It was a once in a lifetime event, and I am thinking that we won't see some of these dear folks until heaven home, as Bob's cousins are scattered across the country. And even though I have tried over the years to explain connections and relatives to our sons, Ben still came up to me after and proclaimed, I did not know I had another blonde girl cousin with our last name. Girl cousins are kinda rare to him. (He has two more girl cousins I bet he would not recognize a room full of relatives.)
And how come the very same child who has not listened to your explanations of relations obviously did not listen to the good sermon about being gentle and kind, either? During the reception, he decides to "kid" one of the cousins wives, and all over a chair. Shesh. We had been sitting for two hours during the wonderful tribute where every sibling, and every grandchild spoke. Why did Ben decide to be a pill with Lisa? I had to take a snowball out of his hands. And Bob was oblivious. I try not to yell at my husband unless it is an emergency, and Ben needed a man to sit on him. gently. If he had not driven with us, I would have been tempted to ask him to leave. I wanted him to meet his relatives, and know he is part of a big family that gets along. What got into him? Someone made a crack about his long hair, but he gave the his oft repeated "it would make my Dad too happy to cut my hair". Seriously? Yet, he gets along with his Dad and shows Bob stuff he has built or done at his solar power constrution job. Gotta keep praying.
Gary Horton came and spoke yesterday at our church. It was so good to be reminded to keep praying...especially for the hard to love, the pierced, the tattooed, the difficult, insecure, rebellious. I look at them as carrying a lot of baggage, but they are precious to God, and need God to change their lives and give them purpose. We need to pray that God open doors and get Gary into school to give the Gospel. That is what our future generation needs.
One story stands out in my mind from the day. Bob's uncle had the same name and signature as his own father. When Bob's uncle was overseas in the Battle of the Bulge, and sending his $22 a month paycheck back home, it was either put in a joint account or the bank messed up, because when Bob's granddad wrote checks, he used up all Bob's uncle's money. When Bob's uncle and dad came home from WWII, they came home to no money, and all their possessions had been sold by a second wife. All their precious books, and things, gone. And Bob's uncle was not bitter about it. He never complained nor spoke of it, but went on and got a job and got married, and raised a wonderful family, and made a conscious decision to be a better father and husband than he had had. a daily, conscious decision...to start his day reading his Bible, praying, looking into the Word for what to do, how to act, and then he lived it. He was respected all his life in his town, and seen to be strong and gentle. Reflected in the stories from the sons and daughter, was this theme of a true gentleman.
Bob's oldest brother, both a preacher and a prof at a Bible college, did okay in the sermon portion. Everyone else loved it, and thought it great, but to me it was just okay. I wanted more about passing the baton. I wanted more about admonishing the next generation as this looked like the last opportunity for that. But, God the Holy Spirit directed Joel to preach other things. Like, be careful what God you serve. A god of your own making, or the One True God.
Maybe they ran out of room on the bulletin, but the myriad of nieces and nephews, grands and greats were left off. And Bob's uncle's influence of the El Paso Williamsons was not mentioned here either as it had with Aunt Mary's funeral. At Aunt Mary's funeral, we were all directed to sit shoulder to shoulder, and the orphaned El Paso Williamsons got to say thanks. This time, we had wandered in early, and sat apart. I was so glad James and Amber were there to hear the stories. And I hope Ben appreciates them some day. But, I wish Andy and Lauren could have heard them, too. As these stories from Missouri, Arkansas, New Mexico, and El Paso are part of their rich heretage, too.
Bob's uncle's daughter shared some of the near death experiences which sound more like a gift and something to ponder, as she was amazed they happened while all three of them were there. Usually, her brothers took turns flying into town to see their Dad, and at the end, the lucid times seemed to be rare as they knew he was ready to go, and yet lingered for a few weeks in hospice. At one point, he seemed to be talking to another place when he bold demanded of some unseen entity: "who are you? come here, who are you?" and then proclaimed, "I am William R. Williamson, junior, and I am a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ..." as if in some part of the angelic conflict, his spirit was still lucid and alive and awake. A man of prayer to the end, a prayer warrior all his life, doing spiritual battle to the end, too. All three of his children witnessed it and were so thankful for this and other glimpses into that unseen realm. They could tell a difference in when he was halucinating or confused, and when he was clearly declaring or conversing with the next world.
