Looking ahead to the upcoming holiday parties and outdoor festivities, I decided it was time to once again become fashion savvy. It has been awhile since I have looked for jeans. My daily life either requires me to wear a swimsuit, yoga pants,leggings or other athletic attire. I rarely wear jeans. I miss them. The 4 or so pairs of jeans I have in my closet are fading and a bit dated. I didn't know how outdated really until my shopping adventure. I am so not in the loop. Actually, no where close to even entering the loop.
My search for the perfect pair began last month. As I browsed several different top brand stores I realized that jeans nowadays are a bit different. A bit expensive. And they certainly have evolved over time. I use to wear bell bottom jeans from Sears in grade school, Gloria Vanderbilt pin stripe jeans in junior high, cuffed Levi's jeans in high school, ripped second hand store jeans in college, and only Gap jeans post college/early years of marriage.
While shopping I was overwhelmed at the different brand names. I noticed Lucky jeans, Diesel jeans, True Religion jeans, Hudson jeans and 7 For All Mankind jeans. The styles were confusing. It use to be straight leg or easy fit as I recall. But now, there are the boy cut, the boot cut, the flare, the rocker, the flynt, the A pocket, even something called the dojo. One I did see that caught my eye was the skinny jean. Does that mean you will look skinny wearing them or you have to be skinny to wear them?
The skinny jean, even in my double digit size, that if you round to the nearest 10 is almost an 8, looked small. Very refreshing. It came attached with promises to lift what needed lifted and flatten what needed flattened. The sales lady even said they may run big. Either very promising or she was good at sales. Sign me up and send me to the dressing room. I brought in three pairs, a size smaller just in case, a just right size for sure to fit, and a larger size to put on and say , "Oh that is way too big. " This calculated regimen I have found can temporarily build up the self confidence.
I started with the smaller size. Well, that didn't work so well for me. I was able to pull them up mid-thigh at best. I peeled them off, it was a pipe dream anyways. Next the just right size. I pulled them on slowly, twisting and jumping a bit, until I had cleared the thigh area and was able to button them up. This is where things became ugly fast. I realized the skinny jean was not made of a nice forgiving cotton blend. It apparently was made with 90% Lycra and 10% shrink wrap. Wow! The heat from by body, that had built up during the donning of the jeans, was causing some type of suction powered reaction. They molded to my thighs like plastic wrap near a flame. I knew I was in trouble. I had to get them off. I sat down, I stood up, I jumped, I stood on one leg, I twisted and I turned circles peeling away those skinny jeans. I called Converse on the cell phone and told him I may need his pocket knife. I am going to end up on Utube! After several minutes, they released once past my thighs. I sat in silence. The sales clerk, asked if I needed a different size. I thought, no, but I might need legal counsel.I could very well claim undue suffering and emotional trauma. I did not try on the bigger size for fear of a repeat episode.
So that night, I left without any jeans.I am lucky to be free of the jeans I had tried on. My self confidence was bruised. I went home and put on another pair of black lounge pants and a comfy sweatshirt. Maybe I will follow the mass crowd and wear a sweater with leggings to the next holiday party. Fashion savy without the drama. I guess I will have to resort to desperate measures to find the perfect pair of jeans.......
Dear Santa Clause,
Do you have any GAP jeans left from 1994? If not, all I want for Christmas is a new pair of cotton blend jeans that are stylish, comfortable and under 50.00. A magical size 6 would be fab!
Peace.
The "New Balance" Girl
Running Report: Winter has stayed away as I have been able to run outside still without ice or snow. Kind of strange. Trying to stay up on mileage to build on it come January. I like just running and taking it at my own pace. Maybe that is why I do not fit into skinny jeans.
