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Sep. 14th, 2024 03:52 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
turpsStrictly starts again tonight. I've been enjoying the build up, the celeb spoilers, the pairing spoilers, the first bit of promo on the party bus. But can't lie, all the stuff that happened over the last few months have dimmed my enjoyment a little.
Plus, Nikita getting his new partner means Nikita and Layton is officially over. Which, may be a relief to anyone reading who got tired of the videos I posted, but I'll miss the sheer glee of waiting to see them dance each week, and then the anxious wait to see if they got through.
I've been having a watch of some old favourites of theirs, the excellent vampiretastic tango and the couple's choice with the corsets and the Argentine Tango. Just so many.
And of course, this. I'm sure some of you expected that to be linked, it may not be Layton and Nikita, but remains the pro dance of the season for me. ♥ rooftop dance always ♥
All my greenhouse tomatoes have started to ripen, so I have so many of the things to eat. They're delicious, but some do have hard skins which I've read could be due to extreme changing temperatures, which makes sense due to the weather we've had. Oh well, they still make for good eating.
I also made a vegetable broth with barley yesterday. I used the slow cooker, added the veggies, added the barley, and the lid would barely fit over the top. That's fine, I thought, the vegetables would cook down, all would be well. Experienced cooks will know where this is going. While the veggies did cook down, the barley also swelled up, and I had to do an emergency scoop out of half the contents after a couple of hours. So, ended with a big pan of broth as well as a slow cooker full. Broth for days is seems.
Other rl things, James is off work again after the infection in his leg came back. He was happily going to work, all was well, then started to feel unwell. Due to where he works there are plenty of clinicians to have a look, and after checking his leg, one said to go home and get a doctor appointment asap. Which he did, phoning me literally as I came back from the doctors after having to walk there and back to have my B12 injection -- and yes, I grumbled at that, if he'd been sent home just twenty minutes earlier I could have waited and got a lift home.
He's been to see three different people at the doctors over the last three days, and is back on the powerful antibiotics again, but really, what helps the most is to rest and keep his splint off.
Meanwhile, my SiL's partner was rushed into hospital a few days ago. They thought he had gall stones and kept him in to operate. Then, he was unexpectadly discharged today after they changed their minds and said there's nothing actually wrong with him. So, that's a mix of good news and weird.
Plus, Nikita getting his new partner means Nikita and Layton is officially over. Which, may be a relief to anyone reading who got tired of the videos I posted, but I'll miss the sheer glee of waiting to see them dance each week, and then the anxious wait to see if they got through.
I've been having a watch of some old favourites of theirs, the excellent vampiretastic tango and the couple's choice with the corsets and the Argentine Tango. Just so many.
And of course, this. I'm sure some of you expected that to be linked, it may not be Layton and Nikita, but remains the pro dance of the season for me. ♥ rooftop dance always ♥
All my greenhouse tomatoes have started to ripen, so I have so many of the things to eat. They're delicious, but some do have hard skins which I've read could be due to extreme changing temperatures, which makes sense due to the weather we've had. Oh well, they still make for good eating.
I also made a vegetable broth with barley yesterday. I used the slow cooker, added the veggies, added the barley, and the lid would barely fit over the top. That's fine, I thought, the vegetables would cook down, all would be well. Experienced cooks will know where this is going. While the veggies did cook down, the barley also swelled up, and I had to do an emergency scoop out of half the contents after a couple of hours. So, ended with a big pan of broth as well as a slow cooker full. Broth for days is seems.
Other rl things, James is off work again after the infection in his leg came back. He was happily going to work, all was well, then started to feel unwell. Due to where he works there are plenty of clinicians to have a look, and after checking his leg, one said to go home and get a doctor appointment asap. Which he did, phoning me literally as I came back from the doctors after having to walk there and back to have my B12 injection -- and yes, I grumbled at that, if he'd been sent home just twenty minutes earlier I could have waited and got a lift home.
He's been to see three different people at the doctors over the last three days, and is back on the powerful antibiotics again, but really, what helps the most is to rest and keep his splint off.
