Having a manicure is pure luxury. When I worked full time for the last 30 years, I was under the impression that I couldn't afford it. But now that I am partially retired and make less, I feel like I need to get my nails done. Go figure. I don't understand my own reasoning.
Here's the rub, the nail polish lasts about a week and then my nails look chipped and unkept. I am an art teacher so my hands take a great deal of abuse. I try to put a layer of polish at the ends of my nails to make the polish last a few more day. Finally I can't stand the look any longer and take off the polish.
Maybe I should get those French dos. Or maybe I should just do my nails myself. It's just that I like being pampered. Any suggestions?

Potato and Leek soup really hit the spot on this cold winter day. RS and I went to a cooking class yesterday. Most of the recipes we cooked used winter vegetables. I try to make soup each Sunday for Sunday supper. I make enough for one meal during the week. Here is today's soup:

Potato and Leek Soup

Serves 4-6

Ingredients:

1-4 medium leeks (I used 1 and a big onion)
2 TBSP extra virgin olive oil
1 lb. red potatoes ( or any potatoes), peeled, cut into 1/2" dice(about 4 large potatoes)
1 small carrot, 1/2" dice (optional)
4-6 cups chicken or vegetable stock or any combination of
1 bay leaf
Salt ( be careful if using bullion since it can be very salty)
Pepper
2 TBSP parsley leaves, minced

Method:

1. Clean and prep leeks: trim away dark green tops and tough outer leaves. Trim away roots. Cut leeks in half lengthwise. Rinse leeks several times under cold running water. I washed the leeks from the middle so the dirt was washed down and out of the leek rather than into the leek. Rinse several times since they can be very dirty. Cut the leek in thin strips and cut the strips into thirds.

2. In a pot, heat the oil over medium heat, add the leeks and saute until tender and just beginning to golden(around 9-11 Minutes). Do not brown.

3. Add potatoes, stock, bay leaf, and a touch of salt and pepper.

4. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer and cook until potatoes are tender (about 20-25 minutes).

5. Using a spoon or ladle smash some of the potatoes to thicken the consistency of the soup (not all of them).

6. Remove bay leaf. Add salt and pepper as desired and stir in parsley leaves

7. Serve immediately.

Move over Campbells!

Mother Teresa's Prescription-Finding Happiness and Peace in Service by Paul A. Wright, M.D. Even though I am not a church- goer, I am interested in religion and spirituality, to say nothing about the fact that FB has a degree in the Academic Study of Religion. I am especially interested in people who practice what they preach. Mother Teresa has always been an intriguing person.
This little book is, as the title explains, a prescription for finding happiness. Mother Teresa suggested the following ten spiritual attitudes which should guide one's life (they guided her life): Commitment to community, reverence for all human life, compassion and love, contentment and gratitude, faith, humility, tolerance, patience, forgiveness, and honesty.

Dr. Wright, a very successful cardiology, sought out Mother Teresa to discuss his depression, anxiety, and fear that he was wasting his life. His work with Mother Teresa has resulted in his founding the "Poorest of the Poor" program to send clothing, food and supplies to needy in the U.S. and around the world. He developed the "Medical Mission" program to give free prescription drugs to needy residents of northeastern Ohio where he lives. He is also a coworker of the Missionaries of Charity.

This little book gives clear answers and direction to the eternal question: What is the purpose of my life?

Aunt B drinks, yes. Martinis, once in a great while. This post is in response to Patrick who sent a comment and recipe for making a Nutella martini. Now, it sounds really good. And, thanks, Pat.

I must confess, I have had three martinis in my life (that I can remember). I had a chocolate martini, a plaid martini-raspberry and melon, and a regular martini.

The second confession is that I don't like martinis. Maybe it is because one has to acquire a taste. I had this problem when I first started drinking wine. Most of it was cheap wine and not very good. I really like the expensive wines. Maybe it is a question of sophistication, which I admit, I'm not. Or, maybe it has to do with the person who makes it and the ingredients used. I won't know until---Spring of 2008.

Patrick, I invite you to make me a martini, then I will know. It will be a part of the S and B celebration. Waaahooo!

Aunt B drinks beer. Have you ever just wanted some beer because it would taste good? That was the way I felt tonight on my way home from work.

