{ Grocery shopping was interesting }

I've tried to be nice about this weather, but I'm now over it.  Today was much colder than Thursday, we woke up to ice all over the cars and lawn, and a bitter cold that really cut to the bone.

It was 18 degrees.  I know I probably have no right to complain about the cold, because I think some of you are in much colder areas and still dealing with a ton of snow, but as bad as I feel for you all, I still dislike this cold we're having over here.  

Cold weather usually calls for a bowl of hot oatmeal, and the one I always make in my instant pot, always hits the spot.  I don't think I've ever made a creamier oatmeal, so good.

 

I added in a chopped banana that I had in the fridge, it was already super ripe and no one was going to eat it.  

I got my bed made, got dressed and ready for the day, and then headed out to drop Jasmine off, and head to the commissary.

I hadn't been to a grocery store for a while, I've been using the Walmart pick up, but I missed the actual shopping in person, and was very excited to get in the store.

It was an interesting grocery trip.  I think it was the first time that I really struggled to get what I needed, lots of empty shelves, and the prices seem to have doubled and tripled.  My first reaction was to get a bit worried, you can't but feel a bit scared.  

But I quickly felt a peace come over me.  It was as if God was telling me to stop and not let it scare me, to remember that He is in control and that He is our provider.

I was also quickly reminded that this is when I thrive.  That sounds a bit strange to say, but what I mean is, I love cooking and love a challenge, and trying to figure out what meals to make with what I have on hand is quite exciting for me.

So, the way to get through this is to pray on it, leave it in God's hands and then get to work being creative, and making meals that are inexpensive but still delicious.  At least that's what we are hoping for, right?

Ok, so for groceries today, I think this was the most I've paid in many many years.  My total came to $332.  

 

I am so glad that I've always menu planned, because it does help a lot when trying to stay on track and not overspend or impulse buy at the store.

 

I got just what I needed for the next two week's meals, although there were a few items that I had to buy because we were completely out of.  Things like toothpaste, deodorants and then some spices that were empty as well.  Those things are not things I buy on a regular basis, but it just so happened that today was the day I had to replenish them. 

I noticed that the fridge with the coffee creamers , was quite empty.  There were only a few in there, and they were so expensive.  I just grabbed a French Vanilla and walked away.  

 

The big Great Value Vanilla creamer you see on the shelf above, is from my last grocery run.  I've been making it last.  I also never make coffee with just creamer, because it's too sweet and it will finish really quickly.  I always do milk and then a splash of the creamer.

Do we love our creamer in the coffee?  Yes.  Is it absolutely a need to have?  No.  I grew up drinking coffee with just milk, and if need be, it will go back to that.  It's all about adjusting and going with the flow.

We need to start looking at grocery shopping, as wants and needs.  Some things are needs, of course, but a lot of our groceries are sometimes wants or splurges.  Extras so to speak, and if we need to go without those for a while, then we do.

Perfect example of a want and not a need, is this bag of salad.  I make salad at home all the time, but this one looked good and I've never tried it, so grabbed a bag.  Thankfully, it was only $2, so not a splurge per say.

Fresh vegetables is something I always pick up as well.  This time I got some carrots, zucchini, and bean sprouts for some egg rolls I'll be making next week. 

Also picked up tomatoes, and I always pick the roma tomatoes because they're cheaper.  I am not at all a person who has to pick the best brand or the best of this or that, I've always tried to be very thrifty when I shop.

Onions, broccoli and some peppers.

Got some sliced cheese, the Freedom's Choice brand which is the military commissary brand.  It is usually a lot cheaper than other brands.  

Got some of the cheaper ham and shredded cheese as well.  One thing I did notice is that the shelves with the pillsbury products was completely empty, save for a can or two of biscuits, and thankfully some crescent rolls which I actually needed for tonight's dinner.  Everything else was completely bare.

