Sunday, November 30, 2014

I really felt Mom on Thanksgiving Day

While I was cooking, getting ready for Thanksgiving Day, I realized that Mom was with me - in my memories anyway.
I started off with Banana Chocolate Chip Bread because I had been thinking of my mother's banana cake all week.
I decided to make an apple cranberry pie, but most of my cookbooks are still in a box.  I did, however, bring this cookbook back from Florida.  It was my mother's cookbook and they don't make it anymore.  So I used the recipe for apple pie.
I  realized that in this photo, I have her aluminum canisters on the counter.  I brought these back, and just set them on the counter, but I really like how they look with the granite countertops.  I also brought back her aluminum colander and used it for rinsing the sliced apples.  So you see, I had thoughts of my mother all day.  It really was a comforting feeling to know I was using the things she used when I was a child.
The picture above is the apple pie with cranberry sauce on it - BEFORE I placed the top on it.  This recipe was different than the other one I have.  They had you put half of the sugar mixture on the bottom of the pie shell, then the apples, and then sprinkle the other half of the sugar mixture.  I honestly don't remember doing that before.
On Thanksgiving morning, Kim had to go to work and wanted to take a treat for her co-workers, so she baked pumpkin chocolate chip cookies.
They were good and they ate almost the entire batch - so I am guessing they were truly appreciated.
It was a busy day getting ready - as I am sure everyone had an equally busy day - but a truly nice day.

Saturday, November 29, 2014

Friday, November 28, 2014

It happened on the freeway

Yep, it did.  One night while driving home this week, I noticed...
 I had 8 miles before my car rolled over to 100,000 miles.
 So the next morning when I arrived at work, yep, it happened.
I rolled over, past 100,000.
I've never had a car this long, and I'm not ready to get rid of this one yet.
Over 8 years and not one problem with this car.
I'll definitely hang onto it for a while.



Thursday, November 27, 2014

Happy Thanksgiving 2014

Ever had a persimmon?  persimmon pudding or cookies?
My mother made it many, many holidays and I really like it.
I saw they have them at Costco and I almost bought a box.  
I need to do a little more homework before I bring that home.

Have a great Thanksgiving!

Wednesday, November 26, 2014

The Big Heap in Scottsdale

I went to this event a few years ago, and since then, they have grown and moved locations.  Still, some of the items are the same.  I am always befuddled by the creativity seen here...
Plus... it is like taking a walk back in time. 
 These purses are made out of a pair of boots.  I have to say they really caught my eye - especially the green one, but they were definitely out of my price range.
 All kinds of metal objects...
 Metal sculptures (sorry, turn sideways)
 There was painted "repurposed" furniture...
 One of my favorite things is the sculptured flowers made out of plates and saucers.  
I just think they are so cool.
 We noticed that mink coats and stoles were really popular.
 There was Christmas stuff.
 And then I always love to try out the benches made from the tailgate of a truck.
Hey, that's MaryAnna!  
 A lot of homemade signage.
 This is a vest made from the top of a pair of overalls and an old tablecloth.  
I loved it.  Loved it!  So sweet.
 Not so much for me, but for a child or young woman.  
It would look cute with a little tee under it.
This picture makes it look like a dress, but it is a top.
  I am not sure if this is the fur of a coyote but it sure caught my eye.
MaryAnna is holding up the face for you to see.
So many things to see and it was gorgeous weather to hold this event outside!

Tuesday, November 25, 2014

Turkey a little early

I decided this year to bake my turkey early.  It was a fresh turkey and I was just a little worried about having it around for very long, so I "baked" it in the roaster, on my counter.  My house smells AMAZING!
It looks a little "anemic" in the photo, but it is actually a beautiful golden  brown.  I placed it in a bowl sitting in its own chicken broth.  Whew hoo!  One less thing to take care of on Thursday!

Saturday, November 22, 2014

Tis the Season!

If you have followed my blog for very long, you will already know that my favorite coffee drink comes from Dutch Bros.  It is a Double Dirty Eggnog Chai with a fireball.  I like it iced or hot, depending on the weather.  The only thing is that you can only get it during the holidays.  So, yesterday, on my way to work, I stopped... and...
picked one up - even in a snazzy holiday cup.  Made my day.
Here's something else - today and ONLY today, Dutch Bros. is offering 10 single drink cards for $30.  That's about half price because you can get any drink they offer on the menu with one of these cards. They pointed out to me the most expensive drink is $7.25, so if you look at it that way, it is less than half price.  Gotta run - they are going to be great for Christmas gifts!

Friday, November 21, 2014

Unique Magazine Box

We have been celebrating Geri's birthday - just about every day this week.  Yesterday, Ruby brought her gift for Geri and it is the most unique...
 Magazine Box!
It is so colorful and sturdy.
It is not small, about 7" high and 6" across.
The sides and top are rolled magazine pages - I am guessing it is rolled around a light piece of cardboard, something flexible, maybe like a manilla file folder.  Of course, I don't know, but my "crafty" mind is trying to figure it out because I am curious as to how they made it.  
The rolls are uniform so there must be a base.  
Regardless, it is a one-of-a kind gift!

Wednesday, November 19, 2014

New Countertops!

When I moved into my townhouse, the kitchen had totally been gutted and re-done:  new appliances, new granite, new sink, new tile, and new cabinets.  It is beautiful, but just not big enough.  You might remember I added some cabinets in the small eating area to extend the kitchen.  Here's a picture from that time frame:
This picture was taken right after the cabinets were put in.  No countertops were installed because I didn't want to spend the amount of money I was originally quoted.
 
Since then I went shopping at Floor and Decor, and I found a granite tile that is almost identical to the countertops already in place.  Since the counters are about 4 feet apart, I think it will work well.
So today, I had someone install the granite tile.
The only thing left to do is put in the grout.  I am REALLY looking forward to seeing it finished.  It already looks so different.  I love it!
I have a list of things I want to do around here - I think it will take at least 5 years to get it all done.  And then I start all over again, right?  (That's supposed to make you smile.)

Tuesday, November 18, 2014

Biscuit & Gravy Breakfast Casserole

Mmmmmmm!  This is my first time for making this casserole.  I found the recipe on Pinterest - it was a BIG hit.  Of course, I have to thank Geri (at work) for having a birthday.  I made it for her.
Layered (from the bottom):
1 can of Grands biscuits cut in 1" pieces
1 pound of browned, ground sausage
1/2 c. diced ham
1 c. shredded cheese
5 eggs + 1/2 c. milk, scrambled and poured over mixture
Pioneer Brand country gravy mix
(I think my homemade gravy might have been better, but this was good)
 Bake at 350 degrees for 30-45 minutes.
It took mine the full 45 minutes.
 
Gone within the hour!
Happy birthday, Geri!