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Vaping on the Front or back Porch

SteveS45

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Member For 5 Years
Had the Sprinklers going at 5AM this morning. Have it running in the back yard right now and just have to do the side Flower beds and Herb Garden in a bit. I sealed cracks in the patio yesterday and I figured I would hit it with the Die Grinder today but some of the deep spots are still soft. I will give it another day I think.

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SteveS45

Diamond Contributor
ECF Refugee
Member For 5 Years
Well when I went out to do the Lawns it looked like rain. Checked the weather and sure enough Thunder Storms expected. Decided no the water anymore.
 

SteveS45

Diamond Contributor
ECF Refugee
Member For 5 Years
I forgot to post a pic of the fire I had going last night while we were waiting to see the Meteor Shower which I got a freaking Notification for on my phone but turned out you couldn't see it from New York~!

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Smigo

Gold Contributor
Member For 2 Years
I forgot to post a pic of the fire I had going last night while we were waiting to see the Meteor Shower which I got a freaking Notification for on my phone but turned out you couldn't see it from New York~!

View attachment 184706
I contemplated having a look at that one but preferred to be asleep.
The next in August and another in December are supposed to be be the best to see with high numbers. 50 in the August one and 75 December. Times on my chart are for us down under.
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Bliss Doubt

Platinum Contributor
Member For 5 Years
Yep, here's an article from 2014. One from 2006, and more. Know that most of the subject matter says "considering" or "in talks to" but I do recall China as a diplomatic gesture offering to aid transition back to silver. All the talk in my eyes would be akin to smoke, where you got smoke, ... . It certainly is a feasible means to protect Mexico.

Disclaimer: I'm no politician, economist, general and even they would say everything is tentative. Also not intending to discuss this as political discussion. My intention is a discussion as a broader scope of sociological "current affairs" and "goings on". I'm human so member of the human family. Always interesting to see what sisters and brothers do. :)
Mexico is the classiest country in the world. They had a 2-peso coin that was almost completely pure gold. I think the last year those were made was 1948, but they're still pretty easy to find. It makes me imagine the transaction, back in the day, "Un cafe". "Dos pesos". "Bueno". Boom, a little gold dot slapped down on the table.

I'll swear off prepping for a while, thinking if the world dies I just want to die with it, not sit on piles of food and water like a greedy Midas while the world drops dead around me. Then I'll hear an alarming article about coming supply chain disruptions, food shortages, economic collapse, power outages, you know, all the cheery stuff you hear, and I start collecting food and TP again, and buy another of those little 2-peso dots. Then I have to take it to my deposit box, but it's a happy errand.

Vape prepping, definitely necessary. I'd rather go without food than be without my vape.
 

MyMagicMist

Diamond Contributor
ECF Refugee
Member For 5 Years
I'd rather go without food than be without my vape.

Not sure I would go that far. Yes, I enjoy vaping & feel dependent on nicotine. If I went without food it could mean illness, death. Wouldn't be vaping then. I'm a true moderate, moderation even in moderation. :)

Think I agree with my wife. She told me last week, I need more of a masculine hand on me. Of course, she's right. Been a while since I've enjoyed a fellow. So yeah, my moderation might be just bit off. :)

Not that sex is the be all, end all. I do know and feel there's more to life than rolling in the hay. Also know and feel too, that sometimes that roll in the hay is just what one needs. Six or half a dozen. And not that any of this matters.

I'm just kind of at a point where I do not seem able to "have fun" in living. Don't get me wrong, I am a reasonably mature, responsible adult. We all though still recognize we each need something "fun" in life. Well, I don't have that be it sex, be it sky diving, be it spelunking, football, whatever, ... the "it" isn't there.

My fun as screwed up as it sounds? I like to work. Presently I'm back on the wait for a call/text to go work in a school. I sub in for calling off custodians. Often fear I do the work too well, and too much of it and it makes others look bad. So, I force myself to slack at the work just a bit. No one cares.

There's no advancing in the "job" and once you're hired in it seems only an act of some deity can get you fired. All it is, is a show up and do the minimum to do the work, job. Which I'm learning to not mind. I mean it's a lot better work than I used to do. Like my wife says it's my "retirement" work, "take it easy".

