My favorite part of Thanksgiving

Was getting the kids together. My kids love their cousins (who live on Long Island). Every day this holiday weekend they woke up eager to play with Sydney and Ethan.

Still prepping

Last night I finished making the Sorbet with Mark.

Then I made the sandwich cookie cake and frosting. (DONE).

Then I made the pie crust for the tart, and the pie crust for the apple pie.

Tonight is filling night - apple pie filling and candied cranberry chocolate filling.

If I have family memebrs lick the bowl, can that count as dinner?

Cranberry Orange Sorbet (Non Dairy)

1 package cranberries
1 cup sugar
1 1/2 c. OJ
1 cup water
pinch of salt.

Cook in sauce pan til cranberries start popping.

Cool.

Blend in blender.

Strain out goop.

Cool overnight.

Put in ice cream maker over night.

Get spoons ready.

Winter Can Come

So, winter can officially come. I went to Target today and bought a Toro Electric Snowthrower. We have owned a house since 1998, and this is our first year with something other than our backs and a shovel. Now, I have to tell you, we have great neighbors. My neighbor, John, has traditionally helped us out, by snowblowing us out during BIG storms. Especially the chunks at the bottom of the driveway that the city plow leaves for us. He also has been kind enough to widen our sidewalk after we go inside. Of course, his payment is baked goods. I have made him chocolate chip cookies, or challah, or cake or multiple things at once. He tells me he doesn't mind snowblowing. I tell him that I would bake 7 days a week, and I hate shoveling. Good deal for both of us!

One year it got out to the other neighbors that I pay for snow blowing in baked goods.

Another reason why we don't have a snow blower is that we don't have a garage. No garage. We can't put a gas powered snow blower in our basement, so thus no snowblower.

We are prepared this year. I really don't like snow.

Things to Do List

My things to do list is growing. For Thanksgiving I need to make the desserts: Candied Cranberry Chocolate Tart, Apple Pie, Chocolate Sandwich Cookie Cake and one more thing. And this has to be prepared no more than two days in advance. So, watch out world on Tuesday night! Baking Stephanie is going to town.

Made appointment for oil change and inspection sticker.

Put together a cabinet that I bought for Mark's room. I want to get rid of the toy box. He is too old for that. And sell it on Craig's List.

Start ordering the few gifts that I need for my neice and nephew.

Get Adam to buy a snow thrower for the winter - we aren't getting any younger. We don't have a garage or shed, so we can't buy a show blower.

Get Naomi's glasses adjusted.

Order the present for my dad.

Upload photos to Snapfish to design 2010 Family Calendar.

Luckily Peapod is delivering most of the food tonight.

Figure out what I am making the Saturday after Thanksgiving for my extended family - who are coming to my house.

Things to do. I hope I have enough time.

I made it!

Cookbook wanted

Has anyone tried this cookbook?

http://www.amazon.com/Roses-Heavenly-Cakes-Rose-Beranbaum/dp/0471781738

I have her other cookbooks, and Adam is the beneficiary of those baked goods.

Please let me know!

-Stephanie

A new toy

Oh how I want this new toy. I have been thinking about since Tuesday, when I first saw it. It looks very, very cool.

http://www.williams-sonoma.com/products/b335/?pkey=cbakeware-new

Maybe on Saturday. I need it!

Monday Night Dinner

I made an AWESOME dinner last night. I mean, this is a top ten dinner. And it was EASY. I had been saving this recipe, and decided to make it this week:

http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Orecchiette-with-Fresh-Mozzarella-Grape-Tomatoes-and-Garlic-Chives-354335

I used shells, since I could not find orecchiette, but it was fabulous. I also used regular balsamic vinegar, but Adam and I just loved this recipe.

Hope you like it as much as I did!

Question

What is your family's favorite dinner?

Sunday Night Dinner

Kugel and glazed carrots. The kids love this dinner. I made butterscotch blondies for dessert. Can't wait to pop one of those in my mouth. Also have a loaf of whole wheat bread in the bread machine. Love Sundays.

Sunday Night

So, Mark went on his first cub scouts camping trip. Yes, camping in New England in November. Crisp and cool. Adam had to go with him (lucky Adam). At first the boys went on a hike, and then started the hot dog fest, complete with smores. The man who was in charge of the chicken stew did not arrive until after dark . . . which meant the stew was ready after Mark went to bed. During the evening I had gotten some texts from Adam - no electricity or running water in the cabin (yuck). So glad it was Adam that went on this trip!!!!

The group woke up today, and took another hike and then went home.

Meanwhile, Naomi and I are enjoyed our girl time, by eating dinner at Johnny's with dessert at Cabots.

Reading

Oh, I love to read. In fact, I have too many books to read and not enough time. For instance, I started to read Julia Child's memoir of her time in France. I am loving the book. But, I also checked out a book from the library, The Zookeeper's Wife, which now has a deadline. (I do have to return it.) I also have an Amy Tan book on the coffee table, along with Drinking Problems at the Fountain of Youth. I just finished Ted Kennedy's autobiography.

Now, I can read while the kids are playing, and doing things. But I used to be able to read til all hours of the night, and be able to function the next day. I have lost that ability. I have to go to bed at a reasonable hour, or I suffer the next morning, the next day and certainly the next evening.

What are you reading? Would you recommend it? Why or Why not?

Mad Men

I can't believe there is only one more episode of Mad Men and then the season is OVER. I love that show!

Election Day is Tomorrow

Have to finalize who I am voting for in the mayor race and all the other races. Too many people to keep track of!