One week from Christmas!!!

Good morning everyone, hope you're having a brilliant Friday.

Mine has been very quiet and relaxing, I've spent most morning working with my computer and doing some clean up, re downloading of a few software I needed, looking up some ebooks and also finished my Christmas shopping.

Yesterday after hubby got home from work, we went to the mall to get the last of the Christmas presents.  It was so much fun, even the kids enjoyed it.  What we did was split up, first hubby and son went together to shop for me and our daughter, and we did the same thing, we went to shop for the boys.  We then switched and Jasmine went with Curt and Nick came with me so I could shop for her and, and they could shop for me.

We took a little break to have dinner, nothing out of this world, we stuck by the food court and had some yummy Chinese.

It was just fun to run around shopping for each other, and it was good for my daughter to get out of the house too.  She was a little down for the first two days after the break up, but she's perked right back up and she still loves the boy but she is moving on and looking to the future and being strong, and also looking back and realizing a lot of things that she liked about the relationship and many more that she didn't and would rather not have repeat themselves with boyfriend or husband in the future.

I'm so proud of her.  Something else she has done, which her ex hasn't, is that she hasn't talked bad about him to anyone, or felt the need to trash his image.  He on the other hand took to his facebook to do just that and then blocked her and unfriended me too.  It's one of those things, we can't do anything about it, and I really don't have any hard feelings towards him, I wish him nothing but the best in his future, it's just a chapter in our lives that has come to an end.

She did as me yesterday how he could be so cruel after a year and a half of being together, and I don't have the answers to this, all I could tell her is that maybe this is his way of dealing with it.  Doesn't make it right, but we can't control how others feel and act.

Anyway, we got back home and we all wrapped the gifts and placed them under the tree, so it's definitely looking a lot more like Christmas.

And speaking of trees, this right here is the only annoying part of real trees.  I spend my life vacuuming it all up but it still comes falling down.  Even so, I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world.

I got a pitcher of iced tea going for lunch.....

Made myself a hot cup of tea, because my throat hasn't been feeling quite right, and it's gotten so cold here lately that I'm wondering if I'm not coming down with anything.

Also switched my bag out, haven't used my Cath Kidston in a while and was missing it, so here it is, in all it's beautiful glory :)

Now I'm sitting down and working on my meal plan and grocery list, that's where I am headed tomorrow morning, to the grocery store.  I'm going to try and actually do a video grocery haul this time, and see how that turns out.  If it's ok I'll post it, if not, I will just do it as I have been up to now, with pictures etc.

I feel like I'm so behind on the whole holidays thing this year, usually in years past, we would decorate the beginning of December and really look forward to Christmas, but as time has gone by and as the kids have gotten older, we've stopped a lot of that and so it doesn't quite feel like Christmas anymore, and it's sad, really.

I don't quite know why, up until Curt retired from the Air Force we were so into it, and I can say that the last time we got into the holidays and enjoyed every single minute of it, was back in Arizona, the last year before we moved to Idaho.  I've decided though that I need to make the most of it because the kids are growing up so fast and soon they'll be out on their own, so might as well make these last few years with them at home, the most memorable.

Anyway, I'm going to finish off this post, add the Christmas movie for today, find myself something to watch, continue downloading my software and finish up that meal plan.

I'm not sure what I'm going to do for dinner, I have nothing in the freezer (meat wise), so I guess I could ask Curt to run to the commissary on the way home and pick something up, something easy and quick maybe.

We'll see what happens!!!!

Midori Spring Matcha Organic Green Tea Review

Hey friends, I'm coming in today to talk to you about one of the best Organic Green Teas you will find out there.

I've been a green tea drinker for about a year and a half.

I've always been a tea drinker but didn't get into the green tea for a very long time, not until I really started looking at my health choices, losing weight etc.

A week or two ago I was contacted by the folks at Midori Spring and asked if I would be interested in trying out their Organic Green Tea.  I had always just drank the green tea that is easily found at your local grocery stores, not really looking into it being the best of the best or such.

This was a great opportunity to try something that is not only good for you, but has some of the highest recommendations out there in the market.

I received the tea and have been enjoying it and getting used to it.

I'll tell you more about what I think in a minute, first let me tell you all about this green tea from Midori Spring.

Midori Spring Organic Ceremonial Matcha is packaged in a sealed cannister. It comes from Aichi and Kagoshima regions of Japan. The matcha has a nice fresh grass green color. Per Midori Spring, this matcha is first harvest / first flush, in which the best tea leaves were selected. The matcha froths very well, I dare say this is the most froth I have gotten in all the matcha I have reviewed so far. The matcha has a creamy and smooth flavor, with a hint of bitterness. I really enjoyed the taste, for me the subtle hint of bitter flavor gives the matcha more character. Overall, I really enjoyed tasting Midori Spring’s matcha offering.

Superior Health Benefits

There are endless health benefits when it comes to drinking Matcha. Some of the top health benefits:

• Energy boost without the jitters
• Reduces stress and improves mental alertness.
• Increases metabolism and aids with weight loss.
• Boosts immune system and reduces inflammation.
• Helps the body detox and cleanse harmful elements.
• Research has shown that by drinking Matcha can help prevent cardiovascular diseases, decrease the risk of cancer, reducing arthritis, and the list goes on.

Matcha is a great energy booster due to the combination of caffeine and other natural properties but it does not give you the jitters compared to coffee or energy drinks because Matcha forms links with a variety of nutrients so that it enters the bloodstream in a time-released manner.

Matcha is also nutritiously superior to loose leaf green teas because you are consuming the entire leaf and not just the infusion. Research has found that Matcha contains over 100 times more EGCg than any other tea on the market.

