Sundays With Ingrid
Every fall before the weather got too cold, the whole school ran the Turkey Trot, a two-mile course across the back fields, up the hill to the filtration plant, around Schoolhouse Pond where the town’s water supply came from, and back. The Turkey Trot was supposed to be a race, but years ago—no one knew when, but long before Ingrid or Ty got to Ferrand Middle—it had become uncool to win or even to try very hard. The gym teachers were always psyched about the Turkey Trot, sprinting back and forth among the kids, hopping up and down, yelling, “Pick it up, pick it up,” and “C’mon—you’re way faster than that.” But the kids, even the fast ones like Ingrid, just loped along. To actually win and get handed the brass turkey trophy up on the auditorium stage was uncoolest of all. No surprise that Brucie Berman—one leg doing a funny sideways thing with every stride—was in the lead.
Near the back, Ingrid and Stacy trotted side by side. A cold, windy day, but way better than being inside the building, even kind of nice. Dead leaves crunched underfoot, and the sun, more silver than gold, shone between the bare tree branches.
“Hear you’re doing a scene with Chloe Ferrand,” Stacy said.
“Uh-huh,” Ingrid said. “Got any more gum?”
Stacy handed her a stick. “What’s that like?” she said. “Doing a scene with Chloe.”
“Heaven,” Ingrid said.
Stacy snapped her gum. “My dad’s doing some work over at their house,” she said. “Did you know they’ve got an indoor pool?”
“Yeah.”
“Been in it?”
“No.”
“Mrs. Ferrand swims a mile every morning. Nude.”
“Your dad saw that?”
Stacy shook her head. “That’s what my mom asked, first thing.” Ingrid could imagine that scene. Stacy’s mom had a temper and was built like a truck. “He’s supposed to be installing this chandelier over the pool,” Stacy said. “It comes from France or something, costs like the earth. Mrs. Ferrand told him not to come before nine because that’s when she does the nudie thing.”
They ran in silence for a minute or so.
“Money doesn’t buy happiness,” Stacy said.
“Please God let me test that out for myself,” Ingrid said.
Tags: Echo Falls Series
This entry was posted on Sunday, November 21st, 2010 at 7:42 am and is filed under Chet The Dog. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.
3:03 am on November 21st, 2010
Good morning, Everybody.
Rio – tell your friend we think of her daily because we read the blog daily and you're posting daily. We know she's had a very difficult year and the first holidays after losing someone take courage to get through. Asking that she be given courage, whatever that looks like to her. The Plunderers are behind you.
Have a good week, Everybody, especially you, Chet.
3:54 am on November 21st, 2010
Hear, Hear, BlueCat.
Riö: When my brother-in-law died it five years last October, it was very difficult for my sister and her kids to deal with the Holidays just after that. He took such joy in family especially during this time of year. Funny hats, funny noses, very bad jokes. It was hard to pull themselves out of bed and be there for everyone else.
They now have Christmas traditions to carry on in his name. They go to a special Holiday concert or play and they give to a place in Africa. Last year they gave money for a well to be built in a town.
These mean a lot to them, because they do it to remember him.
May your family's grieving have as much joy as sadness.
3:54 am on November 21st, 2010
Also: I want to be Ingrid when I grow up. I know I keep saying this, but that does not make it any less true.
3:59 am on November 21st, 2010
Good morning Chet, Ingrid and everyone.
Melanie: As I've said, you already are Ingrid.
4:29 am on November 21st, 2010
Siber-H: I'm glad your dad is closer. I hope your mom stops fainting. Though I have not thought of that as a path to getting what you want.
About the leaves. Leaves on dogs with beautiful long coats happen. We have leaf season, then comes small stone season (they freeze just enough to get stuck to the Pack's paws. Then comes the snow season. The Pack gets snow on their feathers and then like a snow ball, they get larger and larger, until the Pack comes in and then everything melts. Then comes mud season. . . dust season and so on.
Good morning B.Stover. I hope you are feeling better.
4:58 am on November 21st, 2010
I love the story of SH sleeping in holes filled with leaves and then bringing the leaves indoors.
Rio: I didn't know that Of Mice and Men was on last night. The story is too sad for me. (There had to be a better solution.) My favorite Steinbeck novels are Cannery Row and Sweet Thursday.
The Sunday Morning show is all about food and drink today. They just did "tea time" that was interesting.
Thanks Melanie. I do feel better.
5:21 am on November 21st, 2010
Siber-H – Is that a natural instinct for a Husky to dig a hole to sleep in? I'm thinking about what dogs do to keep warm in the frozen North.
6:22 am on November 21st, 2010
Good morning everyone.
Dawson was up early this morning making fruitcake. The smell is all over the house and it smells 'delish'. I just had one of her date nut cookies to tide me over till lunch. They are wonderful too. She stuffs a pecan half in a date and surrounds it with spicy dough and bakes it. They are very lumpy and yummy.
I make boring things like meatloaf and egg bake. We all have our niche. I wonder what A Catty will be making. Both her and Dawson cooked in restaurants at one time in their lives. I just ate in restaurants.
