Quietly winding down 2021 . . .

Ahhh . . . 

Scene from a couple days ago. Sitting with a cup of coffee and Cinnamon Bun Quick Bread from yet again, another Parade Magazine recipe (recipe sidebar too), whilst continuing to try and read a book I started in 2011. I am bound and determined to finish it by the end of January (I started it in Feb of 2011, haha!). Today, I read one page, oy! Anyway, made three loaves this year to give away two. Finally got ours made this week. It is a mouthful of delectable sweetness should you dare! (-:

And that sweet little Christmas plate?

I'm SOOOO excited about this little find on my little ol' Nextdoor app. Love this somewhat retro, simple set of 8 dinner plates, salad plates, platter and a surprise bonus ("We just found salt and pepper shakers if you want to stop by we can leave them on the porch." Um...heck yeah! (-:). And they're not saved for fancy occasions, they're in the cupboard as our regular plates for the Christmas season. I've been giving away and selling loads of stuff on Nextdoor this past Fall (another big round of stuff going out to Purple Heart tomorrow as a matter of fact), so when I finally found Christmas plates (that I've never had) I was thrilled to pick them up for a steal!

Got to filing some new-ish cheesecake recipes this week and found this sweet note from almost 13 years ago now. Lara had requested a Chocolate Turtle Cheesecake for her 10th birthday. I can vividly remember how cool I thought that was then and now again, how cool I think that is now! (-: This year I filed away (on old photo album paper in a three ring binder) a decadent chocolate cheesecake I made for Christmas and the Pumpkin Chai cheesecake I made for Thanksgiving.

I unearthed these two recipe files whilst looking for my seven layer taco dip recipe. I'm super glad I rediscovered these. I now have more shelf space in the kitchen to keep these at easier reach, lots of great recipes in there I never got to from days of yore. But, alas, after all that...turns out my seven layer dip recipe is over on the sidebar of this ol' blog, haha! Printed it so it could have a spot in the files. (-:

From the files, will make this weekend.

Never Made before.

Got all the ingredients today.

Found this in the files.

Never made before.

Making it for New Year's Eve.

Parade Magazine once again!

Found this in the files.

Used to make more often than others.

All the kids used to like it.

Will look forward to revisiting Sunday.

Got all the ingredients today.

💜

When you're the lucky one that gets to care for the neighbor's chickens . . .

💛💛💛💛💛💛💛💛💛💛💛💛💛

I could have beautiful eggs like these often but William can't get over knowing ex.ac.tly. where they come from and that sometimes they need to be umm...washed a bit. He does better with store-bought. So, I don't take advantage much of the neighborly offer of eggs I have available to me. But, every now and again, they're away and need a little help with feeding, watering and wrangling them in at dusk, so I'll have a couple just for myself. 

L.O.V.E.

 

Merry Christmas and a Late December Light Show! . . .

 Ok, careful here, likely not your typical Christmas banter . . . 

Due to death (non-covid, five years ago) and the recent Covid infection I mentioned earlier, I didn't get to celebrate Christmas the way we usually do (meals together, waking up together, church service, general Christmas excitement and joy), with either of those boys, my boys, you'll see in the video through the link below.

But, I was O.K.!

I experienced happiness, joy, gratitude.

I decorated, I played Christmas music a lot, I baked, I worshiped, I sang, I gathered with family, I visited with and met new people, I was blessed by others and blessed others with Christmas gifts.

Was it still sad to really, really miss the one and disappointing to have the last minute absence of the other. You BETCHA!

But, when I stumbled upon this video today, it still filled my heart and gave me great joy and even a little laugh, to watch.

http://pierceadventures.blogspot.com/2008/12/merry-christmas.html

How is that possible?

"Christmas" is supposed to "look like this . . . ." (fill in the blank).

Hmmmm.....

And I surely do know that I'm not the only one who has losses or absences or compromised situations or, or, or...that rearrange what we imagine "Christmas to look like," that is for sure!

But as this is my little space for reflection, if it can be of use to any reader who might be currently caught up in sadness or grieving or despair of any type to be gently reminded, our One True Heavenly Father loves us SO MUCH that he sent His precious and only son Jesus to be born for us, to suffer, die and be resurrected for US. Our Dear and Gracious Heavenly Father is the one who brings comfort and healing to those in pain, so much so, that when our earthly December comes around again, we can feel joy, happiness and gratitude moving us to celebrate what exactly?  Well...the birth of His Son, our Lord, Jesus Christ!  Christmas! That can look however it needs to look that year or any year to come, that celebration isn't dependant upon whose house you're at, what food you have, who's at your table, if you have a tree in the house or a houseplant with a single decoration from the grocery store. I tell you, flood yourself with His Word, with His Truth, with His Forgiveness, with His Grace and the earthly challenges, losses and disappointments can much, much, much easier fall to the wayside and give you PEACE.

