Weekly Wrap Up 11/27

 Happy final Sunday all!  Another month just about gone.  We are on the Christmas and New Year's count down.  It just doesn't seem possible - yet here we are!  In a few short weeks it will all be history and we will be looking towards Spring.  We sure do wish away life!!!!!

The weather has been pretty darn nice here most of the week.  Thanksgiving day didn't even require a jacket!  It is raining today - we had rain start overnight and it will rain for a while longer today.  It was in the 50's when I got up at 5:30!  It is going to get much colder by the end of the week - but these nicer temps are quite welcome.

Here is a picture of the very center of downtown (the state capital).  This is about 15 minutes from my house.  Friday evening was the lighting event, and this was a picture after they turned on the lights this year.  See all those people - that is a one-way road the encircles the "Circle" - usually filled with cars.  It always so beautiful to see.  It sure was a nice night for the lighting event. NO, I didn't go!!!!!

I watched Frosty the Snowman and The Return of Frosty the Snowman!!!!!!  It seemed like a nicer way to spend the evening, than to fight hordes of people!!!!!! LOL

My week:

• Well, I finally finished up the kitchen DEEP clean!  Everything from above the cabinets and on a wall length upper shelf!  Oh my!!!!!!  I will not even mention how old the papers stuffed into decorative cups were (keeps out dust).  I was even appalled!  LOL
• Did more house cleaning and some re-decorating (small scale)
• I ran out Monday to get new area rugs for living room and dining area - Big Lot's had a B1 - get 1 - 1/2 off.  They are the same but different!!!  LOL.  Exact same colors - different designs.  Looks good.
• I changed out a mini blind in bedroom with one I have had stored back for ages.  (I bought several the same years ago)
• I also put up 2 new mini blind in LR & DR to replace the Roman shades that were like 20 years old.  I got these 2 new ones for less than $10 ea. at Fam. Dollar.  I then used other things I had here to change up windows and rooms a little.
• I threw away a bunch of stuff (no idea why I kept it) and have a big box for donation in the back of the Blazer.
• Got to air the house a few times this week
• Cleaned, reorganized and sorted the deep pantry
• Tons of laundry
• I raked the last of the leaves and placed on the garden area.  Last I intend on doing this year - I will say!!!  Cleaned up tons of tiny sticks - the squirrels keep munching on limbs and dropping them in the yard - little buggers.
• Froze extra soup I had made for another meal
• NO grocery store
• I came across an envelope of GC's I had forgotten about - and set down and checked each one for $ amount.  Most had never been used - nice eating locations.  I have $20 left on a Domino's pizza and 7.49 left on a Papa John's pizza.  There is $5 and change on Panera.  I also found a booklet of car wash vouchers that had gotten stuck back.  SO, I have a lot of good cards for good meals I can use up in the coming year.  G and I used to get takeout at a lot of nice places, so we were gifted cards. (a lot of Outback)
• Paid all items I had and then walked to P.O. to mail, as it was a beautiful day.  I got Christmas stamps and others (for many months) before the price goes up
• Carved the turkey I baked Friday - it was the easiest turkey I have ever carved.  It just fell apart!  It has been so tender and tasty - many meals from that!!!!
• Got all the gift items together.  Today I plan on going through it all, making my list and checking it twice!!  I have a list of things I know I need to get for the littles.
• Brought home some leftovers from my nieces, which gave me extra goodies to eat with my turkey

Meals this past week:

Jalapeno burger w/cheese and halved yellow squash

Chili cheese dogs and chips

Cheddar broccoli soup and crackers

Leftover soup with sour cream and Fritos

Dinner with family - all sorts of goodies!

Turkey and leftover mashed potatoes and gravy & broccoli casserole (pots/gravy & casserole from niece)

Turkey sandwich with chips and leftover mac n cheese (mac from niece)

SNACKS - toasted bagel w/cin./sugar, turkey, fruit and leftover dreamsicle fluff I took to nieces (brought some home)

I did no Christmas shopping this week.  Too peopley out there for me!!!!!! LOL

I have a couple of eye appointments this week, so I may do a bit of shopping while out each of those days.  I have done no real holiday decorating yet - may work on that as well.  Just not going to stress about things.

