Apples2

No Stein Mart, Janet. Never heard of it. Part of the fun of going south is to have different shopping marts available. Had never hear of Ross till last year and loved it. We don't have Publix or Costco. Ours is Sams Club. We have Supervalu markets, Target, Walmarts, Club Foods, Herbergers, Macys, Nordstroms, TJMaxx. Hear ya on the hot summers. DH lives in the south where it is humid. Don't know how but he is used to it now. He gets cold when he comes home...even on our summer evenings. Time to relieve DH.

Gonna post the fudge recipe quick b/4 I head out for the day. This recipe is very versitile and I make many different flavors with the basic recipe. For now I will just post the two I brought for Great's DH and maybe find time later to post other flavors. A little history behind the recipe. My DH LOVES fudge. He was on a fishing trip for a week at Lake of the Woods up north about 30 years ago. Wanted to surprise him with some fudge when he got home but it was storming and only had a few things on hand and couldn't get to the store. Experimented and came up with this basic recipe. I use it for frostings on scratch cakes also. (I add a little cream to the recipe for frostings). I see now that if you search the internet, there are similar recipes out there. I think they secretly stole my recipe! In microwavable bowl (about a 2 quart size) 1 can sweetened condensed milk 2 Tbls real butter Microwave on high until it comes to a boil. Boil for 2 minutes. Add 1 tsp vanilla to mixture. Using spatula, blend until butter cannot be seen. Add 3 cups milk chocolate chips, blend and then add 2 cups cashew peices. Spray 8x8 pan, spread in pan and put in frig to cool. Once firm, turn out onto cutting board and cut into desired size peices. I actually put each peice into a mini-foil cup and put on platter just to pretty it up. For the Peanut Butter fudge: Use same recipe above but instead of choc chips, use 3 cups of Reeses peanut butter chips and 2 Tbls peanut butter. When well blended, add 2 cups honey roasted peanuts. Same directions as above on the pan. Cut, smell (try on tiny peice) and give the rest away!

Mornin' girls... Janet, yeh right...the fudge is low-cal. If you believe that, you might believe that your garage will magically be cleaned the next time you open the door! I'm going to post a warning along with the recipe (If this a trigger food for you...DO NOT MAKE!!!) Great photo of you and Andrew. He is soooooooo pretty. And, what a nice thing for him to do when he bought your shoes. What a kid! Love the hoodie you have on...Chicos? Julie...I really didn't feel bad nobody noticed my dog. Just felt like posting his photo and giving you guys a hard time. Yes, he is special to us. He will be 8 on Feb 2 (we throw him a bday party...I know..sick). He is the smartest dog we have ever had (and the only one allowed in the house). He is very curteous and only comes up to the main part of the house when he is invited. Otherwise, he is in his bed by the door. My pal. We've also had some amazing weather. It's allowing for a fairly good corn harvest. The guys are dressed in Armour gear under their bibs and coats but not near as cold as it could be. We get low 20's at night and today is supposed to get up to 45. We'll take it! Eva...what a girl taking on a project like that. I would probably have DS do it or hire it done cuz anything like that frustrates me to no end. No patience with electronics, etc. Makes me swear. (the really bad swear words). Meredith...hope you get some relief from your unfill. I actually do not like having much in my band. I want to feel hunger once in awhile and I don't want to have things stuck or come back up on me. I think you will know when you get to where you want to be. You want to be able to enjoy a meal and not feel on guard all the time. LauraK...yep, we all have our share of goodies around this time of the year. And, none of them play a role in nutritional value in our diets. I have been only making 2 different cookies/fudge/etc. for the last 20 yrs or so. My DS's didn't eat sweets and really didn't want them to have it anyway. On Monday I have a cookie exchange and need to make six different types. I am like my boys, don't care for sweets so Christmas was never a problem time for me. Now, give me a bag of chips and I could finish it off. Back to the grind...I hate that initial cold/wind when I first walk out the door. I am on dump and dryer patrol today. Hood's up, long johns are on top and bottom and have four layers besides my outdoor coat. Good thing I don't have to bend over much.

