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Daniel Hutchinson

Can't help myself -- need to post a couple more:

Well, not quite this bad!  chuckling!

Daniel Hutchinson

Now Gary, I'm curious as to why your scrambled eggs are different?  I love breakfast, it's my favorite meal, and it was my favorite meal to prepare for a buffet in my restaurant(s).  One small example to make pancakes a bit more special aside from the buttermilk, banana,or adding walnuts.  I always add a teaspoon of vanilla, to a basic 2-1/2 cup flour recipe.  The vanilla makes the pancakes taste more like a cake than just plain ol' bread.  Pleople respond to that very posiively.

Ferron, I'd very much like to try your meatloaf recipe -- I'm a fan of meatloaf.

I think aside from my gravy for bisquits and gravy (breakfast treat),  my home-fries are the most popular.

Depending on how many you're making for, say for four - I would use about three pounds of potatoes, red or white both work fine.  I par-boil the potatoes in the skin (obviously after washing),  I only boil about 10 minutes after the water comes to rolling boil.  You still want the potatoes to be firm, not overcooked/mushy.  After they cool (even prepare the day before and cool in the refrigerator works very well), then peel off the skin, and cube the potatoes, about the  size of sugar cubes. 

I like to sauté some green bell peppers, onion and some fresh garlic (not too much)  chopped, and sauté, in olive oil and some butter. Set aside then in a large frying pan or wok, add a little olive oil about a tablespoon, and a couple of tablespoons of butter, melt, then add the potatoes,  toss good, then add the bell/green peppers, onion and garlic.  (I generally cook these on medium high heat, not too hot -- I don't believe in cooking most things too hot)

I use McCormick’s or Tone's Season-all in almost every savory dish.  Sprinkle about a half of tablespoon of Season all over potatoes, about 1-teaspoon of garlic salt, (sometimes I'll add about 1/2 teaspoon of onion salt as well) 1-teaspoon black pepper. (experiment with the spicing quantities to suit your taste, no need for salt because the season-all and garlic salt are salty enough), add more butter if needed.  Potatoes should not be dry but not greasy either.  I like to cook them until the edges of the potatoes are browned and crisped up a bit. 

The seasoning is the key -- everyone has their own preferences, but I've found most everyone likes these home fries.

When you par-boil the potatoes the cooking time is much less, obviously.  You can start with raw potatoes, but it will require much longer cook time (on lower heat), you want to make sure they're done.  If the heat is too high the potatoes will get too brown on the outside and be undone on the inside -- par-boiling works the best.

Daniel Hutchinson

Daniel Hutchinson

I'd like to hear from some of our educators; what has happened to English not being taught or understood?  There are a few instances which absolutely drive me up the wall.  When well paid, well educated TV personalities don't know the difference between 'bring & take'.  It's virtually violated by all of these so-called educated people.  You cannot bring something to another location, you take it!  May be I learned something from Ms. Neal and Dean Grover after all. Another that makes the hair on the back of my neck stand up -- I drive my wife nuts everytime, Mike Lindell, the My Pillow guys runs two of his adds.  When a young attractive lady says: "Ever since I got my pillow, I'm asleep almost immediately"!  The newest one is Mike himself advertising his new book; saying: "even before this pandemic I had wrote....!  In his case, he has gone from crack addict to CEO, obviously no PHD, but you would think with all of his success. he would or could hire someone to proof his writing and/or edit the videos to use correct English grammar.

Something I've stressed with my kids; "English is your native tongue, you should learn to use it correctly".  I've cursed them, because these things drive them crazy also.

Am I the only one who notices these things, or am I just becoming an old eccentric poop?

