Almost There and it's New Year's Eve

>> Saturday, December 31, 2011






 
We were sorry that Cammie was unable to join us in San Diego that night. 
The fog rolled in and her incoming flight was cancelled. She had to spend the night in Chicago.

 Can't think of a better place than spending New Year's with the family.  

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Now on to San Diego

>> Friday, December 30, 2011

Leaving Green Bay heading to the beach for a week with the family.


As we drove through Colorado, it was easy to be inspired just as Katharine Lee Bates was when she wrote the poem "America the Beautiful" which later became the song. The wheat fields; and the majestic view of the mountains of Colorado. I have seen it so many times but they never lose their beauty.






This was a picture of the Christmas trees at Vail taken from a moving vehicle. Kind of cool. I didn't mean for that to happen.



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Christmas Eve 2011

>> Saturday, December 24, 2011

Christmas Eve was a blessed family time with Cammie, Erik, Justin and Don.

Just as the mother (me) planned, we spent quality family time around the dining table. Fondue and lively conversation.


The boys were skeptical of the recipe, "swiss cheese?, I don't know...." Justin's last words to Cammie as we left the table were, "Make sure we take that recipe home".



SWISS GRUYERE FONDUE
2 c. Gruyere cheese, shredded
2 c. Swiss cheese, shredded
3 tbsp. flour
Mustard (I used the Jack Daniels Southwestern style)
2 tsp. garlic powder
3/4 c. dry white wine
1/2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
Heat over the stve and mix with whish on low heat.
I chose to put in my chafing pan on the table so the cheese would not burn. Serve with green apples, pears, pretzel bread or sourdough.


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Holiday Shine

>> Sunday, December 18, 2011

Remember the post Pancakes & Laptops?
I dried some of those pussy willow branches and used for outside Christmas decor.
Adding the deep copper and gold branches and ornaments from the Holiday House in Pensacola gives it a holiday shine.

I finished the Christmas craft ornaments.  
The silver dipped fern from my Pensacola trip put the finishing touches on the tree.

Doesn't everyone has a holiday candelabra with a Packer ornament? :)
Nothing better than a fire and holiday  movies.
I picked out pictures from Christmas's past and put them in the red leather frames.
Good memories! During this Holiday Season,  I have looked at them everyday.
The classic pictures are in the silver frame.
In the silver on the right: Erik was crazy about horses and got several for Christmas. He was so excited.
In the red frame right below it: Our first Christmas in the house we live in now.
Cammie and Erik siting on the floor and the leopard beanie baby that they insisted by in the picture!
 They both still think that was funny. I heard about it yesterday from Cammie.

The hanging luminaria stars are hung outside under the patio eaves.
This is a night shot from inside the dining room.


Looking forward to adding this year's memories to our collection.


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Dog Sitting

>> Saturday, November 26, 2011

While in Pensacola, we left the dogs in Justin and Cammie's charge. Today they head home so that Cammie can work. Linda (Justin's mom) has agreed to feed the dogs today and tomorrow morning. Had to giggle over her "instructional" map.

Camme: Thought I'd show you and MaryAnn Sallenbach the map I left for Linda Hronek for the dogs... if you look closely, you can see the "Crazy dog tracks" when Rocky runs in circles before going into his fenced in area, Sassy snoozing on the couch, Rocky barking in his kennel in the garage, the present Sassy left for me on your sidewalk, and the awesome "to scale" drawing of your house ;-) Enjoy... a lot of hard work went into this map! Love you!


