Merry Christmas (or appropriate greeting of good cheer according to your beliefs)

Well, another year almost gone by.  Here I am, working yet another Christmas.  Not so bad though, it lets the people with kids have the day off, it will be nice if they return the favor a few years down the road!  It's also normally a slow day here in the office (unless you get a snow storm that buries most of the state under a foot or so of snow, but that isn't even remotely likely this year).  So, I'll spend the day listening to Trans-Siberian Orchestra and looking for things to keep me busy until 3PM.  Then I get to go visit my family at my father's house and do the whole holiday thing. 

To all of you, have a Merry Christmas and a great holiday season!

Read and post comments | Send to a friend

Vox Hunt: Holiday Decorations

Show us some holiday decorations.

christmas tree 2006

Read and post comments | Send to a friend

QotD: Books From My Childhood

What books did you love as a child? 
Submitted by hearts. 

I had a few favorites that I would read over and over when I was young.  Sadly I cannot remember the titles.  One was about a steam shove that did it's last job too well and it got itself stuck in the hole it dug.  All ended well for the big guy, he got a nice cushy job as the heating system in the building that was being built there.  Beyond that, just about anything by Doctor Seuss or featuring Curious George held my attention early on in my life.  Even now I enjoy sitting down with my nephew and reading Doctor Seuss books.  I hope to pass the love of reading onto my own children one day as well.

Read and post comments | Send to a friend

Vox Hunt: My Pets

Show us your pets.
Submitted by Prakash Daniel.

The vet said they don't usually get this large.....

Boru (P1010105)

My Ocicat, Boru.  Named for Brian Boru, my family's namesake.

Read and post comments | Send to a friend

Because.... well, just because!

I wish I could be a better speaker, better writer, better communicator in general.

Part of my problem comes from my lack of confidence, part of it from a brain that switches track in the middle of a thought.  I can force myself to write clearly when I take my time, but I'm talking about the ability to have a live debate and still be coherent and complete in my reasoning.  To those of you who can do this, I envy you.  That is all. 

Read and post comments | Send to a friend

QotD: Tasty Thanksgiving Treat

What's your favorite Thanksgiving dish?
Submitted by Brennan.

Definitely not Jones Soda's Holiday Pack.  Tried that last year, out of misguided curiosity.  Never again.  Well, unless I get curious.  Maybe I should?  It could be that THIS year, one of the flavors will be like dying and going to heaven, right?

Anyway, my favorite turkey day dish actually comes down to a close run off between filling/stuffing and pumpkin pie.  I love stuffing.  I'm from a region of Pennsylvania where Pennsylvania Dutch foods are still popular.  I love dutch potato filling.  Even among dutch potato filling there are some drastic differences and I love them all.  Don't think I don't also like traditional bread stuffing, I do.  I could make a meal of just the various kinds of stuffing people make!

Even so, I think the winner is Pumpkin Pie.  My wife has spoiled me on this.  Fresh made crust, made with fresh pumpkin.  Can't be beat.  Don't settle for store bough crusts or canned filling, it isn't the same.  I can't reveal the secret mix of herbs and spices.... no wait, I'm thinking of KFC.  But the spices definitely make the pie.  If you're going to be in my neck of the woods, let me know.  I'll let you watch me eat a slice.

Read and post comments | Send to a friend

Vox Hunt: Autumn Where I Live

Show us what autumn looks like where you live.
Submitted by Miss Parker.

wraight030

This is a view from Bake Oven Knob on the Appalachian Trail in Pennsylvania,  looking southward over the Lehigh Valley.

Read and post comments | Send to a friend