and more flowers!
Saturday, January 01, 2005
Happy New Year!
The weekend has seemed like a long one, and it is only Saturday morning. After the busy-ness and long to do lists of Christmas, it seems we are free to do what we want. Who knew life could ever be so calm?
George and I and Dave went out for dinner early to celebrate the New Year and enjoyed rack of lamb, stuffed scrod and the seafood platter. It was all just right. (The diet starts today.) On the way home, George became a mass of sniffles, so he went to bed early and I just gave up and joined him so he wouldn't be alone, tucked in with a reading lamp and a New Yorker article about the "truth" of the Crusades. It seemed a fine way to bring in the New Year to me and I turned off the light an hour before midnight. If you really want to enjoy nightlife, you have to get up a lot later than we do at this house!
The news this morning was somber and sad, and so many people have died near the Indian Ocean that is it almost impossible to imagine it. I keep trying to visualize what the tsunami waves looked like and finally I heard a survivor talk on CNN about it looking like an extreme high tide coming in twice. First one wave came in and in Phuket they thought that was all and then an hour later, a larger, stronger and even more distructive one came. Both relentless waves that never abated. We are all going to be hearing a lot about this tragedy for a long time to come. All we can hope is that 2005 never sees anything like this.
Today it is time to put away the Christmas decorations and take my time packing them well and labeling them so next year they come out of the boxes in good shape. I'm a ribbon saver, so I will iron and roll all the ribbon that we used, and pack up my Santas which I enjoy so much. A long two days of no real plans seems like just the thing to bring in the New Year.
I'm hoping to start my new book Faithful, a chronicle of the 2004 Red Sox, written by Stephen King and Stewart O'Nan. That World Series was definitely a high point of the year if you lived anywhere near Boston!
I heard a psychologist on TV yesterday say that we should all be very careful about watching too much of the tragic news about the tsunami disaster. It seems selfish, but maybe 30 minutes is our limit, like she says, and maybe by staying strong rather than becoming depressed and anxious, we can do more good in the long run. And it will be a long run. Our prayers are with all those millions of people who have been touched by this wave of misfortune.
George just put his newspaper down and it landed on the "on" button of the stereo remote and John Denver started serenading us with tunes from his album "Rocky Mountain Christmas" which I got for George for Christmas. It was a nice reminder to shut off the TV today and just enjoy this precious day.
Take care and have a wonderful New Year's Day.
George and I and Dave went out for dinner early to celebrate the New Year and enjoyed rack of lamb, stuffed scrod and the seafood platter. It was all just right. (The diet starts today.) On the way home, George became a mass of sniffles, so he went to bed early and I just gave up and joined him so he wouldn't be alone, tucked in with a reading lamp and a New Yorker article about the "truth" of the Crusades. It seemed a fine way to bring in the New Year to me and I turned off the light an hour before midnight. If you really want to enjoy nightlife, you have to get up a lot later than we do at this house!
The news this morning was somber and sad, and so many people have died near the Indian Ocean that is it almost impossible to imagine it. I keep trying to visualize what the tsunami waves looked like and finally I heard a survivor talk on CNN about it looking like an extreme high tide coming in twice. First one wave came in and in Phuket they thought that was all and then an hour later, a larger, stronger and even more distructive one came. Both relentless waves that never abated. We are all going to be hearing a lot about this tragedy for a long time to come. All we can hope is that 2005 never sees anything like this.
Today it is time to put away the Christmas decorations and take my time packing them well and labeling them so next year they come out of the boxes in good shape. I'm a ribbon saver, so I will iron and roll all the ribbon that we used, and pack up my Santas which I enjoy so much. A long two days of no real plans seems like just the thing to bring in the New Year.
I'm hoping to start my new book Faithful, a chronicle of the 2004 Red Sox, written by Stephen King and Stewart O'Nan. That World Series was definitely a high point of the year if you lived anywhere near Boston!
I heard a psychologist on TV yesterday say that we should all be very careful about watching too much of the tragic news about the tsunami disaster. It seems selfish, but maybe 30 minutes is our limit, like she says, and maybe by staying strong rather than becoming depressed and anxious, we can do more good in the long run. And it will be a long run. Our prayers are with all those millions of people who have been touched by this wave of misfortune.
