Coffee and...for Sunday, Dec 18, 2005

I know it's early...much earlier than usual. But I'm tired and really need to go to bed.
Feel free to post here when "Tomorrow" gets to where you are. :-)

This thread continued from:
http://davesgarden.com/forums/t/562845/

~julie~

May as well post here too. Just a quick check before going to bed. We got some shopping in today (Saturday evening in Dec., the malls are pretty quiet.) and got the tree up. It now has lights, but no decs.

Busy day tomorrow - church in the morning, concert in the evening and dinner at a friend's house in the eveing.

m5 - love the kitten. I'm sure you will enjoy him/her.

Good night all.

Ann

Hey I have been gone all day. Went to DM's and cooked this morning, a trip to town in the afternoon, and watched the biggest rival basketball game in the state. UK vs Louisville. We are big UK fans, and they won by 12 points.
My family's christmas dinner is tomorrow, and I baked the turkey, made the dressing, a broccoli casserole, and helped at mom's all morning. We have about 45 who will gather today.

Maria, yum cookies, sorry about the leg pain, and Naughty Naughty Samson.

Meezer just try gift bags, with colorful tissue. On the shelves, stick a big bow on it. And yeah, a new kitty. The pic was wonderful. You say a name beginning with S? let me think.

Magoobu, the bonfire sounds really good. Always loved weiner roasts, not for the food but for the fire.

Sarv. YOU DO NOT EVER WANT TWINS--I know I am one. No DS and I are very close, but I am sure DM would have changed it if she could.

dmc, tractor stuck, how much snow do you have?

Happy, I used red pepper on door facings to train Mr. B. We need to appoint/elect someone a butt kicker. Any volunteers?

Morningayle, I loved your description of size/shape. Don't worry, we love you anyway. I laughed about your comment about men being on time. right on. And your feet are growing, no more "Mary Janes"?

DR. What is Sweet Tomatoes?

TuttiFrutti-Hi!

Caret, don't you just hate those inflatable decorations,

Happy, I agree, reindeer have to be girls, no man would find all the homes, not ask for directions, or be on time!!

Hey yall, the cinnamon rolls are a cinch. Buy a large can of Crescent dinner rolls, take them out of the can, cut them into 3/4 in slices, place in a pan which has melted butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, and pecans, bake, and turn out on a plate, and you can't tell them from bakery ones. Hey Mary, what did you call the cookies? Russian somethings they sound good, share the recipe please.

Well, I am being a rude host. DS is here, and I have been on here for an hour while she chats with DH, going to go rescue which ever one needs it, then to bed shortly.

Night gracie.

Good morning, every one
Samson did not wake me up this morning, my sciatica did, had to walk about, he finally came trappsing after me, with his head hanging as if to say , why did you wake me up? lol
Mary still have not written X-mas cards, but there is still New year if they are arriving after.
I have made Russian Teacakes every Christmas for more then 50 years, always make a double patch, they are delicious, I also make, but have not so far, swedish spritz, Lincer cookies, thumb prints crescents, small cupcakes filled with nuts and raisins or dates. Doubt if I make them all, what with no one around me at holidays.

The arrangement I made is already at the cemetary, sorry no picture.

Julie, just practice your ''moxie' or 'chutzpa' so you can use it when needed, lol

Sarv, when my first one was born, she was so sweet, wished there where two of her, still do, she is a lovely woman today.

M5, happy for you you found another baby, so sweet and so very nice for something you have to take care of.

So many people, Defoe, how do you do it?

Well, have been at this for an hour, with a few interruption, it is now 5:53 Samson finally did wake up, jumpong all over me, so happy!

Morning- Maria beat me today...sore leg - so sorry about that pain....My arm continues to be the same - some days more, some days less pain. Part of my life I think!

I wonder how one can be the perfect MIL. I want my DIL's to love me, not hate me. I try stay out of their business and offer suggestions only when asked. I am very close with one, but a far distant with the other. We can drop in on one, but would NEVER with the other. They however come over here whenever - which is fine with me - I love company.

All those cookies people are making are making me hungry. I hesitate on making them so early for two reasons - first I will eat a ton and second, don't they get stale?? I am only having our immediate family (2 sons/DIL) over, so no big group, so I really don't need many. We go to DH family on xmas eve - huge gathering with really crummy food. One year someone brought a huge bag from Taco Bell - now doesn't that beat all?!! Last year there were a ton of those creamy/fake pies from a box = ugh. We only see that group once a year, so it is fun despite the lack of edible food.

Our kitty went out last night and never returned. She sometimes does that - it only got down to 19 last night, so she should be fine. Plus there are lots of places to hunker down around here. I'm surprised I haven't heard her scratching at the screen tho - she usually wants in to eat!!

