Weekly Wrap Up 1/5

 Howdy to all!!  Five days in already!  Shoot, time will be flying by - 74 days until spring!  LOL

I hope this finds you all well and safe.

All is calm here at the moment.  That should be changing within a few hours.  We are looking at snow coming in - quite a bit of snow.  I personally think they give the worst scenario - but they may be right.  No plans here, as I will be staying home.

I did NOT do the milk, bread, eggs run as did half the population, according to the pics on the news.  Good grief folks are nuts - they act like they will be stranded for weeks!  Not here in the city, that isn't happening.

Had a friend check in to see if I needed anything yesterday - told them I was good to go.  Nice of people to check.

It appears the temps will be in the highs in the 20's (F) for a spell now.  Yep, winter is here in the Ohio Valley!

So, some things accomplished this week, but overall, it was a quiet week.

My Frugal Ways:

• Of course you know I had my last Christmas celebration of the year - so lovely
• Monday - Big Lots run.  Only got a couple items at 20% off.  I am reading they now have a buyer - so maybe they won't all go away!
• I changed my first light bulb in what seems like years!  LOL
• Froze lots of goodies.  BBQ meatballs, lil' smokies, brisket, and chili.  Lots of future meals!
• I had some 'sugar cookie dip' left (tastes like cheesecake) and I used it and graham crackers to make 'ice cream' sandwiches for the freezer.  Nice treat when I choose - little sugar involved
• Did ALL laundry on NY eve.  Throw rugs, bedding, clothes, chair covers, etc.  Started the year all clean!
• Cut the fronts off most of my cards to use for lists
• Put away Christmas decorations and clothes (except wreaths on doors)
• I still have a few tomatoes that I am eating!
• Got out my new 'dollar tree" cat wall calendar and marked it up for the year.
• WINTER CHECK & PREP - checked antifreeze, WD'd gate latch and my car hood latch, covered garage lock with baggy and rubber band, extra bedding in greenhouse and 'dog' (cat) house, even put a bit of WD on the seals of my car door (hopefully to prevent freezing shut).  Outdoor faucet is covered with Styrofoam.  Took all trash out to bin
• Cleaned all the watering holes for the cat and critters & refilled
• Been eating leftovers in new ways.
• NO grocery shopping at all this week.  Not spent a cent so far in January.

Meals this past week:

Sunday buffet - had chili, BBQ meatballs and lil' smokies, fresh veggies and dip, cheese slices and summer sausage - assorted crackers & a couple types of pretzels/chips, cookie dip w/graham crackers, and vanilla wafers

Chili mac and salad

Broccoli/rice and meatballs

Corned beef brisket, cabbage, and black eye peas - my annual NY meal

Rueben sandwich and dill pickles and a handful of chips

Eggs w/chopped brisket on flat bread and steamed veggies

Enchiladas (used chili inside) and salad

SNACKS - fresh veggies, cheese, summer sausage, pretzels and dip, fruit

SO there you have it.  Nothing too exciting.  How has your week gone and your new year so far?  Are you ready for a fresh start after all the holiday commotion?  I sure am - clean house, getting back to NOT shopping and spending, and just nesting for a couple months.

I know a HUGE portion of the country is under storm warnings - PLEASE stay in and stay safe and warm.  I hope you can avoid any outdoor travel for a couple days.

I look forward to getting back on track here as well - look forward to learning new ideas.

Stay safe and well.  I have so many names in my head, that haven't checked in, in a long while.  Please stop by and just say hello.  You are missed.

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

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For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand; it is I who says to you, "Fear not, I will help you."

Isaiah 41:13

Dear Lord, help us each to give our worries and fears over to You, as You will give us guidance in every single thing we do.  May You please lay Your healing hands upon those who are enduring health issues, and we ask to please heal their bodies.  Help us each to be our best in this new year, and to love one another with all our hearts.  AMEN

Thoughts and Sharing

 Hello to all in this new year!  As a child this was so futuristic!  I remember being asked in grade school how old we would be in 2000 - and my answer was dead!  I was 45 that year - but as a child I could not imagine being that OLD!!  LOL.  Here we are 25 years later and still going.  Life is funny.

We have started the year colder and it does look like it will get messy by Monday of this coming week with some snow.  Guess it was bound to happen.

In this year I will TRY to continue to get rid of things I have stored away in the basement (stored for years).  I will continue to use what I have and try to get creative.

I HOPE to lose some belly and midsection overage of my body! (in good health)

I hope to do more porch setting with neighbors.  I hope to do a few projects around the house.

No resolutions - just goals and hopes.

I hope to be a better person - kinder and more giving.

I had a wonderful time with family this Christmas.  A great visit was had on Sunday with nieces and nephews.  I was missing some - 3 had the flu and 1 just got out of the hospital.  Their gifts were sent home with the others.  We had good food, lots of laughs and hugs, super nice gifts, and MUSIC!  One of my nephews plays guitar and sings (wonderfully).  I have never heard him live - just videos.  He brought his guitar and played and sang - oh, what a treat that was.  Best gift.

