What Day Is It Now?

It seems that I am a day late once again. I guess my Monday post is actually becoming a Tuesday event.

What was planned:

1. Chicken and dumplings, vegetables of some sort

2. Baked potatoes with leftover chili and shredded cheese, tossed salad or coleslaw

3. Grilled tuna steaks, mashed potatoes, coleslaw or tossed salad, bbq bread

4. Out to eat

5. Big salad meal TBD

6. Veggie dinner TBD

7. Something with baked chicken, no idea what though 

What we ate and what was joyful*:

Monday: 80 days till Christmas

My Beloved Sister went with me to Independence Place. As anyone who reads me regularly knows. it is my happy place. I hardly get inside the door and am greeted with hugs, smiles, and happiness from all the participants. They have my heart! 

My volunteering there always has some recipe, usually a very simple one that any of them would be able to make with little assistance.  I figured Monday's recipe might be a little dicey since we were making a vegetarian version of "tuna" salad. It is a chickpea version of the traditional dish. To my surprise they not only ate it, but most of them asked for more. 

We have a system of grading the recipes; thumbs up if they like it, thumbs sideways if it's meh, and thumbs down if they don't like it at all. This time it was totally thumbs up, which usually only happens with candies, cookies or other sweet recipes. 

We got back to our side of town just as school let out. Something as simple as that alters my route. I live in an incorporated suburban town with its own school system, which has no school buses. That means each kid in the system has to be picked up by a driver (single car  pick-up or car pool) and that in turn means an insane amount of cars on the road between 3 and 3:45.  I have lived here long enough to accept it for what it is, and just make my life easier by adjusting where I drive during that time. If it means driving a little out of my way to get to the house, so be it.

Monday dinner: I had not taken anything out of the freezer for dinner so we ran out to a local meat and three to grab dinner.

Pork chop, greens, squash casserole, cornbread 

Tuesday: 79 Days till Christmas

 I began having coffee on the screened porch, listening to the birds. The mornings are cooler now and it is the greatest way to start my day. The rocking chair only adds to the enjoyment. Next up for the day was doing laundry. 

I do not understand how just two people create so much of it, but we do. After a few loads, and a few cups of coffee, I was about to go upstairs to tackle the Room of Horrors, but I was saved by the bell. Son2 called and wanted to talk a bit while he was driving out of town. After he called I decided I needed/wanted to talk with the other 2 sons so I called both of them. I guess I will use any and every excuse to ignore that blooming room. By the time I hung up with both of them, something sparkly caught my attention and I was off in another direction. 

Tuesday dinner: Earlier in the day TheHub had mentioned that Tuesday was National Taco Day. Being a good citizen we had to almost obey the law.

Taco salad

Wednesday: 78 days till Christmas

 My normal Wednesday class was cancelled so I hung out around the house doing whatever I could think of to avoid finishing up the room of horrors. I am a wonderful avoider!

Wednesday dinner: TheHub suggested we run up to a local meat and three for dinner. I am never going to say no to going out to eat somewhere really casual. We were just about finished eating when 2 long time friends walked in. They sat at our table and we were enjoying catching up with them. "B" asked me about a couple of mutual friends, and I had just told her I run into them at the grocery store every now and then, when who walked in? Yep the very same couple we were just talking about. The night turned into a reunion of sorts and we sat and talked until the place was about to close.

Mac and cheese, turnip greens, okra

Thursday: 77 Days till Christmas

TheHub and I had a run around day. We started at the produce stand I frequent, the headed to Duluth Trading, Aldi, The Pig, and a quick drugstore stop. We made a stop back by the house to put the groceries away, and have a quick lunch, before running out for TheHub to do a little business chore. After that we ran to our church to drop off a couple of bags of groceries for the food pantry.  

Through donations our church maintains a rather large food pantry, and every other week hosts a drive through pantry pickup for anywhere from 250-300 families who need food assistance. We have 3 drop boxes in the church building for shelf stable items, and I try to add something every week. I am very thankful for Publix's bogo!

Thursday dinner: I had a meal with planned overs

Baked potato covered with leftover chili, coleslaw

Friday: 76 Days till Christmas  

This was just a beautiful day, and a good day!

Friday: Neither of us were particularly hungry.

