Random Thoughts

This is for all non-EC or peripheral-EC topics. We all know how much we love talking about 'The Man' but sometimes we have other interests.
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mood swung
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Re: Random Thoughts

Post by mood swung »

starting a drawing class tonight. sooooooooooooo intimidated by the 18 X 24 sketch pad!
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Re: Random Thoughts

Post by verbal gymnastics »

If you need me to pose naked MDM then that 18x24 sketch pad should be just about big enough for my...nose :lol:

Good luck sweetie.
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Re: Random Thoughts

Post by mood swung »

thanks. for the good wishes! it was fun, but the teacher focused a lot on me and my progress and I began to feel very special. not in a good way!
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Re: Random Thoughts

Post by verbal gymnastics »

Sometimes you love your job.

I have had the most fantastic 2 weeks at work where everything I have done has gone right. Even to the degree that I was called flawless and a presentation I did was said by my boss to be excellent :D
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mood swung
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Re: Random Thoughts

Post by mood swung »

To the Flawless & Most Excellent VG!!!!
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Re: Random Thoughts

Post by verbal gymnastics »

:lol:

I didn't feel like that this morning due to the alcoholic excesses of last night.
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BlueChair
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Re: Random Thoughts

Post by BlueChair »

Hi!
This morning you've got time for a hot, home-cooked breakfast! Delicious and piping hot in only 3 microwave minutes.
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mood swung
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Re: Random Thoughts

Post by mood swung »

Hi!
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Re: Random Thoughts

Post by verbal gymnastics »

Hi! Just passin' through.

It's Father's Day here in the UK and mini VG helped make breakfast for me whilst mini VG2 decided to start crawling.

A happy day :D
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Otis Westinghouse
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Re: Random Thoughts

Post by Otis Westinghouse »

It's good being a dad, ain't it? I'm normally the busy one cooking and shopping and doing stuff round the house, but let myself be indulged today and kept largely out of the kitchen, and did dad things like built a large metal barbecue from a B & Q kit, played Swingball with the youngest, and took him out cycling (he's 10 but far from confident as a cyclist), as well as carrying out maintenance on 4 of our bikes. My eldest has a philosophy and a sociology A-level tomorrow, poor lad. And my middle boy (as in 'Middle Brother'!) starts two weeks of work experience in the catering part of a lovely old Cambridge college. Life moves on.
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Re: Random Thoughts

Post by verbal gymnastics »

Otis Westinghouse wrote:It's good being a dad, ain't it?
It most certainly is.
Otis Westinghouse wrote:I'm normally the busy one cooking and shopping and doing stuff round the house...
I also do the ironing.

Sadly ladies, neither Otis nor myself are available...
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Jack of All Parades
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Re: Random Thoughts

Post by Jack of All Parades »

I as well do all the sewing[my mother taught me well]- just call me a 'domestic god'. Yes, being a Dad is tremendous- 3 daughters and a delicious pitcher of Sangria yesterday was a good combination.
"....there's a merry song that starts in 'I' and ends in 'You', as many famous pop songs do....'
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Otis Westinghouse
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Re: Random Thoughts

Post by Otis Westinghouse »

Yum, Sangria.

Actually, I'm rubbish at ironing. I make the missus a nice cocktail whilst she does my shirts...
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Re: Random Thoughts

Post by Jack of All Parades »

Secretly, I think mine flubs the ironing so that I will do it. If pressed[bad pun], I suspect she is a very good handler of the starch and pleats. I will have to remember the addition of a cocktai, though. Had a great one over the weekend- a Mojito with Strawberries and Basill- delicious.
"....there's a merry song that starts in 'I' and ends in 'You', as many famous pop songs do....'
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Otis Westinghouse
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Re: Random Thoughts

Post by Otis Westinghouse »

Yum!
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Re: Random Thoughts

Post by verbal gymnastics »

Hail to the three domestic Gods.

