Epiphany

We don’t have a dishwasher. Yeah, yeah…I know people 100 years ago didn’t either and they had to walk to school barefoot and uphill both ways, too. But really, not having a dishwasher is 0% cool.

And yes. It’s still 0% cool when there are only 2 of us and we are both at home and awake for maybe 4 hours total a day, which is time enough for at least one meal at home. We still have a lot of dishes to wash. And silverware...The bane of my existence.

I despise washing silverware. Don’t get me wrong, I do wash them, but I leave them for last or even until the next day when I ask JT to help wash the dishes. Muahhhhahhahaa.

A few weeks ago I had an epiphany on my way to work. What if JT and I each pick out a heavy duty plastic plate and matching bowl that we use for each meal? Meaning, if your plate is sitting in the sink, you have to wash it off, dry it and use that one and that one only.

I proposed my idea to Justin and he actually went for it! I thought he'd say it was silly, but I guess he hates washing dishes just as much as I do! There was only one hesitation he had: "What if I want to heat up chicken nuggets...we can't put those plates in the microwave?!?!?!!!"

Well, apparently he hasn’t noticed, but I stopped buying nuggets a few months ago. Muahhhhahahaa.

We picked out plates and bowls at Target...Justin chose black, naturally, and I chose red. So far so good with the plates. We did use real dishes for holiday treats, and even busted out the China for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

The dishes still pile up though. They aren't all dishes, per se...it's really more the pots, pans and cooking utensils that pile up. And silverware. I just enjoy cooking too much and love using all my fun gadgets and cookware to figure out a solution for that problem.

If you have any tips...aside from using paper plates, plastic flatware or aluminum pans...feel free to send them our way! And please don't think poorly of us for finding ways to cheat Mr. Clean.

So I made 2 more...

I made 2 more Elf Yourself videos...enjoy!

The Thompsons: WATCH

The Emersons: WATCH

Elf Yourself

No matter how many times or how many years in a row I make an “Elf Yourself” video, it’s guaranteed to leave me in hysterics.

WATCH OUR VIDEO HERE

Enjoy!

Oven 1, Christine 0

As some of you know, I've made molasses cookies as holiday treats for the last few years. This recipe came to me from a sweet lady I worked with at a deposition reporting office (yes, I worked at a deposition reporting office for about 3 months when I first moved to Seattle).

Until I met this woman, who goes by Smithie, I thought all molasses cookies/gingersnaps were as hard as a rock. I remember when Smithie brought in a plate of soft, chewy and perfect-looking cookies and I couldn't resist. After I devoured about half the plate I asked her for the recipe.

It was not an easy task...she was guarding the recipe! I begged and begged and she finally caved!

Pic from ehow...not Smithie's cookies. Hopefully, I'll have a good one to post soon!

Little did I know, the oven in my apartment on Aurora Ave. was the best oven in the world for these cookies. Baking them at 350 for 9 minutes made a perfect cookie. Then I got married and moved to an apartment with a crappy oven. Then I moved to California and moved into an apartment with a double crappy oven.

This oven burns everything. Everything! Now...I don't usually bake too much unless it's meat or a casserole or a thin crust Red Baron pizza spruced up with mushrooms and olives (a must try dipped in "Morrie's Pizza" sauce. RIP, Morrie's.). But I digress.

I put up with it toasting the bottom layer of anything until it came to these cookies. I intended to make a few dozen of Smithie's cookies to give as gifts at work. I've been planning it since October and last Friday night when I burned batch after batch I'd gave up. I tried different racks, different temps, stacking pans underneath to buffer the direct heat...I was afraid to talk to management about the oven...afraid because I was nervous they'd dub it an operator error and then never answer a maintenance request again. However...last Saturday I put in a request and they came to check it out.

Turns out the oven runs about 25 degrees hot and constantly tries to reheat itself. Whew...for it not being an operator error! They're going to try to fix it, but

I'm going to try round 2 this weekend in the hopes they turn out ok... I'll let you know how they turn out!

And yes, you too will have to beg me for this recipe! :)

Belated

Wow! I had no idea so many of you were waiting for a real post! We have quite a bit of information for a proper update, and I will do one before the new year!

In the wake of a crazy fall and fast start to December, I’ve managed to skip over posts for 2, nearly 3, very important birthdays. That doesn’t mean, however, I forgot them outside of the blogosphere!

Here we go:

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DAD!

December 5

We couldn’t have made it through this last year without you, dad! A simple “thank you” doesn’t even begin to express my gratitude for you and all you do. I loved our dinner dates while I was in town for mom’s surgery and can’t wait to see you again. Here’s to a fabulous 62 years and many more. I love you.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JOE my BRO!

December 8

Joe – Welcome to your mid-20s! It’s been fun to watch you graduate this year and pursue teaching as your profession. It’s wonderful to hear about your adventures in the schools and about how you genuinely love investing in the kiddos you’re responsible for teaching and coaching. We’ve all got our fingers crossed that you’ll land a full-time position soon!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MOMMA!

December 17

This one is early, but why not hit all three of you at once! I love you, mom! From filling the RV with food before we moved in to listening to me express frustration as well as excitement during the move, we couldn’t have made it through this year without you, either. I am incredibly grateful to God for your early discovery, successful surgery and trouble-free recovery, and am thankful for the time I got to spend with you in November.

Lazy

So, I'm sure you're waiting for a new post...well...you'll have to wait a little longer. It's a busy time for Team Thompson! I hope the new background holds you over for a while :)

:(

Some have asked about Justin's root canal...well...he had it, but it's not over. The endodontist, root canal doctor, said this was the worst she's seen :( All 4 of his roots are busted and one was so bad that it had exploded!

His procedure on Thursday was 2 hours and they're meeting back up on Monday to finish it. The doctor has been great to call and check on Justin as she knows he is in quite a bit of pain, and offered to make a call to the pharmacy if/when he needs more medication, be it day or night. Nice, huh? :) We think so!