Merry Christmas?

Since I've been really sick DH decided to make a sort of the Christmas dinner for us.








Reading the directions




The finished product.




It was a pretty good day. Thanks DH.

The Aerogarden Adventure Begins

Planted the new Aerogarden today finally. Had it for about two weeks but I was waiting for all my seeds I wanted to use to get in so finally they are here and I got it started.

I planted Chives, Basil, Tarragon, Parsley, Thyme, Cilantro and Dill. Lots of plants for such a small area, but it's a start and I am really anxious to see how it goes. This thing has all the built in bells and whistles, light timing automatically, tells you when to add nutrients, when to add water, (it's hydroponic) and when to change the bulbs based on what type of plants you are growing. I have it obviously set to Herbs right now so we will see how this goes.

Day One - All the little pods and set and the growing should commence.

Lori's Birthday Dinner-35

We had Dinner at The Bavarian Grill. I think they were actually surprised by what it was. It was loud and crowded, but everybody enjoyed it.

HAD A FENDER-BENDER A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO

Well I didn't exactly have it, he ran into me and it didn't really even bend, it just sort of scratched it a little. But it was still $700.00 worth of damage.

In N Out Cheeseburger-Animal Style, YUM!!!!!

New In N Out Burger in town. This one is the one in Fairview at Stacy. Waited a whole week after opening, went on a weekday after 1:00 pm and there were still police directing traffic and a mob.


Fortunately, I decided to do the drive through and it only took about ten minutes.

Arboretum 2011

We went to the Arboretum this year for the first time in a long while.









We didn't stay very long but it was nice getting out.

PAPPAS STEAKHOUSE FOR 29TH ANNIVERSARY

Had our Anniversary Dinner at Pappas Steakhouse with good friends last night.  It was a good time.  

We sat in this room.  It's called the Wine Room.  It's supposed to be really quiet and intimate, but it was REALLY LOUD!

It was good, but I really have been to better restaurants for the price.
However,
There were a couple of really good and unexpected surprises.

Hubbie's Birthday Present

Finally bringing him into the real world, besides we are running out of space to store books.

EARLY VALENTINES FLOWERS

Just because he thought I could use them right now.  He's right and they are really pretty ones.  Yay husband!!!!!!!!

MAILBOX MOWDOWN

A guy knocked on my door this morning.  He had to tell me he had done this:

That used to be my mailbox and it used to be about ten foot to the left in the grass.  

So we called the police to get a report and then the policeman, tow truck driver and the guy that hit the box and his wife proceeded to try to move all the debris off the driveway.  I didn't help.

We have to have a temporary box until the insurance and the Brick Doctor can get this one replaced.  So DH and Daddy who by this time was here with Mother for tomorrow's Attorney's appointment had to make concrete, assembly the new temporary one and get it up for the next day's mail.

Actually all said and done I'm sort of excited that he did this because now I get a new one that is going to be a lot better and prettier :)

FROZEN, BUT VERY PRETTY

This is the fountain at an outdoor Shopping Mall around here.  I really think it is pretty.  Also, it's quite the testament to how cold it really has been around here for so long.

Not sure why they didn't turn it off, but I'm sort of glad they didn't.  I like it this way :)

PECAN PIE MUFFINS by Amy

OMG!!! Make these, eat them very warm, almost right out of the oven, (with butter, it's the South and Pecans, you must have butter)

This is when you add Butter to the hot muffin :)   YUM!

The Recipe: 
Ingredients

• 1 cup Packed Light Brown Sugar
• ½ cups All-purpose Flour
• 1 cup Chopped Pecans
• ⅔ cups Softened Butter
• 2 whole Eggs Beaten

Preparation Instructions

Preheat oven 350 F.

Grease your muffin pan (whatever size) or use the silicone cups. I grease my silicone muffin cups with Crisco or lard.

In a medium bowl, stir together brown sugar, flour and pecans. In a separate bowl, beat the butter and eggs together until smooth. Stir into the dry ingredients just until combined. Spoon the batter into the prepared muffin cups. Cups should be about 2/3 full. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes. Cool on wire racks when done.

Option: when you take them out of the oven, place a slice of butter on top and eat warm. You may also use walnuts instead of pecans.

I HAVE BEEN OVER DOMESTIC THIS WEEK, COOKING LIKE I LIKE IT!

Earlier in the week it was Jambalaya, very good and from scratch with Chicken, Sausage and Shrimp, then yesterday I had to cook because I HAD TO MAKE BLACK EYED PEAS so I would have good luck this year.  Like it has made a difference every other year and then today homemade Beef Stew.

Wow it's been a very hardy cooking week.
Next week, Puffed Air and Fried Water all week.

STILL LOVING THAT COOKER

From this:

To This: in 25 minutes

With This:

HAPPY NEW YEAR!