Mindful March!

[dill]

Ouch! Papmom, sorry about the car trouble and the $400 out the door to fix it. I can relate to your eating your way thru the grief. This too shall pass and you will get back to "normal" in due time.

Lav, Wow is all I can say! SIX year anniversary!!! Awesome. Yes I know I don't seem like the type who would like a show about zombies. Generally I don't go for that genre, but the Walking Dead is really good. It's more about the characters and their ways of coping and surviving that keeps me coming back.

Star, let me know how you get on with that book. I picked up a book for the library discussion group this month. I don't know if I'll make it to the group or not. I'll try. But in any case the book sounded interesting. I'll let you know what I think after I get in to it. It's a novel called, The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion and it got rave reviews. You really have been thru so much change in one year's time and you have managed it with grace!

Got my 3 miles in on the track this morning. I am now patiently waiting for 6:45pm, the officially beginning of Spring! Hurray! Hang in there Pap and Cyn, it will come for all of us.

[treegirl]

Hi all -

Pap, so sorry for the car troubles, shoot. Maybe this will be the last thing to replace before you get those tires. So sorry for your cold walk.

OK, I'm officially jealous of all the Spring weather elsewhere. This is our first day of spring so far:
Spring.jpg

It feels colder today than I remember it being most of the winter! Maybe I'm just finally Over It. Hope everyone has happy warmth at home; enjoy your loved ones and fur family. Yes Dill, To the Light! (I know it's out there somewhere...)

[SnoopyC]

Good morning...

Saturday, think I will go to a yoga class, grocery shop and clean a little. Then off to Target to purchase a table cloth for my new table. It is beautiful, now I want to protect it. We are going to have my daughter and family over for a meal tomorrow, so I have to get ready!!!

Pap and Cyn, so sorry about the snow, hopefully the last storm.

Lav, have a good one.

[Lavande]

Good morning friends!

I was just on my laptop writing a post & the laptop shut down on me before I could get it posted. Think I need a new power cord again

Star, CONGRATS on the new dining room & enjoy your family dinner tomorrow!

Cyn, lets hope all this new snow melts ASAP!

Greetngs Dill & Papmom.
Wishing everyone a good AF Saturday. I need to go get chicken feed - they never stop esting, ha ha!!!

Lav

[dill]

Greetings Friends,

Star, I have a question about the Irish Coddle: what type sausage did you use? Did you use a breakfast type sausage or a bratwurst or smoke style sausage? I haven't made it yet because I couldn't decide which I was supposed to use. Congrats on the new dining table!

Lav, Darn! I hate when I write a post and then some glitch happens. Have you decided what was the cause? Was it the faulty power cord? How is the egg production currently? How many eggs are you getting per day?

Hi Cyn and Papmom. I hope you didn't get too much snow this weekend.

We finally had a beauty of a day. It's sunny and in the 60's here. Lots of wind tho. Hope everyone has a peaceful AF evening.

[treegirl]

Good evening all!

Star, what fun to have a family dinner, and at a new table. Did you find the tablecloth of your dreams? I have been lucky to have lovely hand-me-downs from my mom and HB's mom; I love using them. I recently saw a cookbook called The Red Table (or something like that), and it's written by a woman chef in NYC. It's all about the meals that she learned to cook in her childhood home, where everyone gathered around the red table... the chef still has the table, and there are pics in the book from her childhood home and now in her NYC apartment (TINY kitchen!) Anyway, all those memories are wonderful, aren't they? I was so sad that I couldn't take my mom's gateleg oval table and hutch back east with me. I did my homework every night on the table, and she used it every day of her life in her house and apartment.

Things are chugging along here - more snow this morning! Some melting this afternoon though, so that was welcome. We have entered the world of Ebay, and sold something right away. It was a big package, and I had to get it all put together and off to the PO this morning before they closed. This is a true learning curve, but so far we haven't made too many mistakes... keeping fingers crossed.

Good progress on taxes today - I may get our joint done tomorrow, that would be a record ---

Take care all, and enjoy the sweet happiness of Saturday night AFness.

[Lavande]

Yep Dill - it was the power cord. I borrowed YB's for now. I go through power cords like crazy for some reason.

Question - my veggie box from the farm share included a bag of sun chokes today. I wasn't even sure what they were until I Googled them. I read a few articles including one that says these things cause digestive troubles & most chefs won't cook/serve them. I'd rather cut them up & see if the chickens want them. Has anyone ever tried sun chokes aka Jerusalem artichokes?

