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

[easyas123]

whoa! frosting & glaze...my kinda dessert!

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Here you go. I have also seen them made with cherry liqueur instead of mint. I have some Kahlua that I want to try in the butter cream layer. This is out of a church cookbook I’ve had for more than 35 years. They are easy, always get rave reviews, tasty but very rich.

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Thank you!

I am thinking of the Outlander episode “Creme de Menthe”!

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Btw, with all this talk of peppermint I could not resist these today at the grocery store!

 

[Breezy_Carol]

@Pea-n-Me, Milanos are always good and much easier.

 

[flyingdumbo127]

Quick later evening visit to wish all a good night's rest I used to enjoy Milano cookies when I was able to eat chewier/harder foods! I also eons ago loved Mystic Mints in a green box.

A close friend of mine has so kindly offered me her late mother's Nativity set! I had seen it before in a picture that was included in the story she shared with me for the book project I'm working on. Terri is going to drop it off outside my door this weekend when she's out my way. A Blessing indeed.

An FYI to always read any card product description carefully should you not be a glitter fan the way I am! I spent (for me) a lot of money on two boxes of Christmas cards from Amazon. I didn't realize they would be almost covered in glitter! Lovely religious scene with scripture, exactly as I wanted, minus the glitter. Lesson learned and I feel so badly Dad will have to drop them off at a UPS store that at least thankfully is right by Target where he is going anyway next week. Dollar Tree boxed cards 14 for a $1 were sure the way to go in non plague years! Post plague, I'll try to buy extras every year for the following year to have!

Pea, I did look at American Greetings.com. Thank you again for that information. It looks like they offer a free 7 day trial. I'll think about whether closer to Christmas I want to do that. Appreciate it always you!

 

[lynxstch]

Good Friday morning everyone! It's Retirement Day for hubby. Going to be a long one, no doubt. People have been sending emails, messages, phone calls, and most of them are making me tear up. His boss posted a lovely letter to him on the online agency 'bulletin board' messaging system they use, and I was standing there reading it with tears running down my face. No doubt the same is going to happen when we go to the office this morning to drop off his laptops and keys. At the very least, his boss and a couple of managers will be out there to say farewell. Then he has one more phone or zoom meeting at 2, and he will be done. He deserves it, he's been working since he was 15, and he's 67 now. He keeps telling me he will be searching for the 'I don't have to work anymore, or worry about work anymore button' starting tonite, lol!
Have a great day everyone..they are calling for rain later today and all day tomorrow, but temps will be near 50.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Good Friday morning everyone! It's Retirement Day for hubby. Going to be a long one, no doubt. People have been sending emails, messages, phone calls, and most of them are making me tear up. His boss posted a lovely letter to him on the online agency 'bulletin board' messaging system they use, and I was standing there reading it with tears running down my face. No doubt the same is going to happen when we go to the office this morning to drop off his laptops and keys. At the very least, his boss and a couple of managers will be out there to say farewell. Then he has one more phone or zoom meeting at 2, and he will be done. He deserves it, he's been working since he was 15, and he's 67 now. He keeps telling me he will be searching for the 'I don't have to work anymore, or worry about work anymore button' starting tonite, lol!
Have a great day everyone..they are calling for rain later today and all day tomorrow, but temps will be near 50.

Congratulations to your hubby! Yay! Finally! It sounds like he’s been much loved and appreciated, and has had an amazing sendoff!!! Happy for you both! Enjoy the day!!

@flyingdumbo127 Wow on the nativity set, that’s wonderful! And yes, the glitter on cards drives me a little nuts, too! I don’t send those types of cards, but even receiving them it gets all over the place! I wish you could drink milk to soften this cookies right up! (Maybe water??) They were so good!

@easyas123 I hope things are going ok with the Covid testing and health of your employees. I took a peek on the Harry and David site and they did have a few yummy-looking peppermint dessert products, including a cake, a cheesecake, and some bark, albeit a little pricey! Maybe worth it with a discount, though! Check these out!!

https://pwa.harryanddavid.com/h/bakery/cakes-pies/29575
https://pwa.harryanddavid.com/h/bakery/cheesecakes/29565
https://pwa.harryanddavid.com/h/bakery/cheesecakes/32539?demandType=UP
https://pwa.harryanddavid.com/h/recipes/peppermint-bark-cheesecake
Starting a little work stretch, I hope you all have a nice weekend!

 

[gwynne]

@lynxstch It's lovely that your husband is receiving messages of thanks and appreciation for his many years of working. Best wishes to you both on this very special retirement day!

 

[Owlpost23]

QOTD :Black Friday shopping.

Did some virtual shopping but it never turned into a brick and mortar reality, LOL. Was useful since I was able to find gifts for others as well as me. My youngest nephew and wife just bought a house in L.A. so purchased an OXO manual food mill, set of same brand air tight food containers, Braun coffee mill which they’ll use as a spice grinder, and a manual pasta machine. They are also getting a gift card from the Spice House to replenish their pantry and that should suffice for a housewarming and Christmas gift. Some were on sale, other gifts not.

