Take a break.

November 3, 2020 7:27 AM

Need a reprieve from Election Day chaos? Please come on in to the Break Room. Stay as long as you want.

This thread is not a fucking-fuck thread, but rather a space in which to post the things that help you feel calm, happy, relieved, etc.

You are invited to share:

• Photos and videos of your pets (and other people's pets) and animals in general
• Recipes
• Links to music and video playlists
• Codes to Among Us rooms or other online co-op games
• Good news (personal or otherwise)
• Neat stuff you're learning and creating
• Self care tips

And whatever else moves you.

Please:
• leave the content of US politics threads where they are
• be mindful of sharing dark humor if that is something that keeps you going
• remember to breathe
• ask for help if you need it

posted by Kitchen Witch to MetaFilter-Related at 7:27 AM (184 comments total)

Join the Pirate Puffin relay in IRL!
posted by aniola at 7:33 AM on November 3, 2020 [2 favorites]

Short Stories Collected by brainwane: A 2020 Meta-Collection
posted by aniola at 7:35 AM on November 3, 2020 [19 favorites]

For MeFites who own a Nintendo Switch: the much-lauded exercise game Ring Fit Adventure has become a lot easier to find after being in short supply at the beginning of the pandemic. Our copy just arrived, and hopefully it will make for a good exercise outlet as the weather gets colder!
posted by jedicus at 8:01 AM on November 3, 2020 [4 favorites]

For those with iPhones, I’d like to recommend my favorite app for breathing through stress, Breathwrk. They recently went from free to freemium, but so far it seems like I can get the same amount of utility from it without upgrading to a paid version. I like the visual and haptic feedback a lot. I’ve tried so many different meditation style apps and this is the only one that’s stuck and works for my anxiety/ADHD brain.

I’ve used it during plane take-offs, shots, blood draws and blood pressure readings with pretty remarkable effects. I don’t think it’ll quite counteract the incredible strain today but I certainly intend to use it anyway.

Thanks for this thread <3
posted by the thorn bushes have roses at 8:08 AM on November 3, 2020 [3 favorites]

I find the New York Times crossword puzzle app invaluable for distraction. I have done eleven puzzles so far today - today's, plus ten from the archive. It's really hard to think about stressful things while doing a puzzle.
posted by Daily Alice at 8:34 AM on November 3, 2020 [3 favorites]

Well here's a picture of Walter appearing to "Well, actually" me (which he would 100% do if he were a human).

I'm thinking about making cupcakes today.
posted by thivaia at 8:44 AM on November 3, 2020 [23 favorites]

Walter is a lovely individual!
posted by Don Pepino at 8:46 AM on November 3, 2020 [4 favorites]

🎵 Beaver eating cabbage/I know, I know it's serious... 🎵
posted by Mr. Bad Example at 8:46 AM on November 3, 2020 [8 favorites]

Photos of Oregon Zoo’s red pandas, including new cub Pabu.
posted by bixfrankonis at 8:49 AM on November 3, 2020 [5 favorites]

so good news (fertility/difficult pregnancy related, so if that's too stressful, i understand if you wanna skip this one. it has a happy ending):
my wife and i had a tiny human! she arrived in mid-august, but was supposed to arrive in early October. my wife's water broke out of nowhere back in June, we rushed to the hospital and transferred to another hospital since our tiny town doesn't have a NICU. and then we just...were in antepartum for two months, running tests and waiting to see what would happen. we had a private room and i was able to stay with my wife basically the whole time. in a situation like ours, they would have induced at 34 weeks; kiddo arrived on her own towards the end of week 32. and then we spent nine weeks in the NICU because she was too sleepy to feed herself reliably (where i was commuting an hour each way since the room wasn't big enough for both of us to stay in it).

but my daughter is wonderful and now eating like a boss and taking massive dumps about every two days and is very good at snuggling.
posted by dismas at 8:55 AM on November 3, 2020 [86 favorites]

We live at the edge of a small town in the Chihuahua Desert in southwestern New Mexico. Our bedroom window faces east, toward an array of ridges some fifteen miles away. Sunrises seem to defy the silence, and bearing some mysterious cosmic mandate, overtake the shallow valley below us—all the proper colors of dawn and sunrise come and go in their assigned sequence; night ends, the day begins. I see this all from my window, linger in our bed long enough for the change to be complete.

Our back-yard wanders down the shallow flank of the ridge upon which our house perches. Desert oaks, sages, rabbitbrush, yucca, late blossoming flowers—mostly yellow or pale blue—grace the slope’s sandy flank. A line of oaks and cottonwoods meander along the sandy bottom of this little valley, marking the route of a sometimes stream that flows with the waters of seasonal rains.

We’re new here. We came from a land of broad rivers and lush forests. My old bones welcome the single-digit humidity, though it has caused my partner’s thick, kinky hair to droop—appealingly, she claims (and I think so, too). But I love her hair in any of its manifestations, so I claim no objectivity.

My guitars cry for relief, so I have begun to use the old trick of putting a damp sponge in their cases. My D-28 already has complained by popping a foot-long crack in its back. I took it to a local luthier who fixed it up as good as new. Still, I guess I’ll need to get a room humidifier. My biggest complaint, here in my little bubble, isolated from the turmoil around us, is that I can’t keep my guitars on a stand beside my desk, where I can reach them when the muses whisper new riffs into my ear.

I am old. Life is good. Finally.
posted by mule98J at 8:58 AM on November 3, 2020 [48 favorites]

I've started reading my first Tingler Harriet Porber, Trans Wizard and I am really enjoying it so far!!!

I'm also sitting here right now eating waffles, so I'm pretty damn happy!
posted by supermedusa at 9:19 AM on November 3, 2020 [7 favorites]

dismas congratulations on your tiny human, sounds like she just couldn't wait to meet you and your wife!!
posted by supermedusa at 9:22 AM on November 3, 2020 [3 favorites]

Recently on Facebook a childhood friend shared an apocryphal story about the relationship between a leopard and a cow in Assam in eastern India:

This is it.

It is presented as happening recently but in fact the real story is older and took place in the state of Gujarat on the west coast of the subcontinent.

The truth turns out to something much more mysterious and baffling.
posted by y2karl at 9:27 AM on November 3, 2020 [5 favorites]

The other day I discovered that there’s an entire Instagram of just animal (mostly dog) noses and it has been bringing me some joyful distraction lately.
posted by needs more cowbell at 9:34 AM on November 3, 2020 [4 favorites]

Last night I played the piano and the ukulele (not at the same time) for the first time in weeks and weeks. I'm pretty terrible, but it still felt good.
posted by JanetLand at 9:34 AM on November 3, 2020 [7 favorites]

Thanks to the subreddit r/unresolved mysteries I have gone down a rabbit hole about DNA analysis on Egyptian royal mummies. I didn't know they could use DNA analysis to figure out that someone was infected with malaria! Here's the paper from 2010.
posted by muddgirl at 10:00 AM on November 3, 2020 [3 favorites]

Here's my boy Fox working on his 😏 look.
posted by Bektashi at 10:02 AM on November 3, 2020 [15 favorites]

We bought a bunch of extra-strength electric blankets that Wirecutter didn't like because, quote, "the shaggy texture reminded us of Muppet fur," so now we get to cuddle with extra-warm muppets.
posted by nebulawindphone at 10:16 AM on November 3, 2020 [10 favorites]

Cinnamon rolls. I'm not going to make them today, but I wanted to offer these options and get some feedback:

These are what I make every year for secular-Christmas morning. It takes an entire day and is amazingly worth it.

These are something I saw this week as a fast option. Would somebody be interested in making these today and providing thoughts for the group? Should I bother, are they worth the calories, etc?

Note that the canned-whack-a-rolls are not what I'm looking for, definitely wondering if those quicker ones are any good, though.
posted by Ms Vegetable at 10:22 AM on November 3, 2020 [4 favorites]

My boss made me laugh this morning. Y'all have heard how I broke my knee in early October and have been coping with that; well, NOW we're hearing that another employee who has been temporarily working from home in Atlanta has ALSO started to develop knee trouble. And, she was pinch-hitting as his assistant while they were on the search for me.

