CHRISTMAS IS IN FULL SWING when Thanksgiving is in the archives

A LONG POST.  Just sayin.

Downtown Sapulpa, Oklahoma at their Christmas CHUTE.

FOR MONTHS NOW, I noticed HOLIDAY pretties in the stores long before Halloween or Thanksgiving things were out for display.  Decorations GALORE.  The Pilgrims and turkeys are almost completely overlooked as the stores jump from Halloween straight to Christmas.  The FOOD isn't though.  We once again purchased a HAM and got a FREE Butterball Turkey for THANKSGIVING.  Would like to do this again for CHRISTMAS.  

One turkey went to the KANSAS Family for a early Thanksgiving meal and one turkey went to the OKLAHOMA Family for Thanksgiving Day.  Kansas Son.in.law spatchcocked the turkey and my Oklahoma Son smoked his.  At both locations I enjoyed TURKEY with the all the fixings.  

We had FEASTS and ate exceptionally well.  God has blessed us in a mighty way.  As we go from Thanksgiving to Christmas...I am very Thankful for FAMILY and that we have GOD in our lives.

~SAPULPA THANKSGIVING~

My oldest Granddaughter turned 22 on the 19th just a few days before THANKSGIVING.  Watching my Grandchildren grow up has been full of countless blessings.  Oh the JoY!!!

This Grandson does not like having his picture taken and would continuously turn on me.  The backside of a 14 year old Mister A.

THANKSGIVING EVENING we went to see the Sapulpa CHRISTMAS Chutes.  Absolutely awesome.  Put me in the CHRISTMAS SPIRIT.  SO colorful and cheery.  We saw it last year before it was lit.  This year we got to see it lit up.

One of the stores had their doors open as the weather was nice enough for this on THANKSGIVING DAY.  They have a huge fireplace which was in use and I got to thinking if we ever do build our Sheep Herders Station in the country, a Living room with a wall size fireplace would be awesome.  What a mood it generated. 

Gears shifted from THANKSGIVING to CHRISTMAS.  I have one month to get my act together before CHRISTMAS with all the unpacking.  Will I make it?  I don't know.  This will be a priority in the month of December and then I will continue into the new year 2024.

  It seems impossible that 2024 is near.  The year was incredibly busy and it flew right on by.  So busy.

~MY BOYS WITH A MOOSE~

My BOYS with their sons.

The week of THANKSGIVING the small communities around here have decked out their main streets.  Looks so pretty and the minute THANKSGIVING is over, the SALES pop up and the lights go on.

Leaving Oklahoma, we drove into town after dark, the CHRISTMAS lights were turned on making the downtown area flicker with illumination.  Wreaths with ribbons are on the light poles.  Greenery freshens up the place.  SO pretty and I sure like driving around at night looking at the lights throughout the town.

There are still leaves on some of the trees which are quickly disappearing where the naked tree branches are exposed.  The bright colors cheer up the environment.  The lights and decorations brighten the dreariness of the cold Kansas weather.  

I don't suppose we'll have a CHRISTMAS TREE in the house this year as we are still climbing out of moving boxes, but perhaps we will get a small tree to place on the porch and high light it with bright light bulbs.  I have a urn on the porch with a mum plant in it that I can remove and plant the mum in the side yard flowerbed.  I could empty the soil that's in the urn and place a small CHRISTMAS TREE in it.  This just might be enough CHRISTMAS CHEER to lift my spirits for not having an indoor tree this season.

As I sit by the COTTAGE window next to my chair, I'm watching huge snowflakes trickle down.  We got the snow that was mentioned.  May have 7" by Sunday.  I don't mind staying indoors when it's snowing.

Watching the snow falling makes for a quiet moment. Times like these, I wish we had a large fireplace to keep us warm during the blistery months in Kansas.    

AND NOW THAT THANKSGIVING IS IN THE ARCHIVES our CHRISTMAS IS IN FULL SWING.  Beautiful SNOW and HAPPY THOUGHTS about CHRISTMAS with Christmas Cards going out this week before December 1st?  Early bird gets the worm.  Speaking of worms, the bag of organic celery that I took to the KIDS had a worm in the package.  Yuck.  This has never happened to me before.  Oh the shame of it all.  We had a good laugh. 

