Friday, November 28, 2008

My First Black Friday

For some insane reason, for the first time, I decided to brave the stores on the biggest shopping day of the year. I did not make it up as early as I'd planned. Which was too bad, because they were already out of a few things I wanted to get. It was packed in the few places I went, but not quite as bad as I thought it would be. I didn't have much luck with most of my list. The things I couldn't find I'll have to search for online. Part of my list I had already planned on doing that anyway (especially ebay and amazon's private sellers). I just thought I might could get a good deal on some things by going early.

One thing I got on sale was our Christmas tree. We decided to get a new one because Kevin wanted one with multi-colored lights instead of the all clear we had (which was wearing out anyway). We thought Ava would enjoy it more too. I put it up last night, the earliest I've ever put up our tree. If it were up to Kevin, it would be left up all year. He just really enjoys looking at it, as he is a big kid. I forgot I was going to look for a new star yesterday. The one we have is so heavy, I have to strap it to the top branches. I'm just thankful I don't have fight with the section of lights that I had to on the old one for the past 2 years. We did get it in 2002 though.

Now I'm going to vacuum up my mess. I was just too worn out last night (I did three loads of laundry in between). That and the rest of my long to-do list.

Thursday, November 27, 2008

Thanksgiving Has Come And Gone, How Sad

Hope everyone had a fabulous Thanksgiving. I have so much to be thankful for, I wish I had time to list them all. I am really so thankful we are not in the same place we were this time last year. But, we're not looking back, and are hoping to improve even more on that next year.

We had a good day with the family, but to be honest, I really didn't enjoy as much as I'd like to have. Because Kevin had to work tonight (he works 7 on, 7 off, so no holidays off), the whole day was pretty rushed. I had to rush around to get everything ready to leave, then, of course, every one's in a hurry to get all the food ready, then we didn't get to stay all that long so Kevin could get back for work. I had to take dessert with us along with the left overs. I did try to take my time to enjoy eating the main meal, but we didn't have time to be there much later on when we all usually eat some more. Not that I even needed to be eating what I did the first time, but it's part of tradition. Even if a bad one.
The good thing, though, is everyone made it and we were all there for my mother in law. Ava didn't eat much of course, but she was busy having fun playing. The youngest there was 9, I think, but she didn't care. The food was all very good. Including one Irish potato casserole that I have to get the recipe for. I tried to look it up online, but couldn't find one with what seemed like the same ingredients. If anyone has a good one, please email me.
I am thankful for all God provides everyday of the year, but days like today are just a little extra gift. Even if they do wear you out, it's in a good way.

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Definitely Thanksgiving Time...

Because I have not cooked this much in one day since last Thanksgiving, or maybe Christmas. And I'm not even hosting it at my house! We are actually going to Kevin's mother's. This is the family's first major holiday without their daddy, so it will be different and a little tough. But they all know he's spending this Thanksgiving in heaven, the best place to be for any day.

So, back to the cooking. I have been charged for the past few years with making my variation of green bean casserole and dump cake. I never even really liked green bean casserole until I tried this recipe. I will post it below (I thought I got it off food network's site, but now I can't find it). The biggest difference is the heavy cream and cheese that make it so much better (to me anyway). I am also making homemade macaroni and cheese (also from food network, paula deen's recipe). I'm just trying to cut down on how much Kevin's mother has to do. She's already doing the turkey, dressing (best ever, also makes oyster but I don't eat it), sweet potatoes, and some desserts. Probably some other things I can't think of too. That made me think of something. I meant to ask her if I needed to bring some extra rolls. Oh well, there will probably be plenty. Oh, and I'm also taking a couple gallons of sweet tea. She usually only has diet drinks and sugar-free tea, but I have to have sweet tea on a holiday.

Ok, I'm going to check on the cake. For some reason I always have a hard time getting it done all the way. Hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving!

Green Bean Casserole

4-5 cans cut green beans
2 tbsp butter
1/2 cup onion, chopped finely
2 cups sliced can or jar mushrooms, drained
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup white cheddar, cut into small cubes (if I can't find white cheddar, monterey jack does fine)
1 can fried onion rings (family size)

Preheat oven to 350.
In a large skillet, melt butter, then add onions. Cook about 2 minutes.
Add mushrooms, cook them til they start to brown.
Stir in soup and cream. Bring to a simmer.
Stir in cheese, melt thoroughly. Season with a little salt and pepper.
Stir in green beans and toss to coat.
Transfer to a buttered casserole dish.
Top with fried onions and bake for 30 min. or bubbly.

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Quick Update

Ava's eyes are officially pretty much fine. They only really get concerned if the eyes are crossing in more than out. The eye muscle is fine and she has 20/20 vision (which means she has escaped the inevitable glasses for now). He just said to keep an eye on her and if it gets more frequent or tends to get stuck off to one side to come back. Poor thing did not like the three sets of drops to numb and dilate her eyes. Enough got in though, and she did great for everything else. They were actually impressed. And they did have a prize box for her to go through. They let her pick out several things, so Ava was equally impressed.

Car's headlight bulb was changed today too. Yay.

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

The Past Week

Not much has been happening around here lately. I spent last week trying to get rid of the worst sinus junk I've had in a while. The past few times that Ava and/or Kevin have been sick I've been able to dodge it somehow, but said my turn was coming. I'm still sniffling and popping my ears, ugh. I'm just thankful it's better now.

Ava and I made a trip to Memphis Friday. We spent one night at my mama's. We really don't get up there often enough. Ava loves to play with mimi and pops. I had to stop by the bank (they don't have ours down here), because I somehow lost my bank card the week before. This time I got my picture taken to be on it, but hopefully it won't happen again.

Tomorrow Ava has an appointment with an opthamologist. For a few months now she does this weird thing with one of her eyes where she'll be looking off and it will go to the side. It's kind of hard to describe, I just hope she's not getting lazy eye. I know she'll probably have to wear glasses within a few years since both hubby and I do.

Speaking of hubby, I'm about to go make him get out there and change the bulb in my car's headlight before the rain starts again. It went out day before yesterday, and it's making me paranoid I'm gonna get pulled over. I passed 3 police last night with my high-beams on, and just knew they were going to turn right around to stop me. I don't trust the thing about having the bulb and receipt with you will keep you from getting a ticket.

Saturday, November 1, 2008

Halloween 08

Ava started out with a lot of candy, some of the older ladies we live near each gave her a bag of goodies. She had a fun rest of the day, in spite of just starting to get a cold the night before, of all times. But she did very well. We went to daddy's work first. All of the employee's kids come by there to get candy from everyone. Later we went to the church for games and trunk or treat. She had a big time there, plus we won a door prize. Then went on to a few houses. She did not want to stop going door to door, running to each one. Of course, she now has enough candy to last her til next halloween. I can't believe it is now November!

Poodle cutie going to daddy's work



















She did it!














Trunk or treat.














Gimme the candy!














Mama and Ava