Happy Sunday to all. 10 days until the big day! It is amazing how quickly the days are going by.
I hope you are all well and safe this Sunday.
It is a much warmer start to the day - than we have had for a high for many days! We do have rain today - but I can deal with that. No snow is fine with me! I know some of you are getting assaulted with snow and frigid weather - I am so sorry for that.
- Last Sunday a friend called and wanted to see if I would go with her to take a tour of an old 1800's home here on my side of town. It was once a stop on the underground railroad. It is often used during Halloween for scary stuff. It was decorated for Christmas, so we went and caught up on talk as well. Then we stopped at an area antique shop and looked around. Nice afternoon
- Monday was the Christmas luncheon with my grade school gals (and one guy). We went to MCL and had a lovely time. Had a gift exchange as well.
- I did my last raking of the backyard.
- I did a little more shopping one day - found the couple things I was really looking for
- Cards got mailed (I had cards and stamps already)
- Made my first batch of Springerle cookies for my brother and sis - so baking has started (what little I do)
- Got a lot of stuff wrapped
- Lots of laundry and used dehumidifier water
- Used baking soda and vinegar to unclog a drain
- Used up bits and pieces of food left in new meals
- Had siblings Christmas yesterday. Sis demanded that she get to continue hosting and she made dinner. It was a great crockpot meal of roast and veggies. Her first meal she cooked since she got home from rehab. It was a wonderful day, and we are just so blessed to still have her here with us.
- Received home canned goods, snacks and gift cards
- Sis sent home roast and veggies with me as well - a meals worth +
Meals this past week:
Cheesy mac with sausage and green peas added and small salad
MCL - meal with friends
Chicken tender sandwich, oven fries and small salad
French bread pizza (froze part as well)
Taco salad
Baked spaghetti and garlic toast
Dinner with family
Been snacking on fruit, cheese and crackers, a milkshake
How was your week? Is everyone about ready for whatever festivities you do? Did you get any good deals this week? What is baking in your kitchen?
I sure hope you are all well and safe. Stay warm and cozy - I know many are having lots and lots of true winter weather.
Blessings to you and yours from me at my humble little home.
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Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow; but woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10
Lord, we are so blessed to have so many wonderful family and friends in our lives to help us when we are in need, whether emotionally or physically. May we each know that a kind word and a helping hand to others can change everything for them. Thank You for this wonderful group of lovely ladies here, as each cares and prays for the others and all are always offering a helpful idea or suggestion to help another. Family and friends can even be those who have never met. I feel we are all so blessed. Please continue to watch over and protect us all. AMEN
The Christmas countdown is on. The fact that your sister prepared a family meal is testimony to her recovery. You're raking your yard & I'm dealing with snow & ice. Icy conditions are the worst. I'm even chipping ice off the firewood that's been exposed to the freezing rain. It's been a weepy week for me; many thoughts bring me to tears. l don't know if they're tears of sadness or relief. I just go with the feelings & give thanks for supportive friends. The majority of the Christmas prep is complete. I'll be doing some deliveries of kitchen gifts in the coming week. The house is decorated & I'm enjoying the lights. My cousin had a medical appt 2 hrs away & needed a driver so we spent the night away prior to her appt. All went well. Doing odds & ends with the business of mom's death. In the kitchen: dressed cauliflower/carrots; roast pork; pyrogies; carrot/pineapple muffins. It seems that batch cooking is the MO in my kitchen. I don't have as varied a menu as you. I'm still finishing up a pot of lentil soup from last week. The leftovers are filled in with pickety bits - crackers/cheese, cold cuts, etc. Cheryl, I'll take this opportunity to wish you & your readers happy holidays, Merry Christmas.
ReplyDeleteIt sure is - she is a tough little lady and is still using a walker (w/seat) and probably always will - but she is def. out momma's child!!!! Stubborn!
DeleteSorry about the snow and ice - ice is the worst. I think you have more than enough reason to be weepy and sad. Huge hugs to you.
Your cooking always sound good. I am ready for split pea soup soon!
Thanks you so much and you try to smile and have pleasant memories.
Have a blessed week.
Yes, 10 days until Christmas. The anticipation is fun. It's warmed up a little bit here too, no need to have lots of layers on right now, which is good. I'm glad your sister was able to host dinner and how nice of her to send you home with some leftover goodies. All my wrapping is done except for one present that I am still waiting on in the mail. Sounds like a good week for you. I hope this next one is too.
ReplyDeleteYes mam, the countdown has begun. I like the warmer temps but it will be cold again by the end of the week.
DeleteGood for you - I still have a bit to wrap (bag).
She's a trooper for sure. She always sends goodies home, as she is one of those folks that don't like leftovers! How are we related????? LOL
Have a lovely week.
Your sister's recovery is *amazing*! So often at advanced age recovery is Very Slow - sometimes it never really happens. Kudos to her for hosting a dinner, that's a lot of work. :)
ReplyDeleteI raked again yesterday. The wind had managed to blow leaves around some more. Maybe today (if it doesn't keep raining) I can rake a bit more. The only advantage to damp leaves is the lack of dust, but they sure are heavier. Those old Covid masks can be helpful against the dust. :)
We have a little Christmas singing event this afternoon with treats to share. Also there is a family birthday before Christmas. That package needs to be delivered, maybe even today. I hope to visit my cousin tomorrow for lunch (our favorite restaurant was wrecked in the hurricane and may not reopen, alas) and I can bring her the usual goody (cookies). I think most of my prep is done!