I saw Abbie the Kitty on the friends of Chet this morning. I was going to email Admin and ask if they were boycotting cats on there. It seems not.
********
CHET- I have a request. Could you get Mike to put the title of the Friends of Chet and the click here>> up above the pictures? The words always seem to cover up nice parts of the dogs. And then we could read it better because now the black type disappears into the picture sometimes. THANK YOU
********
6:24 am on November 21st, 2010
Glue!…. Guess who has been up gluing tiny pieces of paper together for hours now?…snort!… I can’t wait to see what it looks like but she won’t let me….sniff!…One good snuffle and the whole deal is blown, so I can’t get anywhere near her paper…grunt!…It’s like she is possessed or something. The poinsettias have to be done by Thanksgiving for some reason…sniff!…All I want done on Thanksgiving is the turkey and gravy….woooo!
BluKat! Melanie!…and all you other guys. I take great comfort knowing you are out here for me when I need cheering up…sniffle!…So thanks for all your kind thoughts and words…sneeze!
6:27 am on November 21st, 2010
Staff!….Where’s the Librarian been?….grunt!
6:44 am on November 21st, 2010
Rio: I think your friend's creations will be wonderful so try not to snuffle around them. Also I remembered your comment about The Event (I think): The end of the last episode. The guy (I've forgotten the actor's name) looks in the mirror and becomes young again for an instant. I have no idea where this series is going but it is very good.
Staff: I'd love the receipe for Dawson's pecan date cookies.
6:46 am on November 21st, 2010
Stover!… Here is what she is working on….snort!….She took a picture so I could see too…heh!… I think she ran out of black paper and decided to call it quits for a while…snuff!
[img ]http://chetthedog.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/1290357969-partialPonsettias.jpg[/img]
6:47 am on November 21st, 2010
I forgot how to spell recipe. I blame it on the fact that I'm having espresso with foamy richness since I can drink coffee again (finished with the antibiotics).
6:49 am on November 21st, 2010
Rio: Wow! That is absolutely beautiful. Right now it looks cosmic. It seems very complex and I can't picture the final product. I want a picture of it when it's done…but no pressure!
6:51 am on November 21st, 2010
Stover!… Here is a photo of the first project. It was incredibly simple compared to the poinsettia project…grunt!…We are going to give this to Grandma today…snuffle!
[img ]http://chetthedog.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/1290358262-1st_project.jpg[/img]
6:53 am on November 21st, 2010
According to her agenda today the Librarian is on her way to Minneapolis from Montana. Her sailor hubby is with her and since he is home she has probably been too busy to post.
Hope they are careful in the winter weather out there.
Mr Husky (Glad your Dad is doing better) and others who are interested, Use this link and type in Fargo, ND and see the weather forecast they are traveling through.
http://www.weather.gov/
6:56 am on November 21st, 2010
Rio!!! I LOVE your friends quilling. Her first project is wonderful. I don't know why it took her so long to make it. I bet Grandma will love it.
7:06 am on November 21st, 2010
Staff!…She practiced on a lot of other objects before she made this card last weekend…grunt!
7:09 am on November 21st, 2010
Rio – Grandma will LOVE her gift. And to think it was your friend's first project. Mom clicked on the poinsettia picture so she could get right up close. It is very intricate. No snuffles or sneezes please.
7:11 am on November 21st, 2010
I don't know why people come to visit when they're sick. Our guest has now made Mom sick, so instead of the nice walk, we're going to bed.
7:14 am on November 21st, 2010
Staff: Zoë says "Ask Staff for the recipe for egg bake." So I am. Also, if you put up Dawson's cookie recipe it would be appreciated. I'll see if I can do it non-gluten.
I have finally picked the Thanksgiving Horror story for Wednesday. I know Riö will join in. I hope others will too.
I decided NOT to do the year that Ellie stole the turkey carcass, it wasn't really horrible, we just laughed a lot.
7:15 am on November 21st, 2010
Also Riö, I showed Zoë the quilled card. We both agree it is beautiful. I can see why your friend might have gotten a tad put out when you licked her first attempt.
7:17 am on November 21st, 2010
MollyPop, I'm so sorry your friend is sick. Have her drink out of your water dish and fix some good kibble for her. She'll be out of bed in no time. snicker!
7:37 am on November 21st, 2010
Rio: That is breath-takingly beautiful! So clean and simple (but still looks complex to make). Lucky Grandma will enjoy it.
7:38 am on November 21st, 2010
Melanie – Yeah! Let Mom eat that kibble and see how she likes it.
7:43 am on November 21st, 2010
Pecan Date Drops by Dawson
makes 39
39 dates, pitted and stuffed with
39 pecan halves
Batter:
1/4 Cup butter
3/4 Cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/2 Cup sour cream (but Dawson uses plain yogurt by 3 Greek Gods instead)
1 egg
1/2 tsp. vanilla
1-1/4 Cup flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
Cream butter, then add sugar, then add the yogurt. She says after she gets the sugar and butter creamed she just throws in all the rest of the stuff. She says the batter "looks weird and is kind of sticky". She also says you don't have to completely cover the dates with batter because if you do you will run out of batter.