I bought one bottle of Scarecrow Golden Pale Ale for about $4.00 at Paradise Meats. Using my small Michigan Brewers Guild Summer Festival beer glass that NB gave me as a souvenir from the Beer Festival, I poured myself two small glasses of a light, great tasting beer. I shared the rest of the bottle with BF, so won't be able to have any to go with pizza.

Usually that's when I like beer- with pizza. And I usually like beer when the weather is really hot- not today with 14 degree temps.

I will say that I am a little mellow. Two small glasses of beer and I'm ready for a nap. Talk about a cheap date! Boy, did it taste good! Good thing I don't have to buy a case at those prices!

Inheritance of Loss by Kiran Desai is my latest finished book. Don't be put off by the first few chapters because it does get better. And it has a happy ending. The setting is at the foot of Mount Kanchenjunga in the Himalayas in India.

The title says it all. Each of the characters are grieving over their historical, cultural and personal loss. The characters are bound by Indian culture with the class and caste system, colonialism, racism, and nationalism.

The book is sometimes funny, but mostly sad. The characters are attached, but some are trying to leave to find a better life. The judge sells his soul as he is schooled in England. His grand-daughter is raised in a Catholic school and then is dropped on his doorstep with no idea of anyone's past or her own future. Biju, the son of the judge's cook, has gone to the U.S., but is constantly in fear of being deported. His life is drudgery while his father thinks he is getting rich, because everyone in America is rich.

So much betrayal, so much anger in this book.

Desai has a wonderful way of describing life in India. If you haven't been there, the descriptions are sometimes shocking. The book brought back memories of my brief visit to India.

I recall flying into Calcutta at night and staying with someone who had guests departing that we(Rebecca and I) met at the airport. We were chauffered through the city and stayed in a lovely house so we were in for a shock the next day. We stayed at the YWCA and I thought I would die in the bathroom after eating capers in some sort of beef. No one at home knew where we were. I remember the beggars in the train stations with legs that had been broken and grew turned at the knees so they used their hands and arms to move themselves along. I traveled from Calcutta to New Delhi on the train in what was then known as "cattle car" class. I sat under the Buddha tree where Buddha was enlightened. I went to the Taj Mahal with it's beautiful clean grounds and gave money to a little girl holding a dead baby just outside the gates of this world wonder. I saw the poverty and felt the desperation. When I flew to Greece, I thought it was the cleanest place on earth. And, yes, I felt I was rich.

I highly recommend this book.

Nutella or Hazelnut cocoa spread, either way, very tasty. I received a big jar from NB for Christmas. For the last few nights, I have been eating it by the spoonful as my late night dessert.

Then, I thought it might have a better use in some sort of large dessert, but no recipes came to mind and there are none on the jar. Good ole internet, found me a ton of recipes http://www.recipegoldmine.com/nutella/nutella.html.

I was surprised to find drinks using Nutella too. So, now I have to try making some of the delectables mentioned. One cheesecake recipe calls for a whole jar of Nutella. I think I'll stick to some cookies to make it last longer. Yum. Yum!

400 thread count sateen sheets-did I say I love them? No more 250 count cotton sheets for this household. What have I been thinking or missing all these years? AS and NB told me about their encounter with high thread count sheets, and then they were obsessed about getting some of their own. So, not to be outdone by the "kids", I had to try some too. And, lordy, what a luxurious feeling sliding in and out of bed. Thus, the B's have arrived, our bed will never be the same. Next time maybe I'll get the 1000 thread count Egyptian sheets ( I never knew such a thing existed).

Take a quiet time out, get a hot cup of chai, snuggle up in your favorite easy chair, and read the adventures of a mole, a toad, a rat, and their friends. I just finished reading The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame.This children's classic is nothing heavy duty, earth shattering or mind boggling. It is just a nice fantasy. BF gave me this little hardcover book. I even enjoyed the pictures. It would be fun to read it aloud. If you can keep my secret, I did read it aloud to Mudge when I started reading it the other day. He wasn't a very attentive listener- he fell asleep. At any rate, it's still a fun story and we could all use a little reprieve from the woes of the world.

Chef BF is back at it. He is off work for a few days so he has been doing kitchen detail. Yummy for me, because he made chicken pot pie with a phyllo dough crust.

