Thursday Night Open Thread

By Jeralyn, Section Blog Related
Posted on Thu Dec 22, 2011 at 07:37:28 PM EST
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There's nothing better than homemade green chile and a good bottle of wine on a cold winter's night.

That's what we're doing here, and watching the finale of the X-Factor.

Here's an open thread, all topics welcome.

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Thursday Night Open Thread | 69 comments (69 topical)

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I just finished (5.00 / 3) (#1)
by Zorba on Thu Dec 22, 2011 at 07:51:10 PM EST

making my Greek butter-almond Christmas cookies, κουραμπιέδες (kourabiethes). We will have them for Christmas, plus some go to friends and neighbors. That's what I did tonight!

I'm guzzling some (5.00 / 1) (#3)
by jeffinalabama on Thu Dec 22, 2011 at 08:34:06 PM EST

hibiscus tea tonight, thinking of making a strudel tomorrow with apples, raisins, and black currants. I have the filo dough-- purchased, not homemade, and plenty of everything except apples.

I started drinking hibiscus flower tea in Colombia. It's an herbal remedy for high blood pressure and cholesterol-- not my major issues, but i don't have any yew bark, otherwise i'd have hibiscus and yew tea!

Parent

Sounds very good, jeff (5.00 / 1) (#4)
by Zorba on Thu Dec 22, 2011 at 08:39:31 PM EST

And, to be frank, I don't make my own filo dough- never have, and never will. My great-grandmother used to, and what a pain in the rear it was! Dough, stretched all over the kitchen table. It was wonderful, but I'm not going there! Hibiscus flower tea sounds very interesting, especially since I have both high blood pressure and high cholesterol. How does it taste?

Parent

I think you'd like the taste. (none / 0) (#5)
by jeffinalabama on Thu Dec 22, 2011 at 08:42:46 PM EST

It's airy, and naturally sweet. ALso it's a beautiful purple. I drink it because i enjoy it. I just bought the dried flowers at our local organic/health food market.

Parent

I'm not much of a tea person (5.00 / 1) (#31)
by Militarytracy on Fri Dec 23, 2011 at 10:25:22 AM EST

but I love hibiscus tea. If I tea I really like Dragon's Blood green tea. Makes Charlie Sheen's tiger blood puny :)

Parent

i love tea (5.00 / 1) (#52)
by CST on Fri Dec 23, 2011 at 12:54:55 PM EST

and I love hibiscus tea more than most. It's yummy. And very pretty and aromatic too.

Parent

: Do you ever do the Jasmine tea (none / 0) (#73)
by Militarytracy on Sat Dec 24, 2011 at 06:48:09 AM EST

that makes the blooming flower arrangement in your cup? I sent some to my Aunt, little disks of blooming tea and a clear glass teapot to make it in.

Parent

We have (none / 0) (#6)
by Zorba on Thu Dec 22, 2011 at 08:47:10 PM EST

a couple of organic/health food markets in the area. I'm definitely looking for dried hibiscus. Thanks!

Parent

Here's one, (5.00 / 0) (#2)
by jeffinalabama on Thu Dec 22, 2011 at 08:27:30 PM EST

Green chiles stuffed with cheese, wrapped in a large flour tortilla that has refried beans smeared over it...

Sigh...

Chiles rellenos! My favorite (5.00 / 1) (#14)
by Towanda on Thu Dec 22, 2011 at 11:07:12 PM EST

-- and the first time that I had them was high up in the mountains in Jeralyn's Colorado.

I now have had chiles rellenos in many states, and I've still got more to go. It's never too far to go for chiles rellenos, though.

Parent

A chile relleno and bean burrito... (5.00 / 1) (#15)
by jeffinalabama on Thu Dec 22, 2011 at 11:10:42 PM EST

We had an entrerprising guy who would sell burritos and tamales door to door in my office when in grad school... green corn tamales, and those burritos...

Restaurante Mexico, if you get out to Phoenix/Tempe... best chiles rellenos in the Valley. Voted that way at least 5 times. But they only do the chiles Rellenos on Fridays... be warned!

Parent

: Chile relleno and green corn tamale (5.00 / 1) (#29)
by jmacWA on Fri Dec 23, 2011 at 10:02:47 AM EST

My regular meal at Sanchez Burrito when I lived in Tucson... You couldn't beat it.
mmmm

Parent

They use a cheese here in Alabama (none / 0) (#60)
by Militarytracy on Fri Dec 23, 2011 at 02:19:27 PM EST

that just ruins them for me here. I grew up with them being stuffed with jack, and poblano peppers. I miss Chili Rellenos from the Monica's Taco stand, which had a different name the last time I was home in the Springs but the same people running it.