She bakes it at 350 approx 10 minutes. You don't want them really dark. As soon as the edges look golden brown they are done. Peek after 8 minutes.
She now says these are way too many instructions.
I will make her give you more instructions if you need them.
(laughing here)
Staff, who just had another one. YUM-OH
7:45 am on November 21st, 2010
We are now going out to the Paperback Exchange. Yippee.
BBL
8:00 am on November 21st, 2010
Staff, Dawson: How do you cover the dates with the batter….roll the dates in the batter?
8:17 am on November 21st, 2010
Good morning everyone! Wolfie here. Mom's computer was sick with a virus that dad healed so now I can finally post again.
Am happy to report that my Boys have been doing great!! Guess maybe tough love works after all. We'll see how long this lasts. Hopefully until after Christmas, otherwise they are getting nothing but coal. Snicker.
My long and pointy nose is a little bent out of shape because Dad brought home a Gus puppy from the grocery store last night.
We will post a photo because he is some sort of mystery dog. He is very cute but I am cuter. Don't know why everyone is going all "Awe….." though.
Cyber H- I'm glad your dad is better. That sounded really scary!
Rio – tell your friend that the quilling is lovely. I'm not goint to show mom because she would want to do it too, and she spends too much time in her sewing room already.
Lexi – we love you too! Can we see your photo?
Bee – I'm glad you're feeling better!
Spence – congrats on a fabulous review!!!
Staff – the cookies sound delish!
LizF – I'm glad you didn't let Rio scare you away. He really is a pussy cat. He just gets a little grumpy sometimes.
All this talk about cookies makes mom want to go bake. I have to go help her in case something gets dropped on the floor.
Melanie – have you ever looked at the King Arther Flour website? The have all kinds of gluten free stuff. It all sounds yummy!
And OH! I think Barb gets to come home today!! Yippee for her and Magpie!!!
8:23 am on November 21st, 2010
Wolfie: Good to hear from you. What is a Gus puppy?
Yes, Barb and Maggie get home today!
Mollypop: Here is my recommendations for your mom: Take a zinc tablet but not on an empty stomach and then drink strong tea with honey and lemon in it. Get better.
9:03 am on November 21st, 2010
Had to shovel the long driveway twice yesterday–it had snowed several inches Friday night. Just as I was finishing the first time it suddenly started snowing again so thick it felt like I was in a snow globe. It is too expensive to plow so I have to keep on top of it. Also had to start shoveling paths for dogs in back of the house. At least it provides good insulation for houses and septic lines. And it is to snow four days straight next week.
Rio–I have all kinds of crafts but never get far with them. Some of the problem resides with two cats who even in their old age are intent on playing with anything that moves. Cats and their curiosity….
9:15 am on November 21st, 2010
Grump!… We were kidnapped and taken away before we were ready to go!….snort!..Her mother came and tooks us to see Grandma. She really liked the card. On this inside my friend added three sunflowers in pots that she had made when she first started this quilling stuff….sniff!…It looked good enough to eat!…heh!
Leaving!…Now we are back home, but we have to leave to fill the car up with gas and stop at the drugstore…wheeze!…I’m ready for my afternoon nap but theres no way I’m missing out on another car ride….yeep! yeep!yeep!…All the way there and all the way back again…heh!
9:41 am on November 21st, 2010
Pumpkin pies are done. We are heading to sisters' house to celebrate our Thanksgiving today. BIL works at a big box busy place and always works on Thanksgiving Thurday nights and the day after. Phone has been buzzing all morning because sis lost power and wasn't sure what to do with a half-cooked turkey. My mom, who is VERY smart, told sis to leave it in the oven and drink a glass of wine and wait for the power to come back on. Yet another phone buzz to report power is back on and it is time to go. I am very busy watching the NASCAR race and I don't want to go anywhere until the race is sorted and the champion decided. But…that turkey is sounding very good, and is my first priority! Here we come turkey!
9:43 am on November 21st, 2010
C.Hariss: Burr! That is a very large snow globe you are living in!
9:44 am on November 21st, 2010
"Hariss" the weird Melanie way of spelling "Harris"
9:45 am on November 21st, 2010
Jasper: Laughing here! Love your Mom's idea of how to cook turkey. She should put that on her resume!
10:03 am on November 21st, 2010
Jasper: The pumpkin pie should go on the resume also.
C.Harris: I worry about all of that shoveling.
10:25 am on November 21st, 2010
Grandpa has gone to visit some other relatives for Thanksgiving, so I am somewhat tummies-deprived right now (dad is okay but not nearly as devoted). Mom is baking bread and finishing up the final projects for her quilt guild's quilt show, which will be on December 3-4. The bread smells yummy; she has really gotten the hang of it especially since she got the new Kitchen Aid mixer with the larger bowl and special bread hook.
WIth my double fur coat and flowing feathers, I do have a tendency to bring leaves in with me as well after coming in from outside. My mom and dad refer to it as my camouflage look.
