2007
2008
WHaaaaaaT??? No picture from Christmas 2008? Apparently not.
2009
2010
2011
Saturday, December 24, 2011
Christmas in blogging years
2006
2007
2008
WHaaaaaaT??? No picture from Christmas 2008? Apparently not.
2009
2010
2011
2007
2008
WHaaaaaaT??? No picture from Christmas 2008? Apparently not.
2009
2010
2011
Sunday night drive
A few weeks ago, we drove through a living nativity scene at a local church. It's quite lovely; we had driven through it last year and looked forward to doing it again. The cookies and hot chocolate are a nice touch too!
We mapped out the drive home to pass by some of the more elaborate outside light displays. This has been a challenge in years past (particularly when we lived in the woods!). It was deemed a success, and we made it home just in time to watch the finale of Amazing Race.
We mapped out the drive home to pass by some of the more elaborate outside light displays. This has been a challenge in years past (particularly when we lived in the woods!). It was deemed a success, and we made it home just in time to watch the finale of Amazing Race.
Friday, December 23, 2011
Oh Christmas . . .
tree . . .
We did get ours up quite timely. Robert set it up, Holly and Trevor decorated with me and chose to take pictures instead of being in them.
I'd also spent some time at Michael's during the week, looking for craft supplies for ornaments that we made. Hunh. I know I took the pictures but can't find them. But the shopping was surprisingly really fun and started my real Christmas spirit this year.
We did get ours up quite timely. Robert set it up, Holly and Trevor decorated with me and chose to take pictures instead of being in them.
I'd also spent some time at Michael's during the week, looking for craft supplies for ornaments that we made. Hunh. I know I took the pictures but can't find them. But the shopping was surprisingly really fun and started my real Christmas spirit this year.
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Trevor and CAP
Trevor went to his first Civil Air Patrol banquet. While parents and families were welcomed, the invitation specifically said that it really was an event for the Cadets. Trevor was happy to go on his own.
It was held at the beautiful Vinton War Memorial venue. Until that night, I'd assumed the memorial was a stone in a park. He had a great time with friends, a truly memorable night, once again part of his social life of which I am completely unaware. But I'll manage; he's turning out okay without me. ;)
It was held at the beautiful Vinton War Memorial venue. Until that night, I'd assumed the memorial was a stone in a park. He had a great time with friends, a truly memorable night, once again part of his social life of which I am completely unaware. But I'll manage; he's turning out okay without me. ;)
Sunday, December 11, 2011
Recent recipes
Potato Skins
That classic bar food at home!!
8 large baking potatoes, baked
1/4 c. + 2 T. oil
2 T. grated Parmesan cheese
1 t. salt
1/2 t. garlic powder
1/2 t. paprika
1/2 t. pepper
1/2 lb. bacon, cooked and crumbled
2 c. cheddar cheese, shredded
sour cream
green onion, sliced
Cut potatoes in half lengthwise; scoop out pulp, leaving a 1/4-in. shell (save pulp for another use). Place potato skins on a greased baking sheet. Combine oil, parmesan cheese, salt, garlic powder, paprika and pepper; brush over insides of potatoes, turn over, and brush on outside (this lets any extra oil drip out of the inside). Bake right-side up at 475 degrees F for 7 minutes; turn upside down. Bake until crisp, about 7 minutes more. Sprinkle bacon and cheddar cheese inside skins. Bake 2 minutes longer or until the cheese is melted. Top with sour cream and onions. Serve immediately.
____________________
Basic Chicken Salad
Who knew it was really this easy?
1/2 c. mayonnaise
1 T. lemon juice
1/4 t. pepper
2 c. chopped, cooked chicken meat
1/2 c. almonds (or other nuts)
1 stalk celery, chopped
Mix all together; if possible, chill for several hours to let flavors blend.
____________________
Chocolate Pecan Pie
Trevor's friend Kurt made this for our Thanksgiving dinner. I love pecans, I'm not wild about pecan pie, but this was delicious!
9" unbaked pie crust
3 eggs
2/3 c. sugar
1/2 t. salt
1/3 c. margarine, melted (uh, what's wrong with butter???)
