What's top of my mind: The Christmas season. TBG and I sat down and decided what things were a must to put on the need to do list this year.
1. Visit Cedarhurst to see the lights. Enjoy this holiday season with family at "The Lights" at Cedarhurst!
2. Make a gingerbread house. I have vague memories of making one when I was young, but we've never made one as adults. I found this kit and thought it would be perfect for our first attempt. If we decide to keep this tradition, we can get more creative.
3. Multiple Christmas movie afternoons and nights.
4. Multiple board game breakfasts.
5. Be a secret Santa for someone.
6. A cozy lunch with friends at Pinky's. Can anyone else appreciate a heated igloo? Pinky's
7. Drive around to see lights in town.
8.Decorate the inside of the house.
9. Make Christmas cookies
Where I've been: We live in a town with about 13,000 people or less and most hard-core black Friday shoppers go to the larger cities, so we felt confident to run to a couple of places and we were not disappointed. We went out for a good breakfast and then we went and ordered a new refrigerator that was half off the regular price, plus we can always use a tax credit. I'd rather get something for my money instead of just handing it to the IRS. Last year was the first time in years that we actually had a federal refund, and it was all because we bought the new heating and cooling system and water heater.
Where I'm going: It's back to work this week but no other appointments so that is good.
What I'm watching: We finished the Great British Baking show and was happy with the winner. This was one of my favorite seasons in a while.
What I'm reading: Nothing much worth writing about.
What I'm eating:
Breakfast this morning was French toast for TBG and he said it was delicious.
Deconstructed stuffed poblanos over rice with a cheese roll up.
LO beef tips, mashed potatoes and asparagus.
BIG salad x 2
Thanksgiving meal. Turkey and all of the traditional sides. With pumpkin and sweet potato pies.
Beef cheeseburgers and 'fries'.
The traditional pot of Brunswick stew and garlic cheddar biscuits. Culinary Adventures with Lori: Thanksgiving Leftovers
Who needs a good slap: Mean and rude people. I've seen a lot of keyboard warriors posting comments on a few different blogs lately and I just don't get it. What is the point? What could anyone possibly get out of it?
What's making me smile: We had a wonderful 5-day holiday break. I truly have so much to be thankful for. Then today I woke up to our first snow. It was just gorgeous out. This is the view from our bedroom window.
I hope everyone has a lovely week ahead and remember to put a little love in your heart. Everyday, but especially this time of year.
Hello, my friend. Welcome to our cozy season! Your plans sound lovely, and similar to what we are planning. I love the movie plans! We just made a list of the favorites we hope to watch. Enjoy!!!
ReplyDeleteHi Billie Jo! Yes, it is here!! We love this time of year and try to celebrate a bit each day. We were just talking about our list of favorite movies too. It's just a beautiful time of the year. xoxo
DeleteEnjoy your snow scape. I sure miss snow....
ReplyDeleteThank you! When we lived in SW Florida for 20 years, I really missed it too.
DeleteI don't think I have ever made a gingerbread house. That french toast looks so good. You've got a nice list of things to do this holiday season
ReplyDeleteI only vaguely remember making one in grade school. TBG doesn't remember ever making one so it's on the list. I'm not a fan of French toast but he said it was good. Thank you, I think we came up with a pretty good list.
DeleteYou plans all sound lovely. I would come and play if I were closer!!! LOL
ReplyDeleteI agree on the nasty comments - I have had a few lately. It makes no sense to me - some people must be just miserable souls.
Have a super week.
That would be fun Cheryl! I'm seeing so many on so many different blogs. I just don't understand what they get out of doing that.
DeleteThat is a fun list! My kids made a gingerbread house every year. I would save all the hard and chewy candies from their Halloween haul and they’d use it on the house. Middle Child still likes to make them and we get her a kit every year. This one has a Peanuts theme, so should be cute.
ReplyDeleteThat is awesome Bijoux. A Peanuts theme sounds like so much fun. We're starting easy this year and then maybe branch out.
DeleteWow ! You are quite in the Christmas spirit! I am mad-jealous !
ReplyDeleteI have never made a gingerbread house.
We are! Last year at this time we were going through so much with TBG's health that this year I want to celebrate and have fun.
DeleteThat's a great list to look forward to. And I agree with you about the nasty comments on people's blogs. My thoughts are that they are just sad little misfits who are only brave behind their anonymity but even so, it has got to get old! I do remember one keyboard warrier posting something about how they were going to "storm the barricades and take back our land" and someone found him online and he looked like Peewee Herman living in his mom's basement!
