A Haven for Vee

Monday, November 28, 2016

Last Day for Leftovers

Here is our best photo of Thanksgiving. I forgot my camera so was counting on the other photographer. This is his best offering.


~Jack and Jake~
Jakob wore a tie for Thanksgiving and looked especially handsome. Alas, he had already ditched it by the time the photo was taken. Ever thoughtful, he asked how I was doing on this first Thanksgiving without John. I turned the tables on him and asked how he was doing. He shrugged. I said, "It's been a good day and we got through, right?" And so we did. I remember many Thanksgivings without John, but my grandsons were so young when I married John that they don't remember holidays without him. It makes it tough for them.


I was so excited to find that piece of pumpkin pie there...just enough to try *this.* Most of these leftovers are already long gone. I enjoyed my daughter-in-law's cooking all over again when I made a big Sunday dinner for myself, including red stuff. So all that is really left is enough turkey for my lunch today and that piece of pumpkin pie transformed for supper.

Got myself into so much trouble last week trying to multitask. I just can't function that way anymore. First I ruined pumpkin breads trying to also drag in the Christmas tree from the garage...not paying attention...didn't bake them long enough.

Then, while trying to string lights and make pecan pies, I quadrupled the butter. Not good. I am learning all over again the need to be present and focused.

Thank goodness, I was present and focused last year, which helped my harried self this.



~kiss~

I ordinarily decorate for Christmas the day after Thanksgiving. I thought, especially if I started a day or two early, that I might get it all accomplished. Nope. Not going to be any faster or done in a day or two after all. Seems as if I should keep things simpler this year. Though I seem to need Christmas light therapy, I don't need chaos and clutter. There's just too much going on here with all the sorting, etc., that is ongoing. 

Last year, there were no outside Christmas lights here at my little haven. It was a first, but we made the choice and went with it. Didn't like it at all. I think it's important to enter into the joy of the season and provide a little cheer for neighbors. Sam helped me change that. The lights were unimpressive strung simply along the top of the fence so I decided to gather branches and light them. 


That was fun. They are red, green, and white lights and, if I could, I'd take a good pic of them after dark. I can't. They shouldn't add too much to the electric bill.

Did I say that I was planning to keep things simple? Silly me!

~hot chocolate center~

Let me know how it is going at your place! Have a good week...

 

40 comments:

  1. I'm trying to keep things simple here as well. But even simple still takes time...it's a big place! We have laser 'star shower' lights on the house...instead of stringing lights on the high peaks. Simpler and safer!

    Sweet pic of Jake and Jack! Sweet guy...asking how you are doing. Take care, my friend.

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  2. Well the tears are rolling down my eyes, so grateful for the love in your family, so grateful for those little boys who know just what to say. I especially love the lights. I love your words. Thanks for sharing, as I continue to lift you before the Lord as you walk this journey!

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  3. Simple is the name of the game here as well. The picture of Jake and Jack is perfect!

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  4. Vee, your little video at the end is so sweet with the ticking of the clock. I also like the branches on the fence festively lit for the neighbors and you to enjoy. Sam looks so grown up in this photo. Yes, lights to remind us of The One who brings light to this ole world.
    Jacob is a little sweetie there with his Jack. I'm glad you made it through, my dear. Let us know how the pumpkin pie french toast turns out. I didn't have any leftovers to try that. ♥

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  5. Oh, that Jakob. It melts my heart to know how thoughtful he is. And I am glad that you asked him, and I am also melted by his answer. (Indeed, I miss John too...in my own way.)

    I love your Christmas decorating! I would definitely come to that hot chocolate bar! "Yay, you!" for leaving yourself helpful notes. :)

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  6. Oh Vee, you made it through another 'first' without your John. And how sweet of him to be concerned at how you are doing without him. That pic of Jack and Jake is adorable!! I really like the lights on the fence with the branches and so nice of Sam to help you with that! Fine young boys! I like your twinkling lights in the video. I have a few of those battery pillar candles around here with timers that come on at 5 and stay on all evening. They are so nice to have on these dark evenings. I may go through a lot of batteries this winter but they add a cozy feel to the living and dining rooms. Wishing you a blessed week ahead.

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  7. Love this post -- full of honesty and good sense (even with mistakes along the way... the cooking). We ALL need to multitask just a little less and focus more. Such a challenge at this time of year. Love the idea of the lights on the branch! How clever! Continuing to pray for you comfort, peace, productivity and all that you need for this first Christmas season...

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  8. Lovely, lovely post, Vee, and the header is simply beautiful. Your Christmasy sidebar is nifty also.

