Chit-Chat: What's On Your Mind Today?

[EtheltoTillie]

1 hour ago, EtheltoTillie said:

This is my technique with slightly different ratios except we also add hot Italian sausage. 
Because we are crazy about hot Italian sausage. 
ETA  half-Italian hubby cannot resist sampling from the cook pot  

 

[ECM1231]

2 hours ago, EtheltoTillie said:

This is my technique except we also add hot Italian sausage. 
Because we are crazy about hot Italian sausage. 

We don't like spicy, but when I DO add sausage, it's the sweet Italian kind. I also love braciole in the sauce, too. 

[kristen111]

4 hours ago, ECM1231 said:

About once a month, on a Sunday, I make a sauce with about 16 meatballs to last for 4 Sunday pasta dinners. I've been doing this for 41+ years and probably will for another long while. We haven't had Sunday sauce for a few weeks, as I was all out of sauce and didn't feel like making it in the Summer heat. Last week we went to our favorite Chinese restaurant instead. I could always whip up a quick marinara sauce, but the mister wants meatballs. My meat sauce cooks about 4 hours and right now the kitchen smells so good.

I made the exact same today, ten meatballs and five sausages.  No macaroni.  Today I want Angel Hair.  We get Chinese about every other week.  Now we go a few towns away near my daughter’s house.  We got turned off at our usual place.  My husband saw the cook run his fingers thru his hair then continued cooking.  Another place, he was giving us soft shrimp.  It should be hard to be fresh.  Now I’m hesitant wherever we go.  It’s hit or miss at all these places.

My daughter is going to Europe this week.  Flying to Italy, then getting on a boat that will go to Greese for three days, then a few other countries.  She’ and will see all the places she has wanted to see forever.  The boat goes from country to country, and they eat and sleep on the boat.  My husband has no interest, unless the Mets were there.  He was in Europe for two years in the Army. I know if I asked a friend of mine she would go with me.  Hard decision.  Besides, I’m still not over that crazy virus I had this summer.  It’s lingering still after a million antibiotics.  The summer flew by as I was in the house mostly.  It was a weird virus.  Tomorrow we’ll go thru the wine country and get apples for a pie.  Also some other stuff they have this time of the year.  Kids will be in school, so it won’t be crowded.  Pumpkin season.   My favorite time of year.

 

 

[ECM1231]

2 hours ago, emma675 said:

Thanks, @ECM1231! One question, do you add 2, 28 oz cans and 4, 6 oz cans of water? Or is it 1, 28 oz can and 1, 6 oz can of water?

I sort of eyeball it. You don't want it to be too thin. For each can of crushed tomatoes and paste used, I'd probably say add around 3/4 of the can size. For marinara, add less. 

I'm sorry that you are still feeling under the weather, @kristen111. I have wanted to go on a Mediterranean cruise for the longest time.  If your husband doesn't want to go, you should go with your friend, if you are able to. Life's too short. 

My son and his wife celebrated their first wedding anniversary this week and are now en route to Hawaii. Another place that I've never been. Anyway, they had a layover in Dallas and my son texted me that the woman sitting next to his wife was sick and wasn't wearing a mask. This concerns me b/c my daughter-in-law has had Covid 3X. She gets sick frequently and her job as a case worker, doesn't help any. 

I'd appreciate sending out some good vibes that she doesn't get sick and have her vacation ruined. 

[Dimity]

A friend of mine is house hunting and I went along with her to a few open houses today.  Pro-tip -- while pot is legal here there is a better than even chance that prospective purchasers may not be impressed with the plants growing in the back yard and vanilla, while a lovely scent on its own doesn't really mask the pot smell in the house. 

[ECM1231]

1 hour ago, EtheltoTillie said:

ETA  half-Italian hubby cannot resist sampling from the cook pot  

One memory I have from childhood is returning home from Sunday Mass and seeing 2 fried meatballs on the counter that my Dad would leave out for my sister and me to sample. 

