Thursday, November 19, 2015

A Productive Thursday!!

I have a list a mile long!! THREE in fact!


But I took a break from all my chores and did a little bit of arts and crafts today!
The designs didn't photograph well, partly because I dropped some silver glitter into most of the balls. Still, I made simple tree shapes or Merry Christmas 2015 using craft Tulip Slick deminsional paint. Easy peasy! Now I have a dozen ornaments to share with friends and family at Thanksgiving Dinner in Fort Worth.


I have a LOT to do in the next 2 days! Who DOESN'T??? It IS the week before Thanksgiving!


Still, I take breaks here and there! I do love Facebook!
I do NOT follow anything or anyone controversial and have purposely made Facebook a safe and friendly place to spend a few minutes catching up with family and friends. I love the recipes and craft ideas and finding our what 'my people' are doing!


I will adapt the recipe given by making Kettle Korn and adding green food coloring and then tossing in the M&M's and leaving out the mini marshmallows.
Louis Dean LOVES 'How the Grinch Stole Christmas' and reads it to the quads every year - even when they were preemie little babies!! He and his second grade class put on a Grinch Christmas play long years ago and he can STILL quote the entire book verbatim!!


Then there was this recipe!!!

Roasted Brussels Sprouts, Cinnamon Butternut Squash, Pecans, and Cranberries – this easy Thanksgiving side dish is not only delicious and bursting with Fall and Holiday flavors (cinnamon, maple syrup), it’s also healthy, gluten free, vegetarian, and packed with fiber!
Ingredients
Roasted Brussels Sprouts:
3 cups Brussels sprouts, ends trimmed, yellow leaves removed
3 tablespoons olive oil
Salt, to taste
Roasted Butternut Squash:
1 and ½ pound butternut squash, peeled, seeded, and cubed into 1-inch cubes (Yields about 4 cups of uncooked cubed butternut squash)
2 tablespoons olive oil
3 tablespoons maple syrup
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
Other Ingredients:
2 cups pecan halves
1 cup dried cranberries
2-4 tablespoons maple syrup (optional)
Instructions
Roasted Brussels sprouts:
Preheat oven to 400 F. Preheat oven to 400 F. Lightly grease the foil-lined baking sheet with 1 tablespoon of olive oil.
Make sure Brussels sprouts have trimmed ends and yellow leaves are removed. Then, slice all Brussels sprouts in half. In a medium bowl, combine halved Brussels sprouts, 2 tablespoons of olive oil, salt (to taste), and toss to combine. Place onto a foil-lined baking sheet, cut side down, and roast in the oven at 400 F for about 20-25 minutes. During the last 5-10 minutes of roasting, turn them over for even browning, the cut sides should be nicely and partially charred but not blackened.
Roasted butternut squash:
Preheat oven to 400 F. Lightly grease the foil-lined baking sheet with 1 tablespoon of olive oil.
In a medium bowl, combine cubed butternut squash (peeled and seeded),1 tablespoon of olive oil, maple syrup, and cinnamon, and toss to mix.
Place butternut squash in a single layer on the baking sheet. Bake for 20-25 minutes, turning once half-way through baking, until softened.
_Note:_You can roast both Brussels sprouts and butternut squash on 2 separate baking sheets at the same time, on the same rack in the oven – that’s what I did.
Assembly:
In a large bowl, combine roasted Brussels sprouts, roasted butternut squash, pecans, and cranberries, and mix to combine. (OPTIONAL): For more sweetness, add 2 or 4 tablespoons of maple syrup, if desired – do not add all maple syrup at once, start with 2 tablespoons, then add more, if desired, and toss with the salad ingredients to combine.
I am hoping THIS is what Summer was talking about when we spoke this afternoon as to what we are taking to an early Family Thanksgiving Dinner at Amber's on Saturday!


A priority on my To Do List is the denim quilt for Lummi. She is Jutta's granddaughter.
I am all but finished! I lack SIX of the ribbon roses and I shall buy them tomorrow!


I tied the quilt using pink ribbon and green embroidery thread.
The silk ribbon looked like it woul UNTIE despite the fact I knotted it three times!
That's when I decided to sew pink ribbon roses in the middle of the ties!

