Best/Worse/What did I learn today?Chat with friend new & old

These black walnuts are walnuts that are frozen from when my Dad was alive. He loved to pick them from the shells. I will hate it when they're gone, cause they are so expensive to buy. My DMIL used to make black walnut fudge for me cause she knew how much I loved the walnuts, but it was awful. Don't know what she did to it cause all her other fudge was fantastic, but this was really sugary, gritty. Never told her that though!

All this talk of black walnuts is making me hungry for black walnut cake Ross' aunt used to make. Sad to say, she didn't pass the recipe down to anyone.

Guess I will have to settle for the "scrap" from the cake Kim is making. She has an order for a hamburger and fries cake. I would have a clue where to begin but she is moving right along with the process....has the bun made.

And you make a darn good fudge Joyce so you must have loved her dearly to know its tasted yuk yet ate it.

Not sure I've ever had black walnuts, are they bitter?

Safe travels Karen, glad everyone has had a good vacation, means they will want to do it again..sooner than later. Lol

Just got in, changed again, wet as can be...

mom called, said she has tried calling aunt Muriel for a week and no answer, she was worried perhaps something had happened to her and asked for me to check..ok off I went in the storm worried at what i could find

no car in the drive so guess she is ok. That is a relief, guess that was my deed for the day.

Hope Marion that is the design ON the cake and not make in the cake. Lol

Looks as though the storm is moving out, still dark though

Nope Betty, it is the design of the cake, not decorations on top. So far we have the bun and hamburger patty and some cheese slices made. Glad she is doing this and not me.

I decided to clear out about 3/4 of my Christmas decorations today.....have way to many and neither one of us can resist buying new each year. What a mess!! Will offer the box on free cycle hoping someone can use them this year.

On the hot side today.

whats ree cycle. I threw mine out, now gotta buy more for sara

It is a group that allows you to post on their website anything you have that you are not using or want anymore....everything from lumber scraps to you name it.

ohhhh, now I understand

That is a challenge for sure..please take a photo when done
Kim takes after her mom, creative..

Im a christmas fanatic incase nobody noticed, thank goodness you dont live closer or id be going through the boxes..Roger died on New Years day eve, when I got home mom and a few friends had put away all my Christmas treasures..for years they did not come out..then I realized I was dying inside as well, I love Christmas..gave all the more treasured and expensive pieces to Dil's and friends and started all over. How I have a back shed filled with totes is beyond me..tempted to give them away as well. This spring I burnt about 10 large pieces I had made out of wood and threw about 5 or 6 boxes away.

When Darlene moved about the same amount of boxes came back, primarily pieces to be done..think there are 10 or so of the home sweet home blocks we did was it last year? Box of glass blocks that we put lights in and bows on top and few other projects..just what I needed. Lol

Waving Kathy, how are you feeling?

Quilting that fall throw, came up and made lunch, came back for pop and saw the 4 quart basket of tomatoes, drats, guilty I didn't make them into red chili sauce so guess who is making final batch of sauce

YA YA YA !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Diana Nyad has been successful in her swim from Cuba to the Florida Keys, I think 150 miles, her FIFTH attempt at the age of 64 !!!!!!!
Now that's perseverance, I aspire to have her drive !!!

Love the sound of the cake, had someone make me a WESTIE cake, shaped and looking like both of our dogs .. will have to dig up the pic.
LOVE crafty people, appreciate their vision.

Still cool here, but Oh So SUNNY!! ^_^

Betty, I am going to make the New York relish I said I MIGHT make, you have convinced me, BUT, in much less volume than you.
AND, sometime in October, Lorna and I will be coming your way .. have to sit down with CAA and make an itinerary .. we'll be driving ...

Off to watch DH cut the lawn ...


TOODLES

~M~

Betty, I'm so jealous you're going to get to meet up with these special friends! Wish I could be there, too!

The flavor of black walnuts will be hard to describe. They have almost a smoky taste. I love them, but I know lots of people who HATE them!!!

