winding down to the end of the year

Just 2 more days of 2009.  It's like any other day for me though.  Laundry, work/payroll, bills, grocery store, cooking.  My desk gets piled up with paperwork on a daily basis that I can hardly keep up.  It's awful.  Really wish I had a personal assistant.  Oh well, I hope to get through my tasks and on to making cinnamon rolls this afternoon.  We missed them this year on Christmas.  It's our tradition, we make cinnamon rolls to enjoy on Christmas morning.  We spent Christmas in Cabo this year and we ate and drank well, just didn't have a cinnamon roll.  Hope the chill in the air doesn't alter the rising dough too much.  It's cold here.  Snowed last night and it's very icy.  Flights have been canceled in/and out of Pullman.  They were canceled yesterday too, which I think is odd, because yesterday was just cold.  No snow.

Kristin and I are leaving on Friday morning on the 10:35 am flight.  We need to make it to Seattle for a 2 pm flight to DC.  Sadly, the flights in and out of Pullman are far and few between and flights out of Spokane are already booked.  But they have their own strange weather issues (lots of FOG) on a regular basis.  Surprisingly Lewiston (the pass through for many flights between Pullman and Seattle) has had cancellations as well.  WTH?  We may be up bright and early and driving to Seattle to make that 2 pm flight on  New Years Day. 

Here's a few wonderful pictures of our Christmas Vacation in Cabo San Lucas.

 

Another give away from Fantabulously Frugal

I want to win this loot.  If you'd like to win too, check it out at Fantabulously Frugual - The Best Giveaway. 

Tiny Prints Give Away

A fellow blogger, Beth, is having a give away and the link is Tiny Prints Give Away.  She is giving away a $50 gift certificate to TWO lucky readers just in time to order your Christmas cards from Tiny Prints this year.  So many beautiful cards to choose from!

Her blog is at I Should Be Folding Laundry, go check it out.  :)

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!