Tis the Season

Tell me it isn't December 2nd already! I am so not prepared for the holidays this year. By this time I usually have my holiday cooking planned out, recipes picked and often I've already started on some things that can go in the freezer.

So far this year I have done absolutely nothing! I haven't even looked over my recipes. And I was just assigned an absolutely HUGE project at work. How am I going to tell my husband and family there won't be all of the special holiday cakes, cookies and other goodies on the table this season. Heck, I think my brother in law only loves me for my lemon cookies!

Guess I'll have to figure out a way to bake while I sleep. If I get a chance to sleep. Is anyone else already feeling overwhelmed by the holiday season? Tell me I'm not the only one :)

OK, enough whining, it's time to dig in and figure out my plan of action. Oh, and if anybody out there wants to do some of my holiday baking, feel free to speak up!

Budgeting for Christmas

Thanks to Lemuel Craft

My husband and I decided that for Christmas this year we are going to set a budget and stick to it. Every year we pick an amount that we promise to “stay around”, but every year we go over and end up regretting it because we spend months getting caught up on our credit card bill. We have decided not to buy each other gifts this year and to only buy our kids gifts. I have always enjoyed buying my husband gifts, but the past few years he has been really hard to shop for because there is never anything that he wants. He has more clothes than he could ever wear and he is not, nor has he ever been into electronics. He did tell me that the greatest gift I could give him for Christmas is to save money. I thought of a creative way to do that and looked up online and found out that we are eligible for fixed-rate energy. He will be so happy when he gets our next electricity bill and sees that I actually did get him what he wanted before the holidays were even here.

Fall Is the Perfect Season for Grilling

I have to say that fall is my favorite time of year, especially for grilling and dining outside. It's when my outdoor kitchen gets the most use.

A touch of cool air has finally hit Florida and I've been inspired to spruce things up. I've added some white bar stools to the table and the transformation is amazing. It really perked the space up. I also bought some new dinnerware made in the USA to brighten up the tabletop.

The new grill lights I ordered should be here this week and the transformation will be complete. My husband has been complaining about that corner being to dark to cook so I fixed him up. Whatever it takes to keep the chef happy, right?

Now I have to decide what we're grilling this week. Shall it be salmon, chicken, shrimp or all three? I may even go all out, pull out the smoker and have a rib feast. What can I say, I'm from Tennessee and smoked pork is always high on my list.

The 5 Second Rule?

Do you believe in the five second rule? When I was a kid I did. I mean, what kid wants to have to throw away a chocolate chip cookie, especially when it was the last one in the cookie jar?

But after growing up a little, I realized just how much gunk is on a floor. Think about where your shoes have been! Even if the floor has just been mopped, do you really think there's nothing there to worry about?

What got me going on the subject was a little video I just watched on Huffington Post on the subject. It seems they did an experiement where the floor was cleaned, covered with salmonella bacteria and left to dry. They then came back and dropped a sandwich, waited five seconds and picked it up. Testing showed 10,000 salmonella bacteria on the sandwich.

So, do you still believe in the five second rule?

Newsletters from work

Guest post written by Joseph Finch
Each week, my educator at work emails all staff members a newsletter with updates about things that we are responsible for knowing. We just got new satellite internet which allows me to check my work email from home, so I do not have to wait until I go to work to read the weekly newsletter. I actually enjoy our weekly newsletter. It always includes personal announcements from staff members, such as weddings as well as updates from our different committees. We are also responsible for taking tests throughout the year that cover changes in policies. Our newsletter gives us reminders of when new policies occur and when to take the tests that cover them. Our educator always adds cute graphics and inspirational quotes to make the newsletter more fun to read. I think that I would like to be an educator some day. I feel like I would be a good teacher and it would be a good change of pace. For now I guess I will just stick with reading the newsletters.

Sexy Chickens, Really?

Have you seen the picture with the sexy chicken? It all started with a New York Times article on chicken skin. To sex it up a little they included a photo of a, ahh, naked chicken in a come hither pose. After all, how interesting is chicken skin? He needed a way to get someone to read it.

And he succeeded! Most people think it's funny. Of course PETA is up in arms. Personally I think it's a big to-do over nothing. News must have been very light the past few days.

BTW, if you want to see it head on over to the article on chicken skin and check it out. Or else go visit the grocery...

Decision Time on Stoves

A close friend of ours has been remodeling his home this summer. My husband has been helping him out with all the manly stuff, but now it's my turn. He asked me to help him make his kitchen remodel awesome.

