First Sunday in January

[Twins' Mom]

Back from grocery. They had a good sourdough bread from a local specialty baker, so I'll save myself making challah. Found a single serving frozen gluten free eggplant parm and bought a couple to offer that option. They can be thrown into the oven with the lasagna as it bakes.

Think highest priority is to get veggies ready and assemble veggie lasagne, then work on clean up, set up and routines here.

-walk ddogs
-start on butternut squash peeling and dicing and roast with tomatoes
-slice and salt eggplant
-look for dd's script for meds
-straighten MBR

I may have made a royal mistake with the humidifier chamber for the CPAP. Instructions don't say anything about washing it in top rack of dishwasher, but I am almost sure that is what she told me. I can't get the top to fit back on the reservoir now.

Yes, I also wanted to comment on Lisa B's sewing machine - I saw the photo on Facebook! My dmom owns a treadle Singer machine from late 40s or early 50s that I used extensively growing up and as young adult. It looks very similar to Lisa's photo but I think hers is electric? Mother's is promised to me eventually, however, since downsizing it may be a mixed blessing.

[Cowinkie]

Dashing through...

Much I wan to do today.

Kathryn, In New Orleans, Mobile, and any other place that celebrates Mardi Gras the cake you saw is called a King Cake.
The most simple, said to be the most traditional, is a ring of twisted cinnamon roll-style bread topped with icing or sugar, usually colored purple, green, and gold (and represent the presents from the Three Wise Men brought to Baby Jesus... gold, frankinscense and murrh)

I make King Cakes every year. When I first moved here I introduced my Spe Ed dept. to Mardi Gas. Every year I would bake cakes and make traditional foods for Fat Tue. Of course we had tons of beads. I usually fed 25-30 people including the office staff and kids I knew who had moved from that area. For those students, missing Mardi Gras would be like missing Christmas Day to them. For the next 10 years celebrating Mardi Gras with my peers became a tradition.

After retiring my friends all complained how much they miss the fun, so this year I will be hosting a Mardi Gras party at my home. I am looking forwards to introducing this traditions to my friends who have never celebrated the occasion. Norma and Mr. Guy along with their other friends will be invited. Of course any of y'all that are in the area March 1 are welcomed as well.

King Cakes

Mardi Gras season begins on January 6, of each year and ends on Fat Tuesday, the day before Lent. One of the wonderful traditions of Mardi Gras, and probably the most delicious, is the King Cake.

On the Christian calendar, the 12th day after Christmas is celebrated as the date that the gift-bearing Magi visited the baby Jesus. This day, January 6, is known by several names, including "Epiphany", "Twelfth Night", or "Kings Day". The celebration of this event has evolved over the centuries, with each culture adding its own unique rituals. The New Orleans tradition, borrowing heavily from European influences, is believed to have begun in the 1870's. As part of this celebration, it is now traditional to bake a cake in honor of the three kings - the King Cake. King Cakes are oval-shaped to symbolize the unity of faiths. Each cake is decorated in the traditional Mardi Gras colors - purple representing justice, green representing faith, and gold representing power. A small baby, symbolizing the baby Jesus, is traditionally hidden inside each King Cake.

In New Orleans, King Cake parties are held throughout the Mardi Gras season. In offices, classrooms, and homes throughout the city, King Cakes are sliced and enjoyed by all. Like the Biblical story, the "search for the baby" adds excitement, as each person waits to see in which slice of cake the baby will be discovered. While custom holds that the person who "finds" the baby will be rewarded with "good luck", that person is also traditionally responsible for bringing the King Cake to the next party or gathering.

The "traditional" King Cake is made from twisted strands of cinnamon dough, covered by poured sugar and sprinkled with purple, green and gold colored sugar. Today, many additional varieties of King Cake are also available by adding cream cheese, or other fillings to the "traditional" King Cake.

http://www.mardigrasday.com/king-cakes/ ... ing-cakes/

[Nancy]

Thanks for that link on the kings cake!
Would like to do some thing , like that for dgd she wanted to do breads but I keep forgetting to get the ingredients.

I am Coughing a bit today.
H. Said that they have big commercial contracts to pour at work next week & are busy.

[Lisa B.]

Ladies, thank you all for the welcome back.

Twins, yes mine is an electric one.

Harriet, I will go searching for the post about BookSaver's new to her machine.

My DMil also has a vintage...hers is a 1950 Singer 201K Treadle in its original desk/table with the original manual found in the drawer by my DMil. She has hinted that since I am the only daughter in law, that the machine will most likely come to me eventually.

I've been doing a little research and found that the Button Hole Attachment and the Zig Zagger Attachment is the same for both of my DMil and my machines.

Harriet, my family is all well. DD is now 16 and we've managed to get her into the school that is closest to us from our new home. So it's a case of buying new uniform, etc and we have a meeting with the school next week Saturday so that she can sort out her subjects and get her the school uniform skirts which are only available through the school. DD16's new uniform is blue and khaki which is so different from the red and black of her previous school.

[Kathryn-in-Canada]

Listened to my friend's church service, then had breakfast, sitting, overlooking the water with Long Beach downtown on the opposite shore. It is sunny here and looks warm (it isn't as warm as it looks but it will be 'no coat required' temp by noon.

