Seems a bit quiet in blogland this morning. Maybe because it’s almost Christmas? Six days if you’re counting. 
Still, I need to stay on track this week so I’m joining in as always with Sandra over at Diary Of A Stay At Home Mom for the Happy Homemaker Monday link up.
The Weather 
The snow-magedon of rush hour predicted for this morning didn’t happen. It did snow for perhaps 5 minutes while I was in the grocery store. Maybe it’s doing a bit more now, not sure. It’s above freezing at a balmy 36 degrees so nothing is bothering the roads. Our big snow is due for Thursday along with the famous “arctic air” where temps are supposed to be in the teens and the windchill below zero. Right now Christmas is supposed to be a balmy 16 degrees. White Christmas though…
As I Look Outside My Window
I saw a bit of snow on the wet ground. Neighbors haven’t deflated their Christmas decorations yet so it’s a cheery view looking across the street.
Right Now
Working on this post to hopefully help sort out in my mind the things I need to do in the coming days.
Thinking And Pondering 
It’s a bit early but I’m starting to think about my word for the year in 2023. This is just the time of year a word or “theme” for the next year starts kind of swirling and whispering in my subconscious. With the pace with which 2022 blazed by us, I’m leaning toward words like slow or pause for 2023. Or appreciate, relish. It’s just been on my mind how rushed everything feels and I’m searching for a word to focus on putting space between the holidays/major events next year. And yes, I get that it’s the very idea of what I’m doing now instead of focusing on Christmas.
How I Am Feeling This Morning
So much better. I should’ve known when I started feeling grouchy/emotional Friday night. Yep, one of the 7 plagues of preschool finally caught me. Stomach bug variety. Thankfully, it was a quick though miserable bug.
Listening To
Earlier I was listening to the cat purr as she sat here watching me type, then fuss as she wanted me upstairs with her. Also, heard J getting up and fixing his breakfast. Now, it’s fairly quiet again.
On The Breakfast Plate
Coffee, vitamins, Stollen (German fruitcake?), and a caramel brulee latte from Starbucks
On The Lunch Plate
No idea quite yet and it’s lunch time already so I really do need to decide
On The Dinner Plate
Pork chops, baked potatoes
What I’m Wearing Today
Long-sleeved v-neck purple sweatshirt, jeggings, tennis shoes
On My Reading Pile
An Unwanted Inheritance by Imogen Clark. I was happy to discover this as she’s one of my favorite authors. Last week I finished up Every Day in December by Kitty Wilson, a nice holiday quick holiday romance read. Good character development in it.
On My TV
The Chiefs. I’ll say I’m glad they won and that I hope the referees from that game are giving their families really nice presents with their take. Ugh, one sided calling much. Ugly but a win is a win (and a division championship for the 7th year in a row, we’re a little spoiled here in KC). Also, The Sound of Music was on last night. Despite all the streaming services, isn’t it nice to still stumble on a favorite on regular tv?
Also watched Elf, Polar Express, A Christmas Story Christmas, and The Holiday Baking Championship (get to see who won today!). And then because we wouldn’t want to get too cheery, I also started watching Litvenenko on AMC+. If you’re a David Tennant fan you already know this but he’s an amazing actor!
On My Menu
Well, with the cold weather I planned a bit of a more hearty menu. However, since it’s a hustle and bustle time of year, it’s all subject to change.
MONDAY: pork chops, baked potatoes *J has a lesson at 6:30*
TUESDAY: chili
WEDNESDAY: stuffed peppers *I have a hair appt at 9:30*
THURSDAY: white chicken chili
FRIDAY: OUT *G and J are eating out with their grandpa, who knows what we’ll do*
SATURDAY: Christmas Eve *Candlelight Christmas Eve service at 5* Thinking maybe Subway for a late lunch/heavy snacks after service
SUNDAY: Christmas *Spaghetti at my brother’s house*
Looking Around The House
Maybe it’ll be clean by Christmas. Maybe.
On My To Do List 
Good question….
- Get gift card for J’s baritone instructor/deliver gift tonight
- Make Norwegian gingerbread cookies (dough is done, chilled overnight, just need bake)
- Finish up Christmas shopping/stocking stuffers
- Grocery store *DONE*
- Make peanut brittle
- Target for cat food plus a few other items
- Guess I should clean the house
- Eat too many Christmas goodies/watch Christmas movies/tv
- Write and publish this post as well as my Blogmas post
- Call text/friend who’s been on my mind
From The Camera
Went for a walk yesterday around 4PM, it was in the low 30’s so a bit brisk. Still glad I got out and took advantage of the fresh air and bits of sunshine. 
What I’m Creating
Cookies, peanut brittle (hopefully)
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!
Dr. Seuss in How The Grinch Stole Christmas
I too have started thinking of my word for 2023… leaning towards ‘bienveillance’ towards others and myself.
Wishing a Merry Christmas to you and yours this upcoming weekend.
Thank you for teaching me a new word. I had to look that one up, great word and I like that your considering it for yourself as well as others. Merry Christmas!
I liked your blog so much. I also wrote one based on Sandra’s link up, but I can’t link it unfortunately. So, very cold weather is coming in your area. How do you prepare for that? Do you get extra food at home? Or will it not be a blizzard?
Your photos are wonderful. I wish you a good, quiet week. Oh, and your Christmas Stollen looks delicious. It is also sold here in December. We call it: kerststol. It is eaten with a thick layer of salted butter on top. Originally, the breads were a fertility symbol. Its origins lie in paganism. The fear of winter, the cold, the dark days were deeply rooted among our ancestors here in the Netherlands and Germany. Would the warm, longer days return and with them the fertility of the land and livestock? The gods had to be appeased with numerous sacrifices. The offering loaves were therefore richly filled with special products such as honey and dried fruits.
Its history. Now we can eat them without offering them 🙂
Thank you. I’m glad you commented so I could go visit your blog as I do enjoy it. We don’t really prepare for it as much as roll our eyes at the over-hyped news of it. It’s going to snow! It’s going to be very cold! It happens in the winter. Of course, I’d rather see these silly news stories than many other terrible things they could show us. Generally though, people will buy bananas, bread, and milk at the grocery stores (not sure why). Whether it will be a blizzard depends on the wind. Sometimes they hype the weather around here and are very wrong, that’s why we don’t get overly excited. Thank you for telling me the history of the Stollen/kerststol and giving me the idea to add the butter! New twist to breakfast tomorrow.
Hello! Beautiful photos! We, too, had the drama of an impending snow event last week. There were a few flakes and some ice. But that’s about it. Glad your stomach bug was quick. So much sickness around here too. I love your idea for your word of the new year. Time seems to pass more quickly each year! Have a wonderful week!
Thank you! Now, they’re backtracking on our snow a bit but still saying we’re due for crazy dangerous windchill weather starting tonight. I just hope Rudolph can drive those Amazon and other delivery trucks as a lot of Christmas presents are still in transit. Happy First Day of Winter!
For the past several years my word has just sort of come to me – but I haven’t really felt drawn to anything yet. I know I have big plans for next year and I will have to lean heavily on God to make all of the changes that are planned. I’ll have to spend some time in the quiet just thinking about it! Not much time left. Have a Merry Christmas!!
Some years my word just sort of comes to me like that but I’ve also had years where I just can’t settle on a word and it actually takes a few weeks into the new year. I’ve also decided on a word and then changed it as well. Right now I have more of an idea than the actual word, hoping I can find a word that fully encompasses the idea. Just 4 days til Christmas, hope you have a very happy Christmas!