It's a good day

Last Day at the Old Job.

big fat smiley assed face.

My best laid plans...

Have gone astray once again... If the weather warms up anymore I won't be able to use my table on the deck as an extension of my fridge on Thanksgiving. You know - what with the old one CATCHING FIRE and all...

Seriously - I'm so excited about Turkey Day. My boys love it - I think it is probably their second favorite holiday... Or maybe third. (Halloween and their birthdays may take the lead - but they are ALL OVER this one.)

My parents are coming! To Illinois! For a major holiday!

I get to cook. I Loves Me Some Cooking. Been planning for weeks.

Add all that to the fact that I will be unemployed for the holiday and I am like a little pig in you-know-what.

Hooray!

Gobble Gobble.

S

WHEN???

When Oh When Is It Going To Stop RAINING?

What I would rather be doing....

It is raining.

It is cold.

Maya has gymnastics.

This is likely the last time I personally get to (have to) take her.

De-light-ful.

A cold drafty gymnasium. Sitting on cold bleachers.

Then there is the little boy who obsessively throws a tennis ball up in the air and catches it. I almost had to be restrained from him once.

Then there are the multiple pop machines with which they are both obsessed. Already made sure I have my crisp dollar bills.

Then there is the freaky looking mom who I have a hard time not staring at for a solid hour. Bad Manners Much?!

Then there are the little little kids with Leappads. Nothing like dueling Disney Princess leappad books to brighten your afternoon.

Seth loves gymnastics. There is an older boy there who apparently doesn't have a gameboy and likes to watch Seth play Pokemon. Makes Seth feel like a rock star... Sometimes if he is feeling particularly benevolent, he lets him PLAY it.

What would I like to be doing? Sitting on my fanny on the couch watching me some Judge Judy and drinking cheap Pinot Grigio from the grocery store.

3 things

Starting the new gig the Monday after Thanksgiving. I know things happen for a reason and this just confirms it, yet again, for me.

I'm going shopping in Indy tomorrow with: Monica, Nita, Mona & Sharon. Should be a total blast. It always is! The lawyer just doesn't understand. It's fun to watch him try to puzzle it out.

My parents are coming for Thanksgiving. I'm making this salad:


Apple Raspberry Salad
Serves: 8 person(s)
Preparation Time: 10 mins
Extra Time: 2 hrs (for refrigeration)
Yield: 8 x 1/2 cup servings

Suggested apples to use include Empire, Ida Red, Jonathan, McIntosh, Red Delicious and Rome.
Ingredients:
1 package (3 oz) raspberry flavored gelatin *
1 cup boiling water
1 package (10 oz) frozen raspberries or 1 cup fresh raspberries
1 1/2 cup chopped unpeeled apples
1 cup unsweetened applesauce
1/4 cup broken pecan pieces
1/2 cup sliced celery

Directions:
In a 2-quart mixing bowl dissolve gelatin in boiling water. Add frozen raspberries and stir gently until raspberries are thawed. Stir in apples, applesauce, pecans and celery. Pour into serving dish or mold.
Refrigerate about 2 hours or until mixture is set.

Other than that - the menu is all traditional - for the Holcombs... Oyster stuffing, mashed and sweets, pumpkin and pecan pie, brocolli, 7 layer salad, etc. etc. etc.

What are YOUR Thanksgiving traditional foods?

Peace in my soul

Here is the quote from this week's Hobby Lobby ad:


What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.
Emerson

This is exactly the feeling I am going for today and this week. I was in such turmoil on Friday. Reacting to events instead of trusting myself to move forward. I think I am over it.

Sorry to be so cryptic - don't wanna to get dooced.

S

PS - Emerson also said "A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds" another favorite quote.

PPS - Hobby Lobby rocks.

Sneaky and underhanded is no way to go through life...

grrrrr...

neither is stupid AND a bitch.

'nuff said - at least here on the internet.

S

This'll cure what ails ya'!

Susan's Minestrone

Easy and freezes well. Add some Italian sausage or chicken if you like meat. I don't measure. sorry!

Carrots – 2-3 large
Onion – 1 large
Celery – as much as you have carrots
Olive Oil (2 T??)
Garlic – 2-3 cloves
Italian seasoning (1 T??)

Chop the veggies. Brown in oil. Add in the garlic last so it doesn’t burn. Saute until onions are cooked through.

Add: (without draining)

2-3 cans crushed tomatoes (or whole tomatoes crushed up, or diced. Whatever you have on hand will work)
1-2 cans white beans (navy or canellini)
2 cans chicken stock

Rinse the tomato cans with water or wine to add more liquid and get all the tomato bits into the soup. Add more water or chicken stock if soup seems too thick. Bring to a boil then reduce to a simmer and cook for at least 1 hour. At the end of the cooking process add:

1 block frozen chopped spinach. Still frozen is fine.

Serve with cooked pasta (if you want) and (absolutely) parmesan cheese!