Our Thanksgiving Week, 2023

Today (Tuesday, November 28) really feels like WINTER!!  We had a little bit of snow overnight and flurries and wind most of the day.  The temp never got out of the 20's all day.  This was my first glance out the front door this morning. 

 And now, back to last week.  Monday  (November 20) was not a very fun day.  Elizer needed to be picked up from preschool at 10:30 because of an "altercation" between him and another little boy.  I was glad to hear that he was not the instigator.  Later he gave me all kinds of resistance at nap time.  I was able to get my prep done for the next Sunday's music while he napped, and he was in a better frame of mind when he woke up.  Destiny came over for the evening, and we watched Air Buddies.  He turned on all the tricks after he got bored with the movie.  I told him to run around the circle of our kitchen, dining room, and living room while I counted how many times.  He ran 60 rounds!!  But afterward we discovered that he had been taking sips of his water and spitting them out on the kitchen floor as he ran.  Thankfully it was just water!

At some point in the evening Dick took this adorable picture of him.   He was wearing Dick's camo vest and Dick's dad's camo hat.  I can't help but forgive him for his horrible day when I look at that smile, lol!

On Tuesday I started my Thanksgiving meal planning and grocery shopping.  Elizer had just a half day of preschool since they follow the State College Area School District's schedule.  I also got our laundry done and my weekly blog post finished.  Elizer was still napping on the couch when Destiny got here.  It was so cute watching her wake him up.  

On Wednesday I got to sleep until 6:30 because I didn't need to pick up Elizer for preschool.  Destiny and I were planning to go together for groceries, so around noon I went to her place.  Elizer was having so much fun playing with his magnetic tiles.  This was a very tall bus!  See the wheels at the bottom?

We had a lot of fun shopping together.  It seemed like ages since we'd done that.  Afterward I took Destiny and her groceries to her house, then took Elizer along home to my house.  He had fallen asleep in the car and kept on sleeping for a while on Dick's recliner after we got here.  

Ever since I got my Apple watch for my birthday, Elizer has been wanting a "kid watch."  So when we were at Walmart I got him one.  He's checking it out on the top left picture.  When Grandpa got home they were building together with the Duplo blocks. 

Destiny came and made the most SCRUMPTIOUS dinner for us!  A sushi bake with sticky rice, salmon, Japanese mayo, cream cheese, scallions, shredded carrots, and whatever that dark stuff is.  I can't remember.  But it was absolutely delicious!!

Dick and I went to our Thanksgiving Eve service at church after we ate dinner.  A really funny thing happened.  After I had led the first two songs, my Apple watch gave me a warning, hahaha!

After we came home from church I got our turkey ready for the oven.  I do my turkey in the laziest way possible!  After stuffing it with celery and onions and rubbing it with olive oil, I put it in the roaster breast down!  I put it into a 400 degree oven for one hour, then reduce the temp to 225, then go to bed.  My turkey was just 13 pounds.  I think I got it out of the oven around 10:00 the next morning.  So soft, it just fell apart.  

On Thursday morning I slowly started doing food prep in my purple robe and orange sneakers, hahaha! Later Destiny came and helped.  She's done all these things so many times with me over the years!  Stuffing went into the Insta Pot slow cooker.  Sweet potato pudding, gourmet cheese potatoes, and green bean casserole went into the crocks of Lori's triple slow cooker.  Baked corn went into my smaller roaster.  I put the turkey in my big slow cooker to keep warm until meal time.  

I had gotten paper table cloths that could be colored, and Dick, Destiny, and Elizer had fun getting a head start on it in the afternoon.  

Destiny's turkey and Elizer's turkey!

I had gotten frozen dough balls for our dinner rolls.  It was fun to watch them rise during the afternoon. I love the smell of yeast!  They smelled even better when I baked them!

When Lori and Anthony came around 6:00 they brought Anthony's smoked turkey and some desserts, including her yummy apple crisp.  I did not take any picture of us at the table until we were stuffing ourselves with dessert AFTER we already felt like we would absolutely burst, haha!

It was food coma time after that!  Except for Lori and me, of course.  I have to laugh sometimes.  As much as we all say we believe in women's rights, our men have no problem relaxing after a meal while we women clean up.  

When things were finally cleaned up we (Lori, Austin, Hunter, Destiny, and I) played Dictionary - our homemade version of Balderdash.  This is the only picture I took.  We had an absolutely HILARIOUS time.  Hunter was just hysterically funny, and I didn't even get one picture of him all evening long.  Boooo.  Dick was entertaining Elizer and keeping him out of our hair.

I was thinking I didn't have any picture of Anthony's smoked turkey, but here it is.  Destiny was putting together a container of leftovers to take home.  That smoked turkey tasted like ham.  It was SO delicious!

