iowgirl
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,295
Jun 25, 2014 22:52:46 GMT
|
Post by iowgirl on Feb 12, 2022 15:21:54 GMT
I am a frugal tipper I guess. I tip a standard 15% usually, for an OK server. 10% or less if the server was awful (and it was not something out of their control) 20% if service was better than OK. And by OK I mean if my drink has been attended to, they are genuinely friendly and not giving a big sigh or an eye roll as they leave the table.
I also take into account how the whole place is being ran. I know some situations are out of the servers control. If they are making my experience better, in spite of how things are going in the restaurant, or at least trying to, I recognize that.
We don't have a lot of upscale places around here. It is more of a diner or bar type place. Some of the places you put in your order at the counter and then go sit down. I am not tipping 20% for that. You even pick up your plates/trays and put them on a cabinet as you leave and dump your trash. They are local places, not fast food franchise. I might leave a few dollars, but not 20% for that.
Do you all tip cash or add it to the CC bill? I mostly tip cash.
|
|
iowgirl
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,295
Jun 25, 2014 22:52:46 GMT
|
Post by iowgirl on Feb 9, 2022 21:22:19 GMT
You can do a bit of sharpening - but once low res - always low res. If you don't have the higher resolution image, you are pretty much SOL.
|
|
iowgirl
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,295
Jun 25, 2014 22:52:46 GMT
|
Post by iowgirl on Feb 9, 2022 17:05:37 GMT
Perhaps bacon is more labor intensive? Bacon is made from pork belly. There is a limited amount of belly on a hog. Ham can be made from more cuts on a hog, but mostly from the leg area. But there is more 'ham' than 'bacon' on a hog. Demand is higher now too.
|
|
iowgirl
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,295
Jun 25, 2014 22:52:46 GMT
|
Post by iowgirl on Feb 9, 2022 16:59:53 GMT
I have seen some TikTok videos and things on Instagram where people build really cool frames for their TV's (some are the Samsung one, and others are just the newer thinner TV's). I like the gold more ornate frames, but I have seen everything from barnwood to ornate gold leaf. Most use rub n buff to make them gold.
Then they use the YouTube art .. looks amazing!
Lot's of inspiration on Instagram!
|
|
iowgirl
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,295
Jun 25, 2014 22:52:46 GMT
|
Post by iowgirl on Feb 4, 2022 16:21:51 GMT
I am so frustrated with the SLOWNESS of getting anything from Amazon. I have Prime, but it takes forever to get stuff. A week in shipping is not uncommon. When I first had Prime, things would come next day or within two days - always. Two days was fine. I live in a rural area, not close to any major hubs in any way. But now it takes so dang long. I can order something from Target or Walmart and have it in one or two days. So what gives? I know shipping has changed with the pandemic, and there are so many more orders - but if Target and Walmart can get it to me timely - and I DO NOT have any subscriptions to them, but I pay all this money for Prime - what is up with that? Complaining to Amazon falls on deaf ears too. We do use Prime streaming and I do get my free kindle book every month.
|
|
iowgirl
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,295
Jun 25, 2014 22:52:46 GMT
|
Post by iowgirl on Feb 4, 2022 16:16:27 GMT
I am an AP gal. Unbleached AP. I would just make it with what I have.
I have gone boujee and bought 0000 italian flour to make pizza dough. Guess what. No one could tell any difference than what I regularly make. So, that cemented my thoughts on just using regular old AP. LOL
|
|
iowgirl
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,295
Jun 25, 2014 22:52:46 GMT
|
Post by iowgirl on Feb 2, 2022 23:14:56 GMT
Kitchen Aid is going to be the best bet for the best price.
Lower priced stand mixers are just not great.