M5- I'm surprised you did n't decide to bring home two of those little ones~~ My sister adopted a siamese from one of her dying patients when it was a few years old. That bugger was the nastiest thing I have ever seen. No one could pet him except my sister or her husband. He attacked others - biting etc. We were actually scared staying there. I remember one time when I was in bed, he decided to lay on my body, just below my belly button. For some reason he got spooked and tore off, leaving me with huge, bloody scratch marks below the belly button (imagine the area...) We about died laughing, after we cleaned up all the blood. The story passes around each year and we laugh more!!

I got MIL a small indoor /outdoor thermometer - she won't like it. We have one and love it = although I wish it was bigger so I could see it across the room!! She complains about everything we get her - one year I didn't get her a thing and then felt terrible. Someone gave her a gift with no tag and she kept asking me if we gave it to her (it was pancake mix/syrup) LOL

Well, a container of yogurt keeps calling my name.....pass the cookies and cinammon rolls a little later

Well...I went to bed about 8:30 last night and went straight to sleep. AND I managed to sleep until nearly 6 this morning. Not a bad deal at all. I think I'm ready to vacuum the mess from decorating, and put all that cookie making stuff BACK into storage.

Speaking of cookies...Sarv, I keep mine in plastic bags or metal tins in the freezer until I'm ready to use them. They seem (and taste) just fine for quite a while. Thank goodness they are one thing that *can* be done early and gotten out of the way.

Ymmmm, Russian tea cakes. Sounds like a winner to me, Mary.

Hi Hap! (~grin~)

Good morning Maria...hope you're feeling better now. I woke up with my arm giving me fits again...but, like Sarv, I'm beginning to think it's going to be part of my life from here on out. Give Samson a hug for me...just because.

Bonnie...I think I'm going to run out to the store and buy a can of Crescent rolls...now THAT sounds like good cinnamon roll method! AND those might be edible for more than 5 minutes (I'm not crazy about the canned cinnamon rolls. Uh Oh...my mind just slipped into Cinnabon territory...I shouldn't GO there! LOL)

Ann...I can only *dream* of listening to one of your concerts. It sure would be nice to be there in person. Real music (as opposed to the 'canned type' (anything recorded)) is the one thing I miss most about my youth. Classical concerts were the 'norm' for "Field Trips" when I was a kid.

Well I'm off to start my day now. The "To-Do" list is finally dwindling down a bit so I'll probably watch a few tutorials on embroidery digitizing today. I might even go downstairs and see if I can find my machine. But I'll probably have to ignor the PILES of STUFF I "put there" while *cleaning* the main part of the house. hehehe

Hope you ALL have a GREAT day!

~julie~

Sarv, had to laugh about the scratch from the horrid cat, bet you did not think it funny at that time. Cookies do not go stale if propperly stored in tin cans or very good plastic contaners.
No one can be the perfect MIL bcause though you mighr be the same to each one they each have different personalities and will respond accordingly to theirs but is this not with everyone we know, even our very own children?
I have two SIL and one DIL, the DIL is a super intellegent woman, beautyful and a very good mother, I do not see her very often, she is very close to her own mother and gives most of her free time to her, I see my granddaughter about once a year though they do not live that far away, still in MA but on the other end of it about a 3 hour drive.
One of my SIL is one of the most wonderful person you'd like to meet, he is married to my oldest DD, he helps me as much as he can and I simply love him.
The other one is just the opposite, he has a very hateful way about him, I always wondered why my DD puts up with him, I asked her many years ago, she said I would have been a burden to you with two little ones. My husband could not stand him either, though they live next door, he never offered any help when DH was so very ill. Many times their two daughters, my DGG, would come to me crying and ask if they could stay over night, they are afraid of their father. My DD would come and get them before they could. I never spoke ill to them of their Dad, Just tried to tell them everyone has bad moods at times and perhaps he had one of those black moments.
So you see we are accepted as their personality allows them to see us

Guess I got kind of winded about this but being a GGM mother now I have learned many things about life and still to, but as the saying goes, you cannot please everyone

Sarv rarely is pain in your arm back legs or anything else just a normal part of life that you have to accept. 30 years ago my wrist hurt and acted like it was sprained getting better untill I started using it then the pain came back. This continued for five years and three different doctors untill I went to a real doctor one visit and one test proved his suspisions five ligaments in my wrist were broken and movement in my wrist was wearing out the covering over the nerves . An operation took the pain away. The trick here is find a good doctor and look past general practioners.

My Mil is a keeper I think when she refers to fil to me she says your dad she either likes me or is resigned to the fact that I am not going away she always sends me liver and onions because missy wont cook it for me lol.

Maria hmmm sneaking away from sam letting him sleep in was that for Sam or for you The little terrorist is learning she can not jump up in the chair beside me I put my hand out like a cop and said no twice she stoped and then I said get on your bed and she flew across the room and became part of the fabric.

Gonna get GD for Xmas this is the best present we could ever have her mother tried to circumvent again but the courts have decided she is just downright unreasonable and are not going for her lies anymore . I doubt I will live long enough to see normal visitation that isn't mandated by the court system. Some day when Abby has grown up she will see her mother for what she really is.

