Thanksgiving Menu

Everyone has their own Thanksgiving traditions and menus, so I thought I would post mine as both an archive for me for next year, and just in case it may be interesting or helpful to anyone else who may be putting together a last minute list.

Thanksgiving Menu

Turkey soaked in William-Sonoma brine

Stuffing (my own recipe, but could use stovetop, add onions, celery, sausage and raisins)

Sweet Potato Casserole (I add a row of mini marshmellows to the top for DH)

Mashed Potatoes with gravy

Green Bean Cassarole

Corn

Rolls

Relish tray

Pumpkin Ice Cream Pie

Apple Crisp

I DID IT!

I finished my frist novel!  I am so sorry that I haven’t been baking or posting much over the past month, but I have been busy putting into motion a 10 year dream.  I have wanted to write my novel ever since 1998 and I have finally done it.  I was scared to death, and I am quite sure that my novel is total crap that no one will ever read, but I did it. 

Dreams are a wonderful thing, they keep us going and give us something to live for.  What dreams do you need to put in motion today?  I encourage you to do it.  I didn’t think I could write a whole chapter let alone 100 pages.  I also didn’t think that I could write dialogue, but I did.  You can do it too.  Take a hold of your dreams today and work for what you want.

Recipes and baking pictures to come later this week.  DD and I are gearing up for a month-long baking freenzy!

Cafe Thursday – Another Poem

When I think of cafe Thursdays recently, it makes me long for a book and a quiet coffee shop.  So if you are able to enjoy a warm beverage, pull up a chair.  I got this poem today via email and it it brought a tear to my eye.  Enjoy.

THE GIRL I USED TO BE

She came tonight as I sat alone
The girl I used to be.
And she gazed at me with her earnest eye
And questioned reproachfully:

Have you forgotten the many plans
And hopes I had for you?
The great career, the splendid fame,
All the wonderful things to do?

Where is the mansion of stately height
With all its gardens rare?
The silken robes that I dreamed for you
And the jewels in your hair?

And as she spoke, I was very sad,
For I wanted her pleased with me,
This slender girl from the shadowy past,
The girl that I used to be.

So gently rising, I took her hand
And guided her up the stairs
Where peacefully sleeping, my babies lay,
Innocent, sweet, and fair.

And I told her that these are my only gems,
And precious they are to me;
That silken robes is my motherhood
Of costly simplicity.

And my mansion of stately height is love,
And the only career I know
Is serving each day in these sheltered walls
For the dear ones who come and go

And as I spoke to my shadowy guest,
She smiled through her tears at me.
And I saw the woman that I am now
Pleased the girl I used to be.

- Author unknown

More Baking Fun

DD and I have had some more fun baking our new favorite treat, cake balls! 

We needed to make a snack for a bake sale at school, and while the sale was a bust, we sure did make lots of friends happy with our treats.

Ours are not as cute as the ones over at Bakerella, but we did ok for our first time out I think.  They look more like mushrooms than cupcakes I think, maybe that is why no one bought any.  I made mine out of red velvet cake and next time I will use chocolate cake like Bakerella did.

Book Review – Booked to Die

Booked to Die (Cliff Janeway Novels) is my first John Dunning novel, and it won’t be the last. I am actually looking for a copy of his book Deadline now.  I wasn’t sure what to expect with Booked to Die, as I hadn’t heard of it or the author before, but when I read the synopsis over at Paperback Swap, I figured I may as well give it a chance. It is a mystery about a bookseller that combines two of my passsions, mysteries and books, which seemed worth a read.

The story line did keep me guessing a bit, but in the end, I did figure out who-done-it before the author revealed it. So I guess it is a bit predictable, however, I think it has enough twists and interesting turns to keep most readers interested. While it isn’t a complicated book, it is the perfect mystery for a blustery weekend in the Midwest when the roads are bad but there is plenty of coffee and soup to keep you toasty and happy.

And speaking of soup, if you are gearing up for a long weekend of reading, here is a link to an easy little recipe for homemade chicken soup over at Lifehacker.

New Cell Phone Saga

I had to get a new phone and the first phone DH chose for me (yes, I let him pick because at first I didn’t really care what kind of phone I got) was the Verizon Voyager.  Wow, what a GREAT phone. It has a touch screen and a keyboard that was very easy to use for texting. Here is a little demo of that phone:

HOWEVER, the Verizon site said this was compatible with Microsoft Exchange Servers, which it is not. When I called tech support for help they were quick to point out that Verizon does not own any software that will push from a Corporate Exchange Server. So, since the folks at work were willing to pay for the phone and service if I got another phone, I began looking for a Blackberry or Windows Mobile phone. I chose the pink Curve and am happy with it. It is not quite as fun to text with, but it does have all the functionality I need. Now if I could just find a case for it that I like. . .