There are mixers that are a lot nicer than a Kitchen Aid, but for the price - KA is the winner. Maybe you can find a used one for a bit less $$. I would call Bosch the gold standard as the best mixer - but they are a lot more pricy!
|
|
iowgirl
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,295
Jun 25, 2014 22:52:46 GMT
|
Post by iowgirl on Feb 2, 2022 16:28:08 GMT
But, we have high ceilings and, like I said, a ceiling fan, so maybe that’s enough? How does your ceiling fan look? Mine runs all summer on low. When I shut it off for winter - - it is scary! LOL. The blades are a bit furry on the edges. I don't have a 'real' hood so to speak. I have an exhaust fan that has filters, but it does not have duct work that takes it anywhere. I try to turn on the fan when I am cooking, just to start the draft up into the filters. They are stainless steel mesh filters that I can take out and wash easily. I pop them in the dishwasher every so often, when I have room. My house is almost 100 years old, so there is no ductwork to have a real hood. I had nothing at all when we moved in, but I had the filter type one put in when I got new cabinets about 20 years ago. It does help, but I still get kitchen grease type film - especially on that ceiling fan, since it is spinning all the time and pulling stuff towards it. Loads of fun cleaning that fan - yuck. I have to use de-greaser (LA Awesome!) and get it wiped down. But ick. It's nasty! I cook a lot. A LOT! I do make loads of burgers and browned hamburger. I do try to use a spatter screen and turn that exhaust fan on - but it's in the air. I cook bacon every week, for the week. But I do that in the oven.
|
|
iowgirl
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,295
Jun 25, 2014 22:52:46 GMT
|
Post by iowgirl on Jan 31, 2022 22:01:26 GMT
Funny you should ask! I just did a major clean of it this past week. I moved it out from the wall (electric, so it is easy to move). I found a few missing utensils and a lot of yuck! I cleaned the walls and the exhaust fan above the stove while I had it pulled out with some serious degreaser (LA Awesome! Nothing is better). Then I went to work cleaning the outside of the stove and got that spotless. I had dribbles down between the panes of glass on the door - so I took the door apart to get to those drips. It's pretty easy, and you don't have to remove every screw - I in fact recommend that you DO NOT remove every screw. With mine I only had to remove 2 screws towards the top to get to the inner glass. And then the glass itself! Oh boy! I usually run my self clean once a year when it is cold. But that just does not get the inner glass clean. So I got out my trusty 4-ought (0000) steel wool and some Barkeepers friend. I got the glass wet and sprinkled the BKF on it and scrubbed with that super fine steel wool. Boom! Got that polymerized grease off and the glass is perfect just like the day I bought it! I had some spots around the inside edges of the door that needed the steel wool too. I took the racks out and ran the self clean, then took a damp towel and wiped it down several times inside after the self clean cycle. It's like a brand new stove! I cook 3 meals every day. So my stove gets a workout!
|
|
iowgirl
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,295
Jun 25, 2014 22:52:46 GMT
|
Post by iowgirl on Jan 31, 2022 15:56:46 GMT
Look at Libby or Luminarc on Amazon. They both has some bigger glasses 20 and 21 ounce glasses.
Keep in mine, they are HUGE!
The Luminarc are super durable, and a very classic design. The usually come with a white plastic lid, that make them good for storage also.
|
|
iowgirl
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,295
Jun 25, 2014 22:52:46 GMT
|
Post by iowgirl on Jan 25, 2022 4:48:04 GMT
Holy sh$& for real? How is that legal? Many states/school districts require teachers to have a contract. They sign the contract. If they quit mid-year, that is a breach of contract, and they can lose their teaching license. On one hand, I can see how that sucks - on the other hand, it keeps teachers there for the full school year and not disrupting the school year for the kids. But oh geeze -what a last couple of years it has been!
|
|
iowgirl
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,295
Jun 25, 2014 22:52:46 GMT
|
Post by iowgirl on Jan 24, 2022 17:20:13 GMT
I still use her pulled pork recipe. It's the best. Agree! Tempted to try the recipe, but do you really cook it for 12-15+ hours? It will depend on the size of your roast -but it does take a long time. Low and slow. I know it takes at least 10 hours for me. I use my DOT thermometer that I can leave in the roast, and let it come to the full 200 degrees, or it won't 'pull' well. If your roast is super cold going in or if it is really large - it takes a while. Cooking this is at least a 2 day process for me. I marinate in a 2 gallon zip bag for a day in the fridge - turning it a few times. Then I pop it in the oven early the next day at 225, and it takes all day. It stalls out at around 180 for a while - just leave it in until it hits 200. A "leave in" thermometer is a must for this. I use them for my smoker, so I have them - but it really makes it easier, than opening the oven all the time to take a temp. I use DOT thermometers from Thermoworks. thank you for this, wow, it must be popular it has it's own Google search! I'm gonna try it! It's so good. I think it's the cumin - anything with cumin tastes so good, and it smells SO FREAKING good while it is in the oven! It freezes well - I shred and portion into quart freezer zipper bags, lay flat and freeze. Then they thaw fast and make a great sandwich, or in a tortilla or as nachos! I let the liquid cool and pull off most of the fat and keep that liquid in with the shredded meat. Leave a little fat.
