Treat Your Sweetie!

Valentine's Day is a couple week's away so there's still time to plan a special evening, that is if you are inclined to celebrate.  It is not a serious holiday for us, meaning that we are not consistent in our celebrating.  Sometimes we go out for dinner, sometimes I cook.  Sometimes we exchange cards, sometimes we don't.  Occasionally there are flowers or gifts, but more often not.  Now we do have a good excuse for our lack of heart-shaped enthusiasm.  We both have birthdays in February, and we actually met in February 1986, so we have a lot more meaningful dates to celebrate.

That's not to say that there haven't been any special V-days or never any surprises.  One year I got a big balloon and some candy (Hershey's dark chocolate kisses).  Was that the year I got flowers, too?  After nearly 23 years together, the lines between the years begins to blur a bit.

Anyway, one dinner I clearly remember was in 2005 (I kept notes on that).  I had a recipe that I'd been wanting to try, and Valentine's seemed like the perfect occasion.  It is from Southern Living's Easy Weeknight Favorites.  Everything I'd made from this book was good so I figured this would be too, and it was.

I got a couple filet mignons from the Fresh Market just to make sure I started out with good quality.  That, of course, was when I didn't have to go across town to get there.  The recipe is for four steaks but if you're just cooking for two as I was, it's OK, just make the gravy as instructed. You'll just have a little more gravy for your potatoes.

I followed the recipe to a tee, and those were probably the best steaks I ever made.  My side dishes were homemade mashed potatoes and steamed asparagus.  I had French bread (probably from the Fresh Market as well) and a nice Cabernet to wash it down.

Now I know we had dessert, but please forgive me, I don't remember what it was.  If it comes to me, I'll update with that critical information.  Here is the recipe.  I hope you try it and enjoy it as much as we did. 

 Happy Valentine's Day!







Filet Mignon with Horseradish Gravy

4 (5 oz.) beef tenderloin steaks

¼ tsp. salt

¼ tsp. pepper

1 (3/4 oz.) package brown gravy mix

½ cup water

½ cup red wine

2 ½ TB prepared horseradish

1 (8 oz.) package fresh mushrooms, sliced

Heat a heavy nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until hot.  Sprinkle steaks with salt and pepper.  Add steaks to hot skillet; cook 1 minute on each side.  Place steaks in a greased small baking dish.  Add gravy mix and next 3 ingredients to skillet.  Bring to a boil; reduce heat, and simmer, stirring constantly, until thickened.  Stir in mushrooms.  Pour mixture over steaks.  Bake, uncovered, at 350 degrees for 15 minutes or to desired doneness.  Yield:  4 servings.

Notes:  The times in this recipe work with 1-inch steaks to give you a perfect medium.  Allow more time for thicker cuts or more doneness.  You may also make your own gravy from scratch and then add the wine.  The package makes about 1 cup of gravy.

The Quest Continues

In spite of the wintry blast we received this past weekend, the quest for wheels continued today.  At least our sales guy didn't come out and say, "Oh it's you again".  The search seems never ending.  Today was another round of SUVs.  As you recall, last time it was the Highlander and Escape.  Now it was a 2002 CR-V and a 2003 RAV4.  Both were great vehicles and I didn't dislike either, other than the color, they were both black.  

I should state that the terms I use when describing steering are not technical terms, but just me trying to describe how it feels compared to other vehicles, and that aspect that is important to me.

The RAV4 steering had a softer feel than I have been used to, and the 2.0 litre engine seemed to lack get up and go on the highway.  There were some nice features including front wheel drive,  the outside temperature and a compass on the rear view mirror, the gear stick was on the floor, and it had a center console, albeit a small one.

The CR-V had a nicer ride, it seemed more solid on the road (it was a 4WD and had a 2.4 litre engine), and the steering was more solid, too, although my DH didn't like it as well.  The gear stick was on the dash, which is not my choice, but it was OK.  It did not have a console, but a cup holder/tray that would fold down to allow access to the back seat. Helpful, but I would prefer a console.  I went down some streets that were not cleared, but not slick.  It powered through with no problem.  On the highway, I felt secure, and it had good power and smooth acceleration.

With regard to ease of parking, I honestly didn't park the RAV4 other than just to stop in an empty parking lot to change drivers.  I successfully parked the CR-V between two cars in a 90 degree spot.  I cheated and pulled through instead of backing up, so I parked again but this time beside a car with no car on the passenger's side.  I find that the shorter wheelbase and tighter turning circle presents a different challenge in that one can cut the wheel too soon when backing up.  It is something that would take practice, but is not a negative like the car being too long.

The down sides to both, other than color, were the lack of power seat controls and cloth seating. They put in a sunroof, but no power seats.  Go figure.   I understand that the CR-V isn't available with these options until the 2009 model.  That pushes the price point out of my ballpark.  The search continues...

Quote of the Week

A man may smile and bid you hail

Yet wish you to the devil;

But when a good dog wags his tail,

You know he's on the level.

- Author Unknown

I participate in an on-line community devoted to good food, good wine, and good people.  One of those people is grieving this week, as she lost her beloved dog, a loyal and much loved member of her family.  My heart goes out to her in this time of sadness. 

A Snow Day

It was a snow day in the not-so-sunny South.  For all y'all who don't live here, this is what it looked like this morning.

 

 This is the view from my front door. There is a street straight ahead in the picture

  

This is at the street looking right.

 

This is at the street looking left.

The snow began about 5:30 last night, and started sticking immediately even though it was slightly warmer on Thursday (upper 50s).  It appears that we got the bulk of the snow under cover of darkness.  Isn't that the way it goes?  I love to watch it snow, but it seems we get most of ours during the night.  It was sleeting when we got up this morning, and that lasted until after lunch (maybe 2 p.m.).  We bundled up and went for a walk.  Mind you the temperature was about 20 with a wind chill of 6 or 7 degrees.  Our faces were freezing, but hands and feet (at least my hands - I wore gloves, 2 pair actually) were quite warm.  Long johns help a lot, too!

To combat the chilly willies tonight, we had Shrimp Creole & garlic bread, washed down with half a bottle of Manyana Tempranillo.  This is some good wine for a good price.  I got it for $6.99 at Harris Teeter.  Might not be everyone's choice with Creole, but it went down quite well.

As I was getting dinner ready, we had another band of light snow come through.  It looks like everything has moved out for now, although we may get another round later depending on if it shifts a little further south.  I'm not a fan of the cold, windy days of winter, but I do love a good snow.  The temperature is supposed to dip to 14 degrees tonight.  Might be good sledding tomorrow!

Chick-fil-A is Spicing it Up!

Everybody loves Chick-fil-A, right?  Well I just heard about a spicy new addition to their menu [drum roll, please].  Coming this June from the Inventor of the chicken sandwich, Chick-fil-A presents their new spicy chicken sandwich. 

Here's what they have to say about it straight from the horse's, um, cow's mouth (sorry what was I thinking).

Be sure to try our hand-breaded sandwich seasoned with a fiery blend of peppers, pressure-cooked in peanut oil and served with dill pickle chips on a toasted buttered bun.  This spicy variation of our signature hand-breaded, pressure-cooked Chick-fil-A^® Chicken Sandwich will be coming to your Chick-fil-A this June. 

I know I'm looking forward to it.  I love spicy food!

