Joyfilled

4 hours ago, Littlesister said:

My DH passed on Valentine's Day, and it will be 2 years next year.  His mother passed also on Valentine's Day.  His father passed away on Christmas eve. 

It is so hard to lose loved ones on a holiday but when the Lord says it's time to come home, we have no control over that. But it's still hard for all of us that are dealing with the loss of our loved ones.  

I have been trying to move on but like I am sure Momo and others, it is not an easy road to take. Sometimes I feel like I am just going through the motions and yes, I am still struggling but staying busy. We all have our ways of dealing with loss and it's not easy to deal with at times. But we do get through it and move on. 

The memories are what keeps us going.  DH loved playing the Grinch. Kids got him a Grinch tee shirt years ago and he wore it every Christmas. This year when we were in NC and went to the outlets, they had the grinch in a Christmas tree. You put the head on top and then the arms go in and the legs hang near bottom of tree. So, I bought one. I have that now on the small Christmas tree that I pulled out of shed today. So, keeping a part of him in all holidays helps for me. DH always had fun playing the Grinch. And no, he was no Grinch. He spoiled those grandkids. 

 

I just hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving.  We have all been blessed beyond words.

 

Euphrasyne,  River is so cute.  But I think your DH is ready for a nap.  Love the pics.

Been hearing a lot about this RSV. Anyone know anything about it. Hospitals are getting full, and it affects mostly children, stuff like that. With 4 kids at home 11-3, it makes me a little nervous....

What is it with loved ones passing away on important days? My BIL died on my niece's birthday (his daughter). They brought him back and kept him on life support, but ended up dying the next day. Then my Mom passed away last year (2021) on my Dad's birthday. For the rest of his life, his birthday will be the anniversary of the day she died. For the rest of MY life, his birthday will be the anniversary of the day she died. It's sad. I'm thankful for God's comfort....He is good, and takes care of my heart.

On 11/21/2022 at 11:33 AM, Dee said:

Most of the time there's a can for free will offering sitting somewhere for those who want to contribute.  This Thanksgiving dinner there was enough money on hand to not put a can out.  We have 3 churches in town, Baptist, Lutheran and Methodist.  The ecumenical minister's group put it on this year and paid for the turkey and side dishes.  Turkey, potatoes, dressing, gravy and canned cranberry.

 

Of course, many of us work and contribute.  This year the Lutheran church did the cooking, serving and clean-up.  The Baptist brought salads and the Methodist did the bars.  It rotates yearly from church to church.  Our time and goodies are volunteered so no bills are handed in.  Our local grain elevator and the soybean plant in town donate the paper products.  Plates, napkins, plastic silverware, placemats, hot/cold cups.  Someone will print the words to Christmas carols on the placemats and we'll raise the rafters with our "beautiful" voices.  We aren't a choir, but we do make a loud noise!  

 

The men set up (and take down) the tables and chairs.  The women set the tables and really do most of the work BUT there are always men there to help us when needed.  Lifting heavy things, running after things we forgot, etc.  As is with most endeavors the same few do the work year after year but it's such a happy time that no one seems to mind.  

 

This year our Lutheran confirmand kids put on a skit.  It was kind of serious and yet fun and they had a good time doing it.  We adults loved it and laughed right along with them.

 

For our Christmas party some of us will gather early and make tons of ham and turkey sandwiches.  The meat is bought in the deli at a grocery store that will also bake the buns.  Some will bring a gallon of either chicken noodle, chili or Oyster soup.  Each kind will be added to a roaster.  Some will make bars and some with bring carrots sticks and celery. There again, it's all freely given and done.

 

Some of the free will offering will be spent by a group buying children's Christmas gifts and other supplies at after Christmas sales. Money is also saved until next year to buy hams, turkeys, etc. for the drawings.  

 

We've done it enough through the years it's become a well-oiled machine.  It's great fun, most of the community looks forward to it but, of course, there are always some old curmudgeons that don't.  We ignore them!

 

If you have questions Joyfilled, just ask!  I hope you can get something coordinated in your town because it's so rewarding.

 

 

 

 

This is AWESOME!! Sounds a lot like my little town, down to the three churches, etc. I would like to do this. I realize that most people have somewhere to go, but it would be nice to do something for those that don't. For example, our family. It's just us, DD and her DH, and my Dad. Next year my Dad may be in Africa, so it'll be even more smaller than it's been in years past. I only have enough space in my home, but if we did it at church....so, something to consider. I'm thinking that buying Thanksgiving plates, etc. now may be a good idea, as everything should be on clearance here soon if it isn't already. I just hate the plates that fall apart....

