Quarantine and chill and kindness chatty clubhouse: Jump in and join the conversation! All is welcome!

[easyas123]

and think I ve figured out some of our holiday meals.

I have started sketching out some meals in my head, I'm a list maker so soon it'll get transferred to paper! The problem is we've developed several 'traditional' meals and frankly, without a bigger crowd to feed at several different functions this year I'm torn. I want to make them, but it's just to much.
Right now I'm wrestling w/ Christmas Eve and our version of Feast of Seven Fishes. If it's just going to be the 2 of us, well - it's hard to justify cooking all that knowing the next day is another big meal (duck, always on Christmas Day. And 9000 calories worth of cinnamon rolls!)and not given to the leftovers from the day before. I'm trying to pare down things in order to shoe-horn it all in! Someone is going to have to roll me into next year at the end of December because I'll be stuffed! I'm going to have to cut a few things out I think is all. But not the fondue night. Or seafood mac & cheese. Or peppermint cake, or crab dip & smelt, or the black pudding or cinnamon rolls or all the extra high calorie cocktails and drinks...those stay! 🍽

Dinner this evening will be beef burgers for youngest & husband. I'm full from reading the above! Ha...Actually I can't eat to much beef burger so I'll have a frozen turkey burger if I'm hungry. I had lunch late, around 2ish so I might be able to parlay that into no dinner. Youngest has 2 or maybe 3 more dinners with us before he moves to his apartment outside of DC. He had his orders rescinded and then been placed in another position (this one) back in October and broken up with his girlfriend in early November, plus he came back to work for us which isn't his life dream AT ALL, and I know he is just ready to get started on this new assignment, which should be about a year long. I suspect we will see him almost as much as he plans on being home most weekends this winter, plus he will be home for Christmas. And he's really only a little over a hour away. So I'm glad he's finally getting ready to start down this newest path.

Eldest, nephew & two other coworkers were able to get their tests today, 24-48 hours till results are back. Original sick employee still waiting for results, although his fever is gone and he is feeling much better. His teenage son - who had same symptoms, had his test come back positive. In true teenage boy fashion he is bounced back and feeling 100% again already! His wife tested negative, w/ NO symptoms! And they drove from the east coast to LA and back together so they were all in a car sharing air all that time! It's amazing who gets it and who doesn't. So, at least he is feeling better. Wasn't to happy when I told him he was out for 7 more days if he had a positive test though-

Chilly & overcast here in my part of MD today. I've got to head on in to the UPS store in a few minutes to drop off some items that we shipped after the UPS guy had already been to the office. Then I'm heading home to clean out the fridge of all the rest of the leftovers everyone has been ignoring for last 2 days. I'm so tired, it's been a long day.

 

[lynxstch]

@Pea-n-Me Very chilly here in Western MD today too, but the sun is shining brightly. I'll come to your house on Christmas Day for duck! Hubby hates it, I love it, but a whole duck is just too much work, and too much food for one! You made me laugh out loud saying you were full from typing about all of the food above, thanks for the laugh. I needed it! Hubby is on the next to last full day of work, just have to go to the office Friday to drop off his laptop , turn in his keys and sign some papers. And of course there has been one problem after another all day long for him. Part of him can't wait, part of him is really going to miss it. And of course one of the managers decides to call him while they are having their card signing party a little while ago, to tell him they love him and will miss him..that didn't help much!
Dinner tonite is going to be easy,,sloppy joes and salad. I need a break after cleaning and decorating for 3 days and moving all the stuff with the handyman yesterday.
Hope you get some rest tonite!
Everyone else...have a great evening!

 

[Breezy_Carol]

@lynxstch, sloppy joes sound good. I defrosted turkey burgers. I make mine with feta and spinach. Going to clean the fridge of left overs for the sides.

@easyas123 , you have a lot of must have foods. I’m trying to decide if I’ll make my traditional 6 kinds of cookies for just DH and me.

I am decorating one thing at a time. I got my Santa collection out today. The tall one third from the left is a wind up that rings a bell, from my childhood. Also one homemade from DD in elementary school and 6 Jim Shores.

 

[flyingdumbo127]

Good afternoon, all🌤 Sunny blue sky with puffy clouds here. I've enjoyed reading all of your Christmas preparations. I usually buy my boxed cards at the Dollar Tree. $1 for 14 nice religious cards with scripture is sure a bargain! Dad said the selection was slim pickings this morning so I paid a little more and ordered on Amazon. Since I'm not mailing anywhere near as many cards or handing out at church, any cards of course, sadly, it evens out.

to all of you Dis Family.

 

[PollyannaMom]

I am decorating one thing at a time. I got my Santa collection out today. The tall one third from the left is a wind up that rings a bell, from my childhood. Also one homemade from DD in elementary school and 6 Jim Shores.

View attachment 541676

Oh my gosh, Carol, thank you for posting the Santas! I collect them as well, mostly inherited from my Mom, and I think I have a couple of the same ones as you.

