Thursday, December 31, 2009

My Favorite Cookie -EVER !!!!


Grandma Engwalls Oatmeal Raisin Cookies :
Oven : 325 degrees
Baking Time: 10 - 12 minutes ( I use the full 12 minutes )
Beat Together :
1 1/4 C. White Sugar
1/2 C. Crisco
1/2 C. Brer Rabbit Molasses ( I ONLY use Brer Rabbit)
2 Eggs ( Room temp .)
Sift Together :
1 3/4 C. Sifted Flour
1 tsp. Salt
1 tsp. Baking Soda
1 tsp. Cinnamon
Stir in 2 C. Rolled Oats ( Regular..not quick cooking kind)
1 1/2 C. Raisins ( I use dark)
Mix all together. It will be a stiff dough so at this point use a wooden spoon to mix...trust me .
Drop by teaspoon full and bake 10 - 12 minutes.
NOTE : I always make a test cookie and use parchment paper. With my oven I need the full 12 minutes.
I grew up with this cookie and it never fails to make me super happy. SU took some to work and all he said was there was a complaint...." You didn't bring enough of them ."
Happy baking !
OXOXOX
Ciao,
Aunty Pol

Happy New Year's To All !!!



No Darlins....Aunty Pol did not fall off the face of the planet....it only seems so .


On Sunday, the square headed boy/girl friend had a hiccup and decided that we with the oppossible thumbs were not to be allowed any access to the innertubes.



Zip.

Nada .

ZERO !!!



For the most part I am " Whatevs."


I have many other thingys to do while on staycation which for the most part were realized....whooo hooo for re-organizing the pantry from HELL !!!!

I can now find stuffs.



Anyhoo....



SU had a shit fit and then some about the 'puter.



GRUMP



GRUMP



GRUMPY ASS HATTAGE.


All day.


All afternoon.


All night.



On our wedding anniversary no less.


Were steaks ( good ones too) , salad and yummies consumed ?


NOPE.


Did I stay the hell out of his way ?


You betcha.


Did SU apologize ?


Yes Indeed ~ In writing.



Was the writing bit his idea ?


Yes Ma'am.



A call to Comcast and a really nice guy started the road to recovery. SU did the rest and I stayed the hell out of the way so other than sound we are back.


No sound is no biggie to me right now other than this will be a pain in the ass if I want to watch anything on Fancast but on the other hand , I won't have to listen to the silly ass Farmville song either.



Other than that, Christmas was very quiet at the sister in laws....no change for MIL...but it is what it is till it ain't so there ya go.



The youngest brother spent Christmas Eve and part of the day with us which was nice since I never have my side of the family around for the holidays and it was the first Christmas we'd spent together since our mother passed away in 1981.


We get along rather well now having agreed to not argue or push each others buttons as siblings will do .


It also helps that he is friggan hilarious and gets along really well with the SU and kittys, being a kitty dad hisself.


So other than all of that , It's New Years Eve people .



I still have today and tomorrow off from the work bit and am happy as a clam at home. Stuff has gotten done within reason....no I haven't done the usual and just busted ass till I cannot walk much less straighten out the bad back I am blessed with .


I found Grandma Engwall's Oatmeal Raisin cookie recipe which has eluded me for ages and whipped up a batch or 2. Of all of my recipes , this one is the one I vividly recall from childhood and while mine will never be as uniform as Mom's, they still are just as good and SU will see why it's this recipe and Brer Rabbit Molasses or nuthin by Gawd.


There is an all day Burn Notice marathon today so I get out Bruce fix Miss Lisa.....wheeee.



Be Safe and Secure tonight ...cause I want to see all of you around to infinity and beyond.


XOXOX


Ciao,


Aunty Pol

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Come On 6: 01 pm......Tick Tock....