He was checking in on me today and we were talking about the other person, and he grimly joked that "I'm starting to think that I'm a carrier of a curse." I told him that there is a patron saint to protect against knee injuries and advised him to make a shrine.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 10:23 AM on November 3, 2020 [4 favorites]

Oh, and I've realized that my kitchen is small enough that I can probably lean myself against countertops long enough to get through making a batch of pumpkin bread. I haven't baked at all this fall and it just feels WRONG.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 10:25 AM on November 3, 2020 [3 favorites]

I have posted my 6th time lapse acrylic portrait study video in as many weeks. There is some shaky cam because I am still bad at it (and don't realize I am bumping the tripod).
posted by Glinn at 10:27 AM on November 3, 2020 [6 favorites]

It's a really beautiful day here, and I think I'm going to spend my lunch break raking leaves. I have decided that raking leaves is by far my favorite outdoor chore. Shoveling snow is cold and difficult, and mowing the lawn is usually hot and sweaty. But raking leaves means being outside on a lovely Fall day, which is awesome.

Plan for this evening involves cleaning the house while listening to an audiobook. Am also knitting a Brick sweater, which I'm very excited about, mostly because it's pretty easy knitting. I usually do a lot of complex colorwork, and I've realized recently that my brain is in the mood for miles and miles of stockinette stitch in the round. Am going to try not to doomscroll until 9PM eastern time, at which point there might be something to doomscroll (or hopescroll) about.
posted by ArbitraryAndCapricious at 10:38 AM on November 3, 2020 [4 favorites]

Note that the canned-whack-a-rolls are not what I'm looking for, definitely wondering if those quicker ones are any good, though.

In a pinch, those canned whack-a-rolls (I will call them that forever now!) are flat-out amazing when you ice them right out of the oven with ready-made milk chocolate cake frosting from a can and let the icing get all melty. Pure guilt.
posted by mochapickle at 10:39 AM on November 3, 2020 [4 favorites]

I have .... not done that. I don't know why it never occurred to me not to use ready-made frosting. The things you learn.
posted by Ms Vegetable at 10:41 AM on November 3, 2020

Okay, I have just been tipped off to a super-fun (most likely staged) freakout Alton Brown had today on Twitter. Starting with an observation last night that "No matter what happens tomorrow, we'll still have little chocolate donuts", and then gradually ramping up to 9:08 pm with "I'M TALKING ABOUT PIPING SPAGHETTIOS INTO STALE TWINKIES AND EATING THEM NAKED IN THE SHOWER WITH A BOTTLE OF JAEGER" and then 9:29 pm's "SWISS FREAKIN' MEATBALLS FOR EVERYONE", he finally went silent before starting the day with "I think I blacked out, what'd I miss?"

It's worth starting at that first tweet and following his feed throughout.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 10:43 AM on November 3, 2020 [12 favorites]

I just took a 5-minute break from work to go out on my (covered) deck with a piping hot mug of coffee and watch/listen to/smell the rain come down. I know in a few weeks I'll be bored with the typical Pacific NW Wet Season, but this is the first proper rain this area has gotten in ages so I'm in a mood to welcome it.
posted by Greg_Ace at 10:45 AM on November 3, 2020 [9 favorites]

I am currently obsessed with a salsa that goes like this:

Take some jalapeños and roast them under a broiler until they're kinda charred. Don't even bother peeling them tbh, the char is tasty and the skin won't survive the next step to make a difference for texture. But do let them cool down a bit and then stem and seed them. It's easier under running water.

Put them in a regular-mouth one-pint mason jar. Did you know: basically all blenders can fit a regular-mouth mason jar instead of a regular blender jug? Now you know.

Add a bit of salt, and enough neutral-tasting oil to come close to the level of the peppers.

Blitz the fuck out of it in a blender until it is smooth and creamy in texture.

That's it. You have a mason jar of creamy green salsa that tastes like burnt jalapeños and nothing else.

You can also burn some garlic cloves with their skins on next to the jalapeños. If version 1 is too hot for you, do this one instead, it's also great. Take them out and peel them when the skin is good and charred, and the insides will also be kinda-roasted-and-kinda-burnt, and then blenderize everything up like before.
posted by nebulawindphone at 10:45 AM on November 3, 2020 [6 favorites]

(Re: EmpressCallipygos' Alton Brown Twitter comment)

"marshmallow fluff and three feet of garden hose" is my new sockpuppet name.
posted by Greg_Ace at 10:49 AM on November 3, 2020 [7 favorites]

Gidgette is lying here next to me on the bed and purring away. Also she's making biscuits in the air.
posted by kathrynm at 10:51 AM on November 3, 2020 [4 favorites]

I was all hyped to make a chocolate babka today but the dough needs to rest for at least 8 hours. I may take a hint from y'all and make pumpkin bread instead.

Pumpkin bars might be nice, though... Hmm.
posted by suelac at 11:03 AM on November 3, 2020 [2 favorites]

A writer with a newsletter on the science behind sci-fi and fantasy put out a call for folks who study long-lived organisms to talk to her about them. I knew today would suck but this would be fun, so I suggested we speak this afternoon. I just finished an hour conversation in which I used orangutans' very long childhoods to help explain Baby Yoda's biology. So silly, so fun.
posted by ChuraChura at 11:03 AM on November 3, 2020 [16 favorites]

(That mason-jar-on-a-blender trick is dangerous - I know someone who is lucky to still have the use of all of her fingers after a jar shattered in her hand as she was blending something. Please be careful.)
posted by beandip at 11:04 AM on November 3, 2020 [5 favorites]

I shared this picture of my one-year old pup Jasper in the Fucking Fuck thread, but it belongs here too. Here's my older dog, Bunk, sharing how he feels about winter being on the way. And here they are together, enjoying the warmth when it was summer.
posted by nubs at 11:10 AM on November 3, 2020 [9 favorites]

I am making a ridiculous scarf. I’m pretty excited to see how it turns out.
posted by beandip at 11:13 AM on November 3, 2020 [6 favorites]

(Oh fuck. Good to know, thank you. I'm glad your friend is ok.)
posted by nebulawindphone at 11:44 AM on November 3, 2020 [1 favorite]

Listening to a familiar song at a different pace. Wonderful how a tiny tempo change can accentuate the warmth even of a song known by heart.

Distractedly diving into Wikipedia I just found out that Claire de Lune was supposed to be in the film Fantasia but was cut. Thankfully there's a clip of that.
posted by Hardcore Poser at 11:52 AM on November 3, 2020 [5 favorites]

Enjoy some Breakfast Smiles.
posted by PhineasGage at 11:56 AM on November 3, 2020 [1 favorite]

Here is a thing I'm frustrated about today:

One of my coworkers went and got married this weekend. He just got engaged like 2 months ago and he & his fiancee decided to just go ahead and get married on a holiday they both like instead of waiting until who knows when to have a wedding. My team wants to get him a wedding gift and asked in a group chat (excluding him, naturally) if anyone knows where they're registered. I was like probably not anywhere since they covideloped and are saving the formal wedding stuff for later, but if we're looking for gift ideas I know they are both SUPER into running. Another coworker says ok but how is that a gift and that's boring. And I'm like I don't know, but I do know that they run in every local running event and talk about running and I creeped his wife on instagram and literally in the comments of the photo she posted of them getting married she said to someone "thank you!! I miss our morning jogs!!!" So now as a team we are voting among a few gift ideas, one of which is a gift card to the shoe & running apparel store near them, but the gift idea that's winning is a dumb Mr & Mrs blanket and some wine glasses.

Back before we went work from home I used to sit right next to this guy, and everyone else is IN ANOTHER STATE, and I just want to be like hey dumbasses, please listen to me when I tell you that a running related gift is the right gift, signed sincerely the coworker who sits closest to his gym bag. But I am being diplomatic and just very enthusiastically casting my vote for the running related wedding gift instead of making this nice gesture weird and tense, especially as a person who is vocally on record hating both running and weddings.