Coupons in the Comics

Do y'all read Baldo in the daily paper?  Well, yesterday's was great.  Tia Carmen is a woman after my own heart.  Her conversation with Gracie went like this:

Gracie:  Do you have a shopping list, Tia Carmen?

Tia Carmen:  I don't need one Gracie.  My shopping list is very simple.  Things I have a coupon for and things that are on sale.

Cheesy Chicken and Corn Casserole

I have had a hankering for some new dishes for my repertoire.  When I need new recipes, ideas or just good chuckle, I tune in to Christy Jordan from Southern Plate.  She is down home Southern personified.  Not only do you get her yummy food, but you also get a peek into her life, her values, and the love of family that she pours into each and every recipe.  She does it all, from main dishes and casseroles, to sides and sweets, and many recipes go back for generations.

She appears on local TV in Alabama, and is even writing her own cookbook which will be in the book stores this fall.

Perhaps my favorite recipe is her hashbrown casserole. If you've ever been to the Cracker Barrel and tried their hashbrown casserole and thought it was good, try Christy's  It's way better, and everyone I've served it to loved it.

The recipe I tried last night was her Cheesy Chicken and Corn Casserole.  Now, I'm known to make changes, so I added my own touches here and there.

Here is her original recipe, followed by my tweaks:

Cheesy Chicken And Corn Casserole (this is a single recipe, I usually double it)

1 Box Yellow Rice

1 Stick Margarine

1 Can Cream Of Chicken Soup

1-2 Cups shredded, cooked chicken

1 can Whole Kernel Corn (drained)

1 1/2 Cups Cheddar Cheese

Cook rice according to package directions. Add rice and all other ingredients, except for 1/2 C of cheese, into a bowl and stir until well combined. Spoon into casserole dish and top with remaining cheese. Bake at 350 for about thirty minutes, or until bubbly.

Notes:  I used 1/2 stick of real butter, a 10-oz. can of chicken, and I made a version of my yellow rice from scratch (rice, onions, garlic, turmeric and some diced zucchini) about 3 cups.

New Pic

Y'all know I can't resist showing off my kitties.  Here are my cuties today all snuggled up together.  They are the greatest buds! 

Rosie is the gray one, and Dood is black & white.

Saved by the Dinner Bell

It was another dreary, rainy day here yesterday.  Hubby is working on a huge project at work, which is long, drawn out, very time consuming, and will be the major focus this year.  As such, he had to go into the office after breakfast, so I had the day to myself.  Nothing unusual since most days are that way, but this was SUNDAY!  I just puttered around the house and finished reading a book.  Yes, an actual print on paper book.  I was just finishing up my lunch of a fish stick sandwich.  Don't laugh, fish sticks make a good "fish filet" sandwich.  I always get the Trident brand.  They sell them at Costco in a big bag.  But that's way off topic.  So as I was finishing my sandwich, the phone rang.  It was Ashley inviting us (or me in this case) to dinner.  Now I am falling behind because they had us over last Sunday as well.  I happily accepted, though - as if I would turn them down?  Ha!

While dinner was being prepared, Ashley and I went to play games with the kids (Kevin was doing the cooking).  We played Jenga.  You remember the game where you stack logs by three's, alternating directions each layer and then take turns removing one log at a time until it falls?  I'd never played before, and it was easy to learn but harder to actually "do".  Playing against Michael,  Ashley and I took turns toppling the tower.  Next out came checkers, and I played against Michael.  Mind you he's just six.  Now I haven't played checkers in over 20 years, and then didn't play often, but I know the rules.  However, I misjudged the skill level of my opponent.  Remember, he's just six years old.  I was suffering.  I moved and he countered until I had no moves without risking capture.  I did manage to get one of my men kinged (he had about 3 plus had taken about 5 of mine).  I got a few of his, but I was in trouble, and the call to dinner saved me from complete humiliation.  Kevin offered to take a picture of the board so we could continue later, but I said I need to brush up on my checker playing skills first.

Quote of the Week

Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things.

- Robert Brault

The more time that passes, the truer this statement becomes.  Life is not built on the occasional major events like cruise vacations or the long-awaited promotion, but a composite of the small moments like watching your kids (or cats) play, sunsets or long walks on a beautiful afternoon.  So pay attention to the moments for they are your life.

My Quest for Wheels

Ever need to buy a new car, or a replacement car?  It's easy, right?  Just go down to the nearest car lot, pick one out, haggle with the dealer and drive away $$$ poorer, but at least driving.  Wrong!  For me anyway.  There is so more to consider than just "oooh, pretty car".  Is it good on gas?  How many people will it seat?  Then there's size, and yes size matters.  If it's too large, I can't park it comfortably.  If it's too small, I can't pack enough stuff or haul enough people, etc.  So do I get a minivan, a small  SUV, a crossover, or stick with my comfort zone and get a regular full size 4-door car.  When I got my Cutlass Supreme in 1997 it was classed as a mid-size.  Now cars that size are considrered full size.  Growing or Shrinking?

The Test Drives
 I drove a 2002 Honda Odessey (red)  and a 2006 Chrysler Town & Country (blue).  Both nice minivans, but for comfort and drivability, I preferred the Town & Country.  The downside was the 119" wheelbase which would make parking between two cars in a 90 degree parking space at best a challenge or possibly a nightmare.  I've learned more than I ever wanted to know about the importance of wheelbase and  turning circle in everyday driving.  So even though a minivan can carry 7 people or lots of trip stuff, it doesn't seem practical for my every day use.

Next I drove a 2000 Honda Accord (gold).  Nice car with leather (a must for me).  It drove all right although the acceleration was more sensitive than I'm used to so I pulled away from the traffic lights a bit more aggressively than normal - unintentionally.  I felt rather low to the ground, and it also has visible body damage, so I left that one with the dealer, too.

Yesterday I tried out a 2002 Toyota Highlander 4WD (blue).  It was nice but the steering felt a bit mushy (that is compared to the pickup I've been driving since that fateful day in November).  It also made weird squealing sounds when you turned the steering wheel back and forth.  It also stalled out while my husband was parking it so he was leary of driving it too far.  When I did drive it, I was able to nail the parking in a 90-degree space, granted there were no cars to park between, but I hit the space on the first shot.  The reason being that the wheelbase and turning circle are similar, if not smaller, than my car.

On to the next vehicle - a Ford Escape (silver?).  This is a relatively small SUV as well, but unlike the Highlander, it drove more like a truck (built on a truck platform).  The Highlander was built on a Camry platform.  The Escape was comfortable enough and had good acceleration (bigger engine), but I really want something with a more car-like ride.  I'm spoiled - I've driven Oldsmobiles for 20 years! 

When we arrived at the dealership, a salesman asked if he could help us.  They always ask that.  We'd been working with Tim, so they paged him.  He came out, we told him what we came to look at, and he went back for a tag so we could take it out.  When he came back he said they'd asked him if he ran us off.  He said "no - they adopted me".  He's been nice and helpful and not pushy, and we (I) have been upfront that I'm trying out a lot of different types of vehicles and am not to the "buying" point yet.  With that understanding out in the open, I feel comfortable driving first one then another to see what fits. 

I have noted the color of the test cars for a reason.  Yet one more thing to consider when stepping into the car shopping arena - Color!  I don't want white, black, silver, or most reds.  White and black show dirt, and I just don't care for silver.  Red, eh...some are all right, but no fire engine red, please.

