Wet and rainy Thursday

[avalen]

Good Morning ladies
its been raining all night and big snow storm up north in Flagstaff had the road closed
and many travelers stranded. It will make for a good profitable ski weekend coming up.
Not doing much today, but first thing I will take my certificate over the airport ground
transportation office and get my placquered (have no idea how to spell that word)
for the shuttle bus. It looks like a humongous
size drivers license we have to display on the dashboard.
Then I'll do up a bunch of laundry while Mr HP is at work and won't know how long I use
the dryer.
Enjoy your day ladies and hope everyone stays warm.

[Colliemom]

Good morning Ava and all,

A cloudy, misty morning here at the 45th. Supposed to have some freezing drizzle around the area this morning and maybe some light rain showers later today and tonight with rain predicted for tomorrow. Highs in the upper 30's and 40's. Was a beautiful day yesterday with plenty of sunshine and temps around 44. Great day to be out. Took the girls for a long walk and shed my hat and gloves. Sun was so nice and warm. We enjoyed it. Felt like late winter day instead of mid winter.

Yesterday I went and did some shopping and so did the whole county I think. Lots of people in the stores and traffic moving around town. Everybody's stocking up for New Years and also those who live way out in the outlaying areas know that our hard snowpacked roads can get very icy when this kind of weather comes around. They can make for some interesting driving especially in spring when they turn to pure ice and on the hills it's even more fun. But the county scraped and sanded roads this week in prep for this incoming weather. Gonna get cold again by Saturday and probably snow. What snow is out there right now is VERY wet. You pick up a handful and it just drips through your fingers.

So today is house cleaning day. No more cleaning this year after I finish today . At least we will start out the New Year fresh and clean. Will probably work on my scrapbook too for awhile. Time is moving along here and before long it wlll be time to start thinking about getting the TT ready to roll for another summer. Will start taking stock of what I have to replace from last year as far as staples, cleaning supplies etc.. Took everything out and am using some of it in the house, so can start fresh in spring. And of course start up the collision insurance agan, as I took it off for the winter. Gee, I'm geting excited just thinking about it.

Well, enough yakking for this morning. This is not getting any thing done, but I"m in no hurry. Once I get going, it won't take long. I have cleaned out so much stuff in this house over the past few years, that I don't have a lot to dust and clean anymore. After the first of the year, I will start washing walls and cleaning curtains etc. to prep for a possible listing in spring. My dream is tugging at me and with the market the way it is, it won't sell fast anyway. But a real estate friend told me that the realtors Assoc .figures it will be at least 2015 before homes start to rebound. Well, we can wait forever and go no place. There are people out looking as homes around me are starting to sell one at a time.

Have a great day everyone.

[Nasoosie]

A red rose for everyone today!

GOOD MORNING ALL!

No frost this morning! I notice that it is warmer at home today than it was here yesterday morning! What strange, strange weather changes! It's cloudy here, so far, but nice out there. I notice I have a single deep red rose blooming in the garden in front of the house...gotta go take a picture of it and add it to this post. Those are the same rose bushes my father planted here just after he moved in in the early 80s----amazing that they have survived with no care other than an occassional trimming by my son when he lived here. My father would be so happy to know his roses are still living on----they were his favorite hobby.

I'm not sure what is going on yet for this weekend, as I still haven't heard from the kids in St. Cloud. Maybe they just want to celebrate by themselves, which is fine by me. Molly and I can usher in the new year on our own! I am thinking I can go canoeing and biking now that it's above freezing! I wonder how Joe and Mandy made out with the cleaning of my chimney and stove pipe yesterday morning---that is a very nasty job, as it has to be done from the hearth up, lying on one's back with goggles on to protect the eyes from falling soot and creosote as that heavy wire brush goes up and down the entire length of the chimney. ACK! Then you have to vacuum up all that crap from the smoke ledge in the fireplace opening before re-fitting the pipe around that ledge and screwing on the aluminum sheeting to block the cold air from coming into the living room! The steep pitch of the metal roof, and the tallness of the chimney above that roof, makes it impossible to clean it from the roof down, unless you rent a cherry picker to stand on. Ahhh yes! I guess I am in the right spot after all!

Molly and I went for a nice long walk around the neighborhood last night, meeting up with lots of other 4-footers leading their owners around. They have these things called 'streetlights' here, which light up the area even at night!! People at home have no idea what those things are! Back there, night walking involves snowshoes and headlights worn over a heavy hat!

Coffee really tastes good to me this morning....Hazlenut, as usual for me. Stop in and tell us about your day, no matter how mundane you might feel it is. Every day we are able to get up and breathe and laugh a bit is a good day. And we are good at finding things to laugh about in here!

I cananot access ORS website this morning at all-----I was bragging last night about how easy it was for me to get in there! Sigh!

Happy Thursday, all. Congrats, Ava, on getting your new certification!

[Carolinagal]

Good-morning Everyone !!!

