Cooking zone

I am in the cooking zone.  Andy and I went to Sam's early this morning and I am the proud owner of a 7 1/2 pound prime rib roast.  The family will be happy to see that sitting along with the turkey come Thursday.  Company is coming all week and some staying over from Thanksgiving until Sunday morning.  I hope my legs hold up. lol  This house is made for company and I am happy to host as long as I can.  I have six dishes ready so far: ham and bean soup, beef vegetable soup, a pasta dish of shells and beef, homemade croutons, pepperoni mac & cheese and cranberry sauce.  For dinner tonight we have green beans cooked long and slow with potatoes and corn--a one pot wonder.

Tomorrow is our first girl baby, who is also our first great grand child's, first birthday. I am not a part of the preparations but I can only imagine her wedding if this much time and effort goes into a first birthday party. Bless her heart, she is a beauty.

I am reading Lee Child's newest book.  I do like his writing, but I don't know why.  He just leads me down a path.  I cannot imagine an entire book's story line based on seeing a class ring in a pawn shop but Reacher can and off he goes discovering mayhem across the country and creating some himself.  I read in cycles; six weeks reading everything I can get a hold of and then I can't finish a book to save me for the next few weeks. I am back on track and have a back up on my Kindle at the moment.

Wednesday the big holiday cookie section which comes out once a year in the Columbus Dispatch appeared on my stoop.  It is really packed this year and seems bigger than ever.  I guess everything is going well without an editor, so maybe the Dispatch will save money by working it this way.  When I have a chance I will go over it well and see if there is a special one or two recipes that you might enjoy baking. If you want to look at all of them, just google The Columbus Dispatch and when you are connected type in holiday cookies 2017.  It is worth seeing and reading.

I am finished cooking for the day but thoughts of the next few days plays in my mind.  I have done this so often, it should be easy.  Thankfully I have Beth and then Pam and George come on Wednesday to help out.  I bought George a BIG bottle of good gin.  He is putting up outdoor security cameras for us AND he is the turkey carver.  He also gets them ready for me to put the rub on and the cavities filled...on two turkeys. Yippee!

Our backyard three years ago on this date.