My Weekly W's

I'm trying to wrap my head around the fact that it is already the last Sunday of November.  When they say time goes faster as you get older, they are correct.  No matter how much I try to focus on the 'moment'...time seems to fly.

What's top of my mind: We're in that magical time of year between Thanksgiving and the New Year that I love.  I pulled out all of the decorations yesterday to turn the house all cozy.  The lights and candles are so comforting to me during this time of year.  I'm also watching the deer.  According to folklore, the darker their fur gets, the colder the winter will be. Honestly, in 17 years here, I have never seen them so dark.  I'm hoping the folklore is incorrect.

Where I've been: Monday I was off work and the big guy and I went out to lunch.  It was a nice day together.  Friday, we went to the Christmas craft show at the mall. We really do have some seriously talented people in the area.  I found a couple of cute gifts. The alpaca farmers wife was there selling all of her knitted items.  Gorgeous! The big guy was in need of a new pair of winter boots and tennis shoes.  So while we were at the mall, we decided to check in the shoe store.  We hit the jackpot with their black Friday sale.  For less than $200.00 he got boots, tennis shoes, I got a pair of boots and we both got a pair of slippers.  We easily saved over $250.00 so I'm happy.  Before coming home, we went and had a nice BBQ lunch.  The brisket was delicious.

Where I'm going:  This will be a full work week and then Saturday we'll do a grocery shop.  The local Christmas parade is Saturday and depending on the weather, we will go to it.  

What I'm watching: I watched Wedding Season on Netflix and a good number of Christmas movies this week.

What I'm reading: Cookbooks.  

What I'm listening to: The rain.  It is pouring hard!  Thankful I don't have to go out today.

What I'm eating: 

Pasta, salad and garlic bread

Chicken fajita, rice, cheese roll up

BIG salad

Thanksgiving - Turkey, cornbread dressing, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, deviled eggs, Brussel sprouts and dinner rolls. Pumpkin and sweet potato pie for dessert.  

Cornbread stuffing waffle, mashed potatoes, turkey and gravy.  SO good.

Today I'm making a big pot of Brunswick Stew to knock out the rest of the turkey.  There was SO much turkey left over but nothing was wasted.

Yes, that is what was left over from the 17-pound turkey.

Who needs a good slap:  With everything going on in the US right now, it's too hard to pick just one.

What I'm planning: Home - Cedarhurst Center for the Arts has an amazing Christmas tour that we will be going to in the next week or two.  They also will be having a Christmas Market that I'm excited about.

What's making me smile: I've always given my cats a bit of roasted chicken or turkey breast when I make it.  Seeing Binx go crazy over turkey for the first time was priceless. 

I hope everyone has a wonderful Sunday!!

Things That Make Me Smile

Ever since 2020 people have come and done various chalk art on the sidewalk in front of all entrances.  It's not as often now but someone is still doing it occasionally and it always brings a smile.

I hope everyone enjoyed their Thanksgiving.  We sure did. 

My Weekly W's

 

What's top of my mind:  It was a MUCH better work week. Monday it was announced there had been some 'hopefully' positive restructuring at the top level that was very much needed.  I also found that I was given a VERY nice raise.  I've never had issue with the department I am in, I adore all of my doctors, but issues with corporate policy in general, so I want to believe this will make a much better environment for all employees including the docs.

Where I've been:  Other than work, I went shopping for a few new winter sweaters and stopped by the grocery store to top things off before the holiday.  I will not go near a store on a holiday week.  If I find I forgot anything, I'll send the big guy. He's odd and actually enjoys it.

Where I'm going:  Monday I have a dentist appointment.  Tuesday and Wednesday I work.  Thursday is Thanksgiving and we are celebrating here.  Saturday there is a Christmas craft fair and food truck festival that we're going to.  That is all I have planned so far.

What I'm watching:  I caught up on this season of Family Karma.  I just love that show.  We watched the finale of British Bake Off.  I was a bit disappointed this year with the level of baking. I also watched a couple of cute Christmas movies.

What I'm reading:  I still haven't finished the book I started last week.  I've really noticed the last couple of years that I read so much more when the weather is nice, and I can sit outside reading.  

What I'm listening to:  Nothing special.

What I'm eating:

Wings and veggie for Sunday night football.  Wings are not a favorite of mine, but the big guy was craving them.

