tonight's the night

And you ask me what I want this year
And I try to make this kind and clear
Just a chance that maybe we'll find better days
Cuz I don't need boxes wrapped in strings
And desire and love and empty things
Just a chance that maybe we'll find better days


So take these words
And sing out loud
Cuz everyone is forgiven now
Cuz tonight's the night the world begins again



And it's someplace simple where we could live
And something only you can give
And that's faith and trust and peace while we're alive
And the one poor child that saved this world
And there's 10 million more who probably could
If we all just stopped and said a prayer for them


So take these words
And sing out loud
Cuz everyone is forgiven now
Cuz tonight's the night the world begins again



I wish everyone was loved tonight
And somehow stop this endless fight
Just a chance that maybe we'll find better days


So take these words
And sing out loud
Cuz everyone is forgiven now
Cuz tonight's the night the world begins again

Cuz tonight's the night the world begins again

lyrics by Buffalo's own Goo Goo Dolls

ralphie's got nuttin' on jay

santa's little helper - 1988

rosy cheeks

Jay - 1984

Our gingerbread house Christmas of 2007. Now imagine two feet of snow dumped on it and that is how it looks Christmas of 2008.

secret santa

This year at work we repeated the two Christmas activities that were started several years back - Secret Santa and a Christmas Potluck Lunch. Secret Santa is becoming more popular at work and this year nearly all of our 35 employees participated. We chose names several weeks ago which gave my Secret Santa plenty of time to make my gift. (That's easy to say when you aren't the one making the gift.) Maryann is a quilter and I was the lucky recipient of this quilted table runner. I was Secret Santa to a guy this year which made it a bit harder for me to think of a good gift. On top of being a guy, Kevin is a audit guy so he isn't in the office alot. I didn't want to ask around about his likes and dislikes because it is supposed to be secret.



One morning while driving to work I heard a song from Billy Bob Thorton's Christmas CD - The Boxmaster's Christmas Cheer - on the radio. I kind of liked the sound and a lot of the songs are supposed to be funny (and dirty). Kevin is funny guy - always making jokes - so I thought I'd give it a try. I couldn't really tell if he liked it or not. I bought a second CD to give to my son, Jay, for Christmas. After I listen to it I'll know if I should be embarrassed or not for having given it as a gift.



All the food at the Christmas Potluck was yummy. Since I haven't made a single Christmas cookie myself this year I was especially appreciative of these beauties made by Caroline's mom. Caroline is our HR director and her mom provides us with beautifully decorated cookies for every holiday that comes around. Thanks Caroline's mom.

christmas passed

my dad, Fenton


my grandma, Leona


my aunt, Shirley


my great-grandma, Kate


my in-laws, Fred and Rita


my sister-in-law, Kathy


my nephew, Steve

In memory of loved ones with whom I will never again have the pleasure of sharing my Christmas in this lifetime.

a promise to myself

On Tuesday I felt draggy and tired all day. When I got home from work I sat down at the computer fully intending to get up and get changed for my Total Body Workout class at the BAC. The time kept slipping away until I realized that I had run out of time to change and would not be able to make the class on time. I also realized that somewhere in the back of my head this had been my intention all along. I haven't missed a Tuesday or Thursday evening class in the past couple years without a good reason like that terrible flu I had last year or a Christmas party. I've never not gone just because I didn't feel like it. B got home from work to find me at the computer. "Aren't you going to your workout class?" he asked. I replied that I felt tired almost to the point of feeling ill, so no. His face showed deep disappointment in me. B likes his ladies skinny. Remember Twiggy. He probably would think that she was fat. So anyway I felt sort of bad and decided I'd go down to the basement and run on the treadmill after dinner. After dinner B asked if I wanted to watch a movie. I did. So I pushed the running on the treadmill thought back to that place in my head that housed that earlier thought about working out. We watched The X-Files - I Want to Believe. It was dull enough that I was able to catch a little nap somewhere in the middle of it without missing any plot and without B knowing that I was sleeping.
On to my promise to myself. I decided that I would just accept that I had been a slacker for a day and I promised myself that I would do everything on my list the next day no matter how hard it was to fit it in. And I did. After a full day of work I rushed home and ran a 5K on my treadmill. A quick shower and on to the ASWA Christmas Fundraiser Dinner.


