What I’ve Been Up To…
Well it’s the Holidays and as most of you may have noticed, my “blog every day” thing has gone right out the window. I will be picking it up again in the New Year however.
Here is what has been occupying my time over the last little while, and I have to warn you, if you are a diabetic you should probably turn away now…
I really love the Holidays!
Hopefully you are all having a safe and happy season so far! Wishing you and yours the very best from me and mine! 
~Cheryl the OCM~
Twas A Week Before Christmas
Twas a week before Christmas
Chaos reigns in the house
There’s a half eaten ornament
My cat mistook for a mouse
The socks are all drying
By the door on the vent
While my youngest is trying to find
Where his other glove went
The kids “clean their rooms”
Which means crap under the bed
While their dad and I struggle
To keep a cool head
I can’t find my car keys
My purse or my coat
The mall will be crazy
Where’s that darn list I wrote
Countless hours in line ups
Less than cheerful cashiers
In my head I’m counting
My way down to New Years
There are cookies to bake
There’s presents to wrap
What I wouldn’t give
For a beer and a nap.
Thank goodness that this
Comes only one time each year
I don’t think I can handle
Much more “good cheer”
The weather is nasty
My nerves are ’bout done
But at the end of the day
It’s actually quite fun
There’ll be laughter and singing
We always do it up right
So Merry Christmas to All
And to all a good night!
Thanks as always for stopping by and yes this poem is an OCM original
~Cheryl the OCM~
Wordless Wednesday
~Cheryl the OCM~
Quit Your Bitching
Hello all and welcome. Today is just one of those days. I’m angry and I’m not quite sure why. I get this way sometimes. It’s to be expected I guess, you can’t be little miss merry sunshine all the time. For the last while I have been watching people on FB, Twitter and out in the real world whine about how they have it so gosh darn rough. Someone cut them off, they didn’t get to go party because they couldn’t find a sitter, that guy at the drive thru screwed up their order, and on and on and on and on. Every once in a while I want to scream at these people. I want to get right in there face and say “Oh ya, I’m going to have to bury my first born child, how’s that for a bad day?”. I want to do it just to see the look on their faces. I want to see that look of shame in their eyes as they realize just how good their lives really are. Does that make me a bad person? Probably. Do I give a rat’s ass? No.
I wanted to write this post so that people would have something to look at the next time they think that things are so darn bad. Give them something to really think about and maybe appreciate their lives a little more.
With my son Jamie, there will never be a first word. There will be no first step. He will never hear me tell him a bed time story. He will never see a sunset. There will be no first dance, none of the childhood wonderment for special occasions.
He has to fight for everything. Every moment, every breath and it is a battle that he will eventually lose and he will be gone without ever knowing how much he is loved.
I encourage you to bookmark this page, the next time you think that your life is so damned horrible, give this a read. Then see if you still think that way.
~Cheryl the OCM~
Family Friendly Festive Films
Hello friends and welcome to Festive Friday here at the OCM. First off let me apologize for my two-day lapse in posting, what can I say, life happens sometimes . Ok now that’s out-of-the-way we can get on with the fun. Last Friday I went through the Top Ten Classic Holiday Films, this week I’m going with Family Favorites, I polled my darling husband and wonderful kids and these are the Holiday films that we think that you all should watch with your loved ones this season. So here they are in no particular order;
Frosty The Snowman – This is my youngest’s top pick for a holiday favorite. This animated made for TV movie from 1969 features the voice talents Jimmy Durante and Jackie Vernon and follows the trials and tribulations of Frosty and his little friend Karen as they try to keep away from an evil magician bent on stealing Frosty’s magic hat.
Santa Claus is Coming To Town - This is my daughters entry. This 1970 claymation classic tells the tale of how Santa became Santa and has a lot of VERY catchy tunes you’ll find yourself humming for weeks to come.
Charlie Brown’s Christmas Special - This is my must see special every year. Originally airing in 1965 this beloved tale of finding the true meaning of Christmas in spite of the growing commercialism of the season is an annual staple on CBS. It features all of Charles Shultz’ beloved Peanuts gang and I for one can’t every imagine a holiday season where I don’t watch it.
A Christmas Story – This is my wonderful hubby’s pick. This 1983 film is an uproariously funny holiday tale that follows a boy named Ralphie on his quest for the ultimate Christmas gift, a Red Ryder BB Gun. I have to say this films comes a close second for me and even after almost 30 years it still has me laughing to tears every time.
So those are the Over Caffeinated Family’s picks for Festive Films, what are yours? Thanks as always for stopping by and hopefully I’ll see you again tomorrow!