Ham and cheese hand pie with baked potato

Chicken Tikka Masala, rice, naan

Big Salad X 2

Eggs Benedict

Home alone last night so I ordered from our favorite Italian place.  I had their delicious hot Italian sub with a side salad and had them throw in one of their frozen pizzas for one night this week.  

Who needs a good slap:  The murderer who killed the four college kids in Idaho.  What a tragedy for all of the families and the entire community.  I hope whoever is responsible is found and held accountable with so much more than a slap.

What I'm planning:  I have a good handle on things right now so not much to plan at the moment.

What's making me smile:  I found this at the store this week.  I doubt if the cookies will be very good but for $3.99 I couldn't have bought the 4 cookie cutters.  I've actually been wanting something like this to make cookies when the big guy has a promotion at his TKD school.  Little things like this make me smile.

I hope everyone is staying warm and looking forward to the Thanksgiving holiday.  Have a great Sunday!!

Canned or Fresh?

When I was growing up, we always had Thanksgiving at my maternal Grandparents.  Gram always served both fresh and canned cranberry sauce.  Honestly, back then I typically reached for the canned that she served sliced on a small crystal platter.  When I started making Thanksgiving dinner myself, I decided to ditch the can and only serve the homemade version she always made.

Cranberry Sauce

2/3 Cup of Sugar

1/2 Cup fresh orange juice and zest (this is about 1 large orange)

1/2 Cup of Water

1/4 tsp. cinnamon

Pinch of salt

12 ounces of cranberries

Combine all ingredients in a medium saucepan.  Bring up to a simmer over medium heat and cook for about 15 minutes.  Let cool before serving.

The windchill is making it feel like 6 degrees outside.  Yes, 6.  The big guy is gone until Monday, so I have the house to myself and am going to clean from top to bottom to be ready for Thanksgiving and the official start of the Holiday season.  It's perfect weather for it.

So, do you prefer canned or fresh?  Inquiring minds want to know.

My Weekly W's

What's top of my mind:  My mind is a bit all over the place today.  Work is brutal. The US is a mess. The big guy's truck has been in the shop for 5 weeks waiting on a part and while I know I have it better than a number of people it's still draining and taking up a lot more of my patience to get through the day than it should.

Where I've been: Tuesday I took Binx to the vet for neuter day. Wednesday, I had lunch with a friend and Friday, we picked up things we needed from a couple stores. 

Where I'm going: I'm thankful I have no appointments and nowhere I really have to go this week other than work.  

What I'm watching: We watched this week's British Bake-Off episode.  For some reason, this season hasn't seemed as interesting as usual.  I also broke my own rule and watched The Holiday.  I figure there is only so many days between now and Christmas so I should get a few movies I love in when I can.  I also had fun yesterday watching Binx see snow for the first time.  He was mesmerized by it.

What I'm reading: Miss Cecily's Recipes for Exceptional Ladies.  I'm a little over halfway through it and it has been a really nice story so far.  I love the character, Cecily.

What I'm listening to: Peace and quiet as much as I can.

What I'm eating:

Leftovers from the freezer: Pinto beans, spicy chicken sausage and rice with naan

Leftover beef strips from Sunday turned into BBQ beef on buns with chips and dip

Honey maple chicken, baked potato and asparagus

BIG salad, Texas toast

Stuffed shells, salad and garlic knots

Steak for me, wings for the big guy with sweet potato and green beans

Yesterday I made banana pudding.  Homemade pudding is just SO good.

Who needs a good slap:  Tuesday I dropped Binx off at 7:45am and was told I could pick him up between 3:30 and 4.  When I showed up at 4 they told me everything went well and gave me the instructions.  They told me they would meet me at the back door with Binx. He couldn't hold his head up and was flopping around in his cage.  I took him back in and asked what was going on.  The vet checked him out and told me they got behind and he was the last one neutered around 2 and he was still coming out of the anesthesia.  It was 7pm before he could even walk a straight line.  I give one slap because even though she seems to be a very caring vet I never expected this.  We've had numerous cats over the years, and I've never picked one up in this condition.  Thankfully he has completely recovered and is back to his old self, but it was a stressful 4 hours for us both that I wasn't prepared for.

