Christmas is Just Around the Corner

My husband has already purchased my first Christmas present. I'm very impressed with this because he usually waits until Christmas Eve to think about shopping. Granted, I won't see it or need it until after December 25, but it's nice to know that I have one and that it is mine. Moleskine has the perfect daily calendar/journal that I want and the husband broke down and bought it for me. It's perfect because I tend to jot a lot of things down- book titles, movies, things to look up, etc. so this is perfect because there is a page for each day. No more loose scraps of papers and notebooks filled with cryptic messages. I'm also thrilled because I don't think I'd have bought one for myself. I can't wait to crack it open and start using it.

On the job front, I had an interview this morning with a local library system. I'll let you know how it goes.

Being Domesticated

So this weekend I did a lot of domesticated things. Here's a list-
-I planted black and blue tulips in my backyard. The black one's are called "Queen of the Night" while the blue one's aren't technically "blue" but rather a bluish version of purple. Those are called "Blue Aimable". hopefully I'll see the results in the spring!
- I made beef jerky. Round steak was on sale at Meijer's so I thought we'd try to make it again. It turned out pretty good but I think it's already half gone.
- We carved a pumpkin. It was fun because this year we bought all of the cool tools to do it with. We are now on the search for a cheap place to buy pumpkins.
-I baked a cranberry apple tart from one of the demonstrations at the cooking school. It was ok and very easy to make, I just don't think I'll be making it again anytime soon.
-My bathroom is now the cleanest I think it's ever been.
-And now, for probably the most domesticated thing I've ever done, I signed my mother and I up for a cookie exchange party. That's right. A local herb farm is starting an annual cookie exchange. I figured since my mom and I make cookie plates every year we might as well get more of a variety and have a good time in the process. We each have to bring 5 dozen (that's 60 cookies) so the weekend before the exchange we are getting together to help each other make them. I'm actually really looking forward to it. Plus, I have a stack of red firestaware plates I picked up at the outlet sale to put them all on.

I dunno, is it really domesticated to plant black and blue flowers? Now that I think about it, it sounds pretty goth to me. Oh, well, they look really beautiful on the packages.

In Search of the Perfect Greek

Salad.

Ever since I went to a bridal shower last month that was serving it, I have been craving Greek Salad. I don't know what it is because I was never a huge fan before but now I am. I've even tried making it a few times at home but it's just not the same. Plus, when you look up recipes on-line they all seem to be different. So, if anyone has any good reccomendations or recipes, please let me know.

Tuesday Night Date with Mom

Last night my mother and I attended the Taste of Home Cooking School held at a local high school. Some of you may know that Taste of Home is a magazine devoted to recipes sent in by it's readers. There's no advertisements (which is really nice) and there are great hints and shortcuts sprinkled throughout it's pages. My mom had a charter subscription while I get her hand me downs. They take their magazine on the road every so often and do cooking presentations throughout North America.

We went to one of the schools a few years ago and it was a lot better than I thought it'd be- the cafeteria was filled with booths of women's businesses and businesses for women while the cooking school was going on in the auditorium. I was trying to describe it to my husband and the best way to say it was that it's more of a cooking "show" than a cooking "school". The doors opened at 5pm so you could check out the vendors, sample their product, buy their pruduct and entry their drawings. At 7pm the show began. The stage was set up as a kitchen with the cooking expert doing about seven recipes during the first hour. She takes a break and sets up for the second hour while they do drawings and raffles for things like bags of groceries, floral arrangements and full size kitchen appliances. The second hour was filled with another seven recipes with more raffles and giveaways. The first time we went my mom won a beautiful evergreen wreath but this year we didn't win squat. In fact, the bag full of freebies was a lot lighter this year than it was previously. Oh, well. We still had a good time and we actually saw some people we know! My Uncle's cousin Anita and my mom's neighbor Betty were just as surprized to see us as we were to see them.

Oh, and what was the most interesting thing I learned all night? If you've made your dish too spicy, add paprika to cut the heat.

WTF Friday v. 10.7.05

Stolen from the Best Week Ever Blog, some fine European toy makers have gone overboard with their Security Check In.

Nice.

And for your viewing pleasure, Seen in a recent blurb in Rolling Stone Magazine, I present to you, The Brick Testament. It's very cool, very funny and very educational, all at the same time!

Best man duties

This weekend my husband was the best man in his best friend's wedding. It was a lovely affair held at the Pine Knob Carriage House in Clarkston, Michigan. I spent a lot of time getting to know the bride's extended family of which, by the way, were truly nice and wonderful. I had a great time and got to hang out with some of my husband's old friends. Oh, and his speech brought tears to everyone's eyes! It was a great weekend and I wish Jeff and Lynn the best of luck!

Also, if anyone is looking for a great film to rent, check out Crash. It's definately one of those movies that leaves you thinking.