Hometown, Family Visit and Oscar's Challenge

There’s something about seeing clothes drying on a line in the country on a sunny day - summer or fall, it’s always calming and encouraging. Though I’m across the road and far from the clothes, I can smell the fresh scent that permeates them when they dry. This time of year, you have to hang the clothes mid-day and get them off the line before the sun goes down and the temperature drops again.

Oscar challenged me this week to avoid writing about heartache or myself or sadness while I’m in Kentucky for Thanksgiving with family. Write about my travels, my family and the foods we eat and our adventures, he said, and no frog eyes. Those are the eyes that are welled up with tears. Ok, Oscar, I will try.

I flew to my hometown with Dad on Saturday to spend Thanksgiving with family. It’s cold but beautiful. Visit Owensboro
 

Owensboro, KY

Thanks to Oscar, I’m having his coffee every morning. I brought my extra French press with me and bought some coconut milk creamer (what is that?!) and have been warming it to make a latte. The roosters crow next door and the Canada geese honk on the pond across the road as I sip.

Oscar

My sister Michelle lives just a few feet away. It is so nice to see her everyday, and her husband Jeff, and her daughter Caitlin - the only child of four living at home right now.

And then there’s Wyatt - Michelle’s grandson and the son of her oldest son Josh and his wife Becca. Josh is away for military training, along with his younger brother Nathan. I do love babies - and he’s a cute little stinker.

Wyatt

Today, I went for a run on the beautiful Greenbelt trail and visited my grandaddy. What else do I need? Adkisson Greenbelt Park

I have some good wine tonight while I’m making vegetable stock to use in a vegetarian dressing (stuffing if you aren’t from the south - only stuffing here if you put it in the bird, which we don’t). I’m using a gluten-free, egg-free bread I ordered online for a veggie version of my mom’s recipe. I adapted the recipe years ago but have never used gluten-free, egg-free bread. I will keep you posted.

While the stock simmers, my parents and I are watching my Kentucky Wildcats play basketball. Go CATS! (They won).

I haven’t tried any new foods though I could have starting last Friday. I’m struggling with what to try and whether I feel like being sick for days if the trial fails.

This morning, it was the shake for breakfast with strawberries and parsley, some baked beans alongside to have something warm, and a handful of Fritos - no they aren’t healthy but they are gluten free!

Foster Road, Philpot, KY