The Main Dog

I miss Nemnu.  He was a great dog and he's been gone 3 1/2 years now.  We got him as pup and had him a long time.  Best dog ever, seriously.  He was so special.

You Capture - Food

Food is my favorite subject because food and family go hand in hand.  I love to bake, cook and create. And I do so to nourish my family and friends - nourish their bodies and soul.

Yesterday was Thanksgiving and it was hands down the best Thanksgiving ever.  There was no stress and I am serious when I say that. (Which is unusual because I can't ever think of a time in my 45 years when there hasn't been some stress on Thanksgiving!) We had  20 folks for dinner - one turkey, one turkey breast, lost of side dishes and everyone helped.  Everyone had a marvelous time - young and old!  There have been other thanksgivings that have been memorable, however, this one really takes the cake.  I am so thankful and grateful all 20 of us could be together and share the day.   After the meal was over, we set up the computer to Skype with Kathryn.  She is my niece and teaching in Japan right now.  We missed her dearly but it was wonderful to be able to see and talk to her!

I was so busy cooking, conversing and having fun that I only managed to snap a few pictures and only on my little point and shoot, which isn't nearly as nice as my Canon Rebel.  Regardless, you can see food and the people and for me, that's all that matters.

I have been noshing on left overs today and they are delicious!  Cheesecake with cranberry sauce and a glass of champagne for breakfast..YUM...doesn't get much better than that!

Enjoy the photos.  And see more at Beth's awesome website :)

Appetizers:

Shrimp, Smoked Salmon w/capers, cream cheese & onions, Skordalia & pita wedges and Champagne!

Baked Brie with sugar pecans and sliced apples (mouth watering delicious!!)

Time to Eat!

The whole family :)

The other end of the table!

Grown ups visiting after dinner :)

 Time for dessert:  pumpkin cheesecake, apple pie, German chocolate cake, cheesecake and rum soaked fruit (deliciously sinful I might add!)

Skype'ing with Kathryn!

All the family members get in on the Skype'ing!

And there's Kathryn - all the way in Japan! We missed her!!

Prepping for Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is all about gratitude and a grateful heart.  I can't wait to share the day with family.  It's going to be hectic, full of chaos but most importantly filled with joy.  20 folks are coming for dinner...my oh my, it will be a house full.  The menu is:

Herb Roasted Turkey and Gravy
Mashed Potatoes
Cranberry Sauce
Apple Cornbread Dressing
Peas 'n Butter Sauce
Roast Carrots
Brussels Sprouts
Tomato Aspic
Rolls
Pumpkin Cheesecake
Apple Pie
German Chocolate Cake

Champagne/Vodka/Raspberry Cocktails
Wine
Sparkling Cider

I'm thankful that I have 2 ovens and capable folks to help.  It's my favorite holiday and I'm so excited.  xoxo

Dinner with friends

I am looking forward to tonight.  We have been invited to a friends home for dinner.  Michael is doing the cooking and we don't have to bring anything but wine, how nice is that?  I picked out a very nice bottle from our wine of the month club.  It's a 1999 cab from California.  I think it should be good, at least I hope so.  Nothing worse than a corker.  But Dennis and Julia appreciate wine as do Michael and Ines - so hopefully it will pass their muster.  We've had the bottle since October 2005 and it's quite dusty!  Cheers!

this is the funniest darn website EVER

I just found this website today and I can't stop laughing. It's friggin hilarious.

http://craftastrophe.net/

I thought blogging was supposed to be easy

but it's not. The actually writing isn't hard, but the technical computer part is! I am fairly savvy with computers too, so I'm not sure why I'm confused. Maybe it's not enough coffee this morning.

Here are my problems:

1) the background options offered for blogger are dull. When I visit other blogspot sites I see pretty, customized personal backgrounds. How do I do that?

2) when making a link how do I make it come up with "You Capture" and not www.Ilikefoldinglaundry.com. I've seen other people do it, but I when I paste the link it puts it as is and doesn't give me an option to change the name

3) I am using the old editor because I like spell check and the new editor doesn't have spell check. Could that be my problem for #2 above?

4) How do I get my blog wider?

5) insert my twitter feed? (which by the way, I'm not sure I like twitter at all...but since everyone is doing it, I might as well jump right in)

Geez...this blogging is tough. (but fun! LOL) Now, if only I had a secretary to do all the technical while I just composed my witty thoughts about life. I can dream can't I?

You Capture: Sunrise/Sunset

My sunrise

This is my sunrise! My heavenly slippers. I usually sleep until 7 am and the sun has long risen. But even so, right now not much is more comforting that my cozy slippers. I have been wearing my slippers almost non-stop for the past month because of these painful injections I've been getting in my foot. I've recently had my 3rd sclerosing injection and will need 2 - 3 more. They hurt like hell, make my foot swell and feel as though a hammer has hit it.

The injections are for a morton's neuroma. I've had 4 cortisone injections with minimal relief and am trying these sclerosing injections which are basically an alcohol mixture injected (with a really huge need) directly into the nerve. The procedure hurts horribly, then for days to come my whole foot hurts and finally when it starts to feel better it's time for another shot. The goal is to kill the nerve which will reduce the neuroma and pain. If this doesn't work I will need surgery which I really don't want.

So right now, the slippers are my sunrise, the comfort in my day. Well, that and a cup of coffee in my favorite mug. In the morning it's coffee, it's evening it's tazo sweet orange tea. My kids gave me this mug about 5 years ago for my birthday and it's my favorite. This mug is my sunrise AND sunset!!

My sunrise & sunset

I recently found Beth's blog. It's really great and her You Capture challenge is fun. It will inspire me to take more photos (which I love doing), blog more and be more creative. Hopefully it will for you as well. Check our http://www.ishouldbefoldinglaundry.com/2009/11/you-capture-sunrisesunset.html for more!