I'd like to wish everyone a healthy and happy 2006 and hope that your 2005 was the same!

For Christmas Niel got me a book I really wanted Julie and Julia. I yelped with happiness after I opened the gift and said "You do love me"! Niel just shook his head and called me a "weirdo." Julie Powell is a writer who blogged about cooking all 524 recipes of Julia Child's cookbook Mastering The Art Of French Cooking in 365 days. That process was a major turning point in Julie Powell's life. Julie Powell, Orangette, and Dooce are some of my favorite new writers. I wouldn't have even discovered them if it wasn't for blogging. I enjoy their way with words and honesty.



Other cool books I received Paula Deen And Friends(from the Squilky's), Cupcakes Year Round, and It's All American Food. The last cookbook I had been eyeing as well and didn't even mention it to Niel. I was surprised to receive it. It was as if Niel read my mind. I read his mind also when I gave him Amazin. Which he had been wanting but did not mention to me either. Spooky.

Song Stuck In My Head: "Forgiven" by Alanis Morissette

A drink that Niel's aunts make for Christmas is Coquito. It is basically Puerto Rican Eggnog but much much yummier. To me anyway. I'm not a fan of Eggnog but I love Coquito. You may ask how can you love Coquito when you don't like Eggnog? And I would have to say it just tastes better to me. The little bit of alcohol with the cinnamon and definitely the coconut. Mmmmmmm. I love coconut. This site's recipe is similar to the "aunts" recipe.



Song Stuck In My Head: "A Town Called Malice" by The Jam

A very cool Christmas present Niel and I received is Memory Foam pillows. Niel actually pointed out we needed these and could be found inexpensively at where else, Target. And for the low price it is surprisingly comfortable. It not only helps with neck pain but also relieves some snoring as well. Yes we both snore. No I don't have stock in the company. We're thinking of buying the mattress pad ourselves next.



Song Stuck In My Head: "Rocket Queen" by Guns N Roses

A fun yet somewhat gross time we had was when some friends were in town Friday night, Niel and I broke out the Holiday flavors of Jones soda. We found it at Target. Of course. Niel had actually wanted to try it last year but since we couldn't find any then we had the tasting extravaganza this year. Heh heh. What's nice about good friends is you can pick up where you left off, without feeling awkward. Pictures here and at Dave's Flickr account.



Song Stuck In My Head: "King Kong" by Jack Black on Saturday Night Live

Christmas was rainy in many ways but it was mostly good. Ate lots of yummy food, saw some friends in town, exchanged presents, the car was repaired(woo hooo...still going to purchase a new one though), I got my passport(and I wish I could fill every page), and I also managed to successfully bake.

I made semi-mini pies for Christmas Eve. Filling in the ready made graham cracker crust. I used pie fillings: apple, blueberry, cherry and pumpkin fillings. I added brown sugar, nutmeg, and cinnamon to the pumpkin. And sugar, nutmeg and cinnamon for the apple. The blueberry and cherry I just added sugar.


About to go in the oven.


All baked. And serve with some vanilla ice cream.


And for Christmas day I made a Tres Leches Cake. I had an igloo mold which I think can be an igloo or an ornament. And the igloo can probably be made with a round mold too. The cake was very moist. I should have added more coconut and rum though.


Finally looks like an igloo.


Song Stuck In My Head Still: "The Internet is for Porn" from Avenue Q

Wishing you and yours a very Happy Holiday weekend!

The transit strike is over. Woo hoo. Mike came over to help get the car started, so Niel could get it over to the repair shop. So we are again going to have my dad pick us up for Christmas Eve and day dinners. Thankfully he is gracious about it. And if we need to pop out before hand thank goodness the buses and trains are available. Leasing here we come.

Niel and I had been curious about the precooked meats that Tyson and Hormel had been selling. So we recently purchased the Tyson Maple and Brown Sugar glazed Ham. It was six servings of thinly cut sweet ham. Niel brought some to lunch the next day and one of his coworkers commented it smelled like breakfast. I guess it must have been the maple. Not a bad dinner option if you are running late with dinner and it's on sale. I am interested to also try the Hormel brand and will blog about that at another time.



