Daily Christmas Countdown

Last Monday I began a concentrated list if what I am doing toward Christmas each day. Since today is exactly 2 months until the big day, I am planning on posting each Sunday, until the last Sunday prior to Christmas. I might do a final update on the 23rd, but only if I am still chasing my tail then. Fingers crossed I will not be!

10/19  Bought a 6 dollar 4 foot tree at Dollar Tree, figuring it would either work for the location I want to put it or it  would not. When I got it home I fluffed it out and it did fit on the dining room buffet. I took a before photo of the tree and will take an after once it is fully decorated (if I decide I like it) If I don't like it I am only out 6 bucks and some time.

                                        Sad little tree isn't she

10/20 Bought bulk stamps for our Christmas Cards. I still send them out each year.

10/21 To have a tree in the den I have to move one of the end tables that sits by the couch and staircase.  I store board games on the shelf in the table and really have no other place to put them on the main level of the house during the holidays. 

Instead I wrap them in old wrapping paper, and "hide" them in plain sight on the shelf where they always are. Sometimes decorating is nothing but smoke and mirrors, right. They are wrapped and waiting for me to move the table to the dining room. (Friday after Thanksgiving)  

We will not be playing them until real winter hits here sometime in January, so they will not be missed at all.

10/22 I started playing with the ribbon I want woven through the 6 dollar tree. I think it might work. I got the tree topper bow done and am undecided about weaving more through the branches. It'a a small tree and the extra ribbon might overpower it.

10/23 Got all the presents that have been bought so far wrapped. Also made the clay to cut out Pip's little 3 year old handprint for a garland. The clay did not work because of a user error (me). I could not get the edges as smooth as I wanted them to be. Instead I dug through my stash and found some wonderful Christmas card stock. I cut enough to make 15 toddler hands, gluing front to back papers, so there is a design on both sides. Now I need to decide exactly how I am going to use them. 

10/24 Ordered a hard to find gift for a hard to shop for person.

10/25 Made a list of party foods to serve at the Dec.2 party, and also listed cookies and candies to make and give to friends.

And that is it for this week. I am going to be out of town for a couple of days next week. Hopefully I can find something Christmas related there, because time is passing me by so quickly!

Ho, Ho, Hop to it!

Recap and What's Possible

I was out of just about all produce and needed to replenish it. Additionally, the canned goods supply in my food storage was low and needed to be updated. Two different stores had some pretty good prices on some of those that I keep all the time, so it made economical sense to stock up.

Between those 2 stores and an unplanned visit to Costco, I have so much on hand there is no reason for us to go out to eat, even though I know we will.

Planned for Wednesday - Tuesday:

1. Spaghetti with meat sauce, tossed salad, birthday cake ✔️

2. Ball game meal TBD ✔️

3. Baked chicken, broccoli, rice, waldorf salad ✔️

4. Meatloaf, mashed potatoes, green beans, coleslaw

5. Stuffed sweet potatoes, coleslaw

6. Out to eat ✔️

7. Grilled steak, baked potato, tossed salad ✔️

What we actually ate: I am including lunches now. I am also adding whatever TheHub had that was different from me. He charts everything he eats, but sometimes forgets. I am keeping this so he can add it on those days he does not remember to do it.

This will also help me to keep up better with using things I have on hand or in the fridge.

Wednesday: Just the two of us celebrated TheHub's birthday on the actual day.

Lunch: We went to Senlek Thai for lunch. I had cucumber salad and steamed dumplings. TheHub had coconut soup and spring rolls.

Dinner: I made TheHubs favorite meal for him. Spaghetti with meat sauce, tossed salad, cake.

Thursday: TheHub had meetings and I was doing house things.

Lunch: We had a couple of hot dogs left in a pack, along with a couple of buns. We each had one. 

Dinner: Chicken, broccoli, croissant, Waldorf salad

Friday: The birthday celebration continued. We met Son2 and DIL2 for lunch at Seasons 52

Lunch: TheHub ate planked salmon, steamed vegetables, new potatoes

I had a mixed green salad with seared tuna and red peppers

Dinner: Neither of us were really hungry.

Small bit of leftover pulled pork split between us, corn on 

the cob

Saturday: This was a ball game day

Lunch: Steamed shrimp, tuna dip w/ crackers, marinated coleslaw

Dinner: Ball game meal + a cooler night meant chili.