Mom and dad spent some time earlier today stringing Christmas lights outside in front of our house. We are trying something different this year (for some reason our inventory of lights has been reduced) which is stringing them through some oak leaf hydrangeas we have in front. It will either look really neat or else it may at least provide some landing guidance for any alien space ships circling the neighborhood. It's kind of hard to tell in daylight but we will have a better sense tonight.
Rio. I think your friend's flower was incredibly beautiful. To be honest with you, I did not even fully realize what quilling was about until I saw it (although I am sure my mom did). I can hardly wait to see the poinsettias when they are done. Also, my mom says to remind her that it is only 8 letters in the alphabet to get from quilling to quilting, so when she feels that she has mastered quilling, there will still be time to move onto quilting after that as well (this is important for you as well because quilting ladies always show up at your house with food). Also, it is VERY, VERY IMPORTANT for you to be especially nice and considerate to your friend this holiday season. It may be tough for her in many ways, but your love and support will help her get through it much better. Wookie
10:43 am on November 21st, 2010
Good afternoon everybody.
Spence~don't spoil this for me. 🙂
DDoB:
🙂 🙁 😛 😐 😀
Tailwags and licks,
Lexi. 😐
10:49 am on November 21st, 2010
Forgot to say: Halfway through 'The Tutor.' Chilling!
Oh, and did I mention Maggie? Big, golden retriever/yellow lab/ something else? Maybe chow-chow? But, whatever. The thing is, her human, Walter, is going away for the whole day on Thursday, and we have to take care of her. The whole day! So she's basically sleeping over here. But, she's mean to me and doesn't even acknowledge little me down there. And she eats all of my food like she's never been fed! And she steals my mommy away from me, getting belly rubs by her! Gah! Help!
10:53 am on November 21st, 2010
Back!….Again!…snort!… She is dumbfounded because somehow a poinsettia petal has disappeared. It was the last one she needed to finish the third flower…heh!…I hope she doesn’t look under my baseball toys…yeep!…That petal came apart so quick but it tasted bad so I spit it out and hid it but good…wheeze! …uh oh, here she comes. She has to start all over on that last petal and she is not happy about it…snuffle!
11:49 am on November 21st, 2010
Melanie! She's thrice my size, and almost bit me once(I jumped out of the way).
Rio! Love the pictures!! So pretty!
I'll leave the picture that was submitted to the contest and is now making it into the book. Well, I'll try. Tell me if it works and what I'm doing is right.
Here I go:
11:53 am on November 21st, 2010
Dangit! Here I go again:
This is the one that got accepted:
[img ]http://chetthedog.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/1290376270-dog pictures 009.jpg[/img]
And these are just random pictures of me when I was 3 months old:
[img ]http://chetthedog.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/1290376323-dog pictures 011.jpg[/img]
[img ]http://chetthedog.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/1290376393-dog pictures 019.jpg[/img]
12:52 pm on November 21st, 2010
Lil Lexi!… No photo…snort!… Try it again – let the photo link appear before you his Submit….grunt!….Someone here is very very happy!…She has finished putting together the poinsettias on the mat…sniff!…Now we are letting everything dry real good before the finishing touches…wheeze!…With any luck at all we may have a photo of the finished gift…heh!
1:00 pm on November 21st, 2010
Spacey!…While she was meticulously gluing stuff we were also watching a Spacey film called Pay It Forward….grunt!…Whatever happened to Helen Hunt and that little boy?…sniff!….Never see them anymore. Course the kid is probably grown up by now, or hopefully in college somewhere….snort!
1:02 pm on November 21st, 2010
Melanie: i loved your description of NY yesterday, it makes it sound like being a YSA there is the most exciting thing in the world.
CHarris, your snow is impossible to imagine.
B, I'm glad to hear you're better.
1:05 pm on November 21st, 2010
Rio: Remind your friend not to let you near the poinsettias.
1:06 pm on November 21st, 2010
Hi Liz. Thank you.
Lexi: Thanks for the DDOBs.
1:25 pm on November 21st, 2010
Well, just back from a craft store having a special sale. The lights on the hydrangeas actually look pretty good and nary an alien spaceship in sight. But there is an absolutely spectacular full moon out tonight. Wookie
1:27 pm on November 21st, 2010
Hey y'all! I'm going to have to make this short, because there's a wasp in the office — this old house with all its various gaps and crevices makes it easy for all sorts of creatures to get in, such as bats (luckily they're gone) and our flying squirrel. I wasn't too fond of the bats, but I do miss Ratboy (Dad's nickname for the squirrel). That wasp kind of freaks me out — he keeps bumping against things and buzzing real loud. I hope he finds his way out soon!
I just found out my girl is coming home for Thanksgiving, so the whole family will be together! She wasn't sure what her work schedule would be, but she found out she's off Wednesday, so she'll be able to be here Wednesday and Thursday, then leave real early Friday morning to be at work by 10.
By the way, Mom's trying to think back on all the Thanksgiving celebrations to see if one would qualify for a "Thanksgiving Horror." The very first time she cooked a Thanksgiving turkey she left the plastic bag of innerds in it while it baked, but she says that's a common mistake, so she doesn't think it counts — does it?
