Micah "Zem the Mattress" Philson 2017-08-14T10:59:55-04:00
Haha, that's just Pumpkin warning the people on the other end of the phone something is happening that requires their attention!
Which is Pumpkin. Pumpkin requires their attention. And it's urgent.
`
An extra third? Wow, that's amazing! ALL OF THE STUFFS!
Lord Zombitten 2017-08-14T11:07:06-04:00
I wouldn't mind making an extra third, that's for sure.
So yesterday afternoon, we heard a big booming noise just as our power went out. It turned out that a fuse had blown around the corner because of a short in the grid...in my front yard. They were digging up a portion of my lawn for about four hours yesterday.
Rod "BaKhan" Mitchell 2017-08-14T11:08:20-04:00
@Zem, yep, thats about the size of it! ;) Meeee, I need attention right now!!! MEEEEE! Thats how I hear it anyways... ;) And yeah, all the stuffs or, I can start paying for all the stuffs still sitting on my credit card... ;)
Rod "BaKhan" Mitchell 2017-08-14T11:10:44-04:00
@LZ, damn, that must have been something! I guess, everything wears out eventually... but still! Closest I've ever had to something like that was a lightning strike in our back yard at the old house, hit a tree and split it right in half, worst part, it was an apple tree! Why not hit the pine that was 6 feet away? Sheesh, silly weather... ;)
Micah "Zem the Mattress" Philson 2017-08-14T11:29:02-04:00
BaKhan, pay off all the stuffs so you can have more of the all of the stuffs! That's a good plan. It's never led anyone wrong before! ;)
Oh no, not the apple tree! Man, in one year, we had lost all our trees ( like 5, with three more lost in years past) due to storms (none from lightning, though!) except 3 saplings. The hardest losses were the apple tree we'd loved since we moved in for amazing apple sauce and butter and just apples, and the oak tree with our tree house in it. Still really miss them, but it makes mowing easier, I guess. But yep, only those 3 young trees left, though by now they're pretty big themselves. No fruit ones, though, I still miss fresh, cold apples at dawn.
`
LZ, wow, that just sounds really annoying! I mean, they had to do it, but it must've been pretty distracting, and now you have to fix that whole area of your yard. Make sure to put the fear of god into all the other power lines on your property so they don't start thinking about doing the same. You know how those ornery power lines can be!
Geist de la Muerte Gatito 2017-08-14T11:35:13-04:00
@BaKhan: I've seen several recipes on the internet for peach schnapps but I'm going with the easier one.
2 Tablespoons lemon juice
chopped peaches
vodka
simple syrup
Muddle peaches in a mason jar and add vodka. Let this steep for 2 days to a week. (Depending on how strong you want your peach flavor to be) Add the lemon juice, zest and simple syrup. Let this steep for a few more days. Voila! Peach schnapps without the additives.
Some recipes call for adding a little vermouth or brandy. I'm going with the simple easy and see if that works best.
Geist de la Muerte Gatito 2017-08-14T11:36:56-04:00
she decides to go off like an air raid siren
LOL! She can be a chatty Kathy when she wants to be but she is so loving and sweet. She is one of the few kitties that I've seen that will let you rub their tummy.
Rod "BaKhan" Mitchell 2017-08-14T11:38:38-04:00
@Zem, yeah I'm not sure but I seem to remember something about fiscal responsibility being important... ;)
Yeah, that apple tree was boss. It was a spliced tree, so it had four different types of apples (or so I was told anyways), crab apples (which for eating right off the tree were always my favourite), granny smith, and two types of red that looked the same to me probably Macintosh and another that looked pretty much exactly the same. It was great for apple sauce, apples for baking etc. I miss being able to make lots of that stuff at will, but not sure that I miss peeling all those apples... ;) I remember one year in paticular that I had a whole large bag of apples go bad before I could even get to them, that year was a bumper crop for sure!
Rod "BaKhan" Mitchell 2017-08-14T11:44:26-04:00
@Geist, yeah I was wondering if it was vodka... doesn't seem too bad really. I could see the brandy working well with that too actually, but yes, easier is best for the first crack at something, get a success before you try for the pinnacle! ;)
Every cat I've ever had would let me rub their belly, they may not have started off that way though... ;) Being a Leo, born in the year of the tiger, I can out cat a cat! ;P Its actually pretty rare that a cat doesn't like me tbh. ;)
Geist de la Muerte Gatito 2017-08-14T11:51:35-04:00
@BaKhan: My cat Neko wouldn't have let you. Hell, he barely let ME rub his tummy and if I did, I watched him carefully to see if he would lash out. Otherwise, he was kinda sweet. My other cat (Inspector) was so so sweet. He would definitely let you rub his belly. Heck, I was even able to give him a bath a few times.
(Oh God, how I miss those two)
Micah "Zem the Mattress" Philson 2017-08-14T11:52:24-04:00
Geist, one of our cats, the maine coon, is basically a puppy with the voice of a mouse. Meaning he doesn't meow, he squeaks, but more interesting is how when you go to pet him, he just flops over on his side and lets you rub his back, side, and belly, and rolls all around so you pet his whole body! It's adorable, and he lets you rub his tummy without claws of death!
Geist de la Muerte Gatito 2017-08-14T11:52:47-04:00
Also, I will be attempting to make the following recipe so that it's ready for the holiday season.
Micah "Zem the Mattress" Philson 2017-08-14T11:59:04-04:00
Wow, BaKhan, I didn't even know that was possible! It sounds amazing! We had one tree of a green apple I have no clue of that fell earlier, and a red one (the one we loved so much) which I think was Gala. Man, I miss those! Just making apple stuff all the time, and all you had to do was go out back and pick a bunch of good-looking ones!
`
Yeah, somehow cats and dogs always love me. Given enough time, I can become great friends with any cat or dog, especially cats, possibly because I have so much experience petting them I know how to find out what they like most.
Although if they do claw at you when you rub their belly, I probably wouldn't take notice of it because I love playing with them, so I'll just play with them with my hand. The infinite pain of the thousand scritches is worth it!