On Friday it took me a long time to get moving.  Slowly but surely I got the table and chairs and pots and pans and dishes all put where they belonged.  I got some work done at the desk and computer.  A very relaxing day. 

In the evening Destiny brought Elizer here.  She was going to be leaving early Saturday morning for a hair appointment in Lancaster, so he would be staying here overnight.  Building things was his number one activity that evening.

Dick left very early Saturday morning to go hunting at Anthony and Lori's place.  I can't even remember what Elizer and I did all morning.  Eventually we left to go to Walmart, and on the way there I drove up to see the progress on the new church building.  They had begun putting the vertical siding on the upper half of the exterior!

Here are pictures Dick took later inside the sanctuary.  The one on the left is facing front.  There will be a cross in the middle.  The picture on the right is looking toward the rear door.  

On the way home from Walmart I rounded a curve, and a big pickup truck was coming right toward me in my lane.  The driver swerved into his own lane just in time to avoid hitting me.  He had been passing a cyclist!  WHY at a place like that??  He was driving fast like he was angry to be slowed down by a bicycle.  Spring Creek was on my right, and there would have been no place for me to go but into the creek to get out of his way.   I was very shaken and quite a bit angry!

Dick was home by then and was planning to take our pumpkins over to Anthony's place for deer to eat.  (In other words, to lure them!)  So he took Elizer along.  He loved helping to carry the pumpkins.

Later in the afternoon Destiny got back from Lancaster and came for Elizer.  She took him to Get Air, the trampoline park, for the evening with a friend and her son.  They had a great time.

Here are some pictures taken Sunday morning.  The older children's class went across the road to the cemetery and put flowers on graves that looked old and uncared-for.  How precious is that??

Destiny's Thanksgiving break was over and she was back at work, so Elizer was our boy for the day.  I got music prep done for next Sunday while he napped.  

We took him home to Destiny in the evening and hit the bed early.  And thus ended our Thanksgiving week. 

Beauty and good times

  Monday morning (November 13) started off with a gorgeous sunrise. 

I had my one-year (since cataract surgery) checkup at the eye doctor that morning, then I made pulled chicken for us and for Anthony and Lori.  I also had baked beans left over from the big pot of them I had made for a funeral meal at church.  Yum!  Pulled chicken sandwiches and baked beans!

That evening I went with several other women from church to attend a family visitation in Altoona (about 45 minutes away.)  Vicky, my dear friend from church, just experienced what I did in 2004 - the sudden, unexpected death of a sister.  In this case it was her only sister, and they were dear friends.  My sister Janet had an aortic dissection, and died while she was sleeping.  Vicky's sister Jill had some kind of cardiac event, and died just a short time after she started feeling unwell.  A dreadful shock to Jill's husband and daughter and sister.  Vicky and her husband Blair are pictured on the right.  Both of them are very involved in leadership at our church, and we love them dearly.

 

On Tuesday morning I had my annual cardiology appointment, and everything from my echocardiogram and EKG looked fine, and she doesn't need to see me for another year.  It's two years this week that I went to the ER with a scary episode of A-fib.  

After my appointment I had to hurry to my hair appointment, then I got groceries, and was glad to finally get back home.  But before I even got out of the car I had a call from Destiny, wondering if I had seen the text message from Elizer's teacher.  They were asking for him to be picked up because of his behavior.  Of course Destiny couldn't go because she was at work.   

After I had picked him up, his teacher sent me the adorable pictures of him playing nicely with the little girl that he loves so much.  I guess she wanted to show me that his morning wasn't all bad.  She's such a wonderful teacher!

When I put him down for his nap I thought, "How can such an innocent-looking child ever do anything naughty?"  Haha!  The lower right picture was taken at the playground below our place - a quick chance to be outdoors before it got dark. 

On Wednesday, I made Ginger Sweet Potato Lentil Stew and took some of it over to Anthony and Lori's after I picked up Elizer from preschool (he had a great day!)  It's so delicious eaten with Garlic Naan bread.  

After we got back to our house I wanted Elizer to get some fresh air and exercise before dark (which comes way too early!!), so I took him to the playground below our house. And what an unexpected bonus!  We got to see the most incredible sunset!!

 

I gave him a shower, then he was having a wonderful time with our magnetic tiles until he went home to Destiny's.  Sometimes he's wild and crazy, but he really can concentrate and be creative too.  

Thursday was my normal laundry and choir prep day.  After I picked Elizer up from preschool (another great day!) we stopped at the playground and ball field at the entrance to our community.  He ran around the bases six times without stopping!  He loves to run!

We had choir practice in the evening. 

On Friday morning I took this picture of my cactus.  I LOVE it and the way it greets me when I get to the kitchen in the morning.  

