My Weekly W's 12.31.23

We have had very little snow so far so this a picture from our front window 10 years ago on Christmas.

What's top of my mind:  After having the last eight days off with two more to go I realize just how stressful my job actually is. I have gone to bed every night around 8:30 pm and have slept soundly with no bad dreams until 6:30 am.  That shows me how very tired I have been and how knowing I have to get up and go to work the next day affects my sleep quality.  This has been a huge eye opener.  I am going to think of ways to either lower the stress or find something less stressful.  I asked if there was a plan to replace the Medical Director that left in November and the response was "No, what is the issue?"  Nice huh?  So, I am responsible for 16 physicians and 6 nurse practitioners in a 24-hour, 365 day a year program.  It is too much for one person.  

Where I've been: HOME.  My favorite place in the world.  It has been so nice and relaxing and fun spending the days with TBG and Binx.  We did go out on the 27th for lunch at Joes and then stopped at our favorite furniture store.  We've been wanting to update our console in the living room and we found the perfect one.  It was delivered yesterday, and we LOVE it. 

Where I'm going: TBG wants to go out for breakfast tomorrow.  Other than that, no plans on going anywhere.  Tuesday I have to go back to work.  No other plans so far for the coming week.  This is hibernation season and I plan to take full advantage of that.

What I'm watching:  We watched a few more Christmas movies this week.  Other than that nothing exciting.  

What I'm reading:  I flipped through a number of cookbooks this week if that counts.

What I'm eating:

Lamb chops, garlic and rosemary potatoes, brussel sprouts

Roasted chicken, mashed potatoes and salad

Chicken noodle soup.  I used the Amish egg noodles and this soup was delicious!!

Chicken Tikka Masala, rice and naan

Lamb burgers and sweet potato 'fries'

LO beef chili and cornbread.

Tonight I'm making stuffed shells, salad and no knead bread

FYI...left over Naan makes a delicious pizza

What I'm planning:  I have my new journal set up and ready for 2024.  I don't make resolutions, but I do set goals and intentions.  One of my goals is to blog more.  I want to go back to doing more 5 Favorites posts and I'm planning on making one new recipe every Saturday.  52 new to me meals or sides or desserts or breads.  I'm excited about that one.  

What's making me smile:  All of the blog friends I've made over the last few years.  I received so many nice texts, emails and cards for the Christmas holiday.  We may not 'know' each other IRL but we do have a real connection regardless.  Thank you all for being here.  I appreciate all of you.

I hope everyone enjoys the last day of this year.  May 2024 be a healthy, happy New Year for all of us.

Merry Christmas

We spend a lot of time in our kitchen/dining room, so I decided to jazz it up a bit this winter.  

The Christmas Cake is ready.  Chocolate cake with Chantily frosting.   A big favorite of ours. 

Christmas Eve was a day of relaxing, watching movies and hanging out with TBG.  We watched Christmas Chronicles for the third or fourth time and it is still at the top of my list.  It's really a cute movie.  For dinner we had a salad, split a baked potato, deviled eggs, sweet and spicey bison meatballs and beef smokies wrapped in puff pastry.  It hit the spot.

For breakfast this morning I made popovers with cream cheese and pepper jelly and bacon.  I don't make popovers as often as I should. No white Christmas here.  It's 55 degrees and raining. For me, today is another day for relaxing and enjoying a slow pace.  Also, for being thankful for all of the people in our lives and all that we've been blessed with. 

Merry Christmas to everyone.  May it be a peaceful day for you!!

My Weekly W's

 

What's top of my mind: Work has been extremely stressful the last couple of weeks, but I am reminding myself daily to slow down and enjoy this time of year.  I have this coming week to work and then I am off for 10 glorious days.  Longer days will be with us soon enough is so true.

Where I've been:  Other than work and home I've only made one quick trip to the grocery store, and we took a drive and went out for lunch yesterday.  

Where I'm going:  I will need to stop at the store sometime this week for dairy and fruits and veggies.  I also need to run in Kohls to pick up one gift for TBG.  Friday or Saturday night we're going to see the lights again at Cedarhurst weather permitting.  No snow here yet but a lot of cold rainy days.

What I'm watching:  Southern Charm and more Christmas movies.  

What I'm reading:  I'm still reading the book I started last week.

What I'm eating:  

Chicken, baked potato and salad

BIG salad

LO Brunswick stew 

Beef tacos and rice

Homemade pizza and salad

Who needs a good slap:  Putting this one on pause for the holidays.  I'm avoiding negativity.

What I'm planning:  Today I'm baking cookies for TBG's students.  I've planned Christmas dinner and NY Eve appetizer night now to plan something for Christmas Eve and NY day.  I'm keeping it much simpler than previous years, but I still want good food.

What is making me smile:  The NP's that work with our group always get me something gorgeous for Christmas.  This is what was delivered this year.  My job is stressful, but I do work with/for some awesome people.  That makes the day a little easier.

I hope everyone is doing well and has a peaceful week.

My Weekly W's

What's top of my mind:  My brother.  I have only one brother and we were always very close.  Four or five years ago there were a series of issues with his very difficult wife that changed him a lot and we didn't see each other or talk much.  Monday, he reached out to me on a FB message asking if I had changed my number because he had text me and called me and it didn't ring or go to voice mail.  I told him that I had gotten a new phone in 2020 and wasn't able to keep the same number and gave him the number.  He called yesterday and we talked for almost four hours.  I was amazed that after a number of years he sounded like the person I've always known. To say this made me so happy is an understatement.  The wife is gone, he's back to his old self and happy again and I feel like I was given a Christmas miracle.  

