Littlesister

Yep, a Santa in the window and shame on you Mr. Grinch for stealing the sidewalk. Jeepers, spotted it first. She wins the prize.

Two weeks' worth better heal that ear drum. There are several different ways to take it and every way has a different way of doing it. You can just spread the 6 out with each meal and split them up into 3 does for the 6 pills and so on. I don't see where it would make any difference. But yes, you can take the 6 pills all at once. If they make you jittery, then I would definitely split them into the 2 now, then 2 at lunch and then 2 at dinner. And yes, when they get into your system good your appetite will increase. Everyone I know that has taken them complained about that. And the bitter taste.

Momo, baby getting lots of kisses for you. Have a wonderful nice relaxing Christmas just doing what you want. Keeping those fond memories going. That is what I do also.

GD and her DH took a lot of food home as I always fix way more than enough so all the grandkids could take home food. Part of their Christmas and they love it. Though now that they are all grown up. Yep, GD still takes home food, and her DH is so funny. I like this can I take some home to. Yes, dummie, you are both living in the same house last time I checked so take all you want. And yep, still have enough for a couple of days. And enough turkey for navy bean soup and turkey soup to can. Guess what I will be doing on Tuesday? My DH and I have always fixed way more food than was really needed as it also helps the kids out at home. DD living in NC now didn't get to take any home. She forgot her cooler. GD's DH said he wanted diapers and Harris Teeter gift cards. So, the baby got the diapers, but we had fun and told him the store was out of depends. We were all laughing our heads off. He wanted the Harris Teeter gift cards because He and GD bought themselves a freezer and a dehydrator. They are now preparing for hard times. She said later she might want to start learning to can but right now the baby takes up too much of her time to start that. She will get there yet. Jeepers, sounds like you are having a nice, relaxed Christmas this year.

And I forgot. I got GS an air mattress for the back seat of his car. So now he can be half homeless in comfort. He likes it.

Momo, this is my third Christmas without my DH. Though family has kept me busy. It's still hard and I don't think it ever gets any easier. But I do keep busy and now with a new great grandbaby that helps even more. Does any of your family live near you? If possible, try to have Christmas with them. I know that is hard if they live any distance from you though. You are thought of during this holiday season. and Merry Christmas from all of us here on Mrs. S.

Jeepers, the way they are supposed to be taken is take 6 at one time. the next day 5 then 4 then 3 then 2 then 1 and done. Every time I had to take them that was the instructions from the doctors. If he has you on a 2-week supply to take them then it does get spread out more but taking all 6 at one time should not hurt, you. But, beware, they do make you eat.

Wow! that was some catching up to do. MidnightMom, no I forgot about the 2-hour turkey recipe. I just cooked it the old fashion way. Turned out great though. We had our Christmas today. Everyone was here except GD from Washington and SGD from CA. But we were able to do face time. Maybe one day soon we can get together. But for the one in Washington, we will hold out till they get warmer weather. She got stuck and couldn't get here for her grandfather's funeral. All flights cancelled and police had blocked off her street due to the steep hills. Everyone had a great time. Even the baby was good. She took a long nap on my shoulder today. Lots of food. Ham, turkey, shrimp, snow crab legs (yes, grandson is a bit spoiled when it comes to his seafood at Christmas.) Lots of veggies, fruit, cookies, pies, and candy. So, they had a feast. And somehow my SIL got his parents to come over which no one can get them out of the house. And of course, if my GD didn't tell me I wouldn't have known they were coming. Surprise. My house but I am the last to know. Just glad I had plenty of food. Jeepers get you a guitar pick. Easier on the fingers. Ask me how I know. Been many years. I have 20/30 on the eyes since the cataract surgery a few years ago. But still need readers for fine print. I also keep cheap reading glasses all around the house.

Jeepers, this too will pass as soon as you are back in your house. Things should start looking up for you. Necie, I hope you can get some kind of good home health care for your dad. It is getting harder and harder to get the proper help in the medical field any longer. But at least you have family that are able to help out. GS was off work for today, Christmas Eve and Christmas day. They called him at 8 am wanting him to come in to work. So, he is on his way now. He told me to save the wood stove for him and he will clean it out when he gets home. But I would rather he clean his bathroom. So will see how doing both is going to fly. Turkey is still in oven. Not quite done yet. So just taking a break. Lifting a 10lb. ham and then a 15lb. turkey didn't help my shoulder any. But it is what it is. And just in case I am not on here for the next 2 days. I want to say: MERRY CHRISTMAS And A VERY HAPPY AND BLESSED NEW YEAR