 

I got some ground beef, chicken and pork, and then some soups, canned tomatoes and spaghetti sauce, pasta, coffee, oil, butter and such. Nothing really out of the ordinary, just my usual groceries. 

 

And some cat treats and food.  Oh and a downy ball for my washer.  I've never used one but it was only $2 and I'm having the worst time with my washer leaving stains on my clothes from the softener, so hopefully this eliminates that issue while leaving my clothes smelling good.

I do love pulling the laundry out and having it smell wonderful.  I'm not a big fan of dryer sheets, but I've been making do for a few week with those.  Will have to see how I like the downy ball.

I don't feel like I got a lot, but my wallet surely felt it.  I wasn't the only one taken back with the prices of everything and the bare shelves, there was quite a few shoppers complaining to the cashiers and the manager.

Goodness!

But as I said, I refuse to let this get me down or worry me.  I am leaving it in God's hands and I'm just moving on, and concentrating on my home and family.

I've started planting and regrowing some of my veg, in preparation to get them in the ground, as soon as the last frost is done.  Which I'm hoping is soon, considering we are supposed to get another snow storm next week.  

At least inside it looks like Spring.  I already have lettuce, green onions, 4 avocados that are rooting at the moment, and I even grew a cactus from seed.

Also, I promised  to share with you my teas every day, and this morning's tea was,  A Bronze Dragon's Brew.

It is a caffeine free Rooibos tea.  So good!!!

The rest of the day, I paid bills, got some housework done and then fixed us a yummy dinner.  I try to do quick meals on Fridays and Sundays, it's usually either pizza or sandwiches, chili dogs, just simple meals like that.

 

Today I made French Dip Squares.  They are so good, and a fun dinner to have.  I'll have the recipe up tomorrow.

 

I've kept the food blog updated, been trying to add at least a recipe a day, so if you're interested in any of the food I show here on my main blog, be sure to head over to Full Bellies, Happy Kids and check those out.

 

And with that said, I am going to call it a night.  Thank you all so much for the sweet comments, and the excitement over the fact that I'm daily blogging.  It means the world to me.

Starting tomorrow, I'm going to try to come and see you all, I'll also start replying to your comments here on the blog too, so we can interact and chat back and forth.

Have a wonderful night friends.

xoxoxo

{ Cold day, and some warm soup }

There is this constant howling that permeates the house.  You can hear it through the walls, and especially loud through the fireplace, because you see, that crazy strong wind from yesterday?  

It's still here.

I think it leaves tomorrow, or at least that's what I hope.  It can give my poor lungs a break from the allergy induced asthma.  Goodness!

Jasmine was off work today.  I know it seems weird, but she works retail and they all get two and sometimes three days off a week.  The pay is great, the benefits are great, and she absolutely loves all her coworkers, so it's a win win situation.

She hasn't gone for her driver's license test yet, because my car has been acting very strange, we think the timing chain may be off and will have to be replaced.  It means over $1000 repair cost, and so for the moment, my mechanic brother (the one in South Africa), has been keeping an eye on it, asking me questions, telling me what to do and basically just letting me use the car as I can until I can get the money to send it in for repairs.

All this to say, I don't let Jasmine drive it, because if that timing chain breaks, you need an experienced driver in the seat and I would hate to have something happen to the car engine while she's driving.  Poor girl would get the fright of her life.

In the meantime, she drives a little here and there just around town, but she wants to practice more and then go for the test.  That's why it's been a bit delayed.

 

But we're making do for now.  What matters is staying safe right?

 

Anyway, she is off today, but she is in Dallas with her boyfriend.  He had a whole day planned for them for Valentine's Day.  Don't tell anyone I said this, but this might just be the *one*.  Shhhhh!!!

 

I was able to stay home all day, indoors, with the heaters on, under warm blankets in between my usual chores, and just staying out of that horrid bitter cold.  It's one of those days, you know the ones where you're inside but your nose is freezing cold?  Yes like that!!!

