Weekly Wrap Up 12/22

 Happy Sunday to all.  We are now officially in winter!  Soon the daylight hours will start to show improvement!  I am so ready for more daylight.  Christmas is 3 days away!  On another note:  spring is 90 days away!  LOL!

I imagine many of you might be celebrating today!  I know events stretch out for a lot of people over a week or so.  I have Wednesday with my brother's family.  Next Sunday will be a get together at my house for the kids (2 nephews and 1 niece & families).  Last weekend was siblings Christmas.  So yes, it can stretch out over time.

I can only imagine how excited all the little's are!  I remember the anticipation - it was thrilling & almost unbearable!

It is chilly this morning - but dry.  We will not be having a white Christmas in my area - it will be a soggy Christmas instead.  Temps are to gradually go up all week, until it is close to 60*F by the end of the week.

My frugal week:

• Monday and Tuesday I actually got to air the house a little
• Finished the last-minute Christmas I wanted to get
• Got the great deal of .39/can veggies I told about earlier in the week
• I got my end of the month gas fill-up while out, as I plan to be home pretty much for the next week or so.  Saved .40/gallon with points
• I clipped Blackies nails and have given him a couple good brushings (his fur is so thick)
• I went out and cleaned the storm sewer drain (opening) one day - a neighbor had raked all his leaves towards it a couple weeks ago (ggrrrrr) - so I went out with a pole and cleaned it out so there is good flow now for rainwater
• Paid all the bills
• Finished all the wrapping & bagging
• Lots of laundry
• Made and canned 6 jars of grape jelly (from my frozen grapes)
• Worked on combining a lot of partial or near empty seasoning jars - ie: garlic powder went in garlic salt container, mixed seasonings combined, etc.
• Made a batch of hard-boiled eggs for snacks
• Eating from home and using leftovers.  I was soooo hungry when I was out shopping but resisted and came home and ate!
• Working on house cleaning

Meals this past week:

Leftover roast and veggies (sent home from sis's)

Leftover baked spaghetti & side salad

Chicken tender sandwich & fresh veggies

Cheeseburger, fries and veggies

French bread pizza (from freezer) & salad

Mushroom ravioli and spaghetti sauce (both from freezer) & garlic toast

Breakfast - bacon, scrambled eggs and toast (w/dab of jelly leftover from canning)

So there is my week.  Pretty quiet - I still have baking to do this week.  I want it all fresh for next Sunday and I do believe I have everything I need for my menu that day.  Yeah, I am just going to say I DO - no need to buy anything else.  I have plenty here.

I would like to say thank you for Christmas cards from some of you!

How was your week?  Are you ready?  Meals planned and goodies bought?  I know not everyone celebrates, and to you, I hope you had a nice quiet and calm week.

I will probably make some short posts this week, on normal days.  I know everyone is busy - so if you do not have time to stop by - I say MERRY CHRISTMAS to you and yours. 

I hope you all have a SAFE and wonderful week ahead.

Blessing to you and yours from me at my humble little home.

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He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your resources and increase the harvest of your righteousness.  You will be enriched in every way for great generosity, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God. 

2 Corinthians 9:10-11

Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!

2 Corinthians 9:15

Dear Lord, as we approach the day of celebration for the birth of Christ, please help us each one to live a more Christ like life.  May we treat others with respect and love and may we all open our hearts to help those in need.  Help us to spread the gospel and to live the gospel every day.  Thank You for our many, many blessings.  Please continue to watch over and protect us all.  Amen

The Day is Close at Hand!!

 Happy Thursday to all.  Hope you are all well.  I know some of you gals up North are getting some nasty weather.  Stay safe and stay in!

Thirties here this AM and cloudy. Already been out to feed all the critters and kitty.  My boys are curled up sleeping after having their breakfast.  I feel like I could do the same!

Thought I would show the bigger wreath indoors that I put a few lights in.  My niece in-law made that for me and the stand it is on was made by my nephew.  I added a small strand of lights (20) and it gives such a nice glow to the room in the evenings.  20 lights add more light than one might think in a dark room.

Click on the picture to enlarge to get a better view of the wreath.

I can't believe how many delivery trucks there are daily in my neighborhood!  Multiply that by ALL the neighborhoods - goodness.  There are UPS, FedEx, Amazon, Prime, USPS all everyday - and many of those are on my street multiple times!  You would think in this day of computers and electronics; they would have a better system of routing packages.  I would think it would save time and money to have deliveries on each street made once (maybe twice) a day - I mean they track that stuff.  I know I see UPS at least 6 times each day on my little street!!  Nuts.

