Friday, November 17th, 2023
Friday Five
TGIF!! Let’s get right to sharing five random things about our week. Here’s mine:
- Because we’re crazy, we moved a couple things around in the office, and ordered a second bookcase
We have really done this the hard way. In our defense, we bought it in pieces to see how much storage we would need, and how things would fit. All that said, we really love the office so it’s all good. But it is funny how much time and thought we are putting into it. Once the second bookcase comes today…we should actually put something in them. But then I think about moving stuff out when we do floors next year and get really tired. - I got a Covid booster shot. I’d put it off because we were so busy and I couldn’t afford a sick day. I finally got the shot, and the only reaction I had was a mildly sore arm. I mean that’s good news, but all that procrastination was for nothing, LOL.
- I have five containers of homemade cookie dough in my refrigerator — which is double batches of 3 kinds of cookies: Chocolate chip, macadamia white chocolate chip, and lemon. I’m using different recipes for the first two because I have some kind of baking dysfunction that makes me keep trying different recipes. The lemon cookies I have made before and I wrote “good” on the recipe so maybe it is — we’ll see. Also after I made all that dough yesterday, I was rethinking my life choices. I mean one batch of each would have been fine, but my brain said: Double the batches and freeze them! It’s the holidays! Frankly my brain needs less coffee and more wine. Heck I don’t even know if I can get a lot of cookies into my new freezer, but I guess we’ll find out! Today I’ll be baking cookies for roughly a 100 hours. Good times.
- I bought a couple inexpensive Christmas decorations including one that reminded me of Maggie. I’ll post a picture below. Maybe this weekend we’ll get our tree and other decorations out. It not, we’ll do it the weekend after Thanksgiving. I’m not buying all the stuff I wanted to get for the front yard this year, but I did get a pretty wreath and a Santa for the front porch for great prices, so I’m happy. Here’s the one that looks like Maggie:
- This weekend, I’d love to run out to Middle Son’s to see their new kitchen, but it might not be feasible. We also need to plan out our Thanksgiving with Middle and his wife, which we’re really looking forward to. I don’t know if I’ll be able to see Turbo, as he and his family are still playing virus roulette. I really feel for them dealing with this! Oh! And I have a toy I need to take over to Youngest’s to give his dog, Phoebe. I didn’t buy Maggie a toy, just Phoebe, LOL! But Maggie doesn’t really care about toys, so she probably forgives me.
That’s my five. Now I’d love to hear yours! I hope everyone has a great weekend!
November 17th, 2023 at 8:42 am · Link
I know crazy and y’all aren’t crazy. Just sayin’. Plus, slow and steady wins the race to decorating happiness. You are the cookie queen! And yeah, it does make sense to double up. I hope you have room. Have you tried freezing the “scoops” of raw dough then bagging them? Thaw and bake later and less freezer space occupied. Just a thought. Cute countdown calendar and I’m sure Maggie will forgive you for no toy and Phoebe will be happy. Ugh on the sickies. Hope they all fight it off soon! Of course, if you go see the Middles’ kitchen, you can plan T-giving in person…
Okay, my lame five:
1. Have I mentioned that Smudge (one of the ferals) now sets off the Ring Doorbell alert if I’m not out there by 6 am? I’d be snarly if it wasn’t so funny. 😼
2. Speaking of critters, one of the squirrels gets right up in my face as I’m putting out the sunflower seeds in the feeder. This is the same jerk that “ate” the plastic “window” and then broke TWO glass pieces I ordered to fit. I gave up and now just toss some on top and inside the box. I told him there’d be more seeds if he’d leave the container alone but he just stares at me eye-to-eye, and flicks his tail. It’s like an Old West standoff. 🤣
3. Speaking of cookies, (because I don’t remember if I followed up on the subject earlier in the week) I made a second batch of my giant soft snickerdoodles. They come out about the size of my hand with my fingers splayed and are oh-so-soft and yummy. Now I need to figure out what to do with the two cups of buttermilk still in the fridge. I wish it came in pints instead of quarts! 🍪
4. Weather has been awesome! Days in the high 60s, lows in the 40s/50s. It’s supposed to last until late Thanksgiving Day and then an arctic front is supposed to blow in. We don’t do Black Friday so no biggie but I suppose I should get my front porch garland & lights out and up before then. Just because they’re out doesn’t mean I have to turn them on. 🎄
5. We’re going to Stormy’s T-giving program this afternoon. His best friend read for the part of the farmer but Stormy got the part. LOL Only has been scrambling to find him overalls that don’t cost an arm and a leg because…one-time wear. I don’t miss those days! 👨🏼🌾
Have a great weekend, all! We plan on sticking close to home and just vegging. And now it’s time for another cup of coffee. 🥰 ☕
November 17th, 2023 at 3:59 pm · Link
1. I hope the bookcase arrived and you have set up the office the way you will be most comfortable. Buying in stages makes perfect sense to me. If you have too much storage space, you end up filling it😉. Ever notice that?
