Pleasant Friday Morning

[Bethers]

Two employees started at 5 today so I didn't go in until close to 7. Our order was way less than the previous weeks, so we finished it quickly. They then kicked me out and I didn't say no. It was cooler this morning so I proceeded to empty my water holding tank and fill it with a bleach/water solution. It took me a few minutes to prime my water pump (I know better than to not use it for so long!) But got it primed and ran some sanitized water through lines. In a couple days I'll use the pump to empty that water tank through all my lines and fill my grey and black tanks before dumping. Then I can refill my water tank and start using it again for anything/everything.

And that's my excitement for today! Happy Friday everyone.

[Acadianmom]

I'm back to watching the weather 24/7 again. There are 2 storms headed for the Gulf. I don't think we will know where they are going until late Sunday or Monday. I'll either be moving vehicles to town or everything up on the hill. My motorhome is in the shop so I will have to go to my son's house. Sugar has never met his dog so don't know how that will go. Sugar has always been friendly and mostly indifferent to any dog we have met. I guess I better wash her bed incase I have to bring it. Better start an evacuation list.

Yesterday I had ants in the kitchen. I can usually see where they are coming across the slab but I can't find were they are coming in the house. I put some Terro out last night and there are a lot fewer ants today.

Martha

[MandysMom]

It's another very smoky day here. Significant spread of fire predicted today. During Nursing school, our college had an agreement with Travis Air Force Base and the Air Force, to train their nurses to bring them up from RN to RN BSN degree level, as, back then many RNs had gone to hospital schools without college. As part of the agreement, my college was given clinical training space in Travis AFB hospital. So I lived a year in Fairfield and attended classes at Travis AFB. It's mind boggling to me, to read, the entire AFB, except mission critical personnel, is evacuated, along with some of Fairfield and Vacaville. Travis is a very large base! It is about 12 degrees cooler than early in the week, but still high 90s plus any breezes will not help. Our air in the valley remains stuck in this bowl valley for now. Not fit for anyone to be outside. Looking towards my window the daylight has a yellow orange tint. I am glad to be over 50 miles from the nearest fire. It takes wind to clear our valley but wind pushes fire, so for now we put up witn smoke, hoping fire gets contained, before wind pushes in to clear the valley.
Thinking about those preparing for the perhaps double storm brewing in the gulf. Please be safe.
Nothing exciting here in our "cave" as we huddle in from the smoky air. The only good news seems to be virus cases slowly dropping.
Have a good day.
Velda

[Irmi]

Good afternoon Beth, Martha & Velda,

I'm glad you didn't have to open the store today and got to leave after you got there. Relax. Martha, I sure hope the storms miss your area. Velda, I can't imagine living with all those fires so close every year. Stay safe.

I went to the DMV for my 12:45 appointment to renew my driver's license, and they lost my appointment and couldn't take me. Fortunately they had an opening Wednesday at 7:45 A.M. Even though it will take us an hour to get there, I jumped at the chance and said I'd be there. Since we're leaving Sept. 7 to head south, this needs to get done. We're working on getting Steve's pickup on an auto hauler to get to FL, so we'll have two vehicles beginning this winter. We've had lots of work done on it to be able to do this, including an a/c compressor and 4 new tires. We're meeting someone tomorrow morning that is interested in buying my Mercedes, so things are slowly falling into place. We also have a contract signed on our rental apt. building and with lots of luck, that may be settled before we leave. If not, we'll settle electronically. The proceeds will go into the building and furnishing of a casita on our lot in Webster FL.

Stay safe everyone!

[JudyJB]

I need to dump some bleach into my fresh water tank in a few minutes also, Beth. I will pull out a jug full of fresh water for drinking and then use what is in the tank for flushing the toilet and dishes and stuff to use it up. I am headed to a campground for tonight with full hookup, so this will give me a good chance to flush out everything and refill with clean water.

Sad to hear about Travis AFB. I imagine they have removed all of their planes and equipment also.

Got to run!

[BarbaraRose]

Good evening gals!

Martha, it looks like a dangerous situation about to happen in the Gulf. Get ready and be safe! Also, I swear by Terro! It will wipe out any ant infestation in a hurry! (Doesn't work on fire ants tho ). I used it a lot at the old house when I had such a problem with them there. They always seemed to start over and find their way back eventually tho.

