5 thing Friday - end of marching season, cranberries, thrift and prep, Monopoly, graduation

 I'm glad marching season is over...it will be good for Bubbie to concentrate more on his classes and get some stuff done for Scouts.

But going to my last game before the surgery was bittersweet - the show was so darn good this year.  I am already making a list of all the things I will not miss out on this time next year...

 I read on someone's blog where they did the cranberry sauce in the crock pot and it intrigued me.

 

 I tried it, and you know what?  It worked out just fine.  I might do it that way every year from now on.  Maybe use a touch less liquid, though, so I don't have to cook it longer.  This is my big crock pot because Hubby bought the giant bag!

 Simple tablescape using what I could easily reach and already had.  There is Fall potpourri and some gold painted pinecones in a wooden bowl with a candle in a vase from the Dollar Store.  I've had those S&P shakers since right after I got married.  The burlap is a remnant over a thrift store tablecloth.

 The kitchen sat quiet and idle while Bubbie and I waited for the Turkey Trotters to return.  Everyone pitched in to help prepare the house and the meal - that was so appreciated.

 So we played cards and I cracked open a bottle of the anniversary wine from Flat Creek. {My birthday flowers are still alive! I combined the roses from Hubby with the mixed bouquet from a friend.}

We taught Hubby how to play Monopoly.  He was Daddy Warbucks and won, much to The Girl's dismay.

Big things are happening in December.

Gina

Mealplan Monday #138 and salvaging my afghan!

I was beyond dismayed to see that my favorite afghan had a gaping hole in it!  My late mother in law bought it for me at a Galveston church bazaar when Hubby and I were only dating.  I LOVE IT.

I was shocked and horrified.  I have no idea how to crochet and no way to get new yarn for it - besides that would look strange, no?

 The only thing I could see to do is remove a couple of damaged rows - at least there is still plenty of it to cover my lap while I read or watch TV.  Sad to see bits of it cut off.

Monday - Teriyaki Salmon, veggie, salad

Tuesday - Freezer Clean-out, or take out

Wednesday - Tacos, refrieds, salad

Thursday - THE BEST DAY OF THE YEAR!

Friday - Brisket, Loaded Potato Casserole*, BBQ beans

Saturday - Turkey Soup (from the turkey carcass)

Sunday - Dr. Martin's Mix (we never got around to having this 3 weeks ago...)

Dessert will be leftover goodies from my birthday and Thanksgiving.

*recipe coming

 This afghan has been in constant use by me for thirty years.  I would love to learn to make these.  Everyone on my Christmas list would get one.  The colors are so weirdly wonderful together.

Having it spread out on me makes everything better.

Gina

Mealplan Monday #137 and Thanksgiving cards

Do you ever send out Thanksgiving cards?  

I've been having Hubby do all of the shopping lately and I was going to put "Thanksgiving cards" on the list, then I thought, wait - I bet Scout still has photos he printed from way back when.

I dragged out these truly tacky notecards from my stash, asked him if I could purchase some of his work, and got to craftin'.  It was a good way to spend an hour or so. (I've made cards before where I purchased plain craft cards and envelopes, but I already had these so it was more of an immediate craft!)

Inside the card I am going to write a Thanksgiving sentiment.

The full, the true Thanksgiving
Comes from the heart.
~J.A. Shedd

 Forever on Thanksgiving Day
The heart will find the pathway home.
~Wilbur D. Nesbit

All that we behold is full of blessings. ~William Wordsworth

 O Lord that lends me life,
Lend me a heart replete with thankfulness.
~William Shakespeare

Monday -Ham and Havarti grilled sammies, sweet potato tots
Tuesday - Sweet and Tangy Pork Chops, masheds, skillet cabbage
Wednesday - Shrimp Tacos, chips and guacamole
Thursday - Stuffed Pepper Soup, garlic toast
Friday - Mom and Dad out - Happy 54th Birthday to me!
Saturday - (tentative) Mom and Dad take our new baby out for a spin:

Sunday - Pork Roast, new potatoes, carrots, rolls 

Dessert this week is my birthday cake. 

 After I pasted the photo on the card, I trimmed around it for an exact fit. 

