Week 106, 12-31-2017

Thoughts and Quotes:

This is the year that your dreams come true!

This is the year that your ships come in;

This is the year you find Christ within.

This is the year you are glad to live;

This is the year you have much to give.

This is the year when you know the Truth;

This is the year when you find new youth.

This is the year that brings happiness;

This is the year you will live to bless.

Wonderful, wonderful, fortunate you,

This is the year that your dreams come true!

                                                Russell A. Kemp 

Yes, I know, you saw it last year, and you'll see it again next year. It's my standard New Year's quote, and who doesn't want his/her dreams to come true?

If my dreams come true, it will be a very productive year. Though I haven't finished the three books which are "in progress", I have more planned for next year. How about a salad and a soup each week for a year? At the end, there are two books. 

I have so many tissue boxes saved, I can do a card each week for a year. How about a book of a year of cards made from tissue boxes? I don't choose by the brand; I choose by the design of the box. Try it. You don't have to have stacks and stacks of boxes. Cut each one down as you empty it and put it in a plastic bag. I've sorted mine down by season, and I have more than the 52 I need for a year, and they're all stored in one rather small cardboard box. My first card will be made from this. Tune in next week.

In the meantime, some unfinished business. Last week I promised a tour of HuHot for a friend. If you're interested, you can check to see if you have one near you HERE.

Tasting: The Springfield HuHot is located in the Battlefield Mall. There's handicapped parking at a pedestrian crossing right at the front door.

And there are tables near the front.

You can order from the menu, but most people do this:

It's all you can eat, but we usually get two bowls to start, and that's enough. The price is $12 and that includes a drink. Brown or white rice is served at the table on request. There are lots of ingredients, so you're sure to find something you like.

Beef, chicken, pork, sausage, fish, Krab, Korean meatballs

A variety of noodles

And all kinds of veggies. Also raw eggs which they'll juggle, crack, and add. I forgot to photo the toppings at the end, but there are sunflower seeds, cashews, coconut, crispy noodles, wasabi, etc.

Then you ladle on the sauces. The number of little fires on the sign let you know the degree of heat.

There are suggestions for combinations at the sauce bar and also on little cards at the table which also have little fires to show you the spiciness. They recomment five or six ladles of sauce, but my ingredients are usually swimming by the time I get to the end of the sauce bar.

Then you take it all to the big round grill. I don't know how they keep it straight, but I always end up with the right food.

If you put a tip in the jar, you get to bang the gong, and the cooks all yell HuuuHOT.

And then you dig in.

If you don't finish your rice, ask for a container to take it home. 

The Pepper and Pals report: Pepper is doing so much better. He's even out of his plastic collar. So far, so good. 

Stormy continues her daily chore of tearing up her toys. I believe she feels that it's her life's work, as she's so diligent. I pick up pieces of red yarn and pink netting each morning, and soon that caterpillar will be history.

Midnight and babies Flower, Fred, and Ginger, are all well. They come to eat alone, in pairs, mama and baby, two babies, three babies, whatever. This day I caught them all here at once, enjoying the sunshine.

BJ comes at odd times or not at all. I don't know her story, but she still hasn't been spayed. I think she's pregnant. Oh, dear!

Time for Others: My card-making friends found time to make these for me, and I love every one of them - cards and friends.

I lost track of my acquisitions and discards, but think I came out close to even. Back on track next week. I seem to poop out during the holidays. Once Christmas is over I want to work on my goals for the next year, hoping I can do it right this time.

Thank you for joining me this past year. I know this is a one-sided conversation, but after I finish my post each week, I feel as if I've sat down with a friend for a nice chat. I wish you all the good things in 2018 - health, wealth, family, friends, fun, happiness, giggles, adventure, accomplishments, success in all your endeavors, and, of course, some chocolate.

I hope you'll join me again as we start another exciting year. I have big plans for cooking, tables, travel, etc. and I love sharing it with you.

HAPPY NEW YEAR

REMEMBER TO WATCH NEW YEAR IN VIENNA ON JAN 1 IN THE EVENING ON YOUR LOCAL PBS STATION. LORD GRANTHAM IS HOSTING THIS YEAR.

MAKE SOME GOALS FOR HEALTH IN 2018

AND FUN

AND A LITTLE CHOCOLATE

THANK YOU FOR SHARING MY LIFE