Best/Worse/What did I learn today? chat with friends

LK - big time prayers for your dad and all the family........ If the leg is not amputated, the infection will run through the rest of the body, but if it's surgery he may not survive..... what a conundrum.....!!

Katie - it becomes more and more transparent that you are an earthly angel! Bless you!!!!!!!

Betty - did you end up doing any lifting/moving for Dottie? I certainly hope not cuz that would be what aggravated your health and why you're taking painkillers......
Looking for patterns to use the twister tool, that aren't just for Christmas - would like other types than wreaths, much as I love Christmas!

Betty, not too far from where you are is Warm Mineral Springs. I think it is $20 for a day visit. You need to go there and plant your behind in the springs and SIT and
heal. I have heard many good stories from there.

Happy Birthday Dianne, I would sing but you seriously don't want that!!! I will save cakes until after all those posted have been eaten.:-) I do hope today is filled with nothing but good things for you.

Debbie, so laughing about family being the guinea pigs. That is the norm around here when Kim gets into the kitchen. So far everything has been okay but I am sure the day will come when..............

Ah Judy, welcome to the world of a son who drives.....mine scared me more than Kim did. Now he is much better but I think it is having 2 little ones of his own.

I am being really good today about resting the leg......I haven't seen mom since the first of October and I really, really need to go down. Not know what the future holds with these torn ligaments, I don't dare chance not going. If it ends up surgery......then it will after recovery time which I have been told could be any where from 2 - 6 weeks. Won't know until after I see the next doctor.

Les Miz was the new movie version that came out Christmas Day. Yes, I have also seen it on stage years ago in Tampa, Orlando and Jacksonville. Might say I like it.:-) I thought the movie was extremely good, but that is MHO.

Betty, I will just take the pain meds for the trip and stop more frequently than we normally do so I can move a little. Didn't leave today as my entire hip was sore from compensating for the knee. This to shall pass. Just keep checking messages as I truly plan to get together with you. LOL I see you found Fleamasters!!!! Did you go? My sister loves that place. Quilt shop in the Ft. Myers area? Hummm, my sister has been withholding that information from me. Need to check that out.

Just checking into see how our dear Luna and LK made out at the vet's today.

Thank you all so much for the birthday wishes, cakes and flowers.You all are my family so it meant a lot to me. Slept this afternoon for a couple of hours. Felt good! Just kept to myself with the furries. Diesel and I went for an extra walk too.

The Springs sounds wonderful Betty. Great idea ..... I would go in a second if I was there.

Congrats on the closing of the Huber house Judy. Picked a great day to close on too!

Katie how is your hand? Hope it is continuing to heal well.

LK sending prayers for your dad. Very difficult situation he and your family are in no matter what you decide.

Full moon tonight - will be fun for our walk. Probably won't need a flashlight.

Dianne

Dianne, great that you are enjoying your special day. Worry about you taking late night walks, if you ever fell or had a spell who would find you?

Marion, I'll come to the gathering so don't you come down here feeling as you do.yep, I'll look mighty pretty in my new outfits..lol

Quilt shops galore..

I'm interested in 2

http://quiltlovershangout.com/onlineshoppe.html

Barb, that is pretty! Well done!

Debbie, let us know how the soup comes out?

Katie, I agree, wish you would post pictures of your beautiful scenery!

Betty, I got your package today! Thanks so much for the great surprise! What size squares does the large template require?
Small one needs 5 inch squares.

Betty - which 2 are you interested in?

Dianne - how lovely to go for a walk in the moonlight....... so peaceful! (except that Diesel will likely pull you, not walk lol)

Luna is doing better, she gained 3 pounds, so they went ahead and gave her the yearly shots. We need to finish the anti biotic's for 3 more weeks, then we will take her back and have her fixed.

Great news LindaKay, just goes to show you what a whole bunch of TLC does.
They are for large quilts..believe for 10" squares..will send patterns when I get home..had hoped all the new patterns I ordered would have been in before I left.

2nd shop Susan is called peas in A pod

fantastic news re: Luna!!! I agree with Betty - TLC is what does it! You're a good furry keeper!

