Love a long weekend

 Well, hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving - kicking off the official start of the Holiday season!

This weekend is exactly why I realize why I like to put my tree up the weekend before Thanksgiving - so I dont have to worry about it during the 4 day weekend that is full of activity.  Can sit back & enjoy all the Christmas glow watching Santa come down the road in a parade.

THURSDAY

* I did my usual Thanksgiving morning activity - pumpkin pies! I love baking them while watching the parade - plus the smell in my home is just an added bonus. MMMM.... Delish.  My pies turned out a little too "pumpkin pie spicy" - but balance it out with whip cream & perfect!  

* I waited the full parade just to see Cher. MY LORD - how does this woman do it? I mean, we know she's had face lifts - but still, that she's 77 & looks like she does? She has made some sort of deal in exchange for her soul, hasn't she? Only answer it can be.  .... I loved the parade though.  Was totally confused if that was Peter Centera when Chicago was singing on the float... I still dont know the answer to that.

*  I went over to my brother & SIL's & they had a house full! I didnt even take one picture - except when BEREAL came up & I snapped one of my niece.  I snipped out my pic because it was HORRENDOUS of me - but it was REAL, that's for sure... but this was it - the only picture I got.  At least its of a cutie!

It was such a beautiful day too - cool, but my brother & my other niece ended up sitting outside with the house being full - the cool air felt wonderful to me & it was just fun chatting with the 3 of us.

* My mom came & had a good time too. We always joke that we spend our Thanksgiving in the ER because we had like a 3 year stint where mom ended up there each year.  Our yearly tradition - but the past 2 years, yahoo - I think she's broken the jinx.  She was able to catch up with my SIL's grandmother - those two just love to sit & chat the night away. Glad to see mom enjoying herself.

FRIDAY

* No more 3am wake up calls for us - we woke up around 7:30 & eased into the morning.  We went to our local little restaurant & had breakfast (they have the BEST breakfast).  We hit the primo time too because when we got there, I said, Oh, its not busy.  But we went in, got a seat & BLINK, the place was packed & the line was going out the door. We slid in just in time.  Love that!

* We went out to do some shopping ... for nothing special. Just like to see what sales are out there.  The winners of the day were probably the dogs. I came home with lots of treats & toys & beds for them.  

Of course, Black Friday isn't Black Friday without a Starbucks stop

* I tried to get into Bath & Body Works.... mmmph... forget that. The line was down the mall - literally. They had a stopping point I guess to prevent the store from being over capacity & no thank you. This is why I on line shop.  

* We went to a few stores that had some ridiculous lines & by 4, I was like, I'm done "peopling" - I just wanted to get away from crowds.  We picked up some food & came home & turned on some Christmas movies & then I'm back in my happy place.  I finished this book too - Meh. Its holiday themed but it involves the girl's brother dying & no... I dont want any heart wrenching sadness in my Christmas books please.  I need Hallmark feels!

* I got so hooked on the game show Squid Game now out on Netflix. WOWWWWW... its so intriguing!  If you ever watched the series, then you have to watch the game they have created out of it. It's really an interesting social experiment if you ask me.  I cant wait to see the rest of it. I thought the whole thing was out so made myself stay up well after midnight to finish & then saw that there's still more episodes that dont come out till Wednesday.  

SATURDAY

* I was so confused what day it was from the moment I woke up. I kept thinking it was Sunday all morning long. See what 4 day weekends can do to a brain?

* We had to run down to the store to get another dog bed because our little Zoe peed in her bed over night. She is the dog who would drag herself out the door - & HAS - so she doesnt mess in the house. I guess her bladder is like, OK, I'm 18 years old now - I give up.... we also picked her up some doggie diapers.  We haven't put them on her yet because I know she's going to pitch a fit... we're going to have to do it in slow bits so she gets used to them.  

* I didnt want to be out in the crowds again for long so after our early morning dog bed dash, we picked up some Starbucks, hit Target & then came home.  A nice & relaxing afternoon - & an extra day since it was only SATURDAY

* Again, the only pic I got for the day was my BEREAL.... I guess its handy for something

SUNDAY

* UGH ... what a dreary, nasty, cold, rainy day.... that is the whole day in a nutshell

* I watched Love at First Sight when I got up & it was just the cutest little movie.  I love fast little rom-coms that aren't too complicated.  

* Sunday was my BROTHER'S BIRTHDAY TOO!!!!!! Happy Birthday Brother!!!

There's my brother!!!! ... probably the most recent picture I have of him! LOL - he hates his picture to be taken.  & look at little ole me. I remember that top - it had tennis racquets all over it - How do I remember this top from the 70's & I cant remember what day it is on the weekend?

