2017 - A Year in Review

This year holds the end of the 50's for me.  I do have to say this has been one amazing decade in my life.  So many changes and so much love.  I am in a happy place and so, so thankful to all who touched my life.  Here's my recap:

We started out the year in January revamping the office and making a better place to work for my sweetheart.  He is able to work from home a bit now and this will make it all better.  I went to Telluride to help Amanda move as she has lots of changes in her life too.  Matt and his family came to visit and I started the slipper extravaganza.  Some crazy women decided to make a pair of slippers for everyone on their birthday.  She should be medicated.

Valentine's Day, Mister's Birthday, 10 days of retreat plus another 4 days retreating/taking class occupied most of February.

Merry Christmas! The Whole Family is Together.

Merry Christmas!  It's here!  Mister and I have slept in this morning.  Isn't that just the most sure sign that you are getting old and there are not any small people in the house?  Should we have slept in?  Probably not.  We have company arriving in a few hours and for some reason, still have a bit to do.  That means get up and get after it right?  Nope.  Let's open gifts.

It's dang obvious that I am NOT the one holding a camera.  Really?  Robe, pajamas, and crazy hair.  Yep, perfect time for a picture.

We took a trip at the first of the month that is was our gift to each other and then we bought a car.  Mister received a few fun cocktail experiment supplies and that's more than enough for our own fun.  With the kids sending goodies, we have a few more packages to open. 

Cranberry Shiver - A Christmas Tradition

Once upon a time, I was REALLY into Taste of Home magazine.  I went to their cooking schools (yep, even have the apron to prove it) and was a subscriber for many years.  It's that addictive personality of mine.

Well, in 1999 I spotted a recipe for Cranberry Shiver and had decided it was time to switch up my Christmas menu a bit.  The kids were older and more willing to appreciate different things.  I moved to a prime rib that year as well for the main course and in the 18 subsequent years, both of those items have been on my menu - this year being one of them.

I haven't shared it before, but looked it up online and as it is a free recipe now, I think I'm okay.  Are you ready?  It's just so, so good.

Start with one package (12 oz. fresh or frozen cranberries).  I always pick up several at Thanksgiving and just pop them in the freezer.  Place them in a saucepan.

Attempting Italian Bread

Happy Christmas Eve!!  Mister and I are in the kitchen preparing for a family dinner tomorrow and I remember that last year I was in here creating a taste of my past and making Lefse (yes, that is a link that you should definitely click on).  So this year, we're going forward instead of into the past.  I have always wanted to venture out a bit in my bread making arena and today is my chance.

A few weeks ago, I went on a hunt for a cookbook I have had FOREVER.  It had vanished.  Oh, I know it's here somewhere and long after I'm gone my kids will find it and remember me calling each one of them asking if they have it.  It'll be fun giggle for them.  I say this because I gave up the hunt, went on the internet, and ordered another copy of it. Yes, I liked it THAT much.  It's from 1973 and this one is in much better shape than the one I had.  It doesn't have all my wonderful notes in it, but I'm ready to go.  Today, we are going to tackle Italian bread.

It's really kind of funny to me because it shows how much our social wording has changed.  The category that the Italian Bread recipe is found under is "Foreign and Holiday Breads."  Cool, let's bake.

Tuba Christmas in the Tunnels

It's been a few years since we attended a Tuba Christmas and I would like to go today.  Driving downtown on a weekday is never on my list so DART it will be.  My sweetheart is working from home today and decides to take a little longer lunch and join me.

It has been raining all day so the concert has been moved into the tunnels downtown.  I have never been down there so this peaks my interest too.  We arrive a bit early and it's a good thing.  Oh my, there is not a lot of room down here and a LOT of tubas.

On the Way to Pick Up a New, Shiny, Red Gift

Back on 11/25 we checked out several new cars and I came away loving this red Subaru Imprezza.  Nothing happens fast in our house and I think Mister likes the blue Volkswagen better so only time will tell which, if any, one of the two make it home with us.