Betty - the link just takes me to a page to buy quilt books. Nothing about "peas in a pod".
Not to worry - it's all I can do to do the sewing I have already, and now you & Jaye have enabled me to do more LOL She sent me a jelly roll of spring greens, and now I have a twister tool (Thank you to you Both - keeps me shartp!!)

LindaKay, the soup turned out very well. DD and DH both ate two bowls. HOWEVER, I think I went a bit "Paula Dean" on it with butter! Ya can't do a good
soup roux without butter and flour. AND now I have a stomach ache! lol BUT dang it sure taste good going down!

Used potatoes, broccoli, chicken chunks ...and when done, topped each bowl with a sprinkle of shredded cheddar and crumbled bacon!

Debbie - I'd love to have the recipe - I have about 3 bags of potatoes and need to use them!
I don't have any place (no basement) or sand to store them, and certainly no room to put 3 x 10 lb bags of potatoes.

That sounds really good, especially on cold days like your having!

Susan, I didn't really use a recipe....but will give it a shot. We have a big family, and i wanted extra to freeze...so you can pare it down. If you want a more
precise recipe google "chicken & potato chowder" it is similar.

5 large potatoes....bite size diced. Cook these in 6 cups water. OR six cups chicken broth...or the water with 3 bullion cubes

Cooked the potatoes about 25 minutes. DO NOT DRAIN. To that add:

I happened to have chicken (Make sure you cook it first) on hand, but have made this with diced ham also....very good. Add about 3 cups diced meat

I also added frozen broccoli...1 pkg.

Let this simmer for a bit.

In a second pot Melt a stick of butter. When it is melted add flour while stirring it. As it thickens and gets "pasty" start adding milk.
It usually takes about 2 to 3 cups milk...to make a good roux. It will thicken as you stir. Add this to your soup batch....and stir.

For seasonings I added salt, pepper, and a tiny bit of sage & basil.

I had some cooked bacon which I crumbled on top of each bowl....along with shredded cheddar cheese. IF you want, you can mix the shredded cheddar
right into the soup and mix it wll...and just sprinkle the bacon on your bowl of soup.

WARNING: I am NOT responsible for your high cholesterol with the bacon, cheese and such! BUT dang, it really taste so good.

I have also served this in bread bowls...which is really good!

Debbie, we discovered years back when DH's cholesterol got too high, that olive oil and flour or corn starch makes a lovely roux....I use it for anything that needs one, gumbo, soups, gravies.....lower salt and fat,both of which can cause upset tummies. I also have Cholecyctitis, diagnosed in my 20's, so have learned lots of ways to reduce/substitute the fat content of the foods I cook.

Good thoughts for your Father, Linda Kay. Heart worms will also cause dogs to throw up, so may continue until she finishes treatment. Glad Luna is improving.

Enjoy your walk in the moonlight Dianne....something so calming and rejuvenating about a Moonlight stroll....you won't need your lighted cap tonight.

Marion, good thoughts for you....I know not getting to your Mom's must be very stressful for you....need be, you can ensconce yourself in the back seat for part of the trip to keep it elevated.

Susan, that soup sounds like a surefire freezer filler....potatoes surely won't go to waste.

Katie, hope the hand is healing well and the stomach virus passes quickly.

Beautiful work Barb....such patience....grin.

Betty, glad Darlene is feeling more herself....enjoy the rest of your stay.

Judy...hurray on Huber! Give Jake my congratulations. It is such a big step for them and makes them so grownup.....grin.

Stay warm and be safe
Jean

LOL I have no problems with cholesterol, so I'm fine lol

I've been "gifted" with some shredded mozza & cheddar cheese (pizza cheese?!), and have some pre-cooked bacon I broke up for another recipe, so with my "lots of potatoes" this sounds good!!
I've copied it to my "Recipes" folder, so will make it soon!!

yes Jean - it sounds good for freezing! And sounds so good with bacon & cheese!

Back from bingo, Darlene won $15 and I $10 and Patti didn't win.
Ohh soup sounds scrumptious just too bad you have a tummy ache.

Sun dog in the sky,going to be a storm..

ya hooo - You and Darlene won for the first time since I've been here!! Good for you, and sorry to hear Patti didn't win, but 2 outta 3 ain't bad!!

