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November 23 Thanksgiving - talking TurkeyI have a recipe for cooking what I call a drunken turkey for the Holidays.
To prepare the turkey you do want to look at the directions for the tempeture and time. Do follow cooking direction on the package.
1. Make sure to take out the bag of giblets package from inside the turkey and check to make sure there is nothing else hiding inside! Turkey cooked with a plastic bag inside of it, sucks. So do check!!
2. Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Remove turkey from bag. Drain juices, Rinse with cold water and pat dry with clean paper towels. Tuck wings back to hold the neck skin in place. Place turkey, breast up, in your roasting pan.
3. Cut in large slices, one onion, 3-4 sticks of celery, fresh sage (if you have it) and put in the cavity of the turkey. This is to season the turkey and broth this is not considered to be a stuffed turkey
4. Rub margerine or butter on the turkey, and salt and pepper as well.
5. Put turkey in the oven, and about 45 minutes later add 1-2 cupd of Brandy over the Turkey. 1 cup per 12 lbs of Turkey.
An the cook of the kitchen can have a sip or two of the brandy as well!
*See roasting times below. Buy a meat thermometer is best, you do not want to serve undercooked or to dry of a turkey!
6. Use a turkey baster and do baste the turkey with juice at the bottom of the pan.
7. When Turkey is brown enough, over with aluminum foil.
8. Your turkey is done when the meat thermometer reaches the following temperatures:
8. When turkey is done, pull out of the oven and let rest for atleast 15 minutes.
There you have it a great turkey, and because of the brandy you gravy will come out dark and yummy!
Unstuffed Turkey Roasting Time per pound
4 to 8 pounds 1½ to 3¼ hours - 8 to 12 pounds 2¾ to 3 hours - 12 to 14 pounds 3 to 3¾ hours - 14 to 18 pounds 3¾ to 4¼ hours - 18 to 20 pounds 4¼ to 4½ hours - 20 to 24 pounds 4½ to 5 hours
Enjoy your Thanksgiving!
Zenn November 09 Where were you on November 9, 1989There are certain milestones you do remember, your wedding day, a birth
of a child and kick ass birthday party. But, do you remember a day that
you had no idea what was going to happen. Now it's in history! I
remember Nov 9 and 10, 1989 so vividly as if it were yesterday. The morning of November 9th I walked to work on a very cold day. I knew it was going to be another busy day but I had no idea had wild a day it would be. I was working at the US Embassy in Berlin and along with my regular duties I was also helping Ambassador Walter's office with messages to and from the Embassy to DC. We knew at the time the East Berlin was thinking of allowing it's citizens to cross over on a visa system. This was the jest of it. At the same time I had my Uncle and two Aunts visiting and was working on paperwork to go take them over to the East sightseeing. All the paperwork was in and well for me that was one of many items on my list that day. I did not even have time to eat lunch that day, I was so busy and walking from one end of the building to the other and back. At least I was in great shape and I would rather being doing that then sitting behind a desk and a lock room. Not to many visitors were I work them. Towards the end of the day my boss said I would be working late. I did tell him I had a final to take I was working on my college degree at night. He said we were waiting on one more message from DC and it needed to be delivered to the Ambassador. Then I could go, so I waited, the only people keeping me company were the military guards and it was so quite. I took the time to catch-up on my work and around 6:15 I did receive a call from the message center to pickup a message. I was escorted to the message center by two guards, when I got there I picked up the message. Since it was for immediate delivery I would have to take it to the Ambassador's residence. I had no car so the guards took me over, I delivered the message and finally I was on my way home! It was 8:00 pm. when I arrived home everyone was in the living room, telling me the wall just came down! I said, "no it should be, that is not what suppose to happen exactly" I sat down, stairring at the TV, CNN live and there it was ... a mass of people at all the checkpoints, the guards looking like there were loss on what to do. People on the wall, the East Germans Guards were using a water gun trying to knock folks down. Then the phone rang it was my boss saying, the wall was down, a accident but it was. He had told me the following: "At 06.53 pm on November 9, 1989 a member of the new East German government was asked at a press conference when