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

[flyingdumbo127]

Great QOTD, Lynxstch.

I'm sorry Carol, hug

For me, this Thanksgiving means more this year due to the plague. I truly am so thankful to God each day that He has granted Dad and I excellent health, a safe and warm home, along with the added Blessing of this time together right here and now. I admit to not being at all parade patient. I will say DL's Christmas parade was adorable and perfect in length as well. I look forward to seeing it one day again. This year on Thanksgiving, I'll try to watch a few minutes anyway of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade. I'm hoping Dad will be able to find a cute and inexpensive (think 99 cent only or Dollar Tree) Happy Thanksgiving cutout of some sort. In normal years, I might get such a thing at Party City.

For the last several years, I have had the tradition of spending time on Thanksgiving afternoon writing out some Christmas cards. For me, it's an extra, quieter time to reflect upon the people I am sending the cards too, all a gift in my life from God. I'll do that again this year but will not be sending out anywhere near as many cards mostly due to cost.

I look forward post plague to being able to volunteer at my church's Christmas Tree lot the weekend after Thanksgiving. I sometimes have briefly gone to Kohl's on Black Friday only because we usually have a $5 or $10, don't remember now, coupon that can be used up until 1 or 2pm.

I am still trying to decide on an Advent calendar for this year. I hope to have one up the first Sunday of Advent. I, too, will so miss singing Silent Night with candles at church along with possibly going caroling. On Christmas Eve, I always read from Luke in the Holy Bible and the children's book Santa's Favorite Story. I will hang my stocking, of course, too! I needed a new stocking last year and so a close friend got me a special one. This year I was able on Oriental Trading to order for my Dad a "DAD" stocking. Post plague, I absolutely pray to be able to view Candlelight again at DL, with perhaps some of you I'd love to meet Santa with Dad at DL, as well. Oh and there's supposed to be a new local Christmas themed train ride with Santa that I'll be checking out, too. So definitely some fun positives to look forward to.

Have a good evening, everyone!

 

[sparkle78]

Christmas traditions , oh we have so many, some we can’t do this year, but I have:
- ordered a live evergreen wreath from the boy scouts for the front door
- started on my photo Christmas card and plan to write more personal notes inside my cards this year
- sent advent calendars to my parents, sample jam jars and good chocolates
- got out my Christmas CDs to listen to as I clean today
- getting a live tree from a farm in December ( I hope)
- splurging and ordering a can of Godivia hot cocoa. It really is the best

 

[easyas123]

QOTD--what traditions do you or you and your family do for Thanksgiving and Christmas

Good question!

As far as Thanksgiving goes, the Sunday prior husband & I go out for breakfast and then grocery shopping.... my husband & the boys always go goose hunting Thanksgiving morning (if goose isn't in on that day, trap shooting) usually on our farm. I usually host Thanksgiving for all those family members who care to come over. I LOVE the planning and cooking that goes on for the holiday. This year, in addition to Covid keeping us apart, our big room we use to seat everyone is otherwise occupied. So with all that to contend with, it will just be the 5 of us this year. I will miss the traditional noise of the Macys Thanksgiving Day parade being on in the background. I very bummed out this year as I was going to take my niece to the National Dog show up outside of Philly the Saturday before - it's the dogshow they usually have on later in the day after the parade. Dog show still going on, but no spectators allowed. In years past when we were together for the holiday, my Mom & I always enjoyed a bottle of champagne as we started cooking - I miss that.

Christmas for us will be rather low-key this year, although it's not necessarily Covid related this year - rather just a coincidence. We always watch Christmas Vacation Thanksgiving night or weekend. I usually put up the inside & outside decorations (but not tree) Thanksgiving weekend, too. Like flyingdumbo, I like to do my Christmas Cards Thanksgiving weekend as well. We put the tree up about a week or 10 days before Christmas Day - and that ALWAYS involves two things - fondue & the White Christmas movie! Eldest always hated this movie - but we always catching him singing "sisters, sisters" under his breath!! We try to take in a concert or do something fun as a couple (used to go to movies on Christmas Eve when kids were younger and interested) - this year we are going up to Gettysburg the weekend before. We have off the days from Christmas Eve thru New Years, and it's a great opportunity to travel, although we have no such plans ourselves this year. When the kids were - well, kids still, we would go to pick out the tree and they'd get to select a new ornament each year. I think it's time to start separating them out so they can have them as they get their own homes.