When you only have a few hours one day a week to get out there and look, and drive and then dissect the couple of cars you lined up, it tends to become a long, drawn out experience.  I'll be glad when I actually find something "acceptable". To make this saga more interesting, my hubby is also looking for a replacement car.  Stay tuned for the latest adventures in my Quest for Wheels.

Quote of the Week

Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind.  

- Dr. Seuss

Not to be taken extremely literally, because you could hurt someone's feelings.  That said, there is a measure of truth to this statement.  Those who truly matter, will accept you exactly as you are.

Quote of the Week

Pay attention to your dreams - God's angels often speak directly to our hearts when we are asleep.  

- Eileen Elias Freeman

Although I can't say that this has happened with me, I would suspect that it happens far more often than we realize.  We just don't know how to "listen" to our dreams.  Mine are often a reflection on what I've been focusing on that day.  I do know, though, that dreams can provide insight or give us a sign, but usually only if we understand and act on what we've been "told".

The Long and Short of it.

I caught this really cute pose, and just couldn't resist posting yet another picture of my "babies".  Actually, Rosie is my baby, and Sophie is her "Daddy's Girl".  They both have their quirks.  Rosie is the old timer around here.  He will be 13 in June, whereas Sopie is truly the baby of the household at about 3 1/2.  We believe she'll be 4 sometime in May.

Sophie (back) and Rosie

This is a shot of Rosie with his other bud, Doodle (or Dood for short).  Not to be confused with Dude, although he is that sometimes, too.  The reason for the title of this post is that when Doodle was a baby, we think he had an accident involving the under-the-hood area of car (possibly one of ours), that injured his tail, and we had to have it amputated.  It is a cute little black stub about 2 inches long, and yes, the hair did grow back, thank goodness.  It was quite vulgar looking for a while.  He was born in the summer of 2000 and lived outside until Christmas of 2007, about a month after we got Sophie.  Now the three of them are friends, and Dood idolizes Rosie.  There are more kitty cat stories and pictures where these came from.

Doodle is the black and white one.

Recycle your Christmas Tree

Christmas has passed, the decorations are packed away, and the tree is bare.  Do you put your tree out by the curb for recycling, toss it in the woods, or take to a drop-off point, or does it get picked up by the trash collector and wind up decaying in the landfill?  The latter is of no benefit to anyone, and the tree is wasted.  Let's all put our trees to good use.  Recycled, they become mulch to beautify the landscape and enrich the soil.  Even those who recycle their trees in the woods are benefiting the environment by returning the tree to nature, and even creating a winter sanctuary for birds and animals.

The cats especially enjoy having a live tree of their very own (or so they think anyway).  Sophie and Dood like drinking the water from the stand.  I'd rather they didn't, but it hasn't seemed to do them any harm, and it's not like they don't have fresh water in their bowl every day.  I guess it's the Eau du Frasier Fir that's so appealing.

So now it is January 6th, the day of the Epiphany, and the day many people take down their Christmas trees and decorations.  The date varies for me, depending on how our tree is holding up.  This one is great, still takes up water and smells nice.  We had a tree one year that was so great we kept it up (lights only) until mid-January - I just couldn't throw it out.  They're not all like that, and some shed so bad that right after Christmas you want to get them out of the house. 

Anyway, I took all the ornaments off this morning, and all that remains are the lights.  It is still beautiful, but I need to let it go.  I'll be vacuuming up needles for weeks to come.  The cats carry them all over the house since they like to sleep under the tree.

So when do you take down your tree?  Are you motivated to get your house back to normal, or do you carry out the tradition of the 12 Days of Christmas, culminating in the Epiphany?  Whenever, I hope you remember to recycle.  It's good for all of us.

It's time to meet the family...

I think it's time I introduce you to our very good friends.  I've mentioned them anonymously many times, and we do hang out a lot.  Ashley has been my best friend since way back, and in today's speak she would be my "BFF".  She is the mother of two boys, Scott 10, and Michael 6.  She was a stay-at-home mom for a while, but is back teaching again, and it's second grade this year.  About 15 years ago she married Kevin.  He is an airline pilot, but due to economic times, is currently doing gardening and landscaping.  This is something he loves and for which he has a great talent.  Ashley's talent lies in painting, crafts and decorating.  Together they do amazing things with whatever they have at hand.

We shared New Year's Eve with them and Kevin's family, and I figured what better time to introduce them than with the beginning of the new year.  I am so glad they are back in town.  They had lived in Florida and Georgia since the late 90s, and when  life brought them back home a little less than two years ago I was thrilled.  They are wonderful friends, and an absolute joy in my life.  I am so happy for you to finally meet the "family I chose for myself".

Quote of the Week

"Whose woods these are I think I know.
His house is in the village though;
He will not see me stopping here
To watch his woods fill up with snow." 
-   Robert Frost, Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening

This is a beautiful passage, and there is much beauty in the silence of snow falling in the woods. 

There are remnants of last's month's snow still clinging to banks too shaded from the sun to have melted away.

Welcome to 2010!

I hope everyone had wonderful New Year's Eve and New Year's Day celebrations with friends and family.  I know we did.  We dined out with our best buds on NYE at Macaroni Grill.  This is a place we used to love and going there was a treat.  However, the last several time we went, we were disappointed in the food.  Things have changed, as they have in many restaurants, and the cutbacks are clearly visible.  The big round loaf of foccacia is not nearly as big as in years past, and not as flavorful.  It seems that herbs are in short supply.  However, we went and ordered things we'd not had before.  I had the mushroom ravioli and it was very good, as was the house chardonnay I chose to go with.  Hubby had the chicken and capellini pomodoro. The chicken was a little over done, but  the pomodoro sauce was fine, just not to his liking.  Our friends had chicken parmigiana and a cannelloni dish.  According to our dining companions, the cannelloni was good, but they seemed to have changed the recipe on the chicken parm, or at least it didn't taste like he remembered it.  All in all, it was a wonderful dinner, and the most important part was sharing the time with good friends.

After dinner, we regrouped and went to our friend's parents' house to participate in the NYE tradition of making lefses.  His Mom is of Swedish/English heritage.  In a nutshell, lefses are made from flour and potatoes, and look like tortillas when cooked.  It was an assembly line process:  Rolling, cooking, buttering and sugaring (brown sugar of course).  I was the sugarer.  This was my first experience both making and eating.  They asked what I thought, and I said they're fine, but I like mine with more butter and less sugar.  The others wanted the sugar piled on.  His Mom said "MORE SUGAR".  OK, I used MORE SUGAR!  The one I got had too much, so I made one my way for me, but after the first one, I could only eat a small part of the second one.  You can read about lefses and how to make them here. Before the lefses were made, however, we "opened" our Christmas Crackers (click to read about the crackers).

We had some fireworks on the deck.  It was cold, the smoke was thick and the bottle rockets were killer on the ears, but that's another family tradition.  Later there was a rousing game of "Round Robin" ping pong downstairs.  Yes, this is a real game with a number of players lined up around the table.  One person serves to the person opposite him, then places his paddle on the table and moves down the line while the other person returns his serve to the next person in line.  I found this video that shows better than I can explain.

Needless to say, this was a New Year's Eve of "firsts" for us, and It was an honor to be part of these traditions. 

Happy New Year to All!

Another year comes to a close, and we reflect on the days that have come and gone.  Did we use them well?  Did we make the most of every precious moment, or were we overwhelmed by how harried our daily lives have become?

