The Kitchen, Comfort Of Home

 We had a nice Thanksgiving.  My son roasted the turkey, and I think it was the moistest one yet.  He covered it with olive oil, so the edges were crisp.  We also had our usual sides; mashed potatoes, gravy, stuffing, green bean casserole, baked yams with marshmallows, cranberries, rolls and butter, and sparkling cider.  There's always pumpkin pie and whipped cream too.  I love Thanksgiving dinner, but as I get older, I can't have too many leftovers, as the food is rich.

  My brother-in-law stopped by a couple days before and brought me some goodies.  My sister-in-law bought 3 turkeys this year, so he offered me one, but I had already bought mine.  He gave me a few goodies after he went to the grocery store, and I always appreciate that.  He also sent me some homemade refried beans with bacon he made, which were spicy and delicious.  I made him a cup of coffee with a piece of pistachio loaf, and we had a nice visit.  He just got back from a trip to Colorado and the south, and sent me a few pics of his journey passing through all the states.

Here's a few pics from my week.  Jess bought some expensive, but soft and furry, socks from Downtown Disney with the birthday money I gave her.  Nel made an Autumn spice cake with cream cheese frosting.  I bought a sweater in black and white at K's Boutique.  I've always loved black and white fashion, and used to shop at White House Black Market in my hometown.  So, this sweater really caught my eye, and will keep me warm during the winter months.  And sometimes you just have to have a cheeseburger, fries, and a coke.  ; )

I'm so glad that all my kids are confident and skilled in the kitchen.  They whip up so many wonderful dishes, and learn from each other.  It pleases this mama very much.

I wanted to show you an old music box that I have.  I bought it when my son was little, and he used to wear blue pajamas like this, so it's special to me.  I was wondering if I should keep it, cause the music doesn't play any more, but it's about 30 years old, so it will stay with me....and I will eventually find someone to fix the music key.

My calendar page for December, with the word Wonder. 😮

The Christmas season is here!  Have a merry and bright week! 

Christmas Joy At Nel's House

 Good Morning, and happy Thanksgiving week!

Driving down the highway from my house, I see only trees along the road - great big, tall ones such as pine or fir.  When you get around this area, you see green, orange, brown, blue, and white everywhere you go.  It's a beautiful flow of nature~ sunlight, clouds, and blue skies.  Frosty snow covers the mountain, the green trees caress the orange ones, and the sun shines on it all in the afternoon warmth.

I've always wanted to live in the mountains, so when I saw this candle, I just had to take it home with me.  The scent of pine fills my house, and gives off a warm glow.

Hidden behind wires and roofs, Mount Shasta is still a beautiful sight.

I saw two deer on my lawn, and one of them was a Buck!  I never see the Bucks roaming around here, only the Does, so I was thrilled.

I thought this would be a fun cake to make!

Here's a few pics of Christmas joy around Nel's house.  She used a lot of red this year, which I love.  Like me, she has a few new things to go along with the old.  From the old is a cute pipe smoking Santa and a cottage from the North Pole that opens up to a scene.  She grew up with these pieces, and has had them in her home ever since.  She is getting quite a collection of Nutcrackers, and some of them actually came from the Nutcracker productions that she has seen through the years.

Speaking of Nutcrackers.....Jess is an elementary school teacher, and when I saw this elementary teacher Nutcracker at Hobby Lobby, I just knew I had to get it.  She can put it on her desk. 📚📓📏📎✂

I so love this picture of Mia on the grass with the bed of dandelions. 

Hope your turkey and sides are yummy.  I'm thankful for all of you.  We are always there for each other here, listening, caring, supporting, loving, walking side by side.

 

Christmas Joy At My House

 It was fun decorating for Christmas this year, cause I got a few new things to go along with the old.  I have a space for all the different fun items that I put out each year; the silver and white with the frosty people, the red and green whimsical things, the elves, the snow globes.  Here's a few pics of Christmas joy around my house, and I am always changing things around.

Looking outside my window, there were 7 Doves on my lawn.  This happened before, so it was a surprise to see 7 precious Doves gathering on my front yard again.  They look very similar to the mourning dove, but in fact, they are relative to it, and are called the Eurasian Collared Dove.  They have a distinct ring around its neck to show the difference.  They are beautiful birds, so gentle and peaceful.  A perfect time to show up during the Christmas season.

I had some work being done at my house last week for a few days.  My pilot light has been giving me trouble for a while now, so it was decided that a new water heater be put in.  This is a different kind of water heater, and it's a little more expensive, but only heats water when the faucets are turned on, not running all the time.  No pilot lights to worry about.  The last one was right next to the dryer, and with coming and going and cleaning the lent, it always seemed to put that light out.  I appreciate all the effort made to get the job done, but I don't like workers in my home - what a mess they leave behind.  I'm thankful for the big basin in the laundry room my brother put in - makes it easier to mop and clean.  And we'll see how this new heating system works.  He says I will always have hot water, and my utility bill will be less.

My son made a beef stew, so I got to enjoy it over the weekend.  It wasn't a French stew this time, it was a good ole' American stew with chunks of tender beef, potatoes, carrots, onions, salt and pepper.  It was thick and good, and I had it with buttered rolls.

Red velvet cookies.  They were so good with coffee.

I know many of us bloggers like to see Christmas decorating in the home, so I'll try to get some pictures from Nel and Jess to share with you next time.  

Have a merry November week.