George just put his newspaper down and it landed on the "on" button of the stereo remote and John Denver started serenading us with tunes from his album "Rocky Mountain Christmas" which I got for George for Christmas. It was a nice reminder to shut off the TV today and just enjoy this precious day.
Take care and have a wonderful New Year's Day.
Friday, December 31, 2004
Gifts
I often wake up earlier on days when I do not have to go to work than I do on workdays. George thinks it is funny that I never "sleep in", but frankly, I don't even know the meaning of the word, and think that sleeping late is a horrible waste of precious time. I get my eight hours, usually, and that keeps me going like the Eveready Bunny.
Today I woke up grateful and counting my blessings, thinking about all the nice gifts I got at Christmas time. The Saturday morning that George and I went Christmas shopping at Macy's and were on the escalator at the store (about 15 miles away) at 7:45 was the BEST! I don't know exactly why, but I had a great time. That day, we looked at and bought a lot of presents for people, and I chose two sweaters for myself which he later boxed, wrapped and presented me at Christmas. Works for me.
He also got me a book of car wash coupons, which I love having. I can zip right in there on my way home from work and not have to worry about having the eight bucks. He also bought me two pair of flannel pjs. Victoria Secret? Hardly. I think that Victoria Secret is a men's store, and there is nothing there for me. I would rather go to Home Depot, or any hardware store if I want to shop with men. Flannel jammies on these cold New England nights are just the ticket.
Michelle bought the new Everquest II complete game guide, and boy, if there is ever an EQ player who needs a guide, it is me. Thanks Michelle, if you are out there reading this. I am so happy you joined us for Christmas vacation and hope you come back soon! Michael bought me the Senseo coffee pot, the Calphalon pot which I don't know how I lived without, and a new game for my gameboy, Final Fantasy Dawn of Souls. There is a story to me and my gameboy. It is absolutely priceless when I need to go to Oklahoma and wait while my mom has her hair done, or take her to doctor visits, and once when she had to stay overnight in the hospital. Nothing like a gameboy to whittle the hours away when you are someplace you would rather not be. Gameboys and airports go well together too. He also bought me Stephen King's book: On Writing, which I can't wait to read. I want to read more Stephen King to share that with Michael who reads everything he writes. I need to get started on this New Year's Resolution right away!
I got three bookmarks, just waiting for me to act on my resolution to read more books. One says MORDOR, and has a silver medalion representing some part of middle earth. Lord of the Rings is one of my favorite movies! Thank you, Michelle. George gave me two: one bookmark is gold and says, "There is only one happiness in life, to love and be loved", George Sand. And the other is silver and says "There are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it", Edith Wharton. Who could go wrong with those gems of wisdom keeping your place in a good book? The "mirror that reflects it" is a good thought for anyone like me who wants to keep their mouth shut more and listen to what others have to say. Thank you Santa George!
I am just so grateful for all the lovely gifts, the thoughtfulness that went into them, the generosity of my family and friends, the health and happiness that we all share at this time in our lives, and for the every day gift of being able to talk to Michael every day, and play EQI and EQII with him, and for sharing a home with a great man - George, who is wicked smart, wicked talented and, well, just the opposite of wicked in every other way.
New Year's Eve is coming soon. We will not go out late, but are planning to take my friend who has cancer out for an early dinner at a restaurant that has lobster specials. Seems like a good way to celebrate to me!
Have a very happy day and a very safe New Year's Eve.
Today I woke up grateful and counting my blessings, thinking about all the nice gifts I got at Christmas time. The Saturday morning that George and I went Christmas shopping at Macy's and were on the escalator at the store (about 15 miles away) at 7:45 was the BEST! I don't know exactly why, but I had a great time. That day, we looked at and bought a lot of presents for people, and I chose two sweaters for myself which he later boxed, wrapped and presented me at Christmas. Works for me.
