Kitchen Happiness - It Works for Me!

I've got something for show and tell, so I'm joining in with Works for Me Wednesday. When I got there today, I saw she's having Backwards day, so I'll be backwards by going forward. : )

I have some fabulous new friends in the kitchen but one of my favorites came to me quite by accident.

Who doesn't hate to chop onions? Well, maybe Julia Childs didn't hate it, but how many recipes have you deleted the onions from because you just didn't want to deal with the hassle?

My mom is always cleaning out (I missed that gene) and she had a stack she asked me to go through last time I was there. I came home with a basket of perfectly good things she was taking to Goodwill. Now, before you laugh, let me show you this brand new Black and Decker Chopper, my friend forever.

I saw one in the store for around $10 and I'm telling you, this little gadget is worth every penny. (Espeically since mine was free!) I used it during Christmas baking for pecans and that saved my fingers and my time. It's very persnickety about how you assemble it, but once you get the knack, you're ready to go. It's very small and easy to wsh and to store. No more stinkin' onions in my kitchen!

I have to mention that another thing that's new in my kitchen that I totally love is Pioneer Woman's cookbook, a gift from Uncommon Blonde! It is as much fun as her blog.

By the way, Kristen's "backwards" question on Works for Me Wednesday today is "what programs truly work to help you save money, cut back, etc?" I'll be interested to read the posts, as that is not my specialty. ; )

Just a Spoonful of Sugar

I decided there was no better way to start the New Year's posts than with Mary Poppins. I never finished the tale of our trip to New York so here it goes.

The Broadway version of Mary Poppins was breathtaking and enchanting. I sat on the edge of my seat in the beautiful and historical Amsterdam theater and loved every single minute of the show.
There's a song that is not in the move that captivated me called "Anything Can Happen if You Let It". I've decided that's my theme this year. Afterward, we went to Carnegie Deli for their legendary cheesecake and it did not disappoint. Yum.

Here are some of the events of our last 24 hours in the Big Apple...
We went to the top of the Empire State Building and it was clear and beautiful (and cold!)
We picked out jewelry in Tiffany's. ; ) I bought baby clothes in Bloomingdales and a sweet book in FAO Schwarz. Cupcake wanted to take a walk in Central Park and my feet were screaming, "noooooo" so we took the carriage instead.

I think you can tell we had SO MUCH FUN! New York at Christmastime made for a wild and crazy month but we want to make it an annual girl's trip. I need to get to work to save money for all the fun I like to have. Just remember....

Anything can happen if you let it!

Joy x 2 in 2010

It’s been 2 years to this day that I started blogging. 343 posts later, I can say that I’m amazed at how meaningful blogging has been for me. Here’s an incomplete recap of the impact blogging has made in my life:

1) I’ve made friends literally all over the world and I now have a goal to come visiting. Really – pull out the couch and throw me a pillow because it’s on my “to do” list.

2) Blogging got me back in the habit of writing, which I love to do. I have goals in that area too. Good thing that with LouLou’s genes, I might live to be 100, as my list of hopes and dreams is long. Now that she's moved to heaven, I'm more thankful than ever that she inspired the theme of my blog. (Hoping for a bit of an updated look in 2010... that's on my list too.)

3) Journaling with you has caused me to pay more attention to the significance of seemingly small events. They say that a joy shared is multiplied by 2 and a problem shared is cut in half and I know it’s true.

4) Reading & commenting on blogs led me to contact with Michael Pink, leading to a major career enhancement with becoming a certified Rainforest Business Coach.

How can I say thanks? Every reader, whether you comment or not, is treasured.

I wish you comfort for your past and joy for your future. I am thankful that our future is not in the hands of the economy or dependent on our government. We are held in the hands of a loving God and I’m glad to be walking alongside you as we begin a new year.

“Last year's words belong to last year's language and next year's words await another voice. To make an end is to make a beginning." T.S. Eliot

From Our Home to Yours

I received 2 Christmas cards in today's mail, so I decided it's not too late to post our greeting to you. I scanned the card itself and it didn't look too hot, so this is the blog version, less the ribbons and bows.

And in case you have a fabulous photo that you'd like to make into an 8 x 10 canvas, Uncommon Blonde just gave me this link for a $49. picture FREE! The shipping is $14.95 but I am thrilled with the deal.

The Last Random Dozen

Linda's 2nd Cup of Coffee is one of the first blogs I ever read and so she's pretty special in my book. She's hosted a meme this year that I've read with interest but haven't joined in. Since this is the last "Random Dozen" of 2009, I decided to jump in. Here we go...

1. Do you find it gross to share drinks with family? Friends? Not a big deal, especially if I’m really thirsty or vica versa. But I don't do it on purpose.

