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Sunday Afternooon Open Thread

By Jeralyn, Section Blog Related
Posted on Sun Jun 29, 2008 at 01:50:01 PM EST
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I've been MIA this weekend, between having Anita, my first houseguest at my new house and the TL kid moving to a different apartment who brought half of his old apartment here for storage.

Since Anita will be spending the next six Saturday nights with me while she commutes from Owl Farm to attends classes at the University of Denver -- and again during DNC week -- I converted the lower floor of my house into a mini-apartment -- a bedroom/office/bath combo. I forgot how much fun buying beds, bedding and bath stuff is -- not to mention expensive. I'll be paying Crate and Barrel and Macy's for years, but the place looks great. I also put fresh flowers everywhere, something I rarely do when it's just me rambling around.

I'm off to the nursing home now to see the TL Mom, and then to help the TL kid unpack and arrange his new place, so I am still not ready to resume blogging.

Here's an open thread for you -- all topics welcome, from what you did this weekend to food, pets, politics, news of the day or anything else you can think of.

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    Went to a wedding (5.00 / 1) (#3)
    by TeresaInSnow2 on Sun Jun 29, 2008 at 02:07:04 PM EST
    in TriCities, WA this weekend.

    It was beautiful, but OMG, only a hopeless romantic would schedule her outdoor wedding in the middle of the desert in almost July -- without even awnings for shade.  The amazing thing was the bride wore 20 pounds worth of dress and didn't sweat!  It must be love!  

    If I'm invited to such an occasion again, I'll only attend if we're told to bring personal swimming pools.  Then it would be fun!

    Anyway, the cold Northwest has suddenly become the arid Northwest!  

    Stay cool, everyone.

    Wedding planner should have pushed (none / 0) (#9)
    by oculus on Sun Jun 29, 2008 at 02:27:39 PM EST
    misters, don't you think?  

    Parent
    Glad to be back here for a little while (5.00 / 1) (#6)
    by cmugirl on Sun Jun 29, 2008 at 02:19:10 PM EST
    They took our internet access away at work 2 weeks ago, and while the withdrawal tremors have subsided, it's hard to find out what's going on when you are at work from 7 am to 9 pm 7 days a week! Don't feel like looking at a computer when I get home! :)

    Nice to still see many old familiar names here fighting the good fight!

    Always a pleasure (none / 0) (#12)
    by Steve M on Sun Jun 29, 2008 at 02:31:37 PM EST
    to see my fellow Michigander posting.

    Parent
    Michiganders Rock (none / 0) (#33)
    by JimWash08 on Sun Jun 29, 2008 at 03:32:01 PM EST
    Especially the Hillary-supportin' ones :) [/bias]
    Gov. Granholm and Sen. Stabenow = 2-thumbs up!
    Can't wait to visit my family and friends there soon.

    Parent
    Was Stabenow (none / 0) (#35)
    by pie on Sun Jun 29, 2008 at 03:40:03 PM EST
    a vocal Hillary supporter?  I never heard much from her except to say the nomination would be sewn up before the convention.  Of course, there was also the news about her stupid husband.

    Parent
    Not Too Sure (none / 0) (#61)
    by JimWash08 on Sun Jun 29, 2008 at 04:36:43 PM EST
    Exactly how vocal she was over the primary campaign, but I do recall seeing her at least twice on national TV speaking for Sen. Clinton.

    Just as Gov. Granholm has appeared several times on the Sunday news shows on CNN, CBS and ABC for the same purpose.

    Friends in Ann Arbor and Kalamazoo also mentioned that both had been prominent supporters in the state media prior to the January vote, and in the run-up to that shameful DNC meeting here in D.C.

    Parent

    Hot, muggy, and rainy here... (5.00 / 2) (#7)
    by kredwyn on Sun Jun 29, 2008 at 02:22:49 PM EST
    Just watched a thunderstorm slide through.

    Got 3K words written by late last night...so I'm slowly but surely getting back on my noveling track.

    And I'm cussing whatever bug decided that I tasted good after yesterday's storm. ::sigh::

    Just plain hot here in Las Vegas....106 (none / 0) (#11)
    by PssttCmere08 on Sun Jun 29, 2008 at 02:31:22 PM EST


    Parent
    Are you in NY? (none / 0) (#14)
    by nycstray on Sun Jun 29, 2008 at 02:34:36 PM EST
    for some reason, I think you are :) I just checked the temp and it's dropped to 72! WTF?! lol!~

    Parent
    Chicago too. (none / 0) (#41)
    by mmc9431 on Sun Jun 29, 2008 at 03:58:31 PM EST
    It's only 68 and raining. Bad day to have the Gay Pride Parade.

