For a week or so after Christmas, we work several jigsaw puzzles as a way to relax and wind down after a hectic holiday season. Usually, we complete about five during that time. This year, though, we've done only two so far, because one of them was a real challenger...a couple of white seal pups on a landscape of snow and ice, with a blue sky above. Seven hundred and fifty pieces of varying shades of white and blue takes some concentration.
Our approach to jigsaw puzzles is to sort the puzzle first, separating out the straight-edge border pieces, and laying the other pieces, face up, in several flat boxes or lids. Then we complete the border.
After that, we each use our own method for puzzle construction. Mother's is to find a space on the border that she thinks will be easiest to find pieces for, and then methodically try pieces until she finds ones that will fit.
My favorite approach is to gather pieces I think will fit together to form an obvious part of the motif...a face, a fence, a barn door, etc. Once a part is complete, I place it within the border in the approximate place it belongs and work around it.
Generally, I'm assigned to complete areas such as the sky, the sand, the pine trees, and so on, because the subtle variations of colors in these places are hard for 85-year-old Mother to distinguish.
When working in a same-color area like blue or black, I use two methods...looking for distinctive shapes and subtle changes in hue, or, like Mother, simply trying every piece of that color in the space until I find the one that fits.
Mother is more patient at working jigsaws than I am. She can happily sit for hours at a stretch, trying piece after puzzle piece in the space she has chosen. I, on the other hand, am a sporatic puzzler. I spend 30 minutes or so at it, until I get stumped and unable to locate pieces, and then I jump up to do other tasks like putting a load of clothes in the washer, or answering e-mail, or programming the DVR. Then I return to the puzzle, eyes rested, and work successfully for another 30 minutes or so.
Sometimes, I get stumped no matter what. All the likely pieces for a puzzle section are before me, but none seem to work. So I scrounge through the boxes trying to find more. When I find that there are no more, I resign myself to using what's in front of me. Oddly, at that point the pieces (which I've thought I've tried a hundred times before) start falling right into place.
Between the two of us...patient, methodical, organized Mother, and semi-organized, sporatic, easily-discouraged me...we manage to complete fairly complicated puzzles in a day or two. Hubbie doesn't join in. He has absolutely no patience for puzzles.
Saturday, December 29, 2007
Friday, December 28, 2007
Easy Cheese Dip, and Italian Cream Cheese Ball
A couple of years ago, we were visiting my sister at holiday time, and sampled a delicious dip made by my niece. I don't know where she got the recipe - maybe the Internet - but she shared it with me. It's a favorite with all the family. Here it is:
EASY CHEESE DIP
1 pkg. ranch dip mix
2 pkg. chive and onion cream cheese
Seasoned pepper blend
Mix dip mix and cream cheese until well blended. Top with pepper blend.
Another favorite of the family is Italian Cream Cheese Ball. There are probably dozens of recipes for this, but the following is one that Mother and I experimented with until we got exactly the flavors we wanted:
ITALIAN CREAM CHEESE BALL
8 oz. cream cheese
1 chopped fresh green onion
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1/2 tsp. dried basil
1/2 tsp. dried parsley
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 cup chopped pecans
Allow cream cheese to soften to room temperature, then mix all ingredients together thoroughly. Form into a ball, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate until ready to use. The cheese ball improves with age.
The dip and cheese ball are good served with varieties of snack crackers or with raw veggies.
EASY CHEESE DIP
1 pkg. ranch dip mix
2 pkg. chive and onion cream cheese
Seasoned pepper blend
Mix dip mix and cream cheese until well blended. Top with pepper blend.
Another favorite of the family is Italian Cream Cheese Ball. There are probably dozens of recipes for this, but the following is one that Mother and I experimented with until we got exactly the flavors we wanted:
ITALIAN CREAM CHEESE BALL
8 oz. cream cheese
1 chopped fresh green onion
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1/2 tsp. dried basil
1/2 tsp. dried parsley
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 cup chopped pecans
Allow cream cheese to soften to room temperature, then mix all ingredients together thoroughly. Form into a ball, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate until ready to use. The cheese ball improves with age.
The dip and cheese ball are good served with varieties of snack crackers or with raw veggies.
Christmas Eve
Christmas Eve is quiet at our house. The parties, plays, parades, potlucks, concerts, and family gatherings are over. Shopping, wrapping, baking, and cooking are done. It's just the three of us, alone, to entertain ourselves.
So as soon as it is dark, we make our annual trek through town to see the Christmas lights and outdoor decorations. Tonight, a brilliant moon loomed large in the eastern sky against a royal blue, velvet sky. Most times, the moon appears as a flat, white dish in a black sky, but this night it appeared three-dimensionally round...suspended...so close, I might reach out and touch it.
It's hard to compete with nature's light shows, but in our small town, three homes, in three different residential areas, stood out for their lighting displays. No inch of roof, house, window, fence, or lawn was untouched by string upon string of lights, lighted nativity scenes, lighted Santas and reindeer, animated wire deer and snowmen (lighted, of course), and huge, lighted, inflatables like snowmen, Santas, and snowglobes featuring animations and snow flurries inside. There were plenty of other lighting displays, too, but none so grand as those three.
Commercial businesses got into the act, as well, particularly one downtown bank that was outlined in colorful lights. Every bush, too, was neatly strung in lights, and a Christmas tree fashioned from lights, with a big star of lights on top, shown forth from the rooftop. A back-lighted wood silhouette of the nativity graced the lawn.
We spent a couple of hours enjoying the displays, while listening to Christmas CDs, before returning home to open gifts...a tradition at our house, because like little children we can't wait until Christmas morning.
So as soon as it is dark, we make our annual trek through town to see the Christmas lights and outdoor decorations. Tonight, a brilliant moon loomed large in the eastern sky against a royal blue, velvet sky. Most times, the moon appears as a flat, white dish in a black sky, but this night it appeared three-dimensionally round...suspended...so close, I might reach out and touch it.
It's hard to compete with nature's light shows, but in our small town, three homes, in three different residential areas, stood out for their lighting displays. No inch of roof, house, window, fence, or lawn was untouched by string upon string of lights, lighted nativity scenes, lighted Santas and reindeer, animated wire deer and snowmen (lighted, of course), and huge, lighted, inflatables like snowmen, Santas, and snowglobes featuring animations and snow flurries inside. There were plenty of other lighting displays, too, but none so grand as those three.
Commercial businesses got into the act, as well, particularly one downtown bank that was outlined in colorful lights. Every bush, too, was neatly strung in lights, and a Christmas tree fashioned from lights, with a big star of lights on top, shown forth from the rooftop. A back-lighted wood silhouette of the nativity graced the lawn.
We spent a couple of hours enjoying the displays, while listening to Christmas CDs, before returning home to open gifts...a tradition at our house, because like little children we can't wait until Christmas morning.
Thursday, December 27, 2007
The Measure of a (Young) Man
In our family, both on Hubbie's and my side, the children anticipate growing to be as tall as my mother....a signal to them (having reached the lofty height of an adult) that they themselves are just shy of adulthood.
This year, an 11-year-old grandson on Hubbie's side of the family found, to his great excitement, that he had reached that height...a soaring four feet, nine inches.
This year, an 11-year-old grandson on Hubbie's side of the family found, to his great excitement, that he had reached that height...a soaring four feet, nine inches.
Family Time, Part Two
Last Sunday was a perfect, sunny, clear-blue December day to travel to another town to celebrate Christmas with the rest of Hubbie's family at his daughter and son-in-law's home near the lake. Some of those who had visited us on Friday were also there.
Daughter decided to serve what she called a non-traditional lunch of pasta varieties that included chicken spaghetti, plain spaghetti with sauce, and pasta Alfredo. My contribution was an 11-bean soup with ham and Rotel to start the meal, and Daughter made a large salad, and toasted butter-and-herb bread to accompany the pastas.
Hubbie's other daughter tried out a new recipe on us, using Brie cheese as a filling for a hot, crusty appetizer. Mother and I really liked it, but most of the others turned their noses up at it... this daughter's son said it tasted like bad wine. Since no one else liked it, we brought it home, and Mother and I enjoyed slices of it for several days.
Besides those foods, a card table was laden with dips, cheese balls, cookies, cakes, and fudge. There were also chocolate and coconut cream pies, a cheesecake, and a big platter of fresh fruit.
There was no excuse for anyone to leave that house hungry!
While the meal was being prepared, some of us worked a jigsaw puzzle...a nutcracker motif...that we had brought along as part of the day's entertainment. Some of the guys entertained themselves with a football game on TV. The little ones played or napped, and got generous helpings of cuddling and kissing from doting grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins.
After lunch, we gathered near the Christmas tree to open gifts. Daughter surprised Mother and me with a large tote of scrapbooking supplies. Hubby got a novel sprinkler for the garden.
Then it was time to gather for the family snapshot. We had to squeeze together to get all 18 of us in the picture. A grandmother cautioned a young grandson to keep a straight and smiling face for the picture or he wouldn't be allowed to open a gift when he got home. This same youngster had made awful faces for the snapshots I'd taken the Friday before. Boys will be boys.
Shortly after that, we gathered our belongings and headed home. The sun had just sunk below the western hills, leaving a red glow that silhouetted the winter-bare trees. And in the eastern sky, a full and dazzling white moon was already well above the horizon against a soft pink sky, bordered below by pale blue...nature providing the perfect end to a perfect day.
Daughter decided to serve what she called a non-traditional lunch of pasta varieties that included chicken spaghetti, plain spaghetti with sauce, and pasta Alfredo. My contribution was an 11-bean soup with ham and Rotel to start the meal, and Daughter made a large salad, and toasted butter-and-herb bread to accompany the pastas.
Hubbie's other daughter tried out a new recipe on us, using Brie cheese as a filling for a hot, crusty appetizer. Mother and I really liked it, but most of the others turned their noses up at it... this daughter's son said it tasted like bad wine. Since no one else liked it, we brought it home, and Mother and I enjoyed slices of it for several days.
Besides those foods, a card table was laden with dips, cheese balls, cookies, cakes, and fudge. There were also chocolate and coconut cream pies, a cheesecake, and a big platter of fresh fruit.
There was no excuse for anyone to leave that house hungry!
While the meal was being prepared, some of us worked a jigsaw puzzle...a nutcracker motif...that we had brought along as part of the day's entertainment. Some of the guys entertained themselves with a football game on TV. The little ones played or napped, and got generous helpings of cuddling and kissing from doting grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins.
After lunch, we gathered near the Christmas tree to open gifts. Daughter surprised Mother and me with a large tote of scrapbooking supplies. Hubby got a novel sprinkler for the garden.
Then it was time to gather for the family snapshot. We had to squeeze together to get all 18 of us in the picture. A grandmother cautioned a young grandson to keep a straight and smiling face for the picture or he wouldn't be allowed to open a gift when he got home. This same youngster had made awful faces for the snapshots I'd taken the Friday before. Boys will be boys.
Shortly after that, we gathered our belongings and headed home. The sun had just sunk below the western hills, leaving a red glow that silhouetted the winter-bare trees. And in the eastern sky, a full and dazzling white moon was already well above the horizon against a soft pink sky, bordered below by pale blue...nature providing the perfect end to a perfect day.
Friday, December 21, 2007
Family Time
Today, ten of Hubbie's family came from other towns to spend the day with us. They traveled in thick fog this morning, so we were anxious until they arrived safe and sound.
We were amused when Hubbie's sister noted right away that all of us ladies were wearing bright red sweaters. Hubby blended right in, too, since he wore a red shirt. We looked very festive for a family snapshot later in the day.
In years past, Hubbie's family visited on the day after Christmas, and our tradition was to serve two kinds of soup...11-bean with Rotel and ham, and potato...along with deli meat and cheese sandwiches. But since the family came before Christmas this year, I thought it would be more fitting to serve a nice lunch of ham, baked sweet potatoes, California mixed veggies, and hot corn, along with biscuits, and use my "best" china on a burgundy tablecloth with white napkins in silver rings.
My "best" china consists of unmatched, but blended pink and blue floral plate and accessory pieces that I've picked up at yard sales and flea markets. The china looks nice, but is not so precious that I fear breakage. The tablecloth is a $4 clearance item from our local chain discount store.
The adults enjoyed the meal...the kids not so much. One adult and one child were looking forward to the soup and sandwich meal, so they were disappointed. I assured them I'd go back to the traditional meal next year. That's the thing about traditions. It's hard to break them and not disappoint some folks.
As soon as lunch was over, the kids begged to open gifts. Our gifts to the four little ones were stained glass coloring books. The pages in these books are clear, with line drawings of birds, flowers, and other things of nature. After they are colored with gel pens, the pages are to be cut out of the book and taped to a window, so the light can shine through them like stained glass. They are very pretty, and the kids enjoyed coloring them. The kids got several gifts from their doting aunts, too.
The ladies were delighted with the unusual wooden snowmen ornaments we gave them (I described these in a previous blog). In return, we received Christmas mugs filled with specialty tea and cocoa mixes, and grooming products from a stepdaughter who sells them for a beauty company. She included a pretty shade of lipstick in my gift bag.
We agreed years ago, that we would exchange only token gifts at Christmas, since the family is now so large. But we do splurge for birthday gifts for our kids...four of whom have December birthdays, and one who has an end-of-November birthday. We have six kids between us, with one having a February birthday.
From those kids, we have 14 grandchildren, and 14 great-grandchildren, with two more great-grandchildren on the way next summer. Thus, only token gifts for Christmas!
