tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6173509801114364154.post268913962795682544..comments2024-03-17T04:14:05.997-05:00Comments on Sam, Coffee, Money, & Thyme: Saturday Schmatterings-A Collection of Random ThoughtsSAMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16485146123969622896noreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6173509801114364154.post-55750803115612034592021-10-31T11:26:12.089-05:002021-10-31T11:26:12.089-05:00In my early married days with DH, the mere thought...In my early married days with DH, the mere thought of the expectation just WORE ME OUT. It took a bit of courage, but the best thing I did for our family unit was make it perfectly clear that we would not be travelling anywhere on the holidays, whether we were 10, 100 or, as we were at the time, 1,000 miles away. I told my kids they are welcome to celebrate the holidays here once they move out, but they mustn't feel obligated. The obligation--be it presents or presence--is contrary to the concept of a holiday, in my mind. I say, do the things you like to do, don't do the things you dislike.<br />Meg B.https://www.blogger.com/profile/09871105973774159424noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6173509801114364154.post-45061224594746262562021-10-31T09:02:41.471-05:002021-10-31T09:02:41.471-05:00Since my Christmas 2015 melt down where I lost it...Since my Christmas 2015 melt down where I lost it with my Sister in law, I've been trying to taper back my expectations of perfection, and others as well. This focus on gifts and certain foods to th epoint where people will think the holiday is ruined is messed up! I love the holiday season-the colors, the lights, treats, and gatherings, but if I needed to start form scratch, I'd strip down every ove rthe top event, focus on just being with people, or being with the outdoors (those walks in the winter under stars), readin gor listening to the Christmas story-whether or Christian or not, it still is the Christmas story, watch the assorted movies, and slow down-rather than ramp up. SAMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16485146123969622896noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6173509801114364154.post-8074626029074464412021-10-31T08:56:14.527-05:002021-10-31T08:56:14.527-05:00I suppose the leaves fall with everything on them....I suppose the leaves fall with everything on them. SAMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16485146123969622896noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6173509801114364154.post-37532879237648130622021-10-31T08:55:44.471-05:002021-10-31T08:55:44.471-05:00They just added the 18-64 with underlying health ...They just added the 18-64 with underlying health so thought it was time to roll up sleeves again. SAMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16485146123969622896noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6173509801114364154.post-40532006996767865822021-10-31T08:55:02.759-05:002021-10-31T08:55:02.759-05:00My budget won't be lower than last years since...My budget won't be lower than last years since we were stay at home so did not have extra on going to both families big gatherings, no meet-ups with friends, but it was a good year to lower anticipation. SAMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16485146123969622896noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6173509801114364154.post-75292933993187105902021-10-31T08:53:41.725-05:002021-10-31T08:53:41.725-05:00I think more people might choose on their own to g...I think more people might choose on their own to get it if the vaccine stops being a political weapon. That would make room for better research to be heard. Autumn is so beautiful-best sleeping weather. SAMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16485146123969622896noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6173509801114364154.post-59442211164969448562021-10-31T08:51:59.491-05:002021-10-31T08:51:59.491-05:00We all want to give gifts our loved ones want and ...We all want to give gifts our loved ones want and will be excited about, but I agree that expectations should be set early. A few times my kids happened to get the gift they wanted more than all others, but it was never expected. Meg-what a great gift. As I said we have no absolute traditions. If my MIL didn't get lefse made, it would be disappointing, but no one would say the holiday can't go on! Now, if people can't help her, it is too much for her anyway-ricing the potatoes and doing the rolling. SAMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16485146123969622896noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6173509801114364154.post-28513287673385553572021-10-31T08:48:35.410-05:002021-10-31T08:48:35.410-05:00When the weather report said better of the two day...When the weather report said better of the two days, they understated how perfect Saturday would be. It was down right hot in cars and we went out and about with no sweaters-just shirt sleeves. I'm glad yesterday was not a hibernation day for me. SAMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16485146123969622896noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6173509801114364154.post-81337706736468001502021-10-30T22:40:44.052-05:002021-10-30T22:40:44.052-05:00Hawaii Planner--You might have to order, or step i...Hawaii Planner--You might have to order, or step into a Walmart. Paradise Fruit Company, based in Florida, sold to Seneca foods last year, laying off just over 80 people. Seneca was, at the time, not sure they would continue with that product. I've not seen candied fruit in stores since last Christmas, and typically I see it about now. Fruitcake is a tradition here--we use that brightly colored, candied fruit and