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Hi all, Dixie @summer slope reports that she has no internet and will post the Drink of the Day as soon as it is restored. I think we can all safely substitute wine.

Thank you for the Bon Voyage. @StLouisCruisers Will try to check in now and then from the cruise. This is going to be so much fun! It doesn't matter to me if ports have to be substituted. I'll be onboard a BHB with my Daily family so all will be well. Nothing to complain about given the plight of so many others right now.

Good morning, everyone. My niece's home was spared from damage in Sarasota. Power is out and will probably remain out until Monday so she and Joe will stay in Tennessee with Joe's aunt and uncle until then. I do worry about the Dailyites we haven't heard from yet. I hope they can check in sometime today. Today will be spent packing boxes and suitcases. The suitcase is for my cruise. I leave a week from today for a wonderful stay at the Chateau Frontenac. Then two glorious weeks on the ms. Nieuw Statendam. Today's meal is one I would like. Ikan Bakar is grilled fish. I love grilled almost anything. Ikan bakar is an Indonesian and Malaysian dish, prepared with charcoal-grilled fish or other forms of seafood. Ikan bakar literally means "grilled fish" in Indonesian and Malay. Ikan bakar differs from other grilled fish dishes in that it often contains flavorings like bumbu, kecap manis, sambal, and is covered in a banana leaf and cooked on a charcoal fire. Our first recipe is from Bali and is slightly different from what you'll find in other regions of Indonesia. https://www.bearnakedfood.com/2015/09/04/balinese-ikan-bakar/ This next one is from Kuala Lumpur and is a street food there. It uses banana leaves to wrap the fish before grilling so it doesn't stick to the grill. The recipe also calls for belacan which is shrimp paste. It can probably be found in an Asian market or on Amazon. https://www.thespruceeats.com/ikan-bakar-charcoal-grilled-fish-recipe-3030209 This next one has a slightly different spice mixture. https://rasamalaysia.com/spicy-grilled-fish/ This last recipe calls for the fish to be wok fried, but you can easily do it on the grill. https://asianfoodnetwork.com/en/recipes/cuisine/malaysian/nonya-style-ikan-bakar.html Oh, that looks good! Enjoy, everyone! I'm off to do my laps and then pack boxes. I also have to call and inquire about the pods. Prayers for all in Ian's path and hopes that we hear from our missing Dailyites today.

Ok, so this is kind of like a furnace cleaning. I'm not sure what they do there, but Dan my handyman, keeps it running. There is so much to learn. Who'd a thunk I'd learn about boilers and rubber roofs on Cruise Critic? I don't have radiators. The air is heated and then forced through the ductwork. So, I have registers. I don't vary the temps now with the thermostat. I shut the registers upstairs in the winter time and open them in the summer. The downstairs registers get shut in the summer. I kind of have both systems. I have a boiler to heat the air and then forced air to move it around the house. I have and I need to check into them. I could get the pods and hire the loaders and then have them delivered and hire new unloaders. Makes sense. The one place I talked to today said they would do that for the four days difference. Price has gone up though to $150 per night. I don't know if we have one or not in the new place. I don't in this place. I do want a ring doorbell.

I don't know where mine is either. I might find it while I'm packing up to move. Then again, I might not.

If it weren't for a truck full of stuff, I would take off for a week and travel. Alas, it isn't to happen. The best thing is that Sue and I will have the holidays in our new home. I can't wait. What does the plumber do to service it? I'm glad you mentioned that because I don't know how to care for a boiler. Ours will be gas powered as well.

I've been calling moving companies and wow! Moving is expensive. The problem will be that I have to be out of this house by November 4th and can't get into the new one until November 7th. Those three days are expensive! Inspection is set for next Wednesday at 12/30 pm. My brother in law will be there on my behalf to supervise. He already checked out the electrical panel and some of the mechanical stuff. He is concerned about the roof and the heating, mostly because they are unusual. The roof is rubber, probably because the slope is not great enough for shingles. From what I have read a rubber roof is just as worthy as shingles are. They just aren't common. The heating is a boiler. Again, not common, but efficient and not as many moving parts to break down. My concern is the skylights. The Ohio house is clear to close. Everything is resolved with the inspection and the appraisal. Let's roll! I'm really hoping we hear from @MISTER 67 and @jimgev soon.

That is the exact same experience I had on Nieuw Amsterdam in September 2021. I received a copper medallion and was invited to the reception. It was a small affair.

Thank you, God, is right. I'm thankful you are ok. A tree can be replaced if necessary. You can't. Thank you for the comments about our new home and also for the warning about critters and the low windows. We'll be sure to watch out for that! Enjoy your trip! Thank you! Inspection is set for next Wednesday. After that, we are free to close. @HAL Sailer What wonderful news about your family home!

