What to Talk About???

[Marilyn]

It's really hard to start new threads here. Life is basically religion, work and politics. Religion and politics are apparently off limits, and you certainly don't want to hear the boring stuff that is going on at work. (At the risk of sounding political, I'm so sick of their bigoted jokes there anyway. Yesterday the big joke was that the rose garden will be plowed under in January and replaced with a watermellon patch. Please, please, can't we be better than that????)

Weight Watchers is going pretty well, but that's pretty boring, too.

Lets see, I'm going to the Peddler's show with some friends Saturday morning and a wedding Saturday afternoon and a gospel meeting Saturday evening.

My life is pretty routine since the girls are gone. Hubby and I are doing well, just day to day stuff though.

Don't want to talk about the economy. That's pretty much a bummer.

What can we talk about????

[Dobie]

We can all be respectful towards each other, I don't see why any topics should be off limits.

[Tiramisu]

There's the weather, doggies, cost of gas, cost of electricity, cost of groceries, helping each other, etc. And, there's always our kids to talk about. What's wrong with talking about our jobs? Just talk!

[Janet]

I don't get your post Marilyn. We can talk about anything here except politics so what is the big deal? I would think the ladies feelings here would come first over your political beliefs.

I'm personnally glad it's against the rules because every time something political comes up you try to shove your opinions down some of our throats and I think everyone should be able to have their own opinion. Since feelings get hurt here because we're made to feel we are wrong if we don't agree then those types of topics should be avoided. Simple logic really.

Guess it's time to start using the block feature again.

[Marilyn]

So are you blocking me, Janet??? and I really and truly thought that you were and are a dear friend. You're making me cry. Is that what you are trying to do????? I'm shaking now, so I guess I'll go.

I really love this forum and don't feel that I've shoved anything down anyone's throat.

We're friends.......or that is what I thought.

Peace to all!!!!!

[DianaB]

Ladies, Ladies!!!!! We ARE friends and we can get along. I don't know what to say to help this situation.

Marilyn, Please don't leave our forum. We do value your friendship and your opinions.


All I know to do is to pray for this situation.....

Lord, we come before you in praise and thanksgiving for this day that you've given us. We thank you for this forum where we've been able to make new friends and expand our knowledge of our wonderful nation. You know that we've just had our election and that feelings are still running strong. I ask that you'd bless and impart wisdom to our new president elect, Barack Obama. I ask that your presence would be near him, guiding him all of his days as he makes decisions for our wonderful nation.

Lord, I also ask that you help to heal this rift that has arisen on our forum. I ask for peace and love for each of us that are on here. Help us to say words to build each other up and not to look for things to cause contention between us. Help each of us to have a closer walk with you and live our lives according to what you would have us to be. In your precious name I pray.....Amen

[pope1982]

I must have missed something in absence, I am really sorry to see you both at odds. It's really not any of my business, but I just wanted to let you know I think you are both great :thumbup:

I don't know, maybe we can talk about what we are cooking for dinner tonight? In our house it will be braised potatoes, garlic and herb chicken, carrots and a side salad.

Other than that, wedding plans coming are along quickly and surprisingly smooth. (give or take a family member or twos issues :rolleyes: You know what they say, you can't please everyone!)
My mother is supposed to be scheduling a cake tasting, she offered to buy the cake. Also have to meet up with our DJ to get things going...
On my birthday, the 21st we go for our engagement photo shoot.

Marilyn, please take a day or two to think about it, you would be missed!

[donna1990]

I must be missing something also. I have never had to block anyone, never had any rude conversations. Stay with us Marilyn, please.

[gja1000]

Pope - I love your post!!! :)

We are having leftover pinto beans, I'll make some cornbread and maybe even some decadent fried potatoes (my husband's absolute favorite forbidden food!).

After supper we'll smoke some vegetables (peppers, tomatoes, tomatillos, onion & garlic) to make salsa. MMMMMM... there's nothing like fresh smoked salsa! I had to buy some fat free tortilla chips, otherwise I'd eat a whole bag full of chips with this salsa. Of course, I have regular chips and may have to put an alarm on them that goes off when I (only me) opens the bag! LOL!

Then we'll give the pups a bath - they must smell sweet for our company coming tomorrow.

I also need to water the flowers and new grass we put in.

It will be a busy evening, for sure!!! :)

[Dobie]

I'm going for acupuncture tonight and then going to grab a pizza on my way home. I also have to drop off some videos that are a week overdue!

