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Author: jehdld

Happy Homemaker Monday, Thanksgiving Week

HappyHomemakerMonday 8 Comments

Are you ready for turkey day? I had a brief moment of panic this morning when I couldn’t locate my cranberry sauce recipe but thankfully, I found it. Back from a quick early morning grocery store trip (not too busy yet, whew!) and ready to plan the rest of the week. 

Time to join in with Sandra over at Diary Of A Stay At Home Mom and the other fabulous bloggers who participate in the weekly link up.

The Weather

It’s been COLD (for November). Back to normal this week with highs in the upper 40’s/low 50’s. Think they added a chance of rain for either Friday or Saturday. That single digit wind chill stuff was more typical of January/February for us.

As I Look Outside My Window

Putting a different spin on this today. Outside this window, I also have a window open with Bloglovin’ pulled up, a post from My Scandinavian Home, and my Yahoo e-mail. Outside the other windows, the sun is shining in a blue sky and the birds are chirping.

Thinking And Pondering

Where the year went. Why I did so poorly at my 22 for 2022 list. And things I’d like to do to get ready for the Advent.

How I Am Feeling This Morning

Not too bad, slept pretty good. A bit frustrated though as I broke my glasses yesterday. And apparently getting in for an eye-exam is not a same day appointment kind of thing. SIGH. Sam’s club is going to be my last call and then, I’ll just schedule a real appointment somewhere for next week. (My husband taped my glasses together with duct tape for the moment, stylish!)

On The Breakfast Plate

Apple cinnamon instant oatmeal, vitamins, coffee. And more coffee in the form of an Irish Cream cold brew from Starbucks in the grocery store. Pretty sure that one is my favorite of their holiday drinks.

On The Lunch Plate

A sandwich of some sort, chips, maybe grapes or pepper slices.

On The Dinner Plate

Plan tonight is for ham steaks, salad, cornbread. May make potatoes if I feel ambitious.

What I’m Wearing Today

Light purple (not light enough to be called lilac) long sleeved shirt, navy blue leggings, and tennis shoes.

On My Reading Pile

I broke down and read a Christmas book early. If you need light, feel good, escape to the UK or Scotland type stories, read something by Donna Ashcroft. Most her books are on Kindle Unlimited if you have that. I just finished Snowflakes and Secrets in the Scottish Highlands. Probably going to have to have a re-read of some of her books in December. Right now, I’ve just started a new book by a new to me author, Christmas at the Island Hotel. It’s written by Jenny Colgan and somehow I’ve picked up another book set in Scotland. Also, didn’t realize it was 4th in a series. Oops.

On My TV

Mostly Doctor Who. I do, however, plan to make a list of 25 Christmas movies to watch starting on December 1 (or maybe a tiny bit earlier). And of course, how ’bout them….CHIEFS! They certainly like to keep us on the edge of ours seats around here. Hoping the next game YAWN might be at noon though.

On The Menu

As much as I enjoy the holidays, they do make menu planning a bit of a pain. Well, it’s a bit of a pain anyway.

MONDAY: ham steaks, salad, corn bread *J has a lesson at 6:30*

TUESDAY: Tacos *I work 7-3:30*

WEDNESDAY: chicken sausage, broccoli, orzo skillet *I work 7:30-4*

THURSDAY: Thanksgiving at my brother’s house with turkey/ham/fixings. I’m bringing homemade cranberry relish and chocolate meringue pie.

FRIDAY: Leftovers

Looking Around The House

Ugh. Needs tidying/cleaning.

On My To Do List

  1. Grocery store *DONE*
  2. Make eye appointment (get new glasses, way overdue)
  3. Take J for a hair cut (his request)
  4. Write and schedule a couple blog posts
  5. Wash bedding *in progress*
  6. Take stock of stocking stuffers
  7. Make cranberry sauce and chocolate pie (probably do this on Thursday as dinner isn’t until 4)
  8. change out bathroom shower curtain/bedding for holiday stuff
  9. Start watering the amaryllis again, somehow I have 3!
  10. All the other stuff I can’t remember right now

From The Camera

I went back to the same park as last week, these photos are mostly from a different section of it. It really is a very big park. And I’m so excited to share the bird I saw this time (I’m going to make you wait until Wednesday for that). 

