Ahhhh! Judyg you are speaking my language. As well as awesome mochas, my husband makes a mean margarita.

This flu is nasty, but apparently we have two strains circulating. Many people that had the flu shot are getting this little gem anyway.

As for the store, it's gas/convenience. Were open 20 hours a day 7 days a week. Independent owner for 20 gruelling years, flying a major gas co. flag. About 10% of the locations in the country with this company are independent, the rest are all corporate owned stores. So no paint and decor aisle here, just all the regular goodies you'd typically find :(

Top bunk for you olldcan - you're the baby! Is that the Mom & Pop type of store? I like family run businesses much more friendly.
Judyg I'm flattered.

Doesn't this seem like an odd discussion to post on Houzz: http://www.houzz.com/discussions/291420/How-to-find-my-immigration-law-firms? Looks more like a (free) advertisement.

My husband said that it was spam Astraea.

Is that something Houzz finds & questions/removes?

I seem to be finding all the quirky stuff today! I was just looking for stone masons in my area, and found a company in the next town over. But they have licenses listed on their website, and they're from Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado & Utah! Doesn't that seem very odd?

https://www.houzz.com/discussions/bedroom-wall-color-suggestions-dsvw-vd~290414

So, yesterday I answer this. Today, she has reposted and took my suggestion for the Zebra photo and said it was her daughter's idea. Grrrrrrr

michi, how high is the snow at your house? For one of those drinks, I will buy a dog sled.

creeser, have to "go back to the future" and see your rug.

creeser, love the rug.

Ladies, take a look at these floors. I love the artisan feel:
https://www.houzz.com/discussions/end-grain-wood-block-flooring-dsvw-vd~291610

Sometimes I add myself back to the "my discussions" under advanced for a few minutes during the day: just to see how much time I've wasted during the day (or week or month) commenting...

You young gals: I have kids 46+ (I'm 71+)....maybe I'm the oldest?

olldj22, I am 68 for two months. My girl is 42.

creeser, love the herringbone look.

astraea, it is gone.

I'm home again and I refuse to move. Of all the things I've lost getting old I miss my energy the most. Do ya know what I mean???

feeny, both are me! Just when I get really tired I feel really old, which is right now. Give me 5 minutes and I'll be up and at it again. And how on earth did you know I like to redo rooms about a year after I finish them? I swear you're psychic! Psycich? Psichyc? You know what I mean! Sloth? Doubtful! Agh, the coffee is kickin' in....

bobbi, you are not old. Just ask us OLLDS who are. 60 is great! You just do not get enough sleep. How old is R?

I will NEVER tell you how old R is for I am a COUGAR!!! BIG TIME!!! But I have waaaaay more energy than he does! hehehehe

BOBBI!!!! A COUGAR!!! You just never cease to amaze me. You totally surprised me when you said you were blond, I somehow didn't expect that either. Somehow I have to get to LA and come after you. Problem is MY get up and go has definitely got up and went. I definitely had WAY more energy and go at 60.

YEAH!!! Thank you, thank you J22, I thought I was the eldest at 70, I always seem to be the eldest in every group and it is SOOOOO nice not to be for a change. My eldest is 45 so almost up with our two "kids" here.

Tell you who else I would like to invite to join us is Trasgorshek ?sp. Had quite a chat to her one time, she is in her 40s but reckons she will be me in 20 years time. She sounds a lot of fun and I reckon would fit right in as a trainee too.

roo, not all dumbs are blond, you know!

We have flu raging here at the moment too - mid summer, best time to get it!!!! We are putting it down to our stupid weather, when the temperature varies 20 deg in less than a day, the body does cave in, especially when you are talking 38 deg (stinking hot) to 18 deg (cold). That's 100.4 down to 64.4 in your language. Touch wood, I've never had flu so I don't have shots. My doctor supports that when I don't seem to be prone to it and it only covers 2 or 3 strains of flu.

