Happy Thanksgiving and Happy Hanukkah Chat

    • Gold Top Dog

    Happy Thanksgiving and Happy Hanukkah Chat

    I hope everyone enjoys their day.  I've got a lot to be thankful for today.  We're going to Haven for Hope in a little while to drop off some blankets for the homeless.  I'm thankful that I can do a little something for those who have nothing. 

    The turkey has been brined.  I'm not making a huge spread for just the two of us.  I bought a small turkey and will make a sweet potato casserole and some green beans.  Dressing, of course, and gravy and that will be more than enough. 

    I plan to do plenty of nothing this weekend.  My cold isn't too bad but I feel so run down.  Work has been so stressful these last six months.  I keep reminding myself that I'm lucky to have a job but sometimes that doesn't help. lol

    Hope everyone has a good day.

    • Gold Top Dog

    Jackie, stress sure can cause that run-down feeling.  Having a few days off can help recharge those "health batteries" a bit.  I hope you feel better soon.

    No cooking or prep for us, because we are going out to eat.  Just us and my MIL, so Chef DH didn't want to cook for only 3 people.  Not a lot of restaurant options on a holiday (unless you want Chinese food), but we found one open that we've enjoyed on non-holidays for lunch, so we decided to try it today.  Then it's home for some football and some long distance calls.

    Someone told me it'll be like 70,000 years before Thanksgiving and Hanukkah fall on the same day again.  Best wishes, everybody ---- enjoy the celebrations of gratitude and light! 

    • Gold Top Dog

    Happy Thanksgiving!

    Feel better jackie

    I took my uncle's dogs for a walk this morning. The weather is beautiful again. The dogs are making me home sick. I haven't been home sick the entire time but today I am wishing for my pups. And some peace and quiet ;p (long story)

    Hope you all get some good food today.

    • Gold Top Dog

    Here there are a number of places open with specific Thanksgiving choices.  But, holy heck are they expensive!  But, I guess when grocery stores can get 60 bucks for a turkey and a few sides just because they are precooked.......our Thanksgiving dinner itself cost under $20.  Now, the meats and cheeses for the trays, THAT ran the total cost way up!

    It is a stunningly beautiful day here.  Colder than a well diggers rear in January, but absolutely gorgeous otherwise

    Wishing everyone a wonderful day, no matter what you are, or aren't celebrating.

    • Gold Top Dog

    Happy  Thanksgiving everyone!!

    I too have so much to be thankful for and Shane is always at the top of my list.

    I made the mashed potatoes, dressing, cranberry sauce and a breakfast casserole. Turkey is in the oven and I don't plan to do anything more than carve it up and make some gravy. This was a lot more work and less fun than I anticipate - lol!

    It's gorgeous here today too and I really want to go work in my front yard but I woke up before 5 AM and feel a nap coming on. *yawn*

    • Gold Top Dog

    Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! We ate dinner just watching the parade and dog show. I just took a mini-nap, which I followed with a piece of pumpkin pie. Our dinner was nice and I was (and still am) stuffed. Mozey got a little piece of squash, which she loved.

    • Gold Top Dog

    It's always more work than I remember.  Even for just the two of us.  Turkey goes in the oven in a few minutes.  Dressing, cranberry sauce, sweet potato casserole are all made waiting to put in the oven.  Well, not the cranberry sauce.  :)

    Gabby stole a deviled egg from DH earlier.  Score! :)  

    • Gold Top Dog

    I forgot that the dog show was on.  DH has the games on, but he likes the dog show, so maybe we'll see some of it.

    Our meal was delicious.  We all agreed it was far better than the restaurant we've gone to the past couple years.  They had a fixed price menu, $26 per person, which included a choice of Caesar or mixed green salad, bread, one of 5 entrees, choice of dessert, and coffee.  The portions were very large (we came home with 2 "doggie bags";).  DH and I had pork osso bucco that was so tender you didn't need a knife.  MIL had a NY steak that was equally tender.    Also with crisp sautéed veggies (carrots, brussel sprouts, parsnips, yellow squash), and tasty mashed taters.  Desserts were fresh baked pies or crisps -- delish!  With the lovely atmosphere and really attentive service, we thought it was well worth the price.

    After dinner we helped my MIL put up a few Xmas decorations, then i took a long walk.  So many people were out walking . . . It was a cold but sunny day.  Now I'm doing laundry and generally relaxing.  I hope everyone had a nice day!

    • Gold Top Dog

    Wpw. Tracy.  Sounds like it was worth the price.  T'day dinners around here were $50 and up per person.

    Pie has not happened here yet, and may not tonite.  Everyone ate and drank well, including the critters.  Kitties got white turkey meat, and the dogs shared a turkey neck earlier in the day, then got the other "stuff" and turkey later on.  No sides were served to the 4 legged crew.

    • Gold Top Dog

    I just realized I forgot the word "after" in my earlier post--we ate after watching the parade and dog show.

    I just had a piece of pumpkin pie for "supper". Tracy, your dinner out sounds delicious. I'd go back there next year!  Glenda, your crew scored! Gabby stealing the deviled egg made me smile. Mozey keeps checking the kitchen, just in case..