Heidi...I guess if I would try to stick to about 800 cals a day and once a week have a day where the calories were bumped to about 1100-1200. Try to eat at least 3-4grams of hard lean protein first and then whatever veggie you can fit in at that meal. Try not to snack...and if you feel the need, keep veggies on hand to grab. I used to grab a small amount of soynuts to curb hunger in between meals. It was just enough to stave off the hunger till meal time. They are high protein and fiber. Any questions? Good luck!

Hey Cathy....good for you! Just keep stringing those guys along till you find the "pearl". Just have fun and enjoy yourself. Thanks for the compliments. Great is somewhat taller than I am. I used to be 5'8" but somehow shrunk down to 5'6" over the years. Congrats on getting back on track. Sounds like your schedule is a crazy one. Take care and check back often.

Cheri...looked up Mast General Store online. Women's clothes are exactly the same brands and styles that are in my closet and that I wear on a daily basis at home. I love that style of clothing. I usually will buy the half-zip shirt, the vest and the jacket all in the same color and layer. Today I have one one of the long sleeved T-shirts, the fleece vest, the fleece hoodie and the quilted jacket. Fun clothes and comfy. I even wear some of them to bed they are so comfy!

Lori...will post the two fudge recipes tomorrow. Babysitting corn dryer this evening and no time. Glad you had a nice time, Melissa and Cheri. Isn't it great to do things that once almost caused us a heart attack? Thanks for noticing my pup everyone...actually was just kind of joking about the photo.

Janet....my GF had a tear in her meniscus (sp?) and she had pain in the back of her knee. She tore it while bowling. Went many months hoping it would heal but ended up having some surgery. Actually, in and out surgery and recovery time was very short.

Wish you could have met up, too, Teach! Look at your ticker...so close to goal! Good going:biggrin:

Being the dog lover that you are, Lori, I knew you would respond to my "poor dog post". If I would have known your babies were with you, I would have raced to the car to meet them. I go back and forth on the working out of the home issues also. I have not been "tied down" with a job for 9 years now. It's just the social stimulation and feeling stranded so far out here on the farm that bothers me. Yes, a paycheck of my own would be nice but DH is more than generous when it comes to my wants and needs. I bought DH a laptop for Christmas last year just so he would keep his butt out of MY chair at MY desk:lol:.

Like I told you Saturday, I would drive all the way out next year so your DH does not have to take time away from hunting. I don't mind a day during harvest to get away and rest the body either. I'm guilty of being away from the June thread. Nothing anyone did or said. Just kind of got settled into another thread and hate repeating myself. I promise I will be more active in this thread. There are so many Junies that have been MIA. Maybe we should put a call out to see how they are doing? Anyone lurking??????

Wish you could have been there, too, Allie. We did mention you while visiting (all good). I've been following your PS thread out of interest, care and concern. You are doing so great. I know it is not a breeze, but you seem to be doing better than the norm. I always hear of the tiredness for many weeks after PS. I am sure it takes a lot out of a person. Just take care and listen to your body. Do admire you though for being up and at it as much as you have. Quite the transformation!

I have been going to mention for about a week...my dog is starting to feel bad cuz he has not gotten any compliments from you guys on how pretty he is. Will have to post his photo with his Christmas hat and collar when I finally get to that box.

