What's everybody doing today?

[phideaux]

There sure is. Not so many as there used to be, but there is one in the town about 15 or 20 miles west of me. I ate there last summer. All the seating is inside now, so no carhops, but the burgers are pretty good...

@Spikedriver , are you anywhere near Altoona IA?
I use to go thru there a lot , going to Demoines IA.
Little Cafe had burgers called Maid Rite burgers..
They scrambled the beef...man they were good.

Jim

 

[Sewingcreations15]

@Meerkat yes we don't par boil the tomatoes or capsicums or onions. Why we do it is mainly to cut down the amount of cooking time for dinners and they tend not to discolour we found.

 

[Spikedriver]

@Spikedriver , are you anywhere near Altoona IA?
I use to go thru there a lot , going to Demoines IA.
Little Cafe had burgers called Maid Rite burgers..
They scrambled the beef...man they were good.

Jim

Altoona is about an hour or so from me. Maid Rites are an Iowa institution. There are Maid Rite joints scattered around the state. Slap a bunch of ketchup and mustard on it to help hold the meat crumbles together, and have a spoon handy to scoop up all the meat that falls out when you try to lift it up to your mouth. Super tasty! There is one in the truck stop at Avoca, Iowa too. I hit it once in a while when I'm traveling through.

 

[Peanut]

Just thinking... I've driven across Iowa 3 times but know nothing about the state. Each time it was winter and I was headed west from Chicago, stopped in Omaha for the night. I remember a whole lot of white snow and broken corn stalks. I'm sure I stopped for fuel and food somewhere in the state but can't recall where. I usually remember something about a state I've been to...

 

[Spikedriver]

Just thinking... I've driven across Iowa 3 times but know nothing about the state. Each time it was winter and I was headed west from Chicago, stopped in Omaha for the night. I remember a whole lot of white snow and broken corn stalks. I'm sure I stopped for fuel and food somewhere in the state but can't recall where. I usually remember something about a state I've been to...

Well...

The World's Largest Truck Stop is on I-80 near Walcott. It's worth a stop just for the sheer size of it, and it has a half dozen restaurants inside. Plus lots of trinkets to buy.

Further west on 80, there is a Nascar track at Newton. Then you come to Des Moines. There's nothing worth seeing right on 80, but the city is full of good stuff. After that...there's not much, all the way to Omaha. Most of the Good Stuff in Iowa is far off the main roads...

 

[Peanut]

This was the 80's, a lot has happened since then. Miles were my only goal at the time, twice to CA, once to Denver.

I'm sure I missed a lot in Iowa and NE.

 

[MoBookworm1957]

Sorry several people have been ill or hospitalized.
Prayers going out to all.
Sewing, quilting,crocheting, knitting.
My sewing machine has died an unnatural death.
It was only 35 years old.
Bummer!
But at least I was half way through my sewing, quilting lists.
Off to Wal*Mart I will go tomorrow to get inexpensive machine so I can finish Christmas.
Weather must be going to change, have the start of a migraine.
Fostering children here where I live will net you $750 monthly per child.
At least that's what it was a couple years ago.
We have A&W in Independence, Mo and Maid Rite in Lexington, Mo.

 

[Morgan101]

I would expect this will be a big day for everybody.

For me: Work (I'm sure it will be very slow) probably a half day.

We will go to church late afternoon, and probably dinner after that. Tradition is to hit a nice steak house close by.

Go home. Listen to Christmas carols, and relax by the fire. Have a nightcap. When the kids were home they were allowed to open one gift on Christmas Eve. Now we just let the rest of the world go by.

Hope everyone here has a Blessed Christmas and a Happy and safe New Year.

 

[Sentry18]

Christmas Eve!

Off work again today, unless you count working on my honey-do list. Still have one gift to wrap for the Mrs. but will be using teen and pre-teen laborers to accomplish that. Wife will be home mid-day so I am going to make lunch for everyone and then start working on pizzas for dinner (an evolving family tradition). Come later afternoon we will have some family time, read some scripture, sing some Christmas songs, eat some Christmas treats, and then head to church for the candle light service. Afterwards it will be time to start opening presents. My wife is very particular about the process; one gift at a time in order of age from youngest to oldest. So it takes some time. Normally we only open one present on Christmas Eve and the rest on Christmas morning, but tomorrow we are going to my parents house for the day so we are opening most of them tonight.

 

[Amish Heart]

Christmas eve hooray! We will have a houseful after lunchtime. Making the pies this morning, some for tonight, some for tomorrow. Tonight's dinner is prime rib, baked potato, stuffed portabellas, asparagus, and dinner rolls. And pie. Husband will be leading family home church, kids will be opening one gift. Two daughters will be spending the night, so little granddaughter will be bunking with big granddaughter. One of our daughters will be handling the "after hours when the kids are in bed". Tonight it's hot buttered rum and stocking filling. I'll probably make it to bed by midnight, and leave them all still giggling.
Need to get packed today for the farm.

