Okay, I'm not trying to be critical here, but Thanksgiving was, hmm....interesting. I took Bob's advice and went ahead and made my mom's broccoli cheese casserole, along with 2 of the Etter broccoli cheese casserole. One was completely eaten, the other one was thrown away. I made it, they all said it tasted good, but after reheating it for the third time and only a small corner being eaten, I pitched it. Sorry, I don't enjoy food poisoning to start the holiday season. Next year, I'll follow my own inner Food Network Star and make one of theirs and one of mine. I hate wasting food.
Another highlight included the grease fire before we got there. As I stared at the black soot on the ceiling and cabinets, all I could think of was the song "Burning Down the House". The food was okay, but it was served on Kenny's mom's wedding China. I know my limitations, I took a Corelle plate from the kid's table. Some things I refuse to leave to fate.
The incident that killed Thanksgiving was Kenny's brother Greg and his bag of rocks. Greg is an environmental engineer. He lives in Atlanta, is super smart, and goes to these panning for gold places in the mountains of northern Georgia for fun. He brought up two big bags of rocks and forced everyone to pan for gold and gems in the kitchen sink. It created such a mess that no one could get out food for the traditional late evening snack. Since he coopted everyone, no games were played, no holiday movies were watched, very little conversation was had. I read through the Black Friday ads from the paper about 3 times. Needless to say, this ranks up there with some of the worst holiday experiences I've ever had. On Friday, we all met at Kenny's brother's, Mike's, house to eat some more and head to Washington's Christmas parade. Greg got mad because we refused to do more rocks. I'm just glad I get to be home at Christmas with my family. We may be insane, but at lease we always have a good time!
Monday, November 26, 2007
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Yay for the Chili 5 Way!
Kenny and I made our first trip to the newly opened Steak and Shake here in Washington last evening! The food was yummy Steak and Shake fare and the service was surprisingly fast and efficient. Finally, I was able to purchase my all time favorite, the Chili 5 Way, without having to drive 25 miles away to find a Steak and Shake. More and more, it's the little things that make me happy.
Monday, November 19, 2007
My First Thanksgiving Away from Malden
It's finally hitting me that I won't be in Malden this year for Thanksgiving. This is my first official "big" holiday away from my family. Having never expected to find myself in this situation, I'm now embarking on what all of my other friends have had to adapt to: deciding which family to go to on the holidays. So, I'm spending Thanksgiving with Kenny and his family. Christmas will be with mine, Easter probably with his, and so on and so on. How weird and it's making me somewhat melancholy.
Obviously, I'll miss my family the most. However, I'm afraid at what kind of strange Thanksgiving fare I may be subjected to. I've been assigned to bring 2 broccoli and cheese casseroles. No problem, or so I thought, until I found out that I have to make Kenny's family's broccoli and cheese casserole, not my mom's broccoli, cheese, and rice casserole. They don't want the kind with rice in it. I didn't know there was any other way to make it. Strangely, I feel a little resentful that not only do I have to spend the holiday away from my family, I now have to give up one of my favorite casseroles, which I know is completely petty. I'm just going to miss some traditional German-family Thanksgiving grub, like my dad's fried turkey, dressing in a pan not stuffed inside the bird, cherry delight, and yes, broccoli,cheese and rice casserole. I just don't want to have to give up everything that I love about the holidays with my family and lose a connection to them. Plus, Kenny's family is so big and I guess I just feel a little overwhelmed and uncomfortable still yet. Any suggestions on getting over blending family traditions and foods?
Obviously, I'll miss my family the most. However, I'm afraid at what kind of strange Thanksgiving fare I may be subjected to. I've been assigned to bring 2 broccoli and cheese casseroles. No problem, or so I thought, until I found out that I have to make Kenny's family's broccoli and cheese casserole, not my mom's broccoli, cheese, and rice casserole. They don't want the kind with rice in it. I didn't know there was any other way to make it. Strangely, I feel a little resentful that not only do I have to spend the holiday away from my family, I now have to give up one of my favorite casseroles, which I know is completely petty. I'm just going to miss some traditional German-family Thanksgiving grub, like my dad's fried turkey, dressing in a pan not stuffed inside the bird, cherry delight, and yes, broccoli,cheese and rice casserole. I just don't want to have to give up everything that I love about the holidays with my family and lose a connection to them. Plus, Kenny's family is so big and I guess I just feel a little overwhelmed and uncomfortable still yet. Any suggestions on getting over blending family traditions and foods?
