It has been awhile since I posted. Between school and the Christmas lights, I am barely keeping my head above water. But that is OK because the Christmas lights are - more or less - up and running.When we moved to our present house about 25 years ago, Little Food Police was 4 years old.
We had one little pine tree in our front yard which we decided to decorate with lights that first Christmas. That is when the addiction began. We began adding one thing a year to the display until now it has taken over our lives beginning around the end of October. Husband Fred, who should have been an engineer, has had to divide the yard into electrical sectors so that we don't blow a fuse when the lights are on. One year before he calculated the voltage load, whatever that is, I could not wash or dry clothes at night because the fuse would blow.
It was nuts!!Husband Fred and I have gotten into many an argument over these lights. We have specific roles for the putting up of the lights. My assignment is to string all the trees with white lights and do the bushes in green. It is very tedious because I try to follow each individual limb of the tree with lights. He gets on the roof and does the icicle lights and the Santa going down the chimney. He also sets up all the structures in the yard plus builds a very tall tree around the giant sycamore tree. He then is responsible for laying out the thousands of extension cords. All of this stuff is stored in the attic so he has to climb up in the attic and laboriously lower each piece to me - 'The Impatient One' - at the bottom of the steps.
I say that he moves at the speed of Turtle. Just to tell you, one year we did an Open House, the guests were arriving, and he was still out in the yard putting up lights. He didn't even have time to take a shower. I know the neighbors sit out on their front porches and listen to the steady stream of dialogue that happens when we are out putting up the lights. It is great entertainment I am sure!!The best thing about the lights, though, is to sit in the living room with all the lights off in the house and watch the steady stream of cars go.
We have a system where we grade the activity. There are the drive-bys which have already seen the lights and probably live on the street. We have the slow-downs who are going about 2-5 mph, and then the much appreciated stoppers who take pictures and sometimes even back up to get another look. We have even had people stop, get out of their cars, and take pictures by some of the structures. Oh the joy of it all!!This year has been no different. He still has to finish some of the lights tonight, and it is December 10th!!!
We were late getting our 5-Foot Santa positioned and dancing at the front door because Husband Fred needed to do shoulder surgery on him. He has danced so much over the years that he threw his arm out of joint.
After the surgery, he also shrank about a foot so now he is Dancing 4-Foot Santa. Grrrr.But what is so cool is that we are dedicating the lights to Valor Flight which is a community service project that flies Korean War veterans to Washington, DC to visit the Korean War Memorial. We invite you to drive by, enjoy the lights, and then make a donation at.
It is a wonderful project. Husband Fred was lucky enough to be chosen to fly with the first Valor Flight, and it is something he will never forget. This is a picture of the house at 1108 Woodmont Avenue in Huntsville, AL taken in 2009. It looks alot different this year.
We have added a digital clock that counts down to Christmas in days, hours, minutes, and seconds. The kids love it!!I love the lights.I love the lights.I love the lights.Now on to something else I love, and that is cooking. I chose as my next cookbook - Homemade Christmas - by Gooseberry Patch. If you have never tried a Gooseberry Patch cookbook, they are awesome. I think I have 10 or so of them so I will be sharing more recipes from the various ones.
Homemade Christmas Gooseberry Patch Recipe
The Eeny Game chose Baked Brown Sugar Oatmeal. I was excited because I love breakfast and brunch foods. Alabama Hello everyone. I am a high school teacher in Alabama. That is why I am a little crazy!! Teaching high school is my second career.
I first started out as a Registered Nurse. I am now an empty-nester who has been married to Husband Fred for 33 years. We have one 29 year old daughter - Food Police- who happens to be a registered dietitian and will not be happy that her slightly overweight mother is going on this food adventure.
Gooseberry Patch Catalog
She has been married to Son-in-Law for two and one-half years now. Those are two peas in a pod for sure. I absolutely love food. I love to eat food, read about food, watch food TV, and prepare food. I cannot get enough of food!!! I love cookbooks. I read a cookbook like I read novels.
When I get a new cookbook, I cannot wait to go through it page by sweet page. I love food magazines.
I subscribe to Southern Living, Cooking with Paula Deen, Food Network Magazine, Celebrate, and Taste of the South. It really has gotten ridiculous. But can I say one more time - I love food, and I love that you are taking this journey with me!!