Meanwhile, my SiL's partner was rushed into hospital a few days ago. They thought he had gall stones and kept him in to operate. Then, he was unexpectadly discharged today after they changed their minds and said there's nothing actually wrong with him. So, that's a mix of good news and weird.
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Date: 2024-09-14 03:27 pm (UTC)you've got broth for days - can you freeze some for the future?
sorry to hear about James - hopefully that infection is beaten back quickly without any problem.
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Date: 2024-09-14 03:38 pm (UTC)Yeah, I saw that coming with the barley. Oops! When I soak beans overnight, I need to ensure there is enough water (and room) for the beans to triple in size. Hopefully, you can freeze some of your broth.
I hope James is feeling better soon! I know it's disappointing about the ride, but as long as I have time, I always figure walking is so much better for my body. Everything functions better when I get some walking in.
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Date: 2024-09-14 04:40 pm (UTC)You know, that's a good idea about freezing. The broth is delicious, but I've had it for two days in a row now, not sure if I can keep that up.
Thanks. The infection is a pain in the backside, especially as he was feeling so well. So much so he was going to do a few laps for the sponsored bike ride with the disabled biking group tomorrow. Now he can't do that and will have to hand back the sponsorship money he has already.
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Date: 2024-09-14 04:44 pm (UTC)Excellent news! I do love the taste of garden fresh veggies. Great news the handyman is there at the house, too.
Yeah, I saw that coming with the barley. Oops!
Oops is right! *g* I really should have known better, and am glad I was in the house when I started to cook the broth otherwise I would have came home to a big mess as the barley just kept expanding! I think I need to freeze some, because as tasty as it is, I suspect I'll be sick of broth soon, and there's still loads to eat.
Yeah, you're right about the walking, and I am giving myself kudos for actually walking down and back as it's the longest walk I've done for a while. Plus, I got my steps in before 10am which is always a plus.
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Date: 2024-09-14 11:26 pm (UTC)Poor James, hope some R&R gets him fixed up again. Cursed infections!
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Date: 2024-09-15 12:09 pm (UTC)I loved Nikita and Layton last year. They were definitely my favourite and I was rooting for them the whole way through, especially as Layton comes from just up the road to me - as does Ellie. The thing I found about their partnership is it actually changed my opinion of Nikita. Up until then I'd thought he was very much a bland blah blonde twink, which sounds harsh but there was nothing interesting (to me at least), about his previous dancing with previous partners. But with Layton it was just astonishing and I loved it and I loved them, just as much as I loved John and Johannes previously as well.
I am very disappointed that we have no same sex couples this year, and of course Strictly has been saying that they want to go back to it being a family show - not sure if that means that they think those of us are queer are deviants but I am disappointed but not surprised.
I am very glad to see Aljaz back - he was always one of my favourites. (1) because he is hot as hell and comes across as a genuinely nice guy, but we know now appearances can be deceiving, and (2) because I thought he was always the best ballroom dancer on the show. I never bought into that schtick about Anton being the King of Ballroom. To me Aljaz is a lot better, although Kat_lair and I went to see Anton and Gio a couple of months ago for my belated birthday present, and Anton was good.
Was there anybody from last night's launch show that you thought was going to be good? I think Tasha will be good and I think Pete Wicks might go a long way. I'm hoping Wynn isn't going to be the joke contestant. I watched him on Celebrity Masterchef last year and he seems a genuinely nice guy.
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Date: 2024-09-15 01:52 pm (UTC)I thought he looked great, but didn't really stand out until his leaving dance with Tilly where he tried to rip his shirt off and it ended up tangled on his mic wire and trailing behind them like a sad ghost. Seeing him laughing at himself for that made me like him more. So, I looked forward to seeing him with Ellie the next season, and really liked how he choreographed the routines with her. Then came Layton, and their pairing blew my mind, and kept doing so week by week.
I loved everything about them, the dancing, their friendship, the social media they put out, it was like cat nip to me and yes, I loved John and Johannes as well. Especially their pirate paso, that was fire.
