Nothing terribly exciting is going on for the next couple of weeks. No sports, no trips anywhere, and no one coming to visit. This is giving us the chance to slow down and relax. Okay, so, Greg is busy redesigning a clients site, he doesn’t get to relax quite yet. The rest of us though, we get to be lazy bums. At least for 2 more weeks, then holiday madness will kick in to full gear.
Monthly Archive for November, 2005
Thanksgiving was good. Because I have to work today, we didn’t travel out of town. Instead I cooked a big feast for five. Our household enjoyed a lazy day (minus the cooking). In the morning we made Indian headbands out of construction paper, watched the parade (Ok, so Allison was the only one who really got into it), decorated for Christmas (nevermind that it is 80 degrees outside and totally doesn’t feel like it’s time for the holidays). Then we starved the kids, gave them snacks, watched some football, ate the feast, watched more football, played some games, had dessert, then called it a night with Allison yelling from the living room to Greg in the bedroom, “You better not pout Dad!!!”. We had been singing ‘Santa Claus is Coming to Town’.
Yes, we have stocking caps and Allison wanted us to wear them. She thought we all looked super cool. I can totally see why.
She was having tons of fun getting the decorations out of the boxes.
While I really enjoy it, and want the kids to really enjoy it, I think I may be too uptight about decorating the tree. The garland and beads have to be hung at proportional intervals. Ornaments must be spaced far enough apart that they don’t form a big bunch. I have to force myself to just let the kids put the ornaments on where they want already. Allison is just going to rearrange things anyway.
A few months ago, Greg taught Allison his real name and for the next week he was, “Geg!”. Now she only uses is when she really wants him to pay attention to her (like the 4th time she has told him something with no response).
“Dad, I reading my book.”…. “I read my book, Dad.”…”GREG! I reading my book.”
It never fails to crack me up when she uses his real name.
Turkey (duh)
Sweet Potatoes
Mashed Potatoes & Gravy
Stuffing
Cranberries
Glazed Carrots
Green Bean Casserole
Pumpkin Pie
Pecan Pie
Bread
1 (14.5 ounce) cans green beans, drained
1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed cream of mushroom soup
1 (6 ounce) can French fried onions
1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
Place green beans and soup in a large microwave-safe bowl. Mix well and heat in the microwave on HIGH until warm (3 to 5 minutes). Stir in 1/2 cup of cheese and heat mixture for another 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer green bean mixture to a casserole dish and sprinkle with French fried onions and remaining cheese.
Bake in a preheated 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) oven until the cheese melts and the onions just begin to brown.
1 can sweet potatoes
1/4 cup butter, cut into pieces
1/2 cup brown sugar
Cinnamon
1 1/2 cups miniature marshmallows
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
Place sweet potatoes in a medium baking dish. Distribute butter pieces evenly over the sweet potatoes. Sprinkle with brown sugar and cinnamon.
Cover and bake in the preheated oven 25 minutes, or until sweet potatoes are tender
Add Marshmallows during last 10 minutes of baking.
1 (9 inch) pie shell
1 cup white sugar
1 cup light corn syrup
1/2 cup butter
4 eggs, beaten
1/4 cup bourbon (I usually cut this in half) / Amaretto works well also
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 tsp salt
6 ounces semisweet chocolate chips
1 cup chopped pecans
Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees F).
In a small saucepan combine sugar, corn syrup, and butter or margarine. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until butter or margarine melts and sugar dissolves. Cool slightly.
In a large bowl combine eggs, bourbon, vanilla, and salt. Mix well. Slowly pour sugar mixture into egg mixture, whisking constantly. Stir in chocolate chips and pecans. Pour mixture into pie shell.
Bake in preheated oven for 50 to 55 minutes, or until set and golden. May be served warm or chilled.
4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves
4 slices prosciuto ham
1/2 cup fontina cheese
1/2 cup clarified butter*
3 cloves garlic (minced)
1/2 small yellow onion (chopped)
1/4 cup dry white wine
1 cup sliced mushrooms
4 Tbls butter
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp white pepper
1/2 cup chopped sweet basil
Juice from 1 lemon
Butterfly chicken breasts and cook through (recommended method of cooking is to grill). Allow to cool.
Hold breast in hand like a taco shell, stuff with 1 slice of prosciuto and 1/8 cup fontina cheese. Close with toothpick and keep warm.
In large skillet over medium heat, saute garlic and onion in clarified butter until tender.
Deglaze pan with white wine. Add mushrooms, butter, salt, and pepper. Saute 1-2 minutes, or until mushrooms are tender. Stir in basil and lemon juice.
Top chicken with sauce and serve.
*To make clarified butter, melt over low heat, remove from heat and let sit until mil solids settle to the bottome, skim the clear butter from the top and discard sediment.
Last night Greg put Allison in her bed at 9:45.
At 9:50 she walks into our room and says, “I in good mood, Mom!”
Trying to convince us that she had slept all night and awaken in a good mood.
