Norma's Cafe Wednesday

I have bread rasping, but won't be baked for hours yet..lol

Happy Birthday Donald!

Happy birthday!

He loves fresh bread. I will show him your message. He is outside right now.

Happy birthday to Donald! If I were there, I'd give you a big 'ol sloppy wet kiss but I think Norma might get mad at me.

Hi Norma!

Yesterday I found out that Gather allowed me to take over the old 'Show Yourself' group since the group owner is no longer a member of Gather. I'm sad to see the owner leave and I still don't know what happened to her but I loved that group since I take so many of my own self portraits.

So last night I was working on it ... moderating all the pending content and putting a new icon and featuring content. There was almost 800 items to go through!

It's all done now... a new icon, a welcome message, all content has been accepted or denied, new items have been featured and I've been working on sending out invitations to the group.

So if any of you like to take self portraits, please join the 'Show Yourself - Self Portraits' group and start posting away!

I'll be posting a Mother's Day challenge soon... so people can post photos of themselves (taken by themselves) with their moms or kids!

Happy Wednesday! Happy Birthday to Donald. Hope you both are having a lovely day!

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday to Donald, and look at me, here in the middle of the day , out the door to go shopping , stopped by and saw your post, Have a wonderful Day Norma, take care of both of you, love, Elsie

Happy Birthday to Donald! I have banana nut and banana chocolate chip bread in the oven right now! If I'd know sooner it was his birthday I would have baked a cake!

Thanks everyone. I will show him all your wishes when he decides to come in the house. He should be in here being lazy today. But with the awful weather we have had and appointments to keep, this is his first day to have time to do anything outside.

Happy Birthday, Donald. Hope Norma doesn't make you work TOO HARD!!

It's a lot cooler here today, cloudy and windy. We get one nice day and I guess that's all we are allowed.

I went by Reg's place to see how he was doing today since his mom's death last night. He is going this afternoon with his brother and sister to make the memorial arrangements. They have family flying in from as far away as Washington, DC.

Hi Norma. Hope Donald has a nice Birthday.

Happy Birthday Donald; I pray it is a memoriable one for the both of you.

I know it has been like forever since I have walked the halls of Gather; life throws rotten apples and we have had plenty of them lately. We get rid of them one at a time.

Anyway have a great birthday Don, Norma give the big guy a huge hug from me.

Blessings to both of you.

Faith, just one kiss okay? Dont want him having another heart attack. lol
Wilma, I know Reg was glad to see you. Since he was the one who was usually there for his Mom. A good son.
Wisakas where have you been hiding?

Happy Birthday Donald

Happy Birthday Donald. I'm about to go outside myself and work in the garden. So glad to hear you have been having a good day and the weather has been agreeable. If I were there I'd give Donald a great big kiss too, and of course then giggle. Well, ya'll enjoy the evening and make it the best it can be. Birthdays only come once a year and they are a big deal.

Happy Birthday Donald! Flickertail and Paint send birthday wishes too.

It was so cold here this morning we had to turn on the heater, now we need the a/c on.

Hi, Norma. happy Day to you, Donald! it was neat working outside today. i spoke to a friend 2,ooo miles away, then we signed off and felt in tune due to both doing gardening at the same time.

OK, ok ... just ONE kiss!

Hi Norma, say happy birthday to Donald!

Thanks for sharing on Getting to 3000 Together

Good morning Norma and Donald. How's it feel to be a year older now? I always find it feels like it did the day before.

Donald, I heard you made progress on the guest house. Hope you are able to continue working on it. That will definitely help when time to spray for bugs or clean things with strong cleaners. Too, it's good for guests.

Today was garbage day, Norma, and it's all out and ready to be picked up. Blew up the driveway while I was at it, so we'll start this next week a bit cleaner outside than before. Always glad to get that yard work done. Guess it's time for a cup of coffee and some oatmeal. Think I'll sit a few minutes and have breakfast. Watch to see who comes in and say hello. Are you out of bed yet? Haven't seen you about yet.

Happy Belated Birthday & thanx for commenting on my post!

Lynn, Ihave been up since 8 am but life gets in the way of my puter these days. Donald had Blood draw at VA this morning. The Vampires always want his blood. Then my friend Michelle called, said she would be at my house by or before 8 am. I barely had my first cup of coffee poured. I had missed her. But Another lady named Betty came over at 9. I think that is why I never get out of my pajamas. At least I had company while Donald was gone. ,,,,,,,,,We baked him a chocolate sheetcakel to munch on today. But a friend had already told me she was getting him a coconut cake tomorrow. Actually his favorite. But not to tell him. I havent. It will be a big secret. He wont be home tomorrow, so he can have it when he gets home tomorrow afternoon. He will be in cake heaven.

