{ Happy Homemaker Monday - 12/09/2024 }

  

Good morning friends, how was your weekend and how is your Monday morning going?

 

We woke up to a very foggy morning, which I absolutely love.  I just love fog, I don't know why.  But yes, beautiful foggy cold morning, or should I say, perfect Winter day (yes I know it's not winter technically yet, but you know what I mean).

 

I had a great weekend, got a lot of Christmas decorating done, got a few gifts (I am so late in buying gifts this year, but oh well, it is what it is).  I also did my two days of gym which I always love and look forward to.

 

So, this week means some gift wrapping, some food planning for Christmas Eve, Gingerbread Cookie making and lots, but lots of Christmas movies.

 

I wish you all a very blessed week.  Take time to enjoy the season, and I mean the REAL reason for the season, not the commercialized, money wasting, crazy busy stuff everyone goes on about.  Just enjoy your family and this time of year. 

 

*** The weather in my neck of the woods*** 

Cold foggy morning awaits us today.  It looks magical!  Tomorrow we are expecting another cold front, so I guess the fireplace will be working extra hard. 

 

Monday - Foggy,  57

Tuesday - Cloudy, 49

Wednesday - Sunny, 59

Thursday - Mostly Cloudy, 60

Friday - Partly cloudy, 69

Saturday - Sunny, 58 

Sunday - Partly cloudy, 63

 

 

 *** Things that make me happy ***

Christmas, the holidays, family, cookies and movies and just the anticipation of the whole month.

 

 

*** Book I'm reading *** 

Reading Isaiah in the Bible.   

 

Physical book..... Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel.  

 

Kindle.....Christmas at Marshmallow Cafe.

 

 

 

*** What's on my tv today *** 

YouTube

Vlogmas 

Homemaking Vlogs

 

Great American Pure Flix

Christmas movies 

 

Hallmark 

Christmas movies 

 

*** On the breakfast plate *** 

Just had a cup of coffee and some oatmeal with coconut, walnuts and cinnamon.    

 

 

*** On the lunch plate *** 

Chickpea tuna salad with leftover roasted veggies.   

 

 

*** On the dinner plate *** 

French Onion Meatballs, Mashed Potatoes (polenta for me), Sauteed Cabbage.

 

 

*** On the menu *** 

Monday

French Onion Meatballs, Mashed Potatoes (polenta for me), Sauteed Cabbage.

Tuesday 

Greek Chicken Stew, Homemade Fries, Salad  

Wednesday 

Sausage rice, Zucchini in Tomato Sauce

Thursday

Roasted tomato, garlic and cheese Pasta, Garlic Bread, Salad

Friday

Burgers, Macaroni Salad

Saturday

Fend for yourself

Sunday

Smoked Sausage Stuffed Sandwiches

 

*** On my to do list *** 

Change bed linens

Ironing Curt's work shirts

Vacuum and dust

Make sourdough bread

Make Gingerbread Cookie dough

Write Christmas Cards

 

*** New Recipe I tried or want to try *** 

I didn't get around to making the Melomakarona - Greek Cookies.  So will do that this week.

    

 

*** What I am creating ***

Nordic Winter Afghan. 

Juniper Garlands for the front of the house.

Paper Snowflakes for the big living room and dining room windows.

Knitting a scarf.

 

*** No words needed (favorite photo or picture) *** 

One of the reasons I love Christmas is because of the decorations.  I find that they bring out the best lighting and make the whole house seem magical ♥ 

 

 

*** Devotional, Prayers, Bible Verses *** 

Today's verse: 

But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in Him.  - Jeremiah 17:7

{ Blogmas 2024 - Day 8 - Christmas Wishlist }

 

 

I have a running list on Amazon, actually it's not a running list, it's my cart.  Does anyone else put random things into their cart and just leave it in there?  I do this throughout the year, anything that I want or would really like to have, I add to the cart and then save for later.  As I can afford, I then move to the cart again and purchase.  But most things sit there for Birthday and Christmas ideas.

My family knows to go and check the cart if they're looking for gift for me.  