Sunday: We like to begin the week going to church, and most Sundays we stop at a grocery store on the way home. This time Trader Joe's was the store of choice.

Lunch: Dumplings and spring rolls bought at TJ's

Dinner: Grilled steak, potato, tossed salad

 Monday: This was a day long stay at home day for both of us, which is pretty rare. Usually one or both of us are out doing something.

Lunch: Leftover Chili

Dinner: Almost veggie dinner. Butter peas, sautéed squash and onions, coleslaw, leftover tuna dip and crackers

Tuesday: We were in and out during the day. Lunch was eaten at home, dinner was eaten out.

Lunch: Toasted bacon and cheese sandwich

Dinner: Out to eat, pepperoni flatbread and coleslaw for TheHub. Mixed greens salad with apples and walnuts for me.

Possibilities for Wednesday- Tuesday

1. Stuffed bell pepper, green beans, croissant, tossed salad

2. Veggie dinner TBD, but will include leftover butter peas

3. Tacos with all the fixings, coleslaw

4. Almost chicken parm, broccoli, tossed salad

5. Crack chicken, brussels sprouts, mashed potatoes

6. Out to eat

7. Grilled tuna steak, cheese grits, tossed salad

Lunches should be sandwiches or whatever is leftover. TheHub has still not learned that lunch does not have to be what sounds good at the moment. I blame it on all of his working years and eating out daily at a variety of restaurants for lunch. 

* I bought one slice of cake and we split it

Shapes and Sizes

The first song on my Spotify Discover Weekly playlist was this song The Shape I'm In.  I had never heard the song before nor had any idea who Johnny Restivo is/was. But, because I am bound to the first tune Spotify blesses/curses me with, the word shape dictated my song choices for the week.

 

At first I was thinking of using geometric shapes in the lyrics or title, but I could only think of Windmills of Your Mind and Hip to be Square. That required punting. Then I thought of songs that talk about people's shapes (women's in particular).

This week was delightfully calm with few events that required me being there. It was great!

Monday: This was a blessed day with nowhere to go and not a lot to do. Now, I could have started deep cleaning our bedroom or finishing the ongoing laundry room project, but I didn't. Instead I took care of a little business, had some personal phone calls, charted my plans for the week, and relished in the do nothing day. 

What I learned: I am an expert relisher of doing very little.

Listened to: 39-21-40 Shape

I think I had a 21 inch waist when I was 9?

Tuesday: I had a couple of quick errands to run, some reading to do, and some clothes to begin changing over. 

I have mentioned before TheHub "owns" 2/3 of our walk in closet. He is much more fashionable than I am, and he never gets rid of anything. It is easier for me to use the guest room closet to store my off season items than to argue over a disparity in closet space. (If you are younger reading this, learn early to pick your battles carefully and never argue over something that does not truly matter. It may have taken me a few years to learn that leson.)

Each season, when I begin the changeover, I sort each item into keep or donate piles. I see no point in keeping anything I am only marginally interested in wearing anymore. It takes a while to try on clothesm, make those decisions and sort and on each item. 

Then there is the task of lugging them downstairs. A long time ago I found laundry baskets are the perfect vehicle. I take a load of end of the season clothes up to be stored and bring a load of  upcoming seasonal duds down. 

Though I could do it all in the same day, I tend to spread the lugging part over a few days. It gives me time to make sure anything to be stored is freshly laundered, and time to do whatever need to be done to the seasonal clothes I bring down. (Like ironing, UGH!)

What I learned: After going through all my winter things* I realized my cold weather clothes are all dull and drab. I don't want or need to buy new clothes but I need to find a way to brighten everything. Scarves maybe.

Listened to: Fat Bottom Girls

This works for me

Wednesday: I had my usual Wednesday morning class, came home and picked up TheHub to go to lunch. It was his birthday and we were doing a mini lunch celebration at a nearby Thai restaurant. (We were waiting for Friday so more family could join us to celebrate him)

After lunch he did his thing and I did a little grocery shopping.

I did make his favorite meal for dinner, and gave him his card and a couple of consumable presents. We no longer give each other anything that cannot be experienced or consumed.

What I learned: The Hebrew prophet, Samuel, was presented to the temple when he was about 3 years old.

Listened to: Stepsister's Lament

Haven't we all wondered "why" before

Thursday: This was another day I had little to do outside of the house, so I stayed in. I worked in our bedroom for about 45 minutes before deciding I was bored of working in there. I should have stayed but I was just not feeling it. 

