In keeping with my Candian French side, I am making our traditional tourtière for New Year’s eve.  I make homemade baked beans with this dish but I forgot to soak the beans last night.  I know you can do a quick method but I prefer to soak the beans overnight.  Therefore, I won’t be baking beans today.

Now what?

I had Tom buy me can of B&M baked beans-THAT’S WHAT!

I want to wish everyone a safe and-

Because I had too many onions, we made onion straws/French fried onions yesterday.

Note to self: Check inventory before sending Tom out for groceries.

Instead of making my own flour mixture, we used Don’s Chuck Wagon Onion Batter by Hodgson Mills.  I used it dry rather than mix in any liquids to make a batter.  After slicing the onions into super thin rings, I soaked them in milk for a half an hour, drained the onions from the milk  then coated them in the dry mix.  I let them sit for about 15 minutes before frying.

A big o’pile of floured onions before becoming delectable, crunchy onion straws-

The first of three large batches-

Mmm!

They were so good as was the cranberry liqueur I made that had to sit for almost two months before we could drink it.

Phew!  Is that what they call a run-on sentence?

It was a good day!

It seems that my world is getting a little smaller.

Today I got an email from a blog friend stating that she is shutting down her blog. She has lost interest in the blog world.  I am going to miss her.

I have noticed that many are absent from their blog in favor of Facebook. I have an account with Facebook and have for almost two years. It wasn’t until this September that I started using it. I found and still find Facebook very impersonal. My reason for being there daily is that my sister and daughter can be found there. I have had a blog since 2002 and I couldn’t interest either of them to stop by and visit. Therefore, if the mountain won’t come to Mohammad then Mohammad must go to the mountain-so to speak.

Christmas wasn’t anything to write about. As a matter of a fact, I can’t wait to put this day and yesterday behind me. Just as soon as every last decoration and holiday dish and geegaw is put away will I be able to move on with anticipation for 2010 (every year I say that next year will be better than the previous year).

There is a voice inside of our heads
that tells us of what is to come
deja vu turned upside down
is what it may seem like to some
whether it’s foresight or just premonition
it leaves you feeling quite strange
whisper or shout, it allows for no doubt
that your fortunes are due for a change.

A verse from the poem-Better Days Are Coming by Wish Belkin, copyright 2001

This is the first time, since the history of Tom and Liz, that there won’t be any Christmas pictures. The camera seemed to be the furthest thing from my mind. I do regret that but I can’t go back in time and start snapping pictures.

I didn’t even get to see Elizabeth in the sweater and hat I made for her.  It was so warm here yesterday afternoon that it would have been impossible for her to wear it.  Carrie said that she did wear it earlier in the day before it got too warm out.

Yes, my world is getting a little smaller and I have no doubt that a revelation will hit me on the head and tell me to-

Git movin’ and figyahit out!

Yah wastin’ time!

I believe my revelation will have a New England accent.  *smile*

I made a crocheted sweater and hat for baby Elizabeth-

Crochet Sweater and Tam/Hat

I got the pattern at Bella Bambina.  The hat/tam I made up off the top of my head.  I had the Night, Night Kitty that I had crocheted for Brian a couple of years ago model it.

Sweater and Tam/Hat I Crocheted

Brian tightening the tree in the stand.

And who is that behind tree?

Now who could that possibly be?

It maybe one of the elfs!

Brian and the Elf Hiding Behind the Tree

These are some pictures I took of this weekend after all the Christmas decorations were up.  I have Brian and Tom to thank for getting the decorations up.  I was procrastinating and was hoping that the elves would come and do all the trimmings to the house.

Wait!

Aren’t those elves…

Yes, Elizabeth!  There is such a thing as an elf.

Grampy and Brian Disguised As Elves.

I made a batch of the original, original chex mix that my mother and father made when I was a child.

It was a good weekend.  We played Christmas music, danced and just had fun.

