Just need to talk to my friends(201)

JeriLynn66

I be cooking up in here 🎄😆❤️

Mint

Thats something I would do, or i forget to hit place order.

We probably got a1/4-1/2 inch of snow. I just pushed off the drive and got hot. I was dressed warm and had N95 on. It is 22F but there was no wind. That makes a huge difference. The high here Wednesday is 40 they say so we will melt off if that happens.

You may or may not remember that i canned chicken & hamburger last winter. Was not a fan of hamburger, but the chicken is fine. I opened a jar today that I fixed in March of last year. It still had a really good seal. It smelled great, had a great texture. It was way better chicken than what you buy canned at the store. That was my last jar and I think I will can some more If it works out. I see it will come in handy if you lost your electric for a while.

Hopefully someday I will get comfortable with that I know how to do this and I’m doing it right lol. I canned green beans this summer for the first time and I kind of had a hard time with that even though I cooked them for like 20 minutes and it’s only supposed to take 12 minutes at my altitude to kill botulism. I have eaten two or three jars and I’m doing OK. I do that also, when I use any of the tomato products I canned. My canned green beans definitely taste better than what you buy at the store. At least they do to me they taste like my moms canned green beans which I always liked.

Lorita

Morning, cold and sunny here this morning.

Iris, hope something can be done to help Adam feel better. Really bothers me when something is wrong with one of my pets. Sheena needs her nails trimmed and I can't figure out how to get it done. The guys who feed aren't close to the house to help.

You all keep that snow up north. We don't need it here this year although I do think it's pretty but just too hard on livestock and the people who feed them.

Judith, hope you get the things you ordered in time. I think there is an Amazon distribution Center somewhere around Tulsa so maybe they will come from there.

JeriLynn, looks like you're busy cooking the is morning. That banana pudding looks so good. One if my favorite things. Carl, have you ever riden on the Lake Queen? We did many years ago and it was lots of fun.. We always rented a house on the lake and it was so nice waking up in the morning with a view of the lake. This was before Charles and I were married. My family usually went for a weekend around Labor Day. It was a lovely place then. When Charles and I went, things were different or maybe because I was older.

You all enjoy the first day of Winter. I didn't have green grass in most of my yard this summer and now it's nice and green - fescue, I guess.

jfkoc

Amazon will deliver tomorrow.

My best trout story. We were staying at a B&B in Thomastown, County Kilkenny. Dick asked to have trout for breakfast. The reply was "let me see if some had been caught yet this morning".

Mint

JeriLynn you must have been typing at the same time.
my mom used to make banana pudding and I really enjoyed it when I was a child. I don’t feel like it’s something I can make for myself alone. Maybe sometime I’ll make it for a family event. I like your pretty bowl too.

Enjoyed the trout story

harshedbuzz

Good afternoon.

We have a little snow. Only an inch or so, but it's the fluffy sticky kind that clings to trees and shrubs which is very pretty. DH turned the Christmas lights on for me last night and it was really pretty. He knows I'm trying mightily to get into the proper spirit for the sake of others.

Ron— It was nice to hear from you. We must've been posting at the same time yesterday.

I am sorry for your lung issues. I hope the nebulizer brings some relief for you. It can be a great tool to have in your self-care toolbox if you have chronic breathing issues.

Mint— I think a lot of people struggle to adjust seeing the LO in a setting where others may be further along in terms of progression.

Jerilynn— Congratulations on the baby goats!

That's a lovely presentation of banana pudding. That was DH's first choice for Christmas dessert, but I overruled him. He has a Southern palate and no one else I'm hosting does. I did make it for Christmas Eve a few times in the past— mostly because mom was vocally horrified at the notion of banana pudding despite never having had it. I mean, it's basically trifle which she thinks is just dandy. She admitted it "wasn't awful" but didn't take her customary doggie bag. He was genuinely shocked when I told him that's he's the only one who really is into it. LOL. My people are getting a "Happy Birthday Baby Jesus" pound cake from the bakery and a homemade frangipane pear tart.

Iris— I hope Adam's murmur is no big deal. My mom's 2 "older gentlemen" cats developed murmurs as they hit their late teens. Will they be doing an ultrasound or EKG? Mom's cat had an EKG last week which was really interesting— only 3 leads. Can you imagine getting 12 leads on a cat?

Judith— That's some fresh fish.

Carl— I do like a nice new flannel shirt— so cozy. Of course there's something to be said for broken in flannel that's like an old friend. I have a flannel bathrobe handed down to me from DS when he outgrew it. It's almost threadbare— of course it's my favorite.

Funny you mention the untouched sweaters. My mom's always loved the thrill of the hunt in a good consignment shop. OMG the stuff she finds. One of her go to items was cashmere sweaters for dad. So many people would gift their dads nice cashmere sweater after a trip to Scotland that would go unworn. Nothing made her happier than picking up a brand-new Pringle sweater with tags for $5-$10.