Speaking of delivery - I got one I wasn't expecting yesterday.

This lovely tin of old-time candies came from my wonderful friend Laurie yesterday!  I so love all the old-fashioned candies.  I have already been in it this morning!

I am counting the days until Saturday and the winter solstice - because then the days go back to getting a little longer!  I so need more daylight.

I am home until Christmas Day, I do believe.  No plans to go out.  I know many have family coming in, celebrations may begin this weekend.  Baking to do, gifts to wrap (or maybe buy).  I imagine everyone will be busy with something.

I will be keeping busy with this and that - and hopefully enjoying a Christmas show or two.  I like having holiday music playing as well.

Please all stay safe and warm.  May those traveling have safe travels.

I will be back with a Sunday post as usual.

Have a great day and enjoy all the festivities leading up to Christmas, whatever they may be.

Done and Finds

 Happy Wednesday - one week until Christmas!  Oh my!

It is a cool and damp morning.  We had rain overnight - so things are still damp, and it is muddy!  Just a gray kind of day.  It is around 40*F and won't be moving much all day.

Well, stick a fork in me and call me done!!!!  I went out yesterday and got the last couple items I wanted to get for baskets, and I am DONE!  Well, except for baking and things I am making in the kitchen.

I ran to Menards and got a couple items.  I wanted to get a couple extra mushroom growing kits - why?  Because I wanted at least one too!  I was afraid they would be gone, and they didn't have many left.  So, I got lucky.  They are going in 4 gift bags with other goodies.

How fun is that?  I think everyone will enjoy - it is something different and something they can use and eat!

DEALS

If you have a Meijer grocery - check it out.  I heard from a friend about their veggie deal - so I stopped in there while out.  It is across the road from Menards.

Beans, corn and peas (store brand) - .39 can!!!  NO LIMIT.  I kept watching carts as I walked through the store, and didn't see many people with them.  No big aisle display as they used to do.  Maybe they didn't want to sell that badly.  They were with all other veggies in the veggie aisle.  I got a case of each - with what I have I am good for a long time.  They were dated end of '26 and into '27.

Simply veg, salt and water.  I love them to add to homemade soups and things.  Sale good through Saturday.

Not a price that is often seen in today's market!!!!

ALSO - if you have Kroger - check ads today.  Butter is on digital coupon until Christmas Eve 2.99/lb.

Shows up in IN and OH that I know of - check your ads!!!!  Stock up when you can and as cheaply as you can.

Still on my table!  From my garden!  This is the end of them - but I will be eating MY tomatoes through Christmas - how fun is that?

Well gang, I am off to get busy.  Mrs. Claus's helper still has some goodies to make over the next few days!  

I hope whatever you put your hands to today, that it is successful.

Have a lovely and blessed day.

STAY SAFE out there!!!

Keeping Things Light and Fun

 Happy Tuesday all.  Glad to have you here and hope all are well.  I know many are taking a break from Blogs and computer things - so this week, it will just be light info.  Next week as well, for whatever I do post.  

We will get back to learning, sharing and trading info after the new year.

It is cool this morning, the moon was vibrant, and the sunrise was a beautiful sky painting.  It isn't raining or snowing - I am happy!

I mentioned the old home my friend and I got to tour a week ago Sunday.  It has only changed hands 2 or 3 times since the early 1800's.  The folks who built it were quite wealthy, and they did care for and help slaves.  They had to be quite vigilant to be stealthy about such things or they would have been arrested and probably hanged.  There are many, many miles of tunnels under our city on all parts of towns - some say they all connected at some point.  There is rumor that they connect with the tunnels a few miles away (still fairly close to me - but north) that are under a very famous historical bar downtown called the Slippery Noodle. 

The house and the street are named after the original owner (Hanna)

Many say the house is haunted (hence why they do Halloween stuff there - that angers me).  If ever a place might be - I can see this would be.  As to not draw attention, many are said to be buried under the basement floor.  They had a huge coal chute, as they received a lot of supplies that way as well.

An older picture - see the windmill towards the right back side of the house?  There are the remains of that still there.  It kind of looks like it may have been toppled by a tornado.  

Today. Much the same.  Oh how I wish I was rich.  It needs a ton of work on the back half of the house and even inside the tour-able part.  It would be glorious to fix it up and to live there.  Now it is just for tours and events - no one lives there. It is on historic register.