There was another beautiful sunrise greeting me as well.

It was pajama day at preschool, and Elizer chose his alphabet pajamas.   How appropriate! 

He had his third really good day in a row at school, so of course we had to text a picture to Mommy to tell her!

I made cream of tomato soup and grilled cheese sandwiches for us and for Anthony and Lori, and took theirs over to their place after I picked Elizer up from preschool.  

That evening I had motivation to get things cleaned up around here.  Company was coming on Saturday! I dusted and washed the kitchen floor and made a pan of rice krispie treats.

On Saturday morning I vacuumed and got some more cheese sandwiches ready to grill.  The cream of tomato soup I had made the day before was ready for our Saturday lunch.  

Sam and Steph and Sammy and Bianca were coming for the day and arrived around 11:30.  It didn't take long for Dick to rope Sam into helping him to cut down our tall grasses, lol!  

The kids excitedly took Steph on a tour around the house and neighborhood to show her everything, since this was her first time here.  She said the kids had talked so much about my big tub that she almost considered bringing her bath bag along, hahaha!

Elizer was here and so excited to see them. Bianca wanted to show me how Steph carries her like a big baby, lol!  So Sammy picked up Elizer for a picture!

We had lunch, then the kids wanted to go to "airport park."  As we drove down the road on the way there, something big was flying back and forth.  It was a bald eagle!!  It sat on a tree branch.  I was sitting in the back seat of the van with the kids and took this picture through the window! 

We had a lot of fun at the park.  

Sam was trying to give Elizer some frisbee lessons. 

When we left the park we took Elizer to Destiny's place for his nap, and we went to the antique mall in Bellefonte.  I don't know why I never thought of taking the kids there before.  I kind of forgot about it.  It's several buildings in a row filled with old stuff.  So interesting, and right down their ally!

Here are pictures I took.  I could have taken so many more, but I was too busy having fun. 

I took this picture when we were getting into the van.  Bellefonte has so many beautiful old buildings.

From there we took a drive around Bellefonte.  The town is built on hills, and some of the streets are like roller coasters - up and down and up and down really steep hills.  We also enjoyed looking at a lot of beautiful homes, but I was in the back seat and didn't take any pictures.

On the way home we stopped to take a look at the progress at the church building site.  There are lights and heat inside now!

I decided to test out the acoustics in the sanctuary when the rest of the gang was outside.  

Back home again we had sausage sandwiches with peppers and onions.  When we were finished eating and everyone had scattered to the couches, etc. I suddenly realized that I had not taken any pictures of us at the table.  So they obediently came back to the table for a picture.  Such good kids, haha!

Bianca really wanted to start a game of LIFE after dinner, but there was not enough time for that, so she settled for UNO.  We had a wild and crazy game!

Then they needed to hit the road for home.  Of course I wanted another picture before they left. 

Destiny and Elizer were here by that time, and Elizer wanted to be in the picture too, haha!

Destiny built this robot for Elizer. 

On Sunday after church and lunch, Dick left for Mechanicsburg, about two hours away.  He was getting snow tires for my van that someone was selling on Facebook Marketplace for a good price.  

After Elizer's nap, he and Destiny and her friend Shy and I went over to Anthony and Lori's to join them on a hike.  Destiny had a Sunday off work - her first day of Thanksgiving break (with pay!!)

Their property borders State Game Lands, and there's a nice trail through the woods. We wore orange, because hunters were allowed to hunt bear with bow and arrow that day. 

 

I enjoyed looking down onto the road that we travel when going to Doan's Bones BBQ and Whipple Dam.  The lower picture was a nice view of Pine Grove Mills, the town near Anthony and Lori's place.  

When we got back to their place Lori got busy splitting wood to start a fire.  Destiny and Shy made hot chocolate.  Before long Anthony had a good fire going.  The temperature was in the 40's, but the fire kept us warm.  

Lori ordered pizza, and then we roasted marshmallows and made S'mores. Take a look at Destiny's three-tier S'more!  Anthony was roasting marshmallows that got so big they looked like dinner rolls!  I like my marshmallows burnt on the outside and firm in the middle.  YUM!!

Dick stopped in on his way home from Mechanicsburg, just in time for pizza!  He was very happy with his tire purchase, and I'm sure I will be very happy to have good snow tires on my van!

The end of a good week!

My birthday week

 

My cactus began really blooming last week just as the cut roses were becoming toooo tired to hold up their heads.  What great timing!  From one beauty to the next!

Last Monday (November 6) was a bit different than normal for me.  Lori said they did not need me to cook dinner for them, and since we had hiked the day before and I had not had time to work on music plans for the next Sunday, I did that on Monday.  I love when things work out for me like that.

After I picked Elizer up from preschool we went to "airport" park.  He had so much fun playing with the other children that were there.  

