Wait. What? Yes, it’s snowing around here for the second time in less than a week! I can recall an October snow quite a few years ago (BK…not Burger King, before kids) but my mind struggles with trying to remember the last time I saw it snow in November.

As pretty as it is out there, it’s much too soon. Good day to sit inside and drink coffee and cocoa (starting with the coffee) and plan my week.  Joining up with the other fabulous bloggers who link up with our host, Sandra over at Diary Of A Stay At Home Mom.

The Weather Outside

I snapped this on my drive through the park on Friday morning after last Thursday’s random snowfall:

Today, it’s cold and snowing! We’re  under a Winter Weather advisory until 6 p.m. this evening. Cold tomorrow as well. We do get back to the upper 40’s on Wednesday and 50’s by Friday. No more snow after today.

On The Breakfast Plate

So far only coffee. I’m starting my post early before I take J to school. Probably going to have a piece of toasted Guatemalan banana bread when I return home. And more coffee.

As I Look Outside My Window

Snow globe living!  

Right Now I Am

back to working on this post after pausing to take J to school and eat a piece of banana bread. Roads were okay, not great but okay.

Looking Around The House

Surprisingly, not too awful. Needs the actual cleaning but the surfaces aren’t as cluttered as normal.

On Today’s To-Do List

1. Go to the grocery store (Should have stuck to my original plan and went last night)
2. Pay bills
3. Make birthday party invitations for J’s birthday get-together (He’s only having 2 friends but I said I’d make him a couple of invitations to hand them)
4. Figure out what else we’re going to give him for his birthday
5. Finish up the laundry
6. Clean the house
7. Return/renew library books
8. Make a list of what I need for Thanksgiving next week (!)

Currently Reading

Kind is the New Classy by Candace Cameron Bure. Think with this one I’ll have officially read every one of her books except the one actually on my “to read in 2018” list. I do like her style very well and may put her books on my birthday/Christmas wish list.

Over the weekend, I also quickly read my Amazon Prime Kindle First pick of Rapid Falls by Amber Cowie. It kept me engaged but I didn’t care for the story at all.

On The TV Today

Not sure.  Probably just The Voice and Manifest tonight. May spend today catching up on some Netflix/Amazon Prime series. Last night I caught God Friended Me for the first time. Seems someone in the HHM group mentioned it. Really enjoyed it!

On The Menu This Week

Planned my menu loosely around what I know I have in the house. Most of it with the exception of the birthday request may change after my grocery store trip.

MONDAY:   Ham steaks and fried potatoes, salad *MNO*

TUESDAY: Chicken Cacciatore, spaghetti

WEDNESDAY:  Maybe pork chops, baked potatoes  *I work 2-3:45*

THURSDAY:  Tacos per request, chocolate cake with white icing *J’s birthday & baritone lesson*

FRIDAY:  OUT

SATURDAY: J’s friends coming over for his birthday. Maybe Subway?

What I Am Creating At The Moment

So many ideas…so little talent.

Favorite Photo

It’s good candle weather. 

Quote For The Week

Kindness is in our power, even when fondness is not. (Samuel Johnson)

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What’s on your agenda for the week ahead?

 

Feels like it’s the midnight edition but really, it’s only 7:30. Been a bit of a long day. Not a bad one. Just a long one.  Worked all day, went to the grocery store, and now it’s time for a Monday planning post.

Be sure to check out all the great posts linked up with Sandra over at Diary Of A Stay At Home Mom!

The Weather Outside 

Most definitely, autumn. Today it rained pretty much the entire day and I think the temperature inched up to 50. Maybe. Tomorrow there’s still a slight chance of rain with another predicted high of 50. Not sure what’s up with snowflakes on Thursday and Friday with predicted highs of 40. Hmm…

On The Breakfast Plate

Not enough coffee (ha!) and a Chobani Flip yogurt, peach cobbler flavor. Also, a Gamma G-Fuel pink lemonade water bottle.

