It's Beginning to look a lot like Chrstimas at The Old Parsonage

Thanksgiving was wonderful! We were having such a great time that we forgot to take photos (oops). I love it when that happens - life takes over and all the planning goes out the window.



One of our Little-Bride's-to-Be had a bit of an episode on Thanksgiving night. She had a really bad allergic reaction to Alley Cat and had to leave. She was fine after getting a little benadryl into her system thank goodness.


We went to Varner's on Friday for our annual Christmas Tree cutting. The day was perfect for time in an evergreen forest. Cold, but not too cold that you couldn't stand it, no wind and the sun was shining brightly.



The wagons were loaded with people and they took us out in the fields to choose the perfect tree. Of course we could have taken any one of the trees , but we made the best choice after about 5-10 minutes of trumping through the rows and rows of evergreens.



Flyboy had the honor of cutting the fir down this year since our Fireman wasn't here. We even remembered to bring along a trash bag to kneel down on (no muddy knees). I love how the sunlight was streaming down in this photo.



Have you ever been to a live tree farm? The smell is wonderful! And to see little ones getting excited when the wagon's come pulling up is so sweet. Hopefully one day we'll have grandkids that we'll be able to carry this tradition on with.



We brought the tree in and got it right into the "stand straight" stand. Perfectly straight every time - no muss, no fuss. I was exhausted from Thanksgiving and our little adventure and literally slept the day away on Friday. I have to remember that with fibromyalgia I have to pace myself. Saturday was a day of just hanging on the couch again with naps and some Christmas planning.

So how did you spend your Thanksgiving and weekend? Do any Black Friday Shopping?

Chrtistmas Countdown Week 5 at The Old Parsonage

This week at The Old Parsoange we are focusing on Thanksgiving and Decorating. I have out my ceramic turkey candy dish that I made in 1988. Does anyone else have one? They were all the rage at the time! I usually fill it with candy corn or Indian corn. Our turkey is in the brine and all of the baking is finished. I'll finish up the appetizers tomorrow night as well as make the chocolate mousse. Flyboy and LBB are coming home tomorrow afternoon, so I have to finish up a few last minute cleaning projects before heading to work in the morning.



I finished making our Christmas Cards this weekend and snapped a few photos for you. I embossed the snow man then hand glittered a few outlines with diamond stickles. I added mica flakes to the bottom to simulate that old fashioned snow look. This week's countdown tells us to write another 1/5 of our Christmas cards. My plans are to mail our cards this weekend, a week ahead of schedule.



If you are making Christmas Gifts then Organized Christmas recommends completing another quarter of the gifts. Breaking things down into several segments of "doneness" means less stress. We're headed to Varner's on Friday morning to cut down our Christmas tree. It is such a great experience. They take us out to the trees in a horse drawn wagons. The horses are like the Budweiser Clydesdales. If we're lucky there may be a snow flake or two to add to the experience! After cutting down the perfect tree (they are all beautiful and smell wonderful,) they offer you a cup of hot cocoa or hot cider while you shop the barn full of crafts and handmade ornaments. They even sell toy candy. Remember that?



We'll bring the tree in and get it right into water. You may think it's too early to put up a live tree, however many of the trees that you buy pre-cut have been cut for weeks before you buy it. Our tree lasts until the Epiphany on January 6th. I can't wait to go get it, we've been doing it for so many years and it makes such great memories.

Anyone see the Target commercials with the crazy Christmas lady? One of our clients laughs and says that I'm that lady! Too funny.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving my sweet friends!

Mini Oil Painting and Pink Saturday

This week seems to be flying by. I'm headed to the market tomorrow to get our turkey. We get a 24lb-er. It's the FREE one from the market when you spend $300 on groceries during the month. It will take about 5 days to thaw in the downstairs fridge. Then on Tuesday I'll make the brine in the morning and add the turkey that night.

About 5 years ago while watching the Food Network, Alton Brown, brined a turkey. I found a great recipe and have used it ever since.

