Christmas Countdown - 2017

[Christmasstar]

Good morning MMC!

It’s going to take me a while to get used to getting up at 5 AM again. But the little one I’m looking after such a sweetheart very polite. Now if I could just get her to decide on a pair shoes in the morning would be all set.


So I started making the gingerbread houses. The house smells fantastic. Right now there’s a loaf of bread in the oven so I get a break from baking gingerbread. I’m definitely going to have to make more dough.

Since the start of the season we’ve been watching Christmas movies every day. So much fun! Arthur Christmas is on right now.

I have to go find a new Christmas tree yet what we’re going to do next week. But right now I’m rather busy with the cake and the gingerbread competitions.

Hope you are all doing well and having a fantastically wonderful magical day!

 

[Holiday]

I am going to bring it back today. The only problem is that we don't have the receipt. I gave it to Kim when we were leaving the store. She's the responsible one. As I handed it over, I said "Here. You take this because I will lose it." Anyway, she lost it. She can find nearly every other receipt but the one for the tree has disappeared.

Oh shoot! Go figure!!! I hope they will recognize the tree as one of their own & make it right! xx

 

[Festive Spirit]

I am going to bring it back today. The only problem is that we don't have the receipt. I gave it to Kim when we were leaving the store. She's the responsible one. As I handed it over, I said "Here. You take this because I will lose it." Anyway, she lost it. She can find nearly every other receipt but the one for the tree has disappeared.

It's always the one you need that goes missing. Over here if the item is faulty they have to honour a refund regardless of the receipt present. Wonder if it's the same over there. I hope they do anyway, it's good customer service. Good luck!

 

[Festive Spirit]

Good morning MMC!

It’s going to take me a while to get used to getting up at 5 AM again. But the little one I’m looking after such a sweetheart very polite. Now if I could just get her to decide on a pair shoes in the morning would be all set.


So I started making the gingerbread houses. The house smells fantastic. Right now there’s a loaf of bread in the oven so I get a break from baking gingerbread. I’m definitely going to have to make more dough.

Since the start of the season we’ve been watching Christmas movies every day. So much fun! Arthur Christmas is on right now.

I have to go find a new Christmas tree yet what we’re going to do next week. But right now I’m rather busy with the cake and the gingerbread competitions.

Hope you are all doing well and having a fantastically wonderful magical day!

All sounds very Christmassy over at yours! I like Arthur Christmas, some festive scenes in it

 

[Festive Spirit]

Good morning MMC!! Merry Tuesday!! We have sunshine today! Chilly, but I love to see the sun!!

Little Miss Lucy had us up every 2 hours overnight with diarrhea! Poor girl! Something has her belly in an uproar! Hopefully she's over the worst of it now! xx

I'll go home & check on her this morning.

Everyone, have a great day!!!!!!!!

Oh no so sorry to hear Lu is unwell. I hope that it's just a passing thing that goes away quickly.

P.S. She might have had too many pigs in blankets last night at our impromptu party at yours. I'll take the blame.

 

[Festive Spirit]

Very, very cool! Keep us posted!

I remember our getting to State when I was in high school, in the third act of "Our Town." We didn't win, but I personally got an honorable mention. I was walking on air, because that was the first play I was ever in.

I bet you were great!
Did you do much acting in high school?

 

[Festive Spirit]

This must be upvoted..... this is my next ambitious breakfast.

Mine too!

 

[Festive Spirit]

Good Tuesday morning! Woke up at about 2:40am and wasn't able to fall back asleep until about 4:30am. Feeling quite tired this morning. So many things to catch up at work and our work Christmas party is less than two weeks away and that means I have so many things to coordinate with our social committee, I'm even more tired just thinking about it all. Going to go on a long walk with Loki to try and get energized a bit. Have awonderful day everyone!

Hope you get a better night's rest tonight Martine. I bet you will feel better about organising the party after some rest. Take care and enjoy your walk.

 

[Holiday]

Good morning MMC!

It’s going to take me a while to get used to getting up at 5 AM again. But the little one I’m looking after such a sweetheart very polite. Now if I could just get her to decide on a pair shoes in the morning would be all set.


So I started making the gingerbread houses. The house smells fantastic. Right now there’s a loaf of bread in the oven so I get a break from baking gingerbread. I’m definitely going to have to make more dough.

Since the start of the season we’ve been watching Christmas movies every day. So much fun! Arthur Christmas is on right now.

I have to go find a new Christmas tree yet what we’re going to do next week. But right now I’m rather busy with the cake and the gingerbread competitions.

Hope you are all doing well and having a fantastically wonderful magical day!

Oh Star, I want to come to your house, just to smell!! I'm sure it's amazing. Good luck with the competition!
I'm glad you are enjoying your new job. Hope you get adjusted to the early morning hours quickly!!
Have a great day!

 

[Holiday]

Oh no so sorry to hear Lu is unwell. I hope that it's just a passing thing that goes away quickly.

P.S. She might have had too many pigs in blankets last night at our impromptu party at yours. I'll take the blame.

This made me laugh out loud!! So it was YOU!!!! No wonder she likes you so much!!!
I too hope it's nothing to worry about & it passes quickly! xx

 

[prancer]

Thank you prancer! I just went home to check on her again & let her out. No issues this time, so xx xx xx
Hope your day is a Merry one too!


You better get cooking!

HA!!!

@

Glad to hear your little girl is on the mend Holiday...

 

[prancer]

Oh no so sorry to hear Lu is unwell. I hope that it's just a passing thing that goes away quickly.

P.S. She might have had too many pigs in blankets last night at our impromptu party at yours. I'll take the blame.

