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

[footballmouse]

Happy Friday!

I actually have the weekend off but I have no idea what I'm going to do. I wanted to go to Goettafest that's going on in Cinti but non of the kids can go. I thought about seeing if they want to go to the drive-in to see Super Pets but then again, I don't feel like driving that far. We could just go to the movie theater. I don't think it will be hot enough to sit in the pool which is what I'd like to be doing. I'll cut the grass Saturday and then figure something out.

During the night while I was sleeping I heard what sounded like something break. I woke up and saw Cheeto-Milo the cat sitting on my dresser and figured she knocked one of the knick-knacks off. Then I laid there trying to figure out what she could have knocked down that broke. Sure enough when I got up I noticed the little clay dish that one of the boys made me in school was knocked down. Luckily it didn't break. This isn't the first time she knocked this down, I think I'm going to velcro it somehow.

Working a 1/2 day today. Not going to sit by the pool today. Have a workout scheduled for noon and then I have a couple of errands to run and I'll definitely be stopping to buy a lottery ticket. Can you imagine what it would be like just to win a portion of that? Talk about life changing.

Took some fettuccine alfredo to my aunt yesterday. She was so excited that I made it, she said she's been looking forward to it all day. I took it to her right as it was done cooking, still so hot that I had to wrap the bowls in a towel to carry it. She called last night to say it was really good and she enjoyed it. Stayed to talked to her a bit, caught up on all the family happenings.

AuntieMe3 - sounds like your DD really got hit hard with Covid, hope she feels better today.

While I am in hopes to hear something on a ruling tomorrow I am also petrified as what it will say.

Positive thoughts! Hopefully things get straightened out today and your ex follows the judge's decision.

Back to work, have a great day!

 

[Kirby]

@frog3101, I feel your pain. DD's ex has also done the toy thing. When he would facetime the kids, he would take them on a visual tour of their bedrooms and show them all the things that were waiting on them. Lil Joe had already seen them since he had already been there but it was a reminder of what was waiting on him when he came to visit next time. As far as Lou Lou, it was to show her how much better her room was there than here and to try and make her want to come see him. Not fair at all. He gets to be the fun guy and you are the disciplinarian. That's what the CPS worker told us last Fall. She could see though him as did the detective.

QOTD - Simple go to recipes.
Well, I'm not a cook, I manage though. Spaghetti and Cheeseburger Macaroni are my go to meals. I think that I've put the Cheeseburger Macaroni on here before. It's a pound of hamburger, a box of Kraft Macaroni and Cheese and a can of mushroom soup. Cook the hamburger and drain. Then add the soup and everything else required for the macaroni and cheese but the macaroni. Cook the macaroni, drain and then add to the meat mixture. Very simple and easy. As far as the spaghetti it's just hamburger, Ragu and spaghetti. I always have those items on hand.

 

[Breezy_Carol]

Good morning.

Much cooler today, only 72 right now.

We go down to DD's at lunchtime to watch the kids for an hour or so while she and DSIL go to settlement on the old house.

This morning I plan to bake the cookies and finish my grocery list. Then on the way home from DD's, we'll shop. Such an exciting day.

I am def. interested in trying the brown butter cookies. Maybe tomorrow to distract myself from all that is going on.

Be aware that there are two places in the recipe that you have to first chill the butter for 2-3 hours then chill the dough for 3 hours. Hard to do all at once.

QUESTION OF THE DAY...Please name 1 or 2 of your fave. "go to" easy recipes.

I have an easy black bean and ground turkey recipe I make. Also, chicken on the Foreman grill. And we like taco salad.

Took some fettuccine alfredo to my aunt yesterday.

Sounds like she really enjoyed it. How kind of you.

 

[Judique]

@frog3101, I feel your pain. DD's ex has also done the toy thing. When he would facetime the kids, he would take them on a visual tour of their bedrooms and show them all the things that were waiting on them. Lil Joe had already seen them since he had already been there but it was a reminder of what was waiting on him when he came to visit next time. As far as Lou Lou, it was to show her how much better her room was there than here and to try and make her want to come see him. Not fair at all. He gets to be the fun guy and you are the disciplinarian. That's what the CPS worker told us last Fall. She could see though him as did the detective.

