Yummy Nog

Mmmmmm...eggnog. This has to be my favorite Holiday food...yes, food. I try not to buy it becuase it only lasts about 2 days, which is sickening when you look at the nutritional label. I do allow myself 2 Starbucks eggnog lattes (which I had already redeemed by Thanksgiving) every year to get my fix and it's a day I celebrate when Starbucks brings out the red cups at the beginning of "the season".

You can imagine my excitement when I came across a recipe for eggnog pudding. Seriously, why didn't I think of this before!? This has been my saving grace for getting my eggnog fix the past month and thought I'd share the recipe so you can make it too. It really does taste like eggnog, I was pleasantly surprised!

1 package instant vanilla pudding (I used Jell-O sugar free, fat free)
2c. Milk
1 tsp. rum extract
1/4c. cool whip

Wisk together the pudding, milk, and rum extract until well blended. Fold in cool whip. Put in the fridge until pudding has set (2 hours?). Enjoy eggnog bliss.

Snow!

Fake snow that is! I love to decorate for the Holidays, even if I don't get too elaborate with my decorations, the smells and sights of the Holidays make me very happy. It's been my tradition for the past few years to break out the Christmas gear (sans tree) the Sunday after Thanksgiving...I respect the turkey.

So, I discovered fake snow at the craft store while doing some Black Friday shopping in Wenatchee. I did not know this stuff existed. It was only $2.99 so I thought for that price I had to have it and would find something fun to show this stuff off. I was in "need" of a new centerpiece for the dining room table and thankfully my snow gave me inspiration to come up with this festive number.

I purchased this fabulous glass candle holder at TJ Maxx and the little ornaments came from Target's 75% off after-Christmas rack last year. Although, I noticed them in Target's ad that was just in the Sunday paper. Anyway, here is my fun, snowy centerpiece...I love it.

Case Sale time!

Arbor Crest has my favorite wine of all time, Cliff House Red. I couldn't really tell you what's in it but I love it. I'm sure it's a blend of all their left over red wine varietals, but it tastes oh so yummy!

When we got married we served Arbor Crest wine at our wedding. Since I love a deal, I discovered they have a sale twice a year and sell their cases for half off! We're talking $7 bottles of wine here! So we stocked up and were able to serve delicious wine at our wedding for half the price. We've since gone back the last 3 Novembers and purchased wine during their case sale, which is exactly where we headed today. You can't beat the price, or the yumminess of it all! Too bad a case doesn't last us too long.

Dream Big

Today was a big day for me. I went in for my 6 week post-op visit with Dr. Barrow and he gave me the go ahead to start walking in my big walking boot! I am so happy to ditch those darn crutches and be mobile again!

I have to say, this whole experience has really given me a new appreciation for those who cannot walk. After not being able to for 6 weeks, I really see how debilitating it can be and how much we really rely on our feet for our day to day activities and getting around. I also have an appreciation for handicap bathroom stalls and will definitely think twice before using one in the future now that I know how great they are when you're "handicap". I would be so humiliated to walk out of one, only to realize someone in a wheelchair is waiting to use that stall!

So, I'm excited to be up and at it again. I'm thinking I'll celebrate my new freedom tomorrow by walking the two blocks to the bus stop and taking the STA downtown...dream big!

Good Food, Good Friends (and family), Good Fun

We started off our weekend with a rockin 80's party on Friday night. Our neighbors, the Andersons, co-hosted the party and we had so much fun dressing up in our 80's clothes and getting down to 80's music. Josh looked especially good in Kurt's wig.


We also went to Soap Lake for the Annual Sausage Making event with my dad and his siblings (and their spouses). We cam home with two huge boxes of sausage. I didn't get to help since it's a bit hard for me to stand but Josh got in there and contributed for us. It's always a fun time for all. Overall, we made 150lbs of meat into sausage links, and a few bulk packages as well. Guess the freezer will be stocked for a while!

My favorite things

I've finally uploaded some pics and thought I'd share my most favorite thing I've acquired in the past 2 weeks...my scooter. This thing seriously kicks ass and is way better than crutches. Although, I do feel a bit geriatric when I'm using it. Make fun all you want.



Now the scooter is really only second fav to my new Snuggie that Josh's mom got for me. She's so thoughtful. It's my favorite color, pink, and has the BCA symbol on the sleeve since October is BCA month. Now I understand why Snuggies are such a hit...serious warmth and comfort here. They are donating $50,000 from sales of this Snuggie to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.


In other news, I had my 2 week post-op visit last week and my foot is doing well. I had the staples removed and got a walking cast. Don't let it fool you...I won't be walking for another 4-6 weeks. I'm trying to keep myself busy with reading, crafts, baking, watchin tv/movies. I am currently accepting visitors if you feel like stopping by!

A lazy week

And what a lazy week it's been. I decided to have foot surgery last Friday and I've been literally sitting on the couch ever since. Well, it's not like I woke up on Friday morning and said to myself, "what am I going to do today...hmmm, I think I'll have my foot operated on", it definitely something that has been planned for months. I had a bunion and a couple other little issues going on with my foot so I had them all taken care of all at once. I'm so thankful I only had these things on one foot and I'll never have to do this surgery again!

So, now I have this HUGE padded wrap/ace bandage type thing that keeps my foot all compressed and "under wraps" until the 8th when I get a walking cast. I was experiencing some odd pain in my heel, that I dubbed "fire heel". It literally felt like I was putting my heel in a fire pit. After it kept me up most the night on Thursday I decided to call the surgeon's office and have them re-wrap it. Because of this, I was able to see my new foot for the first time. I was not prepared for this. Josh, of course, thought it was so cool (and even took pictures) but I still think it looks narsty! Lots of swelling, staples, and dried blood. Maybe I'll post a pic.

As you can imagine, I'm not able to walk and I've been instructed to keep my foot elevated (read: above my heart) every minute of the day, unless I'm going to the bathroom or showering (that's a whole other ball game). I made due with crutches for the first few days, which was interesting mastering while high on Percocet, but I really think crutches are overrated! Thankfully, Josh brought me home a scooter...yes, a scooter! It rocks. I can cruise all over the house it that thing. I put my knee (of the bum foot) on this little pad and push the scooter with my good foot. Now I only use the crutches for special outings...like chasing Murphy down the block when she takes off and doesn't listen. I can only imagine what the neighbors think!