November Ramblings...

Last night, PC (very sweet of him) and I went to see the movie Twi.light in a theater FULL of teenagers. We got there 20 minutes early and still had to sit in the 2nd row. I'm always partial to the book versions because you're "there." I loved the book series (even if the intended audience is 10 years younger) and loved the first movie... the actors were a good fit. I think PC even got a little interested in the whole vampire saga! IF ladies deserve pure take-my-mind-away in a relaxing kind of way distractions, whatever that may be.

We're missing our dog, Cooper... doggie deprivation around here. We're stalking the couple that has some puppies that will be ready in a couple of weeks, and we're looking at others that are due the first of the year.

So... is it crazy that Thanksgiving is here? I'm a creature of habit & it's no different with the holidays. I make the same casseroles with the same recipe in the same dishes. When I try new things, it usually doesn't turn out so good... so I stick to what I know. Broccoli casserole, rice casserole & carrot souffle are on my "mastered" list. Carrot souffle tastes like a sweet potato and it makes 4 square pans- 2 for now, 2 to freeze for Christmas. The trick with it is to make sure the carrots are boiled long enough and it's all mashed good. (Learned that the hard way.) If anyone's interested:

Carrot Souffle-

• 1 3/4 lbs peeled carrots

• 3/4 lb sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
• 2 tablespoons flour
• 3 eggs
• 1/4 lb margarine, softened
• powdered sugar

Directions

1. Steam or boil carrots til extra soft& drain well.

2. While carrots are warm, add sugar, baking powder and vanilla.

3. Whip with mixer til smooth.

4. Add flour and mix well.

5. Whip eggs separately and add to mixture, blending well.

6. Add margarine and blend well.

7. Pour mixture into baking dish-ABOUT HALF FULL--as the souffle will rise.

8. Bake@ 350 about 1 hour or until top is light brown.

9. Sprinkle lightly with powdered sugar before serving.

It's COLD here. I can handle the cold okay until around the middle of January and then my attitude is "blah...grrr...tired of winter, skip spring & bring on summer."

My mom called this morning & said she's having genetic testing done soon. She's also having her ovaries removed because of high estrogen (next year) and she had a melt down on the phone... which makes me sad, but for what she's been through I'd have a good cry now and then too. My mom and I have had a up/down relationship... she had me at a very young age, divorced soon after that, & I've always felt like the grown-up. But these three things are givens about my mom:
1. She's strong & stubborn- so breast cancer didn't have a chance. 2. She loves life- her energy & ability to be the life of the party is something I wish I had more of. 3. She would be a GREAT grandmother.

Enough of things on my mind... feeling a nap coming on & some of my blog world friends have inspired me to pull out some Christmas decor.