The Duggars and Their World: Fashion, Food, Finance, Schoolin’ and Child Rearin'

[Barb23]

Babe  mentioned Jinge cooked him a casserole when they were discussing her cooking skills. I'm sure it had to be Tator Tot Casserole.  That's one way to get in Boob's good graces - rave about his favorite meal.

How soon will Babe be dining on Spaghetti O's, Chef Boyardee Ravioli or Stouffer's Lasagna?  (Not knocking them, I've downed a lot of cans Spaghetti O's in my lifetime but it's not a regular on my menu plan.) Then he's going to have to rave to her how great it is. I'm not sure she can even heat up a loaf of frozen cheesey  bread to go with it.  But she can always Skype Jessa for help. 

[louannems]

Or she could ask Anna.  Anna seemed to be the queen of reheating frozen food for her family.

[GeeGolly]

11 hours ago, Barb23 said:

Babe  mentioned Jinge cooked him a casserole when they were discussing her cooking skills. I'm sure it had to be Tator Tot Casserole.  That's one way to get in Boob's good graces - rave about his favorite meal.

How soon will Babe be dining on Spaghetti O's, Chef Boyardee Ravioli or Stouffer's Lasagna?  (Not knocking them, I've downed a lot of cans Spaghetti O's in my lifetime but it's not a regular on my menu plan.) Then he's going to have to rave to her how great it is. I'm not sure she can even heat up a loaf of frozen cheesey  bread to go with it.  But she can always Skype Jessa for help. 

Don't you wonder what she would do with something as simple a pork-chops, sweet potatoes, applesauce and say, asparagus? Like if someone dropped this bag of groceries off, what would she do with it? Or if someone dropped of greens, cucumbers, onions, some cheese and some eggs? Could she figure out how to turn it into a meal?

[Almost 3000]

21 minutes ago, GeeGolly said:

Don't you wonder what she would do with something as simple a pork-chops, sweet potatoes, applesauce and say, asparagus? Like if someone dropped this bag of groceries off, what would she do with it? Or if someone dropped of greens, cucumbers, onions, some cheese and some eggs? Could she figure out how to turn it into a meal?

Ding, ding, ding, that's a great idea for a new TLC competitive reality show. Four Duggars at a time, males included each get a mystery basket for the first course of a meal. A winner and loser are determined and the loser is eliminated. Each course they get a new mystery basket until there is only one Duggar standing. Its new, exciting and never been done  before. Oh, wait...

[louannems]

[BradandJanet]

I love Izzy's sweet face while he's listening to the book. Reading with children makes them glow with wonder.

[ChiCricket]

Maybe I'm not seeing it properly, but the book looks like the cover says "If I ran the zoo", which if true, is by Dr. Seuss...who had quite the imagination. That would give me hope that he's not just being fed a steady diet of books only about religion.  To me, that would be a good sign (so I'm probably just making it all up in my head ) ;-)

Edited November 26, 2016 by ChiCricket
Added a word

[jcbrown]

Derek looks skeletally thin in that picture. I hope that's just the angle because otherwise he does not look well at all.

[AnnieBeez]

15 hours ago, ChiCricket said:

Maybe I'm not seeing it properly, but the book looks like the cover says "If I ran the zoo", which if true, is by Dr. Seuss...who had quite the imagination. That would give me hope that he's not just being fed a steady diet of books only about religion.  To me, that would be a good sign (so I'm probably just making it all up in my head ) ;-)

I think it's If I Ran the Rain Forest. We've seen Iz w/a Seuss before. I take it as a VERY good sign. I'd like to see him with Hop on Pop. Something he'll be able to "read" himself. 

