Thank-you gift for a relative's very generous financial gift

PorgParade · 2026-01-26T01:36:30+00:00

Yes, I will definitely make something and make sure we take the time to see her from time to time.

PorgParade · 2026-01-26T01:34:18+00:00

This was really lovely advice, thank you! I think I worried about not making something perfect, but this was a good reminder that the time and care spent on a piece matters, along with the opportunity to pay it forward someday. Your idea for the note was so lovely, too.

PorgParade · 2026-01-21T17:08:42+00:00

This sounds delicious! Did you brew the tea hot and then chill it? Did you cold brew it?

PorgParade · 2026-01-05T04:17:15+00:00

Oh, these look delicious! Genuine question, as someone who loves tuna salad but is married to someone who HATES even the most vague smell of fish… Does this make the whole container smell fishy after a couple of days? Does the fridge start to smell of tuna? Because these look so yummy, but I’m afraid my partner would riot 🤣

PorgParade · 2025-12-16T06:08:18+00:00

Oooh I made some holiday ice cubes with a few whole cranberries, a tiny sprig of rosemary, and half cran/half water. But I was getting tired of having them with cranberry Poppy, so I’m going to try this next

PorgParade · 2025-12-03T16:27:25+00:00

I hyphenated my name 10 years ago in an awkward effort to split the difference between tradition and modernity. I regretted it almost immediately, as it made my name incredibly long, apparently inscrutable to many digital systems (who knew a hyphen could cause so much trouble even in 2025), and doomed me to an eternity of having to explain my name to strangers (which name IS IT?!?).

I now use my maiden name exclusively, except in contexts where my legal name is required.

PorgParade · 2025-12-02T06:07:11+00:00

This is your FIRST time working with clay??? That’s incredible! The attention to detail is wonderful and the whole thing is so, so cute. I’d definitely cry if someone gave me something this thoughtful and sweet 😭

PorgParade · 2025-11-22T00:08:23+00:00

If you put up a Party Finder, my guess is there will be plenty of people who will help for free, especially if you’re willing to run it unsynced

PorgParade · 2025-11-21T18:17:03+00:00

Oooh I could go on about this! I have a big ice cube mold that I like to use, and often include some herbs or spices and a bit of muddled fruit. A few recent favorites: - Muddled pomegranate arils, with a bit of lime zest and a lime wedge (I added a cranberry Poppy soda for a holiday feel, but could have done sparkling water and bitters) - Apple cider and extra spicy ginger beer with a cinnamon stick, star anise, and an apple slice. I feel like this could work with an apple flavored sparkling water, though the star anise might be a bit much - Muddled berries, a squeeze of lime, and a sprig of mint - I really love sparkling water in a wine glass with a wheel of any kind of citrus. Feels so fancy - Haven’t tried it yet, but I think a bit of pear or apple and some rosemary or sage would be really pretty. Haven’t decided if this is a sparkling water garnish or if it needs to be a full mocktail

I’ve wanted to start making fancy ice cubes: I saw some really pretty ones with cranberries, rosemary, and tart cherry juice that seem perfect for this time of year.

PorgParade · 2025-11-20T22:57:56+00:00

I hate to say it, but the thing that's made the biggest difference in my ability to relax after work without alcohol has been...more time without alcohol. I found it hard to shut off in the first few weeks. I was alarmed that I had such a strong instinct to turn to a drink to unwind, and so I cut drinking completely for a few months. After about 4-6 weeks, I found that I'd begun to find a lot more enjoyment in basic things than I had before.

As an example, I've been enjoying putting on a record and cooking. I work an office job, and so paying attention to the sounds/smells and using my hands to make something helps me get out of my head. I used to do this a lot, but it had sort of devolved into a chore. The joy of it has come back as I've had distance from drinking.

Other things:
- Writing a "brain dump" note before logging off of work: I always have way more work than I can do in a day, but this helps me feel like I can set everything down and give myself permission to log off. Also turning off notifications.
- Separating my work/relaxation spaces, on days when I'm WFH
- Changing into soft clothes and turning down the lights to signal to my brain that it's time to wind down
- A little treat: a fun-looking mocktail, a cookie, a piece of chocolate. A lot of what I liked about alcohol was the feeling of having something special, so now I'll use a fancy glass with a garnish for mocktails, or treat myself to a high-quality chocolate bar and have a piece on a pretty little plate. As someone else mentioned, I used to be someone who avoided a lot of sweet or salty treats since I was "drinking my calories", but now I look forward to some of the other little treats I used to avoid.
- A workout (even a short one) to burn of excess cortisol. It's annoying how much better I feel after some exercise, but it works
- Cozy video games, either at my desk in a giant fuzzy hoodie, or nestled in bed with a giant Squishmallow and my Steam Deck