    Parent
    We're going up and down now (none / 0) (#62)
    by nycstray on Sun Jun 29, 2008 at 04:37:05 PM EST
    went back up to 80 and another round came through and we're back down to 72, lol!~ Think I'll take the dog for a walk before it decides to go back up or down again! Oy.

    Parent
    Nope...not NY (none / 0) (#46)
    by kredwyn on Sun Jun 29, 2008 at 04:10:29 PM EST
    MD...and there's now a breeze. But it's still muggy.

    Parent
    I saw your post re a breakthrough (none / 0) (#17)
    by Cream City on Sun Jun 29, 2008 at 02:40:13 PM EST
    int he writng and meant to write a congrats!  I'm hoping to get to my research and writing sometime this summer, which has been so sidetracked by an early conference and flooding and whatnext.  So I delight to know that someone is making progress this summer, while I still slog along in course planning and research and writing I wanted done by now.

    As for the bugs, I entirely empathize.  You can imagine that after our record floods, we are having record skeeters.  The itching is a distraction, definitely.  When having to leave one hand free to keep applying the itch stick, typing one-handed is slow work. :-)  But keep at it, Kredwyn!  

    Parent

    Thanks... (none / 0) (#44)
    by kredwyn on Sun Jun 29, 2008 at 04:09:43 PM EST
    I'm also in the midst of planning a class--teaching the second summer session.

    Parent
    Anybody have any thoughts on this (5.00 / 0) (#18)
    by zfran on Sun Jun 29, 2008 at 02:41:11 PM EST
    new reg come 2/09 making all t.v. stations digital? Seems to me (and I may be too paranoid here) that this is one more way to "spy" on us, through cable and boxes and such. Also, this was one of the only "free" things left, the t.v. airwaves w/an antenna! Any thoughts?

    Can still get over the air television (none / 0) (#28)
    by caseyOR on Sun Jun 29, 2008 at 03:09:26 PM EST
    After the switch to digital you can still get your teevee with an antennae, but to do so you must have a digital television. For folks like me, who do not have either cable or satellite, that means spending more $$$ than I ever have on a new television or buying a converter box.

    Don't know if the gov't. can track viewing w/a converter box, but maybe.

    Parent

    I have seen converter boxes listed at (none / 0) (#50)
    by PssttCmere08 on Sun Jun 29, 2008 at 04:13:08 PM EST
    around $50.00.

    Parent
    It's still free (none / 0) (#31)
    by Molly Pitcher on Sun Jun 29, 2008 at 03:21:00 PM EST
    if you have one of the newer sets.  One of mine has satellite since I am in the boondocks, and I used a gov't coupon to get a converter box for an old TV that is antenna only.  (The main one dates to 1985 or so.  I  figure on upgrading to flat panel as soon as I 'get the good' out of this one.)

    And if anyone spies on me, they will be bored silly: animal planet, NGC, and history pretty well cover my choices.

    Parent

    I tell ya' we are living in a (5.00 / 0) (#20)
    by zfran on Sun Jun 29, 2008 at 02:49:44 PM EST
    American Idol-type world. The followers following the chief-in-follower and the blind leading the blind imo. As Maurice Chevalier sang, "I'm glad I'm not young anymore"

    And it's frightening. I wonder if they (5.00 / 1) (#25)
    by PssttCmere08 on Sun Jun 29, 2008 at 03:06:34 PM EST
    even realize how foolish they appear?

    Parent
    I thoroughly enjoyed last night's play (5.00 / 0) (#23)
    by samanthasmom on Sun Jun 29, 2008 at 02:57:01 PM EST
    Ken Howard did a wonderful job playing Tip O'Neill. I had forgotten about "Mrs. O'Brien's rule". "If you want someone's vote, you have to ask her for it." Maybe I should send Obama a couple of tickets for the play. There were a lot of things he might learn from it.  I wonder if Newt Gingrich knows that Tip O'Neill called him a "turd floating by"? Lots of good laughs with old friends.

    If you sent obama tix, he would probably (none / 0) (#26)
    by PssttCmere08 on Sun Jun 29, 2008 at 03:07:33 PM EST
    say yes to going and then not go...flippity flop :)

    Parent
    I was in McMinville OR (5.00 / 1) (#32)
    by txpolitico67 on Sun Jun 29, 2008 at 03:27:16 PM EST
    last week and loved it.  One of my dearest friends lives there and is an Eastern medicine practicioner (sp?).  