He also got me a book of car wash coupons, which I love having. I can zip right in there on my way home from work and not have to worry about having the eight bucks. He also bought me two pair of flannel pjs. Victoria Secret? Hardly. I think that Victoria Secret is a men's store, and there is nothing there for me. I would rather go to Home Depot, or any hardware store if I want to shop with men. Flannel jammies on these cold New England nights are just the ticket.
Michelle bought the new Everquest II complete game guide, and boy, if there is ever an EQ player who needs a guide, it is me. Thanks Michelle, if you are out there reading this. I am so happy you joined us for Christmas vacation and hope you come back soon! Michael bought me the Senseo coffee pot, the Calphalon pot which I don't know how I lived without, and a new game for my gameboy, Final Fantasy Dawn of Souls. There is a story to me and my gameboy. It is absolutely priceless when I need to go to Oklahoma and wait while my mom has her hair done, or take her to doctor visits, and once when she had to stay overnight in the hospital. Nothing like a gameboy to whittle the hours away when you are someplace you would rather not be. Gameboys and airports go well together too. He also bought me Stephen King's book: On Writing, which I can't wait to read. I want to read more Stephen King to share that with Michael who reads everything he writes. I need to get started on this New Year's Resolution right away!
I got three bookmarks, just waiting for me to act on my resolution to read more books. One says MORDOR, and has a silver medalion representing some part of middle earth. Lord of the Rings is one of my favorite movies! Thank you, Michelle. George gave me two: one bookmark is gold and says, "There is only one happiness in life, to love and be loved", George Sand. And the other is silver and says "There are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it", Edith Wharton. Who could go wrong with those gems of wisdom keeping your place in a good book? The "mirror that reflects it" is a good thought for anyone like me who wants to keep their mouth shut more and listen to what others have to say. Thank you Santa George!
I am just so grateful for all the lovely gifts, the thoughtfulness that went into them, the generosity of my family and friends, the health and happiness that we all share at this time in our lives, and for the every day gift of being able to talk to Michael every day, and play EQI and EQII with him, and for sharing a home with a great man - George, who is wicked smart, wicked talented and, well, just the opposite of wicked in every other way.
New Year's Eve is coming soon. We will not go out late, but are planning to take my friend who has cancer out for an early dinner at a restaurant that has lobster specials. Seems like a good way to celebrate to me!
Have a very happy day and a very safe New Year's Eve.
Thursday, December 30, 2004
New Years Resolutions
This is the time of year when my mother and I start working on our New Year Resolutions and tell them to each other on New Year's Day. Mine are usually pretty simple: things like eat more fruits and vegetables. One year in 1997, after a particularly hard year for her with asthma, a heart attack, and other ailments, she said, "my goal is to live to see the year 2000." I kept that in mind a lot that year, and prayed and prayed that it would happen. Now it is 2005, my mom is 95 years old and is still living in her home, playing bridge twice a week (and winning), enjoying her friends at the senior center, getting picked up every friday for her weekly trip to Wal-Mart and having her hair and nails done every week. She is enjoying good health right now, and a good life.
I am so grateful every day that her quality of life at this age is so high. I think about this all the time. When I call her on the phone, her voice is strong and sure when she says, "Hi!". I just want to fall to my knees and thank the Lord every time!
My new year's resolution this year is to be quieter, calmer and nicer to people around me and to never interrupt, but always to wait until the other person has had their say. A bad habit of mine is that my enthusiasm in a conversation bubbles up and I say stuff before the other person is finished. I'm sorry for this, and I try hard to keep my (big) mouth closed. Sometimes I hold my lips together hard to stop myself from talking; that's the truth. It is a problem I have had for a long time and this year, by God, I'm going to break myself of it!
Another resolution I have is to clean out my storage unit and find the plates that belong to my mother's china pattern, Noritake Camelot. I have all the pieces and have added more through Ebay this year, but somehow in the move, I misplaced the box with the 8 plates and it is buried and I need to spend hours over there going through stuff to find it. Tacked on to this resolution is the resolve to throw out and give away a lot of things that I do not want anymore and which I moved anyway out of hurry and indecision.
