Happy Homemaker Monday

 

Happy new week to you Friends!

The Christmas countdown is on over here. 🎄❤️💚 Busy week ahead and Matt's folks come into town. I don't think I'll get a chance to post much after today and I will be taking a blog break for the holidays. We host everything here for my family and for Matt's. But I will come around and visit you all before I sign off and wish you all a Merry Christmas!

We had a fun weekend, as we traveled to Green Bay to see family (Matt & I and the kids). Annie rode with Matt & I and we did lots of singing and playing of games on the way. We met Aaron and Jill there as they drove from where they live. 

We got in our annual Green Bay Gamblers hockey game too, which is always so fun! They are really good this year and won. Yay! We got great time with family (my Aunts and some cousins) - but sadly, my special Uncle Donald (he is mentally challenged and so special to our family) had covid...so we didn't get to spend time with him. That was such a big bummer!! 

On the road trip home we listened to the Packers game...which was fun other than they lost. Boo! We drove by lots of Amish country and farms. It was so pretty to see horses or cows out in the snow. And there was a gorgeous sunset. I will share in pics below. 

Now on to this busy week ahead...

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE IS:

ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE THIS MORNING:

a fun holiday coffee from an advent calendar Matt got me with a little natural almond vanilla creamer & my protein stuff 

ON MY TO DO LIST THIS WEEK:

errands, groceries, final wrapping & doing of gift baskets, clean & prep, MD appt, hair appt, baking, get Matt's folks all settled in, hospice work

THINKING ABOUT: 

final preparations before Christmas and the schedule of events with Matt's folks in town and Annie and other family time too 

THINGS THAT MAKE ME HAPPY:

The birds at the bird feeder and in the branches beyond - how they sing and enjoy the bird seed. We're so happy to give them fuel for these cold temps. And it's fun to watch how happy Bubba is with their visits. 

CURRENTLY READING

The Housemaid  by Freida McFadden

ON THE TV TODAY:

 Jeopardy, old seasons of big brother, Survivor, Ghosts, Holiday baking shows, Hallmark and Christmas movies 

ON THE MENU THIS WEEK:

    MONDAY - pasta night we didn't do last week

TUESDAY -  maybe breakfast for dinner (Annie kind of meal)

WEDNESDAY -  crispy chicken, mashed potatoes, coleslaw & salad

THURSDAY - might go out for early anniversary dinner for Matt's folks

FRIDAY - maybe chicken almondine, salad

*need to sit down and figure out plan with Matt for when his folks are here - so we know what nights to take them places and what nights to eat here...then we can get the groceries for all the menus :) 

*and for Christmas Eve and Day entertaining my family and his what are full menus will be (most likely Christmas ham egg bake brunch with for my Mom, step Dad, Bro and SIL brunch Christmas Eve. And Christmas ham dinner on Christmas with Matt's folks

TO RELAX THIS WEEK I WILL:

watch Christmas movies, bake, read

TIPS OR SOMETHING TO SHARE:

FROM THE CAMERA:

I did dried apples and oranges, cinnamon sticks, whole clove, star anise, and fresh rosemary for this (but pine tree branches right from the yard work too!)

My Girl's hockey pics for this year 💚 Go Bulls! It's so weird to sometimes look at a picture of her and see myself from MANY years ago: 

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.  For anyone sick, suffering, in pain, fear, loneliness etc ... that God bring them comfort and peace. For those involved in the recent shootings at Brown University. 😢

For a safe and healthy holiday season ahead. For Matt's folks to travel safely and for all those traveling this season.

For Christ's Light and Love and Christmas peace to cast out the darkness everywhere and help the world find its way to loving our neighbors as ourselves. 🙏🏻

PRAYER, INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE OR DEVOTIONAL:

Wishing you all a very blessed and Merry Christmas! And if I don't pop back in to blog sooner.... also a very Happy New Year! 🌟

I'm sharing this with Sandra of Diary of a SAHM for Happy Homemaker Monday.

Cooking Thursday: Turkey Noodle Soup (& a few Holiday Treat Gift Ideas)

 

Hello my dear and wonderful Friends!