Oops --- Water Issues

CRAZY, CRAZY rain today.  It just keeps pouring and we have rivers flowing down the street.  As I glance outside, the water in the street seems extra special strange to me and I call to my sweetheart to come and peek. 

It is moving down the street in milky waves.  I've never seen anything like it.

1st Annual Ornament and Cookie Exchange

I'm just going to say this right out -- the holidays are tough for me.  Most of my family is a long ways away and it makes it impossible for large Christmas gatherings AND even if we could, they need to be in their own homes enjoying this time of year.  The facts don't change though -- it's hard.  It's the only time of year that I really wish I could go back in time and have littles all over again.  Oh the magic of it all and the fun I had with traditions.  It's that word, tradition, that made me think this year.  Perhaps, new traditions need to be put in place.  New gatherings.  New joy in the season.

Cherry Eggnog Tea Bread

Here is today's second tea bread recipe and I have to tell you that I have NEVER smelled a batter as divine as this one.  Please don't let the initial pictures scare you off, I really didn't kill anything, honest.

Cherry Eggnog Tea Bread (also Pampered Chef)

Preheat oven to 325°F.  Spray loaf pan with nonstick cooking spray.  Chop maraschino cherries to measure 3/4 cup.  Place on paper towel to drain.

Peanutty Chocolate Banana Bread

It's Baking Season!!!  Why don't I do this more often?  The smell in the house is divine and I do so love working with dough.  Today I am making a couple of tea breads and will share them in separate posts.  They are both old Pampered Chef recipes and available for free on their website, so  no worries here.

First up is Peanutty Chocolate Banana Bread

Preheat oven to 350°F.  Spray a loaf pan with vegetable oil.  In a mixing bowl, combine 2 cups of all-purpose flour, 1 cup of sugar, 1 teaspoon baking powder and 1/2 teaspoon salt.

Christmas Spirit in Every Room

Every so often I have chats with myself.  Well, if I'm totally honest, I talk to myself all the time, BUT that's not what I mean here.  Some reevaluation needs to take place now and then, thus resulting in a self-chat.  This year, I made the decision to bring the Spirit of Christmas back into my home.  I have struggled a great deal with this since moving to Texas, but I am determined to bring back the love for this season and ALL it brings.  One of the ways to do that is for me to not over-plan.  Not over-do.  Not over-spend.  All of those lead to stress and hurry and worry.  None of those conditions lead to the calm and peace I am looking for.  I want to bring my "home" back into play and wish for it to stay that way all year.  No, I do not have to wait until January for changes to take place --- NOW is the perfect time to start.

Mister is a gem and soon has all of the totes down from the attic.  No, that is not a dead body wrapped up as a friend suggested, it's simply part of the tree.

With the tubs all down, we both work together and soon the outside is sparkling from lots of little lights.  Yes, this is a good start.  I usually leave this to my sweetheart while I work inside, but together is much better.  It's all part of my refocus on "home" and time with my sweetheart.

My First Trip to the Girlfriend's Christmas Party - Their 32nd

I have been invited to attend "32nd Annual Girlfriend's Christmas Party."  It's being held at Pinot's Palette and a gift exchange will occur.  This sounds like so much fun and a chance to meet people I don't already know.  I've looked at the roster and "think" I may know one person other than whom I was invited by.  Oh that's terrible grammar but I just can't fix it as my brain won't wrap around it right now.

The party is at 2 so Mister and I decide to do some shopping for the morning and work our way that direction in time for the party.  I have bought an Ott-Lite for the exchange and it's wrapped and ready to go.

Upon arrival, my childhood comes racing back in.  The tree is a silver one and all it is missing is the color wheel that I remember oh so well.  Talk about a trip back in time.

Red Hat Holidays

December has arrived and with it comes another opportunity for me to attend a Red Hat gathering.  Today is a dress up Christmas luncheon, except I didn't really absorb the whole "dress up" part until rereading the email yesterday afternoon.  Hmmmm.  I am still just barely building a purple wardrobe and most of what I have now are tops and leggings.  Believe me, nothing qualifies as dressy.  Now what?

