Baked French Toast - Allrecipes

Great recipe. We didn't make it ahead of time as suggested in the recipe, but it was still very yummy. We made 2 pans full and used Egg Nog for part of the liquid on one.

Dinner at Cherrywood Village

Cherrywood Village, where mom lives, put on a lovely Christmas Dinner. Entree Choices: Prime Rib, Salmon w/berry sauce, or Risotto Croquettes. Fabulous!! And, the best Tiramisu I've had in a long time.

Early Christmas Dinner

We had a nice dinner at Cheri's house last Saturday night.

Animal, Vegetable, Miracle - Barbara Kingsolver

This book was an eye opener and made me want to purchase as much food as I can from local sources. It also motivated me to buy a cheesemaking kit from New England Cheesemaking Supply Company. Evidently, it's quite easy to make mozzarella cheese. Can't wait. Highly recommend this book.

Allrecipes | Recipe Reviews: Baked Potato Soup

Another one to try. Looks fantastic

Two Pairs of shoes. What to do?

Looking for shoes for the wedding, loved and purchased both pairs. Black are cutest, silver will probably look best with the dress. What to do, what to do??

My Christmas List

• Books
• Tray/box for my earrings
• Umbrella - little fold up one
• Herb plant for kitchen window
• Birdfeeder
• Clothes - size small
• Brown sneakers, like my black Skechers - sz 8
• Earrings
• Girlie gadgets
• Tool kit - mine seems to be missing parts (Pat?)
• Bluetooth headset for cellphone
• Booklight
• Travel slippers (red) - Lands End
• Headphones
• Crocs - new style (brown)
• OXO Julienne Slicer

Cha Cha's White Chicken Chili - Allrecipes

Cha Cha's White Chicken Chili - Allrecipes

Let's try this for Xmas Eve

Wedding Invitations

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving was great, as usual. We missed having Jill & Nathan, but there was still quite a crowd. Lots of fabulous food. I made the turkey, cranberry relish, Italian Sausage stuffing , and apple pie. Others brought potatoes, Greek salad, broccoli salad, cornbread stuffing, rice, vegies, deviled eggs, weenie wraps, and too many desserts.

Before and After

Before ....
1992 floral wallpaper
Brass fixtures
Pedestal sink















After ....
Metallic bronze paint
Texturized walls
Brushed nickel fixtures
Vessel sink with vanity

Powder Room complete in time for Thanksgiving

All we need is a little color.

Success

After hours of searching plumbing supply stores and the internet, we settled on an vanity that Lowe's carries in their stores. Not thrilled about the faucet and will replace it when we have time.

Early Thanksgiving

Darla and I went to Loma Linda for Jill's shower and an early Thanksgiving dinner. The long weekend was a blast. Nathan and I golfed and beat the 'regulars' that we were paired with. Then we all cooked a fantastic Thanksgiving meal including the stuffing (recipe below). Went to church and did a little shopping and to top it off, Jill's bridal shower.

Italian Sausage and Bread Stuffing

The best stuffing ever. Of course anything made with heavy cream, butter and parmesan cheese is great.

What were we thinking?

Why did we destroy our powder room just before the wedding and Thanksgiving. Next week...25 guests for Thanksgiving dinner and so far, no working facilities on our main floor. I guess we just couldn't take the
circa 1992 wallpaper for another second.








So we ripped and ripped it off until we couldn't take it anymore and had to go golfing. Finished the dirty work after hitting a few balls around the course.

Every day for the last week we've done a little (exture, primer, paint, baseboards) until now we have metallic gold painted walls and a new light fixture. The search for a vanity continues...


...and the dog slept.

Green Party Salad aka Green Jello

Hate to admit that one of our family's favorite holiday salads is 'jello'.

1 cup milk
16 large marshmallows (cut in half)

Heat in double boiler until marshmallows are melted. Turn off heat

Add and stir until dissolved:
1 pkg lime jello

Cut into pieces and stir in:
2 - 30z. packages cream cheese

In serving bowl combine:
1 can undrained crushed pineapple (chill overnight for best results)
Jello, cream cheese mixture

Chill until cold.

Whip, then fold in:
1 cup whipping cream

super secret optional ingredient: 2/3 c. mayonnaise (we never add it)

Born on a Blue Day

Incredibly interesting book written by a savant. The way he visualizes numbers is fascinating. He was featured in a documentary called Brainman. Check out the author's website.

Maui!!

We had a great time in Maui with Pat’s brother, Scott and his wife, Kim. Some of the highlights:
Breakfast at Gazebo – Macadamia Nut Pancakes
Evacuation on 7th hole of Kaanapali Royal Golf Course from wild fire
Sunset toward Molokai cruises on The Bikini Kim.
Snorkeling at Kaanapali Beach Park
Walking the Labyrinth near Dragon’s Teeth in Kapalua
The best golf ever at Kapalua Plantation Course
Fabulous sunset dinner and ‘green flash’ at Sea House Restaurant.
Great oceanfront condo at Hale Mahina A205 – recommend to anyone. www.chasenrainbows.com.
Beautiful ocean facing holes on Kapalua Bay Course.
Cheeseburgers in Paradise and Ice Cream in Lahaina

Everyone Worth Knowing - Lauren Weisberger

Another book I'd never pick up except it was available for beach reading in Maui. Somewhat entertaining, but not too exciting. Not recommended unless you loved The Devel Wears Prada, which I didn't read.

Be My Valentine - Debbie Macomber

Ok, I'm embarrassed to admit I actually read this book, but it was in the condo in Maui where we stayed and I needed a quick beach read. Don't bother unless you like romances. It was ok for the beach, but not under other circumstances. Very predictable.

Mayflower - Nathaniel Philbrick

Loved this book until the Pilgrims finally got settled in the new world. The history of their decision to come to the New World and the struggles to get here, plus the information about what happened to the local native americans was very interesting. Once the book ventured into the war with the local natives, it lost my interest.

Kafka on the Shore - Haruki Murakami

Strange but wonderful read. Sucked me in at the beginning and I couldn't put it down. 15 year old runaway to a small seaside town. He ends up rooming in a private library as a sidestory of Nakata in his hometown continues. Kafka's father is killed and strange things happen. Recommended if you don't mind something completely different.