Snow to 80 in 8 days–A spoonful of Holiday Cheer (2/5 update Ch 36 - Final Thoughts)

[3prettyprincesses]

Bill Cosby is one of my all time favorite shows. Unfortunately, they DON'T make quality family shows anymore -- too much of that crappy reality television.

Marv's doing an update??? When was this announced? At McDonald's this morning over coffee?

I just knew we were on the same page Kathy!

I think my favorite episode is the one where Theo gets a poor report card and Cliff goes up to talk to him. He says something asinine about Cliff accepting him no matter what kind of grades he gets to which Cliff says that is dumbest thing he's ever heard, no wonder he gets D's in everything he does! Ugh, I really need to buy some of those seasons! Ooooh, I think I'll download some from itunes for my trip down to Disney! First I have to finish watching some crappy reality television though, Top Chef...

And Marv's update? Well, that's just a gentle nudge to get him moving. I'm doubting he's commited himself to promising one but that's ok, I'm leaving soon and don't want to miss anything anyway!

 

[marvali]

Marv.... I think you have some trouble brewing over here..

I'm prepared......

Maybe I'll post an update tonight to take some of the heat off of you!

Thanks for gettin' my back!

Since when have you tried to take the heat off Marv !!!!

Gee Rosie, and to think I was heading over to your PTR earlier to ask where you were and tell you I missed you...... Shouldn't you be out practicing your

I love Bill Cosby! The show I mean. "Dad is great, he gives us the chocolate cake!" DH bought me the DVD of his stand-up routine a couple of Christmas' ago.

(See, that entire post was friendly, not an insult in sight. It seems wrong but that's ok. So how's that update coming...)

Actually it is getting waaayyyyy too long! I am up to 4 pages on word and haven't even left the In-Law's yet! I didn't know I could make up so much creative, uh, fertilizer! Now I'm trying to figure out how I want to break it up and post it all!

Love that Bill Cosby Himself show!! It still makes me

Bill Cosby is one of my all time favorite shows. Unfortunately, they DON'T make quality family shows anymore -- too much of that crappy reality television.

You got that right!!!

Marv's doing an update??? When was this announced? At McDonald's this morning over coffee?

It's a vicious fabrication of fiction created by some unsavory characters......

 

[FauntleroyFAN07]

That sounds really good! Love stuff from Hickory Farms, but don't think I've had the honey pineapple mustard before.

Had an electric wok originally, but loved the stove top one we got so much better too!

I went overboard one evening and tried making won ton soup AND egg rolls at the same time. Never again! It took about three hours between making and stuffing the won tons, mixing all of the ingredients for the egg rolls and putting them together. I might make one or the other again sometime, but not both at the same time!

it is good, you should try and find the stuff, we usually get a few when we find them.

never made a chinese type soup before.

i usually do the stir fry, and the egg rolls at the same time, not to bad, but can be time consuming, best is to cut everything up ahead of time and then cook them.

i have made the mistake of thinking ahh i can cut while those things cook, then that never works out.

another good one is, teriyaki chicken , mixed with fettecini (spelled wrong) and brocolli.

 

[glennbo123]

I thought I heard there was an update coming soon.

 

[KatMark]

I thought I heard there was an update coming soon.

No, you heard wrong. This TR has turned into a "cooking" thread.

 

[glennbo123]

No, you heard wrong. This TR has turned into a "cooking" thread.

The mods are probably thinking about moving it.

 

[that's nice]

No, you heard wrong. This TR has turned into a "cooking" thread.

LOL Speaking of that, Melody made me dinner last night (which doesn't happen too often) and made me Chicken Cacciatore. Taken from here http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/chicken-cacciatore-recipe/index.html

It was sooooo guuuuuud and very easy. She used 4 chicken breasts instead of thighs and didn't use capers because we don't really care for them.