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Friday night Supper, Savannah Seafood Gumbo

Picture of Savannah Seafood Gumbo Recipe

courtesy Paula Deen

  • 1/4 cup oil
  • 6 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups onion, chopped
  • 1 cup green bell pepper, chopped
  • 1 cup celery, diced
  • 3 large garlic cloves, minced
  • 4 cups chicken broth
  • 1 tablespoon chicken base
  • 3 cups water
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1/3 cup dried parsley
  • 1 teaspoon lemon pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 2 teaspoons House Seasoning, recipe follows
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce or Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 (14 1/2-ounce) can diced tomatoes seasoned with garlic, basil, and oregano
  • or 2 cups fresh diced tomatoes
  • 4 cups sliced Cajun-style fresh link sausage
  • 4 cups cut okra (fresh or frozen)
  • 2 cups oysters and liquor
  • 1/2 pound crabmeat
  • 1 1/2 pounds fresh peeled shrimp
Directions
In a large pot combine oil and flour.
Cook over medium heat stirring constantly until the roux
has browned to a light chocolate color. Add onion, pepper, celery and garlic.
Saute for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring constantly.
Slowly add chicken broth, and chicken base, stirring as you go.
Add water, bay leaves, thyme, basil, parsley, lemon pepper, cayenne pepper,
House Seasoning, soy sauce and tomatoes. Cut sausage into 1/2-inch pieces.
Add to pot along with okra. Cover pot and simmer for 1 to 1 1/2 hours,
stirring occasionally.
Add crabmeat and shrimp. Simmer for an additional 15 minutes.
Serve with a scoop of rice in the center..
House Seasoning:
1 cup salt
1/4 cup black pepper
1/4 cup garlic powder
Mix ingredients together and
store in an airtight container for up to 6 months.
Yield: 1 1/2 cups

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Holiday House, Pensacola

>> Friday, November 25, 2011

Black Friday, didn't find us at Target, Best Buy, etc. Becky, Diane, Mom and I went to Celebration Florist, Pensacola.
Their holiday house was on display.

Knowing my fondness for coastal, this picture was first.
Below, the copper room.


The foyer pictured below was decorated up.



There was no way to leave without Christmas Spirit in your veins.
I bought some silver ferns for my coastal tree and dark copper branches and ornaments for the lighted pussy willow and their little puffs on my front porch. Can't wait to put it together when I get home.

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Thanksgiving 2011, Pensacola

>> Thursday, November 24, 2011

Arrived in Pensacola just in time for a Thanksgiving feast.
Deep fried turkey (can't get enough of that), cranberry jello, potatoes, carrot souffle, beans, rolls. Yum!
Almost forgot to mention the pumpkin cheesecake.


Had to get active to wear those calories off. Basketball, speed walking, etc.
Dad watched it all happen from his chair. :)

Then we started all over again. Caramel apple cider with whipped cream.

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Thanksgiving, Green Bay, 2011

>> Sunday, November 20, 2011

Thanksgiving with the kids came a week early this year, since we are heading to Pensacola next weekend.
Cammie is hunting widow so she brought reinforcement.


 I made them breakfast, bell pepper rings with eggs and pepper jack cheese in the center.
The eggs went well with toast and pepper jelly (thanks, Mr. Parsons!)
It was at this point, we were already full and wondering if Thanksgiving dinner was even going to happen.


After breakfast, work began on the apple pie for lunch .
Cammie, Erica and Jessica did pie crust cutouts for the top of the pie. 
Oh, Martha Stewart, you would approve!



Menu

Thanksgiving Lunch

Deep Fried Turkey

Pecan, Cranberry, Whole Wheat Dressing

Baked in Skins, Sweet Potatoes

Apple Pie



During the Packer game and while the meal was cooking, the girls and I worked on Christmas crafts.


Can't find Erik, we think he went off somewhere to sleep and Don is cleaning up the turkey carcass for lunches later this week.
I am thankful for this family. :)

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Just in case you haven't had enough of the Green Bay Packers.....

>> Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Went to the Viking-Packer game last night.

Of course, you all know, soldiers are near and dear to my heart. I was all over the salute to veterans.
Couldn't resist the close up of the cheese heads. :)




Mary Ann and Kathy Siegrist.

Burgers before the game at Curley's pub. Plenty of time before we find our seats.


Love that American flag.






Memories in the making. No better place than with with Mr. S.


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