For Miss Lisa and all the lovely folks at the 'Stute, Miss Aggie, Grey , Sammy , Miles , Billy Sweetfeet Norton Gingetsnap, Food Lady Mom Person, Dad Lady Food Person, Kimo, Sabi, Kiera, Momma Kitty, Daddy Kitty Miss Laurie , Charlene Butterbean, Drewy, Ira , Walter and everyone at IBKC, PG, Miss Calamity Anne, Miss Kanani, Nee Nee, Miss Cathy aka Betty Crocker got a new oven, Miss Suze, and Most of all...the sister of my heart and of course SU :
HAVE A COOL YULE
It's the usual madness at the office, people are fleeing the village in droves, clients are having their usual last minute crisis as per their form....and I don't give a rats ass because ...
Drum Roll Please......
I am on vacation as of 6: 01 pm cst.
I will be posting from the Casa so if it gets really weird....there ya go .
Have a safe and happy holiday, and please , please be careful y'all.
Feliz Navidad
Ciao ,
Aunty Pol

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Sugared Pecans


As a special bonus....here is a recipe I can now make again as SU can actually partake of it.
We love pecans.
Spiced pecans.
Sugared pecans .
I finally found my recipe for sugar pecans so here you are. This is the easiest one that I have ever found and the only change I make for us is to all a pinch of cayenne pepper..yowza !
Sugar Pecans:
Makes about 5 cups.
Prep time: 10 min .
Bake time: 20 min.
Cool time : 30 min. ( yeah right )
Ingredients :
1 egg white
4 cups pecans , halved ( about 1 lb)
1/3 cup granulated sugar ( the white one )
1/3 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
** cayenne pepper to taste .
1. Whisk egg white until foamy , add pecans and stir until evenly coated .
2. Stir together sugars , sprinkle over pecans. Stir gently until the pecans are evenly coated .
Spread pecans in a single layer on a lightly greased foil lined 10 x 15 jelly roll pan.
3. Bake at 350degrees for 18 - 20 minutes until pecans are toasted and dry , stirring once after 10 minutes in the oven .
4. Remove from oven and let cool 30 minutes or until completely cooled .
Store in a zip lock baggie at room temp for up to 3 days or freeze up to 3 weeks .
NOTE :
I usually use parchment paper and a cookie sheet instead of a foil lined jelly roll pan...it works out fine. Sister of the Heart suggested trying cashews which I am dying to do.
Happy Munching.
Ciao,
Aunty Pol

Monday, December 21, 2009

You Should Always Have A Back Up Plan



LMAO




ROTF




Enjoy.



Ciao,


Aunty Pol

If It's Monday ~ It's John Barrowman Time ~!


Happy Monday people !
This is the last Monday of the year for me...yeah ME !
" I'm Tired"
It's been a long year.
It's been a hard year.
Friends and loved ones, extended families have lost family..

Shit.
I sound like the voice over for the Babylon 5 intro in my head now.
Onward.
Have a great week, a wonderful holiday and or time off and be careful.
I will be posting silly stuff this week from here and at home ...while cursing Mafia Wars which will still not open BTW CE and I am pissed off.
Mutter Mutter Grumble Grumble....
Ciao,
Aunty Pol

Friday, December 18, 2009

Happy Friday ~ Bruce Of The Day ~


Before I begin the usual Friday shenanigans...
Please ladies and SU....take a moment to keep a good thought for Walter and Ira from IBKC.
Miss Laurie ( I hope I spelled that right sweetie) has been posting about her two latest fosters who are teeth achingly cute. They are still at the Vet as far as I know and these itty bittys need to get mo bedder so they can experience the rapture that is know as loving from Miss Charlene Butterbean.
WERD !
Onward.
I believe that 99.9 % of the Christmas cards are done and in the mail. I used to be like my mother and really anal ( who knew ) about the whole card magilla.
Hell, Mother had the address books in volumes from years as a Navy wife that were so detailed that it had check mark places for who sent, who replied and the year.
Sorry Mom....F Dat....I has a job.
The last few years since Daddy died have left me less motivated than before for all of this crap .
Ask SU....I used to decorate the BeJeebus out of the living room and dining room. After the last remodel, we had to scale it back a bit as a lot of the prior stuff ( pine garland wrapped with wired ribbon and beaded garland...but tasteful mind you ) no longer worked with the new curtains....but other stuff stayed. By this point , the tree would have been up for a week or so....you know.
This year with one thing and another, again between time and motivation....not so much.
Then...
Then...
Angels sang.
Someone came up with an actual " Charlie Brown " Christmas tree for sale....found at Walgreens BTW.
Peanuts has a special place in our family lore.
Daddy especially loved that particular show...along with Jose Feliciano's " Feliz Navidad ....weird but true.
Anyhoo..I have the tree .
I did the cards.
Pearl is home.
I won't say all is well in my world , but it is a whole lot better tonight.
PEACE OUT Y'ALL.
Ciao,
Aunty Pol

