For the record

... some whisks are just not made to have chocolate cake batter licked off of them...

that's all I am saying........

Self-Medication

I have decided to self-medicate with german chocolate cake -- albeit a small one -- because Ken Rudolph is leaving TVG.
Ken and Matt are the ONLY reasons I enjoy watching TVG -- well, other than the horses.
Their banter, the humor, and the down right good nature -- make it happen.
Some of the announcers drone on and on and on.

Ack !!
And before Breeder's Cup too...
::: sigh :::
what's a girl to do?

well, bake a german chcolate cake of course!
and none of that from scratch stuff.
I reached for the Duncan Hines and the canned frosting.... quick and easy.
self gratification, thy name is Kate.

Pittsburgh

Colleen and I arrived safely in Pittsburgh.
I had forgotten how beautiful the countryside is.
'The mountains were a nice remembrance too !

We went exploring last night before we settled in at the hotel.
BTW, got a great rate from Travelocity for 3 nights at a Wyndam.
I found several places I would like to shoot pictures but am not so sure of the safety factor.
The good news is is that I have Colleen with me and that is good!

We stopped at "Dozen Bakery" because the ratings were so good.
"I" was disappointed.
Had been craving a German Chocolate cake for weeks, simply WEEKS. I picked up one and the cake was terrible.
Frosting was good but the cake was awful.
Colleen got some strange cornflake peanut butter chocolate concoction and liked it.
I'm not sure I would go back ---- but they did have a savory pesto scone that I was curious about ......

Today we have day 1 of our class with Sherry Serafini.
She's a fabulous artist and a good friend.
I am looking forward to some serious inspiration!

Snapple

So I'm an easy mark.
I don't usually drink Snapple -- most times the sugar free tea puts me on a major buzz. The kind of crawling on the ceiling buzz.
But as i said, I'm an easy mark.

Yes, I also am Jane Q Public....... I watched The Celebrity Apprentice.
And yes, indeedy, I wanted Bret Michaels to win.
As the program progressed. I find him very likeable, very personable.
He seems genuine.
So, I fought the urge to buy his Snapple tea for about a week.
Couldn't find it anywhere in a single bottle.
I was forced to buy it in the six pack.
It's ok. A bit too fruity for me. But it's ok -- not a bad sugar free taste.
I think the pear flavor is what is a bit overwhelming.
I'll finish the 6 pack but probably won't buy another.
If it was in single bottles I might.

Inspiration

I just visited a blog that I check in on (more film at eleven on that) and I have just tasked Colleen to make some red velvet cupcakes for me -- so I can take them to work on Monday.
She loves to bake, I love to eat (well, DUH !!).
And I think cupcakes may be just a nice thing for Monday.

So....... she's agreed.
I look like the good guy at work.
AND I get a cupcake too (with my coffee) !!

Whhhhhhhheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee !

Everyone is eatting French Toast!

Everyone in Atlantic County must be eatting French Toast......
the store shelves were stripped of bread, eggs and milk!

Snow snow snow snow

Brrr !
The snow started later than planned last night.
It eased up around noon today.
Now it is snowing again -- and is supposed to continue until about 9 pm.
Maybe another 4 to 6 inches.

The development got the street blowed and we have a path to the front door now.
I went out and uncovered the cars.
Colleen was sick yesterday so I did hers today.
I am sure it will cover again -- what with the wind and the snow -- but at least the crusty part is off of them.
Man, there was a few painful moments when the wind was blowing the snow BACK in to my face and stinging.
But I am done.

Going to go work on the chili now.

In the words of Dr. Phil.....

"What were they thinkin' ??"

Has AmEx lost its' mind?

Exchange my reward points for certificates to The Cheesecake Factory??

good god, ya'll

Saturday -- Ocean City

Yesterday Colleen and I took a ride down to Ocean City.
I wanted to go to the Surf Art exhibit.
Logically it SHOULD have opened at 10 a.m.
Ohhhh nooooooooo that would have been too smart.
It opened at noon.

