Friday- My husband started my Birthday a little early... It's not till the tenth, however I have minor surgery coming up on the eleventh and a wedding on the thirteenth. So, we decided to have this weekend be my "birthday weekend". We went out for sushi and today we are going to put up our Christmas tree.



I went to Rancho Mirage for a conference on Wednesday and Thursday. It was nice to get away from the routine of the office, however there is minimal sleep, rather tossing and turning without my husband.

It is a beautiful place.

Monday- As I left work, I looked up and saw a large bird. White with very light brown streaks on the under wing. I kept looking because it's face was round... hawks don't have round heads... kept looking... it was not a hawk.

My Godmother (Tia) is going in going in for surgery again. This time she is going in for a hysterectomy. Update... she is going in for more then that. The tumor is also attached to the colon. She goes in on the 18th.

It was so warm this morning, I grabbed my latest issue of Rolling Stone, my husband and his book, Maurice Bishop Speaks and headed outside. We sat on the porch, reading and sunning. I had to run in and grab the sun block because I could feel the capillaries in my legs busting. Sun tan, Yay.... sun damage... boo. As I looked up from the pages I could see San Grogonio topped with snow from last Tuesday/Wednesday. Slightly blocking my view of the mountain was out orange tree... with it's batch ready to pick in about 3 weeks. I love where we live... oranges, snow topped mountains and sunshine.... my legs have more coffee then cream again... thank goodness.


San Gorgonio Mountain, also known locally as Mount San Gorgonio, or Old Greyback, is the highest peak in Southern California at 11,499 feet (3,505 m). It is located in the San Bernardino Mountains, 27 metres (89 ft) east of the city of San Bernardino and 12 feet (4 m) north-northeast of San Gorgonio Pass. It lies within the San Gorgonio Wilderness, part of the San Bernardino National Forest. Spanish missionaries in the area during the early 17th century named the peak after Saint Gorgonius.
Since it is the highest point in a region which is separated from higher peaks (e.g. in the Sierra Nevada) by relatively low terrain, San Gorgonio Mountain is one of the most topographically prominent peaks in the United States. It is ranked 7th among peaks in the 48 contiguous states and 18th among over all.

*anything in red... we (mom and I) have already purchased.

ULTIMATE BRINE FOR TURKEY

1 1/2 cups, Kosher salt
1 1/4 cups, brown sugar
10 whole cloves
3 teaspoons, black peppercorns
1 1/2 gallons (6 quarts) apple juice or cider (non-alcoholic)
the peel from one orange or one tangerine (colored part only - not white pith)
[optional: 3 teaspoons, dried thyme and/or 3 teaspoons, dried sage]

MIX till all ingredients are dissolved (sugar and most of salt)

Let sit in brine ( I let it sit for 12-20 hours)

Take out and pat skin dry before cooking. If you do not pat it dry the sugar will burn.

Mash Potatoes

• 1 1/2 lbs yukon gold potatoes,
• peeled and quartered length-wise
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 4 Tbsp heavy cream
• 2 Tbsp butter
• 1 Tbsp milk
• Salt and Pepper

• 1 stick, butter (1/4 pound)
• 2 medium-size onions
• coarsely chopped 3 tart green apples (such as Granny Smith or pippin)
• 2-3 tablespoons (or to taste) Madras curry powder
• about 3 cups, dried fruit – such as chopped dates, currants, chopped dried apricots, sour cherries or dried cranberries [whatever fruits are available]
• about 1 cup, pecans
• toasted up to 5 cups, herb seasoned stuffing mix (such as Pepperidge Farm) 1/4 cup, Sherry, or to taste (or substitute chicken or turkey broth) salt and pepper to taste.

Roasted Sweet Pecans - MAKES 1 1/2 CUPS

1/2 cup, granulated sugar

1/4 cup (1/2 stick),

unsalted butter 1 tablespoon,

water 11/2 cups, pecan halves (or substitute another type of nut, if you prefer)

1 1/2 teaspoons, salt

On a counter top, spread a piece of aluminum foil 12X24 inches in size (alternatively, you may use a sheet of Silpat or other re-useable silicone liner sheet) or parchment paper. If using foil or parchment, oil it lightly with vegetable oil to coat. In a medium-size saucepan, combine the sugar, butter and water. Heat over medium-low heat until the butter has melted, then add the pecans (or other nuts). Continue to cook the nut mixture, stirring constantly, for about 10 minutes. Pour the nut mixture onto the prepared foil or other surface. Immediately (working quickly) spread the nuts apart to separate each one. Sprinkle the salt over the nuts and allow the nuts to cool for 30 minutes or until completely cooled. The finished nuts can be stored airtight for up to 2 weeks.

Tangy Green Beans

2-3 pounds of fresh green beans
bacon strips, halved, fried and crushed
3 tablespoons butter

1 tablespoon tarragon vinegar
1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon paprika
1 tablespoon parsley -- chopped
1 teaspoon onion -- grated

Drain beans and toss in all the ingredients.