WHILE IT's SO COLD OUTSIDE, I went through my archives and saw that this had not been posted. AT CHRISTMAS, our son took us to see the highly decorated CHRISTMAS HOUSE in Jenk's, Oklahoma. We were the only ones there at the time. A TREAT. We could take our time. As we were leaving, a bus full of tourist came to see the sights.
EVERYTHING WAS LIT AND AUTOMATED. In motion. What a bright sight to see on Christmas Day.
~d
Our year was full of illnesses, injuries and recovery. I was thinking we will not be settled. This was not a good feeling. We had to move in slow motion and do what we could which meant we were not settled. Baah humbug. We stayed with it and made it. Thank GOD.
We'd been working the past week like a couple of fools getting the rooms switched out with the fall out of moving boxes still present that it came together. We did it. We switched out the SHE SHED from being a storage unit to becoming a Victorian Bedroom and the small bedroom turned into a TV room leaving the Living room uncluttered and looking more spacious then ever. The Dining room has space in it to walk completely around the table. It's uncluttered as well. Gosh, I was so pleased. We were not injured during this whole process.
After a rough year with health issues, the getting settled was put off. SO seeing a settled HOME brought tears to my 'ole face. My eyes watered as I howled like a baby that had their candy taken from them. I was so pleased.
I set the table with a red and white cloth tablecloth that has irises weaved into the cloth. Our everyday dishes were used along with lead crystal drinking glasses and good silverware. We were going to celebrate my Husband's 70th Birthday with our daughter, son.n.law and three grandchildren. Pot Roast, carrots, potatoes, Italian green beans and organic corn. Hawaiian Dinner rolls with grass fed butter. German Chocolate Cake and Vanilla Ice Cream.
OOPS. Got too busy. No pics of the Pot Roast Dinner.
On Sunday morning, I baked the cake. Skipped the cupcakes and went ahead and baked two round cakes so I could spread chocolate frosting between the two layers of cake and topped with the coconut pecan frosting. As the cake cooled, I prepped the pot roast by searing the edges in a iron skillet with extra virgin olive oil. I had four pot roast so three of them went into the large oval baking pan and one went into the crockpot. I poured the olive olive in the bottom of the pan and crockpot and placed sliced up white onions in the oil.
After the beef was seared, it was placed in the pan and crock. Baked for an hour. Added rosemary, thyme, garlic, and pepper to season the meat. Baked another hour with beef broth added. Went another hour and added the carrots. 30 minutes later, the potatoes were added. Baked away then added spring water to top off the pan and crock pot.
The pot roast was very tender after 5 and a half hours of cooking at 350 in the oven and high in the crockpot. While all this cooking was taking place, Hubby and I worked at clearing out the rooms of boxes, etc. We were exhausted when we finished clearing the stuff out of the rooms. There was so much to deal with. I think my Hubby said he hauled 7 loads to the cellar. He put miniature lights on the tiny Christmas tree, turned it on and enjoyed the glow. We have a tree this year when I didn't see how we could with all that we needed to do.
I fixed the birthday cake and placed it on the sideboard along with the candles, lighter, party napkins, plates, silverware. It looked nice. I hung a HAPPY BIRTHDAY BANNER across the Dining room windows. Green beans, corn and Dinner rolls were fixed and we drank water.
Company arrived shortly after 6 and we were ready. Tired, but ready.
My Husband said that turning 70 is bothering him. Perhaps he will share why with me later. We're not exactly young anymore. That saying that age is just a number is foolishness. It's a number alright and I feel every one of the numbers in my 'ole body. Knowing the number of your days is Biblical. In other words, don't pretend you have all the time in the world to do something. Know that you are limited on the number of days you have here on planet earth. We only live so long and then eternity kicks in.
We had a very nice evening together as Family. We had Supper and Birthday Cake. The youngest grand played on the carpeted floor then Grandpa and he watched Curious George on the tele. We visited and then time to part took place. Company went HOME and we relaxed in our recliners watching JAMESTOWN on PBS.
It was nice to have company over for SUPPER. The week has started and CHRISTMAS is on Wednesday. Somewhere in here, it has snuck up on me. I'll be ready come Wednesday, but I didn't get all my Christmas cards written out. I'll relax about it and mail them after Christmas. It'll be just fine.
I am contented to be.
SO THANKFUL we are living in our tiny Cottage, retired and in somewhat good health. Now to LIVE LIFE to the fullest and do what the GOOD LORD would have us do as two older adults.
Our small Living room finally looks like a Living room again. No boxes sitting around. PTL.
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| Santa BABY. This THRIFT Santa talks and sings two Christmas songs and he's all mine. |