Micah "Zem the Mattress" Philson 2017-08-14T12:02:58-04:00
Zem, they filled in the hole, and have ordered new sod for us. The new sod will be good, because that part of the lawn had been taken over by a bunch of weeds and a thirsty type of fescue. That part gets full sun all day long, though, so thirsty grass in that area is not good, seeing as how we live in a desert.
Lord Zombitten 2017-08-14T12:09:53-04:00
I've also never had a cat that wouldn't let me rub their belly. Lilith is a close exception; as soon as I touch it, she starts crabbling on the floor to get away. She doesn't stand up for 15 or 20 seconds, though.
I have an apple tree that has granny smith, fuji, honey crisp, and johnnagold apples on it. We only got three this year, though, and the bugs got two of them. We got a bunch of peaches this year, though. There's no better peach than one that's eaten within 30 seconds of coming off the tree.
Rod "BaKhan" Mitchell 2017-08-14T12:16:59-04:00
@Geist, I'll take your word for it. ;) In general with cats its more of getting them into the right mood to get a belly rub. I think it probably has something to do with being dexterous as I would give them scratches almost like I play the bass... ;) It works well, they don't even know whats going on, they just like it! ;)
As per that eggnog recipe, you can not go wrong with anything Alton Brown recommends, that guy is a foodie genius! Seriously. I used to watch a show by him, can not remember the name, but he would make all kinds of great things from scratch and show how to properly do it. I remember one that he did on East Indian cooking, where he showed which spices to use to make the right kind of curry for different dishes, I wish I would have recorded it, it was so good!
Rod "BaKhan" Mitchell 2017-08-14T12:19:58-04:00
@Zem, yeah, as per LZ, I think it is relatively common for people to splice apple trees. It really is cool! Its also weird how one part of the tree can go crazy with apples and another part in the same year, almost nothing, but then next year, totally different results again! Plants are cool, mmmkay? ;)
Rod "BaKhan" Mitchell 2017-08-14T12:22:12-04:00
@LZ, man that sounds good! I've never had a peach fresh from off the tree before! Where I live we don't get enough warm weather for peaches, they'd get their butts kicked in the springs that we get for sure. Gotta go south before you can grow peaches properly. BC and ON grow the majority of Canadian peaches, but I'm sure that they don't hold a candle to yours. I remember when we moved to ON, our neighbors had a pear tree, that was awesome! ;)
Geist de la Muerte Gatito 2017-08-14T12:34:07-04:00
@BaKhan: The show was called Good Eats. All the old episodes are playing on Netflix now. If you don't have any account, we can log into my account when we get there and watch some of the shows.
Did you know he was coming out with another show? I'm not sure if it's the same one or something different but he mentioned it on his FB page.
@Geist: The thing with Netflix, it depending on where you are logging in from, that will determine what shows are available for you to watch. When I went to the Dominican with Phil 5-6 years ago, one rainy day I decided to watch some Netflix...very little in terms of options for things to watch. So some things that you have in the US won't be available here due to our media laws.
Rod "BaKhan" Mitchell 2017-08-14T12:51:09-04:00
@Geist, thats the one! Yeah, it was awesome! Sadly its not on the Canadian version of Netflix... of course... But, when you get here, if we log in with your info, we'll be able to get it! Might have negotiate something there... ;) And, no I did not know he was coming out with a new show! Thats exciting. I wasn't a fan of that competition one he did, sabatoge kitchen or whatever it was called. And Iron Chef is always fun, but that good eats one was the best, imo. ;)
Rod "BaKhan" Mitchell 2017-08-14T12:52:22-04:00
@GM, I have some friends up here that are able to get the US version of Netflix, so I'm hopeful that when Geist gets here, it will be the same. If not, time for shenanigans! ;)
@BaKhan: To typically get the US Netflix here, you have to pay an additional amount per month. Not sure how much it is, but that's what I've been able to find, and what I've been told. There are always ways to work around that...but it is highly frowned upon.
Rod "BaKhan" Mitchell 2017-08-14T13:10:46-04:00
@GM, my understanding is that they signed up when they were down in the states, or using a bogus address, and just pay the US Netflix fees, and thats it. So hopefully, Geists account works when she's up here, but if it doesn't, not the end of the world as we will have plenty to do anyways!
Lord Zombitten 2017-08-14T13:13:24-04:00
Do you guys have Doctor Who on your Netflix? It was pulled from ours last year, and I'm going nuts without it.
Geist de la Muerte Gatito 2017-08-14T13:13:34-04:00
Might have negotiate something there
Did I hear maple bacon brittle calling my name? ;-)
Rod "BaKhan" Mitchell 2017-08-14T13:14:04-04:00
@GM, would you be interested in coming down to Drumheller, when Geist comes to visit?
Rod "BaKhan" Mitchell 2017-08-14T13:17:30-04:00
@LZ, nope no Doctor Who. I've never been that into that show tbh, so I guess I can't miss what I don't know? ;)
Rod "BaKhan" Mitchell 2017-08-14T13:18:15-04:00
@Geist, might do, might do! Tbh, I still have to source some maple sugar... I'll definitely figure that out soon though, so no worries!
@LZ: I know it was on there for some time, haven't really looked for it to catch up though.
@BaKhan: Depending on the day I definitely would be interested. Not sure if I will be able to get any time off around then though, as my manager is taking time off around that time.
Geist de la Muerte Gatito 2017-08-14T13:30:19-04:00
@BaKhan: You mean to tell me maple syrup isn't flowing like manna from heaven in Canada? :-O
Color me shocked!
Geist de la Muerte Gatito 2017-08-14T13:31:06-04:00
I wish Netflix had all the seasons of Red Dwarf. I friggin love that show.
Geist de la Muerte Gatito 2017-08-14T13:32:05-04:00
@GM: You WILL be stopping by to visit when I arrive, yes? At least to play a round of EK.
Micah "Zem the Mattress" Philson 2017-08-14T14:05:17-04:00
LZ, to watch Dr. Who, I go to BBC's website, but to actually watch anything, you need a proxy, which isn't tough if you use a Chrome extension or what have you. Dubious, but easy and you can watch it instantly after it airs.
