Mathonwy's posts

The sponge thing really speaks to me. When I wash things by hand (like things that aren't dishwasher safe), I always use a clean dish towel, and then put it in the laundry after. I never feel like my dishes are clean if I use something that hangs out damp next to the sink 24/7.

I'm seeing some wonderful varieties here! I'm happy that so many love Golden Delicious and Cripps Pink. I always recommend the latter for those times when there aren't too many choices in super markets. Honeycrisp is good, too! For those who like Honeycrisp, have you tried Rave and SnapDragon? I think they'd be to your taste!

@alorrena: Thank you very much! =)

I'm with you on that for baking. Bread is much more satisfying, and I just love pies and tarts.

@wildfire: I'm really sorry to hear about your friend. =( But you're right. It's over now, at least. I have had "survivor's guilt" about all these things. The hair was a bargain for me, and even the bad side effects. May she rest in peace, my friend. <3

I like you, too! =D I would give you a whole plethora of apples to try! I give them out to friends and coworkers when I travel around locally to different orchards. I introduced them to 40 varieties this year! It brings me so much joy to see someone try Ananas Reinette or Ben Davis and taste an apple that tastes like pineapple, or Sweet Sixteen that tastes like black licorice, or MN55 cultivar which tastes like cantaloupe. It was a good year for getting my hands on different things!

I listen to a lot of folk music and traditional music, mostly from Wales and the Baltic region. At my last recital I played a Welsh song, accompanying myself on psaltery, and a Finnish song that someone accompanied me on accordion. I listen to early music as well, medieval and Renaissance stuff. Otherwise, I listen to a lot of goth rock/post punk/dark wave. The Sisters of Mercy used to be my favorite band, but I've been obsessed lately with a band called The Birthday Massacre. I think I've been listening to one of their albums every day for the past month! XD

You should stick with ukelele! On psaltery, I have like 40 songs I play with just three to five chords, so you can do more than you think! ^_^

@shark: I'm doing well, thank you! =D How are you? I'm just off to bed now. I'm excited to visit my mother in the morning, maybe bake some things with her and take her out for dinner, so I hope you have a great night!

@sunny: Oh yes, all the time! I've made a few pies this season with Cortland, one with Mutsu, and two with Rhode Island Greening apples. Those last are the best for pies, I promise!

@rei ann: I highly recommend if you like fantasy/fairy tale stuff!

@sunny: Thank you for the welcome! I'll bake cake anytime anyone wants! And all the apples you can eat!

@rei ann: I'm in the middle of Lud-in-the-Mist by
Hope Mirrlees. I can hardly put it down! Kind of like a proto-fantasy novel from the early 20th century.

@cooperationiskey: It took me about 10 years to bother getting one for the same reason, but it's a true game changer! I can't recommend it enough. Same with my Cuisinart food processor. Pie crusts are like 5 times easier to make with a food processor, everything is so quick.

@rei ann: I should have brought it! No worries, though.

@cooperationiskey: I get obsessed with all those necessary kitchen gadgets! I got a stand mixer finally with a bread hook and it made life so easy.

@cooperationiskey: Always to help with my apple maiden lore! ~_^ I'd love to try zucchini bread, too! I've mostly just made banana bread and cornbread before.

@rei ann: That sounds like a nice, relaxing evening! I'd rather be at home reading. You know when you ran out of time and had to stop mid-chapter? I probably won't get back to it until bedtime, assuming my call with my friend doesn't tucker me out.

@rei ann: Not much! I'm at a family gathering at the moment hiding in the living room sipping coffee, and in about an hour I'll probably be home to Skype with a friend and ask him about his first date with someone! I know he wants to spill. What are you up to tonight?

@cooperationiskey: Thank you very much! You have excellent taste because I loooove Cripps Pink (Pink Lady)! I usually bake pies: apple pie of course, strawberry rhubarb, pumpkin and sweet potato, and I like to bake cookies, cakes, tarts, and little pastries. I also love baking bread, but I've been trying not to eat too much lately.