Two that come to mind immediately are Betty Crocker's 40th Anniversary Edition (you might be able to find it at the library - mine is old and torn and has fallen apart and I can't seem to find another. A fair alternative is Betty Crocker's New Cookbook Everything You Need to Know to Cook), and Rodale Whole Foods Cookbook. Both are awesome, use easy to identify, from-scratch ingredients and the recipes taste great. ETA - actually, Amazon has some used copies of BC 40th for a reasonable price now!

Yes, they all do. I'm not sure what it means, or how they ended up with such a literal kid, or why they do it. Makes no sense to me. I'm honestly not sure I possess the ability to try to figure it out. It's odd. I'd be very interested if anyone has any theories about why people do this, though (on this thread or another - I'm genuinely curious because the more people I encounter, the more I feel this is a typical dynamic and that I'm the weird one because I don't quite get it). Thanks for the sympathy, everyone. He was a good guy.

Yup. They loved them. I think my kids were 10 or 11. I would let her. And then you have someone close to talk to about them :).

I just talked to her and after several rounds of "I don't want to impose" and "you don't have to", I finally said, "Mom, you know I'd come if you wanted me to, and that's all there is. Do you want me to?" And very quietly, she said, "Yes.". I love you guys :grouphug:

:iagree::iagree: Ours are all of those things, well, except the youngest is a bit of a counter surfer, but I accept accountability for that :blush:. Sweet, affectionate, loving, loyal. Totally able to do the 4 mile trek with no problem whatsoever. I think they are bred to run (to hunt) for many miles without tiring. Love mine.

All right. I need to call her back. Thanks guys.

That's what I'm worried about. Honestly, I don't understand how she communicates - I don't think I'm wired that way. I think it may be a character malfunction that I have such a hard time figuring out what people really want, and understanding why they don't just come out and say it. I can't tell if she's just confused and harried right now that she doesn't really know which directions her thoughts are going or if she's really asking me to come with her. Ugh!

You know, I wonder how these creatures would survive in the wild, not being able to scream or yell or warn or whatever they need to do. I'm guessing they wouldn't last long. This is so interesting to me - can you tell? :D

My mother called today to tell me her brother is in the hospital and is likely not going to make it. The hospital is 3 hours away. My mother and her sister are driving down to see their brother, as are many of their other siblings (very large, very close family) as well as ill brother's 4 children. My mom asked if I wanted to come with. She said she "didn't care" if I came, but they are leaving at 730am tomorrow. I suggested that this might be an intimate setting for her and her siblings to talk and rally around their brother as he passes. I'm a niece, and as far as I know, only siblings and my uncle's children will be there. Finally, I asked my mother point blank if she'd like me to accompany her and her sister. She said she "didn't care". Is this one of those things that I stink at where I'm supposed to read between the lines and know exactly what she wants even though she says something different? Do I belong there at this stage? I'm not sure what to do. She won't say, "Yes, Laura. I would like you to be there to support me," even if that is my specific question (which it was, at least three times during the conversation). Not sure if I should go. What would you do?

Nono, you are very cool :). (sincerely, no sarcasm intended!)

Good point. He could boiled one for stock, used the meat in several easy dishes dishes for a good long while if he's only cooking for one.

Beans and rice? Peas and lentils? Wow - only $25? Does he live in a low food cost area? He's going to need to learn to cook, and fast. But even if he already knew how, it would be a challenge.

What a stupid question! If my kids wanted to learn how to perform brain surgery, they would have to go to a specialized school. Duh. Humans naturally teach one another whether they mean to or not. The basics of elementary education isn't specialized; it's broad and far reaching so the kid can be able to learn specialized instruction.

I know! We have a siamese mix and he's very vocal. I don't mind him so much because it's almost like having a conversation in two different languages. But the dogs...I was just sitting here wistfully thinking how nice it would be if they were mute...:)

Food. Stockpiles of frozen dinners to take out of the freezer and pop into the oven. If I had been smart, I would have started cooking right around where you are now. Help. And the presence of mind to accept it when it's offered. A breast pump and bottles with those inserts (do they still have those?) - even though you plan to breastfeed, it is kind of nice to have some help, especially in the middle of the night when you are completely exhausted. Frozen breast milk is a lovely thing. Congrats!!

Wow - I am so surprised. I had never heard of a silent cat before now. I wonder if there is just something ill formed with the vocal cords or something. Mute cats. Wild. I wonder if there are other kinds of animals like this. I guess there is no reason for there not to be.

That's awesome news, Jean! (this is the first post I've read this morning, and it made me all teary!)

I made mine. Sort of. I bought the sheers to match my dining room curtains, then cut and hemmed them to fit windows. Easy, straight line seams - even a non-sewer (like myself, eventhoughmycurtainslookawesome, ahem) can swing it.

Huh. So, I'm convincing dh to bring her in from the garage where she is kenneled with a litter box, warm blanket, food and water, and put her into the office where we can close the door and keep the dogs out. It's getting cold outside already (there was frost on the ground when I found her huddled against a garage this morning). Even he likes her but won't admit it - she does the caterpillar curl like our other cat does so we can scratch her belly, and he's a bit of a sucker for that.;)

It would only be gross if my dishwasher and detergent weren't working properly. If they are, let them lick. If they are not, I'd handwash those dishes.

Did she try to meow? Or was she characteristically the silent type?

I kind of really want to. I'm just not convinced Hound #2 will be feeling anything other than hunger when he encounters her, though. Hound #1 will be curious and jumpy, but she's smart enough to know better because the resident house cat has trained her well. Hound #2 on the other hand...not so smart.

I found a stray kitten this morning. She's about 6 months old, very affectionate, looks a little worse for the wear, but I'm baffled by the fact that she tries to mew, but no sound comes out. I thought at first she was hissing, but now I don't think so - she's actually trying to make sound, but there is none. She also makes a grinding sound sometimes (like she's chewing glass or something). She seems to be able to hear well. Why would that be?

On bread or toast in place of butter we sometimes use olive oil (in fact, ds prefers it). For baking we use coconut or olive oil if we aren't using butter.

No, but I sure wish people would do it for me - I hate seeing my own monster spelling mistakes repeated.