    I had to change planes in Denver coming and going from Texas and totally thought about TL and Jeralyn.  I am hoping to get a chance to meet you JM as I will be one of the many in Denver protesting that sham of a convention.

    After much hullaballo about Unity, NH, I am guessing that even the MSM KNOWS that they can't sell this schtick.  Man has the DNC stepped into it THIS time.

    Goofballs.

    Time for a bite to eat...late lunch after much merry-making this weekend.

    TXPolitico....such a busy guy you are.... (none / 0) (#51)
    by PssttCmere08 on Sun Jun 29, 2008 at 04:15:27 PM EST
    102 in Portland today...my friend called me to complain...lol

    fyi...it's practitioner...but I know in the deepest, darkest recesses of your evil mind, you knew that... :)

    Give me a call...

    Parent

    txpolitico (none / 0) (#77)
    by Jeralyn on Sun Jun 29, 2008 at 07:30:20 PM EST
    for sure, keep me posted on your Denver plans. And your protests.

    Parent
    ROFL, how ridiculous! (5.00 / 1) (#34)
    by JimWash08 on Sun Jun 29, 2008 at 03:36:08 PM EST
    Thanks for sharing. Had a good laugh.

    Jim...da nada, but was it a belly laugh (none / 0) (#47)
    by PssttCmere08 on Sun Jun 29, 2008 at 04:11:02 PM EST
    or a nervous laugh when you think this is the future of America?

    Parent
    Hmm, now that I think about it, (5.00 / 0) (#59)
    by JimWash08 on Sun Jun 29, 2008 at 04:32:30 PM EST
    it probably was a nervous laugh.

    When I was in college, and that wasn't too long ago, we did stupid things all the time. But nothing along the lines as this.

    Granted, it's just Facebook, and it's all temporary. But having experienced first-hand how these college Obamans behave and operate, it is also really scary.

    They all, as some have said, have this American Idol mentality to his candidacy, and they'll do anything to elevate him to the White House. They probably won't even bother to vote down-ticket either.

    Parent

    Hmmmm (5.00 / 0) (#66)
    by JavaCityPal on Sun Jun 29, 2008 at 05:46:53 PM EST
    That American Idol comparison isn't too far off. I've only watched half of one season, but the best one was voted off and I hear that's the way it usually goes.

    Parent
    And now the second part of the Boston (none / 0) (#65)
    by PssttCmere08 on Sun Jun 29, 2008 at 05:07:17 PM EST
    Globe expose Grim Proving Grounds for Obama's Housing Policy...remember that little boy who was killed this week by a wall that fell down and landed on him?  This is another wait to see what happens scenario, but it is't going away anytime soon.

    link

    Parent

    Why stop at a middle name? (5.00 / 1) (#38)
    by Valhalla on Sun Jun 29, 2008 at 03:52:32 PM EST
    I'm changing mine to Valhalla Rodham Clinton!  Wheee!  

    Am I cool yet?  Am I? Am I?

    At The Risk (5.00 / 1) (#63)
    by JimWash08 on Sun Jun 29, 2008 at 04:45:25 PM EST
    Of sounding like a complete doofus, I'd often dreamed about and been envious of 'regular' people whose last name was Clinton or Rodham.

    However, in final year of college, that bubble burst. A classmate -- a Clinton -- claimed to be a very distant descendant of the same Clinton clan as Bill's. But she was obnoxious, extremely snooty and a Bill/Hillary-hating Republican. -sigh-

    Parent

    Wasn't Clinton his step-father? (none / 0) (#67)
    by JavaCityPal on Sun Jun 29, 2008 at 05:47:49 PM EST


    Parent
    HA! That liar! (none / 0) (#71)
    by JimWash08 on Sun Jun 29, 2008 at 06:35:44 PM EST
    I've to admit I do not know much about Bill's or Hillary's family lineage, so if that's the case, I wouldn't even put it past her to lie about it.

    Parent
    Valhalla...yer 2 kewl 4 skewl.... :) (none / 0) (#45)
    by PssttCmere08 on Sun Jun 29, 2008 at 04:10:21 PM EST


    Parent
    Donna Brazile seems to have disappeared (5.00 / 0) (#73)
    by JavaCityPal on Sun Jun 29, 2008 at 06:51:05 PM EST
    from entertainment media. She hasn't been on This Week with George S, I haven't noticed her on CNN (though, I also rarely click through that channel). But, prior to the official declaration of Obama's presumptive status, she was everywhere.

