Warm parmesan-ey artichoke dip today. Dip in!
I think I have all my non-family gifts purchased. I just have to assemble and wrap everything now. Then it's on to the family stuff, but I'm fine waiting on that.
I do, however, need to purchase a few things for our work unit "family" we sponsor each year via the Early Head Start program. This year it's a 19 year old mother and baby. The father just moved back here from Chicago to help support the mother and baby, but is working a low wage job. Mom is trying to go back to school to finish her senior year next semester. She just moved into her first apartment. So, her wish list has a lot of not-so-fun stuff on it, but she did put a few things for herself like a boombox, pajamas and robe. I cut down on my other overall giving this year so I could afford to help our family more. Last year I spent more than we could frankly afford to on charitable giving, so I've done better planning this year. Our secretary and her 9 year old son are delivering the gifts to the family. Always nice to have that personal contact instead of a faceless name.
In other charitable news, I am always conflicted about the Salvation Army bucket. I'm a bit disturbed that (at least in Madison), for those that come to the SA shelter for help, they must attend an in-house church service. I don't like that condition. But, they are a valuable resource, so I usually just stick a buck at a time, or loose change, in. Probably only $10 over the course of the holidays, so nothing to think too hard about, I guess.
In snow news, I am already sick of it.
In cookie news, I have the bestest cookie giver EVAH! *dusts crumbs off shirt* I got yummy white choc/mac nut cookies, toffee oatmeal cookies and a prezzie and a very thoughtful card! Guess I was a good girl this year and got on santa's "nice" list. I hope I got the cookie flavors right, or I will look pretty dumb. :-)
My boss was just put on a gluten-free diet for 2 weeks. I emailed dragonflies for advice. Her doc also told her to cut waaaaaay down on coffee. So, we are replacing our office coffee pot we share with a hot pot for making tea.
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Yay! I was just coming here to see if you'd updated yet. Where were you yesterday?? Hmm???
I need cookie ideas. I don't know what to bake this weekend. Maybe I should start a thread on OT....
Good for you for the charitable giving. We have not adopted anyone, but work is doing the annual food drive for the area shelter. I need to get my butt to the grocery store.
I can deal with the Salvation Army's requirement of church service. In fact, I respect them more for it. Of course, given my life, there's a reason for that.
*smoooooooooch*
Just because.
*sigh* I haven't even come close to starting on my cookies yet.
My cookies won't start til late next week, Bravie. Don't feel bad. It's the way the cookie crumbles.
Momma-I was out of town all day yesterday doing interviews. Long.aras.day. I'd much rather have been here.
We did NOT say you could go out of town. Next time, I will need advance notice of such plans so I can plan my lack of production around your absence.
You aren't going waaaay out of town again, are you? 'Cause, you know, I might need you to be around.
And another thing, I'm stealing all the dip!!!!
:P <--- This is me, making up for your absence yesterday by being extra productive in your blog.
I want cookies!!!!
*grin*
And!!!! We have no snow.
Just sayin'.
Maybe you should come back to Texas for a visit. Without any co-workers.
I am going waaaaay out of town for this Sun-Wed. Does that mean I'm in trouble?
Yes, you are in BIG GIANT GINORMOUS trouble, Missy!
Wait. Where are you going and what are you bringing me? That might change how much trouble you are in.
DAMMIT! You can't go out of town again. You haven't paid me nearly enough attention lately!
Can you make another batch of Parmesan artichoke dip? It sounded really good, but when I took a cracker and went to dip it, SOMEONE had eaten it all. *glares at Momma*
I need cookie advice too. I'm making some for my daughter in Idaho and her friends. I need to bake tonight and mail tomorrow. I'm glad I didn't get in on the cookie exchange because it sounds way more elaborate that I'm capable of doing, what with all the fancy stuff and cool prezzies.
I don't have any problem with the Salvation Army asking peeps to attend a religious service. It never hurts to listen to something. You don't have to convert or anything. And I think it's generally good for people who are getting something to be required to do *something* in return. (not always, of course).
