Happy Sunday all!
Goodness, here we are less than 2 weeks out to Christmas. How did that happen?
I had a good week here in my area. There was actually a couple days that sun came out and we had 60* or higher. Loved that. Yesterday was rain and even some sleet and a bit windy. Temps are starting to lower and we will be in 30's and 40's this week (more normal temps).
I wish I had a recording device (some day). The other morning I went outside for the second time of the morning to pick up the cat food dishes to wash (wet food) and it was a frosty morn - the sky was bright pink in the East as the sun was just coming up and there was a chorus of birds singing away. It was just lovely. I could hear so many birds - it almost reminded me of a spring day (except it was frosty!).
First time out that morning was dark - but the moon was bright and the silence was blissful.
I made a trip to run errands this week and it happened to dawn on me that there were NO Salvation Army red buckets any where. So sad. I always made a point of dropping money at each one I came to. It may not have been a lot (sometimes change) but I always left something at each one. Funny how something so simple can change the feeling of the holidays. I loved hearing the bell ringers and always enjoyed their presence.
My week:
- Finished up the jar recipes and made labels for them with instructions
- Got all my 'goodie' bags together with what I have so far - I am always adding something!
- On my run this week - I dropped off mail at P.O., took books back to library outdoor deposit drawer, and stopped and got ALL the G.C.'s I wanted to give (gas cards, WM and Kroger cards)
- Actually got to open back door and a couple windows 2 days this week to air the house! How wonderful to do that in December!!!
- Made 2 batches of grape jelly (8 pints and 4 half pints) - mainly for gifting (grapes from freezer). Shucks, one didn't seal, so I guess I get to use that one - LOL
- Made up a batch of trail mix
- Doing all the basic things - meals from home, using what I have, brought up more gallon glass jars to fill, NO grocery shopping, just cleaning and working around the house
My meals this past week:
Last of leftover fried rice and scrambled eggs and toast
Pizza pasta skillet - 2X -- pasta with all the other fixings of pizza
Beef bits (from freezer) with gravy and mashed potatoes
Oven fried fish and fries (been craving fish)
Chicken/rice/broccoli
Diced potatoes fried with smoked sausage topped w/cheese and a side of sweet/sour red cabbage
FIRST - I want to say THANK YOU to all who commented on what to do with blog in 2021! I am truly humbled by all the wonderful responses - you have no idea. I guess I just keep trucking along and doing what I do and maybe add some surprises here and there - like Santa!! LOL Thank you all - you guys are awesome.
How was your week? Have you started or finished your baking yet? Good grief I haven't even started that! Are you all ready for the holiday?
Has anyone been out driving and looking at lights? I really miss doing that. I don't see well at night driving - so I miss a lot of the pretties.
Have you been frugal this week?
I pray for each of you and hope that you are safe and well. May you have a wonderful week ahead.
Blessings from my humble little home to you and yours.
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For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. For God sent the Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. John 3: 16-17
Amen
We have Salvation Army buckets here in Tennessee. There was even a child playing the guitar and singing Christmas carols. So Nice. I love your blog.
ReplyDeleteThank you!!! We always have them here - but not this year. I guess the Covid thing has had it's effect on that as well.
DeleteI would love to have seen that. I have a young cousin (pre-teen) that rings the bell each year in Cumberland Gap, TN, and haven't heard anything about him doing it this year.
Glad to have you here!!!
Happy Good Sunday Morning to you!
ReplyDeleteBaking? Our ritual for decades has been making fudge as gifts for my staff and hubster's work team. Well, I retired July 2019 and hubster is work-at-home since late March.
Last week I made 2 batches, one without nuts-half for my sister here and half for a dear friend/past employee who moved to North Carolina. The other batch shared between my sister's family and the other half shipped in the Christmas box for our drawn family.
It's a far cry from past years of making 24 batches!!!
24 batches!!!!! WOW - that would have been a lot for sure. At least you got to make some.
DeleteIt is amazing how things have changed this Christmas. I guess we just enjoy what we can!!!!! No use in complaining about it - it is what it is.
Your family and friends are lucky!!
