Friday Coffee Klatch

[Jasmine-Rose]

I haven't been to many klatches lately - and I get to start this one!

I hope everyone is well and making progress on all the holiday-season projects.

I have the day off and was to have been making cookies for a swap tomorrow but the swap was rescheduled because the hostess is under the weather. I'm taking advantage of the change in plans to take my parents to breakfast. They live in FL and come up for the holidays but there is so much they want to do during these few weeks that we don't see each other that much. This will be fun - and the restaurant is about an hour away so we'll have plenty of time to chat.

The rest of the weekend will be devoted to getting my newly-remodeled kitchen back in order (still unpacking boxes) and then I'm going to bake cookies to bring to the office on Monday for my coworkers. I had a few kinds planned and then I saw the St Pete Times cookie thread and added a few more. It isn't Christmas without cookies! And on Sunday I'll bake bread - I've missed that most of all.

Looking forward to hearing what you're all up to this morning...

[Molli526]

Good Morning Elaine! (and all others who post after)

Congrats on your new kitchen - I am so jealous. I think that sounds nice to go out to a leisurely breakfast with your parents.

I am off today and I really needed it. Nothing really planned, just some quality time with the computer and the dog

[clairea]

Good morning everyone. I think making it 2 weeks in a row might be a record for me! DD's Christmas pageant is this morning, so I am going to watch that. My parents are in town for the weekend, so this afternoon my dad is going to watch DD while my mom and I go finish up our Christmas shopping. I'm glad to say that after posting last Friday that I hadn't even started, now I only have 3 things left to get. Of course, the only way I accomplished that was by buying almost everything online, and I found out Wednesday that someone had stolen our American Express number and charged over $10,000 of stereo and computer equipment! I'm frustrated with myself because I know about the virtual numbers but was in a hurry and couldn't be bothered to go get one. Obviously I will do so from now on. Fortunately American Express is easy to work with on things like this, so they are overnighting me a new card and have already taken the questionable charges off the bill.

We don't have a lot planned this weekend. Tomorrow DH's firm has a family Christmas party, so we will probably go to that in the morning. So far I still manage to pass the lawyer dressed up like Santa here as "going to see Santa" for my kids so I don't have to stand in line at the mall I think we will put our tree up tomorrow afternoon, and I need to get started with some baking for next week since I have 3 children's parties to take snacks plus a breakfast for 30 that I have to transport to Pigeon Forge Friday night.

Elaine, enjoy your new kitchen!

Molli, I was lurking and saw your post on the pregnancy thread. Congratulations!

Claire

[Peggy C.]

Goodmorning Molli and Elaine and all of the rest of the klatchers! I hope yo both enjoy your day off from work.

Elaine I'm glad to hear the kitchen is done, did you post any pics? If you did I'll take a look for them.

We don't have much planned this weekend. DH= is volunteering at a christmas tree shop (it is for a charity) so I'll walk over with the dog one day to see him. And I'm supposed to teach my BIL how to make split pea soup on Sunday. That is about it though. Today I may go do a little Christmas shopping. I headed out yesterday but saw this record player we've been looking for so I ended up spending all my $ on that and had to come right home. But John reimbursed me for 1/2 so now I have $ again.

NYC was fun. LUnch with Jeanne and Lynne was great, the food at Diwan was awsome. Dinner with Kathryn was also wonderful. We went to a place called Ruby Foo's and had dim sum and maki rolls. I really enjoyed my time there.

Good morning Claire I see you've joined while I've been typing. You reminded me that we'll be getting our tree this weekend also.

Lara if you check in a great big congratulations to you and DH on the arrival of your baby. Kathryn gave me the news while we were at dinner. I'm so happy for you!

[hrk]

Good morning ladies
Molli- I was alos lurking on the pregnancy thread, Congrats on your pregnancy. DH and I didn't find out the sex either and while we were very happy with that decision it drove the to-be-grandparents insane. We also kept ouor name choices secret- very wise decision. As a matter of fact we still hvaen't told anyone what our girl name was in case we have another
Elaine, enjoy breakfast and your new kitchen. I am sure it will making cooking even more enjoyable.
Claire- So sorry o hear about credit card being stolen. Hope everything works out OK.
Peggy- Good to hear from you. Glad you had a great trip to NYC.

Not much planned here. DH and I get our new fridge tomorrow, our second one for extra storage, and then we start cookiing for our holiday party next weekend. 13 families, with all children under the age of one, should be very chaotic but a ton of fun. And Sunday we are going to try and sign DS up for a waterbabies class, to start getting him used to the water. Have a very happy Friday.
Heather

[valchemist]

Originally posted by Molli526
I am off today and I really needed it. Nothing really planned, just some quality time with the computer and the dog

Delurking to say, "enjoy it while you can!!"

