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

[usnuzuloose]

Last post on the page, glad I stopped to check in so I could give us a bump!

@apirateslifeforme, so good to hear from you! Glad to hear that Josh is doing well. It's so much fun to watch the younger kids play sports. Sorry to hear about your uncle. Prayers and 's. I just love your new hobby. You've done a great job! They are so cute!



I try and try to cook fish and it never turns out the way I want. Sort of like meatloaf, I can never get it to turn out either.

Wet and cool here today. Lots of water standing in my yard so I know it rained a lot overnight.

Dinner was tacos.

Send the rain here, we are going to be in a drought. Are you over mixing your meatloaf? If so it will be tough , Iove adding a little half abd half. Mix meat till it just has all ingredients mixed. I tried yo pit a smile in but mine won't work

 

[flyingdumbo127]

One extra last bump from me tonight as well. I hope you enjoyed your tacos, Kirby

 

[Kirby]

Send the rain here, we are going to be in a drought. Are you over mixing your meatloaf? If so it will be tough , Iove adding a little half abd half. Mix meat till it just has all ingredients mixed. I tried yo pit a smile in but mine won't work

It's the taste, just can't quite get it right.

One extra last bump from me tonight as well. I hope you enjoyed your tacos, Kirby

You actually beat me to it. I got to talking to DD and next thing you know......

 

[usnuzuloose]

It's the taste, just can't quite get it right.


You actually beat me to it. I got to talking to DD and next thing you know......

I use garlic , onion, a little paprika, salt and pepper and a splash of hakf and half 1 egg and panko crumbs

 

[Bianca and Bernard]

I use garlic , onion, a little paprika, salt and pepper and a splash of hakf and half 1 egg and panko crumbs

I use a good steak seasoning (Penzeys; Chicago if I want the beefy flavor, Mitchell Street if I want the smokiness), onion, egg, ketchup, worcestershire, and panko; either straight ground beef (85/15 or 90/10) or a mix of the beef with some pork. Top with a mix of ketchup and worcesetershire. I make smaller meatloaves, and bake on a baking sheet, so we get more of that crispy exterior.

 

[lynxstch]

Good morning and welcome to May 2021! Our outside temp is 43, will be going to 65 with sun. Winds have died down considerably, thankfully, as the wind yesterday was actually very scary! Today is strip and remake bed day, clean bathrooms, and finish yard work. Then I am taking tomorrow off, lol!

In response to the meatloaf issues above, I mix ground beef, ground pork and sometimes veal. I add onions (or shallots if I have them), garlic, steak sauce, egg, parsley, and bread crumbs. My mother used to put ketchup on top, I baste with bbq sauce about 30 min before it's done baking. Lately I have been making individual ones in a muffin pan. I freeze the leftover ones for another meal.

Have a nice morning everyone!

 

[PollyannaMom]

Had a busy few days, so was a bit behind in reading here, but will try to catch up now:

Yes on May the 4th! Our family has a bunch of Star Wars fans and we always send memes to each other.

"Sort of" on Cinco de Mayo. Some years, we've gone out for Mexican food, but it's not a must do - just a good excuse to get something we like.

Beautiful signs, @apirateslifeforme!

It was wicked windy here too, but seems to have calmed down this morning.

The twins I tutor are six! They were able to have a little birthday party with just a few friends, and they had a blast!

DS got his second vaccine on Wednesday. He had a sore arm Thursday, and ran a slight fever yesterday, but said he felt OK. ETA - Then today he woke up with chills and vomiting. I hope he feels better quickly!

One of the libraries around here is bringing back their used book sales! It's an open-air format this time, and I'm excited.

We have all new cable boxes this week. We were having a problem with the signal "pixelating" and they thought they fixed it remotely, but it started happening again, so they sent someone out and replaced a bunch of older equipment. I now have to use one remote to control the TV volume and another to control the DVR, but it has a ton more space on it. - All my old saved programs (that are still there but used to take up about 70%) now fit in less than 2%!

