Tuesday 4 - New Year's Eve

 

New Year's Eve

From our hostess, Annie:  "Welcome to Toni Taddeo's Tuesday 4 and the eve of 2025.

Growing up New Years Eve was one of my favorite times of the year.   Everyone would come to our home for snacks and drinks before heading out to parties.  And I do mean nearly everyone we knew.  

All dressed up in formal clothing they would join in the fun. My father would play ragtime on the piano, our German friends played German music and everyone would dance to it.  My mother made  hors d'oeuvres on tiny bread rounds and crackers... bayberry candles burned down for luck. Guy Lombardo was on the TV in the background."  Everything in blue is from Annie and the black is from me.

                  

1.What memories of New Years Eve do you have? I remember some years dad and mom would invite friends over and there would be food and games and just a lot of fun.  I also remember fighting not to fall asleep before midnight.

2. Do you go to bed early or stay up until midnight to ring in the new year? I usually stay up.

3. Do you have special foods or customs for the New Year?  No special foods or customs.
4. Will football and New Year parades be on your agenda for New Years Day? No football, maybe some of the parade.

Whatever you do I hope you have a blessed, safe, happy and healthy New Year.

Thanks for visiting and I hope 2025 treats you kind.

Bits of This and That

 

Good morning on this last Monday of 2024.  I hope you are doing well.  We are, except hubby is dealing with a rib that popped out of place and then later popped back in.  The sharp pain is gone now, but he is extremely sore.  He's got ice on it right now and that seems to be helping some.  Prayers would be appreciated.

We've had a very quiet weekend, but it's been a good one.  Mostly we've been home and I so enjoy that.  On Saturday I ran out and got gas in the van and then picked up an order from Cracker Barrel in a nearby town.  Their Saturday special is barbecue ribs and that's what we both got.  They were delicious!!  I just realized, I seem to be talking about ribs quite a bit this morning.  lol

Sunday we had church and then picked up some chicken and took a long nap.  I did not sleep much at all on Saturday night.  Let me tell you, that is not good when you have to fight to stay awake when your hubby is preaching.  But alas, I stayed awake and didn't embarrass myself snoring.  lol

We watched some TV (we're done with the Christmas movies for 2024) starting back with some of our regular shows and starting to catch up some.  I worked a couple of puzzles and did a bit of reading.  I haven't started taking down Christmas decorations inside, although I did bring in the outside ones, except the door wreath.  I'll probably start taking down the inside decorations sometime later this week.  I'm in no hurry, as I love the Christmas lights so much.

I'm heading out in a few minutes to meet up with my sister to go to Meijers, Sam's Hobby Lobby, School Supply Store (to buy some stuff for the church bulletin board).  Below is a picture of the Christmas boards.

So that's pretty much my weekend and now I'm off to start a new week.  Thanks for visiting and reading my blog.  Hope you have a great day!  

Cathy

Share 4 Somethings - December 2024

This is my December post of Share 4 Somethings, where I'll talk about the things I loved/disliked, accomplished, improved upon/needs improvement and something I noticed. Link-up is here.  

Loved or Disliked:  I have loved watching all the Christmas movies on the Hallmark Channels and Great American Family Channel.  But I'm glad to be getting back to our regular TV viewing. I'm still enjoying working jigsaw puzzles though. 

 

  

Accomplished: I did not accomplish my goal of reading 60 books in 2024.  But I'm happy with what I have read and that is 54 books.  I think my favorite books this year were written by Connilyn Cossette.  She has multiple series of books (Christian Fiction) and I read several of them.  I also enjoy an author who I believe is self-published on Amazon and her name is Jean Kuhnke and she also writes Christian Fiction.  Another thing I like about her is that all the proceeds from the sales of her books go to help support a small mission church.

Improved Upon/Needs Improvement: I definitely need to get back to decluttering.  I've got several boxes/bags ready and have scheduled a pick-up for Tuesday.  Hoping to get some more stuff ready before they come.

Noticed: Not being in the office at church this month has kind of really thrown me off my game.  I send birthday cards to everyone and I've completely missed one and I have one due tomorrow and one on Tuesday.   I even brought them home with me to do, but alas, I didn't.  So I'll fix them up and take them to church in the morning instead of mailing them. Oh well, that's life.

That's the end of my Share 4 Somethings for December.  Thanks for reading and I hope you have a great weekend. Again, the Link-up is here.  

Cathy

Friday Photos

 Hi everyone.  

Thought I'd share some photographs I've taken recently.  Hope you enjoy.

