Please let this be over, now!

I am a voracious reader. Reading was one of the activities I most anxiously anticipated when I headed into my retirement.

I peruse

best seller list to choose which books to reserve at the library.

Earlier this week, I stepped outside of my usual fiction genre to try a book about a post-apocalyptic vampire infested world. If an author is good and can draw me in, I am consumed by the story.

This morning, Paul said to me, "Why do you keep reading that book? You aren't enjoying it." Yikes!

 Once I got past the fact he reads my mind, I agreed. What was I thinking?

I won't even watch a movie if I know it is the least bit scary or sad.  I had read several hundred depressing and dismal pages. Enough. Back to my own little bubble.

New book today.

Why do people read that stuff?

Brother David

Everybody should be so fortunate to have an older brother like mine. My brother, David, was my hero when we were kids. I was so proud to be his sister. I even kept a scrapbook of all of his basketball games when we were in high school. He worked hard for my Dad and was the ultimate role model to my four younger brothers. He is truly a good person. Dave and my sister-in-law, Rosie, have faced incredible sadness through the death of their precious son, Christopher. We all miss him so much. Yet, Dave and Rosie demonstrate to our family how to be strong and to look forward to live a good life. My brother continues to be a role model to all of us.

They have many blessings. Last Saturday we were able to enjoy those blessings with Dave and Rosie. It  was Dave's 61st birthday. Their oldest daughter, Missy and her husband, Zuel, who live in Fargo, had a baby girl three weeks ago. They were there that evening with their newborn.

Her name is Edythe. Quite honestly, she is perfect! I held her that evening for a long time and she filled my heart with happiness.

Dave and Rosie's daughter, Jessica, and her husband, James, also live in Fargo. They were at Dave's Saturday evening as well.

They have two daughters. Meredith, who is a very bright two year old.

And sweet Lila, born last February. We had never met Lila. Another joyous moment in my life!

Also there to share in the celebration was Jessica's twin, Jennifer, and her husband, Eric, who live in Virginia.

Their son, Broderick, was also born last February. He is a beautiful and bright little boy. We had not met Broderick, either. Another happy moment in my life!

Three beautiful daughters with great husbands and four beautiful grandchildren. And they all were there for Dave's birthday. Rosie had a table full of food to keep the party going. She is a loving grandmother!

And, to make it an even greater evening, six of our eight siblings were together. Fun, fun, fun!  I don't remember the last time we were together on Dave's birthday. Maybe 1966? Too long. We missed Beth and Kent, as they are in sunny Florida.

Jessica and Jennifer hosted a huge shower the next day for baby Edythe and Melissa. Ede sailed through all of the festivities like a true pro. Maybe next summer she will help her dad be "Superfan" at a Saints game!!!

Everyone needs a hero. I am lucky to have one in my life! Happy Birthday, Dave. And Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!

Love you!

Shrimp Jambalaya

Today was a very quiet day at the ranch.

We started a fire in the wood stove this morning and kept it going while Paul watched football.

I made shrimp jambalaya for dinner.  Yum! Paul said, "Let's have this in Florida this winter."

Beth and Gary, plan on joining us! Anybody else? We'll play rummy after dinner.

First Snowfall

Our world changed overnight.

There's something about the first snowfall.

Feeling Secure

Paul and I decided we weren't feeling very secure

leaving our home in the winter in case we had furnace trouble and had to deal with the results.

One thing led to another and before we knew it, we had a brand new cellular security system installed, turning our house into a fortress.

Touch something around this place inside or out when this system is engaged and expect to have your ears blasted. They installed horns that will be heard throughout Dakota County.

Make one wrong move and you'll set off a motion detector.

With a touch of a button, we can have an ambulance,

 fire engine

and police cars

at our house in minutes.

I think we are

Peaceful sleep here at the Geier ranch.

I'm dreaming of hitting the road

because now I know our pipes are safe!

Julia Night Continued

I wanted to share some recipes from our Julia Night dinner, but my recipe site had some problems yesterday.

After several communications to report bugs to their tech support, everything appeared to be back to "normal" and both of my online collections were back around 11:15 last night.

Thankfully, it was "fall back" day and I didn't have to leave the house this morning for work!

Now, where was I? Oh yes, in a French state of mind.

I wanted to share some recipes we featured in Saturday evening's menu.

Our appetizer course featured a variety of olives, French cheese and gourgés, which are cheese puffs. I found the recipe on Epicurious. Definitely a keeper!

When people were seated, we served a warm squash salad.

Suzanne gave me the recipe and it is one I will be using again and again! For our French dinner, we substituted rouquefort for the stilton. Yum!

Our main course was Julia's Beef Bourguignon, a mashed potato casserole and green beans done according to Ms.Child.

Julia and Simone specified to use rump roast to prepare the dish, so I ordered mine from my favorite butcher and was not disappointed! I had made the beef and potato dishes the week before when our friends, Bob and Peggy and Jayne and Tom came for dinner. I made a few mistakes my first attempt, so knew what needed to be done differently my second time around. Practice, practice, practice!

For dessert, Lisa prepared a wonderful chocolate mousse. I hope she got some pictures! With a cup of coffee, it was a perfect finish to the meal.

I'm already thinking about next year's menu.  Lisa is going to France this winter. I know she'll come back with some ideas!

We are having a security system installed in our house today. Getting ready to travel!

Second Annual Julia Soirée

Last night we hosted our second annual "Julia Child Night." I collaborate with my niece, Lisa, the daughter of my sister, Marlys, to plan the menu and the guest list. Lisa and I have bonded through our shared interests and I am thankful for our relationship. I hope we will continue this tradition for years.

And, although I "toiled" in the kitchen for two days preparing the meal, I enjoyed every minute I spent learning the recipes we chose from the book "Mastering the Art of French Cooking."

I loved Ms. Child even before all the recent hoopla. I remember watching her on  television in the 1960's.

Our Julia inspired menu featured beef bourguignon for the main course and chocolate mousse for dessert.

Too preoccupied to capture the evening in pictures, I relied on Lisa to snap shots for her blog. We served dinner to fifteen adults and four children, all family and extended family whom we love dearly.

Unfortunately, my recipe site is not working correctly today, so I will share our recipes later.

Today, I decided my

I talked Paul into Chinese take-out.  Bon appétit, or 好胃口!