Just a Thursday!

I got a new camera recently, after seeing the pictures a friend took with hers. I've been working with it, and this is the first picture I printed -I love it. I want to think it's the camera that made it come out so well! This plant was a present from another friend for my birthday-and the cats aren't eating it.

Off to new things!

Weekend

I had a pretty productive weekend! After realizing I was only home 1 weekend out of 4 in November, I decided it was definitely time to stay home this weekend, and stay home I did, not even venturing out in the car one time. I did walk around the park by my house yesterday, but that was more to try out my new camera than anything else.

I managed to get all my Christmas cards finished - not mailed yet because the post office hasn't delivered the stamps I ordered, but hopefully today. (You see, one of the 3 things I dislike doing more than anything else, is going to the post office)

I also managed to get all the laundry caught up- so now I won't have to do it until after Christmas, I got the craft room straightened up, but it never stays that way long, I finished 2 Christmas presents, and this week I plan to finish the rest.

Christmas shopping was pretty easy this year, most everyone on my list wanted cash or gift cards - so that was easy enough to do - some I even did on line! Now I just have to be creative with the wrapping so they don't guess them quite right off the bat!

This morning we got a great early Christmas present, little Colton Hud arrive at 5:552 am this morning, mother and son are doing well, and Dad is glad this part's over!

Recipe Wednesday- Currie Soup

1 onion - chopped
2 1/2 Tbs butter

Melt butter, add onion and 2 tsp curry powder

Cook 5 minutes, covered

Add 2 T flour, 4 1/2 cups bouillion Stir well

Add milk or cream to your taste and for consistency you like.

Enjoy!

Who says...?

California doesn't have a fall season?

Leaves don't change colors in California?

California does have a fall season and trees in California do change colors. I took these pictures in early November.

Christmas Music!

I like Christmas music- I really enjoy it - but at the right time! I turned on the car radio on my way home last night, to hear Christmas music. The station I listen to all the time has already started playing Christmas music 24 hours a day- I like Christmas music and look forward to it about this time of year - but I don't know if I can take 37 days of it! If this keeps up, they'll be playing Christmas music 365 days a year! Can you imagine 4th of July BBQ, Fireworks and Christmas music?

2 years ago the station started playing Christmas music 24 hours a day, the day after Thanksgiving. That's perfect for me -

Last year they started playing it the Monday before Thanksgiving, ok, a tad early but ok.

This year, a whole week before Thanksgiving - that's just a liite more than even I, the ultimat Christmas fan, may be able to handle!

I may have to find a new favorite radio station for a few days!

Recipe Wednesday

Here it is - 2 for 1! :)

Beef Stroganoff

2 lbs beef tenderloin, cut into 1/4" strips
1/4 C flour
1 1/2 t salt
1/4 t pepper
1/4 C butter
1 clove garlic
1 C chopped onion
1 lb fresh sliced mushrooms
2 T butter 1 T tomato paste
2 T flour 1 C Sour cream
1 can beef consome

Combine 1/4 C flour, salt and pepper; coat meat.
Melt 1/4 C butter in fry pan. Brown meat on both sides. Add garlic, onion and mushrooms; fry til golden. Move meat and vegetables to one side of pan - to other side of pan add 2 T butter and 2 T flour, blend. Add tomato paste and beef broth, mix well with meat and vegetables. Cook until thickened. Add sour cream - heat through, do not boil! Serve over buttered noodles. (Serves 6)


Healthy String (Green) Beans

1 large can green beans, (empty out liuid and rinse with water several times).
1 whole onion, quartered and taken apart
1 pkg sliced smoked turkey ( I skip this and add a few drops of liquid smoke)
4 beef bouillion cubes (or 4 teaspoons powdered beef bouillion)
Place all in cooking pan, cover with water and simmer for several hours!

Enjoy! I promise you will!

Travelin' Weekend

I took a red-eye flight on Thursday night and spent the weekend with a long time friend and her husband. it was a wonderful weekend, we spent hours and I do mean hours, talking, catching up, comparing and learning!

We've been friends since Jr. High, and have always kept in touch via birthday and Christmas cards, and the odd quick hour when both of us were in our hometown at the same time- but it's been a long time since we had an uninteruptted 48 hours to spend together.

Their home is lovely (no, "N", I still can't figure out why!) they are wonderful hosts, and "B" cooked up some very good dinners! We took a trip to Hobby Lobby, one of my favorite stores and there are none here in California, so that was a wonderful treat! We're both ready to do it again, and we will!



There's a song that sums it all up for me:

Old Friends

Hey, old friend
What d’ya say, old friend?
Are you okay, old friend?
Are we, are we unique?

Time goes by
Everything else keeps changing
You and I, we can continue next week, yeah

Most friends fade
Or they don’t make the grade
New ones are quickly made
And in a pinch, sure, they’ll do

But us, old friend
What’s to discuss, old friend?
Here’s to us, who’s like us?
Damn few!

Thanks B&N for a great weekend!

xoxo