Holiday Shopping

Yesterday while at the mall, while waiting for my eyeglasses to be made, and with an hour to kill, I found myself starting to Christmas Shop. It wasn't hard to do since the center of the mall is now decorated and ready for Santa. (Which is also weird, because the kids would be trick or treating there that same night). Talk about rushing things along...how does that work?

Child: Mom is Santa coming soon?

Mom: Not tonight.

Child: But where is he?

Mom: Sleeping.

Child: But why is his chair there?

Mom: He will be here soon.

Child: When"

Mom: Soon (thinking he is probably due in next week)

Child: Can we come back and see him tomorrow?

Mom: Let's just get some candy and go home.

Poor kids. They can hardly digest their Snicker Bars and popcorn balls before it is time to open their gifts from Santa. Oh, and while they are digesting the candy, we have to shove Turkey in there too.

I don't remember the holidays feeling so rushed as a kid. Which is good, because I might have gotten bored with Santa hanging around so long. Now a days, kids can hardly take a breath before the next holiday is upon them. Life is short. Why can't we just space things out a bit and not rush things. We are racing a society of kids who WANT and WANT it faster and faster.

Jack-O-Lanterns

It seems carving pumpkins is just not the same when you do not have little ones, or even the bigger version of children to help you. However, I still tackle the chore each year, so that I have Jack-O-Lanterns on my front porch for the trick-or-treaters who visit for Halloween, and a handful of roasted seeds to nibble on as well.

So this am, after two cups of coffee, I pulled out my sharpest knives (Thanks Daniel) and got to work. The first pumpkin was moldy inside, which was disappointing since I love to pull out the seeds and roast them. But I dug in, and scooped, and carved the typical face. Each pumpkin was given triangle eyes, a triangle nose, and a toothy grin. Cute, but nothing elaborate. Pumpkins two and three were carved out, and the faces, again, simple, but done using a similar face although io reversed the triangles. The seeds were scooped and put aside for roasting.

After the cleanup, I mixed the seeds with steak sauce (Yes, Lea and Perrins Traditional Steak sauce), threw on some salt, and in the oven they went for a slow baking. I am sitting here with the smell of the roasting seeds wafting through the air and my mouth is watering. I know, they are only seeds, but still...

The chore is done. My porch now ready for Halloween. The candy bowls are out and full. Now I can begin to think about Christmas...Oh wait, I have already started doing that!

Christmas in New York City

One of the things I love about the holidays is heading into New York City. The lights, the people, the crowds, the shopping...the Rockettes!

From the time I was little, I have always loved watching the Rockettes. There might even be a tiny piece of me that secretly wished she could be one, or at best, kick my legs as high as they can kick. So when time and money permits, I have gone into the city and gone to Radio City Music hall to see the Christmas show, which features the girls. Even Caitlin has also taken me for my birthday and there has been no better gift.

The tree at Rockefeller Center is also a stop we have to make. It is always so pretty and you cannot help but marvel at its size. Watching the skaters is also fun, and one year we took the kids, as I believe everyone should glide across that ice at least one in their lifetime. Personally, I have not; my ankles will not allow me to strap on those torture devices.

There is always so much to see in the city, especially during the holidays. The store windows are wonderful. Even the smell of roasted chestnuts pulls me in each year. (The taste even better!) Sidewalk vendors abound, and the shopping is more fun when you have to push your way through the crowds. I love it!

This year I will head into the city and this time Cait and I are taking my niece and nephew into see the Rockettes as they have never seen them in person. I cannot wait to see their faces! I love the holidays!

Holiday Memory of a Roasted Goose in Germany

It is this time of year; I tend to feel more nostalgic about living in Germany. Jim and I had such a great experience living there and I miss it terribly at times, especially with the holidays approaching.

We were members of the German-American Club, which brought together our two cultures once a month for an evening of dinner and conversation. We would all eat out together, a different restaurant each month, and then each couple would host dessert back at their house. We met new friends, and learned everything we could about the German way of life.

One of the things we did one December was to attend a gathering at one of the local castles to have our holiday dinner. The main course was a roasted goose with all the trimmings. I can still smell and taste that dinner. The whole evening was so memorable; new friends, good food, in gorgeous holiday decorated surroundings. Why are some memories so vivid? I am thankful they are for me.

