Hello to all. Hope you are all well, safe, and warm. Baby, it is cold outside here. My thermometer says 0* - weather says -4*F. That is cold for here. We have windchills colder than most of Alaska this morning! We got 2 rounds of snow. Thursday night - so moved a couple inches on Friday. Most of that melted on Friday as well. Lots yesterday - a good 5"+. I went out last evening and moved that, so as not to have to do it in the frigid weather.
We can sure get the gambit of weather in a short time. Subzero, cloudy, snow, wind, then sun, rain and 50's. Yep, all that will happen in about 4 days!!!! Hey, just a thought - spring is 97 days away! LOL! Shoot, it isn't even winter officially yet.
- I chopped up the bottom of a candle (in a jar) to use as melts. It smells good - so I will use it
- Made potato cakes out of leftover mashed potatoes. Ate some and froze the rest
- Went out early one morning to get some more basket stuffers and avoid crowds
- Went to Hobby Lobby and got a couple things
- Ran across to the discount market and got fresh red raspberries - 12oz. $1, fresh strawberries - 1 lb. 1.99 (so good), one pear and one banana (for a salad)
- Made a nice bowl of fruit salad - either looks summery or like Christmas - it sure tasted good, used apples and oranges I had at home
- Got my cards mailed
- Going through the frig and frig freezer and trying to use up things that have hung around a while - doing pretty good with it
- Found a smoked sausage pkg - 14 oz. that was in freezer for a while - cooked and used some and froze the remainder cooked up
- Cleaned out crispers - had radish and carrots starting to sprout - yikes! Cleaned them all up and repackaged - will use soon
- Turned on the humidifier on the furnace (turned dial to winter) and it sure does make the house feel warmer using the same temps
- Made up a new bottle of dish soap
- Moved a ton of snow - free exercise
- Juiced grapes (from freezer) to use for making jelly
- Insulated the outdoor hose faucet - it is close to backdoor and only the faucet sticks out - remainder is in basement
Meals this week:
Potato cakes made with bacon, cheese & onion, salad
Fried corn and fish
Chicken tenders and veggies
Chicken legs and sauteed zucchini
Smoked sausage sandwich and salad
Baby lima beans (from dry), pork chops, and Naan bread toasted
Creamy chicken/pasta/veggie soup and crackers
Snacks - fruit salad, popcorn, cheese
That is about it - except all the normal stuff. I stayed away from the grocery store. I hope everyone experiencing the cold and nasty weather is safe - stay in and stay warm. So many of us aren't used to it. I know you northern gals are old pros at it!
How was your week? Any get togethers, shopping, deals or freebies?
I hope you are well and safe. Please take care. Think how blessed we all are to have a warm home and bed and food on our tables. So many do not. Such a sobering thought at times like this.
Be well.
Blessings to you and yours from me at my humble home.
***************
The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
Psalms 27:1
Dear Lord, I send great thanks for all the blessings that have been given. You are our salvation, and we give You credit. You are our light, and we are thankful. You teach us love and understanding, and we are grateful. Help us each one to spread Your word and Your love every day. Please place Your healing hands on those in need again this week. AMEN
Yes, it's winter with lows of -34C this past week. This morning, -10C with freezing rain. The worst. I'd rather have colder temps. More snow so add snow removal to the days' chores on a few days. Like you say, it's good exercise. A week of socializing - lunch & scrabble with friends; lunch with retired work colleagues; supper & cards at a neighbor's. I was so ready to stay home for a few days & putter. The lit up rooster was assembled for the porch awa a porch pot. So festive. Christmas cards are trickling in to the mailbox. In the kitchen: roasted trout w/ fried rice; my neighbor sent home a serving of mexican lasagna & cowboy caviar; cranberry/wht chocolate cookies for gifting; mini quiches for the freezer. I'm joining my cousin for the holiday meal. There won't be a turky in sight. In stead, a Chinese themed dinner with homemade wonton soup that we'll all participate in the making. I've made the onion cakes. Have a good week, Cheryl.
ReplyDeleteBrrrrr. Snow removal is good exercise, but it sure is tiring too.
DeleteSounds like you had an active week. Those stay home and putter days are lovely in my book.
Meals sound good - yum on the food from neighbor - sounds right up my alley.
Chinese food - many do that. I just chuckle thinking of the Chinese dinner in The Christmas Story! Homemade sounds wonderful!
Have a super week and stay warm!
I was just thinking of the homeless and hope they are warm this morning. Our part of Michigan is 1 degree ..just bitter cold. Thankful for my warm house too!
ReplyDeleteI got busy and mailed out my packages but I just did the cards this morning. I hope you have a wonderful Sunday..stay warm.
I think of the homeless as well. Many places opened up special places for the night and tonight. I can't imagine - but for many it is a choice.
DeleteI imagine I will send a card or 2 this week - ones I forgot!
You stay in and stay warm as well. Have a good week.