2. What have you learned this year? (You didn't see a question of that weight coming, did you? At least not for #2.)
I’ve learned that prayer is the absolute ingredient for success and my prayers hold as much power as anyone else’s on earth because I am HIS! If you want to read a bit more about this, I was honored to write a guest post about prayer on Michael Pink's blog recently.

3. When do you dismantle the Christmas decorations?
Usually on New Year’s day or thereabouts.

4. Something you wish to accomplish before the end of 2009 is:
Reviewing my goals and refreshing my vision in preparation for an awesome 2010. Dump the fear and doubt.

5. How do you feel about winter (after Christmas)?
Winter is okay. Living in the land of sunshine, one can’t complain! My favorite season of all is spring.

6. Have you participated in after-Christmas sales?
No. My family was so very generous to me that I feel very content and blessed. There was enough consumerism (which I participated in!) in New York City to hold me for awhile.

7. Do you have plans for New Year's Eve?
No, never do. And that’s ok.

8. Is there anything special awaiting you in January?
Yes. New dreams, open doors of opportunity and a beautiful grandchild who changes every day.

9. If your life this year was a movie, what category or genre would it be? (Romance, Comedy, Drama, Thriller, Suspense, Farcical, etc.)
It would be a holiday special. : ) Adventure, lessons, drama and warm feelings with a happy ending.

10. How much time per day do you spend blogging? Please do not lie. I will know.
Not as much in the last 6 months as before. Lots going on. Probably an average of only 30 minutes a day on personal blogging and commenting. I want to spend more - it's fun! I try to catch up by spending more time on weekends. I find I can read blogs from my blackberry while on the move, but I can't leave comments from my mobile for some reason.

11. Who runs your household?
My husband does the outside stuff, I do the inside, I pay the bills and we make decisions together. It’s a partnership!

12. Share one hope/dream for 2010.
I am expecting to schedule 2 paid speaking engagements per month. That’s my passion and my purpose… moving people through meaningful communication and imparting joy and hope into their lives.

Saturated in Love. And Butter

Watching “The Sound of Music” on TV tonight brings back memories of watching this movie on Christmas night with my dad. Many times. I think we both loved it equally. This past week has been so special. Rosebud adds so much joy to our family. Like many families, we alternate who goes where for Christmas and this was our year when all our children and my mom and sister were here.

I was busy baking in the kitchen on Thurs. afternoon when my sister kept calling me to come open a present. I needed to get the chocolate sheath cake in the oven but she was insistent and persistent so I finally relented. I was totally surprised when I opened a Kitchen Aid Mix Master from my mom!! WooHoo! I’ve always wanted one! We set it up and I used it to make the cake. Other than my one mishap with adding the powdered sugar and turning it to Speed 4 instead of “stir”, it was amazing. (I won’t make that mistake again. Trust me.)

Thanks for everything, Mom!

Uncommon Blonde gave me Pioneer Woman’s cookbook, so I’m sensing continuing temptation in the food department. Sigh.

I am altogether blessed. Hope your Christmas was saturated in love. And butter.

Two Roses in the Kitchen (They share the middle name "Rose")

The Forecast was for Fun - Never Mind the Rain

I'm thankful that the only moisture we experienced in New York last week was a bit of rain. This week it’s ice and snow… a little harder to maneuver in, I daresay. (That is theoretical and speculative as I have very little actual experience in the matter.)

When we hit the streets on Day 2, we realized the rain forecast was accurate. Our Broadway Show tickets were for the evening of Day 3, but we knew about the Ticket Booth in Times Square where you could stand in line to buy half price tickets to shows for that day. I had really wanted to take in 2 shows on our trip so here was the opportunity. We got matinee tickets to see Chicago - way to multiply our travel dollars.
The girls were excited to learn that Ashlee Simpson (Jessica’s sister) is starring in the show. She did a great job. I loved the jazz music and the dancing - it was well done theater. Quite different from the show we saw the next day and I love variety.

We met up with one of the girls’ friends who’s a model in New York. It was fun going to her apartment – a walk-up – and seeing how New Yorkers live. When we walked out of the Mexican restaurant after a fun and delicious meal, the rain had stopped, making it a perfect time to go to Rockefeller Plaza. We did a little window shopping along the way. No problem that these stores were closed. I think a necklace cost more than my car.

Empire State Building at Night

Across from Rockefeller Square, I was captivated by Saks Fifth Avenue’s “singing building”. Every 15 minutes, the building came to life with flashing snowflakes, dancing to a brilliant arrangement of “Ring Christmas Bells” that resonated in the crisp, freshly washed air. I had to watch it three times!!
I’ve always heard about the energy in New York and it was so much fun experiencing the city that never sleeps. I’ll wrap up the trip on my next post with some of my very favorite photos from the trip.