`
Wow, we're all so chatty today! I took 2 hours off to do stuff and play a game and suddenly it's almost a full page before my last comment!
Micah "Zem the Mattress" Philson 2017-08-14T14:07:29-04:00
Which makes me nervous about how much I'll miss when I go in to lincoln right now, that could be another good couple hours!
Man, days this chatty are so good and fun, though! Balances out for all the weeks of 5 comments a day that make me sad and bored. Just good for everyone to catch up, and when we're all on at the same time on a good day, this place explodes with chatter! I love it!
Rod "BaKhan" Mitchell 2017-08-14T15:20:45-04:00
@GM, we haven't settled on date yet, so I'll be in touch and let you know. It would be great if you could make it!
Rod "BaKhan" Mitchell 2017-08-14T15:22:36-04:00
@Geist, oh I'm sure that it is, or will be, don't think its the right time of year for it yet. ;) I just haven't made any progress on finding it lets say, inexpensively... ;) I think I bought it in bulk at Cosco last time, I'll have to see if they have any again. If not, I can always hit up the Farmer's market, but you pay a premium there.
Rod "BaKhan" Mitchell 2017-08-14T15:23:35-04:00
@Zem, yeah, days like these are pretty awesome! I wouldn't worry too much, your studies are much more important than our babble... ;)
Geist de la Muerte Gatito 2017-08-14T15:32:34-04:00
@Bakhan: I would be more than happy to pay for a batch of BMB to take back with me to the U.S.
I will have in my carry on luggage on the way back home so that it doesn't break up too much
Rod "BaKhan" Mitchell 2017-08-14T15:36:26-04:00
@Geist, oh no! Please don't think I was mentioning cost because I wanted you to pay! Not at all, in fact forgedaboudit! No, just me being cheap is all... If I can save a couple of bucks per pack of sugar, I could get three instead of two, thats all. ;) Also, I recommend that you put the MBB in your luggage as they may make you throw it out at customs if its in your carry on. And that would just be sad! :(
Micah "Zem the Mattress" Philson 2017-08-14T16:13:00-04:00
Studies? No, I was going for lunch and errands, but looks like it died down right around then anyways.
...I'm already getting time off requests for 2018. As far as April even. Would be nice to be able to plan that far ahead. =/
Geist de la Muerte Gatito 2017-08-15T07:25:20-04:00
Morning kittens! What a gloomy day. We've been having more than a few rainy days for the past couple of weeks. All in all, the summer weather has been more often than not agreeable.
Which has a few Washingtonians wondering if all of this mild summer weather is going to mean we get a nasty winter. Either way, I'm all prepared. I got two crock pots and will be making some stews to put in the freezer and the booze will be made. As long as I have my internet and books, I'll be a snug as a bug in a rug.
Geist de la Muerte Gatito 2017-08-15T07:26:40-04:00
@BaKhan: Now that you mention it, I was going to bring the Halloween candy in a carry on but I might not make it through the Canadian customs. Will have to see if it will fit in my suitcase or will have to check an extra bag unto the plane.
Rod "BaKhan" Mitchell 2017-08-15T09:39:10-04:00
Morning kittens! Chilly one here this morning it was 43F outside when I woke up! Brrrr! Leaves are already starting to turn on some of the trees... It seems like summer just got here. Kinda bummed tbh.
Rod "BaKhan" Mitchell 2017-08-15T09:40:56-04:00
@Geist, the halloween candy should be good to go, as long as its sealed and not a liquid of course. The reason I'm worried about the MBB is because it will just be in a ziploc, and I'm not sure how they will look at that.
Micah "Zem the Mattress" Philson 2017-08-15T12:34:29-04:00
Ooh, man, I was just thinking this morning that I can't wait for our late-fall weather, BaKhan, which is exactly like what you're having now! (though I guess a few degrees warmer, normally lows in the 50s until November)
Geist de la Muerte Gatito 2017-08-15T13:36:37-04:00
I will say this: those fidget spinners and square fidget devices are everywhere! I'm now seeing them in the drugstores, craft stores, grocery stores and they were at the Awesome Con convention. I keep wondering how long it will be before people get tired of them and I start seeing them in the thrift stores.
Well...I just listened to a country song covered by a metal band. Garth Brooks song The Thunder Rolls, done by All That Remains. It was actually very well done(especially since it's one of the few country songs I actually really like).
Micah "Zem the Mattress" Philson 2017-08-15T15:31:53-04:00
Geist, the funny thing is that the trend is already pretty well died down, they're not a big thing anymore. But since it takes so long to do things and people ride trends to the death of them, they're still everywhere, and you'll still see videos online about them or late references in some show or something. That's just how it is with all memes and trends. Trust me, unless it magically resurfaces, they'll be showing up in thrift shops soon!
Rod "BaKhan" Mitchell 2017-08-15T17:20:30-04:00
@Zem, that's life in the foothills though. Two or three months from now, ok, no problem. But in the middle of summer pretty much sucks. ;)
Rod "BaKhan" Mitchell 2017-08-15T17:22:34-04:00
@Geist, I think for some the "fad" will change, but for those that actually need stuff like that, I think it's here to stay. I also think that everything will be in dollar stores eventually... we can't help ourselves from ourselves sadly. ;)
Rod "BaKhan" Mitchell 2017-08-15T17:24:13-04:00
@GM, I checked it out. Not bad, but not my cup of tea. Good for them though, it's hard to have a cool and unique cover nowadays.
Geist de la Muerte Gatito 2017-08-16T05:35:57-04:00
Morning kittens!
I spoke too soon. I walked out the house today and it was real muggy. I was sweating like a pig and it was only 4:30 in the morning.
Lord Zombitten 2017-08-16T09:46:48-04:00
Morning kittens!
So, I'm getting the piano that's been in my mom's family for over 50 years.
Rod "BaKhan" Mitchell 2017-08-16T10:16:29-04:00
Morning kittens.
Rod "BaKhan" Mitchell 2017-08-16T10:17:44-04:00
@LZ, thats awesome, a legacy instrument is the best kind! Plus, having a piano opens so many musical possibilities! Congrats!
