SIDEBAR #53 - Travis Alexander forum

[LinasK]

My dh saw two baby skunks go between the brick columns on the front porch last night and set a trap, and this morning he had a baby possum in the trap and a mother skunk and two babies on the outside wanting in. The cat collector has been bringing in more feral cats in the last month, and she walks the neighborhood at night and puts out bags of food for cats which brings in raccoons, possums and many skunks which brings in coyote's. Many times I'm sitting on the porch swing enjoying the quite when she leaves and it seems to freak her out. We did have a kit of foxes live under one of our decks one year. Every once in a while you can see scissor tails.

I collected recipe books at one time and my favorite is a 1945 Fannie Farmer that I found at a flea market. It's all from scratch. If you're going to cook you have to have good knives. Dh has a set of Henckels that are OK, and I have three Zwilling J.A. Henckels Pro - an eight inch chef's knife which feel perfectly balanced in my hand, an six inch utility knife and a two and half inch paring knife. It's better to get the best you can even if the three cost more than what you buy as a "set" of knives and steak and block and a steel.

I love prep work, it's calming to me. I love all cooking, I just don't do it at home during the week because I'm cooking at my sisters. I haven't made shrimp, sausage and oyster gumbo in a long time. It always goes good with crab and shrimp etouffee, a good coleslaw, fried catfish and fresh made tartar sauce.

My favorite thing to bake is cheesecake. I don't do just plain or strawberry. My favorite is a black forest cheese cake. I bake a pan of brownies and cut off the corners and edges to use later and press the rest of brownie in the bottom of a spring from pan then layer chocolate cream cheese cherry pie filling and chocolate bits and pecans then a layer of brownie and repeat for the second layer and top it off with my pie filling hot fudge and brownie corners. And next weekend I'm going to get a whole chicken cut it up and fry it to see if I can still do it.

Black Forest Cheesecake sounds really yummy to me! I have a set of Henkels knives that I got when we got married. My SIL had given me a cheaper set and I exchanged them. When I was working at May Company, I learned that Henkels was a quality brand. I like to keep a ton of spices around to try various seasonings so meat isn't so bland, that and marinade sauces that I can throw meat into the oven with.

 

[ILikeToBendPages]

1969 - Five people, including actress Sharon Tate, were found murdered in the wealthy Bel Air suburb of the city Los Angeles, California, Cult leader Charles Manson and several of his followers were later convicted of the killings.



[video=youtube;lFr4zSA_EhI]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lFr4zSA_EhI&feature=player_detailpage[/video]

 

[ILikeToBendPages]

1945 - The United States dropped its second atomic bomb killing more than 70,000 people in Nagasaki, Japan. The first bomb had been dropped 3 days earlier on Hiroshima. Six days later on August 15th, Japan announced its surrender effectivily ending World War II. Japan signed the Instrument of Surrender on September 2.

 

[neesaki]

BBM

I used to own two restaurants (one in DC, the other in Bethesda, MD) and loved having commercial kitchens and being able to order whatever I wanted from our vendors. I felt like a kid in a candy store; testing recipes and ideas and different ingredients. Although graphic design is my "thing," being innovative with food was a great creative outlet for me. Plus, good food makes people happy, and if I can provide that, it makes me happy, too.

But lately, I can't get inspired enough to do much of anything on an everyday basis. Also, since I don't have much of an appetite any more, it seems like too much work (and waste!).

Now, I focus solely on doing fun things with seasonal ingredients, which still excite my "inner chef." Lobster (from my family in Maine) is so delicious and surprisingly versatile. Summer produce always inspires me, as do root vegetables and stews in the colder months.

I still save my best culinary efforts for the holidays, although I threaten each year that "this is the last time I'm doing this!" It's become a running joke, but I'm only halfway kidding. It's so much work and takes a lot out of me, but again, I think good (homemade) food is the language of love when it comes to family and friends, and I always feel so gratified to be able to please the people who show up at my table.

I imagine the restaurant business was challenging and inspiring. Do you miss doing that?