Over the course of the next couple of months, I intend on sharing some of my memorable holiday experiences with you all; and for some, it will be your memory as well. I love the holidays, and all the memories that are made with each, and every one.

Thoughts of Pumpkins, Goblins, and Ghosts

We were talking at work the other day about our childhood adventures while Trick or Treating. Those of us who are older, remember fondly heading out, without parents in tow, to have the most incredible experience possible. The first stop was the police department in town (when were real little) to get our bags, with one apple in it. then it we were off and running (literally).

There was a method to just how we would tackle getting the most candy. We strategically mapped out our route (ahead of time) making sure that each house, on each street in our small town was visited. The town I grew up in was a mere 6 blocks by 6 blocks, but when you have to ensure each house is gotten to, by a certain time, it was a bit daunting. But we always managed to pull it off. And successfully!

There were those towns people who insisted on serving us apple cider and donuts, so that cut into our time a bit, but how could we say no? And we also had those people in town who had us choose between candy or a handful of loose change. Those decisions alone cost us minutes. And because everyone knew our parents (daddy was cop in town), they insisted we chat a bit with them. Precious minutes ticking by...

Then back home it was time to sort out the candy. Of course, we lived in times when you didn't have to worry about idiots poisoning the popcorn balls or putting razor blades in the apples, so we were somewhat safe, but I do remember my parents taking a quick account of what might be in each bag. Sorting the candy merely meant pulling it out and taking inventory of what we got. My parents had their favorites so there was some wheeling and dealing with each of us to share with them, and we did. And if I got something I didn't like (which at this point in time is hard to imagine, but there was), I was left to trade with a sibling for something I had to have! trading worked, usually.

I cannot remember ever having a bad Halloween as a kid in a small town. Even our mischief nights were allowed, and encouraged, and done without malicious intent to hurt or harm anyone or their property. The good old days...

Happy Birthday to my Baby!

Daniel turns 24 today and I hope he is having a wonderful day (I am sure Kelly will make it special!). I miss having the kids here for their birthdays, but rest assured I never forget.

Love ya Dan!

Sweet Sixteen...and other Happy Birthdays!

My niece Jillian turns 16 today and she is very sweet. Being sweet is not her only wonderful quality, but then what would her Aunt say bad about her? Nothing.

There's something about turning sweet sixteen...it's like the start of something special. I remember my own sweet sixteen birthday fondly as my dad bought me this pretty corsage made up of tiny pink roses and sugar cubes. I loved it. It was simple, pretty, and something i will never forget. I hope that Jillian remembers this special birthday as fondly as I remember mine. She also gets her driver's permit...now that's big!

My niece Christine and my nephew Michael also celebrate October birthdays and my wish for them is to have a special day as well.

Daniel has an October birthday, but he will get his own blog.

Look Mom...NO Holes! (For now)

In a few short weeks, THE BEAST will return to New Jersey. We have missed his sweet face. Okay, I have missed his sweet face (Jim is rolling his eyes). The one thing we have not missed, and I am being honest here, is the HOLES he digs at a speed that is comparable to the speed of an SST roaring through the air, and his knack for re-designing the bushes in the backyard. Also done at a rapid, yet enjoyable pace.

Jim and I have enjoyed the last couple of months as we sat on the deck over looking our pristine lawn in the backyard. We marveled at the growth the bushes have taken; their branches soaring upwards towards the sun. We wonder now HOW long it will take before THE BEAST is back to his old tricks. OR will he?

Perhaps the HOT and humid weather he has been subject to in Grenada has charred that part of his brain. Perhaps he will not be interested in digging. He didn't in Grenada, although it was too hot to stand, let alone dig. Maybe he will have outgrown this puppy behavior? He has aged in the last couple of months. Maybe digging will seem childish to him. Maybe bush redesign won't seem like fun anymore. Who knows?

I just know that between now and then I am enjoying every square inch of our backyard. Who knows what evil lurks in the mind...and do not let the picture fool you...he's only thinking...

New Look...Same Old Words of Wisdom

While the site has been updated with a new design, be warned that the written words remain the same. "Can't change an old dog, but you can buy it a new collar", and you may quote me.

I felt after a couple of years it was time to redo the place, so I looked around the Internet, found a place that really does all the leg work, and after pushing a few buttons of the keyboard, TADA...we have a fresh look for my blog. I like the change personally. But then I am a person who likes a fresh change every now and then.

