Vent vent. The appliance repair person came last week to examine my hood vent. He opened up the hood vent, asked me to describe the problem, diagnosed the issue as a faulty user interface (the piece that has the buttons that turn the fan on and off), looked up the part, and discovered that my hood vent is discontinued and he cannot source a part for it. All this, including when I tearfully begged him to at least disconnect the fan so that it would stop running at all hours of the day and night, took five minutes and cost $160. I am still salty about the whole thing. (I emailed the vent hood manufacturer weeks ago, asking about companies that service this hood vent. I also gave the model number of my hood vent to the appliance repair company. Why neither of those people bothered to inform me that the hood vent was DISCONTINUED is beyond me.) But at least the fan is OFF. (And we can reconnect it if we need to make something on the stove, which I am still avoiding due to excessive heat.)
I am trying to decide if I need a sous vide badly enough to buy one for myself. Jen has completely influencered me into wanting one; apparently it is really good at making various curds and I love a good curd. But it’s expensive enough that it feels like something I should request as a gift. But… this one is also on a big sale for Prime Day ($121 down from $199), so maybe I should just bite the bullet and get one????? Do you have a sous vide? What do you use it for, if not for curds? (I am aware it does MANY things besides curd-making.) (Curd is a very weird word.)
Do you need to be influencered into buying a new small appliance? If so, then I HIGHLY recommend this Cuisinart immersion blender. I use mine ALL the time. In fact – and this is super embarrassing to admit – I have TWO of them, and I use both of them weekly, if not daily. (It’s embarrassing to admit because I had one of them for a million years, or so long that I completely forgot it had the little chopper/grinder attachment. Then I bought a new one, which was different only in that it also came with a large mixing/measuring cup.) I use them for smoothies, dressings, dips. This past weekend I made an impromptu whipped feta using the chopper/grinder cup. It’s so easy to use and I love that it takes up less room in the dishwasher than my blender or my food processor. (The one I have is not technically on a Prime Day deal, but it is 25% off.) (Ooooh, this one by Mueller IS on a Prime Day deal – 37% off and only $31.55!) (Do I need a third immersion blender set? No, I do not. Right? Or do I?)
I just finished two books that used the same murder method! And it wasn’t a super common murder method, like strangling or whatever. It was a fairly specific method. I love it when I experience that kind of synchronicity in books. Like there’s something in the collective consciousness that makes writers reach for similar things at similar times.
The first dinner party went off without a hitch. We ended up making balsamic pork in the crockpot, and then having all sorts of goodies alongside it: brown rice, crumbled feta, kalamata olives, caramelized onions, sundried tomatoes, and marinated artichoke hearts. I also made a quinoa salad to go alongside it. Where I went wrong, I think, is in the appetizers. I made hummus and the aforementioned whipped feta, and served both with veggies and pita chips. People seemed to fill up on the appetizers and then didn’t have a whole lot of room left for the main course. Because we had six people over, I doubled the pork recipe. And… we had SO MUCH pork leftover, Internet. So much pork. My husband and I had it for dinner again on Sunday, and then yesterday I paired the pork with a mango salsa to make it different enough for us to enjoy for a third day in a row, plus a small Tupperware container for me to eat for lunch, AND I still had a generous portion leftover that I put in the freezer for another time. We also have so much quinoa salad leftover. How does anyone know how much food to make? I felt SURE that six adults would eat AT LEAST as much food as my husband and I do on our own, but that didn’t seem to be the case???? I don’t think the food was bad, although I guess I can’t rule that out? Well. I have a second chance this weekend, as Dinner Party 2 is coming up. This time, I am making tacos, and guacamole, and maybe salsa. THAT’S IT. (Although I am fretting a bit about what sort of meat I should make. Just ground beef? Or should I also do shredded chicken?)
The best decision I made for the dinner party was to include a friend for Carla. I figured she would be bored by all the adults, so we arranged for her bestie come over and spend the night. I didn’t have to worry about either of them the whole night. I mean, I fed them. (They did NOT eat balsamic pork.) And my husband (and possibly the other adults as well) watched them in the pool. But they entertained one another and had a wonderful time. Unfortunately, the kids then stayed awake until THREE O’CLOCK AM IN THE MORNING. And felt the need to keep me updated about their awakeness approximately every hour. I have no problem with the kids not sleeping. It’s a sleepover; not-sleeping is expected. But I was exhausted from a day spent cooking and cleaning and entertaining and then I didn’t sleep more than a few interrupted hours, so I ended up being pretty useless both Sunday AND Monday.
