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Dawn
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Nov 20, 2018 09:55PM
We do turkey for Thanksgiving and turkey for Christmas. But I know a lot of Ukrainians who do perogies and cabbage rolls and so much other food I have no idea why they bother with the turkey. We have a big eastern European, Mennonite and Dutch population here so as far as I can tell....that means making 5 times as much food as anyone will ever eat.....no matter what it is.
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I wish the U.S. had Thanksgiving in October, too. And Boxing Day, too. So sensible. My husband and I are Empty Nesters now since the kids obliged us by moving to Utah. It’s beautiful there but too cold for my old bones. Only in summer for me. Christmas for us only involves putting up a tree. We gave up gift giving, also, since we can each get what we want thru Amazon. We go for Thanksgiving at a friend’s house and she has TONS of relatives! Of course there’s football (the US kind) Give this Texas gal her football and she’s happy. Christmas dinner for us is held with the same friends as at Thanksgiving except that celebration is usually falls between Christmas Day and New Year’s. So all bases are covered. We eat, we have fun and there are no leftovers. No turkey, turkey, turkey...ah, heaven! Old age has its benefits, especially...especially...oh, heck. I forgot.
Old age has its benefits, especially...especially...oh, heck. I forgot. ..."lol. Now come on, I bet you are as sharp as a tack with that memory. I'e noticed that is the men who get the worst in that department with age. :)
hubby and I don't have any kiddos. My parents split their Christmas' between me and my husband, and my brother and his wife and kids. This year my brother gets them. So it will be only hubby and I this Xmas. Which doesn't bother us! We live it up as though there is a bunch of us. Heaps of presents for each other, full-on feasting. Christmas is still big in our house whether it is 6 or 2. :)Boxing Day evening my parents are back home and will be coming over for Boxing Day dinner and bringing my grandmother. So we get TWO Christmas'. We feel spoiled. :)
Got the electrician coming today to spend whole day finishing off electrical in our renovation. Pretty darn excited I tell you.Our reno has been on hold for 8 months because of my surgeries earlier this year. Now everything is well and I am all healed up (and hubby is also wellish) the reno is back on.
Be good to finally have all the lights working in the downstairs bathroom! Have had the downlights in for the 8 months. Wating to be wired in to the switch.
Progress! Let’s drink to your fully lit bathroom!! I’d say “here’s to progress!”
Great News, Terri!!!We made some major renovations last year to our home (new kitchen and garage) and the day it was done was just like Christmas/Birthday/Thanksgiving all rolled into one:D
I want wish all of you celebrating today, Happy ThanksgivingIf where you live doesn't celebrate today as Thanksgiving, have a happy day just the same!
Happy Thanksgiving to those in the US!
Second bathroom finished! Well, sort of, the Electrician has to come back to screw the power point to the wall because he hadn't brought a drill bit that can drill through tile. But the power point is there and useable.We're so happy to finally have downlights going and a workable power point. :)
The Light Switches also have a pretty blue neon ring around the centre switch but the blue only glows when the light is turned off. So you can't see them in photo.
then add a bracket to each end (< and >)
Just surfacing from our thanksgiving party come dinner with our team the raptors, we had 50 sit down to dinner this year, watching the two games and then holding our prize draw....... I won a luxury Xmas pudding at least but would have preferred the nfl tickets for sure! Nicely done with the bathroom Terri
Heaven is when a house remodeling/rebuilding is finished. Ours was rebuilt because it burned down 20 years ago. No, it wasn’t a wild fire that took it. Just stupidity. So click your heels together everyone and say three times: There’s no place like home!
How did the fire start, Marilyn? That's got to be mentally hard for the person who stuffed up and burned a building down, especially a home.Andy, give me tge plum pudding any day! I can't sit through nfl. All the padding! What the heck... I'd rather watch the Rugby or Rugby League. No padding. Not scared of getting hurr. :)
Andy wrote: "Just surfacing from our thanksgiving party come dinner with our team the raptors, we had 50 sit down to dinner this year, watching the two games and then holding our prize draw....... I won a luxur..."We gathered at my Father's home as normal and it was smaller that usual - about 30 - normally it's between 40-50 but this yr most of the grandkids and a couple of my siblings went to the in-laws :)
Some of those showed up for desert however :D
Also it was a good thing I got the lights up - we had rain all day yesterday and 2 inches of snow this morning. The ski resorts are estatic - and open
Sounds like an awesome day w Family!! Are the lights on??
