Word of the Year

For several years I have chosen a word for the year. For many years it has been JOY since I have had so many things thrown at me. I have had other words over the years and all of them have served a special purpose.

Some years I have struggled with what my word will be. Some years I know automatically - even before the new year starts. I will often pray about what my word should be. This word will help me focus on the upcoming year. 

Words are funny. You can have multiple meanings for the same word. They can be spelled the same way and have completely different meanings. I also like to look at the etymology of a word. (I’m a nerd like that!)  I started this search with the word “Thankful”. I want to be thankful for all the blessings I have and even in the hard times. But, that just didn’t seem to be the word. It didn’t feel right. 

Then, it came to me. My word of the year is “CHANGE”. I want to grow in my life - spiritually, emotionally, and physically. The only way is to change some of my thought processes and habits. I do not think this will be easy in all areas. If done correctly, my changes should lead to growth. Right?  I guess it will depend on me. 

 

 “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.” - Jeremiah 29:11

This verse reminds us that change can sometimes be scary and frightening to us. It is okay. 

No Spend January and longer…

So, I have seen this No Spend January or No Spend 2025 floating around instagram/YouTube and I have decided to do this. Although we are pretty frugal, there are things I can cut out. 

 

This is my list:

I will buy:

1. No more craft supplies. I have enough craft supplies to last me for years. I need to organize and use them.

2. No more kitchen appliances! I am such a sucker for buying new gadgets! LOL! The only thing I would replace would be my Kitchenaide mixer and I don’t think it will break down. I have all the other toys. LOL!
3. No more shoes! (Shoes are my weakness! LOL!)

4. No more clothes unless absolutely necessary. And, if I do need more, the thrift store will be the first place to shop. I have lots of material that I can sew into garments.

5. no Amazon or Sam’s orders unless it is for dog/cat food, household items that are cheaper to order than buy in stores. 
6. No books! I can go to the library, borrow them online, or other sources. I have Amazon Unlimited and I am not ready to give that up. 
7. No seasonal decorations or candles. I need to use the candles I have. (Candles are also a weakness!)

8. No lotions, beauty products, hair products until I use what I have. I feel sure I have enough for the coming year (except for shampoo. I might need to buy that.)

9. No eating out except for our weekly date night (after church on Saturdays). This is more for Dennis’s benefit than mine. He won’t talk about not going out to eat after church. So, it stays. I realize there will times when I might have to eat out with friends or special events. I think the last time we just stopped to get something to eat because of convenience might have been back in the summer. I want to keep that going.

10. No pencils, pens, notebooks, journals, etc… (another big weakness!!)

 

I think those things will make a big difference. I’m going to start with January and see how it goes. Then, maybe I take it month by month. I would like to save enough money to buy a new-to-us vehicle. Our cars are older and Dennis wants a non-hybrid car. 

I will:

1. Continue to tithe and give to charities and those in need.

2. Continue to stock up on really good sales (food and household) 

3. Continue to give myself an allowance that will go in our slush fund! This is only $25 a week and we usually use it for trips or cash gifts.

4. Continue to investigate money saving ideas and learn from all of you!! 
5. Continue to be aware that the best of plans sometimes do not work out! Emergencies happen. 

Thunder in the Winter

Tornado Watch

From 06:05am EST, Dec 29 2024 until 01:00pm EST, Dec 29 2024

The above notice was what I woke up to this morning at 6:00 AM. Actually, it was the thunder that woke me up. I did not sleep well last night since I am worried over our missing cat, Sebastian.  It’s been 7 days. Along with it raining since yesterday, it is also cold. This weather has me worried for him. He is an indoor cat.

There is a folklore that if it thunders in winter, there will be snow 7-10 days later. I guess I will wait and see. 

Sausage Balls

I decided to make Sausage Balls this year. I have not made them in several years for various reasons. But, this year, I was craving them. 

I used the usual recipe:

1 lb Jimmy Dean HOT Sausage

1 lb sharp cheddar cheese (I used Cabot’s Seriously Sharp Cheese)

2 cups baking mix (I used a generic instead of bisquick)

I used my Kitchen Aide mixer to slowly mix these together. I used the sausage and cheese when they were at room temperature. After mixed together, I put them back in the refrigerator to chill. When chilled, I rolled them into balls and baked at 350 F for 20 minutes or until done.  (This made 36-40 balls.)

I have to say that these were the best I have ever made. (I say that every time! LOL!) 

Merry Christmas

Isaiah 9:6

"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders"

Casserole and pinecones!

Sunday, 12/22/24

Seems more and more it is just 2 of us for meals. Today I made a modified green bean casserole in my crockpot. 

2 cans green beans

A small jar of mushrooms

1 can cream of mushroom soup

A dollop of sour cream

A splash of Worcestershire sauce

1/2 packet dried onion soup

1/2 chopped up onion (it was in the fridge)

Handful of grated sharp cheese 

Salt, pepper, onion powder, and garlic powder to taste

This is usually how a cook - a dash of this, a pinch of that, and hope for the best! 🤣

It is in a small crockpot on low heat until dinner tonight. I’ll serve it with a ham steak, leftover Mac and cheese, and baked sweet potatoes. 

Monday, 12/23/24

I can’t believe it is almost Christmas! Where did the time go?

