Back to normal around here with posting a day late after a fairly busy weekend plus working last Friday and yesterday. Friday was just a typical workday though I had very little notice about getting there and it was a bit of a crazy day.

Saturday was my birthday! It was a nice day. We didn’t do too much as everyone was a little tired (and grumpy!) at times but enjoyed eating dinner out at a local Chinese buffet plus I finally got a pink donut for breakfast. 

I’d been craving one forever, no idea why. My family spoiled me properly with gifts plus an ice cream cake (and key lime pie).

Sunday, most of us (G needed to sleep) went to hear J play with his band during the church service. And then, in the afternoon, J and I went to a handbell concert at a different church. Finally, yesterday I worked all day in my favorite classroom enjoying the kids very much although this time of year is a bit crazy in the preschool realm.

And now, it’s suddenly Tuesday and time to join in (a bit late) with Sandra over at Diary Of A Stay At Home Mom to plan the rest of this week.

The Weather

Imagine you’re hopping on a pogo stick (and not falling off like I’d probably do). Now, you have a sense of the weather around here. Yesterday was in the high 50’s. Today it’s barely supposed to hit 45. Then, warm again. SIGH. Makes the cooler days feel that much colder but I’m not complaining about those warm days when I have running around to do. Raise your hand if you’re also a “just going to leave my coat in the car” person?

Right Now I Am

I’ve just returned from dropping J off to take his history final at college and started working on this post. Phone is down here beside me so I won’t miss his text when he finishes though I’ve no idea how long it’s going to be.

Thinking And Pondering

Quite a bit. Always. Trying to focus on the holidays and put my word of the year from ’23 into action (WAIT) by waiting until after Christmas to worry about New Year’s stuff. However, I did cave and look at one of those word find things…you know the first 3 or 4 words you see will be your 2024. I saw: connection, breakthrough, purpose, and love. So, no pressure there. Geez.  Also, closer to the present, G’s graduation, the little celebration we’re doing for him on Saturday. The holidays. My work. Said in my Charlie Brown voice: ALL OF THE THINGS!

How I Am Feeling

Not too bad. Lots of sickness going around at school so I’ve been doubling down on black elderberry syrup in addition to my typical vitamins. And prioritizing my sleep though I didn’t really mean to go to bed at 8:30 last night (Oops!).

On The Breakfast Plate

Coffee, a cherry yogurt (not the flip kind), and a piece of fresh baked banana bread. Plus vitamins and 10 ml of black elderberry syrup.

On The Lunch Plate

I’m not sure but maybe a turkey and cheese melt or some sort of soup

On The Dinner Plate

Either chicken and noodles or ham steaks. Still trying to decide.

On The Menu This Week

My ice cream cake birthday cake, it’s Christmas but I didn’t care.

Working yesterday threw off my grocery store routine along with my menu making.

MONDAY: Rotisserie chicken for J and my husband. G and I had these chicken strip dinners the grocery store deli had on special. They were okay. *I worked 7:30-4:00*

TUESDAY: Either chicken and noodles/mashed potatoes or ham steaks/apples

WEDNESDAY: ham steaks/apples if I don’t make them today.

THURSDAY: Pork chops of some sort. NOT cornbread crusted. Those were a bit of a fail.

FRIDAY: OUT *G’s college graduation*

What I Am Wearing

Gray sweatshirt, jeggings, new very warm wool-blend socks (a birthday gift from G), and tennis shoes. (Yesterday was Grinch day at school and I wore a red Grinch t-shirt with a green sweater 🙂 )

On My Reading Pile

I just finished Being Henry: The Fonz…and Beyond by Henry Winkler. It was a very insightful look into how even as a celebrity a person can feel unworthy. Now, I need a good Christmas romance type book to read. Turns out I’m not a fan of Jenny Colgan. I couldn’t get past the first 3 pages of the first library book. Too much description. UGH, not my kind of writing. Did I possibly mix up Jenny Colgan with Julie Caplin? No comment. And of course, none of those books are at my local library. Might splurge and treat myself to The Little Cafe in Copenhagen since it’s not on kindle unlimited either.

