gbtoo's Profile

keightdee, I really feel your pain. Comfort yourself you aren't the only one, this is almost of epidemic proportions. I read somewhere some time ago about a baby shower that was being thrown by a friend for a friend, and the guests weren't known to the hostess. Despite invitations, reminders, phone calls virtually no one showed up. The guest of honor was really gutted and took it badly and personally. A baby shower! Shameful.
Don't give up, just do it smaller, with much less effort, choose the date carefully (there are some dates that are so busy no one is free) and really look at your invitees. This could be a good time for friends with teenagers!

Sorry, no ebooks for me, ever. For literature or cooking. I love print and paper, the feel, the smell, the annotating in the margins. I have a wall of cookbooks that I use a lot. I should weed some out, but the ones that I don't use now are still a part of history - mine and the evolution of the food I have made and shared with others. I do print off the occasional recipe from the internet and add it to my files but that is as far as it goes. I love my books and have no desire to change. I guess I am a dinosaur.

Looks so doable, and yummy. We are a big cracker and cheese as appetizer family ( as in every evening before dinner) and the price of decent crackers in getting ridiculous, especially the organic ones. Going to try this asap. Thanks!!

Oh wow, this lifted my spirits no end!! What great ideas. I thought I was together by having a birthday banner, candles and (usually) a bottle of bubbly in the fridge. But clearly I am missing several keys ingredients, and the top of the list is a tiara and sparklers. Thanks for this great post and all the creative comments - life is too short not to have fun!!

Very good question, this is something I need advice about also. Several years ago I bought a British kettle from William Sonoma. It was really expensive and had a lifetime warranty. After about 8 years it had corroded on the coils on the bottom and became useless, and really unsafe. We concluded it was because our water is really hard and the salts and minerals just ate it up. Since then we have been using a really cheap chrome kettle that we had as a backup, and it looks like it is going to die soon too. I have looked at what is out there and concluded that for the price and the fact that our water eventually destroys metal cheap is the way to go.

When I was younger I would have said go practical and safe. Leave the more daring and adventurous decisions to things you can change really easily. However, having lived so many lessons I now will say if you love it - go for it. You may not get the chance again for a very long time.
Having said that there are a couple of things to consider: don't just fall in love with the color, you have to find the right sofa to wear it. It has to be something that will be comfortable for you, and fit your sitting style. Are you a loungers, more upright book reader, recliner? Are the arms comfortable, does it support your head.
Then you have to make sure you get the right pink. Paler pinks can be almost a neutral in a room, and you can put throws and pillows on to change the look. But if you go for for Pepto Bismal pink you really will have a color that draws attention to itself.
I think pink is too much derided. Too many associations with Barbie and other too girly things. It really is a warm and comforting color, and can be seen in so many places around the world - I think of India and European stately homes. Go with your instinct and don't second guess yourself!

Oh yum! A great British treat I miss, now I will make my own. Thank you1

Beautiful, before and after. As someone who can only dream of living near any water (whether in the summer, or full time) I am envious beyond belief. If it was me I'd move in in a heart beat and call it home permanently. Love what you are doing and looking forward to sharing the journey with you. The new residents don't know how lucky they are.

Had an overload of ricotta and thought this sounded good. Very quick and easy, flavor is subtle and I like the hint of lemon. However, much like Alfredo sauce this was way too creamy and rich for me. Maybe I can try it with a skim ricotta. Sauce that is left I am going to use with pancakes...should be interesting!

What a wonderful walk into the past. So beautifully written. Thank you for sharing. Must make a bag asap.