We look to the future, wondering what each new day will bring.  It is a time for hope and renewal.  A time, not for resolutions which often fail, but to firm up our resolve to deal with and manage our own circumstances, whatever they may be.  Once again we have the opportunity to start over and cull out the old and withered and usher in the new and fresh. 

Here's to a great new beginning - to old friends and new faces - to 2010.  Happy New Year!

Quote of the Week

Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man.  

- Benjamin Franklin

Good words to live by not just for the new year, but all year through.

Quote of the Week

Merry Christmas and a Happy, Healthy New Year to All!
 

May Peace be your gift at Christmas and your blessing all year through! 

- Author Unknown

Winter Weather, Winter Food

Hi.  Just more ramblings today.  I thought I would start with the local weather report.  We have the first Winter Storm Watch of the season for tomorrow and Saturday.  There is apparently a big blow coming up from the Gulf.  The moisture will come up and collide with the cold air here, and poof...Snow!  Like many of these forecasts, things change and we end up not getting anything, so as usual I'll believe it when I see it.

I'll be staying on top of the forecast and following the progress on the radar.  Now I really don't care for cold weather and the bitter windy days of winter.  However, I have always liked snow, especially long walks like I used to take with my Mom.  We had such fun walking in the woods with the snow clinging to the pine trees.  One time we even took my sled and went sledding down the path made by trail bikes.  It was hazardous to say the least, but thankfully we never crashed.  Alas, those days are gone, and so are those woods.  They are now a housing development with no sign of their former beauty.

Speaking of cold, snowy weather, it is time to break out the soup pots.  Playing in or shoveling snow builds up a big appetite, and soups and stews are a warming, filling antidote for the chilly-willies.  This is where the crockpot comes in handy.  Just toss in a chuck roast, some onions and carrots, flip the switch and you've got a hot satisfying dinner in the making.  What I did the other day was take some of the broth from the roast and made a gravy.  I whipped up some mashed potatoes and it was pure deliciousness on a plate.  A hearty, healthy, homemade dinner can be quick and easy when you let the slow cooker do the work for you.  Dig in, everyone.

It's Almost Christmas Again

It's amazing how fast time goes by, and once again Christmas is just around the corner.  Yep, just 9 days away.  Is your tree sparkling from top to bottom with a zillion lights, and ornaments of silver and gold, red and green, and all the trimmings?  Do you have all your shopping done?  Presents all around the tree?  I finally started wrapping/bagging yesterday.

My list is short these days, and on-line shopping makes is so much easier.  No driving all over town, waiting in long lines of traffic and longer lines in the stores.  Just click here, click there and you're done.  Simple.  So far, I've had 3 orders from Amazon, one from Penzeys, cashed in green points for a gift card, and ordered ink for my printer to print more money-saving coupons.  The more you save, the more you can give.

I still have a few gifts to get for the "hard to shop for" folks.  My guess is gift cards for them.  I know that sounds like a cop-out, but personally I never mind getting gift cards.  Being the frugal shopper that I am, I make the most of them.  

So, my thoughts in a nutshell...Shop on-line, use coupon codes and seek out free shipping deals.  When you do have to go to the stores, the same principles apply.  Use coupons, especially combined with sales to get the best deals.

Quote of the Week

The only person who never makes mistakes is the person who never does anything.

-  Denis Waitley

We almost didn't have a quote this week.  I hadn't found the right one until now.  This one fits the everyday life of all of us.  It is apparent in many daily acts, at work, with family, even cooking.  I use a variation of this when one of my culinary experiments doesn't live up to my expectations.

Why I Don't Like Shopping at the Mall

Are you a mall shopper?  Do you favor the specialty shops or the high-end department stores?  What trips your trigger about mall shopping?  Is it having all those stores under one roof even though you have to walk at least two miles to see them all?  Not me.  During my teenage years, and through much of my working life, I would shop the mall regularly.  It was a mecca of activity during the holidays, and the huge poinsettia tree was a thing of beauty.  Ah, those were the good 'ol days. 

Now it's a horse of a different color.  You can't walk from point A to point B without being accosted by someone selling something, offering to "lotion" or "perfume" you or wanting to see your nails.  They approach you from their kiosk, "Hey lady, can I ask you a question?"  "NO", keeps walking.  Reminds me of Tiajuana.  Really, I just want to get what I came after and leave as quickly and peacefully as possible.  I don't like being rude, but gee people give it a rest.  If we want to see what you're selling, we'll stop and ask.  Otherwise, just leave us alone! 

After 33 years, I would expect things to have changed.  In some cases not all changes are for the better. 

There are some good sales and deals to be had, though, if you can bear the harassement, the parking, the  traffic and the crowded stores especially around Christmas.  I try to limit it to one visit over the holiday, and that was today, probably the coldest day of the year thus far.  What a joy.  I treated myself to lunch at McD when I was done.

Target "Manufacturer" Coupons...Not Really

Target has issued "manufacturer" coupons with their logo on them, so which are they?  Coupons issued by the manufacturer to be used anywhere or store coupons useable only at Target?  Didn't they used to say "Target" at the top and not "manufacturer", and you could use them with  manufacturer coupons on the same item.  I printed some the other day and one said Target Web Coupon (which I understand to be used only at Target) and the other two said "manufacturer" which I assumed I could use anywhere. 

I used the one for Purina Cat Chow at PetSmart, and the cashier didn't even blink.  Today I tried to use the $5 off 4 Kellogg's cereal at Wal-Mart, and argued up and down with two cashiers that it was a manufacturer's coupon and not Target-specific even though it had the Target logo on it.  That was all they could see, and said they were told not to take coupons with other store names or logos.  They wouldn't even scan it to see if it would work.  I gave up and told her if I wasn't able to use the coupon, I wasn't buying the cereal.

The point is that a store-specific coupon should not say "manufacturer" on it if you can only use it at that store, and that a true manufacturer coupon should be valid any place that accepts coupons.

Anyone care to share their experiences?

Quote of the Week

I'm a little late getting this one out today.

Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase.  

- Martin Luther King Jr.

This one goes out to our best friends.  This is how they live their lives, and through them I have seen how faith works.

Yogurt...Good and Good For You?

OK, today we're going on a little trip, a health trip that is.  Are you a fan of yogurt?  The regular stuff that has been around for years or the new, supposedly more healthy versions such as Activia or Dan Active yogurt drink?  I don't always jump on any new bandwagon that happens along, but lately, I thought what the heck, let's give it a try, since we eat yogurt anyway.   So now what to choose?

Activia is supposed to be good for your digestive health.  They even have a money-back guarantee of up to about $12, if it doesn't work for you.  Yoplait has their own version called Yo-Plus, and they are offering free Yo-plus for switching from Activia (receipt, completed form and UPC required).  Activia comes in a variety of flavors, a light version and a drinkable yogurt.

Dan Active claims to help support your immune system.  This product is a drinkable yogurt that comes in a variety of flavors (some in light).  Do any of these do all that they claim?  Check out their websites, do your research and come to your own conclusions.

I read about both products, and regularly purchase both.  Will it make a difference in our overall health, I don't know, but I figure they won't do any harm, and I still get calcium and the good bacteria that we've know for years are good for us.  These fancy new products are more expensive, but with sales and coupons you can still get a reasonably good deal.  Also, Costco has Activia and Dan Active in bulk packaging.  There is yet another way to score a deal on all things Dannon.  They have a program called Dannonomics where you buy products, mail in receipts and completed form and receive dollars off coupons.  The coupons you get are based on the quantity and variety of items purchased.  The program continues through December 31, 2009, so save your receipts, download the form and get up to $15 in coupons.

