wittenlover Posted December 9, 2019 Posted December 9, 2019 Had work Christmas party Saturday night. Dressy affair. Much fun had by all. 9
Kash Posted December 10, 2019 Posted December 10, 2019 Your Christmas parties must be awesome. You always look great, have a beautiful gown on, and the tree looks perfect. 1
budgetsRsexy Posted December 10, 2019 Posted December 10, 2019 Wittenlover- you look absolutely fabulous! LOVE the dress [emoji106] 1
Gator Pam Posted December 10, 2019 Posted December 10, 2019 Beautiful! Decided to reward myself for being half way to my weight loss goal. Whereas before I would have rewarded myself by having a cheat day, this time, to honor myself fitting in to size 12s (!) for the first time in over three dacades, I went with something which will last longer. I have no plans on where this could be worn. But seeing myself in it took my breath away. And for the price I found it for, I jumped on it! I don't know if you'll be able to see my pictures if you're not on Facebook, but my settings are set to public. https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10156857387926365&id=560391364 6
wittenlover Posted December 10, 2019 Posted December 10, 2019 Beautiful! Decided to reward myself for being half way to my weight loss goal. Whereas before I would have rewarded myself by having a cheat day, this time, to honor myself fitting in to size 12s (!) for the first time in over three dacades, I went with something which will last longer. I have no plans on where this could be worn. But seeing myself in it took my breath away. And for the price I found it for, I jumped on it! I don't know if you'll be able to see my pictures if you're not on Facebook, but my settings are set to public. https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10156857387926365&id=560391364I almost bought that SAME DRESS!!! Welcome to the size 12 club (that’s what size my dress is as well)! Great work! 2
Gator Pam Posted December 10, 2019 Posted December 10, 2019 I almost bought that SAME DRESS!!! Welcome to the size 12 club (that’s what size my dress is as well)! Great work!Thank you! May I ask why you passed on it? I found nothing wrong with it, except maybe the length since I don't do heels. For $81, including tax and free to store shipping, my breath was seriously taken away when I put it on. 1
berry1014 Posted December 10, 2019 Posted December 10, 2019 Hard to believe we about 2 weeks to Christmas already. Time is flying by for sure. 4
wittenlover Posted December 10, 2019 Posted December 10, 2019 Thank you! May I ask why you passed on it? I found nothing wrong with it, except maybe the length since I don't do heels. For $81, including tax and free to store shipping, my breath was seriously taken away when I put it on. 1) It wasn't that cheap when I was looking at it. (Dang, killer deal!!! Well bought!) 2) Web exclusive and I didn't have quite enough time (by the time I was seriously dress shopping) to feel comfortable with hunting something else down in time for my party if it didn't fit the way I needed it to when it came in. I'm the girl with several pairs of 5" heels, including a pair of beautiful silver pumps, that I could have worn with it, so the length would have been fine.
