Holiday Break

So after a wonderful holiday break, it is now time to go back to the humdrum of my typical work week. I start teaching again on Wednesday (so instead of 5 classes normally; this week I only have 3 to teach....Tuesdays start a week behind). Looking forward to a new group of students, not so sure I'm ready to hear all the excuses and complaints but we shall see.

Break was good. Christmas was nice and low-key at our house with my mom and New Year's was simple and low-key up in Pcola. We were able to conquer some projects but I still have a bunch of needlework to work on (and will keep me busy all this year). We painted all but the back of the house the new chocolate color and did the blue trim everywhere in the front. We ended up running out of paint for the stucco so we will probably be running out next weekend to finish it. The blue trim looks really sharp against the brown and it makes the house look more open and inviting.

Not too much planned for the week between working, teaching and catchup of errands from being away. Eventually we need to work on taking down and putting away all the Christmas decor, but right now I am loving it too much. The big game is on Thursday evening (hopefully class doesn't run too far over), so I am looking forward to watching the Gators chomp the Sooners.

Guess that is all for now. Hope everyone has a good week.

Christmas Eve eve

Well after a bit of a hiatus due to the hectic schedule of projects to get accomplished before the family festivities and arrivals, I wanted to take a moment to post. It's been busy and I'm not even sure where to begin on the last few weeks. Two weekends ago we attended 2 of Michael's coworker's wedding at a local hotel on the beach. Being from Europe, the wedding was attended strictly by close friends and coworkers, so it was a nice small ceremony and luncheon. Although it was a bit breezy, the wedding was beautiful and lunch was great. That same night, we had a holiday party at another of Michael's coworker's homes. Where else (other than Florida) can you stand around a fire pit roasting marshmallows in short sleeves this time of year? The next morning was my birthday. It was a normal Sunday for us with catching up on stuff around the house and errands. I baked about 9 dozen cookies between cookies for Michael's work, my job's cookie exchange and extra cookies for the house for the holidays as well that day. We attended another holiday party and then this weekend had a party at bowling. We ended up in 3rd place for the first half of the season (good enough considering we only had 3 bowlers most of the season and only had 3 this final week). Hopefully we will regroup and do even better next half. I finally got the house cleaned and straightened and all the gifts wrapped this weekend and later today my mom comes in for a few days. Hopefully this nice weather stays (they are calling for 80's on Christmas) and on Saturday we will be able to paint the house (or at least get the primer coat done).
Not too much else going on. I have been having roller coaster days with being sick and it's starting to wear thin on me. I have no idea what is causing it (if it's food related, food-medicine interaction, just the illness, etc.) but go back to the doctor in 3 weeks. I need to get it under control since I am teaching a full schedule next semester (5 classes).

Hope everyone has a safe and merry holiday.

New Cookie Recipes

Spice Sugar Cookies

2 cups sifted flour, less if possible
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon allspice
1/4 teaspoon cloves
1/2 cup butter
1 cup granulated sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon cream
extra granulated sugar, for decorating

Blend 1 cup flour, baking powder, salt, and spices. Cream butter, beat in sugar. Beat in egg, vanilla, and cream. Stir in flour, then add enough of the remaining 1 cup flour to make the dough stiff enough to roll. Wrap in plastic wrap and chill several hours. Preheat oven to 375F. Place on a lightly floured cutting board and roll to 1/8" thickness. Use floured cookie cutters to cut into shapes. Place on an ungreased baking sheet, sprinkle with granulated sugar. Bake 8 minutes.

Snickerdoodles

1 cup butter or shortening
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 eggs
2 3/4 cups flour
2 teaspoons cream of tartar
1 teaspoons baking soda
cinnamon and sugar mixed to taste

Preheat oven to 400F. Mix together butter and sugar until smooth, then add eggs, cream of tartar, and baking soda. Stir in flour until well mixed. Roll into balls about 1" in diameter and roll in cinnamon and sugar to coat. Place on ungreased cookie sheets and bake 8-10 minutes. Cookies are done when they are just barely browning.

SWD #3

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For Today... Tuesday December 2nd , 2008

Outside my window...cold, white clouded day

I am thinking...of the hectic week we have this week and weekend.

I am thankful for...our water heater not catching our home on fire while we were away.

From the kitchen...probably a lot of meals on the fly since I have so many evening commitments right after work until 8 or 9 each night.

I am wearing...jeans, long sleeve white shirt with my black cardigan over it.

I am reading...the next Patterson book (Daniel...)

I am hoping...for a smooth review session tonight and that it ends at a decent time.

I am creating...a felt applique Winnie the Pooh Christmas Tree skirt and then on to the advent calendar, ornaments, stocking and other tree skirt

I am hearing...music from the online radio playing in the background.

