Last weekend I made macaroni and cheese from scratch; it ended badly. It was quite runny, more like pasta in cheese soup. Having never made M&C this way before there were many possible reasons why it fell flat. Friends and family on The Book of Faces were consulted and the general consensus was I used too much milk and worse it was skim not whole.* It’s worth repeating as most recipes don’t go well the first time one makes it (when I first make it). Someone was too polite to say it but I saw the bubble thought above his head saying for all my work he prefers the stuff out of the blue and orange box.
While we ate Thai cheese pasta soup we watched an episode of ‘Dr. Who’. I am slowly slogging my way through the series. Matt Smith is the current incarnation and he does a fine job other than when he’s excited he talks faster to the point I can’t follow what he is saying. There’s no harm really as the formula is the same: there’s a mystery to solve that usually has a monster to slay which always happens no matter what.
More financial woes! For sometime we’ve been delaying the inevitable need to replace the ancient AC and heating system. The AC repairman (or someone like him) came out Monday afternoon to tell us the day we knew would arrive it’s here and hold out his hand for our money. And this is just after we shelled out 14K for taxes! Oh that hurts. Clever and thoughtful Someone has been anticipating this, squirreling away money in CDs and such so we won’t have to dissolve mutual funds or sell plasma. “They say” the better efficiency of a new system will pay for itself in time. I wonder if I will live that long.
Hypnos god of sleep hasn’t been kind as of late. I am working on means to open my nose at night so I don’t become a mouth breather. In the dry air the open mouth soon dries and causes me to wakes, which makes me drink water which leads to its own sleeping interruption problem. At night Harper is having great shakes in her sleep. We can’t tell if she is having vivid dreams or seizures or is possessed by demonic forces. Her pseudo-seizures wake us and it is hard to wake her from them. When she does she doesn’t seem worse the wear but gives us a pained Jack Benny look ‘can’t you see i am trying to get some sleep?” I wish I could. I’m combining the factors of decongestants, antihistamines, nasal steroids, and a dehumidifer. Oh the pain.
There was a penny on the floor of the locker room at the gym the other day and I paused to stoop down to pick it up. What few there were to witness such a spectacle were probably puzzled why I would bother. Pennies aren’t good for anything but it is engrained in me to see a penny pick it up and all the day you have good luck. When I got home Someone announced the AC man said while the system is old it is functioning and didn’t need replacement until next year maybe. So there, you doubting Thomases.
*The sauce was tasty though; I added four ounces of Thai green curry which gave it a lovely kick.
46 comments
April 30, 2024 at 1:26 AM
Anonymous
You could add more pasta. Here are a few other solutions.
How To Thicken Mac And Cheese – 5 Easy Ways – Foods Guy
Practical Parsimony
April 30, 2024 at 6:56 AM
Urspo
More pasta ! If I could get away with it I would eat some every day!
April 30, 2024 at 2:07 AM
Moving with Mitchell
Congratulations on the one-year reprieve! Kraft Mac & Cheese used to be my go-to meal. The last time I tried it, SG was away on business. I had been spoiled over the preceding years and couldn’t believe I ever tolerated it.
April 30, 2024 at 6:57 AM
Urspo
I never had any until I went to college, where it was a regular item on the dorm menu. People complained it wasn’t as good as mom’s or Kraft’s but I had no reference.
April 30, 2024 at 3:31 AM
Anonymous
Mac and Cheese is not a low butterfat dish , as you know now.
I replaced my compressor last year, the repairman was appalled that I didn’t go all in. You will be glad you did it. They also do allow payments or so I was told. My dogs have what I call bad dreams , usually of shorter less than five minutes duration. If you weren’t wearing Derrick Rose or some such I would have paid admission to see the penny pickup DwightW.
April 30, 2024 at 7:00 AM
Urspo
I am certainly NOT dressed in the height of work out fashion at the gym but in shoddy T-shirts and dog-eared towels for the benches.
I tend to wear out my undergarments all at once which means I am soon in need of new – lots. I hope Mr. Rose isn’t too expensive. Last time I looked the prices were frightful. Mr. Welden does a good job for half the price.
April 30, 2024 at 3:46 AM
BadNoteB
I, too, believe in picking up pennies for good luck. Equally fun is spreading the luck by seeding parking lots and sidewalks with spare pennies from my pocket for others to find. I’ve been accused of littering by some in doing this but it makes my heart smile so I do it anyway.
April 30, 2024 at 7:05 AM
Urspo
As I stoop to pick up pennies I recite to myself the ‘see a penny pick it up’ poem – or is it a conjuring summons? At home on the butcher block in the laundry room stands a rawther large blue piggy bank. In it I we put all our coins. When it is full, Someone pours them out and puts the coins in paper rolls and brings them to the bank. This sometimes makes over fifty dollars. Before I met him I consciously used coins so as not to accumulate any. He enjoys this route so there it is.
