Everything sublime is as difficult as it is rare. Baruch Spinoza

Saturday, November 29, 2025

It's Me Again


Good morning one and all. The hustle and bustle of the holiday is over and I am finally unstressed. How can someone with three people at the table become so stressed? My stress line has obviously lowered by a lot. Lori had asked for a photo of our Thanksgiving table and I remembered partway through to do so. The Thanksgiving plate is rather brown, at least at my table but, hey, it's potatoes, gravy, dressing and turkey. I have whittled it down to the basics over time.

We had a pleasant afternoon. Matthew talked about his new career, how much he has learned over his orientation period and how much more there is to learn. His co-workers are great and he feels like part of the team. We are proud of him for taking this big step at this age. It is a brave move. He was relaxed and seemed happy.


Of course, it wouldn't be Caturday without some cats and the Cat Man. He is a cat magnet. 
 

I cannot close without a weather report. It's been cold and today we are having snow, 2"-5" predicted. I may be plowing. It is pretty.

33 comments:

Granny Sue said...

I like your simple dinner. I think in future I will be keeping the food simpler too; we just dont need the stress and calories!
Congratulations to your son. Aa new start, new challenges, all exciting! Our son Aaron had been in the same job since he was about 30, I think. Left it this year to start a completely new career at 52, and is so happy he did.
Enjoy your snow, but I hate that you will have to do the plowing.

Boud said...

It was a good day for you all. I agree with simplifying, to take away a lot of stress. And I'm glad you're back.

Dreaming said...

Our dishes were on the same color theme. I loved the snow when we were in Colorado,until about March - then I wanted spring and green!

CheerfulMonk said...

We don’t do anything special for Thanksgiving, almost the same for Christmas. I love our everyday life. That’s great about your son. ❤️

Val Ewing said...

What a great day! I got out and had a peaceful Thanksgiving with my adopted family. Nothing crazy, just food, conversation and friends.
I'm happy that your son found a new career and that he is happy.
Being happy at work is a good thing.

Far Side of Fifty said...

The snow is going way South of us today but we still have snow in the air! Good to hear that your son is happy at work...that is really important!

Pixie said...

At least you didn't call him a pussy magnet:)
Glad you had a good day.

Rita said...

The brown Thanksgiving dish looks great to me!
Definitely the Cat Man! Nice!
Have a really good, low-stress weekend. :)

peppylady (Dora) said...

Glad you had nice day.

Lori Skoog said...

Welcome back! Thanks for posting your dinner....I'm sure it was delicious. We had a repeat for lunch yesterday. Our 55 year daughter was just offered a terrific position this past week and has decided to stay where she is. Glad your son is happy with his move. Please don't send us a lot of snow.

Anonymous said...

I think what your son did changing careers is just so brave. He went for what he wanted and he did it and it worked out for him and he is happy..win win.
Your table looks lovely, is that a cross stitch table cloth?
Your husband looks like an English gentleman sitting in his chair with his cat friends, having a glass of spirits. No Gatto?
Take Care,
Kaye

Anvilcloud said...

I think I am jealous of Catman.

nick said...

Simplifying things does lower the stress levels. Glad Matthew is enjoying his new career. And glad he gets on well with his co-workers.

Sandra said...

Yes, keeping it to the basics is so much less work, Sue. Good for Aaron! It isn not an easy thing to do. Plowing is a job I've sometimes passed off to Mark in recent years.

Sandra said...

Thank you , Boud. I'm happy to be here.

Sandra said...

Yes, the color is boring but it really is what the food most are looking for is, Dreaming. Unless you have cranberry relish, which none of us cares about. I think by March everyone wants spring!

Sandra said...

The older I get the more I realize how being happy with my very ordinary life is a wonderful thing, Cheerful.

Sandra said...

Thanks what the holiday is about, Val, and I'm so happy you have those wonderful people in your life. Matthew is so glad he took the step.

Sandra said...

Yes, I saw the north would not get the snow, Far Side. You know it will come! It is important to like what you do.

Sandra said...

He would not appreciate that at all, Pixie!! It was pleasant.

Sandra said...

Hopefully some food was brought home for you, Rita. Cats adore him, it's the weirdest thing.

Sandra said...

Thanks, Dora.

Sandra said...

I almost forgot. After saying I would I would have felt bad if I hadn't, Lori. Your daughter had to feel pretty proud to have been offered the job, even though she stayed put. We got quite a bit of snow. I've given up on issuing orders to the weather gods. They don't listen.

Sandra said...

He couldn't imagine one more year in a professional kitchen, Kaye. 34 years was long enough. He started as a dishwasher while in high school. Became a line cook in collage. a sous chef to a known chef and then chef. The work is grueling. He seemed so much more relaxed, which seem contradictory as what he does now can be very stressful.

Sandra said...

Let a bunch of strays in the house and the is cat-man-do! Except I let them in.

Sandra said...

It sure does, as well as the need to be perfect, nick.

Sandra said...

I meant to add I made the tablecloth when I was pregnant with Matthew, 52 years ago, Kaye. The cats think he's that for sure.

Lori said...

Your Thanksgiving plate looks good to me. We've whittled our meal down over the last couple of years also. It just gets too much. I'm glad you have a nice day and that your son is in a good place. That is always a relief.

Sandra said...

It does make it easier and therefore more enjoyable, Lori.

DeniseinVA said...

Your table setting looked really nice and your meal delicious! Even with only three people I could get stressed. I didn't have to cook this year as we were invited out but I took a corn pudding as my contribution and stressed whether it was cooked enough, or maybe people wouldn't like it. I needn't have worried and the company was great.

The Happy Whisk said...

Glad the stress is passed and how funny that you remembered half-way through to take a shot. You're funny. I know you don't mean to be but I find you a good and funny writer. I enjoy your stories.

Sandra said...

I find myself saying things like 'the crust is too brown, I hope the turkey isn't dry' etc etc, so I get it. The worry is almost always a waste of energy, Denise.

Sandra said...

Thank you, Ivy. I needed this! I feel so dull. You put a little shine on me.