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.

Tuesday Ramble

Good morning.  My busy week has begun.  Did all my last minute food shopping on Sunday and despite my list, forgot a few items.  How could I forget my turnips?  Have had turnips on Thanksgiving since I was a little girl and definitely not going to do without them.  After the center today I'm going to head to the store to pick them up.  

Yesterday I ran to the 99 cent store after the center for take home bowls and new bowls for serving.  

This is me on the bus during flu season.  Can't be too careful.

Saturday afternoon I kept my promise and went to sell raffles at the play. I helped raise enough for a $50 prize and $50 to benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. They also made money on the charge to get in and selling donuts and coffee. In all, they made $500.  Not bad.  As for the play itself?  Let's just say I give them all a lot of credit for getting up there and performing, but I'm sure glad I dropped out. Not a one of them could carry a tune so I probably would have fit in very well. LOL

Here is a few pictures of the play.  I didn't take many because I was busy video taping so I could show some peers who couldn't make it.

And here they were driving me nuts about getting a black skirt and white blouse before I backed out.  If you notice, there are very little black and white outfits.  I would have spent that money for nothing.

Have a wonderful day.

Monday Morning This and That

Good morning everyone.  Been awhile since I posted so lots to say.  A few of us stopped attending the Wellness Group on Monday since it has turned into a place for one person to air all their problems.  Never stays on topic so I and three of my friends stopped going.  Doesn't bother me at all.  I enjoy chatting with my friends more than listening to one person whining about all their woes.

On Tuesday we had our Thanksgiving/birthday party.  Oh, so much fun.  We had a new D Jay who was so much better than the last one.  Awesome time was had by all.

My friend Mark.  Doesn't look like he is 70.  He's got lots of issues right now.  Going through a divorce and his wife it trying to take him for everything he's got. 

Maureen.  She does a lot for charities.

This is Sylvia.  She looks grumpy but she's not.  She's 97 years old and has some great stories to tell.  Turns out she and her hubby had a summer house not far from where I grew up. Small world.

In the background with the white hair and eye patch is Henry, 96.  Once that music starts he's on his feet and doesn't sit down until it is over.  Puts me to shame.

 My friend, Judy.  She has the nicest smile.

And a delicious meal as well.  Turkey, stuffing, sweet potato, collard greens, pineapple, and apple juice.  Yummy.

On Wednesday I was starting to feel a bit crummy.  Throat was sore and nose beginning to run.  Wasn't sick enough to stay home and wasn't sure if it was a cold or the sinus issues I usually go through when the heat comes on for winter....and we have had way too much of it.  Actually still use my fan and even the AC on occasion.  

On Thursday we had our cooking class and made a delicious butternut squash dish.  Our last cooking class. Peeled and chopped and cubes and steam cooked in the oven. The dish was topped with assorted nuts chopped and brown sugar and cinnamon. First time I had butternut squash and it was pretty good.  We made so much of it that a lot was put away for Meals on Wheels.  Our center sends out 675 meals a day.

Slept in on Friday and stayed home. Been having a lot of difficulty sleeping, only a couple hours a night, and it all caught up to me....that and my symptoms did turn out to be a cold.  Got up at 6 and went right back to bed. Got up again sipped on some echinacea tea. It wasn't  a bad cold, but coupled with a lack of sleep, I felt like crap.

I felt well enough on Saturday to keep my promise to take care of the raffle tickets during the play.  More on the play tomorrow.

Monday Morning This and That

Good morning.  Been a very busy weekend for me and more busy times ahead. 

On Thursday we made pretzels in our cooking class.  They came out so good.  We dipped them in a cheese sauce.

She typed up the recipes for us, and I tried to get as good a photo as I could.  Definitely easy, cheap, and fun to make.

On Friday I went to jewelry class but just sat around socializing.  Already have too many gifts made and need a break.  Giving some to a peer whose church does gift boxes for the poor that are sent around the world.  

On Saturday I made a trip to WW to learn more about the new program.  Yup, they are changing again.  That's just it.  Too many changes.  I started there 4 years ago and since that time have been through 4 different programs.  Change is one thing, but so many times?  Not a happy camper and not sure if I will return.  Did a bit of shopping and then returned home to wrap gifts.