1:30 pm on November 21st, 2010
Moon!…Woooooo! Woooooo! Woooooo!….damn!….It’s really cold out and looks like snow…crap!… She tried to take photos of the finished product but none of them do it justice…heh!…Maybe she will try in different light before she gives it away as a gift…grunt!…All that work and time and she is going to GIVE it away….snort!… Not what I would do…sniff!
1:34 pm on November 21st, 2010
All is well here. The wind is blowing hard so I am getting thousands of more leaves in my yard. Wish CHarris could send some snow my way. That would make the weather perfect. We agree with Stover about worrying about all the shoveling. All we have to do here is wait around for it to melt, if we ever get any snow, that is.
Rio, that is a beautiful craft your friend made. I think she is going to get really good at this and then it will just be fun for her instead of some stress when things don't go just right.
1:34 pm on November 21st, 2010
Kirby!… Watch out for that wasp! …wheeze!… I hate those things, they are always after me in the summertime. Now they are all hibernating or whatever those demon with wings do during the winter…shudder!
Wookie!…What did they get at the craft store…sniff!…We were at a small store earlier today. I had to stay in the car because of the damage ratio present in the store… heh!
1:37 pm on November 21st, 2010
Hey Rio, the little boy has mostly done video games lately, i think. I don't know what happened to Helen Hunt.
1:38 pm on November 21st, 2010
SiberH!… I think that’s what this Quilling is right now…snort!…A way to take her mind off everything else while she is doing all the intricate work required…wheeze!…Personally, I like the fact that she is not watching every move I make all day and doing her own thing…heh!…Now I can chew on things and scoot around on the carpet without getting yelled at …snorkel!…Glad to hear things are going okay…Tell your gal to sit down and have a glass of wine and bake a turkey…or something like that…heh!
1:43 pm on November 21st, 2010
Hey!…Lil Lexi must have been moderated cuz her photos are showing up now!…snort!…You really get to be immortalized in a book because of that photo?…sniff!…Wonders never cease.
Liz!…What do you mean he’s been doing video games?…huh?….You can make lucrative money playing video games…grunt!
1:45 pm on November 21st, 2010
Mollypop, yes it is very normal for Huskies to dig holes. In the winter we do it for warmth, and in the summer it is to keep cool. We love the outdoors and it can sometimes be difficult to make house dogs out of us. Mom has successfully made house dogs out of her huskies, but sometimes it is worked out as a compromise. I would sleep outdoors in Jan. but she won't let me…spending the night outdoors is not even open to discussion with her. tee hee Mom just thinks she could be a real dog musher, she couldn't.
1:48 pm on November 21st, 2010
I should have said voicing them, not playing them!!
1:50 pm on November 21st, 2010
Rio: Be nice!!! I think little Lexi is very cute!
The wasp is being very quiet — either he escaped, or he's very devious. I think I'm just giong to keep on running in and out — don't want to give him a good target if he's still on the hunt!
1:51 pm on November 21st, 2010
I think Lexi looks like a winner.
Hi SH and Wookie.
1:55 pm on November 21st, 2010
Lexi is cuter than a little bug's ear. I think that is a southern expression. Lexi, you will have to let us know when the book comes out.
Wolfie, very glad things are better with your boys. ummm Do you still smell skunky?
1:56 pm on November 21st, 2010
Winner!… I’d like to see all the other candidates for this Cutest Dog of 2010 thing actually…snort!… All puppies look Cute. Hell she’s only 3 months old….grunt!…Of course she’s cute…sniff!….Someone said even I was cute as a pup…chorkel!
2:00 pm on November 21st, 2010
WE ARE BACK!!!! Barb here. I didn't have computer access the last four days, but I am now home and my little Maggie girl is laying here at my feet like we had never been gone. Long day today, so I will post tomorrow after spending some time catching up on the blog messages.
Good news received yesterday – 25 lymph nodes were biopsied and there was NO CANCER IN ANY OF THEM! Have to met with an Oncologist on Tuesday to see if some additional minor treatment is needed, but we evidently are thru the worst.
So glad to be back, missed you guys, and will try to get back to normal tomorrow. Hope everyone is going to have a good Thanksgiving week!
2:02 pm on November 21st, 2010
Excellent Barb!
2:06 pm on November 21st, 2010
Hi Stover! We have started the Harry Potter book. We are giving it a try since so many of you recommend it.
Kirby, Be careful Mom once had a wasp come out of the closet in the middle of the winter and sting her. The wasp won the battle but lost the war.
We don't have any Thanksgiving horror stories and it is not because my mom is such a great cook and well organized. She is none of those things, just extremely lucky. We will have a short one to tell you that happened to mom's parents.
2:09 pm on November 21st, 2010
Fantastic news, Barb! I know you and Maggie are glad to be back home. Welcome back! Yippie!
2:11 pm on November 21st, 2010
Barb!…We will have a great Thanksgiving now that we know you are going to be okay…snort!snort!… Me and my friend were very worried about you and now we are very relieved…sigh….Take it easy and tell MagPie I say 'HI – glad you are out of the hoosegow…heh!