I used to get a lot of head colds when I was working, particularly after they made all our buses air conditioned, and as I got older they laid me out for a week, I used to get so giddy and woozy, but since I stopped work, touch wood, I haven't had a cold at all for over 6 years, not even a sniffy nose. I can get the sneezes a lot but that seems to be when the weather suddenly changes or I'm in and out of air conditioning on really hot days - more like a hay fever type thing.

Every year we get flu shots. R's job requires it. And every year R gets sick for a week after. Do you think he could be allergic to an ingredient?

Bobby, you said that - I was thinking more of your Italian heritage you mentioned one time, although I know that northerners can be blond.

What do you think about Trasgorshek?

That is very common, Bobbi, and one reason I won't have the shots. Basically they inject the virus into you in a mild dose but enough to give you immunity to the real thing. That is why many people basically get a mild dose of the flu and generally for a week afterwards, although I had a neighbour one time who had problems on and off for months afterwards.

Does R work in a hospital?

I don't think anything about Trasgorshek except he/she seems to really like you! Why? Did something go wrong? R repairs equipement in a hospital and is required to have a flu shot to do anything professionally in there, as do other vendors.

I think we are on different planets today. I only meant in terms of inviting her to join us when basically she doesn't meet the 'requirements', I just like to ask the ollds for an opinion before doing anything - don't want to tread on toes.

Everyone here working in hospitals, nursing homes, etc. are required to have flu shots too - that was why I asked.

I'm good with it! All in favor, say "aye"!!! Except it does look like it's just you and me right now.

Yes, if he can't prove he had a flu shot he has to wear a bunny suit, complete with face mask. Better to get the shot.

Extra loud LOL - A bunny suit!!! The picture of him at Halloween came straight back - in a bunny suit. Cottontail too????

OMG, imagine him showing up to labor and delivery in that clown suit? Probably scare the babies right back to the womb! roo, you're silly! A bunny suit is what they wear in surgery! I think that's what they wear.

Leftover Chinese tofu and eggplant for dinner! Woo Hoo!

I knew what you meant, I forgot he was wearing a clown suit, it was the clown face in a bunny suit that got me - even with a mask. Knowing hospital staff I'm sure they have a good name for the outfit, they would need all the humour they can to get through a day, and generally long ones at that.

Ohhh drool, love, love, love eggplant. Haven't seen Chinese style.

I rarely buy magazines but one caught my eye the other day, it is actually put out for diabetics but it had the yummiest salads in it, so I just had to buy. Pretty much live on salads over summer so nice to have a few changes.

Ricotta orange and walnut
Egg tomato and bocconcina pasta
Prawn mango with chilli lime dressing (minus chilli for me)
Chicken caesar without the horrible fish
Smoked chicken salad
Smoked salmon with herbed cream cheese dressing

Lots of nice simple cooked food too.

They sound good! Especially the caesar without the little fishy's. Can you share the ricotta, orange and walnut recipe? Love all three of those. Allergic to prawns, don't like mangos. Smoked chicken, can I get that recipe too?

Chinese eggplant and tofu is hot and spicy but still edible. I'll pay for that indulgence tomorrow, come on ice cream!

I second olldbobbi's requests for the 2 salads.

In Caesar Salad & other things, I often substitute Worcestershire Sauce (WS) for anchovies. My DS was a chef and gave me that little-chef-secret. WS has anchovies in it but most people like the WS taste better than the little fish....

I'm sorry, I'm so tired.....DS???

"dear son" ...

Bobbi - I think your DS is Brian? Sounds like you are suffering that late afternoon slump, I get it from 4pm every day and frequently sleep through the 6pm news.

Ah! DS=dear son. Makes sense.

Yes, the 7PM slump, can't even get interested in the playoff's.

And while I have no delusions that the Niners will make it to the Super Bowl, I do notice that the Stinky Steelers are NO WHERE!!! Yeah, babies!

Go, Pats!

Ricotta, orange and walnut salad - serves 2 as a light meal.

