Happy Sunday and December! Less thank 3 weeks and Christmas will be over! This year has flown by to me. It is hard to believe that in 4 weeks it will be 2022!!!
So far. the weather has held out. Not too bad. We have had warm this past week - cool and some wind. Today looks to be wet and windy. I think most of our week will be slightly wet - but no snow predicted.
I have been in a mood lately - just feeling lonely. I guess. Holidays do that now that I am here alone. I made myself get out one day and do some shopping for the holidays. That helped, as I had stayed home for a few weeks. I guess I need to get out more!
This too shall pass!
My week:
- Froze the remainder of the turkey, cheesecake and turkey carcass for a later date
- Put up my door decorations
- Cleaned out the refrigerator
- Got to air the house on 2 days!
- Did some more sewing
- More cleaning, lots of laundry, using what I have and cooking from scratch
- I did the last and biggest leaf clean-up this week. Lots of nice mulch on the garden!
- I did a little shopping. Got a few gift cards and some odds and ends for goody baskets. I also got a few fresh items I wanted - milk, juice, fruit and cabbage.
- I got some deals too! Bags of fun size candy bars were marked .99/bag at Kroger I got 14 - will be great for the younger ones and their baskets. PECANS - at Big Lots - 3 lb. bag for 19.99 - they had 1 lb. bags for 9.99. What a deal I got on those. Also, a 2 lb. bag of Hershey kisses (225 pcs.) on clearance at Kroger for 2.99.
Turkey salad on biscuits
Spicy rice with broccoli added and fish
Leftover rice & broccoli and beef burger
Beef and nacho cheese baked potato (crumbled and fried extra ground beef from yesterday)
Hot dogs and chips (busy day)
Grilled 2-cheese sandwich and tomato soup
Beef and bean enchiladas
How has your week been? Did you do any shopping, crafting or baking? I need to finish craft projects, make jelly and do baking - so much to do and so little time!!!!!! LOL
I love hearing about everyone's week. It is always inspiring. INSPIRE ME PLEASE
My prayers to all this week. Prayers for health, healing and much love and comfort.
Blessings from my humble little home to yours.
And Jesus cried out and said, "He who believes in me, believes not in me but in Him who sent me. And he who sees me sees Him who sent me. I have come as light into the world, that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness."
John 12:44-46
Thank You God, for the greatest gift and blessing that we have ever received - Your Son - our light.
Amen
Loneliness is one of those feelings that can sneak up on a person. I don't think it is unusual to feel that way, especially at a holiday time when the focus is so much on families. But I can say for certain that even when one lives with a family member, loneliness can rear it's head. Getting out of the house or talking to a friend on a phone is my antidote too.
ReplyDeleteThe baking is coming along slowly. I had hoped to finish it last week but I wasn't feeling it. No procrastinating allowed this week though as I want it finished.
You did get some wonderful deals! Well done. Take care, stay well.
You are so right - loneliness does rear its ugly head this time of the year. It can sure happen to anyone.
DeleteI haven't even started baking. I am always afraid to start too early - don't want things to go stale.
Thanks - you have a great one!
Well, Cheryl, you always inspire ME and your readers! Great buys for you this week. As always, you sound very productive. By the way, I LOVE grilled cheese sandwiches. Okay, this week, in spite of a bad arthritis flare...
ReplyDelete*I got all my Christmas cards written out and mailed.
*Christmas gifts headed across country were wrapped and shipped.
*Still trying (little by little) to get the living room ready for the tree; we'll put up the smaller one this year.
*Managed to get several dinners from a large package of Italian sausage: with rice and veggies 1st night, big pot of tortellini "stoup" with spinach the second night, lasagna sized baked tortellini Alfredo the next 2 nights.
*Some cookie baking.
For that last one, did you know raw cookie dough can be scooped and frozen? Just freeze those scoops first, then store in an airtight container in the freezer. When ready to bake, preheat the oven and bake them from frozen, adding about 2-3 minutes for the baking time.
--Elise
P.S. It's cold and rainy here this morning, but we really need the rain, so I'm grateful.
DeleteSorry you are having a flare-up. You got a lots done in spite of it!