ReplyDeletePeewee Herman in his mom's basement cracked me up! That is what I figured about some of these people that make these comments. I'm seeing so many on so many different blogs. It's just crazy.
DeleteLori, thanks for this uplifting post. I love that you sat down with TBG and made a holiday plan and what a fun list. I remember making gingerbread houses in when I was younger and they were challenging to hold together. Good luck!! We bought our refrigerator on Black Friday a few years ago and felt that we got a really good deal. Nothing like value for your money. Nasty comments are just uncalled for. Like you said- there is no point. The first snow is always fun and special. Enjoy
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you found it uplifting, Judee. We want to enjoy every moment of the season that we can so decided committing to a list would be the way to go. We're good about doing things when they are on a list. I think we got an awesome deal on our refrigerator too. I can't wait for it to arrive on Saturday. Have a great week!!
DeleteThat sounds like a fun Christmas is in store for your family. If I did a gingerbread house with The Muse, I know we'd fight over whether to make it look like an Eichler home or The Stahl House. Yes, we're both huge fans of mid century modern homes.
ReplyDeleteOh I bought some great stuff on sale for myself at Best Buy yesterday. My electric tooth brush bit the dust, and I was lucky to get a $200 one marked down to $120!
That's funny! Sounds like you got a great deal. We did too on the refrigerator and who doesn't like to save some cash?
DeleteOh sounds like a fun list! Enjoy your gingerbread house. We have made one for years, and they are a lot of fun. We have some movies that we try to watch, and we usually see the lights and go to Dickens of a Christmas. This will be the 19th year that we have gotten a cabin in the Smokies with my brother and his family. Our kids have grown up, and somehow we have gotten old. ;)
ReplyDeletePinky's sounds fun! A heated igloo? I would love to see pics.
Enjoy your holiday season.
Sounds like you have a lot of fun traditions too. How awesome to spend time with family at a cabin in the Smokies. That just sounds like a winter holiday. Go to Pinky's in Effingham on FB and they have a ton of photos of the igloos. Or stay tuned, and I'll take one and share. Have a wonderful month!!
DeleteI've only made a gingerbread house once and it was a dismal failure! Someone at work had one that their DIL made and it's gorgeous I will be posting a picture on my blog shortly. I like all your holiday traditions
ReplyDeleteI have no idea how ours will turn out that is why we are starting very small. I can't wait to see the picture. There are some seriously talented people.
DeleteSounds like you're poised to have a great Christmas season!
ReplyDeleteWe're going to give a solid effort. Last year with everything TBG had going on health wise was a bit rough.
DeleteHappy Thanksgiving Lori! Love your Christmas to do list! : )
ReplyDeleteThank you Danielle!
DeleteI second your slapping! Oh look at that snow. We have only had a light dusting so far. Good luck with your gingerbread house.
ReplyDeleteWe had 3-4 inches over a day or two and it was so lovely.
DeleteYour french toast looks delicious! I definitely I found my breakfast for tomorrow. You talking about putting together a gingerbread house reminds me of making one as a kid. I don't think I've made one in years and after reading this, I think I'm going to have to make one this year. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThank you. French toast is such a quick meal. I haven't made one in forever either so this is the year. Enjoy the holiday season.
DeleteIt looks as though you have some fabulous plans for the holiday season. Making a list is such a good idea. That way you won’t forget anything. Personally, I love the idea of gameboard breakfasts.
ReplyDeleteI'm a list maker other wise things just float around in my head and make me crazy. We love gameboard breakfasts during the winter. It's a lot of fun.
DeleteOoooh I would love to see The Lights at Cedarhurst! Can't wait to hear how that goes. Happy baking and watching and celebrating! xoxo
ReplyDeleteWe're going to brave the COLD temps and go tomorrow night. I'm looking forward to it.
DeleteI love The Great British Bake Off back in the day with the starter cast. Back in the day I LOVED that show. Back in the day, I had to order Hollywood's books from across the pond. Such a great baking book. Though I live outside of town, ours is small too. Though the little shoppes are doing better these days, which is nice to see. Happy Christmas and boogie boogie.
ReplyDeleteThis is the first season of TGBBO that I've really loved in a while. The cast and the contestants were all awesome. The small shops here are doing well the last two or three years. Our downtown is really shaping up. I love to shop local. You made me realize I want to get a few pictures of our area when it gets a little warmer.
ReplyDeleteSame here. The last few years, maybe I'm thinking after covid, not 100 percent sure. Just more good stores and they feel like a community of neat shoppes. I love that!
ReplyDelete