I have recorded several movies that I plan on watching later this winter - from the FREE premium channels offered this weekend with cable.

How was your week?  Eat too much????  Most of us have.  LOL!!!  Did you do any shopping?  Any great deals or bargains?  Have you decorated yet?

Look forward to hearing from you all!!!!

Stay safe and healthy and know I pray for each of you daily.

Blessings from my humble little home to you and yours!

****************************

But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and know all these things will be given to you as well.

Matthew 6:33

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

Matthew 5:6

Dear Lord, help us to realize our main goal on this earth is to follow You, and Your kingdom will be ours someday.  Let us know and understand that You will provide for us, and You know what we need.  Guide and direct us in our daily ways, so that we honor You instead of looking for earthly things to fill our heart and soul.  When we feel lost and empty, fill our lives with Your love and guidance.

Amen

Now the Countdown Begins!!!

 Happy Friday and happy day after!!!!!!!!  I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving yesterday.  I know many still haven't had their get together and will be doing so in the next couple of days.  ENJOY

I spent yesterday with one branch of my family.  Lots of food, lots of family and lots of SNUGGLES!! Yes, there was lots of snuggles with those 'littles'.  Remi is just a chatterbox.  Everyone was so worried when she was 'late' in talking.  I told them she would talk when she had something to say!  Welp, that is now the case!  She is just a little active and chatty doll baby!  In spite of all her medical problems - she is just incredibly active and funny.  Adi - is still pretty bashful and she felt bad a lot of yesterday.  She slept for a long time - then when she woke we chatted and played dolls!  Layla - she wasn't sure about everyone - very bashful.  She has gotten so big!  But she had fun with Remi.  Miles - well what can I say - just a smiley, wide eyed cuddle bug!!!!!!!  Aden is now older (8) and he just wants to hang out with the big guys!!

My great niece and gr.gr. niece both mentioned Glen at different times and we told stories and laughed and cried a little.  So, he was there too! 💕💔

Today many will be out shopping!  NOT me.  I am staying away from all the crazies out there (no offense).  I have a turkey bird in the oven and I brought home a lot of sides from my nieces.  She had sooooooo much food.  Her family will be eating good for a few days and lots of people took home food as well.

Many spend this weekend decorating for Christmas.

THAT is where the countdown starts!!!!!  ONE MONTH from today is Christmas.  YIKES!  It will be here in a minute and then it will be New Year's!

It sure is hard to believe that Christmas will be here that soon.  I need to get busy!

I am going to start putting together my gift bags this weekend, just to see what I have on hand and what I need to do and get.

I still need to get stuff for the littles - but not this weekend.  I will wait for the mad dash to be over and maybe go out next week.  I have 2 eye appointments next week, so I will be out and about any way.

Tomorrow is small business Saturday!  IF you need to go out and shop - please try to remember the smaller places and the small guy.  They NEED your money - not the big corporations.

I hope you all had a great day yesterday.  What is on the agenda for you on this Black Friday and weekend after?

So thankful for all my friends here!!!!!!

EDIT!!!!!!!  IF you have cable TV - check your listings.  Many cable companies are offering FREE premium channels ALL weekend long.  Good way to DVR some movies for a cold winter day of watching.  I have Direct TV and channels 500 - 573 is all the FREE stuff.  Check out your provider!

ENJOY Your Family

The big turkey day is upon us here in the U.S..  

I hope you all have safe travels if you must go away.  Enjoy your families and friends.  Enjoy your bounty - whatever it may be.  Take a moment to say a word of thanks for ALL that you DO have, instead of concentrating or complaining on what you don't have.

Keep a grateful heart.

Sure things could be better, and that has been true every single day I have been on this earth! It isn't something new.  There are good times and bad times - yet here we are!  We have survived, and we will continue to be OK.  FAITH is what keeps us going.

Stay safe, stay healthy and ENJOY.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING to each of you and your families.

After the feast - something to get you in the mood for Christmas!!!!!  Always fun - for the kid in all of us.  Check your local listings!

I will be back Friday with a new post!