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
Dangerously Hot (old post found in draft folder from July 2009
We are under a heat advisory until Monday night at 7pm. Why 7pm? Is that when the temperature dips below one hundred degrees?
Even the nights are warmish. I think the day started at 85 degrees this morning. And the water coming out of the "cold" water side will wilt lettuce. I can take a whole bath and shower just using the "cold" side. We might as well turn off the hot water heater this month.
Bob has waited until the yard is somewhat shaded to mow. He wants to mow so that he can water and keep the yard sorta green for a few more weeks.
We attended Amber's church this morning. Drove the route between our two churches to check the milage, and noticed that one of the streets have changed. Bob fixed the maps on google earth so that we can print out a few to keep with us, and post the link for incoming relatives. Amber's church is small, but they have done such an amazing amount of remodeling since we were there at Christmas. Carpet, and padded pews, and the textured walls reminded me of angels' wings. I wonder if they planned it thataway. I tried to imagine Amber and her eight bridesmaids all lined up. It will be packed, but fun. I wonder if Amber and her crew will step up on the stage to be seen easier? It is a big step. And I hope all the dear ladies and gentlemen eat a good lunch, and drink plenty of water. We don't want anyone fainting.
It will take folks 30 minutes or so to drive back to our church for the reception where we have lots of room in our church gym. I am encouraging some of Bob's cousins with small children to come just to the reception, as we can still visit, and it will be easier on their kids. Bob asked if we would be inviting anyone from our church, but how do you invite a select few and not everyone? I don't want to hurt anyone's feelings. And while family understand we can't all fit into Amber's church, they are flexibale about coming to the reception for a good visit. We kinda need a head count to give the catorers. or is it caterers. or how about catorors?
Amber's church members may wonder why no one from our church attended, but I hope they understand why. And I hope they will feel welcome at our church.
As soon as the reception is over, we have to get the gym ready for church the next day---200 chairs wheeled out of their storage rooms and set up. Bob has been on the chair crews for years, and can do it in an hour with four other men who know what they are doing. Bob likes to set them precisely. Our church threw us a curve ball by deciding to add yet another "ministry" of opening the gym Friday afternoons. Just when are we going to have time to decorate. It is not right to be mad at your own church, but ... And Bob and I have been pondering just how much tea, limeade, and lemonade for 150 people in super hot weather. I am sure there is a formula on google somewhere. Ice hauled from the grocery store next door.
It will all work out. I just hope James and Amber look back with good memories. And I hope they are able to laugh at all that transpires. No matter what.
Now if we can just find someone to keep our church open from 2-6pm, and greet the cake lady, and catorers, and receptionees, and help with the music....
James was home this weekend
And we only ate breakfast with him once. (publishing an old post from a drafts folder)
I think we missed our opportunity on Saturday night.
He heads back to Lawton today. He says he'll be by to pick up his laundry later. But, he has a full day scheduled with Amber. And that is as it should be. Yesterday we showed Amber and her sister and niece and nephew the facilities, and they discussed table placement. Then James showed them the botanical gardens, but he said he also experienced a flat tire. Yikes. Got it fixed at Walmart. That is good.
Next weekend, James does not come home here. We'll be going to Ohio to see firstborn become a captain. And then June 6th--Ben wants to go with us to see Hannah graduate from high school with us at Reed Arena. Our social calendar is getting exciting!
Bob google earthed the trip to Ohio. Google earth has pictures of the streets and houses and businesses now, as if you are driving down the street!!! Amazing, and so helpful for the directionally challenged like me. And so fun to zoom in on the farm in Illinois. When I was a little girl, my grandmother would send me to the north bedroom to fetch a sweater, and I had NOT a clue as to which bedroom was north, and google earth helps me figure out which way was which. I did not learn to drive in Illinois, which is my excuse for not knowing the four points of the compass. And it was cloudy a lot---so I could not use the sun. That is my excuse, and I'm sticking to it. Ha. I should have had a watch with a compass as a kid.
