Canadian Buffoon's Sweet 16 Celebration - Update 01/28 - The End

[pkondz]

Pm sent and yes.... very super cute! (Can't remember if I said that or not)

Got it!
And yes, you did say it.

 

[pkondz]

And now I'm craving grits.

Whoops! Sorry!

My grandma was from Down South, as she called it.

Heh.
When I lived in the North,
"Down South" was far to the North
of you.

She often made us grits, mostly with lots of butter and salt, but occasionally a version that's fried.

Fried?
How do you do that?

Off to make breakfast.

Happy... grits-ing?

 

[Princess Leia]

Sherry asked if we'd ever seen
an Emu egg.
Of course, neither one of us had.
Have you?
(Bonus points. Have you?)

I have not but it looks lovely and sparkly. Are you sure it's not a dragon egg?

The first one we saw was this turkey.
He'd been strutting back and forth
the entire time we were inside.

Not so cute!

Kay wasn't a huge fan of Becky the emu.
There were actually three of them
but the other two were penned up.

I don't blame her - those birds are menacing!

Okay. Come on.
I know it's a rodent.
But... it's cute, isn't it?
Bonus points if you tell me
what you think.
One way or another.

It is very cute - we used to have guinea pigs and it reminds me of them.

Yes. I had heard correctly.
$10 per person.

What a bargain! Obviously wasn't doing it for the money.

1. We stop for a snack.
Tuna salad, egg salad or chicken salad sandwich?

chicken salad sandwich

2. What do we do next?
Rafting, horseback riding, ATV ride?

horseback riding

3. There are only a few people
on that activity (not including guide).
How many?
4, 6 or 8?

4

4. What does Kay purchase
in the inevitable gift shop?
Rocks, postcards, fridge magnet?

rocks

5. What tourist trap do we stop at?
Hint: Consider where we are.

I don't know much about the area - Desert botanical garden?

6. How long are we there?
10-20 minutes,
30-45 minutes,
60-90 minutes?

60 - 90 minutes

7. We go to a Harley store.
What do I get?
Nothing, poker chip, chip and T-shirt?

poker chip

8. What do we have for dinner?
Mexican, pizza, burgers?

Mexican

9. What classic arcade game
does Kay challenge me to?

Pacman

10. We return the rental car.
What do I forget to do first?

Take your iPod out the car

Yes I saw it = will PM you!

 

[pkondz]

All this talk about Southern food must have rubbed off on me because I made Turkey and Dumplings. I know most of time it's made with chicken, but we have lots of turkey in the freezer so I use it in chicken recipes.

Sure, makes sense.

Has your family ever tried that?

Not sure if this was directed to me,
or to @CyndiLouWho .

But... while I've had dumplings,
I can't recall if I've ever made them.

So, I'm gonna say... no.

 

[pkondz]

I have not but it looks lovely and sparkly. Are you sure it's not a dragon egg?

I'll have to compare it to my pile
and let you know.

Not so cute!

But certainly.... energetic.

I don't blame her - those birds are menacing!

I prefer my eyes
where they are, thank you.

It is very cute - we used to have guinea pigs and it reminds me of them.

They are related.

What a bargain! Obviously wasn't doing it for the money.

Nope.
At least not that part.

1. We stop for a snack.
Tuna salad, egg salad or chicken salad sandwich?

chicken salad sandwich

2. What do we do next?
Rafting, horseback riding, ATV ride?

horseback riding

3. There are only a few people
on that activity (not including guide).
How many?
4, 6 or 8?

4

4. What does Kay purchase
in the inevitable gift shop?
Rocks, postcards, fridge magnet?

rocks

5. What tourist trap do we stop at?
Hint: Consider where we are.

I don't know much about the area - Desert botanical garden?

6. How long are we there?
10-20 minutes,
30-45 minutes,
60-90 minutes?

60 - 90 minutes

7. We go to a Harley store.
What do I get?
Nothing, poker chip, chip and T-shirt?

poker chip

8. What do we have for dinner?
Mexican, pizza, burgers?

Mexican

9. What classic arcade game
does Kay challenge me to?

Pacman

10. We return the rental car.
What do I forget to do first?

Take your iPod out the car

All noted!

Yes I saw it = will PM you!

Standing by!

 

[QueenJen]

had this:

mmmm...yummy looking onion rings

Maybe it was an ostrich egg
that you saw?

Ok.....I had to know....called mom & dad. Dad is almost certain we have seen one and my mom said 'I don't know' - big help from mom. We did a family trip to Australia in the 80's - since dad and I both think so....I'm going with I've seen one.

 

[Steppesister]

Whoops! Sorry!



Heh.
When I lived in the North,
"Down South" was far to the North
of you.



Fried?
How do you do that?



Happy... grits-ing?

I'm not positive, but I think fried grits is polenta. At least that's what we do here. We make sort of like a cornmeal mush pancake so to speak and serve it with marinara sauce.

