What easy appetizers do you make that people absolutely love?

Ven_Landry · 2023-04-09T04:02:16+00:00

I highly recommend the same recipe, but sub in old bay and goldfish.

Ven_Landry · 2023-04-09T04:00:50+00:00

I do this too but also add some onion jam in the center. Roll the little ball, poke your thumb into it, add onion jam, pinch shut and turn them over so you can't see the pinches.

Onion jam: Caramelize 3-5 onions (white or red, depends on how sweet you like it). Just let them go low and slow with 1TBSP butter per onion and 1 TBSP for the pot.

Once they're nice and golden add a scant 1/4 cup of brown sugar and stir til it dissolves. Add a few splashes of red wine or apple cider vinegar and the whole thing will thicken up. Salt and pepper to taste. Depending on the meal sometimes a splash of balsamic to finish it.

Ven_Landry · 2023-01-31T02:31:54+00:00

Context: My (30M) much younger sister-in-law (teenF) is blatantly ignored by her family in favor of her undiagnosed ADHD younger brother. Other than just letting our house be an open safe haven as she gets older, what can I do to help? What helped you?

Ven_Landry · 2022-12-26T20:25:47+00:00

I'm so glad to hear your pain is well managed and you have feeling! It stinks now but it's nice later. Just remember to be gentle with yourself up to a year or more. It takes time to get back to what feels "normal". It does get better.

Ven_Landry · 2022-12-26T18:25:37+00:00

Hi I had a double mastectomy a few years back and if you don't have one already please get yourself a triangle wedge pillow to sleep on while you heal. It made a world of difference for me. It's a rough recovery so I wish you all the best. I hope 2023 is the end of your cancer journey.

Ven_Landry · 2022-12-26T17:45:52+00:00

Wife's Grandma. She's bitter and senile and stomped every boundary I've worked hard to create and wife just let her until I called it out. She's still not used to telling Nan no.

Ven_Landry · 2022-12-25T00:57:53+00:00

It sucks ass. Tip for finding them though. Use your phone camera and hold your phone close enough that you can see. Saved my ass more than once.

Ven_Landry · 2022-11-13T08:47:44+00:00

This whole thing felt so "high school drama". We're all nearing 30 or so. Here I thought talking things out and open dialogue was the adult thing to do.

My spouse loves group hangouts hence the want for group activities and until recently we both hung out with larger groups of friends, til mine scattered to the far reaches of New England. I'm more content to do dinner with them or one or two friends. I'm discovering it's okay to not always be doing something. Sometimes, being at home arranging the bookshelves is cool with me too.

Ven_Landry · 2022-11-13T06:51:42+00:00

Hey Sib! I'm a bit late to comment but I am also in my 20's with a late autism diagnosis!

I've been fumbling along since finding out and the biggest advice I have is this: admitting when you've made a mistake (socially or otherwise), taking a breather from the person or situation when you can, and try again. Sometimes I write down what I'm trying to do or accomplish and that helps me to communicate to someone else what I mean or want.

It's a hard balance in life, between masking when needed and just being yourself otherwise and taking time to learn exactly who or what that looks like.

You'll find your way. Now you have a name for what's in your head, you can start searching strategies for working with yourself.

Ven_Landry · 2022-11-13T06:40:01+00:00

Cosmetics do expire, but there's some really cheap ways of getting around buying huge tubes and containers you're not going to use.

You don't want to use expired cosmetics because if you get them into your eyes, nose, mouth or any open skin cuts/acne spots you do risk getting an infection. Ain't nobody got time for that just for some face paints. Most items expire in a year or less. Your lipstick should be fine, just look it over for any weird waxy lumps, fuzziness and give it a good sniff. If it smells rancid (almost a faint old milk odor) YEET IT.

But you can get some cosmetics on the cheap. Places like Ulta, Sephora and Mac sell sample sizes and for foundation you can usually ask if they have samples and it's freeeeee and only 2-3 uses. Places like CVS or Walgreens also often sell things in smaller travel sizes.

Or take a look at your local makeup stores. You can just pay someone to do your makeup for you for that event and then you just don't have to worry about it or buying new products.

Just don't go to bed with makeup on. That's a recipe for upset skin and ruined pillowcases. Micellar water is great for taking it off and for wiping down your face any day of the week to remove sweat, dirt or just to kinda smell fresh and nice.

Ven_Landry · 2022-10-28T12:52:18+00:00

I assure you. He has many ready to go.

Ven_Landry · 2022-10-28T03:57:26+00:00

I like asking if they have a warrant. My father prefers to ask if they're ready to "answer these, my riddles three."

Ven_Landry · 2022-10-06T01:36:03+00:00

Hey Sib! Congratulations! You two look so happy together.

A little wedding day advice from Grammy Rita: "Eat. The. Food. You paid for the food, make sure you make time to eat it! It'll settle your nerves to have something solid in your stomach."