the new East German travel law comes into force. He answered: "Well, as far as I can see, ... straight away, immediately." I am thinking to myself this guy just lost his job, and at the same time I am thinking what about tomorrow. I asked my boss should I still take my family over to the East in the morning, he asked do you have all the paperwork? "Yes, I do.", Then go and have fun, it there are any security warning I will let you know. I watched happy for so many and the phone was ringing off the house people asking do you see it! Yes, and little did we know by 1992 the American, the Allied... we would all be leaving Berlin. I took my family over to the East the following morning and that in-its-self is another story. One of the most vivid highlights of the next day in the East was getting stuck in one of the largest traffic jam in history. Also the Berliners would remember it as the night Berlin ran out of beer! ps yes folks I did miss my final that day and I did ended up taking it later on in the month. I also passed :) October 07 Fall is here! It's here, the cool wonderful days of fall in the desert. It is so nice to go outside and not sweat to death. I have started pulling out my sweaters, boots and scarves. Yes I have been looking forward to this, and I do hope it snows here!!!! Yeah I can wish can't I? I also tried to back a orange cake from scratch yesterday and well it smell good, tasted good but was to dry:-( Will have to work with the recipe a bit more zenn September 29 Fall is coming to Las Vegas At long last summer is almost over, and fall is coming here with the wind! I adore the desert when it cools off. Fall, Winter and Spring I can deal with here. I can swim if I want, or bundle up it's my choice. No longer will I be sweating, it will be in the mid 70's and low 50's at night. And by winter I hope it snows. I miss weather and I long for a cold winter walk again. dreaming today zenn August 04 Finding companies in Las Vegas who are goodIt has taken me a while to find the right people to do the right work. I get frustrated when I go through the phone book calling to get information about services, repairs or just about all things related to owning a home. Things break and you have to fix them or replace them. It can be frustrating to find the wrong person, so I am now starting a list. I pay for a good job but what if its not? In many cases you have to spend more money. Enough already. For Yard service and landscaping I like Go Big Landscaping in Las Vegas, tell them Zenn sent you! Go Big Landscaping take care Zenn June 17 Just another day in ? Well I am doing better I have worked on getting my head to a better place. Still friggin ssdd... but at least I am here and that is going a good thing right? This weekend should be nice and I am looking forwarded to it. On Saturday it is M.T. and my 34 wedding anniversary! I must admit I truly love him, yeah he does drive me crazy now and then. But if you live with some so long, who doesn't? He is taking me out to dinner and I am already thinking lobster, crab ummm Yummy!!! I do not know what to get him, besides the standard gift, *wicked lil smile* A bow wrapped around me ;-) I am still so tossed up. Suggestions? Anyway I thought I would dropped by and say hi to all and do have a good one. z June 01 I am always a happy person, yet... Is it ok to be depress? I have always been a happy person, I love life, family and friends. Yet for the past couple of months I have been becoming more depressed. It is a horrible feeling, I cannot seem to do much and enjoy less. I want to stay in bed, draw the covers up to my chin and stay there. I try so hard to hide it among family and friends, but it is getting harder and harder. I do not know what is making me feel this way? Or is a combination of things? Sometimes when it is so quiet, all of a sudden I can not breath and I feel like I am going to die. It is a strange feeling... so very hard to describe, I was sitting in a movie theater the first time, and it happen. I had to get up, go to the bathroom and I put cold water on my face. This has been happening more.... and I do not know why? But I am trying... Well enough for now Zenn April 29 I am just a girl ~~I am just a girl ~~ yep sitting here listening to music you guest it. I am quiet bored right now nothing to do. I have been looking around the net for anything that might catch my attention. I went to fox, cnn and msnbc and needless to say these guys taking a subject and talk it to the ground. They do not find the news anymore they just talk the shit out of it seriously. I do watch the BBC they do actually talk about world news, not just the US's newest and