Daisy

Our stray Daisy is back home with her family.

I am happy about it.

I guess.

I Still Got No Spirit...[sic]

...What are you doing today?

Ideas? Please?

My Monday

I seem to be in step with just about everybody else's wacky holiday mood.  Yesterday was a full day.  First, I went to the dentist.  Not a big deal, luckily, but the hygienist kept calling me 'honey.'  It made me cranky.  That scraping thing made me cranky, too, but I am done for another six months.

Then I came home and moped around a bit, got some butter out to bake, and decided to take my menobutt for a walk with Dora.  She is good company and can find many things to smell entertain herself with around the neighborhood.  Which is what we were doing when we found Daisy.  

Daisy was on her own and pretty far from her address on her tag.  So, Dora and I caught her and brought her home with us to call the number on her tag--disconnected.  Great.  While I was on the phone, she made me a present in the dining room.  I put some Nature's Miracle on it so Squazz could help me with it when he got home from playing golf.  Yes, golf.  It was in the 60's here yesterday.  Anyway, he was delighted with Daisy's present, too.

I had no choice but to call Animal Control to come get the dog.  And while we waited, I tied her up outside.  I attached a leash to a very heavy iron loveseat.  Heavy.  Daisy dragged it around with her like it was a rubber ball.

Isn't she cute?  I am going to check tomorrow to see if her family called for her.  Dora kinda liked her.  Isn't she cute?

After Daisy went with the nice Dog Catcher, I went to start my baking project.  I somehow decided that this would be just the holiday activity that would get me in the spirit.  It took me a few minutes to find my mother's recipe for Louisiana Cookies.  God rest her, my mother never used a clean piece of paper to write a recipe--it was either the back of an envelope or a memo note like this:

When I was 12 or so, we ran into Chad Everett and Wayne Rogers at a Red Lobster in Nashville, and she handed me a ratty old envelope out of her purse so I could get their autographs.  She also saved aluminum foil.  But I digress.  And the other side of this memo/recipe paper looked like this:

Her notes about the recipe--dated 12/19/88.  Twenty years ago this week, she was making these cookies.  I was a married young woman in New York City, and my mama was in her Tennessee kitchen baking her wonderful Christmas treats.  I miss her so much.

Louisiana Cookies

2 sticks softened butter

4 tablespoons confectioner's sugar (plus more for dusting cookies)

2 teaspoons vanilla

2 cups flour

2 cups finely chopped pecans

Mix butter and sugar well.  Add vanilla, flour and pecans.  Mix well.  The dough will be very thick.  Break off pieces of the dough and roll into a small crescent shape about 1 1/2"

Place on ungreased cookie sheet and bake at 300 for about 30 minutes.

Makes between 5 and 6 dozen, depending on size.

After they cool, roll in extra confectioner's sugar.

Enjoy!

Show-and-Tell

My weekend was busy.

First, I had to howl.

It made me very, very thirsty.

Then, I pretended to be the Fire Marshall at a party.

At the next party, I pretended to be the photographer.

Doesn't Annie look nice?

And we have Jules.

As you can see, Cocktail Corner even goes to parties en masse.

Cutie Pie Miss A.

She is having her first baby in June.

I went ahead and named it Lauren.

Wasn't that nice of me?

I thought so.

Miss K and our hostess Jen.

The smoking lounge.

Have you ever seen anything quite like this?

I wheeze just looking at it.

But they look awfully content, don't they?

Meanwhile back inside...

Their wives are just fine.

Thank you very much.

Old farts.  Sorry, not you, Annie.

MPM and Miss K.

Planning another adventure.

I'm thinking somewhere warm....

But for now, I need a nap.

Halls?

Decked!

How's your holiday coming along?

One

I cannot remember where this came from, but it is fun.  And telling.  Come on and play along.  One word answers only.  That means you, too, Chesapeake Bay Woman.  I double dog dare you.

• Where is your cell phone? Kitchen
  
• Where is your significant other? Car
  
• Your hair color? Blonde
  
• Your mother? Heaven
  
• Your father? Ditto
  
• Your favorite thing? Reading
  
• Your dream last night? Flood
  
• Your goal? Peace
  
• The room you’re in? Office
  
• Your hobby? Blog
  
• Your fear? Apathy
  
• Where do you want to be in six years? Alive
  
• Where were you last night? Theatre
  
• What you’re not? Skinny
  
• One of your wish-list items? Puppy
  
• Where you grew up? Tennessee
  
• The last thing you did? Gym
  
• What are you wearing? Sweats
  
• Your TV? On
  
• Your pet? Three
  
• Your computer? MacBook
  
• Your mood? Serene
  
• Missing someone? Yes
  
• Your car? Honda
  
• Something you’re not wearing? Bikini
  
• Favorite store? Neiman's
  
• Your summer? Short
  
• Love someone? Yes
  
• Your favorite color? Green
  
• When is the last time you laughed? Today
  
• Last time you cried? Yesterday

Coming Clean

Dear Santa,

Remember that time we were in Key West?  Well, I lied when the seaplane man asked me how much I weighed.  But since we made it okay, it's alright.  Isn't it?  Anyway, I just wanted to let you know that I am sorry.  And that the Nikon D60's are still on sale at the camera store in Stamford.

Your friend,

Mental P Mama

PS:  People--it was only 5 pounds.  Okay, maybe eight.  But that's it.  I swear.  Really.