* I ran over to mom's & we ran to the store to just pick up a few things & that was the highlight of my day.  Came home & finished Lessons in Chemistry - again, just all thumbs up - such a good rendition of the book.  Did some laundry, cleaning, washing of the hair - you know, good ole get ready for another week stuff....

So how was your Thanksgiving?

Did you go Black Friday shopping?

Do you love rom-coms?

Are you messed up on your days after a 4 day weekend?

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!! ... This or That!

 

That sweet blogging friend Jennifer had this on her blog this week & I thought Thanksgiving is the perfect day to join in as well!  Let's do a This or That!

Watching Football / Watching Macy's Parade

I look so forward to the Macy's Parade. I love the part BEFORE the parade actually - the part that they have Broadway portions of singing & dancing.  But I just love sitting on the couch with a book & coffee,  by the tree watching it -& then the Dog show after! Of course! (GO AUSSIES!)

Truth be told - I'm not sure I've ever sat & watched a football game on TV - not even the Superbowl. Yeah, I'll see portions of it - but watch a full game? Nah - I'll pass

Pumpkin Pie / Apple Pie

This is a Sophie's choice question for me. I LOVE pie.  
MMMM.... I dont know I can pick one of these.
OK... if I HAD to choose... 
OMG - I can't - I love both.
Decisions decisions.... for Thanksgiving - I'm going with Pumpkin pie - I actually make a WONDERFUL pumpkin pie

The rest of the year - apple.

... with whip cream

Turkey / Ham or Other

yeahhhhh - we're going to go with OTHER over here.

Last year, I even made a tofu turkey & honestly, I actually liked it! It had some sort of stuffing in it.
Can you believe it - I had leftovers too!
LOL - Ricky wasn't about to eat any of that.

Online Shopping / Brave the Stores

Black Friday aint like the good ole days of Black Friday.
& I'm OK with that.

We used to be out like at 2am in lines for things - especially when the girls were little.
Now - no thanks - I'll sleep in & log on my lap top when I get up.
I love me some online shopping.

Thanks UPS, FEDX & Amazon for bringing Christmas to me!

Plus - the crowds - UGH! Any more - I just feel safer at home than in crowds in the store.

Last year, we went Black Friday shopping & Ricky went over a "safety plan" if we hear gun shots & what to do to get out safely. Sounds crazy right? Or sounds about right for today's world. Yep.

Dressing / Stuffing

OK... is there a difference?
Seriously - I didnt really think about it!

OK - just googled it. DUH - the names pretty much say it - one is made stuffed IN a bird, the other served OUTSIDE the bird as a dressing -  but its like Coke & Pop & Soda - I think people say both in turn of one another.

Like Stove top STUFFING isn't inside a bird... but the name is STUFFING!

OBVI - I dont want it if its in a bird so I go with dressing.  But I have probably called it stuffing half of my life - probably in the same sentence as dressing. 

....The more you know

Sweet Potato Casserole / Green Bean Casserole

Give me anything sweet potato. Any potato actually.

& Green Bean Casserole grosses me out just looking at it. Doesnt it just look gross? - no thank you.

But the REAL winner - my brother's broccoli casserole - now, hands down- that's a true winner.
Broccoli smothered in cheese & ritz crackers... keep yo turkey - just give me a the whole pan of this!

Sunday Best / Comfy Clothes

The comfier the better!
Give me some pants that stretch & then clothes I can plop down on the couch & take a nap in

That's the perfect Thanksgiving wardrobe

Normally Host / Normally Attend

No want wants the vegetarian to cook Thanksgiving dinner.

or the gal who hates for their food to touch.

I'm the person who shows up at your door with a pie in hand.

Hope you all have a lovely Thanksgiving - however you celebrate!
So much to be Thankful for.  Let's lift a glass in toast of all the many blessings we have daily.

BLINK - 17 years gone!

I have to just give a moment & do a slow clap for this blog of mine.  

I love reading the blog Stephany Writes & she did a blog about doing her 2,000th post.  She asked how long others have been a blogger. Hm.. good question, let me go check. 

My jaw nearly hit the ground.  THIS - this right here is my first post.

I wasn't very chatty when I started off, was I?  

Look at that date - October 18, 2006. 2006!!!!!!!!! What in the world. 

& I started this blog to talk about knitting - hence the name & I think none of the rest of the posts in October were about knitting. My chattiness has changed - my scattered brain has not.