Other Uses for Those Thanksgiving Leftovers!

 It is that time of the year again.  Everyone cooks too much, eats too much, and has too many leftovers!  That is OK - enjoy!

The nice part is that for many in the U.S. it is a shorter work week, many go shopping, many will decorate, and many will relax and enjoy some down time.  In all that - it is nice to have extra food on hand so as not to have prepare a lot of new things.

You can re-invent your leftovers into all kinds of goodies.

I always look forward to a cold turkey sandwich with mustard!!!!  Yep, one of my favorite things.

TURKEY

You can chop or shred and season up and use in tacos or burritos or enchiladas

Soup or stew - white chili

Grilled turkey and cheese sandwiches - YUM

Wraps - add turkey, cranberries, or turkey and veggies

Casseroles - Shepherd's pie

Turkey salad

Noodles or dumplings with turkey

Make your own stuffed hot pockets - no limit to what you can put in them

Stir fry or fried rice

Turkey, rice and cheese

OR slice or chop and freeze for futures meals

There is no limits to what you can use turkey for - anything that you would use chicken for!

**(don't forget to make that bone broth with the carcass!!!)**

DRESSING

Place a dollop or two in the waffle iron.  This is one of my favorites as well.  It is soft on the inside and browned and harder on the outside.

Fry into patties

Add to ground meat as an extender for a special meatloaf

POTATOES

Potato cakes - another favorite of mine for leftover potatoes!

Topping on a Shepherd's pie or casserole.  Use on top of casserole - top with shredded cheese and Yum

Potato candy

Potato bread - same with sweet potatoes

You can also FREEZE leftover potatoes and dressing.  Place amounts in a buttered muffin tin and freeze.  Pop out and place in a bag for later.  You have individual portions all ready to heat back up!

CRANBERRIES

Add to Jello or creamy pudding/cheesecake

Place a dollop on your sandwich

MAKE cranberry mayo!!!

Mix 1 C Mayo

1/2 C cranberry sauce

1 Tbs. cider vinegar

There you have it.  Just a few ideas to extend those wonderful leftovers into new things.  No need to get bored of the same thing.  Mix it up, experiment and have fun.

Do you have a fun and creative way to re-make those tasty morsels????

Let us all know!

Have fun and ENJOY!

Weekly Wrap-Up 11/20

 Howdy doody friends!  Thanksgiving week here in the U.S.  My goodness, it sure did sneak up!!  Well, I guess it didn't, but it just doesn't seem possible that we are this close to the end of the year.  

I plan on going to my gr. nieces this Thursday, for a dinner with my brother's family.  I will cook a turkey (smaller one) here at home on Friday.  I will NOT be going out shopping that day!  I have in the past - and well, that just isn't for me anymore!  There is a craft a big craft show on Saturday at a high school nearby - MAYBE - but not holding my breath on that either.  LOL

It is NOT just about A day - being thankful should happen every day!  It is not about a meal - it is about being grateful for ALL things EACH day no matter where you live!!!!!

Early in the week I saw Rockie the racoon and Opie the opossum out and about.  I think the past couple nights have just been too cold.  It has gotten frigid at night.  When it warms, I will try to catch and relocate Rockie!

We had record warmth the first part of the month - then BOOM it got cold!!!!  It is 15* as I type this.  Brrrr.  Friday and Saturday were really cold, but old Blackie just had to get his dose of natural vitamin D - LOL.  He went out and laid in the sun (what there was) both days for a bit.  They have sure been loving their heated bed and greenhouse!!!  Can't say I blame them.

Squirrels and birds have been very hungry and eating everything in sight!  They do love their heated birdbath!  Drinking a lot of water.