[SnoopyC]

Good morning...

Lav, I have never had sunchokes. Interesting though. Has the weather improved in your area? We had a sunny 60 degree day. I did not spend time out but enjoyed the sunshine and warmth while running around and cleaning.

Dill, the sausage I used is sweet Italian, links, that I cut up. I brown them in a separate pan, the put them in the crock pot. They melt in your mouth after hours of slow cooking. This week is supposed to cool down, that would be a great thing to make.

Cyn, the plans have changed, grandson is sick, so no visit. I did not find a tablecloth I liked, so may go out today to look further. It is so exciting to have a nice dining room set, just to look at it. Isn't that silly? I want to build memories with the new table and chairs, good food, love, laughter. Famiily times. But right now just eating at the kitchen table that does have good memories.

Hey Pap, hope your weekend is going well.

Have a great Sunday.

[Lavande]

Good Sunday morning friends!

Cyn, I think we cross posted last evening
Congrats on your first ebay sale! I've been selling embroidered stuff on ebay for more than 10 years - just had a sale overnight. It's a nice way to boost sales when the locals are not buying
Friday's snow all melted yesterday & that's a good thing. I was outside for a while & cleaned out my herb garden & my raised beds. Too cold yet to do any planting though.

Star, I hope the little guy is OK & you can reschedule your family dinner soon. I haven't purchased a table cover in years but always found nice ones at the big stores like Macys. Good luck on your search! Here's the article I found that has me not wanting to try the sun chokes: http://www.bonappetit.com/columns/th...cause-diarrhea

Greetings Dill & Papmom! I hope everyone has a wonderful AF day. It's cold & blustery today but dry, yay!

Lav

[dill]

Hello, late check in here,

Star, I decided to make the Coddle today. I am glad you gave me your input on the sausage. I decided breakfast sausage would not be right, but instead of sweet italian sausage I tried bratwurst by Johnsonville. I also bought the sweet Italian by Johnsonville but I decided to freeze it and make the coddle again in a couple of weeks using the Italian just to see the difference. Anyway, the Coddle was a huge hit and it was delicious. The sausage did as you said, practically melted in my mouth. Thanks so much. I was wondering, is that a dish you have made before or did you come across it while looking for Irish fare for your potluck?

Lav, I have never had sunchokes but they sound interesting. I did read about the gastro upset and that put me off too, but just out of curiousity I think you should cook some up to taste BEFORE you feed them to the hens. Surely a sample could be tolerated? Or, maybe make some up when your constipated! LOL!

Tables are so important. Our kitchen table is an old oak table Mr. D's father found in the attic of a house he was renovating way back in the 70's. He refurbished it and it was beautiful! At the time Mr. D and I had an old Duncan Fife table and some chairs, but not a complete set. Mr. D's mom liked my Duncan Fife. She liked more formal furniture, so I was pleased when she suggested we trade tables. I have had that oak table ever since and it holds many years of memories! It's special for the memories of my in-laws, too. I could never part with it.

I am really enjoying The Rosie Project. It is light and humorous and a quick read. The main character is a college professor with Aspergers altho he is unaware that he has it. He does know he is poor at social interactions but he wants to find a wife. He has been unsuccessful at dating, so he goes about it the best way he can and there are some pretty funny situations. That's the gist of the story.

Greetings Cyn and Papmom.

[treegirl]

Hello all! Just took a moment to sit and look at the (gas) fire for a bit after making dinner, then when I let the dogs out I saw the fabulous sliver of a moon with ?venus right next to it. They were shining so brightly! Almost like a Hollywood movie! So glad that it was clear out so that I could catch a glimpse.

Now back up in the office for shift#3 today. Determined to finish up our joint taxes. Even though I do simplify our accounts each year, and try to get HB to mind the difference between his business accounts and home accounts, it's always a messy archaeological dig. But tonight I figure my Schedule C, and then I should be done. Oh, and business use for 2 cars. That should do it.

Lav - sunchokes. I've read about them in recipes (usually middle eastern?) but have never found one to try. I like Dill's idea - if you'll be the guinea pig.

Star - Lav is right, I often found nice bed and table linens at Macy's, when I lived in civilization. Good luck finding just what you want. Sorry the little guy is sick, hope he gets better fast.

Dill, love the table stories...thanks for sharing. And glad that you've found a read that you are enjoying. Once I finished Wolf Hall, I've had to take a break from reading. I hope that I can manage to get back into it soon.