[kristen111]

8 minutes ago, ECM1231 said:

I sort of eyeball it. You don't want it to be too thin. For each can of crushed tomatoes and paste used, I'd probably say add around 3/4 of the can size. For marinara, add less. 

I'm sorry that you are still feeling under the weather, @kristen111. I have wanted to go on a Mediterranean cruise for the longest time.  If your husband doesn't want to go, you should go with your friend, if you are able to. Life's too short. 

My son and his wife celebrated their first wedding anniversary this week and are now en route to Hawaii. Another place that I've never been. Anyway, they had a layover in Dallas and my son texted me that the woman sitting next to his wife was sick and wasn't wearing a mask. This concerns me b/c my daughter-in-law has had Covid 3X. She gets sick frequently and her job as a case worker, doesn't help any. 

I'd appreciate sending out some good vibes that she doesn't get sick and have her vacation ruined. 

I remember when they got married.  Time flies.  My Son worked for United Airlines years ago.  We flew free.  He wanted us to fly to Rome.  Like a fool, I didn’t goas we had two kids in college, so things were tight.  Of course, now I’m sorry we didn’t go.  Now, my husband doesn’t want to go anywhere.  He just loves staying home watching baseball, football, etc. our traveling days have become scarce.

[Anduin]

57 minutes ago, Dimity said:

A friend of mine is house hunting and I went along with her to a few open houses today.  Pro-tip -- while pot is legal here there is a better than even chance that prospective purchasers may not be impressed with the plants growing in the back yard and vanilla, while a lovely scent on its own doesn't really mask the pot smell in the house. 

I remember when I was house hunting. No pot, but one dodgy place comes to mind. A flat that was filled with empty bottles. Sure the current resident would have cleaned that out when they left, but it made inspection tricky. Also, the lounge room window was opposite a shopping centre. The supermarket was boarded closed, but the bottle shop (liquor store) was still open! No thanks.

Worth checking is the facing. My place is on the upper north west corner of the block. It gets the sun on top, side, and front. Beaming in all afternoon. I get a view, but damn it's hot in summer.

[nokat]

3 minutes ago, Anduin said:

I remember when I was house hunting. No pot, but one dodgy place comes to mind. A flat that was filled with empty bottles. Sure the current resident would have cleaned that out when they left, but it made inspection tricky. Also, the lounge room window was opposite a shopping centre. The supermarket was boarded closed, but the bottle shop (liquor store) was still open! No thanks.

Worth checking is the facing. My place is on the upper north west corner of the block. It gets the sun on top, side, and front. Beaming in all afternoon. I get a view, but damn it's hot in summer.

You're thinking, oh, that view.  I'm talking about your current place, not the dodgy one (if that needed said). But yeah, I had a great view too and it got hot in the afternoon.

[Anduin]

40 minutes ago, nokat said:

You're thinking, oh, that view.  I'm talking about your current place, not the dodgy one (if that needed said). But yeah, I had a great view too and it got hot in the afternoon.

Unfortunately, another apartment building has gone up in the meantime. My view has been trimmed by a third. Still almost as much sun, though. I suffer, you know.

[annzeepark914]

2 hours ago, kristen111 said:

I remember when they got married.  Time flies.  My Son worked for United Airlines years ago.  We flew free.  He wanted us to fly to Rome.  Like a fool, I didn’t goas we had two kids in college, so things were tight.  Of course, now I’m sorry we didn’t go.  Now, my husband doesn’t want to go anywhere.  He just loves staying home watching baseball, football, etc. our traveling days have become scarce.

I'm like your husband. Love staying home, I've got my stuff just where I need it (cosmetics, Rx's, favorite lounging clothes, etc). My husband went on a two week safari in Africa last month with our daughter, SIL, & grandson. They all had very long flights. Not for me!

[kristen111]

2 hours ago, ECM1231 said:

One memory I have from childhood is returning home from Sunday Mass and seeing 2 fried meatballs on the counter that my Dad would leave out for my sister and me to sample. 

