Littlesister

Weather turning cold again. So, will be lighting my stove up early in morning. Going to get those biscuits made in morning after the fire gets going and top of stove gets hot.

EmeraldCat Late on this but hope all went well with your procedure. Miki, when I was having a lot of issues with my feet, I ordered my shoes from Orthofeet. It's online shoe store and they specialize in foot issues. They have special insoles that are great for painful feet. I have ordered from them a few times and never had an issue. you might have some luck there. They are not the cheapest but well worth the price. Didn't get to do things I wanted too today. Washed clothes and deep cleaned kitchen. Got all the clothes put away and then sorted through my canning lids and things. Got all those put away and out of dining room. Got Christmas cards out and sitting on dining room table to write out cards and get in mail. I also took a short nap today and I don't usually do that. So, thyroid must be a bit off again. Starting to turn cold again. So, wood stove will be going again. Paid bills also. Done for the day. I am still tired this evening. GD in Washington state said they are getting snow. Her DH in military and they let them go home early due to snow amounts. She said it was coming down hard and fast.

Annachy glad you got home safe. Hope your trip was wonderful. Normally I don't go out on black Friday, but DD and DGD decided we would go to the NC outlets. They are about 6 miles from my daughter. It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. But was a bit crowded. That place is huge, and I thought the Williamsburg pottery was huge. This one has them beat. But it was fun. Jeepers I also see people riding alone in cars with a mask on. the funniest one was when DS and I were coming home from DD's house we took the scenic route. It was all country and not a lot of houses. A man came out to his mailbox and had a mask on. No one anywhere near him. This morning I went to Michael's for things to redo my poor 15-year-old reef that I put on front door. So will be hoping to work on that tomorrow. Then went to T J Max hoping to find a few Christmas gifts. Got GS a cast iron frying pan for when he gets his apt. He can't destroy that I hope. He knows how to use and clean them so should be good. His dad said that is the only frying pan he needs. I have a couple of regular frying pans that I will give him also. Don't think he will want to use the cast iron one for everything. While in Michaels they had the T shirts on sale 3 for $9.97. they were picked over and only one long sleeve which is what I wanted. So ended up getting 6 short sleeved ones. That was a good price, and I didn't know they had them on sale. Came home and started canning up the turkey. I did the ground turkey in 1/2 pints for GS as I think a pint would be too much for him and he would just waste what he doesn't use. He's not much on leftovers. Got 8 1/2pints. I was going to can the legs and wings but am cooking that up for him to just eat with rice. Tonight, is his short night so am cooking them up now. Tomorrow I will head to store as I need some things to make up turkey broth with the turkey bones. Will come home and get that started tomorrow morning.

I also just ordered 2 of them. Getting one for SIL for Christmas. He would love that beer chicken one. The other one is for me. Like Jeepers I wouldn't use it a lot but for smoking meat for freezer would be great.

I went through them and got some of them. Like Euphrasyne said they are easy pantry recipes and well laid out.

It was a bit to warm today to get the wood stove going. Now I am doing what I never want. Colder weather just so I can use the wood stove. But the colder weather is coming but hoping it will last a bit longer than just a couple of days and then warms up again. I hate yo yo weather. It needs to stay one way or the other.

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.

Wow Momo, that ham bone would be great for beans. She best learn how to use that stuff before things get worse. My DD is learning but still won't can food. But at least she is stocking up a little bit. Got GS's turkey ground up for turkey burger and will be canning that tomorrow. The legs and wings I will can whole with bone like I used to do for DH. We would take those and barbeque them. GS loves the wings and legs so going to bake those and then can them for him. Then I will add that to his box. I am going to need to get another box at this rate. Hoping he finds an apt. that won't be too expensive. He really needs to get a new car before having issues with the one he has. It's not in the best shape and I wouldn't trust it on a trip.

