December 29, 2012 - Msg 91775: That's too bad, Asa...I love that sound. "Awfuls"...hehe...that's funny, Gwampa.

Boo
December 29, 2012 - Msg 91776: YO
December 29, 2012 - Msg 91777: Boo, Your talk about Colorado sounds like it was happy times not quite sure which kind of amazing you were talking about ;) we'll just say "Gods Wonder" kind of amazing and leave it at that ok? ;)Project ("Big Freeze") seems to be working!
Colorado is on my bucket list of places to go, I'll say it, I'm a John Denver fan so I would like to go to the Memorial Park they have in Aspen to remember his music.(just don't call me sensitive).

Asa, I agree with the crunchy snow sound, but look at it this way at least the bats won't be out in it..ha Also my Grandkidders like my animal shaped pan cakes "giraffes" especially.

BIG Maude, I bet Pigeon Forge is beautiful this time of the year. Mrs. G-F & I went there about 4 years ago in the Spring, had a good time and want to go back. I liked the Artisan's Loop alot of neat things. Did not get to go to Dollywood bet it is beautiful at Christmas time.

Auh2o...Goober-Track Weather Report: Another 3" of snow heading your way...

G-F....
December 29, 2012 - Msg 91778: A decoy...shazam
December 29, 2012 - Msg 91779: Yes, you need to go to Colorado, G-F...wonderful place (or should I say "amazing"? ;)

Boo
December 29, 2012 - Msg 91780: Asa, get yourself a big, fluffy down coat if you don't already have one. I still have one I bought years back, and I swear I could just about live outside in the coldest temperatures with that, it is so warm. Of course it would be even better if I had down pants, boots and gloves. Then I really could live out in it. I don't wonder anymore how birds can survive outside in winter. God really did specially-make them.
Btw, I too, like when the snow is crunchy like that, sorry. Especially when it is so frozen you can just about walk on it without falling through.

-Sterling Holobyte
December 29, 2012 - Msg 91781: Romeena, I think I saw one of your squirrels on Jay Leno last night. He showed the squirrel with a mouthful of stuffing that looked like a Santa squirrel.
You should get some royalities off of it. It could pay for next years Mayberry cruise...

Hey to Sterling, How's everything in Packerland? You Don't have to worry about the Browns or Steelers this year but, ya may have to worry about SPOTs & REVs Falcons..

Asa, I saw Boo's post: "Hey Gwampa what's for supper"?.......Heee Haaaw!!

G-F...
December 29, 2012 - Msg 91782: Yep...Sterling, when we Texans go to Colorado in December, we dress in thermal underwear, insulated snow pants and coats, gloves, boots and wool hats. I can play out in the snow for hours that way and never get cold. In fact, the last time I went snowtubing, I ended up pulling my jacket off and just wearing my thermal top. Ya-hoo, that snowtubing is about as much fun as you can have without being illegal or immoral!~ ;)

Boo
December 29, 2012 - Msg 91783: Really, G-F? Do you think it was actually one of my pictures? I'd say it would be possible, because those pictures have circulated a bit. With the internet, you never know where something is going to end up. I don't usually watch Jay Leno, but I wish I had been watching last night!

Well, it's 47° here now, at 4:30 pm. Weird weather! Cold, then warm, then it's going to get cold again. I don't mind the cold, but if it's going to be cold, then I want something to show for it, like snow. Cold just to be cold is no fun. Hmmm. Wonder how many times I can use "cold" in one paragraph? Oh, for the record, I love crunchy snow! But then, I like bats, too.

I just went to a 50th Anniversary party for some dear friends, at church. Their children did it all, and it was just beautiful! There were floral arrangements, featuring some of the most gorgeous roses I've ever seen. The color was exquisite - orange, apricot, slight shades of rose on the edges - a perfectly stunning rose. I wanted the name of it, so I checked the card on one arrangement, and was delighted to see it was from A Cottage Florist, which is the florist I use here in Irving. I called them, the store was closed but I reached the owner, because he was having the calls forwarded to his cell phone. I told him what I wanted, and he was so kind. He said on Monday he'd talk with the floral designers, get the name of the rose and contact the supplier to see if it would be possible to get me a live plant. I want an "own-root" plant, not a graft. I'm not buying any more grafted roses. The graft sometimes freezes out, and then the root stock sends out canes, long, gangly things because the root stock is usually a climber of some kind. I've transplanted some of them, and let them climb. Some bloom and they get to stay. Some do not, and they get tossed. At any rate, they're not what the rose was originally meant to be, so no more grafts for me.

