Happy New Year!

http://youtu.be/jr-htpPV_Z0

Happy New Year (part 1)

God is not the only creator. The world is beautiful when we help to make it so.



http://youtu.be/zlfKdbWwruY

2012 Ornaments!

The wife and I have had a tradition of giving each other a Christmas ornament every year. Now, 20 years on, our tree is covered with ornaments that remind us of specific years and places. Naturally, we are have extended the tradition to the wee one.

From me to the wife: A tin poinsettia from Old Town:

From the wife to me: a glass seahorse from Solana Beach:

From Daddy to Annie: a decorated gourd from Old Town:

From Mommy to Annie: a glass butterfly from Solana Beach:

Quote of the Day

“I asked for health that I might do greater things, I was given infirmity that I do might do better things…I asked for riches that I might be happy, I was given poverty that I might be wise… I asked for power that I might have the praise of men, I was given weakness that I might feel the need of God…. I asked for all things that I might enjoy life, I was given life that I might enjoy all things… I got nothing that I asked for, but everything that I hoped for.   Almost despite myself, my unspoken prayers were answered.  I am among all men most richly blessed.”

- Confederate Soldier

Christmas Goodness

Slow-Cooker Bacon-Mushroom Soup

Servings: 6

Prep Time: 20 min
Cook Time: 6 hours

16 ounces mushrooms chopped

1 1/2 cups carrots chopped

1 cup celery chopped

1 cup yellow onion chopped

1/2 cup shallot chopped

1 teaspoon dried oregano

7 slices crisp-cooked bacon chopped, divided

4 cups beef broth

2 tablespoons tomato paste

2 tablespoons soy sauce

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Yield: 6

- Set aside 2 tablespoons of chopped bacon
- place the rest of the ingredients in the slow-cooker and set on low for 6-7 hours or on high for 3-3 1/2 hours
- transfer 4 cups of soup to a blender, process until smooth and return to slow-cooker
- serve garnished with remaining bacon

Some Children See Him

http://youtu.be/XR5vupwpRJc

Shirred Eggs

Prep Time: 10 min
Cook Time: 15 min

1/4 teaspoon butter softened

2 teaspoons heavy cream

2 eggs

salt to taste

pepper to taste

1 teaspoon fresh chives minced

1 teaspoon grated Parmesan cheese

Yield: 1

- Preheat to 325
- rub the inside of a 6oz ramekin with butter
- pour in cream, then crack eggs on top of cream without breaking the yolks
- sprinkle with salt, pepper, chives and cheese

**Also good topped with bacon bits or smoked salmon etc

- Bake until white of eggs have set and yolks are still soft. 12-15 minutes.
- Remove from oven and allow to set for 2-3 minutes

Cranberry Sauce Extraordinaire

Servings: 12

Prep Time: 10 Min
Cook Time: 35 Min

1 cup water

1 cup white sugar

12 ounces fresh cranberries

1 orange, peeled and pureed

1 apple - peeled, cored and diced

1 pear - peeled, cored and diced

1 cup chopped dried mixed fruit

1 cup chopped pecans

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Yield: 12 servings

- In a large saucepan, boil water and sugar until the sugar dissolves.
- Reduce the heat to simmer, and stir in cranberries, pureed orange, apple, pear, dried fruit, pecans, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
- Cover, and simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the cranberries burst.
- Remove from heat, and let cool to room temperature.

Green Bean Casserole

Prep Time: 15 Min
Cook Time: 30 Min

18 ounces frozen, cut green beans, thawed

10 slices bacon

10 small fresh mushrooms, chopped

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

1/2 teaspoon onion powder

1 cup half-and-half cream

1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

salt and pepper to taste

1 carton French-fried onions

Yield: 6 servings

- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees
- Place green beans into a 1 quart or similar sized casserole dish.
- Fry bacon in a large deep skillet over medium-high heat until browned and crispy. Remove to drain on paper towels. Drain off some of the grease, leaving enough to coat the bottom of the pan.
- Add mushrooms to the grease in the pan and season with garlic powder and onion powder. Cook and stir until tender, about 4 minutes.
- Pour the half-and-half into the pan with the mushrooms and stir to scrape the bacon flavor from the bottom of the pan. Simmer until thickened slightly, about 5 minutes. Pour this mixture over the green beans.
- Crumble bacon over the top, top with french onions and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.
- Season with salt and pepper.
- Bake for 20 minutes in the preheated oven, or until the sauce is bubbling and the top is toasted.