Friday, November 16, 2007
I've been tagged!
Rules: Once tagged, you must link to the person who tagged you. Then post the rules before your list, and list 8 random things about yourself. At the end of the post, you must tag and link to 8 other people, visit their sites, and leave a comment letting them know they’ve been tagged.(I've been tagged by Brooke).
1. I have a day off from school! YAY! It's always nice to get a bonus day off (Thank you MSTA Convention) to sleep in and get some laundry done.
2. I am a member of MSTA and attended the convention yesterday as a delegate. I was three rows away from the govenor as he made his speech, and no, I didn't throw anything at him. I did think about it though. If you can't tell, I'm not a big fan of our present governor, due to what I feel are some poor social justice decisions he's made during his term in office.
3. One thing that calms me down and relaxes me is the sound of my cat, Mackie, purring loudly as she sleeps next to me. Never underestimate the power of a pet in making your life better!
4. One of my favorite drives in the St. Louis area is the Great River Road between Alton, IL and Pere Marquette State Park. Beautiful!
5. Speaking of the above post, I'm always surprised by the number of sail boats I see on the Mississippi when we drive the Great River Road. Are these people insane?!? There's no way I'd get on the Mississippi in a sailboat!
6. I'm addicted to Pasta House Salad. Sorry, I'm sure it's not healthy for me, but it's my go to meal when nothing else tastes good. (This would probably not be my go to meal if we had an Indian restaurant here in Washington. I keep dreaming!)
7. Speaking of food, I'm excited to announce that Steak and Shake opens this weekend here in Washington. I'm hoping to convince Kenny to go out to eat so I can get the chili. I may spluge and get that chili three way thingy. It's cold here today!
8. I'm finally taking the time to read Return to Big Stone Gap by Adriana Trigiani and The River Wife by Jonis Agee. Sometimes, you just have to make the time for relaxation activities, something I too often forget to do! Plus, how can I preach to my students to "Read, Read, Read" when I don't take the time to read myself for pleasure!
Unfortunately, I don't have eight people to link to! The ones I could link to have already been linked (see the list on my blogroll)! Oh well, here's my 8 random things about mysel
1. I have a day off from school! YAY! It's always nice to get a bonus day off (Thank you MSTA Convention) to sleep in and get some laundry done.
2. I am a member of MSTA and attended the convention yesterday as a delegate. I was three rows away from the govenor as he made his speech, and no, I didn't throw anything at him. I did think about it though. If you can't tell, I'm not a big fan of our present governor, due to what I feel are some poor social justice decisions he's made during his term in office.
3. One thing that calms me down and relaxes me is the sound of my cat, Mackie, purring loudly as she sleeps next to me. Never underestimate the power of a pet in making your life better!
4. One of my favorite drives in the St. Louis area is the Great River Road between Alton, IL and Pere Marquette State Park. Beautiful!
5. Speaking of the above post, I'm always surprised by the number of sail boats I see on the Mississippi when we drive the Great River Road. Are these people insane?!? There's no way I'd get on the Mississippi in a sailboat!
6. I'm addicted to Pasta House Salad. Sorry, I'm sure it's not healthy for me, but it's my go to meal when nothing else tastes good. (This would probably not be my go to meal if we had an Indian restaurant here in Washington. I keep dreaming!)
7. Speaking of food, I'm excited to announce that Steak and Shake opens this weekend here in Washington. I'm hoping to convince Kenny to go out to eat so I can get the chili. I may spluge and get that chili three way thingy. It's cold here today!
8. I'm finally taking the time to read Return to Big Stone Gap by Adriana Trigiani and The River Wife by Jonis Agee. Sometimes, you just have to make the time for relaxation activities, something I too often forget to do! Plus, how can I preach to my students to "Read, Read, Read" when I don't take the time to read myself for pleasure!
Unfortunately, I don't have eight people to link to! The ones I could link to have already been linked (see the list on my blogroll)! Oh well, here's my 8 random things about mysel
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