It was a good day, in the good company of Hubbie's son, daughter, son-in-law, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, sisters, nephew, and great-niece.
We were amused when Hubbie's sister noted right away that all of us ladies were wearing bright red sweaters. Hubby blended right in, too, since he wore a red shirt. We looked very festive for a family snapshot later in the day.
In years past, Hubbie's family visited on the day after Christmas, and our tradition was to serve two kinds of soup...11-bean with Rotel and ham, and potato...along with deli meat and cheese sandwiches. But since the family came before Christmas this year, I thought it would be more fitting to serve a nice lunch of ham, baked sweet potatoes, California mixed veggies, and hot corn, along with biscuits, and use my "best" china on a burgundy tablecloth with white napkins in silver rings.
My "best" china consists of unmatched, but blended pink and blue floral plate and accessory pieces that I've picked up at yard sales and flea markets. The china looks nice, but is not so precious that I fear breakage. The tablecloth is a $4 clearance item from our local chain discount store.
The adults enjoyed the meal...the kids not so much. One adult and one child were looking forward to the soup and sandwich meal, so they were disappointed. I assured them I'd go back to the traditional meal next year. That's the thing about traditions. It's hard to break them and not disappoint some folks.
As soon as lunch was over, the kids begged to open gifts. Our gifts to the four little ones were stained glass coloring books. The pages in these books are clear, with line drawings of birds, flowers, and other things of nature. After they are colored with gel pens, the pages are to be cut out of the book and taped to a window, so the light can shine through them like stained glass. They are very pretty, and the kids enjoyed coloring them. The kids got several gifts from their doting aunts, too.
The ladies were delighted with the unusual wooden snowmen ornaments we gave them (I described these in a previous blog). In return, we received Christmas mugs filled with specialty tea and cocoa mixes, and grooming products from a stepdaughter who sells them for a beauty company. She included a pretty shade of lipstick in my gift bag.
We agreed years ago, that we would exchange only token gifts at Christmas, since the family is now so large. But we do splurge for birthday gifts for our kids...four of whom have December birthdays, and one who has an end-of-November birthday. We have six kids between us, with one having a February birthday.
From those kids, we have 14 grandchildren, and 14 great-grandchildren, with two more great-grandchildren on the way next summer. Thus, only token gifts for Christmas!
It was a good day, in the good company of Hubbie's son, daughter, son-in-law, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, sisters, nephew, and great-niece.
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Cup of Cheer
This afternoon, Mother and I attended a nice gathering at the home of one of the women I know from water aerobics class, who lives nearby. She invited us all (and the rest of the world, I think) to her "Cup of Cheer" come-and-go Christmas party, co-hosted by her sister. These two ladies know an awful lot of people in our small town, so her home, including the sun porch, was packed to the rafters with women decked out in sparkling and spangled Christmas sweaters, jackets, and jewelry.
We had our choice from several kinds of "cups of cheer," including wassail and Baptist punch (meaning that it was non-alcoholic, of course), plus an array of nibbles. Mother and I were interested in the homemade marshmallow squares on sticks, ready to be dipped in a fountain of flowing hot chocolate. We appreciated that the great-niece of the hosts went to the trouble of making the marshmallows, because, as several of us commented, we would have just bought bags of them. But the homemade ones were a nice touch, arranged in a crockery vase along with fresh strawberries, also on sticks.
The "Cup of Cheer" party was a festive ending to a mild, overcast December day that started with ominous early morning thunderstorms.
We had our choice from several kinds of "cups of cheer," including wassail and Baptist punch (meaning that it was non-alcoholic, of course), plus an array of nibbles. Mother and I were interested in the homemade marshmallow squares on sticks, ready to be dipped in a fountain of flowing hot chocolate. We appreciated that the great-niece of the hosts went to the trouble of making the marshmallows, because, as several of us commented, we would have just bought bags of them. But the homemade ones were a nice touch, arranged in a crockery vase along with fresh strawberries, also on sticks.
The "Cup of Cheer" party was a festive ending to a mild, overcast December day that started with ominous early morning thunderstorms.
Down Time
For the first time since the beginning of December, we had a couple of days with no holiday events on the calendar. So Mother and I spent Tuesday and Wednesday indulging in Christmas classic movies and shows. Since the TV is within viewing range of the kitchen, we also prepared Christmas goodies. Hubby, who isn't interested in seeing these shows for the 100th time, busied himself with outdoor chores.
The two-day movie marathon included the animated features, "A Charlie Brown Christmas," "I Want a Dog for Christmas, Charlie Brown," "How the Grinch Stole Christmas," narrated by Boris Karloff, and "Polar Express." We also watched the movie musical, "Mrs. Santa Claus," starring Angela Lansbury (I love her in anything she does), and "Scrooge," the lively and fun 1970 musical starring Albert Finney. To round out our marathon, we watched the incomparable Mikail Baryshnikov in his classic performance of "The Nutcracker."
We're not done watching Christmas classics, but we need to spend today sprucing the house for guests coming tomorrow...Hubbie's family will be here. So we'll resume our marathon Saturday. Can't let the holiday get away from us without seeing "It's a Wonderful Life," "A Christmas Story," "Miracle on 34th Street," and my all-time favorite, "Scrooge," starring Alastair Sim.
The two-day movie marathon included the animated features, "A Charlie Brown Christmas," "I Want a Dog for Christmas, Charlie Brown," "How the Grinch Stole Christmas," narrated by Boris Karloff, and "Polar Express." We also watched the movie musical, "Mrs. Santa Claus," starring Angela Lansbury (I love her in anything she does), and "Scrooge," the lively and fun 1970 musical starring Albert Finney. To round out our marathon, we watched the incomparable Mikail Baryshnikov in his classic performance of "The Nutcracker."
We're not done watching Christmas classics, but we need to spend today sprucing the house for guests coming tomorrow...Hubbie's family will be here. So we'll resume our marathon Saturday. Can't let the holiday get away from us without seeing "It's a Wonderful Life," "A Christmas Story," "Miracle on 34th Street," and my all-time favorite, "Scrooge," starring Alastair Sim.
Monday, December 17, 2007
Free Meal and a Sales Pitch
We frequently receive invitations in the mail to attend "seminars" that include free meals. The seminars are sales pitches, of course, for various products or services that we're not interested in...we're just interested in the free meals, particularly on days when we don't want to cook. Today was just such a day. The seminar was held at a local restaurant only minutes from our home, so it was convenient.
The speaker was entertaining, even though we were not convinced of the validity of his claims for the product he was marketing. Anyway, at this time of year, we're not willing to plunk down $1,500 or so, even if we think a product is the greatest thing since sliced bread. Two or three people were willing to buy, though, and were filling out paperwork as we got up to leave, appetite satisfied and purse strings tightly knotted.
The speaker was entertaining, even though we were not convinced of the validity of his claims for the product he was marketing. Anyway, at this time of year, we're not willing to plunk down $1,500 or so, even if we think a product is the greatest thing since sliced bread. Two or three people were willing to buy, though, and were filling out paperwork as we got up to leave, appetite satisfied and purse strings tightly knotted.
Sunday, December 16, 2007
Christmas Parties, Concerts, and a Ballet
We crammed a lot into a few days, starting last Thursday with the Master Gardener Christmas party...a potluck lunch and dirty Santa gift exchange. This year, my MG husband came home with another plant to add to the jungle of plants already in our sunroom. Right now, it's sitting on the hot tub lid. I don't know where it's permanent home will be.
The potluck of homemade food was delicious, as usual. We took a hot corn dish (recipe follows):
HOT CORN
1 stick butter or margarine
1 (8 oz.) pkg. cream cheese
2 (12 oz.) cans shoe peg white corn, drained
1 (4 oz.) can chopped green chilies, drained
Salt to taste
Pepper to taste
1 or 2 jalapeno peppers, finely chopped (optional...we don't use them)
Melt butter or margarine in small saucepan over low heat. Add cream cheese mixture with remaining ingredients in 2-quart baking dish. Add jalapeno peppers, if desired. Bake, uncovered, for 35 minutes at 350 degrees.
On Friday, Mother and I went to the water aerobics group Christmas gathering at a local restaurant. In the past, this group did the dirty Santa thing, too, but this year we opted to just exchange Christmas ornaments...we numbered the gifts, and then drew numbers to get a gift. I prefer this to dirty Santa, because it doesn't take as long. Dirty Santa seems to drag out forever, sometimes.
On Friday night, we traveled to another town to attend a Christmas show. The college there sponsored a troupe from Branson, MO, that sang and danced to numbers from the 1920's through the 1960's. It was a really energetic, upbeat show with lots of colorful costumes, and we thoroughly enjoyed it.
Saturday was the graham cracker cookie Christmas house workshop, of course. And then Saturday night, we attended a performance of "The Nutcracker," performed by local dance studios. The show featured two performers from out-of-state colleges, as well. Lots of colorful costumes in this show too...and I love the music from "The Nutcracker."
This afternoon (Sunday), we went to a local college to hear the area's high school jazz and concert bands perform Christmas music. A highlight of the program was a teacher (that we know from community theater) reading "The Night Before Christmas," in a British accent. She did a superb job. We were quite impressed with the jazz and concert bands, who have won numerous awards in regional competitions.
Can't help being of good cheer after all that!
The potluck of homemade food was delicious, as usual. We took a hot corn dish (recipe follows):
HOT CORN
1 stick butter or margarine
1 (8 oz.) pkg. cream cheese
2 (12 oz.) cans shoe peg white corn, drained
1 (4 oz.) can chopped green chilies, drained
Salt to taste
Pepper to taste
1 or 2 jalapeno peppers, finely chopped (optional...we don't use them)
Melt butter or margarine in small saucepan over low heat. Add cream cheese mixture with remaining ingredients in 2-quart baking dish. Add jalapeno peppers, if desired. Bake, uncovered, for 35 minutes at 350 degrees.
On Friday, Mother and I went to the water aerobics group Christmas gathering at a local restaurant. In the past, this group did the dirty Santa thing, too, but this year we opted to just exchange Christmas ornaments...we numbered the gifts, and then drew numbers to get a gift. I prefer this to dirty Santa, because it doesn't take as long. Dirty Santa seems to drag out forever, sometimes.
On Friday night, we traveled to another town to attend a Christmas show. The college there sponsored a troupe from Branson, MO, that sang and danced to numbers from the 1920's through the 1960's. It was a really energetic, upbeat show with lots of colorful costumes, and we thoroughly enjoyed it.
Saturday was the graham cracker cookie Christmas house workshop, of course. And then Saturday night, we attended a performance of "The Nutcracker," performed by local dance studios. The show featured two performers from out-of-state colleges, as well. Lots of colorful costumes in this show too...and I love the music from "The Nutcracker."
This afternoon (Sunday), we went to a local college to hear the area's high school jazz and concert bands perform Christmas music. A highlight of the program was a teacher (that we know from community theater) reading "The Night Before Christmas," in a British accent. She did a superb job. We were quite impressed with the jazz and concert bands, who have won numerous awards in regional competitions.
Can't help being of good cheer after all that!
Happy Hearts and Happy Feet
There's nothing like a visit from little ones to gladden the heart at Christmas time. As I mentioned in my previous blog, my daughter brought three of my great-grandchildren up from another town to visit for the day and go to a graham cracker cookie Christmas house workshop.
After the workshop, we came back home for steaming bowls of homemade chicken noodle soup and deli turkey sandwiches. Then the kids opened little gifts from us...these were just token gifts, so they'd have something to entertain them while they were here. One of the gifts we gave the six-year-old great-granddaughter was a paper doll book that just fascinated and absorbed her. The other two kids got puzzles and games that kept them busy and amused. Sometimes, I think the best gifts are the old-fashioned ones.
Later, we went downtown to visit "Ho-Ho," as my three year old great-granddaughter calls Santa Claus. Mrs. Claus was with Santa, and all three kids seemed to be charmed by her. But my six-year-old kindergartner great-granddaughter asked if that was really Mrs. Claus. I gave some lame answer, knowing that what she was really getting at was...if that wasn't really Mrs. Claus, then Santa probably wasn't really Santa (because the buzz at school is that Santa Claus isn't real, anyway).
Once the kids had given Santa their wish list, we were ready to leave and go shopping at a wholesale store. My daughter picked up several inexpensive activity books for the kids, including "Happy Feet" books (about the penguin that dances in the popular animated movie). The books feature clickers, attached to bands, that are designed to be worn on shoes or bare feet. The kids couldn't wait to try them. For the rest of the time they spent at our house, three pairs of happy feet went click-clacking through the rooms, and up and down stairs.
It was a fun day, perfect for re-living in memories.
After the workshop, we came back home for steaming bowls of homemade chicken noodle soup and deli turkey sandwiches. Then the kids opened little gifts from us...these were just token gifts, so they'd have something to entertain them while they were here. One of the gifts we gave the six-year-old great-granddaughter was a paper doll book that just fascinated and absorbed her. The other two kids got puzzles and games that kept them busy and amused. Sometimes, I think the best gifts are the old-fashioned ones.
Later, we went downtown to visit "Ho-Ho," as my three year old great-granddaughter calls Santa Claus. Mrs. Claus was with Santa, and all three kids seemed to be charmed by her. But my six-year-old kindergartner great-granddaughter asked if that was really Mrs. Claus. I gave some lame answer, knowing that what she was really getting at was...if that wasn't really Mrs. Claus, then Santa probably wasn't really Santa (because the buzz at school is that Santa Claus isn't real, anyway).
