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Showing posts from December, 2023

Blogmas Day 31: The Sunday Book Report

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  Today I am linking up with :  The Sunday Post @ caffeinatedbookreviewer  Mailbox Monday It's Monday!  What Are You Reading?  ((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((())))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))) WHAT DID I READ THIS WEEK:    I read The Christmas Carol and I'm about half-way through A Tale of Two Cities.  FAVORITE QUOTE FROM A BOOK I READ:  “I love your daughter fondly, dearly, disinterestedly, devotedly. If ever there were love in the world, I love her.” WHAT BOOKS DID I BUY/BORROW THIS WEEK:    I purchased East of Eden, Covered Wagon Women books 2 and 3, Leaves of Grass, and Song of Solomon.  For Christmas I received Stephen King On Writing, a Bible Commentary, and Bunny.  WHAT IS THE BOOK I MOST WANT TO GET MY HANDS ON RIGHT NOW:   The Canary Girls.  I was about 1/3 of the way through it and had to return it to the library and now it's on h old.  WHAT ARE MY...

Blogmas 30: Grocery Challenge and Veganuary

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I'm just about ready.  Feeling a bit under the weather, but I was able to get my grocery shopping done today for the first week of January!  I've decided that I am going to go ahead and use up what I already have that is not vegan, but everything new that I buy for January (for myself) will be vegan.   My "normal" grocery shopping is about 175/week including all household cleaners and paper products.  I'm cutting back to 100/week for January.  I've decided to take a daily theme approach:  S - CORN soup/stew/chili M - bean/lentil meal T - dad's house (probably a meat substitute, veg, salad)  W -  tofu meal  TH -  bean/lentil meal F -  pasta meal S - tofu meal  Here is the meal plan for week one. Breakfasts:  Overnight oats with fruit, baked "cobbler" or avocado toast Lunches: Leftovers, chickpea salad sandwiches on seedy bread, Buddha bowls Dinners:  T - Black bean and lentil soup   W - Buffalo Tofu Wrap , O...

Blogmas Day 29: No Spend January

  I'm planning a no-spend January and thought I'd share my rules as well as a few things I'm getting rid of to save money.  There will be no fast food, no fancy drinks, no clothes, no BOOKS, no pens or highlighters, no games, no nail polish - nothing.  I don't know about where you live, but my electric/gas bill is outrageous.  It's my highest bill after rent and it just jumped $64.   When I get my taxes, I'm going to pay off my phone.  I may stay with Google Fi if they keep me around $30 (right now 85 with phone payment) or switch to Mint.  I am also canceling the following (already started!)  Cable -80 Starz -5 Paramount Plus -5 Frndly -10 Walmart Delivery -13 - DONE Disney -2 Canva -7.49  Netflix -14.99  Patreon to Hardcore Literature -22 (went to $3 level instead of cxlng) - DONE Switching Amazon Prime to Jennah (student) -7.50 Kindle Unlimited 9.99 - DONE Yoga subscription 33 - DONE There might be a couple more I'm forgetting ab...

Blogmas Day 28: What is Veganuary?

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  My youngest daughter (23) has been a vegan for several years.  I have attempted to go plant based a couple of times - but I think more of a balance of foods that is vegetable heavy is better for me.  Every year in January, a lot of people try out veganism in what is called "Veganuary".  You can check out their website HERE   where  you'll find a free cookbook, meal plans, and nutrition guide.  I would love to completely switch to a whole food plant-based diet - and I hope to make that change over time - but for now, I will be making it a large part of my 2024.  I wanted to share some recipes what will help you along, whether you make one night a meatless night or if you try to go vegan.   Chickpea "Tuna" Salad - This is one of my favorite sandwiches.  Both of my daughters love this one too!  Buddha Bowls like this Indian Cauliflower Chickpea Toful Bowl are so delicious and full of healthy and nutritious foods.  Yo...

