I Yam What I Yam

Full confession time. I love baking. But when I am in the zone for trifle creations, I almost always do the cake part from a mix. Box to pan in three short steps. Totally a time saver.

So when I decided to try a certain recipe for the upcoming cookie exchange and it called for cocoa, I thought I better check the cupboard. I was pretty sure I had some but hadn't used it in awhile.

And by awhile, I guess I mean seven or eight years. Uff da.

Please don't take away my Bake-Queen (baking, haha) crown. It's all I got. Because I definitely was also reminded tonight that I don't know a thing about cooking!

I was at Wal-Mart getting fresh cocoa and a few other ingredients when I noticed one of my high school boys. And by "my" I mean I've taken hundreds of photos of him in Assumption sports over the past few years. I notice he and a friend are carrying around the white laminated sheet that shows what aisle popular items are located in. When he looped around a few times, I thought, "I know Wal-Mart. I'm sure I can help him."

Hey (name deleted to protect the innocent), what are you looking for? "Yams," he said. When I saw  we were in the canned vegetable aisle, I said, "Well I think you have the right aisle." He said that's what the sheet said, too.

While we looked and looked, his buddy said, "Hey, there's the French fried onions!" I turned to nameless boy and asked, "Are you in charge of Thanksgiving dinner shopping? Wow. That's a big responsibility!"

Then I realized it was too big of a responsibility for me, too. "You know (boy), I don't even know what a yam is," I admitted. "But I'll put in a good word to your mom that you were trying really hard to find them."

And yes, hubby and I are hosting Thanksgiving dinner for his family. And yes, you can bet your sweet yam, there won't be yams.

Even if they do come in a box or can or whatever.

Sparkle Jolly Twinkly Jingley

We got our Christmas jingle on today, thanks to Buddy the Elf!

Eight of us from our Girls Night Out group traveled down to the Fireside Dinner Theater in Fort Atkinson (sort of between Madison and Milwaukee) to see Elf the Musical.

We Elfed up with funky leggings and Christmas sweaters! Lots of people did!

I have never been there but it has a great reputation. They have little gift shops there and then a ton of seating for dining.  We had a nice meal. Dessert (cheesecake with frosting and a Christmas cookie on top) was the best part! After dinner in midafternoon,  we headed into the theater for the 5 p.m. show.

The set up was like a theater in the round. Seating on all sides of the stage.

And to change scenes, the inner circle on the stage recessed. Pretty impressive.

But onto the show! Hilarious! If you're a fan of the movie Elf, you'd like it. Funny and entertaining as heck! Very talented performers -- especially Buddy. It's likely sold out for rest of the season, but if you get a chance to see it sometime somewhere, do so.

Then you'll be singing the Sparkle Jolly Twinkly Jingley song in your head, too!

Spread that Christmas spirit!

Land of Enchant-MINT

Once upon a time, a boy and girl met at the racetrack and later, decided to get married. Since hubby has known her parents family forever and ever, we were invited to share in their excite-MINT today.

Why stress mint? Well, it didn't take me long to spy some Andes Mint cupcakes on the wedding cake cupcake tower! I knew it was proper etiquette to wait for dinner first. Then the bride and groom to cut the top tier. Then an official announcement.

But oh, it was worth the wait! Somebody at our table actually got me two of them. Proper weddubg etiquette also notes you should say "thank you" and accept the gift. And eat it!

The reception and dance were at the Hotel Mead in town so not far away. I figured I'd take this handsome guy home with me whether he danced with me or not! And he didn't. But he had a good excuse. It's November.

Most guys don't shave in November. Mr. Austin apparently doesn't dance in November.

And you thought I had an answer for everything! Somehow Prince Charming gets away with it.

I better log off before midnight, though, in case I turn into a pumpkin. As much as I love pumpkin spice, I have plans for tomorrow that involve a heckuva lot more Christmas than autumn! Stay turned for more excite-MINT!

A Trifle Lucky

Oh, what a beautiful morning... said the woman who had the day off and didn't have to drive a half hour through the layer of snow and ice on the roads. Yes, that's me!

