topic Re: January 2016 - Back Fence in Among Friends

January 2016 - Back Fence

Bird mama — Fri, 01 Jan 2016 14:04:16 GMT

Welcome to the Back Fence for January 2016.

Re: January 2016 - Back Fence

Bird mama — Fri, 01 Jan 2016 14:29:52 GMT

I just looked out the window and noticed that it has started to snow. There must not be too much moisture in it because it's the type of snow that has flakes that float down, side to side and actually float up a little.

Not as dense or heavy as what I call 'snow globe' snow that goes in all directions and sticks. It's more delicate and dreamy.

Re: January 2016 - Back Fence

spix — Fri, 01 Jan 2016 15:23:47 GMT

Good Morning Back Fencers & Happy New Year!

Quite chilly here, nothing special planned for today, DD has gone to her house for the week-end so I'm on my own, which is a good thing,

Good Morning Back Fencers & Happy New Year to All! left hot coffee & cookies as it's quite chilly here today.

Nothing special planned, DD has gone to her house for the week-end & the rest of the family doing their own thing, so it's a relaxing day for me, think I'll go to Buono Beef for a sandwich for lunch & just pick the rest of the day, but I suspect the neighbors will be calling for a get together so that's good too.

Enjoy your day

Re: January 2016 - Back Fence

spix — Fri, 01 Jan 2016 15:25:18 GMT

Sorry don't know what happened

Re: January 2016 - Back Fence

PINKdogWOOD — Fri, 01 Jan 2016 15:29:07 GMT

@Bird mama Still as sparkley as a snow globe.

The SUN is finally shining here in OH. So glad to know she still does rise & shine!

Re: January 2016 - Back Fence

yock — Fri, 01 Jan 2016 16:47:01 GMT

I'd love to see the sun. We are finally having January temps. No snow yet.

Re: January 2016 - Back Fence

Bird mama — Fri, 01 Jan 2016 22:34:09 GMT

Well I ate two interesting things today. While my father's side of the family came from the south, my middle sister spent more time with my paternal grandmother and was exposed to southern cooking more than me.

At my sister's recommendation for New Year's Day, she brought me a can of southern season black eyed peas and a jar of sweet and sour red cabbage.

I ate half the can of the black eyed peas. Kind of earthy aren't they :-)

I ate a few tablespoons of the sweet and sour cabbage. I think the pink color appealed to me and I actually enjoyed the cabbage. I'll probably eat some more of the cabbage (jar is in the fridge) tomorrow.

Re: January 2016 - Back Fence

jlkz — Fri, 01 Jan 2016 23:33:40 GMT

On our way over to an Open House near Philly, I saw several trees with cherry blossoms---someone had said there were blossoms in DC but we' much farther north ! Too, my daffodil stems are 4" out of the ground as well as the sedums that I had cut to the ground in November.

Have no idea what the Spring is going to be like with this way-too-early stuff going on !!!!

Re: January 2016 - Back Fence

Winifred — Sat, 02 Jan 2016 02:59:35 GMT

Birdmama, if you are going to eat blackeyed peas - I do and LOVE them - buy the package of dried beans. Soak them for a couple hours and any floating to the top discard. Then use bacon or ham bits and cook them for several hours. SO VERY GOOD!!!!!! I had them today - do not miss a New Years day without eating some.

Re: January 2016 - Back Fence

Bird mama — Sat, 02 Jan 2016 19:42:05 GMT

@Winifred

Okay Freddie, be patient with me as I really am this stupid in the kitchen.

So black eyed peas come in a bag like rice? Any particular brand?

Soak them - in what? Just water by itself or do I add any seasoning?

Bacon - do I cook the bacon first or cook it with the peas?

Cook them for several hours - how? Would I be boiling them, baking them? How will I know they are done? Soft to the touch? Slightly firm?

What else goes in there with the bacon? Any onion or anything?

Can they be carried over to the next day? Can I refrigerate what I don't eat and finish the next day?

The only reason I am thinking of trying these more frequently is they are a great source of protein.

I just had my first parsnips in my life on Christmas Eve. I'm 53.

Please don't shake your head Freddie - my parents tried, I was just a fussy eater.

Re: January 2016 - Back Fence

Bird mama — Mon, 04 Jan 2016 17:15:24 GMT

Okay Back Fencers, I think I scared folks away asking about how to make black eyed peas, lol.

Let's forget I asked and get back to catching up.

I'm back to work after a great 4 day weekend and holiday. We had some snow globe snow and I was watching it fall down, fall left to right and right to left and rise up from the 18th floor of the building I work in. All of the strange directions of snowfall happen from my point of view because my window faces the tower across from me. The wind tunnel does some crazy things.

It's colder than it has been, but not too bad.

So, how are you doing on this fine day?