We've not been out to notice if the Salvation Army buckets are out. That is sad that they might not be. Your grape jelly looks good, those will make nice gifts. We are making hot chocolate bombs today. So far so good. LOL
ReplyDeleteYes it is sad. It will surely hurt their donations and the help they can give.
DeleteThanks - it tasted pretty darn good. I keep hearing about the hot chocolate bombs - but have never had one. Sounds yum!
Hi, love your blog, I enjoy the variety of topics and your general view of life. Thank you
ReplyDeleteWell thank you so much. I just try to see the brighter side - it helps me more than anything.
DeleteGlad to have you here.
Our temps were warmer than normal, but still not warm enough to be opening windows. Though I did open up the sun room for the cats a couple of days - with the sun coming in the windows it warms up to a reasonable temperature.
ReplyDeleteI haven't had grape jelly in years, it looks good, enjoy!
Take care and stay well!
LOL - it was probably NOT warm enough here either - but that is me. Mid 50's in the winter and I want fresh air.
DeleteReally? - I figured everyone ate grape jelly. I have a few who request my homemade for Christmas every year!
Have a good one.
It is snowing like crazy out, but it won't last. I am tired of cooking and only 1/2 way done. I also want to make jam this week with all the frozen fruit we have but I have to find lids and seals some where.
ReplyDeleteSNOW? Ick! Nasty word. LOL
DeleteI was lucky and stocked up the past couple years when I got deals and sales on lids. I have plenty to last for a while. Who knew how prophetic that would be!
Hope you find some.
I was just thinking the same thing about the Salvation Army! The malls are closed and so far I haven't seen any out on the street so I have added them to my list for online donations when I get paid at the end of the week.
ReplyDeleteI got out for a few walks this week as the weather wasn't too bad - even managed a short walk this morning after a quick trip to the grocery store. It is very quiet on Sunday opening - hardly anyone in the shop so I am set for the week. I'm on a 3 day training course via Zoom and won't have much break time so wanted to be sure to have some rolls and cold cuts & cheese for lunches.
I cooked a turkey breast this past week (there is another in the freezer for Christmas). I had 3 meals from it, put the rest into the freezer and then added the bones to a pack of turkey wings and made some turkey noodle soup. I also cooked up some ground beef for mince - like the base for a shepherds pie but just in a skillet and had it with some mashed sweet potato. I also had some salad greens to use up so one night I stir fried an Asian Veg frozen mix, added some frozen shrimp and scallops, added a bit more oil & vinegar and served it warm over the greens - delicious!
All my Christmas cards are mailed so that is done and had a very nice Zoom meeting with friends on Friday night. A few more Zoom visits will be arranged to get me through the holidays.
Have a good week.
I have only done a live feed on computer once - don't think it was Zoom. Hope you training course goes well.
DeleteOur malls and stores are all open - but I think Salv. Army has made a decision not to have their people out in our city.
Your feed all sounds good. It is amazing what bits and bobs of pieces put together can make - such yummy goodness.
Have a nice one.
It was a rather quiet week around here. We go the same warm weather you had but a day later. Sure was nice to get outside a little. Back to our regularly scheduled winter cold and gloom today. Supposed to get 2-4" on snow on Wed. Running to Aldi, the library to return books (in the book drop), and Tractor Supply for more birdseed on Monday before everyone figures out they're out of beer and toilet paper and runs to the store on Tuesday.
ReplyDeleteI recently read an interesting trilogy of historical novels by Bernard Cornwell about the Civil War. The final book of the series was about the battle at Antietam (in Maryland). I had ancestors who lived about 5 miles from the battleground after the war (were there in 1870 census). Their house had blood stains in the floor boards because every house in the region was used to house the wounded. 23,000 were killed. Really made the book more personal for me.
Since we don't celebrate Christmas, no holiday baking (or other preparations. I did find a Jello No-Bake Cheesecake mix that had a use-by date in November that I am going to make this week. Just need to get some lactose-free whole milk. Low-fat and cheesecake are words that definitely do not belong in the same sentence! Dinners this week are hamburger stew with biscuits and tuna noodle casserole. Homemade pizza (black olives, green olives, mushrooms) tonight. Yum!
