. These should both be made now, and "fed" over the next few months. And by "fed" I mean drizzled with Brandy every few days/every week. Then you consume it at Christmas with brandy butter and brandy cream. I don't like fruit cakes, so this is not my personal thing, but it's what you do. Everyone's family does this every year, and you always have to eat a sliver of it for Christmas' sake. In the pudding you hide money (but you need SILVER coins. Anything else will poison you, and now they have started making our coins out of other metal, you have a special set for the pudding). You hide them in the pudding and then you keep the money you find in your slice. You can see why everyone chokes through (sometimes literally) a piece, for the money. Now days you exchange the silver money for real money at the end.
It should be said though, that for people who like dense fruit cakes, christmas pudding and christmas cake is like heaven.
Hope your Mum is okay, Michelle.
Pragya wrote: "Wow, all these real-life stories about being pregnant and not knowing! I can't imagine how unprepared that must have felt.I have been AWOL since I am struggling with my PhD apart from my full-tim..."
I was thinking of you the other day. Glad you checked in! And we believe in you! "You can do it!"
chipolatas as in mini sausages? We do have little sausages wrapped in bacon with Christmas dinner but I wouldn't have called them chipolatas. We do a veggie version as I always loved them as a kid. Also called pigs in blankets.
Just checked wiki for chipolatas and apparently it is those that are used in the pigs in blankets. not sure what the difference is between a normal sausage and a chipolata. Normal sausages are used more often than not.
@Bella - our roasts consist of roast potatoes, roast parsnips, steamed carrots and peas, sometimes broccoli, Brussels sprouts if it's Christmas, sage and onion stuffing, Yorkshire pudding, and your chosen roast. As already mentioned, pigs in blankets are a crimbo edition. Turkey is the standard Christmas roast along with cranberry sauce. As Rusalka said, Christmas pudding with brandy sauce or cream and Christmas cake. And mince pies which I adore.
Creamed spinach occurs but not very common in the UK. Sherry trifle is standard.
The way you talk of roasts makes me think of what we call a pot roast. Usually it's beef roasted with potatoes, carrots, onions, garlic, and celery together in one roasting pan. I always leave the vegetables in large chunks and throw them into the roaster about an hour before the roast is done. I love the way the flavours all meld together.
It's not all cooked together here in UK. everything cooked separate and served on a plate and gravy poured over the top. I'll try to remember to take a photo of our next one I do and post it.
I like the sound of yours though Janice. I can imagine all the flavours fuse together with the juice from the meat. I don't think it would work so well with a veggie roast substitute because they don't tend to have much juice at all when they cook.
We wouldn't make a pot roast for Christmas here. It's usually turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, salad and vegetables. Some people include ham, candied yams or cabbage rolls as well. Dessert would be Christmas cake or Christmas pudding. My family prefers pie for any dessert and I would likely make that pumpkin pie - kind of blend Thanksgiving menu with the Christmas menu. I think my dad might be coming here for Christmas. He's turning his nose up at Hawaii because of the travel insurance. He may not be eligible for it. It would be nice to host Christmas dinner again since I haven't done so in years. And it would be nice to not have that huge drive. He could fly up and then I wouldn't worry about him driving, though I'll bet he'll turn his nose up at that idea too.
Pragya, you can do it! I remember my husband struggling at the end of his PhD. Don't worry. It's part of the process. I'm sure you'll do it!
I hate long drives at Christmas too Janice. Let's hope you get to host and not have to do it (or worry about others doing it) - then you can have a drink ;-) After tomorrow (which is my birthday) I am bound to be asked by my mum what we will be doing for Xmas. We're not allowed to discuss Xmas plans until after my birthday but not much time passes before the subject comes up. then I spend as long as I can putting off committing to anything and make a last minute decision.
Rusalka wrote: "Bella wrote: "My husband and I were discussing Thanksgiving and Christmas- timing, menus, etc. And my son wants to have a traditional English Roast type Christmas dinner. So, the roast, Yorkshire P..."I'd love your Yorkshire Pudding recipe. Thanks! I have one...somewhere...it's been a few years.
I make a roasted brussels sprouts that the kids love. We never have any leftover sprouts. Even if it's not strictly traditional, I think I'm using the recipe they'll eat.
Sprouts that kids like? Is that even possible? I hated them as a kid but love them now. I'd love to hear your roasted sprout recipe Bella. Not because I have kids to force them down but it's always good to have another way a vegetable can be cooked.
@Sarah, what kind of bacon do you use to wrap the chipolatas in? Thin, thick? Smoked, plain? I think- know- that my son will love sausages wrapped in bacon.I forgot about the parsnips! Thanks. They love parsnips too- we never have any veg leftover.
The creamed spinach is evidently an American thing, but I still have to make it. My husband wants it and the kids like it, too.
I'm going to make the sage and onion stuffing because everyone loves stuffing, right? I think I'll try the Christmas pudding- it appears you can make it mostly in advance, which is always good. For the cream- clotted or whipped? Oh, and I'll make the sherry trifle. If I have time I'll do the mince pies. Hmmm, I can probably make the mince and dough in advance...
Thanks everyone for their help. I'm sure my kids will thank you too after they've eaten.Also, are there any cookies or cookie type things that are standard-ish in Britain for Christmas? I usually make a bunch of cookies to give away and have a tray for snacking on Christmas Day.
I hope you have a great birthday tomorrow Sarah!
I haven't eaten bacon in 10 years but we used to use unsmoked. I wasn't keen on streaky so we'd get normal size bacon and cut it in half. Each sausage wrapped in bacon should be around 5-6cms. Have the bacon stop at the edge of the sausage, not wrapping the whole of the sausage up like a parcel. I'm sure google images will show some good examples. Then put in the oven. As for what to go with Christmas pudding, options would be custard, single or double cream, or brandy sauce. We wouldn't use whipped or clotted I don't think although they'd be fine.
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You'll love this one...!! A book club & more
Books mentioned in this topic
It Starts with Food: Discover the Whole30 and Change Your Life in Unexpected Ways (other topics)The Whole 30: The Official 30-day Guide To Total Health And Food Freedom (other topics)
Fortunately, the Milk (other topics)
Fortunately, the Milk (other topics)
Where the Sidewalk Ends (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Gillian Flynn (other topics)Fiona Wood (other topics)
Jay Feldman (other topics)
Kevin Hearne (other topics)
Cherie Currie (other topics)
Isn't it? We were talking about how they check your birthdate, full name, etc before drawing blood, doing xrays, but you're screened at the reception in the clinic and not in the examining room. Crazy!