Good morning, everyone. I'm going out to make arrangements for a truck for my move today. One step closer! Other than that, just a trip to the grocery store and doing my laps around the block. Carnitas are Mexico’s version of pulled pork. Pork carnitas are traditionally made using the heavily marbled, rich Boston butt or picnic ham cuts of pork. The 6–16 lb (3–7 kg) sections are usually cut down to a workable (6–10 lb) size and seasoned heavily before slow braising or deep frying. Carnitas can also be made of chicken, using breasts or thighs, and cooking in a similar manner. The traditional way to cook carnitas is in a copper pot (or any thick-bottomed pot that disperses the heat evenly), in a process similar to confit. Lard is used to cover the dish in proportion to the amount of meat being cooked. Once the lard has melted, pork and flavorings are added (usually salt, chili, cumin, oregano or Mexican oregano, marjoram, thyme, bay leaf, and crushed garlic cloves). Traditional carnitas are then made by a process of simmering the meat in the lard until tender over a very low heat. Once appropriate tenderness is achieved, the heat is turned up and the outside of the pork begins to crisp. At this stage, the collagen in the meat has broken down sufficiently to allow it to be pulled apart by hand or fork or chopped with a cleaver. The meat can then be used as an ingredient in tamales, tacos, tortas, and burritos. We won't be cooking our pork in lard. Instead we'll be using orange juice. https://www.recipetineats.com/pork-carnitas-mexican-slow-cooker-pulled-pork/ This next one uses beer. The beer and orange juice help tenderize the meat so it can be easily pulled apart. https://www.gimmesomeoven.com/crispy-slow-cooker-carnitas/ And this one uses some lime juice along with the orange juice. https://kristineskitchenblog.com/carnitas/ Wishing everyone a good day and hope we hear from all of our Florida Dailyites who were in the path of Ian.

Thanks, Sharon! We'll have plenty of opportunity to celebrate when we are on our BHB. I'd be interested in the fish marinade recipe. Thank you for letting us know. Hopefully @MISTER 67 will check in this morning.

Thank you! It definitely is a unique house. Not many like it. I love it!!

Oh, Melisa, that is so sad. Thank you, Maxine. You are right, it is about the people, not the property.

It would be nice if his agent did sit him down and let him know what the score is. But, my agent thinks his agent was aiding and abetting him. Maybe too inexperienced to know when to tell a client the cold, hard facts. I listened to everything my agent told me and did everything he asked. And my home played out exactly as he said it would. I knew he had a lot more experience than I did and I valued his advice. Too many sellers are trying to take advantage of the market right now. It is still good for a seller, but it is evening out. There are a lot of homes on the market right now that have inflated prices. Both of our choices were like that and that is why they were on the market, or back on the market, for so long. Sue and I are two of the few buyers who bought significantly below asking. Thanks for checking in with us. We are worrying even with the check ins. I am so thankful my niece is in Tennessee.

Thank you, Terri! Good! I hope you do get out and can go on your trip. Thank you, Melisa. I've been watching Ian as well. I am so thankful my niece and her DH got out Monday night. They live in Sarasota. It warms the heart, doesn't it? Lot's of giggles going around here. Susan, thank you so much for your work on the Voodoo doll. My sister and her husband were going to sneak up there at night and cut the garden hose that was holding the tree branches off the roof. They didn't make it, so your hard work is what paid off. I'm not so sure it is rash. Out of the norm for you, but from what I am reading you have thought it out. You have insurance if weather prevents you from going and you've researched the flights and all. I think it is a great decision. Sometimes our friends can't see themselves doing something like cruising solo so they don't think it is good for anyone. I've done both. I usually cruise with my sister, but if she can't go, I go solo. I've had great trips going solo. You are an independent woman with a lot of experience and knowledge. You can do this. Thank you!

Oh, Graham, I am so sorry. But, that is fairly easy to do. Wishing you the best. I do, too. Not very nice of me, but I can't help it. Love the karma, but understand the hot tub. Got it! Isn't it, though? Thank you! We told him to take a hike. Our realtor told his realtor to go kick rocks. I want that mug! And it was sooner! I've always wanted one.

Thanks, Jake.