 

I am ever so thankful for these really warm and gorgeous socks, that my sister in law gave me for Christmas.  They've kept me quite toasty today.

The first thing I did this morning though, was have a cup of tea, and this time I tried the Autumnal Fae.

It was just as delicious as the one from yesterday.  This one is very Fall like which I enjoy, and my favorite tea is black tea too.

If you want to try this one for yourself, go to Dryad Tea and get some Autumnal Fae.

Ingredients: Black tea, oolong, calendula, apple, rosehips, orange pieces, hibiscus, cinnamon, natural flavors.

 

I don't know if anyone else does this, but when I meal plan, I look at the weather forecast for the next 10 days. If there are cold days, or rain or snow in the forecast, I try to plan accordingly.  Since I knew today was going to be the coldest this week, I made sure to add soup to the menu.

 

So first thing this morning, I got that going before I tended to the rest of the house. 

Then the usual, folding laundry, tidying up, dishes, dusting and vacuuming, and anything else that needs doing.  Now that the kids are grown up, my housework gets done quite quickly, which frees up the rest of my day.  It's good in a way because it let's me do whatever else I want to, whether it's a project around the house, reading, watching a show or enjoying some crochet time. 

But there are days that I do get a bit antsy, and start missing the days when my children were little, and keeping me busy from the minute I woke up until late into the night.

I believe that is just a normal part of life, of different chapters, of things changing, and we all go through those moments.  We just have to not let that completely overwhelm us or get us stuck in that feeling.  It's ok to feel, it's ok to reminisce, and sometimes wish time would go back, but we also have to remember to thank God for the blessing of each day and year that goes by.

So I just embrace each day, and instead focus on doing things I enjoy.  For example, lately I have been really enjoying collecting classics, like Little Women. 

It's such a beautiful copy, and I love the illustrations inside.  

 

Next, I rechecked my meal plan, wrote up the grocery list and did an inventory check of what I already had on hand.

Once everything I needed doing, was done, I settled in with Elliott next to me, to continue reading my current book.

He loves curling up next to me on the bed, or going under the blanket and laying either on my legs or up against my legs, to sleep.  I don't know how animals do it, I can't have my head covered by anything because I feel like I can't breathe Hahahah

Soon as I finish this current read, I will have achieved my goal for February, which is two books, and it keeps me right on track with my reading goal for 2022.

The afternoon quickly sped by, and before I knew it, dinner was upon us.  Thankfully I had the soup in the crockpot and all I had to do was finish it off.  It was just perfect for this cold day.  It was warm, it was comforting, it was delicious and filling.

And I'll have the recipe for you on the food blog tomorrow. 

Oh and speaking of the food blog, I put up the recipe for the Salmon Croquettes, if anyone is interested in trying them.  

It is just after 7pm, I am going to try and find something to watch real quick, and if nothing peaks my interest, I will try to finish off my book so that I can move on to the next one.

I also need to set up my Alexa Echo for the night.  I guess I'll just tell you about that right now, I almost forgot that I've been wanting to mention.  It's been helping me, and I thought that if anyone else out there is suffering with insomnia or struggles to stay asleep.

When I was little, my favorite way to sleep would be when I could hear everyone still awake.  I would make sure I went to bed early, I used to be so scared of the dark and did not want to fall asleep with everyone else already asleep.  So I would climb into bed around 8, and then I would let the lull of the voices in the house drift me off to sleep.

At other times, I would have a radio playing very softly, something that I did as well when Jasmine was first born.  The first two weeks, this child did not want to sleep at all unless I was rocking her in my arms or singing.  I was so exhausted and I needed to figure out a way to make her sleep without me having to be there constantly at her side.  I guess she also liked background noise.

Curt and I started keeping the radio playing really softly all night long.  We actually used to set it to the radio station that played the Delilah show.  Oh my goodness, that just brought back memories.  Did any of you listen to Delilah on the radio too?  She used to do the song request show late at night.  