I enjoy cooking too, but as you and others here, I agree it can become rather boring and uninspiring if doing it daily, which I do at least five out of seven, sometimes more.
Also, you mentioned not having much appetite which I hope isn't due to health issues. :hug:
On the other hand, if it's not I would seriously like to have that recipe for "not much of an appetite". TIA :wave:

 

[ILikeToBendPages]

Black Forest Cheesecake sounds really yummy to me! I have a set of Henkels knives that I got when we got married. My SIL had given me a cheaper set and I exchanged them. When I was working at May Company, I learned that Henkels was a quality brand. I like to keep a ton of spices around to try various seasonings so meat isn't so bland, that and marinade sauces that I can throw meat into the oven with.

Do you like roast chicken? I have a Showtime Rotisserie and it does the best chicken. Not dried out, but moist and tender. I try different spices on chicken, but keep going back to salt pepper garlic rosemary and basil. The hardest part is trussing the chicken, which I have a hard time doing and the poor thing ends up looking like it's in bondage. They do have silicon rubber bands which didn't last like they said they would. You stick the chicken on the spikes (?) and put it in the oven set the timer for two to three hours and it's done. As it rotates it basted itself and the skin gets nice and crispy. If you like sticky finger licking bbq chicken, start basting it with bbq sauce the last thirty minutes. Sweet Baby Ray's is a good one, unless you make your own.


The May Company sounds familiar to me.

 

[neesaki]

Black Forest Cheesecake sounds really yummy to me! I have a set of Henkels knives that I got when we got married. My SIL had given me a cheaper set and I exchanged them. When I was working at May Company, I learned that Henkels was a quality brand. I like to keep a ton of spices around to try various seasonings so meat isn't so bland, that and marinade sauces that I can throw meat into the oven with.

I have contemplated getting the Henkels, but wasn't sure if they'd be worth it. Now after hearing your and Pages testimonials, I think I'll go ahead and give them a shot. I have way too many knives most of which are dull, not to mention I can't figure out what some of them are supposed to be used for, LOL.

 

[LinasK]

Do you like roast chicken? I have a Showtime Rotisserie and it does the best chicken. Not dried out, but moist and tender. I try different spices on chicken, but keep going back to salt pepper garlic rosemary and basil. The hardest part is trussing the chicken, which I have a hard time doing and the poor thing ends up looking like it's in bondage. They do have silicon rubber bands which didn't last like they said they would. You stick the chicken on the spikes (?) and put it in the oven set the timer for two to three hours and it's done. As it rotates it basted itself and the skin gets nice and crispy. If you like sticky finger licking bbq chicken, start basting it with bbq sauce the last thirty minutes. Sweet Baby Ray's is a good one, unless you make your own.


The May Company sounds familiar to me.

Yes I use Sweet Baby Ray's sauce, it's good and I buy it in bulk at Walmart's Grocery store.

 

[ILikeToBendPages]

I have contemplated getting the Henkels, but wasn't sure if they'd be worth it. Now after hearing your and Pages testimonials, I think I'll go ahead and give them a shot. I have way too many knives most of which are dull, not to mention I can't figure out what some of them are supposed to be used for, LOL.

Neesaki, you really don't need all of the knives in a set. Think of which knife you use to chopped and dice, which you use to cut meat and what one for peeling the most and spend your money on them and a steel. Hold them in your hand and see how they feel.

My mother did everything with a big butcher knife. Cut up chickens, peeled potatoes, and chopped and diced veggies. I learned to cook with it when I was eleven.

 

[neesaki]

Neesaki, you really don't need all of the knives in a set. Think of which knife you use to chopped and dice, which you use to cut meat and what one for peeling the most and spend your money on them and a steel. Hold them in your hand and see how they feel.

My mother did everything with a big butcher knife. Cut up chickens, peeled potatoes, and chopped and diced veggies. I learned to cook with it when I was eleven.

Thanks for the tips, BPages. I think I'm going to try them, I would really like to dispose of about 3/4 of this drawer full of dull, non-functional knives that I hate and no one ever uses.

