Posted on 07/01/2025 10:08:18 AM PDT by DollyCali

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For so many people It’s s hard being alone during holidays after many years as a couple
Are you taking a dish to your nieces home? Are they local?
Ive been alone most holidays - most of time. Most of life .
A few years ago on Trump Train i posted a lot of recioe ideas and the actual recipes. Not sure ill be able to find them but will try
Are you in general I LOVE TO COOK or I GUESS I HAVE TO COOK person?
That by in large defines a person n culinary leanings
Thanksgiving is a beautiful holiday as it focuses on gratitude and family. Unfortunately, a lot of other holidays Christmas birthdays, anniversaries can be overrun with materialism, both in decor and giftgiving. I find that true in the little family that I have locally with my granddaughter and her family and her mother and her family. To me that is a big turn off and values. Im talking huge extremes here. Sad
From what I’ve observed and done as far as prep with private party, catering and family catering, there’s not one ONLY WAY.. There’s a traditional turkey and ham dinners. Those are the standbys with a turkey and ham, usually spiral, mashed potatoes, sweet potato casserole, green beans, salad, rolls, various desserts.
Then there’s the creative and can go three dozen different ways. It can be ethically oriented. It can be popular oriented. It can be heavy hors d’oeuvres and desserts. Only soup oriented —sky is the limit.. I’ll be involved with our local county GOP Christmas party. I’m doing salad for 100. And it’s gonna be a very BIG WONDERFUL salad
When i was married i tried to invite singles, elderly for meals and family sharing. We did food and games.. tried to make it happy time. I specified no hostess gifts - but made sure i sent each home with full togo meal and a small momento
Church get togethers for me have always been most enjoyable
Good one! Looks like our Panther. We’ve had her one week yesterday. So far she’s got three mice that we found. I realize a lot are well. Several could be battered under the stove, sofas, etc..
She’s been a real delight. I’ve missed having a fur baby. I especially loved having dogs, but can no longer do the heavy day hiking that was required. A big work dogs and in our current living situation with all the dogs next-door having one on a tether outside would not be smart
You’re very good at what you do with the knitting Judy . do you get pictures of the young people you’re making sweaters -wearing them ? that would be nice. I’d like to get back to my jewelry making again. I’ve done a bit of it in the kitchen on a table Right now. I have it all covered with cloth . Rethinking having beads all over the place on a table with a cat is going to be challenging
in my home in Ohio. I had a whole room larger than current bedroom which is my beading room. I had many tables all set up. I had cats and dogs, but kept the door closed when I wasn’t in the room
when I was in the room working I let the dogs in, but not the cats. When you have cats and do beading 52 pick up would be 1000 pick up.
Yes I think a cat is a much better solution for you than a dog that you would have to take outside to encounter the Mangy pack. I hope your kitty never gets outside. She doesn’t stand a chance.
Sounds like she’s got plenty to entertain her inside at the moment! Plus being a kitten, she’ll find toys that you don’t even know of. I was surprised brought my kittens would play with, scraps of paper, anything that fell on the floor, I had one that thought my little cherry tomatoes were great toys.



My bladder works fine - not quite over active but getting there...two\three times a night.
my problem is the prostate...the bladder says it’s time to go, the prostate says ...not so fast, I’ll tell you when.
I had a urology doctor tell me I should go every two hours.
I needed to give a urine sample when I had just gone a couple of hours before an didn’t feel the urge.
The doctor said “Force yourself...you can go”. She was right. I did and I did.
I’m having surgery middle of December to get some relief from all this...and maybe stop taking all the pills for all of this.
Hope you find an answer....the broken sleep is the worst...
Cotton I am totally enjoying all of your offerings. I asked this question several months ago on here on the Trump train. What’s the difference between a one panel cartoon and a meme???
I think they’re the same just renamed . I think originally meme was for something very specific but now it’s just incorporated for everything that I consider a cartoon
I’m glad you’re solving your issue. Mine, I don’t think there’s an answer. I’ve been getting up every 1 1/2 to 2 hours for years now. I can’t remember a sleep any longer than that.....which is why I don’t mind napping during the day at times.
Hahahaha that reminds me of the time I had some bright pink wool delivered and the dogs got ahold of the package. It was winter and there was pink wool strewn across the snow-covered yard. It was so funny. Of course they were playing with it, so they got dirt all over it as well.
Being the non-wasteful person that I am, I gathered it all up, soaked it in warm soapy water, laid it all out to dry, untangled it and made it back into a ball lol.
All that to save $20.
Trump Train Culinary Corner
Ready - found my stash of TGiving recipes
Sharing w/ others also
Asked to bring a dish to dinner? Here are some ideas
~~<>~~
Thanks giving Sides & more
S I D E S
Stuffing
https://thetipsyhousewife.org/2019/09/10/worlds-best-thanksgiving-stuffing/?