Is it hot where you are? It’s hot, isn’t it. It seems to be hot everywhere, in the US at least. (And Canada. HI NICOLE. I hope you are ensconced in air conditioning right now!) We had a thunderstorm this morning at about four, and so everything is wet, but it’s also hot already (I am writing this at six) and all our windows are steamed up. “Hot and humid” is my least favorite state of being. I walk around in a constant half-melted state. My hair is impossible and I have been wearing it in a ponytail so much my scalp hurts. My face is a zitty mess. My deodorant is working as hard as it can but cannot stanch the sweat. I am longing for winter. But not really, because I am also enjoying the heck out of having a pool. Carla and I went swimming last night before dinner and I love it so much.
Our summer schedule is – finally – so awesome. We have really settled into a rhythm right now, and I love it. I wake up at six, make tea, wander around my garden, make a smoothie, wake up Carla and watch a million cat videos with her. Let’s not speak of the period between waking her up and getting her into the car for camp. While she’s at camp, I exercise and write. I am part of an honest-to-goodness writing club right now, and I’m loving it. I buy groceries and do laundry and make endless phone calls and appointments for our house. I pick up Carla, spend as much time outside as possible, make and eat dinner, watch a show with my husband, go to bed. Repeat. It’s so lovely. One thing I am dreading about the school year is having to shift everything again. Especially now, I am enjoying the quiet hour or so by myself before I wake Carla up… but I’ll have to wake her up an hour earlier during the school year and I don’t know that I have the kind of constitution that enables ME to wake up at five. We’ll see, I guess. I’m trying not to waste any of this glorious summer with WORRYING.
Back to complaining about the heat, I am ogling all sorts of fans on amazon right now. I really, really want a fan for our gym. I get so sweaty while working out, Internet. It is disgusting. Even just walking on the treadmill, I become a puddle. I often type while walking (I have a treadmill desk attachment that I love) and I leave these horrendous sweaty paw prints on the desk. But I know NOTHING about fans. This one looks good – I like the tower look and it gets good reviews, and it seems like a reasonable price? Maybe this pedestal one would be better? It’s supposedly “space saving,” although I don’t know that it takes up any less space except visual. Do you have a fan that you like?
Also in an attempt to beat the heat, I have been buying dresses like crazy. Earlier this summer, I splurged on threeamazing dresses from Boden. I love them ALL. Yet I find myself coveting MORE DRESSES. All the dresses! This one is cute and seems more casual than the Boden ones. Do I need it??? (No. I definitely do not NEED it. Do I want it? Yes. Do I want it enough to buy it? Jury’s still out. Although it is only $15… Hmmm…) My husband also sent me a link to a “freezer dress,” which sounds deeply intriguing. It apparently has some sort of special fabric that cools as you sweat. That sounds kind of amazing?! Ooooh there’s a maxi dress version, too.
Another good thing about summer? My hydrangeas! Look how beautiful they are! When they are on the bush, overloaded by the weight of their own blooms, they aren’t quite as lovely. But in a vase on my counter, they are pretty spectacular.
Okay, that’s all I have time for, Internet. I hope you are staying cool, whatever you’re doing.
The vent situation is so frustrating.
I’m glad the party went well, except for the wakeful kids.
Such pretty hydrangeas. Where we live, they are finished.
So frustrating. But at least it’s no longer making noise, I suppose.
I loved this post, Suzanne. The food links all look delicious (I agree that knowing how much to cook for a crowd is HARD). I feel like I always, always, always have either too little or waaayyyy to much. I never seem to manage to have just a little bit left over.
I love those Boden dresses. Gorgeous. And your summer routine does sound like perfection. It’s so nice to settle into a rhythm.
I’ve never really coveted having a pool before…but this year I do. It has been so hot and so humid. Ugh. Being able to swim at my leisure sounds pretty incredible right now.
The vent situation is so frustrating (especially the bill for 5 minutes, that sort of thing kills me)…but at least it won’t be turning on in the middle of the night now? That feels like a small consolation.
Yay for writing groups!!!! Yay for morning smoothies and tea and walking around the garden. Yay for popping in the pool with Carla before supper. I needed a feel-good post and this was it.
I had to chuckle about the girls waking you up to TELL YOU THEY WEREN’T SLEEPING. Humourous…but also deeply frustrating I’m sure!
Right?! The kids were SO CUTE, like, they clearly knew they were supposed to be sleeping, but every time I’d tuck them in or play some soothing music or read them a story or whatever, they would get the giggles and be unable to sleep.
