Christmas Notebook

DH and I enjoyed a country drive yesterday afternoon. It was very windy but a beautiful day. The color is wonderful this year. This is sumac.

The hickory trees were in full color.

We drove out to a quiet country cemetery. Does anyone else take “cemetery dates?”

The ground was covered with hickory nuts. I can remember gathering hickory nuts with my grandmother. She picked them up each fall. She’d crack them open with a hammer, fill the bottom of a roasting pan with them, then pick the nut meats while she listened to the radio.

We called our son and he and his family came out to gather nuts, too. It was great to be outside to enjoy the beautiful weather and the autumn colors. And it was a great surprise to find the hickory nuts. It brought back a lot of old memories and made some new ones.

Now the week is upon us. I’ve tried to make a menu that takes into account the Christmas decorating we need to get done. One of the girls asked for pizza for supper, so we’re having that tonight. I’ll make the dough soon and it will be ready for supper when DH gets home. It’s one thing they will all eat!

Monday
Homemade Pizza

Tuesday
Chicken in the Crock Pot
Rice
Roasted Fennel, Brussels Sprouts, and Potatoes

Wednesday
Mongolian Beef with Broccoli
Rice

Thursday
Pan Seared Tilapia
Baby Baked Potatoes
Steamed Sugar Snap Peas
Garden Salad

Friday
Cheesy Potato-Sausage Soup

Saturday
Spicy Shredded Pork
I follow the pork recipe’s ingredient list, but I don’t blend them. I put the roast in the crock pot and throw everything in on top. I know it’s not the same as roasting it, so it’s different than the meat the original recipe would produce, but it’s still delicious! And easier.
Homemade Buns
Refrigerator Pickles
Red Grapes
Veggies and Ranch Dip

Sunday
Ham or Turkey Sandwiches
Homemade Buns
Refrigerator Pickles
Pretzels
Grapes

You will find more menus and ideas at Menu Plan Monday.

~~Rhonda