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

[Judique]

QOTD: Do you have a Kitchen Aid (or other) mixer? When did you get it? What color is it? Happy with the color? Do you use it very often?

Yup, I have a pink Kitchenaid Artisan model. Bought it on a Lowes sale around 2003. It was on for $150 and everybody I knew at the time got one as the sale spread by word of mouth.

I almost never use it but DD uses it all the time. It stays clean by me cleaning it after she uses it and I keep it (with other hard to store stuff) on a Trinity rolling rack. I placed it on a slab of extra granite and mounted it at counter height with the shelves above high enough so the rack can be rolled out and the mixer used without moving it off the granite. Sometimes DD will move it but it's too heavy for me, hence the workaround.

After cleaning it, it gets covered up by extra large Martha Stewart cotton drying dish towels I bought on sale years ago at Macy's for a buck. Stays clean and the cloths catch the dust and can easily be laundered. In fact this is my keep clean solution for everything on the rolling rack.

Now if I could only figure out how to clean and keep clean that d*** Ninja Air Fryer oven! We use it all the time and love it but it loves to get greasy all over and doesn't clean up well especially inside. Still works fine but I've considered getting a new one so I'd have it clean for a short time.

 

[Snowysmom]

No kitchen aid table top mixer here. Never had one. I use an electric hand mixer and I believe I just bought kitchen aid one ($49 on sale) as I like the brand. Like my mother before me I use spoons, forks, and an electric hand mixer.

For stockings Chris and I had stockings for each other from the first year we were married. When the kids came along they each got one. All have our names on them. When the kids got married we got one stocking for the couples with their names on them. When Kenny got separated I got a new stocking for him and his name is on it. I am not getting another one for him if (actually when) he gets married again. I will just put a post it note on it with the wife's name. He has used up his quota. LOL! Chris and I got each of the grandkids stockings as they arrived with their names on them. So I carry on the tradition of filling stockings for the kids and the grandkids. I miss my stocking from Chris and miss making up one for him.

I went to CVS today and of course bought more items for stockings. Now they are filled to the top and no reason to buy anything else. I bought myself a couple of small lindt chocolate santas as they were on sale. My treat to myself.

 

[lynxstch]

Yup, I have a pink Kitchenaid Artisan model. Bought it on a Lowes sale around 2003. It was on for $150 and everybody I knew at the time got one as the sale spread by word of mouth.

I almost never use it but DD uses it all the time. It stays clean by me cleaning it after she uses it and I keep it (with other hard to store stuff) on a Trinity rolling rack. I placed it on a slab of extra granite and mounted it at counter height with the shelves above high enough so the rack can be rolled out and the mixer used without moving it off the granite. Sometimes DD will move it but it's too heavy for me, hence the workaround.

After cleaning it, it gets covered up by extra large Martha Stewart cotton drying dish towels I bought on sale years ago at Macy's for a buck. Stays clean and the cloths catch the dust and can easily be laundered. In fact this is my keep clean solution for everything on the rolling rack.

Now if I could only figure out how to clean and keep clean that d*** Ninja Air Fryer oven! We use it all the time and love it but it loves to get greasy all over and doesn't clean up well especially inside. Still works fine but I've considered getting a new one so I'd have it clean for a short time.

That's why I stopped using mine and bought a new stove that has the air fryer and convention options built into it. Cleaning the Ninja one was a pain in the you know what.

 

[lynxstch]

QOTD
I don't have one and have never had any need for one. I use my good old electric hand mixer. And now that I live alone, I really have no reason to go out and buy a Kitchen Aid, even though I have thought about it. It would just be one more appliance that I'd have to find a place for, and almost never us

 

[flyingdumbo127]

Thanks for sharing stocking stories dear friends. Dear Pea always good to see you.

 

[PollyannaMom]

QOTD: Do you have a Kitchen Aid (or other) mixer? When did you get it? What color is it? Happy with the color? Do you use it very often?

Just a hand-held electric mixer here, same as my mom had. (Though like Pea said, I sometimes don't bother to get it out, and just mix things with a spoon/fork/whisk.) Mine is a Betty Crocker:

 

[dazedx3]

QOTD… I do have a Kitchen aid mixer. When Dd and DSIL got together they both had one, so DD gave me hers. I really only use it for baking cookies at Christmas time, it is a white one, I think the colored ones are so cute. However, for as little as I use it, I’m glad I didn’t buy one Most times I just use a hand mixer.