Geist de la Muerte Gatito 2017-08-16T11:17:46-04:00
@LZ: Did you order your solar glasses for the eclipse Monday?
Lord Zombitten 2017-08-16T11:22:42-04:00
My sister in law says she has them
Geist de la Muerte Gatito 2017-08-16T11:42:36-04:00
@LZ: Did she order hers? And if so, from what site?
Rod "BaKhan" Mitchell 2017-08-16T11:43:43-04:00
A milk carton and a couple of small mirrors, and you're good to go... ;) Ah elementary school...
Geist de la Muerte Gatito 2017-08-16T11:53:52-04:00
@BaKhan: I might have to make one of those if I can't get my hands on some glasses. I really shouldn't be trying to do this at all as bad as my eyes are.
Rod "BaKhan" Mitchell 2017-08-16T12:12:34-04:00
@Geist, through a mirror you wouldn't have anything to worry about, as you would be seeing a reflection, not the actual thing. If you have a couple of old compacts and a tube or a milk carton, you could make it pretty easy. Heres a link for a pin hole camera style, all you need is a box, some tinfoil, and a piece of paper. Pretty neat actually. https://www.timeanddate.com/eclipse/box-pinhole-projector.html
Micah "Zem the Mattress" Philson 2017-08-16T12:38:22-04:00
My mom picked up a whole bunch of them about a month ago. She's super excited, and even though my campus is just in the totality (they're even encouraging classes to go outside during that time if they're scheduled then, and one of mine canceled), we're going down to a scout camp we know well that's right directly in the middle of the path where it'll last way longer! It's a 2 hour drive down there, but for such a great viewing location, everything else down there, getting to see it with family, and how much longer it'll last, it's worth it!
`
Just to note, I was super sad that my house is like less than a mile out of the path. Fortunately, even without going to the camp, like I said, my campus is just inside totality, which makes it such a great opportunity for the 20,000-odd students there from all over the country and out of it!
Lord Zombitten 2017-08-16T12:58:52-04:00
I'm not sure where she got the glasses. The local planetarium here has a bunch. Is there a planetarium near where you live? They should have some
Micah "Zem the Mattress" Philson 2017-08-16T15:00:40-04:00
I think my mom just got them at like a crafts supply store or something after we saw an advertisement on the electric billboard thing for that strip mall. You should be able to find them in quite a few places if you really look, I just have no clue what those are. You can also find them online, but you'd have to have them shipped there before monday, though I'm sure online you can find advertisements from local stores carrying eclipse glasses.
Geist de la Muerte Gatito 2017-08-17T07:41:37-04:00
Morning kittens.
How messed up am I? I thought today was Wednesday. It's kinda a bummer only because I purchase the local paper on Wednesdays because they have a food section that features recipes and restaurant recommendations. Can't believe I didn't catch that.
The good news, it's that much closer to the weekend.
@Geist, lol, thats what we call a happy mistake! I mean it sucks that you missed out on the recipes, but hey the weekends calling! ;)
Rod "BaKhan" Mitchell 2017-08-17T10:45:36-04:00
I was up till midnight last night making gum paste roses, ugggg. My first and last wedding cake ever I tell you! I just hope it winds up looking as good as the effort I'm putting into it I tell ya! Today/ tonight the baking commences! Three cakes, a 8" x 3 layer vanilla with salted toffee icing for the filling, a 10" x 3 red velvet cake (which I finally found the right ratio of colouring to get it red!), and a 12" x 3 chocolate stout cake. Its gonna get hot up in here! ;) I just wish I had a bigger oven! For the 10" and 12" I can only fit one pan in at a time, and even though I could go multiple racks, it only bakes evenly on the middle rack, so.... its pretty much gonna take forever, and I can't start till after work! Pity me kittens!
Geist de la Muerte Gatito 2017-08-17T11:15:25-04:00
@GM: Look up what? The eclipse shades? They are sold out everywhere.
Rod "BaKhan" Mitchell 2017-08-17T11:21:53-04:00
@Geist, I think he meant the recipies... ;)
Geist de la Muerte Gatito 2017-08-17T11:24:47-04:00
@BaKhan: What flavor cake/frosting? Besides flowers, what other decorations do you have to put on it?
Rod "BaKhan" Mitchell 2017-08-17T11:36:10-04:00
@Geist, I'm using vanilla butter cream frosting. I'm also using some fondant just for some boarder trim (I have a really pretty stencil), and using the gum paste roses to hide the seams. I've also made about 70 royal icing roses to support the gum paste ones. I'm using pearl and silver sugar beads to make string work around the top to middle of each cake. The colours are white and their accent colour is a shade of lavender (can't remember the name that they used, its light purple ok?). So the smallest cake is to be white, with white roses and white trim, topped by two full gum paste roses with stems, one of which also has a small off shoot bud. The roses will be crossed on top, as they don't have a cake topper that they wanted to use. The two large roses will represent the bride and groom, and the small little bud will represent their little boy (my nephew!). The next bigger cake will be lavender with all lavender accents, and the biggest cake will be white and purple. I have made white roses and with same heavily diluted colour paste, painted the edges of each petal purple, it actually looks pretty sweet. All the accents and trim will also be white and purple (now that I can paint on colour!). I have never put this much effort into a cake before, and I just hope that they like it. I tried to make it as much from the heart as possible.
Rod "BaKhan" Mitchell 2017-08-17T11:37:35-04:00
Oh, and the filling on the red velvet is cream cheese icing (my fave!), and for the chocolate stout I was thinking chocolate frosting, but may be a vanilla custard instead? I'm still undecided, probably just going with the chocolate for ease of use though.
Lord Zombitten 2017-08-17T12:56:22-04:00
BaKhan, that cake sounds beautiful and delicious
Rod "BaKhan" Mitchell 2017-08-17T14:54:12-04:00
@LZ, thanks! I just hope the wedding reception feels the same!
Micah "Zem the Mattress" Philson 2017-08-17T15:56:53-04:00
Welp, moved back in now! Back to the old homestead of... campus. I feel really tired after organizing and moving everything in, but now I can relax and unpack stuff for the next few days.
