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Oh my, it’s Monday again and just 1 week until Christmas! Are you ready?  We’re as ready as we’re going to be since it is a quiet, just the 2 of us year.  I’m finishing the Christmas cards this week and packages have shipped and will arrive at their various destinations during the week. We made it a very simple year! We ordered a “quarter ham” from HoneyBaked ham and will have carrots.  I can have both (YAY!) as long as the ham is well minced and the carrots are soft enough to mush with my tongue! Christmas will be my fist “REAL” meal so we’ll see how that goes. Now onto the business we call Monday morning check-in and update here at our house.

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW & THE WEATHER OUTSIDE

Weather is still in the 60-70’s, such a nice reprieve for us.  We had a pretty good storm Saturday into Sunday and the ground is still really wet! The week should be pleasant, but all I get is a walk each day and then back inside until we’re sure I have no new infections.

ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE

Green tea and protein drink

AS I LOOK AROUND THE HOUSE / WEEKLY TO DO LIST & HOUSE PROJECTS

Hubby is doing a GREAT job, but let’s face it, he’s a GUY and it will NEVER be up to my standards , but I’m trying really hard to go with the flow and follow doctor’s orders to do nothing.

• LAUNDRY… quite a few loads this week, towels, bedding and clothing
• LIVING AREAS… pretty good, considering
  
• KITCHEN… needs work
  
• STUDIO… is mainly storage these days so nothing going on there
• YARD… nothing much after the weekend storms, just too wet to do anything
• BLOG… some recipe updating, future post planning and holiday post planning

As for me, I am working on finishing the Christmas cards and updating the address book this week besides working on some blog compilation.

CURRENTLY READING & TELEVISION / DVR

I did start reading Ava Miles Dare Valley series again. I’m on book #10 HOME SWEET LOVE.

Quite a few shows have gone on winter hiatus already so I’m concentrating on Christmas movies and NETFLIX. I want to wean out the following list, but while I’m still in recuperation mode it will help as a diversion.

• BIG BANG THEORY, YOUNG SHELDON
  
• NCIS, NCIS NEW ORLEANS and NCIS LA, CRIMINAL MINDS, S.W.A.T.
  
• MADAM SECRETARY, SCANDAL, DESIGNATED SURVIVOR
• CHICAGO FIRE, CHICAGO PD, CHICAGO MED later this season
  
• BRAVE, VALOR, SEAL TEAM
• LAW & ORDER SVU, BLUE BLOODS, HAWAII 5-0
• MACGYVER, SCORPION, BLINDSPOT, ORVILLE, WISDOM OF THE CROWD
  
• Z NATION, WALKING DEAD, FLASH, DC LEGENDS, INHUMANS
  
• THE GOOD PLACE, AMERICAN HOUSEWIFE, SPEECHLESS, GREAT NEWS
  
• THIS IS US, ONCE UPON A TIME, THE GOOD DOCTOR
  
• GUY’S GROCERY GAMES, BEAT BOBBY FLAY, BOBBY AND DAMARIS, EAT SLEEP BBQ, GRILL DADS
  

MENU PLANS FOR THE WEEK
This category is a sad and sore subject for me until about March. My surgery did not go as planned which is changing so much about food, but sure beats the alternative of being 6 foot under. Hubby is loving being able to eat what he calls bachelor food – S.O.S., chili, hot dogs, hamburger helper, etc… I told him NOT to get used to it though, as soon as I can muster enough energy to cook and off this blasted puree diet I am going to to take a hand at some Ramen Fusion.  In the meantime I will be working on combining blogs with older recipes and developing newer recipes that encompass the new requirements. I look forward to previewing those rework recipes in a few months.

SUCCESSFUL RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

These are recipes that have been waiting in cue to post, I’m definitely NOT back to cooking yet.

• TATER TOT GRILLED CHEESE BACON WAFFLE SANDWICH 
• PEANUT BUTTER FUDGE DROPS 
• SEA SALT AND CARAMEL RICE CRISPY TREATS 
  HEALTH, BEAUTY and HOMEMAKING/COOKING TIP

ON MY MIND / THINGS THAT ARE MAKING ME HAPPY

I do realize that I am sooooo blessed to be alive.  I also realize that so many people are living with things so much worse than I am now. But, that said it is extremely hard to wake up from a “semi-simple” surgery to find that it not only turned complicated, but also life altering.  This is just plain going to take some time to get used too! So, Please pardon my pity party.

FAVORITE PHOTO FROM THE CAMERA

Hubby got me a gingerbread house kit to make to occupy my time.  I made this for the little boy next door and he seems to really LOVE it!

INSPIRATION

Certainly seemed like the best quote for how I feel this week.

Be sure to link up with Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom for Happy homemaker Monday, Terri at Darling Downs Diaries and with Laura at I’m an Organizing Junkie for Menu Plan Monday.