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Post by desertwoman on Dec 17, 2023 23:43:23 GMT -5
Had my weekly Facetime with my sis this morning- we're always good for at least an hour, sometimes more. Today was just about 2 hours!
Then a run to town to pick up the last needed ingredients for baking mom's Italian Christmas cookies. I had to hit 3 stores to find Anise extract on the shelf! Not surprising since it is so late and the traditional New Mexico Christmas cookie is biscochitos which call for Anise (they are also the state cookie)
And then our weekly neighborhood 'happy hour' get together- how fortunate we all are to have such connected neighbors.
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Post by gardendmpls on Dec 18, 2023 6:52:16 GMT -5
Maybe you could consider growing hyssop, which has an anise flavor. Shouldn't be too hard to make your own extract. The Anise Hyssop seed I got from Fedco in 2014 has been growing in the same window (porch?) box for the past 9 years. Comes back every year from either its roots or from self-seeding, never checked to see which. Nice flowers, too.
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Post by binnylou on Dec 18, 2023 10:44:27 GMT -5
Since I hadn’t tried out the new oven, I decided to bake burger buns. I used the recipe from the King Arthur website, and it is one that I’ve used a lot. Buns turned out very nice…I haven’t lost my touch.
It’s way too windy to grill burgers, but that home canned pork loin would make a mighty fine BBQ on toasted bun. Don’t forget the pickle on the side.
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Post by claude on Dec 18, 2023 11:32:55 GMT -5
DW I also had problems finding anise extract…had to buy 1 damn ounce for $6.00!! None of the 3 local grocery stores had anny. Enough for a single batch that was requested. However I did find a website for the next purchase which I’ll share.
My feeling is that this is a “shortage” for profit..normally a 1 oz bottle is $2.50-3.00 tops. IVe been looking for anise since the summer since I stock up early. Only available were vanilla, lemon and almond. Go figure.
Olive nation is the site and there is a sale now, before Christmas
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Post by desertwoman on Dec 18, 2023 12:38:14 GMT -5
Thanks! claude, This is a great site to have. I was able to buy one damn ounce on sale for $4.39 (from $6) so I bought three, thinking this is the best I can do but Olive Nation is now in my book marks. |
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Post by desertwoman on Dec 18, 2023 23:20:11 GMT -5
Made another trip to town in the AM. I actually stepped into our credit union for a cash transaction. I do everything remotely these days (since the pandemic started) and so rarely go in.
Baked Christmas cookies all afternoon- 15 dozen of three different types- pizzelles, biscotti/anicini (or as my mom called them- nut bars) and Italian knot cookies.. and of course- with lots of anise.
Dinner tonight was a salad (for health) and way too many cookies!
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Post by claude on Dec 19, 2023 11:06:54 GMT -5
I made knot GF cookies for my youngest..” Mom! I already ate 10!” Knots for my DH who grabs 2 every time he passes them on the counter. “You need 2 bec you will have eaten 1 by the time you sit down” Cho chip/walnut/coconut, and the gingerbread cookies..today I’ll make macaroons, anise frosted/ sprinkles and hopefully the munchers won’t find the apricot and raspberry Hungarian cookies I froze.
