Well.... I FLUNK!!!! But feeling so much better!!! For a long while, that seemed to be all that I was shopping for, kitchen items. This prooved that as much as I love to cook, I'm not addicted to kitchen gadgets. Even though, I knew that this quiz was a marketing gimmick, I didn't feel like having to have any of those gadgets. YEAH!!!!

All of this jello talk reminds me of Ambrosia? A neighbor growing up used to make it with mini marshmallows, sour cream, coconut and those canned mandarin oranges. I always loved that but I doubt anyone but me would eat it. So, in re last year's shameful culprit, I took Gramarows suggestion and simply texted her essentially " if I didn't mention it before, everything is pretty much covered, so just bring your appetite!!" She texted back that she was glad to know that because she is so busy with xyz and didn't really have the time anyway, etc etc. On the day, she did show up with cookies, but that was actually great because they are easy enough to store, and certainly didn't overlap anything, and even though we had a lot of desserts, a cookie or two is always welcome. A different guest called me on their way up and told me they would be driving past an open grocery store, so just let them know if there was anything I needed last minute. I thought that was really nice, and as it turned out I did need a lemon and it was nice not to have to run out (plus our local grocers were not open at all on that day). We drove up last Tuesday night, and opened the door to a stench. DH had stored bait in the basement freezer, and the landscapers working on the stone patio for the pool popped a circuit breaker and the fridge was off, for several weeks. Thank goodness we aired things out and it was all fine ... or we would have had a plein air Thanksgiving. Which might have been possible as it was so mild, and hit 60 iirc on friday! Last year we had snow, which i prefer. I brined turkey breasts this year, a first for me. I was surprised at how easy and effective it was. I brined them only three hours in 4qts of water, 1/2 c salt and 1/4 c brown sugar, each. Then airdry in the fridge overnight. Stuffed 4T seasoned butter under the skin of each one, then cooked it 425 for 30 min and 325 for 1hr (each breast was about 7lb). Perfect, except as Rococo mentions the pan drippings are salt water. Good thing I made gravy in advance with turkey parts. I did almost all of my cooking Wednesday, with everyone helping, so the day of the holiday was pretty easy. I was so glad to have two dishwashers, because we also had a full house (and then some) sleeping over, so you really want a clean kitchen in the morning. So you can dirty it all over again! This was only my second time hosting a ThxG meal for a large group at the beachouse, and only the third time hosting ever. Growing up, our family lived far away and ThxG was usually immediate family for dinner, and a then a sort of openhouse dessert party with neighbors and their guests --- that was fun. As an adult, I used to go back to my Mom's house, then my sister's or brother's. Once i had it at my house, but it was inconvenient for everyone else; they are all in the same town. By the time we had our own kids, we started the tradition of going to our lakehouse for the holiday (which is far for any of our relatives) and it just being the five of us. Ski season always started the next day and that was part of the tradition; skiing the day after. I do miss that about having the lakehouse; really nowhere to ski near our beachhouse. Anyway, it all went very smoothly and the biggest controversy was over board games, which we all play to the death!

That is indeed super cute. As an alternative to buying one or sewing- get a plain white chair slipcover and glue on or iron on fabric for the back, and felt circles for the burners and such. You can even use fabric paint to write knob controls or a clock face onto it.

Folks, I'm not an etiquette maven and I just am passing along what I did. All of us handle grief and the healing process differently. If I sent each person who sent me a card a thank-you note, it doesn't mean anyone else has to. It seems to not be the norm, judging from the few responses I've ever had from sending a sympathy card. The impetus for me sharing my story was all the fancy personalized cards which really don't matter a whit in my book. Write something from your heart and send it with gratitude. I was shocked when the website (I think it was Emily Post) said yes indeed, thou shalt send a thank-you for a sympathy card. But it was one of those supposed chores that actually made me feel better. I was doing something to honor my husband. And sometimes widow(er)s need something to do to take their minds off their sorry selves. Don't want to write notes for sympathy cards? Then definitely don't.