 

[easyas123]

Good morning all.

Boy oh boy the wind was up all thru the night, still is kinda breezy out even now. Husband not home which means the dogs think they need to be extra clingy. Sounds nice, sounds cute until you've got 250 lbs of dogs jumping on and off the bed all night trying to curl up with you. Between you and me I think the both of them were more concerned about filling the empty spot on the bed than "protecting" me They are allowed on the bed, but when it actually comes time for us to go to sleep they have to get down and get in their own beds. All bets off when one of the adults in the home is gone.

Catching some of the news over my morning coffee, the scenes of people entering Disneyland are fun to watch! Folks appeared really ready to get back there!

My plan today was to hit Home Depot &/or Lowes for some odds & ends and finish mowing. My stomach is yelling at me, must have something to do with the fact that I ate whole garlic cloves and onions for dinner last night. Hopfully it settles and I can get to my day! My other chore is to attempt to find at least one of my 2 WDW masks. They are the most comfortable ones I've had, and as of Thursday I have misplaced them both. I recall taking off one Thursday and tossing it in the car but now can't find it. The other one I haven't seen for a few weeks.

Have a good day everyone-

 

[sparkle78]

Well, if we are sharing cooking tips....QOTD: HOW DO you make your mashed potatoes ??
for some reason, I am awful at it. I’m gettting better and every 3rd try or so they have good flavor and are fluffy . The other times they are too starchy, not fluffy, have chunks or lack flavor. My newest addition has been using chicken broth to boil them instead of water which helps. But I’m open to other ideas and which type of potato do you use ?? In a pinch, i get the refrigerated Bob Evans ones from the grocery store for my Hubbie and make rice for me

 

[sparkle78]

Meatloaf. Wasn’t a fan as a kid. Now i make ones with diced zuchinni in them and join mustard , Italian breadcrumbs and no red sauce,just a little olive oil on top. So maybe more like a cross between a hamburger and a meatball
have a great Saturday everyone

 

[PollyannaMom]

Oh, I forgot about the meatloaf - I make it with lean ground turkey, so I replace some of the bad fat with good fat by putting in a little guacamole. Other than that, the standard stuff - eggs, breadcrumbs, etc...it pretty much never comes out exactly the same because I tend to use up what I've got.

 

[dazedx3]

Meatloaf... Mostly like everyone else, except I add shredded carrots, helps keep it moist

Had my Meniscus surgery yesterday, so I guess i am staying on the couch for the most part today. Why is that when I am layed up, I have the most ambition!

 

[lynxstch]

@dazedx3--feel better,,hope you heal up soon

QOTD about mashed potatoes. I only use my pressure cooker to make them..that's how my Mom did it, and I still do to this day. I cook them for 10 min in there,,drain them..use the elec hand mixer to mix in some butter and milk, a little salt and pepper. Hubby likes them a little 'chunky' so sometimes I don't over mix them..other times I mix them till smooth.

I have already cleaned the gutters, stripped the bed, rotated and turned the mattress, remade the bed, and have the sheets in the wash..going out to weedwack and then finish mowing.

Here we go again. Lily was so looking forward to her 'prom' this coming Thursday. But her FB posts the last 2 days have had us worried.Talking about people she knew who died and were in Heaven and missing them..Sure enough..hubby just got a FB message that Lily is in the hospital (ours for now), for mental health issues. No inpatient places have beds,,Morgantown said call them in a couple of hours, they might have a discharge. So, once again,,she needs prayers please. It's so scary when teenagers have mental health issues, you never know what the outcome will be

 

[Bianca and Bernard]

Well, if we are sharing cooking tips....QOTD: HOW DO you make your mashed potatoes ??
for some reason, I am awful at it. I’m gettting better and every 3rd try or so they have good flavor and are fluffy . The other times they are too starchy, not fluffy, have chunks or lack flavor. My newest addition has been using chicken broth to boil them instead of water which helps. But I’m open to other ideas and which type of potato do you use ?? In a pinch, i get the refrigerated Bob Evans ones from the grocery store for my Hubbie and make rice for me