As I Look Outside My Window

Darkness! I don’t care though. It’ll be light in the morning!

Right Now I Am

Taking a break to work on this post and trying not to think about the clothes in the washer or what to wear tomorrow.

Looking Around The House

The living room is a bit of a mess, the kitchen in a bit of a mess, you get the idea

On Today’s To-Do List

1. Work
2. Grocery Store
3. This post (in progress)
4. Bake cookies for lunches (dough is already made)
5. Need to get a birthday card and present (pushing this item to tomorrow)
6. Still need to figure out J’s birthday!
7. Tomorrow: VOTE!

Currently Reading

Between books as I just finished A Terrible Country by Keith Gessen yesterday. It was an interesting novel about a man who immigrated with his parents to America at age 6 returning to Moscow to help his ailing grandmother.

On The TV Today

My husband’s watching The Voice. I may watch Manifest if I can stay awake.

On The Menu This Week

I work every day this week so it’s a simple one.

MONDAY: Workday/weeknight special: Rotisserie chicken and salad (Except that was my lunch at school so I had leftover pizza and salad) *I worked 8-4:15*

TUESDAY: Roast in the crock pot made into BBQ sandwiches, waffle fries (frozen) *I work 8-4:30* *Election Day*

WEDNESDAY: Ham steaks and sweet potatoes *I work 8-4:30*

THURSDAY: OUT, dinner with family *I work 8-4:30* *J has a baritone lesson at 7:30*

FRIDAY: Tacos or OUT *I work 9-4* *J has friend spending the night*

What I Am Creating At The Moment

Nothing

Favorite Photo 

Our little gray cat enjoying a sunnier day: 

Quote For The Week

We don’t have to agree on anything to be kind to one another.

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And saying goodbye to not only October but very soon to all those annoying political ads! Just one more week of those. Personally, I cannot wait. Living so near a state-line, we get a double-dose of the “fun.”

Who needs Halloween? Want to be scared? Just watch a few of these ads. Good grief, Charlie Brown! A few are also humorous. Depending on the side talking, we’re either going to “lose our country” (not sure where it’s going) or “take back our country” (whoa, I didn’t know it was missing!).

And my favorite (admittedly J and I do have a nice laugh over this Kansas side ad each morning)…risk electing a candidate who’s (play scary music) “almost a socialist!” (said with mock horror!).  Admittedly, I won’t vote for that one. Or her opponent since I live in a different state.

That’s about the scope of political talk you’ll find on my blog. New subject. Color for the week is RED. How about them Chiefs? How about those Red Sox?

Enough chit-chat, time to plan the week ahead. Good thing Sandra hosts this link up over at Diary Of A Stay At Home Mom each week keeping us motivated to plan our weeks!

The Weather Outside 

I’ll take it! We’re supposed to have a high of 72 today. It’s been simply beautiful. The rest of the week slowly cools us down and a chance of rain tomorrow.

On The Breakfast Plate

The usual. A Chobani Flip yogurt (Mixed berry morning) and too much coffee.

As I Look Outside My Window 

Still need to open up the blinds back here. However, as I looked outside the front door this morning, I noticed a bright blue sky, beautiful fall trees, and lots of birds and squirrels.  

Right Now I Am

Sitting down to finish this post after taking a break to run Jason to school, start dinner in the crock pot, and throw the prep dishes in the dishwasher.

As I Look Around The House

I see so many projects I want to start or finish that it’s a bit overwhelming. Plus, the usual “I need to clean up a bit” stuff.

On Today’s To-Do List

1. Everything for last week is still on the list.
2. Work
3. Get with J about what he wants to do for his birthday
4. Get Halloween candy/treats for the boys
5. Find my Halloween t-shirt

Currently Reading

I’m back to non-fiction this week and reading Good Faith, Being A Christian When Society Thinks You’re Irrelevant And Extreme by David Kinnaman and Gabe Lyons.  Admittedly, I started this one with my guard up a bit but it’s speaking to my heart and challenging me.  I’m about halfway through it.

