I was thinking the other day about Taylor's upcoming weekend with Katie. Josh and Isaac were here two afternoons last week and Josh asked John to 'name the cousins'. Family is of utmost importance to Josh and I thought what a nice thing it would be to have them over today while Taylor was here. I held off asking but kept the idea in the back of my mind. Apparently great minds think alike. Katie texted this morning asking if I minded if she asked for Josh and Isaac to come over. When I mentioned it to John he said, "I was thinking the same thing." As it worked out, dear Bess is ailing and Sam was in charge of groceries and pharmacy pick ups and asked if he could bring the boys over early since they were meant to be coming over anyway.
So before lunch today, I had three grandchildren here. Taylor was shy. Josh didn't feel well. Isaac was pleased as punch that no one wanted to play because he had everything to himself. Katie was a little nervous. John was weary after working last night. I took one look at everyone and decided that I really should have followed my plan yesterday and prepped a meal but I didn't so I had to make one on the fly. Sloppy joes and Fries for us adults, PBJs with Pretzels for the littles.
They were all gone by 1:30 because the children all got sleepy. Josh actually asked me to call his daddy to come get him and then got mad because daddy came to get him, lol. Unreasonable children are the sleepiest ones, I find.
By 2:30 everyone had gone home. John was seriously asleep in his chair, no longer responding to comments or change of stations on the television. I sat back and sipped a cup of coffee and thought back over the short but sweet visit and thanked God for the opportunity I have at present to have family run in and out of the house.
I enjoyed my quiet time this afternoon. I've created a blog list of blogs to read deeply. Currently I'm reading Rhonda Hetzel's Down to Earth from the beginning and finished with July 2007 today. I'll write more about my purpose later in the coming week as I've been thinking long and hard and coming to some conclusions about my next decade of life. But this afternoon she made a statement about neighbors and in a second post on the same day wrote about her realization that she had many neighbors...online. Yes. I may lack in neighbors here in my rural setting which I love deeply, but I am not lacking in neighbors who pop in to visit, or who allow me to drop in whenever I like via a post. Kinship is more than blood.
In the meantime, it's planning time for the week ahead...
Work:
Living Room/Dining Room/Front Entry is on my list this week. Truthfully I think the deeper cleaning is done but there's plenty to do in routine cleaning to keep me busy this week especially when you throw Grocery Shopping and Harvest Duties. I actually worked up the bill box and balanced the checkbook on Friday morning which is when I took time to look over our budget with an unbiased eye. I also took time to add up our grocery spending for this past two weeks and discovered we'd little to no wiggle room for any extra purchases...but we're going to need milk and bread and fresh fruits just the same. John did bring home 3 dozen fresh farm eggs. He offered Katie a dozen of them, since we know she likes them as well as we do.
My plan in the main room is to dust the furniture and blinds, sort out the linens drawer in the buffet, check the toy box for anything broken or too worn to trust with the kiddos, clean the storm door, etc. Not a lot of work but enough to keep me going this week.
My main project this week will be to gather the empty flower pots and determine which ones I'll replant with winter plants and spring bulbs. Dig Iris for Bess. I've seen parsley planted here in our area with Pansies and I think that would be nice to do. Parsley is underrated as an herb in my opinion and it's ornamental as well.
I'd love to plan to paint something this week but four days have predicted rain none of which coincide with days I know for sure I'll be home. I may just try to sneak in the small section of rails that have already been cleaned...It's likely to be fully spring before I get back to that back porch again but at least some portion of it will be done.
Meals:
I am bored, bored, bored with my usual meal plans and options. I am also needing to be especially creative this pay period. I've a chunky credit card bill to deal with this pay period and after going over our stockpile and freezer, I'm seriously wanting to do a major stock up despite the budget. There's a holiday nearer the end of the month...Which reminds me of the need to buy a turkey or turkey breast. Best contact my eldest son and Katie and see what their personal plans for Thanksgiving will be so I'll know just what is needed. And loathing to shop anytime at all during Thanksgiving week, I think I will borrow ahead and go on and stock up. Oh yes...meals for the next week.
