Spending time with friends

Sunday afternoon was a beautiful day and it was spent with my two friends, one whose birthday was the 21st of November. She turned the nice age of 60. We went to Maggioni's Little Italy restaurant. Sampled some wine. Had a nice meal. I made a version of Black Forest Cake which we had back at my friend's house. She opened her gifts, we talked, had coffee and cake.  It seems around this time of year it is hard to get together. If we see each other, it is usually on the weekends and we have only 3 of those left before Christmas. Wow time is really flying by. So we need to cherish what we have and those we love.

Shopping, me? No way!

I never go shopping the day after Thanksgiving. I have always gotten that day off and relish in the joy of being home. I usually do something a little constructive. My daughter called and said they went shopping all night (early Friday morning)--11:00 pm until 5:00 am. They went home took a nap and they were on the road again by 4:00 pm. They will have all their shopping done and decorations up by Sunday (tomorrow). She certainly did not get that from me. So while everyone was out in the masses, I got my oil changed and a free car wash (barely got the grime off) and took a walk over at the college. Such a nice day. It was cool but the sun was shining and life is so good.  Rented a movie and called my friend (she was out in the masses), asked her if she wanted some dinner. She said OK as soon as she could get out of the outlet shopping area. We had a nice dinner and watched The Proposal. This was not my most favorite Sandra Bullock movie.

Well today is Saturday and I will drag all my Christmas boxes out and decide about decorations. It will be a gorgeous day to do this, no rain in the forecast.  My goal every year at this time is to be stress free. I have been successful in this endeavor especially now that my children are grown. My plan is not to spend very much money and being the bargain shopper I am, the plan works pretty good. I do not have peer pressure anymore.  I still have a few things I like to do 1) bake cookies with my grandgirl and give some to the neighbors, 2) go see the Nutcracker (we will be given free tickets, so nice) at the Fox in Atlanta, 3) church on Christmas Eve, 4) find any charity to donate money, food or toys. I never feel like I give enough. I always want to do more.

Life is fragile, handle with care.  Have a wonderful weekend.

Happy Thanksgiving to all.

Got back last night from our road trip. It was quite a journey. Had some car trouble but all in all everyone including the dog enjoyed the trip.  God was definitely in control.  For this I am thankful.

Everyone have a wonderful day where ever you are. It is going to be a beautiful day here in Georgia.

"Trimming the Pie" by Joseph Christian Levendecker 1935

Together for a short while

My thanksgiving flag.

Everyone was together yesterday. My little family includes my Mom, Jonah, his wife Amber, Alecia, her husband Josh and their 2 girls, Addisun age 2-1/2 and Jorden age 11. We had vegetable tray with ranch dressing, chips with salsa (my Mom's friend brought it to her from Ft. Worth, Tx), Stover's lasagna, garlic bread, brownies with vanilla ice-cream and sweet iced tea.  Everybody was hungry which I like, and ready to eat. The time seems to go so fast. Eat, talk, hug goodbye.  We did exchange names for Christmas gifts. We started doing this last year. We put a $50.00 limit which I think may still be too much. In fact we forgot to say the money amount yesterday.  Since we were getting together for the Thanksgiving holiday I kept thinking it was Thursday. I did get a turkey breast and pumpkin pie to cook for Thanksgiving. My favorite food for TG is white meat of turkey, cornbread dressing, cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie. When I cook for myself and Mom, that is all I fix.  Yum. 

Jorden spent the night and we are going on a little road trip for a couple of days. I love spending time with her. She is growing up so fast and I know these little trips won't last forever. She will have her own family one day which I look forward to being a part of.

Happy Monday.