Meez girl kitties are better than boy kitties anyway this is Mary who stays off furniture, won.t claw the carpet or mess in the house,And is friendly to the dogs even little puppies

Andy who is now 7 months and 80 pounds could not leave her alone nor can Jenny today but she has never scratched either one of them but has grabed Jenny by the head as if to say look her stop now or else lol. I think she knows they are babies. I see her curled up on the deck with Gabby sleeping in the sun.

Oh my, a reality check for Dcat, I am not putting those bloody bookcases together, they will be unboxed and assembled by the recipient....LOL I'm not that besotted with the guy!! Since he is of the gender that thinks washing the dishes does not encompass wiping the countertop, the stove, cleaning the sink , he would have no expectations of recieving a gift fully assembled.

Yup, those kitens were just too cute, and it was hard to make the choice. Who said take two? LOL I just heard from a friend who has adopted two that they rescued from the barn after the mother disappeared. She said all her curtains are tied up in loops to protect them from being climbed, and the two little terrors are destroying the house, piece by piece! It was a good reminder to me to limit my purchase to one. One, I can manage, two, not so much.

DH was definitely partial to the one who was mountain climbing his sweater so it was pretty much his preferance. I would be very reluctant to adopt a full grown siamese, they are intensely loyal to their owners, and sometimes very jealous.

I used to breed a sweet siamese blue point but gave up breeding when I found it too hard to the kittens go to people who were not (in my mind) appropriate pet owners. The last litter I had, (actually Singh Lo had them) I had one little guy that had a double kink in his tail, (undesirable genetic trait) and one eye a little off center, (also a problem inherited from some distant forebearer) and I didn't want to sell him to someone who might use him for stud.

I gave him to my DD and Stepmom, who had just lost their cocker spaniel to old age. They were nuts about him, and spoiled him rotten. BUT, when I came to visit, he viewed me as the enemy. I have permanent scars where he bit me or clawed me....after pretending to be friendly.... what an ingrate!

We've been very lucky, each addition to our clan has been easy, the senior cats have always accepted newcomers with ease. They have all gotten along very well, no territorial spats, no hissing or fighting. Newbies are washed, escorted to food and litter pans, and with the exception of Souky, sleep together immediately. Now that there are just the two girls, I expect the new kid will just blend right in.

I really have to hustle today, yesterday was a lost cause....LOL and now I have to make up for it. DGS called late last ngiht and asked about making peanut butter cookies with a chocolate kiss on top, kiss goes on before or after baking.........Duh! Told him I didn't remember (true) and told him to try iit both ways and see which worked best!! I often get cooking questions from him, about the darndest things. He thinks I know everything....poor kid, to be so disillusioned.

Maria, I'm sure your cards will be welcome at any time. I have a friend who mails hers the day before thanksgiving, which I find mildly annoying!! I commented once about it, and she said she liked to get them out so I would get theirs first....so one year I sent her the next year's card in January! She called me up and laughed about it.

Now that I've kittened you into a coma, I'im going to go and try to catch up on what didn't get done....hope all have a good day. I had to LOL about the bad food/good company....one year we actually had chinese for Christmas Eve dinner, that was the year we moved into this house, right before Christmas, and I wasn't about to try a seven course meal!!

See y'all later.

Ernie,that Mary is very beautiful, is she a maine coon? What a tail!! Just had to tell you! Now I'm gone.

Meez lol Mary is a welfare cat that I got from a crazy cat rescue lady that had about 80 cats and 3 dogs in a tiny two bedroom house. She used pet crates for coffe tables and had rows of them I could see into one of the bed rooms and saw at least eight cats on the bed. The place reeked of cats and I was glad to hand over my eighty bucks and fill out the papers and go. She delivered Mary after a few days and Mary is happy to be here I think. As to Maine coon I don't know I do notice they say all cats that look like Mary are at least part Maine coon but think it is part of the hype to get you to take it lol.

This message was edited Dec 18, 2005 7:31 AM

Ernie...I just HAD to pop in again and say "Congrats" on getting visitation with Amy!! That's WONDERFUL! And I know you are literally beaming. (Oh...and can I borrow Mary? Maybe she could stuff some sense into my Sadie's head. hehehe)

Hi Sheila...I love your attitude about assembling as compared to the "dishes". (Mine doesn't realize that there are counters and stoves and a fridge (to put things away) either! But "I'm *trying* to help *you*" doesn't really fix the problems either. LOL)

Maria...I've decided that instead of even trying to be the "perfect" MIL, I'm just going to be "myself" and if my DILs don't like it...that's their problem. At least they'll know where I stand which is far more than my MIL ever gave me. :-)

See ya!

