Make Merry in 2011

Recipe of the Week; CLOTHESPIN COOKIES

Nothing says "It's Christmas!" to me like cookie tin filled with Mom's homemade clothespin cookies! She made these religiously year after year, and God Bless her for it!!

I too have taken on the daunting task of creating these mini masterpieces at Christmas, although since I've moved back to PA I don't regularly make them because Mom does and I can always steal a dozen or so from her!

The recipe I am posting is the one Mom uses, but I've seen similarly styled cookies made with puff pastry dough. That would seem like such an easy and heavenly alternative, but I'm kind of a stickler for the traditional way Mom made hers. Do make these- they are not as complicated as you may think. And if you're just not into all the measuring, rolling, and wrapping, try the puff pastry and let me know how they are!

Before you begin, you will need clothespins. Use the old-fashioned, (non-spring type) ones. You can find them primarily these days in craft stores.

Wrap the pins in aluminum foil. As an alternative to this, you could also use a dowel rod. Either cut the rod to clothespin lengths, or simply wrap several strips of dough on one rod, leaving enough space between them. I recommend 2 inches, as the cookies will puff a little during baking. You can also find "horns" in kitchen stores, but why go through the expense?

DOUGH:

1 package dry yeast

1/4 cup warm water

1 cup room temperature evaporated milk

1 cup butter

1/2 teaspoon salt

3 teaspoons sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

2 eggs

Dissolve yeast in warm water, set aside. Mix evaporated milk, butter, vanilla and eggs in large mixing bowl. Gradually mix in yeast. Add salt, sugar and flour slowly to the mixture until a soft dough forms. Chill for at least one hour. You can prepare the filling while this chills.

FILLING:

1 cup milk

5 tablespoons flour

1 cup Crisco (not butter flavored, and no other brand of shortening works- BELIEVE ME.)

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 cup sugar (fine granulated sugar works well)

Using a small saucepan on medium heat, mix milk and flour until it forms a soft ball. Stir constantly to avoid lumps. The mixture is completely ready when it sticks to itself and starts to pull away from the sides of the pan and forms it's own ball. I cannot stress enough to MIX MIX MIX while it's boiling. Flour lumps are not welcome in this filling.

Allow mixture to cool completely. In a mixing bowl, add the Crisco, sugar and vanilla. Mix with an electric mixer until well combined. This process may take awhile, as the sugar should be beaten well to avoid gritty frosting. A stand mixer comes in handy here, as I've had to mix this for up to 15 minutes to get the right texture. The best way to check this is by tasting while it mixes.

Once the milk mixture is completely cool, add to Crisco and mix with electric mixer again until all ingredients are well combined. You should have a white, creamy filling.

You may add food coloring at this point if you wish, if I'm in the mood I'll tint some of the filling red and some of it green.

Store filling in a covered container in the refrigerator until you are ready to start filling cookies.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Once dough has been chilled, divide it into fourths, working with only one portion at a time. Keep the dough in the fridge until you're ready to start rolling. Roll the dough on a floured surface until it is approximately 1/4-inch thick. Using a pizza cutter, cut the dough into strips. roughly 3/4-inch wide and 4 to 5 inches long.

Wrap the dough strips around the foil-wrapped pins, overlapping the dough enough so that it doesn't separate during baking.

Place cookies on baking sheet. I suggest using a silpat or parchment paper on your cookie sheet to avoid the cookies from browning too much on the bottom. These cookies should retain a soft and somewhat delicate texture once they are baked.

Repeat with remaining dough until all the cookies have been baked.

Use a pastry bag or a zip-lock fitted with a large tip (I like the large star) to fill the cookies. Squirt into each side of the cookie to ensure the cookies are filled throughout.

I have dipped the ends of the cookies into fine colored sugar for the holidays upon occasion, although it's totally unnecessary. You could also finely dust with confectioners sugar if desired, this looks especially festive if you tint your filling.

These cookies freeze wonderfully for the holidays.

A Very Merry Christmas to You!

Click on the following to open your Christmas card!

http://www.jacquielawson.com/viewcard.asp?code=2007134554829&source=jl999

I'll Stop- I SWEAR!

Lately I've been swearing a lot. I can't determine what's caused this sudden rash of cursing, but it seems non-ladylike words have been rolling off my tongue with more ease than I care to admit.

I've always thought that people who swore in their daily conversations were either uneducated, undisciplined as a child, or just completely disrespectful of themselves and others around them. I wince any time someone drops the F bomb, as if they do not have an advanced enough vocabulary to be a little more descriptive. Like the 20-something long haired hipster at the gas pump beside me the other day. "Dude- it's F-n cold out today, man".

"Sure is" said I, concerned my son in the back seat may have heard him. Furthermore I was irritated that he referred to me as "dude" and "man".

I cannot stand when I hear teenagers and 20-somethings cuss like a backwoods hillbilly, especially the girls. I get particularly offended when I'm in public with my son and people talk with no regard to what they are saying and he's within earshot. I've even gone as far as addressing it with them, as was the case this past October when we were having dinner out.

This two-tone haired, excessively pierced couple was sitting behind us, and they got into a very loud argument that included words that might make a Marine Drill Sergeant blush. Todd and I looked at each other, with fervent hope that our son's innocent little ears did not hear and that his little brain didn't comprehend. (How do you explain to a six-year-old what "asshat" means, when you yourself are not too sure?)