QOTD - Simple go to recipes.
Well, I'm not a cook, I manage though. Spaghetti and Cheeseburger Macaroni are my go to meals. I think that I've put the Cheeseburger Macaroni on here before. It's a pound of hamburger, a box of Kraft Macaroni and Cheese and a can of mushroom soup. Cook the hamburger and drain. Then add the soup and everything else required for the macaroni and cheese but the macaroni. Cook the macaroni, drain and then add to the meat mixture. Very simple and easy. As far as the spaghetti it's just hamburger, Ragu and spaghetti. I always have those items on hand.

Those type of meals were my stretch the budget go to's also when the kids were young. I still love that type of meal but don't get to enjoy it often because I try to avoid carb based meals as much as possible because of my type 2 diabetes.

 

[lynxstch]

Good morning everyone. Cloudy and 66 now..they say it's raining here, but once again, it's not. Only going to be 80 today, I can live with that.

@Breezy_Carol --lol at the sprinkler and the rain story. Sounds like something that would happen to me. But I would be the moron standing in the rain still trying to get the sprinkler to work for the next time I needed to use it

@frog3101 --so sad all around what he is doing to the kids. He is trying to undermine you and make you feel worse. As hard as it is, try not to let him do it. We are all hoping that you get a custody/schedule arrangement made soon.

QOTD--my easy go to meals are spaghetti pie and fritatta's. The spaghetti pie is basically spaghetti cooked al dente. Then mixed with ricotta (I use cottage cheese as I don't care for ricotta), sauce, and ground beef. Then I either put it into a deep dish pie pan, or just a regular casserole dish. Top with mozzarella and bake for 30-40 minutes until cheese is golden brown. You can also make it ahead and freeze it, just add 30-45 min to the cooking time.

@Kirby--stealing your cheeseburger macaroni idea. If you posted it before, I must have missed it. Sounds simple and filling. Do you just use the regular kraft mac and cheese? We like the 'creamier than ever one', I guess either would work? And yes, grocery prices are insane. They go up and up and up everytime I go in a store. I have just about given up looking at the prices, and just buy what we need. I find it nuts that chuck roast is $7 a lb or more! And steaks are off our menu until the prices come back down. If they ever do

@footballmouse That was nice of you to bring your Aunt some fettucini alfredo, I am sure she appreciated seeing you as much as she did the food!


@bobbiwoz --glad you are finally feeling better and on the way to a full recovery

I am going to add a second QOTD

With mega millions being well over 1 billion dollars..if you won it, or a significant part of it, what would you do with it?

My first purchase would be a brand new car for us, and one of each of Mr L's kids. Then I would do a LOT of home improvements. My splurge would be trips to anywhere I wanted to go. And do everything first class. Of course WDW and Disneyland, those are a given. My dream trips would be Australia, New Zealand, Scotland, Ireland , and someday , when world peace has been achieved again, assuming it's in my lifetime--Egypt. I would donate a significant portion to charity, and after that, continue to support the ones that mean the most to us.
Can't think of anymore off the top of my head, but I'm sure some of you can come up with some good ones!

Have a great day,,keep on dreaming all those lottery dreams, after all..someone has to win!

 

[Kirby]

I am going to add a second QOTD

With mega millions being well over 1 billion dollars..if you won it, or a significant part of it, what would you do with it?

I would set aside a portion for tithing and charity. Remodeling our house would definitely be up on the list. Putting some aside for retirement. Set up a trust for the grandkids. Set up trusts for our kids. Pay off DD's school loans. Go to WDW and stay deluxe. Take some trips, I'm not a flyer so I would probably stay within the continental US. Canada would definitely be an option, like that train ride across Canada.

Lynn, I use Kraft Mac & Cheese. Sometimes I use the Kroger store brand. I've never tried the creamier ones, you could always try and see. Forgot to mention I usually add onion powder to the hamburger while it's cooking.