It does seem like a step back to have no same sex pairings this time, I mean, they've had 3 m/m and 2 f/f couples, so it makes no sense they've got none this time. If they have tried to get back to a so-called family show, I think they've shot themselves in the foot yet again.
Aljaz always seems such a lovely man, and yes, is hot. His couples choice with Sara with that leather outfit and the chains and just, everything showed that nicely. I also like how he genuinely seems to want his partner to have a good time -- and please universe, don't make me be wrong about that, too.
I haven't seen Anton dance live, but did go to see the pro tour earlier this year, and was amazed at just how great all of the pros are when they don't have to dial it back when dancing with their celeb. But yeah, I can easily believe Anton is good at ballroom but ALjaz is better.
I enjoyed Pete last night, I like a person who doesn't take himself seriously, which is why I enjoyed Chris too. Though, I can't say he'll actually be good. I've high hopes for Montell, she seems a great partner for Johannes, and I'm looking forward to their dances, Tasha I agree will be good and from the group dance, Punam didn't look that bad, plus, Gorka seems to be a good teacher -- even if it sometimes ends up with his doing routines where he's on his knees dressed as a dog.
I suspect they're going to be making Paul the joke contestant, especially after that first song choice. So, hopefully, Wynn will be safe for a while, as I liked him on the launch show, and in MC last year.
I've enjoyed this Strictly babble, and like your icon, it's very apt for the show.
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Date: 2024-09-15 01:53 pm (UTC)I like that way of looking at it!
Infections are the worst. Especially ones that keep coming back.
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Date: 2024-09-15 02:37 pm (UTC)I really enjoyed last night's show - I think the Clauditorium is going to be pandemonium next week if they're not VERY clever in the order they put people up there in with all the teasing that was going on last night.
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Date: 2024-09-15 04:08 pm (UTC)I think the Clauditorium is going to be pandemonium next week if they're not VERY clever in the order they put people up there in with all the teasing that was going on last night.
I agree! Chris especially had me laughing often, and I bet his comment about being in the same room as a doctor had some of TPTB's heart rate jumping up *g*
I'm looking forward to next week.
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Date: 2024-09-15 09:34 pm (UTC)Best of luck to James, I hope he feels better soon.
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Date: 2024-09-16 10:46 am (UTC)James has been back to the doctors today, seeing the one who actually knows him well this time, and is back on the nuclear option antibiotics. So, hopefully they'll start working soon.
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Date: 2024-09-17 04:19 pm (UTC)Congratulations to your ripe tomatoes!
I'm very sorry but I did giggle a little when I read about your adventures with the barley. An elementary mistake but such an easy one to make. Making big batches of broth to keep in the freezer is a great way to make future soup cooking much easier and quicker!
Poor James! I'm keeping everything crossed the infection will get better soon.
That sounds so weird!
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Date: 2024-09-17 06:49 pm (UTC)Yes, freeze some broth, but lol because that sounds like a problem I'd have.
Oh no! How frustrating that the infection is back! I hope it goes away quickly, since he's got the heavy duty antibiotics from the beginning this time.
That seems odd to have him scheduled for surgery and then be like, oops, our bad.
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Date: 2024-10-19 04:18 pm (UTC)I am enjoying this season, and because I'm not totally invested in any of the pairings it's not so stressful either. Which is a relief.
I'm very sorry but I did giggle a little when I read about your adventures with the barley. An elementary mistake but such an easy one to make. Making big batches of broth to keep in the freezer is a great way to make future soup cooking much easier and quicker!
You have every right to laugh! And it seems I never learn, as I've been cooking broth for tea tonight and yet again I have too much. I even cut all the ingredients in half and still it happened. Though, not as bad as last time at least. Next time, I'll have to go quarter the barley.
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Date: 2024-10-20 03:52 pm (UTC)You're so right. But what's extra stupid is in the last years they've had three m/m pairings and two f/f. This is the first year they've had no same sex pairings for years, and it's a glaring omission. And yes, about the het couples getting so close. Some of the positions they get in are not family friendly at all!