Sunday, November 30, 2008
And so it begins
Tomorrow is December 1st and with that begins the gift giving for me. I not only have Christmas gifts to purchase but I also have over a dozen or so birthdays, including my husband and three kids. This madness will continue untill my dd's 26th birthday on January 31st. There is almost one every week with 2 nephews, 1 niece, my 3 kids, one dh, 2 brothers in law, a mother in law, a brother, a best friend, and a cousin or two for good measure. With times being the way they are, some of these special people will get some baked goods and maybe a card or two. All this gift giving also comes with a whole lot of baking added in too. That's not too good for someone who is on a diet, ME. I think that's going to be the toughest of all things to handle, not being able to eat cake and other goodies. Oh oh.
Well the weekend was a rainy one for a couple of days, so Zach and I decided it was a good time to take out the Christmas decorations and do up the house. I ended up going through each box and decided that I had way too much "stuff", so I've put aside a car trunk full of thrift store donations. It's all still good stuff that I hope someone else might need. I tend to keep ALL the handmade thing-a-ma-jigs that the kiddos made growing up. You know how that is, you just can't let go of those. That's the stuff you give to your new son and daughters in law. LOL I can't wait for that.
I waited untill today to do the outside of the house. I had to go get some new red ribbon and bows for the porch post. I love the red, green, and white look of decorations. I'm not much for shinny items or too many lights. I don't remember the last time I put lights on the outside of the house, probably years ago when my son Eric was helping and climbing the ladder for me. Since I broke my foot five years ago, I do not climb up anything higher than a chair, and even that gives me the willys. LOL.
Well everyone has finished supper, so I'll head off to do some dishes. Then later I think I will pop some popcorn and catch a Christmas movie or two. I saw White Christmas last night, LOVED it.
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Friday, November 28, 2008
I ate leftovers for breakfast!
Everything went OK yesterday, the turkey was a hit. I saw on one of the shows on the Food Network, they put a sliced orange and a sliced lemon in the cavity of the turkey to help it stay juicy. Well it worked! I also used some cajun injector for seasoning the inside of the meat, that too adds so much flavor. So it was a hit, thank you God, lol.
I, as usual, made too much food. I sent some home with my daughter, fed some inlaws, twice, ate supper, fed strangers that stopped by to say hello, and STILL had tons of food left. The strangers were only strangers to me, my dh knew these men from work. Grinding keeps going on 24/7 here, there are no holidays as for as the mill bosses are concerned. Things keep running. So there were truck and tractor drivers that were stopping by the house to say hello, and I felt bad and fed them. My husband did put his foot down on not giving away the coconut cake tho, lol.
So what do you do with all the cornbread dressing you have left, you eat some of it for breakfast.........and lunch.............and supper. If there is any left by the end of the day, I may have to give some it the cats. LOL
I will be heading out later to face the crowds at Wal-mart, ONLY because I need a new toilet seat and some packing tape. Otherwise, I wouldn't face the crowds. I'm not one for all this shopping madness. Besides, I looked threw all the sales papers, and there wasn't anything that I wanted, lol.
Have a good day, and be safe if your out in the craziness.
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Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Happy Thanksgiving Everybody
DRINKING FROM MY SAUCER
I've never made a fortune
And its probably to late now,
But I don't worry about that much
I'm happy anyhow.
And as I go along life's way
I'm reaping better than I sow.
I'm drinking from my saucer
'Cause my cup has overflowed!
Haven't got a lot of riches
And sometimes the going's tough,
But I've got loving ones around me
And that makes me rich enough.
I thank God for His blessings
And the mercies He's bestowed.
I'm drinking from my saucer
'Cause my cup has overflowed!
Oh, I remember times when things went wrong
And my faith wore somewhat thin.
But all at once the dark clouds broke
And sun peeped through again.
So Lord, help me not to gripe
About the tough rows that I've hoed.
I'm drinking from my saucer
"Cause my cup has overflowed!