Mashed potatoes....I haven't made them in about 5 years, lol. But when I did, I used russets, soaked the cut up potatoes for a few hours (changing the water hourly) to get out some of the potassium (needed back then for DH). Cook in gently simmering salted water until just tender, drain. Put through a ricer (mine broke...about 5 years ago....maybe that's why I haven't made them since ....I should get a new one, or a food mill maybe...), add melted butter and warm heavy cream, s-&-p. If I'm feeling creative, adding roasted garlic, or a bit of sour cream instead of all heavy cream and chives, or top with carmelized onions.

Also, sometimes, in my meatloaf, I use chili sauce instead of ketchup, and put a layer of cheddar in the center. DH really likes it that way, lol.

((quick healing vibes)) and ((huggles)) to those who need them today.

Not much going on here. I have a couple loads of laundry I can do if I feel up for it, but not a big deal if I don't get to it. I am making DH oven roasted maple glaze salmon and roasted veggies for lunch; DS and I are having....well...I don't know yet, but neither one of us eats salmon. Tomorrow, I think burgers and fries; and Monday, something with chicken. I'm trying to clean out the big deep freeze, so I can do a defrost on it....it has a quarter of an inch of frost on the inside that I'd like to get off. Plus, some of the stuff has been in there for at least 6 months... Oh, and I have to go to the post office; I have one package there from Grove, but I have 4 more coming in next week (Duluth Trading, Amazon and another I have no idea....maybe my Reddit Secret Santa Snack gift?) Oh, yeah, I did the Reddit Secret Santa Snack exchange this time; I sent a bunch of Japanese snacks that I had DD#2 send when I found out there was a snack exchange, plus some of our favorite snacks here. Just waiting on my gift to arrive.
Link if you are interested


I went to Kohls the other day, and they had mens dress shirts in DH's size on sale. The usual price on them is $60+ and they were all 50%off plus I had a coupon code (from returning some Amazon items) for 25% off. Picked up 6 and I ended up spening about $140, saved almost $200! DH said that's not how money math works (I saved when I spent, he says you only save when you don't spend) but I say he's wrong!

 

[Allison Joy]

Okay. First 24 (or so) hours after COVID vaccine #2: I slept horribly last night.... Was trying to hydrate myself, so I kept having to get up to go to the bathroom. Ended up with a temp of 100.4 at some point, took 1 Tylenol, went down to 100.2, and this morning I'm at 99.5 I feel a bit tired, and some body aches (normal with a fever for me) but other than that feel... decent? Hoping the 99.5 five hours after Tylenol is a good sign that its starting to break. I'm planning on taking it easy today.

Hoping the rest of you and your family members who are recovering from surgery, illness, and vaccine are feeling better soon!

And @Bianca and Bernard.... I tend to think like your husband. If you were going to buy it anyway, its saving, but if you didn't need it, or weren't going to, it's not. I also think that any shirt over $15 is too much. I am my mother's daughter.

 

[tazdev3225]

@dazedx3 Feel better. I have had 6 of those surgeries, 5 on my left knee alone. I am headed to #6 on that knee, not there is much meniscus left in it.

@BiancaandBernard. I am with you saving money like that is great. I love a good bargain.

Morning all. Thought I had to take my grandson to my uncles to mow his lawn but turns out my uncle is getting him. Now I have more of my day free. Went to 2 baseball games for my grandsons last night and have one tonight and then the oldest of them has 2 games tomorrow. All 3 of my daughter's grandsons are playing baseball and the oldest is on 2 teams. He has a game with each team tomorrow and thankfully right across the street from each other. I will have to see if I can get the file sizes smaller to post some pics. I only use the good camera for baseball.