I would like to thank my husband again for over and above and beyond the call of duty---the hours and hours shopping, researching, schlepping, re-arranging, plugging in stuff, downloading stuff, and getting this new computer stack set up and going so that I can wile away my hours playing on the computer. What few interesting articles I find him, I don't think it is a fair exchange. Bob does not ask for much. He seems so grateful for any meal (except yogurt), peanut butter cookies, and clean black socks. And of course, a game of Scrabble. But, we did not get to do that much between computer revivial, retreaval, and power outages. But, Bob did a funny, funny post about our adventures Sunday. I can tell it is going to be and awesome post when he sits in his chair laughing at his own writing. And then we get to bouncing comment ideas off each other. Whoa. And Bob's commenters are so kind to help me out with even more ideas. We hope no one from church (if anyone reads Bob's blog) is offended. We have had poor attitudes about the music at church for years. It is not just the present administration.
Maybe, in heaven, God will not only fix our attitudes about worship music, but give us the great music to sing. And maybe He has a special place for hymn lovers---a special hymns only section as well as a seven-eleven place for those who lean thataway, for their enjoyment. I don't know. And won't it be fun to hear the original Psalms in their original music. Bob thinks it will sound mournful
What are you holding?
Genesis 21:17, 18 And God heard the lad crying, and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven, and said to her, “What is the matter with you, Hagar? Do not fear, for God has heard the voice of the lad where he is. Arise, lift up the lad, and hold him by the hand, for I will make a great nation of him.”
Deut. 11:22 For if you are careful to keep all this commandment which I am commanding you, to do it, to love the Lord your God, to walk in all His ways and hold fast to Him, then the Lord will drive out all these nations from before you, and you will dispossess nations greater and mightier than you.
Deut. 32 (Moses’ song) …For I proclaim the name of the Lord, ascribe greatness to our God! The Rock! His work is perfect, for all His ways are just; a God of faithfulness and without injustice, righteous and upright is He. …He has made you and established you. …Remember the days of old…See now that I, I AM He, and there is no god besides Me; it is I who put to death and give life. I have wounded, and it is I who heal; and there is no one who can deliver from My Hand. Indeed, I lift up My Hand to heaven, and say, as I live forever, if I sharpen My flashing sword, and My Hand takes hold on justice, I will render vengeance on My adversaries, and I will repay those who hate Me.
Joshua 22:5 Only be very careful to observe the commandment and the law which Moses the servant of the Lord commanded you, to love the Lord your God and walk in all His ways and keep His commandments and hold fast to Him and serve Him with all your heart and with all your soul.
Psalm 74:21-23 When my heart was embittered, and I was pierced within, then I was senseless and ignorant; I was like a beast before Thee. Nevertheless I am continually with Thee, Thou has taken hold of my right hand. With Thy counsel Thou wilt guide me, and afterward receive me to glory. Whom have I in heaven but Thee? And besides Thee, I desire nothing on earth. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
Isaiah 56:1 Thus says the Lord: Preserve justice, and do righteousness, for My salvation is about to come and My righteousness to be revealed. How blessed is the man who does this, and the son of man who takes hold of it, who keeps from profaning the Sabbath, and keeps his hand from doing any evil.
Jeremiah 2:13 For My people have committed two evils: They have forsaken Me, the fountain of living waters, to hew for themselves cisterns, broken cistern, that can hold no water.
Matt. 6:24 No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will hold to one and despise the other. You cannot serve god and mammon.
Matt. 12:11 And He said to them: What man shall there be among you, who shall have one sheep, and if it falls into the pit on the Sabbath, will he not take hold of it, and lift it out?
Matt. 14:31 And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and took hold of him, and said to him: O you of little faith, why did you doubt?
Mark 7:8 Neglecting the commandment of God, you hold to the tradition of men.
Luke 8:15 And the seed in the good soil, these are the ones who have heard the word in an honest and good heart, and hold it fast, and bear fruit with perseverance.