On My TV

A certain football team which we shall not discuss further. Coal in a few players stockings maybe? UGH. Blue Beetle, really good movie! Forgot to cancel Apple plus (let’s be honest, I didn’t have 500 hours to figure it out either) so I watched the Hannah Waddingham Christmas special. I enjoyed it so much. Had no idea she was a singer as well as an actress. Saturday afternoon, G and I watched the latest Doctor Who special. Neil Patrick Harris was phenomenal as a creepy villain. And after work yesterday, I slept through watched a few episodes of Sugar Rush on Netflix.

Looking Around The House

Well…there’s mess. And then, there’s Christmas decorations. Followed by more mess. SIGH. On today’s agenda: more Christmas less mess. We’ll see.

On My To Do List

Just a few things. Ahem. Random order

1. Grocery store (I probably should go again as I went last night with no plan and not even sure…)
2. Wrap presents
3. Finish Christmas shopping
4. Clean the house
5. Figure out the cookies/cocoa/etc for G’s family graduation party
6. Figure out something to wear to G’s graduation
7. Pay bills
8. Figure out what we still need to do for Christmas gifts
9. Go a few places/get a few things
10. Everything else I’m forgetting

Christmas Tips, DIY, Ideas, or Recipes

I made half a batch of this Spicy Sinterklaas cookie recipe last week, leaving out the almonds and candied fruit. We really liked them and I’ll probably make more before Christmas. They aren’t very sweet and bonus, don’t take eggs!  J had the idea that it would be fun to do an Advent cookie calendar. So I’ve been kind of rolling with it and trying to either make or put out a different kind of cookie each day leading up to Christmas. (Note: I usually make one tray and freeze the rest of the dough, planning some to have on Saturday for the graduation celebration and some for cookie plates for friends/family). Never too late for a new tradition!

From The Camera

I took a walk last week and another one on my birthday so just a few photos from that to share here.

Quote For The Week

Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn’t before.Maybe Christmas, he thought, doesn’t come from a store.Maybe Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more.”  (From How The Grinch Stole Christmas by Doctor Seuss)

Maybe more through rain than snow around here now but where did my weekend go? Or for that matter, my Monday morning?

We did have a nice (although a bit busy at times) first weekend of December. J’s concert on Friday night was a lot of fun. Then, a slower Saturday until our game night with friends. Yesterday, I don’t know…every time I looked up it was later in the day. And of course, I did listen to it on the radio and then, watch the second half of the Chiefs game. Ugh. It did at least give me a bit of joy to know how happy it probably made Carrie to see her Packers win. Going to put all the headings in green today to honor her team.

Let’s just move on with the week. Maybe I can get something posted and planned before noon…joining in as always with Sandra over at Diary Of A Stay At Home Mom.

The Weather

It started out properly miserable looking, cloudy, gray, and foggy. However, by the time I left the grocery store, blue skies and sunshine! I guess we’re in for one of those weeks with weather all over the place. High 40’s today and tomorrow, followed by 50’s and is that a 60 I see for Thursday? Then, rain moves in for the weekend and we go back down the 40’s.

Right Now

I just got back from the store. Put my too few groceries for what I paid away. And sat down to get started on this post.

Thinking And Pondering

The Happy Holidays song by Andy Williams is stuck in my head but before we can think completely of Christmas over here, we have a college graduation to celebrate! And before that, my birthday is this Saturday. What are we going to do for all this? I’d wanted to go see the eagles at a nature area north of town, however, the weather doesn’t look great. So, who knows what we’ll do. My main present is like J’s, the symphony tickets. Debating a “cookies, cocoa, and congratulations” family party for G next Saturday but need his input. He graduates the 15th but in a concert arena in downtown proper that we already know will make it difficult for older family members to attend. And also, today is national cookie day I guess. So, who’s baking cookies? I might figure out a time to make a few.

How I Am Feeling

Okay, a little overwhelmed, slightly tired, but I don’t feel bad.

On The Breakfast Plate

Well, um, coffee. And one piece of fudge from the fridge. Looks like it’s going to be big lunch day maybe.

On The Lunch Plate

Vitamins, maybe some type of hot sandwich? Not sure.

On The Dinner Plate

Spaghetti and meatballs, salad, and garlic toast

On The Menu

J helped me work out our menu this morning by looking through my latest batch of library cookbooks.

