Thanksgiving thoughts

As Thanksgiving 2024 nears, I can’t help but feel gratitude for all I have.  So many blessings that came my way this year.  Thanksgiving is a holiday to reflect and be thankful for all blessings small and large. I know I am going to take the opportunity to express gratitude and love for all we have.

Thanksgiving is a time that we come together with friends and family to celebrate.  It’s about gratitude and appreciation. Thanksgiving is the special day of the year for us to honor and show gratitude for family, friends, and all we are blessed with each and every day. 

One of our favorite things to do on Thanksgiving is sharing memories, looking at photos and saying prayers for our loved ones here as well as ones that have passed. We have no guarantees in this life from one year to the next.  As we sit around the table with our loved ones we don’t know what may happen this coming year.  We may not have the same people with us next year. I sure don’t want missed opportunities, lost conversations or photo opportunities to pass me by.  As I get older time with family, friends are so important to me. 

This year I know I am going to laugh a little harder, listen more actively and take as many photos as I can. I am going to embrace this Thanksgiving holiday with all I have.  Am looking to make new memories during this holiday season.

 

Happy Halloween

This Halloween is different with Kyndall and parents are in a different state.  But was great full that they sent me pictures of them enjoying their Halloween.  Kyndall was a pretty pirate. 

My heart is full that Trevor is able to be with Mellissa and Kyndall.  Am proud of their growing family. We should have baby boy January 2025. 

Lane is cat boy, Landon is gekko, Kennedy is a princess.  Kennedy is daughter of our daughter’s best friend.  

Grandpa and our grandsons.  We were so glad they came over to get their treats tonight.   

Hope everyone had a safe Halloween.  Enjoy all the sweet treats received from trick or treating. 

“Don’t have a cup of coffee this Halloween. Have a cauldron of coffee instead.”

 

Beginning new Christmas DIY project

When my nephew Dylan brought me these wooden boxes from his workplace, a liquor distribution warehouse, I was touched by his thoughtfulness. The boxes are sturdy and well crafted, made from thick wood that exudes durability. The wine logo on the sides as a touch of sophistication. Earlier, I had asked Dylan for six boxes. I am going to use one box for each of our children.  Then I needed one box for the engine. 

My first instinct was to paint them in festive colors, but I decided to preserve their original state by using wrap paper instead. I have chosen red, green, gold and silver, wrapping paper for the boxes, and I’m still deciding on the design for the engine. I may go for black wrapping paper to give it a sleek look. as I explore more ideals, I am excited to see how this DIY Christmas train will come together. So far, I have wrapped one box, and I am confident that with Tom, it will be a holiday decoration that will be cherished for years to come. 

 

Ground beef stew for dinner

We got up early today to put our beef stew in slow cooker. Didn’t take us long to brown the hamburger meat and dice the potatoes.  We added diced onions, tomato sauce, can corn, carrots, green beans and rotel. Don’t forget the salt and pepper to taste. 

Mr. C had to babysit the grandsons today while I was at work.  So this seemed like an easy meal for us to have tonight.  I really enjoy dumping ingredients and letting it cook during the day.  

We ended up having to put it on stove to get the potatoes done.  Our slow cooker on low didn’t get the potatoes done.  We cooked it for another 15 minutes then it was good to go. 

Do you have any favorite recipes you’d like to share with me? I am always looking for different recipes to try.  Some are hit and miss.  Talk to you soon! 

 

Fall decorated cubicle on budget

It’s time to decorate my work cubicle at the call center. I liked how my colleague decorated her desk with a plaid fall backdrop.  It really made her decor pop and I knew that was what I needed on my desk as well.  Of course I didn’t go with the very same backdrop but one that was more brighter.  Then I bought these flags and hung them up as well. The pumpkin garland was a big hit also. 

So these items was all from Dollar General.  

Fall tablecloth $1.00

Garland was $5.00

Flags was $1.00 x2

I plan on keeping up till after Thanksgiving.  Then will need to figure out Christmas decorations for my cubicle.  Not everyone decorates their cubicles but I really enjoy the personalized look I give my desk area.  Am glad our company does let us decorate as long as it’s in good taste. 

 

Jonathan 30 birthday

We had a surprise birthday party for Jonathan at Pizza Hut in Chickasha Okla.  Elizabeth and Charles did a great job on decorating.  Jonathan and Alisha is really into golf these days. The birthday cake was perfect.

The birthday party was very small and intimate. Elizabeth and Charles, Mr.C. And I, Brody, Savannah, Lane and Landon, Alisha and Jonathan.

We had an enjoyable evening visiting with everyone. 

Here’s me and my funny man all matching. 

