O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!

My daughter has her own Christmas tree this year. It stands a little under 3 feet- and is small and precious, (just like my daughter). This year she wanted to go all out. I bought a "Tinkerbell" ornament kit, which she colored and painted each cardboard ornament with dedicated focus. She adorned the tree with these Tinkerbell ornaments yet, this was not enough for her tree. She had to make it even more beautiful. She said, "wait mommy" as she ran off and came back with a smile and toilet paper..

She embellished the tree with a few squares of toilet paper. "There!". I told her that was a nice touch, but she wasn't finished yet.  She ran to her toy box, searched to the bottom, and pulled out one of her dress-up high heel slippers. You would have thought she found the holy grail, "Wow!, here it is!", she exclaimed. She ran back to her tree and gently placed the glass slipper atop the tree. She took a step back to review her work. "It's done", she said. 

What a perfect Christmas tree!

*please note: toilet paper and glass slipper.

O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
Thy leaves are so unchanging;
O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
Thy leaves are so unchanging;
Not only green when summer's here,
But also when 'tis cold and drear.
O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
Thy leaves are so unchanging!

O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
Much pleasure thou can'st give me;
O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
Much pleasure thou can'st give me;
How often has the Christmas tree
Afforded me the greatest glee!
O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
Much pleasure thou can'st give me.

O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
Thy candles shine so brightly!
O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
Thy candles shine so brightly!
From base to summit, gay and bright,
There's only splendor for the sight.
O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
Thy candles shine so brightly!

O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
How richly God has decked thee!
O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
How richly God has decked thee!
Thou bidst us true and faithful be,
And trust in God unchangingly.
O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
How richly God has decked thee! !" 

Early Bird Gets the Worm, Sleepy Bird Gets the Pie!

Thanksgiving was delightful.

There was plenty of food: mom's famous stuffing, mashed potatoes, turkey, rolls, pies, casseroles, and everything in between. I ate a hearty meal and gladly helped myself to a nap.

In the midst of my dreaming, and coming in and out of consciousness, I faintly heard people leaving. I heard my sister ask if she could take home left-overs. I too got up and made myself a plate of left-overs to take home. Or so I thought! No, it was a dream!!

I woke up and everyone was gone, as well as ALL the stuffing, mashed potatoes, and white meat of the turkey. HOW COULD I LET THIS HAPPEN?!?!?! My precious stuffing, gone.

I didn't get upset. I got even. Check out the big a** piece of pie I took home.

Revenge is *Sweet.

-Moral of the story: Don't fall asleep after Thanksgiving dinner if you want left-overs.

*sweet apple pie!

Arlington Foodie: Atomic Subs & Wings

We decided to eat lunch at a "hole-in-the-wall" sub shop: Atomic Subs & Wings. It is located in central Arlington, near UTA, across from the baseball fields.

The look of the restaurant reminded me of something I would see on the Food Network show, Diners-Drive Ins- and Dives. I suppose this would be classified as a Diner-?

 There is a 50" flat screen on one side of the restaurant and a 60" big screen on the opposite side. A few booths outline the parameters of the diner with tables and chairs filling in the middle area. There are a few tables and chairs for outside dining- a bit too chilly today!

We were seated (me + 1 adult + toddler) and greeted by a college-aged, friendly, server who told us about the specials. This is a full-service restaurant. I found this out when I began to walk towards the soda fountain and the server graciously grabbed my glass and urged me to have a seat.

My husband decided on wings: 12 pieces for $8.99. He chose two flavors: "rockstar"- original buffalo hot flavor with Parmesan and "twisted rockstar"- original buffalo hot with lemon pepper. He opted for "atomic fries" which are the house fries tossed in the original buffalo sauce and served somewhat like a Cole-slaw side.