MONDAY: Spaghetti, meatballs, salad, and garlic toast

TUESDAY: Apple butter ribs in the crockpot, corn, and cornbread (from a slow cooker recipe book)

WEDNESDAY: Cornbread crusted pork chops, potatoes (from Tricia Yearwood’s cookbook)

THURSDAY: burritos

FRIDAY: maple baked chicken thighs, sweet potatoes (carry over meal)

SATURDAY: OUT for my birthday. Not sure where yet.

What I Am Wearing

Sweatshirt, jeans, socks and tennis shoes

On My Reading Pile

Read The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins over the weekend. It’s The Hunger Games prequel, I really enjoyed it but it was a bit different than the other books in the series with a more philosophical side. Noticed the reviews were a bit mixed, I think perhaps because of that. Still want to see the movie though. So much better than Holly by Stephen King, finished it as well and I must say it’s the first time I’ve ever been completely disappointed in one of his novels. The underlying story was good but his Covid references were just too many, I don’t care about the viewpoint as much as the clunkiness with which he dropped them into the story. Not subtle enough for me.

Finally, on a happier reading note, I’m still slowly working my way through my re-read of Christmas Island by Natalie Normann. And have a stack of Jenny Colgan Christmas books from the library to read.

On My TV

I did watch Candy Cane Lane, the new Christmas movie with Eddie Murphy over on Amazon. It was okay, not really great, a bit too long I think. And the new Doctor Who special which I enjoyed. Finally, some football…ah, those Chiefs…perhaps it’s not going to be their year. SIGH.

Looking Around The House

It’s starting to look a lot like Christmas! I set my Nativity sets out on Saturday and my husband put my lighted greenery up on Sunday. Still a few things to do. Oh, and this guy made an appearance a bit early this year:

On My To Do List

A lot of the usual stuff…plus Christmas things:

1. Grocery store *DONE*
2. Bake Christmas cookies
3. Laundry
4. Finish putting out the last of the Christmas decor
5. Go for walk and enjoy sunshine
6. Christmas shopping/make lists see who/what and all that
7. Breathe
8. Christmas cards
9. Water plants
10. Eat a candy cane and read my Christmas books or watch a movie

From The Camera

A few phone photos

Christmas Tips, DIYs, or Ideas

I’m drawing a bit of a blank today. In a do what I say, not what I do kind of advice giving here: it’s very helpful to buy 1-2 stocking stuffers and/or Christmas presents each month of the year. I started well this year and then, stopped. SIGH. Hopefully, I do better at this next year.

Quote For The Week

December starts this Friday! Can you believe it? Anyone else feel like they need to just take a moment to say goodbye to the blur that was November? And maybe take some deep breaths because of this:

Just 28 days until Christmas! And the way this year is going, I’m afraid to blink or it might be here.

Better slow down and get on with planning the week ahead with Sandra over at Diary Of A Stay At Home Mom.

The Weather

It’s frightful! Um, it snowed here Saturday night into Sunday. Way too early for that (Not really as we’ve had snow on Halloween in prior years. However, it seems odd as it’s been so warm for so long this year.). Right now it’s a balmy 27 degrees with a feels like temp in the teens. I’m not rushing off to the grocery store this morning. It is supposed to bounce back up to the 40’s later today and then, the 50’s with a bit of rain for the second half of the week. We need the rain but I hope it lets up on Friday afternoon as J has a concert.

Right Now

I’m working on this post mostly. Glancing at some cyber Monday deals, been a while since I’ve had a cyber Monday off work (that’s good AND bad). Also, checking to see if the grocery store is doing their Chiefs win/grocery discount.

Thinking And Pondering

The upcoming Christmas holiday mostly, that I feel happy when I think about it. This year despite the insane prices and me not working as much, I feel so much more positive than I have in a long time. Pondering the why. Not sure I have an answer and I’m really okay with that. Just enjoying the holidays and thinking about some more decorating I’d like to do and my baking plans.

How I Am Feeling

I feel good, slept fairly well. Breakfast needs to happen soon as I’m a bit hungry this morning.

On The Breakfast Plate

So far, just coffee as I’m trying to decide what I want. Maybe a homemade sausage muffin (reheating sausage my husband cooked yesterday morning and toasting an English muffin). And of course, vitamins!

