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Wednesday, November 25, 2015

Around Here, Lately


  1. We've had fun watching this little Nuthatch run up and down the trunks of the trees lately.  He's been joined by a beautiful Woodpecker who has evaded my camera so far!
  2. The boys have yucky head colds so we just cancelled their day program today and the rest of the week so they could have an extended Thanksgiving break and time to recuperate.  And I admit it was nice not to pack lunches and sleep late this morning!
  3. Thanks to The Mister for coming home early so I could do the big Thanksgiving grocery trip this afternoon.  I am always amused at how many bewildered people there are in the grocery a few days before Thanksgiving.  They are clutching a list, worried and lost, and it's obvious they don't know where anything is located beyond their usual Swanson Frozen Dinners. I helped a few find the sage, whipping cream and one man was desperate to find the Velveeta. haha.
  4. I'm going to spend the day on Wednesday baking pies, rolls and a few other dishes that can be made ahead...probably like many other activities going on in kitchens all across the country.  The Cornish Hens are thawing in the fridge and I get laughed at every time I say how cute they are. :)  But they are!
  5. We had our first dusting of snow this week!  Just enough to cover roof shingles and nestle in curly leaves on the ground.  It didn't last through the morning but it sure made me smile!  We had several inches this time last year.  In contrast, we're supposed to reach 60 degrees on Thanksgiving Day!
  6. Along with my rebellious non-turkey Cornish Game Hens for Thanksgiving, I'm looking forward to a few other new dishes I picked out.  Stuffing baked in a whole pumpkin, Butter Pecan Sliced Sweet Potatoes,  and Apple Slab Pie. Yum.  
  7. Some of our favorite dishes will be there as always, like my homemade rolls, mashed potatoes, homemade whole cranberry sauce and deep dish pecan pie (which doubles as breakfast the next day). ha. 
  8. I'll be around to say hello and post again Wednesday night ...something brief....mainly because all work and no play makes for a very dull girl. haha.  

♥ 

41 comments:

  1. lol have to have a little play
    You'll have food for weeks at your bay
    Always good to get what can be done done
    Then less to do under the Thanksgiving sun
    Hopefully the germs fly away
    Blah to those at any bay

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Number one are you.
      Bet that makes your head swell, too!
      Did you eat turkey on your big day
      or did Nana have a chicken for you at her bay?

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    2. I ate the turkey just fine
      And fed the dog while I did dine lol

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    3. Dogs are good for that...
      slipping them things that you think taste flat.
      haha....

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  2. I was wondering about Aunt Winnie's cranberry jello...
    It was that jello recipe years ago that caught my attention.
    Your dinner sounds delicious. I hope I can get dinner accosted while working on Wednesday.
    Accomplished. That's what it's supposed to say...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. no cranberry jello this year....it's time for some new traditions that don't have
      any sadness attached to them...
      I think if I worked on Wednesday, last weekend would have been full of cooking. :)

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    2. Good idea to make new and happy memories.
      I made three apple pies on Sunday, they're in my freezer, but not much was relaxed over the weekend and pumpkin pie would be way too mushy if I made it that far ahead. We'll see what happens in the morning.

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  3. What a busy gal.
    Hope all the Thanksgiving preparations go well.
    I laughed at all the 'lost' shoppers ~ I think I would be rather like the people you helped . . . lol
    Enjoy tomorrow . . . . turning in, I am gardening tomorrow, weather permitting . . . . :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I would have helped you find something too, you know. :)

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    2. I know . . . . you are very kind . . . :)

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  4. I plan to make cornish hens for Don and I in January...Just the two of us. I know your Thanksgiving Dinner will be Magazine Beautiful.
    Sorry the boys have colds, but nice to sleep in and not make those lunches.
    I did a Costco Run today to pick up a few things for the Dessert Table I wont make. A lot of the grandkids prefer cake to pies, and Costco had a to die for Double Chocolate bundt cake. Have a blessed Thanksgiving. Sending Hugs.

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    1. I hope you take pictures of your dessert table! ...and I hope you get to take home a piece of pie for breakfast. haha.

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  5. Love the Nuthatch...Woodpeckers are fast!
    Your menu sounds delish...
    Enjoy your evening....sickie here too!
    Cheers!
    Linda :o)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I've forbidden any child from giving me their germs! haha...Mom can't get sick...SO
      busy for the next 5 weeks, starting today! haha. Hope you guys feel better soon...

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  6. Oh my - your menu sounds amazing and it's fun to have twists here and there. As I was ill for our Thanksgiving, I think I should celebrate yours!
    That nuthatch is too cute.
    Hope the boys feel better and the germs don't spread to Mom and Dad.
    Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I remember you being sick for your Thanksgiving! I think you deserve a do over! Wish you lived closer!

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  7. Your description of the grocery shoppers sounds just like the one my daughter gave me a few hours ago. lol I guess that is more universal than regional. Hope the holiday is wonderful for you and all of your loved ones. I'm excited to visit and hug my grandbaby for his first Thanksgiving. I feel blessed. Hope the boys are feeling better soon and no one else gets ill there.