greatfast tidbit of news. Well I am off to read some stuff on the Daily Show and the Colbert Report and atlast these guys make me laugh about the news instead of getting bored. Ce La Ve Zenn March 30 Waiting for the Phone to ring...Waiting for the phone to ring... My dog woke me up at 1:30 am because Daddy was leaving .. yes that's right. So I have been up and thinking about calling it quits and going back to bed. Right now my little dog Roxy is jealous of the laptop and keeps trying to squeeze herself (stealthly) between me and it. She can be a bugger, but I still love her so. I think I will give the phone about 10 more minutes and if it does not ring I am going back to bed. Just one of these days... Boring... z March 29 Twilight - Vampires or glam I rented the movie "Twilight" and I found it somewhat disappointing. Though I am a True Blood or Anne Rice's Vampires fan. It was a bit "kid friendly" to much for some adults. Are they glam Vamps I say yes, I much prefer the more sophisticated Vamps that have come before. I think the fact they could be out in daylight and they shimmer in the sun that's where I lost some interest. Give me a book or movie by Anne Rice "still Queen of the Vampire Authors" or True Blood (good job HBO) and I will be happy. Adult and does still fell like you are watching Vampires. If you like your Vampires on the Glam side with to much of a human touch literally... then Twilight is for you Talk to you later... Z Tis the time to remember past memories which makes you smileWith all that has been going on at my house and so many others, it is a bit depressing to say the least. So when I do get blue, I look at the past, pictures, letters etc and it does make me smile. So then I can look at the future it a much better light. I works for me, I am not sure it works for everyone ... though.
Like my trips I have made the past couple of years, to see people I love get married. To drink, laugh and be merry with family. Talks with my favorite sisters. These things do make me strong.
I also look forward to seeing family here soon!! My sis and sis in law are both coming soon and this makes me happy for I know I will have a few laughs and so will they. I worry about them so much, wish I could help more yet we are struggling here to. So they only thing I can give them is my time to listen, and I know they will be listening to me to! Yes it is support and we all need it from time to time. I think this is one way of human beings being so different yet we support each other when need.
Family is a great thing, and I thank the heaven's I have them :)
Talk to you soon
z March 03 I know I have been so bad about writing here latelyFor me 2008 pretty much sucked. I let it slip into darkness and hopefully this year will be brighter. I lost so many people last year, including my grandmother. Some of my friends died well before their time. I think I struggle with this the most. How old you are when life ends. I have lost babies and yet we tried for others. I have lost loved ones who meant so much to me all make me sad in some respect. For they are gone, only memories remain.
Yet it is the ones 35 years old and younger that hurt the most. It just seems so unfair I just can not wrap my brain around it at all. It seems so unfair they are gone, and I am still here?
I am getting older and everyday I wake up and I am lucky I am here today. I have plans for this year, one is to see another new baby come into this world. I think this is what keeps me going. My family. No matter how I feel, or what we have or have not. I feel so lucky I am here to see another day, no matter how good or bad a day is. I feel good for I am still here.
Talk to you later
Z
July 25 Nor can I explain this rhymeNor can I explain this rhyme
Of ghost and fears. Of sadness and tears Hard to express in the light of day . Wonder why these feeling do stay When I was small I feared the night. Wondering to myself, were these things right?
Time goes by, the fears and ghost still appear.
Can I forgive someone so close to me so dear?
You can not go back in time. Nor can I truly explain this rhyme.
Nor can you change the past. Shall I forgive him? I ask.
Who took away childhood dreams. And battered my self-esteem.
Stole a part of me, that is lost forever.
Is there just one thing I can treasure?
A bit of luck, of love and fate. I met a man, and started to date. He holds me, safe, sound and tight. Whispers to me, I am all right.
He tells me I am his treasure. Our love will last forever.
Zenn© So far this yearI was thinking this year would be better then last. Yet this has not come through yet, it's just these bumps in a road you just can not help but hitting one.