Once the kids had given Santa their wish list, we were ready to leave and go shopping at a wholesale store. My daughter picked up several inexpensive activity books for the kids, including "Happy Feet" books (about the penguin that dances in the popular animated movie). The books feature clickers, attached to bands, that are designed to be worn on shoes or bare feet. The kids couldn't wait to try them. For the rest of the time they spent at our house, three pairs of happy feet went click-clacking through the rooms, and up and down stairs.
It was a fun day, perfect for re-living in memories.
Saturday, December 15, 2007
Graham Cracker Cookie Christmas Houses
Today, my daughter traveled to our town to bring three of my great-grandchildren, so they could attend a graham cracker cookie Christmas house workshop that I, with the help of my husband and mother, conducted at our local art gallery. Twelve kids, ranging in age from three years old (my great-granddaughter) to about 12 years old, participated in the workshop. Pictured above are samples of the kids' creativity. The house decorated by the child with the Rudolph shirt is my great-granddaughter's handiwork. The other two (much neater) houses were done by older children.
This is a fun and easy way for children of all ages to create "gingerbread houses." Here's what's needed:
Supplies:
1/2 pint, empty and washed, milk carton (like those used in school lunchrooms)
A square of cardboard to use as a work surface (wrap foil around it and tape foil to back of board)
Wax paper, to spoon icing onto
Small containers to hold candies and such
Plastic knife for spreading icing
Inexpensive white icing - we used Wal Mart's Great Value. Don't use whipped icing, because it's slippery
Stick pretzels
Red hots
M&Ms
Candy canes
Peppermints
Marshmallows (we used tiny ones, but large ones can be used as chimneys, snowmen, etc.)
Shredded coconut
Any other decorative food stuff - gumdrops are good (green ones make nice trees or shrubs)
Instructions:
1. Staple milk cartons closed at top. Spread icing on bottom of carton and place carton on foil cardboard. This stabilizes the milk carton so it's easier to work with.
2. Carefully break graham crackers in half at scoring line - you will get two squares per cookie sheet. It takes four squares to make the walls of the house, and two squares to form the roof. Using a serrated knife, cut one cookie in half diagonally to form triangles to be mounted onto the upper ends of the milk carton.
3. Use a generous amount of icing to coat one cookie. Stick the cookie to one side of the milk carton, with scored cookie lines going in a vertical direction. Do the same with the other three cookies, until you have four walls on the milk carton.
4. Generously ice the triangles, and place them flush atop the walls on the ends of the milk cartons with the indented spaces. These triangles will help hold up the roof.
5. Generously ice two cookie squares and place them on top of the milk carton to form a roof.
6. If there is time, you can let the icing dry for a while before proceeding. But if the icing is stiff enough, you shouldn't have a lot of trouble with the next step, which is to ice the entire house, making sure to fill in spaces where walls and roof meet.
7. Once the house is iced, the sky's the limit in decorating with candies, coconut, pretzels, etc.
8. HAVE FUN!!
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Twelve Days of Christmas
Several years ago, my mother became ill during the two weeks just before Christmas. She desperately wanted to go to all the holiday events, but just wasn't up to it. One day, to cheer her, I stopped by a local dollar store and bought a grab bag. The bag jingled, but I had no idea what was in it. When Mother opened it, she found a pair of jingly reindeer horns on a head band. She promptly plunked them on her head, and we had a good laugh.
That inspired me to go search for other small items to give to her...one for each day until Christmas Eve. None of the items were expensive, but Mother looked forward every day to seeing what I came up with.
Thus began our Twelve Days of Christmas tradition. Yesterday was the first day for this year's season, when the gift was a loaf of homemade lemon bread, accompanied by a homemade Christmas card. Other examples of gifts I have on hand for her are her favorite hand cream, a CD of her favorite music artist, garden decorations, scrapbooking supplies, and crytogram and crossword puzzle books. The most unusual gift, though, is a Serta Counting Sheep that I got at a silent auction. Mother is captivated by this little character, so she'll be delighted when she sees it.
That inspired me to go search for other small items to give to her...one for each day until Christmas Eve. None of the items were expensive, but Mother looked forward every day to seeing what I came up with.
Thus began our Twelve Days of Christmas tradition. Yesterday was the first day for this year's season, when the gift was a loaf of homemade lemon bread, accompanied by a homemade Christmas card. Other examples of gifts I have on hand for her are her favorite hand cream, a CD of her favorite music artist, garden decorations, scrapbooking supplies, and crytogram and crossword puzzle books. The most unusual gift, though, is a Serta Counting Sheep that I got at a silent auction. Mother is captivated by this little character, so she'll be delighted when she sees it.
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Fruited Popcorn
For years, I've been making one of my husband's favorite Christmas treats...fruited popcorn. I do several batches each year to use as gifts for those extra folks on my Christmas list, like my hairdresser, or the neighbors, or an unexpected guest that drops in. My stepdaughter gets a batch, too, since she loves it as much as her father. I have no idea where I got the recipe, but here it is:
FRUITED POPCORN
7 cups popped popcorn (I use an air popper for this)
1 cup broken pecans
3/4 cup candied red cherries, cut up
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
6 tablespoons butter or margarine (I use butter)
3 tablespoons light corn syrup
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon vanilla
Remove all unpopped kernels from popcorn. In a 17x12x2 inch baking pan combine popcorn, pecans, and cherries. In a 1-quart saucepan combine brown sugar, butter or margarine, and corn syrup. Cook and stir over medium heat till the butter melts and mixture comes to a boil. Cook over low heat for 5 minutes more. Remove from heat. Stir in baking soda and vanilla. Pour mixture over popcorn, and gently stir to coat popcorn mixture. Bake in 300-degree oven for 15 minutes. Stir and bake 5 minutes more. Remove mixture to a large bowl. Cool. Makes 8 cups.
Note: Since it's difficult to mix the coating into the popcorn in the baking pan, we put the popcorn, cherries and pecans in a large mixing bowl, add the cooked mixture, and stir to coat thoroughly, then transfer the popcorn to the baking pan.
FRUITED POPCORN
7 cups popped popcorn (I use an air popper for this)
1 cup broken pecans
3/4 cup candied red cherries, cut up
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
6 tablespoons butter or margarine (I use butter)
3 tablespoons light corn syrup
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon vanilla
Remove all unpopped kernels from popcorn. In a 17x12x2 inch baking pan combine popcorn, pecans, and cherries. In a 1-quart saucepan combine brown sugar, butter or margarine, and corn syrup. Cook and stir over medium heat till the butter melts and mixture comes to a boil. Cook over low heat for 5 minutes more. Remove from heat. Stir in baking soda and vanilla. Pour mixture over popcorn, and gently stir to coat popcorn mixture. Bake in 300-degree oven for 15 minutes. Stir and bake 5 minutes more. Remove mixture to a large bowl. Cool. Makes 8 cups.
Note: Since it's difficult to mix the coating into the popcorn in the baking pan, we put the popcorn, cherries and pecans in a large mixing bowl, add the cooked mixture, and stir to coat thoroughly, then transfer the popcorn to the baking pan.
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Christmas Craft Fair and a Road Trip
Saturday was a good day. We started it by attending a Christmas craft fair in the morning. The thing we like best about this craft fair is that the facility that hosts it makes large, luscious cinnamon buns that are light and fluffy without being too sweet. One of the buns is big enough to serve two people. We bought a half a dozen to bring home and enjoy over several days.
The handmade crafts are great, too...there are gourd crafts, leather crafts, carved wood crafts, Christmas ornaments made from recycled quilts, handmade jewelry, and lot of other things. But the craft that drew my attention this year was the snowmen Christmas tree ornaments made from thin slices of wood, painted and detailed, and sporting bright ribbon bows. I bought several to give as token gifts to the women in our family who will be visiting during the next couple of weekends. Besides the Christmas tree ornaments, the young woman crafter makes tabletop snowmen, and big wood-slice snowmen that stand about two feet tall. All are reasonably priced, and were selling like umbrellas on a rainy day.
Late Saturday afternoon, we made a road trip to another town that has wonderful Christmas light displays, and an outstanding drive-through living nativity. The church that sponsors the living nativity has built the town of Bethlehem, and dozens of church members in costumes roam the streets of the city.
There are lots of animals in the city, too, including horses, donkeys, sheep, and goats, but what amazed us most is that the church had somehow acquired two camels for the display. The city is very busy with Roman soldiers riding on horseback, people plying their wares, weaving baskets, or leading their camels around, etc.
An angel, white robes glowing in bright light, seems to hover over the shepherds. The Three Wise Men are resting around a fire, on their way to visit the Christ Child. A camel is staked nearby. Mary and Joseph are shown in two places...being told there is no room at the inn, and then in the stable.
King Herod, seated in grand style on the portico of his temple, is represented, too.
The living nativity event is offered over the course of two weekends, for three hours each night, and it draws a constant stream of vehicles. It was well worth the time we spent creeping along in line, though, to see this excellent display.
The handmade crafts are great, too...there are gourd crafts, leather crafts, carved wood crafts, Christmas ornaments made from recycled quilts, handmade jewelry, and lot of other things. But the craft that drew my attention this year was the snowmen Christmas tree ornaments made from thin slices of wood, painted and detailed, and sporting bright ribbon bows. I bought several to give as token gifts to the women in our family who will be visiting during the next couple of weekends. Besides the Christmas tree ornaments, the young woman crafter makes tabletop snowmen, and big wood-slice snowmen that stand about two feet tall. All are reasonably priced, and were selling like umbrellas on a rainy day.
Late Saturday afternoon, we made a road trip to another town that has wonderful Christmas light displays, and an outstanding drive-through living nativity. The church that sponsors the living nativity has built the town of Bethlehem, and dozens of church members in costumes roam the streets of the city.
There are lots of animals in the city, too, including horses, donkeys, sheep, and goats, but what amazed us most is that the church had somehow acquired two camels for the display. The city is very busy with Roman soldiers riding on horseback, people plying their wares, weaving baskets, or leading their camels around, etc.
An angel, white robes glowing in bright light, seems to hover over the shepherds. The Three Wise Men are resting around a fire, on their way to visit the Christ Child. A camel is staked nearby. Mary and Joseph are shown in two places...being told there is no room at the inn, and then in the stable.
King Herod, seated in grand style on the portico of his temple, is represented, too.
The living nativity event is offered over the course of two weekends, for three hours each night, and it draws a constant stream of vehicles. It was well worth the time we spent creeping along in line, though, to see this excellent display.
Monday, December 10, 2007
Dinner at the Lodge
Last Friday night we attended a Christmas party hosted by a local home medical service. I've served on the board of the service for about 15 years, and my husband and I look forward each year to this employee get-together.
The party is held at the local lodge, a very popular place for all sorts of events that are booked months, even years, in advance. It's owned by a down-home sort of lady, who has collected antiques for many years, and enjoys displaying them at the lodge, and selling them in her antique shop downtown.
The facility has several bedrooms, all featuring rugged bedsteads, constructed of huge, treated logs, and covered in handmade quilts. The rooms are decorated with such things as fishing nets, cowboy boots, overalls, mounted animals, galvanized bath tubs, and deer antlers. In fact, every corner, dresser top, table, bathroom vanity, mantel, and wall are used as display areas.
At this time of year, the lodge is trimmed in outdoorsy Christmas decorations. Pine cones, cranberry strands, bird's nests, and the like adorn Christmas trees, along with camouflage caps and western hats as tree toppers. The dining tables, set in festive holiday ware, feature centerpieces created from whatever is at hand.
The dinner was buffet-style and, as usual, included a salad (a yummy mix of lettuces, mandarin oranges, dried cranberries, and toasted walnuts, with a sweet dressing), two meats, two vegetables, herb-flavored mashed potatoes, and big, homemade yeast rolls, plus a choice of two desserts. Diet is a four-letter word at this affair.
This year, the event included a little game. Each table had gift on it...wrapped or in a gift bag. Someone started music playing, and guests at the tables passed the gift around. When the music stopped, the one holding the gift was eliminated, and the game proceeded until only one remained not holding the gift. That person was the winner.
Both my husband and I were eliminated quickly, which meant that we could sit back and laugh at the others, particularly when the game got down to two people, who vigorously threw the gift at each other in an attempt not to be holding it when the music stopped.
The event also included a Christmas ornament exchange, and bingo, played for prizes. The start of those activities was our cue to head home, well-fed and in high Christmas spirits.
The party is held at the local lodge, a very popular place for all sorts of events that are booked months, even years, in advance. It's owned by a down-home sort of lady, who has collected antiques for many years, and enjoys displaying them at the lodge, and selling them in her antique shop downtown.
The facility has several bedrooms, all featuring rugged bedsteads, constructed of huge, treated logs, and covered in handmade quilts. The rooms are decorated with such things as fishing nets, cowboy boots, overalls, mounted animals, galvanized bath tubs, and deer antlers. In fact, every corner, dresser top, table, bathroom vanity, mantel, and wall are used as display areas.
At this time of year, the lodge is trimmed in outdoorsy Christmas decorations. Pine cones, cranberry strands, bird's nests, and the like adorn Christmas trees, along with camouflage caps and western hats as tree toppers. The dining tables, set in festive holiday ware, feature centerpieces created from whatever is at hand.
The dinner was buffet-style and, as usual, included a salad (a yummy mix of lettuces, mandarin oranges, dried cranberries, and toasted walnuts, with a sweet dressing), two meats, two vegetables, herb-flavored mashed potatoes, and big, homemade yeast rolls, plus a choice of two desserts. Diet is a four-letter word at this affair.