Thank you for the compliment Maid M!

Oh Lordy "M" wouldn't I just love having you stop here, only 2 miles off 400 or can meet you..now let's just hope it's NOT the week I go to Florida to drop Darlene off, wouldn't that not be nice. It's so up inthe air though with Mae being I'll..

Congrats to Diana..imagine undertaking such a challenge at her age..will be some celebrating tonight, perhaps not, likely sheer exhaustion and she is lookng for the closest bed.

Is your relish done with green tomatoes or red!

Sun trying to come out..

Thinking about my weekend, trying to determine if I've met some of the goals I had, guess I did, was nice having 4 days off.. This week I only work 3 days then it's weekend for me..

Dianne, you would be proud of me, managed to solder out that broken piece, will go digging to same glass hoping to find it , maybe Gayle would have a match if i dont..work is trying to set the piece back in and have it soldered without mishap..any suggestions?

Joyce I will have the room for Set 23 and will meet up with Julie for a few hours,count up gas money and join us..you know you are only 5 or so hours from Niagara Falls and that is where she will be visiting..will mark it on my calendar while it's fresh on Paul's mind that I traded a day for making him the 3rd stained glass lamp shade..mean have a habit of forgetting such things

This message was edited Sep 2, 2013 3:15 PM

Sharon just called, she is still steaming about her quilt..I asked her to send me photo's for your HONEST judging.

here is our 1st was flower bowels..blue one to be remelted..Ann enjoyed playing yesterday.

Dianne, lamp has piece out..oh happy days, now for repairs..

Do you have a date for going to Florida yet? Remember....let me know as it will be possible to met you now....sad to say that but alas it is.

Cookie, you need to save you money and come south....seems forever since I saw you and my "eye candy" skills are slacking some. :-)

I love the plates.

will do Marion..don't want to pressure Darlene, she doesn't know when, just all depends on Mae. Likely they look like plates in the photo but are actually bowls.

Greg just came in, eyed the chili,said it was as close to Roger's as it could be,

carried the two cases to my car, said he'd take it out when I came for supper...supper? ooops, forgot to tell me we were having a family dinner..Noah/Kyle and their girlfriends, Melanie's mom and dad..here is me sitting with a slow cooker full of stew, enough for 6, chili on the stove, quilt throw all quilted ready for binding and I think I'm having a relaxing night and now I have to do my hair, get dressed and go out..told him I wouldn't stay long as I have to finish chili tonight so it's eat and run

He even eyed the recipe book I bought that was the first recipes of Col. Saunders, said there were a few he'd like to make, there went that booklet..lol anybody want a son?

asked what he owed for the chili, told him it was a thank you for coming all the time I call needing help..he was happy with that.

Just back, lovely roast beef dinner cooked to perfection..

Noah's girlfriend is the prettiest thing, so social..Hope it puts him on the straight and narrow.

Kyle drove in just as I was arriving, he'd been away for the weekend camping in Meaford with a bunch..Mel's uncle has property on Georgian Bay so a group of 10 went up for their last hurrah.


Mel's mom Betty who is also a quilter wanted to look at the grace frame and see how it works..came over with Greg and Mel and her hubby, turned it on and no power, JUST the same as when I sent it to Floriday for repair. I am not a happy camper right now, furious as can be..9 months old and doubt I've 20 hours on the ^%#> thing!!

Grinding my teeth

Our Labor Day dinner.

Sorry to hear about your machine not working. I would be grinding teeth as well.

That burger and fries look good.

so much to catch up on......... hugs to all, hope I didn't miss much?!?!

Betty - did u get the piece fixed for your mom's stained glass?
Katie - no wonder u are having mood swings about abusers..... hope things go well for you
Cookie - black walnuts? never heard of ém
Marion - glad ur weather's improved..........

I know I'm missing some notes, but know that I love each and every one of you.