[gja1000]

accupuncture - tell me about that - I know what accupuncture is - but don't know very many people who gave gotten it. I've been told that I should consider it for a chronic rib condition.

So, tell me some about it - I'd love to learn!

[Tiramisu]

OK, Gayle, what's the recipe for fresh smoked salsa? That's what I'll be doing this weekend!

[DianaB]

Yes, Gayle, please share the recipe. It sounds delicious!!!

[Dobie]

accupuncture - tell me about that - I know what accupuncture is - but don't know very many people who gave gotten it. I've been told that I should consider it for a chronic rib condition.

So, tell me some about it - I'd love to learn!

I recommend to anyone that has any type of pain - it has worked on headaches, back and joint pain for me - it also helps to relax me if I've been having a lot of stress in my life. I usually go every 8 to 10 weeks for a treatment just because it gets rid of any stress that I am holding in my body. I haven't been since I've moved, so the person I'm seeing tonight is new.

They usually put about 20 to 25 needles in, it's not painful at all. After the needles are in, they have you relax and listen to music for about 30 minutes - depending on what's wrong with you, there is usually relief after the initial visit - but it can take to or 3 visits to feel a difference.

[goofywife]

My poor hubby is getting left over pizza tonight.

We had a bad hail storm last night, so we have to check all of the windows when we get home. Then I am going to work some adoption applications for our rescue babies and update the web site.

[Tiramisu]

My poor hubby is getting left over pizza tonight.

We had a bad hail storm last night, so we have to check all of the windows when we get home. Then I am going to work some adoption applications for our rescue babies and update the web site.

I sure hope the windows are all OK.

[goofywife]

I do too! I just got the estimate on the car it was $2200.00.

I sure hope the windows are all OK.

[Tiramisu]

From the storm last night? Ouch

[DianaB]

Michelle, the storms that you had last night were the ones that were up here. They came from Oklahoma City right my direction. I'm sorry that you had hail damage. I washed my outside windows a few days ago and noticed that my west windows have small dents from the hail last spring. It's not very noticable but still it's there. I hope that your windows aren't damaged and it's too bad about your car.

[gja1000]

After supper we'll smoke some vegetables (peppers, tomatoes, tomatillos, onion & garlic) to make salsa. MMMMMM... there's nothing like fresh smoked salsa!

Hey guys!!! That (above) IS the recipe - what more do you want!!! :D

OK, here goes - I don't measure anything and how much I put in depends on how much salsa I want to make. Tonight I made quite a bit since we are having company. I used 2 (gigantic) tomatoes, 6 tomatillos (I know you all in the north don't have them so just use another BIG tomato), 2 hatch (or anaheim) peppers, 2 poblano peppers, 2 bell peppers, 2 jalapeno peppers, one large onion, and one head (not clove) of garlic.

Hubby smoked them on the smoker till the tomatoes begin to get squishy, maybe about 45 minutes. You will need to move the peppers away from the heat or they will get too done.

I bring everything in and let it cool enough to handle. Then I take all the seeds out of the peppers. I use my blender because I don't have a food processor, but that would probably work better. I put in one tomato and a few peppers and blend. Then I put in another tomato and the onion and blend. Then the tomatillos and more peppers and garlic and blend. About now, I have to taste to see what it needs, e.g., more garlic? more peppers? etc. I put things in incrementally because if the peppers are not very hot, then too many tomatoes will make it too bland. Also the more tomatoes (tomatillos) you use the "runnier" it is - so maybe you want to use less tomatoes if you like drier salsa. Sometimes I even drain it some so that it is not quite so juicy.

I put in the jalapenos last and I'll put in one, taste and then put in the other, if needed. I also do this with the garlic - put in about 1/2 a head, taste, and decide whether I need more or not.

That's it - just blend, taste, blend, taste, till you get it right. At the end I add salt and pepper.

VIOLA!!! My whole family is just wild about this. It will definitely make your house smell like smoke!!

[DianaB]

I have recipes like that too!!! Matter-of-fact, I have a recipe that I wrote down from my grandmother. It's just 5 lines with one word on each line!!!! Your recipe sounds yummy!!!

[gja1000]

I have recipes like that too!!! Matter-of-fact, I have a recipe that I wrote down from my grandmother. It's just 5 lines with one word on each line!!!! Your recipe sounds yummy!!!

I have several recipes from my grandma like that - just some of this, that, and somthing else. My husband's dad was a great cook and his recipes are similar too!

I wanted my grandma's chow chow recipe and she couldn't tell me - so I was smart enough to watch her make it and write everything down.

