2012 Thanksgiving Food Prep

Lots of preparation for the big day.  Ron is peeling 20 pounds of potatoes and Sammi is cutting celery for the stuffing.  In the background are aluminum baking pans holding 5 loaves of bread which had been cut into cubes and were drying.  Potato skins were saved and deep fried, then salt or Old Bay added.  Yummy!!

Eric peeling and cutting sweet potatoes.  Saved these skins to fry also.

Eric had just brought in the deep fried turkey.  Kelly and Michelle are cooking up a storm in the kitchen. 

Grandma Carol is getting out of the way while the girls consult the "tablet", NOT the cook book, for tips on how to prepare the next item.  It could have been squash casserole, green bean casserole, corn, brussel sprouts, cranberry relish, sweet potato/marshmellow, or ???

The desserts were piled high in the corners.  Sammi and Grandma Carol had prepared the apple pies (under glass) and strawberry chiffon (pink, center of rack) the day before.  Michelle's neighbor had baked the cherry pie on the bottom.  Popcorn with chocolate chunks is to the bottom right.  I don't remember who did the cake and strawberries on top rack.  Lalli REALLY liked the strawberry chiffon pie.

Pumpkin pie by G. Carol and Sammi, purchased lemon meringue on top, box cheesecake below.  The cheesecake went the fastest once we had room for dessert.

Rickie is carving one of the four turkeys, Brandon and Rachel are starting on the biscuits, and Eric is stirring the stuffing.

Eric assumes the pose he has been using in many photos of places he has been and sights he has "seen" or is it "scene"??

Thanksgiving 2012 Table

When we arrived on Sunday, Nov 18 the living room and dining room had been turned into the THANKSGIVING ROOM.  Note the warming trays on the table.  There were at least four sets of these to keep food warm.

A typical place setting.  This one is Eric's.  The china is from Carol's mom, Fran, and also from Grandma Mary (Kelly's mom).  Three baked turkeys and one fried turkey were served and lots of leftovers were taken home.

Bodies were added about 4pm on Nov 22

The weeks of work were "devoured" in less than an hour!!

Eric and Kelly are at the far end.  I believe the total count was 29 or 30 people at a sit down affair.

It Froze Nov 13, 2012

Grandma's car with frosty windows.

Hi Max

Grandpa's Car with frosty windows

Hi Lucas (and Sara and Wem)

The fog lifting off the lake.  Lake water is still in the 50's while the air was 31!!

After the first freeze the sweet potato vines are to be removed ASAP.  I'll dig the tubers later today, and store them for next spring.  May try to start some early plants next spring in the greenhouse.

The posies are still alive.  Thought they would croak, too.

I really like the bright white with the blue/purple center.

The fire is burning brightly in the fireplace and has warmed the house from 65 to 72.  We are enjoying a cup of coffee and watching the fog lift.  Excitement for old people!!!

Wayne Trip, part 2

Sis got a good picture.  I'm sure she has more, as her camera has a nice zooooommm!

I forgot to mention that Frances was supposed to go home to Wayne the day after we visited.  Will get an update soon????

Trip to Wayne Nov 8-9, 2012

Sis and I took a quick trip to Wayne.

Carol A., right in black sweater, watches Dee playing bingo in the assisted living center below the water tower in Wayne.  Carol A. had called her the day before so she was aware we were coming.

Ron, Dee, and Carol A. in Dee's apartment.  She has a corner room and lots of light and windows.  She has just had knee cap surgery which did not look correct.  The knee cap or bend of knee was at least 3 inches higher than normal.  She was a wiz with the electric wheel chair that she was using.  A physical therapist who had worked with her on the "other side" (more care side) came to visit.  She plays rugby for a club at Wayne State and was very excited about an upcoming trip to the East coast for a tournament.  Anybody know that Wayne State or Wayne had any rugby experience??  The men's and women's teams are apparently POWERHOUSES and beat most opponents by large scores!!  Who knew!!

Then to Donna's for a visit.  She bought her favorite picture on the wall behind her for a dollar at an auction many years ago.  Her dog, Muffy, is 13??  She played a neat DVD with photos of her kids.  They had put it together for her last birthday.  She rattled off all the kids, wives, children and grands as we scrolled thru the show.

A posed shot with sis.  Sis took a shot with myself and Donna but I think it was a video!!  Maybe sis will share one from her camera??

The willow bowl at Wayne State is being renovated.  The new steps are in and a couple of small willows have been planted.  When we first attended  (late 1940's) Hahn School (in background), the Willow Bowl was a beautiful, signature entrance to the college.

We drove to Sioux City to visit Frances N who had major surgery for a colon blockage.  It was mainly a tumor with a very small spot of cancerous material.  They removed a section of colon including a spot with diverticulitis (spelling?) and rejoined the colon, so no colostomy.   They also removed an ovarian cist.  She looked very good and was delighted to have visitors.  Connie had not told her we were coming, so she was also very surprised.

We arrived at 7:20 and visited until 9pm and Frances was still alert and involved in the conversations.  Her only complaint was the "girdle" bandage that was around her midsection which kept pinching.

All of the "aunts" said to greet all the folks at the lake.  So HI GUYS!!

Savana Sings and Dances Nov 1, 2012

While waiting for the show to start, Pat, Carol, Kristi's head, Shelby's head, and Lee study the program and talk.

A much better shot of Kristi, Shelby and Lee.  Lee's team, the Mustangs, won their playoff game with a Springfield team 40-7 and will play Osage (Savana's school) on Monday night for District Championship.

The curtains opened to this view.  Savana is SOMEWHERE!!

The first number was a swinging, swaying, singing number.  We forgot the program, so no more details!!  Sorry.

Telephoto "closeup" of the middle of this group number.  S is upper right.

Getting personal with the crowd.  S is sitting and singing lower left.

A very poor shot of S before the concert.  Lighting was BAD but is does give a better idea of the dress with all its glitter and sizzle.  She looks MUCH better than this, but I just couldn't crop out the head, even tho it is close to halloween.

As I type, they should be enjoying some sort of treat purchased by Grandpa Gary.  We left before the Jazz Band played.  Neither Carol nor I are big fans of jazz.

We did stay for the mixed choir of select students.  It was grrrrreat.