Have to be a bit creative here as they use house branded stuff

250g mixed green salad stuff (to your taste). Note it also has grated beetroot and bean shoots in it.
40g (2cups) watercress sprigs
20g walnuts roughly chopped
2 oranges peeled, segmented or chopped
1tsp finely grated orange zest
2 tbsp freshly squeezed orange juice
1 tbsp honey
1 stp Dijon mustard or gluten free mustard
2 tsp olive oil
125g fresh ricotta, crumbled.

Toss salad, watercress, walnuts and orange segments
Put orange zest, orange juice, honey, mustard and oil in small jug and whisk
Pour over salad, toss to combine, add ricotta, toss gently.

Chicken caesar salad - serves 4 as a light meal

3 slices (125g sourdough bread cut into cubes
Olive Oil cooking spray
2 x 50g eggs
400g skinless chicken breast, sliced through centre to form 2 equal pieces
freshly ground black pepper to season
140g mixed salad leaves
250g punnet cherry tomatoes quartered
2 Lebanese cucumbers cut into small chunks
2tsp 99% fat free caesar dressing
3 tsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
2 tsp boiling water
20g shaved parmesan

190 deg C fan forced ovenb, spread bread cubes on an oven tray, spray lightly with cooking oil and bake, stirring once, for 10-12 mins or until bead is light golden. Set aside to cool.

Meanwhile put eggs in simmering water and cook for 6 mins. Drain and set aside to cool, peel and cut each in half lengthways

Preheat chargrill pan to med-high, spray chicken on each side with cooking oil and season with pepper. Add to pan, reduce heat to med. Cook 2-3 mins on each side until cooked through. Set aside 2 mins to cool and slice diagonally across grain.

Put salad leaves, tomato, cucumber, bread cubes and chicken in large bowl and toss to combine.

Put caesar dressing, lemon juice and water in small bowl and whisk to combine.

Divide salad between 4 shallow bowls, top with egg and parmesan and drizzle dressing over.

You can also use a 425 can of tuna in springwater, drained, instead of chicken.

Smoked Chicken Salad - serves 8 as part of a main.

180 g mixed salad similar to Ricotta and orange
250g punnet cherry tomatoes halved
350g smoked chicken breast, skin removed and thinly sliced
2 Lebanese cucumbers peeled into ribbons
Balsamic glaze to serve.

Toss everything and drizzle over the glaze. Assume you buy that done, haven't seen it, but then I haven't looked.

Didn't mention this one, I don't like lamb but you could substitute. I love chargrilled veges in a salad but usually fry some Haloumi Chees with it. This serves 2 as a main.

Olive Oil cooking spray
250 kumera halved lengthwise and thinly sliced
1 zucchini cut lengthwise into thin strips
1 yellow capsicum quartered
2 x 100g lamp leg steaks, trimmed of fat
400 g can chickpeas, rinsed and drained
Zest of 1/2 lemon
Pinch chilli flakes
50g (2 cups) baby rocket
10 (55g) baby bocconini, halved
1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
1 tsp Dijon or gluten free mustard
1 clove garlic crushed
Freshly ground black pepper

Preheat BBQ grill to med-high. Lightly spray each side of kumera, zucchini and capsicum with oil. Add kumera to BBQ and cook, turning occasionally for 3 mins. Add zucchini and capsicum and cook further 2-3 mins or until veges are tender. Transfer zucchini and capsicum to chopping board, allow to cool slightly and diagonally cut into strips.

Spray each side of lamb with oil, add to BBQ and reduce heat to med. Cook 2 mins each side for medium or however you like, set aside 2 mins to rest and cut into thin strips.

Put veges, lamb, chickpeas, lemon zest, chilli, rocket and bocconcini in large bowl and toss. Put balsamic vinegar, mustard and garlic in a small bowl and season with pepper and whisk to combine. Pour over salad and toss again to combine.