Left a bag of unused holiday cards, stickers, and wrapping paper that we had gotten from various charities the past year at our community mail boxes. I'm sure someone could use it.
Our library is closed to the public again (the governor locked things down), so I ordered some books from Advanced Book Exchange (abebooks.com). Very good prices for used books.
Hope everyone has a safe and frugal week!
LOL - had to laugh at the comment "before everyone figures out they are out of beer and tp". Sad but true. People sure do panic over a little bit of snow. They act like they will be closed up for days and days! LOL
DeleteCheesecake sounds good. Your dinners all sound delish!
Our library is closing again starting the 21st. Online ordering and curbside p/u will be available. I have enough books here that I could read for ages.
Have a good one!
Hi Cheryl, Thought I would stop and read your blog. The salvation buckets are not out here either and the governor has ordered all non emergency operations halted to make room for the covid patients. We have had an upsurge in cases. Got to watch our granddaughters concert via video tonight as no one was allowed to come. Hope you have a wonderful holiday. Nancy
ReplyDeleteHi Nancy - I have wondered how you have been. Good to hear from you! Non-emergency operations have stopped here as well.
DeleteHow nice you got to see her concert.
Have a blessed holiday season! Stay safe.
A start has been made on the baking here and stored in the freezer all ready to get out as when it is needed. It will be a quiet Christmas this year, I will certainly miss the usual hustle and bustle.
ReplyDeleteYay, at least you have started. Quiet yes - maybe we just all need to slow down and appreciate more.
DeleteTry to enjoy your down time.
The Salvation Army is out in full force in NYC - and almost all the bell ringers play music and dance!
ReplyDeleteLucky you! I really miss them here.
DeleteThey are always entertaining.
Your grape jelly does look delicious! Years ago we had a huge, very old grape arbor and I made quite a bit of jelly for the girls for PB&J. We made fruitcake cookies and they were quite good. The recipe didn't call for any booze but we soaked the fruit and nuts in some good old Elijah Craig bourbon. The taste was not overwhelming, just mellow. Have not seen any Salvation Army bell ringers in the west side/Avon area. Our neighborhood has a fair amount of pretty lights. According to the Next Door app, a person was making the rounds of some neighborhoods with an inflated snowman with lights in the back of his pickup truck while playing Christmas carols. Several folks have shared food and even Christmas trees with people who have needs. Stay warm! Tis the time of year for colder temps...
ReplyDeleteI have seen a couple people from other towns and states show videos of car/truck parades. All decorated and just driving around bringing cheer.
DeleteYour fruitcake cookies sound good.
Yes mam - it is much colder today!
I did see a Salvation Army bell ringer at the Walmart in Avon late this afternoon.
DeleteGlad there are a few out there.
DeleteOh thank you so much!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI've never added cheese to that dish. Oh I need to add cheese!
ReplyDeleteIt stays so dark in the morning. The quiet is peaceful. Have a wonderful day.
LOL - I have been known to add cheese to about any dish!!!!!
DeleteYep, the darkness last so long and it is quiet. Another week and the daylight starts getting gradually longer again - YAY
Have a good one.
Hi Cheryl!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE that picture of Santa with pups and kitty! Happy Hoidays!
Cute isn't it? I found that and it reminded me of an old fashioned Christmas!
DeleteThank you and you as well.
I am not even sure I am doing any baking...how bad is that. I may make some of those pecan muffins you mentioned in an earlier post. Roger would like those. And so would I....
ReplyDeleteUsually Rachel and I get together and bake, but I don't think it is happening this year. And goodness knows we don't need it. But in the back of my mind, I think I might have to make some peanut butter cookies. So we shall see.
Oh, as for your blog...I like it the way it is, too. See ideas that I would like to try.
Do you ever think about giving your posts labels? If it contains recipes, give it the label 'recipe', or one for 'substitues' or 'childhood', and I know there are more but would make it easy to look up things. I would say add pages, and you might do well doing that...but I did it for quilts, and then forget to add the new ones I make. LOL
I haven't baked yet either.
DeleteI keep thinking about labels - just can't figure it out. I may pick you brain soon on how to do that.