What is this??

It’s a clothespin bag.  It’s hard to see in the picture but it can be tied at the waist and there you go—clothespins right at your fingertips.  I wrote a post August 9, 2006, with a similar question.  In that post, I modeled the clothespin bag my Mom made for me. 

Our church is having a Christmas celebration where there is a silent auction on “baskets.”  My basket this year will be a laundry basket, retractable clothesline and this clothespin bag containing 100 clothespins. 

Taking my pattern off the one my Mom made for me, I used the legs off of Dan’s old jeans.  I removed the pockets and stitched them back on because, unlike in Mom’s day, we all need a pocket for the cell phone.  Had I had a choice,  red plaid flannel would have looked great, but all I had here at home was a flannel sheet that doesn’t have a mate. 

Who hangs out clothes anymore (except me)?  We’ll see.  I’ll let you know if it is a hit or miss at the silent auction.

Turkey again?

Yes, turkey again.

Dan is doing a little volunteer work with our friend Heath on the Clinton Museum, located near the town of Clinton at the lake.   Heath bought several turkeys on sale after Thanksgiving thinking he would smoke them.  He got busy so gave one to us. 

So, out came the roaster again today to bake another turkey.  Actually, the preparation started last night when I dropped the 14 pounder into an ice water brine and sat it out on the porch—our extended refrigerator.

This morning I rinsed and patted it dry with a paper towel and rubbed on butter.  Someone told me you can never get too much garlic, onion and  celery on a turkey.

I added a couple carrots just to give a little flavor to the broth.  I grated the orange over the top.  The Tone’s Canadian Chicken spice,  has dried orange rind in it, along with dried garlic and onion.  I also added some Tone’s garlic pepper. 

Here’s the dressed up bird.

He is baked, boned, bagged and in the freezer.  I just couldn’t get excited about turkey right now.  I have five (actually six, I just went out and checked)  1 1/2 pound plus bags and three containers of broth.  It’s a good feeling knowing I can come up with a great dinner at the spur of the moment.  Just let me know…

Thanksgiving for little ones

Sunday afternoon Dan’s family gathered for their annual Thanksgiving.  What a joy to have tots to watch.  And, next year there will be two more!

Dan’s three brothers were here. Larry, Dan’s oldest brother is 74 years old and Paul, his youngest turned 65 this year.  It was a grand opportunity for a picture that did not happen.  I’m still kicking myself over that.

This picture makes up for not getting the brothers.  There is so much to love about this gathering of three families (Laura’s Ric is in Kuwait, due home in about two weeks).  Don’t miss the young couple off on the right.  Our first time to meet Cameron—a wonderful fit if things work out.

If all the four brothers’ grandchildren would have been able to come, there would be 17 with two more soon and potentially more in the future.  It is hard to get everyone together at the same time, but it will be a grand Thanksgiving when we do.