So anyway, we're definitely getting this dude a dumb blanket. Thank you for listening, here is a picture of my dog.
posted by phunniemee at 12:10 PM on November 3, 2020 [20 favorites]

We're in that lovely time of the year where the day could get into the 60s and the nighttime temps dive to freezing. It's great. But not really. I'll take the warm while I can though.

I don't have much to add, so here's a picture of our cat, sitting on top of my ham radio gear. She favored my office with a long visit earlier.
posted by jquinby at 12:15 PM on November 3, 2020 [9 favorites]

I need a complicated cooking thing for today. I would make a cake, but I don't want to taint a cake with election-ness. Bread is too boring and you can only knead so long (and I just made really really good grissini this past weekend)... Cookies are probably what I'm looking for?

Ideally I'd make a chocolate babka, but I also kind of want something I can eat tonight, and babka has an overnight rise. I need something that start to finish is about 3-5hours?

So what's everyone's most complicated cookie recipe?
posted by larthegreat at 12:24 PM on November 3, 2020 [1 favorite]

Incidentally, the music in Hardcore Poser's link is perfect for viewing the pictures in Stoneshop's Aerial Photography post.
posted by Greg_Ace at 12:26 PM on November 3, 2020

Would homemade custard work, larthegreat? You have to stir it for half an hour.

I usually use it to make homemade trifle, but there's no rule you have to do that.
posted by Ms Vegetable at 12:27 PM on November 3, 2020 [1 favorite]

In honor of that epic Alton Brown freakout, I'm making his gluten-free peanut butter cookies.

And depending on how the evening goes, possibly eating them Cookie Monster-style.
posted by MrVisible at 12:27 PM on November 3, 2020

Or, scrolling through my recipes, you could also make homemade dog biscuits, if you have a dog or know one who needs treats (hint: all of them). My dog needs tiny bite-size treats, so making them takes a while.
posted by Ms Vegetable at 12:29 PM on November 3, 2020

I've been focusing on my garden (a 4x6' patch in an oversized planter behind my apartment building's parking lot). Right now I have some carrot seeds presprouting on top of the fridge (after 24 hours in the freezer to make them think it's been winter) and kale and chard seedlings getting ready to be transplanted into a new section of the planter, along with "soil buster" daikon radishes to help break up the dirt.

During this stuck-at-home period, having the garden has helped a lot with the problem of the days blurring together because now there's something different every day (sometimes it's "ooh, the peas have sprouted!" and sometimes it's "dammit, what pest has been eating the beet greens?").

I've also been thinking about a quote from E.B. White:

As long as there is one upright man, as long as there is one compassionate woman, the contagion may spread and the scene is not desolate. Hope is the thing that is left to us, in a bad time. I shall get up Sunday morning and wind the clock, as a contribution to order and steadfastness.

posted by Lexica at 12:35 PM on November 3, 2020 [9 favorites]

Or homemade peanut butter ball truffles for people. The annoying part is dipping them all.
posted by Ms Vegetable at 12:35 PM on November 3, 2020 [1 favorite]

I've been making cookies recently as folllows. All quantities are approximate. Sub ingredients left and right as needed.

4/3 cups instant oats
1/3 cup garbanzo bean flour
3-5 minced fruits (mince til they are the consistency of applesauce, it will take longer and the resulting cookies will stick together better)
4 cocoa butter wafers (can omit or sub other hard fat)
1/3 cup raisins
1/3 cup pumpkin seeds (walnuts or sunflower seeds are better if you've got 'em)
1/3 cup shredded coconut
1 knob minced fresh ginger (I really like ginger)
1 teaspoon almond flavoring (optional, or sub your favorite flavoring, or sub a pile of orange zest)
1 full container salted nut butter (mine have been 16 ounces, a little more is probably ok too)
coarse salt (just a sprinkling)

Combine ingredients in a mixing bowl, use an icecream scoop to put them on a greased cookie sheet, bake at 350°F until done.

They usually come out slightly crumbly. We stick them in the freezer and eat 'em all week. With the exception of the raisins, these cookies are food, not dessert. I have one whenever I'm hungry and wondering what to eat, which is basically all the time, and it takes the edge off hunger long enough to think straight about making something to eat.
posted by aniola at 12:40 PM on November 3, 2020 [1 favorite]

Beautiful quote, Lexica. It reminded me of the one this one from George Eliot:

..for the growing good of the world is partly dependent on unhistoric acts; and that things are not so ill with you and me as they might have been, is half owing to the number who lived faithfully a hidden life, and rest in unvisited tombs.

posted by jquinby at 12:42 PM on November 3, 2020 [17 favorites]

If you're wanting something chocolate, double-boil chocolate and dip the above cookies in it. Bonus: melted chocolate makes a mess, which takes time to clean up.
posted by aniola at 12:42 PM on November 3, 2020 [1 favorite]

I can make tiny little lemon tarts to fill with custard... or ooooh I could make multiple kinds of chocolate dipped cookies, and I could make them extra tiny for extra fiddly nonsense/ease of distributing/inflicting on others.

We realized we don't have a cheese supply to the extent that would make us feel comfortable... so I need to run into the store for cheese anyways.
posted by larthegreat at 12:53 PM on November 3, 2020 [1 favorite]

Columbo is available through Amazon Prime. If, like me as of a month ago, you've never heard of it, it's a detective show from the 70s where you follow the murderers from crime to arrest - with titular lt detective columbo showing up somewhere near the middle to nudge the criminal into a trap. low stakes, the 70s outfits and decor are YIKES, and watching peter faulk play humble dummy to snare the murderer is always, always a good time.

Oh, and another thing...
posted by snerson at 12:55 PM on November 3, 2020 [8 favorites]

Custard. I have the best luck using a double boiler on the stove. Whole milk tastes best.

This is the recipe from my MIL:
½ cup sugar
½ teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons cornstarch
2 ½ cups milk
2 eggs, beaten
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Combine sugar, salt, and cornstarch in a microwave safe bowl. Stir in milk gradually. Microwave on high for 7 minutes or until slightly thickened. Stir some of the hot mixture into the eggs, then stir the egg mixture into the hot mixture, blending well. Microwave on medium for 4 or 5 minutes, stirring after 2 minutes. Stir in vanilla. Let stand until cool.

Like I said, I usually use it in trifle, but you can also add jam, or coconut, or other flavors if wanted. Top with homemade whipped cream and toasted sliced almonds. Or just eat straight out of the pot. I won't judge.
posted by Ms Vegetable at 12:57 PM on November 3, 2020 [4 favorites]

I was very late to the Hamilton party, but was able to watch it on Disney plus a few weeks ago, and loved it. I'm now rewatching as a pleasant distraction from scrolling the news etc.
posted by cozenedindigo at 12:58 PM on November 3, 2020 [3 favorites]

Columbo is available through Amazon Prime. If, like me as of a month ago, you've never heard of it

I am envious of everyone who has never heard of Columbo! What a treat you've got in store!!
posted by JanetLand at 1:04 PM on November 3, 2020 [7 favorites]

Oh, thank you, snerson! Columbo is close to the top of my list of comfort-watches (along with things like the Great Pottery Throw-Down and the Farm Series with Ruth Goodman et al.) and I think I'd like to spend the day watching Lt. Columbo make over-confident rich people trip over their own arrogance and get their just deserts. I didn't realize it was available on Amazon.

Lately I've been listening to/watching a lot of BTS, which has been a nice dose of positive energy among everything that's going on. For anyone else who's as late to the game as I am, a good intro is this video where the Try Guys watch BTS videos for the first time. (I put together a YouTube playlist of the songs: Eugene's 10-song Intro to BTS.)
posted by Lexica at 1:05 PM on November 3, 2020 [3 favorites]

Columbo is available through Amazon Prime.

