My planner came on Saturday and I love it so much!

The checklists and daily tasks help me so much!

I planned this week's menu using my Rachael Ray cookbook, my new Tastebuds shipment and this week's Meal Plan from Confession of a Fit Foodie

Saturday: Wings, BBQ Mac n Cheese and football snacks.  Sunday Mikayla asked me who had come over and I was like no one- it was just us :P Rhett, me and Hannah.

Sunday- Lasnaga Roll Ups, salad and garlic bread

Monday- Sheet Pan Chicken and Potatoes (Tastebuds)

Tuesday- Sheet Pan Nachos

Wednesday- chicken with broccoli + pasta with Healthy Alfredo Sauce

Thursday- pizza night- or we might eat out, Hannah has a hair appointment and I still have to shop for the LaForte Christmas on Saturday *procrastiNemitz

Friday- Big Snack Burgers (from Rachael Ray's book)

Yesterday I made donuts for my SS class to celebrate a belated birthday

It made me want to use my donut pan more often!

I'm thinking about getting this Bible- It has short prayers for the country each day. In addition to the one-year through the bible reading plan.  It's the prayers for America that grabbed my attention. I'm torn because I certainly don't need another physical Bible. Right now I am reading the sample on my Kindle and am thinking the kindle version might be the way to go on this one ;-)

We closed early today because of the weather and I planned to do all the productive things when I got home... instead I took a nap with these two! :P

BUT I did a live video tonight- trying to get back to doing this more regular.

It turned out so tasty!  Definitely a keeper!  Next time I might do the potatoes a tad thinner so they get even more crispy.

I hope you had a wonderful weekend and a great week ahead of you!  

My first Stitch Fix!... and SNOW

Well, wasn't this a fun sight to wake up too!

Seriously, Monday night I ran in shorts!

Last night it was 36 and snowing! 

I pulled my phone out of my pocket half way and tried to take a picture- of course it died! Why did I do this?!?  I knew this would happen- given the cold.  

So the 2nd half of my run was very quiet. See I even snapped a pre-run selfie in anticipation of not being able to take a post run picture.

Monday I got my first Stitch Fix Box- my friend talked me into trying it and I LOVED it!

 I kept the following 3 tops-

I love the neckline on this shirt-

I sent back this top and the jeans. Which made me a little sad because the sweater was amazingly soft! But I just didn't like the way it looked on me.  The jeans I like ok- felt a little tight in the legs and cost a little too much if I didn't LOVE them & couldn't live without them!

I wore two of the tops this week to work. =D

 

I tried a new sourdough recipe last night and baked it this morning-

I don't have a cast iron dutch oven yet.  I baked this in the Dutch Oven RockCrok.

I can't wait to cut into it!

Monday night I made General Tso Chicken Stir Fry- I love this recipe! So yummy and easy.  I have also made it with all veggies for Mikayla and also with tofu as well.  We served it over rice and with frozen egg rolls cooked in the Air Fryer.  I love how bright and colorful it is!

Tuesday I picked up my library holds- my best friend gave me the most amazing library bag for my birthday last year and it makes me happy everytime I use it!

And just because... dogs.

Stella!

I was so thankful get to go home early on Tuesday. It seems everything was shutting down early. Our county placing a travel ban from 6 pm Tuesday to 6 am Wednesday (it was later extended to 9 am Wednesday).  The Mr. was out snow blowing before it was light.  He ended up still having to work Wednesday. I was thankful he could stay home Tuesday night though.  I was a little shocked and elated that our office did actually end up closing for the day and I got to have a Snow Day too!

Chance wasn't quite sure what to make of all the snow.  He loves snow in smaller doses- this seemed a bit much for him.

Looking down our road Wednesday morning.

Back Deck                              

Snow days are for cooking and baking! In the morning I put chili in the crock pot.  Hannah later made chocolate chippers. I also made 1 hour bread in the deep covered baker and mac and cheese in my rockcrok.

I did some cleaning. Mikayla and Ryan moved a dresser from the computer room closet down to Mik's room. I was quite impressed they did I fairly easily. I emptied the drawers. Finding some old planners- not sure why I am compelled to hang onto them. But they are still at home on a shelf in my PC office area.

