The tree has got to go

Did you have a nice Christmas? Are you sick of people asking that? We had a fabulous Christmas. Christmas Eve we went to church (candlelight service - love it!) and came home for a pull-out -all -the-stops meal. We had rib roast, yorkshire pudding (like popovers), mashed potatoes, spinach salad and jello (for Nick). We popped english "crackers" (tubes with a small popping sound and a paper hat, jokes and a toy inside). It was Lucy-dog's 13th birthday, and she was once again hiding from the crackers. She didn't like the little cowbell that was Nick's cracker-prize any better. Nor did anyone else! He kept yelling "More cowbell!" and ringing it until Nate confiscated it.

We gave the kids an x-box. We haven't seen them since. Not really, we all went to Paul's mom's house on x-mas day. Paul led a rousing discussion on the uselessness of car GPS devices. Guess what his mom gave us? Awkward! On the way home we had to stop at one of Paul's customers. The bakery computer was messed up and baguettes were not being made. Quelle domage! (yeah, I know, my french stinks. It gets better the more I drink.)

Yesterday, Paul began work on remodeling the basement closet. The previous owner of our house apparently thought of himself as quite a handyman. Not so much! Paul has had to re-do lots of stuff that has fallen apart or is a flagrant violation of building code. We almost lost the dog when she was a puppy after she chewed on an improperly wired, um, wire. Good thing we had a lifeguard in the house who knew how to do mouth-to-snout! She lost half her tongue from that. Anyway Paul spent most of the day yelling "Idiots of the world, unite!" and some rant about "Standard acceptable building practices". We relaxed by watching a movie.

Movie review: Hancock - loved it! Better than we thought it would be. (You've probably already seen it, we are behind the times). Other than an unfortunate sex scene at the beginning and the repetition of the word "a**hole", it was pretty good for the whole family. Paul is quite taken with Charlize Theron. He says she's the second prettiest blond in the world, after me. (Isn't he sweet?)

We watched "In Bruges" earlier this week. This is not a family friendly movie. It is rated R for bloody violence, drug use and "pervasive language", whatever that is. I think it was how the two main characters, hitmen, kept talking about killing people as if it were any other job. It was also VERY bloody. I liked it anyway. Collin Farrell has a nice Irish accent. The town of Bruge (pronounced brooj) is beautiful. I like movies with good scenery.

I'm trying to resist packing up all the Christmas stuff. I'm sick of it though. My house is cluttered enough without adding a tree and elves and candles and snowglobes and that dang tree! It has to go.

So here are 2 recipes for playdough. Send the kids outside, get some work done. Give them some playdough (it feels great on cold hands while it is still warm) and get more work done. The first recipe is from my boss, Maryann. She knows her stuff! The second is from ECFE. I like it because it smells fun. For both, the water really has to be boiling.

Best Playdough Ever
3 cups flour
1/2 cup salt
1 Tbl alum (spice area of the grocery store)
3 Tbl cooking oil
2 cups BOILING water
food coloring

Mix dry ingredients, set aside. Mix oil, boiling water and food color. mix at once with dry stuff. Knead until it is nice and soft and smooth. If it is sticky, add a little more flour.


Kool-aid Playdough
2 1/2 cups flour
1/2 cup salt
2 pkgs dry unsweetened kool-aid
mix then add:
2 cups BOILING water
2 Tbls oil

Mix, knead, cool. Store in refrigerator.