Tuesday, December 15, 2020

Taco Soup Tuesday With my Sister Luann!

 I couldn't find my Taco Soup recipe from my sister, Nita.....
even though I looked through all those recipe boxes lined up on top of my stove.
AND I looked in a big clear envelope thing that holds more recipes. AND I looked in two wooden recipe boxes at the end of my kitchen counter.


But I made the soup anyway, by relying on my memory.
I wanted to make a LOT so I would have plenty to SHARE!
And so I did!


Because my sister, Luann, was coming - I baked a cake!
I found a recipe card I had written out no telling how long ago and it said 'Pot Luck Banana Cake' while I was looking through all those boxes yesterday. Since I had ripe bananas and all the other ingredients - I made it! It was in the oven when my sister arrived.


Look what she gave me!
She found this in an antique shop and I absolutely love it.
A clear glass mannequin half full of perfume with a tape measure and a cluster of flowers.
So unique.

We had a good visit over lunch and I confessed to having felt a little blue the last several days and she said,"That's okay, Sis! I am a Grief Counselor!" And she really and truly is! She went to a good bit of training and now volunteers at an organization. Having a grief counselor is a good person to have in the family - any family - these days!

We had lunch at the dining room table and I forgot to take pictures.
But I remembered to take some selfies before she left.
I took over a dozen!
If I looked good - she had her eyes closed.
If she looked goood - I didn't!
So I took the best three and edited them!


#1


#2


#3

Luann left to get home before traffic and Louis Dean and I headed out to do some errands before dark!
I unloaded a trunk full at Goodwill and only came out with a small bag.
I forgot to take a picture but it was a salt and pepper shaker in a holder that matches some bowls and plates I have. It's a grape theme and very pretty so  I will be using this after the holidays.

We took Taco Soup, Caramels, and Banana Cake and Texas Trash to a few friends who are either staying in due to Covid - as in Kimmy and June - and Val who is recovering from knee replacement surgery. She is a rock star and doing extremely well! Then one more friend to give Texas Trash and caramels. I did stop at Home Depot in South Irving and paid regular price for two boxes of warm white LED lights - pricey at $20 for both boxes.
After we dropped off Kimmy and June's bag, I stopped at a Family Dollar and bought a case each of 50 count white lights with green wire and and 100 count. I can already tell there will be no after Christmas shopping for me this year. It will all be gone!

So today has been a good day.
We are very concerned about Lonnie. They are running a lot of tests so he is still in serious condition. No news on Amber and Mike.....Day #4 waiting for test results.
In other news, some of our cousins have tested positive and have symptoms.
Praying they have mild cases......


With all the worrisome things on our minds at this time of year.....I am trying to concentrate on the positive. Things that bring comfort and 'tidings of joy.'
Like re-reading all my favorite Christmas books.
Browsing through the old Better Homes and Garden or Southern Living Christmas cook books.


Even the pictures are comforting to me.
And I love the I Spy books.


I've had so many of these for so many years.


I went through all my Christmas books a few years ago and gave some of them to family.


The Little Drummer Boy is my favorite Christmas song and I love this little book.


We have been reading out loud a Duck Dynasty book - which is really good.
Sadie - the daughter of Willy and Korrie - spoke at Fellowship Church a few weeks ago.
But we decided to take a break and re-read this Once Upon a Christmas Time.

I refuse to watch the news and I have edited my Facebook, Yahoo and Google feeds to the point that the only news stories that show up are about Chip and Joanna Gaines, Kitten stories and a Seattle family tucking two shipping containers inside their 1950s home.
Louis Dean still watches Fox Business but mutes it when I come in the room. 
Smart guy.

"......whatsover things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of a good report, if there be any praise, think on these things."
Phillippians 4:8

So that's what I am going to do!





21 comments:

Linda said...

I'll be the first to comment so that I can get all of YOURS in my email!!! And I do so love reading them!

Bluebird49 said...

Beautiful, warm pictures! I've ot to tell you--I was thinking of our text, and I wasn't in the hospital---but I was at the ER for 5 hours one weekend! So you were not confused, Sweetpea! They say confusion is a symptom of Covid-19--and I had all of them. I'm still fatigued and and shortwinded, but better. Now Ed's gall bladder is flaring up and he's got a fever and cold symptoms. He's feeling terrible--so we both could use your prayers now! Still praying Mike, Amber and Lonnie!
I'm so glad you've felt like doing so much and having Luanne over! And feel better about not being confused! It confused me because I wasn't in the hospital, but at the ER! Just wanted you to know your mind is fine! <3
Love you!

Ginny Hartzler said...

Yes, most of the news is bleak. But you do need to watch just enough to stay safe. So glad you had such a good day! Your food looks delicious!

Blondie's Journal said...

I don't know how you do it, Linda. You are a whirling dervish yet you find time to relax and browse magazines! Sending all my love and prayers for your family and please, take care of yourself. Stay away from those stores! I have to admit I do my grocery shopping but thank Lord, they are spacious!!

