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

[Bianca and Bernard]

Plague be FAR away from any of our cars!

Have any of you ever bought Amazon Essentials T shirts either for you or your DH? I need some extra T shirts. I can be T shirt picky (crew neck but a very thin neck) and soft. I have found sometimes men's T's can be of better quality and cheaper than women's so honestly don't care about that--after all, I stay home! I'd rather try T's from Amazon because the return process if need be (UPS, don't need to package) is much easier than Walmart (package to post office). In nonplague times, I will be going to Kohl's and Walmart in person but for now options are limited. Trying to get some extra T's also so Dad would only need to do laundry once a week. Thanks, friends As a P.S. I mostly need short sleeve but definitely some long sleeve would be handy, too.

no, but DS and DH really like the tshirts from Kohls...I think the brand is Sonoma Goods for Life. They say they're super soft.

 

[flyingdumbo127]

Thanks B&B, always good to see you pop in here, too! Post plague, Kohl's will be the very first place I go to right when they open! I need most all new clothes (weight loss--hooray) I do also like Sonoma and agree they are soft and smooth. Kohl's Croft and Barrow Brand, IMO, often were not as soft. Merry Christmas, my friend

 

[Breezy_Carol]

Merry Christmas!

Started the day with a Zoom from DD's house. Actually more of a webcam than interaction. DH and I, DIL from her house, and DS for a bit from the White House, could watch the littles open gifts. (It was cool to see DS in uniform.)

Then DH and I opened gifts. DD and family coming later for gift exchange. Had a Zoom with kids yesterday and decided that DH and I will go to DS's on Sunday to exchange gifts with them and we will all, hopefully, get together January 3.

Be back later to expound on food and gifts.

 

[Bianca and Bernard]

Thanks B&B, always good to see you pop in here, too! Post plague, Kohl's will be the very first place I go to right when they open! I need most all new clothes (weight loss--hooray) I do also like Sonoma and agree they are soft and smooth. Kohl's Croft and Barrow Brand, IMO, often were not as soft. Merry Christmas, my friend

Merry Christmas to you, as well...And everyone else here too!

No presents to open here; we did early Christmas gifts over the Portal with the grandkids, so they could have time with their other families today/yesterday (as time works here vs Japan, lol). DS gets cash, as he prefers to buy his own stuff; I'm ok with it, as he has learned how to budget for what he wants with what he needs and what he gets.

I did get a new Ninja Foodi oven...the fancy one with the built in thermometer, and a Ninja food processor. The FP will be here after the 1st, but that's fine. I wasn't expecting the oven until after the 1st either, but it was shipped early, direct with Amazon.

Chilly this am, at 33 @8am, real feel was 26-28, depending on the channel. Tonight, more of the same.

I made a pumpkin pie yesterday, with a new recipe, and I do not like it at all. Not enough...flavor, just barely sweet. I'll go back to mom's recipe next time. Made some focaccia in the new oven this morning; baked 2 pans just right! We're having some pasta fagioli and chili for lunch that I made and froze earlier this month, and a veggie/meat/cheese tray for later.

 

[Breezy_Carol]

I think we are done with excitement for today.

Last night was shrimp creole. This morning I made cinnamon rolls (from a can), eggs and sausage. Lunch was nothing special, just a sandwich but I had beer and now some cookies. Tonight crabcakes, salad, and baked potatoes.

DH gave me the two shirts and 4 Ocean bracelet I picked out at the beach this October. And a GC to the local cidery and a mug with a heron on it O gave him the shirt he picked out in October, the new John McCain book, a starbucks GC, and a bathrobe. Same one we got DS for his birthday this fall.

DD and family gave DH and I a beach umbrella and a weighted blanket. Gave DH an NC State sweatshirt and gave me some meal planning and beer tasting pads.

DGD's favorite gift from Santa was a big doll house. DGS liked the boxes and paper. LOL

We had bought DD and DSIL 2 chairs and a coffee table for their front porch so minimal gifts today. Firepit tools and some firewood for DSIL. A bracelet and hair drying scrunchie she wanted for DD.

Beer is having it's sedative affect so I might try out the weighted blanket.

