Guest plans

On Sunday, The Girl packed up her remaining things and headed back to her apartment.  Both of us remarked that this scene reminded us of when she would return back to college at the end of summer!

It made me feel a little blue - I have not lived alone since just after Hubby and I got engaged, 37 long years ago.

Only this time. she's just a few minutes away and we have plans to have dinner together every Sunday, and happy hours every Wednesday.

In any case, here is where she has faithfully stayed for the last four months: 

Once her room, then Scout's, now the empty guest room in great need of a refresh.  When Hubby passed, she grabbed some things from her apartment and stayed with me - there was no time to freshen it up.  We have spent the last four months just trying to find our way, but gradually I am conquering some spaces in this house.

My plans are to vacuum every nook and cranny, add a fitted sheet to the bottom of the box spring (because, yuck), add a new dust ruffle and sheet set, rearrange those hanging pictures, put the director's chair in here, add some toss pillows, maybe some pretty or sentimental things on the shelves, clean out the closet, steam clean the carpet, and make it smell pretty. Next time she stays the night, it should be much nicer for her.

The Girl has been my rock - encouraging me, and listening to me, all the while grieving and adjusting to a move from Houston and a new job.  I think we did very well with this one.  Her Dad would be so proud.

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

Thanksgiving week meals 2021

It's Teddy's last week here with The Girl and myself.

It seems like he is more comfortable at the new apartment, so I think they will both be just fine. 

Monday - Cranberry and Almond Chicken Salad sammies

Tuesday - Tilapia of some sort, a frozen veggie

Wednesday - probably take-out pizza {mom off, cooking day}

Thursday - Thanksgiving Day {lunch at noon, mom works 3-1130 p.m.}

Friday - Beef Taco Rio Nachos {mom off}

Saturday - TBD {mom works 7-noon}

Sunday - Turkey Soup {decorate house for Christmas}

Since I will just be cooking for one, making a menu is going to be tricky going forward. My goal is to Keep Life Simple and focus more on things I want to do with my free time.  It will be a work in progress!

Gina

5 thing Friday - swing, booze, lunch out, Christmas tree, coffee

Not in order, as per usual...

I dismantled the swing at Highlands, then realized I could not fit it into the back of the truck.  Whomp, whomp.  I took the seat part home and left the frame there.  We will take the mower home on the trailer so we'll just load the rest of the swing then.  But I was proud of myself for blazing a path to it with the weed whacker, hauling it several yards UP the hill, and figuring out how to move and secure the truck bed cover.  I also re-appropriated the stone pavers it was sitting on to the back of the barn, and that was the hardest part...

While I was at Highlands, I took our mini "bar" out from under the barn's kitchen work table where it was hidden.  Dumped two (dead) scorpions and a (ditto) lizard out of the plastic bin, and took the booze home.  We will use the bourbon to brine the turkey and I don't care if the rest of it goes down the drain.  That box with its ironic sticker is going, too.

Eating out with my mother always sounds like a good idea until we are actually at the restaurant and she's hungry and impatient and fairly sharp tongued with the staff.  There aren't enough chips and salsa in the world to make up for poor service.  She told me that next time I visited, she would make me cornflake chicken and a baked potato.  Sounds good to me.

The Girl and I have spent probably around three hours total trying to cypher out why the top of her pre-lit tree is not functioning.  She finally gave up and bought lights to fill in.  Putting lights on a pre-lit tree is frustrating, to say the least.  I plan on helping her put ornaments on it this week.  Then we will work on mine!  This is a 100% change for me, Miss "Its Thanksgiving Don't Talk to Me About Christmas".

We could use the merry as soon as possible.

Oh how I miss Sunday morning coffee at Highlands watching for deer and listening to the birds as Hubby slept in.  This table sits where Mabel used to live and I miss her, too.  I slept many a night and made many a meal here at the back of the Barn.  It was my weekend home.

So much change this year.

Gina

New life meal plan #12

Just under the tall tree in the photo, is where the swing sat at Highlands: 

Still a pretty view...but no more swing

Monday - Grilled Lemon Chicken on Caesar Salad

Tuesday - Oatmeal Bread French Toast, turkey sausages, green smoothie

Wednesday - Seasoned Grilled Pork Chop, twice baked, carrots

Thursday - Happy Hour*

Friday - Gorgonzola and Cranberry Salmon Patties, broccoli, buttery rice

Saturday - Eating here with friends

Sunday - TBD, but The Girl and I will celebrate my birthday

*On Thursdays, The Girl has a standing dinner date with a friend of hers, so I thought I would start doing a Happy Hour/snakatizer dinner for myself on my way home from work - every other Thursday.  

Gina

5 thing Friday - dealership, portrait, yard, Christmas, Thanksgiving

Last week I took off from work a couple of hours early so I could run a quick errand then head to the Subaru dealership for a recall repair they have been hounding me about.

I should have know when I drove up that it was going to be a very long wait.  In fact, the service advisor didn't even call me over to his desk until I had been there 20 minutes (for a scheduled appointment!) then told me it was going to be a two hour repair when I was originally told 30 minutes. 

Removing the portrait on the right from its frame yielded the treasure on the left.  Two portraits of Hubby's Dad, the spitting image of Bubbie, I might add.  I scanned them into my computer then added them to the family portrait album. 

I wish I could have met him, but he passed when Hubby was a teenager.

The grass is thriving in the back yard after years of neglect.  I removed that plastic chair that was back there by the crepe myrtle because tacky.  I was going to take it to Highlands, but I think we don't need more junk out there, either.

I started thinking about decorating the Christmas tree early this year.  I'm not spending a bunch on this, but I do want to decorate the house for Christmas - simple but pretty.  I don't want to stress over any of it.

Same for gift giving.

Usually by this time every year I have some sort of involved, complicated schedule of events/cooking/shopping etc. for the holidays.  Not so much this year.  I texted the kids as to what they might want to bring to our Thanksgiving dinner and I think we have the basics covered.  I think Keep Calm should be our family theme this holiday season.

Gina

New life meal plan #11

 Especially in fall, candles are so calming.

Monday - Savory Grilled Chicken, twice baked potato, carrots

Tuesday - Beefy Cowboy Beans, garlic toast, chopped raw onions and peppers {library day}

Wednesday - Chile Lime Chicken Burgers, waffle fries

Thursday - YOYO {Happy Hour!}

Friday - TJ's Country potatoes and green beans with a pork chop

Saturday - I'm going to Highlands so I will pick up take-out on the way home

Sunday - I'm visiting my mother in Brenham, so something really easy, like tilapia

Gina