Steven Nielsen

Guys, I've been in the swamplands of Houston for the past 2 weeks and am just catching up. Receipes and etc. Sewing, Karen... I do my own buttons etc. A fun memory I have of you  and Pete a few years back when I met you in Galveston Texas after you'd returned from a cruise. I was there to take the Belliston's safely to Hobby Airport to fly home  (the way I sometimes drove in Houston's crowded freeways, they were putting their lives at risk). Anyway I loved Galveston and worked on the island for several years in the pharmeceutical business and was proud to show Karen and Pete some sights. Pete was great and Karen was/is of course still beautiful, (we took German together at Mound Fort Jr.) -- Back to Houston, it was pure spooky to arrive at Houston Intercontinental and find the monsterous airport virturally empty. Leaving again wasn't much better. Tragic to have soooo many Americans out of work. 24 million and counting. Sad. And if the second stimulous package passes congress, we're in for inflation that will be a killing thing! How I pray for our current administration to have what it takes to get the country rocking again. - I got back to a Utah garden that is looking good and Sue's flowers all still blooming and beautiful. -- Like Karen I hope we have a 60th reunion and will do what ever I can to help out. Someone Just let me know!

Gary Acker

Gary Acker

Daniel Hutchinson

We care Gary, I'm sure most of us lack the best of computer skills.  I hope you get it squared away soon.  I would think your grandson (new age thinking) will be able to get you straighted out quickly, and not have you stressing over it.  Just try to see or have him explain what steps he's taking, for the next time; hopefully, there won't be a next time, but just in case

Daniel Hutchinson

My wife's nephew just arrived from Virginia this past Friday.  He was supposed to have a direct flight from Dullas to Austin, but had to go to Houston.  There was some bad weather in the area which resulted in his having a four hour lay-over.  He wasn't very happy & hungry when he arrived, but this darned COVID-19, thing has the whole country discombobulated.  

Steve, I join Gary saying, I'm happy you arrived home safe and sound.
 

Daniel Hutchinson

I think this is an excellent point to ponder and share with family and friends.

Daniel Hutchinson

FIVE BEST SENTENCES

1. You cannot legislate the poor into prosperity,
by legislating the wealthy out of prosperity.
 
2. What one person receives without working for, another person must work for without receiving.
 
3. The government cannot give to anybody anything that the   government does not first  take from somebody else.
 
4. You cannot multiply wealth by dividing it.
 
5. When half of the people get the idea that they do not have to work, because the other half is going to take care of them,
and when the other half gets the idea that it does no good to work, because somebody else is going to get what they work for, that is the    beginning of the end of any nation! - Socialism / progressives

--------------------------------------------------------

Talk is cheap, except when Congress does it.

-- Anonymous 
 

Steven Nielsen

Daniel Hutchinson

Fasinating story, Steve, thanks.

I would hope you only visit the site where Martin Harris is buried for many years to come.  Let's not rush that 20 yard resting place seperation!

Daniel Hutchinson

An assistant to Nancy Pelosi told her she had a fantastic dream last night. There was a humongous parade in Washington celebrating Pelosi. Millions lined the parade route, cheering when Nancy went past. Bands were playing; children were throwing confetti into the air; there were balloons everywhere. It was the biggest celebration Washington had ever seen.

Gary Acker

Daniel Hutchinson

This is a very unique dish from Bolivia, which is probably in the top ten of favorite things to eat.  It isn't common for the average American table - it is different. When everything is blended and you have the finished product, I'm sure most all of you will enjoy it.

Sopa de Mani -- Peanut Soup. -- This is a favorite which my kids all ask us to make when they visit.  If you give it a try, let us know what you think?

Sopa de Maní (Peanut Soup) (this will serve approx. 10. It's very filling)

2 lbs stew meat

1/2 cup chopped carrots

1 red bell pepper chopped

1 medium yellow onion chopped

2 medium celery stocks chopped

1/2 cup sweet peas

4 red potatoes cut in stake fry size strips (about 2-lbs) (3/4" wide x 2" long)

2 cups raw peanuts - blanch peanuts (boil for a couple of minutes to soften skins), remove husks/skins

1 lb large pasta noodles, Rigatoni works well

1 tblspn oregano

Fry meat (nicely browned), onion, celery, carrot, bell pepper. Add chicken broth about two quarts - enough to make the base for the soup

Add salt and pepper to taste. Low boil, cook until meat is tender, about 1 to 2 hours. Blend raw peanuts with water (about 2 cups) - until smooth, add to soup and let cook for another 1/2 hour, add oregano. Toast pasta noodles in oven until lightly browned. (I add the pasta and potatoes at the same time ) then add the peas. -- continue cooking on low boil - a good simmer) again for the pasta and potatoes to cook -- don't over cook at this point -- you don't want the pasta or potatoes to become too soft. Enjoy.