I won't be out shopping this year for gifts.  I might return to JUST LOOK and get IDEAS, attend some Christmas Programs and some OPEN HOUSES.  I'd like to attend a Candle Light Service believing the GOSPEL about our LORD.   

The CHRISTMAS SEASON is here.

Many Blessings to you and yours,

~d

AND WE'RE OFF!

AND WE'RE OFF.  It's not a Monday or the start of a NEW year.  Tis an ordinary Saturday with great potential.  This Saturday follows THANKSGIVING in which I know I had a feast with so much food.  My caloric intake was massive.  I kept the portions minimal, but the carbs were too high plus the sugar intake too great.  MINDFUL EATING starting SATURDAY.

I must eat slowly, chew longer each mouthful and pay attention to the food in my mouth that I move it about on my teeth.  Each meal needs to be 20 minutes or longer.  In between the bites, I need to PAUSE and pay attention to what I am eating.   

THANKSGIVING has come and gone.  We're safely at HOME before the WINTER WEATHER blows in this week-end.  On the way back from Oklahoma, we stopped in TOPEKA to return a rental car we took because our PT Cruiser messed up on the way so we rented a brilliant red colored Ford Escape.  SO very nice, comfortable and so very clean, it was fun to drive it. Getting a nibble that comes from a NEW CAR BUGG bite.

After returning the rental, my dear Hubby tinkered on the Cruiser's engine to get it running properly so we could go the rest of the way HOME.  He changed out spark plugs and the car was all better.  I needed some groceries for the week to start my Green Day DIET PROGRAM for the COLOR WHEEL DIET that I will be doing this week.

On our way to OKLAHOMA to spend THANKSGIVING DAY with our Oklahoma Family, the car began sputtering and jerking just as we entered the TOPEKA CITY LIMITS.  I drove the car straight to a Auto Supply Store where Hubby could check under the hood having the codes checked by an employee.  He was told which code was messed up as I fell asleep in the driver's seat.  The stress of car trouble did a number on my already tired mind.  I was sawing logs as they worked under the hood.  I'm sure it was a funny sight.

He tinkered with it and then as we drove, the car still was jerking.  He asked if I wanted to rent a car and I said yes.  We had told the kids that we were bringing the food and the car was loaded with the goods.  A turkey, ham, instant potatoes, gravy in jars, canned corn, yams in cans and the makings for sweet potato casserole, green bean casserole fixings, dinner rolls, butter, pumpkin pies, whipped cream in the can, carrots, celery, olives, bakeware and pans, aluminum foil, serving platters, bowls, paper products, etc.  The car was loaded and all of this was moved to the rental car to travel with.

We decided to put off working more on the car, because we did not want to drive in the dark and if the car by chance didn't improve before making the journey, we'd be safer in a rental driving 4 to 5 hours away.  Rental it was.

This year was the kids turn to come for THANKSGIVING so I had asked if we could come to OKLAHOMA instead of the kids coming to KANSAS to the COTTAGE as we are not at all settled for company since the MOVE from the main house to the tiny COTTAGE.  I said I'd bring all the food.  Off we went to OKLAHOMA, had car trouble, rented a car, drove on to our destination and back again.  Thankful to make it.

Our family from St. Louis traveled to OKLAHOMA as well.  We had an early THANKSGIVING MEAL on the previous Saturday with our KANSAS family.  Two big meals within a 6 day period.

Though I brought the FOOD, my daughter.in.law was preparing chicken 'n dumplings, mashed potatoes and gravy, Deviled Eggs, pies the night before.  A Granddaughter fixed a Sweet Potato Dish to die for.  It was out of this world delicious.  So we had plenty to eat and if we had not made it with the goods, I believe they still would have had a feast to eat on that SPECIAL DAY for THANKS.

I simply fixed the Green bean casserole, a relish tray, cranberry sauce, buttered corn, turkey gravy, dressing, dinner rolls and pumpkin pie with whipped cream.   

BACK TO KANSAS and I made my mind up to do a week of MINDFUL EATING on the COLOR WHEEL DIET.  One day at a time and stay focused on it.  I ate plenty over the HOLIDAY. PLENTY.  Time to take ownership that I must be healthier and the way to do this is to embrace MINDFUL EATING of organic, non GMO foods.  

