Among Friends

[Sweet Caroline 1]

[Sassy7356]

[Sassy7356]

[Sassy7356]

[Sassy7356]

[Sassy7356]

[Sassy7356]

[Sassy7356]

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@mousiegirl wrote:

It rained the past two days, or should I say drizzled the night before, but really rained last night.  When it rains, it is much warmer, so have been able to eliminate one of the heaters in the kitchen, and not use the one in the bedroom at night, just the mattress warmer.

I plan to make a gingerbread cake and a light fruitcake.  I never liked fruitcake, all that candied fruit and hardly any cake, but I made one many decades ago with all dried fruit, delicious.  I recently found two, one I have had for man years and never made, only dried fruit, candied pineapple, apricots, dried tart cherries, and citron, will not add the candied cherries, and another dried fruitcake similar, but made in a loaf pan, will only make the first I mentioned, and maybe then the second for New Years, if not, will make cookies.

Since I decorated the kitchen, including a tree, and we are alone, we will eat in there for the holidays.  This year my theme was the vintage red and green, which is how the living room and dining rooms are decorated.  Rather than lug a lot of decor upstairs, I managed to find all that I needed upstairs in closets or the red room where some decor is stored in large deep drawers.  Some of the decor I hadn't used yet, others not in many years, so it was fun.

We will eat the usual, Tuesday sushi take out, Wednesday the marinated cracked crab and garlic butter baguette, and Christmas, prime rib which this year I will be cooking in my Ronco rotisserie, unless it will fit in the small oven I just bought, sides are twice stuffed potatoes and roasted carrots.  I ordered a three rib instead of four rib bones in, so I will see and decide.  I may also serve a broccoli casserole that I will make, if not, I will serve it the evening after.

I have decided that I do need regular ovens, so when I get the range fan, frig/freezer, I will get the ovens.  I will only use them when absolutely necessary.

DD said she isn't in the Christmas spirit, that it doesn't seem like Christmas, told her not for me either since she wouldn't be here.  One of the reasons I decided to decorate to help me get in the mood, but it is not the same without children around.

I hope everyone is and will be having lots of fun and heart warming moments at Christmas.

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@mousiegirl Your meals planned sound delicious.  I am not in the Christmas mood at all.  With all that has been going on with my Mom and my daughter and SIL not here this Christmas plays a big part in it I think.  My plan for Christmas Eve is to have my nails done.  There is a good Mexican restaurant next to the salon that we hope to have dinner at.  On Christmas Day Jason has requested I make beef stroganoff so that is our plan.  I will also make my Mom's recipe for dinner rolls and some sort of vegetable dish.  I haven't even thought of what dessert will be.  

@Tissyanne My sister sent a huge variety of kolaches to Jason from the Kolache Factory.  He fell in love with them when we would visit them in Houston.  He teases her every year that he would love for her to send some so she did this year.  I looked them up and decided I would give them a try to make some day, too.  Your dinner sounds really good to me and gave us the idea to eat at the Mexican restaurant on Christmas Eve.  I hope they are open.  

[Sassy7356]

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@1Snickers wrote:

@mousiegirl   Happy birthday in advance (before I forget it tomorrow,) 🎂🍨  I saw on the news last night all the rain in California. I hope it's over soon for y'all! 
  everyone:  With my DH gone and he was the cook I only buy things to eat.  I usually did desserts but am WAY out of practice. 
   My son's friend is baking a delicious heavy cheesecake.He's known him since college and  came for breakfast last Christmas. 
    We will have Christmas Eve dinner, lasagna or spaghetti casserole my xDIL cooks. Then party poppers. My son works Christmas Eve so he will pick me up about 5. Then on the way home drive by beautiful houses in his area decorated expensively. It's a guided light show on the car radio. 
     Christmas is at his house early about 10 and they come to my house that night for a few packages. All day fun! 
       I hope I survive. 
       🎄🎅🏼🧑🏼‍🎄🎁
        

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@1Snickers Your Christmas Eve/Day plans sound like fun.  It sounds like there are some nicely decorated houses close by.  

[AnikaBrodie]

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@Sassy7356 wrote:

Tomorrow is also the Celebration of Life for @AnikaBrodie 's dear husband, Ed. Their love story was truly magic and taught so much about love.  Know, Patricia, I will be thinking of you and sending lots of love your way.

"What you leave behind is not what is engraved in stone monuments but what is woven into the lives of others."—THUCYDIDES

"Like a bird singing in the rain, let grateful memories survive in time of sorrow." —ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON

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@Sassy7356 

Thank you for the lovely card with a favorite sentiment.  You may recall that I'm fond of Pooh Bear and all his inscriptions.

As I share in Ed's celebration of life service tomorrow I will hold the love and support of forum friends in my heart.  Thank you all.  

Ed was loved by many in our neighborhood and beyond.  I'm having so many phone calls and visits from people who called him "friend"  and spoke of his strong faith despite serious medical challenges, his ever present humor (thumbs up with wide smile), and his gentleness and positive attitude.  I believe these are all life lessons for those around him. 

                                                                         ~~ Patricia