Snow to 80 in 8 days–A spoonful of Holiday Cheer (2/5 update Ch 36 - Final Thoughts)

[Flossbolna]

Oh, that next chapter title sounds like some drama - unless it is a similar ploy as the long coconut cake/7-layer-bar story... You wanted us to believe that a kitchen on fire was going to happen (but actually, Liesa beat you to that, on her PTR someone followed her recipe and set their kitchen of fire, you see, she is just the queen of the TRs...).

I loved the way you were racing the GPS!! Of course we all know that you aren't competitive at all, so I am sure it was just done for scientific purposes. I love driving my father's car with an built-in GPS and I have a friend who always questions the GPS's advice. She always wants me to take "shortcuts" etc., but then we end up arriving much later than the estimated arrival time. And normally the GPS's estimate works pretty well for my driving style.

 

[englishrose47]

Great updates of the trip to Dad's house and the Cooking !!! See not one snide remark!!!!

 

[Poolrat]

Over the river and through the woods. Glad you got there safely.

My DD has a GPS for the same reason but she spent her Christmas money on it one year.

I will always look online or a map, I have heard too many GPS stories where it takes you a "nonefficient" way.


Glad the 7 layer bars turned out, even with the oven doing its best to sabotage them.


All those suitcases and you forgot more things!!!!!!
Family dollar I tell you - best $7 shoes we ever bought and that was the only time I have every been in that store.

 

[glennbo123]

Ha! I imagine your boy's foot got a little heavier when dear ol' dad decided to try a different route.

Yes, I confess I thought that disaster was looming when Marv faced-off against the finicky oven.

I noticed when I sliced them that the edges were a little over done, but I guess that was the price I had to pay to get the middle done properly.

You need stoneware. Just sayin'.

 

[MEK]

We broke into two cars on our summer vacation to the outer bank. Most of the time we didn't know who was in the lead and who was in the back. And trying to meet up for food .....forget about it! That was the drive from hell when our last 20 miles took 3 hrs. I declared myself ready to drive to Disney after that, because at least I would be moving.

Glad all those yummy desserts got baked to perfection.

OK - so what else did you all forget? One trip we had to go out shopping for:

1. A belt
2. A bathing suit
3. Underwear
4. Socks

Yes - that was all in the same trip and it took 3 runs to various stores to get everything. Now I pack extra socks, belt, underwear, and bathing suit for my DH in my suitcase!

 

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

I have used a GPS a few times. Sometimes it is helpful and other times it is frustrating. I think I still prefer to look at a map beforehand and plan out my route that way.

 

[KatMark]

Sorry I am late for the update, Marv. Have been watching our HORRIBLE football team and I've now given up on them.

Anyway, great updates. I'm glad you made it to dad's safely. I love our GPS and hate it as well. I ALWAYS print directions from Mapquest to use along with our GPS...I just don't quite trust it. And Suzi (that's what we call our GPS) drives me nuts whenever she says "recalculating."

Glad the bars turned out well with the exception of the edges...but sounds like you had a good visit while doing them and good luck with "timing" the oven.

Oh oh...I'm afraid to hear what you forgot besides shoes and socks.

 

[marvali]

Sorry I am late for the update, Marv. Have been watching our HORRIBLE football team and I've now given up on them.

Anyway, great updates. I'm glad you made it to dad's safely. I love our GPS and hate it as well. I ALWAYS print directions from Mapquest to use along with our GPS...I just don't quite trust it. And Suzi (that's what we call our GPS) drives me nuts whenever she says "recalculating."

Glad the bars turned out well with the exception of the edges...but sounds like you had a good visit while doing them and good luck with "timing" the oven.

Oh oh...I'm afraid to hear what you forgot besides shoes and socks.

Better go back to watching! You might have given up too soon!!!

 

[KatMark]

Better go back to watching! You might have given up too soon!!!

No, they are just teasing us.

 

[marvali]

Oh, that next chapter title sounds like some drama - unless it is a similar ploy as the long coconut cake/7-layer-bar story... You wanted us to believe that a kitchen on fire was going to happen (but actually, Liesa beat you to that, on her PTR someone followed her recipe and set their kitchen of fire, you see, she is just the queen of the TRs...).

Yes, Liesa always finds a way to "heat up" her TRs and PTRs!!!

I loved the way you were racing the GPS!! Of course we all know that you aren't competitive at all, so I am sure it was just done for scientific purposes. I love driving my father's car with an built-in GPS and I have a friend who always questions the GPS's advice. She always wants me to take "shortcuts" etc., but then we end up arriving much later than the estimated arrival time. And normally the GPS's estimate works pretty well for my driving style.