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    1. Have a wonderful visit with your family...a baby just makes it all the more fun!

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  8. I helped a lost shopper today too...my husband. Ha! It was an interesting experience...he did help two elderly sisters out to their car while I checked out. I love the Thanksgivng traditions, but always feel a bit overwhelmed with the whole timing of all the dishes. Do you have two ovens? Seriously, I would like to learn from you...pictures please. I can't wait to see the Cornish hens! I'm not so sure about those myself! I hope the guys feel better and that you stay healthy. And nuthatches? One of my favorites!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. No...just one oven and only two stove top burners! Lol....and yes, the timing is the hardest part. I make a schedule for the day to make it work. Friday is actually my favorite...the work is done and I can relax and eat leftovers. Lol....

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  9. Girl! You should have been here at my grocery store, today. I was one of those walking aimlessly among the aisles....searching for yeast. Gah! I'll be in the kitchen tomorrow, too. Preparing a few things ahead of time. Oh Lord, I haven't starting thawing my Cornish hens yet. I better go make room in the fridge. Hang on a minute, I'll be right back.

    Ok, I'm back. Snow, huh? Well, I wish we could be so lucky. It's supposed to be in the 60's here, too. 60 is better than 70. We'll enjoy a fire outside after dinner. Can't wait! Hope you and your family have the happiest of Thanksgivings.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Haha....I'm just glad our grocery didn't decide to rearrange the store this week...that's when I can't find anything!

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  10. Sorry for the previous comment... Looks like busy days are ahead. All that food sound delicious. Under the weather here as well ... drinking lots of lemon ... so much stress lately ... sigh .... my little ones broken teeth, crazy people on loose, army trucks and police in the streets to try to catch them :-( ... why why cannot we all live in harmony? ... hope your boys feel well soon and there is nothing such a good rest to get the body well :-)

    ReplyDelete
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    1. I don't know if you saw it or not, but on my last post I asked if you lived close to Brussels and if you were safe. Such a scary thing! I hope the innocent are safe and the bad guys are caught soon! Hope you feel better...and you little boy, too!

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    2. No Betsy, I did not see it otherwise I would have replied. We do not live in BX but go there to school and for work. I am just praying for peaceful times. Now I don't even want to go to the Christmas markets and such to avoid crowds ... happy Thanksgiving preparation, lets just concentrate on the good that we have right?

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    3. I don't blame you there....waiting is probably the wisest thing to do. You wouldn't enjoy it while you were out now, anyway!
      Yes, count your blessings and just stay home and heal up....sounds like you all could use the rest!

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    4. Thank you Betsy! Happy cooking / baking. And I hear you on being thankful for coffee and chocolate, especially these days ... lol.

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  11. I sounds like such a lot of work. I hope YOU get to enjoy it along with everyone else.

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    1. It is a lot of work! Lol....and I think everyone else enjoys it more than the hostess!

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  12. Hi Betsy - well perhaps it's a good thing the boys have head colds this week .. so you can relax a little and get some of the preparations done. The Pumpkin stuffing ... now I'd happily do that - something different .. but I love the traditional. Cornish Hens - glad you're promoting Cornwall for me! Good that the Mister came home so you could shop and help others around the store - interesting your comment about Frozen Dinners being their usual choice - tongue in cheek I know .. but .......seems to be so true - I expect Christmas dinners will fly out of our supermarkets too ... though not with me! Wonderful nuthatch and look forward to seeing your Woodpecker ... cheers and have a wonderful day today baking and preparing ... Hilary

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Yep...I need to capture that woodpecker! He's beautiful!

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  13. Pretty little nuthatch. I went to Trader Joe's yesterday at 2 p.m. and wow was it busy and hard to find a parking spot. I got 2 packs of their Kale and broccoli slaw for Thanksgiving. Your cornish game hens remind me to buy some soon. My blog (15 blogs total) is in an ornament give away which starts Dec. 1.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. I can imagine how crowded Trader Joes was! It's usually busy all the time!
      Your ornament giveaway sounds fun.....I'll come say hello...

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  14. As always I am drawn not just by your words but by the beauty of your photograph. Have a great Thanksgiving weekend - don't work too hard. As always, greetings from Yorkshire to you all.

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    1. Thanks,Alan. I wish you and Izzy lived closer...I'd have you come join us for a good ol' American Thanksgiving dinner! :)

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  15. I love that you seem to love all the planning and preparation. You just so like making people happy, don't you? Reading your 'always looking on the bright side' blog posts makes me feel happy and thankful too. Have a wonderful week.

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    1. yeah, I guess that's true.....I am very detail oriented. haha.....love to cook and love to make ordinary things beautiful. ..(and I love to eat. haha.)

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  16. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your boys....and to your dil. I hope you have a blessed day tomorrow.

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    1. Thanks Terri... I hope you enjoy the day immensely!

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