Sunday, November 27, 2011

Thanksgiving Down, Christmas To Go!!

Wednesday, November 23:  I no sooner boasted of our great weather than it turned cooler, with a rain storm sweeping through.  The dark morning was a prefect prelude to Thanksgiving as we spent it doing a few things in the kitchen for Thanksgiving day.  By the afternoon, when I went to PAL, the sun was out and the temperature mild.

Thursday, November 24:  Needless to say, with only two people in the house, it was a quiet Thanksgiving.  It would be nice to have more people with us to celebrate the day; but, to be honest, I'm into reducing my stress level, not raising it.  We prepared several dishes yesterday and finished everything by noon with no rush or bother.  It was not your traditional Thanksgiving as there was no turkey.  We did a small pork roast for my mother and I ventured into baked tofu for me.  Since becoming vegetarian, this is the first time I've cooked tofu.  I guess if I missed meat more, I would have gone there sooner, but I really have not felt the need.  The baked tofu was okay, but still not anything I will have on a regular basis.  For some reason, I wanted roasted Brussels sprouts......and they were as good as I'd hoped (sprinkled with a little Parmesan)!  I'll definitely be doing them again.  The meal was rounded out with potato salad, a green salad, okra, butterbeans, biscuits and Artisan bread.  As is typical of so many of us, we had more than we could eat, finishing with a fruit trifle.  It was all stress free and delicious, for which I was thankful.

After our hearty lunch, I took my walk and then offered Mama the option of either going out to PAL and socializing the cats and playing with the dogs OR putting up the Christmas tree.....which really was a set-up!  It was a no-brainer to go to PAL!!  We actually stayed for 2 hours and went into all of the cat rooms and touched noses with all of the dogs, including 6 black puppies and Reese (whom you saw in the last post). My mother seemed to enjoy it as much as I thought she would, which is not an easy feat. It was an afternoon well spent.

Saturday, November 26:  We were thankful that there was nothing we wanted enough to brave Black Friday!  That whole process kind of baffles me.......wouldn't the deals be just as good and exciting at the usual opening time on Friday??  Anyway, to each his own.  We used the day (Friday) to "rest" in preparation for putting up the Christmas tree today.  Most of the task is very enjoyable, once the lights are on the tree.  I love seeing the strange assortment of ornaments that I've collected over the years from many locations, with the latest one being a wooden salmon from my visit with Jan in Seattle.   It's an eclectic collection that holds wonderful memories of people, places and time gone by.

Tuesday, November 29:  The tree is up and complete.  There was a delay as we have not yet found the tinsel, which to me finishes the look.  Yesterday we went to Sam's in Savannah to stock up on staples and other things.  The tinsel was purchased on the way home and the tree finished.  A little fine tuning is required as the angel on top has stopped shining.

1 comment:

  1. Hi Donna,
    You both look so well. Mama seems to have perked up a bit. I noticed Smokey below the table - where was the handsome Gabby???
    The food sounds really good. Is that toasted almonds or coconut on your trifle? Something new for me to try!!! Toasted sprouts with parmesan cheese - I have never heard of that!! I do not know if I am brave enough for that much as I like sprouts!!!!
    Take care,
    Love,
    Eileen x

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