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 my in-laws.  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 remember Mark at 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 

5 thing Friday - art, Thanksgiving table, comfort food, mirror ball

Long story short:  I want to change out the "art" over the mantel this year seeing as how it hasn't changed in years and years.  I ordered a print from Kirkland's, then when it arrived, I thought it would actually look better in the front room.  So on to Plan B, which is just make something myself.

Using some spray water and gold spray paint I added a little aged glimmer to a wood frame.  My plan is to hang a wreath in it, embellished with some picks, and fashion a Christmas tree scene below.  Its gonna be kind of shabby chic. 

Stay tuned.  

For no good reason I had FOMO about giving Thanksgiving such minimal effort.  I know that a lot of how I'm feeling about it has to do with grief, but I also know I want quality time with my family.  And even though I did work most of the day, I didn't want them thinking that they weren't actually the single biggest thing I am thankful for.  So I hauled out some stuff I already had - a plain tablecloth, white plate, battery candles, and greenery.  It wasn't fancy, but neither was the menu, and we ate off paper plates.

Taking my cues from "comfort food" I decided to fix Turkey and Biscuits.  Easy enough to top with biscuits and pop into the oven when I got home around 3:30 pm.   Right around the time the candles came to life, ha ha. And you know what?  It was delicious.

For dessert, I made Monster Cookies and No Bake Pumpkin Cheesecake Balls.  I spent at least two hours in my kitchen, not including the roasting of that bird last week, but I knew I would reap the rewards on Thursday with an easy meal and clean-up.  And today I will decorate the house for Christmas!

Check it out!

Mirror balls are IN and it just so happens that I have one.  When Mark was in high school he had his own little business DJing parties {named Rotation} with a mobile sound system, complete with twin turntables, giant speakers, and a mirror ball.  Years later, he hung it on the basketball goal at Halloween for our "Deadbeat Disco" theme.  Its going to be fun to decide where to place it and bring it out of the garage and literally, into the light.

A very hot summer and little rain spelled doom for three of the lantana I planted, and the ones that survived are looking pretty sad.  Maybe I will try again - rearrange them and add in some other type of shrub, like dwarf nandina.  For now, the ones left are hanging on for dear life.  This is one of those "tomorrow problems" and can be dealt with in the spring.

Let's get December started!

Gina

5 thing Friday - November, fire extinguisher, new car, cranberry sauce, Thanksgiving plans

 I cannot remember where I found this printable:

But I printed it and it lives above my desk and is EXACTLY what I want for myself this month.  And maybe the rest of the year, too!  I have been feeling better and that always translates to me getting things off the back burners and DONE.  But also?  I am trying hard to stay present, and experience peace in my inner thoughts.

One of the Fall projects was to get my extinguisher refilled.  Turns out, it was not the refillable type.  So I ordered a new one, complete with hanging bracket, and will be installed in a central location of my house today.  God-willing, I will never use it, but it will be there, just in case.

I sold the truck as a trade-in towards my new car.  Goodbye forever, stinky truck.  You helped me do a lot of things and I am thankful I had you for some of the hardest stuff.

Hello, new car. {she needs a name!}

I promise to drive you gently and take good care of you as you may be the last car I ever buy.  I am proud of myself for finally gathering my wits and courage and taking care of both things yesterday.  As I told the Subaru lady, I have paid for many a vehicle, but never actually bought one on my own.  And I think I made a good choice.

Someone convinced me to make my own cranberry sauce, and I'm glad I did.  Whatever doesn't get eaten before Christmas will be used for Cranberry Oat Bars.  I also got a small turkey, which I will roast next week, then debone to make my Turkey and Biscuits for Thanksgiving Day, and also make stock from the bones.

Will I miss not making a full Thanksgiving dinner?  I don't think so.  And I have to work that day anyway.  I did very much enjoy my sammie last week made with canned cranberry jelly, deli sliced turkey breast, and Stovetop Stuffing.  I'm good.

Gina

Monday menus #47

 I followed a budget and formula this year for my peep's Christmas gifts, and I think I did well.  One of the categories is "something to read".  Rather than spend $20 for one book apiece, I scoured two local Goodwills and bought maybe 6 or 7 books per person.  I stacked them with a heavy duty rubber band, tied burlap ribbon over that, and included a scrappy bookmark. 

Yet another "tacky homemade"! 

If I want to be more frugal, I have to flex my creative muscle!

Monday - kitchen closed {off today}

Tuesday - Alamo Bowls (rice, taco meat, black beans, corn, salsa, cheese) {Happy Birthday to me!, taking a beginner Tai Chi class}

Wednesday - Freezer Pizza and likely a side salad {cooking Thanksgiving food  today, on call in the evening}

Thursday - Turkey and Dressing, gravy and cranberry sauce, Bacon Green Beans, Cinnamon Sweet Potatoes, brownie and cookie tray {Gina works 7 a.m. to 1 p.m., eating Thanksgiving Meal around 2:30}

Friday - Day After Turkey Soup* {put all of the Christmas decor out}

Saturday and Sunday - kitchen closed

Gina

*I have been making this for years.  I simmer the turkey carcass on the stove (or in the crockpot) for hours, strain off the bones and etc.  Then add a can of condensed soup to the broth along with whatever fresh veggies I have in the fridge, some chopped leftover turkey, back to the soup pot and simmer it until the veggies are almost done.  Add some pasta and seasonings and cook another 10 minutes or so. Comfort in a bowl and it always reminds me of my mother.

