Hello and happy Monday Friends ~
First of all, I hope you had a wonderful weekend.
I had a great one because I got to spend lots of time with my besties!! We get together every January to do a belated Christmas together. We've been doing it over 30 years now (might be close to 35!) and it's a highlight for all of us every year...and always such an amazing way to begin a new year. They are sisters of my heart that have been with me through thick and thin my whole adult life. We share all that's on our hearts, in our lives, and our dreams of the future. Of course lots of talk about hubby's and our kids and now one of us is expecting a grandchild in June! And we called our other bestie that lives in California now and has been out there for about 25 years or so now. We always pick a theme the year before. Bring a gift related to the theme and anything else fun that fits. This year our meal was even related to our theme! I'll share more below.
We started that day by going together to a funeral. I mentioned praying for a classmate of ours that lost her husband - and he had been a classmate too. He was a doctor in our area and we all went to the funeral to give some support. Needless to say it was a full house in the cathedral because they were both in so many circles, as well as the fact that he was only in his early 50's. Definitely hit the message home to enjoy each moment because we never know when our time to go will be. So it was nice to get together after (I hosted this year) and gather here and laugh (we always do so much belly laughing) and share and feel the joy of living after such a somber time earlier. I love my girlfriends so much! They are truly the sisters of my heart and I thank God for them every day.
Then Sunday was a nice relaxation day. Matt & I snuggled in and watched lots of football. Unfortunately my Pack lost to the Eagles and are all done now. Boo! Maybe next year!
But, finally, what I also wanted to bring up today is the fact that I, as per usual, completely forgot about my blogaversary! It was in November and because it's always a busy holiday time - I think that's why I forget. It was my 10th blogaversary!! Which I can't even believe! But I always like to do a giveaway in the start of the new year. So I will be working on that and share about it soon - so stay tuned! Being a 10th anniversary I may need to giveaway 3 separate prize bundles, instead of just 2, to make it extra special. Plus, more chances to win for you! 😉✨
THE WEATHER OUTSIDE IS:
ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE THIS MORNING:
coffee with splash of protein creamer and a little almond milk - fasting
ON MY TO DO LIST THIS WEEK:
helping out a friend, errands, check on my Mom & step Dad sick with colds, take down Christmas now that gf gathering done, home projects, hospice work
THINKING ABOUT:
How kind of sad it is every year to take down Christmas - but it was nice having it up longer for my gf gathering.
AS I LOOK AROUND THE HOUSE
I see bins ready to house decorations. Bubba is next to me rubbing his head on my computer. I'm listening to Michael Buble sing and I can see sun sparkling on the snow out the window. We finally got about 5-6 inches of white fluffy stuff this weekend! Makes everything so much prettier.
CURRENTLY READING
My new awesome herb book I got from Aaron for Christmas. It's called The Cook's Herb Garden: Grow, Harvest, Cook
by Jeff Cox & Marie Pierre Moine
I also added The Little Book of Cottagecore: Traditional Skills for a Simpler Life by Emily Kent on my kindle
Plus, when Annie & I were out shopping recently I also picked up the newest edition of In Her Studio: spaces and stories of creative women (love those magazines!!)
ON THE TV TODAY:
When Calls the Heart, Virgin river, All Creatures Great & Small, The Rookie , Miss Scarlet, movies taped & cooking shows
ON THE MENU THIS WEEK:
MONDAY - leftover pasta from the weekend, salad
TUESDAY - tacos
WEDNESDAY - Costco sesame ginger chicken crumbles we do in cauliflower rice bowls & top with some sweet chili sauce & peanuts
THURSDAY - roasted veggies & cheese egg bake (add cottage cheese for protein boost), whole grain toast, fruit
FRIDAY - leftovers or out for dinner
*will be doing a Costco run and figure out meal plan for the week
TO RELAX THIS WEEK I WILL:
work on our wedding scrapbook I'm making, read, maybe cross stitch
TIPS OR SOMETHING TO SHARE:
FROM THE CAMERA:
It's a world of white once again:
We have so much when we gather each year. Since we had an elf theme I modeled the meal after the movie "Elf" and we had spaghetti (I did my slow cooker sauce recipe here.) And I also added caesar salad & some fruit & dip. A gf brought garlic bread. Another gf brought veggies, mini bundt cakes (they were awesome!), and another gf brought cocktails & appetizers. We never starve! Like the movie I had also put syrup and poptarts on the table. Lol My friend, Heidi, had also brought cute elf hats for us to wear for a photo op. 😉
