The saga continues this season

So many people think I sell Christmas trees. Such an odd thing to think of someone, right?

The following is from last year's post about it...

This time of year, our phone rings off the hook. Why?

People think I sell Christmas trees.

Why would they think such a thing? Well, there is a simple explanation.

Many years ago (2007, I looked it up), I wrote an article for a local tree farm. I visited the farm and had such a great time. The owners were oh-so-nice and taught me a lot about varieties of trees as we walked their acreage. Of course, I said awesome things about them in my article. 

They liked that I said awesome things about them so much they put a blurb on their home page along with my name and phone number at the bottom. When people go to their website they just glance and see my number. Then my phone rings.

Mostly callers want to know if I'm open on Thanksgiving. Or Sundays. Or what time I close.

I could call the tree farm people and ask them to remove my phone number. I think I already did that a while back. 

But that's OK.

I like it when people call me.

Broccoli-cheddar casserole

Here is a classic holiday potluck recipe. 

I attempted it once before except I used shredded cheddar. 

I think the secret is to use Cheese Whiz or a knock-off of it. The second try was the charm! 

Throw in some chopped ham pieces and you've got a meal.

Broccoli-cheddar casserole

Ingredients:

3 T butter
1 bag (16 oz) frozen broccoli
1/3 cup milk
1 can (10 ¾ oz) cream of mushroom soup
1 jar (8 oz) of Cheese Whiz or something similar
1 ½ cups Minute Rice
1 ½ cups water 

Directions:

Melt the butter in a skillet and sauté the broccoli until a bit tender.
Stir in the milk, soup, cheese sauce, rice, and water.
Cook and stir until the cheese is melted.
Pour the mixture in a buttered 9 x 13 pan.
Bake at 350 for 30 minutes.

I'm curious. Is this how you make yours?

 

Cheeky roaster pan

Maybe all that cooking was too much last week.

But this roaster pan cracked me up...

Goooo bottoms!

Composure returned in the form of social awareness. Had I misunderstood?

Perhaps roaster pan encourages the support of underdogs.

You never can tell with roaster pans.

What a day

My kitchen is a mess, but I don't care right now. 

Hooray for the post-Thanksgiving couch crash.

Let's not think about Christmas season quite yet. Just a couple more days of no cooking and basking in leftovers, please.

"I'm so exhausted," says Kitty Baby, "Wake me when it's time to open presents."
 

This post was shared on this neighborly website:

Sarah Did It!

Thank you, Norman, wherever you are

Last Father's Day, the kids wanted to make their dad a sonic screwdriver like Doctor Who uses. 

For those unfamiliar with Doctor Who, a sonic screwdriver is the device the doctor uses to often save himself and others from dangerous situations. It's awesome. Doesn't work on wood, though.

Anyhoo...

OK, the kids wanted to make a sonic screwdriver. Of course it wouldn't have the amazing life-saving properties of the real thing, but a fun project nonetheless.

The device would have to be large enough to hold a sound chip and some LED lights. We decided on using PVC pipe.

We took this fuzzy vision to the hardware store and ended up in the PVC pipe department.

That's where we met Norman. Norman was definitely 50+ and easy-going. He was confident striding the aisles of PVC and had his job because of expertise, I decided.

We described our project and he didn't bat an eye. He asked us some questions and pointed us to the size pipe we would need. 

Problem was, the PVC pipe was eight feet tall! It was very reasonably priced...but we just didn't want to wrangle an eight-foot pipe into the car.

Norman advised us to cut it.

"How should we cut it?" I asked.

He told me it is very easy to cut. We could use a saw.

"I might know where Dad's saw is," I said, "Could we  use a knife instead?"

While Norman said that a knife would probably work, I believe he sensed our cluelessness regarding all things in the garage. He seemed to become concerned about our knife skills as well.

I could see his paternal wheels turning.

He couldn't send this mother and children skipping off to cut this PVC pipe. Their innocent Father's Day project would now surely involve bloodshed.

Norman said he may be able to fix us up. He scraped around in the PVC department's junk drawer and came up with a piece just right (shhh, it was on the house).

