Coffee Talk Mom

This year is different….

We have many traditions in our family at Christmas and many of them are being quietly tucked away for next year. It is almost like a beautifully decorated box was opened and God said…put all of your concerns/cooking/decorating/stressing in here. He tied it up with a big bow and gently moved it back in to storage. This year we are traveling to see my sister and her husband in California and with that we have done very little decorating, I am not pulling out every last cookie recipe (to get started) and I enjoyed my family 100% over Thanksgiving weekend. Trust me, the boys got put on "outdoor Christmas tree duty" and I did the best I could from a few cherished Christmas items to make the house look festive. I love Christmas, but I think God gives us times and seasons when He allows us to see things from the outside looking in.

The Buffs did not play Nebraska Friday. We usually have the game blaring throughout the house while we put up 3 trees, decorate 2 floors and completely "remodel" in the name of tradition. I missed that, but I didn't miss the exhausting day and trying to convince the boys "it will all be worth it". Boys are different. They don't really appreciate the whole décor thing!

Thomas goes back to college this morning L. I asked if I could bake him some cookies to take back to school. He is watching his food intake and so are we…humm…maybe it will be ok to have Christmas goodies as treats and not just sitting around the house. I typically start cooking NOW to accommodate a large party, my brother's affection for cornflake peanut butter cookies, and my Dad who enjoys a "spritz" cookie. We have an Open House with more than 100 people on New Year's Day. This year, we will be flying back to Colorado and that tradition (15 years strong) will be broken. As much as we LOVE our friends and family, it is nice to take a break from all of the craziness and just enjoy the season.

One thing that has not changed…I am in year 16 of Christmas at the Ranch. This year we have 11 songs to memorize…guess I can spend some extra time focused on my memory skills!!

Whatever your holiday season looks like to you this year…take some time to STOP and enjoy some peace…lay under your tree and look up through the branches (I have done that every year at my mom's house), read the Christmas story (I guarantee something new will stick out to you), make a snow man, take a drive to the mountains, eat a cookie with a friend…give to a needy family…don't let it pass without making some memories…the traditions will be back next year… California here we come!

BAN SHOPPING!

I thought I was DONE blogging for the week but I can't help wondering…Has anyone else noticed that stores are staying open ON Thanksgiving?? Forget "Black Friday"…It is now "Black Thanksgiving". Granted, I am a shopper and like a good deal myself, but this is just WRONG! I hope, for the sake of the holiday, that NO ONE shows up at these stores to fight over who gets the $200 flat-screen TV! Is it really THAT important to run out on the ONE day of the year that is meant for family, cooking, and watching football or playing it with friends? I am a stay-at-home mom and very blessed to have that privilege, but sometimes it is a personal burden. Let me explain: I always feel like I need to be moving, cooking, cleaning, volunteering, running errands, entertaining, etc. It is hard for me to even watch a movie at home without sending an email, folding a load of laundry, etc… YES…I entertain on Thanksgiving, but I have everyone who attends bring something, and I don't feel pressure to look perfect, cook perfect (well maybe for you, Bill!) or keep moving. I like to throw a football in the backyard, leave the dishes for an extra hour, and just enjoy the people in my life that mean something to me. DO yourself a favor…put away the "to-do and honey-do" lists for one day and be a part of LIFE and give yourself a minute to think "Wow…I have it pretty darn good!"…

 

CoffeeTalkMom

The “Sexiest Men in the World” and Gratitude

Ok…I know what you are thinking…I have gone completely off my rocker! Actually, I received "People" magazine free for 3 months when I needed to convert some useless miles. Lucky me!! This week's edition is the hot men of Hollywood. Needless to say, I dumped it next to my bed where it has stayed for several days. After waking up at 5:30 am (AGAIN!!...Thanks time-change!) I wandered upstairs this afternoon for what we in the CTM house term "the golf nap". I grabbed the magazine and started flipping through it. Big surprise that Bradley Cooper graced the cover…I was definitely relieved to know that he wears Old Spice deodorant and never has ANYTHING in his freezer…wow…all really important stuff here…forget the nap!

