Eternity

I remember a few years back when my daughter exclaimed, "My gosh, Christmas is coming so fast!!!" I knew she was officially an adult, and, an adult with her own children! It seems that seven days a week, 24 hours in each day, moves at a different pace whether you are an adult or a child. We all recall the feeling that Christmas would never be here when we were small. Most of us can also recall, the overwhelming feeling that it was just around the corner...and we were clearly not ready.
This year, for me, I have felt very unpreapred by my definition. You see, I am that lady you hate, who brags in early Septemeber, that she is almost finished with all her Christmas shopping! Not so, this year!! I started late in this race and feel I have been running in the back of the pack ever since. It is not my style and I don't like it at all! I am making headway, however, and starting to feel like it is coming together...but it is Dec 14th, it better be coming together! I have even uttered those famous words that have tumbled out of many a mouth..."Next year will be different!" Don't smile and nod...I really mean it!!! Wait til I write a blog in February about buying my first Christmas present for 2013!

Tree Lights

Sit in a room lit only by tree lights and remember that our blessings outnumber the lights.

The Big Guy

He just has to be the silly wise guy that makes Amber & I roll our eyes and Emily laugh right along with him! A quiet, gentle force that knows his way is ALWAYS the best way but won't push it on you until you find your way won't work!
Annoying, too easy, can't pick a place to have dinner, watches five TV shows at once, will wear the same shirt every time, if I don't rotate his closet, and...the love of my life!

Tea for Two

One of my dearest friends has a birthday this week and one of our favorite things is to go to a tea house. I found one we'd never been to in Seal Beach and decided to try it.
I should have heard a bell go off, when I left two messages that were never returned when I tried to make the reservation. Finally, on the third try, I got a real person on the other end and was informed there was only one reservation left for this Sunday at 4pm. I grabbed it.
Unpon our arrival, we were asked to wait while the table was set. There must have been four other parties all with 4:00pm reservations. Once seated, we were asked if we wanted soup or salad with our "Queen Mum's Tea" package, which is the nicest on the menu. We both chose soup and it was delivered in moments. No tea, no water, nothing but soup. Finally, I asked for water which she brought. Still, no tea. Did I mention this is a tea house??? It took over 15 minutes for them to bring out the pots of tea! We sat and we waited and we waited and we waited...NOTHING!!!
Having so much time to sit and talk, my friend and I plotted and planned how we would do OUR tea house and how wonderful it would be. We would pay attention to detail and make it special. We would....wash the drapes!!!! Yes, during this long wait, we noticed that the once white drapes were now a dingy gray from so much dust covering them. Looking around, we noticed that we were not the only ones without food...no one in the room of six tables had any food!
Finally, at 5:05pm, she brought out our teeny, tiny sandwiches, scones & jam. She never asked if we'd like our tea refilled or warmed up. It was cold by the time the food arrived!!! Did I mention this is a tea house??? We waited almost one hour for some very disappointing food. At this point we were so hungry we would have eaten the gray drapes!!
To add insult to injury, the check arrives. This "feast" cost $27.00 PER PERSON plus tax!!!! I turned the check over and wrote, "The food was disapppointing and the service was terrible!!!!" I left her a two dollar tip. I have never done that in my life. Looking back, two dollars seems like I gave too much!!!
We left the tea house and drove to a Starbucks where we bought a sandwich and two cups of coffee and laughed til our sides hurt.
It just proves, no matter where you are and how awful the circumstances might be, if you are with the right person, you can have a wonderful, fun and memorable time.
Memorable is right. It will take me a long time to forget that place!!!

Boomski

My baby now has a baby...a four legged baby, but a baby none the less. Here is Tyler and Boomski. That name  is a hocky term and I have no idea what it means. I call him Boomer. He is only a few months old, and like any baby, requires a lot of attention. He loves to chew on just about everything...

shoes, chair legs, stuffed animals, and...

poor, unsuspecting Frosty!!

For all the work he is, he is also adorable and fun. It is a joy to watch my son and his fiance

 pamper him and love him so much. I think he's pretty cute myself.

Buttered Popcorn Cookies

Baking is a big part of my Christmas ritual. I tend to make the same five or six kinds that I know my family looks forward to, but I also read every magazine I can get my hands on, to search out one or two new recipes.
This year, I was facinated by the thought of popcorn cookies. Although I teach chocolate classes and love to bake, I am not much of a sweets eater. I think that is why the popcorn cookie appealed to me. Mixing salty and sweet is such a wonderful combination, I had to try them.
Here's a photo & the recipe so you can try them for yourself. I give them a thumbs up!
Ingredients:
7 cups plain popped popcorn (not microwave!)
1 tbsp. melted plus 1/2 cup softened butter
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
1/2 cup sugar
1 egg
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
1 1/4 cups flour
1/2 tsp. baking soda

Steps:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Toss popcorn with melted butter & salt in mixing bowl.
3. In a very large mixing bowl, cream softened butter, brown sugar, sugar, egg & vanilla until smooth.
4. In another bowl, whisk together flour & baking soda. I never do this!! Lazy!!
5. Add dry ingredients to wet & stir until blended. Then fold in popcorn until fully incorporated. Some kernels will not remain whole.
6. Forn heaping tablespoon-size mounds of batter on parchment lined baking sheet.
7. Bake until light brown, 10 - 12 minutes. **NOTE: I think this is TOO LONG!! I went with 8-9 minutes and liked how they came out.
ENJOY!!

Jack Mack

Jack thought it was hilarious to put stickers on my bottom while waiting in line for a ride at Disneyland. I pretended not to notice he was putting them on me, and he got such a kick out of it. He is a funny kid with a HUGE sense of humor. He discovered telling jokes this year and is constantly trying one out on me. I laugh at each and every one and occasionally help him imporve his delivery for the next person. His laughter is infectious and he delivers a great one liner. It is very difficult to be in a bad mood around Jack, and for that, I thank him ever so much!