Here's some of my wants this year:

The 6QT Programmable Slow Cooker by Drew Barrymore.  I love this cornflower color and it would fit perfectly in my blue kitchen.

Sungmor Cast Iron Teapot Warmer.  I've wanted one of these for a while.

Kate Humble's Home made.  It's a bit of a pricey cookbook but I've had my eye on it for a while as well.

This adorable book shaped decorative planter.  I mean, Jane Austen, books, plants?  I love it.

The Brambly Hedge Collection.  I would LOVE to have this one.  But again a lot of these items are a little pricey, so they remain in my cart and I buy them as I can.

 

{ Blogmas 2024 - Day 7 - Christmas movies }

 

 

 

I have been on a Christmas movie binge the past two weeks.  I think I may have possibly watched every Christmas movie on the Hallmark channel and Great American Pure Flix.  I just adore these movies, though they have the exact same plot, you know what's going to happen and even what they're going to say, but you still get pulled in.  Well, at least I do.

Aside from all of those wonderful TV movies, I have a few that are must watches during the holiday.  Here are mine:

{ Blogmas 2024 - Day 6 - Christmas in my home country }

 

 

 So I'm Portuguese and some of my fondest memories of Christmas are from Portugal, so I figured that is what I would share with you today. 

Source

Welcome to Christmas in Lisbon, Portugal.

Source

Pai Natal (Father Christmas) brings the presents on Christmas Eve rather than Christmas Day.  The presents are usually left under the tree, or in shoes by the fireplace.

The main meal is on Christmas Eve and it's called the Consoada, it usually consists of the Cod Fish boiled, with potatoes and some sort of greens.  After dinner, a lot of people will then go to church for the Missa do Galo (Mass of the Rooster).  Usually during the mass, a statue of baby Jesus is brought out and people will line up to kiss it.  Then it is placed in the Presepio (Nativity Scene).   It's quite a lovely service.

The traditional Christmas decoration in Portugal is the Nativity Scene, a lot of stores will put up elaborate and stunning Nativity scenes on their windows.  We used to enjoy going to town just to go look at all of them.

Remember how I said we always have a table with tons of goodies on there?  That is what most Portuguese houses will have.  Traditional food, cakes, appetizers, nuts and all sorts of things.

One thing we always had and I can never find here in the States are the Christmas crackers.  You know what those are right?   They would contain some candy and a Christmas hat that we would all put on our heads.  In the one photo I shared of us as little kids at Christmas, you can see those hats on our heads.    I know I can buy them online but I don't really ever see them in the stores.

The traditional cake for Christmas is the Bolo Rei (King's Cake).  It will usually sit right in the middle of the table and inside there is a broad bean (fava) and a little gift.  Usually these tiny little trinkets hidden in the cake.  If you find the trinket you can keep it, but if you find the bean then you have to buy the cake the following year.

Source

Christmas in Portugal is a big family gathering, a time to sit together and eat good food, catch up and bond.  I love the fact that I'm Portuguese and that I can pass these traditions onto my children and hopefully one day when they have children of their own, they will be able to share these with them too. 

{ Blogmas 2024 - Day 5 - When we open presents? }

 

 

December 24th at Midnight is when we open presents, here in my household.

Growing up, that was the day for us, the big countdown, the moment we all looked forward to and anticipated all December long.

My husband on the other hand opened presents on Christmas morning.  Actually, I think he said they opened one at midnight and then the rest in the morning.  When we got married I said to him, "you know I love you very much and would do anything for you, but I just can't wait until Christmas morning to open my presents".  Hahahahah

So we kept with the Christmas Eve tradition, but we leave the Santa presents for Christmas morning.

We have cheated before, a few times.  When we were still an active duty family in the Air Force, we spent our holidays alone, just the 4 of us.  So sometimes, it was kind of pointless waiting until midnight.  The kids couldn't stay awake, and truth be told, neither could I  LOL  So on a few occasions we did go ahead and open everything right after dinner, and just called it good.

