General Chit-Chat Part 2! Showing 2,101-2,150 of 2,680

[Karin]

Jade wrote: "Hi everyone, I just wanted to introduce my self. My name is Jade and I live in England. Studying history and politics in university at the minute although finding it hard at the minute but I know I..."

Welcome, Jade!

[LauraT]

Leslie wrote: "I just wanted to pop by to apologize for my nonparticipation at the moment. I am enraged (though sadly not surprised) by events in my country (the U.S. for those who don't know me) and glued to the..."

It is quite a shoking thing seen from afar; I can immagine you inside !!!

[Leslie]

LauraT wrote: "Leslie wrote: "I just wanted to pop by to apologize for my nonparticipation at the moment. I am enraged (though sadly not surprised) by events in my country (the U.S. for those who don't know me) a..."

Still in a tizzy but have convinced myself that obsessive watching of TV commentary wasn't helping and have started reading again :)

This is where my reading of dystopian fiction backfires as I can readily imagine all the ways that things can go bad... I don't anticipate that I will be calmer for several weeks at best.

[LauraT]

Do something different Leslie. Walk in the beautiful surrouinding of your, maybe listening to music!

[Leslie]

LauraT wrote: "Do something different Leslie. Walk in the beautiful surrouinding of your, maybe listening to music!"

Good suggestions Laura.

[Milly Jane]

The news really is quite shocking at the moment isn't it! It's hard not to watch it continuously, particularly since most of us are at home much more these days. I think me and hubby watch too much news, we tape two American news programs due to the time difference and also watch the English news too, (he's American, I'm English) so it's probably more than is good for us.
I was reading through some older posts here about Thanksgiving, food, and everyone celebrating in their own way. When we were living in the States I sought out English products, mainly out of nostalgia, favorite goodies always seem to bring memories with them, often of family events like at Thanksgiving and Christmas. Now that we have moved back to the UK, I have access to everything I want, but hubby is the one seeking out his favorite American foods, fortunately as the years go on and we become such a global community he can find lots of things, even Mike and Ike, his favorite candy, Reeses peanut butter cups, and Jif peanut butter. Plus everyone likes to make Mexican food these days so he can still have his tacos and tortillas, they weren't around when I was growing up.

[Esther]

I always joked that I would consider Israel 'civilized' when I could buy digestives in the local supermarket!!
(That happened about 2 years ago. We still can't get decent tea but we manage.)

[LauraT]

Lol Esther!!!!

[Milly Jane]

Esther wrote: "I always joked that I would consider Israel 'civilized' when I could buy digestives in the local supermarket!!
(That happened about 2 years ago. We still can't get decent tea but we manage.)"

Good tea and biscuits are the benchmark for any society! Haha. I always loved digestive biscuits. The dark chocolate ones. They were only available in a few shops in the US and cost five times what they do in the UK so they were a precious commodity! My mother always brought her own tea when she visited.

[Karin]

Since I already had it here and it fit for a different challenge in January, I have read The Humans, but now will have to wait until February to discuss it here.

[Leslie]

There was a snowstorm here yesterday - it snowed for about 18 hours giving us here where I am in Massachusetts ~18" (46 cm) of snow on the ground.

In response to the storm, I decided to make a big pot of soup from what I had available - lots of veggies, some cooked chicken breast & barley. Generally I am not an off-the-cuff type of cook, much preferring to follow a recipe, so I was a little trepidatious about how it would turn out but it was delicious! And so were the biscuits I made to have with it :)

[Tamara]

That looks delicious!

[Leslie]

Thanks Tamara!

[Tamara]

It's almost worth putting up with 18 hours of snow just to get a taste of that hearty soup :)

[Milly Jane]

Leslie wrote: "There was a snowstorm here yesterday - it snowed for about 18 hours giving us here where I am in Massachusetts ~18" (46 cm) of snow on the ground.

In response to the storm, I decided to make a big..."

The soup looks lovely. I've been making lots of soup lately too, it brings back warm memories of childhood. My mother made soup and dumplings in winter.

