Second Thanksgiving Dinner down

I have completed and cleaned up after the second Thanksgiving Dinner that I cooked this holiday.  For a single person with no children, I seem to be overwhelmed with holiday cooking.  I am making a little holiday candy, too.  So far two of the three boxes that I got done have gone out the door with relatives.

I have a little holiday shopping to do the next few days, too.  I have some really good gifts to give and my Dad seemed to like the ones that I picked out for everyone.  I buy his and my gifts together.  I have a lot of them to do yet.  I may get some of them wrapped tonight.  I have the tree up and ready for the holiday. 

I don't know about you all, but when I get to drop one person off the Christmas gift list, it seems that two more go on it.  I have several this year to add.  However, you can bet the housekeeper will not be one of them....I think she has already got her share.

I agree, Karla.  My granddaughter is getting married January 3, so I am now buying for her future husband.    I will probably begin my candy and goody making next weekend.  I have to make a wedding cake the last weekend of the month, so I will make the layers in the next couple of weeks.  You have done quite a bit. 

I've had you on my mind a lot. I know you are hurt about the loss of your jewelry. I'm praying that it will be returned to you. It's awful hard when someone we trust betrays us. Keep your chin up and try to rest after all this cooking. Love You, Miss Mary

Thank you Miss Mary.  I am upset to no end, but I am coming to the realization that I may have been jus  t really lucky that I have not had more severe losses.  When my house burned, I didn't lose everything.  When my mother died, I got to be with her and it was not a horrible death.  It was actually a beautiful moment that we shared with love.  I miss my mother terribly.  I think women do miss their mothers, if they had really good moms.  And with this theft, she didn't take everything.  She only has about half of the stuff and left me with some significant pieces that were important.  So it could have been worse.  No one was killed or injured from the whole thing.

I have to look at it as a "growing up" experience, where I needed a growth spurt in my character.  I really hate character building events, but that is basically what this is.  If I have to take a loss like this, then at least it was not with the forced entry where someone was hurt and everything was taken.  There is always a positive view, if you look long enough.

The positive is that my dad has realized that he cannot trust these people and that he needs the alarm system.  He really needs the alarm system badly.  It has been an expensive lesson, but we both have learned something from it.  I just wish these lessons didn't come along.  Thank you for your prayers and your kind thoughts.

What kind of candy are you making? I have several events coming up over the next two weeks and I need some quick, easy and good recipes. We are having our annual Memorial CHristmas Tree Lighting next Sunday and then we are helping with Christmas parties at 7 nursing homes and assisted livign centers where we see pt's. Whewwww, gonna be a busy girl!!!

I have just been doing some molded candies.  I cut carmels in half, put them in the molds, and then surround them with melted chocolate.  I make a fondant with coconut and powdered sugar and do the same thing.    I put other things in the centers, too.  I use almonds, the Heath toffee bits, etc.  I have dipped minipretzels in white almond bark.  I bought some cranberry-nut granola and mixed it with the vanilla melts from Wilton and dropped those on wax paper.  They were really good and quick.  I just different things.  I will make divinity when it is cold and dry.  And I will make turtle or See's candy one of these days.  You melt the Kraft carmels with 2 T. milk. then put four pecans down to make the turtle's feet and drop the melted carmel on top.  Then you coat the whole thing in melted chocolate...You can use chocolate chips, but the Wilton chocolate melts are easier and you just have to melt them in the microwave.  I do microwave peanut brittle, too.  Although I like to use cashew nuts, more.   So see, i do a lot of things, it just depends.  None of it is hard to do.

Oh my goodness! You have given me some new ideas. I make a holiday bark that is easy and good. Toast a 1/2 can of deluxe mixed nuts, coarse chopped along with some coconut in the oven. Melt a package of  Chocolate Bark and add all but 1/4 cup of mixture to chocolate and stir well. Pour onto wax or parchment paper. While candy is still warm, top with remaining nut mixture. Allow to cool and become hard. lift the corners of the paper and break candy into pieces. Store in airtight container. This is great to put into those clear wilton treat bags and tie up with pretty holiday ribbon. Add a gift tag and you have a nict little "happy".

Karla, I really do know how you feel. As my mother's only daughter, I inherited all of her jewelry when she died. I did give my brother a few peices that he picked out for when he found that special someone. When we were robbed in January, everything was taken. They left me with one ring of my mother's, that was dropped im my carport.

I wore many of her peices often, it's such a whole in my heart. I miss my mother dearly & wearing her jewelry was such a comfort.

My brother married a couple of years ago. On my visit with him, last month, I noticed his wife wearing 2 of mothers rings. I have to admit to a bit of a jealous feeling! I told her that I was happy that she was enjoying the rings. She never met my mother. Once she told me how much it meant to her to have them, all jealousy was erased. She said that she treasured each & every peice & she never takes the rings off.  I guess now I am thankful that I didn't have then & they were not stolen!

It's funny how things work sometimes.

Karla is quite the hostess and baker.  She is awesome with the stuff!  I hope you can find the quick and easy recipies you need.  Have a great day my friend!

It certainly sounds like it! Thanks! Hope you have a good day!