Happy New Year!

It has been a while since I posted as I got sick!  I mean really sick!  High fever, bad head cold, just punk for about 10 days. I am not a good sick person, but a goer and a doer, and to be laid low like that was not fun!

Fever came and went but I am finally on the mend.

Sissy left a week ago Monday past, and I was already down, I rallied Christmas day, and Lil Sis came and got the filet mignon and lobster on Christmas Eve and did all the cooking.  It was very good; I ate dinner and slept on her couch until Husb woke me to take me Home!

My fever broke Christmas morning and with a ton of OTC medicine I made it through the day and then slept off and on the next two.  Started to feel Human on Monday the 30th and plans were made for Lil Sis and her Husband to join us New Years Eve.  They did we had simple appetizers (think tapas) and had a wonderful time.  However, none of us can hang any longer and the party broke up at eight o'clock in the evening and I was in bed by 8:30.  Husb cleaned up the kitchen for which I was truly thankful.

Today I was up ay 5:00 a.m. and have paid bills for the month and started a big pot of Hoppin John for the day.  I love black eyed peas and rice and had a nice ham bone to put in the pot. Husb does not like it, but there are plenty of leftovers from last night to make Him happy.  Hoppin John is a southern recipe and meant to be good luck for the New Year!

Just taking it easy today and scrolling through my phone sending Happy New year greetings to all.

I am still just a wee bit tired, and I am not going to push myself. 

Sissy comes home late tomorrow, and I have missed her.  She had a great Christmas with her Family, for which I am glad. Also, happy she was not here to pick up my crud as her immune system is so fragile.

I have some goals for the New year and the first is to eat out of the pantry and freezers for at least two months. I must stop buying loss leaders and use up what we have.  Tomorrow I will make a list of meals and stick too it!

I also must and I mean must stop eating out so much.  I love to cook and am not lazy I just like being out and about amongst the hub bub of people.  I think this comes from living so many years back east.  I have grown used to commotion and it is quite quiet here in the valley. I will continue to work on this.

Looking forward to Sissy's return and now I am going to go and rest, and binge watch some Netflix. I have become quite good at this the past two weeks!

Wishing everyone and happy and healthy New Year!

Kay
 

Long time, no post, because I have been so busy!

 Made eight pans of caramels with only one fail! Yeah!

Yes, I did have some fails, we all did.  When making candy you cannot multitask, which I do and then I screw it up!

But all in all, it was a total success, and we made a lot of People happy.

Five pans of peanut brittle - one fail!

This took us almost three days and we made 18 dozen rosettes.

I do not know how many cookies and 10 lbs. of potatoes for lefsa!

Sissy made all of the cookie batters, and I did most of the candy.  Little Sis made the lefsa, which is quite a chore.  Husband and one of Kim's friends and I spent 6 hours making rosettes. We were a stinky greasy bunch.

By day number two my feet had a heartbeat of their own!

It was a lot of work!  In addition to this I also made 6 pans of almond Roca, and I do not even know how many tins of Chex mix.

Sissy and I finally got everything delivered yesterday and that was a big relief.

We wanted to do it Wednesday, but the windstorm put the kibosh on that!

That was one wicked storm and the damage all over the Northwest is bad.

Daniel and I fared well, but the house next door lost most of their shingles, which ended up in our backyard.

The ground cloth took a beating where the driveway will go and that is an easy fix, but Sissy and her neighbor's fence is a goner.

We are waiting on an estimate and are prepared.

Today I must go and get Sissy's soda on my Husband and my apps. Need to go to the post office and also do a small grocery shop as I am out of a few important things.

I do not want to leave the house as it is so damn windy, and I hate the wind, but needs must.

I think I am basically prepared for Christmas. I have the filet mignon ordered and I will pick that up next Tuesday. Lil Sis is providing the Lobster; I will make the Cesar salad and round this out with a baked potato and call it wonderful!

Sissy will be at her eldest's with the entire family and Husb and I will be here with Lil Sis and her husband.