Song Stuck In My Head: "Feliz Navidad"

Day three of the transit strike lingers. Niel and I have been going in earlier to try to get into the city earlier. Sleep is something of the past. Yesterday's line to get on the train was nutso. It was cold and long. Some straphangers have been nice and others understandably disgruntled. There have been lots of pushing and cursing. And not just the ladies. Men too. For God sakes get up and give your seat for an old person. Don't push past a pregnant woman. Why do these things have to be said? Who raised them? Some people have been great and stepping it up like the Long Island Railroad with their reduced fairs and the police officers. I do hope the rumor I have been hearing that the railroad workers are calling in a collective sick day because of all the long hours they have been working is not true. I am trying to find sympathy for the striking MTA workers. Because in all honesty I don't know how it is for them. Sure they have a nice salary, pension and good healthcare but they work underground for Pete sakes. But of all the city employees I don't believe the MTA employees have as difficult working conditions. The teachers, police officers and firemen have much more difficult jobs. I don't think the mayor or the governor have been much help. They've just made stupid statements. But the city has survived much worse and this too shall pass. Niel and I have been getting rides from my dad to the train station since our car decided that it was not going to deal with this weather. And yesterday Mike picked us up from the train station so we could go to dinner with their mom for Niel's birthday. We got into Queens with relatively no trouble and had a nice dinner. I am sorry Niel had a somewhat crummy birthday. But he did have three celebrations.

On to food. Of course. I love dried cranberries. The combination of tart and sweet. And the wacky name they have been given. Craisins. It makes me laugh. So I was miffed at myself for picking up orange flavored cranberries by accident. I don't get the wacky flavor combinations. If you want an orange by and orange. If you don't like cranberries or craisins don't buy them. So no I am not a fan.



Song Stuck In My Head: "The Great Divide" by Scott Stapp(Blech)

I was pretty proud of myself. I did well working from home. I didn't slack off and get distracted. I made my calls, checked emails and kept busy. It's good to know if I have to work from home someday(I hope), atleast a couple of days a week that I would be alright. But it sure does getting used to. For one the boss does call more and I have to be my own boss to make sure I get my stuff done. But I did get my work in by deadline. I turned on the TV a bit after five though to see if the strike was still on and it was amazing to see lines of people trying to get home by the Long Island Railroad and Metro North and all the folks stuck in traffic. Niel was smart and brought round trip tickets for tomorrow. I guess we'll have to go in by Long Island Rail Road now that it is making all stops in Queens. He had a helacious commute last night. He came home five hours after leaving work. FIVE HOURS!!!! It's not like we live all the way upstate. We live an hour from Manhattan the most. When he finally got off the train his car died. My dad came to help and followed him home to make sure the car wouldn't die again. I hope we can get in ok today because we're going out to dinner for his birthday. It's amazing how important the train is but I am a little miffed that they had to strike in this cold. I guess that was part of the strategy. Oh scratch that about getting in ok. Our car died again this morning. I think the oil problem and the cold killed the engine. What a way to start Winter. Blech. Anyway on to better things.

I like to wish my wonderful husband Niel a very Happy Birthday. As a little girl, I would try to imagine what my future husband would be like. What was he like? Where did he live? And yes was he even born yet? Niel has surpassed everything I thought I could have. He is sweet, hard working, adventurous, funny, kind, smart and handsome. And oh can he make you laugh. Niel is perfect for me. He doesn't need to be surrounded by tons of folks or always talking. He counts only a few people as his true friends and around them he lights up. I feel so lucky to be part of his life and am sure happy he was born. I hope even with this ongoing strike that he sees himself how I see him and how most people do as just a great guy. I love you baby and I hope not only all your birthdays are wonderful (I hope you have many, many of them) but that everyday is wonderful. Because you deserve the world.



Song Stuck In My Head: "Today's Your Birthday" by The Beatles

So there is a transit strike in New York city. My bosses gave the ok for my department to work from home. I wonder from one day of striking how much it will actually cripple the city like the local media has been reporting it will. I still hope the Transit Union and Metropolitan Transportation Authority can resolve this so us straphangers can get on with things. Either way I will brave it in like Niel's did today and go in tomorrow.

