WE WOKE SANTA BABY UP FROM HIS SLUMBER

THANKSGIVING preparation of the big meal went well.  Maybe the smoothest one ever.  That helped.

By noon, we were all together.  A few announcements were made like... "After we eat, I want to take a few family pictures before anyone leaves." 

We took a moment to share what we were thankful for and prayed.  We had a nice selection of food and I believe everyone ate well.

True to form, we snapped a few pics.  Visited and had fun.  

After we ate, a few family members left and this is when Santa paid us a visit handing out $2 bills.  HoHoHo.  

Hubby snuck upstairs and slipped on an old pair of red long johns that I discovered when going through our Christmas decorations a couple of months ago.    

He stuffed himself with a pillow and placed a Santa hat on and came down the stairs Ho.Ho.Hoing.  A first for my Husband.  He did a great job pretending to be Santa.  We all laughed.  

We took turns holding the Baby.  He is only two weeks old and such a sweet one.  Blonde hair and I think blue eyes.  

We had a blessed time together.  Nobody went away hungry or sad.
To me, I had a full heart and appreciated our time together.  It was awesome. 

I will hold onto this HOLIDAY for a long time.  I want to remember this one even with my hair a mess, being over weight and wearing no make-up.  Family time was a blessing and I can smile really big knowing we were together this THANKSGIVING.   

~FAMILY PICS~
Photo op OVERLOAD and I loved it.

The day was full.  Very, very full.  By bedtime I. was. tired.  

I had washed lot of pots 'n pans and tidied up where needed.  We filled about 20 trash bags full of this and that over this HOLIDAY.  Made my head spin, but we only get together once a year if we're lucky.  We were lucky and I am so thankful this holiday took place.

THANKFUL we were together with harmony, peace, sounds of laughter, hugs and smiles.  

The sound a Family makes when being HAPPY 
because we're together was heard,
d

   

THE DAY AFTER

AFTER ALL OUR COMPANY VANISHED, A LONG AWAITED NAP TOOK PLACE SUNDAY AFTERNOON with the French door cracked open to let fresh air inside.  Refreshing air quietly wafted inside where I could smell it.  My eyes got heavy and I drifted off to sleep for a NAP waking up to thinking about eating that one piece of pumpkin pie with whipped cream that I didn't eat the day before.  

I totally forgot to bring out the eggnog when the household was full of loved ones.  So I drank some with my pie.  The calories were overlooked.  MONDAY will be the day I dive into the vegetables all over again.  HAPPY HANUKKAH on the calendar!  The perfect time to return to a special diet and go look at CHRISTMAS LIGHTS in TOPEKA and MANHATTAN.  

The AUTUMN decorations will slowly disappear with the ornate twiggy pumpkins taken off of the fireplace mantel.  Then the entryway fake pumpkins will find there way into storage boxes with the Nativity Scene coming out of hiding.  I'll continue dusting and cross my fingers that the vacuum sweeper isn't permanently damaged.  Hubby will take a look at it tomorrow.  I so hope it can be quickly fixed as the floors need vacuumed in the worse way.

I would have loved to have had the CHRISTMAS TREE up twinkling with little lights while the GRANDCHILDREN were here.  I believe I'll start a new tradition around THANKSGIVING.  Just couldn't pull this off this year with me being gone so much. 

I'll be thinking about our special week-end get together this week.  Posting pics. There was me and Hubby, oldest son and his wife plus 4 children, second born son with his son, daughter and her husband with three of their children.  The newest addition to our Family is this lil guy at two weeks old.  What a precious baby.

~TWO WEEKS OLD~

Will I ever get caught up with the cleaning and the downsizing?  Not sure, but I have to try really hard to make headway.  I stood in the Dining room staring at the walls that need painted.  Once again I will prep the room by moving furniture to one side of the room and covering.   Priming the dark blue walls twice then go purchase the paint that I need to make the room change her mood.  Going for a more neutral look. 

CHRISTMAS TREE will come out this week.  CHRISTMAS LETTER written and the cards started on.  CHRISTMAS ORNAMENTS mailed to the GRANDCHILDREN.  I had planned on handing them out when we were all together, but once again I wasn't ready.  Will mail this week.  

Continue to clean the entire house one room at a time.  Started on the Kitchen.  Deep cleaning. 

 

God bless this mess so it's no longer a mess.

