Yes, BJ and I also enjoy reading your posts and what's going on with your family.  You, personally, may have an uber quiet life, but with them coming and going so often, it's like they're doing things in your place and sharing  them with you as much as you can do... (if that makes any sense?)    Your comments on the outside conditions make me look around and really SEE what's going on HERE.  

Today, it's softly sunny, a bit windy and quite chilly.  We're home for the day.  I've made a few messes over the weekend and need to pick them up and straighten.  Today is ML's birthday.  She's 62 and lamenting that fact, but only a bit.  I went over there yesterday afternoon with her presents and we sat in her living room while she opened them.  She was quite delighted with everything,  Since we no longer exchange Christmas presents with everyone, only the name we've drawn, she and I, with Nov. and Dec. birthdays, go a bit overboard with each other but thoroughly enjoy that process, even better than bona fide Christmas presents.  But, at our family gathering, besides our one gift,  everyone  also gets something from 'Santa', often a gag gift or something particular for that person and '' 'Santa' is ML.She refuses to abide by the rules...

For her b.d., I got her two books, one of  daily Morning and Evening Prayers for a year, and one about pottery-making using air-dried clay--she loves pottery--some new colored pencils, rose gold hoop earrings with an added bauble hung on them, A Vera Wang super soft,  (because of her ulner nerve issues), long-sleeved top, and a $20 bill.  

Trish, that's thoughtful of you to give Gary first dibs on the shaver.  Sort of a rite of passage, if he's sentimental.  I don't know if you get AFV, America's Funniest Videos, but one of the repeating things they show is young people who've had their wisdom teeth pulled after having an anesthetic.  They are out of control and say the funniest things.  It's my least favortie segment, because I've wondered if  it was all staged.  Now, I know different!  

Devonne, it's another HP laptop.  Like I had before.  Howard got a good deal on one that's identical to his.  It's refurbished, looks brand new and can be returned within 30 days if necessary.   The Chromebook he already had was just okay, for me.  I would have gotten used ot it, but I like the bigger screen this one has and the fact that I'm used to using this one.  
I hope Gary gets some better news.  Has to be such a big worry and scare.  Congrats on getting your house decorated early.  I'm sure that was fun doing with just Sadie Grace to yourself.  

Cheryl, Wow!  those quilts are wonderful and so pretty/cute.  You ARE a generous kind person.
 I had one phone conversation with Kelli over something about Curves? and enjoy talking in person with her..  Loved reading here about her family and sometimes crazy life!   Glad to hear Jessi has a new marriage and a new life.

QB, nice you can share with Tom on Thanksgiving.  Will you invite him in with you or just share your food?  I see you doing it both ways, but maybe you don't want to start something like that... Congrats on all  your new 'toys' .  Those things are our toys now...  Always a bit of a  lift to get something new.  I can remember when Grandma got a pop-up toaster, our first of that ilk.  She was so proud of it.  That was a day or two ago. 

Happy belated anniversary to Janet and Jerry.  Have great fun with your various family members, Holly.  
Have a good day, everyone.  See you later...
Indy 
 


  

Last edited by indyanny (11/20/2023 12:40 pm)

AFTERNOON ALL!

CHERYL, NICE QUILTS FOR PROJECT LINUS. I AM SURE THEY WILL BE MUCH LOVED.

TRIED A CUPCAKE RECIPE FROM THE COOKING SHOW THE KITCHEN. KATI MADE THEM USING A SPICE CAKE MIX AND A CAN OF PUMPLIN (NOT THE PIE FILLING, BUT JUST PUMPKIN). MIX AND BACK AS DIRECTED ON CAKE MIX. SHE MADE A CREAM CHESE FROSTING BUT I JUST USED CANED FROSTING. WANTED TO TRY THEM OUT TO SEE IF THEY WERE ANY GOOD. THEY HAVE BEEN A HIT HERE. DIDN'T WANT TO TAKE THEM THURSDAY IF THEY WERE NOT GOOD. DON'T THINK I MIXED THEM LONG ENOUGH AND WILL MAYBE BAKE THE MAX TIME LISTED.  I AM ALL FOR SOMETHING EASY. HOPE I CAN GET SOME MORE MIX. ONLY MADE 14, SO WILL DO 2 BATCHES CAN FIND IT ON THE FOOD NETWORK UNDER THE KITCHEN AND KATIE. THINK HER LAST NAME IS LEE.

EXPECTING SOME RAIN TONIGHT AND TOMORROW. WE NEED IT BADLY. ALSO FOR THE WILDFIRES IN THE AREA. WE HAVE BEEN IN A DROUGHT. WATER AUTHORITY CALLED ME ABOUT OUR WATER USEAGE. WHEN I CALLED THEM BACK TOLD THEM UNFORTUNATELY, PLANTED NEW SHRUBS DURING A DROUGHT.

