SUPPER CLUB - Mon, Dec 28th

[purrfect-lady]

Good Morning!

Well, that weekend went fast! Yesterday we had breakfast with my DB, I fused the last 2 blocks in my vintage trailer project (there are only 8 blocks), and then we watched the Seahawks let one slip away from them. But we had a little bit of snow! Enough to dust the grass with white. First snow I've seen here in 3 or 4 years. It was all gone later in the evening, but was exciting for this snow-lover to see.

JANA - it can't be said often enough - I LOVE your family! The story about them wanting to taste recipes from your new cookbook reminds me of the movie, "Julie/Julia" about the young gal who set out to make every recipe in Julia Child's cookbook - and blogged about it.

BECCA - your family, too, is awesome! They show, in so many ways, how much they love you! I'm sorry about your Panthers. Bill came running upstairs to deliver that news to me in my sewing room. Even I was starting to root for them!

LADY CAROL! - you're here!! Try hitting CTRL and Z. your post might come back. It's a trick my computer tech, aka, Bill, taught me. works for me about 80% of the time. don't give up on us!

IRISH - Oh I know who makes the messes around here! It's Scottie and Foxy! I love my Foxy, but he is the dirtiest cat I've ever had! He lays outside under the bushes and leaves, stickers, and small twigs stick to him and he drags them into the house. What a mess! Scottie sheds in little puffs -which actually are easier to clean up than individual 6-inch long hairs - and he spreads his toys everywhere! and DH does his part. But who is wearing all our clothes is a mystery to me! When we got Scottie, we didn't think our cats would approve, either, but we decided to try it anyway. And he and Foxy are great friends. Riley is disgusted but tolerant. Though I will say Riley was accustomed to a dog her whole life and Foxy was only 7 months old when he came to live with us and Scot was already here. I have to say, German shephers and labs are some of my favorite breeds. Collies and goldens are also high on my list.

CAROL - I have one friend who bakes her potatoes sitting in about 1" of water. Another friend oils hers before baking on the oven rack. Sounds like your recipe incorporates both methods! I will give it a try!

TINA - is all OK at your house with the snow and all? Did all your people make it home safely? Hope you get to R-E-L-A-X your last week of vacation.

Well, Bill didn't want pizza after all last night. or soup. He wanted salad! Just salad. That was easy. So tonite will probably be the pizza and I'll put the leftover soup makings into the freezer for another day.

Happy cooking!

[Quilter7]

Maryz - America's Test Kitchen checked out several ways of baking potatoes before coming up with this one. They found the right combination I think. By the way the article is in the current issue of "Cook's Illustrated". I get it on my Nook so I don't have the magazines laying around cluttering the house, because I couldn't throw any away.

Jana - You do have a fun family that wants YOU to make the recipes and they want to eat them. Reminds me of Henny Penny.

Becca - So glad your family does so much for you.

Irish - My DH wants a dog too, but our cat is 11 years old. I think we should wait and when the time comes to get another cat then we can think about getting a dog too. I don't think our Amie would do well with another animal in the house. She is very spoiled.

Tonight's dinner is Mary's "mac n cheese". Last night we had pasta and meatsauce.

Have a great day everyone!
Carol

[gershwin64]

A long slow exhail for me everybody that was here for Christmas is home safe and sound as of Saturday, nobody came yesterday and it was too cold outside for Frankie to putter around so I being so considerate didn't want him to be bored, had him help un-decorate the house with me My house is all clean, just need to dust and put my regular things back out, but not today because I'm out of Pledge.
Tonight's supper will be the last of the leftovers not sure if I'll change them in to something else yet or just leave them as they are.
Most of our snow has melted it was pretty while it lasted.
Tina

[Becca]

Hello from rainy Carolina.When you ride around our small town you can see the results of all the rain .Lots of flooding,Our road washed some.We have 1/4 mile unpaved where a neighbor wouldn't give right of way.She has passed on now & her family wants it paved.Too late now.Once it is passed over its hard to get it done.

Maryz What a disappointing game.I was sick as last time they didn't even score against them.Oh well another time maybe.They are still in good ratings. Our DGS facetimed us & he had about 2 ins.The kids were excited.

Carol The potatoes in water sounds so different.I rub mine with olive oil then sea salt them.Love them that way.A potato is good lots of ways.

Tina Hope you have your feet up.I can hear the sigh!!!

I had to run into town this morn for shots,hair cut,& pick up meds.Had planned to take down decorations but think it will wait.I have laundry ozzing as Chickie said hers was.Got behind with company here.
Lots still left over.Will either freeze or we will eat some.So many goodies to choose from.My DD made her Dad about 3 dozen chocolate covered cherries.Since she retired she is doing lots more baking & cooking.She told me how she did it.
Have a wonderful day.......Becca

[ladyevans]

Good Evening All.....today is a rare day of no rain......but it is on the weather menu for later this week.....