It is less of a wreck than it was but it's still cluttered and I really need to take the curtains down and wash them along with the blinds and windows. Perhaps it will happen another day. 

I can't reach the curtain rods without standing on a ladder and I will not do that without TheHub in the room, because I no longer climb like I used to. I just don't trust myself (actually I just don't trust my left knee)

What I learned: 10 to the 9th is one billion, while 10 to the 6th is one million. I have no idea why I need to know that or why I wasted brain space retaining it.

Listened to: Everyday people

At last appreciation for everyone

Friday: This was the day for our official celebration of TheHub's birthday. We met Son2 and DIL2 at Seasons 52 for lunch. It is midway between our house and theirs and is a good place to celebrate and linger over lunch.

Once we finished eating and said our goodbyes we headed to Costco to pick up 2 things. And did we walk out with just two things? Oh no, of course not. In addition the calcium citrate and magnesium we went in for, we left with steaks, A reds 2, stamps, gift card to Zaxby's ($100 value for $80) conecuh sausage, bacon, cooked turkey breast, and Christmas gift wrap, plus a gas fill up. 

I did hold off on buying gigantic pots of mums. I bought them there last fall and they never fully bloomed, but I did think about it. 

What I learned: More than I wanted to know about the school shooter in Bend, Oregon (or about a school shooting, period)

Listened to: All About the Bass 

Saturday: We woke had a quick cup of coffee and headed to Bessemer for a county wide waste program. We had an old analog tv and a coupe of other things to get rid of so we went. It was a gorgeous day to ride out there. Getting rid of the stuff was the bonus. 

On the way home we stopped at Aldi. I was out of quite a few items, plus there were having a great sale on a few canned vegetables. I decided I really needed to stock up while the price was low, as well as getting a few produce items I buy regularly at Aldi.

After leaving the store we went to Snapper Grabber to buy steamed shrimp and tuna dip then headed home to eat before we watched too many ball games.

What I learned: While we were in Bessemer we got information about all the recycling and hazardous waste days that will be held in '27. I came home and put them on my calendar.

Listened to: Just the Way Your Are

Sunday: We did our usual early communion service, traditional worship, and Sunday School. As soon as we left church we headed to Trader Joe's. We only needed a couple of things from there, but since when do we go into a store and get just what we needed? That answer would be next to never.

Just in case any of you are wondering about the TJ's overage, I bought a box of Maple Butterscotch Brownie mix there and made it in early October. It was delicious and because it is a seasonal item, when we were there Sunday, I bought 4 of them. I'll stick them in the freezer to have until they release them again. If you want something delicious and easy to make, grab 1, or 2, possibly 3, or maybe 4.

Once home I prepared lunch and we coordinated our calendars for the next few weeks.

Then it was laundry, laundry, laundry and time for reading.

What I learned: A friend's remodel has become the remodel from hell. Once her walls were opened she found her house was not built to anything near what the current building code is and now she is having to have her house replumbed and rewired before the remodel can continue. Yikes!

Listened to: Beautiful  

I thought this would be a good wrap up for the week's listening. Hope you all feel beautiful today!

Read this week: Christmas 101

                           The Anniversary

One personal fact about me:  I have never shoveled snow

Have a good week.

May all your weeds be wildflowers,

Anne

An Aside: Here are a few other songs titles about women's physiques. Ever notice how few songs women sing about men with spaghetti arms or pot bellies?

Long tall Sally

Short Fat Franny

Big Bertha

Jelly Belly Nellie

Whole Lotta Rosie

Skinny Minnie

Baby Got Back

Long Cool Woman with a Black Dress

*I have no idea why I call clothes winter clothes. Though I do have some sweaters and slightly heavier slacks, at best they would be traditionally fall weight items. There is absolutely no wool or puffer coats or vests in my wardrobe. Winters are so mild here that I rarely even wear a coat. If it is required, a polar fleece jacket is my usual go to outer wear.

The week

Rather than plan our dinner menus for the week beginning on Monday, I decided to plan them when the weekly ads come out, so now out menu plan runs  from Wednesday through Tuesday of the following week.

The beach trip was a bust, so the unplanned days were filled with whatever was on hand.

This was what I had planned for our meals. And this is mostly what did not happen.