12.20.2010
12.17.2010
Holiday Fun 2010
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| A Gingerbread House and mazes to explore. |
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| The Claus...Weebok is so faking her smile she was scared and ready to bolt. Nike Girl told me after the visit that this Santa was not the real deal, he had cotton balls glued to his face. I agree...but you never know. |
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| A tiny holiday train inside the window mesmerized the girls. |
| Enjoy your Holiday Fun! |
12.15.2010
Jingle Bells Batman Smells
I absolutely, without doubt , love this time of year. The air is filled with so much anticipation. Anticipation about shopping and finding the deal of the year or at least a parking space somewhere within a mile of the chosen shopping center. Anticipation that it might snow on Christmas Eve. Anticipation to listen to my favorite Christmas carols which I have been trying so hard not to tune into until after Thanksgiving. Anticipation of going to the basement and dragging out storage containers full of ornaments, stockings and snow globes. Anticipation that if you cross your fingers just right last year's lights when plugged in will work.
This year we decided to even throw a 2nd Grade Holiday Party. There was much anticipation how this would all work out. Nike Girl wanted to invite each of the 19 children. I agreed, as it is a busy time of year, maybe half could make it. As the RSVP's arrived slowly, I realized everyone could make the party. Wow, this is great, right?
My anticipation grew as the party came near. I had planned to the minute that in two hours, the group would make a holiday banner, play flashlight candy cane scavenger hunt, participate in a small gift exchange, then carol in the neighborhood to collect food pantry items, then come inside to end the evening with cookie decorating and snacks. Deep breath. Martha Stewart for Kids plans parties like this, right. Oh what fun! I found myself repeating this phrase three times while clicking my heels together.
The night arrived. The anticipation grew. In they marched one by one. Within minutes, the noise level grew, the tumbling over couches began, the screaming of girls chasing boys started, the I'm hungry why can't we eat now started, the can we play football in the living room started, the is it time to open gifts yet started....The questioning of what was I thinking, started. This is going to be a long two hours. I gave a deer in headlight look to three mothers who agreed to stay. They were so calm. So experienced looking. Deep breath.
The craft was fun for the girls and the boys loved the candy cane scavenger hunt. I noticed the boys all stayed in a different room than the girls. Every once in awhile a boy or girl would run across the front room crossing sides to stick out their tongue then retreat back to their safe side. I was simultaneously having two parties at once. One for the boys and one for the girls. Mental note, coed parties probably over at this age.
We exchanged gifts as I read Twas the Night Before Christmas. Then we piled on our winter wear. This was the part I had anticipated most. I had never been caroling. I imagined the quartet singers with old fashioned wardrobes singing acapella with perfect pitch at everyone's front door. In actuality, it was nothing like that. Surprise. The kids were so excited and so energized they couldn't even stay on the sidewalks, they stomped through the neighbor's yards, belting out Jingle Bells with a Batman smells thrown in once in awhile, over and over again. Each doorstep the children collected canned goods then hurried to the next door. As we were returning to our home, out of nowhere, the neighbor's sprinklers turned on soaking everyone. I was speechless. Really really speechless. The kids screamed and ran home to count the number of items they collected for the food pantry, then finished up with hot cocoa and decorated cookies while their coats and hats dried. What a memorable night! Deep breath, again.
Later that night, I reflected on the Holiday Party. I didn't anticipate the night to play out quite like it did. I wasn't really shocked that the carpet had hot cocoa stains on it in the end, or that all the children would be soaked in 35 degree weather (ok a little shocked on that one), or that Jingle Bells Batman Smells is their favorite tune. What I was not anticipating was the excitement I saw in their eyes when they found out they collected over 50 items for a food pantry to feed other families. They truly were excited! This made me stop and think. Lesson learned...Life is so full of unexpected surprises especially when you least anticipate it!
Peace.
The "New Balance" Girl
Running Report: Ran on the trail a few times since last post. Seem to be on the treadmill more these days. I do know on Sat. morning after the party, I ran on the treadmill, and could not get Jingle Bells Batman Smells out of my head. It actually makes a good beat to run to. Have a good day full of anticipation and surprises!
