Around the world

Bill and I have spent most of today watching a marathon of "House Hunters: International" on HGTV. It appears that they are working their way around the globe showcasing a country where they are ringing in the new year, sort of. They may be a few hours off, but they've gone in order; through Asia (Vietnam is when we started watching) and Africa. They're currently in Europe. It's been fun, we're big fans of HHI.

The rest of the day has been spent playing Scrabble. We started on Facebook, then switched to the iPad to the Pass and Play version. It's easier and quicker to play that way.

I'm going to let you know that we actually own two Scrabble games. A deluxe version on the turntable and I believe the original Uebbing Scrabble board.

But why play on those when we can use this fancy iPad?

Here's to a new year full of games and fun!

what should have been

I am disappointed.

I was going to blog about my delicious, delectable rum cake from Shannon.

It didn't turn out.

I figured out, that even though I greased my pan, it didn't bake long enough. My oven/bakeware has a tendency to under-bake things. I should have known better. I should have tested it with a toothpick. But I didn't. So instead I have a pile of what should be rum cake.

(here's the cake, in the pan, looking pretty good! Until it was turned over...)

It tastes great, but it does not look good. I guess I can salvage it, pre-cut it and bring it to the New Year's party already plated. That will work. But I'm disappointed because I was looking forward to it. To a perfect rum cake.

That's life.

on blogging

In the BH&G January issue, they mention resolutions. One that they suggest is: blogging for a year...

Copy Cats.

Where's my credit?

You know you were reading my blog (for a whole year) before they ever thought of it...

I thank you.

You are amazing.

And I am a trend-setter!

snowflake update!

If you'll recall (or click here if you don't), I'm waiting for snow... flakes. From our friends and their children.

We received our first batch yesterday! I was thrilled to see them. It was "some snow, from some flakes". Thanks Shannon, Greg, Jack and Cade (Quin had fun observing)!! Here are the "fruits" of their labor:I love how unique they are (although, honestly, I am surprised that Greg didn't figure out how to make the Steelers logo in his snowflake...). They are beautiful and I can't wait for more!

grocery list

I thought I'd share what I made for Christmas:

For breakfast, we had a ham and cheese "casserole" aka one dish breakfast. For lunch, we noshed. For dinner; bacon-wrapped pork roast with a mustard glaze, roasted veggies and the bread.

Here are a few things I'll be making for New Year's Eve:

Rum Cake (thanks Shannon!!!)
Chex mix (the family/original recipe)

My grocery list was short today. The store was almost completely empty. It always is, after the holidays (I'm not being p.c., I'm talking about Thanksgiving and Christmas). It was surreal.

Despite my trip to the store, tonight's dinner is: leftovers!

Yum!