Wednesday, November 29, 2023

Celebrating the 'Reason for the Season' - Advent Scripture Chain

I found this terrific free printable for an 'Advent Scripture Chain' over at the Flanders Family Home Life blog.



I printed off several sets to give away and, of course, one for myself. I thought you might enjoy printing one off, too! 



There are two printing choices to choose from...to print on one- or two-colors of paper or to print on three-colors. I chose to print on three colors...red, yellow, and green. I think blue and white would be pretty, too!



After printing, I pinned the cover sheet to the curtains next to the Christmas tree in the kitchen. That way it is handy, but up high enough that little hands can't reach the paper strips.



I coiled the end of the chain up on top of and around the top two levels of my three-tiered tea tray where I display my vintage cookie cutters. They won't be concealed for long, as the Christmas season will pass all too quickly. 



I hope you enjoy this pretty printable that helps us to focus on the true meaning of Christmas and the birth of Jesus!

Until next time...
~Rebecca

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Monday, November 27, 2023

Master To-Do List and Menu Plan Monday - November 27, 2023

It's the last Monday of November and, despite the fact that I just spent an absolutely lovely Thanksgiving weekend with family and friends, I find that holiday depression is seeking hard to gain a foothold. It started as soon as the last of the company left yesterday afternoon.

The whole world is in a flux it seems and things can look pretty bleak sometimes in the natural. To combat it, I must puposefully remember the 'Reason for the Season' and keep my heart and mind centered on Jesus and His coming throughout the month of December.  



Despite loss and trials and all the other not-so-pleasant stuff that comes with life, I have so much to be thankful for and I know it. God is so incredibly good to me and I am blessed beyond measure! I praise the Lord and thank Him for everything!

Let's get on with to today's post...shall we?



This week's master 'to-do' list...

- clean house
- do laundry
- clean the fridge
- figure December budget and bills
- winterize last two windows on the inside
- get outside Christmas lights up
- figure out what I'm doing for Family Christmas (it's coming up in less than two weeks!)
- Wish granddaughter, Alysia, a Happy Birthday 
- Change the calendar pages
- work



This week's menu plan...

- Monday - Homemade pizza
- Tuesday - Turkey burger, cheesy rice, and brussel sprouts
- Wednesday - Broiled salmon, canned potatoes, beets, and biscuits
- Thursday - Stuffed pepper casserole
- Friday - Chili dog with chips
- Saturday - Vegetable soup with crackers
- Sunday - Leftovers



That's it for today! I hope your Monday is going well and that you have a great week ahead!

Until next time...
~Rebecca

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Friday, November 24, 2023

Let The Christmas Season Officially Begin!

It's Friday night and I just got finished decorating for Christmas (indoors that is...I still have to put the outside lights up).



This year, I decided to do the tree in the kitchen in blue and silver.



The tree in my bedroom is the usual pink and white Victorian.




Additionally, I put a couple of tiny trees up in the livingroom and colored lights around the perimeter of the sunroom. 





I'm keeping things a bit simpler by not putting up the big tree in the Van Gogh room again this year, nor my mother's vintage tree that sometimes goes up in the livingroom. 

When does the Christmas season officially begin for you? When do you put up your Christmas decorations?

Have a lovely weekend!



Until next time...
~Rebecca

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Wednesday, November 22, 2023

Thanksgiving Eve

It's Thanksgiving Eve and I've been working in the kitchen since getting out of bed this morning and, I must say, I've enjoyed every single moment of it!

Since I'm notorious for losing stray hairs here, there, and yonder, first thing I did (and in true lunch-lady fashion!) I pinned my hair up and put on a hair net. That is something I've never done before when working in my own kitchen, but I'm glad I did! I didn't have to worry about it after that. The whole time, though, I kept thinking, "What if someone shows up unexpectedly?" I looked liked a peeled and netted onion!!! Ha-ha! BUT...no one did, and now it's off, so all is well! ðŸ˜† 



At this point, I've baked two loaves of French bread, made two pumpkin rolls, have two pies baked, two pies in the oven, and three pies waiting to be baked. The 'Heavenly Corn' is put together in the crockpot and is waiting in the fridge to be set out and turned on low first thing in the morning. The turkey is out of the fridge and sitting in a sink of cold water to finish thawing before being popped in the oven just before going to bed tonight. 

Now it's time to grab a bite of lunch, then sit back and rest while waiting for company to arrive from Kansas City. 

What about you? How are you spending your Thanksgiving? Are you cooking? Or are traveling? What are most thankful for today?



Until next time...
~Rebecca

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Monday, November 20, 2023

Master To-Do List and Menu Plan Monday - November 20, 2023

It's the Monday before Thanksgiving and plans for the holidays have changed a half-dozen times at least. In the end, though, it has been decided that, instead of the usual me-going-to-Kansas-City-around-Thanksgiving, Amanda and her family will come down here, instead, and I will go up and spend a few days with them during the Christmas season (which is something that I've never done). We will all be gathering at Patrick and Amber's house to celebrate Thanksgiving Day.


What about you and your family? Will you be hosting a get-together at your home? Or will you be spending Thanksgiving Day with family and friends elsewhere? Wherever, and with whoever, you spend it, I'm wishing you and yours the best and most blessed Thanksgiving ever! 

The truth is, there's a lot of darkness out there right now and times are tough, but, no matter who we are...or where we are...we have so much to be thankful for! The very breath in our lungs testifies to the goodness of God! His mercy endureth forever!



Since it's a busy week with much work to do ahead, I'm going to just going to delve right on into today's post. Shall we get started?


This week's master 'to do' list...

- clean house
- do laundry
- prepare beds and bedding for overnight company
- grocery shop
- bake bread
- make my contributions to Thankgiving dinner (bake a turkey, make heavenly corn, pumpkin pies, and a couple of pumpkin rolls)
- celebrate Thanksgiving with family and friends
- start thinking about my Christmas 2023 Bucket List
- work
- decorate for Christmas


This week's menu plan...

Monday - Fish sandwich and oven fries
Tuesday - Guatemalan Red Beans and Rice
Wednesday - Tortellini with Creamy Tomato Sauce and garlic bread
Thursday - Thanksgiving dinner with the fam
Friday - Leftovers from yesterday
Saturday - Turkey Italian sausage with fried cabbage and baked potato
Sunday - Leftovers

That's all for today. I hope your Monday is going well and that you and your family have an absolutely beautiful and blessed Thanksgiving week!


Until next time...
~Rebecca
(#40 in Grammy's Grid's 'Unlimited Link Party #139 today)

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Recipe: Broccoli, Cheese, and Rice Casserole
An Improptu Trip To Branson










Friday, November 17, 2023

Recipe: Broccoli, Cheese, and Rice Casserole

A friend is looking for a broccoli, cheese, and rice casserole recipe to make for Thanksgiving. I told her I'd share mine when I got home from work. Since I was going to type it up anyway, I thought I'd go ahead and share it here in case anyone else would like to have it, too! 

Stock Photo

BROCCOLI, CHEESE, AND RICE CASSEROLE

2 packages frozen broccoli florets
1 cup uncooked Minute Rice
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 onion, chopped
2 tablespoons butter
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 cup milk

Cook broccoli as directed; drain. Saute' onion in butter. Mix all ingredients together and spread in casserole dish that has been sprayed with pan spray. Bake 35 minutes at 350 degrees.

Until next time...
~Rebecca

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