~julie~

That is the way to be, Julie, always be yourself, I am but I must admit have not been "ME" for a while but now """She is baaaack""""!!! ;-)))

GOOD for YOU!!! (Thanks Samson! See what you did! :-))

~j~

Julie, I wish I could just be myself (I am very nice...), but I continually tiptoe around one DIL...bad upbringing and just cant seem to rise above it - I yearn to tell her off!! (now that is part of me too LOL), but I know the consequences would be to never see DGS, and I just couldn't handle that!! DS that is married to her is a stinker too, so it is fate they ended up together!!

Just talked to my other DIL - they had her dad's side over yesterday. And one SIL ended up sobbing thru dinner!! LOL it's in every family I think!! Holidays bring out the worse!! DIL prepared a delightful dinner, asked SIL to bring an appetizer. SIL showed up with bowl of velveeta with kidney beans dumped in - gagggg. Didn't even put the mess in a crock pot to keep it warm!! LOL LOL loved it!!!

Maria, that is too bad the you SIL lives next door to you!! Too bad he doesn't live across the state!! And those poor girls...good of you not to say anything bad about the SIL -I try not bad mouth any of the family members to each other - always will come back to haunt you I fear!!

Ernie - so glad you get to see GD for xmas. What a gift - huh? We only have one and have spoiled and loved him to death!! I'm sure we'll do that to the others that come along. This one is so special as we had him almost daily when he was younger - until his parents decided to grow up and get married!! He is so innocent (9yrs old) - still believes in Santa, tooth fairy, Easter Bunny etc. And has a real kind heart. I'm sure that will all change in the teen years tho!

DH made dinner last night and I found a huge amount of rice on the carpeted floor in the hall. Seems the rice pkg fell out of the cupboard - I thought there were maggots on the floor- about freaked out!! After I screamed, he did get the vacuum out. Then he promptly left the house - afraid I would find more things for him to do!!

I got dressed, but the house is all in disarray with newspapers all over. I need to pick them up and think about those cookies that need making. I cranked the stereo up - can you hear it?

Oh, I got out my keyboard and have been playing carols on it. I am a terrible player. Took lessons as an adult and could not pick it up. I find that crazy, as I am a fast and accurate typer. Anybody have any hints for this old dog (she'd like to learn a new trick)

Sit!! Stay!! LOL Never mind, go make cookies. I have the biscotti with the craisins and pistachios in the oven, one of the chores I put off yesterday, and they looked really pretty in the dough. Loaded the dishwasher, made the bed, got dressed, DH vacuumed (!) and I'm ready to start the wrapathon. Ugh.

It's sunny and cold today. I moved my ficus, or whatever that ugly thing is that keeps dropping leaves on the carpet into the dinette where it will get more light. Thinking about dumping it on my DIL, and getting something that will grow without direct sunlight.

Russian tea cakes sound yummy...I've filled gift tins etc. so our cookie supply is diminished, who's got the recipe? I could stand to make one more batch of cookies.

Yup family squabbles are something to avoid if possible. Taking crap from someone one on one needs to be addressed however. When someone passes a comment to me that I find hurtful or mean, I look at them and say, "Why would you tell me that? Does it make you feel better about yourself? "
We don't have much family left, DH's side are all a bunch of loonies, and my side consists of my sister, faraway nieces and nephews who don't keep in touch, my kids, one of whom doesn't call me unless she needs something, and my sweet DGS. Things are generally pretty quiet around here on Holidays, but we get pretty busy around birthday/anniversary time. Cake is very popular.

Ernie, Maine coons are beautiful and independant and sweet natured so if Mary fits in that type, she probably is an MC. We had a neighbor in our old neighborhood who had about 80 cats, most of them ailing or parasitic, and you could smell his house a half a block away. Finally the city came in and took away all the cats, fined him, and forbid him to have any more for two years. Said they were doing it to protect the cats. Then they put them all to sleep. I don't need that kind of protection from any governing body, if that's the way they work!!!

Back to work. Remind me to watch thread, I went back to yesterday's before I got here. (smacking self in the head)

I LOVE BISCOTTI!!!! Maybe I should make some of that.....I opened the pantry door and the pkg of rice fell out again and left a mess....I'm leaving it till DH comes in and then I'm gonna ask him why he didn't vacuum up all of it!! LOL I love to play jokes...

Painted my face on, tried to rearrange the hair that was sticking straight up, then sat my butt down here again. I need to unplug it and get going....

Russian Tea Cakes:

mix thouroughly: 1 cup unsalted butter
1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
1 tsp vanilla
sift together and
stir in: 2 1/4 sifted flour
1/4 tsp salt
Mix in: 3/4 cup of very fine ground nuts

Chill dough, roll into 1" balls place 2 1/2 " apart on ungreased baking sheet, bake till set about 10 t0 12 minutes at 400'
While still warm roll in confectioner sugrar, cool, roll i sugar again
Should make about 4 doz.

No time to read and catch up, sorry. I'm at my cousins so Molly, Jeremy and I can all get a shower with hot water.