No NYE plans for us - we don't go out. I find it hard to stay up late (as in not terribly fun!) and I heartily wish to avoid the drunks on the roads. It isn't a terribly important evening for us. I'm usually in bed by 9:30 or so. We don't have a traditional NYE or New Years Day meal

 

[Bianca and Bernard]

Hey y'all. Sorry, haven't felt like posting in this thread for a little while. Wasn't feeling positive enough to, but today, it all seems a bit lighter. IDK why. To those who have been having some issues, I've been sending (((((huggles)))) and ((((healing vibes)))), even if I haven't been on.

News from my little corner of FL...
Starbucks was already out of the free reusable cups this morning, when I stopped in at 8am. They only got one box, the lady at the counter said, and those were gone by 6:30. While I was waiting for my pumpkin sweet cream cold brew, I watched at least four people leave w/o anything, because of being out of the cups. One lady was very vocal about it, and slammed out, knocked the door off alignment somehow. /sigh Some people....

DS was sick yesterday overnight; had to take him to ER for fluids and anti-nausea meds. Everything is normal, just a bad bug of some sort or ate something off; but he got dehydrated and couldn't keep anything down + massive stomach pain = trip to ER. A bag of saline and some Zofran and Pepcid, and he was feeling a bit better; ultrasound showed no appy issues, and all his labs came back good, even the WBC. ER doc just shrugged and said eat more veggies, get more exercise and stop licking handrails. I asked her to add in listen to your mother and don't be a walking attitude, but she declined. LOL He seems to be doing better, holding down Pedialyte and water, and some broth and crackers.

DH got his turkey day bonus; $50 gc to Honeybaked Ham. He asked why they do that every year; turns out that the very first year they opened, the founders couldn't do much for the employees, but they had just enough in the bank to get each person a $25 gc to HBH. It's been a tradition every year since; a way of reminding themselves that even though they have grown so much, they need to stay humble and treat everyone like family. I really like this company; they are very good about employee needs. DH's location even took an office out of use, so they could make a nursing room for one employee, who was coming back from having a baby and needed a room to pump in. The kid is now 5, and the room isn't needed, but they kept it intact, with a small fridge, recliner and small tv (hooked to internet), just in case anyone needs it. They are remodeling (expanding, to take over the whole floor that they are on now, and half of the floor above; everyone is out of the office due to Covid right now anyways, so perfect time to do it) but are keeping the nursing room still.

I ran out to Home Depot this morning to pick up a few things (lightbulbs, batteries, ac filters, etc), and decided to check the cleaners aisle. Score! Two big containers of Lysol wipes and two bottles of Clorox cleaning spray are now mine! They were fully stocked with their brand wipes too, and a bunch of Lysol wipes, but limit 2 at that store, so got the limit. /happy dance (Had a credit on DH's HD credit card; we had returned something after we had paid the bill, so when they refunded us...)


No turkey day plans; no one close enough to share it with. Christmas...we have some plans for DH's bonus, which include paying off a loan and upgrading our computers, and we'll use the HBH gc for Christmas meal; again, only the 3 of us. DD#2 will be in Oki by then; DD#1 will be at home again, no travel, and they have locked down in their house again, due to the outbreaks in their area, spurred on by some large gatherings that have taken place the last few weeks, one of which was in the very cold weather for hours. No tree again this year, I think; I miss doing one, but there really isn't much room in this new place, and with no gifts to put under it, seems like a lot of effort for no reason. (DS wants cash, so he can buy what he wants; DH and I are only doing the computer upgrades, and I'm not going to wrap a new SSD for him, lol). We stay home on NYE now; no need to go party with amateurs, lol. We'll do our usual: play our video games online for most the night, have some champagne and snuggle on the couch at midnight, then in bed by 12:01, haha.

 

[flyingdumbo127]

Good Morning Everyone, good to see you B&B! Prayers your son feels much better over the weekend!

I've enjoyed reading all of your family traditions. Thanks for sharing

 

[Breezy_Carol]

Good morning.

Another thought on Christmas traditions, I always got the kids stockings. And after they got married, got stockings for their spouses. Last year, when DGD was old enough to know Santa, DD was afraid having stockings at both houses would be confusing. I really liked getting the little things for stockings and the kids had to get their toothbrushes, so I made little gift bags decorated with a stocking outline and their names. Not sure I'll get out for shopping this year so not sure what I will do.

No NYE plans for us - we don't go out. I find it hard to stay up late (as in not terribly fun!) and I heartily wish to avoid the drunks on the roads.

I feel the same way. When kids were little, we used to get together with the family across the street. It was a safe walk home.