Brian took 5th place out of the top 6th winners at his school’s science fair.

Brian and his Ribbon

Afghan I crocheted for Elizabeth.

Elizabeth's Crocheted Afghan

I have made each grandchild an afghan.

Big Whoop!

Caution!  You are about to enter into another Grammy moment.

Brian’s took 5th place out of the top 6th winners in his school’s science fair.  His teacher emailed me to inform me that on Monday, at school, they are going to announce the winners.  From what I understand, the top six will move on to the system-level competition. I am not sure what that means. I will find out more Monday.

Click project/photo to see a larger image

We wracked our brains to think of a project that was unique and wasn’t one that has been done many times before.

We came up with ‘Yeast’-The Sugar Eating Fungus. Actually, baker’s yeast-Saccharomyces Cervisiae (sack-a-roe-MY-seas sair-a-VIS-e-eye).

I love saying Saccharomyces Cervisiae now that I know how it is pronounced.

We wanted to see if yeast can function as a decomposer. We used a banana in this experiment.

Along with the poster, he had a typed report and kept a daily log/journal of the experiment.

Yes!  Yeast does act as a decomposer.

Also, out of the four 4th grades classes, Brian and another of his classmates won the spelling bee in their class.

Now, if I could just get him to make his bed…

From Sandy over at Carolina Moon Reflections,  I got the idea to bake some chocolate chip cookies.   I have a large bag-a very large bag-of chocolate chips that Carrie brought over for me.  Therefore, why not bake some chocolate chip cookies (the snickerdoodles will just have to wait).

After I made beef stew for supper, I got down to the task of baking.

After the first batch of cookies were baked, I noticed that they didn’t spread like a Toll House cookie should. They were almost cake-like.

I double checked the recipe to see if I had made a mistake. I did everything exactly what the recipe states. They taste like a Toll House cookie, but don’t look like one.

What could have gone wrong?

It looks like Brian is angry about me taking his picture when in fact he wanted to try out a new look and pose.

Where are you going
My little one, little one…

Turn around and you’re two
Turn around and you’re four
Turn around and you’re a young man
Going out of the door.

Where is that little boy smile that made his eyes light up?

I think I like your boyish charming smile…No,  I know that I like your boyish charming smile rather than this serious manner.

I have been wanting to bake some snickerdoodle but haven’t been in the mood to bake. The temperatures dropped to 36°F the night before last and the days have been cold.  This time of the year is the perfect time to bake.  I got to get my butt in gear and do something constructive.

What have you been baking?

Carrie, Nicky and Elizabeth have been staying with us until Carrie recovers from the C-section she had when Elizabeth was born.  Her hubby works during the day and I was not able to be with her during the day to help her out with the kids.  Carrie could hardly walk as her feet had swollen three times their size from all the water she was retaining.  Her blood pressure was sky-high, she is anemic, had and has been having terrible headaches, and was unable to move due to the staples then the butterfly stitches to her abdomen.

Brian’s fracture to his elbow healed and he no longer has to wear the splint.  If it didn’t heal then the doctor was going to put a cast on him.

Nicky is doing good and trying his best not to get into trouble.  Hopefully, someday it will all finally click why he can’t do what he is not suppose to do.

Elizabeth is also doing good.  She had her first doctor’s visit today.  When she first came home from the hospital she weghed 4 lbs. 9 oz.  Now she is up to 6 lbs. 13 oz.  Her little clothes fit her better now.  Carrie and I went out last Friday and bought all the kids some new clothes.  Saturday, Grampy bought the boys new sneakers.  As they say, they are growing like weeds.

Elizabeth Ann-November 30, 2009. All ready for her first doctor's visit. She is sitting in her car seat.

All Gussied-up in her little pink headband.

Our Thanksgiving was filled with noise and good food. We had a good day. We made turkey soup on Saturday. I, for one, am glad to see the last of the turkey and the fixings.