That’s a sweet rememberance.  My husband is Italian,  I am not.  A few weeks after the honeymoon she came over to show me how to make ( gravy) sauce.  I pick up quick at 22 years old.  A few weeks later, I made stuffed shells and invited the in-laws over for dinner.  Two weeks later, my husband told his Mother my sauce was better than hers.  Yikes!  Husband has no filter.  Anyhow, he said her gravy was too thick.  Needless to say, she was pissed.  She never made a Turkey, pot roast or anything American which he likes.  He doesn’t care for too much sauce.  In my day, we cooked and had people over for dinner often.  Nowadays, the girls don’t do that too much, at least my girls don’t.  They do make holidays tho.  Maybe a barbecue once in awhile.  That’s it.i always had lots of company.  Lots of girls nowadays have catering or take out.  They are smart.  I knocked my brains out for company and dinners.  I’m sorry now.

[kristen111]

11 minutes ago, annzeepark914 said:

I'm like your husband. Love staying home, I've got my stuff just where I need it (cosmetics, Rx's, favorite lounging clothes, etc). My husband went on a two week safari in Africa last month with our daughter, SIL, & grandson. They all had very long flights. Not for me!

Yes everyone is different.  I’m inquisive and like nature and like to take rides.  My husband likes to be home in front of the tv.  My Son is off tomorrow and we are going to the vineyards and get some apples and whatever.  The husband is thrilled to be home by himself lol,

[athousandclowns]

My first husband was Italian whose parents were from Louisiana. I was so bewildered as a young woman when I heard them refer it as gravy.  He was my high school sweetheart from age 15.   All the aunts and sister laws got together and made sausage ( which was also a surprise to see for me). I put ground sausage in my sauce but didn’t eat it in a sandwich etc. 

My brothers in laws and their  families came over to my in-laws every Sunday for early dinner. 

[nokat]

This is embarrassing.  I was asleep and my pill alarm went off. I was slapping at myself and the phone trying to turn it off. Took the pill. I'm still unsure why I hit myself. Turns out I don't have an off button.

Also, the manure smell is not me.

Edited September 23 by nokat

[kristen111]

On 9/13/2024 at 11:11 AM, bluegirl147 said:

I was at work and my future husband was home and called me and said a plane flew into the WTC. I remember asking him on purpose? because how else would that happen.  He said he didn't know.  He called me back and said another plane flew into the other tower and then like everyone else I knew we were under attack.  Then he called and told me about the Pentagon and then finally Flight 93.  This was before smart phones and I didn't have a computer in my office so I went to lunch at the closest place with a TV which was a hoagie shop down the street.  The images looked like a war zone.  I went back to work and everyone was asking me what it looked like and I told them it looks like we are at war.  On the drive home there was like no traffic.  Found out later Flight 93 flew over my area once the hijackers took control and headed back towards DC. Shanksville is a little over a 100 miles from where I live.

Earlier this year I read book, who's name escapes me, about the flights that were diverted to this little town in Canada and how the passengers and crew had to stay there for a little while.  It was such a good book and showed the compassion of people in an incredibly difficult and unsure time.

I was leaving the house to go to work at the school.  I stepped outside and the air was cloudy with smoke.  All the way to school, my rear view mirror was black with smoke.  Three people we knew died.  One was a fireman we knew very well.  We lived 45 minutes from the towers.

[oliviabenson]

My dairy milk goes sour so quickly. Today opened a new bottle and it’s sour. $ down the drain. I’m switching to almond milk. 

[oliviabenson]

Now I want meatballs and sauce and maybe pasta. 

[nokat]

12 hours ago, oliviabenson said:

My dairy milk goes sour so quickly. Today opened a new bottle and it’s sour. $ down the drain. I’m switching to almond milk. 

I get the ultra pasteurized and it lasts longer.