I think about my warm home and how grateful I am to have it. Tonight the real cold will hit us, and I hope it goes away soon.
ReplyDeleteYesterday was a travel and signing day - out of state for a singing convention. What a wonderful thing, singing hymns all day. :) Left in the dark, came home in the dark, a long day. Don't think I turned over in bed last night! :)
Love the devotional today, excellent. Thank you, Cheryl!
MaryB
Our homes and beds are just such a treat and joy. So thankful. The cold is supposed to get out of here fairly quickly. Tomorrow will be in the 20's then much higher the rest of the week. I will take it!
DeleteSounds like a long day but a great day of fun and joy. I bet you did sleep well!
Have a blessed week.
Good morning! Butch said to send that snow our way. We are in the wrong weather pattern this winter to get snow. Ha, not even winter yet either! It's pretty warm here if you can call 40's warm. We also have had fog for days, just makes it colder. Your meals sound yummy.
ReplyDelete*I have been doing cards a little at a time as they come in. I have bits of this and that to make some stir fry for dinner. We have been eating veggie soup for a couple days. Time for a change.
*Have a great day and try to stay warm.
Oh how I wish I could. I would send it in a heartbeat. 40's sounds good to me. I noticed long range (rest of month), no more snow is expected and we will be pretty warm. No white Christmas here. I have received 2 cards in the mail - not many send them anymore.
DeleteStir fry sounds good. Haven't had that in a while - may do that this week. Veggie soup sounds perfect to me.
Have a wonderful week my friend.
Excellent devotional! To have the Master as your light and salvation is all you need.
ReplyDeleteIt was -3 when I got up this morning. The sun is pretty but deceptive. Can't believe it is going to get almost spring-like later this week. But we'll take it!
You have had a busy week. We often find science experiments in our refrigerators. ha! Your fruit salad looks yummy.
Had sprouted oats this morning with apples, cinnamon, raisins, pecans and a touch of maple syrup. Kind of like a deconstructed apple crisp. Found a recipe for a mushroom and Swiss casserole that we will prepare for lunch.
It certainly is cold but the boys wanted to go out to potty after their breakfast. They didn't stay long.
Stay warm and cozy!
Yes mam, that is all we need.
DeleteSo cold - the sun is gorgeous, but it is so cold. It is amazing what you can find when digging deep!
Your breakfast sounds good. I bet your lunch will be tasty.
Stay warm and have a good week.
I’m very sad about the shooting at Brown University (and also the shooting in Sydney). My mom attended Brown when women were in a separate college called Pembroke so this hit home.
ReplyDeleteI worked in the yard a lot, cleaned up a lot of vine that had gotten out of hand. I need to do more. (It will be 75 F. here today.)
My mailbox is very old, installed by my dad. Last week one side of the door came apart. I hunted through my toolbox to find a screw and nut (of which I have very few). So far, so good!
I put together my 2026 budget. I increased the categories of health insurance and car maintenance. My Medicare supplement increases rates in June rather than January but I’m expecting a 15% increase. My car is old. I’m leaving food, electric, water/sewer, cell, lawn care and trash the same. I know how to manage those expenses. I’m scrimping on many areas so that hopefully I can travel next summer if my health holds out.
This afternoon there is a neighborhood Christmas gathering so lots of fun.
The shootings are very sad.
DeleteOh gosh, 75* sounds wonderful. I would love to work in the yard at something different than pushing snow!
Good fix on the mailbox. Those little fixes work just fine.
I haven't even thought about 2026 yet. Good for you on being on the ball. I hope you will get to do some traveling if you wish.
Have fun at the gathering. Have a lovely week.
We only had a dusting of snow, and now the frigid temperatures.
ReplyDeleteIt's been a miserable week. I've got degenerative arthritis and a slipped disk which is pressing on a nerve and not getting any relief. Worst pain I've ever had. 2 doctor trips and an ER visit just be told there is really nothing that can be done for that. The ER visit started with my little one (and I just checked myself in while we were waiting on his stuff). First time he has ever spent the night away and I get a call from my mom scared he may have broken a rib or back. Luckily, it's just bruised ribs and he seems fine. I've already spent a couple hundred bucks on copays and prescriptions, I dread how expensive it will be when the bills start coming in.
We've had entirely too much expensive fast food this week since I've been unable to move much. I did use rewards and coupons as I could though to get it a little bit cheaper. It's just been a miserable, expensive week around here.
I am so sorry you are going through that. Hope the little one is OK - but you have to be miserable. Back pain is the worst - even a little bit of it. I am no doctor for sure, but try keeping some heat on your back, maybe that will help a little.
DeleteWhat a nasty time (no good time) to feel bad, with the holidays around the corner.
Take care, and praying for some relief for you. Try and have a good week.
The temperature has risen quite nicely this morning, it is -13C/9F, feeling balmy after the frigid temps the last 2 days! But that means more snow is in the forecast for later this week. :p
ReplyDeletestay warm and dry!
