I got DH a cute little gas grill for his birthday; we haven't had a grill in almost 20 years! So far, we have had steaks (reverse seared...yum!), hamburgers, and brats. Can you tell me what you like to grill and how? We would like to do veggies, corn, other meats, and seafood. Do we need special pans for anything? Thanks!

Our new grill has porcelain coated cast-iron grates. I am seeing recommendations to avoid metal brushes and use nylon. The brush that came with the grill is tough nylon, I believe, but I also bought DH a wire one, so I went looking into which to keep.

It is the game referenced in that article, namely GeoGuessr.com Thank you!

Found this in my screenshots - would love to find it again. Wish I had taken a bigger screenshot! Anyone know what website this game is from? Thanks!

So sad for the dog and you both. Unbelievable!! I agree with you: never, ever, ever would they be allowed to watch my dog!

I am surprised no one else uses: Powder! For the shoes you showed us, I would first put a little powder in the shoe - the toe area and all along the inside. I would powder the bottom of my feet with a little from my hand, then carefully powder the tops of my toes. I only use the orange Gold Bond powder, because it doesn’t cake like some brands - it is readily available in the trial size area, so I have bottles of it wherever I put on shoes or need reapplication: master bath/entry closet/purses/travel bags/each car. I’ve gotten good at putting it on without making a mess=) When I travel, though, in a city, I inevitably get blisters with the extra walking, but this powder trick has made an amazing difference. New shoes may still require a bandaid around a toe and, especially, on the back of the heel for a few wearings to break them/my feet in. Actually, new shoes/sandals that are worn without socks need the bandaid on toe/heel or other hot spot for a short while...but it is worth it. This is new as I have gotten old(er).

Oh, what a beautiful morning! Already ran out for ribs, thinking early would be best choice. Planning a special meal for all of us tomorrow. Did some research for a newbie homeschooler friend Catboxes/birds 2 masks - DH & DS go back to offices next week where they are required. I've given all of my masks to the local hospital. The fam's masks are being made from super soft crib sheet cotton. Kitchen - Super tidy & wiped, vacuum & mop Living Room - Super Tidy, dust & vacuum Make cheese/nut tray for Saturday date night Dinner??? Leftover/clean out fridge night, I imagine! I sure hope to get outside to soak up this warmth - expected to be high 70s today!

Yes, A is correct. The words ‘revenue-generating’ are functioning together as an adjective. ‘Highest’ is an adverb modifying ‘revenue-generating’. Purdue Owl or Grammarly sites are my go-to for quick grammar helps. https://www.grammarly.com/blog/hyphen/

We tested with the CAT test each year at the end of the school year. Although I was not one to test during actual school work during the school year. Since it was a novelty for us, it was actually something our children looked forward to. Sort of. My #1 goal for testing was to help eliminate future test anxiety. I set up a very quiet desk, fed everybody a good breakfast, and donned a timer. Then, I read the official rules and left them alone in each section to do the work. I made sure to be upbeat and pleasant through the process, telling them that it was a way to see where our schoolwork lined up with the average school and to give me ideas for the next year. I also made it clear that some of the work on the test would likely be topics that they haven’t covered. We went out for fast food those days to make the day extra special. A relatively rare treat for them. I worked on this primary goal of eliminating test anxiety because I knew testing was an inevitable part of their future. Eldest, especially, hated being timed from a young age, and I thought this process would help him get over that. I was low-key about and hardly ever mentioned results. When they arrived, I read the results, shared with DH and barely mentioned to the children. Maybe I got by with that (not sharing much about results) because I began so young, and that had always been the routine. They were trained that it was about the process. End of story. What did I do with the results? I could see not as much academic strengths/weaknesses as personality traits. Careful workers, workers who knew info and didn’t bother to apply it, or what they truly didn’t get. I knew how they performed during normal school work, so it was obvious to me the difference between not knowing it or not applying it. And, simply the test taking was telling. Eldest went from not liking being timed to accepting it. But...once, when time ran out before he had finished a math section...broken pencil and tears! That from a relatively calm child. In seventh grade. It helped me help him work through that type of frustration. Lastly, I did consider what the test covered and how it matched what we were covering a little bit, but I didn’t have much concern there. I did not test in high school. We worked on PSAT/SAT/ACT prep as an actual separate subject for roughly a half hour each day to make sure those where familiar, and they took the PSAT each year 9th and 10th grades at the local high school with me demonstrating the same low-key attitude. I felt like they were well prepared for their college entrance testing when the time came, academically pretty much and depending on child, but especially from an good-as-can-be-attitude-about-it perspective.

We have YA’s living here and afar. From the beginning, ours have had the feeling that they want to keep others healthy since they themselves were a low-risk group. They have been able to do school and work at home. But, socially, I see more restlessness; seeing them get together for jogs and workouts, and ready to get going, even if that means with masks. Overall. But, I am wondering if YA’s are getting together socially more than we realize in private homes, etc. What is the experience with your family?

Thanks for mentioning how you use a brass brush on it @Spy Car I think mine needs some work. My seasoning was poorly done between uses, yet still performed nicely for both bread and pot roast. The last time I made pot roast in it, it tasted terrible, but only to me; my family did not notice the off flavor. Maybe it was the poor seasoning job (using regular canola oil, too heavily), using light soap when washing (it is so hard for me not to use soap=), and the wine in the pot roast liquid. Could the wine have reacted with the pan?? Do you mind, @Spy Car walking me through the details of how to resurrect my pan and avoid problems going forward?

