The Musings of Mireya Browning

Chuck Norris Approved!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PjQs6Bn3ZVM

There is a long lost tradition where neighbors and friends would routinely have each other over for dinner. It’s nice to visit with neighbors and fellowship outside of church events with church family. I’ve made a personal goal this year to have our neighbors and families from our local church over for a home cooked meal and personal quality time.

Today, Dan and I will be visiting our neighbors. We are going to give them a plate of home baked treats. We will also visit our local police and fire station. A small token of my appreciation for what they do and stand for.

In years past I have made one dozen varieties of baked treats and delivered them to clients, neighbors, families and friends. It has been quite an undertaking but nonetheless one that I have enjoyed. However, this year I feel I would be a negligent parent to do again so I’ve made a simpler Christmas cookie plate. It contains the following. (I’ll post some pictures later.)

Noel nut balls

Perfect brownies

Magic cookie bars

Chocolate chip, coconut, pecan cookies

Chocolate coconut balls

Sugar cookies

Peanut butter kisses

My husband is a software developer for a New York based company. It is so fun to have him at home but this week I am a widow.

He feels bad because it’s true. He is working on a job that is very important and the deadline is rapidly approaching. I have been asking God to help him finish soon. But not too fervently because I am feeling like a brat about it. At first I was patient but now I’m starting to pout. He’s been eating his meals at his desk and working from sun up to way past sun down. Instead of hearing sweet nothings his communicating has been limited to; “Good morning Mireya, I’m ready for lunch, I need some coffee and good night Mireya.” It’s been like this for days. I sure hope he figures it out. Because I really miss my husband.

The world’s largest Sitka Spruce fell over on Sunday due to strong winds. I’m all chocked up about it. We visited our 700 year old Picea sitchensis every year on our way to the beach.

I didn’t care about trees when I first met my father in law, a retired forester. But as he shared his love for God’s creation with me. I began to enjoy them as well. He often asks, “What kind of tree is this?” “Where is this bush native?” “What is the Latin name for Western Hemlock?” Dan and I reply with some half-wit response like, “Uh, green-us leaf-tree-us?,” or “No wait, I know this one, Douglas Fir.” We are a shameful bunch. We may not retain what he teaches us about needle foliage or new growth but we sure enjoy listening anyway.

Thanks Dad.

16. A broken Canon 610 digital camera.

15. A hypodermic needle with some white Powder. Merry Christmas!

14. Gift certificate for a Proctologist. With a note that reads, “I noticed you were walking kindda funny.”

13. A funky cable that you don’t what its for or what it does.

12. A bunch of home advertisements for homes that are from far away.

11. An embarrassing photo of them in the form of poster.

10. McDonalds gift certificates

9. Dented canned food

8. Toilet plunger

7. Fresh fancy wild alaskan salmon delivered weeks early with a do not open until Christmas sticker.

6. You may already be a winner/millionaire mailings.

5. Stack of old newspapers and clipped dog food coupons.

4. Dried Durian

3. A big penny jar that contains more Canadian coins, buttons, paper clips and gum wrappers than pennies.

2. Fresh flowers delivered weeks before Christmas with a “do not open until Christmas,” sticker.

1. Keys to a brand new luxury car parked in the drive way with hours of enjoyment until you inform them its a rental.

Yesterday we had our annual doughnut making and tree trimming. Visiting the in-laws is always a treat. There was food, merriment, and now that there are grand children, chaos.

In honor of the Simpsons movie I asked to make pink frosting. And as I predicted, my mother-in-love reminded me of my usual feeling towards pink. “For a girl who doesn’t like pink, I’m surprised you want a pink doughnut so badly.” Yes, mother-in-law, I watch the Simpsons and I like it. You see, we have a difference in opinion. My mother in-law, bless her heart, loves pink. Her opinion is that ladies should dress like ladies. Which means wearing any variety of pink, ruffles and flowers. But the problem is the color that best describes me is black. Not goth or emo black but more like Karen Walker black or White house black market black. I love black. And here lies another problem. I love camo. Speaking of which, I just bought my little girl some baby gap camo shoes.

This photo is a lot of fun. It furthers my point. If you look closely in the picture, behind me under my hand you’ll see a small patch of pink. And that would be, you guessed it, the Queen mother herself. I’m the hand with the wooden spoon frying the doughnuts. Sadly, I have no photo of my pink doughnut with sprinkles. The photographer was busy making his annual salted doughnuts. Anyway, pink or black frosting I enjoyed my Mmm forbidden doughnut.

Our annual mug party was a smashing success. There weren’t any leftovers for me to take home so I’ll safely assume the stuff I made was tasty. Our good friend Lycia brought her Karaoke machine. And I warmed up the microphone with Dancing Queen. I made a complete fool of myself. After breaking the ice, the others followed suite. Some of the songs played were born to be wild, ghostbusters, something from celine dion, I dont want to miss a thing and my favorite Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen. After two hours of alcohol free mug raising singing. We moved to the Christian section of the song book. And good thing too because we praised the Lord as a group and it was great. After a few songs I secretly hoped the evening would progress to a sermon or message from Lionel. I sure love our church group. We really know how to party.

Dear Santa,

I have been so good this year. I would like the following for Christmas. Perfume(viktor&rolf flower bomb), Edwardian earrings, an onyx ring and Kenneth Cole leather boots.

Sincerely,

Mireya Browning

These are a few of my favourite things. (<- I like British spelling.)

1.) Spongebob Squarepants - Spongebob makes me ROFL.

2.) Martha Stewart - I love Martha.

3.) WWII History - I want a tank, I like to shoot guns and Band of Brothers is my favorite movie.