1. Bbq dinner, puled pork, smoked chicken, baked beans, coleslaw

2. Ball game or hurricane meal (whichever happens) Burgers

3. Spaghetti, tossed salad

4. Taco with all the fixings

5. Out to eat (You know that is going to happen at least once)

6. Leaving two days unplanned because we might head to the 

7. beach. If not, we will eat whatever is easiest. I have tons to  choose from in the freezer

And this is what real life looks like around here.

Wednesday: I had everything on hand and did not want to go to the grocery store. I had pulled a very small pack of ground chuck from the freezer and after cooking it and seasoning it, I realized it was not really enough, so I mixed a half of a can of drained black beans in with the meat. (The other half went into the freezer for some casserole or soup when the weather is cooler)

Tacos and all the fixings

Thursday: I was cleaning out the fridge and found some cooked peas that needed to be eaten right away.  I can always find something in the freezer to add to a meal and I used the last summer tomato I had. Hopefully I can find a few more but my produce guy is gone until spring.

Leftover lady peas, corn on the cob, sliced tomatoes

Friday: Son3 and DIL3 were here for the night. Once they got here it was about dinner time and we decided to order pizza.

Margarita pizza. blanco pizza, greek salad ( from Little Luna)

Saturday: We had 4 guests from Switzerland at the house for lunch before they headed to Tuscaloosa for the Alabama Georgia football game. We wanted to lt them have a traditional  southern bbq meals. this was a combo takeout/homemade meal. Because it was the main meal for the day, this is the meal I am counting.

Pulled pork, smoked chicken, mac and cheese, coleslaw, baked beans, turnp greens, banana pudding, maple butterscotch brownies (Saw's and home)

Sunday: There was a lot of Greek Salad leftover form Friday night and a good bit of the Saturday lunch meats.

Greek salad, leftover pulled pork

Monday: I have mentioned before, TheHub would eat outne very meal if I would agree to it. I was not hungry be agreed to go with him to Bluff Park Diner (not my favorite place to go)

Green beans, okra, cornbread (No idea what TheHub had)

Tuesday: I had honestly planned on having the spaghetti meal but was talking with TheHub about what he wanted to do for his birthday Wednesday. He decided we would go to lunch then  stay home and celebrate with Son2 and DIL2  Friday. Since a spaghetti meal is his favorite at home dinner, I moved it to Wednesday night and punted.

Chicken and dressing, green beans, pear slices

Plans for Wednesday - Tuesday:

1. Spaghetti with meat sauce, tossed salad, birthday cake 

2. Ball game meal TBD

3. Baked chicken, broccoli, rice, waldorf salad

4. Meatloaf, mashed potatoes, green beans, coleslaw

5. Stuffed sweet potatoes, coleslaw

6. Out to eat

7. Grilled steak, baked potato, tossed salad

Sunshine

I was busy during the past week and really did not keep up with my going and comings here, so this is the summery of each day. I know I learned things because I learn every single day, either by design or through mistakes or failings on my part, but I did not keep up with anything on a daily basis.

We were having company from Switzerland (DIL3's high school friend, his girlfriend, and his parents) and of course I wanted the house to look nice. 

I also am having a party for my childhood friends in early December, so I thought a true deep cleaning now would put me a little ahead of the game when that party rolls around.

And that meant the super deep cleaning happened, including cleaning every drawer, cabinet, surface, floor, ceiling, on each room on the main level, with the exception of our bedroom, the butler's pantry and the rest of the laundry room (which was already a work in progress but is still not totally done). Those three spaces could have their respective doors closed and no one would be any wiser.

Also, the first song on my Discover Weekly playlist from Spotify this week was "Walkin in the Sunshine". I was not familiar with it, but honestly the word sunshine made it pretty easy to come up with song titles.

 

 

Monday: I sat down early and made a detailed list of everything I needed to do to get the house in shape for guests, with the focus on deep cleaning. I love a paper list and get this thrill when I am able to cross items off of it. Once it was made (paying attention to the smallest detail) I headed into the dining room and began. 

Every item was removed from the buffet, the insides of the cabinets and drawers were cleaned, the tablecloths were refolded and replaced, all the napkins were re-laundered and ironed), the silverware and other sets of flatware (not the everyday set that lives in the kitchen drawer) were sorted by pattern (a few pieces were misplaced)and placed in their appropriate storage bags, dining room table decor was sorted by season and reloaded in the cabinet where it lives, and candle sticks were washed, dried and put away, along with the candles that are used with them.