Gosh i never thought about that Festive..Awww poor Lucy...Ehhh maybe i gave her too many too..YIKES...Peeks around the corner to see were holiday is lol

 

[Holiday]

Just got an email from our butcher saying "Take a departure from the ordinary and try a Beef Tenderloin for the holidays!"
OMGosh, does it look good!! I have never made a beef tenderloin before. Tempting! Might have to give it a try sometime! Anyone have experience with it?

 

[Holiday]

@

Glad to hear your little girl is on the mend Holiday...

xx

Gosh i never thought about that Festive..Awww poor Lucy...Ehhh maybe i gave her too many too..YIKES...Peeks around the corner to see were holiday is lol

So YOU were involved too!! Next time I'll do a better job keeping an eye on you two!!!!

 

[prancer]

Just got an email from our butcher saying "Take a departure from the ordinary and try a Beef Tenderloin for the holidays!"
OMGosh, does it look good!! I have never made a beef tenderloin before. Tempting! Might have to give it a try sometime! Anyone have experience with it?
View attachment 40789

Yeah ive cooked it before Holiday..Best results i would say is in slow cooker...But others prefere it in the oven...But in the oven you have gotta watch it doesnt get tough..Hope that helps Holiday

 

[prancer]

xx


So YOU were involved too!! Next time I'll do a better job keeping an eye on you two!!!!

I was wondering why the pigs in blankets were gone in NO time..Lucy loves our pigs in blankets Holiday..When can we visit again

 

[Holiday]

Yeah ive cooked it before Holiday..Best results i would say is in slow cooker...But others prefere it in the oven...But in the oven you have gotta watch it doesnt get tough..Hope that helps Holiday

Thanks pal! I was wondering about that. This is the recipe they sent with it, but it didn't seem like much cooking time. I was also wondering about the smoker??!!

Spiced Rubbed Tenderloin

INGREDIENTS:
2 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon ground red pepper
1 (5- to 6-lb.) beef tenderloin, trimmed
1 tablespoon olive oil
Vegetable cooking spray

How to Make It
Step 1
Preheat oven to 500°. Stir together kosher salt and next 6 ingredients. Rub tenderloin evenly with olive oil. Sprinkle salt mixture over tenderloin, pressing to adhere. Cover and let stand at room temperature 30 minutes. Place tenderloin on a lightly greased (with cooking spray) rack in a roasting pan.
Step 2
Bake at 500° for 15 minutes; reduce oven temperature to 375°, and bake 25 to 30 minutes or until a meat thermometer inserted in thickest portion registers 130° (for medium-rare) or to desired degree of doneness. Remove from oven; let stand 10 minutes before slicing. Serve with Mustard-Cream Sauce

Mustard Cream Sauce
Ingredients
1 shallot, minced (about 3 Tbsp.)
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 garlic clove, minced
1 cup dry white wine
1/4 cup Creole mustard
2 teaspoons sugar
1 (8-oz.) container sour cream
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspn fresh ground black pepper

How to Make It
Sauté shallot in hot oil in a medium skillet over medium heat 2 minutes or until soft; add garlic, and sauté 1 minute. Stir in wine, mustard, and sugar; bring to a boil. Cook, stirring constantly, 3 minutes or until mixture has thickened & is reduced by about half. Remove from heat, and whisk in sour cream, salt, and pepper.
Serve immediately.

 

[Holiday]

I was wondering why the pigs in blankets were gone in NO time..Lucy loves our pigs in blankets Holiday..When can we visit again

Ha ha ha! She is a little beggar!!! Let me get last nights mess cleaned up & then we'll talk about another party!

 

[prancer]

Thanks pal! I was wondering about that. This is the recipe they sent with it, but it didn't seem like much cooking time. I was also wondering about the smoker??!!

Spiced Rubbed Tenderloin

INGREDIENTS:
2 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon ground red pepper
1 (5- to 6-lb.) beef tenderloin, trimmed
1 tablespoon olive oil
Vegetable cooking spray

How to Make It
Step 1
Preheat oven to 500°. Stir together kosher salt and next 6 ingredients. Rub tenderloin evenly with olive oil. Sprinkle salt mixture over tenderloin, pressing to adhere. Cover and let stand at room temperature 30 minutes. Place tenderloin on a lightly greased (with cooking spray) rack in a roasting pan.
Step 2
Bake at 500° for 15 minutes; reduce oven temperature to 375°, and bake 25 to 30 minutes or until a meat thermometer inserted in thickest portion registers 130° (for medium-rare) or to desired degree of doneness. Remove from oven; let stand 10 minutes before slicing. Serve with Mustard-Cream Sauce

Mustard Cream Sauce
Ingredients
1 shallot, minced (about 3 Tbsp.)
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 garlic clove, minced
1 cup dry white wine
1/4 cup Creole mustard
2 teaspoons sugar
1 (8-oz.) container sour cream
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspn fresh ground black pepper

How to Make It
Sauté shallot in hot oil in a medium skillet over medium heat 2 minutes or until soft; add garlic, and sauté 1 minute. Stir in wine, mustard, and sugar; bring to a boil. Cook, stirring constantly, 3 minutes or until mixture has thickened & is reduced by about half. Remove from heat, and whisk in sour cream, salt, and pepper.
Serve immediately.

Recipe sounds yummy Holiday...Yeah the smoker seems like a good idea too....Ok the oven cook is ok but as i said it can get rather tough...Slow cooker you just put it on low when you go to bed and smell it in the morning when u wake up OMG...In the slow cooker i rub it with olive oil then a good sprinkling of sea salt..cup of water in slow cooker to go with it

 

[prancer]

Ha ha ha! She is a little beggar!!! Let me get last nights mess cleaned up & then we'll talk about another party!

Yeah i think thats a good idea..I did tell Festive to hoover up before we jumped back on the lear lol