Quarantine and chill and kindness chatty clubhouse: Jump in and join the conversation! All is welcome!

[PollyannaMom]

I love the dog thread too @flyingdumbo127!

Stopped at the store for something yesterday and remembered to snap a couple pics of fall decor (including wreaths and scarecrows from the list):

 

[Breezy_Carol]

@flyingdumbo127 , I know this isn’t exactly what you wanted but this is DGD‘s age group in her conservative Christian daycare’s Halloween parade two years ago. Each age group has a theme and they were little lambs. Also counts as an autumn picture.

 

[flyingdumbo127]

Pollyannamom, thank you for the great pictures. Michael's is a fun browsing spot and also makes for handy photos, too! Do you remember how much the "Blessed and Grateful" pumpkin was?

Your DGD is precious, Carol! Thank you for sharing and thinking of me, too! Actually I love the two kiddos together, just would need to edit out the others somehow or make your DGD a tad bigger. What does her shirt say?

 

[apirateslifeforme]

Getting a bit of a break today, as DH took Josh to Granna & Granpa's for the afternoon. I packed his lunchbox for him, so he can practice what he'll need to do, and he looked so cute carrying it - but it made me cry a little. It's rainy (yay! Finally!) and awfully humid. I helped Mom make our spaghetti sauce with our home-grown tomatoes, and I've been doing laundry and ironing. It's nice to be able to still do my own thing without criticism! I ordered some personalized face masks for Josh for school, from Personalization Mall. Got him a blue one and a lime green one (his choice). These kindergartners are going to be losing/swapping those things like crazy, so I thought maybe some with his name all over them would help reduce that. I got a message from his best friend's mom and unfortunately, while the boys will be going to school on the same day, they aren't in the same class I was hoping, but with 6 kindergarten teachers and only 9 kids per class, I guess the odds were against it. I hope they will at least see each other, maybe in passing! And hopefully, there's always 1st grade next year...

I am feeling a little better about the days he goes to school. Now I'm feeling overwhelmed about the online/distance learning days! Mostly because I don't know how to use Teams (although I'm told it's pretty easy) and we have NO schedule for those days. Are they going to expect kindergarten students to be online for 7 hours a day? That's going to be rather difficult in our house. I can barely get him to sit for 15 minutes. We have a virtual reopening meeting on Wednesday night, then "sometime" Thursday will be iPad distribution, then Friday morning will be a virtual orientation on Zoom, followed by a virtual teacher/class meet-and-greet on Teams (to make sure everyone can get on and knows how to use the system).

Yesterday we went to Costco and our grocery store. Costco actually has some really nice clothing! I usually get coats for Josh there, but this time I bought him a set of 2 blanket sleepers (which hold up even better than Carter's brand), a flannel shirt for DH (will probably keep that until Christmas), and a shirt and cardigan sweater for myself. And if I can brag - they were both a size smaller than usual! That's now 4 sizes down in 3 years! I don't think I'll be getting much smaller, not at my age, but I'm happy with it. I have the same body now that my mother and grandmother had at my age - so in about 15 more years, I should start losing weight like they did Costco also has their huge pumpkin pies available already!


New Chobani coffee creamer at the grocery store:


And in preparation for the Christmas scavenger hunt...I can't believe these are out already! It's still AUGUST!!!

 

[lynxstch]

Just back from doing errands. Walmart was so crazy that I totally forgot to snap any fall pictures. I was # 410 going in, and #638 going out, and I might have been in there for 15 min? The parking lot was jammed, so I don't think their counts are anywhere near accurate..as there were a lot more than 648 people in the store. And it seemed like noone but me was social distancing. I had to ask the same guy 3x to back up at the register. He was just about standing on top of me.
We got some rain starting around 5 last nite, a thunderstorm, and light rain overnite. Rained a little this morning, but now the sun is out and we have blue skies and our 79 degrees is going to 84. Calling for a high of 69 on Monday with more rain, so I guess the 80 and sun for tomorrow has to be mowing day, lol. At least we didn't get much out of Hurricane Lauren!

Came across a picture of this cake I want to make..and it looks so good! Apple Cider Doughnut Cake!

 

[Kirby]

@lynxstch , isn't it irritating when people invade your space? Social distancing is bad enough but before all that I used to rock back and forth to keep people away from me. Sometimes at check out I would keep the buggy behind me if possible.

I need to go to Costco to get some ribs, wish I had went during the week. Oh well, maybe in the morning. It's really too hot to be outside today.

 

[apirateslifeforme]

We need a drooling reaction emoji for that cake photo...

 

[PollyannaMom]

Do you remember how much the "Blessed and Grateful" pumpkin was?

$5.97 -
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Way-to-C...in-Seasonal-Wood-Sign-11-61-x-11-61/784793130

 

[AuntieMe3]

I am feeling a little better about the days he goes to school. Now I'm feeling overwhelmed about the online/distance learning days! Mostly because I don't know how to use Teams (although I'm told it's pretty easy) and we have NO schedule for those days. Are they going to expect kindergarten students to be online for 7 hours a day? That's going to be rather difficult in our house. I can barely get him to sit for 15 minutes.

