Autumn

A few days ago I was sitting on my bed thinking about Fall. You read right, FALL. It is my most absolute favorite season of the four. So while sitting on the bed I began thinking of pj's, warm comfort foods, etc. and started making a list in my little notebook.

Then yesterday I was reading topics over at Magical Holiday Home when I saw where they were discussing starting an Autumn notebook. I was glad to see that I wasn't the only one thinking ahead.

The Autumn Notebook Challenge begins September 1st. If you love autumn then this challenge may be just for you.

Counting Down To Thanksgiving

I can't believe it's three days to Thanksgiving. I have been very busy. Last week I was able to go to the grocery store and purchase everything to cook my Turkey feast. I'm going to my parents for Thanksgiving but I still like to cook at home.

Sunday I started prepping. First I thoroughly washed the collard and kale greens. I like to cook both (something I learned from my grandmother). While the greens were soaking, I cut up the potatoes for the potato salad and the sweet potatoes. Next I chopped onions, celery and green peppers to have ready to go into their assigned dishes. I even baked a cream cheese pound cake for dessert. After the greens soaked a few hours I cut them up and put in the crock pot. I love using the crock pot. I always cook my vegetables in it when preparing a large meal. It frees up space on the stove, plus you can tend to other things while the crock pot basically takes care of the vegetables for you.

Tonight I hope to start my crab stuffing and sauerkraut. When my grandmother used to cook, she'd put pigtails in her sauerkraut. I like to use salted pork or fat back as I call it. I started making crab stuffing a few Christmases ago and haven't looked back. The first time I made it I also made the traditional sausage/sage stuffing which no one wanted after trying the crab stuffing.

Here's how I make it:

1 bx corn muffin mix
4-8 tablespoons butter
1 lb crab meat
1 cup finely chopped celery
2 cups of chopped onions
dried parsley (if you use fresh parsley it's 1/4 - 1/2 cup; minced)
1 tablespoon sage
1 tablespoon thyme
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 tablespoon Old Bay Seasoning (optional)
1 cup chicken stock (I like to use the stock from the turkey)
2 large eggs, well beaten (optional)


Prepare mix then bake in oven according to instructions on box .

Meanwhile in a skillet melt butter, add celery and onions and sautee until tender. Remove from heat and stir in the spices.

Combine ingredients in a large bowl. Add drained crab meat. Toss well until the stuffing is moist, but not packed together.

Stir in the stock and eggs, re-moisten and adjust spices as necessary.

Cooked in casserole dish at 350 until heated through with a crust on the outsides, 25 to 40 min.

I like to stuff my turkey with the dressing at least a 1/2 hour - 45 min before it's time for the turkey to be removed from the oven so that the stuffing gets some of the juices which really makes it taste 'o so good.

Week One of Thanksgiving Countdown

Here's what we did for the first week which was from Nov. 2nd to Nov. 5th:

1. Make the promise. Promise to spend 15 minutes each day to get organized for the big event. DONE

2. Set up a notebook or a section in your notebook to help organize. Remember to add some blank pages for notes and records. DONE

3. Create or print lists that might be needed. For example: Guest list, food list, budget party planner, etc. DONE

4. Review party planner pages and begin thinking about the menu. DONE

5. Print the home spruce-up worksheet and complete it. Examine the area of the gathering. What are some things that need to be spruced up before the event? I'm not hosting this year so there's no sprucing up for me to do.

6. Will you host overnight guests? If so add “get guest room ready” to your list. Create a pamper basket for the guest room. Not hosting any guests

7. Stock up on batteries for cameras and video recorders. DONE

House Prep – Cooking Space.

Also each week there's a neat project to do if you wish. For this week it is a tin can turkey. Isn't he the cutest. I made one to take to my parents house. Everyone will write what they are thankful for and place in the turkey. Then after dinner we'll gather around and read each one. It should be really nice.

So Busy!

Well for me the holidays are in full swing. Over at Magical Holiday Home we've started the countdown to Thanksgiving. I love the countdowns because they really keep me focused. I'm not hosting Thanksgiving this year but will still cook at home.

Happy Halloween!