[Tiramisu]

Oh, I haven't had chow chow in too many years. Gayle, where were you raised?

[Janet]

Okay...spill it...what is chow chow?

Gayle your salsa sounds wonderful, but maybe you could bottle it...lolol. Sounds like too much work for me, remember I don't like cooking very well. I do love the jalapeno peppers though.

[Marilyn]

There was an episode of Diners, Drive-ins and Dives that featured a bar-b-q place somewhere that used smoked tomatoes, onions and peppers chopped up and mixed with mayo as a salad dressing. People seemed to really like the smokey flavor. Might be something worth trying.

We make Chow Chow around here, too, but haven't had any in YEARS!! Had forgotten all about it.

Would you believe my figs are getting ripe. There were green figs on the tree all summer, and now they are getting ripe just a few at a time. Should have ripened in July. Really weird!!! If this tree keeps doing this, I told hubby we need to cut it down and get one that ripens at the right time.

[gja1000]

Okay...spill it...what is chow chow?

Gayle your salsa sounds wonderful, but maybe you could bottle it...lolol. Sounds like too much work for me, remember I don't like cooking very well. I do love the jalapeno peppers though.


4 quarts green tomatoes
1 large head of cabbage
10 medium onions
5 medium green peppers
7 medium sweet red peppers
1/2 cup salt
15 cups vinegar
5 cups sugar
3 tablespoons dry mustard
2 teaspoons powdered ginger
1 tablespoon turmeric
4 tablespoons mustard seeds
3 tablespoons celery seed
2 tablespoons pickling spice
Preparation:

Chop all vegetables; combine in a large kettle. Stir in salt; let stand at room temperature overnight, or at least 8 hours. Drain. Combine vinegar, sugar, dry mustard, ginger, and turmeric in a large kettle. Put mustard seed, celery seed, and pickling spices in a 6-inch square of cheesecloth or cheesecloth bag. Tie ends or gather and tie string and add to the kettle. Bring the liquid to a boil and simmer for 30 minutes. Add vegetables and return to simmer for 30 minutes longer. Discard spice bag. Spoon chow-chow into hot sterilized jars and seal. Process for 15 minutes in a boiling-water canner, or 20 minutes for altitiudes of 1001 to 6,000 feet. Over 6,000 feet, process for 25 minutes.

Now Janet, what do you do with chow chow??? It is a relish and I assume different people eat it in different ways, but we eat it on our pinto beans. My husband puts his beans over cornbread and then covers the beans with chow chow. I eat my beans over bread, and put chow chow on the top.

I don't think it is a common food product because it is getting harder and harder to find on the grocery shelves.

[donna1990]

Gayle, can't wait to try it. It sounds sooooo goooood.
Thanks

[Tiramisu]

There was an episode of Diners, Drive-ins and Dives that featured a bar-b-q place somewhere that used smoked tomatoes, onions and peppers chopped up and mixed with mayo as a salad dressing. People seemed to really like the smokey flavor. Might be something worth trying.

We make Chow Chow around here, too, but haven't had any in YEARS!! Had forgotten all about it.

Would you believe my figs are getting ripe. There were green figs on the tree all summer, and now they are getting ripe just a few at a time. Should have ripened in July. Really weird!!! If this tree keeps doing this, I told hubby we need to cut it down and get one that ripens at the right time.

Ike got my fig tree, but I'll plant a new one in the Spring. My Mom, Sister and I are the only ones in our family that care for figs. I'm hoping one of the g-kids will acquire the taste.

[Marilyn]

Your chow chow sounds great Gayle. Do you use regular salt or canning salt when you make it??

Ike got my fig tree, but I'll plant a new one in the Spring. My Mom, Sister and I are the only ones in our family that care for figs. I'm hoping one of the g-kids will acquire the taste.

Fig preserves are the best!!! Yummmmmmm

I make fig pie, too. It's okay, but the preserves are sooo goooood!!

[Tiramisu]

I don't remember hearing of fig pie - but fig preserves on light toast - OH YUM!

[Janet]

I'm just not sure what to think Gayle..... 4393

[gja1000]

Your graphic tells me loud and clear what you think!!! :D

Remember the old saying, "Try it, you might like it!" :tongue004:

[pope1982]

Oh Gayle, I can't wait to try your salsa recipe!

Let's see, I treated myself to a Cinnabon, bought a fantastic book and got to hang out with my best friend today (Brad). It was a great start to the weekend :)

[Marilyn]

Gayle, do you use regular salt or canning salt in your chow chow? I may try making some, but a much scaled down version, quantity wise, until I find out if we like your recipe. Unfortunately, I don't think I have my mothers. I have her cookbooks, but not sure which one she used. I think I have more than one recipe.

