Tuesday, December 19, 2017

Back Door Christmas Welcome


We live in a small town
where friends & family
always come through the back door.


Our back door says "Welcome home!"
after a long day away at work.


Or
"Welcome! We are so glad you came!"
to our friends.


I love coming around the corner
and seeing our cozy little nook
at the back door.


It has a way of warming the heart
before you're even in the door.


Do you decorate at your back door?



~Finding the amazing in the simple~
Thanks so much for stopping by!
Alana

Monday, December 18, 2017

On The Menu This Week


Planning my weekly menu ahead of time
is a life saver in so many ways -
it not only saves us money but not eating out as often
but we also eat healthier.

Here's what's on the menu for this week.

Monday
Rice
Asian Salad

Tuesday
Oven Fried Chicken
(double batch)
Mashed Potatoes
Gravy
Oven Baked Zucchini
Tossed Salad

Wednesday
 Crockpot Salisbury Steak
(double batch)
Perogies
Garlic Green Beans
Turnip

Thursday
Porcupine Meatballs
(freezer meal)
Rice
Peas & Carrots
Tossed Salad


Friday
Pizza & Movie Night

Saturday
Roast Chicken
Mashed Potatoes
Gravy
Broccoli w/Cheese Sauce
Corn

Sunday
Christmas Eve Dinner @ Parents

Do you plan your meals ahead of time?

~Finding the amazing in the simple~
Thanks so much for stopping by!
Alana

Sunday, December 17, 2017

The Simple Woman's Daybook



For today...
Sunday, December 17, 2017

Looking out my window... 


I am thinking...
Of Christmas plans.

I am thankful for...
Restful Sundays

One of my favorite things...
The smell of baking coming from the kitchen.

I am creating...
An album of our family events for my parents.

I am wearing...
Black leggings & a purple plaid flannel shirt.

I am hearing...
The wind blowing around outside,
the dishwasher running,
and Christmas music.

I am reading...
"The Physician" by Noah Gordon

I am still hoping...
To go to the mountains before the new year.

I am learning...
That I do best when I stick to my schedule.

Around the house...
It is looking cozy.

In my kitchen...
Monday: Chicken Stir-Fry
Tuesday: Oven Fried Chicken
Wednesday: Salisbury Steak
Thursday: Porcupine Meatballs
Friday: Pizza Night
Saturday: Roast Chicken
Sunday: Christmas Eve Supper @ Parents

In my garden...


Pondering these words...
"Every time you choose to do the easy thing, instead of the right thing,
you are shaping your identity,
becoming the type of person who does what's easy,
rather than what's right."
~from "The Miracle Morning" by Hal Elord

A few plans for the rest of the week...
Work, Work on scrapbooking album
Housework & Christmas baking,
shopping & Date Night

A moment from my day...


~Finding the amazing in the simple~
Thanks so much for stopping by!
Alana

I am joining...

Tuesday, December 12, 2017

My Little Blue Tree


Our living room has four entrances
which can make it a bit of a challenge when it comes to decorating,
especially when trying to figure out where to put a Christmas tree.


I finally found the solution with a skinny tree.
It sits against the one wall
and adds a touch of Christmas
without overtaking the room.


I begin decorating by wrapping the tree with blue ribbon.
My white bird adorns the top of the tree.


I love decorating with a nature theme
so I add poinsettia, cones & berries.


For a final touch I add in a few bulbs.


It adds Christmas to the living room
without taking it over
and even the dog can go by
with his big curly tail with ease.


Do you have a challenging space to decorate for Christmas?

~~~*~~~

~Finding the amazing in the simple~
Thanks so much for stopping by!

Alana

I am joining...
The Dedicated House for Make It Pretty Monday
A Stroll through Life for Inspire Me Tuesday


Monday, December 11, 2017

On The Menu This Week



I love coming home and sitting down to a hot, home-cooked meal
but let's be honest here, I don't always feel like cooking.
Especially when I get home from a long, busy day at work.
So, I have gone back to double batch cooking.
On my days off or the weekends I cook
double batches & then put the second batch in the freezer.
It is so nice to know that on those busy days
all I have to do is pull something out of the freezer the night before
and pop it in the oven when I get home.
Then I can relax while enjoying the delicious smell 
of home cooking coming from the kitchen.

So here is what is on the menu this week.

Monday
Turkey Chili & Cornbread Muffins
(from the freezer)
Parslied Carrots
Tossed Salad

Tuesday
(will be making a double batch)
Garlic Bread
Oven Baked Zucchini
Cesar Salad


Wednesday
Slow Cooker Mushroom Steak
(will be making a double batch)
Mashed Potatoes
Garlic Green Beans
Turnip

Thursday
Swiss Chicken Bake
(from the freezer)
Herbed Egg Noodles
Mint Peas
Cauliflower

Friday
Pizza & Movie Night

Saturday
Pork Roast
Mashed Potatoes & Gravy
Broccoli w/Cheese Sauce
Corn

Sunday
Thai Chicken Stir-Fry
Asian Salad

Do you like to have meals from your freezer?