WE are looking forward to a quiet Christmas with lots of good food and laughs.

Now I am off to get my errands done and then home to read and relax!

Hugs.

Kay

Trying to stay above the?......long post, please read, I need it!

Sissy is so down, I mean so down.

I do not know how to help except to be here!

And maybe I am also!

Thanksgiving went well but we were under the weight of the phone call... which came early Friday morning....

Our beloved Heidi is gone.

The funny is I was so exhausted from Thanksgiving cooking (I need to pass the torch, and as I did not breed there is no one to pass the torch too!) I spent the night at Sissies again as I had hit the wall and the Husb was not ready to go home yet?  I just peeled my clothes off, got my P.J, s which I keep there and crawled into bed.

Woke early on Friday morning, intentionally thinking about taking Sissies car down the hill to start Christmas decorating (which is our tradition).  But as it turns out I made coffee (yes, keep a pot at sissies with all the makings) had my three cups and was in the shop playing on the computer when I heard Roscoe bark so loud and it scared me. It was very early, so I jumped up and I belly bumped with Sissy in the hallway! She told me that Heidi had passed.  We scared each other badly! But we laughed because we are truly sick individuals.

Now it was close to eight a.m. by the time we got it together, and I looked at Sissy and said get dressed, we are going "Black Friday Shopping".  Now as any of you who have ever visited this valley, there is no "Black Friday Shopping" anywhere!  But I was determined to find something, anything?

So, we went to Hobby Lobby as they were open by eight! Yeah!  We cried and laughed as that is what we do...and found eight dessert dishes to match Sissies Thanksgiving service for 75% off and I got two jigsaw puzzles for the Husb at 50% off.  Then there was an Art Fair in the Mall (if that is what you want to call a Mall) and we toured that.  I did find a gorgeous shawl (I wear a lot of them in the frigid temperatures here) and I could not have bought the yarn for what it cost.  Both Sissie and I love supporting home businesses. 

Then home to a depressing weekend.  Did not know Funeral arrangements yet.  Sissy dropped me off at home and everything is a blur.  

On Saturday and it was frigid cold; I pulled my cut garden and the bulbs for the flower that is gorgeous but do not remember its name? Just knew it needed to be pulled and gathered three geraniums and two spikes to carry up to Sissies green house.  I was dirty and I was sore once again!

On Sunday I took said plants to Sissies greenhouse and did something anything, and She was so down...

But we had Funeral arrangements do that was good.  Well, is that good? My planning gets in the way of real life.

I knew I was cooking Sunday night, and I pulled burger and made homemade spaghetti sauce with garden fresh tomatoes, and I placed a whole Boursin cheese block in the center (saw this on a website) and it was delicious, and we started a new puzzle.  Sissy joined us!

Now onto Monday, so many things to do.  December first!  Can you believe it?

I paid all bills for the month, (except my taxes) I will make them wait.  Due December 20th?  I mean who does that? Sissy and I have agreed that we will wait until after the Funeral. My grill which I ordered from Home Creepo two months ago was finally going to be delivered at 3:30 along with the grill cover and the large mat I ordered.  Yeah, I can grill some steaks out back.  I pull two beautiful New Yorks's. 

Well, the grill showed up way after dark and too late, so I pulled shrimp from the freezer, and we had fried shrimp and tater tots, and Sissy came for dinner we worked on a new jigsaw puzzle. 

However, the mat I ordered the grill to go on did not arrive, and it was there last Friday when I checked the grill to see if it had been put together correctly (yes, I am that jaded) and it had.  The mat was with it. Now I was just waiting for delivery.  Well, it did not make it! I am sure it is still on the truck!

Tuesday, up to Home Creepo again to explain to them that the mat is missing and they generously believed me and refunded the missing mat, and the new one would be here between the 9th and the 12th of December? Yes, third world problem, but I am still a little disturbed,

Well Sissy just called and we are having spaghetti again tonight as I have not frozen leftovers yet, and she wants to work on the puzzle. so, this is good news!