Toasted cheese, tomato, and onion sandwiches

Saturday: 75 days till Christmas

Game Day! Alabama had the early ball game, vs. Missouri. TheHub and I begin the morning watching ESPN's Game Day, and The SEC Network morning sports show, clicking back and forth between them as we walked through the den. (We mainly listen to the tv shows)'

But then, at 11 we were both glued to our respective seats in the den to watch Alabama and Missouri square off. It was a close game, then we watched/napped/ listened to whoever played next ( I have already forgotten)

The night game was Auburn/Georgia. I was hoping Auburn would win, but no dice.

Saturday dinner: Since we here not heavily invested in the Auburn game and the night was beautiful we decided to fire up the grill right before the game started. We just listened to it until we finished eating.

Grilled steak, mashed potatoes, tomato cucumber and onion salad

Sunday: 74 Days till Christmas 

We began our Sunday in the usual way, with the communion service, followed by our traditional worship, then Sunday School. It is a great way for us to start our week. It leaves me in a good headspace ( at least for a while. By the next Sunday I am always in need of a re-set)

We had no plans so we headed home, changed into casual clothes, (still wearing shorts, tee shirts and padding around in flip flops here) and did a few things before coordinating our calendars for the week.

Sunday is for rest and we did just that!

Sunday dinner: I would say I cooked but I didn't. TheHub had to run an errand and he picked up dinner from Guthrie's

Chicken tenders coleslaw

Planned for this week, maybe.

1. Spaghetti with meat balls, tossed salad, garlic toast

2. Out to eat (birthday celebration)

3. Pork tenderloin, mashed potatoes (leftover), broccoli

4. Big salad meal TBD (must require lots of tomatoes though)

5. Veggie meal TBD

6. White bbq chicken, collards, cornbread

7. Sloppy Joes, tossed salad

Books read in October:

The Backyard Bird Chronicles

107 Days

Have a great week staying on plan, going off plan, or with no plan at all.

May all your weeds be wildflowers.

Anne

* I am not putting this on each day's list, but our tomatoes are producing to the point of overproducing. I am making either tomato sauce or tomato paste every single day, and we are giving cherry tomatoes to any neighbor who will take some.  Right this minute it is not joyful, but it will be this winter when I have the base for soups, spaghetti, or chili

Oh no just 11 weeks till Christmas

First off, did I attack the Room of Horrors this week? That answer would be a big fat no. Why, you might ask?  If I were to answer honestly, the answer would be I just was not feeling it. And now with a 10 week countdown facing me, feeling it or not no longer matters. I have nothing planned for Monday except to face the room of doom and get it done. Unless I can think of another lame brain excuse!

I've gotta stop with the excuses and just get Christmas going!

Meanwhile, I did get  few presents for both the sons and the DILs. Some of them were smaller  odd sized presents, and I made boxes to fit them. I am actually getting pretty decent at box making.

Everything bought so far has been wrapped, but most are not tagged or bowed yet. I write the name of each recipient on the bottom of the wrapped gift with a fine tip black sharpie marker. If they want to complain that I have ruined the integrity of the package by doing that, so be it. I'm not going to lose sleep over it one way or the other. 

I do not put the tags or ribbons on the presents until I have the trees up and can artfully arrange them beneath the tree  have somewhere to toss them where they will not be in the way, or get stepped on.

Because it is so close to Halloween, I have been investing my energy toward that holiday. By that I mean driving around and looking at everyone else's lovely decor, not by doing anything here at home. It's the thought that counts, right?

I did finish buying all the Hershey chocolate bars for the ghosts an goblins that will be coming by the house on the big night. This year I upped my count to 90 bars. Last year I ran out and had to turn off the lights and quit answering the door earlier than normal. I know every year some kids phase out because they think they are too old and it is not cool, but every house in the neighborhood that sells has a family with kids. I never know quite how many we will have.

1 Day till Thanksgiving (Canada)

19 Days till Halloween

46 Days till Thanksgiving (U.S.A.)

74 Days till Christmas

Ho Ho Hold on to your hats. It's coming!

More Halloween

 I am really enjoying all the Halloween yard decorations near me. If you have noticed there are no pictures of my yard or house, because I have done zero Halloween decorating so far. I tend to do any outdoor decorating at the last minute and limit it to my front porch and staircase.