~~~*~~~

~Finding the amazing in the simple~
Thanks so much for stopping by!

Alana





Sunday, December 10, 2017

The Simple Woman's Daybook



For today...
Sunday, December 10, 2017

Looking out my window... 



I am thinking...
Of the things I still need to get done before Christmas.

I am thankful for...
A cozy home to come home to after a busy day.

One of my favorite things...
Quiet time for myself.

I am creating...
An album of our family events for my parents.

I am wearing...
Loungewear

I am hearing...
The wind blowing around outside
and the fireplace keeping it warm inside.

I am reading...
"The Physician" by Noah Gordon

I am still hoping...
My mom will go to see the doctor about her chest infection.

I am learning...
That I need to have time for myself.

Around the house...
It is looking like Christmas.

In my kitchen...
Monday: Turkey Chili & Cornbread Muffins
Tuesday: Lasagna
Wednesday: Mushroom Steak
Thursday: Swiss Chicken Bake
Friday: Pizza Night
Saturday: Roast Beef
Sunday: Chicken Stir-Fry

In my garden...


Pondering these words...
"Our outer world will always be a reflection of our inner world."
~from "The Miracle Morning" by Hal Elord

A few plans for the rest of the week...
Work, Work on scrapbooking album
Housework & Christmas baking
Hair appointment & finish Christmas shopping with my mom
Date Night

A moment from my day...



~Finding the amazing in the simple~
Thanks so much for stopping by!


I am joining...
Peggy at The Simple Woman's Daybook

Sunday, August 13, 2017

The Simple Woman's Daybook



For today...  Sunday, August 13, 2017

Looking out my window... Clear & sunny skies.

 I am thinking...  Of how I love calm summer evenings.

I am thankful... That we had a chance to get away to the mountains.

One of my favorite things... Listening to running water.

I am wearing... Coral sleeveless dress with some dark brown wedge sandals.

I am creating... A fall wreath.

I am reading... Barbara & Susan's Guide to the Empty Nest by Barbara Rainey & Susan Yates

I am hoping... That the wind stays away so that we can go for a picnic.

I am learning... To use my time wisely.

In my kitchen...  BBQ Hamburgers, fresh corn on the cob & fresh garden veggies.

A few plans for the rest of the week... Work, getting my hair done, going through Practicum information with my daughter, cleaning the trailer & prepping it for our next getaway & a bank appointment.

Shared quote... "Solitude is the only place where we can gain freedom from the forces of society that will otherwise relentlessly mold us." ~John Ortberg

A moment from my day...


Fresh from the vine to the table.


Closing Notes...




A chipmunk that joined us while we were relaxing
after kayaking.

Thanks so much for stopping by!
 ~Finding the amazing in the simple~

I am joining...
Peggy at The Simple Woman's Daybook

Monday, April 17, 2017

Menu Planning Monday




It has been awhile since I posted a weekly menu plan.
I have been trying some new recipes from my Pinterest board.
This week I am trying the
Crockpot Bourbon Chicken
(you can check it out here)
and the
Bailey's Chocolate Mousse.
(you can check it out here)

Monday
Oven Baked Zucchini
Salad


Tuesday
Crockpot Bourbon Chicken
Buns
Asparagus with Cheese Sauce
Tossed Salad
Lemon Tarts

Wednesday
Rice
Steamed Broccoli
Corn
Chocolate Pie


Thursday
Seasoned Chicken
Garlic Bread
Cesar Salad


Friday
Pizza & Movie Night

Saturday
Roast Chicken
Mashed Potatoes & Gravy
Broccoli with Cheese Sauce
Corn
Bailey's Chocolate Mousse

Sunday
Sweet Plum Pork Stir-Fry
Rice
Orange Spinach Salad
Dessert Smorg


Have you tried any new recipes this past week?

 ~Finding the amazing in the simple~
Thanks so much for stopping by!