The Books of 2006

In the last couple of days I have collected two new book quotes that I wanted to share with my bookish friends.

To be a book-collector is to combine the worst characteristics of a dope fiend with those of a miser. --Robertson Davies

I don't think of myself as a book-collector--more of a bibliophile, but I must admit that I hope someone will "feed the beast" and I will get at least one book for Christmas this year.

And here is a funny one from the beloved Arnold Loebel:

Books to the ceiling,
Books to the sky,
My pile of books is a mile high.
How I love them! How I need them!
I'll have a long beard gray hair and wrinkles by the time I read them.

Arnold inspired me to collect as many of the books I have read this year that I can remember and put my hands on and make a stack next to my reading chair. My pile doesn't go to the ceiling, but if I added all the books that I poked my nose into, reading just chapters at a time, and the ones I have forgotten, and the ones I have borrowed and returned, the pile would probably be half again as tall. (I have already thought of three books I didn't include in the "finished pile.")

The stack on the floor are books I have read this year. (I "read" the Lord of the Rings on CD so that doesn't exactly count, but I'm counting it anyway because I love it and I've held it in my hands and read it more times that I care to admit. I haven't read the entire Bible this year but I have read the entire New Testament, or will by the end of the year. I also haven't read the entire two volumes of Jonathan Edwards this year, but they are my constant companions, so they must be included.)

The two books on the ottoman are the ones I am reading now. The stack in the corner of the chair are the books that I bought but haven't read yet. The two on the seat of the chair are ones I started but never finished.

If you'd like to play along with me, make a stack of your books, take a photo (or post a list) and send me a link, here in the comments or by email. I'll link to your post. (Kim I KNOW you want to play along!)

Related Tags: quotes, books, book quotes

"Frango" Fudge

Those of you who live in the Chicago area know that Marshall Fields Christmas candy, Frangos, is legendary. Smooth, melt in your mouth minty chocolate fudge--heavenly.

I stumbled on this recipe by happy chance. I was making regular good old chocolate-with-walnuts fudge. I had the butter, sugar and evaporated milk boiling away on the top of the stove and all the rest of the ingrediants ready to go once I removed the pan from the heat--or so I thought. I had neglected to retrieve my chocolate chips from my baking stash. I pulled down my container of assorted chips and to my amazement, I had no semi sweet chocolate chips. I had every kind of morsel you could imagine: caramel swirl, raspberry swirl, white chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, butterscotch chips, red and green swirled Holiday chips and mint chocolate chips. I had to make a quick decision because a hot pan of sugar and milk was quickly cooling on the stove. I chose the mint chocolate chips. But there was a small problem. The recipe called for a 12 ounce bag and the mint chip bag only had 10 ounces. So, I added 12 milk chocolate Hershey Kisses to make up the difference, left out the nuts, and finished the fudge. And it was a hit. Tom took two or three plates to his office and they disappeared.

Here's the recipe:

3/4 c. margarine or butter (I use unsalted butter)
3 c. sugar
2/3 c. evaporated milk
10 oz. bag Nestles Mint chocolate chips
12 milk chocolate Hershey Kisses
1 7 oz. jar of marshmallow creme
1 tsp. vanilla

Mix butter, sugar and milk in large, heavy bottomed saucepan. Bring to a full boil, stirring constantly.

Continue boiling and stirring for 5 full minutes over medium heat. (or until candy thermometer reaches 235 degrees). Remove from heat.

Gradually stir in chips and kisses until melted. Add remaining ingrediants and mix well.

Pour into a greased 9X13 pan. Cool and cut into small squares. Makes three pounds.

This is all that's left (well, except the piece I swiped after I took the picture!)

Related Tags: recipes, Holiday recipes, Marshall Fields, Frango, fudge

God's Minute

December Fifth

For now I am ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I hve finished my course. I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love His appearing.--2 Timothy 4:6-8

OUR Father, we thank Thee for the revelation of Thyself in Jesus Christ our Lord. We thank Thee for Thy kindly care over us. We pray that the Holy Spirit may lead us into the light of truth. Give to us a larger vision of Thy glory and make us more faithful to Thee and to the needs of our fellow men. Teach us how to pray.

Give us more faith and love. Give us clearer vision to see the deeper meaning of Thy Truth. Bless our land, and Thy Church in all lands. Bless the young, the aged, the sick and the troubled. Fill our hearts with sympathy and hope. Let us live to be of service to Thee, and to our fellow men. Thine shall be the kingdom, the power and the glory, for we ask in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

William M. Anderson, D.D.,
Dallas, Texas

Chocolate Peppermint Pinwheel Cookies

Rebecca really knows how to have fun and get people involved! She has designated this Wednesday as "Christmas Recipe Round-up" Day--the day when she gathers together all the yummy Christmas recipes submitted into one place. Why don't you post one of your favorite Christmas recipes on your blog and send a link to Rebecca? Here's my recipe:

Chocolate Peppermint Pinwheel Cookies

This recipe is copyrighted by the Food Network, so you'll have to follow the link. These are gorgeous, delicious cookies. Rolling them up into pinwheels is a bit tricky but if I can do it, you can too! Need help? You can watch Alton Brown prepare these cookies on air Monday Dec. 18 at 7:00 PM ET/PT on the Food Network.

Related Tags: Chocolate Peppermint Pinwheel Cookies, Alton Brown, Food Network, Christmas Recipe Round-up

My morning route. . .

. . .is no longer the shortest distance between my side of the bed and the coffee pot. It now starts with plugging in the Christmas lights. Sunroom tree, dining room tree, office tree (turn on computer), front porch tree, kitchen lights, coffee pot.

I'm getting good at finding the receptacle by feel because I like to plug them in in the dark and then, VOILA! Lights!

I tried to take a few pictures of the trees without a flash this morning. They didn't turn out great, but I'm sharing one with you anyway.

Related Tags: Christmas lights, Christmas traditions