Needless to say, after their last conversation which included no less that 128 words that I consider vulgar and inappropriate, I jumped up. I walked to their table and as calmly and politely as I could, asked them to tone it down, for the sake of the children in the room. Looking directly at his girlfriend, the boyfriend fired at her- "I told you that you were talking to F-n loud!". Um, yeah. That really worked. Then they saw my husband's face and it was shortly thereafter they left. Being black and looking angry works well for him.

So why, after chastising others and dreading the day I have to explain to my son that we do not use the F word, is it so easy for me to just let certain words leave my mouth without any hesitation? Now I will say I do NOT use the F word at all. I find it highly offensive and a prime example of one's ignorance. And kids who swear is bad, but adults who laugh at kids who swear need a swift kick in the ass. (Oops- there I go.)

Sometimes swearing, within the right company, can be funny. Like at a comedy club. Let's face it, Denis Leary just wouldn't be funny if he didn't swear all the time. Or when it's on a movie. Remember Back to the Future? "Hey you- keep your damn hands off her. Do I really have to swear?" "Yes, dammit George, swear". Now that was some funny stuff. And my husband often says things that just wouldn't be as amusing it it didn't contain a cuss word.

All this aside, I've caught myself asking "What the hell?" a lot lately. And when some jerk cut me off on Route 30 the other day, without any hesitation I yelled "You jackass!" Because I'm sure he heard me, right? (No, my son was not in the car this time.)

I don't believe in making New Year's resolutions, but this coming year I do resolve to be a little more conscientious of my language. Not that anyone can hear me when I'm alone in my office calling people names, but I need to do it so I can feel better about myself. I know I can find other words to use that are a little more original and a lot less obnoxious. I'm going on a profanity diet. Dammit, it's time.

Recipe of the Week; POTATO LATKES 101

My Mom made potato pancakes all the time when we were growing up. Slathered with applesauce and accompanied by a big glass of ice cold milk, a kid couldn't be more satisfied with their week day dinner. Not once did I consider how my frugal young Mother successfully fed us three children on a coal miners pay.

It was a generational trick- my Grandmother did the same thing. She successfully fed her seven children on a single- immigrant mother's dress factory pay. I trust her Mother did so as well, back in Poland where I suspect the basic potato latke (what we grew up calling a "pancake") recipe originated. Although I cannot guarantee this as fact, I've yet to research the history of a latke. Perhaps in another post.

My how times have changed. Try serving a plate of potato pancakes all by itself to my son for dinner and he'll look at me like I've lost my ever-loving mind. I can just hear him now. "Really, Mom? Where's the meat?" American children are so spoiled.

Latkes are simple. They're quite filling, and thanks to frozen shredded potatoes- a blessingly easy cinch to whip up. Perhaps Great-Grandmother would cringe at the frozen potatoes, but she didn't work 40 hours a week outside the home and have Cub Scouts, basketball games, and an impatient husband. Like I said, times have changed.

I wish you all, Jewish or not- A wonderful Hanukkah. Mazel tov!

2 cups peeled and shredded potatoes (or thawed, shredded potatoes in a bag)

2 tablespoons finely diced onion

3 eggs, beaten

2 tablespoon all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon salt

oil for frying

Place potatoes, freshly shredded or thawed, in cheesecloth and wring, extracting as much water as possible.

Stir the potatoes, onion, eggs, flour and salt together in a medium bowl.

Over medium-high heat, heat oil until hot enough for even frying. Place large spoonfuls of the potato mixture into the hot oil, pressing down on them to form patties approximately 1/2-inch thick. Brown on one side, turn and brown on the other.

Allow to drain on paper towels. Serve with applesauce or sour cream.

Giving Thanks For The Unusual

It's tradition in many homes to gives thanks for the obvious on Thanksgiving. Your home, your health, your delicious dinner, and so on.

I too am thankful for all of those things, but I have a short list of other things that I am really thankful for, for various reasons. I'd like to share them, so in no particular order here they are:


1. Antacids. Heartburn is a constant friend of mine.

2. Police Academy Movies. (Except for the 6th one.) Whenever I need a laugh, all I have to do is think of one line from any of the first five movies and I can go on with my day. "What kind of clown do you think I am? A juggling clown?" Say no more.

3. Judy in accounting. Where, oh where, would I be without Judy? Probably in the unemployment line.

4. My Ped Egg. Without a doubt, one of man's best inventions since the telephone.

5. Hand Sanitizer Wipes by the carts at Wal-Mart. Oh, Wal-Mart! You think of everything!

6. Nachos. Because I have antacids.

7. The Internet. I don't know how we ever lived without it!

8. Ina Garten. Ina is undoubtedly one of the coolest people on the planet.

9. Stop signs. Need I explain?

10. Calculators. I could never do all that math on a piece of paper.

Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving full of graditude for the little things that often go unthanked!

The Dollhouse, Part II

Now that we've relaxed in the living room, I'll give you a quick tour of the dining room and kitchen. You can see the rooms are a little small, but for the three of us we have plenty of space to maneuver and gather comfortably. Because of the space, I opted for a very informal, almost Grandma-esque dining space. You may recognize this table from a previous post, I bought it from a neighbor down the street for $40 at her garage sale. I spruced it up and further "cutsied" it with some flat, eggshell paint and some toile fabric stretched over the seats.