Col. 1:17 And HE (Jesus) is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.
I Th. 5:21 But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good; abstain from every form of evil.
Rev. 2:25 Nevertheless what you have, hold fast until I come.
Rev. 19:10 And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said to me: Do not do that; I am a fellow servant of yours and your brethren who hold the testimony of Jesus; worship God. For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.
Deut. 11:22 For if you are careful to keep all this commandment which I am commanding you, to do it, to love the Lord your God, to walk in all His ways and hold fast to Him, then the Lord will drive out all these nations from before you, and you will dispossess nations greater and mightier than you.
Deut. 32 (Moses’ song) …For I proclaim the name of the Lord, ascribe greatness to our God! The Rock! His work is perfect, for all His ways are just; a God of faithfulness and without injustice, righteous and upright is He. …He has made you and established you. …Remember the days of old…See now that I, I AM He, and there is no god besides Me; it is I who put to death and give life. I have wounded, and it is I who heal; and there is no one who can deliver from My Hand. Indeed, I lift up My Hand to heaven, and say, as I live forever, if I sharpen My flashing sword, and My Hand takes hold on justice, I will render vengeance on My adversaries, and I will repay those who hate Me.
Joshua 22:5 Only be very careful to observe the commandment and the law which Moses the servant of the Lord commanded you, to love the Lord your God and walk in all His ways and keep His commandments and hold fast to Him and serve Him with all your heart and with all your soul.
Psalm 74:21-23 When my heart was embittered, and I was pierced within, then I was senseless and ignorant; I was like a beast before Thee. Nevertheless I am continually with Thee, Thou has taken hold of my right hand. With Thy counsel Thou wilt guide me, and afterward receive me to glory. Whom have I in heaven but Thee? And besides Thee, I desire nothing on earth. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
Isaiah 56:1 Thus says the Lord: Preserve justice, and do righteousness, for My salvation is about to come and My righteousness to be revealed. How blessed is the man who does this, and the son of man who takes hold of it, who keeps from profaning the Sabbath, and keeps his hand from doing any evil.
Jeremiah 2:13 For My people have committed two evils: They have forsaken Me, the fountain of living waters, to hew for themselves cisterns, broken cistern, that can hold no water.
Matt. 6:24 No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will hold to one and despise the other. You cannot serve god and mammon.
Matt. 12:11 And He said to them: What man shall there be among you, who shall have one sheep, and if it falls into the pit on the Sabbath, will he not take hold of it, and lift it out?
Matt. 14:31 And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and took hold of him, and said to him: O you of little faith, why did you doubt?
Mark 7:8 Neglecting the commandment of God, you hold to the tradition of men.
Luke 8:15 And the seed in the good soil, these are the ones who have heard the word in an honest and good heart, and hold it fast, and bear fruit with perseverance.
Col. 1:17 And HE (Jesus) is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.
I Th. 5:21 But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good; abstain from every form of evil.
Rev. 2:25 Nevertheless what you have, hold fast until I come.
Rev. 19:10 And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said to me: Do not do that; I am a fellow servant of yours and your brethren who hold the testimony of Jesus; worship God. For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.
Oppossums
I finally saw a possum in action.
We were sitting here last Saturday night, and there was a spotlight south of us lighting the power lines and I saw a possum walk along the phone lines. The big, heavy cables run along the back fence line that divides our back yard from the neighbor's back yard. My dear husband corrects me that the top lines are power, and the lower heavy-duty cables are phone. Birds often perch on the five lines like musical notes.
Years ago, I caught a possum red-handed in the garage feasting on cat food. So, I purchased a possum trap from our feed and seed store, and we bait the trap with cat food in the back yard and transport possums to a new kingdom near the Trinity. We asked the local animal control what they do with possums turned in, and found out they release them at the nearest park---but, we just could not do that to our friends who live near the park. We bungee the cage type trap to the back of the pick-up truck and haul them five or six miles north to the wildlife preserve near the river.