Yeah, yee-ha, I like working ergo I don't get "fun" in life it seems. No, my reward? More work. *chuckles*

While I've done sky diving, even done HALO, caving, played some football (soccer and American sissy rugby), I really don't get exhilarated over those things. I like them to a degree but they aren't really something "fun" to me.

Then, I guess a lot of my life has been "do because of need". When you live like that there's really not much in the way of joy. It all blends together as "the work" or "the fight" and days mean nothing, time just flows around you. You watch as others have "fun" but really don't get to know what you find fun.

Sorry I'm rambling. Need to go feed my cat in a minute.
 
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Bliss Doubt

Platinum Contributor
Member For 5 Years
Not sure I would go that far. Yes, I enjoy vaping & feel dependent on nicotine. If I went without food it could mean illness, death. Wouldn't be vaping then. I'm a true moderate, moderation even in moderation. :)

Think I agree with my wife. She told me last week, I need more of a masculine hand on me. Of course, she's right. Been a while since I've enjoyed a fellow. So yeah, my moderation might be just bit off. :)

Not that sex is the be all, end all. I do know and feel there's more to life than rolling in the hay. Also know and feel too, that sometimes that roll in the hay is just what one needs. Six or half a dozen. And not that any of this matters.

I'm just kind of at a point where I do not seem able to "have fun" in living. Don't get me wrong, I am a reasonably mature, responsible adult. We all though still recognize we each need something "fun" in life. Well, I don't have that be it sex, be it sky diving, be it spelunking, football, whatever, ... the "it" isn't there.

My fun as screwed up as it sounds? I like to work. Presently I'm back on the wait for a call/text to go work in a school. I sub in for calling off custodians. Often fear I do the work too well, and too much of it and it makes others look bad. So, I force myself to slack at the work just a bit. No one cares.

There's no advancing in the "job" and once you're hired in it seems only an act of some deity can get you fired. All it is, is a show up and do the minimum to do the work, job. Which I'm learning to not mind. I mean it's a lot better work than I used to do. Like my wife says it's my "retirement" work, "take it easy".

Yeah, yee-ha, I like working ergo I don't get "fun" in life it seems. No, my reward? More work. *chuckles*

While I've done sky diving, even done HALO, caving, played some football (soccer and American sissy rugby), I really don't get exhilarated over those things. I like them to a degree but they aren't really something "fun" to me.

Then, I guess a lot of my life has been "do because of need". When you live like that there's really not much in the way of joy. It all blends together as "the work" or "the fight" and days mean nothing, time just flows around you. You watch as others have "fun" but really don't get to know what you find fun.

Sorry I'm rambling. Need to go feed my cat in a minute.
I'm with you. I love working. Sports are something to get through, for discipline and fitness, and getting along with others. Relationships, sex, are good at the beginning, but eventually become tedious. I prefer work over everything. Well everything except eating and vaping :)

Go feed your cat.
 

SteveS45

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ECF Refugee
Member For 5 Years
So today's project I got started on about 8AM was to replace the bricks where the garbage cans sit. The mold was bugging the shit out of me.

Before..............

1627673103505.png
 

Bliss Doubt

Platinum Contributor
Member For 5 Years
So today's project I got started on about 8AM was to replace the bricks where the garbage cans sit. The mold was bugging the shit out of me.

Before..............

View attachment 184729
Isn't there a way to wash away the mold? My landlady has to do our clay tile walk every couple of years. Before the mold becomes really visible, it makes the walkway slippery, super slippery. Even if you're wearing grippy sole shoes, your feet will fly out from under you and land you on your rear. It's because the tile surfaces are a bit uneven, with little dips and pocks, where rainwater sits and breeds mold. Anyway, nice work you're showing.
 

SteveS45

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ECF Refugee
Member For 5 Years
Isn't there a way to wash away the mold? My landlady has to do our clay tile walk every couple of years. Before the mold becomes really visible, it makes the walkway slippery, super slippery. Even if you're wearing grippy sole shoes, your feet will fly out from under you and land you on your rear. It's because the tile surfaces are a bit uneven, with little dips and pocks, where rainwater sits and breeds mold. Anyway, nice work you're showing.