@Bianca and Bernard, glad to see you. And how great about the room for nursing mother's. DD and coworkers had to get the state to give them a room for pumping and get permission to bring in a minifridge. They are child advocacy state social workers so knew how to get their way.

Despite having made a huge grocery shop Monday, have to go out again today or tomorrow. Invited DD and family to dinner and want to make beef stew.

 

[easyas123]

beef stew

mmmm

Now there is a good idea for dinner Sunday...I stopped at the trusty liquor store/deli to grab a sandwich for lunch. I ended up grabbing a Riesling, which is not my normal go-to BUT I've been feeling nostalgic for our trip to Germany & France and thought, why not?!?! Maybe we can enjoy it while going over the photos again.

 

[Snowysmom]

@AuntieMe3 Sending prayers that your friend has a happy and healthy pregnancy. And I hope your friend with covid feels better soon.

We have traditions that will most likely be missing this year. For Thanksgiving it is our year to be home so DH and I will cook a small turkey if we can find one otherwise it will be a turkey breast. I make the same sides every year: baked sweet potatoes, squash with cinnamon and nutmeg, stuffing, and mashed potatoes. If it is only us I make a small dessert but I may make a blueberry pie this year. This is a year to splurge. For Christmas the tradition since the kids have been married has been for the kids to come over for brunch and gift opening. This year I don't see that happening. We will most likely bring the gifts to the kids' houses and maybe do a zoom Christmas. Our younger DS and DDIL and grandkids may come over but older DS and DDIL and kids won't. She is too scared to leave her house and really doesn't want anyone in their house. I am a bit sad about that but it is their choice. We can videochat with the grandkids. I may make lasagna for Christmas as I have not made one in years. Again, another day to splurge a bit. This year we may break with the real tree tradition. I have been having allergic reactions to the real trees for the past few years so maybe it is time for an artificial one. DH is not convinced.

I have started Christmas shopping mainly stocking stuffers and clothes and books for the grandkids. We need to ask the kids for gift ideas for the grandkids so we can get some stuff while on our staycation.

@flyingdumbo127 Your positive attitude. faith, and gratitude for all you have is truly inspiring. Your posts are always uplifting and so kind. I also will say that everyone here has been uplifting and kind which helps make a not so good day a bit better. Thank you everyone.

We are going out to dinner tonight as usual. I am looking forward to a quiet time just enjoying a nice meal. It is very much needed this week. This seems to be Jasper's best day yet since he's been sick. We took him for a short walk and he was leading the way. He is nosy and a bit feisty. We'll see what the vet says on Monday.

Happy Friday.

 

[PollyannaMom]

Also could I ask for some good thoughts and prayers for a friends and family member please...

Of course!!!

You are so right. In so many ways it feels like all this just started, and in other ways it seems like we've been living it for 5 years. Or at least it does to me -

Yes, it’s a weird year! On the one hand, I’m not sure where the time has gone, and on the other, “normal” seems so long ago.

Holiday traditions:

I’m thinking the traditional Thanksgiving at MIL’s is out, but I am going to try to put together a Zoom game night around the same time, to still have fun with the extended family.

DH, DS, and I will probably have our own “Thanksgiving-ish” dinner here, with just our personal favorite dishes.

I really need to get Christmas shopping moved along more (I always do some way ahead, but by this point, I’ve typically inventoried that stash and made a “still to get” list) - but it’s 70-something degrees here and I’m outside in short sleeves. - It barely feels like fall, let alone 7 weeks until Christmas!

I’m still looking forward to decorating, though, and since we'll all be around more, may put up both a real and the artificial tree!

 

[easyas123]

I’m still looking forward to decorating, though, and since we'll all be around more, may put up both a real and the artificial tree!

Crazy talk!

 

[flyingdumbo127]

Thanks so much, Snowysmom, you're so sweet! I appreciate you and everyone else in our thread tremendously. I am also truly so happy about Jasper! ITA with you that this really is a year to splurge! Let's be thankful for what we do have and those we are Blessed to share time with. A surprise or two at Thanksgiving or Christmas, is definitely so very fitting!

PollyannaMom, , the more Christmas Trees the merrier, again why not?

I hope all of you are having a Happy Friday!

 

[lynxstch]

It is almost 80 degrees outside. I went out and found more stuff to add to the pile my handyman has to take to the dump. Dinner is going to be take out pizza, I am too tired to cook.

I asked the QOTD, but never thought to answer it myself, lol
We decorate with lights outside, turn them on Dec 1
I try to have the inside of the house decorated by Dec 1 and turn those lights on along with the tree. I usually do every room, but this year I think I may pare it way down.

We have advent calendars that we use every year.

