Debra LaValley's Blog

January 23, 2011

What a difference a year makes. The above photo is how much snow we had a year ago. We had snow today – but only about 2 inches. This winter has been mild compared to the past two winters. At least, I haven’t had to worry about my father taking snow of their roof! Currently, the ground cover is only about as much snow that is on the roof in the photo!

Have a great day!

In the 1980s, my mother and I were really into Annalee Mobilitee Dolls. These cute felt dolls were made in Meredith, NH. We would often go to the “workshop in the woods” in Meredith and purchase the whimsical dolls. The dolls were a bit pricey because they were handmade.

We found out that the first Saturday in January, there was a huge 50% sale. We heard that folks got there during the night and would stay in their cars and wait for the doors to open. We decided to go and stay the night in the car for this special sale. I remember sitting in the car – eating snacks and waiting. There were many,many people there from all over. We had brought out credit cards/checkbooks, and were ready to buy!

Just before the doors opened, we were chatting with a fellow Annalee Doll collector – also from Penacook – Joan LeBrun. During out conversation my mother or I had mentioned we had our credit cards/checks ready to purchase a bunch of dolls at 50% off. Joan broke the news to us that it was CASH ONLY! We were devastated! We had been out in the cold all night waiting, and the doors were just about to open! We had no cash with us! Joan was great friends with my Uncle Bobbie and Aunt Marilyn. She graciously loaned us some money. I think it was $20 a piece. We had enough to purchase one doll each. I purchased a winged dragon (much like the plain dragon in the photo above). I no longer have the winged dragon. About 10 years later, I saw that one of these winged dragons sold at an Annalee Auction for hundreds of dollars and decided to place mine in the next auction. It was during my “Ramen” noodle meal days, and I was hoping to get a few hundred dollars or so for my dragon. I only got about $80 – maybe less. I was very disappointed.

Looking back, I wish I still had the dragon. The memories it held of that nights’ adventures were worth much more than $80 – but I was young, and the prospect of getting hundreds of dollars for it – enticed me.

I know better now. Even without the dragon – I will always remember the kindness of Joan LeBrun. She died many years ago – but I still can picture her smiling and how grateful my mom and I were for her generosity that night. She didn’t have to lend us any money. It goes to show you – that you don’t have to do much to change someone’s bad day into a good day.

Have a great day everyone and remember To Pay if Forward – whenever you can.

“Just a lot of folk sittin’ round the fire warming . . . Blow the marshmallow out and dream a dream gone by.”

We just had a couple very cold days, but so far this winter has been mild. That is ok with me. The past two winters we have been buried in snow by now. Tomorrow, the forecast is the mid 40s. I am glad for it is the Mid-Winter Eagle Count. I am a volunteer again this year. The past couple years – the day of the count has been snowing or bitterly cold. I am looking forward to a more mild day. I hope to see at least one eagle. I saw one adult bald eagle on 12/31/11 and the same (I am assuming) one 1/1/12. I never tire of seeing eagles. They are such awesome birds.

A woman in my department shared a breakfast casserole recipe with me. I thought some of you would enjoy it. She made it once in our department, and it was well received. I am sure that I could make it with vegetarian sausage.

Holiday Brunch Casserole

1 pkg. Jimmy Dean Sausage
(cooked, drained, and crumbled)
4 cups cubed day old bread
2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
10 eggs, slightly beaten
4 cups milk
1 tsp. dry mustard
1 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. onion powder
Fresh ground pepper to taste
1/2 cup sliced mushrooms (optional)
1/2 cup peeled, chopped tomatoes (optional)

Place bread in well-buttered 9×13 baking dish.
Sprinkle with cheese. Combine the next six
ingredients. Pour evenly over the bread and cheese.
Sprinkle sausage and optional ingredients over the top.
Cover and chill overnight. Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
Bake uncovered for about one hour. Tent with foil if top begins to
brown too quickly. Serves 6.

Stay warm! 🙂

Happy New Year!

Have a Very Happy and Healthy 2012 Everyone!

I would write more – but I am tired … so is Molly! That is the only way I got the hat on her!

Merry Christmas, Everyone!

“Twas the night before Christmas . . .”

Christmas Eve! Such a special night. I just finished watching IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE. It is one of my all time favorite Christmas movies – even though I find myself crying through parts of it. Most of the tears are tears of joy. It is such an uplifting movie with a great message. I like that it shows that it isn’t the folks with money and power that influence our lives – but everyone we come in contact with. Everyone makes a difference in some way in the lives of others. It is a good thing to remember – not only on Christmas Eve. I like Clarence the Angel’s message written in the copy of Tom Sawyer, “Remember no man is a failure who has friends.” As you spend the holidays with your friends and family – remember how blessed you are – it isn’t about the material gifts. The real gift is the time you can spend with family and friends.