No intermittent fasting this go round.  Back to three meals including Breakfast, avoid snacks in between meals, drink plenty of water and occasional tea, take supplements and take time to think, relax and pray.  Short walks will come into the picture and staying busy with unpacking. Staying busy because I must.  If for some reason I have to have a snack, it will be veggies or small amount of fruit.

I figured the foods needed for GREEN DAY and YELLOW DAY.  All nutritious items and made sure to get as much ORGANIC products as possible and no highly process foods of any kind. 

On Sunday, I will write out the food needed for ORANGE DAY and RED DAY returning to the big SUPERMARKET for these items.  Again on Tuesday, I will return to the store for PURPLE DAY and BLUE DAY.  The seventh day is a free for all mixed up of colors.

I'll be counting calories to encourage weight loss and to take ownership of what I am eating. Hubby will follow the same plan, but with adding meat and grain as needed for him.  He needs to stabilize his weight loss and I need to lose weight.

GREEN DAY FOOD PROGRAM will go as follows:
BREAKFAST
4 Miniature cucumbers and a sliced Granny Smith apple.
Water to drink throughout the day.

LUNCH
4 cups of Salad without salad dressing made with 2 cups Bibb lettuce and 2 cups Spring mix.
These lettuces will be the base for my salad.
1/2 cup diced green peppers.
Handful of Green grapes.
Handful of Diced Broccoli bits.
Sliced whole Avocado.

SUPPER
A full plate of vegetables.
2 cups Steamed Zucchini.
2 cups Cooked Cabbage.
2 cups Steamed Green Beans.

YELLOW DAY FOOD PROGRAM will go as follows:
BREAKFAST
4 Scrambled eggs made of free range eggs and organic butter, salt and pepper.
Grapefruit.
Water to drink throughout the day.

LUNCH
2 cups Corn with diced yellow peppers and onion, salt and pepper.
2 cups yellow potatoes.

SUPPER
3 cups Spaghetti squash.
2 cups yellow green beans.
1 Banana that will mashed up like pudding. 

I have stayed at my present weight for about a year.  Plateaued and not liking it.  I desire to reduce and this means being PRO-ACTIVE. While dieting, I have to remind myself that I am not deprived, but blessed and the food I am partaking of IS ENOUGH.

Some PROTEIN throughout the week.  Eggs on YELLOW DAY.
Black Beans will be added into the plan on BLUE DAY.
Salmon and red beans on RED DAY.
Black Beans on PURPLE DAY.
Some fruit.  Mostly vegetables this go round.
NO MEAT, GRAINS, or DAIRY for the week.  
No coffee, soda pop or alcohol for the week.  
Some tea will be allowed if so desired.  
Increased water for hydration.
Fiber from the vegetables that help with feeling FULL.

I've done this FOOD PROGRAM before
with success.  
Time to do it again.

~d

DAILY RAMBLE

WOKE EARLY THIS MORNING TO THE SOUND OF RUSHING WIND.  Chilly outside.  Planning on staying HOME today and staying warm.

The sun is shinning with no rain today.  Yesterday was a wet one.  The rain has been replaced with WIND.  Blistery weather heading this way.  Can I say WAIT?  I can say it, but the weather isn't listening to lil 'ole me in Kansas nestled in the Flint Hills in a small town in a small COTTAGE.  WAIT doesn't mean it will.  

It's not going to wait as it has marching orders from the Almighty to proceed with action.  With the cold comes an opportunity to stay inside and think up plans for SPRING.

I have adjusted and can bundle up when outside when needed.  Yesterday, the weather was about 39 degrees and I felt comfortable without a jacket/coat walking from the car into some stores and back again.  I suppose if I had stayed outside any longer I would have froze.  That would have been undesirable.  

I purchased some storage tubs and have plans to use them for storing a Santa Claus COOKIE JAR and Santa Teapot that were in a moving box made of cardboard, Mom's dishes that I have and silver plated sugar and creamers sets that I have collected and am not ready to part with. Will get better organized today as the wind blows.  As I go through our belongings, my mind wonders and I think about what I would like to be doing with my time besides all of this getting settled.