Garlic Green Beans (a first for me)

Piling on to my previous post, I thought I'd elaborate about one of my side dishes, the garlic green beans.  I wanted something green to balance out turkey, stuffing and mac & cheese.  I had thought about bacon-wrapped asparagus, but the asparagus was all huge and dried out looking.  Yuck!  The Brussels sprouts and loose green beans were in much the same condition.  Zucchini was out since we had that all summer.  I was at a loss until I found a bag of green beans, already trimmed and ready to go.  Well almost ready.  You always have to look over your produce - even the bagged stuff.

Now, I'd had garlic green beans in a restaurant that I thought were good, so I pondered how one would make those.  I came up with cooking them until almost done then sauteing them with garlic.  I googled up some recipes and found one from Morton's Steakhouse in Atlanta that sounded like what I was after.  I minced 2 cloves of garlic and about half a shallot, and sauteed them in a mix of butter and olive oil.  When the garlic and shallots were softened and beginning to brown, I added the beans and tossed until the were done to my liking - tender but not mushy.  I'm not one for the crisp-tender vegetables.  I'm from the South ya know [grin] .  Anyway, the beans were a hit.  So pretty on the plate, and they held their green color very well.  

Here's the official recipe.

Next Up...Christmas!

Thanksgiving has now come and gone, and we are stuffed like the turkey himself.  We had two Thanksgivings and an "eat out" meal right in the middle of it all.  Not to mention the post-Thanksgiving pizza I made.  

Thanksgiving meal #1 was the traditional turkey with all the trimmings:  mashed potatoes and gravy, stuffing, green bean casserole, curried onions (I think I referenced those in an earlier post), cranberry sauce, bread, and pumpkin pie.  That was all washed down with Deinhard Green Label Riesling.  Pretty tasty stuff, not as sweet as most German Rieslings, and without that dreadful petrol aroma/taste.  

Our second dinner was last night with friends.  They brought a turkey, and I did the sides and dessert:  Mac & cheese, stuffing, garlic green beans and pecan pie served with a bottle of Beaujolais Nouveau.  It was an all-around success, and a wonderful time as usual when we get together.  They also brought cranberry sauce and eggnog.  Now I have never tried eggnog, and was a skeptical participant in this holiday ritual.  I decided it was OK and tasted somewhat like melted vanilla ice cream.  Why not.  It's made with the same ingredients.  I added a bit of Captain Morgan to mine after I had sampled it straight up.  Either is fine, but the rum does give it an added something-something.

Now, Christmas is just 3 weeks away, and we get to turn around and do it all over again.  The cooking, the eating, the visiting, and the groaning after we've done too much of the eating.

Quote of the Week

Nothing is waste that makes a happy memory.

I saw this on a billboard in Stark, Florida on September 29, 2006, on our way home from vacation.  I take trip notes as we travel so I can remember things such as this, and I was struck by the truth of this statement.  An example might be the time spent enjoying a beautiful sunset instead of thinking about cleaning up after dinner.  So think back on all those happy memories, and remember what you were doing (or not doing).

A Day of Mourning!

Do you get really attached to your cars, or are they just a means to get around?  I remember very clearly the day I got my car.  It was April 17, 1997.  I had been shopping for at least two years for just the right car.  I tried out a Dodge Stratus, a Chrysler Cirrus, a Mercury Mystique, and window shopped many others.  I ended up test driving an Oldsmobile Cutlass, and almost got one but I didn't like the color of the only one they had.  I told the sales lady it was a fine car, but it was silver and I don't like silver cars. She couldn't understand that I would reject it because of the color.  I looked around the lot again and found a Cutlass Supreme SL - in Medium Beige Metallic.  When I drove it, there was no question that this was the car for me.  Now the car I was driving at the time was a Cutlass Ciera GT that I bought used at 3 years old.  Absolutely the greatest car on the planet at the time, but it was getting older, and  even though there was nothing wrong at the time, I didn't want to wait until it was critical to find something else .  So now I was getting a new car, the first since 1979.  We keep our cars a long time in my family.  

Since I was so emotionally attached to my Ciera, I decided this new car would be different.  It would be "just a car", and when the 7-year warranty expired, I would replace it.  In reality, though, that was enough time to fall in love so to speak.  I now have the 2nd greatest car on the planet.

Back to the day I actually got the car.  I remember calling Daddy to give him the news, and ask if he wanted to be here when they delivered my new car.  Boy was he surprised!  He knew I'd been looking, but was caught off guard by this apparent sudden purchase.  Well, sudden isn't exactly the word to describe this process, but he wasn't expecting it "so soon".  Of course, he came over, with his checkbook.  I was Daddy's girl, and he always insisted on helping buy my cars.  When they delivered it to my house and they drove my old one away, I hid in the bathroom in tears.  Wimpy, I know, but I loved that car!  

Now I stand at the crossroads between another car I love and the challenge of finding one to take its place.  It is a day of mourning for me.  Last night my beloved car of 12 years gave up the ghost...pause while I blubber some more, and swear that it'll be different next time, and a car will be just a car. 


Edited to add a visual:

 

 

Quote of the Week

Yesterday is history.  Tomorrow is a mystery.  And today?  Today is a gift.  That's why we call it the present.  

- Babatunde Olatunji

What does this mean?  It means we should live each day fully with thanks and appreciation.  In doing so we ensure that our history has no regrets because no one knows what tomorrow holds in store.

Cheers to You!

A while back, around Halloween maybe, I mentioned our Cheers group, a bunch of friendly, wine-loving folks who get together about once a month to share wine, food and friendship.  I promised to tell the story of how we all came together.  I think it was late in the year 2004, a small wine shop called Carolina Winesellers opened in Lewisville, NC and they specialized in North Carolina wines.  That wasn't all they sold, but it was their primary focus.  This came at a time when, although there were local wineries that had been around for some years, the bulk of the North Carolina wines were just arriving on the scene.  As with most wine regions, it takes a while to get started.  The vines need some maturity  before they produce grapes that make good wine.  We tasted a lot of local wines over the next two years, much of which we found utterly lacking when compared to more mature areas such as Napa, and Europe.  Now, we wanted to support our local wine industry, but  the price point was far above the quality of wine being produced at that time.  That, I am happy to say, is changing.  There are now a number of fine wines being produced around the area. 

Anyway, back to the wine shop.  On most Saturdays there would be a tasting at the wine shop.  The owners are great folks and have become friends,  We would go quite often on Saturday afternoons and hang out around the tasting bar meeting people and talking about wine or whatever else was on our minds.  Unlike most retail shops, occasionally they would host wine dinners, and/or have other entertainment such as live music or movie night.  I think one night they showed Sideways (we'd already seen that, and while we enjoyed it, we didn't feel compelled to see it again).

I guess I should really get to the point.  After about 2 1/2 years they determined that they really weren't "making it".  The shop was essentially breaking even or paying for itself, but not contributing to the family income.  Since they had two boys still in school and were looking at college, they decided to sell the business or close up shop if they found no buyer. They sold wine by the glass and people started gathering there on Friday evenings.  During their last month or so of operation, they decided to have potlucks each Friday night.  Folks would bring appetizers, and buy wine.  We would sit around and get to know each other over wine and food.  Food always brings people together, and add a little wine (or more) since you always got your money's worth at Carolina.

