10 THINGS THAT MADE ME HAPPY THIS WEEK

"All I hope to say in books, all that I ever hope to say, is that I love the world." E.B.White (and me)

13 December - 20 December, 2009

#1 I did not have everything (and I meant EVERYTHING) done by Friday night. But, by Saturday I felt like a lot was ready for Christmas. Leslie was a huge help. Most of the shopping is done, or at least planned. I think "I have enough money to last me the rest of my life, unless I buy something." (Jackie Mason (and me)

#2 My birthday was Saturday (and Sunday). I had a great day. Lots of siblings called and sang. My kidults called or came over on Saturday and all came for dinner on Sunday. Thank-you for my newest slow cooker, given to me early since one had died. And, my crop-a-dile is super. It was fun looking for things to punch.
I also had a nice birthday lunch @ ChinWa with Wendy and Paula. Fun gifts, too. Thank-you.

#3 I am happy my sister got the holiday spirit delivered.

#4 I tried a new recipe on Thursday night that we really liked. I have had requests for the recipe, so I will put it here with my changes (and ideas). You can find the one I stated with, here (I hope). http://ablogaboutfood2.blogspot.com/

Asian Beef and Noodles

2 packs Ramen Noodles - (Using only noodles) barely cook and drain

Heat chili oil + 1 tea. cayanne pepper & add the following 3 ingredients

12 oz. beef flank or top round -cut into bite-sized strips
1 tea. grated fresh ginger
2 cloves chopped garlic
Stir fry beef, ginger and garlic for 2-3 minutes or until beef is cooked.

Then stir in
1 cup beef broth
2 table. soy suace
Bring to a boil and then reduce heat

Add and heat thru
2 cups fresh spinach
1 cup shredded carrots
1/4 cup cilantro and drained noodles

The first time I made this I used hot chili sesame oil and no cayanne pepper. I also used left-over (cooked) roast, and no cilantro. It was great!! And very fast. But, the next time was better.

The next time I used a wok and
3 already cooked chickenbreasts-cut into bite-size pieces

When I put my chicken in the
hot chili sesame oil (about 2 table.) I added
red pepper flakes (to taste)
2 table. store bought bottled Panda Express Kung Pao sauce and
1 cup peanuts

After heating I added the
1 cup BEEF broth
2 table. soy sauce
I brought that to a boil and reduced heat and then added

At least 2 cups spinach with stems removed
1 cup of the pre-packaged LARGE grated (or small julienned) carrots
1 julienned zucchini
the drained noodles

It was really really good, and the colours were so bright and beautiful. But, I was still getting the same complaint. The noodles had turned too soggy. Next time I will make my adapted recipe but, instead of cooking the noodles, I will toss them uncooked into the wok when I do the little bit of steaming and warming of the vegetables. I think that might work.
Since I am only working with 1 Amish Friendship Bread (AFB), I did not make bread last week.

#5 I am SO happy that when Doug came home from work on Friday that he will not go back until 2010. We saved enough vacation days for him to stay home for 2 weeks. YEA!

#6 It made me happy to get all of my packages mailed. Well, close.

#7 Michael and Tracey (and girls) are having very grand adventures for me in Manhatten. They went to the Fox and Family Christmas Concert. (They won $5,ooo.oo- That part of the experience is only theirs.) They saw Kristin Chenoweth and JOSHUA BELL. JOSHUA BELL. I am so glad they call and tell me what they are doing. They were each given a Kristin C. And Joshua B. cd at the concert, so they sent Tracey's to ME. I did not have that Joshua B. one, yet. :) And we LOVE the Kristin C. Christmas cd. I was using Emily's, but now I have my own. I am so happy. "Music moves my soul." ME

#8 I had so much fun making fun blog finds this season. I made the block advent calender that I found over at http://notsoidlehands.blogspot.com/
I also really loved the pearl, crystal and button ornament from http://decortoadore.blogspot.com/ (7 December, 2009).
I had a lot of fun making the paper ornaments from the K&C Co. book for our family room tree. (There are still more that I want to make, but I was staying up WAY to late-so I grounded myself.)

#9 I have even had time to read a novel.

#10 I made Pumpkin pie cake crunch for my birthday dinner.