Disqus - Latest Comments for Leisa

Re: When Does a Songbird Migrate? Depends on What It Eats

Leisa — Sat, 14 Dec 2024 18:25:39 -0000

I always make a note with my winter bird friends come. My hermit thrush arrived in my central VA location first week of December...at the same time as the juncos. My white-throated sparrow flock flew in the first week of November. At the hermit thrush is the same one from last year. He remembers the meal plan and set up on the deck, and stayed put when I went out. My last hermit thrush came back for 3-4 years. (I have the wood thrush in the summer). The feel like old friends!

Re: Classic Fresh Egg Pasta

Leisa — Wed, 06 Apr 2022 09:36:19 -0000

I've not made this recipe yet. I did use Helen Rennie's recipe (2 eggs 3 egg yolks) (185g wet:300g flour). It was my first time making fresh pasta (I have the Kitchen Aide add on). I used KA bread flour. My pasta (fettuccine) turned out perfectly the first time. We all enjoyed it--and it was so good I thought about it the next day, and the next. I appreciate this recipe, and I'll give it a try. I love pasta, and like homemade biscuits, the difference was measurable between scratch v. store-bought.

Re: Person of Interestseries finale recap: 'Return 0'

Leisa — Mon, 07 Mar 2022 10:13:52 -0000

I recently rewatched the series (I think my third time through). Each time, I see a complexity that I may have missed. Few shows have as compelling storylines and characters as this show. It is one of my favorite shows. With respect to the "Christian" messages noted by another, these are universal messages of humanity that go beyond Christian boundaries, not to put too fine a point on it. But it is a show that will appeal (or not) to different sensibilities. It's worth taking a look to see if it appeals to yours.

Re: #PROJECTJELLYROLL2021 PATTERN REVEAL

Leisa — Tue, 22 Feb 2022 09:11:18 -0000

I really love that there are so many free patterns available. The Savannah Squares really caught my eye and the desaturated gray/gold is lovely.

I will fill in #11...make a LeMoyne Star with 2.5" strips for your diamonds. This size will create a 9.5" Finished block (trimming to 10"). I slightly upsize my insets to ensure I have a perfect trim down (all of those biased edges + manifold seams = lots of opportunities for tears). I use 3 5/8 squares for the corners. Cut QST's from 2.75 strip or 5.5 square 2 x diagonal cuts. I like the Marti Michell Deluxe corner trimmer/marker to mark my diamonds. I clip the top of the QST and 1 corner of squares so they nestle directly against the diamond shoulder. That ensures a great visual. Glue basting secures bias and keeps things put until sewn.

Re: "I CAN TOTALLY MAKE THAT!" FREE PATTERN SERIES

Leisa — Tue, 22 Feb 2022 08:52:40 -0000

Thank you for this post. I downloaded the pattern, but I made it with set in seams as fewer seams in this block is better given the pieced diamond. I made a 9.5" finished block. I sewed two 1.5" strips together to make the small diamonds, and then cut at 1.5". I then sewed them to a 1.5" strip (long sides aligned, RST) by rotating the polarity of the 2-pieced unit. I sewed 1/2 pointing north and 1.2 point sounth. I uploaded a pic. I was happy with how it turned out. I also saw this as a pin where everything was totally scrappy except for white interior (on 1/2 of the diamonds). So many design variations. But the LeMoyne Star is a real favorite of mine. https://uploads.disquscdn.c...

Re: English Toffee

Leisa — Fri, 17 Dec 2021 16:08:18 -0000

My MVP in the kitchen is a digital thermometer with a detachable probe. (I have a ChefAlarm currently). Put a Trudeau spoon clip on your pan, and you can put the probe where it needs to be (in the product not the bottom of the pan). You can then put the thinking part of the unit in a spot that you can easily see.

Take the guess work out of candy, and ensure that your expensive meats are cooked to your preferred temperature for safety and enjoyment. With the snakey wire, you can close your oven door and look at the body without opening the oven door.

Just add batteries. You will get years of effective use, and you will never spoil a dinner or a candy batch.

Re: Choreg (Armenian Easter Bread) Recipe

Leisa — Sat, 11 Dec 2021 10:50:53 -0000

Thank you so much for your recipe and your techniques.

One of my fondest memories from my childhood is my Armenian grandmother's Easter bread. She would make at Christmas and Easter. I finally recreated her recipe after trying many...and once I switched to evaporated milk (after having a memory flash), my taste memory was satisfied. I don't know WHY it causes a slight, but noticeable difference, but it did.

This bread with eggnog was a joyful mouth experience.

Re: Handmade By Heather B: How I assemble PDF Patterns

Leisa — Fri, 10 Jul 2020 08:01:25 -0000

I know this is an old post, but I couldn't find my tape but had an Elmer's permanent glue stick that worked fine (which I wanted to share). I used my rotary cutter that was destined for a blade change to quickly trim the PDF (my first). I have gone to my rotary for paper things, I've elected to get a rotary cutter (different color) to relegate just for that task.