[shapeshifter]

15 hours ago, oliviabenson said:

My dairy milk goes sour so quickly. Today opened a new bottle and it’s sour. $ down the drain. I’m switching to almond milk. 

Just be aware that almond milk by itself is low protein.
Be sure to get one of the ones that has "Protein" on the carton in big letters.

I've never liked the taste of dairy milk, so I do soy with calcium added. 
I do like mild dairy cheeses and have some every day.

Lately I discovered this absolutely delicious (to me) Lattini sunflower seed milk, just sunflower seeds and water: https://shop.lattini.com/products/lattini™-unsweetened-sunflower-milk
It was on sale at Wegmans. Still expensive, but it's a treat, and I never go to restaurants (unless with grandkids about once every other month or so) or buy coffee pre-made, and even more rarely buy meat, so it seems like a sensible splurge.

It is low in protein, so it's definitely a treat, not a staple.

Since my abdominal surgery 8 years ago for cancer, I can't comfortably eat very much, which always reminds me of The Berenstain Bears and Too Much Junk Food when Dr. Grizzly explained how filling up on junk food doesn't leave room for the foods we need:

 

Edited September 25 by shapeshifter

[PRgal]

Be careful of gums and other stabilizers in non-dairy milks!  

[nokat]

1 hour ago, PRgal said:

Be careful of gums and other stabilizers in non-dairy milks!  

Yes! Carob bean, Guar gum, and xanthum are in so many foods. 

[PRgal]

How should I tell a friend that I don't want to hang out with her anymore?  A woman I've known for 30+ years AND who was involved with my wedding would randomly text me with updates on her life.  Like she was in Europe with her parents for her 45th birthday.  Or just random things that I just don't feel like commenting on.  I told her that I was busy (which is true) but then she'll start messaging me again a few weeks later.  I know that she's neurodivergent, and maybe a bit lonely, but still.  We don't live close and we have different lives (not married, no kids).  I just don't want to hang out with her.  I can block her or just ghost her without blocking, but that seems rude since we've known each other for so long.  It's frustrating!   

[shapeshifter]

2 hours ago, PRgal said:

How should I tell a friend that I don't want to hang out with her anymore?  A woman I've known for 30+ years AND who was involved with my wedding would randomly text me with updates on her life.  Like she was in Europe with her parents for her 45th birthday.  Or just random things that I just don't feel like commenting on.  I told her that I was busy (which is true) but then she'll start messaging me again a few weeks later.  I know that she's neurodivergent, and maybe a bit lonely, but still.  We don't live close and we have different lives (not married, no kids).  I just don't want to hang out with her.  I can block her or just ghost her without blocking, but that seems rude since we've known each other for so long.  It's frustrating!   

Based upon my experience — which is mostly from earlier technology, like phone calls and email — eventually the people you don't overly share with go away altogether. It was okay for me to be friendly and offer a *very brief* update on my life without it turning into anything more, I think because of the geographic distance.

[PRgal]

15 minutes ago, shapeshifter said:

Based upon my experience — which is mostly from earlier technology, like phone calls and email — eventually the people you don't overly share with go away altogether. It was okay for me to be friendly and offer a *very brief* update on my life without it turning into anything more, I think because of the geographic distance.

I hadn't messaged her since March, maybe even earlier.  But being neurodivergent, maybe she didn't get it.  I'm neurodivergent myself, but we're all different.

[Blergh]

On 9/25/2024 at 1:15 PM, PRgal said:

How should I tell a friend that I don't want to hang out with her anymore?  A woman I've known for 30+ years AND who was involved with my wedding would randomly text me with updates on her life.  Like she was in Europe with her parents for her 45th birthday.  Or just random things that I just don't feel like commenting on.  I told her that I was busy (which is true) but then she'll start messaging me again a few weeks later.  I know that she's neurodivergent, and maybe a bit lonely, but still.  We don't live close and we have different lives (not married, no kids).  I just don't want to hang out with her.  I can block her or just ghost her without blocking, but that seems rude since we've known each other for so long.  It's frustrating!   

