Sunday, December 29, 2013
With the leftovers from the Christmas Roasted Pork Tenderloin- I made this Sweet & Sour Pork dish for lunch, except I used Emeril's Tempura Batter [for Fried Oysters without the Essence to keep the integrity of the sweet and sour dish].
The Sweet & Sour Sauce from this recipe is so good, I could pass on going to my favorite Szechuan restaurant and have this instead. That's to say, I think it is restaurant quality.
Saturday, December 28, 2013
My mother has her own little office space in her bedroom. Before Christmas [this year], she had an inkjet printer connected to her desktop computer but no way to print from the HP Notebook she received last year for Christmas.
The other problem- though she did very little printing, the ink cartridges needed to be replaced often. Ink drying up may have been part of the problem.
In recent years, I have noticed color laser printers have gone down drastically in price, so this year I decided to get her one. I was very concerned about toner replacement issues, however I think I found a solution for that too [more on this later].
Here is her new setup.
You can find the two port printer switch hub- I selected, in my Amazon Business Solutions Store.
When I need to print- I use one of two black and white laser printers [one being the Brother FAX also listed in the store]- or an Epson Color InkJet. That said, I am envious of her new color laser printer and installed the printer driver on my netbook [used the HP Notebook connection for testing]. Works beautifully.
My sister purchased extra supplies for the printer, so my mother should be good to go- insofar as printing, for years to come.
Thursday, December 26, 2013
I got up late Christmas morning-- so we did not gather in front of the tree until 10:30 a.m. or so.
My mother got a color laser printer so after I finished hooking it up [printer sharing hub, details later] to both of her computers and installing the print drivers, I began cooking.
Today, I did not get up until 10:00 a.m. and then went to the [using Mom's car-- mine still has a dead battery] bank to deposit the money I received for Christmas. After I returned, I had leftovers and started this post.
News from Washington? New promises unkept. Not sure what's going on. I will start worrying about my car next week. While out today, I noticed tons of [local] police action in the vicinity of the house. I would not have known they were around had I not gone out.
Tuesday, December 24, 2013
Yesterday, I cooked and cleaned the kitchen several times. I was feeling a little ill-- but well enough to cook. I went to bed around 9:00 p.m. last night and got up around 6:00 a.m. this morning.
The house was quiet-- and someone asked to see the other-side of the living room so I took these photos.
I actually had the English Muffin and sausage around 11:00 a.m. I do not have a lot of cooking to do today-- tomorrow, yes. I have not been feeling that well. I posted a couple of posts to forums I belong too and simply wanted to post about what's going on today.
Feeling a lot better right now, however not sure how long that's going to last. I am in good spirits when not trying to quash a dizzy feeling or that I maybe ill.
Some family will gather here tomorrow morning, then I will finish cooking. Everything according to plan except dizzy spells.
News from Washington? Lies. Not sure why.
Sunday, December 22, 2013
I am up at o'dark thirty because I went to bed too early. I was exhausted at 7:30 p.m. last night. I am having my first cup of espresso and running my normal checks [websites, email, etc.].
I am going to start my holiday cooking today. On the menu:
- Honey Glazed Roasted Pork Tenderloin
- Dressing
- Cranberry Apple Sauce
- Macaroni & Cheese
- Sweet Potato Casserole
- Dinner Rolls
- Apple Pie w/Vanilla Ice Cream
- Pineapple Upside-down Cake or Sour Cream Butter Cake w/Chocolate Icing
I like for the cornbread [main ingredient in the dressing] to be at least a day old, before I start adding the other ingredients. I will probably make one of the cakes tomorrow.
Do you have old traditions? Every year [for as long as I can remember], my parents filled the nut bowl [shown] with mixed nuts for the holidays. It is a tradition we still observe. Last year, we had Roasted Pork Tenderloin for Christmas instead of turkey and this year we will do the same. Both work for me-- however the Roasted Pork is slightly less work.
It's a quiet balmy morning here-- and I am enjoying every moment of it. This post will be time stamped 4:45ish a.m. but I have been up since 3:00 a.m.
Hope your holiday preparations are going well.
