Thanks for moving us into December, Nance. I'd still be in Nov! I love all of your Christmas themed gifs. I use my Vitamix all the time and would have to replace it asap...cool that you got a better model and on sale. I can't believe how long it is taking for things like furniture to ship. At least you have it ordered and its in the queue.

I can't believe you haven't used your Soda Stream yet, Mihani! It is extremely easy to use. You just put your container in the device with water in it and then press the button. I read that you want to press it for 2 seconds at a time, and do that 3 times. Depending on how you like the carbonation level, you can add or subtract a few 2 second pumps. The first time you use a CO2 cartridge you might need an extra pump or two to get things going. I think I pumped that sucker maybe 6 or 8 times before I read online how much to do it. That's how I ended up burping every sip lol

The home baked cookies that Joe's mom baked arrived in the mail yesterday and I over-indulged, so it's no surprise that I woke up this morning with a nasty headache. Maybe that will help me stay on track today. I'm making pea soup today with some Field Roast sausage. This time I'm going to cook the 'sausage' on the stove separately to help with the integrity. It was too mushy in the IP.

Joe and I are going to try getting a walk-in appointment for our covid booster shots today. If we can't get in I'll make an appointment when I get home. We aren't going out much, but we'll be seeing family over the holidays.

Today I'm hoping to finish up the Christmas cards. They have to get in the mail, especially the ones to Canada if there's a hope of the recipients getting them on time. I'll try to remember to snap a pic of one. I think they turned out cute.

Show us your family room if you can find the time in your crazy schedule, Mihani!

It's snowing here! First snow of the year. I can see the grass peeking through here and there, but it still counts. We even bought one of those sledding discs the other day so that we can have some fun on our little hills if enough falls.

Here are the cards. Still not out the door. I'm going to put down my knitting and get them ready today.


Have a great Saturday!

Geeze oh pete... lost my post! I'll try to start over.

I had said that I am home early but before y'all start celebrating I am home to work. Also working from home all day tomorrow and Thursday and part of the day Wednesday. I just HAVE to get some of these things done that are due end of year. It's not that I can't do them at work but it's difficult with the constant interruptions.

I didn't end up making the soup on Saturday. I had a big ol' salad instead and will make the soup tomorrow. Tonight is "fajitas" which is basically refried beans with sauteed peppers and onions and a sprinkle of nooch on whole wheat tortillas (edited to add that I also put baby arugula on the fajitas... gotta have some greens!), toasted in a pan until crispy. I am going to try making my own tortillas one of these days. The store-bought are so meh. I am going through one of those stages where I am raring to go with cooking or totally not into it. Which reminds me...



Nance, so glad you are happy with your new hours at work! And that you got to have company on your beautiful new patio furniture. Have you had your class yet about your knee surgery? That's so cool that FOK is doing frozen entrees. I checked their website and nowhere near Ohio yet. Hope it's successful and makes it here.

Carla, love the yarn! And what a pretty view from the window too. Sorry about your knitting do-over. That is exactly why I am not good with crafty/artsy things. I have no patience for the do-overs. Onward and upward... enjoy the spaghetti.

LOL that's my brain for sure Mihani!

That's a cool & thoughtful gift, Nance. I'm interested in what you think about it. I also have old photos and I think my parents have a ton (though they had a flooded basement, so I will have to check to see if the photos survived).

Won't be making much knitting progress this week on my shawl. I've got to finish those Christmas hats! 2 more to go plus the last little bit of the one on the needles.

Testing week for work, and then 3 weeks off! I will be continuing my current obsession with dyeing and knitting, assuming the switch stays flipped!

Spaghetti last night was yummy. I remember something about fresh leafy greens...salads? Yep that's what they're called. Time to start eating those again!

Home, home, home, yay! I was working until 8:30 last night. Spent about 4 hours in the office this morning and now home and taking a little break before I head up to my desk. Working from home all day tomorrow. I am feeling a teensy bit more confident that I can finish some of these projects. Going to have some leftover stir-fry for lunch. It turned out great. I am craving stir-fry a lot more than salad with the cold and snowy weather, but I do need to get back to daily salads.

I think all my presents have arrived so I'm done other than running to the wine store for a few bottles as gifts. Pretty sure I still have plenty of wrapping paper on hand but I should check that.

B - ezekiel english muffin with a smidge of almond butter, small bowl of mixed berries with cinnamon
L - leftover stir-fry veggies with brown rice
D (planned) - big ol' salad with chickpeas added, an apple with a smidge of almond butter for dipping

Also going to make the long delayed soup tonight although since I have all this stir-fry to eat I will probably freeze it all in portion sizes.

Nance... my boy, when he was MUCH younger. First day in his new home in fact. He was a stray picked up by some friends. About 6 months old there.

Haven't seen a pic of Radar in a while, Carla! What a cute little face, love his markings. I think I remember that picture of your cat... looks very relaxed LOL.

I'm with you on getting healthy habits back on track. I'm doing okay with food but still indulging in beer or wine on the weekends and going too heavy on the starches most days. Main thing is getting exercise. I did so well with the treadmill habit for a while but now it's sporadic again. Exercise helps my mental health too and seasonal blues are worse than usual this year.

I slept in a little since I don't have to travel to the office today. Having some breakfast and should be at my desk by 8:00.

Poor Kittens in that crazy pose LOL I'll post a cuter pic of her later.
Weighed myself and threw out a few goodies. I feel bad about that, but they are the kind Joe won't eat and I just can't have the temptation sitting here in the house.
If the butternut squash I have on I have on hand is still good, I'll make the bnut squash soup for dinner. Otherwise, a can of Amy's chili and picking up fresh foods tomorrow.

Hope you get a bunch of work off your plate today, Mihani!

That's excellent you found a good facebook support group for your knee surgery, Nance. I agree, Carla's kitty is super cute!

Went out after work with a couple friends. Had fun. Only stayed an hour because I had to get home to the boy. I imagine him looking at the clock going okay where's the servant to let me out and get my dinner!

Picked up my salads on my way to the restaurant so I'm all set although I think tonight I will use some of those salad goodies in a wrap with the last of the hummus. I didn't eat while I was out so I'm ready for some dinner! Just ate a Dr. McDougall soup for lunch so I'm hungry. The only good thing about the colder weather is it's fine to leave my salad goodies in the car for an hour before I get them home and into the fridge.

I had store-bought hummus this week and honestly feeling like I don't enjoy it as much as my own homemade oil-free hummus these days. Maybe it's partly the slight guilt aftertaste with the store-bought.

So I'm making my own hummus this weekend, and I'm going to tighten up the diet by seriously cutting back on those starchy veggies and grains. I got home so late that I will wait until tomorrow to make the soup, but it WILL get done tomorrow. I got stuck at the office later than I hoped so didn't make it to the store before meeting up with friends, but I have plenty of food, so I will use what I have this week and save some $$ and time by not doing more grocery shopping.

B - ezekiel toast with a smidge of almond butter
L - Dr. McD soup
D - hummus and veggie wrap, maybe an apple

And two beers at the restaurant/bar.