Black Sunday

Sharon and I ventured out on Sunday and it wasn't too bad traffic wise! We went to the Container Store for some bottles as we are planning liquid Christmas gifts. Then we went to Standard Market in Westmont. It is supposed to be "The" new grocery but we were not impressed. Yes, it was nice looking, they have a nice upscale selection, there is a cafe, there is a wine bar (though there was no room for us - two guys with newspapers spread out took up on side of the bar and there was one other person in the middle of the other side.) And finally, they do not accept cash at the registers? No cash? Credit or debit only? What's with that?

Next stop Burlington Coat Factory. Colby needs a new casual mid weight jacket and we've had success here before. Not so this time, though I did find a couple of sweaters. As we walked out of the store Sharon and I agreed we did not have to come back to this store again. Sharon said that on-line shopping is the way to go for her! The store was just strange inside, as were many of the shoppers. After we got home I went online and found a jacket at Eddie Bauer plus their Black Weekend special was 30% off everything and free shipping for orders over $49.00. A deal, boom, we've bought a jacket and some leggings.

 

Back at Casa Jordan Sharon and I relaxed and began the prep for our Christmas gifts and our crab cake dinner. We are making Mojitocello and Cranberry Vodka or Cranberry Liquor. We zested about a dozen limes into a glass container and added a 1.75 liter bottle of white rum. This will sit for a couple of weeks and then we will add some mint for a few hours, then add simple syrup to taste, then give it another week before we bottle it. The cranberry brew is two packages of cranberries that I cooked in a little orange juice for a few minutes to pop open the berries. Then I added 1.75 litre of vodka. This will sit for a couple of weeks and then we will taste it and decide what to do - either strain and bottle or add simple syrup. I'll let you know how it turns out!

Shelby Radiating

Thanksgiving 2012

We had a delightful Thanksgiving this year. First, the Monday before Thanksgiving marked two years since I finished chemo. I am thankful that I don't have to deal with chemo any more - except for the neuropathy in my fingers and feet. My fingers do seem to continually but slowly improve though this morning they my fingertips and nails are very sensitive. My feet? That is another matter. I am not sure if I am seeing improvement or not. Some days, at both the beginning of the day and at the end of the day I can barely walk. I walk like an old man! But other than those two reminders I am well. I have to schedule a CT scan this week and hopefully it will be clean once more.

Back to Thanksgiving good news! Kathy, Kevin, and Brady came to visit from Wednesday through Sunday. It is always good to see them, and especially to see them all together because Kevin has been on the road so much lately. We were surprised he got to spend the Thanksgiving holiday with us.

On Thanksgiving day the Solers were all he along with Kelly. Also joining us was friends of Beth and Dave - Cathy and her daughter Hannah. Chris and Rich were here too - and Rich seemed to be feeling well. I've worried about him in previous visits because he has not looked or sounded well. This visit he was looking good and enjoyed a couple of beers.

We had cheese and olives and salsas and oysters for starters while Sharon prepared sides of corn puddings, roasted potatoes, and Brussels sprouts and kale salad. I concentrated on a seven bone rib roast and two salmon fillets. The rib roast fought with me! I originally planned to cook it on the Weber grill with charcoal but then decided the Weber smoker would be better. But after putting the roast on the roast rack and seasoning it in preparation for cooking, and then getting the charcoal going in the smoker, when I put the roast on, it was too wide for the smoker - sticking out on both sides. OK I thought, back to the charcoal grill. I got some charcoal going and the put the roast on the grill only to find the lid would not go on! I then removed the roast from the rack and put the beast on a sheet pan. Looking good - for a couple of hours. Then I got involved with things inside - setting the table etc. and when I went out to check the roast, I had let the charcoal go too long without refilling. I had to pull the roast and start another chimney of charcoal. Bad Colby. A while later the roast was up to about 115 degrees and I fired up the gas grill, brought it to 500 degrees and then finished the roast on the gas grill. I should have left it one a bit longer than I did but time was getting short. Next I moved to the salmon, I started it on the charcoal but the fire was too low, so I finished it on the gas grill and it was perfect. Dinner all came together at around 5:00 - only an hour late! Not bad for us.

We finished up with Sharon treats - bread pudding, chocolate bread pudding, and pecan pie. Katy brought pear pie - one of her specialties. Yum to all!

Happy Thanksgiving!