WHAT WAIT WHAT IS IT REALLY HOLY FUCK I COULD HAVE BEEN WATCHING COLUMBO INSTEAD OF SITTING HERE IN EXISTENTIAL DREAD ALL DAY

Signed,
A girl who really likes Columbo and has been despairing over not being able to find it on streaming anywhere
posted by Hold your seahorses at 1:06 PM on November 3, 2020 [9 favorites]

Oh, and another thing...
is the 20 year old Peugeot 403 convertible he's driving around in.
posted by Stoneshop at 1:09 PM on November 3, 2020 [2 favorites]

it's through IMDB which means there are commercials... but I like it so much I don't even notice them really. ^__^
posted by snerson at 1:12 PM on November 3, 2020

I have Orbital's Bluedot set from earlier in the year on right now and I think others might find it enjoyable, too. The vibes contained within are pretty good.
posted by Lonnrot at 1:58 PM on November 3, 2020 [1 favorite]

I just remembered I have a few frozen pie crusts from last Thanksgiving but I don't know how many filling type things I have beyond the basic pantry staples. Hmm I think I do have some frozen peaches.
posted by muddgirl at 2:12 PM on November 3, 2020

Toki Wartooth (a dog)
posted by Glinn at 2:15 PM on November 3, 2020 [3 favorites]

And Columbo is always about horrible crooks who try to get away with murder but can't avoid being nailed eventually. Which, somehow, seems appropriate.
posted by nicolin at 2:24 PM on November 3, 2020 [2 favorites]

just one more thing
posted by clavdivs at 2:34 PM on November 3, 2020

sup
posted by Going To Maine at 2:40 PM on November 3, 2020

I bought a knife sharpener this week. Used it today and then chopped onions for spaghetti sauce. Life changer!!!!
Looking forward to a nice spaghetti dinner tonight while watching things unfold.
Take care of yourselves, everybody.
posted by bookmammal at 2:41 PM on November 3, 2020 [2 favorites]

Columbo is available through Amazon Prime.

Columbo is also free on Peacock, and I believe it has more seasons than are on Prime. Ditto Murder She Wrote.
posted by Going To Maine at 2:41 PM on November 3, 2020 [1 favorite]

In savoury pie news: our whole place smells like tourtières. I didn't make them, but I picked up a quartet of them, oven-ready, from a place that makes good ones.
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 2:45 PM on November 3, 2020 [2 favorites]

But I am being diplomatic and just very enthusiastically casting my vote for the running related wedding gift instead of making this nice gesture weird and tense, especially as a person who is vocally on record hating both running and weddings.

So anyway, we're definitely getting this dude a dumb blanket.

phunimee, I bet if you got even a small gift card to the running shop as a separate gift just from you, you will end up making a friend for life.

...In my abode, the two things that my roommate and I have been focused on most of the day is (for me) physical therapy and (for my roommate) assessing the latest prescription for ADHD meds.

* I have had two PT visits now, and on the second visit we were able to bend my knee 30 degrees. My doctor's aspiration is that each week, we go for another 15 degrees; I'm being a good girl scout with the exercises and I'm confident. I really trust my physical therapist so I'm hopeful.

* My roommate started with one dosage of his medication a month ago and it was super low, and this is the second time they've stepped things up to see if it works. He came to my room beaming this afternoon to say he thinks this may be it. In fact, he says he may want to test that later tonight by asking me to come out into the living room and watch The Great British Bakeoff on TV while he's trying to do something else, because if he can stay focused through that, then his dosage is a winner. ....Plus I would get to be watching The Great British Bakeoff.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 2:46 PM on November 3, 2020

Rockpile's Born Fighter is a Granada Television documentary from 1979. Four days in the studio with Rockpile. Starring Nick Lowe, Dave Edmunds, Terry Williams and Billy Bremner. Also appearing are Albert Lee, Phil Lynott, Huey Lewis and Graham Parker. Probably the best 53 minutes in existence of what it's like to be talented songwriters and guitarists making an album in a few days. No fluff, just them tracking. And lotsa smoking. And drinking pint glasses of Black Tower wine. I saw it years ago and I've watched it again 2 times in the past few months.
posted by chococat at 2:48 PM on November 3, 2020 [5 favorites]

Hey so I would like to make pumpkin bread but would like something not super-sweet, just slightly sweet or maybe even savory. Anyone know a good recipe in this direction?

I've done some web searching but I am literally too fucking anxious to read through ingredient lists and figure out relative amounts of sugar.
posted by medusa at 2:49 PM on November 3, 2020 [1 favorite]

medusa, I can help!

Three options, all from a blog I follow for low-sugar recipes:

Pumpkin chocolate chip bread

Pumpkin spice roll out cookies

Flourless pumpkin muffins

I don't think I've specifically made any of these, but I have made several of her flourless, low sugar items, and they've turned out yummy.

And if none of those hit the spot, cookies you can eat for breakfast.

Good luck.
posted by Ms Vegetable at 3:01 PM on November 3, 2020 [5 favorites]

This year has been a shit heap except for the birth of my son. He’s 13 weeks old today, and asleep on me at the moment and he’s getting me through this morning.

Watched Graduation p1&2 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Watching kids fight back against an evil politician I don’t know it felt right.

Recipe-wise I’ve been making these cinnamon rolls lately. They’re really easy and really good and they make your whole house smell like cinnamon.

I’ve got books on roses and stained glass and color from the library, and some toffee nut latte, and I’m just chilling out trying to my emotions in line.
posted by supercrayon at 3:26 PM on November 3, 2020 [6 favorites]

Medusa, this is the recipe for you! It is not too sweet it’s just right.
posted by supercrayon at 3:27 PM on November 3, 2020

So, Medusa, I will get together a pumpkin, garlic, basil, fresh tumeric, and sage, focaccia with Parmesan cheese. I will let you know how it goes. I think that pumpkin blended with a little warm water, a couple of tbsps sugar, and two tsps yeast, will make a good sponge to make quick, raised bread. I will let you know, I will use whole wheat and semolina for some stretch. I will sautee finely shredded tumeric root with finely chopped garlic and spices, sautee these in olive oil, to add in to the bread after the sponge stage. I will put pictures somewhere.
posted by Oyéah at 3:40 PM on November 3, 2020 [2 favorites]

supercrayon and Ms Vegetable, thanks! And now I get to point out that it's eponysterical to get pumpkin recipes from Ms Vegetable.

Oyeah, please write down your measurement for your ingredients so you can post the recipe afterwards! That sounds delicious! I've made a butternut squash, sage, and parmesan pizza that I think would have a similar feel.

I roasted a pumpkin that had *way* more flesh than I thought. I started with a gallon of pumpkin flesh! So far I have made pumpkin-tomato-chickpea dal, lots of pumpkin-spice refrigerator oatmeal with greek yogurt, and a big batch of pumpkin butter. And still I have pumpkin.
posted by medusa at 3:43 PM on November 3, 2020

This Is Me has been in my head all day. This version makes me laugh because Hugh Jackman is in the back eating an apple.
posted by Ms Vegetable at 3:53 PM on November 3, 2020

I have a tiny bit of frozen margarita left over from my birthday a few weeks ago. I think I'm going to drink that.

I spent about an hour at work today dancing to 50s and 60s music with various babies in my arms.

I might throw a few of the chai sugar cookies I made over the weekend in the oven and enjoy warm sugar cookies. I'm glad I haven't vacuum packed them yet.

I also got my Misfits Produce box today. There was a beet significantly bigger than a softball in there.
posted by kathrynm at 4:18 PM on November 3, 2020 [3 favorites]

Snickerdoodle cookies got a little too toasty. We're moving on to chocolate based cookies in an attempt at redemption.
posted by larthegreat at 4:25 PM on November 3, 2020 [1 favorite]

I took care of myself by having only one caffeinated drink today, even though I was tempted to have a second. I had spring rolls and avocado toast for dinner. I've taken notes on recipes and food ideas from this thread. My dog and I have just watched the sun set. I've changed into my pajamas, I'm staying hydrated, my library holds on multiple ebooks-I-want-to-read came in yesterday/today so I have plenty to read, and I'm going to go write my daily wordcount for NaNoWriMo.
posted by mixedmetaphors at 4:32 PM on November 3, 2020 [3 favorites]

In savoury pie news: our whole place smells like tourtières. I didn't make them, but I picked up a quartet of them, oven-ready, from a place that makes good ones.