DeleteYes, and I think I may mix and freeze some cookie dough this week - then I can bake as I want.
Your meals all sound yummy.
Take care and don't overdo it.
I love your simple menu ideas, very homie. I went to my old smalltown walmart and enjoyed smalltalk with the John Does. I'm John Doe to them too! : ) It's a wonderful thing to do. I have an old wonderful Capra movie on my blog and a link to the movie in entirety "Meet John Doe" (1941)
ReplyDeleteI read your blog and thoroughly enjoy it but I have cut down on commenting but no offense intended.
Please come by my blog too. : ) You have a sweet place here, be encouraged, I bet you could make up some very small little gift bags with goodies for your checkers you have gotten to know? I know how you feel though...The holidays are strange at times but sometimes in the stillness we can sense the Holy Spirit of that Holy Night as well as we did when children. I was an only child so being alone is familiar but it can be sad at times, I get that.
God bless and be with you,
Love your blogs, Amelia
I have never seen that movie - will have to check it out. I am a people talker when I go out. I guess I get that from Daddy - he never met a stranger!
DeleteThank you and so glad to have you here. I will be checking yours out as well.
You are so right - I can sure sense the Holy Spirit. I love sitting in the dark with the holiday lights only. Last night I was so worried about something - and I didn't figure I would sleep. Lo and behold the spirit calmed me and I slept well and today the problem was solved. He works in His way!
I was reading your sweet reply and hubs asked if I had written that because it sounded like me! I too love sitting in the dark with the lights on especially in the early morning with my coffee.
DeleteYes, my Daddy. Me too, my Daddy loved talking with people at the stores! Oh how I miss my Daddy right now, very painful at times.
So neat how the good Lord solved that problem, isn't God so wonderful? Yes, the Holy Spirit can be felt very strongly in this Holy season, I remember it so clearly when I was a little girl too.
<3 hugs to you! Your comment made my day!
The lights are calming, and I think they take us back a bit - to the innocent time. I have mine on now - it is dark out still and the first thing I do in the morning is flip them on!
DeleteI miss all my family so much. I have many who are with the Lord, and I agree, this time of the year is the worse time.
Oh He is wonderful!!!!
IF we just listen and pay attention - we would never worry. He has us in His hands!
Thank you for your sweet words.
In spite of the dialed down life in this pandemic, time keeps marching on. I'm filled with seasonal anticipation. I'm all for a celebration in the deep dark winter. This week:
ReplyDelete*prepared Christmas cards and took them to town twice in an attempt at mailing them. Breezed right past the post office one day and didn't think about them 'til I got home then found the post office closed yesterday. The third time may be the charm. Note to self: not every post office is open on Saturday morning.
*prepared antipasto, cranberry/white chocolate chip cookies and rum cream topping for gift giving.
*Christmas shopping including a stop at Sentimental Salvage gift/craft store, one I've passed many times in my travels.
*walked 1-2 miles 6 of 7 days
*attended my granddaughter's ringuette game
*attended a dinner theater, one of the few forays into public gatherings.
*participated in writing for fun and gratitude group through Seniors' Center Without Walls
*enjoying televised Christmas specials
*reading The Girl Who Kicked The Hornet's Nest and 12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos
*prepared a natural arrangement for the deck with spruce boughs, juniper, red willow, "birch" branches and faux berries and put some Christmas deco up in the house
*made roasted tomato soup and mac 'n' cheese with pureed pumpkin
Well, I am tired now!!! Goodness, you got much done. Such ambition. I need some of your mojo.
DeleteYou are making the best of these darker days and that is wonderful. Great job!!!
The holiday season invariably lends itself to feelings of isolation and or loneliness. You are so right; this too shall pass. You encourage us all so much and I wish I could do the same for you. This gloomy and damp weather doesn't help.
ReplyDeleteYou got some good deals! Your grilled cheese sandwich with tomato soup sounds yummy. Have to do that one day this week. Fresh Thyme had boneless, skinless chicken thighs for $1.99 and we were in the store a day or so later to pick up something and they had a $2 coupon on each one. We have lots of chicken thighs in the freezer now!
Always moved by the Scripture you post and your prayer.