Parent

: Absolutely must be jack (none / 0) (#77)
by Towanda on Tue Dec 27, 2011 at 02:39:27 PM EST

or an even lighter but similar Mexican cheese (I know there is another one that works but can't recall the name). To ruin chiles rellenos is a sin!

Parent

Josh's last surgery in San Antonio (5.00 / 1) (#33)
by Militarytracy on Fri Dec 23, 2011 at 10:31:00 AM EST

I went downstairs for breakfast really early. Mostly hospital workers in line for this single entree. With so many people in line I thought it would be best to join, how can that be the wrong line? When I got to the front I saw a tortilla with refries, add scrambled eggs, and two strips of bacon laid crossways....fold and eat. When I asked what it was called the guy in front of me looked at me like I was slow and said it is called bean, egg, and bacon. That's what the little sign said too. It was so good. Obviously everyone in San Antonio eats it all the time, and thinks that people like me who demand to complicate it are tiresome :)

Parent

In other parts of the country (5.00 / 2) (#36)
by CoralGables on Fri Dec 23, 2011 at 11:01:00 AM EST

it's the far less tasty breakfast burrito. In Corpus Christi I had the pleasure of being at a hole in the wall where one person made them using about 15 different items and you picked, and yes you ordered by what you wanted in it and you better be fast. The terror of what to order hitting the front of the line with no signage and no pricing was a little like being caught in a "Soup Nazi" episode, so I quickly resorted to "what she had" pointing at the lady in front of me. No idea what I had but it was delicious.

Parent

: I had the same (none / 0) (#38)
by Ga6thDem on Fri Dec 23, 2011 at 11:03:43 AM EST

problem when I used to travel to NYC and tried to eat at a deli. I just let people go in front of me and that seemed to help.

Parent

How are you (none / 0) (#11)
by Ga6thDem on Thu Dec 22, 2011 at 10:45:47 PM EST

doing? We need an update on how you are doing.

Parent

check up next week, i'll let you know then... (5.00 / 1) (#12)
by jeffinalabama on Thu Dec 22, 2011 at 10:48:22 PM EST

how about yourself?

Parent

Having (5.00 / 1) (#13)
by Ga6thDem on Thu Dec 22, 2011 at 10:59:14 PM EST

surgery after Christmas, I guess a CT scan at some point and then radioactive iodine treatment at some point. Then it's regular visits to the endocrinologist for the rest of my life.

Parent

Best wishes... (5.00 / 4) (#28)
by kdog on Fri Dec 23, 2011 at 08:42:30 AM EST

for better health in 2012 for both of you...hang in there GA and beat that sh*t.

Parent

Ga6thDem (5.00 / 2) (#40)
by samsguy18 on Fri Dec 23, 2011 at 11:12:50 AM EST

I haven't been around much ...I was aware of Jeff.
Wishing you both good health in 2012.

Parent

Thyroid? (5.00 / 1) (#74)
by Militarytracy on Sat Dec 24, 2011 at 06:57:07 AM EST

Josh will be in the surgery department with you.

They will take his current titanium rods out of his back and put him in halo traction thank God for only a month. The doctors in San Antonio were talking longer, the doctors in Atlanta said that you will get the majority of correction you are going to get in the first three weeks. Anything after that is overkill in their opinion.

Then they will fuse his neck and put a different rod system that they will design based on his current needs in the rest of his back to work on expanding his ribcage. They will be doing anterior releases. I don't even know what those are yet. Something to study up after Christmas.

They chose to do the initial on his bday. I told him I would argue for a different surgery day, but he said no...said it was just weird is all. Two very insanely skilled surgeons though, both at the pinnacle of what is out there, will be doing the work at the same time together.

Parent

: Yep (none / 0) (#75)
by Ga6thDem on Sat Dec 24, 2011 at 08:26:13 AM EST

The thyroid has blown up on me.

Parent

Oh, I sure miss (5.00 / 1) (#7)
by Chuck0 on Thu Dec 22, 2011 at 09:21:59 PM EST

those pork burritos with green chile I used to get on my travels through Colorado. No such animal here in PA.

