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

[Breezy_Carol]

I hit CFA for lunch myself (and oh my goodness....the Walgreens, across from Middletown CFA? the line to do the Covid testing was out of the Walgreens parking lot, out the roads, around the circle and out to the road!) and the liquor store earlier this week, also "in case"

WOW! Seeing as I know the area, I can say, this is a long line.

 

[PollyannaMom]

Pea casserole? Sounds intriguing. Hubby loves peas, could you please share the recipe when you have a minute? TIA

Of course! It's the same as the famous green bean casserole, you just use peas instead.

I've been making it so long, I just eyeball the ingredients (and it seems, looking at the recipe below, that I leave a couple out ) - but I mix frozen peas with cream of mushroom soup and some of the French fried onions, microwave it a bit to get a head start, take it out and stir it, put some more French fried onions on top and bake it the rest of the way in the oven (350 degrees for around 20 minutes?)

Here is the official recipe from the Campbell's website, though - https://www.campbells.com/recipes/classic-green-bean-casserole/

 

[easyas123]

In all my 48 years I've never heard of Pea Casserole!

Might be because I've avoided peas my entire life... ha ha ! Seriously though - I come from some big families/veggie eaters so I wonder if perhaps in family gatherings of years past I just missed this dish?

Thanks for sharing, truly do learn something new every day!

I made some salsa this evening, for dinner tomorrow night. I used some bell peppers & jalapenos from the garden that I froze this summer and I'm interested in seeing how the pre-cut frozen peppers stand up. According to my official taste tester it's good, so we will see how it is tomorrow after all the flavors meld. Hopefully it's not mushy. We prefer a chunky non cooked relish-like salsa - basically chopped up veggies and seasonings. Tacos for dinner tomorrow. With chips and queso joining the salsa.

Word on the street is my folks are headed north after Thanksgiving to spend December with us, my mother misses the family. The currently reside in Florida, although we keep a in-law suite for them at our house for extended stays up north. They are healthy, very athletic early 70's but I'm still concerned...not that we haven't seen them during this whole thing, we have. And they are conducting business as normal down there as well, still attending the odd meeting and working from home (my father is mostly retired, he keeps himself busy with a little consulting work for the family business). Still - I feel somewhat conditioned to fret what with everything...

 

[NYCgrrl]

@easyas123 -Please let us know how the salsa held up as I’d love to make similar with flash frozen peppers!
I want to take this moment to say the spaghetti squash fritters were slamming and incredibly easy to make. Some of the leftovers will be frozen and served with my T-Day meal. Never made them before and will be sure to do it again.

@Breezy_Carol - I didn’t connect the dots very well and realize your DS worked for the SS; you must be very proud of him and deservedly so. A former neighbor’s son joined straight out of grad school and I recall the man and I being interviewed on our thoughts of him. Very detailed and I can only imagine how big the dossier was on him!

 

[flyingdumbo127]

Wishing all of you Dis family a sweet and lovely good night.

I watched A Welcome Home Christmas from Wednesday. I'm glad to have stuck with it. At first, I admit to thinking the acting was not too great. The movie grew on me. I loved the community support all-around. The ending was even super sweet

 

[lynxstch]

Good morning DIS family! It was a chilly 31 a couple of hours ago, we are up to 32 now, lol. Heading for 60 with sun, so we'll take it. Heading out to do grocery shopping and errands in a bit, then I need to strip and remake the bed and do beauty treatment later this afternoon. Hubby's work is having a sudden rise in the cases of covid positive workers and consumers, not a good sign. It's like a domino effect, and I am more than glad that he's been working from home (9 months yesterday!). He has one more week of vacation, then the week of Thanksgiving they only work 3 days, then are off for 4. After that,,its 2 weeks and then retirement day. They finally decided to cancel the recognition/awards luncheon due to it being too risky. We were going to decline anyhow.

Something I don't get, maybe you guys do. If there is a rise in the number of positive cases in MD (as well as other states from what I have been reading), .. why are they still allowing churches to still have "Christmas/holiday" bazaars, craft shows etc? Why are they allowing flea markets to stay open? Why are they allowing gyms/exercise places like Planet Fitness to remain open? Yet they are either reducing or closing all indoor dining at restaurants and bars? It just makes no sense to me. I saw an ad on tv for a giant holiday thing advertising over 150 vendors..yep, that's just where I would want to be spending time in a pandemic??? Okay..vent over,,had to get that out!
Have a wonderful Saturday everyone, take time to be grateful for something today, or do something nice for someone else!

 

[easyas123]

I was wondering exact same thing! I figured our local Y would need to close again... but so far it hasn’t.

 

[PollyannaMom]

Something I don't get, maybe you guys do. If there is a rise in the number of positive cases in MD (as well as other states from what I have been reading), .. why are they still allowing churches to still have "Christmas/holiday" bazaars, craft shows etc? Why are they allowing flea markets to stay open? Why are they allowing gyms/exercise places like Planet Fitness to remain open? Yet they are either reducing or closing all indoor dining at restaurants and bars?