Oh, yeah - they were turned on Thursday night. We still have some outside ground decorations to put up and the lights around the windows. I spent the day moving my David Winter Miniature House collection and cleaning shelves so the Nativity sets/Angels/Santa Clauses collections and the other assorted Christmas themed knick-knacks can go out.
Sounds like a well planned campaign!!! Enjoy! 🤗
DEMELZA has been offered twice in the last three weeks on NOOK at half price. The first time I bit, the book was written in some language other than English. The second time, I went shopping for the book at B&N only to find that the book was not half price. I do not know which entity is in the wrong. COS. My Goodreads and e-mail are messed up. I have not been able to get in touch with the group. It is a left-wing or right-wing conspiracy--not sure which. I did get an e-mail from President Trump today. His Twitter must be broken. lol
I loved the holiday decorations and eats stories. Mother takes us bowling for Christmas. She has pizza and a beef shoulder for dinner. I had twelve guests for Thanksgiving where we had traditional turkey. Those same twelve will come here New Year's night for filet mignon. Monday after Thanksgiving, Husband and I will go to the big city and shop then have prime rib. And that, my friends, is why I gain so much weight that by Super Bowl party, I haven't a thing to wear. Loved the bathroom photos, Terri. 50 guests, Andy? Can I come next Thanksgiving? I am glad we are not the only couple that indulges in a good meal just for the two of us. Even more glad that my mother is not the only one to serve pizza at Christmas. Happy Holidays!!
Linda wrote: "I loved the holiday decorations and eats stories. Mother takes us bowling for Christmas. She has pizza and a beef shoulder for dinner. I had twelve guests for Thanksgiving where we had traditional ..."Everyone's welcome, we had a good sized venue this year with a bar & the two early games plus Turkey & Ham!
Terri wrote: "How did the fire start, Marilyn? That's got to be mentally hard for the person who stuffed up and burned a building down, especially a home.Andy, give me tge plum pudding any day! I can't sit thr..."
:D I have to defend the American style football having played it through the 80's, 90's & 00's when you could still "hit" people with yer helmet..... you needed the pads back then, as soon as that lid went on it was a diffo game.... I also played Rugby back in the 80's which was very much pub orientated ie 30 man punch-up with zero fitness levels so football appealed to me. But now I'm coaching I'm teaching "Hawk" tackling which is jus a rugby tackle & tbh they dont really need the pads/helmet any more now that the head has been taken out of the tackle...... all to avoid concussions & injuries later in life..... I think we had stronger necks & heads (thicker perhaps lols!) back then!!
Andy do you watch Ballers? Love that show. If you haven't seen it, you should start watching it.
Terri wrote: "Andy do you watch Ballers? Love that show. If you haven't seen it, you should start watching it."I did try.... the once.... :D maybe's I jus caught it at the wrong time as most of our team follow it & love it!
We love it here in our house. The first two seasons we thought was okay, but weren't crazy into it. The next season we liked more than the last. But this latest season rocked!!! It was so good. They excelled. Hoping it is a sign of a more invigorated team of scriptwriters.
That's a lovely bathroom, well done.Seems like there's been a bit of ill health on these boards this year, a tradition which I have continued, having just come home from two weeks in hospital. Golden staph septicaemia is not the funnest way to spend a fortnight - it really smashed me. The glandular fever I had 15 years ago didn't come close!
Those two weeks were the longest I've gone since 17 without a drink and the longest I've gone since about 5 without reading a book. The good news is I now have a few weeks at home recovering so will be catching up on the books but only very gingerly returning to the vino.
Xmas at our house is all about the seafood - especially my wife's famous Kazzie Prawns (marinaded and barbequed).
I did at least lose 6 kilos but it's not the best time of year for keeping it off.