the contents of the Book Club Basket that I won

ASWA is the American Society of Women Accountants. They hold several meetings throughout the year always involving dinner at a great restaurant and usually a speaker or program of some kind. Sometimes it is very accounting related and sometimes more social. I attend the more social type of these functions. I always attend the Christmas fundraiser. There is a wonderful Chinese auction every year. The group selects a different local charity every year who benefits from the money we raise. This auction included Ipod speakers, a digital camera, crystal bowls filled with money, Sabres tickets and many other wonderful things. Since I asked Santa to bring me a camera for Christmas, I didn't put any tickets in the bag for it.


one set of the three that I got by begging and being pushy(excuse the seaweed salad)

I was very interested in two baskets and put most of my tickets in just those two. One was a Book Club Basket filled with books. The other was a Tea Time Basket with boxes of tea and the sweetest lusterware set. I have a large collection of lusterware so I was lusting after this one. When the tickets were pulled I won the Book Club Basket. I was super excited. I didn't win the Tea Time Basket though. I started thinking what if the lady who won it didn't really care about the lusterware. Bold as brass I approached her and offered to buy the lusterware if she would be willing to sell it. She said that she wasn't interested in it at all, just the tea, and she simply gave it to me.


The Betty Crocker Ultimate Cakemix Cookbook

I came home all happy about what I had won. I still had one thing on my list to do. We have a birthday club at work. I was the last birthday so I had to bake for the next birthday which was today. I whipped out this book and in just two hours had two delicious cakes sitting on the counter. Honeybun Cake and Cherry Chocolate Chip Cake. I have a reputation to uphold at work. I'm known as a good cook and usually everything I bring is homemade. This book starts with a yellow, white, chocolate or carrot cake mix and then you add other ingredients so my finished product seemed homemade even if it wasn't completely from scratch. Both cakes were a big hit. And I succeeded in fulfilling my promise to myself.

cheers to you

Barb and girls at Marjim Manor, the haunted winery

On Sunday Barb and I and her two daughters, Stephanie and Alex hit the Niagara Wine Trail. The trail encompasses twelve wineries nestled between the Niagara Escarpment and Lake Ontario. Knowing that we wouldn't be able to visit all twelve in the noon to six pm time span, we planned to go to the farthest away first and then work our way back through seven more. The first stop was the winery where you received the glass that you would be using throughout the day. Our first stop was Spring Lake. They touted miles of hiking trails surrounding a beautiful lake. Since it was 13 degrees outside we decided to fore go the trails and just imbibe instead. We chose our second stop, Marjim Manor, not so much for their wines but in hopes that we would see the ghost who supposedly haunts the mansion. We didn't see him but I could see where he would be right at home in the mansion that featured a large stage-like altar where funerals were held right in the home of the family who had lived there so many years ago.


These amazing glass flowers decorated the bar and all the counter fronts.

Our other wineries were Schulze, Niagara Landing, Eveningside, Warm Lake, Honeymoon Trail and my personal favorite Freedom Run which was named for the route that slaves took along the escarpment to get to the narrowest part of the Niagara River where they swam their way to freedom in Canada.


tasting at the flower bar


Freedom Run is owned by three brothers. All three are involved in the operation in varying capacities. One of the brothers is also a potter and his work is sold at the winery.


painted floor in the wine making area


The area where these wineries are located is rural. Driving between wineries we encountered this family of turkeys running down the road ahead of us. When Barb stopped so I could photograph them, they turned around and approached me. I think they would have liked to hitch a ride in our warm car.



We wrapped up our day with dinner at a cozy old restaurant, The Sawyer Hotel. Friendships were strengthened. Laughs shared. And this part you won't believe - neither Barb nor I felt like having a glass of wine with our dinner.

trans-siberian orchestra

laser show

Since B and I have birthdays two weeks apart in November, our son Jay gave us a combined gift - tickets to see Trans-Siberian Orchestra at HSBC Arena. We saw the matinee show yesterday. The show started at 3 PM and an hour and a half later we were applauding and commenting to one another that it had been a very enjoyable Christmas show. At this point the main guitar player came out on stage and introduced all the members of the orchestra. The drummer was from Horseheads, NY in the Finger Lakes. The musical director who was also one of the original founders and played the keyboards was born and raised in Buffalo. We were starting to gather our gloves and button our coats and then he said "Are you ready for the second half of our show?".