My personal guess (and I am not a professional scientist, so take it for what it’s worth) is that it has everything to do with masks. I would actually feel much safer at a craft fair where everyone is wearing masks properly than at a restaurant or bar where all of the customers have them off.

 

[PollyannaMom]

I’m out with one of the cats and it’s a whopping 46 degrees here, but bright and sunny, which I love!

I was up early, but DH was still asleep, so I sat on the couch (with the other cat) and watched a whole Christmas movie - gotta love a lazy Saturday morning!

 

[NYCgrrl]

Sunny day in the city and I m enjoying the weather while it lasts.
Housecleaning day with all the “joy“ that brings and hopefully we can finish early and make some pe dough.

Enjoy the beauty of this day; it’ll never come again .

Thinking some of the regulations are about science and others, economics, and trying to not get too weary of various levels of lockdown.
Month 8 on this end and truly fatigued with it all but you have to do what you have to do yada, ya da, LOL

 

[flyingdumbo127]

Good Morning Dis family It's bright and cool here. For about 45 minutes we had no power this morning. Thankfully that's back. Grateful we have two battery operated lanterns! Amen to what you said, NYCgrrl! Enjoy today all. Each day I do try to remember this is a day the Lord has made!

As for regulations or lack thereof, some of them at this point don't make much sense. I honestly did not understand back over the summer during the protests why protestors were encouraged to participate in a huge rally/march. Sure some were wearing masks. Most were shoulder to shoulder crowded in so a mask may not have mattered. I will add in I don't understand why my own church has decided to have our Christmas tree lot open this year! Sure it's said all will have to have on a mask. The area we have for the trees is no way big enough to distance anyone trees included! Plus a lot of the bigger Christmas trees do get delivered to people's homes. I keep in prayer that goes well. I'll just say it would not have been my call.

 

[lynxstch]

Wow..quiet day on this thread. Noone has posted since before noon? We had a sunny for the most part, 60 degree day. Walmart was a zoo, they had another one of their 'before Black Friday' sales. BIG tv's were flying out the door like they were going out of style. Took me forever to get through the store and to the registers, but they had a lot of them open. There wasn't one turkey to be found however. Aldi's had a full end case full of them.
Stopped at Lowes to get filters for the new furnace, but they didn't have the size, even though their site said 'in stock'. Stopped at Surplus City and no luck there either. Said the heck with you guys, and ordered a 6 pack of them off Amazon.
Dinner was very simple here. Nathans beef franks, Nathans fries, and Bush Baked Beans.
Stripped and remade the bed, washed the sheets and mattress cover, and did a long hot beauty treatment.
Time for tv and to relax before bed
Have a nice Saturday night everyone!

 

[apirateslifeforme]

@lynxstch, I'm so very sorry for your loss. Tiger was beautiful! I'm sure it was a comfort to him to be outside and in your arms

I truly think we're going to go into full lockdown again soon. I learned last night that both the middle school and high school in our town are now fully remote, so it's just a matter of time before the elementary schools join them. I'm a bit worried about doctor's offices because I haven't been able to get a hold of my doctor - I either get the message that "they're unavailable to answer calls at this time" (outside of lunch hours) or the phone just rings and rings. I've put through 2 requests online and haven't gotten a response. I have a "medical device" that needs to be removed and I'm too scared to try to remove it myself. I guess I'd be okay for a while longer; I googled and everything I read says it's okay if it gets left in even for another year or two. I do have a PCP appointment scheduled for February and I wonder if she'd take it out.

DH and I have echoed our town forum in wondering about the 10 p.m. curfew...



(we do know that "they say" it's because of bars and nightclubs )

I have also been informed as to what's happening with some of our usual holiday events. Winterfest at the Trolley Museum will be taking place, but of course with mask-wearing/timed entry tickets/enforced social distancing/limited trolley rides and limited passengers per trolley. We received a letter from the Women's Club regarding the Festival of Trees - it is cancelled this year and they are having a poinsettia sale instead. Unfortunately we cannot have a poinsettia in our house with the cat. Bright Nights at Forest Park will be happening, but it will be drive-thru only (no kiddie rides, gift shop, hot chocolate stand, or photos with Santa) and tickets must be purchased ahead of time.

Since we're not going to have a house full of people for Christmas, my mother has forgotten her idea of buying a new 7.5' tree for the living room. We can't afford it right now - plus I don't really want one, I'm happy with the 4-ft. tree that we have. And it bugs me so much that she's the one that wants the new tree, but makes ME pick one out, then she vetoes each one because "it's scrawny," "it's plastic," "it looks cheap," "it IS cheap" (I saw a really nice one at Walmart that checked all the correct boxes and was only $89.99. She said no because "it's too cheap" ).