Re: About Suet, Mealworms, and Other Bird Foods

Leisa — Tue, 02 Apr 2019 09:06:35 -0000

Loved your set up. I make suet for the birds similar to you. I've never seen a robin eat it, but everyone else loves it--a great attractor to birds (such as the hermit thrush and brown creeper) that you might not otherwise see. I also have live mealworms that I offer (that I began cultivating last year)

Re: How to Choose the Right Kind of Bird Feeder

Leisa — Thu, 28 Mar 2019 05:23:34 -0000

This is a Heritage Farms Absolute II bird feeder

Re: Pine Warbler

Leisa — Thu, 27 Dec 2018 11:33:53 -0000

I am just east of Richmond, VA and I believe that I have a pine warbler eating my special crumbly suet that all of my bird friends (except a notable few such as cardinals) enjoy. A little northwest'ish of its typical range out of breeding season, but a delight to see. I had to do a little research to figure out "who" it was. Thanks so much for your post.

Re: Get to Know These 15 Common Birds

Leisa — Thu, 27 Dec 2018 10:58:46 -0000

Look closely, and you will see red on their belly. They are aptly named if indeed their nome de plume is difficult to spot. You will see it if you have a suet feeder.

Re: Home-Prepared Dog and Cat Diets Book Available Free

Leisa — Sat, 20 Oct 2018 09:52:02 -0000

I just put a link to this post for one of my daughter's friends who is considering a raw diet. There are lots of 'stuff' out there on feeding raw, but none as complete as Dr. Strombeck's.

I had 4 dogs and went on a raw diet as my Am Bulldog had severe allergies--so badly that her feet were swollen and bloody when I adopted her. With 4 dogs from 40-80 lbs, I needed to process in bulk. So I grind bone in portions of chicken and combine with no bone to get the right balance of calc/phosp.

From time to time I run into people who prepare their dog's food with NO research. So they feed chicken and rice or ground beef, but the dogs get NO calc/phos which can cause long term harm.

Dr. Strombeck's site is very comprehensive. Once one understands and ensure's that the basics are covered (vitamins/minerals/calcium/phosphorus /fat balance) in the right ratios, there is some latitude. His recipes allow you to choose among several offerings that provided this balance

I've been feeding more than 5 years now, and my dogs are very healthy. My AmBulldog passed, but this diet ensured she made it to her life expectancy without chronic allergy problems that she had when I got her.

Because I process in bulk (and it is a pain at times!), my costs for feeding raw are about $1 per lb of food. It get 80 lbs of chicken (leg quarters 40lb/boneless skinless thighs 40lb) and a variety of starches (rice, potatoes, lentils, macaroni) as well as frozen vegetables which I grind into my meat. But that 3 hours of work is for about 6-8 weeks of feeding. I freeze the mixture and then prepare the starch daily to which I add the thawed meat/veg product, and additives.

Also, your dog's water intake will go down considerably because the diet provides so much moisture.

It is far cheaper than the premium dog foods and special diets--as well as vet bills. However, for those who travel etc, it is not very convenient for those who are caring for your dogs...but can be accomplished with proper planningfsd And I don't mind buying a bag of dry food for those times (which are very infrequent for us).

Re: In its penultimate episode, <i>Grimm </i>sets the Destroyer loose on Earth

Leisa — Sat, 25 Mar 2017 16:46:54 -0000

I have enjoyed the fantasy of this show--the mythological story lines, both primary (episodic) and secondary (seasonal/series arc). I've also enjoyed the characters--even in the sillier character evolution(s). My guess is that Hank and Woo will resurrect; Big Z will get his due; and all there will be no more Grimm powers nor Wesen morphs--eg the world returns to 'normal' and Friday night fodder in need of replenishment.

Re: Don't Ignore the Dangers of a Weak President

Leisa — Fri, 24 Feb 2017 10:06:53 -0000

JOyG is much like his countryman Santayana....their thinking is so lucid, their writing so lyrical, that almost every phrase is both memorable and quotable. I don't know that I have his complete works, but I have many of this books--Meditations on Quixote one of my favorites. A quote:“I am I and my circumstance; and, if I do not save it, I do not save myself," of particular resonance. You may also enjoy Santayana's Life of Reason.

I feel that the art of reading (and writing and civil public discourse) is a lost art. So many important works are lost in the contemporary public conscious, accordingly fail to shape and inform public discourse. I will thank you for your contributions to it here and of sharing the works of this remarkable thinker and writer.

Re: Don't Ignore the Dangers of a Weak President

Leisa — Thu, 23 Feb 2017 20:54:25 -0000

No worries.

Re: Don't Ignore the Dangers of a Weak President

Leisa — Thu, 23 Feb 2017 18:26:40 -0000

No, I'm not new. I strive to be very principled in my communication with others, except when I'm not.