Yes Bleach gets rid of Mold but I was tired of looking at it so I replaced the Stones and Bricks to look better and raised it for better drainage. A couple of the stones I reused but cleaned them.
 

Smigo

Gold Contributor
Member For 2 Years
Yes Bleach gets rid of Mold but I was tired of looking at it so I replaced the Stones and Bricks to look better and raised it for better drainage. A couple of the stones I reused but cleaned them.
I have had issue in our garage for a few months as I posted on this site. Ours is concrete salts but in our stair well coming up from the garage has been mold.
I contemplated trying some brand mold sprays and the likes but searches found even though they work they also are very toxic and keep on and stay for several months. As well as triggers for allergies and reactions. I do get allergies and was diagnosed through thorough testing yrs ago by a top specialist here as having some rare allergies. That was the reason for our inital move away from Melbourne over 25 yrs ago. Made a huge difference. Cut a long story short. All mold remover sprays and treatments are harmfull. Even bleach triggers me bad to the point I reach for my inhalers.
The way we live my reaching is very limited these days as I payed attention to what triggered what. Those mold removers and killers are ultra toxic to us and nature.
You did the right thing......your little new bird buddy will thank you for it. 👍😁
 

MyMagicMist

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Member For 5 Years
I have had issue in our garage for a few months as I posted on this site. Ours is concrete salts but in our stair well coming up from the garage has been mold.
I contemplated trying some brand mold sprays and the likes but searches found even though they work they also are very toxic and keep on and stay for several months. As well as triggers for allergies and reactions. I do get allergies and was diagnosed through thorough testing yrs ago by a top specialist here as having some rare allergies. That was the reason for our inital move away from Melbourne over 25 yrs ago. Made a huge difference. Cut a long story short. All mold remover sprays and treatments are harmfull. Even bleach triggers me bad to the point I reach for my inhalers.
The way we live my reaching is very limited these days as I payed attention to what triggered what. Those mold removers and killers are ultra toxic to us and nature.
You did the right thing......your little new bird buddy will thank you for it. 👍😁
You may have never heard of enzyme cleaners, but trust us, you want to know about these incredible eco-friendly cleaners. These cleaners contain natural enzymes that break down and eat bacteria and germs – making cleaning a breeze.
When it comes to mold, enzyme cleaners not only work on the mold, but they also help to remove the foundation of the mold by breaking down the molecules that molds thrive on.

For a more natural approach to removing mold and mildew that doesn’t require strong chemicals, consider the plant-based Botanical Decon Disinfectant from Benefect. Some mold removers contain strong chemical agents that call for you to wear PPE (like eye protection or gloves) and produce strong fumes that require ventilation. On the other hand, Botanical Decon is a more gentle formula that has no chemicals, dyes, or health warnings. It requires no rinsing and is safe for contact with skin, food surfaces, and more.

I would suggest enzyme cleaners. Found out enzymes in potatoes clean blood and fecal matter off drywall, do the same for carpeting. And yes, enzymes can break down DNA trace evidence. They are relatively safe to use too regarding health concerns.

Nota Bena: If you desire ensuring DNA trace break down, nothing is more effective than ammonia. Enzymes though can do a fair job of it as well and are safer.

Nota Bena II: Being even a part time custodian, having been a CNA, ran as EMT, ... clear enough where, how, why I learned such things. It's little things you pick up having worked in various fields.

Even food services industries taught of using potato enzymes to clean out odors, clean well clothes from working in offal. Yes, chop up some "taters" and toss 'em in your washing machine with your usual detergent/s. Onion can be helpful as well but be careful lest you have everything carrying its scent.

