OK.....Are there any guesses????????

Winter snowfall 05-06.....No big snow yet.......this winter......







Next hint.....Staircase is located in France...????? Any guesses????









Christmas Cookie Recipe 2006

Oatmeal Cranberry
White Chocolate Chip Cookies

2/3 cup butter unsalted
2/3 cup brown sugar
2 large eggs
1 1/2 cups old-fashioned oats
1 1/2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 6 oz. package of Sweetened Dried Cranberries (I used Ocean Spray Craisins)
2/3 cup White Chocolate Chips

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Using an electric mixer, beat butter and sugar together in a medium mixing bowl until light and fluffy. Add eggs, mixing after each addition well. Combine oats, flour, baking soda and salt into a small mixing bowl, stir. Then slowly add dried mixture to wet mixture a small amount at a time, mixing after each addition. Once mixed add dried cranberries and chocolate chips.
Drop by well rounded teaspoon onto un ungreased baking sheet. Bake for 10-12 mins...check after 10 mins.....Let cool.

Hints......Don't skimp on cranberries or chocolate chips........Real easy recipe....I doubled this recipe...and it was wonderful.......Enjoy......


Movie Reviews????

Anyone watch any good movies this holiday season??????
"Keeping up with the Steins" good movie.....

We are watching the second season of LOST........wow........

STAIRCASE LOOK FAMILIAR TO ANYONE? HELPFUL HINTS......NOT IN THE UNITED STATES......STAY TUNED FOR MORE HELPFUL HINTS.....

Big Bro...Nick with Little Bro...Alex at Fire Academy Graduation 5-2006

Alicia......What are you doing?

Latest candy find........Christmas Eve Candy making experience:

Old Fashioned Almond Roca

1/2 cup almonds, slivered

1 cup butter

1 1/4 cups sugar

2 tbsp corn syrup

2 tbsp water

(12oz) package milk chocolate chips

Prepare the pan: Grease a jelly roll pan and sprinkle almonds evenly over bottom. In heavy gauge saucepan, combine butter, sugar, corn syrup and water. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture boils. Boil to brittle stage (300 degrees). Remove from heat. (This can take up to 30 minutes. Do not rush this process. If you cook at a high temperature, your candy will burn.) Pour the cooked mixture onto prepared pan. Sprinkle chocolate chips evenly over the hot candy. Let stand about 5 minutes. Chocolate chips will bedome shiny and soft. Spread evenly over the hot candy with back of a large spoon. Cool in refrigerator 20 minutes or on counter for 1 hour. Break into bite-sized pieces. Eat and enjoy.......

Alicia's Helpful hints......don't do anything else but cook this on the stove......no talking on the phone...or trying to watch the TV.....and it helps if you have a total of 4 hands......Plus it helps if you put your pan in a low oven 200 degrees for awhile before pouring candy over it......easier to spread candy out........any leftover almonds in pan sprinkle ontop of the chocolate once spread......

OK, this is all new to me......I have read a couple of other blogs.....really don't know where to begin......any help from anyone?????

One of few pictures of me during my trip with my son Alex to Paris to visit my oldest son Nick who was attending college in Paris during the Fall of 2005.

Why is it that as the Mom you take all the pictures and there are very few pictures of yourself?

I really am not crying.....just sunny out....

Picture of Alex in front of the Notre Dame, Paris, France, 11-2005.

Our dog, Sadie, December 2005....after a December snow.......

Nick, the oldest, professional photographer, world traveler........taking pictures at brothers graduation from Fire Academy, May 2006

Alex, the Fireman.......has accomplished so much at only 19 years of age......

My sons, loves of my life.....a proud mama I am.

Recipes: Need to post the newest recipe I tried.......along with a few others.......look forward to my next post........

Wishing everyone a wonderful Holiday Season.....blessings to all.....