Quote For The Week

And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called to one body. And be thankful. (Colossians 3:15)

 

Five on Friday: Holiday Thoughts and Other Things

Chitchat 8 Comments

Thought I’d just do a Five on Friday today. It’s been a while. Here it’s a freezing Friday with single digit wind chills. The actual temperature is something like 19 degrees, I think. Good day to do inside things. So happy next week is supposed to be back to normal November weather around here.

First: Thanksgiving Plans Sorted

It’s been a bit of a week between J’s birthday, my husband’s hunting, and G having a bit of car trouble. However, my brother sent me a text last night and we’re going to go over there for Thanksgiving. I’m contributing cranberry sauce (homemade, no cans here!) and a chocolate meringue pie. Both easy things, which is great as I agreed to work a full day next Wednesday.

I’m so happy to have plans for Thanksgiving and be seeing family. All our family won’t be there, just my brother hosting, my other brother, and then some of my sister-in-law’s side. A few others may or may not show. My sister and brother are still at odds, so I won’t see her or her family or my other brother who lives in Texas. I keep saying other brother and thinking of the Bob Newhart show though none of my brothers are named Larry or Darryl:

Second: Follow Through Friday

Back when I blogged over at So Not Organized, I thought I might be rich and  famous for my “real life” organizing. Pausing a moment for us both to enjoy a laugh at that one. A feature I often had was “Follow Through Friday” which I now realize is basically just the Fly lady anti-procrastination day but on a Friday instead of a Wednesday. So basically, I’m spending some time today to get some tasks I’ve been avoiding checked off the list. Cleaning off the kitchen table, the sofa, finding time to look at the blender my husband bought me, bill paying, laundry, etc.

Third: Three Nice Things from The Week

  1. I’ll start with this sunrise from Monday. Have I mentioned it enough how much I enjoy the sunrise being at a normal time again? 
  2. The restaurant where we ate for J’s birthday gave him his meal for free. Super nice! I really wish I’d liked the food a bit better but the red sauce on the pasta was too sweet for me. My eggplant parmigiana was great though.
  3. When I worked on Wednesday afternoon, a student told me that I was one of his very favorite teachers. And one of the more “spirited” students at that. Warmed my heart quite a bit.

Fourth: Too Many Sales

Warning: Grouchy rant ahead. As I glanced at the papers while cleaning off the kitchen table (just the free Wednesday grocery ads), I noticed a Lowes flyer for a Black Friday sale. Except it ended the day before Thanksgiving? Wait, what?

So many early Black Friday sale confuse me. Is the better price now or do I wait until after Thanksgiving? It’s too much. And all these one day sales (looking at you Bath and Body Works) lose my business rather than gain it. Give me a day or two to ponder things.

Tis the time of year to remind myself: There’ll always be another sale.

Ranting about it all because I’m moving into Christmas mode and starting to think about what gifts to give to the family.

Fifth: Random Stuff

Starting with another photo from my walk last Sunday.

Starting with last week, I’m planning to go for a walk at least once every week, weather permitting. Mentally prepping my Winter Wednesday posts as well.

I saw a blog post as I was messing around doing research on Pinterest where they stated the winter season November to April. Um, maybe because I live somewhere we can have all the seasons in one week (and often do) or I’m too technical…that time span seemed so wrong.

Technically it’s December 20 to March 20 in these parts. However, I’m not opposed to giving into saying it starts in December. However, I’m going to give a firm no to it stretching to April (even if we’ve seen snow on the 1st day of that month and sometimes even in May).

What time frame do you consider winter?

And with that question I’ll conclude this rambling mess of a blog post.

 

 

 

Bridges and Birds

Birdwatching Chitchat Just Photos 2 Comments

And maybe a few random thoughts. As I mentioned Monday, I went for a walk at one of my favorite parks on Sunday afternoon. It felt nice (though a bit chilly) to get out the camera again on a walk. 

The weather did come as expected on Monday night, not too much snow.  However, it’s still cold this morning as we’re sitting at 24 degrees with NW winds making it feel like 18.  Next week, seems to be back to normal. Definitely thankful for that!

