The 'Magic' of the Season!

 Hello all.  I hope you are all healthy and snug this Thursday.  Another cold, cold day here in my neighborhood.  It is in the 20's and probably staying in the 20's today.

Yesterday for an hour or two we got a little sunshine, that was so wonderful.  It isn't often that happens this time of the year.  Today they are saying sun!!!  YAY

Well, yesterday I figured it was time to get busy and shop some.  So off I went!  My road looked ok - but it was atrocious!  ICE!  I came really close to 'owning' the stop sign at the corner!!  I started sliding sideways (even going just a couple mph) - got stopped within inches!  Luckily there was no traffic in any direction - usually there is some idiot running the stop sign on any given day.  Well, I managed to get to the main road, and all was fine.  We have a school and post office within a couple blocks of my house.  When I returned the post office area was still horrible, the school area good.  Too much excitement for me!

I did go to Aldi and NOT for groceries.  I got a lot of neat basket stuffers and some things for kiddos.  That MIDDLE aisle is fun!!!!  I met so many happy people.

I know there is no such thing as magic - but so many things seem magical, don't they?  Many miraculous things almost seem magical.

Yesterday while shopping, I saw so many people having fun looking at all the goodies.  The oohs and aahhs!  Adults and children.  The sounds in the voices of the littles - pure joy.

I see snowflakes glistening in the snow - it looks like fairy dust - magic!  

I see the twinkling lights on the tree - looks like magic to me.

The way the snow clings to the trees and they look like flocked trees (remember those?).

Memories of being a kid and 'hearing' Santas bells on Christmas Eve.

Seeing children get so excited to see Santa and watching them look at all the lights and decorations with those big wide eyes.

The smells of the holidays - almost seem magical.  They can transport you to another time.

Being able to continue a tradition from the family to another generation - and watching them get excited.

Watching the OLD Christmas shows from childhood.  Those are the best!!!!  I like the old cartoon specials and some of the old, old movies - much better than the new stuff.

Being able to get with friends from back in the day and just laugh and have fun.  It seems as if no time has passed!

Watching the young ones seeing the radar on Christmas Eve - to see where Santa is - then leaving cookies and milk.

Being out in the snow (playing or working) and coming into a warm house and hot chocolate - almost seems magical.

                                    TONIGHT!!!!!!!  Take a step back in time!  Also, next Tuesday!

It might just be what you need to laugh a little, to remember the times as a kid, to smile and make believe a little.  I hope you watch it!

So take a few minutes or even hours or days to see MAGIC in the season.  The smiles, the joys, the beauty - yes, I know it isn't magic - but FAITH and HOPE can seem so at times.

Have a beautiful day.

Take in the moments!

Simple Meals for Simple Lives

 Howdy to all.  I hope you are all well and safe, and that you are able to find some joy today.

Oh good golly, it is feeling cold out.  The news says 20* - mine says 27*.  I like mine better!

It always amazes how 'light' it looks outside in the dead of night, after we have had snow.  It almost looks like daylight.

This is the one thing I love about snow.  It makes all the evergreens look so beautiful.  Color pictures look black & white.  This is catty-corner across the street.

Simple meals - simple living.  You know me, and most of my meals are pretty simple.  Now I know not everyone likes the same things I do, but it gives ideas on ways to simplify.  I eat good - very good.  I eat more than enough.  I eat what I really like.

I do eat ONE meal a day - it isn't because I have to or I can't afford more.  It is because it is all I want.  I do eat snacks - fruit, veggies, cheese, crackers, etc.  So sometimes the platefuls I show look like a lot of food - but being the only meal, it is probably less than others eat all day.

Now with the holidays here - remember that leftover ham and turkey make great ham salad or turkey salad.  Super for sandwiches or eat with salad and crackers.  Throw in a chopped up hardboiled egg, and you have even more protein.

Add these to soups or beans or fried rice - all easy meals and uses up all the leftovers making a hearty meal.

Yesterday - bacon, egg, cheese biscuits and fresh veggies on the side.  Super good and filling and used what I had.

Oh, a hot bowl or cup of egg drop soup - just hits the spot!  This can be had for a lunch or added as a side for dinner.  It is soooooo easy to make and so scrumptious.

Enchiladas that I made.  I used leftover rice and beans for the inside/stuffing. Lots of cheese inside as well.  Enchilada sauce, cheese and black olives.  Let me tell you, as crazy as it sounds the black olives made it taste super special (almost like Taco Bell).  Tortillas are super cheap and they are also easy to make.  You can stuff them with whatever you like and roll up.  Sauce can be canned or homemade (easy to do) and cheese!  Bake until cheese is golden (I used the air fryer).  The leftover rice/beans made 4 enchiladas.