So now, a few Christmas Day outtakes (-: 

Livia and I had our quiet Christmas morning (well, late morning (-:) time together.

She asked for some stickers this year as she's started collecting them (all over her desk) over the past few years by purchasing stickers from our travels together. There she is opening 150 new ones with funny memes, characters and people that resonate with 12 year olds! (-:

Oh, let's not forget!

Alli joined us too for her stocking treats reveal!

(-:

Early afternoon we met up with a groggy, Covid infected William for some present opening in the driveway!  

That was a new form of "Christmas" I must say!

Lasted about 1.5 minutes, no hugging, idle banter and I zoomed the camera.

Here he is discovering his requested gift . . . an air fryer!

No kidding, even after my suggesting that many people are likely discovering it's a bit of a fad and not using their fryers very much, he was all in and wanted one.

I have for many years now felt this guy was going to become a chef, I'm still holding to it! (-:

And then . . . lo and behold . . . while I'm sitting here on my little perch researching bathroom ceiling fans and small refrigerators, look what I'm given . . . 

A Dazzling Late December Light Show!

I mean, look at that!

The sun is practically creeping right on into my house!

💜

Miscellaneous Christmas Eve . . .

This past week has kept this countertop very, very busy.

It was GREAT!

I just kept many of those ingredients, and others, out all week and grabbed from them as needed.

I made some old and new recipes.

I have a small, but excellent kitchen to work in.

I think I'll recap some Christmas foods and their stories next week.

We'll see! (-:

I like to keep the kids on their toes occasionally too.

Put a gift card in a simple, little envelope?

No sirreee bob!

Ratchet set underneath that drill case should keep her guessing!

Missing this gal this year as she had no time off from flying to head home. )-:

Then, low and behold, went to pick up Livia and William today for our Christmas Eve/Day time together before their portion of the Christmas break starts with me and . . . turns out if you go to NYC when there's a massive breakout of a worldwide pandemic, and add on top of that if you're taken to Madison Square Garden to see a Billy Joel concert, you're likely coming home with Covid (even if you were vaccinated). I, and many others, could have seen that coming a mile away before that trip was taken...oh, yeah...I did see that coming. But . . . many people travel through the world with different choices and decisions than one another so now, no William for Christmas either, caught Covid from the scenario above. Came to the car today looking groggy and all stuffed up, I'm like . . . "whoa, hold up there partner, you just (read scenario above), and you're all sick, I think you need to take a Covid test." Wha-la . . . moms know stuff. Total bummer, but I was already kind of expecting it, I mean...come on!

I put my feet up in the middle of prepping an overnight egg bake for tomorrow.

I am so grateful for my home, I just love it!

(-:

And finally, got the alarm all set to greet Santa's arrival!

I better go to bed.

(-:

Everything's more fun to work on with Christmas decorations and candles . . .

It's calendar making night tonight.

At the last minute I decided to whip up some cards earlier this week.

Walgreens became my favorite store by having overnight printing.

Then, I showed up at Rite Aid to pick up, hahaha. (eyeball rolling emoji) For the life of me I always pictured that side of town's Rite Aid as Walgreens.

Got those mostly put together and out yesterday, hopefully they'll arrive before we're too far into 2022!

(-:

And now, 2022 calendar creating shall commence.

I mean, come on!!

How cool is that reflection!!!

(-:

Happy Last Sunday in Advent . . .

My sister and I spent it first at Historic Trinity Lutheran downtown, then had lunch together, then met a longtime friend to hang out with while she had lunch, then came home and . . . decided after all to pull a Christmas card together! I almost chose not to make one, for the first time in I believe 22 years, maybe 21, maybe 23...I can't count, it's 11:56p.m. and I need to hit "publish." Haha! I just couldn't wrap my mind around it for some reason, part of that being how to pick pictures...of all things for this picture taker. But it gets a little more complex when you have a million of them and the kids are getting grown. But, I'm happy with how it turned out and will get to addressing tomorrow night. Here are a few views from our morning. Have a wonderful week!

 

Fire and Ice! . . .

So . . . last night's fire . . .

Turned into this morning's ice!

And as much as I was enchanted by this morning's ice,

It just kept getting better and better throughout the day.

Well, that is, if one didn't have to drive on it, which one didn't!

(actually I heard the roads weren't bad at all (-:)

Mid-way through the day, which was a rather long one for me with nothing specific on the calendar, I texted my sister this pic..."Now I'm even taking pictures of grass!"

But, I must say...cool pic. (-:

Scroll back up to see the ice progression, you know, during a slow time in your day...

Hahahahahaha!

Then, I added something to my calendar, "Go to the 6:30 p.m. church service!"

