COLD DARK ROOM

[CarolM]

I get to go watch daughter in a Christmas concert tonight. I look forward to watching her but not to sitting beside a bunch of strangers[emoji15] All Alone[emoji15] they might bump me[emoji15] or even try to have a random conversation with me during one the interludes[emoji33]

So how was it?

 

[CarolM]

I think there may be an entry in the Guinness Book of World Records for the largest collection of rubber bands. Or some otherwise unknown town may have a giant ball of elastic bands as its claim to fame? Or is that just urban legend?

Maybe someone in the UK can get people to collect and send in elastic bands... Make a collection of them for environmental awareness... Or tie it to a charity or other good cause. Better yet, get the Royal Mail to "buy back" the elastic bands to reuse, and donate the proceeds to charity.

Almost snap.

 

[CarolM]

Small talk:

Do you like tortoises?

Do you like dragons?

Do you think a small dragon sitting on top of a large tortoise would make an interesting piece of artwork?

Would you believe that Amazon sent me the wrong item? I was waiting for this one color to come in so I could finish this project...

Do you know how many scutes are on a Sulcata tortoise?

What do I think of the weather? Let me tell you what my tortoise thinks of this weather!

That way...
You'd either make friends, or they'd stop making small talk...

And if you get bumped into, channel your inner Sulcata!

[emoji23] [emoji23] [emoji23]

 

[CarolM]

Nah, but I'm probably still wound up on all the hot tea from this afternoon...

Do you have any good topics for small talk to get strangers to keep the small talk to a minimum?

Start complaining about something.

 

[CarolM]

I received two lovely cards from Sabine and Carol!!

@Bee62
@CarolM

[emoji3] [emoji3] [emoji3]

 

[CarolM]

[emoji33] on both counts.

I called my own number once. Couldn’t see my phone anywhere, so I thought if I give myself a ring and it buzzes, then I’ll be able to find it. I was surprised when my number was busy. Then it hit me: I couldn’t see it because it was in my hand and then next to my ear the whole time. I was quite jet lagged then. [emoji85][emoji23]

[emoji23] [emoji23] [emoji23] [emoji23] [emoji23] I have done that with my glasses but I was already wearing them.

 

[CarolM]

I think Bold is biding his time while hatching his next escape attempt. I half expect to walk into the room one day and see Bold climbing out of the 20L tank, using the temperature probe wire as a rope...

That would be a kodak moment!!

 

[CarolM]

PINSTRIPE was less cooperative.
View attachment 258960
He was heading back to his little resin coconut hide so fast, that was the only picture I could get. He didn't even linger in the entrance to the hide long enough for a Micro Mud turtle bum shot!

Lol. They are really so cute.

 

[CarolM]

View attachment 258972
My inspiration!!!

Beautiful.

 

[CarolM]

Ever since Bold heard about Jacques' celebrity status, being on a calendar page and having her very own thread on the forum... He's been dropping hints.

He wants me to ask @Moozillion how old Jacques was when she got her own thread. Bold wants to know when he'll be old enough or big enough for his own thread, too.

I think he deserves his own thread already.

 

[CarolM]

Ok CDR team - Day 6 of our Caravan-Serai Recipe Feast. This salad looks pretty scrumptious...but seems to utilize a ton of ingredients.

Roasted Pumpkin Quinoa Salad

View attachment 258983

The pumpkin is roasted with red onion, cumin, coriander, fennel seeds and maple, its delicious and you could totally eat it like that as a side dish.

The quinoa is dressed with lots of herbs and spices; mint, coriander, sumac, lemon and its all topped with pomegranates, pepitas and hazelnuts – whats not to love…

Ingredients
For the roasted pumpkin
1/4 medium kent pumpkin, or your pumpkin of choice
1 red onion, cut in to small wedges
1 tsp ground coriander
1 tsp fennel seeds
1/2 tsp ground cumin
1 tbsp olive oil
2 tsp maple syrup

For the salad
1/2 cup quinoa
1 big handful mint
1 big handful coriander
1/2 tbsp olive oil
1/2 lemon, juiced, or to taste
1 tsp sumac

To garnish
2 tbsp pomegranate seeds
1 tbsp dry roasted pepitas
1 tbsp dry roasted hazelnuts, roughly chopped

Instructions
Preheat oven to 220 degrees C (425 degrees F). Cut pumpkin into chunks and place on a lined baking tray with the onion Add the remaining ingredients and toss to coat. Spread out in a single layer and roast for 25 minutes or until cooked through. Cooking time will vary depending on the size of your pumpkin chunks. Once cooked remove and set aside.

Wash the quinoa and add to a small saucepan with 3/4 cup of water. Cover and bring to the boil. Once boiling turn the heat to as low as possible and allow to cook for 10 minutes. Once cooked fluff with a fork and add to a large bowl. Set aside and allow to cool slightly.

Finely chop the mint and coriander add to the quinoa along with the olive oil, lemon juice, sumac and salt and pepper. Add the pumpkin and toss gently. Add to a serving plate.

Garnish with pepitas, pomegranates and hazelnuts. Serve.

Recipe Notes
To dry roast the pepitas and hazelnuts. Add separately to a frying and cook over medium heat until golden. Add the hazelnuts to a tea towel and rub with your hands to remove most of the skins. Then roughly chop.

Recipe & photo courtesy of http://littlebigh.com/roasted-pumpkin-quinoa-salad/

That is really scrumptious.

 

[CarolM]

Very wise.
Tidgy has been unbearbale for years, so this year, no calendar for Tidgy.
But I think that's only made things worse.
The sulks and temper tantrums have been dreadful.
And that's only wifey.

[emoji23] [emoji23] [emoji23]

 

[CarolM]

Evening All

A nice cool, overcast day, and no rain!

Decided to get a fire going in our pit and burn some of the chopped wood I seem to accumulate.

Enjoy our fire, pull up a chair, half a glass or two of your favorite drink

View attachment 258991

Oh that is an awesome fire.

 

[CarolM]

View attachment 258993
Thank you Carol for the Adorable card! [emoji173]️[emoji217]

Yayyy. So glad my cards are getting to their destinations. [emoji3] [emoji3]

 

[CarolM]

One of the activities we was going to this weekend is canceled View attachment 258994

Oh dear.

 

[CarolM]

I've just gotten two texts from Eva.
She's recovering from surgery.
Her mother has traveled to Texas to help with the household. But she's still too groggy to respond to the TFO.
She asked me to tell Y'all that she's ok.

Oh that is good news.

 

[CarolM]

I've just gotten two texts from Eva.
She's recovering from surgery.
Her mother has traveled to Texas to help with the household. But she's still too groggy to respond to the TFO.
She asked me to tell Y'all that she's ok.

That is fantastic news.

 

[CarolM]

Calling @CarolM... We’re missing some Christmas jokes... and YOU!

Sorry. Was busy with a project for the boss. Just trying to catch up and will then post the jokes that I was meant to post.

 

[CarolM]

Have you considered switching to leather pants? They're all craze in Denmark...

Problem is that they shrink don't they after getting wet?

 

[CarolM]

All safe and sound eating! As for the snow, I want summer back!

Oooooo your babies are adorable.