SoSueMe

SoSueMe. The name of my brand new company. That's right. I had big plans. I was going into business for myself creating my very own brand of fortune cookies ~ "Fortunates" (with glad tidings of love and support), and "Misfortunes" (with good natured (or not so good) jests and insults!).

Cute, huh? We started out by making a batch of Martha's fortune cookies, which was a total disaster (warning: do not try this at home). We burned our fingers and to be quite honest, they looked nasty.

So what happened? Well, those finger burns really hurt, I have the attention span of a gnat, and it was already being "done" all over the world. It was over before it started. SoSueMe.

But a cute idea, is a cute idea. And I was pretty excited over this fun, burn safe, variation of the fortune cookie. It's pretty self-explanatory.

Have fun, and Happy New Year!

(I found this on a blog somewhere, and for the life of me I can't remember where.

So if you know the owner of these great pics, let me know!)

Happy Birthday...

...to my beautiful sister, and my very best friend.

Next Year

Next year I'm going to put a Spoon Tree on my kitchen island. How adorable is that? I've got the trees, I've got the old silver spoons, I've got the ribbons and berries. The only thing I lack this year is the time!

And look at this gorgeous place setting.

I love it. It's simple and elegant. In fact... I've got the china, I've got the goblets and silver compotes, I've got the linens, and I've even got that same sterling silver pattern. This table practically screams my name. Next year.

And since apparently I'll have all this extra time on my hands Next Year... I'll needlepoint these darling stocking silverware holders.

But, to be quite honest, simply looking at these pictures is good enough for me. Because I'd rather spend my time, this year and next, hanging out with my family, taking drives to see the lights, playing endless games of dominoes, laughing, watching movies, relaxing, and making memories.

Pop Can Carolers

Meet my Pop Can Carolers!

My kids think these little Can Carolers look more like they've just seen the Ghost of Christmas Past, but I happen to think they're adorable!

The carolers are so simple and rather fun to make.

The Can:
1. Take the pull tab off a rinsed and dry can of soda.
2. Smash the can by stepping on it.
3. Spray paint the entire can with red spray paint, making sure to get some inside the "mouth" so it'll look like the caroler has a red tongue. Use a paint that will stick to aluminum. Give it a good enough coat to hide the markings on the can.

The Face:
4. After the base coat dries, paint the "face" or top of the can with a flesh tone paint. I used craft paint for ceramics and plaster. Since you'll be painting on top of the base coat of spray paint, pretty much any kind of paint will stick. Note: There should be a small tab of metal left after you pull off the pull tab. This can act as a "nose." Turn it in any direction to get the look you want.
5. Give your caroler lipstick, by outlining the area right at the edge of the "mouth" with red paint or a red permanent marker.
6. The features are best applied with permanent marker. I used red for "blush" and black for freckles on some of the carolers. On a couple of others, I used a soft pink paint and dabbed at the cheeks a rosy look, and even painted a touch of pink on the tongue. For the eyes (you can use craft eyes, but those are the carolers who look like they've seen a ghost!). I'm no artist, so Papa drew the eyes for me.

Accessorize:
7. This is the fun part! Use your imagination! Find some "hair" at the craft store. It comes in a variety of colors. Use the glue gun and stick it in place. You can use ribbon for big over sized bows at the "neck" and sprigs of holly for accents. I used pompoms and ribbon for earmuffs, and those fat pipe cleaners for hats. Scraps of felt for hats are cute too. Don't forget to add a ribbon for hanging on your tree! Happy Caroling!

It'snow joke...

See that funny white fluffy stuff coming out of the cloud on my desktop weather widget for today? I'd never seen that on the widget before....

Corona Weather
Detailed Local Forecast
Severe Weather Alert
Tonight: Partly cloudy skies early then becoming cloudy with a mix of rain and snow late. Low 32F. SSW winds at 5 to 10 mph, increasing to 10 to 20 mph. Chance of precip 70%. Snowfall around one inch.

Merry Christmas!

Cozy Night Read-a-louds

Snowmen at Night and Snowmen at Christmas are wonderful stories that should be required reading for every kid and the kid in every adult!

Snowmen at Night shares with us the magical, slip-sliding adventures of snowmen after dark. . . but have you ever wondered what snowmen do for Christmas?

The verse is bouncy, and the pictures are beautiful. There are also 'seek and find' images on each page!

Hanukkah Chanukah Tomato Tomahto

I think I might be a little bit Jewish.