Gosh, Lori..sorry you are not feeling well. I never would have guessed you were under the weather. I don't know about you but I wish we would have turned around and found another place to eat. You let me choose and sight unseen, it seemed like the only place in the mall besided Godfathers Pizza to sit and eat. Oh well, the food was crap but the visit was great. (pun intended). About the time you were PBing, I was out in my truck scrounging for a protein bar to fill be up. To fill you guys in...I had ordered a "lunch portion" grilled chicken salad with honey mustard dressing. Well, not enough nourishment even for a bandster. There were like three tiny bits of tomato and three peices of chicken the size of a pencil eraser and supposedly some shredded cheese. Got recharged on the bar and then hit the mall again but did not find what I was looking for for my DS and DH. (dress gold toed socks and gold toed crew socks). Came home and ordered them on Amazon.com. Thanks for your compliments. And, BTW, jacket is a periwinkle color. Was a great deal I got at Herbergers so then decided I needed one in grey also. I should get up the nerve and post closet photos like Janet did. You guys would get the true meaning of what a "clothes horse" is. And, is there such a thing as a "purse horse" and a "shoe horse"? Did not catch your cold, Lori. I hate to jynx my good luck but I am not one to EVER catch a virus. When DH is sick, I might have very minimal symptoms...don't ever really feel sick. I am suffering the last couple of days though. I think I have been over-doing. With all the lifting, tugging and pulling in moving "mom's" apt, I have been having quite the side aches. Also, been on the run contantly with farm stuff. Thinking I need to give the old body a rest. A big "hey" to everyone else. Hope you all are getting back into the routine again after TG weekend. I love this time of year but with harvest being so late, it's really going to add pressure and stress. So...I have a plan. I wrote in INK on my calander and laid out a schedule for getting everything done. At the end of each page I have a waving finger to remind me to complete each of the tasks. On the next day I have a sticker pasted to the a.m. that says "Go back to previous day". This is IF I have not completed day b/4. Sound anul???????? Yep, but time is tight and I need my reminders of everything ahead of me. I refuse to spend the week of Christmas stressed. I grew up with my mother being a screaming bantchy during the holidays. DH's mother was also in a snit during the holidays. We made a promise to each other early in our marraige that our holidays would be as pleasent as we could make them for us and our children. Works most years except when DH's mother comes with her nose all bent out of joint. Laura...hope you are getting into life back at home. Miss you. Better get back to the books. Later.

Hi guys...as promised...a photo of Lori and I together. We had a nice visit. The time just flew by. Food was crap and it made Lori PB but the visit was great! Lori is every bit as nice as I knew she would be. A very nice and beautiful lady and taller than I imagined. She looks much younger than her age. Her DH is a very handsome, tall drink of water. Anyway, thanks for traveling to meet, Lori. Would do it all over again!

Janet...you might want to check out the "Cyber Monday" deals at the Toys R Us site. I think they have free shipping today only. Such a good girl...going to the gym when you could have just slept in and lolled around. Hope you are enjoying your time off now that family is gone. Some "Janet" time. Off to town to run farm errands and get a bunch of fire extinguishers replentished. Both DH and I are a little paranoid after 2 fires a year apart on the grain dryers. Better safe than sorry. We have three other dryers made of the same components as the ones that burned and just don't trust them even though they are new. Julie...good to hear that you are back to healthy eating and got rid of what you felt you should not have around. Trigger foods = not good. Better run. Talk later.

Meredith...you gotta be able to eat. I guess I would contact my doc and have a bit taken out and see how it goes. Happy to hear you had a nice Thanksgiving. Aren't grandmas and aunties the best? Sounds like they both took care of all of you.

Thanks for the compliments Phyll, Linda and Arlene. I NEVER like photos of myself. I think most ppl are that way. I like my hair a bit shorter...feel like the longer it is, the more haggard I look. They always say the older you get, the shorter you should go. Gonna go in and get younger in a couple of weeks. New Christmas "do". As I said last night, Lori and I had a lovely visit and was happy to drive just to see her. Did a bit of shopping after she left. Walked out with empty arms. Was surprised that the mall was not very busy. I am done Christmas shopping and need nothing as far as clothes go. Most of the stores were having some pretty good deals. Could have loaded up but trying to just buy what I need...not what I want. Trying to figure out some cookie recipes. Have a cookie exchange with a bunch of girls that I used to be in a Homemakers club with (a good 25-30 yrs since we were all together in club). Need to make 6 different kinds of cookies. Will come up with something and most likely start baking on Sat. Exchange is on Monday. Kind of a nice way to do Christmas baking and have a nice variety. In the thick of corn harvest. Long days, short nights. Think it is starting to catch up with me and DH and DS. We were all together this afternoon and all of us a little silly and bumpy!

