18 Responses to “Oh by gosh, by golly!”

1. This year, I am going to enjoy quiet moments with my children rather than constantly urging them to “hurry up” and “get moving” and “oh my gosh, we’re late — move it!” And I am going to resolve to create more quiet moment opportunities in the new year. My oldest is 15 and it won’t be that much longer before she is on her own. I can’t let these opportunities pass us by!

   by Kimberleigh on December 19th, 2007 at 7:08 pm
   
   

2. Special plans this season: visiting family and enjoying the holidays with them. Simple things.

   by Maggie on December 20th, 2007 at 12:47 am
   
   

3. Diana,

   No plans really out of the ordinary for me here. For the second year in a row, we get my nephews the night before Christmas Eve. They’ll stay over night until their parents come for our annual Christmas Eve celebration. I’m just praying things go better this time than they did the last time they stayed over night. I love them dearly, but they are at that “demon” stage, and even I had to yell at them a lot last time. Oh, I forgot…this year I’m trying out my chicken salad recipe for our Christmas Eve gathering….Mom said we’re having finger food, so why not? She liked the idea. I’m just trying to figure out how I’m going to do this with a 4 1/2 and 3 year old here. *sigh*.

   Oh, I am also going to make myself some crab cakes…by “make” I mean heat them up in the toaster oven. I asked for them for Christmas and they came a few weeks ago. Have had 2 of 12 already…now I’m ready to try them a different way. A mayo glaze just doesn’t do it for me.

   I’d love to get to go around the Christmas Boulevard and Saint Joseph’s church again. Usually, it isn’t Christmas until I get to them…but the past few years, I haven’t gone since I have trouble getting in and out of the car. I refuse to kill myself getting in and out of the car for anyone, but I guess if I am, going and from a church is a good place to do it. Last time I was there, it was warm enough to get out and walk around the display…something we had NEVER done my entire life. It was absolutely AMAZING! I guess if I am going to make a New Year’s resolution, it would be to design a transfer board that I wouldn’t break my neck using.

   Have a bite of lobster for me will you please? I love it..just don’t get it often. And vintage coctails sound interesting. If one is a Tom Collins, please let me know how they come out. My parents used to let me have sips of them when I was little. (Cured my headaches when I got one). About 12 years ago, I finally went to a club/bar with a friend of mine…I ordered one, and the bartender had NO idea how to make one. Boy, did I feel old.

   OOH! Have fun at the movies! Last one I was at was either Stella or Dead Poets Society. Usually I wait until they are out on PPV.

   Oh, yeah, now that I have it, I’m going to re-read Southern Cross.

   by Traci on December 20th, 2007 at 1:46 am
   
   

4. I’d like to actually make it to a candlelight service at church on Christmas Eve. I always find them so moving and it’s not because I trend to drip candle wax on my hand.

   by JB on December 20th, 2007 at 9:33 pm
   
   

5. Four days off. Time to finish the shopping. Make a few more treats. And then just veg for a few days before I set myself up for my new years plans. Maybe even walk the dogs.

   I love candlelight services but can’t stay awake that long anymore. Not joking.

   A friend gave me an Elizabeth George book so I have a few to choose from during the holiday.

   Happy holidays to all.

   by Lynn on December 20th, 2007 at 10:32 pm
   
   

6. Oh gosh, I love the sleep late idea. HEAVEN! And I’m with TX Lynn. No way can I make it to midnight services. I’d be tooooo sleepy. Though they’re usually so beautiful.

   by Heather on December 21st, 2007 at 7:49 pm
   
   

7. Heather: Actually, it’s IL Lynn that gets sleepy now. I just have zero energy, but the services are so moving. And one year we walked out and it was gently snowing. Can’t beat that.

   by Lynn on December 21st, 2007 at 8:22 pm
   
   

8. Oh, Kimberleigh, you’re so right! It’s disconcerting how much time during the holidays is spent in a state of total harassment. Taking time to enjoy the quiet moments — and the people you love — is an excellent resolve.

   by Diana on December 23rd, 2007 at 1:24 pm
   
   

9. Maggie, I love the fact that you’re so balanced about your time. You’re productive, prolific — you promote — and yet you’re always snatching moments to spend with your family. It gives me hope. ;-D

   by Diana on December 23rd, 2007 at 1:26 pm
   
   

10. Hey, Traci! We don’t get lobster much around here either, but we love it — and it turned out PERFECT when we had it the other night. What a lovely night that was. We rented the BOURNE ULTIMATUM (pretty good action flick) and enjoyed our fire and Christmas tree and sumptuous supper.

    Oh — my parents used to drink Tom Collinses all the time. I made them last year, and they were pretty good! Light and refreshing — sort of citrusy.

    by Diana on December 23rd, 2007 at 1:29 pm
    
    

11. JB, I’ve never been to a candlelight service, but I’d like to one day. I’ve always thought it would be lovely…assuming I could stay awake long enough to get there.

    by Diana on December 23rd, 2007 at 1:30 pm
    
    

12. Happy Holidays, Lynn — and enjoy those four days off.

    I’ve got a towering stack of books beside the bed — I almost don’t know where to begin!

    by Diana on December 23rd, 2007 at 1:36 pm
    
    

13. Heather, I know. I’m the same way. I can’t seem to stay up past ten o’clock anymore. Granted, I do get up around five, but even so….even when I sleep late, I’m yawning by nine-thirty.

    by Diana on December 23rd, 2007 at 1:37 pm
    
    

14. Hey, Traci — one more thought. You can buy Collins Mix at the store sometimes. Bev Mo or Trader Joe’s.

    Or make it from scratch (much better!):

    http://www.drinksmixer.com/drink2438.html

    by Diana on December 23rd, 2007 at 1:39 pm
    
    

15. And one year we walked out and it was gently snowing. Can’t beat that.

    Lovely!

    by Diana on December 23rd, 2007 at 1:40 pm
    
    

16. Late to the party—I got an error message the other day & couldn’t post on the blog.

    I’m taking it easy & having a mellow, laid-back holiday this year. Well, that’s the plan, anyway! DH & I will begin our new D&E (diet & exercise) regime, er, lifestyle on Jan. 2nd. Sigh…

    Oh, Traci, being that I’m originally from New Orleans, I highly recommend a remoulade sauce to add zip to your crab cakes. Here’s one I use often:

    1 stalk celery
    1 bunch green onions
    1 bunch parsley
    ½ large onion
    1 cup of ketchup, more or less
    1 cup Creole mustard
    1 cup red wine vinegar
    2 Tbsp. prepared horseradish
    2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
    ½ cup salad oil
    1 ½ ounces paprika

    Mince celery, green onion, parsley, and onions in a food processor. Add ketchup, Creole mustard, red wine vinegar, horseradish and oil to the vegetables and mix all ingredients in the food processor adding paprika last. Allow the sauce to stand refrigerated 6-8 hours before serving. Makes about 3 cups; can easily be halved.

    Or even a simple mustard sauce:1 TBS. any mustard, 1 cup mayo, 2tsps. Worcesteshire,1 tsp. A-1 Sauce, 1/4 cup cream or milk, s&p to taste. Mix til smooth, chill before serving. Makes about a cup. Enjoy!

    by Texas Lynn on December 24th, 2007 at 3:58 pm
    
    

17. IL Lynn, you made me smile!
    Weird being two of us here, huh?!

    by Texas Lynn on December 24th, 2007 at 4:01 pm
    
    

18. Hey, Texas Lynn, glad you made it finally. I think I’m going to ask Mr. Thrilling to make crabcakes very soon!

    by Diana Killian on January 8th, 2008 at 10:40 pm
    
    

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