Ingredients
4 chicken thighs
2 chicken breasts with skin and backbone, halved crosswise
2 teaspoons salt, plus more to taste
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, plus more to taste
1/2 cup all purpose flour, for dredging
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 large red bell pepper, chopped
1 onion, chopped
3 garlic cloves, finely chopped
3/4 cup dry white wine
1 ( 28-ounce) can diced tomatoes with juice
3/4 cup reduced-sodium chicken broth
3 tablespoons drained capers
1 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano leaves
1/4 cup coarsely chopped fresh basil leaves
Directions
Sprinkle the chicken pieces with 1 teaspoon of each salt and pepper. Dredge the chicken pieces in the flour to coat lightly.

In a large heavy saute pan, heat the oil over a medium-high flame. Add the chicken pieces to the pan and saute just until brown, about 5 minutes per side. If all the chicken does not fit in the pan, saute it in 2 batches. Transfer the chicken to a plate and set aside. Add the bell pepper, onion and garlic to the same pan and saute over medium heat until the onion is tender, about 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Add the wine and simmer until reduced by half, about 3 minutes. Add the tomatoes with their juice, broth, capers and oregano. Return the chicken pieces to the pan and turn them to coat in the sauce. Bring the sauce to a simmer. Continue simmering over medium-low heat until the chicken is just cooked through, about 30 minutes for the breast pieces, and 20 minutes for the thighs.

Using tongs, transfer the chicken to a platter. If necessary, boil the sauce until it thickens slightly, about 3 minutes. Spoon off any excess fat from atop the sauce. Spoon the sauce over the chicken, then sprinkle with the basil and serve.

 

[3prettyprincesses]

Maybe "Marv" is a pseudonym for Martha Stewart?? And this TR is a focus group test for recipes? Regardless, I'll contribute, I'll contribute! I make a cake called Honey Bun Cake that is so ridiculously easy and makes people think I slaved in the kitchen. Recipe:

1 package yellow cake mix
3/4 cup vegetable oil
4 eggs
1 (8 ounce) container sour cream
1 cup brown sugar
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

2 cups confectioners' sugar
4 tablespoons milk
1 tablespoon vanilla extract

1.Preheat oven to 325.
2.In a large mixing bowl, combine cake mix, oil, eggs and sour cream. Stir by hand approximately 50 strokes, or until most large lumps are gone. Pour half of the batter into an ungreased 9x13 inch glass baking dish. Combine the brown sugar and cinnamon, and sprinkle over the batter in the cake pan. Spoon the other half of the batter into the cake pan, covering the brown sugar and cinnamon. Twirl the cake with a butter knife.
3.Bake in preheated oven for 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Frost cake while it is still fairly hot (this helps set the glaze). Serve warm.

To make the frosting: In a small bowl, whisk together the confectioner's sugar, milk and vanilla until smooth. Easy peasy, right?

 

[glennbo123]

Marv, thanks for giving us this forum.

Cinnamon Bun Coffee Cake

1 package Rich's (or other brand) dough balls
1 package vanilla pudding (cook and serve, not instant)
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 stick butter (or margarine)

Grease 10" tube (bundt) pan. Sprinkle raisins or nuts on bottom. (Although I dont. Yuck.) Place (frozen) dough balls around the pan on top of rainsins and nuts. Sprinkle with mixture of vanilla pudding, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Top with one stick of melted butter. Leave out on counter and cover with a small towel. Let dough rise for 10-12 hours. Bake 1/2 hour at 350 degrees.

You may find it helpful to put a piece of aluminum foil loosely on top when baking to avoid browning the bottom too much.

 

[lovealldisney]

Here is something really simple low in fat but oh soooo guuuuddd, my kids don't even know it's low fat!

One Angel Food Cake
One can Blueberry Pie Filling

Mix two together and bake in 9x13 in pan at 350 for 30 mins.

I've made these as muffins too. Makes 12 large ones.

 

[marvali]

it is good, you should try and find the stuff, we usually get a few when we find them.

