Monday, December 20, 2010

Unspeakable Joy

Psa 100:1-2
Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.
Worship the Lord with gladness;
come before him with joyful songs.

This song makes me want to be joyful and jump up & down.


Saturday, December 18, 2010

Home Sweet Home...

Thursday I cooked my "out of the ordinary dish" and it was very good.  I grilled some striped pangasus (fish) - I brushed it with butter, sprinkled it with garlic/onion seasoning, dill, & salt, then grilled in a pan with some olive oil.  It was very good.  I also gave spaghetti squash a 2nd attempt.  Last time I made it, I had a hard time with it - too crunchy.  This time, I let it ripen for 4 days on the counter and it came out of the oven perfectly tender.  I sauteed some onion, garlic, zucchini, & italian seasoning, then tossed in the spaghetti squash.  It was very good - yummo!

I took a picture of it all plated but I didn't like the quality of the photo - the lighting in my kitchen is not good.  Could be cuz one set of our flourescent lights are completely out.  Maybe Santa will fix it for me by Christmas morning.  I'll put it on my Christmas list.

Dinner was good, Q & LQ were happy, then we all sat down and watched the recordings of Charlie Brown.  Oh, and LQ & I decorated our gingerbread house.

Very Fun, Very Sweet, Very Tasty...

Thursday, December 16, 2010

Hey Jolly! Break it down!

I watched this at Big Mama's blog and am cracking up!!!

Enjoy :)  I'm gonna watch it again...



Bahahaha!

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Elf your Face

I'm behind on my blogging.
I've started a number of posts but they remain unfinished, therefore, they are growing stale.
I really don't like it when that happens.

Today I'm joining the "Wednesday Hodgepodge" by
Joyce's "from this side of the pond" blog.

1. What does it mean to have the 'holiday spirit'?
The true holiday spirit is about love and kindness, not materialism and shopping.
Do your best not to get caught up in the latter.
This past Sunday our church gave us all a
I invite everyone to try it out.
 
2. What sits atop your tree (s)? Why?
An Angel.
We've had her since our first Christmas together, 15 years ago.
Every year, I say I need to get a new tree topper.
Every year, I still put her on top of the tree.

3. When was the last time you gave yourself a pat on the back?
We went to a Christmas party on Monday night and we were all to bring finger foods.
I made peanut butter & jelly 'sushi' rolls (as per Q's suggestion).
I thought it was gonna be lame, but they were very tasty,
and quite a hit, if I do say so myself.

 
4. Which of your senses is most sensitive this time of year?
SMELL!
From food to fragrance to candles to more food.

 
5. What do you have too much of in your kitchen?
MAIL!
I really do try to throw away all junk mail, but I simply can't.
I almost always, always, always, keep a coupon, or a magazine, or postcard, that I think I'm going to need or use later.
Sadly, I rarely ever, ever, ever do.
BUT, when I do - I am very happy &
experience a 'pat myself on the back' moment.

 
6. What do you do for meals on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day? Big meal? Breakfast tradition? Open the cookie tins and have at it?
Tamales & Ham on Christmas Eve & Christmas Day.
My sister & I are making tamales with my Mom this weekend.
They are so very good when they are freshly made.
Christmas morning, I like to make a big breakfast,
complete with pancakes, eggs, bacon, toast & coffee/hot cocoa.

 
7. What is the best thing about winter?
Warm thick socks & big fluffy blankets.

 
8. Insert your own random thought here.
I installed the "Elf your Face" app on my iPhone
and LQ 'elfed' a pic of grapefruit.

Monday, December 13, 2010

A little Christmas cheer



I had lunch with LQ last week and got this pic of him and his friend Connor.

What a couple of cuties :). Added the extras with the Elf app on my iPhone.

Friday, December 10, 2010

Friday, December 3, 2010

Dish Report: There's nothing to make...

I have been without a car since Wednesday morning and as far as groceries were concerned I figured I was doing OK even though I hadn't really gone grocery shopping since before Thanksgiving.  Believe it or not, there are still Thanksgiving leftovers in my refridgerator that I must throw out.  Anyway, I started to plan what I was going to create for my Thursday night "out of the ordinary" dish and realized that my ingredients were limited and I was having trouble putting together a complete meal for the evening. 