This year we decided to even throw a 2nd Grade Holiday Party. There was much anticipation how this would all work out. Nike Girl wanted to invite each of the 19 children. I agreed, as it is a busy time of year, maybe half could make it. As the RSVP's arrived slowly, I realized everyone could make the party. Wow, this is great, right?
My anticipation grew as the party came near. I had planned to the minute that in two hours, the group would make a holiday banner, play flashlight candy cane scavenger hunt, participate in a small gift exchange, then carol in the neighborhood to collect food pantry items, then come inside to end the evening with cookie decorating and snacks. Deep breath. Martha Stewart for Kids plans parties like this, right. Oh what fun! I found myself repeating this phrase three times while clicking my heels together.
The night arrived. The anticipation grew. In they marched one by one. Within minutes, the noise level grew, the tumbling over couches began, the screaming of girls chasing boys started, the I'm hungry why can't we eat now started, the can we play football in the living room started, the is it time to open gifts yet started....The questioning of what was I thinking, started. This is going to be a long two hours. I gave a deer in headlight look to three mothers who agreed to stay. They were so calm. So experienced looking. Deep breath.
The craft was fun for the girls and the boys loved the candy cane scavenger hunt. I noticed the boys all stayed in a different room than the girls. Every once in awhile a boy or girl would run across the front room crossing sides to stick out their tongue then retreat back to their safe side. I was simultaneously having two parties at once. One for the boys and one for the girls. Mental note, coed parties probably over at this age.
We exchanged gifts as I read Twas the Night Before Christmas. Then we piled on our winter wear. This was the part I had anticipated most. I had never been caroling. I imagined the quartet singers with old fashioned wardrobes singing acapella with perfect pitch at everyone's front door. In actuality, it was nothing like that. Surprise. The kids were so excited and so energized they couldn't even stay on the sidewalks, they stomped through the neighbor's yards, belting out Jingle Bells with a Batman smells thrown in once in awhile, over and over again. Each doorstep the children collected canned goods then hurried to the next door. As we were returning to our home, out of nowhere, the neighbor's sprinklers turned on soaking everyone. I was speechless. Really really speechless. The kids screamed and ran home to count the number of items they collected for the food pantry, then finished up with hot cocoa and decorated cookies while their coats and hats dried. What a memorable night! Deep breath, again.
Later that night, I reflected on the Holiday Party. I didn't anticipate the night to play out quite like it did. I wasn't really shocked that the carpet had hot cocoa stains on it in the end, or that all the children would be soaked in 35 degree weather (ok a little shocked on that one), or that Jingle Bells Batman Smells is their favorite tune. What I was not anticipating was the excitement I saw in their eyes when they found out they collected over 50 items for a food pantry to feed other families. They truly were excited! This made me stop and think. Lesson learned...Life is so full of unexpected surprises especially when you least anticipate it!
Peace.
The "New Balance" Girl
Running Report: Ran on the trail a few times since last post. Seem to be on the treadmill more these days. I do know on Sat. morning after the party, I ran on the treadmill, and could not get Jingle Bells Batman Smells out of my head. It actually makes a good beat to run to. Have a good day full of anticipation and surprises!
11.30.2010
Nike Girl on Veggies
" I will eat broccoli sometimes. But really only the tree part. The tree part is good. The trunk, the trunk I do not care for and will not eat." Just so you know mom.
