kidsmoke

Let's hope we get offered that option, if they don't see fit to postpone.

I'm feeling seriously depressed at the thought that the penalty for 6 days of fun in Mexico may be...could very likely be!...being stuck in a Mexican Residence Inn for 10 days! With covid, and no particular help if I got quite sick. Never mind the original expense, which on my budget was tough in the first place. But if I opt not to go for my own wellbeing, I stand to simply lose about $3000. Nobody is buying up these packages now, with good reason. With Omicron raging, it's time to pull the plug and postpone to a safer time. I'm really sad about it all.

I think we are ready for Christmas shenanigans now.

To everyone reading this, I wish deeply for you to have the most beautiful, peaceful Christmas. The past couple of years have been flat-out HARD for almost everyone, so if you can carve out an island of calm and love and laughter in the middle of it, and celebrate your loved ones and their health, I'm all for it. Be happy today, and know that your loved ones, your tribe, are enough. Bask in it. Merry Christmas, with love to all of you. And on to make a better 2022!

I'm going to need some inspiring pictures here, to get me through this last round of slapping bows on presents. Would it help if I gave y'all cookies?

These had to be hard decisions, but I respect the band for placing everyone's health first.

Here comes Santa Claus He's vaccinated and masked Santa's no dummy

So I have finally gotten my tree decorated. Just needs the tree skirt now & we're ready for Santa! Well, as soon as I make cookies tomorrow.

My current state of mind: FAMILY Family is the Heart of Christmas, except when They are being jerks. And: PRESENTS The presents won't be Wrapping themselves now will they? Obnoxious presents And similarly, TREE The tree's not gonna Decorate itself, so that Pretty much leaves me.

Can't disagree.

That's right, I want you to get creative and entertain me with your cleverness! It's the most stressful time of the year, and we all could use some creative venting, right? I didn't write this one, but it was my inspiration for this topic. This is a haiku They don't have to rhyme, Karen Jesus fucking christ Ok, let's see what you've got in your squirrelly little brains. Holiday themes or other frustrations welcome.

Thinking of poor Kentucky after these horrific tornadoes...and the surrounding states also affected. I hope our members haven't been directly impacted. Those in the areas struck, please check in as you are able. It looks like GA and AL are still under dangerous warnings. Be careful, everyone. We love you.

I'll be there too Dan, hope to see you! Come say hi if you see me! Love that Tweedy band!

Thinking of you, Chuck. I hope a breakthrough medicine is found that helps you more. I've admired your fortitude in facing this painful disease.

I'm so glad I got to see him and the First National Band at Largo about a year and a half ago. He was wonderful, still with that droll humor, and I remember how good "Rio" sounded. Rest in Peace, Mike. Thanks for the memories, all the way back to my childhood.

I just finished making a big beautiful batch of Turkey Frame Soup with egg noodles. (Brownie's crab soup inspired me!) I need to make the Bolognese sauce soon! I haven't made Tim's fabulous hoisin chicken thighs yet, but I did make Beth's Winter Squash and Spinach Pasta Bake. I had homegrown acorn squash and a tiny pumpkin, so I peeled & seeded & sliced those up together. Then I browned some sweet Italian sausage and added that in too. It made a sort of squash/spinach/sausage lasagna, and it got rave reviews from my kids, since it made plenty to share around! Really deliciou

Lizish, I can't seem to access that without creating an account, which I don't want right now. But no matter; you've reminded me that I own Hazan's wonderful cookbook, "Essentials of Classic Italian Cooking". Pages 203 to 205 is her Bolognese sauce, which makes me hungry just to read it.

I've made the Caramel Pecan Apple Pie. Now it's up to the kiddos to bring the rest. Got the dining room all decked out in tablecloths and centerpiece and candles. Even made homemade cranberry sauce. How about the rest of you? Ready to feast and be grateful in this strange year? Happy Thanksgiving. Be kind to each other.

Have fun! They were terrific in L.A.

Wow, just the descriptions have me hungry...honey/hoisin chicken thighs! I can taste that in my mind. I just made my version of garlic noodles last night. Always good. It's finally getting crispy-cold in southern California, so the soup and the spinach/squash bake both sound perfect. And for dessert I think I'd better finally pick those 2 last happy mini watermelons growing out there. Thanks for the suggestions!

That looks so good!

I appeal to you, Via Chicago! I'm feeling so bored with my own cooking lately, and need inspiration. What have you made recently that got rave reviews? I have an acorn squash and some sausages on hand. And potatoes. Those I have to dig up. But, start anywhere. Make me hungry.

Good choice, Timmy! I'm such a huge fan of Katie's gorgeous voice. Got to see her live in L.A. and Pioneertown in September, and she closed both shows with Clear Blue Morning. It sounded amazing.

You almost certainly DID join earlier than the date your profile shows. My own says I joined June 12, 2003! And our founder, Narziss, shows that same date. Obviously he and I had joined much earlier! When the board went through an overhaul in 2003, it apparently lost the older information, because I know I joined in 2001, and Narz started us up in 2001.