Lanters

I created this lighting feature in my living room from lanterns and a shower rod that I bought at IKEA.

Under $20.00

I strung the lanterns using thin wire from the hardware store that I spray painted to look like hammered metal.  This is the same spray paint used on the shower rod that I attached to the wall.

Winter Foodie Favorties

Do you have a recipe that brings back feelings of holiday cheer?

Here are some of my favorite belly warming dishes for the holiday season.

1. Biscuits and Jelly

My mom used to make these for my sister and I.  Take a canister of biscuits or whip up your own if you're fancy like that and pack them tightly together in a greased pan.  Use your thumb to make a depression in the center of each biscuit and fill with one teaspoon of your favorite jam, jelly, or preserve.  Back at temp. indicated on the package until biscuits are brown.  Serve and eat immediately, as if you could wait any longer!

Tip: Line pan with foil for easy removal.

2. Tamales

 Everyone's tamale recipe is different.  I didn't grow up making tamales but I made these with my best friend this year and they were phenomenal!!!!!.  My favorite are green chile and cheese.  It is definitely a labor of love, so call on the loves of your life and create an assembly line of fun.

3. One pot meals: Corned Beef and Potatoes

The spices of corned beef and 2 cups of chicken stock flavor the potatoes and carrots beautifully.  Served with a bright spinach salad tossed in a light vinaigrette dressing.   Hearty and Flavorful!

1.)100 Dollar Bill-ism

In 1980 or 1981, I'm not sure which,  my grandma married Frank Faselli.  This would be the only grandpa I'd ever know as I was born in January of 1980.  Both Frank and Jennie were widowed and met years before while he was married to Rose.  For years my Grandpa Frank wooed my grandma and as stubborn as she is/was, she wasn't havin' it.  But she could only play this game for so long.  He absolutely loved and adored her and just wanted to care for her.  He had no children of his own and just loved her family.  Through the years there have some many cute little Frank or Jennie "-isms".  Hopefully you find them as entertaining as I do.

When my Grandpa Frank was married to Rose, "she took every dime they had", according to the way my grandma tells it.  Living that way taught my grandpa to be very frugal, as well as living through Depression.  He crushed cans and recycled them for most of my childhood.  It was actually something that he and I did together after dinner.  I always thought it was great one-on-one time, he just couldn't throw them away.  Although Jennie Mae gave Frank a terribly hard time, she showed her love and adoration for him in her own way, most times in ways that no one but the two of them knew.  My grandma never wanted Frank to feel the want for anything, to feel that he didn't have two dimes in his pockets.  To ensure that he never felt that way, one day she gave him a $100.00 bill to keep in his wallet.  He never spent that bill but he always knew that he had far more than a few dimes in his pocket.  I never knew this until years later.  I just smile at the idea that that small gesture made him feel rich with love.

-isms.............
Frankie Mae

Holiday Cheer

So, Jimmy Kimmel has been hosting video challenges for his viewers.  For Halloween, parents were encouraged to send in video of their child's reaction to the lie "I'm sorry, but I/We/Daddy ate all of your Halloween candy".  The screaming and crying that ensued was absolutely ridiculous and comical.  YouTube it!
Halloween Candy
Now, the Christmas videos were not quite as entertaining as they were disturbing.  They also brought to mind a family story that I'll get back to later.  So, parents wrapped up half-eaten sandwiches, bananas, etc. and sent in the video of their child's reaction.  To my surprise, there weren't many tears but there was a lot of "are you NUTS? Crazy?" and my personal favorite, "Jimmy Kimmel can suck my balls". YouTube it!
Christmas Gifts

So now for the family story (by family, I include friends, partners, and other extended members):  In my family there was once a child who responded to opening some very nice clothing items with "Were you HIGH?"  This was followed by throwing other siblings presents out of the windows.  What is happening?  Forget the presents for the kiddos, buy the following......... it is WAY cheaper!!!