I say yes, you say no, OR People are Strange

Wow .. I went out to mow, came back in and missed quite a bit.  The mower ran out of gas or I would have kept going on the fields.

Hello to all the new and old friends!

Barbara .. the weather here is perfect today.  I have all the windows open and there's a wonderful breeze!

Alpal .. liked your last paragraph .. kind of sums up how I feel.

Hope everyone is enjoying their Saturday.  Mr. Tim will be home in a couple of hours and we're bbqing steaks tonight and tomorrow he's making a shrimp gumbo.  yummy.

hugs,

Bren

Alpal ... you sound quite chipper and with it today.  Hope that means the new chemo is being at least somewhat kind to you?

Thanks Allison ... but the way Tim described it to me, it sounded more like shrimp stew.  Does gumbo have carrots and potatoes and bratwurst in it?  I obviously know nothing about it .. just happy I'm not doing the cooking!

Hope the Abraxane is being kind to you .. but kicking cancer ass!

hugs,

Bren

EDITED:  Linda .. I miss Medigal too!

Alpal, I would love the recipe as well.

Boy I wish we could open the windows. It's still 90 with a 60% chance of rain this afternoon.

Today is my DS's 27th birthday, and he is having a funk. He doesn't want anyone to visit. I do wish he would take his meds for the manic depression.

Kira, so sorry about your son's funk.  It can't be easy for you, either.  Your mention of it brings back memories of a college friend of mine, also with bipolar disease (their symptoms are all about depression, but the diagnosis is still bipolar).  S/he went into a funk on their 25th birthday, which seemed to them, at the time, as a huge milestone.  S/he was terrified that where s/he was then in life was where s/he'd be trapped forever.

Now, of course, 25 seems absurdly young.  And the individual in question has gone on to do great things and has a wonderful family and, I think s/he would agree, a good life.  Medication has helped them hugely over the years.

(On a lighter note, potatos and carrots and bratwurst make for a very unusual gumbo . . . but I bet it's still delicious.  And WR, good luck to you AND the inside of your microwave.  May you both emerge unscathed.)

L

Edited to make the description of my friend a little more anonymous, even at the expense of grammatical correctness.

Yikes:  Roux in the microwave - actually I hope it works - I only made gumbo once but I do remember the roux - I had to throw out the first batch and start over again with PATIENCE and then it worked and the gumbo (if I do say so myself) was awesome - the recipe was from Brennans in Houston - dh was from Houston so he was impressed with my cooking skills.

Just a note about 9/11 - Canadians were also killed in the Towers (and so were people from many countries) so we mourn together with the people of the United States and hope for a better future for all.

• 2/3 cup flour
• 2/3 cup vegetable oil
• 2 cups onions, chopped
• 1 cup celery, chopped
• 1/2 cup green bell pepper, chopped
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/4 cup parsley, chopped
• 1/2 cup green onion, tops included, chopped
• 1/4 cup hot water, approximately

Directions:

1. Mix oil and flour together in a 4 cup glass container (I use a Pyrex 4-cup).
2. Microwave uncovered on high for 6-7 minutes.
3. Stir at 6 minutes with a wooden spoon--roux will be a light brown at this time and will need to cook 30 seconds to 1 minute longer to reach the dark brown color so important in making Louisiana gumbos and stews.
4. The roux will be VERY HOT, but usually the handle on your measuring cup will stay cool enough to touch.
5. When the roux has reached a very dark brown (think a coffee grounds dark brown), remove from microwave and CAREFULLY (remember--the roux is very hot!); add the onion, celery, and bell pepper, a little at a time.
6. Stir and return to microwave.
7. Sauté on high for 2 minutes.
8. You should now have about 3 3/4 cup of roux.
9. If any oil has risen to the top, you can pour this off.
10. Slowly, add enough hot water to bring the roux to the 4 cup mark.
11. Stir and you will have a smooth, dark roux in only 12 minutes!
12.  Roux freezes very well and you are ready at any time to put together a delicious gumbo or stew!
    
    DO NOT USE TUPPERWARE "MICROWAVE SAFE" 6 CUP MEASURING CUP. IT MELTS!!! BE SURE TO USE GLASS ONLY! Even tho the recipe clearly says "glass" I used microwave safe plastic. Big mistake, trust me!

I learned a long time ago that "microwave safe" plastic is only "microwave safe" to heat water.  Microwaved oil will melt or pit that plastic every time.

Allisaon, glad to hear you are feeling well. I must try that recipe. Thanks for sharing.

roux in the microwave is certainly doable.. you just have to stir rapidly with a whisk near the boiling point...

polenta also works well in the microwave.  no endless stirring over a stove. (with a whisk). 

 i am pleased that political melees don't make it into other areas of the forum.. particularly between countries... what's up with that?  tiptoeing off.

Back from my 4 day trip to Vegas. Didn't win a thing. 

I see that the political events from the last couple of days have brought out the usual visitors. Don't even know what they posted-I have them all on ignore.

Sunflowers-I read your post about how fast PM's arrive from a person who is following this thread very closely. I've gotten a few of those myself before putting that particular person on ignore. Amazing how she is so interested in this thread, only when politics are discussed, while protesting that politics should not be discussed here.

Mary 

pot stirrer - thank you, I'll add that to the list of nasty names I"ve been called.  Thanks again. I wasn't referring to any particular person - as so many people who don't often post on this thread, seem to be posting now - surprising, as it's no longer on the active list.

Of course, you are welcome to post anything you wish, 

with best regards, from the "pot stirrer"

You know what, pot stirring is fun! I reveled in it. Practically took a 12 Step Program to get me over it. (Literally, LOL) Haven't done a good job today, but feigned innocence gets to me every time. 

During this week of such a sad anniversary, I wish we could all (including the politicians) look at the tragedy of 9/11 and recognize the value of kindness and of celebrating what brings us together instead of magnifying what tears us apart. Maybe we can all learn to set aside pettiness and concentrate our efforts on what is truly important.

Off my soapbox - need to put the groceries away!