The second from the left in the back looks familiar, and possibly the far left in the front (too small on my screen to be sure). Definitely the small shiny one sitting sideways near the right - I have a pair, and they were meant to to cling onto candles, right? I think I remember those two being at my grandmother's house when I was little, before my mom started really collecting them. - She would have loved the one on the far right, with Santa reading.

I just got my box down from the attic last night, and today went kind of sideways, so I doubt I'll put them out until tomorrow. But I will try to remember to post some pics as well.

 

[Breezy_Carol]

@PollyannaMom , not sure where the tall one in back is from. The one on the right sitting sideways is half of a pair. DH’s family had them when he was growing up, and they do go on candles. The small one all the way on the left, Santa has a bag in his back with a teddy bear.

 

[Shellsbutt]

During my lethargy, I did some brain work and think I ve figured out some of our holiday meals.
Buy some prepared brisket and pickles from Katz Deli, make some latkes; purchase black and white cookies for DGD and rugalah for me from Zabar’s. Pig out on herring in cream sauce and smoked salmon with bialys and bagels for the final day from Murray’s Sturgeon. If I can fit some matzoh ball soup in the middle this will be a wonderous thing. Of course I’d have to make mini matzoh balls for crazed grrl as the more common big ones turn her off. Fortunately, still have matzoh meal leftover from last year.

Wow, I'm so jealous, this sounds delicious! I've heard of Katz Deli and Zabar's but never been to NYC before. You are very lucky to live so close to these spots, must be great. Nothing like that out here in the suburbs, enjoy!

 

[Shellsbutt]

I defrosted turkey burgers. I make mine with feta and spinach.

Care to share your recipe? I'm getting tired of the frozen beef burgers we get from Costco, they really have no taste. Thanks.

 

[Shellsbutt]

Good evening- all this talk of food is really making me hungry and I just ate dinner! It's been pretty boring around here, the cats are all waiting to be fed, lol. I didn't go anywhere today, so vacuumed the living room and raked up some more leaves, green waste bins are full and they don't go out until next week. I broke down on Black Friday and ordered some stuff. I put in an order at Theo Chocolate(based in Seattle), yes I managed to order 75 dollars worth of chocolate to get the free shipping! I'm eagerly waiting for the package which should arrive tomorrow, guess those will be our stocking stuffers. I keep getting catalogs from King Arthur Flour, Vermont Country store, etc. I've ordered from them in the past, great stuff but so pricey. Today I got the Wolferman's and Stonewall Kitchen ones, so tempting. They know me so well, I'm all about the food!

Silly musing of the day- we live in the semi-rural suburbs and have a variety of animals that visit the area. Geese fly overhead daily, see possums roosting in the trees at night, even have a resident peacock roam the court on a regular basis. Anyway, for a few years now as I drive past the street that crosses ours, there is a house on the corner that seems to be home to a white egret(heron). It just wanders about the front yard looking for insects I imagine. We don't live near wetlands, marsh or lake. It's very interesting and it seems to come back to this same house every year in the fall, winter months. Every time I drive by I search for the egret and when I spot it- I don't know, it makes my heart happy. It's like all is right in that moment when I see the beautiful white bird, is that strange? I haven't worked up the nerve yet to knock on their door to ask them about it, they would probably think I'm crazy Just love seeing these wild creatures I guess.

PS-I haven't seen the peacock since summer and wonder where he got off to-although I don't want him in my backyard anymore. I didn't realize how big their droppings actually are! Beautiful but messy bird

 

[AuntieMe3]

Rough couple of days and haven't felt like posting....sorry. I'll be back maybe tomorrow but just wanted to share a quote I posted on Facebook that came up on my memories yesterday...it made me think of all of you. ❤
"Some people make your
laugh a little louder,
Your smile a little brighter,
And your life a little better."

 

[lynxstch]

Rough couple of days and haven't felt like posting....sorry. I'll be back maybe tomorrow but just wanted to share a quote I posted on Facebook that came up on my memories yesterday...it made me think of all of you. ❤
"Some people make your
laugh a little louder,
Your smile a little brighter,
And your life a little better."

Just sending you 's that things are better today for you~ I love that quote, and it really does apply to this thread and the DIS family who share their lives on it!