Nota Bena III: Gee, being a walking concordance of odd, random information such as this may seem to benefit me as being a great party type of person. It doesn't. Instead it leaves me often at a loss for what to say. A lot of the stuff I got *points to skull* is the kind of stuff most are edgy about. Or, it's stuff that might could get me sued, jailed, all because I know it and "conveyed" it "irresponsibly" and perhaps to the "wrong" entities. Also some of it just "isn't fit for polite conversation". So I sit, grin ... watch all the empty bullshit talk. There's even some I got what is top secret or higher classified stuff and nope, not discussing it, sorry, just a big huge f*ing no no.


Although I got to thinking within the last few days. D'oh, gonna get myself hurt for sure. Just a curiosity here.

Everyone just knows the C.I.A. runs illicit drugs, allegedly to fund their operations. That seems like the kind of information that the C.I.A. would kill to keep secret. I mean honestly now, would you want your source of income revealed like that? Would that make you vulnerable? If the government/s of the world who are part of Everyone knew, you would think oversight would swiftly be metered out, no? Well, just a thought. :)
 
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Bliss Doubt

Platinum Contributor
Member For 5 Years
I have had issue in our garage for a few months as I posted on this site. Ours is concrete salts but in our stair well coming up from the garage has been mold.
I contemplated trying some brand mold sprays and the likes but searches found even though they work they also are very toxic and keep on and stay for several months. As well as triggers for allergies and reactions. I do get allergies and was diagnosed through thorough testing yrs ago by a top specialist here as having some rare allergies. That was the reason for our inital move away from Melbourne over 25 yrs ago. Made a huge difference. Cut a long story short. All mold remover sprays and treatments are harmfull. Even bleach triggers me bad to the point I reach for my inhalers.
The way we live my reaching is very limited these days as I payed attention to what triggered what. Those mold removers and killers are ultra toxic to us and nature.
You did the right thing......your little new bird buddy will thank you for it. 👍😁
I agree. If we're going to clean up this toxic world, it starts with each of us. Besides, it appears to me that SteveS45 enjoys working on his oasis, and takes pride in his workmanship. I don't know what my landlady does about the mold actually, because she has some contractor come and do it.
 

Smigo

Gold Contributor
Member For 2 Years
I would suggest enzyme cleaners. Found out enzymes in potatoes clean blood and fecal matter off drywall, do the same for carpeting. Even food services industries taught of using potato enzymes to clean out odors
Cool! Just put in an order for one of these on Ebay. Gonna tape it to a broom and do the garage roof! 👍😁
eol_images.jpg
 

SteveS45

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Member For 5 Years
Besides, it appears to me that SteveS45 enjoys working on his oasis, and takes pride in his workmanship.

You can't let things go or it builds up and either never gets done or you wind up having to renew the whole place~!
 

SteveS45

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ECF Refugee
Member For 5 Years
Even food services industries taught of using potato enzymes to clean out odors,

I have a hard time believing this, because recently when a bag of potatoes started rotting it had a nasty smell~! I actually used a Bleach Cleaner to get the smell out of the wooden shelf. Now I keep them in a Plastic Bin so it is easy to clean.
 

Smigo

Gold Contributor
Member For 2 Years
I agree. If we're going to clean up this toxic world, it starts with each of us. Besides, it appears to me that SteveS45 enjoys working on his oasis, and takes pride in his workmanship. I don't know what my landlady does about the mold actually, because she has some contractor come and do it.
Yep we rent too. I know our landlady is good and her hands are tied as we have had non stop wet weather every week for months now. Our wettest non stop winter ever. Our issue can only be fixed when it dries and to do so the garage roof needs 2 weeks of no rain. But the mongrel concrete guy who said he'd fix it the first dry run we got 4 months ago now was a no show even though in the first 6 weeks we had 2 lots of weather he could have done it. The concrete salts coming off the garage ceiling are crazy. I can fill a dust pan with what I swipe off with a broom every few days. :mad:
Im gonna have to seriously bite my tongue when he does show up.
 

SteveS45

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Member For 5 Years
Looking at the Brick Work I did yesterday I am pleased with the simple pattern. My original idea was to stagger the bricks to make it more random. Plus I found my tamper and the dirt and sand is nice and compressed.
 

