POP - or Progress on the Project

I was hoping to have the project done for the holidays but nope it's not. Of course I knew I was having unrealistic expectations but that's me. I'm always thinking we can get all sorts of things done in a day when it isn't really humanly possible. If only I wasn't human ;)

Anyway here are a few photos of the progress we've been making (now remember, we've had a lot of holidays, family and friends to work into the equation) plus, we've been battling colds this season so...there are my excuses for not making more headway.

Anyway, we did get one new window in - we still have the French doors, and another two windows to get hung.


And, we've put up new supports all around the room. I guess the old ones that have been in the house since 1890 or 122 years just weren't good enough, or that's what I keep asking my husband. "Are you sure we need to add more support?" His answer is always, "Yes." And, how can I argue that more might not be (like Martha would say) a good thing?

Anyway, I know it doesn't look like much progress but you have to remember this is a DIY project that we work into the weekends and evenings after work - so slow and steady is the theme. Now, I'm readjusting my time frame to completion. I'm hoping by Easter. . . we'll see.

A real Turkey

Okay, so if you read my blog, you'll know that I made a Crown Roast for Christmas. And although it had a very pretty presentation my kids and husband said, "I'd prefer turkey or ham for the next holiday." I guess we all are traditionalists. Anyway, for New Year's Day I wanted to make another holiday feast so turkey was the choice and here it is.

I really DO like my skin a little burnt. I enjoy the crunch. Maybe because Mom was always cooking for at least twelve people and she usually burnt as least one thing - so, it's the kind of home cooking I'm accustomed to. But whatever the reason, I like a little char so this was intentional.

I add a little sugar and butter to get that effect at the last minute. I pour a cup of the melted mixture over the top of the bird. I also use Dr. Pepper or Coke, if I have it on hand. It's quick and easy and gives me the effect I'm going for - a little overcooked skin while the bird stays tender and juicy on the inside.

Plus, we started the meal with King Crab legs and butter. Not quite on my diet plan but a person has to celebrate. Right?


Anyway, I hope you all had a fantastic holiday weekend and I wish you all a Healthy and Happy New Year!

Custom Vans

My son's girlfriend was painting a pair of shoes for a present. Here are a few photos of her working on them. Here's her art site: http://tasukisflame.deviantart.com/

What to Do with that Leftover Turkey

MAKE SOUP!

Here's how to do it.

First you have to take the turkey off the bone, being careful to select the best pieces for soup and leaving the larger slices of meat - those are best for sandwiches (which will make a wonderful lunch).

When you've picked out the best pieces, you set them aside

Okay, then you need the broth. You can use the leftover gravy and a couple cans of chicken broth. Or, you can boil the bones of the turkey for a couple of hours and strain out the juice for your stock. Then you need to chop up the ingredients. Here's what I used:

1) three cloves of garlic
2) two stocks of celery, plus the heart of the celery with the leaves (that's the most tender part)
3) two pounds of chopped carrots
4) 1/4 minced sweet onion


Then, I made some homemade egg noodles using the following ingredients:

1) 4 eggs
2) 3 and 1/2 cups of flour
3) 2 teaspoons of olive oil

You will need to beat the eggs and then slowly add in the flour and olive oil. Knead until it forms a ball and then roll out until it is as thin as you like (if you have a pasta machine - it's even easier). Then I roll it back up like a yule log and slice the pasta into strips.


I added the noodles and then boiled for about 20-30 minutes. Before serving I salt and peppered and WAH-LAH! Homemade turkey noodle soup.

New Year's Resolutions

Another year has come and gone and it's time to assess and reassess what we've been doing with the time we have.

I've been thinking about resolutions, which are something I'm not good at making because I don't want to set myself up for failure but this year I'm thinking of GOALS not resolutions.

Here are a few of my GOALS for 2012:

1) To sign up for a class - maybe photoshop - maybe a new language...
2) To run my first marathon;
3) To be more consistent in my training for the marathon;
4) To have more patience - at things I try to do (like knitting)
5) To spend more time with friends (I usually spend most all my time with family - neglecting friends)

How 'bout you? Do you have any GOALS for 2012?

BOOKS you read in 2011

Or Should Have Read

This book does more than just tell people not to breed or buy wolfdogs. Part Wild will touch the hearts of everyone not just owners of exotic pets because it is a story about love and loss.



I read PART WILD by Ceiridwen Terrill.

It's "One Woman's Journey with a Creature Caught Between the Worlds of Wolves and Dogs".

I would definitely recommend this story to anyone who loves animals, has dogs or is even interested in wolves and/or dogs. It's a good story and well-written, with moments of humor and heartfelt sadness. Plus, I thoroughly enjoyed the scientific explanations of the differences in dogs and wolves (call me a nerd, it doesn't bother me--in fact I'll take it as a compliment ;)

And, I could totally sympathize with Ceiridwen's frustrations at having an "escape artist" hybrid. Believe me! And, if you don't think I can relate, read about Sasha my Siberian Husky who has escaped my totally fenced-in yard on too many occasions.

So, you might think that (since I have a notorious escape artist) I'd totally sympathize with Ceiridwen. And, although I think she tried to make a good home for Inyo, I couldn't feel as sympathetic as some other people might. One reason is that I find it difficult to understand why anyone would want to have three VERY large dogs, especially someone renting a tiny place.

My backyard has a fence that is over six feet high, all the way around. And my dog can leap like a deer. Luckily she can't scale our backyard fence but that doesn't mean she won't dig. We keep an eye on the tunnels and fill them in with bricks (and my yard used to be so pretty:(

I would think any renter would have serious trouble renting a home, apartment or trailer with a Wolf hybrid then add in a Cathoula leopard dog-pit bull cross and a German Shepherd/Doberman mix and I would think it would be nearly impossible to find a home with those three large dogs as pets.

I have one mid-sized dog in a house that is fully fenced and it can still be a humongous challenge keeping her contained (and I make sure she gets plenty of exercise. I take her with me on my marathon training runs).

So, one thought that kept running through my mind as I turned the pages of Part Wild was, "What were you thinking?"

It also bothered me to read how often Ceiridwen chained Inyo up. I've read that animals who are kept chained up get terribly frustrated and sometimes turn that frustration into anger, which can manifest itself in harmful and dangerous ways. So, I kept thinking, this is a recipe for disaster.

Plus, Ceiridwen had other challenges facing her. She and her husband were dealing with issues like obsessive compulsive disorder and bipolar disorder - then top that with the stresses of serious financial woes and studying for an advanced degree and it wouldn't have taken a wolf-hybrid to send me over the edge.

What I took away from the story was that love can't fix everything no matter how much we wish it.

I'm not saying that Ceiridwen had many options available to her in the end, which is what makes the story so horribly sad but I also think, in other circumstances, Inyo might have done much better.

But...I'm not recommending that anyone get a wolf/dog hybrid. I have a husky and I wouldn't recommend that breed to anyone who isn't training to run a marathon (and willing to take their dog with them on training runs), and has a fenced yard with someone home during the day to keep an eye on those Houdini hounds.

Still, I think this is a good book and I would recommend it to anyone who loves animals.

Did you read any books in 2011 that you WOULD recommend? Please share them in the comments section, as I'm always looking for another good book to read :)

Scarves

One of my favorite presents was a scarf I got from my MIL. It is one piece of fabric shaped into a circle. It is stretchy and I just throw it over my head and wah-lah I'm so much warmer. I just love it.

How 'bout you...any favorite gifts that you got?