I looked high and low for the proper China hutch to display my favorite antique dishes, but I also needed something to set my microwave on as I am so very limited in counter top space in the kitchen. My hutch is the only thing downstairs (electronics being the only exception) that I bought brand new. It was a tough pill to swallow- nearly $170, but nothing I found would suit the space, the decor, or the need to hold my microwave. Oddly enough, I have a hutch just like this in New Mexico. It's waiting to make the move with so much else we still have stored out there, but I couldn't wait any longer and urgently needed a microwave stand.

(Pictured below) I found the wallpaper border at Ollies, and for 99 cents a roll, I couldn't pass it up. The print I have hanging in the entryway is practically a larger version of this, so it made for a great "introduction" piece to the dining room. I love whimsical folk art, although it's difficult to really see in this picture. The plate racks were a Freecycle find, and the yellow plates were 25 cents each at Goodwill. I swap the plates with the seasons, so pretty soon I'll be displaying some thrifted Christmas plates and storing these ones until next spring.


The print hanging on the wall was $8 from Goodwill, and if you're thinking it looks a little small and a little too formal, you would be correct. I needed something in this space, so until I find a more appropriate replacement, it will have to do. My favorite print EVER is one from Home Interiors that I received as a gift about 10 years ago, and it too is packed away in storage. It would be a perfect fit on this wall, and I'm always keeping an eye out for another one.


In addition to the out-of-place picture, the simple swag curtains that I have hanging here and in the kitchen are also temporary. ($2 at Gabriel Brothers, so no major investment here) I have my eye on some gingham-checked burgundy and cream-colored cafe curtains, but I'm waiting for a sale or a miracle. They are at Altmeyer's, and so far the lowest I've ever seem them (during a "blowout sale") was $65 per pair. Ouch. Oh how I fantasize about them... the color and style are a perfect match. Perhaps one of these days I'll stop being so cheap and buy them! :)

Here you can see my favorite dishes, so proudly displayed atop the China hutch. You can also see better the border. The "glowing" pumpkins were yet another freebie courtesy of Freecycle- still in the packaging from someones unwanted QVC purchase.

My dollhouse kitchen is quaint, functional, and nicely put together. My baker's rack was one of those "once in a lifetime" finds- I paid a whopping $20 for it at a local thrift store. The items on it change with the seasons.

I HATED the vinyl flooring that was in the kitchen when we moved in. It was yellowing, scratched, and otherwise a complete eyesore. Thanks to a wonderful landlord and a handy husband, I now have a faux slate tiled floor in a warm brown hue. Because the kitchen is so white, the contrast in color was very welcoming.

I realize the wallpaper border in the kitchen isn't too easy to see from these pictures. It's a merry strand of Gingerbread men gaily prancing around the kitchen, and again at 99 cents per roll at Ollies, it had to be mine. I have a thing for gingerbread men, and even though you may automatically associate them with Christmas, this border is not Christmasey at all. Although the week after Thanksgiving I will be breaking out the Christmas stuff, and naturally Gingerbread men and women will run amok everywhere, so the border looks even more at home this time of year.

Well, this concludes our downstairs tour of the Dollhouse! The bedrooms upstairs are still being transformed- my son's room seems to constantly change as he gets older. But I have some wonderful and inexpensive things to share... so stayed tuned for the continuation of our tour!

A Glimpse Into My Dollhouse, Part I

This past September was our two-year anniversary of residency in what I've come to call our Dollhouse. I had given it such a moniker due to the tiny, but adorable layout.

Finding our home when we did was such a blessing... we landed in a great neighborhood in one of the states best school districts. We live in a busy city, but we still can enjoy the quiet comfort of a dead-end street with lots of room out back for tossing around a football, grilling out on the patio, or even planting a small garden if so I choose. Although I have not planted one yet, the disadvantage to that is we are situated right along a large wooded area, which doesn't leave us a lot of sunny spots for planting.

It took me a while to finalize the decorating and furniture arrangement in this little space. In fact, I've only completely finished doing so within the last few months. My goal was "less is more". I wasn't quite going for a minimalistic approach, as someone who knows anything about primitive country decorating knows that really isn't possible.

Instead, I looked for items that are both functional, decorative, and inexpensive. That is one thing I love about country decorating- it's okay to have a couple nicks and scratches here and there! I definitely hit the mark in the "inexpensive" category. I've managed to pull together a comfy living room, dining room, and kitchen on the cheap. How cheap? Check THIS out-

The most expensive item in our living room is naturally our TV, which was purchased last year on Black Friday at Target. It was one of those items worth standing in line for two hours for. Although you can't really see it from this angle- it's off on the far left.

My couch and love seat were clearance items from Ashley Furniture. It had previously been bought, then returned shortly thereafter, which meant a killer discount for cheapskates such as myself. And since the original throw pillows were not available with the set, I got a $40 gift certificate to purchase pillows elsewhere. I found these burgundy-backed cuties at Wal-Mart for $4 each, which meant I got to pocket another $24. They even threw in a complete set of replacement cushions for when the others start to loose their sponginess. OK- so what's the total for this set? Including my $24 credit for pillows, I paid less than $300 for Ashley furniture. Don't hate me!