Killdeer

Sometimes I see these little birds at this park but not always. They’re usually pretty shy so I was happy (with the help of the zoom lens) to get some semi-decent pictures.

I also saw a rather large group of doves. It was fun to capture them all in flight when I was trying to determine what they were.

Doves

Not the best pictures of the doves because we have these in the backyard so I wasn’t too excited once I saw them properly.

We also have lots of sparrows in the backyard but I never realized until I started seriously bird-watching how many different types of sparrows existed. I think but very well could be wrong that this little bird below is a song sparrow.

Sparrow

Sometimes without the high end zoom on a camera it’s hard to get a decent shot (and of course, if I had said high end zoom, then it requires a tripod to get a stable shot and that’s too technical for me). Here are couple of shots that needed better zoom and/or more cooperative birds.

Hide and Seek

some type of sparrow hiding here
You have to search but there are 2 Cedar Waxwings in each of the  photos.

The Random Bits Plus Another Bridge Photo

Clearly, I don’t do well with the concept of wordless Wednesdays.

Anyway, a bit of fun about this park. It used to be an old race track so it’s quite large and tends to feel empty. It’s been a work in progress for years probably.

I have a terrible nickname for it of “Serial Killer Central” (Note: I’ve never really felt unsafe here, just need to use common sense). However, now they’re doing this:

Gonna need to find a new nickname, I suppose. At least the parking here will be better (I hope).

Today is anti-procrastination day in Fly lady land. I’m off to clean up a bit around the house, pay some bills, and work. Later, I’ll deal with the last task on my anti-procrastination list and call my brother to see if there are any Thanksgiving plans out there.

What are your plans for this Wednesday?

 

Happy Homemaker Monday, Milestone Week

HappyHomemakerMonday 12 Comments

Well, this week marks a milestone for us. After Tuesday, I’ll officially be the mom of adult children. Yikes! Of course, I guess I should say young adults because research shows our brains aren’t even fully developed until the mid to late 20’s. 

However, before all that, perhaps I’ll just focus on the planning of the week. Joining in with Sandra over at Diary Of A Stay At Home Mom.

The Weather

Not as cold but still too cold for the 2nd week in November. Getting cloudy and cooler. AND we’re under a winter weather advisory starting later tonight. It’s supposed to start raining tonight, then change over to snow! Highs in the low to mid 30’s most the week but morning lows in the upper teens. I’m so confused, this is not our typical November weather.

As I Look Outside My Window

Probably lots of annoyed birds (and squirrels) because I’m out of bird seed. Menards is next on my to-do list this morning.

Thinking And Pondering

Our Thanksgiving plans. Still up in the air. And I guess it’s the weather, I’m also looking ahead to Christmas and thinking about gifts. I saw some really cute coffee mugs (Golden Girls on them) at the grocery store and am debating them for gifts for one of my friend groups. They weren’t super expensive.

We don’t normally do gifts so I’m in that place between “these would be so fun!” and not wanting to hear some that would probably be upset at getting a gift because “we don’t do gifts/I didn’t get anyone anything/etc.” Probably overthinking the whole thing really.

How I Am Feeling This Morning

Not too bad though this cold weather was making me a bit achy. Definitely not feeling old enough to have a son turning 18 tomorrow. (The new sub at work told me she thought I was in my 30’s so I’m feasting on that compliment for another week or two)

On The Breakfast Plate

Had the new usual of oatmeal yesterday so this morning I went ahead and ate a cinnamon sugar swirl bagel. And I’ve drank way too much coffee plus a flat white mocha from the grocery store Starbucks. Need to take my vitamins still.

On The Lunch Plate

Not sure yet. Either soup (I finally cleaned/organized our pantry!) or just a pbj.

On The Dinner Plate

Depending on the weather, I might grill pork chops early or if not, probably just turkey sausages and chips, fruit (My husband and J will cut their turkey sausages up and cook them with hash browns, G and I will eat ours on a bun)

What I Am Wearing Today

I was thinking it’s a good thing this isn’t a Friday question or the answer would pretty much always be the same since during football season, every Friday is red Friday for Chiefs fans. However, today I’m wearing a long-sleeved black tee-shirt, jeans, and tennis shoes.

