Getting into the Spirit

The day after Thanksgiving has always been the day we start decorating for Christmas.  The tree goes up and the outside decorations get done.

So, to get you all in the Christmas Spirit, I thought I'd share the transformation of my house (inside and out) with you.

This is how our house started the day.

 Then came the snowman and his trees, and (new this year) the garland on the porch.  **Note to self: next year consult with engineer husband before doing garland so it is not put up 4 times.

Then it was time for a quick trip to the store for another extension cord and to look for lights (each of the 4 net lights we had were only half lighting).  Cord purchased, lights not found, we returned home and decided to use the ones we used to put on the trees (when they were shorter and we could reach them without a ladder) And, Voila.......

Then, after a quick bite to eat, we put Trans Siberian Orchestra on on the Playstation (running off our computer- way cool) and

put up the tree.

This is how the room started.                      These are my two helpers.

The tree is up!                         And the first ornament is being put on. 

The decorated tree and the decorators.  (Yes, I know my antler is broken.  If you look closely, you can see the second antler laying on my head. Somehow, my son broke them.  I put them on and told my husband I was the reindeer who had had too much to drink.)

And the stockings were hung on the wall with great care.

Cookie Recipe

i've been talking about cookies with friends so I decided to post this recipe for all of you.  I don't remember where I got it from, but it is an easy recipe that anyone can do (and change up).

3 Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies

Heat oven to 350.

1 cup sugar (or sugar substitute- like Splenda)
1 cup peanut butter (crunchy or smooth- I use smooth)
1 egg

Combine sugar and egg.  Add peanut butter.  Roll into balls and place on a cookie sheet about an inch apart (they don't spread much).  Cross hatch with a fork.  Bake for 8-12 minutes or until edges are golden brown.

Variations:

Chocolate Chip PB Cookies: Add chocolate chips (I use the miniature ones)- about half  of a 12 ounce bag is good.

Bar Cookies: Pat dough into the bottom of a greased brownie pan (I spray mine with cooking spray) and bake.  When you remove it from the oven, sprinkle chocolate chips on top and let them melt.  When they are softened, spread then around like you would frosting.  Let set, then cut into bars.

Hope you enjoy!!

Happy Thanksgiving!

I'm posting this early as I know I wil be cooking, eating, spending time with the family, and watching football tomorrow and will not have time to be here.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE!!

As I look back over the year, I have so many things to be thankful for, so here is a small list.

I'm thankful my family, and my friends (those I see regulary, those I see sporadically, and those I've only seen on-line).  I'm thankful for my health and my job. 

I'm thankful to all of the men and women in uniform who work everyday to keep us safe at home and abroad.  I'm thankful for the officers and emergency personnel who risk their lives and give their time to help us.  I'm thankful to the families of all these people who give them the love and support they need to do their jobs. 

I'm thankful for all the things that I have and the abilities I've been given. 

I'm thankful I live in a country where I can say what I want, without fear, even if someone else doesn't agree with me. 

Feel free to share what you're thankful for in the comments.

Thanksgiving Menu

Thanksgiving is just around the corner, which means I need to plan what we will be having for our feast that day.  Of course there will be turkey and cranberry sauce (how can you have Thanksgiving without turkey or cranberry sauce??)   So, here's how my menu is looking:


Meal:

Roasted Butter Herb Turkey
Mashed Potates and Gravy (homemade)
Stuffing (Stove Top, of course)
Cranberry Sauce (the jellied kind, not the berries)
Squash
Sweet potatoes (maybe- not sure yet)

Dessert:

Pumpkin Pie
Caramel  Pie (an ice cream type thing my sister-in-law makes- very yummy- I'll get the recipe to post)
Chocloate Cake (new recipe Mother-in-law is trying out)

Drinks:

Cider and Hot Damn (heated in CrockPot)
Cranberry Bog (NYS Wine- from Montezuma winery)
Soda and plain cider (for the kids)
Coffee


What's on your menu?  Post in comments.

Technology

Technology is great - except when it doesn't work.  Although, at least in my case, it is usually the operator and not the technology.

I look back at when I was younger and try to remember how I got along without the internet and cell phone and all the goodies I have now.  It seems like I've had them forever.

I love the internet.  We've met so many cool people off the internet.  We have a great group of friends we camp with throughout the year.  In the past, it would have just been whoever we met up with at the campground.  Now we camp with people from all over the US and Canada.

I've also found the joys of the fan site.  Thanks to my love for Leverage, I have met a great group of people at Always Christian Kane.  The webmistress does a great job, and I had the privilege to meet her and one of the site moderators at the Columbus Concert I went to. Where else can you chat back and forth with a bunch of people from around the world who have many things in common?  It is so AWESOME!!!!

I wonder what my son will look back at and say, "I wonder how I got along without....."  Time will tell.

Recipes

I have recently been talking with several friends and family members about some recipes I've found that I really enjoy using. I thought (since deep down I really am lazy) I would post links to them here to share with all of you. None of these recipes are mine, nor are the sites they are at- if you send them on, please be sure to give proper credit to the owners of them.


Rattlesnake Steak (there is NO snake in this recipe):

I came across this recipe after watching an interview with actor/singer Christian Kane (yes- the same guy I went to see in concert). If you like bleu cheese and bacon, you should enjoy this.

http://http//www.countryweekly.com/steak/cooking/86

Rice Pudding:

I love Cozy Shack Rice pudding- it is so creamy and good. So, I was looking for a recipe and stumbled across one that uses your left over rice from Chinese take out. It is AWESOME!!!

http://www.slashfood.com/2006/09/10/rice-pudding-with-leftover-rice/

Turkey:

I started using this recipe about two Thanksgivings ago and have found it to make a very flavorful and moist turkey. (That says a lot, as I am not a big turkey eater).

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/sandra-lee/roasted-butter-herb-turkey-recipe/index.html

Hope you enjoy them as much as I have.

Thank You!!!

To all those who have served and are currently serving in our armed forces and to their families:

THANK YOU

Freedom is not free and I greatly appreciate the sacrifices you and your families have made to allow us the freedoms that we have.