New Location, New Name

Now that Hershey's has relocated their operations to Mexico,
they've adopted a new name and a new look.

You Get What You Pay For

This was posted on a blog by my friend, Thea. Take the 45 seconds to head over there... (click on the title of this post)

This Home Could Use a Decorator!

But, at least the occupant is pragmatic.

Or maybe, he likes the all-white look?

Where Will It End?

Wow! How words morph! I received the following alert from my online banking site. Notice the latest technology term.

To help ensure your accounts remain safe and secure, G******** Bank wants to make you aware of a new type of Phishing scam that uses mobile phone text messages to solicit a response via the phone or Internet. This technique is called Smishing, short for SMS Phishing. SMS text messaging is the technology your mobile phone uses to send text messages. In a typical Smishing scam...

An Actual Conversation

First Girl: So, yay! It's raining! That means we'll have powder for snowboarding this weekend! I can't wait to go. Only, I'm feeling kind of conflicted. I was supposed to help my girlfriend move this weekend, but- HELLO!- powder vs. moving?! I mean, what would YOU do?

Second Girl: Well, how close of a friend is she?

First Girl: Pretty close. That's why I'm conflicted. Do you think she'll understand?

Second Girl: Have you already told her you'd help her move? Was she counting on you?

First Girl: Well, yeah, this was planned a month ago, but then I called her this morning and told her there's going to be POWDER! Hello! I mean, she can always get someone else to help her move, you know? But, still, why do I feel so conflicted? Ahh-hhhh! I hope I didn't p*ss her off!

Me: Excuse me, I couldn't help overhearing. There'll always be snow, but a good friend... maybe you should help your friend and snowboard another time?

First Girl: DUH! Global warming! There WON'T always be snow. (rolls eyes)... So, yeah, she'll just have to understand.

They're Here!

Rebecca and her little family got in Sunday about 10 PM to Josh's parents. What a joy to meet Annabelle and reacquaint with Caleb! Bec and Josh said the babies traveled well, although Dad and Mom didn't get much sleep. Caleb was shy for about, oh, 17 seconds, then he seemed to recoognize almost everyone. Thank goodness for Skype!

Uncle Dan holding his first niece.

Elizabeth with her brand-new husband, Paul.

"Auntie Bet" (Aunt Yvette)

Proud Grandma Lucy, holding a happy Annabelle.

Yvette brought El Pollo Loco over for Rebecca and Josh.
Rebecca wasted no time indulging!



Caleb ate some cheese and then Mommy said he could have one of Gram's cookies!
He enjoyed every bite, even sharing some with his baby sister by way of a kiss...



I know the time will go speeding by, but we will enjoy
EVERY MINUTE
we spend with our loved ones...

"Home for the Holidays!"

That has a whole new meaning now.

Do ANYone really use these?

When you buy a good quality sweater, blouse or pair of pants, they always give you an extra button in case you lose one. I've NEVER used one of these.

What are you supposed to do with them? Label them? File them?

I have a jar of them in the laundry room. They're going into the trash can tonight.

Balance!

While it is fun to have a laugh (see Ugly Christmas Sweater post), and be merry, it is also good to remember those who aren't even CLOSE to being as fortunate as we are. Here is a link to our friend's blog. He and his fiance are doing amazing things with the poorest of the poor in Haiti.

Ugly Christmas Sweater Contest

I DARE you to find one uglier!

Jessica is hosting a contest... the more the MERRIER!

Bring 'em on.

(I was going to photoshop my face into the picture, but I have my limits.)

Comfort Foods

Thanksgiving is NOT the time to be counting calories unless you have taken "higher math"! Potatoes, gravy, yams, dressing, rolls, corn, cranberries, pies... all those yummy foods teeming with carbs. Traditional meals are sometimes called Comfort Foods. I don't know why they are called that; I am always left with an uncomfortably full tummy after Thanksgiving!

Here is a new recipe for an old Comfort Food. We'd never had it until last night at a church dinner, but we loved it! It's an old Betty Crocker classic.

