Living in the US - Where we say TO MA TOE and you say TO MAH TOW

[alipiggie]

Wow we filled the thread guys. So as I was about to Say UR you've probably had squirrel if you've eaten Chinese . Think I've had most things. Just don't ask eat. Roasting hot here, very busy but having a blast. Enjoyed our new gym yesterday and picnic in the park tonight which was wonderful. Live music, handsome young men - need I say more.

ello Quattro!

Grits are not my favourite. Where are you. Does sound very southern.

Will have to think about odd food. I can't eat biscuits and certainly not with that white gravy stuff. And definitely not for breakfast. I think the oddest thing I eat are sweet potatoes and they are not so odd really.

Dooney, I hope the doctor can find out what is going on with your DC. Sending love & get well wishes.

There was an 'H'at the front of my ello when I typed it.

Now they're both under 99. He was having more problems breathing when his fever went up, so maybe his body was just stressed or something.

I quite liked grits (but then I always liked Semolina and Tapioca as a kid, and Grits aren't that different to them) but biscuits and gravy are odd. dh sampled coffee in 14 different states on our trip from NYC to BC. South Dakota had the worst apparently (but the best hospitality). Here on the West Coast it's not so bad, but he misses the Mexican stuff we got in New York. I've found hot tea in most places, but they don't seem to quite understand the idea it needs to have boiling water, or that half and half is not at all nice in tea

Never once have I had tea that was made with boiling water in the US. S'funny. Do you think it's a legacy of the Boston Tea Party?

Was in Georgia. My oh my, that southern drawl is fantastic.

"Umhumn" can stretch for a whole sentence. In fact it's probably a conversation.

I like Semolina and Tapioca but cannot stomach grits. Don't know why. The tea thing is odd. Earl Grey tastes different here too - more bergamot, I think.

I need to buy socks. In all my 5 1/5 yrs in the US, I have not purchased socks. It is desperate and I cannot wait for my traditional christmas gift of next socks with coloured toes and heels. So, where should I do? Target? MUST be black, obviously. And, on the same subject, where does one buy tights?

Hope everyone has a good weekend. Snow forecast here again.

Grits. I don't really like grits. Unless you put a LOT of chocolate syrup in them. DH loves them. Mush, however is another story. But even then, I guess that requires milk and maple syrup. Colin loves mush. I think that's just plain odd.

Today they were both well enough, I canceled their Dr. appointment. They're still quite congested and coughy, but not a lot that can be done about that.

Tonight was my first "meatless on purpose" meal I had. We decided once a week we'd have a meatless meal, and when I get more recipes, we'd work up to 3 times a week. I told my friend about our plan, and she said to make sure we were getting enough protein, which was odd because A) She and I had just had a conversation a few days ago how most people easily get their protein requirement and eat too much meat, and B) I only told her we were doing it once a week, so you'd think even if all I was doing was feeding us carrots, I could easily catch up the other 6 days a week.

Oh, yeah, socks and tights. I buy them here at Fred Meyer, but that probably doesn't help you. Target isn't bad. I have some socks from there, and they're fine. Most other places charge more for socks than I'm willing to pay.

dooney, I'm glad to hear the children are a little better. I shudder to think what it must be like for you worrying about them when they're ill like this.

I can suggest heaps of good meals without meat for you, (sorry had a few too many to drink just at this moment) tomorrow!

I didn't eat meat for 20 years, you have to get your head around a new way of cooking really.

Quick hijack. Love to the gorgeous ones Dooney, I will email you soon. Hope they're feeling better

That would be lovely, anorak. I have hundreds upon hundreds of recipes, and all of my main dish ones use meat. I am also going to search for superbunny's mile-long list of what she eats.

Good to see you, shybaby. I got excited when I saw your name by this thread, as I knew you were talking to me. I've been waiting for an e-mail. I just might be understanding, though, as you have so much going on right now.

I'm off to have a drink right now, as I'm running a fever and my throat is killing me. Just the one, though, as you know one of them would get worse tonight if I had any more.

when I'm feeling a bit throaty, I love a hot toddy made with the juice of a lemon or orange, honey, and topped up with boiling water and a big shot of sherry or brandy.

You can also make a lovely camomile tea with honey.

Just retired to bed with a Hot Toddy myself having had a great night out with girl friends. James Bond and dinner. What more could a girl want? Well actually Daniel Craig in my bed would be good.

Ah.........so you're all here! Have been offline for a few days as dd and I have both been unwell. Also must admit to being sucked into the stock market/economic vortex instead of the benign coziness of Mumsnet. I've missed simply chatting about life and have instead been spending far too much time/energy fretting about the financial meltdown that threatens to engulf us all.