Now, I won't complain, but he went to a lot of work and the crust just popped off in three or four layers when it came out of the oven. And, the kitchen was a mess with dough all over the place. The dough had to be broken up and mixed in with the chicken. It was very tasty, but very messy.

BF is a risktaker and after this try, we decided that the regular pie crust is just as good as phyllo. He doesn't have to cook tomorrow because I made beef with barley soup. Maybe he will make homemade bread to go with it. Yum! He's a really good bread maker!

Cashmere- did I say I love it! It's so soft and cozy. I found a gray cashmere sweater at Goodwill which I wore to bed most every night last winter and then the beginning of this winter. It's totally worn out.

Then I have a black turtleneck cashmere sweater that I wear mostly under my vest. Moths somehow found it in the drawer and riddled it with holes. So, I found a new black turtleneck and it's cashmere.

I even have cashmere socks. Luxury, vanity. I'm too old to worry about what others think. Again, cashmere- I love it! I'd have cashmere underwear if I could. :)

M.C. Escher(1898-1972)- isn't his work weird and wonderful? I got out my Escher books and calendars because I am teaching tessellation to my 6th grade art students. I'm emphatically impressed!

You know, sketched lizards coming off of the paper realistic and then back on, stairs leading no where, stairs going up and then change perspective and people are going down the stairs, a head peeled like an orange, and on and on. The guy was really amazing. Even Lindsay Lohan likes Escher.

Maybe it has some thing to do with his name- Maurits Cornelis. At any rate, its great to see the work of such genius. I hope the kids are impressed as much as I am.

Light in August (1932) by William Faulkner is my latest reading material. I thought I had better read some of the classics. No wonder it is called a classic! Faulkner wrote most of his works while in his 30's. This one has racial issues, bootlegging, the poor, life in the South-definitely a portrait of the times.

I don't recall reading other works by Faulkner. Perhaps I read something in high school or during my college career, but I can't remember.

At any rate, this book has definitely developed characters and a plot that twists and turns with some real surprises. I had trouble putting it down. The hardest part is the long repeating sentences and the southern voice. It is a very troubling book with characters that would fit right in with today's bizarre world. As one blip said, the book explores the nature of evil. This will be considered my "heavyduty" reading for the month.

"All Songs Considered" from NPR has been a great gift. AS gave BF two CDs this last year and two the year before. I love the variety of music and never tire of it.

Because of these CDs, I found Moby. So, Moby has become my new favorite to listen to. I especially like "Why Does My Heart Feel So Bad?" from Moby Play. Don't really know what to say about Moby except that he is one exceptional guy. More about his life-http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moby

If you get a chance, have a listen to this music.

The Madonnas of Leningrad by Debra Dean is an interesting combination of dealing with memory. The main character, Marina, a tour guide, has created a "memory palace" to contain the Hermitage Museum's priceless masterpieces as the German army sets siege to Leningrad in 1941. Young Marina uses her mind and memory to endure terror, horror, hunger, and death as she deals with the war.

In contemporary America, Marina, an elderly grandmother, is dealing with Alzhimer's. Her daughter has little inkling of her mother's past, as is so often the case. How many of us really understand our mother's youth and past?

This was an absorbing reading subject. I found the descriptions of the artwork delightful. Dean has a gift for this. She also gives the State Hermitage Museum website which I couldn't wait to view. How beautiful! The website:http://hermitagemuseum.org/ gives history, digital reproductions of the collections, and a walk through various rooms of the museum.

Yes, the subject of war is always difficult, but it is a reminder that war creates the tragic loss of culture, art, and history.

Handmade cards are my newest old thing. I got a big box of fabulous cards from Lady J and I think I'm inspired. They're the kind of card with little three-dimensional cutouts, glitz, and remarkable designs.

What I mean is that I want to get back into making my own cards. I have made invitations to my teas and maybe a once-in-a-while birthday card. I don't have much equipment-stamps, paper, ink, etc. I guess I will have to be creative, because I'm really not up for a big investment hobby.

So, this may be my new/old thing besides eating, drinking, and reading, of course working ,which I try not to mention. One may be coming your way.

Aunt B Drinks. Yes, another wine post. I am just finishing up a bottle of Schnink Haus Auslese- 2004 . Product of Germany.

I like sweet wines, and this is sweet and fruity. This is in a blue bottle and is about $14.00 at our local Paradise Meats. The blue bottle is a 200 year old tradition representing dependable quality and great value. It is suppose to be a "fun" wine.

