Month: November 2008

Happy Thanksgiving


There is much to be thankful for this Thanksgiving season…friends, family, church…God has generously continued to provide for us, despite the turmoil of the financial markets, etc. We have food to eat this Thanksgiving, friends and family to share it with, and a nice home that is paid for. What else could one ask for?

So here’s a little Thanksgiving humor, because I like humor and everyone else is all sappy, so I like to be a little bit different:

Black November
A Turkey’s Lament

When I was a young turkey, new to the coop,
My big brother Mike took me out on the stoop,

Then he sat me down, and he spoke real slow,
And he told me there was something that I had to know;

His look and his tone I will always remember,
When he told me of the horrors of ….. Black November;

“Come about August, now listen to me,
Each day you’ll be thick, where once you were thin,
And you’ll grow a big rubbery thing under your chin.

“And then one morning, when you’re warm in your bed,
In’ll burst the farmer’s wife, and hack off your head;

“Then she’ll pluck out all your feathers so you’re bald’n pink,
And scoop out all your insides and leave ya lyin’ in the sink,

“And then comes the worst part” he said not bluffing,
“She’ll spread your cheeks and pack your rear with stuffing”.

Well, the rest of his words were too grim to repeat,
I sat on the stoop like a winged piece of meat,

And decided on the spot that to avoid being cooked,
I’d have to lay low and remain overlooked;

I began a new diet of nuts and granola,
High-roughage salads, juice and diet cola,

And as they ate pastries, chocolates and crepes,
I stayed in my room doing Jane Fonda tapes,

I maintained my weight of two pounds and a half,
And tried not to notice when the bigger birds laughed;

But ’twas I who was laughing, under my breath,
As they chomped and they chewed, ever closer to death;

And sure enough when Black November rolled around,
I was the last turkey left in the entire compound;

So now I’m a pet in the farmer’s wife’s lap;
I haven’t a worry, so I eat and I nap,

She held me today, while sewing and humming,
And smiled at me and said “Christmas is coming……..”

~Author unknown

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Thanksgiving Pumpkin White Chocolate Drop Cookies

I received this recipe from a fellow homeschool mom here locally and promptly sent my husband out to buy the ingredients. They are simply scrumptious.

Pumpkin White Chocolate Drops

Ingredients:

2c. butter, softened
2c. granulated sugar
1 can (15oz) solid pack pumpkin
2 eggs
4c all-purpose flour
2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 bag (12oz) white chocolate chips
1 container (16 oz) cream cheese frosting
1/4 c packed brown sugar

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Grease cookie sheets.

2. Beat butter and granulated sugar in large bowl until light and fluffy. Add pumpkin and eggs; beat until smooth. Add flour, pumpkin pie spice, baking powder and baking soda; beat just until well blended. Stir in Chips

3. Drop dough by teaspoonfuls about 2 inches apart onto prepared cookie sheets. Bake about 12 minutes or until set and bottoms are brown. Cool 1 minute on cookie sheets. Remove to wire rack to cool.

4. Combine frosting and brown sugar in small bowl. Spread on cookies. Makes about 6 dozen cookies.

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Handmade Christmas on a Budget

I got an email from my MIL, stating Christmas was going to be rather tight this year and she really hopes that I like homemade gifts. She’s a classy lady, that MIL of mine, yes ma’am. Read below to see her note:

My dear,

It’s somewhat embarrassing to admit, but Christmas is tight this year. I will be making bedroom slippers for you and the girls as gifts. Please let me know your sizes. You’ll most likely agree that it’s a splendid idea, and should you wish to do the same, I’ve included the instructions below.

These slippers are:
* Soft and Hygienic
* Non-slip grip strips on the soles
* Built in deodorant feature keeps feet smelling fresh
* No more bending over to mop up spills
* Disposable and biodegradable
* Environmentally safe
* Three convenient sizes: (1.) Regular, (2.) Light and (3.) Get out the Sand Bags.