Okay Lisa, I'll take the top bunk.... I'm good with that. To be honest I'll even sleep on the floor if were getting that dream house. If I'm tying into one of judyg or michi addictions, best I be closer to the floor :). The top bunk can be a long but fast way down and I don't bounce too good lately. I make a mean cosmo but can never stop at just one!!!
Lisa, hubby opened the store 20 years ago. I have always had my own career up until 2 years ago. Yes, in many ways it has that Mom and Pop feel. We know everyone on a first name basis and everyone knows us. Some people have been coming there since it opened, watched the kids in town grow up and now there having kids. Since Friday was payday I can tell you Mike will fill his truck on Monday, buy a carton of smokes, pack of trident spearmint gum and a egg salad sandwich, coffee too. Tuesday thru Thursday it will be just coffee, Friday he will repeat Mondays purchase. Tony will be running late like every Monday morning but smiling ear to ear. Hubby can tell me what the first 150 people through the door every morning are going to buy, I'm not anywhere near that good. Habitual buying patterns, oh ya :) we all do it. Although we have to follow all corporate rules use there signage etc. I tend to blurr the edges somewhat *L* and sometimes it's just easier to ask for forgiveness then it is to get permission. Since we own all the equipment, stock, etc. and assume all the risk at the end of the day, nobody has our backs....just us.

I have never had a flu shot, many get it but I can't be bothered. Typically, I'm strong like bull!!!!! and this is the first time I've had a flu in 10 years.

What the heck guys, COUGARS and BUNNY SUITS??? you all into michi's and judyg Saturday night stash????

j22 - glad you are around. Meant to tell you if you are at DDs check this week's Outlook. Miss 6 is in the school photos. She is the one that didn't get what she wanted from Santa!!

olldroo, seems delicious and since your experienced can you just prepare that for our first night, once we move into the dream house. I'll mix the cosmos. A Lebanese cucumber? kumera? capsicum?. Isn't capsicum a russian hockey player???. I know, all the fine compliments and all the good wishes, never replace help with the dishes, I'll volunteer in advance to do all the clean up.

Olldcan, salads I can do - 'cook' is a 4-letter word and all 4-letter words that entail w-o-r-k are banned from my vocabulary. Cleaning up is my scene too although these days my back goes if I stand too long.

I thought you spoke our language??

Ok a Lebanese cucumber is a long skiny one - Google it and a heap of images come up that I can't cut and paste.

Kumera .............. ummm sweet potato only it is the orange one, maybe y'all call it a yam?? Can't find any pictures.

Capsicum ......... hell, makes me ill, I can't eat it, they come in red, yellow and green

http://www.taste.com.au/how+to/articles/62/capsicum

Michi and Judy's Saturday night stash??????????

I wish!!!!!!

Roll on the OLLD House - reckon we will be rolling........... literally.

Oh gee, yes we call it a yam and bell peppers not capsicum. Still convinced capsicum is a russian pro hockey player *L* What do you use instead of Lamb. Please don't say pork. I watched a documentary on Pork slaughter farms and was throughly disgusted at the workers in this particular plant and the entire industry. I haven't purchased pork yet and unfortunately the brutal images are still ingrained in my head.
Can you imagine, we'd have the best time ever and there'd be no painting or reno's to do. Just visit, laugh, talk, eat, talk, laugh,talk, drink, talk, laugh.The first gal to hit the sack gets her suitcases painted Revere Pewter but if it's Bobbi, I insist it be done red ochre :)
So, am I understanding this correctly, Lisa is from Scotland?

Yep Lisa is a Scot. We are really getting international aren't we.

Don't know the first thing about Russian pro hockey players - would that be ice hockey??? Wasn't there a movie about the Mighty Ducks or something - about my limit where ice hockey is concerned. We would be a bit like the Jamaican Bobsled Team - love that movie too.

If you watch anything on slaughter it is sickening, so many countries just don't care. We have big yells happening here with our sheep and cattle and they are trying to ban live exports because of it. Indonesia was the latest to cop it, but they argue Halal, etc. We use Halal methods here because of the burgeoning population of Muslims, actually I think the method is the same, it just has to do with the right people saying the right words at the right time. Makes more sense to me to kill first and export, why make the animals suffer lengthy cruises. Not like they have dinner with the captain, dancing on the Lido deck or anything.