Feliz Navidad




I just had to show the following...I think it's adorable .









It's a romantic full moon , when Pedro said , "Hey , mamacita , let's do Weeweechu."
Oh no , not now , let's look at the moon!" said Rosita.
Oh , c'mon baby , let's you and I do Weeweechu. I love you and it's the perfect time , " Pedro begged.
"But I wanna just hold your hand and watch the moon." replied Rosita.
Please , corazoncito , just once , do Weeweechu with me."
Rosita looked at Pedro and said , "OK , one time , we'll do Weeweechu."
Pedro grabbed his guitar and they both sang.....
"Weeweechu a Merry Christmas , Weeweechu a Merry Christmas , Weeweechu a Merry Christmas , and a Happy New Year."MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!
Feliz Navidad
Aunty Pol

Thursday, December 17, 2009

BOHICA


No....Pol didn't die, run off to join the circus, win the lottery or anything so fun and fabulous that she blew off the blog.
SU just whiz banged the better part of a box of cornstarch all over the clean kitchen floor.
We both laughed till damn near tears.
Baroooo ?
Ok.
At this point this is funny.
CE, BT , Miss L , Nee Nee , Sistah of my heart and Double O Mullet know what has been going on this year.
Illness.
Teeth.
Injury
His Mother.
All mutha lovin year long.
And now this.
Pearl the Wonder Car.
Tuesday morning we got in the chariot to leave for work...no spark.
Lights and indicators came on so we know we have battery...but that's about it.
Roll Pearl back towards the driveway.....check.
Call wrecker service......check.
Call local garage we've used before.....check.
Call our jobs....check.....
I got to write a check with a comma for the following :
Crankshaft position sensor.
Balance shaft belt.
A/C belt.
Valve cover gasket set .
Timing idler pulley .
Balance shaft pulley.
Tension pulley .
Oil. ( duh ) .
Oil filter - see above .
Shop supplies.
Labor.
Yes, I'd gotten my Christmas Bonus.
That goes to pay the property taxes and HOA every year..
So , there we are.
BOHICA
Bend over, here it comes....again.
I'd forgotten that I had a boatload of PTO on the books.
I didn't know I could zero that out this early.
There was another option I could do.
To ask for help was for me such a complete humiliation, I lost it.
I will help anyone I can.
SU will.
We are not used to being that other person.
To to be the one who had to ask help of others damn'd near killed me.
But I asked.
I will do what I need to take care of my family and house.
Someone showed me kindness in such an unexpected fashion that I doubt they will ever know what it meant to me and us.
Therefore, at the end of the week , when we can breathe...cornstarch bombs are effin hilarious.
Never fear...a new BOTD will be posted tomorrow.
Ciao,
Aunty Pol

Monday, December 14, 2009

The Cajun Twelve Days Of Christmas ~ ENJOY !


Day 1
Dear Emile,Thanks for da bird in the Pear tree. I fixed it las night with dirty rice an' it was delicious. I doan tink the Pear tree would grow in de swamp, so I swapped it for a Satsuma.

Day 2
Dear Emile,Your letter said you sent 2 turtle dove, but all I got was 2 scrawny pigeon. Anyway, I mixed them with andouille and made some gumbo out of dem.

