DO YOU SNIFF YOUR GARLAND??? I DO!

BLACK FRIDAY.  I stayed HOME... until late afternoon to go to the Post Office to drop off some cards, pick up mail and go for my walk on the track at the Football Field.  Rather cold outside.  Bundled up.  

Only made a half of a mile as my hip locked up.  Will try again tomorrow.  Hubby suggested that we go into Manhattan and get some green tea and some faux garland to decorate the porch with. Add some lights in there as well.  I was delighted that he suggested that we go as it is usually me that suggests this and that.  👫He worked really hard yesterday and his knee was aching.  He needed a day of rest from walking up and down the cellar stairs carrying stuff.  One day off will help.  He was limping as we went shopping.

The day went something like this.  I washed a bunch of dishes.  Did research on youtube.  Wrote out some correspondences.  Hung a large Christmas wreath on the Bedroom door.  Post Office visit.  Went walking and traveled over to Manhattan to STARBUCKS for our green tea then to HOBBY LOBBY.  Story continues.  

The stores were extremely busy from the Black Friday sale shoppers.  The parking lot was crammed with cars.  HobLob didn't have faux garland at all.  Disappointed, but we got some Sylvania twinkle lights at a good price.  

Went over to WAL-MART and sure enough they had garland.  It's really puny looking so we will double up on the porch garland.  Maybe triple it.  Did we sniff the garland to make sure it didn't have an after smell?  Yes, we did.  That may sound funny, but some of the faux stuff has an unpleasant odor to it so I don't want to buy it.

This garland is plump and I'm not sure ours will appear so pretty.  Will give it a go though.

WHILE AT WAL-MART, we did a little grocery shopping.  🦃50 cent a pound Butterball Turkeys for sale at Wal-Mart.  That's an awesome price.  Took it as a blessing.  Two please.  There's room in the cellar freezer for more turkey.

I have never prepared Turkey Salad before.  Came across a great recipe for it so now I can make some with confidence.  Sliced turkey with cranberry sauce, turkey sandwiches with mayo, salt and pepper, turkey pot pie, turkey salad sandwiches.  Sounds good enough to eat.    

We drove through Wamego to stop at the Hardware Store as I knew they'd have Mrs. Meyer Home products.  Wanted some stainless steel spray cleaner, Mrs. Meyer's dryer sheets that smell like lavender and of course some Mrs. Meyer's Honeysuckle Dish Detergent.  I always enjoy looking at their Christmas charm for decorating.  

Drove through their City Park decked out for Christmas.  Took off for the drive Home.  It was dark when we reached our curb at HOME, unloaded and put groceries away.

UPS had left a brown package on the front porch.  It was the Burgundy Velvet Ribbon that was ordered over a week ago.  So glad to get it just in time to decorate for CHRISTMAS.  Hope I can imitate this.

This evening I'm ready for some television with a relaxed evening.  Plans for the week-end are taking shape as I unwind.  Maybe the front of the house will get some twinkle lights hung up first then the garland lays over the lights instead of twisting the lights into the garland branches.  This is a TRICK I learned a couple of years ago.  By Sunday, I'm hoping the garland will deck the COTTAGE.  Hohoho...Merry Christmas.

As I researched the internet, I came across some lovely decorating sights to assist me in this adventure.  I'm going to enjoy LIFE and life abundantly.   

It's getting close to time to place the Nativity Scene out.  So ready.

AS FOR OLD MOVIES.  We watched the 1973 movie Soylent Green with Charlton Heston and Edgar G. Robinson.  I've seen it before and was concerned that it would bother me to where I couldn't sleep, but I did alright.  Parts of it were almost comical as they did not have cell phones in the movie as it was suppose to be 2022.  The clothing, interior of living spaces and computers were not quite up to speed.  The fight scenes weren't as realistic as they have become in newer films and the fake blood looked so very fake.  The storyline and ending of the movie were interesting.  Going HOME had a different meaning altogether.  Some of the women were considered to be furniture that stayed with an apartment.  We've come a long ways baby.  Soylent Green isn't seaweed to eat.  It's people.  

84 days after filming the movie, Edgar G. Robinson passed away.     

The movie made me think to appreciate what I have and that I am blessed to have God in my life.  No soylent green for me.  Thank you very much.

Here's to it being December.  Blink and it's December 1st.

Shall I begin to say, Merry Christmas?  I have.

