The Great Alone

 If you are looking for books to read during this time of isolation Kristin Hannah's books are really good.  I am finishing The Great Alone and can hardly put it down. (The title seems apt for the way things are now.)

It is November 20th in this awful year of 2020 and yet we are sitting outside in the sun--you don't want to move away from the sun, then it is cold but not the cold of normal Novembers. 

Everything is different this year and I wonder if we will ever get control of our lives again. Some people believe in the virus and others boo-hoo it as the media and the government stirring things up. They can't deny it much longer for it is nearing home, knocking on the door, wanting in to wreck things further.

Even though I have four soups in the freezer, I have an urge to make a very satisfying potato soup with mixed vegetables and cheese. I wish I had some brussel sprouts for this soup because the ingredients please each other and me.

Thank God for the sun today and for books and the art of cooking, and Andy. It gets one through the jagged edges of life.

Cleaning up the mess and making do

 Fresh hell continues with a bad wind storm yesterday with the result of our having to shuffle blindly through the house because the electricity went off.  I think it pained me more because it was during my best tv show night...the only good tv so far this season on public television.  I enjoy Poldark especially. I did get to see the last half hour of it since the electricity came back on but this morning I find candle wax all over the house. There is an especially bad spot on the kitchen floor and bending is a bit of a problem for both of us. I used really drippy candles it seems in several rooms, so we will be working on that throughout the day.  It could have been worse, that's for sure, so I should count my blessings.

I've started on the fridge today.  I had several make-ahead dishes to complete and now that our Thanksgiving table has shrunk to eight from 18, we will be eating well for several days. Well, I have a feeling it is going to get worse with the next announcement from our governor.

So, I am going to complete and freeze this slow cooker corn dish as a side for Thanksgiving.  I've made it for the occasion before and it turned out that people really liked it.  It has ricotta cheese in it. While I am not a fan of ricotta cheese, it works beautifully in this particular dish.

Yesterday's storm did not whip all the leaves off our trees, but it gave it a good try. Today is lovely so far. (I should not write this for fear the other shoe will drop...2020 is still here.)

Undoing

Sadly, we have canceled the Thanksgiving here at Many Branches for the first gathering in a year, due to the virus. It has hit close to home and we feel there is a shut down coming. Andy and I send our love, and hope family members recovering from this heinous virus will continue to recover with speed.

Note:

We are now down to four people for Thanksgiving from 18. This is a sad and ugly year.

Shepherd's pie

 I enjoy a good shepherd's pie. I only make it a couple of times a year and each time I think I should make it more often.  I am trying a new casserole each day for no special reason.  Yesterday it was the hash brown potato dish with tiny shrimp. One serving was left from a dish that was not really big, but the contents were piled high. Andy made short work of the one serving left over today.

I finished the book Between Sisters yesterday.  It was really a good read. I am starting another from the same author.  I was reading her a while ago and skipped to another author. I like to read everything from one author if I enjoy her work.) It makes me feel that I know the author through her work. I don't know why I left her, but, now she is rediscovered.

I am not up to date with the news.  I am not watching or talking politics for three weeks, maybe more. I hope things have settled down for you during this upheaval. 

I made a big batch of those oyster enhanced crackers today.  I burned one tray but managed two big trays that filled the tin for Thanksgiving. They sit in all their glory by the parade of soups gracing the counter on that special day.  They are so easy to make and so tasty.  I am going to enhance the Club crackers the same way tomorrow and make another tray of the oyster crackers which pleases Andy to no end.  It does not take much to entertain him. lol

Talk to you by blog tomorrow and find out the casserole of the day.

                                                         

crack potatoes...because you can't stop eating them

 No family gathering would be complete, for the Lechlers, without the crack potatoes that are so forgiving and can be made ahead for today's dinner or made ahead and frozen for the event. (An unfortunate name but apt.) It just refers to the fact one keeps going back for more.  Also, endless items can be added to the basic recipe, and, at the moment, I am trying them with those tiny salad shrimp that you get in the frozen fish section of the market. That's for today and one for the freezer without shrimp because Joe is allergic to shellfish. That dish is with the bacon bits for Thanksgiving. So, that is four soups and one potato dish checked off the Thanksgiving to-do list.

