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Sunday, December 29, 2013

This and That










  1. The last few sweets to nibble on.  Some went in the freezer for a cook's lazy day dessert. :)
  2. The last few days of a glowing tree. I loved the smaller tree in the urn this year.  Nice and skinny... we didn't have to move furniture, the room didn't feel crowded....and it was still plenty festive.  It isn't flocked with snow, like I was first looking for, but it's covered in shimmery 'ice', which I like just as much....maybe more!
  3. The last few checks inside the stockings.  Yes, Spencer still checks daily!  I was especially happy to hang 7 instead of 6 this year, and fill it will girlie stuff! ha.
  4. Baked French Toast made with King's Hawaiian Rolls, stuffed with cream cheese and blackberries.  Yum.
  5. Remember my Springerle rolling pin from the auctions?  It made great shortbread cookies!
  6. My shy little Domino has really come around in the last few weeks, even laying on my desk while I sit and putter on my laptop. It's only been 3 years!  Some feral cats are just hard to domesticate!  And he's incredibly shy. :)
  7. And, of course, the bird watching never gets old!  Can you see his eye?  I think he's still looking at me! ha.


55 comments:

  1. You sure do have a great style.
    It really shows in your pictures and the way to take them.
    Can't wait to see what is coming your way in the New Year!
    Cheers!!!

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    1. I feel like we had all the exciting stuff this year...4 graduations, new school, wedding....what could there possibly be in 2014? ha....maybe it will be one of those quiet years...and that's wonderful, too!

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    2. Yes, you had a BIG, HUGE, year.
      Quiet would be nice. So, revamping my statement.
      Here's to a quiet year.
      Cheers!!!

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    3. haha...well, surprises are always welcome..that is, unless it's something incredibly wild. haha. I can think of a few things I would NOT want to happen. lol...

      Yes, a quiet year would be my choice for sure!

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  2. Domino looks just like our Dubs! It's good that he is feeling more comfortable around you.
    I really like your tree...it is so sparkly!

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    1. Doesn't he? And he looks like Martha's Oreo! ha.

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  3. I typed a comment....and poof..it disappeared. So I'll try again. Love the shortbread cookies. What a find at the auction. The colors of your stockings is so pretty. And how fun to get a "girly" one this year. Does the Mister fill yours??? Your shy Domino is so adorable. And I do love your tree. Did it come with lights. I need to get a new tree for next year. I really did miss not having one this year. Last, but not least...how do you fix the Hawaiian French toast? That looks so yummy.

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    1. Yes, it certainly was fun to do a girlie stocking. Yes, the mr. fills my stocking...he's improved over the years from it being empty to stuffing one thing in it, to now a few things. Still not like I would imagine santa doing it, but hey..he's trying anyway. lol....

      The french toast...I sliced the rolls, spread the cream cheese and berries in the middle and put the tops back on. Then whisked milk, eggs, vanilla and poured over...covered with foil and let soak in the frig overnight. Then bake...I think it was about 30 minutes at 350...had to lay a piece of foil over the top as they were getting too brown for another 10-15 minutes until it wasn't jiggly in the center. It was one of those experiments that turned out pretty good, but nothing written down for certain. ha. ...kinda like the soup I made for dinner tonight. Dusted with powdered sugar. I served with syrup, but they really didn't need any.

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    2. Ok, now I understand...it was baked... I was trying to imagine cooking it like regular French toast on a griddle. Well I must try it. Nice that you can make it the day before.

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    3. If you don't want to make it the night before, you can let it sit on the counter and soak for 30 minutes.

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  4. Hey, what a productive time you had this Christmas. Very refined. I see from piccie #1 the owls are back (must be homing owls LOL) I would have thought they would have been gobbled up along with their companions. Piccie #2 - lovely room Betsy, I like the tree and yes I noticed 7 stockings and I calculated 5men + you = 6, which means the other one was for your daughter in law, right? piccie #3 confirms 7 stockings and, well #4 and #5 absolutely yummy. The cat looks drunk! Did you give it some "Pawt" (port) ROFL. What a colourful bird.