You do want a sous vide. They make meat so beautifully that I barely cook meat any other way now. Also….they cook meat without heating up your house.
MAGIC WORDS, JEN.
Well, don’t move to Florida! Hot and humid is our state motto (well, actually it’s “The Sunshine State”- close enough.) I’m very intrigued by that Freezer Dress! It looks very cute and would be a good style for me (kind of flowy over the stomach area.)
I don’t even know what a sous vide is, but I do have an immersion blender. I don’t use it as much as you do, but I really love it when I’m making soups.
Sounds like the dinner party was a success, except for the excess pork. Way better to have too much food than too little though.
I’m also enjoying the summer schedule, and dreading the shift back when school starts. Your schedule sounds especially lovely, with Carla at camp. My only complaint is there are too many people around my house at all times. I guess that’s the tradeoff for more leisurely wakeups and mornings though.
Yes, having too many people around the house would be tough. But oh those leisurely mornings! So worth it, right?
Clearly ONE of us has to try the freezer dress, Jenny.
It is SO HOT.
Your hydrangeas are so pretty! Mine faded from pink to yellow (I have 2, in containers), and I’m not sure if I should prune the blooms off, if they will bloom again, or what.
Your summer schedule sounds lovely! The hour wandering in the garden! Bliss! Enjoy it. 🙂
So interesting that pink hydrangeas would turn to yellow! They are very mysterious to me. And no idea if they continue to bloom or not.
Taco thought: could you put your leftover balsamic pork out as a taco filling option?
Ooooh I will have to think about this! We have overlap of one couple from the first dinner party, so I’m not sure… but then again, if it’s dressed up as a taco maybe it will be unrecognizable?
HATE HUMIDITY. HATE IT. I was getting a new phone screen at Best Buy the other day (because Apple doesn’t carry them anymore for my “super old” iPhone 14 pro **eye roll**) and I saw a WEARABLE AIR CONDITIONER that GOES AROUND YOUR NECK.Very tempted. Before you jump on a fan– go to Costco— they have really good ones in their college stuff right now. Also love my immersion blender–middle age is the best LOL.
But Sarah, going to Costco involves going to Costco.
I don’t know if you get them in the US (I’m in the UK), but my favourite fans are by either Meaco or Boneco. Both makes look good and are super quiet and efficient, better even than my Dyson ones.
I will look! Thank you for the recs!
We lost power at 1am on Sat and it did not come back on until Monday afternoon. It was horribly hot and humid during this stretch. Of course. I ran 7 miles in the heat and humidity on Sun am even though I could only eat a banana with Pb (did not want to open our fridge so as to salvage as much food as possible) and I did not have coffee so the run was horrible and then I came home to a hot house. It was not good. We all slept in the basement on Sunday night which went about as well as you can expect/imagine.
Your Boden dresses are so cute! I have ordered several work dresses from there. I have bought some summer dresses from Gretchen Scott. I really like them because they are long sleeve and I need that because I freeze in A/C in the summer.
Maybe people over ate on the appetizers so they ate less of the entre. It is tricky to figure out how much to make but I never want to have too little food! Mexican sounds great for the next dinner party! We usually do a small crockpot of ground beef and another crockpot of shredded chicken. And then some black beans if I know there is a vegetarian. Mexican is always a hit!!
LISA. That sounds awful! Ugh ugh ugh. Especially with Taco being so small — I bet it’s hard for him to understand. I’m so glad your power is back on.
Now I am strongly thinking that I need a second crockpot.
HI SUZANNE!
Ooooh hydrangeas. My husband insisted we plant one even though this is not the climate for it. It’s hot and dry, which is just not conducive for hydrangea planting. And guess what, it has barely grown at all since planting. BECAUSE THEY AREN’T MEANT FOR HERE. But I do love them.
Figuring out how much food to make/ buy is such a conundrum. We are having houseguests for five days, and when they were last here at New Year’s I confidently figured out dinners that could be used for lunches the next day and wow, did I underestimate. We got lunches for only a couple of the meals. So lots to eat at dinner, skimpy for lunches, and because it was the holidays, I was trying not to go to the store AGAIN. So now I think I have it figured out but who knows, WHO KNOWS.
What the hell on your hood fan. WHAT EVEN IS THIS. I feel like stabbing someone.
I am also a sweaty puddle when I work out. I feel like I’m cleansing toxins or something, on good days, and worried that there is something wrong with me, normal people are not this sweaty, on bad days.