That I mention my friend Stephanie in this first post makes me a little choked up... she passed away in 2007. - & that's it right there. ALL the memories.  Life has so many memories, good & bad, funny & heartbreak.  I love having a place I can look back & see some thoughts & times & pictures. & love that I get to share with people as well.  

I hope even if you dont have a blog, that you have some sort of memory keeping method. Whether it be photos, or journals or scrapbooks - however you do it.  Life goes by in a blink & its just special to relive those moments.

Even better - I am still friends with some of the people that started reading my blog from the beginning - that's the coolest of it all! People that have supported me in life in all those moments of good & bad I just mentioned.  That's the best reward of blogging. Truly.  

... & all this is just lighting the blog spark in my heart to get more in gear at it.  I slacked in 2023 -& that's OK. It just wasn't the year for me to take time to click click clickety clack on the keyboard, but I'm excited to be back more & more.

17 years... I'm still shocked.... & I still dont look a day over 25

Doing more math... I was 34 when I started this blog.  Still a baby. Wow

.... OK - not a day over 34.

Here's to ANOTHER 17 years of blogging...

OMG - that will make me 68... & still not looking... OK, I'll stop

Weekend Highlights

I'm still in shock that this is Thanksgiving week. I knew it was ... but it really hit me this weekend that it REALLY is. I am legit sitting here at my computer on Sunday night & just now thinking, I should get my stuff to make pumpkin pie.  ... & I HATE going to the grocery during Thanksgiving week. Gives me flashbacks of working in the grocery store as a cashier in my teens. (though I did love that job - so much fun!)  Talk about non stop scanning. Its been a few DECADES & I still remember it.

Anyways - hope everyone else is better prepared than I am!  Get those stretchy pants ready!

EXHAUSTED
I had a long week this past week.  Covering for someone who was on vacation put a double work load on me & Friday was a LOT. Like, when I walked out the door, it was like someone hit me with an EXHAUSTION stick because I just wanted to get home & crawl in bed.  I picked up dinner & we ate early, watched the latest Survivor (what a great episode this week!!!) & I knocked out SUPER early. 

SUNRISE
Going to bed early, I was up before the sun on Saturday.  It was so crazy because my eyes just like POPPED open & I was WIDE AWAKE. Like, why cant that happen Monday - Friday during work days. I felt so rested & recharged & ready to go.  Made me a cup of coffee & sat on my chaise lounger & watched the sun rise.   

DECORATIONS BEGIN
My house has now been Christmas-fied. Or as good as its going to get.  We have so many more decorations that we used to put up, but a few years back, I parred it down so much.  I used to pull out like 10 totes - so many boxes - so much going on.  Now, I can basically have everything I'm putting up in a few hours. Well, I say a few hours but its probably a half day - which is still tiring. But I made a call to just take it easy - I knew I had all weekend to do it, so just a few things here & there.  Put up the nativity - stop & read a few chapters in a book.  Set up my coffee bar - time to make a new coffee & watch a movie. THIS is how I decorate now.

I finally got everything done on my tree by Sunday afternoon & now, LET HER GLOW!!!!! Love the extra light. Honestly, this tree holds my sanity together with it being so dark so early. That extra bit of warmth in the house just wraps around my heart & gives it a little hug.

RIBBON BITES
I was so excited I found a new ribbon I wanted to put on my tree this year. It has sparkly green dots all over it & I thought it would be perfect on my tree.  Tell me how mad I was when I pulled out this wired ribbon & its like tissue paper!!!!!  I had to read the label again to see if I bought ribbon that isn't "wired" - it indeed says it is but the wire in it must be the most relaxed wire I've ever seen in my life.  This doesnt hold a shape or a curl - its so bad.  I had to work with it to even get it to do the little curls above by holding it behind branches & just hope it looked ok. I've dared Ricky & the dogs to even breath on this ribbon lest it change.  FYI - dont ever get ribbon from Sam's Club. ... I could have sworn I got ribbon there before & it was good. Maybe its this design? I dont know... I've taken the rest of it & tossed in the "Tote of the Forgotten" - the place where old broken ornaments & old dusty decorations go..... I feel like there's a Disney Pixar Holiday movie I just thought of.

WRONG SEASON
We ran down to Target to pick up a few things & I was so giddy happy to see the coffee creamer I love. I only like this Natural Bliss & the Chobani coffee creamers. I hadnt seen Pumpkin all year long in the Natural Bliss - to find it on sale even - I am so stoked!  Everyone else moving on from Pumpkin to Peppermint - which I am NOT a fan of in my coffee (gag!) I got 2 bottles so that'll last me 2-3 weeks anyways - trying to stretch it out through Christmas.

