AuburnChick's Adventures

Happy Turkey Eve, friends!

Boy, Thanksgiving rolled around rather quickly this year, did it not?

It’s hard to believe that one year ago this week, the Mr. and I were meeting our littlest granddaughter, who had been born three weeks prior.

Everyone’s a year older and, I pray, a year wiser.

Anyhoo, I really need to get to the Hodgepodge questions. Thanks, Joyce, for being a gracious host.

1. Do you feel like you have a ‘full plate’ at the moment? In what way? 

Boy oh boy, I’ve had a full plate since late-September. I’ve scarcely had a weekend that wasn’t spoken for. Either I’ve traveled, or others have traveled to me. My heart is brimming over with joy at seeing my babies multiple times since September and for meeting new friends too (see Monday’s weekend recap post).

2. How did you learn to cook? If you have children did you teach or encourage them to cook? Do you like to follow a recipe or is your cooking style more ‘let’s wing it’.  

I learned to cook by watching my mom and basically being told to cook whatever she told me to. My mom worked a lot, so the onus was on me to cook, clean, and do the ironing. I only had a few things I could cook when I was younger, and when my kids were growing up, I had a two-week menu of items that I rotated. My kiddos were very picky, so I didn’t dare get adventurous.

I became a much better cook when my kids left home. I had time to try out new cooking skills and recipes. Becoming a vegan in 2010, after my oldest left home and shortly before my son left for college, presented some challenges. Food bloggers didn’t have social media back then, so it was difficult to find recipes to accommodate my dietary lifestyle. Thank goodness that changed! Recipes and cooking videos are so much more accessible!

Practice definitely makes for better (not perfect). I tend to color inside the lines. I usually follow a recipe – especially where it comes to baked goods since there’s a science to getting things to rise properly.

When my kids were younger, I taught them how to cook a few things. They used to cook during the summer when I worked part time. My daughter became an expert at making risotto.

My son will claim he doesn’t know how to cook. Uh huh. He is still a picky eater, but he loves grilled meat. He’s become a master of the smoker and grill.

My daughter is an incredible cook. She’s also very adventurous.

3. Last time you bit off more than you could chew? Elaborate. 

I’d say having so many weeks of company, back-to-back, has almost been more than I can handle. I’m a planner to my core, so all of the ins and outs, managing people and sleeping arrangements, and meal prepping have been a lot. Thank goodness for a retired husband who is good at following my instructions and gets things done while I’ve been busy at work. Teamwork, y’all!

4. When did you last say ‘the more the merrier’ and mean it? 

The theme of my Hodgepodge answers seems to be “November visitors.” Lol! When my daughter asked if we could host her two friends, in between her visit and Thanksgiving, I took a page from my generous, God-serving son-in-law’s book, and said yes, the more the merrier. I’m not sure that the Mr. quite knew what to make of it. I didn’t consult with him first. Oops. But he felt so much joy afterward. God has blessed us beyond what we deserve. Everything we have is on loan from Him. I pray that He gives us more opportunities to open up our home to more visitors.

5. Write an acrostic using the word T-H-A-N-K-S. 

Today and every day, I give thanks for the countless ways God has blessed me.

He knit me in my mother’s womb. Every breath I take is

Ascribed to His providential grace.

Never could I have imagined Someone loving me so unconditionally.

Knowing that I am never alone brings me much

Solace and joy. Praise be to God forever.

6. My Random Thought

This November weather is about as finicky as a woman going through menopause.

Can someone please tell me why I still have flowers blooming in my front flower bed?

Don’t get me wrong. Seeing these yellow beauties last weekend made me smile – especially because I know that this particular plant has chosen to return year after year.

But y’all, is it any wonder that my allergies are confused, and my throat can’t decide if it’s supposed to cough because of the late blossoms or because I keep walking into spaces that are air conditioned one day and heated the next.

I pray that your Thanksgiving is the best you’ve ever had, and for those of you spending your first without a loved one, my heart goes out to you.

Our town recently lost a sweet mama of two to a horrendous accident with a bus. I didn’t know her personally, but the tributes that have poured in have demonstrated the incredible woman of God that she was.

I also learned of my daughter’s high school friend’s mom’s passing last week. I’m brokenhearted for her three grown children and am reminded that the holidays can be a bittersweet season for people.

Tender hugs to all of you.

Filed under: This-n-That |