Live Blogging from Thanksgiving Eve

We're watching the Aggies in the NIT semi-finals, and currently, they're winning!  My mother is whipping up the dish she's supposed to take to my Grannie's for lunch tomorrow.  It's a Thanksgiving/Christmas lunch staple in our family--cream cheese corn.  In honor of the high calorie holidays, here's the recipe. It's easy to make, and easy to reheat, which makes it especially perfect for potluck style gatherings.

Cream Cheese Corn

3 cans of shoe peg corn

8 oz. cream cheese

1 stick of butter or margarine

1/4 cup of milk

1 fresh jalapeno, diced

1/2 cup of grated cheddar cheese

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.  Over low heat, melt together the cream cheese and butter combined with the milk.  Drain the corn.  Mix with the cream cheese mixture.  Add the jalapeno, then top with the grated cheese.  Bake in the oven for 20 minutes.

Have a happy Thanksgiving!

The Great Outdoors

Jeopardy Style: What are new shoes, party lights, and an air mattress?

If you answered "necessities for a Gentry camp out," then you're right!

Last night we went camping with our Sunday school class at Mineral Wells State Park. Everyone says it's a great place to climb and rappel, however I am a big chicken so things like that don't really get me as jazzed as they do say, people whose initials are BWG.

He e-mailed me at work yesterday morning to say he thought he would probably find out a lot more about me by taking me camping. I replied, "Exactly what do you expect to learn that you don't already know?" to which he said, "Good point." Anyone who knows me knows that I am not really a fan of nature, I don't like being cold, and I can't stand getting dirty.

So camping is basically my own Perfect Storm.

Here are the pictures...the proof that I braved the storm and lived to tell about it. And don't tell Brad, but I had a good time.

Sitting around the campfire.

Celebrating Chris's birthday with an Aggie cake!
The wind promptly blew the candles out as we stepped outside with it. Note to self...

I saw Bambi and his mom out running around this morning.

The view from our campsite.
Good times!

Breaking News

Mr. G has finished his Masters report.

The Hallelujah Chorus is playing on repeat in my head.

It is a brilliant paper, and I'm so proud!

Way to go, Mr. G!

Saturday in the Park

NorthPark, that is. And instead of thinking it was the 4th of July, you would think there are only 5 shopping days before Christmas because it was that crowded.

Today Drew and I ventured over to Big D, where the shopping is marvelous and people dress up to go to the mall. I read once that the "What Not to Wear" people were out and about in Dallas a few years ago, and that scared me into thinking that jeans and an old college t-shirt at the mall could equal public embarassment on cable tv, so I can understand why the Dallas folks dress up.

But I digress.

The mall was super crowded. And let me just tell you that you should expect an iPod for Christmas because everyone and their mama was in the Apple store buying iPods. We did some browsing, a little trying on, and finalized our Christmas list to send to our mama because she's ready to shop.

Right now I am blogging on Drew's new MacBook, and it is so cool I can hardly stand it. The pic above is courtesy of photobooth. I don't know if I could permanently make the switch though, but it is tempting, let me tell you! I just finished making Paula Deen's triple chocolate chip cookies for my husband who just walked in the door from school.  He has only one more trip to Austin, and he graduates on his last day of that trip!

Brad informs me that even though eggnog is out on the shelf and he loves it, he does not want to drink it until after Thanksgiving (side note: I don't drink eggnog. It is gross.)  Is anyone else completely set against NO CHRISTMAS until after Thanksgiving?  I mean, I'm not putting up my tree or anything!

I have no comment on the Aggies' performance today. Thank you.

Gridlocked

Nothing kicks off a weekend better than sitting in traffic on your way home. Not really, but at least I can console myself with Christmas music on KVIL. The Huge Exception is the hippopotamus song. It is the opposite of my favorite.

This weekend will be very fun--my favorite brother is coming ito visit, which is always a good time, and I have a baby shower for a dear friend. And I fully intend to start my Christmas shopping! Should be very relaxing.

I hope you and yours have a very merry weekend!

Viva Las Vegas

So since last Saturday, I've been in Las Vegas and just got in yesterday. I attended a software conference there. I had a great time but am so glad to be home. Some people go to Vegas to gamble, but the shopping is where it's at. I spent plenty of time after conference sessions at the Grand Canal Shops in the Venetian and the Forum Shops at Caesar's. And Fashion Show Mall? Love it.

For the first few days of my trip, my mom and my aunt came out to stay with me and tear up the town. They left Monday morning, and the rest of the trip was all business. But while they were there, I did get to see some of the sights.

Mom & Aunt Sheri on the Journey to Vegas

In the lobby of The Venetian

I stayed in the Venetian, and it is quite luxurious. For two of the nights I had an entire king bed to myself. And there were 3 flat panel tvs in my room. One in the sitting area, another in front of the bed, and a third in the bathroom.

My Mom and I in the Bellagio Conservatory

On the Strip in front of M&M World. Yum!

Sisters on the Strip in front of New York New York

While I was gone, my dear husband attended the 50th wedding anniversary party of his grandparents in Texarkana while attempting to write his Masters report. I am so proud of him. I am happy to say that the end is in sight, and he plans on being finished with the rough draft this Monday!

Praise the Lord! Hallelujah!

Reason I Like My Phone #513

I just realized I can blog from my phone. Let the games begin!