    Think we will be finishing off the Thanksgiving leftovers tonight. I think simple will be the name of the game here as well. I've started Christmas shopping and will begin wrapping soon. I often wait until Dec. 1 to start decorating, but hoped to begin sooner this year. I'd planned to start today, but my morning went quite a bit different than planned, so I'll probably spend the rest of the day cleaning and decluttering -- sort of preparing a "fresh slate" for the Christmas decor.

    Loved your little video at the end -- and oh, those grandsons. So sweet, so helpful, so handsome. How blessed you are ... but you know that.

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  9. I simplified a fews ago when our youngest daughter took over hosting Christmas. We switched to an Elf light a couple of years ago as Glenn would get so discouraged stringing lights on a ladder that didn't work after a short while.
    Your note for 2016 Christmas is a good one and the serious tone from Jake and Jack, cute.

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  10. Jakob reminds me of my six-year-old grandson who gave his condolences to me some months after his grandpa died, "I'm sorry about Grandpa." I said, "Thank you," and he said, "I'm not just sorry for you, I'm sorry for myself."

    My first Christmas without my husband was hardest in the preparation/decorating/shopping stages. When I was actually with family I was happier. I hope you continue to have peace and joy.

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    1. Awwww...what a precious child to make such a knowing, insightful comment.

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  11. Vee, That photo of Jake and Jack is adorable. How sweet of that young man to ask how you are getting along. Bless his heart. I think Sam helping with the lights was kind of him...you have good kids. :):) The year my brother and his wife died in a car wreck I did not put a tree up...then I thought how sad they would have been to know that..so I celebrate holidays as usual now. Aren't left-over so nice ...to get to just reheat a good meal? so nice. Hugs to you Vee. Blessings, xoxo, Susie

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  12. A wonderful photo of Jack and Jake...It speaks to how special your John was that are missing him so much. The holidays are always tough , and special anniversaries. I have and still am noticing this (though not in the same way as the first years) and it's going on ten years since Paul left this earth. Your family sounds wonderful. Blessings to you all.

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  13. Love that photo of Jack and Jake. Also the sweetness of his question to you and yours back to him. So good to let kids express their sorrow, too. That fence is so interesting. Have we seen it before? I like lights and am happy that Dear will at least put up my star covered in lights. We are close to finishing off our leftover turkey. No leftover pie here, though. I put Thanksgiving away and am now considering when to pull the Christmas boxes down...

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  14. Sweet picture of a boy and his dog!! Jake is adorable and so thoughtful to ask you how you are doing! I just checked your link to see what you are planning to do with your left-over pumpkin pie - wow that sounds good!
    Today I finally got around to removing the pumpkins and gourds off the front porch and decorated the containers and window boxes with greens and weeds from around the farm. Tomorrow I will start inside. It's always a big job no matter how simple I try to make it.
    I love your lit up branch - so creative.

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  15. What a joy to visit you, dear Vee. The photo of Jack and Jake is just precious!

    Ah, keeping things simple...I always say I'm going to, but alas, I love this time of year so I end up not keeping things simple {{smiles}} Although I am already behind as I usually have the house decorated for Christmas and so far I haven't even pulled out the decorations.... This Saturday the hubby, son, and I are hoping to go get our Christmas tree so maybe over the weekend the house will get decorated for this delightful time of year.

    Thinking of you! Hugs!

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  16. Love that first photo.
    Jakob, bless his heart.

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  17. Aww...Your little pup looks a lot like my dear Donnatella! What an adorable photo of those two.
    Your Christmas lights look great with the branches, nice idea. :)

    I was able to get my tree's up early this year and all the decorations as well. Our weather was so nice there for awhile that my husband was able to get the outside lights up with out freezing in the cold weather. He was a happy camper! :)

    Thinking of you over the Holiday's~~

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  18. It seems like you have extremely sweet, caring, and perceptive grandsons!

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  19. Awww Vee, I love your header! Also, the handwritten message that you found from John, in your previous post, is such a lovely treasure. What dear, sweet grandson you have, that have such a kindness and thoughtfulness in their hearts.
    My son that lives here with me, surprised me while I was in Ohio, and put up the big tree (which I hadn't done in several years), and also hung icicle lights on the outside of the house (which hadn't been done in many, many years). That touched this mom's heart!

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  20. Such sweet grandsons, Vee! Hey,I like how you wove the branches with the lights-very impressive. Your not the only one that has had to give up multi-tasking lady. Sad, but true. We just found out today that our oldest son is coming with his children again this year, can't wait! Take care-Kim

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  21. That was such a precious paragraph about Jakob and you and Christmas without John. And a darling photo of Jakob and pal. Your vignette with the window frame is wonderful. I laughed at your note because I do that too. Today Kevin dragged out the fake (only the second year) tree and the lights were still strung on it but I could not find the end with the plug. After much searching, I finally spotted a big clothespin I'd used to attach it to a branch, so that it would be EASY TO FIND. I think after this Christmas I'll have to write myself a note to tell me about the clothespin.

