Happy New 2011

Well, in almost 4 hours.  I figured I would blog now, before my brother, sister-in-law, and two nephews got here to play games.  I am cleaning the bathroom now... organizing, bla bla bla.  I deep-cleaned the kitchen and all the laundry is done.  I made bean dip with green chile sour cream topping.  I am drinking a Blackberry Witbier from Samuel Adams...

I pray health for everyone... me included for 2011... I pray for peace... I pray for mercy and forgiveness.   I pray for love and joy, happiness and motivation.  I pray for everyone to give... give themselves honestly to others.  I pray that I am more faithful, I pray for wisdom, and I pray for understanding.  God bless us all and keep us.  In Jesus name.

Maybe the last Amen for 2010.

Duck Duck Goose, NO... I mean Duck

So, Jason's coworker, Dustin, loves to hunt ducks, but he doesn't eat them... he came to work with several ducks already de-feathered, skinned, and filleted.  I was nervous because Jason wanted me to cook some this evening.  I searched online for recipes, but I couldn't find any that were for "SKINLESS' duck breasts or anything that would work... SO... in the roaster oven I prepared 3 breasts, 3 different ways----  one with apple butter, pumpkin spice, cloves, cayenne, and butter---- one with garlic, pepper, butter, and apple cider vinegar--- and one with soy sauce, cayenne, sugar, garlic, and butter.... I cooked them over a water bath... they look and smell delicious!

While they cooked, in a skillet I prepared one breast with Sherry, bell peppers, onions, salt, pepper, and garlic.  I cooked it medium and served it with mixed veggies and brown rice...

I was nervous about what duck would be like: texture, flavor, cooking necessity, et cetera; however, I must say, what an easy and delightful experience cooking and eating this once neglected bird!  He will no longer be overlooked in this household... he is dense but easy to chew... and the flavor is pretty outstanding if I do say so myself.

Soup For Breakfast?

Saturday was Christmas.  We first hung out at Jason's Aunt Vicki and Uncle Ron's.  Which was great until she wanted to verbally bash my ex mother in law.  Yes, I know she left my father in law, but since you don't know if she did anything bad, either by his account or by seeing anything yourself,  you can't just say she was horrible.  Marriage is two-sided, and I had spoke to Angie when Parker was still here and she was very unhappy.  So, I spoke up about having some mercy on her by not acting like she did something wrong.  Then her daughter asked, "so you really don't think she was seeing someone else?"  I said no. She asked, "You know for sure??"  I told them both I didn't know for sure, or heard anything like that, so I won't act like it's true or even a possibility.  I also, will not believe hearsay from someone who doesn't know for sure either.  Especially when Aunt Vicki never liked her...they didn't like each other.  If you talk to Vick though, she was always nice and Angie was horrible.  I never saw Angie be horrible.  So, I love Aunt Vicki, but I can't think badly of someone who never showed me bad.

Then we went to my Dad's which was great... we played and ate and I was so tired by the end of it!

Sunday we went to Jason's Aunt Sandi and Uncle Fred's and hung out and saw his Grandma Wade.  I think she is just a wonderful lady... We (Sandi, Grandma, and I) talked about gardening and just had a great time!  Afterwards. Jason and I ate at Outback with our friends, Nia and Chris.  That was a nice visit too!  They invited us over for New Years but Nia is getting her wisdom teeth out this week and highly doubt she will want visitors on New Years.