Enjoying my little tree and Christmas lights. Makes me smile, brings good old memories to the surface. Also tears for those who have gone ahead without me.
MaryB
She is a stubborn lady - just like Mom was.
DeleteWet leaves are indeed heavy. Good luck with the raking.
I hope you and your cousin have a nice lunch and visit. Enjoy the singing. You sure keep busy.
Just a little decorating can take us back to another time. Good and bad in that.
Have a wonderful week.
I'm glad to hear your sister was able to continue the tradition of making a meal for the family. She sounds feisty to me. :)
ReplyDeleteWe're warming up to near freezing today, but that brings the possibility of freezing rain - we're under a warning now. We have a short road trip planned for tomorrow and I'm hoping the rain will miss us. More snow is expected in the next week - I'll be glad to get away from it.
Christmas baking is nearly complete. My daughter plans to make pretzel brittle this week. I think she mentioned one more thing but I can't recall what it was. I've got just a few things to wrap, and I finished decorating the small tree in the basement (where Eli plays) yesterday.
Christmas Day meals are planned. Breakfast will be mini-cinnamon buns, mini quiche, and fresh fruit. Dinner is roast beef, mashed potatoes, gravy, veg, and dressing/stuffing (that's a must for my daughter). Not sure what we're doing for Christmas Eve, but I'm going to recommend leftovers from the fridge as we'll have leftovers after the Christmas meal...need to clear the fridge. :)
Feisty is a great word to describe her!
DeleteYou sure have had the snow and cold - yuck. I bet you will enjoy your trip immensely.
Sounds like you are about ready. Your meal will be wonderful that is for sure. I always tried to keep C. eve a simple meal as well.
Have a safe week. I hope the nasty stuff passes by you.
Have a good one.
"Two are better than one." So true. Think of how we help each other, not just physically, but emotionally and spiritually as well. The Father knew that Adam needed a helpmeet and that concept has continued throughout the ages.
ReplyDeleteI am impressed that your sister's healing and fortitude. It's always nice to go home with leftovers!
It definitely is warmer. I could hear the rain last night and everything looks pretty soaked.
The tour of that old house would be interesting. Good that you got to gather with old school chums and celebrate the holiday season. You have had a busy week, socially and with your usual work at home.
She is a spunky little lady for sure. She is using a walker/seat - but gets around pretty good. She looked just great yesterday.
DeleteI even heard some thunder last night, while lying in bed.
It was the Hanna House we went to. Years ago G and I went and you could tour a lot more of it - this was a pretty short tour - but still nice.
It was a busy social week - ready to stick close to home this week.
Have a super week.
Warmer here and rain, I will take the rain over snow any day.
ReplyDeleteIt is very dark and dreary but at least it is hovering in the mid to high 40's.
have a ham baking now, I want to slice and chunk some. Chunk to be used with fondue on Christmas Day, slices for sandwiches and such, bone will be used in soup or beans or ??? but it will be used.
Meals have been all over the place, egg rolls, chimichangas, soups salads and crackers with cream cheese and hot pepper jelly.
Have some potatoes to make up into mashed potatoes to be frozen in a silicone muffin pan and used as needed.
JC
Dreary here as well, and damp. But you are so right, I will take it over snow any day. I have ham to make for around Christmas - so many uses.
DeleteYour meals sound yummy to me. I follow no set of rules when it comes to meals - I eat whatever sounds good!
Have a cozy day and a lovely week.
So happy to read that your sister is back up and at ‘em. That’s a wonderful gift.
ReplyDeleteI will sign off for the year, I wish you, your family and your readers a wonderful Christmas and a great New Year. Stay warm and safe, take care, Louise.
That was the best gift of the year!!! Told her so as well.
DeleteSounds like you may be a busy lady. We will miss you - but thank for the good wishes. Same to you and yours and we will meet again after New Years!
Have a wonderful holiday.
We are chipping away at the list! You home tour afternoon sounds wonderful! Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteGood for you! It was a nice afternoon. The house is neat - we even got to go to the basement (because I asked). They have the tunnels blocked that slaves used to use - and it just had a weird vibe down there. Ceilings that were like 10-12 foot high. Pretty cool.
DeleteThank you and you as well.
Have a great week.
I chopped up a HUGE head of green cabbage, sauted some fresh ground pork (that I had to buy), grated carrot, garlic, ginger, soy sauce and some chicken stock and made a big pan of stir fry.
ReplyDeleteI was craving cauliflower last week so bought a bag at Costco. Roasted it today for dinner along with grilled Brats from the freezer. Enough brats for tomorrow as well. I had 2 half-loaves of cranberry walnut bread in the freezer. Toast, eggs for breakfast Saturday.
I had a few sick days this week and hubster started yesterday so we're eating 2x/d right now and less than usual at that. Picking at the fruit on the counter maybe a few pita chips.
I did just get a request for choc chip cookies from sick-boy so I made a half-batch and those are cooling on the counter. I do 8 large cookies like the fancy cookie shops sell ;-) $40 saved!
Enjoy this Blessed season everyone.
My mouth is watering - that sounds so good. I love fried cabbage.
DeleteHope you both are feeling better. Can't be sick around the holidays!! Your cookies will fix him right up!
Thank you - you too.
Stay well and have a great week.