2. That’s not too bad a reaction to the shot.
3. Oh man, that’s quite a bit of baking. I’m sure Wizard will be happy to sample them for you 😊. Funny how small our freezers are. It baffles me how they get away with it when they list the cu ft.
4. I love the Maggie decoration. How does she feel about it? She knows that she is the original.
5. Sure hope you have time to get to see everyone this weekend. Boy I hope Turbo and family kick that virus to the curb. It really stinks when viruses keep circling back. Maggie is a sweetie and will forgive you.
1a. I got an email from my health insurance yesterday stating some new things for 2024. One is FREE pet insurance. It only covers well care check, vaccinations, and stool testing. But heck, that’s around $185/yr. I now have to have a Venmo account because that’s how they pay you back.
2a. C ordered the new downdraft range this morning. It will be delivered Dec. 2nd.
3a. I have to plan out my Thanksgiving menu too. I have a turkey 🥰.
4a. I have to wrap Harrison’s Christmas presents. His mother wants to do Christmas next Friday when they’re here.
5a. It’s rained all day. You know those windows I cleaned the other day? The rain has destroyed them ☹.
I hope your weekend is great!
November 17th, 2023 at 6:17 pm · Link
Silver, yes! I’ve done the freezer balls of dough. This time I need to pull them out frozen for travel next week
I will make it work.
1) That’s a smart cat!
Huh, do people still go out shopping at brick and mortar stores for Black Friday?
2) That squirrels packs some serious attitude!
3) Yum on the snickerdoodles! Well you can use buttermilk in tons of baking, but you have snickerdoodles so that seems redundant. I buys real dairy milk in the small 14 oz bottle because I only use it for baking, or a splash for one or two cooking items. It’s the perfect size, too bad buttermilk doesn’t come in that size. You probably already know this, but you can make your own buttermilk using one cup of milk and add one tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice. It works when I do it.
4) Yay for the nice weather! Probably would be a good time to put out whatever you like for Christmas, or just wait and to it when, and if, you feel like it
5) Hope Stormy’s program came out amazing! And yep, I remember those one time expenses for kids, hope Only found something at a good price!
Staying home is a good plan. I think we’re going to do that too. Enjoy your weekend!
November 17th, 2023 at 6:26 pm · Link
Viki, the bookcase came, and we’re happy so far. I feel the same on freezers, but the two drawers are working out most of the time, and overall I love the fridge. Oh and Maggie checked out the decoration when I brought it home and set it on the floor for a minute. She found it boring, LOL.
1) That’s an awesome benefit in your health insurance! I’ve never heard of that, but love it and wish it was in mine!
2) You must be excited to get the downdraft and have it installed.
3) A turkey is a good start! My daughter in law called yesterday afternoon and I think we have a plan. She’s doing pretty much all the work (because I’m traveling nad staying in a hotel room before I see her so food storage is an issues), but I’ll help where I can. I know you’ll pull together a delicious and truly wonderful Thanksgiving meal that they will all appreciate!
4) Wow that’s early, but I guess it makes sense to do Harrison’s Christmas with you guys while they are there. More work for you, but I bet Harrison will be thrilled!!
5) Isn’t that always the way after you worked so hard to clean the windows? It’s like washing the car and it rains.
Hope you don’t work too hard this weekend doing T-Day prep and have some time to relax!