Chicken soup with rice...it's nice

I made the best soup this morning.  I felt a cold coming on and chicken soup with rice popped into my mind then cured me. I've told you Sam's has the best rotisserie chickens. They are larger and cheaper than Krogers and just as delicious. They give you so much meat you have trouble figuring out a number of dishes in which to put this delightful display that you did not have to tear up the kitchen to prepare. Slice it and serve it with potato salad or diced into soups, stews, salads, or chicken pot pies...to name just a few uses. (I have a kettle right next to me in which to put the bones and skin along with fresh herbs and water to cover for chicken broth.)  I waste nothing.  For soups, I clear the fridge of vegetables that need using.  I even get into the freezer to check it out just so I can add what would be delicious to this luscious recipe (which is no recipe at all.

We are completely decorated for Christmas (because we are not having Thanksgiving at home.) If we wait to get home then Christmas is around the corner and we end up putting up Christmas decorations only to take them down a few days later.  If I can't enjoy them for at least a month, then I won't put them up at all.  I do like the comfort of them, especially at night.  I like to walk the house and enjoy the warmth and the memories they evoke. I like to picture the trees and tables so that I can say, in my old age, oh, that was Christmas 2019 and so and so was here with us or I wish so and so were here to see this festive offering of Christmas.

I wish you all well while preparing the big birds and I hope all of your favorite people are with you this Thanksgiving and for the wonderful holiday to follow.

Christmas decor

It is time and so out comes the Christmas decorations.  I am trying out the table decor for Christmas dinner.  We go out for dinner at some nice place on Christmas eve, so I don't think about that.  Since we are not here for Thanksgiving, I want Christmas to greet us when we get home with no to-do to do.  I have set the table except for the center piece.  I will cover it before we leave so that it stays fresh.  Beth is putting up the porch lights which are a high light that people enjoy from the road.  We also will have wreaths in each of the front windows. I am always sad when the lights go out and the wreaths are put away for the months ahead.  I miss them, but then there is spring to look forward to after what is in store for us for winter.

I am going to get a boneless standing rib roast for Christmas dinner.  A big one so there are left overs (which rarely happens when it comes to beef.)  Beef is a luxury in this day and age. I  envy The Pioneer Woman as she slaps two or three enormous beef roasts covered in salt and pepper and roasted to perfection--she has had years of practice since they have hundreds of cattle. No 'where's the beef 'on the Drummond ranch. We are all blessed in different ways.

In a few days we will be in New Orleans.  My birthday is the 29th, the day after Thanksgiving.  So we are going to dinner 
and to Rock and Bowl with many relatives and a live band. Yea.

Holiday

Well, it has come way too fast.  It seems we just put the trees away and now it is time to haul them out again.  We have firmed up Thanksgiving:  Arrive in New Orleans Thanksgiving Day and stay four days.  Thursday is taken care of and Friday is my birthday so out to eat at a great seafood place called Boil Seafood House on Magazine Street.  Then, it is off to Rock and Bowl for dancing.  I love that place with a live band, lots of people of all ages and everyone is welcome, in fact, encouraged, to dance.
Then Saturday morning it is breakfast at the Broken Egg...shrimp and grits for me but I also would like to try the lobster breakfast some time.  Oh, their bloody Mary's for breakfast are over the top! Must have one of those. That night there is a birthday party at the border of Mississippi and Louisanna which the boys and I may pass on.  I don't know the person so we will have to decide on the spot. Mike goes home on Saturday. Beth, Adam and I are there until Monday late.  I am not sure about Nate.

So far for Christmas eve we have the traditional church and dressing up to dine out with the family.  Then Christmas day Beth and Brooks don the aprons and fix Christmas breakfast while I tend to the starters, rib roast, mashed potatoes, salad and tiramisu for the end.

Then a few days later strip the trees, carry them to the basement and before you know it is will be time to drag them out and start all over. Somebody stop us.

I forgot to tell you.  I had a new SLK Mercedes Benz convertible in 2000.  I sold it years ago to my grandson.  It is the best running car in the world.  Twenty years later the original battery went dead. (today) The guy at the shop said he had never seen an old battery like that ever. Plus, the only thing new it has had is a set of new tires. I guess you do get what you pay for.

First snow fall

We were blessed with beautiful snow last night and it is still on even with the sun out. This scene drives me right to the kitchen.  It is a hot dog and baked bean slow oven bake today with puff pastry cherry hand pies.  Trader Joe's has puff pastry right now and that usually disappears before it suppose to.  The shipment is supposed to get us through the holidays, but it never does.  It is snapped up pronto.  This year it does not come in a pizza box-like container.  It is in rolls like the Pillsbury refrigerated pie dough. And, it is really good.  I should have bought several boxes, but I wanted to try it first.  It will probably be gone by the time I get back.

