Gator Pam

wooo-HOOO!!! I just received this text from Krystin Jones, the coordinator for P.ink Washington State. Quoting with her permission. (please pardon the language) "Hi I'm happy to let you know you are one of gals receiving a tattoo this year. If you would call me when you have some time to talk so I can go over details and what to expect next. Holy shit congratulations girl!! I look forward to talking with you soon." P.Ink Day is an annual event, where free decorative tattoos are given to breast cancer survivors/thrivers over their mastectomy and reconstruction scars.

This seriously intrigues me. But, although I know you truly are describing everything in simple, layman terms, it still flies way over my comprehension. I'm afraid I would need to hire someone, show them your posts, and say, "that's what I want." Thank you for writing all of this up, though. One day, I'm going to do just that!

It's Play Music On the Porch Day! Here's my totally non prepared, totally spontaneous "performance."

^this^ As someone who developed a bleeding duodenal ulcer in response to the pain killer regimine I was put on after my DIEP FLAP reconstruction surgery, I remember the lack of appetite and lethargy I developed due to becoming severely anemic. I hope all is well.

https://www.target.com/finds/gift-lists/top-toys

Rabbit! Rabbit! Rabbit!

Belated Happy Happy, sim!

^what len said^Refuah She'leima, stationchief.

Happy Independence Day, USA!

Rabbit Rabbit Rabbit

@stationchief... We're here to support you as you go through all of this. And if you want, I'm more than happy to introduce you to low carb/high fat ways of eating. I lost 60 lbs between doing keto and just walking. My A1C is at 5.4 without medication, after being as high as 6.7 with medication, and I'm a thriving survivor of three separate cancers: thyroid, chronic leukemia (in other words ongoing for life), and breast. A low carb lifestyle (not diet, as I have chosen to eat only this way, with the occasional break) has truly worked wonders for me.

I was really hoping to see the Instant Pot Duo Nova 10-quart for the same, or possibly less, than the $79 some have found it for at Big Lots. I don't *need* yet another IP, but I would love a 10-quart for when I make bone broths/stocks.

No takers on the 40% code.

I received the 40% off mystery offer today. Same restrictions as above: One time use (good on entire order, I believe) Today only First to PM gets it. I'll update once it's gone.

Thank you!

Instant Pot deals? Or rather, Instant Brand deals, including Instant Pot?

In case anyone is interested, Stonehenge Summer Solstice: Sunrise is going virtual again this year. This link is via Facebook Live, but there may also be a website streaming it. They're also streaming the Stonehenge Summer Solstice: Sunset the night before, although for me here in the Pacific Northwet, the times are more noon and after dinner on the same day. Last year, both events were anticlimactic, as it was misty and overcast. Here's hoping the weather will be clearer this year.

Thermapen MK4 Closeout Rumors

Had my biannual thyroid cancer screening/follow up this afternoon. The endocrinologist reminded me that November will be a decade since my thyroidectomy, followed by radioactive iodine treatment the following January. From my blood work screenings the past several years, she is of the opinion that the chance of reoccurrence is basically nil, and says I can go down to annual visits instead of bi-annual. Huzzah! One down, two (chronic leukemia and breast cancer) to deal with, with hopefully no new cancer variations raising their spectre to haunt me.

Say what? *ALL* Thermapen MK4s are on close out? I wonder what is going to replace this model? Maybe Thermoworks is going to focus on the combined Thermapen IR model? https://www.thermoworks.com/Thermapen-Mk4

Again, if you have an Instant Pot, or other electric pressure cooker (do not use a stove top pressure cooker due to the potential of alcoholic vapors being close to the heat source upon release), you can save some time in the extraction process. There are two methods for doing so in the Instant Pot. I've done the first one, with excellent results, but I'm going to try the second method next time, as I've heard good reviews of that method as well. Tidbits' method in jars Frieda Loves Bread In Pot Method Vanilla Extract Again, after making in the Instant Pot, I like to allow my jarred vanilla extract to sit for two weeks in a dark cabinet, getting shaken at least weekly before using. But, both recipe writers claim they can be used right away.

Oh, but you use the entire bottle of whatever medium you buy to make multiple bottles at once. The longer it sits, the better. So even if you make say, five bottles of extract, and it takes you a year to get through each one, by the time you get to the fifth bottle after four years, it's going to be amazing!

I make mine in my Instant Pot. Still pricey to start, as you need to invest in vanilla beans, but a few beans go a long way. You can use vodka, bourbon, or brandy for the base, or food grade glycerine if you want nonalcoholic. I use potato vodka, so I can use it during Passover, as all of the other options are considered to be made with chometz or kitnyot and therefore not allowed. Slice about five vanilla beans lengthwise in half. Put them in to a safe canning mason jar. Fill with your liquid medium, leaving about an inch of head space at the top of the jar. Put on a new canning lid and lightly finger tighten. Put a cup of water in the insert of the Instant Pot. Put in the trivet and set the vanilla and liquid filled mason jars on the trivet. Seal the Instant Pot and process for half an hour at high pressure. Allow pressure to fully release naturally before opening the Instant Pot, then remove the hard and set on a cooling rack overnight to cool completely. Recipe writers say the vanilla can then be used right away. I prefer to store mine in a dark cabinet for at least two weeks, shaking the jars once a day. For my taste, using the vanilla right away still has a strong alcoholic flavor. Letting it sit for the two weeks before starting to use mellows it out drastically. And the longer it sits, the better it gets. Technically, this method is an infusion, rather than an extract. But, it's quite yummy and works well in recipes.

Are you driving from Pensacola to head south? If you're going to take I-75 south, you'll be passing through Gator Town (Gainesville), my old stomping grounds. I left nearly a decade ago, so I'm sure a lot has changed. But, if you enjoy nature walks, check out The Devil's Millhopper. It's a large sinkhole with a wooden trail built descending in to it. You can see several variations in plant life epochs as you descend. If you stay for a meal, try to head over to Satchel's Pizza. Not only is the pizza good, but the property and atmosphere is a true experience. I grew up just south of Fort Lauderdale in Hollywood, FL. But, I moved away from there in '97. Other than the obvious tourist traps, and I actually don't know if any of those are still open, I wouldn't feel currently informed to advise you on what to do down there nowadays.