`
Wow, BaKhan, that sounds amazing! With how much effort it sounds like you're putting into it, the cake should turn out perfect!
Rod "BaKhan" Mitchell 2017-08-17T16:13:23-04:00
@Zem, how much schooling do you have left? Thanks about the cakes! Vanilla ones are done baking now. I may have started early.... ;)
Micah "Zem the Mattress" Philson 2017-08-17T17:28:48-04:00
No clue, actually. I just know that I'll have a bit left after the semester abroad, probably a semester, possibly a full year. I'll be doing a 5th year for sure, though; this is my fourth now.
Rod "BaKhan" Mitchell 2017-08-17T18:20:27-04:00
@Zem, so does that mean that you're still deciding what to do as a profession after? Last of the red (really red!) velvet cakes is in now!
Micah "Zem the Mattress" Philson 2017-08-17T18:22:14-04:00
Oh yeah, as to that, I have no clue what I'll be doing after yet.
Rod "BaKhan" Mitchell 2017-08-17T18:25:39-04:00
Lol! Yeah, that... ;)
Micah "Zem the Mattress" Philson 2017-08-17T19:37:11-04:00
Oh yeah, life, of the "real" variety. Never have been good with that stuff.
Nothing like getting an email to confirm an optometrist appointment, clicking the link to confirm the appointment, and it saying there are no exams available that day and to select a different date...and there are no exams available on ANY date in the three months you check.
Rod "BaKhan" Mitchell 2017-08-18T11:43:14-04:00
@GM, sounds like a glitch to me. I'd call them. You can normally make things happen if you actually talk to a person. Automated systems are getting better, but they still have far to go. ;)
Rod "BaKhan" Mitchell 2017-08-18T11:44:50-04:00
Morning kittens. I got the last layer of the last cake out at 1am! So tired! Now to frost and get a scratch coat on so I can drive three hours and finish decorating them all... ;) It's going to be a doozy of a day!
@BaKhan: I'm definitely going to be calling them, just right now I have very little time to be able to, and hopefully can when I take my lunch.
Rod "BaKhan" Mitchell 2017-08-18T12:40:44-04:00
@GM, good call! I say just take the time anyways, but I know you're more dedicated than that. ;)
Rod "BaKhan" Mitchell 2017-08-18T12:41:10-04:00
Chocolate stout cake is frosted, now for the scratch coat!
Lord Zombitten 2017-08-18T14:58:55-04:00
That feeling when the floor sink in the lab is overflowing, the pipe snake isn't going around the bend, and you can't access it from below because the basement doesn't go under the lab...
Lord Zombitten 2017-08-18T15:00:53-04:00
So is it called a stout cake because it's made with stout ale?
Micah "Zem the Mattress" Philson 2017-08-18T16:28:17-04:00
Ooh, yeah, we just made a Guinness cake recently! Definitely some stout in it, though we didn't have Guinness, so we substituted for our favorite stout, Left Hand's Milk Stout. Also had Guinness stew (substituted) and Irish soda bread. It was a great meal!
Rod "BaKhan" Mitchell 2017-08-19T00:59:22-04:00
@LZ, yes it's made with Guinness. It's one of the most moist and delicious chocolate cakes I've ever made!
Haha, that's just Pumpkin warning the people on the other end of the phone something is happening that requires their attention!
Which is Pumpkin. Pumpkin requires their attention. And it's urgent.
`
An extra third? Wow, that's amazing! ALL OF THE STUFFS!
I wouldn't mind making an extra third, that's for sure.
So yesterday afternoon, we heard a big booming noise just as our power went out. It turned out that a fuse had blown around the corner because of a short in the grid...in my front yard. They were digging up a portion of my lawn for about four hours yesterday.
@Zem, yep, thats about the size of it! ;) Meeee, I need attention right now!!! MEEEEE! Thats how I hear it anyways... ;) And yeah, all the stuffs or, I can start paying for all the stuffs still sitting on my credit card... ;)
@LZ, damn, that must have been something! I guess, everything wears out eventually... but still! Closest I've ever had to something like that was a lightning strike in our back yard at the old house, hit a tree and split it right in half, worst part, it was an apple tree! Why not hit the pine that was 6 feet away? Sheesh, silly weather... ;)
BaKhan, pay off all the stuffs so you can have more of the all of the stuffs! That's a good plan. It's never led anyone wrong before! ;)
Oh no, not the apple tree! Man, in one year, we had lost all our trees ( like 5, with three more lost in years past) due to storms (none from lightning, though!) except 3 saplings. The hardest losses were the apple tree we'd loved since we moved in for amazing apple sauce and butter and just apples, and the oak tree with our tree house in it. Still really miss them, but it makes mowing easier, I guess. But yep, only those 3 young trees left, though by now they're pretty big themselves. No fruit ones, though, I still miss fresh, cold apples at dawn.
`
LZ, wow, that just sounds really annoying! I mean, they had to do it, but it must've been pretty distracting, and now you have to fix that whole area of your yard. Make sure to put the fear of god into all the other power lines on your property so they don't start thinking about doing the same. You know how those ornery power lines can be!
@BaKhan: I've seen several recipes on the internet for peach schnapps but I'm going with the easier one.
2 Tablespoons lemon juice
chopped peaches
vodka
simple syrup
Muddle peaches in a mason jar and add vodka. Let this steep for 2 days to a week. (Depending on how strong you want your peach flavor to be) Add the lemon juice, zest and simple syrup. Let this steep for a few more days. Voila! Peach schnapps without the additives.
Some recipes call for adding a little vermouth or brandy. I'm going with the simple easy and see if that works best.
she decides to go off like an air raid siren
LOL! She can be a chatty Kathy when she wants to be but she is so loving and sweet. She is one of the few kitties that I've seen that will let you rub their tummy.
@Zem, yeah I'm not sure but I seem to remember something about fiscal responsibility being important... ;)
Yeah, that apple tree was boss. It was a spliced tree, so it had four different types of apples (or so I was told anyways), crab apples (which for eating right off the tree were always my favourite), granny smith, and two types of red that looked the same to me probably Macintosh and another that looked pretty much exactly the same. It was great for apple sauce, apples for baking etc. I miss being able to make lots of that stuff at will, but not sure that I miss peeling all those apples... ;) I remember one year in paticular that I had a whole large bag of apples go bad before I could even get to them, that year was a bumper crop for sure!
