a soapmaking machine

while my daughter is baking...I'm filling every soap mold I can find. That's about 200 lbs. there....

2010...

is the year I'm going to do less paperwork for Saipua....hopefully the entire bookkeeping operation will be transitioned to Brooklyn.

I'm looking forward to 'just makin' soap'

I don't mean this to sound like a resolution. I don't make them.
It's just a fact. And I love the idea....more time for reading, gardening, movies, and all of the other things I love including: Mah Jongg.

Happy New Year!

We made it to Rochester by leaving yesterday at 6:30 AM...and got to the cousins @ 1PM for the party.

My family upstate are mostly farmers....we meet at Scott's house for the gathering and dinner.
(He's on the farm with the cows) In addition the family also does Christmas Trees and Pumpkins. Lots of talk about the family tree ensues. Sometimes old photos are reviewed and we try to figure out who they are...it's always fun to see everyone and catch up.

And to celebrate the new year: some of the best PROTEST SIGNS from 2009!
My personal favorite: Youth in Asia.....

Happy 2010!

from sun to snow

Here I am today in a snow storm that will probably nix my plans to go upstate to Rochester for an annual New Years Day get-together with my cousins....damn!

We planned to spend New Year's eve at my favorite hotel, then go to the family gathering tomorrow. Another night at the Rennaissance...then home on Saturday. Oh well.


I've been a lax blogger because I just came back from 4 days in Las Vegas with two friends. I took my computer, but the internet access in the hotel was not the best....

We stayed at the Luxor and I had the view below of the 'pyramid' from my room. Our rooms were in the 'west tower'.
Here are Barbara and Judy in front of New York, New York. We had a great time and it was wonderful to get away from soap for awhile!

We had great food, fun gambling, and also took in The Beatles™ LOVE™ by Cirque du Soleil® It was amazing!!

Las Vegas is such an 'over the top' place. Where else can you find a factory like this?

My Occasional Cat

I've now named Buddy my Occasional Cat.
(see The Naming of Cats)

I was so glad to see him today!

About 2 weeks ago, we found tufts of fur that looked like his all over our front yard. It didn't bode well for Buddy....
But he showed up today, all fluffy and well groomed.
Came in....lounged around for awhile.
Had a bite to eat...and then wanted to go out.
I always hate to see him go.




would T.S.Eliot name him Buddy...my occasional cat?

Before and after....

Well. 25 years after the addition of the sunroom to our house...we are finally finishing it.

This is what it looked like last week. Before the carpenter framed out the windows and the tile guy grouted the tile Pentti put down about 15 years ago...

Now...it's coming along. Just needs paint...window treatments, (would use none...but I have a husband who doesn't want anyone 'looking in'.....) and furniture.
I need to get to some auctions!!

Return to cooking without turkey

2 lovely porkchops from the Lewis Waite Farm,
Rosemary sprigs left from Thanksgiving's marinated olives (thanks, Sarah)


and a recipe from the Times for Braised Pork Chops with Tomatoes, (Anchovies) and Rosemary led to this.

No anchovies....but it was tasty anyway....with cheesy polenta and broccoli. PS. I used canned small dice tomatoes....instead of fresh plum. I had to make do.