I guess its time to bait the trap again. These possums are bigger than cats, and I don't want them to tangle with neighbor cats. Possums are one ugly creature. And stink !!!!!!!!!!!! Whew.
(found this post in a drafts folder.)
We were sitting here last Saturday night, and there was a spotlight south of us lighting the power lines and I saw a possum walk along the phone lines. The big, heavy cables run along the back fence line that divides our back yard from the neighbor's back yard. My dear husband corrects me that the top lines are power, and the lower heavy-duty cables are phone. Birds often perch on the five lines like musical notes.
Years ago, I caught a possum red-handed in the garage feasting on cat food. So, I purchased a possum trap from our feed and seed store, and we bait the trap with cat food in the back yard and transport possums to a new kingdom near the Trinity. We asked the local animal control what they do with possums turned in, and found out they release them at the nearest park---but, we just could not do that to our friends who live near the park. We bungee the cage type trap to the back of the pick-up truck and haul them five or six miles north to the wildlife preserve near the river.
I guess its time to bait the trap again. These possums are bigger than cats, and I don't want them to tangle with neighbor cats. Possums are one ugly creature. And stink !!!!!!!!!!!! Whew.
(found this post in a drafts folder.)
hearts
hearts think
He was grieved in His heart
heart moves
hearts stirred
heart willing
heart compelled to express a skill
heart compelled to teach
hearts melt
hearts stubborn
hearts forget
why is your heart sad?
merry hearts
a heart of integrity
hearts sank
a willing heart
heart of heaven
Just a few of the 865 hearts found in 801 verses in Quickverse ! Take it to heart. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, might...and these words I am commanding you today shall be on your heart...teach them diligently...talk of them at home, while traveling, morning and night...bind them...write them...
Deut. 8:2 says God tests hearts. God humbles. God tests to know wha is in your heart whether you would keep His commandments. Deut. 8:5 Know in your heart that the Lord your God was disciplining you just as a man disciplines his son.
Impress these words on mine, God says, on your heart and teach them to your children. And in Deut. 32:46 Take to your heart God's Word: it is your life.
He was grieved in His heart
heart moves
hearts stirred
heart willing
heart compelled to express a skill
heart compelled to teach
hearts melt
hearts stubborn
hearts forget
why is your heart sad?
merry hearts
a heart of integrity
hearts sank
a willing heart
heart of heaven
Just a few of the 865 hearts found in 801 verses in Quickverse ! Take it to heart. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, might...and these words I am commanding you today shall be on your heart...teach them diligently...talk of them at home, while traveling, morning and night...bind them...write them...
Deut. 8:2 says God tests hearts. God humbles. God tests to know wha is in your heart whether you would keep His commandments. Deut. 8:5 Know in your heart that the Lord your God was disciplining you just as a man disciplines his son.
Impress these words on mine, God says, on your heart and teach them to your children. And in Deut. 32:46 Take to your heart God's Word: it is your life.
Dang. I remembered the password.
November 21, 2012 Ramblings of a Baker...
Thanksgiving is upon us early this year. Lovely. Our "normal" is change. (Normal is only a dryer setting, anyway)
Back in 1997, our transmission dropped out of our minivan on the road to grandmother's house, and we limped back home. I dashed to the store, and we did our own Thanksgiving feast here at home. That was a challenge.
I am thankful none of my sons are deployed this year. Those were sober Thanksgiving past.
And I am thankful for the good weather. Windows open. Trees turning gold and orange.
But, I have always found Thanksgiving to be a bit much. Getting food on the table hot, fresh, ready and juggling oven time, thawing time, and not poison anyone...getting leftovers frantically back into the frig. The wreckage. The delicious leftovers. Easily microwaveable.
How did my grandmothers do it? Both put on spreads that would be fit for a king! And without the conveniences of close grocery stores. The prep work...killing the actual bird, removal of feathers---something I have never had to do in my life. Our turkeys come nicely shrink wrapped. Sure, a few slimy quills sometimes need pulled out. And sanitizing the sink is of major importance. But, I remember how nothing was wasted. Neck and gibblets simmered on a back burner to make the gravy. Gravy. None of us need it anymore.