And despite arriving at 6:31p.m., though the church bells had just started to ring, had to stop and take a picture of this amazingness! Even love the wash of light streaming through the top half of the pic!

Finally, upon departure.

Had time for some up close examination of ice on tree.

What an ice-shiny day today!

Tonight . . .

Was Delightful!

We've had mild weather as of recent, minus two very windy days, so tonight turned into thee best night ever to burn a year's worth of stick and branch collecting. Snow's possibly coming this weekend which was another draw to get cracking tonight. Was just going to leave it till Spring originally...it was a HUGE, sprawling pile in the back corner of the yard (wish I got a before pic!), kinda out of the way enough not to really bother me. I couldn't see that a space of time would open up as winter approached to dive into this project. But, it did tonight and it was so refreshing and amazing to have a fire and to simultaneously get a job done.

This time, for real, I've gotten everything outside I wanted to get done before real winter snow settles in...but then, if it stays mild enough, I'm sure I'll find something else to do out there! Ha!

Peace (-:

 

Happy Sunday! . . . When the best laid plans don't go as expected . . .

When your best laid plans don't go as expected, how do you respond?

Contemplate that when next experiencing best laid plans gone awry.

I don't have a magical answer unfortunately. (-:

I just have a gone awry story coming up from a kinda disappointing morning, with a relatively little plan gone awry.

You can have really big, important plans or the tiniest incidental plans and they just might not work out. And then what?

Again, no perfect answer to share really, so many variables and differences for everyone.

But...

I mean, if we had some place of solid security and assurance, some place where it's not our best laid plans we need to count on, depend upon but a place to land when our plans poof, evaporate, collapse, disappear, fail.

Hear Ye, Hear Ye . . . 

God's most precious and Holy Word is that place!

He gave it to us.

It can comfort us.

It can inform us.

It can give us hope, joy and glory.

Even when we see none.

I mean, just look at that teeny, tiny verse up above. Does that not just fill you with peace? If not, why not?

I guess I do have an answer, or at least a share of what's worked for me.

Flood yourself with God's Word and your heart and mind can completely rework your reactions to those best laid plans gone awry!

Now...for my best laid food plans that went awry, yet now seem rather trivial considering many serious and much more consequential plans that could go awry, but it's what I've got for today. So, on we go...

I come upon so many recipes and sometimes email myself telling myself to "Make this recipe!!" Last night it was Carnitas. I'd had that in my email box for quite some time now and Saturday afternoon got inspired and purchased all the ingredients. Most are pictured above. Of course, I started late on it, it has a 10 hour slow cook time so I decided to do it overnight. I finally plugged the black plug into the wall at 11:30a.m. (I'm a nightowl, totally reasonable time for me, haha, plus I had some families over for the evening). Well, 4:30a.m. I awoke for a bathroom trip and, sniff, sniff....hmmmm...strange that amazing pork shoulder and sauce isn't giving off an amazing aroma by now. I head into the kitchen to see that I'd plugged in the black blender plug instead of the black slow cooker plug!! What??!! Sometimes I'd forgotten to turn the knob on after plugging in so I distinctly took great care to turn to "low" check and recheck that scenario. Never thinking I'd need to check and recheck my plug, ack! Well, I plugged it in for real this time and went to bed. At 8:30a.m. then I spent a half hour trying to convince myself that the many, many, many, many, many, many...internet entries about raw meat being left out for ONLY TWO HOURS OR IT'S BAD and you could potentially POISON EVERYONE...couldn't be true and the one pork shoulder that was left out for five hours and was going to cook for a very, very long time would be ok. I couldn't convince myself, despite really feeling like it'd be fine, but really, really not wanting to deal with food poisoning just in case...so, I unplugged and let it sit on my counter for half the day, somewhat mocking me! 

Yes, a very minor best laid plan gone wrong indeed...but I was REALLY looking forward to this recipe, the authenticity of it, the price of that meat(!!), the time spent hand juicing that fruit...I really was quite bummed, very bummed, outright disappointed and in a ridiculous way, grieving the loss of this exciting meal (I am kinda a foodie after all). And then, I packaged it up in a few plastic bags, dumped it out in the garbage and moved on. I'm now excited to prepare this dish for New Year's Day complete with actual Mexican oregano which I didn't have this time (yay!) as well as a recipe I just found for homemade tortillas!

 

I am not rereading that monologue for errors or incoherent reasoning or sharing, it's too late once again, so, hopefully my one or two readers either skipped all those words or made it through ok, haha!

Oh, Look!

I got the tree up, new lights this year, little circular red LED's combined with the regular shaped lights. No ornaments from when the pic was taken Friday night, but we got some on today. I've decided to go light on the ornaments this year, especially since I don't have one kid home that's wildly interested in hanging ornaments. It's just the perfect shape and size for our house and looks great. Every year one or more of the kids mentions how nice white lights would look and I reply, "they sure would, wouldn't they, so pretty and unified and picture perfect. But, I kinda like the variety, splash of color and uniqueness in this day and age of having these big ol' colorful lights." And so, here they are again and I LOVE it!

