Caved into temptation...

...and just made a batch of shortbread following Cathy's direction. I used some "sugar in the raw" because I had a package on hand. Blended it to a sort of powder but still a bit raw! Added the butter and blended with flour until the blender bogged down - turned it onto the board and gently mixed the remainder. Rolled it into a circle and baked as directed. I can taste some of the raw sugar that obviously did not powder well enough, but otherwise I concur "by george I think I've got it". At least I am pleased with it although as I recall,  Daddy's seemed to have a really fine melt in your mouth taste. I also have a pot of goulash cooking for supper - got the urge thinking of you both and making the shortbread. This is a dish that is not usually made here so will be a treat for me! Last night I watched Miracle of 34th Street and as with every other Christmas holiday viewing, truly enjoyed it. I have yet to see The Polar Express, and Home Alone. No snow today but yesterday had quite a bit- was able to get out just before supper and cleaned off the roof again. I can see this being a full time job if this weather keeps up - but on a happy note, I hear on the radio that the ski hill in North Bay will be opening tonorrow. Our lake here is iced over at the shore, but a stiff wind was creating heavy waves on the whole of the lake and although looks very cold, is a long way from freezing over and so no ice fishing huts yet! Take care

Well put, Beth

and you're quite right.  Looking for some small thing to be thankful for, every day, is a means of forcing yourself to look for, or actively search for, the small things, and  expressing  your thankfulness, verbally or in writing, is a way of reinforcing the concept of finding happiness in little things.  ( It can also lower your blood pressure.)  I have tried several times to reproduce Daddy's shortbread, but never succeeded.  So you're ahead of me there, Cathy.

I have to confess that today's thing is a little larger than most.  Today my Tuesday stitchers got together for our yearly Christmas lunch.  The conversation, at one point,  turned to how long we had been meeting, and who was no longer with us, and what the group had meant to us over the years.  It would appear that there are now only three of the original members left.  Two have died, and one appears to be separating herself from us ( it was concern expressed for this lady that brought up the whole subject.)  One member just stopped coming about 10 years ago, we see her occasionally, and know she is well..  But we have two new members, who bring a whole different dynamic to the group.  All of us expressed our gratitude for the group, although we also expressed that we, as individuals, had never actually looked at the group in terms of what it meant to each of our lives. We have seen each other through loss of husbands, (x3) and cancer, (x2) and all the other problems that play a big role in women's lives.  I am the only one of the group who still has a life partner, and for that I am grateful.

 But I also have a small thing to be grateful for today.  I wore my new blue jacket for the first time.  This is the one I bought off a clearance rack for next to nothing, and then spent time regretting the decision, as it didn't go with anything in my wardrobe.  Doesn't matter.  Today I'm grateful for the jacket that left me feeling warm for the first time in days.  And worn over black it looks fine.  And today I had my first panini.  Quite tasty. But not something I will search out in future.  So, I'm also grateful for the opportunity to try something new.

There was an e-mail this evening from Amber telling us that Darren's Grandmother has passed away.  She was a big influence in his life, but was 97, and had been living in a nursing home for some time.

What a strange posting this has turned out to be.

90/10 trap

Good for you Cathy - you are following the 90/10 rule. My daily inspirational flip calendar is speaking this week about the 90/10 trap - it says : most of us tend to focus our attention, thinking, and conversations on the worst 10 percent of our lives. 90 percent of what happens during our day is usually pretty good, while the other 10 percent is usually problematic and filled with hassle. I've already encountered a few bumps in the road this week - and it is only Tuesday for heavens sake - but today I tried hard to focus on the 10 percent and it helped me a bit. I am hoping to keep this up although it is very difficult. I went to North Bay alone today as I had a few chores to complete, and since it was a sunny day, I spoke to myself about the glorious day, and spending time alone with my thoughts, and it helped to overcome that little bit of 10 percent hassle haha. Give it a try .... Patty your "thankfulness" each day is an example of focusing on the 90 percent, isn't it! Finished up a bit of Christmas shopping today and seemed to find exactly what I wanted without too much trouble - I was shopping for Mike's girlfriend - we really do not know her too well, and so Mike gave a few hints and I followed through with a few little gifts. Since we shall be together after Christmas for lunch and to open gifts, and since we have bought Mike several gifts from us, it was only appropriate that we get a few things for her to open. I wish I could make some of your shortbread, Cathy, especially as it seemed to parallel Daddy's as you mentioned, but we have too many cookies as it is, and I do not intend to make more as I will only eat them all - yum yum !! I managed to get the roof shoveled off the other day, and in time for the forecasted milder weather and possibly rain showers. I am almost finished knitting the winter hat I started some time ago - only have to sew the side seam and it will be done. I was determined to get it finished only as an accomplishment, not really because I need one, and to use some of the yarn that Harry bought this summer at garage sales. I might even attempt a pair of mitts but not really sure when. Well, I intend to put on one of my Christmas movies tonight to just sit and watch - hoping to settle myself for a good sleep. I have a bit of a cold hovering and even though I took some Cold FX tablets, it still seems to be just on the cusp of developing into something worse - hope not. Take care

By George I think I've got it!