P.S. If the soup thickens after sitting for awhile, just thin with some more chicken stock.
 

Daniel Hutchinson

Sorry, Gary, overlooked your brief note 'am I back".  yes, it came through just fine.

Gary Acker

Gary Acker

Daniel Hutchinson

I honestly hope you are all doing well?  Other than Steve and Gary, I fear the rest of you may be suffering.




 

Steven Nielsen

Mine was the first phone call Gary Acker received on his new phone. I was heading to a dentist in Gary's neck of the woods and called to see if he could grab a bite of lunch or cold drink after my appointment. He was too busy to break away but we had a great chat. Interesting! -- One thing we talked about was the BSA and its troubles lately. I also told Gary a story that happened when I served as a scoutmaster. A very big man approached me at a school meeting one nite and told me he'd heard about my troop and he wanted his two boys Chris and Johnny to join also that he'd be on the troop committee. I was glad for the help and for his sons and a few weeks after the boys joined we had a campout. Before we left for the camp site, the father came up to me privately and told me he'd had a tragic divorce and he was awarded the boys. They had a few emotional problems and the youngest would occasionally wet the bed. I told him I'd make sure he was never embarrassed if it happened. Well the first night of camp Chris, the youngest had an accident. He whispered this to me and I told him not to worry. After the morning flag raising ceremony, and pledge of allegence etc. I told all the boys to go hang their sleeping bags on a tree or a bush somewhere close to their tents because they all needed to be aired out, and then hurry back to the flag pole because we were heading out on a 5 mile hike. -- I told them we were having oatmeal and toast for breakfast but not until the hike was over. - Many complaints ensued, but after the hike you should have seen the boys dig into that oatmeal ! -- Many years have passed and I ran into one of the scouts a while back. He was married, had two little boys and when he introduced his wife to me she said, "so you're the reason my husband loves oatmeal are you?!" Guilty as charged. The troop was a large inner city bunch, various ethnicities and we didn't have much money or parental support. We ate on a shoestring, with potatoes, oatmeal, carrots, onions and hamburger as staples. Good times, great memories! 

Daniel Hutchinson

Thanks Steve -- I very much enjoy these stories.

I am relutctant to mention why I signed on, after such an emotion filled story. I hope the young one got over the bed wetting?  My younger step-brother suffered from bed wetting up until the time he joined the Army.  His mother and my step-father divorced when he was very young, she remarried a guy who was a Deputy Sheriff in Weber County.  He had a previous marriage with several children and was very tough on my step-brother.  I believe his emotional health was damaged, manifesting itself in his bed wetting.  He came to live with us, and I recall it was a huge source of contention, even though my mother tried her best to help him, making him feel loved and part of our new family, he still had the problem and was extremely embarassed about it.  We never made a big deal out of it, not wanting to add to the problem..  

Now, the reason I signed on, was to mention that I had just seen a new "My Pillow Guy" add, where a nice woman says: "The take away pillows are just the right size; I can bring them everywhere I go"!  
I'm still waiting for our educators to make a comment.  How about those who don't know the difference between, to, two, too, or their, they're and there?

Daniel Hutchinson

If anyone makes the peanut soup, let us know how you like it?  I swear it is very tasty and not anything you might expect from the name 'peanut'.

Daniel Hutchinson

It doesn't hurt at our age to be reminded, or learn something new. - Dan




"The Meaning of the Flag-Draped Coffin.

What a wonderful lesson this was for me. I do not recall ever being taught this in school. "The Meaning of the Flag-Draped Coffin"

Gary Acker