Next the corned cabinets were emptied.  The one holding china was cleaned inside,  the regular china was replaced,  and the holiday dishes were moved to the lower cabinet.

Moving to the other corner cabinet, everything was taken out, all the silver service pieces* were straightened and put away, and all the glass serving containers were wiped down and put back neatly (it was a mess).

After that it was just a matter of sweeping the ceiling,  knocking down any spider housing, dusting  and decorating the chandelier for Halloween, vacuuming the rug, cleaning the woodwork, sweeping, mopping and making the hardwoods glow, (Thank you Quick Shine floor luster) polishing the furniture, washing the windows, and cleaning the glass on the artwork.

It should not have taken me all day, but it did.

Listened to: You Are The Sunshine Of My Life 

Tuesday: I had a boatload of laundry to do, then moved to the foyer, to get everything done which meant, washing the woodwork and the front door. polishing the door handle, cleaning the chandelier, sweeping the ceiling and getting rid of any spider webs. sweeping mopping and shining the hardwood, dusting and polishing the furniture, cleaning the glass on the artwork.

After that I gave myself a little time to read before getting ready to go to trivia. 

Listened to: Sunshine Go Away Today

Wednesday: I woke got dressed and went to an event at our church. I got there at 10 and was home by 1:15. I did not feel like putting on my work clothes and starting any project so I didn't.  I ran a few errands  before heading back home.

I did get the powder room cleaned, hardwoods shined, and some Halloween decor put out. This makes me smile every time I see it when I walk in there.

stock photo, not my powder room

Listened to: Walking on Sunshine

Thursday: Then on to the living room. This was a wash, rinse, and repeat of the dining room's list, expect for the fact that instead of things used specifically for dining, it meant cleaning and sorting a cabinet filled with games and music, polishing end tables, coffee table, cleaning the instruments in the room along with dusting the inside of the piano and shining it's exterior. 

It should not have taken me as long to clean as it did, but while I was sorting through and straightening the music, I stopped and played some. I couldn't help myself!

Listened to: Wait till the Sun Shines, Nellie. 

I admit to taking some liberties with this song but my mom's name was Nell and my dad used to sing this to her sometimes.

Friday: All the work moved to the den and kitchen. Though I hate having carpet in the den (having hardwoods put in after Christmas) It made tending to the floor much easier.  We do most of our living in the den and I am pretty good about keeping it tidy, I really only had to do a general tidying, dusting (I keep the furniture in there polished regularly) 

The kitchen just got its regular cleaning with a little bit more attention to the fronts of the appliances, and I did mop the floor twice. 

DIL3 and Son3 got to the house by late afternoon and we visited with them until bedtime.

Listened to: Sunshine of Your Love

Saturday: Ball game day! DIL's friends and parents came over for a little Southern hospitality and a typical Southern meal. BBQ of course!  We enjoyed meeting  and hosting them. Both the father and son are journalists and the son (DIL3's friend) wanted to go to a football game and write about it later. I think the experience might have been a little overwhelming for him. 

So after lunch the younger generation headed to Tuscaloosa and we drove the parents downtown. They wanted to explore on their own and though we left them our phone numbers to call and pick them up when they were finished doing whatever they wanted to do, they opted to Uber back to their Air b&b.

We came home, put on soft clothes and watched ball games for the rest of the day.

Listened to: Sunshine Lollipops and Rainbows

,

Sunday: Son3 and DIL3 left mid morning to head back to Nashville so we missed our regular Sunday church routine. It was OK with me. I was tired and committed the day to reading and rest. Oh yes, and making a list of everything I need to do to finish the laundry room and to get our bedroom in proper order.

Listened to: You Are My Sunshine

Read: Judge Stone

Have a great week.

May all your weeds be wildflowers.

Anne

* Because of time restraints I did not polish the silver. It can wait until another day, but I do have a hard and fast first week of November deadline to have it done.

Food For The Taking (Out)

This is a week of what didn't happen or "How can two people dine out or take out so many times in one week"

What was planned and what didn't happen

1. Out to eat (Heading to Georgia for a quick trip)

2. Out to eat (Trivia Tuesday)

3. Crack chicken, Waldorf salad, broccoli

4. Steak, baked potato, tossed salad

5. Taco night

6. Out to eat (Greek Food Festival)

7. Baked stuffed sweet potato

We did pretty well on the eating out part of the plan. In fact we did so well that we managed to extend the eating out to 3 more meals. 

