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| Borrowed from some business's annual greeting card. Fitting! |
We are here. Let's hope as we move into year three of the pandemic, third year is the charm to take back normalcy, and build back better as a society and global community. I appreciate all of you who have read my blog. I love when you comment and we have good discussions. I've ideas for 2022 to keep sharing my life and experience, but bring more useable posts and more opportunities for discussions. As how I try to live, I welcome different perspectives. While I might hold firm to my beliefs, ignorance is when we ignore new information and reject without thought different views. I'll certainly reflect and try to learn more.
Health again will be my main priority, with finances a close second. We're now two years to DH's retirement- earlier if we can pull it off. I want us both to be able to take full advantage of this time in life as empty nesters, and build our hobbies and social life for retirement. Hard to do that if we're not feeling strong and healthy. My first clothing splurge will be new outdoor boots. My boots get a work out and are five years old and the lining is worn. I need to get those walks in.
I had fun at my sister's. Good food- thrifty as it was pulled turkey and cheese sandwiches from leftover Thanksgiving turkey. I brought the second Brie wheel and crackers, this time baked with apples, plus a couple apples for slicing. There were plenty of other savory and sweet foods. Many of us brought drinks left from last week as well. Entertaining in homes so much more affordable than a New Years Eve out on the town. I'm known as the frugal sister, but I don't think anyone thinks less of my contributions to get togethers and we've all got different financial goals. I may even have less downturned noses on DH's side as well.
Today ends my holidays. The tree will be taken down and stored as will all the other decorations. I may hold off putting away snowmen, snow, and other things not specifically Christmas as I think it might keep some cheeriness. Of course, I'll use candles through the year. I got one three wick for my birthday, and four single wick for Christmas so should be in candlelight for a while.
Meals today will be easy as I putter. I am making a tuna salad loaded with celery, cheese and olives, all from my Christmas shop yesterday afternoon for today. I was going to bring last night but my sister said she had so much food and not to. ( She was right.) I need to pull out the smoked salmon for the other two with leftover crackers. Later we might get a pizza, but I've got ingredients to make one if we just want to stay put. No shopping today, but if it's not bitter, I thought we'd maybe take pup to the river to get a change if scenery for the new year. Maybe we'll just walk to the next neighborhood but that gets dicey with ice. Our small park gets boring but it's safe for walking.
How will you spend your day? Other than getting things put back and a walk and noshing, I'll probably dive into a book. I wish you a truly Happy New Year.
Im spending part of today catching up on blogs. Your tuna salad recipe sounds delicious! I like olives in salads. Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteThe tuna salad hit the spot today.
DeleteI started putting things away this week, just little by little. I undecorated the tree last night and it will be put up today. It always makes me a little sad to see the end of another holiday season.
ReplyDeleteToday I will do a few things around the house and read a bit. Dinner is going to be coho salmon, roasted rosemary potatoes and asparagus.
I hope you enjoy your day!
And today, tree didn't get taken down, but by tomorrow night, it will be as if Christmas was just a blink. We all took a down day and naps.
DeleteHappy New Year!
ReplyDeleteAs I finish my blog reading this morning, I'll turn to the un-decorating (is that a word?) I'm also planning to leave out anything snow themed as the house will look so barren without it.
I was out briefly this morning to feed the birds, but it is still bitterly cold here. -36C (-33F), so I did my walk indoors. I do need to get out of the house tomorrow to pick up bird seed. With the cold weather, they are going through it quickly.
Undecorating is now a word if it wasn't before. Terrible cold here too. Even the dog was rushing to get done.
DeleteHappy New Year! Covid ended up biting me, so it was a good thing I was in quarantine. I feel better today but have lost my smell and taste. A small casualty. Christmas got put away early since it was such a disappointing one. I’m pulling out a box of el cheapo hair dye today and covering my roots, making pork and sauerkraut, watching sports. Our New Year’s Eve festivities consisted of cheering with the neighbors from our respective porches and then off to bed lol. We are also under a flood watch, definitely not typical January weather. 2022 gives me a lot of anxiety. I’m not making any resolutions or wishes or predictions rather just taking it day by day. JoAnn
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry you got the bad parts of the virus. I hope your in the upswing. I have a box on reserve and think rinsing my roots might be a good way to glide into my work week.
DeleteHappy New Year!
ReplyDeleteA great plan for new walking boots, there'll be no stopping you!
Today I finished my book (Philippa Gregory's The Virgin's Lover), planted another 25 Spring bulbs, went for a walk around the local park, watched a film (King of Thieves), made a honey & mustard parsnip & potato bake using parsnips we grew and I'm just catching up on blogging before a friend calls round and forces us to drink beer! Enjoy your day! xxx
I should have said snow boots- need warmth and ice traction.I pulled the liner back in place and pup and I just walked in the park. It was cold. I actually drank bubbly water last night and was the driver. My sister came along and since she didn't drive, she could enjoy her Bailey's cocktail that she made for the festivities.
