Xmas Keeps Coming Early To Me!

Exactly one week from the Nate show, Winnie, Kathy & I attended the Wendy Williams Show. I knew Wendy was giving out gifts every day so it was exciting to see what we would get.

The show is fun and very lively. The first giveaway was Michael Jackson's new CD. Then a box of Godiva Bakery Dessert truffles which includes flavors like Chocolate Lava cake, Red Velvet cake, Carrot Cake, Tiramisu, Cheesecake & Strawberry Tarte.
Wendy competed in a gift wrapping contest and we won a Sony PSP! As if that wasn't enough, the "real" giveaway was Soda Stream, the new popular soda making machine.
All in all...another over $500 giveaway!

Thank goodness, the Soda Stream was a delivery to the house. Everything else we physically received at the show. I called Soda Stream the next day and ordered my machine...choice of Black/Silver or White...I opted for the Black/Silver and 8 flavors of drinks out of 40 choices. This morning at 8am, it was delivered to my door and boy it was heavy! Along with all that I ordered, a Sodamix Taste Sampler of 12 trail-sized samples was included.

Move over, Coke & 7 Up....Esther's Fizzies is coming to town!! LOL!!

Merry Xmas To Me! Fa-La-La...

Way back in August of this year, Winnie obtained tickets to The Nate Berkus Show. It turned out to be his first taping so it was filled with problems and was unorganized as "first time" things tend to get. Kathy, Liz, Winnie & I were in the studio for over 5 hours! And it was Liz's first experience at a show or taping so we were pretty disappointed. Also...Nate wasn't doing alot of what he is an expert in - which is interior decorating.

Because of the bad feedback, the show contacted Winnie for us to return as VIP audience members to give the show a second chance. Winnie waited. We weren't in a hurry to return and I thought a holiday time show would be more fun. Sure enough Winnie was able to get tickets for today.

Unfortunately, Kathy & Connie passed on attending and it was only Winnie & I. We got the VIP treatment - allowing us to enter the waiting areas before the non-VIP's. Which was a good thing since it was so cold outside.

We had coffee and bagels and more importantly, seats & warmth. Since it is a taped show and not a live show, we still had to wait longer than normal. But we were comfortable so it didn't bother us.

The show is better these days with Nate doing more of his decorating hints and ideas. Today's show was a "holiday" show and everything was centered around that theme. Including a segment on gift giving. 8 ideas. OMG...Winnie & I had a taste of what it might feel like if we attended an Oprah show! Wheeeee....:-)

* "City Slips" - Fold-up ballet slippers to change into from heels (not pictured)
* "Rumba" watch - a new style of wrist watch
* "Brookstone" - Motion-activated Candy dispenser
with a 2 lb bag of Jelly Belly candy
* "Splendid" circle scarf
* "Kiehl's" - various beauty products
* "Oster" Electric wine opener and chiller
& a big box of Godiva Truffles
* "Colby" Digital camera & camcorder
* "Barnes & Nobles" The Nook with WiFi !!!




Close up of my Rumba Watch

Decorating a Wreath

Start with a plain unadorned wreath


Intertwined within the branches -
battery operated lights


Tuck in first branch


Circle around with other embellishments to your liking


Adding another branch with small acorns


Alternating with red decorative leaves


Complete with large bough with berries


Need to balance the red on the left hand side



Switch some red leaves around and add bow
made easily from wired ribbon


Scatter in small red, green and gold balls
& Voila!!

Turkey Day 2010 Pics

The Cousins

Miranda, Nikki, Kris


Helping in the kitchen...well...some...others just looking pretty!



Dinner is served


Kathy's rolls...Evelyn & Miranda's stuffing

Desserts
Kris' Blueberry Pie - Kathy's Pumpkin Roll - Xavier & Miranda's Peanut Butter Buckeyes
My White & Milk Chocolate Mousse cake - Kathy's Pecan Fudgie Pie


Nikki & Tom







The Family

Pot

Did you think of something that would get you high or a cooking vessel? I am writing about the cooking vessel.

I have been wanting a cast iron dutch oven for awhile now. Creuset is the one to get but I didn't want to pay that kind of money even if it is an investment. It had been on Evelyn's wish list before her wedding 18 years ago and I got her one for her shower and she still has it and uses it. So I know it is worth it. Still...I couldn't see myself paying over $100 for a...pot.

I have been doing surveys on e-rewards which earns me a $25 Macy's gift card every three months if I have enough money in the bank. So far I have collected over $150 worth and put them to good use. I have a Belgian Waffle maker and a Panini press and nice lingerie. It works out better when I used them with Macy's one day sales and any extra coupons.

I had $75.18 worth of gift cards. The 18 cents was the balance from an older card and 18 cents is 18 cents. When Macy's had their Wednesday one day sale this past week and Martha Stewart's cast iron casseroles were on sale...it was time to cash in my rewards. And on top of that, they offered a $10 off $25 purchase. The pots I wanted were priced between $34.99 - $39.99.

I knew I would get the red one from the blue, black, green and yellow choices. I didn't know if I would opt for the 2.5 qt or 5.5 qt size. When I saw them in person, the smaller one was adorable and perfect for a single person. BUT the larger one for only $5 more seemed more reasonable. After debating the issue several minutes, I went with the bigger one which by the way had an original price of $99. I was allowed the $10 discount and using my 18 cents and 2 of the $25 gift cards, I still had a balance of over $17 on one and another whole $25 on another. And I believe I am eligible for another in December. Cha-ching!