As the days counted down to the close of the shop, we were filled with sadness because we had all come to love the shop and had made friends there.  Memorial weekend in 2007 was the last days of business, and on Memorial Monday, we all got together at the shop for a farewell cookout with hotdogs, hamburgers and everything imaginable to go along side, plus all the wine you could drink (within reason and legal limits of course).  It was on this day that we decided we wanted to stay together as a group.  This was just too good to give up, so we passed around a paper to collect e-mail addresses, and thus our group was born.  I don't know exactly who to credit with giving us our name, but several people remarked that we were like that group on the TV series Cheers.  It stuck!  Our get togethers are referred to Friday Night Cheers, although many times now it's held on Saturdays which is more convenient for some of us.  

Tonight was one of those nights.  Everyone (or couple) brings a bottle of wine and something to eat, either savory or sweet.  It is like the box of chocolates right out of Forrest Gump, because you never know what you're going to get, or who you're going to see.  Not everyone can come every time, but we are die hards and are there pretty much whenever the call goes out.  Tonight there was a selection of dips and crackers, smoked turkey (from Honky Tonk Pig on Jonestown Road), ham, rolls, a broccoli & cheese cornbread, shrimp, chips and salsa, and pecan pie.  I took pecan pie mini muffins that I made from a recipe I found on southernplate.com.  These were a hit, and I brought home an empty plate - always a good sign.  Wine wise, our theme for tonight was Pinot Noir and Gewurtzaminer (is it possible I spelled that correctly?)  There were a lot of Pinots, but I think only one Gewurtz.  There was a tasty Albarino.  Not holding with the theme, but very good nonetheless.  There is no right or wrong at Cheers...it's all good! As always, a good time was had by all, and that is how we came to be.  
Edited to correct spelling - it was a late night!

Thanksgiving Day and the Twice-Baked Turkey

Thanksgiving is a day of feasting, family and friends, and being thankful for all that we have.  It is a day steeped in tradition drawn from years of living, loving and giving.  Although we gather but once a year to celebrate our humble beginnings, we should live every day of the year with an attitude of gratitude.

One of the most memorable, or at least interesting Thanksgivings I can remember was at least 30 years ago.  My aunt, uncle and great aunt came down from New Hampshire as they always did - nothing unusual there. What made it interesting is that this is the Thanksgiving when we cooked the turkey two or three times.  Yeah, not the greatest plan I know, but it was a big turkey, probably 20 lbs. or so.  I don't know why we needed a turkey that big for six people.  However, when we were ready to dive into the feast, all the sides were hot and ready, and everyone was salivating over the thought of a scrumptious plate piled high with stuffing, mashed potatoes and all the other goodies that make this day different from the other 364 days of the year, the star of the show, Tom Turkey wasn't.  Parts of his parts were still undercooked.  Now what did we do with everyone waiting...we ate, of course.

We sliced off what was cooked and safe to eat, and put the rest back into the oven to cook for the next round of feasting.  Now I don't suggest using this method of preparation but it all worked out, and no one got sick.  I think that the third cooking involved the walkers and flappers (legs, thighs and wings) as the dark meat takes longer to cook.  Did I mention that this was a really big bird?

I'd love to hear your about your Thanksgiving adventures or traditions.  Please feel free to share.

Wine Lover's Club Monthly Meeting

Do any of you drink wine?  Maybe you enjoy a glass with dinner or like to share a special bottle (or several) with friends.  If you do, then maybe you'd enjoy being part of the American Wine Society by way of a local group of like-minded, friendly, wine loving folks known as the Wine Lover's Club.  We started out as the Lewisville Wine Society with meetings held at the former Carolina Winesellers shop in Lewisville.  We were soon the largest chapter in NC with 40+ members, although our numbers have diminished somewhat in part due to economic times and personal circumstances.  We would love to have you join us for a meeting to see what we're all about, and how much fun we have (you are allowed 3 visits before becoming members).

Here is a little about what went on tonight.  Since it is the week before Thanksgiving, we had the traditional turkey, stuffing and several versions of cranberry salad (made with cranberries, apples and other goodies), which I thought of as dessert since it was sweet.  The official dessert was raspberry brownies.  We were served 4 pinot noirs from California, Oregon and New York.  The objective was to taste each wine with each type of food and determine which we thought paired well.  That is not my strong suit, so I pretty much just enjoyed the food, wine and camaraderie.  I don't know, maybe my palate is just not as fine-tuned as a lot of folks.  I will say that I enjoyed 3 out of 4 wines and thought they went well enough with the food with the exception of the brownie.  I just don't care for a dry red wine with chocolate in most cases. 

In light of the fact that we had hot, tasty food to enjoy, we held the meeting in reverse in that we had our food and wine before attending to business.

Meeting information:
We meet on the third Tuesday of each month at Sociale located at 380 Knollwood Street, Winston-Salem, NC at 7:00 p.m. [update:  this location information no longer valid]

Quote of the Week

I decided I wanted to blog because I thought I had something worth sharing. However, you are only sharing if people are reading. 

Better to write for yourself and have no public, than to write for the public and have no self. 

- Cyril Connolly

I suppose this sums up my writing up to this point.  An audience must be earned, so I'll continue to post whatever moves me at the moment and see where it leads me.

Saturday in the Park

Yesterday friends and family gathered at Tanglewood Park to celebrate a birthday.  The birthday boy was a whopping 6 years old.  It was a beautiful day considering it is the middle of November, and we were just out of a mini-monsoon season courtesy of Ida.  Birthday-boy's Dad made a wonderful devil's food cake with homemade praline & chocolate icings.  It was rich and wonderful and oh so filling.  It hit the spot and was sure to cure any sweet tooth for miles around.  He claims not to be a cook, but you know when he's in the kitchen there will be something delicious on the table.  BDB's Mom made him a round brownie color wheel cake.  BDB doesn't eat just anything...

We were the only ones not directly related to BDB.  Others there were his grandparents (Dad's side), his other grandfather, his aunt, uncle and two cousins, Mom, Dad and older brother. We watched him open his presents, and play with a radio-controlled car that belonged to his grandfather.  After everyone had had their fill of cake, soda and playtime, we packed up the stuff, and toddled off for a walk to look at the Christmas lights.  I'd never seen the lights at Tanglewood before.  After breaking off and going in separate directions, we all eventually met back up at the cars.  By that time it had gotten dark, and the lights were really pretty.  We made a slow drive out enjoying the scenery.  We decided to forego the pizza we had planned for dinner in favor of a quick dinner out at a Mexican restaurant in Clemmons.  We hadn't eaten at Cozumel in years, but we used to like it a lot. We split a 3-enchilada plate with extra rice and beans.

Not to worry that we were deprived, however we had the pizza tonight. Yum!

A Lunar Vacation?

I just heard that there is water on the moon.  Now why it has taken NASA and a whole host of scientists 40 years to discover this, I'm not sure.  But what a breakthrough.  This could be the resort of the future, the Lunar Riveria.

Let's think about this.  We need transportation, shuttle pilots, flight attendants, gourmet food service and in-flight movies, which means more shuttles, larger accommodations, more pilots (read astronauts) and flight attendants. To build the resort, we need engineers, architects and plumbers trained in minimal gravity design...think toilets.   We don't want that stuff flowing upstream now do we?