Now that we are retired from the Air Force life, and have my brother and his family nearby, we have big get togethers and have stuck to the midnight rule.  We just eat, chat, laugh, play games until midnight, then open the presents, hug each other and they leave to go home and we go to bed.  It's such a low key, quiet holiday, but we wouldn't have it any other way.

How do you do the presents at your house?

{ Blogmas 2024 - Day 4 - Christmas Food }

NOW we're talking. If you know me, you know my love affair with food and cooking.

Being Portuguese, a lot of our family get togethers center around the food and what is being served.  We like eating, we like food and we go out of our way to make it special.

Growing up in Portugal, Christmas wasn't really Christmas until we went down to Lisbon, walked around looking at the lights and the store windows, and stopped at one of the street vendors to grab a cone of newspaper filled with freshly roasted Chestnuts.  Oh my word, it's like I can still smell them and imagine their taste.  They were always roasted to perfection.

I can't roast them like they do, but every year, I buy some chestnuts at the grocery store and roast them in the oven. It is not, nor will it ever be, the same, but it does the job. If you want to try for yourself, you can try my recipe over on my food blog.

Oven Roasted Chestnuts

Now, remember I told you that we do the big celebration on Christmas Eve?  We don't do a specific dinner, though many times it would be Bacalhau Cozido com Grao  (Boiled Cod with Chickpeas), or Bacalhau a Gomes de Sa (Cod Fish with Potatoes and Eggs).  Love them both and haven't had any in many many years because trying to find Salted Cod here in Texas is quite the pain in the bum.

As soon as dinner would be finished, the dishes would be removed, the table cleaned and cleared, a fresh tablecloth put on and then the snacky food would start being piled on, and oh my goodness that is one thing I really looked forward to.

The plan was, sitting around the table, talking, laughing, playing games and snacking all night long until midnight.  Then opening the presents, then back to the table to snack a little more, then everyone to sleep.  Another tablecloth would be draped over the whole table, covering the food, and the next morning we would just wake up, wander in there and snack off the table again.  Wonderful memories!

So let me show you my favorites for Christmas food, and these are usually what you will find on my table to this day.

Croquetes de Carne - Meat Croquettes

 

Rissois de Camarao - Shrimp Rissoles

Filling for the Rissoles

Pasteis de Massa Tenra - Meat Pastries

Bolo Rei - King's Cake

Arroz Doce - Rice Pudding

There are many many more, but for me, this is usually what I love the most.  These are the ones I always make sure to have on the table because it wouldn't be Christmas without them.
 

{ Blogmas 2024 - Day 3 - Christmas Music }

So here we are, Day 3 and it's all about the Christmas music.

I love Christmas music, all kinds, the kids tunes, the instrumentals, the traditional most common tunes we are used to, and over the past few years, I've really started enjoying Bluegrass Christmas music.   My current favorite to pop in and listen is Smoky Mountain Band Christmas.  LOVE it!  You can give it a listen here if you wish.

Also Christmas in the Smoky Mountains, best of Bluegrass Christmas.

Here is a playlist on my Spotify, that I really enjoy listening to. Hope you do as well ♥

{ Blogmas 2024 - Day 2 }

 

Day 2 brings us a Christmas tag.  It's one I did many years ago too, and thought I would redo it this year.  Feel free to join in and do your own.

 

 

✨Whats Your Favourite Holiday Movie?
National Lampoons Christmas Vacation.  I have to watch it every single year and it never gets old.  Funniest, cutest movie ever.  Just love it :) 

✨Whats Your Favourite Christmas Colour?
Red, absolutely red.  

✨Do You Like To Stay in Your PJs Or Dress Up For Christmas?
We celebrate Christmas on the 24th, and always have a full house so I don't stay in my pajamas, that is for the day after.  I also don't dress up, really, just wear something comfortable and cute.  

 

 
✨If You Could Only Buy One Person a Present This Year Who Would It Be?
This is a hard one.  I love buying presents for everyone.  I would have to say my husband though, because he works so hard all year round to provide for us and allow me to stay at home and take care of the kids and everything else.  He deserves to be spoiled, for sure.  