|
|
iowgirl
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,295
Jun 25, 2014 22:52:46 GMT
|
Post by iowgirl on Jan 18, 2022 16:34:29 GMT
Ah, okay. I just love CBS Sunday Morning, so many wonderful stories they tell, of course they'd profile her! I love it too! It seems to be my gateway to the outside world and learning about cool things! LOL I don't watch much TV anymore, so I started listening to their podcast now.
|
|
iowgirl
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,295
Jun 25, 2014 22:52:46 GMT
|
Post by iowgirl on Jan 18, 2022 15:00:03 GMT
Okay so see, how did you, in Texas find out about her? Has she been written up about a lot? Have I been under a rock? LOL I saw a segment on CBS Sunday Morning about it several years ago. So that is how I had heard about it.
|
|
iowgirl
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,295
Jun 25, 2014 22:52:46 GMT
|
Post by iowgirl on Jan 15, 2022 14:06:29 GMT
I would love to have some. I am just to cheap to pay the price. I have a Tramontina dutch oven that I love and use several times a week, especially in the winter. Walmart. $75. I know the LeCreuset quality is better, but I am just not ready for $300 better.
|
|
iowgirl
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,295
Jun 25, 2014 22:52:46 GMT
|
Post by iowgirl on Jan 15, 2022 14:02:46 GMT
I spend a ton of money on my CPA and he is worth every penny! LOL
I do all the bookkeeping, and send him a very detailed report of expenses. I gather up all our investment statements and any other wacky stuff we have to deal with. We are doing some solar installations, and there is great tax benefits on that too.
But he does the wizardry. LOL I have to get everything to him mid December and he lets us know if we need to spend before the end of the year. Then we finish it up and file at the end of February.
|
|
iowgirl
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,295
Jun 25, 2014 22:52:46 GMT
|
Post by iowgirl on Jan 15, 2022 13:58:38 GMT
Yet virus everywhere in the community. Just there all of the time like a cold. I was reading more about the "Spanish Flu" pandemic, and it was noted that a less deadly strain was still going around in the later 1950's. It had just been folded in with the regular flu strains. I am really hoping that the end is in sight!
|
|
iowgirl
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,295
Jun 25, 2014 22:52:46 GMT
|
Post by iowgirl on Jan 13, 2022 16:34:57 GMT
I'll start this by saying I am vaccinated. BUT - I am highly resistant to someone telling my I HAVE to be vaccinated. I did my own research, from many sources. I don't believe most of what I hear on the news, not without doing some research. I fully know that most, if not all, news sources can skew information to fit their own agenda. Doesn't matter what side of the political spectrum they are on. If you can convince a person to really research into things, and let them be able to come to their own conclusion about the safety and risks. And to really find genuine sources, not just the "Absolutely YES and Absolutely NO" sources - most will come to find the benefit outweighs the risk. But I didn't get the vaccine because someone told me I had to. I got it because a friend had two family members die within weeks of contracting Covid. I read as much as I could on the vaccine and how it was created before I decided it was for me.