My week:

• I have been doing more cleaning - there is no end!
• Put out the winter door decoration on the warmer day
• Working on my nephew's blankie I am making
• Used up leftovers in new ways
• Was given 5 boxes of (30 ea.) Refresh eye drops from a friend.  Each little vile works 2X for me.  I can use these in between medicated drops (those end tomorrow - YAY) and anytime I need moisture.  This is brand recommended by eye doctor.
• I went out to lunch with a friend and then we went to Ollie's. This day brought about unexpected trials!!!!  It was cold this day - went to lunch and enjoyed.  I actually pulled into the wrong lot this day and was in the Goodyear lot not the restaurant (little wall in between).  Came out after lunch and my Blazer DID NOTHING!!!! Nothing at all.  Friend hung around to see what I might need.  I went in the Goodyear place and explained - the Manager came out and checked my Blazer.  The battery cables were very loose (still not sure how that happened).  He tightened and my car tried to start.  He gave some reason about anti-theft thing and car needed to set for a while to recover info to computer (his best guess).  Well, I had no knowledge of this, as my car is much older.  Anyway, we went off to Ollie's for a while and came back.  BOOM - it started right up!!!  I came home and got my maintenance manual out and he was RIGHT!  Had no idea.  So, he was a kind man, who helped me out for nothing, and I learned something that day.  (Didn't buy a thing that day).  All ended well - makes me think I was supposed to park in the wrong lot!!!!!!

I ran to Kroger the next day.  I got a couple of the digital deals.  Peanut butter - 1.29 jar (5).  Mayo and Miracle Whip - both 3.99 jar.  I found organic ground beef - 3 lb. (triple pack) for 6.99 on clearance and 4 jalapeno/pepperjack burgers (ea. huge) for 3.99.  Yellow squash .99 clearance bag.  Roma tomatoes (8) .99 clearance bag.  I also got supplies I was missing for my jar recipes and for 'puppy chow' recipe I make.  Items needed for the puppy chow stuff was in the clearance aisle!!!

• Did a light color touch-up on hair - using what I had on hand
• Laundry - using dehumidifier water
• Made waffles - froze some for later date
• Meals from home and scratch (except the one day) and drinks were water or tea

Meals this past week:

Homemade waffles topped with sliced banana and syrup

Beans & rice and salad

Cheeseburger soup (used leftover beans & rice) w/Fritos

Grilled cheese and tomato soup - Mmmmmm

Out to eat - Eggroll #1 restaurant

Center cut pork chops, potato & carrot in crockpot

Leftover pork chops turned into pulled BBQ pork sandwiches and salad

SNACKS - veggies and fruit, nuts, cheese and crackers

How are you all doing?  I sure hope none of you are in the path of the HUGE snow that dumped in the upper East.  Man o man - what a lot of snow.  Are you all set for Thanksgiving?  Did you get of the good deals that have been going for the holidays?  Sure is the time to stock up on many things.

I will be back on Tuesday - leftover ideas!

Wednesday - a quick post and then I will be back on Friday!

I hope you are all safe, warm and healthy!!!!  Stay safe and always be prepared when traveling for cold weather.  Have those extra hats, gloves and blankies in the car just in case.

Blessings from my humble little home to you and yours.

************************

Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good.  For His mercy endures forever.

Psalm 118:1

Dear Lord, we thank You for each and every gift and blessing we receive.  Thank You for always being with us, even when we fail and falter.  Your love is always with us.  Help us each to live our lives the best we can, avoid sin and to always look for the good in things and people.  Thank You, as Your mercy never fails.

Amen

Gifts From the Heart and Home - PART 2

 Today is round 2 of heart and homemade gifts - mainly non-food.  It feels fitting this morning to type this.  It is COLD, dusting of snow and cloudy out.  Brrrrr

There are so many fun things one can do - that cost little if no money.  I know (again) that not everyone appreciates these kind of gifts - yet, that is a concept I just do not understand.  Many very special items can be gotten from local artists and crafters.  Watch the craft shows or go to area shops.  These people greatly appreciate your business and they also provide some wonderful gifts.

MAKING THINGS

Reuse things to make new things.  Do you have an old tattered and worn quilt?  Turn that into stuffed ornaments, a table runner, a tree skirt, a teddy bear, drink coasters, throw pillows, a lap quilt, etc.

Old vintage tablecloths can become aprons, table runners, napkins, dish towels, etc.

Old t-shirts?  It is a thing to make guilts or bed coverings from old t-shirts.  They may be sports themed, groups, or even computer game themed.  They are easy to make.  Cut the main section of shirt in large squares - sew together, and back.  I have had several of these requested by family.  **Make sure it is OK to cut those shirts first!!!!!