~d

JOINING THE FUN ON HAPPY HOMEMAKER MONDAY
@ DAIRY OF A STAY AT HOME MOM

https://familycorner.blogspot.com/2021/11/happy-homemaker-monday-11292021.html

WEATHER:  Currently 66 degrees with the rest of the week being in the high 60s!
FEELING THIS MORNING?  Tired, but ambitious to get some things done today. 
ON MY MIND:  Finish decorating two Autumn wreaths that didn't get done before Thanksgiving, because I was out of town most of November due to making funeral arrangements for my Brother.
CHRISTMAS related done the last few days:  CHRISTMAS WREATHS hung on front doors, Autumn decor taken down and replacing with Christmas.  Wrapping up Grandchildren's Christmas Ornaments.  
CHRISTMAS MOVIES:  Haven't watched any as of yet.
WEARING TODAY:  Still in my pink housecoat.
READING PILE:  New magazines that have come in the mail.
TODAY's TO DO LIST:  Catch up on correspondences, decorate Autumn Wreaths, do some laundry, run to town to buy some stamps, clean on Kitchen, prep Living room area where CHRISTMAS TREE will go, take down Autumn decor, rest.
TV:  Not on yet.  Tonight a movie.
LISTENING TO:  The quiet.
CAMERA:  Baby pics.
LOOKING AROUND THE HOUSE:  Yep.  Chores always before me.
ON PRAYER LIST:  Health for my husband and myself.  Energy.  

5 Best Natural Cough Drops - and Bad Ingredients to Avoid!

THANKFUL DECEMBER WILL BE HERE IN A FEW HOURS...

THANKFUL.  

THANKSGIVING HAS COME AND GONE.  

We all have our opinions about politics and that's alright.  We had a peaceful and fun time together even with our differences of opinions.  Praise the LORD.  Answered prayer about our gathering and having a pleasant time.  No heated discussions.  Under one roof and still there was laughter.

Next year...if we are living in the cottage by then, I will have to come up with a creative way to entertain 19 people in a small area.  Creative.  NOTE TO SELF:  Have plenty of bottled water to drink, along with coffee and freshly brewed iced tea.  Ice.  Throw away cups, plates, plasticware and napkins.  Plenty of paper towels and wet wipes.  Running water and soap.  Flushing toilets and toilet paper.  Fresh air.   Snack foods and veggie trays.  Enough chairs for all to sit while eating and visiting.  Then if family members need to spend the night, make sure there is enough bedding, pillows and blankets along with fresh towels.

Sounds easy enough or does it?  If we have a large gathering under the same roof next year in the small cottage, I will have to make huge adjustments.  The older I get, the slower I get.  

I did notice this year that most of the children had cell phones and at one point most of my grown children all had their phones out being preoccupied.  The grandchildren were doing the same.  Eyes wide open...what will the future hold when phones are so important that they have them on hand at all times like a lease?

There are personality issues amongst some family members.  I have to remind myself that the children are not adults, but children learning as they go.  Being taught takes time, persistence, love and patience.  Instructions are needed over and over.  I have to remind myself.  Bible scriptures come to mind.  When the house quiets down, then I can completely relax and continue on.  The amount of energy needed to prep the home for guests and to be a hostess while they are in my HOME requires constant motion.  When elderly, the way things are done, changes.  I have to rest more frequently and be alright with not having everything clean and tidy.         

Taking a deep breath before the deep cleaning begins recovering from Thanksgiving.  We had a awesome Family Time for our Thanksgiving Gathering.  Political comments were banned at the door.  There were no arguments or debates.  I am thanking GOD for this as it adds horrific tension when voices are raised and temperatures flare.

I am very thankful that we had a pleasant gathering.  Very THANKFUL.

Today, I will wash the bedding after all the guest have left HOME.  The fridge will be cleaned out and rearranged.  I think I will completely do a deep cleaning in the Kitchen first before running the vacuum elsewhere in the house.  The Dining room will return to being prepped for a paint job.  The Living room will be deep cleaned so I can relax in my recliner before the Christmas tree comes out.

I would have loved to have the Christmas tree up and lit before THANKSGIVING, but this wasn't possible.  It was far better to have food on the table and clean dishes to eat off of.  Snacks to munch on and beverages to quench the thirst. 

Thankful that we took a few minutes to snap some pictures.  Sometimes when we get together it is like herding a bunch of cats.  Not easy to do.

This week, I will begin the deep cleaning, take the AUTUMN decorations down, get out the Nativity Scene to display, play some Christmas music.  The screened-in porch will turn into a WINTER WONDERLAND with artificial trees set up just for us to admire.  Will take pictures to share later.  Simple Christmas decor this year for sure.  Simplicity.  Some sweets will be fixed and Christmas cards out early this year.  Simplicity.  

