Last week I wrote about Concordia's 60th Anniversary Dinner served by the women's group (several men were involved and very helpful). My kitchen odyssey began last weekend when I spent time in the church kitchen on Saturday morning and then again for several hours on Sunday.
A few days later I was busy in my own kitchen preparing for our Thanksgiving Dinner. Ray's sister Karen, daughter Laura and spouse Carl were expected mid-afternoon on Thursday. Most of the dishes were prepared a day in advance leaving roasting the turkey for the big day. Ray helped clean and pick up and get the house ready for company and always keeps the counters clean when I fill them with dirty dishes! That's an immense help and something I'm thankful for every day!
Nancy joined us for dinner and Joe came later after spending time with his brother. She added to our feast by providing a couple of dishes. Our turkey weighed about 14 pounds so we've already had several meals with leftovers and some more planned. The carcass was simmered several hours and the rest of the meat fell off the bones and the broth was used today to make a huge pot of turkey soup.
After the Thanksgiving meal, Laura left with Nancy to spend the night at her house. The four of us had fun playing several rubbers of bridge before it was time to say good night. The next morning we slept later than usual and had time after breakfast for several hands of cards and then said farewell as Carl and Karen left picking up Laura on their way out of town.
The funeral for an elderly gentleman in our church is tomorrow morning and this afternoon, in addition to making the turkey soup, I did some prep work for the luncheon. Tomorrow morning I'll be heading to church early and meeting with several other women to serve the meal for the family of the deceased.
Looking ahead I will be spending more than average time in my kitchen to prepare for next weekend. More about that in a later blog.
Ray and I did manage to get out for a few errands on Friday afternoon including a stop at a garage to purchase a new battery for the car, replacing a 4-year-old one. With the onset of winter and colder weather we'll have peace of mind that the car will start whenever we go out.
On Friday and Saturday we enjoyed watching two state high school football championship games. The first was Center Grove (from the school district we live in) vs Carmel for the 6A championship. Center Grove was the defending champion and led most of the way but lost in OT. A competitive game but heartbreaking for the local fans.
Yesterday afternoon we watched my high school, Concordia Lutheran, Fort Wayne, play in the 3A championship match against Lawrenceburg. We didn't know much about Concordia's season but this was the first time they've had a team playing in the championship match. When Concordia scored first, a touchdown following a long pass, I yelled the same as if I had been at the game in person. The team went on scoring again and again with the winning margin 56-14. Lawrenceuburg was a much better team than the score would indicate but it wasn't until the 4th quarter that they managed to get two touchdowns. Concordia has played for a state championship in other sports but this is the first time for a football team and they won convincingly!
I'm not in the kitchen as I type this post, but if you need to get a hold of me in the next several days, just check the kitchen!
Sunday, November 27, 2016
Sunday, November 20, 2016
Full Moon & Anniversary Dinner
The highlights of the past week include two ventures after dark to photograph the full moon. We actually could see the moon high in the sky on the 14th but I wanted a photo just as the moon appeared on the horizon. My willing DH (dear husband) came along and we found a spot just a few minutes after the moon appeared. The rising moon doesn't stand still and wait for the photographer! There was also a power line that marred the photos I took. We learned that the moon would appear about an hour later Wednesday evening and, once again, DH drove me and carried a flashlight when we climbed the sledding hill and waited a few minutes. We didn't have to wait long to see the moon rise above the trees and houses in the distance. I took quite a few photos at the top of the hill and several at lower elevations as we were making our way back to the car.
The weather was beautiful most of last week and on Wednesday afternoon we helped a friend of Ray's from his working days move mulch into her flower and planting beds. She had the pile of mulch taking up space on her driveway since last April. Kathy was grateful for our help and a few others who have helped from time to time.
Today was the 60th anniversary celebration of Concordia Lutheran with the annual dinner served by the women with help from many others.
When we returned after the dinner, we relaxed and watched our DVR recording of the Colts in a close game with the Tennessee Titans. I think the Colts were fortunate to win and in four days they play the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thanksgiving evening. That won't be easy but we'll probably watch after eating our Thanksgiving meal.
 |
| The moon is large and at about 90% since it's two days past full stage |
The weather was beautiful most of last week and on Wednesday afternoon we helped a friend of Ray's from his working days move mulch into her flower and planting beds. She had the pile of mulch taking up space on her driveway since last April. Kathy was grateful for our help and a few others who have helped from time to time.
Today was the 60th anniversary celebration of Concordia Lutheran with the annual dinner served by the women with help from many others.
 |
| Ray and two others helped carve the pork loin roast |
 |
| These men entertained us with barbershop harmonies |
Sunday, November 13, 2016
A Week to Remember
I guess we're all getting used to the fact that Donald Trump is our next president, especially after hearing that his opponent was leading in the polls. The next several months or even years should be very interesting as we see if Mr. Trump can live up to his claims about making changes to improve America.
We took advantage of several offers this past week. First, a brand new Kroger Marketplace opened about a mile south of where we live and they offered a $20 gift certificates for the first 100 customers. On Thursday morning we were out the door without breakfast and in line by 7:30. Quite a few people were already in line; the weather was cool but calm and a few minutes after arriving an employee handed out wristbands for everyone standing in line. We didn't even have to wait until 8:00 before the doors officially opened. I don't remember ever being at the opening of a brand new store, but for this one there was a long receiving line with lots of clapping and welcomes as we entered the store and, in addition, we had two $20 gift cards to spend.