Lane wearing his woody hat.  He is a firecracker for sure. When he heard us singing Happy Birthday he ran right over to the cake.  He had been wanting the cake all evening. 

 

Year journal

I bought this blank mixed media journal for my ramblings starting today till I get it filled in with whatever comes to my mind.  I hope to doddle, write entries, glue in family pictures, do some art journaling. Just document from today going forward. 

So you may be wondering why I decided to get this journal in place.  Let me say that I seen my friend Moira post about her completed personal journal that she has been working on this past year.  I have not ever committed to a year long journal.  So I didn’t want to wait till first of 2025 to start on it, so here we go.  

The cover really drew my eye.  It will go into my work bag so if I have time I can work on it at work if I have time. I am truly excited to start this journal. 

I really enjoy pasting in magazine pictures.  So hope to find some cool articles as well.  Although I also know I will be placing recipes in my book as well.  As many of you know I enjoy trying new recipes to me.  That be said They need to be fairly easy.  I have never been one who wanted to be domesticated but yet here I am.  Am learning that cooking/baking doesn’t have to be complicated to be good. 

Anyways I am super ready to start filling in the blank pages with all kinds of randomness. Hopefully I will keep you updated with my journal. 

Have a beautiful day and be well. 

 

Cowboy cornbread recipe

These are my ingredients I used.

Browned my hamburger meat with my chopped onions, with salt and pepper.

Folded rest into cornbread mix. Poured into a 9x13 casserole dish.  

Completed casserole.  It was very yummy!

Ingredients 

Two packages of cornbread mix. (I used Jiffy brand)

1.5 pounds of ground beef

One can rotel undrained 

One can whole kernel corn Drained

One can ranch style beans with jalapeños undrained

1 1/2 cups of shredded cheese (I Used fiesta blend)

One chopped onion

One package of taco seasoning

Directions

Mix cornbread, according to package directions, then set aside

Preheat oven to 425

Brown ground beef with chopped onion, drain off the fat

Add taco seasoning, rotel, Ranch style beans, Corn. Simmer for five minutes. Stir in the cheese.

Stir the mixture into the corn bread mixture then pour into a non-by 13 greased casserole dish.

Bake approximately 25 to 30 minutes until toothpick comes out clean.

Can top with more cheese, Sour cream, Salsa or whatever you desire.  

 

Employee appreciation week

The theme this year is adventure awaits.  I do like the way the break room looks with the decorations. Am glad they did think about us.

Normally not many coworkers use the break room for lunch.  They run and grab fast food or if they live close enough they go home to eat.  I tend to eat in here every work day.

Our managers and director supplied nachos for us today.  Everyone seemed to enjoy the nacho’s. 

Chili cheese nachos anyone? Yes please! 

Am glad to see they bought plenty for us workers!

So yes I was glad they provided lunch for us this year. In years past they catered three meals for us. Plus coffee from Viridian coffee shop.  Plus tshirts, small trinkets, branded items with our logo on items such as tumblers.  This business makes millions of dollars and could not even take money to do anything for us.  That is irritating to me.  Our managers paid for the lunch themselves.  Why does corporate think we would not notice or care?  We are out here making them money and they think so less of us. This is just how I feel.  

At the end of the day I am grateful that I work here, I have great insurance and benefits.  I love helping our members with their issues.  So I will overlook that corporate just don’t care about us and literally only care about their money at the end of the day.  They have done better but this year it was a bust. 

 

Fall porch decorations.

With fall arriving I had decided I had to make my porch pop with some color.  I love my little bench and it was needing something on it. Cherrie and I stopped in Michael’s to shop.  They had fall decorations on sale for 50% off.  I couldn’t resist buying a few items.  Absolutely love how the bench looks. 

This area looks great.  I am looking for a tall sign that says welcome or something similar.  I also need an outdoor rug for this area.  We really need to repaint our porch to give it an updated appearance. 

I am so ready to embrace this fall.  I can’t remember being as excited for the fall season to be here as I am this year.  

 

A yard decorated for Halloween

Cherrie and I was headed back to Marlow Oklahoma on back roads from Norman, Oklahoma. When we came across this decorated yard. I turned around so I could take a few pictures. 

Love the creativity that others share with us. 

The headless horseman was so cool to see. The owners did such a wonderful job on their outside decorations. Makes me wonder if they do the same inside the house? 

Have you seen any cool outside decorations this year.  

 

Slow cooker, chicken pot pie soup

 

With the fall season upon us who doesn’t like a quick easy crockpot meal? I have seen this recipe on Facebook for a while now and decided I’m going to make it this weekend. 