2:27 pm on November 21st, 2010
BStover,
Dawson says she just stirs the dates into the batter and then spoons them out onto a greased cookie sheet. And remember not to worry if some of the date shows.
OK here is the Egg Bake for Zoe.
It goes in a greased 9 X 13 inch glass baking dish when we cook it.
6 slices of bread coarsely cut (1-2 inches)
3 Cups cubed Ham
1/2 pound cheddar shredded
3 Tablespoons flour mixed with
1 tablespoon dry mustard
3 Tablespoons melted butter
6 ex-large eggs whipped together with
3 Cups milk (I use 2%)
Place bread chunks in the pan. Layer Ham and Cheese over it twice. Sprinkle with flour/mustard mix. Drizzle butter over that. Whip the eggs and milk untill foamy and pour over everything. (I poke any parts that are dry down into the liquid and wiggle any dry flour into the liquid too.)
Soak overnight, covered, in the fridge. (Or 4 hours)
Bake 1 hour at 350
That is Mr.Staff's second cousins recipe. She didn't use that much ham, but I like to put in a lot. I usually sprinkle in some spices like basil, oregano, parsley and pepper. Whatever spices you like. I don't put in any salt as the ham gives you all you need.
It makes enough for a lot of people. Say about 10 easily.
I like to use interesting breads. There is a wonderful bakery near my parents and I like to use their French or Italian breads for it. I also like the way it looks when you cut your own slices and get them at least an inch thick. Chunky is nice.
Really, all it takes is 6 eggs. That amazes me every time I make it.
I bet it would be good with turkey too. Then I might add a teaspoon of salt.
2:30 pm on November 21st, 2010
Welcome back Barb and Maggie. We are all rooting for you. Glad you are back together.
2:37 pm on November 21st, 2010
Hungry!….I’m starving!…grunt!…Supper is late tonight for some reason. Probably because she did not do all the other things she usually does Sunday afternoons…grump!…Now our routine is all out of wack and I hate that…snort!…I’m Starving here! Feed me Now!…growl!….I kicked my water bowl over again and that did not sit well with her…snuff!…Now she is making me suffer…drat!
2:39 pm on November 21st, 2010
Staff, I wish we could send some eggs your way. One of our well meaning neighbors sent mom over a carton with 18 eggs in it today. This must be a well intentioned care package. There is only mom and I at the house now. We are secretely going to have to find a home for those eggs.
I looked up the weather on the link you put up…let us know when the librarian safely arrives. That is not good traveling weather for you humans, unless, of course, you have a team of sled dogs.
2:48 pm on November 21st, 2010
Weather!…Is the Librarian in danger on this trip?….grunt!… Now I have to worry about her arriving safely for Thanksgiving so the Witches Brew can be made correctly…snort!…Keep us posted Staff!…sniff!…Doubtful those two lazy Kats of yours cares at all about Auntie Librarian…cough!
2:57 pm on November 21st, 2010
The librarian is safe. They just stopped in Jamestown North Dakota. She said the first hour this morning was on glare ice. She said it was still storming in Billings when they left.
Hmmmm. I would not have gone but she is on a schedule. After that first hour she said it wasn't as bad. They will get here tomorrow.
2:58 pm on November 21st, 2010
Lexi: You are the Cutest dog in the world!! And so good with the bobs.
Kirby: Love the Ratboy comment, not the wasp. Right now we are dealing with the annual ladybug infestation. Thousands like to overwinter in the house.
Riö: You are always hungry. Ellie can tell what time it is. Especially when her dinner is late. She starts barking 5 minutes before time, just to let Zoë know that it's almost time.
Staff: Thanks for the recipe. It sounds like an easy dinner though for the three of us, we'll probably cut it in half.
Barb and MagPie: Hip Hip Hurrah! Hip Hip Hurrah! Hip Hip Hurrah! That is wonderful news.
2:59 pm on November 21st, 2010
Oh, I bake the egg-bake uncovered. I just cover it in the fridge.
I will see if I can roust Dawson out of the kitchen to come post a little.
3:03 pm on November 21st, 2010
Helen Hunt was in a movie released this year "Every Day".
She has three to be released next year; "Soul Surfer", "Aline & Wolfe" and "Relative Insanity".
LizF is correct about Haley Joel Osment. He's been doing some voice work on video games. He has two movies coming out in 2011, "Montana Amazon" and "Sex Ed". And one more is listed for 2012 "Truth & Treason".
3:04 pm on November 21st, 2010
Thanks everyone. We are going to hit the sofa early, but have read all the good wishes. Will catch up on reading tomorrow. That recipe for the breakfast casserole sounds great. Will have to try it over the holidays. So glad to be back! Will post lots tomorrow.
3:06 pm on November 21st, 2010
Eggs!… That Egg Bake sounds like Quiche done North Dakota style…snort!…She said the French would shake in their boots over this recipe….cough!…But it sounds good to us for some reason….heh!… She says, a salad, some fruit and it would be a great brunch menu!…grunt!
3:07 pm on November 21st, 2010
YSAS's run is over for the play. He's looking forward to the break. They not only had a full house this afternoon, but they had people sitting in the aisles.
