TGIF -Nancy...love the lizard. Instead of sun I am looking (ok if I get up an look out my cubicle at work) at a huge snowstorm...just waiting for the powers to be to let us go home. I am sure they will decide at the same time as the other companies do and we all will be sitting in traffic in a snowstorm. Argghh!

This weekend DH and I are going to an engagement party and the "bring gift/not bring gift" debacle has come down to I bough a nice crystal cake plate for the heart cookies that will be both a gift to the bride to be and a help on desserts for her mother who is going crazy making food. So it is a win-win.

Other than that, cleaning and more cleaning.
Can't wait to clink at 5!!
Heidi

We have colds/flu so we will be laying low.

We had planned on going to see the puppies this weekend and bringing one home. I called the breeder and we are going to go next weekend if everyone is healthy. She said she has been in bed the last three days with this crud too.

My daughter is coming over tomorrow to use the sewing machine and I might have her look at the Egg Drop Soup tutorial and give it a try for our dinner.

I hold my cup of tea up to you all and will not touch you or breath on you! Just wish you all healthy and fun weekends!

We got snow. Finally. Lots of it! I think I am the only one happy about it. It changes my plans for the weekend. We were supposed to take a friend to lunch in the city for her 50th birthday. Fig and Olive. and then Chelsea Market and whatever else. She has the flu, and the snow, so we'll put it off until the weather is nice for shopping and strolling! No plans for the weekend. Not even cleaning the closets :)

Nancy, I'm sure you can convince Kim to shop! Enjoy the weekend!

Heidi, that's a great gift. i would think most people bring something, even when told not to, and that is a perfect gift! Enjoy the party!

I'm enjoying watching the snow coming down. Maybe ten inches they said? TGIF to everyone!

I am so done with winter! blah! Why does it seem to go forever? I have been dreaming of summer and just ordered over 2000 tomato seeds. Now I have to shop for land to grow them LOL!!

Corn fields, homegrown tomatoes....

That's my idea of heaven. Although....a lounge chair on a beach somewhere would be awesome right now!

Reminder to self: Get passport renewed.

Happy weekend everyone!

Duane

We are getting snow also. It's the first real snow of the winter. We have about 4" of slush since mid-December but nothing that stuck around more than a couple hours. It's pretty.

We'd planned on going to see the documentary film 'The Real McCoy' tomorrow at the Garde Arts Center in New London but now I'm not sure...depends on how the roads are with the storm. It's about the "life and times of Bill McCoy, the pioneer rum runner of the Prohibition era, who was known for not watering down the liquor ... hence the expression, "the real McCoy"...with never-before-seen footage from the National Archives and a recreation of the infamous "Rum Row," the movie weaves together fascinating social issues from the Roaring Twenties, including how Prohibition came to be, Women's Suffrage, the Ku Klux Klan, speakeasies, flappers, the growth of the US Coast Guard to fight the rum runners, and the eventual repeal of Prohibition." The filmmaker, Bailey Pryor, is from Mystic. There's an upcoming book called "The Actual McCoy" by Stephen Jones. After the film, there's a Q&A & audience participation discussion of this era in American History. DH & I love this kind of stuff.

Nancy, enjoy the shopping. It looks like you've sent your bad weather east for this weekend. Hmmmm, thanks. :)

Heidi, you're right about everybody being let out at the same time. Wasn't there just an incident of that happening a couple months back & the school buses couldn't get through the traffic...I remember hearing the last elementary student wasn't dropped off until 11:30 p.m. Yikes!

Disneyginer, take care of yourself. This year's flu shots were a dud, huh? Chicken soup should do the trick.

Dishesdone, wouldn't ya know it...no snow all winter & it has to happen on a weekend you had plans to walk the City shopping! lol Hope your friend's feeling better. Enjoy your life of leisure this weekend.

Happy TGIF everybody!

/tricia

We are expecting 50° and sunshine all weekend. I'm sorry for all you in the snow - but please keep it there!

Heidi, I love what you decided about the gift.

I wish I could ignore cleaning this weekend but my office will not wait - there I said it, I have to do it. Yuck.

