19 December 2008

Procrastinating

Anyone can do any amount of work, provided it isn't the work he is supposed to be doing at that moment. ~Robert Benchley

I shouldn't be writing. I need to be working. Making lists. Rolling spinach balls. Glittering tags for the wine glasses. Soft-scrubbing counters. Etc... I plan to take short breaks. I really do have enough time to get everything done, I just need lists to stay organized. I have the tablecloth in the washer. Once it's on the table, the serving dishes can go on. The flowers can go on. It will all be fine.

Gin pointed out that the Chillied Almonds call for unblanched almonds. I checked my package and it doesn't say unblanched. I think that means regular. That's what I use.

The cinnamon chip oatmeal cookies were a big hit at work today. If you ever see Hershey's cinnamon chips, you should buy them and follow the recipe on the package. Just a FYI.

I'm going to make a cheesecake to take to my neighbor's on Sunday. It's my mom's recipe from way back when. I remember everyone loving this cheesecake but it was only made for company. We never got more than a thin slice. Yeah, I know. I had a disadvantaged childhood. I'm excited to have the recipe and it will be my first time making it. Kelly, my neighbor, whom I've spent the last 7-8 Christmas's with is going away this year and will have her Christmas dinner on Sunday. I have no idea what I'll be doing on Christmas. I might be going to the movies and out for Chinese with all the other Jewish people. You know I'm Jewish, right? That's me, the one with the most Christmas-y house. But that's another story.

So, there's a family who lives around the corner from me. A few years ago they built a 'conservatory'. We neighbors call it the monstrosity. It's huge and out of place in this neighborhood. How they ever got it past the covenants committee is beyond us. This past summer they embarked on a huge addition. They extended their basement and built a three level deck. They built a mosaic patio that's as large as the footprint of their house. Did I mention they go all out with Christmas decorations? It's really an attraction. I walked by there yesterday and took some pictures.





Did I mention the covenants committee wrote me a letter saying I have exposed dirt under my deck?

OK...tablecloth is on. Oven is preheated and I'm out of here. For now.

11 comments:

Brad said...

This cat's gonna hold it's tongue on your neighbors house.

Have fun at your party but watch out for the exposed dirt police.

Ruth Hull Chatlien said...

I'm so glad we don't have one of those committees. We were supposed but when the builder of the development told us it was time to form one, all the homeowners rebelled.

Have fun with all your parties.

KathyA said...

Covenant committees are not new. Charleston, SC was the first to enact covenants and restrictions. In a lot of places they are reasonable and really help with housing values. Your group, however, is either on drugs or alcohol.

Lena said...

That is some house. Just saying.

ellesu said...

This may be hard to believe (it was when it happened to me) but...a few years ago when we were traveling in the 5th wheel for hubby's job, we actually stayed in a trailer park that had a guy who went around every week and inspected your trailer and lot. He would leave little notes like "flower pots not lined up evenly," "garbage can askew." He even suggested to a neighbor that she raise her blinds/shades evenly in all her windows.

Thanks for the recipes in yesterday's post. :)

Gin said...

OMG...I think I'll do like Brad's cat and hold my tongue about that house!

I'm glad to know you use regular almonds in that recipe. They are much easier to find! I'm going to try those cinnamon chip cookies too...they sound yummy! Andy love oatmeal cookies. Good thing I'm going to the store today! LOL

Have a great weekend!

Summer said...

That house...

Gin said...

Cheryl, I made the cinnamon chip oatmeal cookies and OMG!!! They are sooooo good!!! Andy and I both love them! I've had one broken cookie so far!

I have the Chillied Almonds in the oven now. My goodness they smell wonderful!! I KNOW I'm going to love these too!

I'll probably do a post on these two treats!!

CRUSTY MOM-E said...

We'll be at the movies too, with some ham slices in our pockets! What movie do you think you'll see.
For us it's tale of desperaux.

Have fun tonight!

I love your card btw..very very awesome! I bet your house smells amazing.

soon to light one chanukah light.
tomorrow night, right>question mark. :)

Mary said...

What a house. It sorta grew on a whim. Somebody watched too much HGTV.

Your gatherings sound wonderful. Everything you do is so well organized and tasteful.

Our Jewish friends don't really 'do Christmas' but they always find their way here on Christmas Day. We look forward to having them. Judy's husband is Jewish and no one told me until he was here for his first visit - I was serving baked ham! He was gracious about it but I was so embarassed.

beachgirl said...

Cheryl you crack me up.
Your neighbors house is a little over done. Just a tad.
We have a homeowners association in the townhouse complex. They were a pain in the ass when I first moved in. Now they leave me alone.
You and my daughter should get together and do some cooking. I will have her make the cinnamon cookies for sure.

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