I feel pretty good about all we accomplished on our snow day. I cleaned both bathrooms and scrubbed the kitchen floor. Washed my sheets, and Hannah's. Hannah worked a bit more on her room and has another bag of stuffed animals to let go of.

We also watched The Chew and a lot of Chopped Junior.

it starts

So we got a little snow yesterday...

this was around dinner time last night-- its even a bit higher now

The kids had a snow day yesterday and a 2 hour delay today.  It is still snowing but not as heavily. The roads have pretty much been cleared which is what I care about the most.

Yesterday was definitely an exercise in gratitude.  Everything in me wanted to complain and whine that I had to go work, while my whole family got to stay home. BUT I didn't. I worked hard to keep a grateful heart all day.

I am thankful Rhett drove me to work so I didn't have to drive in the nasty weather.  BONUS He brought me Dunkin' when he picked me up! ;-) I am thankful the kids were home safe and warm. I'm thankful we got to eat dinner as a family. <3

The Christmas cup made me happy too. With Thanksgiving just days away I am starting to get really excited about Christmas!

We even broke down and listened to Christmas music on our way to the Community Thanksgiving service on Sunday night.

Our Advent studies from  SheReadsTruth arrived yesterday. I am excited to start. I got the family bundle. One for "She", one for "He" and one for my not-so "Littles" <3

A few weeks ago when we were at our local Christian Bookstore the girls talked me into buying one of those cardboard Advent calendars with the chocolates in them.  Probably for like the first time ever. I was reluctant as I saw it as an opportunity for more strife. Fighting over who got the piece of cheap chocolate. (For real.) I wasn't about to buy three...more clutter, more $$ spent. The girls quickly decided whoever has to wash dishes (the least desired kitchen chore) gets the chocolate.

Still seeking an advent study?
Here is another advent Study by Loving God Greatly. I have done many of their studies as well and have no doubt this one is wonderful as well. God with Us. They also have study journals available to purchase. The great thing about both studies is that you don't need to purchase anything to follow along online. This is the first time I have purchased a study book from SheReadsTruth.

I also love The Greatest Gift by Ann Voskamp.  My mom gave it to me a few years ago and I enjoy revisiting it at Christmas Time.

Advent is a time of waiting, expectation and anticipation. What are you doing this year to keep your focus on the true meaning of Christmas?

Then there's this guy. I love him so.  He enjoyed romping in the snow a bit.

Some more Gratitude Documented. . .

just another day

This morning I am feeling a little weepy and nostalgic and lonesome.  Not to mention head achy :(

Linking up with Peggy at The Simple Woman's Daybook

Outside my window... looks like the sun is trying to come out.  Maybe melt some more of that snow!  Yesterday driving home from work it was 46 degrees!! =D

I am thinking... about my grandparents, tomorrow would have been Grandpa's 95 birthday <3
 
Thursday would also be Grammy and Pa's 60th wedding anniversary. Friday is Grammy's 80th birthday.

I am thankful... for these two great couples who modeled what love and marriage is all about.

Grandpa and Grandma

Pa and Grammy

I am creating... nothing currently


I am wondering... if I will really be ready to run Pgh.  I feel my chances of getting a PR slipping away.

I am reading... I finished Summerset Abbey last night and began Sea Creatures by Susanna Daniel also Around the Table, a cookbook by Martina McBride.

I am hoping... to feel better tomorrow.  Battling this cold and so tired of feeling icky.  I want to go running.

I am pondering... how this can seem like a lifetime ago and yesterday all at the same time.

Mikayla and Anna back when they were roughly Hannah's age and Brownies. I am proud of the young ladies they have become.

A favorite quote for today... feeling very much like this today-


One of my favorite things... Saturday morning the mister took me out to breakfast. It was great.  Time with him is definitely one of my favorite things.

From the Board Room... Can you believe my sweet little Mikayla is going to be 16 this year!!  For her Sweet 16 she wants to have an outdoor movie night.  Perusing pinterest I found this..and loads of other ideas ;-)

See it on Pinterest HERE

A few plans for this week: pretty much the same as every other week.

A peek into one of my days from last week...
More family Fun. Sunday we celebrated my nephew's 3rd birthday.

Girl Cousins

Do You Wanna Build a Snowman???

Snowball Fight