              *Ingredients*

Two large boneless skinless chicken breast

One can peas

One can whole corn

One cup chopped carrots

One celery stock, chopped

Two medium potatoes, peeled and diced

One small onion diced

4 ounces of cream cheese (room temperature)

4 cups of chicken broth

One tablespoon of chicken bouillon

2 cups of heavy cream

One tube of biscuit dough

Two cans of cream of chicken soup

                 *Directions*

And your slow cooker, combined chicken, peas, corn, carrots, celery, potatoes, cream cheese, chicken broth, chicken, bouillon. Cover and cook on low 4 to 6 hours.

About 30 minutes before serving shredded chicken with two forks and string, heavy cream and salt and pepper to taste.

Biscuits according to package directions

Serve with biscuit on top.  

Chicken breast in bottom of crockpot. Did spray with pam for help with cleanup.

These are the ingredients I used to make the chicken pot pie. 

Food Truck Championship

 This is the 7th Annual Oklahoma Food Truck Championship.  It is held in Chickasha Oklahoma in the historic downtown.  This year 37 different food trucks will be competing for the $10,000 dollar prize. 

My coworker/friend Mindy went with me.  We had so much fun walking and listening to the DJ.  1pm bands will start playing on the main stage. 

I can’t turn down a  muffuletta sandwich.  It was so good. I thought it was as good as the ones I have enjoyed in New Orleans.  I will keep The Bayou in mind and will frequent it when I can. 

I only bought a half of the muffuletta and it was more than enough for me.  I took this half  home for later.   Their line was very busy.  

How cute is this display?  It was promoting Squatchmoes BBQ.  They are located in Oklahoma City but looks like they go to many different locations in Oklahoma and Kansas

Their set up and display and truck was unique.  As I was doing some research seems like they are closing up for good in October.  What a shame.

Am doing some people watching and listening to some old school music from the DJ.  I absolutely love food trucks.  This was my second year to attend.  You can bet I will show up next year as well. 

Much better of the entire set up without people in the way!

Going to the Circus

In 1985 Robert Johnson, Jim Herbert and Curtis Cainan started a small show. The three alternated announcing, performing and selling concessions during each performance for the 1st year. They were based in Queen Creek, Arizona until 2001.  Then the new ownership moved its base of operations to Hugo Oklahoma. Hugo is known as “Circus City, USA for a good reason. It’s the 3rd active circus currently operating from the seat of Choctaw County. 

Brooks and Nana ready to watch the circus.  He is super excited to see the circus. Everything he seen he wanted to do. He wanted to do the huge inflatable slide, face painting and the horses that go in circles.  Then of course he wanted all the circus food.  He ended up being happy with a snow cone and popcorn. 

Jessica and Hattie and I enjoying the circus. 

My oldest son Blake and I.  

Hattie is our little dancer. She is in dance class and is loving it. She was moving to the fun circus music.

Sweet Kyndall and Brooks.  We were watching Leo the clown entertain us while waiting on the Circus to start. The vendors keep going around selling souvenirs and Circus food.  I did give Kyndall and Brooks down to get two bags of peanuts.  A circus isn’t complete without peanuts! 

Simone Key hanging by her hair and doing her act. I’d be in tears as I am so tender headed. She did a amazing act that was spell binding.

The Loyal family doing their horseback riding act was fun to watch. The circus is 90 minutes in length.  Brooks and Kyndall enjoyed the performers and the lion and tiger acts.

I took this picture of the truck because I was curious where the circus was located. I shouldn’t have been surprised that they were located in Hugo Oklahoma. 

The crowd came early to enjoy the face painting and inflatables as well as the horse ride.  Most everyone grabbed circus food before entering the big top.  Brooks really wanted a souvenir at the start of the circus, he finally got the light up spin toy he wanted during intermission.  

They sit the big top up in the field of Eddie Palmer ball field. The same field my boys played ball on while they were in school. 

After the last show at 7:30 pm the circus was gone as quickly as it arrived.  The workers work as a well oiled unit and get it broke down extremely fast. 

So as I was doing research on this particular circus I came across a few fun facts that intrigued me. 

In English a circus can be: 

1. A traveling company of performers that may include acrobats, clowns, trained animals, and other novelty acts, that give shows usually in a circular tent

2. A spectacle; a noisy fuss

3. The modern circus was invented in London by trick horse-rider Philip Astley back in 1768

4. “Bello” is the famous clown from Ringling Bros. & Barnum & Bailey Circus

5. What is the first Circus ever?  Circus Maximus

6. The oldest form of Circus entertainment would be juggling. 

If you get a chance go see a traveling Circus. Watching the joy on my grandchildren’s faces made me so happy.  Was a pretty inexpensive experience for me to add to my memories.