"Scalloped Corn" - 4 servings

1 (10 oz.) pkg. frozen whole kernel corn; cooked and drained (or 16 oz. can whole kernel corn; drained)
1/4 cup chopped onion
1/4 cup chopped green and red pepper
2 tbsp. butter or margarine
2 tbsp. flour
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. paprika
1/4 tsp. dry mustard
Dash pepper
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup sour cream
1 egg; slightly beaten
1/3 cup cracker crumbs
1 tbsp. butter or margarine; melted

Heat oven to 350* Cook and stir onion and green pepper in 2 tbsp. butter until onion is tender. Remove from heat; stir in flour and seasonings. Cook over low heat, stirring until mixture is bubbly. Remove from heat; gradually stir in milk. Heat to boiling, stirring constantly; boil and stir 1 minute. Stir in sour cream, corn and egg; pour into ungreased 1-quart casserole.

Combine cracker crumbs and the 1 tbsp. melted butter; sprinkle evenly over corn mixture. Bake uncovered 30-35 minutes.

"Betty Crocker's Cookbook" - 1974

Another Prayer for Obama

Although I am not Roman Catholic (anymore), I am greatly concerned when a man of the cloth is sanctioned by his superiors for instructing his flock to live by godly principles.

And, I must heartily add my own "AMEN" to his prayer (above).

Regarding the New President

A Prayer for the New President

and
A Gracious Commentary

Annabelle

Ain't she sweet?
Counting the days until we meet!

For Rebecca!

I don't know anyone who loves brownies more than Rebecca does. Personally, I like the centers of the brownies, with no crust, but for those that like the crunchy edges, here's a recommend!

I must also tip my chef cap to "Mrs. Dean", a friend whose brownies are renowned around the world thanks to Yvette's delivery of a sampling when she went to Singapore in October.

I can't wait to bake some brownies for Rebecca at Christmas time. Somehow, I think Caleb will appreciate that as well.

Which Way Will the Cookie Crumble?

Our local (favorite) bakery is offering two new decorated cookies through Tuesday. Do you want to guess which sell more often? Personally, I think one should have been lemon and the other full of nuts. ;-)

Haiti Charity Jewelry Auction

Recently our good friend Yvette visited Josh and Rebecca in Singapore. While there, they all went to Bali for a long weekend. Yvette brought back some fabulous hand-made jewelry. We have made these available on auction on our ebay store.

ALL proceeds from these pieces will be given to the HAITI CHRISTIAN HOSPITAL. Our young friend Dustin is helping there full-time and permanently. The people are the poorest of the poor, and have recently been further devastated by Hurricane Ike. They have been cut off from food and water, and are suffering malnutrition and disease as a result.

We invite you to look at these great pieces of jewelry and consider bidding on them. They would make lovely gifts, or personal items. We would consider it gracious if you would link to this blogspot!

Photo by Dustin V., full-time aid worker in Haiti

BFF

Debbie was in town for one day only, but it was wonderful to spend seven hours with my BFF. (I didn't know what that meant until last week...it's Best Friends Forever)

I'll always be grateful to my B.Bro (that's Bigger Brother to me) for giving me not only a great sister-in-law, but a BFF.

Thanks Dave!

A Princess' Logic

Yesterday, while working in San Anslemo, Shay and Charity stopped by with the kids. Samantha, aged just-turned-four, asked if we had brought our dog with us. I told her we hadn't, and that she would have to come and visit Olive.

She opened her sweet eyes wide and punctuated her words with her little hands waving,
"Gram, I really, REALLY, REALLY want to see your dog,
because I really, REALLY, REALLY don't have a dog."

Can't argue with that.

Happy Birthday Caleb!

I can 't believe you are already TWO YEARS OLD! And what a fine young boy you are.

Thanks for telling me your first joke tonight on Skype. Let me see if I can retell it right...

"Row, row, row your boat.. to the BUS stop!" (followed by the cutest giggle)

I love you SO much!