The coffee table was a freebie, courtesy of Freecycle. (You'll be seeing a lot of Freecycle finds throughout the house). I realize it isn't necessarily primitive in nature, but the color of the wood and the size work well in the space. Until I find a proper replacement, it's staying put because it's actually grown on me. I pulled the room together simply by throwing down a burgundy area rug from Home Depot.

I fell in LOVE with the wrought-iron rooster lamp in the corner from Ollies Bargain Outlet, and since I get a 20% discount every time I shop there, it was a steal at $16. The table it sits on was a cheapie at Dollar General for $8, but the cheapiness is well hidden under a Martha Stewart layered tablecloth that set me back $4 at Ollies- $3.20 specifically with my discount. The swag above love seat was also an Ollie's find- with my discount I spent less than $15 for two. Oh, and the candle sconce to the right of my Mother-in-Law's picture was a $2 deal at Goodwill. I would have loved to find two, but it seems to be at home where it is, even without a twin.

The long shelf was purchased at Michael's ($12). I wanted a long shelf to display items seasonally. I stained it at home with a $1 can of Minwax I found at a local dollar store. The curio on it was something I had received years ago as a Christmas gift from my Mom. I dressed it down with a checked "curtain" from fabric I had on hand. It was a little too contemporary, but sitting in the middle of two of my son's "antique" photos dresses it down. I was very pleased with this whole arrangement, as it took me a while to figure out just what to do on this long, boring wall.

The skinny primitive folk art paintings were pricey for me, but when I saw them I knew they were meant for the empty area on either side of my long shelf. They matched, practically to a T with the hand-painted door I have hanging above the TV. (see below) The folk art paintings were $10 apiece, which really isn't that much, all things considered. The painted door was something I had been eyeing at the Craftique store around the corner where we live, but at $40 it was over my budget. Thanks to a $20 gift certificate, I decided paying $20 for this focal point wasn't such a bad idea. It worked out perfectly, although this photo really does not do this piece any justice. To hide the screws that are actually holding this heavy door up, I pounded in two nails adorned with wooden stars. I paid $1 per star, and my Mom thinks I totally overpaid.

The only area in the living room that is still a work-in-progress-of-sorts is this closet area. Right now, it's a catch-all for winter coats, blankets, the vacuum cleaner and other miscellaneous junk. We have our TV sitting on another Freecycled coffee table, although it serves that purpose okay, in addition to having an open area underneath for DVD storage, it's not a permanent arrangement. My goal is to remove these closet doors and my husband has agreed to build a custom entertainment center to fit snugly right in this closet area. It's location is great for TV viewing from either sofa, and it will free up this area for a nice high backed chair I have sitting in the upstairs landing. He said he'd work on that this winter after the holidays, so I'll update it's progress later on.

To finish Part 1 of The Dollhouse's living room tour, I'll point out a few features in the entryway. As soon as you open the front door, you are looking strait up the stairs. The mirror to the left was another Goodwill goodie for $4. The folk-art print hanging on the wall behind the stairs is also a Goodwill goodie, if memory serves correctly it was also $4. It's an ideal match with my dining room wallpaper border, which was a lucky find I will show you in my Part 2 post.

The little corner table has a hand-painted rooster scene, and it was purchased a long time ago from LTD Commodities. Like the green curio shelf on the oppisite wall, it made the trek cross country when we moved from New Mexico.

Well, I hope you enjoyed your visit today. Please come back soon- we'll relax in the dining room with some tea and scones!

Recipe of the Week; CHRISTMAS COOKIES

Let the fun begin! I realize we haven't even discussed Thanksgiving, but as I was careening my cart through the supermarket this morning, the baking isle stood at full cookie-baking attention with piles sugar, spice and everything nice for Christmas cookies. I pushed right past the big frozen birds and loaded up on sprinkles and assorted chocolate chips, mentally making a list of what tried and true favorites will be baked up this year, as well as what new recipes I've come across that look like fun to try.

Two recipes, courtesy of Land O' Lakes butter, are on my new recipes list this year. I always seem to opt for fussy, pretty cookies, then regret doing so when I'm elbow-deep in flour when it's too late to change my mind.

The following two recipes really are pretty, but also seem a little less labor-intensive. I'm anxious to get started... in fact I'm getting so excited to start my baking I've actually scheduled two vacations days from work so I can do just that. Obsessive, perhaps. But rewarding without a doubt!

The first recipe is for Biscotti, with a holiday twist. In all of my years baking, I've never made my own Biscotti, which is so wild because I love to dunk it in coffee. Land O' Lakes tells me that "The lively aroma of sweet peppermint will drift from your oven as you bake these small and tender Biscotti cookies." I surely hope so.

CANDY CANE BISCOTTI

1/2 cup butter, softened
12/ cup sugar
3 eggs
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
2/3 cups finely crushed peppermint candy canes

For the coating:
1 14-oz. package (almond bark) vanilla candy coating
2 drops red food color
1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract, if desired
decorator candies, sugars or crushed peppermint candy canes, if desired

Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees. Combine butter and sugar in large bow. Beat at medium speed, scraping bowl often, until creamy. Add eggs, continue beating until well mixed. Reduce speed to low. Add flour and baking powder; continue beating until well mixed. Stir in crushed candy.