Christmas tourtière is basically the one thing I miss as a vegetarian. I have extremely high standards for tourtière, however, and am quite dubious about this claim regarding the existence of good store-bought ones. Also, then you don't have the leftover filling that you pack into a glass dish and leave in the fridge overnight to eat on toast as cretons in the morning.
posted by eviemath at 4:34 PM on November 3, 2020 [1 favorite]

I appreciate that right as I was starting to get deeply freaked out by early election results, my dog came and stuck her snoot on me long enough to get me stop looking at the New York Times and to come back into my body. Pretty sure she just wants to go outside since she’s not overly affectionate or concerned with humans, but telling myself it was a deliberate sweet gesture is helpful so I’m going with it.

My partner has run out to get takeout from our favorite restaurant near us, so I'm hoping that a torta and some stolen bites of her tacos — not a dirty pun :( — will provide more distraction to help me resist reliving four years ago.
posted by the thorn bushes have roses at 4:40 PM on November 3, 2020 [6 favorites]

Also, then you don't have the leftover filling that you pack into a glass dish and leave in the fridge overnight to eat on toast as cretons in the morning.

I love cretons!

These tourtières are made by a butcher near us, so they're pretty good -- excellent pastry on them. They have a strong pie game. Not as good as homemade for sure, but was feeling lazy but wanted something for the oven that would smell like comfort food. These worked!
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 4:54 PM on November 3, 2020 [1 favorite]

I have recently started watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer, having missed it the first time around.

I had forgotten how many shows of that era had club/school dance scenes where the production company could push the semi-unknown band of the moment.

On Amazon, the ability to skip over the angsty teenage romance and get directly to the rubber suit monsters and wisecracking makes it a much better show.

Also interesting to spot-them-before-they-became famous extras or one-off characters.
Pedro Pascal and Amy Adams have made appearances.
posted by madajb at 5:09 PM on November 3, 2020 [1 favorite]

The SO has this great thing. Use Grands Biscuits. Spray Pam in the cups. Roll out half of a biscuit. Tuck into the cup. Then make a chicken or beef filling. Like a pot pie. Then use the rest of the biscuit as a top crust. Bake until brown. They are fuckin' awesome. Finishing them up tonite for dinner. After alcohol consumption. For reasons I will not state here. And then Milano cookies for dessert. Then weed and bed.
posted by Splunge at 5:29 PM on November 3, 2020 [5 favorites]

Gasp, wheeze, so many bad temptations this night.

(grabs paper bag, hyperventilating)
posted by aramaic at 5:31 PM on November 3, 2020 [1 favorite]

This thread is making me want to eat all the things!

Just got off a Zoom call with two friends from high school (and their families). We didn't talk about the election at all and just generally caught up with each other and it was a really nice distraction.
posted by Twicketface at 5:31 PM on November 3, 2020 [1 favorite]

I’m watching “happy place” movies: The Big Sleep, 2001, The Blues Brothers. We went over to my MIL’s for dinner and she turned the news on afterward—ugh. We got out of there as quickly as possible.
posted by computech_apolloniajames at 6:05 PM on November 3, 2020 [2 favorites]

Hey there. I made the mistake of reading the election thread on the blue and promptly had a panic attack. CANNOT RECOMMEND. It’s much nicer over here what with the food and animal snoots.
posted by Orange Dinosaur Slide at 6:07 PM on November 3, 2020 [5 favorites]

Our daughter's cat was visiting us for several days while there are home renovation things going on at their place. It usually takes a couple of days for her to settle in. She spontaneously climbed up into my lap for snuggles yesterday, which was pretty nice. I'm glad our cat and dog are so unbothered by these occasional visits. I took a vacation day today and voted early. Since then I've been pretty successful at distracting myself from the world by doing some work on one of my old motorcycles and some yard work. Now it's time for internet kitten videos, and/or guitar practice.
posted by coppertop at 6:21 PM on November 3, 2020 [2 favorites]

Watching these cookies like a hawk now that they are in the oven... Made them with black cocoa and bittersweet chocolate chips and I am optimistic that they will redeem me.
posted by larthegreat at 6:41 PM on November 3, 2020 [1 favorite]

I found some puff pastry too so I made some mini peach & apple puff pastry thingies.

No real recipe just tossed the peach&apple slices with sugar, cinnamon, & vanilla, baked for 15 min at 400, and topped with vanilla icing.
posted by muddgirl at 6:51 PM on November 3, 2020 [2 favorites]

There was a rumor of Mark Ruffalo playing Columbo in a reboot. I hope that happens.
posted by cazoo at 7:10 PM on November 3, 2020 [4 favorites]

I feel like absolute planning genius for picking up a 100-count box of mini Halloween chocolate bars the other day. Kit Kat, Smarties (the other Smartie -- the other things are sold as "Rockets" here), Aero, and -- of paramount importance to me -- Coffee Crisp.

Dangerous. But delicious.
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 7:23 PM on November 3, 2020 [2 favorites]

I am dismayed to find that I have only one episode of Victorian Farm left. They were just starting to get good at everything. And what will happen to all the adorable livestock? I need more cheesemaking in my life, dammit.
posted by MrVisible at 7:42 PM on November 3, 2020 [6 favorites]

The nightmare never ends. I can't take anymore. I'm gonna finish Queen's Gambit.
posted by Golden Eternity at 7:47 PM on November 3, 2020 [2 favorites]

My audiobook has turned out to be unexpectedly smutty. I'm hoping that my neighbors can't hear through the open windows.
posted by ArbitraryAndCapricious at 7:49 PM on November 3, 2020 [3 favorites]

Here's a recent pic of the ancient scrawny kitty who is the softest boy in the world and who lights up my heart. Nicky is gonna be 20 years old in the next month or so.

Also I dunno if Ruffalo is crusty enough to play Columbo. So much of that character is in his voice. I'd still watch it, though.
posted by Mister Moofoo at 8:40 PM on November 3, 2020 [6 favorites]

I think it was The Whelk who first pointed out that obviously Natasha Lyonne should play Columbo in any kind of reboot.
posted by muddgirl at 8:57 PM on November 3, 2020 [15 favorites]

I just want to say I'm glad this thread is here. It has been nice to leave open and check periodically throughout the day.
posted by Lonnrot at 9:25 PM on November 3, 2020 [8 favorites]

There was a rumor of Mark Ruffalo playing Columbo in a reboot.

I'm usually against reboots, because as a rule they're soulless cash grabs that don't match the "lightning in a bottle" of the original shows. But I dare to think that Ruffalo could creditably manage to pull it off *IF* the writing is good.
posted by Greg_Ace at 9:27 PM on November 3, 2020 [1 favorite]

The tail end of this Caroline Polachek performance from the beginning of the year is whisking me to Nod, but it brought me a lot of joy and comfort tonight, so sharing in the spirit of sending positive witch energy to all of you.