Around the house... it is still semi-disaster from yesterday's work with the new water heater, so lots of cleaning and reorganizing. I also need to get the tree up and decorated but that will need to wait until Saturday.

One of my favorite things...seeing the leaves change due to autumn (we saw it in Georgia on our way back this weekend).

A few plans for the rest of the week...review session for my students tonight, bridal shower gift shopping, bowling, maybe some more progress on the tree skirt on wednesday, class' final exam thursday, exam grading and decorating friday, Gators vs Alabama Saturday...

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you... no picture this week.

SWD #2

Read other daybooks at The Simple Woman.

For Today... Monday November 24th , 2008

Outside my window...the trees are waving and the sky is blue. A nice autumnal day here in Florida.

I am thinking...Oh my! so much to do tonight after work. We are leaving tomorrow afternoon for Thanksgiving and I still have a checklist a mile long.

I am thankful for...gas prices below $2/gallon this week so this trip isn't as expensive as we had expected.

From the kitchen...Leftovers/ steamed vegetables tonight, On the road food (probably McDonald's (since that is Michael's favorite spot to stop and their restrooms are almost always the best) Tuesday night, Southern BBQ meal in SC with the family Wednesday night, Thanksgiving dinner Thursday of brown sugar cured ham, oven turkey (although I want to try to convince my mom to try a deep-fried turkey since they tend be less dry), homemade gravy, mashed potatoes, sweet corn and peas, turnips, sweet potato casserole, cranberry sauce and Michael's pumpkin pie and Jan's apple crisp...I'm sure there are dishes I am missing, but just thinking about dinner makes my mouth water, Friday and Saturday are probably going to be dinner outs since thanksgiving leftovers will be lunches.

I am wearing...typical Monday workday...jeans and t-shirt (my blue TriBeta one) with my Reefs (flip-flops)

I am reading...the new Patterson book (Sail) and around Christmas I will need to re-so my lesson plans for next semester's labs and get a headsup.

I am hoping...for an easy, howless drive tomorrow and that it only takes us 8.5 hours this time and that the puppies go to sleep after the first hour.

I am creating...well catching up on the ceramic pieces for my mom's nativity that I started when I was a child and just recently found tucked in the craft closet of my own house. I cannot imagine it got boxed up and moved from my childhood house to my own house without me knowing it was there.

I am hearing...music from the online radio playing in the background.

Around the house... do the laundry, pack our suitcase, pack all the extra stuff (dog's stuff, car stuff, books, etc.), set-up the feeders for the 2 turtle tanks, 3 fish tanks and over water the big turtles, feed the gerbil a little extra for while we are away. I also need to clean out the fridge and pack the truck tonight so I can prevent us from forgetting anything...oh what a night lies ahead.

One of my favorite things...decorating for Christmas (we pulled everything out yesterday and so when we get back next week, we can set the tree up and decorate it)

A few plans for the rest of the week...traveling to my mom's, Festival of Trees, Aquarium, some Christmas ornaments/decor and scrapbooking shopping with my cousin, aunt and mom on Wednesday (while the men are golfing), Thanksgiving with the family on Thursday, relaxing and spending time with family until we drive back on Sunday.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you... What the truck's backseat is going to look like on Tuesday.

Have a good Thanksgiving holiday!

Pictures of the Holiday Crafts

Here are some pictures of the wreath and centerpiece and some other projects that got accomplished yesterday. I hope to work on some more small projects this weekend (Mom's nativity pieces, some ornaments). It's another cool day and we have to start organizing and packing for the trip so I should have time to paint this weekend.

Wreath for the Front Door

Table Centerpiece

Welcome Friends Plaque

Winnie the Pooh Statue

Sick Day...

So last night was a rough one. I was up a good portion of the evening with a terrible stomachache. Therefore I stayed home today. I tried catching up on things around the house, but the dogs have been pretty hyper. Michael and I need to start packing for Thanksgiving and so I already made a list of everything to pack in the truck...after all I don't want another forgotten dress situation. I'm sure we'll forget something even if I make a list, but at least starting early will give us time to remember everything.

I also looked into a library card for myself for the local library. I grew up going to the library like every week and taking books out, and I want to get back into that. But here, the library costs 15/year. Maybe things have changed over the years, but I never had to pay a membership. I think I will need to go and take a look at the library to make sure it's worth it.

Ok, well off to take some more pepto. I'm not sure if this stomach thing is due to the medicine or maybe something I ate. I am still not sure if the Met is working, but I guess we will see the results (or lack thereof) in a few more weeks. I have my next appt. on the 12th. The dogs have seemed to relaxed a bit. Lucky is asleep on the other couch, Snowball is asleep on the top of my couch and Reese is in the big bed. I am going to try to accomplish some more projects around the house while it's quiet, just not sure where to start; tons of plaster crafts, wood plaque "Welcome Friends" and of course there's the wreaths. So much crafting, so little time. :)