Tell me about it (5.00 / 0) (#9)
by sj on Thu Dec 22, 2011 at 09:41:30 PM EST

Although green chile is a fairly simple recipe and I'm not a bad cook, I cannot make it to my satisfaction. I miss a good, hand-held, bean and pork burrito with green chile. When I first moved to Baltimore it was really hard to not find a good Colorado style Mexican restaurant.

I once contacted my favorite hole-in-the-wall restaurant and had them Fed-Ex me a dozen burritos. It was really expensive for a couple of meals (sadly, I shared them) but so worth it.

Parent

you shared them? (5.00 / 0) (#17)
by The Addams Family on Thu Dec 22, 2011 at 11:26:19 PM EST

you are more generous than i would have been!

Parent

: I'm all about (5.00 / 1) (#23)
by sj on Fri Dec 23, 2011 at 02:42:08 AM EST

sharing the wealth! lol

Parent

questioin #2 (5.00 / 1) (#25)
by Capt Howdy on Fri Dec 23, 2011 at 08:18:13 AM EST

how many weeks of the craven prissy smarmy self righteous Eric Cantor do you think it will take to make us all miss Agent Orange?

IMO (none / 0) (#26)
by Ga6thDem on Fri Dec 23, 2011 at 08:22:58 AM EST

About one hour. Boehner for all his whatever is a country clubber which means you can easily see what his priorities are. Cantor is just a head case much like Newt.

Parent

: I think Cantor (5.00 / 1) (#27)
by Capt Howdy on Fri Dec 23, 2011 at 08:41:55 AM EST

is more dangerous because I think he is a head case but he is also a believer. I think if he had been in charge they would have gone right off the cliff. which would have been great for us politically run but terrible for everyone in reality.

Parent

After reading what is in eggnog (5.00 / 2) (#30)
by Militarytracy on Fri Dec 23, 2011 at 10:18:16 AM EST

Josh thinks it should be called eggnasty.

Wish I lived in a city (none / 0) (#42)
by the capstan on Fri Dec 23, 2011 at 11:17:10 AM EST

so I could get pasturized eggs to make myself some eggnog from the original Four Roses recipe that used raw eggs. Of course, if you added the prescribed whiskey and rum, I suppose the raw eggs would not be dangerous--but alcohol (all fermented stuff) is just as deadly to me.

Parent

You would drink eggnog for the taste and texture? (none / 0) (#61)
by Militarytracy on Fri Dec 23, 2011 at 02:24:54 PM EST

It only ever was the promise of stupor that made it tolerable for me :)

Parent

: I LOVE eggnog (5.00 / 0) (#76)
by sj on Sat Dec 24, 2011 at 03:35:53 PM EST

There is a milk delivery service in Denver that has the best eggnog. The regular nog is a little too thick and rich for me without cutting it with something, but the "low fat" (hah!) is just perfect. And I don't know how standard it is, but I put Amaretto in my eggnog. Even the "low fat" version.

Parent

Ru-roh Border Bedwetters.... (5.00 / 1) (#32)
by kdog on Fri Dec 23, 2011 at 10:28:36 AM EST

Your precious fence has arsed some Texans out of the USA.

I find this highly amusing...

And now we witness another chapter (5.00 / 1) (#35)
by Militarytracy on Fri Dec 23, 2011 at 10:48:56 AM EST

of power corrupts. The Egyptian military, seeing all those possible brass rings, is now beating the crap out of its people. What does Panetta have to say about that, about how such power always corrupts? It wasn't that long ago that the State Department held up Egypt like a shiny penny. Hope Libya goes down better than that.

Libya (none / 0) (#50)
by Edger on Fri Dec 23, 2011 at 12:53:05 PM EST

is toast. Thanks to the Obama Administration. Compared to what it used to be.

Just like Iraq is toast, thanks to the Bush Administration. Compared to what it used to be.

There's that two party contrast again...

Parent

I'd suggest you read the links, Donald (none / 0) (#58)
by Edger on Fri Dec 23, 2011 at 02:09:46 PM EST

Also, all of your other strawmen aside, since you don't seem to have comprehended it yet, what you term my "rather painfully obvious animosity toward the Obama administration" is animosity towards the foreign and domestic policies of all US administrations the past few decades.

Now go back to sleep and enjoy your cartoonish dreams of American Exceptionalism and the difference between coke and pepsi, and the ugly (and murderous) results of the "delivery of freedom and democracy" by those administrations.