Sweet Potato Casserole

Servings: 6
Prep Time: 15 min
Cook Time: 30 min

4 cups sweet potatoes peeled and cubed
1/2 cup sugar
2 eggs beaten
1/2 teaspoon salt
7 tablespoons butter softened, divided
1/2 cup milk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/3 cup flour
1/2 cup pecans chopped


Yield: 6

- Preheat to 325
- Boil sweet potatoes until tender, drain and mash
- Combine sweet potatoes, sugar, eggs, salt, 4 Tbs butter, milk and vanilla. transfer to a baking dish
-----------------
- Mix brown sugar, flour. Cut in 3 Tbs butter until the mixture is coarse. Stir in the pecans. Sprinkle mixture over sweet potato mixture
- Bake 30 min or until topping is lightly brown

Turkey Carcass Soup

Servings: 12

Prep Time: 45 mins
Cook Time: 2 hours

1 turkey carcass

4 quarts water

6 small potatoes , diced

4 large carrots , diced

2 stalks celery, diced

1 large onion, diced

1 1/2 cups shredded cabbage

28 ounces canned, whole peeled tomatoes , chopped

1/2 cup uncooked barley

1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

1 1/2 teaspoons salt

1 teaspoon dried parsley

1 teaspoon dried basil

1 bay leaf

1/4 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper

1/4 teaspoon paprika

1/4 teaspoon poultry seasoning

1 pinch dried thyme

Yield: 12

- Place the turkey carcass into a large soup pot or stock pot and pour in the water; bring to a boil, reduce heat to a simmer, and cook the turkey frame until the remaining meat falls off the bones, about 1 hour.
- Strain the broth through a fine mesh strainer into a clean soup pot.
- Remove the turkey carcass and remove and chop any remaining turkey meat.
- Add the chopped turkey to the strained broth; bring the to a boil, reduce heat, and stir in the remaining ingredients
- Simmer until the vegetables are tender, about 1 more hour. Remove bay leaf before serving. 

Nap Time

Bounty

by Robyn Sarah

Make much of something small.
The pouring-out of tea,
a drying flower's shadow on the wall
from last week's sad bouquet.
A fact: it isn't summer any more.

Say that December sun
is pitiless, but crystalline
and strikes like a bell.
Say it plays colours like a glockenspiel.
It shows the dust as well,

the elemental sediment
your broom has missed,
and lights each grain of sugar spilled
upon the tabletop, beside
pistachio shells, peel of a clementine.

Slippers and morning papers on the floor,
and wafts of iron heat from rumbling radiators,
can this be all? No, look — here comes the cat,
with one ear inside out.
Make much of something small.

Turkey is In the Oven!

Perfect Turkey
Servings: 8
Prep Time: 12 Hours
Cook Time: 3 hours

1 whole turkey neck and gibblets removed
2 cups kosher salt
3 tablespoons garlic minced
1 tablespoon black pepper
1/3 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
2 large onions yellow, chopped
4 carrots peeled and chopped
4 stalks celery chopped
2 sprigs thyme
1 bay leaf
1 bottle white wine
2 cups butter melted
4 tablespoons onion powder (optional)


Yield: 8

- rinse turkey, rub inside and out with kosher salt (use whatever amount is needed) place turkey in a large stock pot and add enough water to cover turkey 3/4 of the way
- place garlic, pepper and brown sugar in a sauce pan with 4 cups water and boil until sugar is dissolved. Add ice to cool mixture.
- Add worcestershire to mixture and pour over turkey. Add enough water to submerge the turkey and refrigerate overnight (12 hours)
- preheat oven to 350
- rinse turkey and discard the brine mixture
- stuff turkey with 1/2 the onions, 1/2 the carrots, 1/2 the celery, 1/2 the thyme and the bay leaf
- scatter remaining vegetables in the bottom of the roasting pan and pour in 1/3 of the white wine (add wine throughout cooking if you do not have enough liquid for basting)
- place turkey breast-side down on roasting rack and coat with 1/2 the melted butter (dust with onion powder and/or salt and pepper if desired)
- roast uncovered 3-3 1/2 hours (for an 8-10 pound turkey) until internal temperature of thigh is 180
- baste every 45 minutes or so

*2/3 of the way through the cooking process, turn turkey breast-side up (use two clean oven mitts to handle the turkey) and coat with the remaining butter, onion powder and/or salt and pepper - continue cooking
- once done, remove from oven, turn turkey breast-side down on roasting rack and allow to cool for 30 minutes
- turn turkey breast-side up for serving

French Toast Bake!