The fire situation out here is terrible! My friend and I are supposed to leave for Oregon in two weeks, traveling up the 5 all the way. I don't see that happening now. Too many fires all along there right now. My plan for returning from there was to come back down the 5 and then over to Santa Cruz and down along the coast from there. But that area is all on fire now too so that will change those plans as well. Will have to play it by ear and see how things are in a week or so but not expecting it to be much better from the looks of things.

Woke up last night with a brilliant idea for painting on my gourds. So I got up today and started trying it on a practice gourd piece. Unfortunately, it didn't turn out like I thought but I may keep working at it. I did paint a small gourd with a different technique I learned online, using a balloon. It turned out kind of pretty! Just need to paint a clear coat on it and then I will post a photo of it. It is too hot to do any wood burning or carving since that has to be done outside, so will just stick with some fun painting techniques I see on You Tube for now.

Velda, I would love to see some of your watercolor stamping! I just looked at a You Tube video and it looks like a lot of fun and pretty easy!

Have lots of books to read now so that is keeping me busy too. I went to the store yesterday on an empty stomach and ended up with way too many goodies. I should have eaten before I went.

I also need to clean out Lola's ears which are very dirty, and clip her nails which are getting caught on things. My nails are getting too long too. Can't type very well on here that way. So tomorrow will be "girls glamour day" for us!

Have a good night and stay safe!

[snowball]

went to Rexburg yesterday came home and was so tired that coming up to the house was out of the question.... and today wasn't much better not sure why had to do the afternoon nap
made an angel food cake taste so good especially with huckleberries and whipped cream on top... could do a redo on it but then I should find something with some nutrition in it
my step father used to have a bumper sticker that said something about desserts first don't remember the whole saying but that is what happened tonight
its getting dark not sure I like going out in the dark although I've healed from the fall no longer using a walking stick plus I really should go home and take Shadow out
I'm down to the last color not counting the white border so about 11 rows I think
I am hoping to go to Idaho Falls to see about my MIFI tomorrow will see if it happens
oh Judi while in Boise take a trip up to the Mts. if I could remember the name of them it would help beautiful area... lots of lakes ok the Sawtooth Mountains.... there is a pretty major ski area on the way starts with a S Swan? perhaps
you all have a good day
sheila

[BarbaraRose]

Here it is...

[MandysMom]

Very nice Barbara!
Velda

[BarbaraRose]

Thanks! It is hard to tell from the photo but it is gold, teal, and copper paint splotched on all over, with gold fleck clear paint over the top. Colors didn't show up well in the photo. But it was fun to do!.

[Irmi]

That's nice, Barbie! I'm looking forward to your work on the gourds once you're able to work on them outside, so I hope it cools off so you can do that.

[Cudedog]

...made an angel food cake taste so good especially with huckleberries and whipped cream on top... could do a redo on it but then I should find something with some nutrition in it

This brings back the memories. Thanks, Sheila!

Angel Food cake has always been my favorite kind of cake, ever since I was a child. Even today, when I make one, I even leave a little "extra" in the bowl when I pour the rest in the cake pan for my culinary enjoyment (tastes like whipped cream, only better). I will make one just for myself, and put most of it in the freezer for later. Angel Food freezes well, but is easy to squish. But even a flattish piece of Angel cake tastes pretty good out of the freezer when I am in the mood!

Some years ago Angel Cake mix came in two envelopes - one mixed the egg white envelope first, then added the cake flour envelope. That made a really fabulous cake. These days, Angel Cake mix is "all-in-one": just one envelope that you mix together. This all-in-one kind doesn't taste nearly as good as the "two-fer" kind, but I haven't been able to find the "two-fer" for the last couple of years, although I have looked. Anyone know of where to fine one of these?

I think the two-fer was Pillsbury, the all-in-one was Betty Crocker. Now both these brands are the all-in-one.

my step father used to have a bumper sticker that said something about desserts first don't remember the whole saying but that is what happened tonight

I once went to lunch with a small group of friends (my oh my - remember those 'long-ago' days?). The restaurant was known for it's delicious chocolate cream pie. I had been looking forward to a slice of this pie for a week or so, and as soon as we sat down and the waitress came to take our order, I said "Chocolate cream pie for dessert, please, and please bring the pie first". LOL. The waitress looked surprised, my friends looked shocked, and made a few humorous comments about my "dietary preferences".

But I didn't want to lose out! I also knew that this place sometimes ran out of pie.

