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!
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.
*********************
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
Happy New Year Cheryl! Thank you for being a bright spot of encouragement! Wishing God’s blessings on you in the year to come!
ReplyDeleteHi there - wondered where you had been. Glad to hear from you.
DeleteThank you so much for your kindness - it means so much.
Have a fantastic week.
We've been eating salads since Christmas as an antidote to all the rich food. Of course we have plenty of sugary goodies as dessert to counteract the salads! ;) Today looks like it might be a somewhat normal day, doing normal Sunday activities and keeping a rather normal sleep schedule. That'll be helpful. We've been up late and running around more, need to settle down and prepare for the New Year.
ReplyDeleteOne last 2024 job is to get my 2025 calendar in order - get the doctor appointments written in, the birthdays listed, so I'm not all confused and behind when January starts. Another 2024 job is to make sure I've sent Thank You Notes (emails) to those who gave me gifts.
My life overflows with goodness and blessings. One of them is coming here and seeing other folks who appreciate what they have instead of all the b*tching and moaning that goes on in the wider world. Thank you, Cheryl. :)
MaryB
I think I will be eating a lot of veggies and salad stuff for a bit - other than NY day. I have lots left after today. That is a good thing.
DeleteThanks for the reminder - I have a new calendar - but it needs marked with birthdays and such.
Love it - my life overflows as well. You gals have no idea what you have done for me and how much you all got me through. It means the world to me.
I just love you all so much.
Have a blessed week.
I trust your celebration will go well today. I'm back in snowy NE Alberta after a week in MX with my son's family. We got to spend 7 days together without the interruptions of the busy schedule back home. It didn't feel like Christmas with the sun & sand. Such a nice respite from the cold & snow. We also celebrated my son's birthday (Dec 25) with friends who happened to be at the same location. My neighbors had cleaned the snow from the driveway & yard after another 4" the day before my return. Best thing I ate while away: fresh shrimp. Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteHow lovely you got to be with your son & family. What a nice respite from the cold and snow - that had to be pretty nice.
DeleteI bet you had a ball. How kind of your neighbors. Good neighbors are a blessing.
Drooling here - Mmmmmm shrimp!
Have a beautiful week.
Excellent devotional! Give thanks in all things. I agree with Miss Friend; you bring a bright spot of encouragement! For that I am very thankful.
ReplyDeleteIt poured last night and today is just cloudy and gloomy. At least we won't be going into spring dry with the rain coming in the next few days.
Do you keep a written prayer journal or just by remembering? I have been keeping a list in a notebook but feel maybe there is a better method. I thought about index cards for each person, where I could make notes and adjustments. This isn't rocket surgery but I would like something more efficient.
Doing some laundry today and general spiffing up. Some ladies call it blessing their home. I think that is a good term.
You always prepare good meals for yourself. It would be easy to eat cheese and crackers, rather than cook food. We are having garlic chicken with cauliflower rice for lunch. Not sure about a side just yet. Steamed broccoli sounds good.
I'm with Miss MaryB; get the calendar set up so we know what is going on. I keep a pocket calendar in my purse so if we need to make appointments while we are out, the appropriate dates are written down. Can't rely on memory these days! ha!
Hope the kitties will use their steps, especially Blackie. Our fur babies age just like we do.
Yes we got the rain and it sure did pour again today. Just as the last one got here - the skies opened up. He took care of them on the journey!
DeleteI will be eating lots of veggies and cheese this week! I have plenty left.
I just write in a notebook as well. Nothing fancy here either.
I never rely on memory anymore!
He has used to one to the bed several times - my bed is high. Bitz just looks at it and jumps up!
Have a wonderful week.
Hi Cheryl. It sounds like you had a nice week. I'm sure you'll have a lot of fun making memories today with your family. It has been nice to air out the house a few days this week especially since the cold air is returning here Tuesday. January is usually our coldest month.
ReplyDeleteOh we had such fun - my nephew is a wonderful musician and he brought his guitar and sang. It was incredible.
DeleteI loved airing the house - yes, January is usually pretty cold and bleak. I guess we can hibernate!
Have a super week.
Happy New Year wishes to all.
ReplyDeleteIt rained all night here also and continues today. Very gloomy and dreary looking but we did see the sun yesterday.
I have white beans and hambone going and will make cornbread. The leftover beans will become Senate Bean soup and some will go into the freezer.
I need to portion and freeze sweet holiday offerings, have had enough and need to "detox" a bit LOL
Cheryl I make snack mix for the family every year and package it for giving in the wax bags the cereal comes in. Family thinks its funny but expects it to be so.
I am not a winter person at all, I am so looking forward to Spring and planting! I think the lack of flowers and color are what gets to me the most but figure that's what seed catalogs are for LOL!
JC
The rain - yuck. At least we should be out of drought. It has been rainy, windy and gloomy here as well today.
DeleteBeans and cornbread sound wonderful. Good old fashioned rating - my world.
That is smart on re-using the bags for that! The kids always like mine as well, sent a ton home with them, but have too much left. Guess my brother will get some. I need to get my eating back on track. Too much junk!
I do not like winter either. I love the heat and SUN! Less than 90 days till spring!!!!! Something to look forward too.
Have a sweet week.
