Hello Friends and happy Monday
Happy Thanksgiving week to my Friends in the states as well. Gobble gobble! Lol
Are you getting all ready for it yet? Do you host...or go somewhere? Matt & I will be hosting here. The kids are here of course. Also my Mom (my step Dad might be going to his kids for a bit), and my brother and SIL. I'm actually getting to this post late because Matt and I went to run errands and get the rest of the Thanksgving groceries when he had down time (he's working from home for today).
So I have been making my lists and checking them twice to make sure we're all set. It's the one holiday I truly make everything homemade - even the cranberry sauce and pie crusts. I love doing it and figure while I'm still able and not an old lady just yet - I'll keep it up. 😉
Did you have a nice weekend? It was a nice one here. Highlights included road tripping with a few of my girlfriends that live near me to meet another one of our besties that lives a few hours from us. We left early Saturday morning and met her at a halfway point for breakfast. She got to see my ring and we talked wedding talk and about our kiddos and we all just had fun catching up. Another highlight was meeting the C's out for dinner and then came to our house to play cards. We have always loved playing smear and we finally taught Matt how to play! He was catching on pretty quick as it can be kind of tough one to learn. Lots of laughs and fun always with those peeps. Also it was wonderful that our Packers won and the Vikes lost. Woo hoo! Always makes my day! 😊
THE WEATHER OUTSIDE IS:
ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE THIS MORNING:
I had to go for an appt so I only had some coffee this AM
ON MY TO DO LIST THIS WEEK:
a few appts, hospice work, and then mainly focused on house cleaning and making Thanksgiving dishes. I have certain dishes I make or bake each of the 3 days before Thanksgiving and then of course the rest of the menu on the big day. 🦃
THINKING ABOUT:
My lists for this week and the holidays of course. But hanging with my gf's this weekend got me thinking more about wedding plans. I know I mentioned we have the venue booked but I think we also have our color scheme and decorating vibe for the wedding - and also our wedding attire for the most part. I will share more with all of you soon. :)
Between the holidays and wedding planning - just lots of fun and exciting planning going on! 🎉
AS I LOOK AROUND THE HOUSE
I see all of my Fall decorations up yet...however, we did get to some Christmas decorating outside of the house. The weather was so nice this past weekend that we took advantage of it (it's going to start getting colder again) So we put away the Fall things and Autumn wreaths on the doors and we put out the Christmas decorations and Christmas wreaths on the doors. Matt did more leaf blowing too and final clean up. He had cleaned out our garage a few weeks back ...but this weekend he also cleaned out Annie's garage for her. It was so sweet and she was so grateful! I also put candles in all of the front windows. I love how they come on with their timers each night and flicker like real candles and glow so pretty inside and outside the house. ✨
CURRENTLY READING
Holiday magazines
ON THE TV TODAY:
Survivor, Shark Tank, Jeopardy, The Morning Show, Great British Baking Show, The Crown, HGTV shows, movies taped
ON THE MENU THIS WEEK:
MONDAY - leftovers?
TUESDAY - cardamom bread french toast, fruit, maybe bacon too
WEDNESDAY - might pick up something easy or clean out fridge
THURSDAY - turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, dressing, broccoli salad, fruit salad, corn, cranberry sauce, dinner rolls, cranberry dip & crackers appetizer, veggie tray, pickles, cheeses, pumpkin pie, pecan pie, ice cream, whipped cream, hot apple cider and soda, coffee etc
FRIDAY - homemade turkey noodle soup and leftovers
TO RELAX THIS WEEK I WILL:
bake, listen to Christmas music, holiday shopping
TIPS OR SOMETHING TO SHARE:
FROM THE CAMERA:
Bubba is not shy about sharing his needs. And when he wants to play he lets you know it! Lol "Mom, I'm putting my paw down! Stop it with the lists and come play with me right now!!"
On one of our recent walks along the bay we saw where a beaver had recently been doing this thing.
The other night I made shredded Mexican chicken we had as tacos. And then the 2nd night I made a big pan of sheet pan nachos with the leftovers. I just made up this recipe with things I had on hand and it turned out so well! Here's how I made it.
In a slow cooker I sprayed with cooking spray:
I added some salsa on the bottom. I then added about 2 lbs of chicken breasts. On top of the chicken breasts I added more of the salsa & some taco sauce, some taco seasoning, juice of a lime and some zest, a few squirts of honey, and fresh chopped cilantro. I let it slow cook all day, then shredded the chicken. It was wonderful for soft shell tacos with all the toppings.
Then the next day I put a bunch of crunchy tortilla chips on parchment paper. I topped the chips with the shredded chicken mixture and some shredded cheese and baked it in a 375* oven for about 5-7 minutes and broiled it the last couple of minutes. We then topped the tray of nachos with all the taco kinds of toppings (lettuce, raw onion, jalapenos, guac & sour cream). Scrumptious!
I had some cherry pie filling that had been in the cabinet a while. So that same night I made up some quick cherry hand pies. When they were cooled I made a glaze with powdered sugar, milk and almond extract (gives a cherry flavor) and glazed the tops. Also so yummy!
Finally got me one of these to help this older bride brain stay on top of everything. Lol 💗
Can't wait to soon have my loved ones gather here for the best feast of the year! 😋
Love having candles in the window. I will share pics of their night time glow in the future 🌟
We hung this up this weekend - since the bears aren't a concern and hibernating. Now Bubba's favorite show is "bird feeder out the window" He has been in heaven! Lol
PRAYER LIST:
For an end to the conflict in the Ukraine and the Middle East and for all parts of the world living in war & fear. For peace and unity in this country, especially from hate and shootings or violence. For all our Veterans. For anyone sick, suffering, in pain or fear... that God bring them comfort and peace. For His Light and Love to cast out the darkness everywhere. For Matt's Mom and for my gf both dealing with some health issues. For anyone suffering in any way during this holiday season. 🙏