@Geist, yeah I was wondering if it was vodka... doesn't seem too bad really. I could see the brandy working well with that too actually, but yes, easier is best for the first crack at something, get a success before you try for the pinnacle! ;)
Every cat I've ever had would let me rub their belly, they may not have started off that way though... ;) Being a Leo, born in the year of the tiger, I can out cat a cat! ;P Its actually pretty rare that a cat doesn't like me tbh. ;)
@BaKhan: My cat Neko wouldn't have let you. Hell, he barely let ME rub his tummy and if I did, I watched him carefully to see if he would lash out. Otherwise, he was kinda sweet. My other cat (Inspector) was so so sweet. He would definitely let you rub his belly. Heck, I was even able to give him a bath a few times.
(Oh God, how I miss those two)
Geist, one of our cats, the maine coon, is basically a puppy with the voice of a mouse. Meaning he doesn't meow, he squeaks, but more interesting is how when you go to pet him, he just flops over on his side and lets you rub his back, side, and belly, and rolls all around so you pet his whole body! It's adorable, and he lets you rub his tummy without claws of death!
Also, I will be attempting to make the following recipe so that it's ready for the holiday season.
http://altonbrown.com/eggnog-recipe/
Wow, BaKhan, I didn't even know that was possible! It sounds amazing! We had one tree of a green apple I have no clue of that fell earlier, and a red one (the one we loved so much) which I think was Gala. Man, I miss those! Just making apple stuff all the time, and all you had to do was go out back and pick a bunch of good-looking ones!
`
Yeah, somehow cats and dogs always love me. Given enough time, I can become great friends with any cat or dog, especially cats, possibly because I have so much experience petting them I know how to find out what they like most.
Although if they do claw at you when you rub their belly, I probably wouldn't take notice of it because I love playing with them, so I'll just play with them with my hand. The infinite pain of the thousand scritches is worth it!
Ooh, that looks good, Geist!
Here's one I've always wanted to make, George Washington's own recipe for eggnog! It's like 1/3 liquor, so you know he had some good taste!
http://mentalfloss.com/article/29576/making-george-washingtons-special-eggnog
Zem, they filled in the hole, and have ordered new sod for us. The new sod will be good, because that part of the lawn had been taken over by a bunch of weeds and a thirsty type of fescue. That part gets full sun all day long, though, so thirsty grass in that area is not good, seeing as how we live in a desert.
I've also never had a cat that wouldn't let me rub their belly. Lilith is a close exception; as soon as I touch it, she starts crabbling on the floor to get away. She doesn't stand up for 15 or 20 seconds, though.
I have an apple tree that has granny smith, fuji, honey crisp, and johnnagold apples on it. We only got three this year, though, and the bugs got two of them. We got a bunch of peaches this year, though. There's no better peach than one that's eaten within 30 seconds of coming off the tree.
@Geist, I'll take your word for it. ;) In general with cats its more of getting them into the right mood to get a belly rub. I think it probably has something to do with being dexterous as I would give them scratches almost like I play the bass... ;) It works well, they don't even know whats going on, they just like it! ;)
As per that eggnog recipe, you can not go wrong with anything Alton Brown recommends, that guy is a foodie genius! Seriously. I used to watch a show by him, can not remember the name, but he would make all kinds of great things from scratch and show how to properly do it. I remember one that he did on East Indian cooking, where he showed which spices to use to make the right kind of curry for different dishes, I wish I would have recorded it, it was so good!
@Zem, yeah, as per LZ, I think it is relatively common for people to splice apple trees. It really is cool! Its also weird how one part of the tree can go crazy with apples and another part in the same year, almost nothing, but then next year, totally different results again! Plants are cool, mmmkay? ;)
@LZ, man that sounds good! I've never had a peach fresh from off the tree before! Where I live we don't get enough warm weather for peaches, they'd get their butts kicked in the springs that we get for sure. Gotta go south before you can grow peaches properly. BC and ON grow the majority of Canadian peaches, but I'm sure that they don't hold a candle to yours. I remember when we moved to ON, our neighbors had a pear tree, that was awesome! ;)
@BaKhan: The show was called Good Eats. All the old episodes are playing on Netflix now. If you don't have any account, we can log into my account when we get there and watch some of the shows.
Did you know he was coming out with another show? I'm not sure if it's the same one or something different but he mentioned it on his FB page.
@Geist: The thing with Netflix, it depending on where you are logging in from, that will determine what shows are available for you to watch. When I went to the Dominican with Phil 5-6 years ago, one rainy day I decided to watch some Netflix...very little in terms of options for things to watch. So some things that you have in the US won't be available here due to our media laws.
@Geist, thats the one! Yeah, it was awesome! Sadly its not on the Canadian version of Netflix... of course... But, when you get here, if we log in with your info, we'll be able to get it! Might have negotiate something there... ;) And, no I did not know he was coming out with a new show! Thats exciting. I wasn't a fan of that competition one he did, sabatoge kitchen or whatever it was called. And Iron Chef is always fun, but that good eats one was the best, imo. ;)
@GM, I have some friends up here that are able to get the US version of Netflix, so I'm hopeful that when Geist gets here, it will be the same. If not, time for shenanigans! ;)
@BaKhan: To typically get the US Netflix here, you have to pay an additional amount per month. Not sure how much it is, but that's what I've been able to find, and what I've been told. There are always ways to work around that...but it is highly frowned upon.
@GM, my understanding is that they signed up when they were down in the states, or using a bogus address, and just pay the US Netflix fees, and thats it. So hopefully, Geists account works when she's up here, but if it doesn't, not the end of the world as we will have plenty to do anyways!
Do you guys have Doctor Who on your Netflix? It was pulled from ours last year, and I'm going nuts without it.
Might have negotiate something there
Did I hear maple bacon brittle calling my name? ;-)
@GM, would you be interested in coming down to Drumheller, when Geist comes to visit?
