Watcha Doin' - 2017.1 edition Showing 151-200 of 5,020

[Peggy]

Yay Lisa! Looking forward to your creations :)

I found planetjune very helpful.

[Peggy]

And thanks Sandra, I'm going to do it that way too next time :)

[Joan]

Peggy, one hint for getting great fresh homemade cookies -- find a friend that likes to bake

[Peggy]

Haha, you're full of good hints this weekend Joan ;-)

Boyfriend told me he'll bake cookies next weekend. He's convinced that nothing's wrong with our oven. (in other words, it's me who doesn't know how to bake..)

[Sandra, Moderator]

Peggy wrote: "(in other words, it's me who doesn't know how to bake..)
"

Sounds like my husband.

[Peggy]

Men... *rolls eyes*

[Travis]

Nice high of 8f or -13c today. Neighbor says were at 50" of snowfall since Thursday. Personally i think it sounds more impressive to say 127 cm.

[Janice, Moderator]

Travis of NNY wrote: "Nice high of 8f or -13c today. Neighbor says were at 50" of snowfall since Thursday. Personally i think it sounds more impressive to say 127 cm."

As if 50" isn't impressive enough!

[Dawn]

Over 4 feet sounds the most impressive I think.

[Travis]

It comes fluffy then will probably settle itself to 12-18" in a few days I hope

[Joan]

Either way is pretty impressive, Travis.

[Travis]

Guess it's supposed to warm up and rain all week. So more ice probably

[Janice, Moderator]

I went to the first night of the Banff Mountain Film Festival tonight. It runs three consecutive nights and we've made it an annual must-go-to event.

There was a film set in New Zealand that made me think of Deborah. A man ran 50 marathons up 50 peaks in 50 days to raise funds for mental illness. The scenery was breathtaking and the human spirit amazing.

[Peggy]

What was the name of the film Janice?

[Rusalka, Moderator]

I'm impressed with the 127cm! Thanks for the metric Travis, so I can be impressed!!

Peggy, I agree to get an oven thermometer and cook off that. That way you can see the actual temp inside the oven, and while fiddly keeps the oven going for a bit longer. I sympathise though. We just had to buy a new oven for out the back as the old one decided it wasn't going to make heat inside the oven anymore and just blow it all out over the kitchen over hot, summer Christmas.

[Sandra, Moderator]

Lol. I am sure it was very frustrating, Rusalka, but it made me laugh. :)

[Rusalka, Moderator]

More frustrating for our tenant. She hasn't cooked in weeks as it's too hot to turn the oven on, and the installation people went on holidays for Christmas and New Years.

I feel bad, but very happy my beautiful 1m long oven is working wonderfully ;)

[KimeyDiann]

@Sandra, Did you go running in the cold Saturday? I skipped out the entire weekend. :( I'll try to get out there after work today as there is a chance of rain every other day this week. It is going to be much warmer here after today thank goodness.

Starting today I'm attempting to cut out all breads, pastas, and rice from my diet. It is just me at home during the week now since my husband is working out of town, so I'm trying to come up with some good healthy recipes that don't make a ton of food. I bought a small pre-seasoned turkey breast at the grocery store yesterday that I'm going to try cooking in the slow-cooker tomorrow. Tonight I'm going to have an omelet of some sort. Now I just need something for the end of the week that isn't complicated to make. Any suggestions? The turkey should cover 2 suppers and probably a lunch too.

[Janice, Moderator]

Peggy wrote: "What was the name of the film Janice?"

It's called "Fifty" - Here's the trailer.

I should mention that we didn't see the entire movie. We were shown an abridged version. Still, it must have been about 20-30 minutes long.

[Kristie, Moderator]

Kimey- Do you like chili? I have a great healthy chili recipe that I modified slightly from a weight watchers recipe. I usually double it and scoop it into single serve containers and freeze. It reheats really well.

[Sandra, Moderator]

KimeyDiann wrote: "@Sandra, Did you go running in the cold Saturday?"

Nope. It was cold and icy, so I did half an hour in the stationary bike instead. I'll try tomorrow since it is suppose to be a little warmer, 36F, 2C.

[Tasha]

Kimey ~ I have a coleslaw recipe that is really good if you like coleslaw. This recipe adds walnuts, apples and grapes. I often sub cranberries for grapes and add a little blue cheese. It's really good. It's light on the mayo and uses apple cider vinegar (which is really healthy for you!). It makes a nice size to last for several meals if it's just you eating it.

[KimeyDiann]

@Kristie, I love chili! My downfall is that I want to put cheese and crackers in it. I'd love for you to share your recipe though. It'll give me an excuse to give my willpower a workout as well as my body!