Anyway, that's a conversation for another day, I need to stay on track here.  

Last week, I don't know why it came to me, but I thought, now that I have the Alexa Echo, on my nightstand, maybe I could just do the same thing and it may just help me sleep.

The first two nights, I asked Alexa to play a praise and worship radio station.  I turned the volume down to where we could hear it, but it wasn't blaring at night.  I slept like a rock, all night long.

Then I learned that you can have Alexa play Sleep sounds all night.  So now, I have her play either Rainforest, or light rain or thunderstorm.  I ask her to set a sleep timer for 8 hours, and she plays that sound for the next 8 hours then stops playing.

This has been life changing.  I am telling you, I haven't slept this well in years.  YEARS!!!

You can also have Alexa play white noise, or any other sound that relaxes you.  Give it a try, and see if it works for you as well.

Ok, now I think I've babbled on long enough.  I better get on out of here.  I think I'm going to watch and episode of Monsters Inside:  The 24 Faces of Billy Mulligan, on Netflix, then get some sleep.  I have to get Jasmine to work in the morning and then head to the commissary for grocery shopping.

I haven't been in person grocery shopping in about two months, so I'm quite excited to get back in there.  Let me know if you want to see what I get, the prices, and all that fun stuff.

Have a great night everyone!

{ Windy Wednesday and new recipes posted }

 

 

This afternoon, it was 75 degrees.  The day was absolutely gorgeous.  But the wind, oh the wind.  It has been the kind of wind that smacks you in the face the minute you open the front door.  

 

The kind of wind that if you don't hold on to the front door tight, it goes flying out of your hand, slamming into the wall behind it.

 

Also the kind of wind that makes you show up anywhere you're going, looking like you just got out of one of those mall tornado machine simulators.

 

I won't even go into what it does for the allergies.

I started my morning reading my devotional and my Bible.  I find that my day just doesn't flow if I don't do it, and then I wonder just how I got by the past 40 years of my life without it.  

I had some breakfast which comprised of toast with homemade pumpkin spice apple butter.  I had forgotten just how good that butter was.  I'm glad I made extra a few months ago and canned it....I think I still have one jar.

I also made some milky tea. I used to have two cups of coffee, one at 6am when we get up, and then another around 9 or 10 when I finally had breakfast.  But, the coffee was starting to affect my stomach, and I decided to cut back on that, and just start having some tea instead with my breakfast.

Jasmine had bought 4 new teas, and they arrived yesterday.  I am so eager to try them, they sound absolutely divine, so over the next 4 days I'll try each one and let you know what I think.

Also if you're wondering where she bought them, she got them from Dryad Tea.  They have a wonderful selection of teas available.

This morning, I tried the tea called A Deck of Cards.

Ingredients: Black tea, anise seed, anise star pods, calendula petals, elderberries, rosehips, raspberry pieces, raspberry leaves, cranberry pieces, safflower petals, natural flavors.

It was soooooo good.  Oh my word!!!

 

After breakfast, I made my bed.  This pretty much is my morning routine, unless Jasmine is going in at 8am and we have to leave by 7:20.  On those days, I my routine is slightly different, because I have my coffee at 6am, get dressed, get everything sorted and out the door, and then come home to have breakfast and made the bed etc.

I don't ever go a day where I don't make my bed.  It drives me crazy, and I always feel that if you take 2 minutes to make the bed, even if you don't do anything else, it makes the house seem put together.  Not to mention, there's nothing better than climbing into a neat bed at the end of the day.

Since I had done all that moving around of big furniture yesterday, my poor back and sciatica were not very happy today.  But on days like these, I try to sit as much as I can, work on computer and blog stuff, or read, and not overdo the housework.

 

I did finish off my menu plan for the next two weeks, and started the grocery list too.  Tomorrow I need to go through the pantry, cupboards, fridge and freezers to see what I have on hand, and what I am out of, or need to restock.