On The TV Today

Not sure. I’ll probably watch a bit of The Voice with my husband and then, maybe Manifest (though I missed last week).

On The Menu This Week

For some reason, I have a decent menu plan this week. Feels nice to feel on top of it in this area for a change.

MONDAY: Ribs in the crock pot (and they’re already in there!) corn on the cob, salad *I work 1-3:45*

TUESDAY: Chicken fried steak, mashed potatoes *husband’s request minus the okra, not in season*

WEDNESDAY: Chili, cornbread (G will have a hot dog) *I work 1:30-4* *Happy Halloween!*

THURSDAY: Salsa Verde Chicken (crock pot: chicken covered in jarred Salsa Verde) made into burritos (J will have leftover chili)

FRIDAY: OUT *Taking G on a college tour*

What I Am Creating At The Moment

Nothing. I’ve admitted defeat on my 31 Days Series. Love the idea of it still but the timing just didn’t work. Not giving up trying to live the Hygge way,  just on trying to blog about it every single day.

Favorite Photo

The fall colors arrived around here! So pretty. Yesterday, I took a little jaunt up to Weston Bend State Park to the Missouri River overlook: 

Quote For The Week

(referenced in the book I’m reading this week)

Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. (Hebrews 10:24)

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What’s on your agenda for the week ahead?

 

 

Off to a bit of a slower start today.  There’s no school today and my oldest had friends over last night. Thus, we have a house full of sleeping teenagers. No rush to get up and go anywhere (my husband did have to work).

Let’s just get straight to the planning the rest of the week. As usual, I’ll be linking up over at Diary Of A Stay At Home Mom where Sandra hosts this wonderful link-up.

The Weather Outside 

Nice! Finally, not so cold and rainy though still windy. Supposed to be almost 70 today! I’ll take it. I know it doesn’t make my fall-loving friends very happy but I needed that sunshine. Rest of the week in the upper 50’s with a few slight chances of rain.

On The Breakfast Plate

A Chobani flip pumpkin pie yogurt and coffee. Debating getting donuts for the sleeping teenagers. It’s Monday though so all the good shops take this day off. Not sure I’ll make the drive to a different suburb for them.

As I Look Outside My Window

The sun’s shining in a blue sky and leaves are starting to hide the backyard. We have lots of sticks to pick up out there as well.

Right Now I Am

Listening to the local news as I type up this post and taking lots of breaks for more sips of coffee.

As I Look Around The House

Since it’s full of sleeping teenagers, I’ve confined myself back here in our bedroom. It’s a bit of a mess. Even this desk has lost its feng shui way and sits covered (again) in clutter. SIGH. I see a project for today.

On Today’s To-Do List

1. Clean off the top of the desk/entire bedroom
2. Make a list of projects requiring husband’s help
3. Write some blog posts (clearly, I’m having trouble with my 31 days series)
4. Work in yard, plant more tulips/maybe irises..
5. Get with oldest son on a day to tour a college he’s interested in attending

Currently Reading

Read Survival of the Fritters by Ginger Bolton over the weekend. A fun and easy read, I’m ready for her next book. Working my way through 10 Minute Feng Shui Room-By-Room by Skye Alexander. Excited to start reading Wildcard by Marie Lu sometime this week (lucky library find!).

On The TV Today

Not sure. I may watch a few more episodes of The 90’s, the latest in the CNN decades series on Netflix.  Plans tonight so I’ll miss Manifest.

On The Menu This Week

No idea…we didn’t do very good with following a plan last week. Hope this week is better. So far not as busy so maybe…

MONDAY:  Spaghetti? *MNO*

TUESDAY:  Pork chops, spicy sweet potatoes

WEDNESDAY:  Chicken legs

THURSDAY: Fish/shrimp (frozen), baked potatoes

FRIDAY: Hamburgers/Hot Dogs *I work 8:30-3:45* *J has a Halloween party to attend*

What I Am Creating At The Moment

Still (not) working on 31 Days series.

