Note To Self: Thanksgiving 2016

Things to remember and/or do differently next year:

1) Don't rely on the pop-up turkey "done-ness" timer! This was the second year in a row that I did and the turkey was NOT done! So frustrating especially after taking the turkey out of the oven, letting it sit, as directed, and then start slicing only to discover it needs more time in the oven! ARGGHH!

2)My baster died! 😞  It served me well for probably 20 years - and this year succumbed to dry-rot! It developed a crack alone the ridge that even duct-taping by Sharon would not fix. I wonder what is new in the world of Turkey Basters?

3)The thing I dread the most about Thanksgiving has nothing to do with who will be gathered around the table, or how to set the table, or even anything relating to side dishes. The hated thing is CARVING THE ^%*&^#$ TURKEY!!!! Okay, let me breathe.... If you didn't pick up on it, I HATE carving the turkey! Granted, part of this has to do with item #1 above and being really pissed that the turkey wasn't done yet. But even with that aside I have to get a handle on this because it makes me miserable every year! So, next year I have thought about not doing gravy or plating any sides until after I have carved the turkey. Another problem I have is needing a plan for the platters: I need one to use for cutting and one for the meat... somehow this always gets screwy as well.

4)Last thing: Cook the sausage longer for the stuffing. So, this was my second year cooking Thanksgiving without mom, and I am just not able to get the stuffing tasting like hers. I think next year I need to really brown the sausage... like to crunchy and brown. The stuffing was missing something and maybe that will get me closer. I know one thing she did was use a lot of butter which I don't use at all. I am hoping that doesn't account for all the difference because I cannot see myself using all that butter!

Okay, so enough for now. I do LOVE Thanksgiving. I am hopeful to behave better next year - and not let the turkey get the best of me!

I Don't Have A Favorite Holiday Memory

"Write about a favorite holiday memory?"  That is the writing prompt offered... I wish I could remember holidays from my childhood. I remember pictures of a Christmas or two. I can remember some foods from Thanksgiving meals-but I think those were from adult years, not growing up years. Birthdays? No memories there. This could be depressing.

So the question did not say the memories needed to be from growing up years...a funny time one Fourth of July in Floyd, VA- sitting on the front porch at Blanche and Fred 's (in laws) and the fireworks seemed like they took forever in between. When there were two or three close together we joked about it being the finale. The fireworks were more like stutter-works.

I really enjoy holidays with the kids, though my fear is they might have the same non-memories as I have. I would really hate that. Then I think of folks like June and others who really go hog-wild on the holidays - decorations galore. I just can't do that. I don't feel right about that.

What I do love more than a favorite holiday memory - is enjoying dinner evey evening at the table with Charles and the kids. Having them teasing each other, or busting out laughing at Charles or some other silliness. Asking a question or sharing something from their day. Those times are my favorites! Everyday favorites.

P.S.

P.S. Some Mondays are like that too.

The work I do leaves me feeling…

The work I do leaves me feeling...

Ashamed...  I have not done the work. I am not prepared. I am relying on too many sources and not enough on The Source. I am more concerned with who is in worship than The One we have gathered to worship.

Embarrassed... my thoughts are not complete and they do not flow like I would like them to. I rely too much on my crappy notes. My speech idiosyncrasies dominate - I stutter and stammer and repeat myself.

Ecstatic... that people we invite to worship because it is All Saints Sunday and we are remembering a loved one actually come! That I have the privilege of serving with a "Deacon on Location" who invites others to serve with us in worship, has some wonderful altar candles and decor, and assists in organizing and readying the space for worship.

Amused... that I have prayed and asked God to send us "the people no one else wants"* and we have become a quirky, diverse, ragtag, messy, and chaotic church that really works at loving everyone.

Stunned... by the simple yet powerful witness of an acolyte.

Some Sundays are like that.

*Thanks Jorge A. for sharing this prayer wisdom.

NaBloPoMo (National Blog Posting Month)

Okay, so I just learned about this at about 10 pm tonight (pre-time change, but still late). I have been really wanting to blog more and so I am hopeful this will help. I am counting on the daily "prompts" to really help - because right now I need all the help I can get. So, this is it... November, a new blog beginning.

Help me Holy Ghost!!

Titus 3:10-11 (CEB)

After a first and second warning, have nothing to do with a person who causes conflict, because you know that someone like this is twisted and sinful--so they condemn themselves.

2 Timothy 1:1 (CEB)

"From Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by God's will, to promote the promise of life that is in Christ Jesus."

"...to promote the promise of life that is in Christ Jesus." Do I do that? How do I do that? How can I be more intentional about doing that?