It all started when I was a little kid. My dad (the local bishop) and Rabbi Stern (the local rabbi) decided to become great friends and have congregation swaps. We’d go to their Sabbath meeting on Friday nights, and they’d come to our sacrament meeting on Sunday mornings. I’ve got countless Jewish friends. I’ve been to their bar mitzvahs and Seders, eaten my share of latkes, tasted (and survived) gefilte fish, and spun countless dreidels. I can even swear in Yiddish.

Not wanting my own children to miss out on the rich experiences, diversities, and celebrations of another culture (and probably wanting a good excuse to make latkes), we observed Hanukah when the kids were little. Just the first night. We’d read a Hanukah story, I’d whip up a batch of latkes, and we’d play the dreidel game. Tim knew all the rules. (He kept winning somehow).

Our Hanukah celebrations really ended up being more of a tribute to our friends. Michael's mother gave me his childhood menorah, and our friends from New York, Abe and Miriam, recorded and sung the Hanukah prayers for us, and also gave us some yamakas for the boys (which I think they swiped from a neighbor kid’s bar mitzvah).

I’ll never forget the year Grandma and Papa were with us on the first night of Hanukah. Some might wonder how Dad would react to the fact that we were about to light candles and partake in a borrowed heritage for the evening. But I wish they could have seen his delight. He was thrilled to take part and loved every moment of it. (Rabbi Stern would have been proud).

It wasn’t too long before the boys refused to wear the yamakas, and no amount of Jewish mother’s guilt would sway them. “Fine! Be that way! So don’t worry about your mother’s happiness. That’s fine thanks for all the latkes I’ve made you!” But at least they’ll always remember and always have respect. And that’s really why a Mormon family celebrated Hanukah.

Christmas never tasted so good...

Chewy Chocolate Gingerbread Cookies

Ingredients
7 ounces best-quality semisweet chocolate
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1 1/4 teaspoons ground ginger
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 tablespoon cocoa powder
8 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 tablespoon freshly grated ginger
1 tablespoon dark brown sugar, packed
1/2 cup unsulfured molasses
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 cup granulated sugar

Directions
Line two baking sheets with parchment. Chop chocolate into 1/4-inch chunks; set aside. In a medium bowl, sift together flour, ground ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and cocoa.

In the bowl of an electric mixer, fitted with the paddle attachment, beat butter and grated ginger until whitened, about 4 minutes. Add brown sugar; beat until combined. Add molasses; beat until combined.

In a small bowl, dissolve baking soda in 1 1/2 teaspoons boiling water. Beat half of flour mixture into butter mixture. Beat in baking-soda mixture, then remaining half of flour mixture. Mix in chocolate; turn out onto a piece of plastic wrap. Pat dough out to about 1 inch thick; seal with wrap; refrigerate until firm, 2 hours or more.

Heat oven to 325 degrees F. Roll dough into 1 1/2- inch balls; place 2 inches apart on baking sheets. Refrigerate 20 minutes. Roll in granulated sugar. Bake until the surfaces crack slightly, 10 to 12 minutes. Let cool 5 minutes; transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Some things are meant to be shared.

And some things aren't. You can have the recipe, but no sneaking any of my cookies!

Kris Kringle Cookies

Ingredients
1 cup butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 1/4 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 (6 ounce) packages BAKER'S Premium White Baking Chocolate, chopped
2 cups chopped pecans, toasted
2 cups dried cranberries

Directions
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Beat butter and sugars in large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy. Blend in eggs and vanilla. Add flour, baking soda and salt; mix well. Stir in chocolate, pecans and cranberries.

Drop dough by rounded tablespoonfuls, 1-1/2 inches apart, onto ungreased baking sheets.

Bake 9 to 11 min. or until lightly browned. Cool 3 min.; remove to wire racks. Cool completely. Store in tightly covered container at room temperature.

Variation: Prepare as directed, replacing 6 of the white chocolate squares with 6 squares of semi-sweet baking chocolate. Or, substitute chopped walnuts or slivered almonds for the pecans; or chopped dried apricots or mixed dried fruit bits for the dried cranberries.

Makes 72 cookies

5th time's the charm?

My boy was nominated. Again. I'm keeping my fingers, toes, and eyes crossed. Especially my eyes.

Category 14
Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album

(For albums containing 51% or more playing time of VOCAL tracks.)

Still Unforgettable Natalie Cole [DMI Records]
The Sinatra Project Michael Feinstein [Concord Music Group]

Noël Josh Groban [143/Reprise]

In The Swing Of Christmas Barry Manilow [Hallmark/Arista]

Rufus Does Judy At Carnegie Hall Rufus Wainwright [Geffen]

Seriously

These are seriously cute.

