Weekend at the end of January

Friday, was, as usual, online learning day at school.  After taking a couple of sick days to deal with a painful infection in my foot, I returned on Friday and spent the day grading assignments and posting new assignments. There was a Zoom meeting about mid-day with a lot of other teachers, but fortunately, it didn't last much longer than 45 minutes.  

Friday afternoon, my daughter Tiffany texted me and told me that my granddaughter, Hailey, took this picture and entered it in a city photography contest.  The winner of the contest is determined by the number of likes the picture gets on the city Facebook or Instagram page.  Of course, I immediately went to both of those platforms and liked her picture and asked some friends to do the same.  It's a stunning picture and I think Hailey deserves to win the contest!  I also thought it was neat that my granddaughter loves beautiful sunrises, just like me!

I sent my granddaughter a Marco Polo message and my daughter responded, since Hailey wasn't home at the time.  It was so nice to get this message from my daughter. That is my youngest granddaughter, on her mom's lap. 

Charly and I slept in a bit on Saturday, did a quick visit to a couple of stores and then took a walk. It was a cold, but sunny day.  There is snow in the mountains, but not in the valley. Later, on Saturday, we ran some more errands, I washed both of our cars, and did laundry. 

We got a take-n-bake deli pizza for dinner on Saturday.  Pizza and salad is probably my favorite weekend dinner.  After dinner, I walked another 2+ miles on my Health Walker downstairs, then Charly and I checked out a new Netflix series recommended by my friend, Faith, over at Gold in the Clouds. 

This is the BBC series, The Last Tango in Halifax, we are watching on Netflix. I think this is one we will really enjoy.  

Sunday we went to church. We always wear masks and sit in the back and try to keep to ourselves,  not to be unfriendly, but just to try and stay well.  Josh went to a young adult church congregation this week, so just Charly went to our usual service.  After church, I did some indexing while listening to Sunday School on Zoom. 

Sunday dinner was beans and rice with French bread and green salad.  

After dinner, I worked out for a while downstairs on the Health Walker, then Charly and I watched another episode of Last Tango in Halifax - which is really quite a delightful series.  

Coming up this week:  Not a lot, except the usual - five days of work, cleaning and other chores and of course, laundry - always laundry.  

Thanks for stopping by.  Have a good week. See you again soon.

~ Deb💜

 

End of January Friday Favorites

It's the end of another week and time to look back at what went right over the past few days.  I am joining, as always with Susanne and friends over at Living to Tell the Story for Friday's Fave Five. 

This little heater - is wonderful for taking the chill off in the early morning.  It is in our dining room, and since our home is quite well insulated and warm, I wasn't sure we needed it, but now I am sure glad we have it.  It was has been a cold week and I have turned this heater on often. 

New fence - Monday morning I received the unsettling text from our property manager that the tenants in one of our rental properties had reported that the back fence had been knocked down.  Charly went over to check it out, and this is what he found.  My original thought upon receiving the text is that we would have the expense of replacing the fence, but then Charly found out that the owner of the property behind ours had taken the fence down to do some work on his property and he was planning to completely replace the fence at his expense.  That was nice.  Our property will have a new back fence at no cost to us.  

Dryer fixed - Tuesday night our dryer went out when it was full of flannel shirts and jeans.  Fortunately, the other load of whites and towels that I did just before the load of jeans dried just fine, but a few minutes later, nothing in the dryer would dry.  You can see that I had to hang my shirts and jeans on various door knobs throughout the house to dry. Thursday afternoon, a very nice young dryer tech came to our home and determined that the dryer's thermostat had gone out. The thermostat was replaced and the dryer is working fine now. 

Virtual Doctor Visit - I had not ever had a virtual visit with my doctor, but I had something going on that I felt needed medical attention so I took a sick day and called the doctor's office this morning and set up a virtual appointment.  I stressed a bit all day about the technology working correctly, but it ended up being super quick and easy.   The doctor's diagnosis was exactly what I felt like was going on.  He prescribed a strong antibiotic and after about 24 hours I am feeling better. 

2020 blog book ordered - If you have been reading my blog for a while, you know that I make all of my blog posts into a book, almost every year or so.  Here is the complete set I have dating back to 2007 when I started blogging. My blog back then was called Keeping Up With The Joneses.  I also made a blog book of Josh's letters and pictures from his mission in Mexico.  The company that I use to make the blog books had a 37% off sale going this week, so I ordered my 2020 blog.  Having the blog printed, is a bit expensive, so 37% off helps a lot.  The number of pictures I had on my blog was over the limit for one volume so I had to do some editing, which was quite time-consuming, but I finished it up and got the blog order.  For those who are curious, the final cost of my 2020 blog book was $101.07.   

