The Agony and the Ecstasy

This would be The Shrine. My husband lit nine candles every game of the playoffs. For last night, he pulled out all his 1980 memorabilia as well to add to the intensity. The flash ruins the effect but without it, it was too dim to appreciate.

And they won! Cole Hamels was robbed of Baseball Immortality and all, but wow, we are psyched for the parade.

Except, of course, that our younger son, the one who loves the Phillies, developed a 102 degree fever and spent the entire game slumped against us. Poor little guy. Who had better be better by tomorrow!

Many thanks to all the good wishes sent our way during the exciting postseason. And Go Phillies, everyone!

WFMW--HOW Many Days Until Christmas?

Howdy to those who celebrate Christmas! Welcome all others as well, but this post won't be as relevant to you.

You could have knocked me over with a feather back in September when I realized we were 100 days out from Christmas. Of course it's less than that now.

For the last few years, I've been trying to follow the Holiday Grand Plan, which is an amazing whole-house, multi-holiday plan. I start with it in August with the very best of intentions, and figuring it will really take me that long to get ready. And, to its credit, one of the very first things it tells you to do is list all the house projects you want done before the holidays (painting, renovating, landscaping, whatever). Then cross off all but the three smallest. This seems more realistic.

Also more realistic, so far, for me: the 100 Days Til Christmas blog. This was started in September and breaks things down in to baby steps to plan for the holidays. I can't say I've been perfectly following every day but it has at least gotten me going on Christmas card planning so I might get them out this year. Last year...well, maybe that's another post.

Meanwhile, right after Halloween, I'll pop my favorite Christmas Countdown widget back up there. (I have a faux blog where I "save" codes and buttons since I don't know any official ways to do it. There's your second works-for-me of the day.)

But thinking about the holidays early is working for me! Watch for the next few weeks as I post other things that have worked for me for the holidays as we get closer. And definitely check out Shannon's blog for more ideas.

What He Said.

Go here to read my thoughts exactly on the Phillies game situation last night, but minus all the expletives and name calling I would have used.

Thanks and Must See Funny Post (from someone else of course)

First, many thanks for all of you who are also pulling for the Phillies. We are now pretty convinced that the universe will end if a Philly team wins and last night was just a preview. But it would be worth Armageddon for my poor husband, so please continue your good thoughts.

Second, you must click here, especially if you are at all critical of the last eight years. The original "inspiration" was one of the most annoying ads of its time but it leads to a funny-but-don't-watch-with-your-kids update that cracked me up. Enjoy. WFMW tomorrow, I hope. (Getting in gear for next month!)

MPM--Feeling Like Fall

Happy Monday!

We are in full baseball mode here. Please pray for me that there is not the biggest collapse in World Series History Since 2004 or I truly fear we will have a long, hard winter.

Looking forward to this week. We are going for as many excuses to wear Halloween costumes as possible. Depending on the occasion, we end up bringing two Buzz Lightyears or two giraffes, and we are about to make a Thomas and Gordon costume from scratch. (Hold me. These crafty things are not my strength--to the point where the boys say to me flat out, "Don't YOU make the costumes, Mom, we want Girlfriend to make them." True story, though they used a more appropriate name for Girlfriend.) Top that off with three days of work and being behind from night meetings, and NaBloPoMo is looking unlikely. And hence the uninspired menu.

Monday: Broiled salmon, rice, broccoli, fried green tomatoes

Tuesday: Crock pot pork roast, mashed potatoes, salad

Wednesday: Hot dogs for the boys, turkey salad for me, carrots, possibly noodles

Thursday: My last Super Suppers meal (sniff): panko pecan chicken, peas, rice, salad

Friday: Happy Halloween! Probably crock pot: Pork tenderloin over cranberries, sweet potatoes, beets.

Also cooking for friends who had babies, and friends who are in distress. Am totally excited that The Best Babysitter Ever found dried pears, which are on their way so I can try the Bon Appetit recipe I've been jonesing for since the October issue arrived in September.

Happy week, everyone. And Go Phillies! Please, please, please....Go Phillies.

Four Foods on Friday on Saturday Meme

Ok, I've been off this one a while but can't resist cream cheese. I'm a Philly girl, after all!

Want to play along? Go here.

#1. Name something you use cream cheese in/on.

Obviously bagels, which is, in my mind, the highest and best use of cream cheese ever. My mother used to put a slab on canned pears and call it a salad. My, the culinary wonders of the 1970s never fail to boggle the mind. But my two favorite non-bagel uses for cream cheese will be in #4.

#2. Do you use yogurt in any recipes?

I wish I used it in more but I'm still learning to work with it. Greek yogurt has been a boon. I love tzatziki and raita, and wish I knew how to make either or both but the recipes I've tried haven't quite done it for me.

#3. Macaroni salad. What do you like/put in yours?

I'm a purist. Creamettes noodles, mayo with red vinegar as dressing, celery chopped small, salt, pepper, celery seed if I have it.

#4. Share a recipe that you use sour cream in.

The hands-down favorite of the 21&under generation in our house: Hot Pizza Dip.