    Anyone hear if ABC and CNN dumped her, or if she just felt she had done her job?

    And what a sorry panel they had on (none / 0) (#79)
    by PssttCmere08 on Sun Jun 29, 2008 at 08:52:42 PM EST
    "This Week"....couldn't even watch.

    Parent
    Very true (5.00 / 0) (#80)
    by JavaCityPal on Sun Jun 29, 2008 at 09:16:46 PM EST
    I had it on in the background and hardly heard a word. The interview with Nader had moments of interest.

    George S kept asking him questions about Obama, then wanted to know why Nader was so hard on him when he clearly thought McCain was the worst thing that could happen to the country.

    It looks like the media is completely lost now that they only have Obama and McCain to talk about. A case of "be careful what you wish for", I think.

    Was thinking that Brazile now would be expected to talk about how great her candidate is and she realized that wouldn't be as easy as trashing Clinton.


    Parent

    I've been looking at sectionals myself (none / 0) (#1)
    by The Poster Formerly Known as cookiebear on Sun Jun 29, 2008 at 01:56:16 PM EST
    I just bought a new house --- oh, alright, it's not new, except to me --- and couldn't bear to bring the old sofa over.

    Besides, the hound puppy destroyed it over the winter.

    Doesn't help that I have no chairs either. I'm sitting on a kitchen step stool now.

    And people wonder why I don't invite them over! But just you wait - I'll have something to sit on sooner or later!!!

    Its a look. One of my house guests (5.00 / 1) (#5)
    by oculus on Sun Jun 29, 2008 at 02:16:01 PM EST
    commented, you don't like to have lots of furniture, do you?  

    Parent
    Heck, when I was so house-poor (5.00 / 1) (#16)
    by Cream City on Sun Jun 29, 2008 at 02:36:33 PM EST
    we just lived with lawn chairs in the living room for quite a while.  As long as the kids had their own rooms at last.  I did lavish on their rooms first, as my daughter has always been quite the nester.  Less so my son, but then, what mattered to him was a backyard and a basketball hoop at last.  That's how we ended up getting a home, anyway -- turns out that to get a basketball hoop, you have to get a garage, and to get a garage, you have to get a house.

    And then, if you're a single mom as I was, you're house-poor for quite a while.  But lawn chairs can be comfortable. :-)

    Parent

    I want a sectional so badly! (none / 0) (#22)
    by The Poster Formerly Known as cookiebear on Sun Jun 29, 2008 at 02:56:43 PM EST
    But, alas! I am house-poor as well, although so, so tempted to just go ahead and do it.

    I was very distressed when the houndie grrl destroyed my old sofa because it was absolutely the most comfortable thing on earth. Then I had to admit it was on its last legs anyway. So I left it behind.

    Now, though - ack! No seating whatsoever!

    Besides those sectionals seem like such sensible things - you can move the parts around, depending on where you need them. But the cost - ack!! No way!!!

    Parent

    Go to a store where you get 12 mos no int (5.00 / 1) (#27)
    by BarnBabe on Sun Jun 29, 2008 at 03:07:38 PM EST
    That is the way I do all my big purchases now. I buy it on the 12 mo no interest plan. Take the total amount of the bill, split it into 10 months and pay that amount. I do 10 months in case I don't send it in on time which is usually the result of the bill getting lost in the junk mail on the DR table. After that, I get the next thing I want. This seems to work out well for me. It is so much better than running the CC bill up or taking a big draining hit on the bank account and you get what you really want.  

    Parent
    Good idea (none / 0) (#30)
    by The Poster Formerly Known as cookiebear on Sun Jun 29, 2008 at 03:17:21 PM EST
    I've paid cash for everything for years now, but it does ding the savings acct.

    And I really need seating --- my family and visitors all live out of town, and I have to be able to put them somewhere!!!

    Parent

    But, you don't get airline miles this way. (5.00 / 1) (#37)
    by oculus on Sun Jun 29, 2008 at 03:45:58 PM EST


    Parent
    ::evil laugh:: (none / 0) (#39)
    by The Poster Formerly Known as cookiebear on Sun Jun 29, 2008 at 03:53:18 PM EST
    I don't pay for my airline miles. My job does.

    :D

    I don't mind!!!!

    Parent

    Good point. But I just (5.00 / 2) (#42)
    by oculus on Sun Jun 29, 2008 at 03:59:29 PM EST
    got a mileage ticket to India from CA for a total of less than $100.  