Yay for almost the weekend ahead to get more Christmas preparations done. I've been doing some baking and making this week. I've got candles glowing in the kitchen as I work and it looks snowy and lovely outside.  I've been working on some things to freeze and some for gifts to give soon. I'll share more about some holiday ideas in a minute. 

But first I thought I would share the recipe for how I make my yearly turkey noodle soup after Thanksgiving. It's always so comforting and yummy and a great side to a perfect leftover turkey sandwich! 😋

I had shared how I make a homemade turkey stock or bone broth several days before Thanksgiving. You can read more about that from an old post here. And I use that stock to make my soup. I didn't think to take a pic of the soup but here is the recipe I created for how I make it. 

TURKEY NOODLE SOUP

Ingredients:

Whatever leftover chopped turkey you'd like to throw in(dark meat is good here)

1/2 onion, chopped

1-2 garlic cloves, chopped

2 celery stalks, chopped

2 carrots, chopped

splash of olive oil

2 Tbsp butter

 2 Tbsp flour 

6 c. turkey stock

salt & pepper to taste

2 Tbsp cooking sherry

1/2 c. heavy cream 

1-2 c. noodles of choice (I use wide Amish noodles)

Directions:

In a large pot saute the onion, carrots and onion in the butter and a splash of olive oil over medium-high heat for about 3 minutes. Add the garlic and stir another minute. Add the flour and cook it out stirring continuously another few minutes. Then pour in the stock and bring to light boil. Salt and pepper to taste. Add the noodles and cook according to time on package directions. When only a few minutes left on the time for the noodles add your chopped turkey. When noodles are done turn to low (or remove from heat if really hot). Stir in sherry and cream and cook a few minutes more until they are blended and warm with soup. Enjoy!

I also thought I'd share some of the treats I'm making as various gifts (or together in gift baskets) for friends and family. I've been making a few other things I'll share another time including mini loaves of cranberry orange bread, fudge, and potpourri simmer pots with dried fruit. But today I thought I'd share sugared pecans (I like to make and put in festive tins) and oyster ranch crackers. I can attest to both as being very tasty and enjoyed by those who have tried them.

 

SUGARED PECANS

I have been making these sugared pecans for many years and they are based on a recipe I found in an old Mary Engelbreit magazine from many years ago. I found a recipe here. But I make them with only 1/4 c. of butter and 3&1/2 to 4 c. of pecans. I like the texture better. I find neat old tins in antique or thrift stores or find deals on new ones and use them to give these as gifts. They stay good for a few weeks if sealed well. I often put them in a sealed baggie and then wrap that in pretty tissue paper before putting in a tissue lined tin. 

RANCH OYSTER CRACKERS

And how you can you go wrong by taking melted butter and adding ranch seasoning and yummy herbs and seasonings. Tossing oyster crackers in it and baking them. They're very addicting - you've been warned! I use Pioneer Woman's recipe here. These could be put in festive little baggies and put in a gift bag, or even cute little jars for gift giving. 

 

Merry Christmas season to you and I hope your kitchen stays cozy and  is filled with the wonderful aromas of love baking away. 

 I wish for you days filled with peace and joy. 

xoxo

Wednesday Wonder: O Holy Night

 

Hello dear Friends!

I hope you're having a wonderful Wednesday. We remain in north pole mode up here. Lol It snowed several more inches yesterday and it's cold and cloudy today. It looks and feels like a winter wonderland and we're loving it!

We picked up our baby Girl last night so she's back in the nest and we've been gabbing away all morning. I alway miss her and just love her so much.💗

Last night we went out to dinner with the C's and then went to the Christmas concert that's held each year at the church Matt and I go to. The concert has the choir and orchestra from a local university. It's always so good and especially the acoustics in the church. I thought for today I'd share some video of O Holy Night they performed. It's my favorite and always gives me goosebumps and chokes me up. You can click on some video clips below the pictures. 

Christmas blessings Friends! ❤️💚

We got there early to get a more decent seat - it always fills up!

Happy Homemaker Monday

Hello my dear lovely Friends!

I send blessings your way that you are having a wonderful start to your week and that this Monday is kind to you. 