Blessings to you and Merry Christmas,

~d

PECAN PIE BARK.

Taste like eating a pecan pie!  
Oh, so good and quick to fix.
~d

 

IT'S TAKING TIME AND MUSCLE also THE TEA LEAF CHINA HELPS LIFT MY SPIRITS!

THANKFUL HUMAN I AM.  
THANKSGIVING DAY HAS COME AND GONE.  I am so THANKFUL for sooooo much that my heart is overflowing with appreciation and love.  Grateful.

I woke early on THANKSGIVING and did some chores as I was switching out two freezers making a better plan for my homemaking.  It took me awhile, but I got this done.  I'd work awhile then rest.  Repeat.  She's completed on THANKSGIVINGS DAY.  Praise the LORD.

We had a turkey meal prepared by the community churches offered to the anyone.  FREE WILL DONATION.  This helped with our grocery spending as well.  Took them up on it this year and oh so thankful to have a full Thanksgiving Dinner.  It was delicious.  I did not have to slave away in the KITCHEN this year.  This was a blessing as I am worn out after a very long and eventful year.

White and dark turkey meat, mashed potatoes with gravy, dressing, green beans, dinner roll and pumpkin with pecan dessert.  I did not have to slave in the KITCHEN this year.  Easy clean-up and enough for supper tonight. 

We ate while watching the MACY'S THANKSGIVING DAY PARADE in New York City.  It's been years since I watched this parade.

Thinking about the ones who actually created the balloons and floats boggled my mind this year. It cost about $28,000.oo to fill one balloon with helium.  I can only imagine what a balloon or float cost to make.  Where do they make these creations?  In a airplane hanger?  Not sure.

I had a NAP afterwards.  I am thankful that I can do this.

ON THE HOME FRONT.  Started a gift box to fill for my Mom's Christmas treats from us.  I'd like to get this done and placed in the mail next week.  All the GIFT ornaments for family are in our grandchildren's hands.  Our children were given a treat as well.

My friendship circle meets in two weeks.  I cellophane wrapped and tied with a blue ribbon their Christmas ornaments and have them ready to go.  My Alaskan friend's ornament with a long letter was mailed last week.  A relief to have this taken care of.  Get well cards and Sympathy cards have been mailed.  I completed filling the China Cabinet with the Blue Willow China, I move to the next project.  The FRIDGE and FREEZERS.  

I'm organizing the fridge and freezers.  The fruits and veggies have returned to the main fridge in the KITCHEN as they were in their own fridge in the utility room.  The two upper shelves across the fridge hold fruits and veggies.  

A bottom shelf holds more veggies on the left and milk on the right.  There are two pull drawers and a glider.  The left one is for cheeses and the right one is for meats.  The bottom pull out glide drawer has more veggies on the left side and eggs on the right.  Condiments are in the doors shelves.  

The freezer has been divided up.  Top pull shelf is for ice cubes, ice cream treats and concentrated fruit juices.  The bottom area is divided.  Left side holds nuts in the back and up front are frozen fruits.  The complete right side holds frozen vegetables.  I did it!!!  It is a fully functioning fridge and freezer that is orderly.  I can smile and say well done.  Looking clean and orderly.  Which I like and need for now.  

Hubs is shuffling items from the SHE SHED to the cellar and garage.  Nearly completely cleared this out making it ready to hold a bedroom suite.  This all has been a hard work-out.  He gives these projects muscle and sweat.  I have to exercise PATIENCE and do other things while waiting for completion.  

Trying to keep my chin up as it is taking longer than I'm comfortable with.  I know this is a new assignment, but at 69, I figure we should have our HOME in order all along.  This moving and downsizing thing is a difficult assignment especially when things are hard to get rid of and we have frailer bodies handling heavy items.  

I have watched the program HOARDERS for years to encourage me to not live like a hoarder.  I fast forward through the programs starting the program then zooming through it to the finish so I can see how clean the house is.  I think I understand how one loses interest in life and lets everything go, which in no time the house is a complete mess.  The not caring or the not being able to clean comes to mind.  I do not want to be one that gives up.  I'd rather be in order and a neat freak.  Not judging, but then again I think I am.

We cannot take any of this stuff with us when we die, so I should be able to turn loose of so much more and not be bothered that we turned loose.  On to a better life that is less complicated.  More care free.