On My Reading Pile

Here’s a new answer. Nothing. Just a few magazines. I’ll need to find a book before J’s lesson tonight though.

On My TV

If you have Netflix and are looking for something lighter, I highly suggest watching Blockbuster. It’s a shorter comedy series about the last Blockbuster store. Other than that, still working my way through Doctor Who, trying very hard to give Jodie Whittaker a chance but at this point not overly impressed. I actually like the companions in this series better. Football, of course. Hoping to actually catch The Masked Singer on Wednesday. And I still need to get back to The Walking Dead.

On My Menu

Banana cinnamon crumb muffins I made on Saturday

This week is thankfully a little less busy than last week.

MONDAY: turkey sausages or pork chops, depending on the weather (want to grill the pork chops so if it’s raining I’ll skip it but if not, maybe) *J has a lesson at 6:30*

TUESDAY: J’s requested Fettucine Alfredo for his birthday dinner and I have no idea. I bought a jarred sauce (I’ll have to make red sauce for my husband who won’t eat alfredo sauce). Or we might go out to a restaurant. Depends on the weather a bit. Cookie cake. *J’s 18th birthday*

WEDNESDAY: Whichever meal I don’t make today, I’ll do on Wednesday. *I work 1:30-5:30*

THURSDAY: Chili *I work 11:30-5*

FRIDAY: Pizza, leftovers, or OUT

Looking Around The House

It’s not awful but my husband is due back from hunting today so I don’t even want to think about what it’ll look like after he unloads all the stuff he took.

On My To Do List

  1. Grocery Store *DONE*
  2. Menards for bird seed
  3. This post *In progress*
  4. Clean the bathrooms/fly lady missions
  5. Water plants
  6. Figure out our Thanksgiving plans
  7. Finish laundry (most of it is done)
  8. Tasks on my other list (I’m trying something new and following along with Diane in Denmark’s holiday planning lists)
  9. Wrap J’s birthday present/maybe look into getting him one more small present
  10. Pay bills due at end of month (just a couple that came in after I paid everything else)

From The Camera

Since the sun was shining yesterday and I knew they were predicting yucky weather for the next few days, I skipped out on the 2nd half of the Chiefs game to go for a walk. Most the photos in this post are from my walk. I’ll probably share more of my bird photos (ones actually in focus) on Wednesday but I was so excited to see one of my very favorites, a cedar waxwing!

Quote For The Week

This is the day the Lord had made; We will rejoice and be glad in it. (Psalm 118: 24)

Sleepy Saturday

Chitchat Week in Review 4 Comments

Um, I just learned something new as I started this post. And it has a new title because of it. I wondered why the red squiggle line was under the first word of my title. Sleepy is fine obviously.

I started to call this post “snoozy” Saturday. Um, turns out that word doesn’t mean exactly what I thought it means in all circles. I thought it meant sleepy and drowsy and according to the normal dictionary it still does. However, in the urban dictionary it has some entirely different (and not so appropriate) definitions. Oh my, I AM old. Anyway, post title switched to Sleepy Saturday. 

Why is it a sleepy Saturday?

First, It was a long week

Not a bad week, just a long one. Remember way back in Monday’s post when I thought it was going to be a busy week? I wasn’t wrong. For the first time in some time, I ended up working every day. Originally, I had Tuesday but ended up working a half-day that started early. Add in taking J to his lesson Monday night and a fun night out with friends on Wednesday. And waking up at 4:00AM for every day of it. Not on purpose, our little gray cat doubles as an alarm with only one setting.

Work wasn’t bad as I was in my favorite classroom for most of it but it’s still tiring working with preschool kids. Thankfully, we were able to be outside a lot during the week prior to the cold front moving into our area. And that brings us to the next thing in the making of this lazy day.

The Weather

Perhaps all those people putting up Christmas lights and trees (I did see one all lit up in someone’s window as I drove home on Thursday evening) triggered something. It went from 70 degrees on Wednesday evening to a cool, rainy Thursday. The temperature went from 50 to 45 degrees as I drove home that evening (and just for your reference, I’m talking about a 10 minute drive). Yesterday, we woke up to cold, felt like it was in the 20’s though the actual temperature was in the mid-30’s.

