Random thoughts for today...

....the Packers really did NOT look good tonight, especially in the second half. Ugh. Why can't I detach myself and not get so worked up? Ugh again

...I have turkey on the brain. And stuffing. And cranberries. And pie...

...I only have one more full day of work for the week. Yahoo!

...we had snow today. First snow of the season that "stuck" to the ground. Very pretty, but a bit sloppy this morning.

...I don't get enough sleep. Yet here I sit at 10:37 watching the rest of the Packer game that does not matter (and blogging, of course).

...I *love* Facebook! It is so fun catching up with old friends from high school and see where everyone is in their lives.

...I had to THROW OUT over half a pan of chicken lasagna today. I left it on the stove to cool before putting it in the fridge last night. It was still sitting there this morning. My husband called me at work to let me know. Grrr.

...I'm going to add some candied almonds and pecans to my Christmas gift list this year.

...why is everyone I hear from lately so into CANNED cranberry sauce? Hello people - fresh cranberries are where it is at. Are you afraid to make them? Buy a bag, add some water and cook over medium heat. Add sugar to taste. You are good to go. If you want them smooth you can put them through a mill - mine is ancient as I got it from my grandma (so I can't tell you where to get one). Try them ~ you'll like them, I promise!

...my 4 year old is obsessed with "Dancing with the Stars". It isn't even funny how into it she is. She was VERY disappointed that the Packers were on ABC here tonight.

...I read an article about a kid getting arrested at school for "passing gas" and turning off someone else's computer. Seriously?! Because I can barely get a kid arrested for punching another kid in the face. On purpose. I keep air fresheners in my room at school since 90% of my students are boys and they like to fart!

How's that for random?!

Thanksgiving Day Menu

Well, we will have 11 people for Thanksgiving (7 adults, 4 kids). I am bringing out the china and am excited to use my nice 'stuff'. Definitely don't use it enough! I think we are having a pretty nice spread!

turkey
stuffing
mashed potato casserole
sweet potatoes
green beans with almonds
lettuce salad
cucumbers
homemade cranberries
rolls
champagne
sparkling grape juice for the kiddos
pecan pie
chocolate pecan pie
pumpkin pie
homemade vanilla ice cream

Think that will keep us for a while? I am hungry just thinking about it! Of course dinner gets here and I can never eat half of what is on my plate no matter how much I might want to.......definitely eating light this week so I won't feel bad having a little bit of everything.

More recipes to come......here is my favorite for now


Mashed Potato Casserole

8 large potatoes, mashed
add milk as desired
add small pkg of cream cheese (we use large)
2 eggs
1/4 cup butter
add salt, pepper, onion salt to taste

beat/mash again

put in buttered casserole dish, sprinkle parmesan cheese and some paprika on top. Refrigerate if cooking later or next day (my mom often makes it the night before!)

Bake at 350 for 40-45 minutes

Sunday, the day of rest.

Yah, right! Sunday is always my day of work. How I wish it was a day of rest!!! I have to clean the basement, the bathrooms, and run a few errands today. I have a 4 year old coughing up a lung and complaining of a sore throat to boot. Lovely.

I have to tell you again, because I want to win the giveaway of course, GO TO TANYA'S BLOG to see the cutest bag! Please leave me a note if you stop by and tell me if you love her blog as much as I do. I think tonight I'm going to make her chicken lasagna!

The Sunday Baker

One of the reasons I have to clean like crazy is we are hosting Thanksgiving. Not a huge group, but 11 of us is good enough! The other reason? I hate to clean and so with a 4 year old I have stuff to clean - or should I say WE (as in me and Kitty)? I also have a basement of my stuff that needs to be contained. I will argue I need more room for my scrapbook stuff -- which I do. I will argue there just isn't enough room period for everything -- which is true. But I also don't always put things away right away and it makes for more work later on. I don't know why I do it but I do and I have to break the cycle! Will be my New Year's resolution (along with getting this bod ready for Belize but that is an entirely different post for another time!).

I'll definitely be back later to post the Thanksgiving menu and a few recipes. Mmmm, I'm already hungry for dinner on Thursday!!! For now though, on a Packerless Sunday, I must get busy!

Check it out - again!

If you haven't checked out Tanya's blog that I posted about the other day GET OVER THERE! She has the cutest girly finds and more giveaways!

The Sunday Baker

It is so awesome - the weekend is here!!! It was a full moon week at school which means lots of CRAZY going on! Nice to have a break for a couple of days.

Unfortunately it is cloudy and cold and the leaves must be taken care of. ugh. Days like this make me long for a warmer climate.....

Why not?

I'm cranky tonight. Yup, cranky. And what of it? Why can't I be crabby once in a while? Aren't I entitled? I mean come on. I work full time. Take my child to and from day care. I cook. I shop. I clean (somewhat), do all of the other stuff I have to do and I'm TIRED. And, when I get tired I get crabby. I just need more sleep. Easy to say, hard to do. But I'm trying. I really don't like being cranky believe it or not!

check this out!

one of these days I'll list the blogs I read, but one of the regulars is Tanya's The Sunday Baker

It is a wonderful blog with delicious recipes and lots of neat decorating ideas. Also, giveaways!!!!! Stop on over and give Tanya a shout out - and check out the goods! I promise you'll go back!

ugh!

Why can I not choose who I work with? Why is there always *someone* that makes things difficult?

why? why? why?

>>>>> And now, a PSA <<<<<

If you go out to dinner at Red Robin, don't look at the nutritional value. Or, maybe you should - because then you most likely won't go!!!!

Party Salad

Now that cold weather is upon is I start to think about the holidays. And who can think about holidays without thinking about food?!

Here is my favorite salad for holiday meals - be careful making the dressing. I've had a few do-overs because I wasn't careful!

Party Salad

2 small heads lettuce
2 C mandarin oranges
Lg red onion sliced thin
1/2 lb bacon, fried and crumbled
1 pkg slivered almonds (browned in bacon fat)

Dressing:
1/3 C sugar
2 1/2 TB vinegar
1/2 TB lemon juice
2 1/2 TB honey
1/2 tsp grated onion
1/2 tsp (each) dry mustard, paprika, celery seed, and salt

Heat the dressing ingredients over low heat, stirring constantly until sugar is dissolved. Don't cook too long or you will have to do-over. Let the dressing cool before serving - can make ahead of time. Don't just add the dressing right before serving - let it sit a short time! YUMMY!

GO VOTE

November 4......the ads and phone calls will finally stop. Now it is our turn to get out the vote!