Happy Monday! MLK= Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
It’s a federal holiday here. Banks, post offices closed, kids off school. However, my husband still went to work. Grocery store is still open, thankful for that one.
Still have to plan the week ahead. Joining in with always with Sandra over at Diary Of A Stay At Home Mom. (Always glad for this link up but especially now as it’s at least one day I don’t have to think about what I’m going to post during the Blog 365 challenge).
The Weather
I went to the grocery store this morning without wearing a coat in January. Pretty unusual for here. It’s currently 58 degrees and sunny. Though I should confess, it’s very windy and I probably should’ve taken a jacket this morning. However, how often can you go coat free and in January?! Soaking it in and trying not to think what this might mean for February, usually our harshest winter month.
This week: stays nice for the rest of today and tomorrow. Back to normal with some rain on Wednesday and high temperatures back in the upper 30’s/low 40’s. (And looking ahead, I see snowflakes predicted for next Tuesday but who knows).
As I Look Outside My Window
Blue skies and sunshine!!
Right Now I Am
Working on this post, listening to the washer and dryer (wouldn’t be Monday if I wasn’t!), and breathing a sigh of relief that our elderly neighbor is okay. He’s been falling as he goes to his vehicle and is supposed to trigger his auto alarm if he does. It went off this morning. However, he wasn’t outside so I had to go to the door to make sure he hadn’t fallen indoors. Thankfully, I think the wind probably triggered it and he’s fine.
Thinking And Pondering
Well, I had something I was thinking about earlier. However, with all the excitement of the auto alarm, I can’t remember what thoughts were in my head.
On My Bedside Table 
Lamp, phone charger. This category might get a bit boring. Maybe I’ll have to share what’s on my husband’s bedside table: two kinds of hand cream (from his Christmas stocking), the tv remotes (one’s the firestick), his tablet, multiple receipts to who only knows what, a lamp, earbuds case,…you get the idea. Funny thing is that I’m typically the messy one.
On My TV Tonight
Probably not much tonight. Later, I’m going to watch the last episode of The Chosen, season 2, and another David Tennant Doctor Who episode while folding laundry. Might watch the last of the playoff games later, doesn’t matter to us who wins tonight though. Wasn’t too happy with the outcomes of yesterday’s games.
Listening To
Guess I already covered this. More specific: the spin cycle of the washer along with the dryer.
On The Lunch Plate
I struggle with lunch. Not sure. Maybe Mac and cheese?
On The Dinner Plate
Tonight’s plan is for grilled pork chops and baked potatoes, maybe salad as well.
On The Menu This Week
Nothing overly exciting but I am planning on us ordering “million dollar” Chinese food on Saturday in honor of the Chinese New Year. (I just call our favorite restaurant that as if we all get exactly what we want it gets pricey. We don’t order it too often though).
MONDAY: grilled pork chops, baked potatoes, salad *J has a baritone lesson at 6:30*
TUESDAY: grilled marinated chicken (just marinating in balsamic vinegar/Italian dressing and doing today), pasta, fresh green beans sauteed in butter *I work 8-4:30*
WEDNESDAY: spicy potato soup
THURSDAY: Maybe leftovers? I’m struggling with this day for some reason.
FRIDAY: Homemade pizza perhaps.
SATURDAY: Take-out Chinese food. I’ll likely get General’s chicken, G will get sesame chicken, my husband gets moo goo gai pan, and J likes just vegetable lo mein with chicken on a stick. Egg rolls, and maybe my favorite a crab rangoon or two (G likes these as well). Very different tastes for all of us.
On My Reading Pile
Struggling my way through Us Against You by Fredrik Backman. I usually love his writing and his books. This one is just hard to read because I’m reading it out of order. It’s the second book in a series and I have already read the first and last ones. Read the last one (The Winners) by mistake before realizing there was another book. First book is Beartown for anyone interested. Good series but intense.
