Kiki’s Corner: Colder weather shifts focus to others — and baking in a warm kitchen
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Just the thought that the weather will change has me wondering about all the extras we have to do. First, for sure, to turn the thermostat up. (That I already have done.) I don’t mind the rain and I can handle the cold weather to a certain extent but when it comes to snow and sleet, that is a different story. Through the years, I have had several close calls as I call them that made me very concerned and cautious. One time, it was snowing and I was driving downhill, and all of a sudden I lost control and my car turned and instead of going down I was going up. It happened so fast, but I didn’t have time to think or to do anything except say "God please help me."
A few years later the same thing happened to me. The roads were so icy. This time I turned my tires toward the sidewalk, but my car was still sliding. The first thing that came through my mind was to open the door and jump out of my car. That sounds easier said than done. But that wasn’t a good idea and probably would have ended up with broken bones, but God was with me and my car stopped.
Really you just cannot be brave if something like that happens, and for sure I cannot do that anymore. Thank goodness when all that happened I was much younger because I can’t handle anything like that now.
Honestly, I haven’t heard anything about snow this weekend in our area. Cold and rain but let’s face it and let’s not forget it is November.
I would love to have a beautiful day like we had earlier in the week. No complaints whatsoever. I know many of you will be going to the WVU game. Good luck with the freezing temperatures if the weatherman is correct. Just be prepared and wear many layers of clothes. We went to see my granddaughter Kiki cheer a few weeks ago and the weather was OK, and I was well prepared with a jacket and a coat. Now I’m going to wait to go to see her cheer at the basketball games while they’re inside and it is much more comfortable to enjoy the game.
I remember I used to walk to school. It didn’t bother me because I was young. I see kids everyday that they walk to school and I feel so sorry for them. I often want to stop and take them in my car … and then say to myself "Kiki, you cannot do that with someone’s kids." I have friends that they’re planning a cruise to Alaska and also have many others that they have already gone to Alaska and they love it and when I hear their stories I’m thinking are you kidding me? Are you joking? No thank you.
I see enough snow here in Parkersburg, lol. If I go somewhere, I want to go somewhere warm.
There are so many ways I want to help young and old people but our society has changed so much that unfortunately all of us are unable to help at times. And instead of me writing for the newspaper, the newspaper reporter will write for me what I did wrong, lol.
Well, let’s talk about something besides weather.
Do you believe that Thanksgiving is only a couple weeks away? It is hard to believe, but it is true. If you haven’t started planning, it’s time. You don’t want to be unprepared, so start writing down who you’ll invite, what dishes you will make besides what else everyone will make. Because as soon as we finish Thanksgiving, before we know it Christmas will be here. Have you seen the stores? They have fall decorations, Thanksgiving decorations, and Christmas decorations, and I won’t be surprised before Christmas is over, you will see bathing suits hanging next to coats and heavy jackets.
And yes many already started decorating for Christmas outside and inside their homes. Actually it’s a good idea to be ahead of the game. Don’t forget to go and see the Christmas trees. That’s a nice thing if you have company out of town to take them to see the trees at the hotel. It looks like a winter wonderland. One thing for sure is missing at the Blennerhhassett Hotel is the previous owners, my friends Wayne Waldeck and Lee Rector and my special friend Betty Rector with her gorgeous looks to serve as a hostess a few days a week, who kept the hotel for several years alive and so well preserved. Beautifully decorated and spotless.
Thank you, Wayne and Lee. And thanks to you, that corner of Market Street kept downtown alive, and plus it encouraged others to do the same. It was hard for me to believe several years ago they were demolishing old buildings and they were putting in parking lots. I just could not understand how you can replace all buildings like that? It’s pretty much impossible.
For everything to look good, it needs upkeep and that is the same thing with the Grand Central Mall. We are so pleased with the new owners that purchased the mall (we met the owner Anthony Cafaro, a very nice young man with great vision and ideas ). It looks wonderful and they continue remodeling. Just wait, more to come.
You just can’t let something run down. It’s best to do a little bit at a time. Parkersburg and Vienna are beautiful and growing and everyone helps. It looks better daily -- so proud of our leaders and our citizens, and what I always say: It takes a village to make something happen.
Til next week ...
Pink cranberry salad
2 cups ground cranberries
1 cup, chopped celery
1 cup chopped marshmallows
2 cups of sugar
1 cup chopped nuts (English walnut)
1 cup whipped cream
1 package lemon Jello
Mix cranberries, celery, marshmallows, sugar together and let stand at room temperature overnight the next day add the rest of the ingredients. Before adding lemon Jell-O, dissolve in ½ cup boiling water and let it cool.
PS: A favorite for Thanksgiving dinner
Diabetic pumpkin cheesecake
3-8oz packages Philadelphia brand fat free cream cheese, softened
3/4 cup canned pumpkin
3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Dash of nutmeg
3/4 cup sugar or sugar substitute
1 teaspoon vanilla
3 eggs or equivalent eggs substitute
1/3 cup graham cracker crumbs
Mix cream cheese, pumpkin, spices, sugar, and vanilla with electric mixture on medium speed until well blended. Add eggs, mix just until blended. Do not overbeat after adding eggs. Spray a 9 inch pie plate with no-stick cooking spray. Sprinkle bottom with crumbs. Pour cream cheese mixture into prepared pie plate bake at 325 for 45 minutes or until center is almost set. Cool. Refrigerate 3 hours or overnight
Makes 10 servings.
Apple crisp
4 cups sliced apples
1 tablespoon flour
1 tablespoon cinnamon
3 tablespoons of water
1 cup of oatmeal
1 cup of flour
1 cup brown sugar
1/4 lb butter
1/4 teaspoon soda
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
Pinch salt
Put apples, flour, cinnamon and water in bottom of pan. Mix the rest of the ingredients and put over the top of the apples. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes. Enjoy!