Congratulations, Molli. I am really happy for you. It is soooooo exciting!!!

[hrk]

Val- we were posting at the same time. DH found a latin grocer by his work and got mexican chocolate, so the strussel cake is a go. Thanks for all the advice. Hope it turns out as well as yours did
Heather

[Molli526]

Thanks

DH and I are just estatic

Claire,
You are a power shopper to only have 3 things left. We just got lists from DH's family for Secret Santa, so now have 2 more gifts to buy. Hopefully, we can get them this weekend.

Peggy,
That sounds like fun teaching your BIL how to make Split Pea Soup. What a compliment to your cooking.

[valchemist]

Originally posted by hrk
Val- we were posting at the same time. DH found a latin grocer by his work and got mexican chocolate, so the strussel cake is a go. Thanks for all the advice. Hope it turns out as well as yours did
Heather

cool. can't wait to hear how it turns out. have fun chopping.

[Molli526]

Heather,

Thanks for the reassurance about the names. We've already gotten some flack from friends/family. We also bought a chest freezer right after we found out - just to be prepared

[lhall]

Molli!!

Congrats to you and DH!!!! I haven't been reading the pregnancy thread. Have a great day with Max (I hope that's you dogs name).

Peggy,
Good to see you early, and I'm glad you had fun in NYC.

Claire,
Have fun at your parties and I hope you get the shopping done without too much trouble. DH still hasn't done any. I'm the only one he buys gifts for (I do the rest of the shopping). But, he works close to a mall so he can take a late lunch and miss the crowds.

Elaine,
Good to see you, we've missed you. Have fun with your parents and baking in your new kitchen!!

Well, this is a busy busy weekend for us. Tonight I have to make and decorate Mariel's birthday cake, and hopefully we'll go get a Christmas tree. Tomorrow it's putting up lights and Mariel's party. Our neice will be spending the night and if we get a tree tonight we'll decorate it tomorrow. Sunday is the worst. Church, I take Ginger and Emily to a Nutcracker Tea (1-4), then Al's going downtown with Mariel for a Confirmation Ceremony that begins at 4. Here's the fun part....he's going to have call me so I know where he's sitting. I have to go from Marietta to downtown, park, then find them in this huge cathedral because I'm supposed to be confirmed too. Then we get to take our niece home. I have no idea when I'll do any grocery sthopping.

At least I only have one more week of work this year. I won't be around much next Friday because we're having a Staff Retreat thing here in the library.

Leigh

[Peggy C.]

Thanks Molli, I do find it to be quite a compliment when family calls me with a cooking question. They used to be nearly daily from my Dad when my Mom passed away, but he is such a wonderful cook now that they are very rare!

Oh my how did I miss Claire congratulating you on your pregnancy! I even read her post...obviously not very well. So a great big congrats from me too! You will be a great mommy!

[SandyM]

Morning, Klatchers!

Elaine - how nice to see you here! And I'm so excited about your new kitchen!! Your morning with your parents sounds great - and a weekend of baking?? Right up my alley!

Molli - CONGRATULATIONS!!! I found out last night, and I wanted to call you, I was so excited!! But I restrained myself.

Claire - Sorry to hear about the fraud on your AmEx card - ugh! Do you know how it happened? Was it from an online site? Have a great time with the pageants and shopping and (all those) Christmas parties!

Peggy - great to see you!! Neat that you got to see BB friends while in NY - sounds like you had a great time! Pat Otis for me, please.

Heather - Yay for the new fridge! (I think I'm probably the only one who might get a tad too excited over new appliances, no?? ) I went with my neice to her swimming class when she was a baby - it's so much fun!

Tonight I'm going to see my parents, and then dinner with my 19-year-old neice. I always enjoy getting together with her. Tomorrow I'm going to bake much of the day, and then we have a Christmas party in the neighborhood. I'm looking forward to seeing everyone - it's been so busy, we hardly see each other anymore! Sunday is my dad's 76th birthday, so we're getting a cake and the whole family is going up to the nursing home to celebrate with him at lunch time. The rest of the time, I'll be baking - I'm a little behind!

Jim had an awesome job interview yesterday - think good thoughts for this one, please! We're being cautiously optimistic.

Take care everyone, hi to anyone checking in while I'm posting, and Happy Friday!!

