{ Happy Homemaker Monday - 12/23/2024 }

Good morning friends.  Welcome back to my blog.  

 

I want to start by wishing you all, and your families, a very Merry Christmas and a wonderful, blessed New Year.  I know Christmas is not today, but I won't be back on the blog until next Monday, and didn't want to go without wishing you all a Merry Christmas. 

 

I am currently sat on my couch, with a cup of cold coffee.  It seems that in the winter this is the norm, by the time I get to the bottom of the cup, the last few gulps are cold.  Yuck!

 

It is just shy of 5:30 AM, and as always, I have been up since 4:30.  The older I get, the earlier I rise.  I used to think that was a weird thing when I was a child and my grandmother and greatgrandmother would be up around this time, but I guess it's a normal thing.  Hahahah

 

Today is going to be, well, today and tomorrow, are going to be super busy days for me.  I know that once I get up from this couch, I will hit the ground running and only stop on Christmas morning.  Would you believe that only today, Curt and I are going Christmas shopping?  We just haven't had the time.  So, shopping and probably wrapping today, tomorrow I will be in the kitchen all day long cooking, because as you know us Portuguese celebrate the 24th.  I have a ton of things to make and bake.  It's going to be busy and chaotic for the next two days, but I'm looking forward to it, and then resting on Wednesday, and by this weekend, all the decorations will be gone.  I'm over it already LOL 

Have a blessed week ♥

 

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

You guys, we went from Winter to whatever this is.  We are going to have hot weather this week, which is not right for Christmas, in my opinion.  Anyway, high 60s.  Nuts!  

 

Monday - Cloudy chance of rain,  67

Tuesday - Cloudy, 59

Wednesday - Cloudy, 55

Thursday - Rain, 58

Friday - Cloudy, 63

Saturday - Sunny, 66 

Sunday - Cloudy, 67

 

 

 *** Things that make me happy ***

Portuguese food and our traditions.   

 

 

*** Book I'm reading *** 

Reading Luke in the Bible.   

 

I set aside Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel.  Not because I wasn't enjoying it, but because I caught up on When Calls the Heart, and suddenly wanted to read all my Janette Oke books, so I started the Women of the West series.  I just love her writing and her books, they are good family, homey kind of stories that I enjoy so very much.

 

 

 

*** What's on my tv today *** 

YouTube

Vlogmas 

Homemaking Vlogs

 

Great American Pure Flix

Christmas movies 

 

Hallmark 

Christmas movies  

This category does not change much for me, although today there will be not tv watching, except for some quick vlogmas videos on Youtube while I get ready to go out.

 

*** On the breakfast plate *** 

Just my cup of coffee, but I will have some Weetabix soon. 

 

 

*** On the lunch plate *** 

We are going to be in town, so we are actually picking up Jasmine from her place, and taking her to lunch with us at McAlisters, which is a deli with delicious sandwiches and soup.  I can't wait. 

 

 

*** On the dinner plate *** 

Not sure what time we will be back, so I'm going to make a quick Spaghetti for dinner.  

 

 

*** On the menu *** 

Monday

Spaghetti, Salad

Tuesday 

Christmas Eve:

Rissois de Camarao (Shrimp Rissoles)

Croquetes de Carne (Meat Croquettes) 

Bola de Carne (Meat Bread)

Sausage Rolls

Sausage Bites

Sliders

Bolo de Bolacha (Portuguese cookie cake)

Rabanadas

Tronco de Natal (Yule log)

Vetkoek and Mince 

Sandwiches

Bruschetta  

Wednesday 

Leftovers

Thursday

Oven Fish Fillets, Tomato Rice, Zucchini Squash

Friday

Pizza

Saturday

Fend for yourself

Sunday

Mediterranean Chicken legs, orzo, bean salad

*** On my to do list *** 

Change bed linens

Christmas Shopping

Wrapping presents

Gym with hubby

 

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

No new recipe this week as I'll be making family favorites for Christmas.

    

 

*** What I am creating ***

Still working on the Nordic Winter Afghan and scarf.

I am however creating paper snowflakes for my gifts.  I did it before and loved how they turned out, so decided to do it this year again, mainly for the bigger gifts.

 

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

I have found such peace in reading by the fire.  It just helps me to forget about everything and replenish my soul.  

 

 

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

Today's verse: 

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. - 1 John 1: 9  

{ Happy Homemaker Monday - 12/16/2024 }

 

Good morning friends, and a very happy Monday to you all.

 

I hope you've all been doing well.  I am fine now but was sick last week with what seemed to have been a cold/head cold/sinus kinda thing.  I'm so thankful that I am well now because truly, there's nothing worse than being sick around Christmas.  I guess when we were younger and had no responsibilities, it would have been ok, but when you are hosting, and have a ton to cook and a Christmas to put together, it's not exactly the best thing to be under the weather.

 

If any of you are sick, I pray you get well soon.