 

[Snowysmom]

We are back home and opened our gifts and stockings. The kids and grandkids liked their gifts. Older DGD is on her way to becoming a magician. The little DGD loved the book with the animal sounds. When she pushed the buttons and the animal sound came out she smiled said Wow! DGS loved his construction set. My older DS's sons loved the play doh set and books. It was nice to go to younger DS's house and watch them play and play with them. We can't really do that when they come to our house for Christmas. Maybe this will become the new tradition to go to the kids and grandkids so we can play with the toys with them. Plus not having to run around making food for 11 people, setting the table, cleaning up, and making sure the little ones don't get near the stove was nice. DH got me lots of books and CDs. He also got me some clothes and he warned me that they don't always look like they do online and I can return anything I don't like. I usually buy things for him to give me but he wanted to pick out some shirts. He ordered one thing which looked like a sherpa shirt. It looked like the abominable snowman had been playing with food coloring. Plus it was really thick and huge. He laughed and I laughed. It is going back. He liked the books, DVDs and CDs that I got him. He is still into DVDs of old TV shows. Now it is time to relax for a while and read or watch Hallmark movies for the evening. Quiche and squash for dinner along with some wine. I am not cooking this weekend. It is leftovers or takeout for us.

It is so rainy here and warm. It does not feel like Christmas at all. The 14 inches of snow we got a little while ago is gone. I am sure there is more snow to come soon enough.

I hope everyone had a nice day and continues to have a nice holiday season.

 

[snappy]

I have to say reading the stories of all of the different Christmas Day experiences and meals here is so very fun. Thanks for sharing and letting me join you guys vicariously.

This year is very different but still a special day for all.

My husband and I visited my 90 year old mom who lives in the assisted living section of a Continuing care retirement center here. For the last 5 years my brother, sister and her husband and our 3 kids have eaten brunch with mom there on Christmas Day. Actually this was the first Christmas since our 32 year old son was born that we didn’t spend Christmas Day with our kids. The visit with my mom today was scheduled to be outside on the porch near the entrance since there were 2 staff COVID cases last week. This week there was 1 asymptomatic resident case, but they somehow still decided yesterday to allow family to visit indoors (in the apartment only) for Christmas Day. It was so much better, even in the south it was way too cold for my thin skinned mom to visit outside. We had a nice long visit in her apartment, then a 1 and a half hour zoom call with our son and two daughters who all live out of town and out of state. We almost hated to end the call. May do another one next Sunday, if we can. After the zoom call my husband grilled filets outside for our late lunch. I baked some cookies early this morning and brought some to mom. Now we are relaxing and watching the Saints game on TV. Lovely, sunny day here. All is well in the world. I’ll make some crawfish ettouffee tomorrow for our main meal. I made some oyster dressing over the weekend so I am going to venture out early either tomorrow or Saturday am and get a big chicken to roast to go with the oyster dressing as we need some kind of poultry to go with the dressing.

Plan to start watching Outlander 5th season tonight after the Saints game as today was not possible.

Merry Christmas to all of you, new and wonderful friends!

 

[flyingdumbo127]

I have also so enjoyed reading each of your Christmas Day experiences. Today, no matter what, is a day to celebrate. I'm attaching a photo of our Christmas card table. I told my Dad we have a whole year to find a non gel cling (do not recommend these) new Merry Christmas table-top decoration, ideally one that stands up and that clearly says (in all caps) Merry Christmas.

This morning, we both enjoyed looking at our stockings. I had asked Dad to choose a few CD's he would enjoy from Amazon and I picked one which he really said he'd enjoy. He also likes crossword puzzle books. Thanks to a kind person on paperback swap, I had gotten him some actual puzzle books. I also found a crossword puzzle Christmas mystery (non creepy, no one gets hurt) fiction book on PBS that he said he is looking forward to reading. Dad's gift's to me were very thoughtful. He gave me an Amazon gift card which I used toward some men's (hoping these will be bigger than the 4-10 ladies that shrivel right up) fuzzy soft socks, and then an Amazon Essentials short sleeve and long sleeve T shirt. He also gave me a chose my own gift card that I might use on Christian Book.

I hope you all enjoyed church from home Thank you again, Carol.

I talked/texted/emailed with some friends and most of all got to enjoy reading from Luke near my Nativity scene. So special to do that on Christmas Day. For Hallmark movies, I am watching Christmas Tree Lane and have recorded Never Kiss A Man in Christmas Sweater. Oh and the Price is Right was a Christmas themed episode from 2018. We've enjoyed half of it so far.

❤

 

[Breezy_Carol]

@apirateslifeforme, I’m glad you never lost power. I just (7:45 pm) talked to my brother in Bristol, his power has been out since 4 am. Luckily they have a generator.

 

[Kirby]

Merry Christmas Evening!

Sounds like everyone had a very good Christmas Day. Ours has been rescheduled for January 3rd. With DGS with his dad and DS's fiance's work schedule (she's and ER nurse), that's the only day where everyone is available. I've already mentioned that DH and I bought a treadmill for our Christmas present. I've been using it, getting back into the groove.