11.29.2010
Dum Dum.....Sums It Up
Have you ever found yourself in a very exciting situation where what appears to be factual actually turns out to be a big gigantic dud? I can think of several occasions where this has happened to me. One of those times I remember was when I was a child rushing to answer the phone, before caller id, to see who might be on the other line. You can only imagine my excitement when I picked up the phone and a sweet little lady with an angelic voice on the other line said, " This is Betty Crocker, (pause...long silence....) may I speak with your mother." I paused as I had a flashback to the cake mix with the sweepstakes label. We have won! I shouted in my head. I collected myself and calmly said "Just a minute." I practically ran through the screen door to get outside as fast as I could where my mom was working in the garden. "Mom! Mom! It is Betty Crocker on the phone! Hurry!" My mom stopped weeding the radishes and gave me this look of blankness which spoke the words are you crazy? She simply said, " Tell her I will call her back."( pause) "What! What! Call her back! Mom, it is Betty Crocker! We won the sweepstakes!" My mom just looked at me and said, " Calm down, it is not that Betty Crocker, it is the little ol' lady from 4-H." 4-H... well for pete's sake! I was so disappointed and embarrassed. I thought we had won the big one! But no, we had won nothing. Life went back to normal.
Well just this afternoon, I found myself in a similar situation. Only this time, the girls were a witness. We had bought a package of Dum Dum lollipops at the store yesterday on sale. Today after we all got home, I thought it would be a special treat to give Nike Girl and Weebok a Dum Dum to counterbalance the fresh apple.They were both very content as they took their first lick. I glanced down at Weebok's wrapper I had in my hand and saw the bold words "WINNER!". I looked closer at the wrapper and it said Grand Prize Winner! I looked even closer with my 40 year old eyes, to make out the words MP3, $2500, tour of the factory and a flavor named after you. I reread it twice! Then spontaneously shouted, "We Won! We won!" as Weebok was chomping on the winning flavor. I reached down like any good mother would do and pulled it right out of her mouth. After all, they may need the actual lollipop as proof of the winning wrapper! Weebok so did not understand that! Nike Girl started screaming, "Call Daddy at work! Call Daddy!" We were hollering and dancing, acting a fool, and eating Dum Dums as we all three marched to the office to get on the computer to confirm our winning wrapper! I called Converse in the process. Nike Girl asked if he was sitting down. His response, " What did you buy? " Nothing! In fact, I explained, we won the Dum Dum contest! I continued to scroll down the website. And there it was.....
The winner of the 2009 Dum Dum contest.....2009? I guess you find a wrapper last year then submit your name then a grand prize winner is picked. Our bag of lollipops were old, hence the sale, but the worst thing was that I managed to get the girls all excited! Then I had to call Converse to add to the humiliation. This was definitely a topper to the Betty Crocker sweepstakes. Nike Girl, just shook her head and said, "Maybe next time." Weebok continued to clinch her lollipop with her teeth so I would not snatch it out of her hands again. Converse just belly laughed for minutes. Dum Dum....sums it up!
Peace.
The "New Balance" Girl
Running Report: Outside to run this weekend in the wind. Ran twice 4 miles both times. Nothing major just enjoyed the outdoors. Will be on the treadmill the next couple days due to weather I imagine. I have to bribe Weebok to stay in the exersaucer these days while I run. I guess the Dum Dums will come in handy.
Well just this afternoon, I found myself in a similar situation. Only this time, the girls were a witness. We had bought a package of Dum Dum lollipops at the store yesterday on sale. Today after we all got home, I thought it would be a special treat to give Nike Girl and Weebok a Dum Dum to counterbalance the fresh apple.They were both very content as they took their first lick. I glanced down at Weebok's wrapper I had in my hand and saw the bold words "WINNER!". I looked closer at the wrapper and it said Grand Prize Winner! I looked even closer with my 40 year old eyes, to make out the words MP3, $2500, tour of the factory and a flavor named after you. I reread it twice! Then spontaneously shouted, "We Won! We won!" as Weebok was chomping on the winning flavor. I reached down like any good mother would do and pulled it right out of her mouth. After all, they may need the actual lollipop as proof of the winning wrapper! Weebok so did not understand that! Nike Girl started screaming, "Call Daddy at work! Call Daddy!" We were hollering and dancing, acting a fool, and eating Dum Dums as we all three marched to the office to get on the computer to confirm our winning wrapper! I called Converse in the process. Nike Girl asked if he was sitting down. His response, " What did you buy? " Nothing! In fact, I explained, we won the Dum Dum contest! I continued to scroll down the website. And there it was.....