G'night. I still don't understand Columbo.
posted by Lonnrot at 10:44 PM on November 3, 2020

Well Amazon just offered me the annual free month of prime so if we're all still hanging out tomorrow I know what I will be doing.
posted by muddgirl at 10:58 PM on November 3, 2020 [1 favorite]

To be clear, I will be watching Columbo.
posted by muddgirl at 10:58 PM on November 3, 2020 [4 favorites]

I am learning how to cook. My best friend introduced me to HelloFresh and getting meal kits delivered each week has given me something to look forward to in ways I wasn't expecting. My therapist says that when you learn how to do something new, your self esteem can't help but go up, and for me that's really true. I figured out how to thinly slice an onion this past Saturday so I could make flautas and it was so rewarding. Now I'm looking up more complicated stuff and planning trips to Trader Joe's so I can amp up the kits I got this week. I really want to make this vegetarian French onion soup. Hopefully I can keep this momentum going!
posted by Kitchen Witch at 11:01 PM on November 3, 2020 [11 favorites]

I just got myself two baby rats from a rescue organisation. Here they are
It's remarkably difficult to get good photos of them, they move around so much! They are so soft, and sweet, and gentle, and sniffy, and they love climbing up my sleeve and tickling my ear with their whiskers. Their names are Max and Maurice, and that's not a reference to Maks und Moritz! That is purely accidental.
If my hand smells strongly of food, Maurice (the white one) will grab hold of my finger (gently) with his mouth, and try to drag my entire hand to the back of the cage where his bed is, for closer inspection presumably. Max is the bigger and bolder of the two, but a bit calmer also. He likes to lie at the top of the cage, his eyes almost closed, watching me sleepily, thinking ratty thoughts.
posted by Zumbador at 12:07 AM on November 4, 2020 [11 favorites]

I recently got round to watching Star Trek: The Next Generation (I was never home when it was on) - currently three quarters of the way through season four. Reasonable people sorting things out. What a relief.
posted by Grangousier at 12:19 AM on November 4, 2020 [4 favorites]

I bought a couple of s’mores recipe books. Who knew how many variations on s’mores there are! And I have a fire pit and a long cold winter ahead to do a detailed investigation on this matter.

Hmmm...lemon curd s’mores!
posted by inflatablekiwi at 12:53 AM on November 4, 2020 [4 favorites]

is the 20 year old Peugeot 403 convertible he's driving around in.

A similarly incongruous (for the US) car that [election-related character elided] drives in [election-related movie elided], a Borgward Isabella, at that point at least 10 years old already.
Which someone on IMDB who clearly knows sod-all about 1950s-1960s European cars mis-identifies as a Volvo Amazone.
posted by Stoneshop at 3:10 AM on November 4, 2020 [1 favorite]

That’s why I only trust imcdb.org for my cinematic automobile identification needs.
posted by zamboni at 5:03 AM on November 4, 2020 [1 favorite]

I don't know how to quote, but Lonnrot, ME TOO!

Wait, is it just italics? I can do italics!

I just want to say I'm glad this thread is here. It has been nice to leave open and check periodically throughout the day.

ME TOO!

Also, smores: reeses cups smores. kit kat smores. These live in our "smores bucket" because they're the delicious candies made for smores that I can get at aldi.
posted by Ms Vegetable at 5:07 AM on November 4, 2020 [3 favorites]

This thread is lovely! A welcome respite from, you know, everything else.

I am gobsmacked and utterly delighted to learn of the existence of imcdb.org, zamboni. What a great site.

Our daughter's "good morning" text to us was to announce... that her college campus now has compost bins! A nice win for the environment. It was a cheery and pleasant way to begin the day. What a sweet kid.

Off to work. Maybe I'll watch a little Columbo on Amazon Prime later.
posted by cheapskatebay at 5:59 AM on November 4, 2020 [1 favorite]

My personal fantasy reboot Columbo would be Natasha Lyonne. Either no one has suggested that before or everyone has, but I think it would be great.
posted by Grangousier at 6:27 AM on November 4, 2020 [3 favorites]

Also, The Reboot Columbos would be a good name for a terrible Landfill Indie band.
posted by Grangousier at 6:30 AM on November 4, 2020 [1 favorite]

Drinking hot tea, feeling good after a short workout. Scrolling through Chewy.com to pick out toys and treats for our two cats.
posted by ellerhodes at 6:35 AM on November 4, 2020

Yesterday, I received a package from BFF of a small quilt and a new backpack. Watched GBBO reruns, went to bed early, made pumpkin muffins this morning.
posted by MichelleinMD at 6:54 AM on November 4, 2020 [1 favorite]

I spent a half hour lying in a sun patch with my dog instead of working this afternoon and my partner made me lunch when i didn't want to get out of bed. definitely made today easier - with the time difference in europe following the results is a slow rumble that builds from afternoon into madness by late night
posted by thedaniel at 6:54 AM on November 4, 2020 [1 favorite]

That’s why I only trust imcdb.org for my cinematic automobile identification needs.

Hmmyes. After rewatching some segments it's clear the car is a grey Volvo Amazone, but I distinctly remember a more brownish one of a similar vintage with a longer engine hood appearing somewhere and thinking "A Volvo Amazo.... eh, nope.". Haven't found it in the film yet.
Plenty of VW Beetles though, also a VW Karmann Ghia.
posted by Stoneshop at 7:14 AM on November 4, 2020

I just learned about a game being developed called Peace Island, where you play as a cat exploring the mysteries of an island. No public alpha or beta yet, but I'll be keeping tabs on it for a while!
posted by invokeuse at 7:59 AM on November 4, 2020

I came here to nth-recommend Gilmore Girls, which is charming but just mildly-problematic enough IMO that it doesn't ruin the show to watch it during stressful events.
posted by nakedmolerats at 8:16 AM on November 4, 2020

Peace Island does seem to have alphas and eventually early beta access through their Patreon.

*click*
posted by snerson at 8:33 AM on November 4, 2020

MichelleinMD: I would like to see pictures of said quilt and backpack, please.
posted by Ms Vegetable at 8:35 AM on November 4, 2020

Today I learned the aldi advent calendars (alcoholic variety) are very popular.

Bonus lesson: don't shop at Aldi on advent-calendar-release-day next year.
posted by Ms Vegetable at 8:37 AM on November 4, 2020 [3 favorites]

MeFi Projects has a bunch of short free online things to read, listen to, etc. that might amuse y'all.

I've been watching The Great Canadian Bake-Off (EVEN NICER than the British version! Nicer judges!) and my household also recommends the British series The Repair Shop where competent people quietly repair well-loved heirlooms.

Also last night I spent a few hours reading this compilation of humor on Tumblr and it was great.
posted by brainwane at 8:47 AM on November 4, 2020 [4 favorites]

but I'll be keeping tabs on it for a while!

Tabbies.
posted by Stoneshop at 8:47 AM on November 4, 2020 [1 favorite]

Quilt pattern is "Healing Tree" in autumn colors. https://www.seamsndreams.com/product/the-healing-tree/

Small backpack, currently on sale at Danny K https://www.dannyktapestry.com/whatsnew.html
posted by MichelleinMD at 10:22 AM on November 4, 2020 [1 favorite]

Five minutes of escape, of refreshingly low-stakes panic and problem-solving: Maeve Binchy tells her veal casserole story. I was linked to this audio clip last week, and it made me laugh out loud. I just listened to it again, and I found it just as funny this time around.
posted by mixedmetaphors at 10:50 AM on November 4, 2020

I just came here to say that I avoided 99.999% of the news last night and slept like a baby.

The movie "Election" was on loop on TBS or something, so I started watching that at 8:30pm, then 15min of The Daily Show at 11, which only went over some state and candidate races, then sitcom reruns until I fell asleep on the couch. I wake up clueless and everybody I've talked to is all "I was up until 3am and I'm dying," so I'm feeling a little gloaty today.

Both Gilmore Girls and ST:TNG are series I've been trying to watch for a long time, so I may just do that.
posted by rhizome at 11:02 AM on November 4, 2020

ST:TNG is being watched in Fanfare right now.

I colored on my tablet and went to bed early. I looked this morning, but read nothing.
posted by kathrynm at 11:05 AM on November 4, 2020

MichelleinMD: those are so pretty! I'll have to pass the quilt idea along to my mom; she likes to quilt.
posted by Ms Vegetable at 12:19 PM on November 4, 2020

A short anecdote in a Dutch newspaper:
>> My sister has been living in the US, Baton Rouge LA, for years. Saturday she decided to go ahead and vote. When she arrived at the polling station, she found a huge queue waiting patiently. Curiously, she opened the car window and asked one of the voters in the queue how long she had been waiting. Without hesitation she answered, "for four years!" <<
posted by Stoneshop at 1:28 PM on November 4, 2020 [9 favorites]

I had the afternoon off to run some errands, and I just brought in some Chinese food. Call me the sensational snerson and give me a top hat, because boy howdy did I make that chicken and rice disappear.

