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Mainly food
Dunno about the rest of you, but my second home this week has been the grocery store. Tonight I finished up with all the things I’d forgotten from the previous lists. Plus I bought the Christmas turkey tonight.
A few words about this twelve pound Butterball turkey—the price tag said $23.19. Isn’t that kind of steep for 12 pounds of turkey? But, of course, with my Rewards Card, the turkey only cost me $14.60. That’s a pretty hefty markup for the people who don’t have a Rewards Card. What a rip.
So anyway, having gone through my menus and recipes, I now have all ingredients for Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and a couple of days after. The top request for Christmas dinner, aside from the turkey, was green vegetables. Anything green and fresh. And lots of it. Especially fresh green string beans. Never thought I’d hear that. Christmas eve must include stuffed mushrooms.
On Christmas Eve we’ll have the beef stew in the bread bowls with some stuffed mushrooms for an appetizer before we dig into the stew.
Christmas Day will be the turkey, mashed potatoes, home made stuffing, home made gravy, fresh green beans, broccoli, acorn squash with maple sugar and butter melted inside, fresh rolls, and a small spinach salad with an herby vinaigrette.
A day or two later, there will be Jumbo shells stuffed with ricotta, Parmesan, cream cheese, eggs, and herbs; smothered and baked in a combo of vodka tomato sauce and Alfredo sauce.
The left overs plus a turkey pot pie and turkey soup/stew will keep all mouths passing through the door filled for at least a week.
I’m hoping not to see the inside of a grocery store until January 2nd.
Meanwhile, the lad is off to his Dad’s house. I tracked him down and the Dad came up around 7:00. This is a man I know pretty well and I’ll tell you, I haven’t seen such unabashedly happy eyes in a long while. The man literally glowed. The lad wasn’t in the best of moods, having had to cut his day short, so I dragged him upstairs on some pretense. Once I had him out of earshot, I told him pretty bluntly that there will be few enough occasions in his life where his mere presence will light up someone’s face like that. It’s a gift and a blessing and it’s not something to be taken for granted. He has the power to make someone that amazingly happy for no other reason than the fact that he merely exists. Treasure it, kiddo. He lost his attitude on the spot. They will have a fine weekend.
And I am, admittedly, a little glad for a two day respite.
Sounds wonderful, am still playing with tonight’s menu as oldest son has arrived and his birthday was Friday--so will most likely go with the lamb which is his all time favorite. Not that I have this urge to make a huge meal the night before Christmas, but.........other son turns out is going to his girlfriend’s house for their annual Christmas eve bash.who knew?? And I will be baking and preparing all day long for tomorrow and then my annual Open house tomorrow night. So, no time for playing here, but wanted to wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas. Hope it is all so very jolly!! OH, and one more little thing.......my daughter in law came in last night carrying something and wishing me a Merry Christmas..........it was a pet carrier--Uh-Huh and with the sweetest, little black kitten in it....They got her from a shelter in Virginia, my son said whatever they got had to look as much like our Georgie used to look as possible and she does. The tiniest bit of white on her chest, rest jet black. Her eyes aren’t as green, at least not yet. She was born in July we think. The kids named her Dusty and my husband said living here, that would be a good choice (the bum!!) She is precious, a very tiny cat as was our George, he never weighed more than 13 pounds. This one might be about 4 or so. Cute as can be - races all over the house, has batted the ornaments off the tree...........is into everything. Baking will be a challenge. Been a long time since I had to put everything away.
And for such a tiny creature, boy can she jump GREAT heights and climbs.....we are in for some trouble!! ;). I will send you a picture at some point via email......
Merry Merry Christmas!!
Oooh! A Kitty!!! Kittens are so much fun even when they’re getting into everything in sight. And climbing Christmas trees. There is just nothing like a kitten. I can’t wait to see what she looks like!!
Sounds as if you have one busy household this weekend. Things are just a little bit nuts around here this morning, too, and there’s only me right now. By the end of the day there might be a few more, by the sounds of things. And I still have to wrap presents. But I guess that has fallen into the realm of tradition at this point. 
Have a Merry, Merry Christmas!!!
That kid’s a lucky man, especially because he has a mother who explains to him that he’s important and why he has value. Too many young people don’t get that kind of reassurance, especially during those awkward years when they question everything about themselves, and can really use that reassurance. Good for you!
dk, you always have the nicest way of saying things. Thank you.