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I don’t know about you, but I really can’t believe we’re in November and Christmas is only 49 days away! I’ve been busier than ever (or so it seems), but still have so much I want to accomplish this year. Thank goodness they gave me an hour back yesterday (insert snickering here 😀 )

Be sure to join us for Happy Homemaker Monday and link up with our host, Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom

I cannot believe this year only has 2 months left. Hubby helped me get out the holiday decorations last week. Ever since COVID I have decorated early and leave them up late. I just love Christmas! For me it truly is about the season and the reason for the season. I LOVE doing the baking and sharing with others. BUT, EVERYTHING is so expensive this year! We’ve decided to scale back drastically and make this a truly old fashioned Christmas. If your can’t eat it or drink it or enjoy it with others, it’s not on our Christmas list. 😀

I’m really hoping that I can enhance BLOGMAS this year and increase our Christmas spirit (which is already pretty high). Our neighbors are wonderful people and I LOVE sharing with them as I bake or create new recipes. They are always honest about the new recipes which I adore so I really appreciate their input. Mark paid me the most wonderful compliment the other day when I took over a pan of Chicken Chile Enchiladas and homemade refried beans when their daughter was visiting. He said I’m always thinking of others and doing nice things for them. Isn’t that what this life (and Christmas) is all about? It is to me and I think the best way for me to start my BLOGMAS season 😀

I’ve also realized that doing BLOG 365 is something I’m glad I’ve done (mostly) this year, but I think next year will be more intentional and purposeful blogging instead of just racing to fill each day.

100% chance of cold and rain so there’s a 100% chance of flannels and UGG’s this week for me. I LOVE living where it’s cold, but I HATE being cold and especially cold toes! We had thunderstorms and pouring raining ALL of Saturday with a short break Sunday morning before it began all over again by lunchtime.

I’m in holiday mode! Don’t hate me, but my Christmas tree is up! Well mostly up, I’ll finish today. We’re not having anyone over for Thanksgiving and on those years I start with Christmas early. It’s my favorite time of year and the cold makes it seem okay to decorate early. We will restrain ourselves and not decorate outside until after Thanksgiving though 😀

I am having some girlfriends over for a charcuterie board and Christmas jewelry tree making get together later today so thought having the tree up would be inspirational.

I spent most of the rainy weekend baking for the Eagles bake sale yesterday and preparing a raffle basket for a pool tournament/memorial for a sweet man who recently passed away. It was hosted by a local bar & grill that my girlfriend manages and she asked me to help her. We raised  close to $1000.00 for his family.

Have I mentioned how much I miss being able to have a couple of cups of coffee in the morning? Especially on cold fall/winter mornings? 😀 This morning is hot water and raisin oatmeal before I brave the cold rainy morning to get the grocery shopping done.

THIS WEEK’S TO DO LIST, PROJECTS & APPOINTMENTS

LAUNDRY & CLEANING I’m working on the baseboards and carpet edges that collect the dust that vacuums just don’t reach. GROCERIES & ERRANDS just a few for myself. My friend that had ankle replacement surgery is now in a walking boot and overjoyed with being a bit independent again. I need to get to town and get a few things for tomorrow’s Eagles dinner that I’m now subbing in for as the regular cook for Tuesday will be away. Her husband is having surgery later today for a bladder cancer recurrence – please keep Robert in your prayers. We’re having Creamy Rustic Tomato Soup with Grilled Cheese Dippers which will be perfect for this weather!! PAPERWORK, PHONE CALLS, PROJECTS & TRAVELS I made my way through another stack of notes and filing 😀 RECIPE RESEARCH & MENU PLANNING I’m hoping to sit down this week and plan out the rest of the year with intention.

WHAT’S ON THE DVR/TV

Christmas movies and baking shows seem to be on the forefront now that we’ve cleaned out the DVR and caught up on the summer things.

Wild Widows #3, Someone to Love by Marie Force.

 

	11/6 MONDAY	11/7 TUESDAY	11/8 WEDNESDAY	11/9 THURSDAY	11/10 FRIDAY	11/11 SATURDAY	11/12 SUNDAY
BREAKFAST	HOT WATER & YOGURT	HOT WATER & YOGURT	HOT WATER & YOGURT	HOT WATER & YOGURT	HOT WATER & YOGURT	HOT WATER & YOGURT	HOT WATER & YOGURT
LUNCH & DINNER	SIRLOIN CAP & GERMAN DUMPLINGS	CREAMY TOMATO SOUP AND GRILLED CHEESE DIPPERS (I’m filling in for a friend at the Eagles whose husband had surgery yesterday)	BEEF STEW & CRUSTY SOURDOUGH	CHICKEN WINGS & POTATO SALAD	YOYO / CORN YOU’RE on YOUR OWN or CLEAN OUT REFRIGERATOR NIGHT since my girlfriend and I will be out of town visiting some craft fairs in a neighboring town an hour away	OUT with FRIENDS TO a FAVORITE RESTAURANT & AXE THROWING EVENING 😀	YOYO / CORN YOU’RE on YOUR OWN or CLEAN OUT FRIDGE NIGHT I’ll be at a fundraiser for the Eagles MOST of the day
DESSERT	WALNUT POLVORONES		APPLE CORN CRISP

I left quite early on Saturday to run errands and go to the fall craft fair, which wasn’t as good as normal, but had I not gone I would have missed this incredible morning shot of the foggy and stormy pond.

• FRUIT PIE BARS

• CHEDDAR MUFFINS
• BROWN BAG APPLE PIE
• HAWAIIAN STIR FRY PINEAPPLE BOATS