[Molli526]

Sandy,

Sounds like you have a great weekend planned. I had those cards ready since Thanksgiving weekend to send. I was really proud of myself for holding out until I originally planned.

P.S. You aren't the only one who gets excited over new appliances

[Peggy C.]

Hi Sandy and Leigh, I'm not sure who has a busier weekend planned. You are both so popular! Have a good time at your various activities.

Sandy I'll pat Otis for you. I have to admit that was the best part about getting home, he was wagging so hard he just about folded himself in half! Then I was talking on the phone with my sister to let her know we made it home safely, I was just wandering around our first floor (it goes in a circle) and I stopped suddenly and Otis ran into me. I didn't even realize he was following me, but he's been very close by for the last 2 days. I think John missed me, but not as much as Otis!

Ok ladies I have to run to the bank or I'm afraid I might bounce a check! eeeeek.

I'll try and stop back in later it is yucky and snowing so I won't want to do much else.

[SueK]

Good morning everyone!

Molli - CONGRATS!! I missed that post on the other thread. How exciting!

Claire - sorry to hear about the credit card. That really stinks.

Hi to Peggy and everyone else! Peggy- glad you had a nice time in NYC. Is Otis getting geared up for the holidays?

Probably will be a busy weekend. DH just got back from Atlanta late last night. We have to put the tree up at some point this weekend. His company Christmas party is tomorrow night. I've been fighting something all week (and crossing my fingers it's not the flu) so I'm hoping I feel better for the party.

Have a great weekend everyone!

[lhall]

Claire,
*duh* I meant to post on the credit card fraud. I'm glad you found it, and that AMEX is so easy to deal with.

Peggy,
That's too funny about Otis following you around. Give him a scratch from me too.

Sandy,
Tons of job wishes for Jim!!!!!!!!! When's he going to see the ROTK? And are you going with him? Al won't let me go alone (next friday) so we may try to get a babysitter and go on Monday since we're both off.

Sue,
I hope you feel better soon.

MK,
So, did you make it to your date last week? Are you done with Finals yet?

JJSooner,
How are things going with you?

Leigh

[MKSquared]

Good morning! SO .... here I was, reading carefully, diligently, thinking that I'd comment to everyone about their plans this weekend, and then I see "Molli" and "pregnancy" in the same sentence, and everything just flew out of my head! Congratulations, Molli!

I have really fun plans for tonight: I have tickets to the Columbus Blue Jackets (hockey) game tonight - they're playing the Blues. That's pretty fun, just in itself. But even better than that, after the game is over, my league hockey team has a game on the arena ice! How fun! My parents are coming into town, and mom (maybe dad too?) has never been to an NHL game, and they've only seen me play once before. Top it all off with going with a guy friend of mine that I've known since I was 9, dinner with my hockey team before the game, and it turns out to be a really great night.

Tomorrow, I'm not sure what I'm doing - the new guy was planning on driving in to visit, but I haven't heard a definite yay or nay yet. Sunday night I'm giving up my hockey championship game to sing in my church choir concert. After last night's rehearsal, I wanted to turn in my music and not come back ... so it's a tough decision to skip something I love to do something that feels like a punishment.

[Molli526]

Sandy- Fingers crossed and good thoughts for Jim!

[Molli526]

MK-

Glad to hear about the new guy but sorry about choir The hockey game sounds great!

[MKSquared]

Originally posted by lhall
MK,
So, did you make it to your date last week? Are you done with Finals yet?

I didn't post for another 4 minutes after you, Leigh! How did you even know I was here? Yes - I made it out to Indy on Friday night, and it was GREAT! What a great guy ... maybe later on I'll fill you in on some little details of it all that made me smile.

[SandyM]

Originally posted by lhall
Sandy,
Tons of job wishes for Jim!!!!!!!!! When's he going to see the ROTK? And are you going with him? Al won't let me go alone (next friday) so we may try to get a babysitter and go on Monday since we're both off.

Hey Leigh - thanks. Hope the party for Mariel is a big success! What kind of cake are you making? As for ROTK - does that have something to do with Lord of the Rings? Honestly, I have no idea what that stands for, but if my guess is correct, then he'll be there opening night - and no, I won't be going with him. Never had an interest in it - although when/if I watch it on DVD, I'm sure I'll probably kick myself for not seeing it on The Big Screen (like I did with Harry Potter).

Sue - Have fun at the Christmas party, and take care of yourself!!!

[hrk]

Originally posted by SandyM

As for ROTK - does that have something to do with Lord of the Rings? Honestly, I have no idea what that stands for, but if my guess is correct, then he'll be there opening night - and no, I won't be going with him.