Dh is watching US Netflix. Our tv here can be hooked up to the computer. We'll probably watch a lot of tv today. I have the tv booked for 8 p.m. to watch Downton Abbey.

[Twins' Mom]

Continuing with cooking....

-fry up eggplant
-assemble ricotta mixtures
-assemble lasagne
-make 7 layer med dip
-start a "Honey do" list for dh and maybe dd

I figured out the issue with the CPAP - the vinyl around the metal reservoir had shifted when it was washed so it fits now. Will check with them tomorrow re: washing instructions.

[Ivy]

Good Morning, Everyone!

I "talked" to Sadie and her surgery's Wed. the 8th. I remembered, too, because our dgd turns 1 that day, which is why I made the mental "connection" to what day Saidie's surgery was.

We had freezing fog this a.m. here, it's still a bit frosty, but am so thankful for not being in ice and heavy snow.

My upper back/shoulders are killing me. Need to s2s and get Icy Hot on. Slept in this a.m. because I was up until midnight watching a repeat of SNL.

Will be busy crocheting things together for 2 mailers to go to Ddil/Dgd tomorrow. Have to get everything done, washed, and dried, soft, and nice-smelling with dryer sheets.

LisaB. I loved your apron avatar!

Enjoy K & K!

[Twins' Mom]

I should have told dd she had to go back to school today if she wasn't willing to help me. She's acting like a pain in the tushie. I asked her to do the 7 layer dip and then she lost it with me because I snapped at her while trying to also talk to dh on the phone.

Lasagnes are assembled and ready to bake later. Lots of prep tasks for this recipe.

Next up:
-clear kitchen counters
-clear breakfast bar counter
-run the dishwasher
-get DR table on and get table set up
-clear kitchen table

I need to s2s also.

[helia]

Hello! It is snowing and has been snowing all day! I don't know how much more we've gotten so far. It is very pretty, though roads are very sloppy. Dh and I got up a little early this morning to go help set up the church gym for coffee and snacks after the service. It was dfriend S' University group's turn - but of course the students aren't back yet (classes start Wed.) and S forgot about this until the very last minute. She emailed our small group and got enough help.

After church, we sort of helped clean up. Then, we met dfriend A for lunch. It was SO good to finally connect with her!! Then home to relax a bit. I've taken a one-hour nap. Dh just left to go for a run - in the snow, yes. The next 2 days are forecast to be bitterly cold, and he'd rather deal with snow than bitter cold. He says his route is kept pretty clear of snow. He is now running with his phone, which makes me feel better.

School has been cancelled for tomorrow. This is our first snow day of the school year, believe it or not! I don't remember it ever being cancelled this far ahead of time, but ds says he remembers that happening once before. Still, as far as I know, all 3 kids are on for dental appts. at 8:45 tomorrow morning. . . .SO, I'll be getting up fairly early and making sure the driveway is clear first thing tomorrow.

I've had a cup of tea and am now going to call my parents to see how their holiday was. S, R, and baby J will probably be here for dinner tonight, and Dh and I will likely make our weekly trek to WF for bread and maybe soup. This feels like soup weather. Tonight, I'd like to write down more specifics of my moms group teaching. And I probably should do some laundry. . . Always laundry. . .

[Ivy]

GOOD AFTERNOON - EARLY EVENING, VILLAGERS!

I'm now:
s2s, shampooed, will trim fingernails next.
Addressed Ddil's mailer, with inside card/note about the infinity scarf surprise for her. ♥
Addressed Dgd's card, for inside her mailer, too, with a note for her Dmom to "read" to her.
Washed my hair with some shampoo, which is a one with conditioner in it. First, thought it WAS conditioner!
DH is watching football, keeping the fire going, although it's not cooperating.
Messed with calendar reminders a bit for the week.
Am on my way to crochet thigh ribbing for #2 leg warmer & hat for Dgd and started Ddil's infinity scarf. Pretty!
Oops. Forgot lunch, so best be off to eat a bit of something nourishing to get me through the afternoon.

Kathryn, Hoping your tummy's better by now.

Sadie, Good news about your Dbro, too. Good luck on the 8th.

OKay, You made me smile at the "am I that old?" question because I turn 62 on the 15th, I keep asking myself, "Is 62 THAT old? Sometimes I wear myself out so much that I need a nap!" Same questions only different years.

Twins', Sorry about the DD and layer dip episode. Glad you figured out the issue with the CPAP, too!

LisaB., I sewed my double-knit polyester rose and cream stand-up collar, tucks into a flowing empire waist confirmation dress in 1971 on an old vintage sewing machine, Singer, which was owned by DH's great-grandmother. It turned out so beautiful. Then, DH got me a Sears Kenmore sewing machine for my very first Mother's Day. I thought he was a saint for doing that. We lived in a single wide trailer, at the time, as newlyweds, so there was a wonderful long built-in counter/dresser for storing material and built-in desk. The machine was portable and had no table with it.

Booksaver, I bet you do beautiful work, too.

Nancy, I hope your cough goes away soon. And that you remain healthy.

Waving to Cowinkie.

Dee, If you and Mr. Dee take a trip, I hope you enjoy yourselves and the weather.

Better get back to the lunch plans and crochet because this isn't getting it done.