Oh wait a minute.  I picked up a lovely saree at October's retreat in the hopes of making a pair of pants and a vest or jacket.  Where did I put that?  AND, I know I bought a pattern too.  A little bit of hunting and I found both items.  I got it all laid out on the bed and was ready to pull an all-nighter making this outfit when I remembered that I need a new serger needle for my machine.  Ugh.  I was just too tired to deal with it at that point and gave up, thinking, "I'll get up early and give it a go."  Off to bed.

Atlanta w/Mister - Days 3. 4. and Going Home

Day 3 - Good morning!!  Lo and behold -- there is a coffee shop within walking distance of our place.  Are we walking? Oh my heck, no.  It's way more fun to try and find parking spaces here.  At any rate, Condesa Coffee here we come.

I have to tell you.  This is just plain yummy.  The coffee is good as is the kouign amann sweet treat.  I really need to give these a try at home.  It seems the more this year comes to an end, the more I want to be back in the kitchen.  Did I say this last year too?  I hope not because I really want to make the change and get back to doing many of the things I love so much.

Atlanta w/Mister - Days 1 & 2

When I was in Montana mid October, I received an email with a crazy good deal on airfare to Atlanta.  A few quick peeks showed that it was good for the days Mister has scheduled vacation and an also very quick phone call to him resulted in "go for it."  "It" is here.  I've never been outside the airport in Atlanta and thus, Georgia as well.  Woohoo ---checking off another state.  Let's go.

Day 1 - It's a wee hour up, up, and away for us.  The sun is just starting to rise (okay so it's not THAT wee, but we left the house at 5:00 a.m.) as we taxi for take-off.

Southwest is the carrier of choice today and we are sitting right over the wing -- sometimes good, sometimes not if you really want to watch out the window.  The good part???  The seats in front of us don't go back.  THAT's a plus in my book.

Even More Fall Splendor

More beauty from the season.  I THINK having red hair makes me adore these colors even more.  I can wear all of them.  Next to the beach, the fall season touches something deep within me.  Enjoy.

11/24

Much Needed Post Caps

Mister and I have decided to be just a little productive today.  Not too much ya see, or our systems would collapse.  I went towards the studio to sew and he replaced the post caps on the front porch banister.  This was much needed and such an improvement. 

Yes, I had to sneak back in and take a picture which managed to get me a snide comment from him --- one I will not share here. 

What did you do today?

Black Friday Done Right

Enough said.

Thanksgiving w/Jen and Family and Lights at Zoo

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!  I am indeed thankful for all the amazing things in my life.  The picture helps me keep it in balance and always remember that other things are just not that important.  Well ---- that works most of the time, but when it comes to a car . . . . . Hey Mister.

At any rate.  This is the sight we woke up to today.  Boys everywhere.

Day Before Thanksgiving Family Time

My sweet Mister has family here in Dallas too and sometimes it is hard to work out spending time with both sides over Thanksgiving.  With Jen's group in town, we can't really get away so invited Mom H. and his sister Michelle over for a pre-Thanksgiving dinner.  No turkey, but a wonderful Holiday Ham, with Lemon Thyme Rice, Iron Burnt Green Beans, Salad, Fresh Bread and Strawberry Granita for dessert.  Most of the day was spent in the kitchen, but I loved the time there.

When Jen's family arrive, they have an extra as they are hosting a foreign exchange student this year.  Welcome to the family Leon.

Holiday Ham w/Pineapple

Since I am working on the Strawberry Granita recipe today, I thought I do the ham one as well.  This one is an old Taste of Home recipe and you are supposed to do it the night before.  Ooops --- hopefully 7 hours in advance will be enough.

Take one fully-cooked, bone-in ham (12-14 pounds), spiral cut or thinly sliced and place it into a roasting pan.

Making Strawberry Granita

I'm making Strawberry Granita as dessert tonight and haven't shared this recipe before.  Once upon a time I sold Pampered Chef and it is one of their tried and true simple to make ones.  Wow, that is awful grammar but I'm leaving it as is.