This was a fun puzzle to work

This was a favorite one

Hubby and I watched our favorite Christmas movie 

Beautiful sunset on Sunday evening on our way to church. 
 I was driving so I stopped in the middle of the road to
 be able to take this.  Thankfully no one was behind us

Our church lit up for our Christmas Candlelight Carol Sing

Some of our Christmas decorations this year

Love our little fiberoptic tree

Usually Lucy won't look at me for a picture, but she let me take several of her this night.

My mother-in-law makes the best pasta salad

My daughter took this picture.  Colton got a leopard
gecko for Christmas, so we bought him this t-shirt.

A group of us cousins got together today for lunch at Bob Evans.  We had so much fun.  I realized we are getting so old.  We range in age from 50 something to 85.  That was a little shocking!  No matter the age I love these people and we always have a good time together.

I just finished this puzzle tonight before I started writing this post.

Cathy

Thankful Thursday

 

As I sit writing this post it is late Christmas evening.  It's been a good day.  Here are some things I am thankful for this week and they are in no particular order.

Jesus.  I think so often I forget how much He has done for me.  He left the splendor of heaven to become a human and to die for my sins.  And now I am reconciled to God and will get to spend eternity with Him and with all the saved!  What a gift!!!

Our Lucy! Sometimes this little one can aggravate the fire out of me.  But mostly she gives me joy and comfort and lots of laughter.

My dishwasher just chimed to signal the cycle is done.  I am very thankful for my dishwasher and feel so blessed to not have to wash dishes by hand all the time.  We bought a new one this year and I am very pleased with it.  It washes better than any one I've had before.  Sometimes it's the simple things that bring the most joy.

My family, of course.  We had lunch with my mother-in-law on Christmas.  We spoke, texted, and/or Marco Polo'd with both girls on Christmas.  Texted with my brother and talked with my sister.  I sent bunches of texts of Merry Christmas out this morning and have been receiving many back throughout the whole day.  Oh and of course, my grandson, Colton!  He is a treasure!

  

Christmas Presents were fun this year.  I got a favorite candle and can't wait to burn it.  Plans are to do that in my little office at church after the new year starts. I also got a book and a new 40 oz mug that I love. Those were from my girls.  I bought several things for myself in the past week and hubby bought a new i-pad and accessories for himself for Christmas.

Feeling very blessed this evening before heading for bed. What are you thankful for this evening?  Thanks for visiting.  Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night,

Cathy

Christmas Day - 2024

Cathy

Just for Fun!

I have posted this several times on my blog and I still love it and it makes me laugh, so here it is again.  I also found the little poster and it's the first time I've posted it.  Hope you enjoy and laugh along with me!

My husband found this and used it in a sermon in 2008. I loved it so much then and posted it. I decided I wanted to share it with you again. Hope it makes you laugh like it does me.

Ever wonder what it would’ve been like if the wise men had been women? When they arrived at the manger, you can bet they would have:

1. asked for directions;
2. arrived on time;
3. helped deliver the baby;
4. cleaned the stable;
5. brought practical gifts; and
6. made a casserole!

And a couple of our ladies added another one.
7. They would have made reservations ahead of time!

Thanks for visiting and I hope you have many opportunities to laugh today!

Cathy

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. What's one thing you want to get done before the calendar flips to a new year? Finish reading the 2 books I'm currently reading.  I'm sure there are many other things, but that's what popped into my head first.

2. What's something that brought a smile to your face this year? Our oldest daughter coming home for a visit this past summer.  

3. What do you like on a cracker? Chicken Salad or Cheese Ball or peanut butter.    Do you have a favorite cracker variety? Wheat Thins, Club Cracker, Chicken in a Biskit, Saltines with soup, etc.  But mostly I eat Wheat Thins  

4. Do you have plans for ringing in the new year in a fun or special way? No plans yet, except to be with hubby.  Are you typically awake at midnight on the last day of the year? Yes, now I may have to wake up first in order to be awake at midnight. lol

5. What are three words that describe your 2024? We have survived!  I know that's probably not what you meant, Joyce, but...

6. Insert your own random thought here. "Jesus did not promise to change the circumstances around us. He promised great peace and pure joy to those who would learn to believe that God actually controls all things." ~ Corrie Ten Boom

Thanks for visiting.  Click on the Hodgepodge button at the top of the page to link up with others answering these questions.

Cathy

Tuesday 4 - Holiday Thoughts

 

Holiday Thoughts

From Annie, "Welcome to Toni Taddeo's Tuesday 4 which you can do any day of the week you want! No time limit.

 It's frigid across Canada and America and winter is early this year.  

There are only a few days left until Christmas...how are you spending this time?" Link is here.

