Monday, November 30, 2009
Day 1380 - Monday, Monday
Greetings, Monday morning Blah-gers!
Yes, Thanksgiving is over and it's back to work for just about everyone.
This is a hilarious picture of Savannah. I don't know exactly what was going on - but she had her arms and legs going every which way.
I laughed when I saw this one, because she is in a death-defying armlock to keep her from vaulting over the dining room chair. Ha!
I am off to aqua-cize class shortly, so I don't have time to write more!
TTFN and have a nice Monday!
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Day 1379 - Onward to Christmas!
Greetings, Blogregation!
As seen on a church sign - 'Thanksgiving is great, Thanks-Living is better!'
Here is Miss Adorable, eating scrambled eggs with a real fork! What a big girl!
She's so cute that it's impossible not to stare at her every minute.
A family friend at Thanksgiving said to me 'Peggy talks all the time about Savannah - but now I know why! She's so cute!'
I am already making preparations for Christmas. I've put out the wreath on the front door, and taken out the other indoor Christmas wreaths. Charlie has put up the artificial tree, and I need to 'arrange' the branches before I decorate it.
Another thing I need to do is DIET until Christmas - I stepped on the scale this morning and can't possibly blame that number on water weight. However, I'm craving a bologna sandwich for breakfast, and maybe a side of hard boiled egg.
TTFN and have a nice Sunday!
Friday, November 27, 2009
Day 1377 - Thanksgiving plus one
Greetings, Bloggy Turkey-Overloaders!
Just a quick note before breakfast is ready.
I had a wonderful thanksgiving, and judging by my puffy ankles last night - overdid my sodium limit. I had second helpings of stuffing, and had more stuffing for dessert later.
My mother and stepdad are bustling around the kitchen, cooking breakfast for eleven people, while I wander around eating leftover FUDGE for my appetizer...
Uh... to be totally truthful, I had a little leftover turkey around 7am this morning...
We are off to the airport soon, and back home to Nashville. Hugs and kisses to all the family we got to see and share Thanksgiving with - we had a WONDERFUL time.
TTFN!
Just a quick note before breakfast is ready.
I had a wonderful thanksgiving, and judging by my puffy ankles last night - overdid my sodium limit. I had second helpings of stuffing, and had more stuffing for dessert later.
My mother and stepdad are bustling around the kitchen, cooking breakfast for eleven people, while I wander around eating leftover FUDGE for my appetizer...
Uh... to be totally truthful, I had a little leftover turkey around 7am this morning...
We are off to the airport soon, and back home to Nashville. Hugs and kisses to all the family we got to see and share Thanksgiving with - we had a WONDERFUL time.
TTFN!
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Day 1376 - Happy Thanksgiving!
Greetings, Bloggy Thanksgiving Celebrants!Just a quick note to say 'Happy Thanksgiving'!
Here's a photo of a little darling that I know I'm thankful for!
We ALL have things to be thankful for, don't we?
Take care and enjoy your holiday!
TTFN!
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Day 1375 - Twas the night before Turk-age
Greetings, it's Turkey-Eve!
Look how excited Miss Savi is about Thanksgiving.
Okay, it wasn't about Thanksgiving but I can embellish, can't I?
Today, many many people start cooking.
Today, many many people start travelling.
Today, many many people start over eating!
For me, knowing that tomorrow is Thanksgiving makes me twice as hungry! Does it do that to you?
If you're hitting the road, have a safe and wonderful holiday. Enjoy it, because it's all about Christmas after that!
TTFN!
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Day 1374 - Where's the food? Where's the GROUND?
Greetings, Bloggy 'Is Thanksgiving EVER going to get here' readers!I need to pause in my daily food journals and talk about these little flags on the hydrants in Maine.
No - they are not just cute.
Do you know what purpose they serve?
You've got it - it snows so much that the hydrants are completely covered, and the flags give the crews a marker so they can dig them out!
Conservatively, you can have about a 6 foot snow and still be able to fight a fire.
Isn't it odd that with 6 feet of snow things CAN catch fire? Well, I guess...
