The Greenway, Part 3

An Attorney's Night Before Christmas

"Whereas, on or about the night prior to Christmas, there did occur at a certain
improved piece of real property (hereinafter "the House") a general lack of
stirring by all creatures therein, including, but not limited to a mouse.

A variety of foot apparel, e.g. stocking, socks, etc., had been affixed by and
around the chimney in said House in the hope and/or belief that St. Nick a/k/a/
St. Nicholas a/k/a/ Santa Claus (hereinafter "Claus") would arrive at sometime
thereafter.

The minor residents, i.e. the children, of the aforementioned House, were
located in their individual beds and were engaged in nocturnal hallucinations,
i.e. dreams, wherein vision of confectionery treats, including, but not limited
to, candies, nuts and/or sugar plums, did dance, cavort and otherwise appear in
said dreams.

Whereupon the party of the first part (sometimes hereinafter referred to as
"I"), being the joint-owner in fee simple of the House with the parts of the
second part (hereinafter "Mamma"), and said Mamma had retired for a sustained
period of sleep. (At such time, the parties were clad in various forms of
headgear, e.g. kerchief and cap.) 

Suddenly, and without prior notice or warning, there did occur upon the
unimproved real property adjacent and appurtent to said House, i.e. the lawn, a
certain disruption of unknown nature, cause and/or circumstance. The party of
the first part did immediately rush to a window in the House to investigate the
cause of such disturbance.

At that time, the party of the first part did observe, with some degree of
wonder and/or disbelief, a miniature sleigh (hereinafter the "Vehicle") being
pulled and/or drawn very rapidly through the air by approximately eight (8)
reindeer. The driver of the Vehicle appeared to be and in fact was, the
previously referenced Claus.

Said Claus was providing specific direction, instruction and guidance to the
approximately eight (8) reindeer and specifically identified the animal
co-conspirators by name: Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donder
and Blitzen (hereinafter the "Deer"). (Upon information and belief, it is
further asserted that an additional co-conspirator named Rudolph may have been
involved.)

The party of the first part witnessed Claus, the Vehicle and the Deer
intentionally and willfully trespass upon the roofs of several residences
located adjacent to and in the vicinity of the House, and noted that the Vehicle
was heavily laden with packages, toys and other items of unknown origin or
nature. Suddenly, without prior invitation or permission, either express or
implied, the Vehicle arrived at the House, and Claus entered said House via the
chimney. 

Said Claus was clad in a red fur suit, which was partially covered with residue
from the chimney, and he carried a large sack containing a portion of the
aforementioned packages, toys, and other unknown items. He was smoking what
appeared to be tobacco in a small pipe in blatant violation of local ordinances
and health regulations.

Claus did not speak, but immediately began to fill the stocking of the minor
children, which hung adjacent to the chimney, with toys and other small gifts.
(Said items did not, however, constitute "gifts" to said minor pursuant to the
applicable provisions of the U.S. Tax Code.) Upon completion of such task, Claus
touched the side of his nose and flew, rose and/or ascended up the chimney of
the House to the roof where the Vehicle and Deer waited and/or served as
"lookouts." Claus immediately departed for an unknown destination.

However, prior to the departure of the Vehicle, Deer and Claus from said House,
the party of the first part did hear Claus state and/or exclaim: "Merry
Christmas to all and to all a good night!" Or words to that effect."

-Author Unknown  

Sweet Squash Casserole

I went out on a limb and tried a new recipe as my contribution to Thanksgiving dinner. It actually turned out pretty well. If you enjoy spiced apples, this is a great mix-up to add a little more flavor and texture to your dish.

 

First, I put about 2 cups of corn flakes through the food processor. The recipe only called for 1/4 a cup, but I added more for a "crunchier" topping to the casserole.

 

Then, I blended 4 cans of squash (you can boil 2 lbs of fresh squash if you prefer), 1/4 cup of butter, 1 tablespoon brown sugar, and a pinch of salt and white pepper.

 

I then sliced up four Granny Smith apples into thin slivers, added 1 1/2 tablespoons of butter and sprinkled 1/4 cup of white sugar into the mixture. I stirred until the apples had become tender, and then spread the apple mixture out into a 3-quart casserole dish.

 

I then poured the squash mixture evenly into the pan over the apples.

 

After that, I mixed an additional 2 tablespoons of melted butter (I never said this was exactly dietetic..) with 1/2 cup brown sugar, 1/2 cup chopped pecans and the cornflakes together.  

 

After sprinkling the topping evenly over the mixture, I placed the casserole in the oven for 20 minutes at 350 degrees. Once it had cooked, I let it sit for about ten minutes before serving.

Although sweet and unfortunate for the waistline, this may be my new go-to dish for the holidays.

The Greenway, Part Deux

I've set a new rule for myself.

 

If I spend the morning hiking the greenway (8 miles minimum) and return home to spend the rest of the day on the couch eating junk food and watching television, I can consider the day "productive".

 

Throw in some camera shots of my hike to encourage my somewhat evolving photography skills, and we've had a damn near action-packed multi-tasking day of production.

 

Six hours of Friends reruns nonwithstanding.