In Disney I purchased a Mickey pancake and egg mold. On Saturday I made eggs sunny side up, shaped like Mickey eggs. The first did not go well. The eggs came out a little wacky looking and not much like a Mickey head. I'll have to keep trying.



Song Stuck In My Head: "I Will Survive" by Gloria Gaynor.

This weekend began celebrating Niel's birthday early. His actualy birthday is Wednesday. The Squilky's were in town to celebrate and early Christmas with Mr. Squilky's family and we spent Saturday with them to celebrate Niel's birthday. I had asked Niel what he wanted to do this year and he said that he had a good time last year in New Roc City Go Carting and we should do the same thing this year. So we picked them up and arrived at New Rock quickly. We paid for three rounds of Go Carting. It was a lot of fun. After the first round we played some glow in the dark mini golf. That was fun too. The place played some upbeat music. And I think an entire Black Eyed Peas album. Which is fine cause I like peas. I think Niel and I both got a hole in one. Mike won. Then we had lunch at Apple Bees. Luckily were seated near a table with pictures of the Mets and surprised Niel with a serenading waiters. After lunch we went back for our second round of Go Carting. Then went to Modell's and did a little shopping. We again got lucky and found a luggage set on sale from $80 to $20. Then we went back finished our Go Carting, where Rachel spun Niel around for cutting her off all three rounds. I was snapping away and driving really slow. It was funny and luckily no one got hurt. We played some video games and called it a day. Then on the way home our luck changed. The car kept stalling and stopping. We made it to Queens without a problem because there was not much stopping. I was joking around to try to relieve Niel's stress. But he chose to relieve it by cursing and banging on the car. Understandlably it was a frustrating situation. Once we hit Queens Boulevard and got stuck in traffic the car broke down. The three of us got out while Rachel steered and pushed the car to Burger King. We felt badly that we couldn't get Mike and Rachel back in time to his family's house for dinner. Mike's brother in law picked them up and I called my parents who were near by to come over in case they had to drive us home. The car problem was very simple. It was out of oil. So Niel walked over to the gas station while I stood by the car and waited for my parents. It is odd because Niel took the car in last week to be fixed for another problem and the mechanic did not tell him he needed oil. The car started up again and ran fine and we got home. But this incident has lit a fire that we need a newer car fast. My parents went home and later in the evening we went to their house for another early birthday celebration for Niel. My mom served two salads(Boston lettuce and green onion with vinaigrette dressing), two appetizers(mushroom Kibbeh, and feta turnovers), Chicken cutlets, brown rice with sauted button mushrooms, and chocolate mousse for dessert. Another tasty dinner. Niel was doing a lot better at this point. Sunday I continued my holiday baking by making short bread, Double Chocolate chip cookies, and Sugar Cookies. Niel helped prepare the Peppermint Bark by crushing some candy canes. I am making the Peppermint bark tonight and some more short bread. The sweets are being given out to coworkers and nearby friends. Pictures here.

Song Stuck In My Head: "Christmas In Hollis" by Run DMC

I can cook most ethnic dishes pretty well, except when it comes to Chinese and Thai food. I am still trying perfect to them. But while I am working on that part of my cooking range, I found a quickie and yummy alternative. A Taste of Thai. So far I have tried the Pad Thai and the Coconut Giner rice(spicer than I thought). From the few Thai in a box varieties I have tried they are the best.



Song Stuck In My Head: "Get Back" by The Beatles

While out grocery shopping I noticed that my grocery store carried a generic version of instant oatmeal made especially for women. It had vitamins that women should particularly take like Folic Acid. I knew cereal companies were doing this so I guess why not put vitamins in oatmeal too?