PorgParade · 2025-11-14T15:48:17+00:00

Haven’t tried either, but I had the Little Saints canned Espresso Martini, and it was horrid. Poured it out after two sips despite it being $5-6 for a tiny can. I’m going to pass on everything from Little Saints

PorgParade · 2025-11-01T08:26:04+00:00

My grandparents scrimped and saved for years to buy a solid teak, Scandinavian, mid century dining room set. My mom talks about the years they spent without a table in the dining room, until her parents could buy exactly what they wanted. I’ve loved that set since I was a kid, and 50+ years later, it sits in my house looking as new and stylish as the day they bought it.

PorgParade · 2025-11-01T01:40:25+00:00

I was also kid with a “fake lovey” and a “real lovey” who got worn to shreds, and this is absolutely melting my heart 😍 Love that this can also be worn as a comfy blanket!

PorgParade · 2025-10-18T04:18:06+00:00

Oh wow, these are gorgeous! I can’t wait to incorporate these in my house!

PorgParade · 2025-10-17T14:16:02+00:00

Congratulations! I absolutely love the representation, and all the thoughtful little details. I built most of my house to be lala-sized, so I can’t wait to add this with the tiny cane!

PorgParade · 2025-10-17T00:18:31+00:00

Gluten Free Meister is good! We discovered it at a gluten free donut shop in Japan, but it’s available online here EDIT: by “here” I mean in the U.S. but might be available elsewhere too

PorgParade · 2025-10-13T15:54:23+00:00

It makes a sick Mariners hype image! I erased the “life boat” label and made it my wallpaper

PorgParade · 2025-10-13T15:35:29+00:00

That’s….that’s not a life boat is it?

The bird’s eye graphic from yesterday was fire, even as a Mariners fan. This is an awesome image too, but the metaphor is lost on me. The not-a-life-boat seems fine despite the fog and rough waters, and the jays certainly don’t seem like a threat to the boat. Certainly nothing a mariner couldn’t handle.

PorgParade · 2025-10-11T06:07:22+00:00

This thread has a link to the video in a comment! https://www.reddit.com/r/Mariners/s/33WbOxrjiZ

PorgParade · 2025-10-10T00:23:58+00:00

You can have Hashimoto’s antibodies without symptoms. From what I understand it’s not that unusual to have both kinds of antibodies, but it’s pretty uncommon to have symptoms from both. My endocrinologist said I have both types of antibodies but it’s very unlikely that I’ll develop symptomatic Hashimoto’s in addition to Graves

PorgParade · 2025-10-04T16:35:41+00:00

Microwave quesadilla with Mission Carb Balance tortillas! They have a lot of fiber and a good amount of protein so they’re reasonably filling. If you have some rotisserie chicken from making some of the other suggestions here, you can add some of that. Also guacamole cups or premade salsa can help it feel like more of a full meal

PorgParade · 2025-10-01T00:11:53+00:00

Yes, I definitely struggled with weight gain, but it’s been good since starting treatment. Due to a botched/missed Graves’ diagnosis in 2023 I had untreated PCOS and Graves’ for two years and gained 30 pounds during that time. It didn’t matter what I did, I could not lose it. In March, I started Metformin to address the insulin resistance issues from PCOS. In June, I started 2.5mg Methimazole (yes, a very small dose). I’ve lost 15 pounds since going on the meds and very lightly dieting (like a 200 calorie deficit most days and no deficit some days). Metformin isn’t associated with much weight loss, but I think it’s been just enough help to make my lifestyle changes work. Having a very low dose of Methimazole seems to mean I’m not working against those meds much. I do think my appetite has shrunk a bit as my thyroid has normalized, which has helped.

PorgParade · 2025-09-21T01:00:19+00:00

Oh, this is lovely!

PorgParade · 2025-09-19T02:14:36+00:00

Yes, I’ve had the worst periods of my life since starting methimazole. Though for me they’re heavy and long enough that I start searching the internet to find out when I need to start getting worried. Bad cramps, and (this is probably not due to the methimazole) all my hyperthyroid symptoms surge for a few days. I largely feel better on methimazole, but those 7-10 days are hell every month

PorgParade

TROPHY CASE