Glad to see you posting. Sounds like you might get some time off at Thanksgiving without baking all those delicious meals. Rest time is good too. I plan go to granddaughter's home too, weather permitting. It has been quite cold this this, not much snow for us but this morning's temp is 1 above at 9am. We are expecting another storm Sun. Plan to go to a craft fair Sat.
Other than that, just enjoying staying inside.
Marie

I've been making lots of soup! 8 quarts of Manhattan clam chowder, 6 Quarts of pea soup, 7 quarts of Mexican soup (AKA white chili) 5 quarts minestrone, 8 qts chili. Freezer is starting to fill up.

Today I'm going out for lunch and then to the movies. Tonight, Mexican train. Tomorrow I'm making several meat loaves for the freezer.

Work, as usual. Things are a little chaotic as we wait to see if any of our shows got a back order.

I think it's finally cooled down enough that I can plant some pansies this weekend, although they won't be as many this year because of the drought and water rationing. But still, they are always so cheerful I have to have a few around the front of the house.

AND...drum roll. I finally finished my Christmas Carousel last weekend. Now to send it off to the framers.

ETA: Sorry the photo is a little blurry.

This post was edited by tally on Thu, Nov 20, 14 at 10:28

That is very pretty Tally, I really like it. It looks like everyone is keeping busy.

Sue

I'm trying to recover from the radiation but it's a slow process. My husband had surgery this morning at the VA hospital to remove a stone that was sitting right at the top of the urethra, I mean right on the edge and ready to block. It had made itself a little pocket to sit in and might have sat there forever or it might have any moment moved to p;ug the water works.He is in recovery as we speak but I don't know the outcome as yet. My son hasn't spoken with the doctor...he was just told that the surgery took longer because of the placement of the stone.

Getting ready for a very quiet Thanksgiving...very low key this year....

ruthieg_tx, best wishes to you both for a speedy recovery.

tally, I'm envious of your fresh garden flowers. It's all white here and very cold. Cute cross-stitch!

georgysmom, that's a lot of soup!!! I'm a regular soup maker but I never freeze it -- no room!

marie, good luck with your weather! they just forecast another 6"-10" for us.

marilyn_sue, I'm envious of all those fresh eggs.... hope you find time to make noodles.

I have been having a rough week.... 3 years today since losing my Dad. Miss him more every day. :( It's cold and snowing and I think it will be an excellent time to bake. I would love to find time for crafts, but doubt it will happen. :p

Sewing, sewing and sewing. Trying to finish up 3 boxes to get them in the mail!!

I am slowly getting ready for the holiday and the return of family. Our 3 kids, two spouses and two little grandsons will visit a few days as well as possibly one son's friend who has moved out here and happens to live close to my two older kids. All beds will be full with the grandsons sleeping on the floor in DDs room. Sister and BIL will come for the afternoon and dinner.

Got the carpet cleaned yesterday. Today I will finish a pot of soup on this chilly day, bake the pumpkin bread, and make the cranberry sauce. Still have lots of errands to run for groceries as everyone slowly gathers over the coming week. I could sure use a second refrigerator!

I got my carpets cleaned last week. DS painted my living room. He is a professional house painter. I made pumpkin bread yesterday to take to our church Thanksgiving dinner last night. Sunday we will get together with cousins in a town an hour away from here. They usually have around 30 people of all ages. Basketball season is here and I went to 3 games in 3 days. It is very cold with a little snow on the ground.

I made a Roman shade for the rentals kitchen window. Then found 2 cabinet doors @ The Restore, to put on the old mirrored medicine cabinets. Going to mount them recessed in the wall, next to the vanity. The verde Tunis granite was installed yesterday, looks nice. Ordered metal doors, accidentally cancelled it, reordered and got a $25 sale they started....YAY! Won Keen hiking boots on an Ebay auction for DH and a Kohler faucet. It arrived....gorgeous...

I cooked a tri-tip roast & made french dip sandwiches, then truckers sandwiches with bacon & cheese on them....then made tacitos with the rest of the roast.

