Latke Fest 2009

I couldn't find my recipe, so I hunted on line until I found one that resembled what I could remember of the recipe I got from my mom.  Mom always pulverized the potatoes, though, and I know from my sister-in-law that true latkes are grated.  I used my food processor anyway, but I used the grater disk instead of the whip it to $&*% blade.  They turned out perfect, if I may say so myself, albeit a little late for the holiday.

Home at Last

When I got to Long Beach airport, it was very crowded, but I was in plenty of time to catch my flight.  Little did I know how true that was!  My flight took off an hour and a half late, after two gate changes.  I was worried about making my connection in Las Vegas, but first they told us that because so many folks on the flight were making the same connection, they would hold the flight, then later they told us the New York flight would be using the same plane.  Whew!

Then even better, when we landed in Vegas, they told us not to deplane.  All I had to do was slide my luggage to the other side of the overhead, and pop into the seat right behind mine!  It sure took a lot of anxiety out of changing flights!



As we waited in Long Beach, Dumble was intermittently whining (very quietly) - he wanted off my lap to make friends with people he saw.  There was this guy a couple seats away from me who kept muttering about how I should shut him up and why couldn't I keep him quiet.  He was the first person we ever met while travelling who wasn't charmed by Dumbledore - go figure.  I doubt anyone further away from me than he was could even hear him.  The folks right by me liked him though; they both talked to him, and one let him lick his fingers.

There was another dog on the flight to Vegas, and before we took off he started barking.  Of course, Dumble couldn't let that pass without comment so he started barking too.  And he would settle down, then the other dog would start in again, and so would Dumble.  I could picture that going on the whole flight!  But they both quieted before we took off.

Blair was in baggage claim when we got off the flight, and he had my big down coat for me.  Before we headed to the car, I took Dumble to the doggy rest area at the Jet Blue terminal.  The had a little fenced in area with benches for the people, and clean up stations, but the best part was the two fire hydrants.  What a riot.

We made it home hours before the snow hit.  Blair thinks we got 6 or 7 inches.  Before it started, he went to the supermarket and got the fixings for latkes (a little late for Hannukkah, but what the hey).   We'll decorate our tree this afternoon (the one my Jewish husband selected) with Christmas and Hannukkah decorations and have latkes for dinner.  'Cause that's how we roll here in the Satter house.

Busy Busy

I had a wonderful time at the bead show on Saturday.  I took two classes (and was the only student in each).  In the first, I made the lovely beaded beads in the first picture.  The second was on stringing.  First I learned to string pearls (with the knots between).


Then I crocheted silk thread with crystals and lastly learned to make links with the crystals and silver wire.

I was enchanted by the jewelry in the booth that sold these acrylic flowers and leaves.  It looked like fairy jewelry.  I had to get some so I could try it for myself.

The last photo shows the kits I bought from the lady who taught my first class.  All her stuff was sooo gorgeous, I couldn't resist!

The next day, I made earrings from a kit that used crystals to mimic christmas lights.  I used my new link-making skills and my loops and wire wrapping were much improved from the day before.  I'll be sure to post a photo of my new holiday earrings.

Tonight I packed, because tomorrow night I'm headed home for a whole week+ for the holiday.  We'll celebrate Blair's birthday a little late, the last day of Hannukkah, and then Christmas!  Mom (and hopefully my sister and aunt) and I will bake the Christmas cookie dough we made before Thanksgiving and froze.  And I'm looking forward to a friend's annual Christmas Eve fete.  And Alex will be down from Massachussetts.  I also have a batch of doctor appointments.  Fun!

Bead Envy

I takes about 40 minutes or so to get home, and I call the guys on my cell phone (hands free of course), it's about 8 their time when I get out, so it's a good time to call.  They've had their dinner, and sometimes Dan is done with his homework.  We catch up and chat and they keep me company on my drive.  And I'm very happy that I'll be home for a long visit starting next week.

Dumble is getting along well with my aunt and her doggy.  He defers to the other dog, and has charmed my aunt completely.  He's such a sweetheart - we got really lucky with him.