Another idea I've had is instead of Thanksgiving dinner, have a Thanksgiving service the night before, and have a pie social after, where everyone brings pie to share. Then if you have relatives from out of town, you have a chance to feed them variety without having to make it. It would be so nice!!

Thanks for sharing, Dee. It sounds so very nice.

1 hour ago, Momo said:

What a Sweetie Euphrasyne!

 

I had a sad boring day.  DH died on Thanksgiving day 2 years ago so it is a hard day for me.  The weather was decent for this time of the year but I was very gloomy.

 

I hope everyone  at MrsS.  had a wonderful celebration. 

I'm so sorry, Momo. I understand to some extent. Our daughter died a few days before Thanksgiving 7 years ago (only lived about 48 hours), and this year it hit me hard. I pray that you are able to find comfort and that your heart will find Peace.

21 hours ago, Dee said:

LIttlesister, DH, DS and his friends used to spend the weekend snowmobiling.  I always had a pot of stew and a pan of hot chocolate on the woodstove for when they came in freezing cold.  I just added to it all weekend long.

 

DD and I didn't want to stay home, never knowing when they'd be in so, it worked out well for all of us.

What a great memory, Dee!!

That's funny....we don't like turkey by itself that much, either, but you know....TRADITION!! That said, we LOVE using the leftovers. Turkey Wild Rice Soup, Turkey Pot Pies, etc....yummy!!

We also do ham for Christmas. We use the leftovers in soup and sandwiches as well.

3 hours ago, Dee said:

 

I guess I should have added he's crippled up with arthritis too BUT he wasn't that bad when he quit doing wood 30 years ago.  He was just tired of it.   

Can't say I blame him! It's a lot of work! I'm thankful for a bunch of kids running around who still think it's fun to stack the wood!

19 minutes ago, Dee said:

I've always wanted a wood cookstove.  We used to burn wood for heat that had a flat top so I could warm up and cook a few things but my that oven etc. is to die for.  DH says he cut and worked wood for 10 years and is NOT going to do it any longer.  I do understand as he's 78 years old, but I sure wish we still had some kind of woodstove for heating with IF needed.

 

Enjoy your stove and know I'm drooling!   

My Dad just turned 80 and he enjoys helping us with the wood....but that's just it, helping, not in charge of. There's a difference!! 😊

1 hour ago, euphrasyne said:

I have all of that on hand--I'm absolutely making that for thanksgiving.   I'm going to halve the recipe though and use a baked piecrust.   

Post pictures!! 😊

That's wonderful, Dee!!

Can you tell me more about your gathering? Is it like a potluck, or who provides the food? We live in a small town, and I think that would be a nice thing to do!!

9 minutes ago, Littlesister said:

Joyfilled, you made the right move with that stove.  I don't have any way of putting something like that in my kitchen and the one I got was to be a fireplace insert but ended up being free standing which worked out better. But if I could get something like yours it would have to be set up outside on back patio and I don't know how that would work as it would need to be protected from weather.

I'll tell you what, it was a BEAR to move. It took I think 5 men to get it up the porch steps and into the house.

2 hours ago, Littlesister said:

Mine is not a stove like that but just a flat top wood stove to heat house. But I did cook chicken on top of it.  It has no burners or an oven. But I think when it is just hot embers, I could cook on that. But for the flat top of the stove, I decided to try cooking chicken. Figured if it didn't work out, I could finish off in oven. But the chicken cooked through and was very tender. Great flavor. Can't bake in it but might think about stove pipe oven. would have to have chimney guy come and install it but would be worth it.  The stove is at fireplace in den on far side of kitchen. 

It is heating the whole house. The furnace has not come on all day. it is comfortable 72*in house right now.

 

Joyfilled, that meal looks great. I love the wood cooking stove. Maybe I might have one like that in my future.  But at my age and lack of funds for one like that I will settle for my regular wood stove.  And yes, thinking the Lord every day for being able to have one. Will try to get pictures on here when I get the problem fixed with that.  Computer keeps saying my pictures are full. Don't think that is the problem. 

 

Little Sister, we bought ours when our, *ahem*, benevolent government was handing out money. We have 4 kids at home, so we saved up what they sent and were able to get it! We believe it's one of the best investments we've made!