Gather all your ingredients or as Mister would say, "Make sure your mise en place is at the ready."  To make enough for 12 people, you will need 2 1/4 cups water; 1 1/2 cups sugar; 3/8 teaspoon salt; 1 1/2 pound strawberries, hulled; 3 tablespoons lemon juice; 6 tablespoons vodka (can use a currant flavored, but I use plain); additional sliced strawberries, vodka, and mint for garnish (not shown).

Pioneer Days on the Way Home from Retreat

The retreat center is closed up and everyone has started their journey home leaving Mister and I at the house all by ourselves.  My car is loaded and ready for our own trip back to Dallas so with a quick farewell to the place until February, we point our car north homeward as well.  On the way down, my sweetheart had spotted a "fair" type event going on and we are in luck as it is still well underway.  It is Wardville Pioneer Days at the Chisholm Trail Museum and, after parking, the first building we come to is the old county courthouse.

Inside are volunteers who tell the story of the building and how many parts are original and this great man also knows a ton of history about the area.  We stay and listen for quite awhile,learning everything we possibly can. 

Fall Splendor

This afternoon, I glanced out the window and saw the setting sun as it touched the leaves in our messy yard.  I WISH the camera saw it the way my eyes did and hope you enjoy it too.

 

Zoo and Family Fun

Hello Fall!  We are off for a fun-filled day and the first thing I notice is the changing of the oak tree in the backyard. 

Loy Krathong Festival - Round Two

It's 4:30 p.m. and I have just arrived home from 3 days in Houston.  My sweetheart says, "Are we going to the festival?"  Well, of course we are.  Let's get going.  It started at 4 and goes until 8 and is open to the public.  What festival are we talking about?  Loy Krathong at the Buddhist Temple.  I LOVE this festival and the entire premise behind it.  I am not going to go into all of that again as I did it in a post a few years ago but just know that it's great.  (OKAY, for those who want the info --- click on this LINK from 2014)

Happy Halloween!!!

Happy Halloween Ya'll.  It's a chilly night here in Dallas, but we are ready for the kiddos.  The neighbor has a giant inflatable ghost in his yard and we have full size treats.  How many will we get this year?  Time will tell.

UPDATE  We had way more than EVER before.  Around 50 and, yes, I was prepared.  So much fun and some great costumes.  I think we giggled for hours.  Until next year --- avoid those extra pounds from all the goodies.

African Violets Blooming Again -- Woohoo.

Just a little burst of color in the office.  Thought I'd share.

Sunday Metroplex Tripping

Good Morning!!  It is not quite as cold out today and I want to get out and move around a bit.  One of my friends needs a forgotten retreat item returned and another is performing at a church fall festival.  Additionally, I spotted an art festival that has been around for YEARS that we were unaware of and think it will be fun since we missed Cottonwood this year.  That means, we need to get out of bed and get going.  The planning stage is at an end.

A quick breakfast at home and straight to drop off the forgotten item, say a few hellos, and then get this day truly started.

In Richardson, there is a park entitled Huffhines and every year for FORTY-ONE years they have held the Huffhines Art Trails.  How did this never come up on our radar before?  So crazy to me.

Driving in, Mister says, "There are a lot of tents.  This is pretty good sized.  Tell me again how we don't know about this."  It is very organized and the decorating around the park is absolutely wonderful.

A Red Hat Halloween

Well it's a bit challenging to find a red and purple Halloween image, but I didn't do too bad did I?  Oooooh --- it's the end of October and the universe has allowed me to attend a Red Hat Halloween at Babe's Chicken House.  Honestly --- doesn't that just make you smile as you read it.  Of course costumes are involved.  Oh your smile just got even more wide, right?

I have looked forward to this day all month.  Now in the interest of full disclosure, I am double dipping with my costume and using the same one I had a few weeks ago for the Our Witchy Quilt World retreat.  At that time, I had decided to be Endora from Bewitched and so it's going to be the one for today too.  It still allows me a lavender dress and I can maybe get away with the red hat.  Oh come on - use your imagination --- I could pass for Agnes Moorehead --- ya'll know that.  Just take a look.  Now, granted, my hair wasn't quite wild enough and I didn't have a high collar or long sleeves, but you get it anyway.  I know you do.