Chat Back for December 10

Responding to comments left since the last time I did Chat Back.

Judy S. asked . . .

I made your orange spiced nuts the other day, and they were yummy. Have you tried them with cereal for breakfast?

I've made them several times in a double batch to take to various get-togethers. They weren't a big hit so both times I had plenty left over to munch on at home and I totally enjoyed doing that at all times of the day and night, although I never ate them at the same time as my cereal. Sounds like a great combination.

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Mrs. Susan Wike wrote . . .

Try Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day. It makes you feel like a real French baker--and there's bread dough ready in the fridge for a loaf whenever you want one.

Haven't tried this yet, but it's on my list of things to try someday. I gain a pound every time I think about it.

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Susanne asked . . .

How are the bathroom reno's coming along?

The important, urgent things are under control. No more leaking into the basement, no more dry rot in the floor.

The past two months I've been doing physical therapy and it's been painful, so I haven't been painting and I keep telling myself there is no hurry. I half believe that.

It will get done. If I'm not able to manage it by spring, I will hire it done.

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Lola wrote . . .

If the hard drive is making noises, it's a signal that the drive will fail soon, at any time. Make backups of essential files NOW and start looking for a new laptop sooner rather than later. Hard drives do have a shelf life, and it soulds like your laptop is pretty old.

Don't worry. I know all that.

I am backed up. I do intend to buy a new laptop soon. If the laptop dies before I'm ready, I'll cope with it. I have Bob's desktop as a backup CPU, although it's probably easier to set up a new laptop than to change his settings to mine.

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NMJewel asked . . .

One of these days, you'll surprise us all with... socks! Eh?

Blame the physical therapy. I haven't figured out yet how to knit without getting into a posture I'm not supposed to get into, and most of the time my shoulders and neck hurt too much to enjoy knitting anyway.

This will not go on forever. I am getting better. So yes, one of these days I will surprise you.

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Judy wrote . . .

In the midst of all the sorrow I pray you will also experience peace.

Thank you Judy. I do have peace.

Last week’s Griefshare lesson was about how we can’t know God’s ways, we can only know that He is good and He loves us. I worked though most of that before Bob died, so I have it all fresh in mind to keep me going.

The key to understanding God is knowing that we can’t.

For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
Neither are your ways my ways declares the Lord.
As the heavens are higher than the earth,
So are my ways higher than your ways
And my thoughts higher than your thoughts.

(Isaiah 49:8-9)

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Kathy B. asked . . .

I am so sorry to hear Glory is nearing her end. Will an image of her running to your husband help??????

I think that's exactly what she wants to do. She's still waiting for him to come back, and soon she's going off to find him.

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Janna wrote . . .

And I agree with Donna -- check out Louise Penny's books. Try to start with the first one (Still Life) and work your way through.

This is an excellent mystery series that you really do want/need to read in order.

I just finished the second book and it would have been a challenge to follow if I hadn't read the first.

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Sherilan asked . . .

Have you read the Sheriff Gastner mysteries by Steven Havill? I came late to the series, the first is "Heartshot" and there is a new one out in December, I think.

This is on my list to read. Because I'm a non-resident, I can only order three library books at a time.

Thanks for the recommend.

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Marcia asked . . .

I'm wondering who the author is of your copy of the Taste of Home's Cooking for 1 or 2. I looked on Amazon and there is one published in 2003, Heidi Reuter Lloyd and one published in 2006 and written by Mark Hagen. I'm at the point where I think I could use such a book.

Mine is Taste of Home's Cooking for One or Two from 2003 edited by Heidi Lloyd. I bought it second hand from Amazon. Not sure if it's still in print. Maybe directly from Taste of Home?