A bit more excited my “real” book hold of Meik Wikig’s My Hygge Home: How to Make Home Your Happy Place is ready at the library. Can’t get it today though, closed for the holiday.
On My To Do List
- Grocery store *DONE*
- Laundry *in progress*
- Go get library book
- Pay a few bills
- Sort out our linen closet (It’s at an avalanche level)
- Call/text a few friends
- Other stuff I can’t remember at the moment
Plans For The Week
Work tomorrow, go to the library, maybe take blankets back to Kohls, try to get the house somewhat clean for Chinese New Year (I think of it as my 2nd chance New Year since I never seem to manage to get the house clean the first time)
What I Am Sewing, Knitting, Or Creating
I’m going to need to be more intentional with this category. Currently, nothing.
My Simple Pleasure 
I know many see it as a chore but I love going to the grocery store. Especially if I can go in the mornings when it’s not too busy. If I lived somewhere where walking to the market was a thing, I’d be so happy. However, here, I drive to Hy-vee and look at all the things inside as I pick up items on (and usually also not on) my list. Look longingly at the floral area as I leave (I have enough plants) and once a week, stop at the Starbucks inside for a coffee and sometimes a small treat (chocolate croissant today).
Lesson Learned The Past Week
Perhaps that I need to pay better attention. I’m sure I learned a few things last week. Don’t want to think I’m getting dumber each week though that is a possibility.
Looking Around The House
Pretend the rest of the house looks as nice as my bedside table. (Spoiler: It does not.)
From The Camera
Thought I was going to catch a good sunrise but the early morning clouds were just as nice (missed the sunrise) 
And just for fun, playing with a filter on the “wild” cat who got in the way of the camera.
On My Prayer List
Next door neighbor, he’s elderly, recently lost his wife and is now falling a lot, his daughter who lives closest has her hands full with her own family and is encouraging him to move to assisted living, for J’s last semester of high school to go well, new and old blogging friends who’ve endured hard losses in their families last week, friends, family, and strangers. Peace in the world. Less judgement and more understanding in hardened hearts.
Quote For The Week
Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that. (Martin Luther King, Jr. )
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day 16/365
I thought your blogpost was so upbeat this morning. Glad you have a code with next door elderly neighbor.
Our january is too balmy here too… hope it doesn’t mean more bugs come summer!
Chinese New Year, yep good idea to order it for supper, might just do that,
Have a great week
Your picture reminded me that I took a picture of Mr. Cardinal outside of my window earlier this week! I should have shared it. I read BearTown a couple of years ago as a buddy read. I haven’t read anything else by him, but I would like to. I also need to re-watch Season 2 of The Chosen! I think I have watched episodes 1 and 2 several times so maybe starting with episode three! I also borrowed a book on Hygge from the library. It’s definitely the “feel” I am going for when we move into our forever home! Have an amazing week!
Most of his books aren’t quite that intense with perhaps the exception of Anxious People, also a good book. A Man Called Ove is very good, I do like his writing style. Hope your week is off to a great start!
Reached the cat photo and I got a shiver! You kinda spooked me 😁
You have a beautiful lamp!
I kinda forgot to mention to you last week, the red titles are so bright! I am not sure if its only from my end, but I sometimes can’t read them well. (off I go to check my blue titles on my blog,haha)
Have a blessed day!
Omg I am sorry I just noticed, it was my phone that was in blue light mode. 🙂 good day
I keep my phone in blue light mode as well but I bet the red is still pretty bright either way. I plan to look into it at some point 🙂
Thank you! I thought the red was a bit bright as well. I’m doing red for luck with our local football team but perhaps I’ll see if I can’t find a shade a bit darker. Thanks for letting me know!
Nice to read your blog. And your photos are very nice (and funny: the cat). Oh, that’s so sad about your neighbor. I find it very scary when older people can no longer maintain their balance. You see it more often, don’t you? It’s so nice that you like to shop at the supermarket (good translation right?).