Here is one I made for a gr. gr nephew.  Grade school through high school sport shirts made into a quilt for his bed at college.  He loved it!!!!

OLD CLOTHES - make anything.  Hand pieced quilts, pillows, stuffed animals, lap throws, anything you can imagine.  It is a great way to pass on some clothing pieces from loved ones gone - a little keepsake.

                               Make a cute hot pad/mitt and gift with a spatula and a recipe!

                                                           Made from vintage linens

RECIPES - pass on those family recipes.  Make a lovely handwritten recipe book for younger family members.  All of grandma, mom, and aunties favorite recipes!  Those little 4x6 or 5x7 picture albums you can get at the dollar stores are great for this.  Plastic sheets to protect those recipes.  Don't let the family recipes die when you do!!!!!!!!

Do you have a special HANDWRITTEN recipe from grandma or mom - make color copies of it and frame it for the recipient!!!!  What a fun kitchen gift.

HEIRLOOMS

Pass on family heirlooms to those who may appreciate them in the future.  It can be anything.  Salt & pepper shakers, a piece of silver, dishes, a pretty vase, a piece of artwork, a knife, a fishing pole, etc.

Frame a love letter or vintage card from the past.

Maybe you have an old wedding dress or christening gown that is way beyond being useful.  Cut some lace and frame.  Make an angel for their tree or any type of ornament.

CROCHET or KNIT

Homemade scarves, gloves, hats, socks, afghans, lap throws, booties, etc. are sure wonderful to receive.  Mom made sure each of her kids and grandkids all got at least one handmade afghan over the years.  She crocheted them all.  They are cherished by all.

OLD pictures or family pictures.  You can get one of those digital picture frames and download pictures from the past or even recent pictures.  They are really neat and it is easy if you have your pictures saved digitally.  We one year scanned old, old pictures and made CD's for everyone of all the pictures.  

GAMES - never underestimate the fun of a board or card game for the family.  It can sure provide a lot of fun on a cold and snowy day.

FOR KIDS - A snowman kit!  Find the perfect sticks for arms, a hat and scarf, big old buttons, and whatever may be needed to make a snowman they make "all dressed" and ready for viewing!!!!!!

Dress-up box.  How fun?  Can be things you have around the house or hit up the nearest thrift store.

Kits to make a birdhouse or a terrarium.........

EXPERIENCES

Take someone out for coffee or sweets.  A simple trip to a bookstore or craft store.  Museums, miniature golf, an adventure at the orchard, a play or concert, a cooking lesson (per yesterday's comments), a spa day or a mani or pedi.  There is no end to what you can do.  An elderly or handicapped neighbor or relative - a gift of shoveling, house cleaning, errand running, a homemade meal a week/month, etc. OR just a VISIT and listening and being together!!!!!!!

Don't forget local ARTISANS!  Look for unique items specific to the recipient.  There are just so many neat things that can be had from local folks.  Maybe even a gift certificate from a local farm market, or dairy or beekeeper or orchard or garden shop.  THINK - there are so many options out there.

Take a little time to really think about the recipient.  What might they enjoy that doesn't come from a big box store.

We can all throw money at the stores and just get 'something'.  It takes a lot of caring and love to find a special gift for someone.

Have fun with this.  Give the gift of love!

What are your ideas?

Gifts From the Home and Heart - Part 1

 Promised I would do a post or two about homemade and loved gifts.  You can be as complicated and spendy as you want OR you can do easy and simple.

It seems that the gifts I give that are the most loved (with my family) contains food!!!!!!  I know not all people are so accepting of food gifts.  I am thrilled that my family enjoys these things.  Now, not all of the food is homemade.

I listen to what people say all year.  What are some of their favorite things, what are things they won't buy themselves, what are their favorite treats.

We have a couple types of cookies that Mom used to make.  Spritz and Springerle.  I have taken over on the task of making them for those that love them.  It only happens at Christmas, which makes them extra special.  Fudge - not everyone enjoys making it - I find it kind of fun.