WORST COFFEE EVER
On our way home, Ricky wanted to pick up a coffee to have to heat up for the morning. I thought, good idea, I'll get an iced coffee for me to take to work too. OMGGGGGG .... I dont know what was happening at Starbucks but it wasn't good.  First of all, there was one car in front of us & that was it. Me & one car.  It took like 10 minutes before I finally said, "are they open?".... right when I heard the speaker ask the car in front of us what they wanted. We finally got up to place our order & it was like the woman had no idea was I was talking about.  I have my order memorized to a tee.... "Venti vanilla iced coffee with extra cream, light ice"... She had me so turned around with questions, I was like, umm... coffee, iced, half & half, no ice, yes, no, cream, coffee, iced but no ice" - Literally, Ricky was like, What just happened there? ... & when she handed it to me, I knew INSTANTLY, this is not going to be good.

 I thought, you know - its going to be OK. I just got my good creamer - I'll add to it in the morning & it'll be just delightful.....

... & then I took a drink.

This is exactly what my face looked like.  I have no idea what she put in it but it tasted like a bunch of sweet and low, artificial sweetener sort of taste. I'm gagging again thinking about it.  

There was $5.00 down the drain.

COFFEE FOLLOWUP
I dont know if you saw on my Friday Favorites I think 2 weeks ago, the coffee sleeves that come in a 3 pack on Amazon that look similar to the Java Sok brand - but I said they are thinner. Can I let you know that I think I love these MORE than the Java Sok covers.  I love the handle on them & I actually like that its thinner to sit on my desk - or fit in my cup holder. & the large in this one actually fits a VENTI (pictured below) where the Java Sok only comes up a little bit more than half way.  I'm super excited these now!!!

Right HERE is the link for these ... a 3 pack for under $10.00

SMALL SCREEN
I totally spaced that The Crown started & what a pleasant surprise! I saw it around 9pm on Saturday night. Do you know I stayed up past midnight watching the 4 episodes that are out.... & oh my Candle in the Wind heart hurt so badly.  I dont know why Princess Diana's life & death just is something that I am enamored with, but it sure is.  I dont want to say anything if you havent seen it yet - I mean, yeahhh - we know how it ends - but the way they portray it, I was just in tears.  & I had to keep reminding myself this is fiction - but so much of this makes you wonder how much of it is true.  

It also just hurts my heart watching this knowing that the Queen is no longer here. It just really makes the whole show feel so different to me.  I wish they would just take it all the way up to her passing - make it a full circle series. 

How was your weekend?

Are you all prepared for Thanksgiving cooking/baking?

What's your favorite coffee creamer?

Do you watch The Crown?

Friday Favorites

 

Click on any PIC for the link

Favorite Wrapping Help
OH WOW... this is something I think I have to have.
You put this on the edge of a table/counter & it holds your wrapping paper! Just like the wrapping station in stores! AND it has a tape dispenser on it. What a genius idea!

Favorite Daily Organizer
If you want to be a planner but just dont want to deal with carrying or keeping up with a Planner - then this may be for you. Even as a planner person, I still enjoy these daily sheets for events or busy days - or even where I can write on it & leave it on the kitchen counter & the family can see what the day holds.  I always say you can fill it out & toss at the end of the day - or even better, hole punch it & put in a binder or put it in a folder & you just made your own planner to look back on.

Favorite Small Heater
OK... y'all know me & heaters dont get along - not with the Hot Flashes in my world.
But because I'm constantly  NOT wanting the heat on, poor Hubby is shaking with chills in the corner of the house. (kidding - kinda) - but he does stay a lot colder than me & we got a little heater like this for him. Its PERFECT! He's able to move it around the house easily - put it near him & keeps him warm & toasty.  It's the perfect size for a desk too if you're cold in the office.  Puts out some great heat for a nice size area.  Those cold days are coming too!

Favorite Coffee Mug
OK - this may be a new weekly thing because I do love coffee mugs

BUT THIS!!!! OMG - this is too funny! I LOVE IT SO MUCH
& yes - its a mug - not a real carafe

Favorite Cuticle Relief
As soon as the air gets a little nip in the air, all hydration seems to just get sucked out of my body.
Lips, skin & nails - I am in love with this cuticle oil. So easy to just swipe on my cuticles & let it soak in or massage in. Makes my nails look so healthy

Favorite Ice Cubes
I'm not a fancy kinda gal - but this! This feels fancy & Fabulous & so Princess like
Giving me all the Belle vibes in my drink please
& under $6.00? What a fun little gift for someone who has everything.