✨Do You Open Your Present Christmas Eve Or Christmas Morning?
Christmas Eve.  Always have and always will.  Though we do save the Santa presents for Christmas morning.  

✨ What Do You Like To Do On Your Christmas Break? 

As a mom and wife in general, I don't ever get a break, but when I do, I like to relax as much as possible.  Watch movies, or catch up on shows, do some crochet, read a book and drink coffee or tea. 

✨Any Christmas Wishes?
For health for everyone in my family, and currently, for this country to pull together and stop being so divisive.  

✨Favorite Christmas Smell?
Pine tree.  One of the reasons I always get real trees for Christmas, there is nothing like the smell of the pine needles in the house.  

✨Favourite Christmas Meal Or Treat?
All our Portuguese goodies we have on Christmas Eve.

✨What are you doing for the holidays this year?
Staying home and having family visit. 

✨What’s your favorite holiday drink?
Eggnog and peppermint hot chocolate.  LOVE IT. 

✨Candy cane or Gingerbread men?
Ooohhhh I like both, but I would probably go with the gingerbread men.  

✨What’s your favourite holiday/Christmas song?
White Christmas 

✨What is most important to you about the holidays?
Being with family and remembering the real reason for the season.  I don't like to make it too commercialized, I prefer to keep it simple and as much as the old days as possible. 
 

{ Happy Homemaker Monday - 12/02/2024 }

  

Good morning and welcome to December.  Our first Happy Homemaker Monday of the month, my favorite month, my favorite season, my favorite everything.  I just absolutely adore Christmas and all the preparation leading up to it.  

So are you ready?  I have so much to do, so much to plan, so much to make.  It's always a bit overwhelming at first, but so much fun.

Anyway, let's get right on with our post for today, I have a busy morning ahead, the usual Monday chores, the usual homemaking daily tasks and a kitchen to put back together, after we finished the remodeling and meal planning and wreath making plans and oh so much.  But that's for another post. 

Oh don't forget I'm also doing Blogmas this year, the first post went up yesterday, if you haven't yet had a look at it.  There will be another this afternoon.

Alright, now enough babbling, let's get on.....

 

*** The weather in my neck of the woods*** 

Winter is upon us for sure.  It's been cold here but I love it, love it, love it. Although, being Texas, it does tend to hold on tight to some warmth, but nothing too dramatic. 

 

Monday - Plentiful sunshine,  61

Tuesday - Sunny, 57

Wednesday - Clouds, 65

Thursday - Mostly Sunny, 57

Friday - Partly cloudy, 57

Saturday - Partly cloudy, 63 

Sunday - Partly cloudy, 72

 

 

 *** Things that make me happy ***

Making homemade decorations.  It's such a blessing and so much fun to create items for your home, that have your touch. 

 

 

*** Book I'm reading *** 

Reading Isaiah in the Bible.   

 

Physical book..... Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel.  

 

Kindle.....Christmas at Marshmallow Cafe. (free for the Kindle, at the moment)

 

 

 

*** What's on my tv today *** 

YouTube

Vlogmas....it's timmeeeeee.  I love watching Vlogmas. 

Homemaking Vlogs

 

Great American Pure Flix

Christmas movies 

 

Hallmark 

Christmas movies 

 

*** On the breakfast plate *** 

I'm on my second cup of coffee, and just had a bowl of hot steaming oatmeal with coconut flakes, raisins and cinnamon.   

 

 

*** On the lunch plate *** 

I'm trying to detox from Thanksgiving.  I had way too much pie, wayyyyyy too much pie.  And I've now confirmed that sugar does indeed affect my osteoarthritis.  The cyst I have on my index finger knuckle (there's a mouthful hahah), had started going away, and now it's back again and quite painful.  Actually my hands are pretty sore the past few days, and I know that is also from the cold, but it's definitely been aggravated by the sugars, so cutting it all out again until Christmas.  Then I'll have some Christmas goodies that night, then back to cutting it.  I think I can still enjoy my favorites just need to mindful through the rest of the year.    