Divide dough into fourths on lightly floured surface with lightly floured hands. Shape each into 9 x 1 1/2-inch logs. Place logs 3-inches apart onto lightly greased large cookie sheet.

Bake for 18 to 20 minutes or until tops are cracked and ends just start to turn light brown. Remove from oven; reduce oven temperature to 325 degrees. Cool logs 10 minutes on cookie sheet.

Carefully remove logs to cutting surface. Cut into 1/2-inch slices with sharp serrated knife. (Discard ends). Arrange pieces on same cookie sheet, cut-side down. Continue baking for 12 to 14 minutes, turning once, or until cookies are lightly browned and crisp on both sides. Remove to wire cooling rack and cool completely.

Melt candy coating in double boiler or microwave according to package directions. Remove from heat, stir in food color and peppermint extract, if desired.

Dip each Biscotti half way into warm coating; shake off excess. Place onto waxed paper. Immediately sprinkle with candies, sugars or crushed candy canes, if desired. Let set at room temperature until coating has hardened. (About one hour).

* * * * * *

I thought this next recipe would be a nice addition to the cookie tins this year. It's a decorative cookie, but without rolling out all that dough and fiddling with cookie cutters. Not that I mind doing that- my son and I religiously "paint" cut out sugar cookies every year, as was the tradition when I was growing up. You know, when I really think about it, for me Christmas cookies aren't necessarily the little treats themselves- it's the memory of the time spent together in the kitchen and the delicious smells that linger in the house during this time of year. A cookie is just a cookie, but a memory is something that touches all of senses...

CINNAMON CABINS

3/4 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup powdered sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Frosting:
1 cups powdered sugar
1 tablespoon butter, softened
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 to 3 tablespoons of milk
white nonpareils
red and/or green food coloring, if desired

Combine 3/4 cup butter, 3/4 cup powdered sugar, egg and 1 tablespoon vanilla extract in large bowl. Beat at medium speed, scraping bowl often, until creamy. Reduce speed to low; add flour and cinnamon. Beat until well mixed. Divide dough in half. Cover with plastic wrap. Refrigerate until firm (2 hours or overnight).

Heat oven to 375 degrees. Divide each half of dough into 15 portions. Work with 5 portions at a time, keeping remaining dough refrigerated. Roll out each portion on unfloured surface into 7 1/2-inch long rope. Cut each rope into 5 (1 1/2-inch) logs.

To assemble cabins, place 3 logs horizontally onto ungreased cookie sheet to form cabin; press logs together slightly. Place remaining 2 logs in an inverted "V" shape above cabin to form roof, press together slightly. Repeat with remaining ropes. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes or until edges are lightly browned.

Combine all frosting ingredients in small bowl; add enough milk for desired consistency. Frost or pipe cabin roofs, sprinkle with nonpareils. Tint remaining frosting; decorate as desired.

Happy Hanaversrie

Our 12th wedding anniversary was this past Saturday, and my son made us some cute cards to cherish forever. And yes, this is just how he spelled "Hanaversrie".

My sweetie surprised me with a dozen pink roses and a beautiful silver pendant and bracelet that was tucked under my pillow for me to find that evening. He makes me feel like such a crud ball, as I only gave him a sappy Hallmark greeting card over dinner. I guess that's why we've successfully survived 12 years of marriage... he's so giving and I'm so accepting. :)

In past years I've made top-ten lists of various things, such as "Top-Ten Reasons I'm Glad I Married You", and "Top-Ten Things I Like About You". This year it was "Top-Ten Things You've Said That Nearly Made Me Pee My Pants." Yes, laughter is the key to a successful marriage- and ours is inundated with it. Some of the things only Todd and I understand. The rest- well, aren't funny to anyone else but us:

10. "Even your Father-in-law, sleeping on a cot".

This is actually an excerpt from a poem Todd wrote on our anniversary years ago. I told him to write me something romantic, and some how this line ended up in it. It started out as "Through the years, we've been through a lot...." then was followed by this line which had to do with something crazy that was happening in our lives then.

9. "That's a lot of mother-$*#&@*! bees!"

We had an invasion of Africanized honey bees build a colony in the eaves of our house when we lived in Phoenix. I think this sentence sums it up.

8. "Daniel Boone can kiss my @$$."

Todd said this with a lot of disgust when we were driving on the Daniel Boone parkway in Kentucky several years ago. It was his first real experience with toll roads.

7. "If it's you-well stop it! If it's not, then never mind!"

I can't explain this one. You just had to be there. Let's just say to this day it was one of the funniest moments in our marriage.

6. "Don't make fun of my hairy-tits".

He actually said heritage, but they way it came out was not what I interpreted.

5. "Stinky and Stinkier are coming to the race with us this year."

He was referring to some wonderful, but hygiene challenged friends of ours that came with us a Nascar race at PIR once. Let's just say 90 degree temps and friends who think deodorant is a tool used for mind-control by the Devil are NOT a good mix.

4. "You know you sit in your office jammin' to Snoop all day".

Todd said this after we starting dating, after hearing how I detest rap music.

3. "You're just so... some how".

At a complete loss for words when trying to tell me one evening what he loved best about me.

2. "That's a potato for your @$$!!"

Todd said this- and not quietly- during dinner at Lone Star Steakhouse after being served the biggest baked potato either of us have ever seen. It was the looks of fellow patrons that made it even funnier.