Now...what to make in this fabulous new POT!

BFF's in AC

Last April, Winnie & I went to stay at Harrah's for one night. It was very enjoyable so when a promotion of $30 a night came up, we booked for 2 nights. The one night stay didn't allow us to visit the Boardwalk which was something Winnie wanted to do since she hasn't been in 20 years.



We didn't have any problems with traffic starting out after rush hour. Winnie had picked up dim sum and some rice dishes from Noodletown. Cha sui for me and roast duck for her. About an hour into the trip, we stopped at a rest stop to gas up, freshen up and enjoy the dim sum with delicious coffee from Burger King. Nicely sated, we continued on and arrived after 2pm. I opted for the valet parking finding out that it is a one time charge and there were in and out privileges. Better yet, what I thought would be a $10 charge came out to be $5! And we were allowed valet privileges at shared properties such as Caesar's, Bally's and Showboat.

Even though check in was 4pm, we got a room right away. It was in the Marina Tower which is the older section. We were located in room 829 - had a water view and 2 Queen beds. The room was clean and although not as spacious as our last visit, it was very nice. We went to the Total Rewards desk thinking we might get a new coupon booklet but it turns out the coupon booklet is only for first time registrars. No matter...we went on to try our hand at the slots. Let's just say...we weren't as lucky as we hoped and ended up eating our rice orders and was happy for the rest of the night.

The next morning, we got the car and drove to the Strip. We saw the Golden Arches and had a yummy Micky D's breakfast. We parked at Caesars and walked the boardwalk. The morning was nippy and overcast but the sun came out later in the day and it was a good work-out.






We weaved in and out of the different hotels and ended up liking the Tropicana the best. Their "Latin Quarter" shopping arcade is made to look as if you are walking the cobblestones of Havana complete with palm trees & rattan fans. It was delightful. Better yet, their Italian restaurant, Carmine was giving out a tasting of their food. We each sampled a chicken wing and penne in sauce. It was delicious and hit the spot!

We drove back to Harrah's and relaxed at their indoor pool area giving us the impression we were really at a resort.

We didn't know what to do for dinner and thought about the Buffet at Harrah's but so did everyone else and the line was at least an hour's wait. Instead we went across the way to the food court and ordered cheeseburgers and onion rings and feasted in our room. And saved $29.99 each!

Winnie & I have known each other for 45 years and we have only been away together 3 times - all within this last year! Goes to show...good things come to those who wait!

Walking For Lulu

"Lulu" is the nickname of Louise, the mother of my good friend, Marianne. She is suffering from Alzheimer and is now in an assisted living facility. I've known Louise almost as long as I have known Marianne who I met when we were 16 and in high school together. They had an extremely close relationship. And even into adulthood, they would speak to each other on the phone a few times a day.

It was with great sadness to see this disease take over her life. Unfortunately Marianne's father also had this disease. So when Marianne invited me to participate in the Memory Walk, I happily agreed. Nikki didn't hesitate to join me.
The walk was held in Riverside Park between 97th & 116th Street. It was a perfect day for this event. Warm enough not to have to wear a jacket or coat. I drove in and met Nikki by 89th Street and after spending 30 minutes driving around, finally found a parking spot on 85th St and West End.

We entered the park at 97th Street, the purple and white balloons welcoming us.



Along with a cheerleading squad who were clapping and saying "Thank You, Walkers!" when the next thing I knew, Nikki was hugging one of them (but of course!). She knew John, a friend (4th from the left).


After check-in where we received our breakfast bracelets and Nikki received her official "End Alzheimer" purple t-shirt, we met up with Marianne. Cosi provided the breakfast but because our team raised more than $15,000, we were treated to a VIP breakfast where we had the same choices of bagels, danishes and muffins as the non-VIP with the addition of hot items like apple pancakes, bacon,sausage and baked omelets. To wash it down - coffee, tea & different juices. They also gave away a strange bottle of water that looked like a bottle of vodka. Although it was heavy, Nikki & I couldn't resist taking one.


David Hyde Pierce (in baseball cap)greeting the crowd

We stopped at various tables and picked up "goodies". A huge tote to add to my collection & entered a NYU raffle. We were given team t-shirts to wear for the 80th Street Residence which is where Louise is residing. It was a 2 mile walk that started at about 100th Street and then looped back. I discovered that Marianne and some of the other members cut across the "loop" but Nikki and I completed the whole walk. And because we did, I received an official t-shirt! Apparently they were giving away the left-overs!

My 2 t-shirts, large tote, unusual bottle of water and Cosi Bagel

Nikki - ready to go

Marianne & me


A nice turn-out


Marianne hosted a lunch at her Park Ave apartment. She had it catered and turned one of her rooms into a restaurant furnishing it with about 8-10 small tables and chairs.

Marianne's Trattoria


Nikki & Tom

Marianne & Lindy

The food was Italian: Baked Penne a la vodka(?), Sausage & Peppers, Eggplant Rollatini and Chicken Piccata. She also had pigs in a blanket and chicken wings. Salad and Italian bread for the sides. An arrray of cakes, cream-puffs, canoli, chocolate mousse and a trifle tempted us along with a fruit tray.

It was lovely to catch up with her family and friends who I have known through the of years. And it felt good to be part of a good cause.