Stockings…. The kids all had their own stockings, Kris and I never didThis year we are all contributing to the contents of stockings for each other, so I bought some cheap ones for those who didn’t have one. I know we will have more gifts than will fit in the stocking so I am trying to figure out how to handle that.

 

[Judique]

QOTD
I don't have one and have never had any need for one. I use my good old electric hand mixer. And now that I live alone, I really have no reason to go out and buy a Kitchen Aid, even though I have thought about it. It would just be one more appliance that I'd have to find a place for, and almost never us

Daughter mostly uses the dough hook (she made home made pizza Friday night and used it) and if I were so inclined to make bread or pizza dough, that would be a really nice feature to have. However, my bread making seems to be mostly in the past. I have a bread machine I haven't used in years.

 

[flyingdumbo127]

Just wishing all of you a peaceful good night.

 

[PollyannaMom]

And a bright good morning from this side!

 

[flyingdumbo127]

Sunday early joy to all. I'm looking forward to watching online worship later. Dad will be shopping this morning at Pavilions. We're expecting an Amazon package, too.

For the last year we (mostly me on our laptop) have enjoyed a free trial of Microsoft 365. I only use Word. That trial has expired. We have Word permanately on our older Desktop. The laptop is a much newer computer. It looks like Word is offered either for up to five devices for one year or as a one time purchase on one device. Similar price. The ideal, of course, would be one time purchase on more than one device so we would have back up should we ever need a new Desktop. Any Word deals that any of dear you are aware of?

I may have shared this last Sunday after watching worship. Part of the minister's message was a reminder that each of our unique stories can come together for/because of God to help change a life. Our testimonies matter. God definitely renewed His call to me to get my book done. Thus an extra Word need. I could also btw still use a few sentences example to finish one story a friend started long ago but never finished. New shares of course also welcome. PM me for more information. Thank you friends.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Thanks for all your replies! Always interesting! It’s funny how most of us relative-old timers just use spoons, forks and hand mixers! My type people!

My DH is a baker by profession so it made sense for us to have one. (He uses the massive versions at work.) He’s taught DD well, too, so she’s a whiz at it. She makes cupcakes and frosting a lot, it’s her go-to when she goes anywhere. I’ll stick with my fork!

I think I’m probably going to get her a silver one. It will match her kitchen well now and I think it will carry over into any kitchen she has in the future, too. It might stay cleaner looking than a white one, as well.

Funny, they show all these colors and more, but try finding them!



Her colors. (Heck, threw in some of the whole project!)








(Guy never came yesterday! So it still looks like this!)





I forgot to mention, we had someone come in last week to help us through the window treatment process. A couple of the windows (kitchen over the sink and bathroom) are very small, and there’s a slider, so we were finding it hard to find correct sizes. Plus DD wanted more ‘shades’ than ‘curtains’. Anyway, that worked out beautifully. Lady was super nice, we were able to order all nice roller shades for everything all at once, and we got a nice seasonal discount. (We have the same ones in our sunroom and they’ve held up beautifully.) We decided to pay for installation to give DH a break, he’s hurting from all the work he’s been doing (pulling up rugs, installing cabinets, carrying things in, moving everything around, etc., though DD has been helping him with everything and DS when he comes over, too). He had to have a cortisone shot to his rotator cuff the other day, and he’s limping a bit his sciatica has flared! We’ll be glad when this is finished!

Shades look like this but we went lighter, with a bit of darker speckling. Went with room darkening in the bedroom, but regular (somewhat translucent) everywhere else, you really can’t see through any of these from the outside. Going to look really nice. Those will be installed after the holidays.



Will get better pictures of the whole thing once it’s all done. It will look good with everything finished and real lighting. Will maybe include some before and after pics, if I can find them. But thought I’d share on this quiet Sunday morning.

DS is coming over to hang out for the day, can’t wait to see him! He brings his crazy dog, who we have to keep an eye on, but we love having him!

I must’ve missed the stocking QOTD. Yes, we’ve had some special stockings over the years, but half the time they got lost in the chaos of our attics and cellar. But we always had stockings one way or another, even the dogs always get their own. This year I just made them for the kids - had to keep things simple w all we have going on. I did get all my wrapping done yesterday, then cleaned everything up, so it feels nice to be done. I just have to get groceries and do a little cooking now. Will probably shop today (maybe online ) and we’ll cook tomorrow, for Tuesday (for work for me, and for family gathering for DH).

