Taking a Short Break

I thought I could keep up here during the holiday season, but, alas, it hasn't worked out.  So I'll be taking a short leave until after the holidays.  And when I get back, I'm sure I will have a lot to tell.  Have an awesome holiday.  See you in January.

Wednesday Ramble

Good morning.  Finally got out of the house yesterday and went to the center.  Wasn't so icy out there, but it was cold and windy.  Was good seeing my friends again.

Had my turkey soup last night.  Tasted so good on such a cold, windy evening. Have a couple of containers in the freezer, and once that's gone, it will be until November 2020 that I make it again. 

I put everything in my soup--turkey, rest of the gravy, red and green peppers, onions, carrots, parsnips, turnips, potatoes, string beans, celery, parsley, thyme, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and sodium free broth.  Simmers for hours.  I put a couple slices of avocado in when serving.  So yummy.

It was so windy that this is what I found when I looked out the window in the morning. 

I can't believe I'm still shopping for Christmas.  Thought I was done, then realized I had forgotten my nephew.  I also needed to order more bars of homemade soaps.  I  am giving a gift bag of a candle, a homemade soap, and something I made to workers and close friends at the center.  Others are getting either a bar of homemade soap or something I made.  The men are getting a bar a men's homemade soap and some Peppermint Bark candy. 

Have a wonderful day. 

Monday Morning This and That

Good Monday morning all.  Been so busy with cooking, shopping, and cooking.   Haven't had time to keep up here.  Did my last minute shopping (forgotten things) on Tuesday and took off Wednesday to begin the cooking.  The turkey hubby bought wasn't as large this year but with all the other items I made we had plenty to eat, to send home with the boys, have a leftover dinner, and make my famous turkey soup.

I made turkey and gravy, stuffing, turnips, mashed potatoes, broccoli in garlic and oil, sauteed green beans, gondulas and rice, creamed onions, baked sweet potatoes, orecchiette with white beans and spinach, and seasoned corn.  

 Hubby, me, Anthony, Jerry, and Tahnee.

Jerry, hubby, me, and Anthony.

It's the first Thanksgiving in 3 years that Anthony has been with us.  He was living out in California.  I really enjoyed it.  Wish the entire family could have been together, but my daughter and her hubby are in the process of moving, and since they both work, they needed this day to do some work on their new place.  Still, it would have been nice because I am not sure I can do this next year.

I will be 73 years old in March. I have cooked a huge Thanksgiving dinner since I was 20 years old. I love it. My kids have special foods I make for them each year. But I fear that the way things are going this might be my last year of being able to do this. I came home in tears the other day after going out there shopping. My body is in so much pain. Osteoarthritis has touched every part of it. I think one of the hardest things about growing older is being unable to continue doing the things we love.

The weather is kind of icky out there this morning, and I decided not  to go to the center.  I will miss seeing my friends, for sure.  It's been since last Tuesday, but I'd rather be safe than sorry.