Goodbye, Thanksgiving and Hello, Christmas

I haven’t seen a weather map of the US in a while, but you would think we’re being bombarded by snowy scenes reminiscent of Currier and Ives.  Or a Hallmark movie.  But judging by all the outdoor winter decorations I see, it’s time to say goodbye to Thanksgiving and hello to Christmas.

It is supposed to cool down this week, but let’s just say I’m still out walking in shorts and a T.  So, I barely feel like Thanksgiving, much less like Christmas.  As with many working people, the long weekend has always been a good opportunity to take down the fall décor and start with Christmas.  I used to do that.

Now, ummm.  Well, I am going to take down the fall, but I don’t think I can bring myself to start with Christmas decorating.

BTW, the beautiful mums are a gift from DF Helen and they are still perfect – even weeks later.

During my lunch hour walk, I came across children and their moms following our local train into the holiday decorated tunnel.  You can see they are wearing shorts and it was hotter than Hades that day.  I got such a kick out it.

But we will find some other festive things to talk about this week.

Smellovision

Darn, I wish I had a way to share smells with you.  Is there anything like a freshly opened container of coffee?  That takes me right back to my childhood waking up to the smell of coffee brewing.  Even before I was much of a coffee drinker, I always loved the smell of the coffee can.

With the shorter days, I enjoy a little slower mornings which include lighting a candle in my kitchen while I’m brewing tea and coffee and a little book reading (or praying!) before starting my work day.

I got this sweet candle last week with my Grove order.  This candle has a very lovely aroma without being overwhelming. The inside of the box and the candle both have this message, “The little things are what make life so sweet.”  My goodness, if that isn’t my life motto, I don’t know what is.  Amen and Amen.

Grove

Now, speaking of Grove, are you familiar with them?  I am generally skeptical of subscription-based shopping, but they do carry cleaning items I like such as Mrs. Meyer’s.  I have had trouble finding that lately, so I took the plunge.

I will do a follow-up post with my honest review in a month or two, but I was delighted with my first order.  It came quickly and packaged beautifully.  I am such a sucker for beautiful packaging. 

Everyone is purchasing so much online right now and half the time we’re lucky if the package is intact and the goods not damaged. So nice packaging makes me feel so special.

What I’m Reading

Oh, I can hardly contain myself, but the new Jack Reacher finally came in the library and I started it Saturday night.  I really don’t want to work, I just want to finish my book.  Dang.  Ok, next post you’ll get my review.

I did read The Last Flight by Julie Clark over the weekend.  I think I ordered this by accident from the library, but it was a happy accident.  It was a fast-moving thriller with generally likable characters following two plot lines.  There were some nice twists and it wasn’t too mentally draining for me.  Ha!  The perfect fast read.  This is my first by this author, but it won’t be the last.  Recommend.

What I’m Eating

I’m sure everyone is in the turkey and stuffing mode this week. That means I need to start thinking about some light meals to start off the week.  As in fewer grilled cheese sandwiches with a side of chips.

I’m trying a new Slow Cooker Tomato Soup from Skinnytaste this week.  It calls for basil, but I’m leaving that out this time. Other substitutions: 1/4 cup onion instead of 1 cup, 2 14.5 oz crushed tomatoes instead of whole plum tomatoes.

This soup is delish, but kind of a lot of work for a crock pot meal. Luckily I have my Mueller chopper to make short work of dicing celery, carrots and onion, but then they have to be sauteed for five minutes before adding to the other ingredients.

Then the soup has to go in the blender and some added to a homemade white sauce. In other words, there are several steps and lots of pots and pans to clean.

But it’s warm and good and homemade.

God bless you and yours as you find a way to celebrate Thanksgiving this year, or as you are working or even if you are alone. Send along anything you feel thankful for and I’ll happily post. But for now, know I am thankful for you!