Merry Monkey Christmas

 

The Monkeys want to wish all our blogging buddies a very merry Christmas.

Rainy Day Monkey Business

 

 

 

 

Have you ever been stuck in the house with four kids, two cats, three fish, and an obsessive compulsive German shepherd? I thought not, that would only happen in my life.

I have nieces #2 and #3. They are out of school for the holidays, but their mom and dad must work. So they are visiting us. Normally, this is not an issue. They usually play in the yard for a while, play inside for a while and generally keep themselves busy.

Today it is really too cold and too wet to play outside. Did that stop them? NOOOO. Instead they went outside and took the dog with them. They saw that the top of the water garden had frozen over and felt sorry for the fish. They broke the ice, scooped out the fish, and brought them inside in a mixing bowl. Then they let Abby back inside after she ran around the yard and got as muddy as possible. Guess what she did when she got inside, just guess...she rolled around on my newly shampooed carpet. Nice.

After getting the fish out of the house and the dog in her kennel, I discovered that someone had caught the bathroom curtain on fire with a candle. I am pretty sure it happened last night, but still.

Finally, they all settled down to playing games and making a Christmas card for their Aunt who has to return to New Mexico tomorrow.

This is only the second day of Christmas break. There are still twelve days left. Will the house get burned down? Will I go completely crazy? Will the animals end up running the household and raising my children? Stay tuned.

Abby in Winter

 

We Thinks Her Nose is Cold

I found this librarian post and thought it was hilarious. Check it out.

Spoiled Cat

 

Trixie must have a fresh cup of water each morning. She is too good to drink out of the cat bowl. The whining to get this cup of water is the most annoying noise known to man. It is a good thing she's pretty.

Cold Weather Comfort

 

The high here today was 37. The low tonight should be in the low 20's. In this cold weather, I went on a shopping trip with Mamala and Baby Sister. This trip was to be to one, and only one, book store. Guess how well that worked out-NOT. Baby Sister and I were talked into a furniture store. Not too bad. Then Mamala did it, she said we had to pick up her pictures at WallyWorld. Now, I've got nothing against the big box giant, but on the Sunday before Christmas- RUN-RUNAWAY.

We lived, but I am bone cold. I know, I know... Aunt Debbi is a big fat whimp. You probably have weather in the 10's with hoar frost or permafrost or some other sort of horrible frost. I don't live here in Texas for this kind of weather. I live here to avoid this kind of weather. I appreciate your pictures of snow drifts and icecicles, but I know how freaking cold it has to get for you to enjoy that kind of beauty. I will stay right here in Texas, thank you very much.

So I am cold, chapped, and my hair looks like it has been through a blender. There is only one cure for cold like this - Homemade soup.

Today's soup was acorn squash and lentil.

Cut an acorn squash in half, scoop out the seeds, and bake it for 15 minutes at 350.
In the meantime, saute 1/2 an onion and 1 stalk of celery (well chop them up first). When the onions are translucent add one cup of lentils, 3 cloves of chopped garlic, and five cups of water. Bring this to a boil and add two chicken bouillon cubs and the following herbs to taste: Cumin, coriander, thyme, and black pepper. Simmer the lentils until tender and then add the mashed, roasted squash. If the soup is too thick, add more water. If it is too thin, cook it down a little.

I had mine with a little After Burner sauce. After Burner is like Tabasco, but with habanero, Serrano, chili pequino peppers and good cider vinegar. Middle Monkey ate his soup plain. We didn't have any, but it would be excellent with some shredded sharp cheddar.

A couple of notes.

I only used half the squash because Middle Monkey ate the other half before I could get to it.

The chicken bouillon in the Mexican food section of our local grocery stores is far superior to the chicken bouillon in the soup section.

Is black pepper an herb or a spice?

Trying To Fit Gardening Into My Schedule

I really feel the need to garden right now. My body wants it and my soul needs it. The only plant care going on around here for the last few weeks has been moving plants in and out of the house and watering the winter garden. Gardening activity is absolutely necessary and soon please. But dang-it, check out next weeks schedule.

Sunday 38 degree high, must go shopping for the last three gifts.
Monday 41 degree high and have to work in the afternoon
Tuesday 54 degree high, but this is the last day Baby Sister is going to be here from Albuquerque.
Wednesday 64 degree high, but have to work in the afternoon
Thursday Christmas..falalalala...
Friday 66 degree high, but it might rain. If it doesn't rain, I will garden.
Saturday 66 degree high. Wait...wait... I don't see any other obligations or bad weather predictions. Yipeee...I am going to garden like a crazy woman.
Sunday 58 degree high, but I bet I will be recovering from Saturday.

In addition to the above responsibilities I will assume that the Monkeys will want food, clean clothes, and parenting. Oh dear.

How are you fitting in your gardening fix?