I haven't any real words of wisdom today. I am a happy camper because I just completed my first paper in the nursing class I am taking. The class is a necessary evil (Educational Theories in Learning), BUT dry, so writing this paper took every drop of energy I could muster up to write it. But is is done, and now I can focus on paper two, which is no more exciting than paper one.

Okay, I think I have something for you...

Wisdom is the sharing of wise experiences and knowledge, but a lot of it is common sense. The difference is how we apply this common sense - we all have the ability to keep going even when we face challenges in our lives - basically it comes down to your attitude. We can have a positive attitude towards life, or a negative attitude. We can focus on the good or we can focus on the bad. Keeping a positive mental attitude is one of the keys to success. The choice is always up to you!

And from Pooh Bear...on procrastination...

"If you are always saying, ‘We’ll see,’ nothing ever happens"

Thoughts of Turkey, Stuffing, and the Works!

Last year I made our holiday turkey using this recipe and after rave reviews, I am going to do it again this year. While I have used Martha's Turkey 101 recipe and loved it, this recipe has pushed right past hers, and now remains my favorite.
The recipe is lengthy so I have added the link right to the source; Saveur Magazine (one of my favorites). The recipe is titled, Crisp Apple-Scented Roast Turkey with Cider–Calvados Gravy and mere words can not describe how yummy this bird was, even for me! I will tell you that as I type out this blog, my mouth is watering just thinking about this coming Thanksgiving.
The dessert is always the typical pies, although my sister Sue gets them from Delicious Orchards, so they are not so typical, rather delicious. BUT a few years ago, Caitlin and my niece Jillian found a recipe for Pumpkin Pistachio Cannolis which are awesome! So this recipe I will share as well.

Pumpkin Pistachio Cannolis
Ingredients

1/2 of an 8-oz. carton mascarpone cheese
3/4 cup powdered sugar
3/4 cup canned pumpkin
1/2 cup ricotta cheese
1 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
1/2 cup chopped roasted pistachio nuts or toasted pecans
1/2 cup whipping cream
12 purchased cannoli shells*
Powdered sugar or granulated sugar

In a large bowl stir together mascarpone cheese, powdered sugar, pumpkin, ricotta, and pumpkin pie spice until smooth. Stir in 1/4 cup of the nuts. Set aside.
In a chilled mixing bowl beat cream with an electric mixer until stiff peaks form. Fold into pumpkin mixture. If desired, cover and chill up to 4 hours. To serve, spoon pumpkin mixture into a self-sealing plastic bag. Snip a 3/4" hole in one corner. Pipe filling into cannoli shells so pumpkin filling extends from ends. Sprinkle cannoli ends with remaining nuts. Arrange on a serving platter. Sprinkle with sugar.
If purchased cannoli shells are not available brush one side of 16 four inch flour tortillas (trim larger tortillas if necessary) with cooking oil. Roll, forming a tube shape, secure with a wooden toothpick. Gently place a rolled piece of foil in the center for support. Place on baking sheet, brush outside with oil and bake in a 375 degree oven about 15 minutes or until golden brown. Place on wire rack to cool. Remove foil and toothpicks. Fill with pumpkin mixture. Makes 16 shells (allows for breakage).

Enjoy!

Distractions

<~~~~ This is what happens when I am sitting at my laptop researching for school. I get distracted in Google and find myself in areas I should not be in (Not those sites). Actually this site was sent to me by Caitlin who does not distract easily, but does enjoy downtime on the Internet.

This site is YEAR BOOK YOURSELF found HERE and all you need is a head shot of yourself or a loved one. It's fun. It's distracting. It's me. Scary huh? But fun.

I wish someone would write my papers for me.

Packing up for Winter

You know through my posts that one of my favorite hangouts is my back deck. It has provided me with hours of quiet and calm in a pretty setting where I can enjoy the sounds and sights of nature, without going to far from home. Even despite its reputation for not being pretty in color.

Now that cooler weather has set in, my time out there has diminished and I have begun to pack away chairs, umbrellas (I do not hide from the warmth of the sun this time of year), and tables. There will be one table, and a set of chairs left behind to sit out and enjoy those scattered dog days of summer that somehow find us this time of year. I grab every opportunity to sit out there.

The planters have begun to disappear from the back that held summer flowers, and have been replaced by pots of mums, adding a wee bit of color to the back yard and deck and patio area. My hummingbird feeders have been emptied and washed and put away until spring. The bird houses remain for the occasional bird who might wish to hide from the winter drafts.