On The Lunch Plate

Really not sure. Perhaps mac and cheese (from the trusty blue box!)

On The Dinner Plate

We’re having white chicken chili that I’ll put together in the slow cooker before J and I head off to his class.

On The Menu This Week

Trying to be a bit frugal and cook from the freezer/fridge/pantry.

MONDAY: White chicken chili

TUESDAY: Waffles and bacon

WEDNESDAY: Steak soup (new recipe though I might switch this up to spicy potato soup depending on mood, what G’s plans are as he’s not a steak fan at all)

THURSDAY: Pork chops and baked potatoes or hamburgers (husband’s choice)

FRIDAY: Probably OUT as J has a concert at 7 but has to be there for everything starting at 4:30 (he’ll get a dinner break). Last time we did this, I just got him Subway around 2:30.

What I’m Wearing Today

Long sleeved Chiefs shirt (red, of course), jeans, socks and tennis shoes

On My Reading Pile

Two books where the main character in each book is named Holly! I’m reading Holly by Stephen King as it came up from my hold list at the library (I’ve been waiting on it a long time!). And I’m also re-reading Christmas Island by Natalie Normann as it’s one of my very favorite Christmas time reads.

On My TV This Week

I watched SO much Football over the long weekend and was so happy to see a Chiefs win yesterday. Other than that, we got Hulu back (black Friday special) so I was finally able to finish Only Murders In The Building. And I was not even one tiny bit disappointed in the new Doctor Who special, even told G I’d watch it again today with him. Probably finish up Fear the Walking Dead this week and watch my baking show, maybe a Christmas movie.

Looking Around The House

Christmas is coming…I’m taking my time decorating.

On My To Do List

1. Grocery store (we do need a few items)
2. Laundry/Cleaning
3. Christmas decorating
4. Dollar Tree trip
5. Bake one kind of Christmas cookie (or make dough for freezer)
6. Take my (apparently overdue, oops) books back to the library/pick up holds
7. Plan for some upcoming December events: J’s concert(s), my birthday, G’s college graduation, our trip to the symphony, Christmas Eve & Christmas

From The Camera

It was an indoor kind of weekend.

Christmas Tips or Ideas

Make a Christmas notebook! It doesn’t have to be fancy or have 500 organized lists (unless that’s what you like). I just added stickers to a spiral notebook:

I’m left-handed so I turn the pages backwards so the spiral doesn’t bother me when I write. What I write in mine: at the end of each Christmas, I write down what worked/what we liked and didn’t like. That’s one way I knew I wanted to decorate more this year. Also, I write down random gift ideas and thoughts.

My random notes from 2022 (typed here so you can actually know what they say-awful handwriting):

• No more cinnamon popcorn for my husband
• Delegate/ASK for help
• Actually decorate the tree/we like it
• Put tablecloth on table early
• Do Christmas cards FIRST
• Invite people over before last minute!
• Gift idea: small jars of black-eyed peas/cornbread mix with recipe
• Battery operated candles for Nativity/window candles take C batteries/tree candles take AA
• Gift of reusable snack bags w/pretzels

I also start writing in it during the season with gift ideas and thoughts so it’s not a try to remember everything at once process. For this year, I’ve written a question that stuck with me: What brings you joy at the holidays?

Quote For The Week

“May you have the gladness of Christmas which is hope; The spirit of Christmas which is peace; The heart of Christmas which is love.”
~ Ada V. Hendricks

(Found at Travelmelodies.com)

A bit late this week, unexpectedly called in to work yesterday and then last night, I watched the Chiefs game (SIGH). I’m working again this afternoon but thought I’d take a few minutes and try to get this post done before I leave. 

Thankful that Sandra over at Diary Of A Stay At Home Mom continues to do this link up inspiring me to get some sort of order to my weeks. It’s also fun to look back at these post near the end of the year!

The Weather

Dismal. Another rainy (we need it though!), cold, and cloudy day. It’s about 44 degrees right now. Supposed to be colder once the clouds move off. Weekend is supposed to be super chilly and I’m going to pretend I didn’t see a snowflake on the weather app on my phone. Good weather for decorating for Christmas which is how I typically spend my black Friday weekends.

Right Now

I’ve returned from the store, taken a shower and got myself ready for work. Now, I’m working on this post while listening to the sounds of the washer and dryer. My husband is off work today and kindly took it upon himself to do the laundry.

