WHO STARTED CHRISTMAS?

This morning I heard a story on the radio of a woman who was out Christmas shopping with her two
children. After many hours of looking at row after row of toys and everything else imaginable. And after
hours of hearing both her children asking for everything they saw on those many shelves, she finally
made it to the elevator with her two kids.

She was feeling what so many of us feel during the holiday season time of the year. Overwhelming
pressure to go to every party, every housewarming, taste all the holiday food and treats, getting that
perfect gift for every single person on our shopping list, making sure we don't forget anyone on our card
list, and the pressure of making sure we respond to everyone who sent us a card.

Finally the elevator doors opened and there was already a crowd in the car. She pushed her way into
the car and dragged her two kids in with her and all the bags of stuff. When the doors closed she couldn't
take it anymore and stated, "Whoever started this whole Christmas thing should be found, strung up and
shot."

From the back of the car everyone heard a quiet calm voice respond, "Don't worry, we already crucified
him." For the rest of the trip down the elevator it was so quiet you could have heard a pin drop.

Don't forget this year to keep the One who started this whole Christmas thing in your every thought, deed,
purchase, and word. If we all did it, just think of how different this whole world would be.

-- Author Unknown

Until the whole world hears!

A Penny from Daddy

It started because I wanted something.  A crock pot.  We didn't think we would use ours here, so we left it (either put it in storage or sold it at the yard sale, I have no idea).

I occasionally take our saved change to the Green Coin Star and get an Amazon gift card, I know, I feel ghetto doing it, but I have to do something with all that change Bill leaves on the dresser.

So on Saturday, I drag Bill with me to Foodland, and dump my coins in the slot.  Have you ever used one of these, its a coin counter ...  super loud.  Any way the coins clink their way down and the screen shows a tally.  (btw I guesstimated $38.00 and Bill guessed $50.00...we got $50.06).  If you get a gift certificate, there is no charge, but if you select cash money (you know to buy cigarettes and booze) the machine takes 8%.

Sometimes a coin is defective so it goes in the reject slot.  I always try these coins a second time and usually they make it through the second time.  So, while standing there in front of the green machine, I empty the reject slot maybe twice.  We got our total, but then noticed a lone penny sitting in the reject slot.  I put it in the hopper again.  It slowly, noisily made its way back to the reject slot.  Again I put it in the hopper, and then it hit me!  Wait!   I listened, and clink out into the reject slot a final time.

A message from Grandmom.  I turn the penny over, a wheat penny.  Nope, Daddy saying Hello!

If you Wanna Laugh...Go Here...

Bad Santa Photos

Baby Thomas

He is so sweet.  If  I could give him one bit of advice.  Let Mommy sleep more!  He is so sweet.  The little shirt he is wearing has a C-130 on it (Alex's airplane). 

Lauren and Alex really seems to have this whole parenting thing down, Lauren especially.  She was by herself for nearly 3 weeks with a month old baby.  Alex come home just a day before we left, and it was great to see him in action too. 

I remember holding my babies for the first time.  It was awesome, even if I was worn out.  But seeing your own children hold their children.  It's extra special.

What Christmas Looks Like (So Far) In Kihei

This is what Christmas look like here on Maui.  Got my packages ready to ship, btw, there are two in there for Alex and his family!

I used to drop these off at the mailroom when I worked at corporate, but now I have to drop them off at the P.O. and boy are they not fast here.  But I discovered "schedule a pickup" so we'll see what happens.  I have mentioned before that when the mail carrier delivers mail, if I have a package, she honks the horn and waits for my lazy butt to come to the mailbox.  Seriously.  I wonder if i will hear a honk tomorrow.

I feel bad that I haven't blogged in two months.  I did do some traveling, but I should have been able to keep up.  I think I was just being lazy.  Hope to better stay up on this.

Happy Halloween

I started this and never published, so much for planning.  The Candy Corns melted in a heavy rain storm, so now I have ant heaven on the stoop.  Fortunately this door is never used.

Great Soup Recipe

I would take a picture and share with you, but right now the soup is in a container in the refrigerator, not to pretty.  Very very tasty.  Not like a typical vegetable soup.

Provencal Vegetable soup

Prep time:  20 minutes

Cook Time:  1 Hour

Serves:  6-8 servings

Ingredients:

2 Tbls Olive Oil

2 cups chopped onions (2 onions)

2 cups chopped leeks (white and light green parts (2-4 leeks)

3 cups ½ inch dice unpeeled boiling potatoes (1 lb)

3 cups ½ inch diced carrots (1 lb)

2-3 cups ½ inch diced butternut squash (1 Med)

1 ½ tbls salt

1 teas pepper

3 quarts chicken stock

1 teas saffron threads

½ lb haricots verts cut into ½ pieces

4 oz spaghetti, broken into 3 inch pieces

1 Cup Pistou (recipe follows)

Freshly grated Parmesan, for serving

Instructions:

Heat olive oil in a large stockpot

Add onions, and sauté over low heat for 10 minutes, or until the onions are translucent

Add the leeks, potatoes, carrots, butternut squash, salt and pepper and sauté over medium heat another 5 minutes.

Add the Chicken stock, and saffron.  Bring to a boil.  Then simmer uncovered for 30 minutes or until all the vegetables are tender

Add the haricots verts and spaghetti, bring to a simmer, and cook for 15 more minutes

To serve, whisk ¼ cup of the pistou into the hot soup, then season to taste. (Use the rest of the pistou when you serve the soup.)

Serve with grated Parmesan cheese and more pistou.

Pistou:

4 large garlic cloves

¼ cup tomato paste

24 large basil leaves

½ cup freshly grated parmesan

½ cup good olive oil

Place the garlic in the food processor, process until all of the garlic is chopped and stuck to the sides of the bowl.  Add tomato paste, basil and parmesan in the bowl and puree.

With motor running, add olive oil. 

Pack into a container and pour a film of olive oil on top, close lid.

New Baby

Alex and Lauren had their baby this morning.  Here's a great video.

Kula Festival

Last Sunday Bill and went to church with some friends.  It was an Episcopalian Church.  Trinity Episcopal Church by the Sea.  The service is held on a historic site. Outside.  Beautiful. It's been a number of years since I have been to the Church of the Redeemer in Houston (like 40 years) but I knew the songs and most of the Nicene Creed.

Artist's Drawing

 And we learned about a festival in Kula (upcountry and away from the heat of Kihei) so we are all going on Saturday.  Should be fun.  I of course am looking forward to the free face painting....