When it came, you should have seen the expressions on my friend's faces as I dug right in. Oh, YUM!!! I had it gone down the hatch even before the regular lunch arrived! I would have licked the plate, too, but that would have probably been too over the top, even for my friends.

Dang, it was tasty!

It's really hard to find a good chocolate cream pie these days. Most of them taste like they were made from a box of instant chocolate pudding and past-expiration-date frozen pie crust. Yuck.

Anne

[BarbaraRose]

Anne, here is a recipe that Ava posted quite awhile ago that sounds delicious! I haven't tried it yet but might just do so soon now that I am thinking about it.

"get a box of Angel Food cake mix (pay no attention to the directions on the box)
add a lg can (20 oz) of crushed pineapple. Don't drain it.
Stir it together til mixed, pour it in a 9 x 13 cake pan and cook. 350* for 30 min.

Someone mentioned that you can add mandarin oranges to it also which sounds even better!

The best chocolate cream pie is Marie Callenders Chocolate Satin Pie. It is so light and creamy with a graham cracker crust and real whipped cream on top. Nothing compares to it, but I can't find it in stores out here so I go with the crappier ones which are still better than nothing.

[Cudedog]

Anne, here is a recipe that Ava posted quite awhile ago that sounds delicious! I haven't tried it yet but might just do so soon now that I am thinking about it.

"get a box of Angel Food cake mix (pay no attention to the directions on the box)
add a lg can (20 oz) of crushed pineapple. Don't drain it.
Stir it together til mixed, pour it in a 9 x 13 cake pan and cook. 350* for 30 min.

Someone mentioned that you can add mandarin oranges to it also which sounds even better!

The best chocolate cream pie is Marie Callenders Chocolate Satin Pie. It is so light and creamy with a graham cracker crust and real whipped cream on top. Nothing compares to it, but I can't find it in stores out here so I go with the crappier ones which are still better than nothing.

Barbie, first off I LOVED your gourd. It looks really fabulous. You definitely have "the touch"!

Also, thanks for the recipe, Barbie. Sounds interesting - and easy!

Some people also like frosting on their Angel cake, but I never have. I just mostly like my Angel cake plain, except when I have fresh strawberries available. Angel cake can't be beat with some sliced fresh strawberries on the side, with a dollop of whipped cream on top! Yum.

Man, I do absolutely agree about the Marie Callenders Chocolate Satin Pie. Oh my. The BEST ever. Absolutely to die for. There used to be quite a few Marie Callenders restaurants around northern California (always scored a wedge of this pie when I went in), but you don't see them so much anymore. I haven't had a slice of this satin pie in several years, now that I think of it. I have never seen it in the stores, although other Marie Callenders products are in the frozen food isle (at least they were, before I stopped going to the store!).

EDIT: Hum. Just looked online, and is says that the frozen version is available at my local Walmart. Who knew?
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Marie-Callenders-Frozen-Pie-Dessert-Chocolate-Satin-28-Ounce/10316280?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=0&wl13=1903&&adid=22222222227000000000&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=c&wl3=42423897272&wl4=pla-51320962143&wl5=1014424&wl6=&wl7=&wl8=&wl9=pla&wl10=8175035&wl11=local&wl12=10316280&veh=sem&gclid=Cj0KCQjwhIP6BRCMARIsALu9LfkwkSoHk9iRHCo14yQkaWpKzWvZWWgOqZzNwH8yzbSt2DKyFkhuNkwaAutREALw_wcB

EDIT #2: Er. . . Hum. Found a recipe. Sounds involved, but might try it once I have the ingredients at hand!
https://www.favfamilyrecipes.com/marie-callenders-chocolate-satin-pie/

Gads, this is really making my sweet tooth ache. I've got a box of Angel cake mix here in my cupboard, maybe it's time to break that out!!

Thanks, Barbie.

Anne

[BarbaraRose]

I don't like frosting on angel food cake either but always use the cake for strawberry shortcake!

I think Marie Callenders restaurants are slowly going out of business. Very few down here as well. I used to find the pies in the grocery stores in MN all the time. Harder to find them around here. I am thinking maybe Vons or Albertsons might carry them. I don't have either of those close to me so I don't shop there anymore. My WM here doesn't carry them anymore. Maybe yours still does.

Thanks for the compliment on my gourd! It was fun! Got a lot of compliments from my FB gourd group on it.