Digging them out is another story - it doesn't sound like fun, because packed, frozen snow is some of the hardest material known to man...
Be safe and watch for snowstorms! TTFN!
Monday, November 23, 2009
Day 1373 - Groovin' on Gravy
Greetings, Bloggy Gravy Groovers!Yes, I LOVE gravy.
Equal parts of gravy and food sounds about right to me.
No, I don't buy gravy at the store for Thanksgiving. It's too important!
Yes, I make my own stock by roasting a turkey and then boiling down all the remnants (with vegetables) until there is a delicious, delectable broth.
The broth is everything.
If your broth isn't good, your gravy won't be good.
My mother taught me to use a jar and shake flour and water, salt and pepper in it. This mixture is much easier to incorporate into the gravy for thickening, and you can control how much is used and how thick the gravy is. I don't want it thick or gluey.
NO - I don't use cornstarch for gravy. Ever. Cornstarch is for fruit desserts or Stir frys.
One tip for beef gravy - try adding a teaspoon of unflavored instant coffee to your broth - it gives it a roasty flavor that helps make it even more delicious!
TTFN!
One change I have made - I use the Wondra (Gold Medal) extra fine flour for sauces and gravies rather than bread flour.
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Day 1372 - Stuffing or Dressing?
Greetings, Bloggy 'Can't wait to be stuffed with Dressing' folks!
Stuffing is generally a term used up north for Bread stuffing, and is normally cooked inside the turkey.
Dressing is generally used in the south, and can be a bread or cornbread based side dish baked in a casserole outside of the turkey.
Since they are both BREAD, I like them both, but bread stuffing with Bells Seasoning and lots of celery and onion RULES for me.
My mother makes the ultra-traditional and outstanding stuffing recipe that her mother made. I compromise!
Her traditional stuffing involves grinding all the crusts of bread and the vegetables (with only a speck of potato for 'glue' - if you use too much potato it will be tacky) into one pan using a meat grinder, and adding butter and seasoning to it.
That is incorporated into a separate mixture of the white parts of the bread that has been seasoned and covered with hot water and broth. The two parts together make a fluffy and sensational stuffing.
Laura Ingalls - step aside - my mothers stuffing (and mine, of course) rules!
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Day 1371 - Do the mashed potato!
Greetings, Bloggy Potato Heads!
We eat mashed potatoes year 'round, but there is something special about them on Thanksgiving...
My cousin makes our mashed potatoes for Thanksgiving Day using her mothers recipe. The recipe is from scratch, and uses potatoes, cream cheese, and cream.
We all sit around the kitchen table the night before Thanksgiving, peeling and peeling, and talking and laughing.
That little floating island of fluffiness, with a MOAT of gravy surrounding it, can only be topped by the 'sister island' of stuffing next to it.
Kind of like Prudence and Patience islands in New England, yes?
TTFN and ARE YOU GETTING HUNGRY YET?
Friday, November 20, 2009
Day 1370 - Pumpkin Pie
Greetings, Bloggy Thanksgiving Count-Downers!
In keeping with the Thanksgiving theme around here - isn't this cute?
I grabbed it from the web, and it's a cute piecrust turkey, in case your imagination isn't working yet.
This is a pumpkin pie - but I prefer to think it is CHOCOLATE.
Okay, I'll admit it - I'm not crazy about pumpkin pie.
(Gasps from the audience)
In fact, I can't tell you the last time I ATE pumpkin pie, because I rarely eat it. I would go for the apple, the chocolate, the pecan, even the MINCE pie before I eat the pumpkin pie.
However shameful it may be - I will go on record saying I will not plan to eat pumpkin pie this year either.
TTFN!
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Day 1369 - ONE WEEK Till Thanksgiving!
Greetings, Bloggy Turkey Wanna-Be's!One week from today people will be facing the battle of the year - how to cook the rest of the food when the turkey is occupying most of the oven space?
Thankfully I never have to worry about that, because I have a turkey roaster.