Enjoy this blessed Sunday, all!

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Sunday early joy to all. I'm looking forward to watching online worship later. Dad will be shopping this morning at Pavilions. We're expecting an Amazon package, too.

For the last year we (mostly me on our laptop) have enjoyed a free trial of Microsoft 365. I only use Word. That trial has expired. We have Word permanately on our older Desktop. The laptop is a much newer computer. It looks like Word is offered either for up to five devices for one year or as a one time purchase on one device. Similar price. The ideal, of course, would be one time purchase on more than one device so we would have back up should we ever need a new Desktop. Any Word deals that any of dear you are aware of?

I may have shared this last Sunday after watching worship. Part of the minister's message was a reminder that each of our unique stories can come together for/because of God to help change a life. Our testimonies matter. God definitely renewed His call to me to get my book done. Thus an extra Word need. I could also btw still use a few sentences example to finish one story a friend started long ago but never finished. New shares of course also welcome. PM me for more information. Thank you friends.

I’m sorry, I can’t be much help. I use an iPad Pro with Magic Keyboard for everything. I did buy a laptop this year to use just for my photography hobby, but I don’t even know if it has a Word program on it. (And I haven’t even looked through the pictures I bought it for! Just so little time!) The iPad has Pages, and that works out great for me if I have to create any documents. It can get a little tricky to send, you have to convert to Word, but I eventually get it to work. (Thankfully DD knows it all very well and helps me if need be.)

 

[tazdev3225]

Good morning. Cold here at 16 degrees. It's going to be similar tomorrow when the windows and door go in, not looking forward to that. My husband may stay upstairs as he feels the cold more than I do.

The deck is finished, the railing on the stairs went on yesterday. Somehow we had it bought and it cost me more money, not sure refunds are showing up so I need to talk to my grandson about that. LJ is in the Dominican Republic for Christmas this year with his mother. It's her first Christmas with her mother in about 9 years and she was very excited to go back. LJ is not happy about that. He keeps calling Jay and telling his Dada to pick him up. The latest reason was because they won't let him play in the rain. He misses his father.

@Pea-n-Me - the apartment updates look great so far.

@bobbiwoz - happy to hear your news sounds promising. Continued prayers for you

QOTD - Stockings - when I was a kid we just had the generic red ones with no names. This way "Santa" had no trouble filling them. My kids had quilted stockings my mom made them with needlepoint Peter Rabbit characters and their names on them. I just found my son and daughter's stockings cleaning out some of the basement. Someone took a bite out of my daughter's stocking at the heel so she is going to patch it. I wanted to make them for the grandkids but I lost the book with the patterns sadly. We are still looking for it online in the hopes that we can continue the tradition.

QOTD - Mixer - I am on my second Kitchen Aid mixer. The first still worked bus I wanted to upgrade from plain white. Don't ask me why but I bought the Empire Red. It does add a splash of color to the kitchen. I use it for almost everything. It got a workout yesterday with the first 3 batches of cookies. I do have a handheld that I use for Mashed potatoes mostly. It is ready to go though. I used it yesterday for something small and the motor is burning out. The Kitchen Aids are a bit pricy but they last forever. My first was about 20 years when I traded up. The one I have now is going on 15+ years. I opted for the larger one with the bigger bowl.

I will add a QOTD - did/do you have any traditional things that need to be in the stocking. When I was little it was always an apple, an orange, a toothbrush and a candy cane. I did the same thing with my kids but added small toys or personal items. No stockings here anymore.

Have a good day

 

[PollyannaMom]

I will add a QOTD - did/do you have any traditional things that need to be in the stocking. When I was little it was always an apple, an orange, a toothbrush and a candy cane. I did the same thing with my kids but added small toys or personal items. No stockings here anymore.

Most stuff varied from year to year, but I remember we always had a toothbrush in ours when I was a kid, too, and DH says they always had loose wrapped candies as kind of the base of theirs. (Says a lot about our respective households )

With DS, the traditions have been a chocolate Santa or Snowman, and a new Pez dispenser. The rest has changed over time from small toys to gift cards and such.

We always do stockings first, before wrapped presents.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Glad you got your deck finished, taz, and hope it’s not too cold in the house during the door and window installations!

Did you actually save the cans for when you found out who threw them in your yard? I’d like to be a fly on the wall for that!

