Re: Anyone just want to chat?
 

I know what you mean, Eli, about wanting to write something but feeling it's not enough to actually post about. I'm glad you like the thread!
That play date scenario does sound unusual and I can understand why you'd feel intimidated! Have you got a plan yet for the one that you're hosting?

Re: Anyone just want to chat?
 

I'm not making any specific plans, but if my daughter wants to plan activities I'll help her. It's the day before her birthday so I know she wants birthday party type food, but we didn't want to plan it as a birthday party and have them think they need to bring gifts.

Re: Anyone just want to chat?
 

Yea, I don't get this new formalized "play date" events either. I think it's a product of our crazy busy, over scheduled culture.

But good for you for taking a round on! Let us know what you decide to do! How long are the girls coming and what sort of time frame?

Re: Anyone just want to chat?
 

I'm in Tulsa today. On my road trip. We're all staying with my sil tonight. She very generously offered her home to all of us: 3 moms, 3 teens, 1 kid.

Tomorrow we drive to Omaha.

I'm so sore from sitting in the car all day!

I like to chat about stuff without starting a whole thread. It's a good idea. :tu

Sent from my SM-G930P using Tapatalk

Re: Anyone just want to chat?
 

Great idea and thread! I'm in :)

We're trying to rehome our cat (after careful consideration and trying different solutions for 14 months...) and I'm nervous because people get so judgmental about this issue without even knowing all the details. Le sigh.

Re: Anyone just want to chat?
 

So... I am the thread killer :giggle

Re: Anyone just want to chat?
 

I'll jump in again. We participate in a national speech & debate league for homeschoolers. It is our 4th year. My 13 year old is OWNING this! She just came out in her tournament attire. Looking good.

Also, funny heard from dd17 (doing math) to ds 10 (practicing spelling): Please be quiet, I'm using letters too. :giggle

Re: Anyone just want to chat?
 

How are you getting on with the cat re-homing?

I helped my younger DC make apple crumble this afternoon :P~ The youngest wasn't very keen to actually try it but he ended up wanting seconds!

---------- Post added at 09:24 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:22 PM ----------

Desiree, how is your road trip?

Re: Anyone just want to chat?
 

We had 50 people come by our house last night. This is our fifth year to set up our fire pit in the front yard with seating and we serve hot chocolate, popcorn, and, of course, candy. So much fun!

Re: Anyone just want to chat?
 

Well, we took her to the vet today-- she's healthy and up-to-date on all vaccines. Also got Feliway to help her calm down, hopefully. So I guess now I feel like I can pursue making flyers and promoting her on social media.

Apple crumble sounds delicious! Recipe? :yum

Re: Anyone just want to chat?
 

We had ZERO trick or treaters last night!!! Crazy. We usually only get a couple since we're in the country but it dropped to none! So the candy went to dh's work this morning. :lol

Re: Anyone just want to chat?
 

We went trick or treating in my mom's neighborhood last night. It was great, we should have been going there all along. I'm sure the nice weather made a difference too though. There were a lot of people sitting outside on their porches or driveways, a lot of houses seemed to be having parties. A police officer was driving around playing music and handing out candy from his police car. It seemed more fun than usual.

Re: Anyone just want to chat?
 

That sounds so fun!! I love the idea of people sitting outside :)

Re: Anyone just want to chat?
 

I peeled four Bramley apples then cored and sliced them (I used an apple cutter so the slices were fairly even), then boiled in a pan of water for 5-10 minutes until they were tender. Then I drained them and stirred in about a teaspoon of sugar and a good sprinkling of ground cinnamon (this is optional but I can't resist cinnamon at this time of year!).

The crumble topping is butter rubbed into plain flour. Some recipes say use twice as much flour as butter, but I like it a bit more buttery than that! I don't measure them, but as long as it's nice and crumbly, the amounts don't matter too much. When it's rubbed into a breadcrumb texture, add sugar to taste. I think I did about three tablespoons last night but I was using up the end of a packet - I often use a bit less. I like Demerara sugar to give it a bit of a crunch, but any sugar works. You can also mix in a handful or two of oats for a different texture.

Then assemble into an oven-proof dish, with the apple at the bottom and the crumble sprinkled evenly on top, and bake for 20-30 minutes until it's golden brown on top. I cook at about 170C but I'm afraid I don't know what that is in Fahrenheit! About the temperature you'd use for a cake, or just a little cooler? A medium setting, anyway.

Serve with custard, cream or ice cream!

Re: Anyone just want to chat?
 

that sounds delicious!