You guys keep me going - you really have no idea how much! I am so thankful for you all.
DeleteIt is such a simple meal - but always hits the spot.
Good deal on the chicken. I will be going down that way this week - will stop in and look around. It has been ages since I have gone in one.
Thank you and have a great day.
It’s been warm here this week too, so much better than the bitter cold that is more normal in February than at this time of year. Getting out of the house does seem to help some with the loneliness. What great deals you got on the candy and nuts. We’ve spent the week processing, steaming, and listing 50 new items in Bailey’s online shops, and today we are putting up our Christmas tree. I’ve already washed the breakfast dishes and folded the laundry, so I am ready. Christmas music and hot chocolate will accompany. I hope you have a wonderful Sunday, Cheryl.
ReplyDeleteI am finding getting out does help.
DeleteWOW 50 items is a bunch. Best of luck to her.
How fun with the tree. Make a lovely day of it! Memories.
Have a good one.
I started a list so I would get everything done. However, I need a little help from Tommy, and so far, he is not in a helping mood. He never says he won't, just "okay." And, then does not. Today, I have four things to do, in order of importance--bake turkey, color my hair, put up lights outside, finish wreath. Okay, now that I am distracted, he is going to help a bit.
ReplyDeleteWell, I hope you get some help. Especially with the lights.
DeleteI need to make more lists. I have my gift list caught up - just need to work on the 'work' list!
Have fun.
Those are some great deals! We need to get a move on this week or we are not going to get there. We had three glorious days of 70's last week so we got out to the park for lunch one day and that really was a morale booster. Burger King had 37 cent Whoppers on the app so we did not even pack a lunch. I'm not sure I can even make two sandwiches for the 80 cents the two burgers cost us. All the shopping is finished so I just need to get to wrapping and to mailing the one box that has to go. I am not going to do many cookies as we will not have enough family here to get through a bunch. Our oldest grandson was disappointed to not have fudge at Thanksgiving and I told him he would have to be here for Christmas to have that!
ReplyDeleteI don't do a lot of cookies - but enough. It seems there is always something to do - and my get up and go has went!!!!
DeleteGreat deal on the Whoppers.
Mmmm fudge! Have a good one.
I must admit I too am sufferring from the holidays blues. I have come to grips with the self imposed isolation.I pray for the cold, foggy, rainy (and maybe snow)that brings me a sense of comfort. Having a fire, curling up with a book and the pups, cooking soups and stews that warm the body and soul. The winter cocoon that allows us to reflect on all the beautiful things we have had. If we are lucky we will emmerge from the cocoon renewed in God's grace and the spring he has prepared to renew our souls.We must be thankful in all things, there is always a message of comfort, strength and rebirth. The hardest thing is to understand what it all means to you, just you and no one else. I send you best wishes this holiday season and that you rejoice in the blessing he has just for you.
ReplyDeleteGreat words. I do not like the cold and snow much - although I know it is needed to get to the spring of life. That is my favorite time.
DeleteI am a sunshine person - no matter what time of the year.
Oh God always has a message - we just don't always listen. Someday we will understand. I am sure.
Each day I learn more and more about faith and trust. He always guides me.
Thank you dear and the same to you.
Been baking, knitting and cleaning. Pretty much the usual things around her.
ReplyDeleteKeeping our fingers crossed about the house youngest loves. If he loves it as much as it seems I think he should purchase it, his Dad is a bit more leery.
God bless.
Busy gal! Oh, I hope he gets it. Hope it is to be. Let us know.
DeleteHave a good one.
I think loneliness creeps up sometimes especially if you have a worry on your mind and think you have no special person to share it with. Good idea going out and being with other people.
ReplyDeleteThis week I have finished writing letters and mailed my Christmas cards and a little extra gift for my great nephew who is 7 weeks, saw it, could not resist it.I still have local cards to deliver. My husband and I did a big food shop. I spend 5 hours with my daughter Saturday morning and had a great time. We went to a local charity shop (do you call them goodwill?) We both came back with several items of clothing and I bought a great serving dish, looks like a partridge in a pear tree in the centre. Then back to her house for lunch. Today my husband, granddaughter who lives with us and I put up 3 Christmas trees (one is small table top sized). Our youngest son, wife and our youngest granddaughter who is two are coming for the day tomorrow. We are having an early Christmas meal after meeting them at a local garden centre for cake and coffee. Dan has to work the next two weekends.I have just laid the table before bed time.