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    1. Refined. I like that! :)

      Homing owls...OK...I really did laugh out loud at that one. :)

      Pawt? haha...Oh that does sound British, indeed. I'm going to get a strange look if I say that too loudly here alone at my desk. lol......

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    2. When you say Soencer checks the stockings regularly - is he the most inquisitive of the three boys?

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    3. Yes, he is. Very much so. And he was ready for Christmas the day we put up the tree, checking for presents and things in the stockings for weeks!

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    4. Strange how they vary from person to person with their own different personalities even though they are triplets - fascinating.

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    5. Yeah, it really is! They are similar in a lot of ways, and yet very different. Spencer has always been the leader..quite stubborn and bossy with his brothers. ha. He keeps us on our toes, that's for sure. :)

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  5. Lovely Betsy...
    We have had wee Miss V here for 2 days....her mom has pnuemonia. :o(
    Took a drive to the cottage yesterday morning....it was so peaceful there....
    Your tree is adorable....just perfect!
    Hopefully a post tomorrow...
    Enjoy your evening...
    Cheers!
    Linda:o)

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    1. Aw...poor daughter. I've had that...no fun at all! Glad you're close enough to take Vivian!
      It's been a lazy, wonderful day here. We plan on repeating tomorrow! haha.

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  6. I like your tree :) and the shortbread cookies look like fun! and you're right the bird watching never gets old. Today I saw two eagles above our place. One mature and one young one. And a beautiful red tailed hawk against an amazing blue blue sky! Definitely a highlight! And the bluebirds were here two!

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    1. Eagles...oh, that's cool. I've only seen one in our area before. I do think we have a hawk, though, and a big thud against my kitchen window today means he was really hunting for a bird to eat. I don't think he got one, but I've heard that thud before. They are good hunters! I told the cats to beware! yikes!

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    2. Ha just noticed that I wrote the bluebirds were here 'two' gah! That drives me crazy when the Too's and there's are misused! Lol
      Hope that hawk does his fine dining elsewhere!

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    3. haha...oh, your fingers were just working faster than your brain. :)

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  7. Now you've done it.... I'm hungry again. :-)

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    1. haha...well, have a cookie...and a big of french toast. :)

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  8. Not taking up much room is a perk
    domino finally comes around to disturb your work
    As you get eyed by the bird
    Maybe the vacuum made Domino forget the shy word

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    1. Yep, nice and neat
      is an OCD relief!
      Smokey let me hold him, too.
      Which is a first at my zoo.
      Maybe the two got together
      and decided in this cold weather
      to get a little closer to me
      instead of doing the shudder and flee.
      haha,

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    2. haha they are coming around
      Could be the cold ground

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  9. hi Betsy, your home is just beautiful. I enjoyed your photos.
    my mom has 2 of those rolling pins but I don't remember either of us ever making cookies with them. Hers sit in a pretty basket on display on top of her fridge. Since shortbread is one of our favorite cookies, I think I need to get them from her. I will certainly share the cookies with her.
    I sent most all our leftover cookies and sweets home with my parents and a tray to husbands work- but it sure was fun eating all the sweets we wanted for a few days.

    Happy new year to you, in case I don't get back before then.

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    1. If you made the shortbread cookies, be sure to post a photo! They are so easy....just keep the dough at least 1/2" thick and use a pizza wheel to cut out the squares!

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  10. ha. the cat pic made me jump a bit...lol...what a stare....smiles.
    mmm the raspberry crumble looks good...

    my you have a lot of stockings...smiles.

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    1. I sure do....any more and we'll need a bigger mantel! haha.

      How's Pittsburg?? :)

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  11. Beautiful home and I love the tree! Even more than a flocked one. I bet it looks amazing in the dark.

