While we meant to be partying with Dean and Sherry down at the ranch, we are enjoying a calm and quiet New Year's Eve right here at home.
Last night we slept under our electric blanket for the first time this season. I set it on High so it was nice and warm when we slid under the covers. We quickly lowered the setting so we would stay comfy through the night. And we did. So much so that we overslept and missed going to church. I have been waking up early for the last several weeks and didn't set the alarm. Oops!
This may have been for the best because the streets were iced over this morning and everyone knows that Texans simply cannot drive under icy conditions!
So we did our Bible readings and had coffee together in front of the fireplace in the den.
Then HE went on to watch hours and hours of football.
I stayed busy with puzzles and word games and reading. And feeding the fireplace.
I have our Bible Basket all ready for the first day of 2018. And I worked on a Chapman Family Monthly Budget for 2018. Everyone needs a budget and ours is just about done. It was time for a new one. Excel has several to offer and I found one that was 'Linda Friendly.'
It's been a cold day here in the DFW area!
I wanted to chill a bottle of bubbly for toasting at midnight so I just set it outside the kitchen door.
Louis Dean cooked black eyed peas in the pressure cooker this afternoon.
Last New Year's Day he was cooking them and the pressure cooker exploded!
That was quite a mess to clean up.
He promptly went out and bout THREE new pressure cookers - in varying sizes.
The peas turned out good. A tiny bit mushy.
I prefer to cook them the old fashioned way - on the stove where I can tell how done they are!
He added a couple of diced Jalapeno peppers I picked off our pepper plant yesterday.
We thought they were all gone but two remained!
I had other peppers I had picked and put in the fridge so I used them to stuff with cream cheese and wrap in bacon.
They are yummy!
I made up a batch of homemade cornbread and Louis Dean cut off a few slices of ham from the big picnic we will be cooking tomorrow. He baked them in the oven and - put it all together - it made for a wonderful New Year's Eve Supper.
Give this man cornbread and he is happy!!!
We will be watching Kennedy and Jesse Watters see in the new year in NYC.
The TV is on and I can hear it.
Louis Dean is in his music room practicing a song so I may take a quick hot shower before we both go back to the den and pour a toast to 2018!!!
Happy New Year from the Chapmans to YOU!!!!
Happy New Year, Linda!! I wish you joy & good health this year. Louis Dean seems to look younger each year! It is seven degrees right now! AND we have the electric blanket pre-heating the bed. Which we will turn down when we get in! Now I really want cornbread! You have changed your background! It is very pretty!
ReplyDeleteI was in the middle of knitting a baby sweater when we kissed and wished one another Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteDid Louis soak the peas at all? Have you heard about all the converts to Instant Pots, and the meals they cook in them? The peas and beans can be cooked without having to worry about it exploding--it's like a set and forget. I' m not sure about cooking whole meals in them, but YouTube has a lot of videos w/recipes, and there is a FB group of a million converts! If I was convinced about Ed eating meals from it, I'd try it. I used to pressure cook beef for stew and soup years ago.
They just do everything from oatmeal to pasta and on and on, from braising hamburger then adding pasta and spaghetti sauce and pressurized spaghetti --all done!
Hope you stay warm this week---next weekend is supposed to be just as cold for us as this one! Hope you can get to the ranch!
Happy New Year Linda and LD. Hugs and Love.
ReplyDeleteJoy
Texans really can't drive on ice, can they? Happy New Year Linda and LD. Hope 2018 is wonderful for you. Stay warm. It is really COLD!!!!
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year to the sweetest working-est couple I know. Stay warm down there. We got up this new years day to 30 below zero wind chills. I can not wait till it's above freezing , around 35-40 would really be so nice right now. Blessings, love you guys so much, xoxo, Susie
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year right back! In all fairness to Texas drivers, that road had not a lick of treatment...no salt, no sand, no kitty litter 🙃. I doubt a New England driver could have done any better. It always sounds so cozy at your house...
ReplyDeletei was telling bob about your exploding episode yesterday because his first wife exploded one when they were first married and he was telling tales of silly things she did. the food looks perfect, my peas are simmering now for lunch today. happy new year to all your family
ReplyDeleteWishing you both much happiness and joy in the new year ! Happy Happy New Year !
ReplyDeleteA very happy new year to you both.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year, Linda and Louis Dean!
ReplyDeleteMarvin is making Hoppin John today for his lunch. I will just have a sandwich as I am not a Hoppin John fan. I plan to put away Christmas and do some cleaning. It is 11 here this morning. BRRRR
ReplyDeleteAnd to you!
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year!
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year to y'all! :)
ReplyDeleteSounds like a perfect and quiet New Years Eve. Haven't used our electric blanket in years. In fact last night I was kicking the covers off and letting my feet feel cool air. That So. CA for you. Beautiful day for the Rose Parade. Great seats...in front of the TV. Haha. I made a big pot of Tortilla soup..will enjoy eating on it for a few days.
ReplyDeleteHAPPY NEW YEAR Linda...my gosh, I wish I had some of your cornbread!!!I hope your new year is going to be a beautiful one for you and your LD!
ReplyDeleteI hope your New Years Eve was a joyous one. I love that you two share so much of everyday life together. The food sounds good to me--- I had some little quiches last night and some leftover turkey and gravy. lol
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year to you and Louis Dean, Linda. xo Diana