In fact, I've even made these snowmen when Doug was in 3rd grade and took them to the class party (coconut around the base looks a lot like snow, but I learned the hard way that most 3rd graders hate coconut). Of course that was 20 years ago. When I was young. And partially insane. Who wouldn't be to make 34 snowman cupcakes for a 3rd grade Christmas party?


But now? Whose got time for this kind of stuff? I'm busier now than I was with little ones underfoot. (How did that happen?) This holiday season, I really need to make time to just relax and hang out and make stuff. Like cupcakes. Seriously.

It's beginning to look alot like....

...a huge mess around here!

I've got Christmas spread out all over the place. It's elf madness at its best. Shadow's tree is up and looking adorable. And what's not adorable about a tree decorated with black labs and plaid ribbon? It's in the family room, and perfect for Shadow and Bob while they hang out. The cave tree is next on the list, and the big live one in the living room is next week's chore. Yeah, I know. That's three trees. But I did save Bob $60 because I didn't get the little one I wanted for the counter upstairs. And that should count for something.

My beautiful sister and her wonderful husband have just left for their desert home, Maria comes Tuesday (I love Maria) and if she's to clean any surface at all I've got to unearth it. So it's decorating time for me! I'll post pictures soon!

Let us give thanks...

...for paper plates and Aunt Diane's potatoes.

Now enough of this. Let's move on to Christmas!

It's Festivus!

The Glorious Month of Bob!

And we've been celebrating... oh how we have been celebrating! The week prior to the Day of Bob we begin our celebrations with excited anticipation.

Then on the 25th of November, we had a bonfire, offerings, and singing to celebrate his birth!

The very next day, special visitors from afar came bearing gifts and singing praises.

Today, the celebrations continue throughout the world with feasting and parades!

Happy Birthday, BOB!

We love you!

Very small rocks...

One of the coolest places in Massachusetts is the town of Plymouth...

The rock (what's left of it) and the Mayflower are so much smaller than you might expect.

...We loved having adventures there!

Let’s face facts

Cedric Diggory vs. Edward Cullen

Yes, the debate has been raging strong at our little elementary school. You’d think those teachers would have better things to do with their time (and they do), however, my little library has once again become a watering hole. A room of debates and hypotheses. Heated and lively discussion has sprung up on all sides.

Who can best the other? Who would win in a duel or fight to the death? Which spells, or combination thereof, would Cedric have to use and would he be quick enough? Would Edward? And then there was the question of who is cuter (face palm).

The excitement is building to the frenzy point. Tomorrow night. Tomorrow night I will again become a lemming. I am headed off to joint the masses, in the company of like minded souls, to see Twilight.

Oh, and by the way. Cedric can totally whip Edward. I mean, c’mon. The man has a wand for cryin’ out loud!

Baggin' Thanksgiving

I’ve tried a bunch of ways to cook turkey over the years…

The way my mother taught us: roasting pans, foil tents, basting etc., which always dried out the bird. (Sorry, mom).

The way the food news radio show host taught us: 2” shallow pan, breast side down (which was kind of weird), more foil, more basting, and it never browned.

And in an oven bag (which is my all time favorite): The turkey turns out perfect ever time. It’s tender and juicy, browns beautifully, cooks faster, and best of all? No messy cleanup. I know. I probably sound like a commercial. But talkin' turkey is serious business!

Added Note: In the comments, Hannah (my very cute niece) brings up brined turkeys. I've never done one that way, but have seen them do it on the Food Network. I hear once you go brined, you never go back.

I do, however, have a deep fried turkey horror story that will turn you vegetarian. But I can't tell that particular story until the parties in question are dead.

Gulliver’s Creamed Corn

Gulliver’s was one of Dad’s favorite places to eat. He loved anything British and Gulliver’s certainly evokes the images of 18th century England, Jonathan Swift, the adventures of Captain Lemuel Gulliver, and the gracious hospitality of an English roadside inn. Prime rib, Yorkshire pudding, and Gulliver’s Creamed Corn make up the traditional Christmas dinner at out house, but Creamed Corn is a favorite for Thanksgiving as well. So here you go ~ in honor of Dad, Thanksgiving, and everything British.

Gulliver’s Creamed Corn

Ingredients
2 pkgs. (20 oz) Frozen Kernel Corn
8 oz. (1/2 pt.) Whipping Cream
8 oz. (1/2 pt.) Homogenized Milk
1 tsp. Salt
6 tsp. Sugar
Pinch White or Cayenne Pepper
2 tbsp. melted Butter
2 tbsp. Flour

Method:
Combine all ingredients except last two in a pot and bring to boil. Simmer 5 minutes. Blend butter with flour, add to the corn, mix well and remove from heat.

