COLD DARK ROOM

CarolM

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Oct 30, 2017
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19,492
Location (City and/or State)
South Africa - Cape Town
Br-r-r! It's down into the 30sF this a.m. and since I don't use the heater in my house, and I allow the fire in the wood stove to go out mid day, it's pretty cold in here! I've got a nice fire going now though. But I'm finished reading new posts on the Forum, and really have no reason to continue to sit here at the computer (which is right next to the wood stove), I'm just dilly dallying, trying to think of reasons to keep me here instead of going into the kitchen and preparing today's tortoise ration.

I went to the skin doctor yesterday and she took a biopsy of a spot on my nose. I'll know in about a week if it's skin cancer or not. Seems like the nose is a bad place to have a cancer - not much skin there. Oh well, hopefully it won't amount to anything. I've had several skin cancers removed from my face over the years, and one off my back. None of them were the bad kind. . .

After my appointment I was considering stopping to get something to eat, but it was only 10:30a and most places don't start serving lunch until 11a. So I went to the store and bought some Milk Duds instead:

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Here ya go. I'll share them with you all.

Today I plan to finish raking the leaves in the desert and Texas tortoises' yards and pile them up on their hibernatoriums. Hopefully I'll follow through with my plan!

My son's mother-in-law has diabetes and was going to have to have a leg amputated, but they were able to get the circulation with a stent, so she only had toes amputated. Now yesterday my son (they're in Texas) told me the doctors are again thinking of amputation, this time both legs below the knees. I can't imagine that. That would be terrible. Thank goodness I don't have diabetes. I don't think I would be able to live with legs amputated. I thank God every day that I have my health and am able to take care of myself and my property. . . well, and the animals!

And on that lovely note, I guess I have to get my act together and get going. Later!
Oh Yvonne, I hope (Nope not right word) I know that it will be nothing serious. Please keep us in the loop. We worry.
Whenever I read about the issues that Diabetic people are having I get so worried, as hubby is diabetic and he cheats all the time with sugar and he has not taken his sugar levels for a while nor has he taken his insulin for a while either. He still takes his tablets though. But it does not help me moaning and nagging him to take his medication as he just does not listen.
 

CarolM

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Joined
Oct 30, 2017
Messages
19,492
Location (City and/or State)
South Africa - Cape Town
Good evenooning everyone. For the second time this week I haven't been able to get on the site in the afternoon/early evening. It just hangs. It doesn't matter whether I am using the website or either of the apps. Nothing, but a spinning timer until just now :(

I have to go do some moderation on my other forum and then I'll be back if TFO lets me
That is what happened to me last night. I thought it was my internet which was giving problems.
 

JoesMum

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10 Year Member!
Joined
Oct 26, 2011
Messages
21,610
Location (City and/or State)
Kent, South East England
Good mornooning everyone. It's Thursday! I wake to an email saying that the paperwork for one of next week's meetings is ready for me to download. Deep joy :(

Thursday is yoga day and the last before Christmas so that's where I am headed this morning.

Today''s Christmas playlist song is Fairytale of New York by the Pogues
 

CarolM

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Oct 30, 2017
Messages
19,492
Location (City and/or State)
South Africa - Cape Town
And back to Iran for this Christmas Recipe - Day 11

Some of the most iconic flavors of Persian cuisine are pomegranate, walnuts, pistachios, and honey. This recipe has them all! The marinade contains pomegranate juice, ground walnuts, honey and spices. This recipe does take some advance planning, but you will be well rewarded when you are finally able to bit into the tender beef with a tangy sweet glaze. Enjoy for a special holiday dinner with family and friends, it will be a hit!

Brisket with Pomegranate-Walnut Sauce and Pistachio Gremolata

View attachment 259462

INGREDIENTS
For the brisket and marinade:
1 (7-pound) beef brisket with fat, fat trimmed to 1/4" thickness
2 teaspoons (or more) kosher salt
1 teaspoon (or more) freshly ground black pepper
1 head of garlic, peeled
1 cup walnuts
2 tablespoons honey
3 cups pomegranate juice, divided

For the gremolata:
1 1/2 cups (packed) mint leaves (about 1 bunch)
1/2 cup shelled roasted, salted pistachios
2 garlic cloves
2 teaspoons finely grated lemon zest
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

Special Equipment
A large roasting pan

PREPARATION
Marinate and cook the brisket:
Season brisket all over with salt and pepper. Transfer to a large 2-gallon resealable plastic bag or bowl (use roasting pan only if necessary).

Purée garlic, walnuts, honey, and 1 cup pomegranate juice in a blender until very smooth. Add remaining 2 cups pomegranate juice and blend until smooth. Pour marinade over brisket. Seal bag or cover bowl tightly with foil. Chill, turning occasionally, at least 24 hours or up to 48 hours.

Transfer brisket and marinade to roasting pan, cover tightly with foil, and let sit at room temperature 1 hour.