1 c. light corn syrup
1 c. pecan halves
1-1/2 c. semisweet chocolate chips
Preheat oven to 375. Beat eggs, sugar, salt, margarine, and syrup with hand beater. Stir in pecans and chocolate chips. Pour into pie shell. Bake until set, 40-50 mins. Cool.
Click here to see additional comments about this recipe.
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CROCK POT MASHED POTATOES
A bit misleading, as they are first cooked on the stove and then kept warm in the crockpot. But they were terrifically easy to make ahead, some of the lightest, fluffiest potatoes I've ever had! I hope I remember to make these for every holiday, whether or not we have company. It was so nice to get them done and out of the way!
5 lbs. potatoes
3 cubes chicken bouillon
8 oz. carton of sour cream
8 oz. brick of cream cheese (I used light)
1 stick of butter (relax, people, it's the HOLIDAYS)
salt/pepper to taste
Boil potatoes as usual, tossing the bouillon cubes in the water as it boils. The recipe says to save some of the cooking water when the potatoes are drained.
Mash potatoes with sour cream and cream cheese, adding reserved water if necessary.
Transfer to crock pot, cover, and cook on low for 2-3 hours. Just before serving, stir in butter and season with salt and pepper to taste.
That classic bar food at home!!
8 large baking potatoes, baked
1/4 c. + 2 T. oil
2 T. grated Parmesan cheese
1 t. salt
1/2 t. garlic powder
1/2 t. paprika
1/2 t. pepper
1/2 lb. bacon, cooked and crumbled
2 c. cheddar cheese, shredded
sour cream
green onion, sliced
Cut potatoes in half lengthwise; scoop out pulp, leaving a 1/4-in. shell (save pulp for another use). Place potato skins on a greased baking sheet. Combine oil, parmesan cheese, salt, garlic powder, paprika and pepper; brush over insides of potatoes, turn over, and brush on outside (this lets any extra oil drip out of the inside). Bake right-side up at 475 degrees F for 7 minutes; turn upside down. Bake until crisp, about 7 minutes more. Sprinkle bacon and cheddar cheese inside skins. Bake 2 minutes longer or until the cheese is melted. Top with sour cream and onions. Serve immediately.
____________________
Basic Chicken Salad
Who knew it was really this easy?
1/2 c. mayonnaise
1 T. lemon juice
1/4 t. pepper
2 c. chopped, cooked chicken meat
1/2 c. almonds (or other nuts)
1 stalk celery, chopped
Mix all together; if possible, chill for several hours to let flavors blend.
____________________
Chocolate Pecan Pie
Trevor's friend Kurt made this for our Thanksgiving dinner. I love pecans, I'm not wild about pecan pie, but this was delicious!
9" unbaked pie crust
3 eggs
2/3 c. sugar
1/2 t. salt
1/3 c. margarine, melted (uh, what's wrong with butter???)
1 c. light corn syrup
1 c. pecan halves
1-1/2 c. semisweet chocolate chips
Preheat oven to 375. Beat eggs, sugar, salt, margarine, and syrup with hand beater. Stir in pecans and chocolate chips. Pour into pie shell. Bake until set, 40-50 mins. Cool.
Click here to see additional comments about this recipe.
____________________
CROCK POT MASHED POTATOES
A bit misleading, as they are first cooked on the stove and then kept warm in the crockpot. But they were terrifically easy to make ahead, some of the lightest, fluffiest potatoes I've ever had! I hope I remember to make these for every holiday, whether or not we have company. It was so nice to get them done and out of the way!
5 lbs. potatoes
3 cubes chicken bouillon
8 oz. carton of sour cream
8 oz. brick of cream cheese (I used light)
1 stick of butter (relax, people, it's the HOLIDAYS)
salt/pepper to taste
Boil potatoes as usual, tossing the bouillon cubes in the water as it boils. The recipe says to save some of the cooking water when the potatoes are drained.
Mash potatoes with sour cream and cream cheese, adding reserved water if necessary.
Transfer to crock pot, cover, and cook on low for 2-3 hours. Just before serving, stir in butter and season with salt and pepper to taste.
Friday, December 09, 2011
Ugh
I've neglected my poor blog for so long. But there is nothing new or unusual to post. Perhaps that's a sign that I need to plan something? We have not been up to anything special. Life is plugging along, routine, but not boring.
