One of my favorite quotes is “Silence is the best reply to a fool.” It is attributed to
Month: November 2024
First Snow of the Season
Thanksgiving Menu 2024
As I mentioned in my last post, I bought my turkey last weekend and today I remembered to take it out of the freezer to thaw. (It’s the little victories, right?) I enjoy cooking Thanksgiving dinner and truly, I do not find it to be a big deal. Cooking a turkey is just like roasting a big chicken, right? My mom often made turkey when I was a kid — not just at Thanksgiving — so I guess it just never seemed like a big thing to me. We have a small group — just 6 of us — so I suppose that certainly helps!
Here’s what I’m planning on making (and prices if the item was purchased and not in my pantry already):
- Stuffed celery (celery will purchase fresh, olives I have, block of Philly cream cheese $1.99)
- Cranberry brie bites (need to purchase brie & crescent roll dough)
- Roast turkey (11.5 lb bird — $5.52. Tops Market always does a great sale for Thanksgiving and frozen turkeys were .48/lb with any purchase of $25)
- Crab cakes (we have a pescatarian in the family — will buy these fresh next week, planning on 8 @ 1.25 each)
- Gravy
- Mashed potatoes (bought a 5-lb bag for $2.50; 1-lb butter for 3.99)
- Stuffing (mother-in-law brings this)
- Cranberry sauce (.99/can)
- Brussels sprouts ($1.99/lb) & Butternut squash ($3.87/3-lb squash) with cranberries (.99/12-oz bag), pecans, and maple syrup
- Green beans (will purchase fresh next week)
- Cole slaw (will purchase mix fresh next week)
- Sourdough bread (Jake will make this with ingredients on hand)
- Bumbleberry pie (purchased for a school fundraiser — I think $22?)
And I think that’s about it. We have ginger ale and Diet coke, too. And of course coffee for the dessert! My favorite part is a late-night turkey sandwich while watching TV — can’t wait for that!
Nope, Not Yet
Over the weekend I was driving into town to pick up my daughter and while searching through the radio stations, I landed on one that usually plays 80s and 90s rock, only to find that they are already playing Christmas music. It is absolutely everywhere (and let’s face it, has been since before Halloween) and I’m just not feeling it at all this year. Is anyone else having trouble?
I guess I am just finding it really hard to be in a celebratory mood with all the awful things currently happening (or, at least being talked about for next year). Plus, let’s be real here — the weather has been crazy. I think I’ve worn a jacket only once or twice so far this fall. We’re having a horrible drought on top of it, too (though some rain is forecasted for tomorrow night into Thursday). Not exactly the cozy weather that inspires holiday feelings.
I don’t know. I bought my Thanksgiving turkey on Sunday and I’m working on my menu. We’ll get the tree up next week. Maybe that will help get me in the spirit.
2024 Threw Us a Bone
OK, this is the news we needed today:
I am also thrilled to read that Everytown for Gun Safety will be advertising on it. He put those Sandy Hook parents through absolute hell. Kudos to The Onion! This gets funnier and funnier the more I think about it. Good things are still possible!
Weekend at our Cape Cod Cottage
Well, last week was rough, but we ended on a high note… my husband and I closed on a little vacation cottage at the Cape! After our vacation in August we just felt drawn to start looking up there and just when we were about to throw in the towel for a while, this little beauty showed up.
Isn’t she adorable? The funniest part is that the condo complex on the same street as the hotel we booked back in August! We are looking forward to spending as much time as possible out there. I’m originally from Massachusetts and that is where Drew and I met, so it kind of feels like coming full circle. Who knows? We may even end up out there permanently once all the kids are done with college.
We had fun shopping for some things for the cottage, enjoying a beautiful sunset, and figuring out where everything is (including the two libraries of course).
The timing could not have been more perfect. A weekend at the beach (literally down the street) was just what we needed. We are so looking forward to enjoying our little Cape Escape for years to come!
Grocery Price Tracker
Over the last few days I’ve had more than a few conversations with people who voted for him and many cited the price of groceries as a reason for compromising everything else they believe in. I’ve seen the grocery haul posts online — you know the ones “How are these 4 things $150?” Give me a break. We know they’re not.
I do all the shopping in our house. I know what things cost. I also know that I live in an expensive area of the country (New York), so I can spot a lie a mile away. I also know that the proposed economic policies are unlikely to bring down grocery costs in a meaningful way. I believe the opposite — over the next 12 months they will either rise or stay relatively flat.
