Simple Low Floral Arrangement

We've all been there, sitting at the beautiful dining table looking around, through or over the flowers that bedeck it. A low arrangement, one guests can look over to see each other's faces, would be best. How tall is too tall? Hostesses use this rule to determine if a floral arrangement is short enough for a dinner table. Sit at the table, place your right elbow on the table top and hold the right arm up, with the full hand extended, reaching toward the ceiling. The floral arrangement should be no higher then the top of the extended hand. Here is a quick way to create a beautiful low table display without breaking the bank.

Purchase two or three clear inexpensive rectangular shaped glass vases, about six or seven inches tall. Also purchase three or four clear square glass vases, approximately four or five inches tall. Be sure to end up with an odd number of vases. Now hit the local supermarket for flowers that have a full bloom to fill the top of the vases. The mums in the photos were used for the Thanksgiving table, but could be used at any time of the year by varying flower colors.

Fill the vases with cold water. Cut the flower stems so when placed in the vase only the bloom emerges. Fill the tall vases first so any short-comings can be adjusted and placed in the shorter vases. Alternate the blossom colors. If you read me regularly you already know I love strong colors that make a statement, so three bright green mums along with two purple mums look fabulous together. Remember to always end with an odd number of flowers in any vase. Wipe away any water from the outside of the vases, then set on the dinner table, at angles to create interest, alternating between a short vase and a taller vase. A few votive candles mixed in and lit for dinner will add the extra "va-voom" that will have your guests commenting on just how clever you are. Accept graciously and then pass the butter.

Photo attribution: somewhatfortyplus and somewhatfrank

First Chicagoland Snow

While some may say it is beautiful and others may say it is messy, the first major snowfall of the 2008 season has hit Chicagoland and it is certainly white and peaceful outside. Cars move slowly, buses crawl, and horses stand in awe. Judging from my footprints in the snow this morning retrieving the Chicago Tribune, approximately 5-6 inches of snow fell in this northern Chicagoland area. Soon the snow plow will appear to clear the driveway and start the new snow pile of the season.

O'Hare has cancelled most flights headed east, so Adult Child 1 will work out of her Chicago office today, instead of a client's location. Adult Child 2 is waiting at Dulles to head to San Fran for the week, but the flight is delayed two hours due to weather. Our weather. And Adult Child 3 is in class, in snowy Milwaukee. I'm headed to class as well -- wonder how many students will show up today?

Photo attribution: somewhatfortyplus

Baby On Board

In a few weeks a baby will join the family and I will take on a new role and new name, Yaya. What is a Yaya, you wonder? While there are many names for Grandmother, my son's Greek heritage suggests the name Yaya for my new role. Nana would also work, as it is easier to form the letter "N" than it is to form the "G" for Grandma. Yaya is very simple as it requires a full open mouth, with the tongue in a downward position, near the lower front teeth, assuming the baby will have lower front teeth. At some point. The baby will be able to say the word with ease. (Note: Grandma is "γιαγια", pronounced yiayia.)

Yaya should not be confused with yoyo, a wheel shaped toy used to entertain children and adults alike. A yoyo is a useful interesting toy and a Yaya is a useful loving Grandparent. Other names for Grandma include the Irish Granma, Oma (German & Dutch for Grandma), Nonna (Italian for grandmother), Nai Nai (Chinese for grandmother), Mica (Serbian for Grandmother), Lola (Filipino for grandmother), and Kupuna wahine (Hawaiian for grandmother). So many choices.

As for this somewhatfortyplus soon-to-be Greek Grandfather, Pappous is the Greek word of choice. Grandpa is "παπου", pronounced papoo. Soon a little grand daughter will join the family and two her wonderful parents, who couldn't be happier. As for us, Yaya and Pappous are waiting and passing the time at BabiesRUs and Beautiful Beginnings and Freckle face picking up a few things.

Photo attribution: somewhatfortyplus

Surviving Thanksgiving

It's happened to all of us at some point in our lives -- we survive Thanksgiving, and that is what we really need to be thankful for. It all starts as a grand idea, have Thanksgiving, getting family together to visit, eat, play and talk. Then the work begins: plan the food, plan the table, iron the napkins, oops -- order larger tablecloth because the table is 126 inches long, just like the tablecloth. New 144 inch cloth is ordered and on the way.

Shop for food, cook food, make appetizers, get wine --- no wine needed, already have 33 bottles and these homeowners don't even drink wine. Arrange flowers, make one 15 pound turkey on the day before, along with 10 pounds of mashed potatoes, 2 large bags of stuffing (each is for an 18-20 pound turkey), 8 large sweet potatoes, 2 large boxes of raspberry jello, 2 pounds of French green beans and dinner for that evening.

On the day of, stuff the second 15 pound turkey, roast the bird, make gravy, cut pomegranate, set the table, make name cards, arrange name cards, change candles to drip less, slice lemons, pour water, change name cards again, and celebrate. Talk to guests, take two aspirin, drink San Pellegrino with pomegranate juice, nibble on brie, snaps photos, smile, chitchat, smile, enjoy the moment because soon it will be over for another year.

What am I thankful for? My husband, my three children and their spouses and girlfriend, family who could come, no fires in the kitchen, no burned turkey, no fights at the dinner table, plenty of bubbly, and watching everyone enjoy the day. Happy belated Thanksgiving to all -- I would have been here sooner but I was busy in the kitchen.

Photo attribution: somewhatfrank

Happy Birthday Mark

Word just in -- Mark, of the infamous Mark and Mary duo of Racine -- celebrated a birthday! Here's to a happy one, may you have many more! Cheers!

Thanksgiving Stuffing Recipe

Kids rule in this household whether they're 7 or 25, and when it comes to stuffing the turkey for Thanksgiving, only one recipe will do. Mine. It's really quite simple and the flavors are great. Adult children rave about this stuffing year after year, so either it's really good or it brings back childhood memories.

For a 20 pound turkey, saute 3 pounds of ground pork with one clove of garlic. Add 2 large yellow onions which have been diced. Add 10-12 stalks of diced celery. Add chopped fresh parsley -- don't worry, you won't add too much. Brown the mixture. Add sea salt or Kosher salt and pepper to taste, along with 3 tablespoons of poultry seasoning. which is parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme. Mix together and taste. Add more salt and pepper if needed.

In a large bowl pour two bags of plain stuffing mix. Melt 1/4 pound of butter, not margarine, and pour over the mixture. Add the warm ground pork mixture, then 1 or 2 cans (13 ounces each) of MSG free chicken broth. Mix together. The stuffing needs to be moist as it will dry out while cooking so add another can of chicken broth if needed. Stuffing must be cold before it is placed in a cold uncooked turkey so place the stuffing in zip-lock bags and refrigerate 3-4 hours or overnight. Never put warm stuffing in a bird as food poisoning will result.

When ready to stuff the bird, scoop as much stuffing into the cavity of the bird as possible, and push down a bit. Place remaining stuffing in a buttered or oiled pan that you will bake in the oven for 30 minutes at 350 degrees. While this recipe is simple, it is delicious and each year the raves are louder and louder.

Photo attribution: somewhat frank

Furnace Update

The new furnace is functioning and the house is warmer then ever at a lower temperature. The Aprilair humidifier installed on the furnace is worth every penny as there is no more static in the carpets and the air is easier to breathe. The English basement apartment is warmer as well, and as bad as the price was for the furnace, perhaps it was worth it.