SteveS45

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Long freakin day~! Thought I was done but my GF came back from the Beach with my Mom and I asked her if she wanted to join us for Outdoor Dining~! Take Out tonight and since she is coming I had to straighten out the Backyard and wipe all the furniture and tables down plus blow off the patio. Now it is time for a nice shower and relax with some Alcoholic~! Haven't decided just what yet though.
 

MyMagicMist

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Member For 5 Years
I have a hard time believing this, because recently when a bag of potatoes started rotting it had a nasty smell~! I actually used a Bleach Cleaner to get the smell out of the wooden shelf. Now I keep them in a Plastic Bin so it is easy to clean.

That's just it though. You don't use rotten potatoes. The enzyme comes from good potatoes cut. That can be pressed to attain the liquefied enzyme.

I didn't say potatoes cannot go bad, nor cannot mold. What I said was potato enzymes can be used to clean. Figured that it would have been clear to not use bad potatoes for that. Besides which enzyme/s of something are not the thing itself.

Like nicotine can be extracted from tobacco, grass, tomatoes. Enzymes can be extracted as well.

*sighs*

Apologies, do not intended to read as a college professor, don. Nor do I intended to read as a pompous & arrogant "know it all". Also apologize if it reads as condescending, frustrated, despairing, dramatic. None of that was my intention in mentioning enzymes can be used to clean. Again, though, ... more reminders to me of the question .... "why bother?"
 
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SteveS45

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Member For 5 Years
That's just it though. You don't use rotten potatoes. The enzyme comes from good potatoes cut. That can be pressed to attain the liquefied enzyme.

I just figured if regular potatoes can smell so bad what happens to the juices or Enzymes when that gets old?
 

MyMagicMist

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Member For 5 Years
I just figured if regular potatoes can smell so bad what happens to the juices or Enzymes when that gets old?

Not sure of that myself. Never really had any last, or be "around" long enough to "go bad". It's usually "consumed" up by use and "washed" away. That it is the sum of "cleaning", you "move" dirt. Dirt does not simply vanish though. No, like energy it simply manifests elsewhere. Job security for custodian types. :)

And yes, I know enzymes by their nature are not actually consumed. They're a stable catalyst which simply accelerates the breaking down of other chemicals. They are like PG & VG in that, they don't "break down".
 

gopher_byrd

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A couple of weeks ago my wife got rear ended driving home from taking me to the airport. Our car was totaled and we finally got the insurance money this week. I spent today out looking at used cars that we could pay cash on. We found pretty much the same car we had that was the same year and had less miles. The only differences is my old car was a 4 door sedan with an automatic and the new to us car is a hatchback with a stick. We started out at 10am and didn't get home until 4 pm. Most car dealers here have low inventory and I was lucky I could find something in my price range.
 

MyMagicMist

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Most car dealers here have low inventory and I was lucky I could find something in my price range.

Yeah, but it isn't merely cars. There's a hold on silicone because there's trouble transporting the material it's made from. Cars now seem to need silicone for various parts as well as computer chips.There's a hold on transporting that because of a short on petrol, or maybe ball bearings.

Our usual global cross industry "supply & demand chain", got disrupted in part due to the pandemic, yet it was not fully the pandemic which caused it. The "system" in itself is not "perfected" and even Toyota who uses a "just in time" production model, was/is having issues.

There may be supply but no distribution, distribution but inadequate supply/demand to facilitate the cost of shipping. This can be reversed, turned every which way. The problem isn't any "one thing/issue" but a culmination of all kinds of issues from simple incompetence to the lovely "hurry and wait" usual bureaucracy.

The pandemic only served to exacerbate & highlight all these seemingly little, niggling "issues". "Ah look, no employees to mine resource X to help make product C. C is needed to mine resource V for product K which we need to mine X. So, why we without employees? Sickness. No matter though as they cannot get C." This also helps explain lumber tripling and sometimes going for 300% more cost of late. Everything is all interconnected and interdependent.

Here’s the story, titled “Whose Job Is It, Anyway?”


This is a story about four people named Everybody, Somebody, Anybody and Nobody. There was an important job to be done and Everybody was sure that Somebody would do it. Anybody could have done it, but Nobody did it. Somebody got angry about that, because it was Everybody’s job. Everybody thought Anybody could do it, but Nobody realized that Everybody wouldn’t do it. It ended up that Everybody blamed Somebody when Nobody did what Anybody could have.