I should probably close before I get too sappy. I truly wish you all a wonderful Christmas! Take care and be careful out there and remember Christmas Cheer (aka drinking) and Driving don’t mix. 🙂

Merry Christmas – Everyone!

PS – I still am “a little” excited to see what Santa has brought me … 🙂

Happy Holidays!

Winter officially starts at approximately 12:30 a.m. EST (12/22) with the winter solstice. Today is the day when the daylight hours are the shortest and the longest night. It is a turning point though, and the days will start lengthening little by little! We didn’t have much in terms of light today. It was a gloomy drizzly day (with some freezing rain). When I left for work this morning, it looked like 3:30 in the afternoon! It is a day for comfort food and luckily there has been plenty of comfort food around since Christmas is almost upon us. There has been so much food and desserts around at work – we all will be in need plenty of dieting and exercising after the holidays. Tomorrow, is a pot luck day in our “wing” at work. There will be so much yummy goodies for us to graze on all day long! Luckily, I am in a meeting all morning – so that should help me stay away from the goodies for a while. I love how everyone is in the sharing and giving spirit this time of year (as long as you stay away from the malls and other stores where folks in last-minute shopping frenzies can be a bit rude). I will NOT be stepping into another department store or the mall until well after the holidays!

Tonight, I have to wrap presents. I do not like wrapping presents at all. Maybe, I hate it because I never seem to be able to do a good job. I hate wrapping about as much as Molly liked wearing the Santa Hat. However, I am watching The Santa Clause and sipping a glass of Pinot Noir – so wrapping will not seem so bad. I may even manage humming a Christmas carol or two.

Have a great evening everyone!

Here is a recipe a friend at work gave me that I think you may enjoy. I would have to use fake chicken since I am a vegetarian – but it sounds good.

Buffalo Chicken Dip

8 oz. pkg cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup ranch salad dressing
1/2 cup Frank’s Red Hot Original Sauce
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
2 cans (12.5 oz. each) white chunk chicken, drained

Preheat oven to 350
Mix cream cheese, ranch dressing, and hot sauce in a large bowl. Stir in chicken, then stir in 1 cup shredded cheese. Spoon into an 8×8 glass or metal dish/pan. Bake for 20 minutes or until heated through, then stir. Spread dip with remaining cup of shredded cheese, bake about 5-10 minutes more until the cheese melts.

Our family lost a lovely lady on Wednesday – my Aunt Audrey. Though, we are sad at her passing – she left us with many memories. I will remember her last days when she was thanking folks for coming and telling everyone she loved them and to remember all the good times. She didn’t complain and was always thinking about others. This year, Aunt Audrey will be spending Christmas in Heaven with her beloved husband Donald, their son Donny, and other loved ones who have left this earth. Sleep in Heavenly Peace – Aunt Audrey! Sleep in Heavenly Peace . . .

Molly Helping Wrap Presents

I love buying Christmas presents for my friends and family – but I hate wrapping. Tonight, Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer was on so I was in the mood to wrap a few gifts. Molly decided to help. I swear – even the most shy feline will come out and plop down on any paper you place on the floor – especially if you don’t want any help. She is such a little goon. 🙂

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

There is so much to be thankful for no matter what is going on in our lives. I cherish my friends and my family! Let’s all count our many blessings today! I remember when I was young, when we would all pack in the family car and head for our Thanksgiving dinner singing the Over the River and Through the Woods song! I have linked the song to a download on YouTube. This is a Thanksgiving song – though some have changed it to a Christmas song. It really is a Thanksgiving song. It always reminds me of Thanksgiving and one of my wishes to go on a real sleigh ride . . . maybe this year!

Pumpkin pie is my favorite Thanksgiving pie (my favorite pie is Lemon Meringue but it rarely makes an appearance at Thanksgiving in our family). When I think of Thanksgiving dishes – I also remember my grandmother LaValley’s Cranberry Salad. It may not have been my favorite when I was a youngster – but through the years, I have come to enjoy it. It reminds me of my grandparents. Grammy and Pepe used to pick wild cranberries (high bush) located somewhere behind the Renfor’s home. I don’t know the spot, and I am sure there is a development now located where they used to be. In keeping with the sharing spirit of Thanksgiving, here is my grandmother’s Cranberry Salad recipe. It may be too late to whip up for your meal today – but it can be served other times of the year. You may be having a special meal or two in the next month or so 🙂

Grammy’s Cranberry Salad

1 cherry Jell-O
1 1/2 c boiling water – let set until thick as egg whites
add 1 can whole cranberry sauce
chopped celery and nuts

Serve with mayonnaise thinned with pineapple juice.

Have a wonderful day and drive carefully!

Pepe & Grammy