Cute little dude, ain't he? There's three more similar to him, spanned along the partition wall between the dining room and the family room. They're interspersed with candle wreath doohickeys and festively wrapped packages. And that's about the extend of my holiday decorating, outside of the tree.Amazon.com sent me a one-year anniversary congratulations message. Apparently one year ago today I placed my first on-line order with them. Coulda sworn it was longer ago than that. Oh, well, to make up for this warm fuzziness, they tell me that two gifts I ordered for Michael for Christmas won't arrive until between December 25th and January 5th. When I placed the order last *month*, I was informed it would be shipped in 1-3 days. Now when I look, the shipping estimation has changed to 2-4 *weeks*. What's up with that? I was aware of the risks of ordering gifts on-line, which is why I placed my order early. And yet they still screw with me. Bah, humbug.
Calvin calls me "baby doll". Heh.
Michael just called me to say "hi". He gets bored, I think.
About six weeks ago, I revitalized my perm. Not a word was said by most people. Then, beginning last week, I've gotten a *ton* of compliments on my hair. "It looks so good! Have you been doing something different with it?" Uh, washing it? Kidding. I'm kidding! I've always washed it. Yes I have!
We went to Calvin's company Christmas party last weekend. For the occasion, he bought and wore a new sweater (which I've got on right now. Heh.). It's gray, turtleneck, ribbed, and filled with cottony goodness. He looked absolutely staggering. Like a model out of GQ. I kept looking at him all night and thinking "Day-am! He's one hotty patotty!" Compliments I've been getting on it today I've been countering with "Yeah, well, you should see how it looks on *Calvin*!" Yum. Yummy yum yum. I love me a man in a turtleneck sweater. Calvin, specifically.
We're getting our Christmas tree on Saturday. I'm torn between wanting to make it a "homey" tree, with lots of mismatched yet beloved ornaments and hokey yet endearing garlands; or a "classy" tree, with matching and symmetrically placed ornaments, and ribbons and bows. I very rarely (heh, "very rarely", she says, this being only her third Christmas) get any help with the decorating, so the power is All Mine.
Still no Christmas cards to be had from home. Sniff.
Check out this hokey message I sent to Calvin's sister and grandmother about the impending Christmas dinner. They must think I'm a fool - I confess I was in a snarky mood when I wrote it:
"Hello, all! The much anticipated Christmas message has arrived in your in-box! I'll pause for a moment so you can dance around. I know you want to.
Done? Okay!
I'm figuring everyone can come by our house on Saturday the 23rd at around 3:00pm. Stuff will probably be cooking by then and we'll probably eat around 4:00-ish. Depending on how organized Calvin and I can be... Lobsters take 15 minutes to cook, but we'll be doing up about 20 of them, so it all depends on how many we can fit in a pot! We'll be grilling some steaks and chicken, too, for the non-lobster inclined.
As for What I Need... well, that list is a pretty long one. But specifically for *Christmas*, if you folks would be so kind as to bring along the following, I would really appreciate it:
Sister:
Two kinds of pies
Any goodies you think are a good idea
I also need a confirmation if (sister's boss) (is that how her name is spelled?) and her son are coming, and whether or not they want to eat lobster. I may need to supplement the order (which is easy to do!).
Grandmother:
Can we borrow your folding chairs?
Tossed salad
Rolls
I don't think (mother) and (other sister) have e-mail - am I right? I'll just call them and let them know what to bring.
As for directions to our house:
- Directions
- More directions
- you get the idea
Okay, I think that's everything. Feel free to buzz us if you need to!
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!
Laura"
Fortunately, I must not have come across as being *too* dorky, since I got this response from Calvin's sister:
"Subject: Uncontrollable dancing since receiving your Christmas e-mail...
Ok, I guess the dancing has finally ceased. We will be there on the 29th at 6:00pm, or was that am? Ok, for breakfast, we'll bring the corn beef and hash and the rye bread. Oh yeah, and that sour crout??????????
Ok, on the 23rd at 3:00 bringing a yummy pumpkin roll and some drinks (non alcohol) and a goody plate. Someone better make soft chewy fudge (no crappy dry stuff). (boss) is spelled as you see it (X-X-X-X-X) - got it? Did you talk to sunshine? That would be the (other sister). Mom still could use some ideas for the kids.
Well, hope all is well at your newer and improved house. Can't wait to see it. Let the decorating begin!!!! Take care and thank you for organizing our Christmas get together. Your doing a great job. (for a rookie) Ha. See you soon!
Love, (sister)
p.s. Confirmed (boss) and (boss' son) for 2 lobsters - they are very excited to come!"
Calvin's sister's pretty cool. Actually, his whole family is. With the exception of a little bit of weirdness on the part of his youngest sister, but I'm hoping that'll all get straightened out at Christmas. Though with my luck, it's bound to get escalated. Whee! That's one thing I didn't miss about not celebrating for all those years - family politics. Oh, hell, what am I saying. They exist all year round, in every family, whether or not Christmas is celebrated.
Onward and upward - I'm participating in a potluck at work next week. I'm making Baked Ziti, I think. It consists of the following:
Laura's Soon-To-Be World Famous Baked Ziti
One box (16 oz) Ziti noodlesOne jar (20 oz? something like that) of tomato sauce
1/2 lb. hamburger
2 tbsp. vegetable oil
1 cup mushrooms, sliced
Two cloves garlic, crushed
1/2 cup onion, finely chopped
1/2 cup green pepper, finely chopped
Two cups mozzarella
1/4 cup ricotta
Basil, onion powder, oregano, other spicy things, or "Italian Seasoning"
Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Cook Ziti according to directions. Meanwhile, heat oil in saucepan over medium heat. Saute mushrooms, garlic, onion, and green pepper until tender (onions transparent) - about three minutes. Add hamburger to vegetables and brown. Drain. Add tomato sauce to meat mixture and heat thoroughly.
In a large bowl, combine ricotta with half the mozzarella, half the tomato sauce/meat mixture, and the italian seasoning. When Ziti noodles are done, drain and stir into the mixture. Pour noodles into a casserole dish (spray it with "Pam" first!), and top with remaining sauce mixture and cheese. Bake covered for 20 minutes and then uncovered for fifteen minutes. Serve with crusty bread and tossed salad.
I've been thinking about doing this for a long time. I've put a few recipes on this site, and I'm sure I'll continue to do so. So, for your culinary enjoyment, ~Snerkology~ is proud to present Laura's Soon-To-Be World Famous Recipes directory. You can applaud now. G'wan.