Happy Homemaker Monday - 12/28/2020

I am linking up with Sandra for Happy Homemaker Monday! 

I haven't blogged much in 2020.  In fact, I haven't done much of anything in 2020.  But after losing a friend 2 weeks ago, I realize how important it is to DOCUMENT.  I have very few things with my mother's handwriting on it.  If she had kept a blog?  I would have been RIVETED to every post.  So here's to hoping I can actually keep up with blogging this year and that someday it will be a comfort to my kids. 

♥♥What Has 2020 Taught Me♥♥   Good question.  So many things. Life is fragile and should be respected.  We need to be more grateful.  And more kind.  Even though we may live tens of thousands of miles apart, people on the other side of the world are going through a lot of the same things we are.  Made me felt like we were a single people for the first time in my life.  That the blessed life we live here in the US - even those of us with a relatively small income - have SO SO much that we take for granted.  And the "hardships" we faced with our lack of toilet paper stock and having the pasta and rice shelves empty made me realize even further how much we just expect every day.  Speaking to people in other countries such as India and the Philippines - can truly humble a person with so many options every day. 

♥♥The Weather♥♥  It has truly been a mild winter so far, much like last year. We will be in the low 30's for the beginning of the week.  We got around 3 inches on Christmas Eve, so we did have a white Christmas!  I loved it! 

♥♥How I am feeling this morning♥♥ Blessed! I have so many wonderful blessings in my life and I am so grateful for each and every one of them! 
  
♥♥On my mind♥♥ With the New Year right around the corner, I am thinking about so many things.  I lost a friend 2 weeks ago, younger than me.  I am really starting to think about getting my stuff in order! 
  
♥♥On the breakfast plate♥♥ I cooked up some potatoes and eggs this morning, topped with hot sauce! 

♥♥On my reading pile♥♥ Oh my!  So much!  I have lofty reading goals this year.  However, one of the first books I'll be reading this year was written by a friend of mine from  high school!  It is not one of my normal genres, but I know just from communicating with him that he is very funny and has a quick wit!  It arrived in the mail just this morning so therefore, I will be reading Tequila Vikings by Jim Park. 

I also plan to start Mexican Goth by Silvia Moreno-Gomez

♥♥On my tv♥♥ I watch Korean and Taiwanese dramas with my best friend in New Hampshire - so there will be at least one of those every week.  

*Goblin (AKA: Guardian: The Great and Lonely God - We finished this one 2 days ago and IT WAS INCREDIBLE!  If you have never watched international shows, I urge you to watch this one!) 

*Crash Landing Into You (another Korean drama I'm watching on my own)  

*Days of Our Lives 

*Grey's Anatomy

*YouTube favorites (Frugal Fit Mom, Amy Maryon, Crafty Girl, Thrifter's Anonymous)

♥♥On the menu this week♥♥
New Year new diet, right?  lol  Actually - I have been trying to eat more plant-based. My daughter Emily is vegan, so this way we can eat some meals together.  I still eat eggs and low-fat dairy - and meat is NOT completely off the menu, just eating way less of it! 

Monday - Smokey Potato Split Pea Soup with homeade bread
Tuesday - Chili Garlic Noodles with a side of steamed broccoli 

Wednesday - Puerto Rican Rice & Beans 
Thursday -  Game night with the family - having Pizza
Friday - (New Year's Day)  Chinese Food with my Dad, Sister's, kids, & nephew
Saturday - Red Lentil Dahl with Rice and side of roasted veggies 

Sunday - Filipino Spaghetti with garlicky green beans

♥♥From the camera♥♥  Caleb's Christmas cookies - I wonder when he will feel "too old" to decorate?  He's 11 this year.  He does enjoy cooking. 



♥♥Looking around the house♥♥♥♥Chore I'm not looking forward to today, or this week♥♥  Dishes.  ALWAYS dishes. 

♥♥To relax this week, I will♥♥ Do some light yoga, journal, Bible study, listen to music. 
       

♥♥On my prayer list♥♥ 

• My best friend who fell and sprained her ankle last night
• A work friend who lost someone close to her over the holiday
• A friend who need extensive orthopedic surgery
• Little Valentina, who has been in the hospital her entire 1-1/2 years of life
• My family and friends

♥♥Devotional/Bible Verse♥♥

I received this Bible study for Christmas.  It is really in depth and goes from beginning to end!  You are supposed to finish it in a year, but I will be happy if I finish it in TWO!  lol Of course we are starting in Genesis.  It's funny (ironic) because my pastor was talking about the creation of Adam and Eve and to quote him ..... "Adam was FLOORED when he first saw Eve!"