A friend of mine is using her NEIGHBORS kitchen (the neighbor is going out of town and offered!) as an overflow area as she prepares Thanksgiving dinner for 22 people.
Question of the day - do you make your own cranberry sauce? My sister does! I usually buy it, but there is a cranberry sauce/relish I have had with mandarin oranges in it that is exceptionally good. Once I find that recipe again, I'll make it!
I will be daydreaming of Thanksgiving feasts for an entire week. TTFN!
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Day 1368 - Midweek and Midlife
Greetings, Bloggy Middlers!My breakfast of champions or morning wake-up drink of late (instead of a foame' latte') has changed.
I am drinking the following breakfast drink out of a mason jar with a straw:
One milk chocolate flavor Carnation Instant Breakfast with a cup of milk added (or more), plus a lite Yoplait yogurt mixed in, then everything blended like a smoothie or milkshake.
It is actually delicious, believe it or not.
My next big project is also a craving I have - for mashed potatoes and gravy. I'll be working on those shortly. I've decided to make a big pot of them and freeze it in batches in small containers. I'll just use gravy from a jar - no time to make REAL gravy at the moment!
TTFN and have a nice Wednesday!
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Day 1367 - Twofer Tuesday
Greetings, Bloggy Twofers!Here's another Maine sign - a snowmobile crossing.
I don't think I've even been ON a snowmobile, but I know a lot of people who have, and they say they are fun.
Changing subjects -
I am sick and tired of commercials portraying the most delicious, delectable, double and triple decker burgers and sandwiches, complete with layers of melty cheese, lettuce, tomato, and other accoutrements.
In actuality what you get doesn't even come CLOSE to the commercial. I RARELY eat fast food, but the Sonic burger in someones hand this morning (in the commercial) was GIGANTIC - and I doubt very much that it had anything to do with reality.
Aren't there rules about that stuff? If you are lucky enough to see a bit of tomato or lettuce on your sandwich, it completely hides the thin sliver of tasteless beef that you actually are served.
We tried one of the Burger King dollar doubles recently - and Charlie couldn't even find the second burger. You need a magnifying glass! But of course - the photo in the WINDOW, and the ad on TV makes it look like a feast.
Gripe gripe gripe, moan moan moan.
I am cooking some cheese grits for breakfast - step away from the burgers, folks... TTFN!
Monday, November 16, 2009
Day 1366 - Monday already?
Greetings, Monday Morning Blah-gers!
I'll bet you don't see many 'Moose Crossing' signs in Tennessee - do you?
I've seen a few Moose in Maine, and they are HUGE!
I keep thinking of Maine, and snow, and Thanksgiving, and here in Tennessee (at least until tomorrow when a front comes through) it will be 70 degrees today. Just perfect, in my opinion!
TTFN and have a nice Monday!
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Day 1365 - Sunday!
Greetings, Blogregation!Here is a picture of some goodies I purchased in Amish country...
Real, freshly made sorghum molasses - Charlie eats this on biscuits.
Sweet sorghum is a cane/grass plant that is crushed and the juices captured. Then it is cooked down to syrup or molasses.
I also bought cheese, bread, pastry, and fried pies. A fried pie is a hand held slice of pie that has been folded over, crimped, and deep fried to heavenly deliciousness.
I bought peach, apple and blueberry. Charlie's favorite is peach. My favorite is 'which one is the biggest'?
Gotta go! Have a nice Sunday!
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Day 1364 - No time for bloggage
Greetings, Bloggy Turkey Lovers!
My friend from work is driving me to Amish country for a visit, so I don't have time to blog this morning.
I have Thanksgiving on the brain - can you believe it is almost here?
I grabbed this photo off the 'net because it shows both turkey AND prime rib - that is a real treat.
Gotta run!
Are you ready yet?
Have a great Saturday and TTFN!
Friday, November 13, 2009
Day 1363 - Friday the 13th!!!
Greetings, Bloggy Super Dupers! As in Super Duper SUPERSTITION....
It's Friday the 13th!
You know what to do - TIPTOE in a circle, softly whispering 'Friday the 13th! Friday the 13th! Friday the 13th!'