Variation:
Put finished corn in heat proof casserole, sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and place under a broiler until evenly browned. Serves 8.

A Good Egg

My new favorite thing.

It’s so easy

You might even say it’s a Brieze! (ouch)

One of Doug’s favorite appetizers is Baked Brie. It’s super easy and super good. We’ve tried all sorts of variations with toppings and fillings, but sometimes plain tastes the best.

Ingredients

1 can (8 oz) Pillsbury Crescent Recipe Creations refrigerated flaky dough sheet (you can use the crescent rolls. Some people like to use puff pastry dough, but personally I think it’s harder to work with.)
1 round (8 oz) Brie cheese
1 egg, beaten

Directions

Heat oven to 350°F.

Unroll dough; cut crosswise into 2 rectangles. Pat dough to form 2 squares. (If using crescent rolls: Unroll dough; separate crosswise into 2 sections. Pat dough and firmly press perforations to seal, forming 2 squares.)

Place 1 square on ungreased cookie sheet. Place cheese on center of dough. With small (really small) cookie or canapé cutter, cut 1 shape from each corner of remaining square; set cutouts aside.

Place remaining square on top of cheese round. Press dough evenly around cheese; fold bottom edges over top edges. Gently stretch dough evenly around cheese; press to seal completely. Brush with beaten egg. Top with cutouts; brush with additional beaten egg.

Bake 20 to 24 minutes or until golden brown. Cool 15 minutes. Serve warm with crackers, crusty bread wedges, or fruit such as apples or pears.

Fillings and Toppings: Fall is perfect for cranberry chutney and dried cranberries, or apricot preserves and toasted almonds, or brown sugar and pecans. I usually add raspberry preserves (about 3 T) for spring gatherings. Just add your toppings to the top of the brie before you place the top square of dough.

If you want to put a filling in the middle of the cheese, cut cheese crosswise into 2 equal layers. Place bottom half of cheese on center of dough circle on cookie sheet. Spread the filling over cheese. Sprinkle with chopped nuts. Top with remaining cheese half. Bring dough up around side of cheese, pressing and pinching dough.

Note: Leave the white mouldy rind on the cheese (or you'll have a cheesey nightmare on your hands. And in your oven. According to brie etiquette, you're supposed to eat the rind. Personally, I'd rather eat a little wad of fondant.

Fall Cupcakes

Even though the thought of biting into a little wad of fondant makes me want to gag, these little pumpkin cupcakes are sort of compelling.

Shakin' and Quakin'

Today our school had an earthquake drill.
We were having a "7.8".
I did not duck and cover.
Besides, there was no one in the library.
(I made sure of that).
Kari, the speech teacher, sat with me while we waited.
And filed her nails.
The principal started walking from the office at 9:40.
She made it to the blacktop at 10:05.
(She has a bad back).
The quake 'hit.'
The secretary in the office had a hard time reading her card over the loud speaker.
She couldn't pronounce "personnel."
Kari and I took our red backpacks so we’d be EC (earthquake correct).
We noticed Mrs. Purcar, had Maxi Pads in her red backpack.
For 10 minutes, we discussed the possible reasons why.
Mrs. B had to go to the bathroom.
I suggested she talk to Mrs. Purcar.
Mrs. Sars’ kids told Ms. Kinney, “Our teacher is missing!”
To which she replied, “Okay. Come with me.”
She never looked for Mrs Sars.
Ms. Kinney is just “like that” sometimes.
I told Mrs. Sars to buck up.
After all, she got to ride on a stretcher.
Kari and I took folding chairs to the field.
We weren't standing for an hour.
We also took magazines.
The time simply flew.

Sue

This is our sister, Sue.

Sue is a good sport.

Even when we force her to dress like us.

And even when we make fun of her after big waves sort of destroy her crisp new white pants. (I'm still laughing).



She's even a good sport when we drag her across the country on road trips for weddings and funerals and tours of our old college campus.

She's even a good sport about listening to our stories and laughs in all the right places.



Sue cares and is genuine. She loves unconditionally. Sue is trustworthy and can keep a secret. She throws a good party. Sue married a really great guy (hi, Emil!), who has a really cool accent. (We have since learned that Armenians and Persians do not have the same accents - more on that later). Even Shadow adores Sue, who never seems to care when black dog hair and white crisp pants mix.

We love you, Sue!

Happy Birthday!