The winner of the 2009 Dum Dum contest.....2009? I guess you find a wrapper last year then submit your name then a grand prize winner is picked. Our bag of lollipops were old, hence the sale, but the worst thing was that I managed to get the girls all excited! Then I had to call Converse to add to the humiliation. This was definitely a topper to the Betty Crocker sweepstakes. Nike Girl, just shook her head and said, "Maybe next time." Weebok continued to clinch her lollipop with her teeth so I would not snatch it out of her hands again. Converse just belly laughed for minutes. Dum Dum....sums it up!
Peace.
The "New Balance" Girl
Running Report: Outside to run this weekend in the wind. Ran twice 4 miles both times. Nothing major just enjoyed the outdoors. Will be on the treadmill the next couple days due to weather I imagine. I have to bribe Weebok to stay in the exersaucer these days while I run. I guess the Dum Dums will come in handy.
11.27.2010
Always Read the Fine Print
Nike Girl gets lots of papers sent home from school. So many papers in fact, it is difficult to keep them all straight. Some have deadlines, others are keepers and still others are trashed when no one is looking. The paper stating basketball camp for 1.5 hours looked like something Nike Girl would enjoy. So Converse and I discussed it and decided if she wanted to go then we would fork out the cash and let her go have some fun. Meet new friends while shooting some hoops.
The camp day arrived and I reread the brochure to get the address. In fine print at the very very bottom it states benefits boys booster club. I think what about the girls? I quickly scan to the top of the page and it states in larger print, actually bold 24 point or maybe even 36 point font, Boys Basketball Camp.
Yes, I sent my daughter to an all boys basketball camp. The local high school coach saw us walk in and quickly walked over. I explained to him the mistake and he graciously said, "If she is not scared of boys let her stay and play some ball." Well Nike Girl is not scared of stinky boys as she calls them now. She jumped in and shot some hoops with the boys. She would run over to me periodically and say, " I can't believe my mother signed me up for an all boys camp!" I can dear. I seriously can.
Moral of the story, read the fine print and if you get a chance you might want to read the bold print called the Heading.
Peace.
The "New Balance" Girl
The camp day arrived and I reread the brochure to get the address. In fine print at the very very bottom it states benefits boys booster club. I think what about the girls? I quickly scan to the top of the page and it states in larger print, actually bold 24 point or maybe even 36 point font, Boys Basketball Camp.
Yes, I sent my daughter to an all boys basketball camp. The local high school coach saw us walk in and quickly walked over. I explained to him the mistake and he graciously said, "If she is not scared of boys let her stay and play some ball." Well Nike Girl is not scared of stinky boys as she calls them now. She jumped in and shot some hoops with the boys. She would run over to me periodically and say, " I can't believe my mother signed me up for an all boys camp!" I can dear. I seriously can.
Moral of the story, read the fine print and if you get a chance you might want to read the bold print called the Heading.
Peace.
The "New Balance" Girl
11.25.2010
Give Thanks!
Thankful for so many blessings big and small......
We are thankful.
Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever! Psalm 107:1
Happy Thanksgiving!
Peace.
The "New Balance" Girl
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| Thankful that I did not hire a professional photographer to do our Christmas cards this year. The girls were in rare form. Geese kept flying overhead. Weebok is yelling, "Goose" every two seconds. |
 | |
| They make us laugh, they make us smile, they make us cry, they make us dance to the Jonas Brothers and watch whiny Caillou on PBS. |
Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever! Psalm 107:1
Happy Thanksgiving!
Peace.