I HAVE NOT READ THE PAST TWO WEEKS POSTINGS. TRYING TO KEEP UP THIS WEEK.

PRAYERS FOR ELMER.

THIKING OF EVERYONE. PRAYERS...............................................
 

Oh no SAN I will keep you all in my prayers, hope he is OK ((((hugs))))

SANDRA not long till turkey day LOL I bet you can already taste it in anticipation. I just saw a few recipes for turkey and sides, they made me hungry. Make sure you get plenty of rest this week, it's going to be busy for you cooking.

BJ I'm sure you will have the family around you, hope your cold doesn't get any worse (((hugs)))

INDY I do like ML's plans for her birthday and Christmas, she is just like me, the rules only apply for others, I got away with "Santa" gifts till they all made me promise not to. So we now make it all about the food.

CHERYL those are fantastic, and I'm sure will be well loved, such a lot of work, and I agree with Amelia, the crumb ones are my favourite too. You have done a wonderful lot of gifts for others (((hugs)))

DEVONNE YES!!! I agree, let it go LOL I am just going to forget it. I love that you have spent time with Gary, those days are special, and he would have loved it too!

STRINGS I am so glad you are feeling better, That is a great idea, I don't do cakes usually, but I do make my pudding/ cake this year I have to make 4, so that is 4 days of cooking them, because it takes most of the day to do one. 

I have been to training today, and survived it, then straight to the hairdresser, (which was scary, because the next time I see her it will be almost Christmas, and I haven't done ANYTHING

Scratch that, I did make 7 little baskets (6 today,) for my sewing group, I'll fill them with chocolates, tea and coffee bags, they can use them for scrap bags at the machine. I have another stack cut out, but need more batting stuff. 

I totally wrecked one, it will have to be tossed, it's REALLY important to follow the layout on these things, it goes badly if you don't LOL

I decided to make spaghetti sauce tomorrow, I have pasta and garlic bread to go with it. Megan insists on getting cake.
We have had more drama with their sis ( she hit someone on the back of their hand with a spoon) we know she feels empower when she clears the tables on the dining room, and I suspect that the lady said she wasn't ready yet, so --- Tricia has no ability to rationalise and verbalise, she has snapped and whacked. It's under investigation. Megan has as her job training in disabilities, she THINKS that Tricia has autism as well as her other disabilities, and that is the exact reaction she would get from her students in a similar situation. She will liase with the hostel if needed, however we hope they will not allow her to clear tables, she does like to do it, and thinks she is helping, but if it causes problems its not a good idea. There are many people who can't handle someone with obvious disabilities, and that is understandable as well. 
It's always something, at least the boys have been able to talk with each other about it all, bearing in mind they hadn't spoken for a few years up till last year.

I am grateful for the beautiful days we have had, 
and that my A/C is fixed, and I can cool off without flooding LOL
And very grateful for good health, and good friends and the ability to sew some gifts. 

 

[size=125]Trish, so glad your a/c is fixed. Can Warwick do the painting that needs done? It certainly sounds like she doesn't need to be clearing off tables. 

It's cloudy, overcast and a rainy day here. Good day to work on some more embroidery designs. I'm doing some that are just wording. I'll post a picture below. This is for Carter's quilt because I know he loves hot cocoa. Last night I cut out 14 more white fabric pieces and cut out stabilizer to be ready today. I cut the fabric at 14" so it will fit good in the hoop, but the finished size is 12.5.

Our HOA is voting on new members. If the positions aren't filled, the president said she would be forced to hire an outside property management company. That's exactly what we need, but I think people will volunteer so we don't have to pay double or triple HOA fees.

Happy anniversary, Linda and Darrell!

Sandra, thanks for keeping us informed on the birthdays and anniversaries. You always make me crave pizza and I seldom fix it![/size]

Last edited by DownSouth (11/21/2023 10:44 am)

Trish, I call them bonus gifts, and they can be given to anyone at anytime at my whim. 

Manda, Ben and the kids got here last night at 7:30, and just left to go to Heather’s. They’ll come back here Thursday night. It’s a crappy day, chilly and drizzley. 

Devonne, we don’t have HOA’s in my area. I’ve heard so many horror stories about them! 

Tomorrow I’m going to do the turkey breast in the crockpot, roast the sweet potatoes, and make cranberry sauce. 

I am behind on the news. I just heard last night Rosalynn Carter died Sunday. They were married 77 years. What a love story!

Randy Travis also passed away. He was in a horrible car accident years ago and couldn't speak nor walk. He had some well known country songs such as I Told You So, Forever and Ever, Amen and Three Wooden Crosses. That last song sends chills up my spine when I hear it.