Shelfie Day - Yesterday was Library Shelfie Day on Social Media and I posted this pictures of some of some of our bookshelves.  Love, family and books make our house a home. 

Monthly reading goal exceeded - I am on track to finish these four books by the end of January. January was a month of nonfiction reading for me and these four books are excellent. 

Winter walks - even though this was a week of typically cold, gray January weather, Charly and I still got out and walked almost every day and enjoyed it, as always.  

With that, I will end my Friday Favorites post. Thanks for visiting, stay well and enjoy the coming weekend. 

~ Deb 💜

“Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend.” 

― Melody Beattie

 

Take Time on Tuesday

 It's Tuesday and so I am joining with Faith over at Gold in the Clouds for Take Time Tuesday.

Today I took time to make a morning gratitude list...

...and to read the scriptures before I left for school.

Later, I took time to fix a healthy dinner for my family...

...and to exercise both outdoors and indoors.

I also took time to relax on the couch and watch an episode of The Chosen as I finished this blog post.  

What are you taking time for this week?  That's all for today. Thanks for stopping by. 

~ Deb

Cold January Weekend

 

Friday was online learning only at school  We had a staff meeting and English Department Meeting, and I spent the rest of the school day grading and posting lessons online.  

We were supposed to get a big snow storm here on Friday night, but by Saturday morning, the roads were only wet and there was no snow on the ground.  We did get snow flurries most of Saturday but nothing seemed to stick. You can see that that there was snow in the mountains, which is where it is most needed.  

Sad news came Saturday, when I got word of the death of my aunt due to Covid. She has been in a hospital in Southern California for several days. She was only 69 - and the youngest of 12 children in my birth mother's family. She is the only family member I know of so far who has not survived Covid. Very sad. 

We were home almost all of Saturday.  I did some chores, like two loads of laundry (keeping it real).  Yes, this laundry is now all folded and put away.  It always seems like there is laundry to be done...

Saturday night's dinner was a garden vegetable pizza from our new favorite pizza place - Marco's. 

One of my very favorite dinners is pizza coupled with a fresh green salad with a bit of blue cheese dressing.  Yum!

In the evening, after dinner, Charly and I watched the final episode of Season 4 of The Crown.  I did some crocheting while I watched. We have sure enjoyed watching that series and look forward to season 5 coming out (hopefully) next year.  We started watching The Last Czars.  Charly wanted to watch Bridgerton but it was a bit racey for my tastes.  

Sunday I got up before 7 a.m. and got a roast in the slow cooker for dinner.  I ate my own breakfast (oatmeal and fruit) then fried some bacon for Josh, who is a bacon guy who needs his morning protein.  I try to make Sunday morning breakfast a bit special for him.  After that, I read scriptures and my Come Follow Me study.  

Later, we went to church. Our church doesn't begin until 11 a.m. this year, so as soon as we got home, I ate lunch, then laid down for a short nap of about 30 minutes.  I don't think I really fell to sleep, but it was nice to just relax and rest for a few minutes. When I got up, I did some indexing of tax records from Ontario, Canada.  I surpassed my indexing goal for the month! Later, Charly and I went for our walk in the late afternoon just before dinner. 

Sunday dinner was pot roast, mashed potatoes and gravy with green salad.  The pot roast gravy was inspired by a recipe I got from Mari's Cooking Thursday post over at her blog, My Little Corner of the World.  It was delicious!  Thank you, Mari!

I made bread pudding for dessert.  My mother used to make bread pudding when I was growing up. I do not have her recipe, but I did find an excellent recipe and demonstration at Kathy's Vlog, Kathy's Happy Home.  The bread pudding was also a hit with the family.  We all liked it a lot and I will be making it again.  

After my second exercise session downstairs, Charly and I watched a little TV while I finished this blog post. 

No big plans for the coming week - just usual stuff.  I am hoping to finish another book.   Thanks for stopping by.  Have a good week and I will see you again soon. 

Friday Favorites

Welcome to my Friday Favorites for this January week.  As always, I am joining with Susanne and other grateful blog friends over at Living to Tell the Story. 