Happy Ghouls Day to everyone. I for one am excited. I'm going to a Halloween party tonight and it's gonna be a blast. My best friend and her husband have been working hard with the decorations and food prep for the last few weeks. She told me that the planner I gave her has been a big help.

As for my costume, I had to come up with a quick solution as I never got around to completing my original costume idea (I wanted to go as a swamp woman). So last night I went straight home and headed right to the closets. I found my wig from a 70's party I went to a few years ago and spiffed it up. Then I went to the drawers and pulled out a cute printed chemise. It's brown but has a really neat retro-like print all over it. Then back to the closets where I pulled out a pair of boots and my faux fur coat. I found a really big pair of hoop earrings in the jewelry box, a pair of thick tights to keep my legs warm and some really crazy looking eyelashes that I bought one year for a vampire costume but forgot I had them.

Today when I get off I have to get home quickly to get ready. One of my nieces wants to go trick or treating before we go to the party. I told her we'll see. Well I have a little over an hour before I'm off the clock so I better finish this work on my desk. I'll let you know how the party was on Monday. Have a safe Halloween!

It's Fall at the Office

Earlier this week I finally got a chance to decorate the board behind my desk. Fall is definitely here in merry ole' Maryland. The trees are really starting to change to beautiful colors. I think by next weekend they will be at their peek and I've already planned to have a fun-filled weekend. Next Saturday, I will pick up my nieces and nephews early in the morning and take them to breakfast. Then later that day I'm taking the younger ones to a birthday party and will treat the older ones to the movies at the nearby mall. Then we'll all get back together head home, order pizza or whatever they're in the mood for and watch movies. Sunday will be all mine! I hope the weather is nice as I would like to take a drive along the back winding roads to get a closer look at the pretty trees, see the horses, cows and buffalo graze in the grasses all while listening to some contemporary jazz. Yep I said buffalo. There's a man who actually has buffalo. One year they somehow escaped and were spotted on a nearby tennis court (imagine the mess they made). It made national news on the Today Show. I'll also stop and buy some fresh strawberries from the local farmer who sets up his truck on one of my favorite roads to travel. Then I'll stop for some icecream, head home and have dinner, the just relax the rest of the evening.

This Sunday is my Harvest Breakfast. I'm very excited. So Saturday, before I go to work at my parttime job, I will go to the grocery store to pick up all the ingredients. After work I'll go home and start prepping - peel and cut potatoes, wash fruit, set the table, etc. I can't wait to see everyone. Now that I think of it I haven't seen or talked to anyone in weeks. I guess everyone's been busy - including me. I picked a good weekend to have this breakfast. The day is expected to be beautiful and we're off Monday for Columbus Day so we can hang out all day. I know someone's going to suggest that we go someplace after breakfast which will keep me out til the middle of the night.

Update on Fall Prep

I'm still cleaning for the Holiday Grand Plan. This week is the bathroom. My bathroom is small but boy was it a chore. It really looks good now. Last week was the master bedroom. I only managed to finish 3/4th of things on my list for this area but it looks pretty neat. I'll go back to this room during one of my free weeks. Right now I'm more concerned about getting the main areas finished.

My potted mums - well one in particular - doesn't seem to be doing so well. I have two of them on my balcony. The yellow one is blooming beautifully while the orange/red one looks as if it's drying up. I was wondering if it was due to the weather. It's nice and warm during the day but it gets really chilly at night. They are outdoor plants so they should be used to the change in temperatures, right!? I hope it gets better.

Moving on, my apartment is nearly overflowing with fall decor. Later this month MHH members will participate in a Fall tour of homes. The date is set for October 16th. I still have to do the guest room, dining room, and kitchen but I'll be ready. I have my curtains hung in the living room and they look great. They really add color and warmth to the room. I'll post pictures here on the 15th.

This weekend I'm going to my best friend's house as she and her husband will start putting up their Halloween decorations outside. I'm just as excited as they are. I can't wait to see what all they have. This is also the second week of the Halloween Countdown. I need to check with her to see what progress she's made. Plus I need to get ready for my Harvest Breakfast. So much to do.