rum, lots of it. Guess what my friend (with whom I often get together and bake) and kids gave me for Christmas last year upon hearing the news of Paradise? I wound up with enough for this year's, and possibly next year's fruitcakes. (I tucked it in the freezer.) If you were close, I'd drop a container off to you! Meg B.https://www.blogger.com/profile/09871105973774159424noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6173509801114364154.post-28459408553049557592021-10-30T21:53:13.534-05:002021-10-30T21:53:13.534-05:00"I'm not buying into the panic and hype a..."I'm not buying into the panic and hype and I don't think you should either." SING IT, SISTER! If people think Christmas is at risk over this, I tend to believe they don't get the true meaning of Christmas, or risk, for that matter. Oh, man, I wish I could be charitable, but I can't. When I hear, (and I've heard it plenty) "I'll be fine, but I'm worried about my kid/grandkid" over a gift item which may, or may not be available in a store???? THAT is a WORRY? It sort of makes me sick. (And perhaps that projection of entitlement and greed to the kids is why I dislike most other people's kids.) While I believe people should celebrate Christmas the way they choose, I also believe that if they way they choose is causing fabricated stress and worry, perhaps it's the wrong choice?<br />Also, items made in the U.S.A., or purchased from local artisans are less likely to suffer from the supply chain issues...the cognitive dissonance of a certain side just galls me!<br />On the subject of Christmas, last night we did the annual soaking of the candied fruit in rum, and today I spent the day baking the fruitcakes. They are out of the oven, cooled, have been fed with a healthy dose of rum, and are now wrapped in tins. I'll feed them once/week until I either cut into them, or give them away, usually around Thanksgiving or early December. We love (well, not DD) a good, dark, rich, rum soaked fruitcake throughout the holiday season.<br /><br /> Meg B.https://www.blogger.com/profile/09871105973774159424noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6173509801114364154.post-18823412488752358232021-10-30T20:35:47.425-05:002021-10-30T20:35:47.425-05:00Gently howling wind is nice when you don't hav...Gently howling wind is nice when you don't have to go outdoors. I have to avoid wind with falling leaves because of asthma. I get all the time I want outdoors, though. This is not my favorite season at all, but I like having the seasons in rotation...lol. I don't want to eliminate anything. Practical Parsimonyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08419071209412207674noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6173509801114364154.post-65253573717943173952021-10-30T18:09:08.569-05:002021-10-30T18:09:08.569-05:00Lovely photos!
I am glad to read you are getting y...Lovely photos!<br />I am glad to read you are getting your booster. Ur-spohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04237644452200889946noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6173509801114364154.post-28855836740970822442021-10-30T13:43:47.550-05:002021-10-30T13:43:47.550-05:00Hello from Idaho. Hope all is well. I just start s...Hello from Idaho. Hope all is well. I just start setting up a Christmas budget. It going to be less than what was last year. Most of trees in our yard is bare, although I find peaceful to watch the leaves fall.<br />If you have time stop in for a cup of coffeepeppylady (Dora)https://www.blogger.com/profile/01649272822470007714noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6173509801114364154.post-20929580781562351552021-10-30T11:42:00.323-05:002021-10-30T11:42:00.323-05:00Yes its a shame that the vaccine has been politici...Yes its a shame that the vaccine has been politicised. Love those pictures, Autumn is my favourite season with all its beautiful colours.Janhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15850482598911705142noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6173509801114364154.post-32075074121407869122021-10-30T10:19:58.823-05:002021-10-30T10:19:58.823-05:00Your photos are so perfectly fall! Love the colors...Your photos are so perfectly fall! Love the colors. I'm planning to do some baking/cooking today, as we miraculously have no soccer of any kind. It's a weekend miracle. ;-) Next week we more than make up for lost time.<br /><br />I'd be disappointed if I couldn't make my special bread (good reminder to start looking for candied diced fruit), but we would be fine without it.<br /><br />I ordered the main gift for both kids a few weeks ago, and they have already arrived. My kids are old enough to understand when things aren't available. We will fill in with a few other small things, and a bit of money to be spend flexibly. <br /><br />Our holidays will be all about time together. We so appreciate that, and it's such a nice treat every year. This year will be a bit different from the past decade or so, as we won't be having our post holiday celebration at the beach house. We're going to Bend instead, and hope to ski. Fingers crossed for some snow at the mountains. If not, we'll make the best of it. Hawaii Plannerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04760426766801381563noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6173509801114364154.post-5781935564637571992021-10-30T10:07:51.928-05:002021-10-30T10:07:51.928-05:00It's been grey and drizzly here today and is j...It's been grey and drizzly here today and is just now starting to rain, but I can't say I mind it too much either. It's perfect weather for snuggling down and getting into hibernation mode isn't it!Treadershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08613671137557939083noreply@blogger.com