Necie, I can understand the bad hospital service both by way of VA and just a regular hospital, but I won't go there. It would tic me off all over again. Ham is in oven and almost ready to come out. Drinking a cup of coffee as I haven't had my morning Jo yet. I needed the caffeine. Turkey is next to go in oven. This would be a great time to have 2 ovens. But it is what it is. Warmer day today so far, so no wood stove going today. Need to clean it out anyway. That will be GS's job today. And to bring in more firewood. He's done well on that job so far. He loves getting the fires started. Something he and his dad did do when they were camping. I have a zellon things I want to do and just making those plans for after the 1st. I am going to be a busy beaver for a couple of months. Then once GS is in boot camp. I am calling in the painters and getting most of the house painted. Hall, foyer, living and dining room. The front bedroom and pantry will come later as I will have to use down the food in pantry and then go through things in front bedroom. Office things, sewing, and craft stuff. Some will need to be boxed up till after the painting is done. Those will be the hardest rooms to get to for the painters. Then I will be buying new furniture. Need to sell the dining room table and hutch also. Will get GD to help me get that on the sites she uses to sell things. I am ready to get all that started now but need to have patients. It will all get done in due time.

Jeepers you are just seeing things finally coming together for you. You are just starting to feel that weight you have been carrying to get lighter. It's not uncommon for you to cry a bit. It's just stress being released. I have been there myself. Things will calm down and you will be back to your old self soon. Glad the hole in the ear is closing up and you won't be facing surgery. Everything is now ready for Christmas, and I can now sit back and relax awhile. Tomorrow, I start cooking turkey and ham. Need to get an early start on that. Both refrigerators and freezers are now overflowing. Let the canning begin soon.

Jeepers, I have never seen a doctor's office do that. He must have a big heart for the needy. That was a great thing you did. You might not have known at first why the tree was bare when you said what you did, but you sure made an ugly tree pretty with useful things for the needy. You will be blessed for that in more ways than you know. I always kept cash on me when going to a store and this year when I was out and about, I forgot about the Salvation Army. I didn't have any cash on me. So, I did my shopping and got cash when I checked out. Then was able to contribute to them on the way out. Yeah, I went to the bank and got cash out so I would have it if I saw another red bucket for them. Not many bell ringers this year though. Washing sheets and clothes today. And doing a bit of cleaning I didn't finish up yesterday. But almost done. GS is still in car asleep. Hope he stays there awhile. I need my me time for a bit. Doubled checked on the food for Christmas Eve and I think I am now covered for everything. And right now, chili is looking good for dinner tonight. Going to put a pot on in a bit and let it simmer when done. Then we can eat whenever. No time on dinner tonight. Might go to Wal Mart later to look around at the sales. Might not buy anything but just to get out of house for a bit. Might take GS with me if he will go and usually these days he will go with me.

Lots of ways to express yourself. I have seen some that I am not sure what they mean.

That is great TMC. I do have 2 pressure canners but one more never hurts. And for free that is wonderful. Having 2 of them does make the canning go much faster.

I have made it before, but it has been a few years. Might put that back on my list of soups to make. But yes, need to make it thinner. Otherwise, the chunks don't bother me either.

Yep, those are great reasons to up the price of the house. I hope you get more than what you have put into it as well as what you have gone through. You deserve it. Euphrasyne, My DD was in Coast Guard. Now my GD's DH is in the Coast Guard. He went in this past year. As soon as he starts climbing the ladder sort of speak my GD is going to be a stay-at-home mom. Though she works from home anyway but will be quitting her job at some point to raise the kids. Yep, they are planning baby number 2 around June of next year. So that baby will be born around April or May of 2025. And GS came home early, and I didn't hear him come in. Yep, he started into Christmas food, but I caught him before he opened anything. One of my neighbors came over for a bit. She said her and her DH passed me on the road and waved but I didn't see them. She thought something was wrong and came over to check on me. I really didn't see them. They have a white truck but then so does over half the neighborhood. And on top of everything else. My GS kept saying he was working tomorrow, Sat. and Sunday evening. Turns out he is off all 3 days for Christmas. I'm still not going to my DD's house for Christmas as they are coming here anyway on Christmas eve. Not going to change plans again. And gas dropped down to $3.79 for 2 days and went up to $3.89. I didn't check to see if it went up again or not. But they are saying it is going up. So, I really don't want to spend the money on gas to go to NC and back. I think I am just too tired to travel this year.

I don't know how I missed this but glad to know about it. This is the first I have heard of it. Thank you, Ambergris, for this information. Though I am a bit late in seeing it.