@
Scalloped Corn casserole
https://thetipsyhousewife.org/2022/11/20/scalloped-corn-casserole/?
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Mashed Potatoes
https://homecookedharvest.com/cheesy-garlic-mashed-potatoes/#recipe
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green bean casserole (no canned soup)
https://thetipsyhousewife.org/2023/11/12/green-bean-casserole-extraordinaire/
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Macaroni & cheese
https://thetipsyhousewife.org/2023/07/24/decadent-macaroni-and-cheese/?
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SALADS
Salad w/strawberries
https://prettysimplesweet.com/strawberry-and-mixed-green-salad/
OR
SOUTHWEST SALAD
https://www.countryliving.com/food-drinks/a39814026/southwest-salad-lime-vinaigrette-recipe/
OR
LAYERED SALAD
https://12tomatoes.com/layered-pasta-salad/?u
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SOUPS -to go with that next day turkey sandwich
Mushroom soup
https://www.mushroomcouncil.com/recipes/easy-mushroom-soup/?
OR
Lemon chicken orzo soup
https://www.saltandlavender.com/lemon-chicken-orzo-soup/
Or
Coconut butternut curry soup
https://minimalistbaker.com/curried-butternut-squash-soup/
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French seafood bisque
https://www.foodandwine.com/recipes/french-seafood-bisque-with-baguette
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DESSERTS
Butter pecan praline poke cake
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Pecan pie cheesecake
https://www.thepioneerwoman.com/food-cooking/recipes/a45161079/pecan-pie-cheesecake-recipe/
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Chocolate ganache cake
https://www.thepioneerwoman.com/food-cooking/meals-menus/g37691893/winter-desserts/?
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Maple Bourbon Pecan Pie
https://tornadoughalli.com/maple-bourbon-pecan-pie/
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Jazzy Strawberry jello
https://thetipsyhousewife.org/2023/08/03/raspberry-delight-
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BREADS
Apple bread
Cinnamon Spiced Apple Bread
OR
Cranberry Brie Pull apart bread
https://www.delish.com/cooking/recipe-ideas/recipes/a57209/cranberry-brie-pull-apart-bread-recipe/
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COCKTAIL PARTY APPETIZERS
Baked Feta Bites
https://www.delish.com/cooking/recipe-ideas/a38306315/baked-feta-bites-recipe/#
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Antipasto skewers
https://www.townandcountrymag.com/leisure/dining/g42828168/best-party-appetizers/?
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Steak frites bites
https://www.delish.com/cooking/recipe-ideas/recipes/a48574/steak-frites-bites-recipe/
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Pimento cheese bar
https://www.countryliving.com/food-drinks/a39897504/pimento-cheese-bar-recipe/
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Bacon wrapped dates
https://www.thecookierookie.com/bacon-wrapped-dates-goat-cheese/?
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Bacon wrapped shrimp
https://www.delish.com/cooking/recipe-ideas/a19473821/easy-bacon-wrapped-shrimp-recipe/
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Signature happy hour drinks
Gingerbread martini
https://www.delish.com/cooking/recipe-ideas/a45106701/gingerbread-martini-recipe/
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Pear punch
https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/food-recipes/party-ideas/a29417605/fall-punch-recipe/
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Old Fashioned eggnog
https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/food-recipes/a25461530/how-to-make-eggnog/
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Espresso martini
https://www.kahlua.com/en-us/drinks/espresso-martini/
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Spiked hot chocolate
https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/food-recipes/a34728624/spiked-hot-chocolate-recipe/
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Mudslide cocktail
https://craftybartending.com/cocktail-recipes/mudslide/
That sounds like COMFORT FOOD!
Lord knows we could all use a little of THAT!
Hi there. My niece lives about an hour from me, so it is not too far. I think we have it worked out to what I’m going to bring. I don’t mind cooking for this but I keep cooking to a bare minimum for myself. Just no fun anymore.
I fell last June and broke my shoulder and then in July had reverse shoulder surgery. Then my hemoglobin and iron went really low, so they threw me into the hospital for a blood transfusion and iron infusion. Then a colonoscopy and endoscopy and they still don’t know where the bleeding is coming from. I am still so tired all the time and the holidays coming makes it even harder.
Anyways, I do like hearing about everyone’s plans and am so happy you got a new kitty. I can’t imagine living without my two.
So true, so true. Thanks Cotton!
Oh my, Redding, you’ve had a terrible time of it! No wonder you’re tired. I sure hope things turn around for you soon.
I will be looking these over, especially that expresso martini :). Thanks!
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