Monday Notes for Women over 60
Happy Monday, everyone! Welcome to my weekly Monday Notes for Women over 60.
Monday Notes has been fun to write during the holiday season and it is more fun to include some of you in these posts.
Today…I am featuring three of you in this wonderful blog community.
Also, today I will discuss a little more about my Christmas cooking plans for the week…it will be a busy one.
I am in charge of two meals for 13 people…and right now I am honored to still be cooking for them.
So, let’s get started today with our Monday Notes starring…You!
MONDAY NOTES FOR WOMEN OVER 60: READER FEATURE
Our sweet friend Connie in Oregon was blessed by a neighbor this week who brought her a beautiful handmade wreath.
I love how she created something that can stay on the door past the holidays…the roses are such a nice touch.
And what a great way to do something special for a neighbor!
I also like that in the feature picture today, I can see Connie’s reflection in the door!! How I would love to meet so many of you face-to-face.
This is the second Christmas decoration picture that our friend, Audrey has sent.
And you know me…I cannot see the word JOY too much. She is showing us her porch decor today.
The reason for the season…love how you included it, Audrey.
We have a rustic artwork on our front porch that is spotlighted at night and says: A Savior is Born.
This beautiful card featuring a vintage Santa came to me from Katherine in Arizona.
This is a keeper for me, Katherine! I keep a small few that I desire to frame and use for decorations the next year.
Your card will join four others I would love to frame.
Katherine also included a thoughtful quote, “When the people of all the nations of the world understand each other, then we shall indeed have peace on earth.” -G. mistral.
I love how all of the women over 60 here are using their talents or the talents of others to make their worlds more beautiful and peaceful.
MONDAY NOTES FOR WOMEN OVER 60: BACK TO CELEBRATION PLANS
I switched out my centerpiece for the big Christmas Eve Dinner from the poinsettias to one of my Christmas cactus plants.
The flowers are beginning to drop some leaves (after a month in my house) and I think this is a safer choice …plus it does go well with my rustic vibe.
Saturday was the big shopping day and it went well…though HEB had their heater on and it was one of our warmest days.
I absolutely love living in a smaller town and the improved service I receive…plus the sense of community from those who work in various stores.
The butcher was amazing and helped me immediately with what I plan for the main dish of the meal…he even tossed in free butcher’s string!
Everyone in my family…even children…surprisingly voted for beef..we are Texans after all.
I will be trying my hand at Chateaubriand…though I have not done this before…call me brave or stupid, we will see.
I am also making for the meat and for masked potatoes a Carmelized Onion Gravy.
The recipe calls for chicken stock and I personally believe the flavor has more depth when I make my own in a crockpot with celery, onion, garlic, rosemary and salt ( and, of course, a chicken!).
So, this past weekend…we had chicken soup so I could grab the needed chicken stock and provide Mr. B and I good meals.
Chicken soup is a good way to build immunity when going into a potentially exhausting week.
I even used extra chicken to make Street Tacos…so yummy and on my diet!
Ok, Back to the gravy…
- Melt the butter in a large pot skillet.
- Add onions and stir often…reduce heat and cook for about 25 minutes, stirring often.
- Add 1/3 cup dry sherry and cook 5 minutes until liquid is evaporated.
- Stir 1 1/2 tablespoons of cornstarch together with two tablespoons of the chicken stock. Then add it to 1 1/5 cups of chicken stock.
- Then gradually add it to the onions with 2 teaspoons of fresh thyme and a dash of salt and stir until slightly thickened.
NOTE: I may replace some of the chicken stock with juices in the pan from the Chateubriand. I will taste the juices to see what I think.
After Christmas, I will share with you what I did that was successful. Believe me, the family will let me know if something doesn’t work.
Thank you for joining me today for Monday Notes for Women over 60...I will have a winter outfit inspiration post for you tomorrow…until then…
CHOOSE JOY & KEEP SMILING!!
By Pamela Lutrell
For all your shopping, please use the links on my SHOPPING PAGE…thank you, thank you to all who shop this way and show support for this blog. It means the world.
Beautiful photos from members of your blog. The card is stunning. I have added a few special cards as decorations on my tree this year. I punch a hole and add a ribbon. Other cards I cut with a round punch-out circle, choosing beautiful areas of them. I stash them in my desk and use them as gift tags. We are on the same page with beef. I pick up my tenderloin today to make Beef Wellington for Christmas Eve. It is tradition when we aren’t traveling for Christmas. Good luck with your Chateaubriand. I may have a go at your gravy recipe! Thank you!
Beef Wellington sounds ambitious and delicious…good for you, Deborah. My family requested steaks and this appears to be a way for me to obtain the same flavors but without cooking individual steaks. Let us know how yours turns out. I love the idea of the cards as ornaments on the tree. I will keep that in the back of my mind for next year…I may move the cards to the ornament box to remind me. Happy Cooking1
Several years ago, when we had family coming in from out of town and were never sure of their arrival times, we went to serving a snack/appetizer board for Christmas. It caught on even as the circumstances changed. I’m doing that for some family members before going to my son’s and daughter in law’s home for a few days. They have carried on the tradition of munchies vs a meal. It’s preferable with the younger generation here, it’s easier on the cook, and it can be quite delicious and festive. A local dairy here makes the more amazing holiday peppermint ice cream, and that has become something of a tradition, served over a warm chocolate cookie with hot fudge sauce. We have little ones (my grandsons) in our small family again after a long time of adults only, so it’s a very exciting time that I’m thrilled to be able to join in. Your Christmas meal sounds lovely … you had me at “mashed potatoes” :).
My clan will easily finished 5 pounds of mashed potatoes! The board is a great option for simpler times. I want to cook the big meals while I can, but I do love a great charcuterie! Thanks for sharing, Linda.
