My 2015 Grateful List - from the Handy Man to Baby James

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. It's like Christmas, without all the crazy shopping and overspending. And Easter, without all the candy. It's a day that refocuses my mind - for at least a week - on what's truly important. We need more holidays like this.

I want to share with you how, despite some heartaches this year, I am still mindful of how blessed I am. These blessings are in no particular order.

1.  I still love our 25-year-old house, despite the fact that the kitchen is about the size of a walk-in closet. This dear home has raised three kids to adulthood, weathered copious Florida hurricanes with no flooding, housed many, many friends and family, and tolerated one lovable dog who liked to drag dead squirrels inside.

2.  I'm so grateful for dark chocolate-covered malt balls.

I don't know why it took someone so long to create these, but they should get the Nobel peace prize.

3. I'm grateful I have a handy husband. Between the two of us, we can manage most home repairs and updates. Recently, we re-framed an old, industrial-grade bathroom mirror.

(If you want to do this, here are detailed instructions: GETTING FRAMED)

4.  I'm beyond grateful that my handy husband is finally recovering from vertigo - a condition that made him so sick a week ago, he was sleeping on the bathroom floor. It's an odd inner ear imbalance problem that is completely debilitating, and it often springs up for no apparent reason. Whoever figures this one out really deserves a prize.

5.  I'm grateful the little fender bender I had two weeks ago hurt no one and no one else's car either. Only my own, which is fair, I suppose. Luckily, I have first-accident forgiveness, so I have only my deductible to pay, and I can move on with my life. Thank you, USAA.

6.  I'm grateful for a week in a condo on the beach last month to celebrate our 40th anniversary. This was a gift from many family members and we have great photos to remind us of this time away from our own lives. Here's one of my favorites.

Thank you, son Jeremy, for taking so many lovely photographs.

7.  I'm grateful for my nutritionist, who by muscle testing keeps me on track with eating well, despite my occasional cheating with chocolate-covered malt balls.

8.  I thank God that Dad is finally recovering from his fall six weeks ago. He had several set-backs, and we wondered if he would be able to return to his ALF, where Mom is. Looks like that will likely happen now.

9. I'm grateful that my ebook about our family Christmas project (HERE: THE 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS ADVENTURE) is finished and was published in July. I felt called to write it and share it with the world. What happens with it now is up to God.

10.  I'm grateful for our local thrift shop. It reminds me that "stuff" is recycle-able and share-able and trade-able. I love taking a bag of things there just about monthly, and I love finding an item there I need. We could all save so much and probably help the planet too, if we would just rotate our stuff.

11.  I'm grateful for good pie crust. I've never been able to master it, so I really love and admire a baker who can do it. JOAN'S PERFECT PIES here in Melbourne has the best pies I've ever tasted. Joan won second place in a national pie championship in 2014, so you know there's only one baker better than her in the nation. If you're ever in Melbourne, FL...check out this pie shop.

12.  I'm grateful for Champion brand sport bras. For various reasons. Enough said.

13.  I'm grateful, delighted really, for our first grandchild James, who is six months, pre-born. Here he is with his folks, our son and his wife.

Isn't he the most beautiful pre-born you've ever seen? He looks great in plaid, don't you think? Clearly, I'm going to be one of those nutty grandmas, but I'm OK with that. James and I will be buds.

14.  I'm mostly grateful that I know there is a sovereign God who loves me and has a plan for my life. Without that, nothing else makes any sense.

A Grinchy Christmas

It's January 9!  Where has the year gone!?

Last time I turned round, it was December 24th, and I was at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, FL (three hours north of us) being evaluated for rheumatoid arthritis.  I was referred up there after some blood work came back high for RA.  My days have been up and down since, and Christmas didn't really happen around here in the usual way.  Expected family didn't come, because I wasn't home in time, and a few gifts were handed out over a week's time.

I didn't prepare a holiday meal, and we didn't have the whole family around for the 25th.  I made a cherry danish for Christmas morning breakfast, something I'd never done, and we watched Miracle on 34th Street, a movie I had never seen from start to finish. We had a meal with my parents in their assisted living facility, and called it a day.