 

[footballmouse]

With mega millions being well over 1 billion dollars..if you won it, or a significant part of it, what would you do with it?

Depending on how much I won, I would do home improvements (privacy fence in the backyard would be first on the list!) and then sell it or give it to Ds2. Even part of that jackpot would allow me to buy a house in a neighborhood that takes care of grass cutting, I'm so over that now. Obviously I would help my kids first then move on to the rest of my family, and then help out a couple of friends. I definitely would be quitting one of my jobs!

 

[easyas123]

Good morning to you all. Glad it's Friday! It's been a long week, not for any specific reason, it just seemed to me that time drug on for some reason this week.

No grand plans this weekend. A trip to Lowes, I need to hit the grocery store. Mowing. Probably go out on the boat at some point. Garden tomato output has really ramped up so I will probably stew down some tomatoes for the freezer/use later this year or next. I will roast cherry tomatoes and toss them in the freezer as well - they work good to add to dishes.

Last nights BLT's were good. I suspect we will enjoy them again this weekend at some point. Not sure what is for supper this evening.

We have spotted lanternflies here

We are on the lookout here, specifically on the grapes.

Ds1 & DIL closed on their house yesterday so they are official home owners

Congrats to them!

DD tested positive Tuesday morning but I've continued to test negative.

Hope she feels better soon and you continue to test negative.

We have decided to not go on a river cruise right now because they were almost all booked up and there were very few choices. We are instead going on a road trip to Maine, probably rent a house. Anyone with any suggestion of must see or do?

They do fill up fast! I wish I could offer some info on Maine & the northern coast...I've been wanting to get up there for a road trip for a while and we just haven't yet made it. One of these days!

I went outside and fought with the new sprinkler. It won. The old oscillating one broke so we bought a new one. They are cheap things. I got wet and never really figured out how it works but after 5 minutes I at least had it putting water on my flowers. Came inside and 5 minutes later it started raining.

This just brought a smile to my face hahaha - same thing happens to us!

QUESTION OF THE DAY...Please name 1 or 2 of your fave. "go to" easy recipes

It's not so much a recipe, but we often eat some sort of meat over salads, it's really easy. I just crockpot or grill or cook however the meat du jour indicates. Soups w/ french rolls and a simple pasta w/ roasted tomatoes is often easy and quick, too. I'm afraid I'm not a great cook myself and I'm rather limited in my range!

I am going to add a second QOTD

With mega millions being well over 1 billion dollars..if you won it, or a significant part of it, what would you do with it?

hmmm. Well lets see. Create a team of lawyers & financial experts to assist me going forward. I'd start/fund a non-profit, although I would hand off the running of it to someone else. Probably establish a domicile in a more tax friendly state than Maryland. As for the "fun" part of being fully financially independent? I'd hire someone to browbeat me into working out and become more fit, I'd traveltraveltravel and TRAVEL! Lastly, every time we watch something on PBS we have a running joke as to wanting to hear "brought to you by the Easyas123 family trust" and fund programs we'd find interesting! Then we go off on a tangent about what oddball shows we could talk PBS into doing for us and if we could get them to show reruns of Absolutely Fabulous !

 

[lynxstch]

@easyas123 How do you roast the cherry tomatoes? Do you brush or season them with something, and what temp for how long, please?

I will have to go out and check our grape arbor for those lanternflies y'all are talking about. Never thought to check those
Have to wait till it stops raining, it finally started, but I don't think it's going to last long. I will take the free water for the garden anytime!


It's going to be BLT's and corn for dinner tonite. Once I defrost bacon, I like to use it all up as soon as possible. And it's such a hardship to have BLT's twice in one week, lol!


You said --Lastly, every time we watch something on PBS we have a running joke as to wanting to hear "brought to you by the Easyas123 family trust" lol! I love that!

