5 thing Friday - simple decor, Christmas tree, feeling peaceful, firepit, sangria

 (not in chrono order!)

The day after Thanksgiving I feel like I was on my feet most of the day.  I didn't go crazy with Christmas decor around the house - I know who has to put it all back up, and she would appreciate it being a painless process! 

I decided for the first time ever to hang the family stockings on the mantel.  I also put the two rattan reindeer in a bed of evergreens.  The Girl took my stocking home with her.  Nothing exciting to see here...

But I also wove fairy lights into it and at night it comes on while I sit reading and sipping tea. 

(later I added simple red bows to their necks, but I am DONE pinky promise)

 Very peaceful.  That's been my word of the year for most of 2025 - peace.  I would like to move through this season as calmly as possibly.  No big fuss.  No pressure.  No overspending.

I hauled out the vintage Christmas tree and decorated it very simply.  At this date I also have some gifts wrapped and all of the shopping done - just waiting on those Amazon deliveries!  I did not buy even one new ornament. Nor lights. I'm still debating whether or not to send cards.

Right now, I feel good.

I have been focusing on eating healthily, exercising, getting enough sleep, and staying in the moment.  All things I hope will carry me through the month with no drama.

Thanksgiving was a good day - here Firstborn is trying to get the initial tee pee started so we can feed the firepit all afternoon.  I ordered a new grate for the wood to sit on yesterday.  This little firepit is 23 years old and going strong.  I plan on sitting out here at least one evening a week.  I am so glad to have that store of firewood.

The Autumn Sangria was a hit!

To my large jar I added most of a small bottle of brandy (at least two cups), a large bottle of inexpensive red wine, about a quart of honeycrisp apple cider, and a 2 L bottle of cranberry sprite.  I also threw in some sprigs of rosemary and some sliced oranges, and I made giant ice cubes in plastic drink cups.  We drank the entire thing.  (:

Have a good weekend!

Gina

Empty Nest menu #158 and post-holiday easy dinners

For the past couple of weeks I have cooked a LOT. So it's time to dial it back with some easy dinners.  The freezer has been re-stocked so I can stay out of the mayhem that is HEB during the holidays. That, or use curbside.

Even the backyard squirrels think its a good idea

Monday - kitchen closed - tea before bedtime

Tuesday - (freezer) Coconut Shrimp, dinner salad

Wednesday - Stuffed Baked Potato (with roast pork or chicken), green beans {yearly in-person physical in the a.m.}

Thursday - Turkey Pot Pie with mixed veggies* {afternoon telehealth}

Friday - (freezer) Burger and curly fries

Saturday and Sunday - kitchen closed

*I have some Betty Crocker pie crusts that I will cut in half and lay on top a filling of homemade gravy, chopped leftover turkey, and some mixed veggies, all in my mini cast iron skillet.  I will bake at 350 for approx. 45 minutes or so.

Gina

Thanksgiving 2025

It was a good Thanksgiving Day, full of connection and family and relaxation.

We ate, enjoyed sangria, sat by the firepit, played cards, took a few photos, had good conversation...and really just focused on each other.

I said grace at our meal, instead of relying on the old standby.

"Lord, we come together wishing to cultivate gratefulness in our hearts.  Please open our eyes to see all that we have to be thankful for - help us to express this gratitude daily.  Thank you for your amazing power and love in our lives. For the goodness of your mercy. For strengthening us daily.  And for this family, which is our greatest blessing.  Amen."

I got just a few photos and I will treasure them and the memories of this day, which has led us peacefully into the holiday season.

Gina

Empty Nest menu #157 and Thankful

Last week I was like the Energizer Bunny getting things done for Thanksgiving.  I thoroughly cleaned my freezer and fridge then restocked, cleaned the dining room up, hauled out some bits and bobs of decor for a simple table, found the serving dishes and linens, and did some food prep.  The house got dusted and cleaned, too, so by the time Friday night rolled around I was ready to start my work week.

Last year felt like a break from Thanksgiving, since I worked a half day, then put a Turkey and Biscuits meal into the oven.  We definitely enjoyed being together, but I was missing some of the pomp that comes with the beginning of the season. This year we are taking the day to enjoy a really special traditional meal together, maybe a photo or two, hopefully the firepit.

Monday - (freezer) Roast Pork, mashed potatoes with gravy, green beans {off today}

Tuesday - Salad with (freezer) Lemon Chicken, romaine, purple onion, tomato, etc. {clean up back patio area, spatchcock and brine the turkey}

Wednesday - Pizza {cook turkey and slice, make gravy and dressing, afternoon telehealth appt., on call in p.m.}

Thursday - Roast Turkey, gravy, sausage cornbread dressing, Orange Cranberry Sauce, sides brought by my peeps (I will also make Crispix Mix and Autumn Sangria) {Turkey Trot in the a.m.}

Friday - Turkey Soup {decorate the house for Christmas}

Saturday and Sunday - kitchen blessedly closed!

I am truly thankful for so many things, not the least of which is this space to journal, vent, share, and express myself.

Happy Thanksgiving! 

Gina

5 thing Friday - Georgian wine, Reel Science, We Are Blood, Turkey Trot, pipes

{I'm a little late posting today!}

This week I attended another wine tasting at Total Wine - this one with wines from Georgia (the country, not the state!) 

