Watcha Doin' - 2017.1 edition Showing 1,601-1,650 of 5,020

[Kristie, Moderator]

Glad you are feeling better, J'mom. I think we've all had those oops moments. :) I agree with Kimey. Maybe a part time job to start. Then, you'll be able to see how you manage. Plus, it will give you somewhere to be and a reason to take a shower. (I've had the occasional no motivation to shower today day too. It's easy to do when you have nowhere to be.)

[Sarah]

Looks like we have a surprise general election coming up. Well possibly. They have to vote on it tomorrow. I frantically had to reregister to vote earlier just in case. I so hope we can get rid of May and the Tories generally but I won't hold my breath.

[Lisa]

Sarah wrote: "Looks like we have a surprise general election coming up. Well possibly. They have to vote on it tomorrow. I frantically had to reregister to vote earlier just in case. I so hope we can get rid of ..."

I think they will vote in favour of holding an election. I think it's a stupid idea though. They should be focusing on trying to get the best possible Brexit deal, not faffing around with elections, wasting yet more time and money in the process. If she had wanted one, she should have called one after she replaced David Cameron last summer, not wait until two weeks after Article 50 is triggered.

[jaxnsmom]

KimeyDiann wrote: "Have you considered a part time job just to see if you are ready to get back into that particular saddle? Since you are feeling a lot better now, maybe baby steps are what you need to consider so you don't get overwhelmed.

How did you cook the brussels sprouts? I've saved a recipe on pinterest recently that I'm tempted to try, but I just haven't done it yet. I'm not sure if I like sprouts or not so I hate to buy and cook them just to throw them away if I don't."

If there was a job market part time would be the way to go. And there really isn't much out there that I would be qualified for, or want. Unfortunately it's an all or nothing choice. But I'm thinking there's a good chance someone with experience could apply, so I'll just have to wait and see.

On the volunteer side I got an e-mail from USHS and I should be receiving paperwork for volunteering (agree to their standards [not being a jackass and starting trouble and such] soon. Mainly have to see what is needed and what I'm actually qualified for, or can quickly learn.

Brussels sprouts - I cut them in half and put a bit of olive oil and salt and pepper on them, and roasted at around 400 degrees. I checked them now and again to see if they were browning, starting around 30 minutes since I was clueless. I think it took 40-45 minutes. I had some leaves fall off and get really crispy, which were really good too. Just for fun, when they were done I put a little parmesan on some of them.

[Sarah]

I've never thought of roasting brussel sprouts before. I might have to give them a go. We generally only eat them at christmas.

I agree Lisa. U turns by politicians are just frustrating for everyone. I agree that the time and money could be spent elsewhere especially with brexit. But i think I'd rather someone be in charge of brexit than those at the moment. But i don't anything will change come the election unfortunately.

[Sandra, Moderator]

I loved this one!

Siblings Who Hilariously Recreated Their Childhood Photos

http://www.boredpanda.com/siblings-ch...

[Janice, Moderator]

That's hilarious, Sandra. My friend has a couple of pictures of her sons when they were little that she wants to recreate. One picture has one of the boys with clothespins all over his face. It's going to be a painful recreation.

[Sandra, Moderator]

How cute! :)

[KimeyDiann]

jaxnsmom wrote: "If there was a job market part time would be the way to go. And there really isn't much out there that I would be qualified for, or want...."

I understand. It seems most part time jobs are in the retail industry and those are not low stress jobs. I know from experience!
The volunteering opportunity sounds nice. That would at least give you an excuse to have to get out of the house on occasion. I hope you can find the right fit. And even if that ends up being social security disability, it'll be okay. The main this is making sure you are healthy.

[jaxnsmom]

Thanks KimeyD! I have a phone interview the WV Director of HSUS next week.

Sandra - those pictures are hilarious.

[KimeyDiann]

One of my nieces and one of my great-nieces will be spending the night with me tonight and we are going to a color run tomorrow along with my sister and several friends. At least that is the plan anyway. It is also supposed to rain tomorrow, so I don't know how much I'm actually looking forward to going. LOL.

