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!
For more details: http://www.naivehelga.blogspot.com/

This book is a really fast read. Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen is a book I could hardly put down. As the back jacket notes, "one starts to breathe its air." I went to the circus when I was about five and brought home a chameleon. It was an exotic pet for those days. I read the biography of P.T. Barnum when I was in 5th grade. I really find the circus life fascinating, but I never wanted to run off and join it. After reading this book, I know why.

Jacob Jankowski, the main character, is ninety-two or ninety- three and in a nursing home. The circus has come to town next door to his residence. One of the old geezers at Jacob's table starts telling everyone that he watered the elephants, but Mr. J. calls him a liar. Mr. J isn't quite sure where he is or what he remembers.

He goes back and forth remembering how,as a young man, he came to the circus and how he met Marlena and Rosie. The setting for the circus is in the 30's when the depression had hit the country, including the circus. The story is about the performers, the freaks, Uncle Al- the boss, the clowns, the job of being the vet for the animals, and Rosie the elephant that would save them. But, mostly it is about the circus secrets.

The ending is a surprise and will be left unmentioned. I can still here the sounds of the midway and smell the popcorn.

I'm back! Of course, I want to talk about a book I just finished. No, it didn't take me months to read it-time just slips by. Teacher Man by Frank McCourt is a great book especially for teachers. Mr. McCourt doesn't mince words infact he "lets it rip" with all of the bad words that teachers would love to say and many times do- under their breath.

McCourt tells about the day by day trials and errors of being a high school teacher in New York City. I had to laugh about the fact that he was nearly fired in the first two days of his career. He definitely used unusual methods to capture the attention of his students. His students wrote excuse notes for historical figures including Adam and Eve.

This book wasn't nearly as good as Angela's Ashes or "Tis, but then, how do you match a Pulitzer Prize winner?

I miss you MamaK. I know something happened with your blog, but I've been thinking about you, and wonder where you are and what you are doing. I believe we are all connected by invisible threads. It is so amazing how someone can enter one's life even though it's through cyberspace. I know that a writing like this can be a great release of emotions. It can be a view into a person's soul. It can be a forum for questioning and relating. At any rate, I hope you are well Mama, I hope your children are doing well, and I hope you know that I am thinking about you. LOL.