If God gives me strength and courage
When the way grows steep and rough,
I'll not ask for other blessings
I'm already blessed enough.
And may I never be too busy
To help others bear their loads,
Them I'll keep drinking from my saucer
'Cause my cup has overflowed!
From a song by: Michael Combs
Therefore; Thanks be to God for His wonderful
gifts. For through Him all blessings flow indeed. Amen!
( 2 Corinthians 9:15 )
Happy Thanksgiving to all my dear friends here on the blog. Have a love filled day........Kitty
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Tuesday, November 25, 2008
What to do when a 15 year old boy shows up at your door late at night and tells you that he's run away from home?
You panic! That's what I did.
Here's the story. Years ago when my youngest son was still attending public school he made a friend. The cutest little black boy named Kia. He spent many nights and weekends at our house for years. He was a good child to say the least. He is one of three children that his single mom is trying to raise. I had no problems with him at all. Then once I took Zack out of school we didn't see the little fellow as much. But they still talked on the phone from time to time. I was sad that they didn't remain close close.
Then last night around 8:45 there is a knock at my door. I freak, as I ususally do when there is a knock late at night. You always fear the worse for a moment. He had grown a good bit so I didn't recognize him at first and was wondering what the hey is this kid that I don't know doing at my house this late. Then when he said my name I realized who he was. He was crying and informs me that he had ran away from home. His story was unclear about why he was doing this, buy I did get that his mom would be very very upset with him for something that he had done and in his words, "kill him". At first I thought he was exaggerating, but through more conversation with him I found out, if his story is true, that his mom is abusive to him, he even mentioned a baseball bat. To see this women, whom I never really got to know all that well, you wouldn't think she would do this. But as my husband said, "you never know what people are truly like behind closed doors."
So as we sat on the front porch swing I prayed for God to help me give this child the right words. I told him that he could spend the night here with us IF he called his mom and let me speak to her. He didn't like that, he didn't want her to know where he was. The child was really frightened of what he was facing. I offered to bring where ever he wanted to go. His grandfather lived not too far from my home. He said no. I offered to call anyone he thought might help him, a friend, a relative, a teacher, a pastor, anyone. I didn't know what to do for him. I didn't know where he lived since they had moved in the past year, I didn't know any phone numbers or even names of his relatives. I felt useless and helpless. He had come to me and I was not helping him.
After almost an hour, he promised me that he was going to go straight to his grandfather's house, but I knew better since he wouldn't allow me to bring him there. I prayed for him, hugged him and watched him walk down my dark road.
I cryed and then decided to call the police. After about 20 minutes of them trying to decide what department to give me and my problem to, they told me thay would send out a car to look for him. They also told me that they would contact me with any more info on him. I stayed dressed and up untill the wee hours of the morning, and never heard from anyone. And as I said I don't have any phone numbers to call and check up on him.
I pray that this child was helped in some manner by someone. I felt helpless in the whole situation. I wanted to just invite him into my home and let him stay forever if that's what he wanted. But that wouldn't have been fair to his mother. And I also didn't want to cross any legal lines, you know how thin those lines are now days.
I just hope God is watching over Kia today and always. Could I have done anything different?
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Monday, November 24, 2008
I hit the big 3-0 today!
No not years, (Lord I hit that mark some 16 years ago). The big 3-0 in pounds. Yay me! I finally hit the 30 lb mark this morning on the scale. It only took me 6 weeks, lol. I stayed stuck on that 28th and 29th lb. for weeks and weeks. I thought I would never hit it.
I have not been this "lite" in some 13 years. I had joined TOPS when my youngest was two years old and lost like 60+ lbs in less than 7 months. BUT gained it ALL back when I took a desk job, at night no less. Then through out the years was able to take some of it back off, but stayed stuck at a certain point for years. When mom moved in with us and started going down hill with her Alzehimers I started stressing out. Once the storms hit, I was a mess for sure. I think I went two days without eating anything but a handfull of grapes. My dd had to fuss me to get me to eat something. I ended up losing 18 pounds in about three weeks time.
