Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving has always been my favorite holiday, and likely always will be. It only requires me to cook and eat. I wouldn't even have to be thankful if I didn't want to be. Just cook and eat, two of my favorite pastimes.

Of course, it doesn't help the old weight problem with which Cliff and I struggle constantly. Both of us still carry excess holiday pounds from a year ago. And yet we keep up the battle... one step forward and two steps back, sometimes. I don't worry so much about my own weight, but Cliff has that pesky CABG surgery in his history. I feel guilty every time I give in to the temptation to eat out, because left to his own devices, he'd never eat anywhere but home.

I have dozens of low-fat recipes we love, and I do use them daily. I can only hope they counteract the times I just can't get past Golden Corral or Pizza Hut.

Our almost-twelve-pound turkey is history, all but the bones; they're now simmering in a pot with onions and celery, soon to become turkey frame soup. With help from Cliff's sisters and a brother-in-law, we polished off the last of the Tex-Mex turkey and rice casserole yesterday.

I do have another turkey in the freezer; I'll probably boil it in a month or so and use the meat for all kinds of tasty, lowfat casseroles and stews. Boiled turkey? You bet! I learned that trick from the Frugal Gourmet. Remember him? His was the only cooking show I've ever watched, and I was so disappointed when he was accused of sexually harassing some of his male assistants and quickly and quietly removed from PBS.

He sure made a wonderful ratatouille, though. When I used to grow eggplant in my garden I'd use his recipe. I can almost taste it now.

Since I'm rambling anyhow, see the new photo in my header? That's Sadie and Mindy, taken on my walk yesterday. Nobody else had a desire to walk through the slushy snow and howling winds with me, but the dogs were more than willing.

New Year's thoughts

Cliff and I ate far too many seasonal goodies: sweets, cheese balls, dip and so forth. Each of us, when we weighed yesterday, had gained 11 1/2 pounds. So we got ourselves back on track with our diet. This morning, I had already lost 3 of those pesky pounds. I know, I know... it's water weight. That, and just the fact that I actually let my gut get empty for the first time in weeks. Still, 8 1/2 pounds sounds a lot easier to shed than 11 1/2.

Speaking of getting rid of excess: This past year we totally paid off all credit card debt, which is a great feeling. We still use the cards, mind you. But we pay them off in full, each month.

Well, we got a little carried away in December, buying things for the motorcycle, and various other stuff for ourselves. The $800 bill that arrived yesterday bowled me over. Surely it was a mistake?

Nope; I went over each purchase, and they're all legitimate. I think I'll be paying this bill over a two-month period. At least we have something to show for what we charged; all we have to do is go out to the shop and look at the motorcycle.

I don't think I'll be making any more purchases online for a couple of months.

Oh, and the gravel I threw a hissy-fit for? It's coming Friday, weather permitting. Around $300.

Yeah, and it's time to send in personal property taxes. That's almost $400.

'Tis the season.