Sunday, September 15, 2013

Upcoming Family Get Together...

How many of you plan to have family and mostly extended family at your home this year for a holiday meal?  I do.  Not that I was looking forward to it or really wanted to do it, but I offered.  Inspite of my dear, sweet, amazing husband saying that I was going to regret doing it, and that this would not be a good idea.  But, for the last several years, with only a few exceptions we have had my husband's family holiday meals at one of two places.  Both of which are not an option this year.  One in particular is the reason for my offering our home.  The indoor animals.  I have a brother-in-law who will be visiting, and he is severely allergic to cats.  So, if the meal was to be at this location, he would be unable to spend the day with his wife and daughter, and be forced to go wherever else he could to avoid the pets. 

So, enter my suggestion...I offered our home, our somewhat limited space, but yet without the threat of animal hair and dander, not matter how much you scrub, sweep and vacuum, home.  I offered, expecting to be declined, rather abruptly actually, but that did not happen.  Instead, I was told, rather rudely, "So, I hear we are having Thanksgiving here..." 

But, inspite of ill feelings and distain from family members, I refuse to stoop to that level, and I will put a smile on my face, prepare an amazing meal, that I will end up doing almost entirely on my own, I have a feeling, even though I will ask politely for some assistance with a few things.  I will plan as if I am doing it alone, and clean my home, without assistance from a cleaning lady, and I will locate many more tables and chairs, and set them up, where I see fit, and I even plan on making small gifts for each person, as a welcome to my home, Happy Thanksgiving gift.  I am even planning a slightly larger, more meaningful gift for my Mother-in-Law. 

And, I will do my best to smile and endure through the ordeal.  I will not let them see that their comments are hurtful, and that their looks are mean, and that I am hurt by their actions in any way.

My Sister-in-Law and her husband deserve to be together and be able to visit with family without having to suffer, so I will focus on their happiness.

I have even started planning a menu of sorts, and have already purchased a Ham, and my one Sister-in-Law has offered to make Cornbread Stuffing, her husband's favorite, and bring some specialty mashed potatoes.  That pretty much leaves the preparation of the ham and turkey to me, along with a couple of sides and desserts.  Piece of cake, right?  We shall see.

My question is...what is you "family favorite" recipe that is a "must-have" during a holiday?

Tuesday, September 3, 2013

P, B & J and the First Day of First Grade!

Okay, okay...I made my new first grader P, B & J for her first day of school, but in my defense, she likes it.  We don't usually have this kind of sandwich, so it actually was kind of a treat for her.  Plus, her lunch was actually healthier than usual, the sandwich, grapes and some canned pears, with a juice box.

I wasn't sure how much hot lunch was going to cost us, so I packed her a lunch.  But, starting tomorrow, she will be having hot lunch daily from school with the occasional cold lunch.  I know that back when my parents and grandparents were in school, everyone brought their own lunches from home, but I am glad that a hot school lunch is offered.

Another change from last school year, my first grader will also be riding the school bus.  Last year, I drove her to and from school daily...yes, daily.  But, this afternoon, and each morning and afternoon from here on out, unless otherwise unavoidable, she will be riding the bus.  I am so excited.  She knows a lot of the kids on her bus, so that should not be a problem, and the best part...I won't be losing an hour a day plus driving to the school, waiting and then driving home... yippee!

A question for each of you then is, what was your child's first day of school like for you?  Did you get a lot done, housework, grocery shopping, etc. Or did you rest, relax, recuperate from summer vacation, or just take a nap?