Oh you are the woman - I can't imagine being used to these kinds of temps.
DeleteHope you don't get more snow. Stay safe and warm. Have a good week.
I went to Hobby Lobby this week too. I like that they already have their Christmas clearance on 50% off. They have some beautiful things there and the parking lot was so full it was hard to find a spot to park.
ReplyDeleteIt’s cold up there! It’s 30 here, but supposed to be really cold tonight and tomorrow and they already called school off due to the frigid temperatures. They don’t want students without sufficient winter wear waiting on school buses in the frigid cold.
Your meals sound delicious, I really like smoked sausage. That’s great that you found one in your freezer. You’re right, we are so very blessed with all that we have. I came out of the Dollar Tree this week and a man was sitting in front of my car in a sleeping bag. I figured he was hopeless and felt so much for him. He made a comment about my car looking like rudolf (I have antlers and a Rudolph nose on it), and I laughed and agreed with him. And then I prayed for him and all the other unfortunate souls with no place to get warm. My heart goes out to them. I have some of those little hot hand warmers here. I’m going to put some in my car this week to give to people just like him.
Yes, they have lovely things and the 50% off was a surprise already. I don't think I got anything from the Christmas section though. I did get sis a puzzle for 40% off.
DeleteIt is fun to hear what is considered cold in different regions. That is cold for down your way. I remember living in TN decades ago, and we were sitting outside in the sun on NY Day! I doubt that a lot down your way are prepared to dress for the really cold stuff.
I love smoked sausage. Oh, goodness, we a re so very blessed.
I feel so bad for the homeless. It takes me no time to get cold and I am bundled up when I go out - they are out there all the time. The hand warmers are a wonderful idea.
Have a beautiful week.
It was 70 yesterday and 45 today and very windy! Yikes! The wind chill in the northern part of the state is apparently tonight going to be approaching 5 degrees, my oldest son lives in a rv up there, so I texted him to be sure he had enough propane! I made fresh mustard greens and had a bit of leftover pumpkin so I tossed it in there as well. I also made deviled eggs again bc I wanted them, and a small bit of potato salad. I have one serving left over of the Turkey chili I made. so will probably eat that. Other than that, I will probably just eat tuna fish sandwiches, tomato soup and cheese toast, anything that is simple and quick. I have been known to eat a can of green peas with cheese toast bc I am not very picky. I just can’t eat much fried food. Cindy in the South
ReplyDeleteYour food choices sound like mine! Nuts also work well as part of a meal. The trouble with these meals is getting enough good calories to keep warm.
DeleteYes, bitter cold coming our way here. Not happy about it but maybe it will kill off some of the bugs. This cold air makes my nose run and the cold & dry means my nose and the skin around it are sore.
Stay warm!
MaryB
Cindy it must all be moving that way. We have another really cold night ahead, then it started warming a bit. You can just watch the weather move east. I hope your son stays warm.
DeleteI am with you - I can eat about anything. I am not picky and sometimes the simplest things are just fine with me. I love tuna and tomato soup and grilled cheese are always welcome.
Stay warm and have a lovely week.
Mary stay warm and keep those hankies close by!
DeleteIt sounds like you had a nice week. The weather is crazy and it's going to be crazy this week too. SO bitterly cold this morning but highs in the 50's by Wednesday.
ReplyDeleteThe last two days we've had SO many birds filling up. We must have 30 or more cardinals that come plus I saw red wing tip and gold wing tip black birds. I haven't seen them in years. There were dozens in the group.
Stay warm and have a great day!!
It was a good week. Yes mam, the weather is crazy. The birds have really been active here too. They sure seem to be glad to have non-solid water! I love the cardinals.
DeleteHave an awesome week.
Today is garbage day, and I only have half a pepper of food to go out with the other scraps. In my old age I am getting so much better at not wasting food.
ReplyDeleteYou have snow and we have a couple of 36c (90+f) days coming up down here this week. I haven't had the fans or the aircon on yet this summer but might have to this week.
You are doing well on not wasting - good for you. There you go - rub it in - it's hot there! LOL!!!!
DeleteI would not complain about 90* today. It is so sunny and looks beautiful, I ran out a few minutes ago and well - it is flipping COLD!
Enjoy the warmth and have a wonderful week.
Hi Cheryl. I am always astonished that your menus have such variety…I have been eating a lot of basic stuff, I need to work on my enthusiasm ;)
ReplyDeleteWe are having a heat wave here, 80 yesterday I think. While I don’t want your cold snap, I would like some chilly weather for Christmas..maybe plunging down to 60...
Have a good week. Thank you for the prayer, it was a good one! Hilogene in Az,
I just eat what I have around. I can eat the same stuff over and over - but I have so much that needs to be used. I dure don't want it wasted.
DeleteOh my, 80* in my dreams! I hope you can PLUNGE to 60 too! It is amazing what we get used to and what it feels like all over at the same time.
Have a blessed week.