Well I'm not stressed anymore but decided to go with losing of the weight but with in healthy manner. So I have stopped eating red meat, sausage, bacon and other high fat meats. I also try to eat only high fiber foods, lots of friuts and veggies and have completly layed off of the snack foods. I eat only granola, yogurt, friut, and rice cakes for snacks.
I love how I feel! I use to want to lose the weight so that I could look better, now I just want to live to see myself with my grandchildren. Now to get to work on those other 50 LBS.
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Monday, November 24, 2008
And the winner is.......
And the winner is.......... CINDY at Prairie Mouse's House. Cindy has won the Christmas cards and stamps package that I was giving away this weekend. Congrats Cindy. Thanks for playing along.
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Sunday, November 23, 2008
Thanksgiving Menu and plans for it
Here is my Thanksgiving menu and the list of plans that will help keep me on track.
 Roasted Turkey 
Cornbread Dressing
Green Bean Casserole
Rice Dressing
Peas
Sweet Potato Casserole
Cranberry Compote
Rolls
Coconut Cake
Watergate Salad
Pecan Pie
There is something for everyone here. Some like this, some like that, so everyone should be able to find something that they can fill up on.
Now here is the list of plans that will help keep me on the right path to that perfect meal. ha ha
 Sunday
~Make menu and grocery list. Done
~ Pray that I get through the week and nothing burns. Done, and will do again.
Monday
~Go through freezer and pantry to make sure I have everything I need.
~Check off what I do have and make list for what I don't.
Tuesday
~Head to the grocery store for items needed.
~Move turkey from freezer to the ice box to start the defrosting process.
~Give the whole house a good once over.
Wednesday
~Make sure I know how many people are coming for Thanksgiving meal. I want to always have enough.
~Do any baking the cake, cornbread, and pecan pie. Also make watergate salad.
~Boil and de-bone chicken for cornbread dressing.
~Chop all seasonings needed for each dish and refrigerate.
~Take out ground beef for rice dressing and let defrost.
~Put turkey in a cold salt water bath to finish the defrosting.
~Check one last time for last minute items needed and make a mad dash to the grocery store if need be.
Thanksgiving Day
~Cook!
~Eat!
~Clean!
~Rest!
Friday
~Eat leftovers.
~Help dh cook spaghetti and meatballs for some "man" thing that he has this afternoon.
Saturday
~Go eat out!
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Friday, November 21, 2008
It's giveaway time again! A Christmas Package
I posted once before about all the "free" stuff I receive in the mail from many organizations and charities that I sometimes donate to. Well once again I have an abundance of items that I will not be using. This times it's Christmas cards and gift labels. I am not the type of person that throws ANYTHING away. I always try to find another use for it or another home for things.
So I thought with times being the way they are and just yesterday on the blog someone mentioned that they can not afford to buy or mail cards this year, I thought I would offer a package that may be helpful to someone.
I have a package that I have put together that includes the following items.
- 72 gift tags
- 35 or so Christmas cards with envelopes from different organizations or groups, all too cute.
- a 2009 wall calendar
- a smaller one page 2009 calendar with a conversion chart on the reverse side, great for the kids.
- a Christmas CD with 29 great Christmas songs on it from the Disabled Vets
- I will also include a book of 20 Christmas theme, (if I can get Christmas ones) stamps to help with the mailing of the cards.
- And maybe an extra added surprise or two for good measure, lol.
Sorry I don't have a picture, my camera is still not working, I'm so lost without it too. So if anyone is interested in these items just leave a comment here on my blog. If I should get more than one comment I will draw a winner from the bunch. I will let this ride over the weekend and pull on Monday morning. Hope this is helpful to someone.