Losing weight is the most common New Year's Resolution for most of us, and one that has to make my list again this year. Especially after the cookie fest of this Christmas, it is time to stop again on the ol' flour and sugar, and get to the fruits and vegetables. Oh, I said that.
And I'm going to work hard on events around World Hunger at my church--to try to do what I can to help in this hurting global world of ours. I'm going to stop complaining about evening committments at work and at church, and be less of a "pitiful Pearl" when I have things to do that take me out at night and away from my knitting chair. Life is meant to be lived, and if that means that I am tired sometimes, well...so what. I will use my mom as an example and be more flexible, more accepting, and clean the cabinets more often. (An old joke is that my mom is a much better housekeeper than me, and I am often outside cutting flowers when I should be inside cleaning the refrigerator or something.)
My main resolution is to be easier on myself and others, to enjoy life more, laugh as much as I can, and be grateful for every breath I breathe.
God is good. Happy New Year!
I am so grateful every day that her quality of life at this age is so high. I think about this all the time. When I call her on the phone, her voice is strong and sure when she says, "Hi!". I just want to fall to my knees and thank the Lord every time!
My new year's resolution this year is to be quieter, calmer and nicer to people around me and to never interrupt, but always to wait until the other person has had their say. A bad habit of mine is that my enthusiasm in a conversation bubbles up and I say stuff before the other person is finished. I'm sorry for this, and I try hard to keep my (big) mouth closed. Sometimes I hold my lips together hard to stop myself from talking; that's the truth. It is a problem I have had for a long time and this year, by God, I'm going to break myself of it!
Another resolution I have is to clean out my storage unit and find the plates that belong to my mother's china pattern, Noritake Camelot. I have all the pieces and have added more through Ebay this year, but somehow in the move, I misplaced the box with the 8 plates and it is buried and I need to spend hours over there going through stuff to find it. Tacked on to this resolution is the resolve to throw out and give away a lot of things that I do not want anymore and which I moved anyway out of hurry and indecision.
Losing weight is the most common New Year's Resolution for most of us, and one that has to make my list again this year. Especially after the cookie fest of this Christmas, it is time to stop again on the ol' flour and sugar, and get to the fruits and vegetables. Oh, I said that.
And I'm going to work hard on events around World Hunger at my church--to try to do what I can to help in this hurting global world of ours. I'm going to stop complaining about evening committments at work and at church, and be less of a "pitiful Pearl" when I have things to do that take me out at night and away from my knitting chair. Life is meant to be lived, and if that means that I am tired sometimes, well...so what. I will use my mom as an example and be more flexible, more accepting, and clean the cabinets more often. (An old joke is that my mom is a much better housekeeper than me, and I am often outside cutting flowers when I should be inside cleaning the refrigerator or something.)
My main resolution is to be easier on myself and others, to enjoy life more, laugh as much as I can, and be grateful for every breath I breathe.
God is good. Happy New Year!
Wednesday, December 29, 2004
Texas Caviar for a Happy New Year!
I found this recipe on Epicurious.com. I am always searching for a good black eyed pea recipe because I'm from Oklahoma, and they are considered good luck on New Years Day. Black eyed peas are not something I cook often, and every year I seem to be trying something new. Last year was Hoppin' John, which was ok...but not anything to write home about. This is the one for this year and I thought I would share it. Here it is:
Texas Caviar from the Cowgirl Hall of Fame Restaurant
3 16-oz cans black-eyed peas, drained and rinsed of all juice
1 small jar chopped pimentos, juice included
1 bunch scallions, thinly sliced, green part only
1 tablespoon fresh oregano
1 tablespoon Tabasco sauce
1 tablespoon Worchestershire sauce
1 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 bunch parsley, chopped
3 canned or fresh jalapeño chiles, chopped
1 firm, ripe, chopped tomato
2 cups vinaigrette
1 green bell pepper, finely chopped
3 cloves fresh garlic, pressed or minced
In a large bowl, stir all ingredients very well. Refrigerate for at least 4-6 hours, preferably overnight, in a sealed or covered container. Remember the longer it sits, the better it gets! Serve with old-fashioned saltine crackers or with corn tortilla chips.