I mostly only eat chicken or fish so they can usually be substituted in most cases. Sometimes I just use eggs, or falafel, depends on other ingredients, I am a very creative cook, what goes in is what I like or have ............ and then wonder why nothing ever tastes the same. Actually I was at the supermarket the other week and they were promoting gluten free sausages. Just love the smell of sausages cooking but they are just too fatty for me and I end up feeling quite off if I eat one. These gluten free sausages were so nice, nothing fatty about them at all, so I bought a packet and really enjoyed them. I cooked them and cut them up and topped a salad with them. Easy.

I think olldcan, you are going to have to define what is hitting the sack and what is passing out.

roo, those salads sound so yum! I'm going to print them out and try all of them, but not the lamb. Lamb has a funny taste to me. I do eat pork, tho, but not much of it. Mostly chicken for me, hate eggs. I don't get how people like egss - they have no flavor or texture! But I do love a good salad, thanks!

Regardless of the type of animals, “factory farming” is abhorrent, and frankly very unhealthy for the people who wind up eating that meat! I don’t do well as a total vegetarian, but eat no red meat, and only wild caught fish & small-farm raised other animals. I do like eggs, but get ones from local farms where the chickens are "free range". I wish America was like some of the countries that are going all-organic!!

This is a link to the magazine I got them from - pity it is only Aust & NZ, it is part of the Better Homes and Gardens magazine and they always have great recipes. They do put a few online - follow the links.

http://au.lifestyle.yahoo.com/better-homes-gardens/latest-edition/articles/a/-/15612609/diabetic-living-magazine-jan-feb-issue/

The one on the front cover is the prawn mango salad. I just love salads that look like that.

I used to love lamb - pretty much part of our staple diet here but over the years I have been able to eat less and less of it, don't know why, maybe it is a bit fatty, the only way I can eat it now is Chinese Mongolian Lamb - can't taste it for the spices. I do absolutely love eggs though, ours do have flavour, so egg salads are on my list regularly. I also love scrambled eggs done in the microwave, they have to be the creamiest eggs ever.

I was only thinking looking at these salads too, when I was growing up we had salad a lot in summer but our "salad" consisted of cold meat, hot mashed potato, tomato, cucumber and sometimes beetroot. I could never stand the hot potato with the cold salad and didn't eat salad for years afterwards always thinking of mother's 'salad'. Years later I had her here and tossed a salad in a bowl and she proceeded with her fingers to pick out the bits she wanted to eat, carefully checking each piece as she did so. I just did my block at her using her fingers, grabbed the servers and scooped a heap on her plate which she then refused to eat. Turned out tomatoes and cucumber was all she would eat, wouldn't even look at a piece of lettuce. No wonder it took me 25 years to know what a salad really was.

OMG what our mother's will do to us! Mine used to serve tuna stuffed tomatoes. Gross. She wasn't an imaginative cook, we had chicken 5 nights/week and pasta the other two. It was about 20 years before I could eat pasta after moving out. Still not my first choice, ever.

I'm with you, roo, I don't like hot and cold food on the same plate. Salad first, then the hot meal.

I'm going to check that link, thanks!

We had stuffed capsicums - regularly!! Wonder if that is why they make me so ill now. She also insisted on us having peas for greens, never beans or anything else. Then found out that she only liked peas so that was what we got stuck with - until my brother came along who couldn't handle them. A few nights of him throwing them up in bed in the middle of the night and she soon learned to try alternatives. The only decent thing my brother ever did.

Bobbi, glad I'm not the only one who likes hot and cold food separate. I don't mind a bit of hot meat with a salad, but it can't have any gravy or sauce with it.

Astraea - we really don't have factory farming here - our sheep and cattle stations cover thousands of acres. Chooks are another thing, there is the caged raised and the free range. We are getting a lot more organic stuff these days but the prices are still up there although the quality has improved. Hardest thing we face now is knowing where things come from, there is a constant push for more truth in labelling. Nothing annoys me more than picking up a tray of meat that is clearly labelled "All Australian" and has the Kangaroo insignia that only approved products are allowed to use, and then you read "Made in Australia from local and imported ingredients". What the heck can be imported in a slice of locally grown meat!!!!