I flipped through the young actors I have never heard of…(uhh…a reflection of my age maybe?) I realized that I simply cannot have a 21 year old myself and think any boy in their 20's is "sexy". I came across an interesting "take" on their pages and pages of lists. This particular article was about "what ticks these guys off". Justin Timberlake doesn't like people who show their new "apps" from their I-Phone at parties (this from a guy who made millions playing Sean Parker in "The Social Network"?). Another actor said "Waiting for his girls to get ready to go anywhere", another…"being hungry" (you mean like the kids in Africa?) WAIT! It's a "mile high" long list from Brad Pitt. Let's see…slow internet service…mortgage scams…and what? "anyone praying for my salvation". HUH? That's kind of a strange thing to tick him off. Personally, I have WAY too many friends, acquaintances, family and other people who need my prayer time. CTM must admit now! I have never prayed for Brad Pitt's salvation! I guess if I was an atheist or if let's say a Buddhist told me they were praying for me I would feel grateful. It would not bother me one bit as I would feel that at least they were strong in what they believed and passionate about something I needed help with in my life. Why is it that people who are so "open minded" to everything the world has to offer are so closed off to Christians? I don't get it. I have several friends who are not Christians and they don't mind when I say that I am praying about their health or their kids or whatever. Maybe we are not the best at explaining what we believe or why. I need to personally work on that! We need to be better examples in this hurting world of what a Christian really is.

This week is Thanksgiving. If you are a Christian in this secular world, take a moment and make a call to someone who isn't. Don't preach to them…just talk…and at the end of the conversation tell them you are grateful for them. See how they respond. I personally will give a quick "shout out" to "the man upstairs" for Brad Pitt this week…challenge accepted!

Happy Thanksgiving!!

 

Coffee Talk Mom

 

Turkey 101

It's that "most wonderful time of the year"! I Love Thanksgiving: no gifts to buy, fancy dresses to wear, stress from all of the running around! For those of you who are dreading the "turkey cooking" portion of the day, here is a quick and easy, delicious "recipe". I wouldn't even call it an official recipe, but more of a guideline.

First of all, if you are not in the market for the perfect poultry perfection (a fresh and expensive turkey from Whole Foods), buy your turkey this week from one of the major chains. The ALL have specials and you can even buy an extra for sandwiches or Christmas. I usually make 2 turkeys, depending upon how many guests are coming. I like to have one made in the morning and one coming out of the oven when guests arrive. I enjoy the red pop up button which means you probably shouldn't buy the cheapest one!

On Monday, before the big day, take "Turk" out of the freezer and transfer him into the fridge. Let's call him "Turk" since my brother and son are named "Tom" and that may get a little strange later when we talk about stuffing. Now back to Turk. He is now slowly defrosting and I use the word slowly for a reason. Don't panic on Wednesday morning when you go to check him and he feels completely solid like a rock. That is the typical first moment of panic! Remove from the fridge and place in a sink of cold water (plastic still on!)…Turk will soak for the day and more readily defrost. Wednesday night, unwrap and rinse with cold water…inside and out.

Here is a letter I wrote to Butterball:

Dear Mr. and Mrs. Butterball,

Please wrap and seal turkeys without the waxed paper- wrapped livers and neck for the 99% of us who throw them away! It is disgusting reaching inside and trying to suction them out of the cavity. Sometimes, I even gag and need counseling after.

Sincerely,

CTM

Now for the easy part: lift the skin of the turkey and shove fresh rosemary or thyme (from the produce section) under the skin, along with some butter (not margarine)! Push the skin back down. Quarter a couple of onions and shove them, along with celery, lemons, garlic (or whatever sounds good) into the main part of the cavity.

Reynolds makes turkey size oven bags and these are a "sure thing". There will be no basting or waiting for 4-5 hours for your turkey to get done. When you stuff the turkey with stuffing, it takes MUCH longer to cook. It is also full of fat and calories and there is always the possibility of food poisoning as well. Don't stuff Turk: keep him full of veggies and that will help him steam to perfection.

Place bag on counter. Put 1 Tbsp. flour into the bag and shake it around to coat the inside. Put Turk into the bag (with the help of a big burly, good looking man). Place Turk in a pan with sides and tuck the plastic under Turk so it is not hanging over. Cut a couple of steam holes into the top and let 'er cook! Turk will be done in 2-3 hours. Don't over-cook. Read the directions on the box! Let him stand for a bit. Slice open the bag and the juices will drain onto the pan. You can separate the pan drippings in one of those fancy separator thingies from Williams Sonoma (or Target!)…Wa.La…You are the queen…You are Martha for a day! Have the kids do the dishes while you and your girlfriends sit back with a glass of vino and enjoy a girl movie! Happy Thanksgiving and Cheers!