Blogmas Day 27: My Reading Plans for 2024

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  This year was not a great reading year for me.  I finished writing two books - but trying to balance that with a full-time job and taking care of my family left me pretty drained at the end of the evening.  I won't let that happen in 2024! I am not going to set a lofty amount of books, but I am going to challenge myself!   Here are the links to the Book Challenges I will be participating in:  Hardcore Literature Tea and Ink Society Anna The Books I Read Tristan and the Classics   *************************************************************** In January I plan to read East of Eden along with Hardcore Literature and the Tea and Ink Society.  This is a re-read for me, but it has been about a decade and I am so excited to read it again as it is one of my favorites! I own a print copy of this book. In February will be Wuthering Heights with Tristan's and the Classics on YouTube. Also a re-read and also a favorite that I read over a decade ago....

Blogmas #26 - Happy Homemaker Monday

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                                                                           Please join Sandra for Happy Homemaker Monday  HERE    Last Week and Life News::: Christmas was bittersweet. There were beautiful moments as well as hurtful moments. Everyone loved their gifts and my father said it was one of the best Christmas dinners he ever had.  My daughter visited from NH - but I couldn't help but feel like she didn't want to be here and it tears me apart that she would rather be with another family than her own. HOWEVER - she is doing well and I am happy about that.   Moving on - I have my word of the year for next year - Cultivate.  More on that in another post!  I also have my theme for the year! Read Your Bible More in 2024!  I did fairly well last year - b...

Blogmas Day 25: Merry Christmas

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Blogmas Day 24: The Real Meaning of Christmas

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  Christmas is the time we celebrate Jesus' birth.  Even though December 25th may not be the date He was actually born, it is the day we recognize His birth.  It's when we fully realize the awesomeness of God.  That He created every. single. thing. in such perfection that it all works together in harmony.  The world may be in chaos and 2024 may be a very difficult year for our country and our world, but that just means that we have to hold on to the TRUTH even harder. We need to dig deeper into the word, cement our relationships with our Christian family, and hold fast to the knowledge that no matter what happens in the world - this is not our home.  Merry Christmas Eve - I will share the story of Christ's birth and pray that it will touch your heart, as it does mine, each time that I read it.  In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world.   2  (This was the first census that took ...

Blogmas Day 23: Christmas Traditions

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  Does your family have any traditions during the Christmas holiday? My family is pretty typical, the only somewhat odd thing we do is have Pizza on Christmas Eve every year! Oh, and I watch Smokey Mountain Christmas with Dolly Parton every year as I wrap presents.  I thought it might be fun to see what other people do every year.  I am going to list common (and uncommon) traditions and I will make note if it is something my family has done in the past.  Let me know in the comments if you do any of these!  Decorate gingerbread houses ... YES Donate your time or volunteer ... No, but we should Go ice skating or skiing ... No Whip up a Christmas Eve breakfast ... YES Gift Christmas pajamas on Thanksgiving ... No Put on an annual puppet show .. No Wear ugly sweaters ... Not on purpose Watch A Charlie Brown Christmas ... YES Putting a Christmas Pickle on Your Tree .... YES Use an Advent Calendar ... YES Put out cookies and milk for Santa .... YES Go out and look at ...

Blogmas Day 22: Christmas Desserts

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  Here are some delicious looking Christmas desserts if you need some inspiration to bake something in the kitchen this weekend!                              Pioneer Woman's Chocolate Toffee Cookie Bars   Pioneer Woman Sugar Cookie Fudge Pecan Pie Cheesecake from The Spruce Eats   Peppermint Bark Cheesecake from The Spruce Eats Chocolate Yule Log from Taste of Home  Pumpkin Butterscotch Spice Trifle from The Gold Lining Girl Peppermint Marshmallow No-Bake Dessert by Two Sisters ENJOY! 

Blogmas Day: 21: 2024 Reading Challenges

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  The 52 Book Club   The 52 Book Club’s annual reading challenge is made up of 52 unique prompts . The goal is to match one book to each prompt, for a total of fifty-two books over the course of the year.   #the52bookclub2024 ************************************************ Shelf Reflection's 2024 Reading Challenge                     ************************************************ The very popular PopSugar Reading Challenge  Here is a printable list of the book prompts  ************************************************ The Thoughtful Reading Challenge - 12 Thoughtful prompts, one for each month of the year  ************************************************ The Candid Cover shares The  Ultimate List  of Reading Challenges for 2024!  ************************************************ Build Your Library Reading Challenge  ************************************************ Tea and In...