Save its last few coppery leaves, I'm fascinated by the trees' bare limbs ... seemingly performing a macabre dance.
Meanwhile!
I'm feeling ...
super disappointed. There's not a quart of egg nog to be found anywhere. Sure, my thighs will thank me someday, but my taste buds are taking it badly.
I'm tickled ...
by the gizmo my friend sent for Christmas.
A no-contact door opener and stylus for touch screens, too. I'm unsure what all it does, but it's got some weight to it. A weapon, perhaps?
I made a thing!
Honestly, I should be embarrassed to say how easy this corn casserole was to make using the Instant Pot. This isn't my picture (I didn't have any leeks) -- but I gotta say, ours looked just like this. (That never happens!)
Here's the recipe.
I'm going to try making Tom's date nut bread this way tomorrow. If it fails, we can always give it to the squirrels
I'm excited
to get the Christmas present I bought myself.
(Tom and I no longer exchange gifts.)
You've no idea how much I'm dreading January 6 (Epiphany) when we box up the tree. Really. I've never been so besotted by anything like it. In fact, it stays 'on' 24/7 (unless we're both leaving home). The soft glow makes my heart happy.
So! I've been wanting one of these electric fireplaces for a few years now. I thought and thought ... pondered and debated. Then, growing impatient with myself, punched the 'Buy' button.
Finally ...
I may not get around to posting again before January 1, but wanted to wish you all a wonderful - and safe - New Years Eve.
It's a brand-spanking new year ... handle with care!
Hugs,
Myra
Happy New Year Myra.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year to you and Charlie!
DeleteMy little Charlie died in August. Guess you haven't visited me lately! I hope all is well at your house
DeleteOh m'gosh ... of course. I remember your heartbreaking account. So sorry I wrote the wrong name!
DeleteHappy new year to you and Tom!! I love your fireplace! Good for you hitting that buy button! I'm ready to take the tree down and will on Saturday. Your handy gadget is really nifty! I actually love what it does and that it could potentially be used as brass knuckles, too! (wink) Love & hugs, dear friend!!
ReplyDeleteHahaha on the brass knuckles! 💕 you, too.
DeleteI wasn't able to find any eggnog this year either and it's too late now that I've already kickstarted my January challenge. I love the gizmo your friend sent and it definitely look like a fine weapon as well lol. I'm so proud that you made the corn casserole and that it came out well! Let us know how the date nut bread works out. I love the fireplace, glad you got it for yourself. As far as the tree goes, leave it up as long as you'd like. There are no rules for stuff like that and especially while we are still in the middle of the pandemic! Love, hugs and best wishes for the new year!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Martha! Yes, let's pray 2021 is kinder to everyone.
DeleteLove the fireplace heater! That corn casserole is almost exactly the same as the one we have at every holiday meal. I do mine in the oven but have added cheese, chilies, and other things over the years. Never thought of leeks, though...next time! I'll have to give the InstaPot method a try. Happy New Year to you and Tom!
ReplyDeleteGood to know! Hppy New Year, Stacy!
DeleteOhhh yes, since my childhood with the OLD fire places I have loved to watch a fire place. Fireplaces are like waterfalls in a creek just flat soothing.
ReplyDeleteImma betting the corn casserole was GOOD! sometimes these new fangled gadgets are great. We are loving the Air fryer.
Hugs to Brother Tom and to you sweet lady. I do so enjoy the visits to your house. (I loved the way you started this entry! SWEET!)
Sherry & jack in a warming Florida.
Soothing, yes. And certainly less expensive than a psychiatrist. LOL.
DeleteJust a smile!!! ;-)
DeleteI love the cartoon. I saw one asking, "What if 2020 turns out to be the good old days." It doesn't bear thinking about, does it? 😀
ReplyDeleteOh. My. Gosh, nooooo!
DeleteLOL, we had eggnog left over from last year (with alcohol already in it and no expiration date but when we opened it, it was curdling :) Of course we didn't drink it :) How cute with the gizmo from your friend. I can see myself trying to use it and not succeeding and touching everything in sight :) Wow on the corn casserole in the Instant Pot. I have YET to use mine and now it is in a box waiting for me to sell it as after having it for a year and not using it, I don't think it is happening here :) I think I'd be sitting by that electric fireplace myself :) Enjoy!!
ReplyDeleteSon/family leave their Christmas tree on 24/7. I think when I put one up I would leave it on overnight on Christmas Eve to Christmas Morn.
Happy New Year!!!
betty
Oh, you didn't?! I'm recoiling over here at the year-old egg nog. I'm no expert, but think aging only works for fine whiskey or wine. At least I hope y'all had a good laugh?
DeleteHA! I drove to town yesterday and bought more eggnog!! It's strange that they're out of toilet paper and low on milk....but the eggnog was there.
ReplyDeleteThe no-contact door opener baffles me completely, but if it has weight you can probably ward off muggers with it.
I've considered an electric fireplace. They're a lot easier to maintain than a real one.
The corn casserole looks like it would be good on New Year's Eve. Whatever your plans are for new years, I hope you have a pleasant celebration!