5 thing Friday - skinny tree, Thanksgiving prep, cinna dough, giving up habits, Rad Tech Week

 I bought a skinny Christmas tree for my bedroom - I have always wanted one and had no luck finding one at a thrift store.  So I just ordered off Amazon.

It came with just a few lights, which I like.  I think I will give it a wintry theme with crochet snowflakes, little birds, and a ribbon and berry spray topper.

I am done with buying 99% of Christmas. I followed the "something you want/need/wear/read" formula for my peeps and I think I did a good job!  I bought four gift totes and tissue and all I have left to get is some wide ribbon. I stuck to a budget and got it done.  Now I can focus on deciding how to spend some stress-free holiday down time.

I was going to press the easy button on Thanksgiving, but my hours at work changed, so since I will be able to enjoy part of the day at home, I decided to go ahead and roast a turkey, make my own gravy and cranberry sauce, and fix the dressing from scratch.  I know I will have at least three of my peeps here for a late lunch.  The rest of the menu is fairly straightforward: mashed sweet potatoes, seasoned green beans, and a brownie tray for dessert!

I haven't made cinnamon dough ornaments in ages, so I ordered some new cookie cutters and mixed up a batch of the dough.  I don't add anything but unsweet applesauce and cinnamon and I set them on a cookie sheet to dry for days.  I poked holes in most of them, intending for them to be ornaments or package tie on's.  Bonus: my kitchen smells very festive.

What possessed me to buy peppermint mocha creamer - zero out of ten stars.  Mint cancels out coffee and tastes like someone spit toothpaste into your cup.

I guess I should really stop with the creamer altogether.

My life just three short years ago looked so different than it does today.  And as time goes by, I find I am one by one dropping some things from it.  No more wine clubs, no more writing for the wine blog, no need for all of these glasses as I am drinking far less wine.  Someone from the Buy Nothing group came and collected them and it didn't make me feel all that sad.

Happy Rad Tech Week!

My boss gave us sussies, has games and an activity or two planned, and ordered food for us several days this week, including the weekend.

There's a week for every aspect of hospital life now.  Time we can recognize and celebrate the fact that we are all still here in our chosen professions.  Go us!

Gina

Empty Nest menu #146

Six of us this year and a very simple table setting - I am looking forward to connecting with my peeps and spending time with my feet up just before the holiday crush...

Monday - (freezer) Spicy Beef Tacos, broccoli

Tuesday - (freezer) a leftover meal - not sure which one will be left

Wednesday - Ordering pizza out

Thursday - Thanksgiving Meal - I'm making the turkey, dressing, gravy, and cranberry sauce.  My peeps are bringing a dish to share and I have no idea what each one is bringing!

Friday - Pulled Pork Sammies, chips, pickles and onions

Saturday - Fried Chicken Bowls (a la KFC)

Sunday - Turkey Soup

these kitty wine glass charms were gifted to me by The Girl one Christmas

What you get when you mix Hobby Lobby, Dollar Tree, and vintage sterling!

By mid week I should have a fairly large selection of freezer containers empty, washed, and ready for Thanksgiving leftovers.  The fridge and freezer are both clean, the shopping is done.  Now all that's left to do is buy ice for the cooler.

{P.S. Happy Birthday to me today!}

Gina

Much to be thankful for

Thanksgiving was here and done quickly, but I savored all of it. 

I set the simplest of tables, just pulling out what I had.  Added a leaf, hauled in a chair from the kitchen, set out the gold chargers, wine glasses, silver flatware.

To what I already had in the middle of the table I added a few pinecones,

then I printed out names, added more pinecones and assigned seating.  The white plates will be next to the food buffet in the kitchen.

Done.

I started a fire in the firepit on the patio, newly power washed.

Bubbie came home from college and made rum balls. 

 Where did this kid get his mad cooking skillz?

Firstborn greatly enjoyed tending the firepit.

We pulled Hubby's smoke kit out and they finished off his cigars and most of his tobacco.  I think it was fitting, as this is how they remember Dad sitting outside by the firepit on Thanksgiving Day.

LA, The Girl, top of Dutch's head!

Dutch, Scout, Bubbie.  They bundled up in blankets and socialized and laughed and it was amazing.

They enjoyed Cranberry Bourbon Sours, courtesy of LA.  They came bearing gifts for my birthday, too.  There was much love, even in the midst of grief. I hated to leave the cozy scene, but it was my holiday to work...and it was an easy shift with no tragedy.  I was home in my bed with a leftover turkey sammie and a glass of wine by 11:30. Slept soundly!

Today I pulled all of the leftovers out and made individual meals for myself, Bubbie, and The Girl.  Emptied and re-loaded the dishwasher, put away the silver and the chargers, cleaned the floors and started laundry.  But for most of today, I will rest and relax.  Maybe decorate the Christmas tree.

And maybe go get some more firewood.

Happy Weekend!

Gina