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[Colliemom]

Morning on this 29th day of February. Be another 4 years before I can post on the 29th again. Sunshine out there this morning after 24+ hours of wind and lake effect snow. Now to get out there and get busy with the blower. Then maybe might go to town. Hopefully we can get a dog walk in today as they were getting cabin fever and driving me nuts yesterday. No way was I taking them for a walk in that weather. But a nice weather pattern is in store for most of this week and Meteorological Spring starts tomorrow Maple syrup season coming before long. Days are getting longer, sun is getting warmer, temps are moving upward each month, so spring is definitely working it’s way in. My cousin downstate had a robin in his yard this past week Now that’s why early. And guess the robocallers must have been bored too cause I had enough calls from them yesterday too. Course I never answer them anyway. Just let my answering machine pick it up. I rarely get any anymore, but yesterday they pulled out the stops.

Speaking of of robo calls, I’ve had couple of interesting calls from scammers too, same number each time, which I don’t answer either. They called the first time to tell me that my charge card they have on file, would be charged $299.99 to renew my subscription for my computer maintenance program and security program. Would I please call back and arrange for this. Nope. I don’t have a computer maintenance and security program, much les one that has my charge card number on file, so saw right through that one. Then yesterday, same message only this time, would charge checking account they have on file Must be desperate for money. I knew darn well, if you answer it, they will ask you to give them those numbers so they can verify them, then they gotcha. Not gonna happen.

Barbie, sorry about the crappy motel, but at least you had fun seeing old co workers and making stops here and there. Hope you get your beach fix before you head for home.

Speaking of hamburgers, I like to fix mine on my Forman grill. All the fat goes into the little dish at the bottom, no fuss no muss. Haven’t bought an air fryer. Guess I’m not one to buy every new gadget that comes out as after awhile we quit using them to try the next new one, and have a kitchen full of appliances siting there. I like to stay with the tried and true. But I do need couple new frying pans and was wondering what you gals are using. Any comments on the Copper ones, the newer granite ones etc.?

Well, gotta get that blower running and get my fresh air and exercise.

[Cudedog]

I like to stay with the tried and true. But I do need couple new frying pans and was wondering what you gals are using. Any comments on the Copper ones, the newer granite ones etc.?

Well, gotta get that blower running and get my fresh air and exercise.

Over the years I have tried various different kinds of frying pans - and have always come back to tried-and-true stainless steel after the "latest and greatest" turned out not to be so great after all. Stainless may be a bit more difficult to clean (after use, if stuff is really sticking to the pan, filling the pan with water and a squirt of dish soap and letting it soak overnight always does the trick) but you aren't eating those little bits of teflon or whatever that those other kinds of pans begin to shed after a while.

I have two large-ish stainless pans here - one made by Faberware and one made by Cuisinart. Both are at least ten years old, show very little wear, and I use both of them several times per week. I got them both at a discount store somewhere.

With stainless, it is important to get one with a thick, heavy pan bottom, to better distribute the heat. Thin-bottom stainless pans don't work nearly so well. You will pay a premium for a thick-bottom pan, but it is well worth it.

Also, be sure to pick one you really like. Why? Because stainless steel pretty much lasts forever, so you will likely have it for a while.

Anne

[Redetotry]

I like to stay with the tried and true. But I do need couple new frying pans and was wondering what you gals are using. Any comments on the Copper ones, the newer granite ones etc.?

Well, gotta get that blower running and get my fresh air and exercise.

Over the years I have tried various different kinds of frying pans - and have always come back to tried-and-true stainless steel after the "latest and greatest" turned out not to be so great after all. Stainless may be a bit more difficult to clean (after use, if stuff is really sticking to the pan, filling the pan with water and a squirt of dish soap and letting it soak overnight always does the trick) but you aren't eating those little bits of teflon or whatever that those other kinds of pans begin to shed after a while.

I have two large-ish stainless pans here - one made by Faberware and one made by Cuisinart. Both are at least ten years old, show very little wear, and I use both of them several times per week. I got them both at a discount store somewhere.

With stainless, it is important to get one with a thick, heavy pan bottom, to better distribute the heat. Thin-bottom stainless pans don't work nearly so well. You will pay a premium for a thick-bottom pan, but it is well worth it.

Also, be sure to pick one you really like. Why? Because stainless steel pretty much lasts forever, so you will likely have it for a while.

Anne

This is what I do to clean stainless steel pans, most are Caphalon and a couple are Cuisinart after I cook some thing in them that sticks. Put a lot of baking soda in pan, spray with mix of 1/2 white vinegar 1/2 water or just pour some vinegar in, then a squirt of dish soap. Fill pan with hot water and in the morning rinse out. Any remains that doesn't rinse off will come off easy. I use stainless steel and cast iron for long cooking but will use a Teflon
skillet for eggs but I buy a new one if I scratch it.

[Bethers]

I have gotten rid of my George Foreman. It got years of service, but I wasn't using it as much (at all in the past year) and the air fryer simply does so much more. It gets much more service a week than the Foreman ever did. But that's just me. Between the air fryer and my electric pressure cooker I use almost nothing else. My fry pan is used almost exclusively for eggs so I do require non stick. I was replacing often and am now trying the copper chef. So far, so good. My requirement other than non stick was the ability to use it induction also.

