Happy New Year's Eve

Year's end is neither an end nor a beginning but a going on, with all the wisdom that experience can instill in us.

Hal Borland

Well, the day is going to be clear and cool. The rain is gone.  Happy morning of the eve. 2015 is almost gone. For me it's been a good and bad year. Returned to school, reunited with family, and suffered some tragic losses...including my dream to reunite with my mom who passed in July. I lost my beloved kitty in September. Nevertheless, I find myself looking forward to the new year. In fact, my granddaughter gave me a basket for Christmas, and each day I plan on writing down a blessing or something that makes me happy and putting it into the basket to read next New Year's Eve.

I've a busy day today.  This morning I'm off to Weight Watchers.  I'm not looking forward to a loss this week.  In fact, this week I am going in with expectations of a gain.  Then afterwards I have to stop at C Town to pick up some of the yummy  that Met Food doesn't have.  Then, after dropping that off, I have to pick up the cart and head over to Met Food.  Have to pick up a Rotisserie chicken for tomorrow night and a few other items.   Ralph is bringing home the yucca.  Every year, for the 24 years we have been together, we have had a rotisserie chicken and yucca with red onions from one of our favorite Spanish restaurant.  It's our tradition.  But, the restaurant has burned down, but rather than give up on our meal, we'll be having it from different places.  Usually we get enough to eat tomorrow as well.  No cakes, cookies, or chips and dip for this holiday.  It's just hubby and I.  

 I did read, however, that eating black eyed peas on New Years is supposed to bring good luck. Now, to he honest I never had them, don't even know if I like them, but it's worth a try, and who knows, maybe another tradition will be born.

Have a good one.  And stay safe.  Beware of the other driver.

HAPPY NEW YEAR'S EVE TO ALL. 

Wednesday Ramble

Many years ago I resolved never to bother with New Year's resolutions, and I've stuck with it ever since.
Dave Beard

Good morning everyone.  Looks like it will be clearing up.  I had been looking forward to another day indoors, but I really do have to get out and walk.  Very easy for me to fall into a rut, so I'll check out the fruit stand and see what goodies I can find.

I've been following the "Spice Merchant's Daughter" on Facebook for awhile now and finally purchased her book from Amazon.  So glad I did.  The book is awesome, and I learned so much about Asian cooking and spices.  As you can see, I've loaded it with stickies of recipes and spices I want to purchase.  

I headed out to the Chinese Market to stock up on mandarins and ended up purchasing a bunch of pastes she speaks about in the book.  Of course, she gives you recipes to make your own pastes, but who really has time to search up all those spices.  Perhaps one day.

The other day I made green beans and carrots with the Coconut Curry paste.  They tasted awesome.  Looking forward to trying some of the different rice dishes.

Several years ago I stopped with resolutions.  Every year the same thing; every year the same result.  I was setting myself up for a feeling of failure.  This year I am going to set goals, not exactly the same as resolutions.  One goal will be to continue with Weight Watchers as I work toward my final weight goal.  Another goal is to continue with classes.  And another goal will be to get some dental insurance.  Medicare doesn't offer much at all to us seniors, and I've recently discovered how important it is.  One day while I was eating a tuna sandwich my gums began to bleed.  Then there was a burning pain.  I realized then I had a gum infection, but a trip to the dentist would wipe me out financially.  So, I utilized natural remedies---rinsing my mouth with salt water 3 times a day and rinsing with the Natural Dentist morning and night.

And the finishing touches was a Reiki distance healing session.  My gums are still somewhat sore, but they are no longer bleeding.  But, nonetheless, I am aware that I am needing some dental work.

Have a good one. 

Christmas Eve Photos

Approach the New Year with resolve to find the opportunities hidden in each new day. 

Michael Josephson

Good morning all,  Brrr!!!  Sure was cold outdoors yesterday.  Actually, had we had much in the way of cold weather, it probably would have felt warm.  But, after a 70 degree Christmas Day a day beginning in the upper thirties feels like Antarctica.  Well, maybe I am exaggerating a bit, but it did feel a wee bit chilly.  We've got rain today....and perhaps a bit of sleet.  We did have some last night.  I'll be staying in today for sure.

Still hard to believe.  The holidays have come and gone, but I've saved some wonderful memories.  First off, I went to the 6 pm mass. Here are some pictures of the church.

Shame that this is now the way of the world.  Police officers guarding us at Christmas Mass.

Later we had an Italian feast.

 Sausage and pepper.

 Buffalo wings.

 Lasagna ready to go in the oven.

Shrimp sauteed in butter and garlic for hubby.

And finally, the most awesome meatballs I ever made--ground beef, 2 eggs, flavored bread crumbs, garlic powder, wee bit of red pepper flakes, 1 cup ricotta, parsley, Italian seasoning, salt and pepper. Bake in oven.

Have a good one.

May you have the gladness of Christmas which is hope;
The spirit of Christmas which is peace;
The heart of Christmas which is love.
Ada V. Hendricks

 

Morning all.  It's Monday already.  Wow.  Christmas on Friday really through me off.  Saturday felt like Friday to me.  As for Christmas I had the most wonderful Christmas ever.  This year I had my family, all my children, grands, and great grands...even though we were spread out all over the country. My daughter turned me on to video chat on messenger and we all took turns talking to each other on Christmas day.  It was fantastic.

Got a great pic of the moon on Christmas Eve after mass. 

On Saturday I took care of my banking.  I always like to have my bills taken care of before we enter the new year.  My grandma always told me that if things were left undone on New Year's Eve they would be left undone throughout the coming year.  Well, sure enough when the end of the month arrives the bills come trickling in so I like to believe that if my bills are paid before New Year's Eve, I will have enough money to pay them all year round.