~Cheryl the OCM~
Tasty Tuesday
Hello friends and welcome to Tasty Tuesday here at the OCM. Today’s sweet treat is one of the newer additions to my recipe collection. I stumbled across this one while on the hunt for a recipe for Danish Butter Cookies (please feel free to leave one in the comments if you have one! I’ve still had no luck!) These are a fantastic little cookie that isn’t two sweet and stays nice and soft. The Over Caffeinated Dad suggested that mixing in some raisins would be a great addition. Enjoy!
Cinnamon Sugar Butter Cookies
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 pinch salt
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/2 cup white sugar
- 1 cup butter, softened
- 2 eggs
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 4 tablespoons white sugar
- 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
Directions
- Preheat oven to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C).
- In a small bowl, combine 4 tablespoons white sugar and 2 tablespoons cinnamon for topping. Set aside.
- In a medium bowl, combine the flour, baking soda and salt. Mix with wire whisk and set aside.
- In a large bowl, beat together both sugars on medium speed. Add butter and mix to form a grainy paste. Add eggs and vanilla, mix at medium speed until fluffy. Add the flour mixture a little at a time on low to medium speed just until combined.
- Place dough in the fridge to set up for approximately 20 minutes to make it easier to work with.
- Shape dough into 1 inch balls and roll each ball into the cinnamon-sugar mixture. Place on ungreased cookie sheet, about 2 inches apart. Bake about 12-15 minutes until lightly golden. Place immediately on a flat surface to cool.
While depending on the size you make these cookies this recipe can make anywhere from two to five dozen.
Thanks as always for stopping by, and hopefully I’ll see you again tomorrow!
~Cheryl the OCM~
Not Just for Making Coffee
Hello friends and welcome to Mommy’s Little Helper Monday here at the OCM. Today I pay homage to a staple in my household, Coffee Filters! These handy dandy unassuming little treasures are useful in more ways than you might think! Add to that the fact that they cost about $2 for 200 filters, you might find yourself adding them to your grocery list whether you drink coffee or not!
Here are some nifty uses for coffee filters that you might find helpful;
Use them to cover plates or bowls to prevent splatter when cooking in your microwave.
-Use them to hold your taco, hot dog or sandwich.
-They are great to catch drips from ice cream cones or ice cream bars. Just take two filters and poke a hole in the center of each to put the stick through. The drips will fall into the filters keeping hands clean and spills off the floor.
-Use a cone-shaped filter to make an instant funnel for use in your kitchen or your car.
-Keep your cast-iron skillet rust-free by putting a filter in it when not in use. The filter absorbs moisture.
-When repotting a plant, line the pot with a filter to keep the soil from leaking out of the drain hole in the bottom of the pot.
-Baking soda and coffee filters are a good combination to make an air freshener for the fridge, clothes closets and dresser drawers or anywhere else that needs to be freshened. Put the baking soda in the center of the filter, pull up the sides to close and then tie with a string or rubberband
-If you want to prevent scratches on your good china plates or everyday plates for that matter, put a filter between each plate.
-You can use as a filter for wine for when you open the bottle and some of the cork falls down into it. Just pour the wine through a filter over a pitcher or large measuring cup. Then make a funnel out of another filter. Put the funnel in the bottle and pour the strained wine back into the bottle.
-When you are entertaining buffet style, put each piece of cake, pie, brownie or other finger food on its own individual filter and arrange on trays. That way your guests can easily pick them up.
-When baking, instead of putting dry ingredients in a bowl, use a filter. It will save washing fewer bowls.
-Use as bowls for children’s snacks like popcorn, pretzels and cut up apples.
-Since filters are lint free, they are great to clean mirrors and windows. Remember to use vinegar and water instead of a commercial cleaner. No streaks and you save money too!
-They tie up well, so they are good to use when making scent sachets for your linen closet or dresser drawers. Or, put spices in one, tie up and drop in your pot of soup.
-They are great to use as a spoon rest when cooking.
-Use to polish wood furniture.
-Use to apply shoe polish and also buff your shoes.
Well hopefully you found a tip or two in there that will make your life a little easier! Thanks as always for stopping by, and hopefully I’ll see you again tomorrow!
~Cheryl the OCM~
Status Update Saturday
Hello friends and welcome to Pot Luck Saturday here at the OCM. As the title implies today I’m going to list my favorite status updates I’ve seen on the various social media sites. Yes I know this is an easy one, but it’s Saturday and easy posting is my prerogative!
- I think animal testing is a terrible idea, they always get all nervous and give the wrong answers.
- I love long walks, especially when they are taken by those who annoy me.
- Before you judge someone walk a mile in their shoes, that way when you judge them, you’re a mile away, and you have their shoes.
- A word to the wise ain’t necessary – it’s the stupid ones that need the advice.
- Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I’m not sure about the universe.
