Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind
don't matter and those who matter don't mind.
~ Dr. Seuss This LJ was rebooted in April 2007, which means I cleared out six years worth of entries and started all over again. It saddened me to do so, but I wanted a fresh start. My LJ also contains protected content with some filters for specific topics as I've had some bad encounters with off-site trolls. I generally do not auto-friend unless I know the user or have had some contact in a community.

Now that Thanksgiving is over, it's time to focus my attention on Christmas... our tree is set up, thanks to Nemo, and we've started wrapping presents. Since we are traveling before the holiday this year for a much-needed vacation, I'm trying to get as much done before the 10th so we can relax when we get home.
Every year, I like to listen to holiday music... I have a number of tunes that I must hear every year or it's just not Christmas. So here’s my holiday playlist from last year... I need to decide which songs to keep and what else to add:

1. “Happy X-Mas (War is Over)” – Sarah McLachlan
2. “Jolly Holly Christmas” – Burl Ives
3. “Better Days” – Goo Goo Dolls
4. “All My Bells are Ringing” – Lenka
5. “Little Dealer Boy” – Willie Nelson with Stephen Colbert
6. “Winter Wonderland” – Jason Mraz
7. “O Come All Ye Faithful” – Amy Grant
8. “Here Comes Santa Claus” – Elvis Presley
9. “Jingle Bell Rock” – Hall & Oates
10. “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen / We Three Kings” – Barenaked Ladies with Sarah McLachlan
11. “Let It Be Christmas” – Alan Jackson
12. “Do They Know It’s Christmas” – BandAID
13. “White Christmas” – Willie Nelson
14. “Another Christmas Song” – Stephen Colbert

What are your favorite Christmas songs?

P.S. – I won’t hear any back talk about the BandAID song, people! I have strong and positive memories of that song and the resulting concert. Regardless of the goofy message and 80s influence, it remains one of my favorite holiday tunes. So there!

P.P.S. –  I recommend minimizing the YouTube windows so you don’t have to look at the videos. Just listen.
 

Rub my belly.

Happy birthday, danakate and tiel!

I've been thinking about a crockpot for several years. I had one from my mother, but it was way too big for my family or for my little kitchen. Today I found a 4-quart model at Target for $17 so I decided to give it a try.

I've got some recipes that came with the model, plus I found this recipe site. I'm not sure if I have any cookbooks with crockpot recipes, but I'll check this weekend. I have a general sense of what I'd like to make, especially if I can load it up in the morning before the bus stop and have a meal when we get home.

What are your favorite slow cooking recipes?

So, people... what is/are your fandoms and why?

It's been so long since I attached to anything. I'm curious to hear about what you're watching/reading/etc. and what about it captures your attention and/or imagination.

Has anyone tried Swaptree? Pros & cons?

I discovered Perpetual Kid recently, and I'm so delighted with some of the items they've got for sale. I find myself completely distracted with their selections. Perfect way to waste part of my day!

• I'm so tickled with these Salt & Pepper Playtime Shakers


• Think TSA would be amused with this tote bag?


• I keep meaning to get a USB tree for my desk.


• My mother used to have a giant jack for a door stop.


• I think Nemo would be absolutely fascinated with this dog cam.


• If I had a back yard, I'd consider posting these garden gnomes among the flowers.


• This tank robot clock looks sturdy and adorable.

secretburning asked me to post my chocolate chip cookie recipe. I'll be making these on Sunday as gifts, and they're sinfully delicious. I've taken the basic chocolate chip cookie recipe and tweaked it a bit according to my tastes and experiments. Use the ingredients listed, no substitutes, and you'll have tender, delicious cookies.

( Read more... )

We got to our local polls at 7:05 am, and there was a huge line. It took about 50 minutes to get through the line and vote. Nemo was very patient. He played on the church swings, ran around in the autumn leaves and thanked people for voting. When we got inside, he took a picture of the fire alarm near the church kitchen. I asked him to help me vote.

After that, it was off to Nemo's school and then work for me. Well, kind of work... I can't concentrate on anything between my persistent cough and wondering how today will go.