Christmas Countdown - 2019

[Edge612]

Good Morning, Everyone.
Seems like it should be Tuesday, but Carl wants it distinctly understood that today is Hump Day and the first 'Pines Day of the 'Bers, meaning fall decor!
More about that, later.

On to the count:
Days to the Season: 70
Days to Christmas Day: 112

After a couple more days, we will be down to single digits to our next Milestone marker, the 100-Day Christmas Day Window.
Then, of course, BOTH our count numbers will consist of two digits, as the year dwindles down.

Still rather warm and humid here, as we are into the final three weeks of official summer before the autumnal equinox arrives on Sept 23.
It is cloudy here this AM and looks like possible rain although Weather.com says no chance of it today.
(Tomorrow is a different story as Dorian approaches!)
We are at 72 degrees here right now in the capital city.

Well, alright then! First 'Pines open house of the 'Bers!
Carl has been busy as a beav.....er.....camel getting the S.P. transformed into a fall theme. Can't wait to see the results, and to try the seasonal earth-tone fired twinkies. The theme is "Are you a Berliever?" (We all are, right!)
Hope to see you there this evening.

In the meantime, you all have a Wonderful Wednesday!

Thanks Crown! Happy Back to School!

 

[Lynn68]

Thank you everybody who offered their prayers and good thoughts that a job opportunity will come my way. I'm still waiting, but it hasn't been that long, so I'm trying to keep positive that I will be employed soon.

For anybody in Dorian's path, please be safe! My prayers go out to all of you.

 

[sugarmuffin25]

Praying for all in the path of the hurricane!

@GWarren, Happy Birthday to your FIL!

@HomemakinGirl, I'm so glad you are alright!

@Christmasstar, Happy Birthday!

@sugarmuffin25, praying for you and your husband!

Thank you so much!

 

[AuntieMistletoeDear]

Good Morning MMC !~

too long between visits for me lately, things have been crazy here. Leaving for Vermont next Friday to take mom to my sisters and staying for a visit.
Lots coming up in the next few months too.
this is a wedding cake I did for last weekend

I have a birthday cake and baby shower cake to do for this weekend.

Now I must get ready for work, have a great day everyone !!

Wowsers on the cake! Always good to see you.

 

[AuntieMistletoeDear]

Good Wednesday morning! Rain and thunderstorms this morning, the lightning was intense. It stopped raining just long enough for me to take out Loki. Another sign at work that Christmas is coming: a member of the social committee started talking about holding a secret Santa gift exchange at our Christmas party this year. Have a great day everyone!

I was speaking with a co-worker that moved to a new home over the summer and was so excited to have an upstairs and downstairs so she could have two Christmas trees instead of only having room for 1. When she was touring the home before they made their decision she was picturing where a few merry items would go - I didn't even know she was "into Christmas". The Magic of the "bers" is upon us.

 

[AuntieMistletoeDear]

Good Wednesday morning, Christmas friends!

Tonight's the night for our hurricane impact, so we'll see how it goes. If it continues to track as it's going, Bellville shouldn't get too much trouble. We're about an hour inland from Savannah. Still, they're talking about "tropical force" winds & rain, so prayers and kind thoughts appreciated. I'll be sending mine along to the Carolinas, as their time approaches, too.

Anyway, my brother now says he still thinks he can get my lawnmower running. Yippee!!

I hope y'all have a great, unhurricanely day!

Consider it done; hope that doesn't mean you might be late to the Pines.

 

[AuntieMistletoeDear]

Happy Hump day Merry members! I hope your week is going well so far.

I took the dog out for a short walk this morning. Things are already starting to change seasons. There's a few more leaves on the ground, the air is cooler, and there's a slight crispness to the morning. Autumn is just around the corner and it's only a short wait for the holidays.

The FIL got back yesterday from his care home respite from the surgery. He's now able to walk more freely, although he still needs to use a walker for stability. His birthday is today so a few of the ladies from church are coming to visit for tea this afternoon. I'll make a nice banana bread for him too.

I've signed up for the ornament exchange, so if anyone wants to be my buddy I'm happy to partner with them. I'm in Canada if you don't mind sending packages up north!

That's great news about your FIL. Happy Birthday to him. Has his memory improved?

 

[AuntieMistletoeDear]

Work is progressing on the "A Christmas To Remember" shop at the mall. Got this sneak peek through a gap in the visual barrier.
Hopefully, it will be open in time for the Blossoms thread launch later this month!

Could you hear any Christmas music through the windows? If I was setting up festive displays, I would have merry tunes playing to help the mood along. That box up close says, "Rudolph and Me" and "This Little Piggy" my imagination is working to picture what's inside. Guessing a Rudolph and pig or two.

 

[AuntieMistletoeDear]

A mention of James Cagney is never TMI!!
It's always fascinating to hear about the location shooting in your area, past or present. (Or future.)

I thought of you as I typed that old movie factoid.

 

[AuntieMistletoeDear]

May Santa's workshop be looking better than this...

I trust Santa and the elves are more prepared at this date.

 

[GWarren]

That's great news about your FIL. Happy Birthday to him. Has his memory improved?