I think it would be best to at least initially attempt to tell her that you have no time to spare to hang out with her at this time. However, if she refuses to take the hint, then tell her that since you two are different places in your lives, that you believe it would be best to dial things down to occasional emails updating each other instead of hanging out with each other but that you are no longer interested hanging with her (and you may put in the phrase 'it's not you, it's me). Of course, one must keep in mind that sometimes folks will become willfully ignorant of the dynamics of friendships,relationships,etc.

This somewhat awkwardly segues into what I came here to chit-chat about (considering the some of the historic and recent stances of Janet Jackson). Alas, there is a BIG difference between the state of being genuinely ignorant and willfully ignorant of . ..whatever.

Mainly, IMO that if one is genuinely ignorant, there's far more possibility of opening one's mind to educating oneself to opposing views even if one ultimately decides against changing one's original stance. However, IMO if one is willfully ignorant, more often than not, one is resistant if not hostile to dissenting POVs re .. .whatever. While  learning  to consider different POVs may be painful, it's ultimately better to be informed of them even if one still disagrees than to stay willfully ignorant which closes one off  and, ultimately, cheats oneself out of  opportunities to grow and to change for the better.

Edited September 27 by Blergh

[BooksRule]

I hope all of you in Helene's path will stay safe (and flood-free).  It looks like it's going to be a bad one.  I live along the coast and I know I always feel bad wishing it away from my area (when I know that just means it's going to go another populated area), but I can't help it.  You always hope hurricanes will fizzle out before they come ashore, but this one has a lot of warm water to fire it up. 

[Annber03]

Yeah, I've got relatives living along the west coast, too - they won't be in the path of the center of the storm, but they'll definitely get some of the outer bands. 

I hope you stay safe, @BooksRule, and I echo your hopes that anyone else in the path is safe as well. 

[SoMuchTV]

I’m not sure if this should make me feel old, or what… I’m on a couple of “buy-nothing” Facebook groups. It’s not uncommon for someone to post a picture of the item they’re offering next to something like a Sharpie or a tv remote, for size reference. And I’m thinking, why don’t they just use a ruler? Do people not have rulers anymore? Is there a “sweet spot” when you have kids in school and you have a drawer full of rulers?  Or do school kids not use them anymore? 

[nokat]

1 hour ago, SoMuchTV said:

I’m not sure if this should make me feel old, or what… I’m on a couple of “buy-nothing” Facebook groups. It’s not uncommon for someone to post a picture of the item they’re offering next to something like a Sharpie or a tv remote, for size reference. And I’m thinking, why don’t they just use a ruler? Do people not have rulers anymore? Is there a “sweet spot” when you have kids in school and you have a drawer full of rulers?  Or do school kids not use them anymore? 

This is very much an Americanism. It's a banana long, and we'll show you that next to an item. Why can't we give measurements other than two football fields or two old clothes dryers, I don't know.

[Bastet]

19 hours ago, SoMuchTV said:

It’s not uncommon for someone to post a picture of the item they’re offering next to something like a Sharpie or a tv remote, for size reference. And I’m thinking, why don’t they just use a ruler? Do people not have rulers anymore?

Interesting observation and question.  I have a ruler in my desk drawer, a tape measure in my kitchen drawer (the one I put in my purse if I'm going to need to measure while shopping), a bigger tape measure in my garage, and measuring tape in my sewing kit.

And a laser distance measure but I only use that for approximating; if I'm measuring to cut, I never trust it because it's old and cheap, something my grandpa had picked up somewhere, and I haven't tested it enough times to be assured of consistent accuracy.  (Also, I'm just used to tape measures.)  But it was convenient when I was calculating how many BTUs each room would need when ordering units for my mini split AC system; ascertaining each room's square footage was faster with that thing than it would have been with a tape measure.