Well, enough rose chatter. I'm going to get into my jammies, heat up something tasty, get LaStarr into my lap and enjoy some TAGS this evening. Blessings, everyone! --Romeena
December 29, 2012 - Msg 91784: Yep Romeena, It sure looked like the squirrel with a mouthfull of stuffing from your patio furniture cushion..Tell Jay you want your royalties for it's use. Our at least have you on as a guest. I'd stay up and watch it!....

You could also bring Boo along and the cast of charaters from her Funny Farm..Bernie would perform for sure!

G-F....
December 30, 2012 - Msg 91785: Took a nice drive to a small town about an hour and a half from here. They have so many lighted scenes in the park there, it was really pretty. We wanted to go before Christmas but there just wasn't time. It was a perfect cool, crisp night for it.

Having some trouble with sis-in-law spreading some really ugly talk about us but just putting it in the Lord's hands...wouldn't even think of trying to defend myself or engage her in anything. She is not in control and it is making her so mad. I am keeping up the big freeze and not letting it get to me. The woman is obviously mentally ill.

Better get to bed so I can be up for sunday school.

Boo
December 30, 2012 - Msg 91786: Doing a trouble check to be sure the porch is working right after the fix I put in last week. - - Allan
December 30, 2012 - Msg 91787: Good Sabbath Porch.

Good morning Allan. It would seem your fix worked. I haven't seen any more double posts anyhow.

Asa
December 30, 2012 - Msg 91788: Hi All
Boy it cold out today and snowing here

Mr. TOM
December 30, 2012 - Msg 91789: What? Everybody hunkered down today??
December 30, 2012 - Msg 91790: I'm ri-cheere. Boy, do I need some cooking lessons.
Boo, or Ro, or G-F, why can't I cook? Maybe I just need kitchen time, but dag blame, I fried up some prk chops tonight. They weren't to bad, but the gravy, oh the gravy. Why can't I make edible gravy? Mine came out so thick it was disgusting. I made a rouge, and added milk and stirred like mad. It looked bad and runny at first. Then it got thicker and thicker and thicker..... you get the point. Did I cook it to long? Add to much flour? Not enought milk? HELP!!!

Asa
December 30, 2012 - Msg 91791: Thanks for the report, Asa. I'm glad things are working better. Happy new year! - - Allan... Err... Floyd

December 30, 2012 - Msg 91792: Evening porch, been busy this afternoon. Patrick and I took all of the Christmas decorations down and put them away. I vacuumed and put things back in order. Sad to see it come down but glad to get things cleaned and organized.

Beth left today making her way to GA for a college youth
conference. She will be back home the end of the week.

Mr. Maude and I will celebrate our 24 th year anniversary tomorrow. Time has flown by. Guess we can celebrate at the big party at O'Malleys tomorrow night!

Dinner menu for tonight: vegetable beef soup, Mexican corn bread. Pecan pie for dessert. SOUPS ON.

Prayers and blessings to all.
Big Maude
December 30, 2012 - Msg 91793: Maude, I wish I had all my decorations put away already. :( It is going to be a big job! Happy Anniversary to you and Mr. Maude.

Been a relaxing sort of day today, for the most part.

Boo
December 30, 2012 - Msg 91794: Asa, It's called "self preservation" if I don't cook I don't eat! Mrs. G-F (as I said before) is no Aunt Bee in the kitchen (she will tell you that herself) I know she has it in her, but 16 yrs. ago I guess I played my cards waaay to soon in letting her know I could cook, now it's a full time job! Maybe you just watched Ellie Mae Clampett cook and she learned ya wrong?
Plenty of experts it sounds here on the porch. If Maude's viral meals are 1/2 as good as the real ones "she's a keeper"! Since her & Mr. Maude have been married 24yrs. tomorrow, it must be true... she a "keeper" ha! Don't leave out the rest of the folks here always sounds like good eatin' times...As for your question, sounds like to much flour to me..