Not really. We went to the hospital for a follow-up for the surgery and he couldn't remember being there at all. When the ladies came over for tea, he commented, "people are coming over whom I don't even know." He knows them all from church, but he hasn't been there for a couple of months. He remembers taking Percoset, but thinks it's now because he's had the surgery, not from the pain from before.

It's to be expected, I guess. Part of being 85 years old.

 

[Crown 84]

Could you hear any Christmas music through the windows?.....

Nope. It was dead quiet.

 

[HomemakinGirl]

Good Wednesday morning, Christmas friends!

Tonight's the night for our hurricane impact, so we'll see how it goes. If it continues to track as it's going, Bellville shouldn't get too much trouble. We're about an hour inland from Savannah. Still, they're talking about "tropical force" winds & rain, so prayers and kind thoughts appreciated. I'll be sending mine along to the Carolinas, as their time approaches, too.

Anyway, my brother now says he still thinks he can get my lawnmower running. Yippee!!

I hope y'all have a great, unhurricanely day!

Continued prayers, be safe xx

 

[HomemakinGirl]

Dinner sounds great...I will have to research that one. I am always looking for new recipes.

Here’s the recipe I used. It was good, I would make it again!

Chicken Parmesan Pasta Bake

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 3 large garlic cloves, finely chopped
• 1 28 ounce can tomato purée
• 2 medium chicken breasts (about 1 pound), cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil
• salt and black pepper, to taste
• 1 pound dried pasta
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/3 cup finely shredded parmesan cheese
• 1/4 cup panko breadrcumbs
• dried Italian herb seasoning blend

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 Lightly spray a 3 quart casserole dish with cooking spray.
2. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion and garlic and sauté until softened. Add tomato purée and bring to a simmer. Add chicken and simmer for about 10 minutes or until sauce is thickened slightly and chicken is just cooked through. Stir in basil and season with salt and pepper.
3. Meanwhile, cook pasta in boiling water until not quite al-dente Reserve a cup or so of pasta water before draining the pasta.
4. Strain pasta and transfer to sauce. Add a few splashes of pasta water and stir until pasta is evenly coated with sauce.
5. Transfer half of the pasta to the prepared casserole dish, spreading into an even layer. Sprinkle with half of mozzarella and half of parmesan cheese. Top with remaining pasta, followed by the rest of the cheese. Sprinkle with breadcrumbs and Italian herb seasoning.
6. Bake for about 20 to 30 minutes or until cheese is melted and bubbly.

 

[HomemakinGirl]

Thank you! The countdown is on for Disney - we leave the night of the 16th and I am off for 2 weeks!!!

That’s so exciting Sugar, it will be here before you know it!!!

 

[HomemakinGirl]

@HomemakinGirl, I'm so glad you are alright!

@Christmasstar, Happy Birthday!

@sugarmuffin25, praying for you and your husband!

Thank you so much Meceka!
xo

 

[MerryCarey]

Here’s the recipe I used. It was good, I would make it again!

Chicken Parmesan Pasta Bake

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 3 large garlic cloves, finely chopped
• 1 28 ounce can tomato purée
• 2 medium chicken breasts (about 1 pound), cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil
• salt and black pepper, to taste
• 1 pound dried pasta
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/3 cup finely shredded parmesan cheese
• 1/4 cup panko breadrcumbs
• dried Italian herb seasoning blend

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 Lightly spray a 3 quart casserole dish with cooking spray.
2. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion and garlic and sauté until softened. Add tomato purée and bring to a simmer. Add chicken and simmer for about 10 minutes or until sauce is thickened slightly and chicken is just cooked through. Stir in basil and season with salt and pepper.
3. Meanwhile, cook pasta in boiling water until not quite al-dente Reserve a cup or so of pasta water before draining the pasta.
4. Strain pasta and transfer to sauce. Add a few splashes of pasta water and stir until pasta is evenly coated with sauce.
5. Transfer half of the pasta to the prepared casserole dish, spreading into an even layer. Sprinkle with half of mozzarella and half of parmesan cheese. Top with remaining pasta, followed by the rest of the cheese. Sprinkle with breadcrumbs and Italian herb seasoning.
6. Bake for about 20 to 30 minutes or until cheese is melted and bubbly.

Friendly reminder—-also post this in the Recipes thread for those who don’t visit the Countdown!

 

[mgramsey]

Good Wednesday morning, Christmas friends!

Tonight's the night for our hurricane impact, so we'll see how it goes. If it continues to track as it's going, Bellville shouldn't get too much trouble. We're about an hour inland from Savannah. Still, they're talking about "tropical force" winds & rain, so prayers and kind thoughts appreciated. I'll be sending mine along to the Carolinas, as their time approaches, too.

Anyway, my brother now says he still thinks he can get my lawnmower running. Yippee!!

I hope y'all have a great, unhurricanely day!

Hope it stays offshore far enough to have little imapct for y'all. We are praying for y'all. We were in Maggie Valley monday and had a late breakfast at Buttered Biscuit. It was great.

 

[ballcoach]

Thinking of all of our East Coast friends!

 

[ballcoach]

Just wanted to share that I just saw the first Christmas TV schedule....for Hallmark.

The signs are showing up more and more each day!