 

[lisaviolet]

You could say I have a slight...
fondness for Ariel.
Which is cool, because
she obviously returns my affection.

Evidence her smitten expression of adoration.)

You're aware she gets paid for such things, correct?

"Would you like to go on a trip somewhere?"
She said. "Yes! Japan!"

Yeah her. Go big or go home.

___________________

Oh and were you aware these that we have our very own Fire Swamp in your own country? ROUS live in High Park, Toronto. When they choose not to wander away.

Me, I want to see that Chupacabra. I googled Puerto Rico Huge Rodent Dracula, insert laughter , to get the spelling and a real rodent came up - a hutia. Can't write these things. All this talk reminds me of the ROUS that I saw in Washington DC in the early 90s.

Of course if you live in Canada...
Then all you get is... chocolate.

Please send your prairie grits.

Just got back from BC

Lucky.

But her boyfriend is
originally from Colombia.
He does have his Canadian citizenship...
but after a few questions,
it turns out he wouldn't be allowed
into the US without a Visa.

Colombia to Winnipeg. Speechless. Did he need therapy?

(Notice how kind I am to you with the pasting of your words. Unlike you. )

Riiiiight about now...
You're thinking: "Photos! Thank God!
Maybe he'll shut up."

God you should open up your own psychic hotline.

Kay, for whatever reason,
chose the latter.

I have no clue why I chose this quote.

No more snow!

Okay, what the hell? What is going on in the province beside me? Snow? We had days of high eighties. When was this ridiculous nonsense? And thanks for making more Americans think it's oh so chilly in "CANADA".

I had a small surprise for Kay.
I had upgraded our tickets
to include priority boarding.
We were first on the plane
and snagged the first row.

Kay was not happy.
She didn't like the first row.

The last two lines gave me such joy. I can't even explain.

So pretty!

Once we were seated,
Kay sat up a little straighter.
Her eyes lit up.
"Ohmagosh, that waiter is so hot."

Her tastes differ from mine.

Thanks for sharing President Underwood.

 

[pkondz]

mmmm...yummy looking onion rings

They were really good!
Among the best I've had.

Ok.....I had to know....called mom & dad. Dad is almost certain we have seen one and my mom said 'I don't know' - big help from mom. We did a family trip to Australia in the 80's - since dad and I both think so....I'm going with I've seen one.

Whoa!
You went to a lot of trouble!

And since I can't refute...

Yes you did!

 

[pkondz]

I'm not positive, but I think fried grits is polenta. At least that's what we do here. We make sort of like a cornmeal mush pancake so to speak and serve it with marinara sauce.

Nothing says fine cuisine
than "mush".

 

[pkondz]

You're aware she gets paid for such things, correct?

Don't burst my bubble!!!!

And... .Lisa!!!
Hi!!

It's been far too long!
How have you been?

And... to the TR!

Yeah her. Go big or go home.

Gotta admire her optimism.

Please send your prairie grits.

Lucky.

It was a whirlwind trip,
but we fit in some nice things.

Colombia to Winnipeg. Speechless. Did he need therapy?

Actually.... it's a loooong story.
And one I'm not at liberty to share.
Sorry!

(Notice how kind I am to you with the pasting of your words. Unlike you. )

Hmmm....

You're going to have to clarify that one.

God you should open up your own psychic hotline.

I knew you were going to say that.

I have no clue why I chose this quote.

Okay, what the hell? What is going on in the province beside me? Snow? We had days of high eighties. When was this ridiculous nonsense? And thanks for making more Americans think it's oh so chilly in "CANADA".

Remember, this was back in March.
Yer darned tootin' we have snow in March!

The last two lines gave me such joy. I can't even explain.

But try.
I'm quite curious, actually.

Thanks for sharing President Underwood.

I had to Google that.
I haven't seen House of Cards.
Yes, I've heard it's quite good.
Should binge it sometime...

Kevin Spacey is hot.


And, how's your....

Oh, shoot!
I can't remember if it
was your mom or your dad
that you went on the train
ride with. I'm sorry!

 

[lisaviolet]

Actually.... it's a loooong story.
And one I'm not at liberty to share.
Sorry!

Oh no. I'm sorry. Reading between the lines.

______________________________

I was being totally facetious. My SIL is Colombian. There is no way in hell she would ever move here. One of my university roommates was as well. He barely survived his year in the Eastern Townships of Quebec.

Hmmm....

You're going to have to clarify that one.

Oh no I'm not.

Check your original.

I knew you were going to say that.

Perfection.

Remember, this was back in March.
Yer darned tootin' we have snow in March!

Why I read so incredibly well. No clue you were doing a TR from March.

Winnipeg with no snow in March......

But try.
I'm quite curious, actually.

Simply wicked behaviour on my part.