 

[Meerkat]

@Meerkat yes we don't par boil the tomatoes or capsicums or onions. Why we do it is mainly to cut down the amount of cooking time for dinners and they tend not to discolour we found.

Yes guess it does cut down cooking time. Either way its good.

 

[Meerkat]

Everyone is so nice this time of year, in stores and public places 'go out of their way to be nice'. Family is all ok so all is good. . Hubby and I will have a nice dinner for anniversary this evening. I may do some housework..
Granddaughter number 4 ' an over achiver ' had her first panic attack at age just 29 so at doctors office this morning [ I left her message not to take any benzos,at her age being so young the cure is worse than the illness. ] otherwise all is well. .

 

[WVDragonlady]

Hubby's doc visit went great. Only needs to wear the eye cup at night for a week. Eye drops are still on for another 4 weeks (yikes!).
No cooking today for me. We're having hoagies for supper today
Quiet night and a quiet day tomorrow. Watching movies both days and relaxing around the house
Hubby still not allowed to lift anything for another week yet so I'll be doing his chores for him. I know he's heart broken over that ( yes thats sarcasm lol)
Dogs woke me up at 2 am barking outside the bedroom window. ugh. Have no idea what they were "protecting" us from. Last time they did that there was a black bear in the area
Had a chemical spill at the water treatment plant in the larger town I live near yesterday morning. Took until this morning at 6 am for the all clear. They evacuated people in a 4 block area around the spill. Thank goodness the wind wasn't blowing or there would've/could've been casualties, although the wind would've helped dissipate the cloud sooner

 

[phideaux]

@Spikedriver ...you got me remembering now...
Probably in the 80s early 90s. Somewhere between Altoona and DesMoines on main highway was a huge Steer out front of a reatraunt called "The Big Steer" they used Iowa grown beef only.
To this day they had the best prime rib I ever had in my life . I ate there many times.

Also , in Altoona was a huge amusement park , I mean huge. I think it was called "Adventureland" . The people that I went to do business with owned it.
He gave me a letter to allow my family free entrance and no charge for anything any time we wanted . We did one time. AWESOME.

You familiar with any of this?

Jim

 

[MoBookworm1957]

Crocheting on yet another blanket before heading out to Wal*Mart.
Strawberry is snoring on my bed nestled in among the pillows.
I'm crocheting, sipping coffee enjoying the silence.
Have a wonderful Christmas eve.
Amish Heart have a safe trip to the farm.
Peace and goodwill towards all.
I might ought to put my glasses on this morning while I type otherwise it might be gibberish.

 

[phideaux]

Today is our traditional Christmas Eve .
Just my wife and I.
We have ribeye steaks on grill.
Baked taters..
We will watch a movie or 2 ..
After sunset we will open presents from each other.

That's it .. married 53 years..you just don't feel right changing anything.

Now tomorrow is the big family together , food , food, and more food.
Presents everywhere.

Y'all have a great day.
I am.


:swingstocking:


Jim

 

[Curmudgeon]

Watching the 2 youngest Grand kids until 2, then on to quiet time with the Wifey and the 3 boys (dogs). Steak, BP and salad fer dinner, then maybe a movie.

 

[Meerkat]

Hubby's doc visit went great. Only needs to wear the eye cup at night for a week. Eye drops are still on for another 4 weeks (yikes!).
No cooking today for me. We're having hoagies for supper today
Quiet night and a quiet day tomorrow. Watching movies both days and relaxing around the house
Hubby still not allowed to lift anything for another week yet so I'll be doing his chores for him. I know he's heart broken over that ( yes thats sarcasm lol)
Dogs woke me up at 2 am barking outside the bedroom window. ugh. Have no idea what they were "protecting" us from. Last time they did that there was a black bear in the area
Had a chemical spill at the water treatment plant in the larger town I live near yesterday morning. Took until this morning at 6 am for the all clear. They evacuated people in a 4 block area around the spill. Thank goodness the wind wasn't blowing or there would've/could've been casualties, although the wind would've helped dissipate the cloud sooner

DragonL, hope your hubbys improvemnet is fast,glad no effects from spill.