The green bean casserole was a hit last night. We have enough left over for another meal. 

I made the little pinecone tree for several friends this year. The Joy picture is from a long time friend; it stays out all year long. 

The ribbons on the pinecone below came off several gifts that I have gotten this year. I seem to be in a pinecone trend. 

I hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas! 

Susan

The vultures tried to warn me!

How did it get to be October?!! We survived Hurricane Helene. The power was out at our house for 2 days. My friend, who lives a few miles from me, was out for over a week. We are on 2 different power companies and I suppose that was the difference. There are still pockets without electricity further up the mountain that is not easily reached. Our county has not reported any deaths from Helene and that makes me very thankful. Cleanup is starting today as far as removing broken power poles and downed lines. People are still cleaning up trees and will for the foreseeable future. 

Several weeks before the storm, I had these two visitors on my patio deck.

Perhaps I should have paid more attention to their message! Vultures are good harbingers of signs to come. Their wingspan was close to 5 or 6 feet. They are huge. 

My heart goes out to all the victims of Hurricane Helene and to Hurricane Milton. 

July Reading Wrap-up

July was a good reading month for me; I read nine books this month. All of them were good reads, either 4 or 5 stars. I know what type of book I like. I don't mention or rate books that I don't finish. I feel that is unfair. Just because I didn't like it, doesn't make it a bad book.

The books I read were:

I enjoyed each one of these. 

Join me on Goodreads. Click this link!

Happy Reading!!

Susan

A little blue!

Made fresh blueberry muffins today for my oldest. He loves them! 

Knitting Christmas gifts

I started knitting yesterday. This is my first washcloth that I started. I used a size 6 needle and I should have used a size 7. I’ll switch when I finish this one. I just need to decide what to pair it with - a bar of soap, another washcloth, etc..,?

I was at the thrift store the other day and bought this tablecloth for $2. 

As you can see, it not only had 1 tear but 2 tears at opposite ends of the tablecloth. But, I really liked and wanted to save it. I zigzagged it with multicolored thread and I love it. The imperfections stand out, which is what I wanted. I really like how it turned out.

It would look better if I ironed it BUT that is not in the spirit of my home! 

It’s time

This past May was the end to 4 decades of teaching. I left my students in good hands. I will miss them and my teacher life. But, I will enjoy my new life!

Susan in SC

Happy Thanksgiving

First start of 2019

I started this on January 1st.  Shouldn’t take too long to finish.

Susan

Ready for the Trail back to work

I can identify with this beautiful horse as summer is over for me.  I love the expression and stance of the horse.  I start back to work on Thursday and no more lazy days for me!   This is one of the pictures of the wild horses that I took on our recent trips to North Dakota Badlands.  I feel in love with this particular horse and have lots of pictures of him.  He must be my spirit animal.

The summer vacation has been wonderful - very relaxing and restful.  I wonder how long it will take for me to be exhausted again when I start back to work?  I hope longer than a day!  

Susan

North Dakota Vacation

We recently went to North Dakota Badlands for vacation.  It is one of my favorite places on earth.  

You never know what wildlife you will see:

We didn't see any buffalo close up, so my sister-in-law sent me this picture that she had taken on a previous trip ...  I love buffalo!  We saw lots of single male buffalo who was separated from the herd.

Breathtaking scenes from the landscape...

wild horses...

wild animals...

Susan

On Vacation

Vacation - we left early this morning for a very short vacation!  It is nice to take a break from every day living.  

Fun Day Off From School

On November 4th (Election Day) the boys and I had a day off from school.  Their daddy had to report for work so it was just us at the house!  We had so much fun!!

First:  The boys slept in while I went to vote.

2nd:  We ate all day!  I baked blueberry muffins.  Each boy cooked their own snacks and meals.  The fire alarm only went off 1 time!  We are making progress!!

 Finally, we watched our favorite TV shows.  N and I caught up on our favorite shows together.

Of course we did other things in between but those are the ones we enjoyed the most.

It was a really good day.

Oh, I almost forget - D gave Maxie a much needed bath!  She is nice and clean now!

The Work of His Hands

N recently went on a field trip with his Honors Art Class to the Governor's School for the Arts.  He had a great time and this picture is one that he did while there.  He is very talented in art and seems to enjoy it very much.  He does not, however, like to use color.  He is strictly a black and white boy!  

He is interested in attending a summer camp at the school.  We will have to see if he is willing to pursue the application for getting into the school.  I am very proud of him!

Psalms 90:17 And let the beauty of the LORD our God be upon us: and establish thou the work of our hands upon us; yea, the work of our hands establish thou it.

November 3 - Housewife Day

November 3rd is Housewife Day!  This day we honor all the housewives that make their homes a place of peace and love.  Housewives come in various shapes and sizes, working in the home or working outside the home, it is still hard work.  

What do we housewives do?  We love our families, give hugs to encourage, comfort, and celebrate, cook, clean, do laundry, listen, problem solve, budget, shop, plan, referee, create...the list is endless.  And, I might add, it requires an endless list of skills!  It is not for the faint of heart!

For those called to the vocation of being a housewife and mother, it is the greatest job in the world and one I would not give up for any amount of fame or money!  

It's all worth it to see a smile on your husband's and children's face at the end of the day!  It's a good thing!