Miki, Hope your foot heals soon. I know how painful feet can be. Two bone spurs got me. Hope everyone can get some sleep. I hate being tired. But I also have those nights. We had a great time at DD's house. I had no issues getting there. We drove straight through. I was tired and my lower back was sore, but not too bad. Got there on Thursday morning and GD from SC got there early Thursday afternoon. We all had a great time. GD and her DH left for home late Friday evening to head back to SC as her DH is leaving town on Monday for his job for a couple of days. GS and I left Saturday afternoon as he had to work today. Thank goodness for cruise control. My knee started hurting and that gave me a rest. Not used to going 70 plus miles per hour anymore. But did fine. Friday DD, DGD and I went to the outlets down where she lives. It was a lot of fun but crowded. Got a bit of Christmas shopping done. This morning I started pulling some of the Christmas decorations out to get started on decorating the house. GD said they put their tree up on Halloween. That's early. Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving.

We always have turkey for Thanksgiving and then a ham at Christmas. But I will do a small turkey breast as my crazy DD does not like ham which is one of the few things she doesn't like. Growing up she would always look at the ham and say remember the poor people. I tell her at the price of ham the poor people can't afford it and that is why we have turkey and then I pass her the turkey. We always have a good laugh over that. Enjoy Thanksgiving tomorrow and be thankful for all the blessing that have been bestowed a pond us. I know some of us have had a rough year and things may get worse over the coming year. But the Lord has blessed us all here with a means to prepare for the upcoming issues that may arise. A Thanksgiving Prayer Oh, God, when I have food, help me to remember the hungry. When I have work, help me to remember the jobless. When i have a warm home, help me to remember the homeless. When I am without pain, help me to remember those who suffer. And remembering, help me to destroy my complacency and bestir my compassion. Make me concerned enough to help, by word and deed, those who cry out for what we take for granted. Jesus said to His disciples: My heart is moved with pity, for the crowd... He took seven loaves of bread and a few small fish, blessed them and distributed them. About 4000 people ate their fill. Mark 8:2-9. We all have been blessed and have much to be thankful for. Happy Thanksgiving and stay safe and well.

Mt. Rider keeping you in prayer for your MS issues as well as your sleeping issues. Hope things get better soon. And though your mom's house has sold, and you know that money will help her out, those memories will always be with you. I know all too well how giving up something that so many memories had been made in, but times change and as much as I hate to say it, we have to change with those times. But new memories can be such fun also with new memories to add to all those other memories. Take care and get well soon. EmeraldCat, glad you got your yard all raked up. I know that is a great feeling to have all that done. euphrasyne, I know your turkey will be a great success as you seem to be a very good cook. You come up with so many ideas to use up stuff. I love it. Just wish my DD's kids didn't take after their picky father. That is where the picky eating side of family comes from. DD would eat any type of veggie and soups. Oldest GD is doing a bit better and at least she tries new foods. As for the other two, forget it. But times are changing, food will become more expensive and harder to get and so they will learn to eat what they can get. And be happy and thankful to have that. Got green beans canned last night and this morning got those boxed up for GS. Washing clothes and doing a bit of light housework today. Got a few things packed up for trip. Called neighbor to keep eye on house for me. So that is all in order. After the break ins around here, thought it best to let my neighbor know I would be out of town for three days. It would be 4 days, but GS has to work on Sunday. He's sleeping now and has to work tonight. Then he's off till Sunday. Well, lunch break is over. So back to work. HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE. MAY IT BE A VERY BLESSED DAY. WE DO HAVE LOTS TO BE THANKFUL FOR.

Thank you euphrasyne. I have those recipes also. But GS would only eat the roast turkey. I am going to take the turkey he got from work and grind it into turkey burger and can it. That way he can use it for spaghetti or tacos. I have canned turkey before but did it like I do chicken. The other turkeys I have in freezer I will be making turkey soup and other things as well. Thank you for the suggestions. I might do the chicken a la king with some of the other turkeys for me when I start those. Got his green beans canned yesterday evening. 10 pint jars out of all that. So, he will be having a small stockpile of food for he moves into his apt next year. He will be getting more free food at Christmas but don't know yet what that will be.

Miki, I hope your foot heals fast. Nothing worse than having your feet hurt no matter how it happened. Got 10 pints of green beans out of that bag. it was a 5lb bag. So, all of that will go toward GS's food preps. He said he didn't want any of it, but I think if things really get bad, he will start eating some of it. Pressure canner is going now. I have a spot in pantry set up for his special foods and this will just help to stock him up for emergencies. Going to be a long night.

