Thanksgiving Review

The table was set by noon. Notice the napkins? I made them Thanksgiving morning.
The boys were there . . . ooops, not these boys. DH made the bed and thought we needed a few bears on the bed. Silly man!
Thanksgiving dinner was great. I didn't take any photos of the food. We were too hungry to wait for photos. I learned my kitchen does work well with three people cooking. At one point, DH was carving the turkey. I was standing at the stove stirring the gravy. DS #3 was mashing the potatoes. Everyone loved the Bacon Wrapped Turkey and the Slow Cooker Stuffing. Really they loved all of it.

After dinner we played Scrabble and Red Sox Uno. Sometime during the evening we decided to make coffee. We had several choices to go in the coffee: milk, cream, sugar and an assortment of alcohol. I love the line up in front of the coffee pot.
Last night the men made dinner. DS #3 made Chicken Marsala (with a little help from DH) and DS #2 made Green Bean Casserole with fresh green beans. DH added fresh corn on the cob. Yummy!
I officially have way too much food in the fridge right now and you know what? I'm craving a pizza right now!

DIL decided it was time to update my menu board. Here's what it reads now:
I guess that means she has to come over at least once a week to update it!

I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday weekend.
Sweet P

The Pantry is Stocked- Bring on Thansgiving!

While working at home on Friday I worked on the Thanksgiving Menu and wrote the grocery list. Bright and early (and in the freezing and windy conditions) I went to the grocery store. A little over $100 and an hour later, I was home and the pantry is now stocked for the upcoming holiday week.

Here's my menu for Thursday:
Bacon-Wrapped Turkey with Cider Gravy (I just learned we probably won't be able to get the Pear Cider for the gravy. I will probably use unfiltered apple cider instead)
Slow Cooker Stuffing with sausage instead of mushrooms
Real Mashed Potatoes - requested by all the young adults in attendance and includes offers to mash the potatoes
Mashed Butternut Squash and Sweet Potatoes with Citrus - DH and I will probably be the only ones eating this dish.
Country Green Beans
Cranberry Relish
Dinner Rolls
Pumpkin Pie - a frozen one. I can't cook everything!
Triple Chocolate Cupcakes and maybe one other type of cupcakes.

What's on your Thanksgiving Menu?
Sweet P

Are You Ready For Thanksgiving?

This is what my dining room looks like right now. Two of my tote bags on chairs instead of being put away. My coat on the chair instead of hung up. Hangers ready to go back to the dry cleaners. Assorted junk mail, DH's laptop case and a blooming cactus on the table. This table does not say I'm ready for Thanksgiving.

I'm more ready than it looks. My grocery list is ready for the store tomorrow. I'm keeping the menu traditional: turkey with all the trimmings and ham for DS #2 who doesn't care for the bird. There will only be six of us for dinner: DH and I, DS #2 and DIL, DS #3 and GF. Nice and simple. Just the way I need it right now.

Our trip to Mohegan Sun and Mystic, CT was fun last weekend. On the way down DH suggested we visit IKEA. I'm always up for a trip to IKEA. I found this cool floor mat for wooden floors and it now resides under my chair and desk. We also purchased a track lighting unit for my studio. I can't wait to get it installed.
While DH played poker at Mohegan Sun, I went shopping. There is a Lush store in the casino complex and I love Lush. When I walked into the store I was told for every $50 I spent I could get a $20 gift for free. I chose a couple of Christmas presents and some items for DH and I to share. My total was $109 so I got a Happy Gift Set for me. I suppose you're wondering what I got to share with DH - well, I bought a couple of massage bars. And they are wonderful! If you have a Lush store near you I highly recommend a visit. It's a great store.

Tonight DH and I are having a stay-at-home date night: dinner, a movie and then . . .

What are you doing this weekend? More importantly, are you ready for Thanksgiving?
Sweet P

Weekend With Hotel Man

Hotel Man is taking me away for the weekend. We heading to Mystic, CT for a trip to Mohegan Sun . I'm hoping the weather will be nice enough for us to walk around Olde Mistick Village. Otherwise, we'll be napping in the hotel room before heading to the casino.

Meanwhile, here's a photo of one of the gorgeous blooms on my Christmas cactus for you to enjoy.

Have a great weekend!
Sweet P

Win New Dishes for the Holidays!

Aren't these casseroles gorgeous? You can win them from My Journey Toward: The Glamorous Life of a Housewife. Go over there quick! The contest ends on Tuesday!

Good luck!
Sweet P

Blogging By Mail Package Arrived!

Today was a dull, damp, dreary day here in New Hampshire. My day brightened up when there was a package in my mail box. My Blogging By Mail package arrived from Sarah at Sweets by Sarah.

Sarah sent me a box full of awesome goodies. I can't wait to start enjoying them.

First up was organic coffee. I will be enjoying a cup of coffee in the morning. The Wine-a-rita from Duplin Winery will make a great addition to our Thanksgiving dinner with my sons and their SO’s. I may be using the muffin cups this weekend. The fruit spread mix and fruit leather are new to me. I’ll save them until Hotel Man is home next week. The Sticky Fingers Rub will come in handy making ribs for football Sundays. The napkins and rings will add a special tough to our Christmas celebrations. The candle will make soaking in a bubble bath fun.

Sarah, thank you for choosing a wonderful assortment of goodies. Each and every one of them will be enjoyed!
Sweet P

What Kind of Tree is This and Hotel Man

Can someone tell me what kind of tree/bush this is? It is next to our mailbox. It caught my eye the other day because all of the leaves are gone, but these beautiful berries are still on the tree.
I'm sure the berries are not edible by humans. They are surely beautiful.
On Monday morning DH headed to Europe again, London this time. For some reason he asked me to take a photo of him before he left. Here he is with his luggage, ready to leave. Excuse the gray splotch on the wall. We are still testing colors for our entry area.
I miss him! He'll be home next Tuesday night. We are going out for dinner on Wednesday night. Next week is Restaurant Week in Portsmouth. Our favorite restaurant, Ristorante Massimo, is part of the celebration. I can't wait for our dinner!

What's happening around your home?
Sweet P

My Christmas Cactus

A friend of mine gave me a Christmas Cactus as a housewarming gift back in March. In May the cactus had one lonely flower bloom. This morning while looking at it I noticed it is filled with blooms. I can't wait to see how many flowers bloom on it.

I see at least 10 blooms on it. How exciting! I have absolutely no green thumb so for me to have my Christmas Cactus bloom again is awesome!

Stay tuned for photos of the flowers.
Sweet P