@Tasha, Do you eat the coleslaw as a meal or a side dish? Your version almost sounds like one of my favorite salads I get at a local restaurant. It has arcadia lettuce, grilled chicken, apples, walnuts, cranberries, and feta cheese.

[Kristie, Moderator]

Sounds good, Kimey! I'll post it when I have a few minutes. Don't we have a recipes thread in this group somewhere? If we do, maybe I'll post it there and link it back here. It is really yummy! The recipe calls for a bit of cheddar, which I sometimes do. :)

[Tasha]

kimey, it's a side salad but I eat it as a meal.

[Cherie]

Kristie wrote: "Sounds good, Kimey! I'll post it when I have a few minutes. Don't we have a recipes thread in this group somewhere? If we do, maybe I'll post it there and link it back here. It is really yummy! The..."

Yes, Kristie - there is a Recipes thread.

The old Weight Watchers Meatloaf is a good one too. I will see if I can find it.

[Mariab]

Are You feeling better, Sarah?

[Tejas Janet]

Kimey, good luck with your dietary changes. Including a lot of whole foods can help a lot I've found, which it sounds like you're already doing. I used to eat so many chips and crackers that I decided to give them up almost entirely. I started just eating more fresh vegetables, fruits, nuts, and also whole grains. For me, the challenge times are dining out and socializing.

[jaxnsmom]

Lots of stuff that I've missed here, and I'll catch up one day (sure, that's what they all say ☺ ).

I just watched a trailer for A Dog's Purpose and I'm already crying. I didn't know it had been made into a movie, but then I don't keep up with those things. How am I going to make it til the 27th???

[Sarah]

Mariab wrote: "Are You feeling better, Sarah?"

Much better thank you. I have a day or so left on the antibiotics but I'm certain the infection has gone now. I am left still with some pain in my ribs. I guess i overworked the intercostal muscles from all the coughing. I went for a walk in to town yesterday which is the furthest I've walked since before Christmas and being ill. I was tired after and a bit achey but it was good to get out. I'm back to work today!

[Sarah]

Thanks for the good luck wishes for my swimming. I booked on to the course and start next week. I got a bit over enthusiastic and agreed to start this week but i think i need another week for my ribs to feel better so I've rearranged to start next week. I should be fine then.

[Rusalka, Moderator]

For people who are interested in eating more salads and stuff, my in laws got me this book a few years ago Community: Salad Recipes from Arthur Street Kitchen and it is amazing. Lexx and I are very much meat eaters, but we frequently eat one of these salads on their own for dinner, they are really tasty. Hands down, I have never made or eaten more delicious salads.

This one was written about their kitchen gardens on their street in Sydney, but she's since moved to Brooklyn, and has just released another one, which may be more American friendly (? no idea, haven't got it yet) called Neighbourhood.

She is big on substitutions though. So as long as you replace like with like (nuts for nuts, greens for greens, etc), you'll be pretty good.

When we went down the coast for the wedding in Nov, we travelled with 4 copies of Community. MIL's, two SIL's, and my own. No other cookbook, but we needed our salad book.

[Sandra, Moderator]

Rusalka wrote: "When we went down the coast for the wedding in Nov, we travelled with 4 copies of Community. MIL's, two SIL's, and my own. No other cookbook, but we needed our salad book."

That says a lot!

[Rusalka, Moderator]

Uh huh! And my in laws are serious foodies.

[Kristie, Moderator]

I posted my chili recipe in the recipe section. Here is a link to the post. I hope you love it! If you try it, come back and let me know what you think. :)

[Travis]

My brother in law got married a few months ago. He decided to take his wife's name. Was funny to hear the whispers through the crowd as people didn't know or expect them to be Mr and Mrs X instead of Y. What's even funnier is my in-laws send all kids and spouses a check for Christmas. They filled out my bil and wife with first name only refusing to put their last name as they dobt approve. Childish and ridiculous if you ask me. Who gives a F. Really.

[Joan]

It is funny how people will search out excuses to argue.
We had Christmas with my step-son, his wife, their daughter (6yr old) and my husbands first wife. The 6 yr old had not seen any of her grandparents for 4-5 years so she was trying to sort out relationships.
At one point she asked for everyone's last name - it made it much easier that her grandmother, her mother and her grandfather's wife (me) all kept their own last names.
She ended up wondering why anyone would change their name.

[Kristie, Moderator]

I agree, Travis. It seems a bit petty. People can be strange about stuff like that though.

Aww, Joan. Glad she was able to figure it out. Those relationships can be complicated for little ones for sure. I think more people are starting to keep their names now, though I don't think it's really that common (at least not that I'm aware of in my little part of the world). I wonder if it will become more common with the younger generation?

[Sarah]

Wow that salad book's really expensive here Rusalka! Looks good though. I might see if they have it at the library.