Gator Pam Posted December 11, 2019 Posted December 11, 2019 1) It wasn't that cheap when I was looking at it. (Dang, killer deal!!! Well bought!) 2) Web exclusive and I didn't have quite enough time (by the time I was seriously dress shopping) to feel comfortable with hunting something else down in time for my party if it didn't fit the way I needed it to when it came in. I'm the girl with several pairs of 5" heels, including a pair of beautiful silver pumps, that I could have worn with it, so the length would have been fine. Oh, yes. I lucked in to a 50% off everything + additional savings sale when I bought it. I can understand the time crunch. As I posted, I don't have anywhere planned to wear it, so if it didn't fit I would have just returned it. I just can't wear heels; never could. 1
magickallight Posted December 11, 2019 Posted December 11, 2019 Hared to believe that it is only ... 2
packratfamily Posted December 11, 2019 Posted December 11, 2019 Ha December. Nothing good to report cuz I spent a lot on unexpected medical cuz we have not spent the required $3500 per person to reach the deductible. The good news is nothing life threatening.I really hope everyone else is in a happy place. 2
AndreaInNC Posted December 11, 2019 Posted December 11, 2019 Headed out tomorrow to celebrate Christmas early with my DD in San Diego! 5
HanShotFirst Posted December 11, 2019 Posted December 11, 2019 Two weeks to go and I’m still shopping!! Ack!! Gift plans derailed for my dad so now I’m having to start over. Obviously he still hasn’t figured out that one simply does not go and buy big things for oneself at this time of year.......smh and lol. Goofy man. 4
bluebear Posted December 11, 2019 Posted December 11, 2019 I still have a bit of shopping to do too. And I got word today that the gift I ordered for my sister is back ordered, and won't be in before Christmas. Boo. So I gotta figure out what to do about that. 1
speeddiva Posted December 12, 2019 Posted December 12, 2019 I just started wrapping yikesI haven’t even started yet. I’m so behind. 2
dantegirl Posted December 12, 2019 Posted December 12, 2019 All wrapped and ready for Christmas! Now onto house cleaning...meh [emoji53] 3
chester5 Posted December 12, 2019 Posted December 12, 2019 Happy 16th Birthday to my first-born daughter! On 12/12, with a full moon. 6
budgetsRsexy Posted December 12, 2019 Posted December 12, 2019 (edited) Christmas is less than 2 weeks away and I’m so unprepared. I’m not done shopping and I haven’t even started wrapping, decorating, cleaning or baking. If I can finish shopping, get the tree decorated and have the house picked up this weekend I’d feel a lot better about things. Good luck everyone, it’s going to be a mad dash to the finish line. Edited December 12, 2019 by budgetsRsexy 3
packratfamily Posted December 12, 2019 Posted December 12, 2019 I went to Barnes and Noble today to check out the new Joy of Cooking.Argggh. It is Really Big. And so is the price- $40. Have to check w BIL and see is this would be a fail. Back to the drawing board.Good old eBay, helped find a gift for Really Hard to Buy For DH yesterday.Slow progress but good progress. 1
magickallight Posted December 12, 2019 Posted December 12, 2019 Happy 16th Birthday to my first-born daughter! On 12/12, with a full moon. A very happy birthday to her - 12/12 - LUCKY day!
Brad Posted December 13, 2019 Author Posted December 13, 2019 Still 14 members who haven't posted for December. Don't let the holidays cause you to forget to post! 1
giz Posted December 14, 2019 Posted December 14, 2019 Still 14 members who haven't posted for December. Don't let the holidays cause you to forget to post!I couldn't stop myself from going back to make sure I'd posted. LOL 1
riven3d Posted December 14, 2019 Posted December 14, 2019 I couldn't stop myself from going back to make sure I'd posted. LOL I think i do that every month lol, but i try to post the first of every month when i wake up that way its done and over with 1
bluebear Posted December 15, 2019 Posted December 15, 2019 Yep. I'm getting a little stressed as well. I keep thinking of things I need to, and trying now to make my plan when to do it all! Freaking out! 1
laddhorn Posted December 16, 2019 Posted December 16, 2019 We are about half-way through wrapping presents. We still have a few more that need to be purchased. For example, several months ago, DS broke the outside door handle to his driver door. He hasn't been concerned about it as he can just roll his windows down with the remote. Rain doesn't bother him, I guess. lol I went online and found a dealership that had them for the same price as Amazon, so I ordered it, but selected "pay at dealership". I'll be visiting them tomorrow. Hopefully I don't have to wait for shipping. If so, Amazon is my fall-back plan.
Kanyon71 Posted December 16, 2019 Posted December 16, 2019 We are pretty much done. Just a few more things to get. I have to order a few things but those are Amazon based. Going to pick up the last of it and stocking stuffers this week one evening.
