Friday Favorites ~ January 29, 2021

Happy Friday!  Thankful to have this first month of 2021 almost behind us.  I am sharing some of my favorites this week.

ONE

These sayings spoke to me this week as great reminders.

TWO

For my birthday last fall, I was given several shower steamers and I used my stress relief this week.

THREE

I am usually not a cereal eater, but I got a random craving a few weeks ago for Honeycomb cereal.  Instead of buying it, I actually tried this healthy version of cereals.  We tried the frosted, fruity and cinnamon flavors.  The frosted and fruity are pretty good, but the we decided the cinnamon tastes better dry.  Have you tried this or any other healthy cereals?

Another morning this week, I made a new to me recipe of sweet potato toast.  I sliced one sweet potato &  baked it at 400 degrees for 20 minutes.  Meanwhile, I warmed some real bacon bits in a skillet for a few minutes, then removed them.  I whisked 3 eggs then poured them into the same skillet.  I let them cook for 1 minute without stirring, swirled it around then cooked it for another minute. I added about 1/4 cup of cheese and covered the skillet one minute for the cheese to melt.  Afterwards, I put the bacon bits on top and cut the eggs into strips to serve on top of the sweet potato.  It was a different, creative breakfast for us this week.  I took this to eat while doing some computer work :).

FOUR

I have enjoyed burning this Woodwick candle in January to have the sound of crackling wood when we didn't have a fire going.

As I transition from winter to Valentine decor, I did find this sign at TJMaxx this week.  I mentioned it on my blog yesterday on Monthly Musings because if someone were to ask me do my husband and I have a special song, it would be Always and Forever by Luther Vandross.

Have a great weekend friends!

 

Monthly Musings ~ February 2021

 Today, I am linking up with Monthly Musings sharing about Valentines and love.

1. How do you show love?  What is your love language?

I tend to show love in acts of service, but am trying to get better in other ways that relate to my family better.  I would have said 6 months ago acts of service is my love language, but that has changed to quality time and physical touch. I do still love an act of service though too!  It is interesting how the needs of love languages change with new circumstances.

2.  Do you have any fun Valentine's traditions?

I always decorate our home for the holiday and give my husband and girls a small gift and candy.  I usually purchase Valentine paper products to use for our meal.  When the girls were younger, I would make heart shaped food for breakfast, like pancakes or biscuits. 

3.  Favorite Valentine's memory?

I just love all the simple ones we had when both girls were at home.

4.  Favorite Valentine's treat?

I am a fan of chocolate and think of chocolate caramel hearts or a chocolate cheesecake.  Not going to lie, I saw an advertisement of a new chocolate cheesecake at McAlister's Deli, and it looks delicious!  Also, I can't refuse a chocolate covered strawberry!

5.  Do you wear Valentine's Day fashions?

I usually try to wear something red, pink or with hearts, although I don't have many "heart" clothing or accessories.  I remember when my girls were younger, all the Valentine clothes seemed to be short sleeves, yet it was usually pretty chilly on February 14th!

6.  Valentine's Day...love, like, or hard pass?

Love!  I love the opportunity to focus on God's love for us and love for others.  This is not just a romantic holiday by any means.  

7.  What do you think is the most romantic song?

I would have to go with the song "Always and Forever" by Luther Vandross.  This has always been a special song for my husband and I.  I actually saw this sign at TJMaxx this week and had to get it!  It is sitting on our bathroom shelf.

8.  Dine out, take out or cook in this Valentine's Day?

Usually, I cook on Valentine's Day.  With it being on a Sunday, I imagine I will do the same this year....just don't know what the menu will be yet!

9.  Pink or red?

Do I have to choose one?  I like both and I even like them combined together!

10.  Flowers or chocolates?

Once again, do I have to choose :)?  I do love them both and neither of them will last too long.  Actually, the flowers would last longer than the chocolates, ha!  Since I will make a dessert on Valentine's Day, I may go with flowers though as my final answer.