G-F
December 30, 2012 - Msg 91795: Well, finally! Good evening, porch! I've been absent because my computer was being held hostage by the US Department of Justice!! Yep, that's what the big old full-screen page said. It appeared from howhere, as I was chasing some links, and it had no X with which to close it. Big impressive logo at the top, with crests and eagles and all, and some threatening text to go with it. According to the text, my computer had been "blocked" because of illegal activity being found on it, such as child pornography, illegal copyright infringement, etc. All of this could be punished by prison time and very stiff fines. But wait, there's hope! All I had to do was go to Walgreen's or CVS or a few other locations, purchase a "pay package" or whatever they called it, put $300 in it. I would be given an ID number, which I was to enter in a blank on the page on my screen, and then my computer would be released. If I didn't do this within 48 hours, my computer's hard drive would be destroyed, and I could expect the FBI on my doorstep with a warrant for my arrest. Oh, please! Does it say "Stupid" across my forehead? Naturally, I did a "Ctrl/Alt/Del" shutdown of my computer, and went to bed. This afternoon, I contacted my computer guru friend in Florida, who set up a remote hookup with my computer, prowled through its innards, found the demon and promptly exorcised him. He then set me up with stronger security, set AVG to monitor my searches, and removed Bing and Yahoo from my search engine choices, and put Google back. I have always used Google, but somehow, Bing had displaced Google and I never changed it back. I never used Yahoo anyway. So now, all is well. Moral of the story - have good security in place, make sure your security is monitoring your search activity, be careful what you open, and as a last resort, sign up for Carbonite, at $55/yr. If all had failed, and this monster had killed my hard drive, all my data - everything - is stored with Carbonite, ready to install on any new drive when I need it.

Wow. Some of you already have your Christmas stuff taken down? Not gonna happen around here for a little while. When it takes two or three days to get it all out, I'm in no hurry to put it away. Especially the tree. It's just too pretty, I enjoy it too much, and it's not hurting anything, so it stays!

Congratulations, Maudie! Twenty-four years is a long time. I'm happy for you.

Asa, I agree with G-F. Sounds like too much flour. A good rule of thumb when making your roux is a heaping tablespoon of flour for every cup of liquid you plan to use. When making milk (or cream) gravy, I use that ratio. If I'm making gravy from fried pork chops, I drain off the excess grease/oil, leaving all the crispies in the pan, along with enough grease to completely moisten the amount of flour I'm going to use. If you drain your grease into something clean, you can always retrieve some of it if your roux looks too dry. You want the roux (the mix of grease and flour) to be wet enough that it can bubble a little in the pan, and start browning. Then add your milk slowly, stirring all the time. Get it stirred in, and it will look thin at first, but will thicken quickly. Stir in more milk and let it simmer a little more. It will thicken again. Keep repeating until you have the consistency you want and it stops getting so thick. If you happen to add too much milk and the gravy is too thin and won't thicken, you can shake up a little flour in some cold milk and add it to the gravy. It will thicken, but be sure to let it cook for two or three minutes, so you don't have a "raw flour" taste. Check for salt, add if needed. Grind in a little black pepper, and add a small pinch of sugar. No, the gravy won't be sweet, but it will be good. Asa, the secret to good gravy is trial and error, time and experience. I could make gravy by the time I was about twelve, but I had been working on it since I was ten. Even then, even now, sometimes it would make pretty good mortar for laying brick. Everybody has failures. Just hang in there.

Well, I'm off to watch a little TV. Blessings, all! --Romeena
December 30, 2012 - Msg 91796: HAPPY TEXAS STATEHOOD DAY!
December 30, 2012 - Msg 91797:
Asa- was your gravy mentioned in Mayberry After Midnite as tasting like wallpaper paste? ha
RIP Frank Cady-he played the general store keeper on Green Acres.
MAUdie- yes, always sad when they come down. I always leave mine up until Epiphany, giving the wise men their due! ha.
Happy Anniversary!
The Lord's blessings for a wonderful new year.
The good news is that even if the yahoos in DC cant get it together, it is not the end by any means, its just a LOT of inconvenience for every taxpayer in America (ha-with a grain of salt.)
Prayers for 2013.
MDC
December 31, 2012 - Msg 91798: Happy New Years Eve Porch.

Romeena and GF, thank you for the lesson. I added all the milk at once. Then it seemed to runny, so I added more flour. In the end I think I got the ratio all messed up. I admire cooks. They are like artists. They make it look so easy. Then I go try it and I'm like a bull in a China shop. And the kitchen looks like Andy's did after Aunt Bee went to visit her sick relative. Stuff all over the place. But I've come a long way. I have some things I can do pretty good now. But I get bored with it after a spell, watch some cooking shows, and figure I can give it a whirl. Thanks for the encouragement. I need it right now.

Happy Anniversary Big Maude. 24 years is pretty darn fine. Good on ya.

MDC, You know when "W" proposed the initial tax cuts a decade ago, he wanted them to be permanent. It was the Democrats who insisted they be temporary. It was the only way he could get it to pass. Now they want to extend it, but only for some? They are playing politics with it as usual, and we are the victims. If they can propose and include meaningful spending cuts with a tax hike, I bet most folks would go along with it. Our problem isn't revenue, it's spending. And until that is dealt with in a meaningful way, we will be in trouble. At least that's how I see it. We are turning (or have turned some believe) into Europe. And we can see how that's worked out for them. Very depressing and agrivating.