1. "You had me at Yah-teh".

If you've ever been any where near Gallup, NM you might understand this. Todd said this to me, shortly after proposing in 1997. It was obviously at a time when Jerry McGuire was a popular movie, but the reference to it and it's absurdity during a special moment in my life seriously almost made me pee my pants. I should have known then I was marrying a comedian.

I Hate Cub Scouts

Towards the beginning of this school year, my six year old son decided he wanted to join Cub Scouts. Well, it sounded like a good idea. And being me, I told him that whatever he committed to he had to stick with for the whole year. Scouts is an ongoing thing throughout the school year. And it's a very involved activity- meetings at least three times a month, in addition to special outdoor activities, fundraisers, food drives, parades, flag ceremonies... it takes up much of my very scarce free time.

So what do I do? I volunteer to be a Den leader. And then I agree to be the advancement chairperson, which is overseeing the awards and advancements for not just the Tiger den of 11 kids- but the whole Pack of nearly 60 boys. Why did I do this? I keep asking myself this. I can't just quit- the boys are what is keeping me going. They're so darn cute those little shirts and kerchief's.

And to make matters even worse, my son told me last week that he doesn't want to be in Scouts anymore, that he doesn't even like it. Urrrghh.... well, I can't allow him to quit, because then I will be going back on my rule- "You don't quit something you start". Which means I can't quit something I start. My husband keeps telling me to quit. To just say that it's become too overwhelming and I can't commit to it. Then what? Leave the boys hanging? I'm not that cruel. Besides, I have to see all of these parents all of the time, and I don't want them thinking of me as a flake, or worse yet, having one of the boys say something to TJ about his idiot Mother.

So I've resolved to stick with Scouts throughout this year. Once April is here, I'm done. Secretly I Hate Cub Scouts. Good thing none of those parents read my blog.

A Working Week Away From Home

Every October, I am forced to attend an annual conference for my work held at the breathtakingly beautiful Seven Springs Resort. It's three whole days away from the hubby and the kid. Three whole days of having someone else clean my room and make my dinner. I'm able to read before bedtime, without hearing "Mo-om..." or "Hey, did you finish the laundry? I'm out of socks for work."

Let me just tell you. It's terrible. So terrible being forced to sleep in an uber-luxurious room, with views such as this-

along with my own private patio and walkway for enjoying the fresh mountain air.


Looking out my window, or any window at the resort, I see only the ski slopes, and experience the serene surroundings and it's just, well, relaxing. Oh, I mean horrible. I can't even mention that they have their own private spa and salon, the details of which are most dreadful.


I'm forced to stuff my self with gourmet food on the company's dime. Breakfast, lunch and dinner. Like this amazing peppercorn rubbed Filet Mignon in a saffron and lavender sauce I had one evening. Ugh. Or the omelet station with my own chef making my omelet anyway I want (load up on all that cheese, Mister!!) at breakfast.

Okay, so I'm exaggerating a little. It's not so bad. On the contrary, it's quite wonderful to get away for a few days, even if it is work related.

My favorite part? Not the fine dining or the spa. Not the gift shoppes or even the relaxing walks outdoors. It's a little bakery called Gingerbread Dreams. The smell that wafts from there as I walk down the halls is intoxicating. Fresh... baked... gingerbread...cookies... so can't wait until next year.

Happy Halloween!

Click on the following link for a fun adventure... thank you Dyan!

http://ak.imgag.com/imgag/product/preview/flash/bws8Shell.swf?ihost=http://ak.imgag.com/imgag&brandldrPath=/p roduct/full/el/&cardNum=/produc t/full/ap/312513 3/graphic1

The Problem With Being Perfect

Don't let this post title fool you. I don't think I'm perfect. Close, but maybe not totally.

I'm an annoying optimist and perpetual perfectionist. I like things how I like them, and that's just how it goes. I dislike disarray, disorganization, dysfunction, deliberate procrastination and disorder.

I've become worse with this as I've gotten older. In my teens and early 20's, I could leave the house without making my bed. Now I will not leave the house unless my bed is made.

You can thank my husband for this post. He's the reason I'm blogging today. Disorder is normal to him. Putting things off comes naturally. It's okay with him if there is a fork where the spoons go in the silverware drawer.

Let's just say lately I've been extremely busy. Between my job, my sons sports, cub scouts, the everyday household chores, church activities, family outings, and on and on and on... my personal time is limited to about 15 minutes late at night where I try to sit and read before eventually falling comatose in bed.

My husband works hard. He's up and out the door at dawn and rarely home before 5:00 pm. Five, sometimes six days a week. And he's still attending school, which eats up some of his free time. But yet- he never misses a football game on TV. He never misses Monday night football. He even manages to squeeze in a Penguins game at least once a week. And now, God Bless him, he's hooked on Alabama college football (thank you, Pat Taylor). And let us not forget that NASCAR and Drag races and Supercross are still on Sundays! Oh, TiVO- THANK YOU! He can watch six hours of football and then another three to four hours of auto racing later on in the evening, because thanks to YOU, TiVO- he can record stuff to watch later!

How does he manage to work a 50 hour work week, focus on school and homework for about 4 to 5 hours a week and still have time for all that leisure?

