arpark's Profile

Yes this drives me crazy. I just did a 100 person party with a large cheese platter.

Asiago in 2" squares and about 1/8" thick. Enough to really taste the cheese, but not overwhelming amount.
Fol Epi swiss in small squares to eat by itself
Soft goat with a knife for those to get what they want.
nice crackers, raspberries, strawberries, walnuts, rolled prosciutto, thick hot salami slices.

Enough variety to enjoy and something for everyone. Please learn about cheeses, there are a bunch of do and do nots. I would have eaten the platter and then wrote a note or talked to an owner.

It's my honest and sincere hope that you are going into marriage not to "get things." (But truly we are selfish creatures, so we all are) If you are going into a marriage looking to become happier or more fulfilled, you will feel empty in your marriage. You cannot (in any relationship) put such expectations on another person, they are set up to fail, and then you feel that the relationship "didn't work out," or "didn't meet your expectations." Of course it didn't!

You don't need a legal binding to be married. This is simple and obvious. Anyone who thinks you are not married until you sign is mislead. For a real definition of marriage, I suggest looking to the ancient Jewish one. After the ceremony, the relationship is consummated through sex, and then you party and celebrate the marriage. The difference is how you act in a marriage.

Our actions defines our commitment. If you are seeking to make your wife/SO happy, and they are seeking the same, the relationship is fulfilled. Both are happy, both are selfless, and everyone's needs are met in a beautiful way. Only when you are committed to this (regardless of a legal binding) do these beautiful things in marriage and relationships happen.

On a side note, I know someone who had a common law marriage for over 30 years and got legally married last year. He said he can't explain it, but his relationship is different. There truly is something about a public profession that does need to be considered.

Although silly to buy a new car seat, car seats do expire. It's usually imprinted on the plastic. Its often because the foam deteriorates after sitting in storage or in a car for a period of time. Also there are improvements over time.

I worked at a place that served boba tea. There are some secrets.

Fresh is one of them. Cook them in a rice cooker! 2x water to pearls, and they will get gooey and wonderful. Store at room temp. Make a strong tea, and sweeten with sweetened condensed milk (as a poster suggested) for a milk tea.

If you are making the blended bobas, use dry coffee creamer. I promise it works! You can buy taro power at an Asian store for taro flavor, but other powdered flavors will be difficult to find. (for all of them, besides chai, I've only see the powdered ones) use 2 part taro powder and 1 part creamer and 1 part sugar. Add ice and fill with water half way and add water if needed.

Good luck! Now I'm craving one!

We just had our baby five months ago and you are exactly right. The baby industry seems as corrupt as the textbook. You only need so few things! We got everything (and more than everything) we needed from second hand and gifts. People will give you things whether you ask or not.

All babies are unique souls that have been gifted to you. Our son loved the swing for three months, but cannot stand it now. We often hear "My son/daughter loved this (insert random toy that they try to give to you). But your baby may not care for it. Your baby is YOUR baby. You will know what your baby likes, but be open to trying things. A favorite toy, or much needed break can come from anywhere.

Have fun!

Catering is always do as much as possible before hand, leaving your time day-of for finishing, plating and the unexpected.

There is so much as play here. Could you give me some more info? Do you have access to oven or burners? Fridge space? Prep space? What are you serving to drink? All of these play a huge factor into what you can cook and how much flexibility with your menu you have.

If you have all of these you can pretty much do anything you want.
You can pre-plate and refrigerate salads, leaving out the dressing for last.

Appetizers are good, but I usually stick to hors d'oevures and finger foods while the guests mingle and snack.

You can partially cook entrees and finish them in the oven. You can do salmon easily, A braise is a good idea an it is tender and flavorful. Lasagna is fine, but rarely will be exciting or fun. Cook what excites you for your first gig. Enjoy it, be proud of what you serve. If you think it may be too complicated, think of what you can do ahead and then see if it is still feasible.

Think of your crowd too. If it is a group of close friends, you can serve family style. Making it even easier on you. Thomas Keller even has a restaurant and book based on this concept.

Always garnish, but keep the garnish appropriate. The garnish should enhance the dish with flavor and appearance.

Desserts you can do the same. Pre-plate, leaving only a garnish and serve.

Always always always have as much fun as possible!

What makes bread so wonderfully...bready is gluten. So although there are some ways around it, it will never quite be the same. That's just an fyi going in.

But you can get pretty close with premixes that contain a mixture of gluten free flours and gums. Eggs and milk will help with keeping it moist. You can use yeast, but I would make sure it will work with the flour.

Good Luck!

As an outdoor lover with a few of these gadgets, my mind has been blown by the bio stove.... that thing is amazing and genius. A fuel efficient camp stove from what you can find, and it produces electricity. That is incredible. And the reviews are over the top.

Onto the other things:
The ENO hammock is great! packs down to a grapefruit size and is really study (parachute material) the Hennessy hammock is good too; hammock, mosquito net, and rain fly all in one

My highest recommendation goes to the GSI pinnacle soloist. Add a Snowpeak gigapower stove. The soloist is perfect for two people. bowl/mug, nonstick pot, spork, sipping/straining lid camp sink all in one. Plus the stove, fuel, salt/pepper all fit within itself. http://www.rei.com/product/784114/gsi-outdoors-pinnacle-soloist-cookset

@EREUYI Bantam are hens that are smaller even as adults. Small hen=small eggs. Pullets are just young hens

Kombucha is delicious. It has amazing cider/beer qualities from the fermentation. Like anything you are fermenting at room temp be careful that you are purposely creating an environment for bacteria to grow, but in this case, only the ones you want. Sanitize correctly and enjoy the heck out of it!