Christmas prep at my house started before Thanksgiving this year. We had the tree up the weekend before. I'm not sure what I think about the new tree. It didn't take long to set up, but it took a long time to straighten out the branches. Putting on the lights was about the same, except the old star didn't fit. We put an angel that we have had ( Read more... )

I have been cooking up a storm at my class. I have learned several different ways of frying things, and I have also improved my knife skills. I have also had fun working at the farmers' market when my class goes. I made the lattice tops for six pies that were sold there. I also taught the program administrator how to make pie dough because, ( Read more... )

I started my cooking class last Tuesday. In that class, we cook that day's lunch and do various baking. I have been improving knife skills and have had to cut a jalapeno into very tiny pieces and cut onions and peppers into tiny pieces. I've also cut basil leaves into tiny pieces. I cooked quesadillas on a big grill like they have at ( Read more... )

Holiday preparation is in full swing at my house. I got a big dent in my Christmas shopping done last week when I went up to Exit 36. I still have Dad's present to make, and I don't know what it will be yet. I have told him that if he tries to get me to spoil his present, he is getting switches and coal. I also have to get something for Laura ( Read more... )

I had a very lazy Thanksgiving yesterday. I probably watched more TV yesterday than I have in the past three months. I watched the Macy's parade and most of the dog show. The parade had a better selection of musicals than last year including one about the Temptations and another about Tina Turner. I love both Motown and oldies, so those were ( Read more... )

I really need to write about my trip to Florida before all this fog in my brain makes me forget too much of it. Mom and I left on 11/1 for Florida, and we took our time getting there. We made a few stops including at a nice little peach stand in Georgia and the Florida Welcome Center. They had run out of orange juice though. I have decided that ( Read more... )

Colby got here on Thursday night to stay with us while Nick is in Thailand. He's such a handful. Yesterday morning he destroyed three pinecone elves that Mom had made, turned over the trash can in the downstairs bathroom, got into Dad's candy stash on the coffee table, and chased the cat all before Mom and Dad were totally up. Mom had also ( Read more... )

More bad news for my family. Grandma O. passed away on Saturday night, so everything has been crazy since then. Finally my uncle was able to get the funeral scheduled last night, and it will be on Sunday. I won't be going up for this one though because I'm still having surgery on Friday so won't be in a condition to travel up to Indiana on ( Read more... )

I'm really tired right now. I've been super busy this week. I finished my Christmas shopping for my family unless I see some random things I want to get them. I was able to get over to World Market and buy presents. The only thing I didn't find was the chocolate banana spread I was intending to get for my aunt. They discontinued it along with ( Read more... )

All the decorations are up now. Dad and I got the outside lights up this afternoon, and it took about five minutes. I had already hung lights on the farm bell and untangled the rest of the lights. All Dad had to do was hang them on the nails along the top of the porch while I fed them up to him. If I get a chance, I might try to get a spiral ( Read more... )