July's Chit Chat thread

[whispy]

Thank you for the definition of Porn Food. LOL I will not say what my imagination had pictured. We call that “dirty food” Dirty burgers are cooked in butter and the buns toasted in butter. Call it dirty because it is a heart attack waiting.
Silk, here in America AC is a cooling appliance that is built into our HVAC’s. Furnace is heating part of that so in winter we turn in furnace in summer we turn on AC (air conditioner ) so I was confused too but figured it out as you said turned on AC for a bit to warm the air. Love how we are learning terms that other parts of the world and even our country are using. “Yeat yet?” in Arkansas is “Did you eat yet?” More than likely followed by an invite to dinner with them.
Huronna your cruises sound lovely and exciting. I do hope they are not canceled like so many have been. Sorry that you will be 400km from Silk when you land there. It would be wonderful for you both to meet. Like us we are near no ports here except airports. I can drive 35 miles to the airport and fly into Sanford, Fl and really low fares but once there have to rent a car. If I still flew I would do that but I have developed a dislike for airports and the flights. When my brother was alive he would drive over and pick me up. Aligent has low priced flights with no stopovers. Now with Missouri being a red state for Covid I think they would frown on people flying into Florida form here.
We’ll time to get out of the recliner and get busy. Day is wasting aand sun is shining. Hugs to all.

[Huronna]

“Yeat yet?" are you sure you aren't from Pittsburgh. Sounds like one of Joe's expressions.
The very first one I remember was we were still not married and we were sitting on the grass and for some reason we were talking about the color of something and he said...yes it's the "keller" yellow. I looked at him and said KELLER? as is Helen Keller? no he said...the KELLA jello! He even has a t-shirt with all these different "burgh expressions"

The friends we are visiting in RI in Aug are also going on a Viking cruise in Sept. But they leave about a week before us and are on a river cruise. we are both nervous and keep wondering. will they or wont' they. But they have been sailing. Viking requires full vaccination and proof, They also have their own testing lab on their ships and will test you before embarkation and at different intervals during the cruise.
I just hope I can deal with the mask in the airports and flights. The overseas flights won't be bad as we fly first class, and I can either be eating drinking or sleeping LOL Some how I WILL manage.

[Angel]

Hi.. I'm still around. Just to many things and tests and stuff going on. I just finished a battery of medical test... now have three more coming up. I have a bone marrow test, Echocardiogram, and Ultra sound in the next week or so. I just had an MRI this past week with a ton of blood work. I'm just worn out. All the test are being done up in the Salt Lake City area, which is about a 6 hour or more round trip for me. That in itself wears me out. I will be back when I am functioning better. Zero mojo and pretty much no energy.

God's blessings to you all. Keep up the great animations!

[Flagryl]

Yeah, that's dirty food for sure Whispy Sue. Angel, I can certainly understand how exhausting all these tests much be. I sure hope this series is more productive that the last tests you had, sounds more thorough. Wishing you the very best.

We had friends for dinner last night, they grew up in same town where John was born in Wisc. I was going to order ribs from our local rib guy but he couldn't get ribs so we opted to grill lamb loins, they love them anyway. I made lite potato salad and a tomato/cucumber/cauliflower salad w/olive oil and white balsamic vinegar dressing. Sounds pretty healthy, huh. Well, John baked a Butter Pecan cake so now I need to be cautious. If I told him it was a porn cake he'd take offense so I'll keep my mouth shut.

We had the tree guys out and they ended up cutting down 4 Ponderosas because one fell on a forked one that knocked off half of it so they took it down too. Those trees are not as stable anyway so that's a good thing. I hated to cut down the big one we built the paver side patio around but John was concerned about it lifting the pavers so it bit the dust. I took a video but it was taking to long to upload so I'll wait and try again. Here are some pics of the Big One, well it's not a giant but it's good size.

[silk]

Angel I am so sorry you are still dealing with health issues. Tests certainly
wear one out particularly when you're not feeling great to start with. I hope you get some answers that will help.
Flagryl those pines are huge and shallow rooted it seems and you wouldn't want one to fall on the house. Joe took down a huge Grevillea Robusta a few years ago for the very reason of it lifting the pavers...I hated to see it go because it was a blaze of flowers every year. I won't let him do anything like that any more...he still thinks he is a young man. Curious...how close is your nearest neighbour? Dinner sounds nice. I would like a simple potato salad recipe .
Whispy and Huronna, I love to see the language idioms of the various states. We have ours also. Ripsnorter meaning exceptionally good has always amused me.
I wonder how Roni is...she'd not been feeling great.
Thinking of my challenge for the end of the week...a easy one this time . Now for coffee.