This morning, it was so cold that I had to turn on the Netflix fireplace (and bump the actual heat up a bit)! The little gray cat stayed out only a few minutes. The temperature was in the 20’s but felt like 14 degrees. It’s cloudy and dreary out. I’m not supposed to be freezing while filling bird feeders in November. Feeling this funny:

Photo found on “My Crazy Page” on Facebook.

 

That said, if you want to put up your Christmas decorations, go ahead. To each their own. I guess the weather is right for it anyway.

Holiday Planning

And it’s not as if I’m not thinking about the holidays at all. It’s just we have a November birthday to do first (J turns 18 on Tuesday! Yikes. When did that happen?)

My simple holiday plans so far:

  1. The boys (and husband) are going to write down 5 things they want for Christmas or for every blank space on the list, they’ll be getting underwear. They might get underwear anyway but just not as much if I get an actual idea or two out of them.
  2. In looking for the mini Keurig, I found my Christmas journal from 2021. Nice surprise (so much for the Rudolph day celebrations/planning for 2022 though. Oops!). Reminded me I wanted to do a Christmas tree theme for decorating this year. Based on a stack of Christmas tree mugs I picked up on clearance last year.
  3. If we end up having Christmas at home again, I definitely need to plan the food better. And for my own sanity, make everyone commit to a time to start things.

The holiday planning makes me think I also need to do a bit of blog post planning…

Blog Posts I Want to Write and Share Soon

I’ve been striving (not always successfully) to post abut 3-4 times a week. I’d like to continue that but sometimes I have ideas when it’s not convenient to sit down and write. Here are some of those ideas that have been swirling about in my mind lately.

  1. Keurig vs Coffee Maker. If you’re wondering why I was actually looking for the Keurig, it’s because I only use it when my husband is off hunting.
  2. A series: Winter Wednesdays, I really do want to do this. I want to work on embracing winter by doing something to celebrate it each Wednesday of the season.
  3. Sharing my fall/winter holiday reading list. I try to move from thrillers to “lighter” selections for the holiday season.

I do have more but should probably get back to accomplishing some household chores today while all is quiet around here. Mostly, I’m just focusing on laundry today (so I can watch tv and fold clothes, ha!).

What are your plans for this Saturday?

 

 

 

Sunny Autumn Day and Thankful Thursday (Two For One Post)

Birdwatching Just Photos Thankful Thursday 2 Comments

Full on working day yesterday and I wasn’t wrong about this week being busy. Had an early morning work day Tuesday as well, a half-day, voted, then worked in the yard. These photos are extras from Sunday that I didn’t have time to edit before my HHM post. Hope you enjoy!

I snapped these while working in the yard, had taken a break to grab the photo of the bunny I did share in Monday’s post.

A fall hydrangea bloom? And it’s still vibrant and pink…

Can’t walk in the front or back yard now without hearing the crunching of the

LEAVES

Still a few on the trees on Sunday, the Oak tree leaves (and the neighbor’s gum tree leaves, not pictured) are always the last trees to become bare.

And of course, the birdfeeders are kept busy with our constant stream of

Backyard Birds

Never did get a close enough look to determine the species of this silhouetted bird but still liked the photo.

These were taken in no coat (though long sleeved tee-shirt) weather. Still nice this morning, all changes tomorrow when our weekend highs are supposed to be the normal ones for January (36 degrees!), not November.

Thankful Thursday Things

So, this is a bit of a double post. I scheduled the above to publish yesterday morning but for whatever reason, it did not. I think the date on my blog doesn’t match the computer. Something to check into later. However, I’m just going to turn this into a 2 for 1 post. An early Black Friday deal but you don’t have to buy a thing!

A few Thankful Items From This Week
  1. Beautiful weather! The chance to get my wildflower garden seeds and spring bulbs planted.
  2. The right to vote
  3. The joy and laughs I get from working at a preschool. An election day gem: A parent arrived late saying she took her kids with her to vote. Told us how her 3 year old daughter was very confused when they got there because she didn’t see “the boat”. Ha! How fun would it be if we could go on a boat to vote!
  4. New adventures with old friends
  5. Light in the mornings again! (Apologies to my night owl friends but this is so much better!)
  6. And coffee (a staple of any time change)
  7. A good night’s sleep

My list is of course, longer but I’m stopping there today to keep this post from getting too long. What things are you thankful for this week?