You had a grand surprise and it backfired so wonderfully. Couldn't have gone any better.

Kevin Spacey is hot.

Good to know.

____________________________
You know I only have eyes for Jeff Van Gundy.

Oh, shoot!
I can't remember if it
was your mom or your dad
that you went on the train
ride with. I'm sorry!

Both. Different times - needed to be, long story.

No sorry needed. Dad was palliative for that trip, brain cancer. So he passed not long after it, just weeks after. But great memories. It was his dream to go on the The Canadian.

Mom - we went a year later. Mom is pretty well nearing twenty years of vascular dementia.

She is a powerhouse. Every single day. I am so not her daughter. No joking.

 

[orangecats2]

Kevin Spacey is hot.

HUH? What?

 

[pkondz]

Oh no. I'm sorry. Reading between the lines.

No apologies!
Only needed if I feel hurt.


Actually... not even then.

I was being totally facetious. My SIL is Colombian. There is no way in hell she would ever move here. One of my university roommates was as well. He barely survived his year in the Eastern Townships of Quebec.

Small world.
(Do not start singing the song.

Dammit! Now it's in my head!)

I'd love to visit the Eastern Townships, actually.

Oh no I'm not.

Check your original.

My original TR?

Dang it! I must be obtuse today.

Well..... more so than usual.

Why I read so incredibly well. No clue you were doing a TR from March.

Winnipeg with no snow in March......

Sahara without sand.....

Simply wicked behaviour on my part.

You had a grand surprise and it backfired so wonderfully. Couldn't have gone any better.

You know I only have eyes for Jeff Van Gundy.

That's right!
I do remember that!

Both. Different times - needed to be, long story.

Share only if you wish,
be comfortable knowing you need
not if you don't wish.

No sorry needed. Dad was palliative for that trip, brain cancer. So he passed not long after it, just weeks after. But great memories. It was his dream to go on the The Canadian.

Ahhhh.... I'm sorry to hear of his passing,
but I do remember that he was quite ill.

My (belated) condolences, Lisa.

Mom - we went a year later. Mom is pretty well nearing twenty years of vascular dementia.

That is a long time, isn't it?
I'm sorry, I'm not very familiar
with the condition.

She is a powerhouse. Every single day. I am so not her daughter. No joking.

And yet... perhaps you are.

again.

 

[pkondz]

HUH? What?

You disagree?

Ah! Of course.
Your tastes run more
to the pudgy,
balding and greying
foreign TR writer.

 

[Steppesister]

Nothing says fine cuisine
than "mush".

Fine or not fine, I think you might like it.

 

[CyndiLouWho]

Fried?
How do you do that?

I'm not positive, but I think fried grits is polenta. At least that's what we do here. We make sort of like a cornmeal mush pancake so to speak and serve it with marinara sauce.

Usually polenta is yellow cornmeal, grits are white. My grandmother cooked grits with bits of pork, usually from neckbones and the like, until the grits were so think you could barely stir them. Then you poured the mess into large shallow pans and refrigerated overnight. The next day you cut the mush into "bars" or small rectangles, dip in flour, then egg and pan fry. My grandmother called it fried grits or fried mush. Some people put syrup on it, but just salt and pepper for me.
I have seen a version in an upscale Italian restaurant called polenta fries but I didn't try it, so not sure how close it was to fried mush I've eaten. Grandma was not Italian and grew up in the Depression, so I'm pretty sure it was just cheap filling fare to feed the family.

 

[pkondz]

Fine or not fine, I think you might like it.

I'd be willing to try it.

 

[pkondz]

Usually polenta is yellow cornmeal, grits are white. My grandmother cooked grits with bits of pork, usually from neckbones and the like, until the grits were so think you could barely stir them. Then you poured the mess into large shallow pans and refrigerated overnight. The next day you cut the mush into "bars" or small rectangles, dip in flour, then egg and pan fry. My grandmother called it fried grits or fried mush. Some people put syrup on it, but just salt and pepper for me.

I'd try that too.
Sounds like an awful lot of work, though.

I have seen a version in an upscale Italian restaurant called polenta fries but I didn't try it, so not sure how close it was to fried mush I've eaten. Grandma was not Italian and grew up in the Depression, so I'm pretty sure it was just cheap filling fare to feed the family.

Most people from that
generation also would
never think to throw out fat.
Fat from bacon?
That's how you cook eggs!

Curiously, the rate of
heart attacks back then
was through the roof.

Probably just a coincidence.

 

[CyndiLouWho]

I'd try that too.
Sounds like an awful lot of work, though.

That's why grandma made a huge pot when she made it and usually my aunts and uncles all got some to take home.
She boiled the meat/bones one day, separated them then used the stock to make the mush the next day, ready to fry up on day 3. She used a 20 quart stock pot for the grits and usually needed help stirring it
I haven't had it in years since I usually don't have 3 days to make breakfast.