    Parent
    A Must-Visit: Goa (5.00 / 1) (#72)
    by JimWash08 on Sun Jun 29, 2008 at 06:50:07 PM EST
    That's an awesome beach town with a European/Portuguese flavor. Wonderful seafood cuisine and great bars to hang out at!

    And there's this great boat cruise on the river with local entertainment and drinks/food.

    One important tip: Always drink bottled water (check the seals) and try to stay away from eating poultry, unless it's at a good restaurant in a hotel. Most of my last two days in Goa were spent in bed, the local clinic and the bathroom. LOL.

    But, it was a great experience, and I'm looking forward to visiting the town and seeing the rest of the country.

    Take care and have fun!

    Parent

    Goa is the location (5.00 / 1) (#74)
    by JavaCityPal on Sun Jun 29, 2008 at 06:54:10 PM EST
    where friends of ours got the sickest ever while traveling.

    While in India, it isn't just bottled water you want, but be very careful with ice in your drinks, and also bottled soda. We had several occasions where the cola was simply refilled bottles, but we asked before we drank and escaped harm.

    Parent

    There is a reason God created (none / 0) (#83)
    by oculus on Sun Jun 29, 2008 at 10:43:20 PM EST
    immodium, which is an over the counter med my friend's mother told me about in Antigua, Guatemala, once she figured out what was wrong with me.  

    Parent
    Red wine for medicinal purposes kills bugs dead (5.00 / 1) (#76)
    by Ellie on Sun Jun 29, 2008 at 07:27:28 PM EST
    I never go anywhere without at least a half bottle and then pick one up wherever. Its potent anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties survive the GI tract. 2-4 oz just before a meal work for me.

    Grape juice works too for people who don't drink alcoholic beverages.

    Listerine -- swallowed -- is good in a pinch but it doesn't go down (or is as GI surviving) as a modest glass of the house red.

    Hey, if you're roughing it, you take whatever kindness you can get.

    Parent

    India???? (none / 0) (#52)
    by The Poster Formerly Known as cookiebear on Sun Jun 29, 2008 at 04:16:17 PM EST
    Are you planning on eating there?

    You must hunt me down when you get back and tell me what you had!

    Lucky you! And at that price? Sweet!

    Parent

    Think of me in coach, though. (5.00 / 1) (#55)
    by oculus on Sun Jun 29, 2008 at 04:30:07 PM EST
    I love to travel so don't want to spend those free miles on upgrades.

    Parent
    When I was bi-coasting it, that was great (none / 0) (#53)
    by BarnBabe on Sun Jun 29, 2008 at 04:22:17 PM EST
    Now I use my rewards Mc & Visa and charge everything to them. Super Market, gas, etc. Then when the bill comes in I pay the entire thing. Ouch all at once but what is the difference. I use to use my debit card all the time. Got $140 Home Depot cards in the last few months on one and $75 on the other. BUT, I still will use the no interest deals on the big ticket items and let's face it, a new Living room and getting what you want will be a big ticket item.

    Parent
    I even charge my bagel at the (5.00 / 1) (#56)
    by oculus on Sun Jun 29, 2008 at 04:30:52 PM EST
    deli in our bldg. at work.  But, yes, it is imperative to pay off the entire bill month by month.  

    Parent
    Right, that is the whole thing (none / 0) (#64)
    by BarnBabe on Sun Jun 29, 2008 at 04:47:56 PM EST
    If you have to pay high interest you have defeated the purpose of having reward cards. But, yes, I no longer use my debit card or write checks. AND, it really gives me an idea of where my money goes when I see the itemized statements.

    When I use to get miles years ago, I always just took the first class upgrades. Barco loungers on the red eye and then I did not lose a whole day traveling East.

    Parent

    What part are you going to visit? (none / 0) (#68)
    by JavaCityPal on Sun Jun 29, 2008 at 05:56:36 PM EST
    I've been to "Bombay" (I forget the exact new name, Mumbai?), and we spent a few weeks in Trivandrum in the very south. Drove to the tip and took a ferry boat to Vivikananda Rock. The food was unbelievably great...gigantic lobster. My daughter and I came out with toe rings and ankle bracelets and silk sari's (she was only 2, so our Indian friends had to talk the tailor into it).

    I'm envious. When do you go?

