Thank you, Mail-Lady

It's the only time of year I check the mail. Seriously, sometimes Cory will check it and there will be three days' worth in there. Except in December. I wait at the window for the mail-lady in December. Thanks for your cards; keep 'em coming!

Appetizer of the Week

Here's another fun one if you want to try a new recipe for the holiday season (I probably will be posting recipes all month...bear with me). I tried to find this online (I got it from Better Homes & Garden's Appetizer magazine), but couldn't find it on their website. I had my in-laws over tonight and tried a few recipes. I think I'll make this one again. Thanks to my mother in law for all her help; turned out my recipes were more putzy than I thought they'd be and if she hadn't helped not sure how late we would have had to eat! Anyway, here it is!

Shrimp- and Bacon-Stuffed Baby Potatoes (let's shorten it up and call 'em Shrimp Potatoes):

14 tiny new potatoes

2 tbsp dijon-style mustard*

1 tbsp olive oil

2 tsp Old Bay seasoning

7 - 8 oz peeled cooked shrimp

1/2 an 8 oz package of cream cheese, softened**

1 cup shredded Gouda cheese (4 oz)***

5 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled

1/4 c snipped fresh chives (optional)

Cut potatoes in half lengthwise. Using a melon baller or small spoon, scoop out potato pulp, leaving a 1/4 inch shell. Cuta thin slice from bottom to keep potatoes upright. Place cut-side up in a baking dish.

In a bowl, combine mustard, oil, and 1 tsp of Old Bay seasoning. Brush the hollowed-out portions of potatoes with mustard mixture. Bake 30 minutes at 425 or until tender. Remove from oven.

Filling: combine shrimp, cream cheese, Gouda cheese, bacon, and 1 tsp Old Bay seasoning. Spoon filling into cooked potatoes.

Bake for 12 to 15 minutes longer or until filling is heated through and cheese is melted. Serve warm or at room temperature. If desired, garnish with chives.

*I used less than this; maybe 1 tbsp

** Realizing as I'm typing this, I used the whole package

***I am NOT a Gouda fan, so I substituted white sharp cheddar.

ENJOY!

Jack-Jack's Overalls

Just because I can't help myself. How cute are little country city boys in overalls?

Oregon Trail

I picked Cole up from school today. On the way home, he was telling me about his day. He said that next quarter he's taking Art instead of Microsoft Windows. MICROSOFT WINDOWS. He's in sixth grade and he's taking Microsoft Windows. When I was in sixth grade, we took Math. And Reading. I remember nothing of computers. Except I do remember we were able to go to the computer lab once in awhile and play Oregon Trail. Or Wheel of Fortune. Or I might have booted up that floppy disk and G&G T's...hard to remember.

I told him he's welcome to use my computer to do word processing any time he wants...but he's still not allowed on the internet (another blog entry for another day)!

If you have four minutes...

Check out this video. It's hysterical. Congresswomen Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (Miami, FL) hangs up on President-elect Obama. TWICE. I have not laughed so hard in a long time at something I saw in the (usually dismal) news. She seems like a really great woman...being a really good sport.

You Should Watch...

...Secret Millionaire. Millionaires go undercover as poor people, determine who has needs, and then give them their own money. Pretty cool to watch.

Matthew

We've officially entered the "cutest stage" with Matthew.

Yesterday we went to see "A Day in the Life of a Elf" with my friend Jill. She took a personal day off work and suggested we take the boys to the eight floor display at downtown Macy's, so that's what we did. It was a great experience...the boys and I greatly enjoyed our day; hopefully Jill did too!

After we had gone through and the boys were munching on cookies Auntie Jill bought them, she asked him what he asked Santa for for Christmas.

Matty: "A 'mote control fire truck."

Jill: "Oh, a fire truck?"

Matty: "No...a 'mote control fire truck."

Jill: "What else did you ask for?"

Matty [holding up five fingers and shaking his head]: "No...I not get lots of presents. Some kids don't get NO presents!"

Aww! I talk about gratitude a lot with Cole, and evidently Matty has overheard us. Lesson: it's never too early to talk to them about empathy. My child is smarter than I gave him credit for.

Remember those who have less. :)