 

I can't stand those days where I don't do this part of the planning, and then end up coming home from grocery shopping, only to find that it's the third bottle of ketchup that I've bought, and is now going to live lined up next to it's other sibling bottles on the shelf.  Makes me quite annoyed  LOL

 

So, I've learned to make the time to check everything first.

 

I've also been making some really delicious meals, and slowly adding them to the food blog.  I apologize that I haven't kept up with it very well, but I think some people also tend to forget, that it's not just as easy as putting the recipe on the blog.  

 

There are photos that need to be taken, edited, uploaded to Flickr, then the recipe needs to be typed up along with some sort of introduction or explanation.

 

 

 

Speaking of which, I was typing up one of the recipes earlier, and one thing I've never enjoyed about this part of the blogging, is that I always feel like I need to tell a story about the recipe, and really, what is there to say other than "it was good, try it"  Hahaha

 

It made me realize that I don't enjoy food blogs anymore, because of the new format everyone seems to be using.

 

Before I get to the actual recipe, I have to read half a page of random things, including 10 recipes to other meals related to the recipe, plus a manual on how to make the dish, what pots and pans and spoons to use.   Then a page jump to another page, and eventually the recipe is hidden underneath it all.

I've never understood this whole thing, and I guess that's why my food blog doesn't get much traffic at all, because I still post my recipes the old fashioned way.   The way we all used to post them when this blogging thing became a thing.

I thought about maybe changing it to the new format, but I can't bring myself to do it, because if I don't like it for myself, I don't want to put my readers through it either.

So, with me, you get what you get, a quick note on the recipe, where it is from and the recipe.  Quick sticks!

Anyway, I have added 4 new recipes to Full Bellies, Happy Kids.

 

OREO TRUFFLES

 

 

AMISH CHICKEN

 

 

 

RED VELVET CHEESECAKE

 

 

BEEF BURRITO SKILLET

 

 

 

Tomorrow I have a recipe for Salmon Croquettes.  That was our dinner tonight, along with some spinach rice and steamed broccoli.

 

I had been wanting some salmon for a while, but it's not something I buy at all because it's always so expensive.  I decided to get a small bag at Walmart, it was $7, for some 3 small pieces of salmon.  Nowhere near enough to make it as a meal on it's own for us, so I figured I would make some croquettes instead because I could make it stretch further.  

 

It was sooooo good.   

 

Other than that, nothing much else happened today.  I did watch a very interesting documentary on Amazon Prime, about Corrie Ten Boom.  You can just search her name and I'm sure it will pop right up.

 

I am going to end off this post, watch my Portuguese soap real quick and then get an early night in.  We are expecting some strong thunderstorms overnight, which means sleeping really well.  Anyone else love sleeping to the sound of thunderstorms?

 

Have a wonderful night and I'll be back here tomorrow with more to share.

{ Making memories to last a lifetime }

 

“Winter is the time for comfort, for good food and warmth, for the touch of a friendly hand and for a talk beside the fire: it is the time for home.”
― Edith Sitwell

 

 

It is currently 58 degrees and cloudy.  There is a scent of rain in the air, and a quiet only broken by the random chirps of birds littered throughout the tree branches.

 

The kind of morning that makes you smile, that makes you appreciate that hot cup of coffee or tea, even more.  Although I am quite ready for Spring time, even knowing what means for my allergies, I do try to enjoy these last winter mornings as much as I can.   

 

I made this decision that I need to be present on my blog more.  I was looking for a specific post the other day, trying to find something, and I was saddened at the fact that the past few years, my life is but a memory in my mind, and not recorded here on my blog.   Until 2016, I could go back to a month or day, and tell you exactly what we were doing, what had happened, what we ate or watched, where we went and so forth.

 

It's always been my little corner, a place to come back to to and reminisce, watch my children literally growing before my eyes, as I move from post to post.

 

Funny enough, there were even moments where Curt and I would be trying to remember something and needed a specific date, and I was able to come back to the blog, knowing that I had written it down.

