New home for my pans

I got a new set of stainless steel cookware before Thanksgiving. I really do like them and got a great bargain.

I had always worried I would burn and stick everything on stainless. Not sure why I thought that. You know how crazy beliefs get stuck in your head and you hold by them forever?!? Well, I was this way by stainless even though I had a revere ware stainless stew pot I had been using for years and have had virtually no problem with it what so ever. I think I keep thinking that the stainless frying pans would be a disaster. So anyway, I just kept buying non-stick cookware set after set and throwing them away when the coating began to wear off. I wonder how much teflon is stuck to our guts mutating away?

I decided that maybe I wanted to get a set of stainless, throw away or donate all the other pots and pans I had collected and start over. Hopefully for the last time. I convinced myself that if the frying pans stunk up the place, I could always just buy a few non-stick ones and be done with it.

I got a 14 piece set, two other pieces to go with it and a non stick pan to match the others. This set was at Macy's and was their line of stainless. It is aluminum clad and I just love the shape. They look French to me in design. I like the slight bell shape to them and they have silicone strips on the handles which help to keep them cooler.

I just love them. Nothing has really stuck so far. The other night I made some marinara sauce and I simmered it a bit too high. I gave it a stir and the whole bottom seemed coated with a burned on feel. I turned off the heat because it was ready and by the time the pasta was done, the sauce came right out and only a little scorching had happened at the bottom. As the pan cooled it came right up to reveal a shining bottom! YEAH!

Today while we were out of school for cold weather,(First time in 20 years for that I might add) I decided to find a home for my pans. The cabinets where I had been keeping my pans was not working too well for the pieces I had. There was a divider between the double doors and on the opposite side of the kitchen there was not. I think the end result will work well.

That was another belief system I had to fight. I had to keep telling myself..."The pans do not need to be right next to the stove." Now if they can only stay in the right spot. I am tempted to go all kindergarten on myself and place pictures of the way it should look on the cabinet door or put paper shadows down on the surface. Boy will Roger be happy with that!
Here are some before/after shots.

Baby It's Cold Outside!

Had to post a beach picture to make me focus on the fact that Summer will be here soon enough.

As I was leaving school today they announced that school was called off tomorrow in anticipation of bitter cold weather overnight. I hurried around and finished gathering up some materials I had partially ready for next week's activities. We are out Monday as well.

I am soooooo happy to have a four day break. I have some serious house cleaning to take care of. I could also use some extra sleep time! Roger got me an electric blanket for Christmas. Nothing says old age like an electric blanket huh? I resisted opening it for a couple of weeks but I caved last week as I lay in bed chattering and decided I would get up, open the package and plug 'er in.

Well, let's just say I am a slight bit addicted to getting inside a nice warm bed these nights. Takes me back to the good old water bed days. Our memory foam mattress topper was mighty cold until body heat warmed it up. I guess I have changed my mind about it now.

Eventful Evening

Roger is finding an interesting way to start his retirement. The man never, ever, ever gets sick enough to throw up. Well, in the middle of the night he got very sick. His head was hurting so badly we both got worried. He called up the guys at the nearest station and asked them to come out and take his blood pressure because he worried with such a bad headache his blood pressure could be high. It was
(190/100) but still not sure whether it was high from being so sick or from something else.

Off we go to the emergency room which at least brought him some relief. They hooked him up to IV fluids with pain meds for the head and meds for the nausea. Did a CT scan of the head and no vessel trouble or anything SO that is good. EKG looked great which is also good.

We are still trying to figure out if it is indeed a stomach bug causing a severe headache or a severe headache causing nausea/vomiting and a rise in blood pressure. Poor baby. He is asleep now and has only had a few sips of water since last night which is another great indicator of how bad he must be feeling. He was eating a bologna sandwich (very carefully I might add) right after wisdom teeth were removed. He does not like missing too many meals.

I don't like seeing him so sick. It makes me feel so helpless to do anything for him. He is always such a great care taker of others.

I can't spell anymore

The spell check thingy won't work very well on my blog. I can't seem to spell anything right lately. Sorry about spelling the word karaoke wrong. Who knew! Oh well, that is what you have nice family members for. They correct you when you are wrong so you won't look like a fool for very long anyway.

Kenzi's Birthday

Kenzi was two on the 2nd of January. She had her party at Chuck E Cheese. She was a bit overwhelmed and did not like Chuck very well at all.

AG and Gabe doin' the karaoke

Alex laughing at Gabe doing Karaoke

Roger's Last Day on the Fire Department

I went to see Roger tonight at the station because it is his last day before he retires on January 3rd. It has been a good run. I took him a little fun retirement box. I had an emergency toy vehicle playset (in case he starts missing the action), a set of practice golf balls, muscle rub, a copy of the latest classifieds and new reading glasses so he could see the print(he is much too young to officially retire, so he will be getting another job), a palm tree so he can dream of vacation, a dark chocolate candy bar, and the all important 6 pack of diet pepsi. I love you honey and can't wait to see what the year will bring for you. You are now and will always be my hero.

Luann's Birthday

Roger and I met Bill and Lu at Bonefish Grill for her birthday. Had the Chilean Sea Bass with mango salsa, edamame and corn and string beans! YUM! Then we came back to the house for a bit of cake. Bill made the cake for her and he did a good job making the flip flops out of fondant. He hand painted the flowers as well and used brown sugar for the sand.

