ness

Congratulations! Fun times ahead.

There's a Trappist monastery down in Ava, MO near the NFOW that makes fruitcakes. I stopped by a few years back and took a look around. Talked to Brother Dominic a bit -- the Trappists don't like to talk much -- and brought a fruitcake home. They're a more traditional fruitcake. Not too bad. Website. I always remember the tight-lipped Brother Dominic saying as I left, 'May your fortunes be like the capitol of Ireland -- always Dublin.'

Fruit has been soaking in dark rum since my first post. Today made the cakes: Flour, butter, eggs, baking soda, molasses, English walnuts, cinnamon, a little this, a little that. Into parchment-lined pans and then to the oven. 350 for 45 minutes and: These will get a splash of rum on top, get wrapped up and go beddy bye until Christmas.

Neither did BilletHead's mushroom post.

This doesn't show on activity feed for me. Did you see it there Marty?

Something I noticed Phil -- new activity in the 'Food' forum doesn't show up in unread content. Is there maybe a forum or subsection setting that isn't right for that area?

The 'Content I'm Following' activity stream changed -- like they're maybe working on it. But it's still jacked up -- just shows one thread and all of its posts.

Pizza for me and the little lady, and it was the best I've done. Three day cold ferment, very wet dough -- 75%. 500 degree oven, on a stone on the top rack for about 6 minutes with the broiler on. Slightly crisp outside, soft inside -- great flavor. Homemade sauce of San Marzanos, olive oil, salt, sugar, red pepper flakes, red wine. These are a couple Margueritas -- just sauce, fresh mozzarella and basil. Outstanding, if I do say so myself!

Still wanting to get back into duck hunting...

I started that 'what's cooking' thread, and it doesn't show when I ask for content I started. I also follow it -- no dice. None of the topics I follow show up when I ask for them. Even unfollowed then re-followed them and it doesn't work.

Yeah -- I did that. Can't get it to filter to content I follow, etc.

I'm getting goofy results when I filter. Can't find topics I follow, started or posted in.

I've been making fruitcake for Christmas the last few years. I found a recipe that had good ratings, and have tweaked it to my liking. The key is lots of good fruit and dark rum. It improves with age, so I start it several weeks before Christmas. I'm actually a couple weeks behind at this point, but what else is new? First step, dice the dried fruit and soak (or, 'macerate') it in dark rum for a day or two. Here I've got dried mango, cherries, cranberries, currants, and citron.

I can do hominy and okra. Not together. They both need a lot of other stuff to make them tolerable.

Interesting sounding recipe, Gavin. Wouldn't have thought ranch dressing mix. I did a nice cod filet with a lemon caper sauce. Started on the stove, finished in the oven then made the sauce. Sauteed Brussels sprouts and green beans.

'Mom's' beef stew. She got the recipe out of one of those community cook books in the 1960's. It can be found in various versions on the 'net under the name 'Company Beef Stew'. Everything from a can or box except the carrots and beef. Still good! Here's our version: 1-2 lbs beef in one-inch cubes 3-4 large carrots, sliced 1 can tomatoes and juice 1 can LeSueur brand peas 2 cans whole potatoes 1 can green beans 1 can consomme 3/4 cup red wine 2 teaspoon tapioca 1 tablespoon brown sugar ½ cup bread crumbs 2 bay leaves 1 teaspoon salt Pepper Crock Pot on low for 10-12 hours.

Interesting article in the Star about how sick Salvy has been this week. Add on top the ball to the jaw, then a pitch to the elbow/ribs a few minutes later. He's a stud.

Clap...clap...clap, clap, clap.

This was a pretty funny interchange http://www.kansascity.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/for-petes-sake/article39367086.html

Click here Ronnie.

Had to look that one up. It's got it's own Wikipedia page!!

We'll see. I think she genuinely liked baseball and appreciated the opportunity. Especially when offered by a younger man

...and just so you guys know, this lady was pushing 70.

I gotta tell you -- I've always had a soft spot for the Cubbies, plus my sister lives out there and her whole family are Cubs fans. I was out to dinner with my baby girl with a big ol' TV right in front of me. Nice to see them win it. Best sign I saw was 'Party like it's 1908' I had a contractor out at my house yesterday giving me a bid on some work. I had the Royals on the TV while she did her thing. She finished up, and started to gather her things to leave. I just told her to have a seat and watch the end of the game with me. She was a little surprised, and felt like she needed to get on with things. I told her it would be inhumane to send her out the door, so she plopped down on my couch and watched that great finish with me. Hopefully she remembers my kindness and generosity when she puts the numbers together I'd love a Cubs/Royals series!

Just wrapped up 'Mafia and the Machine' about the Pendergast political machine in Kansas City in the early/mid-1900's and the KC mafia. KC had a reputation as a wild, wild town. Lot's of interesting early KC mafia stuff too. KC truly was one of the biggest, most influential mob families in the country. Now reading 'Unbroken' about Louie Zamperini, the Olympic distance runner who later ended up in a Japanese POW camp after 47 days floating in the Pacific Ocean. Survived years of torture before getting out.