Last post of 2020 -

Hello everyone 

I sewed a little today and made a mat for our dog’s food and water dishes.  

I used an old white hand towel for the back and a scrap piece of printed fabric for the top. 

I pinned them right sides together and machine stitched all the way around,  leaving an opening for turning,  

I rounded the corners as I machine stitched so I wouldn’t have to fiddle and try to make sharp corners with the thick terry cloth backing,  

Then I just machine quilted the lines between the hearts and sewed all around the edge,

Ducky eats in our living room and I think the mat and white bowl look much nicer than the cake pan on the bare floor he was using.  

It’s cold today and I’m really enjoying our gas fireplace 

Ducky seems to say  his supper tastes better on the pretty mat

We had an easy supper- something I’ve been making ever since our children were toddlers.  

We call them nachos

You need tortilla chips, refried beans (homemade would be great), jalapeños as desired and grated cheese. 

Just spread a single layer of chips on a baking tray- I liked to line the tray with foil and spray with a Pam type spray but those steps just help with serving and cleanup and are not necessary 

Then put a spoonful of beans on each chip, top with a jalapeño and grated cheese. 

Bake until the cheese is melted and beans are hot- maybe 375 degrees for 10-12 minutes 

It’s gonna be cold here for several days and we will be getting either significant ice and snow or just snow tonight and tomorrow.  

I hope it’s just snow ❄️ 

We will be staying cozy and warm at home and I hope y’all are too 

❤️ Rhonda 

December 30- Winter tree, CVS and current book

Hello everyone 

All the Christmas decorations are packed away and I put out this little silver tree with wintery looking decorations. 

 

There are still gifts here for one set of grands that we haven’t seen this month.

I went to CVS to coupon shop for the first time since maybe Feb.  

I only had some newpaper coupons and a few CVS coupons that were on my account.  

I spent almost $37 and got back $10 and will get back $3 for beauty in a few days.

 

Certainly not the best I’ve ever done at CVS.  A few of the CVS coupons that I thought would deduct, didn't.  

I will definitely use the $13 in the near future but I’m not sure I’ll be jumping back into CVS couponing,  

My parent’s retirement home has a pretty big library but I’ve never really looked in there.  This week when I walked by,  I saw 2 books that caught my eye so I brought them home. 

 

This is the 3rd book in a series of 6 but it is a stand alone book that can be read without reading the previous ones.  

I started it last night and it’s really good. 

I thought it was funny that this book was purchased in San Clemente CA,  which is right beside the Marine base we lived aboard.  

Hope you are all fine 

❤️ Rhonda 

Almost the end of 2020- home stuff and some replies

Hello - not too much news here 

We did a few errands this morning and then have been home the rest of the day.

My husband has been shelling more pecans

I hemmed pants for my son that wears dress clothes when he works.

He says there have been lots of really good online sales this year.  

Ducky napped a lot 

Our daughter’s family is doing some fun stuff while they are on break from their education jobs. 

This is little Jackson in a group photo- I think he is especially having a good time.  And I’m so glad.  

Replies

Melanie- I’m not a huge decorator but I’m thankful my husband helps a lot.  I wouldn’t do any outdoor decorations and I wouldn’t put up a 9 foot tree without his help.

Lejmom- your comments are so sweet - yes, I still have the just in case grocery supply but am not adding to it and I plan to use it down somewhat.  It takes up a lot of space.  I don’t think I’ll ever have a minimalist pantry though.  

Baked Tacos- I’m not sure who asked but they are so easy to make.  You need the regular taco ingredients.  Put the crunchy taco shells in a pan with sides and turn on the oven to heat them as the package specifies.  Put grated cheese in the bottom of each taco shell and then top with a spoonful of warm taco meat filling.  Now put them in the oven and bake as the package specified- usually 5-8 minutes.  Take them out of the oven and add all the toppings your family likes.  

I make tacos this way when I’m serving a group and it’s so much easier than fixing each taco individually.  

Hope you’re all fine and snug- it’s cold in Oklahoma and going to get colder 🥶 

❤️  Rhonda 

end of December - pantry organized, a few meals and to-do list

Hello everyone 

I made a new to-do list on Sunday for the next week - I’ve already checked off several things but this is the photo I took when I first made the list 

Our pantry has been cleaned out and reorganized (and of course I neglected to take a before photo) 

I also straightened up the fridge and am using up fresh things 

After Christmas,  we had leftovers on the relish tray, and they tasted really good with simple sandwiches.  