The next day, Friday, was Veteran's Day. It's my observation that in recent years there are more perks for veterans than in prior years. For many years, Indy has had a parade which I don't think I've ever attended. However, the Indy Star listed some of the freebies that were available to veterans and we took advantage of two: a free car wash and later we had dinner at O'Charley's. Ray's meal was free from the $9.99 menu but I had to pay for mine (actually, Ray paid for it).
This morning we didn't have our alarm set properly and I woke up at 7:10! Church begins at 8:00 and I was there on time and even had breakfast. However, I must admit that our bed did not get made until I returned home. The alarm will be set for tomorrow morning you can be assured.
We took advantage of several offers this past week. First, a brand new Kroger Marketplace opened about a mile south of where we live and they offered a $20 gift certificates for the first 100 customers. On Thursday morning we were out the door without breakfast and in line by 7:30. Quite a few people were already in line; the weather was cool but calm and a few minutes after arriving an employee handed out wristbands for everyone standing in line. We didn't even have to wait until 8:00 before the doors officially opened. I don't remember ever being at the opening of a brand new store, but for this one there was a long receiving line with lots of clapping and welcomes as we entered the store and, in addition, we had two $20 gift cards to spend.
The next day, Friday, was Veteran's Day. It's my observation that in recent years there are more perks for veterans than in prior years. For many years, Indy has had a parade which I don't think I've ever attended. However, the Indy Star listed some of the freebies that were available to veterans and we took advantage of two: a free car wash and later we had dinner at O'Charley's. Ray's meal was free from the $9.99 menu but I had to pay for mine (actually, Ray paid for it).
 |
| Sticker alerts the waitress that she was serving a veteran |
Wednesday, November 9, 2016
Cubs win and other recollections
A week ago today the Cubs played the 7th and final game of the World Series in Cleveland. That was pretty awesome and I'm sure the Chicago area was rocking since this was their first win since 1908. Ray was a celebrity for a time since many people watched his interview made possible when we sent links to everyone we could think of.
On Friday Ray and I drove to Fort Wayne for the annual Concordia Educational Foundation Luncheon. We arrived a few minutes before 11 a.m. and enjoyed visiting with the three students (two boys and a girl) at our table. The young lady is now a Sophomore and I found it amazing to see the transformation from a timid Freshman to a more engaging 16-year old. She is getting her driver's license very soon.
On our return to Indy we stopped at the Convention Center to pick up my race number for Saturday's Half Marathon. Our next stop was at a voting center where we cast our votes for the Presidential, Gubernatorial, Senatorial and local races. The line was fairly long when we arrived but moved and about 35 minutes later we were on our way home. There were at least 14 voting booths and a whole cadre of officials to speed the process.
On Saturday we headed out the door very early on one of the coldest mornings of the fall (39 degrees). Ray dropped me off near the Convention Center and then spent the next several hours doing whatever while I ran the Half Marathon. There were nearly 10,000 people lined up at the start and it took me 12 minutes from where I stood to get to the official start! Thankfully, we have chip timing and I finished in 2 hours 32 minutes and a few seconds, the first of 5 in my age group. Instead of handing out awards after the race, we learned they will be mailed this year. The award will undoubtedly be a gift certificate at a local sports store.
After the race, we helped move mulch for a Concordia member. Earlier in the week we had prepared the flower beds with a soaker hose and began the process of spreading the mulch. We had the help of another person so the three of us accomplished a lot.
Then, on Sunday morning we picked up Nancy and the three of us drove to Libertyville, IL for the surprise birthday party for our brother-in-law who turned 90 on Nov. 8.
Bob thought he was having lunch with us as he was told we were on our way north to Wisconsin. Many relatives and friends were there to share the afternoon. We arrived home at 8:30 ready to begin another week and hoping it might be less active.
On Friday Ray and I drove to Fort Wayne for the annual Concordia Educational Foundation Luncheon. We arrived a few minutes before 11 a.m. and enjoyed visiting with the three students (two boys and a girl) at our table. The young lady is now a Sophomore and I found it amazing to see the transformation from a timid Freshman to a more engaging 16-year old. She is getting her driver's license very soon.
On our return to Indy we stopped at the Convention Center to pick up my race number for Saturday's Half Marathon. Our next stop was at a voting center where we cast our votes for the Presidential, Gubernatorial, Senatorial and local races. The line was fairly long when we arrived but moved and about 35 minutes later we were on our way home. There were at least 14 voting booths and a whole cadre of officials to speed the process.
On Saturday we headed out the door very early on one of the coldest mornings of the fall (39 degrees). Ray dropped me off near the Convention Center and then spent the next several hours doing whatever while I ran the Half Marathon. There were nearly 10,000 people lined up at the start and it took me 12 minutes from where I stood to get to the official start! Thankfully, we have chip timing and I finished in 2 hours 32 minutes and a few seconds, the first of 5 in my age group. Instead of handing out awards after the race, we learned they will be mailed this year. The award will undoubtedly be a gift certificate at a local sports store.
After the race, we helped move mulch for a Concordia member. Earlier in the week we had prepared the flower beds with a soaker hose and began the process of spreading the mulch. We had the help of another person so the three of us accomplished a lot.
Then, on Sunday morning we picked up Nancy and the three of us drove to Libertyville, IL for the surprise birthday party for our brother-in-law who turned 90 on Nov. 8.
 |
| Entering the banquet room and seeing all the people! |
 |
| Nancy greets Uncle Bob |
 |
| Ron (Veronica) and Bob |
Bob thought he was having lunch with us as he was told we were on our way north to Wisconsin. Many relatives and friends were there to share the afternoon. We arrived home at 8:30 ready to begin another week and hoping it might be less active.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)