One woman came up and gave him a big hug. And said, "You were so great, I just had to give you a hug. I mean you WERE a prick, but you were great."
Snicker. Words to live by.
He's now gone to see "Manson, the Musical" which a friend of his is in. And yes, that's Charles Manson.
People are weird.
3:09 pm on November 21st, 2010
Staff and Dawson, glad to hear that A Catty Librarian is safe. I've been watching the radar. The word Yuck comes to mind.
3:09 pm on November 21st, 2010
Barb!…Does MagPie get to sleep on the big bed with you?…snort!…Especially on nights like this?…sniffle!
3:22 pm on November 21st, 2010
Manson!…The Musical!…grunt!… I bet that is way way off Broadway…yikes! yeep! yikes!…Thank goodness Clarkson is coming home for Thanksgiving…sniffle!…I’d like to say Hi to him if that is possible….snort!
3:41 pm on November 21st, 2010
Dawson!… Melanie mentioned Dawson, but I have not seen her all day long…grunt!…Is she Still In the Kitchen baking things?…wow!… I didn’t realize she was such a Gourmet Chef-like person…sniff!… Dawson, please report on what’s happening at ground zero…heh!
3:49 pm on November 21st, 2010
Rio! You're so mean! 🙁
Staff! You're making me hungry. Chewin' on a bone right now. 🙂
Thanks to all who said that I was a winner. Means a lot to me. I bet if you guys submitted a photo, you'd be right beside me in the book, which I believe is coming out in January, but I don't know for sure. I give a big lick to you guys.
Tailwags and licks,
Lexi. 😀
3:58 pm on November 21st, 2010
Lexi: Just use your Big Dog attitude and take charge of the situation!
Riö: Poinsettia petals are poisonous. Do not get used to eating them.
4:03 pm on November 21st, 2010
Book!…If this book actually comes out and our Lil Lexi is in it, I will eat someone’s hat!…snort!… No doubt about it….grunt!…I just don’t see it happening folks…heh!…Lil Lexi has a vivid imagination at best. Her grammar and spelling are coming along though….gruff!…Stover needs to step in and give our girl a little guidance in that area, but I doubt she will listen …heh!… I wouldn’t if I were her age. Snorkel!… Lil Lexi, you are entertaining and I do adore you for that…snuffle!
4:12 pm on November 21st, 2010
Night all.
4:14 pm on November 21st, 2010
Goodnight B. Sleep well
4:20 pm on November 21st, 2010
Wha?….You Plunderers are out there lurking and not posting?….grump!…What the hell!…sniffle!…Jump in join the converse, and please do not just say Lil Lexi is the Cutest thing the Lord Of All Creation has ever made…burp!…Not true, sorry!…huff!
4:20 pm on November 21st, 2010
Yes, and B. keep feeling better
4:29 pm on November 21st, 2010
Ok, I will not say that lil Lexi is the cutest thing in all Creation. Rio and I are. hee hee
4:33 pm on November 21st, 2010
Stover!…I sure hope you feel tip top by Thanksgiving!….snort!….Its just not the same with you being hardly here and not thrusting some knowledge down our throats everyday….heh!….Well, maybe I have missed some things, this weekend has been different to say the least, but someone here is happy and feels she has reached a milestone on the craftiness arena….grunt!…Now she will start on a few Christmas gifts for the few family members left…snuffle!…I will detour her as often as I can just for the fun of it!…heh!
4:37 pm on November 21st, 2010
SiberH!…Heh!snort!Heh!… It’s no accident that you and I are on the first row of The Quilt my man!…heh!…We are a handsome team….snort!…I wish there was someway to take a Christmas Card photo of you pulling me in a little sled…heh!
4:47 pm on November 21st, 2010
So glad that Barb and Maggie have been reunited and for all the good news that Barb has received.
Rio. At the craft store, she got some glass jars and some etching stuff; she's gonna try a new craft — glass etching. It can't be any worse than the pinatas that she made for our annual Christmas party (the invitations are inside). The theme this year is a New Mexico Christmas in honor of my dad. The pinatas were a real mess to make, staring with paper mache around inflated balloons and then gluing the crepe paper to them. Do you know how hard it is to get glue out of dog fur? Let me tell you, no fun at all. And I didn't even get any of treats that went into the pinatas. The etched jars are for a good friend of ours who I really like a lot, so that may be okay.
Wookie
4:58 pm on November 21st, 2010
Rio, I usually sleep on the floor right by Barb's bed, rather than on it. However, I think tonight she is going to zonk out on the sofa, with lots of pillows behind her. Think I will find a spot on the floor right next to the sofa, just in case she needs me during the night. Sure am glad we are back home! See you guys tomorrow.
4:59 pm on November 21st, 2010
Wookie!…So far I have avoided glue in my fur, only because the amounts she uses on her small paper objects will never squirt onto me…heh!…I don’t understand the Invitationa inside the piñatas…grunt!..Are these the things people swing baseball bats at while blind folded?….snort!…It’s the Invitations that have me baffled, do you invite the people who are invited to the party to break open the piñatas to be there to get their invitations???…wheeze!…It sounds redundant if I am thinking about this in the correct way…heh!