QOTD: I also got things like fruit and coins in my stocking growing up. We didn’t have any particular things that we always put in stockings here, but they were pretty full, like, stuffed to the brim! Just picked up some candy and essentials like lip balm and other small, fun items that we came across. Sometimes prank-ish like gum shaped like coal or the like. I often bought things during the year that I knew would make good stocking stuffers. (And sometimes found them in June!)

We were remembering last night while we were wrapping the last two years when we had Disney trips in December and deliberately kept things very, very simple for the holidays, and how nice that was. Seeing we’ll be off next year for Christmas, we may just do it again! I do believe this will be the last Christmas I have to work if my retirement works out as I hope it will. We rotate on the three winter and three summer holidays, so for the next two years I’ll do New Year’s, then Thanksgiving. Hopefully done with work by the time the third year rolls around. If not, I may take vacation like others like to do. I have always had jobs requiring work on holidays and it will be nice to not have to, for once.

I've never had Covid that I know of. Only the vaccines.

But, I've lost my sense of smell.

Funny. I read an article just last week that was talking about losing sense of smell and what could cause that besides Covid. But I forget what it said. Will keep my eye out again for it and report back if I figure it out. That really stinks for you (no pun intended). I guess you could’ve had Covid without knowing it, but most cases I think usually let you know they’re there. (I have heard of some that were very mild.) This article says any type of nose stuffiness could cause it, and a few other conditions. It might be worth a trip to an ENT if you haven’t already gone. I I know what you mean about pet odors!

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/...-CANNON-Whats-blame-loss-smell-not-Covid.html

 

[Snowysmom]

Flyingdumbo127 My laptop does not have Microsoft 365 on it. I use Google docs if I have to write up something which is rare.

Pea Your daughter's living space looks lovely. The gray cabinets really look nice but I am partial to gray. The couch is nice too. She is going to have a nice place to call home.

Good Morning. Cold one here at 9 degrees. Going up to maybe 20 today. I went out early to Wegman's to get fruit for fruit salad on Tuesday. The store was already busy. Last night Kenny invited me to go with them to look at Christmas lights. He had a list of the best places in his area. We saw houses with dancing lights and their own radio frequency so you could listen to the music on your radio and watch the lights dance and spin. We went in his new car, a Grand Highlander. It is nice and roomy. It was nice to get out as I don't usually drive at night so have not seen many lights. Chris and I used to go look at lights every Christmas Eve from when the kids were little to 2020. It was bittersweet to go last night but new memories with Kenny and family and his dog.

QOTD Growing up my parents always put an orange in the toe of the stocking and we got a chocolate santa and candy canes. Other stuff varied as we got older. Chris and I always put a seasonal stuffed toy at the top of the kids' stockings. For my grandkids I always put in socks and the small magic gloves. They get plenty of candy and a seasonal little toy that either spins or rolls on the floor. Other stuff varies by year.

I made Christmas sugar cookies yesterday and brought Kenny's batch to him. I will bring Jeff's on Wed. Today is frozen yogurt bark.

Have a good day.

 

[Judique]

Glad you got your deck finished, taz, and hope it’s not too cold in the house during the door and window installations!

Did you actually save the cans for when you found out who threw them in your yard? I’d like to be a fly on the wall for that!

QOTD: I also got things like fruit and coins in my stocking growing up. We didn’t have any particular things that we always put in stockings here, but they were pretty full, like, stuffed to the brim! Just picked up some candy and essentials like lip balm and other small, fun items that we came across. Sometimes prank-ish like gum shaped like coal or the like. I often bought things during the year that I knew would make good stocking stuffers. (And sometimes found them in June!)

We were remembering last night while we were wrapping the last two years when we had Disney trips in December and deliberately kept things very, very simple for the holidays, and how nice that was. Seeing we’ll be off next year for Christmas, we may just do it again! I do believe this will be the last Christmas I have to work if my retirement works out as I hope it will. We rotate on the three winter and three summer holidays, so for the next two years I’ll do New Year’s, then Thanksgiving. Hopefully done with work by the time the third year rolls around. If not, I may take vacation like others like to do. I have always had jobs requiring work on holidays and it will be nice to not have to, for once.