fire jets

The second half was thrilling and exciting. Classical meets heavy metal. I recognized every piece including "Night on Bald Mountain", "Pachabel's Canon", "Beethoven's Fifth" and "Carmina Burana". The laser show was breathtaking. Huge jets of fire spurted upward choreographed to the music. The choir voices were lovely. The second half also lasted an hour and a half. At the end of the show I had tears of pleasure in my eyes.


jet propelled mini-atage at opposite end of main stage

B took these pics with his cell phone. Thanks, Jay. I highly recommend this show to one and all. You definitely get your money's worth.

christmas tea

For the past several years my friend, Barb, and I have had a tradition of attending a Christmas Tea that was put on by a local Swedish bakery/restaurant. Reservations were required, everyone was seated at the same time and then a lovely little feast would ensue. It began with a cup of soup, followed by two different scones served with jam and whipped cream. This was followed by four different finger sandwiches and then your choice of three or four wonderful desserts. A plate of cookies was on each table when you first sat down and we would divide these between the two of us to take home. The last year we attended we each received a tiny China teapot Christmas decoration. Ohlson's stopped having their tea last year so I recreated it at home. I invited Barb and two other friends - ladies that I used to work with who have remained good friends. Kay accepted my invitation. Karen had a conflict. She was taking her daughter to a Hannah Montana concert in Rochester the evening of my tea.
I didn't realize what an undertaking it would be. Don't get me wrong - I throughly enjoyed preparing for it but when I decide to do something like this I then have to strive for perfection. I morph into Martha. All my food has to be homemade and everything has to be special. I decorated the house more than I'd decorated in years. I spent three weeks making a different special cookie every night. I agonized over my choice of all my various lovely platters and serving dishes that I collect but never have an opportunity to use. I arranged my floral centerpiece and flowers in the powder room.



I have a vast collection of Lusterware so this was an opportunity to show off many of my pieces. Each person had a different Lusterware teapot at their place setting. I followed the bakery menu set-up. I started with a bowl of homemade soup. We proceeded on to two different homemade scones which I recall were delious and a big hit. One was a Maple Nut scone and I can't recall the other. Whipped cream and flavored butters were served in tall decorated Champagne glasses. I had five different finger sandwiches. One of them was served on phyllo dough holly leaves that I brushed with green egg white and decorated with pimento. How cute. Wish I would have gotten photos of the food. White Chocolate Eggnogg Mousse was served for dessert.



I gave each guest a Christmas tin with various small gifts inside and then they were able to fill the tin with cookies to take home with them. Writing about my tea makes me a bit nostalgic to do it again, but not for a few more years. This year Barb suggested doing the Niagara Wine Trail Christmas edition. Wine production is a growing industry in Niagara County. There are now twelve wineries on the trail. At each winery we will receive a Christmas decoration and can taste the wines if we so desire. I know we will desire but maybe not at all the wineries or we may never make it home. So Ho,Ho,Ho. Over the river and through the woods to the wineries we'll go on Sunday.

christmas kitties

Guess what I got you for Christmas


Let me help you open that cash


Santa brought me a new cat bed


You know I can't resist


All tied up

we gather together

\

I Thank Thee

O Thou whose bounty fill my cup,
With every blessing meet!
I give Thee thanks for every drop-
The bitter and the sweet.

I praise Thee for the desert road,
And for the riverside;
For all Thy goodness hath bestowed,
And all thy grace denied.

I thank Thee for both smile and frown,
And for the gain and loss;
I praise Thee for the future crown
And for the present cross.

I thank Thee for both wings of love
Which stirred my wordly nest;
And for the stormy clouds which drove
Me, trembling, to Thy breast.

I bless Thee for the glad increase,
And for the waning joy;
And for this strange, this settled peace
Which nothing can destroy.

--Jane Crewdson (1860)

taking time out for a friend

My friend, Barb, and I discovered (through our daily e-mails back and forth while we are at work) that we were both taking a vacation day today to prepare for Thanksgiving. She suggested we take time out of our morning to meet for coffee at Tim Horton's. Here is Barb enjoying a cup of coffee and a 12-grain bagel. I am so disappointed that I have been taking blurry pictures lately. I carry my camera in my purse and the dial gets so easily turned to a setting other than the ones I like. I didn't notice and I can't see the tiny screen well enough even with my reading glasses to tell that the picture is blurry until I download it. That is why I have put a new camera on my Christmas list. So I'm so sorry about the quality of these pics.