I am recovering well, and yet so many people in my life are critically ill, some are fading away. I can deal with my grandmother leaving us she has had such a long live. Yet my mother is 19 years older then I and I am praying to god the surgery works. Plus my sweet little dog Hope died 7 days ago and I still expect her to be here but she is not. I am fighting so hard not to fall into the darkness again, so hard.... Some people may say it's the Devil doing all these things, yet in my heart it is part of the circle of life. Also not all can be blamed on anyone but yourself. Plus people in my past who hurt me are back because of my mom and grandmother
Sorry I have not posted for some time, it's still hard to do between my back and hands.
Hopefully all is well in your house and your world
~Zenn December 31 End of a very long yearThis past year had to be one of the hardest one's and yet I am happy to say I have survived! A year of changes, of surgeries, of weddings, babies born, seeing old friends and of losing friends. For all the struggles I have endured this past year, I feel strangely optimistic this next year will be a very good one.
So good bye 2006 and hello 2007. Being a Vegas girl 7 is a good number and I am banking on having one heck of a good year. Be safe tonight and celebrate another year and your still here. I will be watching the fireworks on the Vegas Strip and I will be remembering all whom I love and miss. I will also being thinking of all the soldiers overseas and may they stay out of harms way this night. Make it home safely and may we not hit the 3,000 soldier dead this night.
See you next year
Z October 15 Talking about 6.5 earthquake hits Hawaii - U.S. Life - MSNBC.comI do hope all my friends are out of harms way today, and when you can do contact me. Quote 6.5 earthquake hits Hawaii - U.S. Life - MSNBC.com August 20 Dee Dee Dee Song by Carlos MenciaI was watching Mind of Mencia on Comedy Central and he sang Dee Dee Dee, Carlos I love the song and sadly many of the things you rap about are true in our country. Forget about what political party you are this is one of the funniest and best songs I have heard. And Carlos made his message clear about many issues in the USA. I would love to help you Carlos write part II of DeeDeeDee. Addicted to DeeDeeDee .. doesn't mean you are retarded it means you just an idiot. And I can relate to Idiots...... Thanks for making my day!
Zenn
February 26 Memories of the heartDo forgive me for not being here writing as often as I should. But life for me has been limited in time... where and what I can do. Life is not always fair, or if it is sometimes we must pay the price. For the need for help from the higher powers above, yes they can answer you, help you when you need it most, but later I have found their is a price to pay for it.
In 1981 I needed all the help I could get, I had a battle with cancer, I almost died in the hospital from bleeding internally. Yet, after months I had won. I had time back on my side to help my children grow up for they needed me then. Now they are both young men with they're own families.
Now I struggle again, someone has come and asked me to pay them back for 1981 that is how I feel, and little did I know I would owe this..
My life has been limited lately to working (though I have been told to stop, yet I have to finish some unfinished business first), with the assistance of my hubby I get small trips to the market, many trips to the doctors and the highlight of my week is holding my new grandson in my arms. I do count my blessing for I still see the sunrise and sunset that in itself is a blessing.
This next year with be a hard one, for myself and my hubby. We have made some adjustments but we know we must make more from how we are intimate to how we will get by. Thank goodness for drugs right now from the doctors for without it I can barely move or sit. They have told me with the surgery I will maybe have 89% of my pain gone. Though I risk being paralized fixed or not fix. And if there are no othe complications. Yet I have already ran into more complications ... just to get the ok to have the surgery done, they have found my heart now has a problem too. More doctor visits, test of torture to come, like I need more.
Yet I still find solitude in memories ... I draw upon them daily when I do not think I can take any more.
I draw upon the fondest memories of the past , for as days past go by this is what life gives us... memories of the heart. Of smiles, laugher, love, hugs, kisses, adventure so many lives have touched my own. So many memories have touched my heart.
I call them memories of the heart, for that is by far what our lives are and why we are here isn't it? Zenn
December 26 A letter so our Sons on Christmas DayDearest Michael and Christopher,
As I woke up this morning on Christmas Day it is quiet. Yes for the last few years Christmas is a quiet day for me and one bitter sweet. Your dad has worked more Christmas then I can remember. But for the most part in the Army he also seem to make it home for Christmas eve and Day. Christmas past was always filled with kids all laughter, smiles and joy. I remember every Christmas morning with my sons as if it was only yesterday. Christmas is for children this is true, and the night before Christmas for kids has got to be the longest night itself as you can remember too.