[Christine]

Leslie I hope that soup tasted good

[Leslie]

Thanks all - I enjoyed the second night of my soup just as much, though the barley had absorbed more of the broth than I had expected, making it almost a stew. I think I'll freeze the remaining soup before I get tired of it (and also providing me an effortless meal in the future *grin*).

I enjoy snowstorms (as long as I don't have to drive in them) so it has been a satisfactory beginning to the month for me! Just have to remember to put out more bird seed tomorrow...

[Christine]

No problem Leslie and that’s cool Leslie and I hate snowstorms Leslie and I love soup Leslie

[LauraT]

Leslie wrote: "There was a snowstorm here yesterday - it snowed for about 18 hours giving us here where I am in Massachusetts ~18" (46 cm) of snow on the ground.

In response to the storm, I decided to make a big..."
It looks great!!!! And also 46 cmo of now, once in a while! - I think I'd love!!!

[Karin]

Leslie wrote: "There was a snowstorm here yesterday - it snowed for about 18 hours giving us here where I am in Massachusetts ~18" (46 cm) of snow on the ground.

In response to the storm, I decided to make a big..."

It looks wonderful! I am an adventurous cook, but am very impressed that you did this if you aren't! My husband would never make anything without using a recipe.

[Leslie]

Karin wrote: "Leslie wrote: "There was a snowstorm here yesterday - it snowed for about 18 hours giving us here where I am in Massachusetts ~18" (46 cm) of snow on the ground.

In response to the storm, I decide..."

My biggest hesitation isn't the main ingredients but the herbs & spices. I like spicy food but previous 'off-the-cuff' experiments have ended up disastrously from being way too spicy or from a combination of spices that did not mesh well. This time, I used 'Italian seasoning', basil, parsley and some medium chili powder & paprika.

As an adventurous cook, how do you make those decisions?

[Esther]

Leslie wrote: "Karin wrote: "Leslie wrote: "There was a snowstorm here yesterday - it snowed for about 18 hours giving us here where I am in Massachusetts ~18" (46 cm) of snow on the ground.

In response to the s..."

I rarely use recipes for savoury dishes. I am a great believer in using up leftovers so I often line up all the leftovers on the counter and 'create something'.
As to spices I have some standbys - meals with cooked tomatoes often go well with an italian flavour - basil/oregano. Parsely is pretty neutral and goes with most things.
Tarragon is great with lemon and chicken for a refreshing flavour.
My favourite is ground coriander and cumin.
If I need inspiration I just take a good sniff of each herb to see if it tickles my taste buds.

[Karin]

Leslie wrote: "Karin wrote: "Leslie wrote: "There was a snowstorm here yesterday - it snowed for about 18 hours giving us here where I am in Massachusetts ~18" (46 cm) of snow on the ground.

In response to the s..."

Yes, this is the hard part. I go by smell for many things and experience and usually get it right even now that I can't even eat many of the things I make this way, but I learned how to correct by tasting back when I was a serious foodie (starting at quite an early age--I was cooking from scratch as soon as I was on my own at age 18 but even before that, plus baking). Of course, I first learned with recipes. Also I had a great cookbook that talked about how foods worked and gave only general outlines that I was into for a while.

BUT for spicy things that are hot, just research.

Nowadays If I want to make something completely new with things I have never liked (eg cranberries, tomatoes not in certain kinds of sauces, etc) I will see what's online and modify to suit what I have at home or what my family likes. Then I change it up, such as adding chocolate chips and shredded coconuts to a cranberry-raspberry pie recipe, plus changing the thickeners, reducing the sugar, etc.

[Leslie]

Thanks Esther & Karin for the tips! Now that I have a success under my belt, I think I will be more willing to try again.

[LauraT]

Thanks God I've got my husband who cooks for me!!!!

[Leslie]

LauraT wrote: "Thanks God I've got my husband who cooks for me!!!!"

LOL -- sometimes I fantasize about having such a person but I am afraid that I am far too set in my ways now to live with someone!

