08 DEC 2007 - 7 Day Eastern Magic Part 2

[TheTXTaylors5]

My sister is here and I am officially non existent to the boys right now.
I have asked them all day if they wanted to play connect 4, operation, sorry, monoply and they were like NO mom we don't feel like playing and the minute my sister walked in the door they were like auntie, auntie want to play a board game....GRRRR......

- Jennifer

 

[WIFamily]

I've been going back and forth the past hour between the kitchen and the office. I am making homemade sauce with meatballs and sausage for the lasagna I am bringing to my sister's house for dinner tomorrow. I am half-Italian. So, I can't bring myself to use canned sauce for the lasagna. It just tastes so much better when the meatballs and sausage have been cooking in the sauce for hours. It reminds me of going to my grandma's house on Sundays. I just finally put the last meatball in the sauce.

Do you use Capers for your gravy? I've never made homemade sauce before, but am getting ready to try. As soon as I can get my hands on a food mill, I'll oven roast some tomatoes and go to town. So many things taste better homemade...

Bill and DS7 are still at the Halo 3 Tournament. They should be heading home. Bill and I are going back on our healthy eating on Monday. Having fish 'n chips twice at Epcot didn't fit into my diet plan. So, he was promised his "last supper" of pizza tonight for dinner (his all-time favorite food). Then, the lasagna tomorrow. That will be the last of the "bad eating" until the cruise. From the sounds of it, others seems to be getting back on track too. We are all going to be starving come cruise time. The whole time last year on the cruise I never had one Mickey bar. This time, I am determined to have at least one.

- Jennifer

Oh, a Halo 3 Tourney!! How fun. I'm not back on track, I'm still eating whatever tastes good, I just had an Italian sausage sammich for lunch

 

[TheTXTaylors5]

But we got our boy and he was truly a blessing.

That's how we think of DS2, "a blessing". I had a miscarriage after DD5 and so we thought we were done having babies. Then the loss got us to thinking about having another child. So, we gave it from that Fall until New Year's Eve. I took the tests every month (Nov. & Dec.), nothing. Then, on New Year's Eve it was positive! DS2 was cutting it close. He really wanted to be born! He has been our "miracle baby". He has been a joy since birth (Except for that night at Spoodles Just kidding!). I honestly believe he was born with a purpose in life (Everyone is, but it seems different with him). What that will be, we can only sit back and see. . .

- Jennifer

 

[TheTXTaylors5]

"gravy" That's what my grandparents call it. No, I don't use capers in my sauce. Just the normal stuff. . . oregano, basil, bay leaves, pinch of sugar and garlic salt or powder (I don't use "real" garlic cloves because it takes too many to get a garlic taste in the sauce to me.) Then, I add my homemade meatballs and Italian "Sweet" Sausage to the pot to cook for about four hours. It makes the house smelly so homey (is that even a word? )

Bill called not too long ago and they were about to play a free for all. He and DS7 were doing well in the overall tournament. The proceeds go towards local non-profit organizations. So, it was a good cause. Bill said DS7 was having fun and that was the main purpose. I am ashamed to say, our DS2 can now say "360". That is what he calls the XBOX 360. We have to give him a controller without the battery in it. So, he thinks he is playing too. It is cute, but disturbing at the same time.
- Jennifer

 

[TheTXTaylors5]

Well, I know I said I wouldn't be online this weekend. But, I was home and around the house and figured I'd get online to check our e-mail and the DISboards. Bill should be on his way home by now. We are having a family movie night and pizza. When the time comes, Julie you will love having kids. It is fun doing "simple" things like sitting down and watching a movie with them or playing a boardgame.

I am off for now. . .

- Jennifer

 

[brack]

Hi Buddy ! How are you?

Doing great! I hope you are too!

Today I cleaned and straightened my Disney Room in the basement. There are still things to put out but it is better. We have guest coming over in a few weeks and Annette said if I am to take anyone downstairs I had to finish it.

I'm going to tell you what Monopoly pieces I have and which ones I don't. I do know that I'm missing Boardwalk but then so is everyone.

 

[MrsMork]

I have an "authentic Italian" recipe for sauce given to me by an Italian friend. She could not give me her grandmother's recipe because it was only given to one female in each generation, my friend being the chosen one for her generation. But, she did send me two recipes and said if I kind of combined them it would be "almost" grandma's. It includes a pork chop, cooked in the sauce until it falls apart as well as the other meats. It is a two day process. Needless to say, I have only made it a couple of times. Really tasty though and yes, the house smells really good while it is cooking.

 

[brack]

Have you looked at the new 40D yet? All of the temptation is driving me crazy. .

