Hello November

It's November and the start of the Holiday Season.  The next three holidays are barreling towards us and I love it.  My notebook is filling up with lists upon lists of things to do and I love it.  

We had a nice Halloween with our usual chili bar and cocktails while Halloween movies played in the background.  I can't believe I used to enjoy scary movies and now I don't, but I guess we all change. TBG did a simple pumpkin this year because he left it to the last minute, but it still turned out really cute.  Luckily despite the trick or treaters we had a great night because we only had a total of 4 trick or treaters.  We have NEVER had that little and I was especially shocked because it was a Friday and the weather was decent.  I think because of the downtown trick or treat on Wednesday and so many trunk or treats at local churches a lot of people aren't going door to door anymore.  It's a bit sad to me but like I said, things change.

The last few weeks have been unusually chaotic busy at work for me, but I have two weeks off for Christmas to look forward to so I'm trying to focus on that. I am thankful to be able to take that time off every year to enjoy the holiday, family and friends. It truly is the most wonderful time of the year in my opinion.

Saturday, we ran a few errands and had lunch out.  We decided to check out the new Ollie's.  Neither of us had ever been in one before and honestly, we weren't very impressed with ours other than the book section.  I found two cookbooks I've been eyeing for less than I would have paid for one so that was worth going in.  I have to say ours has a really nice book selection for kids and adults.

We haven't had a frost here yet and this week the highs are expected to be in the high 60's low 70's so the herbs are still doing well. I will cut them all back next weekend. I dehydrated the last of the cayenne peppers, so we have enough for a number of months. Everything else has been cleaned up, the garlic and wildflowers are planted so it's all ready for winter.  

Firefly Lane is a really good book by one of my favorite authors, Kristin Hannah.  A couple of years ago Netflix made it into a series.  I started watching it then but only finished one season.  Over the last week or two I finally finished and I highly recommend it.  It makes me cherish my best friend of 40 years even more.  It is funny with long term friendships how they can remind you of so many things you have forgotten.  An old friend truly is priceless.

Dinners this week...

LO chicken soup and a Baggett with garlic butter

Big Salad 

Chicken Tika Masala with rice and naan

Big Salad with chicken

Chili and ALL the works (why are oyster crackers so good with chili)

Fried chicken sandwich and small salad

I have a pot roast in the crockpot for tonight (it smells SO good) and we'll have potatoes and green beans with it.

The elephant in the room everywhere seems to be the SNAP issue and for good reason. I really don't know how I feel about it. But I think it is about much more than the left or the right, so please don't make this political. Thankfully, I've never needed it and hopefully never will, but a friend of mine did need temporary help probably 30 years ago when her husband cleaned out their accounts and left her with two boys, the house and a car.  She had a job, but she just needed a month or two to help her get ahead.  They offered her $30.00 a month.  She was told that if she needed more, she should sell her house and or car.  Ever since then, I've been a bit bias about that system.  I hope American citizens that need help will receive it whether locally or from the government.

I don't know about you, but I cook dinner on the fly many times every week.  I saw this meme and realized we have had this exact conversation.

I hope everyone is doing well.  Times are a bit harder for a lot of people, and we need to pay extra attention to our friends, family and community to help out when or where we need to. I saw a wonderful commercial last night about paying it forward, but I can't remember the company or organization it was for.  But it was a wonderful reminder.

Enjoy your Sunday!!