I have been doing my usual household chores this morning - after prayer/devotional time. Then I have been finishing some Christmas cards, packing some boxes of gifts to be shipped, and currently I have oranges drying in the oven for a Christmas gift plan. The house is clean and all decorated up and I still have some gifts to finish wrapping. Annie comes home this week...yay!! And I plan to get some pre-holiday baking done to freeze a few gifts. I'm feeling fully into the Christmas swing of things and trying to take little moments each day to enjoy something and to give some extra gratitude from my heart. Especially because Matt's news came back awesome and he is cancer-free too! Thank you Lord!! 🙏🏻 So again, this is your sign to go and get your skin checked as early detection is key. 

We had a fun weekend...how about you?

 We snuggled in Friday and watched movies. Saturday we ran to the 10 mile property to grab some things his folks will need for their visit (coming next week), and check on things there. So it was a lovely bright sunny road trip day. That evening we went to dinner with our friends the C's and they came back and played cards until the wee hours. Mrs. C and I may have enjoyed some hot toddys that included spiced rum and brandy - which made for extra laughs. And I was moving slow Sunday morning so Matt & I did our church's online service. Lol Then we went to my Mom & step Dad's later in the day and helped them with a few things and had some lunch and played cards. After that we came home and watched the Packer game that was a miracle win!! We are #1 in our division - wooo hoo! 💚💛💚💛

So it was a great weekend and now I'm ready to dive into the week ahead...

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE IS:

ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE THIS MORNING:

a fun holiday coffee from an advent calendar Matt got me with a little natural almond vanilla creamer & my protein stuff 

ON MY TO DO LIST THIS WEEK:

post office errands and grocery run, bake up gifts, work on my Mom's calendar I make each year, refill blessing bags, holiday concert with friends, pick up my Girl from airport (yay!), wrap gifts & finish crafts, hospice work

THINKING ABOUT: 

working on my to-do list and checking it twice 😉

THINGS THAT MAKE ME HAPPY:

the smell of sweet things (ex. Christmas cookies) or savory things 

(ex. butter with fresh herbs on chicken) baking in the oven, especially this time of year while twinkle lights glow

CURRENTLY READING

The Housemaid  by Freida McFadden

ON THE TV TODAY:

 Jeopardy, old seasons of big brother, Survivor, Ghosts, Holiday baking shows, Hallmark and Christmas movies 

ON THE MENU THIS WEEK:

    MONDAY - roast chicken, green salad

TUESDAY - taco bowls

WEDNESDAY -  pasta with Italian sausage (Annie's plain), garlic bread, salad & glazed honey carrots (need to use them up)

THURSDAY - pancakes with holiday cinnamon syrup, red roasted breakfast potatoes, bacon, and fruit (Annie faves)

FRIDAY - out for dinner

TO RELAX THIS WEEK I WILL:

watch Christmas shows, hang with my Girl, wrap gifts, read

TIPS OR SOMETHING TO SHARE:

something to tuck away for when holiday baked goodies season is over 😂

FROM THE CAMERA:

Road trippin' to our lake property day. It was so bright and sunny. We couldn't believe the water was as open as it was and not more frozen! The snow makes the outbuildings and the paths on the property so pretty. 

I love the sweet advent calendar card next to the angels. I received that card from my thoughtful friend Jules from England. I love opening a window each day! 

Some daytime shots from the living room and a few nighttime glow ones too. The tree in here needed a new star this year and I found this wood bead one. I really like it and think it fits as this tree has a red bead garland, gold garland, red berries and northwoodsy and Scandinavian ornaments. 

The other trees in our home include this snowman one that greets you in the back hall as you come into the house. And downstairs in our media room/Matt's office is this one with all our family ornaments and the angel my Gram always had on her tree. 

The Christmas lights on the outside of the house. I include a video of it with a closer view too. 

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.  For anyone sick, suffering, in pain, fear, loneliness etc ... that God bring them comfort and peace. For a safe and healthy holiday season ahead. For Annie's safe travels and all those traveling this holiday season.

For Christ's Light and Love and Christmas peace to cast out the darkness everywhere and help the world find its way to loving our neighbors as ourselves. 🙏🏻

PRAYER, INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE OR DEVOTIONAL:

Blessings to you!

I'm sharing this with Sandra of Diary of a SAHM for Happy Homemaker Monday.