Gator Pam Posted December 16, 2019 Posted December 16, 2019 *double posted here and in the Holiday forum, since this thread is year round* I had lost the laptop which had all of my French toast casserole recipes I rotate through to the blue screen of death, and of course I hadn't ever backed my recipes up before that happened. I didn't worry about it though, as,I knew I had posted them on the forum. So, imagine my dismay when I could no longer find them! I reached out to Brad, and yes, the thread they were in was on the old server, from back in 2005. Thankfully, Brad knows his database, and was able to find them for me. I went in and copied them, and am reposting them here, so they are on the new server. For those who would also like to have them, enjoy! Apple French Toast A delicious baked french toast recipe with a wonderful spicy apple syrup. It is prepared the night before and baked just before serving. 1 cup brown sugar 1/2 cup butter 2 Tablespoons light corn syrup 2 large tart apples, peeled and sliced 1/4" thick 3 eggs 1 cup milk 1 tsp vanilla extract 9 slices day-old french bread (3/4" thick) Syrup: 1 cup applesauce 1 10 oz jar apple jelly 1/2 tsp cinnamon 1/8 tsp ground cloves In small saucepan, cook brown sugar, butter and syrup until thick about 5-7 minutes. Pour into ungreased 13x9x2 pan and arrange apple slices on top. In mixing bowl, beat eggs, milk and vanilla. Dip bread into the egg mix for 1 minute and place over apples. Cover and refrigerate overnight. 30 minutes before baking remove from refrigerator and let sit out. Bake in preheated 350 degree oven for 30-40 min. Meanwhile, prepare syrup. Combine all syrup ingredients in medium saucepan. Cook and stir until hot. Invert french toast onto a serving platter and serve with syrup. Yield: 4 servings. Blueberry French Toast(Kimberly Amstutz) 12 slices day-old white bread, cut into 1” cubes2 (8 oz.) package of cream cheese, cubed1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries12 eggs 2 cups milk 1/3 cup honey or maple syrup Place half of the bread cubes in a greased 9"-x-13" baking dish. Place cream cheese cubes over bread. Top with blueberries Sprinkle remaining bread cubes on top. In a large bowl, beat together the eggs, milk and honey or maple syrup Pour egg mixture over bread. Cover and chill for 8 hours, or overnight. Remove from the refrigerator 30 minutes before baking. Cover and bake at 350ºF for 30 minutes. Uncover and bake for an additional 30 minutes or until golden brown and center is set. For sauce: 1 cup sugar 2 TBS cornstarch 1 cup water1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries1 TBS butter or margarine Combine sugar and cornstarch in a medium sized saucepan.Add water and bring to a boil over medium heat. Boil for 3 minutes, stirring constantly. Stir in blueberries. Reduce heat and simmer for 5-8 minutes, or until blueberries have burst. Stir in butter or margarine. Stir until butter is melted. Serve sauce over French toast. Note: Bottled blueberry syrup can be substituted for the homemade sauce. Creme Brulee French Toast Serves 6-8 2 TBS corn syrup (light or dark) 1/2 Cup butter (stick) 1 Cup brown sugar, packed 1 Loaf French or white bread, thickly sliced - with the crust removed. 