The "New Balance" Girl
11.23.2010
The Life of a Candlemaker
About 6 years ago, I began pouring candles. Soy candles to be exact. Soy because I like the motto: Friends Don't Let Friends Burn Paraffin, right? I was first introduced to soy candles at an arts and craft fair. I loved the fact that the wax used to make them came from soybeans that some American farmer was harvesting. As I went on to research, I found out the many health benefits of soy. From that moment on I was sold. Since I am an adventurous soul, I began reading articles on the art of candle making and decided to pour a few candles. I was shocked when I lit my first candle and there was fire and a nice scent. I thought for some reason they probably would not work. Kind of like the time I tried to make greeting cards with my new found calligraphy pen. I had all the equipment but no skill. Let me emphasis no skill. My pen kept leaking and I went around for weeks with a permanently tatooed right thumb.
After a few trials and errors, I began giving soy candles away as gifts and testing out new products on my poor friends and family. Over the years, I have consistently made candles for people closest to me and their friends. It has kept me fairly busy in spurts. Recently,I decided to bump it up a notch and start focusing a little more on the business/hobby. I attended my second craft fair this past weekend. It went.....well......well actually....see for yourself.
Nike Girl woke up at pre-dawn excited to go and participate in the craft fair. Against my better mommy judgment I said yes, she could go. She helps me pour and label the candles so I wanted to keep her involved. I absolutely love that she helps. Weebok was fast asleep when we left for the adventure or else she would have wanted to tag along , too.
It was a very organized event . Only complaint was that the booths were set up within 6 inches of each other so it was a tight squeeze. So tight in fact, Nike Girl got stuck in between our booth and the booth next to us. Unfortunately, the booth was manned by a rather cranky lady peddling her merchandise. Nike Girl knocked over an entire rack of earrings within 5 minutes of our arrival. Then 2 minutes after that I tripped on the corner of her table and knocked over a stained glass frame which did not break. Thank goodness. At this point I was offering the cranky lady free products straight from my table to her hands so she would not make Nike Girl and myself cry. 15 minutes after that I had lit a sample candle on our booth table. Nike Girl bent down to get her artwork bag and somehow managed to light her hair on fire. A customer who ended up not buying any products started clapping her hands in Nike Girls hair to swat it out. I turned around and saw the event unfold and stood in shock ,I believe. Nike Girl was okay but it sure did stink for awhile. Not good for business.
The rest of the day went smoothly until 30 minutes before closing. A lady was smelling one of my candles, Pine Forest , to be exact, when all of the sudden she just passed out and fell like a wet noodle. I went into professional PT mode momentarily and made sure she was okay. She was but had to be rolled away in a wheelchair while I chased behind trying to give her the merchandise she had bought and paid for. Kind of tacky on my part, but she paid for it. Again, not good for business. Even more ironic, was the sign that stated behind my booth that a portion of my company's proceeds goes toward Free Wheelchair Mission.
So there you have it, the life of a candle maker. It sounds uneventful, feels uneventful as I sit in my basement at the wee hours of the morning pouring candles, but actually it has proven to be quite the opposite this past week. I have three more shows lined up before Christmas. It will be hard to top this past weekend, I hope.
Peace.
The "New Balance" Girl
Running Report: Running in a cold north wind wakes you up in the morning. Just an observation. I dread the treadmill months but realize that there are more days than not of running outside. Looking forward to a spring marathon.
After a few trials and errors, I began giving soy candles away as gifts and testing out new products on my poor friends and family. Over the years, I have consistently made candles for people closest to me and their friends. It has kept me fairly busy in spurts. Recently,I decided to bump it up a notch and start focusing a little more on the business/hobby. I attended my second craft fair this past weekend. It went.....well......well actually....see for yourself.
Nike Girl woke up at pre-dawn excited to go and participate in the craft fair. Against my better mommy judgment I said yes, she could go. She helps me pour and label the candles so I wanted to keep her involved. I absolutely love that she helps. Weebok was fast asleep when we left for the adventure or else she would have wanted to tag along , too.