[Joan]

Kristie, I think it is pretty common for women in the US with established professional reputations to skip the name change, and of course many countries don't have that tradition.
I knew a couple in the 1980's who created an entirely new last name when they married, Espiray or somehing, they felt it symbolized hope.

[Kristie, Moderator]

That's true, Joan. It is more complicated to change your name if you have an established career and reputation.

My husband and I discussed what we were going to do about last names when we got married. It wasn't a given that I would take his. We considered all options, including him taking mine and coming up with a new one that felt like it fit us as a couple. It was interesting when we mentioned it to people the reactions were pretty unanimous that it would be weird to do anything but take his name or keep my own.

[Kristie, Moderator]

Sarah wrote: "Wow that salad book's really expensive here Rusalka! Looks good though. I might see if they have it at the library."

It is here too! And not widely available. My library doesn't have a copy and they are unlikely to get one. I did find this blog though... http://www.arthurstreetkitchen.com

[Joan]

I have a friend from another country who was quite confused when she moved here because everyone seemed to have married a relative with the same last name! (She was a child at the time)

[Kristie, Moderator]

Joan wrote: "I have a friend from another country who was quite confused when she mved here because everyone seemed to have married a relative"

Hahaha :D I can see how that would be confusing. lol

[Peggy]

I would never take my boyfriend's name if we would get married (which we're not ;-)). I find it so old-fashioned that it is just a given (okay, it's changing) that a woman follows the man in name. It feels so dependent, or like giving up part of your identity. I don't know. I like my own name and the family it belongs to much more than my bf's name, and I don't want to become known as someone else.

I think it's cool you discussed it Kristie!

On the other hand, I also understand that if you have a family you do want to have the same name as your husband and kids, and not be the odd one out.

[Kristie, Moderator]

It looks like Neighbourhood will be available in the US this summer. We will be able to get a copy more easily and hopefully it will be a bit less pricey.

[KimeyDiann]

Rusalka wrote: "For people who are interested in eating more salads and stuff, my in laws got me this book a few years ago Community: Salad Recipes from Arthur Street Kitchen and it is amazing. Lex..."

Eek! Almost $50 for the "Community" book, used! I'll keep an eye out for it at the local goodwill bookstore. "Neighbourhood" isn't published until July.
What is your favorite salad from the Community book?

Thanks for the recipe, Kristie! It sounds yummy. I have actually never eaten ground turkey, I should try it. I don't like ground beef, but I can eat it if it is chopped up really small in soups and such. Turkey might be a better alternative for me.

[Kristie, Moderator]

Peggy wrote: "I think it's cool you discussed it Kristie!

On the other hand, I also understand that if you have a family you do want to have the same name as your husband and kids, and not be the odd one out."

Thanks, Peggy. :) Yes, we discussed it for a while. We had several reasons and thoughts around it.

I have a friend that was married and took her first husband's name, then got remarried and kept her first husband's name because she had a child and wanted to keep the same name as her son. I wonder if when he's grown and moved out if she'll change it (either to her husband's or her maiden name) or keep it the same. They aren't planning to have any more children, so it won't be complicated or motivated by that. It will be interesting to see what she decides moving forward. People really do have all different reasons for keeping or changing their name.

[KimeyDiann]

re: Last Names. it is highly uncommon for women to not take their husband's name in the area I live in. Most women in my generation opt to drop their middle name and use their maiden name as a middle... Sarah Beth Smith marries John Jones and becomes Sarah Smith Jones. Either that or they hyphenate it, Sarah Beth Smith-Jones.

I'm one of the few people I know that didn't go that route. I like the unconventional spelling of my middle name (Diann instead of Dianne or Diane) so I wanted to keep it. And hyphenated is just too long. So I took my husband's last name. A part of me wanted to keep my maiden name, but I felt it was a way to show my commitment to my husband.

Some friends gave me monogrammed gifts last year for Christmas with my initials, they both used KMG instead of KDG. It really confused me when I first looked at the items, I thought they gave me the wrong person's gift. LOL.

[Kristie, Moderator]

KimeyDiann wrote: "Eek! Almost $50 for the "Community" book, used! I'll keep an eye out for it at the local goodwill bookstore. "Neighbourhood" isn't published until July.
What is your favorite salad from the Community book?

Thanks for the recipe, Kristie! It sounds yummy. I have actually never eaten ground turkey, I should try it. I don't like ground beef, but I can eat it if it is chopped up really small in soups and such. Turkey might be a better alternative for me. "

The Community book wasn't released in the US, Kimey. That's why it's so pricey. I'm glad the Neighborhood one will be released here.

I think having the ground turkey in something like chili is probably a good way to try it if it's a texture thing. Having it mixed with the veggies and beans may help. Good luck with it!