We have a giving tree at work and I took two ornaments this year. I think I'll blog about it later today.
*smooch*
You are right MTW, doing something in return for the food & shelter makes sense. I guess I just always balk at the idea of conscripted religion. Want a meal? Praise Jesus! Kind of creating a Pavlovian response to religion. But, there are other sides to the same coin. I agree that making them listen isn't a bad thing. Unfortunately some religious leaders aren't just saying "Here's an opportunity to consider how religious principles can help guide you to a better life." Instead, it's often "You are this way because you haven't welcomed Jesus into your life and the only way to be saved is through Jesus."
Momma & MTW-I promise not to travel from Dec. 14-Jan. 27 for more than a three day weekend, ok?
That brings up another point...when are you leaving us for the cruise?
Gah. I don't like you travelling. Nope, not at all. *pouts*
My cookie people always get my standard chocolate chip. I'm sorry that that is not original, but they are my favorite, and I always bake them with extra love. I am also trying a new cookie this year.
We are having our Holiday Reception tonight (networking event for our clients). We are hosting Toys for Tots. Someone dropped off a load of toys for me to bring because they can't come tonight. They are all lined up in front of my desk (it's a lot). I have a habit of kicking the front of my desk from underneath and also tapping my foot on it. Every time I do, one of the dolls talks to me. It just said, "Peek a Boo." That made me smile.
What are some of the unfun things on her list? Are they kitchen items? Like mixing bowls, etc.? If so, you could fancy up some cute little recipes of yours and stick them in there.
I get irritated with the darn bucket. Maybe because I don't carry cash. I guess I don't really have an opinion on the church service. I don't like giving cash. I like food drives and toy drives. I'm a pretty good donator in those.
I have stuck to my goal of no coffee unless on the weekends on my way home from the gym. I have been coffee-free for 2 weeks now.
I came out this morning to leave for work, and Jason had already come by and cleaned the snow off my car. He's awesome.
I'll be baking and sending this weekend. *grin*
Boo-Chocolate Chip are still Chris's favorite cookie. He pouts when I make any other kind. Except sugar cookies because he likes the dough.
Fun idea for the kitchen stuff! There are items like a toaster, silverware, dishes & such. I'll have to look for some of my inexpensively made casserole recipes or something.
*giggle* at the Peek a Boo. How perfect!
Deb, your boyfriend is ridiculously spoiling you. Tell him to keep up the good work. :-)
And the cruise will have us gone from Dec. 26 - Feb. 4.
Well. You still haven't said what you're bringing me, so I don't know if I can allow you to go.
Mmmm, parmesan artichoke dip. Delicious!
I have not done any Christmas shopping yet. Part of it is that I have a birthday party for my niece and nephew this weekend, which I've been concentrating on thus far. After that I'll hit the online stores and get everything else done. I hope.
I think it's great that you do get to have personal contact with the family you're sponsoring. It's nice for the family, too. I'd think that it makes it feel more like gifts than charity to have someone personally deliver them.
I don't usually carry much cash with me so I almost never drop anything into the SA bucket.
I'm not sick of snow yet but I haven't had to drive in it, yet.
I will be baking and sending cookies next week.
Those hot pots are very nice. Did you get the kind that holds a larger amount of water and stays hot for a long time, and you just pump out what you want? I have one of those at home and have been using it a ton over the past two weeks to make tea. It's also good for making instant oatmeal.
I might be able to convince Bravie to come to dinner and I'll kidnap her and mail her to Texas.
We haven't bought the water pot yet, Frodis, and am glad you said something. That sounds like a good style of pot to get!
Here's the one I got:
http://www.target.com/dp/B000ETNUEK/602-2597573-5579010
You just leave it on all the time, and you always have hot water. I love this thing.
Ooooh! Yay! I get Bravie for Christmas!
Now how to explain THAT present to DH...
Wow - that's a looong cruise! Are you going to Patagonia?