Also working on all the garden areas of the yard with visions of next spring/summer. Yesterday, I planted a sage bush and purple tulips in the back corner of the backyard. Now I think I’ll plant tulips all around the area I’ve set for the wildflowers. Also, planted some of my lavender back there, moved our irises to the south side of the house, and moved more flowers to my butterfly garden area including the butterfly weed.

New Recipe I Tried Or Want To Try

The spicy sweet potatoes aren’t really new but I don’t think I’ve ever tried them on the kids and it’s been a long time since I’ve made them…

Favorite Photo

Most my favorite photos from the weekend are of my boys together doing marching band things (it was 8th grade night at the high school followed by both marching in the homecoming parade on Saturday morning). I won’t share their photos of the blog for privacy reasons.

It was a beautiful (but chilly) morning for a parade! 

Quote For The Week

To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow. (Audrey Hepburn)

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What’s on your calendar this week?

 

 

 

 

Not a bad day. Just a long day. Second week in a row of a Monday where they called me into work. I like working. I don’t like 6:00 AM phone calls so much.

Okay, I often work on Monday. What made today a bit of a long day you ask?  Fire drill day. One of our (barely!) 2-year-old kids decided to lay down in a wet muddy part of the playground (the kind we block off with cones…). My coat is in serious need of a washing now.

And I went to parent-teacher conferences for J right after I left work. I left my muddy coat in the car while I went in and talked with teachers at the middle school. Time to make a plan for the rest of this week. We’ll see what happens…

As always, joining in with all the other fabulous bloggers who link up with Sandra over at Diary Of A Stay At Home Mom.

The Weather Outside

Cold! Could we get fall back? Thirty four degrees on an October morning with a high in mid 40’s? No thank you. It snowed in the north part of our state. Much too soon for that nonsense. Thankfully, it jumps back up into the mid 50’s and 60’s for the rest of the week. Sunny days, too!

On The Breakfast Plate

I had the usual for work days: a Chobani flip yogurt and coffee.

As I Look Outside My Window

Blinds aren’t up back here so nothing to interesting. However, I did notice a blue bird perched on a wire outside the car window as I left the middle school.

Right Now I Am

Working on this post while waiting for the chili to finish simmering on the stove.

As I Look Around The House

Surprisingly, not awful. I would like a day to give it a proper clean…

On Today’s To-Do List

1. Work
2. Go to parent-teacher conferences at the middle school
3. Pick up library book on hold
4. Grocery store
5. Blog posts

Currently Reading

I’ve fallen a bit short in this category. Stalled out on reading Spark Joy, glanced at a few magazines yesterday.

On The TV Today

Maybe an episode of Twin Peaks on Netflix, The Voice, and hoping I remember to watch Manifest (completely forgot it last week but I was at the grocery store)

On The Menu This Week

MONDAY: Chili (G already ate left-over pizza, worked out well since he doesn’t care for chili)

TUESDAY: Tacos maybe chicken enchiladas…*I have bunco*

WEDNESDAY: Pork chops, sweet potatoes *I work 8:15-12:30*

THURSDAY: Maybe fish? *I have to pick J up from school*

FRIDAY: OUT *We’ll eat at the football game* *I work 8:30-4:45*

What I Am Creating At The Moment

Working on my Write 31 Days series, A Month of the Hygge Manifesto

New Recipe I Tried Or Want To Try

The last recipe I pinned was for a cinnamon tea cake. Maybe I’ll give it a try this week.

Favorite Photo

I finally broke down and bought the $3 coffee mug I’d been eyeing in the grocery store for weeks… 

Quote For The Week

My muddle puddle loving preschool student made this quote come to my mind:

“And at the end of the day, your feet should be dirty, your hair messy and your eyes sparkling.” (Shanti)

*****

What’s on your agenda for the week ahead?