CoffeeTalkMom

Shopping Tip #154…RELAX!!

For those of you who live in the Denver area, I am sharing with you a GREAT break place for those sore shopping feet! NO…I am not getting paid for this and I don't even speak their language…literally!! I have single handedly introduced this place to at least 7 or 8 friends who continue to go on a bi-weekly or monthly basis. What is it?? Well…Oriental Chi of course!

If you like massages but don't like making appointments, changing into robes, and spending over $100 bucks for soft music, then Oriental Chi is the place for you! OC is located just outside the JC Penney second floor doors at Park Meadows Mall. Granted, they also have massage "chairs" at the bottom of the escalator…who likes to sit in the middle of the mall and try to relax? That is a stretch…even for CTMom.

Here are some tips for maximizing your experience:

Don't make an appointment…just walk thru the doors

They don't have a bathroom, so be sure to use one before you get there.

Learn the Chinese language…or better yet…use basic words like: "harder", "too hard", need "hair clip"…you know…basics! Be aware…if you say "thank you" too much …you will hear a kind "you we-come"…which may cause spontaneous up-side down smiling!

Wear light clothing. Since you stay dressed, don't wear bulky jeans and belts and cute blingy stuff.

OK…How do I say this delicately…they massage your glutes…so if you don't like that…tell them in VERY simple English or revert to tip #1…Personally…it doesn't bother me.

Get ready for some awesome Chinese music that repeats…Don't worry…the experience is still totally worth it!

Lay on one of the beds (even if it is 30 minutes)…don't use chair.

The ONE HOUR massage (not 50 minutes) will include your feet…so don't go after a workout!

Don't plan anything coherent after the massage. SHOP FIRST!

Some of the prices are:

$55/ one hour massage

$22/20 minutes

$35/35 minutes reflexology

Relax and give yourself a break in this coming season of craziness!!

CoffeeTalkMom

Love and Other Hugs…

After last week's post, I knew I wanted to do a follow up! I received great responses regarding friends and family and what love looks like to them. Whether men or women, many grew up in homes with parents from the great depression whose lives were more about survival than the proverbial "I love you" or greeting with a daily hug. Their love was apparent in how they supported their families, educated their kids, sacrificed for their country and in other ways. Many in our generation have not seen the spoils of war, not suffered TRUE hunger, or lived off pennies for the week. Some comments and points from readers, family, and friends:

• It made me think of my Dad, a stiff upper lip Brit, who wasn't raised with those words nor felt very comfortable saying them. But I ALWAYS still felt so loved. He showed me how much he loved me by always being there, by being a good provider, a hard worker, and a loving husband to my mom. And, a very dry sense of humor. I miss him every day.
• Oh yes......my Dad....He was a man of few words, but his actions said everything. And, for all that wasn't said, I never questioned his love for me. It just wasn't his way. But the day before he died, I was fortunate enough to fly out and say good-bye. He couldn't talk due to severe pneumonia, but we were still able to communicate. He used to use his hands a lot when he talked. Through his hand gestures he let me know that he was about to die and I said, "Oh dad, I love you." He looked at me very purposefully and pointed to himself and then back at me twice. And, well, that was one of the few times he said "I love you, too." So, perhaps in the end, it IS important to utter those words, just in case.......I know it was important to him.

  Your latest Blog is poignant.  It touches on changes that have occurred in society since the time of the Great Depression, or perhaps WWII.  My Grandfather and Grandmother, I believe, loved me, but they never said so. And he was a tough taskmaster for me all my life.   I do not recall either of my parents ever saying that they loved me, but they did because of the many things that they did throughout my life.  

  I am grateful for my husband and how he shows his kids how he loves them every day. He was not raised with a hug-fest but has come to know how much it means. Sometimes his actions are almost awkward, but what matters is how it makes his family feel.

  To my Readers : thanks for keeping me on my toes and for sharing your thoughts. I feel like a bad athlete at times who sits in front of the press and says: "I am not meant to be a role model…I just run a football"…. I had a birthday this week and every year that goes by …I realize how much I still have to learn!

   

  Have a great week!

  Coffee Talk Mom