I'm worried tonight will be awkward. My GN and N are only a month apart in age (11 y/o), and they have that frien-emy thing going on. Its more of the enemy side for my N right now after the way my GN treated her last weekend at our Easter get-together. The GN brought two of her friends with her and the three of them completely ignored my N. Understandably her feelings were hurt and she was hoping that my GN would decide not to go this weekend.

So I need a fun, non-competitive activity we can do together tonight to try to break the ice between them. Any suggestions?

[Sandra, Moderator]

What about some crafts, Kimey?

[KimeyDiann]

I love crafts, but not sure what to do on such short notice. I don't have a lot of time to go buy supplies and I don't know if it is possible to make a quick trip in and out of a store like Hobby Lobby or Joann. LOL.

[Sarah]

What about baking? Or non-alcoholic cocktail making? Or film night with popcorn? To be honest, I'm out of touch with what 11 year old's are in to.

[KimeyDiann]

Me too, Sarah. And they are so much more grown up than I was at 11. Baking and movies is what I'm leaning towards unless I get some better inspiration. Painting nails and that sort of thing would probably be fun too.

[Sarah]

And face masks?

[Travis]

I can let you know in 7 years. My daughter is 4. Awe heck who am I kidding I probably won't know. What 11 year old girl shares with her father she'll be too cool by then. I can ask her mother in 7 years. Lol

[KimeyDiann]

I like the way you think, Sarah! I bet I have stuff that we could make some homemade face masks! That would be fun.

Travis, I have a feeling you'll be one of the "cool dads" so your daughter will probably still be sharing most things with you by the time she's 11.

[Tejas Janet]

Hope the evening goes well, Kimey, and the girls can smooth things over. Hard to go wrong with pizza and a fun movie in my opinion. Mmm, pizza's good at any age : )

I can second Jmom in recommending roasted brussel sprouts. Do avoid buying brussels that show much yellowing. Before cutting and cooking, remove any outer leaves with yellow or brown spots or excessively dried out, wilted leaves. Depending on their size, I halve or quarter them.

Then season however you prefer. I like to toss with a small amount of olive oil, garlic, and a squeeze of lemon. Some would salt lightly, too. I hold off and salt after serving. Regular table salt for spouse. Potassium substitute for me. Helps control high blood pressure.

Roasting is great for bringing out natural sweetness. When I first started roasting veggies, I tended to be too liberal with both salt and oil, but learned to use a lighter touch. For larger-sized brussels or ones with looser leaves, I add a small amount of honey to the mix to balance their more assertive (bitter) flavor.

[Tejas Janet]

Here's a link with lots of good info about buying, preparing, and cooking brussels : )

https://cooking.nytimes.com/guides/27...

[Rusalka, Moderator]

Good luck with the girls tonight Kimey! I think 11 year old girls are the worst. I know people say teenage girls, but I think it's the 10-12 year old stage that just sucks. So good on you for trying to be the mediator!

I roast Brussels all the time now. If you get them a bit charred, they taste so much better. As TJ says, they are sweeter and less bitter. For us carnivores, I also cook them with leek, bacon and pinenuts. Bacon, leek and garlic in a pan. When cooked, put a big knob of butter in and pinenuts (I think my recipe says walnuts but eww), then the halved brussels cut side down. Cook for 2 minutes or so untouched, then stir, and do this about 5 times. On the second time add oregano, and on the third time add a splash of red wine vinegar or lemon juice as that breaks down the bitterness. We sometimes just eat a large bowl of that for dinner.

[Kristie, Moderator]

Good luck with the girls tonight, Kimey. Hopefully, they have fun and forget they were upset with each other.

I also love to roast Brussels. I agree that they are best a little charred. I love those few crispy leaves. I really disliked Brussels as a kid, but they've grown on me and they're one of my favorites now.