What's everyone's New Years eve plans? Nothing much here. Have a few goodies tonight. Maybe watch a movie. Probably be asleep by 10. Got everyone coming over tomorrow for dinner. My son in law is cooking a prime rib. I wouldn't even attempt that. And he can do prime rib as good as it gets. I'll bake some taters and make a salad.

In fact I better get to the store and get some fixins. I wanna get there before they get crazy.

Asa
December 31, 2012 - Msg 91799: Asa, Are you making the au jus? + Just a little horseradish on the side..
Just don't go CRAZY with the oregano if ya make spagetti..ha!

MCD..Go easy on Asa, for a guy he's at least trying...ha! WE just won't let him try his hand at pickles yet, he may go wild with the allspice then we'd have jet fuel!! (kerosene on steroids)

Asa, It's funny how DC puts a spin on things, you can dress up a rat but ya still got a rat, I'm just sayin'....

TEXAS Statehood Day!...You guys can't try to succeed, we NEED you guys to keep all the knuckleheads in line...That's what I'm thinkin'..

Romeena, First the IRS now the Dept. of Justice?
What's next? Will Walker Texas Ranger be after ya???

G-F....
December 31, 2012 - Msg 91800: DON'T MESS WITH TEXAS!!http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=knbrsEYp5OY
December 31, 2012 - Msg 91801: who posted that video??...funny!

asa, you made me laugh out loud when i read that you made "rouge"...bless your heart, you gave it a good try. I agree with ro 100%...she gave you the right gravy making advice. Practice makes perfect. I'll just add one more thing; if you have a wire whisk, use that to stir with. If you don't have one, consider purchasing one. they aren't expensive and work really well for stirring the gravy just right. :)

Spaghetti sounds good...maybe i'll make that...or my famous lasagna.

We don't plan on going out tonight...i like to stay off the roads and away from the drunk drivers. will hang out here, watch a movie, play some games or something.

Boo
December 31, 2012 - Msg 91802: Hey Boo, Hot Rod Otis would be a good episode to watch on New Years Eve. They need to play that episode several times today as a public service announcement."Scared Straight" The Otis Campbell Story....

Go easy on the oregano today....Just be sure to invite SPOT, he's good for about 3 plates full.

G-F....
December 31, 2012 - Msg 91803: Well if I can't even spell it, how can I expect to make it.lol My "rouge" was closer to make up than anything edible. Ro, bless her heart just sent me some instructions and a new recipe to try. My goal for the new year is learn how to make decent gravy. I'm gonna do it! :)

Boo, good idea about staying home and avoiding the drunks. I might retrieve my copy of "It's a wonderful life" that I loaned to my Daughter and watch it. I have not watched it yet this year.
And speaking of Daughters, I failed to tell you all that she announced Christmas day that she is in a motherly way again. She and her hubby are thrilled. This will be her 5th, and our 7th gandchild. No wonder I feel so old :)

Asa
December 31, 2012 - Msg 91804: Scared Straight, The Otis Campbell story. Now that's funny G-F.

Asa
December 31, 2012 - Msg 91805: That's a great idea, G-F! That's a perfect Otis ep for tonight.

You can do it, Asa...I see some really good gravy in your history...now, I am going to share my secret ingredient for gravy. Since it is New Year's eve and I am feeling generous I will share it. My grandpa passed this secret gravy ingredient down to me 40 years ago. Add a few shakes of Tobasco sauce to your gravy. You'll be amazed at how it adds just the right "something". It isn't hot, just adds a little something.

I decided to invite a couple of friends over tonight. I think we are going to watch the hitchc*ck movie, "Rope". Anyhoo-I need to run to the store for some things.

Be back later...

Boo
December 31, 2012 - Msg 91806: Happy New Years everyone! I tried to post yesterday but it kept saying I didn't have permission to see the page or some such msg. I was hoping ya'll hadn't blackballed me. Must have been some interloper interfering with it. My daddy is doing better, he's able walk around pretty decent without his walker and he even made it to preaching yesterday. Now if we can just keep him from doing too much. Asa, it took me forever to make gravy, mine always had the consistency of pumpkin pie. But one trick I've learned is when you brown your flour, the split second it starts to smell like it's burning, is when you want to add milk. I had no clue there was such a science to gravy. We dont have plans tonight, probably just have pizza and snacks here. I've never really understood the concept of spending new years with a bunch of drunken strangers. But thats just me. I hope you all have a safe night, whatever you do. Thanks for the prayers for my daddy--Salty Dog
December 31, 2012 - Msg 91807: Happy New year porch! Ya'll be safe!