Brewing Instructions

Matcha is easy to brew. Use a traditional Matcha bowl or any favourite tea mug. Place approximately 1 teaspoon of Midori Spring Gold Class Matcha into bowl/mug and pour 60mL/2oz of hot water at 72-76°c, 162-169°f. Use a frother or bamboo whisk to blend until a fine foam appears. Adjust water and Matcha amount to your liking.

Nutrition Facts

Matcha is one of the greatest Superfoods of all time – rich in antioxidants, close to zero calories, and has the highest rated ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity). Matcha also contains a specific Catechin called Epigallocatechin Gallate (EGCg) up to 137x that of regular steeped tea, and has an abundance of the unique Amino Acid L-Theanine.

I will tell you that the first time I tried it, I had a hard time, but that is because I was not used to it being so strong, and of all the other green teas I've tried, but that is because it is genuine Ceremonial grade Matcha from Japan, which makes it a premium tea.

One of my favorite ways to drink green tea is by adding some good honey to it.  After a few cups of it, I have gotten used to Matcha tea and no longer enjoy the cheaper brands I was using before.

How to brew:

Please visit http://www.midorispring.com/perfect-matcha-brew/
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J5uCNHcvp7A

A little goes a long way, it doesn't take a lot of the powder to enjoy a good cup of tea, and I honestly feel so much healthier when I'm drinking it.  I only have a cup a day, usually at night and like I said above, with some good organic honey.  It is delicious!!!

So if you're looking for a good, organic, highly recommended, made with the best of the best ingredients, this is it right here.  :)

I received this complimentary product in exchange for an honest and unbiased review. All opinions are 100% my own.

Pink Zebra Sprinkles Giveaway Winner!!!!

Congratulations to Elizabeth from Life at Hilltop, she was drawn as the winner through Random.org.

Happy Homemaker Monday - 12/14/2015

Good morning all, can you believe it's Monday already?

Hubby and I woke up this morning and kept saying to each other that it's not fair, the weekend just flew right on by and we're not feeling it today, just not ready for a whole new week LOL

We are also one step closer to Christmas, oh goodness.  Anyway, let's concentrate on other things and let's get this day going shall we?

The weather outside is::::

41 degrees and clear skies.  Yesterday we had cloudy and foggy skies and some rain too.  This weather is so confusing, I wish it would just pick one and stay with it....really.   d

On the breakfast plate this morning::::

Haven't had breakfast yet, just a cup of coffee with hubby at 5:30am.  I will finish up this post and then get some breakfast, but not really sure what I am in the mood for.  Bagel?  Cinnamon Toast or Pumpkin Spice?  Cereal?  Yogurt parfait?  Who knows.

As I look outside my window:::

It's really bright outside, or maybe it's because yesterday was so dark and gloomy.  There are ton of squirrels in the yard, playing and running back and forth through the grass and then up the one tree.  

Right now I am::::

In bed, Lola is snoring next to me and Bella is on her bed on the floor.  I'm trying to tell myself that after this post I need to get up and get going with my day, but I'm feeling so incredibly lazy today, ugh. 

As I look around the house::::

It is homey and cozy, but I've not really decorated as much for Christmas as previous years, and I don't know if it's because my kids are getting older and I don't feel the need to go all out.  I am just not sure what is going on lately, kind of wish I got the Christmas spirit back though. 

On today's to do list::::

Laundry....Have the boy's laundry to finish, fold and put in his room for him to put away.
Cleaning....In the kitchen, Unload the dishwasher and reload with breakfast dishes.  
In the living rooms....Vacuum, dust and tidy up a bit.
In the bedrooms....make the beds, pick up and tidy up, open curtains and blinds and windows to let in some fresh air.
In the bathrooms....clean the toilets, sinks and mirrors.
Homeschooling....prepare the lessons, check grades.

Cooking.....for lunch Tuna salad, and for dinner, Teriyaki Beef Stir Fry and Rice.

Happening this week::::

Monday.....School, housework, writing more Christmas cards
Tuesday....Matcha Green Tea Review
Wednesday....Finish school before winter break
Thursday.....Out to eat for dinner
Friday....Relaxing day with kids

Currently reading::::

Nothing at the moment.

On the TV today::::

Catching up on my DVR list:
Watching another Christmas movie

On the menu this week::::

Monday - Teriyaki Beef Stir Fry and Rice
Tuesday - Homemade Hamburger Helper, Salad
Wednesday - Homemade Pepperoni, and Hawaiian Pizza
Thursday - Out to eat
Friday -
Saturday -
Sunday -

What I am creating at the moment::::

A safe place for my daughter who unfortunately is going through a break up. 

New recipe I tried or want to try this week::::

The Teriyaki Beef Stir Fry is something that I haven't made before, and am just throwing together tonight, hoping it turns out good. 

Favorite photo from the camera::::

Prayers, Inspirational Quotes or Devotionals::::

PLEASE, don't add links to this list that are not part of the Happy Homemaker Monday. I've asked numerous times, and I'm frankly quite tired of having to remove links to other posts that shouldn't be in this list. Please be respectful of my request!

Christmas Movies

Alrighty, we are well into December and there's nothing I love more than watching Christmas movies, everywhere and anywhere I can find them.

I've come in to let you all know that from now and through the month of December, if you look over to the right sidebar, right at the top you will now see a Christmas Movie Today....in here I will post the movie I'm watching that day, including a link to watch it online.

If you haven't watched Christmas in the Smokies, it is a must, sweet story perfect for the holidays, so go on and give it a click and enjoy, and remember to come back tomorrow to see what movie I'll be watching and sharing :)