Thinking And Pondering

Wondering how crazy this afternoon is going to be. Realized there will likely be 2 subs in today plus there’s a sub there now covering the morning shift (I can’t do morning shifts on Tuesday/Thursday because of J’s current schedule). Hopefully, numbers are down due to the holiday though that didn’t seem the case yesterday.

How I Am Feeling 

A bit scatterbrained (normal pre-Thanksgiving state for most of us, I hope?) as I did shampoo my hair twice because I grabbed the shampoo bottle again instead of the conditioner. Otherwise, I feel pretty good though I’d be happy to see some sunshine, colder weather or not.

On The Breakfast Plate

I made blueberry muffins (from a box mix), coffee, vitamins, plus I treated myself to a caramel creme brulee latte at the grocery store.

On The Lunch Plate

Probably just another muffin and a flip yogurt. I don’t like to eat anything to heavy right before I go into work.

On The Dinner Plate

My husband made taco meat yesterday (we had a freezer issue so he had to use up some ground beef) so something taco related.

What I Am Wearing Today

Orange and red t-shirt that has shiny orange threads highlighting the design (needed something bright to counteract the gloomy skies), jeans, and tennis shoes.

On My Reading Pile

Finishing up The Younger Wife by Sally Hepworth, then I’m switching to light, happy Christmas reads for the rest of the season. I’ve been waiting to read Christmas in the Scottish Highlands by Donna Ashcroft, so it’ll be up first.

On My TV This Week

Watched the Chiefs game last night (I have gift ideas Patrick Mahomes could give his teammates: velcro gloves so they can hang on to the darn ball, a timer, and an updated NFL rule book…in case you can’t guess, yesterday did not go my team’s way.). Probably more football on Thanksgiving. Excited for the Doctor Who special. Not sure what else.

On My Menu

It’s Thanksgiving week, always makes planning a bit of a challenge.

MONDAY: spaghetti *I worked 8-3:30*

TUESDAY: tacos *I work 1-5*

WEDNESDAY: Leaning toward OUT or we’ll forage through the fridge and freezer

THURSDAY: homemade cranberry relish, apple pie, chocolate pie, and pumpkin pie. OH wait, that’s what I’m contributing. My brother is making turkey, ham, said something about also smoking a turkey breast, sweet potatoes, green beans, stuffing, and who knows what else.

FRIDAY: LEFTOVERS (My brother always makes way too much food so I anticipate we’ll be sent home with plenty of extras)

Looking Around The House

I like my Thanksgiving decor but I’m ready to replace it with Christmas. Also, I need to clean a bit.

On My To Do List

1. Grocery store *DONE*
2. Target trip, might put it off but I do need to go
3. Work
4. Decide if I want to go to Bunco tonight, depends on if anything is going on with family
5. Pay bills (Ugh, no fun but must be done)
6. Also, figure out how to renew my blog hosting for 1 year instead of 3 at a time.
7. Remember to-do list I’m putting as my quote for the week…

From The Camera & (Phone Camera)

Not as many pictures in this post, I missed my walk on Thursday and didn’t feel like braving the cold and wet this morning plus had to make a grocery run. Sunday night, J asked me to text him some pictures of his college music while he was a band practice. He also got these two pictures of my “helper.”

Thanksgiving Tips or Ideas

If you aren’t hosting and there’s something you’ll really miss if it’s not on the Thanksgiving dinner table, offer to contribute that item (see homemade cranberry relish listed above). Bonus tip for those of you with younger kids, I saw this reminer somewhere else and remembered doing this myself: It’s okay to feed your kids a small meal at their normal time if Thanksgiving is at an odd one/later in the day. The holiday is a lot more enjoyable without hangry/crying children. Our Thanksgiving dinner isn’t until 4 this year and you bet even without small children, we’ll still be having a light breakfast and lunch!

Quote For The Week

(Found on Pinterest)

This week is J’s birthday on Wednesday so that’s the excitement around here. Not sure how I can possibly have a kid getting ready to turn 19 (J) and one who is 22 (G). However, I’m proud of the kind young adults they’ve become.

Let’s get on with joining Sandra over at Diary Of A Stay At Home Mom to plan the week ahead.