April 30, 2024 at 6:04 AM
Old Lurker
I had never considered intentionally dropping pennies so other people would have good luck. What a concept! I wonder if doing so reduces one’s own luck?
Good for Someone for saving up money to replace the A/C. See? Sometimes having a rationalist in the house pays off.
April 30, 2024 at 7:06 AM
Urspo
Rationalists (the dears!) save us Dreamers from the poorhouse and premature death.
April 30, 2024 at 6:26 AM
Debra She Who Seeks
I drink skim milk but never use it in cooking and baking because its water content is too high. I use 2% milk for cooking and baking. Still less fat than whole milk but enough to work.
April 30, 2024 at 7:06 AM
Urspo
I see this now. Someone drinks milk (I do not) and he always gets skim. Next time I bake I get me some whole milk.
April 30, 2024 at 11:08 AM
Anonymous
FWIW… the “skim” in skim milk (and 2%) relates to the removal of milk fat. While we buy only 2% milk for drinking, I “fortify” it as a substitute for whole milk in cooking and baking by adding butter to compensate for the missing fat.
Heavy cream = 36% milk fat (minimum)
whipping cream = 30-35% milk fat
whole milk = 3.25% milk fat
2% milk = 2% milk fat
Low fat milk = 1% milk fat
skim milk = fat free
1/4 cup butter, melted and cooled + 3/4 Cup whole milk = 1 cup heavy cream has saved my bacon plenty of times. Folks are often surprised to learn that more commercial ice cream is produced from butter than from fresh cream…
April 30, 2024 at 2:15 PM
Urspo
well said!
April 30, 2024 at 6:35 AM
Steven
Oh, the horror! Skim milk! Never use in recipes. And for mac n cheese, use more cheese than recommended. Remember to wash the penny, or get athlete’s foot on your hands.
April 30, 2024 at 7:08 AM
Urspo
We have a fine plastic mesh bag in which we can put sundries and small cloth items (like glasses wipes) for the laundry. It always feels funny to wash dirty coins as this is literal money laundering which seems illegal or OCD or something.
April 30, 2024 at 6:47 AM
Anonymous
I’m also a ‘mouth breather’ and my dentist suggested a simple solution to that issue. She recommended that I buy ‘mouth tape.’ I buy a generic type at my local pharmacy, but you might want to check out Nexcare tape. It has helped tremendously with my dry mouth problem as well as the snoring. You may want to do your own research into this solution, but for me it’s been a game changer. The other plus to using the mouth tape nightly, is that my gums are in great condition which pleases my dentist and me to no end.
Betty
April 30, 2024 at 7:09 AM
Urspo
Thank you Betty for the tip and time to write it out.
Healthy gums is a a sign of good health in general; good for you!
April 30, 2024 at 7:34 AM
Robzilla
I found a penny in the dirt portion of the backyard once. I don’t recall having either good or bad luck, but the penny was from 1978 which was interesting. It was quite tarnished, so I know it can’t be that valuable.
April 30, 2024 at 7:41 AM
Urspo
Do you still have the coin?
April 30, 2024 at 5:17 PM
Robzilla
I do! I just discovered it’s a 1976 penny, and I’m in the process of cleaning it. I hope to post a favorable picture of it soon.
April 30, 2024 at 7:50 AM
Anonymous
I have always picked up coins from the ground. I always say the same mantra, but the truth is it makes me feel frugal. I even did it during covid. I simply couldn’t stop myself risking death for a penny. Never washed them either.
April 30, 2024 at 2:16 PM
Urspo
I think the rest of the charm is about ‘see a penny let it lay’ and the world falls apart so better not to tempt Fate.
April 30, 2024 at 8:18 AM
spwilcen
My Sis and Boss both make exceptional Mac&. Not from a box. Not on the stove. Four kinds of tasty, exotic cheese, real bacon bits, and magic from the cupboard. In a casserole. I am not privy to the magic, but somewhere along the takes-forever time, the creation is pulled from the oven, bread crumbs and more cheese sprinkled atop, and it returns to the oven until crispy, chewy golden-brown. I can do a main course [sans relish but with great delight!]. I’m convinced it’s worth the time and effort. Boss/Sis do the magical hard part. At best, I am put to work grating cheeses or prepping bacon two hours before. Keep at it. GOOD Mac& is A-One comfort food. You deserve it.
April 30, 2024 at 2:17 PM
Urspo
Ms. Casper (the dear!) gave us a proper 21st century recipe that is cooked in a casserole pan. It is very good but makes enough for 8 people. If we make it we tend to eat it all, not good.