The mushroom kits were the hit of the gift baskets!!!  They all loved them, and immediately they were all looking up the company to see what other types were available.  They want more!  Glad I got them.  Of course they were excited for their jelly, salsa and special cookies and other items!  I think all were super happy.

I went on Monday to my closest Big Lots to see what they may have left.  Holiday was 50% off (nothing much left).  Other stuff really wasn't over 20% off yet (some 10%) - but I found a couple new throw rugs I had been eyeing and a couple soft sporty type bras - all 20% off.  That was it.  I sure hate that they are going out of business - always liked that store.

Here are the kitties modeling the newest kitchen throw rug!  I think they like it.  It should show less dirt or fur.

I got this drink container on Christmas.  I LOVE it.  I had not heard of the brand - but boy, does it work.  It is metal inside and it sure keeps things cold and it doesn't sweat.  I take ice water to bed each night, and there is always ice left in the morning.

One of my talented nephews made this trivet.  Click on pic to enlarge.  It is so intricate in detail.  It was wood burned.  It is just beautiful.

I got so many nice things.  New jammies, lots of tasty goodies, home crafted items, yard and garden things for summer, a window bird house and a window feeder.  I am so blessed with the best nieces and nephews.  Love them bunches.

This is the snack mix I made this year.  Cinnamon toast cereal, frosted mini wheat, pretzels, lots of nuts, and M & M's.  All drizzled with chocolate.  You could use any kinds of cereal you have and add whatever you like.  No real recipe.  I melted chocolate chips in microwave - 30 seconds at a time until it would drizzle.  Mix and yum!  Lots of neighbors got this, kids took a bunch home, ate tons and still have a bunch left!

I have lots of leftovers from Sunday which is good.  Tons of food got eaten, but I always make too much.

I look forward to starting new posts next week to share and enjoy from each other.  I have a few ideas for posts and want to offer encouragement when I can.  We all need a positive word in our lives - we all need to support each other.

Now that the holidays are done it is time to get our "frugal ways" back!  What better time to get busy with getting back on track than the beginning of a new year!

Anything you want to see or learn this year?

Hope you have a fantastic remainder to the week.

Stay safe, warm and healthy.

Well, the Change is Here - Wishing Good for ALL

Howdy to all.   Hope you are all well and safe on this New Years Eve!  Good golly, it seems impossible that we are at this point in time again.  In a blink of an eye, it will be spring and growing time again!

This morning it is around 50*F, and it has been raining all night!  More to come today and temps are to fall after mid-day.  Flurries to start the new year.  Looks to be a cold start to the new year - but January is always our coldest month - so to be expected.

I was out already feeding the animals - and heard the Robins singing!  I have seen several the past few days - all enjoying the muddy ground, which is good for worm hunting.  Boy, will they receive a shock in a day or two.  It is just too early here for them.  But it always encourages me to see them.

Tomorrow's sunrise will usher in a new year - 2025.  I do not make resolutions anymore.  I do have things I might like to do - but not resolving to it, as I don't want to disappoint myself!

Let us all make this a year to be kinder and more caring, more understanding and loving.  Hoping we all become better people. 

Put anger, disputes and disappoints behind you.  Forgive.  Things change in this world, not always as we would like - but we need to buck up and go forward. I do believe for everything there is a season and a reason.

I hope we all look forward to learning and teaching each other new ideas, skills, and just maybe new positive ways of thinking.

I hope we all learn to take good care of what we have and not to covet our neighbor's/families lives.  Love what you have, use it and be grateful.  Take care of yourself as well!!!!!

I wish everyone a healthy year.  I know many are going through sickness and bad health issues - prayers that you get healing and recovery.  Those missing loved ones - each day DOES get a tiny bit better. It never leaves 100% - but life gets more tolerable.  Those who lost homes and possessions this year in storms - I am glad YOU are still here.  I cannot even imagine what you have been through - your lives are precious!  Huge HUGS and prayers!

May 2025 bring FRESH thoughts, ideas, attitudes and plans to all.

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU ALL!!!!!!!

God bless you in all you do.

                                                             You are unique and special

I will have a new post on Thursday!

Weekly Wrap Up 12/29

 Hello to all and happy Sunday!  It is a balmy morning here - got up to 59*F this morning.  We had rain and more rain overnight and we are to have much more today and in the next couple days.  Can you say muddy!???  It does look like that by the time NYD is here - we will be back to seasonal and colder temps to start the year.  To be expected at some point!

Yes indeed, it is almost time for the old year to end and the new to begin.  I always look forward to a new year.  I made it through this last one - so here's hoping the same happens for the new one.  Time sure has flown by quickly this year!

Here's how warm it has been here this week - I saw several Robins in the yard on Dec. 26!  It isn't time for Robins in my area - not time at all.  They were sure having fun digging for worms!