Right now I am very happy with my XTi

The only temptation I am trying to not think about is the EOS 1D Mark III 'cause the price is

 

[brack]

Thanks! I have one in the Hidden Mickeys, too (the bedspread from PO French Quarter). In my first life, besides being a kindergarten teacher, I was a wedding photographer. I learned photography from my father, who was a very serious amateur. I still have, and have used once in a while, his Leica from the early 1940's. I used to do my own darkroom work, but with the arrival of digital I haven't done that in years!

Beth

A Leica .... WOW!

I learned some from a professional photographer friend of mine. He helped me buy my first 35mm film camera (completely manual). I would go with him on some of his shoots to 'practice'.

I have done a few weddings but really do not like them because I get too intense with making sure they get their "once in a lifetime" photos. My idea of being a photographer is to take time and pretend to be Ansel Adams.

I love dark room work. While in college I worked for a pro-lab developing & printing for awhile. The best perk was being able to do my own stuff. It has been a very long time since I did any dark room work. I carried my chemicals with me for awhile but finally gave them away.

Maybe when I retire .....

 

[brack]

DrHug did not want to answer this on the grounds it might incriminate!

Say CAMERA, Dennis, say CAMERA!!

No .... say "expensive camera"!

 

[Cruise]

no body believed me when I said I was having twins. I was thinking, why in the world would I make something like that up...

I have uncles that are twins, so it's possible I'll end up with them, but I figure unlikely. They're the only set in the family.

Bill called not too long ago and they were about to play a free for all. He and DS7 were doing well in the overall tournament. The proceeds go towards Bill's annual "Giving Campaign" at work for DFW local charities. So, it was a good cause. Bill said DS7 was having fun and that was the main purpose. I am ashamed to say, our DS2 can now say "360". That is what he calls the XBOX 360. We have to give him a controller without the battery in it. So, he thinks he is playing too. It is cute, but disturbing at the same time.
- Jennifer

This will probably be our child. Games are DH's work and play, so it's to be expected. I saw a t-shirt once that was supposed to be a baby in-utero and the umbilical cord ended in a game controller which the baby was playing with. I figure I'll have to get that shirt.

 

[brack]

We will go visit several resorts and view the decorations (anyone have any suggestions of the best ones?) and will eat dinner at one of the resorts.

Now I have a question for you:

If you have a chance to go the the Christmas thing at Magic Kingdom - would you? Is it really a MUST do? What makes it special? Thanks for any input!

Krisann

I love the Grand Floridian's decorations and go each year. There are good places there to eat as well.

We are going to the MVMCP (the Christmas party) again this year right after the cruise. We have been to one for several years now. It is worth it!

 

[brack]

My DH is once again totally on target.

I must say again that I totally disagree.

I have been on this board for several years now and have never had any problems. I have never had any reason to be "hidden". My account name is my real name. I have chatted with and met some very wonderful people in that time. This thread is no exception.

I do not intend to be a hidden personality on this board or any other forum.

 

[brack]

Has anyone seen "Meet The Robinsons"? I just picked it up today on DVD at Wal-Mart. I like the savings you get at Wal-Mart and Target when you buy DVDs the first week they are released.

- Jennifer

We saw it at the theater but have not bought it .... yet. It is good.

 

[brack]

DISing from the downstairs computer.

It's in my Disney Room and I'm playing Chicago's Christmas CD. The lava lamp is going strong All I need is some incense burning.

 

[plutojudy]

We just came home from enjoying a Gino's East deep dish pizza. It was so yummy. But now all this sauce/gravy talk I am hungry again. What time is dinner tomorrow,Jennifer?

 

[plutojudy]

Beth, we watched the Breeders Cup today. Good move giving those tickets to the boss. That track sure looked sloppy.

 

[mommyoftwinfants]

Is there going to be chat tonight??

 

[plutojudy]

DISing from the downstairs computer.

It's in my Disney Room and I'm playing Chicago's Christmas CD. The lava lamp is going strong All I need is some incense burning.

I'm sitting in my Mickey Room too.
I was thinking today about getting out the Christmas music. Maybe tomorrow.
We have a radio station here that will soon play Christmas music 24 hours a day. Every year they start earlier. It is such a happy season, we can't wait.
My friends and I call in sick once a year and go to Downtown Chicago to have lunch (under the big tree) in the Walnut Room in Marshall Fields (now known as Macys ). We take the train into the city and take a cab just like big girls! Last year we even had our picture taken with Santa (you're never too old to have a happy childhood) even though I am not a "Santa" person. This year we are going November 27, because two of us will be busy cruising in December.

 

[plutojudy]

Brack, do you remember from last year what time the tree lighting ceremony is the first night?
I really enjoy your pictures.