Oh Soos, thank you for the Rose this morning, it is so pretty. We're in for another day with out the sun shining, rain is coming, So the Rose this morning is perfect for me, brightens up my day. Red is my favorite color too. Snow here is still laying on the ground, melting so not as deep and I am hoping rain will clean it off my car and the ice. The temp. here is warmer then it has been for some time. Snow never lays on the ground this long here, we have black ice too in this area, warning to drivers on the news this morning. Its been an experience and I am so lucky that being stranded here does not bother me.

Ava, so glad your dreaded time just setting in that class is over and you have the required certificate. Your new job, sounds like a good one. I am so glad. You and Sue sound ambitious today. Laundry and cleaning. I have that to do too, but no ambition here In fact, I started a book last night, read half of it, might just have to finish it today, after I put the dishes away out of the dishwasher and put more in (ole soooo tiring )

I'm behind on the news here, so will try to catch up on some of it. This is the last Thursday for this year, Ladies, so make it a good one !!!!!.
Above all, stay safe , warm and enjoy the day wherever or whatever you're doing.
CArol

[Barbzeee]

Good Morning to All.... yes, it's been awhile since I popped into this area...but while I was up and about and cleaning up
my mess in the kitchen...since 4:30 am... I thought I'd let ya know... I made that Artisan bread...well ...several loaves actually...and finally found
my camera and even charged the batteries....Now I ask ya... how many things do ya gots ta do before you call it a day... ..

Well, it's a lot warmer than it has been and I thought let me keep my oven going so I can keep my feet warm too...LOL Anyone wanting bread Hahaha

So, I'm getting ready to do some posting on my blog....but here's a few goodies.... This is that Artisan bread in 5 minutes to mix..

The bucket in the frig and then just before I pinched off the dough I added some flour... I have to tell you... I worried...but the taste is great and
next time I'll make a few changes...

Who says, "Ya can't teach and ole gal new tricks"...boy this was simple and no kneading..wooo hooo...however I would like darker crust..but next time..


Soos, I love that Rose...but sure wish it were a peace rose...LOL that's my favorite....

God Bless....

Zeee

[mitch5252]

..

Zeeeeeee - that bread is gorgeous! Guess you've forced me to mix up a batch today!

What kind of yeast did you use, and did you use the amount in the recipe (or more)?
I don't remember mine rising that tall.

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[Forestgal]

Wow, Zee! Beautiful bread! And yes, how did you get it to rise so much? So far my favorite has been a sun-dried tomato/basil/parmesan bread made with the light whole wheat dough. Add to that some yummy garlic-herb butter and I could sit right down and eat the whole loaf!

What I like about the bread is that it's simple to "play" with the recipes & add what you think might taste good. Plus, the loaves aren't so big that you've got tons of bread hanging around for days. I always make a half-recipe, giving me 2 loaves so that I can switch things up more often.

Well, it's sunny but COLD (for us) today. When I let Jed out at 7:00 it was only 35* outside. We just don't get much cold weather, so when we do it's quite noteworthy. There's been some concern about flowers freezing for the Parade floats, so hopefully it won't get any colder. Not supposed to get above the mid-50s here today -- again cold for us.

I'm off with my TX company to visit the Rose Bowl area before it gets totally insane tomorrow. They have to get their requisite souvenirs so off we go. And I think we'll probably mix up some brioche bread to make a cinnamon-sugar loaf later. Fortunately these folks are very low-maintenance, so I don't feel like a chicken without a head. But it'll be good to have my own bed back on Sunday night!

Laura -- and Jed

[Barbzeee]

Mitch, I used the cheap stuff I bought it at Sam's Club and I used Gold Medal Unbleached Flour... I did use 1 1/2 Tblspoons of yeast like the recipe called for... boy it really is tasty... Now what I did do...when I batched this up... I didn't make the bread for 3 days...maybe
that might help you too... My dough was a little on the dry side so I wet my hands... but one thing I will do next time... even though
I had a pan of water underneath... I'll spray the bread too.. that might help it come a little browner..

My loaves were on the smaller size as I did two up at one time... this is too good... I'm gonna be in trouble... LOL

All invited to come dunk bread in SOUP...Lots of it.. hahaha...

Let me know Mitch how yours comes out... I'm gonna try a Rye bread next..

God Bless
Zeee

Shame on that person who started this !

[Acadianmom]

I tried the wheat one and it was too heavy. I have some out now. Thought I would try leaving it longer to see if it would rise more.

We had some bad weather come through last night. The weather people said winds in excess of 60 mph. I haven't heard of any bad damage but it finished breaking an old door at the barn and twisted up the neighbors chicken pen. It blew stuff all over our yard. We were standing around looking at each other for a while wondering which way to run.

That's a beautiful rose. I love roses and that's about all I can grow. Mine have been blooming like crazy for the last week.

I am suppose to be getting ready to go to my sister's. I would like to come back tomorrow but there is more rain predicted. I really don't want to be there for New Year's. It gets pretty rowdy with her 3 boys.

Martha

[Barbzeee]

Martha, I let mine set out for 40 minutes...and it did rise nicely... something about cold dough brrrrrrrr especially since we've been so
dang cold in Florida.... My dough was a little dry and that could have been because of scooping.. maybe I packed... so not use to this way of not kneading...kind of hit and miss...but this seems like a no fail type dough...