Back to work tomorrow - my 2nd week! Bob's still working on our friend's fence, and as of Wed he may be working on my cousin's garage roof....... they want to pay $100/day, but there's a LOT more work than he thought, before he saw it. They want it done in 2 days. He's thinking it will be a $500 job, but has to do only $200 worth for the same am't of work.

Hello To all
Thanks to all for your well wishes on FIL and MIL.

He will be in ICU for another 2-5 days... (HUGS Marilyn) MIL did like the chuck roast.

Betty I owe DS's GF for his turnaround so glad to hear you like Noah's GF....

I'm wiped out and should write more but so so tired....

LK, Susan, Debbie, Barb, Dianne, Judy, All - waving
Hugs Mary

Black walnuts are one of those things you either love or hate. They are rather strong flavored compared to English walnuts. They are also a pain in the patoot to prepare. The shells are extremely hard and require a hard hammer blow to break and then they shatter. You only ever get small pieces which must be picked out of the nooks and crannys inside. You never get big pieces. But oh the flavor is sooooo worth the work. We had a tree..oh and by the way they have an outer husk that will stain your hands brown and is almost impossible to get out....You have to drive back and forth over them to remove the husks, then put the nuts somewhere to dry for several months, and then crack the darn things. My dad used to do all that and then my mom would make chocolate fudge with black walnuts....heavenly.

Or you can go to the store and buy them, expensive though.

We are in TN, rough trip took 12 hours, mostly my fault, I have to stop so often to go. Amelia was so good through it all. Her mama was sure glad to see her. We'll stay most of this week and then head home.

Morning all,

Was up early tidying up from all my projects this past weekend even managed to wash/dry all my flannel for the rag quilt I'm doing for my Uncle Allan for Christmas..bringing fabric to work so I can cut it today..

Of course I've bundled up that sewing machine, garbage day at the curb, tempted to put it at the roadside right beside the garbage..might do just to take a photo. Bet you can tell I'm still not happy!

What I am happy about is seeng Kyle this a.m. On his first day of College..with all his challenges he's done so well..was folding fabric from dryer and heard sounds, thought that is loud for the kitties! Here Kyle said he needed to have a hot shower, water heater went on the blink when Mel was having her shower.

Called Noah, he was just waking, told him I loved him, that this is the first day of a brand new year, how absolutely adorable his girlfriend is and enjoy the day!

Should be telephoning Caleb and Braedon but with Lisa being a teacher am sure they are all scrambling, will call tonight..heck maybe I will try now

Will read up your posts when I get to the office

Just think that HAMBURGER cake is a real work of art .. WOW .. ^_^

Betty .. I just do NOT know what to say re that 'machine', it's obviously a lemon ?
I would be steaming !!!

I have a week filled with 6 week post op appts starting today. As well, DH is off for a 10 day visit with his good bud in Wisconsin, going to do some fishing and some MAN STUFF .. just hope the deer stay OFF the road on the 8 hour trip south ..

HUGS all around

TOODLES

~M~

Be honest now, can you judge in which order these 3 should be in???

Purely personal preference, I would rank 2, 3, 1. Not a judge and going only by photo.

same here

Well sharon's quilt , the pink 'bows' got 3rd..

no attachment as to why, infact when she got it back there was food on it and on the back 'ink' mark

ohhh I would have a fit about that!!!

Sept 1 was my oldest Birthday. His wife sent me this.

Betty I like the last photo. I would be really upset if I put all that hard work into a quilt and it came back with ink on it. I would let them know about it too!


As far as your machine. I would bring it to your local dealer and plop it on the desk and demand a full refund. Tell them if you don't get the refund you will post an ad in the paper posting how bad those machines are.

Love that photo Thunder.

Marion, Kim certainly has a 2nd field of work should she leave teaching..omg that is absolutely the best! You must be proud of how talented she is.

"M" here's hoping you get a great report..am sure they'll see how hard you've worked at doing your 'e's..

Dianne/"M" did you hear that St. Jacobs Market near Kitchener burnt to the ground yesterday..so sad.

