Sunday, December 23, 2007

Merry Kick-Me-in-the-Head-Mas!


Bwaaaa Haaaa Haaaaaaaaaa!
This holiday's almost over, and I've experienced almost NO stress--
Wahooooooooooooooo!

www.nataliedee.com

Saturday, December 22, 2007

Bleah, #2:

Sleeeeeeeeeeeepy! I'm sleeeeepy, and I really need to be focusing more on what I need to do to get the hell out of Dodge, twice. It's fairly obvious that I function best when I'm under pressure, so I think I'll just put the packing off until the very last minute, which'll probably work for trip #1, but considering I have to celebrate GOL-DARN CHRISTMAS with the family only moments after we get back from said trip #1 (leaving zero time to do laundry), *and* having a wee bit o surgery the next day (with a lovely sea weed wrap beforehand...so don't pity me), and then leaving for 4 days of (work) camp the following day... when O when will I get time to pack for trip #2? If it weren't for this stinkin holiday that I feel obligated to "celebrate" (as if eating fattening foods and seeing family members in an identical fashion to every holiday or birthday that comes around constitutes "celebration"... how about setting something on fire, a 'la "Burning Man", or blowing something up for a change? What about setting off fireworks, or for the love of mike just singing drunken showtunes... *anything* has to be better than standing around paying homage to the Season 'o the Flabby Ass we're *really* celebrating....) I'd have plenty of time for household unpleasantries.
Anyhoo, I'm sickly and crabby and need another nap.
In the meantime, enjoy this public service announcement:

Ain't that the truth...

Thursday, December 20, 2007

Bleah!

3 Ways My Life Might Just Suck More Than Yours Right Now:

1) We're going to an $$ waterpark for Christmas this weekend, and my period is scheduled to arrive any day now. And I have a cold. Boo.
2) I just found out today that not only am I going to have surgery next week (the day before I head to camp), but a root canal the following week (and have a cavity that needs filling), and am likely due for an MRI and arthroscopic knee procedure. The last 2, of course, could only be scheduled after the first of the year, AFTER I already paid my premiums for 2007. Argh!
3) Both the cat AND the puppy have tapeworms (uh, because the puppy likes to eat "kitty snacks"). I found this out after finding the nasty evidence all over my BED. Ack!

http://www.nataliedee.com/
Ok... pity me if you must.

The Koehler Family Christmas Card:



Santa done brought us them new stairs for the trailer this year. Ain't they nice? An' lookit how big Daisy is gettin! Gracy weren't in the picture 'cause she's workin' a double at the WalMart an' Jacob's doin another run in juvie, but his p.o. sez if he stops settin them fires he'll be out real soon. We're as proud as can be! Marry Christmas, ya'll!

Sunday, December 16, 2007

Things I'd Like To Peruse, Once I Have the Time....

All from Rod Dreher, al la Crunchy Con:

Schools

Time

College

Best Political Ad EVER:

Now, I am by no means a political person; I gave that a whirl waaaaay back in my pre-voting days, and I failed miserably (I even had the misfortune of campaigning for an appalling dink of a candidate whoshallremainnameless...).
But this political ad shows chutzpah, huevos if you will. And it made me laugh, which is just the opposite of the "I'd rather stab myself in the eye than watch more of this crap" sort of sensation I usually feel when I make the mistake of turning on the telly in an election year:



Don't get me wrong, tho. I can't imagine this is enough to convince me to actually VOTE for the guy.... but still, *anybody* but Hillary. That woman frightens me.

Monday, December 3, 2007

I <3 <3 Goodwill!

Look at what $9.99 can buy you at your local Goodwill store:


I am the luckiest girl with the sparkle-tacularist tree in the

WHOLE, WIDE WORLD!
p.s. this is what the animals do when they think no one's looking:

Praline Sweet Potatoes

Ask, and you shall receive (all things in life should be so gratifying!)

4 cups mashed sweet potatoes (if using a canned variety with syrup, make sure to drain them and use less sugar. I use fresh, bake them until squashy, and mash them in the mixer)
1/4 cup white sugar (+ or minus to taste)
2 tablespoons vanilla extract
1 tsp finely chopped ginger (or 1/2 tsp powdered)
1 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp cloves
1/4 tsp nutmeg(all spices to taste)
4 eggs, beaten
1 cup heavy cream (or the milk of your choice)
Topping:1/2 stick (real) butter, cold and cut into 1/2 inch slices
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup chopped pecans
DIRECTIONS
Butter one 2 quart casserole dish. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). In a mixing bowl, combine the sweet potatoes, sugar, vanilla extract, eggs and cream. Blend well, and spread evenly in casserole dish. Prepare the topping by using a pastry cutter or 2 knives to mix the butter, brown sugar and flour into a crumble. Mix in pecans, and sprinkle over sweet potato mixture. Bake for 30 minutes to an hour in the preheated oven (depending on the size of your dish-- mine was small and packed full, so it took longer).

Sunday, December 2, 2007

Sweet Potato Muffins

1 cup flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground ginger
1/2 cup sugar
2 tbs packed light brown sugar
1 egg, beaten
3/4 cup mashed sweet potato (one small)
3 tbs melted butter
1/4 cup milk
2 tbs finely chopped crystallized ginger
2 tbs chopped pecans

Grease 9 muffin tins of a 12 cup tin. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
In large bowl, combine dry ingredients, stir well.
In another bowl, blend egg, sweet potato, butter, and milk. Blend well.
Stir dry ingredients into wet, mixing gently. Stir in ginger and pecans.
Spoon batter into muffin cups. Fill the 3 empty cups half full with water.
Bake muffins 18 minutes or until golden.
Cool muffins in tin on rack 5 minutes. Remove, and cool completely.