Well, Ken should be in the air soon, on his way to Kansas City (and several of you got the song reference--most excellent job!). I'm hearing that the Chicago area is likely to get a nasty storm on Friday, when he comes back, but luckily he's flying through Cincinnati this time. I wouldn't be surprised if there are delays, but at least he won't be stuck at O'Hare. Not fun, believe me! With Ken on a business trip, you know what that means....
It's Eggplant Time! (can't touch this)
I was originally planning on a new recipe I got recently for Midweek Moussaka (As opposed to Weekend Moussaka? Holiday Moussaka?). It uses ground beef instead of lamb (I'm not a fan of lamb), and it sounds pretty tasty. However, last week I got some fresh mozzarella on sale, so I've got a nice snowball-sized hunk o' goodness sitting in the fridge, so I'll use that in my faithful standby, Eggplant Parmigiana. I'll manage to choke it down somehow. The Moussaka calls for 4 ounces of cream cheese, and I got that the other day, but I was sort of getting in the baking mood and might use my cream cheese for a sweet treat (to be determined). Anyone have any good ideas? I'm thinking cookies or bars, something like that. Ooo, maybe some kind of lemon bars that use cream cheese. I LOVE lemon bars. I'll have to do some looking online and in my cookbooks!
So guess what I'm doing? Yep, I'm procrastinating. The tree is up, the bins of wrapping paper are out of the basement closet, and it's time to wrap.[sigh]
Really not my favorite thing to do, and it's not Ken's, either. I remember a couple of years ago...I was working the weekend, and Ken was planning on wrapping while I was at work. He heard me drive up, and when I walked in the door, he'd stuck the scissors into the neck of his sweatshirt (so it looked like they were in his neck) and was slumped over the table. I totally cracked up! That pretty much sums up how we feel about wrapping. Once I get going on it, it's never as bad as I think it will be, but MAN, it's hard getting started!
Considering my surliness about wrapping, here's a song for you. (Indy, it's a ramped up--a very ramped up--version of "Jingle Bell Rock.") My favorite Christmas CD is "Christmas with the Rat Pack," but this song fits my current mood a little better. I'm not in a bad one, it's just...you know, the whole wrapping thing.
[sigh]
Beth:
ReplyDeleteThe food sounds great and i hope ife as been fair to you. I'm glad to hear the process of the holiday has started. I know how it is to get the ball rolling. We had to replace the tree already, the sytand broke and almost fell on MJ. I took it back and let them know my mind, they asked me if I wanted another one of the same trees? Good thing for the holidays! I replaced it with a different tree from a different store. I wish you guys a great week and a Happy Holiday! Glad to hear you guys will be in Vegas soon, I wish you the best of time. I love the Rat Pack and most of the stuff they have done.
Peace&Love
Wes
I would be biting into that hunk of cheese - I wouldn't be able to control myself. LOL.
ReplyDeleteI hate to wrap as well, one year I used all gift bags but people seemed so unhappy not having something to unwrap. I only have a few items to wrap yet. I bit the bullet a few weeks ago and did most of it.
Hope Ken makes out allright in his travels. OHare is bad enough without being stuck there!
A friend, after reading my posts about my disastrous cookie-baking incidents of late, sent me this "never fail" recipe that includes cream cheese. I haven't tried it yet, but it sounds pretty good.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.kraftfoods.com/kf/recipes/easy-oreo-truffles-95085.aspx
I LOVE lamb, love eggplant, and particularly love fresh Mozzarella right out of the vat. Unfortunately, you can't get it here in Tulsa. The mozzarella I used to get in CT was still warm from the salt water. Enjoy your feast!
Great song! I love eggplant parm too and fresh mozz rocks! I feel about the same about wrapping gifts.. ugh!
ReplyDeleteDid someone say "drag"???!!!
ReplyDeleteI enjoy wrapping gifts...if you hate to wrap...then the gift bags is your solution! No tape, scissors, etc. necessary! Costco usually has a huge box assortment of really nice gift bags.
ReplyDeleteI have the best eggplant recipe in the world...however, we Italians don't measure...so I can only give you ingredients and say a hand full of this and a sprinkle of that.
Hugs, Rose
I hate hate hate to wrap. Rick wraps everything. I hope your dinner turned out well..i am sure it did. XO
ReplyDeletei like wrapping presents. i like making those nice little corner folds and cutting the paper just so....somehow i think this does not surprise you.
ReplyDeletemmmm eggplant!!!!
xxalainaxx
I'm so glad to know I'm not the only one who doesn't like to wrap gifts! LOL
ReplyDeleteIf you decide to go with cookies, I have a great sugar cookie recipe that uses cream cheese. Although, it's better if it has frosting on it. (I also have a recipe for that) Hope Ken doesn't have too much trouble getting home. The weather over the next few days looks scary as hell. I'm not even considering leaving my house on Friday. But just you watch, we'll end up with only a dusting of snow. ;) I actually enjoy the wrapping. It's just a pain in the ass to find a time when Jasmine isn't around so I can do it.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Jamie
You could make a cheese cake with the cream cheese.
ReplyDeleteI HATE wrapping too....ugh. Yuk.....lol
I remember one year I was sick and ended up doing late on Christmas eve. THAT was horrible. I was so tired.
I always tell myself I 'll do it early, and I never do. Miss Procrastinator.
Have a great day.
I'm near Kansas City, and so far the weather isn't doing anything bad. Of course, they're forecasting all sorts of possibilities, but sounds like the bad stuff is going to go north of here.
ReplyDeleteHey Beth, finally made it in to your blog. Much rather hear about food than history. Not much of a "old tim es buff" but hubby really soaks it up. Lucy
ReplyDeleteEggplant time? Do you have on parachute pants too?
ReplyDeleteThis is a way cool song!
I was trying to figure out what I would cook with your ingredients ... but it would be something simple.
Did I tell you this is a way cool song? Where did you find it at??
Oh never mind ... I see who made this song ... had to wait until the end!
ReplyDeleteYour ahead of me, I haven't wrapped a single present, not one iota...then again Paul tends to wait until Christmas eve to do his wrapping so he takes the cake on procrastination. (Hugs)Indigo
ReplyDeleteOnly thing that makes wrapping tolerable is copious amounts of cool amber beverage LOL. The little stocking stuffers are the worst.
ReplyDeleteLove the song, it rocks.