You guys were right, I never should have trusted my sister a second time. So, I am back at Molly's and today we are trying to fix the generator so we have a little bit of heat tonight.

Hey Sheila...do what I do when I want a live plant...buy a "Peace Lily" (Spathe, I think...but don't quote me!) LOL I had three of them in the basement where they barely got any light at all...and they're still alive (admittedly, just barely!) and now recovering in my very bright bathroom. Usually they live in my house without any direct sunlight at all. But, unfortunately if you're looking for a tall tree-type plant they don't exactly fill the bill.

Sheila...that biscotti sounds yummy! I've had so many (too many) sweets the past couple of days that I'm seriously considering a savory rosemary and, I think it was, garlic "cookie". Might be nice with some cream cheese. (hmmm, that doesn't sound half bad.)

Now, back to my digitizing!

~julie~

LOL LOL at ME!! I was drooling at all the cookies you guys were making, so decided to start out with something simple - xmas wreaths (made with corn flakes/marshmallows etc) First of all, I had the wrong size marshmallows, oh well I thought- I can do this. Mixed the marshmallows, butter - went to all the green food coloring - I HAD NONE!!! Gave it to my DIL (now I remember where it went) So I dumped in some red color, plopped them on a piece of wax paper and DH and I are eating them with a fork! Do you think this is an omen?? I'll pick up some food color tomorrow- no energy to go today!!

Darius- you are where?? Your sis did what?? Oh gracious, this sounds like it is going to be quite a story. And they are trying to fix the generator. Oh man....

All the baking sounds great. I used to make Russian Tea Cakes. I always make spritz. I also make sugar cookies with all sorts of fancy colored sugars.

I'm having a really down day. I think I am the loony that's in everyone's family. I don't know why it's hitting so hard although I do have teenagers and am hormonal. I think I always end up being the problem person.

I put a knife through my finger trying to get lollipops out of the mold while the phone rang. I got the tractor stuck trying to clear the driveway. I mixed up sugar cookie dough and then I went for a long bareback horse ride through the 2 feet of powdery snow. I do love my horse. He's always good.

I wish I could do something different this year. I guess different would be where I get to sit down and enjoy something. But I have teenagers and no extended family. DH is a workaholic. Oh well

Whoever has the 2x4 could you smack me upside the head and do a little attitude adjustment???? Thanks.

dmc...don't push yourself SO hard! Teenagers AND a workaholic DH would put anyone in that condition. For heaven's sake, make some time for yourself...take a nice fragrant soak in the tub, or put on some headphones and listen to some good music for a little while.

I'll give you *15* minutes and you have to BACK to normal! LOL (Just remember to tell ME that when I'm down in my next BH, ok? ;-))

Sarv...LOL @ the marshmallow wreaths with a fork! (You should have seen my first batch of Choco-chip cookies last week. I had my THUMB over the cooking time for cookies and use the pan-cookie timing. LOL & LOL I couldn't figure out WHY my *oven* was burning them! (Geez, did I feel stupid after the thrid batch of trying to get them out before I realized I'd read the wrong instructions. :-D)

~julie~

Yes, I am back t6o me but could not have done it with some wonderful, Friends, Julie, I love them more than I thought I could, they were my shining light when I was down in that black hole.

devitt, holidays are difficult, just try to go with the flow you will work it out

Darius, now what did your sister do to you ???

Darius, Did you REALLY think that she would change? People don't change....That's one thing that I have learned in this life...we are what we are, good and bad... Glad, though, you are with Molly. I think she really could use the companionship right now. Not too mention your know-how.....

I am the perfect MIL......I'm 1500 miles away from everyone..... That's probably why my sons are still married....get my drift????

But, complain as you may about family, it's still better than having none on the holidays. That 1500 miles gets awful far at the festive times of the year, not to mention birthdays and such. Oh, well....There's no perfect life for anyone.
See ya all later.

Hap

Dmcd, Julie gave you good advice, put down the sharp instruments, stay away from motorized vehicles, and slow yourself down. That hot bath sounds so good, I might go take one. And I am totally relaxed. So what if the wrapping isn't done? I can go nag DH later and tell him he should help, since I do all the shopping and planning and card writing, and he just sits and eats and enjoys.

The biscotti came out great, I drizzled dipping chocolate over one side of them. Think I'll toss one in each of the cookie can gifts so I don't eat them all myself. If I had a good arm, I could throw one across the lake to Sarv! Haven't had a kitchen disaster so far this year, although I remember years when I over softened butter in the micro and it made bad bad cookies. Burnt some on occasion. Used stale nuts once. Any critics can just get their butts in the kitchen and do it themselves.

I keep thinking about our new baby....Think she'd let me visit every day for three weeks? If I brought cookies? LOL I came home thinking I'm a pretty fair housekeeper, her place was a disaster!!! I'm not kidding you, there were papers and books and other stuff piled 12 inches deep on a very large kitchen table. And stuff on the chairs!! Made me feel quite Martha-ish!

