Thanksgiving... Round Two.

Was up at 6, got the Killer Stuffing... done.

Added a lot of Turkey... to this batch.

Above is the Meat, Veggie... Nut... Fruit ... and So Much More...

part of the Killer Stuffing

Finally got a little smarter this year.

Every Year, up until this... I'd add the bread/stuffing mixes, to this... at the end... with more stock, bring it all to a hard simmer, while folding it all together.

I'd have to watch it so closely...  as it could Easily Burn, after adding the dry ingredients.

Don't Know Why.... I didn't do this... Always.

Prepare the dry stuffing in another cast iron Scotch Bowl, then when it's done... simply combine the two.

: )

MUCH Better, and Safer!!

: )

In my defense... 

Usually... up until a few years back....

Every Single Pan, and Burner... were In Use on Thanksgiving.

The Kitchen... was a Very Busy Place.

; )

Most everything had be prepared Thanksgiving morning.

I'd make Pies... the night before, and Cranberry Relish.... and, whatever salad... Meat, and Cheese Trays... we might have.

but...

The Candied Sweet Potatoes, Garlic Mashed Potatoes... Stuffing, Gravy... All had to be prepared Thanksgiving Morning, along with The Turkey.

It helped a Bunch... when The Kids brought things.

<3

but...

still...

had to make the above, on Thanksgiving.

It's so strange not having the Holidays here, anymore.

 Miss it.

Spent yesterday.... running around.

Didn't want to.

Black Friday... isn't a great time to be out, and about.

Crazy.

With Cold weather, finally reaching us, had to get the Fish Trough heater goin'.

While examining it, it looked like the heater had melted into the cord, last year.

Didn't notice that when I unplugged it this Spring.

It probably would've been ok, but... didn't want to risk it.

Love our Fish.

<3

So... Braved The Crowds of Traffic, and Store Folks, gathered a new heater....

some Pickled Beets, and... a Huge Jar of Pickles.

: )

Made Pickle Wraps, and Pickle Wrap Dip... this morning, to take to the Kids'. 

: )

Up until... a few years ago.... the day after Thanksgiving, was 'The Day.'

The Day...

'The Tree'... goes UP!!

; )

The Tree...

is always a Job.

; )

John, Bless His Heart, would help me put it up... 

and All of the 2000, plus... lights, on it...

which took us a Big portion of the day.

then...

he'd 

Walk Away.

: )

His Part Was DONE!!!

Hahahahaha!!!

<3

He'd go upstairs, Load Up a Huge Plate of Thanksgiving Leftovers...

come back... downstairs, head to his La-z-Boy, Kick Back...

and watch his Favorite Shows, while I... put Christmas Music on... and 

Played in Mountain's of 'Christmas'.

: )

Helping me with The Tree... was The Best Christmas Gift John ever could've given me.

<3

A Big... Big, Deal!!

<3

John would go to his Shop... every morning, Early.

Except Sundays.

It was his 'Rabbit Hole'.

John had a Morning Ritual.

: )

He'd get up about 5, feed Scoutaroo, feed the outside Kitties, then... head to the Shop...

make Coffee, and visit with his Pals.

: )

John had several Pals, he'd chat with... every morning, on the phone... over Coffee.

before he took on The Day.

: )

He sent me the above FB post, on what we be John's last.... day after Thanksgiving, 'Tree Raising'.

of course neither of us could've Imagined it would be.

So Grateful... we didn't know.

{we too often forget... 'Tomorrow' is promised to no one.}

The first year... I put Rudy... in The Tree,

 {He's a late 1950's, or early 1960's Store Display, Pal, Maurina sold me... in 2006, or '07.}

  asked John if he'd give me a hand.

: )

{It's kind of a Trick. ; ) }

John... was Not 'for' That Idea.

; )

He said...

"You're Gonna Break That Tree. It's Too Heavy."

but...

I was stubborn,

 {imagine that. : ) }

and...

Determined.

{imagine... 'that'. ; ) }

Told John... It would be perfectly fine.

: )

I'd wired the center pole of The Tree, to the Landing's Handrail. It was Secure.

It wasn't Goin'... Anywhere.

: )

<3

Can't Imagine... The Tree, without Rudy.

<3

Helper, Brandon... called a couple of days ago. Wondered if I was putting The Tree up, this year.

Last year, for the very first time, in 23 years, I didn't put it up.

Brandon lives at home... with his Folks... his Mom doesn't want a Tree in the house anymore, so... Brandon enjoys helping me with mine.

I... Appreciate The Help.

; )

Told Brandon, The Tree is Going Up... 

This Year.

: )

It... Has To. 

<3

Brandon may be coming tomorrow, to help...

or next weekend. 

We'll see how things go. 

; )

Better get Rollin'.

I've got everything Ready... to Go, to The Kids'...

but, me.

; )

{that's always a  'Trick'... too. ; )}

Love to Ya...

Prayers for All.

Barb C.