But hey — I could be wrong! Unlike many people, I do not have a problem admitting when I am wrong. I am wrong all the time. I also enjoy proving people wrong, LOL. (Yes, I am petty like that). I love data. And I pretty much have a spreadsheet for everything. So I’ve decided to create one that I will update weekly and track the prices of items that I actually purchase on a regular basis. I am tracking the same exact items week to week, using the same stores/gas station to try to be as true as possible.
- Unleaded gas
- Eggs
- Milk
- Bread
- Coffee
Now, I recognize that prices may fluctuate during the week, especially with gas. And I may not be able to update prices on the same day every week. However, this is just my little pet project so I’m going to give myself a little grace and not worry about absolute perfection. The sheet will be publicly viewable here and I think I am going to add a feature to my sidebar tracking the changes. Let’s see what happens.
You know what? I’M BACK.
I’ve had so many thoughts spinning through my head in the last 36 hours. I’ve plotted out a number of crafts I want to make, patterns I want to hook or knit up, and — surprisingly, since I’ve barely written this year — dozens of blog post ideas. More than a few of those won’t see the light of day but you know what? I’m really tired of holding myself back on my own blog. I have every right to say what I want. You don’t like it? You don’t have to read and you are welcome to move on to other things. But in the words of Frank Costanza…
I’m back, baby!
This is my space. I pay for the hosting. I own the domain. And at this point I don’t really think there’s anyone reading, so who the hell cares? So I’m returning to how I originally blogged 20 years ago. I’m going to write about what I want, and sometimes that is going to cover social topics and political issues. I love the news. I love following politics. I have bachelor’s degrees in journalism and economics and poly sci classes were some of my favorite electives. And I’m tired of letting people who, frankly, know less have the mic while I take a back seat.
I’m not saying that this is turning into a political blog — that is not my intention at all. It’s always been an online journal for me and I will continue to share my projects, recipes, flower photos, and book suggestions. But I want to be authentic and true to myself. I will do so respectfully, and hopefully with humor. Hopefully you’ll stick around. I am definitely motivated to write a whole lot more!
Well, here we are…
“Knit on with confidence and hope through all crises.”
—
To say I am disappointed in the outcome of the election, and in the majority of Americans is an understatement. I think we are in for some tough years ahead (socially, economically, and democratically), but all I can do is continue to make a positive difference in my community to the greatest extent possible. To quote an email I received this morning, “We have the opportunity to continue to be a catalyst to increase social cohesion by growing empathy, respect, and understanding among neighbors in our communities.”
At the top of this post is a quote from Elizabeth Zimmermann. It has gotten me through trying times before so it immediately popped to mind. Crafting has always been an escape for me, grounding me when things seem to be spiraling out of control, and so I cast on for a new project today. I really didn’t know what else to do.
I am definitely scared of what is to come. But I am also encouraged by Vice President Kamala Harris, who said today, “The light of America’s promise will always burn bright as long we never give up and as long as we keep fighting.”
For now, I’ll just take it row by row.
Your vote is your voice!
One of my favorite sayings to encourage people to vote is Your vote is your voice! We have the right, and the civic responsibility, to cast our ballots every Election Day. We are given this gift to participate in democracy. Be thoughtful, take your choices seriously, and educate yourself on the issues. Here are some important things to remember if you are voting on Election Day:
What if my polling locations closes while I am still waiting in line?
STAY IN LINE! If you are in line when the polls close, stay in line. As long as your are in line before the polls closed, you may remain in line for as long as it takes.
What if I make a mistake on my ballot?
ASK AN ELECTION WORKER FOR A NEW BALLOT! Mistakes happen, but do not scribble on your ballot or cross out a choice.
Can I wear clothes, buttons, etc. showing support for a candidate or an issue?
THIS DEPENDS ON WHERE YOU VOTE. Here in New York, the answer is NO. It is considered electioneering. It is best to err on the side of caution and leave that stuff at home or in your car.
What do I do if I am turned away at the polls?
YOU REPEAT THIS VERBATIM: “Please give me a provisional ballot with a receipt as required by law.”
What do I do if someone threatens me or tries to intimidate me while I am trying to vote?
VOTER INTIMIDATION IS A FEDERAL CRIME. Federal law says it is illegal to “intimidate, threaten, or coerce, any other person for the purpose of interfering with the right of such other person to vote or to vote as he may choose.” If this happens to you, there are three things you should do: 1) Report the behavior to an election worker. 2) Contact your local Board of Elections and report the behavior, noting the location, the time, and any other details you can remember. 3) If you think you’re encountering or witnessing voter intimidation, call the Election Protection Hotline at 866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683) to get voting help from a trained election protection volunteer.
Also, be kind to your poll workers! Although many receive a stipend, they are essentially volunteers.