Funny. I read an article just last week that was talking about losing sense of smell and what could cause that besides Covid. But I forget what it said. Will keep my eye out again for it and report back if I figure it out. That really stinks for you (no pun intended). I guess you could’ve had Covid without knowing it, but most cases I think usually let you know they’re there. (I have heard of some that were very mild.) This article says any type of nose stuffiness could cause it, and a few other conditions. It might be worth a trip to an ENT if you haven’t already gone. I I know what you mean about pet odors!

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/...-CANNON-Whats-blame-loss-smell-not-Covid.html

Saw my regular doc last week and got a referral for a 'new' ENT. I've seen various ones over the years but the last guy was somewhat useless, so I'm ditching him this time around. My first guy passed on years ago.

Anyway haven't called for my appointment yet as I have a busy week and don't want to risk making an appointment I don't want to keep. So my plan is to call end of this week and aim for early to mid January, hopefully before my new grandson is born.

Thanks for the link. Going to read it now.

 

[lynxstch]

Good morning. Like Snowysmom, it was very cold last night. We got down to 18 and are only going to be 28 today. I'm staying cozy inside. I put an old comforter over the top of the cat house last night. Tiger was sleeping in there and the wind was blowing the little doors. I put a big piece of 4x4 on the top to hold it down. She came out stretching for breakfast, so I guess she was warm enough. No idea where the other's are sleeping, I think one might go underneath the old shed. I can't get them to come inside, I can't get more than one to use the cat house, so they're going to have to figure out how to make it through another winter. All I can do is make sure they have food and warm water.

My best friend in CO is having a bad case of the winter blues too, we spent a lot of the day either on the phone or on the computer. At least we keep each other sane. She got to 65 degrees again yesterday, which is crazy. She had her windows open, and I had to turn the heat up a notch in here, lol.

Summer had to drive to pick her husband up yesterday, but at least he got out earlier than expected and she was able to get there and back before dark. She said there was one bad spot with snow, but that they made it okay. We just had flurries and a couple of snow squalls.

I didn't feel like cooking, so I had Chinese delivered. Don't know what dinner tonight is going to be.

@Pea-n-Me The apartment is coming along nicely. I love the cabinet color.

Have a nice day,

 

[Judique]

Good morning. Like Snowysmom, it was very cold last night. We got down to 18 and are only going to be 28 today. I'm staying cozy inside. I put an old comforter over the top of the cat house last night. Tiger was sleeping in there and the wind was blowing the little doors. I put a big piece of 4x4 on the top to hold it down. She came out stretching for breakfast, so I guess she was warm enough. No idea where the other's are sleeping, I think one might go underneath the old shed. I can't get them to come inside, I can't get more than one to use the cat house, so they're going to have to figure out how to make it through another winter. All I can do is make sure they have food and warm water.

My best friend in CO is having a bad case of the winter blues too, we spent a lot of the day either on the phone or on the computer. At least we keep each other sane. She got to 65 degrees again yesterday, which is crazy. She had her windows open, and I had to turn the heat up a notch in here, lol.

Summer had to drive to pick her husband up yesterday, but at least he got out earlier than expected and she was able to get there and back before dark. She said there was one bad spot with snow, but that they made it okay. We just had flurries and a couple of snow squalls.

I didn't feel like cooking, so I had Chinese delivered. Don't know what dinner tonight is going to be.

@Pea-n-Me The apartment is coming along nicely. I love the cabinet color.

Have a nice day,
View attachment 922986

There is a large black cat visiting me regularly and trying to catch birds.

According to my friend who knows all the neighborhood comings and goings including people and animals, he belongs to no one and a lady a few doors from me with a soft heart for cats is not feeding him. It occurred to me she might not admit to the lady who knows all things.

Anyway, it's so tempting to put out a bowl of food for him or her, but I will get attached and won't be happy knowing they are in the cold so I've not done so. They do look well fed and healthy.

In other neighborhood news a 'for sale' sign went up across the street. It appears to be a split up but I don't know for sure as I don't know the people that well. He would walk over and talk when I would be doing yardwork, and she would wave. Other than they had a dog that made me a bit nervous, they seemed like decent neighbors. They've been there about 4 years and the house was a flip but done fairly well. Hopefully some nice family moves in as it will sell fast. Nothing lasts on this street as it is a very convenient location.

A couple of houses up the street are airbnb's. Not close enough to me to be a nuisance. Hopefully that doesn't happen to this one. What happens up the street is groups rent as they have 5 bedrooms and then parking nearby gets tight.