Song Stuck In My Head: "Jolene" by the White Stripes

The gift shop of our hotel sold the usual things one would find at resorts. Clothing with the name of the hotel on it or Mickey Mouse, necessities that one might forget or run out of like toothpaste or film. But they also sold microwavable corn on the cob. They came in individual casings and in groups. We purchased one because we hadn't seen or heard of it before. It seemed like a neat idea. You remove the packaging and put the cob in the paper bag that it comes with and put it in the microwave for a few minutes and you have popcorn. Also some of the popcorn didn't come off the cob. That was funny.




Today is twelve days before Christmas and I decided that for these twelve days I am going to have a different picture of me in a festive Christmas hat up in my "About Me Section".

Song Stuck In My Head: "The Memory Remains" by Metallica

I think I forgot to mention during Halloween that Niel had found some orange Peeps with chocolate inside of them. We both agreed they were pretty gross.



Song Stuck In My Head: "Fancy" by Reba Mcentire

Orlando was terrific. Disney really has fun down to a well-oiled machine. Everything is good down to the littlest detail. It was better that we couldn't get into Montreal for now. Florida is warmer. Niel and I did a lot of the same things we did last time but tried new stuff too. The easiest way I can explain is to make a list below of what we did. Because I cannot remember what we did on what day. We stayed at Port Orleans Riverside. The rooms were made to look like lodges. Our bedposts were made to look like trees and the bed covers like quilts. We each had our own sink. That was neat. Pictures here and here. It made me sad to look at them while I fixed them. We had a lot of fun and now are back to reality.

Rode a boat five different times.

Enjoyed the fire works at Epcot four times.

Rode test track four times. Too short of a ride.

Our Star Tours Ride stopped in mid ride. And we got to take the ride again. Thank goodness it wasn't a faster or elevated ride.

Ate at the restaurant at German pavilion for the first time. Heavy but good food. Niel tried to drink the biggest mug of beer but it was too big!

Ate a Seafood buffet at the Beach Club hotel's restaurant Cape May. Awesome.

The first time ever we didn't have a turkey leg

It was cheerleader week at Disney World. Dear God is all that needs to be said.

Then the last leg of our trip came the football players. It was just like being in some cheesy eighties film.

We stayed at Port Orleans Riverside. It used to be Dixie Landings.

Each enjoyed a Dole Whip. Mmmmm.

We tried a Surrey bike. Ok Niel did most of the riding while I kept yelling "go slower". And that bike does not go very fast.

Rode Soaring in Epcot. A neat experience after I opened my eyes. Heh heh.

We enjoyed two meals at the Earl of Sandwich at Downtown Disney. The best sandwiches!

Niel brought sweet gifts for his family.

Laughed a lot!

We thought of bringing back gifts from the Canadian Pavilion but thought of it too late.

They have the best Mini Golf course across from the Swan Hotel.

Hung out on the deserted beach at night in the Swan Club. So relaxing swaying on the hammock.

Finally tried out the pool and the hot tub.

Walked on the Boardwalk.

Saw the different Santa or Holiday figures from around the world. Julinessen the mischievous Nome from Norway was our favorite. Go Yule!

There was a little kid at the Norway ride who was afraid of the Vikings. Niel and I kept saying to one another "Don't worry honey all the Vikings are dead!" and then laughing. Yes we are bad people.

We visited a lot of hotels. It really is neat to see what the other hotels look like and is an experience in itself.

We ate at Alfredo's again. It is in Epcot in the Italy Pavillion. A tradition with my inlaws. Of course Niel ordered the Fetuccini Alfredo. Another must if you eat there. This time I tried the pasta sampler though. The mushroom stuffed ravioli was heavenly. The waitress Valentina was scary. She kept sneaking up on me. And her "assistant" accidentally dropped some dish on my back. No discount on the meal. But the American manager apologized. Niel thought the Italian workers didn't like the American Italians. Heh heh.

In MGM Studios in the New York town section was made to look like the Osborne house in Arkansas. They even had snow but it was just a bubble machine.

Niel got me a Winnie The Pooh Cuties shirt that reads "I Love Carbs". Heh heh.

I was very good and did not buy a lot of things. I am getting so better at that.

Saw a Hummingbird up close.

On our flight back the passengers got out on the tarmac and not at a gate because there were no available gates. It was a little spooky.