A MUST tradition is everyone gets one new ornament every year, usually Hallmark. Hubby always gets the Charlie Brown or Snoopy one, along with a Minions.

There won't be any family gatherings this year, we will drop off the grandkids gifts at their house, and wave at them. The grandkids and stepsons in OC and Salisbury will get gift cards, and those will go in the mail. Hubby will be retired, so we don't have to buy any gifts for his boss or other managers, and we won't have to make/buy anything for the holiday potluck (if they even have it).

I think it's going to be a very quiet Thanksgiving and Christmas, and New Years Eve is always just the 2 of us. I don't make it past 9:30 or 10, no matter how hard I try.

We do a buffet like thing for the 2 of us Christmas Eve and snack on it all nite. Christmas day is traditionally prime rib. New Years Eve is another 'buffet', and New Years Day is pork and sauerkraut.

Trying to come up with a couple of new traditions to replace the ones like driving around looking at lights, going to the Christmas Eve church service (with his immune system, he can't go into places with crowds at all). Reading all of your replies and trying to steal a few, lol

Have a nice evening everyone!

 

[Breezy_Carol]

I keep reading all of your tradition posts and remember different things.

Christmas tree - we usually get a live tree but since we got rid of DH’s station wagon, not sure how we’d get it home. DH wants a nice artificial tree. May go to Willeys or Ronnies to look.

Thanksgiving dessert - I offered to make a pumpkin pie and both kids and spouses were like “nah, we don’t like that.” So I am making an apple cake.

I’m thinking the traditional Thanksgiving at MIL’s is out, but I am going to try to put together a Zoom game night around the same time, to still have fun with the extended family.

We had a a great Zoom scavenger hunt in the spring that DS and DDIL put together. I can give you details if you want.

And just because, a picture of the yard signs my church was giving out.

 

[flyingdumbo127]

Lynxstch, I'm not a night owl either. I do take a while to fall asleep though.

Still love that sign, Carol.

A related question to the last QOTD: I am trying to find a small Nativity Set. I believe the real animals present in the manger knew Jesus was/is special so I would like at least a lamb figure if not also a donkey and camel included. I do not have space for anything big. I also would prefer the figures especially those representing the Holy family to look a little bit real. What I mean by that is in some sets Baby Jesus (to me) looks like His face was painted on hastily. Or worse He has no true eyes, etc. Looking to spend $50 or much less! Thank you all very much.

 

[PollyannaMom]

We had a a great Zoom scavenger hunt in the spring that DS and DDIL put together. I can give you details if you want.

I would love that - thanks!

 

[AuntieMe3]

First off....thank you everyone for the good thoughts and prayers for my cousin and friend. ❤ As other's have said, I really appreciate all the love and support given on this thread so thank you all for being here. ❤

what traditions do you or you and your family do for Thanksgiving and Christmas (or Hannukah or Kwaanza, whatever you celebrate), and what do you think we might all be able to do to make them special this year, despite Covid?

My mom has a very large family and we are all super close so almost all holidays were always spent together, except they all live at least 2 hours away from us(my parents and the 3 of us). After my mom's aneurysm, we decided to just do our own at home. Every year its been the 3 of us and my parents but sometimes we have a couple others join us. I usually cook everything, I think last year, my dad did the turkey for us but I made everything else. We almost always have a whole turkey, one year we did turkey breasts but we didn't have enough leftovers for everyone to enjoy. LOL I always make red mashed potatoes with gravy, stuffing(LOVE my stuffing. its sooo yummy), green bean casserole, and I get a salad from Costco that has roasted butternut squash, pumpkin seeds, feta cheese, dried cranberries and balsamic vinaigrette. Of course, we have rolls(we like the Hawaiian rolls) and dessert is usually a store bought pumpkin pie and I make an apple pie.

Christmas Eve is usually spent at my aunts house....we all have dinner and dessert and then just the kids(20 and younger) open gifts. Its usually a LATE night so I'm kinda looking forward to not doing that his year. We'll just hang out with my parents and this year BIL and SIL will be here so we'll figure out what to do for Christmas Eve dinner and then do our usual Christmas Day. Christmas morning is usually just DD, Hubby and I...when we get up,we all check out our stockings and open our gifts to each other, of course this year will include BIL and SIL. Then my parents, sister and niece will come for breakfast(always tamales and eggs) and then we all open our gifts from each other. After hanging out awhile my parents go home for awhile and come back a few hours later for dinner. We usually have beef dip sandwiches and lots of snacky, appetizer type foods....and TONS of sweets, that hopefully I actually bake this year. LOL Last year was a bust....I didn't do any real baking like I usually do.