Edited November 26, 2016 by MischaMouse

[cmr2014]

I was thinking today about the division between liberals and conservatives in the US today, and it led me to recall that there was a time -- not too long ago -- when people could see the value in another philosophy, even if they didn't subscribe to it themselves. That then led me to recall my experience with Amish families at farmers markets and Mormon families at the LDS Family History Center. While I do not subscribe to their beliefs, I was always impressed by these families. The children appear happy, healthy, clean, well-fed, and well-behaved -- and they exibited a kind of self-confidence that comes from knowing and understanding the rules, and their role in the world. While that might seem confining and depressing to me, I can understand how that could be comforting to others.

Anyway, all of this led me to the Duggars. The show was initially presented in this light -- hey, you might not want to have 15, 16, 17, kids, but look at how nice this family is! Except, of course, it's not. 

Aside from the creepy, plastered-on smiles, there is nothing that suggests that any of these people are happy. The more that they try to convince us that they LOVE breeding like rabbits, arranged marriages, caring for other people's children, no friends, never leaving the house, etc. the less I believe them. It has become more than clear over the years that there are very few healthy and nutritious meals being cooked up in that industrial kitchen every day. While the frumpers of the early specials weren't especially attractive, the children all looked clean and well cared for. Today, all of the younger children look perpetually filthy. And while they appeared well-behaved, we now know that the rules only appliedd sto some of the children.

And, of course, as far as confidence goes, there is none. Josh is arrogant and smug, not confident; Jessa is hostile and defensive; Jill and Jinger are desperately clingy; JD and Joe can't get dates.

I suppose that the Duggars aren't representative of American conservatives -- they're part of a reactionary cult. Still, if I was a conservative Christian, I wouldn't want these awful people on television representing my belief system to the rest of the country.

[Micks Picks]

Well of course not.  But if you were truly an inclusive liberal it seems you would use them as another subgroup.

[Nysha]

18 hours ago, cmr2014 said:

I suppose that the Duggars aren't representative of American conservatives -- they're part of a reactionary cult. Still, if I was a conservative Christian, I wouldn't want these awful people on television representing my belief system to the rest of the country.

When this show first started a lot of Christians I know pointed to it as proof that extreme Christianity, even if they didn't practice it, made for a happy home. Now, most of them start their sentences with "That poor (Duggar Girl)..." The longer the show is on, the less positive their family is viewed, except by loyal leghumpers. The Browns did the same thing for plural marriages. Before reality TV, I thought it sounded like an okay deal, as long as all participants were consenting adults. I haven't seen one plural TV reality family that is really happy.

[zenme]

Too bad God's clothing rules don't say anything about lime green blouses and crunchy permed hair! Or maybe they do...Is a lime green button down shirt considered official clothing of the holy?

[Arwen Evenstar]

8 minutes ago, zenme said:

Too bad God's clothing rules don't say anything about lime green blouses and crunchy permed hair! Or maybe they do...Is a lime green button down shirt considered official clothing of the holy?

No, but lime green button downs worn as a uniform and crunchy mullet hair are an abomination unto those with a lick of fashion sense.

[queenanne]

On 12/3/2016 at 4:04 PM, cmr2014 said:

I was thinking today about the division between liberals and conservatives in the US today, and it led me to recall that there was a time -- not too long ago -- when people could see the value in another philosophy, even if they didn't subscribe to it themselves. That then led me to recall my experience with Amish families at farmers markets and Mormon families at the LDS Family History Center. While I do not subscribe to their beliefs, I was always impressed by these families. The children appear happy, healthy, clean, well-fed, and well-behaved -- and they exibited a kind of self-confidence that comes from knowing and understanding the rules, and their role in the world. While that might seem confining and depressing to me, I can understand how that could be comforting to others.

Anyway, all of this led me to the Duggars. The show was initially presented in this light -- hey, you might not want to have 15, 16, 17, kids, but look at how nice this family is! Except, of course, it's not. 

