Final Fickle Friday of 2011

Yup, it’s the final fickle Friday from MsMouse for the year 2011. And how fickle can it be? Read on!

Am I Psychic or Psychotic?

No need to answer that question; it was just rhetorical. But really I do think I’m psychic. I few minutes ago I was reading a blog about chocolate and discovered that December 27 was National Fruitcake Day. And that was the same day I posted Traditions – Fruitcake Christmas Cake. Now I realize that fruitcake has a bad rap, but I swear mine is very very tasty. Even the visiting Japanese students took some home. But in case you have any further questions, please see The Society for the Protection and Preservation of Fruitcake.

I Whupped TV Technology

It is the end of 2011 and I finally succumbed to new technology when it comes to the boob tube (TV). I have two televisions; one is at least 13 years old and the other is only 12 years old. They work well. However, I really want to watch Netflix movies on my TV (though my laptop). So I finally broke down and bought a new TV. At first I was looking at the 40 inchers, but then realized my current TV is only 22 inches, so 40 inches was way too big for what I needed. I ended up with a 26 inch TV/DVD combo.

For me, the important part was to get it home and set up by myself. Thank goodness it was small enough so I could do that. Then I installed the stand (yeah baby, I can screw with the best of them, as long as I have my handy-dandy Phillips with me), got the cable plugged in, and watched the News on TV. COOL!

Then came the tricky part; getting Netflix to work. Really that was quite easy. The problem arose when I could not hear what was going on. I grabbed my old computer speakers, hooked then up, and VOILA — sound and sight! Isn’t life wonderful?!

Happy Birthday Dad

Today my dad would have been 92. He died of cancer in January 1983. He knew he was in his last few weeks of life and wanted a big birthday party to celebrate his birthday. So that’s what we did. I remember attending with my foster daughter, Linda. Something happened and poor Linda ended up with whip cream on the tip of her nose. How we all laughed, especially my dad. Less than a week after that day, he was in the hospital, never to leave again. I talked to him several times on the phone for the first few days, but he knew the end was near and he knew how I felt about hospitals. Finally one day he called me and said that I should stop by the hospital and pick up his cane. That’s when I knew it was real; him asking me to come to the hospital and giving me his father’s cherished cane (which is still have and have used since 1983). Anyway… Happy Birthday Dad. You would have loved the fact that I set up the TV by myself!

Christmas Clean-up

I thought it would be sort of warm today (in the 40s F) and the snow was melted, so decided to round up the outside Xmas decorations. Brrrrr… wind chill is a nasty thing! But I put away everything except one spiral tree; my hands were too cold. Daughter helped a bit by carting 2 cases of flushable cat litter out to the shed. I don’t need them now (read more below) so best to put them elsewhere.

Cat Toilet Training is Down the John

Yup – I’m afraid that Sunni (the little rug pooper) got the best of me with her shenanigans and I have restored the standard cat litter box back into the laundry room. Three months of trying was good for MeiMei as she was a full-time advocate of toilet usage. But Sunni was not on board with the program and after spending several hours shampooing the carpet in the living room, I too was prepared to give it up. Thus the 2 stored cases of flushable kitty litter; expensive stuff, so I’ll keep it as I might try again later.

Traditions – Fruitcake Christmas Cake?

Another tasty holiday tradition is making fruitcake. (Would everyone please stop sniggering about fruitcake! You haven’t had mine; it is not that hard-as-a-rock, candied fruit, fruitcake; it is oh so much better!)  I have considered changing the name to Christmas Cake or Holiday Cake because of the negativity of “fruitcake” but it seems like caving in. So I waffle between the names while trying to have a “your loss” attitude.

Years ago, I would dry my own fruit to use (apricots, plums, raisins), but I no longer do that.  I usually mix the dried fruit and nuts during the Thanksgiving holiday. That allows the brandy to soak into the fruit and nuts for several days; I add more brandy as the fruit soaks it up. This year I was running late so brandy soaking was just 72 hours and then I baked the little gems the other day. Instead of make large loaves, I make cupcake size and mini-cupcake size. And if I’m tired of baking, I also make mini-loaves. They all can be wrapped in Saran wrap, then wrapped again in foil, and frozen. I love thawing a little one in the middle of summer and think of Christmas.

Here’s some pictures of the process.

Dried fruit (apricots, dates, figs, currants, golden raisins, plums) and nuts (walnuts, pecans) soaking in brandy and molasses.

After soaking, add batter.

Mixed batter and fruit/nut combo in cupcake pan, before baking.

Final results (before wrapping) -- yum!!

These are soooooo gooooooood!!   But I need to come up with a name that won’t deter people from trying them.  Any ideas?  I’ll send whoever submits the best name a little bit of heaven (also known as my fruitcake)!  Let’s hear some suggestions.

Traditions – Christmas Breakfast

Ever since I can remember, we have always gone to my aunt and uncle’s house on Christmas morning for brunch. That tradition still continues some 60 years later, except now it is at my mom’s house (step-mom, aunt – see Here’s My Family Tree to figure that one out).

Everyone pitches in for brunch, but the main course is what is affectionately called land goop. (I have always called it land gorp, but have been shown the error of my ways, but I still think gorp sounds more appetizing than goop). My brother Gary is the main chef. Land goop is a kind of omelet, but very heavy-duty. It contains eggs, potato chunks, sausage, and cheese. People fight over land goop; Gary has learned to always make extra to prevent fisticuffs.

Gary cooking land goop/gorp

YUM -- the star of the breakfast show!

Gary’s eldest son, Nick, has been the king french toast maker for several years now. Nick has this down to a science and I think everyone agrees that Nick’s french toast is the best in the world.

Nick making world's best french toast

This year there were 17 for breakfast.

Before the chaos begins.

Let's eat, drink, and be merry!!