Gina

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Mealplan Monday #136 and less worry, hopefully

 

 I am trying to keep menus simple, grocery lists understandable, and express gratitude to  everyone for everything they are doing to help get me back to 100%.  

Monday - (freezer) Lasagna, salad
Tuesday - Chinese take out
Wednesday - Soy Peppered Salmon, sauteed squash
Thursday - One Pot Chili Mac, garlic toast
Friday - BBQ Sammies, chips (camping weekend)
Saturday - YOYO - Scout and Mom
Sunday - (freezer) Chicken Cacciatore, linguini, green beans
Desert is leftover birthday cake - red velvet with fudge frosting and m&m's - courtesy of Hubby and The Girl

I appreciate all the things done for me while my knee is healing! 

Gina

5 thing Friday - Tech Week, Sugar, nails, graduation, Keds

I feel a little like Sally in It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown.  I've pretty much missed Tech Week at work. YOU OWE ME RESTITUTION! ha ha

I like what I do for a living - I want to get better so I can go back to it asap!

 Sugar has faithfully hung out no more than 5 feet from me since Day 1.  Sometimes staring at me.  Sometimes laying on me.  It's like she's a worried little old lady cat.

 Remember that I ruined my nails all the way down to the nail bed by using chemicals with no gloves cause I'm slightly idiotic?

 That was May.  Wrinkly fingers aside, they are looking so much better.  I took biotin and a daily vitamin, kept them trimmed very short, rubbed Barielle into them a couple times a day, and stopped being dumb about not wearing gloves with anything stronger than household cleaning supplies.  And lotion is my friend.

 GET PUMPED.  

The Girl will graduate from Baylor in December - there's a nifty countdown app that reminds you how much longer she has to go...46 days!!!!  I can hardly believe it!!  So proud of my girl.  She is ambitious, smart, full of life.  The world is her oyster, people!

I ordered some Keds - been wanting some forever.  I used to live in these, then I underwent a change to Wilma Flintstone feet and they were no longer comfy.  But lo and behold, they sell them in different widths!  Yay!  I can't spend all day standing in them, but for wearing around the house, they will be perfect.  I'm trying hard to look ahead with a positive outlook.  It's the little (and big) things that help remind me daily - I have much to be thankful for.  

Gina

Chicken Taco Casserole

Week before last I used a couple of big chicken breasts I had cooked in the crockpot on freezer meals day to make this casserole.  My peeps ate it up!  My version of it is only slightly different since I halved it to feed 4 with minimal leftovers.

Chicken Taco Casserole

2 large, pre-cooked chicken breasts, cubed
1 can cream of chicken soup
1/2 c. sour cream
1 can tomatoes with green chilies (undrained)
1 can black beans (I did these in the crock, too, and froze in zip locs)
3 T taco seasoning
about 3 cups crushed tortilla chips
about 2 c. shredded cheddar

Heat oven to 325. Mix all but chips and cheese.  Spray a 13x9 dish with Pam and spread half the chicken mixture.  Top with half of the chips and half of the cheese.  Repeat.  (The original recipe says to leave off the second half of the cheese, cover and cook awhile, then uncover it and top with remaining cheese for about 10 minutes)  I baked mine all together at 325 for about 30 minutes.

The chips and cheese topping was crunchy cheesy good!  And topped with guacamole and extra sour cream, it was a hit.  Lately, my peeps are not loving casseroles, but anything Tex-Mex they go for.

And I had yummy leftovers for my lunch the next day!

Gina

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Mealplan Monday #135 and camping crap

 Well, really it's not all crap.  It's just that there is so much of it.

 I purchased some smallish stacking containers and a large one and tried to organize it as best I could on the second half of the metal shelving I removed from the closet. Hubby just needs to go through the containers at some point and decide if he wants to really keep it all.  My guess is: he will. 

Monday - (freezer meal) Baked Italian Shells, veggie
Tuesday - Taco Salads
Wednesday - Leftovers Night - see what's in the freezer...
Thursday - Spaghetti with Meatsauce, broccoli
Friday - Fish Tacos, cabbage slaw, guacamole
Saturday - Dad grill
Sunday - Dr. Martin's Mix, corn

I got the area swept out and everything in the shelves just barely before I had my knee surgery. The best part is, they aren't in my master closet.  And that made the whole endeavor worthwhile.

Gina