Crack Potatoes

2 16 ounce containers of sour cream

2 cups sharp cheddar cheese

bacon bits 6 ounces...I guess you can buy that, I just fry some bacon 

2 packages of Ranch Dip mix

1 large bag of frozen hash browns 28-30 ounces

Combine the first 4 ingredients, mix in hash browns, spread in 9x13 baking dish, top with potato chips (crushed) if you like, and bake at 400 for 45-60 minutes.  You can tell, if it is brown and bubbly then it is done.

Thank God for the glorious week, weather-wise, that we have had in Columbus.  It makes things more bearable in 2020.

 

2020 still here??? Go away.

 We are in for a fun day today.  It is Beth's birthday and a group is going to her favorite pancake house for that once a year treat and then coming here.  I am cooking for a late afternoon; so far I have two things on the move, a pork roast with potatoes and carrots in the slow cooker and a large pan of potato soup with multi-vegetables.  I thought we would eat outside since we are being blessed with lovely weather. I have not watched the news and will not watch it until things settle down; it is just too upsetting.  Anyway, I have done all I can so c'est la vie. I have worked the potato soup to death in the last couple of weeks so I will give it a rest after today.  I have four soups ready for Thanksgiving so far.  I am doing as much ahead as possible of course.  The tables are set and covered, the windows are washed upstairs and down thanks to Monica and her crew working late last night.  Andy is putting away the plants and building the topsoil pile ready for spring, please God, make it soon.  I hate to wish away my life's time but the sooner we are out of 2020 the better.

I will be sticking to Netflix and books for the next few weeks, so I will let you know what I have found. Enjoy this warm spring day.  The grass is as green as it is in the spring for once.

Netflix:

Ratchet

Queen's Gambit

The Tudors

Reign

All the Great British Baking Shows

Emily in Paris

Pride and Prejudice

Last Tango in Halifax

Enola Holmes

Madam Secretary (The closest I will be getting to politics in the future.)

There are more, but you get the idea.

Books

Started Olive Kitteridge, got 40% through it and decided there were too many relationship crises to deal with, although the writing is well done. It's a skip for me.

The Secret Recipes of Sophia Verant (liked it)

The Secret Mother by Shalini Boland (I liked all of her many books.)

I like many of Kate Fitzroy's books Like Lingering Finish, Moonlight in Tuscany, Dreams of Tuscany, Perfume of Provence...she has written so many and I liked them.

I liked the Little Cornish Kitchen, The Emerald Comb, The Secret Chateau, Jo Jo Moyes The Giver of Stars, Jo Thomas' books like Escape to the French Farmhouse (she too has many books to enjoy.)

Books by Kristin Hannah: The Nightingale was wonderful and I read Firefly Lane and am now reading Between Sisters, which is really a good read.

mini meatball soup/Mr. and Mrs. T's bloody mary mix

 Well, two soups down and two more to make for the front end of Thanksgiving guests. (I'm old, so I have to start early.) My guests like to eat! I don't want to disappoint them.  I am only hoping nothing interferes with these plans or we will be eating Thanksgiving treats for months. So far, there is the potato soup corn chowder with roasted vegetables. And, today, there burbling away, is mini meatball soup also with roasted vegetables. I still have a seafood chowder to consider and perhaps a chili. The guests arrive around 11:00 and we start off with canapes and drinks easing into soups and salads, and, deviled eggs (from Glenda)... One table will be loaded with pies from Pam and Mary Susan.  One thing I am doing this year is turkey breasts, rather than whole turkeys, as well as a prime rib roast. I can't face the two big turkeys that we usually have when most only want white meat anyway.  It is just easier is my confession.  I will be 83 a few days after Thanksgiving, so I am playing that card.

Good luck with your menu, my friends, and Happy Thanksgiving.  The conversation this year around the tables will be interesting and heated, no doubt. Here's hoping we have a president and everyone can get along now that it will have been over several days after voting day.