Hello all.....have missed you.....a while ago...thought I was Billy No-Mates....no matter how hard or often I tried.....couldn't do a posting....eventually learned there was a problem and others hadn't been able to post.....but by then life got in the way and Christmas was galloping towards us at a rate of knots.....so....I managed to finish the 2 quilts done and dusted....but it was a pretty close run.....those bindings take forever to do.....the quilts were meant to be laps....but they grew into twin size.....still trying to work that one out......they were for the kids next door.....I say "kids".....the daughter is at uni and the son is 18 and built like a barn door.....they are lovely.......strange isn't it....have 2 granddaughters with babies.... barely commented on the quilts I made for them..send them money and theres a thank you on FB...whereas next door kids were over the moon with theirs and so full of thanks........
actually there were a couple of smaller ones and by the skin of my teeth they too got finished.....oh yes and the knitting.....whew...
Now I do need a bit of help .....I bought myself a Sizzix Big Shot Plus.....is there anyone else here with one...want a bit of advice over the Dies.....I did treat myself to a new Iron(that sits on a tank)and a new vacumm.....no not a lottery winner....I save a £1 a day and end of the year I have £364 for ME....ok I made Decembers money up so I could have a spend up....still a "little" left over for some fabric......
and now to todays menu.......Turkey Stew(the last of the turkey pleased to say)and Danish Maple and Pecan Pastries for afters

Lady Carol

PS.... have you noticed "time" and "busy" are 4 lettered words.....well... now I know....off to wash my mouth with chocolate

[auntjana]

Good afternoon!

Mary - thank you!

Becca - we too have about a 1/4 mile stretch of road that is not paved. Someone, who thought it was a good idea to snow plow it wrecked the road! We have potholes that can swallow my car! Hopefully the city will come and dump some gravel, but I really doubt it.

Lady Carol - good for you! Saving a little each day - what wonderful toys you got!

Carol - thanks for the tips

Tina - too cold here to do outside, but when I suggested that we start putting some of Christmas away, DH said I had to wait until after New Year's - something about tradition. He will help me then.

With the kids coming to dinner, I am making salisbury steaks with gravy, mashed taters, peas and carrots, dinner rolls and for afters, peanut butter chip brownies with peanut butter frosting. I think my little grands will be happy.

I have the laundry done, the kitchen is mine again, and the great room has the track clear, so the train can run. That one is the most important! LOL

Enjoy,
Jana

[FarmChick]

Good afternoon! Our snow, sleet, wintry mix has stopped and looks like it’s finished for the day. Thankfully we didn’t get slammed but were always on the edges of all the systems that came through. I’ve been feeding the birds, and they are scarfing the seeds up as fast as I throw them out.

Mary—I really liked that movie! She was so cute making all those “interesting” dishes. We have 6” long gray hairs and lots of short white and black hairs. It’s a full time job keeping them swept up!

Carol--I always oil my baked potato skins before baking. Usually use Crisco. I like to “fluff” the potatoes before serving, too. I’ve never tried the water/salt.

Irish—Left, Right, Center sounds like fun. I don’t think this bunch is real game oriented… other than the guys’ night out penny ante poker sessions.

Jana—I live on a gravel road. I hate it when the road grader comes by and “stirs up” the gravel… so hard to walk on! Grading doesn’t really help the mud… a fact of life for country roads here. Tell us how you like your programmable crock pot!

Lady Carol—it was crazy not being able to post, but I got so much accomplished! I love your savings account! I think CindyG here (she posts in the sew-in) has an iron with a tank. I haveen’t seen the Sizzix demonstrated… just the AccuCut and the Brother scanner/cutter that doesn’t use the dies. Several of the Sew-In gals have the AccuCut machines; perhaps they can help you. Have fun with your new toys!!!

Becca—hope everything is o.k. with you and the flooding! I’m a potato fan, too! YUM!!! Watch that laundry ooze… it can take on a life of its own and claim the laundry room!

Tina—I feel your exhale!!! That was how I was. Christmas evening I was wiped out.

Tonight’s dinner is turkey and noodles. I boiled the carcass and picked it clean like a buzzard, made my noodle and cut it; now everything is simmering away on the stovetop. I think I’ll have some Brussels sprouts on (my) the side. We have lots of leftover desserts for afters.

Enjoy!

[auntjana]

It's not as programable as I had hoped. But still is great. It has 4 settings, warm, low, medium and high. You can set the time on the crockpot for how many cooking hours you want, then it automatically goes to the keep warm for up to 4 hours.

It keeps the temperature very well too. It was top rated by Cook's Country.

It is by KitchenAid and is a oblong , 6 quart model.

I was hoping for the programability to change cooking heats by settings, but it doesn't do that.
Jana

[gershwin64]

Supper has changed, DD invited us over for supper and the game. Frankie said we'll come home at half time. Well see