 

 

But that was then, and this is now.

 

When did I stop taking note of my life and what we were doing?  

 

Anyway, my husband said to me the other day "How is your blog?   Did you make anymore blog books to add to your collection?"  Sadly my reply was "oh the blog is still there, but no I haven't made anymore books, there hasn't been much to put in the books the past few years."  How sad!!!

 

Speaking with him, he reminded me that it's not about having some major fun adventure to put on the blog, it is about doing what I always did, which was share my day, no matter what I did, no matter how boring or trivial I may think at the moment, because the point is to have it as a memory for when we are older.  A memory we can pass down to our children and grandchildren.

 

He is 100% correct!!!

 

I have often thought how amazing it would have been, if my grandmother or great grandmother had kept a blog, that I could go back and read right now.  I would have loved to read about her day to day, seen pictures of her homemaking, her children, what she was doing and what life was like at that moment.

 

 

Like my husband said "just get back in there, share what you did that day, even if it doesn't interest anyone else, it is for our records, your blog, your life, that's what matters."  Smart man I say.

 

So, here we go, let's just get on that horse again.  You ready to read some posts that may at times seem boring to you?  After all, I'm just a homemaker like many of you, so what I do around here is what you do every day, and you may not want to read about it, but it's my life right and it's what I have to show.

 

You know the kids are growing up.  Jasmine is about to turn 23 and Nick is turning 19.  My earlier blog posts were all about raising the kids, and that was so much fun, but life continues even after they're grown, so now it's all about older kids, a slower life, and still keeping track of what we're doing.

 

I can't wait to sit down one day, when I am much much older, and read my blog from start to finish.  Boy what a trip down memory lane that will be. 

 

 

So here's a rundown of my Tuesday.......

 

::::  Woke up 

My usual 6am time.  Prepared lunch for my husband and daughter, and made our coffees.  Got dressed, and ready to leave the house to take Jasmine to work.

 

 

::::  Breakfast

Had a cup of milky tea and toast.

 

 

::::  What I did

Switched the dining area and den area around.  I love doing that every year, and usually I would wait until end of March, but I just couldn't anymore.  We love eating dinner while watching nature around us, whether it's the deer that visit our home, the birds, skunks, cats, oppossums, racoons, the alpacas right across the road.  You name it.

 

 

::::  Lunch

Made a quick tuna salad for Nick and I, but Jasmine also got to enjoy some when she got home from work at 3pm.

 

 

:::: Watched

The Secret Garden, finally.

 

 

::::  Afternoon

Picked Jasmine up at 3pm then came home and folded a load of laundry, and started dinner right away.

 

 

::::  Dinner

Beef Burrito Skillet.  Super quick and easy meal to throw together, but very yummy and filling.  Recipe will be up today on the food blog.

 

 

::::  Night

Had the best shower, did my night skin routine, then climbed into bed and read my Devotional and my bible.

 

 

{ Happy Homemaker Monday - 02/14/2022 }

 Good morning everyone, happy Monday!!!!

How are you all doing today?  I have woken up to a beautiful day, the sun is shining brightly, although it's a little cold, but I am eagerly anticipating Spring.  It's time to move on from this cold and start gardening and planning the year ahead, right?

I hope you all had a restful and wonderful weekend.  Mine was good.  On Saturday we celebrated my brother Miguel's 50th Birthday.  I made his cake for him, which is something I wanted to do because it's such a special day.  You know I'm not a cake professional, I just have fun playing around with fondant.  Seeing that he is a huge Liverpool fan (English football team), that was the theme for the cake.

I shared it over on Instagram, but I'll try to transfer the photo I took from my phone to the computer, and share it with you all later.

Anyway, I hope you all have a blessed week, may it be filled with joy, love, happiness, and abundant health.