A little info about the winery: the Schlink Haus winery is a small family-owned and operated enterprise in Germany's spa town of Bad Kreuznach on the Nahe river. In 2004, they joined a pink ribbon campaign to donate a minimum of $75,000 to the Y-ME National Breast Cancer Organization.

I like the sweet taste, but haven't had just the right food to go with it. Looks like they(the winery) have good and right intentions, so I think it is a good choice. You be the judge.

I'm wild about orchids. I recently went to a lecture about wild orchids of Michigan. In my search for orchids on our property, I know I can identify three: purple fringe, , yellow lady slipper, and pink lady slippers. I don't know a great deal about each orchid, but they were a surprise to find since I never knew, as a child on this farm, that they existed. They seem so rare and exotic in the wild.

At the moment, I have only two house orchid plants: a miniature dendrobrium and a pink orchid ( I lost the tag) the kind one would wear for a corsage. They are thriving considering the dryness and sporatic neglect.


I got my first orchids at a yard sale. Yes, my neighbors grew wonderful orchids. Since the first ones, I have done a good job of killing them off especially when I try to transplant them. Now, I just sink the whole pot into orchid potting chips. That way, I don't disturb the roots. I have beautiful fragrant flowers when, at last, they bloom. I can appreciate the lure of the orchid in Victorian times. And, I can't wait until spring so I can begin my own search of the orchids on Wyndehill Farm.

Of course, I should start out the new year with a book review. Lessons in Becoming Myself by Ellen Burstyn has been a refreshing pleasure to read. It was a Christmas present form BF.

Now, I know very little about Hollywood or movie stars or movies or Broadway plays, but Ellen has received my deepest respect for what she has done for the acting profession and for women. This book is about her life with its many successes and failures. It is her great search to find out why she was placed on this earth. Certainly, a question most of us ask.

I found her quest to put women in heroic roles much to be applauded. She has been nominated six times for an Academy Award, and won the Best Actress Oscar in 1974 for "Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore" co-staring with Kris Kristofferson. She also starred in "The Exorcist" which has become a classic and many other plays and movies.

However, her personal life was mostly in shambles and her story leads to Sufism and a spiritual quest. This was the part that really interested me since it would seem so hard for a movie star to get beyond the glitz and glamour. I applaud her tenacity and faith.

Anyway, the book gave me many new ideas to ponder and sources to delve into. I mentioned that the book was refreshing because Ellen Burstyn seems truly interested in the world and its people. With all of the ugly news from Hollywood, it gives me another thread of hope.

You people who keep up with Hollywood and movie stars should definitely read it.

Happy New Year! 2007, it's great to be here. My 100th post and a new year, must be a record. I have accomplished one of my retirement to- dos. I am really enjoying blogging. Thanks to everyone who reads my posts and to those who respond. Sometimes I think my life is very humdrum, but as I look back over the year,well, it ain't been too shabby. Tune in for the next round.

Did I mention that Aunt B eats? Our good and gracious friends the J's came to visit us after church today.

We had a brunch consisting of BLT dip served with sesame and flax seed chips, Montgomery's cheddar cheese and assorted crackers, and water chestnuts wrapped in bacon drowning in a bath of sweet BBQ sauce.

We exchanged gifts and talked and talked and talked. We don't see each other much and so had a lot to catch up on. They were spending the evening with their son, his wife, and young daughter. We can't wait until they both are retired so they can spend more time with us Up North.

And again, a special Christmas gift- their friendship.

Aunt B Eats and Drinks. What a marvelous end of the year dinner. We ate Japanese cuisine cooked by RT and his wife HT.

Let's see, we had avocado and shrimp salad served in the avocado shell, pork and green onion shish kabobs, sushi with omelet and mushroom and sushi with tuna, fried asparagus wrapped in bacon, all kinds of interesting crackers and chips served with tofu dip, cheese ( not Japanese), fresh persimmon wedges, and for dessert a coconut custard with fresh mango topping. I also had two margaritas.

It was a wonderful get together with longtime friends, their children, and grandchildren. Lots of stories, lots of laughter, the dog offering everyone his hedgehog toy, a cozy fire, and the best of companionship. What more could one ask for on the last day of this year? It was another special Christmas gift.