Christmas came anyway. Without a fat turkey, pumpkin pie, or even a Christmas tree. It came without our "grab bag" activity, or trays of sugar cookie cut-outs I usually bake. We didn't even get to church, we were so exhausted from the trip up and back to Mayo.

But, you know what? Christmas came anyway.

Which made think about the first Christmas.  It had no glitz or sparkle either.  A frightened, unwed teenager spilled her blood onto hay and dirt in a cold stable with smelly animals nearby.  Her fiance, Joe, was probably just as terrified.  What did he know about birthing a baby?  And then royalty arrived with some valuable oils that brought healing and restoration to aliments and wounds. They were probably exactly what Mary needed for her cold, labor-weary body.

And that was it. The King had arrived. The angels sang as a divine child entered our filthy world. The world would never be the same. But, then...time to pack up and get back on the donkey for an arduous trip.

The greatest, and simplest, story every told.

As unusual as this Christmas was for us, I loved it.  With my injured foot and extra doc appointments, I didn't have the time or energy for all the regular preparations, and, in the end, it was liberating. I spent more time pondering the Christ child and his humble appearance on Earth than I ever have before.  Without all the hoop-la, Christmas still came.

"It came without ribbons. It came without tags. It came without packages, boxes, or bags. And he puzzled and puzzled 'till his puzzler was sore. Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before. What if Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store. What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more." 

The Grinch got it right.

 

Why, Oh Pie?

Tomorrow is the beginning of Advent!  Where did November go?

Our Thanksgiving was wonderful.  A friend brought the turkey and the stuffing, I catered in some sides, then made a cranberry salad and an apple pie (which was terrible.  More on that in a minute.) We laughed and reminisced with my parents, who are hard of hearing and tell funny stories about past Thanksgivings.  Then, we all ate too much and wobbled our way to various sofas/beds to doze.

Our daughter cleaned up the kitchen (this was huge, as the kitchen was quite the mess) while I put my feet up.  Because earlier that morning, I ran into my own cane with my non-walking boot foot, and, I suspect, broke a toe.

I've broken toes before, and I'm always amazed at how painful they are.  Toes hold such tiny bones, you'd think you wouldn't miss one if it fell off completely.  But, they won't be ignored.  They throb and ache until you just sit down.

Luckily, I'm going to my foot doc on Tues for my left foot injury, so I'll have him look at the purple toe.  It wouldn't surprise me if he said, "You don't deserve feet.  You don't take care of them.  Here are two peg legs.  Good luck."

When I first saw him for my torn tissues on the other foot, he scowled at my ratty Keds and said, "Throw those away."  He really is a nice guy and a good doctor, but I'm feeling complete shame about not really paying attention to my feet.  I'm paying now alright.  If he gives me a boot for the broken toe foot, I might consider the peg legs.

Does anybody have a good, really truly good pie crust recipe?  I'm pretty good in the baking department, but I can't master a good pie crust to save my feet.  I've used Crisco, cold butter, the egg and vinegar thing, even a cream cheese recipe...they all crack and fall apart as I try to get them into the pie pan.  Once baked, they're sandy or tough.  I've used a pastry cutter, I've used a food processor, I've used forks to blend the dough.  No method seems better than the other.  My pie crusts are not good. And I've used the recipes that say "no fail pie crust" and "the perfect pie crust."

Lies, all lies.

This is what I can to with a store-bought crust.  Not bad, I think.  I can assemble a pie just fine.  But the crust itself?  I don't get it.  Every time I plan to bake a pie, I go in excited - this will be the time it works!  Ten minutes in, I'm disgusted with the whole mess.  I go ahead and bake the thing because I'm not going to waste ingredients, but it's always a disappointment. And I swear I'll never do it again.

Then I get sucked in next holiday season, because I'm irritated that a pie crust is getting the best of me.  I can't let the thing win.  So I try again.  I'm clearly insane because insanity is doing the same thing over and over, expecting different results.  I have to get off this hamster wheel.

So...if you have a truly fail-proof pie crust recipe - or some tips on the secret to a good, flaky crust - please let me know.  Drop me a comment, or email me at ballpark001@gmail.com.  I'd be so grateful.

While I'm waiting, I'll be practicing how to get around on my knees.

ThanksgivingMas

Hello, little blog.  It's been awhile.  Have you missed me?  You're a good friend, just hanging around until I check in.  Kind of like a loyal puppy.  Only, no peeing on the carpet, for which I'm grateful.