 

[chickapin parterre]

Just sending you 's that things are better today for you~ I love that quote, and it really does apply to this thread and the DIS family who share their lives on it!

good morning from YUma, AZ...and yes...it is 3:00 am....was a vendor at farmers market Wednesday....lots of dust blowing around,....had to come in and wash out my one eye that does not blink....and listen to some sad music so I could tear up and clean out the eye. "Come in" I guess sleeping outside does not help, but addicted to that cool night air

 

[lynxstch]

@flyingdumbo127 ---



I just read this..marking my calendar to look for it--


‘Christmas Star’ to light up December sky for first time in 800 years

Posted: Dec 2, 2020 / 07:52 PM EST / Updated: Dec 2, 2020 / 07:52 PM EST

(WJW) — On Dec. 21, humans can witness something not seen in nearly 800 years.
That’s right, during the upcoming winter solstice, Jupiter and Saturn will line up to create what is known as the “Christmas Star” or “Star of Bethlehem.”
NASA discovers water on the sunlit surface of Moon
These two planets haven’t appeared this (relatively) close together from Earth’s vantage point since the Middle Ages.
“Alignments between these two planets are rather rare, occurring once every 20 years or so, but this conjunction is exceptionally rare because of how close the planets will appear to be to one another,” Patrick Hartigan, astronomer at Rice University, told Forbes. “You’d have to go all the way back to just before dawn on March 4, 1226, to see a closer alignment between these objects visible in the night sky.”
Stargazers in the northern hemisphere should turn their heads and telescopes to the southwest portion of the sky about 45 minutes after sunset to see the planets align Dec. 21. However, reportedly sightings can be seen throughout that entire week.
According to Forbes, a star-sighting of this magnitude won’t occur again until 2080.

 

[Breezy_Carol]

Good morning, and QUACK!

@lynxstch , you are in charge of reminding us to look for the star.

there is a house on the corner that seems to be home to a white egret(heron).

Maybe they have a fish pond. We are not far from the head of the Chesapeake Bay. A neighbor has a fish pond they had to put a net over after heron kept eating the fish which traumatized the kids.

We also have lots of geese overhead these days. I was pointing them our to DGD and explaining the V. After the third flock went over she was like "Grandmom, I've seen enough." DS has peacock near him near Annapolis but I have never seen them.

We are going to drive over to the Conowingo dam today and look for eagles. They are supposed to peak in numbers near Thanksgiving.

 

[lynxstch]

Good morning, and QUACK!

@lynxstch , you are in charge of reminding us to look for the star.

Maybe they have a fish pond. We are not far from the head of the Chesapeake Bay. A neighbor has a fish pond they had to put a net over after heron kept eating the fish which traumatized the kids.

We also have lots of geese overhead these days. I was pointing them our to DGD and explaining the V. After the third flock went over she was like "Grandmom, I've seen enough." DS has peacock near him near Annapolis but I have never seen them.

We are going to drive over to the Conowingo dam today and look for eagles. They are supposed to peak in numbers near Thanksgiving.

Good morning and QUACK back at you... I will take charge of the star reminder, no problem. I set a reminder so I will remind you all on Dec 20 and 21'st. That should cover it just in case, lol!

If you spot any eagles, please take some pictures..my husband just loves looking at them!

 

[lynxstch]

Good morning all. Next to last day of work until hubby retires tomorrow. Although all that will be done tomorrow is go to the office, turn in keys, laptops, sign papers, and say goodbye (outside, from a safe distance). I have a feeling that today is going to be a long and difficult one for him. He has work to finish up, and people keep emailing and calling to say how much he will be missed. It will be long and difficult for me, because after tomorrow, he is home 24/7, with no work to do, and will expect me to stop what I am doing and keep him company, lol! I have already washed the kitchen rugs, washed the kitchen and bathroom floors, and taken out trash. So I am going to enjoy what little 'me' time is left to do anything that needs to be done!
Its sunny and 33, heading for almost 50, so we'll take it!
Have a great Thursday everyone!

 

[Bianca and Bernard]

Care to share your recipe? I'm getting tired of the frozen beef burgers we get from Costco, they really have no taste. Thanks.

We found a company that makes mixed meat burgers, and I have to say, they are the best burgers I've had in a long time! Found the brisket/chuck/short rib OG burgers in the meat section at Publix last month. They were so juicy and flavorful! They've been out of stock since; they come in and are gone within a day! I need to get my timing better, lol.

https://eatmeatdistrict.com/
We haven't tried anything else from them, but those burgers.......

 

[lynxstch]

We found a company that makes mixed meat burgers, and I have to say, they are the best burgers I've had in a long time! Found the brisket/chuck/short rib OG burgers in the meat section at Publix last month. They were so juicy and flavorful! They've been out of stock since; they come in and are gone within a day! I need to get my timing better, lol.

https://eatmeatdistrict.com/
We haven't tried anything else from them, but those burgers.......

Not long ago, we had found some of those brisket/chuck/short rib burgers (frozen) at Aldi's. Don't remembe what brand they were now, since they are long gone, but they were really good. Will have to check out that site,,thanks!--ohh I just found out they are available at Weis, and we have 2 of them not too far from here!

 

[Pea-n-Me]

@easyas123 Will you share the peppermint cake recipe, please? Peppermint is my favorite!

 

[flyingdumbo127]

Good Morning Dis Family!

Lynxstch, love the Christmas Star! Thank you and please do remind us! I also thank you for your smile share!

Hugs, AuntieMe3. Take care and we care!

Happy Thursday everyone!