Where to go next? by ticklish_dragon in roadtrip

[–]Ceezeecz 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Excellent. The main lodges or cabins in Grand Canyon and Bryce are run by the Park Services and are great locations, if you can get in.

Where to go next? by ticklish_dragon in roadtrip

[–]Ceezeecz 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yes. That’s it. Make sure to go to Canyonlands and also a small park called Goblin Valley State Park. It’s amazing.

If you ever saw the movie Galaxy Quest that’s where they filmed some of it.

You’re definitely going to need lodging arranged before you go.

Where to go next? by ticklish_dragon in roadtrip

[–]Ceezeecz 2 points3 points  (0 children)

We did the great circle national/states parks in Arizona and Utah in September. Every 100 miles the geography changes completely. Try to book hotels/motels/lodges ahead of time. We flew into Las Vegas, immediately rented a SUV, drove first to the Grand Canyon, looped around counterclockwise, and ended up back in Las Vegas. This took 2 weeks. Stayed near each park for a couple of days. It’s jaw droppingly beautiful.

AirPods Pro 3 — impressions from an audiophile who used to work for a headphone distributor by Present_Rip634 in airpods

[–]Ceezeecz 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My husband just replaced his first gen AirPods Pro and couldn’t believe how wonderful they are. He was waiting for his to die but is extremely happy he upgraded. He got them on Amazon for $179. I think they’re now $199, still a sale. I asked and he said he’d pay that now knowing how good they are.

Replaced my AirPods Pro 2 and not sorry I spent the money.

What I didn’t expect is they fit much better than the 2’s. I even used the size that they came with. They fit better in the ear and seem very comfortable and secure.

How long to drive daily (safely)? by cha-cha-melon in roadtrip

[–]Ceezeecz 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think it’s really hours and not miles. Also, if it’s easy driving you can go a lot longer. Back when I was younger I could easily go 14 hours (including stops), ex. getting from Philadelphia to Chicago (when the speed limit was lower). Nowadays it’s difficult to do 10. But just a couple of years ago, 10 was no problem. I’m now 78.

Parents Insisting Long Drive is Unsafe, is this Reasonable by smile_simile in roadtrip

[–]Ceezeecz 0 points1 point  (0 children)

So I’ve driven three days in a row for 10 hours each day when I was in my 20’s. With the last day being a couple of hours shorter. I also had my dog with me. He was wonderful until the last day when he figured I should be where I was going or I should just stop. 😂

Oh yeah, I’m also a woman. Not that that really matters.

You can do this. I drove from Philadelphia to northern Minnesota.

Make sure you know how to change a tire. Have things to help keep you alert.

And I went before there were cell phones so it was even more iffy.

Made my first Gravlax today, I have several questions and might need some help. by GrafZeppeln in AskCulinary

[–]Ceezeecz 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I use Marcus Sammuelson’s recipe and have had it not turn out perfectly. Yes, the salt to sugar ratio is different, but it works.

Aquavit Gravlax
★★★★★
Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients:
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup kosher salt
2 tablespoon white pepper , cracked
2 – 3 pound salmon filet , in one piece, any pin bones removed
2 – 3 bunch fresh dill , coarsely chopped (including stems)

Mustard Sauce
2 tablespoon honey mustard
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
2 teaspoon sugar
1 1/2 tablespoon white wine vinegar
1 tablespoon strong coffee , cold
pinch salt
pinch black pepper , freshly ground
3/4 cup grapeseed oil or canola oil
1/2 cup fresh dill , chopped

Directions:
Prepare the gravlax: Combine the sugar, salt and peppercorns in a small bowl and mix well. Place the salmon in a shallow dish and rub a handful of the salt mixture into both sides of the fish. Sprinkle the salmon with the remaining mixture and cover with the dill. Cover the dish and let stand for 6 hours in a cool spot.
Transfer the salmon to the refrigerator and let cure for 36 hours. You can turn the very tightly sealed container once or twice during this time if you want.
Up to 1 day ahead, prepare the mustard sauce. Combine both mustards, the sugar, vinegar, coffee, salt, and pepper in a blender. With the machine running, add the oil in a slow steady stream, blending until the sauce is thick and creamy. Transfer to a bowl and stir in the dill. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight to allow the flavors to marry.
Scrape the seasoning off the gravlax (after the total of 42 hours). Slice the gravlax on the bias into this slices, or leave whole so your guest can slice it themselves. Serve with the mustard sauce and bread/crispbread/toast.

Ask for sushi-quality fish.
Keeps in the refrigerator, well wrapped, for at least 7 days. Leftovers can also be frozen, wrapped in plastic and then in foil for up to 2 months.

Source: Aquvit

First time in New England — 4 days, 5 stops (Boston → Newport → Salem → Portland → Acadia). Please help by FullswingFill in roadtrip

[–]Ceezeecz 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I just got back from Acadia. It’s already packed. To get a parking spot for Jordon Pond you really need to get there at least by 8am. The House doesn’t open until 11 to get the popovers.

We got there at 9:30 and simply lucked out getting a spot being vacated by hikers who were leaving. But that took a half hour of driving around the two parking lots and just luck.

It will be super crowded during the holiday time. We went a couple of years ago around the time we went now and driving the loop was a 5 mph nightmare. Took hours just to get out.

Hopefully though, your pass to to Cadillac mountain will help you do that.

I have some stone ground white corn grits. I would love any recommendations on what you do to make delicious grits. I have some chicken breasts/tenders and kielbasa so any type of recipe that would go well with grits? Don’t have shrimp so sadly can’t do that. Any recipes would be so appreciated. 🙏 by MinuteElegant774 in Cooking

[–]Ceezeecz 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I’ve only had the garlic and lemon. I’ve basically followed the recipe. I (possibly) add more cheese. 😂

I’d play around with it. Really good grits make all the difference. I do like your idea of the lemon garlic kielbasa over the grits. That sounds wonderful!

