Yum.

I went to the doctor yesterday and told her,

"I think I have a sinus infection. Gross mucus, pain in the face." And gestured to my face. She nodded. Not bored, really, but same old story.

"And my cheek inside my mouth hurts. Please look at it."

I think she thought I was being overly dramatic. I have a tendency to be a hypochondriac.

"Did you bite your cheek?"

"No. I think that is from my sinuses. My jaw hurts too. Kinda weird."

"Hmmm. It's been awhile since you've taken anything. I'm going to put you on something stronger."

"So is it from my sinuses then?"

"You definitely have an infection."

Now I can't remember where I was going with that story. But my face hurts.

So I'll post what I meant to post in the first place.

The Most Wonderful Recipe For Corn Casserole You Will Ever Eat
(A.K.A. Corn Casserole Paula Deen style)
(A.K.A. You may as well just eat the stick of butter)
(A.K.A. Holy Hell No Wonder You've Gained Weight Kara!)

1 (15 1/4-ounce) can whole kernel corn, drained
1 (14 3/4-ounce) can cream-style corn
1 (8-ounce) package corn muffin mix (recommended: Jiffy)
1 cup sour cream
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, melted
1 to 1 1/2 cups shredded Cheddar
Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.


In a large bowl, stir together the 2 cans of corn, corn muffin mix, sour cream, and melted butter. Pour into a greased 9 by 13-inch casserole dish. Bake for 45 minutes, or until golden brown. Remove from oven and top with Cheddar. Return to oven for 5 to 10 minutes, or until cheese is melted. Let stand for at least 5 minutes and then serve warm.

Maybe If You Just Relax: Evelyn and Ainsley.

My cup runneth over

"Dear Jesus,
Thank you (for) reindeer. Thank you cousins. Aunts, Uncles. Thank you mommy daddy.
Amen."

A season of sweetness

I was really planning on fixing that train tunnel.

But I decided to drink margaritas instead.

I know, good mother/Santa elf huh? In my defense it was my birthday today so I did kind of have an excuse, although by the time I left the restaurant I could barely fit into my pants. I'm not used to drinking calorie-laden drinks on top of a large meal.

But it was delicious.

Speaking of calorie-laden...I managed to bake some pretty fantastic sugar cookies with my aunt's not-so-secret-anymore recipe (see below), and tomorrow am going to tackle frosting.

I use a bag to pipe on the frosting because I think it looks better, but as I was shopping at Wal-Mart at 9 p.m. last night I decided I didn't need to use any food coloring and instead bought colored sprinkles and white frosting.

I don't know if it is a case of work smarter not harder...or weariness from all the Christmas joy I have been spreading lately.

Perhaps both.

Speaking of spreading Christmas joy, I found my dear son in his room peeing into his large toy combine yesterday.

Christmas goodies

Holden wants a train tunnel for Christmas. This one is approximately $7 online. This is what I want his train tunnel to look like. Why didn't I order this one, you ask? I'm not really sure except I think he would break it within the first 10 minutes of owning it.
This is what our train tunnel actually looks like. My husband constructed it and did a good job but I am struggling with how to make it look like a mountain tunnel. I understand I have an almost-three year old and he doesn't care. The mountain tunnel thing is probably more for me than for him...

Christmas fun!

I'm also thinking about making my two all-time favorite recipes this week:

The best part about the recipe is that it's written in my mom's handwriting.

Bavarian Mints

1 lb milk chocolate

1 square baking chocolate

1 can sweetened condensed milk

1 tsp. butter

1 tsp vanilla

5-8 drops peppermint oil

Melt chocolate and butter in double boiler over med. heat. Stir chocolate. Warm a glass bowl and add chocolate, sweetened condensed milk, vanilla, and peppermint oil in warm bowl. Mix medium speed 2 minutes. Cover and refrigerate for 1/2 hour taking out every 10 min. and beat on high speed for 1 minute. Line pan with wax paper and spread in pan. Refrigerate and cut in small squares.

And recipe from my aunt:

No Fail Cut Out Sugar Cookies

1 C. butter

2 C. Sugar

2 eggs

1/2 C. Sour cream

1 tsp. vanilla

5 C. flour

1 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. salt

1 tsp. almond extract

Preheat oven to 375 F. Cream butter and sugar. Add eggs, sour cream and extracts. Combine dry ingredients in a medium bowl. Add to butter mixture about 1 cup at a time. Roll out dough on well floured surface (remember to flour top of dough before rolling). Roll to desired thickness. Cut and place on cookie sheet. Bake 8-10 minutes or until golden brown.

You should double this recipe when you make it because people will eat soooo many of these!

I don't get what all the fuss is about. What is it about turning 30 that gets people so worked up? If you have spent your time doing things you cared about and enjoyed your life, who cares if you're getting older?

At least until age 32-33 which is considered the time when women are their most attractive (at least according to the studies I have seen). So I figure I have at least a few more good years in me before my boobs hit my waistline.

If you know me and you do the math, you may wonder why I am even posting about turning 30. I am only twenty-nine next week.

I have no good reason, I was just thinking about it. And I hadn't posted in awhile.

Also, I am suddenly completely allergic to all eye makeup. Ideas? Help!

I have been working on a few anxiety issues. I know that it is out of control because I am fairly certain other people don't avoid letting their children wear hooded sweatshirts when they are away from home.

The anxious thoughts go something like this...if I am not there to watch him closely he could accidentally hang himself.

I also don't like it when he eats anything...hard because I am terrified he will choke.

I am aware this catastrophic thinking isn't normal and sometimes it is not fun to be in my head. But yesterday everytime I had a thought (like Tony and Holden getting into a car accident) I replaced it with repeating to myself 'I am blessed'.

And also decided last week that psychotherapy is probably a good idea. Maybe have a little PTSD.

On a much lighter note, I am done with my semester today! I am so ready for Christmas festivities.

I went to walmart today with Holden and the Salvation army bell ringer had brought his own tiny radio. He was playing polka music. It made me smile.

I wrote this from my phone so if its seems disjointed that is why.

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

One. more. week.

And then all the craziness stops.

The mental health nursing rotation is over.

The running around.

The insane extended family issues.

I know what you're thinking...It's only the beginning of December--the running around and multiple family members have only just begun working at unraveling your sanity.

But I refuse to participate. I'm going to sit this one out like an awkward sixth grade girl who pretends she has menstrual cramps to get out of gym class.

I'm going to show up to my (and my in-laws) family events, toast one glass of white wine to the sugared-up masses and keep my cool throughout the holidays.

No gift? I'll give cash.

Blizzard outside? I have a crackling yule log DVD I'll pop in the DVD player.

Car inexplicably overheating in 7 degree weather? No problem, I'll just add some antifreeze and 5W-30 oil, because clearly the oil isn't viscous enough and is causing the engine to work too hard in the cold.

Office Christmas party? Sorry, couldn't find a babysitter.

Can't fit in my jeans? I'll wear yoga pants.



And when I have more time you and I will have a hearty chuckle about the pipe under my kitchen sink literally exploding on Thanksgiving morning while my hubby and I (and my sister-in-law) were preparing the meal.

It was really fun.