Preheat oven to 275°F. Bake brisket, covered, until meat shreds easily with 2 forks, about 5 hours; if meat is still tough, continue cooking, covered, 1 hour.

Transfer brisket to a cutting board and cover loosely with foil. Transfer cooking liquid to a saucepan and spoon off fat from surface. Cook over medium-high heat, skimming off fat and foam as it surfaces, until reduced by two-thirds (you should have about 2 cups sauce). Season with salt and pepper if necessary.

Make the gremolata:
Pulse mint, pistachios, garlic, lemon zest, salt, and pepper in a food processor until coarsely chopped. Drizzle in oil, pulsing until just combined (do not over-process).

To serve, slice brisket against the grain and transfer to a platter. Spoon sauce over and top with gremolata.

Do Ahead
Brisket can be cooked, without slicing, 2 days ahead. Cover and chill; warm before slicing. Sauce can be made 2 days ahead. Cover and chill.

Cooks' Note
An equal amount of walnuts can be substituted for the pistachios in the gremolata.

Recipe is from Epicurious Magazine
That sounds so yummmyyyy
 

CarolM

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Oct 30, 2017
Messages
19,492
Location (City and/or State)
South Africa - Cape Town
Good Thursday All,
it took me a little while to catch up (Which I love). Our Christmas story is progressing so well and I am so impressed with all the roommates writing skills. Thank you all for taking part. Waiting anxiously for Anne's addition. Another 12 days available to write more additions and the end.

Today's joke is as follows:
What A Girl Wants For Christmas
The Santa Claus at the shopping mall was very surprised when a Emily, young lady aged about 20 years old walked up and sat on his lap. Now, we all know that Santa doesn't usually take requests from adults, but she smiled very nicely at him, so he asked her, 'What do you want for Christmas?' 'Something for my mother, please,' replied Emily sweetly. 'Something for your mother? Well, that's very loving and thoughtful of you,' smiled Santa. 'What would you like me to bring her?' Without turning a hair Emily answered quickly, 'A son-in-law.'
 

JoesMum

Well-Known Member
10 Year Member!
Joined
Oct 26, 2011
Messages
21,610
Location (City and/or State)
Kent, South East England
Good Thursday All,
it took me a little while to catch up (Which I love). Our Christmas story is progressing so well and I am so impressed with all the roommates writing skills. Thank you all for taking part. Waiting anxiously for Anne's addition. Another 12 days available to write more additions and the end.

Today's joke is as follows:
What A Girl Wants For Christmas
The Santa Claus at the shopping mall was very surprised when a Emily, young lady aged about 20 years old walked up and sat on his lap. Now, we all know that Santa doesn't usually take requests from adults, but she smiled very nicely at him, so he asked her, 'What do you want for Christmas?' 'Something for my mother, please,' replied Emily sweetly. 'Something for your mother? Well, that's very loving and thoughtful of you,' smiled Santa. 'What would you like me to bring her?' Without turning a hair Emily answered quickly, 'A son-in-law.'
[emoji23]
 

Pastel Tortie

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Tortoise Club
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Jul 31, 2018
Messages
4,264
Location (City and/or State)
North Florida
The CDR Christmas Story...

It was two weeks before Christmas and the kids are getting so excited about Christmas. I love Joe, Torento, Clunker, Jacques, Sully, Ma, Mo, Kristoff, Rue, Kang, Clark, Harry, Blue, Whity, Pickles, Tidgy, Oli Bold, Julio and Misty ( I am sorry if I have forgotten anyones name - it IS Monday morning and please insert your babies name into the story) so so much and I cannot disappoint them this Christmas. I have no job anymore and have been pretending to go to work everyday so that the kids don't know. But with no job and no money Christmas is going to be so disappointing this year. I need a Christmas miracle.......
So I went downtown to view some store windows. Maybe one of these stores need a helping hand before Christmas and would pay me. I was really in despair. I would do mostly every job to earn a little bit money.
There were a lot of people in the streets. Busy people searching for the last Christmas gifts they want to buy. People with heavy bags in their hands. My own hands were empty. So empty like my purse. I was praying to see a sign in one of these store windows saying : "Help needed. Enter when you are interested", but none...
My mood is getting sadder and sadder. At the end of the street right on the edge I recognize a very small window store and something in the window fascinates me. I don`t know what it is. I am getting nearer. It was a very small store. The sign on the window tells me that it was a shop for antiquities.
It was very dark in the store but I can see an old man standing behind an old wooden counter. I was scared because the old man looks directly in my eyes. I can`t avoid his look. It seems to me that for several minutes we were looking each other in the eyes but in real it was only a few seconds.
Suddenly I turn my face and want to go away as I hear a little bell jingle. It was the bell on the entry door of the store. A hoarse voice ask: "Are you searching for work ? I could need a helping hand in the store. Are you interested ?"
I turn my face and can`t believe the words I have heard. I was astonished. How could the old man know that I was searching for employment ? I was looking in two watery blue friendly eyes of the old man and feel that my Christmas miracle has just begun.
"Yes, I am interested." I hear my own voice without thinking about what I was saying.
"Okay, come in. I`ll show you what to do. It is easy to do but I am old and some things are too heavy for me."
The old man opens the entry door of his store and the bell jingles again. I was following him. It was a little bit dark inside the small room. I can see a lot of shelves. The whoole store was full with shelves and every shelve helds totally different things: Wooden boxes, old lamps, figures in all sizes, a lot of old dolls, porcelain, silver cutlery, tea pots, old tin toys..... and so much more I can`t describe. The lot of things were overwhelming me.
"Here, take that duster and clean my beauties, but be very careful. Every piece in here has his own personality and story. Please don`t break a thing, they are very precious."