I'll look for it the next time I am there.

i usually do the stir fry, and the egg rolls at the same time, not to bad, but can be time consuming, best is to cut everything up ahead of time and then cook them.

I cut up everything when the I did the soup and the egg rolls, and it still took forever!

another good one is, teriyaki chicken , mixed with fettecini (spelled wrong) and brocolli.

That sounds good too, even spelled wrong......

I thought I heard there was an update coming soon.

Well right now the word document is divided up into four very long sections, and I had just gotten to my Dad's!!! Never thought I would type THAT much up about our snow travel day. Trying to decide if I want to go ahead and post some of what I have or try and do them all in multiple posts one right after another. I thought I would be up to the part about actually leaving for Disney by the time I wrote that much!!!

No, you heard wrong. This TR has turned into a "cooking" thread.

The mods are probably thinking about moving it.

LOL Speaking of that, Melody made me dinner last night (which doesn't happen too often) and made me Chicken Cacciatore. Taken from here http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/chicken-cacciatore-recipe/index.html

Maybe "Marv" is a pseudonym for Martha Stewart?? And this TR is a focus group test for recipes?

Marv, thanks for giving us this forum.

You guys!!!

It was sooooo guuuuuud and very easy. She used 4 chicken breasts instead of thighs and didn't use capers because we don't really care for them.

I find that capers tend to get in my way. Did you guys use the instead???


After all those delicious sounding recipes I'll never get any TR updates done. Now leave me alone so I can go try some of these new recipes for my soon to be released cookbook!!!

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

Wow, these recipes look awesome! You guys have inspired me to add my favorite as well:

1. Pick up phone.
2. Dial number for local pizza joint.
3. Order 1 large w/ pepperoni & sausage, and 1 large cheese for the kids.
4. Wait one half-hour in your family room at 70 degrees.
5. Answer door when doorbell rings and delivery man shows up.
6. Exchange money for pizza.
7. Enjoy!

 

[KatMark]

You guys!!!

We are just keeping your TR alive for you, Marv.

I find that capers tend to get in my way. Did you guys use the instead???



After all those delicious sounding recipes I'll never get any TR updates done. Now leave me alone so I can go try some of these new recipes for my soon to be released cookbook!!!

See what you guys started!!!!!!!!

Wow, these recipes look awesome! You guys have inspired me to add my favorite as well:

1. Pick up phone.
2. Dial number for local pizza joint.
3. Order 1 large w/ pepperoni & sausage, and 1 large cheese for the kids.
4. Wait one half-hour in your family room at 70 degrees.
5. Answer door when doorbell rings and delivery man shows up.
6. Exchange money for pizza.
7. Enjoy!

Mark, yours is the best of the bunch!

 

[marvali]

Wow, these recipes look awesome! You guys have inspired me to add my favorite as well:

1. Pick up phone.
2. Dial number for local pizza joint.
3. Order 1 large w/ pepperoni & sausage, and 1 large cheese for the kids.
4. Wait one half-hour in your family room at 70 degrees.
5. Answer door when doorbell rings and delivery man shows up.
6. Exchange money for pizza.
7. Enjoy!

 

[marvali]

We arrived at the In-Law's house safe and sound late on Christmas Day. For those of you who have been following along since my PTR, you know that we had a day of school cancelled just before Christmas break due to winter weather, and the makeup day was announced as January 3rd, the day we were supposed to return from Disney. DW is a teacher, so she and DS13 were now scheduled to be back a day earlier than planned.

We were still holding out hope they would get to complete the trip with us, but just in case we were travelling in two cars, with me driving one and DS21 driving his with his brothers as passengers. We had actually done this on our July 2009 trip and it worked out really well for multiple reasons. One, DW had some surgery done a few weeks before our trip, and it allowed her to have plenty of room to relax and survive the long drive. It also gave DW and I a chance to have a relaxing conversation during the trip, and the boys to do their own thing, listen to their own music, etc.