I do have one knife that's my absolute favorite. It's a small, skinny knife with a serrated skinny blade, and is called a "vegetable knife". I love this thing, I use it for at least half of what I cut up, i.e., vegetables and fruits. I also have a couple of butcher knives, but only one that I consider to be a good on, which I use for other things. I'm going to go ahead and try a Henkel or two and see how I like them. :seeya:

 

[LinasK]

Zuri, did you ride the train with KatieCoolLady?

 

[daisymae]

Niner .... thinking of you and hubby as you wait for test results. Best wishes for good news. :loveyou:

 

[ILikeToBendPages]

Thanks for the tips, BPages. I think I'm going to try them, I would really like to dispose of about 3/4 of this drawer full of dull, non-functional knives that I hate and no one ever uses.

I do have one knife that's my absolute favorite. It's a small, skinny knife with a serrated skinny blade, and is called a "vegetable knife". I love this thing, I use it for at least half of what I cut up, i.e., vegetables and fruits. I also have a couple of butcher knives, but only one that I consider to be a good on, which I use for other things. I'm going to go ahead and try a Henkel or two and see how I like them. :seeya:

I do have a set of Mundial that I built over time. And Anna gave me a an 8 inch serrated knife that was about the one used regularly. I have an 4 and 3 inch paring knives, an 8 and 10 inch utility knives, and a 12 inch chef's. I thought they were good until I got the pro Henckels and you can tell the difference. They just sit there on the counter. The Henckel edge stays sharper longer and a few passes on the steel and they're ready to go. On the Mundial's most of the knives I never used. I could of saved my money and bought three Henckels for what I paid for them. Also, don't put your knives in the dishwasher or thrown in a drawer , and some say if you use a block toput them in upside down - edge up and they won't dull as fast not sure if it's true.

 

[coffeejunkie]

Hello All

Yes, I have a good central air conditioner (we use hepa filters and change monthly) and run a dehumidifier in the basement. All I know is that that my Oxygen Saturation Level is at 92 and when I do my breathing treatments it just raises up to 94. My normal O2 stats runs around 96/97 without breathing treatments. I'm tired and I am sleeping a lot. Was in bed all day yesterday and slept most of the time. Something is going on, I will call my pulmonologist today. Maybe, just a few bad days...it happens with Asthma and COPD.

 

[Dmacky]

Hello All

Yes, I have a good central air conditioner (we use hepa filters and change monthly) and run a dehumidifier in the basement. All I know is that that my Oxygen Saturation Level is at 92 and when I do my breathing treatments it just raises up to 94. My normal O2 stats runs around 96/97 without breathing treatments. I'm tired and I am sleeping a lot. Was in bed all day yesterday and slept most of the time. Something is going on, I will call my pulmonologist today. Maybe, just a few bad days...it happens with Asthma and COPD.

CJ ~ So sorry to hear you're not feeling well. :hug: I hope you will be able to get in to see your Pulmonologist ASAP. It must be absolutely horrible to have difficulty breathing. Being able to breathe properly, is just one of those things that we all just take for granted. Hoping you are feeling better soon!


Nore Let us all know how "the Huz's" appointment goes today! I've got my fingers, toes and eye's crossed that he is on the road to recovery. :hug:


Zuri How did your lunch/dinner go with KCL? Be sure and tell her we miss her at WS!!!!

 

[Dmacky]

A good lesson for everyone ~





In middle school a teacher handed out different products and asked the students to squeeze out all of the contents. Once everything was out of each container the teacher asked the students to put the contents back into the containers. As hard as the students tried, they just couldn't do it. The teacher said "In the moment, you were so consumed with what you were doing that you didn't realize the mess you were making. Then, after it was so quickly and easily poured out, you realized it was impossible to put it all back in.
Remember this for the rest of your lives when it comes to words that come out of your mouth.

 

[daisymae]

I think you meant Niner's hubby ... not Nore's, Dmackey.

 

[Niner]

Good morning all! :wave:

Boy, all you guys sound like good chefs!! :luv: The only thing is - I never learned "how" to cook! LOL! Lived at home thru college, Mom always cooked - couldn't get near the kitchen! Than I lived by myself for awhile - cooked to my preferences - nothing fancy - and not too much variety! When I married the Huz, he liked to cook, so he has been doing that all our married life - 25 years! And he doesn't like people in HIS kitchen either! And the Huz cooks everything from scratch!

