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