Sewing comes to mind.  Making some simple quilts that are colorful.  
Writing some books.
Decorating the COTTAGE.
Ways to lose weight and get healthier.
Drawing.
Possibly painting.
Making a large doll house.
Studying.
BUT FIRST the unpacking HAS to take place.  Keep calm and unpack.  Downsize and be thankful.

What else needs done today?  I've got an appointment to rub coconut oil through my hair and then shampooing it out.  A couple of loads of laundry washed.  Getting the food organized for THANKSGIVING DINNER.  I like grouping the contents of a food dish together with the baking dish the food will be prepared in.  Makes the preparation go easier for me.  Dishes washed.  Lots of boxes to still go through.  Lots.  Quiet time will not be ignored.  Movie time this evening and it's not even Sunday.

Sunday evening I did watch THE GILDED AGE.  I thoroughly love seeing the costumes.  The story line is alright, but I especially enjoy the costumes and hair styles. 

THIS WEEK so far, progress on the COTTAGE is a new garbage disposal was purchased and installed under the Kitchen sink.  The old one was discarded.  Hubby bought a MOEN, the Chef Garbage Disposal.  Tis a beauty for being a disposal made of stainless steel.

Traveled to TOPEKA on MONDAY to finish purchasing the things we need for our next THANKSGIVING MEAL.  First came a BANK RUN to deposit some cash into checking.  Stopped off at MJs for a Almond Milk with Macadamia Nut flavoring Steamer in St. Marys and ate Lunch at TiCINO's.  Stopped off at 37 PINE to admire their beautiful store all decked out for CHRISTMAS.  

While in TOPEKA, we shopped at Sam's and Hy-Vee.  Quick trip to the City.  I desperately wanted to buy two Pumpkin Pies.  They still had some and I was thankful.  Last year I had to hunt high and low for some as SAM's was sold out.  

On the way HOME, we stopped off to spot clean the main house for sale.  My heart went pitter pat when walking about the place.  It's a very nice house that I will miss.  I will get over it as I must.  On the way HOME in the dark, I started thinking about the COLOR WHEEL DIET that I will follow after THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY is over.  I will be ready for it body, mind and spirit. Onto the COTTAGE we went to unpack groceries and rest.  Drove slow as it was raining and I'm cautious about deer running out in front of me.  This happened early October when a deer crossed our path and hit the car destroying a headlight and doing minor damage to the body of the car.  We were blessed to not be injured.  

Today, we are going to pull a flexible HVAC duct to the Bathroom so we have heat in there.  That will be needed.  Hubby has to go in the cellar to position the duct and I have to stay in the Bathroom to pull the duct through the floor.  Then he'll take it from there.  Heat will flow into the Bathroom at last.

TIME FOR TEA.  TEN O'CLOCK TEA.  Sipping some EARL GREY thinking about Lunch time at 11.  A salad for sure.  Time to get after the day.  Being RETIRED and old, I like my mornings set aside for paperwork and blogging.  Figuring out what I need to get accomplished in the day to be HAPPY.    Sitting and chatting with my Sweetheart.  Staying in my housecoat longer than I should and not caring.  I start combing my hair and getting ready for the day.

Since I once lived in the TULSA area, I was familiar with Carlton Pearson who passed away on Sunday from bladder cancer.  He was the main speaker for the Jenks, Oklahoma High School Baccalaureate Service for the Graduating Class of 1998 which my daughter was a part of.  He truly had a very distinctive voice with a wonderful singing voice and had quite the personality.

Being very charismatic he was well loved until he changed his thoughts about the Christian theology concerning HELL.  He fell from grace from the Tulsa community when he began his ministry of inclusion.

He believed while watching television he heard from GOD saying that hell is created on earth by human depravity and behavior.

HOWEVER, what he heard contradicted the Bible and God doesn't contradict HIMSELF. Carlton apparently did not know this.  He believed HEAVEN cancelled out HELL and changed his ministry beliefs.  