Well to be honest, for the most part of the trip I really wasn't racing the GPS and it was scientific! I would normally have been driving quite a bit faster in country areas early in the trip, but the snow in the trees and everywhere but the road was just really worth slowing down and enjoying. Plus I really wanted to know what it could do for our trip down to Disney. I had two/three possible routes that trip makers I really like were giving me for that part of the trip, and I was torn which to follow, so I was planning to go with the GPS if it looked reliable.

Now near the conclusion of the trip to my Dad's, when finishing the trip strong became important, I have to confess I pushed it a little more!

Great updates of the trip to Dad's house and the Cooking !!! See not one snide remark!!!!

Over the river and through the woods. Glad you got there safely. Thanks!

My DD has a GPS for the same reason but she spent her Christmas money on it one year.

I will always look online or a map, I have heard too many GPS stories where it takes you a "nonefficient" way. At least for this trip, the one DS21 got seemed to do a pretty good job! The jury is still out on the very conclusion of the trip, but hard to be sure.


Glad the 7 layer bars turned out, even with the oven doing its best to sabotage them. It did take some additional attention for sure!


All those suitcases and you forgot more things!!!!!!
Family dollar I tell you - best $7 shoes we ever bought and that was the only time I have every been in that store.

Yeah, the bad part is after we did our shopping and stopped to get our food, there was a discount shoe store right across the street that had a lot of "Sale" signs up in the front windows....... Maybe that's why I was in a hurry to leave for the next town......

Ha! I imagine your boy's foot got a little heavier when dear ol' dad decided to try a different route. That's funny because it plays a part in an update that is coming soon!

Yes, I confess I thought that disaster was looming when Marv faced-off against the finicky oven. Well at least somebody fell for it......or maybe was brave enough to admit it anyway!!!

You need stoneware. Just sayin'.

Not a problem at home, but probably a little late to worry about updating at my Dad's house.

We broke into two cars on our summer vacation to the outer bank. Most of the time we didn't know who was in the lead and who was in the back. And trying to meet up for food .....forget about it! That was the drive from hell when our last 20 miles took 3 hrs. I declared myself ready to drive to Disney after that, because at least I would be moving. Well, new cell phones were part of Christmas, so it wasn't very difficult to get up with at least one of the DSs and keep up with where we each were, either directly or via text message.

Glad all those yummy desserts got baked to perfection. Thanks, maybe not perfection but everything was well received so that was good! Of course, I haven't heard any comments from my sister about what was still there when they arrived.....

OK - so what else did you all forget? One trip we had to go out shopping for:

1. A belt
2. A bathing suit
3. Underwear
4. Socks

Yes - that was all in the same trip and it took 3 runs to various stores to get everything. Now I pack extra socks, belt, underwear, and bathing suit for my DH in my suitcase!

I usually go through DS13's suitcase myself before a trip, and actually added more stuff after he went to bed Christmas Eve. It wasn't any of that stuff, although I was the only one who thought far enough ahead to pack a bathing suit. DS13 was wanting one around the end of the trip, but we didn't see paying Disney Gift Shop type money for maybe a couple hours of pool time!

I have used a GPS a few times. Sometimes it is helpful and other times it is frustrating. I think I still prefer to look at a map beforehand and plan out my route that way.

I'm thinking about getting one for the family car, but I'm sure I will still look it up online to make sure I have a backup plan!

Anyway, great updates. I'm glad you made it to dad's safely. I love our GPS and hate it as well. I ALWAYS print directions from Mapquest to use along with our GPS...I just don't quite trust it. And Suzi (that's what we call our GPS) drives me nuts whenever she says "recalculating." We were constantly texting/calling DSs to ask for updates on projected arrival times during the trip, so they probably got more upset with us than the GPS "recalculating!"

Glad the bars turned out well with the exception of the edges...but sounds like you had a good visit while doing them and good luck with "timing" the oven. Glad we have something to go on in the future.

Oh oh...I'm afraid to hear what you forgot besides shoes and socks.

Hope to get that final update up soon. I'm ready to move on to the Disney part of the trip so I can spice things up with some of the many pictures I took! That part is partly written so hopefully everyone won't have to hang on much longer!

 

[3prettyprincesses]

Yes, I confess I thought that disaster was looming when Marv faced-off against the finicky oven.

You need stoneware. Just sayin'.

I hear Pampered Chef puts out some nice stoneware...

Going back to read Marv!

 

[marvali]

I hear PChef puts out some nice stoneware...

Going back to read Marv!

Okay, I totally missed that might have been a Glennbo attempt at the power of suggestion. But like I said, I don't have that problem with the pans I use when I make them at home, but at Dad's house I was limited to what was available.

 

[glennbo123]

Okay, I totally missed that might have been a Glennbo attempt at the power of suggestion. But like I said, I don't have that problem with the pans I use when I make them at home, but at Dad's house I was limited to what was available.

Pans?! Bah! Sounds awful.

Stoneware!