I remember the Manson killings, as lived in the San Fernando Valley at the time; in fact, I knew Shorty, a guy that "disappeared" after visiting Manson and his gang up in Chatsworth (I think it was). That was a scary time!! Yikes!

and my Mother worked at May Company too! I believe it was the Northridge shopping mall. The shopping mall where the parking lot collapsed on that worker in the Northridge quake!!

And THANKS! for the good wishes for the Huz. Right now he's napping (again!). He's been taking a LOT of naps during the day. But he said he would call the medical office today and hopefully they have the results of his blood test. He too thinks he might have Lyme's Disease - all the symptoms are there...

Alrighty - I see that I'm the only one here...

so off to check out other threads on WS! cguru:

Later all! :seeya:

 

[coffeejunkie]

Just got off the phone with my Pulmonologist and she helped me find the problem. Seems I was out of my ADVAIR HFA metered doses. grrrrr My fault! If I don't mark it on the calendar when I need check the meter I forget to do it. So I have been not been getting my ADVAIR for last 3 or 4 days! It makes a big difference in my Asthma/Breathing. Opened a new one and took 2 puffs right away and can see a slight improvement. I take ADVAIR 2 puffs twice a day. Also made a note and taped it inside the kitchen cabinet where I keep my meds and put big stars around it that I need check the meter on Sept. 6! I have sticky notes everywhere to remind me of things I forget. And I mark off each day on the calendar or I would not know the day. Anything important is on the calendar on the day I need know about.

That, my friends is the aftermath of being in a coma from the anaphylactic shock...can't remember little/big things or days of the week and numbers are out of my league.
Oh well, it is what it is and I cope with it

 

[Zuri]

Zuri, did you ride the train with KatieCoolLady?

CJ ~ So sorry to hear you're not feeling well. :hug: I hope you will be able to get in to see your Pulmonologist ASAP. It must be absolutely horrible to have difficulty breathing. Being able to breathe properly, is just one of those things that we all just take for granted. Hoping you are feeling better soon!


Nore Let us all know how "the Huz's" appointment goes today! I've got my fingers, toes and eye's crossed that he is on the road to recovery. :hug:


Zuri How did your lunch/dinner go with KCL? Be sure and tell her we miss her at WS!!!!

I had a wonderful time with my DH, KCL and John. KCL and John drove down the night before and stayed in Harrisburg and we met for lunch and the train ride at an Amish touristy place, that had the best food. Being with them is like we have been friends forever. I love her husband and he is one of the nicest people on the face of the planet. We are making plans to spend more time together, either on the East Coast or or out there.

 

[Zuri]

Just got off the phone with my Pulmonologist and she helped me find the problem. Seems I was out of my ADVAIR HFA metered doses. grrrrr My fault! If I don't mark it on the calendar when I need check the meter I forget to do it. So I have been not been getting my ADVAIR for last 3 or 4 days! It makes a big difference in my Asthma/Breathing. Opened a new one and took 2 puffs right away and can see a slight improvement. I take ADVAIR 2 puffs twice a day. Also made a note and taped it inside the kitchen cabinet where I keep my meds and put big stars around it that I need check the meter on Sept. 6! I have sticky notes everywhere to remind me of things I forget. And I mark off each day on the calendar or I would not know the day. Anything important is on the calendar on the day I need know about.

That, my friends is the aftermath of being in a coma from the anaphylactic shock...can't remember little/big things or days of the week and numbers are out of my league.
Oh well, it is what it is and I cope with it

CJ, a little trick I learned about opening up bronchial tubes as I too am an asthmatic. You may already know this, so please forgive me.

If you take both hands and grip the back of your neck hard, with fingers on either side of your spine and press hard, pulling your hands/fingers towards your arms across the back of your neck, ending up just under your ears/jaw line. It is a quick way to cause your airway to open and allow slightly easier breathing.

Please don't ask me for the pathophysiology explanation as I can't remember exactly, but it does work.