Happy Thanksgiving

Another year has come and (almost) gone and here we are in November again, thinking about those things for which we are the most thankful.

This post started out to be about my children, as they are for sure the greatest achievement of my life…but then I started thinking about all the other things I’m truly grateful for, and it surprised even me how numerous in number they are.  For the most part, except for a few bumps here and there, I’ve lived a pretty charmed and wonderful life.

I learned pretty early in life that I have not been graced with luck.  I have the worst luck of anyone I know.  If it’s gonna happen to anyone, it’s gonna happen to me (so don’t stand next to me in a lightening storm…lol).  One day,  I was complaining to my mom and she said “God made you pretty, sexy, AND smart…you’ve used up all your luck and have to make your own from now on”…and so it’s been...

Needless to say, I’m grateful to God for THAT…but amongst my other blessings, let’s include these:

It’s Kathy Packish talking to me on the phone for an hour every morning for the last year and a half, and Cheryl taking over  from there after I hang up;  Lynda Chafel for sharing the Hello Kitty bedroom and sneaking out for cider with me to keep me laughing the whole time;  Traci Kohler for her specialized understanding...lol;  it's my mom and dad making sure I had a carefree and amazing life, with traditions and values I could pass on to my children; it’s every boyfriend I’ve ever had being above and beyond amazing, especially Tommy and Porter for loving me even though my hands smelled like garlic and onions every day for 3 years (each!)  because they were my kitchen guinea pigs;   it’s Lance making sure I had the home and children of my dreams;  Chris Payson, who kept coming in and out of my life for the last 30 years because he just couldn’t stay away, thereby

deeming me “too sexy to forsake”…lol;  Greigh Hall who I wouldn’t talk to for 20 years but had the tenacity to work his way back in anyway,  proving that real love never goes away, even with friends;  Laurie Albanos for checking on me every day after surgery, and Kristy Buschle asking me to call her if I need to giggle;  the people who repeatedly invite me to be on their golf team though I just taught myself  how to play last summer; Steve Egan for believing dearly that misery loves company;  Scot and Christina Jones for making me their first phone call when they moved back to town; Dave Parnell for continually pointing out that my often-times faulty thinking of late is not in keeping with someone as smart as myself…and to keep checking in anyway;   and it's my loving and supportive family who reminds me every day that disappointments do not define you.



CK and CP 1988

 …and the list goes on and on…







Greigh Hall 1987ish

Miracles happen every day.  Tomorrow, take the time to think about the ones that have changed YOUR life, and how thankful you are that they did.  It’s easy to get caught up thinking about what we DON’T have because somehow it’s easier to focus on those things.  But everything happens for a reason, and just because you didn’t get the winning lottery ticket…or the big promotion…or to live on an island with the love of your life...doesn’t mean that something better isn’t around the corner.  Be patient and have faith…give it to God and go to sleep…if it’s meant to be, it’ll happen.  And if not, something else will.

Happy Thanksgiving from my heart to yours,

XOXOXO

Christine



The Party

I’m sorry I haven’t been in the kitchen a lot lately.  I surely didn’t forget about you, but I still have a few weeks recovery time from surgery and my real job that pays the bills (as opposed to this dream life I share with you), has gotten crazy because we’re starting tourist season down here in Naples.  Booooo...

Blah blah blah…the real news is that I’M GETTING READY FOR A PARTY!! WA-HOO!!

Now, those of you who know me know that I love love LOVE a good party.  Parties for ME, even better.  Parties where I get to wear a bedazzled tiara of some kind and get to drink a bottle of champagne all by myself, awesome.  Parties that drag out over days, like my birthday week, shared with the family and friends I love so much…those are the best.  This party is somewhere in between:  it’s the launch party for this blog I’ve been sharing with you, and we’re all really excited about it.  Only 13 weeks in, the analytics are CRAZY, and we couldn’t be more thrilled. 





The reason I love parties today: my first party dress, getting ready with my mom (1973)
Gigga, all 26 sexy years of her



It’s Saturday night, November 22^nd at Barbatella, on 3^rd Street in Olde Naples.  A cocktail reception, and private dinner following.  For those of you that can’t make it, check out the restaurant at http://barbatellanaples.com.  We’ll definitely miss you but no worries…pictures will be shared here, on my Facebook page, and in the local media.  We wouldn’t leave you out! 

You know, I had a whole amazing and wonderful life planned for myself and it didn’t work out.  Somehow, still not quite sure how, I got this new life instead…and it’s more amazinger and wonderfuler than I ever imagined!  Though nothing erases the pain of the “coulda/shouldas” of life, it’s that pain that makes the “want to’s/and did's” so much sweeter.  Born out of necessity, really, because I could easily have died… but didn’t.  And some days I wanted to, believe me.  But every day is full of surprises, and no matter what disappointments or heartbreaks come your way, know something else is ahead.  For me…it’s a tiara, a sexy black dress and even sexier kick-ass black heels, a bottle of prosecco, and 30-40 of my closest family and friends all together next Saturday night toasting this blog of mine.  God works in mysterious…and wonderful…ways.



The second reason I love parties:  you get a crown of your very own!! (Me, 1974)

The Big Cookie

You'll love this cookie, it's so easy!  Only 4 ingredients, and it's perfect for a crowd.  It's both sweet from the orange marmalade and piquant/tart from the apricot preserves...perfect for after dinner with espresso, for breakfast or an afternoon snack with iced coffee, or as I like it best--with a cordial of amaretto. 

You can certainly make individual cookies, but I like to serve it family style...one big cookie...and everyone breaks off a piece of their own.  My good friend Christine Green loves it, it's my son's favorite, and I hope it will be yours.  Change the nuts or drizzle melted chocolate over the top, it's up to you.  If you expand on this recipe let me know what delicious concoction you've come up with...I'm always interested in new and better things :)

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YOU WILL NEED TO BUY:
1 roll sugar cookie dough
1 jar sweet orange marmalade
1 jar apricot preserves
1  2.5 oz bag sliced almonds

Place nuts in sautee pan, and toast over med heat--shaking pan--until the nuts are golden brown. You'll be able to smell their toasty goodness--that's when they are almost done.  Don't take your eyes off them, they go QUICK and will burn if you're not careful.  When they are ready, remove from heat and place in bowl to cool. Set aside until needed. 

toasted nuts

Unwrap cookie dough and with your hands, make into free-form circle/rectangle on your cookie sheet.  Sorry to say, I have no measurement for you--not too thick or it will be raw, not too thin or it will be burnt.  You'll know...
Cook according to package directions.

free-formed cookie dough

When cookie is done, take put of oven and cool slightly.  Remove to platter that you will serve it on.

baked cookie, out of the oven

Spread approx. 3-4 tablespoons of orange marmalade on cookie.

Then, spread approx. 3-4 tablespoons of apricot preserves on top of that.

both orange marmalade and apricot preserves

When nuts are cool and you can handle them easily, sprinkle all over cookie.  Bring to table whole on the platter, and invite your guests to break off their own piece(s).

This can be made a few hours ahead, covered, and served after dinner when ready.  However, keep in mind that the longer it sits covered, the softer it will be.  If it sits too long (2 days maybe), it will still be delicious, but almost soggy and hard to pick up.  Your call.

mmmmmmmm...