Sunday, November 18, 2018

Thanksgiving early!

We had our Thanksgiving dinner at church today. This was the fellowship hall before we all descended and messed it up! Seriously, it was amazing. So delicious. There was so much food left over that they were sending turkey, ham and rolls, etc., home in bags for people.  We used to take all of the leftovers to several homeless shelters around town.  We purposefully made extra just so we could do this. But because the food is made in our home kitchens and not in a commercial kitchen, the city won’t let us feed the homeless anymore.  Isn’t that ridiculous? It’s good enough for all of us to eat, but not for the homeless people. So much food gets thrown away now because of this.  I just don’t understand the bureaucracy sometimes.  Sorry, I didn’t mean to have a political rant there.  I just hate to see the waste of good food, actually wonderful food, when so many people are hungry.

I think it’s the first year I haven’t worked in the kitchen, but my back is not happy these days and there’s no way I could stand up long enough to do dishes.

Last night was the 50th birthday party for our minister, Troy. It was a surprise party and was held at the local skating rink. Well over 150 people were there, which was a great turn out.  And no, Dennis and I didn’t skate but we enjoyed watching everyone else.  We even had one person being pushed around the floor in a wheelchair.  Good times with great friends.

I took some pictures for Mandy...so in this one he was waving at her and saying “Hello Mandy!”  Mandy is great friends with him and his wife. She, Troy and Kelly used to hang out all the time together when they were younger.   He is such a great guy and since we’ve known him for so long, it’s been wonderful to see him mature in his faith. He was the youth minister for years when Jamie and Alex were younger. Now he has three kids of his own and the oldest is in college. Where do the years go?

I had a few emails and comments about the dryer balls. I have used tennis balls in the past, but the wool dryer balls are less much less noisy and seem to make a lot less static electricity in the clothes. I use all seven in each load, but all of the videos say that three or four ball’s work fine. I just leave these in the dryer at all times for convenience. I think the more the better!

I also had a few people ask about the pattern for the hats I’ve been making. Teresa had originally brought me a machine made hat that she had.  She wondered if I could duplicate it. It’s not an exact duplicate, but she said she likes this one even better than the machine made one.  So the pattern is basically my own and I’m more than happy to share it here.  I think I have only used bulky yarn once because everyone I make them for prefers the lion brand homespun yarn better.   If you have any questions feel free to ask. I’m not a pattern writer so I hope you can figure it out.

We have another beautiful sunshiny day here today. Dennis is out moving wood around the wood pile and I’m resting my back as usual. I hope you’ve all had a wonderful weekend.

“But you, Lord, are a shield around me, my glory, the One who lives my head high.” Psalm 3:3

Blessings,
Betsy

14 comments:

  1. The health department is strict about food safety & it is sad. Even bake sales and holiday craft fairs are monitored. I understand some of the reasoning, but it's gone to extremes. Thanks for the hat pattern.

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  2. Your dining hall looked very pretty, I would have loved to see it with all the people enjoying their dinner! It is sad that you couldn't share the leftovers with the homeless but I do understand about being careful about food prep and it being made to standard. I'll never forget when the kids were little and I bought a gallon of raw cows milk from a local lady. A friend of mine was her neighbor and had been to her house and told me how she strained her milk with a dirty old rag she kept in her sink. Now I realize how you really never do know the cleanliness of home kitchens. :-) ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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  3. Sad about the food rules. It is really sad when people are hungry and you cannot feed them :(

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  4. I sort of get WHY the city doesn't allow donated food. Lawsuits and such, BUT like you, I hate to see all that food go to waste OR see anyone that could really USE the food go hungry. It's crazy.

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  5. I'm glad you enjoyed the thanksgiving dinner at church and people were well again. Many times we give food to people from church who are shut ins. They like them. Rules on food....well...good but then feeding homeless...they probably wouldn't mind. Amazing how many stupid rules there are any more! Off soap box! looks like a nice birthday parts for your pastor. Glad you've known him for many years. Our older pastor Lyle and Vera, his wife, need prayers. He's unresponsive now, and in a nursing home. Been ill, in pain for over a month. He's nearing his last days on earth. Sweet couple who've been married over 60 years and Lyle's about 85? Take care and have a good week!

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  6. Such a shame about the food, hopefully it wasn't wasted and that people took it home. I suppose it does safeguard the vulnerable. Gerard and I met at a skating rink many moons ago I am not sure we would be able to skate either these days.

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  7. We can still donate here such food they're are people who collect it and it's checked its ok then distributed. Some one needs to set up that sort of distribution there is Spokane. Then bureaucrats and homeless are happy .. the right thing done the right way brings right results.
    Love you make up patterns and younger legs can to the standing for dishes too so they also learn joy of serving as you've done dear Betsy.
    Prayer hugs Shaz in Oz.x

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  8. What a wonderful blessed day. HUGS and best wishes

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  9. Sounds like you have a wonderful weekend Betsy! We've run into the same problem at work. When we have our "luncheons" there is always a TON of food leftover, but we are unable to donate it. Such a shame when the homeless and hungry populations are so large.

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  10. What fun!! A party in a skating rink is my idea of a good time. I was trying to convince Daughter to have the baby shower we are giving on the 1st at the rink but noooo....I guess it's not fun when you work there.
    I just saw a video where the police were pouring bleach all over food that volunteers were trying to give to the homeless because they didn't have a permit. The world's gone crazy. Plum crazy.

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  11. Gosh, that is sad that people are going hungry because of the health department. I wonder if you invited some of the homeless people yourselves to eat with you, if that would be ok with the health department. I know in our town there is a church ministry that goes around to where the homeless people are and feeds them. They give them blankets when its cold and a hot meal. They do this on a regular basis, too. The smiles of shear thankfulness on their faces is always so humbling to see. It's not anything fancy, usually it's a soup that they have going on a gas camping stove, and some bread....but it's food, it's hot, and it's made with love. Thanks for sharing your hat pattern, too. Blessings always sweet friend. :)

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  12. We celebrated early, too. What are you going to do on the "real" day? We are going out with a friend. That will be a first for us on Thanksgiving.

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  13. That does seem just awful that they won't let you give out that food to the hungry! Can you imagine? That is just plain ridiculous and SO wasteful. I just hate the way our world is sometimes. It is heart breaking and so against what Jesus would do. SO frustrating! Okay, so now I had my own little rant! LOL! God bless you, sweet friend. :)

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  14. What great parties and celebrations and yes , I agree,,,,when people are hungry I don't think they mind....they should ask the hungry people! You can't help people even when you want to.

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