Happy Christmas week to all! Beautiful decorations! Your dinners sound wonderful, Pam. Let us know how it works. I’m making beef tenderloin, and I learned about “cowboy butter” and will try making that. Have you heard of this? Sounds very Texas!! I found vintage Christmas post cards at a shop and punch a hole in them and tie to gifts as a tag — and I write a message on the back of the card. Love the vintage stuff. Blessings!!
I love the vintage too, Marcia. And, yes, I have heard of cowboy butter! I make my own honey butter for the rolls because the grandchildren love it. I will report back on the meal…enjoy yours as well.
Pam, if you have not yet settled on a recipe or method for your chateaubriand (which is a center cut beef tenderloin) check out Serious Eats. Easily googled, and their rib roast method/recipe is outstanding. I would trust them with any piece of expensive meat! I’m cooking a small two rib prime rib just for the two of us on Christmas Day, and using their method. They get involved explaining why, but that’s ok sometimes!
Have a merry Christmas. Ours is on Christmas Eve and will involve chili, hot dogs, and cookies!
My children and grandchildren voted for lasagna many years ago so that’s what I make. Before there were grandchildren, we had a low country boil which is much easier than lasagna, but when the grands came along, they changed the menu. I’m sure your Chateaubriand will be delicious and the family will be pleased. We are actually going to spend a couple of days up in the North Carolina mountains after Christmas and our oldest grandchild asked me to cook my lasagna up there as he prefers it fresh out of the oven. Now I’m debating what to take since I have no idea as to the equipment in the house we are renting. Hope everyone has a calm, restful week.
Thanks for sharing Susan…I will check it out! Merry Christmas.
Equipment does matter so much! In my previous San Antonio home I had a double oven which made big meals so much easier. Now, I need to plan differently with a single oven. I will be thinking it through later today. Lasagna sounds so good…I have not had it in years. Hope your trip goes well, Celia.
What a beautiful wreath with the roses on it.
It sounds like your prepared I have some more things I need to get at the store then I should be done. But you never know.
That walking taco dish looks really good and you said it is points friendly which is better. I’m going to have to try it. It’s been hard this past week, my eating has been horrible and I can feel it.
Have a good week and I hope your preparations go well.
Your gravy recipe sounds worth doing any time of year!
I’ll be fixing a traditional turkey dinner to have Christmas here with my father and husband on the 24th, then dashing up with my spicy lasagna as the center to Christmas with my sons next day. Their work schedules preclude a joint visit home this year, so flexibility is my byword. This time next year, we’ll have the addition of a daughter-in-law…and I can’t wait to see how our holiday plans evolve and enlarge.
No worries, Paula. My eating and tasting and eating is not good right now either…we will get back to it this weekend! We can do this!
I love both my DILs so much..you will be blessed, Connie. Love your wreath and the kindness of your neighbor. If Mr. B could join you for that spicy Lasagna, he would be there in heartbeat!
I thought the same thing about how Connie’s beautiful wreath can stay on her gorgeous blue door long after the holidays are over. Small town living is definitely different than that of the big city. I think you have made friends quickly because you approach everyone with a friendly attitude. Have a good week.
Thanks for being here, Becky. It is a beautiful wreath!
My Mr. B, Brent wanted beef as well. He brought home a lovely chuck roast to make a simple Irish stew out of it. Because my stomach will no longer tolerate onions, it is carrots potatoes and browned cubed beef in the slow cooker all day. I do use a bay leaf, rosemary and thyme in small amounts with salt. No pepper either. It is bland but actually tender and delicious. It will last for several meals. I serve with warmed French bread. Red and green grapes for our desert. We are forced to eat simple bland meals because of me but I’m so fortunate that he has a simple palette. I love Connie’s wreath. It will be beautiful all winter. What a thoughtful gift. We have very strong winds going on so outside decorations are minimal. It is 71 degrees and sunny right now here in Colorado. At least 30 degrees higher than normal here. Merry Christmas all!
Thank you Connie for sharing the photo of the gorgeous wreath. Sounds like beef is on the menu in a lot of homes. My Mr. B’s favorite dish is short ribs so that’s what I’ll make for Christmas dinner which is also our Anniversary. We were married on Christmas Day 8 years ago. We’ll have lasagna on Christmas Eve. I’m making the sauce today as it has to simmer for awhile. Tomorrow we’ll make the noodles and I’ll partially bake it. I’ll finish baking it on Christmas Eve. I’m going to repeat the pumpkin souffle from Sally’s Baking as per his request. I plan to spend most of tomorrow in the kitchen. There’s just the two of us but I try to make it special. Good Luck, Pam, with the Chateaubriand.
The beautiful wreath with the pink roses caught my attention immediately. What a special friend who created it. I am impressed with your choice of chateaubriand for Christmas Eve dinner. I also like your choice of the caramelized onion gravy. I know your family will love it.
My Christmas cactus did well when I first received it as a gift. Then my better judgement told me to give it to my sister. She has a perfect place to grow cactus, so each year she takes a picture of my cactus and sends it to me.
A special thanks for all you share on your posts. Blessings always
He is so sweet and loving to do
This for you!
Sounds like you are making it special, Kathie! Happy Anniversary!
And thanks to you, Audrey for sharing your decorations! They are fun!
Dear Pam,
Thanks for sharing some of your readers special items, and the card I selected for you. Wow, you are saving it too.
You will make everyone so happy this Christmas because you put your whole heart into everything you do.
Take care, and stay healthy and strong during this hectic time of the year. Easing yourself into the holidays easier said than done.
Take care.
It’s a lovely card, Katherine…and the vintage Santa made it a keeper. Thank you so much!