John works two days. Those two days I'm not just sure what I'll do. No leftovers here...I shall have to do something.
Fried Chicken, deli sides, sliced Tomatoes, Green beans, Rolls
We make good use of an 8 piece box of fried chicken. It will serve us three meals usually and that would help with my need to have leftovers for me at least one day as well. John always wants macaroni salad. I don't care for the store prepared stuff in the least. I've got green beans and rolls here at home. Campari tomatoes are on sale at the store where we'll stop and I've been waiting for months for them to go on sale.
Cheesy White Bean Tomato Bake, Green Salad, Crusty Bread
I have about six cans of white cannellini beans...This seems a good way to get a meatless meal in this week.
Shipwreck Casserole, Steamed Broccoli
I'm going to make this but thinking after the bean casserole above that I'll swap out a can of mushroom soup for the tomato soup. I' won't be using a pound and half of ground beef either...One pound should do just fine for the two of us and we'll likely get a second meal off this.
Slow Cooker Beef Stew, Cornbread, Tossed Salad
Reading:
Eleanor Roosevelt Autobiography
A City of Bells by Elizabeth Goudge
Jerusalem A Cookbook
Hilltops Clear Emilie Loring
That's an ambitious reading list considering I never read one single page as I'd meant to do last Friday. In my defense, I went to sleep sitting in my chair mid afternoon and could barely hold my eyes open after 8pm. Nevertheless I hope to finish all of these this week.
11 comments:
I’ve done my shopping for the month and I hope to need very little more. Yes, the stores will be nuts Thanksgiving week and pretty from then until after Christmas.
I certainly consider you a friend and closer to my heart than my actual neighbors. My neighbors are all nice people but we just have nothing in common.
Tomorrow morning reality hits and we have to get ourselves packed up, clean the house and go home from the lake. Then all the laundry and a house that has been sitting for 2 weeks and the need to grocery shop, etc. We have to get the house ready for an appraisal for our home equity line of credit. Ugh! We are proud of ourselves for trying two new restaurants over the last two weeks. This really got us out of our comfort zone and we found two great places to eat when we visit here.
A very sad thing about grandchildren who are missionaries' kids is that they don't see the cousins and they are all best of friends so it is sad. By the time furlow comes around some will be teens so the dynamic really will have changed.
We are invited to our youngest son'S for Thanksgiving so I am hoping to only bring sides. They have more money than they know what to do with honestly so I won't feel bad about them doing the holiday. I am finally getting a handle on ibotta so that is helping the grocery budget. We spent $58 on groceries over the last two weeks and I got back $33.40. Every little bit helps.
My little nephew wants to live here, too, until I make him do some chores or something, and then he's crying to go home:). He loves to spend the night and we have him frequently. Last night he stayed over. We enjoyed him, but I'm pretty tired tonight. One thing we did was do a science experiment involving flinging marshmallows from a plastic spoon taped to a clothespin. They sure had fun with that one this morning! Pretty soon it evolved into a contest to see who could get them to land in the tea cups...Fun! It is fun to have fun and then send them home:)
I miss close friends. The people I grew up with were literally on the other side of the country. The neighbors here we used to be close to all moved away and their houses sold to people who rent them out. We try and are friendly but renters only stay for a short time then move on it seems and keep to themselves. We joined some charity groups and other community things but most of the people have been together for ever and stay aloof. Then there are blogs. It seems odd in a way to say but I feel closer to those I visit on line and hear comments from than neighbors these days. I miss being close to relatives as I was all my growing up days but now none are alive. We are now the oldest generation. I sure know the many many older relatives I grew up with seemed way smarter than I feel at their same age ! :)
I have been pondering the coming years too. Changing up a bit here and there and rethinking things in other areas. I am trying to listen to my heart. Sarah
Due to my parents divorce when I was five years old, I grew up living in my grandparents house. Every Sunday, after church, all of my aunts, uncles and cousins (20+) gathered at my grandparents for dinner and loads of kid fun. I always wondered how my grandmother was able to feed that many people on her humble budget. After following my dear blog neighbors like you, Becky (Gepford), and Brandy (Prudent Homemaker) I realize my grandmother's two vegetable/herb gardens as well as her frugal practices were key to feeding a crowd. My family is still close, although were are dispersed among many states.