I think I am going to change up the menu planning page next week, and start posting our meals on this rather than my on Monday weekday post. It makes more sense to me, and honestly will be easier for me.

Plan for Wednesday - Tuesday

1. Bbq dinner, pulled pork, smoked chicken, baked beans, coleslaw

2. Ball game or hurricane meal (whichever happens) Burgers

3. Spaghetti, tossed salad

4. Taco with all the fixings

5. Out to eat (You know that is going to happen at least once)

6. Leaving two days unplanned because we might head to the 

7. beach. If not, we will eat whatever is easiest. I have tons to            choose from in the freezer

The Week's Recount

At Last! Spotify and I Are Working Together! The first song on Monday's Discover Weekly play list was Lets Stick Together. I had never heard of this artist before but I was familiar with the song itself, and I could work with the word "together" pretty easily.

And I apologize for not commenting on a lot of your blogs. I have been reading them but when I try to post after commenting it seems to be lost in the ether, and it times out before going through. Weirdly it only happens sometimes and not others. I have given up trying to figure how Blogger works (or doesn't work). 

Monday: I try and plan nothing on Mondays. I like to be at home and get all the ducks that flew the coop over the weekend in order for the week. Didn't work this week though. 

We made some changes regarding our estate planning and put everything in a trust. That included the house and because our house was in my name, I was the one who had to go to the satellite courthouse office and legally re-title it for tax exemptions. (I have no idea why they call it an exemption, when you still have to pay, but just a tad less than we used to)

Anyway thankfully there was no line and the woman who helped me could not have been nicer, which is a rarity there. It took less the 15 minutes to complete the task, and I figured as long as I was already in "going out and about" clothes and makeup, I might as well run a few errands then go ahead and hit the sale items I had on my grocery list from ThePig. 

Just about every Monday they have a special free or reduced price item, in addition to the weekly free one. Woo hoo! Red Solo cups and a package of Martha White Muffin mix at zero cost. Of course I also bought 7 pounds of ground chuck (sale priced) and 10 pounds of chicken quarters (also sale priced)
Just as I was pulling in the driveway after shopping, our new neighbor and her 3 year old daughter came over to chit chat for a minute, but her daughter wanted to come into the house. She took a little tour of the main level and found the toys I keep on the den hearth, then agreed one day in the next couple of weeks she and her mom will come here for a tea party. 

She is an adorable child with flame on orange hair. I told her mom I always wanted one of mine to be a ginger, but I guess basic genetics worked against that ever happening.

Once they left I began processing the chicken quarters for the freezer. After cooking and boning them I have enough cooked chicken for a couple of casseroles, chicken salad, and Korean lettuce wraps twice. Additionally I had the beginnings of a couple of quarts of broth in the crockpot.

What I learned: I am a sucker for a 10 pound bag of chicken quarters, even if I don't really need them.

Dinner: Sloppy Joe's, green beans

What I listened to: Come together

Tuesday: I woke, had coffee the dressed for the day. My Beloved Sister picked me up and we headed to Leeds (a community that is a bit of a haul from ours) to meet our cousin and her 2 darling grandsons at The Burrow Bookstore

It's a 2nd hand bookstore that is absolutely adorable. In addition to books and a "through the wardrobe" kids reading nook with pillows and a Narniaesque scene on the back wall, they sell book accessories, reading glasses, (good thing because I forgot mine and had to buy a pair to add to my collection of a dozen or so that I already have) jewelry, totes, teas and tees. It was wonderful seeing them, but best of all I walked out of there with 3 Christmas presents.

What I learned: Downtown Leeds is having a resurgence with several new places that have opened recently.

Dinner: We had a club minimum we had to use.

Tomato caprese salads, tuna melt, sweet potato wedges

Listened to: Together Let's Find Love

Wednesday: I had my usual Wednesday class, came home for a quick lunch, then TheHub and I headed out for Gainesville, Ga. TheHub's sister lives there and had invited him to come speak to a women's group she belongs to. Since it would be a 10 Thursday morning it made sense to spend the night at her house. 

Once there, after sitting in afternoon drive time traffic through Atlanta, we made it to her place a little later than we had hoped for, but we made it.

