I remember having a real christmas tree. I won't ever have one again unless Jackson ever specifically asks for it. When it comes to watering the darn things, I typically just forget to, which would end up badly, of course.

My tree has been up since the weekend after thanksgiving. It started with just a few balls last year, but I bought some more balls and lights and bows this year. Well, I finished it, but thought it needed something else, so I went and bought more ornaments and some nice ribbon to wrap around it. I love it now. It's got regular sized turquoise balls, mediums silver balls, small purple ornaments, silver bows and a wide, sheer purple ribbon wrapped around it loosely. I'm quite proud of it, LOL! Maybe I'll post a pick for everyone to see.

Sounds like a large party! Are you making tons of butter tarts? And I know you've provided the recipe before, but I lost a lot of my recipes in the move from ARk to Wyo, and I 've started a new recipe book. Would you mind sharing again? Or, maybe I'm being completely stupid and you never posted the recipe, LOL. I know we've all shared quite a bit of recipes. I've lost count of them all!

I made the most delicious potato soup last night. I'm no cook, but I merged 2 recipes together and came out with my own.
Usually my mother starts with a canned soup base, but I made a base out of mixing the melted butter w/flour, and then wisking milk in until it was thickened. I was quite proud of myself that a. I didn't burn anything and b. it was actually good, LOL. Hey, I'm learning.

-- Edited by jojolin at 12:38, 2008-12-07

Sounds great! I'll need to get a blender. Yeah, I don't have one, LOL. And that pumpkin bread sounds delish!!!

I have some banana nut bread in there I've been nibbling on...the mom of the little boy who slept over last night baked it and gave it to me as a thanks for taking her little one for the night.

Okay...some photos...Of course, pics don't do these things justice, but oh well. The wreath I made, and I just wrapped some purple ribbon from the tree around the little silver cone tree I have on the table.

Thanks, Moore! I've always always wanted a purple, teal and silver decorated tree.

Hey. Pumpkin bread is pumpkin bread. Pillsbury is respectable, LOL!

Here's a link to a recipe online that is exactly like the one my mother gave to me, except she and I add chopped walnuts or pecans to the goop. A little messy but yummy.

We're back from the party and I am exhausted. My fave cousins DID make it, yay. Missing were two of cousins' wives that make me cringe, so that was nice. Cousin form Ottawa was even there along with some from Guelph and Whitby, so it was a good party. I ate too much capellini in sesame and hoison sauce that made me sick, silly me, my fault. I never learn. As soon as my mother fell asleep in a chair, we beat a hasty retreat but the drive across town takes an hour and traffic was nuts. Father was in fine shape, insulting me all the way home for no reason whatever except to get my goat, which he did.

One thing I did recommend for next year is to leave the karaoke machine at home. All the little kids were playing with it all afternoon, gave me a headache. Ugh.

Let me know how you like the butter tarts. I know they can't be found anywhere in the US, at least not where I had lived. Be sure to use corn syrup and not that other stuff (Caro?) which doesn't work in the recipe at all.





butter tart recipe

Thanks for the recipe! I'll try them for Christmas dinner at the brother's house.

Kae, kids and karaoke are never a good mix. Neither is an insulting father. Have a nice big glass o' wine and relax, LOL.

Those colors would be gorgeous, Moore! When Christmas is over I plan on hitting the stores for clearanced trees, big and small. I'd like to put a cute little tree in Jacksons room, and allow him to pick out the decorations. Then I'd like to put one on my dinner table in the kitchen. I definitely want some gold in one of them.

Shelly, how nice of your friend to take care of the sidewalks for you!

I made some cheese dip to eat while watching football, and I went into the kitchen to refill my drink and came back to see the cat taking some licks out of the dip bowl. Hmmph. Pets.

I also got some more christmas shopping done this afternoon. I ordered some steaks and steak burgers for my dad and his girlfriend from Omaha Steaks, and I ordered a fire pit for my mother and stepfather. I think I may have 2 gifts left to get, one for my friends baby daughter, who is just now starting to teeth, and one for one of my friends back home.

KaeEll, I swear to God you and I have the same rug!! If it's not the same, it's very similar. My border has a peach background with pale green on either side, but the main background is cream. It has birds, and leaping creatures that look a bit like deer...

Thanks for the recipe. Yum!!

KaeEll, I've had mine even longer, and it's also had everything happen to it! It wasn't the original floor covering we had here, but I know we've had it for over 25 years because that's how old my first-born is, and she used to crawl on it.

I bought it at a store that was going out of business, so I got it for a good price. I fell in love with it as soon as I saw it because of all the birds and leaping deer. It really needs to be taken out, and professionally cleaned, but that such an ordeal.

My fringe is a little worse for the wear too, but I really do love that rug.

How funny that we have either exactly the same one, or at least first cousins!

-- Edited by Moore ideas at 10:09, 2008-12-08

I've done the steam thing too, but I know it needs to be removed from the house for a really thorough job. I know it's expensive, but the thing that stops me most is that there's a nap to these carpets with its being a bit brighter when it sits on the floor one direction, as opposed to the other. I'm afraid that I won't realize it's sitting in the non-preferred direction until after the big, strong guys have already left the house, with no one left to turn it but the old folks here!! LOL...

Just for purposes of wear, it ought to be turned anyway, I suppose.

I'll have to borrow Jim's camera, and take pictures of mine. (My own camera still doesn't work, and it's driving me crazy!) Is your border peach?

KaeEll, they're not EXACT, but they're really, really similar. That's amazing!

Your border is different, and not just in background color, but the MAIN part of the rug is very close, with some very slight variations. I'll see if I can get decent pictures of mine.

Thanks for posting those. That's just crazy... My jaw is still hanging open!