I really like a special bookstore, we call this store “boekenvoordeel” here in the Netherlands. You can also buy games, puzzles, diamond painting there. That’s my favorite store.
Thanks for your nice blog!
Thank you! It is sad and scary as I’m not always home to help. Supermarket is a great translation! Sometimes the google translations are a bit funny I’ve noticed. Oh, that bookstore sounds amazing! Hope you have had a great week so far!
We’ve also had a milder, rainier than normal January, and I was just thinking that I wonder if our February is going to be cold and snowy. I hope not. I wish my bedside table looked as empty as yours. Mine is more along the lines of your husbands. LOL I love your lamp though. Chinese food sounds so good!
I hope you have a great week!
I know I hope we don’t get comfortable with this nicer winter weather and then, February and March last forever. Should probably confess that while I keep my bedside table empty, my dresser is a different story. Hope your week is off to a great start!
Hi Jean! 😉
I love that you keep an eye on your neighbor. So sweet. Prayers for things to work out if it is better for him to go to assisted living. It’s so hard giving up independence – but to have the peace of mind of a loved being safe and healthy means so much. 🙏
I can’t even imagine it being so nice out. Feel free to send more warmth and melt this way. Lol
I love your pics – pretty lamp. 😍
And love your Chinese new year idea!! I love crab rangoons too – mmmmm!
I hope you have a very blessed rest of the week. xoxo
Thank you. Glad to send some warmth and melt your way. We’re getting spoiled with it here, I’m thinking the next cold spell will really feel cold. Hope your week is off to a great start and that your back isn’t bothering you too much today.
I’m so bad. I didn’t even know it was a holiday today until Mary posted on her business site that, even though it was a holiday, that she’s be open for lunch. I was like…what? What holiday? Good grief! I enjoyed reading your post. Great photos (love the ‘wild’ cat!), menus look good, and, oh! How I miss Hy-Vee! Going to Hy-Vee was never a chore! I miss it a lot! I feel bad for your neighbor. Sounds like he’s having a really rough time right now. Will add him to my prayer list. Have a great rest of the week, Jean! Blessings!
Thank you. Yes, I think the neighbor is having a bit of a tough time. Maybe if I didn’t live too close to Hy-Vee I’d be better at budgeting, ha! Hope your week is off to a wonderful start!
Hello! Beautiful photos of the sky!!! And your bedside table looks like mine! But Steve’s? Oh my goodness! The remotes, hunting magazines, chargers!!! I have finally let my need for clean and tidy go on that side of the room! Very mild here too. Not quite sure how to feel about it. Have a cozy afternoon, my friend!
Thank you! I sleep better if my bedside table is clear though I do have an embarrassing pile of clothes on my dresser that I need to sort at some point. It’s really hard to know how to feel about the mild weather. I mean I love it obviously but then, it also comes with a smidgeon of guilt for me if I’m not outside enjoying it instead of doing indoor winter things (like watching too much tv). Hope you’ve had a wonderful Tuesday!
I used to absolutely LOVE going grocery shopping. The past couple years have turned it into a stressful thing for now, what with c*vid, shortages, shopping for my mom and hubby’s dad, and price hikes. I don’t even stop to look at fun things anymore. So sad. But I too go early, before ‘The People of Walmart’ are out and about.
“Don’t want to think I’m getting dumber each week…” I seriously laughed out loud at this!
That cat picture is creepy, and it took me a few moments to figure out just what sort of evil entity you’d captured on film. (well, on digital? in pixels?) I had not read your caption before looking at it. lol
Sometimes I want to join in on this weekly post, and other times I feel I don’t have enough answers to complete the categories. Hmm.
You’ve got a lot on your plate with the grocery shopping but I vote you still stop and look at the fun things. And yes, join in next week! It’s fun, you can always leave out a category if you don’t have something to add. Hope your week is off to a great start!