Hubby so surprised me as he found a tub of my antique TEA LEAF China that I will place with the other Tea Leaf I have in the Library Case in the Dining room!  I smiled so big when he showed me what he found.  You made my CHRISTMAS!!!   Actually you made MY YEAR!!!  I am sooooo hApPy to have these dishes in my HOME again instead of in storage.  

 He is uncovering some treasures that I want to have inside the COTTAGE.  Praise the LORD that he is being successful in this endeavor.

Also a Angel was placed in the corner cabinet with the crystal.  This lifted my spirits as I felt like we made progress this THANKSGIVINGS and I don't have to be sad it is taking so long to get settled.  Praise the LORD.

   

By Sunday, the Nativity Scene will be located and put out, a garland wrapped around a spring rod hanging between the rooms, outdoor greenery located along with twinkle lights for outdoors decorating, and the things in the pink room boxed up so the furniture can be relocated to the SHE SHED.  

Christmas decorating on the outside of the house should take place next week.  Wished I had it done already.  Next year, if I am so blessed to still be here for a CHRISTMAS...I suggest we get the outside decorating done in November when the weather is more people friendly.  Christmas cards to follow.

🎄🎅🤶IF WE GET A TREE UP...I will decorate it in a very simplistic fashion.  Twinkle lights and velvet ribbons.  After CHRISTMAS, I think I will leave the tree up and decorate for Valentine's Day.  Hum.  I just might do this.  💗

Peace.  I'm not looking for perfection.  I'm working toward a cleaner HOUSE.  A MORE ORGANIZED AND STREAMLINED HOME.  It is taking time to make this happen.  There needs to be a happy medium.  

I can pitch things faster if I try.  I can speed this process up, if I work at it and I must work at it.  Amen.  CHRISTMAS IS COMING.  I pray we are further along than we are at the present.  That's our goal.

HOME LIFE IS FOR ME and I'd like it to be clean.  grins.

~d

THANKSGIVING

 

THE SEASON HAS STARTED BY THE HANGING OF THE GREENS and CHRISTMAS WREATHS

THIS MORNING I WOKE BEFORE 5 AM.  One of those mornings when the bladder is my alarm clock.  Instead of going back to bed, I turned the living room lamp on and starting figuring what I needed to do today and then did some paperwork.

Much to do.  It's suppose to rain today on the prairie.  Not sure I will get my walk in.  If not, I can do other things. 

 

We hung greenery above the living room windows.  That little splash of green with pinecones up there makes me feel good looking at it as I sit in my chair.  This was the first of the hanging of the greens in our tiny COTTAGE.

We have 4 windows in the living room.  All of them have greenery above them now.  I had two longer garlands that I bought at a designer store two years ago that Hubby cut in half making 4 smaller garland.  It was a perfect fit and I am so very pleased with the outcome.

We are very cramped for space.  Later the TV will be moved to one of the bedrooms making a TV room out of it and freeing up the living room space, but until we morph to this, the TV is in front of the bay window.  That black box will journey out of here soon.  The sooner the better.  I can't wait, but have to.  When it finally happens, I will consider this a milestone considering what it took to get to that place in time.

Wreaths were placed on the front doors.  

Some wreaths we had in storage were hung.  No bows on them.  Just basic green wreaths.  I wanted to go simple this year so this is fine.  If I change my mind, I can add some ribbon later, but for now we have Christmas wreaths on the doors!  This is usually the first thing I do to start the Christmas Holiday Season decorating.  Tis done.  The season has started.

On the outside of the COTTAGE, the wreaths are hung.  On the inside, the greens are hung above windows, pictures, mirrors, and on furniture.  The NATIVITY SCENE is displayed.  A Christmas tree put up.   

This year the Christmas Tree will not be put up until we have shuffled the rooms.  I so hope we will get to this by next week.

Because we had just moved into the Cottage last Christmas, we did not have a tree.  Instead we hung a spring rod wrapped in greenery on the door casing between the living room and the dining room.  I think we may do this again as it is the simpliest thing I can do to have some Holiday decorating without a tree.

The front porch urns have been stripped of their pumpkin signs and are barren waiting for something else to go in them.  I hope that we can wrap the porch columns and across the front of the porch with greenery and twinkle lights this Christmas.  

Friday, I'd like to put the NATIVITY SCENE out on the antique walnut chest that sits in the living room.