Christmas at Mom and Dad's

Mom set the table in reds and greens to be festive. She cooked Shrimp Creole and it was very good. Dad baked gingerbread and it was moist and delicious. Afterwards, Travis and I went to see a movie. All in all a very good day even if it was a little bit strange not having everyone here.

Christmas

It has been kinda strange waking up alone on Christmas morning. I am almost 52 and have never done that before. Travis is coming to the house soon and we are going over to Mamu and Grandaddy's house to eat and visit. Wanted to show a picture of the pretty earrings Roger got me for Christmas. I also got a cool spice rack that is on a lazy susan thing which will be great for quick find. I get tired of digging through my cabinet for spices. This should be great. He also got me a necklace and perfume and to keep me warm (he says I am either hot or cold no in between) an electic blanket and cuddle duds. These are the greatest little things known to women. They are thin,silky long underwear. You cannot even tell you have them on under pants and they really do hold in your natural body heat without feeling bulky or itchy. They come in handy for recess at school on those cold days.

Mamu and Grandaddy got me the neatest warming tray by Waring. It is Stainless Steel and there are three compartments with lids to keep food warm during a gathering. You can also remove the trays and place one large container on it. I love it! There are little openings on the lids for the spoons. Can't wait to use it Saturday.

Christmas Eve

Mamu and Grandaddy came to eat tonight. We ate breakfast. I made a quiche, eggs, bacon, sausage, biscuits, gravy and sliced apples. I was going to make pancakes but got too tired and didn't. I had cooked all day making candies and cookies for our get together on Saturday and to give for gifts.

I made some white chocolate covered pretzels, walnuts and peanut clusters, White chocolate covered Ritz crackers with peanut butter, peanut brittle, oatmeal chocolate chip cookies, peanut butter cup bars, rice krispie treats and ranch dill snack crackers. I am still going to make banana nut bread, raisin filled sugar cookies, cinnamon glass candy and fudge. I like making variety trays for gifts so people can put them out to entertain and share. Saturday we will have all kinds of appetizers and snacks SO I will be cooking things all night Friday and Saturday during the day.

Gabe hurry up and get here. We miss you. Seemed weird tonight without Gabe, Vince and Susan. They got caught in a riptide today. Scary to say the least.

Here are some pics of Mamu's pretty tree.

New clue

You might think this gift is made for walking,
but it couldn't be further from the truth.
We all wish we had this
when we were in our youth.

Are you shaking it in your head? Can you feel it?

Love you!

Hey My Darlin' Son

Double deuce we know you wanted.
Sorry, it's not here.
But please our number one favorite son,
do not shed a tear.

You see, we had to choose
and choose is what we did.
we think this gift will last longer,
and be a surprise to our big kid.

We will not squeal, we will not talk.
Don't even try to make us.
This present is so very real and not a
fakey fakeus!

Another hint for Gabriel

You might find out,
but we'll never tell.
Something like this,
you could have used in Vail.

Hee Hee!
Rattle,rattle.
shake and roll!

What do you think now; sneaky sneakerton?

Went to Cincinnati today to see Over the Rhine. The concert was at a very old Catholic church. Sooo cool but my camera batteries were running down and the light was kinda weird in there. Since I am still learning how to work my camera, shots not great but the architecture was wonderful. We got in free because of an advance order of a CD earlier in the year. They are sooo great in concert. It was packed and we got lost so we had to sit in the balcony. I was afraid the whole time that it would collapse or something it was so old. The fire department did come in and count twice and look around. The refreshments were free. There was coffee (freshly custom roasted and ground), wine, Belgian waffles, veggies, cheese and cake.

We brought Vince and Susan's car back from the airport. It got so cold and windy. It was 9 degrees there when we left with a very low wind chill I am sure.

Vince and Susan are not having a good experience in Mexico so far so I hope the rest of their vacation gets better.

Hey guys at least it is not 9 degrees!

More trickery

Keep on guessing...

Does it rattle when it is shaken?
Does it slide from end to end?
Can it stretch out when you bend it or does it hide and just pretend?
Is it really much, much smaller?
Is it heavy or so light?
Will the owner be frustrated
or filled with Christmas delight?

Sandy Claws

Yeah... School's out for a few days at least!

Sorry for the diversion with the pictures of the beach but I really wish I were there right this minute. Vince and Susan are going to Cancun for Christmas and I am just a wee bit jealous. Glad they are going to be by themselves a bit. They never have much of that time.



Today was our last day before Winter Break. I was so glad to walk out of there tonight. My children this year are a tough group. I needed to do so much but was so tired I just decided to walk out and leave it. I will go back on Monday because the building will be open and I can go in and finish up getting ready for when we come back with a clearer head.

Trav, Vince, Susan and I decided to go see Seven Pounds with Will Smith. I was highly disappointed. I won't say much for fear of ruining it for anybody, but you may want to save your money and wait to see it at discount or on DVD.

The overall theme was disturbing to me along with the way he chose to handle the consequences of his actions. Would have wanted a more cathartic approach. I will hush now.

Old Christmas Stockings

Took some pictures of our stockings. Did not include Roger's. His was at the top of the stairs and I forget to take it. It is just plain and red but I bought it for him our first year together.