Happy Birthday Dianne!!!
((Hugs))

Mary

Safe travels tomorrow Mary! Have a wonderful time....and stick your toes in the sand and water for me!

Betty, you should be down at the beach doing the same. Salt water is very healing!

Good night and sweet dreams

Debbie

According to Amanda Bynes in What A Girl Wants - "Mom says if you can walk on a beach and you have a steady hand with nail polish... there's no reason to ever pay for a pedicure."

From EHow:

How to have a Salon pedicure for $1
Instructions
1 Walk to the local park in your socks and tennis shoes. Not only will you get exercise, but you will also find a sandbox or volleyball court at the park.

2 Remove your socks and shoes and walk barefoot in the sand. The sand is a natural exfoliate and will remove any dead skin on your feet. In addition, sand will soften rough patches along your toes, feet sides and heels.

3 Rinse your feet off from a nearby water source and put your socks and shoes back on. The socks and shoes will retain the moisture from the water on your way back home.

4 Mix together 2 Tbsp. white sugar and 1 1/2 Tbsp. olive oil. Apply the mixture to your feet and scrub. Like sand, the sugar and olive oil will exfoliate your skin. In addition, the olive oil will put moisture into your feet. Rub the mixture around the cuticles of your toes and use your fingernails to gently push the cuticle back.

5 Grab your hand lotion and massage it onto your feet. Hand lotion will work just as well as foot lotion.

6 Smooth out rough nails with a pair of jeans, or a denim skirt, you own. Rub the denim across the tip of the nails until the nails are smooth. Denim will smooth out chipped and jagged nails.

7 Paint nails with a steady hand and the nail polish you purchased from the drug store. Wait for the first coat to dry before applying the second coat. Wait for the polish to dry completely before moving.

Read more: How to Have a Salon Pedicure for a Dollar | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_5219460_salon-pedicure-dollar.html#ixzz2GRxIHKBJ

Morning all,

Susan have to give that a try, still would be nice to pamper oneself!

Lazy kind of day, moving slowly, would like to take a run to the fabric shop, perhaps this afternoon. Darlene wanted to make a 2 piece flannel tie blanket so I've just organized her, watching perry mason movie then I'll see what I can get into..find a place to set up my sewing machine and make sure it's working.

Calling for overcast day but close to 80 degrees!

I went looking for the foot pampering stuff that LK sent me, but it was Missing!!! Bob had cleared up for the holidays and put it waaaaaaaaay up in the cupboard, plus on His nightstand! hmmmmm guess he wants to pamper himself lol

My hand is much better. Max snapped at me in the middle of the night last night but didn't hurt me. I forgot and rreached over him while he was sleeping so it was my fault.

Dana and Tom had a party last night. It was fun. I talked to lots of people. The party started at 5pm which was good for me as I'm not much for late nights.

Glad to hear Luna is doing better. We have two dogs here that need new homes but I'm not sure I'm up to adding to my family.

hugs, katie

Katie - I know of people that snap/shout when disturbed while sleeping. I had a dog that snapped when come up from behind on a hot day....... didn't blame her either! We all suffer from the heat on a hot day......... Glad that Max didn't hurt you, and also glad your hand is better!!!
How nice - a party! I'm like you, and don't do late night parties anymore.
That being said, I'm going to a community center's New Year's Eve party - the kids have their celebration at 9pm, and there's also games and a party room if they want to party hearty without the adults lol We'll do our regular "Midnight" celebration with a glass of wine.
If it's the same as last year, there will be prizes for the kids and adults.
We're going with friends, and should be fun.... I'll let you know on Tues :-)

Sorry I'm late in my birthday wishes, Dianne. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

LK, so sorry to hear about your Dad. I sure missed mine this Christmas. :o(

Betty, we had about 3 inches day before yesterday and another 3 last night. Looks like traffic is moving okay though, on 123, but I'm not planning on going anywhere!!!

Girlfriends are coming over for a light supper tomorrow night and then we're going to watch "Elf". They've never seen it. Should be fun.

If you get to ride with your new friend, Betty, please stop by! I won't put your calendar in the mail until I know for sure which way you're getting home.

