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

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

Chicken & Peppers

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

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...

Peggy at The Simple Woman's Daybook

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

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

Lasagna

(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

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

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

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

Garden Chicken Saute

Oven Baked Zucchini

Salad

Brownie Sundaes

Tuesday

Crockpot Bourbon Chicken

Buns

Asparagus with Cheese Sauce

Tossed Salad

Lemon Tarts

Wednesday

Sweet & Sour Meatballs

Rice

Steamed Broccoli

Corn

Chocolate Pie

Thursday

Seasoned Chicken

Garlic Bread

Cesar Salad

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

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!