If I am correct ROTK stands for Return of the KIng- Yes?
Sandy- More job wishes coming your way for Jim

Mary Kate- Have a blast at the hockey game and fun singing

Leigh- Good luck with all the weekend plans. As second request for what type of cake your making? How old is Mariel?

Heather

[linsleyd]

Ok, I have to be quick since I am only working a half day today and then I am off to NYC!!! Can't wait!

Congratulation Molli, that is soo exciting! YAY for you and your DH!

Sandy, fingers are crossed for Jim!

Sue, I hope you are feeling better!

PeggyC, glad NY was fun and poor Otis! That's funny about him bumping into you!

Hello to everyone else! Well we leave for NYC today and we;ll do some shopping and gazing at Christmas displays! Sunday is a cooking day of beef stew and bread and Monday is Monday night football for the Eagles, can't wait! We got our tree up last week for our party last weekend so we don't have to worry about decorating, thank goodness!
Hope everyone has wonderful weekends!

[Natasha]

Hi all, and HAPPY FRIDAY!!!

It has been an interesting week around here. Way too much going on, and not all of it fun, but I'm very happy now -- and on top of it, it's Friday!

I can't keep up with you guys this morning -- when I checked in you were already at 21 posts -- but did want to stop by and say HI.

Our weekend will hopefully be nice. I'd like to shop, hike, trail run, see family, and host a butter chicken dinner for a couple of friends. (I'll try out a couple of recipes and then we can all see which one we like best.) I'm also looking forward to spending some quality time with my husband. He was out of town two days this week and it seemed loooong to us. (I know - I'm spoiled. I don't know how those of you whose SOs travel a lot do it. Hats off to you!!)

And I especially wanted to say: (a) CONGRATS to Molli and Ray! How wonderful for you both!; and (b) Sending good job wishes to Sandy's Jim!!!

Peggy, HELLO. It's good to see you and Otis around.

Hi to everyone else, and have a splendid weekend. I'll try to check back if my self-assigned "to do" pile diminishes quickly enough (doubtful, I may add ).

Natasha

[lhall]

Sandy, shame on you *just kidding*

Yes, in deed ROTK stands for Return of The King. It's the third volume/installment of Lord of The Rings. It premiers on Wednesday December 17th.

I'm making Texas Sheet Cake for Mariel since she says she wants Chocolate. But, I'm going to do it in a 13 x 9 pan so I guess I'll have to cook it a little longer. The theme for the party is Scooby Doo!!! Right now she's got 2 friends from daycare coming too. Oh, and she turned 3 on Monday December 8th. We gave her a present from us on her birthday. We got her a 3-wheel, light-up, Disney Princess scooter with a basket. Jealously has reared it's ugly head and Ginger never had a scooter and got mad when Mariel wouldn't share one whole minute after getting the scooter for the first time.

Linsley,
Have fun in NYC!

Natasha,
Hi there, have a great weekend!

Leigh

[MKSquared]

Peggy - you never did send me your phone number! I won't be going home until Christmas or so, but if you'd like to grab a little lunch somewhere ...

Sandy - happy happy good thoughts coming your way for Jim!

Leigh - the Nutcracker Tea sounds like fun. And congratulations on your confirmation.

[Molli526]

Leigh,

That sounds like so much fun. Sisters can be meanies - trust me.

Have fun at the party. I still love Scooby, although I can't bring myself to watch the new cartoons.

[lhall]

MK,
Thanks! DH's dad is a minister, but hasn't said anything about DH making such a large shift in denominations. He does know DH is being confirmed.

Oh, and as for me posting about your date. I didn't know you were on the BB, but I knew you'd show up on the klatch sooner or later. I'm glad you had a great time.

I do hope the Tea is fun. They are having Clara, the Snow Queen, and the Sugar Plum Fairy. I believe these are the dancers from the Atlanta Ballet and there may be other dancers there. Also, some Atlanta Falcons Cheerleaders. It's formal so I'm sure all the girls will look great in their Christmas Dresses.

Leigh

[lorilei]

Hello to all of you guys! I've missed the klatch lately, and have been lamenting it... but life has just been a big whirl of late. Some good, some bad. I'm very much looking forward to the weekend, and hoping that a bit of Christmas decorating and some baking does something for my soul!

I wish I had time to acknowledge each of you separately -- but I've got a load of work on my desk with which I need to deal. Here's wishing you all a very lovely weekend... and I'll be back in a bit if I can!


Oh -- I can't forget:
Sending out a big CONGRATS to you Mollie!! What very exciting news for you. Will be keeping you in our thoughts