I just assumed everyone winning a huge amount, would get a team of lawyers, advisers, accountants so I never mentioned that. I sure wouldn't want to handle it myself. Do you know if the megamillions winners can stay anonymous? I am pretty sure the Powerball ones can, but don't play mega enough to know. I wouldn't want a gazillion people coming out of the woodwork to ask for money!

 

[easyas123]

@easyas123 How do you roast the cherry tomatoes? Do you brush or season them with something, and what temp for how long, please?

I will have to go out and check our grape arbor for those lanternflies y'all are talking about. Never thought to check those
Have to wait till it stops raining, it finally started, but I don't think it's going to last long. I will take the free water for the garden anytime!

I put a bit of olive oil on a cookie sheet. A small bit - maybe a tablespoon or a touch more???? toss the tomatoes on there and shake the sheet a bit so they roll around in the oil. Sprinkle them with kosher salt and toss in the oven at 350 or 375. As for how long? I don't know. 30 minutes? Maybe longer. I kinda just look at them and when they visually look like how I like them (I bit more color than most I'm guessing) I pull them out. I'm sorry - I know that it seems vague but I never have followed a proper recipe for them, I just kinda wing it. Actually that is the theme of most of my cooking, just winging it

We have several acres of grapes, so we will walk up and down the rows with a glass of wine and check things out occasionally, or we will drive up & down the rows on the gator. I'll have to take a photo or three and post it on here.

 

[Judique]

@easyas123 How do you roast the cherry tomatoes? Do you brush or season them with something, and what temp for how long, please?

I will have to go out and check our grape arbor for those lanternflies y'all are talking about. Never thought to check those
Have to wait till it stops raining, it finally started, but I don't think it's going to last long. I will take the free water for the garden anytime!


It's going to be BLT's and corn for dinner tonite. Once I defrost bacon, I like to use it all up as soon as possible. And it's such a hardship to have BLT's twice in one week, lol!


You said --Lastly, every time we watch something on PBS we have a running joke as to wanting to hear "brought to you by the Easyas123 family trust" lol! I love that!

I just assumed everyone winning a huge amount, would get a team of lawyers, advisers, accountants so I never mentioned that. I sure wouldn't want to handle it myself. Do you know if the megamillions winners can stay anonymous? I am pretty sure the Powerball ones can, but don't play mega enough to know. I wouldn't want a gazillion people coming out of the woodwork to ask for money!

Last I heard in Maryland you can accept lottery money anonymously.

 

[Judique]

I put a bit of olive oil on a cookie sheet. A small bit - maybe a tablespoon or a touch more???? toss the tomatoes on there and shake the sheet a bit so they roll around in the oil. Sprinkle them with kosher salt and toss in the oven at 350 or 375. As for how long? I don't know. 30 minutes? Maybe longer. I kinda just look at them and when they visually look like how I like them (I bit more color than most I'm guessing) I pull them out. I'm sorry - I know that it seems vague but I never have followed a proper recipe for them, I just kinda wing it. Actually that is the theme of most of my cooking, just winging it

We have several acres of grapes, so we will walk up and down the rows with a glass of wine and check things out occasionally, or we will drive up & down the rows on the gator. I'll have to take a photo or three and post it on here.

I was also going to ask about your roasting cherry tomatoes recipe. Thanks!

Your grapes! Grapes are one of the crops that can be most compromised by the lanternfly. They can destroy the vines, according to some of my reading.

The good news on the fly is that they all die off when cold weather comes. But, the next generation hatches next year from the eggs laid. So controlling next years enemy is getting the eggs scratched off any areas they may have been laid on and destroy them. If you check the links you should be able to find a pic of how the eggs are covered up by a mud like paste, and how they can be scratched off hard surfaces.

I'm looking forward to my short visit with the Dept of Ag person next week. I hope to learn more and at the very least, do what I can to find any egg deposits around my small property. The nymph I saw would not have traveled far from his birthplace, so if you are seeing the nymph you've probably had eggs hatched on or very close to your property.

 

[easyas123]

Grapes are one of the crops that can be most compromised by the lanternfly. They can destroy the vines, according to some of my reading.