We had a white, but warm Christmas as was Boxing Day. It's cooled down a lot since then, but I was happy to have a decent day for driving back to the city.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your week, and Happy New Year!
Glad your trip back was safe. Have a wonderful warm time visiting!!!!! You have to be so excited.
DeleteHave a fantastic week. Safe travels.
Just getting back into blogging after visiting with Kurt and Kris for 6 and 7 whole days. I did spend a bit of time yesterday and today clearing up, changing bedding, and trying to get my budget set up for 2025.
ReplyDeleteToday I turned 69 and we plan on going out for supper tomorrow as my birthday gift from Harvey. Looking forward to not having to cook.
It looks like you had a lovely week.
God bless.
Blessings on your Birthday! May your year be a winner!
DeleteMaryB
Happy birthday Jackie! You are just a year under me! Dinner out sounds like a plan. So glad you had a good visit with the boys.
DeleteEnjoy your day and have a super week
Happy New year all!
ReplyDeleteI am totally sick of food, lol. I needed some veggies in my bod so bought some zukes, tomatoes and mushrooms. I like to cook it all together and eat plain or over a little rice. yummo.
My daughter has two more days to work for her contract with this company and I will soak up all the fun with my grandbabies! They are so much fun, each with their own personalities.
My goals for the NY are to pay off my debt while traveling a little to sisters and nieces. Also looking in to moving, again! Ugh. (not until October, damn capital gains, lol) This place just does not 'feel' like home and I want to be near the mountians! If not now...when? as they say. Oh well, might be a crazy idea but it is ok. Life is meant to live!
Anyway, I have some micro goals too but they are pretty typical.
Have a safe and wonderful NYE and day!
LOL - I here that - so many heavy foods during the holidays. Your meal sounds right up my alley!
DeleteI wish your daughter good luck on ventures. Enjoy those babies to the max. They are only little once.
Great goals. If you want to move and can - do it. We all need dreams and goals. I hope you DO travel - if that is what you want.
May your year be all you want it to be.
Have a lovely week.
My son discovered ceasar salads and he eats them constantly. How did our ancestors make it through the heavy food times? The last week has been filled with yummy leftovers. Every years starts with Thanksgiving turkey and stuffing, goes to ham and mashed potatoes, and ends with pork and saurkraut.
ReplyDeleteCeasar salads are good! Yes, they ate whatever they had and sometimes that wasn't all that good for us. They did glean, and harvest veggies and fruit - grew some meat - but I am sure lots of breads too.
DeleteFrom T- Day through NYD it is full of yummy heavy goodies and food!
Have a super week.
Happy you had a good Christmas, can't wait to see what the New Year brings.
ReplyDeleteThank you. Life is always interesting and entertaining - hopefully more of the same in 2025.
DeleteHave a wonderful week.
Sweet prayer, thank you Cheryl. The sun finally burned thru the dense fog we woke to. Right now DH is putting the freshly-organized Christmas decorations bins up in the rafters. Felt good to go thru them as we’d been pretty haphazard about tossing things in them after the last few Christmases. Even donating some stuff!
ReplyDeleteWe are expecting some cold temps a couple of days this week. Cannot complain - it’s been great so far, temps-wise.
Christmas Eve and Day was just us, our kitty and the Lord…a very sweet time. Until the old kidney stones decided it was time for them to travel😖 I spent a good part of the day in bed, praying for relief. Thankfully, relief did come (whew!).
Have a blessed day and , of course, new year, Cheryl.
Mary in OK
Thank you Mary. It always feels good to clean-up and organize. It is going to get cold here too. Yes, we have had a really decent winter so far.
DeleteSo sorry you had to deal with that ugly pain over this holiday time (or any time). That is not fun. I am glad your Christmas day was calm and sweet.
Have a blessed week.
Hi Cheryl. It was warm here today & the daffodils are popping up already. Haven't seen a robin yet though. We took our tree down today , and found a wool-lined birds' nest hidden in it! Hubby even removed the outdoor Christmas decor. Might as well do it before it gets bitter cold again. The tree branches were used to mulch my blueberry bushes and potted boxwoods. I've been deep cleaning too. I've been influenced by the Japanese youtubers I watch-they deep clean for the New Year. I'm always cleaning because I dislike stuffy smells. Ha. I want to thank you for the lovely prayer at the end of your post. Your prayers are always uplifting. Happy New Year to you and your readers Dee/NY
ReplyDeleteDaffodils already? Oh my, they sure have gotten fooled. I saw a Robin again today.
DeleteThat is so cool, a natural decoration! What a neat little find. Glad it was empty. Good use of using the tree branches for mulch.
It just always feels so good to have things all clean and fresh.
Thank you!
Have a fantastic week!
Happy New Year, Cheryl! I hope 2025 brings you many blessings and a lot less of what 2024 brought us all :) 2024 was a rough one! But I'm so thankful that we always have either a new morning, new day, new week, month, or year to begin again. God is so good to us! Thank you for all the great advice you give us each week. Your blog is always a blessing to me, as are your comments when you visit mine. See you in the new year!
ReplyDeleteAmen - God is so good. I hope you have a great year and many blessings as well. Life gets tough, but yes that new day, week, month, etc. is such a gift.
DeleteThank you for your kind words
Wishing you and yours the BEST!
Have a super week!