Hello to all and happy WINTER! (here in the northern hemisphere). Today is the winter solstice and the shortest daylight hours of the year. Good news that from here on out - the daylight will get a bit longer each day!!
We have had all kinds of weather this week. Thursday morning to Friday morning we dropped 35 degrees! That was a shock to the system and then you add in the wind and oh my! We have had a lot of wind this month. We are now (starting tomorrow) on an upward trend for temps. Christmas we may actually hit a record high! It is supposed to be in the 60's. I know the kiddos will be sad, but we adults who drive, will be happy. Visits without the stress of ice and snow.
Looks like no more snow for the remainder of this year and warmer temps here. Nice ending.
My frugal week:
- I did get the last couple of GC's I wanted
- Made and canned jelly
- My goodie bags and gifts are all bagged and wrapped
- Received a $34.66 check in the mail. From Prudential - still not sure what it is for, but I will take it
- Paid all bills on hand over the phone
- I did spend some time watching and enjoying some old time (from my younger years) Christmas cartoons! Yep, connected with my inner child and laughed a lot!
- NO grocery store
- Spent Friday with sis and brother and SIL for Christmas with sis. She bought us lunch - which was wonderful. She can't go out and shop and does nothing like that on the computer, so she bought lunch. In the past she has always hosted lunch at her home. The chef at her facility is excellent (she has gained over 20lbs. since living there!). We had a lovely lunch, gave her gifts and had a great visit.
- Used the air fryer to make fries one day and also cooked up chicken for another time.
Meals this week:
l/o cream of chicken/pasta soup
Stoup (freezer) and roasted cheesy mini bagels
Waffles and patty sausage (all from freezer)
Grilled turkey (freezer)/cheese sandwich and fresh veggies
Potato cakes and smoked sausage (cooked & in freezer) and spinach
Lunch with sis
Loaded burger and fries
SNACKS - popcorn, turkey slices, cheese and crackers
It has been fairly quiet this week. I am done with all shopping and wrapping and have just been enjoying the quiet and reflecting. I have had a couple really neat phone calls this week as well. I feel accomplished that all my Christmas is PAID IN FULL. I will not go into the new year owing for any of it.
I spent a lot more money this year on gifts - and it has nothing to do with prices - it was me! There were just things I wanted to do for others and to help some folks a little. I know it will make them happy. It won't be a normal thing - but it just feels right this year.
How has your week been? I know you northern gals have tons of snow and very cold temps. I hope you are staying safe and cozy. Are you ready for the big day? Did anyone get any great deals this past week?
There are so many going through health challenges for themselves or with family - and I just pray that healing comes and that you will have a healthy new year.
Please take care and know we all care about each of you. I hope you all have a beautiful holiday week. I WILL post again before Christmas.
Blessings to you and yours from me at my humble little home.
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O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, for His steadfast love endures forever.
Psalms 136:1
Dear Lord, as we approach the day of celebration this year, help us each to realize the gift of family and friends, and to remember the true meaning for the day and season - the birth of Jesus Christ. The greatest gift ever to be received by anyone. Thank You for loving us so. Please continue to place Your healing hands upon all those in need of that healing. Please heal hearts and souls as well. Thank You for all our blessings and for the greatest gift of LOVE. AMEN
The sewer people putting in my new sewer lines accidentally cut my water line late yesterday so I have no toilet. They cut it behind my outdoor faucet so it is still functioning and I washed my dishes outside. Fun times. Luckily it is in the 60’s approaching 70 and will be in the 70’s this week! They are here on Sunday morning finishing up the sewer lines. We will see how the rest of the day goes. Cindy in the South
ReplyDeleteGood luck with all that. Tiresome, and I'm sure they didn't mean to do it and that's why they're there on a Sunday Morning! Reminds me of that hurricane last year when I was washing my dishes in water unsafe to drink, but rinsing them in bottled water, hoping for the best. Glad your temps are reasonable.
DeleteMaryB
Oh goodness Cindy. What an error for them to make, and so close to the holiday. I bet that didn't make their boss happy - Sunday overtime! Glad they are on it and hopefully they get it done lickety split. Love your temperatures!
DeleteHave a great week.
Mary - it just shows how we persevere! You made it through and did it well. We sure learn to do things differently when we have to.
DeleteThere was more freezing rain this past wk. The shopping trip planned for Sunday was postponed to Monday. So I stayed home & vacuumed the basement, a job on the to-do list for quite some time. More snow. The yard was plowed twice last week & snow on many nights so snow removal adds to the chore list. I have lots of steps, a big deck & paths to clear. I drove my cousin to an appt one day. It's a big change in routine when I have to be out of the house by 8AM! I enjoyed lunch & cards w/ a friend one day after an appt. The tree has been harvested from the ditch. The hardest part was scaling the grader bank! The neighbor little will come today to decorate it w/ me. I spent a day lying low w/ vertigo; so debilitating. The solstice brings me great joy with the coming of the light. In the kitchen: another batch of onion cakes; cranberry/wht chocolate cookies; hamburger soup; pickety bits - crackers w/ cheese, liver pate, sausage, antipasta. I'll have some quiet days at home before Christmas w/ just gift wrapping to do. Enjoy your week, Cheryl.
ReplyDeleteSnow removal is a pain for sure - I did that twice this past week. It is great exercise - but I am sure you are about done with it. In spite of the weather it sounds like you kept busy. Oh how sweet the little neighbor will help decorate. Vertigo is horrible. Hope you are doing better from that.
DeleteThe solstice is joyful for me as well - I love the daylight and this darkness for so long, is just frustrating to me.
Golly, the meals all sound great.
Enjoy those quiet days - I think I will enjoy them as well.
Have a wonderful week.
We're hunkered down today as it is downright nasty out there. Laundry, puzzle, curling to watch, will keep me entertained through the day.
ReplyDeleteWe shopped before the storm so I haven't been in a store since Tues,, hoping to hold off until Weds, but that depends on my daughter.
Enjoy the last few days before the big day!
So sorry you are getting such nasty weather. I guess that is winter in Canada! I am glad that isn't here. That is why I keep a good pantry with food - just in case of the nasty stuff for a long while. You better stock up IF you make it out.
DeleteIt will look like Christmas at your home!
Have a lovely week.
Oh what I would give for snow instead of rain up here!!!!! We've had none so far and none in the 7d forecast. So sad.
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas to all. And if you celebrate something different, may you have a joyful time.
I bet a lot of people would gladly send you their snow!!!
DeleteI know some do love snow - I don't.
Thank you and a wonderful message to all.
Have a beautiful week.
Another excellent devotional! We need to be grateful for all our many blessings.
ReplyDeleteYou had a good week! An unexpected check is always a treat. What fun to eat a nice meal with family. It's good that your sister likes the food there. Some "institutional" food is pretty bad. The weather has been on a wild ride...up and down and back again. I missed my haircut on Friday because the car was all iced up and it was foolish to get out on the road. Today is colder but the sun is shining, so that's a definite plus. Going to putz around with small jobs today. Enjoy your day!