Q got home from work and I tried to muscle him into leaving to either go to the grocery store or to go out to eat...  not really...  I didn't really muscle him...  remember I'm an overzealous optimist - I count on him eventually saying "yes" to something...  I kinda half-heartedly suggested going out, then after he had already changed into his Dallas Cowboys pajama pants, I ranted out a couple of options that I could make like...  tacos, but I had no tortillas...  picadillo, but I had no potatoes...  I have everything for spaghetti & meatballs, but he really doesn't like the spaghetti sauce that's currently in the pantry and I don't have what I need to make one from scratch...  are you seeing my optimism slowly fading?  LQ wanted me to order pizza, but Q was not really wanting to over indulge on pizza.  Yes, it's quick, but it's too easy for each of us to eat a whole pizza.

So I made this for Q, LQ & Me (the girls were both working). 



Who doesn't like breakfast sandwiches?  Egg, 2 slices of cheese & ham, on buttered & grilled potato bread.  I added the tomato for me and LQ dipped his in ketchup (not surprised)... and Q added an onion & garlic seasoning which gave it an extra special touch.  I remade the sandwich for me this morning since I forgot to take a picture of it last night and it was so very yummy... and, Yes... That is a skull on the plate.  That's how I roll in the morning. 

Then I cut one of these juicy grapefruits for LQ & me.  They were delivered to me for FREE from one of the vendors at the marathon expo. 


I entered so many raffles that day and I filled out so many information cards, I'm not sure if I won them or if they were sending them to everyone.

It was all quite tasty.  In fact, Q & LQ each asked for another sandwich.  Which I ate more than half of LQ's cuz he couldn't finish it.  What a good mommy I am - it's no wonder I can't fit into my summer shorts!

Have a great weekend :)

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Potato chip sandwiches...

Today is Dec 1st.
I'm not sure why that has became a big deal today but for some reason it did.
Today is the first day of the last month of the year.
Really?  So soon?  WOW!
THAT'S why it's a big deal.
HURRY!
Time to meet get the ball rolling on those resolution goals that I made at the beginning of the year cuz time is running out.
But first...

Today I'm linking up to a linking party "From This Side of the Pond" blog.
There's some pretty funny stuff over there along with other bloggers who have linked up and answered 8 random questions.  Make sure you go take a look.

1. What is the most interesting thing you've done in the last year?
Made New Year Resolutions that was 12 items long.
Met 3 of the 12 which included 1-get better with my guitar which I started taking lessons, 2-journaling more often, I even started a blog, & 3-read 10 books, currently reading #10.
I don't think I'll get to the other 9 but looking back at it - what was I thinking?
A chore chart?  Really?

I started bowling again with Q.
Makes us both super happy to spend Wednesday nights together.
See?

I ran a full 26.2 mile marathon!

My children keep growing up and have kept me smiling, laughing, crying, yelling, and all other -ing's you can think of.  I am so blessed!
F turned 20, LQ turned 6 & V turned 18.

 
2. What is your most meaningful family heirloom?
My Great-Grandpa's bible.
It's in Spanish and very old but I have fond memories of watching him read it.
My Mom has it right now.

3. What food festival would you most like to attend? If you're not sure click here to see a list of possibilities.
San Antonio's FIESTA!
And our church festival at River City

4. Snow...do you love it or is it considered a four letter word where you live?
Umm... I love it - it's my last name!
There's hardly ever ANY snow where I live.

5. Can you ski? Do you ski? Are you any good?
I love skiing.  I've been a total of 3 times.
Does that make me a novice?
We have to travel far for it cuz we get none of that here in South Texas.
I'm still looking for a picture from our last trip.
I am pretty good.  I think.  I haven't broken anything.  That's gotta be a good thing.

6. What quality in your spouse or best friend are you most thankful for?
Q is a realist which balances out my overzealous optimism.
Yes, he really is... Really.

7. Describe the coziest spot in your home.
Q's leather lazy-boy in the living room.
My worn out recliner in the bedroom.

8. Insert your own random thought here.
My favorite snack is a potato chip sandwich.
Lay's Thin or Ruffles Ridges with white bread.
Yummy.