The other wing flavors are: BBQ, Cajun BBQ, Lemon Pepper, Salt and Pepper, Original, Atomic, and HELLFIRE!!! <--- warning: menu states that "hellfire" will melt your face off. If you complete this daunting task and eat the hellfire wings successfully, you will be plaqued onto the "Colon Pow! Wall" of fame. I love dislike being reminded of colons, while I eat.

50 wings for $29.99 is offered daily, call-in orders are accepted.


For me? I am cheap, thus I chose the lunch special: 1/2 sub sandwich (6 inches, but mine was definately 7), fries and a drink for $6.95. I decided on the "Garden Grazer" sub with house fries and a Texas favorite, Dr. Pepper. My sub came out on a toasted wheat sub bun with grilled portabella mushrooms, atop alfalfa sprouts, black olives, lettuce, tomatoes, grilled onions, and sub dressing (a buttery cream sauce). There was a layer of cream cheese spread which also added a nice surprise. The fries were sprinkled with season salt.

Atomic Subs & Wings is locally owned and operated. I would recommend this venue for a date-night or a friendly gathering. Nothing fancy, just a fun, friendly atmosphere- with yummy food. We met the owner, and he said it is currently BYOB, but they are awaiting the license from Austin, and should be beer-operating by this weekend. They offer 49 cent wings on Sundays.

Go try it! http://www.atomicsubsandwings.com/



*support local businesses*

The Magic of Masks

I wear a sleeping mask to bed, and I am not 65 years old. Don't judge me, I'm not ashamed.

It all started when I got my first, big migraine. "The Big One", as I refer to it. The mother of all headaches, that debilitates you, strips away your dignity, and laughs at you. During moments like these, light is your enemy-as well as sound-movement- and any slight movements of anyone within 20 ft of you. "Stop walking near me!" (*misplaced anger)

I bought my first sleeping mask at walmart for $2.99. It was a travel mask- one size fits all. I had to rig the elastic for it to fit my head (apparently one size fits troll heads only).

But, alas, it fit and it was dark again: Ahhhh complete darkness! This is the one time you want darkness to defeat light- a haven to my eyeballs! Temporary blindness never looked so good. It is as dark as day 1, and God will not let there be light.

I now wear my sleeping mask to bed every night. It also helps with insomnia (see post on 10/23/2010)! Who would have thought! Sleeping mask= migraine + insomnia killer!!!

Sleeping masks have a surprisingly large business market with companies making over $100 million in 2009. They offer every color, fabric, even tempur-pedic masks. I still rock the original black-travel-size mask from Walmart. Maybe for Christmas I will treat myself to a fancy mask. Here are some of my favorites:

Sweet dreams...

Adventures of a Running Junkie (Part I)

I completed my first full marathon on December 14, 2008, in Dallas, Texas. It was also my last. I have no desire to run 26.2 miles at once, ever again. Completing a marathon is a life goal that I have happily checked off my list. Running and completing a marathon was absolutely grand, so grand that nothing can top it, not even another one.

I started running for recreational purposes in 2006. I was (and am still) NOT fast or fancy; I run with my music, tennies double knotted, and a smile on my face. I started off slow and at a leisurely pace: 1 mile turned into 2- 2 to 3- 3 to 4- and so on. I soon became addicted to running; and quickly craved my next "fix".

There is something special about running.

After a year of leisurely runs, I decided to train and complete a FULL marathon. I recruited my best friend to join me. After months of running and 16 intense weeks of training, we ran the White Rock Lake Marathon.

The first 16 miles were a piece of cake. Actually, it was somewhat difficult, but not a big deal. I rounded mile 17, then 18, then 19. I got a little excitement on mile 19 where they handed out energy shots. Luckily, I snatched the coffee flavored one. I spit most of it out. But hey, I was still sweating (good sign)! Around mile 22, people were handing out beer to the runners. At first I was confused about the beer offering, then overjoyed, then pissed off! I am sure I flipped off one of the beer-givers. How could they? On mile 22! Who needs/wants a beer! I was convinced the devil sent them from hell- evil temptresses!

Turns out, I wish I drank some beer.