Favorite Bowls
I dont know why I've become obsessed with plates/bowls like these - maybe seeing them on cooking shows? But I love the idea of these shallow bowls that you basically can use as a plate - but have that little edging on the side.  I want to get me a set so badly.  Helps from chasing your food off your plate too! LOL

Favorite Bath Robe
I think this would be my Mr. Rogers sweater - I'm putting this one the minute I come in my door at the end of the day & basically living in it.

Favorite Pens
I've been really into Fountain pens lately & there's the whole ink & refilling thing - but I'm wanting to try these! I actually just added them to my Subscribe & Save.  Disposable fountain pens with ink in them & then you toss when they're used up. I want to see how the nib is on them!  Such a cool idea.

Favorite Funnies

Goes for spouses too - stop asking!

This isnt even funny - I legit want this

Have a great weekend Y'all!!!!

Weekend Highlights

 Happy Monday everyone! ... can you believe Thanksgiving is next week? I really cant wrap my mind around it.  Hope you had a good weekend - mine was so super relaxed & wonderful.  Lets jump into some highlights

Empty
I usually work from home on Friday's but we had a coworker that was off so its never a problem for me to go in the office if I need to - but I guess with it being Veteran's Day & the court house closed - Downtown seemed like a ghost town when I was leaving.  Worked for me - made getting home a faster than usual commute.

The street when I pulled out of the parking garage

Dinner Out - well, to pick up
It was such beautiful weather on Friday.  Sunny - till 5:30 (I'll complain all winter long) but it was nice & warm with the sun up, & just the right sort of cool when the sun set.  I never feel like cooking on Friday so we ran up to pick up some dinner.  I guess everyone was feeling the beautiful temps because every place was so crowded!  We ended up going to our local Chillburger - which I usually order with the app - but the app wasn't working & they turned off their phones. I could see why - when we got there, the line was out the door.  We had nothing better to do, so we weathered the crowd & picked up food & enjoyed a nice night of dinner with the latest Goosebumps episode. One more to go.

Sunrise
I got up pretty early on Saturday.  Weekends are weird for me. I want to sleep in, but then it messes up my nights for Monday when its time to go back to work.  I get up around 5:10am on the week days so I guess getting up at 6am was still sleeping in? But honestly, mornings are my favorite.  I LOVE LOVE LOVE getting up & watching the sun rise.  There's something about watching the sky lighten up that just brings me joy.  A good cup of coffee in my hands greeting the day ... nothing better.

All the Reading
I am fully immersed into Iron Flame now - the follow up to Fourth Wing.   & yes, you'll see the pic below is a Kindle & that's because when its a book or author I want to support - I FULLY SUPPORT. I did buy the hardback book - I also bought the Audible - AND I bought the Kindle version.  Take all my money when its a good story.  It just makes it easier for me to carry my Kindle around - plus, the hard cover book, the font seems to be smaller to me & my old eyes cant handle it.  Also, I dont want to mess up the sprayed edges of my beautiful hard copy - so the Kindle is worth it to me.  I'm moving slowly on this because I want to take in all the small details - & with this being over 600 pages - its going to take me a bit to get through.  I'm hoping to finish by next weekend. 

& I'm having to stay off Bookstagram I think because so many are posting about it now & I want to spoil anything on this. 

Series Watching
I am absolutely loving Lessons in Chemistry on Apple TV - anyone else watching it. I always get nervous when they make a book into something, but Thumbs up so far on this.  I think Brie Larson is doing a great job as Elizabeth Zott & the little girl playing Mad - she's EXACTLY like I pictured when reading the book.  I do wish they had spent a little more time on Elizabeth & Calvin's relationship - I thought the book gave us so much more on that - but I am just looking forward to every new episode on this.  I even like the Six Thirty episode... though, yeah, sad. Horribly Sad.

Still no tree
I am amazed at all the Christmas trees I'm seeing up in people's homes when I drive by. & I'm jealous. Our rule always was to put it up on Thanksgiving day.  We'd eat a big breakfast & then I would put it up while watching the Macy's Thanksgiving day parade. But the past few years, I've convinced Ricky to put it up the week before so I can sort of dabble in putting it up - grab a box here or there & it not be a one day thing.  .... but now, seeing everyone actually putting their tree up Nov 1st - I may have to find a new excuse on why we need our tree up earlier. .... Granted, we're the people who leave our tree up till February or March - so we get the use out of our tree.

So... what show are you binging?

Do you cook on Friday?

Do you have your Christmas tree up?