I'm ignorant of actors, why the votes for Natasha Lyonne as reboot!Columbo? Does she have a great voice?
posted by snerson at 3:00 PM on November 4, 2020

She does indeed have a great voice, and earlier this year she starred in Russian Doll which is not exactly a mystery but her character treats it as one and also wears some amazing tailored outerwear.
posted by muddgirl at 3:09 PM on November 4, 2020 [1 favorite]

I, living in the beautiful and not at all on fire California wine country, received a package from Bosnia and Herzegovina in the mail today. I had been on a waiting list for a certain piece of modern hardware for a retro computer that's made by a community in Europe: The Vampire 500V2+. It is a CPU accelerator for the Amiga faster than any ever made in history.

I took a little break from work today to install it (easy!) and get it running (easier!) and then play with the resultant wonderfully fast Amiga 500 computer. This computer was a gift from my high school best friend, and is the very computer we stayed up late at night getting up to no good with. I've been steadily restoring, expanding, and improving the computer over the last couple of years. This new gadget is the pinnacle of that effort.

So yes, my "don't think about the world" moment for today is upgrading a 33 year old computer. The computer still has its soul and personal history but is also now an order of magnitude more powerful.
posted by majick at 3:09 PM on November 4, 2020 [9 favorites]

I learned about The Crafsman from this very small MeFi post and man… life changing mellowness. I have no personal interest in maker things, silicone molds, or anything else, but it’s at least Bob Ross-levels of mellow to listen to this soft-spoken character / person talk about how to do arts & crafts. I spent all last night listening to these videos instead of doing anything else and I wouldn’t have changed that for anything. 100% recommend for cleansing your soul timeline.
posted by Going To Maine at 3:14 PM on November 4, 2020 [3 favorites]

The lighting display in a nearby underpass has gone wild recently. I'd guess that it's intentional, but it's far different from any sequence they've ever run on those lights before. If there's a pattern, I wasn't able to recognize it. It's possible that someone just didn't realize the code expected milliseconds instead of seconds as a variable. Either way, it's very cool.

Also, I discovered a shop three blocks from home that makes pistachio lassis. It's a thing I'd never considered before yesterday and now may be what I'm going to eat every day for the rest of my life.
posted by eotvos at 3:17 PM on November 4, 2020 [1 favorite]

Yes to Natasha Lyonne as Columbo, but what about Natasha Lyonne in the Peter Falk role in every reboot? I am here for her telling the Princess Bride story.
posted by okayokayigive at 3:32 PM on November 4, 2020 [4 favorites]

It's be interesting to see what she did with The In-Laws.
posted by Greg_Ace at 4:34 PM on November 4, 2020 [2 favorites]

I am compelled to correct myself: Russian Doll came out in 2019.
posted by muddgirl at 4:50 PM on November 4, 2020

Natasha Lyonne as Columbo: Mr. e and I are all 😻. We badly want this.
posted by eirias at 5:23 PM on November 4, 2020 [2 favorites]

Remake Princess Bride? Bite your tongue!
posted by rhizome at 7:00 PM on November 4, 2020 [2 favorites]

I'm having some hot chocolate, because I wanted soup, but soup seemed like a lot of work, and this is also warm and filling.

Hot chocolate = chocolate soup.
posted by curious nu at 7:31 PM on November 4, 2020 [6 favorites]

So apparently there's not only Victorian Farm, but there's a Christmas special and Edwardian Farm and Wartime Farm and Tudor Monastery Farm and I'm not coming back to the 21st century ever, you can't make me.
posted by MrVisible at 7:34 PM on November 4, 2020 [4 favorites]

Remake Princess Bride? Bite your tongue!

Inconcyouknowtherest
posted by Greg_Ace at 8:02 PM on November 4, 2020

I stumbled upon this tumblr of an artist who does adorable fanart (Marvel movies, Star Wars, Disney animated movies, Hamilton, fairy tales, and kittens, mostly). I find it very soothing to look at.
posted by creepygirl at 8:08 PM on November 4, 2020 [1 favorite]

MrVisible, Ruth Goodman has also published a bunch of excellent books - The Domestic Revolution is my current favorite, How to Behave Badly in Renaissance Britain just what it sounds like.
posted by clew at 8:28 PM on November 4, 2020 [4 favorites]

I'm lucky enough to have a beautiful cycle and walk routine every morning here in Cape Town. I've been finding it very soothing to take short little videos of Surfer's Corner and Park Island Nature reserve and sharing them every morning.
Waves lapping at Surfer's Corner
Water lapping under the floor of the bird hide on Park Island
Wind in the reeds on a misty morning on Park Island
Close up of wind-blown reeds
posted by Zumbador at 11:44 PM on November 4, 2020 [3 favorites]

My dog looks like Bob Weir. And I made chili dogs for dinner. And I’m waiting on my covid test. That’s about all I have. You guys are awesome.
posted by esquandolad at 11:53 PM on November 4, 2020 [1 favorite]

I need a place to do a series rewatch of Quincy M.E. and the internet is failing me!
posted by cashman at 5:45 AM on November 5, 2020

I just came here to say that Natasha Lyonne as Columbo is absolutely what we all need right now. And the first mystery should involve cockroaches in some way, so that she can repeatedly say "cock-a-roach."
posted by wabbittwax at 5:51 AM on November 5, 2020 [1 favorite]

John Turturro for Columbo.
posted by dances_with_sneetches at 5:52 AM on November 5, 2020

Michael Richards for Columbo
posted by HyperBlue at 6:08 AM on November 5, 2020

Thing is, put Michael Richards in a light brown overcoat and he more resembles M. Hulot.
posted by Grangousier at 6:29 AM on November 5, 2020 [1 favorite]

Zumbador I really enjoyed your videos. Thank you!
posted by medusa at 6:45 AM on November 5, 2020 [1 favorite]

Just looking at this recipe is bringing me joy at the moment - I think I’ll make it tonight. This is my (PA Dutch) grandmother’s recipe for funny cake. (If you aren’t familiar, she kind of describes it at the end. I described it elsewhere as a cake pie monstrosity...it’s also VERY VERY GOOD.)

—
Pat Nelson’s Funny Cake

Top Part:
1 cup sugar
1/4 cup butter*
1/2 cup milk
1 beaten egg
1 cup flour
1 tsp baking power
1/2 tsp vanilla

Cream together sugar + shortening*...Add the combined milk + egg alternately with flour + baking powder. Add flavoring + set aside until lower part is mixed.

Lower part:
1/2 cup sugar
4 tbsp cocoa
6 tbsp water
1/4 tsp vanilla

Mix together the cocoa, sugar, water + vanilla. Pour into unbaked pie shell...Over this put the “top part”. The chocolate will come up around the out side edge which gives a nice crusty edge on the finished product...Bake in a 350 degree oven for 35 minutes or until firm.

With a cocoa + water mixture on the bottom + a cake on top this is a funny cake pie.

(Good luck.)

—

*I have a scan of the original recipe...she calls it butter in the ingredients list and shortening in the instructions. The recipe above, including the parenthetical ‘good luck’ is all copied verbatim from that scan. (I have another recipe of hers that says ‘add cinnamon...if you care.’ IF YOU CARE. Thanks, Grammy.)


posted by okayokayigive at 9:18 AM on November 5, 2020 [3 favorites]

One of my hobbies is attempting to fill up our entire garage with CDs bought by the skipload from eBay. One thing I've been doing in the last few days to destress while the election news comes trickling in is finally getting round to listening to some of the backlog that I've built up.

This morning, the needle landed on Steven Wilson's Hand. Cannot. Erase.

And it is mind-blowing.
posted by Cardinal Fang at 9:24 AM on November 5, 2020 [2 favorites]

Like many, I have taken to stress baking this week. I am still feeling pretty fragile today, so I'm likely to block off my work calendar and stress bake again, although I haven't picked a victim recipe for today.