Ocean City was packed.
We had breakfast at this great little spot: The Ocean City Surf Cafe.
I LOVED it !!
And the food was good too!

We walked up and down the boardwalk a bit -- looking at the sellers......... didn't see much that I liked.
Stopped in a small jewelry store and I bought a cheap pair of earrings.
And a fleur de lys pendant. Not sure exactly HOW I am going to wear it, but it is nice.
It is such a struggle for me to spend money on myself.
I literally have to force myself and then it is stressful.
Sounds weird, I know.
No, I can NOT build a bridge and get over it.
No, I will NOT spend on you......

We sat under in the pavilions for about an hour -- waiting for it to open.
Got to see at least four or five pods of dolphins off of Ocean City beach!

The exhibit was much smaller than I expected .
There was a wonderful 3D piece of art that I was ready to buy.
Problem? could not locate a soul to take my money
That stank -- I wanted it, and wanted to support local artist.
sigh.

Colleen bought world famous Johnson's Carmel Corn.
::: burp :::

I got fresh tomatoes -- yummm, 'mater sammies!!

Housekeeping etc.....

We had a small sweet pickled sweet pepper slices disaster in the kitchen.
Large full jar meets hardwood floor.
Out came the hardwood cleaner -- much better now.

Today I made cold spaghetti salad -- can't wait for it to get cold and all the seasonings soak in.
I love that stuff and will probably founder on it!

Must call ob-gyn and make appt -- I HATE going to a new doctor.
oh wait, I hate going to the doctor period.

And then there is the over-50, must schedule colonoscopy....... I hate being old.

Whooohoooo !

I made gravy today -- for biscuits and gravy for breakfast -- for the first time in 6 or 7 years.
FROM SCRATCH !!

Truth be told, it needed more salt and pepper.
But it was edible.
And I was stunned that I could still do it!

North Jersey Saturday

Had a wonderful day yesterday -- well except for ONE thing.... and I am not going in to that.

Weather was fantastic -- 74 degrees !
Sunny !

hopped in the little vehicle -- stopped at Formica Brothers for bread to take.
Grabbed some DD coffee and off I went.

Got up to North Jersey -- stopped and bought cereal at the Stop & Shop (yes I am addicted to their store brand Bran flakes).
Did the errand. ::: sigh :::

Then on to my gal pals for the quarterly luncheon.
Oh my god we had the best time.
Ate like pigs and just laughed and talked and enjoyed ourselves!
Seems like the time goes so quickly now that we set a specific time !

A grand time was had by all !!

The trip home was good. Got home about 8:30 -- a solid 12 hour day.
A gazillion bug guts on the windshield -- cleaned it as best as I could -- but will hit the carwash today

Today's adventure

Today is adventure day.
We all have the day off.
We'll probably hit Home Depot first to grab a shovel and some weed killer.
Then the adventure begins.
We have 2 prime destinations.
The last being the Heavenly Ham store in Marlton by 6:30 -- to pick up our honey baked ham for the holiday (which won't wait til Sunday, but that's ok !!).

Lunch is in Collingswood at The Pop Shop.
Bobby Flay did a "throw down" with them so I am intrigued enough to make a road-trip.
They have 36 different kinds of grilled cheese -- and that is what the throw down was.

Wish I was sleeping better.
Up every 2 hours or so.
The house is so air tight that I get so dry and thirsty.
First I drink some water .
Then I get up and pee.
Two hours later the cycle begins again.
Methinks I need to get a humidifier.

I also want to go to either GNC or The Vitamin Store -- want to give the Omega 3's a chance.

Snow guilt

I'm feeling Snow Guilt.

My boss closed the office due to the weather.
We got about 7 inches of snow already -- in/around Atlantic City where it NEVER accumulates.

Colleen has to go in.
I offered to drive her and pick her up, but she is trudging on......
so me and the pug and the cats and the poodle have snow guilt because we are home and she had to go to work......