8 hours ago, euphrasyne said:

I am super jealous of that stove.  Everything looks amazing!  The jelly jar water glasses are a great idea that I may have to steal.  

 

Also I'd love your pumpkin pie recipe if you are willing to share.

 

We've been using canning jars for drinking for a long time now, I stole the idea from one of my friends when I lived in MN. They hardly ever break, and with kids, that's been really helpful!

Here's the recipe! My biggest tip is to make sure that you mix the pudding and the pumpkin well. I didn't when I first started making it, and it looks terrible!! Still tastes good, just not very nice to look at. Know that people won't want to cut into it right away because it looks like an under cooked pumpkin pie. Once it's opened, it disappears! Sometimes I even cut into it so people will know what it is. It's yummy! This is how I have it written in my notes:

Double Layered Pumpkin Pie:

8 oz of cream cheese 2 cans (15oz) pumpkin

2 Tbsp milk 4 (4srvgs) pkgs vanilla instant pudding

2 Tbsp sugar 2 cups milk

2 tubs cool whip, thawed 2 tsp cinnamon

3 graham cracker crusts ½ tsp ground cloves

1 tsp ground ginger

Mix cream cheese, 2 Tbsp milk and sugar in a large bowl with wire whisk until well blended. Gently stir in half of the whipped topping. Spread unto crusts evenly. Pour 2 cups of milk into large bowl, mix in pudding. Add pumpkin and spices, mix well (mix will be thick). Spread over cream cheese layer.

Refrigerate 4 hours or until set. Top with remaining whipped topping.

Makes 3 pies. DO NOT DOUBLE!!

14 hours ago, Joyfilled said:

 

By the way, that was my plate, and I couldn't finish it all. A lot of food!! Leftovers today. Yum!!

Both my hubby and I wrote that we were thankful for our wood stove on our Thanksgiving tablecloth. 😂

@euphrasyne I'm off to Church in a few minutes, but will when we're home! 😊

We always celebrate the weekend before (so, today!), and decorate for Christmas on Thanksgiving Day. We always have the same menu, and do try to invite others that don't have a place to go. Our menu:

Turkey

Mashed potatoes

Gravy

Sweet potato casserole

Green been casserole

Cranberry/Orange souce

Double layer pumpkin pie

Pecan pie

Sparkling Juice

We go around the table and say what we are thankful for, and hubby reads a Psalm of Thanksgiving. We also have a table cloth that we all write on what we are thankful for with a permanent marker. We use it for 5 years, then start a new one, that way each kid will have one to take with them if they want to when they move out.

We make enough for at least one leftover meal, plus croissant sandwiches with cranberry sauce and turkey. We make broth with the bones, and will make wild rice turkey soup with it sometime later next week.

I love reading about your traditions!! Whether it's Mexican food or special china, I think having traditions and special time together is the best.

Well, I do believe I did it!! We baked everything except the turkey and sweet potato casserole, as we wanted to be sure the turkey had even heat the whole time, and ran out of space for the casserole. That means that I cooked the potatoes on the stove, as well as the cranberry/orange sauce. The green bean casserole and dressing were baked in the wood stove, and....pecan pie!! I only made two kinds of pies, and one of them doesn't have to be baked (double layered pumpkin pie). It was so rewarding to cook and bake in it!!

Thank you, ladies, for your ideas and comments!! I have to say that I envisioned me telling my husband that 6 ladies brought chocolate chip cookies, and him wondering what the problem with that was.... He is going to make some of his bars and send them with me so I can bring extra cookies home. Smart man, that one.

I've sent our pastor a write up to print out and put in the bulletin, and I'm hoping ladies will come. A few friends and I are going to bring soup and bread for supper, and we'll have a couple of prizes for best cookie (best flavor and/or presentation) and most festive dress. I've done a couple of these before, and it really is a lot of fun. I'll see if I can find some pictures, and if not, I'll take some that night and post them!

I'm hosting a Cookie Exchange for the Church ladies next month. Have you ever been to one? What made it successful? What did you like/not like about it? Any thoughts or ideas about it?

I'm asking each lady to bring 3 dozen cookies, 2.5 to share and 1/2 to eat while there. I'm thinking about 20 ladies will come. We (some friends and I) will share soup and bread for dinner, and hot chocolate bar.

