Cassie-b

Every Other Year New Year’s Resolution

I make a new year's resolution every other year (odd numbered years)- And that is to try at least one new recipe a week (or 52 a year).

It's something I like to do, and my personal cookbook has grown a lot in the past few years.

The opposite (even numbered) year that I don't make a resolution, I get to retry some of those recipes, and make my own personal adjustments.

Oh, and 2004 is my off year!!!

Happy New Year to everyone. I only wish I knew more people to send that wish to.

Mandarin Design is always posting neat things to do, which I always admire and then never do. So today is the day I'm going to give it a try.

Here goes---

Cool. Thanks Mandarin Design

Merry Christmas Again

We're having special company today for more gift giving and dinner.

Don's practicing his New Year's dinner creation again today. He's developing a recipe that we've tried twice so far, and once again today.

He's making stuffed pork chops (cooked on the grill), and has been experimenting on the stuffing. And is it good! I can hardly wait for today's version.

I'll be posting the recipe after New Year's eve if anyone would like to try his culinary creation.

Happy Boxing Day

I was over visiting Buzz at his blogsite this morning and was pleased to see that he mentioned yet another reason for celebration, Boxing Day.

So, for all of you who celebrate Boxing Day, and all of you who wish you celebrated Boxing day, Enjoy!

Christmas Stockings –

When I was a little girl, my Mother always put my Christmas stocking at the foot of my bed on Christmas eve after I fell asleep. She did the same for my brother.

In the morning, we could open our stockings as early as we woke up. But we had to wait till 7:00 before we could wake our parents.

I believe I did the same for my children, but can’t remember. Can anyone help me with that one?

A Little Wreath

Right click and take this little wreath. Link back to the site you took it from. Leave a message in the comments if you do it - I'd like to see where it goes!
Let's celebrate the holidays around the web!

I got mine from Linkmeister.

Last minute gifts.

I think all our holiday gifts are bought and wrapped. But it seems that no matter how organized I try to be, there is always something that’s been forgotten or added. And out I go with the rest of the Christmas shoppers, some who even really like to be out there at the last minute.

One year, I decided that whatever had to be bought after a certain day had to come from a grocery store. You’d be surprised how much good gift stuff there is in grocery stores.

How are you doing?

Ugliest ornament

We’re in the process of decorating our tree. We have too many ornaments, but we do our best to get at least the most important ornaments displayed every year. I have one from my past that’s just about as ugly as it can be, but I loved the family that gave it to me (and probably will never run across them again – they don’t live anywhere near here). So up it goes every year. I’d post a picture of it, but, you never know who’s reading your blog. So I’ll pass on the display.

Anyone else put bad looking things on their tree because of the sentiment attached?

Cold, Rainy Night

The weather very nasty here tonight- cold and rainy (hence the title of this post) I came home from work and wanted something really good to eat. This is what I came up with. It's so good and so easy. And would you believe I had all the ingredients!!

30 minute Cream of Mushroom Soup

6 cups sliced fresh mushrooms
½ cup finely chopped onion
½ cup chopped celery
about 4 Tablespoons butter
6 tablespoons flour
salt-pepper
2 cans chicken broth
3 cups milk.

In large saucepan, sauté mushrooms, onions, and celery in butter till soft.
Stir in flour and seasonings.

Gradually stir in chicken broth and milk, cooking till slightly thickened. Stir a lot, and do not boil.

Christmas is nearly here

And I’m so close to ready, that I can almost relax.

Don said we were going to get our tree early this year, but I kind of wonder when early happens. It hasn’t happened yet. Maybe tomorrow.

Anyone who plans to have a Christmas tree have one yet? And if so, is it decorated?

Maybe I can show you a picture of the one in our house by this time next week.

Another Snow

Don and I went out for a walk in the beautiful snow this morning, and he practiced making Snow angels

Weekend mornings – When should they start?

My alarm clock buzzes me awake at 5:20 each weekday morning. I get ready for work, get to work ½ hour early so I can exercise at the fitness center.

Why, then should my body wake me up at 5:20 on Saturday and Sunday, my days of NOT working (at the office, at least).

Don’t you think that those regular waking hours should be banned from weekend appearances?

Street Names in Your Town

I’ve lived in lots of places before I settled here in good ole’ Pennsylvania.

One thing I noticed is that many towns have used the same street names,
State Street, Meeting Street, Broad Street, Main Street.

Does your town (or city) use any of these names? Or do you have any other standard street names where you live?

Just curious.

Remembering Another Snow

One more snow entry - Hope you don't mind.

Some years ago, we moved to Charleston, SC from Connecticut.

Because we were moving south, we gave away all our sleds, shovels, mittens, warm clothes – you get the picture.

That year, Charleston had the “Snowfall of the Century” . There was snow all the way up to the window ledges.

All the neighbor kids were out in the snow with socks on their hands (not a mitten in sight), many layers of clothes, and large pieces of cardboard to slide on.

But you know, the kids didn’t care. They just had fun.

Second Snow

Well, here it is – one day from the first snow. And, as promised by our ever faithful (and occasionally correct) weathermen, we’re in the throes of the second storm.

Don has just finished snow blowing for a second time – our house, and two ladies without husbands (both in their 80’s) sidewalks and driveways.

It is pretty! Here’s a picture of our front and back yard.

First Snow of the Season

Well, here it is.


And it couldn’t be much more inconvenient.

I had a company party that I could have attended if it wasn’t snowing so hard, and the party is so far away.

Tomorrow we are supposed to go to the Playhouse and see Kevin in his first ever play – I’m pretty sure it will be cancelled, and tomorrow night, we’re supposed to go to an annual dinner with our bridge group (that no longer plays bridge, we just eat).

The roads around here (SE Pennsylvania) aren’t well tended, and most people here aren’t very accomplished snowstorm drivers, so I try to avoid the roads whenever possible.

Two years ago, it took me 4 hours and 15 minutes to drive the 8 miles from work to home (not much fun) I could have driven to Hartford CT in that same amount of time!!

So, I think I’d like to stay close to home this weekend. Don, however, loves to go driving in the snow. We’ll see what happens.

Bloggers- start 'em out young

Yesterday I went to visit busy baby’s blog.

He seems to be a little young to type so well. And he certainly is an interesting (and very cute) boy.

Perhaps you’d like to stop by and introduce yourself to him. He’s the youngest (and cutest) blogger I’ve ever visited.

Just a Little Quickie

What if something happens...

and you get scared half to death...

and then it happens again....

Can you believe

When I got my drink at the cafeteria at work today (a process I have completed successfully hundreds of times), I got a little surprise. After I got my food and drink to my desk (I've had to work through lunch for 2 days straight now), I discovered a frozen tiny little ant nestled up on an irregularly-shaped piece of ice.

Not a great happening. I would have gone back to the cafeteria and shown someone and complained, but it's about a 5 minute walk from my office.

Kind of spoiled my appetite.