After coffee we walked over to Georgetown Liquor to purchase wine for Thanksgiving dinner. Barb knows a lot about wine. She was afraid that she was beginning to sound like an alcoholic but I told her she just sounds like a wine connoisseur. Since her husband is Italian she chose Prosecco - a white sparkling wine. I chose Pouilly-Fuisse since I know that it is a favorite of B. We considered spending the day talking in these big comfy chairs by the fire but knew we had to get along home to start our busy days. Happy Thanksgiving, my friend. I am thankful that we could spend some time together.

where would you like me to sit?

If you are hosting Thanksgiving dinner, this question can be answered by the use of placecards. Perhaps you can enlist the help of a small child to make the cards for you. This set was made by this little angel, my niece Mandy, seen here playing with baby Jay. Ernie is resting on the sofa.

my salad days

I've been going to Weight Watchers the past couple months and eating a lot of salads. It has paid off. This week after digging my money out of my wallet and stepping on the scales, my money was handed back to me because I'm a Lifetime member and I was within two pounds of my goal. Yeah!! I love salad but I've been trying to come up with something besides the plain old green one. This one I think is especially delish. I'll call it "Autumn Salad". Eating it off my heavy diner style Buffalo China plate makes it even more tasty. It consists of oranges, chick peas, green olives, carrots, fennel, yellow pepper, red onion, cilantro and a splash each of olive oil and lite rice vinegar. Try it. You'll like it.

prosit! to your health

About a year ago this darling little German restaurant opened on Main Street. Since B and I both have some German blood in us and our last name is definitely German, I decided to treat B to Prosit for his birthday dinner. I didn't call for reservations until yesterday, the actual date of B's birthday. I found that they were booked for the evening except for 4:30 which is the time they open. We ate a light lunch and by 4:00 we were starving so it worked out well. I think the building had actually been a home at one time. It was a two story very narrow townhouse. Before becoming this restaurant it had been an antique shop among other things. The rooms have a lot of heavy dark intricately carved woodwork and are painted in dark golds and browns. Old glass-doored china cabinets stuffed with hand painted and gold gilt-trimmed Bavarian china are fitted into the nooks and crannies. It is owned and operated by the Schlau family . Oh my, the food was out of this world. Out of this modern contemporary world anyway. Old songs that were favorites of our parents played in the background. Autumn Leaves and Misty. All the table settings were mismatched and antique. An old photo that looked like it could have been B's paternal grandparents sat on our table.



First a plate of thinly sliced raisin bread, pumpernickel and rye along with a few thin slices of cheese and molded herb butter were place before us. This is B eating his bread. We meant to have some with our salad but the bread plate was bare when our salads arrived.



This is our salad. My hand must have been shaking with the anticipation of eating it because I'm disappointed to find this picture came out a bit blurry. All entrees were served with this house salad and a choice of three house dressings. The salad was field greens, whole raw cranberries, black olives, feta cheese and two big crispy homemade croutons. I had carrot-ginger salad dressing and B had bacon-tomato. I pronounced my dressing one of the best I'd ever had and B pronounced his the best. All entrees were served with very lightly cooked, still slightly crip apple slices with a dash of struesel topping, warm sweet and sour red cabbage and a cold cabbage and celery slaw that was lightly dressed in vinegar and oil. B ordered Golumbki (ground spiced pork wrapped in cabbage leaves). I ordered the traditional sauerbraten or Schlaubraten as it is called at Prosit. As you can see by lack of photo of my entree, I really was so excited when it arrived that I completely forgot about the picture that I had intended to take. It came with a big lightly breaded and fried dumpling in addition to the three sides. I took my first bite. "This is unbelievable" I told B. I offered him a bite. He agreed.



In fact, right then and there he made a reservation for the following Friday. Jay will be visiting us for Thanksgiving and we want to share this memorable dining experience. We followed our meal by sharing Black Forest Chocolate Mousse. We are looking forward to this Friday when B will be saying Goodbye to Golumbki and Willkommen to Schlaubraten.