We Did It !!

I just got back from my workout at my little Curves center.  I don't think there's a big membership at this particular location but they are the most generous bunch of ladies I have ever seen. 

Before Thanksgiving, they donated 362 pounds of food to a local food bank

In October they collected $200 for the American Cancer Society

In September they collected school supplies for needy kids

In April and May they collected 27 pair of eye glasses for the Lions Club, 51 pounds of peanut butter for the food bank, coats, hats, socks, blankets and gloves for the needy and old cell phones for the court system to give to domestic violence victims

In March they collected 625 pounds of food for a local food bank and..

In January they collected hundreds of pairs of socks for the homeless.

And now in December...we were given tags from the Salvation Army Giving Tree for 50 children.  Actually originally we were given 30 tags and once the wishes on those tags were filled,  the manager asked for 20 more tags.  Yesterday afternoon, gift #50 was brought into the center.  We, there in that little Curves work out center will help make Christmas better for 50 children in our area. What a wonderful feeling. 

I think our manager and staff just have a heart for helping those who are less fortunate and I think that's an admirable thing.  I'm proud to be part of their Curves center.   (By the way, I got the tag of a little 4 yr old girl who wanted a Cabbage Patch doll....it was so fun going to the store and looking them all over and deciding which one was the cutest.)  Linda

Santa and His Reindeer

This is a cute web site.   If you have any little ones in your house...they'll enjoy it.

http://www.glenn.tapley.us/MC.swf

I Found This On A Christmas Card

On the twelfth day of Christmas my true love gave to me....

                   Twelve Dalmatians Drumming

                         Eleven Spaniels Sleeping

                          Ten Magnificent Mutts

                          Nine Poodles Prancing

                        Eight Rottweilers Ringing

                         Seven Labs a Leaping

                        Six German Shepherds

                       Five Golden Retrievers

                       Four Beagles Begging

                  Three Dachshunds Dashing

                     Two Terriers Toasting

              and a Pomeranian in a Pear Tree.

The Dinner Menu Is Planned

I sat down last night and planned out my menu for my family Christmas which will be December 22nd.  I've decided since it's not on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, I am not planning a traditional holiday dinner.  It's going to be buffet style and one of the dishes I'm going to make goes clear back to when my mom was a girl.  She and her siblings grew up in eastern Washington (Sunnyside to be exact) and asparagus grew like weeds in that warm, dry climate.   Even during the depression they ate well, they always had chickens for eggs & Sunday dinner, always had several milk cows and beef, hundreds of watermelons & cantaloupes in the summer as well as vegetables, including carrots, rutabagas and of course asparagus. It was said that my grandmother was a wizard when it came to cooking their common vegetables.  One of the favorite recipes was escalloped asparagus.  My nieces all asked for the recipe but none of them have made it yet, so Aunt Linda is going to include it in the Christmas buffet . I'll share this very old family recipe with you, we all loved it, my mom made it frequently, especially during the summer months. It's very easy and so good. 

Escalloped Asparagus

1 bunch of asparagus, 3 or 4 hard boiled eggs, 1 pint white sauce, 1/2 cup grated cheddar cheese (optional), cracker or bread crumbs.

Cut tough ends from asparagus & cut into bite size pieces, cook until tender.  Make your white sauce, after hard boiled eggs have cooled...peel and cut into pieces and stir into white sauce. Add the asparagus & grated cheese to white sauce mixture and place in an oven proof dish.  Top mixture with cracker or bread crumbs and bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.    YUMMY !! 

Monday Morning Question from Krissy

Monday morning question

       

If you had to be one of the following, for 8 hours a day, during the week before Christmas, which would you choose?  You cannot say none of these.  Please choose one of the following employments to earn extra cash before Christmas:

 

Santa in a department store (kids sit on your lap)

elf who leads the children up to Santa

gift wrapper

cashier in the busiest part of the department store

Salvation Army bell ringer outside of a snowy store 

 

Ok, first of all I totally believe in the Salvation Army, I was helped by them many years ago and I know others who have also been at the receiving end of their help.  I donate to them on a regular basis........but no longer could I stand to be out in the freezing cold.....standing there ring a bell.  Physically I couldn't do it. 

But.....I could be an Elf who leads the little kiddies up to Santa's knee.  That's what I'd have to choose...Santa's Elf.

TV Movie Recommendation

Last night I watched a new movie on the Hallmark Channel. I see it's going to be shown again on Thursday evening.    The movie is called "The Note"  and it stars Genie Francis (of General Hospital fame). 

This movie is excellent and I hope everyone gets a chance to see it.   Word of warning~have a box of tissues handy. So check your local TV guide and hopefully, you too can enjoy "The Note."

Fireman's Revenge

This is one of the best photos I've seen in years! I bet he won't think he is above the law next time.