Bought myself a replacement meat carving blade for my electric knife set, and a pastry blade for my Cuisinart food processor. Thought about buying a secondary bowl but decided that washing it after each use made more sense for this kitchen.
Am coveting a new traveling coat but need to wait longer for a better price or maybe just make it myself and then no need to compromise on any features.

DGD wants a pair of low heeled thigh high stretch suede boots but I told her father they cost too much for someone with growing feet...sigh. I am sure to see a long sullen face behind this comment since I have a pair and I’m obviously trying to “deprive” her. Oh and she’s trying to convince her parents she needs her nose pierced too. And they are thinking of conceding ; them need backbone.
So I sent son a link for fake nose rings from Etsy and hope that’ll resolve the issue. Oh dear, I see the “teenage wasteland“ years have begun in earnest. My sons know the song “veddy” well as I spent much time of their growing years humming it off key on purpose, LOL

This was the palliative that kept me from “keeling” them at times:

Yes, I still recall my need for navy blue lipstick as a bizarro teen and cringe.

Love the album,but the song is Baba O'Reilly.

 

[easyas123]

I could not resist these today at the grocery store

It's Retirement Day for hubby. Going to be a long one, no doubt

Congratulations to him! I hope he's able to get into his new groove, I imagine it can be a adjustment, especially now when plans you might have had in mind for retirement have to take a back seat. I wish we could talk my FIL into retirement. His health could be (a lot) better, he's in his early 70's now, and he has a long drive from WV to Hagerstown area for work - sometimes in the winter the roads can be crap up there as you know....but I think my MIL would drive him nutters if he had to stay home so he chooses to continue working.
I hope your husband (and you!) doesn't find the day to emotionally draining. I'm sure you are both excited for this next phase in life!

I took a peek on the Harry and David site

There are a few items I've had my eye on on the site, and have put stuff in my cart in the hopes of a free shipping code...not yet but I retain hope! I actually have a H&D store at some outlets about 20 minutes away from me, although the selection in minimal...all the moose munch I could want to buy, and sometimes some Wolfermans english muffins! Still, I should pop in and see what they do have.

I have to go pick up my in-laws Christmas gifts later this morning. We've taken to sending them seafood from a local market - they like it and we are out of decent gift ideas for them so it's a win-win. We'd like them to stop sending us gifts, but can't figure out how to approach them on the subject as they get very easily offended and we haven't figured out how to phrase it just right. We could fold it into the long put off discussion on retirement/savings/long term care and 'future plans' I suppose...won't THAT be fun! I have to overnight it, unless husband and brother drive up there for the day to visit. Those negotiations are ongoing....

My weekend is starting to look a bit busy! This evening the boys will be home for dinner after hunting - taco night w/ a round of Mexican Train. Tomorrow I may go Christmas shopping - it has to be tomorrow or next Saturday - I just want to get it done, so I may bite the bullet and do it. I don't need a ton of stuff, but I do need to visit the mall/Target/shops to get it all done. And that means a 50 minute drive north and a fair bit of the day. Sunday we have our seasonal breakfast out and visit to local nursery/Christmas shop (remember Carols nutcracker photo - we are going there & the other place right up the road from it). We've been doing this trip since kids were babies. They no longer accompany us, but my husband likes to continue the tradition. We will come home Sunday and have fondue and decorate the tree and watch White Christmas. I have never put my tree up this early before, I prefer to do it about a week prior to the 25th, but we've got a fake tree to put up this year so I'm just trying to go-with-the-flow this year. Next Year! That is my new mantra - Next Year!

Have a great morning & day & weekend everyone. I'm off to try to get my Christmas Cards addressed and in the mail today.

 

[NYCgrrl]

Love the album,but the song is Baba O'Reilly.

Yes it is and since I didn’t upload and name the video @ YouTube can do no more than think like others, The Who, got it wrong

 

[lynxstch]

@easyas123 --
Congratulations to him! I hope he's able to get into his new groove, I imagine it can be a adjustment, especially now when plans you might have had in mind for retirement have to take a back seat. I wish we could talk my FIL into retirement. His health could be (a lot) better, he's in his early 70's now, and he has a long drive from WV to Hagerstown area for work - sometimes in the winter the roads can be crap up there as you know....but I think my MIL would drive him nutters if he had to stay home so he chooses to continue working.
I hope your husband (and you!) doesn't find the day to emotionally draining. I'm sure you are both excited for this next phase in life!

Thanks so much!
I hear you on that one about long drives. Hubby used to be a manager for SuperFresh, and he lived in Cumberland and worked in Brunswick. That was too long a drive every day, especially as you said , in the winter time.
That is one big plus about retirement, he won't have to drive to work in the snow,,and the office is up a high hill, lol!