I’ve attached a photo of the first pair I made so that you can see the nifty slippers for yourself….

Awaiting your response. It’s crucial that I get the right size for each one of you.

How to make bedroom slippers out of maxi pads:

You need four maxi pads to make a pair.
Two of them get laid out flat, for the foot part.
The other two wrap around the toe area to form the top.
Tape or glue each side of the top pieces to the bottom of the foot part.

Decorate the tops with whatever you desire, silk flowers (this is most aesthetically appealing), etc.

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Blogging Is Like Singing

Some time last year, I remember reading several interesting conversations about metaphors for blogging. I couldn’t think of anything at the time to write about (imagine that), but after a year and a half of thinking, I’ve finally realized what I think blogging is like. And I’m going to share it now – aren’t you giddy with excitement? I know I am. Without further ado…

Blogging is Like Singing.

It’s always best if you do some warm ups.

Breathe properly and your voice will be clearer.

You must learn your range, because singing in the wrong key can hurt your voice.

Sometimes you sing only for an audience of One.

People will love or hate you based on your sound character – don’t try to sound like someone else – just be you.

Singing is a skill that requires muscle memory.

It takes lots of practice before you sing well.

You must believe in yourself to sing in front of others.

Sometimes you sing off-pitch.

Sometimes you get laryngitis and can’t sing at all.

Other times you fake having laryngitis because you don’t feel like singing.

Sometimes you forget why you started singing in the first place.

And then you sing, the audience applauds, and a new resolve is born to sing again.

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Win a Peek Mobile Email Device

****Contest Closed – scroll to bottom of post to see who the winner is!****

So is your Christmas shopping done yet? (I haven’t even begun, which is not unusual for me) If you’re anything like me (read: procrastinator), you definitely read on to find out how you can win something for your own Christmas stocking this year!

While the majority of techy-type gadgets get more complicated with time, (think Blackberrys), the Peek mobile email device is one of the simplest I’ve ever used. I love mine and never leave home without it now.

You can add multiple email address to it (think: personal, blog, etc…) and it will check them all, keeping you in touch without ever having to be near a computer. There is a $20 monthly fee, but there are no contracts to sign and no hassles – if you like it, use it. Besides, have you checked the prices of a phone contract with internet or email capabilities? Hello? This is much more affordable for the average person who doesn’t need constant internet access or even (gasp! have a cell phone), but would love to keep in touch via email. The goal is to give you “just unlimited email—no contracts, no hidden fees, no complications.”

Now some of you are thinking, “Why in the world would I ever need that, since I never check my email anyway?” Believe me, if you don’t need it, you probably know someone who does – it would make a great gift – even Oprah thinks so.

And the folks at Peek are so kind, they want to give one away right here! You have your choice between charcoal grey, cherry red, or aqua blue. Please specify the your color choice in your comment and I’ll choose a winner Monday morning. *One entry per person, and this is open only to those with US addresses, but regardless of whether you are a blogger or non-blogger, you’re welcome to enter. Best of luck!

And just so you know, I do have some actual…you know, POSTS planned for this week. I have had my head down working for the past two weeks and have barely had time to do much else. 🙂 It’s a good thing, but it’s also terrible that I’ve neglected my blog for this long…sigh.

And the WINNER IS:
But who IS that??? {We Are That Family!!!} Lucky dog…you win all kinds of contests! Congrats…stay tuned – I might have something up my sleeve for next month…along with some posts I promised. Ahem.

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And the Winner is..

Well, it’s an hour later than I intended…I was going to be all “smart” and draw at 11:11 pm on 11/11…get it? I love that kind of stuff. Instead, it’s 12:11 and I drew via the random number generator….drumroll…

There were 16 entries for the contest – Commenter #9, MzTerry is the winner! Congrats! Please email me your mailing address so I can contact our generous sponsor and let them know who to send the prize to! (Also, please let me know whether you want a hat or a tee to go with that music!)

Thanks for playing along everyone – watch for more fun giveaways soon…

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