|
|
iowgirl
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,295
Jun 25, 2014 22:52:46 GMT
|
Post by iowgirl on Jan 12, 2022 15:54:43 GMT
DO NOT BUY A FROST FREE DEEP FREEZE!!!It is important that you do not get a frost free type freezer for long term storage. Frost Free means that the unit will regularly heat up to defrost, then drop the temp again to freeze. This will quickly cause any stored food to 'freezer burn'. My regular refrigerator/freezer is frost free - and I wouldn't want it any other way. But if you plan on keeping things frozen for a longer period of time (over a couple weeks) - NEVER get a FROST FREE freezer. SO important! Newer deep freezers don't frost up as bad as older ones did. Better seals help that a lot. I have had my (chest type) freezer for at least 20 years. I have never really 'defrosted' it. I do pop out a few areas of thicker frost every year or so. I just use a dull table knife and get behind the blob of frost and pop it off. I don't open my freezer every day, so that helps too. I keep my chest type freezer organized with Grocery totes. I get the ones that are stiffer sided (they fold up for storage when not in use). I can organize by putting hamburger in one, roasts in one, pork in one, chicken in one - etc. THen I can just lift them out to easily access throughout the freezer. So this is a great way to organize if you have a chest type. I also have metal baskets that are on each side on the top (those came with the freezer). An upright would be nice, but you defiantly need to keep it organized, so things don't slide out. I feel like you get less storage, but it is easier to see things. I have a convertible type upright. It can be a refrigerator or a deep freeze, with the flick of a switch. I almost always use it as a second fridge, unless we have an emergency butcher and all my other storage is full. I use the same grocery totes to organize the upright freezer. Oh, it wasn't frost-free. But it was really simple to defrost on occasion. That's a GOOD thing - you never want a Frost Free as your deep freezer! One downside to an upright is that it's easier to inadvertently leave it open. This is true-and if you have a 'landslide' it can push the door open. You can Lock the door, or get a velcro strap that sticks on each side of the door. They have a snap closure - so your door is secure. They are made to keep toddlers out of the fridge. Something else I suggest for ALL deep freezers is a LOCKING PLUG - We had our electrician install this for our deep freeze. You have to plug it in and twist it to lock. Nothing else can be plugged in to it. This prevents someone from unplugging the deep freeze to use that out let for something else, and then forgetting to plug it in... or having the freezer just accidentally get unplugged. Worth the extra little investment!
|
|
iowgirl
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,295
Jun 25, 2014 22:52:46 GMT
|
Post by iowgirl on Jan 11, 2022 22:11:13 GMT
All mine are silver plated and a PITA to polish. You can buy a liquid 'dip'. It comes in a tall container, with a basket inside. Just a very quick dip will make the tarnish disappear instantly. I use circa 1936 silverplate flatware for my everyday silverware. I love it! I run it through the dishwasher and dip it to get the tarnish off as needed. Not very often. I have some silver paste if I want to really make it look nice. It is just SO nice to use!
|
|
iowgirl
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,295
Jun 25, 2014 22:52:46 GMT
|
Post by iowgirl on Jan 11, 2022 22:07:17 GMT
My friends dad is one of 19. Same Mom and Dad - no twins. They are all getting up there in age, and the family size is shrinking fast. Neat family!
I had several kids in my class growing up that had 10 to 12 kids in their family.
|
|
iowgirl
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,295
Jun 25, 2014 22:52:46 GMT
|
Post by iowgirl on Jan 11, 2022 15:40:32 GMT
I have room for NO more... Well, maybe just a little.