As for electricity, how would we produce that in space.  Burn coal?  Can't.  Fire won't burn without oxygen.  Besides we've already polluted one planet.  Let's hope we've learned something.  As far as I can tell, there is no wind on the moon, so wind-generated power is not an option.  I know, how about giant solar panels so we can capture solar energy and store it.  If you can store heated water, and power lights and radios, there should be a way to power other things.  This is not new technology.  The concept of solar energy has been around for many years.  As a child I had a solar powered radio - actually I still have it, and it still works.  However, the methods of collecting it, storing it and using it have surely improved over the years.

All of these measures have no consequence, if we cannot breathe.  This brings us to greatest obstacle - how do we get oxygen in adequate supply for survival?  Possibly large tanks of oxygen and a distribution system?  Too bad we can't pipe it in like natural gas. Picture that pipeline!  To go outside one would need to don a space suit in order to survive the lack of air pressure.  Otherwise all the liquid in your body would boil, and what happens next would not be pretty.  There is an up side to this.  The fashion designers would all be competing to come up with the hottest new line of space apparel. Good-bye itsy bitsy teeny weeny yellow polka dot bikini.  I guess space age swim suits would kinda take the fun out of things - at least for the guys!  That's a argument for indoor swimming pools - heated with the solar panels, especially given that there is an approximate 500 degree swing in temperatures on the moon's surface.  Bottom line is step foot outside without protective gear and you're dead!

At this point I am thinking we need a much larger shuttle system involving cargo transports for the building materials, oxygen tanks, solar panels and storage units, contractors, etc. and that is just to provide life-sustaining structures.  

Speaking of life-sustaining measures, what about food? In such extreme conditions, crops can't be grown or or livestock raised, so all food would have to be transported from earth.  This would definitely require more transports and create more jobs.

This is just the beginning... Financially speaking, your Lunar Riveria getaway will make a Hawaiian vacation seem like a trip to Walmart, and cause your credit cards to expire on the spot.  So, who's paying for this adventure?  There are many questions unanswered...after all we just discovered that there is water on the moon.

Rainy Day Ramblings

It's a rainy afternoon, and my gas tank is on Empty.  Is that a sign?  So where did all this rain come from anyway?  Only Ida knows, as she blew into Alabama early this morning.  We've had such good weather here lately that I hadn't been keeping up with the national weather scene.  I've spent much time in the yard cleaning up after Mother Nature as the trees eject their dying leaves.  Yes, that's right.  The trees kick the leaves out to dry up and wither away, sucked up and hauled off to become mulch in someone else's yard across the street or across town.

Yes, I am rambling today, but I don't have any big sales to talk about, no community events to invite you to, and no coupons or rebates to tempt the bargain hunters.  It's just me musing on the day.  I went to the Y for my Zumba class, and for lunch I had a tasty chicken salad sandwich prepared fresh from my kitchen.  OK, I'll admit it, I used canned chicken, but it is good.  I used Valley Fresh all natural white and dark meat.  I get it at Wal-Mart for about $2 for a 10-oz can.  It has less salt per serving than the other brands and is made with both white and dark meat which gives it more flavor.  In my book that means more bang for your buck.  Add that to whole grain bread and you've got a healthy lunch, or at least reasonably so - I did use mayonnaise, and garlic pepper for seasoning.

The big question that remains is am I going to brave the rain and get gas, and possibly go to Wal-Mart, or just tell myself there's nothing I need that badly, and hang inside until the rain stops.  From the looks of the radar that's going to be a while.

Pause while I check out the noise in the kitchen.  Well, that was exciting, at least for one of the cats.  Sophie was eating, and a sharp crashing sound nearly scared the fur off of her.  Food went flying and water sloshed into the food bowl.  So much for that - soggy food goes into the trash can.  What happened was I have a decorative item on the ceramic tile in my kitchen held on by a small suction cup.  Every now and then it turns loose and hits the counter.  Not really a big deal unless you're a skittish feline twit.  What can I say, she's our twit!

click to enlarge

Here she is with one of her favorite toys.  It was Rosie's toy, a fishing pole we brought back from a shop in San Diego. But Sophie took it over, and promptly ate about 8 inches off the end.  I picked it up one day and noticed it was considerably shorter.  When I couldn't find the missing length, we were pretty sure we knew what had happened to it.  Sure enough, after several days it showed up - I won't say where but I know you know.  Needless to say, she doesn't get to play with that anymore.  Oh, and that's not all she's eaten...

Quote of the Week

Friends are family you choose for yourself. -  Author Unknown

This is very true.  I have some self-chosen family myself. My best friend and I have known each other since childhood, and have been close all of our adult lives.  She is like the sister I never had, so her family is my family.  I chose well.

A Veteran's Day Thank You

Wednesday, November 11, is Veteran's Day, and several Winston-Salem restaurants are saying "Thank You" to those who have served our country and those currently on active duty.  

Applebee's is offering all Veterans and active duty military a free entree with proof of military service.

Outback is giving a free Bloomin' onion and beverage (non-alcoholic or a draft beer) with proof of military service.

Krispy Kreme is giving free doughnuts to all Veterans and active duty military.

Golden Corral is honoring our nation's Veterans on November 16 with a free dinner buffet between the hours of 5-9 p.m.  They are doing this the Monday following Veterans Day so as not to conflict with other offers.

This would be a good time to join the special Veteran(s) in your life for dinner (or a doughnut).  See the websites for details.

Charitable Donations Needs for the Winston-Salem Area

This is the time of year when the needs of others should stand out in stark relief against the backdrop of the sparkling Holiday Season.  Too much time, energy and money are poured into "keeping up Joneses" so to speak.  Every Christmas there are ads all over TV for individual "gift ideas" that just one alone, would deplete the holiday gift-giving budget for many.  We are made to feel cheap if we don't give to everyone, right down to the mailman and the trash collector.  Next thing you know we'll be sending gifts to the tax collector for sending out our tax bills.  I guess that is an exaggeration, but not by much.

Now you may say that it is better give than receive, and I agree wholeheartedly.  That brings me to the point of this post.  I have compiled the following list of organizations that need our help.  The need is there 365 days a year, but during the Holidays it is much more evident when there are families who have to choose between having heat, food and medications, and are unable to buy even the smallest gifts for their children.

I don't want to sound preachy or self-righteous. I'm not rich or perfect, and I am certainly not pointing fingers, nor am I trying guilt you into digger deeper than you can afford. Only you know what you can do. I just want to bring to the forefront some of the ways in which we can help make Christmas a little brighter for some.  See the end of post for ways to stretch your donation dollar.

This information was gathered from the Seasons Greetings NC website, and this a partial list of organizations and their needs' lists.  For more details and contact information, please visit the website.

Bethesda Center for the Homeless 930 N. Patterson Ave., Winston-Salem, NC 27101, 722-9951.  http://www.bethesdacenter.org

Needed: Cash donations to help pay for winter utilities, such items as socks, ear muffs, first-aid supplies, handkerchiefs, winter wear (hats, gloves, scarves for men and women); toiletries, new or used blankets, bath towels, soap and shampoo. 

The Children’s Home Inc. 1001 Reynolda Road, Winston-Salem, NC 27104-3200, 336-721-7600.   http://www.tchome.org.