 

[FauntleroyFAN07]

im guessing the same thing, i think he went a little faster to try and beat ol' dad to the destination, i know i would have.


sure blame the oven on the outsides getting darker.


im thinking you forgot underwear for yourself, and you had to go with the old fashion staple of, wear em normal, turn them around then inside out, get 4 days out of 1 pair.

 

[marvali]

Pans?! Bah! Sounds awful.
Stoneware!

Well, since the recipe says 13"x9"x2" pan, I would refer to it as a pan regardless of the material used to construct it. Don't have stoneware at home, but if I did, it would still be a pan to me. I'm not THAT pampered of a chef!!! I can just hear me sounding like Julia Child...........Taaak out yuuuur 13 x 9 x 2 eenncch stuuuunwaiiirrr aannd playyyccc yuuuur buuuhhter een thu baaatooom...... pip, pip, cheerio and a Sunday joint, right Rosie!!!

im guessing the same thing, i think he went a little faster to try and beat ol' dad to the destination, i know i would have.

I'm guessing you're both probably right too!!! Just don't tell his Mother......

sure blame the oven on the outsides getting darker.

This is NOT your TR!!!! If you want to blame lack of skill, then do it on your TR with something you burned the edges on.......

im thinking you forgot underwear for yourself, and you had to go with the old fashion staple of, wear em normal, turn them around then inside out, get 4 days out of 1 pair.

If you have two pair, and wash the first pair on day 5 when you finally put on the second pair, AND you are only needing to cover 10 days total, can you really say you forgot your underwear???? I mean, it's not like I tried running in front of a bus on the way to a bath house or anything!!!

 

[englishrose47]

Well, since the recipe says 13"x9"x2" pan, I would refer to it as a pan regardless of the material used to construct it. Don't have stoneware at home, but if I did, it would still be a pan to me. I'm not THAT pampered of a chef!!! I can just hear me sounding like Julia Child...........Taaak out yuuuur 13 x 9 x 2 eenncch stuuuunwaiiirrr aannd playyyccc yuuuur buuuhhter een thu baaatooom...... pip, pip, cheerio and a Sunday joint, right Rosie!!!

)

Do I sound like that to you Marv!!!!!

 

[onescgirl]

I dying laughing picturing your boys driving 90 mph to beat you! I don't think it was the GPS route getting them faster

You need stoneware. Just sayin'.

Glenn's Judy can hook you right up. Everyone that has it swears by it!

 

[lovegrumpy]

Glenn's Judy can hook you right up. Everyone that has it swears by it!

I have tons of stoneware. I love them.

 

[mom3sonstt]

Well, since the recipe says 13"x9"x2" pan, I would refer to it as a pan regardless of the material used to construct it. Don't have stoneware at home, but if I did, it would still be a pan to me. I'm not THAT pampered of a chef!!! I can just hear me sounding like Julia Child...........Taaak out yuuuur 13 x 9 x 2 eenncch stuuuunwaiiirrr aannd playyyccc yuuuur buuuhhter een thu baaatooom...... pip, pip, cheerio and a Sunday joint, right Rosie!!!

This is NOT your TR!!!! If you want to blame lack of skill, then do it on your TR with something you burned the edges on.......

Since, according to Glenn, I am the "reasonable" one.......how about you make several batches of the 7 layer bars, you can use a glass pan, stoneware, metal.....as many different materials you want, then you can cook a set of batches in your stove, then run to your dad's and cook another set of batches in his stove, then send all the batches to me and I will use my "reasonable-ness" to determine if there is any benefit to one type of "pan" over another, and how much of a disadvantage the faulty stove was.

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

We got DS21 a GPS for Christmas. He has never been as diligent about finding the best routes between places when he drives, and any slight variations to the few he has memorized can cause significant travel issues for him.

He'll learn in a few years, when he starts doing his own Disney vacation planning.

And then we went through some small "towns" where you saw a church on a hill near the road all covered in snow, with Christmas decorations being the only "color" added to the scene! It was so peaceful and serene, like something you would see on the front of a Hallmark Card. Too bad I wasn't able to take any pictures while I was driving. It was a beautiful Winter Wonderland!

What about your co-pilot? Doesn't she know your TR needs pictures??

I knew the GPS would take them on the main highway through town to my Dad's house. I know the back way shortcut that avoids the town and traffic lights, and brings you out on the other side of town very near my Dad's house!!! Well, even though they had the GPS, they missed a final turn or something and had to circle the block so as I pulled in my Dad's driveway they had to pull in right behind me........not that it was any type of competition or anything!

Nice! Figuring out the shortcuts is a total "guy" thing to do. My DW can never understand my obsession with maps.

I returned to the kitchen expecting the 7-layer bars to be perfectly prepared after the results with the cake layers but instead the middle didn’t look quite as done as I like, so I put them back in the oven and after an additional 5 minutes everything looked done. (Okay, how many of you were thinking disaster was going to strike and Marv was going to mess this all up???)