We had a lovely Thanksgiving. Friends came over, and we had dinner for ten, a houseful for us. We are getting ready for Christmas.
Robert is making sure all ducks are in a row to drop our land line and go with just cell phones. He's also ensuring our county roads are kept clear of hazardous street signs and poles. Or something like that.
Work has been busy in an unexpected way. With Joyce gone, the other two of us in the children's department (the third person doesn't really count) have had to pick up the slack. What a blessing that we each have different strengths; we've easily balanced the responsibility and, I think, each preferred what fell into our lap. I've been doing virtually all of the cataloging of children's books, both for our main library and the branch. I'd dabbled in it before, but I've had to jump in all the way. There are a limited number of staff trained to do this; I am now one of four, and no one else wanted to take this on. I've also taken on the ordering of all children's materials for our main library. The children's staff continues to give input as before, but I'm the one ultimately making up and placing the order. I'm very much enjoying the computer side of these jobs. Meanwhile, it appears that a new children's librarian has been chosen. I've been praying a lot about the chosen candidate, and I'm sure Joyce would be extremely pleased with the new hire. She's expected to begin after Christmas, and I can't wait!
Holly's been doing well in chemistry and got a kick out of hearing classmates describe her as "the smart one." It has not been a particularly welcomed challenge for her, but her quarter grade is 93.7%. Sometimes she'll ask for help on her homework. As if. While I'm busy googling, finding non-answers, she gets it figured out.
Trevor has been diligently following his school schedule. He's completely enjoying Life of Fred (pre-algebra). He long ago finished the first book (of two), and he's at least 1/3 of the way through the second. Looks like he'll be starting algebra before the end of the school year. He also requested that I get Dickens' A Christmas Carol for him to read before Christmas. It's on his Lightning Lit schedule for later this year, but he's been eagerly waiting for it for several months.
Pretty much the usual goings-on. We continue to plug along in school. This is the first year that I've worked every Saturday during a school year, and it's working out well for all of us. I'm much less frazzled, feel like we have a great handle on our schedule, and the kids appreciate knowing that Saturdays are truly a day off of work, a real end of the week.
Life is good.
We had a lovely Thanksgiving. Friends came over, and we had dinner for ten, a houseful for us. We are getting ready for Christmas.
Robert is making sure all ducks are in a row to drop our land line and go with just cell phones. He's also ensuring our county roads are kept clear of hazardous street signs and poles. Or something like that.
Work has been busy in an unexpected way. With Joyce gone, the other two of us in the children's department (the third person doesn't really count) have had to pick up the slack. What a blessing that we each have different strengths; we've easily balanced the responsibility and, I think, each preferred what fell into our lap. I've been doing virtually all of the cataloging of children's books, both for our main library and the branch. I'd dabbled in it before, but I've had to jump in all the way. There are a limited number of staff trained to do this; I am now one of four, and no one else wanted to take this on. I've also taken on the ordering of all children's materials for our main library. The children's staff continues to give input as before, but I'm the one ultimately making up and placing the order. I'm very much enjoying the computer side of these jobs. Meanwhile, it appears that a new children's librarian has been chosen. I've been praying a lot about the chosen candidate, and I'm sure Joyce would be extremely pleased with the new hire. She's expected to begin after Christmas, and I can't wait!
Holly's been doing well in chemistry and got a kick out of hearing classmates describe her as "the smart one." It has not been a particularly welcomed challenge for her, but her quarter grade is 93.7%. Sometimes she'll ask for help on her homework. As if. While I'm busy googling, finding non-answers, she gets it figured out.
Trevor has been diligently following his school schedule. He's completely enjoying Life of Fred (pre-algebra). He long ago finished the first book (of two), and he's at least 1/3 of the way through the second. Looks like he'll be starting algebra before the end of the school year. He also requested that I get Dickens' A Christmas Carol for him to read before Christmas. It's on his Lightning Lit schedule for later this year, but he's been eagerly waiting for it for several months.
Pretty much the usual goings-on. We continue to plug along in school. This is the first year that I've worked every Saturday during a school year, and it's working out well for all of us. I'm much less frazzled, feel like we have a great handle on our schedule, and the kids appreciate knowing that Saturdays are truly a day off of work, a real end of the week.
Life is good.
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