OUT WITH THE OLD, IN WITH THE NEW (AND IT MIGHT BE TIME TO HEAD BACK TO SCHOOL)

Warning: There is a very long post to go with that very long title!

First, out with the old, in with the new.....CROCK POT!  (Actually it's a slow cooker, Crock Pot is a brand of slow cooker.  Yep, I just learned that...I know...fascinating!)  Back in August of 1989, Tony and I received multiple crock pots (yep, I know it's a slow cooker, but I'm still calling it a crock pot!)  We didn't receive a clock or a toaster, but crock pots...no problem!  We regifted a few (there is NOTHING wrong with that) and returned a few.  I was very particular about which one to keep.  I didn't want the huge ones, since it was only the two of us.  I chose this sleek little model. (which is bigger than you think)

 There were many features I liked with this one...and I also thought it was good looking!  Ahh, young, naive love.

 The base of the crock pot was a little griddle.  I imagined that I might one day make pancakes on it or fry an egg.  Of course you always have grand imaginations at the beginning of a relationship.  But in reality, we never made pancakes together....and we didn't hear the sizzle of one egg frying.

 That's ok because the lid could be used as a small casserole dish.  Again, perfect for a couple!  The feature that I grew to love the most was the dial.  It starts at 1 (low) and went up to 5 (high).  You could select any number 1-5.  I used that feature all the time.  I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE my crock pot and had no desire to change, but it sadly started to give out and I couldn't trust it anymore.  You know what they say, once the trust is gone - it's all over!  It's not easy saying goodbye.  We've been together nearly 22 1/2 years!

 Enter the new crock pot.  You can time your cooking up to 20 hours and when it's done with the cooking, it turns to the keep warm setting.  It's also HUGE!  The hardest thing I'm getting used to (aside from it's size and I don't have a place to put it since it doesn't fit where my old crock pot was stored) is that it only has a Low and High setting.  What?!?  Where's my Low-Med, Med or Med-High?  

 So I couldn't always trust my old crock pot?  Was trust THAT important?  Did I move on too soon?  Did I throw away 22 1/2 years for NOTHING?!?

 Like it or not....this is my new crock pot.  I hope we bond soon!  I'm not sure what the statistics are with 2nd crock pots relationships.....maybe it's best I don't know. 

Moving on....

 Our Secret Santa gave us a pre-built gingerbread house one night and we were always too busy to decorate it.  Finally the time came and the boys were able to have at it.  They loved their gingerbread men (thanks, Shrek)

 Here's Asher's Gingy!

 Apparently there's no love lost between Kyler and his gingerbread man.

 Ash & Gingy

 Kyler getting ready to take another bite out of his friend!

Now on to last night....and what my family called Thanksgiving Jr.

We cooked up a turkey that Jacquelen gave us...THANKS, JACQUELEN!  I was busy taking down Christmas and reorganizing all my boxes of decorations all day.  The last thing I wanted was to take a long time for dinner.  I made it very easy on myself.....stove top, instant potatoes and crescent rolls.  Then I just washed and seasoned the turkey, threw it in a cooking bag and walked away.  It was a very easy dinner to get on the table.  I enjoyed every bit of it, but I did feel that it is worth every minute I spend on homemade stuffing, mashed potatoes and rolls! (i don't think my boys palates are as discerning)

 YUM!  I can't wait for leftovers!!!!

 And finally....it might be time to head back to school when your children are drawing chalk outlines all over the driveway!  

 Here's Kyler

 It did keep them occupied....but I have no idea what the neighbors think!

 And when your 15 year-old wears a 5 year-old's bear mask.....

I think it means....I'M BORED....GET ME BACK TO SCHOOL!  Well at least that's what I think.  Monday morning I will happily reluctantly say good bye to my little monkeys angels.  YAHOO!!!!!  Sniff, sniff.