This year, the event included a little game. Each table had gift on it...wrapped or in a gift bag. Someone started music playing, and guests at the tables passed the gift around. When the music stopped, the one holding the gift was eliminated, and the game proceeded until only one remained not holding the gift. That person was the winner.
Both my husband and I were eliminated quickly, which meant that we could sit back and laugh at the others, particularly when the game got down to two people, who vigorously threw the gift at each other in an attempt not to be holding it when the music stopped.
The event also included a Christmas ornament exchange, and bingo, played for prizes. The start of those activities was our cue to head home, well-fed and in high Christmas spirits.
Friday, December 7, 2007
The Card's From Who?
The first of the Christmas cards arrived today. Got one from someone named Louis Branch.
"Who's Louis Branch?" Mother asked.
"Don't know," I said. Maybe one of Hubbies many relatives?
"Louis Branch?" Hubby asked. "Let me see that card."
Glancing at it, he said, "Put your glasses on! This is from the St. Louis Branch of our bank!"
Oh.
"Who's Louis Branch?" Mother asked.
"Don't know," I said. Maybe one of Hubbies many relatives?
"Louis Branch?" Hubby asked. "Let me see that card."
Glancing at it, he said, "Put your glasses on! This is from the St. Louis Branch of our bank!"
Oh.
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
Christmas Parade
We missed the Christmas Parade this year, because we were out of town that day. But our local programming channel videotaped it and aired it last Monday night. Since we were scheduled to go to a concert that evening, I recorded it on the DVR, and we watched it when we got back home.
It was a typical small-town parade, featuring a caravan of fire engines, ambulances, and tow trucks, along with convertible after convertible of beauty queens, antique cars, and horses and riders, as well as several nice floats, the Shriners on motor vehicles, and high school bands, including one led by a pep squad in flirty Santa costumes doing a Rockettes-type routine.
But in the midst of it all came something that surprised us, and that we've never seen in a parade before...a truck and trailer hauling portable toilets! Hm-m-m. I'm still trying to relate those to the spirit of Christmas. An outdoor potty for that hard-to-shop-for-person on your Christmas list, maybe?
It was a typical small-town parade, featuring a caravan of fire engines, ambulances, and tow trucks, along with convertible after convertible of beauty queens, antique cars, and horses and riders, as well as several nice floats, the Shriners on motor vehicles, and high school bands, including one led by a pep squad in flirty Santa costumes doing a Rockettes-type routine.
But in the midst of it all came something that surprised us, and that we've never seen in a parade before...a truck and trailer hauling portable toilets! Hm-m-m. I'm still trying to relate those to the spirit of Christmas. An outdoor potty for that hard-to-shop-for-person on your Christmas list, maybe?
College Chorale Concert
A local college chorale presented their Christmas concert last night, and of course we were there, along with a loyal contingent of other senior citizens. One of the special things about small town events is that you can look around the audience and spot lots of folks you know and can visit with before the performance begins.
Each year, the concert chorale attempts difficult music, and last night was no exception as they attempted Bach's very challenging "Magnificat, BWV 243."
Preceded by a reading: The Canticle of Mary, Luke 1:46-55, the music is divided into twelve parts and lasts about 30 minutes.
It is, of course, sung in Latin, but the translations are:
I. My soul magnifies the Lord.
II. And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.
III. For He has regarded the low estate of His handmaiden:
IV. For behold, henceforth all generations shall call Me blessed.
V. For He who is mighty has done great things to me;
and Holy is His name.
VI. And His mercy is on them who fear Him, From generation to generation;
VII. He has shown great strength with His arm;
He has scattered the proud,
Even the arrogant of heart.
VIII. He has deposed the mighty from their seats,
And exalted the humble.
IX. The hungry He has filled with good things,
And the rich He has sent empty away.
X. He has helped his servant Israel,
In remembrance of His mercy.
XI. As it was spoken to our fathers,
To Abraham and his offspring forever.
XII. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be
World with out end, Amen.
For more information about the "Magnificat," go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/magnificat.
A couple of other offerings of the chorale were "Hanukkah Wish," and "Owari," a Japanese Haiku that translates as "All's well that ends well!"
The homily address, given by the college's woman chaplain, reminded us that for all the stress we (women especially) put ourselves through during this season, and our pledge to not go overboard next year, we should remember that we are blessed not to have to, in the last stages of pregnancy, travel by donkey 70 or 80 miles over rough terrain, in harsh weather, minus personal hygiene amenities, to be registered in a census and be taxed, and then give birth to a child in a stable.
Point well taken.
Each year, the concert chorale attempts difficult music, and last night was no exception as they attempted Bach's very challenging "Magnificat, BWV 243."
Preceded by a reading: The Canticle of Mary, Luke 1:46-55, the music is divided into twelve parts and lasts about 30 minutes.
It is, of course, sung in Latin, but the translations are:
I. My soul magnifies the Lord.
II. And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.
III. For He has regarded the low estate of His handmaiden:
IV. For behold, henceforth all generations shall call Me blessed.
V. For He who is mighty has done great things to me;
and Holy is His name.
VI. And His mercy is on them who fear Him, From generation to generation;
VII. He has shown great strength with His arm;
He has scattered the proud,
Even the arrogant of heart.
VIII. He has deposed the mighty from their seats,
And exalted the humble.
IX. The hungry He has filled with good things,
And the rich He has sent empty away.
X. He has helped his servant Israel,
In remembrance of His mercy.
XI. As it was spoken to our fathers,
To Abraham and his offspring forever.
XII. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be
World with out end, Amen.
For more information about the "Magnificat," go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/magnificat.
A couple of other offerings of the chorale were "Hanukkah Wish," and "Owari," a Japanese Haiku that translates as "All's well that ends well!"
The homily address, given by the college's woman chaplain, reminded us that for all the stress we (women especially) put ourselves through during this season, and our pledge to not go overboard next year, we should remember that we are blessed not to have to, in the last stages of pregnancy, travel by donkey 70 or 80 miles over rough terrain, in harsh weather, minus personal hygiene amenities, to be registered in a census and be taxed, and then give birth to a child in a stable.
Point well taken.
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
A Hearty Stew and a Concert
In August, a local college formed a band for the first time in many years. Last night, they presented a concert that was well-attended. The program was short, only about 45 minutes long, and, along with tunes for the season like "White Christmas," it included a John Philip Sousa march, and the spiritual, "Amazing Grace." We thought the band did a great job, considering that they have only practiced together one day a week for about three months.
Since yesterday was a bit nippy, I decided to make a pot of warming beef stew to enjoy for supper before we went out into the cold to attend the concert. I figure there are as many beef stew recipes as there are people making them, but here's mine:
BEEF STEW
1/2 to 1 lb. beef stew meat
2 quarts of water
1 envelope Golden Onion Soup Mix
2 beef bouillon cubes
2 large onions, chunked or quartered
4 large carrots, cut into chunks,
or equivalent in baby carrots
2 celery ribs, cut into chunks
5 banana peppers, chopped
1/2 tsp. chopped garlic (bought in a jar)
Seasoning salt to taste (my recipe is in another of my blogs)
Pepper to taste
4 large potatoes, quartered
1/2 cup macaroni (opti0nal)
Kitchen Bouquet
Roll stew beef in flour and brown in canola oil on medium high heat (I use a Dutch oven for this). Add 2 quarts water, soup mix, garlic, celery, carrots, onions, and banana peppers. Bring to boil, reduce heat, cover pan, and simmer until beef is well done and vegetables are tender, about one hour. Bring stew to full boil and add potatoes and macaroni. Cook about 30 minutes, until potatoes and macaroni are tender. Add just enough Kitchen Bouquet to make the broth a golden brown. If the broth is not thick enough, blend about two tablespoons of corn starch with a little water and add to boiling broth, stirring vigorously to avoid lumps. This recipe makes about 10 one-cup servings.
Since yesterday was a bit nippy, I decided to make a pot of warming beef stew to enjoy for supper before we went out into the cold to attend the concert. I figure there are as many beef stew recipes as there are people making them, but here's mine:
BEEF STEW
1/2 to 1 lb. beef stew meat
2 quarts of water
1 envelope Golden Onion Soup Mix
2 beef bouillon cubes
2 large onions, chunked or quartered
4 large carrots, cut into chunks,
or equivalent in baby carrots
2 celery ribs, cut into chunks
5 banana peppers, chopped
1/2 tsp. chopped garlic (bought in a jar)
Seasoning salt to taste (my recipe is in another of my blogs)
Pepper to taste
4 large potatoes, quartered
1/2 cup macaroni (opti0nal)
Kitchen Bouquet
Roll stew beef in flour and brown in canola oil on medium high heat (I use a Dutch oven for this). Add 2 quarts water, soup mix, garlic, celery, carrots, onions, and banana peppers. Bring to boil, reduce heat, cover pan, and simmer until beef is well done and vegetables are tender, about one hour. Bring stew to full boil and add potatoes and macaroni. Cook about 30 minutes, until potatoes and macaroni are tender. Add just enough Kitchen Bouquet to make the broth a golden brown. If the broth is not thick enough, blend about two tablespoons of corn starch with a little water and add to boiling broth, stirring vigorously to avoid lumps. This recipe makes about 10 one-cup servings.
Monday, December 3, 2007
Festival of Lessons and Carols
Yesterday afternoon, we attended the Festival of Lessons and Carols, a worship service sponsored by the music department of one of our local colleges. The program was held in a little church that features a beautiful Dutch pipe organ. Folks from various denominations and walks of life participated, including a community flute choir, a guitarist, and solo singers.
The traditional English format for the service featured nine Christmas carols interspersed with nine readings from the Bible. This year's readings were: Genesis 3: 8-15; Genesis 22: 15-18; Isaiah 9: 2-7; Isaiah 11: 1-9; Luke 1: 26-38; Matthew 1: 18-23; Luke 2: 8-16; Matthew 2: 1-11, and John 1: 1-14.
The carols included "Once in Royal David's City," "O Come, O Come, Emmanual," "What Child is This?", "In The Bleak Midwinter," We Three Kings of Orient Are," and "Joy to the World," among others.
For more information about the Festival of Lessons and Carols tradition, go to http://americanpublicmedia.publicradio.org/programs/festival.
The traditional English format for the service featured nine Christmas carols interspersed with nine readings from the Bible. This year's readings were: Genesis 3: 8-15; Genesis 22: 15-18; Isaiah 9: 2-7; Isaiah 11: 1-9; Luke 1: 26-38; Matthew 1: 18-23; Luke 2: 8-16; Matthew 2: 1-11, and John 1: 1-14.
The carols included "Once in Royal David's City," "O Come, O Come, Emmanual," "What Child is This?", "In The Bleak Midwinter," We Three Kings of Orient Are," and "Joy to the World," among others.
For more information about the Festival of Lessons and Carols tradition, go to http://americanpublicmedia.publicradio.org/programs/festival.
Saturday, December 1, 2007
A Cavern of Carolers
Yesterday was a beautiful, sunny day, perfect for a road trip to the north part of our state for an afternoon Christmas caroling performance. The event, in its sixth year, is unique because it takes place in a cavern. The harmonizing voices of the six carolers, four women and two men, resonate throughout the chamber in a way that no sound system could duplicate. Neither could a set designer duplicate the wonderous backdrop of the strategically lighted stalactites, stalagmites, columns, flowstones, and other fantastic formations of the 58-degrees cool cavern.
The hour-long program flew by, and we would have loved to hear more, but we knew the singers needed to rest their voices for a second performance last evening. This is a very popular event, and seating is limited for each of several performances over two weekends in December. In fact, it's so popular, that I purchased advance tickets last summer.
In the past, we could only get tickets for evening performances of this Christmas event. Yesterday, though, our tickets were for 2:30 p.m. Since we traveled in daylight, I noticed, for the first time, the area's street names, and was amazed at how many reminded me of Christmas: Ivy Loop, Mt. Joy Road, Evergreen Road, Pine Tree Road, Twinkle Circle, Church Street, Holiday Mountain Road, Lemon Road (reminded me of "Troubles melt like lemon drops, Away above the chimney tops," from "Somewhere Over the Rainbow"), and Clarence Street (reminded me of Clarence the angel who earned his wings in "It's a Wonderful Life.")
The hour-long program flew by, and we would have loved to hear more, but we knew the singers needed to rest their voices for a second performance last evening. This is a very popular event, and seating is limited for each of several performances over two weekends in December. In fact, it's so popular, that I purchased advance tickets last summer.
In the past, we could only get tickets for evening performances of this Christmas event. Yesterday, though, our tickets were for 2:30 p.m. Since we traveled in daylight, I noticed, for the first time, the area's street names, and was amazed at how many reminded me of Christmas: Ivy Loop, Mt. Joy Road, Evergreen Road, Pine Tree Road, Twinkle Circle, Church Street, Holiday Mountain Road, Lemon Road (reminded me of "Troubles melt like lemon drops, Away above the chimney tops," from "Somewhere Over the Rainbow"), and Clarence Street (reminded me of Clarence the angel who earned his wings in "It's a Wonderful Life.")
3:10 to Yuma movie
Last night, my husband and I decided to go see "3:10 to Yuma," an R-rated western starring Russell Crowe. The movie was shown at our partially renovated historic theater downtown. What this theater lacks in amenities, it makes up for with $2.00 per person ticket prices. Most of the films shown here are family oriented, but this is definitely not one of them.
The movie centers on a beleagured, war-injured, rancher who finds himself escorting captured bad guy Ben Wade (Crowe) to meet a train to Yuma prison, where he is to be hanged for too-many-to-count robberies and murders.