I'll clink with everyone tonight.

Lee

Happy Friday all!!

Gearing up here for my new job......next week is a (short) last week for me. Staring to get nervous.

Not alot of plans, horseback riding and a library program, for this weekend.

Carol- I have started really combing thru the Lydia cookbook you sent. Going to pick something fabbo from it to try for a small dinner party next weekend.

It has been super cold here too, so staying warm and cozy is our plan.

I think our weather is about the same as Lees...Right now it's blue skies and probably about 41F..but the sun is shinning....

I'm getting ready to head north to TJ's and then on my way back I'll stop at Costco..and maybe run over to Ross and look at easter goodies...Got to be back on the Island in a timely manner as I said I'd help out at the Science Fair from 1 to end of the school day.
Tomorrow will be Basketball and Baseball..Last day of Basketball and Tryouts for baseball...Yeah Spring is coming!!!

Everyone have a wonderful day!!!

and here's a little "diddy" hubby had in my email this am..

Cup of tea

One day my mother was out and my dad was in charge of me and my brother who is four years older than I am. I was maybe 1 and a half years old and had just recovered from an accident in which my arm had been broken among other injuries.

Someone had given me a little 'tea set' as a get-well gift
and it was one of my favorite toys. Daddy was in the living room engrossed in the evening news and my brother was playing nearby in the living room when I brought Daddy a little cup of 'tea', which was just water. After several cups of tea and lots of praise for such yummy tea, my Mom came home. My Dad made her wait in the living room to watch me bring him a cup of tea, because it was 'just the cutest thing!!'

My Mom waited, and sure enough, here I come down the hall with a cup of tea for Daddy and she watches him drink it up, then says, 'Did it ever occur to you that the only place that baby can reach to get water is the toilet??'

Cute lizard. Nancy, I always think you live in New Mexico becasue of the NM in your name.

We too had our first real snow. I got to work at 11. I kind of used the snow as an excuse to come in late. The roads were actually slippery. I was driving down a hill toward an intersection when I got a red light. I stepped on the brake and slid right through. I beeped my horn and one person stopped while another continued ahead but I missed her. That made my heart beat a little faster.

Not much planned for the weekend. I finally ordered two new chairs for my living room, so that project is done. I've been shopping for lamps, so maybe some more of that. The house work is endless, of course.

I took Monday as a vaction day. I've vowed to join a gym, so I may follow through on that.

Have good one, all!

I hate it when you type and type and then get booted out.

OMG Terri that is the best diddy. I am LOL in my cubby.

Tricia, that storm was on Fri Dec 14 and it hit fast and furiously. Roads slicked up the minute the snow hit it. Not a typical snowstorm. Our schools closed before the storm which suprised most of us because we thought they would have a half day. Thank goodness they did because the storm started in my area at 10 and by 10:15 there were accidents all over the place.

Of course nothing was stopping me from our annual ladies luncheon, so off I went with my mom. Other guest got stuck because of the snow but eventually made it. It was so slippery when I went to clear my car, I slid right under it.

But those poor kids in the busses. That school system has now closed at the slightest mention of a snow flake.

Still tapping my fingers on my desk (and keyboard) waiting to be released with the masses...tap, tap, tap,
Heidi

TGIF from northeast CT where there is 5 inches of snow so far (at noon) with more promised.

Looks beautiful! And yes, I am soooo tired of winter, but..... I came up yesterday all prepared for bad weather. Have lots of food on hand. So if we are snowed in all the better.

I'm writing an essay for my journal while doing laundry (which I interstate transport because our NY machines take forever).

Two guys from the electric company just spent 2 hours here checking for faulty metering; our bills were so crazy high we didn't believe the meter readings. Anyway, they were funny characters and I didn't mind the time. DH had just run errands; he misses all the fun. Yeah, right. But he has to reset all of the clocks on the appliances. Division of labor.

Tricia, sorry you might miss the movie screening

Carol, ditto your excusion

Disneyginger, sorry that you're ill.....there is a nasty stomach variety going around..baby Hannah has it.

Heidi, go home, it is a snow day!

