2023 - November 23 - December 7 - Thanksgiving and Advent

Thanksgiving has always held special memories. Growing up we always had a special meal, on my mom's set of China. We had to dress up. Yes! Special days we had to go change our clothes and dress for the occasion. We had the best food. Some nice photos from my family who celebrated from the east to the west coasts.

Back at the home front we were busy with slicing up some of our amazing summer sausage, this was like a really good salami.

The hunters were continuing to enjoy their days together.

Our table spread, with 3 different sets of China. Yes, oddly, I have 3 sets. One from my wedding, one that was gifted to me, and one that came for free in a hutch someone didn't want. It's all special to me! This year, with the insistence of Kili, we pulled out the China. 

The gifted set

This year we had the usuals, including the O'Brien family cranberry jello salad (of which there are 2 recipes that have been used since I first had it). My childhood memory was the small plate with a leaf of lettuce with said jello salad square upon it. 

Someone was full and tired.... and some others thought they were funny to put dolls in his arms... and someone thought she was enjoying the photographing of it...

A walk to the tiny chapel, why are they standing/sitting on the roof? As you can see, it is built into the hillside.

Sugar sets in.

Good mix for making sausage

Fleet Farm

Replacing some windows

💓

SB1 loves a cozy little box with piles of treasures. 💖

3 windows were replaced this time

Wedding China

Free Hutch China

AND! The China is all perfectly organized and put away. Surprisingly though, we only have a few pieces that are broken, and that was when the oldest children were very young. *phew*

While Aragorn and I were down in Chicago for the x-ray tradeshow, snow arrived back home.

GC1and2 OR Marigold and Kili?

In Chicago we were blessed to attend Mass (and Confession) at St. John Cantius. SO GLORIOUS!

We again stayed at the Wheeler Mansion, though our experience was not as good. Our room was freezing, the breakfast was cancelled on our last day (seriously, this is a bed and breakfast). I was so disappointed. But it is still a beautiful place.

Aragorn at a meeting (I usually just man the booth and do my Christmas shopping online). This meeting included "Laars" who is not wearing a suit but southern California duds. 😂 What a fun, likable character! He's a good reminder to just be yourself.

Crowds. My favorite. 😵

Asian Shrimp flavored chips and BBQ pringles. 😨 That's what happens when men from China get the table treats. The advantage, no extra calories for me! 😜

My family in the other Lodi city.

Mom and Dad go to the football game

First haircuts💗

Back to Chicago, I had to endure some nights out on the town with companies who treated Aragorn to meals and such. I stand there kind of stupid like, making a few new acquaintances I might see again, maybe, but probably not.

We ate a couple times at Pizanos. Yum. And this one we were treated at Gene and Georgetti's with a couple other couples. It was delicious and a very fun and wild time. Then we got the question, "How many children do you have?" 😂😂😂

One lunch we had this Italian beef. It was very good. I took the photo because of that pearl onion, the kind we used to have on Christmas and Thanksgiving in my childhood (only it had a cream sauce)

GC1 helps with Christmas wrapping

After the show, the 2 men from China (not to be confused with my China dinnerware), came for a visit.  Due to Covid they hadn't been back since 2019.

Advent is upon us!

Just some treats and goodies for the ticket exchange at our homeschool co-op. 

Beautiful little magnets paintings by Rosie

St. Al's Christmas show where Eowyn teaches

I highly recommend a Crunch Labs subscription! It is super fun, the videos are entertaining and the kids get to build real working things. This first one is a disk launcher. 

The down side, you have to wait a month for the next box! Thank you Mark Rober for establishing these great boxes to "Think like an engineer"