The movie's "R" rating is mainly for graphic violence, although there is also sporatic language in it, and one scene with partial nudity. This is a guy movie...not much romance. A couple of women have minor speaking roles - one is the sweet and docile wife of the rancher, the other is a shady lady saloon girl. But mostly the movie focuses on Indian ambushes, and gang violence.
The movie centers on a beleagured, war-injured, rancher who finds himself escorting captured bad guy Ben Wade (Crowe) to meet a train to Yuma prison, where he is to be hanged for too-many-to-count robberies and murders.
The movie's "R" rating is mainly for graphic violence, although there is also sporatic language in it, and one scene with partial nudity. This is a guy movie...not much romance. A couple of women have minor speaking roles - one is the sweet and docile wife of the rancher, the other is a shady lady saloon girl. But mostly the movie focuses on Indian ambushes, and gang violence.
Thursday, November 29, 2007
Community Theatre
Last night was opening night for a comedy/drama presented by our local community theatre. The cast did a good job, despite opening night jitters that caused a few dropped lines. These momentary lapses no doubt made for high anxiety onstage until the actors recovered. I can relate, since years ago I tread (treaded? trod?) the boards myself a few times.
My husband and I have been involved in our local community theatre for about 25 years. Initially, we joined the group as a means of introducing ourselves to the community. But we soon became very active, both onstage and backstage. We took turns serving on the board of directors, as well. As a board member, I served as secretary for a couple of two-year terms, and then as publicity chairman for several years.
But as the years rolled on, we became less and less active. Neither of us has a desire anymore to give up six weeks to rehearsals, and we're not physically up to the heavy lifting that is sometimes required in set building. Minute-taking and publicity duties are in the capable and younger hands of others now.
I still serve on the board (at their insistence), but other than helping round out a quorum for voting by attending meetings regularly, and offering my ideas on projects, my main function is to round up ushers for productions. My husband and I fulfilled that duty for last night's performance. And I've lined up others for the remaining performances. So my job, paltry as it is, is done until the next production.
My husband and I have been involved in our local community theatre for about 25 years. Initially, we joined the group as a means of introducing ourselves to the community. But we soon became very active, both onstage and backstage. We took turns serving on the board of directors, as well. As a board member, I served as secretary for a couple of two-year terms, and then as publicity chairman for several years.
But as the years rolled on, we became less and less active. Neither of us has a desire anymore to give up six weeks to rehearsals, and we're not physically up to the heavy lifting that is sometimes required in set building. Minute-taking and publicity duties are in the capable and younger hands of others now.
I still serve on the board (at their insistence), but other than helping round out a quorum for voting by attending meetings regularly, and offering my ideas on projects, my main function is to round up ushers for productions. My husband and I fulfilled that duty for last night's performance. And I've lined up others for the remaining performances. So my job, paltry as it is, is done until the next production.
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Woe is Me
Well, aggravation! When I flipped on the light switch in my office Saturday evening, nothing happened. Even with the glare from the computer screen, it's mighty dark in here without the overhead fluorescent light.
My husband did what he could to try to fix the light, but it soon became apparent that we needed an electrician. So he called one on Monday morning....he'd be here Tuesday afternoon, we were assured. Tuesday afternoon came and went with no electrician. Aggravation! He finally arrived this morning, about 11 a.m. It took him just minutes to fix the problem by replacing the ballast. He said he's been replacing a lot of these lately.
On Saturday, too, Mother, who lives next door, told us her plumbing wasn't working and water was backing up in the potty and elsewhere. Aggravation! A plumber was scheduled for yesterday afternoon and, thank goodness, he came as scheduled and fixed the tree-roots-clogging-a-pipe problem.
Still, I was frowny-faced over all this aggravation.
Then my husband got a call from his daughter this morning, saying that she had messed up her new month-old vehicle when she rear-ended another vehicle as she was turning into a shopping center. Her vehicle will require quite a bit of work but, gratefully, she wasn't hurt.
Also this morning, I got an e-mail from my daughter-in-law telling me that our three-year-old great-granddaughter has a viral infection with a temperature high enough to cause her to have a seizure that scared the wits out of everybody. Oh, and our new great-grandson has an ear infection, she said.
Sadly, too, we learned this afternoon that a friend died today. He and his wife just celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary recently.
Light fixture and plumbing problems? Just blessings in disguise.
My husband did what he could to try to fix the light, but it soon became apparent that we needed an electrician. So he called one on Monday morning....he'd be here Tuesday afternoon, we were assured. Tuesday afternoon came and went with no electrician. Aggravation! He finally arrived this morning, about 11 a.m. It took him just minutes to fix the problem by replacing the ballast. He said he's been replacing a lot of these lately.
On Saturday, too, Mother, who lives next door, told us her plumbing wasn't working and water was backing up in the potty and elsewhere. Aggravation! A plumber was scheduled for yesterday afternoon and, thank goodness, he came as scheduled and fixed the tree-roots-clogging-a-pipe problem.
Still, I was frowny-faced over all this aggravation.
Then my husband got a call from his daughter this morning, saying that she had messed up her new month-old vehicle when she rear-ended another vehicle as she was turning into a shopping center. Her vehicle will require quite a bit of work but, gratefully, she wasn't hurt.
Also this morning, I got an e-mail from my daughter-in-law telling me that our three-year-old great-granddaughter has a viral infection with a temperature high enough to cause her to have a seizure that scared the wits out of everybody. Oh, and our new great-grandson has an ear infection, she said.
Sadly, too, we learned this afternoon that a friend died today. He and his wife just celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary recently.
Light fixture and plumbing problems? Just blessings in disguise.
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Easy Flower Angel Craft
Flower angels are pretty, and so easy to make:Supplies:
Silk roses - any color, but we like white, pink or burgundy
Wooden bead head
Doll hair - any color you choose
Glitter chanille stems, or other material that can be used as a halo
Netting or wide ribbon to be used for wings
Narrow ribbon, pearl or gold bead strings, or whatever suits for decorations
Craft glue
Instructions:
The body of the angel is a rose turned upside down (we use two roses fitted together...pull the rose petals off one rose and feed them onto the stem of another rose, to make the dress fuller). Cut the stem, but leave enough so that you can feed a bead onto it. Fill the bead head with craft glue and insert the stem. Cut enough doll hair to cover the bead. Curl the hair by pulling a butter knive through it. Glue to bead head. Form a halo from the chanille stem and glue to hair. Make wings from netting (or make bow from ribbon) and glue to back of angel, just under the head.
These angels are nice on the Christmas tree, or as Christmas package decorations. They also make great last-minute token gifts, or Christmas ornament exchange gifts.
Monday, November 26, 2007
The Eclectic Christmas Tree
Our eclectic Christmas tree is as lively as the white Christmas tree is soothing. This artificial tree is in the sunroom and stands about eight feet tall, with bushy limbs that brush the floor. We trim the tree in miniature colored lights, and garlands of wooden cranberries. After that, anything goes.
The traditional parade of santas, snowmen, toy soldiers, etc., are represented, but there's also some unusual stuff, not generally thought of as Christmas ornaments. Like three 3-inch square empty boxes that once contained teabags from Harrods department store in London. My stepdaughter brought these to us as a souvenir from her trip to England. To preserve the gift as a memory, I tuck them into the branches of the tree.
I also tuck small breath mint tins from Rome into the tree. These were souvenir gifts from a former co-worker. There's a Korean figure, meant as a refrigerator magnet, still in it's plastic bag, on the tree, too. This came from a granddaughter who visited that country.
Our own travels are not so far-flung. But there are souvenirs on the tree from those trips, as well. Many of them are keychains. I discovered years ago that these inexpensive items, some of which feature photos or pictures of the area, hang nicely on the tree. One from Texas is a cowboy hat, and one from another trip is a camera that features area pictures when you look through the viewfinder and click it.
Other things that I've tucked or hung on the tree include four "Little Little Golden Books." These books are about three inches square, and contain full Golden Book stories. I got them at a flea market, and my husband drilled holes in the top bindings for cords to hang them. They are cute.
There are also "scrolls" on the tree. These were actually menus, written on parchment paper, and rolled up for guests attending a local high school Madrigal Feaste event. "Lorde" and "Ladye" (and our names) are hand-printed on the scrolls. Another scroll tells the story of "The Legend of the Christmas Spider."
The eclectic tree also reflects our lifestyle, with fishing theme ornaments, cameras, gardening tools, cars pulling campers, Shih Tzu dog ornaments, patriotic ornaments, a stuffed animal that represents our favorite basketball team, and grandchildren pictures. Handmade ornaments are here, too, like the crocheted bear, made by my mother, and the glittery ones made by grandchildren years ago.
Trimming this tree is always a walk down memory lane. And it's the favorite of family who visit during the season.
The traditional parade of santas, snowmen, toy soldiers, etc., are represented, but there's also some unusual stuff, not generally thought of as Christmas ornaments. Like three 3-inch square empty boxes that once contained teabags from Harrods department store in London. My stepdaughter brought these to us as a souvenir from her trip to England. To preserve the gift as a memory, I tuck them into the branches of the tree.
I also tuck small breath mint tins from Rome into the tree. These were souvenir gifts from a former co-worker. There's a Korean figure, meant as a refrigerator magnet, still in it's plastic bag, on the tree, too. This came from a granddaughter who visited that country.
Our own travels are not so far-flung. But there are souvenirs on the tree from those trips, as well. Many of them are keychains. I discovered years ago that these inexpensive items, some of which feature photos or pictures of the area, hang nicely on the tree. One from Texas is a cowboy hat, and one from another trip is a camera that features area pictures when you look through the viewfinder and click it.
Other things that I've tucked or hung on the tree include four "Little Little Golden Books." These books are about three inches square, and contain full Golden Book stories. I got them at a flea market, and my husband drilled holes in the top bindings for cords to hang them. They are cute.
There are also "scrolls" on the tree. These were actually menus, written on parchment paper, and rolled up for guests attending a local high school Madrigal Feaste event. "Lorde" and "Ladye" (and our names) are hand-printed on the scrolls. Another scroll tells the story of "The Legend of the Christmas Spider."
The eclectic tree also reflects our lifestyle, with fishing theme ornaments, cameras, gardening tools, cars pulling campers, Shih Tzu dog ornaments, patriotic ornaments, a stuffed animal that represents our favorite basketball team, and grandchildren pictures. Handmade ornaments are here, too, like the crocheted bear, made by my mother, and the glittery ones made by grandchildren years ago.
Trimming this tree is always a walk down memory lane. And it's the favorite of family who visit during the season.
White Christmas Tree
On Saturday, we trimmed what we call the white Christmas tree. It's actually a green artificial tree, but most of the decorations for it are either white or clear, and with the white silk poinsettia blossoms, strands of clear twinkle lights, and pearl garlands, it appears white.
This living room tree, my husband's favorite, is in full view from the dining room, and he likes to dim the lights and look at it during meals. I like the tree, too, for the special ornaments on it, like a small, white ceramic spoon filled with frankinscence and myrrh and wrapped in white netting. I bought this ornament several years ago at a local craft fair. At the same craft fair a few years later, I bought a delicate hand-blown clear glass camel with gold trim. Both ornaments are imports from the Middle East, and were being sold to raise money for a church mission.
Another prized ornament is a Swarovski crystal star, given to me as a gift. I love how it's prisms catch the light. And then there are the wonderful crocheted snowflakes, made by my mother, the delicate string art geometric ornaments I got as an exchange gift at one of the organizations I belong to, and the ceramic doves and angels made by the same friend who made my Christmas village. I'm especially fond, too, of a couple of porcelain angels made by the very talented wife of a former co-worker. I got these as an office exchange gift a year or so before he and I both retired.
There are other handmade ornaments on the tree, too, made by both Mother and me. Most of the ornaments, though, are ones we've collected in our travels...some glass, like a beautiful little hummingbird that Mother gave me for Christmas one year...and others made of clear acylic.
The tree is not spectacular, but it is pretty, and its overall monotone white is relaxing and peaceful. Add soothing instrumental Christmas music, and the living room is a favorite haven from chaos during this busy season.
This living room tree, my husband's favorite, is in full view from the dining room, and he likes to dim the lights and look at it during meals. I like the tree, too, for the special ornaments on it, like a small, white ceramic spoon filled with frankinscence and myrrh and wrapped in white netting. I bought this ornament several years ago at a local craft fair. At the same craft fair a few years later, I bought a delicate hand-blown clear glass camel with gold trim. Both ornaments are imports from the Middle East, and were being sold to raise money for a church mission.
Another prized ornament is a Swarovski crystal star, given to me as a gift. I love how it's prisms catch the light. And then there are the wonderful crocheted snowflakes, made by my mother, the delicate string art geometric ornaments I got as an exchange gift at one of the organizations I belong to, and the ceramic doves and angels made by the same friend who made my Christmas village. I'm especially fond, too, of a couple of porcelain angels made by the very talented wife of a former co-worker. I got these as an office exchange gift a year or so before he and I both retired.
There are other handmade ornaments on the tree, too, made by both Mother and me. Most of the ornaments, though, are ones we've collected in our travels...some glass, like a beautiful little hummingbird that Mother gave me for Christmas one year...and others made of clear acylic.
The tree is not spectacular, but it is pretty, and its overall monotone white is relaxing and peaceful. Add soothing instrumental Christmas music, and the living room is a favorite haven from chaos during this busy season.
