Friday Randomness

Well, I made it to the end of NaBloPoMo, and I only missed one day, when I couldn’t get onto my blog to post. I’ve resorted to memes, Wordless Wednesday, and recipes. Then again, I like all of those things. I’ve enjoyed having that blog part of my brain tuned in. Like when something at least mildly interesting happens, and you think, “oh, that’s great for the blog!”

I missed saying happy blogaversary to Thinking About. I started blogging back in November of 2005, because all the cool kids were doing it, and it seemed like fun. I don’t think I could have guessed that I would make real friends here, some of whom I’ve not met yet in real life.

Grandma is doing better. She is out of the hospital, in a convalescent home for the next month-ish, until she can walk again. She’s going to be using a walker from now on. At least I hope so. She uses a cane, but it doesn’t stabilize her enough, and she loses her balance so easily these days.

Everyone on FB is talking about how pretty the full moon is. It’s cloudy and raining here, which is fine with me. I love a pretty full moon, but I love rain even more.

Ted came down with a cold last weekend, which means that I’ve come down with it now. Blech. I hope Maya doesn’t catch it. I am glad that it waited to infect our household until after Thanksgiving, and after I had a chance to see Grandma, too.

We’re dipping our toes slowly into the Christmas thing. Ted bought some poinsettias the other day, our boyscout neighbor delivered the wreath we ordered, and I’ve put out our little lighted snowmen. I know a lot of people decorate for Christmas right after Thanksgiving, but Thanksgiving was so early this year, it seems ridiculous to put up the tree for at least another week. Maybe in time for Hanukkah. I know, we’re weird.

Speaking of Hanukkah, it looks like the first night is on a Saturday this year, which means I’ll have a little time for cooking. Maya and I are going to make homemade applesauce this year, instead of jarred stuff, for our latkes. You know that local TV show Ted has been directing and editing lately? He just finished working on a Hanukkah episode, and he edits at his desk, which is right next to my desk, so I’ve heard the apple vendor talking about apples and how to make good sauce. I’ll clue you in now: the ratio is 2-1-1. 2 sweet apples (like a Fuji perhaps), 1 tart apple (think Granny Smith), and another tart apple that is a separate variety from the first (maybe Pink Lady). I’ve only made apple sauce once or twice before, and I did know the trick of using more than one kind, but I’d never heard the ratio before. I’ll let you know how it turns out.

I caved and donated money to my local PBS station (it was giving day, after all). I do regularly give them a little money, but this time the gift with purchase was too good to pass up, so I increased by donation. Season 3 of Downton Abbey. Sadly, it won’t get here before Christmas, or before the season starts, but it will get here just after the beginning of the season, so I can watch it quickly if I want to, and tease my friends on FB about what I already know that they don’t.

I’m sure there’s more I could tell you…but my stupid head cold has my head all blocked up and I can’t think. Happy NaBloPoMo to Ally Bean, who soldiered through with me. ๐Ÿ™‚

11 Comments

  • Ally Bean

    J, well thank you very much. I’m glad that you decided to do this. It’s been reminiscent of the early days of blogging.

    I’m fascinated by the ratio for applesauce. I grew up in a home where my mother made delicious applesauce often– always using a variety of apples. I wonder if she knew this ratio specifically. She knew lots of cooking tricks like that.

  • Nance

    I never heard of having a recipe for applesauce. I just toss a bunch in the crockpot and go. If it goes too long, then I remove the lid, let it go all the way, add sugar and cinnamon, and voila! Apple butter.

    Congrats on your vigilance with posting. I have almost finished up my meme–with a few tweaks–and I made us an Award! Be sure to check the Dept. today or tomorrow.

    • J

      Hi Nance, thanks for creating the award! I used to have a bunch on my blog, but I did some kind of cleanup and got rid of them all. Now I’m not sure if I want to keep my sleeker look, or post this one! I like it though, so I’m thinking I’ll post it. ๐Ÿ™‚

  • Ted

    I’m hoping your cold goes away soon. Mine has kind of lingered, but the crappy feeling left after day 3…

    Looking forward to Applesauce and hope the 2-1-1 ratio works well. ๐Ÿ™‚

    • J

      I’m sure the 2-1-1 will be FABULOUS. Do you like my enthusiasm? It’s because I’m feeling a little better today. ๐Ÿ™‚

  • K8

    Ooo — you’ve got Season 3? I’m jealous! I can’t wait for it to be Jan 6, which is when the first episode airs. (And, as an extra bonus, all the holiday excitement is over & done with, and so are our birthdays — we can go back to our regularly scheduled lives.) I enjoy watching it as it airs — gives me something to look forward to on a Sunday night. And I’ll buy it when it comes out, to go with Seasons 1 & 2 which I already have.

    Thanks for donating to PBS. Since the cuts to public media, all of them are really struggling. And I think if we don’t chip in, they might go under. Which would be a terrible thing!

    • J

      Well K8, I don’t have season 3 YET. Drats, I didn’t read the fine print. I won’t get it until after January 6th, but I will get it mid season, and before it’s available to the general public. So as deals go, this wasn’t a great one. As a way motivate me to donate to our PBS station, however, it WAS great, and I’m not sorry I did it. ๐Ÿ™‚

  • K8

    P.S. Sorry to hear Grandma is having troubles. I hope she doesn’t get stubborn and uses the walker too!

    And congrats on finishing out the month!

  • jaykaym

    The walker for grandma is a great idea! My father finally succumbed to one and now LOVES it. The best one is the kind with big wheels, handle bars and bicycle brakes that also has a seat so when you get tired you can set the brakes and sit down. He’s a demon with that thing, and it folds up so it goes into the car easily. The frame kind that you have to keep lifting and moving – you know, the ones that everyone puts tennis balls on the bottom of the legs – just make you tired moving it around so they really don’t give you mobility like the wheeled, braked variety. I never figured I’d be so passionate about a walker but it really did give my father so much more mobility it really changed his life.

    • J

      Thanks for the tip, really. I’ll check the walker that she has, and make sure that it has wheels. I do know that it has a seat…