Christmas foods are gone now. Well, they are gone into the freezer, that is. I have a meal of meatballs, another of sausage, and another of pernil. Last year when I thawed the pernil, I made it into the most wonderful pork soup. Guess I will do the same this year. Today I'm making some mini meat loaves for dinner and lots of veggies for me to fill my plate. A simple but yummy meal. 

 Today I was going to take a few things back to Old Navy for exchanging, but Ralph suggested I wait until after all the holidays since I have 90 days to return. I realize he's right. My thought had been that it's a Monday so people are back to work, and Christmas is over, but actually, that is so not true. Many people take the entire holiday week for vacation. So, it doesn't hurt to wait awhile. So, instead I am going to take a walk to the Chinese Market for some exercise. I'm almost out of mandarins. I also want to find some small picture frames for family pics.

Have a good one.

I heard the bells on Christmas Day
Their old, familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet
The words repeat
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Good morning everyone, and a Merry Christmas to all. Listening to the weather here. We've already broken the record for the warmest Christmas on record, and it's only 7:30 in the morning. Wow!!!!

Had a wonderful Christmas Eve. Ate a wee bit too much, both in quantity and bulk--chips and dip, buffalo wings, lasagna, meatballs, sausage, cookies and cake, pineapple, strawberries, and orange slices, topped with a large iced coffee and my yearly glass of Pepsi. Needless to say, I went to bed with heartburn. Today I'm cooking pernil, gondulas and rice, and a veggie...broccoli for me and okra for Ralph.

Got a lot of nice gifts which I'll share in awhile. Right now I need some coffee to get myself going. Have a good one.

And a Merry Christmas Eve to All

The joy of brightening other lives, bearing each others' burdens,
easing each others' loads and supplanting empty hearts and lives
with generous gifts becomes for us the magic of Christmas.

W.C. Jones

Morning all.  Seems the rain has ushered in the warmest Christmas weather ever.  They say we are set to break a record.  Not so happy about this, though.  First of all, when you are used to the changing seasons, Christmas is supposed to be cold.  Secondly, I bought a new outfit for Christmas Eve, and now it is too hot to wear it.  And lastly, I'm going to be using the oven on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.  Too hot for that.

Speaking of food, made my  sausage and meatballs and marinated my pernil yesterday.  The meatballs are outrageously good. The white oozing from the meatballs is ricotta cheese. Makes them nice and moist. Had one with baby carrots for lunch yesterday.  Awesomely good.

Meatball mix--ground beef, 2 eggs, flavored bread crumbs, garlic powder, wee bit of red pepper flakes, 1 cup ricotta, parsley, Italian seasoning, salt and pepper. Bake in oven.

I'm off to Weight Watchers this morning, but only going for my weigh in.  It will be the first meeting I have missed since September 2014, but I really don't have the time.  I still have to stop for some gift cards at Rite Aid, some yogurt and a few other items at C Town, make my buffalo wings, make Ralph's shrimp, put together the lasagna, shower, get dressed, and leave for church at 5pm for the six o'clock mass.  Thank goodness I made lists and was really organized this year.

Christmas Eve.  Such a joyous time of the year.   And a this year I have my memories of Christmas past, memories that had been lost to me for so many years.  Been spending a lot of time going through the album my daughter sent me, and it's not only brought tears, but also joy.  Bear in mind, these picks are almost 60 years old.

 My beloved Susie and Tiny.

 Me and my dad.

Me and my cousins.

The Steinhauser family. Aunt and cousins.

More cousins.

Mom and her sister.  Mom was such a tall beautiful woman.

Christmas 1961

Uncle Arnold, Grandpa, and cousin.

Grandma and grandpa.

Tonight, after everyone leaves, I plan on lighting a few candles and spending some quiet time with those I have loved and lost.

Christmas--that magic blanket that wraps itself about us,

that something so intangible that it is like a fragrance.
It may weave a spell of nostalgia. Christmas may be
a day of feasting, or of prayer, but always it will be a day
of remembrance--a day in which we think of
everything we have ever loved.

Augusta E. Rundel

On the Wednesday Before the Eve

I wish we could put up some of the Christmas spirit in jars and open a jar of it every month.

Harlan Miller

Good morning everyone.  It looks like we are in for another warm rainy day here in Brooklyn.  That's okay.  No plans on leaving the house.  Yesterday I made my sauce for my Christmas Eve lasagna and today I have to do the gondulas and marinate the pernil.  Food is always better when the spices have time to mingle.  

As for food, last night we had a simple, but delicious dinner.  

Spicy Garlic Lime Chicken

Boneless breasts
Cayenne pepper 1/4 tsp
Hot Hungarian paprika 1/2:tsp
Garlic powder 1/3 tsp
Onion powder 1/4 tsp
Parsley 1/2 tsp
Salt and pepper 2 tbs
Low salt butter
Lime juice 3 tbs.

Season chicken with spices and saute in butter and lime juice. 

Served with baked potato and corn.

Hopefully the nightmare with Amazon is over. Called them yesterday about the return on the vests because I  got an email today that they were missing an item and were going to charge me if they didn't get it. I called to explain that both were in the same package. I was told that when sending back items each has its own shipping label. Seriously, they are the ones that made the mistake not once, but twice.  Why should I have to run around looking for places to print labels and such.After a sob story I got him to put a notation down and make an exception for me. I say 'hopefully"  because they haven't gotten the package yet.  

Have a good one.