I’m here in the middle of one of the biggest snow storms in Seattle history…   I’ve only been out twice in the past week - grocery shopping.  Today it took me nearly 30 minutes to dig my car out from under the foot of snow.   And more is in the forecast tonight - so it looks like it will be a white Christmas.  Which brings me to the point of my post - holiday movies.

I remember as a kid looking forward to the annual “Charlie Brown Christmas“, “How The Grinch Stole Christmas” and “Rudolph” specials on TV.   But there are also some great holiday themed movies.

There are classics like “White Christmas” and newer fare such as “Elf” - but I think one of my favorite holiday movies is “Love Actually“.  I know it’s not, actually, a holiday movie - but it does take place during the holidays and I really enjoy it.  

Let’s make a list and check it twice.  What are some of your favorite holiday movies?   Are there any you watch every year no matter what?  Any holiday movie traditions?

NOTE:  One of the weirdest movie traditions I ever participated in was at the Pearce family Christmas party.  The first year was ok - someone video taped it.  But the next year, our “entertainment” was watching the previous year’s taped party!!   And the following year we watched it again!!!!   Man, those Pearces know how to party…..     

When it gets cold like this, I often find myself in the mood for soup.   Especially since I can cook it up once, then eat it for several days.   

Of my three usual favorites, the one that sounded best for this cold spell is my mom’s Taco Soup.   Probably because I had all the ingredients on hand, and couldn’t leave the house because my car doors were frozen shut!

The recipe below makes an absolutely HUGE batch.  Frankly, I don’t even own a pot that would contain it all - so I always halve it, and it is more than enough to feed a family with leftovers.   

Last night it really hit the spot - I’m looking forward to another bowl tonight.  

TACO SOUP

• 1 Pound hamburger
• 1 onion- chopped
• 1 can beef broth
• 2 cans water
• 2 beef bullion cubes
• ½ to 1 cup salsa
• 1 envelope taco seasoning mix
• 2 quarts of tomatoes (if they are too chunky, chop in a blender)
• 1 quart of water
• 2 cans red kidney beans (undrained)
• 2 cans pork and beans

Brown hamburger with onion. Drain and rinse.  Add remaining ingredients and simmer for 30 minutes. Serve with sour cream and Frito corn chips

Do you have a favorite soup recipe? What do you crave on cold, winter days?

It’s snowy and cold today (has been all week) and I’m so glad I work from home.  I have a fire blazing in the fireplace, holiday music playing and am thoroughly entertained by the fat little birds that are hopping around my patio, on the snow and in the feeder.  They make me smile.

I love these fat little juncos…

And chickadees are so cute and pretty…

Sweet, fat little birds.

Meet Amy Haase. I like her, and here’s why.

Last night, Kristin & Craig were in town and invited me to join them for dinner at Machiavelli’s in Seattle.  
     

Can I just go off topic here for a minute and rave again about the food at this little restaurant???    Deciding between the Chicken Milanese and the Tortellini Formaggio with Cream Sauce, Proscuitto and Peas is always a daunting task. (I went with the Chicken Milanese with roasted veggies on the side - Kris opted for the Tortellini and we shared a bit with each other).  Craig enjoyed the Chicken al Forno with a side of Spaghetti (which he rated 9 on a scale of 10). Simply put, Machiavelli’s is the BEST Italian food I have ever had - surprisingly affordable, and in my top 3 restaurants of all time…  don’t ask what the other 2 are, I haven’t decided, just leaving the spots open.   Personally, I think it would be worth your while to make a trip to Seattle just to eat at this little gem. But you have to invite me to join you, of course. This was Craig’s first visit - perhaps he can tell you if it lived up to all of the hype……

OK, back to Amy. After dinner, we drove back to Molbak’s (where I had left my car) and Kristin and I ran in for a potty break while Craig ran an errand to a man store (auto parts). As we were waiting for his return, we gandered at the billions of poinsettias, and I convinced Kristin to sit in front of the giant poinsettia tree so I could take her photo. She was reluctant, but agreed.

While sitting on the bench waiting for me to snap a shot, she said “I feel silly.”

And at that moment, a fellow shopper says “I’ll sit with you!”

Delighted, we laughed and invited her to do so, and she did.

Amy is a spontaneous, fun and thoughtful person - stepped outside herself to try and help someone else feel more comfortable - just the sort of person we’d love to get to know. We learned she has been living in North Carolina, but is looking to make a return to Seattle (where her family lives.) We hope you do, Amy!

After all this excitement, Kristin discovered she needed another potty break - and I, apparently, needed to amuse myself while waiting for her.

So I stuck my camera over the stall to snap her photo - and found the shot I captured to be absolutely hysterical. Don’t ask me why.  Maybe I was drunk with the joy of my Machiavelli meal and our encounter with Amy, but I showed Kristin the photo, and we both came out of the bathroom with tears running down our cheeks, barely able to breathe from laughter. Craig thought we were nuts. I think he’s probably right.

What fun people have you met in unexpected ways and places?

Today is Donny Osmond’s 51st birthday. 

I don’t know why I remember that every year, but I do every December 9th.

And here are a few other bits of random information that surface from the depths of my brain now and then….

• Tina Bryant’s birthday is November 1st.  She was a friend in grade school.
• My phone number on Rodeo Lane in the 70s was 277-2511. 
  Michelle’s was 272-3283.  I even remember the Hadley’s phone number… .completely useless use of brain storage.
• Steven Sheffield’s middle name is Kingsbury and his birthday is April 15 - tax day
• el pez means “fish” in Spanish
• The lyrics to The Slitheree Dee (the slurping sound at the end is very disturbing to Kennedy)

Oh, the slithery dee
He crawled out of the sea
You may catch all the others
but you won’t catch me.

No, you won’t catch me,
you stupid old slithery dee
You may catch all the others
but you (slurp sound).

What useless information would you like to share today?

Sunset over Salt Lake valley….  taken from Margie’s deck. 

I love the moon and Saturn in the upper left corner

Entrance to La Caille

Swans on the pond