As the temperatures turn chilly, I will switch gears and wait for the cold winds to blow where snow is in the forecast.  I will be ready for snow and enjoy the white dusting covering nature where we have to wear heavy coats to stay warm.  It seems that I tend to drag my feet during AUTUMN knowing that WINTER isn't far behind.  Once this soaks in, then I change gears and enjoy the WINTER WONDERLAND of snow days. 

Here on the Prairie, we are blessed to have a roof over our heads and a heater to keep us warm in the cold months.  Looking out across the Flint Hills makes me think of what the days were like back a hundred years ago.  Rolling hills and no civilization in sight.  Some times I crave being alone standing in an open pasture with no one listening in as I talk out loud.  Just God and me and a tumbleweed.  Wind blowing on my face.  No fashion statement to make or winning over another to think as I think.  

The challenges that people must have had back in the day surely were raw and difficult.  

As I mature into a elderly woman, the Lord knows I want to mature in my thinking.  I'd like to be more loving and kind toward others and harness nature's moodiness where each season has its own sense of beauty to experience.  Admire.  Look deep.

Back to healthier eating, activities and energy.  Here's to welcoming DECEMBER.  November was far busier than I ever imagined.  The aftermath will surely hit me like a ton of bricks.  My get up and go will have got up and went.  Refreshing naps with a fluffy, soft covering will have to be a must.  A desired activity.  Saying NO will have to be exercised.  Quiet evenings will be embraced.  Comforting sleep to reset a weary body.  

DECEMBER please come quietly as we embrace LIFE.  I will do my best to remember some scripture for recall.  

MARK 8:36. For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?

PROVERBS 22:1  A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favor rather than silver and gold.

PROFIT.
GAIN.
LOSE.
GOOD NAME.
CHOSEN.
LOVING FAVOR.

Amen,

~d       

A HAPPY HOME IS A COMFORTABLE HOME

WHAT HAVE I DONE TO GET THINGS READY FOR THANKSGIVING...sometimes there seems to be too much to do before a HOLIDAY COMES.  When I thought about what I was truly thankful for...then I began to relax about not everything being done that I wanted to get done before company came.

On our way back HOME from being gone 5 days, I knew I wouldn't have all the time in the world to get ready for company.  Energy and time are a premium.  Making out a grocery list ahead of time before quickly shopping at Sams, Aldi and Hy-Vee, I was able to quickly shop for meals and what else needed to be done.

Turkeys and Hams were purchased a week before Thanksgiving and I knew I needed EGGNOG and French Fried Onion Rings before the rush started.  Meats in the freezer.  After we shopped and drove HOME, I grouped the groceries and baking dishes together onto the Dining room table.  Refrigerated stuff put away.  A long foldable table was set up in the Kitchen where the Grands will sit.  Chairs were an issue, so Hubby telephoned the Hardware Store to see if they had card tables and chairs for sell.  No, but they rent chairs at an incredible rate for a week.  Done.  

He hot rodded to the store to rent some chairs.  I placed a tablecloth onto the fold up table and transferred the meal items to the table in the Kitchen.  As I cook/bake during our Thanksgiving day meal, the table will clear off and be used for the Grandchildren to eat meals at.  Grown ups will be in the Dining room.

I will use what I call Grandma's sideboard to house the sweets.  Drinks, plates, etc. will be set up in the Kitchen for that feast we will actually have the day after THANKSGIVING on Friday.  Paper plates and napkins from HOBBY LOBBY were purchased months ago.  

I figured that I didn't want to spend so much time in the Kitchen washing dishes.  Pitching these will free up time to visit.  Cooking has been trimmed back to a simpler menu. 

Going for easy instead of gourmet fancy.  The food will be tasty and filling.  That's a plus.  We will not starve.  I hope to take some family pictures after the meal.  The clean-up can wait.  Pictures are more important before the family leaves.

Plenty of snack foods.

After the dust settles, I will empty the fridge, clean it and rearrange the left overs and everything else.  I hope my vacuum isn't broken so I can vacuum the floors throughout the house.  Bathrooms cleaned and refreshed again.  Bed sheets laundered and dried.  Beds made up.  Then I will rest before painting the Dining room.  I hope this room actually gets painted.  This has been on the back burner for half a year or more.  Can I laugh now or cry?  

As December enters the picture, all of my Christmas decorating will be simple.  Very simple.  I will continue to downsize and figure out what I need to do to get there.  Lord, please help me. 

I started jotting down info about the year we have had.  Christmas letter in the works.  I saw some beautiful Christmas cards at Sams while I shopped for Thanksgiving groceries.  I think I will return and purchase them next week.  I'd like to have some news ones.