We were ready to drive to where the grandkids are--half of them, anyway, and give their poor parents a break, but plans change. They got a much better offer. And I was suspicious that our youngest, 25 year old electrician had big plans for when we were gone. Sure enough, he asked when we'd be leaving, and when he found out we were not, confessed hours of work he had put in planning the electrical change out of the circuit breaker boxes. Yikes. Bob has been wanting to do this since we moved in....thirty years ago...but it slipped down the list of priorities. Our house was a fire in the making. The kitchen is wired such that three things at once trip a fuse. (this adds to the challenge of cooking Thanksgiving feasts)
So, I do not always feel very Thankful on Thanksgiving---no excuse this year. Even with the added challenge to cook just so much that we do not have a lot of leftovers, as power will be out most of Friday when Ben changes out the electrical box---and his boss comes inspect on Saturday.
I made bread yesterday. It was eighty degrees---best for bread rising. I need to use up this jar of yeast, and Bob loves fresh bread. Kind of a trial run for rolls...maybe.
Today, the pies are in the oven. And by pies, I mean pumpkin pie custard. I don't like crusts. I don't do crusts. My crusts turn out like cardboard. And I am suspicious of weird ingreds in store bought pie crusts. I am thankful for small pyrex dishes... But, what possessed me to buy the big can?
I have an iron skillet of water at the bottom of the oven on the lowest rack. this seems to be helping keep the pie custardy. Smells good. My fav is lots of cinnamon, ginger, cloves, nutmeg-- and I used acutal canned milk like you are suppose to according to the recipe. The flan of the pumpkin world. Tastes pretty good. The little pyrex bowls cook faster...and give the cook a chance to taste test safely.
Ham was outrageously priced at Tom Thumb this year. Yikes. I passed on ham. Ben likes ham, however, so if he comes over, I may need to dash to Cracker Barrel for a few servings. Cracker Barrel has the best cornbread dressing, too. I still have dressing in the freezer ready to go---and seeing as how I am the only one that eats it...when I used up the peso jar.
Good thing little ears were not around to hear grannie curse at the can opener. I had everything laid out, ready to go, spices in a little bowl and everything. The can opener balked at the huge can of pumpkin. Seriously? Curse words were heard. I think it was the angle. I was sitting down because I can no longer stand for long periods of time. When I stood up, the can opener worked fine. It is hard to find a reliable, good quality can opener. Guess I am going to have to find a Pampered chef or something. Good grief.
Next, the turkey wrestling. Just a "fresh" turkey breast so that we can use it up by Friday. ha.
I will slip it into the oven when the pies are done. cook it in a plastic-for-oven bag. Keep it moist, hopefully. And we will start celebrating tonight. Yip. Saving the mashed potatoes for tomorrow. The cream cheese, whipping cream, butter are ready. And the frozen asparagus.
I like this way better. Stretching it out a little instead of being stressed out about the pans, and oven time. Bob complains of me stuffing him, anyway.
Happy Thanksgiving, everyone. I am so thankful God gives me neat ideas. And He has blessed me with such good memories. Thanksgivings with my grandparents, parents, boys--as babies and growing up. And now they have babies of their own. Grandbabies are the best. But, making our house safer with electric upgrades is part of making this a safer place when they visit.
I am thankful we don't have to pack or impose on anyone this year. And I am thankful for the luxury of time to play with recipes and please my husband.
1pm...pies out, turkey in. sink santitizing. hot water, then bleach.
note to self: when wiping the water spills from the oven door, use a paper towel next year. one white dishrag ruined. oh, well. I can knit another. I had "cleaned the oven" weeks ago, but neglected to wipe it down with a wet paper towel. The clean setting on the oven merely turns spills to smoke and ash. Lots and lots of smoke---have to wait for a day when you can open the windows comfortably...and sit outside a while.
