Finish the year up Friday

[Kathryn-in-Canada]

Sorry I missed Dee - wanted to insist she take the walker so she had something to sit on in line ups and better treatment by staff at Disney.

[Kathryn-in-Canada]

I'm out of bed. Not s2s.

Mulled cider is mulling.

Christmas blessing story We moved so got rid of things, including my 6 quart crock pot. Now that I was just cooking for dh and I, my 3 and 3.5 quart ones were sufficient. I thought the only thing I was using the big one for was church pot lucks and decided I could change what I took and thus not have to store the large crock pot.

I completely forgot, I use it to make the mulled cider 2x a year (Boxing Day and New Years.)

Was trying to figure out how to do it on the stove. Obviously it is possible but temperature would be tricky (my stove doesn't have good control on the electric burners and our portable burners don't simmer at all.) Last night we took our two crocks with cooked potatoes in water and carrots, also in water. To transport them in the car we sealed them as best we could with Press & Seal and put them on a towel in a large plastic bin. At dinner, I noted that CF's crock pot has a latching lid for transporting food. And was big. And oohed and aahed over it.

He asked me did I really want one, and I explained about the mulled cider issue and before I knew it, he brought me out a brand new one as a gift!

So it is washed and mulling. I still need to read the manual to make sure I've turned it on correctly. (just did and yes, it is warming.)

Large meal serving method Dinner last night was huge. Peas, carrots, squash, mixed grilled veggies, raw veggies, sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, scalloped potatoes, turkey, roast beef, salmon, rolls, stuffing, gravy and cranberry sauce. One family couldn't come, so there was only 18 of us for dinner and 12 of us were sitting at the main table and the kids were in the living room at a smaller table. The food was laid out on the table with some things in a warming tray and the drinks on the sideboard. Serving was obviously going to be awkward.

The adults all stood at their places at the table and the kids grabbed their plates and walked around, adults serving them from the food at the centre of the table.

Then, each adult took their own plate and we all walked around the table, loading our own plates. In about 5 minutes we were all seated and eating. Very efficient, no one missed access to any dish and it meant we didn't have to disturb others by asking for things to be passed. After the unsuccessful serving on Thanksgiving at my place, I'm going to use this method in the future when there is a large crowd (over 6 or 7.)

Ok, my breakfast is done so it is time for me to get moving again. I have a prep list from last year so at least know what has to be done.

I need to add things like "Shower and get dressed to the list." but at least I can task dh with things while I am doing that. No pool for me today. Not enough time or energy.

[blessedw2]

I am sorry I wasn't here to wish you all a merry Christmas.. hope you had a lovely one.

My girls are in Florida and I am moving slow - It was a magical Christmas. Such a joy.

today I am taking a bit of time then taking down the Christmas Tree as most of it's needles are on the ground already! lol

[bittersweet]

Sounds like everyone had a wonderful Christmas (with the possible exception of Mr. MT and his tummy troubles). It was very quiet here...just me, DH, and DS. We spent a fairly relaxing day watching some TV, smelling the turkey cooking, eating far too much dinner, and watching some more TV.

This afternoon, DS and I are headed over to dMum's (DH is working tonight, so can't go ). We'll meet up with DD, DSil, and the two little munchkins. It's hard to believe DGS is 8 already! Oh....have I mentioned there's a new grandbaby on the way? He/she should arrive in late June/early July!

I really must get off my behinder and do a few things before I go....like wrap the last minute gifts, maybe?

My three top things to work on before I leave:

- critter care
- wrap gifts
- tidy kitchen from yesterdays culinary efforts

[blessedw2]

hello It's 1:12 pm and I actually feel like working - finally
the carpet of fir needles is even greater so it's time to take that tree outside

[bittersweet]

Critter care is done. Kitchen is about half done. Just taking a short break, and then it's off to wrap gifts!

I think I should have added slicing a bunch of turkey to the list, since we're all gathering at dMum's for after-Christmas turkey sammiches...LOL DD and family were at her in-laws for Christmas yesterday, and dMum cooked herself a chicken. It seems I'm the only one with turkey, so guess who's bringing it? LOL Oh! Also need to stop at the bakery to see if they have any buns. We have some here, but probably not enough.

Off to do some wrapping!

[Twins' Mom]

I got through a few things on my list and then headed out earlier. I signed cks at the temple and chatted, then went to Staples for printer ink, a 13 compartment file for 2013 and printer paper. Went through the grocery for milk, eggs, HB buns in case we want to do burgers tonight. Dkids and Z went to a movie today. House is sooooo peaceful!

Emailed realtor friend earlier and he emailed back to ask if we could close on the sale on Tuesday or Wed of next week. I can't, but could on Friday Jan 2! Hoping this happens.

[bittersweet]

Dishes are pretty well finished. Plans have been modified. It seems my darling little DGD is quite worn out from all the excitement of the past few days, so her Mommy needs to put her down for a nap, or she'll just be a royal grinch for the rest of the day. DS and I will leave here about 2:30, stop by the bakery for buns, and then head over to dMum's. DD and crew will follow about 3pm.

That gives me a bit more time to work with, so I'm going to get the laundry upstairs put away, and give the bathroom at least a good swish & swipe.

Off to wrap gifts!

[blessedw2]

hi d twins and d b is sweet and hi d kathryn

happy working.

my big tree is out at the curb for Jan 6 pick up. It definitely became a charlie brown tree over night.

- Next
-wrap the lights for the tree and mark - done and mouse proofed (lol - I hope)
-put away one box of things from front room - done " "
- put away ornaments and info on special ones.
-vacuum floor
dh swept up floor in front hall and front room from tree.
-wash towels.
-wash floor by hand

[bittersweet]

My l*st is getting shorter! Good thing, too, cause so is my time! There's one gift left to wrap, then put away the laundry, swish & swipe the bathroom, get changed, have DS start loading gifts into the car while I slice turkey, and then we're off (like a herd of thundering turtles).

Somehow, I've got to figure out how to get myself a little more organized for next Christmas ... it's only 364 days away! Next year will be quite different, as we'll be in our own house by then. Yes...we're buying ourselves a place and moving in the late spring!