What I'm planning: Working on Thanksgiving and Christmas lists today.

What's making me smile: Friday we went to Kroger and I realized as I was checking out that I had forgotten to get milk.  I asked the big guy to take the groceries to the Jeep while I went back to get it.  I left him with my purse and took my wallet.  When he drove up to pick me up, I didn't see my purse and asked him where it was.  The look on his face told me he had no idea.  I went and looked at the cart drop off and no purse.  I went into the customer service line and patiently waited 10 minutes.  When it was my turn, I asked if someone had turned in a brown purse and she lifted it up from the counter below her.  I was SO thankful.  Whoever found it and took it back in to the store gave me a huge smile and the hope that maybe there is a bit of hope for humanity.

I hope everyone has a wonderful Sunday and that you're all doing well.

sNOw

For weeks the temperatures have been in the 40's overnight with highs in the 70's which is pretty typical for this area.  Today I woke up to this:

The 10 outlook is about the same. And so it begins.  

How's the weather in your area?  I hope you have a wonderful Saturday!!

My Weekly W's

What's top of my mind: Fall cleaning.  The last couple of weeks I've gone through every closet, drawer, cabinet, pantry, etc.  Two large boxes of 'stuff' have been taken to Good Will and I'll be starting another box today.  I give it another week or two and this year's Fall cleaning will be done just in time for snuggling up for the winter.

Where I've been: I went to have my hair cut on Thursday. I had him take a good four inches off, so I'm set for a while.   I picked up a few groceries on Friday and met with a friend for lunch on Saturday.  

Where I'm going:  Tuesday I'm taking Binx to the vet to be neutered. He is finally starting to slow down a little bit and even take a nap during the day.  This little guy just has SO much energy.  The last two weeks have seen a huge improvement on the biting so that is wonderful.  He wasn't biting out of aggression or over stimulation but wanting constant attention. I learned to just walk away and not give him any attention or eye contact for about 10 minutes and it seems to have worked.   We're planning on a Saturday Road trip also which I'm looking forward to.

What I'm watching:  I noticed a lot of Christmas movies are already on but I refuse to indulge until the day after Thanksgiving.  I did watch Home for the Holidays which is an old favorite of mine that shows how Thanksgiving is for one family.  Hilarious.

What I'm listening to: Friday night into midday Saturday was cool, rainy and WINDY.  The wind seemed to be roaring yesterday. Today it's nice and calm outside and I can hear the birds chirping away.

What I'm reading: I finished From Scratch and really enjoyed the book.  It gave me all the feels.  I started the Netflix series last night and the book is SO much better which is almost always the case.  I'm starting a new to me online book club and the book this month is Miss Cecily's Recipes for Exceptional Ladies so I will be starting that after it arrives Monday.  I'm looking forward to it.

What I'm eating: 

Meatloaf, mashed potatoes and asparagus with Texas Toast.

Hatch chili and cheddar cheese chicken sausage with pinto beans and rice. This was SO good.

Bucatini pasta with portabella, veggie sauce with a salad.

Pizza and salad

Chicken Tikka Masala, rice and naan

BIG salad and Texas Toast

For Texas Toast, I use a slice of my regular white bread and just add butter, granulated garlic and a pinch of salt since I use unsalted butter.  Toast it in the Ninja and it is just delicious.  This bread freezes well so it's easy to just pull out a slice when needed.  This week we ate the whole loaf, so none made it to the freezer.

Who needs a good slap: The local sheriff's race has been pretty ugly.  I give a slap to the current good old boy in office.  He needs to go.  He came to our house last weekend, and I didn't open the door.  I figured it was nicer than opening it and telling him I would never vote for him.  

What I'm planning: Lists and lists for the holidays and planning out a couple of road trips.  Our favorite restaurant has a new menu after spending time in Italy and we have to get there soon.  It looks delicious.

What's making me smile: The big guy has a student that makes all kinds of T-shirts, cups, etc.  She has now added painting on shoes.  He told me about them and asked what I would put on mine.  I said a big bright cupcake.  Well, he ordered them and surprised me with them, and they are SO cute.  It makes me smile to see the younger generation being creative and a smile to the big guy for surprising me.

That's all I have this week.  I have a couple of recipes to try out and share here next week.  How are things with you?  Stay safe everyone!!