Day 3
Dear Emile,Why doan you sen me some crawfish? I'm tired of eating dem darned bird. I gave two of those prissy French chicken to Mrs. Fontenot over at Grand Chenier, and fed the tird one to my dog, Phideaux. Mrs. Fontenot needed some sparring partners for her fighting rooster.

Day 4
Dear Emile,Mon Dieux! I tole you no more of dem bird. Deez four, what you call "calling bird" wuz so noisy you could hear dem all da' way to Lafayette. I used they necks for my crab traps, and fed the rest of dem to the gators.

Day 5
Dear Emile,You finally sent something useful. I liked dem golden rings, me. I hocked dem at da' pawn shop in Sulphur and got enough money to fix the shaft on my shrimp boat, and to buy a round for da boys at the Raisin' Cane Lounge. Merci Beaucoup!

Day 6
Dear Emile,Couchon! Back to da birds, you big dumb turkey! Poor egg sucking Phideaux is scared to death ah dem six goose. He try to eat they eggs and they pecked the heck out ah his snout. Dem goose are dang good at eating cockroach around da' house, though. I may stuff one ah dem goose with erster dressing to serve him on Christmas Day.

Day 7
Dear Emile,I'm gonna wring your fool neck next time I see you. Ole Boudreaux, da mailman, is ready to kill you, too. The poop from all dem bird is stinkin up his mailboat. He afraid someone will slip on dat stuff and gonna sue him. I let dem seven swan loose to swim on da bayou and some stupid duck hunter from Mississippi done blasted dem out da water. Talk to you tomorrow.

Day 8
Dear Emile,Poor ole Boudreaux had to make 3 trips on his mailboat to deliver dem 8 maids-a-milking & der cows. One of dem cows got spooked by da alligators and almost tipped over da boat. I doan like dem shiftless maids, me. I told dem to get to work gutting fish and sweeping my shack--but dey say it wasn't in their contract. They probably tink they too good to skin all dem nutria I caught las night.

Day 9
Dear Emile,What you trying to do? Boudreaux had to borrow da Cameron Ferry to carry these jumping twits you call lords-a-leaping across da bayou. As soon as dey got here dey wanted a tea break and crumpets. I doan know what dat means but I says, "Well la di da. You get Chicory coffee or nuthin." Mon Dieux, Emile, what I'm gonna feed all these bozos? They too snooty for fried nutria, and da cow ate up all my turnip green.

Day 10
Dear Emile,You got to be out of you mind. If da mailman don't kill you, I will. Today he deliver 10 half nekkid floozies from Bourbon Street. Dey said they be "ladies dancing" but they doan act like ladies in front of dem Limey sailing boys. Dey almost left after one of them got bit by a water moccasin over by my out- house. I had to butcher 2 cows to feed toute le monde (everybody) and get toilet paper rolls. The Sears catalog wasn't good enough for dem hoity toity lords. Talk at you tomorrow.

Day 11
Dear Emile,Where Y'at? Cherio and pip pip. You 11 Pipers Piping arrived today from the House of Blues, second lining as dey got off da boat. We fixed stuffed goose and beef jumbalaya, finished da whiskey, and we're having a fais-do-do. Da' new mailman drank a bottle of Jack Daniel, and he's having a good old time dancing with the floozies. Da' old mailman done jump off the Moss Bluff Bridge yesterday, screaming you name. If you happen to get a mysterious-looking, ticking package in da mail, don't open it.

Day 12
Dear Emile,Me I'm sorry to tell you--but I am not your true love anymore. After the fais-do-do, I talked all da night with Jacque, the head piper. We decide to open a restaurant and gentlemen's club on the bayou. The floozies--pardon me--ladies dancing can make $20 un hour for dancin', and the lords can be the waiters and valet park da boats. Since da' maids have no more cows to milk, I trained dem to set my crab traps, watch my trotlines, and run my shrimping business. We'll probably gross a million dollars next year.

Joyeaux Noel et Bonne Annee!
Happy Holidays !
Ciao,
Aunty Pol

If It's Monday ~ It's John Barrowman Time ~!