 

 

 

Happy Homemaker Monday Except It’s Sunday

HappyHomemakerMonday 9 Comments

Happy the sunrise is at a reasonable time again day! I know, so many hate the dark nights but as a morning person I love having the sunrise before almost 8.  And, just have to say it again, the days get naturally shorter and longer.

Putting my post together on a Sunday because the week ahead looks to be a bit busy. I’ll link up either tomorrow evening or Tuesday with Sandra over at Diary Of A Stay At Home Mom so I can still join in the fun. Who knows maybe the week won’t be as busy as I think. However, I want to have a plan either way.

The Weather 

Well, weird. Saturday morning we had snow mixed with rain (thankfully, no sticking!) and today was absolutely beautiful with a high of about 60. Tomorrow, the temps climb up predicted to be in the mid 70’s and then, like a roller coaster…down we go! High of 77 Thursday falls to a high of 39 degrees on Friday. Whew! Of course, who knows what the weather will actually do.

As I Look Outside My Window

After starting this post earlier this morning, I went out and took advantage of the sun. Now, it’s dark outside.

Right Now

Trying to sneak in a bit more work on this post before taking J to band practice and myself to Target.

Thinking And Pondering

My work tomorrow (really trying to decide what to wear…deep thought I know), ideas on how I can perhaps eat a little better in November, and how to keep my e-mail inbox sorted.

How I Am Feeling

Pretty good. My back stopped hurting after Friday and I am so thankful for that. Hopefully, I won’t wake up with regrets about rototilling the wildflower garden area this afternoon.

On The Breakfast Plate

I’ve decided to trade in my usual flip yogurts for instant oatmeal all this month and see if I feel a bit better. Probably going to have to add a little extra protein item to it on work days though. Coffee, vitamins…the constants.

On The Lunch Plate

A BLT with the last semi-full sized summer tomato from the garden. It was good, too.

On The Dinner Plate

My husband cooked a ham and pork butt on the smoker but we ended up having pizza. (They weren’t ready in time)

What I’m Wearing Today

Long-sleeved Chiefs tee-shirt, jeans, tennis shoes

On My Reading Pile

Last week I finished two books that were quick thriller reads. All the Missing Girls by Megan Miranda didn’t really impress me. Oddly, I think this is the book of hers with the most hype but a lot of her other books are so much better. One of Those Faces by Elle Grawl was my free Amazon prime choice for November. It started out with a lot of promise before fizzling out at the end. I’ve just started The Dark Room by Lisa Gray, I generally really like her books so I’m hopeful.

On My TV

*UPDATE* It’s now Monday. Well, nothing to say here but How ‘Bout Those….Chiefs! Full confession: I had to take J to band practice so heard the beginning on the radio and then, SIGH, I fell asleep right as overtime started. Nice to wake up to a win though. Not much else, I’ve been working my way through Doctor Who.

On The Menu

Good question. No time for the store this morning.

Halloween leftovers

MONDAY: Either ham or pulled pork, asparagus if we have ham. I don’t think it goes with the pork. *J has a baritone lesson at 6:30* *I work 8-4:30*

TUESDAY: So far the only day I don’t work this week. Not sure, I know I’m planning to make an apple cake (finally) *Election Day*

WEDNESDAY: Something easy, maybe chicken sausage and orzo skillet *I work 8-4:30* *MNO*

THURSDAY: Something I can throw in the crock pot…roast? *I work 3-6*

FRIDAY: See above. Maybe spicy potato soup depending on what I make Thursday *I work 3-6*

(I’ll probably put together a better menu plan tomorrow after I go to the store later tonight)

Looking Around The House

PASS although it was mostly clean Saturday but then, it turns out we live here. SIGH.