French Toast Bake
Servings: 6
Prep Time: 8 1/2 Hours
Cook Time: 35 Min

1 day-old French bread loaf, cubed
5 eggs
2 1/2 cups milk
1 cup packed brown sugar, divided
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 cup chopped pecans
1/4 cup butter or margarine, melted
2 cups fresh or frozen blueberries


Yield: 6 servings

- Arrange bread in a greased 13-in. x 9-in. x 2-in. baking dish.
- In a bowl, combine the eggs, milk, 3/4 cup brown sugar, vanilla and nutmeg; pour over bread.
- Cover and refrigerate for 8 hours or overnight. Remove from the refrigerator 30 minutes before baking.
- Sprinkle pecans over egg mixture.
- Combine butter and remaining sugar; drizzle over the top.
- Bake, uncovered, at 400 degrees F for 25 minutes.
- Sprinkle with blueberries.
- Bake 10 minutes longer or until a knife inserted near the center comes out clean.

Merry Christmas!

What A Night

- Author Unknown

“That night when in the Judean skies the mystic star dispensed its light,

A blind man moved in his sleep and dreamed that he had sight.

That night when shepherds heard the song of hosts angelic choiring near,

A deaf man stirred in slumber’s spell and dreamed that he could hear.

That night when o’er the new-born babe the tender Mary rose to lean,

A loathsome leper smiled in sleep, and dreamed that he was clean.

That night when in the manger lay the Sanctified who came to save,

A man moved in the sleep of death, and dreamed there was no grave.”

Bloody Peasant!

I was reminded of one of my Favorite Monty Python scenes (and now I will resist posting twenty more)




http://youtu.be/rAaWvVFERVA

I cant help it:

http://youtu.be/xOrgLj9lOwk

and:

http://youtu.be/BZwuTo7zKM8

Quote of the Day

Adherents of Xmas are exhausted & overextended but Christmas worshipers are joyful. Are you rushing or feasting? 

-C.S. Lewis

Christmas is Hard

I don't understand, you want me to sit where?

Oh, okay, lay down?

Wait, lay down and look where?

20th Christmas

I am still trying to figure out what to get the wife for Christmas. This is our 20th Christmas together so I googled "20th anniversary gifts" and here is what came up:

The twentieth year of marriage is one of the big milestone anniversaries. As you celebrate this special 20th wedding anniversary, reflect on the commitment to a lifetime marriage the two of you have made.

Here are some twentieth wedding anniversary ideas and symbols to help you choose china or platinum gifts associated with your 20th marriage anniversary.

20th Anniversary Traditional Gift:

China. It symbolizes the beautiful, elegant, and delicate of your love for one another over the past 20 years.

20th Anniversary Contemporary/Modern Gift:

Platinum. Platinum is strong and enduring, just like your 20-year old marriage.

20th Anniversary Gemstone:

Emerald or a yellow or golden diamond.

20th Anniversary Color:

Emerald green or white.

20th Anniversary Flower:

Day Lily: The meaning of a day lily is that of coquetry such as flirting, playful behavior towards one another.

I was thinking more along the lines of a flak jacket, helmet and a bottle of vodka . . . . .

Lines Written in the Days of Growing Darkness

by Mary Oliver

Every year we have been
witness to it: how the
world descends

into a rich mash, in order that
it may resume.
And therefore
who would cry out

to the petals on the ground
to stay,
knowing as we must,
how the vivacity of what was is married

to the vitality of what will be?
I don't say
it's easy, but
what else will do

if the love one claims to have for the world
be true?

So let us go on, cheerfully enough,
this and every crisping day,

though the sun be swinging east,
and the ponds be cold and black,
and the sweets of the year be doomed.

The Bloody Mary

by Susan Donnelly

Sunday in late December
calls for one, with a celery stalk
and faint taste of Worcestershire,
to be sipped while eating
poached egg and corned beef hash,
in a hotel dining room
with someone you love. Touch
the hairs at his wrist
as the warmth endorses
all bed-lingering, non-churchgoing.
It's the solstice, remember,
when your frugal father
would hand around dollar bills
so the day would last longer.
Stir ice into the rich red
and consider such Celtic rituals,
as you watch, beyond the tall windows,
pilgrims traveling the paths
past snow-fringed trees in the park.

