Nothing Says Love...

...Like homemade bread. Mmmmmm.

Housekeeper

I did it.


I hired a housekeeper.


I've dreamed of this moment for a long time.


Now mind you, he's not exactly what I envisioned:

6'2"

Blond hair

Blue eyes

Doesn't speak a lick of English...


Nope.


He's not even Swedish.


In fact, he was born in Massachusetts.


But I think he'll do.


Everyone: Meet Rolf

Rolf Roomba

He's the new love of my life.


Right up there with our other hired hand, Sven.

Good News / Bad News

Good News: Owen continues to become the Master of the Potty! Yay!

Bad News: He's become enamoured with the toilet brush. I caught him dunking it in the bowl while he was peeing. My reaction startled him and as he rushed to remove it and return it to the holder, he sprayed the wall and floor making a disgusting mess.

My version of Neil's classic: A Mom Needs a Maid

I'm trying to get in to the holiday spirit...

This is helping!

Ho Ho Ho!

Merry Christmas

Well, we survived the ice storm with minimal damage - deck railing, soggy basement, a few more gray hairs... and a shiny new generator. I'm still counting our blessings.

Cupcakes for Dinner!

Mama, what’s for dinner?

Cupcakes!

Huh?!? We get cupcakes for dinner??!?? We get cupcakes for dinner!!!!


Cupcakes for Dinner

1 lb Ground Beef
½ cup Seasoned Bread Crumbs
1 cup shredded Monterey Jack
3 Tbsp Ketchup
1 Egg
½ Tsp Celery Salt
Pepper

3 Cups Mashed Potatoes
Food Coloring

Heat the oven to 375 degrees.

Line 12 small (or 6 large) muffin tin cups with foil bake cups.

In a large bowl, mix together all of the meat loaf ingredients until well combined. Divide the mixture evenly among the lined cups (the liners should be about three quarters full). Place the filled muffin tins on cookie sheets and bake the cupcakes for about 15 minutes or until cooked through.

If you want to make more than one color of frosting, divide the mashed potatoes among small bowls and stir a few drops of food coloring into each batch. Mix together until it's as smooth as you like. (We like our frosting a bit lumpy!) Spread a generous dollop on each cupcake and serve!

These Are My Mountains

I haven't been "home" for two years. The last time was for my brother's wedding. The time before that was for my mother's memorial in August of 2005.

The Adirondacks will always be home to me but really without my mother there it will never be the same.

Every time she came home after some time away, she would belt out "These are my mountains!" I sang it too, but it was always her song.

These were her mountains. These are her mountains.

I need to go home.