Tis a beautiful day here so I think I'm going to spend time outside and enjoy it.

[Irmi]

As far as frying pans go, I use the copper pans. We have an induction stove top in the motorhome and the copper pans work great and they're so easy to clean. Most of the rest of my pots are stainless steel but can also be used for induction cooking.

It's still chilly in Ocala and we're having some strong winds and I have my stainless steel soup pot going right now filled with chili.

[MandysMom]

I too use stainless steel -mine are 45 years old and work great! I also have a cast iron I use for steaks and chops. Mel researched and bought a 8 in amd a 10 in porcelain skillets about 6 years ago. I only hand wash them after cooking eggs and their non stick is very good- no flaking or chipping. And they work on my induction burner. I don't have an air fryer, not i would use one enough with what I eat- pretty much steaks and ground beef. My old Geoge Foreman will be donated when I find it, I hated losing all those good healthy drippings in a plastic tray. On a weekly basis, the cast iron is used about 50/50 with the big stainless steel skillet and then once or twice a week the IP.
It's a georgous day here, a little cooler, and really doing a rain dance for at least a shower this evening, otherwise we end February with No recorded rain for first time in weather history.
Son and I may head to Home Depot for few things, or I may wait until next week. We has 3 appointments ths week, but next only one on Friday. Tuesday I'll have lunch with 2 of my nursing school buddies. That's always fun catching up. Hard to believe 49 years ago this month we were juniors with 3 semesters left before they turned us loose on the unsuspecting public!

[BarbaraRose]

I must have got the mosquito from the last slap to my ear when I posted last night since I didn't hear it again after that. The people above me tho started making all sorts of racket. The walls and floors are really thin (older motel) so I could hear every footstep like it was a bowling ball. The trains finally stopped for the night and I finally fell asleep and slept good the rest of the night.

Got up this morning to a beautiful sunny day! Checked out, drove to the beach in town and found a parking spot close to the beach. Walked to eat breakfast in town and checked out some small shops near there before heading back to the beach. Brought my beach chair with me and a book I bought. Hung out there watching the waves and beach bums for almost 4 hours! There was a cool breeze but the sun was warm so it felt good. Was so nice to relax and just listen to and watch the waves. Very mesmerizing!

I thought of staying out there for another night but heard that rain was coming in overnight, so decided to head back as planned. Drove back over the mountains. Such a pretty drive but you really have to pay attention to some parts that are steep and curvy! As I was heading down the mountain to Palm Springs, there is a large pull out that overlooks the whole valley so I stopped there to give my brakes a break. Wow! Didn't realize how terribly windy it was! Just about got blown off the side of the mountain as I was taking photos! Then I got back in my car and had to use both hands to try to close my car door and it was still hard to pull closed!! Got home just as the sun was setting. Getting windier here now and temps tomorrow will be around 60, which with wind and rain, will feel chilly.

Have messages from neighbors wanting haircuts so will get to those in the next couple days. Not sure if I will get any painting done since it might rain on Sunday and Monday, so will have to play that by ear. Lots of other things to do around here tho.

As for pots and pans, I bought a set with teflon many years ago and am still using those. I have thought about buying new ones with the copper but I don't cook that much so I don't feel it is worth it right now to spend the money, since these work good for now.

Have a good evening! Don't forget to say "RABBITS" tonight!!

[JudyJB]

Still Saturday, at least. I have been very busy this week so haven't done much posting. My uncle is doing much better but is still in hospital getting IV antibiotics for his UTI. I have not seen him in almost a week, however. Going over to see my aunt tomorrow to take her out shopping for cosmetics. She had a bunch, but now cannot find them and says someone stole them. More likely, she hid them somewhere. She is a hoarder of sorts and does that.

Also, this week, my California daughter-in-law has been in Sarasota at a conference, so I picked her up and took her out to dinner on Thursday night to a neat place in Venice called Snook Haven. I will write it up under restaurants, but very neat place. But she had some hives that night--not horrible but very itchy. So Friday morning (yesterday) she called me in tears because she had them all over and they were driving her crazy, so she wanted to go to urgent care and check out of her hotel room and stay with me for the night before flying home today.

So, I quickly made up my over-cab bunk, hopped in my rental car, picked her up, and immediately took her to urgent care. By this time, even her face and lips were swelling up, so they gave her a shot of Benadryl and a pack of prednisone. Said they thought it was the antibiotic she had just finished taking, and she should not stay alone until she was sure it would not get worse. So, back to my motorhome, and she just slept for about 14 hours, with a break for dinner and some iced tea. It was a good thing I was so close. By this morning, her hives were 90% better, so we went for a drive here in Myakka to see an alligator and get some junky alligator candy and alligator jerky for my grandkids. Then we had lunch out at another interesting place--Linger Lodge--and had alligator bites as an hors d'oeuvre. Interesting place with stuffed alligators and a lot of alligator items on the menu. Just made it to the airport with a few minutes to spare.

Whew! It was really nice to have her here and do a lot of chatting. She has never been to Florida and really enjoyed the two restaurants. During lunch, we kept texting the kids who would not believe we were eating alligator meat. So, after she left, finished washing sheets and towels and mostly back to normal.