I got more cards this week from different ladies on here - THANK YOU so much.  Very appreciated.

This past week - my frugal ways:

• I couldn't believe I received my jerky and summer sausage order - they said it wouldn't be shipped before Christmas.  I got it Christmas Eve!  YAY
• I baked the last batch of the mandatory holiday cookie favorites for the year.
• Made a big batch of my snack mix (it is sweet mix) - with what I had on hand
• Went to brother's house for Christmas.  What fun - and good food
• I had one neighbor bring me a small, sweet bread and another gift me a Christmas cactus!
• I delivered snack mix and small jars of jelly (homemade) to some neighbors
• I saved the wax bags from cereal used in snack mix
• Made a batch of biscuits
• House is sparkling (main floor) - worked on doing lots of deep cleaning
• Made iced tea, ice, and all the goodies to be served today from items I had here.
• Put in a new furnace filter (I had) to close out the year
• Got to air the house on a couple days - yesterday most of the day.  Windows open as we speak - until temps turn and rain comes back in.
• I ordered 2 - 2 step stairways for Blackie on Sunday evening.  They showed up on Tuesday morning - Chewy is great.  Blackie is getting lazy in old age!

My meals this past week:

Pork fritter and salad

Biscuits and country gravy

Stew (freezer) and biscuits

Dinner at brother's

Burger and salad

Soft tacos

Pork chop, deviled eggs and fresh veggies

I do hope you all had a great Christmas.  So happy that many checked in since then.  I hope to post again on Tuesday.  I probably won't get to answering any comments today - until later in the day.

If you have a busy week - please be safe.  I hope you all have a healthy and safe week.  I also wish those not returning until after NYD - a HAPPY NEW YEAR!

I look forward to what we all will teach and learn from each other in the coming year.

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

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I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart; I will tell all thy wonderful deeds.  I will be glad and exult in thee, I will sing praise to thy name, O Most High.

Psalms 9:1-2

Lord, we thank you so much for getting us through this past year.  You have helped us through joys and sorrows and illness.  We are so very blessed in so many ways.  There are folks that visit here, that are going through much - and we pray that You will lay your healing hands upon them and heal them, whether physical or spiritual healing.   Guide us and let us all have a safe, giving and joyful new year.

In Jesus name AMEN

Winding Down and Taking Time to Relax

 Howdy Ho everyone!  Well, here we are the day after Christmas. Today is Boxing Day, celebrated in many countries.  Yesterday was the beginning of the 8 day Hanukkah celebration.  One more week and we will be into a new year!

This morning it is in the mid 40's and rainy!  Kind of the forecast for a bit.  We will have a warm week, then cooling going into the new year.  So yes, we had a wet Christmas - nothing white at all.

Yesterday brought too much food, too many gifts, and way too much excitement and noise!  Oh goodness, the kiddos were still so excited but oh so tired, by the time they got to my brothers.  They all got up super early and it was surely nap time!  Can we say whiney, cranky and tired?  LOL

Gosh it all happened in a blink of an eye, didn't it?

I still have a celebration to go on Sunday - and I look forward to that.  Love seeing the niece and nephews and their families from out of town.  THEN it will be relaxing and chilling until after the new year!! YEP!

Yes indeed, just because the 'gift' day is over - we still have the REASON of season to love and celebrate and cherish every day.

I hope you all had wonderful visits with family and/or friends if you chose to celebrate.  There is bound to be lots of leftovers to eat for the next few days - always a good thing in my opinion.

Get creative and re-invent them so you don't get bored!

If you are so inclined - I am sure there are bargains to be found out there over the next few days.  Whether it be meats and baked goods (overabundance in stores), or wrap, cards, candy or gift items, there should be a lot of mark-downs available.  IF you need things - take advantage of the sale prices.

Enjoy the last few days of this year.  I am looking forward to a new year and starting all fresh again.  Take time to reflect and remember the good things - learn lessons from the things that didn't work and take pride in the fact that you are here today INSPITE of it all!

Enjoy the remainder of the week!

Wrapping Up and Merry Christmas

 Happy Christmas Eve.  It is about time for Santa to make his appearance for all those little ones.  I can only try and remember the anticipation and joy they feel.  That was such an exciting time.  I so enjoy watching all the young ones in my family.  They just get so excited.

For me, I am reflecting on the real reason for celebrations of the day.  Not all the gifts and food and partying - but the REAL GIFT!

And the angel said to them, "Be not afraid; for behold. I bring you good news of a great joy which will come to all the people; for to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

Luke 2:10-11

It is a cool morning here.  We will not be having a white Christmas - just a soggy one.  It is going to be warming all week - with chances of rain every day.

I plan on making my snack mix today - and getting out the things I will be taking to brother's tomorrow.

I wish each and every one a very Merry CHRISTmas!  Enjoy every moment with your family and friends.  Make wonderful things happen, as these will be the memories of the future!

I will not be doing a post on Christmas Day.

Stay safe and well and have a wonderful and blessed day!!!

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