Ghosts in the Machine

I swear my appliances are possessed. My dishwasher decides when to turn on, and IF she wants to leak. My microwave? Her light dims if I touch the door in a certain fashion. The filter in the refrigerator decides it needs changing one day, but not the next. The stove is the only thing that works in my kitchen without a glitch. The washing machine talks if she is…. agitated. And the vacuum cleaner? Let’s just call her Jaws.

At least I’m used to their little quirks and complaints. Where some people talk to their plants, I talk to my appliances. I soothe them before turning on a cycle, and I tell them they did a great job after they are done. I even buy the expensive cleaners for them, and make sure to keep them spic and span.

I’ve seen too many movies where they can turn on you for being an ingrate. I don’t want to take chances 😉

Things I Learned This Thanksgiving

No Thanksgiving is ever the same in our family. But here are some things I learned this time around:

1. My family prefers apple pies over cherry or pumpkin. They are heretics.
2. Baking the turkey in an oven bag is a lifesaver.
3. A turkey STILL only has two drumsticks, so do a lottery next time to determine who gets them.
4. Avoiding the “What the hell is that supposed to mean??” question will make for a very peaceful day.
5. It is perfectly acceptable to lay about in a comatose state. It is also acceptable to rise from comatose state to get more food to further enhance the comatose state.

I hope y’all had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Now I am off to the mall with the girls.

Prayers are welcome 😉

The Countdown Begins

It’s less than a week until Thanksgiving! I am very lucky to have one sister live up the street. We get to co-ordinate large gatherings with family more easily, and thus avoid the headaches associated with one cooking for many.

This year, she will be making the ham, and the neighbor the turkey, leaving me with the sidedishes and one dessert. Now, I tend to be a bit more adventurous when it comes to food, and a bit less traditional, too. I was all jazzed about trying a new recipe I had found for a cranberry chutney, when my sister spoke up:

Sis: A what?

Me: A cranberry chutney. It has pineapples and pecans and a bit of cayenne–

Sis: No.

Me: What do you mean, “No”??

Sis: I mean no fancy stuff. Just get the jelly stuff in a can.

Me:………… what??

Sis: It has to be eaten, so get what regular people like.

Me:………..

Yes, she actually said regular people. But I figured she had a point, microscopic as it was, and let it be. After all, Thanksgiving is a time to be grateful, and I’m very grateful for all I have.

Besides, She didn’t say anything about dessert!! 😉

Thankful Changes

Oy…finally!! We are moving into Autumn quite nicely! Today brought a cold (cool? Cooling, maybe?) front through South Texas, encouraging the leaves outside to start changing somewhat. We don’t get the glorious colors of Autumn in New England here, but neither do we get the blizzards and power outages and ice-covered roads. Soon enough, the squirrels that run on my rooftop will go hibernate somewhere, and my dogs will no longer perk up and go insane at the sound of pitter patter.

Another wonderful thing about Autumn is my favorite holiday: Thanksgiving. I’m not sure why it is, but I love it. Cooking vast amounts of food, trying to be overheard above the din of football and kids, visiting with family, taking the time to give to others less fortunate and being thankful for everything in your life, is what makes this day so special.

Of course, there will be a lot of preparations, and tears for what we have lost, and have gained, and prayers for those who cannot be with us, and for those who are lost and afraid. But also smiles for our loved ones, and teasing and laughing and lots and lots of unbuttoning of jeans.

I pray y’all have a wonderful Thanksgiving, and know that I am very grateful for each and every one of you 🙂

Playing Dress Up

Yay!!! Less than a week, and it will be Halloween!! The candy, the lights, the candy, the haunted houses, the candy, the decorated trees, the candy, the little kids dressed up, the candy…. WHAT??

I admit, I like to make my own costumes. I prefer to make my own using stuff I already have. One year I managed to wrap some leftover silver lamé around me, and wore a shiny metal trashcan lid on the back of my head: I went as a spoon. Then there was the time when I took two brown towels, sewed them together, cut out felt letters and ironed then on with no-sew stuff, and went as a bag of M&Ms. And who can forget the time I took a brown sweatshirt, brown sweatpants, and made “wings” and sewed them under the sleeves so I could be a bat??

Good times, good times….

This year, Little One decided she wanted a more blingy, high-maintenance costume. Eldest decided to take a pair of scissors to an old evening dress of mine and do her own thing. Son decided to not dress up. I believe he is the lone sane one among us. I had toyed briefly with the idea of purchasing a costume, but decided to save a bundle few bucks and go with what I have on hand. As I looked in my closet, I came to the realization that either a) I need to divest myself of unnecessary stuff, or b) I’m a throwback to another age. I think it’s “b”. At least, I hope it’s “b”, because I don’t want to get rid of anything. Sigh…

Anyone else dressing up for Halloween?? 😉

Born Yesterday

I firmly believe I should have been. Well, not literally. But I have an affinity for the 1940’s and 50’s. The music, the fashions, the radio shows, the comfort foods….and the *ahem* adult beverages. I swear, if I could channel June Cleaver, I would.

And sometimes, I manage to come so close!

A friend of mine makes these wonderful vintage aprons, and I just acquired my third creation!! All that is missing is a martini in my hand. Or maybe a Tom Collins. At least in my fantasy.

In reality, it would be Alka Seltzer 😉

Kitchen Bling

I got my canisters a few days ago, but had not gotten around to displaying them. Why? Mostly because I was out of sugar and flour, and was NOT going to put them on the counter for display purposes only! So, after a run to the grocery store, I unpacked, washed and dried, and place dry goods inside my beloved canisters.

And yes, I do cluster them like this. Makes more sense to me than to line them up against the wall like they are about to be executed. In the back you have Coffee (with measuring spoon), Flour, and Sugar. In the front you have….. ok, I have no clue what to put in the short canister yet, but the mini one is for my French Sea Salt. That little pot goes by my stove, but I added it to the tableau for effect.

I’m an artiste that way 😉