A basic guide to making tortillas and hand breads!  Super easy with a nice hot griddle.  Ingredients most have on hand.

Another tasty and easy bite!  Naan bread - make or watch for sales and clearance.  I spread with cream cheese & added garlic and onion seasoning, topped with sliced tomatoes (you can top with absolutely anything you like- (like pizza), then added shredded cheddar.  Bake in air fryer for about 15 minutes at 360*.  You can use the oven as well.  Naan makes great and easy pizza - filling too.  Eat alone or add a salad.

Baked potatoes topped with whatever meat, leftovers or thick soups you have around.  Maybe add some cheese or sour cream - so filling and basically a meal.

You can do the same with sweet potatoes.  Top with hearty toppings or make them sweet.  Both can be made into fries or twice baked!

Goulash is a super easy meal - some call it Eastern Chow Mein.  I call it goulash.  Fry up some ground beef or chicken/sausage/turkey/pork, add in some onion or green pepper if you choose (optional) - add cooked pasta (macaroni) - then add tomatoes (chopped) or tomato sauce and throw on some cheese if you like it.  Season the way you like - Super easy and filling.  Serve with bread and/or salad.

Spaghetti - the basic super easy meal.  Chili is another.  Soup - another - there is absolutely no limit to soup.   Rice can be made into all kinds of meals - fried rice, stir fry (great way to use leftovers), under things, in things........... Breakfast is a good dinner.  Mac n cheese - add some meat (chopped ham, tuna, whatever you have) and maybe add a side - it is a meal!

I make of version of goulash & use rice instead and then I add large chunks of peppers - deconstructed stuffed peppers!  I do the same with cabbage - deconstructed cabbage rolls. Make on the stove top!

Easy-peasy and of so tasty.

Never forget the basic!!!!  This is a favorite wintertime meal to me.  You can add meat to sandwich as well if you choose.  Any kind of soup and sandwich makes a yummy meal.

I love any kind of Nachos or burritos. Can you tell I like Mexican food?  LOL.  The thing is, it doesn't have to be Mexican flavored - you can stuff a tortilla with anything -I like to top with a little salad and eat with a fork.  You don't have to top them.  Roll-ups are fun and easy.  Nachos can be any toppings served over some chips (or over pasta or rice) then maybe add some sour cream or dressing. Another great use for leftovers.

Think OUTSIDE the box!!!  

You can have simple meals that are very delicious and easy and economical.  Keeping things simple helps keep life simple.  I am all about that and I am trying harder each day to simplify more.

I hope this helps someone to get a few ideas using just what you have in the house.  No need to shop many times - just USE IT UP!

Have a beautiful day. No matter what you do - do it with a smile and joy in your heart.

December - The Month is Different for Everyone

 Good morning all.  Hope you are well and safe.  It is a cold and snowy day here.  We got close to 4" of snow to start the day!  Ugh.  It is pretty, but it means a lot of work for folks.  The news and the computer says it is in the upper 20'sF, my thermometer says 34*.  Cold, whichever!

I truly hope you all stay safe and off the roads, unless it is absolutely necessary.

As we think back to the old days and the Christmas's past - it often brings up bad or sad memories.  Not everyone gets into the celebrations of Christmas.  Truthfully that is OK.  You have to do what is right for you. I know many who read here, have lost loved ones during this time of the year, and it brings up sad feelings.  My only advice is to REMEMBER them in the good times, and that and speaking of them keeps them alive in your heart and in your mind.

YES, it is hard to do things so very differently, but at some point in life it happens to everyone.  Just a sad fact.

What you feel is what you feel, and it IS real!!!!!  Give yourself some grace during this time.  Your feelings are valid and they are yours.  Let no one tell you how you should feel, your feelings are real and valid.  They can just get over it!!!!!!  Don't apologize for how you feel.

I try so hard to do this.  All the little things are so important, more so now than ever before.  Watching the littles play and laugh.  To see their excitement for the holidays.  Watching the snow come down.  Seeing how anxious the outdoor animals for their food each morning.  They are happy to see me.

Curling up with your pet.  The warmth of the house.  The beauty of Christmas lights.  Food on your table.  Just seeing someone smile, even if a stranger.

Choose the joy the in those things and chose to see the beauty in everything and everyone.  Be grateful for this morning that you were given (yet again).  

I just wanted to start the month with a little encouragement.  Don't do anything you don't want to - it is your life.  You feel what you feel and you WILL be OK.  You have survived every worst day you have had so far.  That is HUGE!  

Take it slow, take it easy, and give yourself a break and some grace to get through the season.  The new year will be here in 30 days and it is a new start.  Well, actually every day and every month is a new start, but we tend to be analytical in thought sometimes!

Have a beautiful and safe day.

I am off to feed kitties outside and clean some snow.

Stay safe out there today!