This Week In My Home: Christmas Cheer

This week in my home...
Photos herein are of this year's decorations.  I've tried and tried to get up a post about this year's décor with the worst luck loading pictures up here on the blog.  So I've sprinkled these throughout this post.  I hope you enjoy!

...John and I stayed in pajamas all the day Saturday and it was lovely.  He'd noted the presents under the tree Friday.  "Whose are those?" he asked.  "Yours, of course," I'd answered.  Well he wanted to open them Saturday morning and I had no troubles with that.  After all, I'd had several of my gifts for weeks now and have worn or used them happily.  It bothers me not at all that there are no gifts under the tree for Christmas morning. 

I haven't made huge big plans for the coming week. Partly because there was a dinner to attend today after church at Mama's and then John off almost all the week.  It doesn't pay to make big plans when John is off, lol.  He does tend to be spontaneous and has a way of wanting me to come along with him or come to see what he's been up to, etc.  His being off today was a surprise, but not an unpleasant one. 


I am determined each day to grasp hold of something lovely about this fleeting season.  Another showing of "A Christmas Carol"(George C. Scott version this time) and another special dinner out with John courtesy of a small Christmas bonus were two such things this past week.  I made John's favorite Christmas cookies one afternoon this past week.  I shall make a batch of sugar cookies for myself next week though I can't eat more than one each day.  Then we shall most certainly need no more cookies for a long while.  We had a very pleasant afternoon at my brother's for today with little children to watch open gifts. 

I am feeling the urge to begin the annual New Year house cleaning, but I'm going to hold off until after Christmas when I'm putting away the Christmas things anyway.  That is a good time to freshen and renew and prepare for the New Year and a good time, too, to think of ways to freshen the look for winter, though admittedly our current look is still pretty fresh and new. 

...I plan my work:

Plant bulbs.  I did get all the pansies planted but I still need to plant bulbs.  And prune roses and move iris.  Provided it doesn't rain.

Finish my lists planning the coming New Year.

Harvest day.  Pay day, bills, groceries.

Make sugar cookies.

Plan 8 days of Chanukah surprises and do what those surprises require in order to execute them.  If I wait until the last minute I'll do nothing at all.

Hem my new jeans.

Piece together several fresh outfits.  I have worn the current lot several times over. 

...I plan meals:

dinner with Mama

Chicken Tortilla Casserole, Salad, Mexican Corn, Chocolate Pudding

Black Beans and Yellow Rice, Pico de Gallo, Green Salad, Mexican Corn Bread

Leftovers Day

Lazy Day Beef Stew, Slaw, Crusty Bread

on my own

Spaghetti with Bolognese Sauce, Garlic Bread, Green Beans

...I plan leisure:

Take an evening ride to look at Christmas Lights in town.

Watch Christmas specials and movies.

Sit and gaze at the tree lights.

3 comments:

Annabel said...

Wishing you both a wonderful Christmas! You had a busy year! With love Annabel.xxx

Lana said...

I am Humbugging about Google because it keeps dumping my comments on the last post. I love the Wise Men! How awesome that you could find those. George C. Scott in my favorite Scrooge. How nice to have John home most of the week!

We rode to a light display about 20 miles away last night and it was worth every mile. I will finish cookies today and move on to four kinds of candy tomorrow. I make a lot because cookie trays go to all the neighbors each year and it takes quite a lot. All the freezers are loaded with containers and casseroles. Hubby is saying where do you think I am going to put this when I hand him something else to freeze. I know he will find a place. :)

Hubby and I treat our Swagbucks earnings as mad money so I bought myself a Christmas present. I have been watching the price on a Cuisunart multicooker that allows me to brown everything and then just switch to slow cook. It can also steam a large amount of food. I am loving it already!

I am on track to finish up the month under budget on groceries!!! I am so proud of myself that I did not go over! But, I steered clear of Publix. That is the place where I can just buy a lot of CHristmassy foods that do not get eaten but does eat up my budget. I used to double my grocery budget for December and spend all of it but I don't need to do that if I just exercise control over the impulse buys this month.

Crossing my fingers and toes that this posts! Merry Christmas all!

Veronika said...

Merry Christmas and Hag Chanukah Sameah! Your house looks very beautiful and very Christmasy.
Do you plan your New Year cleaning or just tend to be spontaneous?
It would be nice to hear which surprises you are planning for Chanukkah.

The Long Quiet: Day 21