Please count me as a blog neighbor and devoted follower.
I love having all my grandsons, but rarely get the opportunity as they live too far away. You are blessed.
The past few years our local grocery store has offered a free turkey for $100 worth of groceries purchased. The last two years a friend and I have gone shopping together, because alone neither one of us will spend $100 but we will each spend about $50 (I save all year to have money to stock up on butter and flour and sugar in November) One of us runs her stuff through the cashier but before the second one of us starts having her stuff rung up, we ask for a subtotal so we don't have to add stuff up ourselves. Then we get the largest turkey, and thaw it in time for the night before Thanksgiving. My husband then saws it in half and my friend and I each get about 10 pounds of turkey. (Actually, last year it was a 24 pounder so we each got 12 pounds.) It takes a bit of effort but it saves us both money and she is single and it is only my husband and I so 10 pounds, one breast and one leg/thigh/wing is sufficient. She also doesn't make stock so after Thanksgiving she brings over the carcass and I make stock.
Mable---that is brilliant! Then you both get turkey, but not too much turkey, and all the bargains to boot!
Donna Marie--I'm very happy that any thing I do helps any one in any way. That was nice of you to say. Thank you. I agree that the huge garden and food preservation helps me stretch the budget so much. I was going to buy very little this week, and felt like I did until it rang up at about $50. Yikes! I cannot imagine how much it would have been without all the food I have preserved!!
When DonnaMarie talked of the family eating at her grandmothers it made me wonder just how my grandmother did it too. The whole family gathered round her table each week and were there also for hot bread and butter after church too. I know other brought sides and such for the dinner but even contacting all to see what they will bring and setting it all up and then cooking some too would be a lot for one women. Now that I am her age I wonder at her stamina and also the budget. I don't mind hosting the family but tire After they all eat and I can relax I realize just how really tired I am and it is hard to sit and sit while they all visit. :) The longer I live the more I marvel at the older ones we used to have and still love in our lives. Sarah
I have finally come to the point in life where I know my dearest friends are not necessarily ones I've ever met in person, my family is who I choose it to be and who supports me most. I love being your neighbor, Terri!
Your menu looks great. Thanks for the links on the two recipes. I am going to add that bean casserole to my rotation soon!
I am finishing up here at work right now and then off to a ladies conference thing with a coworker this evening. I'm looking forward to it!
I'm still fighting a sinus infection and then on top of that got blood labwork results back this morning and it doesn't look good - I'm thinking I might be pre-diabetic. I hope it's just a change in blood sugar from a recent medication change but regardless it prompts a much needed return to healthier living.
I have thought about Thanksgiving but haven't made a plan yet. We now have one daughter that is gluten-free due to migraines so that will be an interesting change. We leave for a cruise the day after Thanksgiving so my desire to even cook the meal is waning. LOL
Mable, that's a brilliant idea about splitting the turkey with a friend!! I never had a problem hitting those amounts even with just the two of us because the sales were so good that I'd stock my mom up, too. My friend in SoCal & I used to split those big packs at Costco a lot, though. We'd split fruit, greens, grapefruit juice, etc. We were both on a tight budget, small families, & so we got the deals and nothing went to waste.
My biggest project this month is getting my new Christmas plan underway smoothly. I'll post back at the end of Nov. to share what I did and if it worked!!
Neither of us are close to our families geographically or emotionally so we do holidays solo all the time. Over the long T'giving weekend we usually take the opportunity to re-do a room in our house, which means we cycle the entire house about every 10 yrs. That will be the plan again this month. If I haven't shared, I take all the little stuff out on Wed., we prep on Thursday like taping, spackling, etc., & then we head to Cracker Barrel and have dinner, go home, watch football, & relax. We get at it first thing on Friday & hopefully finish up no later than Sat. Sunday, we put it back together. We originally started doing it for financial reasons, but it's been the definite way to go as we've aged. One room a year is about all we can handle!!! Too much groaning & creaky bones!
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