Spent most of the evening at the Vet ER. My dog Otis was attacked by another dog and had to have surgery. First reports are that he had no significant damage, but did have a wound that penetrated his abdomen. He is spent the night at the Vets and we hope to have him back tomorrow.We were on our evening walk and a couple of dog escaped out of the front door of a house and came loping towards us as if to say hello and get acquainted. Next thing I know there is fur ball and I and the other owner are trying to get them apart. There were NO tell tale signs of what was about to happen.
Otis ended up with three pretty deep puncture wounds and spent the night at the vets
So very sorry. Hope Otis recovers quickly!
As a dog lover myself I hope Otis doesn't have any lasting damage, or fears!
Hugs and cuddles for Otis. Poor baby.
Oh gosh, Happy!! I’m sorry to hear about Otis. Hope he’ll be all right and that those owners help pay the vet bills!!!
Oh no, Poor Otis.And poor Adrian as well. I hope you're feeling better now, Adrian.
Allie wrote: "Oh gosh, Happy!! I’m sorry to hear about Otis. Hope he’ll be all right and that those owners help pay the vet bills!!!"
Thank you all for your kind wishes, I know this is silly, but it feels like this happened to one of my kids. I very grateful I didn't have to make the decision to put him down or not last night.
Allie - The owner of the other dog said she would take care of them. She had just gotten the dogs. Her aunt had passed away and she adopted them.
We went a saw him this morning - He was still a little groggy from the anethesia (SP), but all things considered looked pretty good. We are hoping to bring him home this evening,
After completing the surgery, the vet said that there was no internal organ damage, thank goodness! There was a lot of tissue damage to muscles of his abdomen and there might be some premanent skin damage
On a brighter note, I'm well into caramel making season and it helps take my mind off of it. I made a batch last night and one this morning, only about 8 batches left to go :)
I think I've posted this before, but here is my caramel recipe for any interested
Grandma Pat’s (my Mom) Caramel Recipe
3 c cream
2 c sugar
½ t salt
1 c Karo corn syrup
¼ c (½ stick) butter (unsalted)
1 tsp Vanilla
1 c nuts or more(if desired) - I normally use Pecans, but Walnuts also work well - broken into smaller pieces is better than chopped
before starting measure and set aside all the ingredients.
Butter a 9x13 pan
In heavy pan stir with WOODEN spoon, 1 cup cream, sugar and syrup.
Place on stove, medium heat. Stir occasionally until the mixture reaches the firm ball stage. Because of elevation the exact degree varies. At my house, on my temperature is 238degrees.
To calibrate your thermometer - place it boiling water and check the temp - subtract the difference form 248 and that is the temp to cook it to.
When it reaches this stage, slowly pour 1 cup of cream and stir in. Stir occasionally until the mixture reaches the firm ball stage as noted above.
Then add the last 1 cup of cream, butter, and salt. Stir constantly until the mixture reaches the same firm ball stage remove from heat . Quickly stir in vanilla and nuts, and pour into butter 9x13 pan.
It is important that you DO NOT scrape out the pan when when you pour it out. If you do there will parts of the caramels will be brittle and you will not have a consistency of texture.
Cool
cut and wrap, in WAXED PAPER. Cellophane and plastic with change the flavor of the caramels.
For me it takes about 1hr 15 minutes to make a batch.
How thoughtful of you, happy, to share the recipe. Merry Christmas!
That’s great news Happy! That Otis has no internal damage AND you’ll be spared a pricey vet bill. No reason to feel silly, our fur babies are our babies. They love and suffer just as we do.Oh gosh, Adrian! I’m sorry we glanced over your news once puppy talk came into play. Glad you’re home now!
Adrian wrote: "I did at least lose 6 kilos but it's not the best time of year for keeping it off."I'm glad your doing better, best wishes for the Holidays and maybe, just maybe, you'll be able to keep a couple of the Ks off :)
Thanks. I'm feeling a little better every day and have been told not to go back to work until January. Silver lining and all that...
UPDATEOtis is home, but is feeling a bit punky, plus he is all drugged up. To do the surgeries, the shaved him from his shoulders to his tail, so he looks a bit naked :) He is wearing a T-shirt as a "bandage" so most of the skin is covered up, plus it holds his drain in place He has stitches in five different places. When the Vet examined him, he found another cut. He is supposed to have the drain and Fentenol(PS) patch in place 'til Wedensday.
