First Full Week of the Year

Well, the first full week of the new year is now in the books, and other than keeping the house smelling good*, reading a couple of books, and keeping up with the laundry, I have done little. 

If I will just start . . .

Monday, Jan 5: I woke, had coffee, talked with My Beloved Sister then dressed for the day and headed out to eat with my good friend M. I keep in touch with her, but have not seen her is a few months. We met at a relatively new Thai place. They have a fairly limited menu but the food was outstanding. I will go back, soon!

This is the latest I have ever kept my Christmas trees up. They were stripped of ornaments, but I did not take the lights off of them yet. I have really enjoyed them this year, probably more than I ever have. It is a shame we have such beautiful things in our houses for such a short time.

What I learned today: I learned I am a techno klutz. I tried to synch the Ipad pen with my Ipad and have failed more than once. The instructions make no sense to me, but I am completely unaware of the technical names for everything. I need instructions like "press and hold the little doohicky on the top of the  tablet". I just need a Youtube video for dummies.

Dinner: Navy bean and ham soup, bolillo rolls

Tuesday, Jan. 5: I was out of coffee filters and had to result to using a French press. I like the coffee but mine only makes 2 cups of coffee and I generally have 3 in the morning and have only had 2 for the past 2 days now. An under-caffeinated me is not a fun me to be around. 

I finally took the Christmas trees down and packed everything based on what tree goes with what. It should make decorating easier next year. Unfortunately most of it is just stuck in the room which is approaching horror condition again. One day this week I must sort it all out and pack it in the closet based on the order I want to decorate the house next year.

I spent the day doing a bit of laundry and house stuff. I think I have mentioned several times here how much I hate housework. This was not a fun day for me, but I guess life is made of more days that are.not terribly fun than the blissful ones. Still, even though I dislike the process, the end result is very pleasing

What I learned today: Since we began watching Victoria, TheHub and I had to do some online research about her, most notably she was only 4’11”. 

Dinner: We are almost finished with the New Years leftovers.

Ham slices, green beans, mashed potatoes

Wednesday, Jan.7: I went to my Wednesday class, and when it was over I swung by my sisters to pick her up. She wanted to buy something and needed another set of eyes and ideas before she purchased it.

After shopping, we went to the Thai restaurant I discovered  for the first time Monday.  Can you tell I love Thai food?

Though we started Victoria Tuesday, TheHub found 11/22/63 on Netflix. I read the book a long time ago, so there was nothing there I did not expect, but he really did like it. I think watching Victoria will have to wait!

What I learned: After finishing the book Secret History of Christmas Baking, I learned about the symbolism found in various Christmas treats.

Dinner: Corned Beef and cabbage

Thursday, Jan. 8: This was a stay at home day for me, with laundry and general cleaning. Did I clean even one kitchen cabinet? That answer would be no.

Other than burn a candle did I do even one thing from my winter list? Why yes I did! I did have a phone conversation with a friend I had not seen or talked with in a long long time.

I did watch most of the last quarter of the Miami/Old Miss game. What an exciting ending!

What I learned: Though it hurts me to admit it to myself, I found I have not been as caring a friend as I should have been. I need to do better.

Dinner: Korean beef bowl over rice, tossed salad with ginger dressing.

Friday, Jan. 9: This started out as an overcast day that became a rain soaked one. I went no where and got very little accomplished. I have got to stop with the lazy days and become more productive.

We watched the Indiana/Oregon game, and I must say I am really impressed with IU.

What I learned: I learned how to make Cherry Bounce. I have it on my calendar to get it started in early September in time for Christmas gift giving.

Dinner: Greek chicken, Greek style green beans, new potatoes

Saturday, Jan.10: One of our long time friends passed away and his graveside service was scheduled for 10 a.m. We planned to go but the weather had other ideas. I texted his wife and told her we wanted to be there but it was pouring down. At that time the funeral home was not willing to change the arrangements to inside. She texted me back about 30 minutes before his scheduled service to let me know it had been moved inside. Unfortunately I had my phone ringer silenced and did not see the message until after the service was over. I hate we missed it, and have wonderful memories of good times spent with their entire family.

Son3 and DIL3 were coming to spend the night. After our change in morning plans, the day was spent getting ready for them, along with getting the dining room prettied up for dinner. My Beloved Sister joined us.

What I learned: DIL3 told us at dinner that her dad and possibly her mom will be in Birmingham in late February. It will be great to see them!

Dinner: DIL3 has a restricted diet right now and has an issue with debilitating stomach camps if she eats specific foods. It is easier for us to order takeout so she can get whatever she is comfortable eating. Everyone had something different.

Sunday: We woke and got ready for a large late breakfast meal. Son2 and DIL2 joined us so they could visit with Son3 and DIL3 before they had to leave. 

They were leading the music for one of their friend's ordination service in the afternoon, then they had to boot it back to Nashville. It was a hit and run visit but we were very glad to see them. A bonus was getting to hear them practice. She has the most beautiful voice.

What I learned: After they left I went down a rabbit hole watching youtube videos about homemade Christmas gifts. I learned all about making both liquid and solid dish soap. I use the dishwasher most of the time, but I am going to try and make some for me to use for things I wash by hand.

Dinner: Vegetable soup, naan 

Menu plans: Something from the remaining list or possibly something else entirely.

Pumpkin sausage soup, salad, rolls

Chicken and rice soup

Spaghetti w/ meat sauce, tossed salad, garlic toast

Crock pot beef brisket, mashed potatoes, green beans

Beef stew, coleslaw, cornbread

Hamburger patty, asparagus, mashed potatoes

Mexican ground beef casserole, chopped veggie salad

Mongolian beef, rice (bookmarked)*

Persian Chicken, rice, broccoli

Chicken parm, spinach salad (bookmarked). 

Butter chicken, rice, kale salad

Greek style veggie bake, dinner rolls (bookmarked)

Mushroom goulash, broccoli, apple slices (bookmarked)

Veggie frittata , fruit compote

Black eyed peas, mac and cheese, coleslaw

Eggroll in a bowl

Pizza in a bowl

Pork chops, mashed potatoes, asparagus

Pork butt, collards, potato salad

Stuffed baked potato w/ leftover bbq pork butt, tossed salad

Grilled tuna steaks, baked potato, tossed salad, dinner rolls

Shrimp alfredo, kale salad 

Grilled scallops, broccoli salad, baked potato

Grocery purchases for the week**

Crystal light powdered iced tea  (not a necessity but I like to have them on hand and will only buy when it's BOGO)

4 bananas

Used from the freezer:

Small package of cooked corned beef

2 boneless chicken thighs

1 pack ground chuck

1 loaf sourdough bread

1 pack sausage balls

quart bag of vegetable soup

2 pieces naan

Books read: 

Secret History of Christmas Baking

The Four Winds

Have a great week staying on plan, going off plan, or with no plan at all.

May all your weeds be wildflowers.

Anne

*This is not original but I am sharing it. I have been burning candles daily, but they always have a small amount in the bottom of the glass which will no longer burn. I saw somewhere to put the container in the freezer for a couple of minutes then the remaining wax will pop right out. It then goes into the wax melt holder and continues to scent the main floor of house. I love not wasting the scent of great smelling candles!

**I am trying to only buy what we need for meals, and am not counting TheHub's yogurt obsession in our grocery purchases. His recreational shopping now is only about buying yogurt (I think he eats 4 of them a day. If he ate only one each day I would count it, but this is on him.)