Three more posts and I'll reach 100 before the new year. We've been invited to CT's for Japanese dinner prepared by her son RT. I'll report more later.

If you like a sweet wine, I found a good one. Now, I know this is a little late for your New Year's Eve celebration, but I think this is a really tasty, go-with-anything, table wine. It is definitely a step up from the usual Riesling wines you find at the grocery store.

It's called Lingenfelder and it's a 2004 Riesling, a product of Germany with the bird label. At our local Paradise Meats it cost $13.99. We had it with our Christmas dinner, chicken and ham, and it was a very pleasant accompaniment, not too sweet with a full body, no aftertaste.

Here's some info about the wine from the Vancouver Magazine , April 2001,
"Lingenfelder is a small family property in the Pfalz region. Winemaker Karl-Rainer Lingenfelder shows his confident, experimental side in this fresh, barely off-dry style. The light-bodied, aromatic mix of peach, ripe apple and honeyed citrus is kept simple, reflecting a philosophy of making wines with the least manipulation possible to retain natural character and complexity. Bird Label is Lingenfelder's only bottled wine using non-estate grapes, but an effective testimony to the 100-percent riesling recipe."

So, here is my new blog title- Aunt B drinks. Cheers!

Aunt B eats at Minerva's (restaurant in the yellow structure with rounded roof at the front of the building) in the Park Place Hotel. And I had my favorite- stuffed ravioli with mushroom sauce. I love it and I haven't found it any other place. So, I order it everytime I go there. I enjoy the rich mushroom sauce, ravioli stuffed with ricotta ( I think), and the garnish of grated cheese and freshly minced tomatoes. It is about $9.00 which is a little pricey for lunch. It doesn't come with salad or bread like you get on the dinner menu. We used our Two on the Town cards, so the bill was about $15.00 including Big Fred's perch lunch and my glass of chardonnay.

Since I like this ravioli so much, I'm hunting for a similar recipe. I think I have found it in an article about Traverse City in Midwest Living magazine, but haven't tried it yet. That will be for another posting.

Luckily, I brought a little of the mushroom sauce and ravioli home and I can savor the flavor one more time. Yum!

Big Fred got some amaaaazing cheese for Christmas. AS(soon to be AB) gave this gift. Mongomery's Cheddar cheese. Now let me tell you my tastebud review: it is creamy with occasional crystal chunks, it has an distinctly aged flavor and at first I thought it might be Stilton, only a sliver is needed with a mild cracker for a cheesy taste. It definitely can stand alone. I haven't tried it on eggs, so won't report on that combination.

Now, saying all of this from an unknowing viewpoint, here is the partial word on Mongomery's Cheddar from : www.teddingtoncheese.co.uk
"The making of real farmhouse cheddar is now restricted to a hand full of farms, and the traditional unpasteurised cheese is only made on three farms. Ours is made by the Montgomerys' who have been making the cheese at Manor farm for generations. Their cheese-maker Harold was making the cheese at the farm for forty years, and in the later years with his son Michael. Harold has recently retired, but fortunately his son Michael has continued with the help of a new cheese-maker called Stephen.

Montomerys' cheddar can be matured for 18 months to produce a full nutty flavour and a dry texture. However, at the Teddington Cheese we prefer to mature the cheese for 12 to 14 months where the full nutty flavour is accompanied by a slightly moister texture. On stripping away the cheese-cloth and cutting open the cheese the most amazing aroma fills the room and the first taste of each and every cheese is one of the highlights of being a cheese-monger. Cheddar is a very versatile cheese, which can be cooked, grated or eaten on its own. However the quality of Montgomery's cheddar ensures that it makes a statement when added to the cheeseboard, and is sure to impress those who have eaten nothing but block cheddar before."

What I do know (though I forgot) is that I tasted this cheese at my Epicurean Classic class this past fall. It was paired with Burton Bridge Brewery Empire India Pale Ale. I really liked both.

So, there you go. Another great gift. Thank you, AS.

With Christmas over, it's time for the Snowbirds (relatives and friends from the North who go to the warm climes) to head to Florida. They are looking forward to sunshine, warm temps., and golf everyday. I can't blame them, since it has rained here all day with gloomy gray clouds overhead.