These tastings are very affordable - usually around $20 - and often include some culture or history.

And always charcuterie!  I like that they are close to home, on weeknights, and very informal.

One of the winemakers led the discussion in his very beautiful accent and taught us that wine making originated in Georgia and has an 8,000 year history!  He said the Georgian people refer to wine as a gift of the Gods and it is part of their culture. Wine is still being produced there in quevri - underground clay vessels.  I tried several varietals I have never heard of.  The whole thing was fascinating!

On Thursday night I attended a movie at the Rollins Theater at The Long Center in downtown Austin.  Some of the information presented was really over my head, but the film was very good and included a live broadcast from the research vessel which is just off the coast of Uruguay.  It included a Q&A session with the scientists, but it was waaay past my bedtime so I called it a night at 9 something.

When my birthday dawned, the first thought that popped into my head today was I MADE IT TO 65.  Seems like a worthy milestone, frankly.  I have outlived a parent, two siblings, a husband, and his father.  I took myself to Rudy's for breakfast and journaled until time to do donate blood.

Why donate blood on my birthday?

*because I'm healthy

*because it can save a life

*because I can

A nice bonus is that I got a voucher for half a dozen Tiff's Treats, and you know that OF COURSE I picked the Dubai chocolate ones.  I ate two and made myself freeze the rest for my lunches!

I also traveled over to the Honda dealership to pick up my Turkey Trot packet. (the line looked insane but went fairly fast)  As tired as I have been lately and still with shoulder pain, I will be lucky to walk the actual 5 miles Thanksgiving morning, but I will give it my best shot.  I think this makes 6 or 7 times I have done the trot, not every year, and the second one I have done virtually.

These turkeys trotted together in 2020.

As a way to include Mark in Thanksgiving, we smoke his pipes at the firepit.  I ran over to the tobacco shop and grabbed three different varieties of pipe tobacco and a small new pipe for either me or The Girl to use.  I am looking forward to relaxing on the patio with my peeps and giving thanks for spending time together as a family.  Happy Weekend!

Gina 

Empty Nest menu #156

This room looks deceptively small, 

but painting it took three days total and involved much cleaning and furniture moving.  And then I was exhausted for two days. I used to be able to knock out projects like this while the kids were in school during the day, then have dinner on the table at night. Those days are gone.

However, I was organized and wrote out a plan on that small notebook you see. I did all of the prep the day before, moving as many things out of the room as I could, then taking my time putting it all back together, pacing myself. Its not that I can longer do these things, but they do take more time and I need to slowwww it down.

Monday - kitchen closed

Tuesday - (freezer) the rest of the Pulled Pork with some peppers and onions, corn, curly fries {overnight on-call}

Wednesday - Fruited Chicken Salad on a brioche bun {wine tasting at Total Wine}

Thursday - Out, or I'll make those crab cakes I keep delaying {grocery shopping, movie at the Rollins Theater}

Friday - Mini Meatloaf, green beans, mac and cheese {Happy 65th Birthday to me! Donating blood, picking up my Turkey Trot packet, taking myself out to lunch, afternoon visit from The Girl}

Saturday and Sunday - kitchen closed

Gina

5 thing Friday - painting, freezer clean out, tea, brass pot, biscuits

 I am ending the week on a very tired note.

I am not as spry as I once was.  I feel every bit of 65 today.

However I did, in fact, get my bedroom painted...and dusted, windex'd, and thoroughly vacuumed.

Along with moving furniture, washing curtains and linens, removing and replacing outlet and switch covers, cleaning ceiling fan and window, replacing decor after dusting. Literally everything got spiffed!

By Wednesday night, I was spent.  I was on call, and its a good thing I wasn't called in.  But I slept so poorly...  I will leave the room "as is" until after Thanksgiving, then I will decorate it for Christmas!  But man, do I love having everything clean and a fresh coat of paint on the walls!

Meanwhile, I am eating down the contents of my freezer.  {pictured are the ingredients for a quick gyoza stir fry} Will I do another big shop after that?  Maybe.  I need to buy the stuff for what I am "bringing" to Thanksgiving - turkey, stuff for cornbread dressing, gravy, cranberry fixings, wine, chex mix. The peeps are all bringing a dish to share - no idea yet what. You get what you get and you don't throw a fit.

I have been enjoying a decaf cuppa each night before bed as I read.  I slept better on an empty tummy, I have discovered. Sometimes I add a splash of flavored syrups.  Always I park myself on the new couch and slowly I am able to read for longer and longer times.

On my way home from a walk, I spied this in a pile of junk on my neighbor's curb.  A brass planter!

I couldn't find my Brasso, but did you know that ketchup will do the same trick? I'm thinking this could be a good container for some Christmas greenery.  {oh, and guess what I found the next day under the kitchen sink.  Yep, Brasso.}

I am emptying out my pantry somewhat, too.  I made the last of the baking mix into drop biscuits and they were buttery rich and delish.  This morning I have plans for leftover biscuits with sausage gravy, and will even have enough leftovers for the weekend breakfasts.

 Life is GOOD.

Gina