I could start off by saying it's been busy around here, but isn't everybody's life busy?  Especially now that commerce has decided Christmas preparations should begin before Halloween.  It's nutty.  I'm trying not to succumb, but I have to admit I purchased a couple holiday dish towels last week.  I'm making a few gifts from dish towels and potholders.

I saw this idea at a craft fair a few years ago.  With a basting stitch, I gathered the center of the towel to fit the width of the potholder.  Front sides together, I sewed the center of the towel to the center of the potholder. You can then sew a button onto the top edge of the potholder (non-loop side) and latch the towel on your oven door.  

Or, whip stitch the potholder closed at the top and hang it on a pantry door.

 















This pantry door is close to my sink, so this is a good location to hang my towel.  I have several of these I swap out when one is in the laundry.  I get a kick out of simple, practical items like this. 

There's your Martha Stewart craft of the day.  It's a good thing.

In other news, two weeks ago, my husband went to get into his car and the door handle came off in his hand.  He came inside and said, "I think I need a new car."

So, we purchased this.

It's a silver Hyundai.  Other than that, I know nothing about it, except, it has door handles that don't come off.  This is important.  Merry Christmas, honey.

In all fairness, my husband's old car had seen better days.  It was probably time to retire it anyway, but just a warning for all cars - if your handles come off, you're on your way to the trade-in lot.

Thanksgiving is next week, and I have to backtrack in my head, because, as you can see, I've been sucked into the Christmas wormhole.  I'm excited about  Thanksgiving this year because a friend is bringing a roasted-outside-all-night turkey, stuffing, and a pumpkin cream pie.  And I'm catering in three side dishes, because of this.

I'm making a cranberry Jello salad.  I think I can manage it.  I might plan an injury pre-holiday season next year.  Or, maybe I'll still be in this boot.  AUGH!

In the spirit of giving thanks, here is my grateful list for 2014:

1.  I'm so thankful for good doctors.   From Parkinson's to chronic UTIs to torn tissues, we have a slew of nice docs that keep us moving.

2.  I'm grateful my husband has a good job.  We have more than we need.  I feel guilty about this sometimes.  I share and donate to try to compensate.

3.  I'm grateful for the hard workers at my folks' ALF.  They don't get enough kudos, so I bake goodies for them once in a while.  They have difficult jobs, which I could never do.

4.  We had a door replaced in our home, and my folks got new carpet in their suite. These are material things that I know, in the long run, don't matter, but in the short run, they're very nice.

5.  I had a wonderful vacation at the beach this fall with my sister and her sisters-in-law.  I always forget how nice it is to do nothing for a while.

6,  The new show Madam Secretary.  I look forward to it.  The writing is very good. By Sunday night, I need to plop.

7.  My new gym, which has a pool.  I need to swim for exercise and for ankle therapy.  I'm not great at it, but I'm working on it.  Oh, to bring back those 1920 swimsuits that covered all the blobbiness.

8.  For Fuji apples dipped in soft caramel.  The taste of Fall.

9.  For my Kitchen Aid mixer, my Sonic toothbrush, the supplement MSM, my clothesline, the Christmas music of Josh Groban, and all my blogging friends. 

10.  For good friends who bring roasted turkeys, and for the love of family.  And for Jesus, who enables us to love one another, because some days...

Thanks for popping in!  Have a blessed week!

Waiting for the New Year to Feel New

I'm still struggling to get back into my pre-holiday routine.  I'm still not well, but getting better.  I'm still tired, still not motivated to get back to THE BOOK.  January 2014 is going to be a wash.

I need a kick in the pants to get back into gear.  I wrote a piece today for MMW, the blog I contribute to twice a month.  I shared some discouragement, but realized, in the end, I'm doing the best I can in this crazy writing life.

You can read it here: MMW POST

I'm hoping to get back to my perky, brilliant self soon.  This sniffly, hacking, sore-joint self is wearing out its welcome.  Boo.

 

I hope your January has been virus free and that you're making headway on your 2014 resolutions!  Tell me about them, so I can live energetically through you.  

A Simple Advent Wreath! If You're Five or 90, This is For You!