I will let him eat some of the chocolate cake today. It is not for a party, just for his enjoyment. I guess those Chocoholic anonymous meetings aren't working anyway.

Lucky Donald getting TWO of his favorite cakes!!!

So glad to know Donald got his chocolate cake and then gets a coconut. That's pretty good. He'll have a nice treat all week. Have you decided on what to cook yet?

Norma, I just have to tell you something since you watch CSI. Today I was reading articles on MarxFoods, and one of the articles was about making your own stock for soups. Chicken, beef or vegetable stock. I learned some new words and new things about cooking. A few culinary terms.

#1 Never salt stock.

#2 Dropping Stock means to cool the stock as quickly as possible after it has been boiled and all. You can put your pot of stock (that rhymes) on some sort of something that gets it off the bottom of the sink so that the cold water can get underneath the pot, and run cold water in the sink around the pot as high up as possible, but the water shouldn't be able to get in the pot. Dropping Stock is important especially with chicken stock because of impurities, bacteria that can grow. Means you can get it in the frig or freezer more quickly, and this is also important. Dropping stock first means the hot pot of stock won't throw the temp off in the frig and put the other foods in the frig at risk of going bad.

Now this was the worst one. Made me think immediately of a CSI show on tv. BONE BLANCH! Can you imagine? Bone blanching is when you boil the bones you will put in a stock to flavor it before you put the bones in the stock. It's to cook off anything leftover still on the bone. YUCK!

The things a person can learn reading about cooking. Bone Blanching sounds like part of a horror story.

Just thought you'd like to know these little tidbits. When I told Moses Bone Blanching he looked a little shaky and said do not tell him anymore. I am sure I will become comfortable with this term at some point.

Have you gone to bed already? I hate I missed you. We worked tonight. Will see you tomorrow. Be on the look out for that coconut cake.

Happy belated Birthday, Donald.

I'm running a bit behind on everything, but that's pretty much the usual for me.

Good morning, Norma, Hope you are doing well this morning. It's a beautiful day outside and cool and comfortable. Just wonderful. We've already been outside looking at where we think we'll put the vegetables in the garden area. The roses are blooming and Mose cut the back yard yesterday and everything just looks pretty. It really feels like Spring. No rain in the forecast. We actually think we'll be able to plant Sunday.

The pictures you posted of your cats are darling. I really enjoyed them. And Paint is one beautiful horse.

Sorry folks, my mind has been everywhere else. Each time I turn on the puter to talk to you. Something happens to upset my apple cart. Not really bad things , just distractingme from gather.
My friend Michelle came over and Mr Pete later to check on me. I cant type and talk when its important.,,,,,,I will come see all of you later I promise.

Norma, I'll be watching for you. I want to know about that coconut cake. Sheila says she makes a coconut cake that no other can beat. Then she failed to give me the recipe. Just as well. Next break on food will be in the latter part of May or early June.

I think we forgot to eat supper. I was up later than I really wanted to be. Donald watching his SciFi movies. I was very tired. So I told him I was going to bed. He knows I cannot go to sleep with all that crash , boom bang, of his type movie. I was watching Golden Girls.
When he came to bed about midnight. I layed there a while and my stomach started knawing. I told him I just had to get up and eat something. ,,,,,,He got up and cut both us a big piece of the chocolate cake and made a glass of milk each and brought it to the bed.
He will share the chocolate. But not the Coconut . Not yet anyway. LOL

He wants to save that one for his party. It is beautiful. Thanks Sheila.

Just stopping it to say hi. Got a lot of catching up to do. I haven't written anything more for my novel in at least three weeks. Doesn't look like I am going to get to it this weekend either.

I am so sorry Marge. But sometimes you have to take a break and try to think ahead on the story.

Hi Norma, I'm making the rounds trying to see what you said about the coconut cake. That is so funny. At least he plans to share later. Maybe he should freeze a little of it for a treat later on.

All right. Off to bed now. MOses worked me too hard today. But it is that time of year, so I'm glad we got everything done we did today.

Lynn he is eating smaller pieces in order to save some for the party. LOL

Just stopping in to say hi! Is Donald's party today? I hope he has a great time.

Norma, I just hope he gets every bite of coconut cake he wants since it was for him. It must be quite a humdinger cake. What are ya'll hearing about the swine flu in Texas? The news has had info on it on the t.v. all day long. And did you have bad weather just a little while ago? The news said a tornado hit in Crockett County. How close to you and Elaine is that? Oklahoma had some bad weather too. This is all I know at this point.