Nancy, move over on that dream chair of yours, Bubbe wants some sun

Speaking of sun, we have to pull out clothes for our 5-day St Thomas trip in March. All the warm-weather stuff is here; there wasn't enough room in NY for two seasons.

Otherwise, its a perfect day to just hang out. Happy hour is probably going to start early.

Bubbe

Happy Friday everyone!

The snow you're getting in the NE US just kissed us lightly on the cheek, just enough to make things sparkle again. Even so I am damn tired of winter! We have had so much darn snow this year and it's been unusually cold. St Thomas sounds real good Bubbe!

Poor Clive is stuck in Montreal, which is a lovely place to be stuck but NOT when it's in the airport! There are huge delays out of Toronto for flights to NY and NJ and those delays are causing delays for planes trying to land in Toronto. This will not be a happy camper once he arrives home! I'll have the fire on, the music on and a scotch ready.

Low key weekend here. We are staying in the city for two reasons. First, the driveway at the cottage is so icy the oil man could not deliver oil, even in his big truck, so we are having the driveway sanded this weekend. Second, a 50th for one of our lake friends. No clue what to get her......but I best get at it, the party is tomorrow night!!

Enjoy your weekend everyone!

Our sun is gone and we're having a rainy spell. It's always needed here, but ick. I don't even have an umbrella (I may have a broken one somewhere in the house) - and I see I'm not the only one - people are walking and running around without.

Even the dogs don't know what to do when it rains here. LOL.

I'm spending tomorrow at my DB and SIL's house - they have a new lab puppy and haven't a clue what to do. I'm going to play Dog Whisperer for a day. Odo will come along to play Uncle.

okay...don't shoot me but it is 82 and sunny here in South Florida. Everything is green and the flowers are bursting with color. We are headed for a drive down the beach from here to Ft Lauderdale tomorrow and yard work on Sunday. Believe it or not I would love to have some of the snow and cold so we could hangout inside, snuggle by a fire and work on needlework, baking or all the things I loved doing in the winter when I lived in MD. Have a wonderful weekend everyone and I will think bright sunny thoughts for you if you will send me some cold and snow. Jackie

Everything is green and blooming here too, thanks to the rain we've been getting lately. My yard looks better now than at any other time of the year, even though it is chilly, with temps in the mid 60s. For me, 82 is already too hot, and so I'm happy with temps in the 60s. It means I can wear black during the day.

I'm off to mail my swap package this afternoon, and then tomorrow, DB and I will go shopping for my BD present, which will be a NEW STOVE! (Think Johnny Olson when you read that.) Kevin has gotten used to me making enough food for him to have lunch for work, and so I guess he decided to buy me the stove that I want. He's working out at the company (Sony) gym at lunch time (He has one hour for lunch), and then he can eat whatever lunch I make for him at his desk. He's using the elliptical machine that someone else asked about. He has to get back in shape so that we can go camping again.

I'm trying to imagine what snow is like. I can see it on the mountains in the distance, but I've only walked on it once - at least snow that was deeper than 2" - and it was a very strange experience.

Lars

Not much for plans around here. The weather is georgous with temps in the 50s and up to 60 tomorrow. Never mind snow and cold next week. Just finished part of my swap and a surcie going out so will try and get them out on Monday. Otherwise not much done. Out of hamburger, but my mom ordered a whole cow butchered so in 2 weeks we will be ready. Here I am with a freezer full of sirloin and t-bone steaks and wanting Hamburger.

Thank goodness basketball is over for the year. We are going down to Lincoln for State tournaments in 2 weeks so will get out, just taking Hayden with us. Plus we are getting a big refund this year, just in time for shoppint (even though most of it will go into savings.

Tomorrow need to go out and work on cleaning out flower beds and see if I have anything coming up. DH wants to go to Grand Island and pick up his bike to ride on Sunday, believe me he needs to get out of here and get the steam out of his system.

Clinking my Vanilla Coke to everyone:)

Stacie

Well here it's still just barely Friday evening.....nearly midnight.... and we've been having much needed rain all day. I woke up this morning to my alarm at 8 am and was sure the clock was wrong as the bedroom was so dark, but it was because of the heavy sky. After feeding cats and having breakfast I walked to Pilates with umbrella and rain jacket. Hardly had a chance to use either of them this winter. But the gym was a little chilly and I did my exercises with cold feet, even with socks on. Pretty unusual.