Parent

Well, Donald (none / 0) (#63)
by Edger on Fri Dec 23, 2011 at 03:18:53 PM EST

all your more strawmen aside, if you can contort yourself somehow into convincing yourself that American "humanitarian intervention" in both Libya and Iraq has not been a murderous economy and society crippling disaster for the people in both countries there is nothing I or anyone can say that will help you.

Again, I'd suggest you read the links - including the quotes and links from others inside them - but you won't.

The rest of your childish tantrum and insult slinging I won't lend legitimacy to with response except to say that maybe someday you'll grow up and act like an adult, but I won't hold my breath waiting for that.

Parent

As long as you (none / 0) (#66)
by Edger on Fri Dec 23, 2011 at 03:41:29 PM EST

refuse to read and learn, you'll disagree with me.

Whatever might be said of Gaddafi's personal crimes, the Libyan people seem to be thriving. A delegation of medical professionals from Russia, Ukraine and Belarus wrote in an appeal to Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and Prime Minister Vladimir Putin that after becoming acquainted with Libyan life, it was their view that in few nations did people live in such comfort:
[Libyans] are entitled to free treatment, and their hospitals provide the best in the world of medical equipment. Education in Libya is free, capable young people have the opportunity to study abroad at government expense. When marrying, young couples receive 60,000 Libyan dinars (about 50,000 US dollars) of financial assistance. Non-interest state loans, and as practice shows, undated. Due to government subsidies the price of cars is much lower than in Europe, and they are affordable for every family. Gasoline and bread cost a penny, no taxes for those who are engaged in agriculture. The Libyan people are quiet and peaceful, are not inclined to drink, and are very religious.
They maintained that the international community had been misinformed about the struggle against the regime. "Tell us," they said, "who would not like such a regime?"

That was before the humanitarian intervention...

Parent

: I'm having a pretty good day (none / 0) (#68)
by Edger on Fri Dec 23, 2011 at 03:58:15 PM EST

You sound like you could use a drink or two though...

Parent

And it wasn't that long (none / 0) (#53)
by christinep on Fri Dec 23, 2011 at 01:13:58 PM EST

...since most of us here (myself included) cheered the interim governing by Egypt's military as the quickest, surest way to move forward with Arab Spring. Now it is winter, and we learn anew that things have a few bumps along the road (not the least of which may be the hitherto extremely conservative Muslim Brotherhood after their recent electoral victories there.). No presto change.

Parent

Not all of us (5.00 / 1) (#54)
by jbindc on Fri Dec 23, 2011 at 01:28:59 PM EST

Seems like those here who were a bit cautious and weary of a "temporary" military leadership were pooh-poohed and criticized for being negative and not thinking democracy was a wonderful thing.

Seems like we were right.

Parent

i think there is a bit of a disconnect here (none / 0) (#55)
by CST on Fri Dec 23, 2011 at 01:47:14 PM EST

it's not that everyone thought the military was going to be peaches and cream.

It's that if the people of a country decide to kick out it's government, than the rest of the world has no business stopping them, and should probably give them the support they need, rather than the ruling government.

I don't think anyone thought it was going to be rainbows and sunshine after that. It's just that we should be supporting the people, not the rulers. That includes now, when the military is the group in charge.

Parent

: My memory is similar (none / 0) (#70)
by christinep on Fri Dec 23, 2011 at 08:36:38 PM EST

Except: I recall a strong sentiment on this blog that anytime was not a moment too soon to be rid of Mubarak...without much discussion among those claiming we were all moving too slowly that there might be harrowing times ahead.

Parent

Given Mubarak served at the pleasure of (none / 0) (#56)
by oculus on Fri Dec 23, 2011 at 01:47:27 PM EST

the Egyptian military, . . .

Parent

We aren't using our leverage (none / 0) (#72)
by Militarytracy on Sat Dec 24, 2011 at 06:44:01 AM EST

With the Egyptian military. Why? We have incredible leverage.

Parent

We have incredible pull though (none / 0) (#71)
by Militarytracy on Sat Dec 24, 2011 at 06:42:53 AM EST

All of their equipment, everything they have to create Standoff with Israel, it is from us. When I witness DHS taking part in shutting down our own lawful protests, I'm left basically understanding that we want Egypt settled down now too and we are fine with what the military is doing. If we aren't, all we have to do is stop training their students here at Fort Rucker to fly the gunships we sell them and shut off the military equipment spigot. That's not happening though is it?