[arbee]

it was lucky that I was watching with my camera.

[Huronna]

sure glad you missed her beautiful home

[Flagryl]

Oh my word Arbee, you were very precise. That's amazing. Our home is a simple, modern one level that John designed for us, well with my input. It's spread out and we cannot see homes below us. Our neighbors on their south 9 have a beautiful home but they are only there consistently 2 months in the Summer. The land our home is on is adjacent to Forest Service land, great for wild life viewing. A herd of elk came through last evening and we see occasional mule deer, fox, coyote but never see the badger. I think he/she has been at work 300 yrds from our house. Badger the Experminator!

Margie, forgot to mention that I was pleased to hear your ingrown toenail has been resolved. I had that almost 20 yrs ago and the foot doc operated so it would not come back, couldn't walk well for a couple of weeks but I've been great ever since. Yes, very painful.

I see my eye doc tomorrow so we'll see what she says about my slow growing cataracts. My vision is still pretty good so I doubt I'll qualify for lens replacements.

Silk, I'll put that potato salad recipe together, problem is I just do it and don't have amounts.

[Flagryl]

Mom’s Potato Salad

6-8 large potatoes, if using Yukon Gold or new potatoes I don't peel after cooking. Cut up in chunk size you prefer.
4 hard boiled eggs cut up in chunk sizes you prefer or sliced
4 sweet pickles diced
6 radishes thinly sliced [Optional]
4-6 ribs of diced celery plus leaves
red onion diced or lil green onions diced
Add pepper to taste


Dressing

1 cup lite mayonnaise
¼ cup or more of sweet pickle juice
1 tsp or more of celery seed
salt to taste
1/8 cup French’s yellow mustard. Some people like Dijon mustard but I prefer the original French's
Whisk until blended.

You can thin mayo with milk and then add 1 TB or more of white vinegar if you prefer instead of pickle juice. I prefer the pickle juice and save the juice just for potato salad.

These amounts are approximate because I never measure. I like to make a day ahead and let it get happy before serving.

[Flagryl]

Here's the video. Click on the pic and it will take you to the actual video. I think Arbee simulated it perfectly.

[Huronna]

WOW! it didn't take them long at all. Amazing video, even Joe watched it

[Flagryl]

I know. John has a Stihl chainsaw and has cut down lots of trees on our property and on FS land, with permission to thin of course. But this guy Ryan has a longer blade for bigger trees, he did a few others for us several years ago. It gets dicey with only one person when you need a comealong and for best results someone to jimmey up the tree and attach it. I've "womaned" the comalong for smaller trees when you can attach down low, but since this one was near the house we wanted Ryan and his crew of 2 other men to do the job. They do it easy peasy.

[Flagryl]

BTW, the root system of Ponderosa Pines can go 36 ft deep and 100 ft laterally. They are very stable and it's fun to see them sway with the wind, 80-90 ft or more tall and dancing in a strong wind but anchored with their deep root system.

[silk]

Many thanks Flagryl for taking the trouble to give me the potato salad recipe. I will be trying it. We use Dijon and don't have the Frenches...what is the difference. I might be able to get something similar.
I guess that pine has the name Ponderoso for a reason. Great video. What happens to the timber. I'll show it to Joe. He's taken down a few trees. It's always amazing how they know where it will fall.

[Flagryl]

Frenches is an American product, we also call it Yellow Mustard. You might look for Masterfoods Australian Mustard, but if you like the taste of Dijon and have it use that instead. It's just a taste thing. I've used Dijon before when I didn't have the yellow mustard. Americans will use the yellow mustard on brats and hamburgers and hot dogs.

They used a comealong on that tree, tied rope up high and then tied it to a another tree in the direction where they wanted it to fall then pulled it tight. But, you can also track the fall by the kind of cut. Easier with smaller trees. It is a skill for sure.