1.What are you up to in preparation for the holidays?  I finished my last bit of gift shopping this morning.  Now, we'll see if they all get delivered on time.

2. What is your absolute favorite holiday movie? White Christmas

3. What are your hopes for this coming season? That I'll stay as close to Jesus as I can and that others will see Him in me.  But truly this is my hope for every day of my life.

4.  Tell us your view on the great tea/coffee/hot chocolate debate and do you want it with fruitcake or cookies?  Come on own up!! Hot Chocolate with cookies.

Thanks for visiting and tell me your answers.  I'd love to know your thoughts.

Cathy

Bits of This and That

 

Good morning.  It's warmed up around here some, but unfortunately, it's very cloudy and raining this morning and it looks like we will have rain around most of the day.  But that's okay.  At least it's not ice!

I know I haven't been around here much lately, but I have been keeping up with reading a lot of your blog posts.  I have just felt like I needed to spend a little more time with the Lord and it's been good.  Sometimes I just have to get my priorities straightened around.

I've been reading some (I'm currently reading Melania's new biography), working jigsaw puzzles (I just picked up 5 more from my sister, who has a humongous stash of puzzles),watching lots of Hallmark Christmas movies with my hubby and spending lots of time at home, which I have been loving.  We've always spent a lot of time running around and eating out and just being busy and it's been nice to slow down some. We still are going into the church office 2 or 3 times a week, and I love that.  But we are both enjoying the time at home (and Lucy loves it that we are home more now too).  Here are the latest 2 puzzles I've completed.

I talked with Colton a week or so ago and he showed me his early Christmas present.  He lot a leopard gecko.  Let me just say, this is one time I'm glad he's not here and I'm not there.  Lizards are definitely not my thing.  lol

  

When I was decorating the tree, I broke one of my favorite ornaments that said Joy on it.  Unbeknownst to me, while I went on decorating, hubby went on line and bought we a new Joy ornament.  What a sweetie and he picked good!

Here's our tree this year

Hubby and I are doing an Advent Bible study called, The Marvel and Miracle of Advent with Lisa Harper and Christine Caine.  I'm really enjoying it.

Last night we picked up hubby's mom and went out to see some Christmas lights.  I didn't take a single picture, but we sure did enjoy it.  Hope you all are doing well and I hope you have a great day.

Cathy

Currently - December 2024

 I am linking up with Jennifer for Currently - December 2024. Link up is here. We are talking about loving, looking forward to, buying, hoping, baking.

Loving:  I'm loving watching all the Christmas movies and reading some Christmas books.

Looking Forward To:  Taking drives to see Christmas lights in neighborhoods around us and also those in some parks around us. This is one of our favorite Christmas traditions.  

Buying:  I just ordered a new cover for my Kindle from Amazon.  I also ordered a new cake pan as the lid on my current one is broken.  I also ordered a new Bible study and companion book for my oldest daughter and I to do together starting in January.

Hoping:  To have a wonderful December.  We have several upcoming events that are going to be fun. A Church Luncheon and a Candlelight Christmas Carol Sing, which is always a favorite.

Baking:  I have made some sugar cookies and I baked a cake this week, which I have not done in a really long time.  Chocolate Cake with my mom's chocolate icing (that she taught me to make) is my all time favorite dessert.  I don't make it often as it is not good for my sugar issues. lol

Thanks for visiting.  

Cathy

Share 4 Somethings - November 2024

  

This is my November post of Share 4 Somethings, where I'll talk about the things I loved/disliked, accomplished, improved upon/needs improvement and something I noticed. Link-up is here.  

Loved or Disliked:  I'm loving watching all the Christmas movies on the Hallmark Channels and Great American Family Channel.  I'm also enjoying working jigsaw puzzles. 

 

 

Accomplished: I finished crocheting and gifting the baby blanket I made for our nephew's new baby.

          

Improved Upon/Needs Improvement: I've been pretty behind on my reading goal for 2024.  I improved on this by reading several books in October and November.  I still need to read 9 more to reach my goal.  I probably won't reach that goal, but I'm happy with what I've read.  

Noticed: Winter is here.  We've had some snow a few days ago and now the temperature has dropped a lot and it appears it's going to stay this way for a bit. It's Friday night as I'm editing this post and it's snowing (really just flurries, but it looks like it's sticking).  We didn't expect it. But on a Friday night when I don't have to go anywhere, I can certainly enjoy it and say, "Let it snow, Let it snow, Let it snow!

That's the end of my Share 4 Somethings for this month.  Thanks for reading and I hope you have a great weekend. Again, the Link-up is here.  

Cathy