Aside from the creepy, plastered-on smiles, there is nothing that suggests that any of these people are happy. The more that they try to convince us that they LOVE breeding like rabbits, arranged marriages, caring for other people's children, no friends, never leaving the house, etc. the less I believe them. It has become more than clear over the years that there are very few healthy and nutritious meals being cooked up in that industrial kitchen every day. While the frumpers of the early specials weren't especially attractive, the children all looked clean and well cared for. Today, all of the younger children look perpetually filthy. And while they appeared well-behaved, we now know that the rules only appliedd sto some of the children.

And, of course, as far as confidence goes, there is none. Josh is arrogant and smug, not confident; Jessa is hostile and defensive; Jill and Jinger are desperately clingy; JD and Joe can't get dates.

I suppose that the Duggars aren't representative of American conservatives -- they're part of a reactionary cult. Still, if I was a conservative Christian, I wouldn't want these awful people on television representing my belief system to the rest of the country.

If one is a really conservative Christian, one thinks that the Duggars purposing to glorify themselves by having their mugs on teevee all the livelong day is suspect indication of Satan's getting a foothold in (cf:  half-baked philosophies about not watching professional sports, because then you are making an idol out of yon athletes and not your God).  If you were really fundie, you probably wouldn't even own a TV, or have one and yet be afraid to watch anything after we moved from black and white to Technicolor.  You certainly wouldn't watch stuff where your kids' poor innocent eyes could encounter commercials for bleep-filled things like Jersey Shore and basically any reality TV series.

[Arwen Evenstar]

3 hours ago, queenanne said:

If one is a really conservative Christian, one thinks that the Duggars purposing to glorify themselves by having their mugs on teevee all the livelong day is suspect indication of Satan's getting a foothold in (cf:  half-baked philosophies about not watching professional sports, because then you are making an idol out of yon athletes and not your God).  If you were really fundie, you probably wouldn't even own a TV, or have one and yet be afraid to watch anything after we moved from black and white to Technicolor.  You certainly wouldn't watch stuff where your kids' poor innocent eyes could encounter commercials for bleep-filled things like Jersey Shore and basically any reality TV series.

Not to mention commercials for Viagra! There was a preview for a sitcom where a young boy says, "That took a blue pill and now that lady likes him.  What pill is that? "

Could you even imagine the pearl clutching that would happen?

[farmgal4]

On November 26, 2016 at 11:19 AM, jcbrown said:

Derek looks skeletally thin in that picture. I hope that's just the angle because otherwise he does not look well at all.

OMG!  Izzy's legs are the same size as Derek's arms!  Derek is the same size as cancer patients who are put on a feeding tube.  He needs to find a good doctor and take his skinny ass to see him/her, no joke.

[Arwen Evenstar]

Derrick is painfully thin. That goes beyond being health conscious....he's a manorexic. That said, I'd never make light of an eating disorder.  Didn't his father die from a heart attack? One can be screened to assess familial risk and onset of heart disease.  Stress and too much sugar can jack with blood chemistry just as much or more than bad fats. Derrick could be hyperthyroid as well, which can also be bad for the heart.

I really wish he'd reassure us all that he's ok.  We don't need an internet FU of him eating a salad or even to know anything too private. Though health is private, his family history of his father dying young and his mom having a blood cancer, he needs early screenings and regular physicals.  Just a smiling Derrick posting on IG that he went for a checkup and got a clean bill of health. No snark, he doesn't look well at all.

His feet are absolutely enormous!!! Maybe that's the reason for Jilly's silly ass grin...I'll see myself out...I remember the way to prayer closet...I've got Malbec...

Edited December 6, 2016 by Arwen Evenstar
Afterthought

[kokapetl]

More accurately, "Pumpkin Cake Balls". 

[louannems]

Does Joy actually believe that whipped cream cheese FLAVORED frosting is cream cheese?

[Barb23]

Joy needs to get her ingredients straight.  She kept saying "cream cheese" (leaving off the word icing) but pointing to cream cheese flavored icing.  Two totally different things.  

[Arwen Evenstar]

52 minutes ago, Barb23 said:

Joy needs to get her ingredients straight.  She kept saying "cream cheese" (leaving off the word icing) but pointing to cream cheese flavored icing.  Two totally different things.  