- Health is merely the slowest possible rate at which one can die.
- What do you call people who are afraid of Santa Claus? Claustrophobic.
- I am not a vegetarian because I love animals; I am a vegetarian because I hate plants
- I saw six men kicking and punching the mother-in-law. My neighbour said ‘Are you going to help?’ I said ‘No, Six should be enough.
- I intend to live forever. So far, so good.
Well hopefully at least one of those gave you a giggle! Thanks as always for stopping by, and hopefully I’ll see you again tomorrow!
~Cheryl the OCM~
Festive Friday
Hello friends and welcome to Festive Friday here at the OCM. Freaky Friday is taking a break for the month of December. In honor of the holiday season I’m scouring the web for Christmas Top Ten Lists. This weeks comes from AssociatedContent.com and it is (according to them) the Top Ten Classic Christmas Movies of all Time. Maybe you’ll find one to enjoy with your family over the holidays!
It’s a Wonderful Life
Starring James Stewart, Donna Reed, and Lionel Barrymore
This is one Christmas classic that never gets old. Join Jimmy Stewart in his most famous role as George Bailey who rediscovers life and love in Bedford Falls as one happy angel gets his wings.
Miracle on 34th Street
Starring Edmund Gwenn, Maureen O’Hara, and Natalie Wood
The kids will love this classic charmer. Miracle on 34th Street never, ever gets old. Starring the wonderful Edmund Gwenn as our favorite Christmas visitor, Santa Claus.
Holiday Inn
Starring Bing Crosby, Fred Astaire, and Marjorie Reynolds
Some folks like White Christmas, but I’ve always preferred this golden oldie. Charming in black and white, directed by mark Sandrich and starring Bing Crosby as the crooner extraordinaire.
A Christmas Carol
Starring Reginald Owen, Gene Lockhart, and Leo G. Carroll
If Dickens were alive in 1938, this is the version of A Christmas Carol he would be honored to claim as his own. The perfect cast and setting for a Dickens classic, and certainly stands the test of time
The Bells of St. Mary’s
Starring Bing Crosby and Ingrid Bergman
Why not join Fr. Flanagan this Christmas in his quest to save St. Mary’s against the odds? Beautifully directed. Wonderful cast. Ingrid Bergman lights up the screen. Nominated for eight academy awards, this is one movie that stands the test of time.
Christmas in Connecticut
Starring Barbara Stanwyck, Dennis Morgan, and Sydney Greenstreet
Barbara Stanwyck and Morgan light up the screen in this wonderful holiday film about one of America’s most famous food writers…who can’t cook or find the farm that she’s written about! A delightful tale for everyone this Christmas.
The Bishop’s Wife
Starring Cary Grant, Loretta Young, and David Niven
Looking for a little magic this Christmas? Look no further than The Bishop’s Wife. A wonderful cast of characters, and good fun for everyone in the family. A Christmas classic, for sure.
The Miracle of the Bells
Starring Fred MacMurray, Alida Valli, Frank Sinatra, and Lee J. Cobb
The back story on this film is almost as good as the film itself. Soon after his appearance before the House Un-American Activities Committee which had been investigating alleged communist infiltration of the film industry, Lee J. Cobb had a massive heart attack. Sinatra, who barely knew the man, got Cobb a part in this wonderful holiday movie when no other studio would hire Cobb. Finding Cobb broke, Sinatra paid his hospital bills, and put him up as Cobb convalesced. A great Christmas Classic and award winning cast, on and off the set.
Holiday Affair
Starring Robert Mitchum, Janet Leigh, Wendell Carey, and Harry Morgan
A Hollywood classic about a war time widow and a store clerk, who find love and life again at Christmas time. A real treasure of a movie, long overlooked by film critics and movie goers alike. A 40s delight.
The Holly and the Ivy
Starring Ralph Richardson, Celia Johnson, and Denholm Elliott
A delightful Christmas classic about an English minister and his family who reunite at Christmas time. A joy and wonder for the entire family.
Well that’s it for me this Friday, thanks as always for stopping by and hopefully I’ll see you again tomorrow!
~Cheryl the OCM~
The Perfect Fall Photo
Hello friends and welcome to Topical Thursday here at the OCM. Today for a topic I am joining in to Mama Kat’s Weekly Writers Workshop. I chose challenge # which stated “ The perfect fall photo…share a picture that defines fall for you in your neck of the woods.” As I am not feeling particularly chatty today, this challenge was perfect!
The leaves changing color, a brisk wind, and watching my daughter bask in the knowledge that free candy is coming her way. Doesn’t get more fall than that around here.
Thanks as always for stopping by, and hopefully I’ll see you again tomorrow.
~Cheryl the OCM~