I was talking to BF about going south for the winter, but we both decided that we would only leave home if it was to go visiting our family for a short while. I guess we are just home bodies. When we are retired and have the time we might change our minds, but for right now, we have no desire to go to Florida or Alabama or Texas. Give us a few years and we'll probably be wishing and praying to get out of here.

Bring on the snow. We have the new plow. We're ready! Bye, bye everyone, see you when the robins come home.

CT made me her world famous honey caramel corn. NB gave me a grand bottle of olive oil. I got a beautiful jewelry box, gilded vanity set, a gold dressup watch and matching bracelet, earmuffs and a scarf, a gorgeous necklace from AS, money, gift cards, candy, and gosh, I can't think of it all. We had a wonderful Christmas with family and friends. Mom came from the nursing home and really enjoyed the company. Even the weather was warm and sunny.

So, what could be the problem. Well, it is kind of a let down. I feel like I should take down the tree and put away the ornaments, but I just put them up. I COULDN'T BELIEVE THE VALENTINES JUNK IN THE STORES. Time is just moving too fast.

I'll have to think on a solution. I wonder what my relatives did to slow down the time? Maybe I'll eat some more of that yummy caramel corn.

Christmas Eve was a busy, fun time. I made potato soup for supper. We all enjoyed Meggie's visit cause she's sooo sweet. Later, we watched the 1951 version of Scrooge with NB and AS, and FB and I made a cheesecake from scratch for tomorrow's dinner.

Usually, Big Fred and I sit here alone on this evening. It is usually very quiet for us, but tonight was different and I loved the company. It is so nice to share the excitement. So many gifts under the tree. So many laughs and good natured teasing. I say, like Tiny Tim, God bless us everyone.
Merry Christmas !

I just put the first batch of Springerle cookies in the oven. If you don't like anise you won't like these cookies. They are a traditional German cookies and since Big F is German, I try to make this goodie each Christmas. And, I've had some urging from CT who wants some to dunk in her coffee.

Making springerles is quite a production because you have to hand press the wooden mold into the cookies dough and cut out each individual cookie. Then you dry them overnight to set the design. I guess you could say these cookies are a labor of love. At one time, I collected molds. I'm sure it would be a lot easier using a mold rolling pin, but I just have a 4 picture wooden mold.

Here's some info about this yummy cookie from www.heiderberghaus.com:

"The history of the Springerle cookie goes back to the early middle ages. It seems that the Schwabian region of southern Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Elsass in France are the birthplace of this unusual treat. In the early years of the cookie's history each bakery had to carve their own wooden molds and so a 'one of a kind' variety of beautiful carved Springerle molds exists today. Traditionally these molds could be carved in any subject matter that the carver was thinking of or needed reaching from flower motives to animals to an endless variety of designs and occasions. The most elaborate and detailed carvings are highly sought collector items that now are exhibited in museums around the world. Even today families treasure their Springerle molds and pass them on from generation to generation. The themes underwent changes. In the 1400s religious scenes were preferred. In the 1700s the molds became smaller and corners were rounded off. The details were carved with delicate details. During the early 1800s molds presented a more dreamy style of happiness, friendship and romantic scenes. In the 1900s the designs of many of the family Springerle molds became fairly simple. Even today you can purchase new Springerle molds historically carved in wood. The usual mold is flat and square and has one, two, four, or eight hand carved pictures. The name Springerle may come from the way the cookie is baked and during the bakery process the dough will rise (spring) to almost double the heights. The Springerle is a charm for happiness. In the past it was custom to give Springerle cookies as gifts at Christmas and New Year. "

So, get the coffee ready, here comes the Springerles.

I don't know a thing about holly. Even though my Master Gardener certificate came today, we didn't learn about holly(llex). And so, I'm wondering why my holly has dried up. I took it out of the vase of water and put it outside in my pine wreath.

But, let me back up. I decided that I wouldn't buy ropes of Christmas greens and such, but thought I would buy some holly since I had never had it before. I went to a flower shop and bought a nice bunch, variegated with lots of bright red berries. I put it in a vase of water with a branch of spruce.

After a few days, I noticed that the holly was turning brown and the leaves were falling off. I don't know what I did wrong unless it was that I put it in water. Maybe I just bought an inferior bunch of holly. At any rate, I probably won't buy it again.

I found a nice fake pine garland at Goodwill for $1.99. It looks great and it won't dry up. I solved the greens problem.

