The Chit Chat Chit Chat Thread

[MOXOMUMD]

Do you freeze everything until you need it then? Or is it a steady stream of eating as you bake it?

No eating as we bake. I need 18 trays for gifts and I have orders for 15 trays and 6 boxes so far. Boxes are double trays. I freeze some dough at the beginning and then some cookies and cupcakes I freeze up until I decorate them. Rice Krispie treats and marshmallow kabobs are done the day before I assemble the trays because they dry out.

The only ones I guess I do make extra of for myself are the peanut butter kiss cookies but instead of kisses I put little chocolates shaped like Santa on top. By the time the holidays are over my daughter and I are done with chocolate until Easter.

 

[MinnieM123]

OK gang, will try to ketchup more after while...
Have a Magical darn day...!
Laterrrrrrr...!!!

I think your business has been hopping lately, as you haven't been able to stay on as much here. That's good if your company is doing well. Working hard and keeping busy is fine. Just as long as you can get your half-day Fridays and the occasional, free vendor meal, I'd say you can still keep working there!

 

[MinnieM123]

I love this picture of your bedroom! No wonder Walt loves to snuggle on that bed!! (Um, that is your bedroom right? )

 

[MinnieM123]

Update, jammie day was over about 3 hours ago, the snow stopped. We have 24 hours to clear sidewalks and driveway. Hubby and I have been shoveling the last 3 hours. The good thing...took a nice hot shower and back in fresh jammies. Dinner of roasted veggies and black forest ham, with cheese for hubby all done. Now, I'm going to look for a good movie. Have a great evening everyone! xoxo

Isn't it nice to get outdoors and shovel? I'm looking forward to it. I shovelled a ton of snow last winter!!

 

[MinnieM123]

Tomorrow is supposed to be "wacky Wednesday" (not sure what that means) and Thursday is themed dress up day.

I wish I went to school where you do. We never got to do fun stuff like that at school. Glad to hear that school is a bit more fun now for the students.

 

[MinnieM123]

Our wreath cookies this year are Sugar Twists (sugar dough tinted red/green twined with Sixlet "berries") and Coconut Shortbread (green tinted coconut on shortbread with RedVine bows).

Do you know that if you go to the supermarket, (after Thanksgiving), they might have all kinds of decorated Christmas cookies already made? You could bring home some boxes and put them out on trays with doilies (doilies are advanced, so if you don't have those, not to worry). Everyone who comes over to your house will think you baked all the pretty cookies yourself!

 

[donaldtoo]

Clothing store closer time, again...!

 

[Goofyernmost]

I want to take a moment to apologize for not being able to find the time to post since I returned from my trip. I don't want anyone to think that I didn't appreciate the positive reaction to the pictures that I posted and the concern about my well being. It's all very touching. However, since my return things have been non stop. Getting unpacked, laundry done, returning calls that I couldn't even get when in Europe, getting my finances updated, etc. on Monday and then today, I went for a pre-op appointment for my Cataract Surgery scheduled for this Friday only to be asked if I could possibly change it to tomorrow. After spending time rearranging my transportation and getting psyched to have it three days early, I have seemed to not have a moment of time to myself. I promise that I will be back and obnoxiously vocal before you know it. In the meantime, consider this dilemma...

This morning I got up and went to the dining room and there were no rows of food to choose from and when I found some food there was no one there to cook it and wash the dishes. Then after waiting at least two hours I went back to my bedroom and no one had made my bed or replaced my towels in the bath. What happened? How do people live like this?

 

[MinnieM123]

Well, it's been five long months, recovery, surgery, and more recovery, but I am finally done with my injury to my left thumb. Thumb is completely healed and usable, metacarpal was cracked but has healed. Irritated with my doc tor's office because I had an appointment at 2 pm and was not seen until 4:15, but at least it was good news and I don't have to go back. Now it is time to relearn violin and teach myself viola.

BEST news I've heard all day!!!!!!! Yippeee for you!!!!!!! This has been a long, drawn-out process. So happy for you that your finger healed correctly and you can go back to your normal activities!

 

[Goofyernmost]

Here's a little thing I noticed on my ship.

 

[MinnieM123]

I want to take a moment to apologize for not being able to find the time to post since I returned from my trip. I don't want anyone to think that I didn't appreciate the positive reaction to the pictures that I posted and the concern about my well being. It's all very touching. However, since my return things have been non stop. Getting unpacked, laundry done, returning calls that I couldn't even get when in Europe, getting my finances updated, etc. on Monday and then today, I went for a pre-op appointment for my Cataract Surgery scheduled for this Friday only to be asked if I could possibly change it to tomorrow. After spending time rearranging my transportation and getting psyched to have it three days early, I have seemed to not have a moment of time to myself. I promise that I will be back and obnoxiously vocal before you know it. In the meantime, consider this dilemma...

This morning I got up and went to the dining room and there were no rows of food to choose from and when I found some food there was no one there to cook it and wash the dishes. Then after waiting at least two hours I went back to my bedroom and no one had made my bed or replaced my towels in the bath. What happened? How do people live like this?