Have a most blessed week to come and consider finding comfort and care in God's Word when YOUR best laid plans go awry!

Sunrises & Pickles

Or, I suppose . . . 

Pickles . . . 

I'm a bit of a connoisseur of pickles, sauerkraut and beets, both pickled and plain. I've been on a multi-year quest to find my favorites of all of them.

(Here's where I throw my head back and laugh, and laugh and laugh, remembering the honors bestowed upon me as "Most Unique" in high school)!

So, my latest Aldi's trip had be eyeballing that little jar above, filled with all those herbs and spices and the teeny tiniest pickles I ever done seen. I have known for many years that I am not one that enjoys those sweet little gherkin pickles but the bevy of seasonings in that there jar sucked me right in...as always does "German Style," "Inspired by Germany," etc...which actually I read as "Made in Germany" by that little flag colored circle, but alas.

I LOVED THEM!

Thee end.

And Sunrises!

This was yesterday morning.

I'm not usually one functioning for sunrises, but with the time change and our driving schedule we've been catching some beauties. I wanted to catch this one behind "Lara's tree" before we darted off to the races, so I did. Ha, cracking myself up today.

Since it is still technically Fall . . . .

I have to repost this pic for the quote I drive by on my way to volleyball with Liv.

May your blessings outnumber the Fall leaves!

I've just been loving reading that every time I drive by, and I think of this pic I took in early November and what a perfect combo it'd be. So, not a moment to soon before the winter solstice (December 21), I got it posted!  Whew, hahaha!

Um...WOW...somehow a week just zipped by! . . .

 

Do you ever just sit at work in awe of how God has provided you just the perfect way to support your family? These are my Tuesdays that I mentioned earlier this year (I sit next to the students this year, not behind them like last spring...except in this video because she was practicing for a performance). On Tuesday this week I had a moment to just sit and listen in the back as a mock audience for my 8:40a.m. student, to look out the little window and just soak it all in. Our God is so good. And you know what, as I type this, because I've had some pretty shocking and sudden losses in my life, my mind wants to hint quietly to me..."you know, you could lose this job in a snap, it could be taken away from you," and you know what another part of my mind says..."God will provide as I need!"

The dusting of snow, the green bush and the red building were catching my eye.

What a delightful winter scene.

And...WHAT??

Still gardening??

Yup!

Yesterday, December 7th, I harvested my final round of beets.

Yes, yes, I know...not attractive and quite small.

Much of my food ends up being that way, well, not small, but unattractive, but Mmmm,mmm...ends up tasting great!

So, yeah, busy teaching, going here and there and days just flying by filled to the rim and I actually thought to myself, "Self, look how fast the days are flying, do you really need to be hauling out all that Christmas razzle dazzle?" Well, that was just about enough to shake the ground beneath my feet, whoa. Finally, yesterday I got hit with a little bit of razzle and brought some Christmas dazzle up from the basement to get things started. This weekend, Christmas tree!

(-:

Why? Because December 1st calls for a post . . .

 Was heading to bed just now (10:53 p.m. plus another half hour before lights out scrolling the phone, I'm sure) and said to myself, "Self, it's December 1st, the 1st of the month being a great day for a post, so eek out one more ounce of energy and go get the computer." Mind you, if you've thought some of my posts are less than gripping, shall we say, this will likely rank even less...possibly much, much less. But...here we are nonetheless, haha!

Leaving a hockey game this past Tuesday and saw this on the wall. 

Just thought it was cool.

In this area hockey world at least there are three things you'll see a lot, Belle Tire, AAA and Detroit. We've got connections with playing for Belle Tire (Ben, one spring season...happened to be the season when they ripped up one of our largest highways down to complete dirt and that highway was one of the main reasons we even decided to do Belle Tire that spring, it was a direct shot to the city Belle Tire played out of, bit of a commute without that highway. Alas...it as a bit of a commute that spring, ha!) and Detroit, but we're not really in the AAA league of hockey playing, that's cool though.

Used the last of my garden's green onions today.

Didn't get to most of them from my big haul before the frost hit, always a bit of a bummer for them to just go bad in the fridge. But, I wasn't cooking at all during two weeks of Covid and not for a while afterwards. I was thrilled tonight, when making one of William's favorite chicken dishes, to discover I had exactly the right amount left, yahoo!

So there we have it, a riveting, December 1st post.

I have to say, my days and months are still just filled to the brim (rim? not looking it up) with everything that they continue to fly, fly, fly by. I do find down time, which is nice and needed, but for it to be December again, right now, after it was JUST December a blip ago is, just, WOW!

(-: