Tag - I'm it

Egg nog or hot chocolate?
Hot chocolate with marshmallows.



Does Santa wrap presents or set them under the tree?
Wrapped with adorable, handmade tags (Just call me Martha)







Colored lights on tree or white?

White




When do you put your decorations up?
We start right after Thanksgiving and never really "finish." Then it is time to take them down.







What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)?
Broccoli and Cauliflower casserole my mom makes. Yep, my mom can make even broccoli taste good!



Favorite holiday memory as a child:
Getting a Cabbage Patch doll the year of the "craze." I remember calling my cousins and SCREAMING into the phone. (They both got one too . . . hmmmmm . . . my aunt worked at a toy store . . . hmmmmmm)


When and how did you learn the truth about Santa?
I was about 10 and kept bugging my dad to tell me if Santa was real. He told me to kiss him on the cheek, which I did. Then he said, "You just kissed Santa Claus."



Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve?
If I can talk John into it. He's a "wait until Christmas" guy.



How do you decorate your Christmas tree?
When I was single (aka - a spinsty), I'd have a tree trimming party where I sat back and watched as my sister's husband, my brother, and my dad put up my gigantic tree. In return, I served terrible slice and bake cookies that everyone complained about every year. Now everyone scatters at the mere mention of my "tree trimming party." Lucky I have a husband now! We put up the tree together.


Can you ice skate?
I try.



Do you remember your favorite gift?
Bedwarmer thing from my mom last year. I couldn't live without it, especially since John likes to keep the house cold enough to see your breath in the winter. It has dual controls, so my side is nice and toasty.


What's the most important thing about the holidays for you?
I love taking a name off the "needy" tree and shopping for a family that needs help. (Sometimes I go overboard but it makes me feel really good.) I always tear up a little on Christmas morning thinking about the kids opening their gifts. Of course I love seeing Megan open her gifts, but there is something special about giving a Christmas to kids that wouldn't have had one otherwise.


What is your favorite holiday dessert?
My Santa cupcakes cause they are so fun




What is your favorite tradition?
My sister's Christmas Eve ornament exchange. I take this exchange very seriously and get a little cut throat about getting my hands on the prettiest ornament. (usually the one I brought myself.) We laugh ourselves silly!








Which do you prefer, giving or receiving?
Giving.



What is your favorite Christmas Song?
Feliz Navidad - or anything I can dance to.



Candy canes Yum or yuck?
Yum.


Ever recycled a Christmas present?
No.


Don't Be A Scrooge! Tag 7 friends to Deck the Halls... (or 3 if you're too lazy to look up anyone else's blog address.)


I tag The Ertel Triplets, my sister Katie, my cousin Mary.

What's Cookin' Wednesday

Cheese and Hamburger Casserole

Now, what if I told you this lisalicious recipe is actually pretty wholesome and only 6 WEIGHT WATCHER points per serving??? Yep, now I've got your attention.

1 lb. extra lean ground beef (96% lean) - btw, this is leaner than ground turkey!

1 cup chopped onion

3 garlic cloves, crushed - I used minced garlic cause I don't have the time to be crushin' cloves

1 - 8 oz. package sliced fresh mushrooms - I cut them up kinda small to hide them from Megan - she is a fungus snob

6 tablespoon tomato paste

1 teaspoon sugar

1 teaspoon of dried thyme

1 teaspoon dried oregano

1/4 teaspoon pepper

1 - 28 oz. can whole tomatoes, undrained and chopped

1/3 cup all-purpose flour

2 1/2 cups fat free milk

1 cup (4 oz.) crumbled feta cheese - reduced fat

3/4 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella

4 cups (measure uncooked) of whole-wheat penne pasta - your husband will never know the difference

1. Combine ground beef, chopped onion, and garlic in a large nonstick skillet, and cook over medium-high heat until beef is browned, stirring to crumble. Add mushrooms, and cook 5 minutes or until tender. Add tomato paste and next 5 ingredients, and stir well. Bring mixture to a boil; reduce heat, and simmer, uncovered, 20 minutes. Set aside.

2. Cook the whole-wheat pasta according to package directions.

(Do both step 1 and 2 at the same time or you'll be in the kitchen as long as a 1930's housewife.)

3. Place flour in a medium saucepan. Gradually add milk, stirring with a whisk until blended. Place over medium heat; cook 10 minutes or until thick, stirring constantly. Stir in cheeses, and cook 3 minutes or until cheeses melt, stirring constantly. Reserve 1/2 cup cheese sauce. Pour remaining cheese sauce, beef mixture, and pasta into a 13x9 inch baking dish, and stir gently. Drizzle the reserved cheese sauce over pasta mixture.

4. Bake in (preheated) oven at 350 degrees for 30-35 minutes or until hot.

Yield: 8 servings

Serve with some sliced cucumbers or a nice, green salad.

Eating healthy tastes so good, doesn't it?????

And . . . some music to shake your rump to while cooking . . .

Don't forget - do your little turn on the catwalk. Shake your little tush on the catwalk.

Isn't cooking with Lisa fun????????

Ice Ice Baby, Too Cold Too Cold

Have you ever been so cold that you were afraid hell was actually freezing over???

Go to the zoo when it is 24 degrees outside? Sure!

I put on so many clothes on, I was worried if I fell down I'd be stuck there till someone came along and rolled me home.

On the way there, we saw a hitchhiker

holding up a sign with a picture of his thumb.

That's how cold it was.

It was so cold,

we saw some animals throwing themselves

at the electric fence.

That's how cold it was.

II was surpised to see a goatee growing on Colin's chin.

Turns out it was just an icicle of frozen drool.

That's how cold it was.

It was so freakin' cold,

Katie had to use an ice scraper so she

could see out of her glasses.

That's how cold it was.

When we couldn't find the penguins, we asked the
zookeeper where they were.

He told us they went south for the winter.

That's how cold it was.

It was so freakin' cold,

the sheep demanded their wool back.

That's how cold it was.

At the end of the night, we all piled into the car to go home.

Instead of starting it, John yelled "mush."

And that, my friends, is just how cold it was.

I'm the Map

I was watching Dora the Explorer yesterday with Megan (ahhhhhhhhhhhh but she loves it) and couldn't help but chuckle when I heard the "I'm the Map" song. If you're not familiar, click on the arrow above to hear it.

Now imagine . . .

Executives are meeting to discuss the creation of a theme song for The Map, a supporting character in the cartoon show called Dora the Explorer. This song will be sung everytime The Map appears on the show.

Executive: So, have you written a theme song yet???

Songwriter: Ahhhhhhh, why yes. Some of my best work. Here goes . . . I'm the map. I'm the map. I'm the map! I'm the map! I'm the map! I'm the map! I'm the map! I'm the map! I'm the map!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Executive: Hmmm, very good. I like it. Now which character will sing this?????

Comedian Brian Reagan loves to make fun of poor little Dora. Check him out here.

The worst part about watching Dora the Explorer - walking around singing "I'm the Map" all day . . . and thinking of the person who got seriously PAID to write that song.

I'm the map I'm the map I'm the map I'm the map I'm the map I'm the map I'm the map I'm the map I'm the map I'm the map I'm the map I'm the map I'm the map I'm the map I'm the

And my sister just reminded me of this . . .


The Backpack's Theme Song:
Backpack, Backpack. Backpack, backpack. Backpack, backpack. What the heck is up with the writers over there?

What's Cookin' Wednesday

I got this recipe from my friend Andrea, who told me this was a Weight Watcher recipe. Hmmmm . . . I had my doubts about that so I added a few things to the instructions.

Weight Watcher Corn Chowder

Ingredients:

2 bacon slices

1 lb. boneless chicken breast - cooked and cut into pieces

1 cup diced onion

1 cup diced red pepper

2 garlic cloves - minced

4 1/2 cups chicken broth

1 3/4 cup peeled, diced potatoes

2 1/4 cups corn

1/2 cup flour

2 cups milk

2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

salt + pepper

Cook the bacon in a frying pan. Set aside the cooked bacon but keep the grease.