A pan of stew and hot chocolate to keep warm on stove sounds great. With GS coming in from work anywhere from 2am to 4 am that is a great way to keep food hot for his dinner. And there will be coffee on there to keep warm all winter. I do drink more coffee in wintertime. and GS drinks it once in a while. So stove is going to be a good learning process. for using the flat top for food.

Green beans are in the canner now. 10 pints is not bad for what he bought home. It's funny, because his dad also works in food distribution but a different company. They only give out a turkey. GS's company gives the whole meal right down to the pie. So now I have 5 turkeys in freezer, and I will have to can them when I get back into town this weekend. But well worth it. Four of them I bought last year right after Christmas. Never got around to canning them. I have 5 lbs. of potatoes I had just bought, and he came home early this morning with 10 lbs. more. So, I will be canning 15 lbs. of potatoes and 5 turkeys plus broth. Going to be a busy week next week. Will put one turkey in fridge tomorrow before leaving for NC. It will still be frozen in middle, but I will be able to get one canned while the next one is thawing. DD didn't want any of it as she said she had everything, and she will not can anything. GS's company really went all out with giving the employees food. Wondering now what he will be bringing home for Christmas. This will all be a good start for his food preps. Need to go through my canning books to see all the different ways I can can up turkey. I have no freezer room. So that is a bummer for pre maid meals. I am going to have to teach grandson how to use canned potatoes. He has seen me take a can of potatoes and fry up with onions. And he loved that. So will be giving cooking lessons soon.

Happy Birthday UKGuy, I never saw you on here but have read some of your post in across the pond. They were really good.

Joyfilled, you really caught on fast cooking on a wood stove. And I agree with everyone else. Those pies look great. I am so going to try your recipe. Yesterday I cleaned ashes out of wood stove and spread them over the larger garden area. they say wood ash is good for a garden but not to use to much as it makes the soil aquiline or something. Will need to read up on that. But the ground could use some of anything at this point. If I do end up doing a garden even though my plan was to just take a break next spring, I am thinking I will be doing one with prices like they are and going to get much worse. So, I haven't started another fire yet. But still want to try the biscuits. Will now be just waiting till I get back from DD's house as GS left me a lot of work to do with the food, he bought home.

Dee that looks so good. I am coming to your house for lunch. I am going to be up to my eyeballs in cooking and canning very soon. Very unexpected. GS works in a food distribution center. He bought home a pumpkin pie, 15lb turkey, 2 boxes of stove top stuffing, a 4 or 5lb bag of fresh green beans, 10lbs of white potatoes, and 5lbs of sweet potatoes. All free from his company. This is a first for him as he hasn't been there a year yet. So, this will be going on even after he gets his apt. He would just come by here in middle of night put it all away and I will wake up to free food as he doesn't know how to cook any of it. But I will take care of that for him. It will be part of his food storage. Seems they do this every year at Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Seems this is the year to be busy. Mt. Rider hope all goes well at the councilor's visit. And yes, what Jeepers said. Well, my plans changed for today and tomorrow. GS came home at around 3 am. He works in food distribution. I now have a 15lb. turkey in freezer along with a pumpkin pie. Opened up the fridge and I have 10 lbs. of white potatoes, a huge bag of fresh green beans. Looks to be maybe 5lbs. and 5lbs. of sweet potatoes. Plus 2 boxes of stove top stuffing. So, I will be canning today and tomorrow. That is not what I had in mind, but free food and a lot of it. Will call DD after I talk with GS as to what he wants to do as it is all his food. But he doesn't eat much of it. So, will can up what he likes and the way he likes it for him to take with him to his apt. when he moves. That is if he wants it. He doesn't eat green beans and doesn't know how to cook regular potatoes unless it's baked in a microwave. Same with sweet potatoes. He doesn't know how to cook a turkey for sure. But he can follow directions for the stove top stuffing, and I haven't ever known him to eat that. But at least he brought it home. I think this might happen again at Christmas. But hoping they will give him a ham as he does love ham and I can fix that up for him with no problem. He does eat turkey but only the legs. So, my mind is twirling as to how to can all this up so he will eat it. Got jars in dishwasher now. And waiting on those to finish. And I really want to talk with him before I start on it. So, waiting for him to wake up. His company seems to have supplied Thanksgiving dinner for us. Mt. Rider, I hope your son and his wife get over that virus fast. Not the time of year to be sick.