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Dinner with friends tonight. Thai restaurant, I think. It doesn't matter; the company will be good. I excited for DH's friend to open his Christmas present. He grew up in Idaho on a potato farm so I gift him potato-themed gifts when I can. Last summer while indulging mom in an hour at ReStore I found a potato-shaped soup tureen. It is so weird and more than a little ugly. I tucked a box of truffles in the package as well.

I finished my last tree a few minutes ago. Barbie is in the house. I considered skipping it this year, but it's the one thing I like so— up it went. Tomorrow, I want to do some garland and stockings and call my decorating done. I'm meeting my BFF at Ikea to swap gifts (it's half way and we both have a reason to be there) and for her to give me her annual cookies. She even makes packages for mom and my niece.

I may take mom with me as she's been homebound since getting out of the hospital last week. She's doing really well. I'm not sure about the cat. She isn't eating food if there are meds in it. She's drinking water, eating a little food, using her box and acting like herself. We see the vet on Thursday for a re-re-check. Mom has a swallow study Friday at 8am. Her pulmo thinks she's aspirating. I do too. Mom's MAP carrier and her hospital do not yet have a contract, so I wanted it done before year's end. Her pulmo is joining a different hospital system; not sure how that'll work out.

HB

Lorita

Glad you will get your delivery tomorrow, Judith.

Mint, I love banana pudding but, like you, I never make one but I do use the pudding cups and layer bananas and vanilla wafers so it's about the same and portion control. I Iike to use chocolate pudding and vanilla. Not like.homemade but will sufficeth.

Been trying to declutter the front bedroom (I was born in that room) . Been using it almost like storage. Had dogfood and bird feed in there and front porch paint and everything else. Even had a DVR thing I will never use. Probably should donate if they will take it.

Been wishing I had a toilet stool lid cover and found a new one and a bath set and extra rug. Funny how you begin to use a room as a catch- all.

The sunroom still has Charles' clothes laying on the divan and recliner. Need to get those donated and move that recliner into the living room. I moved it in there so guess I can do it. I have called the Mission several times to see about donating and can't get in touch with them.

Also found that my.landline isn't working. Never use it but have kept it in case I lose my cell phone. Guess I'll end that service. Wonder what else is in that room I have forgotten about.

Watching Aerial America - showing Pennsylvania. Didn't know I could get the Smithsonian channel.

Still cold outside. Only.been out on the porch to locate the cow I'm watching - did see her. Need to fill the water tanks though. Sorry to have gone on and on.

jfkoc

Now I am longing for some banana pudding.

Lorita do you use binoculars.? Did a Dr deliver you?

Ex son in law was sent home from Mercy Hospital only to end up at University hospital last night in ICU. They anticipate he will be there for a week. Honestly, medical care can be frightening.

Got a dusk to dawn electrical thing for the Christmas lights outside. Our street is so pretty and I can enjoy some of the lights from my bed upstairs.

Iris…any update on your cat?

Lorita

Judith, I hope your ex SIL imoroves quickly.

Yes, Dr. Lathrope delivered mr. His practice was in a little town about seven miles away. It was a breach birth and the cord was wrapped around my.neck and I was blue, not breathing. Grandma said he laid me on a table in the bedroom while he took care of mother. Grandma saw my foot move and the rest is history.

My sister told me I didn't open my eyes for seven days. She may have confused that with kittens. She wss 9 1/2 but that's what she always told me. It was really rainy and muddy and I was told daddy had to ride his horse to get the doctor. Gets hairy out here sometimes.

I was hungry tonight and ate too much: baked potato, green beans and cottage cheese.Should have stopped halfway through. I want some banana pudding, too but no vanilla wafers.

Sleep well everyone. Hope you all had a good first day of winter. The days will begin to get longer now.

Jo C.

Hello Iris, I live not far from you and the supermarkets around us do carry the canned B&M Baked Beans; we buy them, most often at Ralphs Supermarket. While they are very good flavor and quality, I mix them drained well, with several varieties of drained, other brand canned beans of various flavors, add a little tidge of wine and cooked/crumbled bacon; and often more onion, green or white or both sauteed in bacon drippings, whatever moves me at the time. I heat very slowly in a heavy casserole dish, baked in the oven, and SO good. Even better when re-heated a day or so later. I am though, careful to drain off excess liquid before mixing the beans together as I do not like the beans to be soupy/watery, I mix it all together, place it in a heavy casserole dish and bake it uncovered, slowly in the oven at a low temp, I usually use my deep Corning Ware casserole dish.

They are really good; especially in the summer with an excellent piquant garden rice salad recipe I have. Especially wonderful when served alongside whatever meat we have barbequed. Gosh; now I am hungry.

Judith, I hope your ex-SIL improves quickly and does well. Do let us know. A special prayer being sent up for him; consider it done.

Hope Zetta comes to say, "hello" soon. She had moved and is living in her new home with her daughter and SIL; she must be very busy, we miss our old friends when we do not see them for a long time.