It was a very organized event . Only complaint was that the booths were set up within 6 inches of each other so it was a tight squeeze. So tight in fact, Nike Girl got stuck in between our booth and the booth next to us. Unfortunately, the booth was manned by a rather cranky lady peddling her merchandise. Nike Girl knocked over an entire rack of earrings within 5 minutes of our arrival. Then 2 minutes after that I tripped on the corner of her table and knocked over a stained glass frame which did not break. Thank goodness. At this point I was offering the cranky lady free products straight from my table to her hands so she would not make Nike Girl and myself cry. 15 minutes after that I had lit a sample candle on our booth table. Nike Girl bent down to get her artwork bag and somehow managed to light her hair on fire. A customer who ended up not buying any products started clapping her hands in Nike Girls hair to swat it out. I turned around and saw the event unfold and stood in shock ,I believe. Nike Girl was okay but it sure did stink for awhile. Not good for business.
The rest of the day went smoothly until 30 minutes before closing. A lady was smelling one of my candles, Pine Forest , to be exact, when all of the sudden she just passed out and fell like a wet noodle. I went into professional PT mode momentarily and made sure she was okay. She was but had to be rolled away in a wheelchair while I chased behind trying to give her the merchandise she had bought and paid for. Kind of tacky on my part, but she paid for it. Again, not good for business. Even more ironic, was the sign that stated behind my booth that a portion of my company's proceeds goes toward Free Wheelchair Mission.
So there you have it, the life of a candle maker. It sounds uneventful, feels uneventful as I sit in my basement at the wee hours of the morning pouring candles, but actually it has proven to be quite the opposite this past week. I have three more shows lined up before Christmas. It will be hard to top this past weekend, I hope.
Peace.
The "New Balance" Girl
Running Report: Running in a cold north wind wakes you up in the morning. Just an observation. I dread the treadmill months but realize that there are more days than not of running outside. Looking forward to a spring marathon.
11.19.2010
Best Question of the Week
"Mommy, are Crunch Berries considered one of my fruit servings?" As any good mother would answer, "Sure, why not." A novel idea since I think Crunch Berries make the best cereal milk to drink at the end.
Peace.
The "New Balance" Girl
Peace.
The "New Balance" Girl
11.17.2010
The Turducken Thanksgiving
Here in the states, all household cooks are fully aware that Thanksgiving is fast approaching. I am preparing a list of items to make for the feast. The magazines are full of recipes that look so delicious and fancy. It is hard to narrow down the menu. Well, sort of.... my culinary skills are a limiting factor. But I refuse to have the same broccoli and cheese dish, same green bean with french onion topping dish, or a canned pumpkin pie. This year Converse and I have agreed that we want to contribute something different to the menu. We however, disagree on our contribution choices.
For starters, I have issues with eating turkeys or chickens actually. On the farm, we use to raise both. The chickens had names until the coyotes got them. My sister's pet chicken even jumped onto the axle of our farm truck, without us knowing, and rode to my great aunt and uncles house 3 miles away, no joke. I even had a pet turkey that use to lay out in the sun with me under the sprinkler in the summertime. He was so ugly but fairly smart. So I have a weird emotional attachment to seemingly unresponsive birds. Eating them is difficult for me. ( Trying to understand life on the farm is probably equally difficult for you, as I think back it is a little disturbing, I will give you that. )
Converse actually wants to "fry" the bird. Last time he fried the bird was like 10 years ago. I became intensely ill with a stomach virus within a few hours of eating it. The entire holiday was spent in my parents guest bathroom. Needless to say, I put it on my list of done that and never doin' it again post it notes. But he insist. He enjoys lowering the poor Tom into a vat of emergency room hot grease and leave it to brown or blacken. I have decided to let him win, I mean I have compromised. I told him I would find an alternative to turkey.