I plan on leaving with Sissie on Friday morning, but plans can change.  Crazy world live in.

I am tired.

Have not started to decorate for Christmas and will probably wait until I get back from Hiedi's Funeral.

Don't know!

I did make a phone call to Sluggy to let her know that Heidi had passed so she would not read it on the Blog.  I felt it was Sissie's place to mention it, but I wanted Slug to know beforehand, as she had met Heidi and liked here. 

Now have to go reheat dinner.  This is what I do...

God is Good!

Kay

 

Making Pies today and getting ready!

 Heading up to Sissies in a while to make pies.  I got the Prime Rib, and it was very pricey but will be worth it!

Made eight pie crusts yesterday and four gluten free crusts.

Of course, the entire kitchen had to be deep cleaned after the first batch of crust as I did not want to cross contaminate regular flour with gluten free, so it was a longer process than normal, but it is done.

I will say that the gluten free crust went together very well for the first time.  I am getting the hang of working with this flour as well as almond flour, which is also gluten free, but has a somewhat nutty flavor.

I will spend the night at Sissies and then start prepping in the morning.  So prime rib, mashed potatoes, Brussel sprouts with bacon, Aus jus gravy and popovers!  Will make both regular and gluten free.

Sissie will make pumpkin pie, and I am making apple.  Will do two small gluten free crusts for our friend so she can have both pies!

I have found if I make my popover batter early and let it come to room temperature; they cook up so much fluffier.

I also bought olives and will have my famous smoked salmon dip for appetizer with toasted gluten free baguette and gluten free crackers.  Bought some sparkling apple and cranberry cider for most and of course I will be drinking wine!

Should be a great time with Family and friends.

Now I am going to run to the store and get flowers for the table!

Here is wishing everyone the happiest of Thanksgivings!

Gobble, gobble, but no turkey for us!

Kay

Home again!

Oh, it is so good to be home!  Sissy and I pulled into town about 3:30 yesterday afternoon after a seven-hour drive.

We were not needed at her late Mother in laws house as the granddaughters had finished it, so we went on to Twin Falls to see Sissies eldest. Before we left the Boise area we stopped at Talbot's and Lulu Lemon for several Christmas gifts.

Sissy really got to relax, and we did a lot of shopping which was great as there is no shopping in Lewiston.  Sissy also made herself useful and altered eleven garments for her eldest and two for her eldest MIL

Sissies cold finally has been abolished which is wonderful!

On our way back home, we stopped in Nampa to see Heidi after checking to see if she would take visitors, and it was so good to see her, but oh so sad. She looked like a concentration camp victim.  All teeth and eyes, but her spirit was there.  It was a very brief visit as she sleeps a lot and when we left, we just sat in the car for abought 30 minutes and cried our eyes out. I do not think she will make it to Thanksgiving. Cancer is damn cruel!

I unpacked everything last night and today I have done four loads of laundry and planned my menu for the next three days.

I made my list for Thanksgiving, and I know where I am going to buy my Prime Rib.

Tomorrow I will make my pie crusts, eight regular and four gluten free.

Sissy and I have decided on the menu with the exception of vegetable which will be either Brussel sprouts with bacon, or green beans almondine.

Sissy will make the Pumpkin pie, and I will make apple.

I am waiting for my last load of laundry to dry and then will do a small grocery shop and then up to Sissies to drop some things off and retrieve some packages that came for me while we were gone.

Then home to get my ironing done and make dinner.  Tonight, it will be chicken pesto with linguini!

The dryer just beeped so downstairs I go to finish my chore.

Blessings to everyone this Sabbath!

Kay

 

So much to do to get out of Dodge!

 

Oh, it has been a busy time since I last blogged, and it just getting crazier.

Sissy has been really sick with a bad cold, and I have been running interference.

She is on the mend but still has a wicked cough.  Her immune system is just horrible.