I have had little time for my blog. I seem to be spending what little time I do have, on Facebook. My sister and Carrie and most of my blog buddies are now on Facebook. It seem that blogging is slowly being a thing of the past. That is so sad to me. But, I also must admit, rather reluctantly, that I am playing Farmville.

Farmville will suck the blogger right out of yah!

Liz Woodward

Brian and Nicky are doing good and are excited about their new sister. Brian still has to be in an arm splint. The doctor wanted to put a cast on him, but decided to wait three more weeks. He had more x-ray and these x-rays showed a clearer picture of the crack to his elbow. OUCH!

Carrie is moving a little slow. When she went into labor, the baby was in the breech position. Therefore, she had to deliver by C-section.

Elizabeth Ann-Three days old

Bless your precious little heart
You still don’t know as yet
How happy and excited
Grown-up folks can get

But soon you will discover
The pride and gladness too
That started on the happy day
Our lives were blessed with you.

Introducing my granddaughter, Elizabeth Ann. She is named after me. I am so honored.

Carrie delivered a beautiful little girl Thursday morning and is doing well.   Although Elizabeth is two weeks early she is doing fine. She is a tiny little thing and so sweet.

Elizabeth Ann
Born: November 12, 2009
weight: 5lbs. 1 oz.
length: 19 inches.

In honor of our men and woman, past and present, who-

“…support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic…”

Thank You.

Brian went the the orthepedic doctor yesterday armed-pardon the pun-with his x-rays. The doctor found a chip/fracture on his elbow. He has to wear a splint until he sees the doctor again next week. He also should be using the sling the doctor gave him but he says he hurts his neck. The splint is very heavy. I don’t know how he can stand the weight when his arm is at rest without the sling.

I didn’t mention that Brian is left-handed and that is the arm he injured.

With nothing else to post, I will end it here. :)

At one time, Tom and I used to buy Boggs cranberry liqueur for the holiday season.  The company that made it closed down many years ago.

Years ago, before the internet, I came across a recipe for the stuff.   For over twenty years, I have been making it yearly for Christmas.

Every year, around Halloween, I start making my cranberry liqueur.

It takes approximately seven to eight weeks to set up before consumption.

After four weeks I bottle the liqueur and then I let it sit for another 3 to 4 weeks and by Christmas Eve it is ready to pour.

The long wait is well worth waiting.  It is so very very close to the taste of Boggs.

As I mentioned in my previous post, Brian injured his arm during the weekend end. Tom and I had been treated it as a sprain but to be sure Tom took him to see his doctor Monday. He ordered x-rays and we waited all day, until 6:30 that night to find out the results. The doctor said that he didn’t see any fracture to his arm, but may have a hairline fracture in his elbow and that we should call an orthopedic doctor that Brian’s doctors recommended. I called first thing this morning. The only time the orthopedic doctor can see Brian is this Thursday. That is when we will, hopefully, find out to what extent his arm is injured.

Everything is ready for the little ghouls tomorrow night.  Brian and Nicky are looking forward to tomorrow.  Tom decorated the outside and I cleaned today and did some more decorating for Halloween.  Their costumes are ready and so are they.  Tom bought them some flashlights and a couple of little wind up trinkets.

Now they are saying that candy that is given out can spread the H1N1.  It comes to a point that one doesn’t know what to do.  Do we all stay home and cower in the house or do we go on with our lives.  It is all very confusing.

I forgot to mention that Carrie is doing well.  She isn’t having any more labor pains.  And, in case she does, she has some medication to stop the contractions.  Boy, it can get scary when the baby wants to come too early.  I am sorry that I didn’t mention it.  I know that a few of you have asked about her.

Earlier this evening, Brian tried to do a balancing act around the edge of my above ground planter, fell off and hurt his arm.  He complained a little this evening of it hurting him.  It is swollen or anything.  If he still complains tomorrow and we see any changes then we will call his doctor.  Geesh!