Another thing I need for Christmas...

There are 2 things that I can cook, Chicken Enchilada Casserole and Chocolate Chip Cookies. However, both of them require my measuring cups. My 1/4 cup especially.

Yesterday I baked cookies and a Skookie. A few of my friends requested cookies last night before they were done. Sorry couldn't fly them to St. Louis. And for those of you here in Phoenix, you have to come and get them.

The Skookie

Well back to my measuring cup. I try to clean up as I cook. I put things in the dishwasher when I'm finished with them, and I put away ingredient as I go. When the cookies were in the oven, I put my measuring cups in the dishwasher. Put them on the top rack where I always do.

The cookies came out of the oven. I tried a couple. YUM!!!! Then as I was getting ready for bed I turned on the dishwasher.

I was having issues falling asleep last night. So I got up to get some water and noticed an unusual smell. I couldn't figure out what it was. Finally, I realized it had to be something in the dishwasher. It was. My 1/4 cup measuring cup had come loose from the top rack, fell through the bottom rack and landed on the heating element.

When you add a plastic cup to hot metal, you get this:

The Aftermath

If you are still looking to get me something for Christmas, I need a new measuring cup. Or, my friends, if you would like anymore cookies or Chicken Enchilada Casserole, I will need a new measuring cup.

~Lane J

Today's Path: Hope and friends...the only way

With the economic situation, several people are starting to doubt. Doubt the current. Doubt the future.

Just in case you didn't know...doubting will NOT help! Because when you think nothing can help, there's hope. I have told friends there's hope when it came to sports, family, jobs and much more. As Cicero said,

"While there's life, there's hope."

Hope and friends help us through life. They help us in good times and in bad. As Aristotle once said,

"Without friends no one would choose to live, though he had all other goods."

How true was he is saying this? This is why anytime a friend moves away or leaves, you feel sad. Remember true friends will never forget you. And if someone does forget you, you still have the impact they made on you.

Every person you meet helps in making you you. Whether it be they helped you or made you learn something. Even the bad people you meet, it reassures you you don't want to be like them.

Today take the time and call an old friend. Let them know you remember them and how they helped you or why they are important to you.

Even through the hardships in the economy today, take with you hope and friends.

One last quote for today:

"Many people walk in and out of your life, but only true friends will leave footprints on your heart."

To all my friends, far and near,
~Lane J

Happy Thanksgiving!

I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving! I decided at last minute to go home and surprise the fam for Thanksgiving. All went well. No one had a heart attack which is always a plus.

Yummy turkey. Occasionally for some reason my family will have ham and no turkey, but this year we had turkey. Mashed tatoes. No green bean casserole this year. =(

All day football. Life is good.