A majority of the stuff we had to pack for the trip wouldn't be used until we finally headed towards Florida. With two vehicles and some careful planning, we had a couple of bags packed that would be needed for the first few days of the journey while we were visiting family, a majority of which was in the back seat of our car with the Christmas presents. The rest of the stuff we would use when we arrived at Kidani was packed away in the trunks of both cars until they were finally needed.

After getting everything we needed unloaded at the In-Law's house, including presents and the goodies we had brought for them, we all gathered around the table for a family meal. Sorry, no food porn pics from this meal, but we all really enjoyed it and were majorly stuffed as usual by the time we were done.

A little humorous side story about this meal. Not long after DW and I first started dating there was a special weekend at her college when the families normally would visit on that Saturday for all the planned events. That Friday night, my future DFIL was having a party at his house for his Sunday School class and we were invited to attend. We decided to go since it would allow me to meet her family prior to them visiting the next day, which we figured would make things run a little smoother. The meeting and the party all went well, and we drove back to school so DW could be up early for things she had to do before her parents and some other family members I hadn't met yet arrived.

Well after the early activities, my future DMIL had brought a huge picnic spread (her norm regardless of the meal) for all of us to eat. Part of that meal was deviled eggs (which I love) with a half of an olive (which I DON'T love) on top. Not wanting to hurt the feelings of this woman I had just met by poking the olive off the top of the deviled eggs, I figured nobody would notice that I just didn't get one to start with.

The rest of the day went smoothly and eventually her family headed for home, and things returned to normal. Shortly after, Ali spoke with her parents and her Mom asked her if I didn't like deviled eggs, because she noticed I never got one! Now this is the lady who if you ate three plates full of everything she fixed, and she asked if you wanted more of something and you turned her down, she would ask "What? You don't like my cooking???" Well yes, very much, which is why I refuse to eat another bite and return it all back where it came from!!! I would learn over time that hoping she wouldn't notice something as insignificant as passing on the deviled eggs was a futile exercise. After Ali informed her that I don't like olives she asked "Why didn't he just take them off???" This has been a long-standing joke between me and my In-law's ever since.

Now we return to the Christmas meal and what do you think might have been predominantly displayed as part of the many food offerings? You probably guessed it; deviled eggs, two of which had a half of an olive sitting right in the middle of them. Well, instead of laughing off the inside joke as I normally do, this time I decided to turn the tables and I selected those very two olive-laden eggs!!! I can now proudly announce that after approximately 30 years since I met them, I had not the least bit of remorse at poking those olives from the top of the deviled eggs, and placing them on DW's plate for her consumption.

After the meal was done, and the dishes washed and put away, we retired to the den for the sharing of Christmas presents. I had earlier removed the gifts we brought from the back of the car, leaving behind glitter in the back seat, on the sidewalk on the way into their house, across the floor and under the tree where they now awaited destructive hands to tear into them and within seconds undo all of the effort that had previously taken minutes to create! As is tradition, the presents would have to wait until the reading of the Christmas story as found in Luke Chapter 2. One of the grandchildren always gets to do the honors and it was Drew's turn to read the story to us all. After sharing with us what the Christmas season is really all about, then getting through the pile of awaiting presents, the grandchildren moved on to other interests and the rest of us began to focus on the worsening conditions outside.

The snow was starting to ever so slowly accumulate outside. It was mostly smaller flakes, drifting slowly towards the earth, so hopefully there wouldn't be enough total the next day to negatively affect our plans. We weren't quite sure what we would find when we got up the next morning.