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30 Things I'm Grateful For

During November, many folks are posting daily on facebook things they're thankful for.  I'm due back in the dugout soon, so I'm sharing the 30 thirty things I'm grateful for here. 

1.   Educational programming like the Sprout channel and Sesame Street. They're fun and relaxing for even middle-aged kids.

2.  My walking partner, Cindy.  We encourage each other when we really don't want to get up and hit the pavement at 7:30 a.m.

3.  My gym, where membership is only ten bucks a month.  I don't make it there every day, so I appreciate the fact that I'm wasting only thirty-three cents on the days I'm not checking in.

4.  My PT Cruiser.  It fits my behind, and I don't know what I'm going to do when they stop making it. 

5.  CVS weekly sales.  Nothing beats .99 Puffs or Dawn dish washing liquid. 

6.  Skinny Cow ice cream sandwiches.  We've gotten away from fat ice cream completely and don't even miss it.

7.  My Kitchen Aid stand mixer.  It whips up stiff cookie dough and bread dough without pausing to huff and puff like some people in this household. Thanks, Ter!

8.  Fresh salmon.  With maple syrup and a bit of lemon. I only wish it was thirty-three cents a day like the gym.   

9.  The fact that no one in the 'grandparents' category has been in the hospital for the past two months.

10.  That Mom, who's fairly reserved, can still make me chuckle.  Like the fact that she calls her panti-liners "ipads." 

11.  My sister's generosity.  She regularly sends our dad gift cards to a local yogurt shop, so he and my daughter can have weekly hot fudge dates.

12.  My clothesline.  I've been thankful for this before.  I'm thankful for it every time I hang out clothes.  I feel like I'm pulling one over on the electric company.   I'm sure it doesn't care, but it makes me feel like a smart cookie.

13.  My hard-working husband.  He's on his feet most of the day, while I'm on my behind writing. 

14.  A handmade wooden cutting board my oldest son made for me in shop class when he was in high school.  It's a super trivet and a great hard surface for writing when I'm working on the sofa.  I don't use it as a cutting board anymore, because it's twenty years old, and I want to preserve it.

Even with the scratch marks and the burned pot circle, I love it.  This board held many crocks of mac and cheese.

15.   Coconut oil.  It's a great moisturizer and, mixed with baking soda, a wonderful, natural toothpaste. 

16.   Dental hygienists and proctologists.  No, really.  What if no one wanted those jobs?  Just imagine. Whatever they're paid, it's not enough.

17.  Pocket calculators.  I haven't had to do math in my head for a decade.  And I wasn't very good at it then.

18.  Can openers that take off the lid from the side, so there are no sharp edges.  This enables me to use the lids and cans for all kinds of things.

19.  Electrical tape.  I know, it sounds funny.  But, I've just discovered it's a super craft tape, and it comes in all kinds of colors.  It lets me make stuff like this.  (Notice the tin can with no sharp edges.)

20.  IKEA.  I love roaming around in that store.  The plastic bag holder and the washcloths with loops on them make me so happy.

21.  Cheddars, the new restaurant in our town.  Oh. My. Word.  They have a veggie plate that includes a salad and four sides.  The southern green beans are scrump-deli-icious.

22.  My memory foam pillow.  Ahhhh...

23.  Flannel sheets.  We use them all the time, even in the summer.  Cotton sheets are crinkly and loud.

24.  Cream of Mushroom soup.  You just can't replicate that stuff.  I've tried, and I've failed.  I bought two cans today.  Green Bean Casserole, I'm ready.

25.  This lovely photograph of my mother-in-law I came across recently.  It's so 50s-charm.  It's now in a silver frame.

26.  Those Liberty Mutual commercials where the tree drops on the car, or the car door gets snapped off by another car whizzing past - they crack me up every time.  Humans.   

27.  Cookie cutters.  I've collected all kinds over the years, and they bring such creativity and fun to sugar cookie dough.  If I had to carve swans or reindeer by hand, we'd just have circle cookies cut out with a glass.

28.  Mom/daughter time.  My girl and I can create giggles from hitting the Farmer's market, trips to Orlando, doing sock curls, cleaning out a linen closet, compiling chemistry grades, or sitting in Mass.  She puts a smile in my heart. 