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Thursday, November 20, 2008
My daughter finally finished college, after six years, lol
Well, she's done it, finally!!!!! Kristy graduated high school in 2001 with honors and went straight to NSU. Thank God that the university is about 10 minutes away across our little town. She could remain living at home and didn't have far to travel. I made all my children wait until they were 18 before getting their drivers licenses, so she had just started driving.
She started college with an open mind and no real agenda. She was taking general studies courses at first until she decided that she wanted to become a nurse. It was always something that she thought about, so nursing it was. By the middle of the first year she had switched and started taking classes that would lead her to becoming a nurse. Three years into it she got a professor that was sooo mean. When I tell you the class started with 30+ students and within two weeks had lost almost half and that my daughter came home crying almost everyday, I'm not exaggerating a bit. She stuck with it though, until the women got into her face and literally screamed and spat on her face for something Kristy was even taught. The professor would skip over things in the books because she "expected" the students to know these things. Well how are they going to learn things that they aren't being taught? I told her to hang on that the year was almost up, but she informed me that once your assigned a professor, your stuck with them for two years, until you've finished the program. That wasn't an option at that point for Kristy, she couldn't take it anymore. She left school that day and did not return for a little over a year. I was so upset to say the least. I even called the school and told someone the story. They told me that they heard several complaints per week about this women, but that they were so short handed, they had no option but to keep her on staff.
So for a year my daughter beat herself up for what she had done to herself. I was disappointed but never let her see that. I'm not one to push my children into things that I myself probably could not do. I prayed that she would come to figure out what she wanted in life and work to get it.
While she was off, she did work at several odd jobs, but nothing made her happy. She knew that she had made a big mistake so back to school she went. She found out that she could get back into the nursing program but with a different teacher. She was so excited. Well two more years into the program all is going well. Her grades are fantastic, she even made the Dean's list once or twice. THEN, my husbands little nephew died in my daughter's arm. He was one year old and died of heart failure earlier this year. She was giving him CPR and couldn't revive him.
OK, once again she was tramatized. I'm sure you can figure out where this is heading. Yes, she dropped her nursing classes AGAIN, BUT she dicided that she would get that diploma.
She was short only one credit to graduate. She picked up a speech class and Monday night was her last class. She has to email in her last exam and she's done. THANK YOU JESUS!!!! LOL
She now has a great job that she loves. She is working for a home health care company as a data entry clerk. With her partial medical background she is good at this job. She works with nurses and some doctors, so she is in at least the area of her choice, lol.
She called me yesterday from work and asked me if I would go and pick up her diploma from the school on December 16th because she doesn't want to miss work. She isn't one for big ta-dos or events, so graduating with the large class was never an option for her. So for her long six years of hard ups and downs, I get to go pick her diploma. I won't even get a picture of her receiving it, LOL. But, as long as she is happy, isn't that all that matters to us moms!
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Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Today's Tips --- Fruitcakes (start them now)
Today's Tips:
- If you plan to make fruitcakes for Christmas, you need to make them now, this week, because most fruitcakes have to "season" for at least a month and are even better if you can let them set longer.
- I know some of you would love to give them as gifts, but I suggest starting small until you have some success with them. The ingredients for fruitcakes can be expensive. If you buy a ton of ingredients and make several batches that subsequently flop you can be out a lot of money.
- Be sure to allow you fruitcake to age for at least a month before you put it in the freezer. Freezing stops the aging (or seasoning) process.
- Always bake at low temperatures: 250 - 300 degrees is best, but some recipes do go a little higher depending on their ingredients.
- Because they take so long to bake, line the pan with 1-3 layers of brown paper (you can use a brown paper sack) to prevent them from getting too brown and drying out. Make sure the paper comes up a couple of inches past the top of the pan.
- Fill the pan only 2/3 full with batter.
- To help prevent the fruitcake from drying out, place a pan of hot water on a lower rack in the oven while it is baking.
- To test whether it is done, insert a toothpick. If it comes out moist but not gooey, it is done.