It was really quiet around here today with just DH and I. We did get to talk to his oldest sister in San Antonio. It was nice to catch up with her and hear about all of her kids and their families. DH grilled chicken for dinner and we had cheesy rice and Bush's Baked Beans as sides.

I cleaned out the game cabinet and moved all the games/puzzles that were too old for the grandkids to a closet. They had been taking out puzzles and games scattering the pieces about, wanted to make sure that the older stuff would still be intact for us to play when the time came. Plus, DGS is getting a couple of games for Christmas, DGD is getting more puzzles. Needed the room for them.

@flyingdumbo127, cute table! So festive!

 

[flyingdumbo127]

Yikes, sorry about your brother, Carol. I'm glad he has a generator.

Thanks, Kirby Family game time is fun. Kids do like to scatter pieces! I hope you have a fun belated Christmas extra celebration on January 3rd.

Christmas Tree Lane didn't quite grab me the way some of the other Hallmark movies have but it was enjoyable

I wish each of you a peaceful Merry Christmas Good Evening and Sweet Dreams.

Should any of you still buy calendars, typically they go half off on the day after Christmas.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Love the table @flyingdumbo127 !

@tazdev3225 I will post a pic of the bracelet in the morning.

I agree, it was nice to hear about everyone’s days!

 

[lynxstch]

Good morning all. Its a cold 19 outside, feels like 14, but at least we are going to get near 40 today. Will be going to Walmart and Aldi's shortly-not for any marked down stuff, just normal grocery day. Don't need that much as the fridge is still pretty full. But I am almost out of cat food and litter, and we can't have that. It was a very quiet Christmas Day. Dinner was good, we did our gifts, and then watched some tv. I veto'd his watching Dr Pimple Popper (seriously do people really want to see that stuff?), so we settled on a movie. I was so tired by 9 that I went to bed. Have a magical Saturday everyone, relax and take a day off after the holiday if possible!

 

[Owlpost23]

10%. How many of you will go shopping on Dec 26th because they are marking down their holiday leftover decor at 10% off. Or that 10% of the minimum wage check will be set aside for taxes. Or just how important is it it to know that 10% of ice cream eaters prefer vanilla and caramel blends. I can tell you that 100% of the folks who shop at my local grocery store love klondike bars. they were all gone by the time I arrived for a super sale on the foiled delicacy.


And foiled I was this morning at 1:30 a.m. M.S.T. that the 10% chance of rain turned into 100% rain. After many conversations yesterday with "old timers" at the Farmers Market where I sell my found objects to be repurposed elsewhere about what exactly 10% chance of rain looks like on the sunniest place on earth....I was pretty confident that set-up of the garage sale today for tomorrow would be a green light.

In 1994 a song was released that had the lyrics " like the desert miss the rain", the title of song "Missing" which went on to historical music chart records, including a ranking of #1 song of 1996, which is when I bought the cassette tape.. 24 years later I understand how the desert misses the rain , we have not seen a raindrop since April 11th, and I have not hiked the desert blocks down my street because of the dust and dirty smell. Now the desert is clean and smells really wonderful because when the oldest living plant on earth misses the rain...it puts out a fantastic fragrance that last for several days.

....and...my tables for putting wares on for the garage sale....all clean...not that it matters...10% chance that my garage sale is going to happen Friday....but at least it will have a clean smell.

🌦🌦☀☀

You post the most fascinating things.

 

[flyingdumbo127]

Good Morning, Friends

Lol, I agree Lynxstch about the pimple popping show!

Happy Saturday wishes to all!

 

[PollyannaMom]

Happy Saturday, and Happy Boxing Day! Hope everyone is enjoying a relaxing day after Christmas. Santa was very good to us here, we talked/texted/FaceTimed with several family members from all over, and my ham turned out pretty good. All in all a successful, if different, Christmas.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Pea-n-Me I would LOVE that Outlander bracelet. You must post a pic I would love to see it.

There’s a lot in that picture so I’ll explain.The bracelet is in the corner and the place it came from is on the box in the top, and it had that little picture of Jamie and Claire in the box, which was a nice touch! The thing in the middle is something else DH got me that also came from England (he thinks, but it could’ve been Scotland) and is a sweater clip (somehow holds a sweater or throw together so it doesn’t come off your shoulders, will have to figure out how to use it ). It’s fashioned like the clips that hold together the Scottish tartans, I believe. (Please forgive me if I’m using the wrong terms! Open to correction, for sure, if we have any readers or posters here from these areas!)