Oh, that's right- because while he's motionless on the couch, I'm fixing dinner. Doing dishes. Doing laundry. Checking homework. Organizing scout meetings. Scrubbing the toilet. Cleaning candle wax out of the carpet.

If I didn't have such a severe case of OCD, I would go on strike. But that would mean I'd have to let the housework go. Can't... do.... it.... I can't sleep if I know there are dishes to do or clothes that need put away.

So being one to expect a certain level of organization and structure, having to live with someone who doesn't seem to mind not doing so can be a challenge.

I'll give you an example. I had a busy evening last night. We got home late Sunday evening from our weekend trip, and there was laundry to do. Things to put away. Mail to check. Plus books to read for school. TJ had Cub Scouts. I'm the Den Leader, I had projects to prepare and other things to do for the meeting. So, I'm throwing together a 25 minute meal, then forcing TJ to eat his green beans so he can change into his uniform for scouts so we could go.

I ask my darling husband if he could wash the dishes while we were out. (Honestly, I thought about using paper plates for dinner, but I just couldn't bring myself to do it.) "I'll get it later", was the response. Meaning, "when you get home from TJ's scout meeting, they'll still be in the sink."

So, after scouts, where were the dishes? In the sink! Dirty plates still on the dining room table! Where was my husband? On the couch, of course! After all, it was Monday night football! Oh how I fumed. If he was working on homework or paperwork for his job, I would have totally been okay. But no. And as I started to wash those dishes, he had the nerve to snore because he fell asleep. I wanted to shove one of his own dirty socks down his throat, but I refrained.

Then it was time to get TJ ready for bed. After reading his books and talking for at least twenty minutes about why birds fly south, I had phone calls to return and another load of laundry to put away.

When the love of my life was jolted out of his slumber because of my unusually heavy footsteps, he mumbled something about doing the dishes. To avoid loosing it I ignored him, made snide comments to myself and at long last fell into bed with my tea at my side, Midnight In the Garden of Good and Evil in hand. Who needs to cuddle with a lump that snores anyway? Besides, he can't entertain me with stories of murder and misfortune in Savannah like John Berendt can.

I made it to page 23.

And before I know it, my alarm is screaming at me and it's 5:30 already. Another day, the same routine. He's still on the couch, where I felt he deserved to be on this particular evening.

Does this mean next time the dishes will get washed when I ask? Does this mean he'll take a turn tucking in TJ and reading his books? Probably not. I hope he likes that couch, because if I don't start to get a little more help with the little things, it's where he's going to end up a lot more often.

So what's the problem with being perfect? Unfortunately I'm married to someone who is not.

A Spooky Sight

We spent this past weekend in the eastern half of the state. It was a leisurely drive through Lancaster's Amish Country, although if you read October 11th's Little Man post on my other blog, then you know that it wasn't a weekend of antiquing and strolling through the Amish farmer's markets.

Instead I was breathing in exhaust from drag cars and getting beer spilled on me from a Jerry Garcia look-alike in the seat behind me. OK, so it wasn't that bad... I do quite enjoy drag races!

But we did drive past an interesting and creepy cemetery, with some of the grave markers dating back almost 160 years! It was dusk as we drove through, so I apologize for the bleak pictures.


I realize a cemetery isn't an exciting place to visit, but something in the evening air gave me a chill... do you see the foggy haze of a ghost anywhere?

Tastefully Simple!

I hosted a Tastefully Simple party this weekend! Oh, what fun it was! Want to host one? Find a consultant near you at tastefullysimple.com.

It was the easiest party I ever had to get ready for- I received a kit from my consultant and all of the dips and breads were prepared the night before. And WOW- were they delicious!

I'm ready to plan another one!!



A big THANK YOU to all who attended- my sales were great, which means more discounts and freebies for me! It's so worth hosting a party! Look into it!

UPDATE!
October 20, 2010

Thanks to a great buy-two-get-one sale at Barnes and Noble, I'm happily shuffling through my new collection of Mr. Poe's grandest short stories. That, while simultaneously finishing up Midnight In the Garden of Good and Evil by John Berendt, which has an odd creepiness of it's own, though unintentionally. My writer's block is slowly coming down... block by block by block...

_________________________

You may have noticed my absence in blogging lately. I can't decide if it's due to the lack of interesting things going on right now to blog about, or simply I have a bad case of writer's block and my mind is drawing a total blank.

I've been at the keyboard the past two days, researching things to blog about, but nothing's coming to me.

Then it hits me... I haven't been reading! I'm usually at my best, (literally speaking) when I'm working my way through some classic literature or rereading one of my tried-and-true favorites.

I've decided I must run off to the library, as the season is prompting me to pick up a collection of Edgar Allan Poe stories for inspiration. I'm thinking of blogging about his work, so stay tuned.

Reading Edgar Allan Poe for me is as necessary in the Fall as carving a pumpkin. Seriously.

Recipe of the Week; YET ANOTHER GARDEN VEGETABLE SOUP DE JOUR

In a post some time ago, I mentioned my Mom's Garden Bean Soup. I'm sorry to say I've only had it once this summer. I seemed so busy this summer season, doing a whole lot of NOTHING IMPORTANT, but too busy to prepare the beans.