And for me my Christmas past they were well somewhat happy, a bit bittersweet, and yet my Christmas' were structure and my gifts so very limited to learning mostly. My dad did not believe in Barbie dolls, and I finally received one when I was 40 years old from my mom. My most fondest memory I have with my parents is when I was 11 and my parents took us to see Santa at Knotts Berry farm. I was with a girlfriend and had all my sisters with me. I sent each one of my sisters up to set on Santa's Lap and tell him what the wanted. Then it came to be my turn, and my girlfriend and I said oh no were here just to help our sisters. We do not need to set on your lap, for you know ...
And this Santa said to us. Christmas is a time of year for giving, not only presents but for the generosity which can be use for other times of year too. Christmas is a time of love and joy. If you are 3 years old or 90 years old Christmas lives in heart and you believe. If you do nothing at all but remember to give each year to people in need; and never forget the joy, happiness, family and love of Christmas then you do believe in Santa. Needless to say after both of cried our eyes out, we were handed tissues and both went up and sat on his lap. (And all around me I heard applause from the crowd from his speech.) I whispered to him thank you and everyday since then I have always held the light and joy of Christmas in my heart all year long.
And now my sons have children of their own, and have their own holiday traditions. Both you father and I are so proud of you for raising you own family, finding your own mates and making your own life. And we are honesty beyond words of how we feel about you all.
We may not tell you often enough how proud we are of you, and how much we love you both. Most of all a day does not go by that I do not think about you both or your wives or our (now) four grand children. I watch with amazement when you are with your kids Michael, and I laugh when you said you understood how I felt sometimes with you. To Chris holding your first Son I saw you so proud and beaming with joy, it made me cry. Patience is golden my sons, and for you both there is still so much to learn and share with you kids. Believe me it doesn't come easy but you will learn, just as we did once upon a time.
I have been told so many times by family and friends how well we raised you both, and how proud you have made our family feel. This speaks a great deal on how we did as parents and make us so proudl To be a parent is something few are sincerely born with it's a learned art. To be a parent is to learn patience, understanding, learn to understand each child, for each are so different, and most of all the pass on all the good things you learned from your parents on to them. That is what you father and I did, we took the best of both sides and added a touch of discipline in and we had two children who grew up before us to be wonderful men.
And now both my sons have their own families to love, enjoy and to learn as you go. I wish there was a instruction book that came with each baby on how they can be raised. Yet that is part of being a parent is learning how to raise, enjoy and love your children. And if you find this mixture and hold true to it, you one day will also be able to tell people how proud you are of your children. Even better is when other people tell you how good your children are, an how well they have grown up. These are the moments you live for. You have so many more moments to enjoy and the time fly's by so quickly as you get older and savor every moment with you children. For one day they too will leave the house and you will find one Christmas morning a quiet house and can recall all the memories of Christmas past.
Dad and I may not say it very often but we love you both very much, we love your wives too, and our grandchildren so very much. We also want to say how proud we are of you both.
With much love to you on this Christmas Day,
Love,
Mom and Dad December 08 Remembering John LennonJohn Lennon was a part of my life and the day he died I broke down in tears. There have been many musicians I have admired and John was one of them. His message to the world was so simplicity ... love one another.
One of my favorite songs was In my Life and to me it still means so much. To remember people and today John I remember you and will be honoring your memory by listening to your music this day. I miss you John...
IN MY LIFE
(Lennon & McCartney) There are places I remember All my life, though some have changed Some forever not for better Some have gone and some remain All these places had their moments With lovers and friends I still can recall Some are dead and some are living In my life I've loved them all But of all these friends and lovers there is no one compares with you And these memories lose their meaning When I think of love as something new Though I know I'll never lose affection For people and things that went before I know I'll often stop and think about them In my life I love you more Though I know I'll never lose affection For people and things that went before I know I'll often stop and think about them In my life I love you more In my life I love you more |
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