Funny talking about meatloaf. For about 2 days last week I kept smelling meatloaf so I began craving it. We had meatloaf for dinner one night. My husband loves my meatloaf, it's OK. I use ground meat, chop an onion and some garlic to add, 1 egg for up to 3 pounds of meat, breadcrumbs, Italian seasoning, salt and pepper, garlic powder, some parmesan cheese and half a small can of tomato paste or sauce depending on what I have. After I mix it all up I put the other half of the tomato on top. I either bake it in the oven or put it in the crock pot.

I also make a turkey meatloaf when the mood strikes, not as often as my husband is not as fond of ground turkey. Instead of tomato sauce/paste I add salsa for some moisture. Turkey tends to get drier than beef. I add some salsa on top also. He does like it that way especially if I make guacamole.

Mashed potatoes are never the same way twice. I think because I never use the same kind of potato twice. Peel, quarter and boil the potatoes in lightly salted water. I need to be careful of salt for my husband. Then it's butter and milk and I'll add either some plain yogurt or sour cream. That gives them a nice flavor. FOr the holidays there is always diced wax turnip or rutabaga if you will. That was the way my gram made them and I love it that way.

If there are no ball games on the schedule, and hopefully there won't be, for Cinco de Mayo I am making tacos with guacamole on the side, refried beans and maybe some kind of rice and beans. I love that type of food anyway. I wish my daughter from another mother would bring me some tamales her husband makes. He is from Mexico and makes some very good food.

Oh well hope everyone has a great Saturday. I am watching a Criminal Minds marathon til my husband takes over the TV for baseball.

 

[PollyannaMom]

I'm not good with mashed potatoes either, but the last time they worked well, I credited it to using way more water than it looked like I needed.

 

[lynxstch]

All this talk about meatloaf and mashed potatoes,,that's what I decided to make for dinner tonite, lol. Hubby looked at me like I was crazy? LOL! All my yardwork is done. Even weedwacked the bank out by the street. We have gulleys on this side of the road where the storm drains are. We had nice big rocks in there for drainage,,making it easy for me to stand in the middle of and weedwack up the bank. Some moron from the state decided to take all the rocks out and dig the gulleys farther down. Now the issue is they are so low that they don't reach the storm drains, so the water is just staying in there all the time. And I refuse to stand in water to do it. I did as much as I could staying dry, and that's how it's going to be! Off to hang the sheets on the line to dry, mix up the meatloaf...and relax!

@Allison Joy--I hope your Covid vaccine side effects go away soon!

 

[flyingdumbo127]

Happy May with love to all!

Prayers extra to you DazedX3 for healing and to you Allison to feel better! Lynn, I was thinking about Lily yesterday and praying she was doing okay. I will PM you.

Yikes to all the wind reports out there! So not a wind fan.

I'm not much of mashed potato maker but sure enjoy eating creamy (plain) ones

Have a good Saturday, friends!

 

[Bianca and Bernard]

Okay. First 24 (or so) hours after COVID vaccine #2: I slept horribly last night.... Was trying to hydrate myself, so I kept having to get up to go to the bathroom. Ended up with a temp of 100.4 at some point, took 1 Tylenol, went down to 100.2, and this morning I'm at 99.5 I feel a bit tired, and some body aches (normal with a fever for me) but other than that feel... decent? Hoping the 99.5 five hours after Tylenol is a good sign that its starting to break. I'm planning on taking it easy today.

Hoping the rest of you and your family members who are recovering from surgery, illness, and vaccine are feeling better soon!

And @Bianca and Bernard.... I tend to think like your husband. If you were going to buy it anyway, its saving, but if you didn't need it, or weren't going to, it's not. I also think that any shirt over $15 is too much. I am my mother's daughter.

I would agree on the price point for a shirt for me, but DH has to wear office attire. While he doesn't have to wear a suit, he does have to wear dress pants and polos or button-ups; and he's a big guy (3 XLT just to fit the shoulders and torso length, but he wears an XL in undershirts)...and those are already expensive before you add in the big guy part! He needed new work shirts (needed to replace some old ones that were starting to fray) so it wasn't an unneeded expense. So, getting them on sale with a discount coupon is the best way to go. LOL