The old canning is still there.  You can still tell exactly what is in each jar - no one has lived here or canned for decades.

It was really a deep basement.  Standing on the cement floor - I could not touch the ceiling.  So it was made really deep on purpose!

Not that it is obvious, but up close you can see where the tunnel was.  Behind the canning racks.  The racks were built to block it off - as many tunnels have collapsed. Right above the jugs sitting on the floor - you can see it is actually stone and not cement block - that was the tunnel area.  That floor area you see - is where they say the burials happened.  It is the one area of the basement that has cement (deep cement).  The rest is dirt floors.

It really has a weird eerie feeling down there.

 One of the only original pieces of furniture in the home.  Isn't that bed something?  This was thought to be the bedroom for the original owners.  Most every room had a fireplace in it.

Windows were so tall - I bet at least 8' tall.  There were picture rails in every room.  Ceilings at least 10' tall if not higher.  The original ceiling lights are in place - but have been converted to electric.

Can you imagine heating all that?

They even had a separate room for bathing! 

Well, I thought you might enjoy a tour as well.  It was kind of fun.  Years ago (over 30+), Glen and I actually got to tour the entire home - both front and back wings and the attic.  It was in much better shape back then.

Just a fun little tour of a site close to my home.  Not even 10 minutes from me.  I have lived in this area all my life, and always knew about this place and drove by from the earliest times I can remember.

Kind of neat to have such history so close.  I bet many people live in areas that have a lot of history that they never get to know.

I also live just blocks from the oldest city park in the area as well.

Well, there you go.  A little view into the past and a little history of the area I live.  Hope you enjoyed it.

Have a glorious day and share a smile and a kind word if possible!

My daily Christmas picture!

Weekly Wrap Up 12/15

 Happy Sunday to all.  10 days until the big day!  It is amazing how quickly the days are going by.

I hope you are all well and safe this Sunday.

It is a much warmer start to the day - than we have had for a high for many days!  We do have rain today - but I can deal with that.  No snow is fine with me!  I know some of you are getting assaulted with snow and frigid weather - I am so sorry for that.  

My week:

• Last Sunday a friend called and wanted to see if I would go with her to take a tour of an old 1800's home here on my side of town.  It was once a stop on the underground railroad.  It is often used during Halloween for scary stuff.  It was decorated for Christmas, so we went and caught up on talk as well.  Then we stopped at an area antique shop and looked around.  Nice afternoon
• Monday was the Christmas luncheon with my grade school gals (and one guy).  We went to MCL and had a lovely time.  Had a gift exchange as well.
• I did my last raking of the backyard.
• I did a little more shopping one day - found the couple things I was really looking for
• Cards got mailed (I had cards and stamps already)
• Made my first batch of Springerle cookies for my brother and sis - so baking has started (what little I do)
• Got a lot of stuff wrapped
• Lots of laundry and used dehumidifier water
• Used baking soda and vinegar to unclog a drain
• Used up bits and pieces of food left in new meals
• Had siblings Christmas yesterday.  Sis demanded that she get to continue hosting and she made dinner.  It was a great crockpot meal of roast and veggies.  Her first meal she cooked since she got home from rehab.  It was a wonderful day, and we are just so blessed to still have her here with us.
• Received home canned goods, snacks and gift cards
• Sis sent home roast and veggies with me as well - a meals worth +

Meals this past week:

Cheesy mac with sausage and green peas added and small salad

MCL - meal with friends

Chicken tender sandwich, oven fries and small salad

French bread pizza (froze part as well)

Taco salad

Baked spaghetti and garlic toast

Dinner with family

Been snacking on fruit, cheese and crackers, a milkshake

How was your week?  Is everyone about ready for whatever festivities you do?  Did you get any good deals this week?  What is baking in your kitchen?

I sure hope you are all well and safe.  Stay warm and cozy - I know many are having lots and lots of true winter weather.

Blessings to you and yours from me at my humble little home.

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Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow; but woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

Lord, we are so blessed to have so many wonderful family and friends in our lives to help us when we are in need, whether emotionally or physically.  May we each know that a kind word and a helping hand to others can change everything for them.  Thank You for this wonderful group of lovely ladies here, as each cares and prays for the others and all are always offering a helpful idea or suggestion to help another.  Family and friends can even be those who have never met.  I feel we are all so blessed.  Please continue to watch over and protect us all.  AMEN

Taking Care of Business and Yourself

 Happy Thursday to everyone.  My goodness, the time is just flying by.  3 weeks from now we will be in a new year!!  It seems like we just did all this stuff!  