I had all these 'safety rituals' when I was little and had to go upstairs, alone, in the dark.
Why is it so frightening to go upstairs alone?
Sometimes my ritual was 'I'll be safe if I hold my breath the entire way until I can turn on the light'. At other times it was the more simplified 'RUN, RUN, RUN - hit that light!'
I still hold my breath passing cemeteries so I don't breathe in the ghosts. I don't need any ghost debris in MY lungs, thank you very much.
Ok - I 'fessed up' - tell me some of YOUR heebie jeebies...
Have a nice and SAFE Friday the 13th! TTFN!
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Day 1362 - It's Friday Eve already!
Greetings, Bloggy Waiting for the Weekenders!Here's a picture of me wearing my brandy new chenille hat from our friends TY and SY. I love it! It is very soft and warm.
The funny thing is the same day, I bought some chenille fuzzy socks that match it perfectly.
THANK YOU, TY AND SY!
This needs to be quick, as I will spend half the day today at the doctors and we are about to leave.
I wrapped my first two gifts today (just some jam) for the holidays - can you believe it? I am not giving many gifts this year (family, be warned), just gift cards and things like that.
TTFN and have a nice Thursday!
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Day 1361 - Midweek and MidWIFE!
Greetings, Bloggy Middlers!
Nothing 'middlin' about a new BABY GIRL in the family.
Note that the baby in the picture has a PINK blankie...
Congratulations to my nephew and his wife on the birth of their baby girl, Sophia.
Very exciting stuff!
Sophia arrived via stork yesterday. She weighed in at 6lbs, 6oz - and I don't know the other particulars (time, length).
Lyn or Mom, can you help with those?
Does that make me an aunt, once removed, or a Great Aunt? Sorry for being a bonehead and not thinking that through.
I am celebrating by washing blankies - including a pink one. Big celebration, huh?
TTFN and have a nice Wednesday!
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Day 1360 - Entering the ZONE - the Convergence Zone
Greetings, Bloggy Zone-outs!
Do you ever feel like your life is full of various 'Convergence Zones', which flow around you like the jetstreams, bringing high and low pressure with them?
I do!
A good example of one of these 'zones' is when I am driving, and there are no other cars on the road. All of a sudden, from out of nowhere, there will be a car coming out of a side street, another car heading in the opposite direction, and a bicyclist, and ME, all at the same spot. I practically hold my breath, because any little thing can wreak havoc on that temporary Bermuda Triangle... (Quadrangle?)
Or - when I think we have a 'smooth spell' going on financially, I get fed up with the freezer, my tires are BALD and I need 4 new ones (of course I want Michelins, meaning EXPENSIVE), I have vacation coming up, a winter fuel delivery of propane, I want an iTouch Ipod, and here come the holidays to boot. I'm sure I left something out, but I can't remember what! Oh - taxes coming up too. Joy to the world, the IRS has landed...
Am I complaining? Nope, just pointing out a fact that these things all happen at once!
What do YOU think?
TTFN and have a nice Tuesday!
Do you ever feel like your life is full of various 'Convergence Zones', which flow around you like the jetstreams, bringing high and low pressure with them?
I do!
A good example of one of these 'zones' is when I am driving, and there are no other cars on the road. All of a sudden, from out of nowhere, there will be a car coming out of a side street, another car heading in the opposite direction, and a bicyclist, and ME, all at the same spot. I practically hold my breath, because any little thing can wreak havoc on that temporary Bermuda Triangle... (Quadrangle?)
Or - when I think we have a 'smooth spell' going on financially, I get fed up with the freezer, my tires are BALD and I need 4 new ones (of course I want Michelins, meaning EXPENSIVE), I have vacation coming up, a winter fuel delivery of propane, I want an iTouch Ipod, and here come the holidays to boot. I'm sure I left something out, but I can't remember what! Oh - taxes coming up too. Joy to the world, the IRS has landed...
Am I complaining? Nope, just pointing out a fact that these things all happen at once!
What do YOU think?