I'll post pictures later. I need to get them uploaded.

Holly, the HOA is really a good thing. It's not enforced in my neighborhood like it should be. I wish we would go to a property mgmt company. There are fences that need to be stained, Christmas lights hanging down from someone's gutters that have been up all year, bushes that need trimming and cars parked in yards. None of this should be allowed.

Last edited by DownSouth (11/22/2023 10:18 am)

Good Morning to everyone.  Hope you have great plans for the next few days.  Tracy and her family will be here later (not sure when).  It rained overnight, but is dry this morning, well except for the drops hanging off the trees.  Tracy trimmed all the trees when she was here last.  It looks so nice.  She's a blessing, for sure.  Don't know what we'd do without her.

Well, I really don't have anything to say this morning, so will just sign off, wishing you all well.  Have a wonderful day, Love, BJ.

Good day all.  Busy day here today.

I made my pumpkin and chocolate cream pies and cheesecake bars.  Made cranberry-orange sauce.  I usually buy it from the grocery store but decided to make it this year.  Oh boy, it is yummy.  So glad I tried it.  I just love it with my turkey.  I made dinner rolls using my bread machine.  It makes bread making so easy.  Just add the ingredients and then wait for it to be done to make into rolls and then bake.  The house smells wonderful already.  Dean did all the cutting of the vegetables for the vegie/dip platter.  The kids are welcome to eat off it until the dinner is ready.  He also washed all the dishes.  I know, I am so very lucky.  He doe not cook but he is one fantastic cleaner.  He also peeled and cut the yams for tomorrow.  I just pre cooked them so I won't have to use my stove burners tomorrow, just heat in the oven.

Devonne, I am with Holly on the issue of HOA's.  Don't want one and don't like somebody telling me what to do with my own house.

I did not hear about the death of Randy Travis.  He was one of my favorite singers.   His deep voice was beautiful.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving everybody.

PS: thanks for the comments on the little quilts.  I do enjoy making that size.

Last edited by tricia-anne (11/22/2023 6:55 pm)

I am so sorry I missed anniversary wishes.

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY Janet & Jerry, We beat you by a few months LOL 51 years is a long time, wishing you a happy year

And HAPPY ANNIVERSARY to Linda & Darryl, wishing you both all the best!

DEVONNE I don't think that Randy Travis is dead, it hasn't updated on his info page on wikipedia, and they usually do that quickly.  I love your designs!

SANDRA The SAD is starting early for you, hope you get to enjoy Bingo, and you feel well enough. Sometimes though you just want to do nothing ((((hugs))))

HOLLY we are having rainy storms too, it came down hard when we were in the park, I was hoping for rain, we had a run across the park, then push ups, I got my wish, it was tiny mist, then it started LOL

INDY I always remember JFK on that day, it was yesterday for us, and back then it was my 15th birthday party day. It was around 6am a neighbour came in to tell us "Kennedy is dead" we knew a family called Kennedy then, so we first thought it was him. We went to Arlington and saw the graves, it was so sad.  I'll never forget that day.  

Forgot to say, I saw your pork chop recipe SANDRA, thank you!! 
We had a nice birthday dinner last night, I cooked a big lot of spaghetti sauce, it was doing well UNTILL the Mr turned off the power to the slow cooker, he thought he was turning off the toaster, he didn't look, I didn't notice till almost 4pm, so had to get out a big pot and sit and stir for a while to finish it. 
It's not my birthday yet - the kids are going away so we did it all early LOL 
The kids gave me some face cream and a big NutriBullet. They also had ice cream cake, a lemon cheesecake and a Beesting torte (it's a really light layered sponge cake with fresh cream and a honey syrup over the top, sounds sweet, but the only real sweet part is the honey, and there isn't a lot of it. So we had lots of food, and plenty of leftovers, I have cake and cheesecake in the fridge, may have some for a snack later, even though I shouldn't BUT birthday cake has no calories - right?? 

I finished the baskets, they are sitting on the table waiting for me to fill them, I'l have to buy things tomorrow, and also some cellophane to wrap them, I won't label them, they can all just take a pack! I might make a few more and give out to the kids at group training, I have lots of fabric, only need to stiffening. I do like making little things to give out.

I actually gave away a pancake maker and a small waffle maker, they have been sitting in the cupboard, and I am about to take a few pics of my Tefal Cook4me and Ninja blender, they need to go too. I'll put them on our fitness group  Facebook page. It's nice to clear some shelf space in the kitchen

Looks like it's going to start raining again. We got our power bill today, it's only 1/2 what the last time period was, the solar has made a difference, it will take years to make a profit, but less is better LOL



 

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!