Death comes to each one of us.  Where will you spend an eternity after your earthly death?  The GOSPEL is so simple about receiving eternal salvation through Jesus Christ, the only begotten son of God, that some tend to want to make it difficult and ad lib with false doctrines.  The simplicity of the GOSPEL is part of the goodness of God.  Many fail to embrace the goodness of GOD and get sidetracked in the ways of the world.  The goodness of God brings people to repentance.  Hallelujah what a good God we we serve.  Fall in love with HIM embracing HIS GOODNESS and LOVE.  This is the time to relax in HIM and be blessed.  Oh, how I love Him.  His ways are higher than mankind's.  He is so so good.

For God so loved the world, He gave His only begotten Son Jesus that whosoever believes in him and places their trust in him as their personal savior, shall not perish, but have EVER LASTNG LIFE.  Jesus is the lamb of God that paid the price for us.  There is a heaven and there is a hell. One does not cancel the other out.  That's like saying because there is a night time that a day time will never exist again.  Because we cannot see the daytime all the time does not mean it is completely done away with.  It's still there.  

I choose to believe the word of God over man's false doctrines.        

Blessings to you.  

God bless,

~d    

THANKSGIVING MEAL

COMING SOON TO A PLATE NEAR YOU....are you ready???  

Baby carrots, celery and black olives from a relish tray. Cranberry sauce, turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes with gravy, corn, sweet potato casserole, dinner roll with real butter and the all time favorite GREEN BEAN CASSEROLE. Pumpkin Pie with whipped cream for dessert.  

Did I forget anything?  

DRESSING IS MY FAVORITE,

~d

Katy Nichole - "In Jesus Name (God of Possible)" (Official Music Video)

THANKSGIVING CAME EARLY

Daughter told me she had saved up for this meal.

Hi.  I'm two.

WE HAD AN EARLY THANKSGIVING MEAL WITH OUR KANSAS FAMILY on Saturday.  Wonderful conversation and food.  Weather was nice and we celebrated.  Thankful for family.

We provided the food while the Kids provided the place to gather and prepare the meal in their HOME.  My Kitchen is definitely out of order.  So is the house.  Best thing to do is to go elsewhere and that elsewhere was with family.  Our dear Son.in.law prepared the TURKEY!  Thankful for family.

SPATCHCOCKING.  I've never done this method, but think I might try it.  My Son.in.law prepared the turkey this certain way and it was the best tasting turkey ever.  Very moist and flavorful.  

Several days ahead of time, we had shopped to get the makings of a THANKSGIVING MEAL with all the ingredients we needed.  I wanted to serve the meal on my Thanksgiving china dishes so Hubby went to storage and got enough dishes for the meal.  They were neatly stored in see-through storage boxes and we knew where they were in the unit.  That part was easy.

We ate at 6 in the evening so about 3 in the afternoon I hand washed all the bakeware, pots and china.  At 4, I started fixing the green bean casserole with my sidekick chef, Lil Miss assisting.  I walked her through making the dish and it turned out beautiful. 

Using a large, long Corningware baking dish, she drained four cans of cut green beans and shook them out into the dish then seasoned the beans with salt and pepper.  About two cups of French fried onion rings were sprinkled on top of the beans.  Next, two cans of cream of mushroom soup were stirred in a mixing bowl with a cup of half and half until well mixed.  The thick cream of mushroom soup mixture was poured on top of the green beans with onions.  With the soup being thick I added some extra half and half to the mixture and forked the liquid into the green beans. Added another two cups of onion rings on top.  Placed the casserole dish in the oven that wasn't pre-heated.  350 degrees for an hour.  After the hour was up, I added some more onion rings on top and continued to bake for an additional 5 minutes.  Delicious.

We started on the Sweet Potato Casserole with 2 cans of chopped yams, about a cup of brown sugar and large marshmallows are needed in a casserole dish.  Drain the first can of yams placing the yam pieces in the dish.  I took a potato masher and gently mashed the yams then sprinkled brown sugar and marshmallows on it.  The other can with the liquid was dumped on top of the brown sugar and we added more brown sugar.  More marshmallows.  If I had to do it again, I would have had 4 cans of yams altogether.

  

Sat the casserole dish with the glass lid upside down to the side so when the corn was prepped, I could stack the two casseroles on top of one another while they waited for their turn to be heated up for 30 minutes or so.  