Edited September 26 by Bastet

[supposebly]

I have measuring tapes, one for metric and one for inches and such. Because Canada is quite inconsistent with the metric system. I blame the US influence.

[nokat]

37 minutes ago, supposebly said:

I have measuring tapes, one for metric and one for inches and such. Because Canada is quite inconsistent with the metric system. I blame the US influence.

The U.S. was going metric in I don't know how many furlongs ago. I can't measure anything other than by beefsticks .

[shapeshifter]

I've been in love with rulers since I was a small child watching Captain Kangaroo.
I have more rulers, yardsticks, tape measures, etc. than I can count.
Most have both metric and imperial.

 

13 hours ago, PRgal said:

Be careful of gums and other stabilizers in non-dairy milks!  

I buy unsweetened plain West Soy soymilk. It's ingredients are organic soybeans and water. 
I am highly suspicious of "natural flavorings."

[annzeepark914]

When I was going dairy-free for a few weeks last year (to see if it was the cause of sinus issues), I first tried almond milk. The almond flavor bothered me. Someone suggested oat milk, saying it doesn't have much flavor. This is true and I could use it in coffee or tea or recipes and didn't notice it.

[SoMuchTV]

10 hours ago, nokat said:

This is very much an Americanism. It's a banana long, and we'll show you that next to an item. Why can't we give measurements other than two football fields or two old clothes dryers, I don't know.

Ha!  I literally just saw a post with a banana next to the item they were offering!  Or maybe they were offering the banana; I should have read more closely.

[PRgal]

9 hours ago, shapeshifter said:

I've been in love with rulers since I was a small child watching Captain Kangaroo.
I have more rulers, yardsticks, tape measures, etc. than I can count.
Most have both metric and imperial.

 

I buy unsweetened plain West Soy soymilk. It's ingredients are organic soybeans and water. 
I am highly suspicious of "natural flavorings."

I am too, but "natural flavourings" is hard to avoid :(.  Eden Organic soy is another good one.  It's non-GMO, so it's true, old school soy like they used in Asia 1000s of years ago.  Soy's so much part of my ancestral culture that my parents and I pay attention labels when we shop for that!

 

1 hour ago, annzeepark914 said:

When I was going dairy-free for a few weeks last year (to see if it was the cause of sinus issues), I first tried almond milk. The almond flavor bothered me. Someone suggested oat milk, saying it doesn't have much flavor. This is true and I could use it in coffee or tea or recipes and didn't notice it.

What. brand(s) did you try?  

[Browncoat]

If it's metal/plastic and comes in a spool and snaps back when you're finished with it, I call it a tape measure.

If it's soft and you roll it an unroll it manually, and is used for measuring cloth or your waist, I call it a measuring tape.

Just an observation.  I have several of each, plus rulers and yardsticks.  At work, we have meter sticks, but they have inches on them, too.

[Anela]

6 hours ago, annzeepark914 said:

When I was going dairy-free for a few weeks last year (to see if it was the cause of sinus issues), I first tried almond milk. The almond flavor bothered me. Someone suggested oat milk, saying it doesn't have much flavor. This is true and I could use it in coffee or tea or recipes and didn't notice it.

I like cashew milk. I tried oat milk in an iced chai, homemade, and I didn't like it. 

But I use whole milk, and half and half. When I tried going dairy-free, nine years ago (doesn't seem like that long ago), I mixed coconut milk and cashew milk together, a recipe from Against All Grain. I don't like coconut milk, by itself. 

[Bastet]

6 hours ago, Browncoat said:

If it's soft and you roll it an unroll it manually, and is used for measuring cloth or your waist, I call it a measuring tape.

Thank you!  That would not come to me last night (my brain goes to sleep a few hours before I do each night).

[lookeyloo]

1 hour ago, Bastet said:

Thank you!  That would not come to me last night (my brain goes to sleep a few hours before I do each night).

Back in the olden days we called it a tape measure.  same thing.