There is a pot of Dunkin' Donuts coffee on -- and I just popped a small pan of cornbread in to the oven.

As soon as the coffee is done, I will make a big cup and go to the living room with the paper.

I need to work on my new BFAC project.
The only problem with that is for some reason I am having terrible wrist pains after working on this portion of it. I am sure once I get to the straight out beading it will be better.
But for now, I just popped 2 advils AND got out the Mineral Ice. (and now have to avoid the cats -- good lord, they love the smell of it !!)

New Years foodie post

Ok -- so tradition says must have Black Eyed Peas on New Years.
And cabbage.
Got the cabbage.

Due to the willingness and KINDNESS of one of my co-workers, I have a supply of Luck's blackeyed peas and pinto beans!
He went south for Christmas -- I begged for a care package.
Not only did he come back with 10 cans of each, he also brought me a small bag of Martha White hot rize cornmeal mix.
What a goodie box from the Food Lion !!

At any rate, I have a pan of cornbread in the oven right now. Just wish I still had a good seasoned iron skillet.
But that's ok -- I will make do.

Will fix the BEP's later and will do a small thing of cabbage!!

Good luck should abound!

And if nothing else, it will be WARM on this sunny, frigid day (currently 24 with wind chill of 11)!

Weather blurb: last night we had wind gusts of up to 50 mph -- and we were without power for about an hour. Colleen and I entertained ourselves with flashlights (what can I say, we are easy).

Last Saturday before Christmas

It was busy !
I was up and on my way to JCP at 7:30.
Got 3 dressshirts and a polo shirt for Himself and spent $55. That was also with a coupon for $10 off of $10 that I spent.
Worked for me!

Colleen and I had hair appt's at 9.
I have given up on having RED hair again --- my stylist just says no.
So I am living with it.
Colleen's tired of hearing me whine -- so I will be good.

Back out in to the cold.
Hit the new Formica Brothers bakery -- OMG the bread was so good.

From there to AC Moore for some ink.

Ran to the library to return books and grab one.

Then home.
We had brunch (eggs 'n toast).
Then Colleen began working on baking.
I sat at the table and worked on my art.

Nice afternoon.
I got sleepy and retired to the living room and napped until the smells drove me nuts and I had to get up.

Checked the weather --- I see north Jersey got 6 to 8 inches of snow.
We had a couple of flurries this afternoon.
Ok, I am spoiled.
I don't miss it.
Well, I don't miss driving in it.
I miss the beauty of it.

We'll eat dinner and then settle in the living room to watch tv and bead.

Ack well, and maybe wrap some presents. I have all of mine to her to do

Kentucky Hot Brown

Doris -- this is for you! It is SO good on a cold day.
I'll post later about the beer cheese!


The Kentucky Hot Brown
(from the Brown Hotel in Louisville, Kentucky).


This is the BEST lunch sandwich on a cold winter day !

Ingredients
1 stick butter
3 Tablespoons flour (regular)
2 cups milk
1 cup Colby cheese (grated)
1/2 box Parmesan cheese (grated)
Chicken or turkey
Country ham or baked ham
Bacon, fried to a crisp
Tomato slices
Paprika
Tabasco hot pepper sauce (5 dashes or more to taste)
2 egg yolks
In a 4-quart, heavy sauce pan, melt butter. Mix in flour until mixture is smooth. Add milk in small amounts at a time; cook until sauce is thick. Add Tabasco sauce and Parmesan cheese. Remove from heat. Take out 1/2 cup sauce and add the two beaten egg yolks. Mix well and return to the remainder, stirring constantly. Add Colby and American cheeses. Remove from heat.Toast six slices of bread on both sides. Slice each piece in half and place on a heat-resistant plate. Layer with chicken or turkey, ham of your choice, sauce, tomato, and 2 slices of bacon. Top with paprika. Bake at 400 degrees for 10 to 15 minutes