It is funny we ended up in Dinsey World really. We had been talking about how we missed being there and didn't know when we would be back. But now back to the dreaded reality. Cleaned the apartment (Even though we did also before leaving for Florida.), went grocery shopping, and did the laundry. It snowed a good deal on Friday. I also sent out my Christmas cards and birthday cards. We already got some in the mail for Christmas and Niel's upcoming birthday. Still haven't gotten my passport. I'll give those people till this coming Friday before I call. Grr. We also went out Friday night to celebrate a friend's (Kelvin) engagement. Stayed out till 3:30 in the morning. Didn't drink but felt like crap on Saturday. I think my body clock was out of wack. In the afternoon mustered an outing to go Christmas shopping and did well.

Song Stuck In My Head: "My Humps" by The Black Eyed Peas

It's snowing in NYC!!!!!! Holy cow!!!!!! I hope we can get off the runway! Dear God why won't NYC let me out? WHY?!!!

UPDATE:

What does a girl do when she can't get into Canada. Well after crying for about ten minutes and then having a McGriddle at McDonald's and pouting. Luckily she can book a trip to Disney World which comes out cheaper than going to Canada. And why am I talking in third person? Anyway our Air Canada tickets are non refundable so when we do go to Canada maybe in spring of 2006, or Summer or Fall, whenever in 2006 we will go they will be available. And thankfully we already bought 99% of our Christmas presents so this snafu is not sooooo bad. Why do you ask I could not get into Canada? Because apparently since the last time we visited Canada a mere two or three years ago a new law has been passed that one needs a passport. And why do I not have a passport because the freaking US Passport Agency is taking it sweet ass time. I feel like an idiot though. So hopefully around this time tomorrow Niel and I will be flying to Florida. Wish us luck. I guess it is a funny story. And now I have to add Montreal on my places in Canada to see.

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A month before I am supposed to go on vacation I usually kind of forget about it. But always like clockwork a few days before a trip I get excited thinking that I will be getting on a plane to see a new city. To experience a way of life that is different than my own, if only for a short time. I think my favorite part is just the anticipation of it. Knowing its going to happen and researching the sites I will be visiting. This morning Niel and I are off to Montreal. This will be our first full trip to Canada. In 2003 or 2002 Niel and I took a side trip from Seattle to Victoria, British Columbia. A city I recommend visiting. It is quaint, charming, and the most British city in Canada. I've been to Montreal once when I was a very young. I hardly remember it at all though. All I remember really is the lovely Minestrone soup my family had at a restaurant. My brother brought up the soup when he was over for Thanksgiving. I'm glad he remembers it too. I've seen a good deal of American cities and there are still more I'd like to see, but I also love Canada and try to go whenever possible. Three more places in Canada left on my list to see are Vancouver, Toronto and Prince Edward Island.



Song Stuck In My Head: "Hey You" by Pink Floyd

Niel came home yesterday from work and surprised me with a copy of Rachael Ray Every Day. He knew I had been searching for it. The Barnes and Nobles I checked had sold out of it and I couldn't find one on news stands. The magazine is an on the spot reflection of Ms. Ray. It is coloful, peppy and has most of her 30 minute meal recipes. Plus she has a staff to come up with new recipes. The features are relatively short and have stories about some of her favorite Manhattan spots, a description of some of her expressions: "Delish!", as well as an advertisement for her a T-shirt that has another one of her sayings "Yummo". For fans of Rachael Ray the magazine is neat to peruse.



Please also click on over to All Things Girl and read the December and January edition.

Song Stuck In My Head: "Jolen" by Dolly Parton

I have to admit something. I cannot cook rice. Which is too bad because I love rice. Rice pilaf, Fried Rice, Jasmin rice, and White rice. Mmmm starchy. Sure I do well with the rice that comes in a box. And sometims I even mess that up. But I cannot make rice from scratch. I know its one cup of rice to two cups of water. I even tried one cup of rice to one and a half cups of water. But the rice never fully cooks through. It is something that really bugs me.



Song Stuck In My Head: "Why Can't I Be You?" by The Cure