Mom grows beans by the basket load, and it's a pretty big basket. I ate this soup all the time growing up, as did Mom because it was one of my Grandma's favorite dinners to prepare for seven hungry children. It's so affordable, and when you're a big bean-grower, well- it's a great way to use them up! Mom freezes her beans too, so it can be made year 'round with fresh beans. But by all means, pick up some beans at the supermarket and give this soup a whirl. You'll be glad you did. I strongly urge you to bake a loaf of homemade bread and serve it with the soup. (Make sure the bread is lathered sufficiently with real butter.) You can cheat on the bread and buy the frozen bread dough (I always do), but just please don't serve store-bought white sandwich bread... it's insulting to the soup.


To Start the Soup-

2 quarts green beans, or mixture of yellow and green (ends snipped, cut into 1- to 2- inch pieces)
1 small to medium onion, large dice

In a large stock pot or Dutch oven, cover beans and onion with water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook for 30 minutes. Beans need to be tender, cooked all the way through but watch not to over cook them.

Add-
3 to4 large potatoes, cut into large cubes
1 cup sour cream
1 stick of butter or margarine (oddly enough, margarine seems to taste better)
1 cup of milk
salt and pepper to taste

Simmer until potatoes are cooked and still firm, not over cooked and mushy. About halfway through this process, add about 1 tablespoon of cider vinegar, it helps to thicken the soup. You could add a splash more ( I usually do, I'm quite fond of vinegar.)

This soup is great freshly made, but it also remains quite tasty the day after heated up for lunch.

To All of You Far and Away...

Recipe of the Week; HOMEMADE CREAM OF CELERY SOUP

My Mom gave me a bunch of celery from her garden. THANKS MOM. I'm not a big fan of this vegetable, personally. If I eat it at all, it's with peanut butter, or I serve it with a crudites platter.

What to do with an overflowing crisper drawer full of long skinny stalks of the stuff? Why, make SOUP, but of course!

I do love my soups. Especially this time of year- they're a great way to use up all those vegetables that mysteriously find their way into my refrigerator via Mom's garden.

I think we've all probably bought those cream-of-celery soup concentrates at some point. I try to stay away from them, I prefer just to have them on hand for sauces and such. Cream-of-celery or -mushroom is exceptionally great spread over a meatloaf prior to baking in the oven. But the soups PLAIN, well... they just don't compare to a homemade version. And the homemade ones don't typically take all that long. Soup can be ready in less than an hour, as it is in this particular recipe.

As always, giving credit where credit is due, all props go to Martha "the magnificent" Stewart. Say what you will about her, but I adore this lady.

Being myself, however, I've fattened up a perfectly fine recipe with a little extra butter, bacon and cheese. But by no means is it necessary. You can just saute the veggies in 1/2 stick unsalted butter and omit the bacon altogether. Same goes for the cheese.

INGREDIENTS

1 tablespoon to 1/4 cup butter (optional)
1/2 pound bacon, cut into small chunks
10 pale-green inner ribs of celery, with leafy tops coarsely chopped (roughly 3 1/2 cups)
1/3 cup chopped onion, Martha's recipe uses shallots exclusively
1 small russet potato, peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes
course salt and pepper, to taste
6 cups homemade or store-bought chicken stock
1/4 teaspoon grated nutmeg, fresh is preferable, but jarred works OK
1/4 to 1 cup heavy cream, depending on your preference

Baguette slices, brushed with butter and toasted in pan or broiler
celery leaves, for garnish (optional)
grated Mozzarella cheese (optional)

Brown bacon in stock pot or dutch oven. Remove bacon, retaining the fat and add 1 tablespoon or so of butter if you need more fat for cooking vegetables. Add celery with tops, onions, potato and black pepper. Salt only if desired, the bacon adds plenty of salt on it's own. Partially cover and cook, stirring often until vegetables are soft but not browned, approximately 15 minutes.

Add stock; bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to low; cover and cook 30 minutes. Stir in nutmeg, let cool.

Puree soup in blender (in batches) or use an immersion blender and puree until completely smooth.

Return soup to pot, season to taste with salt and pepper if desired. Just before serving, heat soup over medium-low heat. Do not boil. Stir in cream and allow to heat through. Serve sprinkled with cheese and bacon crumbles, topped with a toasted baguette and celery leaves.

Down the Lincoln Highway

It's been a rather bland summer, unfortunately with my husband's schedule we didn't get to do much in the way of a summer vacation. We did manage to sneak a long weekend in to take a three hour cruise down the Lincoln Highway to tour Gettysburg. The town is alive with history,

Yet there is a certain air of sadness and death when you fully realize the sacrifices that were made during the battle that raged on for three days.

We spent more time touring the actual battlefield, but I had to get some shots of the historical buildings that still remain in the old town...


Historic B & B


President Eisenhower kept a home on the outskirts of the battlefield. It's off limits to regular tourists, but the property looks absolutely gorgeous when standing atop one of the lookout towers situated around the battlefield.

Can you truly imagine what happened here in July, 1863? The actual battlefield areas are completely fenced in. According to the history books and the auto tour we took, these fields were completely saturated in blood.

I tried to get the band to play Dixie, but they weren't havin' it. I heard one of them call me a traitor. Geez, these folks take their history SERIOUSLY!

One of the last stops we made was to the infamous Jennie Wade house. They hold midnight ghost tours, but unfortunately we had to get on the road. We'll save that for the next trip!