Oh yeah, we've been paying attention for them for some time, many of the vineyards in our area have.

 

[flyingdumbo127]

Wishing all of you dear Quackers a peaceful, cooler, and brighter Friday with love

Dazed, continued prayers of peace to you and your DH.

Judique , the only jewelry I wear is a simple cross on a chain. I am so not a jewelry person. I feel badly because I was given two handmade bracelets as a Christmas gift (during this pandemic). They are sitting in my closet. I, of course, don’t go out right now. One day, God-willing, when Covid is more over…I could wear them maybe once or twice? It just doesn’t seem right to stash them in my closet. To me the gift was the love and care my friend put into making them. Anyone enjoy wearing bracelets?

Kirby, grocery bills sure do keep increasing! I can only imagine that is all the more true for your bigger family that includes two growing kids! One can of Campbell’s Chicken Broth out here can now be close to $2! I never heard of Sara Lee Butter Bread. I used to like Sara Lee Classic Dinner Rolls. Those seem to have gone obsolete! Hug, heat can be exhausting. Please take care and try to go out if you need to early! As a jewelry P.S. I am not a wearing a watch fan either! I always do try to be early! I suppose one day post plague I might need to invest in a simple watch. Did I ever share on here a sweet preschooler/watch story?

Oh no, I’m sorry about the sprinkler, Carol! Acadia National park always looks so beautiful in calendar pictures. I just Googled Ogunquit Beautiful beach! I hope you got to go there? It reminds me a little of Point St. George in Crescent City

Praise God that you are starting to feel better, dear Bobbiwoz! Thinking of you!

Much continued love and prayers of peace and healing to you, Frog! Love is absolutely not bought ever! It definitely is not showy or boastful. A Favorite Bible Verse because God IS LOVE and LOVE always triumphs. By His Grace and Care, my friend, you loving your family unconditionally and in faith, truly, no matter what, all will be well. Huge

Waving good morning and sending a Friday hug to you, Snowysmom! I hope you have a good day

Yikes, Footballmouse, hearing something breaking in the night does not make for a restful night sleep that is for sure! So grateful the culprit was your tonight is quiet! God Bless both you and your aunt! So nice of you to bring her dinner and visit. So glad you have each other! No, I can’t imagine winning that much money, especially all of a sudden!

Lottery QOTD: First of all, I don’t gamble at all period, no lottery tickets for me. When I was much younger there was a time I did purchase such things. I no longer believe in luck, only and always LOVE. Should dad and I ever somehow come into an unexpected windfall, Lynn, I absolutely am with you! Do not want to be bombarded or found, no thanks! Any donations, I would want (anyway) to be anonymous and in general try to keep them that way when I can. We would definitely seek out a trusted financial adviser. Yes, we would use some of the money to be able to move somewhere, as I have talked about before, a little bit nicer, safer, bigger. Fun to think about Lynn, I am so glad it is a bit cooler out there for you today, too!

LOL, cooking and me don't belong in the same sentence so not quite sure how to answer that other than making a scrambled or

Love the “brought to you by the Easyas Family Estate,” slogan Easyas, that is wonderful! Maybe all of us could anonymously create a Quacker Foundation! I’m glad to hear you have a quieter weekend planned.

Hope you are having a peaceful morning, PollyannaMom! I don't remember seeing a post from you yet. Sending a your way and also to my fellow CA Quacker, AuntieMe3, along with Pea, Canadisney Fly, and any other Quackers who have not yet posted this morning.

Happy Friday, friends. I'll check in later.

 

[PollyannaMom]

Peaceful, no...but super-fun, yes! I'm watching the twins, and w've been playing Legos, building forts, and making slime.

we're all having our few minutes of after-lunch computer time right now, so I am quickly catching up on posts and will have to answer the QOTD's later.

Do you know if the megamillions winners can stay anonymous? I am pretty sure the Powerball ones can, but don't play mega enough to know. I wouldn't want a gazillion people coming out of the woodwork to ask for money!

I think it varies by state.