The decorating for Christmas will be one piece at time.  Deliberately slow because the cellar that holds the decor is being rearranged for now.  Hubby has made great headway on it.  We have 5 monster storage racks that were in the SHE SHED that are now relocated to the cellar minus one that went to the garage.  When he gets the rearranging finished, it will be easy to reach the Nativity Scene.

I have to thin the decor out as we have more in a storage unit that needs reunited with the rest of it in the cellar.  I believe I can do the thinning now and let much go as I have preached about it. For now I want to keep my Nativity Scenes, greenery garland, Christmas faux trees, red and gold Christmas tree decorations, faux wreaths, lights, Pipka Santas, Santa collection, Nutcracker collection, acrylic snowflakes.

Not sure when I will get to the thinning out.  Not sure at all, but have it on the back burner of my mind.

Downsizing from the big house is still goin on.  It's been a process.  A slow one.

I managed to organize my kitchen fridge.  Did some shuffling and placing the fruits and veggies back in it as they were in a different fridge in the utility room.  Trying like heck to have a fridge that looks prestine.  Can I do this?  It doesn't look like a book cover, vlogger or a Kardashian fridge.  I will probably NEVER have one of these and that's fine.  The main thing is that the fridge is clean and orderly.

The utility fridge will be wiped down and turned into a freezer filled with our meats.  The small freezer on the bottom of the Kitchen fridge will hold frozen fruits and vegetables plus ice cream and ice.  A good place to get organized and hopefully stay very neat.  Orderly for the HOMEMAKER in me.

Thanksgiving is tomorrow.  A dinner meal will be picked up from the Community Thanksgiving Dinner that the local churches are hosting.  This year, this is the way I have chosen to celebrate the Thanksgiving meal because we are alone this Thanksgiving without our children and loved ones about.  I need a super easy Thanksgiving as I am truly worn out on living in a messy house being remodeled.  I am THANKFUL for so much that I will focus on this...this year.

I am making plans on the year 2025.  Lord willing we will get there.  As we inch along, I mustn't stop being active in the community.  

Blessings to you and may you have a wonderful THANKSGIVING day.  GOD richly bless you,

~d 

CHRISTMAS DECORATING ON THE BRAIN AND A SHAMPOO BY A STYLIST

Faux greenery to enjoy decorating with.

 

MONDAY MORNING CAME EARLY.  Up around 7 and ready for a busy day.  It was 25 degrees out.  Birdy Brrrr.  Not ready for this.  No way no how.  Had to change my plans about walking early in the morning as it's too cold for my lungs.  

Hair appointment this morning over in a different community so I have a drive to make.  Got an awesome shampoo and went with curly style this time.  BeAcH WAVE.  Okay with it.  I just wished the Stylist had a magic wand in her drawer to wave over me to take off a hundred pounds of flesh.  Then I would go to the beach to lay in the sand getting some sunshine.  No such luck.  

It was up lifting to have my hair shampooed by her as she did a super job and massages the neck as she goes.  Magic fingers.  I left with a fresh outlook on the day.  I'll have her trim my hair soon.

Picked up my meds at the pharmacy then went to the Post Office. Tried to mail a small package, but the PO's doors were locked and the lights were out.  Closed due to it being their lunch hour at 11:30.  SHUCKS.  Will try again later at a different location.

I got into a lot of Kansas wind today so I am wind blown here, but most of my hair is still attached.  grins.

Went past our old house and I believe I will get over not living there.  It'll happen.  Then onto Manhattan to MENARDS to get Hubby a couple of tool boxes for organizing his garage.  Paper towels, bottled spring water, more baby wipes from Israel as well.  

Checked out and headed over to a friend's house to pick up a package of HERITAGE ORGANIC WHOLE WHEAT SUNRISE FLOUR.  Going to try this flour and see if I likes it or not.  Finally a STARBUCK's treat of unsweetened iced green tea.  My favorite.  Decided to head HOME before I tired out.  Once I got into our community, I stopped by the Post Office to mail my Granddaughter's Christmas ornament to her.  That takes care of the Grands that are young enough to receive one from us.  This one is for FIRST YEAR OF MARRIAGE since she wed last September.  I hope she likes it. 

FULL DAY OUT AND ABOUT FOR ME.  I need some small yellow envelopes and will go to Dollar General tomorrow for these as I needed to go home and rest after my outing.  