As we got ready to turn in for the night, DW informs me that she had packed all of her sleepwear in the big suitcase. This is the suitcase that is buried deep in the dark recesses of trunkdom! The one reserved for our final destination of Kidani! The one that I had carefully planned for being first in the trunk since it was so big, and I could then place all the remaining pieces of the baggage puzzle around for maximum stowage! The one I was now standing in the snow, removing enough items from on top of so I could try to open it just enough to get warm pajamas out, and keep cold wet snow from getting in!! In spite of the strong desire to make a really big snowball and place it neatly in the middle of the rest of her clothes, I quickly pushed that thought aside, forced this over packed suitcase closed once again, re-stowed everything back into the trunk and headed inside.

You gotta love how well things work when you implement careful planning........

Continued in next post........

 

[marvali]

I usually don't sleep very well when we stay at the In-Law's. It's a combination of a number of things; temperature of the room, different bed and pillows, and I'm right up against a wall! The good news is since we were eventually heading on vacation after the family visits, I remembered to bring my own pillow, so I did sleep a little better from that standpoint. But this night there was something else to disturb my sleep; the ever-present thought of how much snow was falling quietly in the dark outside!!

After laying there in the quiet as long as I could stand, I slipped out of the bed and headed down the hall. After a quick stop at the facilities (well, quick for a 51 year old I guess) I tiptoed into the den and got my first glimpse outside. The sky was just starting to turn light, but there was still a glow outside that made it easy to see my surroundings. Everything seemed to be covered in a layer of snow, and it was still falling from the sky! It was hard to tell from the street lights, but the street didn't look that bad, at least not yet! I saw a few headlights and they appeared to be making decent progress, so as long as it didn't last too much longer we might be okay.

Everyone else began to stir and get up to check the conditions outside. This is what they awoke to find

DFIL had the forethought the night before that we park the cars on the driveway, heading towards the street so we had a better chance of leaving when the time came.

The local Weather Channel became our constant companion. We gathered around the table for breakfast and watched the snow almost stop, then pick up again as heavy as any we had seen yet! The radar looked like it would stop soon, but my main concern became what we might find down the road heading to my Dad's, and the temperatures that barely got above freezing and would drop quickly as the day went along. We had planned to leave about 5:00 and get to my Dad's house a little before bedtime to maximize the short amount of time allotted with the In-laws. After deciding this could make for a dangerous trip if the wet roads began to freeze as darkness fell, I made the decision we needed to try and get everyone and everything ready and leave as quickly as we could.

As some of us began to get showers and pack everything back together so we could load it into the cars, Drew decided he needed to go outside with his cousin and get some play time in the snow. Trying to get everything I could done to speed up the leaving process, I didn't pay too much attention to Drew before calling him in to get his shower and get ready to go. As he walked in I noticed he was wearing his Sperry's, which for those who don't know is a leather and canvas casual loafer more suited for relaxing on a boat, sans socks. This is what he normally wears when he wants to look dressy casual.

So the teenager/dumb Parent exchange went like this:
Me - "Why didn't you put your tennis shoes on before you went out instead of wearing your good Sperry's?"
Wise 13 year old - "I didn't bring them."
Me - "We are heading to Disney, with all the walking involved, and you didn't bring ANY of your pairs of tennis shoes?"
Drew - "No, I can walk around Disney in these. They're comfortable."
Me - "They're wet! You don't have anything else you can wear???"
DW's youngest son - all he can do is stand there looking at me while he shakes his head
Me - all I can do is rub my head and wonder where the tylenol bottle is.......

Luckily, DFIL uses gas logs to help heat his home. We put the shoes in front of the vent with the fan blowing the heat on the shoes, which helped get them dry again, but didn't resolve the issue of having a child with possible blisters on his feet before our trip would end.

We finally got everyone ready, everything packed and loaded back into the cars, and prepared to leave. DFIL made us some really delicious hoagie sandwiches (a work of art he always puts maximum effort into) to take with us so we didn't have to stop and find somewhere to eat and keep us on the road even later into the evening. But first a family portrait before we go.....

As you can tell from the direction of Drew's eyes, and that clump of white in his hand, he has something else on his mind before we finally load into the cars......

