This bird was awfully loud and chipper this morning -
I hope this finds you all well and happy and looking forward to Thanksgiving.
I know I sure am.
Today I started off to the grocery store to pick up things I had forgotten to add to my list on Friday. Stuff like olives stuffed with garlic, Columbus Salami, fruit, cream cheese, etc. This is for my antipasto platter I serve before dinner. There will be crackers, celery sticks, carrots, pickles, artichoke hearts, marinated mozzarella balls, and whatever little tidbits I can find. Maybe deviled eggs - depends if I have time.
I find I like these munchies better than the actual meal.
Acorn Cookies
I didn't make these this year, but thought I would share them. I used to make them with the children I nannied for.
I would start making these the first of Autumn - and throughout.
I just think they are so cute. They are tasty too.
Last week Foodie and his friend went hiking up in the Trinity Mountains. He took this photo for me. They had a bit of an adventure - where some prankster, closed and locked the gate to the camping area. It is a hike-in-only site. So, as they were hiking back to the parking lot, the gate was closed and padlocked.
They had not done anything wrong and they knew it but still, someone was yanking their padlocked chain.
So they had to hitchhike into the nearest town which was Weaverville - go to the Forestry Dept to get some help. Unfortunately, it was Veterans weekend and no one was there so they had to leave their number for someone on call to call them back. It was the Trinity County coroner who called them back. She was the only one on call. So she did some calling around to try and find out who had the key - by late afternoon, they were finally on their way back to Redding.
I was so pleased that I am not the only one who feels this way about potlucks. I guess most people just don't talk about it. Yesterday I only had mashed potatoes, no gravy - I passed on the turkey. I had stuffing (not mine) and I had a small piece of pumpkin cake.
There was some gnarly-looking food on that table that I knew I was going to pass on. I sat at the table and another gal was having nothing but a roll. Another gal had her plate piled sky high - and just picked...
Of course, the men, seem to really chow down at a potluck (until they get sick) I've never met a man who didn't enjoy the "All-you-can-eat Buffets". I didn't get sick this time so all is well. I did enjoy good fellowship and that is the most important thing.
Now the small gathering of friends for a potluck - I'm fine with it. It's these big potlucks, usually at churches that my stomach can't handle. Plus we have a lot of elderly at our church who still think their venison stuffing is the bomb. Oh, it's the BOMB alright...plus how long has that venison been in the freezer?
I don't hate Mondays, do you?
Every other Monday I talk with my Christian Counselor. Her name is Kristina and I just Love her. She is from Denmark but she's an American citizen. So sweet.
Today, we talked about the holidays from my past. How my sister and I after we moved out, were made to feel guilty if we had other plans for Thanksgiving or Christmas. They always took it as a personal insult. Mom would manipulate and withhold her love - Just because we grew up, got married, had a family, and moved out of the house? It was crazy. I would explain to them that the boys had other grandparents, they had aunts and uncles and cousins - as the boys got older, we had sporting events. Thanksgiving was always a big soccer tournament in Morgan Hill and Gilroy. My sister and I were always in trouble and it made for some sick stomachs, tears, and a lot of stress.
Because of all of that, I did finally have to put my foot down - and sadly my sons hardly have good memories of the wonderful Normal Rockwell holiday dinners that many of you enjoy. There were hard feelings from my Mom and I felt she never forgave me. I was the object of her depression.
I told Kristina, that while I do miss my folks, I no longer miss all of that dysfunction. I feel FREE - that first holiday after Mom passed was amazing - I felt like I was a real grownup now - totally on my own to make my own decisions. I no longer feel guilty because I know that I've done nothing wrong.
Thanks to God, I do have good childhood memories that were filled with unconditional love and that is what I cling to.
I do hope and pray that none of you have these issues. If you do, hang tough - don't give up your autonomy. Just because they are "family" doesn't give them the right to abuse you.
This is my tradition - No Christmas until AFTER the turkey gets put away. I won't even wrap gifts. I usually start Thanksgiving weekend but as I get older I seem to put it off longer.
Okay, I am done here - Take care till I see you all again.
Debby