[Cherie]

Oh, I was going to say the same thing as Rusalka about 11 yo girls but I was biting my fingers. My youngest granddaughter was awful at that age. Nothing made her happy and she rolled her eyes at everything! My two great nieces were the same. They are all 14 now and seem much happier and easy to get along with, including each other. My favorite age for girls is 9. You can do anything with a 9 yo and they will be happy.

[Tejas Janet]

Oh yeah, I recall being hurt a lot at that age, but not doing much hurting myself...

But my parents had broken up then, and I was just really sad. Very confusing, dark time.

[Tejas Janet]

Some years back, I had a job where I had the opportunity to score the writing skills for 4th graders, 8th graders, or 11th graders. My favorite turned out to be 4th graders. They were so creative. By 8th grade, you could see so much more of life's darker side. By 11th grade, their writing was so much by formula for the test.

[Sarah]

Decision made. I'm going to roast some brussel sprouts this weekend.

[Travis]

KimeyDiann wrote: "I like the way you think, Sarah! I bet I have stuff that we could make some homemade face masks! That would be fun.

Travis, I have a feeling you'll be one of the "cool dads" so your daughter will..."

Thanks. Life goal. Be the cool dad. But not a complete push over either. It's tricky.

[Travis]

Brussel sprouts roasting on an open fire just doesn't have the same ring to it as chestnuts

[jaxnsmom]

Travis - Maybe not, but you should try roasting some and singing just to be sure. And post a video :)

[Travis]

I'm pretty sure that video isn't going to happen jaxnsmom

[Rusalka, Moderator]

NAwww

[jaxnsmom]

Travis sivarT wrote: "I'm pretty sure that video isn't going to happen jaxnsmom"

Maybe after a 6 pack?

[Sarah]

If you can dance after drinking surely you can sing?! Or was that Kimeydiann who mentioned drinking and dancing?!

[Tejas Janet]

That was singeing I thought, not singing. But do it in the past tense and it's singed and sang. Gets confusing!!

[Travis]

That was Kimey.

I suppose anything is possible but liquor runs a higher chance of crazy than a six pack

[KimeyDiann]

Drinking and dancing: guilty. LOL

Travis, have you a couple shots of something yummy, brusselsprouts, open fire.... wait! shots and open fire, that's a bad combination. Maybe you should skip the video afterall.

It went okay with the girls Friday night and Saturday. My great niece had a softball game so she didn't get here until later, probably close to 8:00. We were already watching Finding Dory (my choice in movie) so we watched the end of it and then played a board game. It wasn't overly competitive between them, though there were a few "no, that's not what you're supposed to do" moments which I tried to diffuse quickly. I won the game which kept there from being any hard feelings between them.

We woke up early Saturday due to thunderstorms upsetting my pups. We weren't sure we were going to be able to go to the color vibe because of the rain, but it looked like it was moving out so we took our time getting there, went and had breakfast, and got there after the showers had passed. There wasn't very many people there like there normal, so they weren't doing the big send offs for people starting the walk/run. We actually ended up not doing the 5k, we just hung out around the stage with the DJ and danced and had fun. It Worked out pretty good and probably was better exercise than just walking. There was lots of jumping and dancing and jumping. My legs are sore today from all that jumping.

[KimeyDiann]

Oh, and no drinking required for that dancing! :)

[Kristie, Moderator]

Nice job! Sounds like a great evening, Kimey.

[Peggy]

Sounds like you had a great time Kimey!

We had our yearly 'family day' yesterday (is that a thing in other countries too?) and did a cooking workshop with forgotten vegetables. The ones we ended up cooking with aren't super forgotten anymore, but still not very well known to some people. We cooked for example with parsnip, truffel potatoes and jerusalem artichoke. It was all delicious and lots of fun!

I never had jerusalem artichokes before, and the instructor gave me the left-over ones to take home. Tonight for dinner we roasted them in the oven with garlic, red onion and rosemary. Was delicious too!

I'm on the lookout now to see if I can find them anywhere.