HEY YOU GUYS!!, as Rita Moreno would yell on Electric Company. I know you are out there.

Respond to my postings. Just a word or two would satisfy me.

A BIG THANKS!

Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See is a fabulous book. It has been a while since I read such a great book.

The story takes place in nineteenth-century China. It is about the pairing of Lily and Snow Flower as laotong or "old sames" This is a matching for a lifelong friendship. Both girls undergo footbinding and arranged marriages. They share hopes, loss, loneliness, and joys and tragedies of motherhood. Their lives take many twists and turns, and so does their friendship. They use the fan to write the secret language of nu shu to communicate out of the reach of men.

I predict that this will be made into a movie. I highly recommend this book! Another book bites the dust.

My sister-in-law responded to my blog. So, I told her I would dedicate a post to her.

First, let me say DB is an exceptional person. She is a world traveler, going to China many times. She is a student of qigong. DB takes in abused dogs. She is an artist and at one time was a museum curator. She has worked in a JD home, has panned for gold in Idaho, and worked for the Hopi. She writes poetry and played the clarinet in the high school band.

As you can tell, she is very talented. Love ya DB.

Merry Christmas to me and my driveway. Just wanted everyone to see my delightful present only picture it on a Jeep Wrangler. I would have much rather gone on a vacation, or spent money on the house or myself, or bought tons more presents. But, it works great and BF won't have to look or feel like the abominable snowman the next time the white stuff appears.

I just finished the new Tony Hillerman mystery The Shape Shifter. Joe Leaphorn, recently retired, is back pounding the long roads of the Navajo Res. The story involves a Navajo rug that was made during the Long Walk and is known to be disaster for anyone who deals with it. Supposedly, it burned up in a fire way back when Leaphorn was just starting out. The case is closed and the clues pretty cold, but somehow the rug shows up in a magazine feature, a law officier friend is missing, and the case is reopened. Leaphorn uses his Navajo reasoning to solve the crime.

I liked the story because I'm interested in weaving and infact learned most about it on the reservation. I was excited to get back into reading about Chinle and Shiprock and all of the other references that were so much of my life when I taught on the Navajo reservation at Teec Nos Pos. I enjoyed hearing the creation stories and remembered the culture that changed my worldview. I have my own stories about skinwalkers and shapechangers.

However, Hillerman's writing put me off. When I first started, I thought it sounded like it was written by a high school student. I had to stop a few times to reread because I was confused. Not by the clues and such, but somehow I was having trouble. Probably just me. I didn't like his other recent books, so maybe he is just pushing it to make money.

At any rate, Hillerman fans, you be the judge.

Ho Ho Ho! We put up the Christmas tree today. I loved it! We have Colorado Blue Spruce on the farm so Big Fred cut a 10 foot tree. It is the kind of tree with lots of gaps in it so the ornaments can hang down. A little strange at the top, but we pruned it back. Since we had so much snow, we brought it in the house and put a tarp under it to get it to defrost. BF cut off about 2 ft and put on the white lights.

Then it was my turn, I can't believe all of the old ornaments I have. Some from my mom, some I've collected, can't forget nB's canlid and milkweed pod ornament from kindergarten. I have an assortment of Santas that I was collecting for a while, and then the birds.

I had so much fun clipping on all of the birds. I have all kinds. They are really cheerful with their real feathers or metal curlicues. I have some pink and some gold ones my sister gave me from K-Mart, some are fat like mourning doves, some are perky songbirds, many are from Old World Christmas Ornaments, a carved goldfinch, a clear glass hummingbird, a cheeky bluejay, some are antique mercury glass with spun tails, and even a peacock. I thought I would add my bird's nests and it looked great.

As for the top, our old silvered topper doesn't fit since we did the major trimming, so we put a large glass ornament on it for the time being. Yuck! Got to get something new. Joyce , my sister, and I were just remembering that, as kids, we made a star out of cardboard and tinfoil.

But it's up and the presents are under. Big Fred helped and didn't say "humbug" one time. Ho HO HO!

I just found a new one called Home Organizing Idea Book-500 + Design Ideas for Organizing your home. I especially appreciate all advice on storing things because I have such a small house and if things are out of place,everything looks messy.

