If only someone could make smell travel through the internet! 
As I type this, I have a beautiful bird stuffed to the gill with my mom’s recipe of homemade stuffing inside, a pot simmering with gizzards which will soon be magically whipped into my mom’s gravy, and sweet potatoes baking. The potatoes for mashed potatoes are on deck. This house smells like childhood and family all rolled into one. Yum! I did a 24 hour brine this year for the first time, and made a cinnamon-apple-stock aromatic at the bottom of the dripping dish. It smells heavenly. I love this time of year!
Not only that but the Christmas shopping is done, minus a few last minute details. The Christmas photo is done, ordered and on its way. Cards are ready to go, waiting only for the photos.
The boybarians are off to the Chicago area for the week, spending 8 whole days with their beloved Nanie. Little else makes them so happy. Picasso is bouncing off the walls with stuff he’s going to do with “my Nanie”, and Einstein can’t wait for me to leave. Trouble is abuzz with excitement and can’t even pinpoint why.
My mom (“Nanie”) will have a huge house-full on Thursday with all the extended family. Friday we’re off to Chicago for more family visits. I’m heading back to NY on Sunday for a few days of work. Handy Man will return home, but the boys are staying in Illinois – without Mom or Dad. Just Nanie. I think I should be offended, but they can’t wait to get rid of me.
Trouble appears to be done with the yuckies. We are watching for symptoms to return, and trust me – we won’t miss them. Now that I know the signs of giardia, the symptoms are unmistakable.
And school? Well, this is why we school mostly year-round. We had intended to take December off, but with the craziness of November and recent travels and hospitalizations, we are on for all of December but Christmas week, but off this week and part of next for Thanksgiving and our travels.
We have lots of schoolwork that I’d love to throw in a Weekly Report, but there is turkey baking to be done, a pie still waiting to be filled, laundry to be folded, and 8 whole days of clothing for everyone to be packed.
Because the holidays make one nostalgic, here are some favorites from the past. The first is the very first picture of my three boybarians together, taken in the NICU. It was the first time Picasso ever met his baby brother. A magical moment of curiosity caught on film. The second is last year’s Christmas picture, taken in our former house.
Wow! You’re so organized! Happy Holidays to you and yours and BTW the boys’ Christmas pic from last year is very very cute.
StacyTea
Yes, if only smell could travel through my computer…sounds delish!
Wow, you are the most organized person I know…well, along with Dainty that is!
I can’t believe you have all your Christmas shopping complete as well as Christmas photo and cards. Can I tell you I haven’t given any of those items a thought? Well, Billy shops for Mickey throughout the year but that’s it. Are you available for hire as a personal shopper? LOL
Enjoy that “beautiful bird stuffed to the gill”! Love me some yummy sweet potatoes though!!! Save me some?
Happy Thanksgiving to y’all!
J-bug
Yes, if only smell could travel through my computer…sounds delish!
Wow, you are the most organized person I know…well, along with Dainty that is!
I can’t believe you have all your Christmas shopping complete as well as Christmas photo and cards. Can I tell you I haven’t given any of those items a thought? Well, Billy shops for Mickey throughout the year but that’s it. Are you available for hire as a personal shopper? LOL
Enjoy that “beautiful bird stuffed to the gill”! Love me some yummy sweet potatoes though!!! Save me some?
Happy Thanksgiving to y’all!
J-bug
Can I tell you… my mouth hit the floor when I read all you have accomplished!! I have yet to begin!! I’m impressed my dear! Impressed….so glad to hear Trouble is doing great! yeah Trouble! What a scare…You have much to be thankful for, I know…. The picture of the boys is priceless! I love it.
Happy Thanksgiving Darcy, Boybarians and Handyman!
Lisa
My dear…my Christmas photo is done – but needs some of your “fixing”.
I”ll get with you on that.
I hope your week is fantabulous – and your boys are spoiled rotten and stuffed to the gills.
Enjoy your family.
Dainty
All your boys are so handsome! Glad Trouble is well!
Those are precious pictures! And since I’m not cooking at all for Thanksgiving this year, your description will have to suffice until we get to my Aunt’s house on Thursday.
Have fun in Chicago — I wish we were going to visit my family there!!
Lee
PS So glad that Trouble has recovered!!!
Your boys are darling.
Take care,
Kara