Pap - hope your weekend was good. Wish you had warmer weather to walk to work in!

OK, off to hopefully wrap up this project. Wishing all a great night and a wonderful Monday morning ---

[Lavande]

NOTICE!!
I will be happy to package up the sun chokes & ship them to the first person to PM me their address
I have no interest in being the guinea pig, ha ha!!!

Cyn, good luck with the tax prep. We haven't done ours in years. We use an accountant & he is worth the cost - believe me. The last time YB decided to do them he got us into trouble. That's not going to happen again

[SnoopyC]

Good morning...

Woke up early, ready for my Monday, I guess. We had a relaxing day yesterday, shopped around, still did not find a tablecloth, Cyn, but found a few other things we needed. Then, a simple meal, and a walk in our neighborhood. It was a little chilly, but talked to some neighbors, and then went home and watched TV and chilled out. Restful day.

Lav, read the article about the sunchokes. Yeah, I wouldn't eat them either. Who wants an upset stomach that could take days to heal? Not me. There are too many other good veggies out there. So, your six years are coming up. I was wondering if you could do a summary on your plan as you remember it. Not the events, necessarily, that led up to your quit, but how and what you planned to be successful. It is good to be reminded of how to make changes and to be AF.

Dill, really happy the coddle was a success. I made it a few years (~5) ago for a contest at work, and won either first or second prize. Plus, it was soooo good. A heavy, manly meal, with lots of meat, bacon, potatoes and a rich sauce. Lots of variations too, so it can be tweaked to individual tastes. The Rosie Project sounds good, I will have to try and find it.

Cyn, we are waiting for our taxes to be done, we had a weird year last year, and my attempt to go into business for myself puts us into the unknown. I will take your suggestion to try Macy's, I live really close to one. I have not read as much lately either, just not alot of time, and no particular book that interested me. I saw the mooon the other night and it was a lovely sliver, spring evenings can be so beautiful. I look forward to spending more time outside, spring is the best.

Hi Pap!

Have a great Monday.

[Lavande]

Good Monday morning Star & everyone!

It's a sunny & brisk 25 degrees at the moment!!!
Trying not to be a complainer but geez.....

Star, all I really remember about starting my quit was basically telling YB to take his stupid, ego-centered, childish self out of my face so I could focus on what I wanted to do! His behavior was so manic I couldn't cope with him in any way. So he disappeared for a week or so to give me a break. Then it was a matter of convincing myself that I had to find new ways to cope with the extreme stress in my life. I got very interested in online meditations, self-hypnosis, podcasts - anything to redirect my thinking
One of the first people I listened to online was Louise Hay! She inspired me like a mother or grandmother or trusted older friend. A big part of my downfall was due to a lack of older, wiser, supportive women in my life. I had been on my own in that way for way too long while trying to hold up everyone else. BTW - you can buy Louise Hay's book 'You Can Heal Your Life' on Amazon (Kindle version) for $1.99 right now!!!!
14 months after my quit YB bolted out of here because I am convinced that he cannot stand to see me or anyone else happy! He finally admitted that he 'doesn't trust happiness' - whatever the hell that means! I had no thought to return to drinking when he left, none whatsoever. He has been much milder in mood since his return but he still carries that darkness with him, probably always will. I'm not going to let him destroy my happiness ever again.

OK, now that that's out I wish everyone a good AF Monday!
Greetings Dill, Cyn & Papmom!!!

Lav

[dill]

Lav, I have always admired your tenacity. I remember the early days. I was blown away by the absolute compulsion I had about drinking. I was totally unaware of the power alcohol had over me until I tried to go a few days without it. I remember writing posts about the compulsion aspect as it was so new and surprising to me. Now I realize how silly and naive my posts must have sounded. I was such a Newbie! LOL!

Star, here we have had an award winning cook right here in our midsts and were totally unaware! Congrats on the contest 5 years ago. You know, we were all posting back then I think but you never mentioned it. I guess we were all focused on the big effort.

Cyn, now I do remember you saying you were reading Wolf Hall. But, did you know it's going to be made into a miniseries on Masterpiece Theater beginning April 5? I am looking forward to it. Damian Lewis plays Henry the VIII.

Hey Papmom.

Have a peaceful AF evening!

I wish I had seen the sliver moon! I'd try tonight but we have too many clouds. It's snowing here, actually!