[Bastet]

47 minutes ago, lookeyloo said:

Back in the olden days we called it a tape measure.  same thing.

I've always been like Browncoat, calling the hard ones tape measures and the soft kind measuring tape, but last night my brain just would not come up with the latter term even though they're so similar I was 90% there.

Edited September 26 by Bastet

[meep.meep]

22 hours ago, SoMuchTV said:

I’m not sure if this should make me feel old, or what… I’m on a couple of “buy-nothing” Facebook groups. It’s not uncommon for someone to post a picture of the item they’re offering next to something like a Sharpie or a tv remote, for size reference. And I’m thinking, why don’t they just use a ruler? Do people not have rulers anymore? Is there a “sweet spot” when you have kids in school and you have a drawer full of rulers?  Or do school kids not use them anymore? 

Because it's hard to read lengths off the ruler in a photo unless the ruler is very high contrast.  And people aren't very good at being told a measurement and then being able to visualize how big that is.  If you tell me something is 3 inches long and I don't have my ruler handy, I'm going to use the second joint on my pointer finger to measure out the distance - I won't just know.

Better to show the object with something common that everyone can relate to.

[annzeepark914]

9 hours ago, PRgal said:

I am too, but "natural flavourings" is hard to avoid :(.  Eden Organic soy is another good one.  It's non-GMO, so it's true, old school soy like they used in Asia 1000s of years ago.  Soy's so much part of my ancestral culture that my parents and I pay attention labels when we shop for that!

 

What. brand(s) did you try?  

Oh, gee...no idea. It was at Wegmans, I think. Only bought one container as I soon realized that dairy wasn't causing my particular issue. But if I have to go dairy free ever again, oat will be my go-to.

[SoMuchTV]

25 minutes ago, meep.meep said:

Because it's hard to read lengths off the ruler in a photo unless the ruler is very high contrast.  And people aren't very good at being told a measurement and then being able to visualize how big that is.  If you tell me something is 3 inches long and I don't have my ruler handy, I'm going to use the second joint on my pointer finger to measure out the distance - I won't just know.

Better to show the object with something common that everyone can relate to.

Hmmm… maybe? I think I can pretty well visualize what 3 inches is. If you’re going to bring in centimeters, though, all bets are off. 

[PRgal]

9 minutes ago, SoMuchTV said:

Hmmm… maybe? I think I can pretty well visualize what 3 inches is. If you’re going to bring in centimeters, though, all bets are off. 

Elmhurst doesn't use anything weird in their unsweetened oat milk (unless you get the barista edition, which adds dipotassium phosphate).  But the barista edition has cane sugar anyway.

[isalicat]

Back to the use (or not) of rulers...I sell and buy jewelry on eBay and always picture my items next to both a ruler (with high contrast) showing its length/width in inches *and* in millimeters (in the professional jewelry world, all measurements of gems and ring shanks for example are given in metric). But most of the items I look at are pictured next to a dime or a quarter to show size, which I do not find especially helpful. I know you can get a plastic ruler with millimeters and inches at the dollar store for a dollar, so I am just assuming people like approximations rather than precision or something...🙄

[annzeepark914]

I was just in Wegmans and saw the oat milk brand I found to be neutral in flavor. It's called Oatley (or Oatly) and is in a carton with a sort of blueish/gray color.

[PRgal]

1 hour ago, annzeepark914 said:

I was just in Wegmans and saw the oat milk brand I found to be neutral in flavor. It's called Oatley (or Oatly) and is in a carton with a sort of blueish/gray color.

They have stabilizers in them - Elmhurst is probably the best out there if you don't want ANYTHING but oats and water.

[Anduin]

I just remembered something else from house hunting. One place looked great in the photos, of course. In the flesh, the gutters were clogged with leaves. A real flood/fire hazard, but not a dealbreaker. Inside, turns out the wooden floor was actually lino with a wood print! Not great. And in one spot, it really sagged when I walked on it. Some people will try anything.