5 Eggs 1-1/2 Cups half & half 1 tsp vanilla 1 tsp Grand Marnier or orange baking liqueur, 70% alcohol (optional) 1/4 tsp salt In a small saucepan combine the syrup, butter and brown sugar; simmer until syrupy. Pour this mixture into a 9" x 13" baking pan that has been sprayed with Pam. Set aside. Slice the loaf into thick slices, and place the syrup in the baking pan. Place the bread on top of the syrup. In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, cream, vanilla, Grand Marnier and salt. Pour evenly over the bread. Cover and refrigerate overnight. In the morning, leave the casserole at room temperature while the oven preheats. Bake at 350ºF uncovered, for 45 minutes. Cut into squares and serve immediately. Serve with maple syrup and butter. (Can be reheated) Eggnog French Toast(Debbie/Doberlady) 1 TBS butter, softened2 cups eggnog2 cups milk6 eggs2 tsp vanilla extract1 tsp ground nutmeg1/2 tsp ground cinnamon1/8 tsp salt10 slices (about 3/4-inch thick) good quality white bread with crusts1 cup maple syrupOptional: 1 tsp rum extract2 TBS powdered sugar Butter the inside of a 2 1/2-quart baking dish and set aside. With a large whisk, beat together eggnog, milk, eggs, vanilla, nutmeg, cinnamon and salt. Arrange bread in the prepared baking dish, overlapping the slices. Pour batter over bread, then turn slices over, making sure that both sides are covered with batter. Cover and refrigerate overnight. The next morning, bake the French toast in a preheated 400-degree oven about 15 minutes, or until golden brown on top.While the dish is baking, warm maple syrup with optional rum extract over medium-low heat. Sift powdered sugar over French toast and serve with the syrup on the side. Makes 5 to 10 servings Make-Ahead Chocolate French ToastFrom: The Times Record News (Wichita Falls)Recipe shared by: LyndaMc994 1 loaf day-old French bread1 c milk chocolate chips or cinnamon chips5 eggs, beaten1 1/4 c milk1/4 tsp cinnamon1/4 tsp vanilla extractMaple syrup, optional Spray a 13x9" baking pan with nonstick cooking spray. Cut French bread into 6 slices, each 1 1/2" thick. Using a small sharp knife, cut 2" long slits in one side of each bread slice; cutting 3/4 of the way through the bread, to create a pocket. Spoon 2 heaping tablespoons of chips into the pocket of each bread slice; press to close. Place filled slices into baking pan. Whisk together eggs, milk, cinnamon & vanilla. Pour egg mixture evenly overbread; carefully turn pieces over; spooning mixture in pan over top of bread. Cover pan with plastic wrap; refrigerate several hours or overnight. Heat oven to 400°. Bake uncovered 20 to 30 minutes or until golden brown. Transfer toast to plates. Serve with warm maple syrup, if desired. Serves 6. Stuffed French Toast with Strawberry SauceFrom: Favorite Recipes from the Mainstay Inn/PPFQP (Pam) 1 loaf firm white bread (Wonder bread)10 eggs1 8 oz pkg cream cheese1 1/2 cups half and half -- or milk1/4 cup maple syrup8 TBS butter -- melted Strawberry Sauce:2 cups sliced strawberries -- fresh or frozen2 cups strawberry preserves Cube bread and layer half in a 12-x-8.5-in pan. Cut cream cheese into small pieces and scatter across bread. Cover with remaining bread cubes. Mix eggs, half-and-half, maple syrup, and melted butter together well. Pour evenly over bread cubes and press bread cubes down to soak up egg mixture. Cover and refrigerate overnight. Bake at 350 degrees for 40 to 50 minutes. Serve with fresh strawberry sauce or maple syrup. To make sauce, heat sliced strawberries and strawberry preserves together (I use the microwave). Serve over french toast. Some other teriffic brunch recipes that require a little more work assembling in the morning: German Breakfast Pancakeslooks like http://www.originalpancakehouse.com/images/php_dutch.jpgRecipe By : Serving Size : 6 Preparation Time :0:00 Categories : Breads Breakfast German 6 Eggs 1/8 tsp Salt 1 cup Flour -- unsifted 1/2 cup Milk 1 tsp Sugar 1/4 lb Butter Powdered Sugar Preheat oven to 450ºF. Lightly beat eggs with salt. Gradually add flour to milk, blending until smooth. Add this mixture and the sugar to the eggs and blend well. Place the butter into the cast iron skillets and place them into the oven until butter melts. Brush butter up sides of skillet(s). Add the batter to the pan and bake for 15 minutes, or until the pancakes rise and puff