Jane❤️

Changes in the wind said...

Can't imagine how thankful those people were who received your soup. That was so thoughtful of you and happy you enjoyed your lunch with Luann. You have quite a collection of books and many to choose from during the Christmas season. Glad you found some lights as I know they are important to you. Will continue to pray for Lonnie.

Cheech said...

This your friend in Tyler that you prayed for. I will always be grateful! I had a six month checkup yesterday and I got a good report... so thankful.Hardly remember Christmas last year. Thank you for my Christmas card...too cute!! Blessings to you and yours. Love, Renee Cordell

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

Your Texas trash always looks so good and you are so sweet to share with so many. It's a difficult time for so many. I'm thankful to have a nice home to stay in but I sure miss family. Love your selfies! holiday hugs!

MadSnapper said...

that may be the biggest pot of soup I have ever seen. so glad you could have your time with Luann and that is a beauitful gift. the photo 3 is my favorite. love all your books and I know you do to. i will send an email on how to make your comments come in your email. when it stops, you just go there and delete your email, save, add the email and save. that will fix it

I'm mostly known as 'MA' said...

That truly is a big pot of soup. So nice of you to share it and all the other stuff too. You do make the most of your time cheering others. It is always good to think upon good things, it makes us better people. Sharing good news brightens their lives and ours too. I'm sure you'll have a very blessed Christmas !

Vee said...

Your arrival with soup and trash and goodies must have been so welcome. You and Louis Dean were Christmas angels. Ongoing prayers for Lonnie. So was Luann able to help? I might need a tip. 😏

Arlene G said...

Sounds like we are of one mind regarding Facebook.. mine shows family and cross stitch! Love seeing you and Lou Ann, happy sisters. Hope they find out what is going on with Lonnie. Hugs and prayers! PS I may have to get out Redbird Christmas and re read it!

Jackie See said...

We still watch Mornings with Robin Meade because it is the only channel we can get news about people and the holidays. The rest are focusing on politics. One station say this. One station says that. Who do we believe when they are on opposite ends of any truth? Frustrating. Thank you for the wonderful card. Your words bring me comfort at a time when I feel lower than dirt. My daughter still will not speak to me and I have no word as to why. We are all still grieving Jason's death and this holiday with the family strife is difficult, every day, every hour. We know that in order to have joy, we must give joy away. So we have another party planned for Saturday night, lots of family is coming and the house will be filled with laughter. I am praying for Lonnie, that God will heal his sickness and send him home to be with his family for Christmas. We have had covid around here, mostly asymptomatic. Sending you big Christmas hugs! jackie

Suemn said...

I hope the doctors can help Lonnie!

Stacy said...

How wonderful to have a nice lunch with your sister! We aren't seeing much of anyone these days except for our daughter and her family since PA has shut down a lot of things again. My Bible study group did get together for our Christmas gathering last night. There are only 10 of us, so we were "technically" legal. I love your Christmas books. I have quite a few myself. I hadn't really thought to read them for myself (and my hubby would not appreciate having them read). I've been waiting for the grands to be old enough to want to sit and listen. I should rethink that and just enjoy them for me, I think! I don't think there will be much after Christmas shopping here, either. I was out the other day for a couple of gift bags and couldn't believe how totally wiped out all the stores are! Today I am cozied up and watching the snow fall...expecting 8-12 inches of the stuff!

Val said...

Praying for Lonnie. This is my first visit to your blog. My brother and sister in love have been in hospital with Covid. It is real and can be bad. Your soup looks great! I try to not watch the news too much either!!!

Brenda said...

Thank your for lovely card
I received two
2021 will be betterHoping for vaccine to be able to see family
Glad your daughter is isolating
300 million plus are gone in our country alone
Prayers

Brenda said...

P s
I love what one dear lady puta on her blog
While one generation is dying to extinction alone in hospitals, another generation is worrying about holiday dinners. So so true
Stay safe

Carole said...

Sending positive thoughts Lonnie's way. Have ordered the Little Drummer Boy from the library - hopefully it will be available before Christmas. stay safe... Cheers

photowannabe said...

I love your heart and your "Santa" spirit. Always giving to others, there will be many stars in your crown.
Love Sadie (Robertson) and her beautiful Christian look at life.

Sue

Anonymous said...

Your sister gifted you a treasure. The name on the glass is Schinaparelli for Elsa Schinaparelli born in Rome 1890 and died in France 1973. A famous clothes designer with an interesting history. Befiitting it found you!

Beatrice P. Boyd said...

So nice that you and your sister were able to spend time together, Linda, and I liked seeing the photo of you together. Best wishes for good health to return to your brother, Lonnie, and other family members and it will be the best "gift" for Christmas for you. I have been enjoyed rom-com holiday movies on Netflix and those from our personal holiday DVD collection. News reading for me is limited to 30 minutes in the a.m. and that's all.