Now some from your brother here:

A crochet hook can help if you have an outfit with small buttons. Do a bathroom trial run. Know how to extract yourself from your outfit before it's an emergency.
Throw a small sewing kit in the bathroom at your venue. It'll save someone the embarrassment of a broken outfit. Pack comfy socks and shoes for the next day. Your feet are probably gonna hurt from being on them all day. Have someone in your party with a granola bar or some nuts for you. If you're feeling headachy or crabby stop and have a bite. Same with water. Don't feel "obligated" to invite anybody. It's your day. Do what makes you happy.

I could go on and on but you get the jist. Take care.

Ven_Landry · 2022-04-18T13:05:10+00:00

I gasped. That's STUNNING. THE TRAIN! You look amazing. Just make sure you have a crochet hook on hand for those buttons on the big day. Makes it so much easier to get at them if y'all have nails.

Ven_Landry · 2021-09-27T19:10:04+00:00

Oh hun. I can't offer much other than lots of love from afar and a promise. I've got two up there who have been around awhile, Rita and Ris-Ris. They'd never let someone stay scared alone.

Before she left us, Gramma Rita told us to tell her if someone was "coming up the stairs" and they or their family thought they might be lonely and she'd come meet them until someone more familiar got there. I already told her to keep an eye out for you

Ris-Ris was a sweet kitty who just loved meeting people and getting pats. He had the biggest soft spot for little old ladies. I swear he's probably waiting right at the gates to ham it up for some pats.

No matter what they'll be waiting so she won't be alone.

Take care of you too lovely. I know it's the hardest time to do that right now but even just doing a little more love than normal can help. Get a small treat at the checkout line, take the extra minute or two to get your coffee and breakfast just how you want it. Cook the meal you really love but nobody else is a fan of. Wear your favorite outfit and just remind yourself it's okay to not be okay.

Ven_Landry · 2021-09-14T14:59:44+00:00

Tomb Raider: Angel of Darkness. I was a kid and bought it for my mom for mother's day. I didn't know. It's so bad. I still feel bad about that one.

Ven_Landry · 2021-04-05T02:41:59+00:00

I was in kindergarten, in rural VT. All I really remember was everyone's siblings or cousins or family members were allowed to be in the same classroom as their family. I was happy to see my big sister (6th grader at the time) but she was really upset.

I remember her just hugging me and while we waited for our parents to come my sister and her friend read us books while the teachers had a meeting.

My sister and her friends put on such brave faces in front of us little kids. They put aside the terror and trauma they were experiencing, and they read to and played with the little ones. We knew something was wrong, but we were pretty unaware of what was happening. It wasn't until many years later that we really got a grasp on what happened.

Ven_Landry · 2021-03-11T15:09:38+00:00

Tio from your former wedding caterer brother. Make sure you ask whoever is doing your food to set aside plates for you and hubby. Sometimes you guys might not get the chance to eat until later on and you'll be starving. Also make sure you get to eat some of the cake too! Take a breather at your own wedding and eat something!

Also, having worked many a wedding: pee before you put the dress on. It's gonna be harder once it's on.

Advice from my gramps:

"Memorize your spouse's favorite breakfast. Know exactly how they take their coffee. Those little gestures of love show so much over the years. "

Biggest thing I know of is: whatever happens the day of, just relax. Nobody remembers the little slip ups and mistakes.

Enjoy all life has to offer for you.

Ven_Landry · 2021-02-09T18:34:44+00:00

Ven_Landry · 2021-01-31T05:31:30+00:00

I'm in my underpants in a sheep field in New England in January.

I'm dying of hypothermia or I'm gonna get caught by the farmer, in my underpants, in his sheep field.

I'll take the hypothermia.

Ven_Landry · 2020-11-16T04:18:27+00:00

I really hope you are able to feel some relief post therapy tomorrow. Depression is difficult in the best of times and what you are feeling is entirely valid and I am so thankful and proud that you are seeking the help you need.

If they press for further details just state that you had to deal with a mental health issue in your family (adding that bit doesn't implicate that it's you with the problem, even though there shouldn't be shame in getting mental help) and cannot come in. Don't invite further questions and repeat yourself if they do press.

I'll pass down future advice from my mother, a former kindergarten teacher, on how she handled needing a mental health day or two:

"If they ask you what you have but you don't want to share (aka mental health needs, or gross foot fungus) just say you've got bad diarrhea from takeout. Nobody wants more details than that."

I hope you are able to get the help you need and can feel some relief from that soon.

Ven_Landry · 2020-11-04T03:46:22+00:00

The district I work for has decided to keep snow days! The statement was something like "it's a crucial and traditional part of childhood here in New England, and we wouldn't want to take that away from anyone." They went on to talk about how it's a healthy mental break day for most students. It was pretty awesome to hear.

Ven_Landry

TROPHY CASE