Creamy potato soup with pepper bacon and brussel sprouts

Yes, it is creamy potato soup made with Bob Evans ready-made mashed potatoes that melt into a smooth creamy base and then are enhanced with brussel sprouts, cauliflower, carrots, pepper bacon and whatever else comes to mind. It is quick and delicious, perfect for Saturdays when cleaning, and organizing is in session.

 I finally got to vote.  We had to do absentee because there is no way we could stand in that madhouse on Morse Road where everyone in Columbus comes to vote early.  Thank God they are voting and I bet Columbus has never had a turn out like this one.  It is like a circus. We can track our vote online, so I don't feel as nervous as I did about doing it that way for the first time in my life.

It will soon be over and another form of hysteria will ensue. It seems there will be no peace in 2020, a simply horrid year all around.

We are planning Thanksgiving here at Many Branches. This soup will be on the menu for the first meal of the day.  It is so easy, quick, and satisfying. It is fun to plan a day to gather at long last. I like trying out different combinations like this one with the vivid green brussel sprouts drifting down the mashed potato river.  There are many vegetables in this soup, so all the bases are covered.

Rainy Sunday+

What to do on a rainy Sunday?  Make breakfast crack, of course. The way I do it is no small job. I make big batches filled with dried fruit and nuts.

I also plump the raisins with liquor.

Andy is very happy in the mornings. My daughter-in-law likes it even more and she, David, and JD are coming from Florida for turkey day as are the Cincinnati Lechlers.  It will be the first time we are together, I guess, in a year. We will try to make it count.

I was in Trader Joe's and since there was a line outside, I went pretty fast but was still able to spend a lot in a short time.  I bought wine and Prosecco too.  We always start the day with 

that treat and it relaxes everyone, some more than others...like the cook.

I haven't written much lately, as you probably noticed.   I'm a bit afraid to write anything or comment. There is so much trouble in the air, it's sucking up all the oxygen.  I have been reading like mad, soft stuff, that's all I read any more.  I like it and I don't have to worry about their problems or how they solve them.  I usually know the outcome, but that's okay. These books and stories are much better than the Hallmark tv stuff, I think. where you know when the handsome man appears what is going to happen.

Stay well and safe.

Note:  The holes in my ceiling are filled and painted.  Thanks to those who gave me some names for future problems that need doing.

Help me

 What is with the guys who show up to view the job, show great enthusiasm about doing the job, make all kinds of promises to get the job. and when they have the okay, they don't show up.  We still have holes in the ceiling of one room waiting for commitments to be carried out and it has been months.  I don't want to hear any whining about not being able to get a job.  I just don't believe it. They give a list of what is needed, we run out to get it and now we have this stack of supplies that we can't use and probably won't suit the next guy if he does ever show up. If you know a person who can come in my lifetime, who does plaster and light painting to match the ceiling, in Columbus and is reliable, please let me know. dorislechler77@gmail.com. Waaaa, I need help.

By the way: Someone sent Bella a cute dog outfit from Amazon.  It came, is really nice, but there was no name to thank.  If you did it, let me know.

We keep checking the lines for early voters and again today they are wrapped around the building.  Lines, masks, and 6 feet apart while the parking lot is a circus with people talking to voters telling them how they should vote.  It's a nightmare except for the fact that they are eager to vote. This vote will be the largest in history I should think. 

This and that

 Well, this is a glorious fall day, don't you think?  Nevertheless, I have been plundering Netflix these last few days. Do you remember the movie (the book first) One Flew Over the Cuckoo's nest? If so, you certainly could not forget Nurse Ratchet.  There is a new series on Netflix called RATCHET and it is compelling. But, I warn you there will be parts you might not like.  Then there is a lighter series called Emily in Paris.  After that, a series called Enola Holmes.  I liked them all.

I am reading a fluff piece called The Little Cornish Kitchen and in the book line up that I have only glanced at so far is Under the Siena Sun and Escape to the French Farmhouse. I need calm right now.  I am afraid I won't be able to vote.  So far the line to vote early for the last two days wraps around a large building and its neighboring building.  I cannot stand that long, so I can only hope for a break.  (Who is working with all of the people in cars and in lines?)

Good luck to all of you when you vote.  It is such a privilege to be able to do it.