Sunday, November 25, 2007
The Christmas Village
We like to get our Christmas decorating done as quickly after Thanksgiving as possible, preferably during Thanksgiving weekend. The last couple of years, however, family obligations took us away from home, and we couldn't decorate until well into the first week of December. But this year we're home, so we're decking the halls.
Last Friday, we put the Christmas village up on the mantel. Because I have collected quite a few pieces, putting the village up is always a frustrating undertaking that tries my husband's patience and my Christmas cheer. Each piece needs electricity, so Hubby uses a variety of outlet bars and a tangle of cords to get them (grumble and groan) hooked up.
Also, since the pieces are fairly large, we have to finagle them onto two levels in order to show them to best advantage. Hubby and I seem to be all arms and elbows that get in each other's way and threaten to knock the pieces to the floor in our struggle to get them placed just right. But once they are up and lighted, they always make us smile.
Our Christmas village is one of a kind, nothing like the collectibles that are commercially produced. The ceramic pieces, made locally by a friend, are charming in their imperfections. Each year, for several years, she made one or two especially for me, and by the time she quit making them, I had collected sixteen pieces. The schoolhouse, church, log cabin, and family dwelling pictured above are a few of them. I also have a fire station, a library, a courthouse, and a Victorian home, among others.
We enjoy the village so much that after Christmas we call it a winter village so we can have an excuse to leave it up until the end of January.
Saturday, November 24, 2007
Thanksgiving Day at Our House
Well, Thanksgiving Day went off without a hitch. No kitchen blunders. No sick infants. No bad weather, beyond a drop in temps that kept us from getting the traditional group picture outdoors.
The almost 20 lb. turkey was exceptionally delicious. Hubby cooked it in the smoker, though he didn't smoke it. We rubbed seasoning salt on it (our homemade recipe is in a previous blog), and an envelope of Lipton's Golden Onion Soup mix. The meat was succulent and very tasty seasoned this way.
Twenty-four of our family enjoyed the turkey, two hams, and a variety of side dishes and desserts provided by various family members. Well, actually, 22 of us enjoyed the dinner...two of the family are infants.
We were surprised and delighted when one of my nephews and his family showed up unexpectedly. They have a baby that we haven't seen (except in e-mail pics) since summer. That baby, and two infants (my great-grandchildren), were the center of attention, naturally.
One of my granddaughters, and my niece, both gorgeous young adults, were dressed very prettily, so I couldn't resist taking close-up snapshots of them. Since we weren't able to get full group shots, individual families took turns gathering on the couch for picture-taking.
It was a noisy, happy, gathering, and we all ate more than we needed, of course. After dinner, I urged everyone to fill containers with leftovers and pie portions to take home with them.
My reasons for being grateful this Thanksgiving are so many, many, many, that I can't possibly list them all.
The almost 20 lb. turkey was exceptionally delicious. Hubby cooked it in the smoker, though he didn't smoke it. We rubbed seasoning salt on it (our homemade recipe is in a previous blog), and an envelope of Lipton's Golden Onion Soup mix. The meat was succulent and very tasty seasoned this way.
Twenty-four of our family enjoyed the turkey, two hams, and a variety of side dishes and desserts provided by various family members. Well, actually, 22 of us enjoyed the dinner...two of the family are infants.
We were surprised and delighted when one of my nephews and his family showed up unexpectedly. They have a baby that we haven't seen (except in e-mail pics) since summer. That baby, and two infants (my great-grandchildren), were the center of attention, naturally.
One of my granddaughters, and my niece, both gorgeous young adults, were dressed very prettily, so I couldn't resist taking close-up snapshots of them. Since we weren't able to get full group shots, individual families took turns gathering on the couch for picture-taking.
It was a noisy, happy, gathering, and we all ate more than we needed, of course. After dinner, I urged everyone to fill containers with leftovers and pie portions to take home with them.
My reasons for being grateful this Thanksgiving are so many, many, many, that I can't possibly list them all.
A Movie Theater Experience
We arrived at the theater Tuesday evening at 7:20 p.m. for a7:35 p.m. showing of the movie, "Beowulf," and were surprised to find folks lined up and the house dark. After we'd waited in the car a few minutes, lights came on in the theater, and a young man came out. We joined the line to see what the problem was, and were told that when staff arrived for work, they couldn't get in. Fortunately, a projectionist had stayed in the theater when it was closed after the previous showings, and he let the rest of the staff in.
It seems that the theater manager had changed the locks on all the doors, unbeknownst to anyone, and had left town that day, failing to alert the staff, or provide them keys before the evening showings. Staff had tried to call him, but he was out of pocket and didn't answer his phone.
Since ticket-sellers couldn't get into the ticket booth, they asked customers to line up at the concession stand to pay. This caused a delay, since folks also wanted to load up on goodies at the time they paid for a movie. Naturally, because staff couldn't get in earlier, there was no popcorn prepared, and those of us way back in line had to wait until popcorn and other goodies orders were filled for folks ahead of us, before we could pay for our movie.
The staff, who were mightly frustrated themselves, knew that some customers were a bit frustrated, too, so those of us who were there to see "Beowulf" were given free 3-D eyeglasses (I don't know what they normally charge for them). Also, as we left the theater after the movie, we were given complimentary n0-expiration-date tickets to see another movie at the theater. We'll probably use them to see "Sweeny Todd," starring Johnny Depp, in December.
We hope there will be no glitches then, but if there are, we'll just roll with the punches, like we did for "Beowulf." No big deal...just a an unexpected adventure.
It seems that the theater manager had changed the locks on all the doors, unbeknownst to anyone, and had left town that day, failing to alert the staff, or provide them keys before the evening showings. Staff had tried to call him, but he was out of pocket and didn't answer his phone.
Since ticket-sellers couldn't get into the ticket booth, they asked customers to line up at the concession stand to pay. This caused a delay, since folks also wanted to load up on goodies at the time they paid for a movie. Naturally, because staff couldn't get in earlier, there was no popcorn prepared, and those of us way back in line had to wait until popcorn and other goodies orders were filled for folks ahead of us, before we could pay for our movie.
The staff, who were mightly frustrated themselves, knew that some customers were a bit frustrated, too, so those of us who were there to see "Beowulf" were given free 3-D eyeglasses (I don't know what they normally charge for them). Also, as we left the theater after the movie, we were given complimentary n0-expiration-date tickets to see another movie at the theater. We'll probably use them to see "Sweeny Todd," starring Johnny Depp, in December.
We hope there will be no glitches then, but if there are, we'll just roll with the punches, like we did for "Beowulf." No big deal...just a an unexpected adventure.
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Beowulf in 3-D
I'd been reading that the movie "Beowulf" features exceptional computer animation, made more exceptional by 3-D effects. So hubby and I decided to go see for ourselves Tuesday evening, and we were impressed. The animated main characters most easily recognizable to us were Anthony Hopkins as the king, John Malkovich as Unferth, and Angelia Jolie as the siren mother of the troll-monster.
This action-packed PG13 movie (for violence and nudity...though there is no objectionable frontal nudity), is based on the classic Beowulf epic poem. It startles the audience with in-your-face spears and swords, burning embers, flying cobblestones, etc. Even when I expected something to fly out at me, I flinched.
The computer animated characters are very realistically detailed, right down to moles, scars, blood vessels, and fine facial hair.
This is not a movie for young children, or for folks who cannot tolerate violence, but for those who, like us, are fascinated with film-making advances, "Beowulf" is a must-see.
This action-packed PG13 movie (for violence and nudity...though there is no objectionable frontal nudity), is based on the classic Beowulf epic poem. It startles the audience with in-your-face spears and swords, burning embers, flying cobblestones, etc. Even when I expected something to fly out at me, I flinched.
The computer animated characters are very realistically detailed, right down to moles, scars, blood vessels, and fine facial hair.
This is not a movie for young children, or for folks who cannot tolerate violence, but for those who, like us, are fascinated with film-making advances, "Beowulf" is a must-see.
Monday, November 19, 2007
Kitchen Blunders
My county fair blue ribbon muffins didn't pass muster tonight. I don't know what went wrong. Oh, they tasted just fine, but they were so crumbly we had to eat them with a fork. I thought I followed the recipe, but obviously I put too much or too little of something in them. Goofing the muffin recipe reminded me of other kitchen blunders around here, like:
*the year I baked a Christmas fruitcake, but forgot to add the fruit;
*the year that Mother made the Thanksgiving dressing, but forgot to put the onions and celery in it (we sauteed them in butter, and guests spooned them over their dressing);
*the year the smoker clogged up and the turkey got all sooty-black. My husband discovered the blackened bird early enough that I was able to wash it thoroughly and throw it in the oven to finish cooking before guests arrived;
*the time Mother took a pizza out of the oven and the topping slithered off onto the oven door;
*the time Mother tried to drain the spaghetti by just holding the lid slightly away from the pot and the spaghetti slithered down the drain;
*the time I made chicken broth for my sick daughter. She was a finicky little girl at the time and didn't like "pieces" in her broth, so I wanted to strain the onions out of it....and I did, but because I failed to put a pan under the strainer, the onions remained while, to my horror, the broth went splashing down the drain.
Thanksgiving is just a few days away. I wonder if another kitchen blunder is waiting to pounce?
*the year I baked a Christmas fruitcake, but forgot to add the fruit;
*the year that Mother made the Thanksgiving dressing, but forgot to put the onions and celery in it (we sauteed them in butter, and guests spooned them over their dressing);
*the year the smoker clogged up and the turkey got all sooty-black. My husband discovered the blackened bird early enough that I was able to wash it thoroughly and throw it in the oven to finish cooking before guests arrived;
*the time Mother took a pizza out of the oven and the topping slithered off onto the oven door;
*the time Mother tried to drain the spaghetti by just holding the lid slightly away from the pot and the spaghetti slithered down the drain;
*the time I made chicken broth for my sick daughter. She was a finicky little girl at the time and didn't like "pieces" in her broth, so I wanted to strain the onions out of it....and I did, but because I failed to put a pan under the strainer, the onions remained while, to my horror, the broth went splashing down the drain.
Thanksgiving is just a few days away. I wonder if another kitchen blunder is waiting to pounce?
Sky-High Pie
Last Saturday night, we went to a charitable event that included a barbeque supper, a silent and live auction, and a variety show.
The variety show featured local talent, of course. Our cable guy was a hoot in a role as an elderly, very slow, auto mechanic, named "Speedy," reminiscent of Tim Conway's skits on the Carol Burnett show. Four local bankers, dressed as the Village People, were hilarious as they led the audience in a rousing rendition of "Y.M.C.A." The local sheriff wowed the crowd with his singing (who knew?). Students from an area visual and performing arts magnet school strings orchestra delighted us with their music, and a local dance company performed an energetic (oh, to be young again) routine from a popular Broadway show.
The live auction preceding the show brought in a tidy sum. Some of the donated items, like ATVs, went for below list price, but a huge lawnmower went for a few thousand above list. Four homemade pies were also auctioned, and we were surprised when a frenzied bidding action escalated to a final $800! The other pies brought in several hundred dollars each, too.
The event ended with audience members standing and waving flags while singing the National Anthem, in tribute to both our veterans, and to our men and women currently serving in the military.
The variety show featured local talent, of course. Our cable guy was a hoot in a role as an elderly, very slow, auto mechanic, named "Speedy," reminiscent of Tim Conway's skits on the Carol Burnett show. Four local bankers, dressed as the Village People, were hilarious as they led the audience in a rousing rendition of "Y.M.C.A." The local sheriff wowed the crowd with his singing (who knew?). Students from an area visual and performing arts magnet school strings orchestra delighted us with their music, and a local dance company performed an energetic (oh, to be young again) routine from a popular Broadway show.
The live auction preceding the show brought in a tidy sum. Some of the donated items, like ATVs, went for below list price, but a huge lawnmower went for a few thousand above list. Four homemade pies were also auctioned, and we were surprised when a frenzied bidding action escalated to a final $800! The other pies brought in several hundred dollars each, too.
The event ended with audience members standing and waving flags while singing the National Anthem, in tribute to both our veterans, and to our men and women currently serving in the military.
Friday, November 16, 2007
Busy Day
Here it is 7 p.m., and I'm just now winding down from a busy day. It started at 7 a.m. with breakfast and a trip to the college for water aerobics. I needed my jacket and gloves this morning, since the weather turned sharply cooler from yesterday. For the first time this season (that I noticed, anyway), the windshield was covered in crackly starbursts of frost, and fields along the route to the pool sparkled white in the sunshine.
The pool was 86 degrees today...such a heavenly change from Monday's 82 degrees. It's amazing what a difference a few degrees can make. 82 degrees feels like a dip in the Atlantic to me.
One of the water aerobics ladies is in the process of getting a book published, and this morning she asked me to do photos of her for the book jacket. I was delighted to be asked, of course, and we set a 3 p.m. time for her to come to my house for a photo shoot.
Back home from water aerobics, I spent the rest of the morning stowing stuff, making room for a large family gathering on Thanksgiving Day. After lunch, we shopped for groceries...mainly a turkey and other ingredients for the big feast.
Shortly after we got home from shopping, my water aerobics friend came, and we spent about an hour getting just the right shots of her. After she left, it was time to think about supper. And now, at last, here I am at the computer. But soon it will be time to go downstairs and join my husband for the rest of the evening.
The pool was 86 degrees today...such a heavenly change from Monday's 82 degrees. It's amazing what a difference a few degrees can make. 82 degrees feels like a dip in the Atlantic to me.