Beth and I were out running around last night in the middle of the beginning snowstorm.  Talbots was having a great sale and we could not resist. We had to rush because we could see that the storm coupled with evening traffic would be a problem. Beth, however, is a skillful driver and we made it safe and sound sweater in hand and a blouse on order...30% off mind you. The fridge was full so when we got home Andy was settled in with my new Mac & Cheese invention or concoction as he calls it. (It has all kinds of pureed vegetables in the mac & cheese mixture...cauliflower, broccoli, cabbage, celery, well, you get the idea.)

I am thinking what to pack for New Orleans.  Like Columbus it usually has four seasons packed into one day. I'll figure it out.  I am so looking forward to seeing our Adam on this trip.  I miss his sweet face and kind personality. He is doing so well in his new profession.

Have fun today.

British baking

Have you watched the Great British Baking Show on public television and now several episodes are on Netflix? I find it so calming and interesting.  On many many trips to London and the countryside, I felt that the British baking was exceptional in its simplicity and also in its indulgent stages as well. This television gives you an eye-opening view of every aspect of baking. While buying antiques was my main goal in England, I managed to visit many countryside bakeshops.  I also liked the raisin buns found in the larger tube stations.  It was perfect with a puddle of cream cheese concoction to welcome the raisins and the pastry. So perfect at the end of a great shopping day  Their bakery sticky cakes and loaves were wonderful as well.

Well, now I am cranky about the stupid programming of Public Broadcasting.  'They' have managed to screw up the perfect line up on Sunday nights by their scattered and frantic money whining and lack of attention to the series that they start to present and then suddenly hide.  Last night I was making up cuss words! Starting at 6:00 they are running Victoria which I am watching AGAIN.  Then they started running The Forsyth Saga only to abandon it , again, for another show that ended the week before...and the money plea. I did not like Jamestown at all, but that might have been because of the fits and starts  of their Sunday night line-up. Poldark, which is great, managed to get through their last or next to the last episode ever without being interrupted by another rerun or a plea for money. They need to get organized! They need a new program organizer scheduler or whatever; just get a grip or I may have to start watching CNN...save me.

Busy Saturday

We were up and about early this morning.  Andy had to start layering his attire for the OSU game that he and his brother, Jimmy, were going to.  As they went out the door at 8:00 this morning they look like a couple of Michelin men waddling down the driveway.  I, on the other hand, was preparing chicken and noodles for their return late today.  There is a lot going on at OSU and they are staying for it all.

Mike and I have an adventure of our own.  Madeleine is having a ballet lesson today followed by tumbling instructions which includes walking on a narrow beam.  (Mike is buying her one so she can practice balance.) I am taking pictures.  It is exciting for us for some strange reason. Her baby sister is coming as well as her mother and father.  It's her own backstage groupies.

It's cold in Ohio today but it can be worse.

Care package

Monica and crew come to clean today and then we have treated Matt and Stacy to cleaners because of two small children and their hectic life style at the moment.  So Monica comes here and I then load her down with a box of goodies for Matt and Stacy to get them through the week without having to cook,...or clean.  Today, the box is filled with three soups: Cincinnati chili, mushroom, and spicy vegetable (soups). There is also a container of Rice Krispie treats.

I do love a clean house and a fresh bed.  I look forward to Monica's day which is Wednesday.  I find I like Wednesday better than Friday, unless there is to be a party.  Wednesday one gets to enjoy the clean a lot longer than a Friday clean because of all the traffic in and out during the weekend.

Well, the deer spent the day and early evening in our backyard yesterday.  The neighbors noticed and said they have taken up residency.  I can only hope they are mistaken although I did see them eyeing the last fruit tree yesterday.  They like the secret garden too for some reason.  I think it is the hostas that they enjoy--their form of salad.

Jimmy, Andy's brother, is coming up Saturday and he and Andy are going to the OSU game.  It's to be in the forties. Yiikes.  Glad I am not expected to attend. They start off at the band show (inside) which Andy adores.  Then they move to very good seats in the Horseshoe. Andy has had tickets for decades and shares the season with relatives from Cincinnati.

Well, it's mid-week and mid-day.  I hope you enjoy the sunshine. (Still have not found a gripper to read.  Reacher is now on my last nerve.)

Seafood in New Orleans

Two of my grandsons will be joining us in New Orleans and while the rest of the family go to a birthday party in Mississippi Nate, Adam, and I are going out for dinner at this great seafood place that Alyssa and Josh took us to last time.  It is called Boil Seafood House on Magazine Street. I did not get my fill of seafood in Italy which was disappointing.  I was all set for dinner after dinner of seafood. The truth is that tour food is not always the best offerings of a destination that has an influx of tourists a great part of the year. (We made up for that in fun.)