Previous stress bakes this week:
This funnel cake recipe turned out really well. I normally avoid deep frying because it's such a chore to deal with the oil and the extra cleaning, but this was totally worth it and I have enough batter left to make a couple more. As someone whose work history includes a stint in front of a deep fryer I ask for special dispensation to consider fried batter "stress baking."

Last night I made this socca recipe, my very first time making (or having, or even hearing of) socca. It was pretty tasty, especially with a little butter and a sprinkle of parmesean, but I think mine turned out slightly underdone. I'm very new to chickpea flour.
posted by majick at 9:33 AM on November 5, 2020

I have a few short story recommendations, fun stuff:

"Necromancer that doesn’t know they’re a necromancer and thinks they’re just a really good emt"

"Tudor Spies and Perfidy", a fanfic based on "The Ten Stupidest Things I’ve Heard Since Richard III’s Remains Were Identified"

"Average Avengers Local Chapter 7 of New York City", a Marvel fanfic in which "Steve and Tony accidentally start a national do-gooders association and fall in love." Features Scabby, unions, and wish-fulfillment about politics.

"Steve Rogers, PR Disaster" - more wish-fulfillment about politics.
posted by brainwane at 10:05 AM on November 5, 2020 [11 favorites]

Tony Shaloub for Columbo!
posted by y2karl at 10:59 AM on November 5, 2020 [3 favorites]

Ridiculous Scarf update as I continue to try to crochet my feelings this week.
posted by beandip at 11:20 AM on November 5, 2020 [7 favorites]

beandip, that scarf is looking fantastic!
posted by mixedmetaphors at 11:30 AM on November 5, 2020 [1 favorite]

The Necromancer story was cool...will check out the others. Thanks brainwane!
posted by HyperBlue at 11:40 AM on November 5, 2020 [1 favorite]

Keep in mind that Peter Falk was in his early 40s when he donned that tan trench coat.
posted by muddgirl at 11:44 AM on November 5, 2020

My biggest cat just gave me a little kiss on the nose. I feel awful today but he is very sweet and loving.
posted by Lonnrot at 12:02 PM on November 5, 2020 [2 favorites]

The other alternative is that The Reboot Columbos would be the show, featuring all our fantasy Columbos. No murderer can escape the army of shabby, slightly annoying but sharp as a scalpel detectives.
posted by Grangousier at 1:00 PM on November 5, 2020 [5 favorites]

It's actually a revival of the original NBC Mystery Movie series, but the rotating programs are one of the reboot Columbos getting their own show each week.
posted by Greg_Ace at 1:30 PM on November 5, 2020 [1 favorite]

Here are some kittens for your enjoyment. (And they need forever homes, if you're near Philly...)
posted by biogeo at 2:34 PM on November 5, 2020 [4 favorites]

Woke up to a fog on the lake, due to it being cold before, and warmish now. The sun broke out eventually, and it got up into the high 50's.

Been seeing some ducks on the lake, as well as the occasional loon, and geese flying around. Maybe an eagle or two, here and there. It's mostly quiet, except the neighbors down the way hired some guys to come in pick-up trucks today and run some sort of machine that sounds like constant leaf blowers, only all day and without any stoppage, until it got dark.

I decided to make soup. I have been eating way too many TV dinners, and not enough veggies (unless you count vitamin C as a veggie, ha-ha). I'd bought some bulk Italian sausage, which needed to be used up, so I decided to make a soup with onion, fennel bulb, red bell pepper, jalapeno pepper, garlic, fresh ginger, sweet potato, and white beans. I love the combo of sweet and hot.

My cats are keeping my company, though now Miss MoneyPenny is dominating over Kato in terms of who is next to me on the couch.

And finally, this is an awesome pic of my husband when he was younger and in the dance world. We all need a cape like that!
posted by Marie Mon Dieu at 3:41 PM on November 5, 2020 [5 favorites]

I spent a lovely 3 minutes or so at work today dancing to "You've Got Me Under Your Skin" with a 4.5 month old in my arms. My stress level dropped to a 5.
posted by kathrynm at 4:11 PM on November 5, 2020 [3 favorites]

okayokayigive, thanks for that recipe!

I'm still looking for feedback on what would be characteristic state cake/desserts for Arizona and Nevada.
posted by medusa at 4:28 PM on November 5, 2020

For Arizona I might say flan?
posted by muddgirl at 4:31 PM on November 5, 2020

Perhaps: biscochitos?
posted by nebulawindphone at 4:43 PM on November 5, 2020 [1 favorite]

My care package to myself came today. I got Risk of Rain/ROR2 for the switch, muscle milk weight gain shake stuff in vanilla, a rag rug bathmat in multi blue that looks kind of like a wave splashing in, and most importantly, big bag of socks. Is tonight the night they finish counting? Am I staying up? I thawed a steak for when it was done but too early so I had it tonight. Really wish I had the box set of Natasha Lyonne Columbo season 2. Season one was brilliant!
posted by sexyrobot at 5:10 PM on November 5, 2020

Hey all, this thread is definitely a balm amidst All The Stuff. Through the past few years, and especially the past few months, our three dogs have been a source of constant joy and steadiness: the oldest would live outside if he could; our middle pup likes to burrow in pillows lately; the youngest is almost always ready to play, even when she's sleepy; and here in trio.
posted by LooseFilter at 5:45 PM on November 5, 2020 [4 favorites]

New to me but not necessarily to members north of the border are the white ravens of Vancouver Island.

The white condition is a result of a very rare genetic disorder called leucism, which is reduced pigmentation rather than complete albinism. Leucism is extremely rare in itself, let alone being a characteristic of a whole group of birds.

posted by y2karl at 6:05 PM on November 5, 2020 [4 favorites]

Recommended comfort watching: the latest series of Portrait Artist of the Year. It's one of the shows for which I put down my phone/other devices because it's so satisfying to watch.
posted by Lexica at 6:07 PM on November 5, 2020 [4 favorites]

It's a recovery day here, resting and keeping our heads down. Tomorrow I've selfishly blocked off a couple hours at lunch to go for a bike ride on the gravel roads around the house. I'll have to stay a bit late at work to make up for it but the weather promises to be glorious tomorrow.
posted by introp at 7:15 PM on November 5, 2020

For no reason, all of Smitten Kitchen's peach recipes. Mostly desserts but at least one cocktail. I can vouch for the peach and pecan sandy crumble and just might make it after work today.
posted by Jeanne at 3:16 AM on November 6, 2020 [1 favorite]

In case anyone's interested in my thoughts on Baby Yoda's growth and development, given my research on juvenile orangutan growth and development, you can read all about it here!
posted by ChuraChura at 5:58 PM on November 6, 2020 [7 favorites]

Today I got to watch an acquaintance's Ph.D. dissertation defense (he passed) and it was so interesting to get to learn about his research! I love watching dissertation defenses -- if it were possible to drop in on a few every week I think I would, in widely different disciplines. I get to see a very motivated person share research they've thought about and worked on for years, a culmination, and then afterwards we (usually) get to celebrate their achievement and people are super happy!
posted by brainwane at 6:58 PM on November 6, 2020 [2 favorites]

Should I bother, are they worth the calories, etc?

The answer is no. They taste like biscuits with cinnamon bun filling.
posted by Ms Vegetable at 1:53 PM on November 7, 2020

Hello. Best wishes to all. I don't come around much any more, but it's good to see the place is still in such good shape. Take care!
posted by yhbc at 6:45 PM on November 7, 2020 [2 favorites]

I stayed away from the entire internet for a few days as my adrenal system couldn't handle blow-by-blow election coverage, so I missed most of this thread, but I just came in to say that I had the most crouton-petting moment of my life last night. Partner and I had a mini chocolate panettone each for dessert and I was so delighted by my tiny spiced chocolate bread friend that not only did I give it a little pat, I also bent over and kissed it, entirely unplanned, as though it were a pet or a person rather than a festive bread.
posted by terretu at 3:08 AM on November 9, 2020 [8 favorites]