We are not loyal to any brand of bread, I order different ones often.  I ordered this thick sliced white bread- Natures Own Perfectly Crafted- and we like it a lot.  

I used some leftover sauce and a partial bag of cheese that had been in the fridge a long time and made a really good pizza 

And a big salad 

H

My husband and I worked together and packed away all the inside and outside Christmas decorations 

That’s all the news from here 

❤️Rhonda 

Updated - My first hot cocoa bomb

Have y’all heard about hot cocoa bombs?  They are the biggest trend for Christmas, at least in Oklahoma.  

My daughter made some and I asked for just one as they are so rich! 

They are a hollow chocolate ball filled with hot chocolate mix and marshmallows.  You put one in a mug and pour hot milk over it.  It puts on a show as it melts and turns into the most delicious hot cozy drink.  

I recommend indulging in one if you get the opportunity ☕️

❤️Rhonda 

Blogidays December 24 - the last day of Blogidays

Good evening 

I’ve enjoyed sharing a bit of our December with you and I loved reading all your comments. 

I still don’t have my comment reply worming though 

Merry Christmas 

I’ll be back in a few days 

❤️ Rhonda 

Blogidays December 23- family fun

Hello 

Three grands spent the night with us and when I drove them home this morning,  we stopped to see Bumblebee who is decorated for Christmas.  

Bumblebee is a transformer, made of car parts and lives on the west side of our town at a body shop.  

See his Santa hat?

His brother Optimus Prime lives at another body shop on the other side of town.  

Bumblebee is pretty cool, isn’t he? 

My daughter sent some homemade cinnamon rolls home with me and they were delicious!

Sometimes,  she takes orders and makes dozens of these to sell. 

In the evening,  we had a tiny family gathering with one son and his family.  

I think Braeden really likes his gift- a remote control boat. 

Supper was easy and so good - catering from Texas Roadhouse. 

That was our day - along with high winds all day and still blowing.  

Happy Christmas Eve Eve 🎄

❤️ Rhonda 

Blogidays December 22- meals and fudge

Hello everyone 

Yesterday, Ducky visited the doggy spa, mainly because he was so smelly.  I noticed his dog bed was also stinky.  The tag on it said to only spot clean but spot cleaning was not going to freshen it up so I machine wash and dried it.  It looks great now, doesn’t it? And it smells nice. 

In my opinion, those tags that say not to machine wash are not usually reliable.  I’ve machine washed all kinds of stuffed toys, ball caps, athletic shoes and pillows and now I’ll keep washing this dog bed when it needs it. 

Grand kids were here today.  I made baked tacos for lunch.  For the toppings, I diced them finely and mixed together and then just added a small handful to each taco.  

 

I chopped pecans and planned bake banana bread and make fudge.  

So far, only the fudge has happened and it turned out delicious,  

I used This Fudge Recipe 

It called for 3 cups of chocolate chips.  I put the milk chocolate chips in a measuring cup and added enough semisweet chips to make 3 cups.

I put the chips in a microwave safe bowl with 1/4 cup diced butter and I can of sweetened condensed milk.  

Then I microwaved it for 3 minutes on 50% power for 3 minutes,  it was melted then and I just stirred it until it was combined and added 1 t vanilla and about a cup of chopped pecans.

The I spread it in a buttered dish and let it cool and then cut.  

It is really nice fudge- creamy and just firm enough to cut.  

If you need a quick treat for Christmas,  I recommend this fudge 

That puzzle that was started a few days ago is now finished and back in the box.  

It’s almost Christmas- hope you all are ready with your preparations and can enjoy the special day

Replies 

About the yard signs - I believe both sign companies are franchises.  Card My Yard has been in our town for maybe 3 years and now Gypsy Signs are here.  In general, they put the signs out the night before the special day and then pick them back up after dark the next day but that can vary.  I’ve seen them for weddings, anniversaries, birthdays, graduations, births of new babies, promotions, back to school- etc.  

I think if someone wanted to start a business, a sign franchise might be something to look into. 

The Star was quite visible for us last night as we had very clear skies.  I’m sorry so many of y’all had clouds.  