It is hard when you lose loved ones. My Dh cooked certain things for dinner at times that I did not know how to do. When he started to get sick and was not able to do things, I started making those things with him telling me what to do. I wrote down everything he made but still it's not as good as his. Those are sad time indeed. Miss him dearly. It's hard when you do everything with your DH and now you are having to do it all alone. But recipes to pass down to children to keep in family. DH didn't do a lot of cooking, but he did have his specials he liked to cook. I also save the turkey bones for broth and soup. But Dee you got lucky on that. Lots of things you can do with what someone else might consider being trashed. Our Church had our gathering this past Sunday night. The church furnishes the turkey, dressing, rolls and drinks and then everyone brings a dish plus a desert. We are a small church so no leftovers to bring home. We take what is left and fix up plates to take to our home bound members. Lots of fun.

Mt. Rider, I also didn't see where you had falling. Hope you are doing much better from that. I know that left a bad bruise. I think I got bit by a spider or something. Finger is red and itching like crazy. And a bit swollen. Though I never saw a spider. So not sure what bit me. Was going through all my canning supplies today. I have more lids than I know what to do with. And I think there are still more in the shed I need to get out. I am trying to gather them all in one place and have the large mouth and small mouth in separate bins. then there are the large and small tattler lids that I am separating into separate bins. To go in the pantry where I can get to them easier without running to the shed all the time. Not going to do much else as I will be leaving for DD's house on Thanksgiving Day. So don't want to start on anything else. Only reason I have been able to keep pushing to get things organized is because I don't have to cook this year. Usually when DD was living 15 minutes away from me, I would take some food to her house that I made. But 2 and a half hours on road would be a bit much. Don't think things would get there in the best of shape. But I do have Christmas to contend with. So, after Thanksgiving I will be getting house decorated and start planning for Christmas dinner and finish doing the Christmas shopping. Still stuck on one GD and her DH as to what I want to give them for Christmas. But I will have it figured out shortly. As soon as I get home I need to go ahead and order for the GD and her DH in CA and the one in Washington State. Need plenty of time to get there. This has been one busy year for me with all that construction and then the cleaning up from it and unpacking stuff to get put away again. And now with Thanksgiving and Christmas there is no rest for the weary. But will be lots of fun and I can rest up after the first of the year.

Dee the flat top wood stove is what I have to heat house with. And yes, I used it for 2 days straight and it was down in 20"s night before last, and the furnace never came on. Cooked chicken on it the other night. Didn't start it up today as I needed to clean it out. I buy my wood by the cord. Not cheap but I got over a cord and a half for $300. The stove is set to burn slow and it last much longer than I thought it would be before having to add anymore wood to it. Will be ordering another cord or two next year. Maybe more as I don't know if wood will go up or not. Hoping it won't. Hoping to see a very low gas bill this winter. But so far, my gas bills for winter use haven't been bad. Got the wood stove mainly because depending on a fireplace just wasn't an option as your heat goes up the chimney. So, that was to solve that issue and keep the heat in house and not up the chimney. But now that I know for sure I can heat and cook on it, I'm all in. SIL said to get a cast iron trivet to put the pots on, so things won't burn on bottom of pan. Might be a good idea. Going to give that a try and the top of that stove gets very hot and no way to turn down the heat except by way of the amount of wood you put in it. It's a learning curve for sure.

I can believe the 5 men to get it up in house. It took 4 men to get mine which is smaller than yours up the steps into the den. That stove weighed over 500 lbs. That's a lot of weight. But well worth it and I am very thankful for what I have. And I know you are as well. God is good. He knows our needs even before we do.

I have a few of what they call the Lost books. They are good books, but I am not familiar with that sight. But I do know those books are good ones.

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.