I checked out lots of homes on our way to gymnastics the other night and only a handful had lights up or a small tree in their window. One house had "winter lights," I'd call them - light-up snowflakes and blue and white lights across the top of their fence. But most homes that had lights outside still have orange "autumn" lights. The house across the side street from us has a Halloween tree with orange lights on their front porch. Maybe more homes will be decorated this coming week. My SIL says she's putting up her tree this weekend, too.

 

[flyingdumbo127]

Hug, Lynxstch, I'm sorry you had a frustrating shopping experience! My Dad was going to order pre Black Friday $5 pajamas on Walmart last night. one problem was they are for in store purchase only which the ad did not tell you We're hoping on the real Black Friday, there will be deliver to home options for him. Glad you had a simple treat perhaps for dinner. Definitely you need to relax!

Hug to you, too, Apirateslifeforme. Corona is trouble all the time and it seems to keep growing in ways Take care please. I pray you do hear from the doctor soon!

 

[Breezy_Carol]

Hello.

We ended up going to a new natural resources area near DD. Met her and family there for a walk outside. Back to her house for a fire pit fire. Roasted hot dogs and did pot luck sides (I took deviled eggs, hot dog rolls, and cut up celery) and s'mores for dessert. It really got cold as the sun set. Down to 37 now. It was a nice spontaneous gathering. And we planned our Thanksgiving meal.

Stripped and remade the bed, washed the sheets

I did this too, and put on the winter down comforter.

 

[flyingdumbo127]

Waving Good Night as our thread is once again slipping

Wishing everyone a lovely Sunday tomorrow.

 

[lynxstch]

Good Sunday morning all. It kind of seems like our thread is getting a smaller and smaller group of posters? That makes me sad. We have hung together for 9 months, and I'd hate to see it end. I am hoping all of our 'missing family members', are just busy , and that they will stop by and say hello and let us know how they are soon!

Calling for rain and wind today, 15-25 mph with gusts over 40. We've already had one power 'hiccup' this morning and I expect more throughout the day.

Going to Big Lots to see if we can find a new smaller Christmas tree. We used to put up 3..a very large rotating one, a 6 foot one, and a 4 foot one, but as we have gotten older, it's down to using just the 4 foot one. I alternate what I put on it from year to year. I have so many Hallmark ornaments it's hard to choose. Some years I do all the Wizard of Oz ones, some years I do all of the cat and dog ones. Last year I did all snowmen, etc. But the tree is almost 17 years old, and it's time to replace it. Ace Hardware has a cool looking 4 foot one with color changing lights and a remote, we may stop and look at that, as it's near Big Lots. All of Big Lots trees are on sale starting today. Walmart had 2 4 foot ones, but they were flocked white, and I'm not sure how that would look on an indoor tree? Anyone have one that can give me some thoughts on them?

Off to put a roast pork in the crockpot for dinner tonite. May grab a jar of my sister in law's homemade applesauce next time I go down to the cellar pantry to go with it. Also thinking mashed potatoes and acorn squash.

Have a Blessed Sunday everyone!

I saw this ornament this morning, and even though it's oh so true, it's kind of how I feel about the holidays this year, so now I have to get myself in a better mindset! 2020 is a year we would all like to be done with!

 

[NYCgrrl]

Good Morning, All!

Woke up at 3:00 AM to discover dirty dishes still in the sink. “Hmm“ I said to myself “Crazed grrlie passed out before finishing her chores last night” so proceeded to do them myself. I hear a body scurrying into the kitchen and lo and behold DGD still had nt gone to bed!?! Don’t expect to see her before noon now, LOL.

Nothing special planned for the day. Maybe sort and throw away more of the man’s stuff if the mood hits.

@lynxstch Last year we bought a new appropriate to this size dwelling tree from Balsam Hill. Think its around 4.5’ tall and prelit. Put it away with half of the decorations still on it thus making it easier to setup this year. No more ornaments allowed saying now ina semi hysterical voice. Err but well that Grinch ornament looks cute in a commemorative fashion

 

[PollyannaMom]

Good morning, all!

I was up at 6:00 and productive this morning:
threw in a load of laundry,
dyed pasta to change over the kids' sensory bin to Christmas colors after Thanksgiving,
(and, thanks to a bit of paint and glitter, turned the side of the pasta box into a "magic sight word viewer")
made a quick sight word game from some plastic cups and pom-poms,
wrote a check to the Alzheimer's Association,
cleaned out a cabinet, and
made breakfast sandwiches for DH and I.

Not bad for three hours!

Thanksgiving at MIL's is officially off this year. I didn't think she'd be planning to hold it, but she confirmed on the phone yesterday. She felt bad, but I totally agreed with her, especially after she mentioned that BIL may have been exposed at work. (He is feeling fine so far and awaiting test results.) - That's the second family member right now dealing with covid stuff, though. - I have a cousin (on my side) in another state who tested positive and is quarantining at home.

It looked super cold out this morning, with actual frost on the ground, but the sun is out now, and I expect the cats will soon wake up from their naps and want walks.

 

[NYCgrrl]

@PollyannaMom what products did you use to dye the pasta? I’m sure the children (and adults) will enjoy them!