On My To Do List

  1. Research what is on our local ballot by visiting Ballotpedia
  2. Mail SIL her birthday card
  3. Shop for J’s birthday (next week)
  4. Usual: Laundry and Grocery Store
  5. Plant rest of flower bulbs for spring blooms
  6. Whatever else I’ve forgotten

From The Camera

 

Quote For The Week

A bit of an odd place to find inspiration perhaps but this was on the Philosophy face cleanser sample I used this morning (unrelated, I really need to order more face cleanser as I’m almost out and down to using free samples).

Progress is baby steps, and little bits of momentum. These micro-moments make a lasting difference in our wellbeing.

 

********

 

November

Just Photos On My Mind 6 Comments

Our November is starting off with some beautiful fall weather. Warm, just a bit of a breeze. Breezier today than yesterday when these photos happened. Good weather for a quick hike in the woods at a local nature park. 

I know a lot of you have jumped forward to planning Thanksgiving and Christmas. However, I like to take the first week of November and simply pause. Catch my breath before the “big” holidays get going in full swing.

Seems like the time between holidays gets squished closer and closer together each year. I’m certainly not one for denying someone their joy if they want to put their Christmas tree up today (or leave it up year-round) but that’s not me. I read where the holiday drinks at Starbucks come out tomorrow.

All this, Christmas time is starting as soon as Halloween ends but we’ll give Thanksgiving 2 days doesn’t make sense to me. Whatever happened to the waiting? Isn’t the waiting part of what makes things special? I know some special city holiday lighting things need to happen (I guess) before Thanksgiving to fit them in on our calendars but personally, I miss the excitement of the waiting.

Whatever happened to the anticipation? I don’t want a peppermint mocha on November 3rd, I want to look forward to enjoying one properly after Thanksgiving.

Maybe it’s our unseasonably warm weather or perhaps I’ve become a cranky old lady (possibly both) but it seems the specialness of it all fades when we rush it along.

I’m taking a moment to breathe between my holidays? Care to join me? And I promise I’ll look the other way if you happen to have a peppermint mocha in your coffee cup.

 

Happy Halloween Homemaker Monday

HappyHomemakerMonday 14 Comments

Happy Halloween! It’s always a bit odd when Halloween falls on a Monday isn’t it?  My thoughts are certainly with the teachers for today and the rest of this week.

This morning, I’ve already ran to the grocery store and now I’m taking a moment to join in with Sandra over at Diary Of A Stay At Home Mom for the Happy Homemaker Monday weekly link up.

The Weather

It’s going to be a warm one for our trick-or-treaters tonight. A predicted high of 70 today! Highs in the upper 70’s all week until Friday when we have a 50% chance of some much needed rain. Supposed to be in the lows 60’s next week.

As I Look Outside My Window

I was watching the birds (and squirrels) at my bird feeders taking advantage of this beautiful morning. Somehow, the fallen leaves are now covering the yard. And the oak tree leaves are finally starting to change a bit more.

Thinking And Pondering

I’ve been so serious in this category lately, how about a little fun and silliness?

My radio announcers this morning were asking the question: If you could go trick or treating at 3 celebrity houses, who would you choose? So I’ve been thinking on that.

My choices: Ryan Reynolds (I just think his house would be fun!), Adam Sandler (again, somehow I think his house would be a fun Halloween one), and one of the Kardashian people (I’ve never seen their shows but I could use a make-over and wonder if they’d be handing out beauty product goody bags? I’ve been feeling the need for a make-over.)

Some local choices on the radio show were: Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, Paul Rudd, The Rock, Ryan Reynolds, Heidi Klum (I guess she does big Halloween parties?), and Kelly Clarkson.

Who would you choose?

How I Am Feeling This Morning

I’ve done something to my back and it started really hurting yesterday. It’d been hurting just a little all week. So I’m sitting here with one of those Thermacare heat wraps on it. Seems to be helping.

On The Breakfast Plate

Coffee, vitamins, more coffee in the form of a Starbucks white mocha toffee nut. It was a barista choice and very good! And a blueberry muffin (made from a box, leftover from yesterday).

On The Lunch Plate

Not sure yet but thinking maybe cheesy chicken nachos as we have leftover rotisserie chicken.