Big Maude
December 31, 2012 - Msg 91808: Thanks, Maude...same to you and your's!

Got the lasagna ready to put together, an apple pie in the oven, and a pecan pie already baked. Things are smelling pretty good around here. :)

Boo
December 31, 2012 - Msg 91809: I think we're going to have a "gravy-filled" New Year! Suits me, I love the stuff. I agree with Boo on both suggestions she made. The wire whisk is a big help, but the pan I'm usually using to fry and to make gravy has a finish that would be harmed by wire. Wish someone would make a whisk out of wood or something that won't scratch. I use shielded tongs and wooden spoons with that pan. Also, the Tabasco is a great addition. Since it's going into something that contains milk, the "fire" is doused, and you just have that wonderful, snappy flavor. You all did know, didn't you, that you can put out the fire in your mouth from peppers with a sip of milk, a bite of sour cream, anything dairy. Try it, it works. Water just spreads it, but dairy cools it right down. I often put Tabasco in my gravy, but not everyone likes it, so I have to be careful. That's why I didn't mention it here, but trust us, it's good!

Well, I have sausage/cheese balls in the oven, to take over to LaRue's tonight. I'll probably come home before 11 pm. I don't have far to travel, and it's on a residential street (Grauwyler, REV,) but still, I just prefer to be home before midnight. Toye Starr and I will ring in the New Year together, if I can wake her up.

I love Elmer's glue. I have a little display that I made years ago in ceramics. There are three reindeer with harness and all, and a really pretty Santa who can sit on one of the deer. There's a little rocking platform, and I choose a deer to stand on it, put Santa on his back, and the other two are alongside - one is sitting down. I made strings of lights out of plaster and gold thread and painted them all colors, and these twine in the reindeer's antlers. Anyway, on Christmas Eve, one of my grandsons was making the platform rock (of course, he's nine) and the deer fell off and an antler broke off. The poor kid was so embarrassed and felt so bad. Naturally I assured him it would be okay, but he still felt terrible. Teared up a little, cheeks all pink, the whole thing. Poor kid! Well, tonight I got out my Elmer's glue and reattached the antler, and you can't even tell it has been broken. Fortunately, it didn't flake on the edges, so the attachment is clean. I can't wait to show Hud tomorrow. He'll feel much better, I think.

Well, my oven timer is singing, so guess the sausage/cheese balls are done. Off I go. Happy New Year, everyone! God bless you all. --Romeena
December 31, 2012 - Msg 91810:
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
mdc
December 31, 2012 - Msg 91811: Asa, as Goober said on "Return to Mayberry" GranDaddy,GranDaddy,GranDaddy...And Gomer says' Congratulations,Congratulations,Congratulations!
Those Pyle boys sure know how to pump a GranDaddy Up!

**DON"T DRINK & DRIVE** if you must drink, drink MILK because of the boys in DC milk will go up to $8.00 a gal. since they did not fix that either as we are all falling off the cliff!
But look on the bright side, those with the "Free" cell phones can call Washington @
1-800-DONT-GIVE-A-HOOT it's a FREE call..Except there will be no one to take your call, Sorry!
**FORWARD MARCH**....
Sorry I could not help myself, Ladies& Gentelmen better pull up your boot straps it's gonna be a WILD ride in 2013...Happy New Year (New for sure)

G-F
December 31, 2012 - Msg 91812: I made a discovery today, folks. And that is, you can't cook gluten-free spaghetti in the microwave. I have one of those microwave pasta cookers, and it has worked like a charm... on regular spaghetti. But this corn and rice gluten-free kind, it turned it into mush.
I think I have just created a new dish: Mashed spaghetti. ;)

Have a happy, mush-free New Years, porch! :)

-Sterling Holobyte
December 31, 2012 - Msg 91813:
Howdy porch family...been busy around here on my end of the porch. Normally we leave our Christmas up for a little while afterward but I'm leaving out this week so we decided to go ahead and get everything put away. Got finished up today. Kinda sad to take it down but I'll be honest....kinda glad it's all put away now:)

Maude.....Happy 24 to you and your hubby! May God bless you with many more!

Well gang.....5 minutes until 2013 here on this end of the porch......Much love and prayers for all my porch family.....THANK YOU all for being my friend!
-REV.