Disgusting

A rant, dedicated to all of the spitters in the world.

Why?  Why do some feel the need to spit?  This is a question I've wondered not infrequently.  I simply do not understand what compels a man (or woman, I suppose) to propel the saliva and/or phlegm from their mouths onto the ground.  In public.  Without regard to the people surrounding them.  It is utterly disgusting. 

I do not see how this is ever acceptable in polite society.  Oh, wait...IT'S NOT.  You see, spitters, there are plenty of us who do not spit.  Your saliva has a purpose as a part of your digestive system.  Swallow it.  And if per chance you are ill, and truly need to spit, for the love of all things good, please go to the restroom.  (But do not get confused here- it is also unacceptable to spit into a sink and then leave it there for the next person to find.)

Last week, I had what was quite possibly the most disgusting experience of my life- and this coming from someone who once had a student vomit on my desk, while I was sitting at it.  I was at the gas station, and as I went to swipe my debit card at the pump, I accidentally dropped it on the ground.  It landed directly into a gooey puddle left by a spitter.  I literally gagged as I picked it up by the corner to clean it off.  UNACCEPTABLE. 

Spitters, you disgust me.

End rant.

Christmas Shopping

It's done.  BAM!

This year, I have taken the pressure off of myself to buy something perfect and expensive for everyone on my list.  Instead, I've looked for something that's perfect and inexpensive. 

Let me let you all in on a little secret...it need not cost tons of money to make someone happy.  (Okay, this is not exactly a secret.  But it's something that I sometimes forget.  So I guess it's more of a something-everybody-knows-but-sometimes-need-reminding-of kinda situation.)

J and I have worked really hard on our finances this year, and Christmas just isn't the time to blow it.  We are not buying gifts for one another, or even for Gabe.  He is too little to notice, and besides that, his grandparents are absolutely certain to spoil him rotten.  My personal gift to him will be allowing him to tear paper to his tiny heart's content.  This makes him happy.

It feels so good to have everyone checked off my list, and to have chosen gifts that I think our loved ones will genuinely enjoy.  I believe I'll go ahead and wrap this weekend, put things under the tree, and call it done!

Ah, Christmas.  I love it.

And now, I will leave you with a morsel of holiday cuteness.

The nugget, with Santa.

30 Days of Thankfulness- The Final Week

Saturday, November 26- Today I am thankful for quiet.  With all of the hustle and bustle of the last few days, it was wonderful to be able to spend a quiet day with the family.  Today was one of those days where we stayed in our jammies a little too long, and didn't do much besides a little swinging at the park and movie watching on the couch.  Bliss.
Sunday, November 27- I am thankful today for Santa Claus, and all of the magic that he brings to the Christmas season.  Today we took the nugget to get his picture taken with Old Saint Nick.  Can you say precious?
Monday, November 28- Today I am thankful for all of my fellow teachers, and the dedication and inspiration they bring to the profession.
Tuesday, November 29- I am thankful this evening for a warm bubble bath and my Kindle.  One of my favorite ways to end a stressful day!
Wednesday, November 30- I started the month being thankful for my hubby, and I am ending the month being thankful for him, too.  He works so hard to provide for our family, and Gabe and I are so lucky to have him.

I truly do have so much to be thankful for.  What a wonderful month it has been.

Book Review: The Hangman's Daughter

macabre [muh-kah-bruh]

adjective

1. gruesome and horrifying; ghastly; horrifying

2. of, pertaining to, dealing with, or representing death, especially its grimmer or uglier aspect.

3. of or suggestive of the allegorical dance of death.

Let me start by saying that the only reason I chose this book is beacuse I'm a sucker for a deal.

I get approximately a million "Deal of the Day" emails each morning.  And one day, Amazon's deal was this Kindle download for 99 cents.  I thought, "Sure, why not?" and bought the deal.

I believe that technically, The Hangman's Daughter could fall into the historical fiction genre.  It takes place in the mid-17th century in Germany.  (This is actually a translated version of the originally German text.)  At this time, executioner was a profession in each town.  The hangman was looked upon as the lowest member of society, as were his kin. 

This particular hangman, Jacob Kuisl, happened to be a very good man, even though he was dismissed by all of society.

The story is a mystery.  A group of orphans is being killed off one by one.  On the back of each dead child is found a "witches mark" (or the circle and cross symbol that we now recognize as "female").  The town midwife was immediately blamed, and the town began to call for her to burn at the stake.

The hangman, believing in her innocence, sets out to discover who the real killer is.  He is aided by his daughter, as well as the town physician, who does not care that the townspeople mock him for his association with the executioner.

All in all, the mystery portion of this book was quite good.  I was very engaged in finding out which of the respected townsmen was actually responsible for setting a man known as "The Devil" on a rampage that involved murder and a treasure hunt. 

The murders, executions, and torture, however, were at times a little hard to stomach.  Macabre is truly the best descriptor of this book that I could come up with.