We will call our Vet tomorrow morning and see what after care they want to do.
He is such a quiet dog, I didn't realize he'd been bitten until I saw the other dog's jaw attached to either side of his spine. Ruby (our other dog) was making a lot more noise than he was!
Adrian wrote: "That's a lovely bathroom, well done.Seems like there's been a bit of ill health on these boards this year, a tradition which I have continued, having just come home from two weeks in hospital. Go..."
Gee you have had some bad luck, Adrian. With the face cancers and now this. Hope 2019 works out better for you!
Poor Otis, :(My dog is like a child to me, happy, I totally understand that. It is a human instinct to feel protective of the innocent. Especially when that innocent being gives us unconditional love in return. You can't fight instinct.
I am glad Otis is getting back to health. What a devastating experience for his family. You must have been terrified.
Been offline a bit the last few weeks. Trying my hand at writing another novel. lol. Kind of up to the eyeballs in battle at the moment. The hope was to get first draft finished by Christmas. about 80 pages off that target. Unfortunately when I am writing so intensely I just don't get any reading done. So, the book I started reading last month is still sitting here at just over 50 pages in. I'm hopeless.
I've had to change my Goodreads Challenge number back from 20 books to 15. I just am not going to get anymore books read this year with the writing going on too.
Book count doesn’t matter. Reading pleasure matters most. Meanwhile, good luck w your writing deadline!!
Terri, I'm impressed - good luck with the book
On the "When it rains - it pours" front
I found out today that I broke a toe last week. I stubbed it and when the swelling wouldn't go down, Mrs Happy made me go to the Doc. The X-Rays show a nice clean brake of the toe next to the little toe on my left foot. Funny it doesn't hurt all that much - unless I put pressure on it. I'll be in a "Post Op Shoe" for the rest of the year.
I guess Mrs Happy will have to do the dog walking for a little while :)
Terri, I'm impressed - good luck with the book
On the "When it rains - it pours" front
I found out today that I broke a toe last week. I stubbed it and when the swelling wouldn't go down, Mrs Happy made me go to the Doc. The X-Rays show a nice clean brake of the toe next to the little toe on my left foot. Funny it doesn't hurt all that much - unless I put pressure on it. I'll be in a "Post Op Shoe" for the rest of the year.
I guess Mrs Happy will have to do the dog walking for a little while :)
Thanks May, Betsy and Happy. :) I need all the luck and cheers I can get! Sorry to hear about the toe, happy. Crumbs, you've had some bad luck too.
So what's everybody up to for the Holiday Season (irrespective of belief or how your culture enjoys it)?For me, as mentioned earlier in the thread, I celebrate Christmas even though I am not a religious person. For us Christmas is just the name of this fun day. Like Viking names for week days (ie Thors/Thursday, FreyaFriday) are just a name to us now. No a pagan day.
For Christmas day it is just hubby and myself. Often we have family but not this year. We're on our own this year.
We still have as much fun together though. Early to wake. Cuppa with ham on toast. Then time to rip into the presents and then spend the rest of the day putting presents together/playing with them/looking at them...and cooking and eating.
Then the next day, Boxing Day, my parents and grandmother are coming for Boxing Day dinner.
No plans for New Years . We don't usually do anything for New Years. Just go to sleep.
Our Christmas is Family & Food at one of our children’s homes (they rotate hosting from year to year) The Grandchildren under 18 years draw names for gifts. The rest of us, including grandchildren older than 18, do a Yankee Swap. Always lots of food, hugs and laughs. We are so grateful to have so many of our Family nearby!!
A Yankee Swap? Tell me more. Got me curious. :-)
Each person brings a wrapped gift of the agreed upon price or theme. Then each person draws a number from a hat or bowl (totally # participating). #1 chooses & opens a gift first. #2 repeats the process & decides if she likes #1’s item better then her own. If so, she swaps w #1. #3 repeats & can swap w #1 or #2. This continues until every one has unwrapped a gift & decided whether to keep or swap. Then #1 gets a final swap with all the opened gifts. Lots of laughing & hollering when you take a gift from someone who really likes his gift & wants to keep it!!
Ancient & Medieval Historical Fiction
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Authors mentioned in this topic
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