On The Dinner Plate

Current plan is homemade corndogs (carry over from last week), broccoli, chips, and Halloween brownies/cookies for dessert.

What I Am Wearing Today

A black tee-shirt with a black cat Halloween design, jeans, tennis shoes

On My Reading Pile

Working my way through The Winners by Frederik Bachman. He creates such amazing characters and slowly builds the plot. His style probably isn’t for everyone but I enjoy it.

On My TV

Over the weekend I watched a couple of Disney movies. The first, The Princess and the Frog, I’d never seen it. It was really good, I enjoyed the music and the story line a lot. A little different from the sing-song type movies of Disney. No idea why both my boys had seen this movie but not me. Then, I watched Lilo and Stitch, some younger teachers at work really like it and I couldn’t remember a lot about it. It was still just okay for me. I’ll probably watch a few Halloween movies today.

On My Menu This Week

These Target cookies! If you ever had/remember the old Venture stores and the bakery with the butter cookies. These are as close as I’ve ever had to those.

MONDAY: Homemade corn dogs, broccoli, chips, Halloween brownies/cookies *J has a baritone lesson at 5*

TUESDAY: Chicken enchiladas *I have a hair appt at 9:30*

WEDNESDAY: BLT’s, French Fries

THURSDAY: Spicy potato soup

FRIDAY: Leftovers or maybe OUT

Looking Around The House

It’s looking a little cluttered, I need to tidy/clean.

On My To Do List

This list is going to depend on how my back feels.

  1. Grocery store *DONE*
  2. Finish up laundry
  3. Clean House
  4. Pay Bills
  5. Finish Cleaning Yard up and plant spring bulbs
  6. Go get bird seed at Menard’s (probably take J with me to lift it)
  7. Trade out Halloween pumpkin decorations for fall/Thanksgiving turkey stuff
  8. Get a new frame for J’s Thanksgiving poem (old one broke)
  9. Bake brownies for dinner tonight
  10. Early holiday planning/maybe

From The Camera

I’m still sharing Arkansas pictures in this post (with the exception of the photos of the cookies and sunrise)

Quote For The Week

It’s not how much we give but how much love we put into giving. (Mother Teresa)

Thirty Minutes of Thankful

Thankful Thursday 2 Comments

I’ve got thirty minutes before I have to get serious about getting to work today. My schedule changed again so I worked yesterday morning and didn’t get a chance to post my Thankful Thursday.

Today, I’m working this morning, taking an extended break, and returning for the afternoon. Always something.

Just mostly photos (still from the Arkansas trip, phone photos, hopefully, no duplicates to what I already posted. No promises though) and a list today.

  1. Having a chance to getaway in October and spend time in a beautiful place with good friends.
  2. Great weather for the trip.
  3. All the time spent in nature
  4. And a chance to be near the water so much. Something about being near water is just soothing to my soul. I think this little creature liked the water as well.
  5. That are kids are of the age where we could leave them and not worry (at least not too much)
  6. Getting everything (finally) straightened out with J’s school. Mostly. They tell me I have to fill out forms.
  7. Super caring and understanding band director who is leaving a spot open for my son when he returns next semester.
  8. Wearing pajamas to work today. Hello, pajama day!
  9. The way the preschool kids at work make me laugh every single day I’m there. I do love those kids. (Love my own older boys here as well, of course)
  10. That J wanted to go practice driving yesterday and that we have a big empty parking lot nearby where he could do that.
  11. That the hibiscus survived when G put it outside to make room in the living room for a small friend gathering while we were away. Waiting to see about Lucinda the Lemon tree…she’s not looking so good.
  12. Also thankful G cleaned the house before and after their get-together. They’re all good kids so I wasn’t worried.
  13. Have I mentioned how thankful I am that we avoided the temptation to eat out and I actually cooked dinner every night this week? I do think I’ll pass on the corndogs and just do leftovers tonight.
  14. I’m also thankful that they’ve not found my Halloween candy stash and more importantly, that I’ve managed to stay out of it (mostly, ahem)
  15. And that I was inspired to pick my camera up again during our trip.

Okay, I had time for 15 things in 30 minutes but now I must get going if I’m to be on time for work. What things are you thankful for today?

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