I WAS SO STABBY NICOLE. So very shabby. I did manage to call the appliance repair company and very calmly explain my extreme frustration with how they sent someone out to fix a thing THAT IS UNFIXABLE. AND CHARGED ME FOR IT. It did not result in me getting my money back, but I felt better and I did not cry during the call.
I like the Cleansing Toxins framing! I am deeply embarrassed when working out with other people though. No one else seems to have this problem?!?! Yet another reason for you to become my neighbor! (Or me, yours, considering the state of things here in the US.)
We have the fifteen-year-old version of that immersion blender and we use it at least twice a week. I don’t even really know what a sous vide is, but I would give up my microwave before I gave up my immersion blender. It is a crucial part of all soups.
I honestly don’t know how to feed multiples of people. I am used to feeding two people. I just make what I would make for us and double it for four and triple it for six. I guess? But normally we wouldn’t have apps and the like, so maybe that’s too much? Why isn’t this in the adulting manual?
How did I forget about soups?!?! I use it for so many soups! Not now, of course, because the thought of soup makes me want to die. But when the weather is more cooperative, YES, SOUP.
Is it easier for people with larger families to feed, I wonder? Because I am almost always just cooking for two as well. But the math NEVER works out right.
We use the sous vide for meat. And when I say “we,” I mean Paul. Paul sous-vides the meat for me. He sous-vides individual portions in sealed-plastic pouches, and then freezes those, so I can take one out for my dinner anytime. (I thaw it in a pan of hot water, then give it a quick lil fry on each side just to make it a prettier color (sous-vided meat can look a little gross) and to add spices. It is wondrous to me how tender the meat comes out—but I am not a very good cook, so I may have just been Cooking Meat Wrong before.
Between the recommendations from you and Jen, it is clear that I MUST HAVE A SOUS VIDE.
I will be looking up info about a sous vide and immersion blender! I’m glad your dinner party went well, and your food sounds amazing! It’s so hard to figure out how much to cook! The hood fan situation is so irritating! I was lucky with mine and it’s fixed now. Something about a bearing going out. How could they not tell you it was discontinued!? That’s terrible.
I am so glad your hood fan situation is resolved! What is the deal?!?! My parents had a hood vent and never had one single issue with it for thirty plus years, and in my previous house, we had one with NO ISSUES, WHY are you and I suddenly having all these issues?!
Hmm…I have this weird block against getting an immersion blender because I’ve never had one. I kind of want one. I’m pondering my life choices.
If you come away from a party with leftover food that just means that you made enough food for the party. Leftovers are annoying but they’re better than running out of food at the party.
YES YOU NEED A FAN FOR YOUR GYM HOW ARE YOU EVEN LIVING WITHOUT ONE??? Ours looks like the tower fan, which means that we have to put it on a stool so that it’s the right height on the treadmill. The pedestal might be better if you want the fan to be on the floor.
I want you to get an immersion blender, because I love mine so much, but it does not seem like it would help you with the meals you typically eat. Like, it’s not going to help with stir fries, for instance. BUT. Perhaps it will unlock a whole new world of food options?!?! I don’t know! No pressure.
I love love love your party-leftovers perspective.
HOW AM I LIVING WITHOUT ONE BIRCHY???? HOW?!?! Also, our gym is in the basement and my husband keeps the heat on in the basement (if the temp goes below a certain point) and IT IS TOO HOT DOWN THERE.
Ugh, it is SO hot and humid here – our poor ancient air conditioner can’t keep up. We just bought a free-standing supplemental rolling one, just in case the ancient one dies (which we expect any day now).
We do the same with the appetizers every single time. But honestly, everyone loves appetizers so it all evens out, I guess. And I second using the left over pork as a meat choice for the taco bar! No one will be the wiser.
Your hydrangeas are gorgeous – ours are currently fading; but I love them so much.
When you asked how do you know how much food to make?” I could tell you were looming right at me. I am the absolute worst at gauging food amounts when hosting. I made 10 trays of pasta for Reg’s grad party. I think we ate 2 at the party. I know I have a problem over doing it, but yet . . . I live in fear of running out of food.
The hood is so annoying, but at least it is off now. Right? So dumb that the company did not email you back and let you know it was discontinued.
I have ALWAYS wanted a pool in my backyard. Your summer schedule sounds lovely.
Arghh…frustating about the vent (but love the “vent vent”! LOL). Any house related problems that require so many visits by a repair guy but still not done? Arghh!!
But your summer sounds wonderful! How fun for you and Carla!
We have a sous vide. My son put it on the Amazon cart last year for Christmas. It makes such tender meats! It takes a while so that’s the discouraging part, although I imagine people who use the slow cooker are used to planning ahead and wouldn’t have a problem with it.