The Weather

The petunias are still blooming and the leaves are falling…

Well, it’s currently 61 degrees and sunny! And supposed to hit almost 70 on J’s birthday this coming Wednesday. Then, by Saturday, another cold front and highs in the 50’s (more normal). It seems to alternate cold and hot (well, warm) this fall. I would not be disappointed to see some rain which we very much still need.

Right Now

I’ve just returned from the grocery store, eaten a very late breakfast, and sat down to write up this post.

Thinking And Pondering

Pick a tab, any tab of the million open in my mind right now! J’s birthday, what we’re going to do. He still hasn’t decided. This area, the crime seems to be on a bit of an uptick…is it related the homeless? I don’t know. I feel as though I’m walking a fine line between compassion and common sense. Watched a homeless man biking up the road as I left for the store so had to drive around the block to see where he went. Then, he was just gone. So, back in the driveway for me, check the backyard, double check the door locks. SIGH. Remind myself everything is cyclical while being a bit frustrated with myself for not agreeing to move to a different area many years ago. Well, that took a dark, melancholy turn. Let’s try a different tab.  Oh, Thanksgiving. We have plans! Hooray. My older brother is hosting and my other older brother who moved to Texas a few years ago is coming into town for it. Haven’t seen him in way too long.

On The Breakfast Plate

A French Toast Bagel, vitamins, coffee.

On The Lunch Plate

Not sure I’ll eat lunch, we ate dinner late last night so I wasn’t hungry this morning and just now at about 11:00 ate breakfast.

On The Dinner Plate

Korean meatballs, rice

What I Am Wearing Today

Purple v-neck Tee shirt, jeggings, socks and tennis shoes

On My Reading Pile

I lucked out at the library and was able to pick up a copy of If You Would Have Told Me by John Stamos. I’m really enjoying it and it’s not making me like him any less. Finally finished Tides of Fire by James Rollins, I usually love his books but this one just didn’t work for me. Over the weekend, I read a quick thriller by Mary Kubica called Just the Nicest Couple, found it interesting. And I’ve started The Soulmate by Sally Hepworth (another thriller). I like to read the kindle books at bedtime so I don’t have to turn on the lamp (or worry about turning it off when I fall asleep reading).

On My TV

I was happy last week to discover The Holiday Baking Championship had started up for this year, I love that show. Also, watched The Mario Movie (don’t ask me why but it wasn’t bad), Fear The Walking Dead, the finale of Loki (sigh), and a few random episodes of Doctor Who. Oh, and The Masked Singer. Football games here and there.

On My Menu

My slow cooker is certainly getting a bit of a work out these days with J’s current schedule.

MONDAY: korean meatballs in the slow cooker, rice

TUESDAY: copycat Chik-Fil-A sandwiches and fries *subject to change depending on birthday plans*

WEDNESDAY: J’s Birthday. Maybe OUT? No idea. Chocolate cake and white frosting. Plus ice cream.

THURSDAY: pork schnitzel (carry over) , fried apples maybe? My basic grocery store didn’t carry the celeriac called for in the accompanying sauce. It is apparently not the the same as celery and cannot be used interchangeable. Thank you, Internet.

FRIDAY: Mexican lasagna in the crock pot (This is a new one I’m trying out)

Looking Around The House

The laundry is done, that has to count for something, right? It needs cleaning.

On My To Do List

I’ve gone back to just listing items, the who/what/where method was fun but it’s easier to just make a list.

1. Clean the house
2. Figure out J’s birthday plans plus get him something small to go with the big present (symphony tickets, also a present for my upcoming birthday)
3. Return my broken candle to Bath and Body Works (I didn’t go over the weekend)
4. Clean this desktop, both the physical and virtual one
5. Do a little (more) early Christmas planning

From The Camera

From my walk yesterday afternoon.

Thanksgiving Tips, DIY, Ideas or recipes

I usually always make these pumpkin muffins around October/November. The recipe makes A LOT, even halved, I ended up with 12 muffins plus 3 mini loaves this time. The muffins do freeze well.  I’ve shared it before with pictures that no longer show on my old so not organized blog but here it is again:

Pumpkin Muffins

 These are my favorite pumpkin muffins. I usually add chocolate chips but they stand well on their own.