Oh....my kitty cat did not sleep with us last night, woke up to him sitting in front of a little mouse.......OH....the cold weather is forcing things indoors...

All the industry and activity here make me ashamed.

I'm researching which Medicare Part D plan will be best for DH. I think I'll stick with my current insurer rather than hassle with changing; wouldn't save much. That insurer's premiums went up a third, but their charges for my meds went down. Our experience with changing insurers has been terrible.

We're also staying with our BC/BS Medigap policies after talking it over with the insurance exchange rep. We must go through the exchange to get HRA funding from DH's former employer. Those funds should take care of the Medigap premiums and a good part of our Part B premiums. There will still be a big chunk going to the Part D insurers and for DH's two expensive meds. (I feel fortunate to have *any* help from a former employer in this day and age.)

We're to have a low of 6F tonight, then a couple 'normal' days before plunging back into this 20 degrees below normal cold.

I wish we could see a little video of the 'chicken chase' back to the hen house!

Marilyn Sue -- Amber and Alyssa are fortunate to have loving family around them during this hard time. I can't forgive my father for *choosing* another life, leaving us when I was a toddler. My DH lost his father as a child, too, but his father died of a coronary; it wasn't a deliberate choice. Amber isn't the first woman to think her love would/could change a man!

I love hearing what everyone is doing. For me it's just life as usual--running errands, volunteering, keeping the dog moving, doctor's appointment, yoga, etc. We are eating out for Thanksgiving; that way, everyone can order what they want.

Marilyn, enjoy Thanksgiving with your family. I love your chicken story. Seventeen eggs is pretty good!

Susan

17 eggs! Your hens are keepers! When I worked in a company's chicken barns, I'd bring home eggs for me and Mom. She would make Angel food cake from scratch because it took a dozen egg whites. The eggs were free, so the cost of the cake was pretty negligible.

I can picture you and Amber running around trying to herd the hens into their coop.

edited to say egg whites instead of yolks, thanks to Sue-Va.

This post was edited by jasdip on Thu, Nov 20, 14 at 22:21

With an investment in chickens, what is the estimated cost per dozen eggs? I see them here at farms for $1.50/doz.
With all 50 states reporting freezing or below, a repeat of last year, and 30 days yet til winter.

Every one is so busy! The only thing I've done today is to get a badly needed perm. I've had so many doctor appointments in the last few months it was hard to make an appointment for a perm.

I am sorry to hear about Amber's break up, but we know that these things happen. Your family has strong ties and that means a lot.

Marilyn, seeing your post reminds me that I am looking for a recipe that you might have posted. It was "apple something" made with vanilla instant pudding. If it was your post, would you post it again, please.

Sue

jasdip, that was quick;

When my DD was an infant the doctor suggested I start her on solids with a little soft egg yolk. I learned to do that while saving the whites for AF cakes. When she was older my DH said it was time to have another baby, so we could have more AF cakes! :))

Sue

This post was edited by Sue-va on Fri, Nov 21, 14 at 0:24

Sue-va, I think a very long time ago I posted an apple pie recipe using instant vanilla pudding. I don't have a recipe in front of me but use your favorite apples, I love Golden Delicious. Some brown sugar and about a half package of instant vanilla pudding, sprinkle on your favorite spices if you like, top with butter and put on your top crust and bake.

Sue

Marilyn Sue, that might be it because I remember the reference to about a half package of the pudding. I'm going to try it, probably tomorrow.

Thanks.

Sue

Watching my patient die. True. I'm her caregiver and she is on Hospice. Depressing and dreary times. I wish it was over. Plus I have a broken toe and a banged up hip. Hobbling around keeping her comfortable and feeding with an eyedropper. Hospice is a pain in the ass. They don't do squat that I was not already handling and well.

My heart goes out to you all who are dealing with so much.

I admire how busy you are, too; I'm such a slug. My back has slowed me down big time. Not sure what the problem is yet.

Marilyn Sue, sure hate to hear about Amber and Mike.