Tuesday November 22nd, Day One!!

And the fun begins!!! I did the final shopping trip this morning -- at Walt's!! I forgot how much I love Walt's -- someone to help you where ever you look. There was even someone to help me pick out wine!! I do love Walt's. I closed last night at work -- so Miranda prepared the breakfast casserole which we are having this morning.

Dennis came in early -- so Terry went to pick him up while I completed the grocery shopping. I arrived home -- Miranda and I unpacked -- the casserole timer went off -- and in walked Terry and Dennis; timing could not have been more perfect!! The casserole was perfect!!!

Then I remembered that last year I made a blog -- so I read it -- and wow the things I remembered that I had forgotten!!!! This was a good idea!!!

Now we are all just hanging out -- so nice to have Dennis here again!! Later this afternoon we pick up Nick!!

We have just been hanging out and visiting -- debating the menu for the week -- there maybe some changes before all is said and done.

Miranda and I just made creme de menth bars!! These are a wonderful holiday treat that Patty Messersmith introduced us to. I usually to not make them until Christmas -- but Terry is not a fan of pumpkin -- so they are showing up at Thanksgiving this year. They are in the frig chilling.


Dennis and I leave for DePaul in just a little while...

We made good time getting into the city -- found a parking space right in front of U-Hall. It took only one trip to get all of Nick's things into the cruiser -- and we were off (not until I stole some dirty blankets from Nick's room for washing!!). Then we were on a mission to get Garrett's popcorn to bring home. We drove down Michigan avenue -- the lights were pretty at dusk. Found our way to where Garrett's used to be -- and there was a sign they had moved!! We quickly entered the address into the GPS and found it was right across the street (could the sign not have said that...). So around the block we went -- Nick jumped out -- we found an ally to wait in -- and 5 minutes later we were back on the road with our Garrett's!!

Traffic was heavy on the way home -- but uneventful -- we were home safe and sound by 5:30.

Broccoli dip, cheese, sausage, and wine made for a great snack before Grady's. We met Terry at Grady's around 8:30 and had a very lovely dinner.

Before Grady's, after Miranda came home from school, we put together the french toast casserole that will be breakfast tomorrow -- it is Paula Dean's baked french toast casserole. I have never had it -- but it sounds yummy -- we'll see...

Back home by 10:00 and most everyone was ready to crawl into bed.