The 50 Plus Cafe, Pub, All-Nite Greasy Spoon and Dive Bar

[Boat1]

I'm working out of Cameron again... hopefully, I'll get to see Pinky again this time!

https://search.brave.com/images?q=cameron la pinky the dolphin

Here's a couple of screenshots...
She's gorgeous!

 

[Lilianna23]

There's a small pot French style creamery in this area called Graeter's and their black raspberry chocolate chip is ridiculously good. The "chocolate chips" are as big as your pinky finger but honestly they're upstaged by maybe the best ice cream I've ever had

Looks like I need to expand the ice cream tour!

 

[Lilianna23]

I wish I liked ice cream more. My GI doesn't like the amount of sugar and fat... but it's often the stabilizers and emulsifiers that give me the most trouble... and any "natural" flavors/colors and/or food dye used by the less expensive brands. So I stick with fresh fruit for dessert most times.

Making my own vanilla extract for the first time. Simple - mostly takes time. 1st batch should be ready by 4th of July

My BIL made vanilla extract for my sister to use. I should get his recipe/process.

 

[Lilianna23]

Check in w/ sis for some tips and see if you can borrow some of her tools, molds, etc. Try some out to see what you like. Can be expensive start-up if you don't have any of the equipment to start. That's assuming you're getting fancy and not just "heat, mix, drop, cool" like me.

Sis lives in Louisiana. I doubt she will give up her tools, etc. I don't have a good track record mailing things back to her.

Looks like the H/M/D/C method for me at first. If I get into it, I may invest.

 

[Lilianna23]

Sit by me - you can have mine

Gimme!

 

[Lilianna23]

Ice cream is my weakness....
Blue Bell Buttercrunch (laced throughout, with crumbled up Butterfinger bar) is awesome.

I can do the small bowls... I often use a dinner plate for a honeybun, vanilla, and chocolate ice cream... covered with cherry pie filling. Lol.
If my metabolism ever changes, I'm screwed.

I'd kill for your metabolism!

 

[Lilianna23]

Aunt Margie ALWAYS had a jar of vanilla bean soaking in vodka in her kitchen.

Is that all I have to do is soak it in vodka? Finally, a use for the vodka I have! I won't drink it.

 

[Qky75]

Sis lives in Louisiana. I doubt she will give up her tools, etc. I don't have a good track record mailing things back to her.

Looks like the H/M/D/C method for me at first. If I get into it, I may invest.

I find temporing chocolate difficult. Caramels and English Toffees are much more suited to my skill level but I find the process therapeutic and they make great gifts at work.

As far as moulds go, keep it simple. Drop, balls, bars taste great and a lot can be said for miniature muffin papers for ready made shapes.

 

[Lilianna23]

Not sure if your auntie did this, too... but from what I read, you continue to use every bit of the vanilla bean pod until it's entirely consumed.

Split and soak in vodka to make extract
Soak for @ 6 months
Then start to use & continue to "feed" the jars - more beans and vodka.
Every time you add a new bean, take an old one out. Dry it out, then put it in a small jar w/ sugar. It then infuses and makes vanilla sugar (great for coffee and baking).
When it's infused the sugar thoroughly, take the bean and grind into powder and use as vanilla powder for baking.

You can do all these things independent of each other or in a succession. But bottom line is to thoroughly and completely use every spec of the bean.

I that idea of zero waste. Plus - vanilla is darn tasty!!

Thanks! Saved this!

 

[Lilianna23]

Sadly, day one as an orphan. Slightly surreal but, at 89, she had a proverbial "good innings." My sister was with her at the end, which was swift and painless, just about all anyone can hope for.
Reunited with Dad and her beloved dogs, I think she will be happy.

I'm so sorry for your loss, NC!

 

[Qky75]

It's the growing together that can be tricky

Sit by me - you can have mine

I got married so young we literally grew up together. It made for some very volatile years.

 

[Boat1]

Is that all I have to do is soak it in vodka? Finally, a use for the vodka I have! I won't drink it.

I was really young, but I seem to remember her partially crushing it first...

 

[Lilianna23]

She is doing well and was released yesterday.

Excellent! I'm so glad!

 

[Qky75]

Vanilla made from whiskey is pretty great too!

 

[Lilianna23]

I wonder . . . .

What are you dreaming about, Wat?

 

[Lilianna23]

Is subduing even necessary on any of those levels???

I think not.

 

[Lilianna23]

Even the so-called Smart Ones . . . .

You're right. I've been known to be stupid about some things.

 

[Lilianna23]

Ah, the cruelest beating of all.

I'll try to be gentle!

 

[Lilianna23]

They opened a new Menard's Out West. The Landlady and I gave it a wander-through and couldn't for the life of us figure out - why???


Hobby Lobby struck me exactly the same way.

I don't know that store. We have Hobby Lobby here; I've never been in one.

 

[Lilianna23]

Pasture Poodles require regular pedicures. They don't run around enough to keep their hooves naturally machined off.

Same here! When I went to the beach regularly, my feet were so smooth!

 

[likes2watchU]

Here I was thinking to lead off with "All caught up for the moment" but before I could even insert the quotes, I got the "Messages have been posted since you last loaded this page. View them?" message.
So On Brand for this thread

Well down a total of 85#.....

Closing in on 100

Excellent!! Lotta hard work went into that number. Congratulations!!!

Someone said it is Sunday! Happy Sunday everyone.

What are you talking about? It's Tuesday. Where have you been?

Aww, they're not that bad. They are cute and you let someone explore their creative side. You were someones canvas and probably even their muse. Wear them proudly.

This is a wonderful perspective

How many of us KNOW we are? What about us???

I believe he also said, basically...
"There comes a time to spit in your hands, hoist the black flag and start slittin' throats."

Anyone else wondering, "Who is this person?"
H. L. Mencken (Henry Louis Mencken)
Wikipedia: H. L. Mencken
The Paris Review: The H. L. Mencken Show

This weekend is the community annual, shore clean. On my little quarter mile of this planets coast that is 8 sacks of plastics largely plus the bigger bits. Really pisses me off how we we treat our world.

Thank you for helping be part of the solution!

What did you do to that poor Easter Bunny??? Wow, I'm shocked!

Kinda feel that should fall under Don't Ask, Don't Tell

Someone said it is Sunday! Happy Sunday everyone.

Just messing with ya. Feel like checking?
Days of the Year site

I was really young, but I seem to remember her partially crushing it first...

I split mine the long way but left the tippy top still connected... so, like a V shape. Exposes more of the beans inside the pod that way

Vanilla made from whiskey is pretty great too!

Hmm... Interesting. May have to give that a try, too
I recently taste tested Jim Beam Vanilla... it passed

 

[Lilianna23]

Nice image, and very accurate.

I was expecting W to pick that up!

 

[Lilianna23]

I think i speak for everyone in offering our condolences. Although we may not understand or comprehend your loss, we will be here either in mass or individually to support, listen, or be a non judgemental sounding board for you. Please let us know if there's anything we can do. And remember even though she's gone to a better place, you'll always be able to cherish her memories...

You're such a good mom! ️

 

[Boat1]

Vanilla made from whiskey is pretty great too!

I bet it is!!!!
Jeez that would make some excellent bourbon sauces, etc!

 

[likes2watchU]

I don't know that store. We have Hobby Lobby here; I've never been in one.

Menards stores are primarily found in the Midwest region of the United States, with stores in 14 states, including Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
HQ is Eau Claire, WI

I find them similar to Home Depot and Lowe's