29.  Hugs from my grown sons.  Knowing I used to powder their behinds, it's bittersweet, but so wonderful.

30.  That God's graces are new every day.  Because, every day, I need a do-over.
   

 

Sweet, Sweet Day

Happy Valentines-wear pink-make Hallmark happy-eat too much chocolate day!  Oh, and love me some roses-day.

These arrived late yesterday.  Love the lavender.  And the yellow.  They're my favorite, until I look at the white.  Then they're my favorite, until I glance at the pink.   Thank you, thoughtful groom.  There's just nothing more perfect than a rose.

Unless, it's a newborn.

We have a new grand-niece who just arrived on the planet Monday.  She's not impressed with the world yet...she likes to doze in trendy caps and snugly blankets.  She has an older brother who's bound to bother her before too long.  These two are going to keep their parents hopping.  Babies fresh from heaven...can't beat it.

It's been a sweet week, with flowers and newborns and no snow here in Florida.  Snow doesn't usually occur here, but you never know.  Nemo had a mind of its own.  It appears things are melting up north, so here's hoping the worst is over.

Another fun thing recently...I won a short story contest over at  Mormon Mommy Writers.  MMW is a site hosted by a group of women who write about faith, parenthood, and writing.  They are compiling a soon to be published book of short stories, essays, and poems.  They accepted a story I wrote based on dealing with my dad's stroke a few years ago.  The prize was a gift card to Amazon, with which I quickly purchased the soundtrack to Les Miserables.  Hugh Jackman has been agonizing through song from my stereo since.  I have to pause in whatever I'm doing when he sings Bring Him Home because it's so poignant and prayerful and longing and beautiful, I can't think about anything else. 

Anyhoo....MMW has since invited me to regularly post on their site, every other Friday for now.  My first post there will be Feb. 22.  I am very honored to be invited to contribute.  I'm not Mormon, but I have a good friend who is, and our doctrinal differences don't detract a thing from our sistership.

I expect to acquire some new friends over at MMW and learn as much as possible about being part of a writing team that is passionate about faith, family, and writing.  I hope I don't goof up too often.

Lent started yesterday, and with that came my 40 days of no chocolate.  Chocolate and I have been close buds for too long now, and it's time I create some space between us.  It's become too clingy and demanding.  Every time I pass the refrigerator, the chocolate chips fly out and scream "Eat me!"  They're ruling the roost.

Yesterday, I made brownies for my husband.  I didn't eat any brownies, but without thinking, I licked batter off the spatula.

Already, Easter is too far away.

Sweeping into the New Year

The past four weeks, life has been full of emotion.

1.  Baby Juliet was born.  Her grandpa is my brother, the ex-clown.  He is over the moon about his second grandchild.  Even though they kept him locked outside the nursery. 

Juliet's tiny toes now greet everyone who visits this blog.  

2.   I experienced the wonderful awesomeness that is Les Miserables.  Hugh Jackman is so good; Anne Hathaway is painfully good.  I cried, and then cried some more.  Even Russell Crowe is decent.  Who knew he could sing?  Kind of.

                           

3. Christmas was wonderful, despite the fact that one son and daughter-in-law were absent and my normally enthusiastic Dad seemed a bit low-key.

4.  The day after Christmas, Dad's b.p. dropped and his legs gave out.  He was admitted to the hospital, where he stayed for five days.  He's now in rehab with a back-up of side effects from one medication and seemingly (but not confirmed) worsening Parkinson's symptoms.  More tests to come.

5. A second burner on my stove began to work intermittently (I already have one that heats only if I smack it a few times), so I decided the 22-year old relic was ready to retire.  The new stove (a flat-top - yay!) arrives on Saturday.  I hope I can figure the thing out. 

6.  Our daughter became a Godmother for the first time to the son of her best childhood friend.  We had so fun much smooching on this sweet child.  He's a happy little dude.  Our daughter and her friend are all grown up.  Sniff.  

6.   I discovered I'm the only one on the planet not watching Downton Abbey.  With all the hoopla, I wonder what I'm missing and will have to rent seasons of later.  I did that with the The X-files, and lost two weeks of my life.  I'd rather not do that again. (Although getting to know Mulder and Scully was completely worth it.)

All this, and it's only January.