The sonic screwdriver was, let's say, an artistic representation. But it's the thought that counts. It makes the authentic sonic sound and lights up, so I say it's a winner. Their Dad loved it.

Anyway...

I have carried around this gratitude for Norman since last June and FINALLY decided to write a letter. His boss should know we think Norman is awesome. The letter was addressed to both the store manager and Norman. The part about the pipe being free was left out, just in case.

I composed the letter on the computer before hand-writing it.

Even so, it took many rough-drafts.
 

I hope Norman still works there. I waited way too long to send this!

Thank you, Norman, wherever you are.

This was posted at the following neighborly site:

Found the Marbles

Soldier on, Thanksgiving preparers!

This drool-worthy vintage ice box is at the apple picking farm's little market.
Today, the day before Thanksgiving, I'm thankful for modern fridges!

If you are cooking like a whirling dervish today, I'm twirling alongside you in spirit.

Thanksgiving Eve begins with glorious hums of "Over the River and Through the Woods."

As the day progresses, a new song is composed: "Holidays Shouldn't be This Much Work."

The evening gets darker as does mood. A screamo rendition of "You People Never Appreciate Me" breaks out.

I hear ya.

Here's what's on my Thanksgiving Eve list today:

Make a pumpkin pie
Make a pecan pie
Make Jell-O
Peel and chop potatoes for tomorrow's mashed potatoes
Store potatoes in cold water with a bit of lemon juice
Cut apples for tomorrow's apple crisp
Store apples in solution of half lemon juice and half water
Prepare ham glaze for tomorrow
Clean little fridge
Chill wine
Freeze extra pumpkin puree
Wash light load
Wash dark load 
Wash dish towels
Put laundry away
Tidy the house so it actually looks festive
Find something easy for supper
  (Current sandwich plans are being met with violent opposition)

I'm sure your to-do list is similar.

For those hosting dinner tomorrow, you are in my thoughts. 

Soldier on, Thanksgiving preparers!!

A Thanksgiving foreshadowing?

I hope my cooking slump goes away before Thursday.

Trying to be frugal, I decided to make the kids marshmallow krispy treats for their lunchboxes. Only I didn't have enough marshmallows. And it was really early in the morning.

I took the eight or so marshmallows (probably leftover from a campfire night) out of the fridge. Their rock-solidness should have been my first sign.

I added some butter. I don't know how much. It was early.

Then I microwaved it. I do remember how long I microwaved it, actually. 

TOO LONG.

It was gunky, sticky and brown. It kind of smelled good for a while, like s'mores. 

Then it didn't smell so good.

Poor kids. I ended up sending chocolate chips for their lunchbox "desserts."

Thanksgiving? We'll see what happens. 

Bad boy pie crust

For years I used a traditional, stuffy pie crust. I tried not to upset it too much. Always walking on egg shells and all that.

However...

I've fallen head over heels for a more thoughtful pie crust. I know relationships require sacrifices, but this recipe is so understanding. It has a different texture, so it might not be for everyone. 

It's kind of a bad boy.

In case you can't commit to just one type of pie crust, here are both recipes...

Old-fashioned pie crust:

Ingredients:

3 cups flour

1 1/4 cup shortening

1 Tablespoon salt

5 Tablespoons cold water

1 Tablespoon vinegar

Mix. Use as pie recipe directions indicate. 

Makes two double layer 8" pies. Store extra in the freezer. Warm up to room temperature before rolling. 

This dough works better after it's been chilled. And if you don't work it too much. And if you baby-talk to it. And look the other way if it comes home late.

Love of a bad boy pie crust:

 

Ingredients:

2 cups flour

2 teaspoons sugar

1 1/2 teaspoons salt

2/3 cup vegetable oil

3 Tablespoons milk

Mix. Use as pie recipe directions indicate. 

Makes enough for one double layer pie. It is VERY easy to get along with. It is a bit moist and may have a different feel than other doughs, but that's what makes it so easy to love. 

Swoon.

This post was shared on these neighborly websites:

Creating My Way to Success

Mad in Crafts

The Prairie Homestead

Flour Me with Love
Vintage Wanna Bee

Adventures of a DIY Mom

Learning the Frugal Life

Growing Home
Fresh Eggs Daily