This is such a fun post and looking forward to reading others musings!

What's Up Wednesday ~ January 2021

 The first What's Up Wednesday of 2021 is here!!  For fun, I went back to look at my January 2020 post.  I was planning trips for the year....how silly of me:).  

What we're eating this week............

Monday - chicken tacos....This is the easiest, go to crock pot recipe I use.  I just spray the slow cooker, add chicken breasts, sprinkle with taco seasoning, and pour a small bottle of salsa on top.  I let it cook on low 6-7 hours, shred the meat then serve on tortillas with toppings of choice.  So good and easy!

Tuesday - spaghetti with biscuits made with Carbquick

Wednesday  - venison tenderloins, hash browns, onions and peppers

Thursday - out for pizza

Friday - not sure yet :)

What I'm reminiscing about........

4 years ago today we closed on our house!!  It was so exciting and I am so thankful to say I love our home even more today than I did then.  

This is the realtor picture from 4 years ago.  We have made some small landscaping changes, but it is basically the same today.

What I'm loving...........

I am loving having time at home.  That may also sound silly considering our past year, but I am thankful to be able to get some things done each day at home.

What we've been up to............

It seems like we have just had our first somewhat normal week since the holidays.  My husband is busy working, my daughters are busy with school work and I am busy with taking care of the house and doing some work to help with my husband's business.

What I'm dreading.............

The temptation of Valentine and Easter candy!!!  

I need to refrain, but have had quite the sweet tooth lately.  

What I'm working on.............

I have been working on promotional items for my husband's business, working on promoting my daughter's artwork, working on selling random things to make some extra money, and doing a little job searching for myself.  Somehow, my days stay pretty busy.

What I'm excited about..............

I am excited about taking a trip in a few months! 

What I'm watching/reading.............

I am watching my usual shows....The Office and Hallmark movies.  

I am also reading the Chronological Bible each day and I Declare War.

Yes, I am using large print :).  I have being listening to the The Bible Recap podcast each day as well.

I had started this book before, but now I am committed to finishing the book.  Y'all, I just have to do better to make time to read!  I have been reading a few days a week though, so that's an improvement.  If I just read one book a month, that is a fast pace for me.  

What I'm listening to............

All the podcasts!!  

What I'm wearing.............

Lots of jeans and boots these days.  I also wear my platform sneakers a lot this winter as well.  I bought these last year at the Nordstrom anniversary sale.  Since I wear masks everywhere out now, I haven't worn many scarves this winter season.  However, this week I was scarf inspired again and have worn one a few days this week.

What I'm doing this weekend............

We may have dinner with a friend and I hope to see my greats (great nieces and nephew) again as well.  I am also excited to decorate for Valentines!

What I'm looking forward to next month............

Next month is my daughter's birthday and we have a trip to go see her at college.  It should be a fun celebration time!  

What else is new...............

My goodness, it's been a long month honestly.  I am a little tired of January gloomy weather and ready for another re-fresh.  I haven't been my best self this year and just don't feel quite on track, so I am hoping to be a little more productive, eat healthier, exercise and get some rest as well in February.  

Weekend Wrap-Up ~ January 25, 2021

 Good Monday morning to you all! Here is a short-recap of the weekend....

This is from Thursday evening, but if you didn't read this somewhere, I thought it was an interesting fact.  Thursday, January 21, 2021 at 9:21pm was the 21st minute of the 21st hour of the 21st day of the 21st year of the 21st Century!

Friday night, we went to dinner at a friend's house, which was such a fun thing to have something to do at night!  Saturday morning, I made homemade powdered donuts, which actually tasted really good.  Not all healthy recipes I come across taste good :).  Mine did not turn out like the picture, but we certainly enjoyed them this weekend.

Donuts were served for breakfast with fruit, fruit dip and bacon.

Saturday baking continued as I prepared a meal for my niece and her family.  I was able to see my great nieces and nephew and it did my heart so good.  