[Sarah]

Beware the Jerusalem artichokes - tasty but they make you fart ;-) Sounds like a great course Peggy. I love cooking and sounds like a great way to spend time with your family. The only family day we have is Christmas. lol. I do some father and daughter days occasionally which I really enjoy.

Just making Mushroom ramekins with Stilton and sherry soufflé topping with roast potatoes and roast Brussels. Hope it's tasty.

Sounds like your evening and day were a success Kimeydiann.

[Peggy]

Haha, we were warned about that Sarah! I don't really notice it as my lactose intolerance and ibs often have such consequences, but my bf he was experiencing it ;-)

Around here lots of families have family days. It's not just parents and children, but the entire family (aunts, uncles, cousins, their partners etc). You get together for a day and do something active (can be anything from a walk or a river cruise to paintball or go-carts depending on how fit the family is) in the afternoon and then often a bbq or some other food in the evening.

We always do it with my dads side of the family (very small, only 11 people) around this time of year and with my moms side of the family in September.

[Peggy]

Your dinner sounds good by the way!

[Kristie, Moderator]

That sounds like a fun day with your family, Peggy.

[Kristie, Moderator]

Also, we have family reunions, which sound similar. Not all families do them, but some do. Some make them active, such as going to a beach and having a cookout. Others rent halls, etc, and may have dancing or meals. They're all different. My family has done them in the past, but they are infrequent. I think the issue is that no one wants to plan them. Plus, our family is spread out and several members wouldn't commit to getting together.

[Janice, Moderator]

We're having a family rebellion this summer. We jokingly and affectionately call our family reunions "rebellions" even though we all get along.

This one in August will also be a celebration of my aunt's 90th birthday.

[Rusalka, Moderator]

our backyard is full of fartichokes. They are digested in your intestines, instead of your stomach, which is why they make you fart but means they don't affect your blood sugar much. So you get yummy food that is very very low GI and fills you up and gives you energy. Lexx as a diabetic (and coz he loves them over potatoes) has planted them all over the garden, his fail safe for an apocalypse :P

But they are very hardy, grow in any type of soil, you don't have to rotate them as they don't get most diseases that other plants do and don't deplete the soil the same way, and HAVE to have a frost to get their taste. Plus their flowers at the end of autumn are tiny sunflowers. I put one on my instagram the other day so I'll see if I can find it

[Rusalka, Moderator]

Here you go.



For us it's just a race between who digs them up faster, us or the chickens. They love finding them in the dirt in the garden beds. You know one has found one, as she will go into manic clucking, then as soon as it's dislodged, piss bolts down the path with it in her mouth with the other 2 chasing her. It's hilarious.

[Peggy]

Great that you're growing your own Rusalka! The instructor also explained about the sunflowers.

I'm going to see if I can find some seeds so I can grow my own too.

[Sarah]

My mushroom souffle was pretty damn good! We liked the roast brussels too although they didn't taste massively different to when eating them normally. Perhaps I needed to put a bit more lemon juice in there. We will have them again though. And soon. I bought loads. lol

I keep meaning to say that BBC Radio 6 Music have had a number of authors doing radio slots this last few weeks where they talk about themselves and their music influences. Tracey Chevalier and Lionel Schrivner have been on so far. The segment is called Paperback Writers. I thought I'd mention it for those who can tune in to the service. http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00w8dx5 Also Jo Nesbo was interviewed too the other day and I think he is doing a show at the end of the month which I'm looking forward to. He sounds pretty cool. He played football for Norway and he was in a band which was in the Norwegian charts!

[Rusalka, Moderator]

Peggy wrote: "Great that you're growing your own Rusalka! The instructor also explained about the sunflowers.

I'm going to see if I can find some seeds so I can grow my own too."

Tubers. You plant the things you eat. Each tuber left in the ground by spring turns into a new plant. You dig up and eat in winter... well probably autumn in Europe. So you usually miss a couple of tiny ones and then all of a sudden one plant turns into 4.

Dad planted ours years ago. He just bought tubers from the fresh fruit market when he saw them and the result is all over the garden. I think we started with like 6 plants.