The 5 Stages of Grief and Some Assembly Required

A Yep

The Tree!

Take It

“There is nothing I can give you this season which you have not. But there is much, very much, that, while I cannot give it, you can take.  No heaven can come to us unless our hearts find rest in it today.  Take heaven!  No peace lies in the future which is not hidden in this present little instant.  Take peace! The gloom of the world is but a shadow.  Behind it, yet within our reach, is joy.  Take joy!  And so, at this time, I greet you.  Not quite as the world sends greetings, but with a prayer that for you, now and forever, the day breaks and the shadows flee.”

- Fra Giovanni Giocondo,  Franciscan friar, Christmas Eve, 1513

Merry Christmas from The Gipper

The Christians and the Pagans

http://youtu.be/d9H9Fi4Qcus

Christmas

http://youtu.be/Aixcna743L0

Words by J. Popper Music by T. Anastasio and J. Popper

Comes the time for Christmas
And I really have to ask
If this is feeling merry
How much longer must it last

I wish a one horse open sleigh
Would come carry me away
But I've been waiting here all day
And one just hasn't come my way

Now excuse me if I'm not being reverent
But I was hoping for a miracle to hold me, wash me
Save me from my righteous doubt as I watch helpless
And everybody sings

If it's Chanukah or Kwanza
Solstice, harvest or December twenty-fifth
Peace on earth to everyone
And abundance to everyone you're with

Laha da da da da da
Da da da da da da da da da da da
La da da da da da da da
La da da da da da da da da
Laha da da da da
Laha da da da da

Comes the time for Christmas
And as you raise your Yuletide flask
There's like this feeling that you carry
As if from every Christmas past

It's as if each year it grows
It's like you feel it in your toes
And on and on your carol goes
Harvesting love among your woes

I want to buy into the benevolent
And I was hoping for a miracle to hold me, wash me
Make me know what it's about
As the longing in me makes me want to sing

Noel or Navidad
Season celebration or just the end of the year
Christmas can mean anything
And I mean to keep its hope forever near

Laha da da da da da
Da da da da da da da da da da da
La da da da da da da da da
La da da da da da da da da da
Laha da da da da
Laha da da da da

As if a cold and frozen soul is warm to love
By loves own hand
So goes the prayer if for a day peace on earth
And good will to man

At twenty below the winter storm it billows
But the fire is so warm inside
And the children while nestled in their pillows
Dream of St. Nicholas's ride

And how the next day they'll get up and they will play
In the still falling Christmas snow
And together we'll celebrate forever
In defiance of the winds that blow

My god in heaven now I feel like I'm seven
And spirit calls to me as well
As if Christmas had made the winter warmer
Made a paradise from what was hell

As if a cold and frozen soul is warm to love
By loves own hand
So goes the prayer if for a day peace on earth
And good will to man.......

I wish a one horse open sleigh would come carry me away
And I'll keep waiting through next May
Until Christmas comes my way

Quote of the Day

The Seven Blunders of the World: wealth without work, pleasure without conscience, knowledge without character, commerce without morality, science without humanity, worship without sacrifice, politics without principle.

- Gandhi

Quote of the Day

“Go placidly amid the noise and the haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence.  As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all.  Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even to the dull and the ignorant; they too have their story.  If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain or bitter, for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself. Be yourself. Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth.  Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.  But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.  Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself.  Be at peace with God and whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul.  With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world.” 

- Max Ehrmann

Quote of the Day

"When we recall Christmas past, we usually find that the simplest things -- not the great occasions -- give off the greatest glow of happiness."

- Bob Hope

A Big Ole Brew

A line from this song popped into my head today "One of these days everything I want is going to be mine" . . . blah blah something about it not and sunshine . . .

I had no idea who sang the song, what the other lyrics were or where I had heard that line but thanks to the internet, I was able to look it up. I have never heard of this singer and had no idea what the name of the song was but it was a delightful find.

Enjoy!



http://youtu.be/MMd54N4fqJ4

Quote of the Day

"Aren't we forgetting the true meaning of Christmas? You know, the birth of Santa." 

- Bart Simpson