Grateful I had a day off and that Mr. Deck Chair is not human or you know he'd be flipping me off right about now. Instead, he's brushed off and tucked away now. A little late. Whoops. I thought we going to get a dusting. Didn't think I'd have to shovel.

I probably didn't. It mostly melted off the driveway but I did the deck. And it has snowed twice since then anyway – once while I was getting my hour massage (yes!) and tonight after dinner. Too soon for this stuff. It's still football season!

For some teams anyway.

In honor of my father-in-law's 81st birthday today, I made a Chocolate Caramel Stratford Tigers Trifle. He went to Stratford and they played tonight – and won – and are heading to state football next week!

It really was a lucky trifle. Iola-Scandinavia also sports orange and black and they are going to state, too, after beating Grantsburg tonight. Small world. I was born in the Grantsburg hospital!

The trifle was also a good omen because it brought the family together. We were missing Casey and Carter tonight, but grandsons Clay and Colin represented. Also out for dinner were Jim's sister and her hubby, and Colin's wife Amy. So nine of enjoying a good meal at the Wildhorse Saloon and a tasty trifle dessert afterward.

In case you wanted some, the bowl is empty. I may have to make it again next week for state, though. Keep the good mojo going! Hopefully the snow will go back to where it came from by then, too.

Bug Bites

Did you ever notice that the word REST is part of the word REST-orative? Today I am grateful for the REST-orative powers of prayers and virtual hugs... and rest.

I got a phone call yesterday afternoon that tugged at this momma's heart strings. My boy was not feeling well. At all. He was achy and yucky and spent the day in bed instead of classes. But he needed him momma. Or at least to talk to her.

It's tough to hear your baby is suffering when he's 163 miles away. Approximately. When hubby said we should make some chicken soup and drive it down to Platteville, I hoped he was serious. He wasn't.

I told Carter what any mom or doctor would: Drink lots of fluids and rest. He did that. And meanwhile, I prayed.

See, I still picture him looking like this. My little snuggle bug.

I also worry (needlessly, maybe) that it could be worse than a 24-hour flu bug. There are so many horror stories of mono, meningitis, and deadly flu strains on campuses. A mom has a right to worry! So I told him if he didn't feel better this morning, to get into health services ASAP.

Thankfully, he did feel better and went back to class. And I can breathe again.

Oh and here's my disclaimer: Don't you dare tell him I wrote about him! He's a big boy and can take care of himself just fine. But it warmed my heart that he reached out to me.

And I want other college moms to know they aren't the only ones riding the Worry Train to nowhere.

Salute the Chair Man

Woke up to a dusting of snow today. Looks good on the leaves and grass, but not so much on this guy...

Today I'm grateful for Mr. Deck Chair. He quite literally has supported me through thick and thin. (I'm sure he prefers thin.) And had always been my chief enabler for procrastinating – especially when it comes to housework or anything involving, well, work.

It's surprising how a little time with Mr. Deck Chair can go a long way. I am not as high maintenance as some may thing. Give me a good cup of coffee and Mr. Deck Chair on a mild summer's morning, and I'm good to go. Give me a good book and Mr. Deck Chair any time of day and I can avoid cleaning like nobody's business.

And a nap with my face to the sun? Pull up a chair!

Based on the forecast for the next little while, I'll probably have to tuck Mr. Deck Chair and his friends away for a few months.

When he comes back out in the spring, though, I know the worst (season, that is) is behind us. I can guarantee I'll be grateful for that, too.

Do you have a go-to spot to unwind? It's a sweet blessing we deserve, isn't it?

My Political Post

Here's my political post...

You might have to zoom in on the cat. While two of us in our household can wear "I voted" stickers, she could sport the "I vomited" one. Even on non-election days.

I did vote early. Went on way to work and there were lines already and people registering, too. Great to see that!

After work I went straight to a nearly two-hour church meeting and now I'm home. The committee in my head has voted that I should sit down and watch a Hallmark Christmas movie instead of blog.

I love democracy in action!