One of the water aerobics ladies is in the process of getting a book published, and this morning she asked me to do photos of her for the book jacket. I was delighted to be asked, of course, and we set a 3 p.m. time for her to come to my house for a photo shoot.
Back home from water aerobics, I spent the rest of the morning stowing stuff, making room for a large family gathering on Thanksgiving Day. After lunch, we shopped for groceries...mainly a turkey and other ingredients for the big feast.
Shortly after we got home from shopping, my water aerobics friend came, and we spent about an hour getting just the right shots of her. After she left, it was time to think about supper. And now, at last, here I am at the computer. But soon it will be time to go downstairs and join my husband for the rest of the evening.
Thursday, November 15, 2007
Raisin Contemplation
Our local hospital frequently offers free noontime lunch programs on a variety of topics, aimed primarily at women's health issues. Yesterday's topic was coping with stress during the holidays. Scheduling too many events is on the list of stressers, so Mother and I had to laugh that here we were squeezing in another event so close to Thanksgiving.
It was nice, though, to gather with other women acquaintances, enjoy a sandwich lunch, and listen to a speaker remind us to relax and live in the moment, rather than worrying about the future.
To illustrate this concept, she distributed raisins to each of us. Our job was to focus all our attention on the raisins...their shape, their characteristics, how they felt, how they smelled, and finally how they tasted. The idea was to empty our minds of everything except the raisins. Whenever our minds tried to wander, we were to bring them back to the raisins.
It was a difficult exercise for me, because I'm guilty of letting my mind wander all over the place all the time, making mental lists of what I need to accomplish in the next hour, the next day, the next week, rather than fully focusing on what I'm doing at the moment. At this time of the year, I'm especially susceptible to mind-meandering.
But I'm going to do better. I'm going to relax and... need to gather my gear for water aerobics in the morning...focus...need to finish my grocery list for shopping tomorrow...on the raisin...wonder what's on TV tonight?
It was nice, though, to gather with other women acquaintances, enjoy a sandwich lunch, and listen to a speaker remind us to relax and live in the moment, rather than worrying about the future.
To illustrate this concept, she distributed raisins to each of us. Our job was to focus all our attention on the raisins...their shape, their characteristics, how they felt, how they smelled, and finally how they tasted. The idea was to empty our minds of everything except the raisins. Whenever our minds tried to wander, we were to bring them back to the raisins.
It was a difficult exercise for me, because I'm guilty of letting my mind wander all over the place all the time, making mental lists of what I need to accomplish in the next hour, the next day, the next week, rather than fully focusing on what I'm doing at the moment. At this time of the year, I'm especially susceptible to mind-meandering.
But I'm going to do better. I'm going to relax and... need to gather my gear for water aerobics in the morning...focus...need to finish my grocery list for shopping tomorrow...on the raisin...wonder what's on TV tonight?
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Branson Landing
Branson Landing is a 1.5 mile long shopping development, anchored at one end by a Belk's store, and at the other by a Bass Pro Shop. In the middle is a spectacular water feature...fountains, colored by lights, shoot 120-foot geysers that dance to music, and smokestacks (called cannons) intermittently belch booming plumes of fire.The water shows occur about every thirty minutes, so shoppers are bound to catch one during their walk up and down the brick-paved street between the shops.
One and a half miles is quite a hike, especially for my 85-year-old mother, so we welcomed a trolley ride back to our truck once we had finished shopping last weekend. The trolley makes several stops along the way to pick up and drop off shoppers.
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Titanic Museum
Part of our trip to Branson included a tour of the Titanic Museum. I fully expected this museum to be more commercialized for entertainment than educational, but found it to be a treasure trove of factual information.
The museum simulates the Titanic both outside and inside. The "ship" includes a grand staircase, first and second class accommodations, and a deck, among other things. Interestingly, we were informed that although the real Titanic's staircase was marble, the first-class staterooms featured a newly invented flooring that was even more expensive than marble, and which was affordable only to the rich...linoleum.
The museum tour begins at the boarding area, where staff, dressed in costumes, and speaking in charming English accents, gives each visitor a boarding pass that includes a Titanic passenger name. My assigned name was Lillian Mae Thorpe Minahan, a wealthy first-class passenger, married to a doctor. My husband and mother were also assigned wealthy passenger names. At the end of the tour, we would discover whether or not we had survived. At this point, too, visitors can (for an extra $5) get a recorder for listening to survivor stories and hearing information not contained on museum placards. I think the recorder should be included in the price of the entry ticket, but I do recommend getting it anyway, because it's a definite enhancement to the experience.
Among the museum's hands-on exhibits are a wall of ice, simulating an iceberg, a Marconi telegraph, where visitors can tap out an SOS in Morse Code, a shovel full of coal that visitors can lift to the furnace (which flames up when the shovel is placed near it), a deck that features a night sky of twinkling stars and a cold breeze, and three partial decks, set at varying angles...visitors can try to walk up these and hold on to the rails to get an idea of how passengers felt as the Titanic sank. There is also a pool of water at the temperature of the ocean on that fateful night. Visitors stick a finger in the water and hold it there to see how long they can tolerate the cold before having to withdraw. I was only able to keep my finger in the water for a few seconds. These and other hands-on exhibits help keep the museum interesting to all ages.
There is also a wonderful collection of black and white photos of life aboard the Titanic, taken by a young Jesuit priest, Francis Browne, who was on the ship a couple of days before the disaster, but did not sail with it.
A particularly poignant survivor story revolves around a seven-year-old boy, Douglas Spedden, and his stuffed polar bear, and the story his mother, Daisy wrote about it. To learn more about "Polar the Titanic Bear," go to www.polarthetitanicbear.com. In a tragic twist of fate, Douglas became the first automobile fatality in the state of Maine in 1915, three years after the Titanic sank.
Only one Titanic survivor is living today, though I don't remember her name. I think she was less than a year old when the ship sank, so of course she has no memory of the event. The last American survivor to have memories of the tragedy was Lillian Gertrud Asplund, who was five years old at the time. She died in 2006.
Titanic survivors are listed on a wall of passengers at the end of the museum tour. If you are planning a trip to the Titanic Museum, you might be assigned my passenger's name, so I won't tell you if she was a survivor or not.
The museum simulates the Titanic both outside and inside. The "ship" includes a grand staircase, first and second class accommodations, and a deck, among other things. Interestingly, we were informed that although the real Titanic's staircase was marble, the first-class staterooms featured a newly invented flooring that was even more expensive than marble, and which was affordable only to the rich...linoleum.
The museum tour begins at the boarding area, where staff, dressed in costumes, and speaking in charming English accents, gives each visitor a boarding pass that includes a Titanic passenger name. My assigned name was Lillian Mae Thorpe Minahan, a wealthy first-class passenger, married to a doctor. My husband and mother were also assigned wealthy passenger names. At the end of the tour, we would discover whether or not we had survived. At this point, too, visitors can (for an extra $5) get a recorder for listening to survivor stories and hearing information not contained on museum placards. I think the recorder should be included in the price of the entry ticket, but I do recommend getting it anyway, because it's a definite enhancement to the experience.
Among the museum's hands-on exhibits are a wall of ice, simulating an iceberg, a Marconi telegraph, where visitors can tap out an SOS in Morse Code, a shovel full of coal that visitors can lift to the furnace (which flames up when the shovel is placed near it), a deck that features a night sky of twinkling stars and a cold breeze, and three partial decks, set at varying angles...visitors can try to walk up these and hold on to the rails to get an idea of how passengers felt as the Titanic sank. There is also a pool of water at the temperature of the ocean on that fateful night. Visitors stick a finger in the water and hold it there to see how long they can tolerate the cold before having to withdraw. I was only able to keep my finger in the water for a few seconds. These and other hands-on exhibits help keep the museum interesting to all ages.
There is also a wonderful collection of black and white photos of life aboard the Titanic, taken by a young Jesuit priest, Francis Browne, who was on the ship a couple of days before the disaster, but did not sail with it.
A particularly poignant survivor story revolves around a seven-year-old boy, Douglas Spedden, and his stuffed polar bear, and the story his mother, Daisy wrote about it. To learn more about "Polar the Titanic Bear," go to www.polarthetitanicbear.com. In a tragic twist of fate, Douglas became the first automobile fatality in the state of Maine in 1915, three years after the Titanic sank.
Only one Titanic survivor is living today, though I don't remember her name. I think she was less than a year old when the ship sank, so of course she has no memory of the event. The last American survivor to have memories of the tragedy was Lillian Gertrud Asplund, who was five years old at the time. She died in 2006.
Titanic survivors are listed on a wall of passengers at the end of the museum tour. If you are planning a trip to the Titanic Museum, you might be assigned my passenger's name, so I won't tell you if she was a survivor or not.
Monday, November 12, 2007
Butterfly Palace
During a trip to Branson, MO, this past weekend, we decided to visit the Butterfly Palace. White butterflies with black markings, like the two on the right, are the featured attraction right now. These butterflies can be viewed during the facility's "White Flight" event, November 1 to January 15. There are many other varieties of butterflies as well...all of them beautiful.During "White Flight" the poinsettia decorations provide the perfect setting for the black and white butterflies. There are feeding stations throughout, too, that make for great photo opportunities.
We were excited to be available during a butterfly release. Each of us was given a clear, plastic Solo cup containing a little yellow butterfly. We tapped the cup until the butterfly took flight.
Folks who want to take the time can view a butterfly emerge from a crysalis in the windowed nursery. A time-lapse version is also shown in a 3-D movie, one of the features of the "White Flight" adventure. The movie follows the life cycle of a butterfly, and a preying mantis. At one point in the movie, it looks like dozens of tiny yellow butterflies are flitting about inside the theater.
For those who can abide them, there are not-so-appealing critters in the Rainforest Critter Center. My least favorite were the huge cockroaches. The chameleon was okay, though.
We finished our tour with a walk through the Emerald Forest Mirror Maze. We're not as brave as my hubby, so Mother and I held hands, while I felt my way along the mirrors to the exit.
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
Life's Full Circle
Our family experienced two major life events in a week. The first caused great joy...the birth on Monday, October 29, of our fourteenth great-grandchild - a baby boy with a shock of dark hair that fairly shouts his Native American heritage. His lineage, from his father's side, traces back to his Cherokee great-great-great-grandmother. Especially sweet is the fact that he was born on our three-year-old great-granddaughter's birthday.
Sadly, eight days later, this past Monday, November 5, my brother died. He was ten years my senior, and had suffered two previous heart attacks. He was also in the early stages of Alzheimer's Disease, but we all thought he was doing well, so we were unprepared for his sudden death.
A beautiful life begins, just as a beloved life ends....it's a lot to contemplate.
Sadly, eight days later, this past Monday, November 5, my brother died. He was ten years my senior, and had suffered two previous heart attacks. He was also in the early stages of Alzheimer's Disease, but we all thought he was doing well, so we were unprepared for his sudden death.
A beautiful life begins, just as a beloved life ends....it's a lot to contemplate.
Monday, November 5, 2007
Music...The Common Denominator
Last Sunday afternoon, we went to a gospel music program at our local museum. The program was presented as part of a traveling farm-life exhibit that will be on display for several weeks.
Three groups performed. The first - members of a shape note music school - presented a program describing the history of shape notes. According to Wikipedia, "shape notes are a music notation designed to facilitate congregational singing. Shape notes of various kinds have been used for over two centuries in a variety of sacred music traditions practiced primarily in the southern region of the United States." The notes, in various shapes (squares, triangles, etc.) represent the musical scale "do-re-mi-fa-sol-la-ti-do." For an illustration of shape notes, go to http://www.shapenote.net/. Information may also be obtained at http://www.fasola.org/. This was my first experience with shape notes, and I found it to be fascinating.
Following the shape notes program, a group of 24 folks from three Mennonite churches performed several low-key, soothing spirituals, in keeping with their quiet lifestyle of simplicity. Their music provided a perfect contrast to the exuberant music performed by several women members of a local African-American Baptist Church choir.
A spokesman for the Mennonite group noted that their ancestors migrated to our state from Pennsylvania in the 1800's. He mentioned that the Dutch (a West Germanic) language has essentially disappeared from their tradition, but some parents still teach their children the language in order to keep it alive. And even though they do not speak German, the group did perform a couple of spirituals in the language. For more information on Mennonite history, go to http://www.religioustolerance.org/.
The spokeswoman for the African-American group pointed out that when their ancestors were slaves, they used uplifting spirituals to help them endure their life. During the Civil War, the songs contained hidden messages directing fugitive slaves along the underground railroad to freedom. See http://www.negrospirituals.com/ for a history of the evolution of African-American spirituals.
Three groups performed. The first - members of a shape note music school - presented a program describing the history of shape notes. According to Wikipedia, "shape notes are a music notation designed to facilitate congregational singing. Shape notes of various kinds have been used for over two centuries in a variety of sacred music traditions practiced primarily in the southern region of the United States." The notes, in various shapes (squares, triangles, etc.) represent the musical scale "do-re-mi-fa-sol-la-ti-do." For an illustration of shape notes, go to http://www.shapenote.net/. Information may also be obtained at http://www.fasola.org/. This was my first experience with shape notes, and I found it to be fascinating.
Following the shape notes program, a group of 24 folks from three Mennonite churches performed several low-key, soothing spirituals, in keeping with their quiet lifestyle of simplicity. Their music provided a perfect contrast to the exuberant music performed by several women members of a local African-American Baptist Church choir.