It is a cold morning here.  In the teens and it has actually dropped a couple degrees since I got up.  I bundled up and went out to do the feed thing, and there was Licorice sitting out in the yard waiting on me.  Crazy cat - I figured he would be in his warmer house and bed - but nope!  I think he enjoys the colder stuff.  After eating, he did go in the greenhouse for a cat nap!

Everyone is busy and, on the go, and doing things.  We all need to pace ourselves and not go crazy.  We need to remember to take good care of ourselves.  This is a sad and mentally challenging time for a lot of people.  IF you do not wish to celebrate the holidays that is OK.  Do whatever is good for you.

I think these charts are so spot on.  Things we all need to remember.  Here we are at the end of another year and life has changed for every one of us in some way - more changes for some than others.  We are all in a new season of life and need to help ourselves through this new season.

Be yourself - change for no one.  Appreciate all the things you have - big and small.  

Cut loose conflicts and disagreements - try to forgive.  No one is perfect and we never know what is happening in another life.  Hanging on to hard feelings helps no one or nothing.

Do something positive for another - it will surely bring joy to you and them.

Step out of your comfort zone now and then.  The first time is always difficult - but you may find it is something you enjoy!

You are here reading this today, so you have actually made it through another year - that is HUGE!  That is PROGRESS!

Set yourself up for a good new year to come.  Make a wish or plan or two.  Find a new way to improve yourself - education, exercise, a new friend, letting go of old habits, etc.  

Let your light shine - you are unique in this world.  There is only one of you - I find that amazing.  We are each so different and special - in this big old world there is only one you or me!

Love your home, your family and friends, love your fur babies and love yourself!  

Many are going about their planning today and getting ready for celebrations, if so, have a good time doing that.  Many are quietly sitting alone and hibernating until the holidays are over, if so, you have a blessed day as well.

Whatever you do on this day you were gifted, do it with love, joy and happiness.

Have a fantastic day!!!

Having Fun - Play - Boost the Mind

 Howdy to everyone.  So glad to be here today, as a new day starts.  Hope this finds all of you well.  It is 2 weeks until Christmas Day!  

It is colder here this morning - got up to the freezing mark.  Tomorrow will be bitter again - then it warms yet again.  I can do this all winter if it so happens!

I have been out of the house a lot in the past 3 days - and need to buckle down and get busy.  Still several things I want to accomplish - but will not fret, if they don't get done.  Que sera, sera!

Another little memory for me.  My brother Dick and me.  He came home on leave at Christmas and brought me my own Navy suit!  I loved it (still have it).  He was my hero, and I was sure I would marry him!!! I was so angry at my SIL when they got married, I didn't like her for a long time, as she took my brother and my buddy and my future husband!  LOL. We are good friends now!

Do you play games at Christmas?  I know lots of people have all day get togethers and games are a huge part of it.  My niece and her kids and her grand have a day of it, and they just love games.  Made up games, board games, card games, etc.  I think that is neat.

Her is one that could be a game for the family or just something to keep next to your chair, to exercise your brain over the winter!  That is what I am doing.  It is fun and a challenge - and I can't imagine finding all they say there is!!!

Now this would be something to let people do over the entire day - then see who has the most at the end of the visit.  I will work on this at home!

Another fun thing to do - might be to have everyone write down as many lines from holiday movies/shows that they can - that make the name of the movie immediately known.  Then see if everyone agrees.

Like - "you'll shoot your eye out", "God bless us everyone", "every time a bell rings...", "you're a mean one...", "I triple dog dare you".  There are so many phrases out there that instantly make me think of a holiday movie.

Can you think of any?

I think these ideas are fun - as I like trivia, but it really does help keep the mind fresh.  We need to use that old brain of ours every day to keep it fresh and alert.

Here is a bit of trivia.  I love the National Lampoon Christmas Vacation movie - it is so silly.  I just like to laugh, and I do that through the whole show.  It is just plain old silliness, with a little moral point thrown in here and there.

I know this one is not everyone's cup of tea, as there are many others that I won't watch as well.

Throw a little fun in your celebrations and winter.  Have fun and laugh!  It is good medicine!

Have a super day.  Give away a smile today!