I am thinking and praying for Jutta tonight.
She made plans to come to Texas way back in June. 
Since then her son in law, Peter, was diagnosed with cancer.
She has been with him through the first three chemo treatments but his fourth was yesterday and it did not go as planned. Naturally she is beside herself with concern! It is hard to be on 'vacation' when your heart is heavy for a loved one going through so much and is over 6,000 miles away.


We accomplished a lot today!!
The side decks are being cleaned slowly but surely - a little more each day.
I'm buying several gallons of bleach tomorrow to clean up the stone patio and part of the wooden deck. At least the whole area is usable once again!


Since I am going to be walking on the beach in Galveston with my friend, Jutta, soon I thought a pedicure was in order! I also got a massage as I felt as if I was winding up tighter and tighter each day! So it WAS a productive Thursday and I feel confident that I can accomplish everything on my lists in good time. That leaves this evening to kick back and enjoy some down time!!

Remember!!! We must all pace ourselves!
 We want to ENJOY this Thanksgiving week!!!



18 comments:

  1. You get so much done every day! Cute ornaments you are always so thoughtful

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  2. You are so wonderful at sharing great craft ideas and recipes...Thanks!

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  3. It may be cliché, but you are always busy as a bee!!!

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  4. Tis the season for lists!! Lol i really like brussels sprouts....perhaps i will try that one. Glad you accomplished so much.....and also that you gave yourself a little treat!

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  5. Beautiful toes! I am adding my prayers to yours for Jutta's son-in-law. That is a tough situation. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving at Amber's! How many Thanksgivings are planned this year? Wise advice for us all...pace yourselves...breathe, rest, eat, pray, love. (When I looked over at "Got a Minute or Two," I thought that was a photo of Louis Dean!)

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  6. Good morning! I SOO enjoyed this as always. Goodness you are soo right. Tis the season for busy busy! Hhmmm brussel sprouts? Sounds good. I have never had a professional message but honestly I am sure it's wonderful. I enjoyed just having my legs and feet done yesterday when I got a pedicure so in fact I KNOW I'd love it, lol. How right you are though...in the midst of our "busy" we do need to remember to pace ourselves....break, rest, relax, pray.....Wishing you and LD a wonderful thanksgiving! Hugs to you!

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  7. Love those pretty ornaments. I am trying to pace myself this year as well. It really helps to enjoy the holidays more! And that quilt looks so soft, I am sure it will be treasured. I sat up late last night cross stitching. Sometimes I get on a roll and I just cannot stop!! But it sure feels good to finish a project. Love those pretty toenails!

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  8. Linda, I loved the quilt. You are so quick with making things. The ornaments are cute. Your food always looks tasty. Hope you have a wonderful Friday. Don't forget to rest along with LD once in a while. :) Blessings, Love you, Susie

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  9. That outside picture is beautiful! The quilt will be a big hit for sure...have a great time when you go.

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  10. the only thing on my to do list is what you are doing in the last photo, lots of that and minus the pedicure... you are maybe the busiest person i know in blog land. can't think of a busier person... and you enjoy it, that is the best part of it all

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  11. What a busy day!! That brussel sprout recipes... I'm am going to try!!

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  12. You have done so much in one day! I wanted some roasted brussel sprouts!

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  13. The quilt for Jutta's granddaughter is beautiful . Each Chemo session , depending on the strength of medicine will get a little worse each time. It's extremely hard to watch a love one go through it . You wonder if the cure is worse than the disease. But if this is the only way to cure, it is so worth it.

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  14. You are doing a great job on your decks. It's so pretty with the lights. I am sorry for Jutta's son in law and will add my prayers on his behalf. The quilt for her granddaughter is looking great! I think the pink rosettes with the denim is sweet!

    You are all set with that pedicure! Enjoy your time with your friend!

    Deanna

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  15. I agree: Pace yourself. Although your pace is fast. ;) You get a lot done in a day.

    Happy Thanksgiving to you. I know it's early.

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  16. Pacing myself is something I have a VERY hard time with. I need to slow things down and ENJOY more!!! Thanks for the reminder.

    A pedicure and a massage? I would have thought I had died and went to heaven. I'm thinking a massage might do me some good. Do you know I've never had one. I know, sad isn't it?

    Things are looking good around your place. Those ornaments are cute. I also pinned that Grinch recipe on my Pinterest board. I think my kids would really enjoy it!

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  17. Love your ornaments. You are so talented

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