I will say that for 99 cents, this was a worthwhile purchase.  I will say that overall, I enjoyed this book, as I love a good mystery.  I will also say that this is not a book for the faint of heart. 

A mix of murder mystery, suspense, history, with a touch of romance, The Hangman's Daughter is worthy of 3.75 stars out of 5.

I am nothing if not precise.

Exceptional Eats: Sparkling Cranberry Brie Bites

Holy wow, are these things good.

I made them as my one pre-dinner snack on Thanksgiving.  Since people were drifting in at different times, some coming from one celebration to the next, some arriving utterly starving, I wanted to have a little snack available for those who needed one.

I found this recipe on Pinterest, and when I saw the pin, I knew I had to attempt these.  Aren't they just so pretty?

I'm quite sure the Martha would be totally amazed at my mad skillz if she saw these.

Turns out, they are also delicious.

Neither J nor I had ever actually eaten a fresh cranberry.  So when I brought them home from the store, I was  anxious (and scared!) to try one.  I made J eat one first.  And even though he made a scrunched up, unhappy face and declared that they tasted like something you're not supposed to eat, I tried one as well.  Turns out, he was right.  Fresh cranberries are not good.

But then, following the recipe, I sweetened them up.  And suddenly they tasted magical.

Pairing them up with crackers and Brie made for a delightful little appetizer.  (I also put the leftover sugared cranberries out in a silver bowl, and I seriously couldn't stop eating them.  Like candy, I tell you.)

Try these.  For real.

Sparkling Cranberry Brie Bites
makes about 16

Sugared Cranberries:
2 cups fresh cranberries
1 cup good maple syrup
1 cup granulated sugar

Rinse cranberries and place in a medium bowl.  Heat syrup in small sauce pan just until warm.  Pour over cranberries when syrup is warm, not hot, or cranberries may pop.  Cool, cover, and let soak in the refrigerator overnight.

Drain cranberries in a colander.  Place sugar in a large bowl or baking dish.  Add cranberries in two batches and roll around until lightly coated in sugar.  Place on a baking sheet until dry, about one hour.

16 crackers
8 oz. Brie cheese
cranberry chutney or relish
fresh mint for garnish

Assemble crackers with one slice of Brie, a light layer of cranberry relish, and three or four sugared cranberries.  Garnish with fresh mint.

30 Days of Thankfulness- Week 4

Saturday, November 19-  I am thankful today for a beautiful, healthy, 9-month old baby boy.  I realize that I've already expressed my thankfulness for the nugget, but today, on his nine month birthday, it feels appropriate to say it again.  I am so thankful for my baby, and the gift of motherhood that he brings.
Sunday, November 20- Today I am thankful for my home.  I may complain about this house a little (okay, a lot), but in reality, the house itself is not what's important.  It's the home that you choose to make that counts.  This is what I will try to remember this week as we gather round the table and host friends for the holiday.
Monday, November 21- I am thankful today that this Monday is really my Thursday!  A two day work week means five days straight at home with my boys.
Tuesday, November 22- Today I am thankful for the end of ear drops and antibiotics, and a return to good health!  It appears as though the ear infection that I have not been able to kick for the past two months may have finally disappeared.
Wednesday, November 23- I am thankful today for help around the house.  My wonderful hubby took the day off of work to help me with holiday preparations.  It is nice to work side by side with the one I love, even if it is time spent dusting and vacuuming.
Thursday, November 24- Today I give thanks for all of the wonderful people in our lives.  Spending the holiday with some of our dearest friends makes me appreciate the extended family that they have become.  It was once said that friends are the family we choose for ourselves.  This is truth, indeed.
Friday, November 25- I am thankful today for family time spent together putting up the Christmas tree.  It is something that I look forward to every year, and it is made even more special this year by the fact that we are  starting a tradition with our newest addition.  We are so very lucky to have a third stocking to hang this Christmas!

Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Busy

I like to make lists.  I like to write down things that I need to get done.  It helps me to stay organized and on top of my game.   

And the very best thing about making lists?  I get to cross items off once they've been completed.

There are not many feelings better than that in this wide world.  Of course, all the mushy gushy feelings are wonderful, but crossing items off of my "To Do" list gives me a sense of accomplishment.  I like feeling accomplished.

Folks, I'm working on a mega list these next few days.  There are many things to be done leading up to Turkey Day.  (Have I told you all yet that the crazy everynookandcrannyofhousemustbeclean thing that came over me during pregnancy never went away?  I dusted the vacuum cleaner last week, people.)

There is much cleaning to be done.  There is much food to be prepared.  There is decorating to do, playlists to be created, linens to be laundered, errands to be run, dogs to be trained not to go ape shit crazy when guests arrive (a girl can dream, right?). 

Point?  I'll be one busy lady these next few days.  So forgive me if the blog is lacking.

I love the ole' blog, but alas, it did not make the 'To Do" list for the remainder of the week.