Thanking God for peace in our country.  Giving THANKS for the reality of HIM.  Such a magnificent gift from HIM knowing HIM personally.  Have you ever felt HIS presence before? There was a time I did not know what that felt like.  I don't sense HIS presence all the time, but have on several occasions and it made me a different person.  Money cannot buy it.  A pill cannot encourage it.  A song cannot imitate it.  So how do you achieve it?  GOD must be acknowledged as Almighty God and one must truly believe HE is who HE says HE is with Jesus being is HIS only begotten SON and believing Jesus is who He says He is.  By being born again through Jesus.  

HIS truth will set you free. It begins.  Jesus is the son of God who took the sins of the world upon HIM and died on the cross for mankind's sins so that we may have life and life more abundantly making a way to having a rightful relationship with God because we are born a new having the spirit of God now inside of us.  Truly believing and receiving Jesus as our personal savior, we are born again.  We are regenerated.  Our spirit man is regenerated.  Being born again through Jesus makes us a new creature in CHRIST.  We are no longer a heathen or pagan, but a child of GOD.  A child.  We become an heir.  An heir.  

For God so loved the world that HE gave HIS only begotten SON, Jesus, that whosoever believes in HIM shall not perish, but have everlasting LIFE.  For God sent his Son into the world not to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.  SAVED.  

The way to GOD is through Jesus being our personal savior.  God's way to God is through Jesus.  God's way to HIM is not through a religion, but through a relationship with CHRIST JESUS as our savior.  No incense needed.  No money needed.  No membership to a club needed.  No appointment needed.          

Jesus is who HE says HE is.  The lamb of GOD.  HE is my savior.  Without HIM, I am nothing but a heathen.  A pagan.  With HIM, I have a rightful relationship with the Father God.  With HIM, I am born a new with a spiritual birth filled with the HIS HOLY SPIRIT where I can understand the things of GOD.  Holy Spirit becomes my teacher.  I am adopted into the family of GOD.  I have purpose, abundance and eternal life.  EVERLASTING life that will not wear out or need replaced.  God puts everything into perspective.  Ones eyes will be opened.  

Studying HIS word and meditating on it is nourishment.  AMEN.

         

AS I SLOWLY DROVE HOME, I thought maybe this year we'll get a live Christmas tree from the St. Marys tree lot.  Then maybe after Christmas we can hit a 50% off faux tree sale and save some money on a narrower faux tree.  Maybe.  I just want to decorate really simple this year with twinkle lights, velvet bows and jingle bells.  We're not ready to sit up the tree just yet as the TV room isn't ready for the big change factor where the bay window is opened up in the Living room so there's room for a Christmas tree.  Until we are, I'll be imagining how to decorate the front porch.  The NATIVITY SCENE can be sat out.  Wreaths can be hung on the front door.

Hubby stayed HOME to work on the cellar and installed a new door bell while I was gone. Looks great and period appropriate for the COTTAGE.  ding dong. 

He is a handy man to have around.  

 

He had brought up two oversized tubs of the Christmas Sprigs and some garland.  Figuring out where these will go. 

Want one garland above the Bathroom mirror. 

Some sprigs above the Living room mirror and the large HOME SWEET HOME picture above the sofa.

Maybe some garland above the Living room's lace curtain rods. A spring rod covered with garland will go the doorway trim between the Living room and Dining room.

If I can find a smaller wreath to hang on the bedroom door, I will do that.  Wreaths hung on the two porch doors.  Nativity scene on the antique walnut chest in the living room.  Lots of greenery and white candles.  Some garland around the dining room chandy.  I'm ready to put the AUTUMN decorations away.  Bye bye.

NAP TIME is creeping upon me.  I'll need to push the feeling aside and do something else.  Went through the mail and it made me tired.  

TURKEY.  I fixed a turkey on Sunday.  I tried a NEW way of fixing it and liked how it turned out.  It smelt so good in the house when I was baking it.  The aroma was intoxicating.  SUPPER will be turkey slices, dressing, mashed potatoes with gravy cranberries, and corn.  Water to sip.  An early THANKSGIVING meal. 

THURSDAY IS THANKSGIVING DAY.  Not to be overlooking the HOLIDAY, but I am sneaking in some CHRISTMAS decorating and getting giddy about it.  Bring out the Christmas music and be blessed.

Are you ready for Christmas?  I am everyday because Jesus is my LORD.  Amen.

Love to you,

~d 🎄