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  22. Your header is so sweet, Vee. And the photo of Jake and his dog is adorable. I'm so glad you have a loving family to help you through this difficult time. Yes to lights! Decorating around here is very slow. But that's okay, I'm not going to get in a dither. Love the cocoa station with the flashing lights!

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  23. It looks like you had a great time with the 2 of them. Kids and dogs are 2 of my favorite subject. Happy Holidays.

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  24. Well, you are the second person today to link to NanaDiana. Looks like she has lots of good stuff cooking! My husband is saying no to outside lights this year, but I am hoping he (or I) changes his mind. It does make things so cheerful on these dark, dark nights. So nice for you to have a helper to put yours up. I'm glad you have family to be with during this first Thanksgiving. Blessings to you, dear Vee. xo Deborah

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  25. Oh my Vee, I have such a lump in my throat after reading this. That photo of Jack and Jake is so precious and the conversation you shared is so very sweet.
    I am glad to know that you were surrounded by your loving family on this first Thanksgiving without John.
    I had to smile when I saw your note. I stumbled across a similar note among my Christmas décor today. Between that and photos from the blog, the decorating is running a bit smoother.
    Love your hot cocoa station. What fun!

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  26. It sounds like you had a good Thanksgiving with your family, Vee! Love the photo of Jacob and Jack, and it looks like you had a nice amount of leftovers to take home and enjoy. I'm glad you are decorating for Christmas and have good helpers! Lights are so cheery and comforting this time of the year.

    I have not started decorating for Christmas as yet inside although my husband and I put up some outdoor lights and decorations on a nice warm day this past weekend. It still has been usually warm and dry here -- we need snow! (or rain!)

    I'm still recovering from preparing and cooking for Thanksgiving and taking our oldest granddaughter--who had a sleepover the next day--to our town's Christmas parade. Then I spent the last couple of days online shopping for gifts--like to get that over with early so it is all delivered in time. It is good to take time to enjoy the season and not let all the busyness overwhelm--I think your hot chocolate station is the right idea!

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  27. i can't walk and chew gum at the same time so I don't even try doing more than one thing at a time anymore. I am waay too busy right now..and will slow down after this week...want to take time to smell the .....season...xoxo

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  28. Jakob's thoughtfulness is so sweet. Sam is taking care of you, too. Having John in their lives will forever hold sweet memories. I know it was difficult for you, too.

    Leftovers. . .I guess we're blessed to have them, but I sure wish the kids could have taken some of them home. Any thoughts on how to use leftover turkey?

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  29. Turkey Divan -- just substitute turkey for chicken in a chicken divan recipe. I often cook some brown rice first and layer it a baking dish under the broccoli, poultry and sauce. Meal in a dish!

    Turkey salad is a good bet, too. Make sandwiches or serve on a bed of greens.

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    1. That does sound good...one can substitute turkey for so many chicken recipes. I just sent Diane a recipe that includes a number of leftovers, including the "red stuff."

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  30. Lights are always important. And you really can't see them unless there is some darkness. That's the way it is in life, I suppose. Our 'light' shines through our darkness. You are a beacon of Light, my dear Vee! May you always shine so bright!

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  31. First of all, LOVE the new holiday header! Your Jake is such a handsome young man and my, how insightful as well. What a sweetie, looking out for his Grandma on the holiday. Guess what? I have a small slice of pumpkin pie too but I have not tried Diana's idea yet...sure sounds delish! I think the lighted branch on your fence is just perfect! I am not a big outdoor decorator...I would be doing it for the wildlife to enjoy since the house isn't even visible from the road :)

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  32. So what does a pecan pie look like with 4 times the amount of butter? I am sorry for the waste especially since those ingredients are not cheap...but I'm just glad someone else does these things, and not just me.

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  33. Beautiful post, such lovely boys and Jake so thoughtful towards his Gran. I loved the lighted branch on your fence such a delight to see. I am hopefully making a start on the Christmas décor later today.

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  34. The best part of this post for me was to see your beautiful handwriting. I'm so thankful you have such a darling grandson! I can't imagine how our grands would miss their grandpa. Hugs to you dear friend.

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  35. Yay for helpers and lovely little ones in your life. Love your video too!

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  36. The "busy bug" has bitten again, so I am catching up. A bit envious of my friends who managed to get their decor up right after Thanksgiving. Love your lights and really love that helper you found to gather your branches! :) The hot chocolate center is a wonderful idea. I may borrow that for our church meeting at our house tomorrow night!

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