The grade school kids here are only on maybe an hour with their teacher going over whatever lesson they have and then they have offline activities they work on after that. Their tablets also came preloaded with learning games so after their school work is done, they can play the games and still be learning.

Just back from doing errands. Walmart was so crazy that I totally forgot to snap any fall pictures. I was # 410 going in, and #638 going out, and I might have been in there for 15 min? The parking lot was jammed, so I don't think their counts are anywhere near accurate..as there were a lot more than 648 people in the store. And it seemed like noone but me was social distancing. I had to ask the same guy 3x to back up at the register. He was just about standing on top of me.
We got some rain starting around 5 last nite, a thunderstorm, and light rain overnite. Rained a little this morning, but now the sun is out and we have blue skies and our 79 degrees is going to 84. Calling for a high of 69 on Monday with more rain, so I guess the 80 and sun for tomorrow has to be mowing day, lol. At least we didn't get much out of Hurricane Lauren!

Came across a picture of this cake I want to make..and it looks so good! Apple Cider Doughnut Cake!
View attachment 522553

That cake looks sooo good. I agree with @apirateslifeforme, we need a drool emoji...yum.

I went to the store last night after work and was amazed at all the people without masks and our area is still going in up in Covid cases. There are signs on all the entrances and end caps, kept making a announcements about it and still people without their masks on...someone had them around their neck or pulled up or down but not even covering their mouth or noses. Its makes me so mad, I don't want to wear a mask either but I do because its the rules so why can't everyone else just do it. There was on lady in there with no mask but a pair of jeans on her head....Like she was literally wearing a pair of pants as a hat with the legs hanging down like hair?!?!? Im sure she was trying to make some kind of point I just couldn't figure out what it was supposed to be?? I saw a couple cute fall pillows so I took a pic of them. Love the little hedgehog one... And I saw some Grand biscuit Pumpkin Spice rolls too.

@lynxstch , isn't it irritating when people invade your space? Social distancing is bad enough but before all that I used to rock back and forth to keep people away from me. Sometimes at check out I would keep the buggy behind me if possible.

I need to go to Costco to get some ribs, wish I had went during the week. Oh well, maybe in the morning. It's really too hot to be outside today.

I need to go to Costco too and last night thought I should've went earlier in the week. I really don't like going on the weekend but I've had good luck going an hour or two before closing on a weekend so maybe I'll try tonight or tomorrow.

My parents had their house TP'd last night. It's so funny, why they would choose my parents house....lol My dad said probably because they are the only house with a lot of trees out front. It's just weird. We don't have any kids on this street so it was totally just random I guess. My dad sent me this pic and said he scored.... Someone's parents are going to be pretty upset when they realize their TP stash is gone.

 

[Bianca and Bernard]

And in preparation for the Christmas scavenger hunt...I can't believe these are out already! It's still AUGUST!!!
View attachment 522544

hope those weren't leftover from last year.

 

[Snowysmom]

@apirateslifeforme It is really a difficult situation this year with the schedules for sending the kids back to school. It sounds like you are well prepared. Teams is very easy to use. My oldest DGD is going to kindergarten and will be online at least for the first part of the year. I feel bad for her because she is so social and misses her friends from preschool.

It is rainy here today with the remnants of Hurricane Laura. We have had a couple of cool days which makes me long for Fall. Only 6 more weeks until my next trip to NH, this time staying in North Conway. The counting down helps me get through. LOL!

My group at work is now down to 5 people from 11. And only the manager is full time. The rest of us only work 24 hours a week. One more person in my group was furloughed while I was on vacation. I don't think we can lose another person and still get the basics done but times are bad so you never know.

Gratitude:

Time spent with family on vacation
Still have a job even with less hours
The support and kindness of people on this thread. It really helps with all the craziness out in the world. Love all the Fall pictures.

 

[flyingdumbo127]

Thank you, PollyannaMom so much. I'll keep an eye on it to see if Wal-Mart ever offers it for delivery. Right now it says only store pick up which obviously I can't do and there is no Wal-Mart close enough to me for my Dad to go to.

AuntieMe3, the pillow pictures are great especially the pumpkin one. I'm sorry people were so close to you! My Dad said yesterday Pavilion's was packed. He grabbed a case of Aquafina and high tailed it out!

Hug, apirateslifeforme, one step at a time, my friend! What kind of lunchbox did Josh get? I'm so sorry he and his best friend won't be in the same class. I do hope they still get to see one another at school. Do the Kindergartner kids have to wear a mask all day?

Stay safe, Snowysmom!

Saturday hug to all

 

[Breezy_Carol]

We had the funeral yesterday before Laura was forecast to come through today. About 20 people, all close family, at the funeral home - masked and social distanced. Then to the cemetery. Total time about 45 minutes. A Methodist, what Nana and we are, pastor who we didn't know did the service She did a fantastic job with the info she had. Then our two kids and their spouses and the grands came to our house. I had wanted to have a crab feast on our new screened porch since we got it last fall. DH was all in as we were all together and it is hard to schedule. We had dip and chips, then crabs, then corn, hot dogs, and hamburgers, and finally mint chocolate brownies. We had strong thunderstorms come through so it kept the porch cool and was exciting. Sad circumstance but a wonderful gathering.