Dooney - you and the dc have really been through a tough time. Hope things improve soon.

Anorak - If I'd realised you were searching for a breast reconstruction surgeon, would have lobbied to have you consider coming here. My cousin is married to one of the best. Good luck with it all.

Welcome to Madamedeathstare - we probably drove very close to you about a month ago, as we drove I-65 through Al to the beach for dd's fall break. Was lovely to walk in the sugar sand.

Dooney, hope the dcs are doing a bit better. Thinking of you.

More Thanksgiving questions from me:

Turkeys
What kind do you like (organic, Butterball (!), supermarket own brand etc) and where do you buy?
Do you buy Fresh or frozen?
Any roasting secrets to avoid a dried out, tough bird?

Table - any fab ideas for inexpensive and elegant decorations/centrepieces?

Music - any good suggestions for something to create a nice atmosphere?

I personally avoid Butterball like the plague. They score the skin of the turkey, which means you have to baste crazy amounts of often for it to not dry out.

If you want a nice, moist turkey, I'd suggest the following:
Brine the turkey before you cook it. Buy a fresh instead of frozen turkey, as the freezing process does something to it, I forgot. (I looked it up, it damages muscle cells, and when it defrosts, juices leak out from the turkey.) Rub butter under the skin before cooking. Cook it upside down the first hour or two, then flip it over, it bastes the breast meat itself this way. If you're making stuffing, cook it outside the bird, as it will take longer to cook stuffed, and the meat will be much more likely to be dried out before it is done. Meat thermometers are your friend, and let the turkey rest under a tent of foil for about 20-30 minutes depending on the size to allow the juices to redistribute.

My thoughts on the matter, anyway.

Defrost then brine. I'm using this recipe just for the brine. There are a lot of websites out there that seem to have posted it, and it gets rave reviews on all of them.

I've never brined a turkey before. I really haven't cooked much except for the past few years, and haven't gotten hardcore foodie until just this year. I will say that I've brined the last few roasted chickens I've made, and it seemed to make a difference. The last one I made just a few days ago, I brined and cooked upside-down, and even DH asked me what I did, because it was so good.

Hope you're feeling better. I seem to have got what the kids had, and it is killer. As long as they're getting well, I will happily take it, though. They seem to be getting better at the rate of 3 steps forward, then one step back, but at least they're going in the right direction, now. I sang "Silent Night" to Caitlin last night, and I have an awful voice anyway, but it was so croaky and awful, I made DH finish singing to her.

Hello US mumsnetters!

Can I join you please? I'll be moving to NYC early next year with DS2 and already have lots of questions . DH has been working in DC since July, but DS's and I stayed in the UK so that we didn't end up moving DS2 twice within the space a few months (DS1 is boarding and will stay here). DS's and I are just back from a quick recce to NYC where we saw school, apartment etc and visited DH for a few days.

The plan is for DH to weekly commute between DC adn NYC once I arrive - do any of you know anyone who does it (we are told it is do-able and that lots of people do it but have yet to find anyone who does .

Hello everyone

Anorak if you want a random visitor while you are in Boston I'd be happy to oblige

It's starting to feel like November here now. Was freakily hot yesterday and today it's bloody freezing. Predictions for snow in the next week or two. Oh joy.

Am looking forward to thanksgiving, yummy!!!! I love green bean casserole. drooooooooooool..........

A bit of an update: my bosses are moving an hour north to the burbs next Feb, so I'll be going down to 1 day a week with them. Am sad but I am also so busy at school so it's not entirely unwelcome. My twins were three last week. They are so grown up and smart and funny! Plus I have met a guy, quite randomly, who I think could be The One.

Dooney - you have enlightened me. I've never heard of brining a turkey - it sounds good. Your suggestion of cooking breast side down for an hour is probably a good one - I roast my chickens that way - but I can't imagine 'turning' a hot/heavy bird. Must be very awkward.

Do you cook the bird on a rack in the roasting pan, or place it directly in the pan?

My cousin had suggested cooking the turkey in one of those roasting bags to keep it moist. Anyone have opinions on that method?

mananny

earlybird, I keep thinking I'll order a fried turkey one year. The oil is super hot so it locks in the juices and is soooo good. But once again I am going to bring my one dish and let another relative do the brunt of the cooking

Please, please stop talking about juicy fried turkeys!!!! I am sooooo hungry but I am in my pjs and I can't be bothered to cook anything at this time of night!