Yippee Kai Yea! Have a great New Year's Eve.
Texas Caviar from the Cowgirl Hall of Fame Restaurant
3 16-oz cans black-eyed peas, drained and rinsed of all juice
1 small jar chopped pimentos, juice included
1 bunch scallions, thinly sliced, green part only
1 tablespoon fresh oregano
1 tablespoon Tabasco sauce
1 tablespoon Worchestershire sauce
1 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 bunch parsley, chopped
3 canned or fresh jalapeño chiles, chopped
1 firm, ripe, chopped tomato
2 cups vinaigrette
1 green bell pepper, finely chopped
3 cloves fresh garlic, pressed or minced
In a large bowl, stir all ingredients very well. Refrigerate for at least 4-6 hours, preferably overnight, in a sealed or covered container. Remember the longer it sits, the better it gets! Serve with old-fashioned saltine crackers or with corn tortilla chips.
Yippee Kai Yea! Have a great New Year's Eve.
Senseo Coffee Pod Maker
Michael bought me a new Senseo Coffee Maker for coffee pods. It is so newfangled I don't even know what to call it. But, you can see from the picture that it makes one perfect cup of foamy coffee. I did a little research on these coffeemakers by reading the reviews on Amazon. They said that the Black and Decker coffee maker was so noisy that people in the next room called out to find out what the racket was. All I can say is that this one must be quieter, but George did call up from the basement to find out what that noise was. They are noisier than regular coffee makers, but they are mercifully quick.
The coffee pot is designed to make two cups, but they don't tell you until you buy it that each cup is only 4 ounces. To me, a cup is at least 8 ounces, so I put one cup under, one pod, and hit the two cup button. Oops, that is a little weak. According to the Senseo directions, you are supposed to use two pods to make two cups of coffee. One pod for one 4 oz. cup makes a nice strong little cup of coffee. It reminds me of espresso, which is small and elegant and delicious. I like it.
The cost for a pod is about 28 cents each. 8 oz. of Dunkin doughnuts coffee is about $1.25. When I make coffee in the big pot, I would make eight cups, drink one and throw the rest away. That didn't seem like a very good idea either. Doubling the pods, means that 8 oz. of coffee costs 56 cents. According to the picture, they show making two cups at once...two spouts...but I don't need two cups. They also don't include the cups which are pictured on the box and on the advertisements, which sorta surprised me, but I don't know why.
This is boring. I hate numbers. I especially don't like math at breakfast time. I like good coffee. I am happy to have my pod maker, since I am the only one in this house who even drinks coffee, and one cup is all I have time for before I race out the door. The coffee is foamy and goodtasting and hot and fast. And one cup is just right for my collection of china coffee cups.
Who could ask for more? Thanks Mike! I love it.
The coffee pot is designed to make two cups, but they don't tell you until you buy it that each cup is only 4 ounces. To me, a cup is at least 8 ounces, so I put one cup under, one pod, and hit the two cup button. Oops, that is a little weak. According to the Senseo directions, you are supposed to use two pods to make two cups of coffee. One pod for one 4 oz. cup makes a nice strong little cup of coffee. It reminds me of espresso, which is small and elegant and delicious. I like it.
The cost for a pod is about 28 cents each. 8 oz. of Dunkin doughnuts coffee is about $1.25. When I make coffee in the big pot, I would make eight cups, drink one and throw the rest away. That didn't seem like a very good idea either. Doubling the pods, means that 8 oz. of coffee costs 56 cents. According to the picture, they show making two cups at once...two spouts...but I don't need two cups. They also don't include the cups which are pictured on the box and on the advertisements, which sorta surprised me, but I don't know why.
This is boring. I hate numbers. I especially don't like math at breakfast time. I like good coffee. I am happy to have my pod maker, since I am the only one in this house who even drinks coffee, and one cup is all I have time for before I race out the door. The coffee is foamy and goodtasting and hot and fast. And one cup is just right for my collection of china coffee cups.
Who could ask for more? Thanks Mike! I love it.
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