The good things thread!

After last year's Thanksgiving that we had to celebrate separately, it was so nice to have my father, mother and brother come to our house and celebrate Thanksgiving with DH, me and our son. Everyone contributed to the meal by making something and it warmed my heart so much to have my family gathered together around the table. It was a wonderful celebration. 

DH and I got our covid tests done for our trip to St. John the next day and they came out negative (Yippee) so we are now set to go. I knew we didn't have Covid but I wasn't positive about the tests until I saw the results when I finally started to relax. If the test came out positive we wouldn't be able to board our plane in 3 days. 

In 3 days I am getting on a plane to go to my very favorite place in the world St. John USVI! I am so anxious to get into that amazing turquoise water and say hello to the fishies I have missed so much and the other sea life. It's been 18 years since we were last there and I can't wait. I adore snorkeling and can't wait to do it again. I am not the type of woman to lounge on the beach with a cocktail in her hand. Nope-I'm the type who's constantly in the water. I really hope to see an octopus on this trip after watching "My Octopus Teacher" on Netflix. There have been sightings of octopuses in various bays on the island. 

Life is good and I am very grateful. 

My happy thing is how things are going at work.

This year I asked for a raise, a lot more than I thought I had any chance of getting. Of course I didn’t get the full amount, but I did get a 40% raise. In addition, I was asked where I wanted to go with my position and they listened to what I said.

Now we are in the busy time and the ideas I suggested were implemented. Our team had to replace 3 members unexpectedly and I was asked to train all 3 in my area.

On Tues, my team leader told me that she and the team leadership had discussed how well that the team has managed the changes and that they all agreed that my ideas and training were largely responsible for the smoothness of the transition. She expressed her gratitude for my support and told me to be sure to note this to bring up on my next meeting with our account leader.

It was so nice to hear that my efforts a recognized and appreciated. I really have a problem with self-esteem and my team leader makes a point to let me know that I am an important part of our team.

Marcy

I’m almost done redoing my house. I painted the last wall today and hung the last window blind. I may have done a little happy dance. Also my DGD, who will soon be 4, always makes me smile but lately her favorite expression when she’s with me is, “Oh Nana.” Sort of like what am I saying and why. lol Never fails to make me smile.

I’m also looking forward to my family Xmas party next weekend. I come from a family of 9 kids. Nobody’s got a house large enough to hold all of us, our kids, our grands and great grands. So the first weekend in December we rent hotel rooms at a water park and spend the entire weekend together. We rent a conference room there for hanging out, playing games, snacking, exchanging gifts, etc. It’s usually a great weekend.

We purchased a new to us home recently and it is on the side of a mountain and I loved the yard instantly. When we drove up to look at the house, there were deer grazing on the front lawn and a few minutes later a gang of turkeys descended on the lawn. Every day I get to watch the deer graze and rest. I took this picture a week or two ago and it makes me smile.

Buck Fall by Nancy Tim, on Flickr

It's actually illegal for you to post this without the recipe. I don't make the rules.

Friday after Thanksgiving we had a few former students (2 friends who graduated 8 years ago and 1 who just graduated + their boyfriend) over for a post Thanksgiving dinner. The two from years ago have always kept in touch with us, many meals, graduations and get togethers happened after they graduated, but it has been almost 3 years! It was great to see them and hear about medical school, careers and girl friends. The newest alumni had a tough time with her parents their senior year, ended up getting kicked out and we have stepped into that role for her. We helped her through college apps, drove her to school to move her into the dorm and check in once a week.

My DS (14) pulled out a game called Superfight which is essentially arguing over a crazy fight scenario to determine who would win. DH and I were finishing making dinner and the 5 of them plus DD (12) had the best time - it was like they were all old friends. The eldest two stayed until well past midnight catching up with DH and I.

I am not usually much of a social butterfly, but between Thanksgiving with family, Friday with our alumni and a lovely dinner with a work colleague and his partner last night - the time with my people just did something for my soul and I think I have refueled enough to make it through the last three weeks of the semester.

      I thought this was a new plastic lawn ornament before I read your post! What an incredible shot and how wonderful that this deer felt so comfortable to lie down in your front yard like this. Congratulations on your new home and it's incredible wildlife nearby. I'm sure you'll enjoy living there very much. 

The unpacking is done other than my scrap room.  My last few boxes have been sitting there for the last week while we worked on the garage, yard, and had company for Thanksgiving.  

I have a large deck that will hold all of my flowers next spring.  No access to the wildlife.  The people before us had deer resistant plants around the yard, so we'll see what they really don't like.  The deer we had in our old neighborhood rarely ate my flowers, but they were more rare and these guys are on our property every day.  I doubt much will survive.  

Aw man its barely a recipe, take me away! I use the instant pot for instantaneous..ness 😆

Cut up a cheap roast into chunks, dredge the bits in flour and fry in a pan with onions and garlic til the outside looks browned up. Salt and pepper as it cooks.

Take a packet of lawry's beef stew mix and throw that into the instant pot with the amount of water it asks for, 3 cups I believe? Mix it up and scoop in your meat and onion mixture. Cook that bad boy on stew for eh... 12-15?

Take whatever potatoes you've got on hand and cube'm up for that stew life. I had a handful leftover from Thanksgiving. Carrot time! I had baby carrots I cut in half for smaller bites. Go to the bottom depths of hell in your freezer to find that one bag of peas you swore you had but honestly haven't seen in a while... throw all that into the IP and have another go on stew for 15ish. Check everything for doneness, add time if needed.

I kept some beef bouillon out in case I needed to add a bit for more flavor as I usually make a bigger pot with 2 packets of seasoning but only had one in the pantry.

Stew is definitely one of those..throw random things you have in the house into a pot and cook down kinda foods lol

Can I just add, a really good thing is the kindness of the peas. We may bicker like crazy, but when someone is hurting it’s all hands on deck. My heart is full reading the care, concern and in some cases, sacrifice for one of our own.