Thanksgiving is Coming!

My crochet blogging buddy, Christina, over at Crafty Christina, found this Thanksgiving Meme. I liked it so much, I decided I wanted to play too.


1. Which do you like better: Cooking at your house, or going elsewhere?
I like cooking at home best. I enjoy the special holiday dinner at home with my honey.

2. Do you buy a fresh or frozen bird?
The last couple of years we’ve gotten a fresh heirloom turkey. The first year it was really good and last year we were a little disappointed and they are really expensive. So, this year we are going back to frozen -- thinking a cajun smoked turkey sounds delicious.

3. What kind of stuffing?
Cornbread stuffing like Granny’s. Although, I saw a recipe recently with apples I’d like to try. Wonder where I put it? !!!!

4. Sweet potato or pumpkin pie?
How about pumpkin cheesecake?!!!

5. Do you believe that turkey leftovers are a curse, or the point of the whole thing?
I love turkey leftovers. I'll eat them for days until they're all done.

6. Which side dish would provoke a riot if you left it off the menu?
Bourbon sweet potatoes

7. Do you save the carcass to make soup or stock?
You bet!

8. What do you wish you had that would make preparing Thanksgiving dinner easier?
I think after all these years, I’ve got it figured out! I don’t need anything.

9. Do you get up at the crack of dawn to have dinner ready in the early afternoon, or do you eat at your normal dinner hour?
We usually eat mid afternoon. I’m normally not a crack of dawn person. I’m not fixing a huge turkey either and the smoked turkey really only needs a good warming.

10. If you go to somebody else's house, what's your favorite dish to bring?
Pumpkin cheesecake or apple pie

11. What do you wish one of your guests wouldn't bring to your house?
I’m always pleased that folks are thoughtful enough to bring a little something even if it isn’t eatable!

12. Does your usual mix of guests result in drama, or is it a group you're happy to see?
A group I’m happy to see.

13. What's your absolute favorite thing on the menu?
The turkey!

14. What are you thankful for this year?
I’m thankful that the love of my life, my best friend is sharing Thanksgiving with me. I’m thankful for my sista’s (love you Lucy and Mar). I’m thankful for another day on Mother Earth.

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I found the recipe I mentioned above. It is from an email I received from Gooseberry Patch. It sounded good to me, so I thought I'd share. (I'm not a fan of bouillon -- too salty and would probably try some good chicken broth instead).

Granny's Apple Dressing
(From Gooseberry Patch Cookbook Autumn With Family & Friends)

1 1/2 c. onion, chopped
2 c. celery, sliced
1/2 c. butter
1 3/4 c. water
3 cubes chicken bouillon
12 c. dried bread cubes
3 c. tart apples, cored, peeled and coarsely chopped
Optional: 1 c. toasted slivered almonds
2 t. poultry seasoning
1 t. dried parsley
1/4 t. dried sage

In a skillet over medium heat, cook onion and celery in butter until tender. Add water and bouillon, cook until boiling and bouillon dissolves. Combine remaining ingredients in a large bowl; add onion mixture and mix well. Place in a greased 4-quart casserole dish. Bake, uncovered, at 350 degrees for 30 minutes, or until heated through. Makes about 2 1/2 quarts or 8 to 10 servings.

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I want to let you know that I will be hitting and missing in Blogland for awhile. Mr. Dragon has some very serious medical problems that we will begin to deal with in the coming days. Please know that visiting you is a great comfort to me and a nice break from all that is going on now for us. I think of my blog friends often and appreciate you more than you know. Please keep us in mind in your prayers and good thoughts. I'll try to blog as much as I can. Promise.

Meanwhile, Joy To You!

I hope this weekend is a beautiful one for you.

This and That

I'm posting early again. Busy Monday morning, but I can't leave you without some Monday Mullings!




I was presented with the MeME award by Barbara over at A Bird In My Hand. Barbara is a writer, mother, sister, new blogger and just plan fun. Go visit her and say HI! And, Barbara, thank you again. I hadn’t decided what I was going to write about today. You made my decision for me!

I’m supposed to mention seven things you may or may not know about me and then pass the award along to seven other blogs of my choice. I worked on this list all weekend and only came up with six things!

1. I’m an only child. My parents were not young when I came along and I’m sure I was a surprise. Poor things. Looking back, I don’t think they ever quite knew what to do with me! That meant that I learned a lot about what was acceptable and not, by watching other kids and their families. My birthday gifts and holiday gifts were what my cousin received. She was 5 years older and so the gifts were not age appropriate. One of my grandmothers would take me shopping and was very good about buying me a stuffed lovie. Something I COULD play with!