Ingredients:
1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1 cup (4 ounces) shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 can (8 ounces) pizza sauce
2 tablespoons chopped green pepper (optional)
2 tablespoons thinly sliced green onion (optional)
Breadsticks or tortilla chips or corn chips

Directions:
In a mixing bowl, beat cream cheese and Italian seasoning. Spread in an ungreased 9-in. microwave-safe pie plate.
Combine mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses; sprinkle half over the cream cheese. Top with the pizza sauce, remaining cheese mixture, green pepper and onion if using.
Microwave, uncovered, on high for 2-3 minutes or until cheese is almost melted, rotating a half turn several times. Let stand for 1-2 minutes; or bake, uncovered, for 15-30 minutes at 350 until cheese is bubbly.
Serve with breadsticks or tortilla chips. Yield: about 3 cups.


And one of my mother's favorites:

Preheat oven to 375. Take four chicken breasts and pound thin (or be me and start with the Italian style cutlets). Smear cream cheese over chicken. Roll up each breast individually with cream cheese inside. Wrap with slice of bacon and secure with toothpick if needed. Place in baking dish and bake 40-50 minutes until chicken is cooked. Broil last five minutes to crisp bacon if desired.

This might be one reason my mother is no longer with us, but every once in a while, this satisfies as something my mother used to make for me that I can replicate.

Holiday Countdowns

Thank goodness for the 100 Days to Christmas site. I have totally fallen off the Grand Plan wagon. I don't even know what I'm supposed to be doing this week house-wise but I know I'm way, way, way behind. (In fact, when I get off the computer--soon--I will be going through the toys that are taking over the playroom as birthdays are past and it's time to rotate again.)

But I've used the inspiration from the 100 Days Countdown to keep me on track for both Halloween and Christmas. The Buzz Lightyear costumes arrived in time for the Lions Club parade tonight. (The dinosaur and giraffe were great for last week's party.) I got the candy on sale and with my 10% off coupon at Target AND enough to survive my husband's pilfering (ok, and mine too). Belatedly for the countdown but just in time for our squirrels, we went to Pumpkinland at our local commercial farm, and for the first time since our younger son was born, it was a total triumph. (Last year, the four year old was so cranky he was downright evil; the year before, the weather was horrible every time we tried; the year before, the baby was so little it was hard to get around.) But this year, both boys loved it, and cracked me up by trying to pull out huge pumpkins from the bottom of the pile. The little one fell in love with the teeny-weeny pumpkins and got three of those; the older one picked one he could carry himself, and I got one for carving, in case I feel bold. Our front window is decked out with our light-up pumpkins, and we're feeling pretty ready. I do think I need to get at least one more pumpkin candy holder. We have one big and one little, but this year the younger one won't take kindly to having a teeny pumpkin.

As to Christmas...I used last Tuesday to finish shopping. I can't believe I'm writing that. But there were great coupons and the boys were in school. We knew what they were getting, so why wait? I'm sure I will augment with books and clothes with trains on them and a few other items at Strasburg Railroad when we go. But otherwise, we're pretty well set.

The theme is chosen for the in-laws' gifts and I've started in on that. I have a way to go but I'm pretty excited about it. I don't think any of them read here but just in case...more on that after Christmas.

And, of course, the 40th birthday is coming, sooner than I think. (Is it 40 days? I think so! Thanks to Emily for pointing that little milestone out.) Still trying to figure out how to celebrate short of...um, nothing. That's tempting--I have grown to hate birthdays without my mother, I'm sad to say--but it seems too pathetic and that's not how I want to be. I loved my one friend who hosted a "bring a special dish" potluck for her women friends. My husband and I have traditionally gone out to dinner. I'll figure out something. I felt bad that my big plans for my husband's 40th last year fell through, so I made it up to him by getting him a flat screen TV to watch the Phillies in the World Series since our kids are likely to be in college next time they get there. So maybe that'll be my special 40th present too. Because I must say, I lurve it. Since I don't usually get to just sit and watch it, but am catching it from the kitchen or dining room, the picture is awesome. Of course, it's like our cars; this TV has been in our house since...um...we first got cable, which was when I was a freshman in college, so...pre-1986? We were due. (And it was broken since summer and my husband did not complain even as his beloved team got closer and closer to the postseason.)

Anyway. New posts coming on my Parallel LIves Bloggers. And I suppose on lots of things as NaBloPoMo is coming. I haven't been as in to blogging this year but I do love a challenge. And what can be more challenging than trying to get ready for the holidays, doing two for-pay jobs, spending time with my kids and husband, and writing every day? Yikes. I'd better get to the playroom, stat. But the countdown was worth it if only for motivating me to finally get to Pumpkinland this year. We did our first hayride, which was a huge hit, and since it was Friday, their teeny train was running. Of course, this cost me an arm and a leg--exactly their intention--but the boys adored it, and the picnic I brought didn't cost us anything (and have I mentioned how lucky I am that my kids eat what I bring and don't whine about what craptastic food is available at the places we visit?), and next to the hayride, the kids liked feeding the ducks our stale bread the best. Add to that our romping on the football field down the street from our house, and I was pretty happy with what we were able to do outside today. Add to that making the apple cake from Smitten Kitchen for the bake sale tomorrow, cleaning up the kitchen from that and other issues, and answering work emails, and I feel great about today. Tonight is the last football game of the year and the Lions Club parade, making this the quintessential fall day here. Hope your Octobers are winding up well too.