and are lightly browned. Lower the temperature to 400 degrees if pancakes are browning too fast. Sprinkle with powdered sugar and serve immediately with one or more of the toppings suggested below. Topping Suggestions: Fruit jam, fresh berries, sliced fresh fruit, sour cream, applesauce, sugar and cinnamon. Apple Pancake looks like http://www.originalpancakehouse.com/images/php_apple.jpg Batter Ingredients:6 eggs1 cup flour1/2 cup sugar1/2 tsp salt1-1/2 cups milk1/2 tsp cinnamon1 tsp vanilla Topping Ingredients:4 apples, peeled and sliced1/4 cup brown sugar1/3 cup butter1/4 cup raisins Combine dry ingredients for batter, add liquids. Blend until smooth. Melt butter in oven in a 10” cast iron skillet. Pour apples, raisins, and brown sugar into hot butter in skillet, stir until apples are coated and brown sugar is melted. Return to oven until butter is hot again, add batter. Bake for 20 minutes at 425ºF. Cut pancake into serving pieces. Serves 6-8. Bagels and More Tomato Melt(Pam/FanofPern) 1 bagel or bialy, split and lightly toasted (I get an ET bagel)2 TBS scallion cream cheese (can use any type of cream cheese), divided2 slices sweet onion2 thick slices good beefsteak tomato2 slices muenster cheese (can use any sliced cheese) Spread 1 TBS cream cheese on each half of the bagel or bialy. Put a slice of onion, tomato, and sliced cheese on each side, in stated order, on each half. Broil both halves of the bagel until sliced cheese turns bubbly and melts. Serve both halves open faced. Banana Pancakes with Peanut Butter & Jelly Syrups(Belinda/BAR2969) 2 cups biscuit mix1 cup mashed banana (2 to 3 ripe bananas)1 cup buttermilk2 large eggs1/2 tsp ground cinnamon3 TBS butter or margarine Whisk together first 5 ingredients in a large bowl just until moistened.Melt 1 TBS butter on a hot griddle.Pour 1/4 cup batter for each pancake onto griddle.Cook pancakes until tops are covered with bubbles and edges look cooked.Turn and cook the other side of pancakes. Repeat procedure with remaining butter and pancake batter. Peanut Butter Syrup(Belinda/BAR2969) 3/4 cup maple syrup1/4 cup peanut butter Whisk together maple syrup and peanut butter until smooth.Serve pancakes with peanut butter mixture and strawberry syrup. Yield: 12 (4-inch) pancakes Prep Time: 10 minutes; Cook: 12 minutes. Notes: I found this recipe in an old Southern Living Magazine that I picked up out of a freebie box at a yard sale. The recipe looked pretty simple to make and even though I did not have any strawberry syrup I made them anyway. They were delicious. My daughter and I both enjoyed them. If you have any leftovers, put them in a single layer on a wax paper-lined baking sheet and freeze them. When they are frozen, place in an airtight container, and return to the freezer (they will keep for a month). To reheat, broil 6 inches from heat for 2 minutes on each side. Blintz Casserole Filling:(1) 6 oz package cream cheese (room temperature)1 cup cottage cheese1 egg beaten1 TBS sugar1 tsp vanilla Batter:1/2 cup butter or margarine (room temperature)1/3 cup sugar4 eggs1 cup flour2 tsp baking powder1 cup plain yogurt1/2 cup sour cream1/2 cup orange juice Preheat oven to 375ºF. Butter and flour a large casserole dish (9x13). In a small bowl, beat cream cheese, add cottage cheese, egg, sugar and vanilla, mix well and set aside. In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar. Add eggs one at a time beating well. Add flour and baking powder. Mix in sour cream and yogurt and add orange juice. Pour 1/2 of batter into prepared casserole dish, layer in filling and then top with remaining batter. Bake 45-50 minutes until lightly browned. Slice into squares and serve with a dollop of sour cream and yogurt and fresh berry preserves 2
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