                                                                         Springerle

                                          Fudge, banana bread and Mom's recipe - pecan pie

There is also homemade salsa, homemade grape jelly, and just about anything I can.  It is always a hit.

I have done things differently in different years.  I have made up themed foodie baskets.  Homemade pizza sauce, canister of Parmesan cheese, dough mix, pepperoni, etc.  A basket or strainer with pasta, homemade pasta sauce, cheese, and a spaghetti 'spoon'.  Salsa, chips and cheese dip.

I listen.  Sis and brother get a bag of all kinds of goodies.  They love easy soup mixes, sis loves canned asparagus (seldom buys), she loves jarred chipped beef (won't spend the money), they both love Spam (flavored) - yep, all those things get added to the salsa, jelly, cookies, etc.

I also buy gift cards for groceries for some of the younger ones having a hard time.  Grocery or gas cards can be quite helpful in these days of higher prices.  You can get Target, WM, Meijer, even Kroger (they have super stores) - that sell everything from soup to clothes.  They can get what they need.

Rural King, Menards, etc. are also fun - they sell all kinds of things.  Clothes, food, pet products, critter feed, home maintenance, you name it.

It is all about knowing your person and what they may need.

Teens can be tough.  Most of mine LOVE money and gift cards.  They like gift cards for fast food places - they can use these when out having fun with friends.  A quick bite after getting off work or out of school.  I also do gas cards.

Now I have teens that still like 'presents' too.  Again, I listen and get what they like.  It is quite a hodge podge of things.  One LOVES dill pickles of all sorts - always gets a couple jars in their bag.  One loves Cheese-Its - there are always a couple boxes included.  They like Slim Jims, sour candies and jerky.  Fuzzy socks makes one squeal every year, and fleece jammy pants.

I like getting some cheaper plates (decorative) at the thrift store or at yard sales.  I fill those with cookies and candies.  I put a little note on the bottom - that the plate should be kept or re-gifted to another - spread the love.  Nicer than paper plates.

Last year I got a great niece and her family a funnel cake kit and the mix - later on her son (7) said that was one of the neatest gifts they got.  They made them together had a ball - and he loved them!  How fun is that to hear from a little one?  This year - 'part' of family gift is an Ugly Sweater cookie kit!  Cost 4.99 at Aldi.  It is just neat to get things that the littles can help make and the family can all enjoy.

A couple cookbooks for baskets of nieces (2.99 at Ollie) specific to each gal, nephew LOVES pistachios (these were on clearance!), sis's asparagus, ugly sweater cookie kit, filled hard candy that brother and SIL like (old fashioned).  Just a few of the things I am accumulating for gift baskets.

I also made my own version of 'puppy chow' or 'reindeer feed' (whatever you call it) last year.  Teen guys got a big bag of it and a gas card.  They all loved the goodies and said they were hiding it, so no one else could eat.  It had Chex cereal, M & M's, nuts, dried fruit, little pretzels and whatever else I could find - drizzled with white and brown chocolate - then sprinkled with powdered sugar!  It was a hit!!!!!!

Mainly made with things I had on hand!

When working - tea lovers got a nice teacup (thrifted) and several bags of flavored tea bags and a little bottle of honey - was great for cold days and them taking their breaks.  Others got a mug and hot chocolate mix.

I often make chocolate stirrers.  Plastic spoons - dipped in melted chocolate - let it dry and bundle several in baggie.  Great for stirring coffee or hot chocolate.  You can also partially dip smaller peppermint sticks - they are fun to use as well. These were fun at the office as well.  Each year was something different.

LISTEN and pay attention to peoples likes.  Sure, you can do food items that are more expensive.  I have received those boxed steaks before (wonderful), you can buy a ham or turkey for someone.  Last year I received several pounds of home ground sausage !  Oh YUM!

We all have to eat!!!!!!!!

Do you have any foodie ideas that are hits?  

I tell you, I know it isn't for everyone (some people are just not grateful) - but give me food, and I am one happy camper!!!!!!!!

Share your food and goodie ideas.

TOMORROW - non-food homemade and from the heart!!!!!