♥♥ The Weather ♥♥

It is cold this morning, just 29 degrees at the moment, but a high of 72.  We are living in a seesaw of temperatures lately.  I would say it's a Texas thing, but I'm noticing it is everywhere, literally all over the world.  Just yesterday my stepmom was telling me South Africa has been the exact same way.

I am so looking forward to spring and summer weather.

Monday - Sunny, 73

Tuesday - Partly cloudy/wind, 73

Wednesday - Partly cloudy/wind, 78

Thursday - AM rain/snow showers/wind, 42  (I just can't lol)

Friday - Sunny, 54

Saturday - Sunny, 66

Sunday - Mostly sunny, 71

♥♥ How I am feeling ♥♥

Really good thankfully.  I slept so well last night.  It's amazing what a good night's sleep will do.

♥♥ On the breakfast plate ♥♥

Cup of coffee and toast with apple butter.

♥♥ On my reading pile ♥

Currently reading Year of Wonders by Geraldine Brooks, hoping to finish it today, so I can move on to my next read.  The next one on the list is The Sugar Camp Quilt by Jennifer Chiaverini.

♥♥ On my TV ♥♥

Today I am watching The Secret Garden (2020).  I've mentioned it a few times before but never end up watching and I really want to.  

I'm still enjoying my two Portuguese soaps, Quero e Viver and Para Sempre.  As well as the usual homemaking Portuguese vlogs.  

 

♥♥ On the menu ♥♥

Yesterday I made the new menu for the upcoming two weeks.  I'm trying really hard to make easy, budget friendly meals because the prices of everything, is completely out of control, and it's getting harder and harder to budget through this time.

Monday 

 Chicken, Potatoes and Bacon Au Gratin, Valentine's Day Cheesecake

 

 

 

Tuesday 

 Beef Burrito Skillet, Steamed Broccoli

Wednesday 

Salmon Patties, Spinach Rice, Salad

 

 

Thursday 

Ham and Potato Soup

 

 

 

 

 

Friday 

*Grocery Shopping*

♥♥ From the camera ♥♥

Fresh bread, straight out of the oven.  There is nothing so comforting as a slice of warm bread, with a pat of butter.

♥♥ Looking around the house ♥♥

I'm itching to start switching things around again.  You know that every spring and fall, I take my dining table and couches in the den, and switch places.  During the spring and summer months, the table is by the big window, because we enjoy watching the deer come by to eat, and the rest of the animals, as we eat our meals.

During the colder months, I switch the table to the other side, so it is by the fireplace, where we can eat during the colder weather, enjoying the fireplace.

I'm thinking I may switch it all around today, as we've been really enjoying all the deer we've had visiting our yard, each day.

Aside from that, my house is clean and tidy, and I just have the usual daily tasks to worry about.

♥♥ To do list ♥♥

I find that there is always a running list of things to do, in my mind.  Sometimes it helps to get it on paper, even if I'm not a huge list person.  Ok, let me rephrase, I love lists, love writing lists, but don't always stay on top of them.  I think the writing of the lists is more fun, than ticking off or staying with it.

Anyway, this is what is on my list today:

 

* Make cheesecake for Valentine's day dessert

* Take pictures of the two Valentine's day desserts Jasmine made.  She made these delicious truffles and some cheesecake bars for her boyfriend, and for us too.  

* Start laundry

* Take pictures of the next review book

* Mail off my Texas Voter Regristration Card

* Finish my book

* Take chicken and bacon out of freeze, for dinner

 

 

 

♥♥ Today's Devotional ♥♥

I was thinking I should just change the title of this category, for myself, to New Morning Mercies Devotional  Hahaha

I'm just enjoying it so much, that I plan on continuing every Monday with that day's devotional. 

 

Here is today's:

 

God's grace will expose what you want to hide, not to shame you, but to forgive and deliver you.

 

The light has come.  Run to the light, it is not to be feared.  Yes, it is the light of exposure, but what will be exposed has already been covered by the blood of the One who exposes it.