Extra Christmas Home...

I showed Sam this cute little Christmas graphic, and without missing a beat he said, "Well..."It would be easier" if we had a dedicated Christmas house to move into each December....No wait, I mean each November."  LOL. 

Honestly?  This just might be the answer!!  Imagine it.....NO dragging tubs from the attic, NO wrestling with tangled garlands, NO mystery ornament stuck in the tree from last year...  Just open the door and BAM: Instant Christmas magic, fully furnished and the home smelling like cinnamon. 

Of course, this Christmas house would need it's own shed....for all of my extra Christmas decorations.  Seriously, I have way too many, but I just can't let go of things. And then, we would have to worry about squirrels (what is it about squirrels?) eating up the outdoor lights.  

The thought of a move-in-ready holiday house?  Sounds pretty good!  Now, my brain is spinning...  I can already picture it.  A cottage home with evergreen wreaths in every window and twinkle lights everywhere.  OH....and cooler weather, maybe a little snow.  

It would be like living in pure December bliss.  At the end of hmmmm, lets say ... January, just lock up the doors until next year.  No hauling and no glitter everywhere.

Oh well...it's nice to dream isn't it?  I'm pretty sure there are some folks out there that have this exact setup.  Bless their hearts. As for me, I'm gonna keep pulling out the bins and decorating like the overzealous Christmas elf I was born to be.  

The truth is, I'm happy right here in our home...messy tubs, tangled lights, glitter explosions and all.  Every ornament we unwrap and every wreath hung usually turns out to be a silly moment that feels magical.  Why a silly moment?  Because one of usually trips over something or hangs something wrong.   This is who we are and not only do I love it, but Sam and the rest of the family does too.  

Shug...  

Talking Turkey.

 Let's Talk Turkey!! 🦃🦃🦃

One minute we are carving pumpkins, the next, we're trying to wrestle a big turkey.

So, lets talk Turkey.  Literally, figuratively...Emotionally and spiritually.  

Step One:  The Turkey crisis

If you haven't bought your turkey yet, may the odds be ever in your favor.  Just kidding, Turkeys are everywhere right now!  And, the cost of my favorite Smoked Turkey is really high this year.  $75.00 for a 8 pound turkey.  

Turkey is what I call the "Diva" of the meal.  

Step Two: The menu that keeps growing.

I think we all know how this goes.  I plan to keep it simple this year and then five minutes later...My list begins to grow.  We need dressing, mac and cheese, deviled eggs, rolls, sweet pot, green beans, cranberry sauce, gravy, fruit salad, corn and desserts..several desserts.

My Thanksgiving menu multiplies like bunnies.  I now have a spreadsheet!

Step Three:  The family Factor.

LOL. the moment that cousin Betty arrives with her version of the dressing.  Naw... we only have 7 of us coming for dinner this year.  Aunt Betty will not be here, nor will Uncle Danny, who always starts his conversions with "Back in my day!"

Step Four:  Things you don't expect.

Did I forget to buy the cranberry sauce?

Did I buy dessert plates?

Did I remember to let the rolls rise in time.  

It's tradition to either burn something or forget something..

Step Five:  The real heart of it.

As much as I joke and as wild as the kitchen gets, and as exhausting I get in making sure the TURKEY is good, 

THANKSGIVING WHISPERS SOMETHING SOFT INTO MY HEART.  ALWAYS.

I love looking around at my table...seeing the beautiful faces that I love.  I love the funny stories that we share each year and the blessings that we hold quietly in our hearts.  I also love the warmth that fills our home by having my family around me.  

I can't wait!!  Come on Mr. Turkey!!

I just sent all of this ↑↑↑↑ out the door with Mylee.  Warm Banana Bread muffins and Warm Homemade Mac and Cheese.  She and her friends are having "Friendsgiving" today.  

Hope they have the best meal and the best time...

Our house is already smelling so good.  

Wishing you all a wonderful Sunday and sending much love to each of you.

Shug.  

Difficult week.

Woo...what a long, tiring week it has been.   Sam had his biopsy Monday.  Two hours after we got home from a two hour drive, I had to call an ambulance to take him to the ER.   He could not breathe very well.  

He was taken to our local hospital where they transported him to Dallas.  I came home to grab a few things and headed towards Dallas.  I drove back to the big city in the dark and yes, it was stressful.  

We stayed in the ER all night and half of the next day, until they could get us in a room.  Sam had a collapsed lung as well as blood in his chest wall AND pneumonia.  He has been very ill.  

He was put on 100% oxygen for a few days plus a combination of antibiotics.  I brought him home Friday afternoon and he has been resting ever since.  

Unfortunately... the lung biopsy did not come out like we had hoped.  The nodule is malignant and for this reason, he will not be able to have a liver transplant.  Once the cancer becomes metastasized you can no longer be considered to be a recipient.  

We will travel back to Dallas on Monday for a visit with the oncologist.  Hopefully we will get a treatment plan so that we can move forward with trying to get Sam healed.  

Sure missing you all.. 

Hugs, 

Shug 🩷

Sam Update:

 Just hopping on to ask for more prayers. Sam and I made it home this morning from Dallas, but around noon, I had to call an ambulance to come get him. He couldn't breathe very well.  We are still at the ER waiting to be transferred back to Dallas.  Sam has blood and air in his chest wall. He is in a lot of pain. extra prayers please.  

love you all.