Friday, December 20, 2013
I am in the holiday spirit and thinking about holiday outfits. Where clothes are concerned, I love spending money on a business suit and eveningwear.
These days, though I rarely get the opportunity to get out-- I still manage to spend hours looking through online catalogs for seasonal outfits. Here is what I have recently added to my wish list [or in some cases, what I love- but for someone else].
Are jumpsuits in this season? I have found many I love.
Yesterday morning, I found this cute little red dress [also came in
black] that I thought would be great for someone else. It was gone
shortly after I listed it in one of my Amazon stores. Abstract noise
provided the clues. Sold out.
I have also been downloading fonts.
In my last post to this blog [Monday], I indicated I was going to take my car out for a spin. I did, but only after I jump started it. I think [hope] the battery is dead. I plan on dealing with the issue after the holidays-- so this was kind of a downer.
News from Washington? Odd.
Monday, December 16, 2013
It is pretty quiet around here today. The snow melted yesterday, so I am going to take my car out for a spin. It has not been driven in almost two weeks and I need to take it around the block.
Other things around here-
For those wondering about my Banana plant after the spider-mites? She's doing okay. I had to trim back some of the leaves-- and in my opinion, she is not as pretty-- however I am hoping I can bring her back. I think the pot is too small-- but I really do not want it to get any larger-- so I am simply going to wait on the new leaves to start coming in.
Not much else going on. Updates to my Amazon Stores.
This morning, I also noticed the WiredPages ZipCode Retriever located on the Business page is no longer providing Zips for street addresses. The Geo Coordinates Tool on the Reference page works. I really need to get busy on several updates [deleting bad links, etc.] to WiredPages. Maybe after I return.
News from Washington? Full steam ahead with the tease. Not sure why? Already explained I may cry starting in January. Right now-- in good spirits, busy.I have decided I love shopping online for my stores.
Saturday, December 14, 2013
Yesterday, my mother came home with our annual tin of the Kirkland brand of European Cookies from Costco.
Have you tried them? I love almost every variety that comes in the tin. For some reason, this reminded me- I miss shopping at Costco.
Because my load now- is almost more than I can handle-- I do most of my shopping online. Yes, I often peruse Costco flyers both online and in hand, however I rarely go to the store these days.
Most of the load- insures legal issues can be dealt with quickly, thereby requiring I never leave the bag anywhere. That said, this process has become elongated and tiresome and I miss not being able to travel [shop, etc,] the way I used to.
I look around and see a lot of the things I have purchased spur of the moment from Costco, like deeply discounted designer jeans, jackets, kitchen appliances, the mat in my bathroom...
.. and know, I really miss perusing their aisles.
So what else? Here it's snowing again for the third time this week.
I have been reading blogs, eating lunch, downloading web-ding holiday fonts and enjoying Christmas music. I also found another watch [Anne Klein] that I added to my Amazon Store. A girl can never have too many watches.
No-- I cannot enjoy shopping at Costco at this time, however it has been a nice Saturday nevertheless and perhaps with the holidays in full swing- it is just as well.
Friday, December 13, 2013
I am not superstitious, however I did note it is Friday, the 13th.
What have I been up to?
- Signed up with LiveFyre after finding a new style site, StylePantry. Also added the LiveFyre link to the Blogging Tools & Addons List maintained on the NS&J Forums.
- Also signed up with YouLookFab another style community site.
- Found a pair of shoes- [Jeffrey Campbell Womens LORNA pumps shoes Model LORNA NUDEJAGUARBLACKSUEDE]
, I want to own-- and hopefully after Christmas I will be able to get them. Why? I never go anywhere. Well if I do need to-- I will be ready. I am always asked if I am ready. I always respond, yes.
- Updated the Celebrity Bloggers list which is also maintained on the NS&J Forums.
- Trying to figure out why I am getting a lot of abstract noise about a Lori Wallach of Public Citizen. Abstract noise-- CIA, relative. Not interested. See bow and I do not mean curtsey.
- Book-marked this Cinnamon Cranberry-Apple Sauce recipe for use with the Roast Pork Tenderloin and Dressing I plan to serve on Christmas day.