Re: January 2016 - Back Fence

mousiegirl — Mon, 04 Jan 2016 20:48:46 GMT

@Bird mama wrote:
@Winifred

Okay Freddie, be patient with me as I really am this stupid in the kitchen.

So black eyed peas come in a bag like rice? Any particular brand?

Soak them - in what? Just water by itself or do I add any seasoning?

Bacon - do I cook the bacon first or cook it with the peas?

Cook them for several hours - how? Would I be boiling them, baking them? How will I know they are done? Soft to the touch? Slightly firm?

What else goes in there with the bacon? Any onion or anything?

Can they be carried over to the next day? Can I refrigerate what I don't eat and finish the next day?

The only reason I am thinking of trying these more frequently is they are a great source of protein.

I just had my first parsnips in my life on Christmas Eve. I'm 53.

Please don't shake your head Freddie - my parents tried, I was just a fussy eater.

@Bird mama You soak them in water as with any beans. I would buy a hamhock and cook it in with the peas along with onion, garlic, salt and pepper, and any herb you love, or not. Bring to a boil, then simmer until tender, and If there are leftovers, yes they will keep as any other food would in the frig. I tried these once and didn't like them, love all other beans, but maybe they weren't cooked correctly, this was eons ago. I may try them again.

Re: January 2016 - Back Fence

Winifred — Tue, 05 Jan 2016 02:11:30 GMT

Am not ignoring the request on brand of back eyed peas, but I never notice - I just know what the package looks like. LOL. Will check tomorrow but then do not know if that brand will be available where you live. Cannot remembedr at all the branhd we used when I was a kid = do know these taste the same.

Re: January 2016 - Back Fence

Bird mama — Tue, 05 Jan 2016 20:22:59 GMT

Hello all, today is my 35th anniversary with my employer. My manager arranged for a quick team meeting earlier this afternoon to talk about 2016 goals, but it was an excuse to present me with a tray of cookies, a card from my unit and the corporate recognition for my years of service.

I was given the code to the online gift selector site and will check out the gifts available to those with 35 years. Each milestone has a different selection.

I consider myself fortunate to have worked here so long. I've been in various divisions and worked with many people. I met my husband here.

Re: January 2016 - Back Fence

PAlady — Tue, 05 Jan 2016 20:29:24 GMT

Bernie - Congratulations on the 35 years with your employer. The cookies were a nice touch, pick something cool out for yourself.

Re: January 2016 - Back Fence

mousiegirl — Tue, 05 Jan 2016 20:44:43 GMT

@Bird mama wrote:
Hello all, today is my 35th anniversary with my employer. My manager arranged for a quick team meeting earlier this afternoon to talk about 2016 goals, but it was an excuse to present me with a tray of cookies, a card from my unit and the corporate recognition for my years of service.

I was given the code to the online gift selector site and will check out the gifts available to those with 35 years. Each milestone has a different selection.

I consider myself fortunate to have worked here so long. I've been in various divisions and worked with many people. I met my husband here.

@Bird mama

Re: January 2016 - Back Fence

Bird mama — Tue, 05 Jan 2016 21:53:03 GMT

@mousiegirl

Thanks mousie

Re: January 2016 - Back Fence

Epicurean — Tue, 05 Jan 2016 23:50:27 GMT

Bernie,congratulations my friend on 35yrs. They are lucky to have you on there team!!!!

Re: January 2016 - Back Fence

Bird mama — Wed, 06 Jan 2016 00:38:52 GMT

@Epicurean

When they asked me about my thoughts about 35 years I told them I was lucky to be hired when I was. The company back then allowed you to grow and build knowledge instead of expecting you to come in knowing it all. I also said had it not been for kind people along the way who slowed down long enough to teach me because I was interested, I would have gone nowhere. The company no longer offers pensions or retire health care (even with premium sharing) to employees hired after a certain date and there are people on my team who will never be eligible for a pension or retiree health care.

I said that sure, sometimes you run into people who are hard to work with (excluding them of course, lol) but the company overall has been a great place to work. I said, I live a simple life with simple desires and working at the company will enable me to realize the dream of home ownership within 2 years from now.

I think some of them were stunned because I was humble. I meant it.

Re: January 2016 - Back Fence

Epicurean — Wed, 06 Jan 2016 00:39:49 GMT

Happy New Year to Everyone!!!!

Well, the new year really brought the cold weather with it,was in the 20s today.

The holidays seemed to fly by,but,I will admit I'm happy to have all the decorations put away and my house back to normal. Is not liking change a symptom of getting old!! LOL!!!!

Gee I hope Sue and her hubby are o.k.. I remember someone saying they were sick. I can't seem to find her e mail address that I know I had.

oh,speaking of e mail. Bernie,did you get my e mail on the 3rd? Or maybe I screwed it up some how. That's easy for me to do,LOL!,,,

hope ypu all are not anywhere where this awfull weather is happening.