How is your New Year going?

New (and old) Year's Resolutions

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Twelve Days of Goodies

On the first day of holiday prep, I made some chocolate acorns.

Saw these on Pinterest and immediately put mini Nutter-butters on my grocery list.   Assembly is easy-peasy:  Melt chocolate chips and use them as the 'glue' to stick a Hershey's kiss onto a Nutter-butter.  Use another dab of 'glue' to stick a chocolate chip to the opposite side.   Edible acorns!

On the second day of holiday baking, I made an overnight cheese bread.  So different, so easy, so delish.  It serves 6-8, but I know I could eat the whole thing by myself.  

You hand-stir the dough, then let it rest overnight.  Next morning, knead in some cheese.  Plop it in a hot, covered casserole dish and bake it (no peeking.)  This bread is on my holiday menu from here on.  Here's the recipe:  LAZY WHOLE WHEAT CHEESE BREAD.

On the third day of holiday prep...Christmas trees.

We're on our third year of not putting up a Christmas tree.  We decorate the piano.  (For that story, CLICK HERE.)  In lieu of a live evergreen, we have sugar cookie evergreens.  Except they're not always green, as you can plainly see.  And they don't last forever, because we're pigs when it comes to grandma's sugar cookie recipe.

We also have sugar cookie bells, which I made on the fourth day of prepping. 

Can't you just hear Carol of the Bells?  (CLICK HERE and you will.)

On the fifth day....golden rings with lingonberry jelly (or whatever jelly I have.  The cookie doesn't care.)  

For every M&M I placed....I ate one.  I had to get that off my chest.

On the sixth day of baking, I made a mess with oatmeal and coconut and puffed rice and chocolate mint.

                     

These are Meemaw's Kitchen Sink Christmas Cookies from Paula Deen - with my own variations.  For this recipe CLICK HERE.  My three variations:

1.  I used mint chocolate chips instead of toffee bits.
2.  I used green buttercream frosting, instead of white chocolate.  And I drizzled the frosting instead of dipping the cookies in frosting or chocolate.  We try to watch our sugar intake around here.  Not.
3.  I eliminated the crushed candy canes, because I used them in another treat.

On the seventh day of baking, I made swans-a-swimming dressed in white buttercream feathers.

                       

This sparkly one posed for a picture.  Shortly after the picture, her head was snapped off and eaten. 

On the eighth day of baking...pretzel buttons.

These little gems are everywhere on Pinterest.  Little waffle pretzels topped with Hershey's kisses or Rolos.  Melt a few minutes in the oven, then top with a nut or M&M.  Recipe here: PRETZEL BUTTONS.  A perfect salty/sweet treat.  I've gained five pounds since I've joined Pinterest.  I've also learned how to make a pencil holder from a cheese grater and hang a picture using a soda pop top, so I'm expanding my mind as well as my behind. 

On the ninth day of maniacal baking, a three-year old helped me.  We made peanut-butter reindeer.


Somebody got carried away with the red-hots.   A couple cyclopses ended up on the cookie sheet as well.  Everyone is welcome here in the Ballpark kitchen.  For these body-less creatures, make balls of dough using any peanut-butter cookie recipe.  Press mini-pretzels into the dough for antlers, and use chocolate chips and red-hots for facial features.   Add as many noses as you want.

 On the tenth day of baking...snowy candy canes.  

Living in the Sunshine state, I've not really seen snow in twenty years.  I'm pretty much OK with it, because I never want to drive on ice again.  But, snow dots are pretty on cookies, so there ya' go.

On the eleventh day of baking, I lit up the place with old fashioned tree lights.

I love this cookie cutter because it's small, and, unfrosted, these little lights are for those who just want a tad of something sweet.  If you want more, you can eat ten of 'em.  It's not important how I know this.

On the twelfth day of baking...dreamy, creamy Oreo cookie/peppermint bark. 

Chunk up 1/2 - 3/4 bag of mint Oreos.  Spread them out on greased cookie sheet, using only half the pan.  Crush 4-6 candy canes in a blender/food processor until desired consistency (we like ours fine.)  Gently melt 2 bags of white chocolate chips.  (I melt mine in the microwave, using the "auto defrost" button, stirring every 30 seconds.)