I have the same conflict you have over the SA. They get maybe 2 or 3 bucks from me (and the same from Tom) but only when I can't avoid them altogether.
We are, however, year-round supporters of the (local) Merrick foodshelves which gives stuff to people because they need it. Period and no strings. We give them about $240/year.
Tom's work used to do a family but then we switched to the foodshelf.
*grin*
THanks for the funny blog post, Kim!
Um... It's Friday and I'm hungry again. I ate all the dip yesterday.
In blogland, momma weighs twice her RL weight. *giggle*
I made cranberry pistachio biscotti this morning, but I bet that doesn't thrill you.
Not even close to thrills.
And I have amazing metabolism, both in RL and blogland. So there. *sticks tongue out* You're still in GINORMOUS trouble, Missy.
And if it makes you feel any better, so far this morning I've eaten 2 blueberry donuts and a breakfast burrito. I've also had 1 Coke and 1 cup of coffee.
Ahem. It's been over an hour.
Wait a minute. You're leaving Sunday??? Who's going to feed me next week???
This is a serious concern. I'm askeered.
Wowza! Just a little bit of your metabolism, that's all I want.
Swami likes to cook. Ask Swami to feed you.
Oh, and should I take the vet some cookies? I should, shouldn't I?
Swami just went on a cauliflower soup diet. Would you like some cauliflower soup?
No biscotti.
I am not eating cauliflower soup. Sorry, but no way in hell.
You may have some of my metabolism. Not a problem.
So. We're back to square one here. No update, you're leaving me and I'm going to go hungry. I don't like this at.all. Hrmph.
Wait! I know!
You can give me the keys to your blog. I'll keep it updated, borrow your kitchen and feed everyone while you're gone. Yeah! That works. So...what's your password?
You're ignoring me again, aren't you? Does this have anything to do with the hula girls?
I had to take the cat to the vet, sheesh.
I'm not convinced I should give you the keys to my blog. You'd probably play country music and decorate with cows and horses or something.
No silly. I would only decorate in John Deere and play ... what's his name ... JD? ... I think that's right. His music.
Those were toffee oatmeal? I didn't know either, but they're all gone now. I had the same "cookiez gifter" that you had. Yum.
I think it's so nice about the family that you "adopt" for Christmas.
A 5 week cruise? Or a 7 day cruise?
I've been meaning to tell you that I like you hosting your blog with some delicious food every time. It's a warm welcome to your bloggy guests.
7 day cruise *hop* I'm not a big fan of shorter ones because with 7 days, I get a good mix of relaxing days at sea and days to poke around towns.
Puffy gets extra cheesy broccoli soup today. In a bread bowl. ;-)
Grrrrrrr. You didn't leave me any food or the blog keys. I don't much like you right now.
Well, I'm confused as to when you are going on your cruise. Dec 26-Feb 2 is much longer than 7 days.
I sent my cookies out already! So far the ones I received are all gone. Good thing I grabbed a couple of each when I first got them. DS, also known as the human eating machine, ate them with no thought to sharing.
*leaves a plate of quesedillas for momma*
df, it's January 26th we fly to New Orleans, disembark on Jan. 27th. Return on Feb. 3rd, and stay in New Orleans through the 4th.
Yay! Quesadillas! YUMM!!!!!!!!!
Okay, I like you again.
Well, I think I'm not going to really like you much those days.
totally gellus.
I have decided I am retiring to Aruba when I retire. Everyone says I won't do that cause I'll have grandkids. But that is what airplanes are for, right?
Are you home yet?
Reading your bog always makes me hungry.
How about now?
Now?
Remind me to never, ever, mess with Momma.
I KNOW you're home now.
I may not be very religious, however when I was homeless, the one organization that helped at all was the Salvation Army. I was able to get a few outfits to go to work in, and they provided food. Maybe not the best, but it kept me alive. There were not any stipulations on where I went thought. No service to attend or anything.
I always try to give to the bucket, and to local women's shelters.
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