TTFN and have a nice Tuesday!
Monday, November 09, 2009
Day 1359 - Ice, Ice, Baby...
Greetings, Monday Morning Blah-gers!In honor of Monday, here is a picture of the flowers I received last month from my work after my surgery.
The inner plants (the fern, pothos and the striped one)are doing fine - the outer yellow cut flowers have gone by and been removed.
That reminds me to tell you about my 'ice orchid' - gift from our friends TY and SY. This orchid is both beautiful and actually low maintenance!
You water it once a week by giving it three ICE CUBES, which you just set on top of the potting material. Is that cool or what??
I love plants...
Speaking of plants - vegetables are plants too, which reminds me to make a confession.
Mom, I hate to admit it, but at the moment I prefer white turnip to yellow. (Note to all: My mother always fixes yellow turnip so for some reason I feel obligated to fix yellow turnip too!)
I am finding that the yellow ones with the wax on them are much harder to cut and cost more than the purple and white ones.
I actually get cravings for vegetables like turnips and parsnips and squash - isn't that wierd? There must be some vitamin in there I need.
Have a nice Monday and TTFN!
Sunday, November 08, 2009
Day 1358 - Sunday!
Greetings, Blogregation!The weekend is flying by...
As seen on a church sign:
'Let's meet at my house before the game, ok? -GOD'
Here's a really cute Savi-expression. Maybe 'I know I'm totally cute and adorable so I'll gaze into the camera'...
Heather - I loved the card from you all with Savannah's scribble on it. Thank you!
Send more artwork! I am looking forward to lots of refrigerator art from Miss Savannah. My fridge used to have LAYERS of stuff on it, and tons of magnets. It is not quite so populated now, but still plenty.
I have a whole suitcase full of Heather and Evan's childhood art - with no clue what to do with it. Any ideas? Take photos of it and gently discard the originals? Vacuum seal it?
After yesterdays blog, I periodically yell out 'Car Wash!' in an off key tuneful voice, and Charlie cracks up every time...
Gotta go - have a nice Sunday and TTFN!
Saturday, November 07, 2009
Day 1357 - Car Wash, Yeah!
Greetings, Bloggy Weekenders!Yes, I did it, for the first time in my life, I got my hair highlighted.
AND - I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE IT!
I really do - it looks very natural but cuter than my boring pre-highlighted color.
I have tried and tried to get a photo that captures it, but the lighting just isn't right.
The photo of the top of my head probably is best to show the various layers of highlighting.And the good news - I went to the local beauty college in Franklin to get it done!
They offer a partial foil highlighting job (I had 20 foils) for $22.50, and a full for $45 instead of $80 up.
I had two different people work on my hair - one girl did the highlight job, and another girl washed my hair (complete with scalp massage) and styled it.
The second girl was always humming to herself in between conversations, and would periodically burst (and I mean burst) into song - yelling 'Car Wash!' or 'Workin' at the Car Wash, Yeah!' - remember that disco song? She was hilarious - energetic, funny, and laughing.
These girls were 20-ish, both of them skinny as a rail with Goth-style jet black hair.
I tipped each of them, and I was there for 2 solid hours.
TTFN and have a nice Saturday!
Friday, November 06, 2009
Day 1356 - Foiled Again!
Greetings, Bloggy TGIFers!I have a 9am dentist appointment, then a 12:30 appointment at the hair place to have my hair highlighted - not so many foils as this, just some.
It's Friday, hooray!
You know what to do, march in a circle chanting 'Fri-day! Fri-day! Fri-day!'
Savannah is 20 months old today!
This morning's hair experiment - I washed it, didn't dry it, and put some gel in it. We'll see what happens.
I noticed something this morning. When I stepped out of the shower I didn't have a 'jet' of water running out of my hair. That is nice... I might actually be able to use ONE towel instead of one for the hair and one for the bod.
Better get crackin! Have a nice Friday and a great weekend! TTFN!
Thursday, November 05, 2009
Day 1355 - Lions and Tigers and Mousse, Oh My!