Lucky duck! Now I may run back to the store to check the dairy aisle. No plans for New Years, but sure appreciate your thoughts.
DeleteThe corn casserole looks tasty. Goes well with eggnog.
ReplyDeleteWishing you a splendid new year with good health and happiness always.
God bless.
Thank you so much, Victor! Wishing you and your loved ones the same..... and will begin by raising a glass to you at 6:01 our time tomorrow night.
DeleteI am rolling on the floor at the opening the door to 2021.. i love corn casserole, but have never seen one like this, only in a pie dish.. looks delish. now i will waste time researching how to open a door with that gadget with no contact. i know how to use a stylus though, hope i can find one so i can figure out how to use it... I love the fire place and have wanted one, but here in FL we have no need for heat. i love looking at it. what you are feeling about the tree is my nook. it comes on when i get out of bed and off at bedtime. the lights make me feel good... even when i put away the tree and christmas, i still have the lights... i have looked for something to sit on the side table by my rocker that glows, but the things i find are beyond my purse strings.
ReplyDeleteThe fireplace would still be languishing on my wish list -- if I didn't discover it works with and WITHOUT heat. I'm a real miser when it comes to wasting electricity.
DeleteI love your new fireplace and I know you will enjoy it. I assume you can also watch the flames w/o the heat turned on? That is how ours is, and we turn it on first thing in the morning and leave it on most of the day or in the evening when it is dark. We rarely use the heat part because it causes our thermostat for the house heat to not come on and then the rest of the house gets cold, but on really chilly mornings I do turn on the heat part for a while and stand in front of it until I get warm. LOL. You will love it. That gadget looks wicked! LOL. Might be a bit heavy to carry around, but it could be a good weapon. I am praying that 2021 will totally opposite of 2020 in a very good and positive way!! Happy New Year. Sorry about the eggnog. I never got any either, but then again, I don't really like it that much. My mother used to make it. Maybe you should look up the recipe and make some!!
ReplyDeleteYes, this has a 'no heat's function, too. Yeay! I think it should be here by Jan 5 so will probably write a P.S. I considered looking for a recipe to make the egg nog, but Tom's not so fond of it.
DeleteI'm dreading taking down the Christmas decorations, too, Myra. They've truly floated my boat during this season, and I'll hate not seeing the twinkling lights. Your new fireplace is so cool! We have gas logs in ours, but rarely put them on. The last time we used them is when our furnace went on the blink two years ago. Needless to say, we got that replaced pronto!
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year!
So glad to hear you, too, take comfort from the lights. Simple pleasures! Happy New Year to you and Danny!
DeleteOh my, I love that cartoon at the end of your post. I've never had an insta pot but it looks like you've had a lot of success with one. I did get an air fryer/toaster oven/microwave for Christmas and I'm anxious to try that out. Sooner or later I'll catch up on new appliances. Happy New Year to you too! We're all looking forward to it.
ReplyDeleteI've heard of those multi-function appliances but have never seen one. I hope you'll share your own success stories with us. Great gift ...you deserve it!
DeleteNo Insta Pot here, but that looks good, smiles. No fireplace or electric one here, hubby is looking at one...but we are running out of spots here for anything...I told him we have to move, HAVE TO MOVE. ANYWAYS---it is what it is at the moment.
ReplyDeleteWishing you both a very happy New Year, friend. smiles
Thank you, dear friend! Same to you 3!
DeleteThat corn casserole looks delicious and I love the fireplace. We've talked about having one too, but not sure where we'd put it. I need to think some more, surely I can rearrange something to put one in. Enjoy
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year!
Do let us know if you get one, Cathy!
DeleteMay 2021 be the best it can be for you & your loved ones! (Egg nog is a must for us too)
ReplyDeleteEnjoy that fireplace (DOES it work ad a space heater also?)
Yes, it supposedly has differing heat levels. It's still sitting in the box, delivered this morning ... but I've got faith. :)
DeleteHappy New Year!
Myra, I don't know what your little gadget it but I want one! I don't know why but I do! LoL I've never thought about using the instant pot for casseroles. Wishing you a very happy New Year and may we all make the best of it!
ReplyDeleteGrace & Peace,
Pam
Thank you, Pam! And the best to you and your loved ones! BTW, Amazon has those 'gadgets' for less than $10.
DeleteHoping your New Year is beautiful and blessed! I do not wish to take my trees down. The kids put their up tonight. rebekah refused to let Zach induldge in our Green CHili and CHicken and CHeese casserole before he finished the tree. She is so mean some days hahaha. Boy was he happy to eat that casserole. They made us Cheese fondue last night. We have so much fun at dinner. Nick's tree in his little office has to come down (NONONO) since his work table arrived. Whaaaaa.......But as I start to remove my ornaments on the big tree, I will cry. The memories in each ornament. All the lights and you are right, the soft glow. We leave our trees on all day too. It is sad. I may leave my table top tiny tree up and decorate with tiny hearts for Valentines Day and than St. Paddy's you get the idea. I am very sad thinking about it all. LOVE YA
ReplyDelete