 

[sparkle78]

I’m not sure if I posted it here, way back in the spring or on the baking thread, but anyway .....
One box of white cake mix
One package of cream cheese softened
2 eggs
1.5 cups of white choc chips
Stir in bowl, use parchment paper on cookie sheet.
Add green and red sprinkles for Christmas
I’ve also used spice cake mix and butterscotch chips for the fall.
I’m excited because tomorrow we are going to the tree farm to cut down two large blue spruce trees. Love fresh pine scent
Happy Friday everyone !

 

[Shellsbutt]

I also eons ago loved Mystic Mints in a green box.

Yes, I loved these cookies! I had totally forgotten about them- are they still around? Girl scouts thin mints and Keebler grasshopper cookies are a good substitute sometimes.

 

[easyas123]

ACK! My SIL just brought in a King Arthur Flour catalog. I'm in love....and of course, placed a order already! Oh I can't wait to see next catalog!

 

[flyingdumbo127]

Waving Good Morning to all. It's chilly here but sunny

Happy Retirement to your husband, Lynxstch! Happy for you both!

Thanks, Pea! I'll take a picture of the Nativity when it's set up. Thanks for the cookie suggestion. It's better I stay away from cookies because I can be a Monster!

Shelley, since I am not able to eat the cookies anymore (way too hard and chewy) I don't know whether they are still made. I don't think they are but maybe! Girl scout mints years ago, (I have not had them in years) but when I last did, IMO, they tasted better when I was a kid. Keeblers are good as were their chocolate covered graham crackers.

Enjoy baking, Easyas123.

Please stay safe and warm, everyone!

 

[gwynne]

ACK! My SIL just brought in a King Arthur Flour catalog. I'm in love....and of course, placed a order already! Oh I can't wait to see next catalog!

I love their catalog. It's also fun visiting their website. Lots of inspiration for new baking projects or helpful tools.

 

[lynxstch]

It was like a little parade at the office. We stopped at the admin bldg first, he called one of the managers and asked her to come out to say goodbye, and that started a little parade of them. They all stood on the sidewalk (and it's cold out today), and told him how much they will miss him. They all will get together for a relaxing lunch after covid goes away. They went in and we went to the other side of the bldg, where he called his boss, and she came out. She was pretty much in tears as she came out. She came by my side of the car, and whispered thank you to me for the email I sent her this morning. Then she said she had to go get someone else who wanted to say goodbye, and out she came, with the head of the agency, the lady in charge of schedules, a person from maintenance , one from transportation, and the lady who is taking his position. The only ones not represented were HR, which I think is odd, but......The head of the agency made a little speech, and presented him with a really nice plaque commerating his 14 1/2 years of service, and a handwritten letter from him, (a check and gift card will follow). They all went in after saying goodbye, and the girl he's always called his 'all star' came out, she wanted to say goodbye with noone else around. They were both fine, until he told her she would always be his all star, and if she feels her confidence slipping, to just call him and he'll talk her through it. By the time he got through that..they were both teary eyed. He has one more short phone meeting at 2, and then it's DONE, lol!
2 hours later,,and the manager who is taking over 2 of his houses, has already called, can't find this, can't find that, can't figure this out, etc..lol! He can't help her, he no longer has his work laptop to tell her where to look for stuff.
It was a little sad, a little happy, a bit bittersweet..it's going to take some time to sink in that he no longer has to go go work!

 

[easyas123]

Good news - both son & nephew tested negative.
Bad news - their boss tested positive, but since he has already had it and fever has subsided he can start his countdown to come back to work. He is going stir crazy...his wife tested negative twice (his son positive but feeling 100%) and I said "oh, good - glad she's okay" to which he replied "no, she should suffer, too!!!" It would seem since he has so much free time on his hands she has put him to work decorating the outside of the house
unknown news - two other guys have not had tests come back yet, but we are hopeful. They aren't exhibiting any signs, which is good!

And Sad News - evidently, the Harry & David store is no longer at the outlets! Admittedly, it has probably been since last Christmastime since I've been in there...

 

[flyingdumbo127]

Nice to see you again, Gwynne, I feel as though (maybe)? you have not been posting as often lately. Prayers all is well.

Lynxstch and to your DH, too! I was so happy and touched for you both to read your share! Praise God for so many caring and good memories. Yay and much congratulations! I was also thankful to read that post plague you will get to enjoy a celebration lunch!
Eayas123, overall very thankful news. Keeping all in prayer that's for sure!

I just came back from my once weekly outing to move my car from one side of the street to the other. I always feel so thankful to be back safely inside. It was also a Blessing, of course, get out for a few minutes, warm up and see Evergreen, too! I was very concerned about Ever a few days ago when Dad had taken his picture for me. I posted a picture back in July. After that time, the gardeners to this building did some pruning and I had felt mutilated poor Evergreen I was not happy and Dad said next time he sees the gardeners he will, of course, thank them for their care but also ask them to next time not cut off a ton of green! What always warms my heart is that sincerely over the years I've been Blessed to help God tend to His Christmas Tree Evergreen, anytime I was concerned about how Ever was doing, by His Grace, within a few days afterwards, my human eyes got to once more see Ever healthy and growing green. Here is Evergreen from just a little while ago.