I do usually decorate the inside of the house, particularly the living room, foyer, and dining room, but TheHub is STILL using the dining room table as his office, and all of his overflow stuff is in the living room. (Brief case, backpack, portfolio, file boxes, calculator, etc). 😖

Enough said!

This house pictured below has a variation on this same theme every year. The only thing that really changes is where the skeletons are climbing. It is also in the adjacent neighborhood that I drive through nearly every day.

Another Day, Another Halloween Yard

This House pales in comparison to the house I posted pictures of yesterday. I do admire their restraint. 

It is not in my exact neighborhood, but the one adjoining mine. I ride through it nearly every day (have to to get where I am going if I am headed south) and have noticed the increase in their decor every few days.

Things I Forgot

Yesterday's post promised pictures from a house in my neighborhood, which I forgot to attach. Rather than including them in that particular post I thought I might give them one of their very own.

These folks are Halloween aficionados and their work needs to be shared. Understand that all of these photos are in a single dwelling home's front yard.  I love stopping in front of the house and looking at it. I see something I had not seen before every time.

This does not do the magnitude of the display justice, but at least you can get an idea. I only wish I had a wide angle lens on my phone.

They are having their house painted which is why the bucket of paint is in the yard

I have no idea why the blue underlined stuff is in the body of the text.

Must be the spirits in these photos acting up.

Late Is My New Normal

Well, once again I am too late getting this posted!

Monday: 87 days till Christmas 

Not a lot happened on Monday. It was mainly a stay at home and try to get caught up on some neglected chores type of day. The day was gorgeous and instead of hitting it hard, I sat on the porch having coffee and bird watching.

Monday dinner: There was nothing exciting about the meal, but it was filling and tasty.

Lady peas, mac and cheese, coleslaw

Tuesday: 86 days till Christmas

We had been trying to host a retirement dinner for two men TheHub worked with, along with their spouses since June. It is kind of hard to get everyone together on the same night, but between all the  travels and other obligations we finally agreed on Tuesday night. 

It felt good to put on night time makeup, and some slightly fancier than church duds and join all those folks who enjoy the food scene Birmingham has to offer.

We met at Dyron's Low Country for a lot of conversations, catching up, and laughs. Thankfully we were seated in a private alcove where no one could hear us. It was a win for the other diners!

Tuesday dinner: Dyron's celebration, and I am listing the food we shared, as well as my dinner since everyone ordered what they specifically wanted as their entree.

Apps: Crab claws, okra, charcuterie board, Entree: snapper, green beans, cheese grits, Dessert:pistachio cake (TheHub and I shared)

Wednesday: 85 days till Christmas 

I got up early, read a bit, then went to class. 

Since I was dressed to be in the company of other humans, and TheHub likes to eat out at lunch, I called him on the way home, stopped by the house to pick him up and we went to lunch at The Electric. It is a low key neighborhood bar/eatery with good food and space at lunchtime to have some good conversations.

The day was drop dead gorgeous and we rode around to look at some of the many Halloween decorations people have up.

I took the following pictures from one house in our neighborhood. To say they are Halloween enthusiasts would be putting it mildly. And yes all of these are in one single home's front yard.

Wednesday dinner: I had some leftovers that needed to be used, and we had tomatoes coming out of our ears.

Chicken bog, tomato cucumber onion salad

Thursday: 84 Days till Christmas

I battled the refrigerator and finally won. I did the big clean, removing everything and cleaning every surface, then wiping off all containers, bottles and jars, before replacing them. 

Since I am no longer the only one here during the daytime, my days of being the fridge police person are over. Evidently, if whatever said person is looking for and it might be somewhere crazy like behind the almond milk, someone other than me goes into the pantry, opens a new whatever, then puts the newly opened one back in the refrigerator. 

This  resulted in 3 bottles of ranch dressing, 4 bottles of ketchup, and 3 jars of maraschino cherries all hanging out. on various shelves.  I incorporated all like items, which freed up an amazing amount of space. 

I also found things I did not know were even in there. Unopened pickled brussels sprouts or an unopened jar of TJ's browned butter? I know I had to be the one who bought them, but I must have brought them home and stuck them in the fridge, forgotten about them and they were pushed to the back of the shelf. I placed them where they should have been to begin with, and now they can be seen and used.

Thursday dinner: The Greek Food Festival began Thursday. We had conflicts Friday and Saturday night so we ran by and just did a pick up instead of getting to enjoy all festivities by dining there.

