Three kitchen items I can't live without

There are three items in my kitchen (aside from the obvious pots & pans, dishes, basic utensils, etc.) that I just can't live without or that make cooking so much easier that I would go out and buy a replacement immediately. They are:

1. Pam Spray - I'm not sure I even know how to cook without it anymore. What did we do before it was invented?? I use it on so many things -- meatloaf pans, cookie sheets, muffin pans, regular fry pans and more. It's like "Non-stick in a bottle".
2. My small food processor/chopper. I use it to chop onions, green peppers, carrots. I use it to make tuna, ham or chicken salad. I use it to chop nuts during Christmas cookie season. So much faster, easier and less messy than using a knife and cutting board!
3. My fry pan splatter screen. Being low-carbers, I tend to cook bacon, sausage, hamburger a bit more than most. My extra-large splatter screen fits over any fry pan I have in the house. Not only does it save me a lot of grease-splatter clean up, but it also saves my clothes from grease splatters and saves my hands and face from nasty splatter burns!

Recently my kitchen shears broke. Although I'm not going to run and out replace them immediately, I am surprised to find how often I miss them. I use them to de-bone chicken, remove chicken skin, open packages of food, trim wicks on candles and more! I find myself reaching for them quite often. A good pair of kitchen shears are actually a bit expensive, so a replacement will have to wait until after Christmas, but I do miss them!

Upcoming holidays

I've been doing some of my Thanksgiving food shopping over the past two or three months, as items I need appear on sale. All I have left to buy is my turkey. I normally buy a 20-22 lb. turkey, even though there's usually just 4 or 5 of us for dinner. Why? Because we love leftovers even more than we love the big meal itself. Turkey soup, turkey burgers, and what we call "TV dinners". These are thanksgiving day leftovers placed in individual meal sizes in aluminum pie pans and frozen. I'd like to have 10 or 12 of these, but we usually end up with only 5 or 6. I found this great website that tells you not just how much turkey to buy for the number of people at your table, but also the amount of potatoes, green beans, pies, etc.! Here's the link: http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/cm/goodhousekeeping/PDF/thanksgiving-servings-chart.pdf One of my life-long goals was to have both my kids and grandchildren sitting at the Thanksgiving table. As yet, we've not quite managed it, but it is such a blessing to look across the table and see Brayden there! Last year he ate only baby food, of course, but his presence was enough. This year I'm sure he'll share in the actual food. I'm looking forward to it. I will miss my son and his wife, however. Thanksgiving just isn't complete without your entire family. I will think of them as I sit at the table, and I will think of him throughout the day. I wish he could be here, but I do understand why he won't be. I've also started thinking about Christmas. Jeff and I are discussing budgets and how much we want to spend. I've always been pretty good about sticking to the given budget, so this year will be no problem, after 30 years of practice :) The name of the game is to not use a credit card or go into debt for Christmas. I have solid ideas on what to get JJ and Lisa for Christmas, and need to order it. Mary is more difficult, though she has given me a few good ideas. Since Mary's husband will not be around this year, she and Brayden will stay here on Christmas Eve. I'm excited about that! Even at her age, Mary has a child's spirit when it comes to Christmas, and it's infectious. I know Brayden will also be a joy to have here Christmas Eve and Christmas morning. I can't wait!

My Anniversary

Today is my anniversary. I have been a parent for 28 years. Yes, it's my son's birthday. Happy Birthday, JJ!!!! Twenty-eight years ago today Jeff and I became parents to the world's best son :) Things I remember best about JJ when he was young:

-- His first words (other than Mama and Dada) were "Yup OK". He did not say "no" until he was more than 3 years old!
-- There were no terrible two's. He always had a sunny disposition and rarely acted up in public. I don't remember temper tantrums at all.
-- He was, and still is, one of the brightest people I've ever met. He read by 3 years old, spoke clearly and with an advanced vocabulary at a very early age, and had a very adult sense of humor, which people often mistook for him being precoscious. He also had a wonderful sense of right and wrong.
-- He loved stop lights, the water tower in Lawrence, MA, every holiday, and his grandfather. He loved anything to do with Math and numbers, and firmly believed he was meant to invent things. He was an avid reader throughout elementary school.

Now an adult, he carries over many of the characteristics he showed at such an early age.
-- He has an excellent and exceptional sense of responsibility and work ethic.
-- Family means everything to him.
-- He still has the same off-beat sense of humor.
-- He is self-confident with every right to be so.

I'm proud of my son. He means the world to his Dad and I, and we're so happy that he's happy with his life and his work.

Happy birthday, sweetie :)

xxoo, Mom

Jeff and Brayden working outside

Jeff took yesterday (Friday) off, so Brayden and "Grampy" had a day of mowing the yard. Brayden loves to ride on the mower, but Jeff only lets him ride on the mower on the straight stretches, so he has to "sit out" and watch while Jeff mows the curvier sections. He's quite put out when he has to stand on the sidelines, but he does stand there without fussing, and watches until Grampy signals that he can come back.