• 3 cups Kosher Salt

• 5 cups Sugar

• 2 medium onions chopped

• 2 carrots chopped

• 2 celery stalks

• 7 quarts of water

Wrap in cheese cloth:2 bay leaves, 3 sprigs thyme, 3 sprigs parsley, 2 tsp peppercorns
Boil all till the sugar and salt are dissolved. Cool completely.

I use a 5 gallon bucket lined with a brand new trash bag to hold the turkey and the brine. If there isn't enough brine to cover the turkey, I add vegetable stock until the entire bird is immersed. I like to brine it from Tuesday night until Thursday morning. Rinse thoroughly, stuff with your favorite stuffing and bake as usual. It is so moist and flavorful, it's unbelievable.



I'm making pumpkin logs, chocolate mousse, pumpkin pie, cherry crumb pie and an apple crisp for dessert. A cheesecake may be a late addition on the dessert list too - depends on how much time I have. I'll make the pumpkin logs on Monday night and store them in the fridge till Thursday. The other desserts will follow shortly thereafter.



This is the little oil painting that I got for $1 a few weeks ago. It's so sweet, I'm not sure where it will end up, but right now it's on the piano. I'm thinking of moving it to my studio. As much as I love to decorate for Christmas I will refrain until next Friday. That's when we'll head to a local farm to cut our Christmas tree down. It's not as early as you would think for a fresh tree. We cut our own, and most of the ones that are sold on lots are cut earlier than that. The tree lasts (with plenty of fresh water) until the Epiphany - January 6th.

For more Pink Saturday fun visit Beverly at How Sweet the Sound.

Christmas Countdown Week 4 at The Old Parsonage

Can you believe that Thanksgiving is next Thursday? This week in our countdown we are focusing on food, along with moving forward with other things that we are already working on. If you're following along then you should continue to write another 1/5th of your Christmas Cards. I forgot to mention that I always order my Christmas postage stamps on-line from the USPS (click on the link). Mine are on their way here now. It's $1 for shipping and I'd gladly pay that as opposed to standing in line at the post office.



I like to plan ahead for all the different meals and party/get-togethers that we have coming up. In order to make room for holiday meals and goodies that will take up freezer and pantry space, I prepare meals from things that we have on hand instead of continuing to buy a lot for the every day meals.



I have my list for holiday baking and candy making, and know what I need to buy from the market and Costco. This list helps to save time and money - I can buy things as I see them on sale. I have menus planned for Thanksgiving, Black Friday, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and the entire week after Christmas since the kids will all be home!


Then there are all the items that I stock up on for company that just happens to "drop in" during the holidays. I love to whip up a dip or have some great cheese and crackers on hand for these guests. We're always invited to several parties during the holidays and I'm not one to just show up with a bottle of wine or champagne. I love to cook and bake so I'll try something new and special for these occasions.

Does anyone have a great party food that they'd like to share?

Baby Love

Yesterday was my niece Jocelyn's baby shower. She's not due until January, but with all the holidays coming up, her Mum decided to hold the shower early.


Jade and Chelsea weren't able to go, so we all went together and did a laundry basket full of gifts. Don't you love to shop for a baby? She's having a boy - John (after her father).


I can't believe that she still has 2 months to go - LOOK at that BELLY! We played games and had a wonderful lunch. It was great to see everyone and play a little catch up.

Stop back later today for this week's Christmas Countdown tips.

So what did you all do this weekend?

Cactus and Cookies

Well I think that with all this talk of Christmas at The Old Parsonage, plus the fact that I baked some cookies this past weekend, our Christmas Cactus got a bit confused and decided to bloom a bit early.


I love the the bit of color it adds to the top of our Hoosier and am glad that it's a bit confused. I have (2) others that seem to right on schedule for Christmas blooming. I also love to have amaryllis at Christmas and they're easy to grow too.




I whipped up a batch of oatmeal raisin cookies (Mr. OP's favorite) on Saturday. I knew that Flyboy was coming home for the day and wanted to send some home with him. They'll be back home for Thanksgiving. I can't believe that it's 2 weeks from today. I'm really looking forward to it and to all that follows - let the decorating fa la la la fun begin!

Wishing you all a Happy Pink Saturday!

