Another Round of Ice!!!

Brrrr--it's coocollllldddd outside! And it's raining---freezing rain! Hopefully, this will just be a "mini" storm compared to the great storm of 08!!! But, everyone is stocking up and staying home. Except for one group--the news reported that an AC-DC concert is going to continue tonight--14,000 tickets sold. So, does that mean 12,000 of them will attend, drink some happy water and THEN get back out on the roads???? Of course it does!! I'm glad I'm not one of them--and none of the fam is either. It took hubby 1 1/2 hours to get home--normally a 25 minute commute! He said it was soooo slick, and the inclines can't be handled if one isn't driving a 4 wheel drive vehicle. Brrr, I'm staying put!!!Had everyone over for dinner Saturday night---remember???? Well, this was one of our desserts--fresh apple cobbler. Yeah, I'm bored so you get pictures of food! And my pics aren't nearly as "professional" as Pioneer Woman or Bakerella, but I bet they taste just as good! It's homemade crust--that gives me points, right???

My sister is a vegetarian, and as we had spaghetti, I thought I'd fix her a special dish! Yep, I'm a short order cook!!! So, I roasted eggplant, zucchini, bell pepper, mushrooms, and onion---all coated with olive oil, balsamic vinegar & Italian seasonings. Then topped them with spaghetti sauce. Well, wouldn't you know, I sat them out and EVERYONE wanted a bite of THAT!!!!! Ok, not everyone, but there were no leftovers of this!!!

We had a wonderful time sitting round the dining room table. Have you ever noticed that when you sit around the table, people stay and talk for hours? They do here. No one moves into the other room, we drink coffee & hot tea, and tell stories on each other, and just enjoy company. My kids were all there, and I know from experience, that someday they will look back on these meals with such fondness. It really bonds the family together.

I remember when hubby & I were first married, and even when the kids were little, we had "birthday" dinners at his parents house. All of his brothers and his sister, and his grandparents would load in their contributions of food, and we would sit and eat and talk. Now his grandparents are gone, as is one of his brothers, and his mom isn't well enough to cook like she did, and everyone is so busy with "other" duties that we don't have these much. Mainly just Thanksgiving & Christmas. And I miss them so much. They sure did bring us together emotionally as a family, and kept us an active part of one another's lives. Well, that and the fact that my hubby, his brothers and his dad had a business for over 30 years. Well, anyway, family ties are so important to me, and I think it's now my duty to keep us all "round the table".

Whew---when it gets really cold outside, I sure do become philosophical! Or maybe it's being home all day (which I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE!!!).

Whichever, I'm going to close for now. I'll be back tomorrow!!!

Sweet dreams!

AHA!!!

Aha! I finally got it! This is Boomer, my beautiful black cat. For the past year he has been pulling the hair on his tummy out--well, grooming it out. And some on the back of his legs. We have taken him to the Dr., and they did some "skin" tests, blood tests, and other tests, he gets treated regularly for fleas, and he is indoors 99.9% of the time. He's also been on antidepressants and still he grooms himself bare. I think it's probably allergies. BUT----what if it is this--my husband has lost most of his hair and shaves his head. As Boomer is the only other male living in the house, what if he WANTS to be bald also!!!!???? What if this is just him displaying his manliness????? So, I may be kind enough to try a cortisone shot, just one & see if that does the trick. But, if he continues, I think I'll introduce him to an electric razor!!! ha ha ha







You know what I hate more than cleaning house??? A DIRTY HOUSE!!!! I have this raging battle going on within --- I hate, hate, hate to clean house--it takes time that I want to spend doing fun things. But, even more, I hate a dirty house. So, what do I spend my off time from the kitchen doing???? CLEANING---and now I'm into reorganizing. Oh, the time taken away---oh, the dilemma of what to put where, and what to purge! Well, I am finding some really creative ways of making the most of my limited space in the house. And this is such an emotional cleansing!!!





Tomorrow night it's dinner at the house! Both kids & all the family are coming for spaghetti, caesar salad, apple cobbler & homemade rolls! I am so looking forward to sitting round the table, enjoying company of those I love. And, Erin is bringing her mom & dad---hope they aren't overwhelmed by family vibes! We love welcoming newbies to our table. And I particularly love cooking and observing as bellies are filled and laughs roll.





Well, gotta run---the sofa is calling!