Parent

Former Pres. Bush (I) says Romney (none / 0) (#8)
by oculus on Thu Dec 22, 2011 at 09:33:51 PM EST

best choice amongst GOP candidates: LAT

: And Romney says (none / 0) (#10)
by CoralGables on Thu Dec 22, 2011 at 09:57:05 PM EST

he has no plans to release his tax returns. It's been quite awhile since either of the last two standing didn't release them.
Could be more damaging not releasing them if his refusal becomes the story line for him going forward.

Parent

Obama's war on Christmas (none / 0) (#16)
by The Addams Family on Thu Dec 22, 2011 at 11:25:32 PM EST

shocking

This is (5.00 / 2) (#21)
by Ga6thDem on Thu Dec 22, 2011 at 11:56:24 PM EST

one of the reasons that no one takes the GOP seriously. We have so many problems in this county and they are worried about the design on the Obama's Christmas Card?

Parent

: It's pathetic (none / 0) (#45)
by nycstray on Fri Dec 23, 2011 at 11:53:48 AM EST

and kinda funny!

Parent

I think (5.00 / 2) (#22)
by sj on Fri Dec 23, 2011 at 02:40:52 AM EST

it's a really lovely card. Grinches abound, don't they?

Parent

Yeah, it just ain't Christmas... (none / 0) (#18)
by Mr Natural on Thu Dec 22, 2011 at 11:30:36 PM EST

...without somebody being tortured.

Parent

Saw that. Really funny. Also, the (none / 0) (#19)
by oculus on Thu Dec 22, 2011 at 11:31:15 PM EST

pressing question: is Bo in D.C. or Hawaii or does Bo have a double?

Parent

: Are you hinting that (5.00 / 2) (#47)
by CoralGables on Fri Dec 23, 2011 at 12:00:35 PM EST

for security purposes Bo has a Bo-dy double?

Parent
: If Bo gets to go to Hawaii, (none / 0) (#39)
by the capstan on Fri Dec 23, 2011 at 11:11:44 AM EST

I'm going to complain about extreme prejudice towards (non-presidental) Vallhunds.

Parent

December the 25th - Correct! (none / 0) (#20)
by desertswine on Thu Dec 22, 2011 at 11:51:53 PM EST

Tonite we enjoyed our annual viewing of Scrooge. The Albert Finney musical one with singing and dancing.

question (none / 0) (#24)
by Capt Howdy on Fri Dec 23, 2011 at 08:17:10 AM EST

what do we think the chances are of some whack job house republican objecting to unanimous consent and forcing a vote?

I say about 50/50

Detention after school... (none / 0) (#34)
by kdog on Fri Dec 23, 2011 at 10:47:35 AM EST

is so 20th Century...check out how they handle dress code violations and tardiness in Miss. schools. Warning, it ain't pretty.

I spent (none / 0) (#37)
by Ga6thDem on Fri Dec 23, 2011 at 11:02:40 AM EST

a while talking to a friend of mine who is from Nigeria. It was interesting to hear her comments on the lasting effects on Nigeria of the colonization by Great Britain. Something she mentioned was that the British made arbitrary countries and did not consider the alliances or the religions of the citizens when creating the borders and it still has effects on the country. This made me think of Iraq and how the British basically made arbitrary borders there.

She said (none / 0) (#59)
by Ga6thDem on Fri Dec 23, 2011 at 02:18:48 PM EST

that the civil war was religion based too. She said the Muslims in Nigeria wanted too much power.

Parent

: What I basically (none / 0) (#69)
by Ga6thDem on Fri Dec 23, 2011 at 04:13:55 PM EST

got from her is that there are three regions in Nigeria and they all hate each other. She comes from what is known as the educated portion of Nigeria which she said was the southwest part of the country.

Parent

'Tis (none / 0) (#41)
by lentinel on Fri Dec 23, 2011 at 11:14:40 AM EST

the season for Laurel and Hardy.

Purging of GOP candidates set to begin (none / 0) (#43)
by CoralGables on Fri Dec 23, 2011 at 11:20:39 AM EST

Bachmann, Huntsman, and Santorum fail to get the signatures required to be on the Virginia ballot.

: I doubt (none / 0) (#46)
by Ga6thDem on Fri Dec 23, 2011 at 11:59:50 AM EST

that any of those will even make it until then anyway so I don't know if I would describe it as "purging". Purging would be kicking Ron Paul off the ballot IMO.

Parent

Looks like red chili (none / 0) (#44)
by pluege2 on Fri Dec 23, 2011 at 11:31:42 AM EST

Thursday Night Open Thread | 69 comments (69 topical)

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