|
|
iowgirl
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,295
Jun 25, 2014 22:52:46 GMT
|
Post by iowgirl on Jan 8, 2022 14:53:15 GMT
ETA: This show drives SO crazy. He grew up on a cattle ranch, and his father was a lifelong cattle rancher, and it makes him go nuts when they are herding cattle and there are like 10 cowboys to herd a 100 heads (that's a job for 1 or 2). This! My husband and I ranch, although not in the glorious setting of Montana. We just couldn't get past the first episode of the first season, because of the cattle handling. It was SO fake and just so so wrong. I mean, don't they employ people to make sure some of this stuff is semi-factual? So, going off how wrong most of the cattle stuff is, makes me just look at the rest of the show as a joke. Everyone just loves it though, and I keep thinking I need to give it another go and quit being so picky on the details. I am reading a book now where one of the characters is a bull rider. The author has refers to the 'bull' as a steer, and then back to a 'bull' several times in the same paragraph. They are not the same thing... Then talks about the bull's horns (bucking bulls do NOT have horns). And how this cowboy is out practicing rides all day on a bull, or was it as steer. Oh boy. That's what I get for reading a trashy romance book. LOL
|
|
iowgirl
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,295
Jun 25, 2014 22:52:46 GMT
|
Post by iowgirl on Jan 5, 2022 16:22:14 GMT
I also just saw a recommendation for a shovel, to keep the area around your exhaust pipe clear. That never would have occurred to me. We all have a small snow scoop in our vehicles.My DH made sure all the kids kept warm clothes, boots and a shovel in their car. We also got them all the small jump start packs with air compressor when they went to college. I can't count how many times the shovel and the jump pack/air has been used by them and their friends! What does it mean to flip your wipers up? Some areas of the country flip up their wipers when ice/frost/snow is expected. It's easier to clear the windshield. Were I grew up, someone would just come by and snap off the wiper. So...I don't. LOL
|
|
iowgirl
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,295
Jun 25, 2014 22:52:46 GMT
|
Post by iowgirl on Dec 27, 2021 21:50:59 GMT
I don't put mine up until mid-December. I take the tree down after the 6th. I put away anything super Christmasy themed, Santa's etc. But I get out more winter/Snowman decor for January until Mid February.
I can see that if you put up your tree and Christmas decor in early November - you're tired of it and it needs to go. I only put my tree up barely a week before Christmas this year - so I still like seeing it.
Plus we having really had any winter weather yet, to feel like winter. I don't do anything outside. I would defiantly take advantage of nice weather to get that down!
|
|
iowgirl
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,295
Jun 25, 2014 22:52:46 GMT
|
Post by iowgirl on Dec 27, 2021 13:44:06 GMT
Thermoworks! I love their DOT - it is simple and it works. I use mine for smoking and roasting meats mostly. Only buy from their website for genuine product. They have high quality thermometers. www.thermoworks.com/dot/
|
|
iowgirl
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,295
Jun 25, 2014 22:52:46 GMT
|
Post by iowgirl on Dec 27, 2021 13:40:26 GMT
What are all you all's thoughts on the N95 mask they are now saying is what is effective for Omicron?
I sometimes wear the N95 masks when working in very dusty environments and they are unpleasant. Mine have the pop out that lets your breath out - which would not be good for use as a pandemic mask (good for you - but not so great for others). But when I wear this type of mask, I am usually scooping grain or something that causes me to breath more rapidly. They are not pleasant. And without out the pop-out, I can't imagine working out in one.
|
|
iowgirl
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,295
Jun 25, 2014 22:52:46 GMT
|
Post by iowgirl on Dec 22, 2021 17:32:52 GMT
I'd give her at least $500 in cash. Think how much money and headache she saved you.
Cash is so much easier to deal with, over a card, IMO. 5 crisp bills in a nice card.
|
|
iowgirl
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,295
Jun 25, 2014 22:52:46 GMT
|
Post by iowgirl on Dec 21, 2021 0:15:57 GMT
COVID can be stopped by two shots, which obviously you haven't received given your other postings. No it can't. I fully believe the vaccine can lessen the severity, but saying it will stop Covid is not correct. The sheer number of people I know right now that have had the 2 shots, and then the booster, that now have Covid is astonishing. It is really moving through the country right now. But saying the shot is going to fix everything is wrong.
|
|
iowgirl
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,295
Jun 25, 2014 22:52:46 GMT
|
Post by iowgirl on Dec 20, 2021 15:53:12 GMT
Do NOT freeze
Keep well refrigerated.
Beef can keep for a very long time when vac sealed. Our beef we raise is marketed to the European market. It is processed in Omaha then shipped abroad. It is never frozen.
Any beef we butcher for our own freezer, we have the locker hang in a cooler for 3 weeks.
Freezing will deteriorate the quality of your beef. Especially since you would be freezing it in a home freezer, which is a slow process. The cell walls will rupture. Since you have a nicer cut of beef, you don't want to freeze it and reduce the quality of that. Commercially frozen beef is put in a 'sharp freeze' which freezes it very quickly. Even at that, fresh, never frozen is what you want!
If you have any issues when you open it - give it a quick rinse and pat off. But it will be just fine.
|
|