First it's Hot, then it's Cold

I love south Texas! The weather is always changing. Just when you get used to wearing shorts it gets cold (relatively speaking) and we have to wear long pants and shoes! A couple days of cool weather then the heat comes back......I will state that I like cold temperatures for sleeping. Our comforter is cozy and warm.

We've been alternating between leftovers from Thanksgiving and other choice meals. Today we had turkey, dressing and gravy but I fixed Roasted Brussels Sprouts from the Moosewood Restaurant Cooking for Health cookbook. It was a hit and I include the recipe here in case you like sprouts

1 lb Brussels sprouts
1 1/2 T olive oil
1/4 t salt

Clean and cut sprouts in half toss in oil and place on lightly oiled pan cut side down. Place in preheated 375 degree oven 12 - 18 minutes or until tender and lightly browned.

while cooking make the dressing

2 T minced red onion or shallots
1 t Dijon mustard
1 T lemon juice
1 1/2 T olive oil

stir into the sprouts and toss with 1/2 cup toasted walnuts or pecans. I used walnuts and it tasted just great! you can also use salt and pepper to taste.

Last night was very windy and it kept waking me up so I expect to sleep better tonight. The front is here and it's getting cooler.

Jim had a kayaking trip today but cancelled it due to the wind. Not good taking novices out on the Rio Grande River with a lot of wind.

Thanksgiving Day

First a wee bit of catching up. Last Sunday we had a date for lunch at BJ's Brewhouse with Marilyn and Ed Dray. When we pulled in they were standing there waiting for us and I must say it was nice to see our friends again. We've spent time with them in Colorado Springs the past three summers.

We each ordered flatbread pizzas and had a tall cold beer to wash it down. Mostly we enjoyed the conversation and just being together. They're staying at Llano Grande for the winter season so we should see them again.

Jim worked Monday and Tuesday getting the kayaks ready for paddling trips. Yesterday he just chilled most of the day reading or using the computer. I made a cherry apple pie and the cranberry sauce for our Thanksgiving dinner.

This morning when I got up we had wind and cloudy skies. Soon the clouds cleared, the sun came out and it sure warmed up quickly. I had the turducken in the oven shortly after 0900. Then I got to work chopping and slicing the ingredients for the mushroom stuffing. Once I got the veggies sauteed I put everything into the slow cooker. Jim and I had to sample it for lunch around noon!

Because it was HOT and windy we had our dinner indoors. Anne recently purchased some new dishes and the clear glass looks lovely on my new tablecloth!

there were six of us, Anne and Scotty, Amy and Dan plus Jim and I.

Jim and I sat at the 'kids' table. :)

We ladies worked on our menu and each of us supplied several dishes and everything was tasty! Of course we had to much food but that's what Thanksgiving is for! Turducken, ham, mashed potatoes and two gravies, two cranberry dishes, carrots, brussel sprouts, butternut squash, some olives and artichoke hearts.

Three desserts! Anne made a mincemeat pie, Amy made a lemon bundt cake and I made a cherry apple pie.

Some of us had wine and most of us had seconds! It was a good dinner with good friends!

Boo didn't get to join us and I'm sure the wonderful cooking smells frustrated him. He didn't get to sample much of it!

Jim and I came home around 1600, fed Boo and I did the clean up and dishes. The Saints were playing Dallas and we watched the game and it came down to nail biting win for the Saints! Jim spent some time with other work campers decorating outside the office. I passed and apparently missed out on the eggnog

The day ended with a pretty sunset so I'll leave you with these pictures. I hope however you celebrated this day you enjoyed it. Jim and I have much we are thankful for, each other, our friends and our health. Not much more could we ask for!