- Let fruitcakes cool on a cooling rack before taking them out of the pan. When cool, dump them out of the pan and peel off the paper.
- You can bake in muffin pans or mini loaf pans, but be sure to adjust the baking time. It will be shorter.
- Don't store in a plastic container. The fruitcake will absorb old flavors that have been left behind in the plastic. Wrap in plastic wrap; then foil. Do not wrap with the foil touching the fruitcake because in some cases it can cause a chemical reaction.
- You can take any basic recipe and change what you put in it as far as the fruits and nuts are concerned. Just be sure you use the same amounts. For example if it calls for one cup of dried pineapple, you can replace it with mango as long as you use one cup.
- Always mix the fruit and nuts with some or all of the flour for the recipe before you put it in. This keeps all these things from sinking to the bottom. Do this with any recipe that calls for fruit or nuts.
- As with any recipe, read it from start to finish before you begin!
Today's Recipes:
Here are 4 fruitcake recipes that you might try. The first is not your usual fruitcake, but I thought it was perfect for our web site (Poor mans fruitcake ;-) ) and the second is a more traditional one. Number 3 is a no bake and the fourth, (No Fail fruitcake) I dedicate it to all the first timers.
Poor man's Fruitcake
1 cup butter or margarine
1 cup sugar
1 cup brown sugar
2 eggs, beaten well
4 cups flour
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. each cloves, nutmeg and salt
1 1/2 cup applesauce
1 tsp. baking soda
1 Tbsp. hot water
1 tsp. vanilla
16 oz. gum drops, no black ones
3 cups raisins
1 cup pecans
Preheat oven to 325°. Grease and line two 9x5 loaf pans with brown paper. Sift flour, and spices. Cut gum drops into fourths, and mix those, the raisins and nuts with part of flour mix. Cream together butter, sugars and eggs. Alternately, add the flour mix and applesauce. Add soda to hot water and mix it into the batter. Then add the vanilla. Add gumdrops, raisins, and nuts mixture. Bake for 2 hours. If you use a tube pan instead of loaf pans bake 30-40 minutes longer.
Christmas Wreath Fruitcake
(Don't forget that you can take out anything like the dates or fruits and replace them with equal amounts of something you prefer.)
1 1/2 cup raisins
1 cup red and green cherries
3/4 cup dates, pitted and chopped
3/4 cup candied pineapple, diced
1/2 cup coconut
3 cups flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1 cup butter
1 1/4 cup white sugar
1 tsp. lemon zest
4 eggs
2 tsp. lemon juice
Preheat oven to 300°. Mix first 8 ingredients. In separate bowl cream butter, sugar and add lemon zest, eggs and lemon juice. Mix into flour mixture. Bake for 2 hours.
No Bake Fruitcake
14 oz. sweetened condensed milk
2 cups raisins
2 cups mini marshmallows
2 cups candied pineapple chunks
2 cups dates, pitted and chopped
1 cup dried currants
1 cup walnuts, chopped
2 cups almonds, chopped
1/4 cup candies cherries
1/2 tsp. each nutmeg, cinnamon, allspice, cloves, salt
4 cups graham cracker crumbs
Grease a 9x13 loaf pan. Mix everything well and pour into the pan. Cover and let stand in a cool place for 1 week to age.
Never Fail Fruitcake
This is a big recipe but you can easily half it. Using half, you can make 22 cupcakes but, if you do, only bake them for 40 minutes.
1 lb. candied cherries, chopped
1 lb. dates, pitted and chopped
1 lb. candied pineapple, chopped
1 lb. pecans, chopped
4 (8oz.) pkgs. coconut
3 Tbsp. flour
2 (14 oz.) cans of sweetened condensed milk
Preheat oven to 300°. Grease two 9x13 pans and line with brown paper or parchment paper. Mix everything very well and press into pans. Bake 1 1/2 hours. Cool and remove from pan.
This was all taken from my newsletter:
Living On A Dime
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