If you're 60 or older, come join me. Let's talk, hang out, tease and support each other.

[Gráinne]

Originally Posted by iamkeri1

Hi Everyone, what are your plans for Thanksgiving?

I think I'll be hosting at my house. Broke my leg getting ready for Hurricane Milton and I'm not driving yet. I've got a turkey and all that other stuff, but I hope the rest of the fam will do a lot of the cooking. I am fully functional in the kitchen, but haven't had much interest in cooking for a while now.

Do you have any special traditions or ethnic foods that you cook instead of the standard fare? Do y'all eat around the TV watching football? Share with us, please.
Smooches,
Keri

Oh! I hope you're doing OK, both leg-wise and hurricane-wise.

I think it's pretty much tradition; a half ham, mashed potatoes, stuffing, peas, and crescent rolls (which I can't make into crescents, so they look like little blobs). I also make my mom's lime Jell-O with Mandarin Oranges, which exactly no one likes but me! And of course, it's not Thanksgiving without Gherkin pickles and olives.

Also in the grand tradition, I spend all day cooking and setting up, for a mad dash at halftime and phoom! right back to the game .

[Stone-Butch]

Thanksgiving was quite a meal around our house when all six of us and probably more family members showed up. Mom made a turkey and either a ham or roast beef (I could never stomach turkey), mashed potatoes, carrots, peas, greens, lots of gravy. Custard and Jello or her special muffins for desert. Our meals always opened with tomato juice or V8. Since the family is gone except for me and my brother and my general knowledge of Thanksgiving I do not celebrate. It was a good time had by all and wonderful to look back on. Good if you don't have a broken leg or two.

[iamkeri1]

We did have Thanksgiving at my house. My daughter and her family were there and, happily she made most of the food. We had turkey, ham with pineapples, Cheesy hash brown casserole, collard greens, candied sweet potatoes, green bean casserole, home made cranberry sauce and a cranberry jello salad with walnuts. For the first time in many years I did not make my own pies, but the store bought pumpkin and pecan were very good, nonetheless.

After dinner we played "Sorry." My 10 year old grandson, wiped the floor with us all winning both games.


I believe in teaching kids how to cook and bake and do food prep early on. My daughter, like her Dad, prefers to do everything herself, so it is hard for her to watch the freedom/responsibilities her kids have at my house. They all know their jobs and with a few reminders, it is very efficient. The 14 year old boy gets down a basket, puts napkins in it and then counts out the silverware we'll use for the meal. He gets out the paper plates and napkins and puts them on the table and fills a bowl with ice for the drinks. Age 11 girl does the pickle tray - I always have a bunch of different pickles on hand - and she does not want to be interfered with. She wants to do it herself! Ten year old boy loves making the garlic bread or cheesy bread. We cut the french loaf in half and he can handle it after that. Baby girl, age almost 6 knows where everything is in my fridge. She brings us condiments when asked or puts them on the table. She also helps big brother put ice in the glasses. They are awesome.

Every year we make cookies, brownies, chocolate dipped pretzels and different chocolate candies together. They are so proud of their work. Each of them get to mix up a batch of cookies and put them on cookie sheets. We all work on them when they are done and we have a lot of fun Last year I also recruited them to help me make Stuffed Cabbage which I find tedious on my own. We made a big batch and they got to take a bunch home. They always love showing off their cooking to Mom and Dad.

They fight like all siblings do. Lately I've been having a little talk with them before we start about how much we all love each other and how to say positive things to each other. One time it worked beautifully, one time they still fought constantly. Its a work in process as they say.

Woops! Long post!

Thanks for sharing.
Smooches,
Keri

[iamkeri1]

Well, today is super bowl Sunday. Traditionally I have made a big "snack buffet" to munch on throughout the game. My daughter and I, averse to football, would hang out in my bedroom and watch a movie, while the football lovers monopolized the front room. No company this year. That means no football and, sadly, no buffet. I'll probably watch a movie like in years past, and if I can time it right, watch the super bowl halftime show.
Maybe I'll order some wings from Domino's pizza. Their plain wings are awesome. I can never figure out how they make them so flavorful when there are no detectable spices, breading or sauces involved.

Happy day, Everyone.
Smooches,
Keri

[iamkeri1]

Love to talk to y'all. Are you hibernating for the winter?
Smooches,

Keri

[Orema]

Originally Posted by iamkeri1

Love to talk to y'all. Are you hibernating for the winter?
Smooches,

Keri

Yes, I'm hibernating and am enjoying every single minute of it. It's what I need and surprisingly, it's what I want.

We've been swamped with snow and arctic temperatures in my neck of the woods. The weather people on the news were excited this morning because we're finally in the 20s. Thank goodness I'm retired and don't have to drive much in this weather.

I'm also still mending my wounds from the election. I'm quiet when I'm not well and I'm chatty when I'm good. I haven't checked out, but I shut down when I'm not good and become over-protective of my thoughts, feelings, actions. Not sure how I (we) will recover, so for now I'm going with my inner voice that tells me to be quiet and still. I think a lot of us are feeling/thinking the same.

It's good to see you postiing and I hope you're well, Keri.

[Orema]

Originally Posted by iamkeri1

Love to talk to y'all. Are you hibernating for the winter?
Smooches,

Keri

Do you travel, Keri?

I like to travel, but haven't been anywhere in ages.

I was hoping to go to Africa (Ghana, Kenya, ?) this year for the first time, but that's not gon' happen anytime soon. That dream will just have to stay on my bucket list for now.

I also want to see the comedian and actress Lunell when she appears in Detroit, but my Ex will be there and I don't want to run into her.

I can always find a jazz festival to attend, but I wanna do something different. So, I've decided to go to a WNBA game nearby in the Illinois/Indiana area. They know how to hoop, they look good, and I'd have a swell time. Gives me a reason to support a sport I love and reason to stretch my traveling legs. I just have to decide what game, where and when. The more I think about it, the more I like it.

As you can see, traveling is on my mind. I don't get to do it much, but I get a bug every now and then.

What about y'all? Anyone going anywhere anytime this year or the next? Anyone been anywhere they can recommend?