6 degrees

With so many TV stations needing so many shows, it is inevitable that from time to time we are going to run into people who have been on TV. Actually, I'm one of those people, but luckily for me the documentary I was followed in is no longer running (or at least I hope its not) so I can walk down the street in peace again.
Anyway, because celeb spotting is fun I'm hoping to have a regular feature here called '6 degrees' to keep a log of me and my friends encounters with fame! We start with super-star Gretchen and her run in with Captain Jim from the Real Gilligans Island reality show. Good job Gretchen, lets keep those updates coming!

Where I'd rather be

This was taken one afternoon from The Aquila during a race out of North Point Baltimore, hon. I can't remember if I took this one or my friend. When will it be warm again??? I'm suddenly in a mood for sea shanties...

God bless us, every one

Perhaps I'm sticking on the Christmas theme for too long but it is still the season. Last night on call I participated in the care of a young man who had out of the blue had a massive stroke. In a matter of hours his families Christmas celebration ended and all their lives have changed. If you are able to be reading this you already have something to be thankful for. I know I struggle with feeling down about all the things I wish I had but health alone is so precious. I'm a physician and even I forget that. As you do your holiday returns and sale shopping please just for a moment, take a deep breath and know that you are blessed.

Merry Christmas

Already I'm missing days on my blog but it won't be the last time. Christmas with the family was a full time engagement. We had a lovely time, but is was quite jam packed with the visiting and cleaning up and cooking and such. I had my shopping done which was a big relief. Saturday my mom, my brother Rob and I went to the The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe- it was great! That evening, Rob did some last minute shopping, Dad did some last minute wrapping and Mom and I put the final trimmings on the tree. Sunday the family all went to church and came home to the best turkey yet! My other brother randy was on hand as were Jenn and Tania. My mac and cheese was a big hit too. My nephews got a new violin (for marc) and cello (for luke) so now I'm going to look for some trios and take the family show on the road.

To make up being a slacker on posts I'm sharing my new favorite Christmas website with you. For you snowglobe fans this site is a fun one too.

XOXO Merry Christmas just one day late and many blessings all year long!

just 2 shopping days to go!

I'm in clinic right now catching up on email and trying to make this blog something worth looking at for everyone who is not me. Working over Christmas makes is harder to get in the spirit but I'm trying. Things are better this year since I have Christmas eve and Christmas day off so I should be happy for what I have. I've stopped watching TV (not that I watch much) because I just can't take the adds, especially the ones for jewelry stores. Maybe I'm just a little bitter since it has been so long since I've gotten any fabulous sparklies. Still, in the grand scheme of things I know I'm doing better than most. Having your health is GINOURMOUS and no amount of stuff can make you healthy. Still if you are thinking of what you could possibly get me to make me a little happier by all means checkout my wishlist. I know I am very blessed, but I'd never say no to a few more blessings.

Eat This!

Last night I went to my friend Beths annual Solstice party. Much fun was had by all and we had lotsa tasty food. My contribution was my families baked mac and cheese and a bottle of wassail. I never make the mac and cheese for myself but it is a great recipe that my Aunt Marian found but I always give my Grandma the props for it since she was the only one who had the nerve to make it with all the recommended cheese. Since I want everyone to eventually become one of my patients I'm sharing it here. mwahahaha.

My family Mac and Cheese

Ingredients (in order of appearance)
1lb of Elbow Macaroni (Creamettes brand best)
1lb Longhorn style Colby Cheddar
1 small box of Velveta
1 Stick of butter
2-3 Eggs
1 Can evaporated milk
1 Can Cheddar cheese soup
Paprika sprinkles

Directions

Pre-heat oven to 350 deg F.

1. While Macaroni is boiling, cut Colby and Velveta in to rectangular cubes. (yes I just told you how to cut the cheese. If you must cut it into cubes that is your business but do not shred it). Place cheese aside.

2. Once done, drain pasta and mix in butter. Set aside to cool for a bit.

3. Whisk eggs in a bowl for one minute. Mix in some of the canned milk to thin it out.

4. Slowly mix the rest of milk into the pasta.

5. Mix the Cheddar cheese soup into the pasta.

6. By now the pasta should be cool enough for adding the egg mixture. If the pasta is too hot when you put the egg in you'll get weird little cooked egg bits in there.

7. Mix the cheese rectangles in the pasta now.

8. Put in lightly greased baking dish.

9. Sprinkle top with paprika if you like.

Bake in pre-heated oven for 40-50 minutes until knife comes out clean or, you know, it looks done. It will be HOT so let it cool a bit.

Here comes the sun!!

Today for me is the happiest day of the year. Many see the winter solstice as a bad thing- the least daylight of all days. For me is it the best since for the next 6 months the days will only get longer. While it is the official first day of Winter for me it represents a different turning point. Here in Hershey it has already been cold for a while, longer days mean the approach of spring. I feel that much closer to feeling the warm grass under my toes already. Really- with more sunlight each day things can only get better, right?

Image credit: NASA

First post

New and old friends of margo- welcome. I've no idea how far I will go with this but I want to have a centralized place to keep people updated, share some of my favorite pics and to voice my thoughts from time to time. I guess I've been inspired by many bloggers but I think too that my time has come. I've been wanting to reach out to old friends more of late and I've new friends every day. Besides that, these days I have lots more free time than I've had for a while so maybe that is part of this latest inspiration.

There is a saying about idle hands... and now I'm starting to blog.