    Parent

    We don't leave until Jan. 09. So far (none / 0) (#82)
    by oculus on Sun Jun 29, 2008 at 10:41:53 PM EST
    we've only booked the airline tickets to reach India and return.  I think we are mainly headed north, although today's NYT had an article about 10,000 tourist being expelled from an area in the NE.  Goa and Taj Mahal are on the list.  I just got the Lonely Planet book on India so much research remains to be done.  

    Parent
    India!! (none / 0) (#87)
    by sleepingdogs on Mon Jun 30, 2008 at 01:10:39 PM EST
    My mother and I went there 9 years ago.  The people there were fabulous!  No such thing as small talk.  They will talk about government, marriage, death, income, religion.  Anything you want to talk about.  We visited Mumbai, the goldent triangle of Jaiphur, Agra and Dheli, and also toured beautiful Kerala and bustling Calcutta. (We heard an unsubstantiated Churchill quote about Calcutta, "I shall always be glad I have visited Calucutta, for that means I shall never have to visit again.")  Calcutta IS overwhleming, but it's still very beautiful. The people make the difference.  You will find out!!  I long to get back some day.  I hope you fall in love with it as we did.    If you are a woman and will not be traveling with a man in your party, be prepared for some curious but not unkind looks.  Also, bring very few of your own clothes and buy local.  You will feel more comfortable and beautiful AND will receive preferential treatment.  I would LOVE a full report when you get back.

    Parent
    Great tips. Thank you. (none / 0) (#91)
    by oculus on Mon Jun 30, 2008 at 06:39:35 PM EST
    We will have one man with us in our group of four and he absolutely loves being the organizer and point man.  I'll tell everyone about your tips, including on clothes.  We had a great time getting clothes made in Vietnam so are up for a new challenge.  

    Parent
    Absolutely fabulous day (none / 0) (#2)
    by Faust on Sun Jun 29, 2008 at 01:57:15 PM EST
    in the pacific northwest. Watching kid play in the sprinkler. Hope you are all doing well.

    Hot and muggy (none / 0) (#4)
    by ruffian on Sun Jun 29, 2008 at 02:08:33 PM EST
    in Orlando - I've retreated to the air conditioning and TCM - first "AllAbout Eve", now "Notorious".

    Classic movie bliss.

    Parent

    It's around 100 degrees (none / 0) (#24)
    by badger on Sun Jun 29, 2008 at 02:58:01 PM EST
    or over in E WA State today - the first real hot/dry weather and the forest fire danger will be hitting "High" or "Extreme" soon, since the heat is expected to continue through next week.

    Parent
    From Friday's NYT: (none / 0) (#8)
    by oculus on Sun Jun 29, 2008 at 02:26:46 PM EST
    NYT

    Check this out.  US government and EU are negotiating a reciprocal agreement to share credit card and bank info on their respective citizens in the interest of national security. EU wants to make sure its citizens will be able to sue the US in the event of leakage or misuse.  But, what about us.  Where does this end?  

    Baseball and cooking (none / 0) (#13)
    by nycstray on Sun Jun 29, 2008 at 02:32:32 PM EST
    are my weekends starting in May. CSA farm shares started arriving first week in June and we seem to be receiving more than we did early season last year! I try and not repeat meals throughout the season, so I've been testing out lots of new cooking styles. I stick to mostly simple clean recipes to let the farm produce be central. Tonight I'm thinking Japanese/Asian as I pickled some Daikon last night and have Bok Choy, Garlic Scapes, Japanese Turnips from yesterday's share. Also, it's generally quick cooking which is great when it's muggy as all heck outside  ;)

    I'd like to share a photo link of all the wonderful veggies I've received so far, but alas, after spending a few hours editing yesterday, my editor won't export for some reason . . . {pout}

    Safe, local food sources can be located at this link if anyone's interested  :)

    Time-saving tip for chefs (none / 0) (#36)
    by Ellie on Sun Jun 29, 2008 at 03:42:42 PM EST
    No matter what the dish is, wlways partially-steam / grill / roast a handful of something else that can be used in another impending dish.

    Shock with cold water so the texture won't be "flabby".

    Go for the harder root veggies first, as they tend to have longer cooking times.

    I always have ambient peppers on the grill: peel off the outer skin and dress with salt, garlic and olive oil. The pepper-scented liquid that forms underneath also drizzles beautifully to finish another dish.

    Pre-steamed or blanched greens are really versatile. Flash-fry later with garlic and olive oil for Mediterrean; sesame oil for Asian.

    Great for healthy snackers and to load the lunch bucket.

