Am…musings

My cousin made this dessert for Thanksgiving. It was so unbelievably yummy and incredibly simple, I knew I had to have the recipe. I whipped it up, along with some homemade whipped cream, for my office holiday party last night and it was a huge hit.

• 4 cups frozen blackberries (I used a berry blend from Costco and I like the blackberries much better. I imagine frozen peaches or cherries would be good too.)
• 1 Tbsp. lemon juice
• 1 large egg
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 4 Tbsp. butter (1/2 stick), melted

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Place frozen blackberries in a lightly greased 8-inch square baking dish and sprinkle with lemon juice (a deep, round casserole dish also works; double the recipe for a 9X13 pan).

Stir egg, sugar and flour in a medium bowl until mixture resembles course meal (I did this in my stand mixer, which was quick and easy.).

Sprinkle mixture over fruit and drizzle with melted butter.

Bake at 375 degrees for 35 minutes or until lightly browned and bubbly (I added 10 minutes or so for the double batch); let stand for 10 minutes.

Serve warm with Cool Whip or whipped cream, if desired.

If you still need holiday gifts (or have family and friends asking for your wish list), try Etsy.com. In addition to the great baby clothes and toddler t-shirts I blogged about earlier, there are tons of options for everyone on your list.

Try the search function if you need to locate something specific … I found a great gift for my dad by searching for “Buick.” Pendantflair is another favorite seller of mine that offers really unique soldered pendants. The jewelry options on Etsy are fantastic … I’ve been spying some great pieces on thepebblecollection. And I made another awesome find, but will post about it after the holidays because I don’t want the gift recipient to see it here first.

Happy shopping!

I walk into the dining room … eyes narrowing, ready to throw accusations with a dagger-like glare. As a child of a mother who could silence any tantrum with “the look,” I believe I’m expert. I know my eyes alone can speak volumes, communicating the frustration I’m feeling toward him.

My eyes are icy, determined slits level in the direction of the dining room table, saying the words I can’t say out loud directly to … my computer, an innocent enabler … and apparently an unwitting victim … of online dating.

This isn’t the first time. On many occasions I’ve expressed disappointment and irritation with the men I’ve met on Match.com via dirty looks leveled at this electronic box. Do you think it’s getting a complex from all the vicious stares? I tend to think it’s on my side … and in this situation would make him give me what I want so we’re all happy (ha!) if it could.

My newest Stray Rescue foster, Tiger Lily, was still under the futon when I woke up this morning, but started purring the minute I got on the floor and lifted the cover. With a little coaxing she came out for some petting, more rolling on her back and even some cuddling.

After work, I took Chewy for another play date and lured her out with the feather toy. She’s jumpy, scrambling toward the office any time I move, but she usually stops short of going under the futon and slowly ventures back out. She even lets me hold her and jumps up on my lap, snuggling up and purring all the while. Poor thing … I think she’s starved for interaction, but is just scared … she was in a kennel at the vet for most of her life.

And here she is …

PS I’m still toying with nicknames. In her comment on yesterday’s post Deborah used T-Lily. It sounds a little rapper-esque, which is fun, but I don’t think it fits the little miss (I’m not sure what she weighs, but if it’s five or six pounds I’d be surprised).

I brought home my newest Stray Rescue foster last night … this time a cutie kitty. I haven’t had a cat since my early college years … five (ok, eighteen!) years ago. I’m so out of practice I had to query my roommate from back then, who has had cats since, on the proper supplies … I would have totally forgotten toys, treats and the so very important litter scoop (thanks Deb!).

When we got home, Tiger Lily (a big name for a very petite 7-month-old Tabby … although she does resemble a tiger) seemed totally laid back and cool, lounging in her kitty carrier as Chewy was being an overeager spazz trying to greet her. I took her into the office, closed the door and expected her to coolly walk out of the crate and casually greet me, aloof cat style. Instead, she darted … and I mean fast … into the closet that was slightly open. I later lured her out with treats and she let me pet her for a bit, but something spooked her and she was quickly under the futon.

I shipped Chewy to the neighbors’ for a playdate with their dog Timmy and I convinced Tiger Lilly (ok, this cat needs a nickname!) to come out of hiding with a nifty bouncy feather toy. She was purring and rolling over for me and even gingerly made her way into the kitchen. Then … here’s where I begin to question my smarts … she grabbed the feather toy that I’d stupidly left on the floor and took it under the futon with her. Now, how was I going to get her out? I had to get on the floor with a broom to get the toy and totally gave up on getting her out again for time being.

So stayed tuned for pics … when I get smart enough and she gets better settled.

P.S. If you know anyone looking for a Christmas kitty, Tiger Lily seems totally cool (despite the name and the darting, which I have no doubt she’ll get over due to her penchant for petting and feather toys).

As happy as it’s making me, I’m so relieved I did it. No … it’s nothing earth shattering or life (or body) altering. I just decorated for Christmas.

I traveled for Thanksgiving and am heading to Pennsylvania on Christmas day to stay a few days with my uncle’s wife’s sister’s cousin’s dog (ok, really, it’s just my uncle’s wife’s sister, but the rest sounded fun). As I was planning the trips, I was a little Grinchy. In all my years living out of town, I’d only traveled on Thanksgiving once (instead we did a friends’ Turkey Day in Florida, which was always fun) and I remembered it being tough to get everything done in time for Christmas. And heck, I wasn’t even going to be here on the day so why bother with the tree and other decs.

However, as a girl who lists decorating as a hobby, and one who really loves all her pretty Christmas things, I just couldn’t stand it. So I started a little early, feeling silly as I played holiday tunes and decked the halls the weekend before Thanksgiving. I did it all except the tree, which I had time to do Sunday because we drove back a day early from Texas (the intent was to do laundry, but that can always wait!).

And it just makes me smile.