 

[flyingdumbo127]

and as always, dear PollyannaMom for making such a loving difference to the twins always! They are indeed blessed to have you in their lives.

 

[Snowysmom]

@dazedx3 Maine is lovely. We went to Bar Harbor. As mentioned ,Acadia National Park is a must and a drive up Cadillac Mt is a must. Downtown Bar Harbor is nice to just wander around and there are nice restaurants. I have a friend who goes to Old Orchard Beach each summer but stays about a mile from the boardwalk on the beach. She watches the sun rise over the ocean some mornings. Then she relaxes on the beach. My DDIL likes Ogunquit. York Beach is nice too. My older DS likes Portland. There are some light houses to see as well as nice restaurants. There are so many nice places.

@bobbiwoz Glad you are feeling better

@frog3101 I have not been cooking for myself but one thing I made for my kids was baked ziti. Just cook the ziti, drain, put in a casserole dish, mix with ricotta and shredded mozzerella to your taste, add sauce, and top with a bit of grated cheese and shredded cheese. Then bake on 375 until thoroughly heated and browned on top. Tastes great leftover too. I hope you hear some favorable news soon.

I had lunch with one of my really good friends. She is such a strong person. She knows what I am going through and is good with the words of wisdom and how to try to get through the day. We talk about kids, grandkids, and just chat. It is a nice break in the day.

Work has been a struggle lately. My spreadsheets that I need in a few days for close week are not working for me. IT gave me a solution that I tried and it did not work. I emailed my supervisor who is on vacation this week so she will see it bright and early Monday morning. She is good at figuring things out. Then we are moving offices so they have closed our current office. But, the new office won't be open until mid August but checks are going to the new office. This move seems much more scatter brained than our last one. I just feel like I don't need any more nonsense in my life along with the major struggles I am going through. I know these work issues are small things in the grand scheme of life but they are very frustrating and make the day more difficult.

Tomorrow older DS and I will go to visit Joe. Younger DS was exposed to covid in his office. A coworker was in his office on Wed and Thurs tested positive. So now younger DS will have to test every day for awhile. He cannot visit Joe this weekend. I have not seen younger DS in 2 weeks so not an issue for me. He just had covid at Christmas. Joe seems to be more tired lately so we are not sure what that means. Older DS thinks we need to get legal things settled sooner rather than later. Younger DS is the power of attorney so I wish he could be there tomorrow. He may just need to call Joe to get answers to his questions. I feel bad asking Joe questions but we really need to know how to handle things like is car, his sister's health care proxy, bill payments etc.

I am still working on getting my friend to commit to an Adventures By Disney trip to Alaska next year. When we left lunch I did tell her more about it and she is going to take a look.

I did buy 4 tickets for Mega Millions. If I won I would split it 3 ways with the kids. Then to the attorney and financial advisor to set up things. Then pay for the Disney vacation, look into taking friends on vacation, and donate lots to my favorite charities. I would buy a condo in New Hampshire and maybe Saint Augustine. I could hire a property manager for each.

Have a ice rest of the day.

 

[Snowysmom]

Just saw I wrote ice rest of the day instead of nice rest of the day. I am crazy!

 

[bobbiwoz]

Just saw I wrote ice rest of the day instead of nice rest of the day. I am crazy!

I liked hearing about your lunch with a good friend. Those are special times!

 

[bobbiwoz]

With mega millions being well over 1 billion dollars..if you won it, or a significant part of it, what would you do with it?

With my DSis we do buy lottery tix for every drawing. Our Dad was the lucky one, he won about $10,000+ in NJ lottery money in the 1980’s, and shared it with all of us.
Sacred Heart School in Camden NJ would get the lion share of my winnings. DH really would love to charter a plane for the family to go somewhere.



..Please name 1 or 2 of your fave. "go to" easy recipes
I’m not much of a cook…I really like hot dogs and hamburgers and sandwiches!
Grilled cheese and Campbel’s Tomato Bisque soup made with 1/2 milk and 1/2 water.
Tuna sandwiches again with Tomato Bisque soup