Next up: the secret of a good Yorkshire pudding :lol:
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Re: Random Thoughts

Post by Jack of All Parades »

All hail to us!!!!!!!!!!!! Re good Yorkshire Pudding- is there such a thing? It sure sounds like an oxymoron to me.
"....there's a merry song that starts in 'I' and ends in 'You', as many famous pop songs do....'
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Re: Random Thoughts

Post by verbal gymnastics »

Christopher Sjoholm wrote:Re good Yorkshire Pudding- is there such a thing? It sure sounds like an oxymoron to me.
Of course there is! Obviously you've not had the joy.
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Otis Westinghouse
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Re: Random Thoughts

Post by Otis Westinghouse »

Quite hard to get perfect. My tips would be:

1. 50/50 water and milk seems to work well for the batter.

2. Let the batter settle for quite a while - makes 'em lighter, though interestingly I tried a new recipe recently which advocated mixing milk/water and eggs only, leaving for 20 mins, then adding the flour, to make them 'frothier', and it worked v well.

3. Get the oil in the pudding tray sizzling hot before adding the mix.

4. Don't be tempted to open the over door. Like a souffle or a meringue, air is a disaster, just leave it to do its own thing.

Get it right, serve with a top join of beef, a good gravy made with no thickening or only a little cornflour, and some red wine or try a sweet vermouth or some port, along of course with the meat juices, some perfectly roasted King Edward's or Maris Pipers, roast either in goose fat, or olive oil (and here I go with the recommendation for the oil to be cold as it absorbs better and is more flavoursome), some nice, fresh, seasonal veg, and of course a bootle of top Rioja, Burgundy or the like, and you really have a meal you could happily consume as your last one before execution. My mum's was to die for, Mine ain't bad.

So, my dear Mr Sjoholm, good Yorkshire Puddings couldn't be further from oxymoronicity.
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Re: Random Thoughts

Post by Jack of All Parades »

Most impressive, Mr. Westinghouse. You clearly have a feel for it like I do for my mother's "Swedish Cremes".
"....there's a merry song that starts in 'I' and ends in 'You', as many famous pop songs do....'
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Re: Random Thoughts

Post by verbal gymnastics »

Good work Otis.

Now the question is "what are Swedish Cremes?" Mr S?
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Re: Random Thoughts

Post by Jack of All Parades »

They may well be the deadliest[as far as richness and taste] Christmas cookie in the repertoire- will have to haul out the recipe if you are interested:

Ingredients:

1 cup butter, softened
1/3 cup heavy whipping cream
2 cups sifted all-purpose flour
1/3 cup granulated sugar for decoration
1/4 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup sifted confectioners' sugar
1 egg yolk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 drops red food coloring

Directions:

Combine the 1 cup butter, cream and sifted flour. Mix well and chill for at least 1 hour.
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
On a floured board, roll out 1/3 of the dough to 1/8 inch thick. Cut with 1 1/2 inch round cookie cutter. Transfer rounds to waxed paper heavily covered with white sugar. Turn rounds so that both sides are coated with sugar. Place rounds on ungreased baking sheets and prick each round with a fork about 4 times. Repeat with remaining dough.
Bake at 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) for 7 to 9 minutes. Let cookies cool then put 2 cookies together with the filling.
To Make Filling: Blend the remaining 1/4 cup of butter, the confectioners' sugar, egg yolk and vanilla together. Tint with food coloring, if desired. You may double the filling for a nicer looking cookie.

Warning-as with Otis- chill is the operative word and the butter will kill[it is a real artery clogger]. It is a lot of work but the results are worth it.
"....there's a merry song that starts in 'I' and ends in 'You', as many famous pop songs do....'
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Re: Random Thoughts

Post by verbal gymnastics »

I watched my 3 year old do her ballet with 8 other children at our local school fair and felt like the proudest man on the planet.
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mood swung
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Re: Random Thoughts

Post by mood swung »

I wish this were Facebook, so I could "like" that, VG. Pictures! We need pictures!
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Re: Random Thoughts

Post by Jack of All Parades »

I bet it was a 'jete' or 'pas de deux' to die for-will echo the previous sentiment requesting photos.
"....there's a merry song that starts in 'I' and ends in 'You', as many famous pop songs do....'
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