[silk]

Thanks Flagryl. We have both those mustards .Joe likes the Masterfoods. He uses the rope method to fell a tree . He was interested to see the video.
Have just returned from seeing my Doctor. I am booked for the Covid vaccine. Now for a Bailey's. Going to be a cold night.

[Smilyn]

I am getting better. I'm pouring money and time into the process (acupuncture weekly, chiropractics, massage, more...) and results are starting to show. I have lost four dress sizes down from the 24 I got up to during Covid and the PT on my left arm is completed with 90% return of motion. Yesterday I got a referral to pulmonary rehabilitation. I'm excited about all of that especially the Pulm Rehab - as it is like PT for lungs and should help with my breathing. I still have a locked hip, circulation problems in my lower leg and some neck issues, but I am pleased that ground has been gained.

Angel, I sympathize with your travel and tests. Rest as much as you can. My thoughts are with you. Silk, I hope you get warm... Yay Baileys! Hur, I hope the vacations all work out... yay 1st class! I only ever flew that way once - and that was in the 70's. Flagryl, too bad about the beautiful tree... what a lovely house!

Gotta go... Everyone stay safe. HUGS!

[Flagryl]

Oh Silk, I am relieved you are finally cleared to get the vaccine. I hope it goes well for you. It did for us and most we know. Huge rains are predicted througout the week, we will be fine but those below the Museum Fire scar may have issues.

Off to see my eye doc.

[Huronna]

Glad to hear that Silk, I guess for some reason I thought you already had the vaccine, assumption on my part.
Busy busy day today. We had to have our bug man come and spray in between our regular visits, because some where, these wee little ants found their way into out bathroom. He was here at 8:30. Then the cleaning ladies came at 9, left at 10:30 and then I was gone at 11 to see my trainer. After the trainer I went to the post office to see about expediting a passport renewal. We have to do that with Joe's the day we get back from Malta, so that we have it for the Trip end of Feb. Then to the back to pick up the EUROS that I ordered for the trip (I know it's not until Sept, but you know me, I like to get everything ready way ahead of time) Then off to the grocery store.
Now I am home for the rest of the day
Oh I have one more thing to do, revelcro the light under my desk above the keyboard pull out drawer.

Maybe I'll finish my next WWO first.

Oh and talk about getting ahead of things. The Zone auction will be in Sept, so I've already got three entries ready for that one

Milyn, good to see you, sounds like you are busy with lots of appointment, sounds like they are helping you out.  That's great!  We sure look forward to you coming back full force.

[Flagryl]

Milyn, looks like we posted at the same time. It's great to get an update from you. Wow, 4 dress sizes. Gonna be a skinny minnie. How long did that take to lose that weight? That's amazing and great news on the shoulder. I seem to recall it was frozen. Huronna, glad you've got the passport worked out. So many details! Glad to know the Z auction is in Sept, we'll most likely be gone.

I'm on the verge of needing lens replacements so the plan is to recheck in 6 mo and schedule for early next year. Just finished my cardio on the treadmill and headed for the pilates exercises. It's starting to rain, we have it coming big time.

[Smilyn]

Thank you Huronna... I made a simple entry in your challenge. It's a beginning.

Flagryl; Yes. My shoulder (and elbow) were badly frozen. Good memory! As for the dress sizes; I think it has been four months. I had lost so much muscle that putting muscle back on had me gaining weight even as I lost size for awhile. That's a weird feeling. I still need to lose about 60 pounds to be near where I was at the beginning of the pandemic. I am starting Pilates as part of that process with a personal trainer next week. Yoga with her too - though I have greatly reduced capacity to do that so it will be a challenge. As for rain... we are desperate for some. Can you send some to Hampton Virginia please? Be specific that it need to be in east end of the Olde Wythe neighborhood though. Storms have been nearby that have just gone around us. Not fair at all.

Must get on my Wii. Take care all. HUGS!