Judy, CONGRATS!!! ;o)

Hugs to all those of you I didn't talk to personally!

Katie, I'd be putting Max to sleep in another room, worry about him nipping you!!

Joyce, Patti was here when I read your post, read it to her and she said if we are in the area and it's not middle of the night we will drop in..enjoy your visit.

Went to Sanibel island, three crafty ladies is the name of the store..lovely fabrics but all nautical, beech anf Florodian themes, bright and lovely but not really what I wanted..did end up buying a new plastic that you iron on fabric to make for example beach bags..interesting..bought enough to make Darlene a bag to go to the beach..had some bobbin thread u shaped flexible prices to put around bobbins as not to have them unravel..pattern and needles to knit purses, cutsy bags, almost bought blackboard fabric, now I'm thinking I should have..might mean another trip.

We've decided tomorrow Patti, Darlene and I will go for breakfast and then flea market and if open quilt lovers hangout or Joann's for fabric for Darlene's project.

Hopefully you left all FLAMINGO material there to go extinct!

Lol. No bought 10 yards, just know you would want me to make you something!!

Finally took my machine out of the box, now to read the manual

oooooooooh a new machine - how exciting!!
ummm Betty - sounds like Debbie'd be a little upset if you made her some Flamingo something-or-other LOL
I know that the area of Transcona, in Winnipeg, is well known for their plastic flamingos on the lawn..... and people comment on how tacky Transcono is rofl!
Debbie - would you like to move to Transcona? Very interesting place, especially when it's someone's birthday, and they put like...... 50 flamingos in the front yard LOL

Susan I think that flamingo thing is just to funny. they do it around here, and you have to donate monies to a charity to get them to move the flamingos to someone else,s yard. they make some good monies...

I looked for blackboard fabric last time I was at the store, they were all out.

now miss Debbie...I thought you liked all creatures??? do I detect some "un-like" going on there???? http://www.flamingoislanddesigns.com/
soup sounds wonderful will have to tell the hubs about it. will have to do the olive oil roux here as my cholesterol is bad!!

so Happy to hear Luna is gaining weight, must mean she is doing better.

it has been cold around here, I would love to be going to the beach!!!

♥♥♥ many hugs all around ♥♥♥

Lol Thunder - love the Flamingo Island Designs....... here's one you HAVE to see....... you too, Debbie!
http://webstore.quiltropolis.net/stores_app/Browse_Item_Details.asp?Shopper_id=27641229218102764&Store_id=569&page_id=23&Item_ID=4172

I do love all creatures...honest....but not pink plastic ones!!! If it is a real bird at the zoo or nature...they are beautiful. BUT, anywhere else, I just don't
care for those lovely (cough) pink creatures!!!

When I was just in FL, I saw a giant santa sleigh being pulled by a team of PINK FLAMINGOS! OMGosh!!! I lost sleep!

HOWEVER, I did find a house on Flamingo Ave in Siesta key I might lower my standards to live in.......

http://www.michaelsaunders.com/properties/property-detail/3410-flamingo-ave-sarasota-fl-34242/A3954389/#.UN_EjG_AeSo

Sweet dreams!!!

Debbie

OmyGosh, Debbie - WHY would you want to lower your standards That Low?!?!? LOL
after all, the price is pocket change, right? and they MUST have lowered the price cuz it's been on the market 330 days!!!!
except......... there'd be room for us to visit Marion, etc, down in the Keys...... we could have a Major Roundup there........ hmmmmmmmm
Hey Marion - would you buy it for a guest house for us?!?!?!?!?!?!?! (rofl)

Morning all

Cool early morning, 47' still better than blowing snow.

It's off to breakfast at IHOP, topping on my vacation. Lol

Best get ready, Patti will be here shortly!

Now you just got to know Debbie I'll be on the lookout for pink flamingos when I drop into Joann's today.

Pink Flamingos are a big part of Mardi Gras in Baton Rouge...especially in Spanish Town. Every year 6 huge wooden cut outs sprout up in the middle of Capital Lake. But many folks are die-hard LSU fans and tell the world....but I am a sucker for the real ones.