Hope you have a good week.
You are right, it really does creep up on you. I really think weather has a lot to do with it as well - as for me.
DeleteSounds like you had a great weekend and a lovely week about to happen.
Goodwill is an organization name, there are many. Mainly we just call them thrift stores. I tend to like the smaller shops than the big ones. They are doing good works for the community with profits, and they just have nice things.
Enjoy you holiday celebration - it sounds wonderful.
What yummy meals!
ReplyDeleteYou inspired me in a post last week to buy another cookie press. Any tips for using it? I had my grandmother's and have her recipes. She would turn out hundreds of cookies. I could NOT get the press to neatly "cut off" a cookie -- the shape on the pan would still be connected to the dough in the press. I'd get maybe 20% cookies from each batch. But you inspired me to try again. The new press is the OXO press, which has a trigger rather than a turning wheel, so maybe it will be better. If you have any tips, I'd love to know! Thank you for all the wonderful information you generously share.
YAY - you will be cookie making in no time!
DeleteI find that the cookie sheets need to be cool! If they come right out of the oven and are still hot - the dough doesn't stick for me. With the hand wheel I always cranked out the cookie and then turned it back the other direction just a tiny bit. That seemed to cut it off. Don't use parchment paper and don't grease the pan if making spritz cookies.
Hope that helps!!!! Have fun.
Thank you SO MUCH for the expert tips! I will try them.
DeleteSo sorry you have been feeling lonely. We all get like that from time to time I think. Just part of being human I guess. My husband is the same way, he needs sunshine. He doesn't like cloudy or rainy days. I on the other hand love the cloudy and rainy days. I think most of our shopping is done, just have to get everything into the bags. We also, need to put lights on the Christmas tree and I need to write out a few more cards. Happy Monday to you!
ReplyDeleteThanks - I think the weather has much to do with it. It is just lonely having no one to talk to and tell what I bought or what I plan on doing. I guess I should be used to it, but no.
DeleteSounds like you are well on your way to being done. Good job. Have a great one.
I’m so sorry you also feel a bit blue around the Holidays. You do keep yourself well-fed, productive and active. Plus you give care to others....these are the best helps I know of.
ReplyDeleteI did enjoy getting our Christmas cards all ready and a pretty stamp seal made for each envelop. We mailed them last week.
I got to be with my precious sister yesterday...she’s the one who just lost her DH. Man, pain hurts!! It’s hard to feel and hear God when you’re hurting so much. But, we trust He will keep helping her each step. She is surrounded by loving friends and family, getting grief counseling, etc.
You do inspire us with each post and each Bible verse. Your way of life is such an encouragement. I’ll be praying for you, too, (((Cheryl)))
Thank you, my friend. I try to keep busy and productive and to be honest other than my family - my friends, pets and online friends keep me going.
DeleteI am so sorry your sister is going through all this. It is so very hard. Pain is awful and sadly we all go through it at some point. God has His plan and someday we will understand.
God is holding her hand every day.
Thank you for your kind words. You guys are all the best!
(((((((HUGS))))) my sweet friend. I am glad you got out of the house for a bit. When you mentioned that Christmas will be over in a little less than 3 weeks, that totally took me by surprise! I just got my tree up yesterday and am still in the process of digging out my Christmas decor. Maybe I should just stop and enjoy the little that I do have out and not make a mess trying to get more of it out of the storage closet, which is packed to the gills! ;) I'm getting my covid booster shot tomorrow and am afraid that if I tear things up in that bedroom, that I will not be able to get it put back together before the oldest grandboys come and spend the night with us in a few weeks. Be blessed!
ReplyDeleteMaybe just be happy with what you have done and spend the remainder of the time just enjoying family. It isn't the decorations that make it good - it is family.
DeleteHow fun that the boys will be coming soon and I hope you get to surround yourself with family this season.
Have a great day!