A Tucson Recap and the Weekly Menu as we hit the ground running

We had a great time in Tucson.  The weather was perfect, and the company even better.  We spent 5 lovely days catching up with our friends and enjoying the sunshine.

Chocolate Old Fashioned Cocktail and a Book Review

Marissa's guy, Hunter, gifted Frank a bottle of Chocolate Crown Royal for Christmas.  We were telling Nicole about it, and she mentioned that it would probably make a great Old Fashioned.  She was sooooo right.

The only difference from the classic cocktail is the whiskey used. Frank adds an extra drop of bitters to mine.

Here we are at the 11th Day of Christmas

Wooooo Doggie....This has been the longest 12 Days of Christmas ever!!!  I would much rather spend my holidays celebrating than lying in bed.  I am happy to report that I am getting back to life today!

How are you celebrating the 12 Days of Christmas?

Happy First Day of Christmas.  We spent this morning straightening up from yesterday's Birthday Celebration.

Happy St. Nicholas Day and the Weekly Menu

Boy, this house sure is quiet.  Dian and his family left yesterday, and the silence is deafening. I'm going to certainly miss all the squeals and laughter those children brought into our house. It was a wonderful visit, and I look forward to the next time.

Gratefully Sharing my Weekly Menu including Thanksgiving Day

Here we are at Thanksgiving Week.  I have so much for which to be Grateful.  God has blessed us abundantly.   Last night we enjoyed Friendsgiving with our neighbors.  Having good neighbors is definitely something we are grateful for.

Little Miss M is 5!!

 My Little Miss M turned 5 years old on Thursday.  She had school during the day, and we had a wine dinner to attend in the evening, so we celebrated last night at The Rainforest Cafe.  

Heading to the Farmers Market~~Time to make the Weekly Menu

Happy Sunday, Everyone.  We got home last night, and I immediately fell into bed and started snoring.  

That's not entirely true....I did have to give some loving to my babies first.

Getting ready for Island Life and the Weekly Menu

The Easter Leftovers are gone.  Time to decide what we will be eating around here this week.  I am still held captive in case I am needed for jury duty, so we couldn't take the trip out to see Chuck, whose birthday was yesterday.  

However, we do get to have our Angel Face for this weekend.  It was her Mama's Birthday on Thursday, and Daddy took her for a well-deserved, long weekend getaway.

Today is our German son, Max's, birthday.  We last saw him over a year ago when we visited Europe and we hope to see him again this Fall when we visit Italy.

Today is also the day that I lost my dear friend and soul sister, Kirsten.  Not a day goes by that I don't think of her.  I miss her terribly, but celebrate that she is safe and happy with her granddaughter and all the other angels in Heaven.

We have been having fun with our girl since she was dropped off yesterday.  Grampy and Uncle Doug are taking her to her soccer game today.  Aunt Amy and I are going to a vendor show and out to lunch with Cathy.  Grampy is making her spaghetti for dinner tonight.  It is her favorite meal to have when she visits.

We are attending a wine dinner with the Luths and Bonacorsis on Monday evening.  Tuesday, I have a hair appointment and am donating blood after receiving an SOS from the Red Cross advising that they are in great need of O+.  If you haven't donated in a while and are able, it is an easy and safe way to show love for others.

Then we will start packing and getting our dive gear ready for our trip to Anthony's Key Resort in Roatan.  

Banner page from Anthony's Key Resort website.

We are meeting with the others at a hotel near the airport on Friday evening, as our flight leaves at 6:30 am on Saturday.

So here is our Weekly Menu.  There will be no menu next week, but I will be sharing some recipes for events that are scheduled. What's going on in your life this week?

Saturday

Spaghetti

Sunday

Grilled Chicken

Jalapeno Popper Potato Salad

Monday

Wine Dinner at Testa Bara

Taco Tuesday

Baleados

Wednesday

Bratwurst and Red Cabbage

Thursday

Hamburgers

Friday

Dinner with Gang by Airport

 

Celebrating the Birth of our Lord; Christmas 2024

 Happy Birthday Jesus!!

Advent; A Time of Preparation

Advent is the time before Christmas when we prepare for the arrival of our Lord, Jesus Christ.  This preparation takes different forms for each of us.  I try to spend a little more time in prayer, be a little more generous with my time and kindness, share goodwill with others, and, of course, clean, cook, shop, wrap, and entertain.

For These Things I am Grateful and the Weekly Menu including Thanksgiving.

Last night we celebrated Friendsgiving with a casual dinner and game night.  The Angel Face joined in the fun as her Parents were out having a date night.  Friends and Family are always first on my list of things for which I am thankful.

Holiday Parties and the Weekly Menu

The holiday season is in full swing on the Farm and our calendar is filling up quickly with outings, gatherings, parties and preparations. I'm running around like a chicken with my head cut off....

Image from Google

I'm just kidding.  Those who know me best, know that there is nothing I love more than spending time with my family and friends......

And Just Like That, It's Time for the Halloween Week Menu

Is it just me or does time seem to pass so quickly anymore?  It feels like it was only yesterday that I was lounging around in the pool and now I'm getting ready for the Holidays!!!  

Home Sweet Home and the Weekly Menu

Amy and I returned home early afternoon on Thursday from our Hiking Adventure in Shenandoah National Park.  It was challenging, fun, and satisfying.  The REI guides were amazing.  The trip was planned perfectly.  The food was scrumptious at each place we ate.  The accommodations at our hotel and lodge were perfect.

Birthdays Galore and an extended Weekly Menu

We have been busy celebrating around here. April and May are busy months for us.  Last week we had 3 children with birthdays.  

We didn't get to celebrate with Chuck this year as he lives in Virginia but his birthday was yesterday and we did get to sing to him by telephone. 

Green Tomato Relish #SundayFunday

During harvest season, at least here in Michigan, there are loads of tomatoes ripe and juicy for the picking.  Farmers and home gardeners find that they have just as many green tomatoes as red.  This is a great recipe for using up some of those green tomatoes. 

Join us today as the Sunday Funday Bloggers share recipes using Green Tomatoes......

A Busy but Fun September here on the Farm

September was crazy around the Farm this year.  We demolished and remodeled the kitchen.  I have been sharing that journey as we went along on my facebook page but wanted to show you the finished project here on the blog.

It is completely finished, except we had a little oops with the corner cabinet door and we are waiting for a replacement.

Welcome Home Marina!!

While we were on vacation our first exchange student came back to the USA with her daughter, Little Miss M, to join her fiance who has been working and living here in the States since COVID struck stranding her in Russia while he was not allowed to leave here.

Since we weren't home upon their arrival, John picked them up at the airport and sent me this photo to let me know that they were here safe and sound.

Rice Krispie Monster Treats #SundayFunday

These easy and fun Marshmallow Monster Treats are sure to be a hit with all your little ghosts, ghouls and goblins this year.

The Sunday Funday Bloggers are sharing Kawaii recipes today.......