Also when I first made the batch I let it set out for better than 2 hours and my dough had risen up to the top of the lid... got a little nervous there..then
like I said, "I set it in the frig for 3 days before I used it...

This was the basic recipe and almost had like a sour dough taste but good.. and I even toasted a slice to see how that would go...

I'm gonna not want to weigh in next month...LOL

Any way I'm gonna do Rye bread and then (see I'm in the planning stages already) a Asiago Cheese bread...

I'll post pictures on my blog too and will let ya all know how my breads go...

Oh,, I did a Ciabatta bread the ole fashion way...but I see it can be made this way too...so I'm ready for the family now LOL

God Bless
Zeee

[Echo]

GOOD MORNING SISTAHS!!!

BRRRR, Brrrr and more Brrrrr!! When I took Shade out at 7:30 this morningI had to scrape the snow and ice off my thermometer so I could see the temp. Dang! BRRRR, almost wish I hadn't! It told me it was 16 degrees out there! Not sure how much snow we actually ended up with over all? Probably 6" or there abouts. Last night after the last pupper trip out the door? Boy did the winds start to kick up,spooked the heck right out of Kelly and I!! It shook, rattled and swayed this ol' trailer. The curtains started wiggling and fluttering, cause of course it's old enough that the windows don't quiet want to crank all the way shut. It got a tiny bit drafty in here! (ok Beth, we need an Eskimo smiley now ) I guess I will have to add window plastic & more tape to the wish/shopping list! By goodness my wind chimes were ringing and making lots of music in that wind... Good thing I don't have any of my bigger ones out there!!! Neighbors would probably shoot me! Will have to ask them today if I see them if the 'music' bothered them last night. I know I wasn't gonna go back out there in that wind, in the dark and try to take them down. I did pop the door open about 6" to look outside when the wind was blowing and got a face full of wind and snow. Let me tell you, it sure didn't take long at all to slam that door shut! Big BRRRR! Gonna be cold for the rest of the week too. Not suppose to get above the mid 30's and might go down to 5f tonight. Wish I could teach Shade to cuddle around my feet!! There ain't much to her but she at least could warm one foot at a time! I might have to wear socks to be or get a bigger dog! ? Nah, it would probably want to sleep on my pillow like Shade does. Altho when Mom gets in bed and lays down she gets onto her own pillow which I have on the little side stand next to the head of the bed.

Still have not gotten to the store for carrots!!! Didn't want to go anywhere in the snow yesterday. Guess I'm either getting lazy or else an old fuddy duddy! Got another new neighbor yesterday. He's in the spot behind me and in front of Jodie. One of the other neighbors had to put the TT in the site with his 4x4 diesel. The truck that tried was a 1 ton 4x4 diesel but the fool had summer tread tires on. Sheesh!!! The new neighbor is a miner who works at the mine about 60mls from here. That's where quite a few of the guys here work there. Wouldn't mind working there for a bit! Alan the neighbor up the lane who is a friend of Jodie's is a miner and makes $80 per hour!! Wouldn't that be nice? Certainly couldn't hope for that but maybe another job there?? Gonna check it out. Without my class A endorsement I wouldn't be able to haul over the road but I could drive dump truck in the mine and within the mine property. Like I said gonna have to check it out. Will need to dig thru a bunch of stuff to find my work history. Don't know about the 'inside' driving job but for truck driving on the highways I have to provide a 10yr work history. So I need that work history paper cause I sure the heck can't remember all the dates and phone #'s and names! I'm lucky if I can remember my cell phone number. But then again I never call myself!!!

OK, time for another cup of coffee and to read any other postings to see what's been going on. Everybody have a good day and be safe. Warm too if necessary.

Love to all

[BarbaraRose]

Soos, Love the Rose!!! So pretty up against the white wall! Thank you for sharing!

Gee, I can almost smell that bread now! I got my mom a bread machine once and she made bread in it every day! She loved it! This recipe sounds almost as easy as the bread machine.

Taking it easy today. Went to the library and the bank and Walmart to get a better map! Getting a few things done around here. Tomorrow morning I will head down to Pasadena to watch the floats being decorated. Then head down REALLY early on Saturday morning for the parade! Yay!!

My new camera is pretty much toast. Started acting up bad the other night. So I am charging up the batteries for my old camera to take with me tomorrow and Saturday. Need to get a new camera when I can afford it. My old one works good but I want a higher zoom for distance.

[mitch5252]

My old one works good but I want a higher zoom for distance.

How many megapixels is the old one? Just so you know, you can zoom with software; don't need to spend a lot of money on a huge zoom (optical, right). And you're also talking a point 'n shoot camera?

..
And how is the new one acting up? Some things can be fixed.

[mitch5252]

..

Still not as high of a rise as Zeeeeeee's waaaa-waaaaaaaa...



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[BirdbyBird]

If I drive to NW TN can I have some of the rejects...I would hate for you and George to suffer.....