2. I had singing and dancing lessons from a very early age. It got me out from under foot! When I was five, I was on television in Dallas. That was when televisions were small and black and white. (Remember those?) I don’t remember much about it except that the dress I was wearing was very scratchy and I think it was green with tiny white polka dots. I had on my patent leather shoes and white socks with lace around the cuffs. Dressed to the nines for my singing debut on television! Let’s see: “How Much is That Doggy in the Window?” and “Five Foot Two, Eyes of Blue (Has Anybody Seen My Gal)”. I also took gym classes. I enjoyed them, I think! I gave up singing at university, something I am now sorry I did. Singing is good for you. Increases lung capacity!

3. I love Kool-Aid. My mother saved S&H Green Stamps, saved the coupons off of General Mills and other things. She ordered a Kool-Aid pitcher. It was plastic and had the Kool-Aid man on it. I loved it. The mascot of Kool-Aid, Kool-Aid Man is a large anthropomorphic frosty pitcher filled with Kool-Aid (usually cherry, though other flavors have been used). He was introduced in Kool-Aid advertising shortly after General Foods acquired the brand (according to Wikipedia). Now, when I get a grape urge, I buy one packet and make a pitcher full of Kool Aid. It doesn’t happen often, but when it does, its FUN!

4. I graduated from the University of New Mexico and worked to pay my way. It took me five years, but I did it! Later I went back and did some graduate work.

5. Mr. Dragon and I, while we lived in New Mexico, were part of a balloon crew. I had my first hot air balloon ride in Taos, New Mexico. It was spectacular. It was so calm, peaceful (except for the burner blast). I was hooked. The landings could be a little rough -- depending on the winds. The balloon pilot was someone I worked with. We became part of her crew and to this day count her as one of our very best friends. None of us fly balloons anymore.

6. I was THE llama lady at Moody Gardens when they had a petting zoo. School kids from Galveston would come and we’d introduce them to pigs, sheep, snakes, guinea pigs (they made me itch), turtles, chinchillas, some other small animals and the llama. I had been off for awhile (I was a professional volunteer and got too busy with other things). I received a phone call saying would I please come in and see what was wrong with the llama. Seems he had started to spit. I went in and right away had a good idea what was wrong. They had moved him into a smaller stall and he was mad. I would have been mad too if my living quarters had been changed from the suite to the efficiency. Once we changed that around and I started walking and talking to him everyday, he was fine. Moody Gardens quickly outgrew the petting zoo and it was closed. The llama went to a farm with other llamas.

Passing on the award is always the most difficult part. Everyone deserves to be special. So, if you are one of my followers, and you need a lift today or you just feel like playing along - grab yourself the MeME award and tell us a little about yourself!

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I’m making a list of Snap’s Rules. I started writing them down because I forgot them almost as soon as I thought “that should be a rule”. So, every now and then, I’ll throw some out. Here are the first two:

Rule #1: When having guests over for dinner, any fancy new golfing equipment should be removed from the dining room table.

Rule #2: I love bubbles. You know, the kind that come in the jar with the little wand and you dip and blow and there go the bubbles. Or, you can dip into the jar and swing around and around holding the wand out from your body making bubbles. I also enjoy blowing bubbles (chewing gum type) and I think Double Bubble makes the best kind. Bubbles make you laugh. They make you joyful. They loosen you up. They remind you of what it was like to be a kid and that’s not bad. (Bath bubbles are pretty good, too.) Add bubbles to your life.

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Better Homes and Gardens is getting ready for their free 100 Days of Holidays e-newsletter (YIKES). Starting September 24, you’ll get “daily inspiration with scrumptious recipes, festive decorating ideas, easy entertaining tips and more”. You can sign up here: BHG.com/100days

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One last thing. You have to go visit Ashley Anna Brown and her Fern animals. All I can say is HOW CUTE ARE THEY?!!!

A little something to remind you of childhood!

I am thankful for another day on beautiful Mother Earth.

Joy to You!

My World Tuesday 1

My World Tuesday is a new meme for me.
For more information you can go here.

All of these pictures were taken by Mr. Dragon.
Welcome to the Glassell School.
The art school attached to the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston.

The sculpture garden is next to the Glassell School and across the street from the Museum of Fine Arts.

Enjoy the Garden!

This sculpture moves in the wind.

One of my favorites -- running man.

Thanks for visiting.

If you were looking for Blog of the Week.
I'm taking a week off. It's harder than it looks to find that one special blog!

Have a wonderful Tuesday.
Joy To You!