I hadn't thought of a Peace Lily, Julie, I know they use them a lot in ofice buildings where there isn't much natural light, and they are pretty hard to kill. Or maybe a philodendron which are pretty hardy. Nothing tall, just a corner filler. Thanks for the suggestion. Now I have to wait for a day when it's warm enough to bring one home and that doesn't look too likely for a while.

Oh Darius, you have one seriously screwed up sister, and hoping for her to change is like me hoping to win the lottery. (Mostly because I never buy the tickets.) Just cross your fingers that she doesn't murder your plants, and stay out of her way. I think she does the Nice Sister Bad Sister routine in some perverted psychological "love me even when I'm bad" scenario. I don't see a good end in sight for any long term relationship with her. Obviously with a string of bad marriages behind her, she can't maintain a relationship so it's not you, it's her. I don't think you can fix her. She's busted. Sorry to be so blunt, but I've seen DH go through this with several of his brothers, who are all heavy drinkers, and he's been disappointed enough times that he has finally given up on them.

Off my soap box. Back to work.

The sun is glaring through an uncluttered sky, but refuses to warm things up. Temp in the sunroom is 34° and all the brugs are complaining. Oh how I hate their constant whining. It's the same all the time-- "we want more heat, put us out in the sunshine, feed us, our roots are cold and our leaves are drooping". You'd think they would be thankful they aren't out in the yard frozen to the roots like 4 of their siblings. Aside from that, DW has gone to her monthly Pinochle game and gab-fest, Immy is doing very well after her spaying friday morning (she doesn't like the hood though), I've decided to search the Web for bottoming tools rather than trying to make them ( buying a torch and acetylene tanks along with some other stuff is too pricey). Christmas day this year we have din-din with friends and I really need to get out to the shed and make their glass nameplate. If anyone is interested in good Harp music I recommend Bronn Journey. He's from a little wide spot up the valley on Hwy. 2 called Sultan. www.phileomusic.com is the info place listed on the CD.

Darius, I'm so sorry to hear about the sister problem. Hap's right, people don't change and they are just what they are, good or bad. Let me know if I can help.

Cooking, cooking, that might warm the house up too. Haven't had any biscotti for ages. Might have to try something new. But then someone has to finish stripping the wallpaper and scrubbing the glue off the walls, and paint, and put up a new light fixture, AFTER they have moved 16 feet of tables, 3 bookcases, 1 file cabinet, a 2X3 foot table,4 piles of boxes and papers and half a dozen framed photos. Do I have any takers ?? That made me so tired I'm going out in the glass shed and play.
ttyl

Maria, it's darn tough to climb out of those BHs all by ourselves. I can't count the times THIS group and bent down and lent me a hand. (I love them, too!) :-)

Hap said:

to which I say..."That's the ONLY way to go!" Wish I could have been that far away from ALL my relatives. hehehe

Sheila said:

SHEILA!!! You've peeping into *my* house! (But that was *before* the big "clean up" started. LOL Now, at least there's an empty chair to sit in at my dining room table that is *now* covered in cookie cutters, spritz guns, wrapping paper and bows. :-D) Uh...I could meet you in Madison if you'd bring me one of those Biscotti. Hmmm, I don't really have much to trade but we could at least have a good cup of coffee somewhere. :-)

I don't how I missed seeing a post from Darius...but from the responses I'm seeing here, she's "done it again!" Blast that girl's hide! Doesn't she realize how lucky she is to even HAVE a sister within talking distance??? Nevermind...I just remembered I have one, and definitely would NOT want her making my life miserable. Darius, you want to *my* sister? We could trade and my drug addicted sister could go fight it out your sister (we could watch...cuz it might just be fun to see who would win. hehehe)


Ok...where's Elaine? Did I read in one of the previous threads that she'd be gone for a while...or am I dreaming that too?
~julie~

M5, did you you see the recipe for russian tea cakes you asked for?

What's his name said:

(Hey...I'm OLD how do you expect me rember REAL names? LOL)
To which all I could do was LAUGH OUT LOUD!! (Robert, you remind me of ME today. ~grin~)

Did someone POST that Russian Tea cake recipe? Did I miss it??
Oh glory! (My Grandmother used to use that term...I have no idea how it popped up there. :-)

~julie~

Hi all,
DMCD slow down, relax, take that long hot soak and let what isn't done wait, it won't go away!!
Maria how lovely to "hear" your chirpy voice. I was very concerned for you only a couple of months ago, then along came your own private miracle, in the shape of large floppy dog in need of someone to love and care for him. Two days and a few bruises later you started to sound happier and now you are even joking about the sciatica!! It wasn't just chance that there was a heap of golden fur waiting to be mothered at just the right time - it was meant to be!
Elaine is another one who's current joy is such a pleasure to 'hear' in her voice. I read your 'I believe in Miracles thread' Elaine, that is amazing, and equally meant to be.

