Positively Monday and Some Musings

This past week was an unusual week for me. I had no outside appointments, didn't have to take Mom to any doctor's appointments, and had no guests. So the week was filled with some humdrum comings and goings with less actually accomplished that I should have gotten done, but things are coming along.

Musings:
There are 6 weeks until Thanksgiving and 11 until Christmas, so I have begun getting the house in order for those holidays. I actually don't think Thanksgiving will be a very big holiday around here this year. Son1 and his family will be in Portland, Son3 is staying in New York and Son2 is a wildcard. He might be here or he might not, but TheHub, Mom, My Beloved Sister, BIL, and I will have a celebration of sorts anyway..

Christmas, this year, will be a horse of a different color. The Portland crew is coming and Sons2 and 3 and both going to be here, so I will have a full house for at least a few days. I figure if I have the house ready by Thanksgiving I can kill two birds with one stone, then the Friday afterward I can do the Christmas decorating and be finished with everything but touchups and cookie baking.

In fact, today I began wrapping presents. I shop for Christmas throughout the year and when I was cleaning my closet I found about 10 presents I had stashed in there. Instead of hiding them somewhere else I decided to go ahead and wrap them. Nothing wrapped this early gets bowed or tagged, I just wrap it in paper and write the recipients name (in Sharpie) on the bottom of the package. For the time being they will live in a big black garbage bag in the laundry room. Unattractive? Yes, but safe from any prying eyes.

Positives:
1. I talked with a former neighbor who moved to Tennessee years ago. I have always loved being around her, but we had lost touch over the years. It was wonderful to reconnect!
2. Mom had a pretty decent and basically non-demanding week.
3. Saturday My Beloved Sister and I had gone to Mom's to clean out her basement refrigerator (which was on her "it need to be done right this minute list") Before we got started cleaning it Son2 and Girlfriend2 showed up at Mom's with Sneaky Pete's Hot Dogs. Instead of cleaning out the fridge we had an impromptu "tea party". Mom was thrilled.
4. Rain__we have been very dry lately and the rain was much needed and appreciated. I thought the rain might bring cooler temps and it has. It is raining right now and about 83 degrees. I don't guess fall is here yet.
5. Son2 Girlfriend2 TheHub and I watched Alabama win the ball game Saturday, complete with a quickie halftime bbq rib dinner.

Menu Suggestions:
I am still cooking primarily from food storage
1. Out to eat at Highlands celebrating our birthdays and anniversary
2. Chicken croquettes, broccoli, mashed potatoes, salad
3. Chicken pot pie, coleslaw
4. Peas, okra, tomato slices, and cornbread
5. Hamburger patties, saffron rice, green beans
6. Potato leek tart, cuke/tomato/basil salad
7. Pasta salad
8. Pork tenderloin, roasted carrots and cauliflower

Hope everyone has a great week.