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
- Grocery store (I probably should go again as I went last night with no plan and not even sure…)
- Wrap presents
- Finish Christmas shopping
- Clean the house
- Figure out the cookies/cocoa/etc for G’s family graduation party
- Figure out something to wear to G’s graduation
- Pay bills
- Figure out what we still need to do for Christmas gifts
- Go a few places/get a few things
- 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
Happy Belated Birthday, my friend!
I would take a piece of that cake, please!
I was wondering how that book was, the Henry Winkler one. Thanks for letting me know. Your photos are beautiful! Have a cozy evening, and enjoy this wonderful time of year!
Thank you! Come on over, plenty of cake left! The book was good but I did prefer the John Stamos book. Just a bit lighter if you are thinking of reading one or the other around the holidays. G actually gave me my own copy of the John Stamos book for my birthday (along with the socks). Does it sound like I have a bit of a crush on John Stamos? No comment 😉 Hope you are enjoying your Wednesday!
Sorry so late to visit. Glad you had a great birthday. I think I’ll add the Henry Wrinkler book to my ‘to read’ list. Have a great week
Thank you! As you can see, I’m really behind over here. Hope you have a wonderful Christmas!