As soon as the chocolate is very smooth and pourable, drizzle it over the cookies.  Gently fold a bit as needed to coat the cookies well.  Smooth out the mixture to desired thickness.  Sprinkle the candy crumbs over the top, and place the sheet pan in the refrigerator. 

When the chocolate is set, break the bark into chunks and share with everyone you know.  If you eat it all yourself, it will put you in a coma until Easter. 

I am so going on a diet come January. 

What are you gaining weight on this holiday season?

Talking Turkey (and other treats)

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December is here! 

It comes every time this year, but it still surprises me.  I live in Florida, so I'm a shorts/flip-flop girl year round.  I hung clothes out in the sunshine just yesterday.   And scarfed down two fat, juicy navel oranges.  Snow shovels and mittens just aren't on my radar.

We have to manufacture Christmas down here.  A couple of things that help Floridans get in the mood are blinking house lights and blow-up yard displays.  One neighbor has a blow-up Santa holding a shot gun peering from a look-out tower.  A reindeer is cowering behind a bush.   That's how we do it in the South.

I learned a couple of tricks this Thanksgiving.  The first one, thanks to Trisha Yearwood, is how to roast a perfect bird (her method was in the Sunday paper.)  It's so easy - and nontraditional - you won't believe it.   I tweaked a few things, and, I'm telling ya', we are never having dry turkey again.  Here's the recipe; it's very short:

For a 12-pounder, stuff the cleaned bird with an apple, an onion, a stalk of celery, and an orange, all cut in chunks.  Place the bird breast side down in a roasting pan with a lid.  It will lean to one side - that's OK.  Add 2 cups of boiling water to the pan, and put the lid on.  Place the pan in a 500 degree oven for one hour.  After the hour, turn the oven off and go to bed.  Really.  

That's it.  In the morning, the turkey is done, still warm, and delicious.  No watching, or basting.  No turkey hogging the oven when you later need it for the sweet potatoes, stuffing, and whatever else you're baking. 

I cooked a 7-pound turkey breast this year, put the bird in about midnight, did not check it until 8 a.m.  The meat fell off the bone.  It was the most tender turkey we have ever had, fork tender.  No knives needed.

Placing the bird breast side down enables all the juices to drain into the bulk of the meat.  Covering the bird and adding water allows the meat to steam.  If you want the golden-skinned Norman Rockwell bird that you present at your holiday table, you might not care for this method, as the turkey skin stays soft and unbrowned. 

We didn't care.  The moist meat was worth it.  (I always slice the meat off the carcass for the table anyway.  If that's the method you use, you will love this.)  The flavorful water/juice remaining in the pan is the base for your gravy.   This method makes such good sense to me, I don't know why, for generations, women have been roasting turkeys breast side up with no fluid and no cover.  That's a recipe for dry meat. 

I discovered another trick while wondering how to use up leftover mashed potatoes and stuffing.  I came up with this.   

I stirred the potatoes and stuffing together, added some Parmesan cheese, and rolled the mixture into balls that fit nicely into a muffin tin.  I baked them for ten minutes until warmed though, then added a slice of cheese and some leftover spinach dip (Ranch dressing would be great too.) 

Viola!  A fancy, tasty new twist on "stuffed potatoes."   I guess you could throw the green bean casserole in there too.

Here's another thing I threw together.  

Our daughter makes the best whole wheat bread.  We usually have rolls, but this year, she was out when the dough was ready to shape.  I didn't want to spend time rolling balls, so I hastily made three uneven snakes and braided them together.  The misshapen log looked small and goofy on the cookie sheet, but it puffed up beautifully.   Sometimes I just get lucky. 

My last item is from Pinterest.  I saw these cutie-patooties and had to try them.

Keebler's Fudge Stripe cookies, peanut-butter cups, and frosting (canned or homemade.)  You just assemble them.  The cups are stuck to the cookies with a glob of frosting.  Tint the last of the frosting yellow, and pipe a "buckle" onto the front with a fine tip.   Miles Standish would be proud. 

I wanted to share a few holiday cooking discoveries, because in four weeks, we get to do it all again.   You might want an ugly, but succulent turkey, a stuffed potato muffin, or a bread braid.  The Ballpark aims to please.

Next....

Christmas!!!!