In Duggarville, all "food" comes from boxes and tins.  

[Marigold]

Yet another video telling people how to cook. 

I swear, they are plotting a cookbook and lifestyle book.  

[Arwen Evenstar]

8 minutes ago, Marigold said:

Yet another video telling people how to cook. 

I swear, they are plotting a cookbook and lifestyle book.  

What would they call it? Fun Food for Fundies?

They're so much the experts on everything, aren't they? I guess since Joy is likely getting hitched soon, she's getting a crash course in domesticity.

Edited December 14, 2016 by Arwen Evenstar

[Sew Sumi]

2 hours ago, louannems said:

Does Joy actually believe that whipped cream cheese FLAVORED frosting is cream cheese?

No. She's dumb as a box of hair.

[BitterApple]

My teeth hurt just looking at those things. Someone should tell the Duggars to lay off the sugar, especially considering it causes acne. 

[ariel]

9 hours ago, Marigold said:

Yet another video telling people how to cook. 

I swear, they are plotting a cookbook and lifestyle book.  

And maybe a magazine.

[sometimesy]

Did the Duggs or any other fundies go to Tennessee to help with the fires, or the clean up? Just wondering if Alert was able to make it's way there and make use of all that training.  It seems like a perfect project for those pseudo-scouts.

[BitterApple]

34 minutes ago, sometimesy said:

Did the Duggs or any other fundies go to Tennessee to help with the fires, or the clean up? Just wondering if Alert was able to make it's way there and make use of all that training.  It seems like a perfect project for those pseudo-scouts.

Unless TLC is filming it and Boob is getting a check, my guess is no. 

[lianau]

On 14.12.2016 at 4:58 PM, Marigold said:

Yet another video telling people how to cook. 

I swear, they are plotting a cookbook and lifestyle book.  

But they can't cook , I mean I can't cook very well but I'd still beat them . 

[GeeGolly]

2 hours ago, lianau said:

But they can't cook , I mean I can't cook very well but I'd still beat them . 

It's posts like these that have me wishing we all knew each other and could get together and make videos of us making tatertot casserole, dipping strawberries in chocolate, pouring salt & vinegar of canned green beans and manicuring our nails in applesauce.   

[Arwen Evenstar]

5 hours ago, GeeGolly said:

It's posts like these that have me wishing we all knew each other and could get together and make videos of us making tatertot casserole, dipping strawberries in chocolate, pouring salt & vinegar of canned green beans and manicuring our nails in applesauce.   

LOL, I know, right? I've made all these great new friends snarking about people not allowed to have friends.

[kokapetl]

On 16/12/2016 at 3:13 AM, sometimesy said:

Did the Duggs or any other fundies go to Tennessee to help with the fires, or the clean up? Just wondering if Alert was able to make it's way there and make use of all that training.  It seems like a perfect project for those pseudo-scouts.

Did any of us go to Tennessee to fight fires? 

[Rabbittron]

9 minutes ago, Kokapetl said:

Did any of us go to Tennessee to fight fires? 

My best friends husband went there to help.

[Absolom]

38 minutes ago, Kokapetl said:

Did any of us go to Tennessee to fight fires? 

Why ask?  Better to ask how many of us have had any training at all like ALERT says that they have and that they have a mission to do these things.  That's why people ask if they did anything.  They claim it's their purpose. 

I'm retired old lady.  I'd be trouble and no help. 

[kokapetl]

ALERT is really a busywork militia. I wouldn't expect their training to be worth anything, nor would I expect ALERT trainees to be welcome in an actual emergency. 

[Absolom]

We on the outside may see that, but it isn't what they proclaim and advertise themselves to be. :)

[GeeGolly]

I don't live anywhere near Tennessee, but I have helped out with other natural and man-made disasters.  

[sometimesy]

2 hours ago, Kokapetl said:

Did any of us go to Tennessee to fight fires? 