Day after Christmas is my best friends birthday and we usually go to Las Vegas for at least a day or two, this year we won't be going. My BFFs decided to skip it this year, but since Christmas is a Friday this year, my sister and niece will be there all weekend instead of just staying the day.

New Years Eve is anniversary of the day hubby and I met so its our day....LOL We always have our really good friends over for snacks,
some drinks and games. Sometimes their adult kids join us, sometimes they don't....this year again, BIL and SIL will be here so that will be fun, they usually leave right after Christmas. Its usually a really early night because in the past hubby and our friend work that day. Last year, everyone was home and in bed 15 minutes after the ball drop(it helps they only live around the block....lol)

Our tree....I love a real tree, Frasier Firs are my favorite so we have to wait until the 2nd week of Dec for that. By that time I have slowly put up all the other decorations around the house. I LOVED Christmas decorations....love sitting watching TV with just all the Christmas lights one....
DD gets a mini tree for her room.

One lady was very vocal about it, and slammed out, knocked the door off alignment somehow. /sigh Some people....

Welcome back....and yes, some people.

want to make beef stew.

yum....that really does sound soo good. Hubby said something about beef stew the other day so I think I need to make it.

This seems to be Jasper's best day yet since he's been sick.

So glad Jasper had a good day.

may put up both a real and the artificial tree!

I like the way you think....lol We used to have two fake trees until I decided I wanted to start getting a real one. This year I've been thinking of getting another fake one for our front room....even though we don't even spend time in there. LOL

It is almost 80 degrees outside. I went out and found more stuff to add to the pile my handyman has to take to the dump. Dinner is going to be take out pizza, I am too tired to cook.

A MUST tradition is everyone gets one new ornament every year, usually Hallmark. Hubby always gets the Charlie Brown or Snoopy one, along with a Minions.

Wow...you were warmer than us today. We barely made it to 70 and then it quickly went down...LOL Its supposed to be only 50s for the highs this weekend. Rain was predicted but the percentage has slowly declined as the day went on....it is going to be really windy though so its probably blowing any rain clouds away.

I like to buy everyone an ornament every year. I try and get it for whatever was going on that year, like for my niece I usually get her on that's follows the theme of her birthday that year. This year will be a camping theme from her backyard campout here at my house. I've seen some toilet paper roll ornaments I'm thinking of getting for everyone else. hahaha

So I am making an apple cake.

Yum....apple cake sounds good.

Hope everyone has a good weekend.

 

[flyingdumbo127]

Our thread is slipping so sweet dreams everyone!

AuntieMe3, I love that you buy memory related ornaments, what a special idea.

Have any of you watched "Always and Forever Christmas?" I caught part of it this afternoon. I truly thought the character of Carol would be an Angel who would even be slightly acknowledged as such by the movie's end. I was disappointed that she wasn't (or that at least Lucy, the grand daughter taking over her grandpa's Christmas store, didn't give any thanks to God for her renewed Christmas spirit). How Carol was introduced at the beginning? In the movie, she was said to be helping out at the store during its final season (originally Lucy was going to sell). She vanishes at the end, leaving a note. Just wondering. Thanks

 

[NYCgrrl]

Morning, All.

DGD is scheduled to take a test today for access to a variety of academic scholarships so made her a special breakfast of cod, ackee, okras and johnnie cakes. Here’s hoping the meal gives her the opportunity to use all her “little grey cells“ productively.

May today go just as All wish wherever you are.

 

[easyas123]

Morning, All.

DGD is scheduled to take a test today for access to a variety of academic scholarships so made her a special breakfast of cod, ackee, okras and johnnie cakes. Here’s hoping the meal gives her the opportunity to use all her “little grey cells“ productively.

May today go just as All wish wherever you are.

Oh, best of luck to her! And you...been here before w/ the boys and I think it weighed more on me then them! Of course I was calculating the cost of school vs. the advantages of sending them there and they were NOT concerned with that!

Three weeks today I've stuck with my workout classes at local gym - so far I'm still dragging my fat butt outta bed early to head in! Hit the grocery after, so that is all done. Husband is in tree stand, dogs headed out to the yard for the day and I'm off to get on the tractor and get a field or two done /get a head start on things before husband gets home.

 

[flyingdumbo127]

Good Morning! Cooler here for sure can even feel it on the laminate flooring.

NYCgrrl, prayers for your DGD. How nice of you to make her a special breakfast

Easyas123, hug. I definitely admire that you are sticking with going to the gym. Good for you!