On Sunday I woke up late.  Finally caught up on a little sleep.  Went to put some money on my card, then went to pick up some cold cuts and tuna for lunches and a few other items needed.  Came home and sorted what I was going to bring to the center for the gift boxes and wrapped some of the other little earrings and stuff I had.   I will definitely be done before Thanksgiving. 

The adults in mine and hubby's family are getting a bottle of wine.  I order my sneakers online at place called Mason's EasyPay.  You can buy a pair of good sneakers and make easy payments rather than pay all up front.  So I've been a customer of theirs about two years now, and in the box was a voucher for $100 off an orders from Naked Wines that was over a hundred dollars.  So I ordered a case of mixed wines that ended up costing me only $84.  Not bad for 12 bottles of wine.  I'm adding a box of candy with my gifts.  Hubby can do what he wants with his.

I'm off to the center this morning.  Going to be a busy week.  Hope to find some time post about the Thanksgiving party at the center on Tuesday.

Until then, have a good one.


Wrapping

Tuesday Ramble

Good morning everyone.  Rain this morning, turning sharply colder, and then changing to snow. Just going to play it by ear to see what I do.

Had a very busy weekend.  On Saturday I headed out to do some shopping, then once it was delivered, spent the afternoon in the kitchen.  Made 8 meals for hubby.  I have soups in the freezer for me, but I usually end up bringing half my lunch at the center home and having that for dinner.  They feed us so well and so much there.  

Early Sunday morning I colored my hair--golden blonde.  I am forever changing it.  Have done so all my life.  I'd love to have a beautiful rose gray color, but my hair is not gray enough for that, and I will not have the color bleached out.  Also wrapped the gifts I got for my great grands.  Everyone got activity books this year.  I really don't see them as much as I'd like, and to be honest, I am not sure what kids like nowadays so I figured everyone likes to do mazes and puzzles and stuff.

In the afternoon, hubby took me out to dinner at Applebees and afterwards to the movies.  They no longer have the Southwestern Salad I love so much so I settled for a Taco Salad.  Nasty.  Wasn't a happy camper and neither was my tummy when it woke me at 2 am. 

At the movies we saw The Terminator and The Joker.  Man, that guy who plays the Joker should get an award.  He was amazing.  
 

We are going to eat at this place next time.
Yesterday I got my hair cut this morning and came home to make a few more pieces of jewelry and start going through my bookcase.  Fiction will go to my son's girlfriend, and the girl next door is interested in goddess and Wicca.  So I'm sorting books to give away.

Have a wonderful day.

Veteran's Day (9/11/18) Repost from 2014

Good morning, everyone.  It's a special day, a day to honor those who fought for our freedom.  I thank you all for your service. 

In Flanders Fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

-Lt. Col. John McCrae- 

In Flanders Fields" is a war poem inwritten during the First World War by Canadian physician Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae. An American, Miss Moira Michael, read "In Flanders’ Fields" and wrote a reply entitled "We Shall Keep the Faith":

Oh! You who sleep in Flanders’ fields,
Sleep sweet - to rise anew,
We caught the torch you threw,
And holding high we kept
The faith with those who died.
We cherish too, the poppy red
That grows on fields where valour led.

It seems to signal to the skies
That blood of heroes never dies,
But lends a lustre to the red
Of the flower that blooms above the dead
In Flanders’ fields.

And now the torch and poppy red
Wear in honour of our dead.
Fear not that ye have died for naught
We’ve learned the lesson that ye taught
In Flanders’ fields.

Friday Roundup

Happy Friday everyone.  Gosh, these weeks are passing quickly.  Just realized I haven't posted since Monday.  Sorry about that.  Time has been getting away from me.  It's cold out there this morning.  Only 33 degrees.  Brrr!!!  But I like this cold weather.  So much better than the heat.

As far as the week goes, nothing out of the ordinary. Wellness group on Monday.  Have to stay away from it for awhile.  No changes.  Certain people are still being allowed to change the topic and monopolize the conversation.  I'll just spend the time working on my new addiction--adult dot to dot.

Nothing Tuesday aside from socialization and lunch. Meditation and Reiki on Wednesday.  I always feel so good when I leave there--rested and relaxed.

We made this pasta salad in cooking class yesterday. Deee-licious. Pasta, cucumber, grape tomato, black olives, red onion, chick peas, red pepper, green pepper, mozzarella, basil, and parsley. Dressing: Balsamic vinegar, olive oil, lemon juice, honey, black pepper, and white pepper.

