I have been busy for weeks baking and canning.  Yesterday I made 16 loaves of bread, and my banana nut bread butter.  The butter stuff turned out most excellent!  The recipe calls for walnuts and I put in walnuts, pecans and raisins.  It calls for minuscule amounts of cinnamon and nutmeg...that just won't do!  I have 4 apple pies to bake today and 1...maybe 2 batches of cinnamon rolls.  That would be 14 big round pans.  My neighbors always mention the rolls when we talk.  I am sure they like it when I share them.   Then I get to play.  The Lad wants to take me  to see AVATAR  in  3-D.  What a Lucky Mom I am.  He is such a blessing!
 
The contest! 12/14/2009
 
This contest was so sad.  Only one person commented and they sad they didn't want the prize.....what's up with that?  What can I say.  It is just a little funny.  I guess I need a bigger prize or maybe a better one.  It is OK though.  Maybe I will go use it myself....since it was my Christmas gift.

On to another subject.  I have been helping out my Buddy who had surgery.  This week I take her Son back and forth to school and help around the house a little.  She seems to be doing a little better but it is going to be a while before she is 100 percent.  I was hoping she would take a nap today...but it didn't happen.  I decided that I would feed her livestock this afternoon so her Hubby doesn't have to when he gets home in the dark. 

I just keep thinking there were times when I was younger and sick and needed help and didn't get it.  Wishing someone could do things without being asked.  I wondered "can't they see what needs to be done?"  So I ask if there is anything she would like for me to do.  You don't know what little thing has been bothering them that would make them feel better if you just did it.

 So...if you have someone who needs help....ask what you can do.  If they say "nothing", and you can see that the dishes need washing or the trash needs taking out....just do it.  It only takes a moment and would make the world of difference to someone who feels helpless.
 
CONTESTS 12/11/2009
 
Today I would like to hold my first contest.  I have been thinking about this for some time now and am having a hard time making a decision.  What to do for a contest?  How long to hold it for?  How often to have contests?  Sometimes I get lost in the details.  So I decided to have one and just "wing" it.  I can make some rules later.

So today I would like to give away a gift certificate I got last year for Christmas from Jones.  $25.00 from Red Lobster.   I will  close the contest Monday the 14th...my day...and take  the middle number.  So please leave a comment and answer the question, only once.
"What do you do to be green?"
 
Fleeting Snow 12/09/2009
 
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As you can see...it snowed here....just a little.
If I hadn't taken this picture, it may have gone unnoticed.

I went out to feed the dogs and it was sort of misty, but not raining.  After about 15 minutes, I opened the door to let them back in and saw this. 

Before The Lad got home, it had melted.  I would say that was about 40 minutes.  A little teaser snow. 

THIS kind of snow I can deal with.  I just know that most people who live in CA think of snow as something fun to play in.  Not the dangerous stuff it can be. 

So be careful on slick roads and drive just a little slower and stay back a little more.  It is just my nature to be bossy.  I can't seem to stop myself.  Pl

 
 
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This is my version of stuffed mushrooms.  It is yummy AND easy.  The Lad doesn't like mushrooms so I make this just for me.

Portabella  Mushrooms  1 per person
1/2 lbs of crab salad per 2 caps
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Break off stems and scrape off gills of mushrooms with a spoon.  Mix in 1/2 of cheese and fill caps with salad.  Top with rest of cheese.  Put caps in baking dish.  Add a little water in bottom of dish to help steam the mushrooms.  Bake in 400 degree oven for about 15 minutes....just till top is brown.
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Here you can see that I broke off the stem and scraped off most of the gills with a spoon.  You can leave the gills on if you want...I just like most of it to be gone.
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Then I take this salad...
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...and mix in some Parmesan cheese....
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It is a little messy but so worth it.
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Split the salad between the caps and sprinkle a little more cheese on top. 
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Put a little water in the pan... it helps steam the mushrooms...and bake in a hot oven till brown and bubbly about 15-20 minutes in a 400 degree oven.
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This is what they look like when they are done.  I just love these. 

This recipe is very adaptable.  You can use crimini mushrooms...which are baby portabellas...just break out the stem...don't worry about the gills.  Then you can fill and cook as usual and serve as appetizers.  I made this for my lunch today.  What a lucky Gal I am!
 
 
Yesterday was a busy day .... running all day!  As I was on my "rounds" I noticed a sign on the side of the road...WELDER. 

Now...a while ago, the Lad's computer chair broke off it's pedestal.  We took it outside to throw it away and I thought..."Self...he paid $300 for that chair...Maybe it can be welded....Send me a welder, please!"

So when I saw the sign I had to call...I had ask AND received.  He live on the next street over, almost on the corner.  What was interesting was he showed us his homemade Cobra...from a kit.  The Lad had an apoplexy.  For those who don't know, it is a FAST sports car.

I had to laugh a little...Cause he was thinking about himself behind the wheel.  He is 6'7"!!!  For him to get in that car they would have to put in a bench seat and add 4 feet to the length, and raise the steering  wheel  up about 6 inches.  And it would STILL look like a clown car.  Then I felt bad.  He is restricted to where he  can go.   Like....he can't ride most of the rides at 6 Flags Magic Mountain.  So I am hoping that one day soon he can get a car that fits him that makes him have that look on his face.

Anyway...for $10  his chair is back in his office...working just fine.  Wanted to report there is one less thing in the landfill tonight.

My Son was so grateful and appreciative.  I guess sitting on that plastic lawn chair had gotten really old.  I love it when I can make such a difference with so little.
 
Change 12/03/2009
 
In my other post I talked about the changes coming.  What I didn't say was that it looks like The Lad MAY be starting his own business.  Big change for us.  We will know more next week.  I wanted to have you pray that if this is "right"  that it turns out  great for all concerned. 

I am so proud of the Lad...he will make a wonderful boss...kind and generous.  He will inspire loyalty and devotion from his employees.  What a proud Momma I am!
 
REMINISCING 12/02/2009
 
Today I have been going through pictures so I can make a collage for my BFF.  There are pictures from the beach this summer and some from a party at her house and some from a restaurant  we went to when SIS was here.

I  was looking at the pictures of her  Grand child...who turns two today...and was  thinking  that I had never met  anyone in BFF's family that I could say..."she looks like....."
 
I think it is GREAT cause she has the best red hair and blue eyes and this wild spirit.  So today I would have to say..."Happy Birthday Lucy!"  Love Ya Bunches!!!!
 
 
The months just fly away anymore.  It just seems like last month when I was called back to Illinois to care for my dying Mother.  It was a slow, labored time I would not change for anything.  I was able to help my siblings give our Mom her final wish...not to go to a nursing home.  Now...she was a handful.  I think she was afraid to sleep cause she knew she had only a short time left.  AND...I got to see my siblings do such kind-hearted things for her.  A glimpse into how wonderful our Mom was.  I hope she is happy where she is, and happy how we all are doing.  Love and miss you ...Mom.
 

Photo used under Creative Commons from Tambako the Jaguar