Yes Marge, we partied all day. The usual way. We ate, had a corned beef and cabbage, boiled Navy beans and made potatoes o'brien. Cornbread for Tracy and Donald.
Usually Tracy falls asleep and I watch whatever movie she brings.
This time she took the cough. Boy did I want it. I fell asleep in that chair. I can no longer sit in it without sleeping. I think we need two couch's in the room.
,,,,,,No I have heard nothing about a tornado or the swine flu either.

Ya'll had corned beef and cabbage for dinner? I do hope it was good. As children, we generally had corned beef and cabbage, navy beans and mashed potatoes. I rarely cook the navy beans to go with it just because it takes more time. But make the cornbread to go with it. Cornbread just seems to be a have to with corned beef and cabbage.

Okay, since you haven't checked your weather, I am going to check it now myself, and listen to what they're saying about the swine flu.

Then out to plant the last of the okra.

Lynn, I pretty well liked the corned beef recipe with the canned stuff. Sorry to say, I am not crazy about the corned beef brisket.

Norma, I prefer the canned corned beef too. Maybe just because that's what we grew up eating except for sandwiches. Glad you liked it well enough to eat it again though. I'm cooking enough now that I'm ending up cooking some things we don't care for. One night I cooked up a box of Tony Chachere's black beans and rice and we talked about that for days. It just didn't go over very well with us. We went straight back to the Vigo brand. We
might have messed something up, but don't know.

Well, I have to go back out in the yard now. Trying to do as much as possible before the
rain starts. Worn out already, but I need to keep trying. See you later.

FYI: Elsie Duggan is having computer problems. Something little turned into something big, and she can not get on AOL at all, as of last night. She asked me to please tell all her friends, so Norma, the Cafe is a good place to do that. I don't know when she will be able to get back on.

We are still waiting on that rain. I'm glad for the little extra time to do some clean-up outside. Will be back later when the rain starts. Hope you are having a good morning.

Today was doctor day. No fun today Lynn.

hey y'all..
whew..
i finally got on here..
something weird with gather kicking me out..
what i try to write..

Guess all the partying is over till the next one comes along..right Norma..
Glad that Donald had a nice time..what a feast!
What are potatoes o'brien?

nice talkin and laughing with you the other day..you gave me a lift..
hoping that you are feeling better,too..I actually am..I can hardly believe it..
not much coughing last night
no rattle this morning..
amazing..
yep,lynnie I am still taking the antibiotics..
Lynn is my doctor..she's been through this a million times and gave good council..

Marge,I am veru sorry your muse turned up lazy on ya..
you'll get her back..
actually you were writing chapters like lightning..
maybe now I have a chance to catch up!
really got to get back to that great thriller..
hoping you and Russ are well..

well it is seasonally cold here again..

I love this cooler weather..
but the plants and animals are confused to say the least.

Sheila, good morning. Just got to making my rounds. Donald and Pete are back to working on the room. That washroom is now looking better than the house on the outside. I may have to move in it. Not as much area to be cleaned. I have a picture to post as soon as my puter will let me.
I will be back shortly, have to run to the bank. Then get the sheets I washed, out of the dryer and back on the bed.

lynn you will be the gourmet chef what with all you are learning from that website..
are you still hunting for the vanilla beans?

the unsalted stock iks a new one for me but then I never studied cooking..do they explain why?
maybe so it doesn't get too salty boiling away?
i always salt my stock..
and cook the bones..
hell I put a whole chicken in the pot! LOL
didn't know there was a term for cooking the bones ..that is a good factoid to have..

you can fill an ice cube tray with your homemade stock then when a recipe calls for it or you want to add to gravy just pop one or two in. Great when you don't want to open a whole big can.
It's hard to store homemade unless you plan on using it all in a couple days..

Hi,Norma..
I am going to run off ,too..
got some errands to run..
need to buy a toilet as the powder room one is busted..
there is a crack in the water tank..hairline that has a slow leak..just found it the other day..it is an old model and we should have replaced it a while back
too bad toilets aren't interchangeable pieces..
ok..back this evening..

Some will interchange from the old days. But finding someone who has a tank is the problem. Since the government and homeowners associations have stepped in and dont allow junk collectors. If they only knew how much money these people make. Usually if they dont have it you dont need it. I found my trailer door for storage trailer at one, traded him probably 3 hundred dollars worth of junk iron, old motors and car parts Donalds son had wrecked. Got all that gone and cleaned up. Plus a new door for my storage trailer. When my toilet cracked. A friend of Momm's brought me one he had left over from building on his house. We made them fit.

Hi Norma... Just popping in.