Prepped the buttered corn dish.  Dumped 3 cans of drained corn, then seasoned with salt and pepper plus slices of real butter in between layers of the canned corn.  Then dumped the 4th can of corn with the remaining liquid.

Stacked the baking dish on top of the other casserole dish and did other things preparing the meal.  The corn and sweet potatoes were ready to heat, but it was too soon to heat them.  Needed to wait about 30 minutes before placing in the oven.

Off to fix the cranberry sauce and place it in the fridge to chill.  Next, black olives were dumped in a deep relish dish and I washed the baby carrots placing them in the relish dish.  Washed and sliced the celery sticks into two pieces.  Next time, the olives should be tripled as they seem to be a hit.

In this family the black olives were chosen over the celery and carrots.  No Deviled Eggs this year.

The ready made pumpkin pie was sliced and recovered.

Then the stove top dressing was prepared by Lil Miss (sorry no pic of the Dressing, but it did turn out so purdee and tasted great) and Hubby fixed the potatoes with turkey gravy from a jar.  He placed the sweet potato casserole and the corn in the oven to throughly heat for 30 to 40 minutes.  

I did take short cuts to make the meal come together as easy as possible.  Daughter had a tablecloth on their table.  The table was set with the china and we waited for the turkey to finish. When the turkey was ready to slice, the dinner rolls went in the oven for three minutes.  After the rolls are pulled out of the oven, they are ready to have butter rubbed on the tops of them and be placed in a bowl, on a platter or plate to serve.

Made this routine as easy as possible.

menu written out.
shopping done.
things grouped together with cookware, bakeware, serving dishes.
condiments, aluminum foil, paper towels, measuring cups, spoons, knives, napkins, plates in tubs ready to go.
turkey fixed.
green bean casserole prepared and baked.
sweet potato casserole fixed and sat to the side.
buttered corn fixed and sat tot he side.
cranberry sauce prepared and refrigerated.
relish tray prepared and refrigerated.
pumpkin pie sliced.
dressing prepared and ready to eat.
mashed potatoes prepared and ready to eat.
gravy fixed and ready to eat.
sweet pot casserole and corn placed in oven.
turkey carved.
dinner rolls warmed.
cranberry sauce and relish tray placed on the table.
foods arranged on counter ready to serve.
prayer said with dinner served to 8 people.
ate and visited.
dessert served.
clean-up.
left overs dealt with.
relax.

The meal came together and we had a very nice time.  Family and food can be a real blessing if no one talks about politics.  We didn't and it was pleasant.  Pumpkin pie with whipped cream was dessert and it was wonderful.  

 

I feel like I had a refresher course and dress rehearsal for preparing the next THANKSGIVING meal.  I will go shopping again tomorrow and purchase more of what is needed for our another THANKSGIVING meal.

The GRANDS

Wonderful MEMORIES about THANKSGIVING TIME.  Making memories as we go.  This year was pleasant and fun to be a part of.

NEXT MEAL.  The turkey has been taken out of the freezer and placed in the fridge to thaw for three days before my son fixes the turkey on Thursday.  Once again I will fix the meal for family. Planning on 11 of us.  Almost a dozen peeps.   

When THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY is over, I will work on a CHRISTMAS letter and start on greeting cards.  I hope to get them out early this year.  I will continue unpacking the COTTAGE and get in the CHRISTMAS SPIRIT.  Christmas decorating may not happen this season due to the move, but we'll focus on the Lord's Birthday and be thankful.

I saw a video where a woman placed a spring rod at chest level wrapping it with greenery, bulbs and twinkle lights then raising the rod to the top of inside the door frame.  She made it look so simple that I might give it a try instead of putting up a tree.  I have hopes that the COTTAGE will be in better shape by Christmas than it is for THANKSGIVING.  Hope.  Hope.  Perhaps we will give ourselves a break and decorate the porch.  I know I will have Christmas wreaths on the front doors.  Again, I have two front doors.  Two matching wreaths.  I know just where they are.    

Will snow be in the forecast?  Not for sure, but I know we have some December medical appointments to attend.  That should keep things interesting.

Here's to a Blessed THANKSGIVING 

and time well spent,

~d

Somebody taught this tot to wink.