    I'm a veggie but I'll have the occasional sausage-dog if there's a ballgame in front of it. (I think Karma will understand.)

    Parent

    Thanks! copying to a word doc in my (5.00 / 1) (#57)
    by nycstray on Sun Jun 29, 2008 at 04:31:28 PM EST
    recipe folder and also passing on to a friend who's in the CSA for the first time :) I did blanching and shocking to freeze last summer so I could eat during the winter :) Didn't think to do some while already cooking. I'm more organized this year and am eating the more fragile first etc. I'm actually sitting here planning this weeks meals, lol!~

    I think I'll throw some turnips on the grill (doing salmon with an Asian orange glaze) to use in the turnip/potato mash Wed to go with the tri-tips and Horseradish sauce. :) Great tip for the peppers also! We had quite a few last year and I did end up roasting/grilling them. Doing it as I go is a much better idea :D (DUH!)

    The CSA has been great. Totally kicked my b*tt out of the boring meal rut I didn't realize I was in. This year we have a protein farmer (poultry and lamb) and an orchard joining in. I get my other meats from a rancher upstate and my dairy is local too. Life is so much easier (not to mention safer and even healthier than before!)

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    My network's temporarily down for servicing ... (none / 0) (#70)
    by Ellie on Sun Jun 29, 2008 at 06:19:46 PM EST
    ... but I'll dig up some more time-saving, flavor-maximizing tips for people who like authentic world cuisine in a flash.

    I compiled a database with fellow HRW activists who have worked & played around the world, so the tips come from the source. We're united in preferring real-people food to, eg, hotel fare that tends to quiet down the spice factor for various reasons.

    I'll upload and link to the zipped file. (The extracted raw file should lead easily into whatever database prog you use.)

    If you used drid beans at all, cooked legumes freeze well too (and taste better than the overly salted, canned mushy beans). I bag them in two portions put inside a cardboard roll (from TP).

    Then I just mark what's in it with a Sharpie, which cuts down on "shopping" in front of my open freezer.

    Slow roasted legumes are nice too as a crunchy snack while watching the ballgame.

    I also use cardboard rolls from paper towels to buy/portion organic noodles. Before I store, I portion using elastic bands so I don't have to measure all the time.

    MUST-HAVES: Foundation spice masalas from all over the world. Just add a few fresh ingredients and liquid condiments.

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    That would be GREAT! (5.00 / 1) (#75)
    by nycstray on Sun Jun 29, 2008 at 07:01:48 PM EST
    I'm having so much fun with food :) When I was in college, my friends said if I couldn't survive as an artist, I should consider the food route. Over the years, I've always enjoyed kitchen time, just lost my experimental edge. OY, hurts even saying that, lol!~

    I only use dry beans. I fired ALL major food producers and pretty much cook from scratch. I still buy a few things like pastas I don't want to make (angel hair!) and ingredients I can't do myself or get local. Then it's Fair Trade, Organic, etc. I have extra freezers and such, so buying bulk dry beans and grains is doable. I'll be doing canning this year so I'll have more freezer room. Our food supply is getting so nasty/unsafe, I'm just not willing to trust much. Plus, it's a real time and money saver having a "store" in your home ;) Berries in the middle of winter ROCK!

    I also make all my pet's food. Have been for about 6 yrs now. Needless to say, it prob saved their life last year as even some of the premium natural brands got sucked into that mess.

    Thanks for the paper roll info, that's a great idea! I have all my stored goods organized so I don't spend too much time searching, but that will help even more. I was freezing them flat and stacking. With tubes, I can put them in the door compartments :)

    I'm working on my herbs and spices. Growing some and collecting others :) Can't wait to see your info!

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    Baseball w/o cooking: Padres are (none / 0) (#43)
    by oculus on Sun Jun 29, 2008 at 04:01:14 PM EST
    losing again, to Seattle.  

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    Dodgers Fan (none / 0) (#48)
    by mmc9431 on Sun Jun 29, 2008 at 04:11:15 PM EST
    They managed to win without even getting a hit. Maybe there's still hope this season.

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    Fifth time in MLB history. Impressive. (none / 0) (#54)
    by oculus on Sun Jun 29, 2008 at 04:26:33 PM EST


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    With Torre, there's always hope ;) (none / 0) (#60)
    by nycstray on Sun Jun 29, 2008 at 04:33:02 PM EST


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    Yanks lost. Subway Series split 2-2. (none / 0) (#58)
    by nycstray on Sun Jun 29, 2008 at 04:32:25 PM EST


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    Jeralyn....you should post some pix... (none / 0) (#15)
    by PssttCmere08 on Sun Jun 29, 2008 at 02:35:49 PM EST
    sounds lovely.