Make memories! You are making them whether you think you are or not. Like a movie in my head---the tremendous spread my grandmothers did. Did we thank them? Did they know? Thank you, Grandma James. Thank you, Nannie. I miss you.
update #2 almost 7pm. Dishes are washed. David Barton talked about how the original feast was a three day affair...looks like we are doing that! Fresh baked bread and sweet potatoes on Tuesday night, turkey, sweet potatoes, celery raw, pumpkin pie with whipped cream on Wednesday night with Ben! and tomorrow---we shall dine upon the rest of the turkey, and I shall make mashed potatoes with cream cheese, and asparagus, and more pumpkin pie with whipped cream. What fun! Easier on the old tummies to stretch it out over three days. ha. Ben said thank you. Ben loves home cooked meals. I hope and pray God give him a wife that loves to cook, but mostly, a godly woman who reads and studies her Bible every day.
Bob and Ben are off to purchase the electrical supplies for Friday's project. yay.
Bob called home tonight and asked, has Ben called yet? Bob is really getting into this project. I hope and pray it is a time of bonding with father and son. I hope Ben does not regret it. He kinda likes to work alone and then suprise us. I was planning on leaving a project out on the counter...funny.
Thank you, Lord for a wonderful feast. The turkey was moist even though I set it going at 1pm and kept adjusting the temp from 350 to 300. The plastic oven bag and then putting a lid on it helped with an easy clean up and kept it moist.
Ben also noted that when folks ask what ya doing for Thanksgiving, that every year has been different. We have so much to be grateful for. Thank you, Lord for healthy sons home from Afghanistan. Please get us ready for eternity with You. In Jesus Name. Amen.
Thanksgiving is upon us early this year. Lovely. Our "normal" is change. (Normal is only a dryer setting, anyway)
Back in 1997, our transmission dropped out of our minivan on the road to grandmother's house, and we limped back home. I dashed to the store, and we did our own Thanksgiving feast here at home. That was a challenge.
I am thankful none of my sons are deployed this year. Those were sober Thanksgiving past.
And I am thankful for the good weather. Windows open. Trees turning gold and orange.
But, I have always found Thanksgiving to be a bit much. Getting food on the table hot, fresh, ready and juggling oven time, thawing time, and not poison anyone...getting leftovers frantically back into the frig. The wreckage. The delicious leftovers. Easily microwaveable.
How did my grandmothers do it? Both put on spreads that would be fit for a king! And without the conveniences of close grocery stores. The prep work...killing the actual bird, removal of feathers---something I have never had to do in my life. Our turkeys come nicely shrink wrapped. Sure, a few slimy quills sometimes need pulled out. And sanitizing the sink is of major importance. But, I remember how nothing was wasted. Neck and gibblets simmered on a back burner to make the gravy. Gravy. None of us need it anymore.
We were ready to drive to where the grandkids are--half of them, anyway, and give their poor parents a break, but plans change. They got a much better offer. And I was suspicious that our youngest, 25 year old electrician had big plans for when we were gone. Sure enough, he asked when we'd be leaving, and when he found out we were not, confessed hours of work he had put in planning the electrical change out of the circuit breaker boxes. Yikes. Bob has been wanting to do this since we moved in....thirty years ago...but it slipped down the list of priorities. Our house was a fire in the making. The kitchen is wired such that three things at once trip a fuse. (this adds to the challenge of cooking Thanksgiving feasts)
So, I do not always feel very Thankful on Thanksgiving---no excuse this year. Even with the added challenge to cook just so much that we do not have a lot of leftovers, as power will be out most of Friday when Ben changes out the electrical box---and his boss comes inspect on Saturday.
I made bread yesterday. It was eighty degrees---best for bread rising. I need to use up this jar of yeast, and Bob loves fresh bread. Kind of a trial run for rolls...maybe.
Today, the pies are in the oven. And by pies, I mean pumpkin pie custard. I don't like crusts. I don't do crusts. My crusts turn out like cardboard. And I am suspicious of weird ingreds in store bought pie crusts. I am thankful for small pyrex dishes... But, what possessed me to buy the big can?