And for the second time during the week, I forgot to bring glasses, so before I could go out to eat dinner, I had to run by Dollar Tree and pick up a pair. (I actually bought 3 while I was there so I can have a couple to leave in the both mine and TheHub's car glove boxes.

What I learned: When driving all the way through Atlanta either plan on doing that leg of the trip at either 2 pm or am. I would hate to fight that drive time chaos daily.

Dinner: We all went to Mellow Mushroom along with our nephew for dinner.

Greek Salad, bruschetta

Listened to: We go together 

Thursday: We woke, downed a cup or two of coffee, (though TheHub and SIL both eat real food in the morning) got dressed and took off for SIL's club meeting. TheHub gave his talk about Parkinson's and what their association does both in funding research and patient resources.

Lots of questions were asked and answered if he knew the answer, researched and answered if he didn't. According to TheHub, I am his biggest critic and I thought he did a great job.

After his talk those who could make it met at The Puzzle Piece www.puzzlepiecepastries.org, a restaurant/bakery/ice cream shop, run primarily by adults with special needs. They do have some volunteer moms who are there to offer help when needed but they do most of it themselves. If you are ever in Gainesville Georgia please stop in!

Our drive home was uneventful with only 2 major traffic snarls in Atlanta. I am considering taking 30 minutes to go 2 miles a significant win vs. the drive time afternoon traffic we had Wednesday.

Once home we unloaded then I froze the chicken broth I had kept simmering on low in the crockpot when we left Wednesday afternoon. The broth was so rich and delicious, especially since the bones, once removed could be crushed with just the fingertips. I managed to get every bit of goodness out of those leg quarters.

What I learned: While I probably should not have gone out of town with the crockpot on low, the initial simmering, refrigerating it, then letting it simmer again (bones and all) for another day and a half turned traditional broth into something so much denser. I will do it again but not when I am going out of town.

Dinner: The Greek Food Festival was happening so we drove down to

grab a couple of dinners to bring home. Though we ordered 2 vegetarian plates it is not what we got, even though they both were labeled V. One was and the other was pastichio. I wanted the vegetarian plate, but TheHub wanted it more. It was fine, and the pastichio was delicious but it was just not what I truly wanted. I am pretty sure this was a first world problem.

Pastichio, green beans, spanakopita, tiropita

Listened to: Together, Where Ever We Go

Friday: This was a pretty uneventful day. I had a little bit of running around to do, but nothing noteworthy or particularly interesting. 

What I learned: I learned the definitions of the subtle differences humans use when judging both things and other people.

Dinner: The Greek Festival was so delicious Thursday night we decided to go back Friday night and pick up some takeout.

Chicken, leftover caprese salad, rice pilaf

Listened to: Together you and I*

Saturday: Ball game day! The Bama game was in Starkville Mississippi, and TheHub only has tickets for the Vandy away game. We had a day of washing clothes and watching ball games. Though I went outside a couple of times that day, I did not leave our property even once.

As an aside, our lunch was the leftover Greek salads and pita bread that came with our take out Friday night, for the second meal from that order.

And finally the best part of the day (other than the Bama win) was some much needed rain. It had been so hot and dry and the rain came a little later than I would have liked, but it finally got here.

What I learned: Thanks to the various ball game announcers, I learned details about more college football player's off the field lives than I ever needed to know. 

Dinner: Game days always require a game day meal.

Burgers with all the fixings, Sun chips

Listened to: Let's stay Together 

Sunday: Our Sunday adventures can practically write themselves, since we so rarely change what we do. Our church routine does not vary unless we are sick or have overnight guests. 

We picked up lunch on our way back to the house. We have found if we go to Zaxby's get one 6 piece tender plate and substitute an extra coleslaw for the fries, it is more than enough for both of us for a meal.

Once home, after eating, we both did our own thing.

And did I forget to mention the lovely rain we had? It was a perfect day to stay inside.

What I learned: We watched a video of the Teton National park and started a log of sites we want to visit when we are visiting there

Dinner: We finished up food we had saved from the Friday night Greek Festival plate.

Pastichio, spanakopita, tiropita, tossed salad

Listened to:   Love Will Keep Us Together

What I read: I did not finish a book this week (juggling 3) so I have nothing to add.

Have a great week!

May all your weeds be wildflowrs.

Anne

* I have no clue why I remembered this song.