Mixed messages

Like many people, I've been trying to keep an eye on the family grocery budget. And every once in awhile, I'll buy something just because it's cheap. Like eggplant. Or cauliflower. And I generally feel doubly virtuous because it's good for us AND it's saving us money. Except when my family won't eat it. Like the eggplant. Or the cauliflower.

Anyway, a couple weeks ago, whole chickens were on special. Really cheap. I mean, super duper really cheap. I have to explain that I don't roast whole poultry very often. My sister and I have a family tradition of phoning my mom on Thanksgiving to ask her why the turkey isn't cooked yet. And then we got smart and started letting my brother-in-law cook the bird. He's very good.

But this chicken was cheap. So I bought three. My thinking ran something like this, "This is super cheap. And even if we don't eat them, I could cook one and take it to the neighbors." I don't usually inflict untried recipes on neighbors, just so you know. But there's been someone in hospital, etc ...

Well, the ironic thing is that once I bought them, these chickens took up space in the freezer. So I had to cook one. And it turned out pretty good. A little dry but that's because I had to put it in a smidge early because I wasn't going to be home and SG was in a meeting so he couldn't baste it. But we got our rosemary-roasted chicken out of the oven and sat down to eat supper.

It was a beautiful moment. Practically Norman Rockwell.

And then it occurred to me that my children hadn't seen a chicken that actually looked like a chicken come out of the oven in, like, forever. Oh, well. A little to late to worry about that now. We're farm stock, after all, and they'll have to recognize the realities of life at some point. "Children, I have to tell you something - not all meat grows up wrapped in cellophane."

We all dished up and I asked the usual question, "How was school today?"

"It was great. We had a lady come and talk to us about not being cruel to animals."

Oh, well.

Jingle-itis

I thought I had it right.

For probably a couple decades now, I thought I had it right. And then I baked a pie.

See, we were in the grocery store the other day and they happened to have Sara Lee pies on special - buy one, get one free. Free pie?! Okay!

So we picked out two, an apple and a cherry. Let me mention that I am blessed, blessed, blessed to be married to a man that prefers store-bought pastry. In spite of the number of women that have given me a no-fail pastry recipe, SG still prefers the store bought pastry for his pumpkin pie. And with company coming, and a small shortage of time, I went on a pie-buying streak this Thanksgiving. If it helps redeem me a little, though, I make the filling right from a real pumpkin.

As I was baking the pie, I found myself humming a little jingle and realized it was the Sara Lee jingle. But one glance at the box stopped me cold. Mid hum.

The box said "Nobody doesn't like Sara Lee."

What!!?!

That's not right!

I reread the box. Oddly enough, it still said the same thing - "Nobody doesn't like Sara Lee."

For years (and years and years) I've been singing, "Nobody does it like Sara Lee."

Years.

And apparently I've been wrong the entire time!

The shock was too much. Sure, I ate the pie, but it was with a sense of disillusionment. Don't get me wrong - I didn't not like it. So I guess their slogan isn't all wrong. But how could nobody notice that it's a blatant double negative? What kind of message is that for a pie company to use? Is that really the best they could say about their pies? "Well, nobody doesn't like them..."

I may have just developed a small "doesn't like" for Sara Lee.

Dickens again

So as I mentioned, we did another Dickens'-time play at church this year. 1852, to be precise. At least I think I mentioned it. I meant to. But I may have been to busy working on it to mention it. Sorry.

It turned out great! My area this year was set design/assembly and I helped again with costumes (so cool - we had a lady supply us many authentic vintage items for the costumes!) Not many costume photos yet (I hate turning the camera over to someone else but it had to be done) so instead here are some set photos. Each of the panel sections in the center were mobile and would swing forward to be either a market place or a dock scene (complete with a stuffed boar's head outside the pub!) Our builder was amazing! I gave him two pencil sketches and a brochure from West Ed Mall and look what happened! A twenty+ foot mast (he cut down a tree!). And did I mention the snow machine?

In all, 1500 people attended over 4 performances - even with freezing rain, etc. Over 65 indicated they wanted to accept the true gift of Christmas. And we even survived a complete crash of the sound system one night. All in all, a success.





I think I'll have a nap now.

Hallelujah Chorus

Here's a Christmas classic with a twist. We'd tried doing something like this for my Dad when he turned 65 awhile back and even with the few of us and "Happy Birthday", we didn't have it this together. Maybe brown robes would have helped...

My favorite joke

This is my favorite joke of all time (at least at the moment):

Q: Why did the ram run off the cliff?

A: He didn't see the ewe turn.


(HA HA HA HA ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ... sigh)

The forecast

We've been fog bound for weeks now. And I don't mind it so much, except that I'm always very conscious that the deer do tend to stand in the middle of the road like neutral-colored pylons as the temperatures dip. So the forecast tonight brings mixed reactions:

"Mainly clear and frigid."

Now by Canadian standards, it's not going to be frigid. But to my in-laws, living in a trailer up the road from us, on the first leg of their first major snowbird trip since retiring, I imagine it's going to feel frigid. We've offered them the usual deluxe airbed-in-the-studio accommodations, but they're sticking to their new home front.

And really looking forward to Palm Springs.

Pink gloves

This video was made by a Portland hospital to promote breast cancer awareness. On a regional level that makes them my neighbors. And it makes me smile. How fun (and touching) to see everyone work together for a cause they support.



It also makes me realize that the line between dancers and non-dancers can be a thin one. But, hey, dance on!!