I don't think I've ever measured chili powder in my life, but 1/4c per batch sounds about right to me. I don't think of chili powder as adding heat, generally, that's what the extra cayenne is for.

Sounds like your boss could use a new personality.

Also that, absolutely.

JZ, I have now read the story on LJ, and I left you a comment there but I'll say it here, that's fantastic! I love it. You did a great job of showing us what that world was like instead of a lot of exposition, and the characters are instantly likeable and engaging.

But she uses a technique where she basically tatts a gazillion single hairs (feather) instead of an entire area like I got before. I'm saving up for it.

There's a woman here in C'ville who does that technique. I'm not sure. I'm afraid it'd look strange up close.

Only twice as much isn't a little! Twice as much seasoning is a lot!

I said it was a significant increase. I stand by my "maybe not too much", though. Sometimes doubling a spice works out exactly right.

I'm making over a gallon of chicken stock right now and I have no idea what herbs and spices to put in. Some bay leaves and whole peppercorns, because that's automatic, but seems paltry. It does have carrots and onions and celery, already, and a presumably flavorful stewing hen as well as leftover roasted bones, so maybe that's enough? I guess I can always add something later if it needs it.

Thyme.

I don't have any thyme. Well, there's a wee plant struggling to survive the winter outside, but I'm not wanting to cut anything off it. Maybe I should buy some, that does sound good.

Thyme is good. I like garlic in my chicken stock.

I wished I hadn't watched it.

Yeah--I watch a lot of crap TV, but that wish isn't doled out willy nilly. If that's how the show has decided it's going to be--if that's its angle from now on? I'm really good with nuking that season pass when I go in to lose 90210 (which I'm really way too late to cancel). And Grey's might be going too. My love of looking at a McKidd and Williams is not getting me through.

As far as my digestive tract is concerned, 1/4c is definitely too much chili powder. I've tasted it with half as much, and I'd have ruined two pounds of beef if I'd followed the instructions accurately. I'm pretty much going to be startled when one recipe (even serving 10) uses the entire standard package. I added a bit of chipotle chili for dimension, but maybe not enough to be noticed. But I'd rather that than the other end of the spectrum. I do wish I'd remembered this was my crock pot recipe so I'd have gotten sour cream and other appropriate fixings. Ah, well. Lots of unsalted rice is the most important thing, and I got bunches of this. Though I really do need to expand my rice repertoire. Maybe I'll mention that to mother on my call home.

My nurse has advanced to major woo. Apparently I've passed her initial evaluation, so she's exposing me to the big stuff of self-healing. Which even her gay boys like, despite doing drugs. I am never not "amused" by the choice to add "even homosexuals" to health-related suggestions. How is that a thing? However, when she segued into the "angels are watching over you" section of the presentation I had very nice images (plus ideas for today's slash-a-day sketch) dancing through my brain, so I'm not mad at her for triggering that.

I'm about to have a go at my garbage disposal with baking soda and vinegar. What are your guys favourite non-specifically-purchased ways of getting the stink out of them?

Dried thyme works well in chicken soups.

Lemons rinds are good for cleaning garbage disposals. Citrus in general, I think.

Ooh, garlic, I have a bunch of that and it's pretty old. Perfect for soup.