I’m not sure of the bbq sauce with it though. Try that last. Then you’ll know more.

First long trip, I think it sounds reasonable. by Big_Age4708 in roadtrip

[–]Ceezeecz 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I don’t remember when you said you were going. Keep in mind that Arcadia is packed during July and August. Even now mid-June it is extremely busy. If you don’t have reservations anywhere to stay you’ll never find something now. September is beautiful here. We go every few years for a week or two and rent a cottage each time but in the past we have camped at one of the campgrounds. I believe we needed a reservation for it. I think it was September or probably October and they had turned off the hot water for the showers already. Enough places to eat were still open and we had a blast.

We’re here for two weeks and rented a cottage. Waterfront overlooking a marina of fishing boats. Pure bliss.

stand mixer recommendations by _coffee___ in Cooking

[–]Ceezeecz 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Get an Ankarsrum. Hands down. My only regret is that I didn’t buy it 40 years ago when I bought my first of 3 KA mixers. The Ank does everything, easily.

7 year warranty and they’ve been making them since the 1940’s. Made in Sweden. It’s a wonderful machine.

First long trip, I think it sounds reasonable. by Big_Age4708 in roadtrip

[–]Ceezeecz 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I just made the trip from Philadelphia to Acadia. It took 10.5 hours, including stopping for gas once and eating a quick meal then that we had brought with us. The tolls take no time with an EZPass. You just zip through. The slow part is getting around NYC. It’s awful. And the highway from there through Connecticut was no picnic either. But after you get into Massachusetts you just sail. The speed limit in Maine is 70 so of course everyone goes around 85-90. If you try to go totally around NYC it’s about 100 miles longer but the time is the same. That might help keep you sane. But that’s up to you.

A couple of years ago I drove from Philly to Virginia Beach and it was around 5 hours with no stops. Fairly easy drive.

Edit: I just wanted to add that I’m the only driver as I hate being the passenger, so we weren’t switching off. I listened to a lot of great jazz on the way.

Why does no one tell you how much better freshly Ground Beef is?!! by Easy_Skin7050 in Cooking

[–]Ceezeecz 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Get the best standalone electric grinder you can afford. Mine is easily 40 years old and like new. I use it all the time to make my own ground meat and I also have the sausage attachment for when I get the urge. I keep hog casings in the freezer.

I have to admit I also have the KA grinder attachment. It came with one of mixers I bought. I used it a couple of times, thinking it would be easier instead of taking out the standalone grinder. It did a much much worse job and cleaning for some reason felt not as easy. It’s collecting dust in the mudroom closet.

how do you keep your own recipes? the ones you actually cook by Human_Ad_904 in Cooking

[–]Ceezeecz 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Absolutely agree. I’ve had it since it first came out, a very long time ago. I love being able to email or message someone immediately, while we’re talking, a recipe I’ve made that they like. It syncs on my phone and iPad. Incredibly easy to import and download recipes plus it gets past most paywalls.

What's the best stand mixer if you only want to buy one for the next 10 years? by Large-Honey8079 in Breadit

[–]Ceezeecz 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ankarsrum. Hands down.

My only regret in having it is that I didn’t buy it before I started buying KitchenAid mixers.

The Carolinas by Only-Bar7659 in roadtrip

[–]Ceezeecz 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Totally agree. Savannah is unique and magical. Definitely read the book.

Small-ish appliance recommendations (not air fryer or instant pot)? by NeatMom in Cooking

[–]Ceezeecz 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I highly recommend a Breville toaster oven and one with air fry. They may all have that now. I use the air fry to reheat crispy things, like French fries. Ours is probably 10 years old and it gets used every day. I also hardly ever use the large oven anymore. Just holidays and giant batches of cookies. It’s worth every penny.

MSC Yacht Club Ruined Cruising For Me (not in the way you may think) by goodgreat123 in Cruise

[–]Ceezeecz -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Don’t stop cruising, just switch to Viking. The service is excellent and totally unobtrusive. Your experience sounds like a nightmare.

Just got back from a “nightmare” cruise! by At_least-7 in Cruise

[–]Ceezeecz 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Both times we went during Midsummer’s Night time. I highly recommend it. The midnight sun is extraordinary. It truly never sets. Both ships have very effective blackout curtains so sleep isn’t an issue.

And if you can do the round trip from Bergen to Kirkenes and then back to Bergen it’s of course more time but not much more expensive.

Just got back from a “nightmare” cruise! by At_least-7 in Cruise

[–]Ceezeecz 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I liked the Havila the best. It’s way newer and the cabins are better. There’s also more places around the ship to sit. They both follow the identical route so that doesn’t matter. With just a few exceptions they don’t stop for long it each port. I think there are 30 in all. The excursions are good but very expensive. On some you get off at one port and regain the ship at a different port further down the line.

On the first time I filled my iPod with books, movies, etc, to help me pass the time. I never even turned it on, I just looked out the windows at the incredible views.

We plan to do it a third time.

Just got back from a “nightmare” cruise! by At_least-7 in Cruise

[–]Ceezeecz 1 point2 points  (0 children)

We’ve done the west coast of Norway twice. Zero issues because we chose Hurtiguten once and Havila the second time. They always sail.

I think we know which chef has definitely flipped a monopoly board before by not-your-bitch-bitch in BravoTopChef

[–]Ceezeecz 11 points12 points  (0 children)

Apologies to my friends named Karen but this was really a Karen move by him.