We returned back to church Sunday morning and to our church plant meeting Sunday night.  It was good to be with people.

In honor of all the Bernie memes that are everywhere, this seemed to sum them up! I am glad we can all have some humor in the midst of the state of our country.

Stay well and may you stay encouraged this day!

Friday Favorites ~ January 22, 2021

Happy Friday to you all!  Linking up today with some Friday Favorites.

ONE

I shared earlier this week my winter decor.

TWO

I had one on one time with my youngest daughter for a dinner date.

THREE

I had read about this a while ago online and found it at our local Lowe's.  We have so many stains on the carpet upstairs and on our stairs, I wanted to give it a try.

This is a before of an area....

And this is the after...I was very pleased with how quickly this works.  This didn't remove 100% of stains, but obviously, it made a huge difference.  It is a product I want to keep on hand for sure.

FOUR

We have all seen lots of them lately, but here is another beautiful sunset.  January does bring some pretty sights of God's creation in the midst of some cloudy days.

FIVE

One of my favorite flavors is huckleberry, which is primarily found out west.  My husband brought me back these two goodies from Montana.  I had a few errands to run one day this week, but my car wouldn't start :(.  So, I came inside and made huckleberry brownies and they were so good!  

In spite of my downfall of emotional eating, I really was trying to start eating healthy again with healthy starts to my day.  This morning, I had a pancake made with Birch Benders mix, venison/turkey sausage, and fruit.

SIX

And this made me laugh this week in the midst of our world right now.

Hope you all have a great weekend!

 

Tuesday Talk ~ Winter Decorations January 2021

 Good morning. I hope you all enjoyed the weekend and MLK holiday.  Today I am linking up with Tuesday Talk and sharing my winter decorations.  

After I take down our Christmas tree, I leave some of my decor out which transitions into a winter theme.  I see a lot of people bringing out their Valentine Decor, but I usually wait until February for that and enjoy that until it is time for spring decor.  I am getting inspired seeing all the Valentine things, but in the meantime, here is our winter look, which is appropriate since January has been so cold!

I added this snowman candle as a small touch in our entryway.

I keep our dining room the same throughout December and January.

I even leave the greenery on our light fixtures.

I have our snowflake with lights displayed above the mantle with a snowman touch on our coffee table. I actually keep the lights above our mantle on year-round!

This is a winter scene my daughter drew 2 years ago.

I also still have greenery in our breakfast area and I added my snow skiing pillow on our sofa.  This is fitting since 2 of my people did a little skiing last week in our favorite state, Montana. 

Have a great day & thanks for reading!

Friday Favorites ~ January 15, 2021

Happy Friday!  

Today I am sharing my first list of Friday Favorites of the year.  I missed last Friday's because I was on a food tour of the Mississippi Delta, which you can read about here if you missed it.

ONE

I also shared earlier in the week some of Life Lately, which includes my cute little great niece:)

TWO

My current take on the news....

THREE

Typical meal planning for me these days....I haven't quite gotten into any meal planning yet since starting the new year with company, a weekend trip, and not having all of us home most nights.  I am really hoping to get back on track next week of meal planning, so I can get back on a healthier eating pattern.  I have taken 2 months off from healthier eating.  

FOUR

Our college girl has been in and out of town sine she came home for Christmas.  We have not had much time together, so just the two of us had a dinner date this week.  I am wearing my new mask I found for $1 at Altar'd State, one of my favorite stores.  They  have 5 masks for $5 this week!  Our mask supply was getting low and I liked the "Thankful Mama" saying. 

The next day, she and my husband left town for a quick get-a-way.  She turns 20 next month, so they are having an early, birthday trip.

FIVE

I shared on my Amazon purchases that I had purchased desk, flip calendars for my daughters as Christmas gifts.  While on my weekend trip last week, I found one that has been perfect for me.  Here is a sampling of a few days:

Hope you all have a warm, cozy, peaceful weekend!