Yesterday, Monday I woke up at 6 am and cleaned the house all day.  Laundry, kitchen, living room, etc... you know, the every day job of we housewives.  Then, last night, my sister in law Lela came and picked me up and we went to her cousin Crystal's to hang out for a while.  I was so exhausted!  I don't even remember falling asleep after I got home.  I know Jas was up... he only has to work 8 hours a day this week and he slept from 2pm to 7pm... and I guess he stayed up till I got home at midnight.  Then we got into bed, and I remember being worried a little that anxiety was bothering me, but it must have only lasted moments, because I woke up this morning at ten am.  So I got over nine hours of sleep!  Geez.... So today I won't get anything done, because I have to meet Lora at noon to eat here in Claremore, then Jason gets off at one, then we have to pick up the dresser from Ben's then go to grief counseling at four which means we have to leave at 3:15 or so... sorry honey, I wanted to be productive :(

The Eve of Our Saviour's Birth

So tomorrow we celebrate the day our Saviour, Jesus Christ, was born of the virgin, Mary, and came to save us.  I am having many thoughts, none ready to be expressed.  Thank you, Father, for sending your Son.  Thank you, Father, for saving us through Him.  Thank you, Lord.

Last night, my older brother and sister-in-law came over; we just talked and had a good time while Jason and I shared a bottle of Merlot.  I do not drink Merlot often, but Jason and I enjoyed it.

Today I will make Chocolate Chip Toffee Cookies and prepare my green bean casserole for tomorrow.  Last night, I made pinwheels with ham, green onions, tomatoes, cream cheese, celery, and spices.  They were delicious!  My sister-in-law kept eating the ends of the tortillas with the filling since I just throw those out.

I went to see Gram Gram yesterday, and I watched her make Apple Butter... it is sooo delicious!  She gave me the recipe and sent some home with me, too!  So last night, when Chris and Lela were here I also made biscuits, and we oohed and awed over her delicious Apple Butter! I told her not even to bother canning it because it wouldn't last long in this house.... well, after breakfast this morning of eggs and biscuits with Apple Butter, the jar is almost empty!  No reason to be bummed about it though, because Gram also sent me with Peach Butter.. yea yea!

Coffee and Water

Good Morning!  Well, it is actually the very end of the morning, briskly approaching 11:30 am.  So, good "brunch-time everyone!  LOL, I just ordered myself a Swedish Massage for me from Jason for Christmas online... Sweet!  Thank you Honey.  I am enjoying Pumpkin Spiced coffee made from my own pot, meaning it is not a four-dollar cup o joe... however, it sure tastes expensive to me :)

I had such a good time last night with a great friend.  We just had a couple of drinks and talked for a few hours and listened to some really silly karaoke... My husband was kind enough to take us and pick us up afterward... Which neither of us stay out or up in general, late.  So we were back at her house right after ten.  Then I came home, watched a movie, and slept great.

Today I am going to Gram Gram's and eating soup.  I love her so much!!! It will be nice to have some time with her.  I guess even though my grandfather  doesn't seem to enjoy me, it won't be too bad if he is there, too.

I am so glad Jas is off until Monday.... I hope he has a great four-day weekend... Love that man so much!

Excited

I am so excited... I spent a great day with my dad.  We shopped, which both of us do not like to do!  Then we ate, which both of us LIKE to do :) and then we went to Parker's grave to put flowers in his vase.  I stopped and bought yellow roses and white mums... we had to cut them to size there, so Dad got out his pocket knife and before he cut the bunch, had cut good into his thumb!  We both just looked at his thumb... course I wasn't totally sure he had cut it, but then he said "It's gonna bleed in a minute"... Oh Dad... Anyway, he wrapped it in a rag then cleaned it after we got to my house.  Then our good friends, Dan and Chastitiy had their baby girl today so we ran by the hospital to behold this beautiful little girl!!!!!! She is such a dollface!!!! I love her already :)  Now, here in an hour I am going to go hang out with Sam at the Casino!  Whoo Hoo!!!!!

A Day With My Dad

So I am up at 8 am and now it is 9am and ready for my Daddy to pick me up. I am so excited that today is Jason's last day to work this week!!! The next four days are ours :)  We get to fix the bushes in the front yard and take out the fence posts from the back... Yay (slightly unenthusiastically) And Christmas on Saturday with my Dad's side of the family :)  How wonderful is that?  Very!