This & That~~~~

Here's my little Abby---sad because I have been gone so much the past 10 days! I honestly thought that after the holidays, my business would slow down. Not so much! I had 2 and 3 lunches to deliver each day this past week, along with one breakfast for 50. And then Friday evening I delivered a dinner for 175; on Saturday, I catered the local Chamber of Commerce banquet for 175--complete with service. It was a whirlwind of a week. And this week began with 2 delivered lunches on Monday. However, I was able to take off today & Friday. And the weekend (except for an reception consultation appointment on Sunday). So Abby is happier today--I'm home with her!!

Speaking of the Chamber banquet--we served 5 different desserts--peach, strawberry & blackberry cobbler, Almond Joy cake, and these cute little things I have called "Cake Bites". I thought they turned out really well, and they were very popular--no leftovers there!

Now let me introduce you to my new "grandson"---my son adopted this black lab a couple of weeks ago. Evidently someone had turned him out in Tulsa in a busy intersection. One of my son's co-workers picked him up and kept him for about a week all the while trying to locate owners. The co-worker couldn't keep him because he already has a black lab, so guess whose tender hearted son took him??? He calls him Smokey. Smokey is housebroken, sweet, and doesn't get on furniture! They go for runs together, play fetch and hang out. I think he's pretty cute!

And now---BATMAN!!!! This is one of Hank's Christmas gifts; one of his favorites. He loves Batman, and plays with this each and every day! It's funny with Hank--only Batman things can be played with in the batcave--and only his "Cars" cars can be in the Cars backpack. Everything in it's own place! I'm seeing organization in his future!

So, you can see why I haven't blogged in a bit. I hope to be able to post more frequently after last week! I really miss this site and all my "cyber" friends.

How about that inauguration today!! I thought it was quite inspiring. And didn't the First Lady Obama look regal? She is the hope for glamour returning to fashion!!! Those two darling girls were all smiles. Wonder if they know the impact they are living??

Well, better run for now. Planning to do. Would you believe I had THREE calls for wedding receptions just today!!!! And one for a surprise birthday party. So lots of emails to return.

Happy week America.

Do I LOOK Stupid---Don't Answer That!!!

Now WHAT was I thinking????? I am the February speaker at the Chamber of Commerce meeting!!! And I, sit down, I know you won't believe this, I volunteered to do this!!! I must be suffering from some form of mental illness that makes one take on feats of irrational natures!!!

Ok, so what, you ask, shall I talk about? Well, (and this is where it gets fuzzy), I had the idea that I would contrast (via video & power point), two small towns. One which attracts people and one which pushes people away. And, that shall be the basis of "How To Raise Sales Revenue" or "How To Make A Good First Impression".

I have these really, really good ideas in my noggin. And I have recruited help, but honest to Abe Lincoln goodness, did I really think I would have hours and hours of extra time to give to this project? And then I committed. So now I must find that extra time. And, since I am a perfectionist when it comes to public speaking (and not looking like a Jenny Craig looser), I will probably run myself raggedy ann and andy getting this done!!! I am now determined.

Maybe this will be my segue into public speaking, or maybe I'll be the next up and coming motivational speaker--living in a van down by the river!!!!!

I just hope I have the good neighbor sense to NOT wear plaid. Especially a jacket. But, you know good and well that when you are in a hurry to get everything perfect, the wardrobe is the last thing you pay toll or attention to.

I'll just have to let you know how it goes. Keep your fingers crossed for me. And cancel any plans you may have to attend any chamber event you had planned to attend!!! It could be me and my shadow before the podium.

Hey, here's a thought---maybe they will vote to remove me from Chamber and refund my yearly dues!!!

Well, that's all for now. I'm sure I have lots of other interesting things to post about, but I'm tired.

OH--one more thing I will let you in on---we're going to see Gran Torino tomorrow night. Clint Eastwood is hubby's fav---(that answers alot of questions); I hate to go to the R rated ones---guess I'll just wear earplugs and read lips!!

I'll let you know how that goes.

Sweet dreams.

Three Amigos

Ok, Ok, Ok---I just GOTTA share one more picture from our Christmas! I promise, I won't share tooooo many more. But I think this one is soooo cute!!!