I went to store and picked up the rest of the food for Christmas lunch. So, Saturday I will cook both the turkey and the ham. Then let it cool to slice for sandwiches and such. So, grocery shopping is done unless I decide to add something to it. Bought shrimp and snowcap legs for GS for his dinner. But he does have to share. My DH always made sure he had those two items for his Christmas dinner but always made enough for everyone. So, keeping up with tradition as much as possible but that will change at some point. Now to keep him out of the fridge. I hid the shrimp and crab legs as best I could. But he will be forewarned. Candy and cookies are hidden for now. Yes, he will get into the food if I don't watch him. Gee, wonder what he would do if I put a lock and chain on the fridge? GS also got his lab results back. Liver counts are down and normal. So, in the Coast Guard he goes. He just has to wait to see doctor again on the 10th of January to get the results to send to his recruiting officer. He needs this. And I hope they can teach him something. Though his Vit. D is low but I figured it still was because he won't take his Vit. D pills. But that won't keep him out of the Coast Guard. Busy day tomorrow. Getting house cleaned, sheets washed, clean bathrooms and a bit of picking up. Then I will be cooking on Saturday. So, everything is about ready. Christmas day is a rest day for me. We can have leftovers to eat, and I can just sit by a fire if it is cold and read and relax. GS will be working some on Christmas day as well as Christmas eve. So, I will have part of Christmas day to myself. Looking forward to that. I really wish my GD from Washington could come here for Christmas. But she would have to take off work and can't afford to do that right now. Hopefully next year the whole family can get together for Christmas.

Euphrasyne, your recipes are very close to the ball book. I like the idea of the chicken stock better than just water.

I have the ball complete book of home preserving. Here is the recipe. Makes about 5 pints or 2-quart jars. 2 cups dried split peas 8 cups water 1-1/2 cups sliced carrots 1 cup chopped onion 1 cup diced cooked ham 1 bay leaf 1/4 tsp ground allspice salt & freshly ground black pepper 1: In a large stainless-steel saucepan, combine peas & water. Bring to a boil over medium high heat. Reduce heat. cover and boil gently for about 1 hour or until peas are tender. 2: Prepare weighted-gauge pressure canner, jars and lids. 3: If a smooth soup is desired, working in batches, puree peas and liquid in a food mill or a food processor fitted with a metal blade. Return puree to saucepan. 4: Add carrots, onion, ham, bay leaf & allspice to saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat and boil gently for 30 minutes. If soup is too thick, thin with boiling water. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Remove bay leaf. 5: Ladle hot soup into hot jars, leaving 1 inch head space. Remove air bubbles and adjust headspace, if necessary, by adding hot soup. Wipe rim with a paper towel moistened with vinegar. Center lid on jar. Screw band down until resistance is met, then increase to fingertip tight. 6: Place jars in pressure canner. Adjust water level, lock lid and bring to a boil over medium high heat. Vent steam for 10 minutes, then close the vent. Continue heating to achieve 10 lbs. pressure. Process pints for 75 minutes and quarts for 90 minutes. 7: Turn off heat. Let pressure return to zero naturally. Wait 2 minutes longer, then open vent. Remove canner lid. Wait 10 minutes then remove jars, cool and store.

I have already used some of the ForJar lids. So far, they have held up well with no issues. I also have some from Leman's and the ball lids as well. I have enough to get me through the next canning season. Plus, I have plenty of tattler lids.

Themartinchick, I am with you on that one. Most everyone will be here for a little while. More of a eat, open gifts and leave. And of course, leave me with the mess to clean up on my own. That is how it has always been. I'm used to it. But on Christmas day, I have the house to myself for the most part. GS not only has to work Christmas eve but also Christmas day. It's Food Lion and they will be open for holiday hours as far as I know. But he stocks so they must feel it can't wait till Tuesday. But that does give me most of the day to just sit back and relax. And GS got a promotion. He will now be head of the stockers which is just under the manager. And a good size raise to go with it. Hopefully he will start paying off those bills.

Euphrasyne, you made a great haul that day. I am waiting for spring to start going to yard sales again. But I am also trying to downsize the house and get rid of the clutter. Cold weather has put that on hold. So, when I go to garage sales, I need to behave myself.

This was a small batch so just chopped it and dehydrated it. This morning it is more of a very light brown color but still smells like celery. I sort of thought it would turn from the very light green to the very light brown but that is normal.

Mother, I was thinking about the auctions, but we do still have estate sales around here. Now I am going to have to try those deserts. I will have to be careful of natural sugar but once in a while should be ok.