DeleteHappy New Year! I too hope that 2022 pushes us into a much more stable & normal time. Fingers crossed.
ReplyDeleteI know that I will work out, and make curry for dinner tonight. Other than that, I have a few projects that need to be completed, and I may run to the mall. I go to the mall at most once/year, but I have free alterations available at Nordstrom, and a dress that needs to be altered. I'll combine that with a couple of exchanges for gifts that didn't work out.
Otherwise, I have organizing & house projects to do, not to mention catching up on all of the receipts from our trip to Portland, and closing out the (financial) books for 2021.
My daughter would have loved to be at yours for dinner. We end d up with a lazy day and I don't regret it.
DeleteHappy New Year Sam. Today I've been out for a walk round a new place with Mr GBT, I've been over and picked/dropped off a load of bottle tops for sorting, washing done and am now catching up on blogs. Arilx
ReplyDeleteI will have a long list tomorrow since we truly vegged out today. It's very cold though so little motivation other than naps and movies.
DeleteEspecially when there is a large number of you it makes so much sense to enjoy NYE at home (all the more so with leftover Christmas food)! You've started the new year in good frugal fashion! And I think new walking boots are a wonderful idea. There'll be no excuse now for not getting out there, will there? Happy new year to you and yours and I'm looking forward to seeing how you hit your goals for 2022! Anna
ReplyDeleteI should have said snow boots. Good traction and warm are needed. I'll still make excuses!
DeleteHappy New Year SAM. Sounds like you are getting the year started on the right foot. As for me, I've been reading blogs, goofing around on Facebook, and just relaxing. We've all been sick here this week (covid tests were negative) but lots of coughing. We did get the house de-Christmased on Thursday except for the outside lights. It is rainy and dreary today so not sure if it will be done. The kids and Bill have been watching the Rose Bowl parade. I need to fold laundry and put it away. Other than that I think I'll read and maybe blog here in a bit once I get to the computer. Hope you have a good weekend!
ReplyDeleteIt sounds rough at your place but you were more productive than I was. Tomorrow will be a Sprint and then back to work.
DeleteWe spent 2 hours at the allotment, pruning and weeding. We've made a good start, and have plans to simplify things this year. We're going to be grandparents, so may have less time to spend there this year at harvesting time, depending how much help with the baby is wanted/needed.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! I've been blogging by phone and can't get to yours through mine. You're already thinking spring. My nephew gave us an amyrllys bulb/ pot. I should get it planted and hope for results.
DeleteAfter having temps at minus 23 degrees at 11 pm last night, I wasn't sure what today would bring. (minus 18 when I woke up) It has warmed up to minus 12, supposed to get to a warm minus 6 for the high. Not sure it's going to make it. We had a quiet New Years evening. Nothing special. A glass of sparkling grape juice and a bit of snack type foods, summer sausage, cheese, crackers, couple pieces of fudge (from your recipe that I used the dark choc candy bars and threw in some pecans - turned out to taste really good, just not too pretty) and watched some TV. Nothing special. It was nice and quiet right up to midnight when someone in the neighborhood shot off 1 singular loud sonic boom firework of some sort. I guess they felt it necessary to let us all know it was midnight. My cats didn't care, until they heard that. People! Today has been a day of sending off texts to friends and family with warm wishes for a happier, healthier and prosperous new year and have received responses from everyone. Need to find the planner that I bought for this year and transfer some bits from the old one etc. I think this year will be a year of just trying to get more things sorted and organized and to make some changes in how I have been doing things (or not doing things), hopefully for the better. I do wish for 2022 to be a better year for everyone. More trust and faith and less fear and anger. Good luck with all of your hopes and plans. And Happy New Year. Ranee (MN)
ReplyDeleteWe did get a Minnesota cold front to welcome the new year. We had well wishes going around. I truly want us all to have a good 2022.
DeleteYour knee will probably hurt less with new boots. Maybe you need to look at other shoes, too. Maybe you can have less pain and stop the deterioration in the knee.
ReplyDeleteI should have said snow boots. I doubt it will make a difference. There's just no cartilage and the bone spurs poke at nerves. I wear good quality shoes- when I bother to wear them.
DeleteHappy New Year You!
ReplyDeleteOh to you as well, my friend. 2022 has to be better.
DeleteI am in the process now (1//2/20220) of disassembling the tree; I hope yours is down better than mine is going.
ReplyDeleteIt needs bagging up and removed to the garage but not a decoration in sight.
DeleteI haven't started the idea of doing a weeks meal plan. I usually plan 3 days at a time. I think I might try it your way. Thanks for the idea.
ReplyDeleteI generally don't plan day to day- just try to think through a list of possible meals. Even that's a help.
DeleteMore new recipies and soon all say happy new year 2023 and more new resolutions and goals for coming year.
ReplyDeleteI will be sure to look. New Year's is around the corner.
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