 

 

*** On the dinner plate *** 

Slow Cooker Three Beans and Sausage, Basmati Rice for the boys, Lentils for me.

 

 

*** On the menu *** 

It's that time again, to plan the new menu, so I have meals until Wednesday, then Thursday I'll be grocery shopping.

Monday

Slow Cooker Three Beans and Sausage, Basmati Rice, Lentil Salad

Tuesday 

Slow Cooker Tuscan Chicken, Roast Potatoes, Brussels Sprouts  

Wednesday 

Pizza

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

 

*** On my to do list *** 

Change bed linens

Meal planning and grocery list

Laundry

Vacuum and dust

Write Christmas Cards

Clean and organize kitchen

Gather Juniper branches for my wreaths

 

*** New Recipe I tried or want to try *** 

I'm always on the look for new recipes, so I have a few Mediterranean ones I will be trying.  I'll try to remember to share them with you. One that I'll be making this week is for Melomakarona - Greek Cookies. 

    

 

*** What I am creating ***

Nordic Winter Afghan. 

Juniper Garlands for the front of the house.

Paper Snowflakes for the big living room and dining room windows.

 

*** No words needed (favorite photo or picture) *** 

Winter mornings are the best ♥ 

 

 

*** Devotional, Prayers, Bible Verses *** 

Today's verse: 

But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one.  - 2 Thessalonians 3:3 

{ Blogmas 2024 - Getting the house ready for Christmas }

 

It's timmmmeeeeeeeeeee!  

Hello December, hello my favorite time of year.  The joy fills my heart and just spills out into everything that I do.  I think December may well be the month that I am the happiest.....and here we are.

Welcome back friends.  I know, I've been missing for a few weeks, life has been busy, lots going on and when that happens some of the things I love doing, tend to take a back seat.  The past few weeks, not only the blogging was put on the backburner, but even my reading.  I have not read a whole book in November and I was in such a good reading rhythm.  

 

That's ok though, I do plan on reading a ton of Christmas books this month.  My Kindle is filled.  If you're looking for Christmas specific books, head on over to Amazon and search for Free Christmas books, there are a ton.  

 

Anyway, enough babbling, welcome to Blogmas. 🎄

 

Over the next 24 days, I will posting daily with all things Christmas related.  I must admit that I am only today going to sit down, and compile my daily prompts, but that's ok, I'll get it done.  I thought I would start with simply showing some bits here and there, of me transitioning the house to Christmas.

Hope you enjoy, and if you are doing some sort of Blogmas this year as well, please let me know so I can come by and see.  Have a blessed day friends ♥

 

Drying oranges and grapefruit, has become a yearly tradition for me.  I love using them for garlands to hang over the fireplace or windows, or as tree ornaments, or just leaving a few in a pretty bowl laying around.

The kitchen also gets a little pick up.  I clean, organizing and start adding little Christmas touches here and there.  

Twinkly lights on the shelves, printing out some Christmas signs, adding a candle, bringing out my Christmas apron or a small pillow on the bench.

The fireplace is one of my favorite things in this house.  I love a big fireplace, with a roaring warm fire, stockings hanging and the Christmas village sweetly lit.  It just brings such cozy homey vibes.

One of the things I also start prepping is food related.  Cracking the pecans for pies, cookies and desserts through the month.  And of course making my fruit cake, which is very late this year, but it will be ok.

I always make 2 fruit cakes in October and then feed them weekly until Christmas.  This year however, I couldn't find the dried fruit I need for a while, and when I did find it online they wanted to charge me $17.  I decided I would just skip the fruit cakes this year, but thankfully two weeks ago I finally found it and got the fruit cake baked.  

I've only made one cake this year, and that's ok.  But it will get fed until Christmas day and I honestly can't wait for it, it smells absolutely divine.

So there you have it, just a few pictures of some of the Christmas prepping I've been working on around here.  Now, it's December and that means full speed ahead.  It's always a little daunting but exciting too.

And in the middle of this, we have some kitchen renovating going on.  Oh boy!

 

Welcome back to my favorite time of year!