There's a certain sadness that comes with fall, and I feel it when I am out on my almost empty deck. But I will enjoy what time I have left out here, despite the drop in temps and the shorter days, and will continue to enjoy each moment of peace and solitude I found there. Even in the dead of winter, my deck and yard offer me a place to step out onto to enjoy the wonders of mother nature. And that is always good.

The Great Depression

It seems many of us can’t turn on our TV’s or radios these days without feeling a sense of loss or an overwhelming pang of doom when we listen to the stock market reports. Of course, the words recession and depression mean different things, but to many people one is just as bad as the other can be.

Having the literary mind I have, I tend to think first about my stocks, and then realizing I have very little power to change the situation, I begin to think about John Steinbeck and his novels written during the Great Depression. Grapes of Wrath set during the Great Depression, the novel focuses on a poor family of sharecroppers driven from their home by drought, economic hardship, and changes in the agriculture industry. In a nearly hopeless situation, they set out for California's Central Valley along with thousands of other "Okies” in search of land, jobs, and dignity.

Of Mice and Men it tells the tragic story of George Milton and Lennie Small, two displaced migrant ranch workers in Great Depression-era California. I fondly remember this book when I was a high school freshman. My English teacher Mr. Esberg did a great acting out the parts of both Lennie and George. He not only encouraged us to read more, but to enjoy what we read and to find the value in a great novel.

I’m not sure why I am sharing these thoughts except to say if hearing about the horrors of Wall Street are getting you down, you might pick up a Steinbeck novel, read it, and things might look better. Life may not be so bad afterall...

"Deck the Halls with Boughs of Holly..."

One of my weaknesses is the ability to wait until the appropriate time to listen to Christmas music. Or is there an appropriate time? Some say December 1st, some say the day after Thanksgiving, while others say, whenever you want to listen to it, go for it! Of course, there are the scrooges out there who say one day of that crap is enough! Bah Humbug.

So with that said, I confess I am one who begins to listen 1 October. Oh sure, I know the pumpkins are not even out, let alone out and put away, but I love Christmas music and I am not ashamed to share this with you. (my kids are eye rolling as they read this, and would like to be in the catergory of those who feel the day after Thanksgiving is quite soon enough). But they know me, and they know how much I love it, so they quietly roll their eyes and let me listen. (Thank God for iPods...theirs and mine).

There's something about it that provides me with a sense of peace. I grew up with a grandmother who loved it, so it has to be a genetic thing. I can remember being at her house singing along with her, and Mitch Miller and Bing Crosby. She had a love of music and her album collection of Christmas music was enough to provide me with a diverse collection of tunes. So when I listen to the holiday music I am taken back to that living room, and a time well spent with MomMom, whose love added to the holidays for all of us. I miss her.

Christmas has always been special to me, as it is to most, but when I listen to the music, I am taken back to times, especially during childhood, where all I had to do was be a kid. Maybe that's it. Maybe it allows me the opportunity to find a place without responsibilities, worries, and stress. Whatever the reason, my iPod is full of the holiday tunes I love and it is now in full swing giving me a sense of peace in these troubling times we all live in these days. It might be better than any anxiety med out there. Whatever. I'm decking the halls in my head, and I like it.

Madison Turns 3!

It would be in bad taste if I did not mention the fact that our Maddie turned three recently. The second youngest of four Goldens, she is the sweetest dog, who never tires in trying to please us.

She has been working in the local library as a service dog in which she listens to children read to her. They love her, and she seems to love them. Although she is not fond of chapter books, and prefers picture books, she never complains.

Happy Birthday Madison!

For Love...

This week, at the hospital where I work, a man entered his wife's room, pulled out a gun, and killed her. It was sad. It was a mercy killing. It was done out of love. It was their pact.

Married for 65 years, he could not watch her suffer after a recent fall, and subsequent stroke. She would not get better. It was described as the ultimate sacrifice by their son. "He was her Romeo, She his Juliet", the son added. He then shot himself, only to die hours later. Thankfully. I would not want to see a man who had to come to that decision go to jail for the ultimate sacrifice.

I have never had that serious dialogue with Jim. I am not sure I am ever remotely ready. God willing.