Took this picture through the small window built in next door.  It's actually much messier than it appears in this photo.  They still haven't been back to work.  They were there a couple of days, but all they did was build those little wooden boxes.

My granddaughter is still subject to headaches and vertigo, but she is taking better care of herself which is important.  Before her stroke she was working full time as a nurse, taking care of three small children, cooking elaborate meals, taking care of the housework, etc.  Now she needs some 'me time' to heal. 

So glad the cats have found another way to get back here for food. They are so resourceful. The other day there was about 5 of them out here. I won't worry so much if I don't see them back there for a day or two because I know they won't starve if I don't get to feed them. Was talking to a neighbor yesterday and it turns out that there are 5 of us in this building feeding them--myself and my neighbor in our courtyard, her daughter and another woman feeds them up front, and the super's mother feeds them in the back. No wonder they are so chunky.

Other than that, I'd like to take this time to wish you all a wonderful weekend.

Monday This and That

Good Monday morning.  Hope you all had a wonderful weekend.  I had a restful one.  It was time play catch up on sleep.  My granddaughter is home, still not feeling up to par.  Her blood pressure is under control, but she is still suffering from headaches, vertigo, and weakness.  She is doing her best to think positive. 

Thursday's cooking class focused on sweets. 

We made these delicious little open faced apple pies, and they were so delicious and easy to make that I plan on adding them to my Thanksgiving menu.  We used the canned Pillsbury biscuits.  Flattened them out a bit and topped with apple pie filling and smashed granola bar mixed with cinnamon and brown sugar.  (They got a little beaten up on the ride home.)

On Saturday I stayed in, did a little cleaning, wrapped a few gifts, and worked on my Thanksgiving menu.  

Made a nice sugarless and spicy meat sauce on Saturday.  Mixed it with the pasta so hubby wouldn't know he was eating whole wheat pasta.

How was your Halloween?  Didn't get a Friday post in last week.  Mine was quiet.  Got out my old photo album, lit a few candles, and spent some time honoring my ancestors.  As usual, by the time I got done talking to them, the tears were flowing.

Gosh, I think I was 15 or 16.  Really thought I was glamorous. 

On Sunday I put some money on my card and picked up a few things at the store.  Stopped for a few to watch the marathoners.  I swear, I don't know how they do it.  

Have a wonderful day.

Sunday Selections

So I decided to try out a new subscription box.  Ordered it in early September and didn't get it until late October.  I canceled further boxes before I even got it due to the lateness and the price--$19 for three items--but when I got it, I was awestruck and do plan to renew after the holidays.  I need every penny until then.  

The theme of the month was "Remembering Your Light".  

Isn't this necklace medicine bag gorgeous?  Absolutely love it.  And Dragonfly was chosen to remind us of our lightness, our ability to change flight midair. 

Inside the bag is a small desert rose.  Each one is said to contain a unique spirit guardian.

 Rose quartz bracelet.  

An interactive journal of self-discovery to use as a spiritual tool.

Thursday Odds and Ends

Halloween.  Samhain.  The veil between the world is thin, and although I think of my ancestors often during the year, this is a special time for me.  I usually set up an ancestor altar and spend time reflecting, and I'll be honest, I usually end up in tears before the night is over. So many regrets.  If mom and I hadn't been so stubborn, things would have been so different.  We never got any closure.  Not that I didn't try.  And then if, things hadn't happened the way they did, two of my sons would never have been born.  Everything happens for a reason.  

My Uncle George, my son Tom, Aunt Dorothy, and cousin Carole.

My Aunt Ruth.  Granddad is in the background.

Dad with his Tiny.

Mom with me.

My great great grandmother, Constance Mary Hazel, with her stepdad, John Staff.  They were from Stalham, Norfolk, England.

My mom's senior picture.

My dad on the left.  Elvis Presley look alike.

My great granddad, Harry.

My great great aunts, Betsy and Annie.

Me with my grandparents.

My great great grandmother.

Me with my dad and his twin brother.

Grandma and me. 

Granddad with me.

My mom.

My Uncle Arnold.

My great great granddad.

My grandparents.

My mom and her sister at Christmas.

Me and my dad.

My mom.

 My Miss Minga.  Miss her so much.

 My dad's twin, Harry.

 My sweet Susie and Tiny.

 Miss Minga and her daughter, Twinkie.

Four generations.  Myself, my daughter, mom and dad, and granddad.

 My sweet Susie.