Thank you so much for sharing!!!

[Janet]

Your graphic tells me loud and clear what you think!!! :D

Remember the old saying, "Try it, you might like it!" :tongue004:

Gayle I hope you don't think I meant anything negative about the salsa....I absolutely LOVE salsa. I sure wish I enjoyed cooking, but it really is one of my least favorite things to do. Isn't it weird that I enjoy fixing the Thanksgiving meal? I just make the basic meals here at home...nothing fancy. That's why I wrote that you should bottle it....lol..I would buy it then instead of making it. It does sound so good.

[gja1000]

Gayle I hope you don't think I meant anything negative about the salsa....I absolutely LOVE salsa. I sure wish I enjoyed cooking, but it really is one of my least favorite things to do. Isn't it weird that I enjoy fixing the Thanksgiving meal? I just make the basic meals here at home...nothing fancy. That's why I wrote that you should bottle it....lol..I would buy it then instead of making it. It does sound so good.

No Janet, I thought you were talking about eating chow chow on pinto beans!! :D I must admit is sounds really weird, eating a relish on top of pinto beans and cornbread.

I don't really like to cook either. I can and I do, but not every day. What I dislike most is cleaning up the pot/pan/dish mess!!! :rolleyes: So you see, if you just don't cook, there is no mess to clean up!!!

[Tiramisu]

Ditto that Gayle. Hubby loves to cook, so I offered to clean when he cooks. I swear he makes bigger messes that Emiril.

[Janet]

No Janet, I thought you were talking about eating chow chow on pinto beans!! :D I must admit is sounds really weird, eating a relish on top of pinto beans and cornbread.

I don't really like to cook either. I can and I do, but not every day. What I dislike most is cleaning up the pot/pan/dish mess!!! :rolleyes: So you see, if you just don't cook, there is no mess to clean up!!!


That is so true and at Thanksgiving, since I make 98% of the meal, the others usually clean up...I guess that really makes a difference...:Dlol

It does sound weird eating relish on pinto beans or beans of any sort, but then I know at times I eat weird stuff too. Long as it's good and we love it....no worries!:)

[DianaB]

I've never had chow-chow. And I've never heard of people eating it on beans and cornbread. What else do people eat with chow-chow?

We don't eat figs either. We just don't have them around here so we've never aquired a taste for them.

[Tiramisu]

I vaguely remember my grandmother opening a jar and using it in soup maybe. I think that's what it was.

[Marilyn]

Regular salt or canning salt in chow chow??? I'm asking because my mother always taught me to never use regular salt in canning because the food won't keep as well, but it does make a difference on how much you use.

Thanks or the recipes!!!

We enjoy cooking and baking. This is why we're always dieting. :D

[DianaB]

I think that when you can you need to use salt without the iodine. That's the difference between regular salt and canning salt, that and the texture. However you can buy regular salt without the iodine in it as well.

[gja1000]

Gayle, do you use regular salt or canning salt in your chow chow? I may try making some, but a much scaled down version, quantity wise, until I find out if we like your recipe. Unfortunately, I don't think I have my mothers. I have her cookbooks, but not sure which one she used. I think I have more than one recipe.

Thank you so much for sharing!!!

Regular salt because i've never heard that you shouldn't use it in canning!!!

[gja1000]

We don't eat chow chow on anything other than pinto beans??? :confused: I don't know what other things you might eat it on???

[Marilyn]

We used to eat it with meats and sometimes on hamburgers.

We used to make a pear relish all the time that was really good on hamburgers. Haven't made it in years because I don't currently have a source for the hard canning/baking pears which are required to make the relish. They are ground up in a meat grinder. The soft pears would just not work for this.

[judy]

I have to admit that, coming from Brooklyn, I have never heard of a lot of these foods, and have never eaten the rest. (Except figs - love the figs) I guess I have to branch out a bit on my food choices. The chow chow on the beans on top of the corn bread sounds like heaven. Is it very spicy?

[gja1000]

You can make spicy chow chow, but we don't - it has a sweet taste.

[Marilyn]

Gayle, I'll bet your chow chow is good on hambergers, too. Maybe I'll get some extra time and make a batch and try it.

[gja1000]

Yep, I bet it would be good on hamburgers too! I'll have to try that. I know I like sweet relish on hamburgers, and I know chow chow is better than sweet relish!