Made a nice liver & onion dinner for 3 pm and then had a siesta. Now I think I'll make a pot of tea and go watch something on TV. We have a bit of low heat turned on in the evenings but the day temperatures are around 68F (20C) so we can't complain. So many birds around the garden, and the blackbirds are starting to serenade us again.

Have a happy and safe weekend!

SharonCb

Disneyginger, so sorry you are not well, hope you are feeling better soon!

We have a rather busy schedule this weekend. Tonight is my sons 18th Birthday, were just having a little family celebration. Fettuccini Alfredo with garlic bread for dinner and apple pie for dessert since my son prefers pie to cake. Then an early night to prepare for tomorrow.

Tomorrow we are up at 6:30. My son will head off to school to meet the team and head over to a local University for the Math Regionals; he should be home between 4:00 and 5:00. Meanwhile, DH and I will head up to the high school to help decorate the school for the Senior Lock-in Party tomorrow night. Then I have to run and pick up my new glasses. I have to be back up at the school at 6:30 to Chaperone the party. My son has to be there before 8:00. The party ends at 2:00AM. I can't imagine why anyone thought 2 AM was a good time to end a school party. Our high school is right by the downtown area. The bars in our town close at 2 AM. Sounds like a bad idea to me.

We get to sleep in Sunday if we want, then off to a meet and greet for the Ohio State University. We have a 1 1/2 to 2 hour drive to get there since the hotel where they are hosting the get together is in the northern suburbs. By Sunday night I hope to be napping in my lazy boy recliner. I'm going to need a nap!

Carol- I have started really combing thru the Lydia cookbook you sent. Going to pick something fabbo from it to try for a small dinner party next weekend.

Glad to hear it, Janet, let me know what you pick! I'm looking forward to hearing about the dinner party! I haven't cooked from it yet, either, but I have a few bookmarked to try! hey did you ever get Chance more webkins? LOL!

Oh my, there's just too much to catch up on here.

Carol, I'm glad you finally got that snow. You SAID you wanted it. LOL

Gina, I'm sorry about that rain, the weather was beautiful the whole time I was there and didn't rain until the day I left. I'm holding the California members personally responsible for that wonderful, warm and sunny weather we had, it was great.

This weekend it's housework and laundry, packing away the luggage, cleaning the rabbit cage, ice melt on the roof, doing the recycling. I need to bake some bread, we're out.

I'm trying to finish the Julia Child book that Ellen and Diana gave me, I started it on the plane home. Sunday is the farm, Dad already called telling me to bring oyster shell for the chickens.

Ah, but there's no snowstorm forecasted so I won't have to shovel and it's going to be 25F tomorrow so it's warm enough to go for a walk.

Clink to everyone with my cup of Twinings Irish Breakfast tea. Ahhh. Vacation was wonderful, but it's good to be home. I only saw one other car on the road today on my 15 mile drive home from getting the oil changed in the Jeep, and I smiled, thinking of California's 405!

Annie

Scratch those bunny ears for me Annie!

Only working 8 hours tomorrow and I have Sunday off... so far. Every room in my house is trashed, all the laundry is dirty, and I'm down to a couple clean plates. Probably just hide under the covers and not get out of bed Sunday.

: )
lyra

A late night clink to all y'all!! DN and his friends came by to check my place out, again, I'm thinking they just checked in for some free food...LOL!
Shopping on Saturday, hitting some of the antique malls and what not. Going out tomorrow night as I need a night out on the town....not sure if it will be a good ole honky tonk or some kind of live venue. Sunday, it's suppose to be in the sixties, time to deal with all of that stuff out in the garage and check out the flower beds and yard in general. Spring should be coming on soon and I can't wait....been way to cold for to long for this guy.

Have a great weekend everyone!!