Greek Chicken or Souvlakia, rice pilaf, spanakopita, tossed salad

 

Friday: 83 days till Christmas

The Parkinson's Association had a golf tournament and TheHub left the house by 7 to help set things up before playing in it. I got to enjoy coffee, have my music up loud and do whatever I wanted without having to be quiet. It was wonderful!

Our neighbor had asked TheHub to feed their cat while they were out of town a couple of weeks ago. She knocked on the door Friday night with a gorgeous loaf of sourdough bread and a mason jar of pesto sauce. we had already eaten of we would have had that for dinner. The bread became toast for the next few days, and the pesto went into the fridge.

Friday dinner: TheHub picked up extra for for his dinner when we went to the Greek Food Festival.Hooray I only had to warm his. I was in the mood for soup.

Coconut soup, sliced cucumbers, radishes and pepper strips

Saturday:  82 days till Christmas

Game day! TheHub and Son2 went to the Bama game while My Beloved Sister and DIL2 came here to watch the game. We did a lot of game watching and talking, along with a little cooking.

Saturday dinner: After the game Son2 and DIL2 stayed and ate with us

Chili, corn chips, brownies

Sunday: 81 days till Christmas

We woke and made it to the early communion service before going to our traditional early church service, followed by Sunday School. The only part I don't enjoy is getting up so early on a Sunday. We used to go to Sunday school then would go to the 11a.m. service. Now instead of getting out of church at noon, we are through by 10:50. It gives a whole other meaning to beating the Baptists to restaurants*. When we go out to eat afterward, we see mainly the Sunday brunch/lunch crowd, who did not go to any services anyway, so they are the ones who get the really good seats!

We came home and I was tired. I am still fighting the post Covid fatigue, but a large part of it might have been that I went to bed at 3 and woke at 6:15. So I did some dozing off and on, sitting up with a book in my hand. I would wake when the book hit the floor, pick it up, read a page or two, then doze, wait for it to drop again and repeat the process.

Sunday dinner: I had that gorgeous pesto in the fridge and it was screaming to get out.

Pasta with pesto, tossed salad, toast

Moving forward with what might happen:

1. Chicken and dumplings, vegetables of some sort

2. Baked potatoes with leftover chili and shredded cheese, tossed salad or coleslaw

3. Grilled tuna steaks, mashed potatoes, coleslaw or tossed salad, bbq bread

4. Out to eat

5. Big salad meal TBD

6. Veggie dinner TBD

7. Something with baked chicken, no idea what though

Books read in October:

The Backyard Bird Chronicles

Have a great week staying on plan, going off plan, or with no plan at all

May all your weeds be wildflowers.

Anne

*Growing up Methodist, our sermons never ran over. The reason given was always so we could beat the Baptists to lunch.

Oh no just 12 weeks till Christmas

This week I started Christmasing pretty slow, or not at all, but by midweek I was feeling a little differently. 

I had been checking my Libby app for new 2025 Christmas magazines and on Wednesday 4 appeared. I  have them until next Wednesday and went through them this weekend to see if they had any new ideas I want to try. The answer unfortunately was yes!

I ordered a couple of "add in" presents for my DILs and My Beloved Sister 

My sister has said she wants nothing for Christmas since she is busy streamlining her house  Honoring her wishes, the things I have for her this year will be/are all either consumable and/or extremely useful  I do like to have some large presents under the tree for her to open so this year. One will be an 8 pack of toilet paper and another will be a pack of garbage bags. She can't get upset with me getting her those, can she?

Our great nephew was selling wrapping paper as a fundraiser for his school. I ordered some from him figuring it would take a while for it to be shipped to me. Turns out there was a three day turnaround from the day I ordered it until it was at my house. 

They had a special deal where you could order 3 rolls (their choice) for the price of one roll from the new collection. I figure they are papers from past Christmases that did not sell out, and that is what I ordered. I was surprised that they were three lovely different prints, and all were reversible. It is actually like getting 6 papers. I was more than pleasantly surprised.

Again I ignored the room of horrors, but I am determined to do better this week. 

As a holiday aside, since it is now October, and Halloween is near, I got my skull plates out of the china cabinet for daily use.

25 Days till Halloween

53 Days till Thanksgiving

80 Days till Christmas

Ho, Ho, How did I manage to do so little this week