He is single, and can get by in the kitchen, but he is clueless when it comes to appliances. Since he hates shopping I have been showing him things online. We've got things narrowed down and now it's show time. We're going shopping this week for stoves, dishwashers and refrigerators. I love spending money, especially when it is other people's money.

And I can't wait to see my new kitchen...I mean his new kitchen.

Who Knew?

I know I have a definite preference. Ask my husband what happens if he brings the wrong brand of ketchup home. But I just read an interesting article about how many other people are passionate about their choice of sauce for their burgers and fries.

What was even more surprising was the brand that won the taste test. While my favorite, Heinz, came in second, America's choice took number one. What the heck is America's Choice? Must be some really good ketchup.

Housewives

Thanks for the guest post by Esteban Vinson
Does anyone else out there watch those Real Housewives shows? I mean, I know people do because they get such good ratings but I feel like I’m the only one of my friends who will admit to watching any of them! I’m not really embarrassed but they are pretty ridiculous, especially the New Jersey one which is definitely my favorite. Ever since I got satellite I’ve been watching far more trash tv than I ever did before which is fine by me because it helps me zone out after a long day at work! I can’t believe I waste my time watching the stuff that BRAVO airs but man, I really like getting into these crazy reality shows! The ladies on these Housewives shows have a lot of money but they act like kids on a playground…if I ever talked like some of them did my mama would slap me silly! I’m sure it’s just a phase and I’ll get burned out on these soon but for now they’re totally making my life!

Beach Walk Cookies from the Henderson Inn

One of my favorite romatic spots here is the beautiful Henderson Inn. They shared their cookie recipe and I want to share it with you.

Beach Walk Cookies

1 c soft butter
2/3 c sugar
1 c brown sugar
2 1/2 c all purpose flour
1 T baking soda
1 T salt
2 eggs
2 c filling of choice, for example, chocolate chips, coconut, nuts, craisins

Preheat oven to 350. Sift dry ingredients together.Cream butter and sugars. Add eggs to butter mixture one at a time beating after each. Add dry ingredients slowly until just mixed. Add filling and stir to mix. Bake at 350 for 8 to 10 minutes.

Nothing to See Here ;)

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Trying to get my blog verified, nothing interesting LOL

This Key Lime Fudge Will Put You In The Mood

If you're looking for a sweet treat to put you in a summer mood on this Memorial Day weekend, give this Key Lime Fudge a try. Be warned, it's addictive.

Key Lime Fudge

3 c white chocolate chips
1 (14 0z) can sweetened condensed milk
2 T key lime juice
2 T grated lime zest
1 c chopped macadamia nuts

Spray an 8x8 pan with oil. Combine white chocolate and milk in heavy saucepan. Cook over low heat until just melted and smooth, stirring frequently. Remove from heat and add the rest of the ingredients and stir to mix well. Spread in the 8x8 pan and chill 2 hours. Cut into squares.

Ready for a Change

Guest post written by Steve Peters
It feels good being only a few years away from retirement. I put my kids through college, and I am just going to relish in these last few years at the accounting firm. Some days after work I look back at my career and all that I've done over the years and I feel a sense of proud accomplishment. I excelled in my career and a took care of my family. I have all I could have ever asked for. In my last few years in the workplace, I will be thinking about just where I would like to relocate. With the kids out of the house, there isn't any sense staying in that house forever.
No matter what happens, my home life will be different. When it comes to looking after our family, my wife and I will only have our folks to care for! . We've already been doing that for a little while now. I just helped my mother find a new hearing aid and helped with finding some new furniture for her apartment. Life is going to be a little different now, but I can definitely say that I'm ready.

The Call Is Out

They have put a call out in my county for volunteers to help with the oil cleanup if and when it gets here. My husband has signed up for the training class and I am considering it. With my job it may be difficult to put in much time helping with the efforts but I think anything that I can do is better than doing nothing. Even if the efforts to stop the leak this weekend work, there are already hundreds of thousands of gallons of crude already in the gulf. We may never get the mess cleaned up.

Last One?

My husband went fishing in the gulf yesterday and it's a good thing he did. They closed federal waters to fishing off our coast today due to the oil spill off Louisiana. The whole mess is heartbreaking. I shudder when I think about the wildlife being killed, the environment being destroyed and the people losing their livelihoods. I think we will all be paying for this disaster for many years to come.