Re: That Free Health Tracker Could Cost You

Leisa — Thu, 23 Feb 2017 15:16:50 -0000

I'll say that I worked in this industry, so I know a bit of what I speak. Agree with you that end of life care is a large contribution to lifetime healthcare costs. However for the chronically ill, the costs associated with unmanaged chronic diseases is quite large. Diabetes, hyperlipidemia and hypertension are major contributors to lifetime healthcare costs to include GREATER end of life costs due to complex comorbidities. Again, these costs can be managed for many by making better lifestyle choices. End of life care continues to be a frontier where people are offered better options and can make better choices for compassionate and palliative care in a supportive, non-institutionalized environment. With the bolus of baby boomers hurdling toward Medicare, we need to continue that progression.

Re: Don't Ignore the Dangers of a Weak President

Leisa — Thu, 23 Feb 2017 14:33:01 -0000

Perhaps you can dust your copy off. It comes from page 97 of my well-worn, much-loved copy.

Of course I must allow that you may be reading the original Spanish version and what I'm reading is but a clunky translation of his work. Alas, it is all that I have and regrettably all I'm able read.

Re: Don't Ignore the Dangers of a Weak President

Leisa — Thu, 23 Feb 2017 12:51:46 -0000

Jose Ortega Y Gasset wrote Revolt of The Masses. Forget about George Orwell, but read JOYG. He write of "mass man" . . . Sound familiar? Bueller? Bueller?
"If from the view-point of what concerns public life, the psychological structure of this new type of mass man be studied, what we find is as follows: (1) An inborn, root-impression that life is easy, plentiful, without any grave limitation; consequently, each average man finds within himself a sensation of power and triumph which, (2) invites him to stand up for himself as he is, to look upon his moral and intellectual endowment as excellent, complete. This contentment with himself leads him to shut himself off from any external court of appeal; not to listen, not to submit his opinions to judgment, not to consider others' existence. His intimate feeling of power urges him always to exercise predominance. He will act then as if he and his like were the only beings existing in the world; and consequent, (3) will intervene in all matters, imposing his own vulgar views without respect or regard for others, without limit or reserve, that is to say, in accordance with a system of direct action."

Re: That Free Health Tracker Could Cost You

Leisa — Thu, 23 Feb 2017 12:40:16 -0000

Human behavioral change is very difficult. There is a wide chasm between knowing and doing the right thing. Refraining from shaming any has little to do with political correctness and everything to do with avoiding shameful behavior (engaging in such) that has no efficacy toward positive behavioral modification.

Re: That Free Health Tracker Could Cost You

Leisa — Thu, 23 Feb 2017 09:01:21 -0000

Health plans have been using predictive algorithms to identify potential high risk/high cost individuals in their member populations for quite sometime. It's called case/care/disease management. A seldom discussed but huge contributor to our healthcare costs is the (unhealthy) health profile of Americans. One of the greatest things any of us can do to support our nation's fiscal health is ensuring that we are physically healthy. Going into Medicare free from chronic diseases would save much and improve the quality of life for many.

Re: Futuro 5-piece Pressure Cooker Set

Leisa — Thu, 19 Jan 2017 18:44:17 -0000

Sadly, so many folks have memories of pressure cooker travesties and write it off. However, frying pans catch on fire more often than a modern day pressure cooker fails. I would say that pressure cooking is safer than frying! As with most things in life, practice makes perfect. Gird your loins and step into recipes (rice, stock, beans, porlk barbecue) that allow you to reduce cooking time and improve results. Using an insert and/or pot in pot method goes a long way toward improving results. It is essential too, that you MODERATE your pressure--meaning lower the temp to maintain the desired pressure. Otherwise, the safety features (steam release) will release all of your liquid. Trust me on this....pressure cooking rice is better than stovetop. And if you love brown rice you will love the pressure cooker for this. Give it a try!

Re: Futuro 5-piece Pressure Cooker Set

Leisa — Thu, 19 Jan 2017 18:36:12 -0000

Rinsing rice removes excess starch reducing stickiness. I always cook my rice using the pot in pot method (putting water in pressure cooker, placing rice and water in a bowl that fits inside using 1.25:1 ratio of water to rice.

Re: Who Really Is Tim Kaine?

Leisa — Thu, 13 Oct 2016 09:44:35 -0000

Tim Kaine was our corporate attorney for many years. I have known him to have impeccable integrity and a passionate and committed civil servant--the epitome of what we would wish for our in our elected officials. Further, is is astute and pragmatic. His wife shares the same passions for making a difference through service to others. Politics is a personal business, and there are many differences of opinion. Regardless of your politics, you can be assured that Tim's commitment to serving his constituents is solid. They say that one's integrity is best assessed by observing what people do when no one is watching. I regret that we have two polarizing candidates for either party. One is a non-starter for me for all of the things that he does when people are both watching and not watching. I certainly understand the arguments against Hillary. However, I believe in Tim, and I hope that if Hillary wins that she will leverage Tim's considerable talents. For all of our differences, I hope that the successful candidate, that all will step into the conflict and broker a resolution among shared objectives. Failing to find shared objectives is a failure to lead. Further I would call for citizens who have strong opinions about the failures of government examine their own contributions (or lack of) to the political process. As they say, democracy is not a spectator sport.