I don’t have an immersion blender; we gave one away we got as a gift since I don’t have a use for it — or maybe I just don’t know when one is needed/useful?
I will not be influenced by you and your kitchen gadgetry. I just cannot take on another machine, no matter how wonderful it is. Good idea to invite a friend for Carla, even if they went full on little girl and kept you up half the night. 🥱
It has been hot and humid almost every day this summer. I feel as if we are paying for our mild winter. I also don’t feel like I’ve spent much time outside this summer because I don’t like humidity.
Those dresses are really pretty! I’ve never heard of freezer dresses, but after this summer’s humidity and heat, I think I might have to try them.
Your hydrangeas! ❤️
Yes it is VERY hot- everywhere I think. I’m in Ontario Canada and we have also had an incredible amount of rain. Big thunderstorms & torrential rain multiple times a week. Yesterday in Toronto there were many roads underwater!
I agree with your take on the appetizers. We entertain a lot (and I do not stress about it at all; I always feel so bad for you when you stress about company:(. ). If I have a heavier meal planned I put out veggies & a dip, often hummus. Today we are having 6 people but it’s just burgers & some new salads I’m trying, so I’ll add some cheese & crackers to the veggie plate. I do not want labor over a more elaborate menu and have my guests too full to eat!
Sweating here in New Jersey. I live in tank tops and shorts since I’ve been going to yoga almost every day. I can absolutely relate to the summer routine, mine is similar but the kids wake up at 5:30-6AM and we watch the sunrise together, go outside, say hello to the sun and the trees and the clouds. They are still at that age that has buy-in for stuff like that.
Dresses. I love them and I want them. Will I buy them? No. I will continue rotating between the four that I have.
It isn’t too hot here right now (very pleasant) but it’s also been DRY so I’m concerned about wildfires. In spite of strict burn bans, there are too many stupid people. That’s very frustrating about the hood vent; I hate it when things don’t work and then when the fix isn’t easy? Ugh. At least the fan isn’t starting up any more. Small mercies.
Your vent hood is frustrating, even for me, way over here. Sigh.
Glad the dinner party was a success! Sleepovers are apparently only fun for the children and not the sleep deprived parents.
Loving the hydrangeas so much; what a gift!
Gahhhh… the vent fan situation is RIDICULOUS. I can’t believe the issues you’ve had to go through AND THERE ISN’T A REAL SOLUTION. So frustrating!
I’ve never even considered owning an immersion blender and since I’m on a spending fast I WILL NOT GO LOOK THEM UP. The last thing I need is to add yet another thing to my “Things I Want to Buy” list haha.
Those hydrangeas are GORGEOUS!
I have been looking into cooling garments the other day when I my head and feet were so overheated that I developed a migraine. I went to bed with an icepack and slept. But cool garments do sound interesting. If you get one please share your experience. I had not found anything this stylish.
I do own an immersion blender however I rarely use the cups and bowls that come with it. Maybe I should… I guess everything I want to do in this things all ends up not getting immersed the way I need it and then I just have to scrape and clean and be annoyed.
I own a not-fancy immersion blender and a mini chopper AND a food processor. So yeah. I did just get rid of my stand mixer (too big/heavy) and another random appliance, so I feel like I’m kind of coming out on top?
Also? Are you talking cheese curds with sous vide? I am…confused. 😉
Heat AND humidity is killer. I don’t envy you. It’s been super-hot here, but at least it’s a dry heat. But it’s still hot and I don’t have a pool.
I do have a tower fan though (which I got from Target, btw) and we love it. It’s this one: https://www.target.com/p/honeywell-quiet-set-8-speed-oscillating-tower-fan/-/A-12110209?sid=3384S&ref=tgt_adv_xsp&AFID=google&fndsrc=tgtao&DFA=71700000086347372&CPNG=PLA_Home%2BImprovement%2BShopping_Traffic_Local_Traffic%7CHome%2BImprovement_Ecomm_Home&adgroup=SC_Home%2BImprovement_Fans&LID=700000001170770pgs&LNM=PRODUCT_GROUP&network=g&device=c&location=9032523&targetid=pla-1462200138600&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw5Ky1BhAgEiwA5jGujpP563r83dlWAoYeBUup_cVaRZhcgNtxjuPMJERtkov1fvljaeRtFxoCCywQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds
Also, thanks for the reminder… I do have an immersion blender and I ALWAYS forget about it and then use my other blender to blend things and hate how I have to scrape it out of the blender bowl. An immersion blender is so much easier.