Marie Antoinette

I started watching Kirsten Dunst in Marie Antoinette. I didn't get to see the whole thing and since it was free On Demand from cable I can finish it anytime this month. I liked it (as much as I saw anyway). I'm hoping to finish watching it this weekend.Has anyone else seen the movie? What did you think?

Christmas Countdown Week 3 at The Old Parsonage

One important thing on our checklist this past week was to change the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. That's a duty that I delegate to Mr OP - just cause I would have to get out our step ladder.



I really didn't work on our Christmas Cards this past week so this week I'll have to double my efforts this week. If you're following along, address another 1/5 of your cards and why not pop in a Christmas DVD while you're writing them out.

Does anyone shop on-line or through catalogs? I love that a lot of companies offer free shipping at this time of year. Shopping virtually saves time spent in line at the shopping malls and stores, and allows for time to spend on other things. Unless of course you love to shop in the hustle and bustle - then go for it!



If you're making gifts to give this year, then now is the time to ramp up. Try to get everything finished in the next 4 weeks. I literally make hundreds of Christmas cookies.


I'll start baking the Friday after Thanksgiving. I sell the cookie trays, as well as give them away to family and friends. I get in the zone with Christmas music playing the the kitchen, tying on a favorite apron and making cookies, candies and breads for all to enjoy.



As I mentioned yesterday, my Mum and I planned our Thanksgiving Menu. I keep my menu posted on the fridge so that I know what bowls, platters and serving utensils I'll need to set the table. I also make a mini countdown for dinner with what day to set the table, when to brine the turkey and prepare the dishes that can be made ahead.




Does anyone else have any tips for organizing things for Thanksgiving or Christmas? I just love using my Christmas Magic book to keep me on track. If you are looking for download-able forms to customize or use as is for your own notebook, visit Organized Christmas and have fun!

A Surprise!

Friday's mail brought a wonderful surprise! It was my gift from Sarah in the Pay it Forward game. She made this beautifully decorated jar and tucked in a few other goodies just for fun. A great bunch of teas perfect for sipping on these cool nights while enjoying a great book and a mini Pampered Chef recipe book!



This is a close-up of the top of the jar. She used a ribbon to make a rose on the top and then added a bit of glitter - gorgeous! If you have the time, pop over to Sarah's blog Hope in Every Season she's sharing a great family recipe today. Thanks again Sarah!

I'll be back later today with Week 3 of our Christmas Countdown tips. Stay tuned...

Talking Turkey

Thanks so much for your thoughts and prayers for Linda. I talked to her sister this morning and I am hoping that she's able to get some rest today. My parents stopped by after church today. Mum wanted to talk about our Thanksgiving menu. We're having everyone here - about 15 people total. It's not like the menu changes from year to year - we always have to have certain things - can't break from tradition. But I like to add new things here and there.



It's a little chilly today unless you're in the direct sun. Mr OP and I just got back from a little junquing. I spent $1 on a small oil painting. I'll snap a photo later this week so that I can share it with you all.

Have you ever made Jambalya? I made a quick batch today so that we can have it for supper one night this week. It's so much easier to cook extra on the weekends to eat during the week than to make something after work. Sometimes I don't get home until 6pm and til you cook and clean up it seems like half the night is gone. I do use the crock pot a lot, but then I'm rushing around in the morning getting that ready.

I hope that you all had a wonderful weekend. Be sure to come by tomorrow for Week 3 of the Christmas Countdown.

Thanks...

As we prepare for Thanksgiving this year, I find myself giving thanks for so many things. My wonderful family is number one on my list. They are my rock, my home. I am so fortunate to have the love of each and everyone of them. Then there are my friends, the people who are just like family who sometimes know you better than your own family. They are the people that we confide in and pour our hearts out to. You my friends are those people.



I'm reaching out to you today because one of my very best friends needs you to lift her up in prayer. She lost her husband 4 years ago and struggled through to find new love a little over a year ago. Linda was soo very happy; last night Jeff died unexpectedly. I can't believe that this has happened to her again. My heart is breaking for her...

Thanks for listening