David

Jcrowley, I can't imagine who thought 2 am was a wise time to end a high school party either! Jeepers, right when the sleepy drunks are hitting the roads! There's a local talk radio team around here I like, and one of the guys (who was apparently quite the party dude in his time) says every so often, that "nothing good happens after midnight".

Around here (CA Central Valley), we are battening down the hatches for a storm that is meant to be coming our way. 50 mph winds, supposedly. Our back yard will be a lake again...the hardpan is so high that any hard rain saturates the thin layer of soil quite quickly, much to the displeasure of our resident felines, who, upon demanding we open the door to let them out will survey the liquid environs and eye us with displeasure, sure that they are that we could arrange the weather to their liking if we were really interested in their welfare.

My husband is off tomorrow afternoon to sing with his Barbershop Quartet, which means I'll have all afternoon and evening to deal with the pile of Meyer lemons given me by a client (Lemon Curd, Lemon Marmalade, frozen lemon juice and peel...and, my husband may just come home to a nice loaf of lemon bread, saturated with lemon syrup.)

I was really wanting to get out into the yard this weekend, but it seems that is not to be, so I will console myself with cooking!

Enjoy, all! :D

Annie, You have a bunny!? I did not know anyone else here had one! What kind of rabbit do you have?

I think I forgot to wish eveyone a wonderful weekend before!

Joanne

Carol- WEBKINZ have taken over our life! Chance has 6 and Dave has 2!! He is just as bad as she is with them. I console myself with the thought that she is at least practicing her new reading skills!

I am looking for a chicken or ragu recipe from the book, and maybe a veg to go with. What are you eyeing up?

Lyra, welcome to my world. I'm trying to make a dent in it today.

Annie, welcome home. Your trip sounded wonderful. You'll be busy getting caught up.

Lars, it's so funny to me to hear you've only walked on snow once. I sure wish I could say the same. I want 85 degrees all day every day. That ain't happening in the near future, that's for sure.

I hope everybody's snow is beginning to melt. It seems to have been a rough winter for most. Darn groundhog!

After sleeping 12 hours last night I finally have a little energy that I can start tackling this messy house. It'll get done when it gets done.

Tomorrow will be my first venture out of the house in almost a week. Mackenzie has her first gymnastics meet. She's so excited, and I am too, but I haven't been able to get her to practice much, so we'll see if she remembers her routines. Connor is away with my brother skiing for the weekend.

Stay warm and dry, everybody.

Clink with my ice water...and a cough medicine chaser! :)

LOL, Janet! Now Dave is addcited? Too funny! Glad they enjoy them!

I bookmarked ...
Sausages with Potatoes and Hot Peppers (pg 261)
Savory Potato Cakes (pg 262)
Steamed Calamari (pg 294)
Cannoli Napoleon (pg 307)
Limoncello Tiramisu (pg 120)
Chicken with Artichokes (pg 214) I made something similar from her before, too, very good)
That's just for starters :)

Sounds like a productive weekend, rachelellen, with all those meyers!

David, sounds like a great weekend! Your DN knows where to go for a great weekend with his friends, lucky him.

LOL, I know what you mean, Lyra, under the covers. I have closets that I keep putting off! Not happenin' this weekend either!

Annie, which Julia book did you get? Are you going to cook every recipe? Back for ten minutes and already they put you to work? LOL!

Happy Birthday, Lars!

Lori, good luck to Mackenzie on her first meet! That's exciting and fun!

Gray day today, staying home doing not much of anything, snow turned to rain so the streets are clear, but the snow is mush, no snowman for us :( but it was nice while it lased! Enjoy the rest of the weekend. Sure does go by fast!

Joanne, our bunny is just a bunny. Big, brown, she's named Cocoa. I had 4 to start with, Pete was 13 before we lost him, Midnight was 12. Rug Bunny was only 4, but he had some physical challenges. Now we just have Cocoa, she's 9 and grumpy and lives in my garage. She doesn't like to be messed with and doesn't really like to even come inside any more. She just wants to sit in the garage and be left alone, a grumpy old bunny....

Carol, Diana and Ellen got me "My Life In France" by Julia Child with Alex Prud'homme, her great nephew. No recipes, just a great autobiography.

Annie

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