Greetings, all creatures Great and Shorn...
Okay - someone tell me why I need half a million hair products to have LESS hair?
I have hair spray, I have mousse, I have headbands, I have clips.
By the way - isn't Mousse the Maine State animal? Ha!
I have a plug in curling iron, I have an electric curling brush.
I have all this STUFF to try to control the insignificant amount of hair on my head...
Let's see - I have some 'ends' that wave one way - some that wave the other way. If I try to make them all go in the same direction, then I look like I am attempting an afro. If I wash it and start again, they'll wave in a completely different direction.
I haven't attempted the blow dryer yet either - I'll end up looking like Peppermint Patty for sure.
How can I best compound this hair dilemma? I think I'll go get it highlighted, which I've never done in my entire life.
TTFN and have a good hair day!
Wednesday, November 04, 2009
Day 1354 - Rapunzel, Rapunzel - What? No Hair?
Greetings, Bloggy Middlers!
I don't think this is a very flattering picture of me, but I just have to get over the ego thing.
Do I really have a square face, or does it just look like that in the photo?
SEE ALL THAT STUFF in my hands?
THAT IS MY HAIR! MY HERETOFORE INSEPARABLE HAIR!
For the first time since I was a kid, I have short hair.
IT FEELS WIERD FOR SURE.
I am experimenting with hair clips and head bands to figure out how to fix it without much effort.
At first I thought I look like someone wearing a helment made of hair, but Charlie says it isn't that different so I am trying to get over it.
I expect lots of sympathetic comments and compliments on my short hair today.
TTFN and have a nice Wednesday!
Tuesday, November 03, 2009
Day 1353 - Twofer Tuesday
Greetings, Bloggy Twofers!You may know we have two horses next door - a brown and white one, and a black and white one.
The black and white horse has managed to get out a few times lately. We phoned them one day when we noticed him standing in their DRIVEWAY.
Our neighbor stopped over (with the pie) the other day and told us this story about their 2 horses.
Of course, the two horses are BFF (best friends forever).
When the black and white horse gets loose, his punishment is to get put in the barn where he can't roam.
The brown horse has figured out how to nibble on the stall latch AND LET HIM OUT when he is on 'house arrest'.
So - they are in cahoots. The black and white horse misbehaves and goes into 'timeout' in the barn.
His buddy comes over after everyone is gone and lets him out so they can play. I think that is the greatest story. I advised they get a video of it for 'Funniest Home videos'.
TTFN and have a nice Tuesday!
Monday, November 02, 2009
Day 1352 - Monday in Zombieland
Greetings, Monday morning Blah-gers!Do you like zombie movies?
I do, but I can't remember any Zombie COMEDIES.
We went to see 'Zombieland' this weekend, and it was HILARIOUS!
I highly recommend it IF you can stand the gore of Zombies.
It is funny, entertaining, you'll like the characters, and the zombies are appropriately creepy, all at the same time.
Not for kids though!
That's all I've got to say, except the Tennessee Titans finally won a game this year. Woo Hoo!
TTFN and have a nice Monday!
Sunday, November 01, 2009
Day 1351 - Happy November!
Greetings, Blogregation!
As seen on a church sign earlier this week - 'The only ghost in here is holy!'
Did you set your clocks back last night?
If not - you're an hour later than you think you are...
How was the trick or treating last night?
This photo is of the GORGEOUS chocolate chess pie the next door neighbor brought over to us yesterday.
A chocolate chess pie is similar to a chocolate pecan pie texture, but no nuts.
Our neighbor said she'd made another one last weekend for us, but the meringue came out darker than she wanted and she wasn't happy with it.
Her husband stood, poised over the 'mistake pie', knife in hand, asking 'Are you going to take it over there or not?' As soon as she said NOT, he was into it... Too funny!
He obviously has a sweet tooth, he's that way about my jam as well...
Is that the most picture perfect pie ever? Charlie calls it a 'Paah', I can't really write how he pronounces pie.
Have a nice Sunday, everyone - the countdown to Thanksgiving is ON!
