Sundays with the Lechlers: 11/23/18

Friday, November 23, 2018

It's been awhile

Hello all. It has been a long time since my last blog entry. I have battled strep throat and pneumonia and got well in time to host twenty-five people for Thanksgiving day. We had two meals but the subject of the evening was how we cooked one of the turkeys. One 20 pounder went in the roaster and came out perfectly but the other was so surprising you might not believe how it came out. I saw the Pioneer Woman do a turkey the way her mother always did the Thanksgiving bird and it worked! Heat your oven to 500 degrees. Place your turkey in the 500 degree oven for one hour. Turn off the oven without ever opening the oven door at any time, leave the turkey to cook in the residual heat for six hours. After six hours you have a perfectly browned turkey that is juicy and cooked to perfection. Do not try this with a turkey that is heavier than 16 pounds. (We don't know what the heck would happen if it were larger.) I love it when new ideas work out.

Thanksgiving day was beautiful, but cold so we had several card tables set up for euchre. I was on fire! It must have been the bloody Marys or the bubbly. I could do no wrong when it came to cards that day no matter the partner. The bloody Marys had another twist; the vodka was laced with horseradish and came from a small country brewery in Kentucky. It lent a nice touch to these already delicious drinks. (Luckily they left us the bottle.)

Another fun adventure was Alyssa came home from New Orleans to shop for wedding dresses. I didn't think I could go because of the cough and sluggishness, but go I did and we had a wonderful day AND we found the dress! The first bridal appointmen (yes, they do that nowadays) was the place where we found Vera Wang. As soon as we entered at 10:00 we had glasses of champagne in our hands--well, they did, I had orange juice because of the medication. Six of us were there to yea or nay the dresses modeled by the beautiful Alyssa. When she came out in the Wang we all screamed and she knew, after the first five gowns, that she had found the dress. However, she had an afternoon appointment to keep, so I took everyone to lunch. We then went to the second shop knowing full well that we had found the dress at the first shop. She tried on three or four gowns but it is hard to compete with Vera when it comes to bridal gowns. I think it is so strange that Vera Wang wears only black. I have never seen her in anything else yet she turns out very nice gowns and rings but does not treat herself to color in any form.
Alyssa is getting married in Italy in October of 2019.

Well, that is not all that has happened! Alyssa's brother, Brooks, has gotten engaged to a delightful girl and he is beyond the moon in love. Brooks is an Army Ranger and is being deployed to the Middle East (WHY ARE WE THERE?????) in January for nine months. Besides, he is not allowed to get married before Alyssa--that's a rule. So 2020 spring AND I think they are getting married at Many Branches. Can I do it again? I hope so. We had David and Johnna's wedding here and it nearly killed me, but this time We will provide the place but her family will have to do the rest and there is a lot to do for a wedding and reception.

So, things are humming along. Andy is doing well and still taking classes at Ohio State. Nate is about to start his winter journey around the world starting in Colorado where he will ski and visit with his brother who is graduating from Pike's Peak this December. Mike is going out to spend Christmas with them so we will be scattered doing the holidays this year.

I am sure there is more to tell, but this will get you caught up. I wish you all happy holidays and a very Merry Christmas.