[silk]

How lovely to see you Milyn and to know there is some improvement and plans for
more treatment. That's a lot of weight to lose. A new wardrobe?
I wasn't in a hurry to get the CoVid vaccine since we have no cases where I live but my doctor insists. With my various health problems and age he said I can't take a chance. This is a place where tourists like to visit and one
never knows.
Huronna you sound like me...I swear I am always the first one to get to the airport or anywhere else and have to have everything organized way ahead. It's good to have everything organized for your trips. Then you can relax. We had the tiniest ants I've ever seen in our bathroom a while back . Winter sent them away and I hope they stay wherever they went...over to Florida I think. Not that I am wishing them on you.
Flagryl I think you need rain don't you? I hope you get just enough. Do you have much garden to maintain?
I dug out a lovely silver necklace ( a long rope ) I'd forgotten I had, cleaned it and wore it yesterday. I bought it in the duty free at Los Angeles. Mexican I believe.
Sun streaming in the house today. Lovely.
Breakfast time.

[Flagryl]

Milyn, I hope you are giving yourself due credit for all your hard work. I know how it is to gain muscle while trying to lose weight, gotta hang with it. I've only got 1.5 lb to go to get back to my pre-covid weight but I won't give up my wine w/dinner so it's a slower go. I have to keep my frame in shape to protect my spine, no extra weight to strain it.

Silk, when do you get your shot? I hope it goes as well w/you as it has w/most of my friends and myself. Your silver necklace sounds lovely. I treasure some of my Mexican jewelry from trips down there. Ants haven't shown up yet, but with all this rain I expect them any moment. No gardening here, short growing season. It's challenging. Most people I know have greenhouses. I do have a sunroom but we live surrounded by forest so it doesn't function as a greenhouse. So, I found this potato salad recipe that is not rehabbed, it's fully loaded but the proportions are about right.

Ingredients
• 3 pounds russet potatoes
• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 1/4 cup mustard
• 2 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
• 2 teaspoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon Kosher Salt (more to taste)
• 1/2 teaspoon fresh Ground Pepper (more to taste)
• 1/4 cup sweet pickle relish
• 1/2 white onion diced
• 4 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon sweet Paprika
Directions
Step 1
Wash potatoes. Place eggs and potatoes in a large pot with enough cold water to cover. Add a tablespoon of salt to the water and turn heat on high. As water starts to boil, turn down heat to simmer.

Step 2
Simmer for about 5 minutes then carefully remove eggs with a slotted spoon and place in bowl with ice and cold water to cool. After 5 minutes - peel and chop into bite-size pieces.

Step 3
Continue to simmer potatoes until fork tender. Drain and let cool. Peel potatoes with a fork then cut them into bite-size pieces.

Step 4
In a large bowl combine the potatoes, onion, and hard-boiled eggs.

Step 5
In a small bowl mix together mayonnaise, mustard, apple cider vinegar, sugar, pickle relish, salt and pepper. Pour mixture over the potatoes, onion and eggs. Add more salt and pepper to taste. Sprinkle paprika on top.

[silk]

Flagryl, how good of you to post another recipe for me. Thank you. Is the sweet Pickle Relish made with cucumbers ( baby cucumbers) I often read in American books this relish mentioned.
I've not long had a 'flu shot so I don't get the first CoVid one until 17th August.
I remember the picture of the plants in your sunroom; an ideal place for them.
Wine with dinner is one of life's small pleasures and not to be given up.

[Smilyn]

Silk... you made me smile. I don't need a new wardrobe; I have boxes of my favorite clothes to go shopping in. I had to buy some 2X and 3X clothes online when ill and recovering, but I had a few 1 X tucked away and my normal wardrobe of 14 and 12's are waiting. I hate shopping and keep my clothes a long time. I can't wait to get back into the things I normally wear. Yes; it's a lot of weight to lose. I figure the whole amount will take a year. But I only look ahead 5 lbs at a time... so 225 is my next goal. By the way, Silk, Than you for asking about me awhile back. I think it was Flagryl who told you I had posted at AD, that was kind of her. I was touched to find your comment when reading back.

Flagryl... I try to grasp how much I am doing at once but I'm not good at that. My therapist reminds me now and then and tries to get me to take a day off once in awhile. I took one off for you today - I made you a surprise! Good for you on being so close to your goal. Keeping it off comes next. Yay wine and weight loss. you go girl!

I can't see images except for two avatars and Arbee's falling tree ani. I don't know what is going on. I couldn't see anything on Fotki and I couldn't see anything on the challenge threads. I restarted my PC tried again - still the same. I'll shut it down completely and try to come back later.

Take care all!