Mile 24 came and went. After I passed the mile marker, a text was sent to my friend via the chip attached to the top of my shoe. It read: "Tessa completed mile 24".

Between mile 24 and 25, a song was stuck in my head, and it was none other than "She'll be comin' down the mountain".  I repeated this song over, and over, and over again.

Mile 25: My inner monologue ceased and I focused on my breath. My legs knew we were close and picked up the pace. I stopped sweating (bad sign!), but was ecstatic to see the finish line.

As I crossed the finish line, I locked eyes with my sophie and felt a mix of emotions. As a result of severe dehydration, many thoughts ran through my mind:
"I'm done! Thank God! Wait, I'm done right?"    
"Is that the food tent over there?"
"Where are those damn bananas?"
"Can a sister get a finisher T-shirt over here!"
"This is a pretty medal"
"Maybe if I lay down, Someone will carry me to the car"
"I really can't feel my legs.."

On the ride home, I couldn't feel my body. Even my eyelids were sore. It hurt to breath, to speak, to even reply to the many praises I was receiving. People asked me if I would run another one? With all my heart, I responded, no.

I loved my marathon adventure; so much so, I wouldn't feel right if I ran another one. One is enough for me.

But if you haven't ran one, you must!! RUN ON, man!....RUN ON!!



White Rock Marathon Course:

Please visit: http://www.runtherock.com/ to participate in this years race or volunteer.

Sweet tooth.. or teeth?

The baking bug bit me this weekend. I was impelled to make something sweet for the chilly evenings we've been experiencing. I looked in my pantry to see what to conjure up. I had canned peaches and cherry pie filling. I decided to make two perfect desserts: Peach Cobbler & Cherry Crisp.

Peach Cobbler:

1/2 cup butter (melted)

1 cup flour (all purpose ok)

1 cup sugar

3 tsp baking powder

pinch of salt

1 cup milk

1 can of peaches (or 4 cups fresh)

1 tbl fresh lemon juice

1/4 tsp cinnamon

Directions:

Pre-heat oven 375. Pour melted butter on bottom of 13 x 9 cake pan.

Mix: flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, milk, cinnamon. Pour in on top of butter. Do not mix. Heat peaches and lemon juice on stove top til the syrup is bubbling then remove. Plop peaches onto first mixture. Do not mix. Bake for 45-50 minutes.

* serve warm with a dollop of vanilla ice cream.

Cherry Crisp

1/2 cup flour (self rising or all purpose ok)

1/2 cup oats

1/3 cup butter

1 can cherry pie filling (21 oz)

3/4 tsp nutmeg

3/4 tsp cinnamon

 Directions:

 Pre-heat oven 375. Spread cherry pie filling evenly on 8" square cake pan. Mix: brown sugar, flour, oats, butter, nutmeg, & cinnamon. Pour over cherry pie filling. Bake 30-35 minutes or until golden brown.

*serve warm with a dollop of ice cream.
*serve chilled leftovers for breakfast with a dollop of plain or vanilla yogurt.
*picture shows crisp without oats.



ENJOY! BON APPETIT!



*Side note:
Dollop- a lump or glob. Derived from the Anglian "dallop" which is a patch, tuft or clump of grass.
             Origin is uncertain.

Hedstrom: A ball, bounce and sport company

I was playing catch with my daughter with an oversized, colorful, bouncy ball. I noticed this on the ball:

HEDSTROM

BALL, BOUNCE AND SPORT

ASHLAND,OHIO 44802

I took an immediate liking to the name. It's a ball, and the name of the company is: Ball, bounce and sport. Clever. The bells of truth are ringing: balls bounce! (and are often used in sports)..Perfection!

*Hedstrom company specializes in plastics: play balls and marine supplies.

*they recycle exhaust heat and polyethylene*

*Do your part at home: Remember to recycle your plastics coded 1-5*

References:

http://www.hedstrom.com/

http://www.times-gazette.com/news/article/4908510