Category Archives: Holidays

How do you turn chores into cheer?

Nov. 6, 20061:30 a.m.

The problem with many holiday tasks, says organizing expert Ramona Creel, is that people toil away in solitude, doing all the baking, shopping, wrapping or decorating by themselves.

Today’s WichiTalk cover story offers suggestions for turning some of those holiday chores into mini parties: a couple-time shopping trip, marathon baking day, card-writing get-together at a coffee house, etc.

Do you have an idea or tradition that makes light work of your holiday to-do list? Do tell.

– Posted by Suzanne Perez Tobias

By Lori O'Toole Buselt | Filed under Holidays | Comments (0)

Happy V-Day. Or not…

Feb. 14, 200610:30 a.m.

There are two groups of people in this world:

Those who come to work on Valentine’s Day wearing pink and red — like Deb, Tanya, Lori, Carolyn and Bonnie.

Then there are those who come to work on Valentine’s Day wearing black — like Lori — or a very, very, very dark and angry shade of blue — like Kirk.

Hey, I’m not passing judgment here. Just making an observation.

Which one are you? Red and pink? Or black and blue?

– Posted by Denise Neil, who is wearing red

By Lori O'Toole Buselt | Filed under Holidays | Comments (0)

Tell the truth about regifting

Jan. 19, 20064:27 p.m.

Christmas is long gone. If you haven’t returned those slippers you detest from Aunt Helen, they’re likely collecting dust in your regifting pile.

Apparently eBay found in a survey it commissioned that nearly 60 percent of US residents received a gift they didn’t like during the holidays. And more than half of those surveyed admit that they regift.

I do it. But I make sure the person who gave it to me last year isn’t the same person I’m giving it to next year. And I make sure the item is in good condition and that the person receiving it actually will like it (rather than wanting to regift it themselves!).

Here’s an example of a successful regifting: My brother-in-law received an ’80s trivia board game that he didn’t love. He it gave it — unopened and unused — to my husband and me for Christmas. We don’t care whether he bought it or received it. We’re game board fanatics and were thrilled to add it to our collection.

Do you regift? Did you receive something for the holidays that you plan to give to someone else? If so, what is it?

Posted by Lori O’Toole Buselt

By Lori O'Toole Buselt | Filed under Holidays | Comments (0)

Holiday montage

Dec. 30, 20055:04 p.m.

It’s another bizarre time of year in the seasonal aisle of local stores.

Earlier this week, I passed a Valentine’s Day display while purchasing clearance Christmas cards as I was making New Year’s Eve plans …

Posted by  Lori O’Toole Buselt

By Lori O'Toole Buselt | Filed under Holidays, Shopping | Comments (0)

Day 6 - Tom lives on!

Nov. 25, 20058:26 p.m.

We reheated Tom last night for dinner and did the same thing for today’s lunch. Our bellies are full from the delicious homemade turkey noodle soup we just ate.

Tom served us well. He is cryogenically preserved in my freezer in four hearty servings of soup. One of my favorite kitchen gadgets is my FoodSaver home vacuum packaging system. Tom will stay fresh in my freezer for up to a year. Don’t be surprised when you see an update on this blog titled “Day 301 - Tom lives on!”

posted by Jaime Oppenheimer

By Lori O'Toole Buselt | Filed under Food and Drink, Holidays | Comments (0)

Day 5 - Tom’s a SUPERSTAR!

Nov. 24, 20053:42 p.m.

Tom turned out to be the life of the party. His juiciness was enjoyed by all and I put another knot on my culinary belt by roasting my first turkey.

The good news is that he’s not gone forever. In addition to having a fridge full of leftovers, his bones are now simmering in a giant pot. This will soon become the broth in turkey noodle soup.

It didn’t take long for Tom’s tryptophan to work its magic. Shortly after our meal, my brother and brother-in-law crashed on my couches while the cleanup was done by me and my pregnant sister and pregnant sister-in-law (Gloria Steinem would NOT approve). Those two better not be faking sleep to get out of work. I just created a list of things for them to do when they wake up.

posted by Jaime Oppenheimer, experienced turkey roaster—–

By Lori O'Toole Buselt | Filed under Food and Drink, Holidays | Comments (0)

Day 4 - Tom takes a bath (it’s about time)

Nov. 23, 20059:47 p.m.

Nosey Norton (the pug) spies on Tom (the turkey) during Tom’s bathtime. I used 2 cups of kosher salt, 2/3 cup granulated sugar and filled the cooler with water and ice.

Tom will bathe for twelve hours (more time than Norton has spent in a tub during his entire life).

Posted by Jaime Oppenheimer

By Lori O'Toole Buselt | Filed under Food and Drink, Holidays | Comments (0)

Day 4 - the fridge is FULL

Nov. 23, 200511:31 a.m.

I opened my refrigerator this morning and thought I was dreaming. Was this really my fridge? The last time I looked there wasn’t much in it: a turkey, three different kinds of milk and some beer. I’m not sure where all this food came from but it’s plentiful.

I think we’ll all have a ton of leftovers after tomorrow. Here are some tips on how to store them safely.

posted by Jaime Oppenheimer

By Lori O'Toole Buselt | Filed under Food and Drink, Holidays | Comments (0)

Day 3 - house guests begin to arrive

Nov. 22, 20059:57 p.m.

Tom is defrosting nicely. He’s starting to feel less like a bowling ball and more like a worn softball.

My sister (that’s her in the photo eyeing the beautiful bird) and her husband arrived from Chicago tonight. My brother-in-law fell asleep after two beers. He won’t last long on Thursday after Tom’s tryptophan hits him.

posted by Jaime Oppenheimer

By Lori O'Toole Buselt | Filed under Food and Drink, Holidays | Comments (1)

Day 3 - it’s in the bag

Nov. 22, 200511:21 a.m.

Some of the wisest women I know are teachers and hair stylists - they both mold the thing on top of your shoulders. These women have given me some great advice through the years.

When Mary Anne (a kindergarten teacher) and Aquarius (my hair stylist) both said I should put my turkey in a bag, I bought one immediately. They say that it’s a fool-proof way to make a juicy bird.

The bag I’m going to use is an oven bag. Eagle food editor Joe Stumpe once thought he could use a plastic grocery store sack to roast his turkey. It caught on fire after two hours, but he claims it was still edible.

The folks from Reynolds say it’s going to be simple to make my meal in their concoction. I’ve asked Mary Anne’s granddaughter to model with the box since I’m watching her today and she’s refusing to take a nap. NOTE TO HER PARENTS: The plastic bag is removed from the box.

By Lori O'Toole Buselt | Filed under Food and Drink, Holidays | Comments (0)