5:14 pm on November 21st, 2010
Oh boy, Wookie, the pinatas sound difficult beyond belief. Wish I could have just shipped some to you. Walmart sells them here. Luminaries are easy and you will need tamales and biscochitos. What else?
5:16 pm on November 21st, 2010
Rio, I have the same question about the pinatas and the invitations after reading Wookie's post. I just wasn't sure how to ask the question so it made any sense.
5:17 pm on November 21st, 2010
Barb and Maggie: I'm very happy all worked out and you are home together again.
Lexi: You are almost the cutest thing the Lord of All Creation ever made!
5:18 pm on November 21st, 2010
Rio, I think Lexi is the cutest little thing in all creation.
Heh heh heh
5:21 pm on November 21st, 2010
I'm number 100!
I'm number 100!
C'mere you little tub of Pug. Slop it to me.
I am waaaaiiiitttting……
[img ]http://chetthedog.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/1290396096-Alice yawns.jpg[/img]
5:23 pm on November 21st, 2010
ROTFLMAO
5:27 pm on November 21st, 2010
Wookie!…So far I have avoided glue in my fur, only because the amounts she uses on her small paper objects will never squirt onto me…heh!…I don’t understand the Invitationa inside the piñatas…grunt!..Are these the things people swing baseball bats at while blind folded?….snort!…It’s the Invitations that have me baffled, do you invite the people who are invited to the party to break open the piñatas to be there to get their invitations???…wheeze!…It sounds redundant if I am thinking about this in the correct way…heh!
SiberH!…I am sure Wookie has a good explanation…heh!….Those guys are on top of everything. I am sure their plan is good and solid…snort!…Makes no sense to us, but that doesn’t really matter…grunt!
5:29 pm on November 21st, 2010
Rio,
Read, Refresh then post.
You can't avoid me forever Pugster.
5:35 pm on November 21st, 2010
I agree, Wookie knows what he is doing. Maybe they get to have two pinata parties…one for the invitations and one for the treats. Yes, the pinatas are what people swing at while blindfolded with baseball bats. That stupid tv show, "America's Funniest Home Videos" has had some funny videos of pinata parties and hits and misses. WHACK!
5:45 pm on November 21st, 2010
Commander Rio, My Sweet,
The whole blog is waiting. I am too.
Maybe we can make a deal? A starring part in the next mission?
Call me. We can talk. Use the secret decoder device.
Heh
5:47 pm on November 21st, 2010
OMG!….I seriously can’t believe we made it to 100…Woooo!…But to face Alice Johnson full smack in the face…sniff…that is too much to bear…yikes!yeep!yeep!….Sorry, can’t slobber up Alice, she is toxic…yick! Yikes!yowl!..grunt!….Her fur is poisoned and I can not risk it…dammit!
5:49 pm on November 21st, 2010
Good night all.
5:54 pm on November 21st, 2010
Alice is sooooo sad….sniff sob sob snurfle
[img ]http://chetthedog.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/1290398028-Window cave alice.jpg[/img]
5:57 pm on November 21st, 2010
goodnight all.
Alice is loving me up right now. I guess she got all hot and bothered and needs a little loving.
Off to take a few pills.
Stay well or get better y'all
6:10 pm on November 21st, 2010
Alice!…We will talk, we will make a deal in the best interest of the Plunderers….snort!..A treaty will be put forth, we need you and our talents…grunt!..Do not despair my dear, you an important part of the Plunderers future Mission’s…heh! ..Let’s not get to concerned till after Thankgiving!…grunt!
6:26 pm on November 21st, 2010
Ah, Got it Wookie. Your mom is very creative. I don't know the history of pinatas myself. I wonder how old the tradation is.
Night again
6:33 pm on November 21st, 2010
Wookie!…No. I am still utterly confused….grunt!.. I’m baffled beyond belief…snort!….sorry….Maybe if I was actually invited to the real party…heh!
10:40 pm on November 21st, 2010
Now that I have the use of this mini computer, I have caught up on most of the blog postings.
Rio: Your quilling pictures are lovely.
Melanie: I have Dan’s book in my possession and am just going to wait until the holiday is over so I can give it my full attention. I’ve thumbed through it, though, to enjoy the wonderful drawings.
11:12 pm on November 21st, 2010
I’m making mom put down the Harry Potter book and go to sleep. Good Night friends!
11:17 pm on November 21st, 2010
Rio and SiberH. Sorry about the confusion but it is a bit confusing. My mom put the invitations to the party inside the pinatas, so the invitees will need to break the pinatas to get the invitations. However, in the boxes that she put the pinatats in to mail them, she also put in an instruction sheet telling them that they needed to break the pinata to get the invitation and also providing a very interesting history of pinatas and the traditions behind them. The details are a bit blurry to me but maybe she can post them tomorrow if anyone is interested. BTW, she also made them different colors depending on who was getting them. She is a real stickler for details like that. Me, not so much. Hope that helps. Wooks