    Jeralyn, you made me lol (none / 0) (#21)
    by BarnBabe on Sun Jun 29, 2008 at 02:51:22 PM EST
    When I checked out the Anita site the first thing I saw was the peacock before I read the story. And I thought, "Jeralyn is babysitting a peacock? Wow!"

    BTW, had a dream last night that you came to my house for dinner with my family, although except for the guyfriend and my deceased Mother, I had no clue as to the other people at the DR table. It didn't look like my house (converted dairy barn)or my DR as a matter of fact. You were reluctant at first but a few glasses of good wine for all and it was a lot of fun filled with LOUD conversation and lots of laughing.  

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    thanks, that sounds (5.00 / 1) (#69)
    by Jeralyn on Sun Jun 29, 2008 at 06:10:17 PM EST
    just like the kind of dinner I'd enjoy!

    We had sushi, edamame, guacamole, mango salsa, chips, aalad and twinkies with a bottle of Conundrum, my favorite white wine. I also had a pizza on standby but we were full by then. (Anita is a vegetarian.)

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    I had to crack up (none / 0) (#84)
    by Cream City on Sun Jun 29, 2008 at 11:52:33 PM EST
    at, amid that lovely and so multicultural list, Twinkies.

    I'm always a tad nonplussed by the age-old question re wine: red or white?  Now I know which wine to serve with Twinkies.  TL is such a helpful site. :-)

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    The Twinkies and wine (none / 0) (#85)
    by Jeralyn on Mon Jun 30, 2008 at 12:19:13 AM EST
    were a perfect dessert to accompany our post-dinner activity -- watching the last two episodes of The Bachelorette. Sometimes you have to just get down and shallow.

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    Conndrum? (none / 0) (#86)
    by squeaky on Mon Jun 30, 2008 at 12:27:25 AM EST
    I will have to try it. Never saw it so I looked it up and it has one of my favorite grape in it: Viognier,  which is my favorite summer wine.  mmmmmm

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    absolutely beautiful (none / 0) (#29)
    by Capt Howdy on Sun Jun 29, 2008 at 03:16:05 PM EST
    in central Il.
    sunny and about 70.  it would be great if we were not crunching and I was not working.
    This looks like the exact photo the NYT ran ... (none / 0) (#40)
    by Ellie on Sun Jun 29, 2008 at 03:54:37 PM EST
    ... with an article about Young Repugs being Teh New Hip Thing back when You Know Who was in his ascendancy.

    Same pose, same beige pants, same white tees, same self-rebuttal in that the rebellious posturing in conformist support of something that's already so popular as to achieved its saturation point.

    Ellie...missed it that time around I guess (none / 0) (#49)
    by PssttCmere08 on Sun Jun 29, 2008 at 04:12:09 PM EST
    gwb redux perhaps?

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    Jeralyn, you have a huge heart!! (none / 0) (#78)
    by befuddledvoter on Sun Jun 29, 2008 at 07:38:42 PM EST
    Nice to friends, mother, and kid!!  And, you still find time to do this!!

    The Stupidest Diary Ever... at MyDD (none / 0) (#81)
    by BoGardiner on Sun Jun 29, 2008 at 10:01:57 PM EST
    I wish I could report that this diary at MyDD was brilliant satire, straight from The Onion.  Sadly, it is not:

    Racism is four to twelve times worse than sexism

    What is it that Brando/Kurtz (1.00 / 1) (#88)
    by jondee on Mon Jun 30, 2008 at 02:50:51 PM EST
    said? They teach young men to drop fire on villages but cant abide the word f*ck written on the airplanes.

    That's the kind of expedient, chronically offended morality this site is in danger of being taken over by.

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    Jondee, such over-intensity is unhealthy (none / 0) (#90)
    by BoGardiner on Mon Jun 30, 2008 at 06:31:27 PM EST
    I consider the attempts to quantify one "ism" as x times another "ism" scientifically atrocious and stupid.  

    And you find this view comparable to murderous war criminals?

    You need to get off the Internet and reconnect to humanity, Jondee.  That was far too intense to be healthy.

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    House proud mouse (none / 0) (#89)
    by jondee on Mon Jun 30, 2008 at 02:58:14 PM EST


    Sunday Afternooon Open Thread | 89 comments (89 topical)

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