I made shortbread on the weekend and it tasted really good.  I think I might have almost copied Daddy's taste.  I put 1/4 c of white sugar and 1/4 c of brown sugar in the food processor and powdered it.  I added 1 cup of butter and creamed it and then added 2 cups of flour and processed it.  It all mooshed together into a ball.  I took it out and pressed it into a circle (about 8 inches in diametre) on a pan.  I baked it for 30 minutes at 325F.  The edges were a bit brown but the rest was perfect.  Too bad it doesn't keep :)  I also slept on my new bed and my daughter bought us new pillows to go with the bed.  An all round good day.

Let it snow...

What a difference - yesterday morning I took the dog for a walk in the green and no precipitation. Within 30 minutes it had statrted to snow and by the afternoon we had about 15 cm - I was out twice to shovel, and still couldn't keep up with the downfall and blowing winds. The ploughs were out ovenight and I went early to shovel the driveway that was filled in. When the sun comes out I'll go out and clean up the rest of the snow from the cars and sidewalks. And I suppose I'll have to do the roof again. It will give me something to do anyway! We have bought our Christmas dinner and it is in the freezer waiting for the big day. A lovely looking prime rib roast and I shall have carrots and peas, and mashed potatoes and also will include dressing and cranberries. That should be quite a celebration, eh? Nothing else really new here, but I'll keep checking the blog to hear all about your activites. Take care

Triscuits

bought a box of Triscuits, and finally opened it today. This is in an effort to use up the cream cheese spread that I bought for one of the Kraft recipes.  Obviously I didn't read the box very well.  There are not just Triscuits, but Cracked Pepper and Olive Oil Triscuits.  WOW!  Gotta get me some more of those!  And, with the cream cheese spread--fantastic.

We finally made it to the Forks this morning, as I had to delivery something for my friend Dianne.  There is a lovely skating rink, with a disco mirror ball, and very nice music, but totally deserted.  We were the only people wandering around.  There were more people inside, mainly eating, which figures, as there isn't much left there except food places.  Tall Grass Prairie Bakery was doing a brisk business, but they had just taken their famous cinnamon buns out of the oven.  We found the bulk food store still  there, that we have patronized for years, but they were out of maple sugar, although expecting a shipment soon, so please call back.  I expect she would have said that even if I had asked for Martian Todo bird eggs.

Just finished  a book by Faye Kellerman.  Very Dark and Very grim, plus a little weird.  It took me three days to read, which is much longer than normal, so I must have been struggling with it.  I don't think I'll read anymore of hers any time soon.

For today, I remain grateful for prune juice, and am also grateful for my awakening muse.  Yep, the brain appears to be starting to function again.  I may even post on my other blog again, some day.

Too many cookies

There are too many cookies in this house tempting me to nibble and nibble some more haha I don't seem to have much self control but instead, I am totally enjoying them!  I was watching the news on TV and wonder about all the awful things that are afflicting our world - I know the news tends to focus on the horrific, but surely there can be some happy happy stories? I go to bed hearing about pending war, and then listen first thing in the morning to find out the status of world affairs as I start another day. We are getting a few Christmas cards in the mail now - it is fun to read some of the  comments and what I especially like are those who write the "yearly" news letters of all the wonderful things they have done all year - and also the additions to the family as children and grandchildren have more children. Harry spoke with Aunt Evelyn yesterday and she is doing fine - talking about the plans for Christmas and saying how she doesn't want to go to her daughter in laws church on Christmas Eve because it is Catholic and she doesn't understand it - she wants to go to her own Church and sing carols. I guess her family is trying to include her in their activities as best they can but apparently it is not sitting too well with her? Harry's sister is having her two children home from university for the holidays and she is very excited - I think she misses them not being at home anymore. The son is in Peterborough, and the daughter is in Ottawa. It still seems strange not to be going to Harry's mothers as usual, but I am actually looking forward to being at home this year. Well, almost time to start planning for my big winnings tonight so best go for now. Hope you have a very pleasant weekend - not much planned for me but I have started to watch my favourite Christmas movies - and I think Miracle on 34th Street will be on the agenda for Saturday night! Last weekend I watched The Christmas Carol. And I still have White Christmas waiting to be seen - great fun Take care