This is where it gets more interesting. I am minding my own business at home last week when the doorbell rings. The Fedex delivery truck speeds away after leaving a rather large package on the doorstep. I rush in thinking it was a surprise Converse must have ordered for the holidays. I open it up anticipating anything but the large piece of frozen raw meat I found. The label said 8 lb. Turducken. I proceed to do one of those move the object out a little further to see it more clearly. Yea, it reads Turducken. Hmmm....not sure so I google it.
Surprise surprise. Seems like it is all the rage! A turducken is defined as a dish consisting of a de-boned chicken stuffed into a de-boned duck, which itself is stuffed into a de-boned turkey.Good grief Charlie Brown that is a lot of bird! When I said alternative to turkey I was thinking spinach enchilada or even a bowl of Cracklin Oat Bran (two of my favorite foods). This turducken is going to be an experience. The reviews are amazing so why not, I suppose.Actually, why, is my honest response. I think I will have to pass on the bird. I saw an ad that Cracklin' Oat Bran is buy one get one half off this week. Sounds great! That will be my contribution. Problem solved. Got Milk?
Peace.
The New Balance Girl
Running Report: Been working on increasing my speed a bit on the ol' treadmill and the pavement. I have started doing the 30 Day Shred again. Love that workout. Hope to do a long run outside soon! I need to run in the fresh air for a couple hours. It does my soul good. Plus, I can decide what side dishes I want to go with my cereal. Peace.
For starters, I have issues with eating turkeys or chickens actually. On the farm, we use to raise both. The chickens had names until the coyotes got them. My sister's pet chicken even jumped onto the axle of our farm truck, without us knowing, and rode to my great aunt and uncles house 3 miles away, no joke. I even had a pet turkey that use to lay out in the sun with me under the sprinkler in the summertime. He was so ugly but fairly smart. So I have a weird emotional attachment to seemingly unresponsive birds. Eating them is difficult for me. ( Trying to understand life on the farm is probably equally difficult for you, as I think back it is a little disturbing, I will give you that. )
Converse actually wants to "fry" the bird. Last time he fried the bird was like 10 years ago. I became intensely ill with a stomach virus within a few hours of eating it. The entire holiday was spent in my parents guest bathroom. Needless to say, I put it on my list of done that and never doin' it again post it notes. But he insist. He enjoys lowering the poor Tom into a vat of emergency room hot grease and leave it to brown or blacken. I have decided to let him win, I mean I have compromised. I told him I would find an alternative to turkey.
This is where it gets more interesting. I am minding my own business at home last week when the doorbell rings. The Fedex delivery truck speeds away after leaving a rather large package on the doorstep. I rush in thinking it was a surprise Converse must have ordered for the holidays. I open it up anticipating anything but the large piece of frozen raw meat I found. The label said 8 lb. Turducken. I proceed to do one of those move the object out a little further to see it more clearly. Yea, it reads Turducken. Hmmm....not sure so I google it.
Surprise surprise. Seems like it is all the rage! A turducken is defined as a dish consisting of a de-boned chicken stuffed into a de-boned duck, which itself is stuffed into a de-boned turkey.Good grief Charlie Brown that is a lot of bird! When I said alternative to turkey I was thinking spinach enchilada or even a bowl of Cracklin Oat Bran (two of my favorite foods). This turducken is going to be an experience. The reviews are amazing so why not, I suppose.Actually, why, is my honest response. I think I will have to pass on the bird. I saw an ad that Cracklin' Oat Bran is buy one get one half off this week. Sounds great! That will be my contribution. Problem solved. Got Milk?
Peace.
The New Balance Girl
Running Report: Been working on increasing my speed a bit on the ol' treadmill and the pavement. I have started doing the 30 Day Shred again. Love that workout. Hope to do a long run outside soon! I need to run in the fresh air for a couple hours. It does my soul good. Plus, I can decide what side dishes I want to go with my cereal. Peace.
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