Isn't re-entering back home after a trip, such a drag??!!! We should all be able to have someone cook for us and wait on us all the time, I say!!

Yikes, cataract surgery tomorrow??!!! You just got back. But you know something--it's probably better to just get it over with now--you won't have time to ponder it, as if it was this coming Friday.

Just glad you're back and feisty as ever! Hope your eye surgery goes well, and we'll all be here waiting for your trip report details, when it's convenient for you to resume!

 

[donaldtoo]

I think your business has been hopping lately, as you haven't been able to stay on as much here. That's good if your company is doing well. Working hard and keeping busy is fine. Just as long as you can get your half-day Fridays and the occasional, free vendor meal, I'd say you can still keep working there!

Actually, I was mostly not here over this past weekend. Just needed a bit of a break.
Plus, we were doin' some other stuff on Saturday, and also had a family reunion on DWifey's mothers side of the family on Sunday. I'm tryin' to "ketchup" during lunch and in the evenings when I can, during the work week.

Still very busy at the office, and plenty of free food, as always. Guess I need to start postin' absconded luncheon munchie pics again.

 

[MOXOMUMD]

Do you know that if you go to the supermarket, (after Thanksgiving), they might have all kinds of decorated Christmas cookies already made? You could bring home some boxes and put them out on trays with doilies (doilies are advanced, so if you don't have those, not to worry). Everyone who comes over to your house will think you baked all the pretty cookies yourself!

They'll know the difference and I wouldn't feel right LYING that I made them when I didn't. That's just not right. I absolutely could NOT go buy store cookies then sell the trays as product I made. That's bad business and a reputation ruiner and I take a lot of pride in my work.

 

[MinnieM123]

They'll know the difference and I wouldn't feel right LYING that I made them when I didn't. That's just not right. I absolutely could NOT go buy store cookies then sell the trays as product I made. That's bad business and a reputation ruiner and I take a lot of pride in my work.

Just kidding! I know you'd never do that. You're an artist in the kitchen and I know it's a fun mother/daughter activity you do every Christmas.

 

[donaldtoo]

Oh dear. I hope it wasn't a total loss of the house for your friend. Even small fires can create a huge mess.

Our firm has taken on several fire re-design/re-builds, refurbishments, and remodel projects of homes over the years.
Going there to take measurements and pics is always so very heart-wrenching.

We have neighbors on the street behind us who's house was badly damaged in a fire about 9 years ago, but, even though it wasn't a total loss, they had to get a hotel room for the night.
The firefighters thought they had it all out and all potential hot spots taken care of. Unfortunately, that wasn't the case. Another fire sparked in the middle of the night and burned it to the ground. They lost everything.
We knew them from our oldest DD going to school with their only daughter and she was also in DWifey's Girl Scout troop with oldest DD for many years. She was born with Muscular Dystrophy and had (and still does have many issues - although she graduated with a Masters from The University of Texas not all that long ago).
They were having financial issues at the time and didn't have nearly enough homeowners insurance to cover everything.
Along with the father, he and I came up with a knew design very much with their daughter in mind. Most of the existing slab/foundation was used, as it was deemed safe after inspection, with a few additions. I did all the needed drawings at night in my spare time, and there was no way in heck I was gonna' charge them one red cent.
So many folks donated time, material, and treasure to turn that tragedy into a rebirth and renewal. They were beyond grateful.

BTW, the house turned out fabulous.

 

[donaldtoo]

It happened during the bad winds. They think there was an electrical problem with the power flickering on and off since she lived in a Victorian home almost 150 years old. The top rear section is a total loss.

Sympathy like.
So sorry to hear.

 

[donaldtoo]

View attachment 119344

Oh my.
That looks like only a shot glass.

 

[JenniferS]

I want to take a moment to apologize for not being able to find the time to post since I returned from my trip. I don't want anyone to think that I didn't appreciate the positive reaction to the pictures that I posted and the concern about my well being. It's all very touching. However, since my return things have been non stop. Getting unpacked, laundry done, returning calls that I couldn't even get when in Europe, getting my finances updated, etc. on Monday and then today, I went for a pre-op appointment for my Cataract Surgery scheduled for this Friday only to be asked if I could possibly change it to tomorrow. After spending time rearranging my transportation and getting psyched to have it three days early, I have seemed to not have a moment of time to myself. I promise that I will be back and obnoxiously vocal before you know it. In the meantime, consider this dilemma...

This morning I got up and went to the dining room and there were no rows of food to choose from and when I found some food there was no one there to cook it and wash the dishes. Then after waiting at least two hours I went back to my bedroom and no one had made my bed or replaced my towels in the bath. What happened? How do people live like this?

Post of the day. Totally worth using the "Search" function. Glad you're back.

 

[donaldtoo]

Wow! That is spectacular!! Never seen anything close to that over here on our side of the pond, have you?

Yes, at The Disney Store when I was a CM there!
OK, so maybe it wasn't quite that big/spectacular...!

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

Oh my.
That looks like only a shot glass.

It was bigger than a shot glass, maybe 8-10 oz. the beer was good though.