I have an iron skillet of water at the bottom of the oven on the lowest rack. this seems to be helping keep the pie custardy. Smells good. My fav is lots of cinnamon, ginger, cloves, nutmeg-- and I used acutal canned milk like you are suppose to according to the recipe. The flan of the pumpkin world. Tastes pretty good. The little pyrex bowls cook faster...and give the cook a chance to taste test safely.
Ham was outrageously priced at Tom Thumb this year. Yikes. I passed on ham. Ben likes ham, however, so if he comes over, I may need to dash to Cracker Barrel for a few servings. Cracker Barrel has the best cornbread dressing, too. I still have dressing in the freezer ready to go---and seeing as how I am the only one that eats it...when I used up the peso jar.
Good thing little ears were not around to hear grannie curse at the can opener. I had everything laid out, ready to go, spices in a little bowl and everything. The can opener balked at the huge can of pumpkin. Seriously? Curse words were heard. I think it was the angle. I was sitting down because I can no longer stand for long periods of time. When I stood up, the can opener worked fine. It is hard to find a reliable, good quality can opener. Guess I am going to have to find a Pampered chef or something. Good grief.
Next, the turkey wrestling. Just a "fresh" turkey breast so that we can use it up by Friday. ha.
I will slip it into the oven when the pies are done. cook it in a plastic-for-oven bag. Keep it moist, hopefully. And we will start celebrating tonight. Yip. Saving the mashed potatoes for tomorrow. The cream cheese, whipping cream, butter are ready. And the frozen asparagus.
I like this way better. Stretching it out a little instead of being stressed out about the pans, and oven time. Bob complains of me stuffing him, anyway.
Happy Thanksgiving, everyone. I am so thankful God gives me neat ideas. And He has blessed me with such good memories. Thanksgivings with my grandparents, parents, boys--as babies and growing up. And now they have babies of their own. Grandbabies are the best. But, making our house safer with electric upgrades is part of making this a safer place when they visit.
I am thankful we don't have to pack or impose on anyone this year. And I am thankful for the luxury of time to play with recipes and please my husband.
1pm...pies out, turkey in. sink santitizing. hot water, then bleach.
note to self: when wiping the water spills from the oven door, use a paper towel next year. one white dishrag ruined. oh, well. I can knit another. I had "cleaned the oven" weeks ago, but neglected to wipe it down with a wet paper towel. The clean setting on the oven merely turns spills to smoke and ash. Lots and lots of smoke---have to wait for a day when you can open the windows comfortably...and sit outside a while.
Make memories! You are making them whether you think you are or not. Like a movie in my head---the tremendous spread my grandmothers did. Did we thank them? Did they know? Thank you, Grandma James. Thank you, Nannie. I miss you.
update #2 almost 7pm. Dishes are washed. David Barton talked about how the original feast was a three day affair...looks like we are doing that! Fresh baked bread and sweet potatoes on Tuesday night, turkey, sweet potatoes, celery raw, pumpkin pie with whipped cream on Wednesday night with Ben! and tomorrow---we shall dine upon the rest of the turkey, and I shall make mashed potatoes with cream cheese, and asparagus, and more pumpkin pie with whipped cream. What fun! Easier on the old tummies to stretch it out over three days. ha. Ben said thank you. Ben loves home cooked meals. I hope and pray God give him a wife that loves to cook, but mostly, a godly woman who reads and studies her Bible every day.
Bob and Ben are off to purchase the electrical supplies for Friday's project. yay.
Bob called home tonight and asked, has Ben called yet? Bob is really getting into this project. I hope and pray it is a time of bonding with father and son. I hope Ben does not regret it. He kinda likes to work alone and then suprise us. I was planning on leaving a project out on the counter...funny.
Thank you, Lord for a wonderful feast. The turkey was moist even though I set it going at 1pm and kept adjusting the temp from 350 to 300. The plastic oven bag and then putting a lid on it helped with an easy clean up and kept it moist.
Ben also noted that when folks ask what ya doing for Thanksgiving, that every year has been different. We have so much to be grateful for. Thank you, Lord for healthy sons home from Afghanistan. Please get us ready for eternity with You. In Jesus Name. Amen.
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