Gremlins in (or on) my Computer

Pea is blaming gremlins for my computer woes. She may be correct as you can see. He's been hanging around for at least 25 years now - first on my office computer and now here.

His name is Gizmo after the little guy in the movie "Gremlins" and he's probably to blame for the typos as well.
I wouldn't be surprised if he caused my fingers to zap my whole blog a few months ago. Naughty Gizmo.

(My friends from Australia will recognize him as an Australian frilled lizard.) One of the girls dressed him more years ago than I can remember. They're responsible for the stickers as well.

The pecan shelling party was a huge success. Once they got the idea with three nutcrackers, 6 picks, and a tack hammer (which worked the best), they (along with friend Dawn and her daughter) had it done in record time and ended up with a lot of perfect halves. Excellent so we may do it again. I have enough for 2 or maybe 3 pies. I'll measure them later and compare the price with buying them already shelled so I'll know if it's worth the effort (and the mess).

I almost forgot. Jo asked me in one of the comments the other day about soft shelled pecans Click on the link if you don't know about them. I didn't realize they were so hard to find.

I taught Rebecca how to do over easy eggs this morning and the two of us made pancakes as well. She's still the most interested of the 3 in cooking. Please pray for patience (for me) as I allow her to flip the eggs and pancakes. It's very hard to refrain from grabbing the spatula.

I finally took Rebecca to lunch to celebrate her B Honor Roll achievement. Chinese buffet followed by a hot drink at Barnes & Noble and annoying Uncle Tim for a little while (for any of you who don't know he manages the B&N Cafe and my dil Melissa works there as well). They were both behind the counter when we arrived. Melissa manages one of the book sections but pitches in at the Cafe when they're shorthanded or extremely busy. We did a little window shopping through the kids' book section (I have a few more ideas for Christmas now), and then over to Save-Mart across the street to pick up the few things I'd forgotten for Thanksgiving, especially the marshmallows and whipped cream (essentials of life). The Sara Lee Dutch Apple and cherry pies were both on sale (they weren't the other day) so we grabbed them while we were there for both Thanksgiving and Christmas meals.

My usual Thanksgiving crowd has shrunk considerable considerably (Gizmo strikes again). My grandkids (Jim's older children) and their mom will be out of state, Jim has decided on Christmas for his leave time, and his wife Melissa was tricked into cooking by her middle daughter. They all (including the "exes") usually show up here so that takes at least 8 people (not counting baby Jonathan who might gum some mashed potatoes but not much else) out of the picture. The girls' mom (Tasha) is going to her mom's in San Francisco for the week. That leaves us, Tim, my friend Dawn who cooks but also stops by with her husband and daughter for a small plate, and the drop-ins from the neighborhood. Possibly the girls' dad (my grandson) but I'm not sure. He knows I always cook and he's always welcome.

I told Melissa I'd send her a Care package if she didn't make it over here.

It's not a problem but I'm not used to cooking a holiday meal for so few. Fortunately I have a full freezer (rather small) and a side by side. Right now the freezer is holding three turkeys and a 10 lb ham. I bought 2 turkeys (buy one - get one) and then a friend gave me another. Almost 60 lbs of turkey. Yikes!!. The Mission often runs short for their Christmas meal - maybe I can find a home for turkey #3 then. They're okay on food for Thanksgiving or I'd do it now.

My goal between now and around Tuesday is to defrost the full freezer and reorganize both (see above). I think I'm going to need all the space I can find.

Why oh why didn't I defrost before turkeys instead of after? Maybe I can do it the day after Thanksgiving or after I've taken turkey #1 out to thaw.

Anyhow, enough out of me for one day. I leave you with this thought.

Today is National Teddy Bear Day. Sorry it's almost over for this hemisphere and completely over for the hemisphere to the south.

Thanks to all for the comments and take care everyone.