A spokesman for the Mennonite group noted that their ancestors migrated to our state from Pennsylvania in the 1800's. He mentioned that the Dutch (a West Germanic) language has essentially disappeared from their tradition, but some parents still teach their children the language in order to keep it alive. And even though they do not speak German, the group did perform a couple of spirituals in the language. For more information on Mennonite history, go to http://www.religioustolerance.org/.
The spokeswoman for the African-American group pointed out that when their ancestors were slaves, they used uplifting spirituals to help them endure their life. During the Civil War, the songs contained hidden messages directing fugitive slaves along the underground railroad to freedom. See http://www.negrospirituals.com/ for a history of the evolution of African-American spirituals.
Sunday, November 4, 2007
Clay Pot Pilgrims
I look forward to November, when I can bring out my clay pot pilgrims again. Mother and I worked together about ten years ago to make these cute Thanksgiving figures. Every year, I display them on the mantel, along with other autumn decorations. The instructions for making them (see patterns above) are as follows:
Male pilgrim requires 5 clay pots. Female pilgrim requires 4 clay pots. Instructions are for 2-inch clay pots. larger pots may be used.
Supplies:
9 (2-inch) clay pots
Tacky glue or hot glue gun/glue sticks
White and black felt
Craft paint (black, white, flesh)
Black poster board
3/4 inch wooden beads, or same size styrofoam balls
Gold cord
Gold rickrack (optional)
Spanish moss
Clear acrylic sealer
2 artist brushes (one large for painting pots; one small for painting features)
Small basket with flowers (optional, for female)
Directions:
Paint pots (see diagrams above)
Step 1: Male #1 Solid black
#2 Rim black; rest of pot flesh
#3, #4, # 5 Solid black
Female #l Rim black, rest of pot flesh
#2, #3, #4 Solid black
Step 2: Glue pots together according to diagrams above, being sure to insert 4-inch black poster board circle between pots 1 and 2 for man's hat. (Note: we found pots adhered to each other better when we inserted black poster board, cut to pot size, between each pot layer. )
Step 3: Cut four 2 and 1/4 by 3 and 1/4 inch pieces of black poster board. Roll into cylinders, forming 1-inch circles. Glue seams together. After glue sets, flatten one end of each roll. With seam side underneath, glue cylinders at sides of each pilgrim for arms (felt may be used instead of poster board, especially for female if you use basket). Glue bead or styrofoam ball (painted flesh color) in ends of cylinders to form hands.
Step 4: Decorate pilgrims by painting facial features and gluing on collars, hat bands, belts, buckles, bows, aprons (note: we enlarged the apron pattern to make it a little longer), etc. Glue Spanish moss for beard on male, and hair on female. A small basket can be added to the female.
Step 5: Spray figures with acrylic sealer.
Green Tomato Crop
My husband and my mother (the green thumbs at our house) decided to try something different in the veggie garden this year. Mother read in one of her gardening books that the tops of tomato plants can be planted to make a late crop...instructions: lop off the top foot or so of healthy plants (ours had reached about five feet in height), remove the bottom leaves, plant them, and water them liberally.
Hubby and Mother feel they waited too long...late July...before trying this experiment. Mid-July would have been better, because August was blistering hot and dry in our state. Hubby watered the plants diligently, but they nearly perished anyway. Once the rain came, the plants perked up, but the fruit was small.
Because a killing frost is forecast for this week, Mother decided she should go ahead and pick the tomatoes green and fry them for lunch today. Fried green tomatoes are a delicacy here in the south, but we don't serve them very often at our house, since they don't conform to our diet plan. They sure were good, though, and here's Mother's recipe for them:
FRIED GREEN TOMATOES
Quarter small tomatoes, or slice large ones. Sprinkle salt on the tomatoes and let set for 30 minutes. Coat tomatoes with a mixture of 1/3 cup flour, 1/3 cup cornmeal, 1 teaspoon seasoning salt, 1/2 teaspoon oregano, 1/2 teaspoon basil, and 1 tablespoon Parmesan cheese. Fry in about 1/4 cup Canola oil. Drain tomatoes on paper towels to remove some of the oil.
Saturday, November 3, 2007
See You Again Next Year
Thanks to warm temperatures recently, some of the plants in our yard are putting on another color show. The clematis vine (right) has bloomed several times already this season. But we thought the rose bush that produced the speciman above was done for the year. Instead, it put on one more bloom. The zinnias, like the yellow one above, have been blooming for quite a while now. Very cool night time temperatures are predicted this week, though, so I imagine we'll see the last of these flowers soon...until they visit again in 2008.Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Halloween Costume, Chili Recipe, and Crustless Pumpkin Pie Recipe
My husband spared no expense in designing his Halloween costume this year. A few puffs of breath and he is instantly transformed into a "leaf blower."Since we live a few miles outside of town, Halloween around our house is pretty quiet. It has been several years since trick-or-treaters have knocked on our door, partly because the kids who live near us are now too old to trick-or-treat, and partly because the businesses downtown, and various churches, hold events for the kids.
Our concession to Halloween is brewing up a pot of chili, and baking a crustless pumpkin pie for dessert. Here are the recipes, both of which are diet-friendly:
Chili
1 lb. 96% fat free ground beef
1 package of onion soup mix
2 cans of Mexican style tomatoes and juice
2 cans of ranch style pinto beans
1 (1 lb., 10 oz.) bottle of spaghetti sauce - traditional, garden combination, or your favorite
3 tablespoons of chili powder
1 to 2 teaspoons of cumin
1 teaspoon of Mexican seasoning (optional)
1 teaspoon paprika
1 and 1/2 teaspoon minced garlic (in a jar)
Pepper to taste
In large pan (we use a dutch oven) sprayed with cooking spray, saute' ground beef and minced garlic until all the pink disappears from the meat. Add remaining ingredients and simmer about one hour.
Crustless Pumpkin Pie
1 (15 oz.) can pumpkin, or 1 and 3/4 cups of cooked, fresh pumpkin
1 (12 oz.) can of fat free evaporated milk
1 cup of Splenda sweetener
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ginger
1/4 teaspoon cloves
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 cup egg substitute
Mix ingredients together thoroughly and pour into a 9-inch glass pie dish that has been sprayed with cooking spray. Bake at 350 degrees for 55 minutes, or until a knive inserted in the center of the pie comes out clean.
A Colonoscopy? Yikes!!
For several years, my doctor has urged me to submit to a colonoscopy screening, but the very idea made my toes curl. My husband has had it done twice now, both routine, and both revealing no problems. My son and daughter-in-law have had it done, as has my stepdaughter...no problems with any of them. But I am a coward and preferred to put it off as long as possible.
Now, I'm pretty diligent about taking care of my health. I eat right, and exercise, have annual physical exams that include Pap smears, mammograms, bone density tests, and so on. I submit willingly to blood work and immunization shots. But I absolutely cringed at the thought of a colonoscopy.
This year, though, I decided I should get it over with. So all last week, I followed a low-residue diet that shunned popcorn (which I dearly love), as well as corn, seeds, and nuts. I don't like being hungry, so I dreaded liquid-diet Sunday, the day before the procedure.
I stayed in bed until around 9 a.m. that morning, and then watched DVD's most of the day, so I wouldn't have to expend much energy. I found that the fruit juices I drank satisfied my hunger.
At 3 p.m., the fun began. I took the prescribed four laxative tablets. And at 5 p.m., I mixed a prescribed laxative powder into blueberry Gatorade, and started drinking it. The whole idea is to clean the colon, and boy howdy, did it ever!
I could have no liquids after midnight, but I wasn't hungry or thirsty anyway. At 7 a.m. Monday, I was at the clinic, where I was prepped for the procedure. I was nervous, despite being told that the Sunday prep was the worst of it.
It's true, the Sunday prep was the worst of it - and that wasn't horrible. Once I was given the medication to make me sleep, I was aware of nothing until I got back home again (the medication produces amnesia...several hours of it for me).
I'm pretty sure the procedure was more of a trial for my husband and mother than it was for me, because the amnesiac state caused me to repeat questions endlessly, sort of like a brief attack of Alzheimer's Disease. It's a wonder my husband's eyes didn't roll permanently up into his head.
By the way, I got the all-clear from the doctor who performed the procedure. And next time, I won't be such a coward.
Now, I'm pretty diligent about taking care of my health. I eat right, and exercise, have annual physical exams that include Pap smears, mammograms, bone density tests, and so on. I submit willingly to blood work and immunization shots. But I absolutely cringed at the thought of a colonoscopy.
This year, though, I decided I should get it over with. So all last week, I followed a low-residue diet that shunned popcorn (which I dearly love), as well as corn, seeds, and nuts. I don't like being hungry, so I dreaded liquid-diet Sunday, the day before the procedure.
I stayed in bed until around 9 a.m. that morning, and then watched DVD's most of the day, so I wouldn't have to expend much energy. I found that the fruit juices I drank satisfied my hunger.
At 3 p.m., the fun began. I took the prescribed four laxative tablets. And at 5 p.m., I mixed a prescribed laxative powder into blueberry Gatorade, and started drinking it. The whole idea is to clean the colon, and boy howdy, did it ever!
I could have no liquids after midnight, but I wasn't hungry or thirsty anyway. At 7 a.m. Monday, I was at the clinic, where I was prepped for the procedure. I was nervous, despite being told that the Sunday prep was the worst of it.
It's true, the Sunday prep was the worst of it - and that wasn't horrible. Once I was given the medication to make me sleep, I was aware of nothing until I got back home again (the medication produces amnesia...several hours of it for me).
I'm pretty sure the procedure was more of a trial for my husband and mother than it was for me, because the amnesiac state caused me to repeat questions endlessly, sort of like a brief attack of Alzheimer's Disease. It's a wonder my husband's eyes didn't roll permanently up into his head.
By the way, I got the all-clear from the doctor who performed the procedure. And next time, I won't be such a coward.
Kermit the Frog, and Others
Last Saturday, we traveled to our state's capital city to see an exhibit of the world of Jim Henson, creator of the Muppets of Sesame Street. I was disappointed that Big Bird wasn't there, but other Muppets and Fraggle Rock characters were on display.
Of special interest was the original Kermit the Frog puppet, fashioned by Henson from his mother's discarded green spring coat. Bert and Ernie were there, too. The exhibit also included scripts, storyboards, photographs, television and movie props, and sketches and doodles, as well as TV excerpts of comic commercials and experimental films created by Henson in his early career.
Henson was a fantastically talented artist, who died suddenly and too young in 1990. But his work and legacy continues to fascinate, entertain, and appeal to the child in all of us. Two and a half hours at the exhibit flew by like minutes.
Or as Kermit would say, "Time's fun when you're having flies."
Of special interest was the original Kermit the Frog puppet, fashioned by Henson from his mother's discarded green spring coat. Bert and Ernie were there, too. The exhibit also included scripts, storyboards, photographs, television and movie props, and sketches and doodles, as well as TV excerpts of comic commercials and experimental films created by Henson in his early career.
Henson was a fantastically talented artist, who died suddenly and too young in 1990. But his work and legacy continues to fascinate, entertain, and appeal to the child in all of us. Two and a half hours at the exhibit flew by like minutes.
Or as Kermit would say, "Time's fun when you're having flies."
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
What's For Supper?
We wanted to go out to eat tonight, but my husband, my mother, and I had trouble deciding which restaurant to patronize.
"Chinese?" I suggested, but 85-year-old Mom said no, because she's not a fan of seafood, or spicy foods, so it's a problem for her to find much to satisfy her at a Chinese restaurant.
"Mexican?" No, food's too hot.
"Italian?" We just had Italian last Friday.
"Okay, then where would you like to go, Mother?"
"You choose," she said, "I'll eat anything. I'm not picky."
So we ended up at Catfish Wharf.
"Chinese?" I suggested, but 85-year-old Mom said no, because she's not a fan of seafood, or spicy foods, so it's a problem for her to find much to satisfy her at a Chinese restaurant.
"Mexican?" No, food's too hot.
"Italian?" We just had Italian last Friday.
"Okay, then where would you like to go, Mother?"
"You choose," she said, "I'll eat anything. I'm not picky."
So we ended up at Catfish Wharf.
Friday, October 26, 2007
Ecology Acre
A couple of weeks ago, we received an invitation to attend a dedication ceremony today for a local middle school's outdoor classroom. The invitation included a charming original drawing by one of the students. We were invited because I, with my husband's help, taught a photography workshop to the school's sixth grade science classes last spring...109 students in six sessions a day for five days. The workshop included a photo safari in the outdoor classroom, where students shot nature pictures.
We also donated a bat house to the cause...a bat house built by 4-H'ers that we won as a door prize several years ago at our insurance provider's annual dinner, but that we never got around to using; and my Master Gardener husband donated several butterfly bushes.
It was a very nice dedication ceremony, honoring the Boy Scouts, along with others, who worked hard during this past summer building a concrete walking path, wooden bridge, and classroom benches that make "Ecology Acre" a pleasant learning space. The ceremony included 5th and 6th grade students singing the National Anthem, and reading original nature poems. It was all very touching, and I feel privileged that we were invited to be part of it.
We also donated a bat house to the cause...a bat house built by 4-H'ers that we won as a door prize several years ago at our insurance provider's annual dinner, but that we never got around to using; and my Master Gardener husband donated several butterfly bushes.
It was a very nice dedication ceremony, honoring the Boy Scouts, along with others, who worked hard during this past summer building a concrete walking path, wooden bridge, and classroom benches that make "Ecology Acre" a pleasant learning space. The ceremony included 5th and 6th grade students singing the National Anthem, and reading original nature poems. It was all very touching, and I feel privileged that we were invited to be part of it.
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