Families! There is always a problem 'child' it seems. My DIL is a poppet - i see her nearly every week and we have a great relationship. She often asks for advice when the kids hit a new stage, but I never offer advice before I'm asked - just bite my tongue sometimes!!. She had a very close relationship with her own grandparents and wants her kids to have the same. Her parents are a long way away, so she calls on us quite a lot. My SIL is an odd ball - he is 50 going on 17 hates people and always wears grey, which matches his personality! However he is devoted to my DD so I just ignore his sullen sulkiness. The ex SIL was a RAT, he still is, he has promised both the kids expensive presents at Christmas, but it is most unlikely to happen given his track record. He is always defaulting on the maintenance because he has no money so it isn't likely he can find several $100 for each of the kids. Which will leave DD with two heartbroken youngsters on Christmas morning.

Oh Darius, what has your sister done this time? I thought it was too good to be true. Thank-goodness you and Molly have each other. Someone to chat to in times of stress is invaluable.

Got to run -DS just called and needs help keeping the kids occupied while he organises something. - back later.

Carol

GRRR - back from DIL (testy one) house - went over to pick up some shampoo stuff she got me. During our conversation, she said ' oh, I got that book I was telling you about' DRAT - I had just gone and gotten it for her gift!! Now I have to return it and think of something else. She always sits on Xmas with a sour look on her face - sounds like this year will be a repeat of last year!

DM - breath deeply - it will all be over in a week.....then life will go on...

M5- how about some lovely FAKE plant!! Never needs to be watered or fed.....

Hap- sometimes I wish I was miles away, but most of the time I love having all of them over. However, my DS just today said 'why do we have to bring anything to eat" = I could have punched him. I did all thanksgiving with nothing from them and asked them to bring one appetizer on xmas. He is a moocher.....I will get over it, and they better bring something!!!!

I still haven't sent out a single card. I think I better do a few tonight....

Well, I have read all your posts. And I will comment on each one later, but let me tell you about my past 2 days, just adding gripes to the pile that I see growing.

Saturday, my twin sister came down, lives 3 hours away, to help cook, clean, whatever at DM's house, because my family had Christmas dinner today. I have an older brother and sister, who offer to do nothing. Well, twin and I were at DM's this morning at 9:00. We finished cooking, getting things ready, setting tables, etc. Older sister and her clan came in at 11:45 promptly sat her rump in a chair, and remained there until dinner was served.( Lunch was at 12:00) Was first in line (we serve it buffet style) ate, and reclaimed her chair in the living room. Brother came in at 12:30, got in lunch line, and sat after lunch visiting with his 2 grown children, whom he abandoned 20 some years ago. My mother has 7 grandchildren, with families of their own, and guess who cleaned the kitchen and put away food? Twin sister and I left food out until after 3:00, and not a person offered to help clean up.

So tell me some things I can say/do to get these lazy fools to help.

I am going to go take a long hot bath, and will return, hopefully in a better mood, and will answer your posts.

Darius, gotta tell us your "sister story."

bbl

Defoe, seems to me the best thing to say to moochers is "goodbye, don't call me, I'll call you". Be careful in the bathtub, that's where accidents happen.

The shed was fun. Haven't spent much time out there of late. Finished the piece and found the putty was all dried up. It's in hot water in the sink now. Maybe some heat and mineral spirits will make it usable. But now its time to make something to eat.

Don't start tempting me with a road trip Julie, I feel serious cabin fever waiting to pounce on me! That would be fun though, wouldn't it? Are you 90 miles from Madison? I hate the beltway. Gets me all flustered.

A poly plant? I have some fake flowers in baskets, but the big plants are kinda unattractive unless you shell out big bucks for them. I'm too cheap for that.

Dcat, I wouldn't know what to do with people who just sit, eat, and sit again. Our tribe usually pitches in, not only with food, but clean up. They probably know that if they don't, they might not get fed the next time! You could always ask them ahead of time what they are bringing....and then say, if they aren't bringing anything, say, Well, that's all right, you can help with the clean up instead! LOL I dare ya!! This explains why most of DH's family regard me as a ...oh, I can't say that word here can I....LOL

Maria, thanks for the Russian Tea Cake recipe, it sounds very similar to the pecan fingers I make, or Mexican wedding cakes. Yummy.

Bal, if I was faced with stripping wallpaper, removing glue, and moving furniture a week before Christmas I'd go hide in the sun room with the brugs, too!!

Oops, dinner's pending.

Hi everyone. Here's my Russian Tea Cake recipe so you can choose which one to make or try them both.

Mary's Russian Tea Cakes (they are really cookies)

1 c softened butter (not margarine or shortening)
4 Tbsp sugar
2 Tbsp vanilla (that's right)
2 c flour
1 c chopped walnuts

Mix with your hands. Make small balls about the size of a small walnut. Bake on ungreased cooky sheet at 300 for 30 minutes. Roll in powdered sugar immediately and cool them on a plate in a single layer. Roll in powdered sugar again when they are cool. Watch them disappear!