Where I've been:  I had dinner out with two of my friends this week.  It's always so much fun to meet them every month and catch up on life.  

Where I'm going:  No plans as of right now.  We are wanting to go through the lights at Cedarhurst again and may do that this coming weekend.

What I'm watching:  Christmas movies of course.  I watched Love Actually, The Holiday, Feast of the Seven Fishes and Merry Swissmas.  

What I'm reading:  I started The City Baker's Guide to Country Living by Louise Miller.  I've heard good reviews on this book so I'm looking forward to it.  I hit 25 books read this year, not including various cookbooks I've read.  I used to read so much more but I'm pretty happy with that numberr.

What I'm eating:

I made a loaf of bread Monday night and it was delicious. Winter is the best time of year for break baking.

Roasted chicken, mashed potatoes and a small salad

Lamb burgers and fries

Dinner out at Agave.  I had the chicken fajita nachos, and it was delicious.

BIG salad

Pizza and salad

Meatloaf, roasted garlic and rosemary potatoes and salad.

I'm not sure yet what we're having tonight but I will say I'm craving mac and cheese so there's that.

Who needs a good slap:  Dominos.  Our water heater died Friday afternoon and I didn't want to cook and dirty up the kitchen with no water so I ordered a pizza. We're constantly getting pizza's from there delivered here that should have gone to the nursing home down the street.  Well they delivered my pizza to the nursing home.  They had to call me to come and get it so of course it was a little cold by then.  I called the manager and told him what happened.  He told me that I need to specify that this is not the nursing home when I order.  I told him that I shouldn't have to do that because the delivery driver should be able to tell the difference between 1004 and 1001.  Our address is clearly visible.  I also told him that this is the reason I always tip once the food is delivered and she missed out on a really good tip.  We did get a credit for another pizza but I'm tired of no one wanting to take personal responsibility for anything.  Two slaps to them.

Who deserves a high five:  Our water heater started leaking Friday afternoon around 1.  TBG called the repair company we always use and he was here within an hour.  He said it needed to be replaced and came Saturday morning at 9 to replace it.  BIG kudos for a company that did a wonderful job in a timely manner.  That is rare these days.

What I'm planning:  Today I need to change the sheets, pay the bills and then get my Christmas cards done.  I'm also still planning meals and snacks for the Holiday.

What is making me smile:  TBG had a really good week.  His shortness of breath is better and he's feeling much more energetic.  That really brings me a smile.

Stay safe everyone.  I hope you're finding some joy during this wonderful season.

My Weekly W's x2

Thank you to everyone who sent prayers and healing vibes for the big guy.  He had a stress test Tuesday and while it did show the heart is still working a bit slower than it should, there is no sign of blockage, so no Cath is needed.  I am SO happy about that.  He has an appointment tomorrow with his cardiologist and hopefully the Life Vest can be turned in. Hopefully with the change in medications he will continue to get stronger.

What's top of my mind:  Besides TBG, the holidays are top of my mind right now.  We enjoyed a quiet Thanksgiving and now we are barreling towards Christmas.  I decorated the house to make it all cozy and bright for the dark days of Winter.  I did the dining room table a little different this year and I like it.

I found a Chocolate Chip Cannoli Yankee Candle and it smells SO delicious.  You can never have too many candles during the winter.

Where I've been:  We did finally make it to the photo exhibit at Cedarhurst and it was amazing.  We actually ran into the photographer there and had a wonderful chat.  Other than that, I've been either home or at work. 

What I'm watching:  The Christmas movie marathon has started.  So far I've watched The Family Stone, Best. Christmas. Ever, The Holiday and This Christmas. 

What I'm reading:  Nothing.

What I'm listening to:  The Christmas music channel is on in the Jeep.  I don't have a very long commute so I only here one or two songs but it's been nice to listen to.  

What I'm eating:

This week was...

BIG salad with grilled cheese

Brunswick Stew with cornbread

Mexican Chicken and rice with a cheese roll up

Bison burgers with sweet potato 'fries'

Lamb chops, baked potato and salad

Chili

Stuffed shells, salad and bread

Thanksgiving we had the typical "traditional" food.  I did make one new side, appetizer.  Dates stuffed with goat cheese and wrapped in bacon that I cooked on the air fryer mode.  OMG these are delicious.  If you don't eat bacon, they could easily be dipped in flour, egg and breadcrumbs and be just as amazing.  Not exactly the prettiest app but definitely good.

Binx enjoyed his share of turkey.  I think he could sense that something wasn't right with TBG so we tried to give him a bit of extra love.  Our animals really are more aware of things going on than we give them credit for. 

Who needs a good slap:  Once again, health insurance companies.  Two hand a half weeks after being fitted with the Life Vest they sent a letter resending their original approval.  The same thing they did with the eye surgery.  I'm sure this is all going to be a battle so I'm already prepared for 5 slaps.

What I'm planning:  We are planning to spend the time between now and New Years relaxing, playing games, watching movies and eating good food.  I think next weekend we'll make some cocoa and go see lights and decorations around town.  I'm also planning Christmas meals.  I want to keep things tasty but a bit simpler.  

What's making me smile; Every single day with TBG!!  It was a scary few weeks and I am even more determined than ever to make every single day the special gift that it is.

Wishing everyone a safe and happy week ahead.  Remember to do something fun every single day!!