I am full of food. Squash and chestnut casserole, green bean casserole, stuffing, and mashed potatoes. Oh, and this recipe [link] is awesome -- it's sorta like the traditional green bean casserole, but much more mushroomy and the sauce is more gravy-like than creamy. My family is usually meh on the traditional green bean casserole when someone makes it -- some people like it, some don't, most will eat it but don't think it's anything special -- but everybody loved this one.

Stephanie! I got a check from you yesterday.

They both made Bisquick "impossibly easy" pies. I cut and peeled the apples, helped Aidan measure, he did all the dumping and stirring, and then it got popped into the oven. The topping was supposed to be struesel, but he got seriously into the mixing and it came out more like a cookie. Still good, if terribly sweet. Thankfully, he and Nick loved it and ate most of it. I sent the rest home with Nick.

I opened the cans for Kara, helped her with the measuring, she stirred, dumped, and we popped hers in the oven.

Aidan's rolls were brown and serve, so he just had to take them out of the bag and put them on the pan, and Kara's stuffing was stove top, so I just had to help her with measuring and make sure she didn't splash herself with boiling water.

It was easy and fun.

Nick and his girlfriend took home mashed potatoes, turkey, apple pie and pecan bars (which she loved like mad). They spent the first half of the day at her parents' house. For Christmas, they'll do Eve with us and Day with them. It's weirdly... grown up. They're talking about marriage.

I had the most realistic dream that Cass and ita were here joining me for vacation. I was all excited. Somehow it was coincidence on ita's part. Oddly in the dream, my phone was shaped like an oyster, and the bottom part filled with bubbly soap and water. Um. Random.

I approve this dream. Even with the weird phone.

fondue-stuffed pumpkin, cooling on counter

I made this with dinner last night! Well, no, I wanted to make this. But there were no pumpkins to be had. So it was in a halved acorn squash for each person. More dramatic serving but less presentation. Also I am pretty sure there was more veggie and less fondue this way. One day? I will find my 7 lb pumpkin and I am making fondue in that sucker.

Schmecky the Man Pony is talking about getting married? Weird

Sweet jiminy Christmas, am I stuffed and tahhhhhhred.

The dessert carnage report came back as Key lime pie- gone; pecan pie- gone; apple pie 2/3 gone; chocolate ginger cake 1/2 gone; brownies, came back with 5 out of 16.

Lewis is pleased, since he was most hoping to have chocolate ginger cake to bring back home. And we have plenty of bourbon sauce to go over. Maybe I'll go buy some good vanilla ice cream.

Weird

Isn't it? It seems... I dunno, like he still ought to be about 14.

I really have to get Windsparrow to view Muppets Bohemian Rhapsody.

She isn't a fan of Queen, and takes issue with the original lyrics. But these are Muppet lyrics! No metaphorical issue to contend with!

We'll see.

A nice T-day. Went to BIL's house. We ate outside and the weather was delightful. Tons of food. Turkey, Ham, a couple lasagnas, rice, some other meat stuff, lots of veggies and salad, way too much other stuff. Pie! Key lime, pumpkin, a couple cheesecake varieties, carrot cake. There was pool playing, and video games, and wine, and laughter.

I ate sparingly because I didn't want to be uncomfortable. We brought home a ridiculous amount of leftovers. Easily 10 pounds of turkey and ham and I don't even eat the stuff. That should keep the boys busy a while and I'll just have to feed myself. There was rice and mashed potatoes in there too.

We decided Christmas dinner at my house. Yay! Gives me an excuse to go crazy decorating. And meal planning. Yum.

Much ~ma for your sister, Daniel. How scary.