Brahm's Lullaby

We now have, installed in our nursing unit, a button on the wall at the nurse's station, that when pushed plays Brahm's Lullaby throughout our hospital. Each new dad or mom, or elected family member will now push that button each time a new baby enters the world. Of course, it comes at a time when finances are said to be low, and nurses are being sent home day after day to conserve dollars.

Here's my thoughts. One, salary dollars are not the same as the dollars used to purchase these types of items. I know this because I worked in hospital management. Two, one of the upper management people thought it a good marketing tool and a nice way to welcome new babies who come into the world at our facility, and I agree. Families are going to love it, as will others who are spending time at our hospital (patients and visitors). Oh sure there will be those who will be easily annoyed, but then if the sun doesn't rise or set in a good way, there are those who get easily pissed off. and finally, what better way to remind us all during what might be a crappy day that there are good things in life like a baby coming into the world!

If it could lift anyone's spirits, or comfort their soul, in that way it's very powerful medicine. And we are a hospital that is into healing both body and soul, so why not have something that will foster this. And how about the oncology nurse who has to deal with dying all day. How nice it will be for her to be reminded that there is more to life than just death. Or the patient who has sadness in their life. It might make them feel a little better knowing a new bundle of joy has entered the world.

I see only good in this button and hope eventually my peers will too. Right now they see dollars spent foolishly, and hear an obnoxious tune. I believe if they truly stop and listen closely, they might see and hear something that just might make a difference in someones day.

Lullaby and good night, with roses bedight
With lilies o'er spread is baby's wee bed
Lay thee down now and rest, may thy slumber be blessed
Lay thee down now and rest, may thy slumber be blessed
Lullaby and good night, thy mother's delight
Bright angels beside my darling abide
They will guard thee at rest, thou shalt wake on my breast
They will guard thee at rest, thou shalt wake on my breast

The Colors of Fall?

It's October 3rd, and I have bought the pumpkins, and will buy my mums this weekend to decorate my front porch for Fall / Halloween. The Fall flags are out and closer to Halloween I will put out my Halloween flags. BUT I still have gorgeous impatiens in the front of the house, so how Fallish will the house look?

Hence my dilemma. I do not want to yank out the flowers as they come back every year, and have migrated from a few plants three years ago, to an amazing amount, that almost extends over the entire front garden. BUT I feel that with them there, the pumpkins and mums will not take center stage. And with the weather we have had, and are still having, they are no where close to dying out.

So I will drag out the pumpkins, place a few mums and then add a few Halloween decorations and hope people see them and not the pretty flowers. I know it sounds silly, but I love the colors of Fall and want them to stand out. Even with bigger issues in our world, sometimes it's ok to stray towards the smaller problems. At least they are easier to deal with in my own warped way. So for now I will blend the seasons and hope that by December when it is time to hang the wreath on the front door, that the mums will have faded and I can enjoy the green pines, red ribbons, and sparkling ornaments that will adorn my front door. Life can be so complicated sometimes!

Magical Mushrooms

While mowing the lawn, I couldn't help but notice the vast variety of mushrooms that were rising up between the blades of grass all over the front lawn. I have never seen so many different kinds, and had to stop and take notice. I know it's common to have mushrooms pop up in spots, especially with the all the rain and humid temps we have had lately, but really, the amount of colors and shapes left me to wonder what was going on.

I had to Google mushrooms, and found many pages dedicated to the common American mushrooms found on common front lawns (yes those pages do exist). I was amazed at the number of species I have just on the front lawn, never mind the back lawn. I am always picking them just in case one of the dogs gets a yen for a snack. God forbid we have an emergency vet visit. Some are easily removed, while others test my picking abilities. They are the ones found low to the ground; ones I practically have to scrape off the lawn (not easy).

According to most mushroom sites, the best way to get rid of mushrooms for good is to get rid of the lawn. Well, that is not an option. In fact, most experts agree lawns are best when there are fungi spores hanging around. so they stay and I remain vigilant in picking. I love the mushrooms you can get at the supermarket to eat, no matter the price, and have never once thought about eating mushrooms I could get free in the yard. I know there are varieties that one could might eat and not get ill, or even die from, but I am not taking the chance. So I pick and discard. And because they return like magic, I do it again, and again, and again.

MUSHROOM: a structure, produced by a fungus, that is large enough to be visible to the naked eye and has as its primary function the production of sexual reproductive spores.