Ah...there we go.
I tell ya kids, Aunty Pol needs a clone.
Trying to compress 2 days of stuff that needs to be done, especially during the Holidays is effing unreal.
I did get a bit of a head start with the laundry on Friday night because I knew that when we got home from Mrs. Crazy Cajun's big Five Oh Par - Tay that were would be no further work done Saturday night.
Onward...
Sunday:
Sheets ( thanks SU..it does help)
Cake for office
Rum Balls
Gumbo
Bacon and eggs for Breki taco's for me for the week
dinner ( roast beast....thanks dear. finest kind)
3 more loads laundry..washed, dried, put away
Doesn't sound like a lot...except we are still both tired....we've both had the flu and Mother...well...our mantra is :
" It Is What It Is Till It Ain't ".
Have a great week .
Ciao.
Aunty Pol

Friday, December 11, 2009

Bruce Of The Day ~ Happy Friday ~

" No...you may NOT have my frosty , adult beverage Fiona !"


Sorry...had to go there.


Happy Friday y'all.


Thank you Lord, thank you Jeebus !


We all managed to survive the annual Holiday Par-Tay last night.


It was really lovely and no..I am not using the typical Southern Lady lovely as a substitute for God Awful.....because you know I do so worry what people think of my verbiage....NOT !


The hootenanny ( whole lotta hoot and a lil bit nanny) was held at the Crystal Ballroom of the Rice Hotel.

I have always loved the Rice..or Rice Rittenhouse as it was originally called. It was the last placce that JFK stayed overnight before Dallas and at one time was the capital building of Texas.


It has been fully restored and then parts of it are for sale lease...but you have to almost be the Sultan of Brunei to afford such digs.

Anyhoo....absolutely to die for appointments and architecture . I could have burned up a whole card with the digital on that bit alone.


Outstanding food and service BTW.


We had a great time, SU had fun as always and it was nice to be able to get a bit gussied and go out since we hadn't been out in a year .

No one died, no one needed to be killed.


Tomorrow is the party for Mrs. Crazy Cajun..her 50'th .

It starts a noon.


I've done enough cards for today...so I am going to see if I can google the Cajun version of the 12 days...if I can find it , I will post it here....y'all will die laughing.

Promise.

Have a great weekend.


Ciao,


Aunty Pol

Thursday, December 10, 2009

Sometimes A Tiger Is Just A TIger

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UqBafx3iRKw&feature=player_embedded

Enjoy !

Ciao,

Aunty Pol

Stayed Tuned..Along with our regular " Bruce Of The Day " Friday....Snerk....~ TONIGHT is the annual office Christmas Par-Tay..Mwahahahah .

Tuesday, December 08, 2009

Twenty Nine Years ~ WOW !


I remember where I was when I heard the news.
I remember being stunned and feeling sick .
I am sure that most of our generation remembers where we were much the same way our parents recall the day that President Kennedy died.
Six months later my mother died at the age of 52 .
Because of certain issues right now at home, it hit me even harder as I listened to the radio station play his music.
I was far too young to lose my mother .
He was far too young to be murdered.
These thoughts crossed my mind as I listened to the song, thinking to myself...
" Gee...Yoko's voice isn't really all THAT BAD on the refrain..."
Then I considered that I just might need to rethink the lack of Bailey's in the morning commuter mug of coffee.
I am sure there is a self help for me....I can't be alone in this.
" Brain Dead Now ? Ask Me How ."
Anybody got the directions ?
Cab Fare ?
Sheesh....
Ciao,
Aunty Pol

Monday, December 07, 2009

The Aftermath or Holy Shit ! It Snowed In Houston 2009


As I have previously stated, the reaction to the weather had been pretty comical.
We get a tad edgy about hurricanes like Ike and Rita...but we've been through them and know that after the Specs and Kroger run that we are all going to be fine.
The threat of Snow ??????????


