Wok Chop

My condolences.

I think it would be great if someone could compile a lot of these nasty food recipes (along with the stories that go with them) and create a cookbook. Anyone want to volunteer because I want to buy a book like that. These stories are endlessly entertaining. Back a page or two someone mentioned serving green beans and cashews on Thanksgiving. I forgot who you were, but if you see this, would you mind sharing your recipe? I love cashews, and I started thinking about green beans and cashews together...and, well, it sounds good.

I miss Semi Homemade so much. There was nothing better than watching an episode and then running to TWOP for some top notch snark. We taped her last Thanksgiving special (yes, on a vcr!) a few years back and rewatch it each year. That was the one with the rubber-skinned, polka-dotted turkey. LMAO I cant type that without laughing.

I really love reading about everyone's traditions and feasts! I also would recommend Ina's roasted Brussels sprouts. Roasted veggies are magical. My mom can't (wont) cook anything from scratch. Growing up, my dinners consisted of a tough cut of meat fried beyond death in oil and then something canned or boxed to go along with it. Sadly, I was quite intimidated by cooking when I first struck out on my, but over the years, I've learned to become a pretty decent cook. My daughter is an excellent cook, so she and I do the cooking for every family gathering now...because my mom has gotten even lazier over the years. And now mom gets these leftover vegetables from someone who makes up the those veggie trays for grocery stores. Who knows how old they are by the time Mom gets them, but the taste and texture are off. Yuck! And she sneaks them into everything. I used to like her pasta salad--one of the few things shed actually make homemade, but this summer it tasted weird. I found out she used those leftover onions (that she freezes and thaws). So now I won't eat anything she makes. I'm most sad for my kids. They don't have a grandma who makes them delicious foods and goodies. I feel they were cheated! Both of my grandmas were good ol' country cooks, and I will always cherish my childhood holidays that were filled with their delicious foods (OMG my grandma used to make these homemade noodles with some type of beef gravy over them. They were soooo good). I hope I have grandkids some day, so I can fill their childhoods with delicious food, rather than nasty goop that tastes like hatred. LOL As for Christmas, we decorate early. In fact, our tree will be going up in a few weeks. I love the holidays. It seems like, for the holiday-haters I know, that this time of year is difficult due to family politics/drama. I think it's easy for me to love holidays as an adult because I have not had in-laws to deal with for many years. I don't have much family drama to deal with either. My mom is the only one who is difficult to be around, and I just try to ignore her little games. I am also lucky to have the most awesome sister-in-law ever.

I guess I missed all the posts accusing you of being a sock puppet. All I've noticed is poor old know-it-all GEML being dragged into things when she hasn't been around for months, and the only disappearing act I've seen referenced was Seashell Lover. Of course, I know that emotions are running high and many people don't know what to believe or who to trust, and I can't say I blame them. Furthermore, if I posted a link to a fundraiser that turned out to be a scam, I would expect people to be a bit suspicious of me. It's too bad you feel so defensive and can't understand why folks are upset and full of questions.

OMG, I read that and started craving beer...and there was one on the fridge! I hardly ever drink, but that beer sounded so good. Thanks, GeeGolly!

Of course he is inquiring in the most public way possible. Twitter? Seriously? Who does that? I would love to see Ryan Hall attempting to describe his work in Africa within Twitter's 140-characters-per-tweet allowance.ETA: I should have read the tweets before posting. LOL However, everything damn the Duggars do always seems to be centered around the "look! At! Me!" theme.

I knew it! Jezebel!

I love the "God Bless America" thingie proudly displayed underneath the portraits of two Confederates.

Mindy, you're in Michigan?

Mindy, my daughter just turned 24, and on her birthday, she bought a cane. She has so many health issues, but we joke about it quite a bit. I told her we have to laugh or we'd just cry all the time. I know that you've been through a lot in your short life based on things you have shared with us. I'm glad that your sense of humor helps get you through. By the way, I didn't know that you're a comedienne. Do you have a Duggar routine? :P

That makes sense. The Duggars have idolized Apple products for many years.

I am so sorry that you are going through this. No one who is ill should have to contend with questionable"professionals." Like JenCarroll, I have been in these circumstances, and now my daughter is having similar issues. I hope that you have someone (preferrably many someones, but let's be real--most people aren't equipped to deal with chronic illness, especially those that are idiopathic in nature) in your life who is supportive and will advocate for you when need be. At the very least, I hope it helps to be able to vent to us here. I am rooting for you. :)

May I ask why those two manic-looking guys go around lifting conservative men? I really love the disembodied head of Duck Dynasty guy peeking menacingly over Huckabee's shoulder.

OMG Yes!

You totally are. You're good enough. You're smart enough. And, doggone it, people like you!Speaking of which, maybe Stuart Smalley could play Jim Bob?

I totally agree--two different voices.

LOL That was me. I am a Yankee who has never heard someone be referred to as "puddin"! I came up with the term "puddin-y" to describe a certain type of person--someone who is pale, unhealthy looking, and soft/flaccid-looking..like a bowl of vanilla pudding. My daughter and I use it all the time, and I didn't know it was a thing in the South! Maybe I have some Southern hiding in me somewhere! All this time I thought my heritage was mostly a combination of Puritan and German Catholic. :P On the other hand, I hate sweet tea...

This reminds me of 7th grade drama class where we got into groups and had to create a music video. It was the 80s and MTV was a big thing back then. I am so embarrassed for all of them. But it's really sad that they don't realize they should be embarrassed for themselves.

Well, as my avatar explicitly states, I am always ready.

A few weeks ago I mentioned that fundie girls need a fashion magazine. And I was bored today: http://imgur.com/T2AVHSp

I'm sorry, but Josh is really, really smart. He said so himself on OKC.I am curious, though. Does anyone know if the Duggars' brand of fundie is the type that likes to teach believers in other faiths (like Mormons) the "errors of their ways"? If he knows anything about Mormonism/Joseph Smith, I would imagine its for a reason like this. Edited to add quotation marks because I don't personally believe people who are religious are erring.

That's very plausible. It's also very generous of you to say that about Josh since I wouldn't expect him to even know what the Smithsonian is. Is that a creationist museum?

The choice of "Joe Smithson" makes me wonder if puddin' boy fantasized about being a prophet of sorts. After all, Joseph Smith created a whole belief system around his skirt-chasing. Also, like Josh, he had no qualms using young girls to satiate his appetite.