We are leaving tomorrow to go to Nampa and help Joels family finish the clean out of His Mother's house and then onto Twin Falls to see Kim's oldest for a day or two.

We will also pack funeral clothes, as Joel's sister is now on Hospice and it could be any day now.  The thought just terrifies me, as I so love this woman.

She has been battling ovarian cancer for four years. She is Sissy and my age, and we graduated from high school the same year. Such a lovely woman and I am just sick for the family.

I need to pack and get so many little things done before I leave town.  I will spend the night at Sissy's tonight, so we can get on the road early and I will drive the five hours to Nampa.

I am such a planner, and this has thrown me for a loop as I want days and days to plan.  I wanted to get some Thanksgiving baking done this week and I will have to push that to next week, but it can be done.

Now grab a suitcase and get to packing that is my goal.

Pray for us as we undertake this trip.  I do not want Sissy overdoing which you all know she tends to do.

Husb will take care of Roscoe and hold down the fort here.

Now I am heading downstairs to pull a suitcase and then shower and dress for the day.  Then run a myriad of errands.

Everyone take care.  We shall return.

Kay

Thursday the 6th of November!

 So, what has been happening at the Nichols Homestead.  A lot!  The weather has turned cold and rainy and with time change very dark by late afternoon.  By the time of the winter equinox, it will dark by four in the afternoon and not hit sunrise until 8:00 in the morning!  The winters are dark here and I feel like we are living in Alaska.

The rains are upon us, but we need it so not to complain.

One of our last outdoor projects was to pull these very heavy pavers and large stone, so our landscaper could come and dig 3.5 tons of topsoil out of the front boulevard and get it ready for hydroseed next spring.

As soon as this work gets done, we will lay the pavers for a larger path below grade.

These pavers were very heavy and the Husb and I had a workout.

Complete, and I have not retired my gardening clothes yet as I still have to process the cut garden which I will do after the first hard frost.

We have worked so hard in this yard and now we are really at impasse and need another project.

The jigsaw puzzles help! 

I went and got a Library card and stocked up on books and am making plans within plans.

Sissy is really down with a bad cold, and we so hope that we do not catch it.  I will go and check on her later today, Husb is steering clear, as when he gets a cold, it is weeks and weeks.

One of my goals this month was to stay out of the grocery store, but the loss leaders were just too good this week.

I was able to get six eighteen counts of large eggs for 1.97 each (Christmas Baking is soon upon us)!  Sissy will also pick up three more or I will do it for her, will find that out later today.  Her chickens are no longer laying; last Christmas we were paying six dollars a dozen!

I also got six pounds of beautiful center loin porkchops for 99 cents a pound, and they are gorgeous.

This is a roll back to the 1960's.  I will also ask Sissy if she wants me to pick some up for her.

My freezers are full!  Her chest freezer is not.  We shall see.  If I had more room, I would have bought more as there is no limit!

I also picked up 8 boxes of kraft macaroni and cheese for .49 cents a box (my Husb and I hate this) as Sissy's grands love it and it is a quick meal for them.   So, I spent all told $21.09!

Tonight, we are having flanken (beef short ribs cut across the grain) with mashed potatoes and green beans.  We finished homemade potato soup last night and it was even better the second day.  I ran some up to sick Sissy and cleaned her kitchen because that is what Sisters do.

I have finally made an appointment with an Investment Counselor who is one of Sissy's very good Clients, as Husb and I want our investments handled locally.  This has been on my list of things to do since we moved here.

I am waiting on an estimate for the front yard and boulevard, and I will fill you in when they arrive.

I want so badly to get out in the yard and blow leaves, but it is just too wet and will not dry out until the weekend.  I just do not want leaves piling up on our new grass and with the trees next door this is what is happening.

Now I must go and make myself beautiful (this is very difficult) and then head up the hill to check on Sissy.

Hope everyone is doing well!

God is good!

Kay

P.S. 

Second puzzle finished!