Democracy Wins! -  Rejoice and give thanks! The inauguration of our President Biden was uplifting and inspiring.  I am praying for our new president because when he does well, we all benefit.  I am also praying for healing of the divisions in our country, and that we can return once again to being, "one nation under God."

Vice President Kamala Harris - As our nation becomes more inclusive, it is good for all Americans! I am pleased that we have a woman as as our new Vice President.  The glass ceiling has been shattered. 

Watching the Inauguration at School - We watched the inauguration of President Biden and Vice President Harris in my classroom Wednesday morning.  It is a historic event and I felt like my students should see it.  I am grateful that I was able to watch the inauguration in real time. 

Sunny winter days - A big snow storm is predicted for our area this weekend, but this week had some sunny days with blue skies and moderate winter temperatures - perfect for afternoon walks with Charly. 

More exercise - Even though I walk with Charly around our neighborhood most days after I get home, I have been going downstairs most evenings after dinner for more exercise.  I usually listen to a podcast or watch TV while exercising, I have come to look forward to and enjoy my additional after dinner workouts. 

Rented!  - our income property condo has been vacant for a couple of  months since the last tenant moved out, but a few days ago, our property manager emailed us with the good news that we likely will have a new renter moving in soon.  That is good news!

What has gone well in your world this week?  I will leave you with this from the talented young poet, Amanda Gorman, who read her moving and powerful poem at President Biden's inauguration.

 

Take Time Tuesday

It's Tuesday.

I got home from school, already tired, and there were important errands to run, so there was no time for an after school walk outside.

Later however, I decided to take some time to take care of myself.

I couldn't walk outside,  but I was able to walk three miles downstairs on my Health Walker.  It always feels good to move my body.  Exercise helps me to relieve stress and reset my mind to a positive attitude. 

After exercising, I took time for hot soaky bath.  So relaxing. 

Later, I took time to watch this moving memorial to all the Covid victims in our nation.  It was an appropriate and  fitting way to begin the important inaugural events of tomorrow. I also allowed myself to take time to savor the optimism that tomorrow will turn a page and begin a  new era in our country. 

Finally tonight, I am taking time to pray for this nation that we all love.  May we heal and find peace in our hearts as we go forward.

Thank you to Faith over at Gold in the Clouds for the reminder to "take time." 

Right Here, Right Now for a Long Weekend

What I'm wearing - Plaid flannel shirt and jeans - my usual cold-weather wardrobe.

What I'm reading - Too  many news reports, the scriptures and this book, which is chock-full of wisdom.  I hope to finish it in the next couple of days. 

What's happening in my kitchen - Last night, we had Shepherd's Pie (from Costco) for dinner.  It was quite delicious.  Just the three of us ate half of this large pie.  Looking forward to the leftovers tonight.

I made some baked oatmeal with dried apples and peaches after dinner. That is one of our favorite things to have for a quick, healthy breakfast in the morning. 

What's outside my window - a gray January day.  We badly need snow for our water supply around here.  Hopefully some is coming by the end of the week.  This picture was taken on our walk this morning. 

What I'm thankful for - The long weekend - I am off today for Martin Luther King Day. 

What I'm hearing - The sounds of waves from the white noise machine in the bathroom attached to the office, the heat coming through vents warming our home and the TV that my husband is watching in the living room.  The dishwasher is quietly doing it's thing in the kitchen, just around the corner from the office. 

What I'm crafting - I have been doing some crocheting, which I haven't done for a while.  I decided I wanted to participate in a project called "Scarves in the Park" which takes place every November here in the Salt Lake City area.  Handmade knit and crocheted hats and scarves are placed on a fence in a local park frequented by the poor and homeless and anyone can take whatever they want - no questions asked.  Most of the stuff is taken by the homeless.  I am not super good at crocheting and I am not fast, especially now that arthritis seems to be creeping into my hands (darn it!), but I can make some scarves throughout the year that would keep someone warm on a cold day.  This is the scarf I am working on now. 

On my mind - Getting the second dose of the Covid vaccine.  I was told to set aside some time on February 12 for that, but nothing is set in stone.  I am also hoping that Charly can get the vaccine soon, but here in Utah, it will probably be another week or two until his age group is eligible.  

Also on my mind is the inauguration of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris this Wednesday and what that will mean for our nation.  I admit that my anxiety is very high about what Trump and his MAGA supporters are still planning.  I am still upset about the insurrection on January 6,  and I am praying for peace and healing in our nation and that our Democracy and Constitution will be preserved for many generations to come. 

Words to live by -