I have realized how welcoming "Bold" print is. My poor aging eyes. So; I shall "Bold" my Posts from now on as I am sure others may have the same challenge to one degree or another.

Sounds like you are making good headway in clearing and organizing your rooms, Lorita. Good for you - I still need to do some closets and drawers - really and truly, but my joints are not agreeing with me. May have to pay someone to do the work while I "sidewalk supervise." Hate to do that, I was always so able, and now here I am . . . decrepit. Sigh. Another BIG SIGH. Harrumph!!!

Cannot believe we are only four days away from Christmas Day. Yikes! Daughter here, she is mostly out and about visiting old friends and catching up on other things. She is of course now an adult who is finding white hairs amongst her soft brown. Catches up with all of us even though we sometimes think it won't or at least not THIS early. May we all find fond memories as well as moments of lightness for this wonderful Christmas/Holiday Season.

Well; it looks like it is time for me to get myself going. I send warm wishes for a good night and good sleep for one and all.

J.

Iris L.

Jo C, thanks for the tip about B&M Baked Beans at Ralph's and the casserole recipe. I will probably have to begin shopping more at Ralph's b/c my Vons will be closing.

JeriLynn, I didn't know there were people who didn't like banana pudding. Your finished product is yummy!

Judith, I hope your ex-SIL improves quickly!

Regarding Seven, my girl Maine Coon cat with the bad bladder, I left a message with the animal hospital yesterday but they did not return my call. Today she seems to be voiding okay. As for Adam, my boy cat with the murmur, I will have to try to wait until after the new year to take him in to the animal hospital. There are things that I need to do for myself and frankly, I am tired! I need time to myself! The cats will have to wait. The vet there already told me a cat ultrasound is about $800--yikes!

Happy winter solstice, everyone!

Iris

Mint

Yes Lorita I feel sorry for the animals and people that have to work out in the cold. I also feel terrible for the animals when I see him standing around in a bunch of mud.

I see Amazon is going to build a distribution center about 30 minutes from where I live. I’m not sure when it’ll be completed.

Lorita sometimes I make myself a small little banana pudding like you were talking about and I often don’t have vanilla wafers so what I do is I use some graham crackers. Usually have a box of them because I can find them not made with soy bean oil which I try to avoid. I’ve not had luck finding vanilla wafers around here without soy bean oil

JoC If you ever feel like it, tell me what temperature you bake your baked beans at. I do mine somewhat like you do them but I’ve never drained them. That sounds like a good plan. So good to hear from you. Im glad your daughter was able to come.

two of my sisters, and one of my brother-in-law‘s took another sister and I out tonight for supper. It was very nice. I had never been there before. It’s was at a golf club. We got to sit by the fireplace and it was toasty. When I picked my youngest sister up I knew she had went to see my mom yesterday so I asked her how mom was doing. She told me that mom did not recognize her and she didn’t think mom was being manipulative she thought mom truly did not know who she was. My younger sister had also helped us with groceries. She brought mom groceries every third week. A few days ago my mom told me she had not been there and I told mom I knew she had been there at least twice. My younger sister had been there about two weeks before that. My mom is always been very hard for me to assess. There has been quite a bit of manipulation, and I probably was pretty slow and naïve at catching on about it. Once I did catch on never talked about it too much, because I was sort of afraid of being judged, especially due to my mom’s age.

HB i’m glad your mom is doing better. What you said to me is so very true. You know I’ve seen people on here before talk about how they felt maybe they placed them too early because they seem so much better than the other people. But then with time they saw their family member deteriorating. In no way do I feel like I placed my mom too early. This may sound odd, but As I see my mom, more inquisitive, and more alert than others at the same time I feel like I see her deteriorating In ways mom is much more alert and she’s very inquisitive about things but at the same time I feel like maybe I see where she is deteriorating. I was glad my sister said that to me because it kind of validated my feelings. I wonder sometimes if I’m just kind of imagining things or if they are real. When you’ve been through a lot of manipulation, it makes you somewhat unsure of your feelings sometimes.

Hope each one of you get a good nights rest

Lorita

Mint. I hadn't thought about using Graham crackers. I always try to keep them, too. I like them with yogurt. You know maybe when a person who has been living alone and are placed it gives them sort of a new life, being and interacting being others. Sounds like your mom is doing well and so are you.

Judith. forgot to answer your question about using binoculars. I do use them and am able to distinguish among the girls. The last ones I bought, and do not use are different, lens are green or amber. I do need s new pair because have lost one of the lens on these.

Jo, reading the bold type is much easier for me, too. I think my cataracts are ripe.

So good to hear from you and know you're doing pretty well. As you said, we need to hear from Zetta, too. Maybe she is just busy.

Sandy, so enjoyed our visit a night or so ago. Always good to talk with a good friend. Still cookie hungry, guess I need to make some. Glad the shortest day of the year is almost over. Now we can add a minute or two of daylight each day.

Sleep well tonight.