Actually I love the two kiddos together, just would need to edit out the others somehow or make your DGD a tad bigger. What does her shirt say?

I think it says "God's Little Lambs" and a Bible verse from Psalms.

@lynxstch ,that cake looks great. Do you have the recipe?

Today just trying to catch up. Weather fluctuates between sunny and pouring rain. So humid I had to turn AC back on just for that.

 

[Meriweather]

 

[easyas123]

I went to Costco today, too!!!

Got up there 25 minutes before opening, got a decent parking space. Place was hopping by the time I left - I saw the pumpkin pies as well!
My pain purpose was to stock up on meat, so I picked up some decent steaks, a few eye roasts,pork loins, pork chops, leg of lamb, frenched rack of lamb, whole roasting chicken, skinless thighs, and tenders. Stocked up at the Costco liquor store as well - additional wine, beer & vodka. Crab meat and a couple of lbs of turkey to make turkey burgers. Then went to the farmers market and picked up some chicken pot pies, ground lamb and a half dozen doughnuts from Breezy Carol's doughnut counter
Got home and got the car unloaded just before it started raining hard (again). Finally got everything divided up and re-wrapped and put in freezer, so that chore is done.
Our Costco had a bit of Christmas stuff out - wreaths & ribbon mostly, and halloween costume for kids, but I didn't see any actual halloween candy - unless I missed it.

Dinner this evening is some ribs I picked up at farmers market, along with green beans.

 

[Meriweather]

I'll be going to Costco Tuesday morning when they open at 9!
Every 2 weeks. I love Costco

 

[lynxstch]

As requested by @Breezy_Carol
Apple Cider Doughnut Cake

Ingredients

• Yellow cake mix
• 3/4 cup apple cider
• 1 tbsp brown sugar
• ½ cup apple sauce
• 1 tsp vanilla
• ⅛-¼ cup cinnamon (depending on how much cinnamon you prefer)
• ¼ cup sugar
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• ¼ cup melted butter

Instructions

1. Prepare box cake mix as instructed in a large bowl.
2. Add ½ cup apple cider, brown sugar, apple sauce, and vanilla and whisk until well blended.
3. Pour mix into a well greased 7” bundt pan.

Instant Pot

1. Add 1 ½ cups of water to the instant pot. Cover bundt pan with foil and lower into the instant pot using a sling. Seal, and set on manual high pressure for 45 minutes. Allow natural release for 15 minutes. Remove from the instant pot and let cool.

Oven

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place bundt pan on center rack and bake for 45 minutes. Test with a toothpick by sticking into the middle of the cake, if it comes out clean it is ready. Remove from heat and allow to cool on a wire rack for 20 minutes.

Apple Cider Glaze

1. While the cake is cooking, prepare apple cider glaze. Add powdered sugar and remaining apple cider to a small bowl and whisk to desired consistency
2. In a separate bowl. Mix cinnamon with sugar.
3. Once the cake has cooled, brush the entire surface with melted butter. Rub cinnamon sugar mixture until evenly coated.
4. Serve warm with apple cider glaze dip and enjoy!

Recipe Notes
TIPS

• Cinnamon sugar ratios is a very personal thing (LOL). Some people like more cinnamon, others like more sugar. You do you with this. I prefer a 2:1 ratio (2 sugar to 1 cinnamon). Some others prefer even less cinnamon or some more.
  If you aren’t sure what side of the cinnamon-sugar wagon you are on, start out with less cinnamon and you can always add more!
  Whatever you choose to do, you cannot mess it up – it will be delicious either way!
• When adding the cinnamon-sugar and butter topping, I brushed the butter onto the cake and let it set for just about a minute. You want it to be slightly wet so it holds the sugar, but not so much that it absorbs it into the cake.
  What I would say is to mix the cinnamon and sugar together after brushing the butter on the cake while you’re waiting for that perfect level of moisture. That should give it just the right amount of time. And if needed add an extra layer of sugar.

 

[flyingdumbo127]

I'm glad you got your donuts, Easyas123 I have a 97 year old friend who loves donuts. Two other friends, God-willing Sue lives to be 100, and I are going to throw her a donut themed party. A couple years ago Sue told me she wanted me to get her 95 donuts for her gift. I got her a fleecy donut print blanket.

I'm not a Costco member but know for large families or bigger shopping they can be quite handy! We do go to Smart and Final.

Meriweather, those pictures are so funny thanks for sharing.

Carol, now that you told me what the shirt says I can read it! I am PMing you, thanks

 

[Breezy_Carol]

I read the recipe and thought, "I don't have an instant pot so I can't make it." But I guess the oven was an alternate method, not that I have to do both.

 

[lynxstch]

I don't have an instant pot either, but I left that part of the instructions in just in case some DIS'ers did and wanted to try it that way. I will be using a regular old oven lol