    Wow, that's a lot of stockings for Santa to stuff - he must have been at your place for a good, long while. Hope you left him some of those pretty shortbreads!

    The detail on the blue jay is absolutely amazing... and yes, he is definitely giving you the "back-eye." Either that or he is noticing Domino right above him.

    Awwwwww, so nice that Domino is coming 'round. I know what Brian means... it made me start a little too. :-) Looks like he is saying, "Hey, I am just getting used to this and now you are taking my picture?" lol

    Always love your posts, but I think the This and That are my favourites... happy Sunday.

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    1. That jay has got to be a mother, with eyes in the back of her head! lol....

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  12. Hi Betsy .. stunning photos - just love looking at them .. the rolling pin shortbread biscuits are a wonder to behold - such a great 'purchase' at the auction ... and then Domino - so pleased he's feeling more comfortable ..

    Happy times - cheers Hilary

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    1. Thanks, Hilary...I'm so glad I got that rolling pin...loved the cookies...and so easy, too!

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  13. Such a lovely post. Your tree is gorgeous!! What a great idea. No doubt the new *girlie* in your family was blessed to have her stocking full of fun. The shortbread cookies are unbelievable...hard to imagine they were so simple to make. Happy new year to you and yours.I am hoping this is the year we get to meet face to face. :-) XO

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    1. It will be exciting to see what 2014 has in store for all of us! :)

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  14. Everything looks beautiful, but it's too neat and tidy. ;)
    Then again, I suppose since we just had our Christmas last night, my house can hardly be expected to be anything but wild and crazy.
    Some cats, like our orange one, stay shy and aloof all their lives. She was born in our house, is 14 years old, and still hides when she feels scared. She isn't much on company, especially if they're children.

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    1. PS. I need to learn how to use my pretty wooden cookie mold too.

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    2. I do have a little OCD for the neat and tidy...haha...but our living room usually stays pretty neat.

      I have a few cats that will probably always be that way. The mama to two of the litters, Velvet, is like that. She comes in to eat and she's graduated to sleeping on a chair or sofa if nobody is in the room, but I can't get closer than 3 feet to her or she'll scat. ha. I'd love to get some flea control on her and give her a friendly pet, but that isn't going to happen yet. lol....

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  15. All just beautiful in every way Betsy. Love that Spencer is still checking the stockings in hope - and that you had 7 to hang. How lovely for you. Your springerlie cookies look great too. I was never sure how well those rolling pins would work, but obviously really really well!! Hope that you had a truly wonderful and magical Christmas, especially with your three special guys enjoying it more. Hope that 2014 brings only wonderful things for you all. xx

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    1. We did have a lovely Christmas.....hope you did as well! It's been especially nice to be at home and relax together before the busyness starts up again!

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  16. I enjoyed the glimpses into your beautiful Christmas home! Your photos radiate so much warmth and cosiness!
    Did you make these extremely pretty stocking yourself! I love the pastel colours!
    And your 'Springerle' look perfect! You probably know, that these cookies have an origin in the Southern part of Germany, where I live. Traditionally they are still only baked for important occasions like Christmas or Easter. In some regions they were also baked for weddings and were decorated with symbols of fertility.
    Your sparkling Christmas tree is so pretty , too. And would you imagine that this year for the first time I put mine in an urn, too?!
    Enjoy the last few days of 2013!
    Christel

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    1. I didn't know much about springerle until I started looking online for a recipe! I found some lovely websites and learned so much!

      You put your tree in an urn, too? Great minds! ha. :)

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  17. Not to be forgotten: the shot of pink-nosed Domino is very touching. He looks so vulnerable and pretty. And the beauty of the graceful blue bird! (which reminds me of one of my favourite pas-de-deux from The Sleeping Beauty).
    Christel once more, with little Rosie 'dancing' on my desk to remind me it is time to go to bed

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    1. well, tell Rosie goodnight for me! :) Sweet dreams!

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