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10 SOLERA DIAMOND VALLEY | NOVEMBER 2026 By eresa Rossetti, Resident It's Fall, Y'all, time for some serious holiday celebrations! We've made it passed Spooky Season, and it's time to think about Turkey Day. I hope that thoughts of Thanksgiving bring back memories of fun times, celebrating with family you hadn't seen in a while, watching the Macy's Parade (I accept no substitutes), football games, and some elaborate versions of your favorite foods. Turkey, sweet potatoes (melted marshmallows on top, of course), stuffing (I'll allow "dressing"), corn, succotash and/ or green bean casseroles, are staples but were you raised, or do you now partake of some perhaps bizarre, unusual vittles? Looking into regional favorites, I came across some unexpected additions to the usual fare. Let's start with any version of a Jello salad, or even worse, aspic. I would rather not have fruits, veggies, or meat suspended in jiggly Jello. But wait, there are weirder ones. How about Bologna Cake? The "cake" consists of layers of bologna, cream cheese, grated onion, Worcestershire sauce, and Ritz crackers. Delightful. Or perhaps Ham and Banana Casserole? Bread, ham, bananas, bacon, potato chips, and cheese, all slathered with and baked in a cream sauce. I can't wait. For our main course, I offer up (because I don't want it; it's all yours) Dubai Chocolate Turkey. To go with that, instead of cranberry sauce, try cinnamon salad. Easy recipe – Red Hots, red Jello and applesauce. Perhaps some Sweet Potato and Chorizo Hash on the side? Or Cup Noodles Limited Edition Pumpkin Ramen in Sauce? How about a humdinger from Betty Crocker's 1960-ish Cookbook aptly named Ham Mousse. This looks a little like Cousin It if he was wearing a sheet (probably to hide his embarrassment) with sliced green olives for eyes. Before we leave main dishes, I give you Meatloaf Mashed Potato Cake. It's just what it sounds like, layers of meatloaf "frosted" with mashed potatoes. Oh, and gravy dripping down the top. The game's about to start, but certainly we need some dessert. Have a great big slice of Magic Tomato Soup Cake and maybe a spoonful or five of Candy Bar Apple Salad. Wash it all down with Warm Dr. Pepper, a variation on mulled cider, with brown sugar, spices, and rum. After researching this, I can look back with fondness on the first Thanksgiving I spent with The Hub's family before we got married. It started with a huge antipasto spread, followed by hefty portions of lasagna, then turkey, the potatoes, and all the other fixings. The fact that I needed to fit into the wedding gown my mother was making for me did not deter "The Aunts" from worrying that I was too skinny (hilarious in retrospect) and needed to at least have more lasagna. And wine to wash it down with. Wine possibly made by their 90-ish-year-old father, from grapes grown in the backyard. I think. It was quite an introduction to the family! By Janet Boyce, Resident One of the biggest frustrations in life is trying to keep things functional and organized. There's always the question: "Do I need or want this?" Some of us are what we call "packrats," which makes the situation even worse! The secret to getting organized and staying that way is to make it simple enough that you can keep doing it and not feel overwhelmed. Start with one area; don't try to organize the whole house at once! The kitchen or bathrooms are a good place to start. Use four categories as you go through things: 1) Keep, 2) Move, 3) Give Away, and 4) Trash. Don't make a huge "Maybe" pile. If you're unsure, put it in a small box to decide later. The most important rule is that everything you keep needs a specific place to live. If something doesn't have a "home," you will eventually have clutter again. Do a 10-minute reset every evening before bed. Put things back where they belong, clear the kitchen counters, deal with the mail and other papers, and put clothing away. I tend to put things away as I use them during the day, which is a great prevention technique. That way, I'm not faced with a major clean-up later. Another routine is to do a weekly, organization hour. Sunday, before the next week starts, is a good day to do this. Review appointments for the next week, check and pay any bills, handle paperwork, plan meals, make a short shopping list, and tidy one small area if needed. The trick is to stay organized and get rid of things you don't use or need anymore. Ask yourself, "Do I actually need to keep this?" Try the One-In/One-Out Rule: If you buy something new, consider whether something similar can leave. Don't try to make your home perfect. The goal isn't a picture- perfect house. It is a home where you can easily find what you need and easily put things away. Baskets or trays are a good way to hold things that are pending, as long as you deal with them in a timely manner. My best wishes to you as you clean and reorganize your home. You will feel so good afterwards. How to Get and Stay Organized You're Having What For Thanksgiving?

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