Suzanne showed me photo's this morning, her place was hit by lightning yesterday mornig, big hole in the pool, electrical panel burnt..wow major repairs!

Thunder, how are things going, should get quieter at work now that all the shopping for school is done..chance to energize before the christmas rush. How's your young man doing away from home?

Karen, your saying black walnuts hard to get at brought a thought, when I was doing pine cone wreaths we had these green fleshy nuts..had to break the outer casing to get at the nut so we could add to the wreath, could that have been black walnuts..remember they were so hard to find, everytime I'd go to Markham to the craft show there was a little town enroute that we'd stop and pick them off the sidewalk. Enjoy your week

Here is hoping Mary that things get positive for Noah, sure hope so!
I see no difference, I never ask Greg, he's not always a positive individual so I'd get muchworse than is..will talk to Noah one night soon. Sending hugs for you as you start your week and here is hoping FIL improves daily..

Susan, doesn't quite seem fair that Bob has to put in a full week for only $200..wasn't he to get $100 per day while working on the project? Glad things are starting to get back to normal..anxious to see how your day went.

Gred, still wet after his early morning shower ..was headed home to get dressed for his 1st day at college

Unbelievable, Betty. Thinking I would have had a screaming stomping fit had my work been treated so badly. Certainly never trust that group with precious work again.

Boy I don't know about your machine, Maybe give the local dealer one chance but make it clear it's a one shot deal and then you expect a refund if not working. I would also let the company know where you stand with it. Terribly frustrating.

The shell on a black walnut is..black and prickly. Not like a burr but unpleasant to hold. They are about the size of an English walnut which has a tan shell which is textured but not picky at all.

Karen, we had a black walnut tree back home years ago, and we did the same thing, place them in the driveway to drive over to clean them!

Betty, these are black walnuts...

Like these.

It is unbelievable what you have gone through with that machine. Not good publicity for sure!!
If the local rep can't get anything done for you, I would definitely insist on a full refund!!! So disappointing.

Thanks for the kind words about Kim's cake. It was her first attempt with fondant but she did learn many things for future use. Betty, she does make nice spending money just on orders she gets from her colleagues at work. The school also orders cakes when they have a major faculty meeting.

Not sure what direction I will go this morning. My lawn man who was supposed to have come last Wednesday still hasn't shown up.....can you say furious? Might putter outside for a while then back to working on catching up on 3 years of "will do that later" projects.

Karen/Linda Kay, yep those are the ones I picked and glued in the wreath, guess I should have tasted them lol
lordy I cringe when I think how many times I burnt my fingers making those wreaths..were so pretty though with all the different cones/nuts

Glad Kim is getting some $$ for her efforts but know not even 1/8th of time spent on them, guess its all about the challenge.

Just called dealer, seems they are usually off Monday but because of the holiday are off Tuesday so there in my vehicle is the machine.

Well, I am not a person who knows quilts, but I know what I like. I would definitely say 3, 1, 2. The quilting on Sharon's quilt looks beautiful. The reason I said 1 for second is because the circles look like they would be difficult. I didn't like the 2nd one at all.

Okay, want to brag just a bit. I entered 7 things in the Montgomery County Fair Flower Show. I entered 6 hosta leaves and a potted Tree Fern. I got 6 ribbons. I got two firsts (blue), one second (red), two thirds (yellow) and one Honorable Mention. Well, wasn't that fun for my first time? It wasn't even my county. I live in Warren, and their fair was in July. I've never been to that one. My garden club president was in charge of the show (not a judge though) and she asked me to put stuff in and I helped set up and tear down. Lots of hot work, but I had a good time.

Sorry about the frickin machine, Betty. Perhaps you could paint it a nice color of yellow before you return it!

Love to you all...it's beautiful here today...mid 60's and no humidity!!! YAY

This message was edited Sep 3, 2013 1:15 PM

Way to go Cookie!!! I have worked shows like that when I was active in garden club and I know to win is a major accomplishment!! You should be bragging and grinning from ear to ear. :-)