Just got back from meeting Lori. Was a bit farther drive than I thought but a beautiful day for a drive. We met for lunch at a bar and grill at the mall. Had a nice visit. Lori is every bit as gracious and nice as she is in her posts. Only one surprise....she's much taller than I pictured her. If I had to describe her in one word I would have to say classy. Very beautiful woman and NO WRINKLES...very young looking. Hope you all had a great Sat. Time to feed the crew. Will check back later.

Hang in there, Arlene...the holidays are a tough one. Try your hardest to get out and walk and exercise. I know that when I am trying to lose, I just hate undoing the time I have taken for exercise. I seem to be much more diligent when I have worked really hard physically. Sometimes after a holiday meal, a person is retaining water for a few days. Most likely more salt content than one is used to.:biggrin: Christmas music is on...gifts being wrapped....singing...happy. Life is good!:thumbup:

Mornin' Everyone...sounds like you all had a great TG. Ours was wonderful. Soooooooo much food. I, too, came home stuffed. A little "pouch packing" going on yesterday. Actually did not overdo on the amount of food I ate but so many different combinations of food did not sit well in the tummy. Was up and ready to go at 5:15. Wanted to get into town for a sale. I am not one to venture out on Black Friday but knew it was safe in our little town. We have the store that has everything you could imagine. From farm parts, clothing, housewares to anything a person would need. Youngest DS (26) has to semi-dress up for work each day. Every year for Christmas, I buy him a new wardrobe. He is easy to please, unlike #1 DS. The store was doing 30% off clothing so I took advantage. Found him (everything Columbia brand) 7 shirts, 2 vests, 2 jackets, 6 prs of socks, 2 casual slacks, 2 pair of jeans and a nice pair of leather Merrill shoes all of under $500. We were never ones to spoil our sons and load them up with useless thing for Christmas or birthdays. But, when it comes to things they really need I like to help them out. He will thank us a few times (already has when I called him to get shoe size) and we know it's appreciated. Anyway, that was my adventure for this morning. There was only one other person in the store for the first hour that I was there. Didn't get pushed, pulled or a thing taken out of my arms. Melissa...have a great girl's weekend. Like Eva said, we all need those once in awhile. Good to hear your turkey was a success. Have to somehow get this house in order, get my Christmas stuff out and organized. Going to try and get a share of it up on Sunday and Monday. (Takes me 9 hours just to do my one tree and then two other trees to think about). I know, I know....obssessive. But, we so enjoy it. Everyone have a great day. I am pretty stoked about meeting Lori tomorrow. Might even get the last bits of my Christmas shopping done. I'm down to 2 small gifts to buy. Going to get my wrapping done today too and get DS's gift in mail and also have about 1/2 doz boxes to send to Iraq for local boys and friend's of my two DS's.

Was going to mention but forgot. Meeting Great (Lori) in Watertown SD on Sat. I'm very excited for our meet. Will take photos and post when I get back.

Back at ya, Allie and Happy Thanksgiving to all the rest of the Junnies. Allie, took another quick peek at your TT photos. I am just amazed how wonderful you look. So close after surgery and you do not look swollen like most do. Sounds like you are doing great. I admire you for taking the steps you have. Take care of yourself. Don't oerdo today...let the girls (and Danny) do the dishes.

Phyll and Janet...you are so lucky to just pop in and see each other. Lucky you found each other on this board (?). Everyone's meals sound so good. Eva..your spreads sound similar to the ones I made. Have a St. Johns bread that we slice to put them on. Pies are all out of the oven and look pretty good (even though I say so myself..pat on the back). Had unexpected but welcome company that set me back a bit. Hi Linda! Planting a tree in "Mom's" farm yard today. Her GS lives there now. She loved her farm. We are putting right out from the kitchen window. She was one that stood at that window to make sure she knew what was going on. OK...off to get dressed and drive over for a day with the family. Thinking of all of you as you celebrate today.

Mike Meyers