May 1, 2024 at 7:06 AM
spwilcen
Surprising the number of folk who love Mac&. As a side or even a “main.” I don’t know just how good Mrs. Caspar’s masterpiece is, but what a delightful mid-week “company coming” piece. Opportunity to shed weekday office woes, chat intelligently with friends, and excuse for a glass of vino.
April 30, 2024 at 9:54 AM
loriahawkins
We replaced our AC/Heating last year and noticed a considerable difference in our bills immediately. Also you can file for a tax credit on any updates in appliances. It must have made a big difference because we had a refund for the first time in many, many years.
Always use whole milk for cooking/baking.
April 30, 2024 at 2:18 PM
Urspo
Good advice all of it
I have learned my lesson.
April 30, 2024 at 10:27 AM
Blobby
I’ve been corrected by Erik more than once: it’s “Doctor Who”.
April 30, 2024 at 2:18 PM
Urspo
I have long suspected Mr. Erik is a Zygon.
April 30, 2024 at 6:23 PM
Blobby
Yeah – I have never seen a second of all 63 seasons, so I don’t get the reference.
April 30, 2024 at 3:13 PM
Husband&Husband
Uncle Albertson’s sells whole milk in shelf stable boxes.. the boxes are 8 oz, (I think) Since we don’t drink milk regularly I buy a carton of these, 6 to a pack and leave them in the pantry so I have whole milk when needed..
May 1, 2024 at 6:50 AM
Urspo
I am glad for your comment. Uncle A also sells little ‘one gulp’ items they are more expensive I suppose but there is less waste and just enough for a recipe.
April 30, 2024 at 6:20 PM
Mistress Borghese
Oh dear. But I love your adventurous side to still try to bake and cook. If I get a minute, I should mail you a recipe for a homemade Mac and Cheese recipe I have. I think you’d like it. And it is nice and easy.
May 1, 2024 at 6:51 AM
Urspo
Please do! I like nice and easy – like my men.
April 30, 2024 at 8:35 PM
Richard Portman
I come to you as a broke down old man. A nice humble survivor of our lives, before we had this. How long, exactly, are we supposed to deal with this ? Talking about Trump and MAGA.
How much longer?
May 1, 2024 at 6:51 AM
Urspo
Dear me that doesn’t sound good. Despite things I hope you can take care of yourself you are worth it.
April 30, 2024 at 8:44 PM
Anonymous
Find out who has your mother’s recipe for Mac and cheese and start from there. You know that it will be the one that you are comparing it to. BTW if your mother bought it pre made from the store, Eric Kim at the NYT has developed a recipe for that. In his recipe the magic ingredient appears to be Velveeta (gasp!) because there is a particular salt used in its manufacturing that contributes a particular texture to the final product.
I’ve also found that the NYT recipe for creamy mac and cheese – the one in which you make the base for the cheese sauce in the blender works well for me because I often don’t have the patience to make the proper became sauce.
Alas, I am no longer allowed to have pasta (as much as I love it). The current side effects are stern looks and words of disapproval from my PCP when she reviews my blood work up. She really is a dear and is doing her best to provide appropriate medical guidance to keep me alive and well.
Will Jay
April 30, 2024 at 8:49 PM
Anonymous
Bechamel sauce, not became
Will Jay
May 1, 2024 at 6:53 AM
Urspo
Mother never made Mac and Cheese and if she did she would make Kraft box type.
Alas for me too pasta should be avoided but I love it so, so it is a treat from time to time.
May 1, 2024 at 2:46 AM
Paul Brownsey
I make macaroni cheese with semi-skimmed milk and have never had a problem with the consistency of the sauce. Smallish lump of butter, melted; add dessert spoonful of flour; then add semi-skimmed, stirring; then add grated cheese.
May 1, 2024 at 6:54 AM
Urspo
Probably then my ‘failure’ was operation error or too much milk or something rather than the skim milk issue. Who can say. I plan on making it again as second types always go better.
May 1, 2024 at 4:05 AM
Hugh W. Roberts
I’m not sure where that quote came from, but I’ve always thought it true. And now you have more dollars looking after themselves for another year.
May 1, 2024 at 6:55 AM
Urspo
I like the statement too. It’s true in sewing I’ve discovered. Keep the details well and the big picture goes well.
May 1, 2024 at 6:26 AM
Ron
I always pick up all manner of loose change in the Food Lion parking lot. Nickels and dimes mostly. Nary a penny. I will soon have a dollar’s worth of useless change. We should be like Canada, do away with coins altogether.
May 1, 2024 at 6:56 AM
Urspo
Many people have said likewise and I’ve heard a lot of logic against them. It is my understanding the pennies keep happening as the zinc industry lobbies to make it so.