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Post by desertwoman on Dec 19, 2023 12:27:48 GMT -5
omg. I know! claude , 10, easily! Who can stop at just one or two? |
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Post by Mumsey on Dec 19, 2023 18:11:54 GMT -5
Had to get out of the house today. Went to the big city instead of the usual Wednesday. When I got home, found some items missing that I got at Walmart. Looked at receipt, yup, MIA! I actually got a real cashier today and she said, there's one more bag here. So I got it. Apparently there was more than one. Something to be said for checking myself out! So I called the store, I am to bring receipt and re-shop for my items since they put them back on the shelf. Grrr......will do that on the way to sis's tomorrow afternoon. Then went to Menards to pick up Promix that was on clearance. The guy came out and said they credited me for the 3 blocks I got, then found them and I would have to go in the store and purchase again or do another online purchase if I want them. Well, yeah I want them. They were the last 3 they had. So I went in and did that. Then went to the pick up desk, the guy said he took them to the front of the store for me, didn't I see them. NOPE, wasn't looking. Finally got out of there. Got a bag of mushroom compost while I was at it. I'm prepared for seed starting that's for sure. Had an item to return to Walmart too, a pair of pants. Got them in the women's dept. When I got home, they didn't fit, too big. Went to find receipt. No where on that receipt was a pair of women's pants. Well, that's because they are mens!!! And $3.00. Somebody must have dumped them in the wrong place. They looked remarkably like the women's, I checked today and got the right ones, but not for $3. So that was my triple trouble for the day! Came home and quilted some, went for short walk, wind is COLD. Talked to DS, we decided to have shrimp kabobs on the grill this weekend since temps will be in 50's. Did some quilt sorting, brother from New York is visiting soon, not sure exactly when. I'm giving him a patriotic quilt, unofficially a quilt of valor. He was in the Navy for 20 years. I may send a quilt home for SIL, she can't come. Whatever he can carry on the plane. I've decided the time to gift these is when I am able to personally do it, rather than it being done haphazardly when I'm gone.  The Princess and I are settling into a routine of sorts. Spent some time today mentally visiting memories while quilting. Very therapeutic. DH resides in the living room and we visit daily. This summer we will scatter his ashes in the mountains. DS wants to fly. It petrifies me, haven't flown in 45 years, I'm sure it's different now. Had a bad experience that one and only time. We'll see. |
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Post by desertwoman on Dec 19, 2023 23:37:57 GMT -5
Met the roofer in town who did the patch on the place where the roof recently leaked, to pay him. He was one of two roofers who looked at it last year when each of them said we didn't need a new roof; that there were a few good years left in it. He held to that belief today and was quite impressed at how well it is holding up (almost 22 years old). He does, however, suggest putting a seal on the entire roof with a product which he claims will extend the life even more. We want to do research to find out more about this option. It's not cheap (4500), but a far cry from the cost of a new roof (at least 20,000) Has anyone heard of/done a silver seal (petroleum based) on a roof?
Snow is slowly melting and I was able to cut back about half of the yarrow patch while waiting for him to finish.
Then the 2 week big grocery shop. Once home, plated and wrapped Christmas cookies and delivered to neighbors, along with short visits.
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Post by desertwoman on Dec 19, 2023 23:45:15 GMT -5
Whatever he can carry on the plane. Just thinking out loud...The cost for checking in an extra suitcase is often far cheaper than shipping via PO, UPS etc. A cheap suitcase from the thrift store or even a quickly made canvas duffle bag could nicely hold a couple of quilts. |
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Post by gardendmpls on Dec 20, 2023 0:27:11 GMT -5
suggest putting a seal on the entire roof with a product which he claims will extend the life even more. Was checking with the local roofer whether putting on solar panels could void my warrantee (as claimed by the solar company, as they want to do the roof themselves). The roofer said that if sealant is not properly applied where they attach the brackets to hold the panels, the roof often begins to leak after 5 years. He also said that they could come when we get the panels put in to see that the solar company is sealing them correctly. Thats all I know about sealant, but it sounds like it might be a good thing. |
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Post by martywny on Dec 20, 2023 6:39:48 GMT -5
It's not cheap (4500), but a far cry from the cost of a new roof (at least 20,000) Has anyone heard of/done a silver seal (petroleum based) on a roof? I have seen silver seal, it's usually done on flat roofs and does what it is supposed to do. I just replaced my roof because it was at the end of its life, had some repairs done last year, no leaks, but I don't want to take chances. I had a complete tear-off done on both house and garage, new gutters installed, and the bill came to $24,000. I figured if I spend the money now, I am buying peace of mind from now until we sell the house plus my insurance cost will drop. If I had your choice, I would get the new roof instead of the coating. |
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Post by emmsmommy on Dec 20, 2023 11:00:44 GMT -5
Well kiddo was supposed to have a cardiology appointment today but she started getting a cold Sunday. School cancelled because of weather yesterday and I started getting a cold too. Kiddo was well enough to go to school this morning but I'm absolutely miserable. Sleeping, freezing, coughing in an endless cycle. Tried watching a few things but just can't stay interested. This was supposed to be a week of relaxation for me but not starting off the best.
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Post by Latitude33 on Dec 20, 2023 12:38:08 GMT -5
Long awaited and much ballyhooed rain finally arrived, so no gardening activity today. So Cal news outlets always seem to over hype rain events.
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