{ 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