How's this for karma? The first house is back on the market as the deal fell through. Sleepy seller had better wake up. And, no, we aren't considering it. I love the kitchen. I'll be creating some masterpiece meals there. Lots of room for two old ladies to spread out and not get on each other's nerves. I hope you can make it to Ann Arbor. That is a fun town. Thanks, Graham! We will have to have a celebration on the BHB. Not to long now. I see many evenings out by the fire pit with family around. Thank you so much! I thought the same thing. I am wondering if it is one of the Alden Dow houses in Midland. Alden Dow was a student of Frank Lloyd Wright. There was one of his houses on the market last summer that had a window room. The sleepy seller has his own headache today. I suppose it does call for a bottle. Can not wait! Thank you! I'm looking forward to the holidays in my new house. Can't wait to cook that turkey. Well, the truth is we let them keep the hot tub to get the price down where we wanted. As nice as they are, they do suck up electricity like no tomorrow. And then you have the maintenance issues. Thank you!

Many thanks to all of you! The paperwork has been signed, sealed, and delivered. This one is moving so much faster than the other one. The exercise equipment will not be staying in the living room. All new appliances, granite countertops, and soft close cabinets and drawers. And, we have a dishwasher! Double oven for holiday baking! The house does have central air, but the sellers thought it needed a boost. We'll see next summer. Cannot wait to use this!

Good morning, everyone! And a wonderful morning it is. We have a house! As predicted, we met in the middle between yesterday's counter offers. I am so excited that this is over and I won't be homeless for too long. I'll get photos soon. Some cardboardeaux is in the future. Miso is a traditional Japanese seasoning. It is a thick paste produced by fermenting soybeans with salt and kōji (the fungus Aspergillus oryzae) and sometimes rice, barley, seaweed, or other ingredients. It is used for sauces and spreads, pickling vegetables, fish, or meats, and mixing with dashi soup stock to serve as miso soup, a Japanese culinary staple. Miso is high in protein and rich in vitamins and minerals, and it played an important nutritional role in feudal Japan. Miso is still widely used in Japan, both in traditional and modern cooking, and has been gaining worldwide interest. Typically, miso is salty, but its flavor and aroma depend on the ingredients and fermentation process. Different varieties of miso have been described as salty, sweet, earthy, fruity, and savory. For more information:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miso Tahini is a Middle Eastern condiment made from toasted ground hulled sesame. It is served by itself (as a dip) or as a major ingredient in hummus, baba ghanoush, and halva. Tahini is used in the cuisines of the Levant and Eastern Mediterranean, the South Caucasus, as well as parts of North Africa. Sesame paste (though not called tahini) is also used in some East Asian cuisines. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tahini Our first recipe comes from Epicurious. A mixture of savory miso and nutty tahini adds a creamy richness to this filling vegetarian soup. A good dose of ginger and garlic, plus a few drops of hot chili oil, adds a punch of heat, making it the perfect cure-all on a blustery day. https://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/vegetarian-miso-tahini-squash-soup-with-brown-rice I love soups, especially when the weather gets cold. Leftover short grain brown rice for the soup, which is a little starchier than long grain, works perfectly. The kale and rice provide texture and the squash is so naturally creamy, it’s irresistible and provides such a beautiful, earth color. https://maroscooking.com/2017/12/12/miso-tahini-squash-soup-with-brown-rice/ The miso tahini soup it is simple, hearty, and restorative with brown rice, winter squash, and a creamy miso-tahini broth. Avocado, lemon zest, toasted nori, and chives kept things lively and beautiful up top. https://www.101cookbooks.com/archives/miso-tahini-soup-recipe.html I think I like #2. Wishing everyone a great day. Prayers for those in the path of Ian and hoping our Floridians check in often and let us know they are ok. My niece and her family are safely in Tennessee and for that I give thanks.

Thank you! I am thrilled for your DH that there is going to be a quick resolution of his problems. The worst thing is when health issues drag on an on and on.

I am hoping that is the case. I will have to bunk in with someone for about a week in between my house and the new one. I'm hoping that works in my new dishwasher. For the last 35 years my two hands were the only dish washer I had. I hear you! I'm not a Caribbean cruiser, but if I did it would be Eastern or Southern. I think it will. Hopefully we'll get more good news tomorrow. Thank you! Thanks!

Everyone is different and copes in different ways. After our Dad died my sister and I were kind of adrift and we thought about cruising during the holidays. We may someday, but then we decided to get our own place now so we had some place to land. We were in the wind until 2 days before Christmas last year. @Rowsby Good for you! @MISTER 67 Thank you for checking in and letting us know how you are doing. Do continue to check in during the storm if you can. We will all be worried. Ok, some good news! The sellers responded to our offer with a counter offer. We accepted most of their stipulations and are pretty close on money. Hopefully we will meet in the middle.

@Horizon chaser 1957 @Cruising-along