- Updating Amazon Stores.
News from Washington? Continuing to provide information about others I wish to divest myself of. Not sure what the point is. News, not good.
Wednesday, December 11, 2013
Are you wondering why there is a can of chalkboard paint under the Home Furnishings & Kitchen Category [lower page 2]?
Several years ago-- when Naomi [blogger I read], moved to DC she had areas of her kitchen done using the paint. I liked the idea.
Also- the other night I watched part of the movie "The Words". Dennis Quad's character- had in his apartment, an extra large mirror leaning in the entryway which was the inspiration for this Home Furnishings find.
Sometimes, I pretend I am furnishing a large home with all of the things I love. My Home Furnishings & [Kitchen] Category reflects some of the finds I would like to have.
I have not included this item yet, however I decided this Enclume MPB-06 RACK IT UP Bookshelf Pot Rack
I have finished wrapping all of the presents I am giving and have started planning the menu for Christmas day. Have not started updating WiredPages-- but hope to get to it later this week.
News from Washington? Not good.
Saturday, December 07, 2013
Happy to report most of the gifts I ordered for Christmas arrived yesterday. We put up the tree Thursday evening and Friday I waited on gifts and wrapped them. I had one or two-- so I finally wrapped those and put them under the tree too.
This has gone so smoothly I am pleased.
I need to update WiredPages-- [not the widgets/software], mainly revisions for links and ready the sites for the new year, so in addition- I will be backing up a lot of things from the bag to the new hard drives I purchased earlier this year.
This should keep me busy for the next week. I also want to plan a nice dinner for Christmas day- so I have several projects on tap, including updates to my Amazon aStores.
Hope your holiday plans are going well. News from Washington? Mixed.
Thursday, December 05, 2013
Yesterday, I had a fuss fest on Q's Wire. Today, its back to business. I ordered my last gift this morning and I am pretty pleased with myself.
The other day [Tuesday, December 3, 2013], my mother gave me an early gift. A Mandolin Slicer. I have wanted one since arriving here- and at last I have one. I am always slicing up potatoes, onions and green peppers, or grating cheese- so she decided I needed one, too.
This model works pretty good, however if you think you are a gourmet chef, check out some of the more pricier models available. This is all I need for right now.
I love gourmet hot chocolate [Godiva, Ghirardelli-- check out my "Gift Ideas"], however SwissMiss is pretty good too. The other night I made a hot chocolate with some of the whipping cream I had leftover from Thanksgiving.
Yesterday, my mother went to lunch and one of her girlfriends gave her a new plant.
I am a little concerned she does not want to put water in it. As I write this, she is on her way to find a water mister. It is an "Air Plant" and does not need soil. The instructions indicate one should soak in water for 30 minutes once weekly-- however she has decided that is not what it needs. Sometimes I feel tested [glad I did not put water in it last night when she left it right there for me to worry about]-- and in this case, I am going to let her worry about the upkeep of it. What does this say about me? Newcomb [old observation], I am rarely that fast. Never was.
News from Washington? Odd.
Monday, December 02, 2013
We have leftovers. Was the food pretty good? Yes. Still, we have leftovers.
We have also started putting out our Christmas decorations. Last year, I thought they were up too early-- so this year we are starting a little later and doing it in a more gradual manner.
Thus far, we have only one real Poinsettia [sitting on the table in the entryway] and existing items decorated with some of our many "forever" poinsettias.
I am not a big fan of "forever" flowers unless of the dried variety, however I do love the brass bucket that holds our red berries arrangement [year round] and the "forever" Poinsettias [at Christmas] that used to sit on the fireplace.
Earlier this year, I moved the bucket to the dining room [quite frankly it looks nice in both locations] when I wanted to place a new plant on the fireplace, so I have no one to blame but myself. Once the stockings are hung, perhaps I won't miss it so much.
Did you start your Christmas shopping? I am a little bummed out that this morning I noticed an item I wanted- went up in price because it was no longer being sold by the same retailer. Snoozed, I lost. Other than that, I am in pretty good spirits. News from Washington? Odd.
