Hello Friends!
Happy Monday to you. I hope that this lovely new year is treating you well already.
We've been slowly getting out of holiday mode and back to a normal schedule here. I gave a holiday update on my last post if you want that scoop. Matt and I made a pact to work on our health even more this year and we have been doing a pretty good start to that already. Increasing our exercise, upping our water intake, and working on lower sugar and carb snacks and meals. It actually feels good after all the heavy foods of the hoidays.
This past weekend was a really fun one because I celebrated my annual post holidays "Christmas" with my girlfriends. We've been doing this for over 30 years. There's a group of 5 of us that have been besties FOREVER. Some since grade school and some since high school. We were all in each other's weddings and we have a true sisterhood. I only have a little brother and so I call them the sisters I got to choose. 😁
3 of us are still local. One lives out in California - so we correspond more through phone or zoom with her. She visits when she can and I have made several trips out to CA through the years. The other bestie lives in the Twin Cities area of MN. Us local gals took a road trip to the Twin Cities this year to spare that friend the trip. She usually drives up here. We toured Prince's home and studios in Chanhassen, MN (his music is so of our generation). And then we went for a long lunch at a great restaurant and gabbed the day away and exchanged our gifts etc. It was awesome as always! I just love them so much!!
Other than that it was a nice mellow weekend. Getting things done around home. We watched some movies, and watched the Pack pull out a big win!! Woo hoo! 💚
THE WEATHER OUTSIDE IS:
ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE THIS MORNING:
60 calorie activia yogurt, coffee
ON MY TO DO LIST THIS WEEK:
errands, having an Aunt and old friend of my former MIL over for lunch this week, one of Matt's friend's is in town this week and we're having him over, MD appt for me, helping my Mom and step Dad with some things at their place, hospice work
THINKING ABOUT:
My Annie. She is in Paris with her school class and having an amazing experience! She just called me this afternoon (well afternoon our time- evening for her) because she is now at her host family's home. She's staying with them for the week and will really be immersed in French life. So excited for her! She has wanted to go to Paris since she was a little girl. She had a Paris bedroom for like 5 years when she was little. You can see some of the pics she's been sending me below.
AS I LOOK AROUND THE HOUSE
I still have Christmas up! I love it to linger a bit longer. We've been snuggling at night watching movies downstairs in the big lounger couch with just the Christmas tree lights on. After the entertaining I'll be doing this week, I will be ready to take it down next weekend.
CURRENTLY READING
Let it Snow by Beth Moran (on my kindle)
ON THE TV TODAY:
I still need to watch The Crown, Jeopardy, Gilmore Girls episodes, Miss Scarlet and the Duke, All Creatures Great and Small
ON THE MENU THIS WEEK:
MONDAY - pork chop pinwheels, roasted broccoli
TUESDAY - BLT's (low carb bread), roasted asparagus
WEDNESDAY - out for dinner with Matt's friend then play cards at our house
THURSDAY - low carb pasta, salad
FRIDAY - baked salmon, salad
* when I have my Aunt and friend over for brunch/lunch I'll be serving quiche, fruit and a cinnamon butter braid with glaze. 😋
TO RELAX THIS WEEK I WILL:
read, watch movies with Matt, hang out with my Mom
TIPS OR SOMETHING TO SHARE:
FROM THE CAMERA:
the last time Prince played in public before he died was on this piano
Been enjoying looking for healther versions of things I like to eat. This is a low sugar oatmeal & I added a tiny bit of maple syrup, bananas, and a bit of chopped pecans.
On repeat is yummy salads with fruit and veggies. This was lunch the other day - spinach, rotisserie chicken, peppers, apple, small amoung of craisins, and I dressed with a squeeze of orange, olive oil & salt and pepper.
Sainte Chappelle
Sacré-Coeur
The Louvre
Lazy bums
As per usual I completely forgot my annual blogaversary. It's in November and I'm so in the swing with the holidays during that time, I tend to forget it in the mix. But I still enjoy acknowledging it and to appreciate the support of you wonderful friends for so many years of following this blog, and spending time with me here. This past November was my 9th year blogging! I can't believe how fast that flew by. So I'm currently putting together goodies for a giveaway to come soon. Stay tuned! Here's one sneak peek of one of the goodies:
PRAYER LIST:
For an end to the conflicts all over the world and anyone living in war & fear. For peace and unity in this country, especially from hate and shootings or violence. Prayers for the recent shooting in Iowa. For anyone sick, suffering, in pain, fear, loneliness etc ... that God bring them comfort and peace. For His Light and Love to cast out the darkness everywhere. For Matt's Mom to be fully healed from her cancer, and that her treatments go well. 🙏