food network

Happy Thanksgiving!

Our first try at thanksgiving...My sweet mister man has been "researching" cooking techniques for turkeys. He has made a brine... a butter dry rub and julienned several vegetables for the broth. So far it smells great. He loves this stuff. Little cookie climbed up on the cabinet and plunged into the homeade whipped cream I had just finished. My first attempt at pecan pie was a disaster...so I made another. My parents will arrive any minute.
Menu:
food network turkey
some fantastic "mean bean" casserole ( I had to make a rue...roo...rhue?)
grandmother's dressing
store-bought rolls
mashed potatos
gravy ( I hope)
Dane's gramma's yams ( I prefer them to sweet pots)
Freckle's first pumpkin pie
second attempt pecan pie with whipped cream
apple cider

M made napkin rings in the shape of pilgrim hats and indian headresses. and she made name placcards.

I am thankful to have such a great family. I am also thankful for all you blessed friends. thanks

oh yes we need a little Christmas right this very minute

I have been caring for my mother in law with D for the last few weeks... is it months? We have had more than our share of ups and downs with her. Most recently, she had hip replacement surgery and is unable to bear weight on it for 6 weeks. She forgets that she can't bear weight and just wants to do everything for herself. It think it would be so hard to be at other people's mercy like she is. She has moved to a skilled nursing facility near our house. She gets very combattive and forgetful sometimes...( blood sugar.... residual effects of anesthesia... old age?) It is taking its toll on my hubby and me.

THE FLU has arrived at our house. We are in various stages of vomitting, diarrhea, fever and colds. This is a good excuse to veg in front of television and watch Christmas movies. We are trying to get into the spirit regardless. I know it is a little early for Christmas cheer, but we need some. Please remember us in your prayers as we try to remember that God is big enough to hold this Mary situation in his hand and that he is small enough to catch every one of our tears.

don't grow up

don't grow up. Try to stay little as long as you canYou use such big words at 10. You thought a boy on tv was cute yesterday. You have such a good sense of humor. I love your laugh and your nonsense jokes. I love that you believe in fairies and try to convince others. I love your writings even with the spelling mistakes. I love your brown eyes- just like mine. I love your freckles and the way you wrinkle your nose when you squint in the sun. I miss the "shows" you used to put on for me and the sound of your made up songs. I hate that you have be coerced to bathe. I love that you have such a tender heart. I like being your teacher and your mom. I love being with you. don't grow up.
don't grow up. try to stay little as long as you can. I love your little hand in mine. I love your voice, even when you say "cookie" a hundred times a day. I love your choice in outfits and the way you say the word shoes ( ZHOOOSSS). i love that you eat the whole apple-- even the core if I am not looking. I like to see you dance and twirl and laugh and sing. I like your pony tails and the way your hair smells like baby shampoo and applejuice. I don't like that you color all over all our books, but I like that you have found your artistic side. I love the blue eyes that look just like your daddy's. I love how you hold my shirt between your fingers when you try to sleep. Don't grow up.

trick or treat

Little Cookie had her first chance to trick or treat in our neighborhood. Even though her costume was a chicken, she was not convinced. She told everyone that she was a duck. D answered the door- I am not sure if he was TRYING to be scary or not- but he is. I had some left over pink hair spray from a mermaid costume last year. We went over to see nana for treats with K and A.

Aphrodite, Cleopatra and the chicken..er.. duck go get treats with their ultra-cool moms.

I am not sure who enjoyed carving the pumpkin more. too much candy, lots of hassle, glad it is a whole year before we have to do it again.

Family solidarity day 2

i like to eat peanut butter from the jar. i have fantasies of becoming a famous author. i like the burnt edges on my grilled cheese sandwiches. i can't believe that D ever decided that he loved me. sometimes i wonder why I ever loved him. i don't like condiments:ketchup, mustard, mayonaise, relish etc. i watch what not to wear religiously. i fight the natural curl in my hair. i love baths. i miss my sister. i think all italian food tastes the same. i hate panda express which is my family's favorite restaurant. i want a boob reduction. i wish i could paint. i miss reading for pleasure. i like books on CD. I like the way Cookie looks and smells when she wakes up from her nap. i love that Freckles looks like me. i wish we didn't have some many pine needles in my yard. i like winter better than summer. i never could get a good tan. i am afraid to get old like my mother in law. i hope i am not alone. i want to read my bible more. i wish i had money for a new purse. i am not sure how to use eyeliner. i don't like foundation. i love my red ballet flats. i have stinky feet. sometimes i wish i was single. i want to go to china and india. i love pumpkin spice anything. i miss living near my mom and dad. i hate carrying in groceries. i am making vegetable soup in the crock pot. i spend hours a day just worrying about my weight. i have lots of friends who love me. sometimes i still don't feel loved. i am content in this house and i love my red wall. i wish i had studied harder in school. i make up songs everytime i am in the shower and I never share them with anyone. i love to draw circles all over the place on my bulletin at church. i am lazy. i hate ironing. i am on my way to iron.