I did a check-by-check of each room since the book is divided into chapters by room. All was in pretty good order. I have new storage drawer and door units covering the full lenghth of the kneewall in the bedroom and floor to ceiling bookshelves in the quest bedroom(N's room). That is a lot of storage and I haven't completely filled them up. The book advises to put little used items into storage( nothing new) and so rather than put them in the basement, I think I will put them upstairs.

The bathroom is small, but usually pretty neat with a nice towel closet and under the sink storage. The best thing to do there is clean out outdated makeup. I don't own much in that area so it shouldn't take much effort.

My living room contains an amoire, a large closed bookcase, and a small cupboard. I would say that is sufficient storage. I couldn't fit something else in anyway. Again, it would be weeding out the books, accumulated papers, magazines, catalogues, and maybe finding some smallish baskets to put the sometimes used tapes in. I'm not much for knicknacks, but I do like to display my flower oil paintings. The book uses shelf/ledges for decorating and displaying treasures. I might think about adding another ledge to put my paintings on.

I'm always moving stuff around in the kitchen. I recently moved the plates to a drawer which is very convenient if I can remember that I put them down there and not up on the shelf in the cupboard. This idea book has great ideas for the kitchen.

The worst spot in the house is the entry. Booy, the pictures in the book are beautiful. Even the mudrooms made with kids in mind are great. I have followed the suggestions with racks to hang up coats, coatcloset dividers, and containers on the shelf to hold junk in the laundry closet. Unfortunately, the shoes are out, the slippers are out, the garbage to be taken out is out, the recycling bags are piling up, and it just isn't, as the book suggests, " a welcoming entry".

So after all of that, the book says that if you are not good at keeping things orderly in the open, you should have doors on storage. O.K., I can do that. In fact, the entry looks nice when the two closet doors are closed. Of course, all the shoes and coats look like the photos in the book when they are placed in an orderly fashion.

At any rate, I really enjoyed looking through this book. I give it a 500+ rating.

Ines of My Soul by Isabel Allende is historical fiction based on the life of Ines Suarez a conquistadora who helped conquer Chile. The story is definitely amazing. Inez, in Spain, is a seamstress who marries a shiftless, but great lover, who disappears to the New World. Inez goes hunting for him and meets up with Pedro de Valdivia who goes on, with her help, to conquer Peru.

This story is about the role women played from battle to dowsing in the conquest of civilizations in S. America. Actually, very interesting even with an epic poem. Allende created a bibliography of her research while writing this book and notes that, "the feats of Inez Suarez noted by the chroniclers of her era were nearly ignored by historians for four hundred years".

One thing I didn't like(even though it has to be a major part of the book) is all of the battles. I guess it wouldn't be a conquest without them. I think I liked Daughter of Fortune better.

Friday, we were blasted with snow again. Now I know it is December and I live UpNorth, but I'm getting so I have little patience with winter like there is anything I can do about it.

But, here is/are my biggest gripe (s). I can't believe people. The snow is falling at a steady rate at high noon. The traffic is backed up at the intersections in town, the roads are ice covered, the main highway leading out of town is closed and the drivers? People don't have their lights on, their mirrors are covered with snow, and many vehicles are covered with snow so the back window is useless. Of course, let's add to the mess the people who speed around the traffic going 2 mph and are in the ditch a few miles up the way (har, they deserve it). Then there's the poor shmuck that doesn't have snowtires and is fishtailing it up the hills with a crawling line of cars behind them.

The good news is that we made it home the twenty miles safe and sound. The bad news is that our plowtruck died with one tire freezing up so Big Fred had to finish plowing the driveway with his little snowblower. Merry Christmas- we are getting a new plow for our Jeep. The old truck will be put out to pasture in the backyard after 18 years of service. So I really shouldn't gripe about that.

But, I still should do something about my bad attitude toward winter and the crazy drivers.

Northern Michigan news flash! Bozo Boy and Strongwoman are engaged. And all because of a Coach purse in a Goodwill bag. NB and AS are planning a spring 2008 wedding.

After all the wedding planning I have helped with (and loved), all of the advice, after all of the hostess positions, after all of the flower arrangements and favors, after all of the negotiating- soothing hurt feelings and tempers, I am going to be the one in the mother-of-the groom seat. Keep your mouth shut and wear beige? No way! Am I excited? You damn betcha!
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