❤️Rhonda 

Blogidays-December 21- Star of Bethlehem

I’m guessing you’ve all heard about the very rare space occurrence this evening - some are calling it the Star of Bethlehem or the Great Conjunction.  

https://www.nasa.gov/feature/the-great-conjunction-of-jupiter-and-saturn

Ever since I heard about it,  this song has been playing in my head and I have watched both of these on Youtube almost daily 

Star of Bethlehem with lyrics in captions 

And Star of Bethlehem sung by 3 young sisters 

We are planning to watch the southwest sky around sunset tonight and I just might keep listening to Star of Bethlehem whenever I want 

Merry Christmas everyone 

❤️Rhonda 

Blogidays December 20 - Merry Christmas sign

Hello

I entered a Facebook contest last week from a new business that does yard sign greeting cards..

I was surprised when I won and thought the prize would just be the 2 elves with the ‘we miss you’ and tree. 

The company just sent me this photo of the sign they put out at my parents retirement home.  They live on the 2nd floor and can see it from their balcony.  Many of the residents walk daily on the sidewalk and I think they will enjoy seeing it too. 

These yard cards are great!  The company sets up the ordered message and then also removes it, usually in the evening so the sign is a surprise to the recipient.  

This business is called Sign Gypsies-Stillwater 

Isn’t this  a fun greeting? 

❤️ Rhonda 

Blogidays December 19 - birthday fun

Hello everyone, 

First I want to thank everyone for the sweet comments about my granddaughter’s project.  She was on the front page of our newspaper today and now has more orders for ornaments - several of them were from people with families that have been through Covid and want the ornaments to commemorate what they went through in 2020.  In fact she has so many more ornaments to make,  I’m going to help her tomorrow.  

I’m still amazed how much she accomplished and how many people it has made happy ❤️

And thank you all for the loving comments about her 

Today we celebrated my birthday and it’s been a great day.

I went to see my parents first thing and my mom crocheted this adorable snowman for me.  

I talked to or saw all my grandchildren and children today.  

We ordered Panera catering for our lunch -salads, soups, baguettes, sandwiches and desserts.  It was delicious and there was so much, we had it for supper and will have it tomorrow and maybe Monday too.  (I know everyone is not a fan of leftovers but we are) 

My children gave me some wonderful scented candles, wax melts, potpourri and  hand lotions.  

And my husband gave me a beautiful pearl necklace. 

I took a few more photos at my parents retirement home.  

  

Both of these smaller trees have lighted gifts around the base.  They look really good in person.  

If y’all have read my blog any length of time,  you know I like to grow succulents. 

I saw this mini succulent that hangs on a car mirror on Mercari and it may be cute buts it’s ridiculous and would most likely block a lot of the drivers vision.  

But it is really cute 😊

Good night everyone. 

Hope you all have a good day 

❤️Rhonda 

 

Blogidays December 18 - our little philanthropist

Hello everyone 

This will be a brag post about our oldest Granddaughter- 10 year old Elizabeth 

I think these photos will explain what she did 

She ended up selling 97 ornaments and raising almost $600

Below is what she bought (with Walmart grocery pickup) 

We helped her family pick up and deliver all this to the hospital.  

They loaded the snacks into their van and the drinks went in the back of my husband’s pickup.   

Our former next door neighbor is the Public Relations director at our little hospital and she was just so happy with this donation. 

She said there are 90 workers in the Covid unit (at this little hospital😳) and she said this will really help them be more comfortable and help raise their spirits.  

Little people can do big things and I’m very proud of her and happy that the workers will get a little boost

❤️Rhonda 

Blogidays December 17 - lunch and a school program

Hello - I didn’t forget to post today, it was just a busy day.  

Some of the grands were here for the afternoon after they did their virtual school work and zooms. 

This was our impromptu lunch - 

fruit, 

little frozen pizzas

French fries because the kiddos asked for them and they baked with the pizzas

Chocolate chip muffins because Elizabeth wanted to make and eat them

 Chocolate Chip Muffins is on of the first recipes I ever got from the internet and have been baking them since 1998. 

In the evening, we drove out the the country school where 2 grandsons go and saw the 6th grader play his trumpet in a Christmas concert 

A friend of ours is a single foster mother and has adopted 4 of her foster children.  She posts some of their activities on FB and this one was so funny,  I thought y’all would all laugh at it.  

She has lots of confidence,  doesn’t she?  

Good evening everyone 

❤️ Rhonda