I went to a bead show today.  I went to work an hour early (left home around 6:30) so I could leave work at 4.  With the drive and dinner I had a bit over 2 hours to walk the show tonight and register for the classes I want to take tomorrow.  I didn't manage to see all the booths yet!  The array of beads and crystals is overwhelming.  There are these opaque crystals in black and red that look like sparkly velvet if you can imagine such a thing. 

I bought a couple of extra kits from one of the ladies I'm taking a class with tomorrow.  They were too yummy to pass up!  I'm doing her beaded bead.  I'm also taking advanced stringing with this lady .  I'm very excited.

My aunt is very crafty, and the thing I most looked forward to when I realized I could stay with her was crafting together.  She's into beading too and makes these amazing little purses.  (and makes amazing lace).  We were showing each other our treasures (I have a half finished necklace I have to work on before I get to my new kits) this evening.  I was so pumped from my trip to the show that I can't get settled down to go to bed.

Tomorrow morning early, Dumble gets to meet my Aunt's groomer, then I'll head back over to the show for the day.  Happy, happy!

Good Lord It Comes In a Shoe Box!

That's what I said when the waiter brought the cake to the table!  My Aunt and I had dinner at the Claim Jumper and were taking our dessert to go.  I had seen the cake, and knew how large it was, but I was still stunned when I saw the box!

It was astoundingly good and took us days to eat.

I"ve been here a week now, settling in at work and at my Aunt's.  The doggies are getting along well, and Dumble is taking it all in stride.  I'm getting over the cold I picked up on the road, and unfortunately seem to have passed on to my Aunt.  Still a bit time-zone lagged. 

When the morning is clear, like it was today, there are spectacular mountains in the distance to look at while I drive to work, and if I get out of work before sundown, I drive home into the sunset.  Very pretty.  It's easy to get turned around - I don't think Blair is getting his GPS back any time soon.

I'm going to a bad show this weekend and taking a couple of classes - that will be fun.  And next Friday, I'm headed home for Christmas for the week.  I'm not sure when I'll be home next, because of how long the flight is, it's not convenient just for a long weekend.  Thank goodness for the internet and unlimited cell phone minutes!

Orange County, CA

For most of the trip, I've been following the path of the old Rt 66.  So when I hit Barstow, the line "Kingman, Barstow, San Bernadino" kept running through my head.  It was there that I hit the first real traffic since I left the environs of New York City.  There was some construction and at one point it went from four lanes of traffic down to one.  When I finally reached the outskirts of LA, there was heavy traffic but it was moving pretty well.  This meant that I arrive at my Aunt's about 3:30.  I couldn't beleive it.

I emptied my car (good car, nice car... I kinda wish there was a treat I could give it!) brought my clothing upstairs and some other stuff, but the craft supplies are taking up space in the living room until the weekend.  I've had a shower and my clothes and other stuff are all ready for tomorrow, and once again Dumble is resting on my calves as I type on the laptop.  He was so relaxed and comfortable in the car the last couple of days, that when I reached over to pet him, he rolled over so I could rub his belly.  I doubt he would have done that if he was at all unhappy.

Flagstaff, AZ

I'm watching the miles left to go on the GPS, and I'm getting closer and closer to Flagstaff, and I don't see any lights.  So I'm starting to panic that my GPS is about to strand me out in the middle of nowhere.  Then it gets under 10 miles and suddenly there are lights - I think the town was hiding in a dip, plus it felt like I drove around a mountain before I got to my exit, so maybe most of the place was hiding behind the mountain.

I spent the day listening to a audiobook my dad lent me.  Wowie it's great!  I can't tell how far into it I am, so I'm starting to worry that I will arrive at my aunt's tomorrow before it's done, and I will be unable to get out of the car and unload because I will be listening to the end of the story.

Dumble was really feisty tonight, growling and even barken when I tried to brush him, so instead I threw the rubber chicken and he gleefully chased it, gulumphing back over to me so I could throw it again.  He had a lot of energy to burn off and we played for a long time.  Now he's passed out on the bed down by my feet.

Tomorrow is the last day of my journey.  Fewer miles than the other days (less than 500 versus nearly 600 each day for the rest of the trip), and google maps gives a time estimate of from 7 1/4 to 9 1/2 hours depending on traffic.  Both my Dad and Aunt think I'll be going against the traffic when I arrive, so maybe I'll be lucky.  Although I won't feel lucky if the story's not over!