The story may be confusing but the message is clear: no one took responsibility so nothing got accomplished.

Who wants Change?​

Once there were four people named Everybody, Somebody, Anybody, Nobody who wanted change.

So, Everybody said "I want change".

Somebody said "If only anybody would start to change, I will join."

But nobody said "I will change."

Finally Everybody stayed same, blaming Somebody for waiting for Anybody to start changing. So, nobody changed.

“The best way to avoid responsibility is to say, 'I've got​

responsibilities.”​


― Richard Bach, Illusions: The Adventures of a Reluctant Messiah

I've heard the two stories above told as a vetsion where Everybody says "I'm too busy working/with responsibilities." So, Everybody has to rely on Somebody to do something. The rest fairly well follows suit as the other two versions. Anybody could have done something but Nobody did.

In life I've found myself usually answering to the name, Nobody. :) I mean that in the sense that I'm usually asking two questions. If not me, who? If not now, when?
 
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Bliss Doubt

Platinum Contributor
Member For 5 Years
Over the weekend I've been eating away at a Thai chile family dinner from the grocery store. I bought it for the baby bok choy, which I love and hardly ever see in the stores. The dinner was tofu, the bok choy and noodles, all bathed in a thin, sweet Thai chile sauce flecked with bits of the red chile. When it was all gone except the bland tofu, I wiped off the sauce, sliced it up, fried it in butter, sprinkled with powder sugar, and here is Sunday breakfast. Done this way, the tofu tastes exactly like French toast:

Tofu French Toast.jpg
 

Smigo

Gold Contributor
Member For 2 Years
A couple of weeks ago my wife got rear ended driving home from taking me to the airport. Our car was totaled and we finally got the insurance money this week. I spent today out looking at used cars that we could pay cash on. We found pretty much the same car we had that was the same year and had less miles. The only differences is my old car was a 4 door sedan with an automatic and the new to us car is a hatchback with a stick. We started out at 10am and didn't get home until 4 pm. Most car dealers here have low inventory and I was lucky I could find something in my price range.
Bummer about your car, thankfully you guys weren't hurt. 👍
Lucky you got a replacement these days as there is high demand on used cars due to the new car wait lists blowing out. Here the average wait list is 4 to 6 months for a new car. Many are longer. Some 8 to 12 months. I have heard of people offering those who have a new one, the one they are wanting, more than its retail price.
I never knew how many chips were in the new cars now. An average one they say has 40 to 50 chips in it with higher end ones over a hundred or more. A recent report said that to keep things going a number of manufacturers are going to sell the car with a few features inactive and the new owners will get notified when chips are available to be fitted to activate them.
They reckon the chip shortage started as a knock on effect from covid shutdowns and lockdowns last yr. Apparently sales of game consoles, pcs and tablets went through the roof as hundreds of millions were sent into isolation. Manufacturers of them were flooded with demand and they say are still struggling to meet demand. The car industry is said to be the hardest hit.
 

SteveS45

Diamond Contributor
ECF Refugee
Member For 5 Years
Over the weekend I've been eating away at a Thai chile family dinner from the grocery store. I bought it for the baby bok choy, which I love and hardly ever see in the stores. The dinner was tofu, the bok choy and noodles, all bathed in a thin, sweet Thai chile sauce flecked with bits of the red chile. When it was all gone except the bland tofu, I wiped off the sauce, sliced it up, fried it in butter, sprinkled with powder sugar, and here is Sunday breakfast. Done this way, the tofu tastes exactly like French toast:

View attachment 184775

That looks awesome and I can't believe it is Tofu~!
 

SteveS45

Diamond Contributor
ECF Refugee
Member For 5 Years
So last night instead of getting Entree's my GF suggested just getting a Pizza so I ordered the Sicilian Special with No Anchovies. It is a meal in a slice and I had a hard time finishing the second one. But I did~!

Slept really well last night and didn't get out of bed until 8AM~! WOW~!
 

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