Usborne's Illustrated Dictionary of Math will certainly grow with him. It fueled our son's math passion at that age and beyond: https://www.amazon.com/Usborne-Illustrated-Dictionary-Math-Dictionaries/dp/0794516297/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=usborne+dictionary+of+math&qid=1587420672&sr=8-2 Penny Press's variety puzzle books were also big hits. Containing unusually refreshing puzzles at many age ranges, they also contain word puzzles. Also a grow-with-them resource:

Vacuuming. Although our dog is a nonshedder, she tracks dirt in, the cat sheds, dirt generally collects on the floor. I do not like to see it or feel it. Vacuuming is my therapy, too. I find it relaxing. Also, I love how my kitchen floor shines between moppings when it is vacuumed frequently. We have a very dusty house, so that is also important to me. I am not as regular about dusting. Wiping kitchen and bathroom surfaces down is quite frequent, and I have added door knobs and light switches to my frequent wipe-downs.

May all go well with your travels!

That is a wonderful update - congratulations!

First experience wearing mask to store today. I survived. Forgot the liner and feel a little uncertain. I am not the most thorough of persons in these regards. Percentage risk reduced is still reduction, right? “Breath, sigh, have faith!” (Says me to me=)

I find myself putting on my nicer leggings/cute skirt for drives to the PO or with DH to get tractor gas!

My prayers for your daughter and her caregivers. So glad your son has been there to help her.

As PP have said, lots of confusion in our minds that we hear nothing between asymptomtic and mild case; mild case being 'feel like haven been run over by truck'. That is just so unbelievable to me. Granted, I imagine that could be one of the novel things about this virus. I admit ignorance on immunology. Also, a young adult friend in China was told by a Dr there, "YA's are getting this, and it is leaving scar tissue for life." Do mild cases leave scar tissue for life? Aren't we close to having enough cases here in US for data like this to be known/projected/shared, here from US info? I just keep feeling like we are not being told something. Maybe I am not reading the correct sites, but everything is like our discussions, i.e., anecdotal, or coming out of China. I think the fact that we are having to ask ourselves, "What is a mild case like?" still, is a ridiculous failing on the part of ... 'authorities'. I.am.just.so.confused.

My rule of thumb for any dough that make a foolproof loaf is that ‘if a completely dry hand can squeeze the loaf and pull away clean, the dough has taken enough flour’. Your experience may mean sweaty hands? My hands are usually damp when working in the kitchen. I freshly wash them and flap to dry before touching to test my loaves. In my experience, working against this rule results in a dense, dough-y loaf. I can see why your experience, having this happen with your friend, would you make you not trust that test, though.

In my experience, to tell when a loaf of bread is done, taking its temperature is the most foolproof method. Even if it leave a little hole in your beautiful creation. Shoot for at least 190 F. If it is nearing that temp and the outside is about as dark as I want it, I have found it helpful to put it back in the oven for a few mins, turning the oven off at the this time. Opening the oven causes the heating element to turn on - which could result in an overdone crust. So, turning it off completes the baking without overdoing the crust. Happy baking!

That is wonderful!

I think it is sweet that you desire to achieve this, LoveMyBeautifulGift! Just keep working on it, changing behavior in the moment when you can and reflecting on what you would like to do better next time, after the fact. Everyone is different, and, although it is nice to picture a completely transformed You speaking in soft, kind notes all of the time, it may not be your gift. I remember reading A Charlotte Mason Companion by K Andreaola many, many moons ago and wishing for to have the sweet voice she recommended using all of the time. I did become more conscious of my tone of voice, but I couldn't change Me. I did temper my external reactions with conscious practice and reflection - you are already on this path. I think @PeterPan offered some interesting insight into biological reasons for uneven moods. Take good care of yourself. For me, that meant that adequate sleep was a non-negotiable for the most pleasant me. But, it is important to realize that we are all different, and some people's even-temperedness in another person's boring. Maybe your passion may need to be tempered when it comes to criticism or impatience, but maybe it is a real blessing to your family when it comes to positive enthusiasm? Certainly, it is okay for your children to see you irritated when interrupted or having to clean up messes - they will not have the luxury of someone always being happy with the fallout of their decisions. Maybe you were a little cranky. If you feel like ti was more than you want them to model or more than you think is acceptable, apologize if you think that is warranted. You are human. That is a good lesson for them to learn, too. Don't be too hard on yourself. There is no magic way to be a better person. But, your heart is in the right place. I believe your actions will likely follow.

@Kareni below is the recipe I follow. It is from Baking Illustrated by the America’s Test Kitchen folks. They’re all about helping you master the technique, so the directions are even more vital than the ingredients. The articles that precede each recipe are what finally taught me how to get great results in baking every time. Notes: I made the dough right after dinner, as it needs to sit overnight. The morning steps are then so easy! this recipe calls for a stand mixer because it is such a heavy dough (crank head best). With determined string wrists, it should work fine by hand. o I used sugar in place of malt syrup and regular AP flour, not high gluten. I do think the malt syrup would add good flavor and the high gluten flour would yield even more chewy bagels - next time I intend to add gluten to the flour.