On Tuesday I didn't take one picture.  I was working on the guest room and after preschool Elizer and I just went to the little playground below our house.  We met some neighbors that had a boy a little older than Elizer.  We had fun getting acquainted.  

We had BLT's for dinner, using our very last homegrown tomato.  I'm so sad about that.  They were so delicious.  I think our one plant gave us over 30 tomatoes!

Wednesday was my birthday.  72!!  After I took Elizer to preschool and got back into my car in the parking garage, my phone rang and it was Sam!  His birthday is the day after mine, and we always like to connect on our birthdays, one way or another.  We had a fun time chatting.  A great start to my birthday! Then I went to Dunkin' Donuts to use a gift card from my secret sister at church.  Turned out I had enough left on the card for another time! 

I took this picture nearby Dunkin' Donuts - pretty much the only leaves still on trees anymore. 

As I sat here catching up my blog that day I got a video call from daughter Miki in Sweden!  We had a good time catching up.  She was showing me the Christmas cards she has designed and is working on.  She sings in a gospel choir, and I told her I want someone to take a video of them so I can see and hear them.  

After I had picked up Elizer from preschool we came home so I could clean up.  Anthony and Lori's family and Destiny and her friend Tyler were coming for my birthday dinner.  Elizer was so excited for everyone to get here.  He kept looking out the front door, and was dismayed when it was "dark time" already, and no one had come.  I assured him that "dark time" comes early now, and it wasn't dinner time yet.  

There was a nice sunset as we waited. 

We had a really fun dinner.  Lori and Anthony brought a bunch of pizzas, all different varieties.  Destiny brought a carrot cake - my favorite.  I had gotten a chocolate cake too, because I had a feeling carrot would not be a big favorite of all the kids.  Of course we had coffee ice cream too - also my favorite.  

Here's the video Anthony took of the birthday song.  Always funny!

I opened Lori's gifts first, but I guess Anthony didn't take any picture or video of that.  This is the video he took of me reading Destiny's sweet card.  

Dick handed me an envelope.  I wasn't sure what I was reading when I looked at the paper (I needed my reading glasses!), so Destiny read it.  It said he had ordered me an Apple watch!!  A refurbished one that he had run by Anthony's approval.  (He's our tech expert.)

Destiny have me a bagful of gifts!  She just loves to give gifts. I love that about her so much.  

Here's a candle she gave me.  It smells so good!!

One of Lori's gifts was this "Giving Board."  I like it, and I'm not sure I want to give it away, haha!

I finally remembered to take a picture of Anthony and Lori's family before they left for home. 

 

Before I went to bed that night I saw this FB post from Jeremy.  It warmed my heart and was a wonderful "goodnight."  I had heard in one way or another from almost all of our children and many, many others.  

Thursday was another "no picture" day.  I know I did the usual - our laundry, choir music prep, and choir practice.

On Friday I made oven BBQ chicken and mac and cheese for us and for Anthony and Lori.  Yum.  I seldom ever make mac and cheese, but for some reason I was in the mood for it.  I got really good cheese and used spiral pasta.  

On my way to pick Elizer up from preschool I had to wait for this LONG truck to back into a narrow driveway near Beaver Stadium, as all the traffic waited and watched.  I definitely did not wish to be him!!!  

I took this picture of Anthony's pond as I was leaving their place later.

On Saturday morning I picked up the Honey Baked Ham sandwiches I had ordered from our church's fundraiser, and on the way back home I drove up to the new building site.  Cement walk-ways were added last week.  We do have electricity and a well, and drywall inside.  I'm eager to get another look inside one of these days.

On Saturday evening Elizer and Destiny and her friend Tyler were here.  We had fun with puzzles. 

This was a 500-piece puzzle. 

Elizer had a lot of energy.  At one point I told him he needs to run around the house ten times.  Of course I wasn't going to have him outside by himself, so I put my coat on and we went outside and ran around the house.  I think he made it twice for each of my rounds, haha!  Then we even started cleaning out some old stuff from the flower beds!  We also enjoyed looking up at all the stars.  

Destiny had to work on Sunday, as usual, so Elizer went to church with us.  This was a Carter's outfit I had gotten at TJMaxx.  He looked so handsome in it.  

It really was quite cold when we got home from church, but we had taken his big coat off for the ride home, and as soon as he got out of the van he hopped onto his bike and made some rounds on the driveway.  He loved going through that little puddle - a leftover from using the hose the evening before.  

Dick went over to Anthony's for his last chance at archery hunting.  That's where he'd been all day Saturday too.  Ever hear the term "hunter's widow?"

While Elizer napped I worked on the music for the next Sunday service.  

And this was Destiny and Elizer when she got here after work.  So cute!

That's it for this time!