Wreaths on the front doors are already in place.  Maybe I'll add some bows to spruce them up a bit.  A Christmas letter in the works.  New Christmas cards being thought about.  Our Christmas tree will go up this coming week.  A fireplace mantle hung.  Garland on the stair rail.  A Nativity Scene placed in the entry way.  Christmas music in the background.  Christmas gifts will be simplified by not shopping this year, but by giving money instead.  We will more than likely stay HOME this year and count our BLESSINGS.

A slow paced month.  Lord, please...a slow paced month.

~d

BEING THANKFUL

TAKING SOME TIME TO SIMPLY THINK ABOUT WHAT I AM THANKFUL FOR...

 ~d~

THANKSGIVING 2021

A VERY LONG TRIP FROM KENTUCKY TO HOME.  The traffic was awful.  So many trucks and cars traveling at such fast speeds it was taxing.  The traffic did not let up until arriving to TOPEKA.  I was relieved to do some shopping in Topeka before continuing HOME. A break sort of.  Way too much traffic for a small town girl like me.

Before returning HOME, I knew I'd need to stop off in Topeka to grocery shop.  My brain is tired. I had a wonderful time in Kentucky.  It feels like I have been gone a month instead of 5 days.

From HOME to Kentucky in one day.  Was in Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana and Kentucky all in one day.  Stayed in Lexington, Kentucky, attended the Cross Country National Meet on Saturday then on Sunday we toured The Ark Encounter in Williamstown. Toured Mary Todd Lincoln's childhood HOME on Monday then drove to Saint Louis to eat supper with our Son. Continued the journey HOME and grocery shopped on Tuesday.  I am officially drained.  I hope I can pull off the rest of the week with family and food.  

Just about have all the food purchased for Wednesday to Sunday.  5 busy days and I plan on making it as easy as possible.

SAMS did not have Pumpkin Pies.  They had Pecan Pies, so I bought one....ALDI did not have Pumpkin Pies.  Off to Hy-Vee.  Thankful they had some.  Bought two.  That takes care of THANKSGIVING DAY Dessert.  The stores were seriously busy with shoppers preparing for the HOLIDAY.

I want to share more about our time in Kentucky and will do so after THANKSGIVING when our company returns to their HOMES.  Too much to share and I need to clean the house before guest come to visit.  There's much to prepare.  Much to do.  I believe I will sign off until then so I can be ready for THANKSGIVING.

GOD BLESS YOU and I hope we all have a wonderful THANKSGIVING.

~d

THANKFUL TO BE ALIVE AND UNINJURED

THANKSGIVING WILL BE DIFFERENT THIS YEAR.  Our actual meal will be on Friday as I coordinate it to coincide along with MY energy level.  I have my turkey in the freezer which will be placed in fridge to thaw for three days before I bake it in a baking bag. LOVE these baking helpers.

I'll stuff the turkey with an apple like I have before.  Baked turkey.  Dressing will be a side dish instead of actual stuffing in the turkey.  Mashed potatoes and gravy.  Maybe sweet potatoes. Baked carrots.  Corn.  Mac 'n cheese. That's a lot of carbs right there.  Better add some greens. Need to fix a relish tray.  5 Bean Salad...Combination salad.  Green bean casserole and maybe organic green beans as well.  Cranberry sauce.  Cottage cheese and apple sauce.  Waldorf salad.  Pumpkin pie with whipped cream.  Iced tea, water and coffee. That's my menu.   YUMMERS.

I am running behind due to a busy schedule.  When I prepare the menu in my head, it helps me a great deal.  Sam's will bake my pies for me.  I bought the whipped cream already along with eggnog.  

Some family is coming to my place for THANKSGIVING.  Bedrooms will have to have tidied rooms.  My Kitchen needs a thorough cleaning.  Bathrooms cleaned as well along with clean towels ready to go.

I'll go shopping on Tuesday and organize the fridge so I can stack baking dishes neatly to accommodate the large feast.  A special place on the counter top will house the dishes that will be used for our feast.

Over the week-end, I am thankful to be alive.  I am thankful that I was not in an automobile crash on Friday night.

After driving for nearly 12 hours, I was tired.  As I was approaching the back end of a semi-trailer truck that was stopped on the highway, my car wasn't slowing down as quickly as it needed to be...I hit the brakes hard and about lost control of my car which meant I swerved into a lane to the right of where I was and as I swerved into this lane another truck was there which meant I swerved again to the furthest lane over.  After the excitement of nearly being in an accident, I was badly shaken and drove to the exit ramp. 

Driving 12 hour days isn't going to happen again for me unless it's an emergency.  These extra long drives are a thing of the past.  I accept it. 

This Thanksgiving I will plan to be HOME, baking and cooking a feast.  

Amen and amen,
~d