 

Ok, let's move on with our post for today.  I'm trying to get this up quickly because I have a pretty busy homemaking day ahead.  

 

Have a blessed week ♥

 

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

Winter....that should tell you all you need to know.  Although, yesterday we hit the mid 70's.  Crazy Texas! 

 

Monday - Partly cloudy,  64

Tuesday - Mostly sunny, 68

Wednesday - Mostly sunny, 53

Thursday - Sunny, 62

Friday - Partly cloudy, 69

Saturday - Partly cloudy, 59 

Sunday - Partly cloudy, 61

 

 

 *** Things that make me happy ***

Remembering old Christmas passed.  The ones in my childhood, the ones when my children were younger, just all of it. 

 

 

*** Book I'm reading *** 

Reading Luke in the Bible.   

 

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

 

 

 

*** What's on my tv today *** 

YouTube

Vlogmas 

Homemaking Vlogs

 

Great American Pure Flix

Christmas movies 

 

Hallmark 

Christmas movies 

 

*** On the breakfast plate *** 

Cup of coffee and 2 pieces of multigrain bread toasted, with 2 scrambled eggs.

 

 

*** On the lunch plate *** 

Not sure, honestly can't think of anything right now.    

 

 

*** On the dinner plate *** 

Turkish Chicken, Rice, Broccoli and Cauliflower.

 

 

*** On the menu *** 

Will be working on the new meal plan over the next couple of day.

Monday

Turkish Chicken, Rice, Broccoli and Cauliflower

Tuesday 

Roasted tomato, garlic and cream cheese pasta, garlic bread, salad  

Wednesday 

Meatloaf, Mashed Potatoes, Sauteed Cabbage

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

 

*** On my to do list *** 

Change bed linens

Sort out my closet

Vacuum and dust

Mail out Christmas cards (I know, kinda late this year)

Meal plan and grocery list

Budget for the month

Christmas gifts list

 

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

I still haven't made the Melomakarona - Greek Cookies.  Not sure if I'll get to them, but I will try. 

    

 

*** What I am creating ***

Nordic Winter Afghan. 

Knitting a scarf.

 

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

I have found such peace in reading by the fire.  It just helps me to forget about everything and replenish my soul.  

 

 

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

Today's verse: 

Love is patient, love is kind.  It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. - 1 Corinthians 13: 4-5 

{ Catch up }

Good morning sweet friends.  I hope this post finds you all well.

 

 

 

I wanted to come in an chat a little, show you what I've been up to, and also explain why the Blogmas unfortunately dropped away after only 8 days.  My intention is always to do the full 24 days and while some years that is doable, some others it's not.  This year, I wanted to get it all done, and thought I would be able to, but I fell sick with a head cold and have been slowly moving through this week, just trying to feel better.

 

It's par for the course, isn't it?  This time of year, the temperature changes, always seems to knock off a couple of us, or, a lot of us.  There is so many friends sick at the moment.  If you are in the same boat, I wish you all well and pray that you heal fast.

 

 

T

he weather has been just perfect for this time of year.  We've woken up to foggy mornings that leave a mysterious atmosphere in the air, although they tend to quickly turn to windy conditions which I am not a fan of, at all.  

 

I

got the Christmas trees set up.  Usually we do the white tree and then a real tree, but this year, I decided to get another artificial tree, just to have for those years I don't get around to purchasing a real one.  It's not exactly what I prefer, but I have to be practical, and this year I just haven't made it round to the tree lot and it's too close to Christmas now to get one.  These will just have to do.

 

B

aking has been an ongoing thing, mainly just with cookies and my sourdough, which by the way, I think I finally found the perfect sourdough starter.  I've struggled with my starters for years, but this one started a little rough (meaning it took longer to develop than the usual week), but once it did, oh my goodness, it's been just amazing and soft and spongy full of bubbles.  

L

astly, the kitchen got a little mini makeover, remodel.  We had a double oven that stopped working last year.  We've been meaning to get rid of it and just never got around to it.  Well, we finally did.  We pulled it from the wall, and my wonderful husband Curt, built me some shelves where the oven used to sit.  

 

 

I

absolutely love it.  It has opened up the kitchen, it has given me a place to pop in the microwave which had been sitting on the counter the whole time, and taking up way too much space.  We added some lighting as well, and I just can't believe how much I adore that little space.

T

hat's about it. In between these moments, I have found time to sit by the fire, drink my tea or coffee, and read a book. 

 

W

e need to take time to slow down during this season. There's just too much going on, too many places to be, get togethers and gifts and too much noise, in my humble opinion. The older I get, the more I want to go back in time to simpler quieter times. I am not cut out for these crazy busy holidays, it tends to take away from the magic of Christmas. 

 

A

nyway, enough about that.  I hope you're all enjoying the season but also taking time to slow down and smell the coffee and gingerbread.  Have a wonderful day friends!

{ 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.