@LZ, nope no Doctor Who. I've never been that into that show tbh, so I guess I can't miss what I don't know? ;)
@Geist, might do, might do! Tbh, I still have to source some maple sugar... I'll definitely figure that out soon though, so no worries!
@LZ: I know it was on there for some time, haven't really looked for it to catch up though.
@BaKhan: Depending on the day I definitely would be interested. Not sure if I will be able to get any time off around then though, as my manager is taking time off around that time.
@BaKhan: You mean to tell me maple syrup isn't flowing like manna from heaven in Canada? :-O
Color me shocked!
I wish Netflix had all the seasons of Red Dwarf. I friggin love that show.
@GM: You WILL be stopping by to visit when I arrive, yes? At least to play a round of EK.
@Geisst: I will definitely do my best to do so.
LZ, to watch Dr. Who, I go to BBC's website, but to actually watch anything, you need a proxy, which isn't tough if you use a Chrome extension or what have you. Dubious, but easy and you can watch it instantly after it airs.
`
Wow, we're all so chatty today! I took 2 hours off to do stuff and play a game and suddenly it's almost a full page before my last comment!
Which makes me nervous about how much I'll miss when I go in to lincoln right now, that could be another good couple hours!
Man, days this chatty are so good and fun, though! Balances out for all the weeks of 5 comments a day that make me sad and bored. Just good for everyone to catch up, and when we're all on at the same time on a good day, this place explodes with chatter! I love it!
@GM, we haven't settled on date yet, so I'll be in touch and let you know. It would be great if you could make it!
@Geist, oh I'm sure that it is, or will be, don't think its the right time of year for it yet. ;) I just haven't made any progress on finding it lets say, inexpensively... ;) I think I bought it in bulk at Cosco last time, I'll have to see if they have any again. If not, I can always hit up the Farmer's market, but you pay a premium there.
@Zem, yeah, days like these are pretty awesome! I wouldn't worry too much, your studies are much more important than our babble... ;)
@Bakhan: I would be more than happy to pay for a batch of BMB to take back with me to the U.S.
I will have in my carry on luggage on the way back home so that it doesn't break up too much
@Geist, oh no! Please don't think I was mentioning cost because I wanted you to pay! Not at all, in fact forgedaboudit! No, just me being cheap is all... If I can save a couple of bucks per pack of sugar, I could get three instead of two, thats all. ;) Also, I recommend that you put the MBB in your luggage as they may make you throw it out at customs if its in your carry on. And that would just be sad! :(
Studies? No, I was going for lunch and errands, but looks like it died down right around then anyways.
@Zem, sorry, misread that... as you were... ;)
...I'm already getting time off requests for 2018. As far as April even. Would be nice to be able to plan that far ahead. =/
Morning kittens! What a gloomy day. We've been having more than a few rainy days for the past couple of weeks. All in all, the summer weather has been more often than not agreeable.
Which has a few Washingtonians wondering if all of this mild summer weather is going to mean we get a nasty winter. Either way, I'm all prepared. I got two crock pots and will be making some stews to put in the freezer and the booze will be made. As long as I have my internet and books, I'll be a snug as a bug in a rug.
@BaKhan: Now that you mention it, I was going to bring the Halloween candy in a carry on but I might not make it through the Canadian customs. Will have to see if it will fit in my suitcase or will have to check an extra bag unto the plane.
Morning kittens! Chilly one here this morning it was 43F outside when I woke up! Brrrr! Leaves are already starting to turn on some of the trees... It seems like summer just got here. Kinda bummed tbh.
@Geist, the halloween candy should be good to go, as long as its sealed and not a liquid of course. The reason I'm worried about the MBB is because it will just be in a ziploc, and I'm not sure how they will look at that.
Morning kittens
Ooh, man, I was just thinking this morning that I can't wait for our late-fall weather, BaKhan, which is exactly like what you're having now! (though I guess a few degrees warmer, normally lows in the 50s until November)
I will say this: those fidget spinners and square fidget devices are everywhere! I'm now seeing them in the drugstores, craft stores, grocery stores and they were at the Awesome Con convention. I keep wondering how long it will be before people get tired of them and I start seeing them in the thrift stores.
Well...I just listened to a country song covered by a metal band. Garth Brooks song The Thunder Rolls, done by All That Remains. It was actually very well done(especially since it's one of the few country songs I actually really like).
Geist, the funny thing is that the trend is already pretty well died down, they're not a big thing anymore. But since it takes so long to do things and people ride trends to the death of them, they're still everywhere, and you'll still see videos online about them or late references in some show or something. That's just how it is with all memes and trends. Trust me, unless it magically resurfaces, they'll be showing up in thrift shops soon!
@Zem, that's life in the foothills though. Two or three months from now, ok, no problem. But in the middle of summer pretty much sucks. ;)
@Geist, I think for some the "fad" will change, but for those that actually need stuff like that, I think it's here to stay. I also think that everything will be in dollar stores eventually... we can't help ourselves from ourselves sadly. ;)
@GM, I checked it out. Not bad, but not my cup of tea. Good for them though, it's hard to have a cool and unique cover nowadays.
Morning kittens!
I spoke too soon. I walked out the house today and it was real muggy. I was sweating like a pig and it was only 4:30 in the morning.
Morning kittens!
So, I'm getting the piano that's been in my mom's family for over 50 years.
Morning kittens.
@LZ, thats awesome, a legacy instrument is the best kind! Plus, having a piano opens so many musical possibilities! Congrats!
Morning kittens.
@LZ: Did you order your solar glasses for the eclipse Monday?
My sister in law says she has them
@LZ: Did she order hers? And if so, from what site?
A milk carton and a couple of small mirrors, and you're good to go... ;) Ah elementary school...
@BaKhan: I might have to make one of those if I can't get my hands on some glasses. I really shouldn't be trying to do this at all as bad as my eyes are.
