(Old) It's a-warmin' up (again!) in the MMP

[peedin]

@susan

I got an “anniversary” notice but I don’t see no damn cake

Moi aussi. I didn’t get a birthday notice either.

Today is allergy shots, then Tar-Jay. I might blow off seeing Ariel this aft and nap. Tonight is condo board meeting. We are in a drought. All the grass is brown, all sunshine all day. Dammit, we need rain.

[Johnny_L.A]

@The_Stainless_Steel_Rat

I wonder if there are recipes for moles…

I’ve heard of one, but it didn’t sound very appetising. It was called Mole Asses.

[FairyChatMom]

Just a thought - did thd board software change in June, making every anniversary in June?

[rocking_chair]

thank you!

[rocking_chair]

that sounds like a great day. keep that going for the rest of the year!

[purplehorseshoe]

@FairyChatMom

I got one of those anniversary things also - based on posts here, I’m guessing maybe it was a software burp.

Concur. Received same, had a “WTF” moment, then my Mumpers rescued my sanity.

HA! I kid.

I haz no sanity. Or marbles.

@nightshadea

no ones dead yet but its still early …

In my experience, moving always sucks more than you think. No matter how much you prepare, pre-pack, pre-whatever, you’re gonna wind up chucking random shit into garbage bags while swearing hard enough to make sailors blush and long for their mommy.

… or maybe that’s just me.

@NinthAcolyte

My preferred method is to cube up two-to-four pounds of red potatoes (skin on) and boil them in water with lots of salt and garlic. Then drain,

May I ask .. what do you do with the boiled garlic? Does it get mashed back into the taters?

ETA: if not, why not?

[nelliebly]

Yikes! I miss a couple days and have well over 100 posts to read!

Yesterday was shots day. I have determined that limping takes almost twice as long as walking, so even though I took more buses and had less to walk, the day was just as long. Only 7 more days until the MRI.

Fun fact: you’re not supposed to get a Covid booster less than 6 weeks before getting a ride in the giant tortilla press mammogram. Apparently it (and the flu vaccine) can cause swollen lymph nodes. This messes up my plans, but I’m glad I found out.

Count me in with the more federal holidays crowd. There’s lots of evidence on how they improve productivity and mental and physical health, yet the whole US has fewer paid federal holidays almost every other country. Floating holidays would be good, but I like the notion of all of us celebrating/commemorating together. We’re already so splintered. What I wish we’d stop is holidays as an excuse for sales. 25% off electric donut makers is no way to commemorate those who died in battle.

Congrats on your in-demand status, Nine!

sunny, LOVE the hair!

godbod, a belated Happy Birthday! Don’t let 18 scare you. As you can see from us Mumpers, it’s possible to refuse to grow up.

[NinthAcolyte]

Yup! I’m typically using a couple scoops of minced garlic from a jar, so it clings to the potatoes when they’re drained and gets mashed up with them.

[Johnny_L.A]

@TokyoBayer

That sounds delicious!

I’ll let you know. I’m thinking of getting a couple of boneless, skinless, thighs out of the freezer and putting them into the bag. Lots of marinade for just the two I’ve already put in there.

@TokyoBayer

The mashed potatoes came out much better this time. (Cook newbie has lots to learn, including carefullllly adding milk.)

I try not to over-boil them. I drain them as soon as they’re mashable. While they’re sitting in the colander I melt some (real) butter in the pot over low heat and then add some heavy cream, some kosher salt, and some freshly-ground pepper. Then I add the steaming potatoes back and mash them with a potato masher. (I’m guessing I use equal amounts butter and cream, but I’ve never really paid attention.) Starting when I was ten, and continuing until at least the '90s, I used margarine and milk, and whipped the potatoes with a hand mixer. They always turned out tasty, but I like them the way I make them now.

[LSLGuy]

@Johnny_L.A

I try not to over-boil them. I drain them as soon as they’re mashable. While they’re sitting in the colander I melt some (real) butter in the pot over low heat and then add some heavy cream, some kosher salt, and some freshly-ground pepper. Then I add the steaming potatoes back and mash them with a potato masher. (I’m guessing I use equal amounts butter and cream, but I’ve never really paid attention.)

IMO you totally nailed the high points:

1. Don’t overcook; they need to be a little toothy, not falling apart.
2. Don’t overmash, and for gosh sake don’t use a power mixer unless you want glue-y potatoes.
3. Heat your dairy and spices then once the potatoes are drained, dump them together then mash. I use a measuring cup in the microwave to pre-heat the dairy so the potatoes only sit in the colander for a few seconds to drain. Hot food must be finished hot, not barely warm.
   
   One thing you didn’t mention that I do …
   
   
4. Rather than cubing the potatoes I slice them thin, as if making potato chips or scalloped potatoes. Maybe 1/8" thick on average, but high precision is not required. Then steam them, not boil them. They cook much quicker and more evenly that way. And steaming leaves more nutrients in the potato and less in the water that goes down the drain.

[BippityBoppityBoo]

@The_Stainless_Steel_Rat

OK, need to finish catching up on the Straight Dope and maybe do something constructive.

We beg your pardon!

[Sunny_Daze]

@JaneDoe42

Oh, I sure do hope your bed didn’t get lost in the mail!

Purple Mattress never got back to me, but the shipping company did. The mattress should arrive today. * fingers crossed *

I paid someone to do my hair, otherwise heaven only knows what the back of my head would look like.

@susan

I got an “anniversary” notice but I don’t see no damn cake

Me too!

@LSLGuy

Rather than cubing the potatoes I slice them thin, as if making potato chips or scalloped potatoes. Maybe 1/8" thick on average, but high precision is not required.

Me too, but then I boil them. I drain the water once they’re just cooked, then I let them sit lid off to let as much moisture as possible steam off. While they are drying out, I put the butter to melt at the bottom of the pan. Once it’s melted, then I add some cream and mash with a power hand mixer.

---

Today is bed day (I hope) and junk removal day! Whee! This will get rid of so much stuff and trash/recycling. I am VERY happy.

Take care and happy Thursday!

[purplehorseshoe]

May your bed arrive/
May it be comfortable/
And may your upcoming appointment/
Be helpful

(This has been an updated version of old-skool Irish blessings. Courtesy of Da Dope.)

[engineer_comp_geek]

@susan

I got an “anniversary” notice but I don’t see no damn cake

We started the cutover from vBulletin to Discourse on June 20, so the “anniversary” that it’s sending out notifications for is our aniversary for when the cutover to Discourse was completed.

You should see a cake on the anniversary of the join date in your profile.

[susan]

Thanks!

[engineer_comp_geek]

Here are some treats to compensate you for your disappointment of not receiving cake today.

[susan]

You’re so sweet! I’ll share with the MMPers.

[swampbear]

Howdy Y’all! We got coifed, candle duty and other stuff got accomplished, and we brunched. Then it was back to da cave for nappage. Day drinkin’ has been done out by the cee-mint pond. So far no rain today other than a little this mornin’. If the no rain keeps up, I may be motivated to mow at least the front yahd. Or not. The sloth is strong in me!

[FairyChatMom]

@engineer_comp_geek

Here are some treats to compensate you for your disappointment of not receiving cake today.

What a disturbing lack of chocolate…

[susan]

for you, and … for Discourse.