We finally begin the next leg of our journey; heading to my Dad's house. Even though there is snow everywhere, the roads aren't bad at all, except for being very wet. This is not a problem now, but what will we face as nighttime draws near and the temperatures begin to drop???

Up next - Chapter 5 Over the River and Through the Woods to Granddaddy's House We Go!

 

[jenb1023]

I am going with No Laptop in August and if we are lucky Marv may have done an update by then !!!

Good one Rosie!

Hmm, maybe I'll get the update posted sooner just to see if you're checking......
I'll try to friend you so I can follow along. Who knows when you might ever get around to a TR.....
You're on the 90's list? I didn't think you were anywhere close to that old. That is like older than even Rosie!!!

I would be happy to be in the same age category as Rosie - she has style and sass!

No, you heard wrong. This TR has turned into a "cooking" thread.

After all those delicious sounding recipes I'll never get any TR updates done. Now leave me alone so I can go try some of these new recipes for my soon to be released cookbook!!!

Any takers on when the cookbook will be released? My bet is not until well after the Fantasyland expansion is done.

2. Dial number for local pizza joint.

Love this recipe!

 

[KatMark]

The rest of the day went smoothly and eventually her family headed for home, and things returned to normal. Shortly after, Ali spoke with her parents and her Mom asked her if I didn't like deviled eggs, because she noticed I never got one! Now this is the lady who if you ate three plates full of everything she fixed, and she asked if you wanted more of something and you turned her down, she would ask "What? You don't like my cooking???" Well yes, very much, which is why I refuse to eat another bite and return it all back where it came from!!! I would learn over time that hoping she wouldn't notice something as insignificant as passing on the deviled eggs was a futile exercise. After Ali informed her that I don't like olives she asked "Why didn't he just take them off???" This has been a long-standing joke between me and my In-law's ever since.


You just HAVE to love Mother-in-Laws.

As we got ready to turn in for the night, DW informs me that she had packed all of her sleepwear in the big suitcase. This is the suitcase that is buried deep in the dark recesses of trunkdom! The one reserved for our final destination of Kidani! The one that I had carefully planned for being first in the trunk since it was so big, and I could then place all the remaining pieces of the baggage puzzle around for maximum stowage! The one I was now standing in the snow, removing enough items from on top of so I could try to open it just enough to get warm pajamas out, and keep cold wet snow from getting in!! In spite of the strong desire to make a really big snowball and place it neatly in the middle of the rest of her clothes, I quickly pushed that thought aside, forced this over packed suitcase closed once again, re-stowed everything back into the trunk and headed inside.

Marv, I probably would have been thinking the same thing.

 

[KatMark]

As you can tell from the direction of Drew's eyes, and that clump of white in his hand, he has something else on his mind before we finally load into the cars......

I am in love with this family picture. The mischief in Drew's eye and the fact I saw that white thing in his hand had me rolling on the floor. He reminds me so much of my 22-year old. And the conversation is so much my "Markie". The kid has, I am NOT kidding you, 24 pairs of gym shoes and he always only brings one pair home when he comes home to visit for a weekend.

 

[mom3sonstt]

So the teenager/dumb Parent exchange went like this:
Me - "Why didn't you put your tennis shoes on before you went out instead of wearing your good Sperry's?"
Wise 13 year old - "I didn't bring them."
Me - "We are heading to Disney, with all the walking involved, and you didn't bring ANY of your pairs of tennis shoes?"
Drew - "No, I can walk around Disney in these. They're comfortable."
Me - "They're wet! You don't have anything else you can wear???"
DW's youngest son - all he can do is stand there looking at me while he shakes his head
Me - all I can do is rub my head and wonder where the tylenol bottle is.......

I so love the evolution (de-evolution) of your son from "Wise 13 year old" to "DWs youngest son". Our children change "ownership" frequently also - I usually try to maintain my "claim" on the middle one, as he is the most consistently best behaved one, and therefore, most like his mother!