I am a cooking machine of late.  Besides the Chicken pot pies, Which are gone, by the way, I made mushroom soup today. I have to slow down we can't eat that much food yet I cook on.

I can no longer struggle through The Queen's Gambit so I traded it in on Lee Child's newest book. It is not bad, not as good as a load of his other books, but it is keeping my attention.

We voted today.  The process has really tightened up.  There are several steps to go through now so it does not seem that there could be any cheating afoot. Identification was required and I think that is a good thing.  The identification was scanned into the computer and then it is hard to tell where it will go. Anyway, it seemed very secure.

Have you watched the series Poldark?  It is on public television on Sunday nights.  You can view it on Amazon Prime.  Do start with series one it makes it even more interesting.  I think there are six seasons and this current one is sadly the last.  I really recommend this.

Andy is off to class.  He is still going to The Ohio State for his classes.  It keeps him alert and happy. The deer are all over the property today. Three in the backyard and one at the driveway gate wanting through that way.  The dogs scared them off.  If the deer had seen the dogs it would have laughed...a Yorkie and a Jack Russell, not much muscle power.

Chicken pot pie

Rotisserie chickens are a boost for cooks in America...and France, I know that for a fact.  I am making chicken pot pie with one today and also simmering the bones etc. for homemade chicken broth.  It's a good time to get everything out of the fridge that needs using and the result is delicious.  I mentioned France; the guys set the rotisserie out on the street close to the building and below the chickens (as they turn) are small potatoes.  The chicken juice drips on the potatoes and the aroma as you pass by is heavenly... they can then be bought with the chicken or without. I put this suggestion in Sam's suggestion box, but they didn't pay any attention to it, so, their loss and ours. (Sam's rotisserie chickens are the best in town.)

Andy's off to his daily trip to the store.  He loves Kroger stores.  He goes to one that is a little dodgy. I don't go there since Mike told me he was in line to pay and behind him was a guy with a python around his neck. Andy Stops at Tim Hortons and brings my treat for the day, an iced cappuccino (dark).  Tim Hortons makes the best!

I am sorting clothes this afternoon after I complete the chicken pot pie...I am making one for Stacy and Matt too. My closet is bursting with shoes and clothes, so I am going to bag some for donation.

Have a great week.  Life is good, don't you think? By the way, welcome back readers, I thought I had lost you due to my three-week absence.

Individual pot pies waiting for their crusts in French covered pots.

Pumpkin pancakes

This is birthday week for Beth, our daughter-in-law, so to start it off we took her to the original pancake house.  Everyone had decided the same thing and the wait was to be 50 minutes, but it turned out to be only 35 minutes and they had a nice fire going for those who had to wait.  I ordered pumpkin pancakes and were they delicious.  But, the best things only got better.  The coffee was the best I have ever tasted and the carafe of freshly squeezed orange juice kept our glasses full. Mike had hash with German-style potato patties. We all had something different and passed tastes around.  We were not rushed even though people still waited to get in and by the time we had finished there was no line. I think they close at about 2:30 in the afternoon.

I look forward to 6:00, my good TV starts with Victoria and the good shows on public television run on until 11:00 or maybe later. Sunday night is a good TV night.

Mike has treated Beth to a four-day (birthday) retreat and conference starting Wednesday or Thursday, not sure which. After the wedding in Italy and the travel she can use some down time.

All is well here at Many Branches as I look forward to Thanksgiving in New Orleans and the family down there.  It turns out it will be a big delicious affair with, hopefully, onion pie.

Fish chowder

I do love to cook when it is cool to cold like it is today.  We are in for a cold snap and the leaves are still pelting us.  But, I am snug in my kitchen cooking two soups for us and for Stacy (the new mom) and Matt, her husband, because they are busy with the two little ones and it gets a bit overwhelming. They have recovered from Halloween but today was Madeleine's first dance and tumbling (figure that out) class.  So Mike and Beth, Stacy and the new baby and Matt took her to the first class.  I hear it was adorable but I have not received any art on the subject yet.  I wanted to go but there was already a big contingency. Maybe next Saturday.  She was, of course, adorable.

I am dragging my way through the book I told you about. The Queen's Gambit. It has gotten dull and I am just 60 % through it. I am on the search for a "can't put it down" book.  I have not had one of those in years.

I am looking forward to Sunday night public broadcasting television starting at 6:00 with Victoria, then the Forsyth (something), I have seen it before and it is good. Then Poldark which is great and the final season,  and one other that I can't bring to mind now, but it will keep me awake until midnight with that line up.

I hope your Saturday is a good one.