@Geist, through a mirror you wouldn't have anything to worry about, as you would be seeing a reflection, not the actual thing. If you have a couple of old compacts and a tube or a milk carton, you could make it pretty easy. Heres a link for a pin hole camera style, all you need is a box, some tinfoil, and a piece of paper. Pretty neat actually. https://www.timeanddate.com/eclipse/box-pinhole-projector.html
My mom picked up a whole bunch of them about a month ago. She's super excited, and even though my campus is just in the totality (they're even encouraging classes to go outside during that time if they're scheduled then, and one of mine canceled), we're going down to a scout camp we know well that's right directly in the middle of the path where it'll last way longer! It's a 2 hour drive down there, but for such a great viewing location, everything else down there, getting to see it with family, and how much longer it'll last, it's worth it!
`
Just to note, I was super sad that my house is like less than a mile out of the path. Fortunately, even without going to the camp, like I said, my campus is just inside totality, which makes it such a great opportunity for the 20,000-odd students there from all over the country and out of it!
I'm not sure where she got the glasses. The local planetarium here has a bunch. Is there a planetarium near where you live? They should have some
I think my mom just got them at like a crafts supply store or something after we saw an advertisement on the electric billboard thing for that strip mall. You should be able to find them in quite a few places if you really look, I just have no clue what those are. You can also find them online, but you'd have to have them shipped there before monday, though I'm sure online you can find advertisements from local stores carrying eclipse glasses.
Morning kittens.
How messed up am I? I thought today was Wednesday. It's kinda a bummer only because I purchase the local paper on Wednesdays because they have a food section that features recipes and restaurant recommendations. Can't believe I didn't catch that.
The good news, it's that much closer to the weekend.
Morning kittens.
@Geist: Aren't you able to look it up online?
Morning kittens!
@Geist, lol, thats what we call a happy mistake! I mean it sucks that you missed out on the recipes, but hey the weekends calling! ;)
I was up till midnight last night making gum paste roses, ugggg. My first and last wedding cake ever I tell you! I just hope it winds up looking as good as the effort I'm putting into it I tell ya! Today/ tonight the baking commences! Three cakes, a 8" x 3 layer vanilla with salted toffee icing for the filling, a 10" x 3 red velvet cake (which I finally found the right ratio of colouring to get it red!), and a 12" x 3 chocolate stout cake. Its gonna get hot up in here! ;) I just wish I had a bigger oven! For the 10" and 12" I can only fit one pan in at a time, and even though I could go multiple racks, it only bakes evenly on the middle rack, so.... its pretty much gonna take forever, and I can't start till after work! Pity me kittens!
@GM: Look up what? The eclipse shades? They are sold out everywhere.
@Geist, I think he meant the recipies... ;)
@BaKhan: What flavor cake/frosting? Besides flowers, what other decorations do you have to put on it?
@Geist, I'm using vanilla butter cream frosting. I'm also using some fondant just for some boarder trim (I have a really pretty stencil), and using the gum paste roses to hide the seams. I've also made about 70 royal icing roses to support the gum paste ones. I'm using pearl and silver sugar beads to make string work around the top to middle of each cake. The colours are white and their accent colour is a shade of lavender (can't remember the name that they used, its light purple ok?). So the smallest cake is to be white, with white roses and white trim, topped by two full gum paste roses with stems, one of which also has a small off shoot bud. The roses will be crossed on top, as they don't have a cake topper that they wanted to use. The two large roses will represent the bride and groom, and the small little bud will represent their little boy (my nephew!). The next bigger cake will be lavender with all lavender accents, and the biggest cake will be white and purple. I have made white roses and with same heavily diluted colour paste, painted the edges of each petal purple, it actually looks pretty sweet. All the accents and trim will also be white and purple (now that I can paint on colour!). I have never put this much effort into a cake before, and I just hope that they like it. I tried to make it as much from the heart as possible.
Oh, and the filling on the red velvet is cream cheese icing (my fave!), and for the chocolate stout I was thinking chocolate frosting, but may be a vanilla custard instead? I'm still undecided, probably just going with the chocolate for ease of use though.
BaKhan, that cake sounds beautiful and delicious
@LZ, thanks! I just hope the wedding reception feels the same!
Welp, moved back in now! Back to the old homestead of... campus. I feel really tired after organizing and moving everything in, but now I can relax and unpack stuff for the next few days.
`
Wow, BaKhan, that sounds amazing! With how much effort it sounds like you're putting into it, the cake should turn out perfect!
@Zem, how much schooling do you have left? Thanks about the cakes! Vanilla ones are done baking now. I may have started early.... ;)
No clue, actually. I just know that I'll have a bit left after the semester abroad, probably a semester, possibly a full year. I'll be doing a 5th year for sure, though; this is my fourth now.
@Zem, so does that mean that you're still deciding what to do as a profession after? Last of the red (really red!) velvet cakes is in now!
Oh yeah, as to that, I have no clue what I'll be doing after yet.
Lol! Yeah, that... ;)
Oh yeah, life, of the "real" variety. Never have been good with that stuff.
Morning kittens.
Nothing like getting an email to confirm an optometrist appointment, clicking the link to confirm the appointment, and it saying there are no exams available that day and to select a different date...and there are no exams available on ANY date in the three months you check.
@GM, sounds like a glitch to me. I'd call them. You can normally make things happen if you actually talk to a person. Automated systems are getting better, but they still have far to go. ;)
Morning kittens. I got the last layer of the last cake out at 1am! So tired! Now to frost and get a scratch coat on so I can drive three hours and finish decorating them all... ;) It's going to be a doozy of a day!
@BaKhan: I'm definitely going to be calling them, just right now I have very little time to be able to, and hopefully can when I take my lunch.
@GM, good call! I say just take the time anyways, but I know you're more dedicated than that. ;)
Chocolate stout cake is frosted, now for the scratch coat!
That feeling when the floor sink in the lab is overflowing, the pipe snake isn't going around the bend, and you can't access it from below because the basement doesn't go under the lab...
So is it called a stout cake because it's made with stout ale?
Ooh, yeah, we just made a Guinness cake recently! Definitely some stout in it, though we didn't have Guinness, so we substituted for our favorite stout, Left Hand's Milk Stout. Also had Guinness stew (substituted) and Irish soda bread. It was a great meal!
@LZ, yes it's made with Guinness. It's one of the most moist and delicious chocolate cakes I've ever made!