Happy Thanksgiving Week 2013

Happy Thanksgiving to all my Friends and Family!!! 

I was able to take the WHOLE week off for vacation and hoped to be able to get some outside painting done.  But, the weather didn't cooperate so settled on doing many indoor tasks which needed to be done.  Repaired the built-in hutch, kept the fire stoked, slept late, made pet food, cleaned for company, many loads of laundry and just enjoyed farm time.   Sigh.. busy but good fun. 

We purchased another woodstove for the patio to keep us warmer on the cold days.  We love to sit outside - even if the temperature drops to freezing (which it hasn't yet).  The fire and wall we put up helps keep it nice and toasty.   The cats don't mind the heat too.  We had the regular hillbilly stove -- which we adored for conversation; but there's a time the rusted bucket, needed to retire so we upgraded.  Harbor Freight had them on sale... but when we went to pick it up at our closest location -- purchased it, loaded it, heard a rattle and realized it was broken... So a long drive to South San Antonio where there were 4 in stock.  Quick exchange and heading back to home.  A day adventure with many more to come for this project.  Nothing can be so simple.

Monday - had lunch with mom and ran errands.  Enjoyed a new Tamale shop in town and shopping at Tractor Supply (yes, that's crazy to enjoy that.. but now that is the life).  And then off to Bealls.  We always need something nice to wear around the holidays. Quick stop at HEB and Twins - I "think" I'm set for the week -- NOT!!! there will be many small trips to get what we forgot or decided we really needed.. We are SO typical and I'm thankful the HEB is 5 miles one way instead of MILES away.  Tis the season to give Thanks!

Tuesday - ran errands with Ben and watched it snow--- Yes SNOW!  Didn't stick but was fun to see.  Several stops to our Tractor Supply and Home Depot for 'stuff' to get the stove pipes and accessories for the stove's trial run.  Hopefully we will get a fire in it before company arrives. We also took care of the long needed GMC truck maintenance from the dealer to keep the warranty in check.

Wednesday - Stoked up the new woodstove for trial run.  The house stove had already been running for several days.  I hadn't realized how much wood we have burned over the last year and our "close" pile has dwindled... Time to pull out the tractor and trailer and bring the remote piles from the well drilling tree trimming project last spring up to the house for heat!  Sounds like work to me!  But that's why I don't go to the gym... to much manual labor to do around here. 

Thursday - Happy Thanksgiving!   Mom was able to join us for Steak & Lobster.  We just didn't want to cook 8 hours for 1 meal; so we kept it simple.  Kept the fireplaces going (inside and out), watching lots of Hallmark holiday shows, cleaning  house and chilling-out until dinnertime.    The Neighbors stopped by for a visit by the fire and shared a Meade cocktail (not homemade yet - just sampling).  Robert & Micha arrived around 7pm after a full day with their family and the road trip on I-10 with the rest of the hunters coming West for the long weekend.  Time for another drink! 

Friday - Foggy, cold morning - Coffee then mimosas with Micha while Robert hunted. No Luck in the AM.  Throughout the day, Ben & Robert braved Black Friday, shopping sales at Tractor Supply and worked diligently to get the gas fryer going. Robert headed out in the afternoon to hunt and Ben headed out again to Academy to buy a new cooker. Robert made it back early from hunting after getting a 3 point buck.  After a quick clean/dressing; we attempt to start the evening cooking.  Unfortunately, a gas leak from the tank made us decide to fry indoors.  YUCK -- the mess. But Dad's Redfish, added oysters, french-fries, coleslaw & hush puppies - it was a good meal and great company.

Saturday - little warmer morning but we kept the fire going anyway.  Robert out hunting again in hopes to see / get another deer.   Nothing again.  They decide to head home afternoon to miss some of the traffic and give Robert time to process his deer.  We spent the rest of the day planting our fall seedlings in the garden, loading up more wood for the next week's cold front, and settled in for another night of Hallmark Christmas movies. 

Sunday - spend the day in bed - watching more Hallmark Christmas movies.  We did manage to have breakfast, and lunch in bed - but finally surfaced to eat dinner at the table. HA!!! That was a chore.

Monday AM - my ON CALL for 1 week and evening/night shift tasks.   I'm going to go cry now and try not to be so hard to get along with this week. 

Overall - a great Thanksgiving Holiday.

Blessing and a lot to be thankful for.. Hugs - Darla