The top bracelet is the Wizard of Oz one with Toto. I was trying to figure out why there were uneven colors in the beads but this morning I realized it’s a rainbow!

And the book I got for DH; he is also looking forward to their show. (He has English and Scottish ancestry.)

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.to...en-in-kilts-sam-heughan-graham-mctavish-news/
I was going to buy a bottle of Sam’s Sassenach Whiskey for the house, but they were long sold out by summer. Will wait for the next production. I didn’t get a picture but DH also ordered a tartan bandana from England for Toto, as well. We have bought quite a few things for him from them. These dogs originated there so you can find more breed-specific merchandise for them there, than here. We call him our cute little Scot!

 

[tazdev3225]

Pea-n-Me I absolutely love that bracelet. Did he get it from a specific site? My husband feels guilty that he got me nothing so that would make him happy to get me something like it.

I am getting the book just can't decide if I want the Kindle version or Hard copy maybe both??? I am looking forward to the show also. I have been to Scotland 3 times and have even been to a couple locations where the show was filmed. I am hoping to go back again in 2022 with my granddaughter as her High School graduation present.

Did you see the Men in Kilts Yule Log. Watching Graham and Sam interact was so funny so the show should be a lot of fun.

Today has been rather quiet again. I need to run my mom's gifts to my family. Since I do see them I am the go between. I wasn't feeling to well when I woke up. It made me remember why I don't drink wine that often. I got a Riesling and while it was good my stomach didn't quite agree.

I did talk to my grandson and my cabinets are being ordered monday along with the appliances. I finally decided on the color of the cabinets and I am extending one by 6 inches over the stove. I decided on no range hood since I don't use mine anyway. Hopefully they will come in quickly because I know he will want to be with his wife when the baby is born. I still need to pick out a backsplash. I never knew that would be so hard.

Have a great day all

 

[AuntieMe3]

Love reading about everyone's day this morning as I still lounge in bed as long as I can. I'm not doing anything today....lol well except going up to my parents to help with my mom for a little bit. She's been having a hard time sleeping lately which means my dad hasn't been sleeping so I told him I'd give him a break today. While we were on quarantine, he didn't have anybody to give him some time for himself so he needs it.

We had a nice day yesterday...everyone slept in until 9:30. I vacuumed before we opened presents because I didn't want everything to instantly be covered in dog hair after opening...lol We did our stockings and then opened gifts. I knew everything I got beforehand but I still scored. LoL I got an apron(needed one), an air fryer, and a Coach purse and wallet. Hubby got some work pants and some Bluetooth wireless speakers, DD got a game, some clothes, a book, some gift cards, a pin board and some pins for her new hobby of pin collecting. Way low key compared to previous years but still great. We had tamales and eggs for breakfast and then everyone napped and/or relaxed the rest of the afternoon until I started prepping dinner...I cooked a small half ham in the crockpot and I tried the new air fryer on the turkey breast. Scalloped potatoes and Mac n cheese went into the oven, we had crackers, cheese and salami and some jalapeno artichoke dip while everything cooked. I got full from that do didn't even eat when dinner was ready. LOL Everyone else really enjoyed it. My parents came down for dinner, hung out visiting for a little before heading home fairly early. I cleaned up the kitchen and then sat on the couch until way too late... why I didn't just go to bed I don't know...lol but I'm making up for it this morning.

At some point, I facetimed with my sister and niece, who showed me everything she got from Santa....that girl got a ton. She is soo cute. They are coming to visit next weekend. They wanted to make sure my parents were negative and we were all feeling better. So excited to celebrate with them next weekend.

I wish I knew how to do video because our dogs once again opened their presents themselves and it was hilarious. My mom just called so I need to head up there now but I'll be back to post pictures later.

Enjoy your day everyone.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Pea-n-Me I absolutely love that bracelet. Did he get it from a specific site? My husband feels guilty that he got me nothing so that would make him happy to get me something like it.

I am getting the book just can't decide if I want the Kindle version or Hard copy maybe both??? I am looking forward to the show also. I have been to Scotland 3 times and have even been to a couple locations where the show was filmed. I am hoping to go back again in 2022 with my granddaughter as her High School graduation present.

Did you see the Men in Kilts Yule Log. Watching Graham and Sam interact was so funny so the show should be a lot of fun.

I did see the Yule Log! I am trying to figure out where it came from. Check back as I will edit it in when I find it. DH doesn’t remember, and threw out the packaging. (Oftentimes he orders things off of Instagram links when he sees them.) He is wrapped in a blanket reading his book now! (And reading passages to me. Not a big book person but really likes this one!)