Oh Holy Fuck, the world is coming to an absolute and complete end.
Remember in the newest " Star Trek " movie...where Eric Bana's character Nero creates a black hole to destroy Vulcan ?
Yep..that was mild by comparison.
I was grateful that the PTB's where I work closed the office at noon, even if I did in fact get screwed out of some time. They said that they would pay all of us I believe 4 1.2 hours..or until 4: 30 .....I work till 6 pm.
Do the math.
Yep.
Considering that I have usually been the last Mohican...I know how I sound. I didn't want to wait 6 hours for SU...his office did not close early...so I rode to the Metro lot and got a lift with a friend.
But still....
You see...I use the time I have annually on the books to pay Unca Sammy.
Oh well....
On the bright side.....
I am a cruel mommy .
Because of the number of trees and the density of the canopy....there was no snow in the front yard.
The back is another story.
Remember that Sgt. Panda Pants does not use the boxes inside.
Ever.
But he is really a very good boy and we try to remember to be consistent in our hours and arrival times at home .
The patio looked normal so outsie boutskie he goes .
Then a paw hit the snow.
He went straight up in the air the way that they do when they are 6 weeks old.
The WTF Over look be gave me was priceless.
He did not touch the earth till he hit carpet.
And of course the digital needed a battery charge.
You know it did.
The rest of the weekend was uneventful save for another round of ICU for the Momma.
She is home now .
It Is What It Is Till It Ain't.
When we got home I realized that Sgt. Panda Pants had been in for a while so he would do well to go out.
He was resisting that for all it was worth.
Me being smarter than the average bear knew how to get his happy ass out the door.
Give him his monthly advantage.
He hates that.
He will go through the door to get outside.
Fine.
I will wait until he is through pouting in his cat house .
Bribes won't get him in when he is in this mood.
Wet food...temptations....fergit it.
But ...I can wait him out.
I am the Mommy and I have the opposible thumbs.
Have a great week.
Ciao,
Aunty Pol

If It's Monday ~ It's John Barrowman Time ~!


LMAO..Yeah..I thought that would get your attention ~~~~!!!!!!!!!
Ciao
Aunty Pol

Friday, December 04, 2009

Bruce Of The Day ~ Happy Friday ~


Well Kids..
Hell has officially frozen over .
It's snowing in Houston.
Visible, measurable snow.
Of course , the people that I work with are evenly divided...as follows.
50% ~ OMG OMG OMG It's Gonna Snow - Wooooo Hoooooo
50% ~ OMG OMG OMG It's Gonna Snow ~ WE'RE ALL GOING TO DIE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
People..Srsly !
Until you have driven on black ice.....STFU !
The office is closing at noon, thank you Mgmt Wonks who actually thought about it .
I'll post more from home.
Ciao,
Aunty Pol

Wednesday, December 02, 2009

~OMG ~ It's A Real Show ~ Steven Seagal - Lawman ~!






Dear A & E ,



I understand the need to stay current with your viewership, given that cable has made vast in roads over the last ten years.



I understand that many watch television on their computers.



I will own up to being a fan of " Gene Simmons Family Jewels."



Guilty as charged.



But this ?



Really ?



Why ?



Oh for shame..you who started out as the " Arts and Entertainment " channel.



This is Art ?



This is Entertainment ?



Really ?



Ciao,



Aunty Pol



P.S. Oh hell yeah I'm gonna check it out..just for the LOL factor...with an adult bev. natch .

You Know Its Boogita Boogita Time When....

http://cuteoverload.com/2009/11/29/aaand-repeat/

I have to put my head down from the cuteness now .


Ciao,

Aunty Pol

Tuesday, December 01, 2009

If It's Monday ~ It's John Barrowman Time ~!


First of all ....sorry that this is a day late. I've been sick.
The irony is that I find myself wondering exactly who is is that I am apologizing to...in my own freakin blog....LMAO !
Yeah...I wonder about stuff like that.
I hope everyone had a lovely holiday...I spent the better part of it sick with the seasonal crud.
Yeah Me.
Onward.
Have a great week.
Ciao,
Aunty Pol