Needed: Monetary donations, item donations and volunteers throughout the year. Christmas gifts such as toys, games, sports equipment, clothes for ages 0-18.

Crisis Control Ministry Inc. 200 E. 10th St., Winston-Salem, NC 27101, 724-7875.  http://www.crisiscontrolministry.org

Needed: Canned juice, nonperishable food items for the food pantry, and money. Shampoo, toothpaste, razors, baby products, washing detergent, donations.  

Elizabeth and Tab Williams Adult Day Center (formerly the Senior Services Adult Day Care and Alzheimer’s Center), 231 Melrose St., Winston-Salem, NC 27103, 724-2155.

Needed: Such gifts for clients as women’s and men’s handkerchiefs, gloves, scarves, warm hats, toiletries, shaving items, bingo prizes, socks, hand lotion, craft supplies and colorful seasonal paper supplies for meals and snacks such as napkins and paper plates.

Family Services Shelter P.O. Box 604, Winston-Salem, NC 27102, 724-3979.

Needed: Money and such gifts for women and children as dishes, pots and pans, flatware, glasses, irons and ironing boards; kitchen appliances; towel sets, dishcloths, new pillows, sheet sets, blankets and comforters (twin and full); baby items; sanitary napkins and tampons; laundry baskets, alarm clocks, flashlights, batteries, cleaning supplies, hand sanitizers, car emergency/safety kits, hair dryers, hair products, bedroom slippers, socks, flip flops, underwear, umbrellas, phone cards, gift cards, grocery gift cards, reading glasses (+1.75, +2.00, +2.50, +3.00); new smoke alarms, space heaters, fans and family games/playing cards. Monetary gifts are always appreciated. No used clothing accepted.

Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest North Carolina 3655 Reed St., Winston-Salem, NC 27107, 784-5770.  http://www.hungernwnc.org

Needed: Food and Food Drives: Canned meats, soups, fruits and vegetables; packaged rice and pasta; canned tomato sauce and stews; peanut butter.

Silas Creek Manor 3350 Silas Creek Parkway, Winston-Salem, NC 27103, 765-0550.

Needed: Hats, ball caps, handkerchiefs, costume jewelry, small games, playing cards, lap blankets, soap, hair products, lotion and wrapping paper. Radios and cassette players.

Winston-Salem Rescue Mission 717 Oak St., Winston-Salem, NC 27101, 723-1848.   http://www.wsrescue.org.

Needed: Underwear, handkerchiefs, socks, disposable razors, flannel shirts, especially sizes extra large and 2X, gloves, deodorant, shaving cream, bath soap and plastic soap holders, toothbrushes and plastic holders for toothbrushes, toothpaste, nail clippers, foot powder and staple foods. Money for Christmas gifts and dinner are needed as well as unwrapped Christmas gifts.

Winston-Salem Rehabilitation and Health Care Center  1900 W. First St., Winston-Salem, NC 27104, 724-2821.

Needed: Donations of lotions, jogging suits, Kleenex, socks, clocks, throws, large-print books and word-search puzzles are needed.

As you can see, there is a wide variety of needs to be met.  Topping the list are cash, food, toiletries and personal care items, and winter clothing.
 
For all you "couponers" out there, here is where you can use your money-saving skills to build up donation boxes, bags, baskets, or unload some of your bounty from recent bargain hunting.  If you are new to the whole coupon-clipping, rebate-seeking concept, there are several good sites that have coupon/sale matchups, and they give you the heads up on where to get the best deals.  The more you give, the more you get, and the more you get, the more you can give.  Hip to Save and Southern Savers can get you started in the right direction. 

You may want to bookmark this post to refer to as you make your shopping list, and as always, please feel free to share your ideas and experiences.

Time Out For Lunch

I took time out for a long lunch today with a friend from exercise classes at the Y.  We met a few years ago while waiting in the hall waiting for our class to start.  She had just moved back to North Carolina from Switzerland.  We do a lot of the same classes including Zumba.  If you haven't heard of Zumba, it is half dance and half aerobics done to Latin-style music

Anyway, we get together occasionally for lunch, and today it was La Botana, located just off Hanes Mall Blvd. about a block from Jonestown Road.  It is a small place with friendly staff, good service and very tasty food.  They serve up a variety of Mexican fare.  We both had the chicken enchiladas verde.  Tender chicken rolled in tortillas covered in a piquant verde sauce, served with rice and salad on the side.  I can't elaborate on the rest of the menu, as the lighting wasn't great and I didn't have my glasses, but if this is any indication of the rest, it is definitely worth a return visit.

It was nice to just sit and talk for a while and a great way to de-stress in the middle of an otherwise busy week.  If you like good Mexican food, and you haven't already tried La Botana, you should check it out.

Raffaldini Vineyards

Wanna be a winemaker?  Raffaldini Vineyards in Rhonda, NC invites you to come and blend your own red wine each weekend now through December 6.  Sessions will be held 1-3 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.  There will be a tasting of several single varietal wines led by owner Jay Raffaldini, and then participants will mix their own blend.  Each blend will be tasted by the winery, and the best one will be chosen to be the next Bella Misto blend.  The 2007 blend won a gold medal at the Lodi International Wine Competition in Lodi, CA.

Cost is $15 per person, and sessions are filling up fast so call 336-853-9463 to make your reservation now.  Who knows, you could be the maker of the next Bella Misto.

Please see website for directions and more details.

There's a New Restaurant in Town!

Let's celebrate the grand opening of Senor Bravo, located at 241 S. Marshall Street in Winston-Salem (former South By Southwest location).  Senor Bravo is owned and operated by the same folks who run Las Estrellas on Silas Creek Parkway.  I understand there is about a 60% overlap between the two menus, and the larger kitchen at Senor Bravo will allow a wider variety of authentic Mexican fare.

While I haven't had the chance to eat there yet, I've read good things about it, and I'm looking forward to checking it out.  To make it even more tempting, there is a coupon in today's Winston-Salem Journal good for 15% off on your next visit.  Please leave a note in the comment section if you go.  I'd love to pass the word!

Quote of the Week

If you don't like something change it; if you can't change it, change the way you think about it.

- Mary Engelbreit

I think this is something we should all take to heart.  I know I should because no matter how much I know something is what it is, and I can't change it, I still waste way too much time and energy fighting it.  This is, in fact, not healthy either mentally or physically.  How we think about things can make a difference.

A Dreary Weekend

It is already November - can you believe it? I'm telling you the older I get the faster time seems to fly.  Now the years are shorter, and the days (and nights) never seem to have enough hours in them.  Alas, there is no formula for slowing down time.  If there were, some one of us would be richer for it.  Still, there are days we may not want to slow down.  

Anyway, I should get on with the point of this post.  I used to write poetry, or at least I dabbled at it from time to time.  Still do when the spirit moves me.  I wrote one a long time ago about a gray November day.  Now we rarely have snow here in November, but it can still put a chill in your bones.

November Gray

Cold and windy, bleak and gray
What more can you ask
Of a November day
Snow clouds and chickadees
Creep in and settle down
Ore the mountains and valleys alike
The last of the leaves
Crinkled with age
Are carelessly blown astray
Gentle flakes begin to fall
And blankets the earth in
Snowy white
To everyone, tall or small
It brings peals of laughter and delight
And adds some warmth to a
Dreary day dressed only in
November gray