I began to carefully sweep away layers of dust... as I did, I got this feeling... almost like I was sweeping away all my troubles. My heart felt lighter than it had in some time. One particular object was so dirty that I couldn’t make out what it was right off the bat. As the grime started to fly away, I realized it was a snow globe. It was beautifully anchored on a bronze base with delicate floral tooling etched all the way around. Something pulled at my heart. I picked it up, mesmerized it seemed, and tilted it down and up again. As I watched the snow fall, it seemed a strange glow began. There was a tiny ramshackle looking shed in the globe. It looked as if it was growing larger... or maybe closer before my very eyes....

I began to carefully sweep away layers of dust... as I did, I got this feeling... almost like I was sweeping away all my troubles. My heart felt lighter than it had in some time. One particular object was so dirty that I couldn’t make out what it was right off the bat. As the grime started to fly away, I realized it was a snow globe. It was beautifully anchored on a bronze base with delicate floral tooling etched all the way around. Something pulled at my heart. I picked it up, mesmerized it seemed, and tilted it down and up again. As I watched the snow fall, it seemed a strange glow began. There was a tiny ramshackle looking shed in the globe. It looked as if it was growing larger... or maybe closer before my very eyes....
No, it wasn’t growing larger I was smaller!
The ground beneath me was soft but not cold. I could still see the glow inside the shed so I walked closer and slowly entered and I could not believe my eyes!
I saw hundreds of little people busy working and singing! It was a very warm magical place! As I walked in slowly a cute little lady handed me a tool belt and a hot drink which turned out to be a delightful hot toddy...

The warm toddy worked its’ way through my body. The aromatic spices and herbs filled my senses, and the Ballmoral Malt Whiskey eased my apprehensions. Suddenly the blocks of wood became live, the “little people” gazed out the frosty windows, and the birds, sheep, camels, oxen, and horses in the bright green pastures were dancing. A bonfire was glowing, the stars, moon and sun could all be seen. Day was night, and night became day. Was it a dream or a new reality...


Suddenly, I spotted something protruding through the snow. I reached out to brush the snow away. The felt slightly odd, reminding me that somehow I was in the snow globe world. As I pulled the snow away, an armadillo was revealed. There were rings on his back as if coffee cups had been left there. The tag on his collar read "Montgomery". Montgomery nudged me and started to plod through the snow. What could I do but follow him? Time passed, but the light stayed the same and it was impossible to say how far we walked. We arrived at the mouth of a cave and the armadillo wagged his tail and headed right in. Should I go with him? Was it safe?

Taking a deep breath, I stepped into to the cave. It was dark, and I had already lost sight of Montgomery the armadillo, although I heard his footsteps somewhere in front of me. I reached out my hands and slowly shuffled my feet forward, hoping not to trip or fall over any obstacles in the dark. Then my fingers brushed against something. I knew instantly it wasn't an armadillo. Whatever I had just touched, it was squishy! Then it started to glow, faintly at first. Carefully poking the glowing blob again, I took a closer look. It resembled a glowing jellyfish.
 

Kristoff

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5 Year Member
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Jul 12, 2016
Messages
8,299
Location (City and/or State)
Ottawa, Ontario
First in the grade. First for maths, technology, life science, life orientation, EMS (economic and management sciences) , social sciences, An award of merit, and the moxley music award.

Yes it was. I cried and my hubby rolled his eyes at me. [emoji23] [emoji23] [emoji23]

Hubby was trying to roll up the tears, but I’m sure he’d never admit it. ;)
 

Kristoff

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5 Year Member
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Jul 12, 2016
Messages
8,299
Location (City and/or State)
Ottawa, Ontario
Good evenooning everyone. For the second time this week I haven't been able to get on the site in the afternoon/early evening. It just hangs. It doesn't matter whether I am using the website or either of the apps. Nothing, but a spinning timer until just now :(

I have to go do some moderation on my other forum and then I'll be back if TFO lets me

That’s why I suspected a trio of Christmas ferrets, since no one has seen the meerkats for some time...
 
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