These are the children of three first cousins. And the boys are born in the same order the three cousins were born. Hank is the oldest at 2 1/2. Michael is next at 2, and Tucker is 1 1/2. They don't see each other toomuch, but they had such fun together during our Christmas celebration. Their great granny got them all the same gifts---so most of the toys were interchangeable. And she got them some fun stuff---like drumsticks that are battery operated and make lots of bangs and other noises when waved about in the air. Hank proceeded to turn them into swords! Great Aunt Juli got this fire truck to leave at Great Granny's house. The two younger boys wanted to sit in the truck, but Hank wanted to put out the "fires". So, all had a happy position!

Kids really, really do make Christmas sparkle! On this side of the family there are 5 grandchildren---all born within 5 years of each other. When they were little it was a blast to have Christmas --then they all turned into teens--YUCK!!! But now they are repaying that debt by turning out little ones of their own, and the sparkle has returned!!!

Just had to share that bit of useless info!!!

So how is the new year treating you? My sister & I treated ourselves to a day of shopping & lunch. She found this wonderful boutique "Bella Dames" and we headed there. She MADE me spend money---she really, really did!!! That's a store we can only visit once or twice a year--some of their things are a bit pricey & those are the ones that call our names!!! But we resisted and didn't over do it toooo badly!! Then we had lunch at a pub---McNellys. I wasn't certain what to expect, but it was like a neighborhood pub that I imagine from TV! People were sooo friendly, and the food was delicious!!!! I'm definitely going back and taking hubby. One can dine in jeans and ball caps if desired. It's comfy!

Well, must run---gotta catch up on some magazines I didn't have time for before the holidays. And my pjs are calling!!

Have a great weekend!!!

The First Day of The Year

This first day of the new year, 2009, was spent taking down the Christmas decorations, boxing them & returning them to the barn; then a quick trip to daughter's house to bring Hank home for the night.



We had a family dinner (minus daughter & son-in-law) of roast beef, mashed potatoes, green beans, carrots, broccoli salad, rolls, black eyed peas, banana pudding, pumpkin pie and gooey cookie bars. And would you believe my mom made it all except the peas, rolls & bars??? And she brought it all over to my house so we could feast like the piggies we have become, and play with Hank. Oh, and watch some football!



We had a great time. Ate too much, enjoyed the company of all and was (internally) reminded of what a wonderful life we have. So much of what we take for granted is actually blessings given. Blessings and miracles that we tend to look over and past. The economy may be faltering, prices may be rising, the future may seem uncertain, but if we have the love and support of such a marvelous family, we can perservere through it all. Ups & downs, good & bad, certain & uncertain, joy & pain. God has blessed and I accept His blessings without question and with a grateful heart.



Hope your new year is off to a good start.



I'll try to get off the philosophical soapbox--it just seems this time of year rips the fog off my brain and I understand so much more clearly!



Back to the kitchen on January 12---that should take this emotional state away!! ha ha ha




Good night all---

The Happiest of New Years To You!!!!

To one and all-- I hope your New Year is full of blessing & brightness.






Resolutions? Moi? No way!!! I'm finished with the custom of resolutions. I just end up disappointing myself when they are all left undone! Perhaps each new morning I'll just remind myself of my blessings, and that it's up to me to make the most of those blessings. Each morning offers a new day to be one's best; to make the most of the next few hours; to smile more, complain less, help others, do my finest labor. So I'll just do the "resolution" thing daily.





What are you most proud of looking back over the past 365 days? Hmmmmm--in trying to accomplish less pride in life, it's hard to say. Maybe jumping out and purchasing the kitchen--especially in the economic realm facing us. Maybe how I cleaned up and prepared the job I left for the next person to take the reigns (and may I say she is doing a marvelous job). Maybe of how passionately I loved my family. Pride comes hard for me.






What do you want to accomplish in 2009? PAYING OFF THE NOTE ON THE KITCHEN!!!!! Now that most likely won't happen this year, but I'm sure going to work on it. The sooner it's paid off, the less worry I have and the more time I can give back to ---- me!---- And, I want to spend more time with Hank. It's difficult as he lives an hour away, and his mom works and doesn't want to share him (yeah, yeah, I totally understand that).









I found a greeting card that showed a "retro" lady sleeping; inside it said "I dreamed my house was clean". I think that is great----I have those dreams. Then I wake up and it hasn't happened!!! Where are those darned elfs????









Well, I'm off to put away the multitudes of boxes containing Christmas decor and to cook for a New Year's Eve party I'm catering. And--Hank is coming to spend the night! Whoopee!!! So I'll close for now.







Sweet Dreams & Sweeter Days!