If you have any ideas, I'd love to hear them!

7 hours ago, Mt_Rider said:

Well....that should make some light and airy waffles...  Good you have time to experiment and learn b/4 hooey hits fan. 

 

MtRider    

Yes!! I've seen recipes for all kinds of things, including tortillas, croissants, etc. A little strange, but we'll give some of them a try!! 

1 hour ago, Mother said:

I’m sure you will find lots of recipes to make it but Labneh is just simply strained yogurt.  I use a fine mesh cheese cloth/gauze that I buy by the yard at fabrics stores instead of the coarser kind often found at grocery stores as the yogurt can sometimes ooze through the latter.  Pour the yogurt in the cloth, gather the four corners together and figure out a way to hang it to allow the whey to drip away from the yogurt as it will start to do.  I like to put mine in the refrigerator to drip but it can sit in a cool place.  I usually just tie my corners around the handle of a wooden spoon and support it across the rim of a container deep enough the yogurt won’t sit in the whey as it drains.  That’s it.  The longer it drips the thicker it becomes.  You basically get greek yogurt first and then a rich thick cheese that forms a ball and peels off the cheesecloth readily. Labneh.  The whey can be used like regular whey in baking of cooking or ??  You will find tons of ways to use the labneh (besides just eating it).  I sometimes add herbs and spices and form it into small balls which I store in olive oil in the refrigerator.
 

By the way, this can be made with store bought plain yogurt or plain Greek yogurt but be sure it doesn’t have a bunch of fillers or gelatins and sugars.  They are made so the whey DOESN’T drain from them. 

This sounds great!! I must be hungry, my mouth is watering....

9 hours ago, euphrasyne said:

The key to keeping starter is to use it.   If you go more than 5 days without using it, measure out a cup like you normally would and toss it.   Then do the normal maintenance to it to keep going.  It can also be dehydrated and frozen indefinitely.  

I have to admit that I'm pretty intimidated....hubby is going to use our first discard to make waffles tomorrow morning because I can't figure out the bread thing quite yet. Ugh.

12 hours ago, Mother said:

There is a product called Junket that was for making puddings and deserts.  It is rennet and can be used to make cheese.  It’s a whole lot easier than using a calf or kid’s stomach lining for sure.      Have you made labneh with your yogurt yet.  My family loves it.  It makes a great cream cheese substitute.  Yum!  And that’s something anyone can make from pasteurized milk or even easier from yogurt or Greek yogurt.  

Not sure I've ever heard of it!! I'll have to look it up, because I have yogurt making already, might as well get another use out of it!

10 hours ago, Mother said:

Actually, cream cheese and cottage cheese are different from the vinegar cheese, or quark as it’s called in some countries.  Though cream cheese can be made in similar ways.  Cottage cheese is most often made with rennet though it can be made simply by allowing raw milk to curdle naturally and the curd cut and heated to the right consistency, similar to what is done with some hard cheeses.  Much like your sour dough bread or yogurt you can use specific cultures for different types of cheese or you can hope for a natural culture to inoculate the cheese to gain a certain taste or texture.  
 

Cheese making is way to broad of a subject to write about here but thankfully there is a ton of info on the internet.  I will suggest that if you start by learning the basic of why and how milk becomes other dairy products you will be better able to utilize the milk no matter what the situation.  Let me give you a small example.  Cheese for the most part is curdled milk that is cut and the whey allowed to come out of the curd with a gentle stirring.  Often the curd would be heated in the whey to the texture you need before using it fresh or pressing it for a harder cheese….  Many types of cheese uses rennet to coagulate the milk,  The old fashioned way to get rennet was to kill a young dairy animal that has only had milk to drink and save the lining of the stomach.  That was salted and dried and pieces of it were used in the milk to create curds.  An alternative was to use certain plants, like nettles, though the curd might be different texture.  That is the very basic but it will allow you to understand the reasons for different processes and additions.  
 

There really is a lot of homesteading that can be done without a farm. There is even ideas for urban and apartment homesteading and they can all be fun to learn. I started out many many mannnnnny years ago learning about the necessary skills and crafts of our ancestor’s daily life.  I am still learning.  

Sorry, I thought I had replied to this! I have a book about dairy stuff....I can't remember the name of it, but I really should look into it. So much to learn!!! I have a friend that gave me rennet! I would rather not take it from the goats stomach....😅

Thanks for your advice and encouragement!!!