Alert:

"ALERT is dedicated to service. ALERT men respond to disasters, support communities, and provide humanitarian aid in thirty-three states and in countries around the world. ALERT also does land and water search and recoveries and evidence searches."

http://www.alertacademy.com/alert/

Is this the correct Alert?

They may have been there, I was just wondering.

Edited December 16, 2016 by sometimesy

[Rabbittron]

If Alert really helped with any disasters they would be shouting that they helped from the roof.

[Barb23]

17 hours ago, sometimesy said:

Alert:

"ALERT is dedicated to service. ALERT men respond to disasters, support communities, and provide humanitarian aid in thirty-three states and in countries around the world. ALERT also does land and water search and recoveries and evidence searches."

http://www.alertacademy.com/alert/

Is this the correct Alert?

They may have been there, I was just wondering.

Maybe Tennessee isn't one of the  33 states they go to.  (Said sarcastically) Maybe the remaining 17 have caught on to their scam.  Why can't they go to all 50 states?  Do they turn away people that may actually request help. "Sorry, Minnesota isn't on our list of approved states we go to" kind of thing. Just weird.

[Sew Sumi]

TN is definitely one of the 33 states. IBLP still has an annual homeschool conference in Nashville around Memorial Day weekend. It's a haven for fundie whackadoos like the Pearls (of blanket training fame) as well as the Botkins (formerly Vision Forum until Geoff's ego couldn't compete with Dougie's, and he split off, forming his own family cult). 

But no, nary a peep from ALERT.

[Churchhoney]

20 hours ago, Kokapetl said:

ALERT is really a busywork militia.

Also one of the numerous Gothard systems developed to brainwash families -- in this case, boys -- to never ever ever ever question or, God forbid, contradict their headships (who all speak for BG).

[Churchhoney]

Looks like they do do some stuff. They seem to be specializing in floods (which does make more sense than fires, seems to me -- doesn't need as much training and not as dangerous for non-pros.).

http://www.alertacademy.com/alert/blog/category/service-updates/

[Almost 3000]

2 hours ago, Sew Sumi said:

But no, nary a peep from ALERT.

They probably stick to helping their own kind. The group/cult is pretty insular so why would reaching out and helping anyone other than people who have similar beliefs be any different. Anyone else gets tracks or flat soccer balls.

[Sew Sumi]

Gatlinburg is in TN's 1st Congressional District. Its CPVI (Cook Partisan Voting Index) rating is R+25. That's pretty damn conservative, in fact, the most conservative district in the state. I think ALERT would have been right at home here. 

Edited December 17, 2016 by Sew Sumi

[Almost 3000]

11 minutes ago, Sew Sumi said:

Gatlinburg is in TN's 1st Congressional District. Its CPVI (Cook Partisan Voting Index) rating is R+25. That's pretty damn conservative, in fact, the most conservative district in the state. I think ALERT would have been right at home here. 

Probably not the right kind of Christian.

[Sew Sumi]

I dunno; we're talking eastern Tennessee, Smokey Mountains, super rural. I think they're exactly the RIGHT kind of Christians!  There are very few city Gothardites (the Dauers and Salyers are the only ones who come to mind), and the only suburbanites I can think of are the ones who had to live near the old Gothard HQ. Now, they're all camped out on lots of land around the Big Sandy HQ (far more conservative, and therefore to their liking) than the Chicago burbs. I think the ALERT boys would LOVE eastern Tennessee. Just don't slip over the border to North Carolina and accidentally find yourself in Asheville. LOL

[DangerousMinds]

Very fundie area, from what I've seen.

[Churchhoney]

I think they may have the sense not to try to do a dangerous fire in a complicated hilly area like that. They may ask permission from locals before they show up. They appear to do mostly floods and such, according to the "News" page I posted up above. In those cases, they actually could be more of a help than a risk. In that Tennessee fire, that probably wouldn't have been the case. They may know something about their limits.