Darius, I'm so glad you have Molly.

Dmc, I'll be praying for you and hoping for a better day tomorrow. Taking a horseback ride was the best thing you could have done for yourself, so do it again tomorrow. I'll be praying for you.

Hubby and I decided this year not to buy each other anything for Christmas but to look around and find some people in our area who need help. We all know people who need help paying their gas bill, electric bill, rent, buying gifts for their kids or just putting food on the table. If everybody helped somebody the world would be a better place and we would be better people. It's something to think about.

Today I was busy with baking and getting some Christmas cards emailed. A bunch of them bounced back so I'll have to snail mail them like last year. But a few went where they were supposed to go. Still have a lot of envelopes to address and all that, but I'm making progress. It's been snowing all day and so I also took some pictures. Today's high temp was about 15 but we are supposed to be warming up with a chance of snow every day though Christmas.

I think somebody's suggestion about either bring something to the family dinner or help clean up is good. If they don't want to do either they can just stay home and pout. If the family dinner is a hassle you could just tell everyone you are volunteering at the local soup kitchen or rescue mission and won't have time or energy for a family gathering. Better choice in my opinion, some people will appreciate your efforts and some people won't.

Robert, very nice gift you made. Somehow the fact that you do stained glass work has escaped me until now. I'll go check out that music link, small world, I graduated from Sultan High School, way back in 1960.

Dinner time. Have a good evening.

As I am thinking it is time to write Christmas cards, I thought back the first time I wrote them as a maried woman. The postage was 3 cents, but if one just signed it andtucked the envelope inside it was only 1 1/2 cents, of course, being rather frugal in those days you can guess which one I chose.
Still making cookies just finished the Russian tea cakes another loaf of fruit bread with real dried fruit.

What a lovely thing to do, Mary, so few of us do that.

As usual, Robert, very, very nice

Hi all,

As usual these days, I'm already tired, but wanted to check in anyhow. Thanks Maria and Mary for the recipe. I'll have to try those sometime. This year I'm doing mostly old family favorites, Chocolate Covered Squares, Peppermint Party Cookies, Merry Crispness (sugar) Cookies, Date-filled Bars, Spiced Molasses Cookies, and an English one we haven't tried before called Honey Fruit Biscuits (though the only "fruit" in them is orange rind!).

Uh--oh, what has the "twisted sister" done this time, Darius? I'm sure glad you had Molly's place as a recourse, though I'd be a lot happier for both you and Molly if the *%# electric company would get on the ball.

M5, that kitten is a cutie. (Of course, as a cat fanatic, I think just about ANY kitten is adorable.) We're seriously thinking of adopting another kitten to keep Mom's cat company (and hopefully to help him get some exercise indoors so he won't turn into a total blimp over the Winter!) However, we (I) have decided that this will definitely not happen until after the tree comes down;

Hap, I hope you have congenial friends to be with for the holidays. Sometimes family isn't all it's cracked up to be anyway. I used to feel really bad for my MIL as she was usually left on her own for the holidays. One of her neighbors used to bring her some dinner, but her DS and DIL in the same town seldom had her over, her daughter lived a fair distance away, and we were all the way across the ocean.

We had an "interesting" day today. We'd planned to go cut the tree we'd already tagged at a local tree farm, but our van had been plowed in at the end of the driveway and half the driveway was still a sheet of ice. We had all sorts of fun trying to get it out. DH dug through the snowbank but got stuck on the ice. I was out there sprinkling kitty litter around the tires, trying to get some traction, but every time it seemed he'd get the thing out of there he'd stop. I kept telling him to just keep going, but of course he wasn't listening to me! He'd started doing what I think of as his "Wet Hen Dance" when a neighbor came over and helped me to push the van. The neighbor told DH to "keep going" and of course THAT time, he listened. I was thinking of asking for the communal 2x4, but I think Darius probably needs it more right now. Anyhow, we did finally manage to get our tree and it's residing on the front porch until we can get around to putting it up.

I have tomorrow "off" as well and plan to get one or two more kinds of cookies baked and some of the wrapping done. DH is taking my store, so I hope to get his packages finished at least.

Hi to everyone I haven't mentioned. I know I saw Joyous post in the past couple of days and think Casey and MG have checked in too as well as some new people, but please forgive me everyone --- my memory isn't the greatest anyway and when I'm out straight like this, I figure I'm doing well to remember my own name!

Goodnight everyone.

Do you guys ever read these threads and have a feeling well up inside that says "if they were close enough, I'd give them a BIG hug!"? Well that's what just happened to me (again)...and I wish I *could* give each of you a ((((~BIG HUG~))))

So even if I'm not very good lately with commenting on each and every post, just remember there's a HUG for you here anyway. :-)

Tomorrow's DAILY is UP in the Parking Lot!
Here's a link if you need it:
http://davesgarden.com/forums/t/563123/

~julie~