Fry the onion, red pepper, and garlic in the bacon grease, then beg your hips for forgiveness.

In a soup pot, combine the above mixture with the chicken broth.

Add the diced potatoes, corn, and chicken and simmer 15 minutes or until potatoes are soft.

You have 15 minutes here - don't be lazy - do some side leg lifts and sit ups.

Place flour in a medium sized bowl and wisk in milk. (Do a little dance while wisking to burn off some calories. C'mon, put your hips into to it.)

Add to soup and cook 15 minutes longer while jogging in place.

Add cheese and stir, flexing your biceps.

Crumble the bacon on top and serve.

Makes 8 one cup servings - or if you're like me - 4 two cup servings.

**When you're done stuffing your face, go ride the exercise bike rigorously for about 2-4 hours. Now you can legitimately call this a Weight Watcher recipe.**

It is delicious and trust me,

MY HIPS DON'T LIE.

I think I should get a cooking show . . .

The Dog is a Freakin' Sociopath - Will Someone Believe Me???

Dear Mocha,

I have tried my best to get along with you. For years now you have purposely and most secretively antagonized me . . . then sat back and watched with your stupid "I'm just a dog" face that somehow makes me look like the crazy person.

Let's just get a few things straight, shall we?

When I say to move, it means go someplace else, not switch positions so that you are just as much in my way as you were before. I know you just do that to annoy me and I don't appreciate it one bit.

In case you were confused, the silver dishes on the floor are yours and contain your food. The other dishes are mine and contain my food. Just because you're able to reach my food on the counter or table does not make it yours . . . EVER. The food held in Megan's hands is also not yours. She can talk now and you are soooooo busted! Oh yeah, and the diaper genie in Megan's room is not your cookie jar either you nasty dog.

Our staircase was not designed by NASCAR and is not a racetrack. Beating me to the bottom is not the object. Tripping me doesn't help because I fall faster than you can run. And you always somehow make it look like an accident . . . as I go flying one way with the laundry basket flying in the other. I know the truth Mocha and I have the bruises to prove it.

Here you are at the top of the stairs, just waiting for me to walk by.

Did you know sticking your nose in someone's crotch is not an acceptable way to say hello? It is quite rude, really. Where are your manners? And while we're on the topic of manners, when you feel the need to PUKE could you do it someplace besides MY OFFICE.



I'm also tired of you setting me up. You only shizzle in the house when John's not home. When I complain (as any reasonable person would after cleaning up 50 pounds of crap from the living room floor) he accuses me of not taking you out enough. I know you chuckle on the inside as you fondly recall my shivering a$$ outside with you in 27 degree weather. You're twisted, Mocha. Really twisted.

You really need to try harder to get along with me or I'm going to expose you for the canine sociopath that you really are.

Very sincerely,
Lisa

A Tale of Two Thanksgivings

Thanksgiving - Part One

Travel to Dayton, Ohio to visit with the normal side of the family. aka "The Kellers"
We had a wonderful time, but you'll have to take my word for it. (camera battery died)

Memorable moment - Bragging to John's brother Jim about Megan's superior intelligence, then lovingly gazing in her direction as she says, "Mommy, I'm pooping. *grunt* It stinks. Yucky poopy mommy." Perfect timing, Megan. Thank you.

Thanksgiving - Part Two
The Next Day

Visit with the other side of the family. aka MY SIDE
We put the FUN in dysfunctional, that is for sure.

First thing Nana said to me . . . "Are you pregnant yet?"
Seriously. Some people might say "Happy Thanksgiving" in such a circumstance.

Then we celebrated my niece Austyn's birthday . . .

My cake/cookies didn't wow the crowd this time.

I did what I could . . .
I was a little short on time since I had to travel the day before.

Happy 7th Birthday ! ! !

All the grandkids

Austyn teaching my two year old to play the Nintendo DS.

See Jim, I told you she's a genius.

Most adorable pic of the day!

Thank you, God for my family . . .

Then Megan did this . . .

Oops.

And John did this . . .

And then we went home before anything else got broken.

Happy Thanksgiving 2008 to You!