To all here ,Happy Holidays and good cheer.:snowman:

 

[Bacpacker]

Off work next couple days. Slept in while wife went to have coffee with one of her friends. Just get stuff together to go to my parents afterwhile. Sister, BIL, Niece, and her BF will be there. Usually have a big breakfast for supper. Tomorrow we go to my uncles where most of my moms extended family will be there for a HUGE meal.
Wife and I got each other a new mattress for our Christmas. We have been enjoying a great deal since Tuesday.
Merry Christmas Everyone

 

[LadyLocust]

@Morgan101 We opened 1 present Christmas Eve also (like @Sentry18 youngest to oldest.) @Meerkat My mom car hopped (on skates) for A&W when she was younger too.
@Amish Heart Big hugs to that grandgirl and a hearty congratulations on getting to keep her. @Sewingcreations15 It's funny hearing how different (warm) your Christmas is. @MoBookworm1957 Good luck sewing machine shopping - might check thrift store first. They are often quite reasonable there & perfectly good machines.
@timmie Wishing you one very special Christmas miracle!!!!!!!!
Tonight (big prayers) both my children will be home for Christmas Eve lighting of the candles on the Christmas tree (we do this every year.) There might be hot chocolate floats involved too Won't delve into family drama, but it's been years since both kids home for Christmas so that's what the prayers are for. Looking forward to it while at the same time, trying not to get my hopes up - kinda "until I see the whites of their eyes" sorta thing.
Tomorrow will be the feast and family over so will get as much ready today as possible.
Merry Christmas to each of you and your families.

 

[Meerkat]

@Morgan101 We opened 1 present Christmas Eve also (like @Sentry18 youngest to oldest.) @Meerkat My mom car hopped (on skates) for A&W when she was younger too.
@Amish Heart Big hugs to that grandgirl and a hearty congratulations on getting to keep her. @Sewingcreations15 It's funny hearing how different (warm) your Christmas is. @MoBookworm1957 Good luck sewing machine shopping - might check thrift store first. They are often quite reasonable there & perfectly good machines.
@timmie Wishing you one very special Christmas miracle!!!!!!!!
Tonight (big prayers) both my children will be home for Christmas Eve lighting of the candles on the Christmas tree (we do this every year.) There might be hot chocolate floats involved too Won't delve into family drama, but it's been years since both kids home for Christmas so that's what the prayers are for. Looking forward to it while at the same time, trying not to get my hopes up - kinda "until I see the whites of their eyes" sorta thing.
Tomorrow will be the feast and family over so will get as much ready today as possible.
Merry Christmas to each of you and your families.

@LadyLocust I bet your moms memory is a good one,mine is. When I was young we lived on skates and spent whole night in skating rinks. They would lock us in for all night skates. Employee stood at door and only parents could go in or out. We had races,danced, very fun times. Plus we had key skates before that.Hubby had steel wheel skates,he said fire flew off them at night on pavement.

 

[LadyLocust]

@LadyLocust I bet your moms memory is a good one,mine is. When I was young we lived on skates and spent whole night in skating rinks. They would lock us in for all night skates. Employee stood at door and only parents could go in or out. We had races,danced, very fun times. Plus we had key skates before that.Hubby had steel wheel skates,he said fire flew off them at night on pavement.

I had a pair of steel strap on skates when I was little. They were adjustable - you could make them longer or shorter. They buckled around your tennis shoes.

 

[Meerkat]

I had a pair of steel strap on skates when I was little. They were adjustable - you could make them longer or shorter. They buckled around your tennis shoes.

Yes those! They even wrote a song about those, well kinda about skates.

 

[Terri9630]

Terri you saying there is still an A&W as in A&W RootBeer curb service burger place? I car hopped at one of those in the mid 60s.

Yep. It was a A&W/Long John Silver's.

 

[Terri9630]

Slept in this morning. Yesterday was exhausting. That drive home seemed a lot longer than it should have been.

 

[Terri9630]

my BP dropped to 70/40 and stayed there for 24 hours.

The kid hits 70/30 frequently. Take care of your self.....

 

[Meerkat]

Slept in this morning. Yesterday was exhausting. That drive home seemed a lot longer than it should have been.

Terri,glad you got some rest. Hope the kids BP comes up.

 

[LadyLocust]

Well I jinxed myself. Kids aren't coming tonight
Hubby and I will still light candles and enjoy the tree.

 

[Spikedriver]

@Spikedriver ...you got me remembering now...
Probably in the 80s early 90s. Somewhere between Altoona and DesMoines on main highway was a huge Steer out front of a reatraunt called "The Big Steer" they used Iowa grown beef only.
To this day they had the best prime rib I ever had in my life . I ate there many times.

Also , in Altoona was a huge amusement park , I mean huge. I think it was called "Adventureland" . The people that I went to do business with owned it.
He gave me a letter to allow my family free entrance and no charge for anything any time we wanted . We did one time. AWESOME.

You familiar with any of this?

Jim

The Big Steer doesn't ring a bell, but Adventureland is bigger and better than ever. They've added more roller coasters and a big water park with a "playground" that's full of water cannons and such. My daughter loves that place! I believe it has been through a change of ownership or two since 2000...

Edit: the Big Steer is still a going concern. I checked out the website. Looks like good stuff...

 

[phideaux]

What a great day.

Best ribeye steak I've ever had.
The wife and I just hung out together today.. watched a couple old movies ,

As soon as we are done watching "It's a wonderful life" we are going to swap presents, then call it a day.

Best day I've had since Nov ,20th. Feel like a million bucks.

Big day tomorrow.

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YALL

Jim