I Love Being a Foodie

So I know I should be in bed, but my absolutely favorite day to cook is so near. And I always get a headstart on the desserts. I made one new one and two tried but true. I will post about the new tomorrow. I have housework that needs to be done, but I'd rather cook. So here's my menu for the day:
Appetizers
Erica's Zucchini and Tomato Salsa
Mini crab quiches
codfish fritters

Entrees
Roast Turkey with stuffing (Stove Top...wanna make somethin' of it?? :) ).
Baked Ham with honey glaze and raisin sauce
Baked macaroni (I make mine with 3 different cheeses...delicioso)
Butterscotch sweet potatoes (family gets annoyed if this one is missing or changed in any way)
Collard greens (another one that must always be there and the same)
Creamed onions (I know of no one who serves these. I grew up with an aunt who made them and it stuck...you either love' or hate 'em
Brussels sprouts with bacon (my eldest dd will make this dish)
Refrigerator potato rolls (came across this recipe 2 yrs. ago, and everyone loves them. They are simple yeast rolls)

Desserts
Apple pie (I never have a T-Day dinner without one)
Eggnog pumpkin pie (it doesn't have the strong pumpkin taste that plain pumpkin pie does)
Pecan cranberry tart (that's the newbie to the family...it smelled so good baking)

Beverages
Sparking non-alcoholic cider, (I've got several flavors...cherry, cranberry, cran-grape)
wine (I splurged on somewhat pricy reisling and a muscat wine for the desserts)
eggnog (it may be too early for some, but I love the stuff and the lowfat is quite tasty so I buy it now instead of the other)

So there you have it. Tomorrow, I will do the codfish fritters as they are a bit time-consuming and I will make the potato rolls which will keep overnight and be ready for shaping and baking when needed.

So, pictured is a card I made for my dd and sent it sometime ago. I like the colors I used. And, she'd better give this to someone special, as I parted with 3 of my favorite brads that I've been hoarding for 4 years. I gotta stop doing that!!

I hope each of my legions of fans has a blessed time with friends and/or family this Thanksgiving Day. As a nation, we really do lose sight of how much we have to be grateful for.

It's all better now

Well, you read my diatribe yesterday. And then this evening, I had a wonderfully intimate chat with my eldest dd. Actually, I did all the talking and she graciously listened. I reminded her to read my blog if she wants to know my musings and meanderings. She's so sweet. She said that for a 60ish mom, I'm quite techno savvy. I am too, if I do say myself....I have an iphone, a digital camera (I guess most everyone has one of these, but not so many upload pics to blogs and keep albums on-line. I have a laptop which though not mastered, I fudge fairly well. I love gadgets and girlie tools, as in cooking and cards/scrapbooking. Sooo, yesterday, I questioned my "what am I doing" self and today after our chat, I read this in some old stuff I have been hoarding and planning to read someday. 1 Peter 4:10. I'm not gonna put it here, 'cause ya' need to go and look it up for yourself. Suffice it to say, it is a great comfort to me and I'm gonna' memorize it.

So here's a card I made for my eldest dd which was included in a packet I sent her not long ago. I used one of my few JustRite stamps for the initial and a CB folder, then my Scor-Pal for the lines. A little bling and ribbon finish it off. Simple right?

I thought I'd post some of the gadgets I'd like to get for Christmas. There's not a chance in the world I will get any one of them as this is going to be one of the slimmest years ever for presents. My small family is suffering in the face of the economy. But we have each other and that is all that is important.
These are listed not in any particular order...I just want 'em!

Keurig coffee pot *the pricy one please*
Cricuit Expression with Gypsy
Coach purse *a nice roomy one please*
couple pairs of new shoes
Lifetime Fitness gym membership

Gee, that was fun. Actually, in days gone by, I'd be sure to get at least one of these and sometimes if I was a good wife, I'd get two.
Tomorrow, I think I think I'll post a few less frivolous gifts I have in mind.
Hugs...Happy Sunday...don't forget to stamp a bit.

Erica

MIA and Why

Hi legions of fans....had a bit of a break after posting quite diligently there. I had a moment of the "Should I be doing this" (this is cards and blogging and blog reading) instead of more productive pursuits. That happens to me now and then. You know the feeling...when you know there are so many other things that are being left undone, like more thorough house cleaning, more time in prayer and study, more time with a long-forgotten hobby, (for me that's gardening and reading). Well, for the past two weeks, that's what has been on my mind. Well, I don't have any answers to my questions and I can't be the only blogger who wonders, "What if I...". So I will blog when I have the time and the inclination and I will make cards for the foreseeable future and I will garden only on the spur of the moment and read when I need a break from cards. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

So here is a clean & simple card that is kinda modeled after a card by Paper Truffles..see my sidebar. Of course hers is better, but my dd said this one isn't bad and she promptly added it to her stash as a sympathy card.

Have a great weekend everyone. I shall try to achieve a mix of all the things that I enjoy in life, so besides those mentioned, I will include trying a recipe or two and getting in a bit of exercise.
Erica

Mojo Monday

I thought I'd better hurry and use this MojoMonday sketch  before another one comes along soon. I haven't been doing them for a few weeks. In fact, I lost my Mojo  "gadget Don't quite know how, but I just put it back, so I will be reminded to go there every week. This card uses the sketch, but also is being linked to Mr. Linky over at Embellish Magazine. They have weekly challenges too. And this week is to use an owl and specific colors. Click on the gadget in my sidebar for further deets.

So here's my card that covers both challenges. I used SU's mellow moss, pink coral and choc. chip. The owl is a clear dollar stamp from Inkadinkadoo. The sentiment is from a little box grouping of tiny sentiments that I got a while ago. All they say is Pixie stamps. I colored in the owl with Spica pens. Love these subtle sparkling pens. The card is finished with a flower, cordoroy button and white ribbon that I colored in with a mellow moss SU marker. There were 3 Cuttlebut embossing folders used on this. That's surely a record for me. I used my giant Marvy punch on the scallops...poor thing is quite neglected in favor of Nestibilities. The owl circle is a Nestie circle die. I used the "out of the box" technique to get the branch to hang outside of the circles, so I could stamp him to one side of the circle and still have room for the tiny sentiment. The stamping is done in Memento Rich Cocoa. I think this is a cute card and stuck with the colors and sketch pretty well. This is the first time I've used 2 challenges in one card.

So, what did you fix for dinner tonite? Do you try to make Sunday dinner or supper a bit special? I usually do and I always make enough for Monday, so I can have a fun-filled day of stamping.  I cheated this time. I bought one of those oh-so-convenient already roasted chickens. I am going to make some rice with gravy...dh can't live w/o gravy...and fresh cauliflower. Really simple, but good. Tomorrow, I will show you some of the little treat bags I've been working on for my dd to give her co-workers as a T-Day treat.

So, I hope that my legions of fans have a healthy week and can look forward to many blessings.

Erica