[Elie]

hello, I am Elie, 27, and I'm from Lebanon. Nice to meet you all.

[Tamara]

Welcome, Elie. Nice to have you join us.

[Milly Jane]

Elie wrote: "hello, I am Elie, 27, and I'm from Lebanon. Nice to meet you all."

Hi, Elie, nice to meet you!

[Elie]

Tamara wrote: "Welcome, Elie. Nice to have you join us."

Thank you so much, this is my first time using goodreads. I just published my first book as well. I hope you are staying safe.

[Elie]

Milly Jane wrote: "Elie wrote: "hello, I am Elie, 27, and I'm from Lebanon. Nice to meet you all."

Hi, Elie, nice to meet you!"

Hello Jane, thank you so much, I hope you are doing good.

[Karin]

Elie wrote: "hello, I am Elie, 27, and I'm from Lebanon. Nice to meet you all."

Hi, Elie, it's great to meet you :)!

[Elie]

Karin wrote: "Elie wrote: "hello, I am Elie, 27, and I'm from Lebanon. Nice to meet you all."

Hi, Elie, it's great to meet you :)!"

Hello Karin, thank you so much. Hoping to get some help or guidance. This is my first time using goodreads.

[Christine]

IT’S SUPERBOWL SUNDAY!

[LauraT]

Leslie wrote: "LauraT wrote: "Thanks God I've got my husband who cooks for me!!!!"

LOL -- sometimes I fantasize about having such a person but I am afraid that I am far too set in my ways now to live with someone!"

My mom lost my father rather young - he was 51, she 53, my age.
After a couple of years many friends kept asking her why she didn't get another companion. She used to answer: once is more than enough. You can settle with someone else when you're young; now I couldn't any more!!!!

[Leslie]

Thanks for sharing that memory with me Laura!

[LauraT]

Leslie wrote: "Thanks for sharing that memory with me Laura!"

Love you!

[Christine]

HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY!

[Christine]

HAPPY MARCH EVERYONE!

[Karin]

Yes, it's March--real spring, but not yet calendar spring.

[Alannah]

Getting slightly warmer and the days are getting brighter, hard to believe it's been nearly a year since the first lockdown, this time last year I was still thinking we were not going to be that badly affected in the UK. I think everyone was obsessed with Megan and Harry as they announced they were leaving the UK then.

[LauraT]

It looks like Spring here in Italy. I'm afraid it is going to change soon enough. Still I'll enjoy it till I can!

[Karin]

We had some bitter cold wind Monday evening into much of Tuestday but it's a bit milder than that now.

[Leslie]

Karin wrote: "We had some bitter cold wind Monday evening into much of Tuestday but it's a bit milder than that now."

Indeed and there is talk that it might reach 60°F next week (~16°C)!! Sadly, we'll have another cold spell before that.

But I saw my first robin the other day so spring must be near :)

[Karin]

Leslie wrote: "Karin wrote: "We had some bitter cold wind Monday evening into much of Tuestday but it's a bit milder than that now."

Indeed and there is talk that it might reach 60°F next week (~16°C)!! Sadly, w..."

Yes, our temperature is going to drop to the mid-twenties down here tonight.

[Kirsten]

Leslie wrote: "Karin wrote: "We had some bitter cold wind Monday evening into much of Tuestday but it's a bit milder than that now."

Indeed and there is talk that it might reach 60°F next week (~16°C)!! Sadly, w..."

We have our first daffodil - and sadly, our first dandelion.

[Esther]

Sunday we had small heatwave - 27C.
Today was average for this time of year - 20C
Tomorrow we are back to rain.

[Karin]

It was in the low 20s F when I went to get my son mid-morning today.

[LauraT]

Here in Italy it's not so good a wether: rainy, chilly. Not cold; we'll see...

[Leslie]

After some beautiful spring weather last week, a cold front moved in and Sunday afternoon featured snow flurries... Our temperatures have been very up and down lately!

Despite that, the birds have begun migrating & I am again hearing the honking of Canada geese during the night as they fly overhead. I am looking for the spring warblers now when I am out & about :)